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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The More you Ignore me in Books
Feb 20, 2022
31 of 230
Book
The more you ignore me
By Jo Brand
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Celebrity obsession, coming of age and cow shit - an hilarious, poignant and darkly comic novel by the Queen of Comedy.
Alice is a young girl growing up in a dysfunctional family in Herefordshire in the 1980s. Her mother is suffering a mental illness - she is on medication, is put away in an institution, but constantly escapes - while her father, Keith, very sweetly, tries to keep everything together. His in-laws, the Wildgooses, are a bunch of reckless, lawless country bumpkins and can offer very little help or sensible advice, preferring instead to remain in the pub or to use a shotgun to solve life's little problems. The only thing that gives meaning and hope to Alice as she makes her way through childhood, school and teenage trauma is her obsession with the singer Morrissey of The Smiths. She is desperate to see The Smiths at a live gig, but somehow her family always manages to derail her plans. Gradually her mother begins to share her fascination with the rock god and his presence in their lives goes someway to healing her and repairing her relationship with her long-suffering daughter.
This was really good! It was funny and darkly so. It follows the life of a young girl dealing with the effects her mothers mental illness has on her and her father. It’s has a dark underlay that as someone who struggles mentally I can relate too. So much better than I was expecting.
Book
The more you ignore me
By Jo Brand
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Celebrity obsession, coming of age and cow shit - an hilarious, poignant and darkly comic novel by the Queen of Comedy.
Alice is a young girl growing up in a dysfunctional family in Herefordshire in the 1980s. Her mother is suffering a mental illness - she is on medication, is put away in an institution, but constantly escapes - while her father, Keith, very sweetly, tries to keep everything together. His in-laws, the Wildgooses, are a bunch of reckless, lawless country bumpkins and can offer very little help or sensible advice, preferring instead to remain in the pub or to use a shotgun to solve life's little problems. The only thing that gives meaning and hope to Alice as she makes her way through childhood, school and teenage trauma is her obsession with the singer Morrissey of The Smiths. She is desperate to see The Smiths at a live gig, but somehow her family always manages to derail her plans. Gradually her mother begins to share her fascination with the rock god and his presence in their lives goes someway to healing her and repairing her relationship with her long-suffering daughter.
This was really good! It was funny and darkly so. It follows the life of a young girl dealing with the effects her mothers mental illness has on her and her father. It’s has a dark underlay that as someone who struggles mentally I can relate too. So much better than I was expecting.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Vital Found ( Evelyn Maynard trilogy book 2) in Books
Dec 28, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
215 of 250
Kindle
Vital Found (The Evelyn Maynard trilogy book 2)
By Kaydence Snow
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Bradford Hills feels more like home than any other place Evelyn Maynard and her mother lived while on the run. But with everyone reeling from the violent clash between Variants and humans, her new home doesn't feel safe any more.
Navigating four increasingly complicated supernatural bonds in secret doesn't help. Ethan and Josh can't keep their hands off her. Tyler is supportive, but continues to keep her at arm's length. Alec has both saved and destroyed her yet seems oblivious to the turmoil he's caused.
As tensions between Variants and humans continue to escalate, dark and dangerous secrets keep creating seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Who's kidnapping Vitals?
What was Evelyn's mom running from?
Will it ever be safe for Evelyn to go public with her true identity?
More deadly answers are coming, whether she's ready for them or not.
It was good!! This is the second book and mainly concentrated on Evelyn’s relationship with each of the men in her bond and getting them so they were all synced up! She’s trying to deal with this as well as finding a friend, finding out more about her mother which also reveals who her father was! Then dealing with betrayal on top of it all. Lots going on to keep you interested plus we finally get those scenes that have caused so much sexual frustration between the group. Highly recommended.
Kindle
Vital Found (The Evelyn Maynard trilogy book 2)
By Kaydence Snow
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
Bradford Hills feels more like home than any other place Evelyn Maynard and her mother lived while on the run. But with everyone reeling from the violent clash between Variants and humans, her new home doesn't feel safe any more.
Navigating four increasingly complicated supernatural bonds in secret doesn't help. Ethan and Josh can't keep their hands off her. Tyler is supportive, but continues to keep her at arm's length. Alec has both saved and destroyed her yet seems oblivious to the turmoil he's caused.
As tensions between Variants and humans continue to escalate, dark and dangerous secrets keep creating seemingly insurmountable challenges.
Who's kidnapping Vitals?
What was Evelyn's mom running from?
Will it ever be safe for Evelyn to go public with her true identity?
More deadly answers are coming, whether she's ready for them or not.
