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The Guardian

News and Sports

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Get the whole picture the whole time with the free Guardian app. Specially crafted for iPhone,...

Radioactive (2019)

8.5 (2 Ratings) Rate It

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Based on Lauren Redniss’s award-winning graphic novel, Marjane Satrapi’s (Persepolis) biopic...

FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated 806 in Books

May 23, 2018

806

Cynthia Weil | 2018 | Young Adult (YA)

7.0

(3 Ratings)

Book Rating

Reads Like a Pop Song

Fast, funny, and frequently surprising (even in spite of its contrivances), Cynthia Weil's rollicking YA road trip novella 806 centers on a trio of very different high school students who discover that they share the same unknown sperm donor father.

A contemporary teen fairy tale penned in a light, dialogue heavy style with clever hooks and twists to circumvent the narrative's overall predictability, 806 reads like a summer pop-song, which is only fitting considering Weil's background as a Grammy award winning, Oscar nominated songwriter.

Although it relies a little too heavily on cliches – never delving beneath the surface of its relatively one-dimensional characters long enough to give us a greater sense of who they are beyond some Breakfast Club-like introductions – 806 is inventive everywhere else.

Entertaining if ultimately forgettable, Weil's sophomore work is a wildly infectious read you can flip through at mix-tape speed in order to join the band and road trip along.

Note: I rounded up but (if able) would give this one 3.5 stars.

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Smashbomb (4683 KP) created a post in Smashbomb AMA

Mar 6, 2019 (Updated Mar 26, 2019)

AMA: JOANNE HARRIS (AUTHOR)
QUESTIONS CLOSED - https://smashbomb.com/content/perma?id=539628
We are excited to announce that our first AMA 'ask me anything' session will be with author Joanne Harris who has agreed to answer a number of 'Ask me anything (AMA)' questions for Smashbombers.

Joanne has written more than 15 novels, two novellas, two collections of short stories, a @Doctor Who novella, guest episodes for the game Zombies, Run, the libretti for two short operas, several screenplays, a musical and three cookbooks.

Joanne is probably best-known for her award-winning novel @Chocolat (Chocolat #1) , which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche .

Joanne's other works include:

     @Blackberry Wine
     @Different Class
     @Five Quarters Of The Orange
     @Gentleman and Players
    @The Girl with No Shadow (Chocolat #2)
     @Peaches for Father Francis (Chocolat #3)

Please leave your questions in the comments below, all of which will be sent over to Joanne for her responses. Please remember to be inventive and original in your questions ?

(Image credit: joanne-harris.co.uk)

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Show all 5 comments.

DaveySmithy (95 KP) Mar 11, 2019

1. What makes you roll your eyes every time you hear it?
2. Do you think that aliens exist?
3. What song hits you with a wave of nostalgia every time you hear it?
4. Does anything worry you about the 'kids of today'?

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Random47 (97 KP) Mar 14, 2019

1. Do you write with a pen or on a machine? If either, what type?
2. Who are some of your biggest inspirations?
3. What books are your guilty pleasure?
4. When did you first start writing?
5. Where are some of your favourite places to write?

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Derek Terry (5 KP) created a post

Jun 22, 2018

One of the best films ever made. The pairing of surrealist director Michel Gondry and funny man Jim Carrey is breathtaking. Jim Carrey made us all laugh with his 90's greats but this film was his letter to the world that he wasn't just a one dimensional actor and had legitimate acting chops. This film is packed with Hollywood stars, but the glare of the Hollywood 'look' is nowhere to be found. Gondry cast these actors into such unique, honest roles that allowed them to give the best performances of their lives. The Cinematography is superb and the special effects are a throwback to the days where the green screen wasn't so all encompassing. This allowed the actors to become completely submerged in their roles and help drive their award winning performances. Eternal Sunshine is beautiful and quirky and the way all films should be shot, acted and directed; with honesty, with passion. Eteranl Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is the greatest love story of our future. 10/10.