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ClareR (5879 KP) rated Fake Like Me in Books
Jul 19, 2019 (Updated Jul 19, 2019)
I really enjoyed Fake Like Me by Barbara Bourland. It’s told from the point of view of a nameless artist who is struggling to live and produce the art that she wants to make. Just as she’s building up to a huge show, her loft burns down containing all of the art she’s going to show. She tells the gallery and her agent that they are undamaged. She manages to secure studio space in Pine City where her art hero, Carey Logan lived and worked prior to her suicide.
I loved how the narrator was so passionate about her work; there are loads of descriptions of paints, colours, methods and textures. If like me, you know nothing about art, never fear! This is all about the mystery of what happened to Carey Logan. It’s also about loyalty, doing the things that you love and the sacrifices you will make to reach these ends. All of the artists in this story are passionate about their work. We also see that a lot of these people are already very privileged, and this is likely the reason why they are able to achieve so much in their careers - unlike the main protagonist who seems to have to fight and work really hard for everything she does.
I’d definitely recommend this book - I didn’t see the twist coming at all (I know that some people did), but maybe that’s because I enjoyed the journey of the story so much. Either way, it’s a really good read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
I loved how the narrator was so passionate about her work; there are loads of descriptions of paints, colours, methods and textures. If like me, you know nothing about art, never fear! This is all about the mystery of what happened to Carey Logan. It’s also about loyalty, doing the things that you love and the sacrifices you will make to reach these ends. All of the artists in this story are passionate about their work. We also see that a lot of these people are already very privileged, and this is likely the reason why they are able to achieve so much in their careers - unlike the main protagonist who seems to have to fight and work really hard for everything she does.
I’d definitely recommend this book - I didn’t see the twist coming at all (I know that some people did), but maybe that’s because I enjoyed the journey of the story so much. Either way, it’s a really good read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Leigh J (71 KP) rated Midsommar (2019) in Movies
Nov 11, 2019
The Wicker Man 2.0
Contains spoilers, click to show
Grieving over the Murder/Suicide of her mentally ill Sister and Parents, Dani decides to get away for a while to Hårga, in Hälsingland, the Swedish community that her and her Boyfriend Christian's mutual friend Pele lives in. Christian and Dani's relationship is at breaking point (unbeknownst to Dani) and the other 2 friends of Christian are encouraging him to finally split with Dani. However, feeling bad about what happened to her Family, Christian and Pele ask Dani to take the trip with them and on to Hälsingland the group of 5 friends go. On the first leg of the road to Hälsinglang, where it is their time to have a special festival called Midsommar, they hang out in a field where they are prompted to partake in some Magic Mushrooms, to which they all have a nice trip before moving on to the "Community". Hälsinglang is a beautiful and seemingly gentle and friendly community, however small cracks start to appear... and Dani's friends start to go missing. Is this community, in fact, a Cult? Or will Dani find the salvation she so desperately needs...
I have to admit, Ari Aster hasn't had me from the jump. Hereditary in my opinion is a bit beige and "meh", but the Culty look of Midsommar attracted my attention straight away and did not disappoint! It's visually beautiful and the story is actually very tragic and gives you a realistic look as to why and how some people actually do join cults. It's an absolutely mind blowing watch and a Movie that I see myself watching many more times in the future. Well done, Ari Aster!
I have to admit, Ari Aster hasn't had me from the jump. Hereditary in my opinion is a bit beige and "meh", but the Culty look of Midsommar attracted my attention straight away and did not disappoint! It's visually beautiful and the story is actually very tragic and gives you a realistic look as to why and how some people actually do join cults. It's an absolutely mind blowing watch and a Movie that I see myself watching many more times in the future. Well done, Ari Aster!
MelanieTheresa (997 KP) rated You Are Not Alone in Books
Jan 10, 2020 (Updated Jan 10, 2020)
This is the third psychological thriller from Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen, and it's my opinion that it was just not as good as the first two. That's not to say it wasn't good; just not AS good. The big reveal didn't feel all that big, and the ending felt a bit rushed. However, it's a very enjoyable read and 100% worth your time.
