Search
Search results
Debbiereadsbook (1554 KP) rated A Cold Christmas and the Darkest of Winters in Books
Dec 17, 2021
not bedtime reading but very good!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
A collection of 23 different authors come together to bring you short stories set around the winter season or Christmas.
Not a single one of these authors have I read before, and there is a varied bunch of tales here. Some are just sad but some are downright scary!
Loosely, they are "holiday" stories, but more are winter ones, rather than Christmas.
An eclectic bunch of tales that can be read at any time, but I'd recommend NOT at bedtime! You might stop on one of the scary ones, and get some weird dreams as a consequence, like I did!
I didn't read them all, I will be honest, but the ones I read were very good, or excellent. Just on the short side. but 23 stories across 360 odd pages is never going to produce novel length books.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
A collection of 23 different authors come together to bring you short stories set around the winter season or Christmas.
Not a single one of these authors have I read before, and there is a varied bunch of tales here. Some are just sad but some are downright scary!
Loosely, they are "holiday" stories, but more are winter ones, rather than Christmas.
An eclectic bunch of tales that can be read at any time, but I'd recommend NOT at bedtime! You might stop on one of the scary ones, and get some weird dreams as a consequence, like I did!
I didn't read them all, I will be honest, but the ones I read were very good, or excellent. Just on the short side. but 23 stories across 360 odd pages is never going to produce novel length books.
4 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Shatter ( Destine Academy book 8) in Books
Dec 15, 2022
222 of 230
Kindle
Shatter ( Destine Academy book 😎
By Sara snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Caroline and her friends are in a race against the clock as they try to protect themselves from any insidious influence from Tempeste.Gaspar is running out of time in his plight to save his family, andMarguerite Destine, the headmistress, is becoming increasingly desperate in her bid to find Eloise.Can Caroline keep Eloise safe, or is Eloise unable to be saved?
As Caroline struggles to protect those around her, it becomes all too clear the Tempeste—and the Entiere—are coming.
...and she is out of time
This is such a good series in short bursts. I’ve said so many times how this author packs so much into a few chapters it’s like reading a full book. This has a sad undertone especially at the end we find Caroline has finally been pushed to her limits by her dad and aunt.
Kindle
Shatter ( Destine Academy book 😎
By Sara snow
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Caroline and her friends are in a race against the clock as they try to protect themselves from any insidious influence from Tempeste.Gaspar is running out of time in his plight to save his family, andMarguerite Destine, the headmistress, is becoming increasingly desperate in her bid to find Eloise.Can Caroline keep Eloise safe, or is Eloise unable to be saved?
As Caroline struggles to protect those around her, it becomes all too clear the Tempeste—and the Entiere—are coming.
...and she is out of time
This is such a good series in short bursts. I’ve said so many times how this author packs so much into a few chapters it’s like reading a full book. This has a sad undertone especially at the end we find Caroline has finally been pushed to her limits by her dad and aunt.
ClareR (5996 KP) rated The Imposter in Books
Mar 7, 2023
Obsession, loneliness and lies. What a hand-rubbing trio of themes they are!
Newspaper archivist Chloe is the sole carer of her grandmother who has dementia. She’s trying to fend off social services to keep her Nan at home - she’s all she has, after all.
It’s no surprise to me that Chloe develops an obsession with a past case that she comes across whilst digitalising old articles. Angela Kyle went missing as a 4 year old in 1980. Chloe tracks down the child’s parents, discovers they need a lodger, and gets the room when Nan has been moved into a home.
This is a sad book. Chloe’s nan’s dementia; Angela’s parents living with their loss and not knowing what happened to their child; Chloe’s obsession and loneliness. These are all strong, well-thought out characters - and it’s so tense! I felt like I needed to come up regularly for air!
It’s emotional, and the ending is absolutely plausible - it’s a cracking story!!
Newspaper archivist Chloe is the sole carer of her grandmother who has dementia. She’s trying to fend off social services to keep her Nan at home - she’s all she has, after all.
It’s no surprise to me that Chloe develops an obsession with a past case that she comes across whilst digitalising old articles. Angela Kyle went missing as a 4 year old in 1980. Chloe tracks down the child’s parents, discovers they need a lodger, and gets the room when Nan has been moved into a home.
