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ClareR (6225 KP) rated The Passengers in Books
Apr 2, 2019
What would it be like if the whole of the UKs road networks operated on electric, driverless cars? What would happen if those driverless cars, operated by a computer programme, we’re hacked in to by a person who seemed bent on the destruction of those inside them? Well, John Marrs asks (and answers) that exact question in this book.
Eight people get in to their cars one morning, thinking they’re going to the destinations that they’ve programmed in, only to discover that they no longer have any control over their cars. In fact, they’re on a crash course with one another, and only one person will survive. That person will be chosen by the public, who are all seeing what’s happening in real time on social media and news outlets. That was actually the part that terrified me the most - the fact that the public was in charge of their lives!
This was a real roller coaster ride, it was so exciting! If I hadn’t have been reading it on The Pigeonhole, I would’ve read it in one sitting (I’d highly recommend doing that, by the way!). I must have changed my mind about the characters at least half a dozen times, and the ending really was just right!
Eight people get in to their cars one morning, thinking they’re going to the destinations that they’ve programmed in, only to discover that they no longer have any control over their cars. In fact, they’re on a crash course with one another, and only one person will survive. That person will be chosen by the public, who are all seeing what’s happening in real time on social media and news outlets. That was actually the part that terrified me the most - the fact that the public was in charge of their lives!
This was a real roller coaster ride, it was so exciting! If I hadn’t have been reading it on The Pigeonhole, I would’ve read it in one sitting (I’d highly recommend doing that, by the way!). I must have changed my mind about the characters at least half a dozen times, and the ending really was just right!
Tayla (27 KP) rated Red Rising in Books
Jun 19, 2018
Futuristic Story (2 more)
Strong Characters
Good Momentum
How do you get power when you are born to less?
How do you get power when you are born to less? You take it. I love Pierce Brown's story of Darrow, a low red, rising above his color to infiltrate the golds to start an uprising. Red Rising is one of my favorite books. Even though the setting is on Mars it is still relevant to our society today. Some people are born more privileged than others and at times it take a miracle to overcome those obstacles. This book reminds us to fight for not only what we want, but for what is right.
This book has good momentum throughout. At no point was I bored by the story. The ending really builds for the second book, gently encouraging you to continue with the story. I've both read and listened to this book and recommend each. Listening after reading, allowed me to really paint a clearer picture of Mars in my mind and develop more love for the series.
I recommend this book to those who like The Hunger Games or Divergent. Additionally, if you are a fan of the movie Gattaca (1997), this will be right in your wheelhouse! The similarities are striking!
This book has good momentum throughout. At no point was I bored by the story. The ending really builds for the second book, gently encouraging you to continue with the story. I've both read and listened to this book and recommend each. Listening after reading, allowed me to really paint a clearer picture of Mars in my mind and develop more love for the series.
I recommend this book to those who like The Hunger Games or Divergent. Additionally, if you are a fan of the movie Gattaca (1997), this will be right in your wheelhouse! The similarities are striking!
Jessica Erdas (463 KP) rated Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes in TV
Jan 26, 2019
An interesting look into the mind of a killer
This Netflix original details the killing spree enacted by Ted Bundy and his downward spiral. Very interesting for those curious about the actions of serial killers. Some of the details are pretty hard to swallow, as would be expected of any story where murders are committed. I think one of the most interesting parts to the show was being able to see his mannerisms, arrogance, and even his voice as he denied his guilt despite tantamount evidence against him. Ted Bundy was a killer who completely flipped profiling on its head; before him there were common misconceptions that a serial killer was an unattractive, uneducated, and socially inept person but after his atrocities were exposed, it forced members of law enforcement to look deeper into the kinds of people who committed such crimes against humanity. It was also very interesting to see the effect the trials had on his mother and her tearful pleas to avoid the death penalty. I didn't feel that it incited any sympathy for Bundy but it kind of opens your eyes to the destruction of a family, regardless. A testament to a mother's love, even to those we don't feel deserve it.
David McK (3801 KP) rated The Hunger Games in Books
Jan 28, 2019 (Updated Jun 18, 2020)
This is one of those books/films that I've heard of, but never actually got round to reading before now (perhaps as a sub-conscious reaction to the perceived 'it's just for teenage girls' feeling)
I've previously heard it described as a bloodless <i>Battle Royale</i> for teenagers, but never having read that, I'm not really in a position to compare. What I did notice, though, were the more-than-a-few similarities to Stephen King/Richard Bachman novel <i>The Running Man</i> or even David Brin's <i>The Postman</i> in the dystopian setting (as the latter), and in the idea of a televised game show where people die (the former), and with a wide gap between the haves (i.e The Capitol) and the have-not's (anyone else)(again, from the former).
I'm happy to report, however, that's it's not *just* a for-teenage-girls-only novel: while there is the set-up for a 3-way love triangle to (presumably) later follow, that's actually not the main focus. It's also rather unusual in that it is told in both the present-tense and first person and, while I was never *really* hooked, it was also one of those novels that before I realized it I was more than half-way through!
I've previously heard it described as a bloodless <i>Battle Royale</i> for teenagers, but never having read that, I'm not really in a position to compare. What I did notice, though, were the more-than-a-few similarities to Stephen King/Richard Bachman novel <i>The Running Man</i> or even David Brin's <i>The Postman</i> in the dystopian setting (as the latter), and in the idea of a televised game show where people die (the former), and with a wide gap between the haves (i.e The Capitol) and the have-not's (anyone else)(again, from the former).
I'm happy to report, however, that's it's not *just* a for-teenage-girls-only novel: while there is the set-up for a 3-way love triangle to (presumably) later follow, that's actually not the main focus. It's also rather unusual in that it is told in both the present-tense and first person and, while I was never *really* hooked, it was also one of those novels that before I realized it I was more than half-way through!
Analyzing Social Narratives
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Interpreting human stories, whether those told by individuals, groups, organizations, nations, or...
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Near-Death Experiences: Understanding Our Visions of the Afterlife
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Near-death experiences offer a glimpse not only into the nature of death but also into the meaning...
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The A1, Britain's longest numbered road, a ribbon of tarmac that stretches for 396 miles and threads...
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Sting: From Northern Skies to Fields of Gold
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Born in a mainly working-class area of North Tyneside in 1951, Gordon Sumner would become one of the...
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Shoes: The Meaning of Style
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We all make choices every day about which shoes to wear, but why do we choose the shoes we do?...
