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The Perfect Sister
The Perfect Sister
Sheryl Browne | 2020 | Mystery, Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
‏I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

In the Perfect Sister, Claire receives a text message that reads ‘You don’t know me, but I’m your sister’ Reading that and the rest description my interest was piqued.

When I read The Second Wife by Sheryl Browne I could not put it down. It was a roller coaster of emotions to read. I was watching for her next book to be announced. When I saw, The Perfect Sister, I immediately requested to review it. It was originally titled The Family Secret. Both titles work well for the book.

The book felt much longer than its 326 pages. I put it down several times because I did not connect with the characters and was not surprised as the secrets were revealed. I kept yelling at the main character as if I was watching a movie.

The writing style is the same I enjoyed from The Second Wife but I did not like the characters and their actions.

Based on the description, I expected The Perfect Sister to read a thriller with secrets. It was not. It was more of a family drama than a thriller. When thinking of it as a family drama, I would say it is worth reading.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com on 2/2/20.
  
13 Reasons Why  - Season 1
13 Reasons Why - Season 1
2017 | Drama
The series was created with close attention to the book it was based off of, this is always important to me. The casting was spot on and it was gripping and emotional from the first episode. (1 more)
This series is realistic in the way that it portrays teenage lives (I work in a high school and it's all about he said/she said and who is sleeping with who), but it also shows the negative impacts of people's actions (in the most extreme sense).
A lot if people are saying that the depiction of Hannah is not realistic, but I can't comment on that because I have never known someone who was suicidal. People are also worried about teenagers getting the wrong idea about suicide (that it is glorified). (1 more)
Some parents are concerned that the series (and book) deal with situations that are too sensitive for certain children.
  
A Place Called Winter
A Place Called Winter
Patrick Gale | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Loosely based on truth
This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Loosely based upon a true story, one of Patrick Gale’s ancestors in fact, A Place Called Winter follows the life of Harry Cane during the early 1900s. The book begins with Harry being transferred from a mental asylum to a therapeutic community called Bethel Ranch. The story then backtracks to Harry’s life as a young, nervous, motherless boy and the time he met his future wife, Winnie.

Throughout the book the reader is trying to guess the reason Harry eventually finds himself at Bethel Ranch. Gale describes Harry’s marriage, his discovery of homosexuality and his move to Canada to his final stop at a homestead in a place called Winter. Does Harry develop a mental illness or is it something to do with his scandalous desires? Or, does something else happen later in the book?

After moving to Canada, Harry does not exactly have it easy and the reader feels for him as he perseveres with his new life style. We watch him grow from a timid young man into someone with his own farm and independence. It makes it all the more upsetting to read when certain things take a turn for the worse.

In this historical novel, Patrick Gale emphasizes on the way homosexuality was regarded in society. Entire families cut people out of their lives at the slightest hint of a scandal. Gale also touches on the techniques used within mental asylums during this period as well as racial discrimination.

Occasionally, the story was difficult to read as it alternated between being really interesting and then slightly dull. Overall, regardless of how much was based on actual events, it was a good storyline, and once you have started reading you feel the need to continue to find out what happens to Harry. I have only read one other book by Patrick Gale – Notes From an Exhibition – that I struggled with a little. A Place Called Winter, however, was a lot better than I was expecting.
  
DA
Dot and the Kangaroo
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
MMD Reading Challenge 2017- For Fun
Category: Book set in a place you've never been/want to visit

Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2017
Category: Book about an animal/or animal in Title

 I'm giving this book 4 stars. I enjoyed it so much. Dot gets lost in the Australian Bush and is befriended by a Kangaroo. She meets many creatures while trying to find her way back home. I loved the descriptions of the Bush and the creatures that live there. This is a really good children's book, and the only problem I had with it is that all humans are demonized. There is no distinction made between poachers and those who hunt for food. I have always wanted visit Australia, even though some things about Australia terrify me, for example, killer spiders. I actually used to watch the Dot movies when I was a kid. I had no idea that it was based on this book until I was looking for books to read for the Challenges. I'm really glad I found it!