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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated A Thousand Years of Good Prayers in Books
Sep 21, 2017
Impressive collection of short stories about pre- and post-revolution China
This collection of short stories by Yiyun Li is both charming and a little disconcerting, showing how Chinese citizens attempt to live in a changed consumer communist society. From a gay man attempting to eke out a space for himself after returning from America to China, to those with mental health issues and parents with more than one child, Li showcases a plethora of characters and voices, many reflective of her own experiences.
The first story about an elderly woman trying to work and survive, and feeling love for a young boy after many years of loneliness is poignant and sombre. While the final story is similar to Li's experience of living in America - she is in reality a dissident and at one point couldn't leave the country to collect an award for this book, hence the book is remarkable in the fact that it feels completely plausible. Even more laudable is the fact that she had only learnt English for six years when she wrote the book. It is a wonderful collection of stories.
The first story about an elderly woman trying to work and survive, and feeling love for a young boy after many years of loneliness is poignant and sombre. While the final story is similar to Li's experience of living in America - she is in reality a dissident and at one point couldn't leave the country to collect an award for this book, hence the book is remarkable in the fact that it feels completely plausible. Even more laudable is the fact that she had only learnt English for six years when she wrote the book. It is a wonderful collection of stories.
K.L. Shandwick (3 KP) created a post
Nov 20, 2017
BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Flatliners (2017) in Movies
Dec 29, 2017
Nearly bored me to flatline.
Okay first off I'm pretty sure I never saw the original flatliners so I went into this like it was a newish concept for a movie.
Flatliners at its bare bones has a really interesting take on what happens to us after we die and what could happen to us if we manage to come back, I really wished they would have focused more on that aspect of the story and showed a little more of what each person went through when they "crossed over" instead of adding unnecessary love plotlines and even more unnecessary sex scenes that just ended up boring me nearly to death.
The other thing I was really hoping for was for this to venture a little more into the horror genre but sadly they wasted a really good opportunity with a few crappy jump scares that you could see coming from a mile away.
I recommend watching this if you literally have nothing else to watch or if you were a fan of the original and want to see how they updated it.
Flatliners at its bare bones has a really interesting take on what happens to us after we die and what could happen to us if we manage to come back, I really wished they would have focused more on that aspect of the story and showed a little more of what each person went through when they "crossed over" instead of adding unnecessary love plotlines and even more unnecessary sex scenes that just ended up boring me nearly to death.
The other thing I was really hoping for was for this to venture a little more into the horror genre but sadly they wasted a really good opportunity with a few crappy jump scares that you could see coming from a mile away.
I recommend watching this if you literally have nothing else to watch or if you were a fan of the original and want to see how they updated it.
Glittery Sawa (5 KP) rated Throne of Glass in Books
Jan 5, 2018
Characters (1 more)
Storyline
Unexpected Start, Engaging Content, Epic Story
Contains spoilers, click to show
I am going to be completely honest when I started Throne of Glass, I was a little bored. The beginning of the book had a slow start and I had trouble getting started with the book. Boy am I glad that I stuck with it!! The story revolves around 3 Main Characters to Start Celaena Sardothien, Prince Dorian Havilliard, and Captain Chaol Westfall.
***** SPOILERS BELOW!! ******
Dorian starts by getting Celaena out of Prison, Where she was placed for being an Assassin by Dorian's father. Dorian enlists Celaena to become his assassin in a competition given by his father. She must beat all other contestants and then serve as the King's Assassin for 5 years to gain her freedom. The book has intrigue, action, little bit of love, and it keeps you hooked to the page.
Once the story gets going you will not be able to put the book down. I'll let you know to buy all of the series at once if you can because You will immediately want to pick up the next book in the series once you are done the first.
***** SPOILERS BELOW!! ******
Dorian starts by getting Celaena out of Prison, Where she was placed for being an Assassin by Dorian's father. Dorian enlists Celaena to become his assassin in a competition given by his father. She must beat all other contestants and then serve as the King's Assassin for 5 years to gain her freedom. The book has intrigue, action, little bit of love, and it keeps you hooked to the page.
Once the story gets going you will not be able to put the book down. I'll let you know to buy all of the series at once if you can because You will immediately want to pick up the next book in the series once you are done the first.
