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The Magicians: Book 1
The Magicians: Book 1
Lev Grossman | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
9
7.3 (19 Ratings)
Book Rating
Original, there is a lot of parallels from books like Narnia and Harry Potter but used to his owns twists and made a world of his own and did it well. (0 more)
Went a little too fast and wish we had a bit more detail on the antagonist. (0 more)
Adult version of our favorite fantasy books growing up
If you are a lover of fantasy and science fiction this book should be checked out. It is entertaining and smart and you wouldn’t want to put the book down.
  
ET
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I've read Walton's columns at Tor.com with much appreciation, and realized with some ebarrassment that I haven't actually read any of her fiction. I tried this story as a starter.

It is extremely well written, but so chilling that I'm almost scared away from her novels! Fortunately, many of the comments on the story site do point out that her best-known novels aren't as dark as this piece. That's a relief, as I don't think I could stay away from such a marvelous author.
  
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Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated Dune in Books

Jun 2, 2018  
Dune
Dune
Frank Herbert | 1965 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
8.7 (23 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book had such a huge impact on me as a young reader.

I had been introduced to sci-fi/fantasy via C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. I was accustomed to allegory and metaphor in storytelling.

Frank Herbert introudced my young mind to literature that could be an amazing example of world-building, character development, and storytelling, but also embody a political activism that, rather than feeling didactic, becomes an essential element of the plot.

Dune is still the gauge by which I judge all other science fiction.
  
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B (62 KP) rated Castle Diary in Books

Oct 6, 2018  
Castle Diary
Castle Diary
Richard Platt | 2018 | Children, Fiction & Poetry
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read this book with my 7th graders as part of their unit on Identity in the Middle Ages. Overall it was interesting and did a fairly good job of interspersing fact with fiction. The pictures also really helped add to the story. I would have liked to see a bit more purpose in the overall plot, but for the most part this is a good book for middle schoolers wanting to know what life might've been like for them in the 13th century.
  
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Cori June (3033 KP) created a post in Theories of the World

Dec 15, 2018  
I'm going to start on a "blanket theory".
My theory is for the fantasy/fiction genre:
I don't think anyone is legitimately dead unless one of two things happen
1. You see the dead body.
2. Two or more credible characters say that a person is actually dead.
although, there are some (like the futuristic & a few magic sub-genres) that rules 1 & 2 have to be present.
Has anyone else noticed this?
(Horror doesn't apply because they have their own set of crazy rules.)
  
A Stolen Life: A Memoir
A Stolen Life: A Memoir
Jaycee Dugard | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.1 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
The sheer courage of Jaycee. (0 more)
It's non fiction. :( (0 more)
Emotional.
Jaycee Lee Duggard is a inspirational, brave and beautiful person and this book really sheds a light on what this poor woman went through. If you have read the story of her in the papers or watched documentaries, you should definitely read this. It's something I can't say I enjoyed for obvious reasons but I think it's written beautifully and more people should see why I think Jaycee is one of the strongest women I have ever experienced.
  
Behind Closed Doors
Behind Closed Doors
B.A. Paris | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry, Thriller
5
8.0 (18 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was passed onto me by my mum who loved it, she read it in two days.
It took me a while to read it, and although I didn't dislike it, I didn't love it either.
I found the main character quite annoying, and to me the writing style was more like a fan fiction story than an actual book.
Also I thought the 'psychopath' was pretty tame, I didn't really find him threatening enough.
It's put me off reading more by this author.
  
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Annie Barrows, Mary Ann Shaffer | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
6
8.0 (21 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was really torn on what to rate this. I like historical fiction, but I normally stay away from anything WWII and beyond. I'm also not into sickly-sweet romance. It was an interesting juxtaposition between that and the events of Guernsey occupation during WWII. The characters were entertaining, but a little one-dimensional. I could tell you how it ended once the first letter came from Guernsey. If you want an easy, light read, and enjoy silly romance, this may be the book for you.
  
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Barry Newman (204 KP) rated Go (1999) in Movies

Feb 29, 2020  
Go (1999)
Go (1999)
1999 | Comedy, Drama
8
7.8 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
A film that has held up very well. 20 years later the storytelling still feels fresh and exciting despite the obvious ‘Pulp Fiction’ inspired plot device of having the story told several times from different characters perspectives. The script is sharp, funny and frequently veers off in unexpected directions. Watching the film again now it’s also amazing to see that barring Katie Holmes pretty much the entire cast has now disappeared into obscurity which is a shame as there is certainly some talent here.
  
Contagion (2011)
Contagion (2011)
2011 | Drama
Realistic (1 more)
The science!
Didn't realise this was going to become non-fiction
Contains spoilers, click to show
I used to love this film as I like the fact the science was quite good. I like Kate Winslet's character and her difficulties in attempting to explain the severity of the situation to politicians. I like the ending where it shows how the virus jumped to humans. I found that I wanted the punch Jude Law throughout the film but am glad that he at least wasn't completely able to get away with it.