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Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants
Sara Gruen | 2007 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.5 (27 Ratings)
Book Rating
So I never thought that I would really fall in love with a book about the circus. I found it very difficult to put this book down, unfortunately I had to so I could take care of my family. I can't imagine would life would be like if I ran away with the circus, that's not something I have ever desired.

Jacob Jankowski loses everything in one day. His family, his home and his education. So he runs away with the circus(for real!). There he meets all kinds of interesting people and learns the ways of the circus. He also meets Marlena, the star of the show. He befriends her and her husband August, who is quite abusive to the animals, the roustabouts, and, at times, to Marlena. Shortly after Jacbo joins the Benzini Brothers Circus, they acquire an elephant, Rosie. Together Rosie and Marlena are bringing in the big money for Benzini Brothers. Of course there are a lot of ups and downs to get to that point.
The story is told through Jacob as an old man in a nursing home, waiting for his family to take him to the circus. He remineces about those days in anticipation for the event.
I want to tell so much more about this book, but I don't want to give it away. Please read this book, it will touch your heart and surprise you.

In the ebook version there is a conversation with the author, and she admits to never have gone to a circus before thinking about writing this book. I found that to be an interesting fact.
  
Paddington 2 (2017)
Paddington 2 (2017)
2017 | Animation, Comedy, Family
The loveable marmalade sandwich loving bear is back. This time, Paddington
has found a home with the Brown family, and spends his days with new found
friends throughout London. Eager to find the “perfect gift” for his Aunt
Lucy’s 100th birthday, Paddington takes on several odd jobs in hopes of
purchasing a pop-up book of London that is for sale at an antique shop.
Little does Paddington know, this pop-up book carries the clues to a
treasure chest.

Narcissistic, has been actor Phoenix Buchanan (Hugh Grant)
learns that said pop-up in fact does exist, he puts his acting skills to
use and transforms himself into various characters to steal it. Witness to
the burglary, Paddington pursues the thief, but ends up being blamed for
the crime and gets put in prison. The Brown family, along with all of
Paddington’s closest friends try to clear Paddington’s name by uncovering
all the clues to get the book back before Buchanan locates the treasure.

It’s safe to say a sequel was expected after a successful first run. This
film definitely follows the template of the first, with the same amount of
exuberance, curiosity, and laughter.

You can’t help but fall in love with
Paddington. I must admit, Hugh Grant stole the show. His villainous
attempt at portraying 12 different characters was phenomenal. You can tell
he was having a fun time with his characters. A delightful, sweet movie
the whole family will enjoy that mainly focuses on the importance of being
kind and with kindness friends and help are always there. Nice guys always
finish first!
  
40x40

ClareR (5854 KP) rated Wolfsong in Books

Aug 26, 2023  
Wolfsong
Wolfsong
TJ Klune | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well, this was an interesting one. I went in with a “well, I like werewolf stories, so let’s give this a go”, and finished thinking “ok, you should all probably go and read this now!”

It’s about found family, loyalty, love, grief and healing.

Oxnard (Ox) narrates the story about how he meets a young boy who has moved into the house at the bottom of his remote country lane. They form a close friendship very quickly, and the boy (Joe) gives Ox a small stone Wolf as a gift. The true nature of the gift isn’t clear for a few years, and in that time Ox learns just who and what the Bennett family are. He goes from believing he’s stupid and worthless, to being an important, integral member of the Bennett pack - a family of werewolves.

Something terrible happens, and the family fragments in two: whilst one half (including Joe) go off on an arduous adventure, Ox remains behind to protect who is left along with the Bennett territory.

This does get pretty graphically violent, I’ll warn you now, but it’s in context - and these are wolves!

I was utterly beguiled by this story - and I’m glad that I have the next in the series to head to already! I’d like to know how Ox and Joe are getting on as newly mated wolves - and who we’ll learn more about in the next book, Ravensong (I have my suspicions!).