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Lists

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  Movies that Creep
  

  Looking for a horror movie that's more focused on creepy vibes than gore? Here are some selections from our collection

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  Heckin' Haunted Books for Teens
  

  All the ghosts, demons, & haunted houses you could ask for this spooky season.

Reviews

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  Worry : a novel by Tanner, Alexandra,

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

  Worry' epitomizes literary fiction, focusing more on character introspection than on plot. The novel follows two sisters, Jules (the narrator) and Poppy, whose interactions drive the narrative. Through their dynamic, their close proximity to each other acts as a catalyst for change, altering not only their perceptions of themselves but also their understanding of their family and roles in society. While neither sister undergoes a clear-cut transformation, their interactions are pivotal in shaping their character arcs. Despite Jules narrating the story, I found myself empathizing more with Poppy. This may be due to the way Tanner crafts Jules's perspective, which is laced with bias and subjective observations.

  One aspect that didn't quite work for me was the ending. It felt sudden and left me wanting more closure. The narrative conclusion neither tied things up neatly nor left them ambiguously open in a satisfying way. Instead, it felt like an abrupt stop, which might have been Tanner's way of mirroring the ongoing nature of anxiety and the personal struggles the characters experience. Still, it left me feeling that the story was unfinished.

  Reviewed by Dylan R on Oct 2, 2024

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  Fruit of the dead : a novel by Lyon, Rachel,

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  The novel serves as a contemporary reimagining of the Hades/Persephone/Demeter mythology, and in my view, Lyon effectively integrates these mythological elements into a modern setting. The symbolic use of pomegranate seeds as pain pills, the reflection of Demeter's depression in Emer's job struggles and societal blame, and Rolo's role as a billionaire drug dealer echoing the underworld—all of these connections feel thoughtfully executed.

  However, I found the portrayal of Rolo to be somewhat problematic. Despite his significant faults and the severe consequences of his actions, he remains somewhat shielded from criticism, particularly in his depiction through the lens of his ex-wife. This aspect of the narrative left me with mixed feelings.

  I didn't enjoy the absence of traditional quotation marks around dialogue. While this stylistic choice might be seen as an innovative departure, I personally found it somewhat challenging and detracting from the overall readability of the text.

  Reviewed by Dylan R on Oct 2, 2024

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  Marked by Cast, P. C.

  ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

  Marked is the first book in a long series written by a mother-daughter duo. I originally read the first few books in early high school and found them intriuging, through not enough to continue the series at the time. Re-reading it as an adult, I found it incredibly easy to digest-- perfect for getting out of a reading slump. However, it is important to note that some of the language is problematic, with certain queer and racial remarks feeling inappropriate, especially considering the authors are two heterosecual, cisgender white women. 

  Reviewed by Dylan R on Oct 2, 2024

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  Raging bull by Jake LaMotta

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  Classic 1980s boxing movie, directed by Martin Scorsese.

  Reviewed by Ellen C on Feb 3, 2024

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  Heat by Michael Mann

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  Heat is a 1995 American crime film written and directed by Michael Mann. It features an ensemble cast led by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, with Val Kilmer, Tom Sizemore, Diane Venora, Amy Brenneman, Ashley Judd, Wes Studi, and Jon Voight in supporting roles

  Reviewed by Ellen C on Feb 3, 2024

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  Body heat by Lawrence Kasdan

  ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

  A steamy romance unfolds between a lawyer and a housewife; but who is seducing who? Treachery unfolds. No spoilers.

  Reviewed by Ellen C on Feb 3, 2024

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