Search
What Happened To You?
Oprah Winfrey and Bruce D. Perry
Book
Oprah Winfrey and renowned brain development and trauma expert, Dr Bruce Perry, discuss the impact...
Comealongpond180 (13 KP) rated Lie to Me (Rising Star#1) in Books
Jul 14, 2018
You need this book now!!!
Please go to: http://ramblingbookaddict.blogspot.com/2018/07/lie-to-me-lee-piper.html : transfer goodreads loses editing in transfer.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS BOOK!!!!
So this book ya'll *note to those of you not from the south* *ya'll, you'ins, you people, yo everybody fool is the same thang.* This has been a PSA from the Book Addict. You're welcome.
I'm perfectly aware I stopped mid-sentence to give you a PSA, that's the definition of a PSA. Ahem.
Now that we have that over with, my sarcasm aside, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS BOOK, I REPEAT. Are you looking for a gorgeous bad boy drummer and a friggin' amazing female MC that isn't a damsel in distress!?
THIS IS THE BOOK YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOOKING FOR.
Okay so this dang book (not an insult at all), made me laugh so much throughout it, and it also made me love the sweet moments between Shiloh and Reid.
Reid, oh dear sweet heaven, is the best kind of bad boy. He seems so rough and bad but ddddddddddang boy got deep. hehe.
Where can I get one and STAT!
Movinggggggggggggggg OOOOOON!
Sooo we will talk about Shiloh, she has been like my favorite female main character I have read about in a long, LONG time. She wasn't weak even though she did have some problems, that did not make her weak. A mental health condition, it does not make someone weak! I love that the author went this route and made a strong female character, who was brave and faced her fears! Coming from someone that struggles with strong anxiety and depression, I loved getting to read about a strong, funny and beautiful female main character!
So with that, I end my review! I give Lie to Me 5 out of 5 stars. or should say 5 out of 5 Rising Stars??
Maddy
Aka - The Ramblings of a Book Addict
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS BOOK!!!!
So this book ya'll *note to those of you not from the south* *ya'll, you'ins, you people, yo everybody fool is the same thang.* This has been a PSA from the Book Addict. You're welcome.
I'm perfectly aware I stopped mid-sentence to give you a PSA, that's the definition of a PSA. Ahem.
Now that we have that over with, my sarcasm aside, LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THIS BOOK, I REPEAT. Are you looking for a gorgeous bad boy drummer and a friggin' amazing female MC that isn't a damsel in distress!?
THIS IS THE BOOK YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN LOOKING FOR.
Okay so this dang book (not an insult at all), made me laugh so much throughout it, and it also made me love the sweet moments between Shiloh and Reid.
Reid, oh dear sweet heaven, is the best kind of bad boy. He seems so rough and bad but ddddddddddang boy got deep. hehe.
Where can I get one and STAT!
Movinggggggggggggggg OOOOOON!
Sooo we will talk about Shiloh, she has been like my favorite female main character I have read about in a long, LONG time. She wasn't weak even though she did have some problems, that did not make her weak. A mental health condition, it does not make someone weak! I love that the author went this route and made a strong female character, who was brave and faced her fears! Coming from someone that struggles with strong anxiety and depression, I loved getting to read about a strong, funny and beautiful female main character!
So with that, I end my review! I give Lie to Me 5 out of 5 stars. or should say 5 out of 5 Rising Stars??
Maddy
Aka - The Ramblings of a Book Addict
Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Joker (2019) in Movies
Nov 25, 2019 (Updated Nov 26, 2019)
And the Oscar goes to...
First things first, you can not start a review of Joker without mentioning the lead performance from Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck. I would say he is probably an evens favourite to take home the best actor Oscar at next years ceremony.
As for the movie itself, Tod Phillips take on Joker almost feels like a tribute to early Martin Scorsese movies, with the most obvious being Taxi Driver & The King of Comedy, both starring Robert De Niro who also appears here. This is certainly not a bad thing as they are brilliant pieces of cinema, that will stand the test of time. As will Joker in my opinion for it's excellent cinematography & gritty authenticity, I think people will still be talking about this movie for many years to come.
There are a few very slight flaws that I could point out. The first being that because it is so Scorsese like, for me it loses the feeling of being set in Gotham city and just feels very much like we are in New York city. Secondly the Wayne's and Alfred are very much portrayed as the bad guys in this movie, in my opinion I felt myself siding with Arthur/Joker a little too much maybe, which makes you lose all sympathy for the reason Batman became the Dark Knight in the first place. Last but not least the very controversial choice of adding a Gary Glitter song at a pivotal point of the movie, is a strange choice to say the least.
