Advantages: Not very long
Disadvantages: Just another sob-story

...was born and grew up in Murrayfield in 1950 (or it could be 1949, I can't find the exact date in the book), a very middle class area in Edinburgh and her parents both doctors. With three older brothers, Nicola was the youngest, and much of her childhood was spent looking after her alcoholic mother. You'll find out more about her as you read this review! Nicola Barry is now an author and journalist in Scotland. The Book and Story My copy of the book is a paperback and has a hideous picture of a 4 year old (or thereabouts) child crying wearing a pink jumper on it (different from the Ciao picture of the hardback). To be honest with a cover like and with the words "The extraordinary true story of how alcohol destroys a family" I should have known really what to expect! The book (as autobiographies do) tells the story... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: The way this young boy copes with the abuse is inspiring
Disadvantages: To find out the extent to which an innocent young child can be abused

...to make me not want to read it. In fact as I was reading through the book the further I got and the more difficult it was to read each chapter as things seemed to go from bad to worse the more I appreciated the fact that I knew there would be a positive outcome at the end. So I think that by writing the book in this way works very well. HOW I FELT READING THIS BOOK I was aware before I brought this book that it was a true story based on child abuse, but I had know idea of the extent of abuse that would be suffered, so it came as quite a shock to read on through this little boys life and read what I would describe as some very shocking incidents that are described with such detail and feeling that it is almost hard to carry on reading at some points as it is very upsetting. There was however 3 things that made me carry on reading this book... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: You'll laugh yourself silly!
Disadvantages: Predictable but fun!

...This movie is hilarious! When it came out in the cinema, I chose to not go and watch it because I honestly thought it would be rubbish! How wrong was I?!! A couple of days ago, my sister bought the DVD and made me watch it. I don't think I have laughed so hard! Ben Stiller brings the character of White Goodman to life and makes it his own! His acting is fantastic; he truly is a comic genius. Along with Stiller, Vince Vaughn plays Peter La Fleur, a nemesis of White Goodman played by Stiller. The movie has some great appearances from stars Gary Cole and Jason Bateman, Chuck Norris and a brief but funny appearance from Lance Armstrong- the cyclist. The plot for Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story is a team from Peter La Fleurs gym (Average Joe's Gym) are in danger of losing their gym to their much hated rival (Globo Gym, run... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: a well written book, gripping read
Disadvantages: true story - a real eye opener that is likely to bring a tear to your eye

...mother and father, and this will come as no surprise. Kevin managed to escape the bullying, neglect and hunger and was taken into care, only to be returned back home being forced to suffer once again. This book really shows how poor social services used to be - and perhaps still is. They put Kevin into an awful situation, asked him right in front of his parents, whether he wanted to be taken into care, he had no option but to say no, otherwise he knew he would get a beating that would make him suffer long after being taken into care. Kevin Lewis is now in his 30's with children of his own, but this book tells his captivating story throughout his childhood right through to his ups and downs as he entered adulthood. This just one of those books that you must read for yourself, even if true life isn't usually your thing, give... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: It's all true
Disadvantages: Might damage your opinions of the royals

...This book could be called many things. Traitorous. Scandalous. Sensationalistic. Ruinous. Unfair. After having read the book when it first came out, I would like to add another. Necessary. This is the undeniably true account of Diana's life up until 1992 when the book was published. History now tells us that the vast majority of information came from the Princess herself, and that express permission had been granted for her friends to also verify her stories. No names, no packdrill and all that, but it's all true regardless of the lack of quoted sources. Her life is laid out from her birth into an aristocratic family with a priveleged background; through her early years as a child damaged by her parent's divorce; on to her teens that sees her working as a char woman to pay her own way; the shy and vulnerable young woman who... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Will have you in stitches, even the second time around!
Disadvantages: Rated 15+

...of the story, with the addition of an absolutely stunning woman involving herself in the tournement, and also a...... not so stunning woman aswell! Ben Stillers sarcasm and wit in this film certainly shines through and it honestly had me in stitches, but thats not to say he carried the other characters into this comedy. I'd say 70% of the cast had parts to play that had me laughing just as much. It's a very original film with some classic and original plots mixed together, and my reccomendation would be to RENT IT if you liked other such films as Meet The Parents, Zoolander, Road Trip, Old School, Scary Movie, Van Wilder etc. If this film has you laughing as much as me, I would also reccomend buying it for future laughs on those rainy days in. :) Kris... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: it is a tv programme and a book
Disadvantages: the writing in the book is quite a big size

...The story of Tracy Beaker originally started off as a book and like many books was made into a tv programme. The tv programme is partly animation but only to show the funny side of what happens to Tracy and her friends. Tracy lives in a care home called Stowey House which usually get called The Dumping Ground by the residents. The story is about a group of children - some of which are teenagers who are all in care. Some of the children are Adele, Justine, Louise, Max and Peter. But throughout the book and tv series more children come and go. Tracy is more or less the main character, she has been fostered more than once but taken back to The Dumping Ground mainly becuase of her behaviour problems, she loses her temper regularly and gets very angry sometimes! One of the peope that she was fostered by is Cam Lawson, a young writer... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: TRUE LOVE waits
Disadvantages: It's a long process but worth it

...themselves. Lots of men confuse control and love and thus they can never find 'true love' . A person who is truly in love wants the very best for the person they love, and 'the very best' means anything and everything that is best for them ----even if that best takes the person 'away' from them physically or geographically. Remember the story of King Solomon and the two women who claimed to be the mother of one child. The 'true' mother , who had 'true' love of her child was willing to give the baby up to the other woman and to the court rather than have the baby cut or torn in two pieces. Same way with true love in the case of man and women / etc. / a person who truly loves an individual will give that person up if that is what is best for the person. Someone who truly loves you will not stop you from pursuing your... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A Great Get Your Teeth into Read.
Disadvantages: You Will Not Be Able To Put It Down.

...and to make you think "hey hang on! how can that be?" Certainly had me intrigued..... The story revolves around a central character named James True, who is able from a very early age to be able to have "Outer Body Experiences" where his inner self is able to leave his physical being and float away, (his soul if you like.) It is vital to the plot of the book that we know this, and at the beginning explains why he thinks he can do it and how it is manageable. This is a credit to James Herbert`s writing skill as it draws you into the story from the start, and you won`t even know it is pulling you towards the direction it wants to take you. He is an only child and has an estranged relationship with his mother, which is also explained through the book, his father as far as he is aware hasn`t ever been around. This is a sad part in the book... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: An amazing story from age 4 to adult
Disadvantages: You will need a pack or 2 of tissues!

...to maintain the dignity and privacy of others and is written in a way that reflects the age and wisdom of a child at the age he was at this time in his life. The book covers his life from the age of four to twelve. It is dedicated to his son Stephen, and a list of other people. The people who in his words saved his life. There is no time to get into this book before the full force of this little boys abuse smacks you in the face. On the first page you learn about how he is treated by his mother. How she starves him. Also how he is so determined to survive. The first chapter is all about how he was rescued and the events and people that led up to the day that changed his life forever. What a start to a book! I was in tears as I read his story, I just couldn't believe that this was true. How did this kind of abuse go on for so long... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful