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Kira (36 KP) rated 13 Reasons Why - Season 1 in TV
Sep 1, 2017
The acting (1 more)
Engaging
Potentially triggering (1 more)
Extremely controversial
While I found the show interesting and binge watched it over a few days, I agree that it is highly controversial and definitely not for everyone. There are some scenes that are extremely difficult to watch and if you're in a dark place yourself, I would not recommend watching this.
I personally admire how Thirteen Reasons Why was willing to tackle such a sensitive topic that needs more light shed upon it. Depression, bullying and generally feeling hopeless is something that cannot be ignored. Teens and others in these situations need to know that it's okay to talk to someone about these feelings before they get too much; before they end up in the place Hannah did.
Personally, I did enjoy Thirteen Reasons Why and look forward to seeing what season 2 brings, however, I do believe the direction in which this show goes could, perhaps, be fairly damaging some.
I personally admire how Thirteen Reasons Why was willing to tackle such a sensitive topic that needs more light shed upon it. Depression, bullying and generally feeling hopeless is something that cannot be ignored. Teens and others in these situations need to know that it's okay to talk to someone about these feelings before they get too much; before they end up in the place Hannah did.
Personally, I did enjoy Thirteen Reasons Why and look forward to seeing what season 2 brings, however, I do believe the direction in which this show goes could, perhaps, be fairly damaging some.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
This is the first time I have read anything my Siobhan Vivien, so I didn’t quite no what to expect. This is told by multiple characters attending high school. Every year a list is created naming the ugliest and prettiest girls – no-one know who creates this list but it can be brutal and we see the impact that it has on our characters and how they deal with bullying. I didn’t really like this story there were too many perspectives and I felt that nothing really felt resolved at the end. What I did like was that it allowed us to see how it affects people and how they are treated when something so superficial is posted around high school – the characters are at an impressionable age and something like this can scar you for life.
I rated 2 out of 5 stars
This is the first time I have read anything my Siobhan Vivien, so I didn’t quite no what to expect. This is told by multiple characters attending high school. Every year a list is created naming the ugliest and prettiest girls – no-one know who creates this list but it can be brutal and we see the impact that it has on our characters and how they deal with bullying. I didn’t really like this story there were too many perspectives and I felt that nothing really felt resolved at the end. What I did like was that it allowed us to see how it affects people and how they are treated when something so superficial is posted around high school – the characters are at an impressionable age and something like this can scar you for life.
I rated 2 out of 5 stars
Anne (15117 KP) rated Look Both Ways in Books
Nov 4, 2019
Thank you to Libro.fm and Simon & Schuster Audio for letting me listen and review this book. It's a collection of ten stories about what happens on the walks home from school and also in life. It touches and discusses topics of bullying, illnesses, figuring out who you are and what you want from life and what you want to do in life.
It's a collection of stories told by everyday people about their ordinary lives that really aren't all that ordinary when you read and think about the stories and the meanings, you can see how extraordinary all of us ordinary people in our everyday lives really are.
This is a deep and especially meaningful collection of stories about a variety of topics that we all hear about, experience or have someone close to us experience. It's definitely worth your time to read and listen to these stories. The audio is especially fun when listening to the characters in these stories.
It's a collection of stories told by everyday people about their ordinary lives that really aren't all that ordinary when you read and think about the stories and the meanings, you can see how extraordinary all of us ordinary people in our everyday lives really are.
This is a deep and especially meaningful collection of stories about a variety of topics that we all hear about, experience or have someone close to us experience. It's definitely worth your time to read and listen to these stories. The audio is especially fun when listening to the characters in these stories.
saheffernan (157 KP) rated All Your Twisted Secrets in Books
Apr 2, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
TW: Drug use, suicide, bullying, toxic friends: Overall I enjoyed most of this book. There was a few writing issues that took me out of the story like certain descriptions of sounds characters would make would be used multiple times. In the beginning it was also hard to keep track of which character was which. This story took a turn for the bad towards the end. It reminded me heavily of one of us is lying; someone in the room knew what was happening. In Amber's quest to make Sasha see the error of her ways (after Sasha accuses her of being like her) Amber becomes just as terrible if not more so than the toxic Sasha. In the end Amber ends up messing up 6 people's lives trying to prove a point instead of trying to properly get her friend back and get Sasha some much needed help. I really disliked the ending but the book keep me reading so it gets points there.
Jeremy King (346 KP) rated Welcome to Marwen (2018) in Movies
Sep 3, 2019
I went in to this thinking it was going to be lame but i truly enjoyed this movie. It was unique concept.
