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Added May 27, 2014
Added May 15, 2014
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Liesl and Po is an absolute treasure among children’s classics. It manages to perfect knit together fantasy with adventure, sprinkled with a bit of tragedy and humor. It’s the kind of book that you want to grow old with and hold dear, and it’s the kind of book that – in my opinion – everyone should read. Including adults.
This novel (by the talented Lauren Oliver) follows the life of Liesl, a young girl who, after her father passes away, is locked away in the attic by her cruel stepmother. Unlike Cinderella, however, Liesl does not have to clean or do any chores. She’s simply condemned to live her life alone, and spends her days looking out the window and dreaming of a better life. This sadness is only made more melancholy by the unusual characteristics of the world she inhabits. There is no light in this world. No sun. It is dark and dry. Plants have stopped growing. There is little to no colour. There is an interesting reason for this, too, however, that is revealed later in the book.
Liesl is soon visited by a ghost named Po. Po comes from the Other Side, and talks to Liesl. He tells her about what life on the Other Side is like. Liesl anxiously asks him questions about her father, and he provides whatever answers he can, in exchange for drawings. They cure each other’s loneliness.
On the same night, Will – an alchemist’s apprentice – makes a dire mistake. During an errand, he accidentally mixes a box with the most important magic in the entire world with a less-than-spectacular substance. With his mentor out for his life, Will runs away, and soon finds Liesl and Po, who have run away from Liesl’s abusive home. The three are wrapped up in an adventure together, as they try to avoid their various tormentors and try to figure out the mystery behind the missing sun and the magic they have in their grasp.
One of the best things about this book is how true it stays to its message about friendship and hope. It’s not outright said, but shown through subtle moments and hints, that you only catch yourself smiling at later. It’s a very dear bond the three of them share, and their various unique characteristics gives them a quirky, melancholy feel.
The entire book feels melancholy, like something out of a dream. The friendship and the wit lights up the dark world it takes place in, and fills the reader with a deep longing for something they can’t quite place.
As usual, Lauren Oliver displays brilliant ability when it comes to storytelling. She’s able to string together events and secrets and create a story that borders on mystery, with little snippets of information hidden away. And when those snippets later reveal themselves, the reader can usually understand immediately how it ties in with earlier information. The realization is a delightful experience, and it shows just how talented Lauren Oliver is.
The characters are extremely fascinating, in different ways. They all have secret pasts, with hidden pain and angst. Will’s quiet and unassuming nature contrasts Po’s sarcasm and sass. And Liesl is there to fuse the tension between the two, with her warm and artistic quality. They all have their own reasons for going on the journey. But it’s what they share – rather than what separates them – that really shows just how close they are, and how unique their bond is. These three resemble a Golden Trio similar to other children’s books, but their quirks and interests make them all the more interesting and relatable.
Liesl and Po is a modern fairytale, the kind of book you want to read on a rainy day. And I recommend it to anyone that’s looking for some hope, or something to keep them going when things get dark.Liesl and Po is an absolute treasure among children’s classics. It manages to perfect knit together fantasy with adventure, sprinkled with a bit of tragedy and humor. It’s the kind of book that you want to grow old with and hold dear, and it’s the…
Added May 15, 2014
Comment:
Liesl and Po is an absolute treasure among children’s classics. It manages to perfect knit together fantasy with adventure, sprinkled with a bit of tragedy and humor. It’s the kind of book that you want to grow old with and hold dear, and it’s the kind of book that – in my opinion – everyone should read. Including adults. This novel (by the talented Lauren Oliver) follows the life of Liesl, a young girl who, after her father passes away, is locked away in the attic by her cruel stepmother. Unlike Cinderella, however, Liesl does not have to clean or do any chores. She’s simply condemned to live her life alone, and spends her days looking out the window and dreaming of a better life. This sadness is only made more melancholy by the unusual characteristics of the world she inhabits. There is no light in this world. No sun. It is dark and dry. Plants have stopped growing. There is little to no colour. There is an interesting reason for this, too, however, that is revealed later in the book. Liesl is soon visited by a ghost named Po. Po comes from the Other Side, and talks to Liesl. He tells her about what life on the Other Side is like. Liesl anxiously asks him questions about her father, and he provides whatever answers he can, in exchange for drawings. They cure each other’s loneliness. On the same night, Will – an alchemist’s apprentice – makes a dire mistake. During an errand, he accidentally mixes a box with the most important magic in the entire world with a less-than-spectacular substance. With his mentor out for his life, Will runs away, and soon finds Liesl and Po, who have run away from Liesl’s abusive home. The three are wrapped up in an adventure together, as