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April Rose Mossow (93 KP) rated Sadie in Books
May 20, 2019
When Sadie’s sister Maddie is found dead, it sets off a series of events: A road trip, uncovering secrets, but also, asking more questions than it answers. I really enjoyed this book, slowly the adrenaline just kicks you into gear and you’re rushing through the book to finish. It’s a murder-mystery, tangled with lies, family dysfunction, and vengeance. Told between podcasts and the perspective of its main character, it’s a different style of writing, written especially for this generation’s teens. You feel so deeply for Sadie, and the people she meets along the way. The story is fast-paced and keeps you thoroughly engaged. (I didn’t want to put it down!) Sadie is a well written, real character you root for through the entirety of the book. It’s such a sad chain of events, you don’t really know what to expect, but you hope against all hope that Sadie makes it out alive.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) in Movies
Feb 4, 2018 (Updated Feb 9, 2018)
Angry in America
One of the more intelligent movies to attempt to deal with the culture wars in America at the moment, this starts off looking like a relatively straightforward tale of a wronged woman taking on the callous reactionary establishment in smalltown USA, but then turns into something rather more nuanced.
Mildred, the main character, may be in the right, but that doesn't stop her from being an intolerant nightmare a lot of the time, while the racist cop who is her main opposition is not quite the uncaring thug he appears to be. In any case, it's the two sides' refusal to even try to consider the others' perspective that leads to the darker events as the story progresses.
Well-acted and well-written, it may be that the movie's refusal to offer easy or upbeat answers will work against it as far as some viewers are concerned. But another impressively provocative movie from Martin McDonagh.
Mildred, the main character, may be in the right, but that doesn't stop her from being an intolerant nightmare a lot of the time, while the racist cop who is her main opposition is not quite the uncaring thug he appears to be. In any case, it's the two sides' refusal to even try to consider the others' perspective that leads to the darker events as the story progresses.
Well-acted and well-written, it may be that the movie's refusal to offer easy or upbeat answers will work against it as far as some viewers are concerned. But another impressively provocative movie from Martin McDonagh.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2579 KP) rated Suspendered Sentence (An Amish Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When the Stolrzfus barn catches fire, the Amish community comes together for a barn raising. But in the midst of the building, bones are discovered, and they are quickly identified as those of Sadie Lehman, who disappeared 20 years before. With the mystery of her disappearance now on everyone’s mind, Claire begins to search for answers to help those she has come to love. But what really happened all those years ago?
The mystery was a tad slower than I thought it could be, but the book more than makes up for it with the characters. I’ve come to care for them, and the growth we see here is not only organic, but growth that made me very happy. These characters pulled me into the book once again, and I can hardly wait to visit them when the next in the series comes out.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-suspendered-sentence-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The mystery was a tad slower than I thought it could be, but the book more than makes up for it with the characters. I’ve come to care for them, and the growth we see here is not only organic, but growth that made me very happy. These characters pulled me into the book once again, and I can hardly wait to visit them when the next in the series comes out.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/11/book-review-suspendered-sentence-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Risen (Blood Eternal #1) in Books
Mar 17, 2018
"The answers we seek might be the only things that can save us now."
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast-paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff-hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted with bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well-developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast-paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff-hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted with bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well-developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Risen (Blood Eternal #1) in Books
Mar 17, 2018
"The answers we seek might be the only things that can save us now."
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted by bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
OMG! How could you leave me hanging by a thread??!! I was so caught up in this fast paced story that I didn't realize I was reaching the cliff hanging end until I flipped the page and was greeted by bonus content!! Who are the parents of... oh never mind, as I simply don't want to share any spoilers. Charlie has no idea of the existence of vampires until it's too late to do anything but little does she know that this revelation isn't the last. This well developed storyline has it all from three vampire clans that have different gifts to action and just the right amount of romance and I love the characters. I hope that the author doesn't take too long in releasing the second book because my curiosity is going to have me bouncing off the walls.
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Brain on Fire (2016) in Movies
Jun 26, 2018
Based on a true story
Based on the life and book by the same name by Susannah Cahalan, this movie follows the events of a 21 year old girl who suddenly begins experiencing strange flu-like symptoms. She goes to a doctor who tells her that all of her tests came back clear and there's nothing wrong with her. As she continues to work through the strange symptoms, they become increasingly severe. She begins to have seizures, psychotic episodes of paranoia, and is diagnosed with one mental illness after another. None of which explain why Susannah was previously a perfectly healthy 21 year old girl or what brought on the strange symptoms. Her family pushes to find answers where the team of doctors believe she belongs in a psychiatric facility. The movie is a little slow paced but I believe it was necessary to really encompass the severity and impact of the situation that Susannah and her family experienced. Definitely worth a watch.