It was good!! This is the second book and mainly concentrated on Evelyn’s relationship with each of the men in her bond and getting them so they were all synced up! She’s trying to deal with this as well as finding a friend, finding out more about her mother which also reveals who her father was! Then dealing with betrayal on top of it all. Lots going on to keep you interested plus we finally get those scenes that have caused so much sexual frustration between the group. Highly recommended.
Merissa (12861 KP) rated Black Ice Heart (Unveiled Magic #1) in Books
Oct 22, 2021 (Updated Jul 12, 2023)
BLACK ICE HEART is the first in the Unveiled Magic series. In it, we meet Jack, Summer, Spring, Autumn, Mother, and Old Man. Do these names sound familiar? They should do. This is the story of the seasons, of Mother Nature, Old Man Time, and Jack Frost, with its own unique spin as given by Abrianna Denae.
This is a dark story in places, with moments of torture and heartbreak, so please be aware of the trigger warning! There are also moments of love, friendship, and hope, that will keep you turning the pages.
There are a host of amazing characters in here, plus characters I've yet to meet properly, or fully understand. I'm hoping this will happen in future books as, being 100% honest here, some of them haven't made such a good impression.
Told from multiple perspectives, some characters only share their voice for one chapter. Others have multiple. So take your time reading and find out just who is speaking when - it will make it all so much easier.
The story feels almost complete until you reach the epilogue, and then it takes a whole new turn and you're left not knowing what will happen next.
Black Ice Heart kept my attention from beginning to end and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 22, 2021
This is a dark story in places, with moments of torture and heartbreak, so please be aware of the trigger warning! There are also moments of love, friendship, and hope, that will keep you turning the pages.
There are a host of amazing characters in here, plus characters I've yet to meet properly, or fully understand. I'm hoping this will happen in future books as, being 100% honest here, some of them haven't made such a good impression.
Told from multiple perspectives, some characters only share their voice for one chapter. Others have multiple. So take your time reading and find out just who is speaking when - it will make it all so much easier.
The story feels almost complete until you reach the epilogue, and then it takes a whole new turn and you're left not knowing what will happen next.
Black Ice Heart kept my attention from beginning to end and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 22, 2021
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Abandoned Girl ( Neighpalm Industries Collective 1) in Books
Jan 11, 2024
8 of 220
Kindle
Abandoned Girl ( Neighpalm Industries Collective 1)
By Lexie Winston
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Her entire life, Harlow has been the cuckoo in another bird’s nest. With an unreliable junkie for a mother and an unknown father, her foster family, the kind, successful, and generous Bostons, are the brightest spot in her life. But even with a foster family like Harlow’s, there are some things money can’t buy- like the ability to fit in with the shallow socialites who act like her lack of pedigree is contagious. Now that she’s finished college and her veterinary degree, Harlow’s life was supposed to take off. She was supposed to get a job and create a life away from the petty drama of the wealthy elite. But when her mother dies and a life-changing secret is revealed, Harlow finds herself flying across the country to face an uncertain future that Kai, Holden, Jaxon, Thomas, Jacinta, Declan, and Oliver are going to make sure she won’t accept.
This was hit and miss from me and is possibly more of a 2.5⭐️ than a 3 . There was just something so annoying about sections of the book like it was rushed but then other parts we’re really good. And those siblings really are awful people. The conversation between the grandmother and Oliver was a bit bloody weird too I mean she’s not a piece of meat!! You will understand if you’ve read it or will when you come to it.
Kindle
Abandoned Girl ( Neighpalm Industries Collective 1)
By Lexie Winston
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Her entire life, Harlow has been the cuckoo in another bird’s nest. With an unreliable junkie for a mother and an unknown father, her foster family, the kind, successful, and generous Bostons, are the brightest spot in her life. But even with a foster family like Harlow’s, there are some things money can’t buy- like the ability to fit in with the shallow socialites who act like her lack of pedigree is contagious. Now that she’s finished college and her veterinary degree, Harlow’s life was supposed to take off. She was supposed to get a job and create a life away from the petty drama of the wealthy elite. But when her mother dies and a life-changing secret is revealed, Harlow finds herself flying across the country to face an uncertain future that Kai, Holden, Jaxon, Thomas, Jacinta, Declan, and Oliver are going to make sure she won’t accept.
This was hit and miss from me and is possibly more of a 2.5⭐️ than a 3 . There was just something so annoying about sections of the book like it was rushed but then other parts we’re really good. And those siblings really are awful people. The conversation between the grandmother and Oliver was a bit bloody weird too I mean she’s not a piece of meat!! You will understand if you’ve read it or will when you come to it.
ClareR (5874 KP) rated The Glutton in Books
Dec 20, 2023
Well, here’s another absolute banger of a historical fiction novel!
