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Janeeny (200 KP) rated The Binding in Books

May 8, 2019  
The Binding
The Binding
Bridget Collins | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.5 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not enough 'Magic' (0 more)
Emmett is a boy with a gift, he doesn’t realise it but he is a natural ‘Binder’. Binders are people who can take any memory you wish to forget and bind it in a book. So Emmett is sent as an apprentice to a local Binder, but this story isn’t about Binding, this is about Emmett and something he may have forgotten.

I do appreciate a good-looking book, and this is one good looking book. The cover art just draws the eye and the marbling effect on the inside cover is just beautiful. Then you have this little blurb

“Imagine you could erase grief.
Imagine you could remove pain.
Imagine you could hide the darkest, most horrifying secret.
Forever”

Captures the imagination, right?

 The Binding is categorized as 'Magical Realism', although it doesn’t totally deliver on it’s promise.
The story starts out around Emmett, and you know there is a deep secret there which will eventually unravel. He is sent to an old Binder as an apprentice to learn the trade, which basically involves laying your hand on the person who wishes to forget as they tell you their memory. That is essentially it for the Binding aspect of the book. This story is predominantly about Emmett and his past, and ‘Binding’ plays a very small part in that. Don’t get me wrong I did really enjoy the direction that the book took, but as somebody in my book club pointed out, we would have liked to know more about The actual Binding and the books. Maybe if Bridget Collins releases more books based around this I may get my wish!
  
Go Slow - Single by Wild B
Go Slow - Single by Wild B
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Wild B (Krystal Parks) is a singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. Not too long ago, she released a lovely tropical R&B tune, entitled, “Go Slow”.

“Sipping champagne while he whispers my name. I never been scared, we can go, we can play. Dripped in Balmain, don’t care what they say. Rock the boat, roll the boat, rock my body. You’re my type of speed. I think you should take the lead. Can you be all I need or more? I can throw it back when you throw it down. I can be the jewel on your tilted crown. Now tell me how you want to end the night.” – lyrics

‘Go Slow’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who shares a special moment in time on the dancefloor with a guy who she desires to be with.

Apparently, what he possesses she likes, therefore, she wants him all to herself for the remainder of the night.

‘Go Slow’ contains a dreamy storyline, pleasing vocals, and rhythmic instrumentation scented with a tropical R&B fragrance.

“‘Go Slow’ was birthed on the night of a spontaneous encounter with a beautiful stranger. In the midst of a fast life in an even faster world, we caught a moment that we unintentionally made last forever. Now when I close my eyes, I remember it in slow motion, as if the universe slowed especially for us to cherish. Not only is it a memory but a reminder of the fulfillment I/we can all receive but just slowing down and enjoying the beauty of NOW.” – Wild B

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/wild-b-go-slow/
  
The Walking Dead: v. 1: Days Gone Bye
The Walking Dead: v. 1: Days Gone Bye
Tony Moore, Robert Kirkman | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.1 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
So I have finally got started on reading these graphic novels. I have been an avid fan of the TV remake and am fully aware that the series and graphic novels do not run exactly scene for scene. Some characters have had longer roles or shorter roles, other characters added or omitted. That is not what I am concerning myself with whilst reading this novel.

What I am concerned with is how the book felt as I read it. I thought the frames were well drawn, if you take the time to look over each picture you really feel the emotions of each of the characters. At no point does it feel lacking from the sole use of greyscale, colour is unnecessary in this story. Considering there is limited writing used, the conversations between characters have been orchestrated to portray all the information and emotions needed.

It always takes me a few pages to get into a graphic novel, the switch to reading pictures and not written descriptions takes some getting used to, but this story is so gripping that it isn’t hard to get lost in it. Nothing is too gruesome or overdone (not that I mind gruesome) but some people may be put off as it is a tale set in a zombie ridden world, but actually this is a story about the effect on the people left standing. How they cope in this new harsh existence, and how they decide to make a new future for themselves. This is a great start to a series and I will be carrying on gladly and with a great deal of enthusiasm.
  
