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tapestry100 (306 KP) rated Ghosts in Books
Aug 2, 2017
A cute and somewhat touching story about the bonds between sisters, told with the backdrop of Dia de los Muertos. Catrina and her family has moved to the northern coast of California so that her sister Maya, who has cystic fibrosis, has a better time breathing with the cool salty air off the ocean. Catrina does not like having to have moved away from her friends, but has done so begrudgingly for her sister. When she and Maya discover that there are ghosts in their new town, they are taught about some of the history of Dia de los Muertos and also learn a little about respecting those that have passed. I sometimes think that the explanations around Dia de los Muertos seemed maybe a little too simplistic, but that may just be me. If nothing else, it has made me want to learn a little more about the history and traditions surrounding the day.
Chelsea (449 KP) rated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in Books
Sep 7, 2017
This book was not what I expected it to be, but I don't think that makes it deserve the many negative reviews.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.
This book is not a "horror" book, with the exception of the "evil" characters who created the reasons for the plot to go where it went. It IS a weird book. I love weird, or should I say "peculiar".
The best thing about the book (and why so many thought it was different than what it was) is that the story was written completely around these found vintage, sometimes creepy, photographs. None of the images were altered with "modern" photoshop, but no one actually knows the real stories behind them or how much they were actually a trick of the camera.
This is Young Adult and so a fairly quick read, but it's also a different kind of fantasy story that is worth the read. Beware, however, the ending does NOT allow you to leave this book without needing to read the sequel.
Domonique (0 KP) rated Everything, Everything in Books
May 12, 2018
OMG, I almost didn't want this book to end it was that good. I love reading books like this, books that take you away from your life and really emerge you in someone else's. It made me happy and sad and angry all at once. And in the end, I felt satisfied that Madeline finally was able to truly experience and enjoy life.
In regards to her mom, I just want to say without giving too much away, I don't know what it feels to lose both your husband and your son in one sitting and still have to go on living to raise your daughter. I can only imagine how difficult it was for her to pick up the pieces of her life and keep going. And even though I think what she did was wrong, as Madeline said, love makes you do crazy things. And fear of losing those we love can sometimes drive us to madness.
In regards to her mom, I just want to say without giving too much away, I don't know what it feels to lose both your husband and your son in one sitting and still have to go on living to raise your daughter. I can only imagine how difficult it was for her to pick up the pieces of her life and keep going. And even though I think what she did was wrong, as Madeline said, love makes you do crazy things. And fear of losing those we love can sometimes drive us to madness.
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Queen of Someday (Stolen Empire, #1) in Books
Feb 4, 2019
This book tells the story of a young Sophia on her journey to Russia where she will hopefully marry Peter to become queen one day.
I didn’t realise it was telling the story of the young Catherine the Great and how she came to be ruler of Russia.
I found Sophie’s character to overall be very enjoyable as she was badass and would take care of herself whilst also having a kind and caring side. However she was a bit annoying at times with how naive and idealistic she could be.
What was really great about this book was at the end of most chapters there was a link to a short video. In this the author would give some extra information and sometimes explain differences between her story and known historical facts and the reasons behind them.
Overall I enjoyed this book and decided to buy the rest in the series and that is saying something.
I didn’t realise it was telling the story of the young Catherine the Great and how she came to be ruler of Russia.
I found Sophie’s character to overall be very enjoyable as she was badass and would take care of herself whilst also having a kind and caring side. However she was a bit annoying at times with how naive and idealistic she could be.
What was really great about this book was at the end of most chapters there was a link to a short video. In this the author would give some extra information and sometimes explain differences between her story and known historical facts and the reasons behind them.
Overall I enjoyed this book and decided to buy the rest in the series and that is saying something.
Heathski (173 KP) rated The Closer We Are To Dying in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Well written and easy to read (2 more)
Full of wonderful stories
Family
Poignant beautiful memoir that I will always remember.
I read this a long time ago. I'm not that into reading biographies but I will always remember this book. It's about the memoirs of the father of the author and their family. His father is dying and Joe recounts the story of their reconciliation while he stays by his beside. Stories are told about the past, both happy and sad, humorous and at times violent. I grew up listening to stories from my older generation, which might be why I enjoyed this so much. It also reminded me a little bit of my uncle's, they always looked Italian and were mischievous. The way it is written is beautiful and engaging, and the stories are emotional, captivating and sometimes shocking. If its still available, it is a book I highly recommend you pick up and read.
Ross (3284 KP) rated How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (2019) in Movies
Feb 25, 2019
Fitting conclusion
The conclusion to the trilogy sees the dragon population under threat from poachers, and their use of a female "light fury" to lure toothless and all the dragons who follow him to their capture.
The plot sees Hiccup struggling to accept his inevitable marriage to Astrid, at the same time as Toothless seems besotted with his new female acquaintance. Toothless's reluctance to leave Hiccup behind is won over by his desire to get to know the female; whereas with Hiccup his head wins out and he doesn't seem ready to focus on anything other than leading the clan.
The visuals are excellent, with some scenes that rival Coco for beautiful other-worldly colours.
The story is enough to keep all entertained, and this might have been my 4 year old son's first real emotional film (at the end he turned to me with wet eyes and said "its ok sometimes to cry when a happy thing happens instead of a sad one").
