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Where the Crawdads Sing
Where the Crawdads Sing
Delia Owens | 2018 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
8
8.9 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
A haunting story of survival
Kya Clark is very young when her mother leaves, abandoning her to their marshland home and her violent father. His presence is in her life is scattered, at best, and Kya mostly raises herself, learning about the land, the wildlife, and the swamp on her own. She forms attachment to few, but meets two very different young men from town whom she feels drawn to. In 1969, one of those men is found dead and Kya--always a source of gossip among the locals--is the prime suspect.

I'm not sure there's much I can add to the many reviews of this popular book. I read it as part of my new reading project--choosing books off my shelves based on their Goodreads rankings. This is my third book of the project, forcing me out of my comfort zone and to try books in genres I don't usually read! I'm glad I finally read it-- it's a very mesmerizing tale, and Kya's improbable life on the marsh quickly drew me in.

This is part a character-driven and coming of age story combined with a mystery and courtroom drama. It covers a lot of Kya's life, but focuses on her growing up in the marsh. There's a lot that seems hard to believe--especially that no one does anything to help this parent-less child, growing up alone in the marsh. The book covers a lot of heady topics, including racism, sexual assault, and more. Its description of nature and the marsh are beautiful. At the heart of the story is Kya, and it's impossible not to root for our heroine. She's tough and smart, and the way she loves her marsh is simply beautiful.

Overall, rating on pure enjoyment, I really liked this book. If I don't delve too deep into pondering about the inner workings of the plot, this was a great read--mesmerizing, haunting, and lovely. 4+ stars.
  
40x40

Perry Larkin (8 KP) rated Rainbow by Kesha in Music

Dec 12, 2017  
Rainbow by Kesha
Rainbow by Kesha
2017 | Pop
I wasn't sold on this album by my first listen, but with time every song grows on you as a favorite. Watching Kesha live really sold me a few songs I didn't understand. Learning that her mom is also a songwriter and that they wrote songs like Hymn together to talk about how Kesha felt growing up as an outsider gives a new appreciation. Praying is the anthem she needed to tell the world how she feels still waiting to triumph over her struggles. In a time of the "me too" wave, let's all just put on the song Woman and blast it. Boots and Boogie Feet are the songs a Kesha fan is looknig for when they want to shake it out and hit the dance floor. Learn To Let Go is also another anthem in Kesha's struggles, but it speaks to everyone for any daily pain or major life obstacle. Thank You Kesha, Rainbow in my top three albums of the year.
  
The Simpsons - Hit and Run
The Simpsons - Hit and Run
2003 | Action/Adventure
Fun story (5 more)
Awesome graphics at time of release
Funny
Simpson crossed with GTA
Variety of characters and cars
Anyone can play
Some challenging missions (0 more)
One of the greates games ever made
The Simpson hit and run was one of the first games I ever played and one of the first games I truly loved. For me growing up, this was the main game I played and I still play it to this day because it's awesome in every way. It's funny because everyone loves the Simpson's and also how similar it is to games like Grand Theft Auto while not breaching into a new video game rating category. There are hours of fun to be had with this game as each section allows you to play as a different character with different attire's and special vehicles / clothes. As a fan of video games, this one will always be one of if not my favourite of all time.
  
Captain Marvel (2019)
Captain Marvel (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure
I enjoyed everything about this movie. Loved the 80s references, soundtrack, special effects and captain marvel is, well... marvellous (0 more)
Absolutely awesome
I thought the trailers looked good and I wasnt disappointed. I wasnt a big fan but this reinvention is awesome. Love the soundtrack, it fits well with the scenes and is a blast from the past. The special effects are awesome, especially towards the end. The humor is on point, and i love the dry wry wit of Carol Danvers. She totally kicks ass. Wonder woman was my favorite growing up. If this version of Captain Marvel was around then, she would definately be on the top of my list of favorite superheros. Shes a strong stubborn female who doesnt take herself too seriously.
The CGI was really well done on Goose and to make a younger Coulson & Nick Fury. Interesting to see a younger, less serious, humorous Nick Fury. I loved everything about it. One of my top movies for Marvel and 2019.
  
