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Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Exquisite in Books
Oct 8, 2017
The darkest side of human behaviour
This psychological thriller is surprisingly gut wrenching, and because of the lack of blurb, it leaves you wondering what to expect. This however, is the best part, as it leaves you squeaming through half of the book.
A famous novelist Bo Luxton takes an aspiring writer, Alice, under her wing, creating a relationship that spirals into a dangerous love affair. The author Sarah Stovell has masterfully constructed the book so that we get both points of view, and it leaves you guessing who is in the right and who is in the wrong. In between, is a narrative of someone who has ended up in prison - but who is it?
Well-written, extremely grim, an all round good psychological thriller.
A famous novelist Bo Luxton takes an aspiring writer, Alice, under her wing, creating a relationship that spirals into a dangerous love affair. The author Sarah Stovell has masterfully constructed the book so that we get both points of view, and it leaves you guessing who is in the right and who is in the wrong. In between, is a narrative of someone who has ended up in prison - but who is it?
Well-written, extremely grim, an all round good psychological thriller.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Annie on My Mind in Books
Dec 28, 2017
Banned Coming of Age Story
I love being a rebel and reading books that have been banned before. This book showed a lesbian relationship in a positive light which is what earned it the ban.
Nancy Garden did a magnificent job of capturing the angst of first love. This in itself can be hard but add to the mix it being love that is scorned by society and you have a new level of coming of age story. This book was originally published in 1992 which can be picked up from some of the descriptions, none the less, the basis of the story is still relevant today. This story will make you cheer, cry, and want to hit someone with anger. It is a fantastic book.
Nancy Garden did a magnificent job of capturing the angst of first love. This in itself can be hard but add to the mix it being love that is scorned by society and you have a new level of coming of age story. This book was originally published in 1992 which can be picked up from some of the descriptions, none the less, the basis of the story is still relevant today. This story will make you cheer, cry, and want to hit someone with anger. It is a fantastic book.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Exit West in Books
Jul 24, 2017
A dystopian current affairs magical realistic fiction
A deeply tragic account of how two people can be caught in circumstances of war, how easy it is to lose everything and the potential hope that humanity offers. Saeed and Nadia attempt to face an apocalyptic situation in the face of adversity despite having a tenuous connection to one another. It is quite a depressing read especially given the current situation in the Middle East - but Hamid does a great job in humanising the characters. They are just two simple people attempting to make a relationship work under intense circumstances. A beautiful account, I just wished the story was slightly more developed as it tended to run from one scene to another.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Educated in Books
Apr 5, 2018
Harrowing and inspiring
It seems almost impossible that Tara Westover is an academician from both Harvard and Cambridge given that she had never been to school. Her story is important, revealing how women are treated and subjugated in fundamentalist societies.
Brought up in a survivalist, Mormon family, Westover speaks about a poverty-stricken, difficult childhood where education is seen as secondary and violence is rife. Her relationship with her abusive brother is horrifying, And moreso is her family's acceptance of his behaviour. So gaining scholarships to top universities in the world despite having had no clue about the Holocaust, the civil rights movement, and Napoleon, is no mean feat.
While parts are repetitive, it is engaging and harrowing to hear her inspiring story.
Brought up in a survivalist, Mormon family, Westover speaks about a poverty-stricken, difficult childhood where education is seen as secondary and violence is rife. Her relationship with her abusive brother is horrifying, And moreso is her family's acceptance of his behaviour. So gaining scholarships to top universities in the world despite having had no clue about the Holocaust, the civil rights movement, and Napoleon, is no mean feat.
While parts are repetitive, it is engaging and harrowing to hear her inspiring story.
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Love Bites in Books
Apr 6, 2018
This is a collection of short stories that follow various people who are not where they started out. They are immigrants, eccentrics and those who really don't want to be where they are. Themes include loss, isolation/ loneliness and difference.
Stories that particularly stood out for me, were the story about a girl who loses her leg, the elderly woman trying to escaper her old people's home if only she could remember what she's supposed to be doing, and the woman who goes to see a 'Sheikh' for family relationship advice.
All of the stories made me stop and think - mainly about what I would have done in their circumstances. Very thought provoking.
This was another book read on 'The Pigeonhole' social reading platform.
Stories that particularly stood out for me, were the story about a girl who loses her leg, the elderly woman trying to escaper her old people's home if only she could remember what she's supposed to be doing, and the woman who goes to see a 'Sheikh' for family relationship advice.
All of the stories made me stop and think - mainly about what I would have done in their circumstances. Very thought provoking.
This was another book read on 'The Pigeonhole' social reading platform.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Shadow of Night in Books
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Feb 17, 2019)
Middle book syndrome
Audibook review - 3.5 stars
This was a good story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I enjoyed the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
This was a good story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.
Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I enjoyed the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.
Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.
Villainous Vee (53 KP) rated Green Book (2018) in Movies
Mar 5, 2019
Casting (2 more)
Script
Feel Good
So I went into this movie only ever having seen the trailer before another movie and so I was expecting some action film about a bodyguard.... HOW WRONG WAS I!!
This film was beautiful, heart wrenching in places, down to earth and a complete joy to watch.
There is such a journey during this movie both physically and metaphorically, between the two main characters, and watching their relationship grow was humbling and beautiful.
So even though this was not what I was expecting I think it ended up being so much more and I would urge anyone who had even the slightest though of 'oh that looks interesting' to take the leap and watch it when you get a chance.
This film was beautiful, heart wrenching in places, down to earth and a complete joy to watch.
There is such a journey during this movie both physically and metaphorically, between the two main characters, and watching their relationship grow was humbling and beautiful.
So even though this was not what I was expecting I think it ended up being so much more and I would urge anyone who had even the slightest though of 'oh that looks interesting' to take the leap and watch it when you get a chance.
Red Otter (340 KP) rated Fog of Love in Tabletop Games
May 30, 2019
Fog of Love is a game about two people navigating through a relationship, whether it ends in a fulfilled or an unfulfilled life. It really reaches it's best when both players are into it and create stories that fits the character traits and goals that they have. With unknown goals, it relies on both players understanding the other to reach their goals mutually, but there can be perils. As destiny approaches, one player may find that breaking up is the best way to fulfill their life, while the other may want to remain together. Scarily like life. Fog of Love has a fantastic tutorial that teaches you the game well and is an experience that can't be missed.
Dakota Morrill (17 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Mar 2, 2018
Simple, relatable, beautiful.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Greta Gerwig’s directorial debut Is truly a spectacular one. Lady Bird is a masterpiece of simplicity. The simply story of a typical teenage girl trying to find who she is and what she wants. The love-hate relationship of Christine and her mother showcasing their struggle to demonstrate of perhaps understand their feelings added a much welcome layer of interesting plot on top of the typical struggles of an awkward high schooler.
If anything, I believe you can learn a few things from this film about forming and maintaining relationships with your parents or child(ren) in hope that when your time with them comes to a close you’ll have no regrets.
If anything, I believe you can learn a few things from this film about forming and maintaining relationships with your parents or child(ren) in hope that when your time with them comes to a close you’ll have no regrets.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated A Texan's Honor (Heart of a Hero, #2) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
It was a book that had me wondering more about Scout then Will McMillan and Jamie. I first I was wondering what was going on. But I knew it was Train Robbery from the start. I was wondering how and why there was a female hostage. I was more interested the lives of Scout more then anyone else. Will had my interest as well, because of what his occupation was I was really wondering until it was reveled and I had a feeling that Will would find love on the train. Though I was surprised with the relationship Will and Scout having along with What Scout did for a girl. I was hoping to hear more about Clayton and his wife and Sister Corrine.