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kellysrambles's Reviews (619)
At a first glance it is easy to question why a book featuring holes, lizards, onions and peaches would be interesting. However, this is a great novel.
I originally read Holes when I was about 13/14 and in high school. We read and studied the book to death and I think that ruined it for me slightly. It was really refreshing picking this up to read again. Rereading opened my eyes to how cleverly written this story is, with three perfectly interwoven stories all coming neatly together at the end. Sachar succeeds in making this a quick read by keeping it a light and entertaining story.
The characters are all well-developed. It is easy to imagine this group of boys repeatedly being sent out into the scorching sun to dig holes all day. It is just as easy to imagine the Warden with her deep red nail polish. This really helps to make this book a great reading experience.
I originally read Holes when I was about 13/14 and in high school. We read and studied the book to death and I think that ruined it for me slightly. It was really refreshing picking this up to read again. Rereading opened my eyes to how cleverly written this story is, with three perfectly interwoven stories all coming neatly together at the end. Sachar succeeds in making this a quick read by keeping it a light and entertaining story.
The characters are all well-developed. It is easy to imagine this group of boys repeatedly being sent out into the scorching sun to dig holes all day. It is just as easy to imagine the Warden with her deep red nail polish. This really helps to make this book a great reading experience.
Possibly 3.5* I can't quite decide.
I liked the story. Bridget Jones's Diary has always been one of my go-to movies when I need something hilarious and light-hearted to keep me company.
As a book, this was good. I wasn't in love with the way it was written, but it was definitely an easy read. It made me laugh, in fact I found myself giggling aloud on several occasions. However, for me, this is one of those extremely rare occasions where I feel that the movie is so much better than the book.
I liked the story. Bridget Jones's Diary has always been one of my go-to movies when I need something hilarious and light-hearted to keep me company.
As a book, this was good. I wasn't in love with the way it was written, but it was definitely an easy read. It made me laugh, in fact I found myself giggling aloud on several occasions. However, for me, this is one of those extremely rare occasions where I feel that the movie is so much better than the book.
Child 44 is a thrilling read which is well constructed and written. I personally felt that some parts of the beginning of the book were unnecessary, hence I dropped it a star. I flew through the final 200 pages of the book. I was completely mesmerised by Leo and Raisa's mission to catch the murderer of the poor child victims.
Reading about life in Russia during the time really toyed with my emotions. I felt desperately sad that so many innocent lives were taken for absolutely no reason whatsoever. The facts that were included at the back of the book really hit this home for me.
The main story in this novel is Leo's investigation into the various child murders he has located throughout Russia. After being exiled from Moscow, we follow Leo and his wife, Raisa, as they strive to bring justice to these children. I was sickened by the chapters detailing the murder of hundreds of homosexual men, killed purely because it was easier to blame the murders on these people who lay outside of the ideal.
There are many horrendously vivid and difficult descriptions in this book. However, I do think they work well to really bring home the darkness of the situation. Just imagine that the multiple murder of children is easily ignored, simply because it would make our nation look bad? It's unimaginable.
I did feel that some of the chapters at the beginning of the book were slightly irrelevant and I am thankful that I didn't give up on this one as the ending was brilliant.
My favourite part of this novel was the twist. I literally had no idea that would be coming until Leo was interrogatedand revealed his true name . For me, up until that point this book was going to be a 3.5* read, but having read almost the entire book with no idea who or what the killer would be, I couldn't deny it a 4* review.
A brilliant read! Will be watching the film tomorrow to see if it has done the book justice!
Reading about life in Russia during the time really toyed with my emotions. I felt desperately sad that so many innocent lives were taken for absolutely no reason whatsoever. The facts that were included at the back of the book really hit this home for me.
The main story in this novel is Leo's investigation into the various child murders he has located throughout Russia. After being exiled from Moscow, we follow Leo and his wife, Raisa, as they strive to bring justice to these children. I was sickened by the chapters detailing the murder of hundreds of homosexual men, killed purely because it was easier to blame the murders on these people who lay outside of the ideal.
There are many horrendously vivid and difficult descriptions in this book. However, I do think they work well to really bring home the darkness of the situation. Just imagine that the multiple murder of children is easily ignored, simply because it would make our nation look bad? It's unimaginable.
