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Đang hiển thị bài đăng từ Tháng 4, 2018

From Brokenness to Abundance, a 60-Day Journey ⇉ Review of The Way of Abundance by Ann Voskamp

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The Way of Abundance  is a sixty-day devotional. Each day features a bible verse, a personal anecdote, and questions for reflection. Ann Voskamp's poetic language brings to life the mess of emotions and the wholeness to be found in the midst of our brokenness. Her story gives hope that our brokenness will lead us to Christ on our journey to abundant life. WHAT I LIKED Inspiring Message that Conveys Biblical Truth When we're breaking inside, it's easy to feel alone, to feel like nothing can make us whole again. Voskamp speaks to the broken ones where they are. She does this by sharing her own experiences with brokenness and by professing the hope that is to be found through Christ, who also understands our pain and suffering. Captivating Use of Poetic Language Voskamp's language is poetic and beautiful to read. They not only paint a picture for the reader but the emotions brought about by the moments she describes. I enjoy reading the words over and over again to appreci...
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A Compelling World with Un-Compelling Plot Execution ⇉ Review of The Summoner trilogy by Taran Matharu

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I saw this book while browsing at Barnes and Noble over the winter holidays. The cover, then the synopsis drew my attention. Then I saw that this book is an overall fan favorite, and I wondered under what rock I've been hiding the past couple of year. (Okay, I was a new teacher, so that's my excuse.) All that said, while I can see why this is a fan favorite—it has entertainment value—what I found was a series that lacks complexity and originality. Following is the breakdown of what I liked (the entertainment value) and what I disliked (aka. things that could have been done better). WHAT I LIKED Continually Moving Plot Taran Matharu is good at keeping a plot moving. The chapters end on cliffhangers that have you wondering what will happen next. This may be a trait from the story's origin on Wattpad, where he first published the novel in a serial format. Compelling Start to the Series The beginning of The Novice  is fantastic. I like how it establishes Fletcher's origins ...
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Not My Favorite Fantasy, But It Presents a Compelling World ⇉ Review of Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

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Ever since I first read Song of the Lioness , I've loved magical worlds with magical academy settings. I didn't get into the Shadow and Bone  craze. (To be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the original covers. They gave off more of a historical or Gothic vibe than a fantasy kingdom vibe.) However, many people have recommended this book, so I decided to give it a try. While it's not my favorite fantasy book, it is an enjoyable read. WHAT I LIKED Interesting world While the magical kingdom/academy setting isn't anything unique, depending on how it's done, the world can be an interesting place to explore. The Grishaverse is a compelling world that offers much to explore (though it didn't capitalize on the intrigue in the end). Characters that make you feel things (both good and bad) While I had some problems with the characters, their interacts drew me into the novel and had me feeling all sorts of emotions. Especially because of all the plot twists that led to n...
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Blood, Beauty, and Tragedy: Let the Heads Roll ⇉ Review of Heartless by Marissa Meyer

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1. I love Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles . (Even though I have yet to read the fourth book....for no good reason. This will be remedied this summer when I actually have free time!!!) 2. The description of the lemon tarts in the first pages. For these reasons, I knew that I was going to love this book. And because the Queen of Hearts is a villain, I knew that my heart would bleed for it. WHAT I LIKED Compelling Characters Heartless  is filled with quirky, imperfect characters whose personalities and backstories make them characters that I felt something towards. Many I loved to loved and others I despised. Even the one character that seemed too good to be true has his own complexities. Beautiful Use of Figurative Language Marissa uses figurative language to bring the world the life. I especially love her description of the lemon tarts in the first pages of Heartless . They sound scrumptious.  The use of figurative language and imagery does decline as the novel progresses, but...
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Friendship and Bullies ⇉ GIVEAWAY + Review of The Slithery Shakedown by Tracey Hecht

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I love children's books that feature animals even more than I love children's books that feature magic, and that's saying something. I loved them so much growing up that I wanted to become a veterinarian, so I could spend my days with animals. My dreams have since changed, but I still appreciate a good book with animal protagonists. The Nocturnals  books are good books with animal protagonists. I'm delighted to not only share my thoughts on the latest addition to the series but a giveaway of the complete Nocturnals  books! WHAT I LIKED Everything I Enjoyed About The Moonlight Meeting I feel very unoriginal here, but it's also a sign that the series has stayed true to what makes it loveable! Full-colored illustrations that bring the characters and their unique personalities to life. Lively dialogue. A book about a group of friends. Fun facts about the Australian wildlife featured in this book. (Provided at the end.) Themes of Bravery and Friendship The Slithery Shake...
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Movie Monday: Room

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Room Directed by: Lenny Abrahamson Genre: Drama, Thriller Running time: 117 minutes Released: 2015 Distributed by A24 Films Held captive for years in an enclosed space, a woman (Brie Larson) and her 5-year-old son (Jacob Tremblay) finally gain their freedom, allowing the boy to experience the outside world for the first time. Room seems like a small-scale film, but it does so much with so little. Most of the film centers on just two characters, a mother and her son, and takes place inside of a small room. However, even with the seemingly small focus of the film, there are heavy internal struggles as they adjust to a completely different world and their new lives in it. Half of the film centers around 5-year old Jack and his mother who is simply referred to as Ma and their lives as they are contained to a single 10-square foot room that they call ‘Room.’ Ma was kidnapped and held captive 7 years ago by a man they call Old Nick and has since had a son five years ago. There is a daring e...
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Movie Monday: Jurassic World

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Jurassic World Directed by: Colin Trevorrow Genre: Science Fiction Adventure Running time: 124 minutes Released: 2015 Produced by Amblin Entertainment Located off the coast of Costa Rica, the Jurassic World luxury resort provides a habitat for an array of genetically engineered dinosaurs, including the vicious and intelligent Indominus rex. When the massive creature escapes, it sets off a chain reaction that causes the other dinos to run amok. Now, it's up to a former military man and animal expert (Chris Pratt) to use his special skills to save two young brothers and the rest of the tourists from an all-out, prehistoric assault. Review The dinosaur amusement park that John Hammond dreamed of setting up has finally been created, and Jurassic World is a real spectacle. While the characters feel flat and the writing is nothing special, the film brings incredible scenery, great camerawork and visuals, and thrilling action. It does a great job of breathing life back into the Jurassic P...
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Review: Change Places With Me by Lois Metzger

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Change Places with Me Lois Metzger Genre: YA  mystery ,  science fiction Hardback: 224 Pages Publication: June 14, 2016 by Balzer + Bray Rose has changed. She still lives in the same neighborhood and goes to the same high school with the same group of kids, but when she woke up today, something was a little different. Her clothes and hair don’t suit her anymore. The dogs who live upstairs are no longer a terror. She wants to throw a party—this from a girl who hardly ever spoke to her classmates before. There’s no more sadness in her life; she’s bursting with happiness. But something still feels wrong to Rose. Because until very recently, she was an entirely different person—a person who’s still there inside her, just beneath the thinnest layer of skin. Review Lois Metzger has a talent for writing dark, unsettling novels. Novels that, despite their dark mysterious nature, draw you deeper and deeper into the story. That, plus the complex nature of humanity that Metzger showcases...
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