This is a sad book. Chloe’s nan’s dementia; Angela’s parents living with their loss and not knowing what happened to their child; Chloe’s obsession and loneliness. These are all strong, well-thought out characters - and it’s so tense! I felt like I needed to come up regularly for air!
It’s emotional, and the ending is absolutely plausible - it’s a cracking story!!
Karla Dee (6 KP) rated All My Rage in Books
Mar 15, 2022
There was so much sadness and trauma woven all through this book. Abandonment issues, touch aversion, physical abuse, and mental. It was so sad and I need a second one from the author that lets me know Noor and Sal lived happily ever after.
I listened to the audiobook and the cast did an amazing job with all the voices and being filled with emotions. The ending with all the resources listed for readers who might be suffering from abuse also had me in tears. They did an amazing job at showing the struggles that immigrants can go through at home and at school. There were triggers warnings included in the beginning as well to warn those that might be sensitive to certain content.
I can't recommend this read/listen enough and def recommend this book for someone looking for a good cry with a very happy ever after for the two main characters with a horrible ending for the villainy character that you gotta love!
I listened to the audiobook and the cast did an amazing job with all the voices and being filled with emotions. The ending with all the resources listed for readers who might be suffering from abuse also had me in tears. They did an amazing job at showing the struggles that immigrants can go through at home and at school. There were triggers warnings included in the beginning as well to warn those that might be sensitive to certain content.
I can't recommend this read/listen enough and def recommend this book for someone looking for a good cry with a very happy ever after for the two main characters with a horrible ending for the villainy character that you gotta love!
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde in Books
May 21, 2022
88 of 230
Book
The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde
By Eve Chase
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When four sisters arrive at Applecote Manor to spend the summer, all is clearly not well.
They find their aunt and uncle still reeling from the disappearance of their only daughter, five years before. No one seems any closer to finding out the truth.
Why did Audrey vanish? Who is keeping her fate secret?
As the sisters are lured into the mystery of their missing cousin, the stifling summer takes a shocking, deadly turn.
One which will leave blood on their hands, and put another girl in danger decades later . . .
______
This was good! So well written and such a sad story I love the setting just on the turn from 50s to 60s. I liked how it all tied together at the end and the characters got some closure. I’d definitely read more from this author.
Book
The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde
By Eve Chase
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
When four sisters arrive at Applecote Manor to spend the summer, all is clearly not well.
They find their aunt and uncle still reeling from the disappearance of their only daughter, five years before. No one seems any closer to finding out the truth.
Why did Audrey vanish? Who is keeping her fate secret?
As the sisters are lured into the mystery of their missing cousin, the stifling summer takes a shocking, deadly turn.
One which will leave blood on their hands, and put another girl in danger decades later . . .
______
This was good! So well written and such a sad story I love the setting just on the turn from 50s to 60s. I liked how it all tied together at the end and the characters got some closure. I’d definitely read more from this author.
David McK (3623 KP) rated A Man on the Inside in TV
Dec 15, 2024 (Updated Dec 15, 2024)
This, I felt, is in many ways a spiritual successor to 'The Good Place', with many of the cast from that earlier show appearing in this (mainly in bit parts).
Here, Ted Danson plays a lonely widower who, following the death of his wife from Alzheimer's, seems to be drifting more and more away from having any meaning in life himself, and from his own daughter, until that daughter challenges him to find something to do with his time.
So he answers a newspaper ad, and is hired to infiltrate an OAP home, following the hiring of a Private Detective (who is too young to do so herself) to investigate the potential theft in said OAP.
And, of course, Charles finds himself connecting more and more with the residents and staff of the OAP, as well as with his daughter, as a result, in a 'feel good' series that still also has its share of sad moments ...
Here, Ted Danson plays a lonely widower who, following the death of his wife from Alzheimer's, seems to be drifting more and more away from having any meaning in life himself, and from his own daughter, until that daughter challenges him to find something to do with his time.
So he answers a newspaper ad, and is hired to infiltrate an OAP home, following the hiring of a Private Detective (who is too young to do so herself) to investigate the potential theft in said OAP.
