The Yanks Are Starving: A Novel of the Bonus Army
Book
Two armies. One flag. No honor. The most shocking day in American history. Former political...
Historical Fiction
Hazel (2934 KP) rated This Little Piggy in Books
Jan 27, 2020
Set in the North East of England in 1984 at the height of the miners' strike, this is a story that captivated me from the start.
A baby is dead under suspicious circumstances and Clare is tasked with reporting the story but as she does so, she becomes embroiled in the life of a young girl (Amy) who seems to have seen what happened but can what she is saying be trusted or is she just making things up? Clare has her own baggage both in her personal and working life and this is well depicted and explored making her believable but some of her choices questionable. The development of the relationship between Clare and Amy felt authentic for the time the book was set it ... I don't think you would have got away with this had this been set in a later time period.
The book is told from Clare's perspective and this was a refreshing change as it gave a different insight into a murder "investigation" from someone other than a Police Officer. The backdrop of the miners' strike and the run-down estate created additional tension and unease throughout. The pace of the book was good if a little slow in places and I did work out quite early on who the murderer was but found it interesting to see how the story developed and was surprised how long it took for others to work it out!
Overall, a pretty good read and I want to thank Legend Press and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review but also apologise to them for taking so long to get round to it.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated The Perks of Being a Wallflower in Books
Jan 6, 2020 (Updated Feb 10, 2020)
When I read this book initially, I was in a really bad place - probably one of the worst places I have ever been in my life and I remember how much I wanted to feel like Charlie did at the end of the novel. Now, almost 9 years later, I am working to get to that place, to heal and take care of myself and put pieces back together that I forgot about or pushed away or that just didn't really fit right in the first place. Coincidentally, my therapist told me that this is the perfect book for me to read right now with everything I have going on in my life and I couldn't agree more.
I love all of these characters, I love the plot, I love that Charlie's innocence just radiates off the page but it's not a boyish innocence that is underwhelming and sometimes frustrating like it is in other novels, but it's pure and he's just doing his best and he fiercely loves and protects those he cares about. It's like his innocence is his love and he loves so well.
I think this book will be one that I tell my kids about, urge them to read, and hope they tell their kids and they tell theirs. I love this book that much.
Lust for Life: Irvine Welsh and the Trainspotting Phenomenon
Book
In the early 1980s Irvine Welsh's life was going nowhere fast. His teenage dreams of being a...
Ascent (House of Normandy #1)
Book
A brutal Viking raid heralds the dawn of a new, powerful dynasty – the House of Normandy ...
Medieval Historical Fiction Vikings
Toca Life: Farm
Education and Entertainment
App
Work and play the farmer's way! Milk your cow, gather eggs from your hens and raise your crops. Have...
Michael Packner (32 KP) rated Child's Play (1988) in Movies
Jun 21, 2019
I'm sorry but at least for me this is about as close as you can get to a perfect horror film. The atmosphere of this film is perfect and both the acting and direction are top notch. The special effects are astounding for the time that this came out and Chucky is masterfully voiced by Brad Douriff. This film is interesting in the fact that if you grew up in the 80s and early 90s and remember what life was like back then, not only was this film absolutely terrifying for you as a child, but it holds up beautifully 30 years later. If you are a child of the modern era however, you just might find this film ridiculous and dated. The kills are extremely well thought out and suspenseful and the dark as night soundtrack fully adds to the terrifying experience. Child's Play remains 30 years later for me a staple of the horror genre and one of the main reasons I became such a big fan of the genre. Alex Vincent is unbelievably great holding down the lead role as a 6 year old. Not many horror films can survive centered around a protagonist so young, but this film does so masterfully.
You Could Do Something Amazing with Your Life [You are Raoul Moat]
Book
Winner of the CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction. A letter arrives. You've got an appointment with a...
Truly Madly Guilty
Book
Six responsible adults. Three cute kids. One small dog. It’s just a normal weekend. What could...
Frankenstein
Book
Obsessed by creating life itself, Victor Frankenstein plunders graveyards for the material to...