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This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today
This Is Me: Loving the Person You Are Today
Chrissy Metz | 2018 | Biography, Film & TV, Mind, Body & Spiritual
8
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Chrissy Metz stars on the NBC hit show, This is US as Kate Pearson, one of the triplets. If you have never seen this show, you don't need to have, to read this book, but I think you might afterwards. This book chronicles her life from when she was a young child to her life today after making it on such a great show. It goes through her struggles with her weight and being accepted by family as well as outsiders. And her main focus is being happy with the person she is no matter her size or job.

I would categorize this book as a Self-Help Memoir. Chrissy gives explains how she overcame many obstacles in her life and shares these lessons with her readers. She is a strong independent woman, moving her whole life from Gainsville, Florida to Los Angeles, California to pursue her acting career. This was not something that came easy for her and she spent 9 years as a agent helping others with their acting careers before she was able to really start her own.

I could relate to Chrissy in a lot of aspects in this book, her advice is stuff we've all heard before, but her examples of how she applied it to her own circumstances, made the book more relateable to me.

Chrissy Metz is Kate Pearson. She explains this in her book of how the struggles Kate goes through are exactly the issues she had, as if the role was written specifically for her. Chrissy seems very down to earth and a person who you would want to be friends with. I look forward to following her journey on This is US and any other projects she may be involved in.
  
SO
Starting Over by Niykee Heaton
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Niykee Heaton is a Chicago-born and South Florida-based singer-songwriter/producer. Not too long ago, she released a lovely 3-song EP, entitled, “Starting Over”.

NiyKee Heaton – “Mascara”

‘Mascara’ tells the tale of a woman who’s in a new relationship with a guy she’s feeling. She’s been hurt before and takes pride in wearing make-up because it makes her feel good about herself. Also, when they are being romantic, he’s allowed to ruin her lipstick, bed, hair, her body, but not her life and mascara.

‘Mascara’ contains a unique storyline, soft vocals, and a guitar-driven instrumentation perfumed with sentimental elements.

NiyKee Heaton – “Bad Guy”

‘Bad Guy’ tells a bitter tale of a woman who’s being blamed for something she ‘allegedly’ did. Apparently, her relationship with her significant other is on the rocks and he’s blaming her for the ugly breakup and hates her because of that. But she wears the ‘bad guy’ tag well and tells a different story of why their relationship didn’t work.

“Bad Guy” contains a relatable storyline, soft vocals, and a slow-bouncing instrumentation embedded with dark undertones.

NiyKee Heaton – “Starting Over”

‘Starting Over’ tells the tale of a woman who wants to exit her current relationship. Apparently, it’s problematic, and every time she puts some space between her and her ex, he shows up when she’s almost over him. Eventually, he convinces her for them to start all over again, which is something she doesn’t want to do anymore.

‘Starting Over’ contains a relatable storyline, melodic vocals, and a charming instrumentation oozing with sonic passion.

In conclusion, Niykee Heaton’s “Starting Over” EP is a short and sweet relationship-themed project with replay value. Also, listeners can experience different stages of a relationship, plus gain strength to start all over anew if things turn sour.

https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/niykee-heaton-starting-ep/
  
Alice in Zombieland - White Rabbit Chronicles
Alice in Zombieland - White Rabbit Chronicles
Gena Showalter | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.0 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was an interesting re-imagining of Alice in Wonderland. In Alice in Zombieland, Alice Bell's life has always been curtailed by her father's insistence that monsters exist. The family cannot leave the house after dark, she's been taught how to fight hand-to-hand and with a couple of weapons, and they never - NEVER - drive past the graveyard. All of this changes in one night - when Alice "falls down the rabbit hole" as it were - and discovers her father wasn't insane after all.

Now, living with her grandparents, haunted by visions of her little sister and glimpses of monsters in the dark, Alice - or Ali, as she insists on being called - finds herself being called on to fight the monsters alongside the roughest crowd in her high school. Falling in love with the leader of the bad boys doesn't help her social life, but might help her stay alive.

I enjoyed this book and will probably pick up the sequel, Through the Zombie Glass, if I can find it at the library. The writing flowed well most of the time, and while Alice began a little whiny, by the end of the book she was pretty bad ass. It felt.... a little more "young adult" than some young adult books I've read; the emotions seemed detached or damped down a bit. While she was dealing with grief over the loss of her family, and possible death at the hands of zombies, it just didn't feel as raw as I think those emotions should have felt. And the notion of a bunch of high school kids fighting zombies - with the support of adults, including the high school principal - was a little weird. Still an interesting book, and not a waste of time, but it felt a lot like "teenagers are special snowflakes!"

