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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Sun is Also a Star in Books

Sep 22, 2017

Surprisingly bittersweet, well crafted

I was initially apprehensive with this book as I assumed it was for young adults, however I was surprised to find how well written and intricately constructed it was.

The narrative shifts between a young undocumented woman, originally from Jamaica but brought up in the U.S., and an American-born Korean, who find each other on her last day before she is deported. In between are segways of an unknown voice who delves into the different characters and their backgrounds. The book explores fate and free will and whether there is an overarching hand that shapes this.

Their romance resembles that of 'Before Sunset', which was enjoyable but obviously the dialogue in this novel is not as intelligent. It's bittersweet, coming-of-age, and takes you back to young love.

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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Torturer's Daughter (Internal Defense #1) in Books

Jan 12, 2018

I received this book as a give away as part of a compilation [Shattered Worlds]. I have decided to give each book it's own review as I finish them to give the authors their due.

In [The Torturer's Daughter] {Zoe Cannon] has created a excellent coming of age novel dealing with making the tough choices even if it goes against all you have known. It is all about becoming your own person.

Becca knows that her mom's job in Internal is a tough one that causes most people to fear her. In fact she knows that her mom tortures people but tries to keep herself in denial because it is her mom. That is until the night of a frantic phone call from her best friend. The events that follow will change Becca's world forever.

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My Girl (1991)

7.5 (19 Ratings) Rate It

Movie Watch

A coming-of-age comedy starring Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Macaulay Culkin (Home Alone) and...

Forget Me Knot

Mary Marks

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Welcome to San Fernando Valley, California, where Martha Rose and her coterie of quilters are...

Mary Ellen Mark recommended Murmur of the Heart (1971) in Movies (curated)

Murmur of the Heart (1971)

1971 | International, Comedy, Drama

(0 Ratings)

Movie Favorite

"This film takes place in Dijon, France, in the mid-’50s. It is a coming-of-age film about a boy in his early teens named Laurent Chevalier, who is from a bourgeois family. He has two older brothers who are always teasing him and who introduce him to a prostitute for his first sexual experience. Laurent has a beautiful mother and a successful father who is a gynecologist. After getting scarlet fever and discovering he has a heart murmur, Laurent must stay in bed for several months to recover. When he is better, he travels with his mother to a very fancy resort (sanatorium) in France. The second and third acts of the film are about his coming-of-age experiences at the sanatorium with the other young people who are staying there. It is also about him developing a strong personal relationship with his mother. This film is so daring and touches on many taboo issues—it’s astonishing that it could be made then (1971) and even now it would be considered to be pushing too many boundaries. In the end, it’s a beautiful, deep love story between adolescent children growing up in a privileged life, and about the closest relationship between a mother and son. I wish more films today could push boundaries like Louis Malle did in Murmur of the Heart. This film reassured me how important it is to push boundaries and to pursue issues that are considered by some to be untouchable. It is a truly inspirational film."

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Kudos

Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Red, White & Royal Blue in Books

Nov 7, 2019

A book where the President’s son falls for the Prince of Wales? Sign me up!

This book is raunchy and the language is rather explicit, and my goodness, I loved it. This one was one of my rare audiobook listens, and I was driving down the road laughing and crying. Wiping away actual tears at points.

McQuiston combines a sort of coming of age love story against the backdrop of politics. Both storylines are compelling beyond belief. Alex, the President’s son and our main character, is incredibly well-written. Funny, sweet, and so real. And Henry, our Prince, is lovely too. It’s impossible not to root for them.

This book is witty, sweet, a surprising nail biter at times, and offers such a great message—now more than ever. (And the narrator in this one was easily my favorite in my limited audiobook career.) Cannot recommend it enough!