Awake: Escape from Gremon

author: Susan Beneville
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/26
date added: 2016/12/26
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Awake: Escape from Gremon' by Susan Beneville and Brian Hess is the second volume in the series and collects issues 5-8 of the series. I was not familiar with the series, but it's a pretty decent comic for younger readers.

In the previous stories, young Regin has healed the planet Gremon. The natural resources have healed, but not everyone is happy. The most unhappy is the ruler of the planet who was able to exploit the people due to the shortages of food and energy. Along for the ride are her brother, Picar, who seems to be a bit irresponsible. Initially, he is the target of the baron's wrath, but it's really Regin who wields the power.

There is good adventure, and some leassons to be learned along the way. The characters are humanoid and furry animal like creatures. I think middle grade readers would like this series. It was my introduction to the series and I can already think of a few young readers I would recommend it to.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Action Labs, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Rafi’s Red Racing Car: Explaining Suicide and Grief to Young Children

author: Louise Moir
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.25
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/26
date added: 2016/12/26
shelves: children-s
review:
'Rafi's Red Racing Car: Explaining Suicide and Grief to Young Children' by Louise Moir may seem to be an odd title to read for the holidays, but in many ways, it's exactly the kind of thing that could be very useful at this time of year.

Rafi the rabbit loves his toy red race car. He especially loves racing it along with his father, until his father loses interest in the car and everything else. One day, Rafi's father leaves the house and doesn't come back. When Rafi's mom tells him that his father has committed suicide and won't be coming back, Rafi doesn't know how to handle his feelings. He is angry with his friends and even wrecks his favorite toy. Then he meets an adult who knows how to help him.

This is a story meant to help young children process the loss of a family member. There is a helpful introduction as well and a multiple page section for adults helping children in this sort of situation. The illustrations are a bit weak in my mind, but the content is solid and helpful. Hopefully, you never have to buy a book like this for a child in your life, but it should be of great comfort to know these kind of resources exist.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Jessica Kingsley Publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Bloody Mary

author: Garth Ennis
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1997
rating: 3
read at: 2016/12/26
date added: 2016/12/26
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Bloody Mary' by Garth Ennis with art by Carlos Ezquerra is a reprint of 2 4-issue mini-series from 1996 and 1997. If you are a Garth Ennis fan, this is probably not the kind of thing you are looking for.

In an alternate future of 2012, things have gone pretty badly. Our heroine is Corporal "Bloody Mary" Malone. Her mouthy sidekick is a British guy nicknamed the Major. In the first series, they are sent out to retrieve a new weapon that could be used to create super soldiers. It will be a blast from the past since Mary will have to face off against one of her old teammates. Some of the over the top violent action takes place in Vatican City. Mary takes drastic action to stop her former team mate.

In the second series, a lunatic cult leader has taken over what used to be New York and his plan is to personally impregnate 144,000 women. Mary is sent in to stop him and brings along her friend the Major.

It's all hyper-violent and short on plot, to be honest. Ir reminds me a lot of the type of thing 2000 AD published once upon a time. Due to something Mary has done, she is virtually indestructible, so any number of violent things can happen to her and she comes back firing bullets and having no facial expression. While there is some back story, and we get some intriguing glimpses, she's just never made that interesting in the present. On the other hand, her sidekick the Major is a blustering, mouthy character who never shuts up, and continually spouts out stereotypical British-isms. If you are looking for a violent comic that is light on plot, then this is for you. If you are looking for the kind of thing that the name Garth Ennis might intrigue you in, this is probably not it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Image Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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The Fourth Secret

author: Andrea Camilleri
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.41
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at: 2014/12/15
date added: 2016/12/25
shelves:
review:
'The Fourth Secret' is a novella featuring Inspector Montalbano. It was my introduction to this series, and I felt a little lost, but still enjoyed it well enough.

When a construction worker falls from a scaffold, it all appears to be just an on the job accident. Things don't seem to add up, including the fact that the dead worker had a pedicure. Also, there have been a few more of these sort of "accidents." Inspector Montalbano doesn't want to get in trouble investigating outside his jurisdiction, but eventually he finds himself working with an inspector from the carabinieri. Add to that the comedy of errors by the people working for Montalbano, and you end up with a pretty good book.

It's a police procedural with some humor mixed in. Office politics and crazy co-workers, but it doesn't detract from the mystery. Apparently there is a television series based on this series. I think I'll have to go look it up now. Not bad.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Open Road Integrated Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this fun ebook.


