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Nine Perfect Strangers
Nine Perfect Strangers
Liane Moriarty | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
6
6.9 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
Liane Moriarty’s Australian backdrop is ‘Tranquillum House’, a remote health retreat that promises total transformation. Each of the nine strangers has some reason for attempting to unload some mental baggage and relaxing away from the modern world. They relinquish their mobile phones and laptops, cutting themselves off from the outside. A different kind of therapy is administered by the austere manager and what unravels is an unusual twist on Moriarty’s narrative, yet it’s totally entertaining. There’s a level of chaos and farce, mixed with darker elements that make this a compelling read. Not at all like the famous, ‘Big, Little Lies’ but more ‘Truly, Madly, Guilty’ in its delivery. Available in hardback now, paperback in April 2019.
  
Hawai'i! Enviromentalism! Pseudo-adultery! And somehow this is one of the most boring entries in the FD series. Basically, Lauren's parent shove a bunch of money at her (as they do), and she decides that with the stress of her friends

1. losing a parent
2. overcoming drug addiction
3. dealing with an obnoxious room mate
4. getting married

I think I might have gone with therapy. Anyway, it's a nice gesture on Lauren's part and the girls join up with an enviromental group for students and shenanigans occur.

This includes Winnie and Faith almost getting blown up by dynamite, and still! The book was boring!

I think it need an evil doppelganger. Yeah, that's it!
  
Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band
Plastic Ono Band by John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band
1970 | Pop, Rock, Singer-Songwriter
6
8.6 (5 Ratings)
Album Rating
Rolling Stone's 23rd greatest album of all time
Tiresome self-indulgent rubbish from the former Beatle. Songs about his abandonment by his parents and psychological torture show a certain amount of self-discovery (I am assuming some form of yogic therapy allowed him to revisit times in his childhood). However completely lacking in self-awareness as he used to beat his first wife and he himself abandoned his first son in favour of increasing amounts of fame. It just seems that he has now earned enough money to be safe for life and has discovered certain drugs and spiritual awakenings and is now trying to rewrite his history. The music is also pretty boring.
  
Rome's Executioner
Rome's Executioner
Robert Fabbri | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was most definitely a more cohesive book than the first book. This was mainly due to this book not having to say up as much as the first one did. There was far more of a linear storyline, and certainly moved away from the Sharpe-esqe series I mentioned it resonating with in the review for the previous book.

One thing I must say is, don't go into this book if you are faint of heart. You might survive the first 99%, but the last 1% might send you into therapy! It's certainly will change your relationship to the main character, Vespasian. Though the ending horrifies me, I'm intrigued enough to continue at my own risk.
  
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Merissa (11646 KP) rated Forrest's #Win (Recovery Road #1) in Books

Apr 8, 2021 (Updated Jul 27, 2023)  
Forrest's #Win (Recovery Road #1)
Forrest's #Win (Recovery Road #1)
Jennifer Cody | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
FORREST'S #WIN is the first book in the Recovery Road series, and WOW! Just, WOW! This story deals with the (on-page) rape of one of the main characters, and the healing process both of them undertake following that.

Okay, so first things first. The rape scene. Yes, it's on-page and yes, it's horrible. However, I felt it was written exceptionally well, giving the horror of the situation without sensationalising it. It is over fairly quickly and then the focus is on the recovery. If rape is a trigger for you, then I would think exceedingly carefully about whether this is the book for you.

Right then, moving on. Blake and Forrest are best friends first and foremost. Blake jokes about being Forrest's house-husband before he even realises he is attracted to him. For me, one of the best bits of the book is when Blake is there for Forrest, no matter what. Forrest needs a hug? He gets one. He needs to hold Blake's hand during therapy? Consider it done. Only once does he pull away from Forrest, and that is because of questions raised by the therapist.

I loved how these two worked through the therapy, their relationship growing and changing in the process. Forrest with his schedules cracked me up, but it worked for him. Faith throws a whole new aspect to the story, but once again, our main two deal with it by pulling together and communicating! Ahh, what a refreshing change!

One of the things that jarred me, to begin with, was how Forrest and Blake spoke to each other at times, but it quickly just became part of them. Plus, they were using and implementing tools given to them in therapy, which made me happy.

