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The Bunker Diary
The Bunker Diary
Kevin Brooks | 2013 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Read the original review: https://bookmarkedreading.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/book-review-the-bunker-diary/

The whole idea of this book really intrigued me. A 16-year-old boy, Linus, is kidnapped off the street and stuck in what appears to be an underground bunker. The book is written as his diary, like the title suggests. There are a few diagrams to help the reader visualise the scene, and it's full of Linus's thoughts and ideas as well as the events that take place.

The ending was so unexpected, and I absolutely adored it. It wasn't a typical happy ending. It wasn't even a resolved ending. Everything sort of just fades out, and it ends mid-sentence followed by numerous empty pages. I suppose this is what makes it more realistic, and more like someone's diary.

Linus is followed by five other people in the bunker; little Jenny, Anja, Fred, Bird and Russell. Tensions are high, and they're faced with numerous horrific problems. They can't find a way to escape, and although things are bearable at first, The Man Upstairs soon stops sending down food supplies or providing heating or energy. Everyone is struggling to survive, to keep up hope. But there doesn't seem to be a way out, a way to contact the outside world.

Eventually, things start to really go downhill. People start to lose their lives in numerous horrendous ways, and there's only so long a group of people can survive for without food, water, heat, or electricity. The pain seems endless.

This is such an exciting book, where you never know what's coming next. It was even rather emotional, and extremely hard to contemplate being in such horrible circumstances. I really enjoyed The Bunker Diary and all the plots it includes. An easy 4 stars for this.
  
Luuv - Single by Broken Hearts Club
Luuv - Single by Broken Hearts Club
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Broken Hearts Club (Richie Aquino and Bradly Baldwin) is a dream-pop duo from Orange County, California. Not too long ago, they released their debut single, entitled, “Luuv”.

“Don’t want to be here. Now I can’t see clear. This party’s starting to suck. Then you walked in slow like something magical and started changing my mind. Now every time I dream about you, you’re turning me on. But every time I think about you, it feels so wrong.” – lyrics

‘Luuv’ tells a bittersweet tale of a young guy who falls head-over-heels in love with a desirable female.

Apparently, in the beginning, all is good and well with them. He always wants to feel her lips, steal a long kiss, and see her eyes in the morning light.
But unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end, and he experiences an emotional heartbreak. Now that she’s gone, he dreams about her all of the time and can’t seem to get her out of his mind.

‘Luuv’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and groovy instrumentation scented with an emo-indie-alternative aroma.

Also, the likable tune will be featured on Broken Hearts Club’s upcoming EP, entitled, “Make Out Music”.

“This song is about being so wrapped up in someone that you clearly know is not right for you. That you would rather be miserable having pieces of them than being happy having never known them at all.” – Broken Hearts Club

Broken Hearts Club came to life in 2019, when they bonded over their recent breakups, near-death experience, and their love of Rachael Leigh Cook and 90’s RomComs.

But instead of sulking in their pain, the duo turned their inspiration into a dream-pop world filled with songs about love and heartbreaks.
  
My Name is Leon
My Name is Leon
Kit De Waal | 2017 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
7
8.0 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
Easy to fall in love with characters Emotive read Heartwarming in places Brilliant nod to 80s life including the Black Riots (0 more)
A tad predictable in places (0 more)
Emotive flashback to the care system in the 80s
Contains spoilers, click to show
I couldn't actually put this book down. I fell in love with the protagonist character Leon from page one.
You begin to really imagine how he feels living in a neglected home, being passed around and watching everyone he cares about leave him.
One of the most heartwrenching bits of the book is where is baby brother whom he cared and doted on is adopted without him.
He then finds a supportive foster family but once again cruel fate intervenes and she is taken into hospital.
He is such a lost little boy, the pain he is feeling literally radiates from the pages. The use of emotive language is stunning.
There were times I was close to tears and I had to keep reading to find out if he got the happy ending he so deserved.
The author sets the scene so beautifully and I really did get taken back to the 80s from the talk of toys, TV and the Royal Wedding.
A surprise from the book was the coverage of the Black Riots and you do really feel for all those involved and also the confusion and fear that rippled through different communities I felt the author portrayed this really well.
If I really had to find a negative it would be that at times it was a tad predictable, but it didn't really ruin my experience reading this book.
I did consume this in a couple of days and it was very powerful it was one of the most emotive books I have read in a while.
I thoroughly recommend it, but best get the tissues on hand.
  
Deeper
Deeper
6
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think this is the first life-guard story I've ever read. It was an insightful look into training and procedures they have to go through when rescuing people as well as covering some more serious issues such as accidents, whirl-pooling and other things you don't always realise happen at water parks.

I have to say I loved how they went mini-golfing. First time I've read that in a book (I think, anyway). The extra game Knight added into it made it more fun, though it didn't last too long...

Both characters, Rain and Knight, have both lost people they cared about in the past and are wary of new relationships but they find themselves unable to stay away from each other. We see flashbacks of both their previous relationships and how they both ended terribly sadly and how badly it affected them; Rain saying she will never love again and wanting to protective everyone, whether that puts her own life in danger or not, and Knight being extremely over-protective of her.

I cant entirely blame Knight though because Rain seems to get herself into really stupid situations all the time and he always come to her rescue. Like a real life Knight in shining armour :P

Another scene I liked was the kissing under water. It sounds very romantic and I like the graphic used in another review of the book on GoodReads.

Knight was cool, though his over-protectiveness was a little annoying in places, though totally warranted. Rain on the other hand, to me, came across as being a pain in the butt, always pulling the plug on their fledgling relationship.

Overall it was an okay read. Short but sweet dark, because something bad was always happening to someone or other.
  
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