I loved loved loved this graphic novel. The dark, dingy pages and the viewpoint of the reader as a character was well-done and made me feel like I was...moreI loved loved loved this graphic novel. The dark, dingy pages and the viewpoint of the reader as a character was well-done and made me feel like I was in a post-apocalyptic world. I'm pretty terrified now.(less)
My second-to-last book of the challenge! Also, the best one I've read so far. Jasper Jones is clever, dark, and thought-provoking. Charlie, the narrat...moreMy second-to-last book of the challenge! Also, the best one I've read so far. Jasper Jones is clever, dark, and thought-provoking. Charlie, the narrator, is very insightful for a 14-year-old and after a missing girl (and his involvement in her disappearance) change his view of the world, he doesn't just sit in despair. He begins to look outside of himself. He looks into criminals around the world searching for answers.
The real reason that this book is the best is Jeffrey Lu. There are no words to describe how awesome this character is. He is probably my favorite character in all of YA lit and that is saying something.
I have found myself really enjoying Australian YA books - in particular, Jasper and Jellicoe Road. They seem more respectful of the young adult reader and what they can handle. They are a little darker (at least the ones I've read), but also seem a little truer. Go read Jasper Jones right now. You can thank me later.(less)
Such a beautifully-written, understated manga. Shuichi is so confused and adorable. He just needs someone to hug him and tell him it is ok to be trans...moreSuch a beautifully-written, understated manga. Shuichi is so confused and adorable. He just needs someone to hug him and tell him it is ok to be transgender. Takatsuki is much stronger about realizing that she should have been born a boy. I hope in future volumes that Takatsuki's strength will help Shuichi as the two begin to feel more comfortable with the fact that they are transgender. The artwork is beautiful and understated, enabling to story to feel every day. I am excited to see where the story goes in future volumes.(less)
Axe Cop is all kinds of hilarious. Written by a 5 year old boy and drawn by his 29 year old brother, the plot lines make zero sense in the best possib...moreAxe Cop is all kinds of hilarious. Written by a 5 year old boy and drawn by his 29 year old brother, the plot lines make zero sense in the best possible way. Each introduced or changed character is better than the last and I found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions.
I had a couple issues with the book as a whole. The idea can get a little old, making some of the stories feel too long or make you lose interest. This is not a book to read all at once. Also, Ethan Nicolle (the older brother) makes a lot of commentary, some of which adds to the experience. Most of the commentary feels unnecessary and redundant. It's as if Ethan feels the need to keep reminding us that a 5 year old wrote this. I don't care who wrote it. It's just awesome. (less)
This book was a fascinating look at Julian Beever's artwork. His 3-D pavement chalk drawings trick the eye and he explains how and why that is. His de...moreThis book was a fascinating look at Julian Beever's artwork. His 3-D pavement chalk drawings trick the eye and he explains how and why that is. His descriptions are interesting, explaining a lot about drawing and how human sight works. I learned a lot from this book about perspective and things like vanishing points. I would have given this five stars, but the overall design of the book took away from things. Double page spreads were usually made up of two photos or four explanations of Beever's drawings. Forcing the reader to flip back and forth to see the artwork they were reading about. It made the process of experiencing the book tedious. The best layouts were the pages in which the drawings took up 3/4 of the page with a side panel explaining the work. This was much more effective for the reader.(less)
I really enjoyed this fun look at history. It teaches a lot without hitting you over the head with it. I appreciated that there were multiple women in...moreI really enjoyed this fun look at history. It teaches a lot without hitting you over the head with it. I appreciated that there were multiple women included, although I would have liked one or two more and also some racial diversity. Nearly everyone was a white male. Also, while I enjoyed the conversational tone to the chapters, I would have preferred that some of the more "cutesy" language be left out. Some of the exclamations and fart jokes were a bit over the top for me, although I am sure younger readers would have fits of giggles.(less)
I'm not usually a big fan of Brian Michael Bendis. I find him a little too wordy and over-the-top with his thought bubbles. Scarlet, similar to his ot...moreI'm not usually a big fan of Brian Michael Bendis. I find him a little too wordy and over-the-top with his thought bubbles. Scarlet, similar to his other title Takio, was a pleasant surprise. Bendis is really trying to up female protagonists in graphic novels. While this is certainly darker (both literally and figuratively) than Takio, Scarlet presents an awesomely strong woman. It doesn't turn her into a superhero. She's just a normal teenage girl with a serious rage issue and a thirst for vengeance. I wish that she was maybe drawn a little less busty and fit, with maybe some more clothing, but otherwise I'm a big fan of Scarlet. This series has some awesome potential.(less)
I really enjoyed these comics. I get easily bored with many superhero comic books, but I find Thor's storylines very appealing, most likely because of...moreI really enjoyed these comics. I get easily bored with many superhero comic books, but I find Thor's storylines very appealing, most likely because of the mythology aspect of them. This volume was fun, but I am not quite sure why it was not published in one book set with the first volume. I enjoyed seeing the early Thor comics (which were pretty bad), to see how the characters have evolved. I only wish there were more of these.(less)
Vol. 1 was a fun read. Thor's adjustment to Earth is funny to watch and Jane is such a smart, savvy heroine. Langridge does a good job with the series...moreVol. 1 was a fun read. Thor's adjustment to Earth is funny to watch and Jane is such a smart, savvy heroine. Langridge does a good job with the series, tying into the movie while still presenting interesting new storylines.(less)
This book presents the story of the Zodiac Killer almost blandly. It states the facts, uses a few pictures of victims, provides a timeline, and a bibl...moreThis book presents the story of the Zodiac Killer almost blandly. It states the facts, uses a few pictures of victims, provides a timeline, and a bibliography. It is a good basic source to find out about the story, but there is no spark to it. I usually love mysteries about serial killers, fiction and non, but this one did not capture my attention. It is, however, very short and easy to get through. (less)
My reading of this series is long overdue. I flew through this first book. The characters are endearing and interesting, the plot was compelling, and...moreMy reading of this series is long overdue. I flew through this first book. The characters are endearing and interesting, the plot was compelling, and I love that Cooper uses the Arthur story, but still creates something entirely new. My new favorite series.(less)
I loved this series so much. I'm sad that it is over. I guess I can always re-read...
