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Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery
Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery
Scott Kelly | 2017 | Biography
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I just finished reading Endurance by Scott Kelly and I have to say I really enjoyed the book. I ended up buying the audiobook after I received the physical book simply because I saw that the book was read by Scott Kelly. I always love listening to the person read their own life story.

I have to say that I was really impressed with this book. Scott Kelly really adds the human element to Space Exploration. It was motivating in a "I will never be that motivated" kind of way. Growing up, I never even thought of being an astronaut so reading about his experiences was truly one of a kind.

One thing when reading this book that I noticed is that Scott Kelly is a facts only kind of guy. He seems to almost lack emotions at certain pivotal parts in the book. He really just states the facts and moves on. That was something that I really had to accept because most of the biographies that I read have some sort of emotion placed in them. Even though the emotions was missing, I have to say I still really enjoyed learning about his journey and I'm sure it was better to not get lost in the details.

All in all, this book was fascinating. If anyone is wanting to learn more about the daily struggle that astronauts go through, this is a great book to read. I truly hope that this book speaks to many people and helps them realize their full potential. Scott Kelly just proved that picking up a book can truly change your life.
  
The Sieve (Drakon Book 1)
The Sieve (Drakon Book 1)
C A Caskabel | 2016 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Very short book 1 of 4
This first instalment in the Drakon book sees a mysterious figure, Da-Ren, appear at a monastery looking for salvation, and then follows his memories of his coming-of-age journey as a 12 year-old boy. Dragged from his bed in the orphans camp of his tribe and thrown into The Sieve - a 6 week long trial to weed out the weakest of the tribe, he and his fellow tribe members are forced to stand barely clothed in the freezing field - if they don't fall they get the luxury of clothes and meat; otherwise its porridge. The story flows really well and only seems to drag in a couple of chapters - quite a feat considering the daily drudge being described!
This first part is very short indeed and I can't help but wonder why. I think the overall page count of the full 4 "book" series is about 1500 - so cutting it in to 4 sections seems a little far. This book is about 250 pages. While it tells the full story of Da-Ren's time in the sieve and concludes with his final rating (the role he will perform for the tribe for the rest of his life) I think more of the present story (the monastery) could have been added on the end. A story featuring flashbacks should absolutely not finish in the flashback - showing that this is not really a standalone book at all.
I will read the rest of the series in due course as I loved the storytelling, the world built and am intrigued as to what is next.
  
IMVU - #1 3D Avatar Social App
IMVU - #1 3D Avatar Social App
Social Networking, Entertainment
9
5.5 (4 Ratings)
App Rating
Epic Graphics (4 more)
You can play on your laptop, tablet or mobile phone
Doesn’t allow to share pictures so it helps keeping you safe, it only reveals the information you want to reveal
You can have a feed where you post pictures of your avatar (almost like a Facebook page)
You can create and decorate your own room, add music, etc (only available on laptop version)
You pay to have money on the game (the only money you receive that is free is from Daily Spins and it takes quite a long time) (1 more)
The clothes on the game are quite expensive (the cheapest is 300 coins)
IMVU
IMVU is a virtual reality online game.
When you sign in with your email and password you are given initially 4000 coins to start your avatar look.
You can create a bio, speak about yourself, make posts like on Facebook in your profile.
You can also go to rooms of every kind, you can search what language you want the room to be in, the amount of people on it or the type of room you want to go to. (Ex: language- Spanish; 0-6 people; Chill out Room)
You can follow, add people, chat with them in the public room or private message them.
It’s a really good app to make some friends.
When you’re in a room, you can move around and click in poses you want your avatar to be, alone, or with someone else.
You will have a wish list where you can put items you eventually want to buy. Your friends can also gift you things from your wish list and you can do the same.
  
Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016)
Kevin Hart: What Now? (2016)
2016 | Comedy
Kevin Hart returns to theaters with his latest concert movie What Now The film features his concert held in Philadelphia, PA where over 50,000 adoring fans sold out Lincoln Financial Field.

Kevin Hart does more than answer the question as to “What Now?” He brings forth new material about his family, pop culture, relationships, and the quirky interaction that we all engage in during our daily lives. His routine offers fans and comedy lovers the opportunity to sit back and let the laughs take over.

Hart demonstrates with the turnout, material, and ability to keep a full house entertained that he is stand-up comedy’s rock star.

No one else is even close right now in being able to bring audiences of different cultures, races, lifestyles, professions, and backgrounds together in order to laugh at all of the things that make us uncomfortable or what we probably shouldn’t laugh at under normal circumstances. For Hart, nothing is out of bounds or considered safe.

Fans and newcomers will not be disappointed with Hart’s newest performance. The presentation of the act incorporates an interactive stage and special effects that allow the jokes to come to life.

At times, I found myself more interested in the technological aspects than the jokes. They were able to build off of each other and enhance the performance, even for the few jokes that miss the mark.

This film however, does not. There are more than enough quotes and lines that audiences will find themselves repeating or using in casual conversation. The performance is fresh and ensures that we will continue to see Kevin Hart for years to come.
  
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
2018 | Biography, Documentary
It's always a beautiful day in the neighborhood,
For in the worst of times you always made me see the good.
You would walk in with a smile on your face,
I knew that I was welcome at your place.
And no matter the weather,
You would put on your sweater.
Then you would sit down to put on more comfortable shoes,
Making me comfortable knowing I had a neighbor like you.
Together we would feed the fish,
Sometimes go to the kitchen and make a dish.
It was always my brain and heart that you were feeding,
As a kid you knew exactly what I was needing.
Messages would come from Mr. McFeely,
Who would show up with a speedy delivery.
When I'd hear the bell of the trolley,
I'd get excited and feel jolly.
For I knew we were off to visit our puppetry friends,
On the other side of the tunnel in make believe land.
You taught me what to do with my mad,
And that it was okay to be sad.
You helped in dealing with the bad and serious issues of the world,
But at the end of everyday in me the good you had restored.
In our daily meetings on television with me there is so much that you left,
I am special, amazing the way I am, and in the scary to be the one that helps.
It was in your words that I did find,
The key to success is being kind.
In many ways you were a savior whose love will always be savored,
Mister Rogers I will be forever grateful that you were my neighbor.
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Silent House in Books

Mar 14, 2020  
The Silent House
The Silent House
Nell Pattison | 2020 | Crime, Thriller
6
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A pretty good debut
This is a pretty good debut thriller from this author and one which is fairly unique given that it focuses on the deaf community. I say pretty good and not excellent because I found it a little tedious in parts.

The story starts well with the gruesome discovery of the body of little Lexi ... she has been brutally murdered in her own bed but in a house inhabited by a family of deaf people, no one heard a thing. Paige is called as an interpreter for the Police but on finding out she has a connection to the family, rather than distance herself, she becomes embroiled in the investigation leading to her receiving threats herself. Sounds good right? Well yes, overall it is but it just takes a while to get there.

The characters are ok but a little one-dimensional. The pace was good in part but there were quite large sections of dialogue where nothing much happened when I found myself skim-reading, which is never a good sign. The real winner here is the glimpse into the life of the deaf community which, not being deaf myself, was a real eye opener and clearly the author knows what she's talking about.

Not the best book I've ever read but certainly not the worst either and I would recommend it to others if only to get a little insight into the challenges faced by the deaf on a daily basis.

My thanks go to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest review.