I did feel that some of the chapters at the beginning of the book were slightly irrelevant and I am thankful that I didn't give up on this one as the ending was brilliant.
My favourite part of this novel was the twist. I literally had no idea that would be coming until Leo was interrogated
A brilliant read! Will be watching the film tomorrow to see if it has done the book justice!
First of all I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for my copy of this incredible novel.
How can I start this review in any other way than: WOW! I had seen plenty of good reviews of this book but tried to go in as open minded as possible. It wasn't long until I was totally and utterly consumed by this incredibly heart-wrenching and emotional book.
Romy is an ordinary teenage girl, atleast she was until she was raped and, worst of all, nobody believed her. Romy faces the world with a fresh layer of red lipstick and perfectly manicured nails; her own armour against the cruel world around her. We see Romy face the difficulties of going to school where everyone thinks she is an attention seeking 'slut', where the girls hate her, even her ex-best friend refuses to believe what happened to her. Isolated from her peers, we watch, heart-breakingly, as Romy struggles to accept affection from Leon, her caring co-worker. For me, this was the most heartbreaking part of the novel. Romy's internal battle between wanting to fall for Leon, wanting to let him in, wanting him to hold her, but her believing she is not worthy of him, that he only has one thing in mind. She even believes that she needs to test him, pushing him far away, hurting the both of them at the same time.
After Romy wakes up on the side of a road with 'Rape Me' written on her stomach and discovers that Penny, her ex-best friend, is missing, we follow the many twists and turns to find out Penny's fate. With her peers blaming Romy for Penny's absence, Romy faces the same question again: Why don't they believe me?
This is a truly heartbreaking and emotional read. It contains heavy triggers of rape, which should be considered before reading. However, I believe this to be one of the most poignant and important books I have ever read. I can't begin to imagine that the people closest to me wouldn't believe me if something like this ever happened to me. This book is full of complete and utter raw emotion from beginning to end. It is so beautifully written and I think Courtney Summers has created an incredible novel, that, while fictional, will feel so real to all of us for years to come.
This books is painful, emotional and, most importantly, powerful. I can't wait to read more of Courtney's work.
How can I start this review in any other way than: WOW! I had seen plenty of good reviews of this book but tried to go in as open minded as possible. It wasn't long until I was totally and utterly consumed by this incredibly heart-wrenching and emotional book.
Romy is an ordinary teenage girl, atleast she was until she was raped and, worst of all, nobody believed her. Romy faces the world with a fresh layer of red lipstick and perfectly manicured nails; her own armour against the cruel world around her. We see Romy face the difficulties of going to school where everyone thinks she is an attention seeking 'slut', where the girls hate her, even her ex-best friend refuses to believe what happened to her. Isolated from her peers, we watch, heart-breakingly, as Romy struggles to accept affection from Leon, her caring co-worker. For me, this was the most heartbreaking part of the novel. Romy's internal battle between wanting to fall for Leon, wanting to let him in, wanting him to hold her, but her believing she is not worthy of him, that he only has one thing in mind. She even believes that she needs to test him, pushing him far away, hurting the both of them at the same time.
After Romy wakes up on the side of a road with 'Rape Me' written on her stomach and discovers that Penny, her ex-best friend, is missing, we follow the many twists and turns to find out Penny's fate. With her peers blaming Romy for Penny's absence, Romy faces the same question again: Why don't they believe me?
This is a truly heartbreaking and emotional read. It contains heavy triggers of rape, which should be considered before reading. However, I believe this to be one of the most poignant and important books I have ever read. I can't begin to imagine that the people closest to me wouldn't believe me if something like this ever happened to me. This book is full of complete and utter raw emotion from beginning to end. It is so beautifully written and I think Courtney Summers has created an incredible novel, that, while fictional, will feel so real to all of us for years to come.
This books is painful, emotional and, most importantly, powerful. I can't wait to read more of Courtney's work.
This two short stories are an interesting read for anyone who is a fan of Aveyard's Red Queen and upcoming Glass Sword. The world of the Red's and Silver's is presented to us from both sides of the world in contrasting ways. We learn all about life as a Silver and the fight against them with the Scarlet Guard.
Queen Song - 3.5 stars
In the first novella, we follow a young Coriane, before she became Queen. We learn of her family history and teenage friendship with Tiberias before their romance blossomed. We learn of her struggles to have their first child and see the birth of Cal. We also see her struggle against Elara and the deadly consequences of her royal life.
