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{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"There might be things I did n't agree with , nor understand ; however , in the end , I do have to say that the good outweighed the bad"
]
}
|
What is your feeling about this book ?
|
Warning! This review is written differently then all my other reviews. It does contain spoilers throughout, but you will get a warning once spoilers will begin.The third and final book in the Hunger Games trilogy - Mockingjay has been one of the most anticipated books of fans of this much loved series. The first two books - The Hunger Games and Catching Fire - told a story rich in characters we all fell in love with and rooted for from beginning to end. With the release of Mockingjay readers were more then excited to find out the conclusion to this epic tale.Giving Mockingjay the 4 stars that I did was in fact a hard choice to make. Writing this review is tough. I thought giving myself a few days or longer might clear away the questions I had to make writing this easier, which needless to say didn't work out as planned. I usually don't write a review with spoilers, nor do I write reviews where I talk things out at such length, but it needed to be done and this time there's just no way around it. So, please know that from this point on I will be addressing key points that will give things away - so be warned there will be SOME spoilers laced throughout!****Spoiler Alert****First, I have to say that I read half of this book with my breath held and the other half with a kind of, the only way I can explain it was that I was lost. The characters felt so different from where we left them in Catching Fire that at times it was hard to recognize them from the previous two books.Katniss didn't seem like her normal fighting self. And I often wondered if that was because she questioned Coin and if she even wondered if things would be different with Coin as president. In the beginning of the book when they are trying to talk Katniss into being the Mockingjay there was a conversation with Coin that made me believe she felt she not only didn't have much of a choice in the matter but that she questioned just what Coin's true motives are behind everything. Is this why Katniss wasn't her normal fighting self? Was she just tired of running a race in a never ending up hill battle where she then believed no matter what she did the way of the world would never change? Or did she believe there was nothing she, just one teenage girl could really do to make positive changes in the world of Panem? Or was it the fact that she was pretty much injured throughout the whole book?The lack of Peeta was also hard and what little interaction these two had I enjoyed more so then I did with her and Gale. I found Gale to be more then lost within Mockingjay, and found how easily he went from the hunter, gather and provider to uncaring and cold soldier a bit too easily. I mean everything with the mountain and his answer to how to take it down was more then callous and shocking to say the least. However the flip side is, Panem is a rough place to live and was Gale finally pushed over the edge too? Still, either way you look at this, it just didn't feel like "Gale" to me. Sad but true.The ending was shocking. I felt it was rushed by many pages and left more holes in it then Swiss cheese. I mean, Gale is a HUGE character and to leave his story so open ended was wrong and extremely harsh. There was no closure with Gale - he's there one page and gone the next. I felt that Katniss's mother was selfish on so many levels. I understand all that her mother has gone through from before the beginning of book one, however Katniss has suffered through SO much for her whole family and all the people within Panem and her mother can't take a trip back to their home to make sure if her now only daughter is alright? That just didn't sit well with me and actually made me frustrated. I mean common! Look at all Katniss did and all she survived for the love of her family! And yes, I know Peeta and Haymitch had more of a hand in keeping Katniss alive then I'm giving credit here, however I'm really talking about how her relationship with her mother was within those last few pages of this book.These were the main aspects of the book that I didn't agree with or understand. However, I did give Mockingjay 4 stars and now that I worked through all the negativity and got that out of the way, I believe that in all reviews, the ending should focus on the good and that's just what I plan to do here.Peeta being tortured was a given, this wasn't a good thing, but... let me explain - anyone who reads Mockingjay will know its coming. However the degree to which this is done is not only epic but fit with the one character that I felt never changed - and that was Snow.Everything that was shocking to me in this whole series is what I found as part of the best of the best. Peeta being tortured and just how he was tortured was not only a key part in his story as mentioned above, it was so true to Snow that anything less then this just would have been far off course for this ruthless character. The struggles in Peeta because of just how he was tortured, and then within his relationship with Katniss - it opened up and showed a different side to the two. I might not have liked what I saw, but if you think back to their relationship throughout the whole trilogy this was just another uphill battle they are forced to climb to figure out what their relationship meant to each other.The story did give me many conclusions and endings to main and subplots. Where there might have been some holes, however there were answers and endings - both good and bad. The good surpassed the bad. The wedding between Finnick and Annie gave hope to everyone that was much needed throughout all of Panem. The little bits of strength that Katniss gains from Finnick were nuggets of gold within the pages of Mockingjay. Finnick, while suffering alone was able to rise above everything to be there for Katniss when she needed to be pulled up and out of the haze I often found her in.Collins writing was there shining through again in Mockingjay, and while I didn't agree with many parts of this conclusion, sometimes a clear happy ending just isn't in the cards and that alone is sometimes need and often is refreshing in books. In each of the three titles there had to be bad to get through to the good and it's the same with Mockingjay.I recently read something about how people are upset with the Epilogue and I can see where some would feel it was forced and some might find it a cop out. Yet I've read it a couple of times and I go back and forth on this one. Today I see how wonderful it is. For me, it shows that all Katniss struggled for wasn't lost. That in the end she won. Peeta won and that in the end they both found just want they needed in the world and each other. That nothing is perfect and everything isn't easy and sometimes you have to struggle to get to the good in life.All in all, Collins has written another book that many will be thinking and talking about for a long time to come. With the end of any much beloved trilogy or series there's always a chance people will be upset because of how things ended and without a doubt there might be people not pleased by various things in this book. There might be things I didn't agree with, nor understand; however, in the end, I do have to say that the good outweighed the bad. I'll be suggesting these books for a long time to come to other fellow readers and I'll look forward to rereading each of these books numerous times. I'm more then looking forward to seeing just what Collins writes next. Enjoy.For more info and reviews please visit my Book Review Blog here - [...]
|
{
"answer_start": [
61
],
"text": [
"honestly do not understand how anyone could rate this book any less than 5 stars"
]
}
|
How would you rate the book?
|
I have to start out by saying that this book was AWESOME!! I honestly do not understand how anyone could rate this book any less than 5 stars. Real had more than everything that I love in a book and I am EAGERLY awaiting the next book! You rocked it Katy Evans <3 Remy <3
|
{
"answer_start": [
114
],
"text": [
"books and it is not like them"
]
}
|
Is the end of this book satisfactory?
|
The book was slow in the beginning but picked up once she went on her trip. I've read all the "Twilight" books and it is not like them.
|
{
"answer_start": [
967
],
"text": [
"The ending was awful"
]
}
|
How is end?
|
I would like to start off by stating The Hunger Games was an awesome book. With that being said, I would like to state that Catching Fire was one of the BEST books I have ever read. So what does that leave me thinking? That with the arrival of Mockingjay, and the pattern I have picked up on means that I will get to read one of the best books ever written...this was definitely not the case.I am disappointed because Mockingjay does not provide a substantial ending to the climax built by its successors. Why, you ask. Because of the following reasons (there are no spoilers):1.) Katniss is not Katniss in the third book. She is not the tough tribute, who underneath all her rage really has a big heart. She is not the "fighting for the right reasons" girl we came to know and love.2.) Mockingjay is an entirely different book than the previous two. Mockingjay is a book about war. Pure, unemotional accounts of war. If you're into that, it will be a great read.3.) The ending was awful. Sure, no one was expecting the ending to be completely happy. But after all the author puts you through, the ending makes you feel as if the rebellion wasn't worth the trouble. Bring back the capitol, the separated districts- even the hunger games for crying out loud! Because I felt that everyone was much happier then.To be honest I read the previous two books in less than a week each. This one took me much longer. That says enough on its own, for me.So I repeat Ms. Collins, we promise to forgive you, but please write us a new ending to your trilogy!!!
|
{
"answer_start": [
518
],
"text": [
"The characters are so similar and so lacking in backstory and identifiable characteristics"
]
}
|
How is it problem?
|
This seems to me to be one of those rare instances where the movie will probably be better than the book. As many others have mentioned, this book starts very strongly. The first several chapters focus on modern-day (or near-future) characters, and the writing is so strong that I actually recommended the book to several friends before I got to the next section, which takes place about 100 years in the future, after the vampires have been released on the world. Once that shift has taken place, the book drags. The characters are so similar and so lacking in backstory and identifiable characteristics that I had trouble keeping some of them straight. On top of that is the fact that there is no resolution--the book just ends, in a way that makes it clear the story will be continued in a sequel. I hate when books can't stand on their own. Nothing on the jacket made this book seem like the first of a trilogy, so the lack of an ending to a quite long book was very disappointing. And one thing that kept bothering me throughout the book that made absolutely no sense (and that I hoped would be explained) is the scene where one of the main characters, Amy (a young girl who becomes the "zero"--the first success in the viral testing that inadvertently unleashes the virals--or vampires--on the world), is taken to a zoo. This is well before she is subjected to experimentation. At this point in the book, she's just a normal little girl who has been abandoned by her mother. But for some reason, every animal in the zoo goes crazy when she walks in, attacking each other and creating so much havoc that some of them have to be shot and the zoo has to be evacuated. Like EVERYTHING in this book, this scene was described in very cinematic terms, so you can see exactly what the author thinks the movie version should look like (the movie rights have already been snapped up by director Ridley Scott's production company). But, regarding that scene: it makes no sense at all. Amy tells someone that the animals are reacting to her that way because, "They know...what I am." I have no idea if this will be explained in the subsequent books, but it bothers me still. This was really 2 1/2 stars, but I'm rounding up because of the strength of the early chapters.
|
{
"answer_start": [
713
],
"text": [
"Harry Potter"
]
}
|
Where did the idea of the writer come from?
|
Reading this book gave me a little bit of hope that Amazon's compilation of "Best Books of 2011" actually has some books worth reading - after reading a few others on their list, I wasn't sure.This book was fun, imaginative, and whimsical. I felt pulled into another world, one where wonder and magic are par for the course. The setting and fantastical elements are perfectly done - not too ridiculous, but not too serious either. The plot and characters kept me interested throughout, with just enough foreshadowing to leave me guessing as to what would happen next. The story moves forward slowly and persistently, leaving you enough time to savor the imagery and beauty of the prose.Some have compared this to Harry Potter. I don't see the similarities (other than the use of magic, obviously), but this is just as enjoyable in its own ways. I felt the world the author created was more similar to that found in this book:Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel. The world of The Night Circus is not nearly so detailed as the world of Jonathan Strange (Jonathan Strange seemed like a book centered around a magical world with the plot being secondary whereas Night Circus was exactly the opposite), but they have a similar feel to them.I didn't find anything deep or profound in this book, nothing that made it stand out as an amazing piece of literature. It is not destined to become a classic. But it was a good, fun, easy read - perfect for a relaxing and enjoyable romp through another world.
|
{
"answer_start": [
213
],
"text": [
"The ending of this book is terrible"
]
}
|
How is end?
|
With all due respect to the 5 and 4 star reviewers, I am not sure that I read the same book. I will not get in a long drawn out review as to why this book deserves only 1 star I will just keep it short and sweet. The ending of this book is terrible! I actually set there holding my kindle wondering what just happened. Terrible
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"I was n't sure if what was"
]
}
|
What is the concept of family?
|
I wasn't sure if what was waiting insied this book is seductions or snack, but I know that I received the satisfaction of both after reading this book. What a great read, dead on Halarious, I can't read pass one page with out laughing my head off. This book is what you call a fun read, could not put it down. The story line was so well develope, the characters were unbeleivable, funny as heck. This book was funny, romantic, seductive, sweet and I just love how Tara Sivec capture my attention, I will definetly read more of her books when it's ready. Thank you Tara for bringing one good day to me with this book.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"Probably the first thought I had about this book ( after OMGOMGOMG ) was that the writing felt so deliciously deliberate"
]
}
|
How would you describe the story?
|
Probably the first thought I had about this book (after OMGOMGOMG) was that the writing felt so deliciously deliberate. The pace throughout was steady and relaxed. While I always wanted to know what happened next, I never felt a sense of urgency, which was kind of refreshing. It’s like the book keep assuring me that things would happen, and I’d be there for them, but I didn’t need to rush. The best thing, though? Many times while reading, I’d come across a sentence with words so perfectly placed that I just about squealed right out of my seat! Each time was like finding a treasure and it made me appreciate the writing so much.I have to to tell you that my favorite parts of the book were the scenes that involved Blue and her psychic family. Learning about each psychic and her abilities, quirks, and personality was so much fun. When the scenes began to shift toward the raven boys, I wasn’t as interested. Why read about normal characters when I can read about mystical characters? Although, I must say, that once the story picked up with Gansey’s quest for leylines, I was much more interested in the scenes involving the boys.One of the coolest things about this book, in my opinion, is that its magic seemed so much closer to home than most other YA novels containing a supernatural element. Perhaps because it’s tied to things like tarot cards and legendary leylines. Things that already exist (more or less) in our world. Stiefvater did a great job of taking these concepts and building on them, bringing them to life in such unexpected and interesting ways.Something I really appreciated was the way that all of the characters were tied to one another. I loved getting to see the various facets of each character when they were interacting with one another, and when they were alone with themselves. Though I have to admit that I preferred the female characters, each of the raven boys grew on me as the story progressed.Honestly, I think one of the weakest parts of the story was the raven boys themselves. Gansey is the main male character, and while I enjoyed following him on his quest, at the end I still didn’t really feel like I knew him at all. Each raven boy had his own story weaved in throughout the book, but my favorite was Ronan. Yes, the troublemaker and jerkiest punk of them all. Maybe his story was told best? Or maybe, like Blue, I felt drawn to him because he seems so difficult to impress.Perhaps the bottom line is that I got to know each character a little, but right now we’re still acquaintances. Maybe we can’t be friends until the next book?Overall, I really enjoyed the story, and the roller coaster ride that Blue and her boys went through. I’m looking forward to book two, and hope that it has just as much of the magic as did book one. Most likely I’m going to re-read The Raven Boys before book two comes out, just so I can go on the adventure all over again.[NOTE: I originally read this book as an ARC, borrowed from my sister, who gets many, many amazing things in her mailbox.]
|
{
"answer_start": [
65
],
"text": [
"PICKED IT UP TO READ THE FIRST CHAPTER AND GOT 300 PAGES INTO IT"
]
}
|
How is the reader?
|
MY DAD CAME HOME WITH THE NEW HARRY POTTER BOOK AS A SUPRISE. I PICKED IT UP TO READ THE FIRST CHAPTER AND GOT 300 PAGES INTO IT! THE FIFTH BOOK IS DARKER AND MORE COMPLEX THAN THE FIRST FOUR. HARRY IS A TEEN AND IS DEALING WITH SOME COMPLEX ISSUES INCLUDING BEING ATTACKED BY DEMENTORS ON PRIVET DRIVE, A TRIAL TO SEE IF HE SHOULD BE THOWEN OUT OF HOGWARTS, AND THE RETURN OF VOLDEMORT. JUST IN THE FIRST COUPLE CHAPTERS YOU CAN TELL THAT HARRY HAS GROWEN UP ALOT SINCE HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE. BUT DON'T WORRY... THIS BOOK IS STILL KID FRIENDLY. SO PICK IT UP AND START READING!
|
{
"answer_start": [
112
],
"text": [
"It was so good"
]
}
|
What do you think of that movie?
|
I was completely Hunger Games ignorant. Out of a desperate need for entertainment I chose the movie on Netflix. It was so good. I was complaining about the ending on Facebook because it felt so incomplete. A number if friends informed me that it was a three book series. Whaaat? I had no idea. They also assured me that the books were better.I bout he trilogy. It was awesome. The movie stayed very true to the book with a few inconsequential differences. This is an awesom, if not short book. It seemed fairly speedy to me for the length of the trilogy, I probably should have checked it out at the library and returned it in 4days... That being said, now it is a part of my personal library and one of my top four go to vacation books. It is a great read.
|
{
"answer_start": [
6
],
"text": [
"the plot was decent"
]
}
|
How is story?
|
While the plot was decent, the characters seemed to be stereotypes, rather than real people. Maybe I've forgotten what it is like to be a kid, but this just wasn't my cup of tea. I guess I won't be reading the rest of the series or seeing the movie when it comes out.
|
{
"answer_start": [
425
],
"text": [
"revolves around Jakob a retired circus vet which"
]
}
|
How is story?
|
This book is very enjoyable from beginning to end. It starts with a narration in the present and weaves in events from the narrators past. The style is fluid and non pretentious, engaging for its simplicity and character development. This book feels real when it presents its characters and you can't help but get entwined with the sentiments they live. I haven't seen the movie but I'm glad I read the book first. The story revolves around Jakob a retired circus vet which relates how he came to be involved in the circus world of the 30's and all he lived through while the show went on. The story depicts life through the depression, prohibition and society as a fitting background for the storyline.
|
{
"answer_start": [
155
],
"text": [
"his writing is clear"
]
}
|
How is the write on the book ?
|
Mr. Ferguson has undertaken to tackle some pretty weighty subjects and yet made them thoroughly interesting and easy to understand. He is a joy to read as his writing is clear, precise and informative - all at same time. I recommend him to one and all!