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Li'l Rip Haywire Adventures: Escape from Camp Cooties

author: Dan Thompson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/23
date added: 2016/12/23
shelves: children-s
review:
'Li'l Rip Haywire Adventures: Escape from Camp Cooties' by Dan Thompson is a fund read for younger readers. It's a mix of text, graphic novel panels and puzzles to solve along the way.

Li'l Rip is the son of Rip Haywire, who is an amazing adventurer. Li'l Rip is too, and he has quite a few flashbacks to prove it. His dad has sent him on a new adventure, but Li'l Rip thinks there has been a mistake. He finds himself at a Summer camp for girls. Ths is not for him, so he tries to think of a plan for escape. Will he escape or will he be stuck in the most boring Summer ever waiting for his dad to come rescue him?

This book was a lot of fun. I loved the illustrations. They felt like they had a bit of a retro style to me, and they reminded me of classic animation from my childhood. I liked how the book incorporated the puzzles. There are mazes and codes and other things that fit in with the story. I hadn't seen that in a combo book and graphic novel, but it adds a nice element. I think young readers would have a blast reading this book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Through the Habitrails: Life Before and After My Career in the Cubicles (Dover Graphic Novels)

author: Jeff Nicholson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/23
date added: 2016/12/23
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Through the Habitrails: Life Before and After My Career in the Cubicles' by Jeff Nicholson is a graphic novel of how bad work can be. With an introduction by Stephen R. Bisette and a Foreword by Matt Fraction, it's a work that is back in print and in a final form. It's not specifically an autobiographical story, but it has a ring of a true story.

A creative type has a job working in an ad agency. The grinding numbness of the job is conveyed by hamster tubes running through the office. The artist numbs himself by wearing a Glass jar full of beer on his head which keeps him in an inebriated state. His creativity is siphoned off with a tap that's been installed on his body to take his creative juices at will. His office mates have given up their dreams and some have become toxic and horrible to work with. On his time off, he explores the desolation of the world around the town where he lives.

If it sounds bleak, it really is. It mixes surrealistic images with the bleakness of the daily grind. It's not a very happy or hopeful story, but I really enjoyed reading it, and I'm glad it has found it's way back into print.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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The Underground Railroad

author: Colson Whitehead
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2016/12/23
date added: 2016/12/23
shelves:
review:
'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is one of the most talked about books of the year, and for good reason. It's a thought provoking read.

Cora is a slave in Georgia, like her mother Mabel and her grandmother Ajarry before her. Ajarry owned a small piece of land in the slave area of the plantation. Ajarry always believed that escape was impossible, but one day Mabel escapes. Cora stays put until events force her to leave. She has met a fellow slave named Caesar who talks about the underground railroad. The railroad turns out to be different than the one we know from history. Instead of a network of routes to freedom with guides, it's an actual train. Cora and Caesar make their way along the railroad and make stops along the way. At each stop, there is danger, sometimes overt, and sometimes hidden. Slave catcher Ridgeway, and his men are in pursuit.

There are a number of minor (and not so minor) characters, and they are followed in short chapters. Like the railroad in the book, the towns visited have a kind of metaphorical quality to them. What Cora experiences along her journey is not unlike the journey of some blacks in our country. I've been a fan of Colson Whitehead since I read his first book 'The Intuitionist.' He makes definite points with his writing without making the reader feel beat about the head. I also love the fantastical elements he uses as story vehicles, like elevator inspectors with psychic abilities, or zombie plagues, or a physical railroad built underground in secret that stretches for miles. Brilliant written, extremely sad, and with unforgettable characters. This is a journey that I'm glad I made.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Doubleday Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Power Lines (The Zodiac Legacy #2)

author: Stan Lee
name: Wayne
average rating: 1.67
book published: 2016
rating: 2
read at: 2016/12/21
date added: 2016/12/21
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Zodiac: Power Lines' by Stan Lee and Stuart Moore is part two of the series about heroes who get their powers from animals in the Chinese zodiac.

This time around Steven Lee and his team are on board a high speed train in France when it goes out of control. He is Rabbit. He is on board with LIam, who is Ram, Duane, the Pig, and Roxanne, the Rooster. Hovering in a plane above their head is their newest member, Ox, who used to fight for the bad guys. Ox is told to stay put, but he wants to help. The problem is that Rabbit and his team don't trust him yet. Meanwhile, the train is getting more unstable and the team needs to find a way to stop it.

