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Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Little Bee in Books
Jun 20, 2018
Today, June 20, is World Refugee Day. First observed in 2001, it is dedicated to raising awareness of the plight of refugees all across the world. African Refugee Day had been observed in some countries prior to the UN declaring it World Refugee Day, but the Organization of African Unity agreed to have the two days coincide.
To honor World Refugee Day, today I'm going to talk about Little Bee. Little Bee is a Nigerian refugee in the United Kingdom. She and her sister witnessed the destruction of their village by an oil company's thugs, and were hunted down to eliminate the witnesses. In a chance encounter on a Nigerian beach, she met Sarah and Andrew, a couple from London trying to save their marriage by going on an exotic holiday. The encounter changes the lives of all three of them, and when Little Bee makes it to the United Kingdom, they are the only people she knows. She arrives at their home on the day of Andrew's funeral, and Sarah takes her in.
The book switches between the viewpoints of Sarah and Little Bee, and it does suffer from that, a bit. I couldn't wait for Sarah's chapters to be done so I could get back to Little Bee. Her viewpoint - her voice - was enthralling. Some first-person views are just the person thinking to themselves, while some first-person views are the person talking to the reader. Sarah was the first type, and Little Bee the second. Reading her explanations of the differences between her old life and her new life, and how the girls from her village wouldn't understand things, was amazing. I was hooked within the first ten pages of the book, specifically her note about scars:
"I ask you right here please to agree with me that a scar is never ugly. That is what the scar makers want us to think. But you and I, we must make an agreement to defy them. We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived."
The events Little Bee talks about having witnessed are horrifying. And she recognizes that. She could be bitter, she could be depressed, she could be insane, but she is not. She manages to have hope, and even joy. She sees other refugees around her commit suicide, and in fact always has a plan for how to kill herself "if the men come." Because the stories of refugees always begin with "the men came and they..." and she'd rather kill herself than let herself be taken. Despite this, she has hope for a future. Or perhaps she simply takes joy in the present.
The book is not a happy one. Like Sing, Unburied, Sing, it's an important book but not exactly an enjoyable one. There are enjoyable parts. But there are very hard parts, too. (I should note, here, a TRIGGER WARNING for a graphic description of rape, when Little Bee tells Sarah what happened to Little Bee's older sister.) It did not end the way I wanted it to, though it ended in an unexpected way. I suppose it was too much to hope for a Happy Ever After when the vast majority of refugees don't get one.
For all that there were very tough scenes to get through in this book, I'm still putting it on my Best of 2018 list. Little Bee's voice and viewpoint is amazing, the story is well researched, and the plot absorbing. This is a book I'd like to have on my shelf.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
To honor World Refugee Day, today I'm going to talk about Little Bee. Little Bee is a Nigerian refugee in the United Kingdom. She and her sister witnessed the destruction of their village by an oil company's thugs, and were hunted down to eliminate the witnesses. In a chance encounter on a Nigerian beach, she met Sarah and Andrew, a couple from London trying to save their marriage by going on an exotic holiday. The encounter changes the lives of all three of them, and when Little Bee makes it to the United Kingdom, they are the only people she knows. She arrives at their home on the day of Andrew's funeral, and Sarah takes her in.
The book switches between the viewpoints of Sarah and Little Bee, and it does suffer from that, a bit. I couldn't wait for Sarah's chapters to be done so I could get back to Little Bee. Her viewpoint - her voice - was enthralling. Some first-person views are just the person thinking to themselves, while some first-person views are the person talking to the reader. Sarah was the first type, and Little Bee the second. Reading her explanations of the differences between her old life and her new life, and how the girls from her village wouldn't understand things, was amazing. I was hooked within the first ten pages of the book, specifically her note about scars:
"I ask you right here please to agree with me that a scar is never ugly. That is what the scar makers want us to think. But you and I, we must make an agreement to defy them. We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived."
The events Little Bee talks about having witnessed are horrifying. And she recognizes that. She could be bitter, she could be depressed, she could be insane, but she is not. She manages to have hope, and even joy. She sees other refugees around her commit suicide, and in fact always has a plan for how to kill herself "if the men come." Because the stories of refugees always begin with "the men came and they..." and she'd rather kill herself than let herself be taken. Despite this, she has hope for a future. Or perhaps she simply takes joy in the present.