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"\"This story is about life This story is about death"
]
}
|
What is the most exciting part of the story?
|
This is the second book I have read by Colleen Hoover and I have already come to some sound conclusions.One. Be prepared to be shocked. It is always best going into her books with little knowledge of what is going to happen. The synopsis will give you an idea but you can be sure that there is always going to be plenty of twists and turns along the way.Two. Be prepared to laugh. She beautifully blends in laughter with real life subjects that aren't always laughable.Three. Be prepared to cry. We are not talking the tiny little tears, these are the healthy, giant, sobbing tears. You won't be upset that she has made you cry, strangely you will be silently thanking her as the tears are falling.Four. Be prepared to discover a new favorite author. I mean this in the most sincere way possible... Colleen Hoover, you rock!The irony is not lost me that I can't seem to find the words to express the emotions and feelings that I experienced while I was reading Slammed. Why is it ironic? Because this is a book about words. Words thrown together to express feelings through poetry... slam poetry. But really it is so much more than that. This is not your typical girl meets boy, girl and boy fall in love and the rest is history type of story. Yes there is a girl and a boy, yes they fall in love but that is not even the half of it."Life happens. S*** happens. And it happens a lot. To a lot of people."This story is about life. This story is about death. This story is about living. The good, the bad and the ugly of it all."Three days ago, I was devastated, bitter, and hopeless. Today I woke up feeling happy for the first time in months."Layken (Lake) is one of the strongest female characters I have ever read. She is strong, supportive, mature, stubborn, loyal... the list could go on and on. She finds herself torn from everything she knows in her life quite suddenly. Her father dies unexpectedly, her mother then moves her and her brother from Texas to Michigan. She doesn't want her new life but quickly she finds Will and everything changes."And what's a slam?" I ask."It's poetry." He smiles at me. "It's what I'm all about."Will is also one of the strongest male characters I have read. Every characteristic I have given to Lake can be given to Will. What he has done with his life in order to care for and support his younger brother is awe-inspiring. To be responsible for another life at such a young age shows courage. He never whines or moans about it. There is never the 'woe is me' or 'what has happened to my life' speeches. He is simply amazing.To be honest there is not a character that is not written well and rounded out beautifully. You will end up caring and loving each and every one of them and you will care about what happens to them. Lake's brother Kel and Will's brother Caulder are adorable. They are so funny and I laughed so many times... I will only say this. The dead snowman. Could not have laughed more. Then we have Lake's new best friend Eddie. I think she is fantastic and could not love her more than I do already. oooOOOooohhh Eddie's boyfriend Gavin. *sigh* He is so sweet and the love he has for Eddie is apparent.So, back to point number one about a Colleen Hoover book. You do not want to know too much about it before you start so this is all you are getting out of me. I do not want to be the person that ruins this beautiful story for anybody who will be reading it. And I truly hope that person who will be reading it will be you if you haven't already. This story will touch you and stay with you for a long time after you have completed it.Now for me I am off to start book two, Point of Retreat. I have only just found out that it is actually told from Will's POV and I am so excited I could burst."And if you've ever grown up with dreams in your head about life, and how one of these days you would pirate your own ship and have your own crew and that all of the mermaidswould loveonly you?Well, you would realize...Like I eventually realized...That all the good things about her?All the beautiful?It's not real.It's fake.So you keep your ocean,I'll take the Lake."ChristineRainy Day Reads
|
{
"answer_start": [
334
],
"text": [
"I found this book to be a helpful resource"
]
}
|
What is the benefit of that book?
|
Alphabet Kids delves into one of the most confusing aspects of childhood health in an easy to understand manner. It gives parents and general health officials a place to start to understand these types of health concerns in children. ADHD seems to be a catch-all for kids exhibiting behaviors that may very well be something else. I found this book to be a helpful resource when I questioned the diagnosis of one my children when the diagnosis just did not match.Alphabet Kids is not necessarily thorough regarding each alphabet disorder, but gives a good introduction to each, including terms doctors will recognize, a list of symptoms, and a story to help readers understand what kind of behaviors may indicate that disorder. This book is easy to read, easy to understand, and well organized.This book also gives basic information on what the diagnosis would mean for the child and treatments available. Unlike many other books of its kind, Alphabet Kids also lists reputable resources to turn to for further information on each disorder. It is an excellent introduction to these disorders that are often very confusing or relatively unrealized and is a good resource for any family or caregiver library. I serve on my school district's Wellness Committee and will be introducing this book to supplement the resources of our school nurses.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"conventional love story with travel at its heart"
]
}
|
How is the writing style of story on this book?
|
If I said that "The Time Traveler's Wife" was a non-conventional love story with time travel, that description would not come close to accurately describing this novel. It is a non-conventional love story with time travel at its heart, but the novel is so much more than that, and it is also different. Clare met Henry when she was 6 and he was 38. When Henry met Clare, he was 28 and she was 20. How is such a thing possible? Henry is afflicted with what will come to be called Chrono Displacement Disorder. Or, to put it plainly: involuntary time travel. Ever since he was a child Henry has involuntarily time traveled when he is in a period of great emotional stress. He doesn't know why, or how. When Clare meets Henry for the first time, he has known Clare for years and he knows that they will marry when she is older (and he is younger). When Henry meets Clare for the first time, she has known an older Henry all of her life. "The Time Traveler's Wife" is their love story and it is an exceptional one.This novel is told from the perspective of both Henry and Clare in alternating viewpoints. Niffenegger lets us know at the beginning of each perspective exactly when this event is happening and how old both Clare and Henry are in each perspective. This is vitally important otherwise "The Time Traveler's Wife" would not make any sense. While it seems at first that the story is being told without any apparent order or structure, it soon becomes clear that the structure is Clare. Since she does not have Chrono Displacement Disorder, she ages normally and does not flit back and forth between the years. The structure of the novel follows Clare from when she is a child and first meeting Henry through she teenage years to their life together as adults. The structure follows Clare's life and her timeline. Henry pops in and out of her life from age 6 through 18 and he is sometimes in his 40's, other times a younger man in his thirties. This is why Niffenegger's telling us the ages of the characters is so vital. Henry may or may not know some events in Clare's life because for him, depending on his age, they haven't happened yet. This allows the reader to discover things about Clare and Henry as Henry learns them. Sometimes he knows that something happened because Clare references it, but it is only later that he discovers what it was when he time travels."The Time Traveler's Wife" is a very moving novel. Watching Henry and Clare struggle to fit a normal relationship into their lives despite Henry's time travel can be heart wrenching despite the fascination with when Henry will go next and what we will learn about their past together. Audrey Niffenegger has done such a great job constructing this novel and making sure that it has a very firm structure that even the unrealistic idea of involuntary time travel (as if building a time machine wouldn't have been strange enough for Niffenegger) seems realistic and grounded in reality. This novel feels real and true.I don't know that I can praise "The Time Traveler's Wife" enough or even adequately. The best praise that I know how to give is to say that from time to time I encounter a book that blows me away, that I don't want to put down, and that is so magical that I am simply absorbed into the story. It's a rare book that completely levels me and gets instantly elevated to one of my favorite books. "The Time Traveler's Wife" is such a novel.-Joe Sherry
|
{
"answer_start": [
35
],
"text": [
"OUTRAGE"
]
}
|
How is the book?
|
I want to poke. This is a complete OUTRAGE!! The authors of it, the editors of the book, and people giving 5 stars, are utterly mad and needs to go to either to a neurologist or jail! I don't want my children to grow up in a world like this! Your religion is an embarrassment for the whole universe: wars, inquisition, assassinations in name of God, fanatics all over, homosexual persecution, women discrimination, hunger, lies, manipulation, sexual abuse, Galileo torture, burning of books about knowledge ... what a world we live in! This is very sad. What did you learn at school people? In my country children learn evolutionism, reason, science and ethics. We learn how to be good, love everyone, accept different cultures, never be racist, accept homosexuality, go against wars, against hunger... I can't believe that in USA and other countries people still learn religion and old myths as if they were all facts. Religions are an insult to the "Mother Nature", to Life and to God itself.We share most of the genome with the chimps, sharing a common ancestor. We are ANIMALS! And we should be very proud of it! We should be proud to be alive and part of this fantastic nature. Animals have brains, consciousness, dreams, language (dolphins), feelings, fear, they feel sorrow for their death... all like us! The unique difference is that we are more intelligent and we have abstract thinking due to our brain evolution. Some animals are more intelligent than others, this is nature. Also, we have imagination that allow us to believe in invented religions! The universe is sooo big, soooooo dark, and sooo unknown, that by simply statistics we are not alone, 99.999% for sure. Aliens exist all over! They may be aware of us, or not. They probably have their own religions, or none at all! They probably think they are alone in the universe. The conditions for life to arise that took place on Earth happened all over the Universe. There are billions of other suns, planets and galaxies. Conclusion? We are not the chosen species, but we are the most selfish species in the whole universe! The universe is 13.700.000.000 years old. Huminids occupy only a tiny part of it. We're not safe from extinction. If humans get excincted, the universe will continue its course billions of years more... and some other species will arise, probably different than what we know.The Bible is a text written 2000-3000 years ago by primitive, ignorant and perverse people. Trying to make interpretations of the Bible is simply an excuse to keep believing in our religions. To be ancient doesn't mean that it is real, just the opposite. The Bible was written only 2000 years ago; the homo sapiens and other species of huminids (nearthendals, homo erectus, etc) have been in Earth thousands of years. Before us, dinosaurs and other extincted species inhabited our little planet. Why do you think God would decide to express itself only at this short period of the Earth timeline? The reality is that, people that wrote the Bible found an ingenous way to control masses and keep society quiet. They discovered that using a mystery like the dead, nobody would ever 100% prove the existence of an invented heaven or hell. Religions are tales to explain the unknown. But nowadays science has evolved so much that we no longer need religion to explain most things. Humanity have been always cruel. Romans practised slavery, sent people to the lions, etc. people like those are who wrote the Bible.If you read the Bible you will discover it's perverse. If an all-knowing entity like God would have written it, the Bible would contain awesome knowledge. Instead, it contains:* Creationism: the world, oceans, stars, plants, etc. were created in seven days, without any scientific explanation of it. Ridiculous. Read about Big Bang.* Intelligent design: read about evolution.* No place for dinosaurs.* The age of Earth is ridiculous.* Geocentrism: Earth is neither flat nor the center of the universe. We are the most selfish.* The divinity of rainbow: it's just a natural effect of light scattering. In fact, I can see a rainbow every time I wash my hands in my office bathroom.* Noe's boat: how do you put 1.7 million of species in a boat? Animals like crocodiles or sharks have been around in Earth millions of years.* Slavery, discrimination of women, children aasassination: I want to throw up.* Miraculous healings: learn about placebo and the power of faith.* Angels with wings, spirits...: all fantasy* Heaven, Hell, plagues: thanks to fear, it's a way to compensate those who obey, and punish those who doesn't* The last paragraphs of the Bible states that any who adds or takes out something in the Bible will suffer from eternal punishment. It is clear a way for people who wrote it to cause doubt and fear to thouse who will not obey.* God created us in his resemblance. If a single intelligent being exists outside our planet, this falls apart completely.* Does God speak English, French, German, Spanish...?Do you think an all-knowing, all-loving entity, would write such a thing?There are 99.999% of possibilities that after death there's nothing! This is life, and we MUST accept it as it is. Birth means nothing without dead. Everything has a beginning and an ending. Where is the problem of it? Our memories, consciousness, thoughts, feelings... mysterious and intangible things: that neuroscience can explain them! Mind comes with the brain. Check diseases like Alzheimer or Schizophrenia, alcohol, drugs... and see how chemistry or brain damage affect our vision of reality. Spirits, NDE, OBE,... all depends on culture and have scientific proof: our complex brain that tricks us. All those testimonies, those stories about life after death, are simply tricks of the brain. Memory is proven to reside in our neurons. Brain damage can erase it completely. How would you explain that someone who leaves its body returns remembering those experience? The reason is simple: they never left the body or the brain behind. They had hallucinations, dreams, whatever. Their experiences always match their religions and culture. This is how our subconsciousness work!Have you ever lost consciousness? Your ego and existence comes to absolutely nothing! Where's the eternal part of it during it? It dies with the brain cells, returning to nature what we borrowed from it. Before our birth we were absolutely nothing, we were not eternal, and won't be; death works the same way. And I accept life as it is: a complex and beautiful experience.Life is very hard, please, don't make it even more difficult than it already is.Science has found things so hidden and complex such as Higgs' Bosson, electromagnetism, quantic physics, medicine... but never paranormal things!Fanatics, are you asking indigenous people, children with cancer, people with brain diseases, other cultures, other religions, tribes in the remote Amazon jungle, to believe in your myth?I can believe in some form of God, because nature is amazing and very complex. However, who created God? Therefore, I can also believe that there is no God at all. Reality is that nobody knows. But science has proved that something can arise from nothing.What is true is that I'll never believe in your ideas! Religion causes irreversible psychological damage, it has brought crimes and hell in Earth. And you still worship God as someone loveable and fair. How can you love someone who sends poor children, good and honest people to hell? If God exists, he gave us brains to think critically, and to have free. If your God existed, I prefered to go to hell along with my family, friends, wife, children, and other brilliant people in human history, rather than going to heaven to worship a cruel and unfair God while seeing how loveable people is tortured FOREVER. Fanatics, do you understand what eternity means? It means that for simply not believing what several ancient people wrote in a perverse book you will be tortured billions of billions of years, and afterwards, you will be tortured billions of billions of years more, and so on. Only for some free thinking you had during your brief life span. It does not matter at all how much you loved, how many people you helped, nothing matter. It only matters to have blind faith in a book that loves slavery, assassinations and women discrimination. Am I going to hell simply by loving and accepting life as it is?Most people say: what if you are wrong and hell is real? If you believe and you are wrong you do not lose nothing. Instead, if you do not believe and you are wrong, you get punished. This is called Pascal's wanger, and thanks to this the Church still exists, earning money, sexualy abusing from children, and giving delusion to people's lives. Let's try an experiment! Imagine I now publish a book explaining I have had a Near-Death Experience. In this NDE I have met God. God have told me that Earth is a mess, that life in other planets is great. That religions are only human inventions to relief their fear to death. God also tells me that the unique religion is the religion of love. And finally God tells me that those who believe and teach religions like Christianty will go to hell for lying and causing phsycological damage to innocent people. Do you have any evidence that I am lying? I have exactly the same evidence that those who claim the Bible was written by God.Can't you see people that using the word "faith" everyone can make you believe ANYTHING he wants? No matter how inverosimile it seams! Faith is so powerful, and the brain so complex, that people actually end up seeing God, Jesus or whatever they were told to exist.Another point. Isn't your God so infinitely fair? I can ensure he is not fair at all:* People before Jesus did not believe in him. But they are saved automatically.* People at the time of Jesus believed in him because they saw him during their lives.* People nowadays are obviously losing faith, because time changes and society evolves.* Some people claim that have met Jesus or God in person. That is, they will go to heaven by evidence, while others have to go to heaven by simple faith. How fair, isn't it? They are simply liars, dreamers or manipulators.* People in 2000 years will no longer believe in him because science will have evolved and we will have probably created artificial consciousness and demonstrated that soul is a myth.* People who live in other parts of the world, in the jungle, in India, etc. will never believe in him.Aren't you aware this is completely unfair? This the most archaic plan for an entity so powerful that has created our complex universe.Fanatics, you are the most despicable people in the universe for assuring that people who don't feel what you believe, will go to eternal punishment. If some form of God is real, he will punish you for bringing Hell in Earth.You know what? Hell is real. It's in the Earth every day. It's in our heads. Please, live your life at most. And let live. Love. Help. Have children. Live is wonderful, is amazing, and mysterious. Find your light yourself, don't believe what ancient people wrote for their interest.If you want more information go to webpages like whywontgodhealamputees, godisimaginary, richard dawkings foundation, Victor Stenger, etc. Learn more about the chemical of consciousness. And finally, learn the Bible and see the nonsense of it and the intentions behind the people who wrote. It was written in an age where slavery, woman discrimination, miracles, exorcism to epileptic people, ignorance, etc. where completely normal.