they try to avoid their various tormentors and try to figure out the mystery behind the missing sun and the magic they have in their grasp. One of the best things about this book is how true it stays to its message about friendship and hope. It’s not outright said, but shown through subtle moments and hints, that you only catch yourself smiling at later. It’s a very dear bond the three of them share, and their various unique characteristics gives them a quirky, melancholy feel. The entire book feels melancholy, like something out of a dream. The friendship and the wit lights up the dark world it takes place in, and fills the reader with a deep longing for something they can’t quite place. As usual, Lauren Oliver displays brilliant ability when it comes to storytelling. She’s able to string together events and secrets and create a story that borders on mystery, with little snippets of information hidden away. And when those snippets later reveal themselves, the reader can usually understand immediately how it ties in with earlier information. The realization is a delightful experience, and it shows just how talented Lauren Oliver is. The characters are extremely fascinating, in different ways. They all have secret pasts, with hidden pain and angst. Will’s quiet and unassuming nature contrasts Po’s sarcasm and sass. And Liesl is there to fuse the tension between the two, with her warm and artistic quality. They all have their own reasons for going on the journey. But it’s what they share – rather than what separates them – that really shows just how close they are, and how unique their bond is. These three resemble a Golden Trio similar to other children’s books, but their quirks and interests make them all the more interesting and relatable. Liesl and Po is a modern fairytale, the kind of book you want to read on a rainy day. And I recommend it to anyone that’s looking for some hope, or something to keep them going when things get dark.Liesl and Po is an absolute treasure among children’s classics. It manages to perfect knit together fantasy with adventure, sprinkled with a bit of tragedy and humor. It’s the kind of book that you want to grow old with and hold dear, and it’s the…
Added Mar 31, 2014
Comment:
Fullmetal Alchemist takes place in a country called Amestris. The story is of two brothers, named Edward and Alphonse Elric. Their lives were normal up until the day their father left them for an unknown reason. Their mother, however, carried on and took care of them the best she could. Their lives were joyful. They had each other, and they were happy. This world also contains a science called alchemy. The amazing part about this series is how logical alchemy is. It follows many laws. The basic principal is equivalent exchange: what you give is what you get. Alchemy involves a deep understanding of chemistry. The brothers looked through their father’s alchemy textbooks and began to practice the science themselves. And, since their mother smiled and encouraged them, they continued to grow as alchemists. However, everything changed when their mother died. The brothers committed a taboo: trying to bring someone to life. Their feat failed and rebounded. Edward lost his leg in the accident, and Alphonse lost his entire body. Edward managed to give up his own arm in exchange for Alphonse’s soul, which he bonded to a suit of armor. In the end, Edward lost two limbs and Alphonse lost his entire body. Though his life was saved, he had to walk around as an empty suit of armor. The story revolves around the Elrics’ journey to get their bodies back. Their best friend, Winry Rockbell, crafts two automail limbs for Edward. Automail is a type of metal prosthetic, which functions by connecting directly to the nerves. It allowed Edward to walk again. The determination the two have, in order to fix their mistakes and right their wrongs, is astounding. Ed even joins the military as an alchemist! His military alias, the Fullmetal Alchemist, is the title of the series itself! Al pushes himself to the limit, ending up as a better fighter than even his brother. Their contrasting personalities are hilarious. Ed is brash, stubborn, and short-tempered, while Al is more level-headed, kind, and patient. Their clashes make them all the more interesting. Along the way, they meet many friends and many enemies. The characters are amazing. The female characters are strong. They create, they rant, and they have personalities and their own special abilities that play a large part in the story. They’re not tired stereotypes or cast aside as meaningless side characters. The enemies they make are considerably terrifying, and they prove to be formidable opponents. In their quest to regain their original bodies, the brothers get caught up in something sinister, a whole plot driven by a figure with god-like powers, which can destroy the fate of their country and their world as they know it. Alchemy isn’t all that it seems. There are so many topics touched on in this manga, everything from hope, family, and friends to war, despair, and helplessness. It was a roller coaster of emotion. I can’t count the number of times I cheered, laughed hysterically, or felt tempted to throw this book right out the window and spare myself the agony. In the end, there’s an important message. I urge anyone with a love of action, adventure, and fantasy to read this series. Read it, because there’s so much to learn and enjoy. It’s an incredible experience that can change someone. The characters and story will inspire you to keep moving forward. And that’s a pretty invaluable feeling.Fullmetal Alchemist takes place in a country called Amestris. The story is of two brothers, named Edward and Alphonse Elric. Their lives were normal up until the day their father left them for an unknown reason. Their mother, however, carried on and…
