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TG
The Gift Of Christmas Past
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
As a long time fan of Cindy Woodsmall, I was excited to see what she what co wrote with her DIL. It was a book that I wouldn't be used to by her, as she's a wonderful Amish fiction novelist, and this is a contemporary novel. But, I was pleasantly surprised with this collaboration by these wonderful ladies!

I am a person who sometimes, unintentionally, holds on to the past and that can hinder me with my here and now. That's what this book is like. Hanging on to the past, and not being able to full move on or forgive. Hadley and Monroe are beautifully chiseled and have been through so much in their lives. My heart truly ached for their early years. But, both Cindy and Erin pieced together a beautiful story of hope, forgiveness and tenderness and gave readers an unforgettable Christmas story.

This is definitely worthy of 4 stars and keeping on the shelf! Both ladies are talented and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collaboration. I highly recommend this Christmas read to all and look forward to more of these great stories! Well done, ladies!

*Cafinated Reads received a complimentary copy of this book from LitFuse Blog Tours and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
  
IT
In the Field of Grace
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was amazing. Absolutely amazing. The message that is woven into this book, that God's grace is sufficient through all times, good and bad, is powerful and incredible. It is just what I needed to read. Ms. Afshar is superbly talented and knew just what this reader need to read.

Boaz and Ruth, along with Naomi, are created perfectly. I felt like I had taken a trip right to the heart of the Bible and followed their story. Both suffered tragedies beyond compare, both seeking happiness, both reaching out to each other. The way they were portrayed, the way they interacted and fell in love, made me fall in love with the whole story. It was perfect!

Ms. Afshar's book is high on my recommendations list. From start to finish, I was lost in the pages of this book, and I had it done in less than a day. It was that good. This book is powerful and worth so much more than simple 5 stars. It is worthy of 5 million stars. When it comes to Biblical fiction this is the kind of book I seek and I am so incredibly pleased to have read it.<a href="http://cafinatedreads.com/?p=12710"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Cafinated Reads</a>
  
The Hopkins Manuscript
The Hopkins Manuscript
R. C. Sherriff | 1939 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Powerfully moving, surprisingly obscure British SF novel. Eerily prescient in some ways: written in 1939 but set from 1945 onward, the story is told by Edgar Hopkins, a retired schoolteacher and champion poultry-breeder who is one of the first men in the country to learn of an impending cataclysm - the moon has been knocked from its orbit and will collide with the Earth in a matter of months. Hopkins' ability to tell the story is impaired by his own pompousness, powerful sense of self-regard and unerring ability to miss the significance of anything going on around him.

Initially it reads like a very black, absurdist comedy, but as the book progresses it becomes genuinely poignant and moving - almost a eulogy for an idea of England soon to be wiped away forever. I have no idea how much the author was motivated by fears of the coming Second World War, but its presence hangs inescapably over the book. The actual science in the book is rather risible, and (like much other mid-20th century British SF) the film also contains race-related elements that some modern readers could find problematic, but the core of the book remains as significant and thought-provoking as ever.
  
In the Mouth of the Wolf
In the Mouth of the Wolf
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In this short book, “In the Mouth of the Wolf” , we’re privy to fascinating insights into the life of children’s fiction author Michael Morpurgo’s Uncle Francis who narrates in the first person at the age of ninety years, reminiscing about his life. It is a heartfelt TRUE story (hence the reason why this has made into my non-fiction category over at Goodreads) and one that is aimed at kids and young adults, but adults will get plenty from this, too.

The artwork within is tremendously well-done by award-winning artist Barroux, and set against a backdrop of World War Two. You’ll find it packs an emotion punch, whilst being a fast-paced read filled with outstanding wartime courage and love. Brotherly love, too.

What a treat this was to discover, since it reads like an fictional story, yet has some intriguing, real people pictures at the back of the book, so you can meet the real characters of these true events. It’s no wonder Morpurgo is such a talented storyteller if he’s heard family stories like this.

In fact, this is such a lovely story, it brought tears to my eyes on more than on occasion. Damn you, Micheal Morpurgo and your wonderfully tear-inducing story-telling skills!
  
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Manda (5 KP) rated Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) in Books

Jul 11, 2018 (Updated Jul 11, 2018)  
Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1)
Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1)
Charlaine Harris | 2001 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.0 (35 Ratings)
Book Rating
Vampires, fairies, sex, magic, sexy people did I mention sexy people (0 more)
Nothing but goodness I love myself some Sookie (0 more)
Omg omg omg
Ok ok, so it’s been a few years since I devoured this series, yes I said devoured. Charlaine Harris became one of my favorite authors upon reading this book and the next thing I knew the series had been read and my life was never the same.

Say hello to Sookie, a good hearted, beautiful blonde belle that can hear the thoughts of others. The world she lives in is one where vampires are real and omg walk amount us “normal” folk! This first novel introduces us to Sookie and her family, her grandmother who we all end up loving and her brother who is a dumbass but a cute one, so I guess that equals out. Things get crazy for Sookie and her life and friends when their small little town gets their first vampire. Bill. Ahh Bill. Bill frustrated me but whatever. In attempts to not contain spoilers I’m just going say, if you enjoy crazy supernatural reads with gore and lust and magic with a dash of murder mystery and crazy turns this book (this series) is for you.
  
Goodreads: Book Reviews
Goodreads: Book Reviews
Book, Social Networking
8
8.8 (453 Ratings)
App Rating
The ability to track your reading (0 more)
The Recommendations (0 more)
A Useful Reading App
I've used this app/website to track my reading for many years and I have found that this has been the most user friendly of all book type tracking tools. It's very easy to find and you have many different editions to choose from, so that you can get your page count correct.

I like that you can add tags and organize your book shelves in whatever categories you want and the reading challenge function is fun.

I don't really use the group interaction part of the website, but I imagine this would be a great way of meeting people, who like reading similar authors and books as you.

My only gripe is the boxes that come up around the website, with recommendations and book awards. I don't really pay much attention to the recommendations, I read what I want to read and only take book recommendations from friends. I also don't select my reads, based on popularity or book awards. So, I would prefer it if there was some way of taking this off of your profile.

This is a must have app/website for all book lovers.
  
Outbreak (1995)
Outbreak (1995)
1995 | Action, Drama, Mystery
This film is really, really good. Incredibly good. Maybe it's the timing of when I'm watching this (in the middle of a pandemic) or maybe it's the story or maybe it's a combination of the two, either way, this film is fantastic. My only complaint is the length. It felt really long and some parts it felt like it was moving very slowly but at the same time, I can't really think of anything that could've been cut down or shaved off - so maybe I'm just weird.

The cast was really there, on par. Anyone who reads my reviews knows that I'm normally in love with a small character - the ones with fewer lines, supporting the story, less important to the main plot, but this film is not one of those. Dustin Hoffman's Col. Sam Daniels was incredible. When he was pleading with the pilots? I was just about crying. I loved Cuba Gooding, Jr. too. I think this is one of his best films. And duh, Morgan Freeman. In what movie is Morgan Freeman a bad actor? If you can find me one, I'll give you $5.

This movie is a great watch. It keeps you on your toes and you're invested in the characters.

P.S. A young Patrick Dempsey? Mama mia.