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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Moonglow in Books

Nov 9, 2017  
Moonglow
Moonglow
Michael Chabon | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Beautifully written
This biography of Michael Chabon's 'grandfather' is a stunning piece of whimsy, the tale of a cranky, old genius that grips and surprises throughout. It is a long, meandering novel masquerading as a memoir, flitting around time and place so that the chapters don't follow consecutively and it's only gradually that we build up a picture of the narrator's family history via the stories told to him by his grandfather.

Despite the fragmented narrative and some aspects considered to be fictional truth, there's real heart and soul here which lifts this novel beyond merely the clever construction, giving it a haunting, poignant undertone.

For me the book is less about the grandfather, but the beautiful, damaged woman with whom he falls in love with. Profoundly affected by her experiences during the Second World War, the narrator's grandmother tells stories to shore up her own sense of self and to hold herself together in the wake of trauma.

While at times it can seem tedious, the author's writing carries it through, moving effortlessly from rambunctious humour to distressing scenes. It is a meditation on families and what constitutes a family when it's not based on blood, histories and accurate memories. A big-hearted and beautifully-written novel.
  
SO
Seeds of Hope (Harvest of Hope #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's been sometime since I read a Barbara Cameron novel and I was glad to get the chance to read this book. Ms. Cameron's writing style was a refreshing change in pace for me, and I was swept away in by Miriam and Mark and the Amish world.

Miriam and Mark are from two different worlds, but their friendship, and the sparks that fly between them, is powerful. The bustle of watching Mark come to terms with his feelings for not just Miriam, but the Amish way of life was fun and captivating. I was cheering him on throughout the story, and loved watching God work on his heart within the book. Miriam's feelings and thoughts were heart gripping and I loved watching her with Mark.

If you want a book that is 4 star worthy and filled with simplicity and characters that become real, then this start to a refreshing new series by a truly talented novelist, then this is for you. You'll be swept away to a place where planting the seeds of hope can leave you renewed in spirit and in life. Well done, Ms. Carmeron!

*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
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Sam (74 KP) rated Echo Boy in Books

Mar 27, 2019  
Echo Boy
Echo Boy
Matt Haig | 2019
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think I’m starting to become a fan of dystopia thanks to Matt Haig. Echo Boy was an exciting read and full of surprises.

Set in 2115, Echos are a normal household item. They look like humans, act like humans, but are robots created to help with human tasks. Audrey’s father hates new technology, despite his own brother, Alex, owning Castle Industries – one of the largest technology companies.

Echos are definitely not all they seem though, especially when Alissa, the Echo who teaches Audrey at home, kills both of her parents.

Echo Boy isn’t like anything I’ve read before. It’s young adult dystopia (which I usually avoid) but it’s actually quite adult in the ways it deals with grief and uncovering the truth. It was exactly what I expected from Matt Haig though because even though it’s a dystopia it still takes a serious view on the issues of the real world.

It also focuses a lot on the problems in being part of a generation who are obsessed with technology, such as the over-reliance on it and the susceptibility of it going wrong.

I absolutely loved Echo Boy. It brought me back to YA and is another brilliant novel by Matt Haig.
  
Poster Boy
Poster Boy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Broadcast live, Rosa Lincoln takes to the stage at her brother’s memorial service with a bomb concealed beneath her clothes. Being in Jimmy’s shadow was never easy, even when he was alive, but in death he has become a national hero.
When she crosses paths with the enigmatic Teresa, she discovers that those she has been taught to view as enemies may not be the real villains after all.
The lies need to be stopped, and Rosa intends on doing just that.

Wow! This book started with a bang - well a potential bang - and didn't let up until the very end with all its twists and turns along the way.
Although this is fiction it very much reflects what is going on around the world right now, sadly. It has its basis in fact and recent happenings which makes it hard-hitting, emotive, topical and timely.
The main issues it explores are terrorism, extremism, propaganda, xenophobia, nationalism, racism, good vs evil and the current political climate; it does so with considerable tact while questioning each of them making this a thought-provoking read.
Very good work of dystopian fiction.
Recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
  
The Land Before Time (1988)
The Land Before Time (1988)
1988 | Action, Animation, Family
8
8.2 (19 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Littlefoot, Petrie, Cera, Ducky and Spike made up the majority of my childhood. When I wasn’t watching ‘real’ dinosaurs in action, I was submersing myself in the animated world of the Great Valley.

The Land Before Time broke my little heart and it was for more reasons than that bas*ard sharp tooth killing Littlefoot’s mother. In 1994, I lost my nana and I remember sitting and watching this film and crying my eyes out.

