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ClareR (5874 KP) rated Weirdo in Books

Jul 9, 2024  
Weirdo
Weirdo
Sara Pascoe | 2023 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Weirdo is about Sophie, muddling along through her unfulfilling life, in jobs she doesn’t really like, and with a man she doesn’t really like either.

There are some funny parts, and I did feel sorry for Sophie at times, but my overwhelming urge was to give her a good shake and tell her to get some self respect. But then, Sophie seems to be one of life’s loners, and she doesn’t have a friend to steer her in the right direction. She seems to latch on to people who aren’t quite right for her, and whilst that gives the reader some laughs (and I DID laugh), I actually came to realise that I was uncomfortable with that - I was laughing AT her, not WITH her.

She’s immature, getting herself into ridiculous situations, and thinks that everyone should just know how she feels, even though she doesn’t tell them.

I was frustrated for a lot of this book, and if I hadn’t been listening to it, I would have put it down and walked away. I’m glad I listened to the end though, because I promise you, she does improve. This may well be a spoiler, but I like to think that if you’re going to read it, there’s a good reason to carry on!
  
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Mondo (143 KP) rated Duolingo in Apps

Dec 4, 2024  
Duolingo
Duolingo
Education, Social Networking
10
8.4 (61 Ratings)
App Rating
Duolingo is an exceptional language-learning app that truly deserves a 10/10 rating. Its user-friendly interface, gamified structure, and diverse language offerings make learning enjoyable and highly effective. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, Duolingo caters to all levels with engaging lessons and bite-sized exercises that fit seamlessly into your daily routine.

The app’s streak system, rewards, and challenges create a sense of motivation and consistency, encouraging users to practice regularly. I love how it incorporates listening, speaking, reading, and writing, providing a well-rounded approach to mastering a language. The interactive exercises and immediate feedback help reinforce understanding and improve retention.

Duolingo’s inclusion of cultural insights and conversational practice makes the experience feel authentic and practical for real-world use. The variety of languages available is impressive, with courses designed by native speakers to ensure accuracy and relevance.

The free version is incredibly generous, while the premium option offers an ad-free experience with additional features like offline lessons. The app’s community and discussion forums further enhance learning by connecting users with others on the same journey.

Overall, Duolingo turns language learning into a fun, rewarding adventure. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to expand their linguistic horizons and grow their global connections!
  
    Tu Dien Anh Viet Offline

    Tu Dien Anh Viet Offline

    Education and Reference

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    App

    The leading and offline English Vietnamese English Dictionary is now available on Appstore for FREE!...

Nashville (1975)
Nashville (1975)
1975 | Classics, Drama, Musical
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
A landmark film
Nashville is a very difficult film to pin down. It refuses to be pigeonholed into a genre. (IMDB has it listed as a comedy, Google as Drama/Political Drama, and Wikipedia labels the film a Musical Comedy-Drama. In my opinion, Nashville is all of those things and maybe some more. It would be more beneficial to talk about Nashville, not in terms of how similar it is to any other film, but instead, explore how it is unique and entirely different from almost everything that came before it. Robert Altman attempted to subvert audience expectations in ways never before seen in Hollywood. Where most films try and limit the number of main characters the audience has to follow, Altman instead chose to populate his country music narrative with over 20 different protagonists. Each of these protagonists has their own story to tell and all of these stories are only loosely connected together. This may sound familiar to contemporary audiences who have seen films like Crash, Babel, and Magnolia fresh on their minds, but to a 1975 audience, this was all but unheard of. Altman furthers this sense of chaos by constantly overlapping dialogue tracks throughout the film. This tactic forces viewers to engage more closely to what they can hear during the scenes because it’s not always obvious what you should be listening to. Sometimes that choice is even quite subjective as in most cases there is no clear plot line that stands out as primary. One of the joys of this film comes from the choice you have as a spectator to focus on whatever interests you most. To a certain extent, this film lends itself to multiple viewings that could produce slightly different results each time. Something that might have slipped your attention the first time might stand out upon repeated viewings and that has the possibility to add to the story in interesting and unique ways. In dealing with over 20 characters Altman runs the risk of underdeveloped characters and unsatisfying conclusions to their stories. Not everyone has a satisfying payoff but some characters will surprise you during the final few scenes. Henry Gibson’s Haven rises above what was previously a one-note character of a person and responds to the climax in a surprisingly moving way. All in all, Nashville is an important piece of American cinema history. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea so it’s best to temper your expectations going into a viewing, but if you can keep your eyes and ears intently listening for the full two and a half hour film you will not be disappointed in the humanity you spot in each of these stories. This is a film that rewards an invested viewing.
  
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Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Stray Magic in Books

Jun 5, 2019  
Stray Magic
Stray Magic
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Stray Magic is a fun, spirited second chance story that comes with a supernatural twist – in the shape of a two-foot tall, wish-granting leprechaun called Vincent.

You’d think with a wish-granting leprechaun rooting for the man of your dreams to walk into your life, there’d be no hitches, right?

But when the and get all muddled up, poor Cara doesn’t know whether to believe this cheeky little imp, or send him packing. But when he keeps magically appearing in Cara’s bathroom and taking her dog for a ride, (as Leprecahaun’s do) she decides to believe in his power and wait for the magic to happen – just in case it works and her dream guy walks into her place of work and whisks her off her feet – as promised by the little green fella.

Behind this doggy story, which is suitable for listeners of all ages, is a really entertaining plot. We hear not only about Cara’s love-life woes, but we are also privy to her relationship with her grownup daughter, and how she gets on in her job working for a horrible boss of whom takes all the credit for her hard work without any thanks. Even Cara’s beloved Corgi has something to say, and in no way did I think I’d enjoy a talking dog story. If you’d asked me before, I’d have said that sounded silly. Talking animals never go as planned in books, but this was heaps of fun.

Alongside this, we discover even Vincent has a heartbreaking story to tell. I mean, how can he have the love of his life, if he keeps botching up his magic for others. By his own omission he turned up at Cara’s house twelve years late. Just think about that? If he’d turned up on time Cara’s true love would have been with her for twelve years already. ?

The narrator of this story, Aisling Gray, has a great voice, and could really do the different characters well. Originally from Texas (I think) she has a whole array of accents, and they all sounded spot on, making a great story even better to listen to. In addition, there were quite a few funny, laugh out loud moments, during which I literally laughed out loud unexpectedly. Wherever I was. Yep, embarrassing at times! But well worth it.

This easily listening, magical story was a lighthearted treat for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed all the hours I was plugged in listening to this.

Disclosure: I listened to this story via a free audible token, so thank you to the author, narrator and publisher for this opportunity. This is my own opinion and not biased in any way.
  
    My First Bible Story App

    My First Bible Story App

    Book and Education

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    MY FIRST BIBLE STORY APP – The Beginning Reader’s Bible Story-app! My First Bible Story app is...

    Best Police Scanner

    Best Police Scanner

    Medical and News

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    *67% Off Sale Today to celebrate our 20 millionth download * Tap into the largest collection of...