You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
  
To Discover a Divine (Rise of the Stria #1)
To Discover a Divine (Rise of the Stria #1)
Tessa McFionn | 2018 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
To Discover a Divine (Rise of the Stria #1) by Tessa McFionn
To Discover a Divine is the first book in the Rise of the Stria series, and we start this series with a bang. Evainne has ended up on a prison barge in the middle of outer space when all she did was walk out of her front door. She is rescued by an 'alien' who helps her as much as he can. Evainne is different to the females Khalym knows, as she is blunt to the point of being tactless. However, the sparks are there between the two of them. Now if they can only figure out just what Evainne was wanted for, and how they keep being found, it should all be good.

This is a fast-paced science fiction romance, with plenty of action and adventure too. Evainne handles all the information remarkably well, but it is written in a way that explains that, rather than just trying to sweep it under the carpet. Khalym is a hero who thinks he is broken as he has been rejected for most of his life. Together, I can see these two having an amazing time, and it has definitely given me a taste for more in this series.

With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this story kept me engrossed from beginning to end. It does have a HFN ending, with a sort of cliffhanger, but all that has done is leave me wanting MORE right NOW! Absolutely recommended.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Wicked River: a novel
Wicked River: a novel
Jenny Milchman | 2018 | Mystery, Thriller
10
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
A true fight for survival...
My, oh my! What a breathtaking, multifaceted joyride of a novel! Containing elements of the horror, action, mystery, psychological suspense, adventure, coming-of-age, and even romance genres, Jenny Milchman’s latest novel Wicked River is a true genre-blending powerhouse.

The story is told from the point of view of three different individuals: the newlywed Natalie, her ambitious niece Mia, and a primitive outdoorsman named Kurt. Natalie and her husband, Doug, experience a honeymoon from hell when their exciting backcountry trek through the beautiful, vast Adirondack Park in New York morphs into a sinister fight for survival. When her aunt Natalie and new uncle Doug are gone longer than expected, Mia notices right away and suspects something is amiss. She’s young, but she’s got good instincts because her aunt and uncle are indeed in grave danger – they face the triple threat of being lost in the treacherous wilderness, running out of food and water, and being hunted by the madman named Kurt who lives amongst the woods. Blood is shed, allegiances are tested, and the body count is on the rise as multiple missing persons investigations and an epic search and rescue operation are launched.

There is a little something for everyone in Wicked River. I loved everything about it. Jenny Milchman has a knack for using the right metaphor at the right time to create such vivid imagery it feels as if the reader is alongside the characters in the picturesque yet hazardous Adirondack region. This is the first novel I’ve read by her, but she is now on my radar and I will have to catch up on her other works as well as keep a lookout for upcoming projects.
  
The Undertaker's Daughter
The Undertaker's Daughter
Kate Mayfield | 2015 | Biography
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
4 Stars

I have always been interested in looking into the ins and outs of funeral homes and so this book definitely caught my interest. I found it very difficult to put down and found that it was quite well written. The combination of eccentric characters were thought provoking and at times inspirational.
There are, however, some reasons why I could not give this book five stars. The first reason is because of the depth when it came to certain aspects of the process of preparing the bodies for the funerals. The lead character seemed to be very interested at times in her father's work yet when he chose to explain it in detail she backed out and didn't want to know anymore...often to do with her feeling uncomfortable. This was a little frustrating as admittedly I wanted to know all of the details. The second reason is the distance created between the lead character, Kate, and the reader. After I had finished the book I had to look at the front of the book to read the author's name as I couldn't remember it. Kate is not called or mentioned by her name within the book, this for me created a distance. The third and final reason is the lack of ages being mentioned. Time often moved back and forwards within the book telling us about different times in Kate's life, but it didn't give us her age. There were times when I just thought...so when did that happen? How old was she? How old were her sisters when that happened? This led to some of the back stories being a bit muddled and unclear but they were still very interesting to read.
  
Becoming Magic (Sleight of Hand #5)
Becoming Magic (Sleight of Hand #5)
Michelle Garren Flye | 2018 | Contemporary, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Not really one for me :-(
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

I'm jumping straight in here, because this is one of those reviews that is going to be difficult to write!

Overall, I liked this book. Mostly.

It's reasonably well written, from both Carole and Connor's points of view, so that was good. I didn't see any spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.

It just didn't grab me! I found myself wanting more, from Connor, about that break up with his ex-co-star. From Carole about what happened all those years ago in Hollywood. From them both, about each other, their feelings. . . . I. . . . just . . . .

Wanted MORE!!!! And I can't word just WHAT I wanted, and that's why this is a hard review to write, cos I cannot, for the life of me, find the right words, and you know how much that PAINS me!

It does deal with some difficult topics: being drugged and a sexual assault. It deals with these in a sensitive manner, but needs to be mentioned. I also found the assault story arc a little bit too much like what's going in the the REAL Hollywood right now, with the growing list of high powered Hollywood men being accused of various assaults. Maybe that's where the author got the inspiration from, I dunno, but I found it a little too much like it, you know??