|
{
"answer_start": [
152
],
"text": [
"Raw is a very apt title because the emotions evoked are raw"
]
}
|
Why do you have raw parts in the book?
|
This is a really hard book to read, with extremely violent and twisted situations. It's not for the faint of heart and it's not a warm and fuzzy story. Raw is a very apt title because the emotions evoked are raw. And disturbing. But in it's own strange way, beautiful because as Twitch says, "what is normal?" By the end of this book, I was sobbing like a baby, feeling every ounce of hurt and sadness that the characters feel. This story is so different from anything else I've read and I'm glad. Do not read if you're easily turned off but difficult subject matters.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"Composing anything more does n't serve much a purpose"
]
}
|
What is the purpose to write this book?
|
Is there a point to reviewing this title? I mean really. It's almost like reviewing Lord of the Rings. Not to imply that Collins is the next Tolkien or anything. Far from it. My point it that as of penning this commentary there are more than seventy seven thousand reviews posted to Goodreads alone. Composing anything more doesn't serve much a purpose. Oh well, I review for my own amusement so let's get on with it, shall we?Collins can thank a good friend of mine for yet another five star review. Not literally of course. Having a blockbuster movie to her credit, I'm sure Collins is long past reading individual reviews. I should probably give Superman a shout out though. Without his recommendation I never would have bothered with the book in the first place. The Hunger Games first came to my attention via Goodreads and let's just say the tween hype surrounding the book was a major turn off. Much like Twilight, the book started showing up everywhere, relevant to the discussion at hand or not. I made a snap judgment and pretty much avoided the title like the plague. Then I received this recommendation. Ordinarily I would check out the blurb, debate if I was in the mood for the genre, probably browse a review or two, but I have a few friends with infallible taste in lit. They tell me I should read something and without a moment of hesitation, I track down a copy. As usual, his taste was spot on.Now I recently reviewed Susan Ee's Angelfall and I have to say, I enjoyed Katniss Everdeen for many of the same reasons I enjoyed Penryn Young. It is true, she has a certain aptitude for the bow but her talents are born out of a need to survive. She isn't perfection personified, the fantasy of every male comes in contact with or unusually gifted as say Bella Swan, Rory Deveaux, or Tessa Grey. Yes, I am that shallow. I pointed fingers and named names, but don't jump down my throat just yet. There isn't anything wrong with these heroines. I simply prefer the strength of character Collins features in Katniss as opposed to the inherent exceptional abilities of her counterparts.Moving on. For those who don't follow my reviews, I pretty much gave up on the Infernal Devices trilogy because I am sick to death of what has become a staple of young adult lit: the love triangle. Well, that and Clare's obvious obsession with Will's blue eyes but that is another story entirely. That in mind, Collins has me eating crow. I can hardly believe that in less than a month I am turning around and admitting I was wrong. Does this make me a hypocrite? Probably. Do I care? Not particularly. Why not? I'm so happy you asked.Gale and Peeta aren't engaged in a pissing match over a hopelessly smitten heroine who is all but begging to rip off her clothes. Collins, unlike some other authors, opts instead for a more conservative approach to teenage romance. Her heroine, Katniss, is conflicted but at this point in the game, she doesn't know how she feels about either boy. She has a relationship with Gale, but as yet, he has made no move to indicate a romantic interest and though she has no established relationship with Peeta prior to the Reaping, he declared his feelings quite plainly on live television. That's pretty much it. Now, I think it is obvious Collins intends to develop the idea in the following installments but she doesn't allow it to overshadow the rest of the piece and for that reason, and that reason I am willing to let the issue slide.So if The Hunger Games isn't mired is a sea of melodramatic drivel, what does Collins spend twenty nine chapters writing about? To be perfectly frank, she takes the road less traveled and offers up an honest to God, solidly constructed, fast-paced, hang on to your butts cause you wont believe what happens next, page turning piece of fiction. I wont go into the details. I'd end up spoiling something for the those few individuals who haven't yet jumped on The Hunger Games bandwagon. Suffice it to say that this is one of the few occasions I believe the author deserving of the royalties garnered through the film adaptation of their work.Generally speaking I like to add a note of criticism to my reviews, but in regards to The Hunger Games, I got nothing. Either I never identified an issue or I was so blown away by the story that I completely forgot I had one. Collins, I tip my hat to you.
|
{
"answer_start": [
1768
],
"text": [
"this is a nice read but not great"
]
}
|
How good is that book?
|
Liane Moriarty's The Husband's Secret is one of those books you can't put down but are greatly disappointed when you turn that last page. The book follows three women and how their seemingly unrelated stories intertwine to reveal a life changing twist.Summary:Story #1: Cecelia accidentally finds a dusty letter in the attic, written by her husband John-Paul, only to be opened after his death. While sharing this strange discovery with him, she senses that he is hiding a secret.Story #2: Tess, a working mother, learns that her husband Will has fallen in love with her best friend Felicity. Angry and shocked, she flies to Sydney with her son Liam to escape her wrecking marriage.Story #3: The death of her daughter Janie years ago always reminds Rachel that the murder is still out there, and her world is about to get crazy as she gets closer on finding out the truth.My Thoughts:The book's setting is very intriguing, and the story has so much potential. The author writes in such a smooth, natural way that allowed me to truly relate to these women. Character development is fantastic; the plot and the twists are really thought provoking. I did, however, find the first few chapters confusing when so many characters were introduced all at once, and it became difficult to differentiate all the names. The storyline was also tedious and boring towards the middle, but I definitely appreciated some of the deeper issues that the author takes on. The ending (epilogue) seemed somewhat abrupt but is very clever and ties everything together.As much as I wanted to love this book, it just felt a little short. Some parts were dragged out too much and the twist was also very predictable. Plus, I never fully understood the repetitive Berlin Wall reference.Overall, this is a nice read but not great literature material. I think for the right reader, this can be an amazing book, but unfortunately it's just not for me. The book itself is very well written, but the storytelling is definitely not for everyone.
|
{
"answer_start": [
30
],
"text": [
"The writing style"
]
}
|
Do you have any other children?
|
1. Writing Style/Readability: The writing style is really simple, but this IS a book directed towards younger kids after all. Plus, it's a better style for an action novel as it doesn't belabor the point for 20 pages by describing every bead of sweat and sound in the forest. As for "readability" I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN.2. Plot: this is one of the things that made The Hunger Games really hit home for me. It was fast paced and action-packed and also "wonderfully predictable" in that when you really want something to happen, it does.3. Characters: All of them were pretty plain with not much going on underneath the surface, but not in a way that was annoying or unenjoyable. The heroine is full of nothing but, of course, moral fiber, her only "flaw" being that she has a fiery temper which is played to be endearing. She's also very humble of her abilities and totally oblivious to Peeta and Gale's affections for her (yet oh so observant on the battlefield) which is usually extremely annoying, but the other aspects of the novel made up for it.4. Overall Originality: It goes without saying (but I'll say it anyway) that nothing like this has been done before (and I don't mean in a broad sense about totalitarian government, blah blah). The author added a few futuristic elements to the story with the genetically engineered animals and all that, but not such an alarming amount that would distance the reader from the story.5. Value (was it thought provoking?): Didn't really produce any life changing epiphanies.6. Enjoyment: I loved this book and that is the reason I give it 5 stars. I value books more for how much I enjoyed them personally rather than for how well written or how thought provoking they were, although those are certainly key factors. Ultimately, though, it comes down to if I would want to read this book again or recommend it to friends, and in that aspect, this book is 100% in that category.Also...PG-13Violence in the book isn't graphic in description, but is in concept (teenagers killing each other without empathy and all that, but most video games are no better), but there's no mention of sex (as you'd think there'd be in such a brutal society). I'm glad there isn't, though because this is a book directed towards young teens and senseless sex is obnoxious in any book.The Bottom Line: You'll be missing out if you don't read this book! =]
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"Orson Scott Card 's brilliance is shown in this book more than any other"
]
}
|
How is the writing style?
|
Every couple of months I ask one or two of my friends to come up with some books I should read but that I haven't yet read. This time both friends listed Ender's Game as their top pick. I had heard alot about it so I went to the library and got it. Wow! It was an amazing book. I couldnt put it down. Here are the details: It's about a little kid in the future who has been picked as mankind's last hope. The book is about his struggle to come to terms with who he is and why he is so important. Along the way he learns alot about how humans react to each other and about how life isn't as simple as it seems: sometimes you have to make choices not for your benefit but others as well. It was such a great book that I couldn't stop thinking about it after I finished. Orson Scott Card's writing brilliance is shown in this book more than any other. I would recommend it to anyone. Other good books by Orson Scott Card include: "Pastwatch-the Redemtion of Christopher Colombus", "The Memory of Earth", and "The Seventh Son".
|
{
"answer_start": [
2253
],
"text": [
"the story is good"
]
}
|
What is the sentiment of the story?
|
There are times when a book rises to the top not because of story or imagination, but purely based on the authors ability to grip you and keep you hooked. Hunger Games falls into that category and Collins deserves high praise for producing a page turning epic. The idea is not wholly original; the theme of struggle in an apocalyptic future having been presented in uncountable variations. Yet readers will find themselves instantly engaged finding difficulty putting this book down as the pacing of the action throughout the whole book is outstanding.The story revolves around the idea of a distant and vague future where the vast bulk of the population is controlled by a central capital city. Living in separate districts, the general population lives in squalor while forced to produce and serve the capital city. To remind the districts who is in control, the capital city forces each district to produce two children for the Hunger Games, where they fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capital.The idea is unquestionably violent as it contains elements that will make most people shudder. But one cannot help feel that Collins is delivering a message, perhaps aimed directly at those that would deliberately turn a blind eye toward the topic. When you consider life in a first world nation where our biggest concerns often revolve around cars, clothes, and the newest smart phones and tech gadgets, while third world nations filled with people that live in squalor are invaded for oil or work for ridiculously low wages to export cheap products to the rest of us, you really have to wonder. We have athletes that come from nations where potable water is often a luxury and we marvel at their athletic prowess and turn them into millionaires if they succeed, but send them packing back to their nations of poverty without a second thought if they fail. What is Collins really saying here? The Capital City may or may not represent anything, but you will look at your values a bit differently after finishing Hunger Games. There is a lot to be said for packing in a message this powerful in a book about children.The result is a very sad and violent epic, wrought with conflict and wrapped around a complex love story. While the story is good, the writing is unquestionably exquisite. Collins has the ability to pull you in with nearly every page, resulting in a book that is not just hard to put down, but one you will race to get back to until you finish.
|
{
"answer_start": [
141
],
"text": [
"The story itself is rather dull in retrospect"
]
}
|
Is the story of the book interesting ?
|
Twilight is oddly compelling. It's one of those novels that will force you to keep reading even when you can't fathom why you keep doing so. The story itself is rather dull in retrospect: Bella Swan moves from a friendless Phoenix, Arizona to Forks -- a green place that experiences plentiful rain during most days of the year -- to live with her police chief father in order to allow her flighty mother a chance to move with her new husband as he plays baseball. (There's one positive female roll model removed from the list.)As we move toward Bella's first days toward experiencing her new school we find that she's a good cook and rather passive aggressive. She complains to herself about most things, and has no outward hopes about her new school or possible new friends. Unfortunately, the story does not react in kind to Bella's actions. Instead of having all other characters respond unfavorably to Bella's sour temper we find everyone drawn to her like a magnet; especially the boys. An odd turn of the plot, granted, but then we're just getting started.Naturally the Forks high school is a little less than normal. Vampires attend class there, seemingly because they have nothing else better to do in their immortality. Meet the abnormally beautiful Cullens. They are the kids no one else knows what to make of, who shun all, and...oh, wait. Bella naturally attracts the most beautiful vampire of the bunch -- Edward Cullen, who suffers repetitive gorgeous adjectives to account for his appearance in each chapter ad nauseam.So, boy meets girl, boy saves girl from an accidental death (which will be happening repeatedly, so hold on to your seats), and Bella's obsession blossoms. The two fall in love faster you can strike a match, and from there it's a lot of batting eyelashes and swooning before a mediocre plot twist turns this little love story into an action adventure within the very last pages.The problems with Twilight aren't so much the dragging plot, as the book still manages to capture your attention completely to the point where you don't exactly notice the lack of plot. The problem is in the characters. Edward is pushy and controlling, Bella is characterless (no, "clumsiness" is not a character trait) and defined by Edward's inability to "read" her, and the rest of the (human) ensemble is treated like unwanted nitwits as they grasp for any bit of attention they can from the main pair. The main characters obviously smack as mary sues, and as it's written in the first person and given Bella's lacking characterization it would be easy to write her off completely and allow the reader to replace her as the object of Edward's affections.Overall, Twilight is a compelling story with a not-so-likable main character while her significant other steals the show. How it's so compelling is still a mystery, but people will devour it quickly and yearn for more.
|
{
"answer_start": [
468
],
"text": [
"The press is drawing the comparison for publicity and money"
]
}
|
How is the quality of the book?