The whole book takes place on the train. There isn't much of a hint as to why they are on the train or what has caused it to go out of control. It feels like the middle of a story. The art is just okay. For a kid's comic, I suppose this is okay, but I've read better comics written for younger audiences.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Papercutz and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Desmond Pucket and the Cloverfield Junior High Carnival of Horrors

author: Mark Tatulli
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/12/21
date added: 2016/12/21
shelves: children-s
review:
'Desmond Pucket and the Cloverfield Junior High Carnival of Horrors' by Mark Tatulli is the third book in the series of a young man who likes to scare people with monster magic.

In the last book, Desmond took a field trip to try to save a ride called The Monster Full of Mountains. This time around, he's back in school and excited for the school carnival. The problems occur when he finds out who the new principal is and that the carnival has been cancelled. He also has a rival that wants to take over as king of the scares. Can Desmond and his friends save the carnival of horrors? Can Desmond stay out of the school's gossipy newspaper with his secret crush?

I like this series. I felt like this one was a little weaker than previous books in the series. The cast of characters is fine and it's an okay story. There were some good twists and turns along the way. I also always like the how to sections that they include in the back of the books.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Civil War Adventure: Book Two

author: Chuck Dixon
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/20
date added: 2016/12/20
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Civil War Adventure: Book Two' by Chuck Dixon and Gary Kwapisz continues the series of illustrated real life and fictional accounts of the civil war.

The book starts with a map of America in 1860. Then there is a timeline of the war with the stories put in the timeline when they take place. We meet a soldier so dedicated to his cannon that he has named it, but that may be his undoing. We get more of the continuing adventures of Ty and Seth, a couple of Union soldiers under Stonewall Jackson. Brigadier General Custer faces off against John Singleton Mosby, aka the Gray Ghost. There are more stories too.

The art is in black and white, but it fits really well. I also like the mix of true stories with ones written by the authors. The mix also gives it a nice anthology feel, with different types of stories and moods. I enjoyed the first volume and this one was just as good.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Dover Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Sherlock Sam and the Ghostly Moans in Fort Canning (Sherlock Sam #2)

author: A.J. Low
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/19
date added: 2016/12/19
shelves: children-s
review:
'Sherlock Sam and the Ghostly Moans in Fort Canning' by A.J. Low with art by Drewscape is the second adventure of Sherlock Sam. His heroes are Batman and Sherlock Holmes and he likes to eat.

This time around, he is on a school field trip to Fort Canning with his class and his robot Watson. The fort at the top of the hill is said to be haunted, but Sherlock doesn't believe in ghosts. Then he hears moans coming from the sally ports in the sides of the fort. Along with this mystery, is the mystery of the missing banana money that one of his friends lost at school.

With a teasing sister and a sarcastic robot, Sherlock is also surrounded by a mom that wishes he'd eat healthier and a dad that shares his passion for science and the unknown. I really like this series for young readers that takes place in Singapore. Each volume has had a glossary of terms at the back to learn about the sights and foods of Singapore, and the drawings by Drewscape are fun.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Andrews McMeel Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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The Night Circus

author: Erin Morgenstern
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2011
rating: 4
read at: 2012/05/12
date added: 2016/12/18
shelves: young-adult, sword-and-laser
review:
A mysterious circus that is only open at night and the strange magical duel going on inside is the theme of 'The Night Circus,' a strange and wonderful book. I listened to the audio book and Jim Dale did a marvelous job (as usual).

While I did enjoy the book by the time I finished it, the middle felt a bit long. There is a lot of mysterious goings on that take a bit too long to be revealed, and there is a sense that the writer is a bit too enamored with all the details. All is made mostly clear by the end, and the loose ends are wrapped up. Even the second person narration sections are explained, and you'll meet some amazing characters along the way.

A really good first effort that rewards patience. If you do read it, take note of the dates at the front of chapters, the book does jump around a bit.




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Echo Gear #2

author: Vincent Sammy
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/16
date added: 2016/12/16
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Echo Gear #2' by Vincent Sammy was probably not the right place to start reading, but I definitely liked what I saw. Now if I can just figure out what that was.

There is a story here, but I think it's better to approach this as an art puzzle that needs to be sorted out. Filled with interesting page elements and graphics, the art is in a two-tone style. The story I could pick out is an interview with a man who worked in various jobs, including a funeral home, and as a bus driver. In the bus driver job, he met a young boy he named Jacob van Gogh, who was called that because he was always sketching in a pad.

The story floats around a bit and has, what seems to me, nonsensical bits. I like the non-sequitur style of the story, and I imagine it all means something. What holds it together is the mysterious and unusual page layout. There are typefaces and drawings of odd devices. There are hints of things like backwards writing or musical staffs. I felt like there was a lot going on in the 21 pages I read. If only I could figure it out.

