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Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) rated If You Were Here in Books
Oct 2, 2020
“If You Were Here” by Alice Peterson is an emotional story about Huntington’s Disease, a disease that affects your brain & movements and it gets worse as it progresses, without any cure for it yet.
Peggy has lost her husband to this disease, and now her daughter as well. But what she needs to do now is tell her granddaughter Flo that the disease is hereditary and she might be at risk.
Flo is about to get married and move to the US, but the news change everything. How do you even deal with such news, right? How do you process it? Through Flo’s character, you can clearly see her confusion and struggle to accept the fact – something that is so common for a human to do. Her fiance is not ready for the risk and will probably never will. The only support Flo has is her roommate James, his sister and her grandma Peggy. Flo needs to make the hardest decision of her life: does she take the test or not? Is she at risk of getting the disease too? What if she is tested negative? But, what if she is tested positive? Or would she just rather not know and live every day experiencing as much as she can? With her mother’s diaries helping her on this journey, she finds hope and strength she never knew she had before.
I loved Flo’s character. Despite the whole world turning upside down, she picked herself up and was always thinking on the positive side. Sure, there were ups and downs, but damn, that persistence was incredible.
”If You Were Here” is such a sad, but positive and powerful story about what we can do with our lives, and how we should live every day of our lives like it’s our last. Because – that is the truth: you don’t know whether you’ll wake up in the morning. You don’t know whether you’ll be going through troubles until it happens. You don’t have a map of your life, and that’s completely okay. Try to achieve as much as you can today, because you never know what tomorrow may bring.
Please pick this book up. It’s powerful, it’s incredible, it’s sad and it’s motivational. But above everything else, this book is bloody real!
Peggy has lost her husband to this disease, and now her daughter as well. But what she needs to do now is tell her granddaughter Flo that the disease is hereditary and she might be at risk.
Flo is about to get married and move to the US, but the news change everything. How do you even deal with such news, right? How do you process it? Through Flo’s character, you can clearly see her confusion and struggle to accept the fact – something that is so common for a human to do. Her fiance is not ready for the risk and will probably never will. The only support Flo has is her roommate James, his sister and her grandma Peggy. Flo needs to make the hardest decision of her life: does she take the test or not? Is she at risk of getting the disease too? What if she is tested negative? But, what if she is tested positive? Or would she just rather not know and live every day experiencing as much as she can? With her mother’s diaries helping her on this journey, she finds hope and strength she never knew she had before.
I loved Flo’s character. Despite the whole world turning upside down, she picked herself up and was always thinking on the positive side. Sure, there were ups and downs, but damn, that persistence was incredible.
”If You Were Here” is such a sad, but positive and powerful story about what we can do with our lives, and how we should live every day of our lives like it’s our last. Because – that is the truth: you don’t know whether you’ll wake up in the morning. You don’t know whether you’ll be going through troubles until it happens. You don’t have a map of your life, and that’s completely okay. Try to achieve as much as you can today, because you never know what tomorrow may bring.
Please pick this book up. It’s powerful, it’s incredible, it’s sad and it’s motivational. But above everything else, this book is bloody real!
War of Mist (The Oremere Chronicles #3)
8.0
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War is here. Toxic mist drives all life to the brink of destruction and the conqueror queen, Ines,...
Ross (3284 KP) rated Dead Man's Steel in Books
Oct 4, 2017
Outstanding conclusion to this trilogy. I was worried about the number of story threads and loose ends at the end of the Sword of the North and how these could satisfactorily be resolved in 400 pages. I was not disappointed.
The story not only starts to close off loose ends but new threads start up.
The one-time residents of the continent decide to return and Reckon the human race.
Meanwhile a horde of demons has started to break through a rift in the highlands and need to be stopped while they still can.
And there is a dragon.
There are a lot of sad endings for characters I had come to love/loathe and love reading about. Some of these are a long time coming (it seems almost every chapter involving Brodar Kayne has him on the verge of death at the end).
Quite simply an awesome ending to one of the best fantasy series I have read in a long time.
I am tempted to end with the words "better than Abercrombie" but I am not sure I can. Oh I have.
The story not only starts to close off loose ends but new threads start up.
The one-time residents of the continent decide to return and Reckon the human race.
Meanwhile a horde of demons has started to break through a rift in the highlands and need to be stopped while they still can.
And there is a dragon.
There are a lot of sad endings for characters I had come to love/loathe and love reading about. Some of these are a long time coming (it seems almost every chapter involving Brodar Kayne has him on the verge of death at the end).
Quite simply an awesome ending to one of the best fantasy series I have read in a long time.
I am tempted to end with the words "better than Abercrombie" but I am not sure I can. Oh I have.
Book Divas (227 KP) rated Hidden Deep (Hidden Saga, #1) in Books
Dec 12, 2017
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review when I signed up for the book tour.
I loved this book so much that I had to stay up late to finish reading it because once I started I could not put it down! Ryann is a teenage girl living with her mom and grandmother and due to an "incident" that occurred when she was young, she is overly protected.
Lad is a young and mysterious man who is keeping secrets from Ryann and who also finds himself with some important decisions to make.
