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All That Glitters (Geek Girl, #4)
All That Glitters (Geek Girl, #4)
Holly Smale | 2015 | Contemporary, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I think this was the most heartbreaking book of the series so far. It still had it’s funny parts, but it was actually quite sad. It really broke my heart when Harriet discovered that a lot of her ‘friends’ didn’t really care about her.

All of the main characters are lovable and being this far into the series, Harriet felt like a good friend to me. Her story was always close to my heart.

I did prefer the setting of this book since it is in a school and at home rather than Harriet jetting off somewhere as it made it easier to read and relate to.

This was definitely one of the most relatable books altogether, especially with the painfully truthful part about losing friends.

Harriet really started to mature in this one which really helped me love her character even more.

I don’t know why I never read past this point. A few months ago I bought the last two books so I can’t wait to get back to this series!

Buy All That Glitters from Amazon here.
  
Do What I Wanna Do - Single by Leah Kate
Do What I Wanna Do - Single by Leah Kate
2019
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Leah Kate is a rising singer-songwriter based in New York City. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “Do What I Wanna Do” single.

‘Do What I Wanna Do’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who wants to get into a relationship with a guy who she desires to be with.

Even though there might be some consequences involved in them being together, she still insists that they should push forward and take their changes.

‘Do What I Wanna Do’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and club-friendly instrumentation scented with an electric-dance fragrance.

Leah Kate’s sound fits somewhere in between the musical realms of King Princess and Charlotte Lawrence.

Having grown up with a family in media and submerged in the entertainment industry, the bubbly entertainer quickly found herself under enormous pressure.

That’s when she decided to escape to New York City, where she discovered her creative fulfillment and flourished into who she is today.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/leah-kate-do-what-i-wanna-do/
  
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come
Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come
Jessica Pan | 2019 | Biography
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the EXACTLY the book I needed.

I don't think I have ever written a book, but reading this one makes me think I have. I too am a 30 something, shy, introverted, small town Texas girl who has no idea how to have a conversation (that doesn't involve ghosts or dogs) or make friends. I'm not Chinese, Aries or named Jessica (Pan) but I would have been if my cousin hadn't been born first, forcing my Mom to "get creative" and name me Jennifer (Ann) instead. The title of this book caught my attention, because SAME, but I had no idea just how relatable it was going to be! There were SO many times I caught myself nodding along enthusiastically or cringing at how awful some of these experiences she was forcing herself to have were, and just laughing out loud. Literally. I have finished this book inspired to go on an extrovert journey of my own - not today - but maybe someday soon I will be as brave as Jessica is.
  
These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1)
These Broken Stars (Starbound, #1)
Amie Kaufman, Meagan Spooner | 2013 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.3 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
I did the thing you're not supposed to do, I judged a book by its cover. The cover just drew my eye and I decided to read it without knowing the premise. The author made both characters relatable, even though they were the typical trope of uptown girl and downtown boy which could have been unoriginal and boring. The switching of perspective between the debrief/interview (the present) and the two main characters (the past), added a nice depth to the narrative and storybuilding. The characters were not flat and this allowed them to develop over the course of the story. I do wish we had gotten a little more backstory to make them more fully developed, but it was still good as written. The world building could have definitely been more expansive. They were on an entirely foreign world and I had to rely almost entirely on my imagination to populate it. Despite those concerns, I really enjoyed reading the book and definitely recommend it. I will be reading the subsequent books in the series.
  
The Essex Serpent
The Essex Serpent
Sarah Perry | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.1 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Intriguing gothic drama
I’d wanted to read this for a while based purely on the glorious cover. It was a very pleasant gothic Victorian novel with the very intriguing mysetery of the Fabled Essex serpent weaving it’s way through. However it’s main focus is the interactions between the main characters and the enormous impact that each has on the others lives over the course of a year, predominantly for the worse.

It is a beautifully written novel and the detail is gorgeous, but at times it felt slow with little to hold my attention. I found myself skimming ahead sometimes. The characters weren’t always relatable and I didn’t feel any great connection to any of them. The promises of the Essex serpent itself is handled well and used expertly to draw out everyone’s heightened fears feeding off their own misdeeds.


I would still recommend this book. Just maybe not for anyone looking for a rousing novel. However a calm afternoon with a pot of tea to yourself it’s worth giving it a go.
  