In some ways though, this animated beauty helped me through an incredibly tough time. My mum tells me I became reclusive and barely spoke, naturally I don’t remember this but looking back at the message this film sent me, I’m sure it made me realise that loved ones never really leave us, they just move to a special place reserved for the very best of us.

The Land Before Time spawned over a dozen sequels that my little sister has enjoyed watching just like me over the years – it has a very special place in Brannon family history and for that reason, it has to be the most influential film in my life.

https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/08/films-that-influenced-me-adam-brannon-2/
  
The Dead Don't Die (2019)
The Dead Don't Die (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Horror
Adam Driver (0 more)
Hilariously Self-Aware
Zombie-comedies are the only kind of zombie movies I enjoy, and this was no exception.
Bill Murray (who was previously in Zombieland), and Adam Driver are the main characters, as cops in a small town (maybe in NY?), and their chemistry is deadpan and hilarious. Driver mentions multiple times throughout the film that 'This is going to end badly', finally Murray's character asks him why he keeps saying that. Driver's character responds that he read the entire script. Murray proceeds to call Jim Jarmusch an a-hole, since he didn't get the whole script. I about died of laughter over that.
Tilda Swinton's character is completely whack-a-doo, and cuts off zombies' heads with ease with a samurai sword. Because, as everyone knows, kill the head.
The entire movie is absurdist, and the humor might not be for everyone. It's gotten really bad reviews from a lot of critics, so I may be in the minority. Chloë Sevigny's character was the only one that completely annoyed me.
It's ultimately an homage to zombie films and, of course, an allegory of modern times, with people being absorbed in their mobile phones, unaware of the real world around them.
  
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Andy K (10823 KP) Jun 15, 2019

Can't wait to see this!

Rock of Ages (2012)
Rock of Ages (2012)
2012 | Drama, Musical
7
6.8 (25 Ratings)
Movie Rating
From Broadway to big screen
Rock of ages takes us on the story of a small town girl who is living in a lonely world, who comes to the bright light big city of Los Angeles only to get robbed and have to work at one of the most famous bars on the strip. This movie follows her story about life in the big city and living amonungst rock and roll during the 80's. She is up, she is down, and rises to top again but not in the way you think.

On Broadway Dee Snyder from Twisted sister played the lead character of Stacy Jaxx the famed rock and roller, who is drunk but is so popular who cares right. Our switch to Tom Cruise to film was not the right person to sing. He can act but, if we remember top gun lets be real.


Other major actors and singers who grace the silver screen in this movie are


Alec, Baldwin, Russel Brand, Catherine Zeta Jones, Julianne Hough and Mar J Blige.


The music and sound track were worth seeing the movie especially if you saw it on Broadway but this was yet another way to let america get to see a show that was only in NY.
  
UW
Upper West Side Story
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Upper West Side Story by Susan Pashman Have you ever read a book about justice that going on in your world that important to all. You thought it was dealt with in a movement that happens 50 years.
 
You see it still going on today. Well, a book called "Upper West Side Story", bring it to light and questions if our race is still an uphill battle among us. I got this feeling while I was reading the story. We meet a mother who will do anything to protect her son. This story really turns out to be a well written about a boy who is white and a friend with a black boy. We learn about friendships. Matt and Curtis are best friends. Everything changes after a freak accident.
 
The real issues come out during this time. It affects the whole family but mostly Matt. Viola losses everything but does the community realize that Matt is a child of Viola as well as Curtis is to Bettina. It happens during a time when they were fooling around or goofing around. Racial issues and political issues arise will they overcome or will the charges damaged all including the boy and his family.
  
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Gail (4 KP) rated This is Me. in Books

Jun 4, 2018  
TI
This is Me.
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The story is centered on Chloe and Rogan. A human girl and her assist. The gray area between appropriate and inappropriate. C.E. Wilson toed that line and said forget your right this is my world and love is love. This is Me was a great read. I enjoyed the way the author weaved in and out of the two relationships.
Rogan struggled through the whole book trying to understand emotions that were not programmed into his system. Things that only humans should feel. I know he isn’t real but he is HOT. The piercings the tattoos yummy. I wasn’t a big fan of Chloe. She was a little pushover. She let gossip and the voices of others sway her.
C.E. Wilson wrote about discrimination and it’s effects on all people. Just because someone is different from you doesn’t mean they should be treated with less respect. It’s 2016 and people still are discriminated against because of religion, sexual orientation, color and appearance. We are one and we just need to LOVE each other. Thank you C.E. Wilson for writing a story that showed that with love you could do anything. Well with the help of a lot of friends too.