Midsommar (2019)
Midsommar (2019)
2019 | Drama, Horror, Mystery
The Wicker Man 2.0
Contains spoilers, click to show
Grieving over the Murder/Suicide of her mentally ill Sister and Parents, Dani decides to get away for a while to Hårga, in Hälsingland, the Swedish community that her and her Boyfriend Christian's mutual friend Pele lives in. Christian and Dani's relationship is at breaking point (unbeknownst to Dani) and the other 2 friends of Christian are encouraging him to finally split with Dani. However, feeling bad about what happened to her Family, Christian and Pele ask Dani to take the trip with them and on to Hälsingland the group of 5 friends go. On the first leg of the road to Hälsinglang, where it is their time to have a special festival called Midsommar, they hang out in a field where they are prompted to partake in some Magic Mushrooms, to which they all have a nice trip before moving on to the "Community". Hälsinglang is a beautiful and seemingly gentle and friendly community, however small cracks start to appear... and Dani's friends start to go missing. Is this community, in fact, a Cult? Or will Dani find the salvation she so desperately needs...

I have to admit, Ari Aster hasn't had me from the jump. Hereditary in my opinion is a bit beige and "meh", but the Culty look of Midsommar attracted my attention straight away and did not disappoint! It's visually beautiful and the story is actually very tragic and gives you a realistic look as to why and how some people actually do join cults. It's an absolutely mind blowing watch and a Movie that I see myself watching many more times in the future. Well done, Ari Aster!
  
A Pornographic Affair (Une Liaison Pornographique) (1999)
A Pornographic Affair (Une Liaison Pornographique) (1999)
1999 | Drama, Romance
(0 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"Rounding out my list would be a love story, and it’s a French film called An Affair of Love. That has always gotten me. It’s funny, I only know it on VHS; I got it years ago on VHS. I don’t remember if it was to study, you know, as a sprouting actor, and learning my craft, or if I just grabbed it. I had a friend at the time who was a struggling actor — you know, I don’t think God’s call for him was acting — but he worked at Blockbuster while we were all trying to make ends meet. I think he was doing inventory, if I’m not wrong. It was before Blockbuster was going to close, and I think I grabbed it one night, late at Blockbuster, trying to help him do inventory. But it’s An Affair of Love and it’s just incredible. Two lovers who basically, in France, to and from their respective jobs, on the train, to a room, but we never really see them in the room where they’re going, to have this affair. They start to fall for each other, then the cameras come in the room. Otherwise, we just see their physical persons walking down the hall, and then exiting, and then, sort of with their own friends or co-workers, trying to figure out what this is that’s happening to them. You finally get what they feel, by the cameras coming into the room, once they start to fall, and of course, when they fall in love, then the affair’s over. They can’t take it. It’s just brilliant. It’s called An Affair of Love. It’s a great film."

Source
  
    Phases of the Moon

    Phases of the Moon

    Weather and Education

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    Learn the current phase of the Moon with one of the most detailed and scientifically accurate...

Circus of Wonders
Circus of Wonders
Elizabeth Macneal | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics, Romance
10
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
After reading The Doll Factory, I was on the look out for Elizabeth Macneal’s next book. Circus of Wonders has NOT disappointed me.

Elizabeth Macneal has described what it is like to be on the margins of society - an outcast because you don’t look the same as everyone else. Nell lives in a time where you are shunned for having birthmarks such as hers. She is considered to be bad luck, a curse. Not helped by the fact that her mother had died in childbirth. Her father constantly reinforces this, and won’t even touch her. Nell’s beloved brother is her sole comfort. He cares for her, and promises to take her with him when he marries.

But Nell’s father sells her to Jasper Jupiters Circus of Wonders. Jasper is a man who is hellbent on being a success, and thinks nothing of using Nell and others like her, to achieve greatness. Jasper and his brother Toby, are both survivors of the Crimean war, and clearly carry many secrets.

Themes such as exploitation, ownership, differences, power, sibling love, secrets, love and loss are central to this book.

Nell is a constant surprise. She goes from being a scared, vulnerable girl, to becoming the centre of attention, in control of all those who come to watch her. This is the other side to the P. T. Barnum story. We’ve probably all heard of ‘The Greatest Showman’, but there’s the other exploitative side that seems to have been brushed under the carpet. This book shows that side.

I loved this book, and I wouldn’t hesitate to tell you all to go out and buy it!