|
I put down Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to read The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern right away. Having both books in the forefront of my mind, the only comparison I can draw is they are both written in third person, and there's magic. Oh, and a train. So if you think you're getting a dose of dueling wizards battling it out to the death in the name of good against evil with bolts of electricity flaring from wands, you'll be sorely disappointed. The press is drawing the comparison for publicity and money. Let's all just admit that there will never be another Harry Potter, and move on to embrace the new.That's you, publishers and media!Erin Morgentstern's The Night Circus is not the traditional circus you know. It's a beautifully imagined, intricately detailed, magical place that enchants all who enter. The circus is as much a character in the story--if not more so--than all the other characters combined. I never use to understand people saying they wished they could live in a certain favorite fictional world. Until now. I would SO run away with this circus, easily donning black with a splash of scarlet to become a reveur, giving up my predictable life to follow the Night Circus to all its exotic and romantic locales: Constantinople, London, Munich, Sydney, Paris, to name a few. Morgenstern was sure to involve all the senses when describing the circus. It's such a disappointment that it isn't real.Two rival magicians--Prospero the Enchanter and a man known only as Mr A. H-- decide to throw down and have a contest to see who can produce the better student of magic. Chosen as children, Celia and Marco are kept separated, training their whole lives for the competition, but the rules are never explained.One sorta major detail left out in their education is only one can survive. (The Night Circus is as similar to The Hunger Games as fried chicken is to beignets. Just saying.) The circus venue is announced and the competition begins, although no one knows anything about it save student and mentor.There are cloud mazes in the air, a wishing tree, forests of sonnets. Practically everything is controlled by magic, but the beauty of it is it's real magic disguised to look believable. A person's grip on reality can be a fragile thing; it's best to leave others alone in their safe perceptions. Years pass as Celia and Marco keep adding more and more magical entertainment, learning to respect each other long before they meet. Once they do meet, their romance is slow to grow as both are aware it would complicate things if they collaborated on projects.I enjoyed how Morgenstern occasionally used the very rare second person POV, putting readers directly into the story, experiencing the circus for themselves:"You feel the warmth of breath on your neck, but when you turn no one is there."Harry Potter feels like a wild, epic adventure whereas, to me, The Night Circus and its cast of characters is a controlled execution, proper and refined, just like the Victorians are often portrayed, and this absolutely fits the story."The silence that falls between them is a comfortable one. He longs to reach over and touch her, but he resists, fearful of destroying the delicate camaraderie they are building."Erin Morgenstern has a wild imagination, and I love her attention to detail. An example of her creativity:"This woman's skin is shimmering and pale, her long black hair is tied with dozens of silver ribbons that fall over her shoulders. Her gown is white, covered in what to Bailey looks like looping black embroidery, but as he walks closer he sees that the black marks are actually words written across the fabric. When he is near enough to read parts of the gown, he realizes that they are love letters, inscribed in handwritten text. Words of desire and longing wrapping around her waist, flowing down the train of her gown as it spills over the platform.The statue herself is still, but her hand is held out, and only then does Bailey notice the young woman with a red scarf standing in front of her, offering the love letter-clad statue a single crimson rose.The movement is so subtle that it is almost undetectable, but slowly, very, very slowly, the statue reaches to accept the rose. Her fingers open, and the young woman with the rose waits patiently as the statue gradually closes her hand around the stem, releasing it only when it is secure.And then the young woman bows to the statue, and walks off into the crowd."Although I enjoyed Celia and Marco, my favorite character was Bailey (besides the circus itself). He was the only one that had any real palpable tension. I kept waiting for something to happen between Celia and Marco, but even they confess that the circus competition feels like an exhibition. Curious things happen, but rather than being hooked, I was merely nibbling at the bait. It is not until more than halfway through the book that Celia and Marco realize the consequences of losing, and this ratchets up the emotion, the tension, the suspense. The reader becomes invested.Having said that, Erin Morgenstern has still written an exquisite novel that will be treasured as creative genius. Imagining her actually making tiny models of the circus and other things--she's an artist after all--only contributes to the magic.This from USA Today:"With a first printing of 150,000 copies, and rights sold in 30 countries, expectations are high for this first-time novel. Morgenstern says she didn't plan the book as a series, but enough questions dangle at the end to set the stage for a sequel."Through a short tweet session with Erin Morgenstern, she said she's not sure what they mean by "dangling questions" and said perhaps publishers are interested in tangential tales.This book is lovely as a stand alone. I'm not doubting that Morgenstern can pull off lavish tangential tales, but this book resonates as it is, and sometimes it's best just to say, "That was a damn good story.""He sits back in his chair and steadily returns the stare aimed at him. Taking his time as though he has all of it in the world, in the universe, from the days when tales meant more than they do now, but perhaps less than they will someday, he draws a breath that releases the tangled knot of words in his heart, and they fall from his lips effortlessly."The circus arrives without warning."
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"I loved the first book"
]
}
|
How is the book?
|
I loved the first book so this was a little bit of a let down. It answered some questions from the first book and gave you a few conclusions to some of the story-line that was left hanging. Over all I struggled to re-engage with the characters. The repetition of Tris being immature, running off on tangents with horrifying ramifications and over all being annoying were frustrating. The love/hate relationship got old fast. A lot of filler and setting up for the next book. Had I known where the story was going I would have been satisfied stopping with the first book. I have already bought the third so I will read it but I don't have high expectations for a story that started out so well. I would consider stopping after the first book.
|
{
"answer_start": [
405
],
"text": [
"ending was so unsatisfying"
]
}
|
How is the end?
|
I would have given this book 5 stars if I wasn't so totally disappointed with the ending. I'm not a big fan of the latest trend in publishing of the "to be continued" types of book series. I like my books to have a more stand alone type of quality to them. For whatever reason ,prob. because most of these series seem to be 3 books, I thought this was the final installment. WRONG ANSWER! Entwined's ending was so unsatisfying I almost wish I had waited for the next book so that I could read them together. This installment just added more questions with little to no answers. The authors note at the end said something like "yes dear readers Gideon & Eva's story is not done" YA THINK?? I will read the next installment, after reading this one you really kind of have to, because I love these characters but I can't help but feel like the reader's are being taken advantage of. At $15 for a print copy and around $10 for the ebook this is getting to be a very expensive story. Luckily for me I was able to borrow the last 2 from my local library or I probably wouldn't be able to afford it.
|
{
"answer_start": [
171
],
"text": [
"the action was great"
]
}
|
What about action ?
|
Great book, to begin the Hunger Games series. The book was well-written, never failing to catch your attention...and urges to keep going for more. The suspense was so so, the action was great. The movie does not does the book justice; as it usually happens.
|
{
"answer_start": [
5
],
"text": [
"The Hunger Games was an absolutely phenomenal novel"
]
}
|
How can I get a good book at the hotel?
|
Wow, The Hunger Games was an absolutely phenomenal novel. It's kind of a cross between Battle Royale and Lord of the Flies. The characters were all incredibly well written. I can't pick a favorite because I loved them all. Although, I must admit I sobbed like a baby when *SPOILER ALERT* Rue died. I think the concept of The Hunger Games is brilliant, and also a little scary. I could potentially see something like that happening in the distant future. The berries idea near the end of the games was a great idea. It left me completely shocked. I read the book in less than twenty-four hours. It completely captivated me from beginning to end. There was a lot of crazy twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat. I really hope that Katniss forms a relationship with Gale that turns out to be more than a friendship sometime before the final book. I can't wait to read book two, and find out what happens next.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"There is a lot of redundancy in the book , where he explains technical details about things like masonry repeatedly"
]
}
|
How is the detail?
|
This book is very good at the beginning, and I couldn't put it down when I first started reading it. The descriptions of medieval life and mystery at the beginning are very interesting. Here are the problems that caused me to give this book two stars instead of the four it could have easily gotten:This is a very long book, and I get the feeling that the author had to come up with filler to meet some length goal he had. There is a lot of redundancy in the book, where he explains technical details about things like masonry repeatedly. Also, there seem to be random, graphic sex scenes which become more and more frequent in the latter half of the book. Most of them added nothing to the plot, and I'm not sure if they were simply filler, a marketing ploy, or a result of the author just wanting to write about sex. I couldn't finish the book because the last hundred or two pages got too boring and started to resemble a harlequin soft-core porn novel. It's as if he ran out of fresh ideas when the book neared completion and started to substitute real content with sex scenes.There are also some problems with the characters. The main character at the beginning, for instance; the author makes it very clear that this man is deeply in love with his wife, and when she dies, he's crushed-- but then has sex with a woman he just met less than 24 hours after burying his wife. It doesn't make sense when you drastically change a character's values like that, and again, it seems as though the author was overeager to write about sex. It's a trend I've noticed in a lot of books these days. Also (and you'll see what I mean if you read the book), some of the other characters are introduced as truly good people, and then do some truly reprehensible things and have no regrets about it. It doesn't make sense. There's no consistency to most of the characters in this book. In fact, my favorite characters were the villains, because I could at least count on them to be consistently villainous, whereas I never knew what the "good" characters were going to do next.Two out of five. Not worth your money.
|
{
"answer_start": [
11
],
"text": [
"The protagonist may be appealing to tween girls"
]
}
|
Why do I have a bad story?
|
It's okay. The protagonist may be appealing to tween girls, but many of the rest of us will find her (and the other paper-thin characters) to be somewhat annoying. The plot is vaguely interesting.All in all I expect the movie may be better than the book, since 2 hours will compress this fluff down into a possibly-entertaining visual experience.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"I love this book ! It is not easy to read"
]
}
|
How is impact?
|
I love this book! It is not easy to read, but I believe it has a very important message, one that every teenager needs to be aware of. I think it is a book that every teen needs to read, as well as parents and other adults, especially those who deal with kids. It is a book that will leave a mark long after it is finished and will get you thinking. It is the kind of book that will get people to change their behaviour and become more aware of how anything and everything they do affects other people. I love this book, it is in the top 3 best books I've ever read and since I've read a LOT!!!! (like thousands) that's saying something.Lastly,READ THIS!!!!!!!!!
|
{
"answer_start": [
108
],
"text": [
"the basic concept"
]
}
|
How is the voice?
|
the same friend who insisted i read the forest of hands and teeth was rabid about this book, and i see why. the basic concept is old hat, but the writing is new and fresh and there are plenty of nice twists. katniss is an appealing young character who's easy to root for. YA has come a long way.
|
{
"answer_start": [
86
],
"text": [
"am floored at how bad this book"
]
}
|
How is the book?
|
(Spoiler alert)I just finished reading Mockingjay and had to write a review because I am floored at how bad this book is considering I absolutely loved the first two books in the series. I understand that war is not fun and that this series is not Harry Potter, but I never expected this book to be so dark and well, just flat out not fun. The first two books were serious, but action packed and had a certain momentum that kept the pages turning much the same way the Harry Potter series did. But this book is so far different in tone from the other two novels in the series that it's really shocking. There is no momentum whatsoever and there were substantial portions of this book that I started to skim out of sheer boredom, which never happened when I read the first two novels. This book is so strange that the only thing I can really compare it to is the movie Apocalypse Now because it is such a pyschological nightmare and of course the theme in both is that war is hell ("the horror, the horror"). The only difference is that I loved Apocalypse now, but Mockingjay is one of the worst novels (and sequels) that I have ever read. The things Katniss has to endure in this book (district 13 basically as bad as the capital, Peta becoming crazy, her sister being killed in the end, Katniss being burned basically from head to toe) is just flat out brutal. I guess I am naive because I expected this book to be kind of Star Warsish with the districts (the rebels) taking on and beating the evil capital in a thrilling conclusion. I figured Gale or Peta would die heroically and Katniss would live happily ever after with the survivor. But instead Katniss ends up broken both mentally and physically. I assume the author was not satisfied with writing something that was just a fun piece of popular fiction (like the Harry Potter series) and instead wanted something that would be remembered with the great works of literature (1984, Brave New World, Ender's Game, etc), but if that was the attempt then she has failed miserably. All I can really say in conclusion is that like a lot of people who loved the first two books in the series and I had very high hopes for Mockingjay, but in the end it is one of the most bizzarre, truly ugly novels I have ever read. It is so bad in fact that it will forever cloud my opinion of the series as a whole.
|
{
"answer_start": [
169
],
"text": [
"The advice is very practical and accurate!You"
]
}
|
How did you like the advice?
|
We had twins at the beginning of March 2014. We would have been in serious trouble coping with our twins if we did not read this book before the twins were delivered. The advice is very practical and accurate!You will keep your baby(ies) happy, keep your sanity and be able to enjoy and appreciate your baby by following the information and techniques in the book.The book is a quick read...In fact, I read it during the labor process before the babies were born.I would recommend getting the DVD/borrowing the DVD to see the techniques demonstrated before the babies arrive. It will really make it much easier -- Swaddling is not the most obvious thing to do with a blanket and get it right. But, you really need to do this well or your baby is not going to be happy or be able to sleep much.This would be a great baby shower gift!
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"controversial controversial controversial"
]
}
|
What the general advice is pos or neg?
|
I should have known Real Marriage would be controversial. It is, after all, by Mark and Grace Driscoll, and Mark Driscoll seems to be in trouble a good deal of the time. As I write this I have several friends who almost lose it when Driscoll's name comes up. I have several other friends who appreciate him, even though they recognize his faults. Why did I agree to review this book again?Well, it's too late. I did agree to review the book. I began reading, and it wasn't long before I got to some controversial bits. When Grace cuts her hair short, Mark disapproves. "She had put a mom's need for convenience before being a wife," he writes. Say what? I remember being surprised by my wife's haircut one time, but I'm not sure I would have put it this way. He makes a few statements like this that made me scratch my head.Early on the Driscolls talk very openly about the struggles they've experienced in their marriage. Kudos to them for this. Their openness and honesty is important. This section is pretty raw, though, and it left me feeling a little defensive of Grace. And I've never been sure what to think about Mark's visions, such as the one he has of Grace committing a sexual sin around the time they started to date. Even if you believe in revelatory visions, it's unusual to think of one that is as sexually graphic as this one.Once you get past the first chapter, you're into the best part of the book. The chapter on friendship in marriage is good. The chapters addressed to men and women respectively are also fairly well done. The chapter on taking out the garbage -- dealing with sin and conflict -- is also helpful and important. These chapters are the best in the book.Strangely, the next five chapters are on sex. That's half the book. Sex is certainly a topic that needs to be covered, and the Driscolls do cover some important ground here. They talk about a biblical understanding of sex, and recovering from abuse, and breaking free from porn. Perhaps it takes half a book to deal with this area of marriage because we're all sexually broken, but it is a big part of the book.The most controversial chapter in the book is chapter 10, "Can We ____?" I have no problem with honest questions, and I'm amazed at how well some people answer them. The grid that the Driscolls use, however, is a little too simple, and it never gets to some of the deeper issues that need to be explored. I would use this chapter as a discussion starter, but a lot more needs to be said in answering some of the questions.The final chapter is a simplified guide to setting goals as a couple. It would be a useful chapter to go through as a married couple. The questions are good, and I'm sure they'd start some good discussions.I get why the reaction to this book is so mixed. Some like it, and I can see why. There is lots that's good about this book, and I'm glad the Driscolls tackle tough topics with honesty and candour. But I also get why some struggle with this book. It's a little too hard on Grace at points, a little too harsh sometimes in general. It goes fearlessly into areas that need to be addressed, but maybe a bit of fear would be appropriate.I'm not sure how long the Driscolls have been married, but it seems to be less than twenty years. At this point they have lots to share, and I'm sure their congregation is benefiting. But it may be too soon for a book on marriage.I hate pile-ons, and I really don't like that the Driscolls have become such a target. I appreciate a lot about them and their ministry, and I'm sure this book will prove useful to many. But it's not the book it could be. It's a book with good points, but with too many flaws to ignore. That's too bad, because there's so much to like about this book, but so much that leaves me feeling disappointed.
|
{
"answer_start": [
452
],
"text": [
"loved this book"
]
}
|
How is book?
|
I grew up in the 60s and 70s. We would all like to believe that stereotypes and racism is so much better now, and, yes, things are better. But, some of the nuances and subtleties of racism still pervade the United States. Also, it does shine a light on injustice and is a reminder to learn from our past; it is still relevant. Today, when surveyed and questioned to indicate my race, I check "other" since I refuse to be classified by my skin. So, loved this book and its message.
|
{
"answer_start": [
41
],
"text": [
"They are just wonderful"
]
}
|
What do you think of that movie?
|
I have read these books countless times. They are just wonderful. I'm glad the movies are still staying true to the books.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"I had no clue what to expect when it came to this book ."
