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Karl Hyde recommended James Blake by James Blake in Music (curated)

 
James Blake by James Blake
James Blake by James Blake
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"It’s astonishing; one of those soundscape albums where the songs barely hold together, but somehow they do, so beautifully and so delicately. They’re like hymns, all of them. There’s a very spiritual quality to the chord sequences, straight from the church. It’s worshipful and soulful. In some ways it relates to Talk Talk’s last works. But they have that dark, dubstep feel to them as well. I just love the way he deconstructs songs. After I’d bought the album, it was on in a people carrier when we were being driven to a festival somewhere, and everybody was saying, "this is really dreary", but I had to pipe up and say, "actually it’s one of my favourite albums at the moment so can we leave it on?" I felt connected to it. I thought, "this isn’t dreary; it’s making me feel uplifted." I like what he does. I like anyone who takes songs and challenges the notion of song structures."

Source
  
Rare Form (Descended of Dragons #1)
Rare Form (Descended of Dragons #1)
Jen Crane | 2015 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the debut novel of Jen Crane and she has started with a belter! There are some brilliant one-liners in here, and she has given a new meaning between a younger girl and an older man!

So many characters in here to draw you in! Stella herself is cracking! She deals with life-changing events with attitude and aplomb, whilst committing herself fully. Gresham is simply gorgeous and I can't get enough of him. Timbra is sweet but with a sassy edge. Ewan - what can I say about him? He intrigues me and I can't wait to see where this story will take him.

Well-written, smoothly paced, and laced with humour, this is a book to savour! Definitely recommended by me and I can't wait for book 2!!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
 
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 6, 2015
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Echo Man in Books

Apr 28, 2022  
The Echo Man
The Echo Man
Sam Holland | 2022 | Crime, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What can I say? I absolutely loved this and it is one of my favourite reads of 2022 so far. I was hooked from the very first page to the last and completely and utterly devoured it!

With excellent characters, an engrossing story line and a plot with twists that at least one of which I didn't see coming, this is a great read however, be warned, there is a lot of violence and gore from the beginning but, to be honest, that's to be expected given it's about serial killers although it may be a bit much for some.
 
This is a great debut and I will certainly be looking out for more by this author in the future and I have no hesitation recommending to lovers of this genre.

My thanks go to HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
Does Grandma Remember Me?
Does Grandma Remember Me?
Evita Sherman | 2021 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What sweet loving story about a grandchild and her grandma; This shows how love can be given unconventionally and shows what happens to such elderly grandparents with Dementia. Grandparents may forget things or their loved ones.

This book explains it in a way to children so they can understand. Children may not understand or feel confused as to why their grandma or grandpa is looking for things or being forgetful. Dementia is something hard to tell your child or children. This book seems to help because it attacks the brain and will not let their grandparents remember their loved ones or things though they want to.

We see this through the eyes of a little girl in this book. Children can change it for them if they need to think through this. Parents, this book is a beautiful addition to your child's bookshelf or your family collection of books, especially if you have a family member that deals with this.

My grandma on my dad's side either has Dementia or Alzheimer's; I do not know. She had a hard time remembering my name growing up or when I was calling her. I do not know if she ever told my grandfather the message I told her to say to her. I think she has this disease called "Dementia," but not one hundred percent sure. I know she remembers me when I was little, but that about all. She calls most of my family members "You" when she is referring to you. I have no idea for sure. The only name she ever used when she was talking or referring to someone was John. That name is shared and used by my Uncle and my grandfather and cousin.

This book remains done well; I enjoyed the idea and concept of the book. I rate it 4.5 stars (Moons). It was not that deep for me. Though then, It could be me, and that is all. It does teach children about a mental health illness that continues not talked about much. I have to say that sometimes it's hard to do.
  
Too Close: A new kind of thriller that will leave you breathless
Too Close: A new kind of thriller that will leave you breathless
Natalie Daniels | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
How close is too close?
Connie and Ness met in the park while their children played. As they talked, they realised they were neighbours. Perhaps it was only natural that they and their families would become entirely inseparable.
But when Ness’s marriage ends in a bitter divorce, she is suddenly at Connie’s house all the time. Connie doesn’t have a moment to herself, no time alone with her husband, not a second to chat to her kids.
It’s all too much. Something has to give.
Connie has woken up in a psychiatric hospital. They say she committed a terrible crime but she says she can’t remember a thing.

This novel is gripping and absorbing that you won't be able to put this down. I found the pace just right and the dark story well told .
I found myself crying with some of the parts and in others laughing out loud at some of the things said. There are so many emotions covered in this story including mental illness.
I loved the characters development, the plot of the story and oh my that surprising ending you don't see coming.
I don't want to say anymore as I don't want to spoil it for anyone!

I received this debut novel via NetGalley in return for an honest review but I still turned around an purchased this as I truly am astounded with this novel.
  