Overall, this is a beautiful, heartwarming story about something horrible and the recovery process, culminating in a HEA so much brighter than the two main characters could have envisaged. I loved every word and HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book. I can't wait to see what comes next. Just make sure you take heed of the Trigger Warning.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Apr 8, 2021
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated A Clockwork Orange (1971) in Movies

Apr 7, 2019 (Updated Apr 7, 2019)  
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
1971 | Crime, Sci-Fi
Kubrick's provocative examination of violence and morality. Young offender Alex (McDowell) leads a carefree life of theft, assault, and rape, until his actions catch up with him and he is sent to prison. There he volunteers for a new therapy which is supposed to remove his capacity for violent wrongdoing...

A massively iconic, much-imitated film, despite being taken out of circulation (in the UK at least) by the director for thirty years. The film's musings on the nature of moral agency are less striking than its baleful, scathing criticism of social attitudes towards crime and punishment, and the extraordinarily vivid opening and still difficult-to-watch opening sequence. A grotesque morality play with many coups de cinema; an extraordinary film by any standard.
  
I See Red by Geowulf
I See Red by Geowulf
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Geowulf (Star Kendrick & Toma Banjanin) is an Australian duo based in London, England. Not too long ago, they released an introspective alternative tune, entitled, “I See Red”.

“‘I See Red’ was written after an argument with my sister. The song was a realization that you are only ever your most raw, horrible self when you’re with the people you love to death and who love you.” – Star Kendrick

‘I See Red’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who attends therapy to learn how to control her anger and mental health issues.

Apparently, she makes the same emotional mistakes and realizes it’s going to take some time to change her raging behavior.

Later, she admits that she’s only human and wants to be a better person, lover, and friend. But sometimes, she gets lost, and before she knows it, she’s seeing red again.

“I have been very proactive over many years in going to therapy. Talking openly about mental health and have constantly taken steps to control emotions, moods, and even my temper. Having a family history of mental illness, this is something my siblings and I have had a lot of awareness about. This song is about that process and what I’ve learned. The ebbs and flows of trying to be the best version of yourself.” – Star Kendrick

‘I See Red’ can be utilized as the trigger to your spirited response to any of the stresses which weigh you down.

The likable tune doubles as the first collaboration with Geowulf’s new writing partner, Justin Parker (Lana Del Rey, Bat For Lashes, Cloves).

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/geowulf-i-see-red/
  
PS
Pointe Shoes Tips and Tricks
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was very satisfied with Pointe Shoes: Tips and Tricks. It was packed full of more information than I expected and thought possible in such a small book (it's a quarter inch thick, perfect size for a dance bag). There were sections on how to pick the right pare, info and history about pointe shoes, tips and tricks, and physical therapy exercises on how you can fix up and strengthen your feet.

The main section of the book, the tips and tricks, is on how you can cut, sew, trim edit, change, and fix shoes to make them fit the foot exactly. Some of these tips I encourage you to use for your flat shoes too!

Pointe Shoes Tips and Tricks is a fantastic resource that every intermediate/advanced pointe dancer and teacher should have!
  
The Last Thing I Saw
The Last Thing I Saw
Alex Sinclair | 2017 | Thriller
10
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A real page turner. Shocker.
Just give me a minute to pick my jaw up off the floor after that outcome and twist. Wow. Not expected at all and a true shocker! Wow. I devoured this book within a day and loved it!

I loved how the story was told through therapy sessions within the hospital… There is a lot of back and forth within this book but the author has made it clear when its changes so there is no confusion. A cleverly written, thrilling story you will not want to put down.

Can easily be finished in one sitting. It was brilliant. Would highly recommend this to you all. A well deserved five stars! A true shocker. Jaw dropping. Addictive. A real page turner. Loved reading every minute of this one.
  
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
1975 | Comedy, Drama

"First, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest was very important to me. I probably saw that when I was 12 or 13. I really loved acting, and it was the first thing I had ever seen, it felt like, on film where acting just felt alive in a way that I had never seen before. I couldn’t believe how free and chaotic and amazing and human it all felt. Those therapy scenes are just so incredible and special. To be able to have a scene of 15 people where no one is taking you out of it and everyone just seems very vivid. It was scary to me how alive it was but very, very exciting. It just felt like, what an incredible thing it would be to be a part of that."

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