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Flora & Ulysses (2021)
Flora & Ulysses (2021)
2021 | Adventure, Comedy, Family
8
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
This is an incredibly charming kids' film. My eight-year-old daughters both enjoyed it tremendously (it had hi-jinks, funny kids, and a squirrel). But my wife and I both found it engaging too. Ben Schwartz is lovely as Flora's dad. Lots of comic book references, plenty of action, and it's sweet without being too schmaltzy. We've already watched it twice. (Side note: I haven't read the book it's based on, so I cannot comment there, but we're getting it from the library, because we found the film so enchanting.)
  
Trailblazers: Stephen Hawking: A Life Beyond Limits
Trailblazers: Stephen Hawking: A Life Beyond Limits
Alex Woolf | 2020 | Biography
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book tells the life story of this great astronomer from his birth to the end of his days. However, this book is written in a quite simple and understandable language, that curious children could process. I think to enjoy this book, the child needs to know a little bit of physics and be interested in space and black holes. This book not only shares the parts of Stephen’s life but also explains his discoveries, that are quite technical. I really liked the illustrations in this novel, they make the whole book less textbook-like and more enjoyable to read.

As an adult, I really liked the knowledge I was able to gather from this book. Stephen Hawking was a charismatic, funny, and intelligent person, and I respect his bravery and strength. I was very happy and inspired by his inventions and personality, and I think not only children, but adults should familiarise themselves with this incredible person’s life and achievements. Do give this book a go, and hopefully, the next generation can continue his great work. 🙂
  
Summer at Sandcastle Cottage
Summer at Sandcastle Cottage
Christina Jones | 2021 | Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is told from multiple perspectives, Kitty, Apollo and Jemini are sharing their thoughts and feelings. I really liked not only the main characters but all characters mentioned in this book. They all are very realistic, unique and incredibly funny. The protagonists had a difficult past, but I am happy about their present life.

The narrative was very entertaining and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the little twists and turns, that the author incorporated into this novel. The topics discussed in this book were difficult relationships, everyday life, racism, looking for love, friendships and plenty more. One thing that really annoyed me is the term “politically correct” used in multiple places throughout this book. I don’t think it was needed and it irked me a lot.

I absolutely loved the setting of this book. I would love to spend holidays in a place like Firefly Common, where you can go to the beach and enjoy idyllic walks. The book is set during summer, so it was a great escape to somewhere nice during the lockdown. The chapters of the book have medium length, but the story is very entertaining and the pages just fly by. The ending was quite predictable, but I liked the way this story was concluded. There is a short story/prequel to this book called Christmas At Sandcastle Cottage. I haven’t read it, but I hope it would explain the past situations of the main characters better.

So, to conclude, I really enjoyed this funny, romantic novel, filled with intriguing and humorous characters as well as the plot that takes you to a beautiful place and makes you believe in a better life.
  
The Bride Test
The Bride Test
Helen Hoang | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Funny & Quirky
This is easily a 5-star book. I first found Helen Hoang through the Bookish First website, and I fell in love with the “The Kiss Quotient.” It was unique and honestly one of my favorite romances that I have read. When I first heard about The Bride Test, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I didn’t even read the blurb. I just knew that Helen Hoang was a new one-click author for me. Needless to say, when I got the opportunity via NetGalley to read The Bride Test I jumped at the chance.

The Bride Test brings some lovable characters from The Kiss Quotient and puts them into a new perspective. This book features Khai Diep, a character we briefly met in her last novel. Khai is such a well-written character, and I just loved Esme as well. Both Esme & Khai are well developed, and the chemistry was exciting and fun. What I love about Helen’s books is that they feature characters with autism, but it doesn’t define them. She puts so much thought and love into her books that it’s hard to read a book after it.

The plot kept me fascinated, and it was completely unique to me. I loved the cultural aspects present in this book, and I liked how it all played out. This is hands down my favorite book so far. It’s funny, it’s quirky, and it’s a book I never wanted to end.
  
OF
Out for Blood
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Firstly, I want to thank TWCS and Mike Walker for sending me this book because I flipping LOVED it! I honestly have not read a book so engaging in quite a while, so huge thanks! I'm likely to gush a lot whilst reviewing this, so I'll give you a brief over view now before going into a tad more detail but seriously this book is funny, touching, incredibly engaging, a fabulously fresh take on vampires and impossibly difficult to put down!



So let's pick up on some of those points, and I think the thing that deserves the first real mention is Mike Walker's writing style. He has such wit and dry humour that at times I was literally laughing out loud at this book (much to the aghast of some others in the doctors waiting room earlier today!) and I honestly tittered my way through the story. It's just so funny, even where it probably shouldn't be, and this is definitely down to the expert style of writing used by Walker. It's very hard to make me laugh at a book as I'm more of a fan of visual humour, but Walker had me literally rolling, and I'd love to thank him for cheering me up and making my sides ache!

This book was reviewed as part of a blog tour on Lily Loves Indie and the rest of this review can be viewed here - http://lilylovesindie.co.uk/?p=234
  
5 League Titles and a Packet of Crisps: My Autobiography
5 League Titles and a Packet of Crisps: My Autobiography
Steve Nicol | 2016 | Biography
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
very funny anecdotes and stories, heart warming in places and revealing. (0 more)
A good read for any liverpool fan
When you think of the dominant Liverpool team of the eighties too often Steve Nicol does not get a mention. When you consider that in his time there he won the league five times, europe, the f.a,cup and also played as a pivotal part of the Scotland squad this seems surprising. This book tells the story of this unsung hero, from his start at ayr all the way to his managerial succeses in the USA. Its touching and funny. His recollection of the hillsborough tragedy is both honest and heart felt. A very good read.