I received a review copy of this issue from Rosarium Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this issue.


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The Psychology of Superheroes: An Unauthorized Exploration

author: Robin S. Rosenberg
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.71
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/16
date added: 2016/12/16
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'The Psychology of Superheroes: An Unauthorized Exploration' by editor Robin S. Rosenberg, PhD, with a whole bunch of contributors was a fun read. There are almost two dozen psychologists contributing, so the opinions and essays are well informed.

There are discussions of the social psychology of the Justice League of America, how Peter Parker can maintain such a cheery attitude, and lessons about prejudice from the X-Men. Also discussed are the real possibilities that we could be superheroes ourselves with examples of people around us who seem to be. The darker side of heroes and villains are covered with a nice sliding scale of good and evil heroes, where you can see how Batman and Punisher stack up on the anti-hero scale. My favorite essay was about Arkham Asylum from a forensic psychologist perspective.

I've read a few different types of these books, but I liked the psychological aspect of this. It seemed like a fun aspect for the writers, and they took their subjects seriously. I don't know what liking superheroes says about us, but it's kind of fun to see them discussed like this.

I received a review copy of this ebook from BenBella Books, Smart Pop, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon

author: Torben Kuhlmann
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.50
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2016/12/16
date added: 2016/12/16
shelves: children-s
review:
'Armstrong: The Adventurous Journey of a Mouse to the Moon' by Torben Kuhlmann. At 112 pages, it's a long picture book, but the story and art are sure to captivate young and old readers.

Starting with a great foreword by Valerie Neal, who is curator of human spaceflight at the National Air and Space Museum Smithsonian Institution, we learn that the story we are about to read is a retelling of the first journey to the moon.

Our hero has no name. He is just "the mouse." His curiosity is what fuels his dreams. He tries to talk with his fellow mice about the moon, but all they see are things like a stone or cheese. He is frustrated until he gets an unusual invitation to visit the Smithsonian. He is inspired by what he sees there to be the first mouse on the moon. He learns from humans, and builds everything he needs. But someone is spying on him. Can he make the trip before he is stopped?

This is a follow up to the authors book "Lindbergh: The Tale of the Flying Mouse." The pictures are rich and stunning. They have lots of details. There are paintings of photos and blueprints and the mouse's own inventions. The mouse is furry and cute and I love his intelligence and sense of adventure. I can see how it's a retelling and I applaud the kind of book that might stir a young reader's interest in science or space travel.

I received a review copy of this ebook from North South Books Inc. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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The Illustrated Book of Sayings: Curious Expressions from Around the World

author: Ella Frances Sanders
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.07
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2016/12/16
date added: 2016/12/16
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'The Illustrated Book of Sayings' by Ella Francis Sanders is a collection of odd phrases from around the world. It showed me that English phrases like 'the cat is out of the bag' are probably just as strange to non-English speakers as some of these were to me.

From the French "To Pedal in Sauerkraut" to the Aromanian "One Flower Doesn't Make the Spring," I enjoyed all of this. For each phrase, there is an illustrated page with the original language and an approximate English translation. There is also an explanation of the phrase, what it's English equivalent might be, and and a history of where it might have originated. I learned that the Farsi phrase "I will eat your liver" is actually a term of endearment like "You are my heart." I'll leave the rest for you to discover.

This is a book for word nerds, like me. There are 52 sayings in the book, so it's a quick enough read. I think each phrase is in a unique language. I found it utterly charming and I feel like something like this helps the world feel more familiar. Buy a copy for your word nerd. They will thank you for such a lovely book.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Ten Speed Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Pop Painting: Inspiration and Techniques from the Pop Surrealism Art Phenomenon

author: Camilla d'Errico
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.43
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/16
date added: 2016/12/16
shelves: non-fiction
review:



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Why Do Buses Come in Threes?: The Hidden Mathematics of Everyday Life

author: Robert Eastaway
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.55
book published: 1999
rating: 4
read at: 2014/07/17
date added: 2016/12/16
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Why Do Buses Come in Threes?' shows how common questions can be solved with mathematics. That it does it in a very accessible and fun way is where it succeeds.

Taking questions like the book title's or others like why it's so hard to find a four-leaf clover, the book delves into all sorts of things. From fibonacci numbers to code making, a lot of ground is covered. The chapters are short and digestible. There are mathematic formulas and illustrations. It's all engaging and shows how math can help with all sorts of things in everyday life whether we realize it or not. The book finishes with a series of magic tricks you can learn that are all based on math tricks.

