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Cat Stevens recommended West Side Story by Stephen Sondheim in Music (curated)
Kristina (502 KP) rated Everything I Never Told You in Books
Dec 7, 2020
This book was, as I've read in many reviews, very beautiful and poetic. It made me hurt, made me angry, made me smile and gave me hope. But the third person narrative was confusing, because one sentence would be focused on James while the next focused on Marilyn and the transition was not always clear enough to not be confusing at first. The chapters were so long and, honestly, the first 1/3 of the book was so boring I almost put it down for good. However, the story in itself was very emotional - I didn't cry, but it definitely had me feeling some type of way. It was also scary, the notion that happiness can be taken away so quickly and easily, even when there are so many signs pointing to a change; and not just for one person, but for many people at once. While I didn't love this book, it's given me something deep and profound to think about while I lay awake at nights.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Devi (Matefinder #2) in Books
Sep 4, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
160 of 200
Kindle
Devi ( Matefinder book 2)
By Leia Stone
When Aurora found out that the vampires were after her blood to procreate, she thought she knew her mission. Take out the vampires and live happily ever after with Kai and their pack. But when the witches discover something about her, everything changes. Maybe Aurora doesn’t have as much control over her fate as she thought and sometimes allies become enemies. Aurora and Kai must defy all odds if their future is to end in happiness.
This is the second in this series and I loved it more than the first. We catch up with Aurora and Kai and get to see them married and mated fully despite everyone trying to capture or kill her. Leia writes a very easy to follow story as well as building her world and these characters up. They all have more depth than the first book. Aurora also goes on a spiritual trip of self discovery. Also the wolves are out of the closet so it will be interesting to see how the world responds!
Kindle
Devi ( Matefinder book 2)
By Leia Stone
When Aurora found out that the vampires were after her blood to procreate, she thought she knew her mission. Take out the vampires and live happily ever after with Kai and their pack. But when the witches discover something about her, everything changes. Maybe Aurora doesn’t have as much control over her fate as she thought and sometimes allies become enemies. Aurora and Kai must defy all odds if their future is to end in happiness.
This is the second in this series and I loved it more than the first. We catch up with Aurora and Kai and get to see them married and mated fully despite everyone trying to capture or kill her. Leia writes a very easy to follow story as well as building her world and these characters up. They all have more depth than the first book. Aurora also goes on a spiritual trip of self discovery. Also the wolves are out of the closet so it will be interesting to see how the world responds!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Secrets of Ironbridge ( Ironbridge saga book 2) in Books
Mar 15, 2023
30 of 235
Book
The Secrets of Ironbridge ( Ironbridge Saga 2)
By Mollie Walton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1850s Shropshire.
Returning to her mother's birthplace at the age of eighteen, Beatrice Ashford encounters a complex family she barely knows. Her great-grandmother Queenie adores her, but the privileged social position of Beatrice's family as masters of the local brickworks begins to make her uncomfortable.
And then she meets Owen Malone: handsome, different, refreshing - and from a class beneath her own. They fall for each other fast, but an old family feud and growing industrial unrest threatens to drive them apart.
Can they overcome their different backgrounds? And can Beatrice make amends for her family's past?
I love Ironbridge and try to go as often as I can. This book really grabs that feeling of being there and back in that time. The second instalment of the Kings and Woodvines did not disappoint so much drama and tension and it always ends in sadness! Let’s hope book 3 can bring some closure and happiness.
Book
The Secrets of Ironbridge ( Ironbridge Saga 2)
By Mollie Walton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
1850s Shropshire.
Returning to her mother's birthplace at the age of eighteen, Beatrice Ashford encounters a complex family she barely knows. Her great-grandmother Queenie adores her, but the privileged social position of Beatrice's family as masters of the local brickworks begins to make her uncomfortable.
And then she meets Owen Malone: handsome, different, refreshing - and from a class beneath her own. They fall for each other fast, but an old family feud and growing industrial unrest threatens to drive them apart.
Can they overcome their different backgrounds? And can Beatrice make amends for her family's past?