And, of course, Charles finds himself connecting more and more with the residents and staff of the OAP, as well as with his daughter, as a result, in a 'feel good' series that still also has its share of sad moments ...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated The Bell Chime in Books
Dec 29, 2023
207 of 235
Kindle
The Bell Chime
By Mona Kabbani
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Can you hear the bell chime?"
A girl suffering from paralyzing night terrors finds a missing poster hanging from the door of her apartment building. On that poster is a photograph of a frighteningly familiar face.
It’s her.
Only, she’s never seen this photo before and something about its grin scares her. How its eyes seem to follow her no matter where she finds herself in the room.
Over a series of strange events to follow—events that will make her question whether her sanity is still there or fleeting—she must discover:
What is real and what is the nightmare?
This was eerily sad in so many ways. As someone who deals with psychosis and depression it struck home so hard! The question in the the foreword is thought provoking what exactly would you give up for peace of mind or happiness? Really well written.
Kindle
The Bell Chime
By Mona Kabbani
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"Can you hear the bell chime?"
A girl suffering from paralyzing night terrors finds a missing poster hanging from the door of her apartment building. On that poster is a photograph of a frighteningly familiar face.
It’s her.
Only, she’s never seen this photo before and something about its grin scares her. How its eyes seem to follow her no matter where she finds herself in the room.
Over a series of strange events to follow—events that will make her question whether her sanity is still there or fleeting—she must discover:
What is real and what is the nightmare?
This was eerily sad in so many ways. As someone who deals with psychosis and depression it struck home so hard! The question in the the foreword is thought provoking what exactly would you give up for peace of mind or happiness? Really well written.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated You Won't Know Her Name in Books
Feb 17, 2022
When I first heard of You Won't Know Her Name by Santi Hershenson, there was just something about the synopsis that was calling to me to read it. The synopsis really sucked me in, and I found myself wanting to know more about The Girl. I ended up loving this book!
You Won't Know Her Name is certainly not for the faint of heart. With heavy themes such as bullying and sexual assault, I knew the plot would be a dark read. However, Hershenson writes like a pro, and the way she incorporates these themes into her story didn't put me off reading. The plot is solid and interesting if a little sad at what The Girl had to go through. I loved that there were no chapters, only poems and that each poem started with a title of what the short poem would be about. Each poem flows well into the next. It really made my heart hurt for all the injustices done to the girl (and her sister). What angered me the most was how the school failed this child. Unfortunately, many schools fail bullied children every day. (I speak from personal experience). I would say that there is a plot twist in this story, but there are no cliff hangers. It's just sad that there are so many people (children and adults alike) that have to go through such horrible bullying.
The characters in You Won't Know Her Name felt very realistic. We are told early on by the author that names aren't important so no names are ever mentioned in this story. We have "The Girl" who I felt so bad for. She didn't deserve any of the hate and the uncaringness she got. I just wanted to protect her so much throughout the story and tell "The Person" (The Girl's bully) to just back off. The Person acted in such a vile way toward The Girl and her sister. It made me wonder about The Person's background though. Was The Person being bullied at home to act out that way in school? I am, by no means, excusing The Person's behavior though.
Trigger warnings for You Won't Know Her Name include sexual assault (not graphic), profanity, talks of suicide, and violence. The author has included trigger warning notices at the start of each poem that could possibly trigger some readers though.
You Won't Know Her Name is a sad but a good read. There is some good to come out of it though. You Won't Know Her Name is a thought provoking read about a subject that, sadly, many children (and adults) have to deal with although they shouldn't.
Overall, You Won't Know Her Name is a well written piece of poetic literature that everyone should read. I would highly suggest that parents read it with their child and discuss it. If you are a librarian, buy this book for your library. It's not a long book either, so even the most hesitant reader could get a lot from it. I would definitely recommend You Won't Know Her Name by Shanti Hershenson to those aged 14+. Trust me, this is a book that needs to be read.