Chelsea (166 KP) rated The Last Time I Lied in Books
Jul 11, 2018
15 years ago at Camp Nightingale three girls vanish without a trace, leaving one girl, Emma Davis, to question everything and constantly think about what happened. The camp closes down, forcing all to go their separate ways. 15 years later, Emma is contacted by Franny, owner and operator of Camp Nightingale, who says she plans to reopen, and would love Emma to be the art teacher. Emma, determined to find out what happened to her friends all those years ago, reluctantly agreed and vows to discover the truth. What she finds points her in many different directions, but doesn’t deter her from trying to get answers. Then a few days into camp history seems to repeat itself, this time clouding Emma in suspicion.
I seriously could not put this book down. There are twists and turns and everyone seems suspicious so it keeps you guessing who did it and what really happened. The ending is unexpected and leaves you wanting more! Excellent book, I highly recommend.
I seriously could not put this book down. There are twists and turns and everyone seems suspicious so it keeps you guessing who did it and what really happened. The ending is unexpected and leaves you wanting more! Excellent book, I highly recommend.
Sue (5 KP) rated Death on the Menu in Books
Aug 13, 2018
Hayley Snow is a food critic for Key Zest magazine and also assists her mom at a catering business. When a bid is won for a catering job for a high profile 3-day Cuban event, Hayley once more finds herself knee-deep in murder.
Just as the flan is being served during the event, Hemingway’s Nobel prize gold medal is discovered missing from its case and the new busboy Gabriel is found stabbed to death in a storeroom. Gabriel’s family wants answers, so Hayley puts on her sleuthing cap to figure out who amongst the long list of suspects wanted Gabriel dead. Why was he murdered and what does it have to do with the missing gold medal?
Lucy Burdette weaves a wonderful mystery which includes a female lead with a flair for solving murders, a supporting case of fun & quirky characters, a great mix of possible suspects, and lots of twists and turns until you finally discover whodunnit.
Just as the flan is being served during the event, Hemingway’s Nobel prize gold medal is discovered missing from its case and the new busboy Gabriel is found stabbed to death in a storeroom. Gabriel’s family wants answers, so Hayley puts on her sleuthing cap to figure out who amongst the long list of suspects wanted Gabriel dead. Why was he murdered and what does it have to do with the missing gold medal?
Lucy Burdette weaves a wonderful mystery which includes a female lead with a flair for solving murders, a supporting case of fun & quirky characters, a great mix of possible suspects, and lots of twists and turns until you finally discover whodunnit.
Flynn (6 KP) rated Lizard Radio in Books
Sep 18, 2018
<spoiler>Kind of disappointed there weren't actual lizard people, and we never learned what vaping actually was, or if blight was as bad as they made it out to be,</spoiler> so the book left me wanting a lot more answers to my questions in a fairly unsatisfying way. A lot of terms thrown at you to with no explanation, and the context makes it hard to actually figure out what stuff means.
Pretty good rep of non-binary and trans folk though and how confusing and hard it can be to be yourself in a strict binary world, but for people who haven't experienced anything really related to being gender non-conforming, it might be a bit hard to understand Kivali's perspective.
As a kid who legit thought they weren't human because they were different and wished I was picked up by my fellow aliens, having actual aliens get Kivali would've been a lot more satisfying than them not being real.
Pretty good rep of non-binary and trans folk though and how confusing and hard it can be to be yourself in a strict binary world, but for people who haven't experienced anything really related to being gender non-conforming, it might be a bit hard to understand Kivali's perspective.
As a kid who legit thought they weren't human because they were different and wished I was picked up by my fellow aliens, having actual aliens get Kivali would've been a lot more satisfying than them not being real.
Becs (244 KP) rated A Room Away From the Wolves in Books
Jan 4, 2019
So many things being represented!
Like LGBTQ+, abuse, assualt, depression, etc. (1 more)
Ghosts + love + death + dark back story = recipe for the best book ever!
A wicked ghost story that will satisfy every need!
I absolutely loved this novel!! I couldn't get enough of it and didn't want it to end. There's LGBTQ+ representation, romance, death, mystery, family drama, talk of suicide and domestic violence. I mean A Room Away From the Wolves has it all!
The only reason why this novel isn't sitting at a 5-star rating is that it was a little confusing in the beginning. I didn't quite understand the story-line and plot and the characters seemed to be lacking. But once I actually delved deeper into the novel, I got my answers and everything became clear yet again.
Want to read more? Head over to my blog: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com
The only reason why this novel isn't sitting at a 5-star rating is that it was a little confusing in the beginning. I didn't quite understand the story-line and plot and the characters seemed to be lacking. But once I actually delved deeper into the novel, I got my answers and everything became clear yet again.
Want to read more? Head over to my blog: bookingwayreads.wordpress.com