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Because You'll Never Meet Me
Because You'll Never Meet Me
Leah Thomas | 2015 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You instantly fall for both characters. Two different voices throughout of both characters but an over lapping plot line. Both will have you laughing, crying and rooting for them. (0 more)
Electric charged teen angst meets Stranger Things sci fi
We've all heard that it is easier to tell a stranger something than it is your own family before but Because We'll Never Meet takes this onto a unique new level.
Ollie and Moritz are introduced as penpals and we find out they both have very special gifts that connects them together.
Throughout the story we begin to find out more about their interesting lives such as Ollie being allergic to electric and living in the woods, and Moritz being somewhat of a Daredevil character who has no eyes but can read and see despite this.
We begin to learn about their lives and the complex emotions that they are battling alongside the normal teenage angst.
Both are very isolated and alone with only each other for comfort. They each give one another a purpose in writing letters.
They find solace in one another and it really is endearing how they encourage and empower one another and confess their deepest darkest feelings that they feel they cannot speak to anyone else about.
The plot comes to a head when Moritz reveals how the boys are connected and there fall out on both sides changes both of the boys' lives forever.
You cannot help but love the characters and the humour element is one that is quite surprising but makes for a great read.
The hints towards how the boys' are connected is present throughout which makes you want to find out more and more.
I really did enjoy the book and it did remind me slightly of Stranger Things with a sci fi experiment feel to it and I very much appreciated the Marvel / superhero references.
This book highlights and brings home the troubles of finding yourself and where you fit in as a teenager but also that you shouldn't be ashamed of who you are no matter how different you may be.
It is fairly different from what I've read recently and I thoroughly enjoyed how the author set the tone and pace of the book.
It is certainly worth a read and makes you think twice about things we all likely take for granted everyday such as friendship, sight and electricity!
  
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
Action/Adventure
just got done playing Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and I'll level with you, the ending did cause me to have a what the heck is going on moment. The ending is abrupt and leaves you with a cliffhanger, only drawing forth more questions, and leaves one feeling a bit disappointed and frustrated. However, it does open up many possibilities for the story and for another Assassin's Creed game.
 Cliffhanger ending aside, Brotherhood does not disappoint. You get to play as Ezio Auditore once again fighting against the Borgia clan. Ezio is now a leader and you can recruit assassins throughout the city of Rome and build up assassin signals to take out guards, enemies, and even send them out on contract missions. There are many great side quests, including one with Ezio's old friend Leonardo Da Vinci. Leonardo's Machines was one of my favorite side quests because not only was it fun to play, but it was interesting to see all the great designs spring to life for the various missions. The tank was my favorite by far! The rebuilding quest is back, only this time you rebuild Rome and there are many great rewards with it.
 Brotherhood isn't completely perfect as there are a few bugs that the developers seem to have missed. One frustrating bug was if you went through one of the hidden tunnels before you were formally introduced to it in the game, you would spawn in front of it and desynchronize repeatedly. There was nothing to do about it, except start a new game. Another bug was a design graphic error with the cinematic of when you recruit an assassin to your cause. The new recruit was just a floating head with a body following it, and their neck was missing. There is also a bug where the game will freeze during game play for no reason at all and the only thing you can do is reboot everything. I only had this happen to me once, but a couple of my friends had it freeze up on them two or three times during missions.
 Overall, the game was a blast to play and I did love that all you had to do was whistle or make a hand motion to call on several assassins to take out all your enemies. The historical notes are informative as well and the artwork and music enhance the experience of playing the main missions and the side ones. There's great downloadable content also to add to the fun. I will definitely be playing through it again and have a great time doing it. If you haven't picked up Assassin's Creed Brotherhood yet, I suggest you do so because it is a game that definitely entertains.
  
The second book in the series follow anna to San Francisco, but tells the story of Lola. Lola is a unique girl with a penchant for fashion and boy troubles. Mainly, an older boy(friend) that her parents don't approve of. After falling in love with Anna and the French Kiss, I was excited to immediately begin Lola and the Boy Next Door. While it is still a good book, I didn't connect with the main character as much as I did the first book. It takes a while for you to fall in love with the book and Lola grows on you as the story progresses.