You Won't Know Her Name is certainly not for the faint of heart. With heavy themes such as bullying and sexual assault, I knew the plot would be a dark read. However, Hershenson writes like a pro, and the way she incorporates these themes into her story didn't put me off reading. The plot is solid and interesting if a little sad at what The Girl had to go through. I loved that there were no chapters, only poems and that each poem started with a title of what the short poem would be about. Each poem flows well into the next. It really made my heart hurt for all the injustices done to the girl (and her sister). What angered me the most was how the school failed this child. Unfortunately, many schools fail bullied children every day. (I speak from personal experience). I would say that there is a plot twist in this story, but there are no cliff hangers. It's just sad that there are so many people (children and adults alike) that have to go through such horrible bullying.
The characters in You Won't Know Her Name felt very realistic. We are told early on by the author that names aren't important so no names are ever mentioned in this story. We have "The Girl" who I felt so bad for. She didn't deserve any of the hate and the uncaringness she got. I just wanted to protect her so much throughout the story and tell "The Person" (The Girl's bully) to just back off. The Person acted in such a vile way toward The Girl and her sister. It made me wonder about The Person's background though. Was The Person being bullied at home to act out that way in school? I am, by no means, excusing The Person's behavior though.
Trigger warnings for You Won't Know Her Name include sexual assault (not graphic), profanity, talks of suicide, and violence. The author has included trigger warning notices at the start of each poem that could possibly trigger some readers though.
You Won't Know Her Name is a sad but a good read. There is some good to come out of it though. You Won't Know Her Name is a thought provoking read about a subject that, sadly, many children (and adults) have to deal with although they shouldn't.
Overall, You Won't Know Her Name is a well written piece of poetic literature that everyone should read. I would highly suggest that parents read it with their child and discuss it. If you are a librarian, buy this book for your library. It's not a long book either, so even the most hesitant reader could get a lot from it. I would definitely recommend You Won't Know Her Name by Shanti Hershenson to those aged 14+. Trust me, this is a book that needs to be read.
Debbiereadsbook (1554 KP) rated Charisma Check (Dungeons and Dating #6) in Books
May 27, 2023
saved the best til last, I reckon!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is the final book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and I strongly recommend you read all 5 books previous to this one. Not strictly necessary, but it will give you a better view of Jasper, and how he is with everyone else, and of this amazing group of people. And you know, cos I SAID SO!
Jasper doesn't do commitment, he thinks he's too broken. So crushing after the straight owner of his fav cafe is a safe bet, cos ain't nothing gonna happen. Then, though, Matt turns up at a shibari lesson and is paired with Jasper. Which sets off all sorts of chain reactions from the both of them.
Oh Jasper, Jasper Jasper! I've been waiting, so very impatiently for Jasper to tell his tale, cos all through the other books, he SAYS he's happy with his lot, not having to commit to anyone, just hooking up as and when, but deep down, DEEP down, Jasper needed someone to love him. It comes out in all the other books, and here? Oh my days!
Jasper has crushed on Matt for a couple of years and while Matt looked forward to seeing Jasper every day, he was straight and in a relationship. Then that ends, the lesson occurs and Matt begins to question everything about his previous relationships and why they didn't work. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't that he needed to be more dominant, like all the girlfriends asked for, but the opposite?
Loved the progression of Matt and Jasper, how well they fit together and moved things along. Jasper was always gonna say yes to Matt, but Matt wasn't sure what he was asking for, til Jasper said or did JUST what Matt needed. And I loved that, while there was some questioning of his sexual preferences by Matt, once he decided that he'd had it all wrong, he was ALL in with Jasper.
But then, Jasper does what he does and I was reading in bed, and I must have said out loud, "oh Jasper, you IDIOT!" cos my partner was, who is Jasper and what has he done?? And I rarely react verbally when reading, so it shows how powerfully what he did affected me, let alone Matt!
And then, against Jasper and Matt's story, we have the Tabletop tavern and what's happening there. Granted, Jasper leaves it late, but once he gets his head out his ass and goes to war, they pull that off wonderfully!
So, now, I'm sad. I'm sad cos all these wonderful people are partnered up and I am so going to miss them! There are lots of people here, with the battle to save the buildings from developers, people I don't recall meeting before. People with interesting hints about and I wonder if we'll get a follow up? I'd love one!
So, 6 books, 5 of those are 5 star reads, and one slipping to 4, but a series I strongly recommend.