Overall Joker is an exceptional character study of a very disturbed individual with many mental health issues, add to that a superb performance by Joaquin Phoenix and I think you have a movie that will only get better with time and become a genre classic. With the huge box office success, I just hope DC keep this grim, very true to life approach for their future Batman projects.
As for the movie itself, Tod Phillips take on Joker almost feels like a tribute to early Martin Scorsese movies, with the most obvious being Taxi Driver & The King of Comedy, both starring Robert De Niro who also appears here. This is certainly not a bad thing as they are brilliant pieces of cinema, that will stand the test of time. As will Joker in my opinion for it's excellent cinematography & gritty authenticity, I think people will still be talking about this movie for many years to come.
There are a few very slight flaws that I could point out. The first being that because it is so Scorsese like, for me it loses the feeling of being set in Gotham city and just feels very much like we are in New York city. Secondly the Wayne's and Alfred are very much portrayed as the bad guys in this movie, in my opinion I felt myself siding with Arthur/Joker a little too much maybe, which makes you lose all sympathy for the reason Batman became the Dark Knight in the first place. Last but not least the very controversial choice of adding a Gary Glitter song at a pivotal point of the movie, is a strange choice to say the least.
Overall Joker is an exceptional character study of a very disturbed individual with many mental health issues, add to that a superb performance by Joaquin Phoenix and I think you have a movie that will only get better with time and become a genre classic. With the huge box office success, I just hope DC keep this grim, very true to life approach for their future Batman projects.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated What Kind of Girl in Books
Mar 19, 2020
The rumors spread quickly at North Bay Academy. Popular track star Mike Parker's girlfriend has accused him of hitting her. She even told the principal. But, they wonder, why not the police? Why did she wait so long to tell? Why hasn't Mike been expelled? Some students at the school want to hold a rally--to expel Mike. But others aren't so quick to believe his girlfriend.
"But (of course), by lunchtime everyone at school knows, as easily and quickly as if they'd announced it over the loudspeaker: Sad Girl accuses Golden Boy of abuse."
This was an interesting book. It tackles a lot of heavy subjects within its pages. It also presents an intriguing format. The beginning of the book is told via archetypes: think popular girl; nerd; sad girl; the girlfriend, etc. It's a strange, almost gimmicky, format and meant it took some time for me to warm to any of the characters (especially since you don't know their names). Over time, the book grew on me, but it was hard to overcome that slow start.
There's so much going on in this one. Abuse, self-harm, drug use, mental health, eating disorders, and more. Please keep this in mind in terms of trigger warnings. I applaud Sheinmel and all she takes on. It's a very brave book, and the characters have a lot of depth. I think it might have had even more if the book maybe shortened its focus on just a few issues, versus trying to take on so many. Still, it's a very relevant story, and you can't help but appreciate how it tackles such big themes and emotions. I can see how it would be helpful to young adults. Even I found myself identifying with one of the characters and growing to root for all of them. 3.5 stars; rounded to four here for the powerful topics and messaging.
"But (of course), by lunchtime everyone at school knows, as easily and quickly as if they'd announced it over the loudspeaker: Sad Girl accuses Golden Boy of abuse."
This was an interesting book. It tackles a lot of heavy subjects within its pages. It also presents an intriguing format. The beginning of the book is told via archetypes: think popular girl; nerd; sad girl; the girlfriend, etc. It's a strange, almost gimmicky, format and meant it took some time for me to warm to any of the characters (especially since you don't know their names). Over time, the book grew on me, but it was hard to overcome that slow start.
There's so much going on in this one. Abuse, self-harm, drug use, mental health, eating disorders, and more. Please keep this in mind in terms of trigger warnings. I applaud Sheinmel and all she takes on. It's a very brave book, and the characters have a lot of depth. I think it might have had even more if the book maybe shortened its focus on just a few issues, versus trying to take on so many. Still, it's a very relevant story, and you can't help but appreciate how it tackles such big themes and emotions. I can see how it would be helpful to young adults. Even I found myself identifying with one of the characters and growing to root for all of them. 3.5 stars; rounded to four here for the powerful topics and messaging.
The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone
Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett
Book
Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett's The Spirit Level: Why Equality is Better for Everyone is the...
SO
Speaking of Sadness: Depression, Disconnection, and the Meanings of Illness
Book
Combining a scholar's care and thoroughness with searing personal insight, David A. Karp brings the...
AC
A Catholic Life
Book
Gerald Murphy (1931 - 2015) led a catholic life in every sense of the word. The first son of a Irish...
Get Your Life Back: Learn to Cope with Stress Anxiety Depression
Book
A 12 WEEK JOURNEY TO PEACE OF MIND Will help anyone who experiences any of the following: Stress at...
