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Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated The Baby in Books

Jun 24, 2019

Read the original review: https://bookmarkedreading.wordpress.com/2015/10/11/book-review-the-baby/

I seriously had no idea what this book was even about. I saw it displayed in my library and just thought "Heck, why not?"

As the cover suggests, five friends have their lives change on the night of Olivia's 17th birthday party. Yep, you guessed it; There in Olivia's very own bathroom is her friend Nicola, and out pops a new addition to the gang.

I read this book quickly (which I know is not unusual for me) and didn't struggle doing so. It was an easy read, with a section following each character individually. The writing style and language is adapted slightly to suit each character, to allow full submersion of the reader into the book.

There are surprising elements in the story which, after being read, will seem strangely obvious. I love this sense of foreshadowing in a book. And despite the title, this book isn't really focused on "the baby" alone. Instead it tells each character's solo story, including all their troubles - baby- or not-baby-related.

As I said before, The Baby is a nice, easy read, with a somewhat carefree sense about it. I can't say I relate to it in the sense of having a new baby around, but there are aspects that I can say I have experienced. So I'm going to give it 4 stars, more than I originally suspected it would earn.

Kudos

Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Better - Single by Joycie in Music

Jun 26, 2019

Joycie is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Pensacola, Florida. Not too long ago, she released an adorable contemporary R&B tune, entitled, “Better”, produced by Faithe Franklin.

“I’m not a stranger to mishaps, I’m never wanting an adverse reaction. You won’t, you won’t let me down. You love me better than I ever loved, you touch me better than I ever could.” – lyrics

‘Better’ tells a charming tale of a young woman who isn’t a stranger to disappointments. Therefore, she builds herself up because she expects to be let down by those who she gives her heart to.

Apparently, she’s head-over-heels in love with a guy who she shares a potentially serious relationship with.

Even though he’s much better than anyone she’s ever been with, she tries to avoid a letdown by running away from her love for him. But she is unable to do so because her love for him is too strong for her to let go of it.

‘Better’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and melodic instrumentation flavored with contemporary R&B and urban-pop elements.

“‘Better’ tells the story of a girl that has a history of heartbreaks and knows the signs all too well. She’s met someone but has tried to put up a wall just in case things doesn’t go well. Somehow, her walls fall, and she lets this person in because they love her better than she ever thought possible.” – Joycie

Kudos

Awix (3310 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies

Oct 4, 2019 (Updated Oct 4, 2019)

Joker (2019)

2019 | Crime, Drama

8.5

(147 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Striking riff on some elements of the Batman mythology looks good but simultaneously feels like it's trying to do too much and struggling to justify its own existence. In an early 80s Gotham City, severely troubled clown/comedian Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) is struggling to maintain his grip on reality, not to mention his own sanity. But a powerful force of nihilistic chaos is incubating within him...

A very strong performance by Joaquin Phoenix is the main reason to see this film, as he manages to be pitiable, frightening, and occasionally very funny. The sustained grimness and intensity of it is also surprising and impressive. That said, it does take rather a long time for the traditional Joker characterisation to begin to appear, and the question of whether this character can actually support a whole movie has clearly troubled the film-makers, too - hence, presumably, the attempts to make points about anti-capitalism, social unrest, and the mass media. These don't chime especially well with the period setting, which is presumably to facilitate the homages to King of Comedy, Taxi Driver, French Connection and Network which the film is filled with. One inevitably wonders what the point of the Joker is without Batman, unless it's simply to shock and provoke. This film does those things, but only up to a point and to no very obvious end. A good-looking, well-made, well-played film, but perhaps just the tiniest bit portentous.