Adventure Time Comics Vol. 1

author: Various
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.00
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/29
date added: 2017/03/29
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Adventure Time Comics Vol. 1' is a series of short adventures by lots of different writers and artists. It's a really creative graphic novel.

With stories by Art Baltazar, Katie Cook, Tony Millionaire and others, there are new stories and art styles every few pages. There is a story about the toothpaste fairy who lives in the castle Jake makes out of Finn's toothpaste. Finn thinks he can build bookshelves and furniture, but he uses squirrel wood, so the furniture turns into piles of squirrels. Marceline has to finish a song to help out a ghost in her guitar. BMO becomes a superstar, but at what cost?

Every story in this collection is good. Some are stronger with story, and some with art, but the pace was good, the variety was excellent, and I had a great time reading these.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from kaBOOM!, BOOM! Studios, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.


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Agents of Dreamland

author: Caitlín R. Kiernan
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/27
date added: 2017/03/27
shelves:
review:
'Agents of Dreamland' by Caitlin R. Kiernan is only 125 pages, but it manages to pack a lot of weird in those pages. I mean that in the best way possible.

The book starts with a strange government agent getting off a train in Winslow, Arizona. He is there to get information about something that happened the previous week. The story shifts between him, and a cult leader who leads a group called the Children of the Next Level, and a woman who kind of lives outside of time. There are strange fungi and possible alien life and that's all I'm going to say.

I like to call this part of the New Lovecraft movement, which is a term I completely made up just now. It seems in SF there are a few stories delving with ideas that H.P. Lovecraft touched on. This story owes a bit to a short story called "The Whisperer In Darkness" and the time setting of this novella coincides with when NASA's New Horizons probe was getting close to Pluto. I was also reminded a bit of the X-Files, but that could just be because of government agents and such.

It's concisely written, and strikes the perfect mood for a late night read.

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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Five Ghosts Vol. 3: Monsters & Men

author: Frank J. Barbiere
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.80
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2015/12/19
date added: 2017/03/26
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Five Ghosts Volume 3: Monsters and Men' treads into more fictional character territory, and delivers up a rip-roaring pulp adventure.

Fabian is on his way to tracking down his friend Sebastian in Romania with the help of the five ghosts he has been inhabited with. And he'll need their help because getting to where Sebastian is trapped, he comes across some super powerful men who seem more like animals. When famous vampire hunter Van Helsing shows up and Fabian is trapped in vampire mode with the ghost of Dracula, he might be in over his head. Can he fend off Van Helsing and rescue Sebastian?

Also included is a bonus short and another issue length story. I love the action aspect of this and it's a pretty interesting concept. The script by Frank J. Barbiere definitely feels like an idea out of the 1950s or further back. Fabian feels a bit like a Doc Savage or Avenger or Shadow type character. The art by Chris Mooneyham just moves on the page with interesting angles and action shots.

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


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The Dance of the Violin

author: Kathy Stinson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.25
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/15
date added: 2017/03/15
shelves: children-s
review:
'The Dance of the Violin' by Kathy Stinson with illustrations by Dušan Petričić is a read aloud story adapted from the life of famed violin player Joshua Bell.

The story starts with a young Joshua who loved making all kinds of music on all kinds of things, like cardboard tubes and bicycle bells. When his parents bought him a violin, the journey began. I love the image of a star over the young child's head representing learning the song 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.' When he gets older, he learns of a violin competition, and he has to go. He also decides to play a piece of music that his teacher cautions against. What will happen at the competition?

The illustrations are so fun in this book. The lines that come off of the violin and represent the music are really great. I liked the F.A.Q. answering questions I had about the story. It's a pretty cute story, and might inspire young musicians to pursue something they might enjoy.

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


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Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road

author: John Jennings
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.79
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2017/03/15
date added: 2017/03/15
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Blue Hand Mojo: Hard Times Road' by John Jennings is an urban fantasy that has an interesting story and unusual art going for it. I enjoyed the ride, but it's definitely of the R-rated variety.

