Check Out This Week's Recommendations! (13/08/2021)

Dune (Book)

Dune is a science-fiction novel set in the distant future in the middle of a feudal interstellar society. It tells the story of Paul Atreides who has to rule an inhospitable world where the only thing of value is a drug capable of extending life and enhancing consciousness. This drug is desired across the universe as something worth killing for. The destruction of Paul’s family will set him on a wild journey greater than he could ever have imagined. And as he evolves into the mysterious man known as Muad’Dib, he will make humankind’s most ancient and unattainable dream come true.

The book has a really cool world that is very well developed and well explained with its own new language. The characters are all amazing from the start and you get attached really easily. The pace is not that fast but I swear you still won’t be able to put it down, you’ll just have to know what happens next.

Darker Shade of Magic (Book)

This book is an adult fantasy novel that follows Kell, a magician with the rare ability to travel between parallel Londons who, after an exchange goes badly, escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a pickpocketer. She forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure. Now dangerous magic is all around them, and betrayal hides at every corner, and, to save all of the worlds, they'll first need to stay alive.

This book is full of very interesting characters with good dynamics between them. It also has such a cool magic system and world-building because it mixes the fantasy world with the normal world. And it makes it that much more engaging. If you’re into fantasy, this is definitely a book you cannot miss.

Boy Erased (Movie)

Jared discovers that he is homosexual, and decides to tell his very religious Christian family about it because he’s convinced there’s something wrong with him. After deciding he wants to change, his father (a pastor) sends him to conversion therapy where he is introduced to some questionable philosophies and methods that say will help you with your sins. Jared comes into conflict with their leader and begins his journey to finding his own voice and accepting his true self.

This movie is truly moving and it shows you a very sad reality. It shows you how brainwashing conversion therapy really is which is why people saw nothing wrong with it. It’s also so sad to see these people truly believe there’s something wrong with them and see the hate that religion promotes. But it also shows you hope that even the most close-minded people can learn to love unconditionally and you can be yourself and find love despite your religion.

The Shawshank Redemption (movie)

The movie follows Andy Dufresne, a successful banker that is arrested for the murders of his wife and lover and is sentenced to life imprisonment at the Shawshank prison. However, only Andy knows he didn't commit the crimes and there, he forms a friendship with Red, experiences the brutality of prison life, adapts, helps the warden, etc. - all in 19 years.

This is a really nice but sad movie. It's a beautiful, heartwarming story, just as much as it is heartbreaking. It showcases a beautiful friendship and interesting characters that will get you invested in the story. It’s really well told, the narrative is really good and it has excellent acting. So if you have any spare time consider giving this movie a try, you won’t regret it.

Erased (series)

The series follows a 29-year-old man who lives a quiet and peaceful life working at a pizza place when he is experiencing a strange phenomenon he calls 'Revival'. When 'Revival' happens, Satoru Fujinuma is brought back into the past where he must prevent an incident from happening.

This is a very interesting story that has cool transitions from the past to the current day. You get very emotionally attached to the characters and what happens to them. Overall, it’s something you must experience for yourself because it’s just that great.

The Promised Neverland (Series)

This series is about gifted kids at an isolated orphanage that discover the secret and sinister purpose they were raised, and look for a way to escape from their evil caretaker and lead the other children in a risky escape plan.

This is a very weird and unique story, definitely like nothing you’ve seen before. But it has nice characters that you’ll get attached to. It’s a little sad but very entertaining. It seems like a nice story at first with the cute setting and characters but suddenly it all changes and you want to find out more. The children have to mature extremely fast because they have to go through a very tough situation and you just want them to be ok. You WILL be left amazed. The plot twists will have you at the edge of your seat so you’ll have to binge-watch. It’s so good - a true roller coaster.

Bibliography

Bonilla, C. (2021, June) The Shawshank Redemption Picture [Photograph] Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/85357355408783719/

Focus Pictures (2018) Boy Erased [Photograph] Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Erased#/media/File:Boy_Erased_(2018_poster).png

IMDb (2016) Erased [Photograph] IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5249462/

IMDb (2019) The Promised Neverland [Photograph] IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8788458/?ref_=tt_mv_close

Shwab, V. E. (2015) A Darker Shade of Magic [Photograph] Goodreads. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22055262-a-darker-shade-of-magic