The Glutton by A. K. Blakemore is based on the real life story of Tarare, a man born into poverty but happy with that life. That is until his mother meets the man who changes her life, presumably for the better - and changes Tarare’s life for the worst.
He’s known as the man who ate a golden fork (that eventually kills him), live animals, offal, a baby - but still people want to watch him put away vast amounts of food (and non-food!). And if it means he’s fed, Tarare sees it as a way of satiating the ever-present hunger. The draw of the circus freak is overwhelming for the French public.
Tarare is a simple man who is taken advantage of at every turn. I felt so sorry for him. He has the disadvantage of not only being very unusual, but also uneducated and poor. He has to fight to survive, both as a soldier and as a civilian, and he’s seen as a joke by the more well-off.
For such a grotesque subject matter, the writing really is rather beautiful. Descriptions of Tarare’s childhood and the place that he grew up were sensitively done - you could see the love of his local area and the love he felt for his mother. Even in the most disgusting sections of the book, there was a kind of beauty.
A deliciously bizarre, beautifully written book. I loved it.
The Glutton by A. K. Blakemore is based on the real life story of Tarare, a man born into poverty but happy with that life. That is until his mother meets the man who changes her life, presumably for the better - and changes Tarare’s life for the worst.
He’s known as the man who ate a golden fork (that eventually kills him), live animals, offal, a baby - but still people want to watch him put away vast amounts of food (and non-food!). And if it means he’s fed, Tarare sees it as a way of satiating the ever-present hunger. The draw of the circus freak is overwhelming for the French public.
Tarare is a simple man who is taken advantage of at every turn. I felt so sorry for him. He has the disadvantage of not only being very unusual, but also uneducated and poor. He has to fight to survive, both as a soldier and as a civilian, and he’s seen as a joke by the more well-off.
For such a grotesque subject matter, the writing really is rather beautiful. Descriptions of Tarare’s childhood and the place that he grew up were sensitively done - you could see the love of his local area and the love he felt for his mother. Even in the most disgusting sections of the book, there was a kind of beauty.
A deliciously bizarre, beautifully written book. I loved it.
The Measure of Enough
Book
Thirty-four-year old social worker, Kacee Robinson, runs a non-profit agency helping women and...
Psychological Women's Fiction
Cowboy Watch (The Watchers #1)
6.0
Rate It
Book
The Watchers Series—Fallen angels cast out of heaven by the archangel Michael for coercing with...
Supernatural Romance Suspense
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated David Copperfield in Books
Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 11, 2017)
How trauma can be overcome through determination
David Copperfield is written in the perspective of him narrating his experiences as a child, in which his stepfather and sister treat him cruelly, eventually sending him away to a boarding school. Similar to Cinderella, his mother dies leaving him neglected by his family, hence he begins his search for his father’s sister, Miss Betsey Trotwood.
His life consists of moving from one place to another, literally walking the length of England, much like Oliver Twist, attempting to find a place in the world. Dickens', as in his other works, explores how hardships can force a child to become independent and successful. It's terribly sad once again, so you'll need something lighthearted afterwards.
His life consists of moving from one place to another, literally walking the length of England, much like Oliver Twist, attempting to find a place in the world. Dickens', as in his other works, explores how hardships can force a child to become independent and successful. It's terribly sad once again, so you'll need something lighthearted afterwards.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated 1922 (2017) in Movies
Oct 22, 2017
Not Stephen King's best
Either this wasn't directed very well or it isn't Stephen King's best novella. There seemed to be something lacking to make it a true psychological thriller. It consists of a man who manipulates his son into killing his mother in order to stay on the land and live life as farmers. And as expected things go horribly wrong from there.
But the thing is, most of the things that go wrong are expected if you're watching this kind of film. You know from the outset that the husband and son won't live merrily if they've committed this sort of crime so it's a total anti-climax. After watching King's other adapted film @Gerald's Game (2017), this felt like a let down.
But the thing is, most of the things that go wrong are expected if you're watching this kind of film. You know from the outset that the husband and son won't live merrily if they've committed this sort of crime so it's a total anti-climax. After watching King's other adapted film @Gerald's Game (2017), this felt like a let down.
Perry Larkin (8 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Dec 11, 2017
Contains spoilers, click to show
I am a huge fan of dry humor and coming of age stories. This movie was a nice surprise, and without too many spoiler trailers out there, I was really not expecting anything. The movie had a great flow, and the interaction between mother and daughter was so real and emotional. The only complaint I have is that the movie was so abruptly ended. I enjoy leaving it open-ended for the imagination, but I feel like the last 15 minutes completely changed the flow of the movie and lead us to believe there was going to be one more reveal that never happens. I didn't need a complete summary, but I did want to know just a little bit more.