Shay Miller witnesses a young woman, about her age, commit suicide by jumping in front of an oncoming subway train. From there she meets sisters Cassandra & Jane Moore, and her life pretty much immediately spirals out of control. Unfortunately there's not much more I can say re: the plot without ruining the reader's experience, so here are some fairly vague observations/opinions:
- If you've read this author duo's previous two titles, then you're familiar with their writing style, and you'll be happy to know that this style continues in You Are Not Alone. I appreciate that they have a particular style that they stick with.
- I felt like it took far too long for Shay to realize what was happening to her. It also took far too long for any motives to be revealed.
- The cast of women is intriguing. Except for Jody. Jody's a bitch.
- Sean, the lone male character, is a complete non-committal, whiny afterthought. It's possible that's how the authors wanted him to come across. Mission accomplished.
You are not alone: Is it a promise, or a threat?
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Shay Miller witnesses a young woman, about her age, commit suicide by jumping in front of an oncoming subway train. From there she meets sisters Cassandra & Jane Moore, and her life pretty much immediately spirals out of control. Unfortunately there's not much more I can say re: the plot without ruining the reader's experience, so here are some fairly vague observations/opinions:
- If you've read this author duo's previous two titles, then you're familiar with their writing style, and you'll be happy to know that this style continues in You Are Not Alone. I appreciate that they have a particular style that they stick with.
- I felt like it took far too long for Shay to realize what was happening to her. It also took far too long for any motives to be revealed.
- The cast of women is intriguing. Except for Jody. Jody's a bitch.
- Sean, the lone male character, is a complete non-committal, whiny afterthought. It's possible that's how the authors wanted him to come across. Mission accomplished.
You are not alone: Is it a promise, or a threat?
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Coming Up For Air in Books
Apr 17, 2020
Coming Up For Air is a really interesting book, in that it gives a life to the face of the resuscitation dummy, Resusci Anne. The original mask was the death mask of a suicide victim in Paris in 1899, and Leipciger tells the background story of a girl who decides to take her own life when her life becomes unbearable.
We also meet the Norwegian toy maker who designs Resusci Anne, and the things that happened in his life that brought him to that point. His is an equally sad story, and although he has been fictionalised, he has been based om the real man who made the doll.
The third story is that of a Canadian girl with cystic fibrosis, and her journey from childhood up until she becomes a journalist as an adult.
This is a book about transformations: the French maid is transformed in to a mask that will be recognised around the world over a hundred years after her death; a toy maker is transformed after the death of his beloved son, into someone who tries to ensure that everyone has the ability for such things not to happen again; and a woman with cystic fibrosis has a literal transformation with the promise of renewed, transplanted lungs.
This novel sucked me in to all three lives and times. Both the French girls and the child’s death devastated me, and the Canadian woman’s story was one of hope (although I was pretty much dreading the idea that something bad would happen to her).
I loved this book, and I feel lucky to have read it. I would most definitely recommend it.
We also meet the Norwegian toy maker who designs Resusci Anne, and the things that happened in his life that brought him to that point. His is an equally sad story, and although he has been fictionalised, he has been based om the real man who made the doll.
The third story is that of a Canadian girl with cystic fibrosis, and her journey from childhood up until she becomes a journalist as an adult.
This is a book about transformations: the French maid is transformed in to a mask that will be recognised around the world over a hundred years after her death; a toy maker is transformed after the death of his beloved son, into someone who tries to ensure that everyone has the ability for such things not to happen again; and a woman with cystic fibrosis has a literal transformation with the promise of renewed, transplanted lungs.
This novel sucked me in to all three lives and times. Both the French girls and the child’s death devastated me, and the Canadian woman’s story was one of hope (although I was pretty much dreading the idea that something bad would happen to her).
I loved this book, and I feel lucky to have read it. I would most definitely recommend it.
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