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Sam (74 KP) rated Me Before You in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Will needed Lou as much as she needed him, but will her love be enough to save his life?
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun teashop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn’t know is she’s about to lose her job or that knowing what’s coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he’s going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn’t know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they’re going to change the other for all time.
When/Why I Bought It
This is yet another one of those books that I can’t actually remember buying! I bought it when I found out about the hype just before the film came out.
Overall Thoughts
This has made it to be one of my favourite books of all time. My copy is beginning to look tatty from the amount of times I’ve read it and the fact that I’ve lent it out to so many different people.
I love Lou. Even through everything, she still keeps her head on. She stays strong throughout the whole novel and I admire that. Watching her relationship with Will develop was heartwarming and I really wish I could read more from just that section of their relationship.
I really like that the novel raises awareness for both disabilities and mental health. I know there has been a lot of a kick back about how it goes about raising awareness, but I really felt like the way it was done gave it maximum effect and it really opened my eyes.
If you are prone to crying, do not read this in public! It even made me a bit teary-eyed which is almost impossible.
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun teashop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn’t know is she’s about to lose her job or that knowing what’s coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he’s going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn’t know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they’re going to change the other for all time.
When/Why I Bought It
This is yet another one of those books that I can’t actually remember buying! I bought it when I found out about the hype just before the film came out.
Overall Thoughts
This has made it to be one of my favourite books of all time. My copy is beginning to look tatty from the amount of times I’ve read it and the fact that I’ve lent it out to so many different people.
I love Lou. Even through everything, she still keeps her head on. She stays strong throughout the whole novel and I admire that. Watching her relationship with Will develop was heartwarming and I really wish I could read more from just that section of their relationship.
I really like that the novel raises awareness for both disabilities and mental health. I know there has been a lot of a kick back about how it goes about raising awareness, but I really felt like the way it was done gave it maximum effect and it really opened my eyes.
If you are prone to crying, do not read this in public! It even made me a bit teary-eyed which is almost impossible.
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Doom Patrol, Vol. 1: Crawling from the Wreckage in Books
Nov 30, 2020
In a fandom littered with reboot after reboot, with the current ones no better than the previous 4-5 before it, I took it upon myself to finally read Morrison's much-praised mid-1980's reboot of the Doom Patrol. I did not read it when it came out originally, but I remember seeing it. At the time, I was very much about the "flashy" superhero books of 80's: the X-Men (which I will still argue were better than ANYTHING that is currently being written about them!), Wildstorm's 'Gen13' and 'WildC.A.T.s', etc. Mind you, I was also very much into 'Sandman' and "Shade the Changing Man', both of which were part of the still-in-its-infancy stage Vertigo imprint from DC Comics. Weird, right, that I skipped over 'Doom Patrol'. Not sure why I did, but I did.
Now, to the present..
Having read the first volume, which is out-of-print (like so much of DC's pre-"New 52" stuff!), I can safely say I understand all the love that the series has earned! This is mind-blowing stuff, and it's only the first 6 issues!
The book boasts a dark, moody theme at times, but it is more part of the story than about trying to "be something" like many books today try to be. The characters are well-rounded, each having a uniquely interesting personality. There are returning characters, like Robotman, and the team's leader Niles Caulder, but there are also some real creative gems like Crazy Jane, with her 64 personalities and so much more going on in her!
The cool thing about 'Doom Patrol' is it can be recommended to anyone who says they don't like comics because of the costumes, etc. DP is not about costumes, superheroes or anything like that. If it were to be compared to anyting, I would say I got a 'Fringe' (the FOX/J.J. Abrams TV series) feeling when I was reading it.
There are 5 more volumes to tackle, but I shall savor each one, as if it were a fine wine!
Now, to the present..
Having read the first volume, which is out-of-print (like so much of DC's pre-"New 52" stuff!), I can safely say I understand all the love that the series has earned! This is mind-blowing stuff, and it's only the first 6 issues!