Frank Johnson is known as "Half Dead" in his neighborhood for the deal he made with the devil to save his life. In return, he got a blue hand and some weird powers. Because of this, he has a debt to work off. He does this by helping people out. The latest of these people is a Chicago gangster named Mac the Shark, an associate of Al Capone.

The book has an interesting vibe. I liked that it was set in 1930s Chicago. I also like that Frank is also a pretty dark and tortured guy. The book is in black and white, and I didn't like it at first, but the violence is so over the top that I was glad that there was no color (specifically the color red). There were times when the story and art felt a little muddy to me, and I lost interest in the first third, but I came back and finished it and enjoyed it more.

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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Cigarette Girl

author: Masahiko Matsumoto
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.21
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/14
date added: 2017/03/14
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Cigarette Girl' by Masahiko Matsumoto is a reprint collection of manga from the 1970s. These stories come from the alternative comics movement known as "gekiga."

There are 11 stories collected here and they are about normal people and lives that don't feel fulfilled. One story follows an older lady as she tries to make her way as a condom salesperson. She ends up not being very good at sales, but pretty good at getting entangled in people's lives. In another story, a man buys cigarettes, not because he smokes, but because he secretly likes the woman who sells them.

Alternative and mature should be described more as indie film. The stories tell quiet stories of people interacting in each others lives and the solitude and isolation that can be felt even in a crowd of people. This volume also includes some essays about the artist and the work. It's an interesting reprint and I'm glad I got a chance to read it.

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


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Superman: American Alien

author: Max Landis
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2015
rating: 5
read at: 2017/03/13
date added: 2017/03/13
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Superman: American Alien' collects all 7 issues of the series by Max Landis and a host of great artists. Each issue has a different style and tone, both in storytelling and art. Each chapter is named after a creature that flys.

An early story shows how Clark can't control his flight and just seems to float upward. In his early teens, he is still figuring out how much force he should be using. In one, he is mistaken for Bruce Wayne at a party on a yacht (Bruce never shows up to these things). Batman shows an interest in this strange man and that leads to Clark "borrowing" a few things from Batman. He slowly learns and discovers who he is and who he is supposed to be.

Many times when people talk about Superman, he can seem sterile and uninteresting, but in the best stories, this is not the case. This is an amazing arc of stories from the early life of Superman. We see a frightened child and his family trying to figure out a strange phenomenon. We see an all too human Clark making the mistakes that teenagers do. We also see his friendships and who he tells his secret, and who he doesn't.

The included materials include a cover gallery, and some layouts for each issue. There is also the original story pitch which tells the tone for each issue. Some are based on Pixar or sun and sexy, others are action movie. The artists picked reflect the style of the story very well. My personal favorite is Eagle with art and color by Francis Manapul for the sheer joy of a goggled and gloved Superman eating Chinese food on a rooftop. I'm sure you'll find your favorite.

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


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The Paranoid Style in American Politics: An Essay: from The Paranoid Style in American Politics (Kindle Single) (A Vintage Short)

author: Richard Hofstadter
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.60
book published: 1964
rating: 4
read at: 2016/11/15
date added: 2017/03/13
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'The Paranoid Style in American Politics: An Essay: from the Paranoid Style in American Politics' by Richard Hofstadter is a Vintage Books reprint. It shows that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

First published in 1964, the essay is certainly biased towards the left since it is showing the rise of extremism in the Conservative Party. The book talks about fringe groups and goes back quite a ways in history to show that they have been with us for a long time. They don't seem likely to go away anytime soon. From the responses to President Kennedy's assassination to those who think that fluoride in water is done to promote socialism. There are examples from speeches from 1951, 1895, 1855 and 1798.

I started this book while the US election was still in full swing. It was enlightening to read as I viewed what I considered to be fringe groups on both sides. We have endured in spite of these groups, so I suppose there is comfort to be taken here.

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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The Slanted Life of Emily Dickinson: America's Favorite Recluse Just Got a Life!

author: Rosanna Bruno
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.10
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/11
date added: 2017/03/11
shelves:
review:
I'll admit that I had a few eye-rolling moments when I began reading Rosanna Bruno's 'The Slanted Life of Emily Dickinson: America's Favorite Recluse Just Got a Life!,' but by the end, it had won me over.

