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Thirteen Reasons Why: (TV Tie-in)
Thirteen Reasons Why: (TV Tie-in)
Jay Asher | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
7
7.8 (108 Ratings)
Book Rating
The usage of the tapes as a form of a different point of view from the present time in the novel. (2 more)
Bringing awareness to major problems that teens go through in today's society.
I love how beautifully written and imagery driven the poem Hannah wrote was.
Some of the reasons Hannah has are pity. For example, Jessica brutally ending her friendship with Hannah wasn't as horrible as other reasons (1 more)
The lack of character that clay has throughout the book. In contry to the book, the show shows the people involved with Hannah's death as realistic people.
Overall good
Contains spoilers, click to show
In my opinion, Thirteen Reasons Why is a book that I love yet dislike. I love the uniqueness of using tapes to tell Hannah's story on what drove her to her breaking point. Also, I adore that the show actually gives the characters different personalities.

Some of my dislikes about both show and book was the way Hannah could be melodramatic about minor stuff that means nothing. But I understand her reasoning for it. I dislike how the book gave Clay and other characters no personality, which to me is a waste of potential to better improve the novel.
Overall, both Netflix's adaptation of Thirteen reasons why and the novel is a great read for older teens. But I will suggest for younger teens for them to read/ watch the show with adult supervision due to the themes.
  
Frozen (2013)
Frozen (2013)
2013 | Animation, Family
It's nearly the end of 2019, and I have only just watched Frozen...and I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would!
I would say that I've been actively avoiding watching it, but I guess I heard 'Let it Go' when it was EVERYWHERE and just assumed this wasn't for me.
But I'm glad I out that to one side and gave it a watch.

Firstly, Frozen is filled with heart. It has a whole host of immediately likable characters, and a straightforward plot that gives room for witty and genuinely funny dialogue.
It feels familiar yet fresh, with a typical Disney story of princesses and castles and people being afraid of what they don't understand, but then openly mocks one of the characters for immediately falling for a prince charming, and replaces true love between a princess and prince with the true love shared between sisters
The animation is great, and the whole film is really pleasant to watch.

The songs for the most part are ok, and serve as devices to move the plot along, but I've never been a huge fan of musicals, so this is a weird negative for me, as it's something that's on me, not on the movie.

Frozen isn't anywhere near my favourite Disney film, but it's genuinely enjoyable, and hard to watch without smiling for most of the runtime. All I know is that I would do anything for Sven and I love him šŸ˜­
  
The Book of Life (2014)
The Book of Life (2014)
2014 | Animation, Romance
7
7.7 (14 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The Book of Life is an animated film with some big names lending their voices to the characters.

Channing Tatum, Zoe Saldana, Diego Luna, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Cheech Marin, Kate del Castillo, and Ron Perlman are all part of the voice cast.

The movie had lots of movement, tons of bright colours, and great music.

The story was good, but I think maybe a bit ā€˜too muchā€™ for children my sons age (6). He seemed to like it, despite some of the moments that made him uncomfortable or scared.

The tale is of good vs bad and bravado vs true courage and life long friendships.

This movie takes place in long-ago Mexico and revolves around The Day of the Dead. Two boys, one an aspiring bull fighter and guitar player named Manolo (Diego Luna) and one a would-be champion and defender of the town named Joaquin (Channing Tatum), are in love with the same girl, a feisty girl named Maria (Zoe Saldana).

We follow their life paths as the gods above, La Muerta and Xibalba, place wagers on the outcome of the love triangle.

Xibalba cheats in order to win the bet, and the remainder if the film is spent watching Manolo trying to reunite with his true love, Maria.

The movie is fast paced and the music really helps bring it together and help tell the tale.

I would give this movie 3.5 out of 5 stars.
  
The Lady Ghost (The Decoders #2)
The Lady Ghost (The Decoders #2)
Alba Arango | 2018 | Children
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You looking for an adventure book for your child or children to enjoy? Well, the series called ā€œThe Decodersā€ by Alba Arango is a good one. It seems to focus on helping others out but also doing what they love to do. Which is solve cases. I have rated it 4.5 Moons ā€“ (Stars).

It about three smart kids, how they have adventures. They seem to help their friends and family out. Though in this book it about ā€œThe Lady Ghostā€. What is happening on the movie set? Why are they scaring people to leave? Is the ghost real or is it fake?

