Search

Search only in certain items:

Five Quarters Of The Orange
Five Quarters Of The Orange
Joanne Harris | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I am always fascinated with any novel, fiction or otherwise, that is set in the time of World War II. This book took me a bit longer to get in to than is typical of a book set in this time period. But the end made it well worth the wait.
At times it is hard to follow because it bounces back & forth between Boise's life currently & her childhood spent in a small village in France during WWII. The story itself didn't form fully for me until it ended...all the loose ends were tied up & the events up to that point finally made sense. The 1 thing that frustrated me was Mirabelle, the mother. I was left not being quite sure whether or not she was really crazy.
  
Ms. Jenkin’s shares her story of traveling from what was seemingly a normal life to addiction to jail to sobriety in a way that is eye opening and entertaining offering hope to the reader that life can be good again. (0 more)
Contains spoilers, click to show
This book, a true life story, is written in a way that reads like fiction and engages from the beginning. It is short and easy to read but full of valuable lessons to the reader of what jail is like and what it feels like to both have messed up and hurt those you love as well as successfully navigated recovery. There is some “mature content” (drug use, language, lesbianism) but it isn’t gratuitous. Ms. Jenkins book is as funny, touching, and insightful as her blog, “Juggling The Jenkins”.
  
I totally didn't notice this was religious fiction when I entered the giveaway, but figured I'd give it a chance anyway. Besides, I still enjoy the Chronicles of Narnia.

Okay, I reached 130 pages out of 240 and I just cannot read anymore. While there are some interesting ideas within, this reads like a rough draft. Too much happens too fast for anything to sink in as nothing is fleshed out. It's all a series of "and then this happened and then this," etc, and mostly just telling instead of showing. Characters need more than a name to make them feel alive, scenes need more than just an action or two, and the story just felt lifeless. Sorry, I tried.

Received through Goodreads First Reads giveaway, along with a lovely bookmark.
  
OUT (A Cam Thomas Story #1)
OUT (A Cam Thomas Story #1)
Claire Highton-Stevenson | 2017 | LGBTQ+, Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is another book recommendation I got from a book chat. I am loving those since it is helping find amazing books like this. Cam is a main character that you really want to see everything work out for because she is just authenic. Of course some things are not realistic but it is fiction and I guess some people get that lucky. The relationship,although it is the soul mate thing, develops nicely. They even have road bumps(or more like potholes into Narnia). This is where the secondary characters come in to help fix things. I like that the secondary characters are not fluff but played a role is directing the plot but aren't overbearing. I definately will read more in this series. It is binge worthy.
  
PS
Prairie Song (Hearts Seeking Home, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book is really good. I loved it from the beginning. You will be reminded of a book from the other series that you may think that it connected to it. It was really intruding. You will learn how to deal with some really serious issues.

The issues are a various of different things. One person in this book can show how they deal with geif and it not all good. You get to experience some things going on Trail as well. I would recommend this book to any one that likes historical fiction, a bit of civil war era, romance.

Though I am not going to make you decide I will let you decide for yourself if you want to read it or not and rate for yourself.
  
40x40

Jill528 (15 KP) rated Before We Were Yours in Books

Jun 16, 2018 (Updated Jun 16, 2018)  
Before We Were Yours
Before We Were Yours
Lisa Wingate | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was completely blown away by this powerful and heart-wrenching story about family, love, perseverance, and loss!

This novel was inspired by the horrifying true events of the Tennessee Children’s Home Society, run by Georgia Tann from the 1920’s-1950’s. The plot is written from two points of view, weaving between past and present, this is the story of how one family’s past has shaped its present. Lisa Wingate’s writing is absolutely flawless. She pulls you deep into the lives of each character where you feel like you are inside the novel witnessing all these heinous events up close.

Before We Were Yours is one of the best historical fiction books I have read to date, it will definitely stay with me for a very long time. Highly recommend!
  
Modern Romance
Modern Romance
Aziz Ansari | 2016 | Health & Fitness
10
8.0 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Going into this book I wasn't expecting much. I mean, how could a comedian write an intelligent non fiction book about romance? I know, I was that person that had a snap judgment on an author and I shouldn't have thought that.

This book was extremely interesting and the audiobook was HILARIOUS! I loved listening to Aziz Ansari read this book and describe the statistics that he gathered. The book was interesting and quite entertaining. He gathered a lot of information and was able to bring life into what could have been a dull psychology book.

Ultimately, if you're looking for an interesting and fun read, this is the book is for you. The statistics were never dull and it was fascinating to learn about other cultures and the differences between generations.
  
The Hunger Games
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins | 2014 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.5 (277 Ratings)
Book Rating
So, here is what I thought. This was a very entertaining story. I think that the romance was too contrived. It is a young adult fiction, so I sort of expect that, but it doesn't mean that I should expect that. Collins could have done a better job on that. Also, I was hoping for a bit more development in certain areas, and a more "in your face" to the Capitol ending, but there are two more books, so I'm sure that will come later. The writing could have been more polished as well. Other than that, I really enjoyed it. It has themes of redemption, loyalty, and forgiveness, and being set in a culture of death, I think that this book is very relevant to today's society.
  
Escape from New York (1981)
Escape from New York (1981)
1981 | Action, Sci-Fi
9
8.2 (20 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Snaaaaaake!
Escape from New York is a 1981 dystopian science fiction-action film.


In 1997, a major war between the U.S and Russia is continuing and the whole of Manhattan has been converted into a giant free roaming maximum security prison. When Air Force One is hijacked and crashes into the island, the president is taken hostage by inmates. Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell), a former Special Forces soldier turned criminal, is recruited to retrieve the president in exchange for his own freedom.

Dark toned action adventure spawning a cult franchise and heavily inspired the Metal Gear Solid franchise. (I mean its lead character is snake plissken)

co-written, co-scored and directed by John Carpenter.
 It stars Kurt Russell, Lee Van Cleef, Donald Pleasence, Ernest Borgnine, Isaac Hayes, Adrienne Barbeau, and Harry Dean Stanton
  
True Romance (1993)
True Romance (1993)
1993 | Action, Drama, Mystery
Hopper vs Walken (0 more)
Who said Romamce was dead?
Tarantino really burst onto the scene in unforgettable fashion in the early 90s and sandwiched between Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction is this often overlooked Tarantino penned gem.
Full of the witty dialogue, odd ball characters and great music that we've all come to expect from Tarantino, all bought to life by a stunning supporting cast.
I've always thought Christian Slater has been under rated and he proves my point here. Playing Clarence with so much charm and swagger that you can't help rooting for him and Alabama right from the start.
And the scene with Dennis Hopper and Christopher Walken is so well written and played out that its gotta rank right up there with the best of Tarantino.