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Being Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker, #1)
Being Jamie Baker (Jamie Baker, #1)
Kelly Oram | 2010
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars.

Now this is a YA book that I got sucked in to, which is good after my last two failures.

This is my third book by the author and all of them have had either a 4.5/5 rating. I just love the authors writing and will now be making it a mission to read all of her work. She has now become a "favourite" author and I will be giving her her own shelf.

At the start of this I had no idea how it was going to play out but within those first few chapters I had started to fall for Ryan. He was so charming and nice and persistent in regards to Jamie and I loved it. What else can I say??

I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
  
The cover and summary were misleading for this book. I expected stories that were related to different interesting meetings and occurrences, screwy relationships, typical teen drama.

Instead I got a very strange and rather awkward mix of sex-addicts, homosexuals, transgender, and native Americans.

I'm not saying I don't like those stories, I'm just saying I wasn't expecting it.

The above reasons are not why I didn't like the stories: those are just facts about the characters. The stories themselves just didn't seem to connect to me, I couldn't relate to any of them. Maybe it's because I'm one of those weird girls with a completely functional romantic relationship, but a lot of the content in this book was just like "uh… why are they acting like that?"

Anyway, it felt awkward. that's the only word I can use to describe it. Some of them were good, some of them sucked. Most of the writing was mediocre.

I guess all I can say is… this is probably the worst short story collection I've ever read. Sorry, I wanted to like it… It was just awkward.

*This review is copyright Haley Mathiot and Amazon Vine*
  
Doctor Who - Season 13
Doctor Who - Season 13
2021 | Sci-Fi
Jodie whittaker (3 more)
John bishop
Mandip gill
Weeping angels
Too short (1 more)
The plots can get confusing
After four episodes I can definitely say this season is better than the previous two seasons and after tonights episode best episode of this season for starters making the weeping angels scary again and the cliff hanger wow. What surprised me the this season is the edition of John Bishop as a companion I'm used to being a comedian but so far acting wise he been good overall doctor who is getting after two average seasons
  
Furthermore (Furthermore, #1)
Furthermore (Furthermore, #1)
Tahereh Mafi | 2016 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
6
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
"I don't hate it, I don't love it. I don't like the writing style, I don't dislike the writing style. I'm not sure if I like it, but I can't seem to stop reading it. I'm very confused. Also, this book is giving me huge 'Alice in Wonderland' vibes!"

As you can see from the update I have copied and pasted, I wasn't quite sure what to think of Furthermore. In fact, I felt a bit like Alice, lost and confused, a bit stiff in what I like to read. I'm not certain if I should give Furthermore 3 stars or 4 stars; then again, I also wonder if I should give it 2 stars. I have never, in all my life, been so confounded. Even now, after having finished it and trying to come up with a review three days later, I'm left speechless. It wasn't "edge of your seat" exciting or "page turning" mysterious, but there's just something about the story that makes me refuse to say I didn't like it - even if I'm not quite sure I did. The story as a whole was pretty entertaining, though there moments I felt just as confused as Alice was and I didn't quite appreciate that (of course, that was most likely Tahereh's point). I would promise myself to stop at the next chapter, because as I read it, I wanted to stop. Yet, when the next chapter would come, I found myself unable to quit. I suppose you could say the magic of Furthermore wrapped itself around me and compelled me to finish the book.
Because I have never had such a reaction to a book before - and because I was actually excited at the prospect that there may be another book, what with the way this one ended - I think I'm going to give it a 3.5 rating. Because of my doubt, uncertainty, and unwillingness to decide if I truly liked it or not, I can't give it 4 stars. So, there you have it. Do what you can with the mess that lives inside my brain whenever I try to figure Furthermore out.
  
