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Book Divas (227 KP) rated Jeremy's Story in Books
Dec 12, 2017 (Updated Dec 12, 2017)
Set aside some time because the minute you start to read this you won't want to put it down; I read it in one sitting. Grab yourself a box of tissues because you will need them while reading this poignant and at times heartbreaking story. I cannot remember the last time I read a book that touched on so many real life issues and I commend the outstanding job that the author has done here.
Jeremy's Story reads like a true story as we come to completely understand and applaud the portrayal of a fifteen year old teen boy who through no fault of his own has HIV. It is powerfully written and contains beautiful and heart felt characters. The message of acceptance, tolerance and of love that are contained within the pages of this book will forever stay with me and I loudly recommend this book to one and all.
{I received an eARC when I signed up to host the blog tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}
Jeremy's Story reads like a true story as we come to completely understand and applaud the portrayal of a fifteen year old teen boy who through no fault of his own has HIV. It is powerfully written and contains beautiful and heart felt characters. The message of acceptance, tolerance and of love that are contained within the pages of this book will forever stay with me and I loudly recommend this book to one and all.
{I received an eARC when I signed up to host the blog tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and my own.}

Andy K (10823 KP) rated Band Of Brothers in TV
Dec 31, 2017
Ensemble cast (2 more)
Interviews
Right tone
I remember when I read they were making a mini-series called Band of Brothers about "Easy Company" I thought there would be no way to do it justice and it was too closely released and trying to capitalize on the success of Saving Private Ryan.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
I was enthralled from the first frame when I began watching the DVDs and didn't stop until I was complete. The characters represented in this harrowing true story are some of the most compelling I have ever seen. You believe every moment of their emotional, unending, unimaginable journey and feel like you are right with them along for the ride.
The interwoven interviews give context and real-life coupling to the story you are watching and makes the story all the more poignant.
The all-star cast is brilliant and every one of them carried their weight as part of the ensemble. I have rewatched several times since and it keeps getting better with every viewing.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
I was enthralled from the first frame when I began watching the DVDs and didn't stop until I was complete. The characters represented in this harrowing true story are some of the most compelling I have ever seen. You believe every moment of their emotional, unending, unimaginable journey and feel like you are right with them along for the ride.
The interwoven interviews give context and real-life coupling to the story you are watching and makes the story all the more poignant.
The all-star cast is brilliant and every one of them carried their weight as part of the ensemble. I have rewatched several times since and it keeps getting better with every viewing.

Daniel Boyd (1066 KP) rated Detroit (2017) in Movies
Sep 11, 2017
Fantastic Performances (1 more)
Extremely Well Crafted
A Dark Stain On American History
Detroit is a movie that is hard to watch, but should be seen by everyone. It tells the heart breaking story of a violent raid on a hotel by an overly aggressive and racist group of police officers. The movie pulls no punches in telling this unfortunately true story of how a group of evil bigots got away with murder.
The cast are brilliant at bringing this harrowing tale to life and the technical aspects of the movie are spot on as well. The direction is great, the lighting and sound are phenomenal and the believability of the whole thing, makes it feel all too real.
This movie is shocking and difficult to stomach, but it does what it is designed to do - to show us how much outright discrimination the police force and other officials could get away with during this time in history.
This movie deserves to be seen by all and it will leave you thinking about the events that it portrays for days afterwards.
The cast are brilliant at bringing this harrowing tale to life and the technical aspects of the movie are spot on as well. The direction is great, the lighting and sound are phenomenal and the believability of the whole thing, makes it feel all too real.
This movie is shocking and difficult to stomach, but it does what it is designed to do - to show us how much outright discrimination the police force and other officials could get away with during this time in history.
This movie deserves to be seen by all and it will leave you thinking about the events that it portrays for days afterwards.