Nox is the arrogant band leader who also has a secret that will in time be revealed. You want to hate and love him as you find yourself questioning his ulterior motive.
The storyline kept me on my toes. I was surprised, shocked, happy and sad as I read this book and I love how the author pulled me in from the very beginning. Smooth flowing storyline and well developed characters make this a must read book and I cannot wait until the next book in this trilogy is released.
I loved this book so much that I had to stay up late to finish reading it because once I started I could not put it down! Ryann is a teenage girl living with her mom and grandmother and due to an "incident" that occurred when she was young, she is overly protected.
Lad is a young and mysterious man who is keeping secrets from Ryann and who also finds himself with some important decisions to make.
Nox is the arrogant band leader who also has a secret that will in time be revealed. You want to hate and love him as you find yourself questioning his ulterior motive.
The storyline kept me on my toes. I was surprised, shocked, happy and sad as I read this book and I love how the author pulled me in from the very beginning. Smooth flowing storyline and well developed characters make this a must read book and I cannot wait until the next book in this trilogy is released.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Frailty (2002) in Movies
Jan 4, 2018
Paxton acting and directing (1 more)
Plot twists
Bill Paxton was one of my favorite actors of all time. I was very sad when he passed away in 2017 at the young age of 61. He will leave a legacy of fantastic films including Aliens, Twister, One False Move, Apollo 13 and this film which he also directed.
Matthew McConaughey walks into the office of FBI agent Powers Boothe and begins telling a very unusual story. When he was a kid, his dad said he had a vision which gave him the ability to see "demons" within human beings. He is then given the task of "dispelling" the demons in front of his two young sons.
The film creates quite the moral dilemma for the audience as you feel for the boys and the dire predicament their father places them into. You also wonder whether he can really "see" the demons or he is just losing his mind.
The 3rd act of the film takes some interesting turns as the true nature of some of the characters is revealed. You will not see this one coming.
A real standout in the Paxton legacy.
Matthew McConaughey walks into the office of FBI agent Powers Boothe and begins telling a very unusual story. When he was a kid, his dad said he had a vision which gave him the ability to see "demons" within human beings. He is then given the task of "dispelling" the demons in front of his two young sons.
The film creates quite the moral dilemma for the audience as you feel for the boys and the dire predicament their father places them into. You also wonder whether he can really "see" the demons or he is just losing his mind.
The 3rd act of the film takes some interesting turns as the true nature of some of the characters is revealed. You will not see this one coming.
A real standout in the Paxton legacy.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Kubo and the Two Strings (2016) in Movies
Aug 26, 2017
Not quite in the same league as other Japanese animations
Just like those crazy Studio Ghibli films of fantastic tales and amazing creatures, Laika productions (famous for Coraline) has created a stop motion animation using Japanese folklore. Now as a fan of Ghibli, I can say that this is no way near that league although the animation is always amazing to behold.
The story is rather tragic of a boy from a magical powerful family, who has escaped with his mother as a baby, losing an eye in the process, and growing up to play an instrument that has the power to control paper. Both he and his mother are poor, livingin a cave, hiding away from this family - his father has also perished in this initial battle. However, they are found and his mother gives him her powers to escape and try and find a way of defeating her sisters and father.
It's a quest-based film, filled with perilous obstacles and while it was sad at times - I just don't think it was as heartfelt as other Japanese animations. The voices of Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron is always fantastic to hear though.
The story is rather tragic of a boy from a magical powerful family, who has escaped with his mother as a baby, losing an eye in the process, and growing up to play an instrument that has the power to control paper. Both he and his mother are poor, livingin a cave, hiding away from this family - his father has also perished in this initial battle. However, they are found and his mother gives him her powers to escape and try and find a way of defeating her sisters and father.
It's a quest-based film, filled with perilous obstacles and while it was sad at times - I just don't think it was as heartfelt as other Japanese animations. The voices of Matthew McConaughey and Charlize Theron is always fantastic to hear though.
This is such a gentle, beautifully written book, about a harrowing, terrible subject. I had seen other reviews saying how much they'd enjoyed this, however based on the synopsis, I was hesitant at first: a mother kills her six year old daughter with a hatchet. What can be poetic or lyrical about that?
The story jumps back and forth in time as it follows the lives of the mother, father, the daughters and Ann, the 'new' wife. It isn't confusing though, surprisingly. The murder isn't one of those protracted descriptions, it's more of an aside. I don't even think that it comes across as something that was done on purpose.
This book is about the repercussions of this single act and how it affects all those involved, even those who weren't there.
I was captivated. I know that seems like a big thing to say about a book, but once I got going (real life and it's distractions, eh!) the end seemed to come around all too quickly.
I would highly recommend this - but make sure you have a box of Kleenex to hand. It's achingly sad in places.
The story jumps back and forth in time as it follows the lives of the mother, father, the daughters and Ann, the 'new' wife. It isn't confusing though, surprisingly. The murder isn't one of those protracted descriptions, it's more of an aside. I don't even think that it comes across as something that was done on purpose.
