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ctelford

ctelford

Joined October 2020

NHS Physiotherapist. Cat dad. Book reader since 2020 🩺🐈‍⬛📚
review
ctelford
Project Hail Mary | Andy Weir
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - I wasn‘t expecting much after reading Artemis if I‘m honest, so this was a very welcomed surprise! Not as good as the Martian (hence the 4.5 stars and not the full shabang), but it kept you interested in the story and you really fall for a certain, harmonic?, character. A tad heavy on the science but that‘s what you get from Weir. Well paced and the way it was set out made it feel like you were right there on the Hail Mary.

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ctelford
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - bow down, Stephen King. Despite it being classed as one of his “short stories”, it doesn‘t stop you experiencing every ounce of emotion, every smell & every punishment dished out in the Shank. SK has an uncannily beautiful way of writing, it is fair justice that one of my favourite films is now also, a favourite book.

14 likes1 stack add
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ctelford
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - absolutely bonkers. The first book I enjoyed the how bizarre and well put together it was, however I think book number 2 feels as though it took a step too far as it felt difficult to remember/follow the story at times. That being said, I still enjoyed the book and will continue to finish the saga...now, where can I buy my next pair of shoes?

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ctelford
Thursday Murder Club | Richard Osman
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⭐️⭐️⭐️ - my book club picked TMC as it was gaining a lot of hype. I can see why so many people have enjoyed reading it, keeps you engaged throughout (although occasionally difficult to remember characters) and I enjoyed the way it was written despite my confusion at the beginning. I do think you can tell this is Osman‘s first book, however assuming authors get better with time, I look forward to potentially reading more of his work.

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ctelford
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - this is the first book in the series where you can see the creative licences taken for the film... really enjoyed book number 3, getting a little more interesting and the writing seems to mature somewhat. Similar issues as before where all the exciting end bits felt slightly rushed but better paced than the previous 2. Let‘s hope book number 4 is as good/if not better!

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ctelford
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - picked by the book club and not my usual cup of tea to be honest. Written well and how it went from the writers story to the killers view point kept it interesting. However, it was a difficult read...potentially because of the devastating topic and the ease at which the killers described their actions. I wouldn‘t be rushing to recommend but if you‘re intrigued by recent history such as the holocaust then this may be of interest.

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ctelford
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - absolutely brilliant. Matt Haig doesn‘t fail to deliver with this hilarious and emotional piece. It‘s the first book to actually have me laugh out loud. Couldn‘t recommend it highly enough, everyone should read Matt Haig‘s work...you won‘t be disappointed.

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ctelford
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - another good book to kick start the Potter world. Enjoyed this more than philosophers stone, but J.K seemed to drag out the beginning of the book and then only left 50 pages for all the good stuff at the end?! I‘d potentially say the film was better than the book tbh...controversial I know!

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ctelford
Thirteen | Steve Cavanagh
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I can definitely see why this book did the rounds on most ‘book-stagrams‘ last year. Within the first few chapters I was instantly hooked on the premise and couldn‘t wait to see the story unfold. Very well written and loved the two different perspectives told. My main criticism though is that one of the revelations at the end, felt like it was forced and wasn‘t necessary. Overall, I loved this book and will read from Steve Cavanagh!

Cathythoughts A great read 👍🏻 4y
11 likes1 comment
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ctelford
Promised Land | Barack Obama
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - this is the first presidential autobiography that I‘ve read and will most likely read Obama‘s sequel. It was an eye opening read and she‘d like on the trials and hardship that comes with the title of ‘President‘. Very well written but, potentially due to being about American politics, some parts of the book and the details described were lost on me. It was still a very good read though and will recommend to friends and family.

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ctelford
Lolita | Vladimir Nabokov
Panpan

⭐️⭐️ - don‘t think I‘ll be recommending this to people if I‘m honest (sorry @JoeAllen22 !) Overall the writing style was difficult to get behind, most likely due to the time it was written, and the story wasn‘t quite my cup of tea, for quite obvious reasons.