]
}
|
What about the story?
|
I had no clue what to expect when it came to this book. I had seen it on one of the big romance blogs, and so I assumed it was a romance. Right? I mean, there's a beautiful woman on the cover. But I was so surprised, so confused, and so completely sucked in. I got absolutely nothing done while I was reading this book, because I kept needing, not wanting, but needing to know what was happening in this book, and get to the end. I don't want to give any spoilers, but it was beautiful, and haunting, and sad, and left me feeling very bereft when it was done. It's not really a sad ending, but it's certainly not the happy ending that I typically read. And in spite of that, I felt completely satisfied. I begged some of my friends to start reading it, because I felt like I would die if I didn't have somebody to discuss this book with. I think that the author is insanely talented, and even though this book defies being stuck in any one category, and I typically stick with romance, I would absolutely read her again. Just not when I have a large to do list, because that will inevitably be ignored.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"the kids that took the risks like smoking , drinking , having sex"
]
}
|
Are the books dirty?
|
My 19 year old daughter recently asked what her hobbies were. I said, "Your friends are your hobbies". She looked at me like only 19 year olds can look at their mums. But it is true - her reason for being is her interactions with other people, preferably not old(er) ones like me. Based on an informal 20 question questionnaire on page 10 of this book she is almost 100% the perfect extrovert. Me, on the other hand, I am 70% introvert, and now that I know this, it explains all sorts of things about me. Unlike my lively daughter who needs to get her batteries charged from the energy of others, I need to get my batteries charged from not being with others, from being by myself. Finally I understand now why I don't like crowds, why I don't like going to parties or gatherings where I don't know people, why I am not the world's most natural and spontaneous entertainer, why I let the phone go to voice mail, why I enjoy writing so much, why sitting at home on New Year's Eve with mushrooms on toast, a bottle of bubbles and TV makes me feel so good! And it has been done more than once.Even though this book is about whether you are one or the other, the author makes very clear at both the beginning and the end, that introversion/extroversion personality analysis is one of many tools and theories out there, and often it seems in conjunction with other theories too. So, as with all this stuff, it is all very interesting and useful and probably helpful to self understanding but not necessarily the gospel truth.The author is a self proclaimed introvert, hence her interest in the subject. Her main argument in this book is that the world we live in, ie the current Western orientation to the Cult of Personality rather than the Cult of Character of perhaps 150 years ago does not suit the more introverted personality, which could be anywhere from a third to half the population. Think back to when you were at high school - who were the popular kids? Was it the science nerds? Was it those who spent their lunch hours in the library? Was it those who played solitary or individual sports like chess or fencing or even badminton? No of course it wasn't! It was the rugby boys, the girls who swanned around after them in packs, the kids that took the risks like smoking, drinking, having sex. The ones whose style of dress the rest of us tried to follow. The cool kids. Perhaps this is seen no more clearly than in her chapter on the differences between Asian students and non Asian students at American high school and universities.The book is full of explaining all these sorts of differences and whether we are actually born with tendencies towards introvesion/extroversion; how our upbringing and early life shapes us; how survival of the fittest is not necessarily survival of the loudest or the strongest; cultural differences; the effect the Cult of Personality had on the Global Financial Crisis; how as parents we can help our children who may not be so out there as us or their siblings, and even in our relationships where we can see and be understanding of our differences. And much more.I have got so much out of this book, and it really does make me feel much more comfortable in my skin. Now I know why I used to howl my lungs out at the top of the sand dunes faced with all that ocean and noise. Why I was one of only two kids on 11 year old camp that wouldn't do the abseiling. And why I love books, reading and doing these book reviews!
|
{
"answer_start": [
32
],
"text": [
"The story line was really good"
]
}
|
Do you have a good storyline to fight?
|
I will start out with the good. The story line was really good. I thouroughly enjoyed both Rule and Shaw. Both had reedeming qualities. I'm glad they found each other.Now for the bad and it's REALLY REALLY bad. I don't think I have ever read a book with so many errors. There was at least one on every other page and sometimes multiple on the same page. These range from use of the wrong word, an extra word in a sentence, missing punctuation, to massively long run on sentences.Some examples: gook = goodFailing instead of flailing"Know what I you can do""Said told me you've"Even me a chance = given me a chance"Always was the always""But wait awaited me" - I think this was supposed to be "what awaited me""With the sheer for of will alone" = sheer force of willLast one I promise:"On the days I worked I stayed on the Hill with Rule since his place was closer to the bar and he didn't mind coming to have a drink and waiting for me to get off so he could take me home he and Lou were like the best of friends now."PLEASE GET AN EDITOR ASAP. Any second set of eyes would have caught 85% of these errors.
|
{
"answer_start": [
12
],
"text": [
"the book leaves you satisfied"
]
}
|
How was the book?
|
In the end, the book leaves you satisfied: there is a twist, the story is well tied up and the character becomes likeable eventually. However, it is not a page-turner from the very start. I almost gave up the book after having read about a quarter of it, because the story looked flat and there wasn't really anything happening. On the whole, it is a solid thriller (although not very thrilling), better than lots of rubbish which lands in bestseller charts lately - but by far not the best book of the year, not even close.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"This started out as such a fun and engaging"
]
}
|
What is the central idea of the book?
|
This started out as such a fun and engaging series, but the last two or three books have been really weak, and this is little better. It wraps everything up all nicely and neatly, but is not much fun to read along the way. It's an easy read, though, so if you're looking to kill some time, by all means. I'm disappointed.
|
{
"answer_start": [
329
],
"text": [
"it was fun to read"
]
}
|
How was the end?
|
Grisham writes books that have wooden characters. It sets up situations where there is a battle between good and evil. Also he draws pictures of large law firms that are charactures. The ending was disappointing.Having said all the above I have to admit that I had a hard time putting this book down. I enjoyed the story and it was fun to read.
|
{
"answer_start": [
585
],
"text": [
"The sex scenes were good"
]
}
|
How is the sex?
|
I knew it was a mistake that I bought this book just after a few pages, yet I thought I might as well give it a chance. This sounded too much like fifty shades, just not as good. I don't mean the writing either, since fifty shades is not exactly a master piece, writing style wise. The story line is just not as good and sometimes boring. Some change in the charecters but overall most would remind one of the "other book". Eva is not as exciting and appealing as Anastasia. She is also very irrational on different occasions which made no sense as to why but to move the story along. The sex scenes were good but got old fast because they were in every other page. Something I found irritating in fifty shades as well. I found myself skipping a page or two here and there. I really wOuld have liked to see an ending to the story in this book because I just don't see how stretching the story into a whole other book will work. I gave it three stars because the writing was good and some situations kept me engaged but not e whole book. Gideon is just no Christain Grey which doesn't make the book great but not a total failure either.
|
{
"answer_start": [
13
],
"text": [
"The research necessary to write this book is impressive"
]
}
|
How is the research?
|
Great book! The research necessary to write this book is impressive and it brought this period in history alive. I was always an American History buff and disliked Ancient History so it took me a little longer to read this than it did to read Killing Lincoln or Kennedy. All 3 should be required school reading IMO.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"book 's message is especially important"
]
}
|
How is book?
|
An eye-opener of a message. The problem is this book will not be read by the people who need it the most. The audio CD version needs to be re-recorded with Mr. Friedman's energetic, knowing style rather than an actor who is just speaking the lines. The book's message is especially important for Americans who think past glories will float them and their children effortlessly into a wonderland of the future.
|
{
"answer_start": [
151
],
"text": [
"suspense the entire time"
]
}
|
Why do I have a moment dull?
|
I read this 480-some odd paged book in one day. I know this is classified as young adult literature, but this book grabbed my attention and kept me in suspense the entire time. Absolutely loved every page and can completely understand why they have made a movie about it. I also think that this series is even better than The Hunger Games.
|
{
"answer_start": [
122
],
"text": [
"story is remarkable and inspiring"
]
}
|
Does this story inspirational to you?
|
The Glass Castle is hands down one of the best memoirs--in fact, one of the best books--I've ever read. Jeannette Walls' story is remarkable and inspiring. I wish I had an ounce of her inner strength. Like Jeannette, I like learning the "dirt" about people not because it's salacious or because I have malicious intent, but rather because I think the "dirt" is what makes each of us unique and truly human. I also appreciated this book because the story raises a valuable question: can parents be deemed neglectful or abusive if they truly love their children and believe they're doing the best for them, even if to the outside world their parenting seems remiss? And is it maybe true to love is all a child truly needs, more so than even adequate food and shelter? Aside from the substance of the book, it was a compellingly readable story--funny, suspenseful, heartbreaking, and healing. I breezed through it because I had to know how things ultimately turned out.I wish the best to Jeannette and all her family. She is someone I would love to know, and I thank her for sharing her incredible story with the world!
|
{
"answer_start": [
26
],
"text": [
"The foster parents"
]
}
|
Does this story mucho better?
|
The story was excellent. The foster parents, particularly Rosa, turned out to be more and better than my first impression in the beginning. Death's comments were confusing at first until I realized his part in the story. Great book!
|
{
"answer_start": [
260
],
"text": [
"There is absolutley nothing in this book that is in any way a breakthrough in the area of baby care"
]
}
|
Is the book redundant ?
|
I asked for this book for my shower because a lot of moms on a discussion forum I read raved about it. Just a few pages into it, I wondered if there was really any need to read the entire book. The other mommies assured me it was worth it.I am not convinced.There is absolutley nothing in this book that is in any way a breakthrough in the area of baby care. Swaddling, swinging, shushing, sucking, and stomach positioning to calm a baby are all as old as the hills. Some of these have fallen in and out of fashion at one point or another, but none of these tips are so unique that they can't be found as helpful suggestions in other parenting guides or by asking older parents... (I can't even begin to count the number of times my mother or father has suggested I calm my extremely fussy baby by "Try putting him on his belly" or "Why don't you give him a binky?")This book suffers from a number of flaws.1. I can't even begin to say how irritated I am that the author claims to have found a "new" way to calm fussy babies.2. This book would be nice as a PAMPHLET handed out at the hospital to new parents... it should NOT be a book. My original impression that this book is extremely repetitive was correct. It's not so much that none of these methods work, it's just that all can be explained very quickly. It does not take a full length book. Luckily, I read this book before my baby got here - any parent already dealing with a fussy or colicky baby would be at their wits end trying to read this entire book. (Therein lies the irony of childcare help books... those who need them the most don't have the time or ability to read them!!!)3. The methods do NOT work for all babies and despite Karp's claim that colic does not even exist in some cultures due to parents using his methods... Colic does NOT always respond to these methods. Living with my baby was agony for the first few months. It didn't matter what I tried - days and evenings were horrible. Anyone who claims to have a cure for colic has clearly never really dealt with colic! What seemed to matter more to my baby was the clock... once 11pm hit, swaddled and nursed, he would sleep well at night. Between 6pm and 11pm, though, it didn't matter WHAT I tried, he was fussy and needed to be held and nursed constantly. I could nolt put him down no matter what I tried. There was no magic "off switch," despite Karp's claims.In short, this book was a waste of my time. Skim it in a bookstore if you wish, but do not spend your money.In response to others claims that babies can become hooked on the methods in this book... I don't think this is a serious issue. We swaddled at night until my baby was big and strong enough to weasle his way out of his wrappings, no matter how many diaper pins I tried to fasten him with. Once he was too big to swaddle, he had no problems sleeping at night. (I mean, at 4 1/2 months he has yet to sleep through the night, but he sleeps no differently unswaddled than swaddled...)Maybe some babies require the calming methods a little longer than others, but sooner or later they should all outgrow them... I hope!
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"made me cry and laugh it was simply wonderful"
]
}
|
What emotion was there ?
|
This book was amazing...made me cry and laugh, it was simply wonderful. The love from Liam is so sweet! Although there are very sad parts it just adds to the depth of the book! Read this book! I can't wait to read more from this author!
|
{
"answer_start": [
99
],
"text": [
"I loved it"
]
}
|
Is this book interesting?
|
Hey! I love my audible books and this was the first I have had that has a man and a woman reading. I loved it. I love listening in my car and this is one that I probably wasted a lot of time and gas just hanging out in my car...driving home slower...to work slower.I must say that Amy in this book is so smart...even the author is so smart or rather clear headed. With my ADD there is no way I could figure out how to do something like this. I must admit I had figured out what had happened pretty early on but I can tell you that it does not diminish the story line.It does seem set up a little to have another book...which I would be happy to read.They are filming the movie down close to my hometown in Cape Giradeau, MO. Ben Affleck is playing Nick I guess and not sure of the rest. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT IN AUDIO!!
|
{
"answer_start": [
344
],
"text": [
"book.for some strange reason it was available in English prior to Christmas everywhere except USA"
]
}
|
Where is the five element available?
|
Re; the Girl with the dragon Tattoo & the Girl who played with firehave read both and note that the new novel 'the girl who played with fire' is much better. it makes the characters believable by going in detail into their history and resulting psychological profiles, at the same time it is a white knuckles thriller.I strongly recommend this book.for some strange reason it was available in English prior to Christmas everywhere except USA. cant wait for the third book in the series, will there be a fourth? apparently Larsen wrote half of the 4th before suffering a fatal heart attack.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"This was a really good story"
]
}
|
Does this work have a deep and complicated story line?
|
This was a really good story.Read this one- you won't regret it.The characters were both very likeable.I'll definitely read more by this author.
|
{
"answer_start": [
1154
],
"text": [
"I suggest you stay away"
]
}
|
What do you think about book?
|
I read Twilight and New Moon in two days a few years ago when I was home sick for a week in high school. I had read them at a time when few people knew what it was. Twilight is an okay book, to be frank. The first time I read it, I did really like it, but after a few more reads, I began to have more and more problems with the book. It's good for a one time read, however, the character of Bella is way too self-sacrificing to be real, and Edward much too perfect. Also, it's a little disturbing that vampires are doing what? Sparkling. I wasn't aware that immortal beings who were as hard as diamonds had to literally look like one in the sunlight. I admit, an interesting concept, but not to my taste. There are also a ton of grammatical errors. It has nothing amazing in it that wowed me, and I'm also tired of people comparing it to Harry Potter. This book is no where near JK Rowling's genius. This whole fan girl hype about the books and movies is also disturbing, and a complete turn off to the books. I will recommend a read through once if you like vampire novels of all kinds, however, if you're looking for something like Anne Rice's novels, I suggest you stay away.
|
{
"answer_start": [
234
],
"text": [
"The writing is excellent"
]
}
|
How is the write?
|
I love the whole Hunger Games series. One thing that I really appreciate is the fact that the author brings the action to completion before moving on to the next book in the series. The reader is not left in the middle of a scene. The writing is excellent and the characters are very well crafted. I love this book.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"The book was too technical"
]
}
|
What is your take on the book by James Clear?
|
The book was too technical. I personnally know two people that had this experience and theirs was certainly different from his.
|
{
"answer_start": [
1191
],
"text": [
"Everything about the story was interesting and educational"
]
}
|
How is story?
|
Unbroken is a book to be read, and reread and discussed over and over again.Hillenbrand's extremely well researched and massively detailed book tells the story of Louie Zamperini. A man with an interesting personality to begin with, Louie survived ordeals that would have finished most people off. When it looks like tan incident is the worst thing that could happen to him there is a moment of....But wait! That wasn't the worst of it and the story is off telling another terrible event.An Olympic runner in 1936 Louie ended up in the Army Air corp as a bombardier over the Pacific during WWII. When their plane crashed he and 2 other men were in a raft for more than a month. On land at last Louie was captured by the Japanese and held in work camps for the duration of the war. Louie's "bring it on" attitude caused his jailers to hate him even more and his punishment was unbelievable.After being freed Louie faced demons for many years until a chance encounter with Billy Graham helped him turn his life around.I found this book to be compelling, endlessly interesting, and fascinating. I could not stop turning the pages, wanting to see what could possibly happen to Louie next. Everything about the story was interesting and educational while still being extremely readable. I learned about flying a B24, and details of WWII that I had not learned before. I read details of the treatment of POWs that I had not known before.I must ponder why Louie survived when so many others didn't. What part of his upbringing and genetic makeup made him so resilient that he was able to withstand the punishment, thirst, starvation and deprivation that he did?Hillenbrand gives quite a bit of thought to this subject of why the Japanese treated the POWs so badly. There are many reasons to be considered. It has been obvious in years past that people put in power over others can become overwhelmed with the desire to prove themselves to their prisoners, turning into monsters that they themselves could hardly recognize. Something about the Japanese personality made these men fail to understand why the westerners behaved so differently from the Japanese. In many ways the Japanese were simply following orders and were afraid not to do what they were told.This would be an excellent book for students of history to read, and for reading groups to discuss.
|
{
"answer_start": [
557
],
"text": [
"I pondered the best way to get the book"
]
}
|
What does line mean?
