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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated The Dark and Hollow Places (The Forest of Hands and Teeth, #3) in Books
Jun 7, 2018
This book was good, but it wasn't as good as the first 2. There was just something lacking. Maybe I just couldn't relate to Annah 100% or maybe it was the fact that the plot wasn't as fast-paced as the first books.
I found Annah to be a tad bit annoying. She was too much of a do-gooder & I found it frustrating.
I liked the fact that Gabry, Catcher and Elias were featured in this book though. I just wish Mary would've been in it if only for a brief appearance.
Overall, this is a great book (as well as a great series). Even though the plot wasn't as fast paced as the first 2 books, it was still good. It does convey human emotion very well.
Fans of The Forest of Hands and Teeth series won't be disappointed.
I found Annah to be a tad bit annoying. She was too much of a do-gooder & I found it frustrating.
I liked the fact that Gabry, Catcher and Elias were featured in this book though. I just wish Mary would've been in it if only for a brief appearance.
Overall, this is a great book (as well as a great series). Even though the plot wasn't as fast paced as the first 2 books, it was still good. It does convey human emotion very well.
Fans of The Forest of Hands and Teeth series won't be disappointed.
Moodyhydra (3 KP) rated The Tattooist of Auschwitz in Books
Oct 2, 2018 (Updated Oct 2, 2018)
Amazing
This book was a beautifull and horrifying read all at once. A true story from the mouth of a survivor.
I found myself smiling at the stolen moments shared between new lovers and then crying at the horrors and injustice these poor people endured, and that the lucky (if we can all them that) survived. The horrors they had to see and things they had to do to survive and then live with after is something we will never understand. This story is not only one of horror and death, but also of bravery, resilliance and above all LOVE. To know that love can be found even in a place like this the darkest of places was inspiring. The way it was written was beautifull and respectfull to the memory of those it involved. Definitely a book everyone should read.
I found myself smiling at the stolen moments shared between new lovers and then crying at the horrors and injustice these poor people endured, and that the lucky (if we can all them that) survived. The horrors they had to see and things they had to do to survive and then live with after is something we will never understand. This story is not only one of horror and death, but also of bravery, resilliance and above all LOVE. To know that love can be found even in a place like this the darkest of places was inspiring. The way it was written was beautifull and respectfull to the memory of those it involved. Definitely a book everyone should read.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated The Girl on the Train in Books
Nov 9, 2018
✵✵✵ <b>2.5 Mediocre Stars</b>
This was a fairly entertaining book overall but I found it so slow to start. I must admit I did struggle a bit in the beginning as not a lot happened.
I got swept up in the hype when it came to this book so I couldn't resist giving it a go. It has often been compared to [b:Gone Girl|19288043|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397056917s/19288043.jpg|13306276] however, Gone Girl it is not. It doesn't have the same break-neck speed and the characters are somewhat lacking.
The main character got on my nerves immensely...I got tired of her acting like a wet lettuce all of the time. That aside I found the plot to be ok and the twists ok but that's all this book was to me really...ok.
This was a fairly entertaining book overall but I found it so slow to start. I must admit I did struggle a bit in the beginning as not a lot happened.
I got swept up in the hype when it came to this book so I couldn't resist giving it a go. It has often been compared to [b:Gone Girl|19288043|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1397056917s/19288043.jpg|13306276] however, Gone Girl it is not. It doesn't have the same break-neck speed and the characters are somewhat lacking.
The main character got on my nerves immensely...I got tired of her acting like a wet lettuce all of the time. That aside I found the plot to be ok and the twists ok but that's all this book was to me really...ok.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Thank You for Smoking in Books
Nov 14, 2018
This book was an ok read, it took me quite a while to get into it as the writing style is very different to what i'm used to. I found the story to be quite jumbled and sometimes I just had no idea which of the characters were speaking, I had to sometimes read a page a couple of times in order for it to sink in. Some of it a found quite funny but other bits I didn't really understand. The novel is very political, which probably explains why I kept losing interest (not to say it wasn't interesting at all- which is why I gave it 3 stars, I did like it, mainly because it was just different). The story had some good twists but I do believe that the ending was very unrealistic.
Elli H Burton (1288 KP) rated Bird Box (2018) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
The hype ruined it for me
So I'm not a scary film fan in the slightest so I had to be assured this wouldn't make me jump (LOL). I did enjoy it found it was clever, but because of all the hype I already knew certain things were going to happen so that sucked a bit.
It's made brilliantly, it's so tense you cannot relax the entire film. It cannot have been easy to act blindfolded, not knowing your mark and where people are etc but once again, Sandra B nails it.
If I had stumbled onto it without hearing anything about it I think I would have found it a lot more enjoyable as I'd heard of so many key moments online etc..
It's made brilliantly, it's so tense you cannot relax the entire film. It cannot have been easy to act blindfolded, not knowing your mark and where people are etc but once again, Sandra B nails it.
If I had stumbled onto it without hearing anything about it I think I would have found it a lot more enjoyable as I'd heard of so many key moments online etc..