There isn't a lot known about the life of Emily Dickinson, so Rosanna Bruno invents one based on what we do know. She also imagines what this poet might be doing in our modern age, so there are OKCupid, Yelp and other social media pages. There is a review of her house as an airbnb. There is fictional early school work and correspondence. There are lots of references to birds and death.

But there are also phrases from the works of Emily Dickinson woven in as well. Initially, I thought this was going to be a snarky take on a misunderstood person from an older time, but by the end, I felt like it was done in tribute and with affection. Perhaps this will create new poetry fans.

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 Damned, Vol. 1: Three Days Dead

author: Cullen Bunn
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/11
date added: 2017/03/11
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Damned, Vol. 1: Three Days Dead' by Cullen Bunn with art by Brian Hurtt is kind of a weird alternate world where prohibition era gangsters are ruled by
demonic overlords.

One crime family is run by Big Al, a red and horned demon. In order to find a missing bookkeeper, he brings a guy named Eddie back from the dead. Eddie can't die, but that doesn't mean he can't be killed. Every time he is, he spends some time in a weird shadowy world where things make even less sense than in his world. He finds the bookkeeper, along with a missing ledger. Unfortunately, that discovery could lead to a gang war, and when you're dealing with demons, that may not be something you want to stick around for.

I'm familiar with this creative team from the series The Sixth Gun. I wasn't familiar with this earlier book, but I'm happy to have gotten the chance to read this reprint. The story feels fairly standard underneath all the weird demonic trappings, but I liked it. The art works really well for this story and I loved it.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press, 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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Dark Corridor Vol. 1

author: Rich Tommaso
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.67
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/11
date added: 2017/03/11
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Dark Corridor' by Rich Tommaso is about a town where nothing good ever seems to happen. This series of linked stories definitely falls into the definition of Dark.

A man named Peter lives in a town called Red Circle and is surprised one night by a bloody dog at his door. He follows the dog back to its owners and finds a crime scene. He finds some friends that can help rob the place, but he also runs across a woman who is a member of the Seven Deadly Daughters. Their stories weave throughout the book. There are snipers, bad cops, gangsters and more.

I really liked the art style. It's unique alternative style for this sort of story. I wished the stories had meshed a little better. It felt like some of the stories weren't quite complete. Still, I enjoyed my journey to Red Circle.

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 Smurfs: The Village Behind the Wall

author: Peyo
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.09
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/11
date added: 2017/03/11
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'The Smurfs: The Village Behind the Wall' by Peyo tells some new stories about a new group of Smurfs.

Most of the original Smurfs are male Smurfs. This book introduces a whole village of female Smurfs. After getting some bios of the new Smurfs (Smurfstorm, Smurfblossom, etc.), we get a series of short stories, including how Brainy Smurf finds this new village. These Smurfs camouflage themselves with leaves and seem to be threatened by the things in the forest around them. Giant (to Smurfs) carnivorous plants, etc.

The original creator of The Smurfs, Peyo, is no longer with us, but I appreciate that he is still honored here. Also included is an excerpt from the original story that introduced the Smurfs back in 1958. That was a fun thing to have here. I'm not the biggest Smurf fan on the planet, but I enjoyed reading these stories.

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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Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies

author: Greg Rucka
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2017/03/11
date added: 2017/03/11
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Wonder Woman, Volume 1: The Lies' by Greg Rucka with art by Liam Sharp collects the odd numbered books of the recent Wonder Woman Rebirth series. I liked the art a bit better than the story.

Wonder Woman is having a crisis of faith, which seems to tie in with her many origin stories. She and Steve Trevor are on the outs, and she's not able to get home to Themyscira. In order to do that, she seeks help from one of her enemies, Cheetah. Which is how she ends up in closer proximity to Steve and his team when they get in trouble. Steve's team is sent to a remote village where a bunch of girls have gone missing. This turns out to be something bigger and more evil than they can handle. Hopefully Wonder Woman can get their in time.

