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Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated The Signalman in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I've never read a Dicken's novel before, I always felt like I would come out of them dumbfounded... his writing seems too intellectual and educational for my little brain. But, this is just a ghost story, so it was easy enough to get on with!
Yes, I enjoyed this, but it wasn't my favourite short story. A classic old school ghost story, but it could have been so much creepier than it was, so that let me down. There is a slight pang of shock at the tail end of this short, but it's nothing to write home about.
What's most interesting, to me, about this book, is the fact that it's been pulled out of a personal tragedy of Dicken's.
Yes, I enjoyed this, but it wasn't my favourite short story. A classic old school ghost story, but it could have been so much creepier than it was, so that let me down. There is a slight pang of shock at the tail end of this short, but it's nothing to write home about.
What's most interesting, to me, about this book, is the fact that it's been pulled out of a personal tragedy of Dicken's.
David McK (3425 KP) rated The Rise of Robin Hood (Outlaw Chronicles, #0.5) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Short prequel to the first of Angus Donald's <i>Outlaw</i> series about Robin Hood.
Whereas the books proper are all presented as an ageing Alan-a -Dale remembering his time with Robin and were told in the first person, this is told in third person and is not 'book-ended' in such a manner. While there are a few other characters than the already-living-in-the-woods Robin and John, it also does not have such a wide range of characters as in the novels proper, and feels maybe a little bit rushed.
In short: an OK entry for anyone who hasn't read any of the novels proper, but I would still advise the reader to start with the first book rather than this novella.
Whereas the books proper are all presented as an ageing Alan-a -Dale remembering his time with Robin and were told in the first person, this is told in third person and is not 'book-ended' in such a manner. While there are a few other characters than the already-living-in-the-woods Robin and John, it also does not have such a wide range of characters as in the novels proper, and feels maybe a little bit rushed.
In short: an OK entry for anyone who hasn't read any of the novels proper, but I would still advise the reader to start with the first book rather than this novella.
Quran. Short Surahs. Koran
Education and Book
App
Short Surahs of Holy Quran with transliteration, translation and AUDIO! You can LISTEN surahs...
Louise (64 KP) rated The Djinn Falls in Love & Other Stories in Books
Jul 2, 2018
*I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I have not read anything with Genies, nothing NADA! So when I saw this I jumped on the chance to read it. I love reading short story collections, you get to read from authors that you have never read from before and to see if you like their writing style. This collection of short stories is from authors all over the world and it is their take on the djinn and some of the myths,tales that they have heard whilst growing up or heard. The only author that I had heard and read beforehand was Neil Gaiman, I read ‘The Ocean at the end of the Lane’ years ago and enjoyed it so I knew there would be one possible story that I would like.
So going into this I knew nothing about Genie’s/Djinn other than Aladdin! The book has an introduction written by the editors Mahvesh Murad and Jared Shurin explaining how this book came together and the different authors involved. We also had the The Djinn Falls In Love by Hermes which is poem about a djinn which I really enjoyed.
There are 20 stories in this collection in total and are all very different, however I found the majority of them to be a little dull and wasn’t holding my attention or the story line/plot got confusing. There were however some really great ones that I loved such as ‘Spite House’ and ‘Reap’. I must admit that there will be something for everyone as there several different genres within.
‘Reap’ by Sami Shah – This was a 5 star from me. This is a story about a small team who use a drone for surveillance on a small village in Pakistan. They have to watch the residents of this village and one family has 11 children, but one day Miriam, the youngest, doesn’t return with the clan. This has supernatural elements and is pretty scary but truly wonderful and had me gripped all the way through.
This is not one of my favourite short story collection as there were just too many that didn’t hold my interest or was a little confusing. The cover though is beautiful and recommend if you want to read some different interpretations about Djinn.
I rated this 2.5 out of 5 stars
I have not read anything with Genies, nothing NADA! So when I saw this I jumped on the chance to read it. I love reading short story collections, you get to read from authors that you have never read from before and to see if you like their writing style. This collection of short stories is from authors all over the world and it is their take on the djinn and some of the myths,tales that they have heard whilst growing up or heard. The only author that I had heard and read beforehand was Neil Gaiman, I read ‘The Ocean at the end of the Lane’ years ago and enjoyed it so I knew there would be one possible story that I would like.
So going into this I knew nothing about Genie’s/Djinn other than Aladdin! The book has an introduction written by the editors Mahvesh Murad and Jared Shurin explaining how this book came together and the different authors involved. We also had the The Djinn Falls In Love by Hermes which is poem about a djinn which I really enjoyed.
There are 20 stories in this collection in total and are all very different, however I found the majority of them to be a little dull and wasn’t holding my attention or the story line/plot got confusing. There were however some really great ones that I loved such as ‘Spite House’ and ‘Reap’. I must admit that there will be something for everyone as there several different genres within.
‘Reap’ by Sami Shah – This was a 5 star from me. This is a story about a small team who use a drone for surveillance on a small village in Pakistan. They have to watch the residents of this village and one family has 11 children, but one day Miriam, the youngest, doesn’t return with the clan. This has supernatural elements and is pretty scary but truly wonderful and had me gripped all the way through.
This is not one of my favourite short story collection as there were just too many that didn’t hold my interest or was a little confusing. The cover though is beautiful and recommend if you want to read some different interpretations about Djinn.
