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Batman the Killing Joke
Batman the Killing Joke
Brian Bolland, Alan Moore | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry
10
7.4 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
I went to London Super Comic Con on Friday and bought a few image books/graphic novels (I can't wait to read them!) and decided to start taking advantage of my boyfriend's extensive comic/graphic novel collection. As I've been intending to read The Killing Joke for ages now, I decided to start with that.

The edition I read included an introduction by Tim Sales, an afterword by Brian Bolland, and a final scene written and illustrated by Bolland.

This is one of the most famous and successful novels - and I can see why. The story is just fantastic - the Joker tries to prove that anyone can go insane after just one bad day, using Jim Gordon as his example. The colour palettes are so cleverly thought out, giving an eerie, creepy tone to most scenes, while the Joker's (possible) origin story is mostly black and white with just small details in red.

Batman is obviously included, but is not a massive character in this story. The focus is on the Gordons and the Joker.

I really loved this. The origin story for the Joker that's included can be taken as true or false - the Joker makes a comment about not actually remembering his past, and liking it to be "multiple choice". This gives the reader the choice of believing it or not. And the Joker's ways of putting Jim Gordon through hell are definitely in line with his character.

The Joker always fascinates me, and I would love to read all his stories. But whether you're a "fan" of his or not, this book is definitely worth the read. 5 stars; an fantastic novel.
  
Eleanor & Park
Eleanor & Park
Rainbow Rowell | 2016 | Young Adult (YA)
Contains spoilers, click to show
It was a strange kind of wonderful, reading this book. It is a romance in its purest form and has been written with so much care and tenderness. Eleanor & Park is unlike any book I have ever read - so far at least. The romantic build is slow, dramatic and captiviting, and it defies the stereotypes of everyday life. Eleanor is not your average teenage girl. She's not popular. She's not blonde. She's not stick thin. Her family is not rich. She is different and Rainbow Rowell reaffirms that idea again and again. She has a big mess of red hair. She's a social outcast. She's bullied. She comes from a broken family. She's anxious and self-conscious. She is so different and so far off the spectrum, that it was a never ending thrill hearing her side of the story, hearing of her struggles and passions. Reading from Eleanor's point of view really brought the whole world into perspective, and made me think in ways I have never done so before. Now. What can I say about Park without repeating myself? What I like most about him is his characterisation. Why? Because it sets him apart from the typical male protagonist you find in most Teen Fiction novels. He's quirky. He's sarcastic. He's a closet romantic. He's Asian. He wears make up. He too is an outcast. This alone makes him different, but no less intriguing or entertaining to read. I truly admire his devotion to Eleanor. Even when she tries to push him away, he's always there for her and he always loves her, despite her taciturn moods and snappy comments. He loves her so deeply and without shame. Needless to say, I wish there were more boys like him. Now, the ending was ambiguous and rather bittersweet. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but somehow I found it quite fitting; considering what happened and how far both Eleanor and Park had come, since their first meeting on the school bus. It's not the perfect happily-ever-after, but it was full of potential and hope that it was, in its own little way. It left a smile on my face, at least. Needless to say, I would recommend Eleanor and Park to anyone. From the setting to the characters to the little hidden messages, it is a real story. It is a real romance and it will move you; body and soul.
  
Mine to Keep (Mine, #2)
Mine to Keep (Mine, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This follows the events of the last one with Skye and Trace on an island as Trace tries to help Skye get over the terrible ordeal she suffered at the hands of her ex. Soon after they arrive back in Chicago, they are met by an old colleague of Trace’s who warns them that someone is coming after them. Then the intrigue begins…

This one focuses more on Trace and things that happened in his past that he wishes he could forget. I was intrigued to find out what he’d done that was so bad that someone was trying to get to him and Skye. To get to him through Skye. And I’ll tell you now I wasn’t quite expecting it to be that.

We see bits from the POV of the person after Trace and it’s slightly creepy how cold the person is at the thought of killing anyone who stood in his way.