BH
Between Heaven and Earth
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was an adorably sweet story. I love good vs evil and I love angels so this was a plus on so many levels. I was happy with the characters and I was sad with them. The writing made me feel with them and made me feel as if I was in the story with them. I love when a writer yanks me into the story so I am part of it with the characters. Damascus was awesome but I will admit... his brother was hotter ;) I know he wasn't the "good" one but what can I say... I love a good bad boy. Amelia was very strong and smart. She was pretty and sassy and I loved her character. I loved who she was and how she loved. I was glad that it wasn't just a "wam bam we love each other no issues" type story. They had issues, they had happiness and sadness, and it wasn't easy. It was a very good story and I would recommend it to my YA loving friends for sure.
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Curator in Books

May 31, 2020  
The Curator
The Curator
M. W. Craven | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wow ... just wow!!

Why have I not read any of this series before? Where have I been living to have missed them? I must have been walking around with my eyes closed given this is the 3rd instalment!! I have probably missed the development of the main characters and their backstories but it certainly didn't take anything away from my enjoyment of this book so can safely say it can be read as a standalone.

I won't go into the plot as it's all in the blurb but what I will say is that despite it being complex, the writing is such that it isn't a hard read and although it's a dark and gritty story, the sarcasm and wit lightens it somewhat especially as it feels natural and not forced. The pace is perfect and the setting is spot on ... not that I'm biased or anything given that I live in Cumbria.

The characters are believable and just brilliant. Washington is a breath of fresh air, he is a bit grumpy but likeable nonetheless and someone you definitely want to be on your side. I absolutely adore Tilly - I need her in my life and would love her to spend just one day in my office - oh the carnage! I will never eat a bar nut again!!

Well you've probably already guessed that I enjoyed this book but just in case I haven't been clear ... it is absolutely brilliant and is one of those books that you tell people to read because it's that good.

My thanks must go to Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review. I am so grateful I was one of the chosen ones and I await the next instalment with impatience.
  
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Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) created a post

Oct 25, 2018  
Not sure if this would appeal to anyone else but me, but I reckon a feature on here that would be nice, would be if you could save a review halfway through so that you can come back to it later without publishing it. I like to take my time with my reviews and go back once I'm finished saying what I want to say to refine parts here and there. It would be cool if you could write the first half of your review and then save it to come back to later without having to publish it.
I know that MS Word can be used for this, but it would be more streamlined to be able to do it here, on the website itself.
I'm not sure how this would be implemented, but it's just a thought.
     
Show all 3 comments.
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Hany El Nokaly (659 KP) Oct 25, 2018

Hi @Daniel Boyd, you can already do that, just click on the dropdown arrow on the review's submit button, then click on Save As Draft.

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Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) Oct 26, 2018

Cheers @Hany El Nokaly that is really helpful, glad I posted this now!

Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

There's a military base on Mars, and Earth has lost all contact with it. A rag-tag squad of hooligan Marines has been tasked with figuring out what happened, and they figure it's going to be just another in-and-out before they can get back to what they do best. However, this is going to be anything but an ordinary mission...

This story reminded me of bits and parts of several other sci-fi interests of mine, such as "Prometheus" and "Event Horizon," just to name a couple. It's certainly a very intriguing one, and it definitely doesn't lack for mystery and action. I don't want to say too much for risk of giving away any of the plot, but suffice it to say I would be greatly interested in reading more along this storyline, as I found it truly fascinating, especially within the last 30 pages or so.

4 stars
  
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Otway93 (580 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies

Nov 16, 2019  
Joker (2019)
Joker (2019)
2019 | Crime, Drama
Portrayal of Mental Illness (4 more)
Acting
Story
Shocking
Keeps you guessing...
A highly important film for several reasons.
What can I say about Joker? After weeks of building myself up to see this film, I certainly didn't put on a happy face. It was not a happy film in the slightest, but it was certainly one of the best, if not the best DC film ever made.

Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Joker was superb, emotional and shocking, his performance always keeps you on the edge of your seat. It isn't often somebody can portray so well the shift from ordinary if troubled man, to Joker.

His portrayal of mental illness is astounding, and quite shocking, and for the most part of the film, you are on his side...I shall say no more on that matter.

Overall, feel free to build up the hype in your mind, because you will not be disappointed!

P.S. For those that know the original Joker well, this film will certainly keep you guessing and wondering...