|
Fall of Giants, the first in the series was wonderful. While preparing for the follow up, I reread this first in the Century series in preparation for more vivid characterization and wonderful, intersecting story lines. Who can forget the opening story of Billy Williams going into the dangerous Welsh mines for the first time and his heroic endeavors underground? And, how about the fascinating women of the region: the fiery Maude, and Ethel, Billy's sister, who rose to become a member of Parliament? As time for the release of "Winter..." grew near, I pondered the best way to get the book. Fall of Giants, I had in paper version; it was heavy (perfect for lifting weights), or the overpriced Kindle version? I finally decided to invest the money in the Kindle version, so I wasn't in danger of a slipped disk from the weight of the book. I was also anxious to get started with a writer I knew would not disappoint.What slow recognition awaited me! I had carefully read no reviews, so I would not be influenced. Where in the world did Ken Follett go? Did he outline the plot and assign immature writers to "fill in the blanks"? The rating I have given him is only because of the research and historical knowledge of the times that I have garnered. I don't mind that the characters are present at every important event of the WWII years. What I do mind is the shallow characterization of people I feel no reason to like. I really resent the few sections, possibly written by Follett, as in the 101st segment, that are cut off mid section, then summarized later in the book. I really mind the immature sexual scenes that make me dislike the characters even more.This book contract probably had too short a time for Follett and his assistants to meet deadline. It probably should have been divided into two books. At any rate, do not count on me to reread the second in the trilogy in preparation for the third. Also, do not count on me to spend twenty dollars for the next book. I will read the reviews and decide whether I want to waste my money and my time.
|
{
"answer_start": [
27
],
"text": [
"Harry Potter series until"
]
}
|
How is the choice?
|
I didn't start reading the Harry Potter series until "Goblet of Fire" was published - just in time to endure the monster wait for "Order of the Phoenix". I tore through the first four books with utter delight. After hearing the ridiculous amount of controversy surrounding these works, I was prepared for shoddy writing and nefarious, subversive pseud-literature. Obviously, I found neither."Order of the Phoenix" is indeed darker than its predecessors. This book isn't intended for five year olds, and I see no reason why good children's literature full of suspense, magic and a bit of thrill shouldn't be available. Thank goodness J.K. Rowling seems to agree. The regular cast of lovable characters are back, in the midst of pubescent angst, and dealing with an evil sorceror to boot. Harry's life is never dull.At 800 plus pages, this is one of the more involved children's books around, though the reading isn't difficult for young adults. I definitely would not recommend this book, or any in the series, to very young children as there are more advanced themes that many parents may not feel to be suitable. Obviously, informed parents would want to read the book first anyway.Harry, Ron, Hermione, Cho...all of them are growing up. The fact that their characters develop a broader emotional range is indicative of this fact. I certainly remember myself at 15. Everything that was good at all was absolutely wonderful, and anything not completely in my favor spelled the end of the world. In Harry's case, these extremes could very well be accurate, which is one of the reasons these books hold so much more magic than any wand from Olivander's could summon.J.K. Rowling's imagination runs wild, as it always does. Her warm sense of humor intertwines with sometimes scary subject matter and creates a truly unique story line. Hopefully, the wait for the next installment will be shorter. Hopefully, the attentive reader will realize that "Order of the Phoenix" is not a stand alone work, and that it needs to be measured, finally, by not only what came before it, but by what will come after it.
|
{
"answer_start": [
2348
],
"text": [
"really but rather a gain"
]
}
|
How do you rate the book?
|
I was eager to read, 'The God Delusion' because of all the hype and because I'm a fan of Dawkins. I especially enjoyed, 'The Blind Watchmaker'. Let me start off by saying that the book is very easily readable. You'll get through it in no time. The print (at least in my paperback edition) was large and the pages rather thick. This obviously added to the massiveness of the volume, albeit unnecessarily. I would have preferred a soft paperback with a smaller font (like many of Daniel Dennett's books).Anyway, Dawkins tears apart virtually every argument ever put forth in favour of god-belief. I say 'virtually' because he does not say much about belief in magic which is also used in many parts of the developing world as a reason to believe in the supernatural. Perhaps, being from the West, he thought it unnecessary. Anyway, he writes in his usual witty style with many anecdotes that are pure entertainment especially for atheists, like me. His emphasis is more toward why god belief is unnecessary rather than providing an alternative to those who fear being weaned of religion. He gives readers the benefit of the doubt that they will be able to trust their rationality and let it triumph over blind faith.'The God Delusion' is less academic than his other works. I noticed a lot of references to Internet resources which I suppose are understandable in this day and age but would have preferred if he kept them to a minimum. Keep in mind however, that my opinion on that is from the perspective of a scientist. Perhaps since it's Dawkins' first real stab at organized religion, he has avoided getting too technical and overwhelming his target audience with endless references and footnotes (a trait seen in many of Daniel Dennett's and Sam Harris' books, albeit intended for a different audience). I understand Dawkins' intention in writing this book is to get religious readers to abandon their faith, which he thinks is more harmful than good. This shouldn't dissuade the religious from reading it though, since faith by its very definition, is immune to any arguments against it. What harm ever came from reading a book? Some people 'lost their innoncence' to books like 'The Case Against God' (George H. Smith) or 'Atheist Universe' (David Mills) and I'm sure some will lose it to 'The God Delusion'. I wouldn't look at it as a 'loss' really but rather a gain. The religious unfortunately have no idea how beautiful the intellectual freedom of a life without blind faith really is.I think this latest work of his would make a great book for people who are uncertain about religious truth and are at crossroads in their life. Even long-time atheists would benefit from a fresh dose of reason and reality. No child should be indoctrinated with the teachings of any religous book without at least balancing that view with this book or one just like it. If you feel differently, then you either have no 'faith' in your children to think for themselves or have an agenda of your own.
|
{
"answer_start": [
436
],
"text": [
"quite lyrical and achingly beautiful"
]
}
|
What do you think about imagery?
|
I want to recommend a book I just finished reading. The Book Thief is a very wonderfully written & touching story. It's not a new book (2006) but I just recently ran across it. I decided to read it because I've never seen a book that's been on the New York Times Bestseller List for over 230 weeks.From the write up on it you wouldn't think this is a beautifully written book ("Narrated by Death" - yikes!) but Zusak's writing style is quite lyrical and achingly beautiful in some passages... "At those times, in the enormous mileage of sleep, she had never felt so completely alone." ... `the enormous mileage of sleep'... I like that.I highly recommend this book!
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"This book was really good and surprisingly deep"
]
}
|
Do you have good feelings?
|
This book was really good and surprisingly deep. The whole thing felt real to me. Sure some of the coincidences were a little far fetched, but what book isn't like that. I wish poetry had really been like that in school. If it had, I might have actually enjoyed that unit instead of the old, highly metaphorical stuff we had to read.The twist toward the beginning threw me off, but it didn't make the book super awkward or anything, so it was okay. I'm looking forward to reading the next book and reading more of Layken and Will's story.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"This book is really for younger readers"
]
}
|
How is the quality of the book?
|
This book is really for younger readers, but some of the messages for young girls is ridiculously old fashion. The book is too much about a girl with a crush.
|
{
"answer_start": [
1532
],
"text": [
"Hunger Games"
]
}
|
What is novel?
|
This is one novel that deserves the popularity it enjoys. Wow, is this book good!The main thing that makes this such a favorite is the suspense that Collins has woven in. I could not stop listening to this book! I kept trying to find more things to clean around the house to justify listening to it for "just another hour." Of course, that hour turned into two hours, which turned into three hours -- needless to say, I finished this one very quickly and my house was sparkling for a couple of days. There is never any part where the reader's emotions are allowed to rest. Like Katniss, I was always on edge, waiting for her next challenge, waiting for the next bad thing to happen. This makes it a fast read. Also, since it's told through Katniss's eyes and the storytelling is excellent, I was completely involved in the story from start to finish.Haymitch is by far my favorite character, with Katniss being a close second. I thought all the characters were wonderfully done. I got a sense of each of them without being told exactly who they were, what they did, and what I should think of them. Collins lets us draw our own conclusions by giving their personalities through Katniss's eyes and letting the characters' actions speak for themselves. I think this envelops all of the book, actually. She doesn't dumb down the writing just because it's young adult. It's complex, teaches lessons without being didactic, and (better yet) doesn't talk down to the reader.Another thing I appreciate is the realism Collins brings to The Hunger Games. Problems don't magically disappear and there isn't any forced happily-ever-afters. It's violent, brutal, and dark. Those who are squeamish will have a hard time with this story, but I think it's worth it. For one thing, the violence isn't there for shock value, as is the case for some novels, unfortunately. Rather, it's a statement about the government of Panem and what these people are forced to live with. I like that the characters are forced to work through their problems and actually deal with issues. It makes for an interesting story, the characters are allowed to grow and change, and it reflects the real world. Problems don't just disappear.The narration of the audiobook is also excellent. McCormick is so talented at infusing her words with emotions and getting the pacing exactly right. The voices for each of her characters are easy to distinguish, even if you're listening to it in the background. Her rendition is so well done, in fact, that I found myself pausing in my chores to just listen to her tell the story.I highly recommend this to everyone. Yes, there is violence, yes it is dark, but these are parts of the message The Hunger Games holds. This is one book worth reading.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"The first 50 pages were tedious boring , and uninteresting"
]
}
|
When the book is more interesting?
|
I admit it. I was drawn in by the multitude of fabulous reviews, and ordered the book, expecting a literary treat. I also admit that I am reviewing a book I never finished. I could not do it. I am a voracious reader, freelance writer, and former teacher of composition. I know a good book when I read it. This did not even come close. It's ultimate sin was BOREDOM. The first 50 pages were tedious, boring, and uninteresting. I slogged through another 50 pages, and gave up. The characters were unlikeable and annoying. The author's attempt at writing a thriller that would draw you in and hook you fell flat. I had no interest in finding out what happened to which tediously tiresome character. Do not waste your money on this one. I am actually returning the book to Amazon with a strong rebuke concerning their intense marketing of this disaster.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"Story is intriguing"
]
}
|
How is the story line?
|
Story is intriguing though incredulous. But I felt the book dragged on a bit too long. I did not feel compelled to any of the characters.
|
{
"answer_start": [
573
],
"text": [
"This story is suspenseful"
]
}
|
How emotional is the story?
|
I started out thinking the book was ok, but the more I read, the better I liked it. It tells of a family ( and a few friends) who livein constant danger in war- torn Germany. There is an ever-prevent danger of being arrested for the slightest suspicionof disloyalty to Hitler and any of his doctrines. No one can be trusted to keep a secret. Into this comes a young girl witha love for books, a refugee who is Jewish and in hiding, and the girl's introduction into the dangers and heartaches ofgrowing up in a neighborhood that is rife with fear, death and suffering. This story is suspenseful, touching, and informative.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"Definitely the best book of the series"
]
}
|
Is it book ?
|
Definitely the best book of the series but all 3 are highly engaging and worth reading. I didn't know anything about this book when I bought it, but I had heard of it and wanted a good book to put on my brand new Kindle. I seriously could not put it down, and finished it in one day and immediately purchased the other 2 books in the trilogy.I was surprised to find out that this was meant for kids! It is so captivating, and fairly gruesome. Definitely the best book I have read in a long time, I would recommend this to any and everyone!
|
{
"answer_start": [
291
],
"text": [
"If you are interested in Japan"
]
}
|
Do you want to have a long life?
|
What makes this book so special is how richly it reveals details of the characters lives. Subtle details which create a vivid sense of time and place create for the reader a rich tapestry of places, people and culture. The story is fascinating, at times cruel and tragic, but very readable. If you are interested in Japan, it is a must. For others, it is worthy of your time.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"deserving of the royalties garnered through film adaptation of their work"
]
}
|
What is the purpose to write this book?
|
Is there a point to reviewing this title? I mean really. It's almost like reviewing Lord of the Rings. Not to imply that Collins is the next Tolkien or anything. Far from it. My point it that as of penning this commentary there are more than seventy seven thousand reviews posted to Goodreads alone. Composing anything more doesn't serve much a purpose. Oh well, I review for my own amusement so let's get on with it, shall we?Collins can thank a good friend of mine for yet another five star review. Not literally of course. Having a blockbuster movie to her credit, I'm sure Collins is long past reading individual reviews. I should probably give Superman a shout out though. Without his recommendation I never would have bothered with the book in the first place. The Hunger Games first came to my attention via Goodreads and let's just say the tween hype surrounding the book was a major turn off. Much like Twilight, the book started showing up everywhere, relevant to the discussion at hand or not. I made a snap judgment and pretty much avoided the title like the plague. Then I received this recommendation. Ordinarily I would check out the blurb, debate if I was in the mood for the genre, probably browse a review or two, but I have a few friends with infallible taste in lit. They tell me I should read something and without a moment of hesitation, I track down a copy. As usual, his taste was spot on.Now I recently reviewed Susan Ee's Angelfall and I have to say, I enjoyed Katniss Everdeen for many of the same reasons I enjoyed Penryn Young. It is true, she has a certain aptitude for the bow but her talents are born out of a need to survive. She isn't perfection personified, the fantasy of every male comes in contact with or unusually gifted as say Bella Swan, Rory Deveaux, or Tessa Grey. Yes, I am that shallow. I pointed fingers and named names, but don't jump down my throat just yet. There isn't anything wrong with these heroines. I simply prefer the strength of character Collins features in Katniss as opposed to the inherent exceptional abilities of her counterparts.Moving on. For those who don't follow my reviews, I pretty much gave up on the Infernal Devices trilogy because I am sick to death of what has become a staple of young adult lit: the love triangle. Well, that and Clare's obvious obsession with Will's blue eyes but that is another story entirely. That in mind, Collins has me eating crow. I can hardly believe that in less than a month I am turning around and admitting I was wrong. Does this make me a hypocrite? Probably. Do I care? Not particularly. Why not? I'm so happy you asked.Gale and Peeta aren't engaged in a pissing match over a hopelessly smitten heroine who is all but begging to rip off her clothes. Collins, unlike some other authors, opts instead for a more conservative approach to teenage romance. Her heroine, Katniss, is conflicted but at this point in the game, she doesn't know how she feels about either boy. She has a relationship with Gale, but as yet, he has made no move to indicate a romantic interest and though she has no established relationship with Peeta prior to the Reaping, he declared his feelings quite plainly on live television. That's pretty much it. Now, I think it is obvious Collins intends to develop the idea in the following installments but she doesn't allow it to overshadow the rest of the piece and for that reason, and that reason I am willing to let the issue slide.So if The Hunger Games isn't mired is a sea of melodramatic drivel, what does Collins spend twenty nine chapters writing about? To be perfectly frank, she takes the road less traveled and offers up an honest to God, solidly constructed, fast-paced, hang on to your butts cause you wont believe what happens next, page turning piece of fiction. I wont go into the details. I'd end up spoiling something for the those few individuals who haven't yet jumped on The Hunger Games bandwagon. Suffice it to say that this is one of the few occasions I believe the author deserving of the royalties garnered through the film adaptation of their work.Generally speaking I like to add a note of criticism to my reviews, but in regards to The Hunger Games, I got nothing. Either I never identified an issue or I was so blown away by the story that I completely forgot I had one. Collins, I tip my hat to you.
|
{
"answer_start": [
245
],
"text": [
"it was even hard to put down"
]
}
|
What can you tell about the end of this book?
|
"The Dogs of Babel" was a fantastic debut from author, Carolyn Parkhurst. I'm hoping to discover more of her works in the years to come. I was easily able to sit and read this book in a matter of just a few hours while on vacation. At times, it was even hard to put down.I had originally picked up the book because I thought that it would prove to be an interesting mystery. However, I soon discovered that the book was less about a mystery and more about relationships. Not only the relationship between lovers, but also the relationship between people and dogs. It truly brought out the animal lover in me, and for that, I'm grateful.To tell you anything further in a review may ruin the story for readers who have not yet had the opportunity to experience "The Dogs of Babel," so I will leave my review short. Thank you for a "simple" yet entertaining read, Ms. Parkhurst.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"The story is highly suspenseful , sometimes complicated , and occasionally gruesome and disgusting"
]
}
|
How is story?