ClareR (5542 KP) rated Heatstroke in Books
Dec 27, 2020
Heatstroke is an aptly named thriller. It uses the atmosphere and oppression of the intensely hot weather, and reflects those feelings on to the main character, Rachel. I had an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia when I was reading this - it’s not just the heat, it’s also the state of Rachel’s mental health. SHe’s clearly more involved with what is going on with her daughters friend than she can safely admit, and she is more bothered about the repercussions in her own life than the safety of a 15 year old girl.
Rachel appears to be struggling with the fact that she’s ageing, and she wants to feel both young and attractive to men - and to some extent, boys. She is constantly thinking about what other people think about her: appearances are supremely important, and she can’t understand her daughters need to look older and alter her looks with makeup. Mia is growing up and becoming more independent, and this pushes Rachel further in to despair. Surely if her daughter is older, she is too!
I found it hard to excuse Rachel’s behaviour. She could have made her daughters friend safe quite easily, I think.
I liked the abrupt ending. I rather like it when a book finishes and you can make your own mind up as to what has happened afterwards. Don’t get me wrong - a book that ends with a resolution is just as enjoyable, but you can’t beat an unresolved ending! And i don’t think that this book would have been able to give the quick fix end. It’s clear that there is a lot that needs to be done to make Rachel’s family ‘better’.
I enjoyed this book: as a debut novel, it has certainly given me something to think about, and a name to look out for in the future!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this fabulous book.
Rachel appears to be struggling with the fact that she’s ageing, and she wants to feel both young and attractive to men - and to some extent, boys. She is constantly thinking about what other people think about her: appearances are supremely important, and she can’t understand her daughters need to look older and alter her looks with makeup. Mia is growing up and becoming more independent, and this pushes Rachel further in to despair. Surely if her daughter is older, she is too!
I found it hard to excuse Rachel’s behaviour. She could have made her daughters friend safe quite easily, I think.
I liked the abrupt ending. I rather like it when a book finishes and you can make your own mind up as to what has happened afterwards. Don’t get me wrong - a book that ends with a resolution is just as enjoyable, but you can’t beat an unresolved ending! And i don’t think that this book would have been able to give the quick fix end. It’s clear that there is a lot that needs to be done to make Rachel’s family ‘better’.
I enjoyed this book: as a debut novel, it has certainly given me something to think about, and a name to look out for in the future!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this fabulous book.
Actress is the story of Katherine O’Dell, told by her daughter. She looks back on her mother’s career as Ireland’s darling, as she works her way up through Ireland’s bus-and-truck circuit, London’s West End , Broadway and finally Hollywood. Norah lives through the more successful period of her mothers life, and then has to deal with her fall from Grace after she commits a thoroughly bizarre crime. I really loved this book, and I had to keep reminding myself that it was in fact fiction. The author, Anne Enright, read her book, and she did it so well. It really sounded like someone who was telling their own life story, as opposed to telling ‘a’ story. It was really immersive and well told. I’m not surprised that it was on the long list for the Women’s Prize 2020.
I loved the way that we watched Katherine’s slide into mental health problems through the eyes of her daughter, juxtaposed with the life that she had lived before - the whole bohemian, free living, carelessness of it. And then the reveal that all was not as it seemed. I enjoy books that explore family relationships - in fiction the opportunities are endless.
I really liked the historical element as well: the troubles in Ireland and how they impacted on Katherine and Norah. Not that it’s an enjoyable topic, but I have family connections, and the history of this fascinates me. To be honest, a lot of things impact on the relationship of this mother and daughter. It must have been very difficult for Norah to grow up in the way that she did - and again, I have to remind myself that this isn’t a true story!
This is the first Anne Enright novel that I’ve read/ listened to, and I have another book of hers on my bookcase that I’ll be moving up the ‘to be read’ pile. I think she’s an author that I’ll also be adding to me ‘read everything by them’ list!
I loved the way that we watched Katherine’s slide into mental health problems through the eyes of her daughter, juxtaposed with the life that she had lived before - the whole bohemian, free living, carelessness of it. And then the reveal that all was not as it seemed. I enjoy books that explore family relationships - in fiction the opportunities are endless.
I really liked the historical element as well: the troubles in Ireland and how they impacted on Katherine and Norah. Not that it’s an enjoyable topic, but I have family connections, and the history of this fascinates me. To be honest, a lot of things impact on the relationship of this mother and daughter. It must have been very difficult for Norah to grow up in the way that she did - and again, I have to remind myself that this isn’t a true story!
This is the first Anne Enright novel that I’ve read/ listened to, and I have another book of hers on my bookcase that I’ll be moving up the ‘to be read’ pile. I think she’s an author that I’ll also be adding to me ‘read everything by them’ list!