Search

Search only in certain items:

The Hopes and Triumphs of the Amir Sisters by Nadiya Hussain was on my TBR, but I didn’t have the paperback version of the book yet. When I noticed there is an audiobook available from my library, I decided to go ahead and listen to it while I was solving my jigsaw puzzle.

The Hopes and Triumphs of the Amir Sister is the third book in a series that features the Amir sisters. In this book the spotlight is on Mae, the youngest sister of them all. I haven’t read the other two books, but I hope they are better than this one.

Mae was a very annoying character.

And the fact that she was the main character in this book was probably the main reason I didn’t enjoy listening to this book. She has grown up watching her sisters be in the spotlight, living their lives, getting married, having children. She has always been there to help them with everything they might need, because that is her responsibility as their sister.

When Mae heads to university, she fails to fit into any group and make friends. Whenever she goes home and tries to talk about her university life, her stories are lost to the more important stories of her sisters and their babies. Mae feels angry and upset, which leads to her making some decisions that are perhaps unlike her, and also hide some important news from the whole family.

I think the whole family had many issues as a whole, and each individual member had problems on their own.

It is possible that I have never read about a more dysfunctional family that doesn’t work together, but pretends it does. I have seen families that just accept the fact that something is wrong. But this family just keeps going in this weird direction, and it made me uncomfortable throughout the whole journey.

The book in itself handles a lot of sensitive topics, such as sexual advances, public shaming on social media when women put makeup on the train, racism, sexuality, religion, cultural beliefs etc. I felt that this was the only bright spot in the book, to make the readers aware of what is happening, and how some characters respond to it.

Mae was the character I couldn’t relate to the most. Her thoughts and opinions, her way of seeing life was just something I did not agree with. I can understand that she might have been living in a bubble her whole life before moving to university. However, to be so unaware of the outside world and the people around it was just beyond me. I couldn’t agree with how she accepted defeat as something that comes to her by default, and how she was so uninterested to do anything that can make her happier. Refusing to improve in any way is a big character flaw, and I cannot agree with it.

Honestly, I did not enjoy The Hopes and Triumphs of the Amir Sisters.

I am not sure why, but there was so much unnecessary drama, without any real reasoning behind it. Perhaps the fact that I consumed this book as an audiobook has something to do with it as well. The narrator’s voice was really annoying and high-pitched.

The ending was average and very predictable. I didn’t feel as if the characters actually learnt anything in particular about themselves or each other. In conclusion, this book was not for me and I didn’t enjoy it.
  
    Ultimate Bird Simulator

    Ultimate Bird Simulator

    Games and Education

    (0 Ratings) Rate It

    App

    Soar into a brand new adventure as a majestic Eagle, swift Falcon, or a colorful Parrot! For the...

A(
Ariel (Nano Wolves, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!!! I literally read the entire thing within 24hours!!!
It was exciting, supernatural. Sciencey and funny. I actually laughed out loud a number of times (especially about the boots)
The heroine really took the change in her stride and adapted quickly, instinctively knowing her priorities have shifted, she's no longer a scientist but an alpha werewolf with her own pack too.
It really highlights how different people react to loss, whether it's family, friends, life or oneself and how we change and shows that what we think would be our breaking point is in fact not and we can cope with far more than we realise.
Also love the Sex scenes,it's a bit like a fifty shades of wolf :) hahaha!
But on the whole this was a fantastic read and look forward to reading Brandi (book 2)
  
Inside Out (2015)
Inside Out (2015)
2015 | Animation, Comedy, Drama
Not what I was expecting (0 more)
Not really sure what age this is ranged at because although everything seems very child friendly and like a typical Disney movie the hidden themes suggest otherwise. To be honest though I think they did a good job for presenting these themes.
I watched this when I was about 17 and found it ok if a bit simplified in some area which is to be expected it being mainly family orientated but to be honest I love a bit of Disney to cheer me up although obviously I didn't get that from this.