I love Ironbridge and try to go as often as I can. This book really grabs that feeling of being there and back in that time. The second instalment of the Kings and Woodvines did not disappoint so much drama and tension and it always ends in sadness! Let’s hope book 3 can bring some closure and happiness.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Black Candle in Books
May 18, 2024
99 of 220
Book
The Black Candle
By Catherine Cookson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bridget Dean Mordaunt was a woman of consequence in her own part of the world. Inheriting her father's businesses at the age of nineteen, by the time she was twenty-three in 1880, she was running them as confidently as any man. Yet the path destiny required her to follow was not an easy one. Her feckless cousin Victoria became infatuated with Lionel Filmore, the fortune-hunting elder son of an old but impoverished family living in the decayed grandeur of Grove House. Bridget had no illusions about Lionel, but Victoria's happiness was paramount to her. So a pattern began to form that would shape the lives of generations to come, a pattern of some good and some great evil, but all of it inexorably linking Bridget ever more closely with the Filmores and their house.
Catherine Cooksons books always bring out the emotions a whole range and this one does it best from sympathy to anger with some tears thrown in. This is one of my favourites.
Book
The Black Candle
By Catherine Cookson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bridget Dean Mordaunt was a woman of consequence in her own part of the world. Inheriting her father's businesses at the age of nineteen, by the time she was twenty-three in 1880, she was running them as confidently as any man. Yet the path destiny required her to follow was not an easy one. Her feckless cousin Victoria became infatuated with Lionel Filmore, the fortune-hunting elder son of an old but impoverished family living in the decayed grandeur of Grove House. Bridget had no illusions about Lionel, but Victoria's happiness was paramount to her. So a pattern began to form that would shape the lives of generations to come, a pattern of some good and some great evil, but all of it inexorably linking Bridget ever more closely with the Filmores and their house.
Catherine Cooksons books always bring out the emotions a whole range and this one does it best from sympathy to anger with some tears thrown in. This is one of my favourites.
Rikki Hammond (33 KP) rated Gloom in Tabletop Games
May 27, 2019
Unique concept and theme (1 more)
Plays well with all player counts
Really needs the right group of people to play it (1 more)
The theme can put some people off
A unique card game that is marred by it's own concept
I will come out and say this now: Gloom won't be for everyone. It's definitely a unique game, which can sadly be marred by it's own ideas.
The game revolves around each player choosing one of five families, and your goal is to make them as miserable as possible, before killing them in a wacky and gruesome way.
The way you do this is by placing cards on top of each family member, which will give them negative happiness points. You can also place cards on other players members to give them positive happiness points, which ironically, are bad. Once you feel you've accrued enough negative points, you can kill them outright, removing them from the game. Some cards may have a symbol on them, which can add bonus points if a certain kill card is played on them in time, and every card has a little wording on the bottom, that tells a story of the grisly fates that await your family members. One person could be hounded by ferrets before falling down a well, or maybe excluded from a celebration before being mauled by bears.
Once all five of one players family members are dead, the game ends, and whoever has the most total negative points at the end wins.
Gloom is a pretty cool looki g game, as all the cards are transparent, and when cards are laid on top of each other, it can hide certain pieces of the card underneath it. The main draw of the game is the storytelling aspect of it, seeing how each family member is going to meet their death, and unwinding a story based off that.
Sadly, take this aspect away from it, and the game basically boils down to players placing cards on top of others until someone ends the game by killing all their characters, which can actually be a little boring in my opinion.
If you can find the right people to play this with, Gloom can be a lot of fun, but more often than not, this isn't the case, and despite the cool concept and looks, it can fall rather flat.
The game revolves around each player choosing one of five families, and your goal is to make them as miserable as possible, before killing them in a wacky and gruesome way.
The way you do this is by placing cards on top of each family member, which will give them negative happiness points. You can also place cards on other players members to give them positive happiness points, which ironically, are bad. Once you feel you've accrued enough negative points, you can kill them outright, removing them from the game. Some cards may have a symbol on them, which can add bonus points if a certain kill card is played on them in time, and every card has a little wording on the bottom, that tells a story of the grisly fates that await your family members. One person could be hounded by ferrets before falling down a well, or maybe excluded from a celebration before being mauled by bears.
Once all five of one players family members are dead, the game ends, and whoever has the most total negative points at the end wins.
Gloom is a pretty cool looki g game, as all the cards are transparent, and when cards are laid on top of each other, it can hide certain pieces of the card underneath it. The main draw of the game is the storytelling aspect of it, seeing how each family member is going to meet their death, and unwinding a story based off that.
Sadly, take this aspect away from it, and the game basically boils down to players placing cards on top of others until someone ends the game by killing all their characters, which can actually be a little boring in my opinion.
If you can find the right people to play this with, Gloom can be a lot of fun, but more often than not, this isn't the case, and despite the cool concept and looks, it can fall rather flat.