I was happy to see more of ANna and St. Clair, as theirs was the story that I fell in love with. Anna reads as older than she is, in my opinons. Where she seemed like a twenty-year-old college student in the first novel, she now feels older even though its only been a few months. Her relationship with Etienne, as well as her demeanor, make them feel like theyre now in their mid-twenties... or maybe they're just starting to feel like a happy, married couple.

Lola is faced with one of those typical YA love triangles - she's in a relationship but she's faced with unresolved feelings for another boy. Its obvious and you know who she's going to end up with at the end. A relationship isn't right if you are uncomfortable imagining a future with them - or if you fall for someone else. Love and committment don't lead to considering other people.

All that being said, I much prefer Cricket as her suitor than Max (so I shant complain that Lola questions her feelings). He doesn't have a fiery temper, he's kind and thoughtful, plus he's creative and smart in the way that inventors are. Max is angsty and although he's there for Lola, its more superficial and forced than it should be. He once said, "Do you have any idea what I've put up with to be with you?" You shouldn't have to <i>put up with</i> things. You do them because you love the person and it makes <i>them</i> happy.

Anna sums up the dilemma beautifully, "Sometimes a mistake isn't a what. It's a who." Her mistake is Max, but it will take her time to discover that. Even her friendship with Cricket is more healthy and full of love, than the lustful one she has with Max. Let's be honest when she says, "I care about you. I want to be connected to you." even though it's only in her head, you know who she's going to end up with. She just hasn't admitted it yet.

While I haven't fallen in love with Lola like I did Anna, there are still characters that I've fallen for in this novel. Cricket, the boy next door, is lovable because he's kind, a little unsure of himself and so self-less. He's an architect, an inventor, a creator and must learn to take pride in what he's good at. I'm fond of her best friend, Lindsey, although I find her woefully underdeveloped. (But who can't fall in love with the introverted, studious best friend with a Nancy Drew book collection, detective obsession, and desire to be a spy? That was my entire childhood.)

Calliope is the golden child, who is too possessive over her brother and takes on the role of mean girl in this novel. Late in the book there's a moment that gives much-needed depth to her character when Lola fixes her costume and she realizes that her family needs to appreciate Cricket more. Overall, the characters seemed more developed in the first book so I'm a little disappointed by the new ones.

"You have to do the hard thing... you have to be honest with yourself." You should not stay in a relationship, the wrong relationship, because you are only delaying the time until you find yourself in the right one. Why be unhappy longer than you need to be? The author portrays this wonderfully and maybe readers can learn from Lola's missteps. She also shows you how to be the person they deserve to love. If you feel that you don't yet deserve them, earn it. It's a good lesson for anyone to learn.

The author description of Calliope's ice skating actually gave me chills. Although I don't know what all the technically terms translate to visually, I could still imagine her routine and the emotion of the arena.

The ending was great, as the author leaves the reader satisfied but wanting to hear more of the story. There are no glaring cliff-hangers or unresolved plot points. Of course, you want to know if Calliope goes to the Olympics and does well - but maybe that will be addressed in Isla's book.
  
A Cure For Wellness (2017)
A Cure For Wellness (2017)
2017 | Drama, Mystery, Thriller
What if you were told that you could be cured from any and every ailment, all while relaxing in the picturesque Swiss Alps. Would you go? A Cure For Wellness is a psychological thriller directed by Gore Verbinsky whom in the past brought us Disney’s Pirates of The Caribbean. I’m not sure going with a psychological thriller was the best choice for him.

   After a young power-hungry stockbroker receives an odd letter from the CEO during a major merger he becomes blackmailed into going and retrieving him. Pembroke (Harry Groener) has taken up permanent residence in a mysterious gothic styled rehabilitation center in a remote part of the Swiss Alps. Pembroke has no intentions of leaving the hospital so Lockhart has plenty of time to explore. As soon as he arrives though, he notices that there is something strange going on. Patients are eating decadent and costly meals and flying kites as if they were on vacation rather than in treatment. Little does he know, he will be at the center of it all after an accident turns him into a patient rather than a visitor.

   I feel as though this was less of a thriller and more of a flop. I wasn’t able to connect to Lockhart and frankly at times his character was rather annoying. This made it difficult to sympathize with what might be happening to him. Lockhart reminded me of Leonardo DiCaprio in Scorsese’s Shutter Island. Though Scorsese’s film was way more entertaining and thrilling than this. The film was extremely long (2.5 hours) and when you thought it was going to end another curve ball would be thrown. Though the film was less than entertaining, the actors portrayed their parts well. The scenery and landscapes along with the colors of the filters used did give the film that bit of eeriness the story needed. Some scenes were creepy and others involving animals were disturbing and could’ve been left out in my opinion. I left the theater scratching my head with the old “what the heck did I just watch” thought. This film was just not for me and seemed more like Verbinski bit off more than he could chew. The audience also seemed to be disappointed with it as well.
  