Rob Eastaway and Jeremy Wyndham have done a great job with this book. There is also a forward by Tim Rice, in which he shows the connection between pop charts and musical composition and math. A fun tour of an otherwise difficult subject.

I was given a review copy of this ebook by Pavilion Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Animal Planet Chapter Books: Dinosaurs!

author: Animal Planet
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/15
date added: 2016/12/15
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'Animal Planet Chapter Books: Dinosaurs!' by Animal Planet deserves the exclamation point in it's title. As well as featuring lots of facts about dinosaurs, it features some great digital art of dinosaurs (like the one on the cover).

The T. Rex gets its own chapter, but the rest are grouped based on head plating, or diet, or size comparison. Fossils are discussed and shown. Even dinosaur poop is discussed, and shown! There are quizzes and insets. The best are the dinosaur illustrations. They are in full color and full dinosaur glory. There are sharp carnivore teeth, and a cool front shot of a T. Rex with a dinosaur in its jaws.

It's an easy read, except for the dinosaur names, but the back of the book has a pronunciation guide. There is also a list of resources including museums, books, and websites to check out. It's the perfect book for your younger dinosaur fan.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Time Inc. Books., Animal Planet, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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A Tale of Two Cities

author: Charles Dickens
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.79
book published: 1859
rating: 3
read at: 2016/12/14
date added: 2016/12/14
shelves: classics
review:
'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens is a classic I just finished reading for the first time. I was familiar with the story through movies and Classics Illustrated versions.

I like some classics better than others. I've read a few other Dickens books. The style and characters feel familiar. It felt like it took a while for the story to start moving along. There are three books comprising the novel, and I didn't feel all that engaged with the story until the third book.

It's definitely a book that has it's own rhythm, and it takes a while to get into that rhythm. I'm glad I read it, but if I had to read more Dickens, I'd go for a re-read of Great Expectations.


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Can't We All Disagree More Constructively?: from The Righteous Mind (Kindle Single) (A Vintage Short)

author: Jonathan Haidt
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.22
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/14
date added: 2016/12/14
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Can't We All Disagree More Constructively?: from the Righteous Mind' by Jonathan Haidt is a short essay with a very long name and a very timely message.

What makes us conservative and liberal? What has happened that we can't even talk to each other anymore?

Jonathan Haidt is a social psychologist that has some ideas about how we got here. He thinks some of the origins of liberalism and conservatism have a genetic influence. Things like risk aversion play in to the equation. I can buy into that theory a little bit. The more important thing is to understand and flourish as a nation.

The book feels like it's accessible no matter what your political leaning, and I really appreciate what the author says. I've felt for a while that the divide in my country is growing, and that has never been more evident than in the past election cycle. This book and thought process may work to help change things.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, Vintage, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Amazing Toys of Marvin Glass: 1950's to 1974

author: Joyce Grant
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/10
date added: 2016/12/10
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Amazing Toys of Marvin Glass: 1950's to 1974' by Joyce Grant was a total trip down memory lane for me. I grew up in that era and remembered a lot of the toys featured.

In the era I grew up in, toys were crazy and colorful. One of the main companies behind these toys was Marvin Glass & Associates. Their toys were sold by other companies, and they became so well known that the MGA logo was printed on almost all the boxes of the toys in invented and licensed, which was unheard of.

I'm more familiar with the games that were created by Marvin Glass like Mousetrap and Masterpiece, but they also invented Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, Great Garloo, and Lite Brite among lots of others.

The book is filled with colorful photos by the author including the box, the toy and sometimes the marketing material. There is a brief description with the year it was released. There is also a price range for a new or slightly used version. I had a lot of fun looking through this book and remembering things I thought I'd forgotten. I was surprised to learn that there was one company behind so many of my favorite games and toys.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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World War II: 1939-1945

author: James I Robertson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/10
date added: 2016/12/10
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'World War II: 1939-1945' by James I. Robertson with paintings by Mort Künstler is another young reader overview with gorgeous paintings.

A lot is covered in less than 50 pages. There are numerous topics like the battle of Britain, and D-Day, and the sinking of the Yamato. Each is accompanied by the gorgeous paintings of Mort Künstler. His art conveys action, like ships being dive bombed by planes, or Corsairs in action, or commandos storming the beach with rifles ready and grenades on their suspenders. It's a mostly American perspective, so it starts at Pearl Harbor. That means it covers both the European and Pacific theaters of operation, so things like the Battle of the Bulge and raising the flag on Iwo Jima get covered.