I read a couple of these individual issues when they came out and I liked them well enough. As a whole, it's an okay story, but I didn't feel all that strongly about it. The art carries this graphic novel over the top. It's pretty good.

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


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Open When: Letters to Lift Your Spirits

author: Karen Salmansohn
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.81
book published:
rating: 2
read at: 2017/03/11
date added: 2017/03/11
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Open When' by Karen Salmansohn is a book of 12 letters that you can pop open during various life moments.

Each letter contains a time to open, like when life gets messy or after you've been hurt. They all have as few as a sentence, and in some cases some short paragraphs. There is design and typeset for each one, but I didn't find myself overly impressed. Some of the advice seems good, but some feels a bit mean-spirited. The advice for when someone's been mean is that "sometimes the first step to forgiveness is understanding that the other person is an Idiot" (that last word in larger font and all caps). Perhaps that would spur a laugh, but it served another purpose for me.

The book is very short and feels mostly pretty light in the advice it gives. This is a book for the mildly hurt or grieved, not for the deep hurts we sometimes have. These are band-aids, not deep surgery. Maybe this is a gift book for that friend who is always having shallow problems.

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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Future Quest, Vol. 1

author: Jeff Parker
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.66
book published: 2017
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/09
date added: 2017/03/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Future Quest, Vol. 1' by Jeff Parker with art by Evan Shaner, Ron Randall and Craig Rousseau is a really great reimagining of lots of the Hanna-Barbera cartoons I watched as a kid. This book features the cast of Jonny Quest, Space Ghost, the Herculoids and some other surprises.

When a mysterious series of strange portals show up reflecting other events while Johnny, Hadji and Race are out investigating, it seems like a problem that will be a bit over their head. Fortunately, other heroes from other times and places show up. The main villains are from F.E.A.R. and Dr. Zin.

It feels like it's from the era of these cartoons, so that's why I think it works so well. I've seen other attempts to modernize classic characters that have fallen flat, but I really enjoyed this. The art is great and really reminiscent of the look of the HB cartoons.

The whole time I was reading it, I kept thinking that this is the kind of thing that Darwyn Cooke would have had fun with if he were still alive. It turns out, in an afterword by Jeff Parker, that Mr. Cooke had some influence on this project, and, for me, that's the bow on top of this fun present.

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


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Ludwig Bemelmans Favorite Stories: Hansi, Rosebud and The Castle No. 9

author: Ludwig Bemelmans
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.43
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/07
date added: 2017/03/07
shelves: children-s
review:
'Ludwig Bemelmans Favorite Stories: Hansi, Rosebud and The Castle No. 9' by Ludwig Bemelmans is a collection of stories from the creator of the classic Madeline books.

Hansi tells the story of a young boy who goes to visit family in the mountains for a winter holiday in the Alps. Their ways are different, but he has fun skiing and feeding deer in the forest.

Rosebud is based on an African folk tale and has a smart rabbit beating brawny animals.

The Castle No. Nine is about a man who gets a job working as a manservant for a quirky nobleman. The nobleman decides to rename things and this has consequences.

The three stories are all a bit different in nature, and the illustration style varies a bit too. I loved Hansi for it's sweet story, but I liked The Castle No. Nine for it's interesting characters.

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


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Shakespeare for Children: The Tragedy of Macbeth

author: Shakespeare Children
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.33
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/07
date added: 2017/03/07
shelves:
review:
'Shakespeare for Children: The Tragedy of Macbeth' by Shakespeare Children is a concise retelling of the play.

With illustrations this short 64 page book does a pretty good job of summarizing the story of Macbeth. All the characters and major events are here.

It's a pretty brutal story that's probably best for middle school aged readers. This would also be an excellent pre-read for someone before they saw the classic play. The overview is solid, but can't replace the beauty and drama of the original. I liked this retelling.

