Sign up
Search
Advanced search settings

Search only in certain items:

Search results
All (1825)
Content
People
Apps
Books
Orbs
Movies
Music
Podcasts
Shows
Tabletop Games
Tech
TV
Video Games
YouTube Channels
Videos
40x40

Hazel (1853 KP) rated Love Hurts in Books

Dec 17, 2018  
LH
Love Hurts
Malorie Blackman | 2015
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Love Hurts is a young adult book containing several stories compiled together by the well-known Malorie Blackman. There are a few new short stories however most are extracts from pre-existing novels. The short stories are written by a variety of different authors such as Susie Day, Lauren Dockrill, Lauren Kate, Catherine Johnson and James Dawson. Many readers will be familiar with these authors as well as some of the books that the extracts are from, for example: More Than This, If I Stay, I Am The Messenger and Northern Lights.

The aim of this anthology is to explore what love means. Love is not a simple, straightforward concept. There is love lost and love found, bitter love and sweet love. Each story focuses on a different perspective. Some are about teenagers, some are about adults. Some are about homosexuality and others are not.

Love Hurts is an interesting concept and it is interesting to see different authors' understanding on the term "love". The biggest problem with this book however is due to most of the entries being snippets of other stories as it is often difficult to understand what was going on and who the characters were.

Another issue for me was I found some of the stories uninteresting and difficult to get into; and as they were short there was not a lot of time to appreciate the different concepts and styles of writing.

Although it would have been a challenge, it would have been better for all the stories to be brand new and unique. On he other hand, Malorie Blackman has done an excellent job at sourcing all the content.
  
40x40

ClareR (5674 KP) rated Mouthful of Birds in Books

Apr 11, 2019  
Mouthful of Birds
Mouthful of Birds
Samanta Schwebelin | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
An interesting collection of stories.
When I read an anthology of short stories, I don’t expect to like all of them, and I did have my favourites in this collection, with titles such as: ‘Headlights’, ‘Mouthful of Birds’ and ‘Preserves’. These, and the rest of the stories in this collection, all start off as being quite ‘normal’, nothing overly startling, but they’re lulling you in to a false sense of security. They are all decidedly quirky, uncomfortable, menacing stories.
I think collections of stories like this are generally better as books that are dipped in and out of, and used as a palate cleanser every now and again. To read them all one after the other doesn’t do them the justice that they deserve.
I am very interested to see where Schweblin goes with her next novel, she has a very interesting imagination!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Oneworld Publications, for my copy of this book.
  
40x40

Beckie Shelton (40 KP) rated Silver Bells Collection in Books

Feb 8, 2018  
SB
Silver Bells Collection
Lucinda Brant | 2014
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was a romance anthology consisting of six novellas by various authors with a christmas theme.
I don't normally read short stories but was tempted by the festive setting which i do love.All of the stories were well written and engaged me keeping my interest throughout.They showed a snapshot of a time gone by and i found them very endearing.
If your looking for a light, clean, nostalgic read this anthology is for you. The six stories are all very different so there should be a tale to suit everyone, give it a try you wont be dissapointed.
  
40x40

David McK (3369 KP) rated The Philip K. Dick Megapack (R): 15 Classic Science Fiction Stories in Books

Jan 30, 2019  
TP
The Philip K. Dick Megapack (R): 15 Classic Science Fiction Stories
Philip K. Dick | 2013
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
While the name may not be all that well-known, Philip K Dick was (IMO) actually one of the most influential of 20th century sci-fi authors, responsible for the stories that led to movies the likes of 'Total Recall', 'Blade Runner', 'Minority Report', 'The Adjustment Bureau' and 'Screamers'.

In fact, the idea for that last one ('Screamers') itself is one of the short stories in this anthology in 'Second Variety': I think it's about #6 in the anthology.

If you read that story, and if you've seen the film, you'll definitely make the connection!

Of the rest of the stories, some are better than others, but all are entertaining and even (occasionally) thought provoking.