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Devendra Banhart recommended Devotions in Books (curated)

 
Devotions
Devotions
Mary Oliver | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"I read a few pages from this Mary Oliver selected compendium of poems spanning more than five decades every single day — often in the morning. It’s what I imagine a bird feels when they hop into a really beautiful birdbath with really clean water in it."

Source
  
Oliver! (1968)
Oliver! (1968)
1968 | Classics, Comedy, Drama
10
8.0 (9 Ratings)
Movie Rating
It shows you the humble of a noble heart. (0 more)
I hate movies where a kind souk has to suffer. (0 more)
A classic that you have to see at least once in your life
Good direction, you get to hate the antagonists and the main actor wins your heart. Oliver Twist is a book classic if you can read the book before the movie, read it. If not, then pictured the characters as in the movie sometimes help you more.

As I said, Oliver Twist is a classic both, movie and book. You have to watch it as a must, more so, in the holidays season.
  
The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
The Thief of Bagdad (1940)
1940 | Action, Family, Sci-Fi
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Exactly what movies are meant to generate: fantasy, magic, beauty, and unapologetic escapism. The bizarre source material, stories from The Arabian Nights, gives costume designers Oliver Messel, John Armstrong, and Marcel Vertès license to unleash their prodigious imaginations. I collect the work of Vertès, who was also a prolific fashion illustrator."

Source
  
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Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Oliver Twist in Books

Oct 10, 2017 (Updated Oct 11, 2017)  
Oliver Twist
Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens | 2014 | Children
8
7.6 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
Bleak but beautifully written
I bawled while reading this as a child, especially reading this horrendously bleak tale. Orphan Oliver Twist escapes a rundown orphanage and workhouse only to live in further poverty at the hands of a terrible thief, who exploits young children to do his bidding. Oliver, a very simple and innocent boy, moves from one place to another in order to survive the harsh streets of early 19th century England.

It literally is a never-ending saga of one horrific incident after another, highlighting Dickens' strong views about how children were treated during Victorian times. And while there is a bittersweet ending, it leaves you with a feeling of deep sadness for these lost children.
  
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Ross (3282 KP) rated Arrow in TV

May 28, 2018  
Arrow
Arrow
2012 | Drama
This series is a decent attempt at chronicling the background, and current activities of one of the DC Universe's lesser known/adapted for the screen heroes - the Green Arrow. While it starts as quite a dark, Batman-esque vigilante, it soon develops into a more team-based, lighter-hearted series. I think part of this is to fit more naturally with the cheesy spandex of The Flash. Despite this, the character of Oliver Queen retains a dark streak and his actions are much more morally dubious, giving it an edge. The story flips between present day and the island Oliver was marooned on, where he learned the skills needed to become the Green Arrow.
  
Before I Fall
Before I Fall
Lauren Oliver | 2017 | Children
10
7.6 (60 Ratings)
Book Rating
Addicting, beautiful, real YA novel!
I devoured this one summer and fell in love with Lauren Oliver's prose. She tapped into the teenage experience in a way that spoke to me as a teen. I loved the concept, the characters, and knew that I would be a Lauren Oliver fan for life.
  
Boyfriend Material
Boyfriend Material
Alexis Hall | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Romance
7
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Charming fake dating romance
Luc O'Donnell's never met his father. But he's lived in his shadow his whole life. His rock star dad has made Luc famous by proxy. With his dad making a comeback, both of them are in the public eye again--and the tabloids. So when Luc's latest escapade at a club goes public and threatens his job, he has to find a way to show everyone that he's changed. Enter Oliver Blackwood. The barrister is as normal and non-threatening as they come. The two have nothing in common, beyond being gay, but agree to be fake boyfriends to help Luc keep his job and Oliver save face at a family event. But as the pair get to know each other, they come to realize that there's something comforting about dating--even fake dating. And that falling for someone, even when it's fake, can take on something special.

"I was a cagey, grumpy, paranoid mess who would find a way to ruin even the most basic human interaction." ~Luc

This book was a little slow to take off for me, but it was a very cute story, and I really liked both Luc and Oliver. Despite Luc having a few issues dealing with his rock star dad, he's quite an engaging character--very flawed and honest. Plus, I felt quite an attachment to straight-laced Oliver, as I am, of course, that person. At its core, this is a story of two hurt people learning to love. We have Luc, burned by past loves, and Oliver, uptight and trying to deal with the hurt his family has pushed upon him. The book deals deftly with acceptance (or lack thereof)--both of others and yourself.