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


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Teen Titans: Rebirth #1 (Teen Titans (2016-))

author: Benjamin Percy
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.83
book published: 2016
rating: 3
read at: 2016/10/09
date added: 2017/03/07
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Teen Titans: Rebirth #1' by Benjamin Percy with art by Jonboy Meyers is a chance to get the team together again.

The story has individual stories of what some of the former members have been doing. Beast Boy is partying and spending his uncle's money. Starfire is looking into human trafficking. Raven is checking out an art museum after hours. Kid Flash is stopping a thief (if he doesn't get suspected of the crime first). They will all come together at the end of the issue, but how is for you to find out.

I liked the individual stories. They fit the characters pretty well. The art and the cover by Jonboy Meyers is especially good. How this plays out may be interesting.

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


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Wolverine: Old Man Logan

author: Mark Millar
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at: 2017/03/05
date added: 2017/03/05
shelves: favorites, graphic-novels
review:
'Wolverine: Old Man Logan' by Mark Millar with art by Steve McNiven is a graphic novel I had never read but I'd heard a lot about. Since I saw the movie 'Logan' over the weekend, and I'd heard they were connected, I figured it was time to finally read it.

The two properties share a similarity in tone, both being dark and brutal. Most of the superheroes and mutants are gone and Logan remains. Both are excellent stories. This is where the similarities basically end.

The story in Old Man Logan has a Wolverine that is basically a pacifist, and hasn't been known as Wolverine for over 50 years. He is married, and has children and just wants to be left alone. He also wants to make enough rent to pay his savage landlords, and that's where this story starts. He is visited by an old friend and offered a job helping to take a package across the country. When you hear this sort of setup, you know things are not going to go well. They don't.

The road trip is across a vastly changed America, and you do find out why Logan is so against letting the claws out (and he has a very good reason). I'm trying to entice you with this story without giving it away. It's a very good story.

This story would have been a distraction as a movie, and it would have lost it's impact. Additionally, this graphic novel includes characters that belong to different studios, so untangling that would have held the movie in limbo for years. 'Logan' is a very good, albeit violent, movie. Go see it. 'Old Man Logan' is an incredible graphic novel with quite a story to tell. Read it.


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Detective Gordon: A Case in Any Case

author: Ulf Nilsson
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2017/03/05
date added: 2017/03/05
shelves: children-s
review:
'Detective Gordon: A Case in Any Case' by Ulf Nilsson with illustrations by Gitte Spee is the third and final book in this series from Sweden. This is a charming and sweet series for young readers or storytime.

Detective Gordon has turned things over to Detective Buffy. The gun and baton are safely behind glass and the detective has her bed in the jail cell. As usual, things start out quiet, but don't stay quiet for long. Detective Buffy hears strange noises in the night, and two young kindergarten children have gone missing. Detective Buffy realizes she will need some help, but will Detective Gordon be available, and will he remember that he is not in charge anymore?

I have read two of these books and they remind me of the works of Arnold Lobel. The illustrations are cute, and the stories are sweet. I have enjoyed getting to meet these two determined detectives.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Gecko Press, Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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Summary and Analysis of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing: Based on the Book by Marie Kondo

author: Worth Books
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.50
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/05
date added: 2017/03/05
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'Summary and Analysis of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing: Based on the Book by Marie Kondo' by Worth Books has a title that's practically longer than this ebook.

The book by Marie Kondo was first published in English in 2014 and it has sparked an almost cult-like following. This book tells a history of the author and distills the book. There is also a bibliography of other works on decluttering.

The book is about a tenth of the size of the book that it summarizes. I haven't read the original work, but I do know the basic concepts and this book seems to do a good job of outlining. I could see this being useful as a refresher for someone who has read the original. I've felt this kind of thing could be useful for some of the self-improvement books I've read. I enjoyed reading this short work.

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 ebook.


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Sea Creatures: In Their Own Words #1

author: Christophe Cazenove
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.25
book published: 2013
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/05
date added: 2017/03/05
shelves: children-s, graphic-novels
review:
'Sea Creatures: Reef Madness #1' by Christophe Cazenove with art by Thierry Jytery and translation by Nanette McGuinness is a fun way to learn about the creatures that live in our oceans.

