Search
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated P.S. I Miss You in Books
Jun 14, 2018
P.S. I Miss You by Jen Petro-Roy is a captivating and authentic story of a young girl as she writes letters to her sister about the issues of their lives. Evie's voice drives the action in a way that feels real and true, with the urgency and intensity of a young woman opening her heart to her older sister and confidante.
This beautiful, moving story celebrates the deep connection between sisters. Evie's letters to her older sister Cilla, sent away by conservative Catholic parents after becoming pregnant in high school, give such a detailed glimpse into the life and mind of the seventh grade protagonist. Evie's admiration for Cilla shines throughout, as well as the way she sees herself as akin to her sister -- is she a sinner in her parents' eyes, too, because she has a crush on her female friend, June? I loved following along as Evie turns over so many deep questions in her mind. I yearned for Cilla and Evie's parents to reconsider their strongly held beliefs and become more compassionate, yet their portrayal is unfortunately true to life in this very polarized historical moment we find ourselves in.
I received an ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Feiwel & Friends via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
This beautiful, moving story celebrates the deep connection between sisters. Evie's letters to her older sister Cilla, sent away by conservative Catholic parents after becoming pregnant in high school, give such a detailed glimpse into the life and mind of the seventh grade protagonist. Evie's admiration for Cilla shines throughout, as well as the way she sees herself as akin to her sister -- is she a sinner in her parents' eyes, too, because she has a crush on her female friend, June? I loved following along as Evie turns over so many deep questions in her mind. I yearned for Cilla and Evie's parents to reconsider their strongly held beliefs and become more compassionate, yet their portrayal is unfortunately true to life in this very polarized historical moment we find ourselves in.
I received an ARC from Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and Feiwel & Friends via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I give this book 5/5 stars.
Sun Alley
Cecilia Stefanescu and Alexandra Coliban
Book
Sal, the protagonist of "Sun Alley," is an exceptionally intelligent 12-year-old boy, experiencing...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Secrets They Left Behind in Books
Apr 23, 2020
At first I was disappointed this was not one of Redmond's excellent Cold Case novels featuring detective Lauren Riley, whom I love, but that disappointment was short lived. I quickly took to Shea O'Connor, a young but feisty and enjoyable officer who will stop at nothing to solve her case. We realize that Shea clearly had a close call with a serial killer the last time she was undercover and she's still recovering from those wounds. Our girl is hurting, but she's also focused--Shea will do anything to find those girls.
Shea is in a tough spot. She's a young, female officer in a male-dominated profession, and she's often mistaken for a teen. However, her youthful appearance pays off undercover. But is the FBI using her? There's more than a simple mystery to solve here, as we must unravel if Shea can trust those around her.
The central mystery itself, of the girls' disappearance, is engaging and fascinating. I had a fairly good inkling early on who might be involved, but it didn't stop my interest, and I flew through the book. There are, of course, plenty of dirty secrets in Kelly's Falls--as in most small towns--and Shea digs up plenty of them. There's also an interesting angle where she becomes close with one of the missing girl's brother. Shea excels at immersing herself in her undercover role, and it was fun to see her play the young, naive college student (with a knife hidden in her back pocket).
The writing is a little simplistic at times, but overall this is a compelling thriller with an engaging protagonist. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 here. I'd love to see another book featuring Shea.
Shea is in a tough spot. She's a young, female officer in a male-dominated profession, and she's often mistaken for a teen. However, her youthful appearance pays off undercover. But is the FBI using her? There's more than a simple mystery to solve here, as we must unravel if Shea can trust those around her.
The central mystery itself, of the girls' disappearance, is engaging and fascinating. I had a fairly good inkling early on who might be involved, but it didn't stop my interest, and I flew through the book. There are, of course, plenty of dirty secrets in Kelly's Falls--as in most small towns--and Shea digs up plenty of them. There's also an interesting angle where she becomes close with one of the missing girl's brother. Shea excels at immersing herself in her undercover role, and it was fun to see her play the young, naive college student (with a knife hidden in her back pocket).
The writing is a little simplistic at times, but overall this is a compelling thriller with an engaging protagonist. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 here. I'd love to see another book featuring Shea.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows in Books
Sep 13, 2017
Interesting, a little repetitive
I wasn't sure what to expect with this bizarrely named novel, and I was slightly worried it would be some Karma Sutra style book but it was nothing of the kind.
A group of old Punjabi women attend an English language class run by a British Asian young woman who mistakenly brings in an erotic book one day. It opens up a world of sensuous pleasure for the women, who are normally quite conservative about such topics.
While it's quite a novelty and funny at the beginning, the stories become repetitive and it becomes a little boring. The honour crime story was far more interesting and I wish there was more focus on that side instead of turning it in to a Gurinder Chadha type of novel. The stories are meant to open up other aspects of the community such as arranged marriages and the impact of honour - but it just doesn't seem to connect that well.
The protagonist Nicky is great though who reflects many British Asians growing up with dual cultures. Good but not great.