I grew up watching war movies on television. My favorites were The Longest Yard and Guadalcanal Diary. I think this is a pretty good overview, but the atomic bomb chapter felt a little abrupt. I think it needs to be included, but it's more complicated than the single page it gets at the end of the book. The paintings are great and any youngster that likes non-fiction like I did would probably really like this.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Abbeville Kids and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Canada Year by Year

author: Elizabeth MacLeod
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2016/12/10
date added: 2016/12/10
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'Canada Year by Year' by Elizabeth MacLeod with illustrations by Sydney Smith is a younger readers overview of the history of Canada, and it's timed for next year's 150th anniversary.

The book has 10 chapters for distinct eras. Every year gets a paragraph of notable events or history. Topics include everything from politics to sports and culture. The famous Canadians that aren't featured in the book get mentioned in an appendix at the end.

Starting with the birth of the country on July 1st, 1867, we learn about the fathers of confederation, the Fenian raids, British home children, women's rights, indigenous people's rights, the fight for English or French to be the main language. We learn about the invention of basketball, the telephone, the Canadarm, and indoor hockey. We learn about the contributions of Canadian armed forces in the world wars and more recently in Afghanistan.

Every year can't be covered in such a concise manner, but the breadth of things covered is impressive. As someone who lives in the US, I'm not as familiar with Canadian history, so I learned quite a few things. Controversial topics are not shied away from, and are covered and presented pretty neutrally. It's funny that the last entry is for 2017, as I read this in 2016, and it's also written in the past tense, but I assume that's for future readers. The illustrations and layout of this book are great. The pages are broken up in interesting ways and there are trivia facts and quotes along with the caricature style of illustration.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Kids Can Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Tokyo Ghost, Vol. 1: Atomic Garden

author: Rick Remender
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2016
rating: 5
read at: 2016/12/10
date added: 2016/12/10
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Tokyo Ghost, Vol. 1: Atomic Garden' by Rick Remender with art by Sean Gordon Murphy is a crazy futuristic tale that seems frenetic and cautionary.

In a Los Angeles of 2089, people are addicted to technology. We are introduced to a type of police officer named Led Dent who is heavily addicted, and the woman who loves him, Debbie Decay. They live in a highly violent world that lives off of over the top entertainment. When Debbie was younger, she weaned herself off of technology and fell in love with a boy named Teddy, who would become Led. Now Debbie just wants him back. When they have a chance to take a job in Tokyo for the "police" Debbie thinks it is the chance they need to get away.

It was a bit reminiscent to me of comics I love like Tank Girl and Judge Dredd in it's over the top satire of a horrific future. I was a tiny bit lost at first because the story jumps right in, but the pretty great art by Sean Gordon kept me going. There were some interesting twists and turns along the way, and I liked the story. It's not a future I hope ever happens, but I could definitely see how we get from here to there.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Image Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Blood Stain Vol. 1

author: Linda Sejic
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.40
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/12/08
date added: 2016/12/08
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
You might think 'Blood Stain Vol. 1' by Linda Sejic is a horror title, and maybe it is, if your idea of horror is a story about a series of bad jobs.

Elliot Torres has a degree in chemistry, but hasn't found the right job for her degree. She finds an unusual ad on a bulletin board (do people still find jobs this way?), but the phone interview seriously creeps her out. But she needs to find a job. Her mother is ill and her sister and husband are doing all they can. The problem is that Elliot is bad at keeping jobs. We learn this through a series of flashbacks. Most of the time it's her fault, but occasionally it's not. Finally, she decides to revisit the creepy job. It's a one way ticket, so if things don't work out, what's a girl to do?

It feels like a really long set up. We see the creepy doctor on the cover, and he does show up early on, but then it's a lot of backstory about Elliot and her comedy of errors with trying to hold a job. I didn't hate that stuff. I actually kind of liked it, but I felt like I had been sold a different title than most of the one I got. It's still a fun title, and I'll try any future issues. I like Linda Sejic's art as well.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Image Comics, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Circles of Delight: Classic Carousels of San Francisco

author: Aaron Shepard
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.43
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/05
date added: 2016/12/05
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Circles of Delight: Classic Carousels of San Francisco' by Aaron Shepard is a pictorial look at three carousels in San Francisco. The city boasts carousels by all three of the most important American carousel makers.

The three carousels featured are at the San Francisco Zoo, Yerba Buena Gardens, and Golden Gate Park. Each section begins with a history of the carousel, such as where it was built and where it was located before it ended up in it's current location. Also included are renovation dates and unusual features of the carousel.

