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Out of My Mind
Sharon M. Draper | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was both fascinating and highly emotional for me from beginning to end. I think I cried six separate times throughout the read, and not always because it was something sad. It is so easy to fall into believing the stereotype that just because a person is physically disabled, he or she is also mentally disabled. This book proves the very opposite. Yes, some diseases do affect the mind, but certainly not all of them. Draper proves that with the story of Melody.
Melody is an amazing character, with both a personality and an intelligence at odds with her physical appearance, and I wonder if there is not an actual person just like Melody in this world, just waiting to be discovered. So many times I wanted to sit down and talk to Melody with the help of her computer and ask her a million questions about life through her eyes.
I love the ingenuity of her neighbor in helping Melody to gain some physical functionality, and the heart and dedication of her parents to defend Melody's rights and provide for all of her needs. I found the different characters to all be unique in their own way, and the obstacles that Melody faced socially are realistic and believable.
I like the parallels that Melody drew between herself and Stephen Hawking, and it makes me wonder what life was like for him as a kid and what obstacles he faced.
Even though this book largely took place within the confines of Melody's thoughts and memories, the difficulties she has daily in dealing with all of the words stifled in her mind became more real and believable this way.
I really can not describe adequately how this book has affected my perspective on the physically-disabled population. All I know for sure is that whoever you are and whatever genres you prefer, you simple must read this book.
  
SG
Sea Glass (Glass, #2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was a little disappointed by this book, since I enjoyed the previous one so much. I had expected Opal Cowan to spend more time and effort in exploring what she can do with her glass abilities, but it seemed to be more of the same denial of her immense magical potential. Put glass in Opal's hands and the world is hers to command, whether for good or bad, but she is so focused on the weight of responsibility that this power gives her that she really does not do much with it at all - until the tail end of the book.
A large part of the book is devoted to Opal attempting to stop the spread of blood magic knowledge, as well as monitoring Ulrick and Devlen's actions. In the meantime she graduates, gets together with the Stormdancer Kade, and pursues setting up her own private glass-making business, though with not much success in the latter. All of her pursuits take large chunks of time because someone is constantly trying to control her for her different abilities, which can make for tedious reading. I enjoyed her romance with Kade simply because there seemed very little effort on either of his or her part to connect with the other - like they were made for each other. In contrast, Devlen's almost constant attention to Opal is perplexing because Opal regularly second-guesses his intentions. It is nearly impossible to figure out his real motivation because his previous actions show him to be a very good liar and manipulator. I will be interested to see where his subplot goes in the final book.
The way that Opal finally deals with the power that she has over glass took me by surprise, but I like it. The outcome creates an entirely new set of circumstances for her, but one that she has a precedent for. Plus, no longer is she at the mercy of magic, though how much she realizes that will hopefully be shown in the final book, Spy Glass.
  
Something in the Water
Something in the Water
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Erin and Mark are about to get married. Before their wedding day, they have a few things to deal with. Erin has to prepare everything for the documentary she is working on, about how inmates re-enter the real world. And Mark, loses his job as an investment banker, which was their main source of income. This forces them to change some plans of their wedding and honeymoon, but also make the break that much more needed.

While honeymooning in Bora Bora, they go on a scuba diving excursion where they find a bag floating in the water. What's inside will lead them on a journey where they will find out more about each other than they ever expected.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Someting In The Water, gives you the ending of the book first, then goes back three months for us to see what could have possibly happened. The book starts with Erin digging a grave to bury Mark in. If they are newlyweds, what could he have done in such a short time that she is now burying his body in the middle of nowhere.

This book started out really well and it was hard to put down at first. But, as the story went along, the details just became more and more implausible. To me, Erin was an idiot and the fact that she couldn't see what was happening right under her nose, and some of her actions were just ridiculous. The things that occurred in this book did not seem possible for an investment banker and a film maker to pull off (Eg. cutting the lining of their luggage to hide money). It's said this book is supposed to be a psychological thriller, but to me it was just psychotic.

This is debut novel from this author, so I'm willing to give her another chance, if she rights another book. This one reminded me of the movie Into the Blue with Paul Walker and Jessica Alba
  
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu  (2019)
Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019)
2019 | Animation, Comedy, Fantasy
Good but could've been so much better
I need to be honest, Pokemon has never been a big thing for me. I've never been able to get into the games and whilst I happily watched the show when it was on, I never went out of my way. I did however take my little brother to watch Pokemon: The Movie when it came out, so I cannot tell you how unbelievably happy I was to see Mew 2 in this.

The idea behind this film is genius. Humans and Pokemon living together in the same world, and not only that but these aren't silly awful looking CGI characters, these are truly impressively done creatures that look so realistic and really fit in with the setting of the film. And you can tell they've gone all out on Pikachu, he looks fantastic and so real and adorably cute. Also Ryan Reynolds voicing Pikachu is another smart move. I can't imagine anyone else being able to pull this off quite like he can. And his pairing with Justice Smith works really well. Those two are what keep this film going. And I can't lie, the scene with the Pokemon theme song had me in hysterics it was that funny.

But despite all this, this film felt like it had squandered some of its potential. I was hoping it'd be like Christopher Robin and full of heartwarming, funny and witty moments, but sadly it fell short in all of these areas. There were some moments of humour and some heartwarming scenes but not enough, and I dont think its helped by a patchy script and a mostly (but not completely) predictable plot.

Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy this film. It's an adorably cute piece of nostalgia with some funny moments, it just didnt have quite the magic I was expecting. It has however made me want a cuddly Pikachu toy...
  
Her Body and Other Parties: Stories
Her Body and Other Parties: Stories
Carmen Maria Machado | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+
8
6.0 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is another book off my Wronged Women list - women who have been part of the #metoo movement. Specifically the ones that have come out against Junot Diaz and Sherman Alexie, but I hope to expand it to others as well. Her Body and Other Parties is a collection of eight surreal stories. Magical Realism is probably the best categorization for them, as they're not really fantasy. Real World stories with a touch of magic, or events that we're not sure whether they could be magic or are just in the narrator's head.

The Husband Stitch is the first story, and it's a retelling of an old children's story that I recently saw being discussed on Twitter - the one with the woman who had a green ribbon tied around her neck. Her husband always wanted to ask about it, but she refused to answer any questions about it, and wouldn't let him touch it until she was on her deathbed. In Machado's version, it isn't just the narrator that has one. Every woman does. It's different colors, in different places, but it's still never talked about. I think she means it as a metaphor for trauma. It works well.

Eight Bites is a particularly haunting piece about self-hate, body acceptance, and peer pressure. It's probably my second favorite story after The Husband Stitch.

The only one I didn't love was Especially Heinous. It was written as episode synopses of a television show, and it was interesting, but it just went on too long.

All of the stories are written well, though, and each one makes a different point. I think this would make an amazing Book Club book, because I'd love to discuss the meanings of the stories with other people. Other women, specifically. It would definitely be a great book for discussion.

You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
  
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MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated Baby Teeth in Books

Sep 19, 2018 (Updated Sep 19, 2018)  
Baby Teeth
Baby Teeth
Zoje Stage | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
Couldn't put it down!
Contains spoilers, click to show
** spoiler alert ** I could NOT put this book down. And when I was done with it, I couldn't stop talking about it. My husband's exact words: "that sounds like a f*cked up book you're reading." 100% true.

I'm not going to rehash the plot you've read about 10,000 times. You get it: evil kid, scared mother, oblivious dad-in-denial. It sounds like it could be a bad horror movie; instead it's a truly disturbing book. That's the thing about uncomfortable topics: if you're reading it, you create an image in your mind of what you perceive - rather than having the image given to you on a screen - and more often than not the image in my mind is far scarier.

The author has fleshed out the story in such a way that the reader is forced to really digest the terrible things. It's not one horrifying event on top of another; it's spaced out so that you truly think about what just happened and what it means...and what might be coming.

I was fascinated by the peek into the mind of a budding serial killer (because let's be real, that's what she'll be, with Mommy as first victim when she gets out of Marshes) and how she manipulates the world around her. There are a few moments here and there where for just a second, you feel bad for seven-year-old Hanna. But then she does something horrifying and the feeling passes, and you're #TeamSuzette once again.

I will say that Alex's willful ignorance of the situation and absolute indulgence of Hanna pissed me off - why would your wife lie to you about this, you idiot? - and I was SO HAPPY when he finally got with the program and they presented a united parental front against their evil little minion.

May I suggest you avoid this book if you have a precocious 7-year-old child? :)


Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read & review this ARE.
  
The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After
The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After
Clemantine Wamariya | 2018 | Biography, History & Politics
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Must Read and Good one to Discuss.
It’s not an easy subject to write and review about. What can you really say about it when it’s filled with tragedy, mass displacement, and human suffering. It’s definitely an eye opener and if you’re wanting a book to read and discuss this would be an ideal one.

What is prevalent all throughout the novel is Clemantine’s feeling of displacement and how she’s not really entire ‘whole’ or she’s never really had a place to call ‘home’ considering all she’s been through. She’s gone through various countries through Africa only to be displaced time after time. It’s emotionally jarring and to even think that Clemantine was only a child during this period would be traumatizing to any child exposed to this world.

I find the book interesting and shows how her behavior is like once she moves to the US. Clemantine constantly seeks new opportunities but it feels as if she’s doing so to learn more about herself or to constantly fill herself so she can feel wholesome. Every time she accomplishes something, she goes out to do more. It’s never ending. It’s an admirable trait if you look from another perspective but if you don’t know her real background, you would assume she’s a normal, overachieving teenager.

Claire’s strength is admirable throughout the story. Despite all the chaos going around her, she is constantly trying to improve so she can get out with Clemantine. The sad part is, because of what was happening around them, they didn’t really have the chance to be actual sisters. Claire looked out for everyone, Clemantine stayed home and held the fort.

No matter how hard you try you can’t really put yourself in their perspective. You can’t really know how it is until you’re actually there experiencing it too (and no one wants that obviously) you can only wish Clemantine and her family will continue to lead on successful and fulfilling lives like they rightly deserve just like everyone else.
  
TF
The Food Critic
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I can't express how excited I was when this delightfully paced little gem arrived in my inbox. I've devoured everything Ms Hargrave has ever offered me and I have to say that this beauty was no different. Characters, plot, sex, it was all spot on. And considering it's a short book, it certainly packs a very sexy punch.

The lead characters are thoroughly engaging and have you rooting for them from the very start of the book. Serena the consumate professional, until that moment on the table. Stuart, a master of so many different trades. Together they sing from the pages. They both hook you into their own separate worlds and you devour the book in a similar way to how you would a very delectable treat.

The sensuality in this book is hinted at throughout, but the food porn is truly out of this world. It was so well written it had my mouth watering for the tastes described with such finesse and details, and Ms Hargrave had my appetite thoroughly whetted for not only food, but a good many other things too! To hook someone into a story so completely, and have them wanting to recreate certain scenes is definitely a sign of skill!

As far as epilogues, this is one of the best I've read. It was a real happily ever after and it left me with a serious case of the warm fuzzies. I love it when a book leaves me with happy feels, and this one certainly didn't disappoint. As I said, for a short book it was fabulous, it had everything I wanted, it was very enjoyable and is a book I would highly recommend for anyone who's looking for a short burst of sexy escapism.

*This book was first reviewed on Lily Loves Indie as part of a blog tour, for which an ARC was received in return for an honest review*
  
They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)
2018 | Documentary, History, War
The restoration work is unbelievable (0 more)
Absolutely outstanding and timely reminder of our past
I managed to miss the cinema screenings of this recently, so was very happy to discover that it was going to be shown on the BBC as part of their centenary remembrance schedule and I'd be able to enjoy it at home.

A collection of old archive footage from World War I shows young boys enlisting in the army and going through their training. It's narrated by actual WWI veterans, describing how they lied about their age in order to sign up and recounting their fears and excitement while preparing for battle. Even at this point in the movie, it's an effective and interesting use of the tired looking silent black and white clips we're all used to seeing.


And then we suddenly see where all the time and effort has been spent on this movie, as one of those tired looking clips suddenly transforms into vivid colour. And it's not just the colour that's been applied either. Where these original film clips would vary in frame rate, resulting in that familiar jittery sped up effect, that's all been corrected here, with computers used to apply missing frames and provide a smoother realistic experience. Sound has been added too, not just the explosions and sounds of war, but voices of the soldiers. The team were able to lip read the restored footage and then record actors voices onto it. Apparently, the cinema release even has a touch of 3D applied to it!

The result though is simply incredible. We're taken into the trenches and into the war itself. Not only does it make the horrors of war all the more real and horrific, but it also makes the fun and the laughter that the soldiers still managed to share all the more poignant too. It's absolutely outstanding, and something that everyone should see.
  
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Andy K (10823 KP) Nov 23, 2018

I can't wait to watch this.

Lie to Me - Single by Veronica Fusaro
Lie to Me - Single by Veronica Fusaro
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Veronica Fusaro is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter from Thun, Switzerland. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “lie to me” single.

“If I told you not to leave would you turn and look back to me? And maybe if you’d stay, we could try to dream away the day is way too bright, it’s fulfilled with lies anyway. Have another drink, you could show me how you wink all of your sorrows away. Something is telling me that you’re my escape.” – lyrics

‘lie to me’ tells an adorable tale of a young woman who is in a foggy room at night with someone who she desires to be with.

Apparently, she doesn’t care if this person tells her stories which aren’t necessarily true. All she wants is for him to keep talking for a few more months until July comes.

Later, she admits that she wants to frame his face just in case he disappears outside into the cold weather.

‘lie to me’ contains a relatable storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses guitar-driven instrumentation scented with a lovely commercial pop fragrance.

“‘lie to me’ is “inspired by a Friday night out, but talks about much more than just a weekend. It addresses the rapidity of the world we live in and our desperate cry to find real emotions.” – Veronica Fusaro

Veronica Fusaro stepped into the spotlight in 2016 with her self-produced EP, entitled, “Lost In Thought”.

Shortly afterward, she surprised the Swiss music industry by winning the “Demo of the Year” at the M4Music-Festival.

Since then, she has toured small and large stages, from New Zealand to London and all the way back to Switzerland. With the experience of 136 shows in 2018, this year is set to be even more exciting for Fusaro.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/veronica-fusaro-lie-to-me/