The Last Session Vol. 1: Roll for Initiative

author: Jasmine Walls
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.08
book published:
rating: 3
read at: 2022/07/29
date added: 2022/07/29
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'The Last Session Vol. 1: Roll for Initiative' by Jasmine Walls with illustrations by Dozerdraws is a graphic novel about a group of role-playing friends.

A group of friends starts a game of Dice and Deathtraps while they are in high school, but never complete the campaign. Now that their lives are moving apart, they decide to get together one more time to try to finish, but when one player brings a friend, there is tension.

This story made me want to hang around with the characters and play some games. They are interesting and the art is nice.


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Pandora's Star (Commonwealth Saga, #1)

author: Peter F. Hamilton
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.24
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 2022/07/29
date added: 2022/07/29
shelves: sword-and-laser
review:
'Pandora's Star' by Peter F. Hamilton was the March book for my book club and I am woefully behind on finally finishing it. Regardless of that, I did enjoy it.

This 768 page sprawling novel takes place in 2380 when humans have inhabited planets and learned to extend their lives, but are still humans in many flawed ways. A disappearing planet begins a voyage of discovery, but what is found may not be so beneficial to humans.

There is enough content here for a couple books. There are lots of characters to follow and as one friend stated it "a very long camping trip." I enjoyed the journey and I'm glad I finally got around to reading this book.


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Sleeping While Standing

author: Taki Soma
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.60
book published:
rating: 5
read at: 2022/07/27
date added: 2022/07/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Sleeping While Standing' by Taki Soma is a graphic novel memoir told in very short stories.

Each chapter has a one word title like Minnesota, Demon or Addict. The stories are frank and sometimes sad and unpleasant. They tell of assault, loss and neglect, but the thread of hope glimmers somewhat. The art is quite good. I really like Taki's line work and color choice.

Originally done as a creative project and shared with fellow artists, the author was eventually encouraged to create a book. We are the benefactors, not because this is a light fun biography, but because it can show us that we all struggle, even if some struggle more.


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Batter Royale

author: Leisl Adams
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.64
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2022/07/27
date added: 2022/07/27
shelves: graphic-novels
review:
'Batter Royale' by Leisl Adams is a graphic novel about a crazy baking competition.

Rose and her best friend Fred get invited to a cooking competition because of a dessert Rose makes at the diner Fred's mother owns. It is a good chance for Rose to earn the money to go to culinary school. For Fred, it's a chance to help save the family business. It won't be easy with the twists and turns the competition takes and the cutthroat competition.

I liked this fun, somewhat romantic story of two friends who might end up becoming more. The art works really well and has a really nice animated quality to it.


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Lucy: Speak Out! (PEANUTS AMP Series Book 12): A PEANUTS Collection

author: Charles M. Schulz
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.36
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/07/26
date added: 2022/07/26
shelves: graphic-novels, childrens
review:
'Lucy: Speak Out!' by Charles Schulz is a collection of classic comics focusing on Lucy Van Pelt, but other characters get featured as well.

Lucy has her purple beanbag chair to sulk in, and Peppermint Patty has Marcie to jump start her brain in class. Snoopy is perpetually Snoopy.

Featuring a set of comics written in the late 1970s to support Title IX, and with an accompanying essay at the end, this is not only a fun collection but has some nice history as well.

I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this title.


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Blast Off!: How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America Into Space

author: Suzanne Slade
name: Wayne
average rating: 4.26
book published: 2022
rating: 4
read at: 2022/07/25
date added: 2022/07/25
shelves: childrens
review:
'Blast Off: How Mary Sherman Morgan Fueled America into Space' by Suzanne Slade with illustrations by Sally W. Comport is a picture book about a rocket scientist in the early days of the space program.

Mary Sherman grew up in North Dakota in the 1920s and found a passion in school in science and chemistry. That led her to a field where she had to prove her intelligence.

I found this biography fascinating and I loved the illustrations. I think this would be a good read for a young dreamer.

I received a review copy from Astra Publishing House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


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The Path

author: Bob Staake
name: Wayne
average rating: 3.68
book published:
rating: 4
read at: 2022/07/25
date added: 2022/07/25
shelves:
review:
'The Path' with story and art by Bob Staake is a picture book with encouraging advice on life's journey.

Life's journey has it's ups and downs, and while it may seem similar to others, it it all ours to discover. That is told here by New Yorker cover artist is lush illustrations and prose. As a bonus, the book jacket includes a poster of The Path.

I received a review copy from Astra Publishing House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.


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