Smithie (7 KP) rated Lord Of Shadows in Books
Aug 9, 2017
Shadowhunters being awesome (7 more)
It gave other characters (not just Jules and Emma) a lot of focus
Really great diversity!!! So many LGBT+ in one room!!! I cry I cry :')
Kit Herondale
Cristina Rosales
Tiberius Blackthorn
Drusilla Blackthorn
A character died at the end that I've been wanting to die for literally six years
THAT ENDING WAS NOT OKAY (1 more)
A couple things were frustrating. The Clave sucks. People suck. This isn't the author's fault and it's a good thing that she was able to create situations that struck cords with things happening in the real world, but it just made me mad at the world
Sucked all emotion and life out of me thanks cassie I'm now a shell of my former self
It was so good!!! Some may disagree but each book that Cassie publishes just increases in quality. I can't wait for book 3 and I can't CAN'T wait fOR THE WICKED POWERS LIKE YES LET'S FOCUS ON THREE OF MY ALL TIME FAVES I'M SO READY

BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) rated Sadie in Books
Mar 26, 2019
Sadie freaking broke me.
“I wish his darkness lived outside of him, because you have to know it's there to see it. Like all real monsters, he hides in plain sight.”
Sadie freaking broke me.
I’ve never wanted to give up on a book and not put a book down so bad in my life.
This book was one of the few times I was really glad I didn’t know what I was getting into because if I did I probably wouldn’t have actually read it because of the subject matter (CW: pedophilia) it’s just one of those topics I really don’t like to read about. And while Sadie was a hard book to read it was amazingly written with characters you can’t help but feel for…. Whether those feelings are good or bad now that was what really made Sadie an amazing book.
I really liked the format of the book, switching between the podcast on Sadies POV was really unique and kept me reading because I was hooked on both POVs and could wait to get back to the other one.
Sadie freaking broke me.
I’ve never wanted to give up on a book and not put a book down so bad in my life.
This book was one of the few times I was really glad I didn’t know what I was getting into because if I did I probably wouldn’t have actually read it because of the subject matter (CW: pedophilia) it’s just one of those topics I really don’t like to read about. And while Sadie was a hard book to read it was amazingly written with characters you can’t help but feel for…. Whether those feelings are good or bad now that was what really made Sadie an amazing book.
I really liked the format of the book, switching between the podcast on Sadies POV was really unique and kept me reading because I was hooked on both POVs and could wait to get back to the other one.

Sam (74 KP) rated It Only Happens in the Movies in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Yes, yes, yes, yes and a million times, YES!!!
I never knew I needed this book so much. I love YA romances because of how they almost always have a happy ending and are a fairytale romance. Even though I love them though, I can still see that it is not a realistic idea.
It Only Happens In The Movies follows Audrey Winters. She chooses to study how unrealistic romance films are for her Media project, whilst at the same time meeting the bad-boy-turned-good stereotype and falling into her own romance movies.
I loved that nothing was sugar-coated. I wanted Audrey and Harry to last while at the same time I chewed Audrey on every time she stood up for what she believed in.
Out of the whole book, the last chapter was the best, but I can’t say anything about that without giving out spoilers.
I love that the whole book just points out that fairytale romances don’t happen in real life, and it shows that love changes over time.
I never knew I needed this book so much. I love YA romances because of how they almost always have a happy ending and are a fairytale romance. Even though I love them though, I can still see that it is not a realistic idea.
It Only Happens In The Movies follows Audrey Winters. She chooses to study how unrealistic romance films are for her Media project, whilst at the same time meeting the bad-boy-turned-good stereotype and falling into her own romance movies.
I loved that nothing was sugar-coated. I wanted Audrey and Harry to last while at the same time I chewed Audrey on every time she stood up for what she believed in.
Out of the whole book, the last chapter was the best, but I can’t say anything about that without giving out spoilers.
I love that the whole book just points out that fairytale romances don’t happen in real life, and it shows that love changes over time.

Sam (74 KP) rated The Exact Opposite of Okay in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Absolutely hilarious!
Izzy is probably one of the best characters ever. She’s laugh-out-loud funny, mixes feminism and dry wit, and doesn’t let anything get her down. She is the kind of person everyone wishes that they could be.
I was giggling at this book from start to finish. I love that although Izzy ends up in some pretty bad situations, she never loses her sense of humour.
I love that the author does manage to be serious about the issues of slut-shaming and bullying while keeping the story educational. It shows the effects of slut-shaming on a teenager and how bullies can affect a person’s mental health while at the same time staying very light even though it is full of honesty.
The novel sticks by reality and nothing that happens is beyond what can happen in real life. It is painfully honest and truthful.
I absolutely loved this. It was brilliant and one of the best books I’ve read this year. You NEED to read it!
Izzy is probably one of the best characters ever. She’s laugh-out-loud funny, mixes feminism and dry wit, and doesn’t let anything get her down. She is the kind of person everyone wishes that they could be.
I was giggling at this book from start to finish. I love that although Izzy ends up in some pretty bad situations, she never loses her sense of humour.
I love that the author does manage to be serious about the issues of slut-shaming and bullying while keeping the story educational. It shows the effects of slut-shaming on a teenager and how bullies can affect a person’s mental health while at the same time staying very light even though it is full of honesty.
The novel sticks by reality and nothing that happens is beyond what can happen in real life. It is painfully honest and truthful.
I absolutely loved this. It was brilliant and one of the best books I’ve read this year. You NEED to read it!

