Hello friends,
I bring this post tonight to you from the sweatlodge that is my domicile. Look I know it's summer and I live in a desert, but man some of us don't have air conditioning. Please weather gods lighten up a bit. Also at the moment I'm doing some California Dreamin' as Comic-Con begins. Someday I'll convince the library I work for to front the money so I can go. Of course it'll be for "research". Yeah researching kick ass comics baby! Well every girl has her little dream.
Well Onward we go!
Reviews
BPRD: Plague of Frogs, BPRD: The Dead
If you want to know how I feel about this series, well check out last week's review here. In it's further volumes the story begins to open up as we meet new characters. We also learn more about Abe Sapien and Roger in a very unique style. This series doesn't settle for simple exposition, they do a great job of using sequential art to get us info. The personal dynamics between different characters are wonderful. It actually reminds me of the wonderful humor for League of Extraordinary Gentleman. I love it how these characters react to each other and to the crazy events around them. Great series.
The Reading List
Books
Citizen Vince
BPRD: The Black Flame
Magazines
Four Four Two
Comics
Blackest Night #1
Check Out Count: Improving.
Comic Pull List: Amazing Spider-Man #600, Dark Wolverine #76, Gotham City Sirens #2, Green Lantern #44, Outsiders #20, Runaways 3 #12, Wednesday Comics #3
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-07-21
2009-07-14
A Serious Obsession
Hello Literary cyber-world,
How are you all? Good I hope. I've been having a great summer lately. Have you ever all of a sudden become obsessed by a certain series? This weekend I did. All of a sudden I had to read every volume I could get. I usually have more self control, but every once and awhile...Well I'm sure you can see below what I'm talking about. Luckily I have a public library at my disposal. Otherwise I'd be poor.
I also feel compelled to put out a real full hearted cheer to the literary internet community. I love to read books, talk books, and push books onto others. I always worried that reading blogs would be just too voyeuristic and banal for me to deal with. It turns out to be completely opposite. There are book blogs out there that are interesting and generate stimulating talk. Want examples? Check out these posts and realize that these blogs are so much better than mine.
*Question of the Week: Which Books Would You De-Canonize?
*Olive Kitteridge
*Dickens for dyslexics
* Don Draper = America
Also to be completely random: I just re-watched my favorite original Star Trek episode "City on the Edge of Forever." I don't know why but I had forgotten that this ep was written by Harlan Ellison. It is so effing good! Also watching it in comparison to other Star Trek eps it was so well-plotted with a distinct character arc for Kirk. Makes me think that maybe I should give Ellison a try.
Well enough prattling on. Onward!
Reviews
Escapist Vol. 1
I picked this up due to it's high acclaim. I've always wanted to get into the literary work of Michael Chabon. Of course The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay sits on my shelf. So I picked up the Escapist and while I somewhat enjoyed it I think that it only works as a supplement to Kavalier and Clay. Having not read that book I was lost on the majority of the material. I did enjoy the experimentation with multiple comic styles such as Golden Age, manga, and Modern Age. My fave stories involved the character of The Escapist himself. The last story involving the Escapist and his possible female soulmate blew me away. I think I'll revisit this again after reading Kavalier & Clay. Unfortunately this book doesn't stand on it's own.
BPRD: Soul of Venice, BPRD: Hollow Men, BPRD: 1946
As stated above I became obsessed this weekend with the series BPRD. I just needed to consume every volume. BPRD stands for the Bureau of Paranormal Research Department and is a spinoff from Mignola's Hellboy. Funded by the government, this group of homegrown agents are sent to investigate when crazy shit goes down. Each volume contains a self contained 5 issue story arc so you don't have to worry about reading it in order or facing continuity issues. This is the ideal format for this series. Writer/Artist Mike Mignola has created a dark/gothic/steampunkish world that is so immersive. Reading it I can feel the same thrill that I had watching X-Files or Lost. Anything is possible. Vampire soldiers created by Nazis, Demon living underneath Venice that can take your soul, A Bad Ass named Lobster Johnson. Yes, yes, yes. I also enjoyed the character dynamics between the different characters. There's a level of comfort between these characters because they have worked together so long. Thrown into the mix is "the new guy" who of course gets teased by the veterans. It's fun see the origins of this team in the prequel book 1946 which takes us back to the beginning. It would be so easy to just make the Nazis the villian, but in the world of Mike Mignola we get cyborg gorillas & mechanical spiders with human heads. It's wonderful fun original work. I can't stop reading it.
The Reading List
Books
BPRD: Plague of Frogs
BPRD: The Dead
(see a pattern? I need serious help. I can't stop!)
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Action Comics Annual
Comic Pull List:Action Comics #879, Blackest Night #1, Captain America #601, Deadpool #12, Fables #86, Incognito #5, Rasl #5, Wednesday Comics #2
Check Out Count: Geez.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
How are you all? Good I hope. I've been having a great summer lately. Have you ever all of a sudden become obsessed by a certain series? This weekend I did. All of a sudden I had to read every volume I could get. I usually have more self control, but every once and awhile...Well I'm sure you can see below what I'm talking about. Luckily I have a public library at my disposal. Otherwise I'd be poor.
I also feel compelled to put out a real full hearted cheer to the literary internet community. I love to read books, talk books, and push books onto others. I always worried that reading blogs would be just too voyeuristic and banal for me to deal with. It turns out to be completely opposite. There are book blogs out there that are interesting and generate stimulating talk. Want examples? Check out these posts and realize that these blogs are so much better than mine.
*Question of the Week: Which Books Would You De-Canonize?
*Olive Kitteridge
*Dickens for dyslexics
* Don Draper = America
Also to be completely random: I just re-watched my favorite original Star Trek episode "City on the Edge of Forever." I don't know why but I had forgotten that this ep was written by Harlan Ellison. It is so effing good! Also watching it in comparison to other Star Trek eps it was so well-plotted with a distinct character arc for Kirk. Makes me think that maybe I should give Ellison a try.
Well enough prattling on. Onward!
Reviews
Escapist Vol. 1
I picked this up due to it's high acclaim. I've always wanted to get into the literary work of Michael Chabon. Of course The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay sits on my shelf. So I picked up the Escapist and while I somewhat enjoyed it I think that it only works as a supplement to Kavalier and Clay. Having not read that book I was lost on the majority of the material. I did enjoy the experimentation with multiple comic styles such as Golden Age, manga, and Modern Age. My fave stories involved the character of The Escapist himself. The last story involving the Escapist and his possible female soulmate blew me away. I think I'll revisit this again after reading Kavalier & Clay. Unfortunately this book doesn't stand on it's own.
BPRD: Soul of Venice, BPRD: Hollow Men, BPRD: 1946
As stated above I became obsessed this weekend with the series BPRD. I just needed to consume every volume. BPRD stands for the Bureau of Paranormal Research Department and is a spinoff from Mignola's Hellboy. Funded by the government, this group of homegrown agents are sent to investigate when crazy shit goes down. Each volume contains a self contained 5 issue story arc so you don't have to worry about reading it in order or facing continuity issues. This is the ideal format for this series. Writer/Artist Mike Mignola has created a dark/gothic/steampunkish world that is so immersive. Reading it I can feel the same thrill that I had watching X-Files or Lost. Anything is possible. Vampire soldiers created by Nazis, Demon living underneath Venice that can take your soul, A Bad Ass named Lobster Johnson. Yes, yes, yes. I also enjoyed the character dynamics between the different characters. There's a level of comfort between these characters because they have worked together so long. Thrown into the mix is "the new guy" who of course gets teased by the veterans. It's fun see the origins of this team in the prequel book 1946 which takes us back to the beginning. It would be so easy to just make the Nazis the villian, but in the world of Mike Mignola we get cyborg gorillas & mechanical spiders with human heads. It's wonderful fun original work. I can't stop reading it.
The Reading List
Books
BPRD: Plague of Frogs
BPRD: The Dead
(see a pattern? I need serious help. I can't stop!)
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Action Comics Annual
Comic Pull List:Action Comics #879, Blackest Night #1, Captain America #601, Deadpool #12, Fables #86, Incognito #5, Rasl #5, Wednesday Comics #2
Check Out Count: Geez.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-07-09
Take it Easy
Hello,
I hope you all had an excellent holiday weekend here in the states. I did. Good times, bbq, and family, were all available to be had. In the whereabouts that I reside it has become a sweat lodge and I've received my first major sunburn. Must remember to find the shady tree to read under.
So after last week's review-extravaganza today we are taking it easy. Recently I was captured by Newsweek's What To Read Now issue. I like to think of myself as a well-read individual but I was woefully humbled. I'll definitely be taking a look at some of these titles in the upcoming months. There's also some other cool essays and articles. I particularly enjoy the essays by Jon Meacham and David Gates where they extol the virtues of re-reading.
I wish I could re-read more often. It's great to be able to look at text from a new point of view based on life experience. I had this happen when I re-read My Antonia a while ago. As a highschooler I was caught up in the will-they or won't they romance between the lead characters. However 10 years later when I opened it again I was struck by how this story is more about the strong immigrant women who built their lives from nothing. I wonder what I will see in the text a few years from now, most likely something new. Gotta love a rich text. So it's definitely worth checking out the July 13 issue of Newsweek. Good job again editor Jon Meacham.
Well onward!
Review
Batman Private Casebook
This was a collection of issues from the latest run of Paul Dini's work on Batman Detective. This was a re-read for me because I had read the issues as they came out. I came back to it because lately I've been obsessed with Batman's female characters such as Cat Woman, Zatanna, and the Birds of Prey. These issues are so good, Dini is the best at writing stories that contrasts the differences between Bruce Wayne as a human vs. Bruce Wayne as Batman. In his interactions with Cat Woman and Zatanna as a reader Dini explores the loneliness of being Batman. Other than Alfred and Tim, Bruce is unable to lead a normal life due to his commitment to protect Gotham. Even when he's out "being Bruce Wayne" at a society party he is kidnapped. It is like the evil of Gotham is drawn to him no matter what. Dini gets that. Also want to throw some props out to artist Dustin Nguyen who is an incredible artist. I love his work on the Batman series.
The Reading List
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Escapist
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comics
Wednesday Comics #1
Comic Pull List: Batman #688, Bprd 1947 #1, Green Arrow Black Canary #22, Green Lantern #43, Red Robin #2, Stand American Nightmares #4, Superman World Of New Krypton #5, Wednesday Comics #1
Check out count: Eh?
Have a great week! Bookslave.
I hope you all had an excellent holiday weekend here in the states. I did. Good times, bbq, and family, were all available to be had. In the whereabouts that I reside it has become a sweat lodge and I've received my first major sunburn. Must remember to find the shady tree to read under.
So after last week's review-extravaganza today we are taking it easy. Recently I was captured by Newsweek's What To Read Now issue. I like to think of myself as a well-read individual but I was woefully humbled. I'll definitely be taking a look at some of these titles in the upcoming months. There's also some other cool essays and articles. I particularly enjoy the essays by Jon Meacham and David Gates where they extol the virtues of re-reading.
I wish I could re-read more often. It's great to be able to look at text from a new point of view based on life experience. I had this happen when I re-read My Antonia a while ago. As a highschooler I was caught up in the will-they or won't they romance between the lead characters. However 10 years later when I opened it again I was struck by how this story is more about the strong immigrant women who built their lives from nothing. I wonder what I will see in the text a few years from now, most likely something new. Gotta love a rich text. So it's definitely worth checking out the July 13 issue of Newsweek. Good job again editor Jon Meacham.
Well onward!
Review
Batman Private Casebook
This was a collection of issues from the latest run of Paul Dini's work on Batman Detective. This was a re-read for me because I had read the issues as they came out. I came back to it because lately I've been obsessed with Batman's female characters such as Cat Woman, Zatanna, and the Birds of Prey. These issues are so good, Dini is the best at writing stories that contrasts the differences between Bruce Wayne as a human vs. Bruce Wayne as Batman. In his interactions with Cat Woman and Zatanna as a reader Dini explores the loneliness of being Batman. Other than Alfred and Tim, Bruce is unable to lead a normal life due to his commitment to protect Gotham. Even when he's out "being Bruce Wayne" at a society party he is kidnapped. It is like the evil of Gotham is drawn to him no matter what. Dini gets that. Also want to throw some props out to artist Dustin Nguyen who is an incredible artist. I love his work on the Batman series.
The Reading List
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Escapist
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comics
Wednesday Comics #1
Comic Pull List: Batman #688, Bprd 1947 #1, Green Arrow Black Canary #22, Green Lantern #43, Red Robin #2, Stand American Nightmares #4, Superman World Of New Krypton #5, Wednesday Comics #1
Check out count: Eh?
Have a great week! Bookslave.
2009-06-30
This Book Slave is on fire!
Hello Readers,
I don't know what's in the air but this month I have been putting the books away. Unfortunately although I've been reading like crazy it barely makes a dent in the TBR pile. But then again I never want to see the day when I have nothing to read. How sad will that be. May it never come to pass!
Be prepared for a long entry tonight gentle readers.
Tonight I had book club and it was a good time. This month's book was the direct opposite of last month's Northline. Being a part of this club continues to stretch my reading experience. I don't know where Zach, moderator extraordinaire, finds these crazy titles. Now I don't like all the books, still hate Dangerous Laughter, but they are at least off the beaten path. Now I'm not judgey but I really don't understand why reader's are afraid of books that are experimental. Why only read one type of book? Why put limits on yourself? I'm glad I take the time once a month to try something that I would never pick up on my own. If you are looking for something different I'd recommend coming down to The Hard Boiled Book Club, details found here. I'll be there.
Alright folks onward!
Reviews
Birds of Prey: Old Friends, New Enemies
I have become fascinated by the character of Barbara Gordon. For those who don't know Barbara Gordon used to be Batgirl. During the day she was a mild-mannered librarian, at night she fought alongside Batman & Robin. Then in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke she is shot by the Joker. She doesn't die but the bullet severs her spine and she's paralyzed. After dealing with severe depression, she trains herself to become a computer hacker and adopts the moniker Oracle. As Oracle she recruits fellow female superhero Black Canary and forms a new team titled "Birds of Prey." Now Oracle continues to be the only handicapped superhero in the DC universe. In this volume we have a mixed bag of issues. I really loved the issues which focused on the relationship between Black Canary & Oracle. Canary is the muscle, while Oracle is working cyber angle. Dixon writes some great banter between the two of them. Black Canary kicks ass as well. There are some great splash pages that are very cool. Unfortunately some of the issues suffer from crossover-itus. I can appreciate that Dixon was also writing GI Joe but frankly I don't care about The Ravens. And where did the dinosaurs come from? Just bizarre and out of place. I want more of the "Birds of Prey" in my book. So a mixed reaction but fun enough that I'll keep reading.
Comic Info: Barbara Gordon, Birds of Prey
Huntress: Year One
It's fun to read books from the "Year One" line if you want to approach a character fresh. I was not familiar with Huntress beyond her involvement with Birds of Prey. So I decided to give this a try even though I don't know anything about the writer or artist. Like Long Halloween, this is a mafia story that takes place in the Batman Universe. In this series Helena Bertinelli returns to Gotham to avenge the death of her family, get back her money, and take down the mafia. She's intent on kicking ass & taking names. I'll admit that the first few issues were pretty snoozy. A lot of exposition and talk. I never bought the star-crossed lovers story between her and Tony Angelo. However in the last 3 issues once the action moves to Gotham this series becomes great. Writer Ivory Madison brings in great characterizations of Barbara Gordon (whom she would later join with to create the Birds of Prey) and Catwoman. Catwoman is so much fun, very much like in Selina's Big Score. In the end this turns out to be surprising violent but very empowering. Ended up enjoying it so I'll be checking out any new work from writer Ivory Madison.