Once again the books feature some really intense sex scenes between the two main characters and shows how they struggle to keep their relationship afloat as lies come out of the woodwork that have been buried for years.

I’m lucky that the author goes over a lot of the things that happened in the previous book because I will admit I read a lot of books and it’s sometimes hard to remember what happened in certain ones.

It all came back to me within the first 15% or so and then I could get on with my detective work of trying to figure out who was behind it all. It kept me guessing throughout, just like in the first one and I found myself going “Ooooooh!” as new information was uncovered. I was most definitely intrigued by this. Well done to the author for such brilliant writing!

I really enjoyed this, believe it or not it got better the more I read. That last 15% or so made it 5 star worthy for me!

If you plan on reading this, then read Mine to Take first as this is a continuation. If you enjoyed the first then you should definitely read this one too.
  
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BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated Spare Room in Books

May 11, 2019  
Spare Room
Spare Room
Dreda Say Mitchell | 2019 | Crime, Mystery, Thriller
10
8.2 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Where do I begin? … Bare with me here. Spare Room is a rollercoaster of a read, it totally messed with my mind! This book actually blew me away… Wow.

Everyone has their secrets in this story… But the truth will shock you. Not everything is as it seems… I did not expect anything that got thrown at me during this read. Chilling, dark and creepy.

Main Character Lisa is facing her own personal issues throughout, but I actually felt scared, sorry and fightened for her. Half way through this book is a major PLOT TWIST that actually had me holding my breathe and screaming WHAT! WOAH! EXPLAIN!!!

Ex boyfriend Alex is the perfect gentleman throughout, he’s friendly, caring and I just loved his character. Jack and Martha, now this had me changing my mind about their characters all the way through. Are they a nasty, evil couple? Or just a normal happy couple who Lisa has misjudged wrongly.

With all that went on in this book I devoured it in two days. This is the first book I have read by Dreda Say Mitchell and it wont be my last, very impressed. With an explosive, in your face ending like that you can cue me having a lie down and book hangover after this…

I think it’s only fair to award a five star rating and a place in my top twenty reads of 2019 ALREADY. I know. Shocking. Highly recommend. You will not regret reading this one.
  
Divorced, Desperate and Delicious (Texas Charm #1)
Divorced, Desperate and Delicious (Texas Charm #1)
Christie Craig | 2020 | Humor & Comedy, Romance
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
“A thrill ride of hunky heroes, high jinks, and heartwarming romance.” Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author.

Can a desperate cop on the run persuade a charming divorcee to give him a place to hide out?

Ever since photographer Lacy Maguire caught her ex playing Pin the Secretary to the Elevator Wall, she's been content with her dog Fabio, her three cats, and a vow of chastity. But all of that changes when the reindeer-antlered Fabio drags in a very desperate, on-the-run detective who decides to take refuge in her house--a house filled with twinkling lights and a decorated tree. (Okay, so it's February, but she has a broken heart to mend, a Christmas-card shoot to do, and a six-times divorced, match-making mother to appease.) For the first time in a looooong while, Lacy reconsiders her vow. Because sexy Chase Kelly, wounded soul that he may be, would be an oh-so-delicious way of breaking her fast. Now, if she can just keep them both alive and him out of jail . . .

Not sure what I was expecting from this book to be honest I'm not sure it was much. But I was pleasantly surprised it was fun and an easy read. Pretty predicable but like I said an enjoyable read. I enjoyed Christie's writing style and I only left it at a 3 star because like I said it was a predictable read. I will be going on to book 2!
  
MM
2
2.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
After a fairly good start (about the first 80 pages or so), I was hooked and was enjoying the book, then it went downhill and I finally stopped on page 218. Be warned, there is what could be considered (in our times at least) rape. However, it was a husband's duty to get his wife with heir; and I do get it, but that doesn't mean I want to read about it in a romance...repeatedly. I believe I could have gotten over the first 'rape,' but then it happened again, and again, and most likely again but I stopped before what might have been. Enough already!