After the introduction, pages are devoted to photographs of the carousel animals, close ups of interesting details, and shield and rounding board details. Of the three carousels featured, my favorite was the Golden Gate Park carousel, which is the last one in the book.

The photographer spent three days photographing the carousels while on a business trip to the city. The pictures are good and the detail is worth studying. I enjoyed reading the brief history of each carousel, and looking through the photos.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Shepard Publications and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Malice in Ovenland: Vol. 1

author: Micheline Hess
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.46
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/12/04
date added: 2016/12/04
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Malice in Ovenland: Vol. 1' by Micheline Hess collects the first 5 issues of the comic. I've read some of the individual issues out of order, so it was nice to get all the context.

Lily Brown used to love her mom's cooking, until her mom started eating healthier. When Lily is left home to do chores, she loses an earring in the stove while she is cleaning it. Climbing in after it, she falls into a hole behind the stove and finds herself in a strange world that lives below her stove. It is ruled by strange creatures that live off of grease, but with Lily's mom's new diet, the supply of grease has kind of dried up. Lily is imprisoned, but finds strange allies in this new world, including someone who may have a new idea of how to feed this world.

It's a strange story, and all the grease references are a little gross, but maybe that's the point. The art is perfectly fine for this book, and it's a good story for younger readers. Lily is a brave hero and her new friends show us that we can find help in places that you may not be looking for it in.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Rosarium Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Korgi Book 4: The Problem with Potions

author: Christian Slade
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.86
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/12/04
date added: 2016/12/04
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
I wasn't familiar with Christian Slade's Korgi series, but when I had a chance to review Book 4, I thought I would give it a chance. What I found inside was an enchanting world filled with magic and dogs.

After a short introduction, we are off on our adventure into a wordless world of black and white ink drawings. In this world, hunan looking woodland creatures called Mollies live with Korgis. There is an evil here in the form of a two-headed creature known as Derog-Glaw who rules the evil Creephogs. In this story, the creephogs are sent out to capture the story's main korgi, Sprout, using a magic potion. Due to a mix up the potion doesn't have the effect that the Creephog wants and Sprout grows really big (and spotted and other side effects). This doesn't make Derog-Glaw very happy, so they form a new plan that ends up involving an undead unicorn in a goofy disguise.

I'll say no more about the story in order to avoid spoilers, but I found myself entranced by this unusual world. I wish I had read the glossary at the end first in order to have a better understanding of the world and how it works. Stories told without words can be difficult, but with Christian Slade's art and storytelling, I never felt like I had lost the thread of the story.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Top Shelf Productions, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits

author: David Wong
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2015
rating: 2
read at: 2016/12/04
date added: 2016/12/04
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Furturistic Violence and Fancy Suits' is by David Wong. I read 'John Dies at the End' by the same author and really didn't care for it. When it came up as a book club pick, I seriously thought about passing on it, but I ended up reading it and finishing it.

I like the main character, Zoey, who is plucked from her mundane life and put in the sights of killers when she inherits things from her deceased father. She really wants nothing to do with it all, but decides to go along with it, or is coerced. She's reluctant, but not stupid. Her main antagonist is a person named Molech, who keeps describing the horrible ways he is going to kill Zoey and her mother. That got tedious.

So did all the mysogyny, juvenile humor, over the top violence and unexplainable technology. There were characters I liked so I stuck with it. I didn't hate it as much as the other book by the same author. A lot of people seem to like this author, and that's fine. The nice thing about books is that there are a lot of them, and we can all have our favorites.


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The Wild West: 1804-1890

author: James I Robertson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.67
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2016/12/04
date added: 2016/12/04
shelves: children-s, non-fiction
review:
'The Wild West: 1804-1890' is part of a series called See American History. The text is by James I. Robertson, Jr. and the gorgeous paintings by Mort Künstler. The book is aimed at school age kids.

The book starts before 1804 with events that set the era. There was exploration by the Spanish, and the people who first lived on the land, and there were people staking claims on the land, like the Franciscans and the Russians.

The book gets started in the time frame with the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Along the way, we visit the Alamo, the Golden Spike, the discovery of gold, buffalo hunters and buffalo soldiers and others. For a book that is only 49 pages, there is a lot covered in a short amount of space. It is by no means thorough, but it gives a good overview.