Kaysee Hood (83 KP) rated Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in Books
Jun 27, 2017
How I learned to Love Reading
I'll be honest I tend to gush over any Harry Potter book because before this series came into my life I refused to read, so it'll always have a special place in my heart.
Though the first book is brilliant. A child can learn he or she is not limited by this world if they are willing to put an effort towards their dreams and do not allow anyone to hold them back. A child can learn how to treat others and how we put ourselves off can alter how people see us. Most of all, a child enters the world where life seems it will amount to nothing and yet Harry enters a magical world he could never dream of (if we forget about Voldemort).
Most of all, parents can enjoy the book and series with their children. This could be reading it together or simply the parent reflecting back on the story as their young child reads it. There are many discussions to be had as well.
Certainly a book you could read over and over again.
Though the first book is brilliant. A child can learn he or she is not limited by this world if they are willing to put an effort towards their dreams and do not allow anyone to hold them back. A child can learn how to treat others and how we put ourselves off can alter how people see us. Most of all, a child enters the world where life seems it will amount to nothing and yet Harry enters a magical world he could never dream of (if we forget about Voldemort).
Most of all, parents can enjoy the book and series with their children. This could be reading it together or simply the parent reflecting back on the story as their young child reads it. There are many discussions to be had as well.
Certainly a book you could read over and over again.
tonidavis (353 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Jun 30, 2017
Everything (3 more)
Johns writing style
Hazel and Gus
Isaccs friendship
On A Roller Coaster That Only Goes Up My Friend
Although I say books are emotional and heart breaking this is actually the only book ever to make me cry. I cried probably not at the point most people did. I cried at an Issac scene. John is the only person I've come across that can make you want to laugh and cry at the same time he writes the most dramatic scene and then puts in something out of character yet thoughtful and makes you over explode with emotion.
Its hard to explain the book to people without going well the main character has cancer but at the same time its not about cancer its about people. That's what makes John such a great writer is that he always see's people first and what ever problem they have wrong with them second.
This is a beautiful book with love friendship joy and pain its about life and death and everything in between. On Johns youtube channel vlogbrthers he always reminds everyone "Don't forget to be awesome." This book certainly doesn't.
Its hard to explain the book to people without going well the main character has cancer but at the same time its not about cancer its about people. That's what makes John such a great writer is that he always see's people first and what ever problem they have wrong with them second.
This is a beautiful book with love friendship joy and pain its about life and death and everything in between. On Johns youtube channel vlogbrthers he always reminds everyone "Don't forget to be awesome." This book certainly doesn't.
Niten. NR (75 KP) rated Donnie Brasco (1997) in Movies
Jul 15, 2017
Johnny Depp (2 more)
Al Pacino
True Story
Forgettaboutit!
Great film. Great start to a film....Just look at the information passed in the opening credits, we see gangsters, photographs, evidence, this film sets the scene in the first 1 minute, let alone 20. After that, the film plays out brilliantly. Depp plays Don the Jeweller (aka undercover FBI Agent Joe Pistone) infiltrating the New York mob/crime family. Al Pacino plays the flawed gangster Lefty Two Guns. I like a few other supporting roles like Michael Madsen as the rising mob boss Sonny Black, and Paul Giamatti show us great talent in a small role as FBI technician.
This is just a great film where we see Donny torn to pieces by the guilt of not being with his family, the pressure and danger of infiltrating the mob as an undercover agent, and the confused loyalties and love for his connected contact Lefty.
Lefty struggles with his tenuous and fragile position within the mob and looks at Donny as a way up or out.
The film can only go one way but it's fun getting there.
Ill not divulge too much but, for me, its a must watch. Enjoy.
This is just a great film where we see Donny torn to pieces by the guilt of not being with his family, the pressure and danger of infiltrating the mob as an undercover agent, and the confused loyalties and love for his connected contact Lefty.
Lefty struggles with his tenuous and fragile position within the mob and looks at Donny as a way up or out.
The film can only go one way but it's fun getting there.
Ill not divulge too much but, for me, its a must watch. Enjoy.
Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) in Movies
Aug 11, 2017
Poor CGI (3 more)
Rubbish script
Uncharismatic performances
Lazy direction
Why did they bother?
You know that way when sequels to 90's movies are released and you think, "if this came out 20 years ago it might have worked, but there is no place for this in today's movie landscape?" Well this movie is the prime example of that sentiment.