Other Reviews
Extremely Graphic | The Weekly Crisis | Graphic Novel Reporter
Clumsy
This book was simple, raw, and heartbreaking. Writer Jeffrey Brown depicts his romance with a woman named Theresa with honest emotion. The childlike art style reflects the relationship depicted as it blooms and then falls apart. Brown leaves his heart on the page and is literally naked to the reader. I was surprised by the amount of sex in this book, definitely not for kids, but then again to a man in his early 20s of course that's what he would remember. This book is a must-read. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
Metapsychology | Cinegeek
Thoreau at Walden
This is a great Cliff Notes version of H.D. Thoreau's Walden. Having read Walden I desperately wish that I had this book at my disposal. Writer/Artist John Porcellino uses a simple art style which matches Thoreau's message of simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Highly enjoyable. Great for high school students.
Other Reviews
School Library Journal | madinkbeard | Watermark Books & Cafe
You Must Be This Happy to Enter
After reading this book I feel as if I can hear the voice of Elizabeth Crane. Now I've never heard her voice in an interview, but her writing in this collection is all about tone. Her extensive use of one voice narration will make or break the reader. I really enjoyed how crazy her satire is in stories such as "Betty the Zombie" and "Emmanuel." Crane pushes the reader into the most absurd hilarious commentary. For me most of the time it worked. I don't think that Crane could maintain this kind of writing for any longer than 10 pages. These stories are exactly the right length. I was also surprised by the immense optimism that is present throughout these stories. It was completely unexpected and welcomed. What is wrong with being happy? Crane is not afraid to defend that position while pointing out that the world isn't perfect. Definitely worth reading for someone looking for a challenge.
Other Reviews
Bookslut | January magazine | Quarterly Conversation
The Reading List
Books
Amazing Adventures of the Escapist Vol. 1
Batman Private Casebook
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Streets of Gotham #1
Comic Pull List:Batman And Robin #2, Buffy The Vampire Slayer #26, Justice League Cry For Justice #1, Secret Six #11, Terry Moores Echo #13
Check Out Count: Stuck in a rut.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
I don't know what's in the air but this month I have been putting the books away. Unfortunately although I've been reading like crazy it barely makes a dent in the TBR pile. But then again I never want to see the day when I have nothing to read. How sad will that be. May it never come to pass!
Be prepared for a long entry tonight gentle readers.
Tonight I had book club and it was a good time. This month's book was the direct opposite of last month's Northline. Being a part of this club continues to stretch my reading experience. I don't know where Zach, moderator extraordinaire, finds these crazy titles. Now I don't like all the books, still hate Dangerous Laughter, but they are at least off the beaten path. Now I'm not judgey but I really don't understand why reader's are afraid of books that are experimental. Why only read one type of book? Why put limits on yourself? I'm glad I take the time once a month to try something that I would never pick up on my own. If you are looking for something different I'd recommend coming down to The Hard Boiled Book Club, details found here. I'll be there.
Alright folks onward!
Reviews
Birds of Prey: Old Friends, New Enemies
I have become fascinated by the character of Barbara Gordon. For those who don't know Barbara Gordon used to be Batgirl. During the day she was a mild-mannered librarian, at night she fought alongside Batman & Robin. Then in Alan Moore's The Killing Joke she is shot by the Joker. She doesn't die but the bullet severs her spine and she's paralyzed. After dealing with severe depression, she trains herself to become a computer hacker and adopts the moniker Oracle. As Oracle she recruits fellow female superhero Black Canary and forms a new team titled "Birds of Prey." Now Oracle continues to be the only handicapped superhero in the DC universe. In this volume we have a mixed bag of issues. I really loved the issues which focused on the relationship between Black Canary & Oracle. Canary is the muscle, while Oracle is working cyber angle. Dixon writes some great banter between the two of them. Black Canary kicks ass as well. There are some great splash pages that are very cool. Unfortunately some of the issues suffer from crossover-itus. I can appreciate that Dixon was also writing GI Joe but frankly I don't care about The Ravens. And where did the dinosaurs come from? Just bizarre and out of place. I want more of the "Birds of Prey" in my book. So a mixed reaction but fun enough that I'll keep reading.
Comic Info: Barbara Gordon, Birds of Prey
Huntress: Year One
It's fun to read books from the "Year One" line if you want to approach a character fresh. I was not familiar with Huntress beyond her involvement with Birds of Prey. So I decided to give this a try even though I don't know anything about the writer or artist. Like Long Halloween, this is a mafia story that takes place in the Batman Universe. In this series Helena Bertinelli returns to Gotham to avenge the death of her family, get back her money, and take down the mafia. She's intent on kicking ass & taking names. I'll admit that the first few issues were pretty snoozy. A lot of exposition and talk. I never bought the star-crossed lovers story between her and Tony Angelo. However in the last 3 issues once the action moves to Gotham this series becomes great. Writer Ivory Madison brings in great characterizations of Barbara Gordon (whom she would later join with to create the Birds of Prey) and Catwoman. Catwoman is so much fun, very much like in Selina's Big Score. In the end this turns out to be surprising violent but very empowering. Ended up enjoying it so I'll be checking out any new work from writer Ivory Madison.
Other Reviews
Extremely Graphic | The Weekly Crisis | Graphic Novel Reporter
Clumsy
This book was simple, raw, and heartbreaking. Writer Jeffrey Brown depicts his romance with a woman named Theresa with honest emotion. The childlike art style reflects the relationship depicted as it blooms and then falls apart. Brown leaves his heart on the page and is literally naked to the reader. I was surprised by the amount of sex in this book, definitely not for kids, but then again to a man in his early 20s of course that's what he would remember. This book is a must-read. Highly enjoyable.
Other Reviews
Metapsychology | Cinegeek
Thoreau at Walden
This is a great Cliff Notes version of H.D. Thoreau's Walden. Having read Walden I desperately wish that I had this book at my disposal. Writer/Artist John Porcellino uses a simple art style which matches Thoreau's message of simplicity, simplicity, simplicity. Highly enjoyable. Great for high school students.
Other Reviews
School Library Journal | madinkbeard | Watermark Books & Cafe
You Must Be This Happy to Enter
After reading this book I feel as if I can hear the voice of Elizabeth Crane. Now I've never heard her voice in an interview, but her writing in this collection is all about tone. Her extensive use of one voice narration will make or break the reader. I really enjoyed how crazy her satire is in stories such as "Betty the Zombie" and "Emmanuel." Crane pushes the reader into the most absurd hilarious commentary. For me most of the time it worked. I don't think that Crane could maintain this kind of writing for any longer than 10 pages. These stories are exactly the right length. I was also surprised by the immense optimism that is present throughout these stories. It was completely unexpected and welcomed. What is wrong with being happy? Crane is not afraid to defend that position while pointing out that the world isn't perfect. Definitely worth reading for someone looking for a challenge.
Other Reviews
Bookslut | January magazine | Quarterly Conversation
The Reading List
Books
Amazing Adventures of the Escapist Vol. 1
Batman Private Casebook
Magazines
Vanity Fair
Comics
Streets of Gotham #1
Comic Pull List:Batman And Robin #2, Buffy The Vampire Slayer #26, Justice League Cry For Justice #1, Secret Six #11, Terry Moores Echo #13
Check Out Count: Stuck in a rut.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-06-24
All Bendis, All the time.
Hello,
How are you all? I'm doing well. I am a year older having celebrated my b-day this week. It was a fun time. It's not bad being my age, if I can happy with who I am. My younger bro said something similiar to that & I could've kissed him. Also thanks mom for accepting & enjoying who I am. Even if sometimes it drives you crazy. We saw Up in 3D and man was it great.
I began this blog as a means to motivate myself to deal with my massive tbr pile. Now I'm working through it, but really it's like Sisyphus pushing the rock up the mountain. Thankfully I've been able recently to kick up the pace this month. I hope you guys enjoy graphic novels because there's going to be a few coming your way.
Reviews
Total Sell Out
Who is Brian Michael Bendis? Presently I consider him the crowned prince of Marvel. In the last few years he has earned the keys to the superhero kingdom with his work on series such as Ultimate Spiderman, New Avengers, and Daredevil. In Total Sell Out he shares with us a collection of his early work as a writer/cartoonist. I have to agree with him that some of this work is too cartoonish. He's also not all that great as an artist and I can see why he gave up drawing. On the other hand Bendis excels at being a smartass. He's damn funny. I enjoyed his characterizations of nerd culture, particularly a funny story about James Doohan, the original Scotty from Star Trek. Here we also see his trademark dialogue style. Bendis loves "talking head" moments with naturalistic/colloquial speech. He's great at it. As an early look at his style it was highly enjoyable.
Biographical Author Info: Brian Michael Bendis
Alias Vol. 1
Jessica Jones is a burn out, alcoholic, cynical superhero. She has hung up the spandex and become a detective. She'll help find out if your husband/wife/girlfriend is cheating, or if your sister's gone missing. Jones gave up on the believing in the good of humanity a long time ago. Alias is a strong mix of crime noir that exists in the same world as Captain America. Jessica Jones is a wonderfully flawed original creation from the mind of Brian Michael Bendis. Bendis expertly retcons Jessica Jones into the Marvel comic world by bringing in smaller B characters. Jessica's superhero powers are limited. She has super strength and can maybe "hover" but that's it. Jessica is more like us and would rather be normal. But try as she might she can't be. This first 9 issues was a great introduction to a new character that seems like she's been there all along. Bendis's classic dialogue-style is prevalent here. This is a comic that's much more about what a character says/doesn't say than kick ass fights. Much like an indie comic where Matt Murdock will show up as your attorney, I loved the mixing of sensibilities. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of this series.
Other Reviews
Avid Book Reader | Blogging Bendis
The Reading List
Books
Birds of Prey Vol. 2
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Magazines
Paste
Comics
Captain America #600
Comic Pull List: Daredevil #119, Detective Comics #854, Dynamo 5 #22, Gotham City Sirens #1, Green Lantern #42, New Avengers #54, Northlanders #18, Runaways 3 #11, Superman #689, Wonder Woman #33
Check Out Count: Multi-media-esque
Have a great week! Book Slave.
How are you all? I'm doing well. I am a year older having celebrated my b-day this week. It was a fun time. It's not bad being my age, if I can happy with who I am. My younger bro said something similiar to that & I could've kissed him. Also thanks mom for accepting & enjoying who I am. Even if sometimes it drives you crazy. We saw Up in 3D and man was it great.
I began this blog as a means to motivate myself to deal with my massive tbr pile. Now I'm working through it, but really it's like Sisyphus pushing the rock up the mountain. Thankfully I've been able recently to kick up the pace this month. I hope you guys enjoy graphic novels because there's going to be a few coming your way.
Reviews
Total Sell Out
Who is Brian Michael Bendis? Presently I consider him the crowned prince of Marvel. In the last few years he has earned the keys to the superhero kingdom with his work on series such as Ultimate Spiderman, New Avengers, and Daredevil. In Total Sell Out he shares with us a collection of his early work as a writer/cartoonist. I have to agree with him that some of this work is too cartoonish. He's also not all that great as an artist and I can see why he gave up drawing. On the other hand Bendis excels at being a smartass. He's damn funny. I enjoyed his characterizations of nerd culture, particularly a funny story about James Doohan, the original Scotty from Star Trek. Here we also see his trademark dialogue style. Bendis loves "talking head" moments with naturalistic/colloquial speech. He's great at it. As an early look at his style it was highly enjoyable.
Biographical Author Info: Brian Michael Bendis
Alias Vol. 1
Jessica Jones is a burn out, alcoholic, cynical superhero. She has hung up the spandex and become a detective. She'll help find out if your husband/wife/girlfriend is cheating, or if your sister's gone missing. Jones gave up on the believing in the good of humanity a long time ago. Alias is a strong mix of crime noir that exists in the same world as Captain America. Jessica Jones is a wonderfully flawed original creation from the mind of Brian Michael Bendis. Bendis expertly retcons Jessica Jones into the Marvel comic world by bringing in smaller B characters. Jessica's superhero powers are limited. She has super strength and can maybe "hover" but that's it. Jessica is more like us and would rather be normal. But try as she might she can't be. This first 9 issues was a great introduction to a new character that seems like she's been there all along. Bendis's classic dialogue-style is prevalent here. This is a comic that's much more about what a character says/doesn't say than kick ass fights. Much like an indie comic where Matt Murdock will show up as your attorney, I loved the mixing of sensibilities. I'll definitely be checking out the rest of this series.
Other Reviews
Avid Book Reader | Blogging Bendis
The Reading List
Books
Birds of Prey Vol. 2
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Magazines
Paste
Comics
Captain America #600
Comic Pull List: Daredevil #119, Detective Comics #854, Dynamo 5 #22, Gotham City Sirens #1, Green Lantern #42, New Avengers #54, Northlanders #18, Runaways 3 #11, Superman #689, Wonder Woman #33
Check Out Count: Multi-media-esque
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-06-17
Killers! Star Trek! Batman! Invincible!
Hello,
Howse it going? I've been working hard, picking us extra cash & learning new things. Also have been having a killer reading week. Oh my gosh, so much fun. This week I'm bringing back a fun feature: Book Reviews in 12 words or less! Here we go!
Reviews
Star Trek: Countdown
Nero Backstory. Nice Next Generation Cameos. Poor Art.
Other Reviews
Bureau 42 | Pop Matters | Star Fleet
Torso
Serial Killer! Amazing black & White art. Crazy Bendis dialogue.
Other Reviews
Pop Matters
Biographical Info: Torso Killer, Eliot Ness
Batman: Long Halloween
Mafia murder mystery with Batman. Great story. Cool Art.
Other Reviews
IGN | Groucho Reviews | Coke and Comics
Invincible Ultimate Collection Vol. 3
More Superhero goodness. Some space adventure. Invincible grows up. Snappy Action Art.
Previous Volume Reviews: Invincible Vol. 1, Invincible Vol. 2
The Reading List
Books
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Total Sell Out
Comic
Northlanders #17
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic Pull List:Batman Streets Of Gotham #1, Captain America #600, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #14, Green Arrow Black Canary #21, Incognito #4, Outsiders #19
Check Out Count: Two steps forward, 3 steps back.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Howse it going? I've been working hard, picking us extra cash & learning new things. Also have been having a killer reading week. Oh my gosh, so much fun. This week I'm bringing back a fun feature: Book Reviews in 12 words or less! Here we go!
Reviews
Star Trek: Countdown
Nero Backstory. Nice Next Generation Cameos. Poor Art.
Other Reviews
Bureau 42 | Pop Matters | Star Fleet
Torso
Serial Killer! Amazing black & White art. Crazy Bendis dialogue.
Other Reviews
Pop Matters
Biographical Info: Torso Killer, Eliot Ness
Batman: Long Halloween
Mafia murder mystery with Batman. Great story. Cool Art.
Other Reviews
IGN | Groucho Reviews | Coke and Comics
Invincible Ultimate Collection Vol. 3
More Superhero goodness. Some space adventure. Invincible grows up. Snappy Action Art.
Previous Volume Reviews: Invincible Vol. 1, Invincible Vol. 2
The Reading List
Books
Pride and Prejudice and the Zombies
Total Sell Out
Comic
Northlanders #17
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic Pull List:Batman Streets Of Gotham #1, Captain America #600, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #14, Green Arrow Black Canary #21, Incognito #4, Outsiders #19
Check Out Count: Two steps forward, 3 steps back.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-06-09
Serial Killer Theater
Hello to all the world,
Well I hope you are all having an excellent week. I myself have suffered some financial blows, as of late but really aren’t we all? At least I’ll always have books. The written word will keep me in these troubled times. That is some solace I suppose. Did any of you watch the Tony Awards this weekend? I thought it was an amazing show. As someone who lives far away from Broadway I always watch the Tony’s to see what plays/musicals will be making the regional rounds. I’ll often pick up a CD, or published play if I see a great clip on the Tony show. This year I am definitely going to pick up Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage and The Norman Conquests. As a past theater geek I also loved the performance from Hair which was amusingly exuberant. I was also captivated by the new musical Next to Normal which I will pick up as soon as I can.