Entangled Lives
Entangled Lives
Imran Omer | 2019
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In Entangled Lives by Imran Omer we meet orphan Raza, and his pregnant girlfriend who are forced apart when Raza is sent to Afghanistan to join the Taliban. Growing up his life was hard, and it seems it’s not getting any easier with age. As the story unfolds, reporter Rachel Brown gets first hand experience of the horrors of war, and through her point of view were are given her part of the story, and what happens when their paths cross, not just once, but twice.
My heart went out to Raza, as we see the extreme extent of the cause; a poor and vulnerable Pakistani boy fighting not only western society and their prejudices, but a tragic fate that’s controlled by money and power.
I enjoyed reading this, sometimes harrowing, tale that’s realistic and very topical for the current climate. The stark contrast between Raza’s life, and the entitled American reporter, Rachel, is portrayed well, and reveals the depth of this story with compassion and humanity.
  
Ora et Labora
Ora et Labora
2011 | Business / Industrial, City Building, Economic, Medieval, Religious
Ora et Labora
Who woulda thought? In 2007 (way before I was gaming) amongst the many new games released at Spiel, one stuck out especially. A game where you try to build a well-balanced farm consisting of crops, pastures and growing your family. No, I am not talking about Farmville! (I get that question over and over from newbies….ugh), I’m talking about Agricola. A game that has now conjured up a slew of awards from “Best complex game” by the Spiel des Jahres to even dethroning Puerto Rico’s 5 year running of highest rated game on the Geek. Uwe Rosenberg, the designer of the now much loved Agricola, has recently released “Ora et Labora” – A hot-off-the-press / sold-out almost everywhere game that I have very quickly formed an extreme love/hate relationship with.
So the good is the game rocks!

Reviewer: Admin
See the full review here: http://boardofplaying.com/archives/1597
  
TW
The Warded Man (Demon Cycle, #1)
10
7.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disclaimer: I won a print copy of this book in a FirstReads giveaway.

When I first read the synopsis, I was hesitant to enter the giveaway, as I didn't know how much I would enjoy this book. However, I talked myself into it, and I'm definitely glad I did, because it's a great book. The idea of demons, or "corelings," rising through the ground every night to attack people and tear up everything is just really interesting, and I don't know why I was hesitant to begin with. I found myself growing attached to the three main characters as their stories unfolded, and I couldn't wait to see what happened on the next page. There's a ton of action, the paranormal/horror aspect of attacking demons, some historical elements, and even a little romance, so it's got something for everyone. I decided less than halfway through that I'm going to get the 2nd and 3rd books, and I can't wait to get started on them!!

5 stars
  
Murder Notes (Lilah Love #1)
Murder Notes (Lilah Love #1)
Lisa Renee Jones | 2018 | Thriller
10
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was fast-paced, full of tension and suspense and I just could not put it down!
Oh so good but can I just start by saying MAJOR CLIFFHANGER!? Another fabulous, yet totally different read from Lisa Renee Jones!! This story follows FBI Profiler, Lilah Love, a tough, cold, foul-mouthed agent who is perfectly capable of taking care of herself and lets everyone know it. Having grown up in the rich Hampton's lifestyle (something she tries desperately to forget), she suddenly finds herself back in the Hampton's on a case and a growing list of questions about those closest to her. This leads her not only back to the family drama she left behind and that of the Hampton's elite, but her ex, Kane and one very large secret shared between them.

This book was fast-paced, full of tension and suspense and I just could not put it down! Highly, highly recommended!
  
Before We Were Yours
Before We Were Yours
Lisa Wingate | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.6 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book tells the stories of Rill Foss and Avery Stafford. Rill is a young girl growing up on the Mississippi River in 1939. Through an unfortunate series of events, she and her siblings are placed in the Tennessee Children's Home orphanage. Avery Stafford is a privileged young woman who has recently moved back to Aiken, SC to help her parents out. She stumbles across a mystery involving her grandmother on her paternal side which leads her to uncover Rill's story.

This book is based on actual events. The stories of Rill and Avery are fiction but some of the facts around the Tennessee Children's Home are factual. The kidnapping and eventual adoption of these "orphan" children was organized by Georgia Tann, Director. She had lots of influential people that looked the other way until she was eventually closed the center down after a state investigation into numerous instances of adoption fraud.