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ctelford
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - heard a lot about this piece of work and I didn‘t have to read it during school so thought I would give it a go. Overall, I was a little underwhelmed by the simplicity of the writing & story but I suppose that is part of the genius of it? I did enjoy the storyline albeit simple& it really highlights the importance of understanding within a community. I would recommend people to read but I would warn them to keep expectations in check

skewermann @ctelford if you're looking for a more complex and cryptic, yet no less relevant political allegory, look no further than "Dire and Puny" ( not to be confused with "Fire and Fury" ? ). A gripping journey through the corridors of the Chump administration. It will keep you on your toes. Love Martha @skewermann ? #satire ? #Orwell https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081S5JLTX Reviews here: https://twitter.com/skewermann/status/1301793540624670722?s=19 3y
12 likes1 comment
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ctelford
Jurassic Park | Michael Crichton
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - really enjoyed this book & the style of writing. I did find that some of the descriptions could have had a bit more depth when describing the dinosaurs or certain scenarios which were aimed to get the heart racing. A bit disappointed that one of the most iconic scenes from the film, wasn‘t in the book however fully aware films take creative licence over the original source. I would highly recommend everyone gets their teeth into this!

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ctelford
Tales of Beedle the Bard | J.K. Rowling
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⭐️⭐️⭐️ - a very nice addition to the wizarding world of Potter. Listened through audible, it was nice to have Jude Law narrating Dumbledor‘s take on the classic stories referenced throughout the series. Worth having a read/listen, would be a higher rating if I was more of a Potter nerd ⚡️

4 likes1 stack add
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ctelford
1984 | George Orwell
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - amazing book, but also one of the most eery. The dystopian world is very unsettling, but is it really that dystopian? It‘s definitely one of my favourite books I‘ve read but will be a while until I re-read, purely so I can shake off the feeling of big brother‘s presence...

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ctelford
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - finally getting round to this series. Philosophers Stone was an enjoyable read, it did feel a bit rushed in places. I can definitely see why the series took off with this as its starter. Possibly one of the few books where I‘d say the film did it justice!

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ctelford
Children of Time | Adrian Tchaikovsky
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - I loved this book, a really interesting sci-fi story about humanities search amoung the stars. I loved the alternating chapters between life on the Gilgamesh spaceship and the green terraformed planet humanity wants to call home. The book starts and finishes with an exciting pace which made for easy reading, the ending could perhaps be seen as slightly anticlimactic, but I don‘t know how it could have been written any differently.

8 likes1 stack add
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ctelford
Untitled | Unknown
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EadieB Thanks for the tag! 4y
DarkMina You‘re welcome! 4y
7 likes2 comments
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ctelford
Artemis | Andy Weir
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - overall the premise was good and it was an enjoyable listen thanks to Rosario Dawson, however I feel the ending could have been worked a little better. The overall feeling that someone can get away with literally anything is a bit frustrating as a reader. Overall it was an easy read/listen & I will probably recommend it to people on the caveat that it isn‘t as good as his previous work

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ctelford
Untitled | Unknown
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Time to switch to the Christmas bookmark 🎄📚🔖

Nute Nice! 4y
7 likes1 comment
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ctelford
Starve Acre | ANDREW MICHAEL. HURLEY
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I‘m not entirely sure of this book, it was an easy read and I found myself wanting to finish it to find out more...but there is a certain obscurity throughout the entire book that has me somewhat confused and unable to recommend it to other readers

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ctelford
Midnight Library | Matt Haig
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Matt Haig is quickly becoming my favourite author. Immediately gripped by the story of Nora and her quest for “the perfect life” by changing her past regrets. It gives you a new mind set towards how you could see your own way of thinking about the decisions you may/may have not made. Absolutely recommend this to everyone! I wonder what it would be like as a film... 🤔

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ctelford
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - audiobook: well put together. Another nice autobiographical read revolving around mental health. Good listen to help with your own personal battles. the Kiwi accent from the author also helps settle your mood!