The book starts with a chart showing the different levels of species endangerment. This needs to be referred to during the book because I couldn't remember what "NE" meant (although near extinction is one of the easier ones). Each page is a comic story about a creature or series of creatures. There are stories about jellyfish and sharks and whales and all kinds of other fish and creatures. The focus is on learning, but the creatures make wisecracks and the art tends towards cartoonish as you would expect with talking fish.

Of course, the most dangerous creature in the ocean is man. There are also large parts of the ocean that are unexplored. Those are a couple of the more obvious lessons, but I didn't feel like the book was overly preachy or even felt like a textbook. Instead, it's a fun way to learn about the subject.

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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New Year, Same Trash: Resolutions I Absolutely Did Not Keep (A Vintage Short Original)

author: Samantha Irby
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.48
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2017/03/02
date added: 2017/03/02
shelves: non-fiction
review:
'New Year, Same Trash: Resolutions I Absolutely Did Not Keep' by comedian and blogger Samantha Irby is a short essay about how most of us actually deal with resolutions. It's pretty funny.

Samantha Irby for 2016 wrote down 70 short resolutions. The idea was simple goals that could be met. In this essay, she lists them, and how she fared. As the subtitle might suggest, she didn't do all that well with most of them.

The resolutions are grouped into categories like writing, or eating well. They include entries like: 21. Wear clean socks every day, and are followed by the results: "Noooooooope. Nope, nope, nopety nope. I did not manage to do this."

It's pretty funny, albeit a bit crude at times. It feels a bit like an extended blog post, but it is less than a dollar for the Kindle edition. I think it's worth at least a buck.

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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Department of Temporal Investigations: Time Lock

author: Christopher L. Bennett
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/02
date added: 2017/03/02
shelves:
review:
'Department of Temporal Investigations: Time Lock' by Christopher L. Bennett is a book set in the Star Trek universe. It concerns a couple characters that are charged with protecting history from inadvertent time travelers.

This is the 4th book in the series, and I haven't read the preceding ones, but I don't thing that's necessary. It's probably a bit more helpful to know the characters who show up in a few episodes of the later Trek series.

This time around, Lucsly and Andros aren't working together. Lucsly is guarding a time vault, when it is taken over by a group that wants to raid the vault for tools to time travel. Lucsly threatens the group with, then enables, a device that slows time incrementally, but only within the facility. As time goes by in the facility, it goes faster and faster outside. Lucsly's partner tries to help, but the standoff goes on. What are the raiders looking for and can this stalemate end before years go by?

There is a clever timeline that shows up in the book showing federation time and time within the lock. In an afterword, the author shows the math he used to calculate the times. It's a nice touch.

It seems a bit tenuous to base a series on a couple characters that show up in three or so episodes, but they are memorable enough to hold a story like this together. I had fun reading it.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Gallery, Threshold, PocketBooks, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


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The New Hunger (Warm Bodies, #1.5)

author: Isaac Marion
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2013
rating: 3
read at: 2017/03/01
date added: 2017/03/01
shelves:
review:
'The New Hunger' by Isaac Marion is a prequel to Warm Bodies. It's a bleak story that shows how the world ended.

In this book, Julie is 12 and is traveling in search of shelter with her mother and father. Their search has brought them to the Canadian border, but they find out that hope can die pretty easy in this world.

Nora is left with her little brother in a world where food is scarce but enemies are not. Her parents are nowhere to be found, so it's up to Nora to keep them safe.

There are a few surprises that you can probably guess, but I won't spoil them for you. I saw the Warm Bodies movie, but never read the book. The movie seemed pretty light, but this book is pretty dark. There are lots of zombie stories out there. Some are better than others. This one wasn't bad. It's probably better to read if you plan on reading Warm Bodies.

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


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Lady Mechanika Volume 2: Tablet of Destinies

author: Joe Benítez
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2016
rating: 4
read at: 2017/03/01
date added: 2017/03/01
shelves: graphic-novels
review:



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