Well enough about me (hah!) let’s move onwards!
Review
The Roberts
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the original series The Roberts from the moment I heard about it. Originally released as a two issue series I decided to wait for the trade. Okay confession time: I have a strange fascination with serial killers. Where I reside the story of Ted Bundy is a common cautionary tale for young women such as myself. I find it interesting to read interviews, biographies, and analysis that tries to determine what makes these killers tick. Sure we’ve managed to pull together psychological profiles but there still manages to be permutations that befuddle us.
In The Roberts writer Wayne Chinsang has spun an interesting scenario: The narrator is a senior citizen who is actually The Boston Strangler (you see they got the wrong guy). He has been retired and living in a nursing home for 4 years. While still dreaming of his former victims he remains a bit of a loner among the other seniors. However he becomes drawn to a new resident the very friendly Robert. It is revealed that Robert is actually the infamous Zodiac killer.
Once everything is set up The Roberts becomes a fascinating character piece. These men ruminate on the nature of their existence and their separateness. The art style is not overtly flashy, but it suits the “talking heads” nature of the story. Writer Chinsang does a great job of making these men creepy but also believable. These guys are way past their prime and clearly miss the thrill of killing. Now the only power they have is their anonymity, which is now threatened. Again this story was fascinating and I highly recommend it.
Other Reviews
And now the screaming starts | Battlemouth
The Reading List
Books
Batman: The Long Halloween
Invincible vol. 3
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Incognito #2
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #878, Batman #687, Deadpool #11, Fables #85, Flash Rebirth #3, Wolverine #74.
Checkout Count: Not Bad.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Well I hope you are all having an excellent week. I myself have suffered some financial blows, as of late but really aren’t we all? At least I’ll always have books. The written word will keep me in these troubled times. That is some solace I suppose. Did any of you watch the Tony Awards this weekend? I thought it was an amazing show. As someone who lives far away from Broadway I always watch the Tony’s to see what plays/musicals will be making the regional rounds. I’ll often pick up a CD, or published play if I see a great clip on the Tony show. This year I am definitely going to pick up Yasmina Reza’s God of Carnage and The Norman Conquests. As a past theater geek I also loved the performance from Hair which was amusingly exuberant. I was also captivated by the new musical Next to Normal which I will pick up as soon as I can.
Well enough about me (hah!) let’s move onwards!
Review
The Roberts
I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of the original series The Roberts from the moment I heard about it. Originally released as a two issue series I decided to wait for the trade. Okay confession time: I have a strange fascination with serial killers. Where I reside the story of Ted Bundy is a common cautionary tale for young women such as myself. I find it interesting to read interviews, biographies, and analysis that tries to determine what makes these killers tick. Sure we’ve managed to pull together psychological profiles but there still manages to be permutations that befuddle us.
In The Roberts writer Wayne Chinsang has spun an interesting scenario: The narrator is a senior citizen who is actually The Boston Strangler (you see they got the wrong guy). He has been retired and living in a nursing home for 4 years. While still dreaming of his former victims he remains a bit of a loner among the other seniors. However he becomes drawn to a new resident the very friendly Robert. It is revealed that Robert is actually the infamous Zodiac killer.
Once everything is set up The Roberts becomes a fascinating character piece. These men ruminate on the nature of their existence and their separateness. The art style is not overtly flashy, but it suits the “talking heads” nature of the story. Writer Chinsang does a great job of making these men creepy but also believable. These guys are way past their prime and clearly miss the thrill of killing. Now the only power they have is their anonymity, which is now threatened. Again this story was fascinating and I highly recommend it.
Other Reviews
And now the screaming starts | Battlemouth
The Reading List
Books
Batman: The Long Halloween
Invincible vol. 3
Mags
Four Four Two
Comics
Incognito #2
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #878, Batman #687, Deadpool #11, Fables #85, Flash Rebirth #3, Wolverine #74.
Checkout Count: Not Bad.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-06-03
Gunslingers, soul reapers, & a Starman
Hello All,
The sun is shining and life is busy. Oh my god the weather is a beauty here in the city of salt. I think some reading in the park, under a tree is definitely a possibility. Started a new mentorship this week and I'm pretty psyched. When I'm not reading voraciously, serving the public, or just living life, I like to help writers. I like to edit-it's a sickness really. I'm excited about this workshop. But really let's talk about books eh? I've been reading, so onward!
Reviews
Bleach Vol. 1
In an attempt to diversify I've been reading the manga. After looking at a few different books I think that I'm finally getting it. Bleach has a lot of action, some fun romantic comedy banter, and a good anti-hero at the center. I liked the reluctance of the hero. He's a punk teenager who is very self involved. His solipsistic attitude was nicely realistic. Obviously his character arc will be the embracing of his hero role. I love the fact that his mentor is a female warrior who is integrating herself undercover at his school. I've been dissapointed in the depiction of female characters in manga. In all the series I have read the females are ditsy cheesecake. Good to see a change. This is the first manga I've read that showed some great panel design. Sequential art when done right can convey visual information quickly. The pages are usually 2 panels, meaning that the focus is on action rather than dialogue. I was able to read this book, which was around 200 pages, in an hour or so. And I wasn't even reading all that quickly. I think this is the appeal of manga. Unfortunately I still found some of the storytelling to be clumsy. It seems as if the author was not sure where the story was going. New powers develop more through convenience rather than organically. Overall though I enjoyed it. Strongest manga I've read yet.
Other Reviews
Manga Punk | manga life | Read About Comics
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
James Robinson's Starman has become one of my favorite series. In fact the Vol. 1 Omnibus was the best graphic novel I read last year, so reading vol. 2 was a no-brainer. In this volume of issues Robinson settles into the series. He's already set up our characters so Robinson delves into their past. Several issues focus on flashbacks about The Shade, Solomon Grundy, and Ted Knight. I really enjoyed the story arc featuring the "Nick & Nora"-esque team of old detectives exploring the excitement of being a superhero. Robinson fleshes out side characters like the O'Dares. This family of cops deserves a series all their own. They are so great, especially in the Christmas special and the "trip to hell" arc. Don't get me wrong I miss Jack Knight. He doesn't feature as much in these issues, but then again this is an 80-issue long story. Robinson does plant some seeds for Jack Knight stories to come. I can't wait.
Past Volume Reviews: Starman Omnibus Vol. 1
Dark Tower: Treachery
This series continues to get better and better. This is my favorite volume yet. Peter David continues to knock this book out of the park. The smartest thing that David does in this volume is to shift the focus to the female characters. This has been a "boy" book following Roland and his friends. However, here we have the introduction of a female gunslinger who is really cool. Also I enjoyed the exploration of Roland's mother, who in the first volume was woefully underdeveloped. David adds more depth to her guilt and shame. It's very apt considering the focus of this volume is betrayal. Roland is sidelined with his own obsession that has lead to betray his father. It is up to his friends to pull this hero back from the brink. Jae Lee's art continues to amaze. The grim darkness of this world is directly reflected in the art. I was particularly impressed by the last two chapters. The juxtaposition of formal dress and western motif was beautiful. Can't wait for the next one.
Past Volume Reviews: Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born, Dark Tower: Long Road Home
The Reading List
Books
Goodbye to All That
Black Mass
Magazine
Wizard
Comic
Trinity #52
Comic Pull List: Secret Six #10, Superman World Of New Krypton #4
Check Out Count: Way too High.
Have a great week! Book Slave
The sun is shining and life is busy. Oh my god the weather is a beauty here in the city of salt. I think some reading in the park, under a tree is definitely a possibility. Started a new mentorship this week and I'm pretty psyched. When I'm not reading voraciously, serving the public, or just living life, I like to help writers. I like to edit-it's a sickness really. I'm excited about this workshop. But really let's talk about books eh? I've been reading, so onward!
Reviews
Bleach Vol. 1
In an attempt to diversify I've been reading the manga. After looking at a few different books I think that I'm finally getting it. Bleach has a lot of action, some fun romantic comedy banter, and a good anti-hero at the center. I liked the reluctance of the hero. He's a punk teenager who is very self involved. His solipsistic attitude was nicely realistic. Obviously his character arc will be the embracing of his hero role. I love the fact that his mentor is a female warrior who is integrating herself undercover at his school. I've been dissapointed in the depiction of female characters in manga. In all the series I have read the females are ditsy cheesecake. Good to see a change. This is the first manga I've read that showed some great panel design. Sequential art when done right can convey visual information quickly. The pages are usually 2 panels, meaning that the focus is on action rather than dialogue. I was able to read this book, which was around 200 pages, in an hour or so. And I wasn't even reading all that quickly. I think this is the appeal of manga. Unfortunately I still found some of the storytelling to be clumsy. It seems as if the author was not sure where the story was going. New powers develop more through convenience rather than organically. Overall though I enjoyed it. Strongest manga I've read yet.
Other Reviews
Manga Punk | manga life | Read About Comics
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
James Robinson's Starman has become one of my favorite series. In fact the Vol. 1 Omnibus was the best graphic novel I read last year, so reading vol. 2 was a no-brainer. In this volume of issues Robinson settles into the series. He's already set up our characters so Robinson delves into their past. Several issues focus on flashbacks about The Shade, Solomon Grundy, and Ted Knight. I really enjoyed the story arc featuring the "Nick & Nora"-esque team of old detectives exploring the excitement of being a superhero. Robinson fleshes out side characters like the O'Dares. This family of cops deserves a series all their own. They are so great, especially in the Christmas special and the "trip to hell" arc. Don't get me wrong I miss Jack Knight. He doesn't feature as much in these issues, but then again this is an 80-issue long story. Robinson does plant some seeds for Jack Knight stories to come. I can't wait.
Past Volume Reviews: Starman Omnibus Vol. 1
Dark Tower: Treachery
This series continues to get better and better. This is my favorite volume yet. Peter David continues to knock this book out of the park. The smartest thing that David does in this volume is to shift the focus to the female characters. This has been a "boy" book following Roland and his friends. However, here we have the introduction of a female gunslinger who is really cool. Also I enjoyed the exploration of Roland's mother, who in the first volume was woefully underdeveloped. David adds more depth to her guilt and shame. It's very apt considering the focus of this volume is betrayal. Roland is sidelined with his own obsession that has lead to betray his father. It is up to his friends to pull this hero back from the brink. Jae Lee's art continues to amaze. The grim darkness of this world is directly reflected in the art. I was particularly impressed by the last two chapters. The juxtaposition of formal dress and western motif was beautiful. Can't wait for the next one.
Past Volume Reviews: Dark Tower: Gunslinger Born, Dark Tower: Long Road Home
The Reading List
Books
Goodbye to All That
Black Mass
Magazine
Wizard
Comic
Trinity #52
Comic Pull List: Secret Six #10, Superman World Of New Krypton #4
Check Out Count: Way too High.
Have a great week! Book Slave
2009-05-27
Heartbreakingly Beautiful
Hello,
The weather is beautiful and I find myself with a lot of leisure time. I haven't been this free for a long time. Spent years as a work-a-holic & now I have an open schedule. Too bad my wifi has become inconstant. Well as Mick says "You can't always get what you want." True dat.
I had an awesome time last night at book club. Zach, former co-worker & book club moderator, had also arranged for us to talk with the author via phone. It was very cool. He answered our questions in a wonderfully honest way. Vlautin indicated that he sees his characters as real people. This must be hard because his novels are horribly grim. The brothers in Motel Life, and Alison Johnson in Northline are lost troubled souls. In contrast Vlautin seems like an easy going fellow. It was great talking to him and I thank Zach for pulling that together. Vlautin is a talented writer. His wounded characters will break your heart. He is an author to keep an eye on.
Review
Northline
The main character at the center of Northline is a lost soul. She has such a lack of self that the reader doesn't even know her name. She has been abused, scared, and deserted. She has decided it's time to leave her awful life in Las Vegas. It is at this moment of strength that writer Willy Vlautin reveals to the reader her name. It is up to Alison Johnson to find herself and deal with her pain. However this is not some cheesy uplifting woman overcomes all story, Vlautin gives us a more complex story. For every two steps forward that Alison makes she moves 3 steps back. It's rough to improve your own self image when you don't feel you deserve to be happy. She is wonderfully wounded and complex, this makes her small victories immense. If it's not clear I'll say it out right: I fell in love with Alison Johnson. This is all thanks to Vlautin's ability to create characters that are real. Although he still incorporates fantasy, here it's Paul Newman, Vlautin's writing is full of carefully chosen small moments. Moments like a gift of a snow globe, or a night of bingo, are magical when contrasted with the dark underside of living in Reno. I definitely reccommend this one.
(BTW if possible get the copy with a free soundtrack CD. Writer Willy Vlautin is also a musician in the band Richmond Fontaine. He ended up writing a few instrumentals that serve as a soundtrack to Northline. It was included with my Harper Perrenial paperback. Check it out.)
Other Reviews
The Independent | Book Soup | The Guardian
The Reading List
Books
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
Goodbye To All That
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Flash: Rebirth #2
Comic Pull List: TBD
Check Out Count: Getting better. Really.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
The weather is beautiful and I find myself with a lot of leisure time. I haven't been this free for a long time. Spent years as a work-a-holic & now I have an open schedule. Too bad my wifi has become inconstant. Well as Mick says "You can't always get what you want." True dat.
I had an awesome time last night at book club. Zach, former co-worker & book club moderator, had also arranged for us to talk with the author via phone. It was very cool. He answered our questions in a wonderfully honest way. Vlautin indicated that he sees his characters as real people. This must be hard because his novels are horribly grim. The brothers in Motel Life, and Alison Johnson in Northline are lost troubled souls. In contrast Vlautin seems like an easy going fellow. It was great talking to him and I thank Zach for pulling that together. Vlautin is a talented writer. His wounded characters will break your heart. He is an author to keep an eye on.
Review
Northline
The main character at the center of Northline is a lost soul. She has such a lack of self that the reader doesn't even know her name. She has been abused, scared, and deserted. She has decided it's time to leave her awful life in Las Vegas. It is at this moment of strength that writer Willy Vlautin reveals to the reader her name. It is up to Alison Johnson to find herself and deal with her pain. However this is not some cheesy uplifting woman overcomes all story, Vlautin gives us a more complex story. For every two steps forward that Alison makes she moves 3 steps back. It's rough to improve your own self image when you don't feel you deserve to be happy. She is wonderfully wounded and complex, this makes her small victories immense. If it's not clear I'll say it out right: I fell in love with Alison Johnson. This is all thanks to Vlautin's ability to create characters that are real. Although he still incorporates fantasy, here it's Paul Newman, Vlautin's writing is full of carefully chosen small moments. Moments like a gift of a snow globe, or a night of bingo, are magical when contrasted with the dark underside of living in Reno. I definitely reccommend this one.
(BTW if possible get the copy with a free soundtrack CD. Writer Willy Vlautin is also a musician in the band Richmond Fontaine. He ended up writing a few instrumentals that serve as a soundtrack to Northline. It was included with my Harper Perrenial paperback. Check it out.)
Other Reviews
The Independent | Book Soup | The Guardian
The Reading List
Books
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
Goodbye To All That
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comic
Flash: Rebirth #2
Comic Pull List: TBD
Check Out Count: Getting better. Really.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-05-22
Some Catching up to do.
