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Book Review: My Friend Leonard by James Frey

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
my-friend-leonard-fray-book-cover My Friend Leonard is the follow up book to A Million Little Pieces, which I have reviewed here.

My Friend Leonard is another addictive read from James Frey.

From the cover:

My Friend Leonard is the story of an extraordinary friendship formed in the most unlikely circumstances.

While in rehab, James Frey finds a father figure in Leonard, a shady mafia boss. When Leonard returns to his dubious, prosperous life in the criminal underworld of Las Vegas, he promises James his support on the outside.

[Continued below…]

Tragedy strikes the day James is released and his world seems set to implode. Unsure where to turn, he calls Leonard. Paradoxically, it is in Leonard’s lawless underworld that James discovers the courage and humanity needed to rebuild his life.

(From: Frey, 2006)

There are two plots running concurrently throughout this book. James’ and Leonard’s. James’ plot was predictable and at times felt as though it lacked direction. Leonard’s plot was much more exciting with some massively unexpected, yet pleasant twists.

The engaging writer’s voice keeps the Reader reading on. The plot is suitably fast-paced and slower-paced in all the appropriate places. The Reader will empathise with the characters and come to care for them. This in turn creates a desire in the Reader to find out what happens to them.

Although it’s probably not fair to compare A Million Little Pieces and My Friend Leonard, one can’t help but to do so. A Million Little Pieces is undoubtably better than this book.

That said, if you’ve read A Million Little Pieces, My Friend Leonard is an essential read as it finishes the story.

My Friend Leonard is available to buy on Amazon.

Review soon,

Antony

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Book Review: The Humans by Matt Haig

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
the-humans-matt-haig-book-cover The Humans is a unique and brilliant novel that you have to read.

Professor Andrew Martin is a Mathematician at Cambridge University. He is about to share his prove of the Riemann hypothesis. But up in the nights sky, among the stars is a planet with an alien race watching.

The Vonnadorians think Humans are savage. They have decided that Humans are not ready for the knowledge of Martin’s work and where it will lead them. So they send a nameless Alien in the guise of Professor Andrew Martin, to destroy the knowledge and anybody that knows of its existence.

The nameless Alien tells the story from his perspective, addressing others of his species. He starts by noticing the ugly appearance of Humans and the odd social conventions that we have. As he learns these social conventions he gets himself into hilarious situations that will have the Reader laughing aloud.

Pretending to be Professor Andrew Martin the Alien gets to know Martin’s Wife Isobel, Martin’s teenage son Gulliver and the family dog Newton. He becomes emotionally attached to them. To the point where he falls in love with Isobel, becomes a father figure to Gulliver and learns to communicate with Newton. He realises he has to make a difficult choice.

But he knows what ever decision he makes, his people won’t deviate from their plan. His people are driven by pure logic and in his society Mathematics is like the only religion.

His decision leads to another being sent to complete the job. But what will the Alien do?

The writers voice is captivating throughout. The characters were well-rounded and had the appropriate level of depth. The pacing was ideal. Every time the Reader gets to the end of a chapter he/she will think: just one more chapter, before I stop.

The Humans is throughly entertaining. Towards the end of the book the Alien writes a list giving advice to Gulliver. This 97 point list was great and will make the Reader think about life.

I can’t heap enough praise on this superb story. The Humans has become one of my all-time favourite books and one that I’ll read again and again.

The Humans is available to buy on Amazon.

Review soon,

Antony

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Review: A Marvellous Massage by a Masseur found using GuysWay

By Gay, Happiness & Joy, Health, ReviewsNo Comments
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GuysWay – The Ultimate Male Masseur Directory in the UK

Being a Reviewer has its perks. Like being offered the opportunity to review the experience of finding a Masseur on GuysWay and having a massage. Naturally, I jumped at the chance.

Within two clicks on GuysWay I had found a professional, gay-friendly massage therapist local to where I live. It couldn’t have been easier.

On GuysWay my first click was to select my geographical area, which resulted in a list of local Masseurs. The second click to select a profile of a Masseur that took my fancy. I had the option to make a quick phone call, text or email to book.

I booked with a gorgeous Moroccan named Saeed via email. As well as having a profile on GuysWay he has his own website where he offers his massage services. Saeed happens to be the Owner of GuyWay. On my arrival at his house, I felt instantly at ease with Saeed. We spoke a little about GuysWay.

Saeed was quick to reassure me that the order Masseurs are displayed on local listing pages are always random, meaning that no Masseur gets preference over another. He explained that he had set up GuysWay because he had seen a gap in the market. There were directories that were slightly sleazy and seedy offering additional services to massage, but no gay-friendly Professional Masseur Directories out there. I had to agree with this, prior to GuysWay, I had always found it difficult to find a good Masseur.

massage-room-saeed

Saeed’s Massage Room

Saeed led me upstairs to his massage room. The room had an air of comfort to it. Candles, low-lighting and background music created a calming atmosphere. I undressed, leaving my underwear on to maintain my modesty and climbed on to the message table. I had opted for a deep tissue massage.

Saeed started on my shoulders, working his way down my body using massage oil liberally. His hands were like magic. They were warm, muscular, applied the perfect amount of pressure and moved in rhythm with the music. The feel on skin-on-skin contact was stimulating, sensual and very relaxing. I found myself being transformed into a blissfully calm and carefree state. Throughout the massage, I had the option to talk or just lie there and enjoy.

The message was just what I needed. It left me feeling both relaxed and energised. It was fantastic and left me wanting to take Saeed’s hands home with me.

Afterwards I thought about the experience. I decided that massage is essential for everyone’s wellbeing. Massage has so many benefits. For me this massage helped to reduce my stress levels, enabled me to unwind and get a goodnight of restful sleep.

I’ll definitely be booking another delightful and marvellous massage with Saeed in the future. Hopefully making massages with Saeed a regular thing.

Review soon,

Antony

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Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
the-fault-in-our-stars-john-green-book-cover The Fault In Our Stars is the outstanding novel by John Green. The book has become a worldwide bestseller and has even been made into a film.

The concept of The Fault In Our Stars is a simple one: it’s a love story between two teenagers, both of which happen to have cancer.

Hazel is a terminal cancer patient, who has been bought a few additional years of life by an experimental cancer drug. She is encouraged practically forced to attend a regular Cancer Kids Support Group by her mother who feels she should socialise more.

Into the Support Group enters love interest Augustus Waters (Gus), who is there to support his friend Isaac and is in recovery from cancer himself. He is instantly captivated by Hazel.

As Hazel and Augustus start to get to know one another and get close, a predictable plot twist means that everything turns on it’s head for Hazel.

Hazel is no longer the only the ticking time bomb, ready to explode and hurt those close to her. She is at risk of being in an explosion herself. This role reversal was simple, yet at the same time, very clever.

The Fault In Our Stars is exceptionally well written, captivates the reader from the first page and is perfectly paced. It is a superb novel.

The reader will laugh at the many funny scenes in the book, be touched by the tender scenes and be occasionally saddened at the knowledge and recognition that Hazel & Gus’ relationship will end prematurely.

Without giving any spoilers away, there’s a great and unexpected twist at the end of the book that will leave the reader feeling uplifted and believe in true love from beyond the grave.

The Fault In Our Stars is available to buy from Amazon.

I can’t wait to read another one of John Green‘s books. I will be picking up another one soon.

Review soon,

Antony

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I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


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