The plot sees Hiccup struggling to accept his inevitable marriage to Astrid, at the same time as Toothless seems besotted with his new female acquaintance. Toothless's reluctance to leave Hiccup behind is won over by his desire to get to know the female; whereas with Hiccup his head wins out and he doesn't seem ready to focus on anything other than leading the clan.
The visuals are excellent, with some scenes that rival Coco for beautiful other-worldly colours.
The story is enough to keep all entertained, and this might have been my 4 year old son's first real emotional film (at the end he turned to me with wet eyes and said "its ok sometimes to cry when a happy thing happens instead of a sad one").
MaryAnn (14 KP) rated Love Where You Live: How to Live Sent in the Place You Call Home in Books
Mar 5, 2019
Synopsis: See your surroundings with fresh eyes and renewed energy. Through her personal experience and stories of God's redemptive work in communities and neighborhoods, Shauna Pilgreen gives readers the skills and guidance they need to live out the gospel in the places they call home.
My Thoughts: This book is a good reminder that we all need to get out of our comfort zones. The author reminds us that when we do get too comfortable we sometimes tend to get dissatisfied with life, and we tend to stop thinking about others. We also lose our focus on what God has for us.
In "Loving Where You Live" the author teaches us to step out of that comfort zone, learn your neighborhood and your neighbors. In doing this you will learn that where you are is a great place to be; that there is a purpose and a reason to be where you are.
This was an interesting book that the reader can learn from.
My Thoughts: This book is a good reminder that we all need to get out of our comfort zones. The author reminds us that when we do get too comfortable we sometimes tend to get dissatisfied with life, and we tend to stop thinking about others. We also lose our focus on what God has for us.
In "Loving Where You Live" the author teaches us to step out of that comfort zone, learn your neighborhood and your neighbors. In doing this you will learn that where you are is a great place to be; that there is a purpose and a reason to be where you are.
This was an interesting book that the reader can learn from.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Truth or Dare (2018) in Movies
May 22, 2019 (Updated May 22, 2019)
A sometimes fun, mainly mediocre teen horror
I didn't expect much going into Truth or Dare, and I got what I expected.
The concept is kind of cool, although it's a very slight variant and knock off of Final Destination.
It's low on scares (it's one of these more recent PG-13 horrors, to appeal to a wider audience after all), and as a result, shies away from any impactful violence or shocks.
The script is pretty laughable and the ending is dumb for sure, to the point that I kind of found myself accidentally enjoying it at times.
The acting is pretty sub par from most of the cast, as well as the characters being (mostly) selfish and unlikable, it's hard to care when they slowly get picked off.
I'd say it's maybe worth a one off watch, it's not the worst way to spend part of your day, but it's a by the numbers teen horror, with stabilisers firmly in place
The concept is kind of cool, although it's a very slight variant and knock off of Final Destination.
It's low on scares (it's one of these more recent PG-13 horrors, to appeal to a wider audience after all), and as a result, shies away from any impactful violence or shocks.
The script is pretty laughable and the ending is dumb for sure, to the point that I kind of found myself accidentally enjoying it at times.
The acting is pretty sub par from most of the cast, as well as the characters being (mostly) selfish and unlikable, it's hard to care when they slowly get picked off.
I'd say it's maybe worth a one off watch, it's not the worst way to spend part of your day, but it's a by the numbers teen horror, with stabilisers firmly in place
TacoDave (3847 KP) rated Lord of the Flies in Books
May 23, 2019
Engaging (2 more)
Good pace
Believable characters and plot
A brutal classic
"Lord of the Flies" is a classic for a reason. It is the story of a bunch of boys who survive a plane crash and are stranded on an island together. They get along well at first, but soon the pressures of their situation cause cracks in their 'society' and they form into two groups that clash with each other, sometimes violently.
The idea that human civilization is fragile is examined, but not through exposition, rather through the actions of the characters in the story. Are humans inherently violent? Is peaceful society an illusion, one tragedy away from breakdown?
If you've never read this book - or seen one of the movie versions - be aware that it gets brutal at times. There is violence and bloodshed and not everyone escapes unharmed. But it is a fascinating story of civility and civilization and what it means to be a human in a stable society.
The idea that human civilization is fragile is examined, but not through exposition, rather through the actions of the characters in the story. Are humans inherently violent? Is peaceful society an illusion, one tragedy away from breakdown?
If you've never read this book - or seen one of the movie versions - be aware that it gets brutal at times. There is violence and bloodshed and not everyone escapes unharmed. But it is a fascinating story of civility and civilization and what it means to be a human in a stable society.
Ruth Angharad (2 KP) rated Instagram in Apps
May 24, 2019
When its good, its very good but when its bad, its horrid.
I have been using instagram for about 7 years now and when it first came out I wasn't too sure if I liked the idea of it ... its basically facebook but with photos which is fine. I use instagram now as one of my most used apps and I enjoy watching peoples stories, connecting with people easily and I can watch the search page for hours sometimes.
However when there are problems with instagram they can be horrendous! It can log you out, freeze your phone completely and there are areas of instagram that are so dark and mentally quite disturbing that it could cause real distress. This would be something I would watch and manage carefully especially with children but it is overall an amazing platform.
However when there are problems with instagram they can be horrendous! It can log you out, freeze your phone completely and there are areas of instagram that are so dark and mentally quite disturbing that it could cause real distress. This would be something I would watch and manage carefully especially with children but it is overall an amazing platform.