Hey world,
Howse it hanging? Summertime has come and I have left you all hanging. Humble apologies, I just took a few days off. Wanted to catch up on some stuff. I ended up attacking my mighty comic stack and managed to read about 15 comics. That’s gotta count for something eh? I’ve got some catching up to do bookwise. I’m off pace to reach my goals, but I will have some more time on my hands. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Reviews
The Man Who Invented Christmas
Lately I’ve been very interested in Charles Dickens. I guess it’s the latest fad in literary circles. Actually I’ve been meaning to read this book for some time. Writer Les Standisford discusses the dire circumstances that Dickens produced A Christmas Carol. He makes a well rounded argument that this 1842 classic reshaped how the Victorians viewed the holidays. This combined with the poverty of the Industrial Age Dickens intended to make a statement regarding one man's change of heart. Ebenezar Scrooge is not influenced by the holy trinity but by the secular supernatural ghosts, hence the story is accessible to everyone. Standisford finds a nice balance between biography and sociological discussion. Dickens was financially destitute himself but he clearly felt that it was an obligation of the fortunate to help those less fortunate. A Christmas Carol bears this philosophy out. An interesting read.
Biographical Info: Charles Dickens
The Reading List
Books
Northline
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
Comic
Deadpool #10
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Check Out Count: Dramatically Improving
Comic Pull List: Captain America #50, Green Arrow Black Canary #20, Outsiders #18, Trinity #51.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Howse it hanging? Summertime has come and I have left you all hanging. Humble apologies, I just took a few days off. Wanted to catch up on some stuff. I ended up attacking my mighty comic stack and managed to read about 15 comics. That’s gotta count for something eh? I’ve got some catching up to do bookwise. I’m off pace to reach my goals, but I will have some more time on my hands. We’ll just have to wait and see.
Reviews
The Man Who Invented Christmas
Lately I’ve been very interested in Charles Dickens. I guess it’s the latest fad in literary circles. Actually I’ve been meaning to read this book for some time. Writer Les Standisford discusses the dire circumstances that Dickens produced A Christmas Carol. He makes a well rounded argument that this 1842 classic reshaped how the Victorians viewed the holidays. This combined with the poverty of the Industrial Age Dickens intended to make a statement regarding one man's change of heart. Ebenezar Scrooge is not influenced by the holy trinity but by the secular supernatural ghosts, hence the story is accessible to everyone. Standisford finds a nice balance between biography and sociological discussion. Dickens was financially destitute himself but he clearly felt that it was an obligation of the fortunate to help those less fortunate. A Christmas Carol bears this philosophy out. An interesting read.
Biographical Info: Charles Dickens
The Reading List
Books
Northline
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
Comic
Deadpool #10
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Check Out Count: Dramatically Improving
Comic Pull List: Captain America #50, Green Arrow Black Canary #20, Outsiders #18, Trinity #51.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-05-16
The Printed Word
Hello cyberland,
I listen to a lot of podcasts and pay attention to new technologies. Have always been an early adopter of technology from the internet to Ipods to DVDs. I usually wait for the second generation models because then the price comes down and the bugs get worked out. Technology is a great tool when used effectively.
(Of course I still believe that if we give robots artificial intelligence they'll rise up against us, but that's another paranoid delusion for another time.)
Where am I going with this? Well today I was listening to one of my fave podcasters go on a diatribe about how everything is going to go digital. That in 10 years print will be dead. His argument involved the Kindle. Apple's new E-Reader allows for people to download books like an Ipod. Now I've heard all the arguments for it. Saves space, books are cheaper, and information more accessible. All of this is true.
However in my opinion no Kindle can replace the tactile joy of having the printed word in my hands. I've lived with books my whole life and I never want to be without them. It's something about the physical weight. The ability to turn the page which gives the reader the feeling of moving forward. Scrolling is not the same, neither is pressing a button.
I hope that my shelves are always full of books. And you know what if I don't think I'll read the book again, I donate/trade/pass it on to a friend. If I decide to keep one, I know that I'll have to get rid of one. This means I have to weigh each choice, giving the book even more value. This value is personal. I'm not a book collector.
The books I keep are stories that I know I'll read again. Not because they make me look smart or have some monetary value. I don't mind that space, because really what am I gonna put there instead? Sure when I have to move it will suck. But that's not in my plans anytime soon.
Lastly it is difficult to read words off a screen for an extended period of time. Don't get me wrong, I read my blogs, news, etc. off of computer screens. But can I read it for 8-10 hour stretches like a book. No I don't think so. Too much eye strain, and god forbid that the battery runs out. The torture of not being able to finish a compelling story, because there's no power jack. Or having to pay another 300 bucks if my Kindle breaks. No thank you.
So in the end while everyone may be toting around their e-reader devices, I'll be clutching my bound up printed pages.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
I listen to a lot of podcasts and pay attention to new technologies. Have always been an early adopter of technology from the internet to Ipods to DVDs. I usually wait for the second generation models because then the price comes down and the bugs get worked out. Technology is a great tool when used effectively.
(Of course I still believe that if we give robots artificial intelligence they'll rise up against us, but that's another paranoid delusion for another time.)
Where am I going with this? Well today I was listening to one of my fave podcasters go on a diatribe about how everything is going to go digital. That in 10 years print will be dead. His argument involved the Kindle. Apple's new E-Reader allows for people to download books like an Ipod. Now I've heard all the arguments for it. Saves space, books are cheaper, and information more accessible. All of this is true.
However in my opinion no Kindle can replace the tactile joy of having the printed word in my hands. I've lived with books my whole life and I never want to be without them. It's something about the physical weight. The ability to turn the page which gives the reader the feeling of moving forward. Scrolling is not the same, neither is pressing a button.
I hope that my shelves are always full of books. And you know what if I don't think I'll read the book again, I donate/trade/pass it on to a friend. If I decide to keep one, I know that I'll have to get rid of one. This means I have to weigh each choice, giving the book even more value. This value is personal. I'm not a book collector.
The books I keep are stories that I know I'll read again. Not because they make me look smart or have some monetary value. I don't mind that space, because really what am I gonna put there instead? Sure when I have to move it will suck. But that's not in my plans anytime soon.
Lastly it is difficult to read words off a screen for an extended period of time. Don't get me wrong, I read my blogs, news, etc. off of computer screens. But can I read it for 8-10 hour stretches like a book. No I don't think so. Too much eye strain, and god forbid that the battery runs out. The torture of not being able to finish a compelling story, because there's no power jack. Or having to pay another 300 bucks if my Kindle breaks. No thank you.
So in the end while everyone may be toting around their e-reader devices, I'll be clutching my bound up printed pages.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-05-12
Indians and Isolation
Hello all,
This is shaping up to be a great week here in the City of Salt. Lately I've been pretty successful at this living thing, so I expect disaster is on the way. Cynical me? No way. Well Onward eh?
Reviews
Speak
"I'm An Outcast." These words are intoned by the main character Melinda Sordino her first day of highschool. She clearly can't wait for it all to be over as her ex-best friend Rachel mouths "I hate you." In Laurie Halse Anderson's modern YA classic after suffering through a trauma in the summer between 8th grade and 9th Melinda has become a selective mute. Her decision to call the cops during a senior party has won her enmity and isolation. Anderson captures the mind of her main character with brutal honesty. The story is told completely thru Melinda's observations/emotions of those around her and herself. What happened to Melinda is really only part of the story, the real story is the journey that Melinda takes. I was caught up in her POV and was desperate for her to find her voice. I was also impressed by Anderson's use of nontraditional techniques both visual and storywise. In recent YA novels I've disliked when the story changes to script form but here it works. So much of this story is about how Melinda learns to communicate. This book is clearly a must-read.
Other Reviews
teenreads | Books on the Brain | The Blue Stocking Society
Scalped Vol. 4
I was so excited when this came in that I had to drop everything and read it. Scalped is the best written independent book today, No argument. Jason Aaron has created incredible characters in a horrible world. This book is not cheery. It is as violent and sad as life can be on an Indian Reservation. In this issue Aaron primarily focuses on crime boss Red Crow and his battle with the psychopathic Mr. Brass. While Crow is an amoral man there are lines that even he won't cross. Apparently there is always worse in Aaron's grim noir. While I was dissapointed somewhat by the sidelining of Dashiell Bad Horse I know that he will most likely return soon. I've come to trust in Aaron's writing and am dying for the next trade. R.M. Guera's art work continues to be amazing and directly reflects the tone of this book. Why aren't you reading this book?
Other Volume Reviews
Scalped Vol. 1, Scalped Vol. 2, Scalped Vol. 3
The Reading List
Books
My Five Cambridge Friends
Man Who Invented Christmas
Comics
Green Lantern #40
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #877, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #13, Fables #84, Secret Six #9, Terry Moores Echo #12, Trinity #50, Umbrella Academy Dallas #6, Wolverine #73
Check Out Count: Slowly Getting Better.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
This is shaping up to be a great week here in the City of Salt. Lately I've been pretty successful at this living thing, so I expect disaster is on the way. Cynical me? No way. Well Onward eh?
Reviews
Speak
"I'm An Outcast." These words are intoned by the main character Melinda Sordino her first day of highschool. She clearly can't wait for it all to be over as her ex-best friend Rachel mouths "I hate you." In Laurie Halse Anderson's modern YA classic after suffering through a trauma in the summer between 8th grade and 9th Melinda has become a selective mute. Her decision to call the cops during a senior party has won her enmity and isolation. Anderson captures the mind of her main character with brutal honesty. The story is told completely thru Melinda's observations/emotions of those around her and herself. What happened to Melinda is really only part of the story, the real story is the journey that Melinda takes. I was caught up in her POV and was desperate for her to find her voice. I was also impressed by Anderson's use of nontraditional techniques both visual and storywise. In recent YA novels I've disliked when the story changes to script form but here it works. So much of this story is about how Melinda learns to communicate. This book is clearly a must-read.
Other Reviews
teenreads | Books on the Brain | The Blue Stocking Society
Scalped Vol. 4
I was so excited when this came in that I had to drop everything and read it. Scalped is the best written independent book today, No argument. Jason Aaron has created incredible characters in a horrible world. This book is not cheery. It is as violent and sad as life can be on an Indian Reservation. In this issue Aaron primarily focuses on crime boss Red Crow and his battle with the psychopathic Mr. Brass. While Crow is an amoral man there are lines that even he won't cross. Apparently there is always worse in Aaron's grim noir. While I was dissapointed somewhat by the sidelining of Dashiell Bad Horse I know that he will most likely return soon. I've come to trust in Aaron's writing and am dying for the next trade. R.M. Guera's art work continues to be amazing and directly reflects the tone of this book. Why aren't you reading this book?
Other Volume Reviews
Scalped Vol. 1, Scalped Vol. 2, Scalped Vol. 3
The Reading List
Books
My Five Cambridge Friends
Man Who Invented Christmas
Comics
Green Lantern #40
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #877, Captain Britain And Mi 13 #13, Fables #84, Secret Six #9, Terry Moores Echo #12, Trinity #50, Umbrella Academy Dallas #6, Wolverine #73
Check Out Count: Slowly Getting Better.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-05-06
Soccer, Death, and Laughter
Hello Web World,
The Wi-Fi and weather have been a bit sporadic this week, so posting has been difficult. I guess that it's an embarassment of riches since I've got multi-reviews this week.
Again I have to thank all of you who came over from either Dickensblog or the wonderful Egalitarian Bookworm. They are both great literary blogs. I'm crazy-honored that they've highlighted anything that I have to say.
Enough Onward I Say!
Reviews
Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher's debut novel Thirteen Reasons Why is an emotional thriller that I think can be labeled as the anti-thesis of last year's Paper Towns. Asher sets up a great premise that sucks you in. The book begins with Clay Asher who receives a box of audio tapes from Hannah Barker. Hannah is a fellow classmate who has committed suicide. Her instructions are that everyone who is featured on these tapes contributed to the psychological breakdown that led to her death. They must listen to the tapes to find out where they fit. Clay, who is a genuinely good person, agonizes as he listens to each tape desperate to find answers. Asher uses the tape device to give us Hannah's POV and then Clay's reaction to it. This book becomes a discussion of how one person's actions can have horrible repercussions. Hannah exposes the ugliness in those around her. While Paper Towns was a mystery where the clues led to a character's uplift, Thirteen Reasons Why is about a character's disintegration. Cheerful it's not. I do think that Asher captures the horrible emotional toll that Hannah suffers in a realistic fashion. I just wish that somehow Hannah Barker had been able to find help.
Other Reviews
Boys Blogging Books | Becky's Book Reviews | Em's Bookshelf
Dangerous Laughter
In this 13 story collection writer Millhauser showcases his cold and scientific writing style. He does a great job at dissecting ideas and philosophical concepts in stories like The Tower and The Dome. Steven Millhauser does not traffic in inter-personal conflict or emotional upheaval. As a reader I connect more with characters that act like real people in real situations, rather than the ideological. I had a difficult time with his unemotional style. Also could've done without the entire "Heretical Histories" section. There was not enough of the human element in there for me.
Other Reviews
New York Times | Literary License | Strange Horizons
The Game of Their Lives
The only sport that I follow these days with any enthusiasm is international soccer/football. I started with World Cup 2006 and have been a fan ever since. I picked up this slim re-telling of "The Miracle on Grass" because I hoped for a fun sports/history read. At the 1950 World Cup a rag tag US team beat the English powerhouse in an amazing match considered one of the greatest upsets in sports. Unfortunately even at 154 pages there just was not enough material here for a book. Writer Geoffrey Douglass tries very hard to fill out the story by including material about the immigrant enclave in St. Louis where many of these players came from. However it just got tiring. His best writing is his coverage of the actual game itself. In the more interesting passages Douglass dissects the dichotomy in the US vs. England style of play. In the end I think this works better as a magazine article than a book.
Bio Info: England v United States (1950)
The Reading List
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Comic
Wonder Woman
Books
The Man Who Invented Christmas
I Led 3 Lives
Check Out Count: Slowly decreasing
Comic Pull List: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #25, Deadpool #10, Flash Rebirth #2, League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 1910 #1, Superman World Of New Krypton #3, Trinity #49, Trojan War #1
Have a great week! Book Slave.
The Wi-Fi and weather have been a bit sporadic this week, so posting has been difficult. I guess that it's an embarassment of riches since I've got multi-reviews this week.
Again I have to thank all of you who came over from either Dickensblog or the wonderful Egalitarian Bookworm. They are both great literary blogs. I'm crazy-honored that they've highlighted anything that I have to say.
Enough Onward I Say!
Reviews
Thirteen Reasons Why
Jay Asher's debut novel Thirteen Reasons Why is an emotional thriller that I think can be labeled as the anti-thesis of last year's Paper Towns. Asher sets up a great premise that sucks you in. The book begins with Clay Asher who receives a box of audio tapes from Hannah Barker. Hannah is a fellow classmate who has committed suicide. Her instructions are that everyone who is featured on these tapes contributed to the psychological breakdown that led to her death. They must listen to the tapes to find out where they fit. Clay, who is a genuinely good person, agonizes as he listens to each tape desperate to find answers. Asher uses the tape device to give us Hannah's POV and then Clay's reaction to it. This book becomes a discussion of how one person's actions can have horrible repercussions. Hannah exposes the ugliness in those around her. While Paper Towns was a mystery where the clues led to a character's uplift, Thirteen Reasons Why is about a character's disintegration. Cheerful it's not. I do think that Asher captures the horrible emotional toll that Hannah suffers in a realistic fashion. I just wish that somehow Hannah Barker had been able to find help.