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ctelford
The Shining | Stephen King
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - great read, you can appreciate why Stephen King is regarded as one of the best. Some chapters had me quivering! My only gripe is it took a long time for the build up/conclusion. Still an excellent read and would highly recommend to everyone!

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ctelford
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - wow...just wow! Listened to this on audible (would recommend listening to this particular read) and it was incredible. Written as if you are listening back to the Mars logs made by the astronaut Mark Watney, it immediately immersed me into the adventure (the fact the film is one of my favourites doesn‘t come into it), possibly the first book that made me nervous, happy, downhearted and more. 1000% must read!

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ctelford
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - very open, honest, almost autobiographical as Matt Haig delves into his own experiences of depression. Definitely worth a read if you also suffer from anxiety/depression, it helps to change some thought processes and reminds you that you are not alone... “Love is an attitude, it can save us”

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ctelford
It | Stephen King
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The only thing scarier than Halloween or getting older...is the sheer size of Stephen King‘s IT! 🎃💀📕

paper.reveries Hahaha it's the one thing stopping me from starting it... I need to stop being intimidated by thicc books! 4y
14 likes1 comment
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ctelford
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - utterly bonkers, however it does keep you intrigued as to how Arthur Dent will manage to get a decent cuppa! Will at some point read the next book but feel I need to read a couple more “normal” books first.

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ctelford
Untitled | Unknown
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Possibly the best book store I‘ve ever been in, thanks Bath!

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ctelford
Untitled | Unknown
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Only went into town for one small errand, came back with this haul 📚

CaffeineAndCandy ɴɪᴄᴇ 👍 4y
paper.reveries Why does this always happen to us? 😂 4y
5 likes2 comments
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ctelford
Ender's Game | Orson Scott Card
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⭐️⭐️⭐️ - good book, actually watched the film first and the book does give more depth but not in a way that it supersedes the film. Overall the build kept you reading, I can see why some people aren‘t keen on his writing style.

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ctelford
Bailedbailed

⭐️ - couldn‘t finish the book, definitely NOT worth the effort to read.

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ctelford
The Silent Patient | Alex Michaelides
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - must read! Unbelievable first book by Alex Michaelides, couldn‘t put it down and finished more or less in a day (which for me, a self confessed snail pace reader, is unimaginable). Joint top read of 2020 so far!

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Sons of Destiny | Darren Shan
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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⭐️⭐️⭐️

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The Lake of Souls | Darren Shan
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⭐️⭐️⭐️

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Allies of the Night | Darren Shan
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Hunters of the Dusk | Darren Shan
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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The Vampire Prince | Darren Shan
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Trials of Death | Darren Shan
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Vampire Mountain | Darren Shan
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⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Tunnels of Blood | Darren Shan
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Cirque Du Freak | Darren Shan
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⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Sword of Destiny | Andrzej Sapkowski
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️

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⭐️⭐️⭐️

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The Giver | Lois Lowry
Mehso-so

⭐️⭐️⭐️ - the premise of the book was unique and the background/story build was actually intriguing and keeps your nose right in the middle of the pages. However, the ending was lack lustre, rushed and is unfortunately anticlimactic

3 likes1 stack add
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ctelford
Whisper Man | Alex North
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - very good thriller and at points I couldn‘t put the book down. Nice to have a couple of twists that didn‘t feel outside the realms of possibility.

paper.reveries I loved this book!! Did you read The Shadows? 4y
ctelford @daisyheadmaesie no I‘ve not, it‘s on the to be read pile though! Have you? 4y
paper.reveries @ctelford Yes, I have! I found Whisper Man to have a more satisfying overall plot, but The Shadows was still enjoyable. :) 4y
ctelford @daisyheadmaesie that‘s good, I was dreading that the second book was going to be a flop! 4y
8 likes1 stack add4 comments
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ctelford
The Hobbit | J.R.R. Tolkien
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - a classic book. I did fine it a difficult read due to writing style, but everyone should read it at least once