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Book Review: Unsaid Things…Our Story by McFly

By Amazon, Books & AuthorsNo Comments
mcfly-unsaid-things-book-cover This autobiography tells the tell of McFly. Written in an interview style, Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Harry Judd and Dougie Poynter start in their childhood’s and proceed chronologically through the decade that the band has been together (2003-2013).

It’s one of the most honest autobiographies I’ve ever read. It tells-all (well almost!) about the band including: the band nearly ending before it had began because of weed, Tom’s struggles with his mental health and Dougie’s battle with addiction (and how he got into recovery).

The good, the bad and the ugly (not that there’s any ugly) it’s all in Unsaid Things…Our Story. As is how the band celebrated and enjoyed their successes and learned from their failures.

In Unsaid Things…Our Story McFly acknowledge the support from their fans and thank them. There was a suitable amount of glossy photo pages, but more would always be welcome with these attractive guys.

People of my sort of age (late twenties) will get all their references. A good example is growing up we all watched Back to the Future. This film had a huge influence in how the band got it’s name. Want to know more? Buy Unsaid Things…Our Story and find out.

In Unsaid Things…Our Story McFly fans will learn when they wrote which songs, what those songs were originally about and what they feel about their past albums now – looking back.

I enjoyed reading this honest and open book about McFly’s ten year journey. Here’s to the next decade and beyond McFly! Unsaid Things…Our Story by McFly is available to buy on Amazon.

Review soon,

Antony

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Book Review: Lies by Michael Grant

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
lies-michael-grant-cover Lies is the third book in the Gone Series. The first book was Gone, which I have reviewed here. The second book was Hunger, which I reviewed here.

Lies is an epic read. Kids are trapped in a Dome and without any adults. In Perdido Beach, Sam and Astrid aren’t getting on. Zil and his human crew continue their campaign against kids with powers, leading them to set a massive fire that threatens to destroy all of Perdido Beach.

Albert continues quietly with his Alberto currency and running the market. Mother Mary struggles with the responsibility of the daycare, her mental health and her upcoming fifteenth birthday.

Brittney comes back to life and digs her way out of her grave. Kids start to report sightings of a Drake, the boy with the whip hand who died in Hunger. Sam is frustrated at the council’s lack of decision and action about the Human Crew’s antics. Sam goes AWOL emotionally traumatised at the thought that Drake, who tortured him, may have returned to the land of the living.

Orsay becomes a self-proclaimed Prophetess, claiming that she can see into parents dreams outside of the barrier. She also claims to be able to predict the future. Orsay gets a protecter called Nerezza, a weird kid that nobody seems to have seen before. The council decide to spread the lie that Orsay is making up her ability to reach kid’s parents on the outside of the dome.

Meanwhile Caine and his followers have become desperate. The last straw for Caine is eating a dead kid. Caine, Dianna and his followers steal a boat to head to an island which holds the promise of food. I particularly enjoyed reading the good side of Dianna, as it added depth to her character.

As Lies continues some of the kids are start to get ill, knocking some of the kids with powers out of play at vital moments. The darkness continues to manipulate kids and events throughout the book.

Lies develops the main characters well – each having their own strengths, weaknesses and motivations. It adds in some new characters as well. Some of my favourite new characters were: Justin & Roger, Peace, Sanjit and Virtue.

As always the plot is fast-paced, mostly showing rather than telling the story. Description is sparse, but enough to give the reader a good visual. Lies gives enough of the back story, so if you haven’t read Gone or Hunger you can still enjoy it without feeling like you’re missing something. But I would still recommend that you read both of them first.

On everyone of the Gone Series books it has a quote from Stephen King ‘I love these books.’ and I completely agree with him. I love these books. Lies is a fantastic read which is available to buy on Amazon.

I can’t wait to start Plague, the next book in the Gone Series.

Review soon,

Antony



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Import: Manchester Pride Fringe Festival: Art Exhibitions & Cultural Events

By Creativity, Gay, Gigs & Shows, JournalismNo Comments

Manchester Pride Fringe Festival is a wide-range of events throughout August that are separate from main event: The Big Weekend. We’ve had a glance at the programme and chosen our five must see art exhibitions and cultural events:

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Gays of Manchester

Gays of Manchester
Date(s) & Time: Tuesday 20th – Tuesday 27th August. Various times.
Venue: TBC
Cost: FREE
About:
Gays of Manchester is an exhibition shown by George House Trust (GHT). Six gay men in Manchester founded the GHT in 1985 with the aim to support people living with HIV.

The exhibit brings together portraits of the diverse LGBT community of Manchester and pays homage to their support of people living with HIV. This exhibit is likely to be enlightening and leave you introspective.
Booking: Not required. Just turn up when it’s on.

The Polari Mission: Bona Eek
Date(s) & Time: Friday 16th August 2013 – Sunday 2nd February 2014.
Venue: John Rylands Library, 150 Deansgate. M3 3EH.
Cost: FREE
About:
Polari is one of the world’s most endangered languages. This bold, yet secretive language has deep roots within gay history. Artists Jez Dolan and Joseph Richardson shed light on Polari and share their mission to save the language. An exhibit that is expected to be informative, ignite within you a passion for Polari or at the very least give you an appreciation the language.
Booking: Not required. Just turn up when it’s on.

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Watchamacallit!

Watchamacallit!
Date & Time: Throughout August
Venue: Taurus Bar, 1 Canal Street. M1 3HE.
Cost: FREE
About:
Nick Franklin, Manchester’s Artist of the Decade (2001-2011) presents his sixth art exhibition. Nick’s work is varied including traditional canvas paintings, cartoon stylistic works and post-modern multi-material 3D pieces.

Famous owners of his work include: Kylie Minogue, Peter Thatchell and Phillip Oliver.

Nick’s art is truly wonderful and inspiring. See some photos of his work. This is an exhibition not to be missed.
Booking: Not required. Just turn up when it’s on.

Loud and Clear
Date & Time: Tuesday 20th August 17:30.
Venue: The Lesbian and Gay Foundation, Richmond Street. M1 3HF.
Cost: FREE
About:
This is a lesbian & bisexual woman only event.

Attendees will meet a panel of inspirational women who will talk about: coming out, getting their voices heard and mental health issues. Free food and refreshments will be available, with women being encouraged to think freely.
Booking: Not required. Just turn up when it’s on.

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Queer Music for a Desert Island

Queer Music for a Desert Island
Date & Time: Saturday 17th August.
Venue: Wilbraham St Ninian’s Church, Chorlton. M21 0XJ.
Cost: £10
About:
Peter Thatchell – human rights campaigner since 1967 talks about his life and work. Andy Braunston – Pastor of Manchester Community Church also talks about his life and work. Both choose ‘Desert Island Discs’ putting songs along with their stories. At the end of the day there is a question and answer session.

A fantastic opportunity to learn more about the gay rights movement from the veteran Peter Thatchell.
Booking: Tickets can be purchased through the Manchester Pride website.

For other Manchester Pride Fringe Festival events see the Fringe Festival website. Find out more about Manchester in our Manchester Guide.

Published by: The Gay UK on Wednesday 31st July 2013.

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