What You Wish For
What You Wish For
Katherine Center | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I feel bad, but I think I'm somehow immune to Katherine Center's charms, which seem to make everyone swoon over her books. With the exception of How To Walk Away, which I really enjoyed, I like her books, but never really love them. And that's definitely what happened here. In fact, I often found WISH to be utterly frustrating.

Maybe it's because I'm the child of educators, but I just kept shaking my head at the idea of a principal who could come in and unilaterally make decisions without any resistance. It made it impossible for me to focus on the rest of the story. Apparently Duncan is hired by the school founders' son-in-law--essentially a school board of one. What private school has one person on their board? What sort of private school has parents who just quietly allow someone to paint the halls gray and put bars on the windows??! None of this made any sense to me. All the resistance came down to the teachers?? I've seen parents riot over far less.

I couldn't handle it--could you tell? I also couldn't handle Sam for most of the book. I just get frustrated with Center's heroines. Sam was so whiny about nearly everything. She was more than happy to judge everyone else, yet completely resistant to owning her own life, making any changes, and opening up. Ugh. I wanted to shake her sometimes.

The book was very slow to start. Much rehashing of Sam's own problems, Duncan's arrival and the fact that--can you believe it--he is different than he was before. Hey, did you know Duncan used to be cool and funny, but now he's not?! I didn't! Oh wait, let me tell you again 15 times. Also, let's go into the fact that Sam has some issues and can never ever love again. Did I mention ever?

Also, later, without giving too much away, we completely gloss over how serious PTSD is and whitewash over the severity of things like depression, because focusing on happy things will just take away those issues completely, right? Also most plot points are telegraphed a mile away.

Sigh, I'm probably being too harsh here. The book gets a bit better as things go on. And there's a really cute kid whom I enjoyed. But still. Repetitive, predictable, and not the best at presenting mental health issues. 2.5 stars, rounding to 3 here.
  
My Big Book of Beginner Books about Me
My Big Book of Beginner Books about Me
Dr. Seuss, Al Perkins, Graham Tether | 2011 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
My Big Book of Beginner Books About Me is a collection of books by Dr. Seuss and two other authors. It's a collection of books that deals with the whole body in one book; Instead of 6 separate books. You get six books in one.

The books remain broken into each book with its title page; I enjoy this. Your children will learn about each part of their body. They will also learn to read as well. Parents will want to read and reread these books or stories to their children. Children will enjoy these books and love them.

The Foot Book:
The first book is "The Foot Book" by Dr. Seuss. This book is all about feet and the foot; The rhyme is excellent and enjoyable. Your children will be rhyming and enjoying each page. One that starts the book is "Left Foot, Left Foot, Right Foot, Right." The story gets funnier and funnier. Your children will love the book and reading and learn about the foot or feet. How many feet do you meet?

The Eye Book:
The second book is "The Eye Book" by Dr. Seuss*. The book is all about the Eyes; It rhymes as well. You will find some fun and funny things when you read this. Your children can learn to read; They will enjoy each page. They will know how important eyes are. Children will learn what is around them as they read this book. They will also learn about what our eyes can see as we enjoy the world around us. What will your eyes see?

The Ear Book:
The third book is "The Ear Book" by Al Perkins. This book is all about what you hear—what you might hear around you. Your children will learn about their ears and the noise around them. There is rhyming in this book. Children will learn to read and learn all about their ears. This book starts with the sound "Tick, Tick, Tick, Tock." What's that sound I hear? What will children learn about their lovely ears and sounds around them?

The Nose Book:
The fourth book is "The Nose Book" by Al Perkins. This book talks about the importance of the nose and that everyone grows a nose. Children will learn all about the nose and what its purposes are. They will also learn to read. This book rhymes as well. Whatever would happen if you could not smell flowers or danger. Everyone grows a nose. Did you know that your nose helps with warning you about danger if it has a smell? Children will learn about smells and what the nose does. Don't forget everyone and every animal grows a nose.