Other Reviews
Boys Blogging Books | Becky's Book Reviews | Em's Bookshelf
Dangerous Laughter
In this 13 story collection writer Millhauser showcases his cold and scientific writing style. He does a great job at dissecting ideas and philosophical concepts in stories like The Tower and The Dome. Steven Millhauser does not traffic in inter-personal conflict or emotional upheaval. As a reader I connect more with characters that act like real people in real situations, rather than the ideological. I had a difficult time with his unemotional style. Also could've done without the entire "Heretical Histories" section. There was not enough of the human element in there for me.
Other Reviews
New York Times | Literary License | Strange Horizons
The Game of Their Lives
The only sport that I follow these days with any enthusiasm is international soccer/football. I started with World Cup 2006 and have been a fan ever since. I picked up this slim re-telling of "The Miracle on Grass" because I hoped for a fun sports/history read. At the 1950 World Cup a rag tag US team beat the English powerhouse in an amazing match considered one of the greatest upsets in sports. Unfortunately even at 154 pages there just was not enough material here for a book. Writer Geoffrey Douglass tries very hard to fill out the story by including material about the immigrant enclave in St. Louis where many of these players came from. However it just got tiring. His best writing is his coverage of the actual game itself. In the more interesting passages Douglass dissects the dichotomy in the US vs. England style of play. In the end I think this works better as a magazine article than a book.
Bio Info: England v United States (1950)
The Reading List
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Comic
Wonder Woman
Books
The Man Who Invented Christmas
I Led 3 Lives
Check Out Count: Slowly decreasing
Comic Pull List: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #25, Deadpool #10, Flash Rebirth #2, League Of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 1910 #1, Superman World Of New Krypton #3, Trinity #49, Trojan War #1
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-04-28
A Lit Sandwich between Me, Charles Dickens, and Little Dorrit.
Hello All,
So I’m pushing back the normal reviews post a few days because I feel that there’s a subject that is timelier. And well it’s my blog and I’ll write what I want to.
On Sunday night after 5 weeks the latest PBS Masterpiece classic series Little Dorrit came to an end. I’ve got so much to say about my love for this series. I think that it has the important elements that make for great discussion. Adaptation maestro Andrew Davies has the remarkable ability to take the works of the 19th century and make them accessible to the modern audience. If you haven’t heard of the man here’s a quick list of his must-see adaptations: Pride and Prejudice (1994), Sense and Sensibility (2008), Tipping the Velvet, and Bridget Jones’s Diary.
He rarely slips up. This writer is not afraid of a challenge. In Little Dorrit he takes on an 800-page book from 1857 and makes it wonderfully relevant. At its core Little Dorrit is about economics; how they shape individuals and society. In Dickens’s world if you were poor and indebted it meant imprisonment in the Marshalsea prison. Marshalsea prison doesn’t have bars and your family can stay with you. However unless you had friends/family to bail you out you weren’t leaving.
I was struck by the portrayal of Mr. Dorrit. He is considered “The Father of the Marshalsea” because he is their longest running resident. Dickens, and in turn Davies, explore his heartbreaking psychological imprisonment. Mr. Dorrit’s pride is his deepest flaw. All he can think of is maintaining his position. This becomes more important to him than ever leaving. The same mentality follows him after he is able to leave the Marshalsea and return to society. Mr. Dorrit is insufferable as a gentleman. He falls into all the foolish trappings of 19th century society and is foolish with his money to boot.
Which brings me to Mr. Merdle and Mr. Casby, as well as the Circumlocution office. It is crazy how relevant this story is to our current situation. Mr. Merdle is clearly "the Bernie Madoff" of his age, screwing all the rich folk out of their money while inviting them to dinner. Again if someone is telling you a story that’s too good to be true, it probably is. At the same time Mr. Casby is squeezing the poor out of every nickel so they stay poor. With Pancks as his muscle he works to keep those in Bleeding Heart under his thumb. Clearly Dickens felt that the current economic system in the 19th century only served to hurt the laborer/tradesman. This form of capitalism only served to create another feudal system with Casby as the lord at the top. Dickens caps off his indictment with his portrayal of the bureaucratic horror that is the Circumlocution Office, which actually reminded me of financial aid.
It is very telling that in the end it is a combination of two things that save our main characters. The first is an emphasis on entrepeneurship over old money. Clennam & Doyce are saved because they invent and market a new engine to foreign markets. Clearly this is meant to show that in the new Industrial Age it is invention and new ideas that will triumph. Also it can’t be missed that Dickens has an affinity for those with street smarts. Fanny Dorrit is a mean bitch but she knows when to bail. She will save the Sparklers and she’s already got a job dancing if needs be. You have to admire her moxie.
Now notice that I haven’t even mentioned the main central characters Amy Dorrit and Arthur Clennam. That just goes to show how rich this series is. Yes I found Amy and Arthur wonderful, as well as poor John Chivery. Their strong character and steadfast goodness makes them slightly less dynamic. In this case it is up to the actors and screenwriter Davies to make them appealing. Actors Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen do excellent jobs as Amy and Arthur respectively. I found myself cheering their happiness at the climax of the story. Their willingness towards self-sacrifice is an iconic trademark of Dickens’s heroes. And Claire Foy sure looks good in the color purple.
So here we are. How much more do I need to say to convince you? This is well worth your time. PBS has posted the entire series on their website for free through May 3rd and the DVD comes out today. Check it out here.
Well have a good night. Book Slave.
So I’m pushing back the normal reviews post a few days because I feel that there’s a subject that is timelier. And well it’s my blog and I’ll write what I want to.
On Sunday night after 5 weeks the latest PBS Masterpiece classic series Little Dorrit came to an end. I’ve got so much to say about my love for this series. I think that it has the important elements that make for great discussion. Adaptation maestro Andrew Davies has the remarkable ability to take the works of the 19th century and make them accessible to the modern audience. If you haven’t heard of the man here’s a quick list of his must-see adaptations: Pride and Prejudice (1994), Sense and Sensibility (2008), Tipping the Velvet, and Bridget Jones’s Diary.
He rarely slips up. This writer is not afraid of a challenge. In Little Dorrit he takes on an 800-page book from 1857 and makes it wonderfully relevant. At its core Little Dorrit is about economics; how they shape individuals and society. In Dickens’s world if you were poor and indebted it meant imprisonment in the Marshalsea prison. Marshalsea prison doesn’t have bars and your family can stay with you. However unless you had friends/family to bail you out you weren’t leaving.
I was struck by the portrayal of Mr. Dorrit. He is considered “The Father of the Marshalsea” because he is their longest running resident. Dickens, and in turn Davies, explore his heartbreaking psychological imprisonment. Mr. Dorrit’s pride is his deepest flaw. All he can think of is maintaining his position. This becomes more important to him than ever leaving. The same mentality follows him after he is able to leave the Marshalsea and return to society. Mr. Dorrit is insufferable as a gentleman. He falls into all the foolish trappings of 19th century society and is foolish with his money to boot.
Which brings me to Mr. Merdle and Mr. Casby, as well as the Circumlocution office. It is crazy how relevant this story is to our current situation. Mr. Merdle is clearly "the Bernie Madoff" of his age, screwing all the rich folk out of their money while inviting them to dinner. Again if someone is telling you a story that’s too good to be true, it probably is. At the same time Mr. Casby is squeezing the poor out of every nickel so they stay poor. With Pancks as his muscle he works to keep those in Bleeding Heart under his thumb. Clearly Dickens felt that the current economic system in the 19th century only served to hurt the laborer/tradesman. This form of capitalism only served to create another feudal system with Casby as the lord at the top. Dickens caps off his indictment with his portrayal of the bureaucratic horror that is the Circumlocution Office, which actually reminded me of financial aid.
It is very telling that in the end it is a combination of two things that save our main characters. The first is an emphasis on entrepeneurship over old money. Clennam & Doyce are saved because they invent and market a new engine to foreign markets. Clearly this is meant to show that in the new Industrial Age it is invention and new ideas that will triumph. Also it can’t be missed that Dickens has an affinity for those with street smarts. Fanny Dorrit is a mean bitch but she knows when to bail. She will save the Sparklers and she’s already got a job dancing if needs be. You have to admire her moxie.
Now notice that I haven’t even mentioned the main central characters Amy Dorrit and Arthur Clennam. That just goes to show how rich this series is. Yes I found Amy and Arthur wonderful, as well as poor John Chivery. Their strong character and steadfast goodness makes them slightly less dynamic. In this case it is up to the actors and screenwriter Davies to make them appealing. Actors Claire Foy and Matthew Macfadyen do excellent jobs as Amy and Arthur respectively. I found myself cheering their happiness at the climax of the story. Their willingness towards self-sacrifice is an iconic trademark of Dickens’s heroes. And Claire Foy sure looks good in the color purple.
So here we are. How much more do I need to say to convince you? This is well worth your time. PBS has posted the entire series on their website for free through May 3rd and the DVD comes out today. Check it out here.
Well have a good night. Book Slave.
2009-04-23
O Will!
Hello,
Yes today is William Shakespeare's B-Day. My first experience with Shakespeare was actually completely by conduit. Of course I had heard of the Bard before then-I lived in a very literate household. My dad had a Complete Works that was large, old, and wonderfully illustrated. Luckily I still have it. It's the best gift he ever left me. But I didn't feel old enough to crack it open until the summer of 1989. At 10 year's old I got my mom to take me to see Dead Poet's Society. One of the key sections of that movie involves scenes and speeches from A Midsummer Night's Dream. One of the main characters Neil Perry plays the character of Puck in a stage production. We really only see him in one scene from the play which is Puck's farewell speech. This quickly became one of my favorite pieces of Shakespeare.
So after seeing the movie I decided that I would find out what this play A Midsummer Night's Dream was all about. Thus began my first experience with this silly, delightful fun comedy. I think it's still my favorite of these, although I also love Much Ado About Nothing. I guess we'll consider it a tie. Consequently when I was in high school I was a huge drama geek. I actually played supporting parts in both plays, always bringing on the funny. The next summer in 1990, a production of Midsummer was going on up at Sundance in an outside amphitheater. My parents took me to it for my birthday that very summer. It was my first Shakespeare play in it's entirety and I remember enjoying it immensely. I've seen a couple of versions of it since then, even played in one, but nothing matches that first time. I didn't know that the jokes were coming. When Bottom and his players perform in Act 5 it was entirely new and hilarious.
That same summer my mother and I went and saw a movie version of Hamlet. This was the Mel Gibson version and with hindsight it's not very good in my opinion. The best I've ever seen is Kenneth Branagh's epic 4 hour film which I love entirely. At the time though it was my first experience with Shakespearean tragedy. At the age of 11 I didn't get it. All I could understand was that in the end everyone dies so what's the point. I figured that I was missing something, so I picked up an ancient copy of Shakespeare's 4 Tragedies. This contained Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar and Richard the Third. I remember trying to read Hamlet and Julius Caesar, but not being able to finish it. Of course later in high school I grew enjoy both these plays but at age 11 it was still over my head. Perhaps I get an A for Effort.
This brings me to my favorite history play. I've always had a rough time with the histories. Sometimes they read like dramatic reenactments that are more aimed at appeasing those who were in power. Rather than show history as full of human beings Shakespeare uses many paint-by-number archetypes. I'll cut Will some slack, it's hard to make Henry VI interesting. So I was filled with trepidation when I learned that we would be seeing Henry IV Part One at the Shakespeare Festival in 1995. I went with a school group and there wasn't much choice because of the schedule. So we went and shockingly this became my favorite Shakespeare play. Henry IV P1 is a great heroes journey tale. In the play we see party boy Prince Hal become the soldier king Henry V. Along the way he has to shed/reject his old friends which include the wonderful John Falstaff. There's comedy, fighting, and internal struggling all in one play. If you haven't read/seen it you really should.
(BTW if you've seen Branagh's film version of Henry V he lifts scene's from Henry IV P1 for the flashback scenes. Also parts of the movie My Own Private Idaho are loosely based on the first half of Henry IV P1. Again note that I said "loosely.")
Anyway Happy B-Day Will Shakespeare! You are the gift that keeps on giving, Book Slave.
Yes today is William Shakespeare's B-Day. My first experience with Shakespeare was actually completely by conduit. Of course I had heard of the Bard before then-I lived in a very literate household. My dad had a Complete Works that was large, old, and wonderfully illustrated. Luckily I still have it. It's the best gift he ever left me. But I didn't feel old enough to crack it open until the summer of 1989. At 10 year's old I got my mom to take me to see Dead Poet's Society. One of the key sections of that movie involves scenes and speeches from A Midsummer Night's Dream. One of the main characters Neil Perry plays the character of Puck in a stage production. We really only see him in one scene from the play which is Puck's farewell speech. This quickly became one of my favorite pieces of Shakespeare.
So after seeing the movie I decided that I would find out what this play A Midsummer Night's Dream was all about. Thus began my first experience with this silly, delightful fun comedy. I think it's still my favorite of these, although I also love Much Ado About Nothing. I guess we'll consider it a tie. Consequently when I was in high school I was a huge drama geek. I actually played supporting parts in both plays, always bringing on the funny. The next summer in 1990, a production of Midsummer was going on up at Sundance in an outside amphitheater. My parents took me to it for my birthday that very summer. It was my first Shakespeare play in it's entirety and I remember enjoying it immensely. I've seen a couple of versions of it since then, even played in one, but nothing matches that first time. I didn't know that the jokes were coming. When Bottom and his players perform in Act 5 it was entirely new and hilarious.
That same summer my mother and I went and saw a movie version of Hamlet. This was the Mel Gibson version and with hindsight it's not very good in my opinion. The best I've ever seen is Kenneth Branagh's epic 4 hour film which I love entirely. At the time though it was my first experience with Shakespearean tragedy. At the age of 11 I didn't get it. All I could understand was that in the end everyone dies so what's the point. I figured that I was missing something, so I picked up an ancient copy of Shakespeare's 4 Tragedies. This contained Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar and Richard the Third. I remember trying to read Hamlet and Julius Caesar, but not being able to finish it. Of course later in high school I grew enjoy both these plays but at age 11 it was still over my head. Perhaps I get an A for Effort.
This brings me to my favorite history play. I've always had a rough time with the histories. Sometimes they read like dramatic reenactments that are more aimed at appeasing those who were in power. Rather than show history as full of human beings Shakespeare uses many paint-by-number archetypes. I'll cut Will some slack, it's hard to make Henry VI interesting. So I was filled with trepidation when I learned that we would be seeing Henry IV Part One at the Shakespeare Festival in 1995. I went with a school group and there wasn't much choice because of the schedule. So we went and shockingly this became my favorite Shakespeare play. Henry IV P1 is a great heroes journey tale. In the play we see party boy Prince Hal become the soldier king Henry V. Along the way he has to shed/reject his old friends which include the wonderful John Falstaff. There's comedy, fighting, and internal struggling all in one play. If you haven't read/seen it you really should.
(BTW if you've seen Branagh's film version of Henry V he lifts scene's from Henry IV P1 for the flashback scenes. Also parts of the movie My Own Private Idaho are loosely based on the first half of Henry IV P1. Again note that I said "loosely.")
Anyway Happy B-Day Will Shakespeare! You are the gift that keeps on giving, Book Slave.
2009-04-21
Here comes the sun
Hello all,
It is amazing here in the City of the Salt. The shorts are out, the sandals are being worn, and life is good. I hope you all are doing as well.
I wanted to point some attention this week to a website I think is spiffy. A co-worker/friend pointed me towards this site. Admittedly I was skeptical at first but after checking out The A.V. Club, spinoff from The Onion, I was impressed. Sure there's a fair amount of edginess and unswerving mockery, but I also think there are some great series. Under the book tab you can find series such as Comics Panel, Better Late Than Never and the Box of Paperbacks Book Club. I found in these series some fun offbeat reads and reviews. Check it out.