Sloppy writing, lazy performances, and cheap call-backs plague this poor attempt at resetting up this franchise. The whole thing feels so dated, how can this be? CGI and filmmaking in general has advanced so much in the last 20 years, yet this piece of trash still feels two decades old.
I didn't love the original and to be honest I don't really feel that the first movie has stood the test of time very well, but next to Resurgence, the original film is a masterpiece.
Don't give this crap your time. Fans of the original will be disgusted at this sorry attempt at a sequel and folk that haven't seen the original will just see an outdated, lazy, sci-fi flopped attempt at a blockbuster.
Sloppy writing, lazy performances, and cheap call-backs plague this poor attempt at resetting up this franchise. The whole thing feels so dated, how can this be? CGI and filmmaking in general has advanced so much in the last 20 years, yet this piece of trash still feels two decades old.
I didn't love the original and to be honest I don't really feel that the first movie has stood the test of time very well, but next to Resurgence, the original film is a masterpiece.
Don't give this crap your time. Fans of the original will be disgusted at this sorry attempt at a sequel and folk that haven't seen the original will just see an outdated, lazy, sci-fi flopped attempt at a blockbuster.
ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Beauty of the Wolf in Books
Feb 21, 2019
A refreshingly different retelling
I rather liked this retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It's set in Elizabethan England, and there are some twists to the original story, which were both surprising and refreshing.
I really liked the language used: it was poetic with a good smattering of the more 'earthy' Elizabethan English (it's what we English are good at I think, isn't it!). I also liked the mix of fairytale, folklore and history. It just felt as though the author had done a bit of historical research with regards to life in London and as part of a theatrical group.
It was a good story that illustrated that what's on the inside is what really counts far more than appearances and that, I suppose, there is someone out there for everyone. Someone who will love you for yourself, regardless of what you look like - in fact, probably precisely because of what you look like.*
*This book actually caused me to check in my cynicism at the first page. And that's no bad thing in literature!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
I really liked the language used: it was poetic with a good smattering of the more 'earthy' Elizabethan English (it's what we English are good at I think, isn't it!). I also liked the mix of fairytale, folklore and history. It just felt as though the author had done a bit of historical research with regards to life in London and as part of a theatrical group.
It was a good story that illustrated that what's on the inside is what really counts far more than appearances and that, I suppose, there is someone out there for everyone. Someone who will love you for yourself, regardless of what you look like - in fact, probably precisely because of what you look like.*
*This book actually caused me to check in my cynicism at the first page. And that's no bad thing in literature!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated The Mending Of Lillian Cathleen (The Women of Rock Creek #2) in Books
Mar 5, 2019
It’s 1914. American women are demanding the vote. And the first flames of the Great War are
igniting Europe. But a battle of a different sort rages in Oklahoma. The thermometer registers one hundred six degrees, an out-of-the-ordinary occurrence even for the twenty-eighth day of July. But this is no ordinary day. The jury has reached a verdict. Lily fidgets in the old church pew. Her name has clotted into a by-word. Her blood is tainted. Can she right the wrongs? Or will her past forever define her? She eyes the judge. And the courtroom holds its breath.
My thoughts : This is an interesting story of a young woman struggling with her past. Her.
father beat her and now she is afraid for her brother. Lilly heads to Texas where a job awaits her, but God has other plans.
This is a good story. I like the mystery of the sea chest and reading the ancient journal Lilly`s mother left her.
What I saw in this story was a young woman find I ng her way in the world, and finding God. A story of love, and letting go of the past.
igniting Europe. But a battle of a different sort rages in Oklahoma. The thermometer registers one hundred six degrees, an out-of-the-ordinary occurrence even for the twenty-eighth day of July. But this is no ordinary day. The jury has reached a verdict. Lily fidgets in the old church pew. Her name has clotted into a by-word. Her blood is tainted. Can she right the wrongs? Or will her past forever define her? She eyes the judge. And the courtroom holds its breath.
My thoughts : This is an interesting story of a young woman struggling with her past. Her.
father beat her and now she is afraid for her brother. Lilly heads to Texas where a job awaits her, but God has other plans.
This is a good story. I like the mystery of the sea chest and reading the ancient journal Lilly`s mother left her.
What I saw in this story was a young woman find I ng her way in the world, and finding God. A story of love, and letting go of the past.