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Things Fall Apart
Things Fall Apart
Chinua Achebe, Biyi Bandele | 2001 | Essays
8
7.5 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
How cultures are misconstrued and misunderstood
This book is intriguing for the fact that there is massive emphasis on pre-colonial times rather than post-colonisation in Nigeria. In this way you're able to gauge how much of a culture clash and cultural misinterpretation there is on the part of the white settlers. It is also written by someone who is of Nigerian descent which makes it all the more interesting as many of the books were written from a western perspective during this time.

It is a book about change and tradition in which protagonist Okonkwo befalls many trials and tribulations in order to appease both his heritage and live side by side with the new ideals of Christianity. Alone, he was unable to withstand the forces of transformation. An important book for people to understand pre-missionary Nigeria.
  
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Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Shake Off in Books

Apr 27, 2018  
SO
Shake Off
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Shake Off was one of those books you listen to and you’re like “Okay this is interesting” and there’s one really exciting part, and then after it’s over, you’re like “oh, I literally spent eight and a half hours listening to this book. That’s fine.”

But that’s really all it was—fine. I didn’t particularly love any of the characters. There were some good scenes, but nothing addictive. And when it ended I smiled and then went on to the next book. It took me a few days to figure out what to write in this review because I wasn’t even sure how I felt about it at first. It was just a story that ended up in my head, the experience wasn’t anything phenomenal. The writing was good and the narration was great, but the story was just fine.
  
A Discovery of Witches - Season 1
A Discovery of Witches - Season 1
2018 | Fantasy
So much missing from the book
This is ok. I have read the books unfortunately it does not come close to the book. The build up to the characters and their connection in the TV series is too fast and bland. If I had not read the book then maybe the rating i gave would have been higher but I would still have the same issue with the lack of build up in the characters connection and the lack of story details to race through to the end. Their is so much missing and changes have been made which I do not believe is an improvement. Saying this, it is still worth watching but would definitely recommend people to read the book as the book is much more "magical" and makes the reader care more about each character and their story.
  
GO
Garden of Shadows (Dollanganger, #5)
V.C. Andrews | 1990 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
I just love how V.C. Andrews delves into her characters deepest buried demons, and explains what brought them to become who they are. I don't fault Olivia as much as I did when reading FitA. I still think she should have opened up to he children though. Also, They focus too much on the old testament in these books. Peoples love for god was out of fear not love. Had they kept faith in mind and left gods wrath aside it would have turned out differently, I think. But then again, the read would not have been as good. You really pity Olivia after reading this book. On a side note, I gave this book 3 stars because it dragged in some places and I would have liked to read more about Corrine's youth, not just the basic stuff.
  
TT
The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I'll be honest and say that none of the characters within this really gripped me into the point where I wanted to know more about that person and I wanted the story to progress in their direction, however it was an enjoyable story line. Lolita with murder.

As much as I liked this book, Dicker wasn't able to explain to me why Nola fell in love with Harry, it never explained that infatuation they had for each other deep enough for me to be able to get the love affair. As similar this book is to other books, it still had some sort of edge to it that made me keep on reading. The ending was a predictable shock, but nevertheless, I didn't mind the read. Not as good as it was made out to be.
  
AA
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Animal Planet Animal Atlas by Animal Atlas is a wonderful book for children of all ages. I especially liked how the book was categorized by continents and biomes. The pictures were colorful and really enhance the information. While the story does not go in detail about the animals it does provide a lot of facts that are interesting.

The book highlights Human and Roar. Human shows readers similarities between humans and animal behaviors. Roar shows conservation and endangered species facts that helps bring awareness. As the book is read, you feel like you are traveling throughout the world learning neat facts. It is a book that is perfect for kindergarteners and older. A great book for any child that enjoys nature, animals, and facts.

I received this advanced readers copy from Time Inc. Books and Liberty Street via NetGalley.
  
Dare to Be Kind by Lizzie Velasquez is an inspirational story. Lizzie has a rare skin condition that has subjected her to bullying and being mistreated. this book is about treating others with compassion and how it can transform your heart into a better person which can lead to a better world for us. 

Velasquez encourages bravery, hope, kindness, personal resilience, faith in a higher power, and a healthy self-image when confronting one's bullies. She also highlights the need to serve as a good example for one's family, understand a bully's desire to cover their own pain with more pain, finding love and support, and addresses the cruelty of human nature when it encounters situations that it doesn't understand or have empathy toward.

I received this book from Hachette Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
  
The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time, #1)
8
7.4 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was very skeptical when I first started this book. Throughout the book it was a bit hard to follow and I often found myself needing to rewind (I listened to the audible version). If you don't pay close attention to what is going on it is extremely easy to get lost. That being said, I was thoroughly intrigued and even when I wasn't listening to the book, i was wondering what would happen to the characters next, what they would do next, and how the adventure was going to end. To me, that's the mark of a great book, you keep thinking about it even when you've put it down for the day. Reading all of the Wheel of Time books is going to be quite the journey, but so far, it's one I'm interested enough to continue on.
  
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Milleen (47 KP) rated How to Stop Time in Books

Nov 14, 2018  
How to Stop Time
How to Stop Time
Matt Haig | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
8.0 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
Matt Haig has written a variety of books for children and adults as well as a memoir that topped the bestseller list for almost a year. Now he has delved back into adult fiction and delivered a delightful novel that will leave you pondering. Tom Hazard may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he's been aging slowly over centuries. From Elizabethan England to 1920s Paris and further afield, Tom is forced to change his identity to stay alive. He is forced to abide by one rule, to not fall in love. Tom finally gets the ‘ordinary’ life he craves and finds work as a history teacher in a modern London comprehensive but how much longer can he keep this secret? ‘How to Stop Time’ is a bittersweet story about life, loss and change.
  
I am a big fan of Laymon and have been for a number of years. I have read most of his work and have enjoyed them all. I did enjoy this story, however, I did feel that this was one of his weaker works. It sort of lacked that Laymon intensity. If you enjoy cheesy B-movie horrors and thrillers then I would say you would enjoy this book...and all other Laymon books as well thinking about it.
I thought the combination of the two stories written side by side would of come to a very explosive crash but they kind of just touched, gave eachother a pat on the back and then wondered off.
Overall, weaker than I expected but still a good paced read to pass the time. Plus it's Laymon...you have to read it.