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LucyB (47 KP) rated The Age of Bowie in Books

Jul 23, 2017  
The Age of Bowie
The Age of Bowie
Paul Morley | 2016 | Biography
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Interesting read (0 more)
Didn't really cover anything new (0 more)
Interesting angle for a Bowie biography
At first, I wasn't so sure about this biography. It seemed too focused on the author, not enough on Bowie himself.

However, once it got going, it was great! A really novel take on the biography format, almost veering into fiction in places, which might not be for everyone, but I personally thought it worked very well.

Did I learn anything new? No. However, I enjoyed it immensely, and in places, it made me view David Bowie in a new light. I very much enjoyed it.
  
A Horse Walks into a Bar
A Horse Walks into a Bar
David Grossman, Jessica Cohen | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
5.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Comedian's nervous breakdown is like watching a train wreck
An intriguing look into bereavement and trauma in the guise of an unravelling comic. Set on a stage, the comedian performs an intimate act in the presence of a former student and colleague. It is a gritty, disturbing and excruciating read to see how he undoes himself in the space of one night. It is also revealing how little sympathy and empathy he receives. It is a well structured piece of literary fiction, moving back and forth through past and present narratives. Well deserved of a Man Booker Prize nomination.
  
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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Rebirth in Books

Jan 12, 2018  
R
Rebirth
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
[Rebirth] by[Debbie Brown] began with a quick pace that made it difficult for me to put down. The characters were authentic and you fell right in with their plight. The statement that was made about the youth being our hope could not have rung more true.

I would have liked to see more development and I am hoping she continues this story line. It had the potential to be wide read YA fiction given the current climate of the genre.

I have to try and find a paper version of this so I may add it to my classroom library.
  
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Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Eyewall in Books

Jan 12, 2018  
Eyewall
Eyewall
H.W. "Buzz" Bernard | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
How often does hubris put people at risk? More often than you think. Although [Eyewall] by [H.W. Bernard] is a work of fiction it is grounded in fact. Facts that the weather service is not always right, that some people feel their areas are immune to disaster because none happened in their memory, and that the media serves it's own interests.

All these facts lead to an harrowing trip into the eye of a category five hurricane. What these people do to survive and the lessons learned by them should not be lost on us a a larger society. I very enjoyable read.
  
The Witchfinder's Sister
The Witchfinder's Sister
Beth Underdown | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
A dark stain on human history
The story of Matthew Hopkins' sister is gripping from start to finish, almost gut-wrenching knowing what's to come. The witch trials in Britain are rarely documented unlike the trials of Salem. Hence reading this historical fiction almost brought the disgrace to life. You have pure empathy for the sister Alice, who attempts throughout to thwart her brother's evil plans. But it raises the question of complicity and innocence and how far gone Alice had crossed the line. Matthew's character is purely psychopathic, and he truly is a villain in every sense. A fantastic, detailed read.
  
Garthowen (A Story Of A Welsh Homestead)
Garthowen (A Story Of A Welsh Homestead)
Allen Raine | 1900 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Garthowen (A Story Of A Welsh Homestead) by Allen Raine
This is a gentle story, written and based in the 1800's. It is about one family and their homestead and the people that they meet along the way. It is an interesting view back into what "Old" Wales might have been like, the scenery and the viewpoints. There is a love story within this book but it doesn't dominate.

If you like a gentle story and historical fiction, if you like Wales, then this story is for you.

* Verified Purchase ~ March 2013 *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
The Book Thief
The Book Thief
Markus Zusak | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.8 (129 Ratings)
Book Rating
unique (1 more)
emotional
Slow (0 more)
Not your typical war story
The characters in this book are rich, interesting, and wily. I say wily because at points in the book you hate them, but then they change, and you grow to love them. This story really makes you think about people differently. It's written with great subtlety and almost lyrically - very beautiful, poetic and quotable in places.
If you want a fast read, this book is not for you. If you only like happy endings this book is not for you. If you don't like experimental fiction, this book is not for you.
  
II
If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer
6
4.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was very...interesting. I know it was a work of fiction and not everything was true, including the murder as there still is no proof that O.J. did it, especially since he said he didn't, and I know the Goldman family fabricated some of that part. But it was interesting to read it from his perspective and to understand where he was coming from. It was certainly not a boring read, that's for sure. I feel sad for the Goldman family because they thought this would help bring him to justice, and it didn't have that desired outcome.
  
B
Bloodthirsty
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Just when I thought I didn't have any more patience for Young Adult fiction, along comes this book. A book so funny, so sweet, so true that it has made me give the genre another chance. The main character, Finbar Frame, is absolutely endearing in all his geekiness and attempts at being cool by becoming a vampire. The plot is simple and it's no surprise where the story goes or how it ends, but it is Finbar himself that makes the book a delight to read. <u><b>Bloodthirsty</b></u> is a very short and easy read that was most enjoyable.
  
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Kate (355 KP) rated Jinxed in Books

Mar 1, 2019  
J
Jinxed
Amy McCullough | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Only half way through but have already ordered the second one that comes out in a few months. The cover states that it is a little bit of The Golden Compass and a little bit of The Hunger Games, well if you are a fan of those type of books not forgetting the Maze then add this one to your reading list. It is classed as a book for Young Adults but if you like science fiction and fantasy then you need to read it. Set in the not too near future as technology is heading that way.