"Spatial Strategy to Success and Happiness." This is the subtitle of Harness the Power of the Invincible Mind by Alex Neumann, but do not be misled into thinking it is a self-help book. Since childhood, Neumann has been interested in studying how some people thrive during challenging times and how, with this determination, society can make the world a better place. This book contains the author's ideas based on these observations; ideas that he has applied to his thought process to develop an "Invincible Mind".
Neumann applies moral stories and real-life scenarios to illustrate the power of a determined mind. He urges readers to never give up, even in the face of adversity, but to use these hardships in alternative ways. Neumann uses examples from Buddhism and Christianity as well as history to show the potential of every individual.
Many self-help books give step-by-step guides to success and dismiss mental and neurological difficulties. Whilst these authors may encourage readers to reach their goals, Neumann acknowledges that it is not always possible. Yet, this does not result in failure. Neumann's insight into the workings of the world reveals there is far more to happiness than an end goal. There is more to life than being the best, being famous and being successful, but more often than not, these lessons are hard-fought. With this book, Neumann attempts to stop readers in their tracks, to stop their destructive power, to realise their true potential and look at the world afresh.
Neumann writes as though he is speaking in front of an audience. Whilst this adds honesty and passion, it disrupts the flow of the text. The book lacks grammar and is oftentimes repetitive. As a proofreader, it is difficult not to pick up on these errors, but it indeed makes the author sound human. Neumann does not use the complicated language of psychologists, does not pretend to have qualifications in counselling or such like but has his readers' best interests at heart.
Easy and quick to read, Harness the Power of the Invincible Mind is a book that stays with you long after completing. It contains so many analogies and examples that readers will want to highlight, share and, hopefully, apply in their day-to-day lives.
Neumann applies moral stories and real-life scenarios to illustrate the power of a determined mind. He urges readers to never give up, even in the face of adversity, but to use these hardships in alternative ways. Neumann uses examples from Buddhism and Christianity as well as history to show the potential of every individual.
Many self-help books give step-by-step guides to success and dismiss mental and neurological difficulties. Whilst these authors may encourage readers to reach their goals, Neumann acknowledges that it is not always possible. Yet, this does not result in failure. Neumann's insight into the workings of the world reveals there is far more to happiness than an end goal. There is more to life than being the best, being famous and being successful, but more often than not, these lessons are hard-fought. With this book, Neumann attempts to stop readers in their tracks, to stop their destructive power, to realise their true potential and look at the world afresh.
Neumann writes as though he is speaking in front of an audience. Whilst this adds honesty and passion, it disrupts the flow of the text. The book lacks grammar and is oftentimes repetitive. As a proofreader, it is difficult not to pick up on these errors, but it indeed makes the author sound human. Neumann does not use the complicated language of psychologists, does not pretend to have qualifications in counselling or such like but has his readers' best interests at heart.
Easy and quick to read, Harness the Power of the Invincible Mind is a book that stays with you long after completing. It contains so many analogies and examples that readers will want to highlight, share and, hopefully, apply in their day-to-day lives.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Happy Ever After Playlist in Books
Oct 8, 2020
Amazingly sexy and sweet romance
Sloan Monroe's fiance, Brandon, died two years ago, and Sloan is still hurting, a lot. Then one day she finds an adorable dog on the road--literally--and takes him home. His owner never answers her texts, and the dog, Tucker, seems to help Sloan move on. Then suddenly Tucker's owner shows up, via text, and he wants Tucker back. But Sloan's strong enough now that she's not giving up Tucker. As she starts texting with Tucker's owner, Jason, she realizes he really cares about his dog. Then Sloan also recognizes that Jason is a good guy. A really good, handsome guy. This is confirmed once they meet in person. But Jason's a musician with stardom just around the corner. Sloan needs someone here, whom she can count on. Can she really handle someone else who might leave her, again?
"I didn't cook anymore. Everyone knew that. I didn't do a lot of things anymore."
I absolutely adored this book. It was just what I needed at the time I picked it up. Jimenez gives us such a happy and sexy romance with two characters with awesome chemistry. There's the best blend of small mix-ups and humor, and you cannot help but root for Sloan and Jason from the very beginning (especially if you've read The Friend Zone). Knowing that Sloan is completely broken from Brandon's death while Jason is confident and embarking on a new career, it's completely understandable that Sloan can't risk losing herself again. Watching her find happiness--even knowing it could be gone again in a second--is beautiful, and both of these characters are so real, so true.
"I'd been lonely and attached to someone invisible for two years. I wouldn't do it again. I couldn't do it again."