Despite my personal tastes the movie itself has a good solid plot and a relatable and identifiable character as the main character is just experiencing regular life. I did like how they didn't shy away from presenting what happens when you can be in a bad situation as it increases awareness.
  
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
1993 | Comedy, Drama, Family
Mrs Doubtfire is a classic comedy about a child at heart father whose antics continuously irritate his wife until it becomes too much, ending in divorce.
Struggling with post marriage life and keeping to an agreement to see his kids, results in Daniel (Williams) going to drastic measures to make amends (unknown by the ex).
With obstacles including an awkward job interview, a social worker and the ex's new fella, this man must learn to be a woman, with the creation of the brilliant and hilariously unpredictable mrs Doubtfire.
Mrs Doubtfire is an hilarious take on a father's over the top attempt of being a part of his children's lives. With great comedy and non stop laughs this movie will pull at your heartstrings.
Starring Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan and the late great comedy legend, Robin Williams. It is a heart warming family film for all ages.
  
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
1993 | Comedy, Drama, Family
Everything. (0 more)
Nothing. (0 more)
Robin Williams- Duh!
Another classic. It's funny, heart warming, family friendly and can be loved by anyone of any age. My 5 year old nephew enjoys it!
As one of, if not the first full makeover film it sets the standard for all future films of the same thing. As a child, I thought Mrs. Doubtfire was a separate actress!
I love this film somewhat more now as an adult because it tackles real life problems. The divorced parents especially, as this seems more and more common these days. It also shows a loving father, willing to do anything to be with his children which is such a breath of fresh air after so many films with absent fathers that couldn't give a damn.
Lastly, it's Robin Williams so you know you're in for a good one, may he rest in piece.
Fully recommended!
  
40x40

Michelle (114 KP) rated Supernatural in TV

Mar 15, 2018  
Supernatural
Supernatural
2005 | Drama
Family,good stories (well some of later seasons a bit iffy), Team Free Will (0 more)
People you love die (0 more)
I was late to getting to know about this series, yet with saying that it is the first TV series which I was hooked on. In the first season we are introduced to Sam and Dean whose father is away on a hunting trip and has not returned and their mother was killed by a yellow eyed demon. Sam and Dean give up a normal life of going to collage and working in a garage and became hunters. They befriend various people along the way over the rest of the seasons , even becoming friends with an angel who will do anything to save the brothers from becoming human vessals for Lucifer and Michael. Longest running CW TV program out as the show is now in it's 13th season.
  
Animal Planet Baby Animals
Animal Planet Baby Animals
Dorothea DePrisco | 2017 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
Animal Planet: Animal Bite, Baby Animals by Dorothea Deprisco, Animal Planet is a book about various animal species family life. It talks about live and egg birth, how long babies stay with their parents, what they eat, where they live, how they travel and more.

The photos in this book are vibrant. They are close that you feel as if you can touch the animals.

There are some special sections on that side of the page that that include cool animal facts, simple infographics, and illustrated maps of the Earth and the habitats as well as the short bits on "All Grown Up". The special sections will invite discussion and further investigation. They even have bits on "Just like Humans" where they show how human families interact in some of the various topics.

On the top of the page there are activities, further resources and an extensive Glossary.
  
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
J.K. Rowling | 2016 | Children
9
9.1 (229 Ratings)
Book Rating
The issues that arise in the story (revenge, grief, friendship, search for thr truth etc) Buckbeak! Introduction of Sirius. (0 more)
By far my favorite Harry potter book.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Ive always found this book to be my favorite out of the whole series purely because Harry finds some family...his godfather, whom after a convoluted storyline he realises isnt set out to murder him. Its the only book where I feel he actually has a few happy moments in his life and is discovering who he is and achieves a bit of character stability. I love how the story handles the introduction of Sirius and displays the political and media spin that happens in the background (between the bad reporting on the daily prophet and ministry of magic). Also the trio (Harry, Ron and hermoine) seem to have solid bonds of friendship grow tighter in this storyline.