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Charley (64 KP) rated The Book Thief in Books

Feb 16, 2019  
The Book Thief
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.8 (129 Ratings)
Book Rating
Shows you an alternative view of the second world war. (0 more)
The writer gives away spoilers throughout the book. You know how it ends before it does. (0 more)
Powerful and moving.
I was unable to put this book down from the start.
The book Thief is set in a WW2 Germany and follows the life of Leisel Merminger and her struggles in a Nazi Germany.
Before I go into more detail of the storyline I want to first mention how moving it is to see the second world war from a different perspective. I knew that the German people didn't have it easy during the war as well as the allies but it isn't often spoken about. The pressure that the German people were under to conform to the Nazi regime was imense and this book shows this perfectly. It outlines the day to day struggles of a regular family.
This book is a brilliant read and I feel the best part about it is that it is narrated by Death. This gives a little bit of humour to an otherwise quite intense and dark read.
I feel everyone should give this brilliant book a go.
  
After years at sea, Jules Capshaw has returned to Ashford, Oregon. While she figures out what to do with her life, she is helping her mother with Torte, the family bakeshop. But she’s hardly back in town before she meets Nancy Hudson. Nancy is a new member of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival board, and she is obnoxious, picking fights with everyone she meets. When Jules finds Nancy one more in Torte’s kitchen, there are quite a few suspects. But with the police focuses on Jules’s friends, she starts to investigate herself in order to find out the truth. Can she do it?

I’ve long heard of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and I’d love to go sometime. Until that happens, this is a great alternative. The characters are wonderful and already fully formed, although I do feel like part of Jules’s backstory isn’t strong enough for her actions. But that’s probably just me. The plot is good, although it was a little weak at the end. Still, everything is wrapped up in a logical way.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/07/book-review-meet-your-baker-by-ellie.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
https://diaryofdifference.com/2018/04/04/the-canadian-alternative-cartoonists-comics-and-graphic-novels-dominick-grace-editor-eric-hoffman-editor-review/

A huge thanks to the author for sending me this book for an honest review through Netgalley.

I started read this book with no knowledge about the background of comics, especially for Canada. I have always loved comics, but never really read anything that speaks behind the scenes of how it started, what is the philosophy behind it.

I expected this book to teach me a lot of new things, and help me see the world in a different point of view, and I wasn’t disappointing at all. This is not a book that will deprive you from your sleep at night – in fact, it is one of those books where you read to learn, and it might seem boring at times, but that is only because it is full with information at all times. Wonderful read.

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Heart to Mouth by LP
Heart to Mouth by LP
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
LP is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released a dynamic emo-alternative tune, entitled, “Shaken”, produced by Fred Gibson.

“All night, sipping on a feeling. Won’t lie, was nervous for this evening. Then you arrive. Oh god, why you gotta look so, so hot? Remembering your body on mine, I wanna cry. I, I knew that you’d be here tonight but suddenly I’m paralyzed. Who’s she by your side?” – lyrics

‘Shaken’ tells a heartbreaking tale of a young woman who sees her ex-lover at a public place.

Apparently, she is hidden in the corner, shaking, and jealously looking at her ex and the ex’s new girlfriend having a great time.

Later, when her ex gets up to leave, the woman admits that it feels like she’s watching someone else living her life.

‘Shaken’ contains a gripping storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and dynamic instrumentation flavored with musical highs and lows.

The likable tune is featured on LP’s “Heart to Mouth” album, which can be streamed online via Spotify.

LP’s “Heart to Mouth” album recently hit #1 in Italy and will continue to break charts around the world.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/lp-shaken/
  
TT
Talk Talk - Single by Cannons
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Cannons is an electro-pop band from Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, they released a music video for their “Talk Talk” single.

“You say it felt so nice. That’s when I am near. I’m fighting voices in my mind, voices telling lies about it. ‘Cause it feels so right with your arms around me.” – lyrics

‘Talk Talk’ will be featured on Cannons’ upcoming album, entitled, “Shadows”, available later this summer.

The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, dreamy vocals, and groovy instrumentation seasoned with a chill ‘70s vibe. Also, the song possesses indie-alternative and electro-pop elements.

Cannons formed in 2013 when childhood friends Ryan Clapham and Paul Davis met Michelle Joy.

The two grew up on the same street in Los Angeles and had been trying to start a band for years. But nothing had quite clicked until their paths crossed hers.

Michelle’s effortless vocals melded perfectly with Ryan’s old school, Memphis-style R&B chord progressions and Paul’s densely layered productions.