5 full and shiny, but kinda sad, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is the final book in the Dungeons and Dating series, and I strongly recommend you read all 5 books previous to this one. Not strictly necessary, but it will give you a better view of Jasper, and how he is with everyone else, and of this amazing group of people. And you know, cos I SAID SO!
Jasper doesn't do commitment, he thinks he's too broken. So crushing after the straight owner of his fav cafe is a safe bet, cos ain't nothing gonna happen. Then, though, Matt turns up at a shibari lesson and is paired with Jasper. Which sets off all sorts of chain reactions from the both of them.
Oh Jasper, Jasper Jasper! I've been waiting, so very impatiently for Jasper to tell his tale, cos all through the other books, he SAYS he's happy with his lot, not having to commit to anyone, just hooking up as and when, but deep down, DEEP down, Jasper needed someone to love him. It comes out in all the other books, and here? Oh my days!
Jasper has crushed on Matt for a couple of years and while Matt looked forward to seeing Jasper every day, he was straight and in a relationship. Then that ends, the lesson occurs and Matt begins to question everything about his previous relationships and why they didn't work. Maybe, just maybe, it wasn't that he needed to be more dominant, like all the girlfriends asked for, but the opposite?
Loved the progression of Matt and Jasper, how well they fit together and moved things along. Jasper was always gonna say yes to Matt, but Matt wasn't sure what he was asking for, til Jasper said or did JUST what Matt needed. And I loved that, while there was some questioning of his sexual preferences by Matt, once he decided that he'd had it all wrong, he was ALL in with Jasper.
But then, Jasper does what he does and I was reading in bed, and I must have said out loud, "oh Jasper, you IDIOT!" cos my partner was, who is Jasper and what has he done?? And I rarely react verbally when reading, so it shows how powerfully what he did affected me, let alone Matt!
And then, against Jasper and Matt's story, we have the Tabletop tavern and what's happening there. Granted, Jasper leaves it late, but once he gets his head out his ass and goes to war, they pull that off wonderfully!
So, now, I'm sad. I'm sad cos all these wonderful people are partnered up and I am so going to miss them! There are lots of people here, with the battle to save the buildings from developers, people I don't recall meeting before. People with interesting hints about and I wonder if we'll get a follow up? I'd love one!
So, 6 books, 5 of those are 5 star reads, and one slipping to 4, but a series I strongly recommend.
5 full and shiny, but kinda sad, stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Neon's Nerd Nexus (360 KP) rated Searching (2018) in Movies
May 14, 2019
Look deeper
#searching #searchingmovie is an extremely intense, clever & emotionally draining film that for a directorial debut is actually quite a remarkable achievement. I like #Johncho I feel he's one of those actors that really doesnt get enough time to truly shine, so with him being the star of searching its great to see him finally get to seriously act. He's just so extremely likable & within the first 10 minutes we are introduced to him & his #family so well that an instant #emotional connection to them is formed. Told entirely through a screen searching does a great job of creating suspense & tension by using the flaws/interface of things we have all become a custom to as neat little visual cues (eg just missing a call by a few seconds, waiting for a video to buffer, seeing someone go offline while talking to them or even typing what you want to say only to delete it & type something different). This works perfectly & is never boring keeping you on edge & invested throughout while also being eerily #beautiful at times. Themes of neglect, distrust, loss & #depression are present throughout & theres also a sad look at how although we are all so connected to one another nowadays the sad fact is we have never also been more alone & afraid to show who we really are or what we are really thinking. Different sides of #Socialmedia are also explored well here too & we are shown how it can not only be used to help but also to hinder & manipulate even in a serious case like this (as well as people using the case to gain thier own fame too). Story wise its good with all the plot twists constantly shocking & unexpected with great build up too. Characters all have great back story & are all played well by the cast. My only gripe was the pacing after the final twist as it not only felt rushed but a little exposition heavy too. If your looking for a #film thats going to give your #emotions a run you'll #love Searching, while its no #nocturnalanimals its still smart, well constructed, gripping & an extremely entertaining little #drama. #instagram #apple #catfish #weekend #odeon #odeonlimitless #filmbuff #filmreview #filmcritic #internet #trending #youtube #facebook #followers #like