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All the President's Men (1976)
All the President's Men (1976)
1976 | Classics, Drama, History

"My number one favorite film is All the President’s Men, by [Alan] Pakula. All the President’s Men is a movie that has a very personal place for me because it made me want to be a journalist, and then it made me want to be a filmmaker. I think that it has a level of realism that’s really unparalleled in the world of thrillers which, inevitably, this film actually is. There are moments of naturalism in it that are extraordinary. I remember there’s one moment in it where [Robert] Redford is speaking to someone on the other line who’s speaking Spanish. And he turns to the newsroom and says, “Does anyone here speak English?” And then he laughs at himself and says, “I mean Spanish.” It had this very real feel, and I asked Bob whether or not it was improvised. He said, “No, it was actually planned. It was in the screenplay.” And there’s that sort of attentiveness to human mannerism and the frailty of our diction is rather beautiful in a film. It’s also supremely cast. There’s nothing about it I don’t like."

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Boy Swallows Universe
Boy Swallows Universe
Trent Dalton | 2021 | Contemporary, Crime, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Boy Swallows Universe is the second book in a month that:
I nearly gave up on,
I’m glad I didn’t.

It’s the story of Eli Bell, a 12 year old boy who lives in the Brisbane suburbs with his mum, stepdad and older brother. All sounds normal, until we find out that his mum and stepdad are ex-junkies, his stepdad sells heroin, and his brother is an elective mute following a traumatic, unnamed event.

Drug dealing aside, Eli and Gus’ mum, Frances and Stepdad Lyle, seem really nice! And their babysitter is equally lovely, despite the fact that he’s a murderer who has served his time. Despite all the crime and criminals around him, Eli just wants to grow up to be a good person, a crime journalist - after all, he has in depth knowledge!

This is a dark and sad book in parts, yet there were still events that made me laugh - there’s humour in even the darkest moments. Eli’s life is a one of trials and hardships, and reflects his indomitable spirit. He tries to see the good in everything, and I loved that about him.
  
Passions Promise
Passions Promise
Danielle Steel | 1985 | Romance
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
of 250
Book
Passions Promise (Golden Moments)
By Danielle Steel

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Smart, beautiful, and very rich, Kezia Saint Martin leads two lives: one as a glamorous socialite jetting between the poshest places in Europe and America; the other, under a false name, as a dicated journalist committed to justice and her profession.

But the two worlds are pulling her apart, leaving her conflicted about her identity and the lies she tells to every man she meets. Then she meets Lucas Johns, a bold, dynamic crusader for social change - and an ex-con. Their attraction is immediate, but their love may be just one step from tragedy at any time.


Honestly I got bored! There were just bits of this book that didn’t need so many words! I think she was trying to push the social divide too hard yes we get how rich and famous she is and how he’s so not! Plus we saw the budding romance coming at the end!
Still with an auth so huge you expect a few bumps in the road!
  
1st To Die (Women’s Murder Club #1)
1st To Die (Women’s Murder Club #1)
James Patterson | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry, Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences, Travel
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
51 of 250
Audio
1st to die ( Women’s murder club book 1)
By James Patterson

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

As the only woman homicide inspector in San Francisco, Lindsay Boxer has to be tough. But nothing has prepared her for the honeymoon murders. A brutal maniac begins a killing spree, slaughtering newlywed couples, and Lindsay takes on the case. She is sickened by the deaths, but her determination to bring the murderer to justice is threatened by a personal tragedy. So she turns to Claire, a coroner, Cindy, a journalist, and Jill, an attorney, for help with both crises: and the Women's Murder Club is born.

I actually listened to this on audio and found some parts very 70s porn video! The narrators were ok. As for the book I gave a very generous 3 I like Patterson and his writing style I did find some of it a little wooden and predictable but over all I enjoyed the book. He is one of those writers who has a formula and sticks to it!