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The New Girl
The New Girl
Ingrid Alexandra | 2018 | Thriller
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.

The New Girl by Ingrid Alexandra is billed as a Psychological Thriller. The description definitely piqued my interest. Imagine meeting someone and they instantly know you so well. Then imagine letting the person move in with you. I was looking forward to reading this story.

The story is written using flashbacks that allows readers, as well main character, to figure what happened That Night. At the beginning I found myself having difficulty putting this down. Pretty quickly though I found the flashbacks were distracting and never really felt a connection with any of the characters. The characters were not well developed and, at times, their behavior was unbelievable.

Even if I had not agreed to finish the novel, I would have. I did not dislike the book but realized I was tempted to skim the end. The ending is interesting and I am glad I read it but, at the same time, I found it unbelievable. I dislike using the same adjective in such as short review but unbelievable would be an adequate description of how I feel about the story and the characters.

I liked that the chapters were short and that the book itself was a quick read.
  
It Gets Worse: A Collection of Essays
It Gets Worse: A Collection of Essays
Shane Dawson | 2016 | Biography, Essays
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Hilarious (1 more)
Shane Dawson
This laugh out loud funny collection of essays from YouTuber Shane Dawson is incredible. I'm a huge, yet new, fan and the second I found out he had a book I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Reading this felt like listening to a friend tell you stories. With his out there sense of humor you get just a small glimpse into his personal life and I was so grateful and entertained. Amazing book!
  
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Caitlin Kuhwald recommended Charade (1963) in Movies (curated)

 
Charade (1963)
Charade (1963)
1963 | Classics, Comedy, Drama
8.3 (6 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"I was so excited when I found this edition of Charade. The DVD I previously owned looked like someone had video taped a TV broadcast. And of course this edition is beautiful. The opening credits are simply the coolest. And you can never go wrong with pairing such charming and lovely icons as Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. This is one of those films you can watch over and over because it’s so fun and enjoyable."

Source
  
The Gathering
The Gathering
Anne Enright | 2007 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I found the set-up of the book to be perfect (the writing, the plot, the characters, etc.) (0 more)
A blatantly honest, gripping story about family.
"It blew me away. I found myself constantly highlighting quotes from it, stopping to think about how incredibly relatable it is. It is a book not only about death and grieving, but the ghosts that follow you throughout your life. Anne Enright speaks your innermost unspoken thoughts, and she does so unapologetically." -my bookstagram account, rorythereader.
  
How Not to Worry: The Remarkable Truth of How a Small Change Can Help You Stress Less and Enjoy Life More
How Not to Worry: The Remarkable Truth of How a Small Change Can Help You Stress Less and Enjoy Life More
Paul McGee | 2012 | Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences
10
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a great book! I highly recommend it to people who struggle with anxiety and worry. I gave this book such a high rating as I was able to relate to it and I very much took to the dry, sarcastic humour of the author, I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions. I liked the activities that were included so you could turn the advice into something more practical to see if it works for you. The 'Hammock Time' was also very good I thought, it allowed self reflection at the end of each chapter. Overall, I was very impressed with this book.
  
Annihilation (2018)
Annihilation (2018)
2018 | Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi
Mind bending and such a visual experience
I can understand why people may not enjoy this film but, I found it really captivating. By the end you 're left with more questions than answers after such a mind boggling journey throughout the film. The visuals in it are stunning and the cast is strong. I enjoyed watching this film a lot when I don't usually like sci fi films.
  
Show all 3 comments.
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Chrissie-ann (78 KP) Jul 9, 2018

I've seen so many different reviews about this and I can get why people might not like it, but for someone who usually hates films like it I think it was amazing. There s 3 books in the series so I'm wondering if it will have more to come?

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Andy K (10821 KP) Jul 9, 2018

Maybe, but probably not since this one was not very well received.

I wanted to read this after seeing Kate Summerscale at the Hay Festival talking about the book. I found that I felt very different at the end of the talk to how I felt at the beginning!

A really interesting story and Robert Coombs becomes a real person to the reader across the book.

This would be a good read if you are interested in social history and/or psychology.
  
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Jeff Lynne recommended Odessey and Oracle by The Zombies in Music (curated)

 
Odessey and Oracle by The Zombies
Odessey and Oracle by The Zombies
1968 | Rock
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"My friend, Ian La Frenais, gave me that, a cassette of it. He goes, "bet you haven’t heard this for a few years" because he’d found it in his drawer. And he gave to me and I played it for months, it must have been. I just loved all the songs on it. I love Colin Blunstone’s voice on it. And lovely, crafted songs. Great harmonies, what more could you want? I love The Zombies. This strikes me as lovely all the way through."

Source
  
214 Palmer Street [Audiobook]
214 Palmer Street [Audiobook]
Karen McQuestion | 2022 | Crime, Mystery
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is one of those books that I neither loved nor loathed ... I liken it to one of those films that's not brilliant but you have to watch it to see how it ends but you soon forget about it.

In summary, it's a story about lies and secrets and one woman's quest to find out the truth and the consequences of her doing so. It starts off well, drops in the middle and gets going again towards the end. There are twists but I found them quite predictable. The characters are an interesting bunch and not particularly likeable and I have to admit that I wasn't particularly upset when one of them met an untimely end!

The narrator did a good job but I just found this book not particularly memorable or 'thrilling' but many have so give it a go.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
I read this while waiting for an appointment for my daughter and I must tell you that the people around my probably thought I had lost my mind as I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times. I loved how smoothly this retelling went, and the author truly took his time in making this a descriptive read which pulls you into the world of The Frog Prince. Readers of all ages will certainly enjoy this story.

{I requested a copy for reviewing purposes and made no guarantee of a favorable review. The opinions expressed here are unbiased and completely my own.}