The plot is done well. The characters are developed well. Matt, Steve, and Jenny seem to have different skills that they use to solve mysteries. The stories and mysteries are different. They seem to find someone or a few that seem to help them out.

The adventures seem enjoyable. I enjoy each one. I love that the mysteries are entertaining but not overwhelmed. They are really good for middle graders and children. It one that children can read and fall in love with.

The author does a wonderful job of this and keeping it suitable for children. I just think the story could have been a bit more with the ghost and with movie set. It was a good read. I hope to able to read the next one. I want to read the other adventures of the decoders.
  
Apollo is Mine (Gods and Monsters #1)
Apollo is Mine (Gods and Monsters #1)
Mila Young | 2020 | History & Politics, Science Fiction/Fantasy
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
172 of 200
Kindle
Apollo is mine ( Gods and Monsters book 1)
By Mila Young

Iā€™m a warrior. Cursed to fight monsters. Sworn to act as Zeusā€™ sword to protect mankind.

But Iā€™d give it all up for one last kiss with the god who stole my heartā€¦Apollo.
I never wanted to carry my family's legacy. But blood ties cannot be broken, and Iā€™ll keep the promise I made my father on his dying bed. Legendary monsters hunt in city streets of Chicago, and my job was to take down the worst.
Iā€™ve trained with Heracles.
Been blessed with super human powers.
What Iā€™ve never done is fallen in loveā€”until Apollo crossed my path. But he isnā€™t the only god to catch my attention. Hades is here too, and with him comes a darkness that leaves behind a trail of human bodies. Heracles and my gut instinct urges me to destroy this creature, but each step brings me closer to the truthā€¦

Darkness cannot winā€¦or the Earth will tumble into chaos and Iā€™ll lose the god Iā€™ve come to loveā€¦Apollo is mine.



Greek gods? yep! Hot sex? yep! Strong female lead ? Yep!
It was fun and I love a good Greek gods book they are just yum! Interesting story and a very good start to a RH series! Why is always Hades thatā€™s the draw for me? Worth a read if you like RH and a quick book!
  
The Triumphant Tails of Rescue Dogs: Punk's Plight
The Triumphant Tails of Rescue Dogs: Punk's Plight
Hope A. Walter, EdD | 2021 | Children, Education, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have found a book about neglect. It's about a dog that gets mistreated. This book talks about a topic that is hard to bring up. This book explains well to children. Yes, this is about a dog, but it could be for children.

This book was a bit heartbroken at first. Though it does help with making children and adults understand about being mistreated. Please, if you see neglect, please help, whether it's children or dogs. This book is about a rescue dog.

He tells his story of being mistreated and how he recovered. Here is an excellent book to have on your bookshelves, and it is unique. What will happen to Punk? Will he ever learn to trust again? If you have a rescue dog, please let them know you love them but let them know. Let them come to you when they are ready.

Children will learn about some life lessons and rescue dogs. They will learn about how to take care and be in love and be patient. We all need to know this same lesson sometime. We remember we do learn how to take care of and love a rescue dog. This book is suitable for children to know that children and dogs can be loved, healed, and overcome neglect and mistreatment. There are some resources in the back of this book for help. Great for classrooms and bookshelves.
  
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ClareR (5721 KP) rated The Paper Place in Books

Oct 30, 2021  
The Paper Place
The Paper Place
Miranda Cowley Heller | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I donā€™t think that any synopsis written by me could do justice to The Paper Palace. It couldnā€™t adequately describe the many layers to this frankly magnetic book (I mean this literally - I couldnā€™t put it down). Who knew that a book about a familyā€™s summer home on Cape Cod could encompass so much more. A lot happens in the Paper Palace (the summer residence of Elle Bishop and her family), both in the past and present.

This is a book of childhood trauma, terrible parenting, young love, adultery, and a horrendous secret that both ties and separates Elle from her childhood friend and first love, Jonah.

I was completely absorbed in this story that spanned all of Elleā€™s life up to the present day, and even let us look into the life of her mother (not an ideal childhood, either). There is a deep-seated sadness to Elleā€™s character, and itā€™s not until later in the book that we learn the reasons why.

She has a deep love and affection for her children and her husband though, and there are some really touching, humorous moments between them. And this makes the decision she has to make at the end of the book, one of the most difficult in her life.

This will be high up in my favourite books of the year (Ok, this is becoming a sizeable list), and I wouldnā€™t hesitate to recommend it.