The Tooth Book:
The fifth book is "The Tooth Book" by Dr. Seuss*. Children will learn all about their teeth and what not to do with your teeth—rhyming throughout the book. Children will learn to read. They will laugh at some of the things that go on in the book. This book is enjoyable to read. How many teeth do we get? How many sets?

The Knee Book:
The final book in this collection is "The Knee Book" by Graham Tether. Knees seem to go everywhere. They are so vital that you would not be able to do all the activities you would like to do. Children will learn about some of the essential functions of the knees. But they also will remember who does not have some. Children will learn to read. Rhyming goes on throughout the book as well. What would we do without our knees?

Parents will love these books; This one is a collection of books, as I mentioned before. There are six total books in one. Parents can help their children learn about themselves and their whole bodies. Parents help their child or children learn to read with these books.

Children will be able to read all by themselves with these books. They also may need help from their parents, but they should be able to read and learn. These books teach about six different parts of the body in one big book.

Parents will love this book along with their child or children. Children will want to come back and read and reread these books. There are some funny phrases in each story; The collection is a beautiful book to have and enjoy. You will get six books for the price of one.

Parents, Grandparents could read this book to their children or a book at night. These books will help with bonding along with helping your child or children learn to read. This book collection is a beginner's book. So all the words and phrases are easy to read, and children will read the word.
  
The Queen of the Tearling
The Queen of the Tearling
Erika Johansen | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
I finished this audiobook a while ago and put off writing the review because I couldn't decide how I felt about it. I went back and forth between 2 and 3 stars for a while. There were several things about the story that really bothered me (making me feel like it only deserved 2 stars), but then there were times when I was interested enough to think that I would need to read book two to see what happens. When all was said and done, I did decide I might read the next book at some point, so three stars it is.

A note about setting

The book sounds like any other fantasy novel. This story actually takes place in a future where for some reason (we are never told exactly what happened), a group of people have fled America and moved to a new land (again, we don't know how there was a new land available for them to colonize...) leaving all technology and modern conveniences behind them.

What bothered me about the book

Is it young adult or not? Occasionally the language, violence, or other crudeness seemed inappropriate for all but the most mature of teens, but then Kelsea would act like a nineteen year old girl, she spent an awful lot of time obsessing over her plain appearance, how handsome each of her guards happened to be, etc..., so I could never really tell.

Where / when is it? We get bits and pieces mentioning "the crossing", but why? What happened? Is there still an America with technology somewhere? Where are the main characters now? If the Capital is New London, are they anywhere near old London? How is there magic? And who is this enemy, this evil Mort/Red Queen who seems to have an abundance of it? I can go on and on here, and the lack of details or explanation about this world they are living in is my biggest complaint.

What I liked about the book

Kelsea, when she could remember not to worry about her plain face or how greasy her hair looked, actually had a decent moral compass and wanted to do what was right for her new-found kingdom, not just what was easy or convenient for her. She was stubborn and idealistic, and I admired those traits in her. I even eventually grew to like some of her guards, the Mace and Pen in particular, as they finally learned to respect her and some of her ideas near the end of the story.

Will you like this book?

I wish I could say yes, but the best I can do is maybe. If you go into it knowing that you are not going to understand exactly where this world is, how it came about, or why, and that doesn't bother you, then you just might. I will give book two a try to see if there are more details forthcoming, but not right away.
  
Beautiful Trauma by P!nk
Beautiful Trauma by P!nk
2017 | Pop
Revenge, Beautiful Trauma, Barbies, I Am Here (0 more)
Pink is my Hero
This might not be Pinks Punk, Fun, Upbeat album, but if you listen to the deeper stories in these songs, it still can lift you up. Her voice is one to be reckoned with, even though she has never been one to champion her voice over her message. I personally am obsessed with Revenge where she teams up with Eminem. It is such a fun different kind of song I'm addicted to. When describing this album, she says life is beautiful and life is traumatic, leading to her title song Beautiful Trauma where she makes the old classic comparison of love and drugs. The song Barbies speaks to us about the maturity of Alecia now that she's raising two kids, and wanting them to grow up being loved in a perfect world. Remember the easy days? As usual, Pink loves to reflect on the political climate, and What About Us does exactly that. Lose yourself in this album like I did, you won't regret it. Pink is my Hero and will always be.