Elric of Melniboné (The Elric Saga, #1)

author: Michael Moorcock
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1972
rating: 5
read at: 2023/01/10
date added: 2023/01/10
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Elric of Melnibone' by Michael Moorcock was the December selection for my online book club. I had read this book in high school many years ago (along with Tolkien, Howard, etc.) and loved it then, but would it hold up after so many years?

I think it does!

The prose was what I was most worried about and it still shines with an ancient worldliness. This is a brooding Elric (with albino skin and red eyes), but not all he will be. He makes his missteps here but still shows more mercy than he needs to.


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Gretchen (Zombillenium #1)

author: Arthur de Pins
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2010
rating: 4
read at: 2023/01/09
date added: 2023/01/09
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Zombillenium 1: Gretchen' with story and art by Arthur de Pins is a graphic novel about an amusement park run by monsters.

When some monsters on a road trip accidentally kill a pedestrian, they bring him back with a bite, but can't decide if he's a werewolf or a vampire. What he is is far worse, and he's also now got a job working in a theme park. If he fails, the consequences are dire.

It's a darkly comic story with painted artwork that is pretty great. I like the premise and the characters.


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Little Elephant: A Day in the Life of a Elephant Calf

author: Anna Brett
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.64
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2023/01/09
date added: 2023/01/09
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'Little Elephant: A Day in the Life of an Elephant Calf' by Anna Brett with illustrations by Carmen Saldana is a picture book story of elephants.

In this nonfiction book, the reader will meet Little Elephant who is part of a big family led by her Mother. Things like food, bathing and danger are among the many things the reader will learn. There is also an activity section at the back of the book.

The information seems perfectly presented for children. The illustrations are adorable.


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Rescuing Titanic: A true story of quiet bravery in the North Atlantic

author: Flora Delargy
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.41
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2023/01/05
date added: 2023/01/05
shelves: childrens, non-fiction
review:
'Rescuing Titanic: A true story of quiet bravery in the North Atlantic' with story and art by Fora Delargy is a nonfiction picture book about a ship that rescued passengers from the Titanic.

The Carpathia was an oceangoing liner travelling from New York. Along with things like Morse Code and roles on the ship, the reader will see where the different classes of passengers dined, and how navigation was done at the time. When the RMS Titanic hit an iceberg and started sinking, the quick response by the crew of the Carpathia saved 705 lives.

Along with lots of really interesting facts, there are lovely illustrations that (to me) were reminiscent of the work of Virginia Lee Burton. I really enjoyed the story and I loved the artwork.


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Ninja Baseball Blast (Fuzzy Baseball, #2)

author: John Steven Gurney
name: Wayne
average rating: 2.50
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2023/01/05
date added: 2023/01/05
shelves: childrens, graphic-novels
review:
'Fuzzy Baseball Vol. 2: Ninja Baseball Blast' with story and art by John Steven Gurney is a graphic novel in a series about baseball playing animals.

The Fernwood Valley Fuzzies have heard strange tales about how baseball is played in the Manga Baseball League, so when the Sashimi City Ninjas baseball team invites them to play a game, they get to see it firsthand. Will they Fuzzies be too wowed by fancy tricks or will they remember that baseball is baseball?

I like this fun series for younger readers and wasn't sure after the last book where it would go, but this was a good direction. The art is pretty good quality too.


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Magical History Tour #8: Vikings

author: Fabrice Erre
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2018
rating: 4
read at: 2023/01/04
date added: 2023/01/04
shelves: childrens, non-fiction, graphic-novels
review:
'Magical History Tour #8: Vikings' by Fabrice Erre with illustrations by Sylvain Savoia is a graphic novel for young readers telling the history of the Vikings.

Annie and Nico like to learn and this time around it's the seafaring, land conquering Vikings. The text separates out fact from fiction and shows that most European descendants have some Viking ancestry.

This is good for middle school readers and is informative and has great art.


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Shakespeare's Tales: A Midsummer Night's Dream

author: Samantha Newman
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.75
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2023/01/04
date added: 2023/01/04
shelves: classics, childrens
review:
'Shakespeare's Tales: A Midsummer Night's Dream' by Samantha Newman with illustrations by Ceej Rowland is an adaptation of the William Shakespeare play for younger readers.

The complications of love get more confused and comical when four young people head to the woods and have an encounter with the Theseus, Hippolyta, and impish Puck. A wayward love spell makes a mixup of everything until Theseus sets it all straight.

It's a great adaptation for younger readers. The illustrations work well and the chapters are divided by Acts in the play.


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