It gives a great perspective of the damage violence/bullying can cause and how one has to deals with violence afterwards.
I think this movie is great for adult but kids and teens might not get the real meaning of this movie and only take it at face value.
For example some people might think his collection of women's shoes is because he wants to crossdress but i believe it is just because he likes them like some guys like classic cars. To him they are art, he even mentions his knowledge about shoes when he was saying that they are the wrong time period. By not being in the mainstream like everyone else and doing what he feels comfortable with he is bullied to the max just for being different.
It gives a great perspective of the damage violence/bullying can cause and how one has to deals with violence afterwards.
I think this movie is great for adult but kids and teens might not get the real meaning of this movie and only take it at face value.
For example some people might think his collection of women's shoes is because he wants to crossdress but i believe it is just because he likes them like some guys like classic cars. To him they are art, he even mentions his knowledge about shoes when he was saying that they are the wrong time period. By not being in the mainstream like everyone else and doing what he feels comfortable with he is bullied to the max just for being different.
What it’s about:
Sisters is about July and September, born 10 months apart and as close as twins. They’ve only ever needed each other. But when school bullying results in them moving away with their mother to an abandoned house on the Yorkshire coast, their relationship starts to fracture. And as they push one another to do increasingly daring things, July starts to realise that something isn’t quite right.
My thoughts:
I love a quirky read, and Sisters is exactly that. I was never quite sure what July and September were going to do next, and their demands of each other were at times really dangerous. They are very insular and don’t seems to want anyone else involved in their relationship - even their mother. Even the house they live in is unfriendly, set in a hostile environment.
This isn’t a scary book at all, but it’s packed with suspense and there’s a really uncomfortable, disorientating atmosphere.
I loved it.
Sisters is about July and September, born 10 months apart and as close as twins. They’ve only ever needed each other. But when school bullying results in them moving away with their mother to an abandoned house on the Yorkshire coast, their relationship starts to fracture. And as they push one another to do increasingly daring things, July starts to realise that something isn’t quite right.
My thoughts:
I love a quirky read, and Sisters is exactly that. I was never quite sure what July and September were going to do next, and their demands of each other were at times really dangerous. They are very insular and don’t seems to want anyone else involved in their relationship - even their mother. Even the house they live in is unfriendly, set in a hostile environment.
This isn’t a scary book at all, but it’s packed with suspense and there’s a really uncomfortable, disorientating atmosphere.
I loved it.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Judas Tree [Audiobook] in Books
Jan 8, 2023
![The Judas Tree [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/cc0/d4551d00-51c6-4255-bacc-c2a7a4c03cc0.jpg?m=1673206524)
I was unsure where this story was going for most of it but I was intrigued and once it got there, it had me hooked.
Will is married to Harmony; their marriage is somewhat strained and when they meet Will's childhood friend, Luke, at a party, things begin to unravel in spectacular style.
With increasing tension and a realisation that things are becoming more sinister, I found The Judas Tree almost impossible to stop listening to and this was helped by the narrator, Joe Jameson, who was great; he kept me engaged and really brought the characters to life.
This is a very powerful story of how bullying and trauma in childhood can impact the rest of your life and shape the choices you make and if ever there was an advert not to be a bully, this is it and I must give my thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen and share my thoughts of The Judas Tree.
Will is married to Harmony; their marriage is somewhat strained and when they meet Will's childhood friend, Luke, at a party, things begin to unravel in spectacular style.
With increasing tension and a realisation that things are becoming more sinister, I found The Judas Tree almost impossible to stop listening to and this was helped by the narrator, Joe Jameson, who was great; he kept me engaged and really brought the characters to life.
This is a very powerful story of how bullying and trauma in childhood can impact the rest of your life and shape the choices you make and if ever there was an advert not to be a bully, this is it and I must give my thanks to HarperCollins UK Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen and share my thoughts of The Judas Tree.
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated Love, Heather in Books
Oct 2, 2020
Love, Heather is one of the most disturbing YA novels related to bullying I have read!
Please be aware that this book has bullying and assault triggers.
Stevie and Lottie have been friends since they've known about each other. And when Lottie starts to hang out with the popular kids, Stevie wants to fit in too. One thing leads to another, and Stevie gets bullied by them, which quickly leads to the whole school avoiding her.
Then Stevie becomes friends with Dee, and they start plotting a revenge on the popular kids, which very quickly gets out of hand. The " Love, Heather " pranks are now spreading without anyone being able to stop them.
