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The Last House on Needless Street
The Last House on Needless Street
Catriona Ward | 2021 | Crime
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ted is a depressed drunk who lives with his daughter, Lauren, and cat, Olivia. Years ago, a young girl disappeared at a nearby lake and Ted was blamed, but later exonerated by his alibi. Now Dee, the girl's sister is back in town, looking for justice for her little sister. But Ted and his family may still be hiding secrets--and Dee's return threatens to uncover them all.

"Today is the anniversary of Little Girl With Popsicle. It happened by the lake, eleven years ago--she was there, and then she wasn't. So it's already a bad day when I discover that there is a Murderer among us."

This is an incredibly wild read that is both mesmerizing and befuddling, as you never know exactly what is going on. You get Ted's point of view, as well as Dee's and even Olivia the cat's. I spent most of the book coming up with theories and feeling frustrated at times, because I was not sure what was happening! If you are someone who always wants to know what is happening, you may not enjoy this book.

It's definitely best to go in blind, as all the other reviews state, because the twists and turns will take you by surprise. And there are twists galore! When this ended, I realized I probably needed to read the book again, just to completely take in everything that happened. Did I fully enjoy HOUSE? Probably not. But I still feel it was worth the read. It was intricate and fascinating and at the end, when you take in the full depth of what you've read--well, it's pretty awe inspiring. Definitely read the author's note at the end, too. 4+ stars.
  
It's Always the Husband
It's Always the Husband
Michelle Campbel | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
8
7.2 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Michele Campbell Books, and SheSpeaks.com for the opportunity to read #AlwaysTheHusband for an honest review!

While I do agree with other reviewers that the 3 main characters, and most of the secondary characters were not very likable (I mean, Chief Rizzo? What a dick.), I very much enjoyed this book. True, these women (girls, really, when the story begins) are not likable, and maybe not even that relatable, but I still wanted to know what happened to them and why. More often than not, I found myself feeling pity for the men in their lives. And, honestly, Kate was SUCH a terrible person that I ended up feeling like she deserved what she got.

Yes, there were portions that made me literally roll my eyes, but in my opinion did not take away from the story. The second half of the story is more fast-paced, however that slower-paced first half is necessary so that the reader can more clearly understand the characters' motives and personalities, and how they all fit (or clash, as the case may be) together.

MAJOR SPOILER ALERT:
I truly did not think it would end up being the husband, despite (or perhaps because of) the title. There were several points in the story where I was 100% convinced either Aubrey or Jenny had killed Kate. Well done, Ms. Campbell, you got me!
  
Gypsy Origins ( All the Pretty Monsters book3)
Gypsy Origins ( All the Pretty Monsters book3)
Kristy Cunning | 2022 | Comics & Graphic Novels
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
172 of 230
Kindle
Gypsy Origins ( All The Pretty Monsters book 3)
By Kristy cunning
⭐️⭐️⭐️

I'm like a snowball rolling downhill.

That's the first thing that pops into my mind when I try to explain my life. I don't know exactly "what'"I am, but I do know who I am. At least...I did.

Sometimes life sends things your way that upend everything you thought you knew, and then slings you in another direction without any sort of harness or warning.

Sometimes it drops someone like me off in the path of four wildly different monsters, who all used to be best friends, but now sort of hate each other and compete over absolutely everything, including...me.

Life would be easier if I wasn't already attached to those four monsters, but they occasionally let their guard down around me, and I get a glimpse of what has to stay hidden under all those snowball layers, since they already rolled downhill a long time ago.

I'm tired of losing people I care about. I'm tired of searching aimlessly for answers. I'm tired of not having the right questions to ask.

I do like this series. I really like the characters and storyline. The only one thing with this one was there was so much more information thrown at you and sometimes didn’t come across so clear so you had backtrack and reread a few bits. Saying that I do like the new developments and she finally tells them to man up and do what they should be doing. Looking forward to what comes next! Warning though this ends on a cliffhanger!
  
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Nick Rhodes recommended Off the Wall by Michael Jackson in Music (curated)

 
Off the Wall by Michael Jackson
Off the Wall by Michael Jackson
1979 | Rhythm And Blues
8.0 (4 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"This was a difficult choice. I did want something that was a disco album and could have gone for The Bee Gees’ Saturday Night Fever - you don’t get much better than the songs on that particular album. But then I thought about Michael Jackson and what he did and how he changed things. Off The Wall is Quincy [Jones] at the height of his powers producing Michael Jackson as he is coming of age. Michael had the most amazing voice and a sense of rhythm that no-one had ever heard before. It’s really something. I listened to it about two or three months ago for the first time in quite a while and it is flawless. Off The Wall was the sound of [New York super-club] Studio 54. I was too young to go to Studio 54 when it first opened but I did go later when they reopened it briefly at the beginning of the eighties. I stood in the same room just imagining what it would have been like - it would have been a lot more fun in 1977. So, that album, which to me is a more interesting album than Thriller (although again another really great album), captured the spirit of a generation and moved dance music somewhere. This discussion could go on for hours if we had time, about what happened with disco and funk, bands like Chic and Sister Sledge who I’m obviously a huge fan of, but, for me, Off The Wall was the album that defined that period."