I ended up hating both the so-called heroine and hero, they just were not sympathetic, interesting, or anything other than horrible. Frances started fights, cowers, and snivels all the time, and frankly, she should have known she needed to fulfill her "wifely duty" to get with heir. Now I am not in any way saying rape is right, but back then she should have known what was going to happen, and all she does is act belligerent and righteous about it and wants to be left alone (Ha!). Then there's Hawk (ugh!), who is detestable, shows no remorse, and the author actually writes about him with his mistress! What is Ms. Coulter smoking? I can't even fathom them going from hate to love (and I do mean hate!), which apparently doesn't happen according to other Amazon reviewers.

The author says the book "is just dandy the way it is," but it totally is not. She goes on to say that we'll chuckle and may even howl with laughter because of the battle of the sexes.... Now I don't know about that because I couldn't get past how totally unlikable Hawk and Frances were, among the other things mentioned, so who knows? And frankly, I don't care to know. This book needed many rewrites and I do not recommend it at all! I wish I listened to the reviews and stayed away, but no, I had to stick with it. What can I say, I'm stubborn. To be honest I thought there was only one rape scene in the book and didn't know there were more, but I usually only skim them so I don't read any spoilers. I am so sorry I read so much of this when I could have been enjoying a much better book. I really don't think I'll ever pick up another book from Ms. Coulter if her other books are like this.
  
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Hourglass (Hourglass, #1)
10
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Let me just say right now that I'm glad I didn't judge this book by its cover, because I never would have requested it. The cover doesn't particularly appeal to me; for that matter, the title didn't make me curious either. Even after I read the back cover I wasn't convinced. I like to be intrigued and the cover/summary fooled me. But I saw a good review for it somewhere, so I snatched it up. I'm very happy I did.

Time travel has been done poorly so many times, but Hourglass was fantastic. It was original and creative, and it met every requirement for a perfect book: it had tension, awesome characters, a well thought out and multi-layered plot, and good writing.

There was tension in every sentence of ever paragraph of every chapter. It was nearly impossible to put down. I completely lost track of time while I read it. (haha, lost track of…get it?…. it's a time travel book…never mind.) I was forced to put it down to do things like work and chores and food, but except for things like that, it kept me reading, and there were no empty scenes.

The characters were amazing. Can I just say that I want to marry Michael right now? omigoodness. He's going on my list. Any author who can write a character like that is going on my favorites list right now. Emerson is strong-willed, kick-ass, and has to remind herself that she's short because her personality is the opposite. She was the perfect heroine because she was real and fragile and head over heels in love with someone she wasn't supposed to love. Michael was the brave proud chivalrous attractive protagonist who has a major hero complex, and of course is trying not to be in love with Em (and failing miserably). Both of them together had humorous conversations and explosive chemistry. (like, things short circuit when they touch, and light bulbs break when they kiss.)

The plot kept me guessing all the way to the end, and the last quarter of the book threw so many twists and turns at me that I found myself thinking, "Ok wait, what? are you serious?" But it wasn't overdone, there was no overkill, and it worked perfectly in the end. (I'll keep it spoiler free, but I'll just say don't worry, it does work out. Don't get mad and throw the book against the wall like I did.)

And of course, the writing. I find that many young adult novels have mediocre writing. McEntire is a good writer in the sense that she can keep the tension real and controlling, she has good descriptions and great pacing, and there are no dead words.

Hourglass was fast-paced, exciting, unique, and completely enthralling. I anxiously await more from McEntire hope for more of Michael and Emerson's story in the future.

Content/recommendation: some mild language, no sex. Ages 16+
  
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Sam (74 KP) rated Me Before You in Books

Mar 27, 2019  
Me Before You
Me Before You
Jojo Moyes | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.3 (59 Ratings)
Book Rating
Will needed Lou as much as she needed him, but will her love be enough to save his life?

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun teashop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn’t know is she’s about to lose her job or that knowing what’s coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he’s going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn’t know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they’re going to change the other for all time.


When/Why I Bought It
This is yet another one of those books that I can’t actually remember buying! I bought it when I found out about the hype just before the film came out.

Overall Thoughts
This has made it to be one of my favourite books of all time. My copy is beginning to look tatty from the amount of times I’ve read it and the fact that I’ve lent it out to so many different people.

I love Lou. Even through everything, she still keeps her head on. She stays strong throughout the whole novel and I admire that. Watching her relationship with Will develop was heartwarming and I really wish I could read more from just that section of their relationship.

I really like that the novel raises awareness for both disabilities and mental health. I know there has been a lot of a kick back about how it goes about raising awareness, but I really felt like the way it was done gave it maximum effect and it really opened my eyes.

If you are prone to crying, do not read this in public! It even made me a bit teary-eyed which is almost impossible.
  
Doom Patrol, Vol. 1: Crawling from the Wreckage
Doom Patrol, Vol. 1: Crawling from the Wreckage
Grant Morrison | 1989 | Comics & Graphic Novels, Crime, Mystery
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
In a fandom littered with reboot after reboot, with the current ones no better than the previous 4-5 before it, I took it upon myself to finally read Morrison's much-praised mid-1980's reboot of the Doom Patrol. I did not read it when it came out originally, but I remember seeing it. At the time, I was very much about the "flashy" superhero books of 80's: the X-Men (which I will still argue were better than ANYTHING that is currently being written about them!), Wildstorm's 'Gen13' and 'WildC.A.T.s', etc. Mind you, I was also very much into 'Sandman' and "Shade the Changing Man', both of which were part of the still-in-its-infancy stage Vertigo imprint from DC Comics. Weird, right, that I skipped over 'Doom Patrol'. Not sure why I did, but I did.

Now, to the present..

Having read the first volume, which is out-of-print (like so much of DC's pre-"New 52" stuff!), I can safely say I understand all the love that the series has earned! This is mind-blowing stuff, and it's only the first 6 issues!

The book boasts a dark, moody theme at times, but it is more part of the story than about trying to "be something" like many books today try to be. The characters are well-rounded, each having a uniquely interesting personality. There are returning characters, like Robotman, and the team's leader Niles Caulder, but there are also some real creative gems like Crazy Jane, with her 64 personalities and so much more going on in her!

The cool thing about 'Doom Patrol' is it can be recommended to anyone who says they don't like comics because of the costumes, etc. DP is not about costumes, superheroes or anything like that. If it were to be compared to anyting, I would say I got a 'Fringe' (the FOX/J.J. Abrams TV series) feeling when I was reading it.

There are 5 more volumes to tackle, but I shall savor each one, as if it were a fine wine!
  
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Becs (244 KP) rated Always You in Books

Oct 2, 2019  
Always You
Always You
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Always You by Krista Carleson

Genre: Short Story, Novella, Contemporary, Erotica

Synopsis: The army took my first love and left me with a broken heart. That was ten years ago, but fate has a funny sense of humor. Not only is Aidan Dowell my best friend’s older brother, he happens to be my new roommate: the one who chose duty over love- who I thought had left my life forever. Now that I have to live in the same apartment as Aidan, I try to avoid him and guard my heart, but it’s impossible when the person in question is one gorgeous, sexy billionaire. The pull is too strong. The heat between us is going to burn me again. Little did I know that Aidan has a painful secret that threatens to come between us and now I have to make a choice: Fight for him or refuse this second chance at love?

Audience/ Reading Level: High School+

Interests: Erotica, Novella, Short Stories, Best Friends Brother

Point of View: first person

Difficulty Reading: Short, simple, sweet with a lot of hot and steaminess.

Promise: A short yet compelling read that will leave you wanting just a bit more.

Insights: Writing was a bit amateurish but for being the style of book it is, it was a good read. Would recommend to others who like Eroticas.

Ah-Ha Moment: When the boy gets the girl he’s been in love with for the past ten years. And vice versa.

What will you gain: A simple yet refreshing read.

Aesthetics: It was cool to see a billionaire and his brother living together with Cat. But other than that, there was really anything that stood out that’s worth mentioning.