Since then, their music has been licensed in HBO’s first season of Ballers, and used to soundtrack the rollout for Kendall & Kylie Jenner’s Topshop line.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/cannons-talk/
  
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
2018 | Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Interactive Film (2 more)
Alternative Endings
Intriguing themes such as mental health and government conspiracy theories
Takes a long time to explore all options (0 more)
Stefan is simply trying to complete the coding for his new game derived from a choose your own adventure book 'Bandersnatch'. Will you help him stay focused and complete the game or will you force him to descend into madness?
I was apprehensive when I found out the new Black Mirror film was going to be interactive as I didn't want the plot to be overshadowed by the interactive feature. But I was wrong
The film is great. An original story archetype of time looping but with that classic Black Mirror edge.

 If you are a tiny bit obsessive like me, you might want to set aside two hours or so to explore every choice and ending.
Without any spoilers, some endings can be rather satisfying, whilst others can be a bit hit or miss but quite often with the chance to retry from a certain point without necessarily changing the timeline.

So if you are looking for a new existential crisis, Bandersnatch is the one for you.
  
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Marylegs (44 KP) rated After Alice in Books

Aug 14, 2019  
After Alice
After Alice
Gregory Maguire | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
2
4.8 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
At this point I honestly don’t know what to write about ‘After Alice’. This SHOULD be a book I enjoy. This is an author I have read other books from and have enjoyed. But in all honesty this book is dire. I am 15%+ into the book, and I can’t honestly tell you what is happening.

The language feels like someone has vomited out a thesaurus. It doesn’t flow and the language doesn’t even feel like it is being used to enhance the descriptive tones. Instead it feels like alternative words are being used for the sake it. Possibly to mask the fact that even though I am over 15% in NOTHING has happened.

I have no bond with the characters. It isn’t even that I dislike them. There has been barely any character building what so ever. I very rarely leave a book unfinished. But I feel like I am reading for the sake of finishing it. And having a toddler I don’t have the time to read a book I am not enjoying.

Very disappointing. I feel like I should have loved it.
  
When I Wake - Single by Better Off Barefoot
When I Wake - Single by Better Off Barefoot
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Better Off Barefoot is a duo based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, they released a charming indie-pop tune, entitled, “When I Wake”.

“Hope you go to sleep now. I let myself fall away. I hear what you’re saying. How did I let you stay? I’m not holding back now. Let go of my old ways. Let go of my troubles knowing we’ll be okay.” – lyrics

‘When I Wake’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who is optimistic about the future.

The likable tune contains a relatable storyline, soft vocals, and mellow instrumentation flavored with alternative and indie elements.

“‘When I Wake’ is about the process of finding your peace in all the chaos. Learning to let go, bouncing back, and in a new light moving into who you want to be.” – Better Off Barefoot

Better Off Barefoot met in Chicago three years ago. Since then, they’ve been making music together and perfecting their sound.

Bradley produces the music and Elle sings and writes the songs. They describe their music as a mixture of pop, indie, and electronic music.
  
No Time for Goodbye
No Time for Goodbye
Linwood Barclay | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.6 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Wow. This book had it's moments where I really couldn't put the book down.

It lived up to its thriller genre. It was fast paced and it was written from an interesting point of view. I figured it would be written from Cynthias view as it really was her story to tell but instead it was her husband's view. This made it difficult to judge her as a character as you weren't in her head. This made her even become a suspect in her own families disappearance. But this kept you on your toes so you never really learnt who done it as they say until the final bit of the book.

I have only awarded the 4 stars as dispite the final twist I was disappointed with the outcome with her family. I guess part of me wanted a happy ending not the bitter ending it had. I know it created closure but it would have been nice to have a tiny bit more happy too.

I would recommend this book to anyone and others would likely give it 5 stars it's just my personal preference to have had a bit more of an alternative ending.
  
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition
Role-Playing
story, choices, scenery, characters (0 more)
janky combat, slow responses (0 more)
As a fan of rpg games ive heard alot about the witcher series so i was excited to get into this game. Storywise i thoroughly enjoyed it, i love the alternative choices you can make and how that affects gameplay later on. Having completed the game once im currently attempting to play through on "dark mode" which i would not recommend as it is exasperatingly difficult. Mainly just because geralt responds so slowly to commands. I enjoyed the scenery in the game and the progression through the different chapters has lots of areas to explore. If you do only the main missions you could complete the game moderately quickly but fortunately there are lots of side quests and interesting things to find. I would probably enjoy the game more if it allowed me to travel back to places previous and had a fast travel system but as it is, was a great piece of work and i look forward to playing through number 3. Not sure if the choices made in this game affect how the story plays in the wild hunt but i hope so.