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Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017)
Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017)
2017 | Biography, Family, History
An interesting true story
Like many I know the stories of Winnie the Pooh, but until now I've never known the story behind the writing of the books and the real Christopher Robin.

This is a fascinating, if not slightly disturbing, tale of the creation of Winnie the Pooh and a large part of the life of A.A Milne. It's disturbing mainly for how badly Christopher Robin was treated and used by his parents, and I found this a little difficult to watch and at such a contrast with the happier scenes around the creation of the characters. Domnhall Gleeson is very good and convincing as the very prim and proper author, but I think my only issue is that this film takes the British stiff upper lip much too far. Whilst I don't doubt that this is how people were during this period of time, the stiff English accents really got on my nerves - especially Margot Robbie's, which was a little too proper and English.
  
Because We are Bad: OCD and a Girl Lost in Thought
Because We are Bad: OCD and a Girl Lost in Thought
Lily Bailey | 2016 | Biography
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lily Bailey (0 more)
A true Journey of the mind
Wow, what a tale of loss, love, and everything in between leading to ultimate redemption and recovery.
This will make you laugh, make you cry, you will feel sadness, empathy, sympathy and laugther all at the same time.
I would say this is majorly helpful to anyone suffering with ocd as it made me feel glad, almost like huh it's not just me, it was so relatable and you can get a very real sense of the author's pain and turmoil dealing with the rigors of daily life with ocd on her back.
From her days at school to uni to working and all the times between this has indeed been a roller-coaster ride of emotion especially considering the author is still in her 20s.
Hopefully she opens up again in future and shares more of her journey.
I am personally thankful lily Bailey shared this with us.
  
The Fandom of the Operator
The Fandom of the Operator
Robert Rankin | 2001 | Humor & Comedy, Science Fiction/Fantasy
5
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I like Rankin's work a lot. Some of his works are just amazingly inventive, incredibly humorous and reliably off-the-wall.

Unfortunately this really isn't quite up to his normal standards, although the plot has all his usual hallmarks - essentially someone discovers it is possible to phone the dead, which ends up with potentially terrible consequences for the living.

This sounds like quite a slight premise to hang a whole book of of, and I think that is the heart of the problem here. Some of the writing and twists are amongst the very best. We follow the main character through his life and although we know he's pretty unpleasant, the shock when he is asked how many people he has murdered, and is response, is pure Rankin cleverness.

Unfortunately such moments are too few and the plot too slow moving for this to be counted as a good Rankin novel. One for the completists but certainly not one that demonstrates his true ability.
  
Forever Pucked (Pucked #4)
Forever Pucked (Pucked #4)
Helena Hunting | 2016 | Erotica, Humor & Comedy, Romance
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Happy Ever Afters
Book 4 in the series brings us back round to the original characters. Alex “MC” Waters and his beautiful fiancée Violet Hall!
Alex ends up spectacularly getting injured out of the NHL when he has a run in with another team, whilst Violet gets a promotion at work.
After the scare that Alex’s injuries caused, they have both reassessed what they want in life and Violet finally agrees to set a date for the wedding. But in true typical Violet style, things will have to change... much like Alex’s mums hair!
We see again all the other characters we have been introduced to in the series, and it’s so nice to be able to follow the progression of the relationships, and how they all interlink and interact with one another.
The series continues to be well written and doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the ongoing humour and individual character styles. Helena is nothing if not consistent! I look forward to finishing the series!
  
The Assistant (2020)
The Assistant (2020)
2020 | Drama
The Assistant is a thinly-veiled Harvey Weinstein inspired film... Funny how it didn't get as much attention or promotion as Bombshell.
This film was quiet, and follows an assistant of a film producer, who is never shown on screen. She performs monotonous tasks, attempts to eat (though, she always ends up throwing out the food - if you're a lowly assistant low on money, you don't pitch food), and gets lectured by her coworkers and boss. She sees indications that her boss is a dirt bag, but when she attempts to report these concerns to Mr. Darcy (Matthew MacFadyen), they're not really taken seriously.
The theater was about a quarter of the way through, and I was probably the youngest person there. One of the elderly gentlemen said in a loud voice, "That's it?" It was definitely a frustrating ending, but that was very much true to life, so I thought it was fitting.
  
Notes on a Nervous Planet
Notes on a Nervous Planet
Matt Haig | 2018 | Health & Fitness, Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences, Science & Mathematics
9
9.4 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Nothing but the truth
After having read Matt Haig's previous book Reasons to Stay Alive, this was a future recommendation to try and considering the current climate in the world right now, it seemed like a wise choice!

This is definitely very relevant to today's society and it really is fascinating. Nothing Haig says in this is particularly surprising - it's all really just plain and simple common sense - and this is my sole criticism. However it's well written, engaging and full of interesting and intriguing facts. It really is the truth about modern society and it's all rather scary. And worst of all its depressing how true this is. This is a wonderfully straight and open commentary on modern life and it's refreshing to read something so brutally honest.

This has definitely made me think again about all of my social media usage and reading news apps. It really isnt helpful for your mental health!