BOYFRIEND MATERIAL shines with its supporting cast--a whole host of humorous folks, including Luc's coworkers (including one so daft, he's almost impossible to believe), Luc's mom and her friend, whom I adored, and Luc's friends, who were a diverse and supportive bunch. I laughed a lot during this story and cried a bit too. Oliver and Luc's journey is sweet and silly and heartbreaking.

It's also a bit long, with a storyline with Luc's sick dad thrown in that seems unnecessary and too much. There's also a bit of latent homophobia--Luc's job is threatened because he's gay, Oliver's family's prejudice--that's never really addressed. While this was a romance, I would have liked to see those issues taken care of or acknowledged, instead of glossed over/ignored.

Still, overall, this is a fun read and a cute story. Luc and Oliver are sweet characters, and their character arc/journey is enjoyable. 3.5 stars.
  
Born for Leaving (New England State of Mind #1)
Born for Leaving (New England State of Mind #1)
Mia Kerick | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Born For Leaving is the story of two men, both loners by choice and circumstance, getting together as roommates by sheer coincidence. What follows is an angsty, heartbreaking story that will tear your heart out!

Oliver is the one with the house he is desperate to keep. So desperate, in fact, he keeps on working at a place where, although he gets on well enough with his co-workers, is dangerous for his physical, mental, and emotional well-being. His boss is his ex which is always fun but Oliver also has to deal with volatile drunkards too. Along comes Bodie. He is the one constantly on the move, sleeping on the ground next to his bike is not uncommon for him. Oliver and Bodie spark from the beginning but both of them have pasts that need to be worked past before they can move forward.

I thought this was exceedingly well-written, with characters I didn't like to start with who grew on me (Oliver's mum), those I disliked from the get-go (Jack), and those I loved (Bodie and Oliver). Now, let me just say this. Although I loved Oliver, he also really annoyed me. I just can't get my head around WHY he would stay in such a toxic workplace for so long, even if his dream job hadn't happened. Anyway, it all happened as was meant to be, so they say, so I guess I just have to deal!

This book does deal with hard subjects like attempted rape and child abuse. If these are triggers for you, be warned.

I found this book to be highly emotional and a brilliant read. I can't wait to see what comes next in the New England State of Mind series. Absolutely recommended by me.

* 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!
  
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Andre Holland recommended Oliver! (1968) in Movies (curated)

 
Oliver! (1968)
Oliver! (1968)
1968 | Classics, Comedy, Drama
8.0 (9 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Number five — this is a tough one. I think the one I would like to say, though, is one — when I was a kid, this is the one that I watched all the time. I had it on VHS tape and probably wore the tape out – I know just about every line from the movie. I don’t know why I loved it so much, but the movie Oliver. The musical version. The Lionel Bart one. Ron Moody was the guy that played Fagin. Growing up, we never went to the movies. I grew up in a pretty rural town in Alabama, and we just never went, and so our big excitement for the weekend would be to go to the video store and… We also didn’t have a VCR, but you could, back in the day, rent a VCR. So, we would rent a VCR, and for some reason, we owned the movie. We owned two movies; we owned Oliver and we owned The Wiz. Whenever we would rent the VCR, we would watch the movies that we rented, but then, because we had the VCR, we’d always end up playing Oliver and The Wiz again. I think that’s probably why I fell in love with it. And then, ironically, it wound up being the first play that I ever did in community theatre. Although I’m [also] obsessed with The Wiz. It terrified me, as a kid. That was gonna be the other one I was gonna say. It was either Oliver or The Wiz, but The Wiz is just amazing."

Source
  
The Collectors (Camel Club, #2)
The Collectors (Camel Club, #2)
David Baldacci | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the 2nd book in Baldacci's Camel Club series. Just like the 1st it was a fast paced thriller. This time it involved a casino owner, con men, & a defense contractor. Not to mention the Library of Congress, book restoreres & librarians. Oliver Stone is on his game again, as is Baldacci. Great read!