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An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
Hank Green | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
9.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
remarkable
did i expect hank green to be a great writer?
no.
was he?
i suppose so.
and did he live up to the expectations i set on this book?
yes.

this book was genuinely an amazing observation on fame and culture. it accurately depicted how change in terms of popularity can affect a person regarding both their relationships and how they percieve themselves. starring a queer lead, this book was quite frankly incredibly well done. i've gotta say, i didn't expect this level from a debut novel. I feel like the only reason i took off some points was because the story dragged a bit or sped up too much at points. there was never a constant, perfect pace to this story, though maybe that just added to the peculiarity of this novel.

also, gotta say;
certainly not YA
  
A Pocketful of Crows
A Pocketful of Crows
Joanne M. Harris | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Magical
This is a powerful story inspired by the Child Ballads and it couldn't be more current. It covers the themes of womanhood, independence, relationships and, of course, revenge. The existence of the Free Folk is for sure a lonely one, it is the price to pay for being independent and free and walk the Earth in the skin that they prefer. But our young protagonist, fierce but naive, is ready to give all of that up in order to try the most forbidden thing for her kind: the love of a man. In a magical and eerie background, she will learn how much the promises of an entitled man are worth and she will have to come to terms with her feelings, all the things she has lost and this person she has become in order to find herself again.
  
Picture Us In The Light
Picture Us In The Light
Kelly Loy Gilbert | 2018 | Mystery
8
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Picture Us in the Light is a heartbreakingly honest book that feels so real you may find yourself second guessing if it is actually fiction.
Crying, laughing, and feeling your way through this unputdownable book is normal.
The main character feels real and the relationships between characters are well thought out and developed. None are just stand ins that make you second guess the plot. The plot is solid if not heartbreaking.
I am normally not one to read really emotional books but after getting the first look at this one I had to know what would happen next. The full book did not disappoint.
Perfect for fans of realistic contemporary fiction. Just be aware that this is one book you may just have to read in one sitting so you can get all of the emotions out at once.
  
The Heart's Invisible Furies
The Heart's Invisible Furies
John Boyne | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I finished reading The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne late last night. I thoroughly enjoyed this book; by far the best book I have read so far this year and January has been a good book month!
A tale beginning in Ireland in the 1940s and spanning several countries and decades, it encompasses so many different aspects of life, love and death with the main focus being relationships, bigotry and sexual intolerance.
Beautifully written and somewhat Dickensian in essence, I fell in love with the characters and some of the experiences they had saddened me while others were just utterly hilarious. Cyril and his wry humour was just wonderful.
Just to add from John Boyne's note on The Heart's Invisible Furies "The desire to love and to share one's life with someone is neither a homosexual nor a heterosexual conceit. It's human".
  
Charlie is surprised when James Delacorte asks for his help cataloging his private library since the two hardly know each other. But James fears that someone is stealing his rare books. Returning from his lunch break his first day on the job, Charlie finds James dead. Who killed him? Are there really missing library books?

I let too much time pass before I got back to this series, but I was thrilled to see Charlie and his cat Diesel again. They are great main characters, and I liked how Charlie and several relationships around him grew in this book. The mystery was a bit slow to get started, but once it did, the tension was strong and the ending was great.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-review-classified-as-murder-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Heart Between Us: Two Sisters, One Heart Transplant, and a Bucket List
The Heart Between Us: Two Sisters, One Heart Transplant, and a Bucket List
Lindsay Harrel | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
10
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
In this book these two sisters go on a great adventure with the bucket list that was given to Megan by her donor. They reconnect after years being disconnected with each other due to regrets and misunderstandings. They both learn about each other and themselves in this journey running into new people and old friends. This book was a great reminder who is in charge of my life. I sometimes struggle with control, trust, and worry with my family, job, and relationships. I am constantly wondering what could go wrong or did I make the right decision. I sometimes forget like the sisters do in this book who is in charge which is God. Sometimes we get so wrapped up trying to take control of our lives we forget He may have a better plan for us.
  
Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit
Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit
Jaye Robin Brown | 2016 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was randomly found by my wife who does not read lesbian fiction but she suggested it to me. We live in Georgia so it was really a no brainer. The struggle to come out in the South is real for most kids. This is not the most accepting region especially when you throw religeon into the mix. Brown did an amazing job of showing that struggle in a funny and compassionate way. Her characters were amazing and their relationships did not seem contrived. Everything developed as it should. It was an well written and thought out coming of age/coming out book that left me wanting more. I even messeged the author and asked if there would be more. So, obviously, I highly recommend this book. Also it is YA so safe for younger people.
  
Very Good Girls (2014)
Very Good Girls (2014)
2014 | Drama
Surprisingly sweet
I usually don't have much hope for original Netflix or Amazon Prime movies figuring if they were good a studio would have purchased them or they would have played in theatres; however, I thought this one was sweet. I do enjoy both Dakota Fanning and Elizabeth Olsen so I thought I would give it a try.

Two friends decide they want to have sex before going to college. Unfortunately, they decide on the same guy as their companion without telling the other. Relationships get complicated for sure.

Certainly not going to win any awards, but I thought the acting was solid all around including supporting performances by Ellen Barkin, Clark Gregg, Demi Moore and Richard Dreyfuss.

The dialogue was touching in spots and when things get complicated, you are really rooting for the friendship to ensure.

  
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
2008 | Drama
Strange and unique, just like its writer/director!
To say the films of Charlie Kaufman are not a one-of-a-kind experience would be a gross understatement. Anyone who has seen Adaptation or Being John Malkovich would agree.

This film follows its own path (or lack thereof) through the life of a troubled playwright, his relationships with women and his ultimate desire to leave a lasting impression on the world.

Not sure if I became fully immersed in this one or not. Having just finished it may need to sink in a little. I definitely love the strange and unusual and this one foots the bill for sure.

 It was glorious, yet tragic to see another amazing Philip Seymour Hoffman performance knowing he won't give us any more of them.

Recommended for those who seek a challenge.

  
Marella (Wraidd Elfennol 1)
Marella (Wraidd Elfennol 1)
Morgan Sheppard | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
8.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
A prequel worth reading.
*I was given a copy of this book for a fair and honest review by the author.*

When I originally started reading it, I wasn't crazy about this book. I set it aside and left it there for other books.

Recently, I went back and got the book in a different format, and I began to enjoy it much more. You get a chance to see how Marella is trying to grow and adapt, how her actual Testing goes, and you get to learn about her family relationships.

Personally, I have not read the "official" first book, but I plan on going to pick it up shortly on Amazon. All in all, I'm pretty eager to see what happens next and I can't wait to see how Marella's world changes. Well done!