This book is about the repercussions of this single act and how it affects all those involved, even those who weren't there.
I was captivated. I know that seems like a big thing to say about a book, but once I got going (real life and it's distractions, eh!) the end seemed to come around all too quickly.
I would highly recommend this - but make sure you have a box of Kleenex to hand. It's achingly sad in places.
okletmereviewit (4 KP) rated Margaret Cho: PsyCHO (2015) in Movies
May 11, 2018
she isn't as funny as she use to be
Contains spoilers, click to show
Is it me or has Margaret Cho lost her "funny"? It seems to me that over the course of the last few years that she has become less funny and more mainstream.
Before during with her stand up it was more edgy and hard hitting and funny. Most of her comedy from pre 2003 was amazing and insightful. But now it feels like she just gets on stage and drones on for however long she has been booked.
There were parts of this stand up that were funny, but for the most part it was like sitting in a class waiting for the bell to ring.
Through out her career she has undergone many changes, from coming out to weight loss. And before her comedy reflected the funnier aspects of her life, but now is kind of a sad dribble of what she once was. Don't get me wrong, I will continue to watch her stand up routine in hopes of her making me laugh like she once did. But for right now I don't find her all that funny any more.
Before during with her stand up it was more edgy and hard hitting and funny. Most of her comedy from pre 2003 was amazing and insightful. But now it feels like she just gets on stage and drones on for however long she has been booked.
There were parts of this stand up that were funny, but for the most part it was like sitting in a class waiting for the bell to ring.
Through out her career she has undergone many changes, from coming out to weight loss. And before her comedy reflected the funnier aspects of her life, but now is kind of a sad dribble of what she once was. Don't get me wrong, I will continue to watch her stand up routine in hopes of her making me laugh like she once did. But for right now I don't find her all that funny any more.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The Invention of Wings in Books
May 10, 2018
**I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway**
On her 11th birthday Sarah Grimke's mother gave her a gift she did not want. That gift was Hetty. Hetty is 10 years old and is now to be Sarah's waiting maid.
Two girls forced into positions they have no desire to be a part of and no way to get out.
As they both grow older together and separately, they both search for the freedom they both want. Hetty, the freedom from being a slave and Sarah, freedom to speak up for what she believes in.
This book is a strong testament to the rights and responsibilities of women and slave owners and teaches us all to never give up in what you believe.
This book brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. Seeing women struggle to get to where the want to be, make me feel very sad. I'm sure if I lived during those times, I would manage, but not being able to read and further my education would really hurt my heart. I encourage every woman to read this book. It will make you appreciate where you are in your life today.
On her 11th birthday Sarah Grimke's mother gave her a gift she did not want. That gift was Hetty. Hetty is 10 years old and is now to be Sarah's waiting maid.
Two girls forced into positions they have no desire to be a part of and no way to get out.
As they both grow older together and separately, they both search for the freedom they both want. Hetty, the freedom from being a slave and Sarah, freedom to speak up for what she believes in.
This book is a strong testament to the rights and responsibilities of women and slave owners and teaches us all to never give up in what you believe.
This book brought tears to my eyes on several occasions. Seeing women struggle to get to where the want to be, make me feel very sad. I'm sure if I lived during those times, I would manage, but not being able to read and further my education would really hurt my heart. I encourage every woman to read this book. It will make you appreciate where you are in your life today.
ClareR (6230 KP) rated Professor Chandra Follows His Bliss in Books
Mar 14, 2019
A wonderful story of family and finding yourself.
This is SUCH a good book!
Professor Chandra, a Professor at Cambridge University, has missed out on the Nobel Prize for Economics, and he’s not happy about it! So unhappy in fact, that he doesn’t pay attention whilst crossing the road, and gets run over by a bicycle. He ends up in hospital, and decides that he needs to re-evaluate his life and get in contact with his children. And so starts his journey of self-realisation.
I loved this book. The characters were all immensely likeable (even the irritating Steve - Chandra’s ex-wife’s new husband). Some of the things that happened seemed a bit unlikely, but we’re not reading this as a non-fiction book, are we? They were very funny though, and occasionally, they were quite sad. This book had it all for me. I read this on The Pigeonhole, so one part a day for ten days, and I can honestly say that I looked forward to reading it every day. I feel a little bereft that it’s over now.
Highly recommended!
Professor Chandra, a Professor at Cambridge University, has missed out on the Nobel Prize for Economics, and he’s not happy about it! So unhappy in fact, that he doesn’t pay attention whilst crossing the road, and gets run over by a bicycle. He ends up in hospital, and decides that he needs to re-evaluate his life and get in contact with his children. And so starts his journey of self-realisation.
I loved this book. The characters were all immensely likeable (even the irritating Steve - Chandra’s ex-wife’s new husband). Some of the things that happened seemed a bit unlikely, but we’re not reading this as a non-fiction book, are we? They were very funny though, and occasionally, they were quite sad. This book had it all for me. I read this on The Pigeonhole, so one part a day for ten days, and I can honestly say that I looked forward to reading it every day. I feel a little bereft that it’s over now.
Highly recommended!