|
The late Swedish writer Stieg Larsson's brilliant THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO was originally titled the equivalent of "Men Who Hate Women," and if the Swedish version was more prosaic, it better captured the overall theme of this superb mystery novel. The story is highly suspenseful, sometimes complicated, and occasionally gruesome and disgusting. In short, the author succeeded in creating an entertaining and intelligent novel that is also very, very blunt in its revulsion of misogyny.There are three threads to this first novel in Larsson's Millennium Trilogy. The first two threads, which become tightly woven together but which never become a single strand, center on the two main characters, the star financial investigative journalist, Mikhael Blomkvist, and the brilliant if anti-social hacker and private investigator, Lisbeth Salander. The Blomkvist thread, which, to mix a metaphor, serves as bookends to the novel, concerns Blomkvist's attempts to expose a corrupt industrialist named Hans-Erik Wennerström. The Salander thread stitches together the recurring misogyny motif: unjustly declared insane as a child, Salander had lived in a psychiatric asylum until released as an adult under the legal supervision of a court-appointed guardian. After her first, benign guardian passes away from a stroke, Salander is assigned to Nils Bjurman, a socially respectable but privately sadistic man who rapes her. What guides her subsequent actions--and this is another repeating theme in the novel--is something that was taught to her by her first guardian, "that every action has its consequences." The third thread, which makes up the greater part of the material of the novel, is a stunningly well executed murder mystery concerning a prominent family headed by the industrialist Henrik Vanger.To tackle misogyny, Larsson creates in Salander a kind of super-hero. Most of the principal players in this story are realistically depicted (well, there's the matter of at-the-drop-of-a-hat sex, which we'll get to in a moment). The character of Blomkvist, for instance, who might well be the journalist author's alter ego, is completely believable--he is naturally drawn. You want to believe in Salander, too, but you do so like you want to believe in Superman: someone you can trust will bust the bad guys. Salander knows how to hurt bad men so they don't hurt back. But as fascinating as she is--her tattoos, piercings, and other emblems of an independent spirit endear you to her--she's almost too good to be true. Salander's not invincible--she has her own Kryptonite vulnerabilities--but she's hyper-real. It's to Larsson's credit that the reader buys into her all the same.Perhaps not surprising is that sex plays a prominent role in a book with a misogyny theme. But it's not all or even predominantly in the context of violence against women. Neither is it ever in the context of traditional relationships. Both Blomkvist and Salander engage in numerous trysts, with each other and with others, but always with friends and acquaintances not with committed lovers, per se. The sex doesn't seem particularly joyful. What are these frequent sexual episodes? Do they simply reflect Larsson's version of the world, or do they convey a deeper meaning? Is it that the world is so painful or mortality so depressing that sex serves as a drug to forget the mundane? It's not clear. But with the contrast of sex in different contexts in this novel the question seems to hang in the air.THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO is a terrific novel. The fact that it is currently a very popular book (the cover has been ubiquitous in Christmas advertisements) just goes to show that sometimes the public gets it right. Assuming, of course, that people are reading it.(The audio book version works very well. Simon Vance does a fine job narrating the story. His vocalizations of the many Swedish characters are uneven; Dragan Armansky, Salander's boss at Milton Security, for instance, sounds like Count Dracula. Actually, more like Count Chocula. Anyway, you get my drift. For most of the other Swedes Vance assumes various versions of a British or "European" English accent. It's not too distracting, though. Vance's craftsmanship overall is solid.)
|
{
"answer_start": [
106
],
"text": [
"free seems to be the best price"
]
}
|
How much does the book cost?
|
I LOVE THIS BOOK AND THIS SERIES!!! I was hesitant to read this book at first, but I gave it a shot since free seems to be the best price. I do not regret it at all! I love,love,love this book! I read a lot of Young Adult paranormal/supernatural romance books so this book was absolutly perfect for me. I really really recommend that you read this book. I finished the entire thing in a couple of hours when I should have been studying for midterms becuase I have been addicted. Since then, I have purchased the entire series and am on the third book. I usually do not write reviews on the books I read however, I decided to write one to hopefully encourage more people to read this book. You will not regret it, and even if on the off chance that you did not like this book, there was never any harm because it was FREE! Love this series!
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"This book is a good review"
]
}
|
Is there any interesting thing in this book?
|
This book is a good review of what happened in the world in the last 15 years or so. It tells us that the world is flat, and it explains why the world went flat. For the free thinkers, that is nothing new and we don't really need to be told, because we noticed that long time ago. Still, it's interesting to read (free thinkers like to read, don't they?). For the ones who have a harder time getting things, this is a great book that will open their eyes.There are good things and bad things about the book. In general, the sources of information of Friedman are good and first-hand (friends of him who are CEO's at so many hot spots!), and he gives us many examples so we get the point. Bad thing about it is that the book is supposed to be a "brief" history of the 21st Century, and sometimes it takes forever to get to the point, with many examples that are not necessary because we get the point right away. I mean, 496 pages are too much. The book would be enough with 200. And better. Shortes is always better! (It's like that quote that says "I'm sorry I could not write you a shorter letter, I didn't have time!).Another thing that is good is the list of the ten forces that flattenered the wolrd. It is well explained with lots of examples (sometimes too many!). Then what it's bad is the way the book is outlined. It's not balanced, and the conclusion is not a good one. It doesn't summarize the whole book, and adds more material when this is not something that is supposed to do in a conclusion. I liked very much the analisys of the Arab-Muslim world. It's full of true things out of stereotypes.Anyway, in conclusion, I give this book a 4 stars rating, because it is a good book that tells us very interesting stuff about the world we live today, and I recommend it to anyone, free thinker or not.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"I 've heard the writing was juvenile"
]
}
|
Do you like to write?
|
I have been putting off reading this series because, even though I enjoy erotica as next as the next girl, I've heard the writing was juvenile. It definitely drew me in and kept my attention. It works because it's not really about the sex, although his tastes are a big part of the story. It's more about how she forces him to grow as a man. I love that Ana is the strength in the relationship and Christian knows that. I love that there's a reason he is the way he is and she doesn't give up until she uncovers those reasons. I love that she forces him to stop wallowing and grow the hell up, while he finds trust by demanding it from her. Something about Ana and Christian's story works (obviously, given the success of the books), although the writing itself could be improved upon.
|
{
"answer_start": [
59
],
"text": [
"BookLook Bloggers"
]
}
|
What experience do I leave when reading this book?
|
I received a copy of this book free from publisher through BookLook Bloggers in exchange of review. This is actually the third book I read about real story of near-death experience. But what makes this book unique is that the experienced was from a four-year old child. Considering that it is a child, I couldn't agree more about what Todd Burpo says, "A child doesn't have an agenda. A child isn't contaminated with adult-thinking". Albeit kids can fantasize things, but the scenario where Colton opened about his meeting in heaven with his unborn sister and his Great Grandfather who died a quarter of century before he was even born proved everything that what Colton's experienced is real. And indeed Heaven is for Real.The book gives hope and clarity to those people who has doubt, worries and mourns for their love ones who passed away. I wouldn't say it applies to all, some may be touched with Colton's story others may not because I believe Holy Spirit moves differently in different people. And only those with open heart can fully understand it. But one thing that was promised, great things awaits us up there if we're doing good deeds here in the world that we currently live. For me this book is a piece of puzzle that answers the mystery of life after death.The book is worth reading which doesn't surprise why it hit the bestseller list and was eventually translated into different languages in different countries. And now it is recently in theater, which I will definitely watch though I read the book already. Well at least reading and watching it gives me a taste of what heaven is - as I understand Colton's description, heaven is a paradise beyond comparison.
|
{
"answer_start": [
16
],
"text": [
"the book"
]
}
|
How is a book read twice described as?
|
I chose to read the book because I have heard so many people talk about it and even rave about it. I thought the book was shallow and silly, an adolescent's perspective on a sexual relationship. I am no prude or right-winger, but the book has no redeeming social value. I am a man in my early 70s, and I was repulsed by the book and its superficiality. I have read and enjoyed many, many books with sexual content and enjoyed and approved of them. This one was erotica for erotica's sake, and it seemed to be written exclusively for women, and since I have no experience being one, I cannot judge their tastes, but of the 25 books I have read in the last year, this one was the least appealing or satisfying of the lot.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"What"
]
}
|
How is the series?
|
What a great end to a great series. Such a thought provoking book, and I loved hearing more from Four in this one. The entire Divergent series is well worth your reading time.
|
{
"answer_start": [
30
],
"text": [
"tidy book where the hero"
]
}
|
What is your feeling about this book ?
|
If you're looking for a neat, tidy book where the hero beats the bad guy and gets the girl in the end--look somewhere else. Life isn't like that, and you know it. Holden Caulfield knows the world is full of phonies, and even if he lies a little himself, that's part of life too.On the surface, this is a story about nothing. Holden gets kicked out of boarding school and goes home to New York City. He doesn't want to tell his parents, so he gets a cheap room and spends a few days drinking, smoking, and catching up with old friends.What that doesn't tell you is that Holden is on the verge of a moral and emotional collapse. It's been coming ever since his kid brother died. Sure, lots of people can handle death gracefully, but a lot of us can't. For Holden, the death of sweet little kid challenges his belief in a just God, and without a moral foundation, he's left wondering how he can possibly live the rest of his life. It's a question any serious thinker poses eventually, and the way Holden seeks an answer is what this book is really about.Yes, there's language, but it's true to the character. What's more, while it may have been shocking 50 years ago, by today's standards it's very mild. Any reader with cable TV in the house has heard much worse. I recommend this book for any bright reader 12 years and up.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"the hero , Lucas , is HOT.I've"
]
}
|
How is the hero?
|
I don't think there's much I can say about this one that hasn't already been said.I had it on ice in my Wish List for quite a while. The cost, and the woeful cover, put me off a bit. However, cover aside, it was worth every cent.The author is technically proficient and the story flows very easily. The heroine, Jacqueline, is likeable and the hero, Lucas, is HOT.I've not read any of the author's other works, but if this is her usual standard, I'm a convert.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"this book is just awful"
]
}
|
Why is the write of this book considered irregular?
|
this book is just awful,so much so that I am convinced that the good reviews are part of a PR strategy and fake.
|
{
"answer_start": [
12
],
"text": [
"the book leaves you satisfied"
]
}
|
How was the book?
|
In the end, the book leaves you satisfied: there is a twist, the story is well tied up and the character becomes likeable eventually. However, it is not a page-turner from the very start. I almost gave up the book after having read about a quarter of it, because the story looked flat and there wasn't really anything happening. On the whole, it is a solid thriller (although not very thrilling), better than lots of rubbish which lands in bestseller charts lately - but by far not the best book of the year, not even close.
|
{
"answer_start": [
662
],
"text": [
" It will tug at every emotion you have in your body"
]
}
|
How intense do you consider your emotion towards the education?
|
Overall: I completely expected not to like this book. I delayed buying this book for a month even at the insistence of a few close friends. It wasn't until I discovered this title on Netgalley that I gave it a shot. Let me also say that I don't typically read contemporary novels - ah, but this is no ordinary contemporary novel. If you've ever wanted the poster-novel for dark fiction, Slammed is it. Layken has a pretty shitty life who can't catch a single break as the novel progresses. Does she give up? No, she learns to be strong and deal with whatever life throws at her. Slammed is definitely a novel that will compel you to read in one sitting. It will tug at every emotion you have in your body - even the tin man would weep during sections of this book.A key part of this novel is slamming, which is performed poetry. I rarely read poetry and I have trouble understand poetry that is very metaphorical. These poems performed by the characters either during poetry class or at Club N9NE are best if read out loud with extra emphasis on the bolded words. I must say that this is the first book I have ever wished to purchase on audio. Instead, after reading this book I immediately purchased a paperback and gifted it to my mom so she can enjoy it too.Characters: There are no cheerleaders or nerds in this book, even though it's set primarily in the high school. Layken isn't loved at first sight by every male in the vicinity - in fact, she's largely ignored by her classmates, except for a spunky girl named Eddie and her small group of friends. Eddie has her own demons (she's a foster child) but it's hard to tell by her cheerful demeanor. It's refreshing to have the two teenage girls survive an entire novel without fighting - can't think of another YA that does. In fact, there are surprisingly few cliches used to define any of the characters. I wasn't sure what the characters would do next or what tragedy would strike next, and I think that was a major factor in my liking this book.Plot: It's hard to explain what happens in this book without giving away an early spoiler, which is why Will can't date Layden. At the start of the book, Layken has moved with her mother and brother across the country to snowy Michigan. Layken meets her neighbor, Will, and they hit it off immediately. She goes on the best date of her life and thinks that life is starting to improve. Not so. When Layken starts her new school she (and I) was completely shocked to find out that she and Will have to end their relationship (for reasons I won't spoil). Her life complicates further when her brother and Will's become best friends and she sees Will almost constantly. Not sure what his true feelings are, Layken can't help but be depressed. At the same time, her mother is becoming increasingly distant and has a secret of her own. One that definitely is not good for Layken or her brother.Ending: I liked how this novel ended, and yet after experiencing all the trauma Layken dealt with in Slammed, I'm not quite sold on finding out what life throws at her in the sequel. I like her so much that I'd rather her not have to do this all over again in the second book. She deserves better. This ending is sad, depressing, but you can't help but smile because Layken is optimistic about her future.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"it - written"
]
}
|
How did you learn to write?
|
This book is incredible and terrifying, it is well-written and the topic is highly salient to our time. This is about more than communism, but about humanity. If you have read We, by Yvegeny Zamyatin, you really must read 1984. (I, for some reason, read them in that order) I would say that 1984 is the superior. Erich Fromm's afterword is worthwhile, additionally, it is quite short and readable.
|
{
"answer_start": [
91
],
"text": [
"voices are so clear"
]
}
|
How is the voice?
|
This is one of those books where the author has created unique characters whose individual voices are so clear you can practically hear them as you read. I read that NPR reviewed this book as the most important book of fiction since To Kill A Mockingbird. I'm not sure about that, but I do agree that you WILL want to own this one and read it over and over again. I've been surprised at how many different people with different reading styles have absolutely loved this book. I would say that's what makes a book a classic - being able to reach across all kinds of cultural, educational and economic lines.You will not be disappointed!
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"because Sky is good"
]
}
|
What story do I tell you?
|
Before I started Hopeless, I was seeing it everywhere! Every blog I stopped by was featuring Hopeless and everyone was raving about it and how amazing it was. Of course, after seeing how everyone was smitten with it, I had to give it a try. I'm sorry to say that it took me a long time to get to it, but once I did I was shocked. Like really, really shocked, so shocked I had to take a break between chapters. I honestly had not expected what I found. I was expecting a book about a bad boy meeting a good girl who pushes him away because of his tattoos or something like that.Hopeless was more than that, there is some pushing away but not because Sky is a good girl and Holder is a bad boy, even though he might seem scary in the first chapters. I don't want to spoil the book, because you have to experience all the feelings the book evokes. And dear good, there are a lot of feels.Suffice to say, I absolutely love this book! It's heart-breaking, it will no doubt make you cry your heart out, but there are moments in this book that will make you laugh out loud. I loved Sky and Holder together. Their humor, their wit and banter just added another flavor to the book. Them together was effortless, not effortless as in they didn't encounter any problems, but effortless as in they were so much alike, their relationship and feelings didn't feel forced but flowed easily and wasn't something I had a hard time getting used to. Now I'm going to sound corny, but they fit together perfectly and I loved it. It felt real.They both went through problem, devastating problems and discoveries that I had not seen coming. I thought I had everything figured out from the first half of the book and that I knew what the twist was. Well, what I had figured out was right, even though I didn't want it to be because it was just too horrible, but the real twist totally made me stop, cry for half an hour, and then go back to reading again.Hopeless is a phenomenal book and an emotional roller coaster with amazing characters. A must-read. I'm totally calling dips on Holder, the guy is just so swoon-worthy and amazing and I love him so much. He is so understanding even though he suffered a lot and went through heart-breaking things that would devastate most. So people, go buy this book! It's worth every penny!
|
{
"answer_start": [
670
],
"text": [
"It is exciting and fun and full of amazing romance"
]
}
|
How is the quality of the concept on the story?