The book is not a happy one. Like Sing, Unburied, Sing, it's an important book but not exactly an enjoyable one. There are enjoyable parts. But there are very hard parts, too. (I should note, here, a TRIGGER WARNING for a graphic description of rape, when Little Bee tells Sarah what happened to Little Bee's older sister.) It did not end the way I wanted it to, though it ended in an unexpected way. I suppose it was too much to hope for a Happy Ever After when the vast majority of refugees don't get one.
For all that there were very tough scenes to get through in this book, I'm still putting it on my Best of 2018 list. Little Bee's voice and viewpoint is amazing, the story is well researched, and the plot absorbing. This is a book I'd like to have on my shelf.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Debbiereadsbook (1166 KP) rated Reluctant Billionaire (The Billionaire’s Playground #2) in Books
Jan 2, 2021
I'm enjoying this series. I like that the billionaires aren't arrogant or big headed.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
My review will be fairly short, I'm not in a good place right now!
This is book 2 in the Billionaire's Playground but its not necessary to have read book one, Property of a Billionaire. However, THAT book is where we first meet Nanna and you might want to get the full force of her nature :-)
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book, as much as, but not more than, the first book.
It's relatively low on the angst scale, but there is some, it's just not too much, you know? Just enough.
Both Brett and Guy have a say, in the first person.
I loved Nanna's meddling! While it was pure chance Brett and Guy ended up on the same holiday, everything that comes after is pure unadulterated Nanna-meddling and I loved it! She proper puts Brett's dad in his place. I liked how the reason Brett's dad was so . . . negative? maybe not quite the right word, but it fits now . . .towards him wasn't what you are first led to believe.
It's steamy, but again, not too much, and I really rather enjoyed that it was not too much, just like book one.
I'm enjoying this series. I like that the billionaires aren't arrogant or big headed. They are just regular guys with an obscene amount of money, is all! They will show that money off when needed though, but they don't shove it in anyone's face.
Keep them coming, please!
4 delightful stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
My review will be fairly short, I'm not in a good place right now!
This is book 2 in the Billionaire's Playground but its not necessary to have read book one, Property of a Billionaire. However, THAT book is where we first meet Nanna and you might want to get the full force of her nature :-)
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book, as much as, but not more than, the first book.
It's relatively low on the angst scale, but there is some, it's just not too much, you know? Just enough.
Both Brett and Guy have a say, in the first person.
I loved Nanna's meddling! While it was pure chance Brett and Guy ended up on the same holiday, everything that comes after is pure unadulterated Nanna-meddling and I loved it! She proper puts Brett's dad in his place. I liked how the reason Brett's dad was so . . . negative? maybe not quite the right word, but it fits now . . .towards him wasn't what you are first led to believe.
It's steamy, but again, not too much, and I really rather enjoyed that it was not too much, just like book one.
I'm enjoying this series. I like that the billionaires aren't arrogant or big headed. They are just regular guys with an obscene amount of money, is all! They will show that money off when needed though, but they don't shove it in anyone's face.
Keep them coming, please!
4 delightful stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated All We Ever Wanted in Books
Jul 6, 2018
Timely & Compelling
Determined to get to the second book in the series that everyone I knew had assured me was "the best," over the years, I must've picked up and earnestly started my paperback copy of Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed dozens of times but just couldn't relate to the characters.
And while I feared the same would be true for Giffin's latest novel All We Ever Wanted, especially considering that the first chapter of the book – which divides the storyline into three alternating first person points-of-view – began from the perspective of the wealthy one percenter wife from Nashville's elite, Giffin quickly replaces first world problems with real world problems.
Shocked to her core upon discovering appalling decision made by her Princeton bound son, in trying to get to the bottom of what exactly happened and what on Earth he was thinking, Nina Browning is forced to take a good hard look at her life and marriage as well as her past when she found herself at the other end of a similar horrific situation.