Stevie's family is a bit of a troubled one. Her mum and dad are divorced, and her dad doesn't have the interest to see her often, being busy with his new missus. Her mum is starting to date other men too, often not spending time with Stevie. Lacking her family love, Stevie sees Lottie's family as hers. Very understandably, given the fact she has spent countless days and nights there. Lottie's family is not perfect either though. They have their own problems, and the most recent one is Lottie's mum transitioning into a man.
Stevie as a character
Stevie is a person that makes you want to feel for you, but you can't. She is supposed to be sympathetic and she is supposed to be a victim. However, most of the time I found her quite annoying and attention seeking. It is also important to mention that she is not alone and could reach for help, but she didn't, despite people often asking her whether she is feeling okay and if there is anything they can do to help.
The world was always revolving about Stevie, and she couldn't understand how other may feel as well. A scene where she tells Lottie how to accept her mum's transition comes to mind. We all know that Stevie cares about Lottie and her mum, but Lottie is way closer and more affected in this situation. There are times where it's not our place to say things, and leave people to cope in their own way, and Stevie was not able to achieve this state of mind.
Powerful!
While I couldn't connect to Stevie on many levels, I absolutely cherish this book because it brings up bullying in a very powerful way. It is very emotional and very intense, every bit of reality hits hard and makes me angry for all the children out there that are getting bullied every day. I was once that kid. I was a Stevie too! And it sucks to see it happen again and again, and realise how cruel life and people can be sometimes, when no one gets punished for what they have done.
I loved how this book showed how small things done in consecutive way can have enormous effect to a person, or a group. How the small things we say today can hurt us badly. And I hope people will read this book with the hope of spreading the knowledge and standing up to bullies, before things go out of hand.
Please be aware that this book has bullying and assault triggers.
Stevie and Lottie have been friends since they've known about each other. And when Lottie starts to hang out with the popular kids, Stevie wants to fit in too. One thing leads to another, and Stevie gets bullied by them, which quickly leads to the whole school avoiding her.
Then Stevie becomes friends with Dee, and they start plotting a revenge on the popular kids, which very quickly gets out of hand. The " Love, Heather " pranks are now spreading without anyone being able to stop them.
Stevie's family is a bit of a troubled one. Her mum and dad are divorced, and her dad doesn't have the interest to see her often, being busy with his new missus. Her mum is starting to date other men too, often not spending time with Stevie. Lacking her family love, Stevie sees Lottie's family as hers. Very understandably, given the fact she has spent countless days and nights there. Lottie's family is not perfect either though. They have their own problems, and the most recent one is Lottie's mum transitioning into a man.
Stevie as a character
Stevie is a person that makes you want to feel for you, but you can't. She is supposed to be sympathetic and she is supposed to be a victim. However, most of the time I found her quite annoying and attention seeking. It is also important to mention that she is not alone and could reach for help, but she didn't, despite people often asking her whether she is feeling okay and if there is anything they can do to help.
The world was always revolving about Stevie, and she couldn't understand how other may feel as well. A scene where she tells Lottie how to accept her mum's transition comes to mind. We all know that Stevie cares about Lottie and her mum, but Lottie is way closer and more affected in this situation. There are times where it's not our place to say things, and leave people to cope in their own way, and Stevie was not able to achieve this state of mind.
Powerful!
While I couldn't connect to Stevie on many levels, I absolutely cherish this book because it brings up bullying in a very powerful way. It is very emotional and very intense, every bit of reality hits hard and makes me angry for all the children out there that are getting bullied every day. I was once that kid. I was a Stevie too! And it sucks to see it happen again and again, and realise how cruel life and people can be sometimes, when no one gets punished for what they have done.
I loved how this book showed how small things done in consecutive way can have enormous effect to a person, or a group. How the small things we say today can hurt us badly. And I hope people will read this book with the hope of spreading the knowledge and standing up to bullies, before things go out of hand.
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Oliver the Ornament Boxed Gift Set in Books
Feb 24, 2021
<i>Oliver the Ornament </i>touched me in ways I cannot even explain. From the feel of the paper to the colorful illustration, to the thoughtful words. This book pulls you in and stays with you long after you have read it. Todd M. Zimmermann did a phenomenal job with the ideas he conveys in this book and I know it will be one I pass down for many generations to come.
When I first picked up <i>Oliver the Ornament </i> to read, I expected just another book about Christmas. What I got was so much more. Oliver pulled me into his story with his friends and family so much so that by the time I was done I could not stop thinking about my own cherished Christmas ornament memories. The story was easy to read, although more of a 7+ age range in terms of page length, but so engaging and colorful. I loved the page layouts and enjoyed the twists the author/illustrator used to interactively engage with the audience. The themes of always having something positive to say to others, the consequences of bullying, and remembering to hold on to memories no matter how small they may seem combined made this an endearing story. I also am thankful for the author's thoughtfulness in providing a place to write my own ornament stories in the back of the book. But I cannot forget one of the most important interactive aspects of the story, Oliver the ornament himself! He is well made, heavy-duty, and when I look at my tree now, I am reminded that <i>“Every Ornament Tells A Story”</i>.