The paintings on each page are breathtaking. There is life and action in each picture. There are native Americans on buffalo hunts, and stage coaches pulled by horses with manes flying. There is motion in just about every picture, but even in the ones with figures just standing, the painting draws the eye. I loved books like this when I was young, and it's good to see that something like this is still being produced. I would buy it for the paintings alone, but the text is interesting and readable as well.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Abbeville Kids and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Big Nate: Thunka, Thunka, Thunka

author: Lincoln Peirce
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.40
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/04
date added: 2016/12/04
shelves: graphic-novels, children-s
review:



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Wynonna Earp Volume 1: Homecoming (Wynonna Earp #1-6)

author: Beau Smith
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.52
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2016/12/03
date added: 2016/12/03
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Wynonna Earp Volume 1: Homecoming' by Beau Smith with art by Lora Innes and Chris Evenhuis should have been a sure thing for me. A cross between Western and urban fantasy should have been easy for me to like. But it wasn't.

It was originally a comic, then more recently became a television series (which I haven't seen), and this is a new graphic novel based on both, I think.

Wynonna Earp is a descendant of Wyatt Earp. She shoots first and asks questions later, which annoys her boss Agent Doll. There is also a mysterious, or so we are told multiple times, character named John Henry. Wynonna goes around fighting supernatural creatures. From a cult of demons that drink milk and blood, to a mall full of zombies, Wynonna is called in to kick butt. There is also a case that takes her back to her family's roots.

Again, the setting and premise should have been a shoo in for me, but it is so tepid that I feel disappointed. The art is also not very spectacular for the most part. It's an interesting set of characters, but I have a hard time recommending it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from IDW Publishing and Diamond Book Distributors in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Dinosaur Boy Saves Mars (Dinosaur Boy, #2)

author: Cory Putman Oakes
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/03
date added: 2016/12/03
shelves: children-s
review:



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Princess Lemonella

author: Saarein te Brake
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.50
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2016/12/01
date added: 2016/12/01
shelves: children-s
review:
'Princess Lemonella' by Saarein te Brake with illustrations by Sassafras De Bruyn is about a cranky princess, and the lesson is that there is someone for everyone.

When Princess Ella is born, she has a perpetual scowl on her face. As she grows up, she earns the nickname Lemonella because she looks like she sucks on lemons all day. The time comes and her parents would like her to find a nice prince. The problem is that Lemonella doesn't want to. She doesn't want to sleep on their pile of mattresses or try on their shoe or put her braids out the window. Will she ever find the right person?

I've only read a few books by Sassafras De Bruyn, but I love her illustration style. The color palette here is more of a brown and golden. Princess Ella is moody, but not unlikeable. Some people have dispositions that are less than sunny. This book doesn't judge that, and I think that's a fine lesson. I enjoyed the book, but I could see where it could maybe lead little ones to think pouting was an ok thing to do.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Clavis Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Hammers on Bone

author: Cassandra Khaw
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/12/01
date added: 2016/12/01
shelves:
review:
'Hammers on Bone' by Cassandra Khaw is a hard-boiled detective thriller combined with urban fantasy of the monster kind. At 112 pages, it's a pretty quick read.

John Persons is your typical slang-talking detective, except he's not. Lurking beneath his skin is a monster. His client is a ten-year old boy named Abel that wants John to kill his stepdad. The stepdad is the kind of loathsome person that probably deserves a bullet, but John has some reservations. Also, his monster instincts seem to be going overtime. Something about this whole situation stinks. Can John Persons get out safe or will his inner monster come out to play?

I liked it, and it seems like a set up for a regular series. I liked the character, but the stylized lingo got a little old after a while. A little hard-boil talk goes a long way. I do like the mash-up of noir and monsters, and I'd like to read more if some becomes available.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Macmillan-Tor/Forge and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Unicorn vs. Goblins (Heavenly Nostrils, #3)

author: Dana Simpson
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/01
date added: 2016/12/01
shelves: graphic-novels, children-s
review:



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Mary Has a Baby

author: Mieke van Hooft
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2016/12/01
date added: 2016/12/01
shelves: children-s
review:
'Mary Has a Baby' by Mieke van Hooft with illustrations with illustrations by Lonneke Leever is a beautifully illustrated picture book with rhyming meter of a sort.

It starts with Mary and Joseph and the donkey. The wonderful thing is the last page of the book which shows only the donkey still awake and watching over all. The story is the more accepted Anglo version. Mary, Joseph, and company are all pretty caucasian. Also, the wise men show up the first night even though it's accepted that it was a few years before they would show up.

It's a seasonal offering, and it's delightful. The illustrations are all cut paper and papercraft, and they give the book a wonderful dimensional quality. The rhyming text doesn't flow so easy, and perhaps that's something that got lost in the translation. It's an easy enough read, and I can't stop talking about the illustrations.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Clavis Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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