The Goldfinch
The Goldfinch
Donna Tartt | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.3 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
Thanks to the holiday season and all the activity that comes along with it, it took me a bit longer to finish this one than I would have liked, but now that I have I can only say that it deserves all of the accolades it's been receiving. The author's prose is always engaging and often quite poetically beautiful. The characters are memorable and endearing, even with their many, many flaws. While I didn't find Theo's life to be especially relatable, I did relate to much of what he was thinking and feeling growing up over the course of this book, and despite the somewhat extreme circumstances in it, I think many of us will be able to empathize with his thoughts and motivations. Without giving anything away, I can say that while it is ostensibly about an unintentional art heist in the aftermath of a terrorist attack, it is really about so much more. Essentially a meditation on the meanings of love, art, and even life itself; this book should not be missed. A new masterpiece.
  
AT
All the Summer Girls
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not the type of thing I normally read, but I've been hearing a lot of good things about it from patrons at the library, as the book largely takes place in Avalon, and even makes mention of many recognizable local establishments. While that is kind of cool, it is not ultimately what made me like the book so much. The characters are interesting and the situations they find themselves dealing with are engaging and relatable. The writing does periodically feel a bit rambling, but more often than not the descriptive nature of the book only helps to pull one into the world being created. My only real complaint is that the climax of what is seemingly the central plot point seems to end a bit too abruptly. Not to say it isn't the ending I wanted, it just seemed like it was the one thing the author sort of glossed over, which seemed slightly disappointing. Still, a great book and perfect for reading on the beach on a warm Summer day.
  
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Sarah (7800 KP) rated The One in Books

Feb 28, 2018  
The One
The One
John Marrs | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.6 (8 Ratings)
Book Rating
Very Black Mirror-esque
This is such a great idea for a story, you can almost imagine a slightly darker version of it featuring on Black Mirror. The idea of there being a genetic match out there for everyone found through a dating website is so plausible and in keeping with today’s society that it wouldn’t surprise me if something like this was to happen in my lifetime. It’s an intriguing take on modern dating too and for someone who sadly has experience in dating websites, it’s very relatable.

It’s well written and it does well to hold your attention by breaking into 5 separate stories with different characters all related by the same matching experience, in small bite sized chapters. The characters themselves are all likeable in their own way and you get very invested in their stories. There are a number of twists and my only criticism would be that some parts of this story get a little bit far fetched. It’s fiction, but I did find myself questioning the plausibility in parts. That said, I really couldn’t put it down.
  
Love...and Sleepless Nights
Love...and Sleepless Nights
Nick Spalding | 2013 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fun and lighthearted
Whilst Nick Spalding will never win any literary prizes for this series of books, he really does well to sum up real life situations and emotions. The writing is good but what really makes this story entertaining is the characters. Laura and Jamie are a very relatable couple and their diary/blog entries are so down to earth and realistic. I doubt anyone could read this book (or any others in the series) and not find a handful of comments, thoughts or situations that they’ve experienced in their own life. This story is also pretty funny and I found myself laughing out loud on many occasions.

It may not be the most thought provoking or insightful of reads, but this is a great fun and lighthearted story that is refreshingly short - I finished it in less than 2 hours so it’s one you can easily get through. One I’d recommend trying if you’re stuck with a fairly long commute - I may leave books 3 and 4 for my next long distance train journey for work!
  
Walk With Me by Rotimi
Walk With Me by Rotimi
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Rotimi is a singer and actor from Maplewood, New Jersey. Not too long ago, he released a music video for his tropical R&B single, entitled, “Love Riddim”.

“Wish I could start it over. Baby, I need you over. Wish I could taste, kiss you down by your waist. He treats you wrong. Wish I could show you, love. Wish I could make you know it. Baby, you need to know it” – lyrics

‘Love Riddim’ tells a sensual tale of a young guy who is skilled at touching the right spots on the lower parts of a desirable female’s body.

Apparently, the woman in question has a boyfriend, but he doesn’t make her go “Oh-ooh ooh-oh” as her lover does.

Therefore, she creeps discreetly with her lover during the nighttime hours. Also, her mind travels elsewhere when he touches her down below.

‘Love Riddim’ contains a relatable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and vibey instrumentation flavored with tropical, afrobeat, and contemporary R&B elements.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/rotimi-love-riddim-video/