Small Scars - 4 stars
In the second novella, we follow the story of Farley as we watch her go against Command with her role as Captain in the Scarlet Guard. We see Farley recruiting to the rebellious Scarlet Guard and her developing relationship with Shade Barrow, who is more like Mare than we knew.
My favourite was 'Small Scars' as I really liked Farley as a character in Red Queen and was keen to find out more about her, although both stories were great, quick reads.
Queen Song - 3.5 stars
In the first novella, we follow a young Coriane, before she became Queen. We learn of her family history and teenage friendship with Tiberias before their romance blossomed. We learn of her struggles to have their first child and see the birth of Cal. We also see her struggle against Elara and the deadly consequences of her royal life.
Small Scars - 4 stars
In the second novella, we follow the story of Farley as we watch her go against Command with her role as Captain in the Scarlet Guard. We see Farley recruiting to the rebellious Scarlet Guard and her developing relationship with Shade Barrow, who is more like Mare than we knew.
My favourite was 'Small Scars' as I really liked Farley as a character in Red Queen and was keen to find out more about her, although both stories were great, quick reads.
As a huge fan of Downton Abbey, this was the perfect Christmas gift for me. It's taken me a while to get through, but only because I was treasuring each page. This book is full of information about the characters, quotes from the actors, historical information about the period and show, but most importantly, it was full of gorgeous photography. I felt quite emotional at times, Downton really was my favourite show and I'm going to miss it immensely. At least my DVD's and books will keep the Downton spirit alive forever!
This was a great read with a range of interesting stories from Gloria's time spent on the road. From stories of her childhood and life on the road with her father to stories of Gloria's many friendships made on the road while she campaigned for women's rights, this book is full of stories that everyone will find charming and touching. These kind of books are normally chronological but this one isn't, making it seem a little chaotic. However, I grew to love this aspect of the book as it ended up feeling like I was sitting down with a friend and sharing memories.
My favourite chapter of the book was definitely where Gloria talked of her many encounters with taxi drivers over the years. I thought all of the stories were charming little excerpts from her past and truly reflected the depth and variety of human character. We have all sat in the back of a taxi at some point and been treated to anecdotes from the driver, but Gloria made me realise how much these stories have to offer to the world.
This book was a real eye opener at times. As someone who is very aware of the feminist movement, I absolutely loved reading about her experiences. The world is a better place thanks to the likes of Gloria Steinem and I am thankful to her for writing this book and sharing so much of her world with us. She is really an inspiration.
My favourite chapter of the book was definitely where Gloria talked of her many encounters with taxi drivers over the years. I thought all of the stories were charming little excerpts from her past and truly reflected the depth and variety of human character. We have all sat in the back of a taxi at some point and been treated to anecdotes from the driver, but Gloria made me realise how much these stories have to offer to the world.
This book was a real eye opener at times. As someone who is very aware of the feminist movement, I absolutely loved reading about her experiences. The world is a better place thanks to the likes of Gloria Steinem and I am thankful to her for writing this book and sharing so much of her world with us. She is really an inspiration.
Mary Poppins is the nanny that everybody wishes they had as a young child. The chance to visit a zoo where the humans are the attraction, going around the world with a magical compass, people that float with joy, not to mention the fact that Mary herself can travel into the world of paintings. I love the film and have since a very young age so I wasn't sure how I would feel about the book. I knew it would be fairly different, especially as P L Travers disagreed with so much of Walt Disney's version of her story, but I still fell in love with Mary Poppins all over again. I can still feel the same stern but loveable character from the film but this time I went on extra adventures with her. A really lovely and easy to read book.
Full Review: https://kellysramblings.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/mary-poppins-by-p-l-travers/
Full Review: https://kellysramblings.wordpress.com/2016/01/25/mary-poppins-by-p-l-travers/
As a Welsh person I felt it was about time I read this play. A quick read but Under Milk Wood is beautifully composed by Dylan Thomas. A day in the life of the locals in Llareggub is filled with plenty of moments of hilarity and I, personally, enjoyed many of the Welsh connotations Thomas wrote into this little gem. I also listened to the Richard Burton reading of this play, which was originally intended to be heard. If you read this, I would recommend you go and listen to it too, it makes it into a totally different experience.