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Beth Ditto recommended Nunsexmonkrick by Nina Hagen in Music (curated)

 
Nunsexmonkrick by Nina Hagen
Nunsexmonkrick by Nina Hagen
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I love weird people. The thing about voices is there's this idea, and this is my favourite thing about punk, is that I get really sad when people say they can't sing. That's not true. Anyone can be a singer. But when you hear Nina, she sounds like the exorcist. She uses all of her different voices. I don't even know another Nina Hagen record because that's the only one that ever really resonated with me. Playing that at Little Girls Rock camp [a foundation that funds and supports music education for young girls, of which Ditto is on the advisory board along with Tegan And Sarah and Kathleen Hanna], it blew their fucking minds. It blew their minds, and that is why I love Nina Hagen, and Yoko Ono, Diamanda Galas and Nina Simone because all of their voices are instruments. And her look! I met her and what did she say to me, "I didn't escape East Germany for nothing". Her story is phenomenal. It makes sense, because when you come from that kind of place you have to push the envelope because there's nothing to guide you. You have to make it up yourself and when you get to do that without pop culture references you get fucking Nina Hagen. It's so rare. I wonder what the next level of really untouched creativity will be? I wonder what that will look like? "

Source
  
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Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Smashbomb in Apps

Jun 4, 2019  
Smashbomb
Smashbomb
Entertainment, Lifestyle, Social Networking
10
8.8 (122 Ratings)
App Rating
Fun, easy to navigate UI (0 more)
Easy to stay in touch via the app!
Smashbomb is a review site with a difference. in fact, it's so 'alternative' it really fits in with my whole blog theme, so I thought I'd tell you a bit more about it. Think social network for reviews.

I rarely promote websites, but I feel this is great for not only book bloggers but authors too. Even though the range of what is on offer goes far beyond the book world, since you can rate anything from products and services to places, events and podcasts. If this is your (book) bag, then there's potential for most of you reading to get involved!

Smashbomb works on an encouraging reward system where you get points (Kudos points) for taking part in various different ways, like reviewing or making a list of your favourite things. You also get extra Kudos for just logging in each day, and as regular 'Smashbomber' you might even gain extra Kudos points from other members who like your stuff and follow your posts.

I find the community is really friendly and the UI is easy to navigate. You can access the site online via your computer, and also keep in touch with what's going on by an app on your phone. If I were to compare this to anything I'd say it reminds me of a cross between Trip Advisor, and Facebook, only (dare I say it?) with less rules and more fun...
  
Terraforming Mars
Terraforming Mars
2016 | Business / Industrial, Economic, Environmental, Science Fiction, Territory Building
I love the science behind the cards (4 more)
fun to imagine
Building an engine and working with the cards
finding and exploiting synergies
managing your resources and timing.
can feel lucky based on cards that come up or don't come up. (1 more)
NEEDS to have an aftermarket system of keeping the cubes in place.
One of my favorite games right now.
I adore this game. I have so many good tings to say about it. The fact that all the cards are based on hypothetical science is amazing. Who doesn't love the Idea of throwing asteroids at the planet, or building a city with a dome, or even shooting lasers. The boards require an extra component in my mind and that is a board with raised edges to keep the cubes from accidentally moving around. This is the biggest detriment. You can find them online for about $5 -10 a piece. I love this game, and it's much better with these and I found it absolutely worth it. But I think if I was lukewarm on it, this might piss me off. Definitely try before you buy, but it's an amazing game. And there is an APP being developed now for it, so be on the lookout for that soon.
  
Girl in the Walls
Girl in the Walls
Katy Michelle Quinn | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Young Adult (YA)
9
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Vernon has just moved to a quiet new little town, the type of town where different really stands out like a christmas tree in the desert! Vernon is used to standing out but not this much and its making him feel very uncomfortable especially with the skin hes in.

oh my this is one of the most gorgeous stories ive read! my heart well and truely went out to Vernon/Violet and the internal struggles their dealing with. with the self harming section i felt like somebody had stepped into my head and put my fellings on paper, when i was alot younger i used to cut because i felt like it released what i couldnt say. I felt every raw emotion going, the doubt the fear the hope the love and the warmth from finally being able to find her true being.
Its nice to be able to have a bit of an understanding of the internal struggle a transgender can go through and how much pain they can deal with and the importance of having a good support network.
i wish there were more understanding and willingness to learn in this world

An absolutly gorgeous story, heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time 4/5
  
Winter Frost (Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #2)
Winter Frost (Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #2)
Lauren Carr | 2019 | Crime, Mystery
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lauren Carr does is once again. This book Winter Frost is filler of mystery. It will pull you into the story from the first page to last page. I loved it.

As we know Chris, and his family. We also have Helen and her daughter. We running into and meet Chris supposed dead wife Blair. We also have Murphy join forces with Chris Matheson. I love that the author did this. Bring Murphy and Tristan into the mix. They were more of sub characters but almost like the main characters.

The story was really told well. I can say the narrator did wonderful. I hope to see more mix of the other series like having Chris be brought in with his book club into the other series. I was really surprised and happy when I heard Murphy name when he was helping with Chris escape. We have action from the beginning to the end.

If you have not picked up Lauren Carr books you are missing something. Pick any of her books and you will be hooked. I can not wait to read more. So glad to have two more to read or listen to this time around. Mystery lovers and Crime and detective loves would love these books and series.