This is one of my favorite Christmas stories ever as it encourages remembrance, communication between parents and their kids, and the themes of forgiveness, dealing with bullying, and the art of storytelling. I <b>HIGHLY</b> recommend this book for any age to read and enjoy. 5 out of 5 stars.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
When I first picked up <i>Oliver the Ornament </i> to read, I expected just another book about Christmas. What I got was so much more. Oliver pulled me into his story with his friends and family so much so that by the time I was done I could not stop thinking about my own cherished Christmas ornament memories. The story was easy to read, although more of a 7+ age range in terms of page length, but so engaging and colorful. I loved the page layouts and enjoyed the twists the author/illustrator used to interactively engage with the audience. The themes of always having something positive to say to others, the consequences of bullying, and remembering to hold on to memories no matter how small they may seem combined made this an endearing story. I also am thankful for the author's thoughtfulness in providing a place to write my own ornament stories in the back of the book. But I cannot forget one of the most important interactive aspects of the story, Oliver the ornament himself! He is well made, heavy-duty, and when I look at my tree now, I am reminded that <i>“Every Ornament Tells A Story”</i>.
This is one of my favorite Christmas stories ever as it encourages remembrance, communication between parents and their kids, and the themes of forgiveness, dealing with bullying, and the art of storytelling. I <b>HIGHLY</b> recommend this book for any age to read and enjoy. 5 out of 5 stars.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Hawthorne High in Books
Sep 18, 2019
Bullied for many things, such as having a boys name, Dylan Hatfield's only friends are imaginary. Imaginary, that is until they ask her to help possess the minds of the bullies. Happy that her enemies are now being nice to her, Dylan soon realises she has made a mistake when horrible things start to happen around town. Not only were they not imaginary, but it also appears they are evil too.
Hawthorne High is a short young adult ghost story by the versatile author Jordan Elizabeth. Set in the present day, the story deals with past and current issues, particularly bullying. Dylan has been bullied her whole life and it is the attention she receives from her "imaginary friends" that leads her to make a devastating decision. Whilst not a conventional way to tackle bullying, the possession of the bullies makes Dylan's life much better at school but it has dangerous consequences for the rest of the town.
The "imaginary friends" or ghosts, as they turn out to be, harbour grudges about the town and the people who tormented them in the past. The people are no longer living and it is the current inhabitants that end up paying for their past transgressions. Without being able to tell anyone about the ghosts, Dylan has to find out how to get rid of them and save the town from total destruction.
When the author offered me the book to read in exchange for a review, I almost said no. The term "ghost story" nearly put me off because I do not enjoy scary stories, however, due to the reassurance that it was "more of a drama than a horror," I agreed to give the book a chance, and I am glad I did. Being short, Hawthorne High is fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged. The story becomes exciting as it unfolds and the town's past comes to light.
More could be written about the ghosts' history, however, as a short story, Hawthorne High works well and is great for a quick read. Although written for young adults, it is a story adult readers can enjoy too.
Hawthorne High is a short young adult ghost story by the versatile author Jordan Elizabeth. Set in the present day, the story deals with past and current issues, particularly bullying. Dylan has been bullied her whole life and it is the attention she receives from her "imaginary friends" that leads her to make a devastating decision. Whilst not a conventional way to tackle bullying, the possession of the bullies makes Dylan's life much better at school but it has dangerous consequences for the rest of the town.
The "imaginary friends" or ghosts, as they turn out to be, harbour grudges about the town and the people who tormented them in the past. The people are no longer living and it is the current inhabitants that end up paying for their past transgressions. Without being able to tell anyone about the ghosts, Dylan has to find out how to get rid of them and save the town from total destruction.
When the author offered me the book to read in exchange for a review, I almost said no. The term "ghost story" nearly put me off because I do not enjoy scary stories, however, due to the reassurance that it was "more of a drama than a horror," I agreed to give the book a chance, and I am glad I did. Being short, Hawthorne High is fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged. The story becomes exciting as it unfolds and the town's past comes to light.
More could be written about the ghosts' history, however, as a short story, Hawthorne High works well and is great for a quick read. Although written for young adults, it is a story adult readers can enjoy too.