I'd also like to point out that if you look at the sidebar I've added a list of nifty authors/artists blogs. Perhaps check some of those out if you have the chance. Okay Onward!
Review
Invincible Vol. 2
This volume picks up with the aftermath of Invincible's confrontation with his father Omni-Man. Mark has to grow up fast as he deals with his mom and heads off to college. Kirkman does an excellent job of balancing the super-heroes stuff with relationship drama. I found myself still invested in Mark's relationship with his mom and girlfriend Amber, even though it was very Silver-Agey. Like the Flash, Mark has to wrestle with whether he should tell her he's a superhero or not. It also reminded me of Spider-Man. Kirkman pulls from these classic archetypes in a fun way. Unfortunately I missed the urgency of Vol. 1, and the way that Kirkman defied expectations. Sometimes it was pretty predictable. Also I got pretty tired of all the expositional dialogue. I'd have preferred more showing, less telling.
Previous Volume Review: Invincible Vol. 1
Comic Series Info: Invincible
The Reading List
Books
Dangerous Laughter
The Game of Their Lives
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Comic
Captain America #49
Check Out Count: Gonna get better.
Comic Pull List: Daredevil #118, Detective Comics #853, Dynamo 5 #21, New Avengers #52, Outsiders #17, Trinity #47
Have a great week! Book Slave.
It is amazing here in the City of the Salt. The shorts are out, the sandals are being worn, and life is good. I hope you all are doing as well.
I wanted to point some attention this week to a website I think is spiffy. A co-worker/friend pointed me towards this site. Admittedly I was skeptical at first but after checking out The A.V. Club, spinoff from The Onion, I was impressed. Sure there's a fair amount of edginess and unswerving mockery, but I also think there are some great series. Under the book tab you can find series such as Comics Panel, Better Late Than Never and the Box of Paperbacks Book Club. I found in these series some fun offbeat reads and reviews. Check it out.
I'd also like to point out that if you look at the sidebar I've added a list of nifty authors/artists blogs. Perhaps check some of those out if you have the chance. Okay Onward!
Review
Invincible Vol. 2
This volume picks up with the aftermath of Invincible's confrontation with his father Omni-Man. Mark has to grow up fast as he deals with his mom and heads off to college. Kirkman does an excellent job of balancing the super-heroes stuff with relationship drama. I found myself still invested in Mark's relationship with his mom and girlfriend Amber, even though it was very Silver-Agey. Like the Flash, Mark has to wrestle with whether he should tell her he's a superhero or not. It also reminded me of Spider-Man. Kirkman pulls from these classic archetypes in a fun way. Unfortunately I missed the urgency of Vol. 1, and the way that Kirkman defied expectations. Sometimes it was pretty predictable. Also I got pretty tired of all the expositional dialogue. I'd have preferred more showing, less telling.
Previous Volume Review: Invincible Vol. 1
Comic Series Info: Invincible
The Reading List
Books
Dangerous Laughter
The Game of Their Lives
Magazine
Vanity Fair
Comic
Captain America #49
Check Out Count: Gonna get better.
Comic Pull List: Daredevil #118, Detective Comics #853, Dynamo 5 #21, New Avengers #52, Outsiders #17, Trinity #47
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-04-14
Just let the sun come down on me.
Hello,
Today the rain is endlessly gloomy. It won't stop. What a bummer. I've found myself all week distracted. Flitting from book pile to book pile unable to settle on anything. It must be the promise of spring, if it will ever consistently come.
Previously I've mentioned that PBS is currently showing an excellent BBC adaptation of Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. Breathlessly I've been watching this miniseries and I highly recommend it. It's so topical in these economical times. If you've had to miss an episode or two they are available to view here for free. Also I've enjoyed the guest blog reviews over at Egalitarian Bookworm and comment over there after each episode. Check those out here.
Reviews
JSA: The Golden Age
It is generally agreed that the Golden age of comics began in 1938 w/the appearance of Superman #1. After that comics became mostly about superheroes until comics were shut down by the Hays Office in the mid-fifties. It was The Flash that ushered in The Bronze Age in 1956. In his 4 issue mini-series JSA: The Golden Age writer James Robinson brings back the Justice Society of America for a post-World War II reunion. I picked this up because I've loved Robinson's work on Starman and I heard this was a good intro to JSA. Boy is it. I really enjoyed this series. Although it is outside of continuity it brings in so many wonderful aspects of pre-realism comics. Robinson gives us great simple introductions to each character quickly using cool page layouts by artist Paul Smith. Although there is a lot of action, Robinson focuses on giving the characters "real" psychological human issues. My particular favorites were original Starman Ted Knight, who has a mental breakdown, and Liberty Bell, a woman who feels trapped in a bad relationship. The problem I had with this series is that I don't think that it was long enough. There is a lot of wrap up in issue 4 which I think could have been been decompressed. Perhaps may 6-8 issues would've meant less exposition writing and more Ted Knight.
Comic Info: Justice Society of America, Golden Age comics
The Reading List
Books
Game of Their Lives
I Led Three Lives
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comics
Trinity #44
Check Out Count: Not as good as it could be.
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #876, Fables #83, Green Arrow Black Canary #19, Incognito #3, Oracle #2, Stand American Nightmares #2, Trinity #46
Have a great week! Book Slave.
Today the rain is endlessly gloomy. It won't stop. What a bummer. I've found myself all week distracted. Flitting from book pile to book pile unable to settle on anything. It must be the promise of spring, if it will ever consistently come.
Previously I've mentioned that PBS is currently showing an excellent BBC adaptation of Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens. Breathlessly I've been watching this miniseries and I highly recommend it. It's so topical in these economical times. If you've had to miss an episode or two they are available to view here for free. Also I've enjoyed the guest blog reviews over at Egalitarian Bookworm and comment over there after each episode. Check those out here.
Reviews
JSA: The Golden Age
It is generally agreed that the Golden age of comics began in 1938 w/the appearance of Superman #1. After that comics became mostly about superheroes until comics were shut down by the Hays Office in the mid-fifties. It was The Flash that ushered in The Bronze Age in 1956. In his 4 issue mini-series JSA: The Golden Age writer James Robinson brings back the Justice Society of America for a post-World War II reunion. I picked this up because I've loved Robinson's work on Starman and I heard this was a good intro to JSA. Boy is it. I really enjoyed this series. Although it is outside of continuity it brings in so many wonderful aspects of pre-realism comics. Robinson gives us great simple introductions to each character quickly using cool page layouts by artist Paul Smith. Although there is a lot of action, Robinson focuses on giving the characters "real" psychological human issues. My particular favorites were original Starman Ted Knight, who has a mental breakdown, and Liberty Bell, a woman who feels trapped in a bad relationship. The problem I had with this series is that I don't think that it was long enough. There is a lot of wrap up in issue 4 which I think could have been been decompressed. Perhaps may 6-8 issues would've meant less exposition writing and more Ted Knight.
Comic Info: Justice Society of America, Golden Age comics
The Reading List
Books
Game of Their Lives
I Led Three Lives
Magazine
Four Four Two
Comics
Trinity #44
Check Out Count: Not as good as it could be.
Comic Pull List: Action Comics #876, Fables #83, Green Arrow Black Canary #19, Incognito #3, Oracle #2, Stand American Nightmares #2, Trinity #46
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-04-07
Penelope and Me
Hello world o'the webs,
I hope you all had a great weekend. Here the schizophrenic weather continues. One day it's snowing, the next day it's in the 60's. Makes me want to go outside and walk, but then I feel the need to take a jacket. Because you never know man. This week my library started it's staff book sale. It's an awesome perk to be able to pick over the books before the public. This year because of my financial sit (and well to be honest do I really need more books? No. ) I had to show a lot of restraint. It was hard but I managed it. Due to the new job some money's gonna be flowing again so we'll see how long that restraint lasts. Anyway Onward!
Reviews
The Penelopiad
I’ve been meaning to read this book for some time. In fact long time readers might remember seeing this book on The Reading List way back at the beginning of this blog. The Odyssey is one of my favorite stories of all time. I love the epic-ness of the story. Odysseus is lost for 10 years, meanwhile his faithful wife Penelope fends off horrible suitors. This book is a part of The Myths series which re-imagines classic tales. I’ve already read The Weight written by Jeanette Winterson and I liked it. So picking up this book I had a lot of expectations. For 3/4s of the book I was satisfied.
Atwood strongly conveys the story from Penelope’s viewpoint with a fair share of modernism thrown in. Atwood uses the situation to comment on how women treat one another. I really enjoyed the antagonistic relationship between Penelope and the woman around her, especially her sister Helen. This emphasizes Penelope’s isolation as a smart, morally grounded, and faithful woman, in a patriarchic society. Atwood clearly wants to challenge the paradigms at work in this story. She portrays Penelope as a victim of the world that she lives in.
It is because of the strong portrayal of Penelope that I was annoyed whenever the story strayed away. Atwood attempts to use Penelope’s 12 maids, who are killed by Odysseus for sleeping with the suitors, as a counter chorus. I know that she is trying to use the classical style, but I didn’t feel it was necessary. Especially in the final chapters where the story shifts focus as Penelope feels guilt for their deaths. Atwood is mighty accusatory here, but really I don’t see the point. It is pretty clear that there is nothing that Penelope could have done to save them. In this patriarchal society Penelope is as powerless as the maids, and it was Odysseus who did the killing. So I enjoyed most of the story but I wish Atwood would have just stuck with Penelope.
Other Reviews
The Complete Review | NPR | About.com
The Reading List
Books
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
12 Caesars
Comics
Echo #9
Magazines
Four Four Two
Check Out Count: *turn and run away in shame*
Comic Pull List: Captain Britain And Mi 13 #12, Green Lantern #39, Northlanders #16, Secret Six #8, Superman World Of New Krypton #2, Terry Moores Echo #11, Trinity #45
Have a great week! Book Slave.
I hope you all had a great weekend. Here the schizophrenic weather continues. One day it's snowing, the next day it's in the 60's. Makes me want to go outside and walk, but then I feel the need to take a jacket. Because you never know man. This week my library started it's staff book sale. It's an awesome perk to be able to pick over the books before the public. This year because of my financial sit (and well to be honest do I really need more books? No. ) I had to show a lot of restraint. It was hard but I managed it. Due to the new job some money's gonna be flowing again so we'll see how long that restraint lasts. Anyway Onward!
Reviews
The Penelopiad
I’ve been meaning to read this book for some time. In fact long time readers might remember seeing this book on The Reading List way back at the beginning of this blog. The Odyssey is one of my favorite stories of all time. I love the epic-ness of the story. Odysseus is lost for 10 years, meanwhile his faithful wife Penelope fends off horrible suitors. This book is a part of The Myths series which re-imagines classic tales. I’ve already read The Weight written by Jeanette Winterson and I liked it. So picking up this book I had a lot of expectations. For 3/4s of the book I was satisfied.
Atwood strongly conveys the story from Penelope’s viewpoint with a fair share of modernism thrown in. Atwood uses the situation to comment on how women treat one another. I really enjoyed the antagonistic relationship between Penelope and the woman around her, especially her sister Helen. This emphasizes Penelope’s isolation as a smart, morally grounded, and faithful woman, in a patriarchic society. Atwood clearly wants to challenge the paradigms at work in this story. She portrays Penelope as a victim of the world that she lives in.
It is because of the strong portrayal of Penelope that I was annoyed whenever the story strayed away. Atwood attempts to use Penelope’s 12 maids, who are killed by Odysseus for sleeping with the suitors, as a counter chorus. I know that she is trying to use the classical style, but I didn’t feel it was necessary. Especially in the final chapters where the story shifts focus as Penelope feels guilt for their deaths. Atwood is mighty accusatory here, but really I don’t see the point. It is pretty clear that there is nothing that Penelope could have done to save them. In this patriarchal society Penelope is as powerless as the maids, and it was Odysseus who did the killing. So I enjoyed most of the story but I wish Atwood would have just stuck with Penelope.
Other Reviews
The Complete Review | NPR | About.com
The Reading List
Books
Starman Omnibus Vol. 2
12 Caesars
Comics
Echo #9
Magazines
Four Four Two
Check Out Count: *turn and run away in shame*
Comic Pull List: Captain Britain And Mi 13 #12, Green Lantern #39, Northlanders #16, Secret Six #8, Superman World Of New Krypton #2, Terry Moores Echo #11, Trinity #45
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-04-04
My Poetry Odyssey
Hey folks,
I have made no secret of the fact that I am a big poetry fan. Strangely enough I have an easier time understanding verse than prose. Well April is National Poetry Month which makes me want to crack open some poesy. I have my favorites, it's tough to choose just one. Collections are invaluable for such moments of indecision. I own Immortal Poems by Oscar Williams. It's got all the classic works that I'd want.
Speaking of classics lately my mind has drifted back to the Odyssey, which is one of my favorite epic tales. I read The Odyssey first in verse, rather than the usual prose versions. Reading it that way I think brought out the classic qualities of the story for me. Like I was hearing the story being told aloud, which reflected the oral tradition which Homer's works represent. Anyway here is my favorite passage in verse. This is a translation from Ian Johnston. Enjoy!
Have a great weekend! Book Slave.
I have made no secret of the fact that I am a big poetry fan. Strangely enough I have an easier time understanding verse than prose. Well April is National Poetry Month which makes me want to crack open some poesy. I have my favorites, it's tough to choose just one. Collections are invaluable for such moments of indecision. I own Immortal Poems by Oscar Williams. It's got all the classic works that I'd want.
Speaking of classics lately my mind has drifted back to the Odyssey, which is one of my favorite epic tales. I read The Odyssey first in verse, rather than the usual prose versions. Reading it that way I think brought out the classic qualities of the story for me. Like I was hearing the story being told aloud, which reflected the oral tradition which Homer's works represent. Anyway here is my favorite passage in verse. This is a translation from Ian Johnston. Enjoy!
"Not till that time did she start harbouring
within her heart the disastrous folly
which made sorrow come to us as well.
But now you've mentioned that clear symbol,
our bed, which no one else has ever seen,
other than the two of us, you and me,
and a single servant woman, Actoris,
whom my father gave me when I came here.
For both of us she kept watch at the doors
of our strong bedroom. You've now won my heart,
Penelope spoke,
and stirred in him an even more intense desire
to weep. As he held his loyal and loving wife,
he cried."
Have a great weekend! Book Slave.
2009-03-31
For the love of superheroes and free alcohol.
Hello folks,
I hope you are all having a great week. Where I am the weather keeps messing with us all. One moment it's sunny, the next it's snowing. What the hell man? Again I just want to know what's coming, that's all I ask.
Book Club tonight was another lively discussion. This was also fueled by free alcohol, for which I was very grateful. Thanks Zach! I was very glad to see some old friends and also meet some cool new people. I've been going to this club for six months and it's always been fun. I know that soon the club will have to move to a new space sometime within the next few months. I hope that it's still in reasonable proximity, so I can go. We'll just have to see.
Also I wanted to remind folks that PBS has started airing BBC's Little Dorrit. I watched Part One last weekend and found it very intriquing. There are a lot of different characters and threads, but man it's going to be 5 parts long. I can't wait to see how all the threads come together. If you missed it PBS is airing Part One online this week. I'd suggest checking it out, here.
Anyway Onward!
Reviews
Astro City Vol. 1
I highly enjoyed this first trade. Kurt Busiek loves superheroes. That comes out loud and clear in this series which is a deconstruction/celebration of the comic mythos. Like Alan Moore's Watchmen, Astro City showcases a world where superheroes exist. Each issue tells a stand alone story from one POV. However Busiek rather than showing the dark side focuses on the positive, paying homage to the comics of the silver age. This is a great companion to Marvels, which was also written/drawn by the team of Busiek & Ross. As much as I love the grim reality of Watchmen it is great to soar in the world of Astro City.