The book boasts a dark, moody theme at times, but it is more part of the story than about trying to "be something" like many books today try to be. The characters are well-rounded, each having a uniquely interesting personality. There are returning characters, like Robotman, and the team's leader Niles Caulder, but there are also some real creative gems like Crazy Jane, with her 64 personalities and so much more going on in her!
The cool thing about 'Doom Patrol' is it can be recommended to anyone who says they don't like comics because of the costumes, etc. DP is not about costumes, superheroes or anything like that. If it were to be compared to anyting, I would say I got a 'Fringe' (the FOX/J.J. Abrams TV series) feeling when I was reading it.
There are 5 more volumes to tackle, but I shall savor each one, as if it were a fine wine!
No Shame (No Shame #4)
10.0
Rate It
Book
(This is NOT a stand alone novel. See end of this description for details) Brad feels nothing but...
M_M Contemporary Romance
Merissa (13414 KP) rated Prince of Flowers (Wild Hearts #1) in Books
Oct 13, 2022
PRINCE OF FLOWERS is the first book in the Wild Hearts series and we are introduced to a world that is both contemporary and magical. It was a little weird to start with when Playstations are being discussed but it soon turned to the magical side, and all was right for me.
I say for me because it certainly wasn't for Sylvain. Locke is a summoner, a super senior summoner as he has been at Wispwood for years. His father was a big name and it's a lot for him to live up to but, to be honest, it didn't sound as though he was that bothered about doing the work either. Yes, he wants his Summoner's Crest but the only reason that is mentioned is so he can get his hands on his inheritance.
He summons Sylvain and can't understand why Sylvain is a bit perturbed. Sylvain, quite rightly, wants to know what's going on and why. The "Humanoids" have been summoned in the past, but it isn't common," line didn't sit that well with me. It didn't seem quite right. Maybe that's just me.
The spark is there between the two of them from the start - although whether it is attraction or being contrary to each other is up to you to figure out. I did enjoy how they worked things out and ended up working together.
I really did enjoy this book and certainly want to continue with the series. I am hopeful that in subsequent books we will get more world- and character-building than we got here. Although there was some, it just didn't feel as though it was enough. I want to know more about the magical side, about Locke's relationship with his father, about where his father went, about Evander Skink, so much more!
All in all, this was a great read and a brilliant start to a new series. Individual and quirky, I have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I say for me because it certainly wasn't for Sylvain. Locke is a summoner, a super senior summoner as he has been at Wispwood for years. His father was a big name and it's a lot for him to live up to but, to be honest, it didn't sound as though he was that bothered about doing the work either. Yes, he wants his Summoner's Crest but the only reason that is mentioned is so he can get his hands on his inheritance.
He summons Sylvain and can't understand why Sylvain is a bit perturbed. Sylvain, quite rightly, wants to know what's going on and why. The "Humanoids" have been summoned in the past, but it isn't common," line didn't sit that well with me. It didn't seem quite right. Maybe that's just me.
The spark is there between the two of them from the start - although whether it is attraction or being contrary to each other is up to you to figure out. I did enjoy how they worked things out and ended up working together.
I really did enjoy this book and certainly want to continue with the series. I am hopeful that in subsequent books we will get more world- and character-building than we got here. Although there was some, it just didn't feel as though it was enough. I want to know more about the magical side, about Locke's relationship with his father, about where his father went, about Evander Skink, so much more!
All in all, this was a great read and a brilliant start to a new series. Individual and quirky, I have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated Face Off (Laura Blackstone, #2) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I went back and forth on the rating for this book, but finally settled on a four. I honestly found all the conflict to be exhausting and unpleasant, but it was very realistically written and I certainly felt connected to Blackstone. I decided that if del Franco weren't such a good writer, I wouldn't be feeling everything so much.