While this book is emotional, it's also very sweet, and, wow, sexy at times. Jason is just a darn good guy, seemingly too good to be true, and I found myself willing him and Sloan together, desperately wanting her to get a second chance at happiness. Throw in the adorable Tucker and there's basically nothing not to love about this book. Great characters, great romance, great humor--it's all there. I loved it from beginning to end. 4.5 stars.
"I didn't cook anymore. Everyone knew that. I didn't do a lot of things anymore."
I absolutely adored this book. It was just what I needed at the time I picked it up. Jimenez gives us such a happy and sexy romance with two characters with awesome chemistry. There's the best blend of small mix-ups and humor, and you cannot help but root for Sloan and Jason from the very beginning (especially if you've read The Friend Zone). Knowing that Sloan is completely broken from Brandon's death while Jason is confident and embarking on a new career, it's completely understandable that Sloan can't risk losing herself again. Watching her find happiness--even knowing it could be gone again in a second--is beautiful, and both of these characters are so real, so true.
"I'd been lonely and attached to someone invisible for two years. I wouldn't do it again. I couldn't do it again."
While this book is emotional, it's also very sweet, and, wow, sexy at times. Jason is just a darn good guy, seemingly too good to be true, and I found myself willing him and Sloan together, desperately wanting her to get a second chance at happiness. Throw in the adorable Tucker and there's basically nothing not to love about this book. Great characters, great romance, great humor--it's all there. I loved it from beginning to end. 4.5 stars.
Sarah Daglish (1 KP) rated Flowers for Algernon in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Sensationally clever without being pretentious
I found this book on a blog recommending books for depression sufferers, although I'm not sure in retrospect why this book was on that list. The book is written in the form of progress reports written by the protagonist, Charlie, who starts off the book as an adult with severe learning difficulties, during a less enlightened era. Despite his rough treatment by a society that fails to understand him, he is thoroughly charming, warm and kind, but above all desperate to better himself by learning to write and read. When he is offered the chance to undergo groundbreaking experimental surgery that will elevate his capacity to learn, he jumps at the chance. Algernon is a lab mouse who has had the surgery already and is considered a genius (by mouse standards).
Although this is technically science fiction, I found it more a focus on society and the perceptions of intelligence and happiness. I grew such fondness for Algernon and Charlie, I found the ending truly heartbreaking.
I'm not normally a fan of the sci-fi genre, but I couldn't put this down.
Although this is technically science fiction, I found it more a focus on society and the perceptions of intelligence and happiness. I grew such fondness for Algernon and Charlie, I found the ending truly heartbreaking.
I'm not normally a fan of the sci-fi genre, but I couldn't put this down.
Midge (525 KP) rated Two Months and Three Days in Books
Feb 27, 2019
Erotic And Emotional
"Two Months and Three Days" is an unusual combination of a romance and a detective story. It is one of the best contemporary romance books that I have read in a while.
It is the first in a trilogy of books by Tatiana Vedenska that was originally published in Russian under the pen-name of Alisa Klever. A complete best-selling contemporary romance series in Russia, the trilogy very loosely adapts ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ by E.L. James. For me, Tatiana Vedenska is in a league of her own with her individual style of writing, and steamy sex scenes!
This, the opening book of the #SinisterRomance series is a steamy, sensual and emotional read. It is a wonderful tale of a spoiled billionaire and an ordinary student that explores themes such as family bonds, experience and relationships, as well as happiness, belonging and naivety.
This English translation is nicely done and keeps the moments of humour and spicy sex scenes that make "Two Months and Three Days" such a fulfilling and enjoyable read.
{Thank you to NetGalley, LitHunters and Tatiana Vedenska for a free copy and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
It is the first in a trilogy of books by Tatiana Vedenska that was originally published in Russian under the pen-name of Alisa Klever. A complete best-selling contemporary romance series in Russia, the trilogy very loosely adapts ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ by E.L. James. For me, Tatiana Vedenska is in a league of her own with her individual style of writing, and steamy sex scenes!
This, the opening book of the #SinisterRomance series is a steamy, sensual and emotional read. It is a wonderful tale of a spoiled billionaire and an ordinary student that explores themes such as family bonds, experience and relationships, as well as happiness, belonging and naivety.
This English translation is nicely done and keeps the moments of humour and spicy sex scenes that make "Two Months and Three Days" such a fulfilling and enjoyable read.
{Thank you to NetGalley, LitHunters and Tatiana Vedenska for a free copy and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}