David McK (3372 KP) rated Sword of the Archon (Shader, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The first in D.P. Prior's 'Shader' series, this is a self-published fantasy that is set upon a future Earth following a post-apocalyptic event in which magic has returned.
While I'm not usually averse to a bit of fantasy every now and then, I have to say: I found this one to be hard going. Despite a promising start, I found it to become somewhat overblown and drawn out and just not that engaging: I never really connected with any of the characters or the situations they faced.
There were times, even, when I was tempted to abandon it altogether / skip chapters, but stuck at it out of sheer bloody-mindedness rather than due to any interest in the story
I'm sorry to say so, but I doubt I'll pick up the second in the series. :(
While I'm not usually averse to a bit of fantasy every now and then, I have to say: I found this one to be hard going. Despite a promising start, I found it to become somewhat overblown and drawn out and just not that engaging: I never really connected with any of the characters or the situations they faced.
There were times, even, when I was tempted to abandon it altogether / skip chapters, but stuck at it out of sheer bloody-mindedness rather than due to any interest in the story
I'm sorry to say so, but I doubt I'll pick up the second in the series. :(
David McK (3372 KP) rated Sword of Honour in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Back in 2013 (or thereabouts) I picked up a book in my local Tesco's; a book of which (at the time) I knew nothing about but which IO ended up quite enjoying. That books (Child of Vengeance) was the immediate precursor to this, and turned out to be one that I quite enjoyed.
Fast forward roughly 5 years, and I picked up the sequel, hoping to receive the same enjoyment from it.
Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed: I found this (which is, effectively, a Japanese revenge tale) to be plodding, pedestrian, heavy going and really just not that engaging, populated with unlikeable characters with murky motivations and with a verbose style of writing that just did not flow, even in the action sequences. As such, I actually found this a struggle to make it to the end!
Sorry Mr Kirk!
Fast forward roughly 5 years, and I picked up the sequel, hoping to receive the same enjoyment from it.
Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed: I found this (which is, effectively, a Japanese revenge tale) to be plodding, pedestrian, heavy going and really just not that engaging, populated with unlikeable characters with murky motivations and with a verbose style of writing that just did not flow, even in the action sequences. As such, I actually found this a struggle to make it to the end!
Sorry Mr Kirk!
Lee (2222 KP) rated Seoul Station (2016) in Movies
Jan 21, 2019
Nowhere near as good as it's live action companion
Seoul Station is an animated prequel to 'Train to Busan', one of my favourite movies in recent years. It is written and directed by the director of that movie too. Set in and around Seoul Station at night, the movie begins with an elderly homeless man who staggers towards the station, weak and bleeding from a wound. The beginning of the zombie apocalypse, which then unfolds throughout the night.
I found this movie to be nowhere near as interesting or as intense as Train to Busan. No characters of note to get behind and I didn't really like the animation style either. To be honest, it took me two or three sittings to complete it, I just found it a real struggle. Stick with the far superior Train to Busan.
I found this movie to be nowhere near as interesting or as intense as Train to Busan. No characters of note to get behind and I didn't really like the animation style either. To be honest, it took me two or three sittings to complete it, I just found it a real struggle. Stick with the far superior Train to Busan.
Anne (15117 KP) rated Little Weirds in Books
Nov 4, 2019
This was an interesting read/listen a bit different. It was a quick and short read with some humor, reflection and memoir type stories. It reminded me a bit of a one-woman play of sorts.
The first 1/3-1/2 of the book was sort of random except I connected more to some bits but after the first half, I found more to connect with and then with the last few chapters, I found it enlightening and connected quite a bit to that part.
It's a bit like a collection of mini-memoir essays that talk about being a woman, a child, growing up, figuring things out and having an enlightening moment of rising above hard times, etc.
If you're looking for a short listen with some quirkiness memoir type stories and such then you might enjoy this.
The first 1/3-1/2 of the book was sort of random except I connected more to some bits but after the first half, I found more to connect with and then with the last few chapters, I found it enlightening and connected quite a bit to that part.
It's a bit like a collection of mini-memoir essays that talk about being a woman, a child, growing up, figuring things out and having an enlightening moment of rising above hard times, etc.
If you're looking for a short listen with some quirkiness memoir type stories and such then you might enjoy this.
Barry Newman (204 KP) rated 1917 (2020) in Movies
Jan 28, 2020
Whilst a relatively simple story about two soldiers on a journey to deliver a live saving message I found this to be a highly impressive film. Technically brilliant and also quite moving in the human story that it tells and its depiction of the pointlessness of war. The cinematography and use of long takes is very realistic and immersive, you really do feel like you are on the front line. Dedicating the film to his grandfather this is obviously a very personal project for Sam Mendes and the director is at the top of his game here. I found this to be far superior to 'Dunkirk' which whilst also being a feast for the eyes lacked characters that you could actually care about. Mendes manages to get the balance just right and has created one of the best war movies in years.