Continuing the action from the perspective of the two main other parties involved including her son's younger classmate, Lyla and Lyla's protective single father Tom, Giffin deftly balances her richly compelling drama with timely issues of economic inequality, racism, and sexual harassment in the digital age.
Surprising her readers with a few well-earned twists, while despite the narrative roller-coaster, we're pretty sure we know precisely who's to blame, ultimately it's in Lyla and Nina's journey toward accepting and understanding the truth that made the book increasingly hard to stop reading, particularly in its second half.
An ideal property for HBO to look into adapting as part of its annual miniseries exploration of twenty-first century women in literature, All We Ever Wanted might have been my first Emily Giffin work but it's just the right one to make me want to pick up Something Borrowed again for good.
Note: I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this title from Bookish First in exchange for an honest opinion.
And while I feared the same would be true for Giffin's latest novel All We Ever Wanted, especially considering that the first chapter of the book – which divides the storyline into three alternating first person points-of-view – began from the perspective of the wealthy one percenter wife from Nashville's elite, Giffin quickly replaces first world problems with real world problems.
Shocked to her core upon discovering appalling decision made by her Princeton bound son, in trying to get to the bottom of what exactly happened and what on Earth he was thinking, Nina Browning is forced to take a good hard look at her life and marriage as well as her past when she found herself at the other end of a similar horrific situation.
Continuing the action from the perspective of the two main other parties involved including her son's younger classmate, Lyla and Lyla's protective single father Tom, Giffin deftly balances her richly compelling drama with timely issues of economic inequality, racism, and sexual harassment in the digital age.
Surprising her readers with a few well-earned twists, while despite the narrative roller-coaster, we're pretty sure we know precisely who's to blame, ultimately it's in Lyla and Nina's journey toward accepting and understanding the truth that made the book increasingly hard to stop reading, particularly in its second half.
An ideal property for HBO to look into adapting as part of its annual miniseries exploration of twenty-first century women in literature, All We Ever Wanted might have been my first Emily Giffin work but it's just the right one to make me want to pick up Something Borrowed again for good.
Note: I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this title from Bookish First in exchange for an honest opinion.
TacoDave (3607 KP) rated Happy Death Day 2U (2019) in Movies
Feb 20, 2019
Entertaining (2 more)
Funny
Likeable Cast
Not really a horror movie (1 more)
Not much of a whodunit
Here we go again...
I liked the first "Happy Death Day" movie quite a bit. I was the only person in the theater that night, so watching it was a fun experience. I liked the idea of mixing a slasher movie with a time-travel/Groundhog's Day motif.
And while I enjoyed the sequel quite a bit, it wasn't nearly as fresh or original as the first movie. Which makes sense. Because it is basically the same movie, except with the horror and whodunit aspects stripped out...
This time Tree (what a dumb name!) gets popped into a parallel universe where things are just slightly different from the first movie. She still repeats the same day over and over. She still dies every day. But this time some of the details of her life are jumbled up - with some characters back to life, and interpersonal relationships changed - so she feels off-balance.
I had hoped that this would lead to a "Scream"-style search for who the killer is, mixed with new relationships, but the whole killing aspect is really put on the back burner. When the reveal happens, it doesn't make sense and there's no build up for it. It just happens. Then the story moves on.
Instead, this movie is about trying to choose between two different types of loss and using a sci-fi deus ex machina to give Tree the power to make that choice.
Will she stay in the new universe? Will she go back "home?" Does anyone really care?
Still, the actors are decent and the movie moves along quickly enough that I wasn't bored. You should definitely see the first movie first, because many of the details in the sequel rely on that knowledge. In fact, I didn't remember it all, even though I have seen it, so it caused a bit of confusion.
But I still recommend this one if you are a fan of genre movies.
And while I enjoyed the sequel quite a bit, it wasn't nearly as fresh or original as the first movie. Which makes sense. Because it is basically the same movie, except with the horror and whodunit aspects stripped out...
This time Tree (what a dumb name!) gets popped into a parallel universe where things are just slightly different from the first movie. She still repeats the same day over and over. She still dies every day. But this time some of the details of her life are jumbled up - with some characters back to life, and interpersonal relationships changed - so she feels off-balance.