Added Mar 31, 2014
Comment:
Fullmetal Alchemist takes place in a country called Amestris. The story is of two brothers, named Edward and Alphonse Elric. Their lives were normal up until the day their father left them for an unknown reason. Their mother, however, carried on and took care of them the best she could. Their lives were joyful. They had each other, and they were happy. This world also contains a science called alchemy. The amazing part about this series is how logical alchemy is. It follows many laws. The basic principal is equivalent exchange: what you give is what you get. If you want to turn a block of wood into a wooden cat, the cat will still be of the same size and material as the block. Alchemy involves an understanding of chemistry. The brothers looked through their father’s alchemy textbooks and began to practice the science themselves. And, since their mother smiled and encouraged them, they continued to grow as alchemists. However, everything changed when their mother died. The brothers committed a taboo: trying to bring someone to life. Their feat failed and rebounded. Edward lost his leg in the accident, and Alphonse lost his entire body. Edward managed to give up his own arm in exchange for Alphonse’s soul, which he bonded to a suit of armor. In the end, Edward lost two limbs and Alphonse lost his entire body. Though his life was saved, he had to walk around as an empty suit of armor. The story revolves around the Elrics’ journey to get their bodies back. Their best friend, Winry Rockbell, crafts two automail limbs for Edward. Automail is a type of metal prosthetic, which functions by connecting directly to the nerves. It allowed Edward to walk again. The determination the two have, in order to fix their mistakes and right their wrongs, is astounding. Ed even joins the military as an alchemist! His military alias, the Fullmetal Alchemist, is the title of the series itself! Al pushes himself to the limit, ending up as a better fighter than even his brother. Their contrasting personalities are hilarious. Ed is brash, stubborn, and short-tempered, while Al is more level-headed, kind, and patient. Their clashes make them all the more interesting. Along the way, they meet many friends and many enemies. The characters are amazing. The female characters are strong. They create, they rant, and they have personalities and their own special abilities that play a large part in the story. They’re not tired stereotypes or cast aside as meaningless side characters. The enemies they make are considerably terrifying, and they prove to be formidable opponents. In their quest to regain their original bodies, the brothers get caught up in something sinister, a whole plot driven by a figure with god-like powers, which can destroy the fate of their country and their world as they know it. Alchemy isn’t all that it seems. There are so many topics touched on in this manga, everything from hope, family, and friends to war, despair, and helplessness. It was a roller coaster of emotion. I can’t count the number of times I cheered, laughed hysterically, or felt tempted to throw this book right out the window and spare myself the agony. In the end, there’s an important message. I urge anyone with a love of action, adventure, and fantasy to read this series. Read it, because there’s so much to learn and enjoy. It’s an incredible experience that can change someone. The characters and story will inspire you to better yourselves and chase after your goals. And that’s a pretty invaluable feeling.Fullmetal Alchemist takes place in a country called Amestris. The story is of two brothers, named Edward and Alphonse Elric. Their lives were normal up until the day their father left them for an unknown reason. Their mother, however, carried on and…
Added Feb 17, 2014
Comment:
Before I Fall is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. And I’ve read a lot of books. In fact, it’s actually my all time favorite book. When I first read it, I was amazed at how well thought out and amazingly written it was, how the characters developed and changed (through both subtle and drastic measures) and how the overall ending and theme of the book changed how I perceived reality and live my life.
The book is written from the point of view of a high school senior named Sam Kingston. Unlike most other teen novels, Sam, the main character, is not an underdog. In fact, she’s one of the most popular girls at school. However, despite the fact that her friends aren’t the best of people, they’re all very loyal to each other. Sam, herself, isn’t a perfect character at all. She’s selfish, rude, and real.
However, in the book, it is February 12th. Sam goes to a party and gets into an accident. There, she ‘dies’. But here’s the catch. Sam wakes up again. Her alarm clock rings and she finds herself in bed, like it’s a normal day. On the morning of February 12th. She’s confused, as things are being carried out exactly like they had the previous day. She assumes it’s just déjà vu, and ignores it. But then she goes to the party again. She ‘dies’ again. And she wakes up, in her bed, on her dying day.
Sam repeats this process many times. Each time she relives her dying day, her perception and her actions change, as she tries to solve the mystery behind her death. She goes from confusion to denial to anger to despair to more. My favorite thing about the book is seeing how she changes and develops the more she realizes what the real cause of her death was. She begins to strip away her many layers and treat people differently. And it’s not a sudden change. It takes time and many, many highs and lows before Sam changes.