I read [b:Face Off|7106094|Face Off (Laura Blackstone, #2)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1271179558s/7106094.jpg|7364695] right after finishing [b:Skin Deep|6150364|Skin Deep (Laura Blackstone, #1)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312520543s/6150364.jpg|6329503], which is how I recommend that you read them. That is, after all, how the plot works. There's a lot more of Jono Sinclair in this volume than the first, which will be popular with romance fans.
During the events of [b:Skin Deep|6150364|Skin Deep (Laura Blackstone, #1)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312520543s/6150364.jpg|6329503], Laura retired the Janice Crawford persona. Her life should be simpler now that she's just herself and Mariel Tate, right?
Wrong, because she and Mariel Tate are being pulled in opposing directions by powerful forces, and she has two more-than-full-time-jobs. Toss in an order to impersonate an uncooperative prisoner in order to infiltrate a terrorist group, and her life is at risk every day too.
In the midst of all this, there's a visit from royalty, and her boss assigns Mariel yet another top priority.
The only respite is her growing relationship with Jono Sinclair, who is also undercover with the terrorist group. He's the only person in the world who always knows who she is, no matter what glamour she's wearing.
Laura started wondering how much of herself was left behind all the personas in [b:Skin Deep|6150364|Skin Deep (Laura Blackstone, #1)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312520543s/6150364.jpg|6329503], realizing that "Laura Blackstone" was in danger of becoming just another persona. She's even more concerned about that issue in [b:Face Off|7106094|Face Off (Laura Blackstone, #2)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1271179558s/7106094.jpg|7364695], but thanks to Jono she's getting back in touch with who she is behind the masks. Will she be able to hold on to her progress? Will she be able to simply survive the undercover assignment with almost no preparation? Or will it be the internal Guildhouse politics that do her in? These questions kept me reading and interested. I was thrilled with how del Franco answered them, and I'm intensely curious as to whether those answers leave any room for further adventures with Laura and Jono.
I read [b:Face Off|7106094|Face Off (Laura Blackstone, #2)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1271179558s/7106094.jpg|7364695] right after finishing [b:Skin Deep|6150364|Skin Deep (Laura Blackstone, #1)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312520543s/6150364.jpg|6329503], which is how I recommend that you read them. That is, after all, how the plot works. There's a lot more of Jono Sinclair in this volume than the first, which will be popular with romance fans.
During the events of [b:Skin Deep|6150364|Skin Deep (Laura Blackstone, #1)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312520543s/6150364.jpg|6329503], Laura retired the Janice Crawford persona. Her life should be simpler now that she's just herself and Mariel Tate, right?
Wrong, because she and Mariel Tate are being pulled in opposing directions by powerful forces, and she has two more-than-full-time-jobs. Toss in an order to impersonate an uncooperative prisoner in order to infiltrate a terrorist group, and her life is at risk every day too.
In the midst of all this, there's a visit from royalty, and her boss assigns Mariel yet another top priority.
The only respite is her growing relationship with Jono Sinclair, who is also undercover with the terrorist group. He's the only person in the world who always knows who she is, no matter what glamour she's wearing.
Laura started wondering how much of herself was left behind all the personas in [b:Skin Deep|6150364|Skin Deep (Laura Blackstone, #1)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1312520543s/6150364.jpg|6329503], realizing that "Laura Blackstone" was in danger of becoming just another persona. She's even more concerned about that issue in [b:Face Off|7106094|Face Off (Laura Blackstone, #2)|Mark Del Franco|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1271179558s/7106094.jpg|7364695], but thanks to Jono she's getting back in touch with who she is behind the masks. Will she be able to hold on to her progress? Will she be able to simply survive the undercover assignment with almost no preparation? Or will it be the internal Guildhouse politics that do her in? These questions kept me reading and interested. I was thrilled with how del Franco answered them, and I'm intensely curious as to whether those answers leave any room for further adventures with Laura and Jono.