A group of old Punjabi women attend an English language class run by a British Asian young woman who mistakenly brings in an erotic book one day. It opens up a world of sensuous pleasure for the women, who are normally quite conservative about such topics.
While it's quite a novelty and funny at the beginning, the stories become repetitive and it becomes a little boring. The honour crime story was far more interesting and I wish there was more focus on that side instead of turning it in to a Gurinder Chadha type of novel. The stories are meant to open up other aspects of the community such as arranged marriages and the impact of honour - but it just doesn't seem to connect that well.
The protagonist Nicky is great though who reflects many British Asians growing up with dual cultures. Good but not great.
Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated Secret Son in Books
Jul 5, 2018
The Secrets of Morocco: Politics and Power
Secret Son by Laila Lalami is set in modern-day Casablanca in Morocco. Throughout the book, you get a taste of the life lived by the poor in their slums and shanty towns, but also you get to understand the life of the wealthy. I know that this situation exists in a lot of developing countries, but to see a city where both extremes exist in parallel, is still shocking.
What makes this book more interesting is that our protagonist, Youssef has a foot in both of these worlds. He has grown up in the slums of Casablanca where his mother and friends are but, like any young person he wants more and is drawn towards the skyscrapers and wealth on the other side of the city. Throughout the book, we seek this battle being fought inside Youssef as he tries to balance striving for what he wants with being grateful for what he already has.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/02/the-secrets-of-morocco-politics-and.html
What makes this book more interesting is that our protagonist, Youssef has a foot in both of these worlds. He has grown up in the slums of Casablanca where his mother and friends are but, like any young person he wants more and is drawn towards the skyscrapers and wealth on the other side of the city. Throughout the book, we seek this battle being fought inside Youssef as he tries to balance striving for what he wants with being grateful for what he already has.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2017/02/the-secrets-of-morocco-politics-and.html
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018) in Movies
Sep 22, 2018
Not Bad
The trailer lead me to believe that this movie was going to suck, but it was actually pretty good. The main protagonist is a boy named Lewis. He movies in with his uncle, whom he has never met before, after the death of his parents. He soon realizes that strange things are happening in his new home, and once his uncle explains that he is a warlock Lewis takes an interest in learning magic.
This film had a lot of moments that made me laugh mixed in with a few serious themes. Lewis really struggles throughout the film. He has a hard time fitting in with his peers, and he is still grieving from the loss of his parents. Sometimes the serious moments felt a little forced, but over all they weren't to bad.
I think older kids would really enjoy this movie. I would be hesitant to take a really young child to this one. They might be frightened by some parts, but really that will depend on the kid.
This film had a lot of moments that made me laugh mixed in with a few serious themes. Lewis really struggles throughout the film. He has a hard time fitting in with his peers, and he is still grieving from the loss of his parents. Sometimes the serious moments felt a little forced, but over all they weren't to bad.
I think older kids would really enjoy this movie. I would be hesitant to take a really young child to this one. They might be frightened by some parts, but really that will depend on the kid.
Zach Smith (62 KP) rated Doctor Sleep (2019) in Movies
Jan 27, 2020
Interesting spin
Contains spoilers, click to show
The movie takes place several decades after "The Shining", Danny is still haunted by the events from the hotel and is even hunted by the evil that was there. He has found a way to trap the "evil spirits". He makes use of his "shining" and it becomes a great story, however the main protagonist is a group of people that have the same special power as Danny and even more, but they've also learned how to suck the power from young children and this results in what I don't think needs to be in cinema. This world is evil enough as it is and to watch a child be cut and stabbed to death slowly while a group kneels over him inhaling his essence is revolting, I almost left the theater over it.
0/10 snore factor, cant sleep through this one!
0/10 snore factor, cant sleep through this one!
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Christopher: A Tale of Seduction in Books
Oct 7, 2020
Burnett's debut novel introduces us to us a most interesting protagonist - B. K. Troop - a heavy set, less than aesthetic, aging homosexual man who becomes obsessed with the title character. Christopher is young, handsome, naive and painfully straight. Despite the seemingly hopeless situation, B.K. believes that he can still turn the boy into a conquest by taking advantage of his delicate situation. Christopher is a freshly divorced English teacher who has run away from the pain of losing his ex and suffering his overbearing mother has put him through, in order to write his long suppressed novel. Burnett takes us on a bumpy ride as the relationship develops and changes throughout the year 1984. This character-driven story pulls the reader in, as we start out disgusted and then fascinated by the workings of B.K's mind and his less than savory tactics to reach his goal. Burnett uses the flamboyance of his narrator's personality to embellish his prose with quips and high-brow remarks, making it not only an intelligent read, but one that sparkles with wit and humor.
The Clan of The Cave Bear (Earth's Children, #1)
7.9
Rate It
Book
A natural disaster leaves the young girl wandering alone in an unfamiliar and dangerous land until...
Historical Fiction Epic Series Female Protagonist Pre-History
Wolf Blood
8.5
Rate It
Book
The werewolf apocalypse begins … When a wave of vicious attacks sweeps across London, there are...