This book touches on many issues: eating disorders, suicide, social structure, friendship, bullying, family, etc. The author is a genius. She weaves the story so that all these issues don’t clump up. They flow and we learn everything along with Sam. The portrayal is starkly real and accurate. It amazes me, the way the author handled all these delicate issues and made it so that they not only contributed to the plot, but offered a way for readers to relate to her words.
I give this book 10/10 stars. I really do believe it’s that good. I’ve rarely read a book this amazing. I urge you all to give it a chance; you will not be disappointed.Before I Fall is one of the most amazing books I have ever read. And I’ve read a lot of books. In fact, it’s actually my all time favorite book. When I first read it, I was amazed at how well thought out and amazingly written it was, how the…
Added Feb 15, 2014
Added Jan 28, 2014
Comment:
When I informed my friends I was looking for a new book to read, they were quick to recommend me the Fault in our Stars, by John Green. Now, note that this is, really, a romance novel. It touches on life and philosophy and relationships between friends and family but the core of this book resides within the love between Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters.
Now, don’t run away. The Fault in Our Stars is not your average love story. Both Hazel and Augustus are cancer patients; the author of this book, however, was obviously very skilled. Their illness didn’t define their characters. We saw them as Hazel and Augustus. We didn’t see them as patients, but as people. Yet he didn’t sugarcoat their terminal illnesses, either, and he managed to make sure that we were aware but not too aware as to base the entirety of the book on the fact.
The best thing about this book, in my opinion, is that it makes you really think. And not just the usual live-your-life-to-the-fullest mantra. But it makes you think about who you are and whether or not you are happy with your current self. In a way, it makes you not only question the world around you, but yourself and how you fit into that world. I found myself doing a lot of thinking while reading this book, and I enjoyed this part immensely. It doesn’t do the thinking for you. Rather, it gives you the push to think for yourself.
John Green manages to make this more than a love story; he makes it an adventure. There are plot twists, philosophically engaging dialogue, parts that made me laugh, parts that made me cry, and parts that made me want to read all throughout the night. And then again. And again. This book was a multitude of things, and yet it worked. It really worked.
Now, this book was also carefully written so that it is not a cheesy love story, but I did find that some of the dialogue was a bit too complex, considering most teenagers do not use a lot of the vocabulary that Hazen and Augustus frequented. Perhaps the author emphasized this to show how the two found each other, or how they differed from their more casual appearances and from other people. This didn’t take away from the book, but it just made me wonder whether or not their unusually perfect language skills added made a significant difference in the book.
However, in the end, this book remains what it is: a love story unlike any I’ve ever read before. Green did a stunning job creating this so that it was about more than romance, but also so that the heart stayed between the two characters. I recommend this to anyone who is a romantic at heart and anyone who isn’t.When I informed my friends I was looking for a new book to read, they were quick to recommend me the Fault in our Stars, by John Green. Now, note that this is, really, a romance novel. It touches on life and philosophy and relationships between…
TangledTangled, DVD
DVD - 2011DVD, 2011
Added Jan 28, 2014
Comment:
Tangled DVD Review
Tangled is probably one of the most refreshing and astounding Disney films I’ve seen in a long while; and this is coming from a traditional animation geek, who always assumed she wouldn’t give CGI animation the time of day. Boy, was I proven wrong.
Tangled is Disney’s take on the ever-popular story of Rapunzel, the young girl with the long locks that lived in solitude in her tower, held ‘captive’ by a witch. Walt Disney had been wanting to do this story for a while, but he died before it could ever be lifted off the shelves. And after many tries and years of planning, Disney finally managed to create this movie. However, it wasn’t easy. In fact, Tangled was the second most expensive movie to make in the history of cinema, which is quite a feat.
This movie follows the story of the creatively spirited Rapunzel, a bright girl with seventy feet of golden hair, confined to live her life in a tower by an old woman, Mother Gothel. Unlike the original story, Rapunzel’s hair has magical powers, and she can grant healing and youth simply by singing a specific song. This is how Mother Gothel manages to stay young-looking and beautiful; terrifyingly enough, she is a woman simply obsessed with her own image.