I had hoped that this would lead to a "Scream"-style search for who the killer is, mixed with new relationships, but the whole killing aspect is really put on the back burner. When the reveal happens, it doesn't make sense and there's no build up for it. It just happens. Then the story moves on.
Instead, this movie is about trying to choose between two different types of loss and using a sci-fi deus ex machina to give Tree the power to make that choice.
Will she stay in the new universe? Will she go back "home?" Does anyone really care?
Still, the actors are decent and the movie moves along quickly enough that I wasn't bored. You should definitely see the first movie first, because many of the details in the sequel rely on that knowledge. In fact, I didn't remember it all, even though I have seen it, so it caused a bit of confusion.
But I still recommend this one if you are a fan of genre movies.
This isn’t the first time I’ve read this book, and it probably won’t be the last, either. I’m reading the first two books in preparation for reading the final book. Wolf Hall is as good as it was the first time round, and I think it’s a book that bears reading more than once - I’ve picked up things this time that I didn’t see the first read through. I have a sneaking suspicion that you could find something new, no matter how many times you read it.
It can be a little confusing at first, when Cromwell is referred to as ‘he’ throughout, but I slipped into the habit after a while. When learning about the Tudors at school, Cromwell is very much skimmed over. We learn that he had his moment of favour and then had his head chopped off 🤷🏼♀️. It seemed to be a bit of a professional hazard if you worked with royalty in those days.
This book gives Thomas Cromwell personality, feelings and you get to see his hopes and aspirations. He is portrayed as a thoroughly nice person, a good, caring father and employer. Someone who fought his way out of poverty, and tried to bring others out of that same situation. But he’s also shown to be calculating, cunning, a man that is no fool. There would have to be an element of the cut-throat about a man who wanted to work with Henry VIII; a king who was unpredictable, to say the least, and easily influenced by those around him.
I adore this period in history. Nothing is as shocking as real life, and I cannot for the life of me get over how cheap life was in a time where it should have been worth more (with no antibiotics, high infant and maternal mortality, death around the corner from simple illnesses). I’m really looking forward to rereading the second book in this trilogy now.
It can be a little confusing at first, when Cromwell is referred to as ‘he’ throughout, but I slipped into the habit after a while. When learning about the Tudors at school, Cromwell is very much skimmed over. We learn that he had his moment of favour and then had his head chopped off 🤷🏼♀️. It seemed to be a bit of a professional hazard if you worked with royalty in those days.
This book gives Thomas Cromwell personality, feelings and you get to see his hopes and aspirations. He is portrayed as a thoroughly nice person, a good, caring father and employer. Someone who fought his way out of poverty, and tried to bring others out of that same situation. But he’s also shown to be calculating, cunning, a man that is no fool. There would have to be an element of the cut-throat about a man who wanted to work with Henry VIII; a king who was unpredictable, to say the least, and easily influenced by those around him.
I adore this period in history. Nothing is as shocking as real life, and I cannot for the life of me get over how cheap life was in a time where it should have been worth more (with no antibiotics, high infant and maternal mortality, death around the corner from simple illnesses). I’m really looking forward to rereading the second book in this trilogy now.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Happy Death Day 2U (2019) in Movies
Apr 28, 2019
Deja vue?
I loved the original Happy Death Day. It was a great blend between horror & comedy with a really great idea - person is being stalked by slasher and has to live the same day every day usually ending up being killed by the baby mask wearing killer. So when I saw there was going to be a sequel I was glad...what was advertised was this time its not just the main character but the whole main cast being stalked and killed off. Well that lasts for about 15 mins. Then we get some silly science bollocks to try and explain things and then puts the film back to the same day as in the original focusing on the main character again. Literally exactly the same as the first film - same shots and everything!!...the ending seems rushed and the killer reveal seems lazy and tacked as an afterthought. There are things to enjoy - the characters are well played and theres some good comedy it's just such a shame they didn't evolve the story and did something different to the first film.