Other Reviews
Mervi's Book Reviews
Bodega Dreams
This was my book club book this month. I definitely wouldn't have picked it up myself. It took me about half-way thru the book for me to understand what Quinonez is getting at. This book is clearly meant to be a microcosm of the two groups trying to take over Spanish Harlem. On one side you have the rigidness of the Pentecostal/christian religious influence of Blanca's church and on the other side the evil capitalism of Willie Bodega. Chino, the protagonist, is caught in the middle of the two sides. He believes in Bodega's dream of the rise of a Puerto-Rican professional class, but knows that Bodega is far from altruistic. Chino sees the world as a place where nothing is completely free. There is always a catch or a favor owed for any good deed. I was impressed by Quinonez's ability to capture the world of Spanish Harlem. There is a clear distinct use of language that is necessary to understand the educational hierarchy. The more "street" that you are the more the dialogue becomes colloquial, where as professionals like Nazarrio speak in clear English. If there is a fault with this book is that it is very traditional in it's narrative. I think it would have benefited from more experimentation like South by South Bronx. Perhaps a use of First person, instead of flashback, would have lended the story more urgency. As it is I thought the ending was quite a good twist and felt it was well set up all along. I'm interested to see where Quinonez goes next.
Other Reviews
Salon Books | Entertainment Weekly
All Star Superman Vol. 2
Grant Morrison defies definition. In one book he can write one of the craziest stories you've ever read, see Kill Your Boyfriend and the Invisibles series, and then in another he can write the most traditional superhero book ever. In this series he writes the clearest, best version of Superman I've read on the page. In the All-Star Superman series Kal-el is not interested in dominating the human race, he believes in all the good that we are capable of. It's pure classic silver age comics. I particularly loved the Bizarro style issue, where Superman desperately tries to co-opt the most infuriating comic race ever. One should also take notice of the amazing art by Frank Quitely. Check out this series, it will fill you with joy.
Past Reviews: All Star Superman Vol. 1
Other Reviews
Ifanboy | blogcritics
The Reading List
Books
Penelopiad
The 12 Caesars
Comics
Trinity #43
Magazine
Time
Check Out Count: Far too High.
Comic Pull List: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #24, Deadpool #9, Flash Rebirth #1, Trinity #44
Have a great week! Book Slave.
I hope you are all having a great week. Where I am the weather keeps messing with us all. One moment it's sunny, the next it's snowing. What the hell man? Again I just want to know what's coming, that's all I ask.
Book Club tonight was another lively discussion. This was also fueled by free alcohol, for which I was very grateful. Thanks Zach! I was very glad to see some old friends and also meet some cool new people. I've been going to this club for six months and it's always been fun. I know that soon the club will have to move to a new space sometime within the next few months. I hope that it's still in reasonable proximity, so I can go. We'll just have to see.
Also I wanted to remind folks that PBS has started airing BBC's Little Dorrit. I watched Part One last weekend and found it very intriquing. There are a lot of different characters and threads, but man it's going to be 5 parts long. I can't wait to see how all the threads come together. If you missed it PBS is airing Part One online this week. I'd suggest checking it out, here.
Anyway Onward!
Reviews
Astro City Vol. 1
I highly enjoyed this first trade. Kurt Busiek loves superheroes. That comes out loud and clear in this series which is a deconstruction/celebration of the comic mythos. Like Alan Moore's Watchmen, Astro City showcases a world where superheroes exist. Each issue tells a stand alone story from one POV. However Busiek rather than showing the dark side focuses on the positive, paying homage to the comics of the silver age. This is a great companion to Marvels, which was also written/drawn by the team of Busiek & Ross. As much as I love the grim reality of Watchmen it is great to soar in the world of Astro City.
Other Reviews
Mervi's Book Reviews
Bodega Dreams
This was my book club book this month. I definitely wouldn't have picked it up myself. It took me about half-way thru the book for me to understand what Quinonez is getting at. This book is clearly meant to be a microcosm of the two groups trying to take over Spanish Harlem. On one side you have the rigidness of the Pentecostal/christian religious influence of Blanca's church and on the other side the evil capitalism of Willie Bodega. Chino, the protagonist, is caught in the middle of the two sides. He believes in Bodega's dream of the rise of a Puerto-Rican professional class, but knows that Bodega is far from altruistic. Chino sees the world as a place where nothing is completely free. There is always a catch or a favor owed for any good deed. I was impressed by Quinonez's ability to capture the world of Spanish Harlem. There is a clear distinct use of language that is necessary to understand the educational hierarchy. The more "street" that you are the more the dialogue becomes colloquial, where as professionals like Nazarrio speak in clear English. If there is a fault with this book is that it is very traditional in it's narrative. I think it would have benefited from more experimentation like South by South Bronx. Perhaps a use of First person, instead of flashback, would have lended the story more urgency. As it is I thought the ending was quite a good twist and felt it was well set up all along. I'm interested to see where Quinonez goes next.
Other Reviews
Salon Books | Entertainment Weekly
All Star Superman Vol. 2
Grant Morrison defies definition. In one book he can write one of the craziest stories you've ever read, see Kill Your Boyfriend and the Invisibles series, and then in another he can write the most traditional superhero book ever. In this series he writes the clearest, best version of Superman I've read on the page. In the All-Star Superman series Kal-el is not interested in dominating the human race, he believes in all the good that we are capable of. It's pure classic silver age comics. I particularly loved the Bizarro style issue, where Superman desperately tries to co-opt the most infuriating comic race ever. One should also take notice of the amazing art by Frank Quitely. Check out this series, it will fill you with joy.
Past Reviews: All Star Superman Vol. 1
Other Reviews
Ifanboy | blogcritics
The Reading List
Books
Penelopiad
The 12 Caesars
Comics
Trinity #43
Magazine
Time
Check Out Count: Far too High.
Comic Pull List: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #24, Deadpool #9, Flash Rebirth #1, Trinity #44
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-03-26
Fun Book Meme Quiz or More about Me.
Hello,
Well I generally stay away from meme's on principle but I am bored and this is kinda fun. I got tagged by fellowette over at The Egalitarian Bookworm which if you're not reading it you should. She runs a great lit blog. Anyway here we go:
1) What author do you own the most books by? Looks like a mix between Jane Austen, Will Shakespeare, Terry Moore, and Stephen King right now.
2) What book do you own the most copies of? Don't really own multiple copies of books. I do have different editions of The Outsiders and Carrie. As a tween I became obsessed with finding the different covers.
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions? Grammar's evil. If I ignore it, it doesn't exist.
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with? Augustus McCrae from Lonesome Dove.
4a) What fictional character would you most like to be? Clara Allen from Lonesome Dove.
4b) What fictional character do you think most resembles you? I'm so Bridget Jones without the boyfriends and crazy parents.
5) What book have you read the most times in your life? Don't really re-read. School has forced me to read Hamlet too many times.
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old? Can't remember.
7) What is the worst book you've read in the past year? The Somnabulist by Jonathan Barnes.
8) What is the best book you've read in the past year? That's a tough choice. Brideshead Revisited, Paper Towns, and Essex County Trilogy.
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be? Just one book? 1984 by George Orwell.
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature? Who cares? Oh yeah nobody.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie? Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marissa Pessl, and Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore.
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie? On the Road, only because I don't think it would ever work.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character. Don't remember any at the moment. I leave the dreams in the dreamworld.
14) What is the most lowbrow book you've read as an adult? Depends on your definition of lowbrow. I guess I did read a Jennifer Cusie book once.
15) What is the most difficult book you've ever read? I did read John Nash's papers on Game Theory. That took me forever.
16) What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you've seen? Winter's Tale.
17) Do you prefer the French or the Russians? The Russians. But probably because I've read more Russian Lit than French.
18) Roth or Updike? Really? I'll take esoteric authors that people say they read, but they really don't.
19) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers? Sedaris. Hilarious wonderful writer.
20) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer? William Shakespeare.
21) Austen or Eliot? Jane Austen all day long.
22) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading? Lack of African American Literature. It's incredibly shameful.
23) What is your favorite novel? Really can't pick just one. Pride and Prejudice, Lonesome Dove, 1984, To Kill a Mockingbird, Slaughterhouse five, Less Than Zero, My Antonia, Winesburg Ohio.
24) Play? Long Day's Journey Into Night.
25) Poem? Howl by Allen Ginsburg. Eliot's Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.
26) Essay? Woolf's "Room of One's Own."
27) Short story? The Dead by James Joyce.
28) Work of non-fiction? Quiet Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian by Scott Douglas.
29) Who is your favorite writer? Jane Austen.
30) Who is the most overrated writer alive today? Stephanie Meyer. Really she's not a good writer at all.
31) What is your desert island book? Complete Works of Shakespeare. I could take the time to dissect it all I want.
32) And ... what are you reading right now? Well you could always check here. Right now it's Bodega Dreams and All Star Superman Vol. 2.
Hope you all enjoyed that. Have a great weekend! Book Pusher.
Well I generally stay away from meme's on principle but I am bored and this is kinda fun. I got tagged by fellowette over at The Egalitarian Bookworm which if you're not reading it you should. She runs a great lit blog. Anyway here we go:
1) What author do you own the most books by? Looks like a mix between Jane Austen, Will Shakespeare, Terry Moore, and Stephen King right now.
2) What book do you own the most copies of? Don't really own multiple copies of books. I do have different editions of The Outsiders and Carrie. As a tween I became obsessed with finding the different covers.
3) Did it bother you that both those questions ended with prepositions? Grammar's evil. If I ignore it, it doesn't exist.
4) What fictional character are you secretly in love with? Augustus McCrae from Lonesome Dove.
4a) What fictional character would you most like to be? Clara Allen from Lonesome Dove.
4b) What fictional character do you think most resembles you? I'm so Bridget Jones without the boyfriends and crazy parents.
5) What book have you read the most times in your life? Don't really re-read. School has forced me to read Hamlet too many times.
6) What was your favorite book when you were ten years old? Can't remember.
7) What is the worst book you've read in the past year? The Somnabulist by Jonathan Barnes.
8) What is the best book you've read in the past year? That's a tough choice. Brideshead Revisited, Paper Towns, and Essex County Trilogy.
9) If you could force everyone you tagged to read one book, what would it be? Just one book? 1984 by George Orwell.
10) Who deserves to win the next Nobel Prize for literature? Who cares? Oh yeah nobody.
11) What book would you most like to see made into a movie? Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marissa Pessl, and Strangers in Paradise by Terry Moore.
12) What book would you least like to see made into a movie? On the Road, only because I don't think it would ever work.
13) Describe your weirdest dream involving a writer, book, or literary character. Don't remember any at the moment. I leave the dreams in the dreamworld.
14) What is the most lowbrow book you've read as an adult? Depends on your definition of lowbrow. I guess I did read a Jennifer Cusie book once.
15) What is the most difficult book you've ever read? I did read John Nash's papers on Game Theory. That took me forever.
16) What is the most obscure Shakespeare play you've seen? Winter's Tale.
17) Do you prefer the French or the Russians? The Russians. But probably because I've read more Russian Lit than French.
18) Roth or Updike? Really? I'll take esoteric authors that people say they read, but they really don't.
19) David Sedaris or Dave Eggers? Sedaris. Hilarious wonderful writer.
20) Shakespeare, Milton, or Chaucer? William Shakespeare.
21) Austen or Eliot? Jane Austen all day long.
22) What is the biggest or most embarrassing gap in your reading? Lack of African American Literature. It's incredibly shameful.
23) What is your favorite novel? Really can't pick just one. Pride and Prejudice, Lonesome Dove, 1984, To Kill a Mockingbird, Slaughterhouse five, Less Than Zero, My Antonia, Winesburg Ohio.
24) Play? Long Day's Journey Into Night.
25) Poem? Howl by Allen Ginsburg. Eliot's Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.
26) Essay? Woolf's "Room of One's Own."
27) Short story? The Dead by James Joyce.
28) Work of non-fiction? Quiet Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian by Scott Douglas.
29) Who is your favorite writer? Jane Austen.
30) Who is the most overrated writer alive today? Stephanie Meyer. Really she's not a good writer at all.
31) What is your desert island book? Complete Works of Shakespeare. I could take the time to dissect it all I want.
32) And ... what are you reading right now? Well you could always check here. Right now it's Bodega Dreams and All Star Superman Vol. 2.
Hope you all enjoyed that. Have a great weekend! Book Pusher.
2009-03-24
Consistency, If only.
Hello folks,
How are you all? Good I hope. Unfortunately I am really getting sick of being messed with by the weather gods. Will you please decide on snow or sun? I'm not asking much I just want consistency. I've had a tough time getting used to my new schedule and way of life. More sleep, more time to read, yet I still find myself buried. Need to find structure again, or let myself accept a more spontaneous life. Am I too old to change? God I hope not. We'll just have to see I guess. Onward!
Reviews
Uncanny X-Men: From the Ashes
I decided to pick this up because I like occasionally to delve into old-school comics. Sure they are a bit dated, wordy, and painfully expositional, however it's good for me as a comic fan to read the landmark story lines. This set of issues has a lot of classic stories in it. There's the introduction of Madeleine Pryor, the bizarre Jean Grey look-a-like. If you think about it a little her relationship with Scott Summers is actually kinda twisted. But I liked how they dealt with it. Scott just told her his issues, and they got over it. DONE. This also has the storyline of Wolverine getting married in Japan, and the awesome re-imagining of Storm as a punk with mohawk. It's great. The big difference here for me is that writer Claremont tones down his maddening expositional dialogue. Oh trust me it's sometimes still painful, but it's an improvement. There was a lot of great action and twists. Good comic booking.
Biographical Info: Uncanny X-Men
Related Reviews: X-Men and Relevancy, Sublime Baby Sublime
It's Complicated
Photojournalist Robin Bowman began in 2002 a project to document the American Teenager. She wrote a questionaire but didn't try to steer their statements in any way. The result is this book which includes portraits and interviews with over 400 teens from all across the country. I was amazed by the diversity of her generational sampling. Very much like Robert Frank, Bowman captures America in an honest, truthful way. As a teenager our lives are manipulated and powerless. Bowman never seems to be exploiting her subject matter. Both triumphant and heartbreaking, I loved it.
Other Reviews
Wausua Daily Herald | NPR | Josh's YA Reviews
French Milk
I had heard a lot of great things about this little independent book so when I finally had the chance to pick it up I did. I enjoyed this little slice of life, autobiographical journal. Cartoon artist Lucy Knisley chronicles her month spent in Paris with her mom during the holidays. I will contend that enjoyment of the book is contigent on whether you like Knisley or not. I happen to enjoy her spunky personality so I liked the book. Her art style is also very cartoony which adds to the humor of the book. She also includes the photographs that she took during the trip , which is fun. Is the story deep? Not really, but I recommend it to anyone who wants an enjoyable
read.
Other Reviews
Comic Mix | Pinot and Prose | Seattle Literature Examiner
The Reading List
Books
Bodega Dreams
All Star Superman Vol. 2
Comics
Fables #82
Magazine
Wizard
Check Out Count: Exploded.
Comic Pull List: Daredevil #117, Garth Ennis Battlefields Dear Billy #3, New Avengers #51, Oracle #1, Runaways 3 #8, Superman #686, Umbrella Academy Dallas #5, Wonder Woman #30
Have a great week! Book Slave.