Harold Curwen and Oliver Simon: Curwen Press - Design
Peyton Skipwith and Brian Webb
Book
The finest books produced during the quarter century prior to the outbreak of the Great War were...
Merissa (13414 KP) rated In Your Eyes (Mates #3) in Books
Dec 7, 2017
In Your Eyes (Mates #3) by Cardeno C.
Samuel and Korban are two very different shifters - one is very logical and methodical, knows exactly what he must do to become an Alpha and works hard to do so, the other seems more fun and carefree and completely ruffles up Samuel the wrong way.
I absolutely loved this story although it did bring tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. There are some great lines in here as Samuel tries to figure out Korban, to no avail. I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing and hearing about other characters that I already have met. The two main characters, though, worked absolutely perfectly with each other. It was definitely a case of them completing each other!
A heart-melting love story about receiving the greatest blessing a shifter can get - that of a true mate.
I received this book from WLK Book Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I absolutely loved this story although it did bring tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. There are some great lines in here as Samuel tries to figure out Korban, to no avail. I also thoroughly enjoyed seeing and hearing about other characters that I already have met. The two main characters, though, worked absolutely perfectly with each other. It was definitely a case of them completing each other!
A heart-melting love story about receiving the greatest blessing a shifter can get - that of a true mate.
I received this book from WLK Book Promotions in return for a fair and honest review.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (13414 KP) rated Thick & Thin (THIRDS #8) in Books
Jun 27, 2017
Thick & Thin (THIRDS #8) by Charlie Cochet
Thick and Thin is a novella that gives the reader some necessary down-time after the emotional upheaval of Smoke and Mirrors. It also gives Destructive Delta the opportunity to catch up with what is going on with Dex and Sloane. Yes, they're unhappy at the secrets being kept and their own fears, but will it be enough to split them up permanently, or will they be able to work it out?
I needed this book, a touch of normality after the previous book! I still found my emotions in play though as the rest of the team learned about what had gone on that they had no idea about. However, I am now excited to see where it will lead. Very well written, as per the whole series, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow. Definitely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I needed this book, a touch of normality after the previous book! I still found my emotions in play though as the rest of the team learned about what had gone on that they had no idea about. However, I am now excited to see where it will lead. Very well written, as per the whole series, with no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow. Definitely recommended by me.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2017 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I stumbled on this book quite by accident while on one of my hours long "grocery shopping" treks through Target. I have had several Erik Larson books on my To Read list for awhile. It was just one of those, "I'll get to them one day," kind of things. I saw this on the shelf & bought it on a whim. I found it it be a truly engaging narrative, not just about the tragic torpedoing & sinking of the Lusitania, but about the passengers & crew too. The human side of the story is what really grabbed me. I will admit that it started off a bit slow for my taste, but I did get immersed in the day to day lives of those aboard the ship. The tales of survival are amazing along with all the political maneuvering that occurred in the wake of the sinking. This is a fascinating snapshot of world history told from a very personal perspective. Well word the read.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Guy Not Taken: Stories in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I had a hard time thinking about what to write as a review for this book. It is a series of stories about life & love. The stories are well written, but I had a hard time with finishing some of them because they were left unfinished. I found myself wanting to know what happened to the characters. I hate when that happens! That is what led me to the 3 star review...I just couldn't get over the fact that so many of the stories felt like they left me, the reader, hanging.
Don't get me wrong, the stories were creative with engaging characters & the writing was impeccable. The engaging characters is where my hang up really comes in. I'd just get invested in them & then nothing...no ending, no conclusion. What happened to them? Did things work out? That is so frustrating! I guess that's why I'm not a big fan of books such as this one.
Don't get me wrong, the stories were creative with engaging characters & the writing was impeccable. The engaging characters is where my hang up really comes in. I'd just get invested in them & then nothing...no ending, no conclusion. What happened to them? Did things work out? That is so frustrating! I guess that's why I'm not a big fan of books such as this one.