I rated this 2.5 out of 5 stars
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Forrest Gump in Books
Oct 4, 2018
Outrageous
I watch the movie version of this multiple times growing up, but I had never read the book. After reading the book I must say that it and the movie are both wonderfully told stories. The book differs greatly from the movie, but Forrest adventures could never be contained in the short time frame of a single movie.
The great thing about this book is that it is not contained to a single adventure. Even after reading it I don't understand how so many stories manage to fit into a single novel. Each of Forrest's stories flows nicely into the next. This causes the ridiculousness of each adventure to make perfect sense in the overall story.
Anyone who enjoys the movie needs to read this book. It is an easy to read masterpiece that stands far above other stories of its kind.
The great thing about this book is that it is not contained to a single adventure. Even after reading it I don't understand how so many stories manage to fit into a single novel. Each of Forrest's stories flows nicely into the next. This causes the ridiculousness of each adventure to make perfect sense in the overall story.
Anyone who enjoys the movie needs to read this book. It is an easy to read masterpiece that stands far above other stories of its kind.
Charlotte (184 KP) rated Dare (Pixieland Diaries #3) in Books
Aug 6, 2021
A daring third installment!
I'll be honest, I've not read the first two books.....I know I've missed a treat having read Dare. It's a nice easy read, perfect for a lazy afternoon in the garden.
It's well written fun with twists and surprises. Although short you still get to know the characters and form your own relationships with them. I love the optimism and closeness of Calla and Dare, the way they think along similar lines and have a bit of a mischievous streak. It was fun seeing each of them grow and discover things about themselves.
They definitely fit well together.
There are characters that I don't like, with good reason, and ones that I just generally don't care for.
Christina Bauer never disappoints with her writing but always amazes me with her imagination.
@Merissa
I'll be honest, I've not read the first two books.....I know I've missed a treat having read Dare. It's a nice easy read, perfect for a lazy afternoon in the garden.
It's well written fun with twists and surprises. Although short you still get to know the characters and form your own relationships with them. I love the optimism and closeness of Calla and Dare, the way they think along similar lines and have a bit of a mischievous streak. It was fun seeing each of them grow and discover things about themselves.
They definitely fit well together.
There are characters that I don't like, with good reason, and ones that I just generally don't care for.
Christina Bauer never disappoints with her writing but always amazes me with her imagination.
@Merissa
Merissa (12069 KP) rated Enticed By Blood (Sweetblood #4.5) in Books
Apr 12, 2023
This is a story that takes place within the history of the Sweetblood novels, none of which I have read previously. However, as most of the explanations given are related directly to Juliette and Andre, it didn't really have much of an impact on the story.
It is well-written and fast-paced, typically what is expected of a short story or novella. Look at it as a chance to dip your toe into the Sweetblood world and take it from there. As for me, I really liked what I read so I will definitely be reading more.
Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 14, 2015
It is well-written and fast-paced, typically what is expected of a short story or novella. Look at it as a chance to dip your toe into the Sweetblood world and take it from there. As for me, I really liked what I read so I will definitely be reading more.
Definitely recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 14, 2015
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Hasty for the Dark in Books
Aug 9, 2019
Must read for horror fans
This is a book with selected short stories from Adam Nevill. All dark and twisted in their own right.
<strong>Brilliant</strong>
Wow my anxiety levels reading these stories were through the roof! From the very first to the very last, each story had a new way of making me want to close the book and find something fluffy and happy to read.
Adam Nevill has such an amazing way of bringing you right into the world he's created. Being from Birmingham reading Always in our hearts really struck home as I read about familiar roads I travel daily I was able to feel the anxiety he built up travelling those roads too. The character creation is next to none I just can't believe it's taken this long to read these brilliant stories!!
I had a few sleepless nights also throw a few nightmares in too. They are so dark and twisted playing on emotional and mental well-being of the characters, which are done so well.
Definitely a must read for any Horror fan!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

<strong>Brilliant</strong>
Wow my anxiety levels reading these stories were through the roof! From the very first to the very last, each story had a new way of making me want to close the book and find something fluffy and happy to read.
Adam Nevill has such an amazing way of bringing you right into the world he's created. Being from Birmingham reading Always in our hearts really struck home as I read about familiar roads I travel daily I was able to feel the anxiety he built up travelling those roads too. The character creation is next to none I just can't believe it's taken this long to read these brilliant stories!!
I had a few sleepless nights also throw a few nightmares in too. They are so dark and twisted playing on emotional and mental well-being of the characters, which are done so well.
Definitely a must read for any Horror fan!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Wishful Drinking in Books
Aug 14, 2017
Actually quite sad reading it post-death
This is almost a bittersweet memoir about the great Carrie Fisher who battled mental health issues, substance abuse, and being brought up in a slightly dysfunctional family. It is witty, snarky and sarcastic despite all the upheavals. It begins with her experience with electroshock therapy and her subsequent loss of memories. The book is also short and filled with interesting images from her life, so it's a treat to read.
Midge (525 KP) rated Sensuous Passions in Books
Dec 10, 2018
An exciting and beautifully descriptive collection of erotic short stories that are not for the fainthearted. My favourites are The Dragon Keep and The Vampire and the Redheads. In the Dragon Keep, will Anya be rescued and return home? What will be the fate of the Vampire, in the tale of the Vampire and the Redheads?
A delightful read, Amanda's writing skills are mindblowing and admirable. I am looking forward to reading another of Amanda's books very soon.
A delightful read, Amanda's writing skills are mindblowing and admirable. I am looking forward to reading another of Amanda's books very soon.