Source
  
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Bethany Fletcher (17 KP) rated Children of Blood and Bone: Book 1 in Books

Jun 24, 2018 (Updated Jun 25, 2018)  
Children of Blood and Bone: Book 1
Children of Blood and Bone: Book 1
Tomi Adeyemi | 2018 | Paranormal, Young Adult (YA)
2
8.1 (28 Ratings)
Book Rating
It’s an Avatar rip off. (0 more)
While buddy reading this with a friend we realised it was a plain copy of Avatar the Last Airbender. There is the king attacking magicians which is basically the fire nation attacking the air nomads. There is a secret temple that worships the magical gods and the protectors are there to help the chosen one. Basically the fire temple on the crescent island that is there to worship the Avatar and help Aang.


The characters were cardboard copies of Avatar. Zelie is a mix of Aang and Katara. There is Zelie’s brother, Tzain, who is the only one who doesn’t get magic because screw you Sokka you are not a Bender! They are being chased around by the Prince Inan who wants to impress his daddy but has mixed moral feelings. Hi there Zuko nice to see you again!


The plot was super confusing. There were parts that weren’t explained at all. So Inanas powers are control over someone’s mind right, so he can take someone into his ‘dreamscape’ (basically the Bone Season by Samantha Shannon). Anyway, he takes Zelie into his dreamscape and she hates him as he is a royal and hunting her down BUT she strips off naked and skinny dips? Why? There is no reason and it made zero sense for someone who is terrified of Inan to make themselves that vulnerable.


Zelie gets over her hatred for Inan pretty quick and soon they are lusting after each other. She doesn’t seem to care about the previous hatred and Inan is the only one who struggles morally. Here’s the thing, did they actually have sex? They had sex in Inan’s dreamscape while there physical bodies were actually no where near each other. Zelie was with her brother. So did their minds have sex? Did they share a dream where they both got it on? After Zelie is super awkward about it but it’s like, you didn’t actually do anything, did you? Not explained very well.


 I could go on all day but I shan’t. It wasn’t even written well. It just read like the author didn’t know what to write so copied something they knew was succesful. If these things will annoy you as much as they did me then I would suggest skipping this book.
  
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BobbiesDustyPages (1259 KP) Jun 12, 2019

Finally someone else who hated this book. Lol

Whew, what a way to begin a series! Jordan pulled me in from the beginning and made me so curious about her as a person and how Allen Steadham would mold her as a character. She was/is a complex person with really well described internal struggles that I think everyone goes through at one point or another in their lives; I mean what is your purpose in life? It seems to be one of Jordan’s biggest questions and I truly admire the way Jordan goes about finding the answers to that question. I also really enjoyed the secondary characters and the layers of laughter, sarcasm, sass, and humor that they brought with them. They are so loyal that I cannot imagine the story without them! All the characters show a great amount of strength and courage when faced with the unknown.

The plot was also really good and hooked me from the first page (Just read it and you will see why) Allen Steadham definitely knows how to pull you in and commit you to the story. The twists and turns that this story takes will have you dreaming of conclusions and wishing you had already bought the second book so you could see what happens next. I know I did. I totally enjoyed this story and definitely recommend it if you are willing to take a leap into a world not quite our own. 5 out of 5 stars for the great character build up, faith interwoven themes, and for leaving me wanting more…. Now I am off to read book two, Jordan’s Arrow.
  
A Celebration of Winter (Mariana Books Rhyming #4)
A Celebration of Winter (Mariana Books Rhyming #4)
Roger Carlson | 2020 | Children
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Celebration of Winter is a book about Winter and its fun activities and holidays we celebrate during the season. This book goes along with the others in the series. Children will learn all about the Winter and learn to rhyme. They can learn to read with this book as well. It is pretty easy to read and enjoyable.

What fun activities can your child or children do during the Winter? What can they do for fun in the cold or snow? You will enjoy the family get-together. Children can enjoy decorating for a unique visitor during this holiday season. They will also probably enjoy getting the house decorated for Christmas.

This book also talks about Winter. The way it is the last season of the holiday before it starts all over again. Children will learn that each season is three months long. December starts the winter season and ends in February. Children will discover that there are four seasons in a year. The images created did well.

They capture the season and the meaning of this book. What are some of your child or children's favorite winter activities or traditions during the winter months? What things will you and your child or children do during the winter season?