Beckie Shelton (40 KP) rated A Child for the Devil in Books
Feb 8, 2018
i won this book through good reads first reads,and wow what a read, firstly i don't want to give to much away as i feel that would spoil the journey this book takes you on,ill start with saying this book is not what id usually pick up to read,but saying that a bit of change is good and can sometimes surprise you, its written in the first person which i usually find a bit irritating but in this case fitted the story perfectly,its also pretty violent in places which i didn't mind as the story line merited this,I always judge the merit of a book by how long it takes me to finish (i read this in a day)Once i started i needed to finish, i felt like i was on a personal journey with Conrad jones and Evie and i wanted to be there to the bitter end no matter the outcome.This was a brilliant read that keeps you captivated from beginning to end,its gritty and a real page turner which currently my partner is engrossed in i would definitely recommend this book a 5 star thumbs up from me.
ClareR (5674 KP) rated The Buried Giant in Books
Aug 22, 2018
Perseverance needed for this one!
I had really looked forward to this book: I was on the waiting list for it for months before it was released. So I was really excited when I received the email that it had arrived at the library. The added bonus: I was the first person to read it! Now THAT doesn't happen often at the library!
Anyway, on to the content of the novel. Honestly, I found the first half really hard going. I found he narrative voice really wooden and forced, and I was waiting for something to happen for nearly 170 pages. I only persevered because it was Ishiguro - if it had been anyone else, I would have probably stuck to my 3 chapter rule and quit. I'm glad that I kept at it though. Beatrice and Axl are lovely characters. A devoted husband and wife, who are human enough to be bothered about other people as well. To be honest, all of the characters are really likeable.
My advice: keep going, if like me, you're finding this a tough read. You will be rewarded!!
Anyway, on to the content of the novel. Honestly, I found the first half really hard going. I found he narrative voice really wooden and forced, and I was waiting for something to happen for nearly 170 pages. I only persevered because it was Ishiguro - if it had been anyone else, I would have probably stuck to my 3 chapter rule and quit. I'm glad that I kept at it though. Beatrice and Axl are lovely characters. A devoted husband and wife, who are human enough to be bothered about other people as well. To be honest, all of the characters are really likeable.
My advice: keep going, if like me, you're finding this a tough read. You will be rewarded!!
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Lovestained - Single by Hope Tala in Music
Jun 18, 2019
Hope Tala is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from London, England. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “Lovestained” single.
“Slipping back into happiness ‘cause you give me more time to live a life that sings like mine. You make me drowsy with delight and I’m slipping back into feeling blessed. ‘Cause you are so damn fine and I’ll skip into the sunlight with you and skip back at midnight.” – lyrics
‘Lovestained’ is the first single taken from Hope Tala’s upcoming EP.
So far, the likable tune has amassed over 500,000 streams online since being released in April.
Also, the song contains a relatable storyline, warm vocals, and tropical-flavored instrumentation laced with drifting acoustic guitar chords.
“‘Lovestained’ sits in the grey area between infatuation and love. When you just want the person you’re interested in to give you a little bit more of themselves so that you can let yourself fall for them.” – Hope Tala
Half-whispered and half-sung, ‘Lovestained’ is sheer honey for the ears. Also, it’s a sensual treat that lingers long after the first note drifts away on the open breeze.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/hope-tala-lovestained/
“Slipping back into happiness ‘cause you give me more time to live a life that sings like mine. You make me drowsy with delight and I’m slipping back into feeling blessed. ‘Cause you are so damn fine and I’ll skip into the sunlight with you and skip back at midnight.” – lyrics
‘Lovestained’ is the first single taken from Hope Tala’s upcoming EP.
So far, the likable tune has amassed over 500,000 streams online since being released in April.
Also, the song contains a relatable storyline, warm vocals, and tropical-flavored instrumentation laced with drifting acoustic guitar chords.
“‘Lovestained’ sits in the grey area between infatuation and love. When you just want the person you’re interested in to give you a little bit more of themselves so that you can let yourself fall for them.” – Hope Tala
Half-whispered and half-sung, ‘Lovestained’ is sheer honey for the ears. Also, it’s a sensual treat that lingers long after the first note drifts away on the open breeze.
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/hope-tala-lovestained/