Despite her dream of leaving the tower and seeing the world, Gothel is adamant on keeping Rapunzel inside the tower. And, to me, this is one of the most amazing things about this movie: it accurately displays an abusive relationship. Gothel forces Rapunzel in the tower, using emotional manipulation. She scares her, coerces her, threatens and tears down her body image and self esteem. To put it quite simply, she tries to convince Rapunzel the world is a cruel place and that, even if it wasn’t, no one would want to associate with her anyway. And Rapunzel believes these lies and their façade of love. Mother Gothel is one of the scariest Disney villains to date, as she could very well be someone in our every day lives.
But the real story is Rapunzel’s, who soon gains the courage to leave her tower. Despite the fact that I felt some of the songs were a bit too rooted in pop music than classic Disney, Tangled displayed great homage to the Disney masterpiece films with its fairy tale vibe and magical moments. This was a truly heartwarming movie with some surprising twists and lots of character development with both Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, the thief who helps her out of her tower.
Rapunzel herself s a very strong character; she doesn’t have to wait around while others fight. She helps. She saves. She comes up with ideas and learns to let her own voice shine above the others. She’s very sweet and bright, yes, but she also learns to grow as a character and isn’t afraid to show others that she has own opinions that can be her heard. In my opinion, Rapunzel’s character represents freedom: escaping from something holding you back and doing it despite being terrified. That’s what makes her character so great.
I think Tangled will take its rightful place alongside other Disney greats, such as Aladdin and Beauty and the Beast. It was truly a delight to watch and it was what launched Disney into what many refer to as a second Renaissance. I look forward to watching this timeless tale again and again!Tangled DVD Review
Tangled is probably one of the most refreshing and astounding Disney films I’ve seen in a long while; and this is coming from a traditional animation geek, who always assumed she wouldn’t give CGI animation the time of day.…
Supernatural Complete 1st SeasonSupernatural Complete 1st Season, DVD
DVD - 2005DVD, 2005
Added Jan 04, 2014
Comment:
Supernatural is one of those shows that can tie you in within the first few minutes and leave you breathless and wanting more. I’ve seen my fair share of horror movies, most of which I found unappealing, cliché, and filled with idiocy and flat characterization. So, having heard about Supernatural on various blogs and from many friends, I decided to give it a chance, but wasn’t really expecting much in the outcome.
The title itself displays the show’s aura in a striking way: simple, yet curious. The word ‘supernatural’ means ‘a manifestation or event attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature’. Basically, it talks about things to do with ghosts, demons, and other paranormal activities. And Supernatural handles this well. It deals with many terrifying things, which left me staring at my screen in shock.
Supernatural follows the stories of two brothers: Sam and Dean Winchester. After a disturbing event involving a demon in their childhood, their father, John Winchester, raises the two much like soldiers, trained to handle any demon or ghost with striking accuracy. Sam, however, longs for a normal life, and soon leaves for college, away from his family and old life.
The season starts with Dean showing up to Sam’s college campus and informing him their father has gone missing. And it all takes off from there, with the brothers traveling over the U.S.A., trying to find their dad and also tackling the various paranormal issues that plague whatever town they happen to be nearby.
The thing that sets Supernatural apart from the rest of the horror shows and movies is that the lack of stupidity from the characters. How many times have we watched a movie and wondered, Why don’t they just call the police? or Did they really just drop their knife?! Seriously? And why aren’t they picking it up? Why don’t they kick him? What?! Supernatural has none of that. The brothers are literally trained to fight these creatures; and let me tell you, there is nothing more terrifying than seeing characters do everything right and handle the situation well, yet still have their lives in danger. Sam and Dean Winchester are probably what make baby demons cry at night. Yet they still manage to get themselves into spine-tingling situations. These demons are no joke.
At the same time, the characters are very multi-faceted. The brothers are very, very different, and this often sets them against each other. They get into fights and arguments easily, especially seeing as Sam is the kind to open up and outright tell how he feels, whereas Dean is more closed in and reserved and prefers to bury his emotions within himself. Their father, even, is very flawed. There is a lot of angst and tragedy and some scenes that made me wince and pause and turn the lights on. And, yes, I cried. Supernatural has everything you need in a series, yet they still manage to weave it together in a way that does justice to the series and leaves you needing more of these characters and their adventures, especially considering the ending of the first season.
All in all, I recommend Supernatural to anyone going through a tough time, with an interest in the odd, or a thirst for something that will make your heart ache with feeling. They say enough yet hide little treasures and facts about the characters and their stories so that watching the show is like an adventure in itself.Supernatural is one of those shows that can tie you in within the first few minutes and leave you breathless and wanting more. I’ve seen my fair share of horror movies, most of which I found unappealing, cliché, and filled with idiocy and flat…
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