|
Just a tiny note first to say that I just re-read this amazing book. <3 And posting below will be my new book recommendation for it :) Which you can also read on my blog, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2014/04/book-recommendation-reboot-by-amy.html---Re-reading Reboot made me happy. And I'm so glad that I finally decided to do so. I've been meaning to re-read it ever since I downloaded Rebel for review back in January. But I was nervous. I was nervous about not loving it the same way this second time, as it has been more than a year since I first read it. But I shouldn't have worried. Because I loved it so much. I still think Reboot is an amazing book. It is exciting and fun and full of amazing romance. I'm so happy that I finally read it again. It's awesome.I'm not going to recap the book in this recommendation of mine. Because I feel that I would end up talking for ages, lol. But I will say that the plot in Reboot is amazing. I enjoyed it so much. It's exciting and surprising and full of action. And the romance. Swoon. More on that soonish. There is a lot of death in this book. But I didn't really mind. Except for this one death. That broke my heart. But it also made sense, and I think I would have made the same choice. Sniffs. But yes. It was very heartbreaking.Reboot is told from the point of view of seventeen year old Wren. Who is all kinds of amazing. I loved her. And I loved reading about her. At first she doesn't feel all that much. Which I didn't mind. But then Callum arrives and she starts to change. And I loved that so much. I think she ended up an even better person. But anyway. I adored reading about her. I adored her scars, even though they shame her. I think she's beautiful. And agh. I really loved reading about her and cannot wait to get to know more of her.Wren is a Reboot. There are a lot of them in this book. And that was such an awesome plot twist. I loved getting to know stuff about them. How much stronger they are than other humans. How fast they heal. How different they are as well. So awesome. Wren has been dead for 178 minutes, which is the most at the moment. What she had to go through was so heartbreaking to read about. Yet I wanted to read more and more. Sigh. I just love to torture myself, don't I? lol. But yeah. I thought the Reboots were amazing.One of the things I loved the most about Wren was her roommate and friend, Ever. I adored her as well. But I really loved their friendship. It gets better and more real after Callum arrives. And they are just too cute. Sigh. Ever is amazing. Though holy crap. Such awful things happen with her. Heartbreak. But also so interesting to read about. It was amazing. Sigh. There are a few other characters in this book that I liked as well. Like Addie. Would like to get to know her more as well. She did seem awesome.Then, of course, there is Callum. Who is a Twenty-Two. Which is a very low number for a Reboot. It means that he has more emotions that the others, and is more human. And sigh. I loved that. Because Callum is amazing. I loved reading about him so much. And I loved getting to know him. I loved how he was with Wren. He is horrified with how many she has killed, but I feel like he accept her. I hope. The romance is very sweet in this book. It made me grin like crazy. Callum is just all kinds of amazing.I don't want to say more about this book. Just that it is incredible. And I need you all to read it. Especially since the last book, Rebel, is coming out in less than a month. <3 Though, yeah, I'm reading it in a moment since I have a review copy of it :D And I cannot wait. I need to know what happens next. Anyway. Reboot is a stunning novel. I loved it. And I loved the writing as well. Just loved everything about it. Sigh. I also cannot wait to read more books by Amy Tintera. She's pretty amazing as well.~He slid his hand into mine and leaned over to press a soft kiss onto my cheek. I shifted a little closer, until his warm arm rubbed against mine, and lowered my gaze to hide the goofy smile spreading across my face.---I first read this book on February 21st 2013. You can find my review here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2013/02/review-reboot-by-amy-tintera.html
|
{
"answer_start": [
330
],
"text": [
"The story was both sad and beautiful"
]
}
|
Is this book about pain and suffering?
|
I have to say that I really loved this book - in fact I could not put it down! At one point I was sitting in my car in the school car park waiting to go in and pick up my son, and I was reading it on my kindle. I had tears streaming down my face (luckily I was wearing sunglasses) when I got to this really heart-wrenching scene. The story was both sad and beautiful and I will definitely be reading more of this author's books - now that I am hooked!
|
{
"answer_start": [
171
],
"text": [
"the book was so good"
]
}
|
How is it the book this one?
|
It's almost like Gillian Flynn either couldn't figure out how to end it after all the twists and turns or she just gave up! You could take that as a sign that the rest of the book was so good that I am this upset about the ending. But you could also say it was a frustrating read BECAUSE the rest was so good.
|
{
"answer_start": [
54
],
"text": [
"The plot and characters were enjoyable"
]
}
|
Was the dialogue different than the first three books?
|
I really enjoyed this one. I could not put it down. The plot and characters were enjoyable. I am looking forward to reading more by this author.
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"Yann Martel 's Life of Pi is a wondrous novel"
]
}
|
What is the most exciting part of the story?
|
Yann Martel's Life of Pi is a wondrous novel, a marvelous novel--there is much to wonder and marvel at. The story is simple, yet complex at the same time and can be read on many levels. On the surface, this is the story of a young man who grows up in India and at sixteen, en route to Canada with his family, finds himself the sole human survivor of a shipwreck, afloat on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. The story is divided into two sectins. The first occurs before he gets on the boat and tells of his life as a young zookeeper's son. As a boy, he decides to become a practicing Catholic, Muslim and Hindu, all at once. His ruminations on zookeeping and religion lay the groundwork for how he could possibly survive on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger. Beyond the story, however, is an examination of religion and of writing, of how to write about religion and the religious experience. It is an examination on the strengths (and weaknesses) of religious belief. The novel also ends with a philisophical bang, which I won't give away, but which did blow me away. It wasn't until I got to that point that I became truly impressed with what Martel has done here. Before that, I thought it was a very well done novel, but with the ending, it becomes much more. Life of Pi is not a typical novel. The story, its charming main character and his narrative style are all different than most everything else you can get today. That uniqueness makes it that much more special. I highly recommend Life of Pi. Enjoy.
|
{
"answer_start": [
845
],
"text": [
"character"
]
}
|
Can you know what your opinion?
|
I have a new won respect for journalists after reading The God Delusion. Lee Strobel's books,[Case for a Creator; Case for the Real Jesus; Case For Faith] written from the personal professional integrity of that discipline, makes a glaring difference in the believability on this subject.Richard Dawkins is popular the same way the biting criticism, cynicism, from Simon of American Idol fame is popular. We are a tabloid loving society. Howard Stern gets paid millions of dollars to, 'not tone it down.' Dawkins goes for the shock and awe, and shock you will get. He gets affirmation from other atheists who prod him on. Like the 5 year old who wins the approval of his 7 year old brother by one day telling mom to, "Shut up."But does God have for himself another worthy opponent? Dawkins seems to think so judging by the 22 adjective scornful character assassination of God at the start of chapter 2. If you pulled that paragraph out of this book and put it in The Satanic Bible it would be a seamless fit. Just like heavy metal album cover art, all things holy, sacred, noble, and true are profaned.Richard can explain away your personnel conversion experience by the science of your brain. It works by electrical pulses and chemical reactions. What you see is only the interpretation of what's there. Therefore your brain can't be trusted, but you can trust his. Exactly. That is why The Bible speaks of the unchanging and eternal. It's a necessary spiritual guide, something we are beggars for without. Why did I not find any Bible quotes that weren't so bent out of shape they were not recognizable? You need a plumb line reading this book to know what straight is, or it might even start to make sense.I thought this was pretty phony. The greatest scientists of yesteryear Newton, Galileo, Kepler, were all religious. Dawkins corrects history by teaching us they believed in God only because they were expected to. They had no other choice. Interesting, he can't bring himself to respect them for their work and discoveries unless he 'deludes' himself into pretending they were closet atheists. As for his scientific peers, the men who hold a belief in God now? "They are looked down upon in baffled amusement." Do you see what I see? In a crowd like that maybe it would be better not to admit to anything. Who needs the grief?He says belief in God is no different than a belief in the tooth fairy. How many people do you know pour there life energy in trying to prove the non-existence of nothing? I wonder if he's convinced himself yet, or if 8 more books are on the way?Richard teaches us belief in God stifles the growth of science, stunts the imagination of children,[Richard's parents took him to church where he got a 'splendid imagination'], anchors us in the dark ages, and should be dropped for the betterment of mankind. I wonder if we could test that theory scientifically? Set up an experiment between two groups of people. Atheist and Christians give them a mammoth scientific achievement as a goal, like walk a man on another planet and bring him back safety. And make it a race.It was called the Apollo program. In the 1960's United States and Russia went head to head in the ultimate scientific, engineering, Olympics of the mind. It was war, a cold war between two ideologies, two world views. The future of mankind no less was at stake.Russia in 1917 systematically abolished all religion, they banned the Bible and made museums of natural history out of the grander churches. Most though, were flattened, 20,000. It was against the law to own a Bible, the church went underground. They believed if they educated the ignorance out of the people the foolishness and superstition handed down from generation to generation would end. A dangerous leap into uncharted waters. They had a whole generation to tweak the system before their show down with Christian America.In the United States more than 90 percent of the population believes in a supernatural being. They have a region called the Bible belt. They are unashamedly evangelical and proud of the fact freedom of religion is the core of all freedoms. Dawkins tells us people of faith have lower IQ's are bigoted, hostile, and out of sync with reality. This should have been no contest for the atheists.Well that challenge was happening 40 years ago. When the lunar program shut down after Russia waved the white flag, the number of men who left their boot prints on the moon was evangelical Christian United States of America 12, Atheistic Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 0.As for everything else human rights, standard of living, freedom of speech, put it this way. Russia built a wall to keep people in. America couldn't keep them out. Greatest military, greatest scientific achievements by miles. Want more proof? Ask God, cannot the one who made the eyes see? cannot the one who formed the ears hear?
|
{
"answer_start": [
147
],
"text": [
"I read this book"
]
}
|
How many books does this series have?
|
I admit, I started to read these when I saw that HBO would have a new series based on this series. But, before I even watched the first episode, I read this book. And what a ride it provides. It surprised me that both villains and heroes are treated the same by the writer. That is, both are used to keep the story moving, even if it means killing off characters that you would expect to be around for a while. Everyone is at risk of being killed off. It really grabs your attention and even if it reads like a bit of a thrilling soap opera at the beginning, the fantasy part does eventually come in. Make sure you have a lot of time on your hands before you start because you won't be able to put it down.
|
{
"answer_start": [
997
],
"text": [
"Logan owns Emily and she has to submit to him so that she is not sold to someone else"
]
}
|
How twisted is the story?
|
Torn from You begins immediately after that crazy cliffhanger from With You. I do recommend that you read With You first because I think it is important for you to understand the connection between Emily and Sculpt/Logan. You will find that their relationship is raw and intense.Emily’s is ripped from her simple life. She is thrust into a dark world that is dangerous, abusive and disgusting. She is at the mercy of evil men who want to train her and sell her as a sex slave. But when she thinks the man she has given her heart to is there to save her, she couldn’t be so wrong.When Emily realizes it was Sculpt who brought her to Mexico and he owns her, she is horrified. Everything that she had come to know has been torn apart. Emily’s heart is shattered and she has no other choice but to do what she has to in order to survive.Her days in captivity will test her strength and her ability to survive. The torture and torment that she goes through was heartbreaking to read. Logan owns Emily and she has to submit to him so that she is not sold to someone else. Raul who is the man in charge is evil to the core. He has agreed to allow Logan to have Emily but is watching them closely. Emily is torn between the hate she feels towards Logan and the guilt she feels for allowing herself to desire this man and continues to feel the raw and intense feelings she had when they first met. Ultimately, she does everything that Logan asks of her, although some is degrading and horrific, she has to survive and has no choice.As days slowly pass Emily continues to sink into her confusion with Logan. There are moments when she sees glimpses of the Logan she fell in love with but then it is quickly replaced with the cold and ruthless man who brought her into the darkness. She doesn’t know what to believe. He is protecting her from some evil things but why has he done this to her.“We were torn apart, because Eme – I’d never have stayed away from you any other way.”For me, the first part of this book was very dark and intense. I fell in love with Sculpt/Logan in With You then everything fell apart when I met him again in Torn from You. I felt the hate and anger that Emily did. But seeing bits and pieces of the old Logan gave me hope.The second part of the book took on a NA feel for me. I still loved it but it definitely shifted gears for me. It is 2 years later when we find Emily coping the best she can within the life she has rebuilt for herself. She has not had any contact with Logan and has no idea where he is. Her heart has mended a bit but she still carries around quite a bit of pain and anger from what she went through.Then one day Logan resurfaces again. Logan wants Emily back. He needs her back in his life. Emily is harboring quite a bit of anger and hatred. She is frightened of him. She hates that he reminds her of such a horrific part of her life. But Logan is willing to fight to get Emily back into his life. He needs her to understand why he did what he did and to let him help her heal.What we find out about Logan, his family and what he goes through is heartbreaking. But will what he tells Emily be enough? Is her heart strong enough to open up again and let him back in. We watch Emily struggle with her feelings but still stay strong. Logan is willing to do anything to get her back. Emotions are high and still very raw. We get some much needed answers but not without more crazy stuff.This was definitely a crazy ride for me. I loved Emily who was that girl who was beautiful on the inside and beautiful on the outside. She was a fighter and a survivor. She cared deeply. Sculpt/Logan was one of those characters that had me loving him one moment and hating him the next. He was intense and for me I thought he was emotional. He rarely loved and when he did he did it deeply.I also thought the other characters were great too. Some were a bit crazy like Georgia (who should probably lighten up on the drinking) but she was great. Deck was a badass and I loved him. Kat was an amazing friend and so was Matt. Crisis added a bit of craziness and Ream; I wonder what his story is.Looking forward to more things from this author!
|
{
"answer_start": [
71
],
"text": [
"absolutely LOVE this story"
]
}
|
How is the book?
|
Before I read the book Real, this was my #1 all time favorite book. I absolutely LOVE this story, I find myself trying to find similar stories and outside of Real none holds a candle to how awesome this book truly is. Definitely a must read!
|
{
"answer_start": [
0
],
"text": [
"As have mentioned before"
]
}
|
Which is your forme to grasp the problems?
|
As I have mentioned before, I am often found reading the forums on [...]. I also keep up with my Google Reader - all of the bloggers and readers in both places raved and raved about The Hunger Games. I did not know the plot summary or anything about the author. I did not know it was part of a series. I did not know when the book came out. Basically? I knew nothing except that everyone loved it.I decided that maybe I should read this one, so I put myself on the hold list at the library. I wait several weeks, and find out it's on an inter library loan and was due weeks ago - which means it's probably not coming back anytime soon. I posted this on a Paperbackswap forum while I was talking about what I was reading at the time, and one of the members on there generously offered to read both The Hunger Games and Catching Fire (the sequel) and send them to me!YAAAAAYYYYY!!As soon as they came in the mail, I started to read. Luckily, I had originally planned on having a lot of time to read that weekend.It took approximately one page to suck me in. Collins does a great job of telling the story while making sure you have enough information - and there really are a lot of things you have to learn. If you skipped over the plot summary above, you should go back and read it - it does a better job of explaining what goes on in the book than what I could. The characters are ones that you connect to, and the events that happen are so unexpected you find yourself wondering what's going to happen over and over again. One of my favorite parts is that everything doesn't just happen for the good of things - just because you start liking a character does not mean that everything will go the best way for that person, which makes it a very intense read.I ended up liking it so much I immediately recommended it to my fiance, and he read it all in one day - he loved it too. My recommendation is that you get your hands on a copy of this book!Book Cover: 9/10Book Title: 9/10Plot: 10/10Characters: 10/10Ending: 9/10Overall: 10/10
|
{
"answer_start": [
53
],
"text": [
"have a valid point about adapting to the dizzying change going on around us"
]
}
|
What point does the book make clear?
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I give this two stars instead of one because it does have a valid point about adapting to the dizzying change going on around us and finding how to best contribute in this new world.However, the undeniable fact is that there is a lot less cheese than there used to be. The corporate CEOs, the crooked bankers, the defense contractors, the Walton family, and others have grabbed trillions of dollars worth of cheese from the rest of us. So, when we go in search of cheese, most people will find only inferior cheese--and much less of it.The moral of the story is that if we are suffering due to lack of cheese, it is our fault. It's the mean-spirited, idiotic ideology preached by Herman Cain, who told America, "Don't blame Wall Street. Don't blame the big banks. If you don't have a job and you're not rich, blame yourself." Yeah, right.BTW, if you're wondering where the cheese was moved, it's in the Caymen Islands and other offshore tax shelters. According to Forbes Magazine, the super rich have stashed $21 Trillion in "cheese." Maybe one day the people in our government will get some balls and make them bring it back.[...]
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