This is book 5 in the Sleight of Hand series, and I have not read the others. I did not feel I was missing anything, by not reading them And although Sabrina and Walter (book4) play a huge part here, I didn't feel I HAD to have read their story before this one.

So, I'm sorry, but not one for me.

3 stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
<i>I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.</i>

This is the first book of the children’s series <i>The Land of Dragor</i> by Julia Suzuki. Dragor is the land inhabited by dragons, hidden from the rest of the world, away from the evil humans, with the smoke produced by the The Fire Which Must Never Go Out. Dragor is where it is safe. The dragons are forbidden to leave. However, it may not be as perfect as it seems.

The story begins with the birth, or hatching, of a dragon named Yoshiko. Unlike all other dragon births, Yoshiko’s egg was a variety of different colours, which led to speculation as to whether this young dragon was cursed. Other than being a late developer, Yoshiko is physically well and attends school like all the other youngsters where, unfortunately, he experiences bullying from one of the other dragon clans – something the reader may be able to relate to through their own school experiences. Each clan is a different colour, but one day Yoshiko realises he has the ability to change the shade of his scales. Horrified by his discovery, he seeks help from an old, but wise, outcast, who, whilst supporting Yoshiko as he learns to control the colours, helps him discover his destiny.

The initial two thirds of the book felt like a really long introduction with the final third being a hastily written climax. Despite this it was an enjoyable read and would be particularly entertaining for children. Some of the language though may be a little too advance for the younger readers. Despite the introduction/climax issue, the story contains enough information to understand the way the dragon’s small world works and ends by setting the theme of the next installment. It will be exciting to find out what happens next!
  
WT
Wild Things - Single by Annprincess
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Annprincess is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter based in Oslo, Norway. Not too long ago, she released a dance video for her “Wild Things” single.

‘Wild Things’ contains a relatable storyline, pleasing vocals, and vibey instrumentation flavored with electro-pop and tropical-dance elements.

Also, the likable tune showcases Annprincess’ effortless gift for writing R&B-infused pop tunes.

Annprincess fled her home country of Liberia at the age of seven as a refugee. Shortly afterward, she and her mother found sanctuary in Norway, the place she now calls home.

At the time, Liberia had internal conflict and attempted coups were an everyday occurrence.

Also, Annprincess’ father, Prince Yormie Johnson, was one of the prominent figures in the first Liberian Civil War (1989-1997).

He became notorious for killing anyone who opposed his views or actions. And Annprincess’ mother was repeatedly jailed for her opposition to him.

Also, his role in the torture and murder of President Samuel Doe in 1990 is well documented on video, a part for which there is a regular talk of him being indicted for war crimes.

One of ten children to Prince Yormie’s multiple wives, Annprincess grew up with a dysfunctional view of relationships.

Even those closest to her, leading to her songwriting in which many of her lyrics deal with failed interactions between people.

Forever feeling she has been the underdog in life, Annprincess’ resilience sees her balancing two jobs alongside her music career, not to mention being a successful football player and coach.

Along with her mother, she has overcome every obstacle life has thrown at her and adapted to an alien culture and language.

Also, she used the negative experiences of her story to become an inspirational example to others to never give up in the pursuit of your dreams.
  
The Big Boss (Tang shan da xiong) (1972)
The Big Boss (Tang shan da xiong) (1972)
1972 | Action, Drama
6
7.6 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
The 70s cheese that's present in every Bruce Lee film seems overexposed in the film that would eventually lead to him becoming a martial arts action star. The Big Boss is very reminiscent of Riki-Oh - The Story of Ricky. That should be the other way around, but I managed to see Riki-Oh first and The Big Boss later. The two films are similar to each other for their over the top violence. This is Lee's bloodiest film and it's edited from when it was originally shown in theaters in '71.

Other than being bloody, the film is very unrealistic. It seems like anyone can jump ten feet into the air at will at any given point in time, a man leaves his outline in the wall after getting kicked through it by Bruce Lee, and Lee kills the main villain of the film by sticking his fingertips (all of them) into the villain's abdomen. That's just scratching the surface of the film's ridiculousness. Characters are very cliche, as well. The Chow Mei character is a typical damsel in distress kind of female character that is generally weak, has a crush on the main character of the film, and cries...AT EVERYTHING.

The Big Boss is definitely more cartoonish than any other Bruce Lee film. With all that being said, there's something still enjoyable about it. Maybe it's the fact that it jumpstarted Bruce Lee's career as a movie star or that films that contain over the top violence that don't take themselves too seriously are generally pretty awesome. It's a film worth seeing for the history behind it and it's worth owning for the Bruce Lee fans who know what it paved the way for.