How are you all? Good I hope. Unfortunately I am really getting sick of being messed with by the weather gods. Will you please decide on snow or sun? I'm not asking much I just want consistency. I've had a tough time getting used to my new schedule and way of life. More sleep, more time to read, yet I still find myself buried. Need to find structure again, or let myself accept a more spontaneous life. Am I too old to change? God I hope not. We'll just have to see I guess. Onward!
Reviews
Uncanny X-Men: From the Ashes
I decided to pick this up because I like occasionally to delve into old-school comics. Sure they are a bit dated, wordy, and painfully expositional, however it's good for me as a comic fan to read the landmark story lines. This set of issues has a lot of classic stories in it. There's the introduction of Madeleine Pryor, the bizarre Jean Grey look-a-like. If you think about it a little her relationship with Scott Summers is actually kinda twisted. But I liked how they dealt with it. Scott just told her his issues, and they got over it. DONE. This also has the storyline of Wolverine getting married in Japan, and the awesome re-imagining of Storm as a punk with mohawk. It's great. The big difference here for me is that writer Claremont tones down his maddening expositional dialogue. Oh trust me it's sometimes still painful, but it's an improvement. There was a lot of great action and twists. Good comic booking.
Biographical Info: Uncanny X-Men
Related Reviews: X-Men and Relevancy, Sublime Baby Sublime
It's Complicated
Photojournalist Robin Bowman began in 2002 a project to document the American Teenager. She wrote a questionaire but didn't try to steer their statements in any way. The result is this book which includes portraits and interviews with over 400 teens from all across the country. I was amazed by the diversity of her generational sampling. Very much like Robert Frank, Bowman captures America in an honest, truthful way. As a teenager our lives are manipulated and powerless. Bowman never seems to be exploiting her subject matter. Both triumphant and heartbreaking, I loved it.
Other Reviews
Wausua Daily Herald | NPR | Josh's YA Reviews
French Milk
I had heard a lot of great things about this little independent book so when I finally had the chance to pick it up I did. I enjoyed this little slice of life, autobiographical journal. Cartoon artist Lucy Knisley chronicles her month spent in Paris with her mom during the holidays. I will contend that enjoyment of the book is contigent on whether you like Knisley or not. I happen to enjoy her spunky personality so I liked the book. Her art style is also very cartoony which adds to the humor of the book. She also includes the photographs that she took during the trip , which is fun. Is the story deep? Not really, but I recommend it to anyone who wants an enjoyable
read.
Other Reviews
Comic Mix | Pinot and Prose | Seattle Literature Examiner
The Reading List
Books
Bodega Dreams
All Star Superman Vol. 2
Comics
Fables #82
Magazine
Wizard
Check Out Count: Exploded.
Comic Pull List: Daredevil #117, Garth Ennis Battlefields Dear Billy #3, New Avengers #51, Oracle #1, Runaways 3 #8, Superman #686, Umbrella Academy Dallas #5, Wonder Woman #30
Have a great week! Book Slave.
2009-03-19
10 Word Experiment
Hello All,
It's been awhile since I've done a review post. I assure you I haven't stopped reading that's for sure. On Monday I and the esteemed Brooke Young did my presentation on Young Adult Literature for my peers. I've been prepping for it for 1 month and a half. It means that I've been steeped in YA novels, although not like Kerry at Windmill Watching. (A truly hilarious blog, check it out.) But enough that I am glad to get back to sequential art.
So this week I thought I would try an experiment. I'm gonna try to review these books in 10 words or less. Can I do it? Let's see.
Reviews
Paper Towns
Read it now. True Love lost will always be found.
Other Reviews
Teen Book Review | Viewpoints | Orlando Sentinel
Looks
Fat Girl, Skinny Girl. Body issues. Sweet Revenge. Heartbreakingly Real.
Other Reviews
Teen Book Review | slayground
Suckerpunch
Brothers seek out abusive father. Lacks Punctuation. Grim, emotional, real.
Author's Website: David Hernandez
Other Reviews
LA Times
Ronin
Samurais, Sci-Fi. 10 panel pages. Frank Miller is crazy. Completely unexpected.
Author Bio: Frank Miller
The Reading List
Books
French Milk
Uncanny X-Men: From the Ashes
Magazine
Paste
Comic
Trinity #41
Check Out Count: Strangely Increasing.
Comic Pull List: Outsiders #16, Trinity #42, Wolverine #71
Have a great weekend! Book Slave.
It's been awhile since I've done a review post. I assure you I haven't stopped reading that's for sure. On Monday I and the esteemed Brooke Young did my presentation on Young Adult Literature for my peers. I've been prepping for it for 1 month and a half. It means that I've been steeped in YA novels, although not like Kerry at Windmill Watching. (A truly hilarious blog, check it out.) But enough that I am glad to get back to sequential art.
So this week I thought I would try an experiment. I'm gonna try to review these books in 10 words or less. Can I do it? Let's see.
Reviews
Paper Towns
Read it now. True Love lost will always be found.
Other Reviews
Teen Book Review | Viewpoints | Orlando Sentinel
Looks
Fat Girl, Skinny Girl. Body issues. Sweet Revenge. Heartbreakingly Real.
Other Reviews
Teen Book Review | slayground
Suckerpunch
Brothers seek out abusive father. Lacks Punctuation. Grim, emotional, real.
Author's Website: David Hernandez
Other Reviews
LA Times
Ronin
Samurais, Sci-Fi. 10 panel pages. Frank Miller is crazy. Completely unexpected.
Author Bio: Frank Miller
The Reading List
Books
French Milk
Uncanny X-Men: From the Ashes
Magazine
Paste
Comic
Trinity #41
Check Out Count: Strangely Increasing.
Comic Pull List: Outsiders #16, Trinity #42, Wolverine #71
Have a great weekend! Book Slave.
2009-03-17
Teach Me Mr. Joyce, I'm willing to Learn...
Hello,
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all! How are you all? Good I hope. Lately I've seen a lot of change, it's a little hard to get used to. More time on my hands lately, which is not something I am used to at all. We'll see if I manage to thrive or drive myself mad.
So driven by the holiday today, I'm pushing my usual reviews post a few days. I have a big place in my heart for Irish literature. Every year around this time I try to take some time and reread The Dead by James Joyce. The Dubliners is the only work of his that I have made my way through. Give me time, someday I will tackle Ulysses. Someday. Joyce was the first writer to take stream-of-consciousness writing to it's full potential. His genius lies in the realization that literature can be more than what it was. Joyce gave literature the kick in the pants it needed. I am always amazed by those who realize the next evolution in an art form. In his short story The Dead Joyce sees the potential of post-modernism.
Lessons from Classic Literature: The Dead
1. Human Beings by nature are selfish. Gabriel spends nearly the entire night caught up in his own selfish needs and desires. He worries so much about himself that he is myopic to everyone around him.
2. Traditions are important. I love the aunt's and their family holiday party. When I was a young child my grandmother would have a similiar party every year. Everybody in the family would attend, even extended relatives that I would never know. These sortof get-togethers are essential.
3. When it comes to toasts keep it simple. Gabriel chooses to focus on the hosts of the evening: his aunts. By letting go of "the quote" he puts the focus on them and not himself. It is his first generous act of story.
4. We all need friends like Freddy Malins. Freddy is an easy moral scapegoat, but he's not so bad. Every group needs it's black sheep though.
5. All you need is love. Like the Beatles said Gabriel's epiphany at the end of the story is that love supercedes death. It is a link between the living and the dead.
Have a great couple of days! Book Slave.
Happy St. Patrick's Day to you all! How are you all? Good I hope. Lately I've seen a lot of change, it's a little hard to get used to. More time on my hands lately, which is not something I am used to at all. We'll see if I manage to thrive or drive myself mad.
So driven by the holiday today, I'm pushing my usual reviews post a few days. I have a big place in my heart for Irish literature. Every year around this time I try to take some time and reread The Dead by James Joyce. The Dubliners is the only work of his that I have made my way through. Give me time, someday I will tackle Ulysses. Someday. Joyce was the first writer to take stream-of-consciousness writing to it's full potential. His genius lies in the realization that literature can be more than what it was. Joyce gave literature the kick in the pants it needed. I am always amazed by those who realize the next evolution in an art form. In his short story The Dead Joyce sees the potential of post-modernism.
Lessons from Classic Literature: The Dead
1. Human Beings by nature are selfish. Gabriel spends nearly the entire night caught up in his own selfish needs and desires. He worries so much about himself that he is myopic to everyone around him.
2. Traditions are important. I love the aunt's and their family holiday party. When I was a young child my grandmother would have a similiar party every year. Everybody in the family would attend, even extended relatives that I would never know. These sortof get-togethers are essential.
3. When it comes to toasts keep it simple. Gabriel chooses to focus on the hosts of the evening: his aunts. By letting go of "the quote" he puts the focus on them and not himself. It is his first generous act of story.
4. We all need friends like Freddy Malins. Freddy is an easy moral scapegoat, but he's not so bad. Every group needs it's black sheep though.
5. All you need is love. Like the Beatles said Gabriel's epiphany at the end of the story is that love supercedes death. It is a link between the living and the dead.
Have a great couple of days! Book Slave.
2009-03-13
Yep I'm still here folks.
Hey,
So I haven't died, disappeared, or ended up on a crazy island. Life just decided to throw me a curve and I didn't feel like writing about books. Let's just say that now I've got some time on my hands. With plenty to read, watch, and listen I assure you I'll find a way to keep myself busy.
On Monday I've got a big presentation on young adult books in 2009. This isn't the first presentation I've done for my peers but I am a little nervous. My partner and I have decided on a real loosey, goosey approach. If there's something I don't lack it's personality. Too much some would say. Either way it should be fun.
At the moment I've got to get some major reading done. The good news is that you guys will get a review-a-palooza next week. Stay Tuned.
Have a fun weekend! Book Slave.
PS For the love of god, the written word, and the staving off of armageddon, buy your books from your local bookseller. Book Stores are hurting, they need your dollars. And when a book store fails, trust me you are letting loose a group of crazy book sellers into your midst.
So I haven't died, disappeared, or ended up on a crazy island. Life just decided to throw me a curve and I didn't feel like writing about books. Let's just say that now I've got some time on my hands. With plenty to read, watch, and listen I assure you I'll find a way to keep myself busy.
On Monday I've got a big presentation on young adult books in 2009. This isn't the first presentation I've done for my peers but I am a little nervous. My partner and I have decided on a real loosey, goosey approach. If there's something I don't lack it's personality. Too much some would say. Either way it should be fun.
At the moment I've got to get some major reading done. The good news is that you guys will get a review-a-palooza next week. Stay Tuned.
Have a fun weekend! Book Slave.
PS For the love of god, the written word, and the staving off of armageddon, buy your books from your local bookseller. Book Stores are hurting, they need your dollars. And when a book store fails, trust me you are letting loose a group of crazy book sellers into your midst.
2009-03-03
Poetry and Plays
Hello,
It's been an interesting week. Unfortunately I've spent a lot of it down with a headache, but I'm better now. Still I've got many books to read in the next two weeks. We'll see how that goes. Ships Ahoy Gentleman & Ladies!
Reviews
Complete Poems of Robert Graves, as Chosen by Himself
I've actually known the work of Robert Graves for some time. In high school I fell in love with I, Claudius having seen the TV series, I read the book. However this was the first time I've picked up his poetry. In his work I saw a man full of contradictions. In several works he expands and comments on mythography. Graves writes unconventional interpretations of classical stories like Leda and the Swan, still using traditional forms. There are also poems that are full of modernesque flourishes. His personal life was messy and some of his poems reflect that. In some works he is angry, scared, and full of passion. These non-traditional poems are in direct contrast to his "mythological" subject manner. This collection is packed, largely due to the fact that Graves works are very short. Since he picked the works in this collection I'm not sure whether it's arranged chronologically or by subject matter. I will say that it is a bit exhausting. I almost wish he had picked less works to include, making the one's he did pick stand out more. Either way you definitely get your money's worth. Worth checking out if you are a fan.
Biographical Info: Robert Graves
Doubt: A Parable
I read this after I had seen the movie adaptation, however I had heard of the play back in 2005 when it debuted. I've wanted to see it performed before I read it on the page. (To read more about this, check this out here.) This play is very spare. There are only four characters on stage, usually two people to a scene. Very much an actor's showcase, it is meant to divide the audience. Who is right? Who is wrong? Nothing about the conflict between these character's is black and white. I've come to the belief that Sister Aloysius, as much as I dislike her, is the hero of this play. She is relentless even though as she states "In the pursuit of wrongdoing, one steps away from God...Of course, there's a price." She is risking her soul to protect the kids in her school. She has no actual physical proof but even the possibility of a threat and she is on the case. I also loved the relationship between Sister James and Sister Aloysius. Sister James is the perfect depiction of a young innocent who so desperately needs the older sister's approval. She wants to be loved by her students but she also wants their respect. Unfortunately you can't always have both, she will have to find a way to have both. Shanley is amazing for creating such drama out of so little.
Performance Reviews
New York Times | CurtainUp
The Reading List
Books
Ronin
Looks
Comics
Trinity #38
Magazines
Newsweek
Comic Pull List: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #23, Daredevil #116, Deadpool #8, Goon #32, Secret Six #7, Terry Moores Echo #10, Trinity #40
Check Out Count: Holding Steady.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
It's been an interesting week. Unfortunately I've spent a lot of it down with a headache, but I'm better now. Still I've got many books to read in the next two weeks. We'll see how that goes. Ships Ahoy Gentleman & Ladies!
Reviews
Complete Poems of Robert Graves, as Chosen by Himself
I've actually known the work of Robert Graves for some time. In high school I fell in love with I, Claudius having seen the TV series, I read the book. However this was the first time I've picked up his poetry. In his work I saw a man full of contradictions. In several works he expands and comments on mythography. Graves writes unconventional interpretations of classical stories like Leda and the Swan, still using traditional forms. There are also poems that are full of modernesque flourishes. His personal life was messy and some of his poems reflect that. In some works he is angry, scared, and full of passion. These non-traditional poems are in direct contrast to his "mythological" subject manner. This collection is packed, largely due to the fact that Graves works are very short. Since he picked the works in this collection I'm not sure whether it's arranged chronologically or by subject matter. I will say that it is a bit exhausting. I almost wish he had picked less works to include, making the one's he did pick stand out more. Either way you definitely get your money's worth. Worth checking out if you are a fan.
Biographical Info: Robert Graves
Doubt: A Parable
I read this after I had seen the movie adaptation, however I had heard of the play back in 2005 when it debuted. I've wanted to see it performed before I read it on the page. (To read more about this, check this out here.) This play is very spare. There are only four characters on stage, usually two people to a scene. Very much an actor's showcase, it is meant to divide the audience. Who is right? Who is wrong? Nothing about the conflict between these character's is black and white. I've come to the belief that Sister Aloysius, as much as I dislike her, is the hero of this play. She is relentless even though as she states "In the pursuit of wrongdoing, one steps away from God...Of course, there's a price." She is risking her soul to protect the kids in her school. She has no actual physical proof but even the possibility of a threat and she is on the case. I also loved the relationship between Sister James and Sister Aloysius. Sister James is the perfect depiction of a young innocent who so desperately needs the older sister's approval. She wants to be loved by her students but she also wants their respect. Unfortunately you can't always have both, she will have to find a way to have both. Shanley is amazing for creating such drama out of so little.
Performance Reviews
New York Times | CurtainUp
The Reading List
Books
Ronin
Looks
Comics
Trinity #38
Magazines
Newsweek
Comic Pull List: Buffy The Vampire Slayer #23, Daredevil #116, Deadpool #8, Goon #32, Secret Six #7, Terry Moores Echo #10, Trinity #40
Check Out Count: Holding Steady.
Have a great week! Book Slave.
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