ArecRain (8 KP) rated Denying the Duke (Lords and Ladies in Love #3) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
Again, not a fan of novels with leads who have seen the real world and changed, usually due to negative events. However, this novel struck a chord with me. I have known my husband all my life and fell in love with him long before we dated. However, we both had a lot of growing up to do. Had we tried a relationship before we did, I dont think we would still be together. There is a time and place for everything and I certainly felt that in accordance with this novel.
I think because of that, I felt more forgiving of all the little things that annoyed me in this novel, whether it was something eye-rolling worthy that someone said or did or something that was just cliché or annoying.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel especially because I felt more connected to it than others. I could understand the characters motivations and actions even if I didnt agree with how they handled them. Definitely a touching second chance romance.
I think because of that, I felt more forgiving of all the little things that annoyed me in this novel, whether it was something eye-rolling worthy that someone said or did or something that was just cliché or annoying.
Overall, I enjoyed this novel especially because I felt more connected to it than others. I could understand the characters motivations and actions even if I didnt agree with how they handled them. Definitely a touching second chance romance.
How would you react if you went from being a normal high school kid with a plan for your future to seeing ghosts, finding out the paranormal is real, and everything you thought you knew about your family was wrong? These are the challenges Lainey faces in this book.
Lainey is almost 17. She is a straight A student, with a plan for her life. Then she starts seeing a ghost, which sets events into motion. With her best friend, and a cute guy she just met to help her figure out what's going on. Then the help of her Uncle and his girlfriend Lainey tackles struggles bigger than any high schooler should have to handle.
This book was amazing. It had me on the edge of my seat, grinning from ear to ear and crying at times. I would highly recommend it. With a few minor kissing scenes and a couple of violent scenes I would say it is still appropriate for kids over the age of 13.
Lainey is almost 17. She is a straight A student, with a plan for her life. Then she starts seeing a ghost, which sets events into motion. With her best friend, and a cute guy she just met to help her figure out what's going on. Then the help of her Uncle and his girlfriend Lainey tackles struggles bigger than any high schooler should have to handle.
This book was amazing. It had me on the edge of my seat, grinning from ear to ear and crying at times. I would highly recommend it. With a few minor kissing scenes and a couple of violent scenes I would say it is still appropriate for kids over the age of 13.

Christine Allard (22 KP) rated Queen of Spades in Books
Jan 26, 2018
Small story, small setting, gambling and some mystical realism in a down-to-earth story.
Very few characters. Set in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. It's about gambling and math and cheating, and winning and losing at life and relationships. The writing is simple and stunning. The characters are few and very well-developed, quickly and slowly at the same time, without a lot of fanfare. There's a touch of mystery.
It's a "small" book, as I like to call them. Kind of like Nicholson Baker's writing. Focused.
Read it in two sittings--started one evening and finished over breakfast. Wish I had savored it more. Have already sent copies to at least seven people. Don't bother with the blurb on the back--doesn't do it much justice for what's really between the covers. Also, the paperback is a joy to hold. Even if you're a fan of eReaders, I recommend buying the real deal for this one.
It's a "small" book, as I like to call them. Kind of like Nicholson Baker's writing. Focused.
Read it in two sittings--started one evening and finished over breakfast. Wish I had savored it more. Have already sent copies to at least seven people. Don't bother with the blurb on the back--doesn't do it much justice for what's really between the covers. Also, the paperback is a joy to hold. Even if you're a fan of eReaders, I recommend buying the real deal for this one.