This is the final showdown with the Dark and the longest book by...moreI loved this series so much. I'm sad that it is over. I guess I can always re-read...
This is the final showdown with the Dark and the longest book by far. It takes a while the set up the action, but once Cooper lays the groundwork, the story flies to the ending. I couldn't put it down. I love each character and wish a bit for a later book, once the kids are grown up. (less)
One of my only re-reads for the YALSA challenge. This book is clever, funny, and compelling. The artwork is created using understated colors and swirl...moreOne of my only re-reads for the YALSA challenge. This book is clever, funny, and compelling. The artwork is created using understated colors and swirling lines, giving the book a ghostly feel. This book is really fun to read, with just the right about of creepy.(less)
Brooke Gladstone has created a really fascinating, in-depth look at how media works. It shows the good and the bad. It is clearly in favor of the medi...moreBrooke Gladstone has created a really fascinating, in-depth look at how media works. It shows the good and the bad. It is clearly in favor of the media, since Gladstone works in media, but does it's best to show the issues on both sides. It was a little heavy in places and got a bit dull, so I worry that some readers, particularly younger ones, will lose interest part way through. I really enjoyed the book overall, especially seeing the history of media in our country and how it has changed over the years.(less)
This book kept reminding me of John Knowles' A Separate Peace. Hubbard separates it a bit, by not making the main character the one under suspicion, b...moreThis book kept reminding me of John Knowles' A Separate Peace. Hubbard separates it a bit, by not making the main character the one under suspicion, but still very similar plots. Thomas has died in a drowning accident and Alex (Is Male) feels a lot of guilt over having been there and is worried his friend Glenn might have done something very wrong. Paper covers Rock is Alex's diary, illustrating his rise as a poet through his grief and guilt over that day.
Alex is a very unreliable narrator. The book is stream of consciousness, so it jumps all over the place. It isn't always cohesive, but Hubbard creates a captivating story that keeps the reading guessing. It is a realistic portrayal of guilt and the confusion of being a teenager. The ending wrapped up very quickly, however, without exploring much of the ending action. It seemed very abrupt, especially considering the actions taken by the narrator. A good read, though, overall.(less)
The Night Circus just feels magical from page one. I desperately wanted some caramel corn while reading this book. Morgenstern does a great job of eng...moreThe Night Circus just feels magical from page one. I desperately wanted some caramel corn while reading this book. Morgenstern does a great job of engaging all of the senses, creating an experience - a spectacle - of a book.
I had a few issues with the book overall. I had no interest in Marco, the male protagonist, and simply didn't like him as a character. This book featured a lot of cruelty exacted on different characters, but almost seemed to whitewash over it, to force the reader not to dwell on it.
The magical feel won out and I flew through the book. This book is a spectacle, but I wonder if the plot didn't suffer a bit to create the atmosphere.(less)
I read this in practically one sitting. Levithan's writing always captures me. It has a sort of magical quality to it, but also a realness. I enjoyed...moreI read this in practically one sitting. Levithan's writing always captures me. It has a sort of magical quality to it, but also a realness. I enjoyed that this was written in the style of a dictionary, with words defining the relationship. Nothing was clean-cut or clear. The time line jumped from moment to moment, but in no particular order. It was messy and fascinating, like relationships are. My only problem with the book was that it felt melancholy all the way through. Even the happy moments were tinged with sadness and loneliness, making me wonder how the relationship got going at all. The book captivated me nonetheless, although I felt like reading a romance novel after just to feel happy again.(less)
I breezed through this graphic. The illustrations are stunning and I began to care about the characters very quickly. The story is a bit difficult to...moreI breezed through this graphic. The illustrations are stunning and I began to care about the characters very quickly. The story is a bit difficult to come to terms with (a 20 year old woman married and possibly in love with a 12 year old boy), but I still found myself rooting for them.
My only problem was that the story moved very slowly and each chapter felt episodic, instead of creating a full story. This is only volume 1 though, so I'll chalk it up to trying to lay the groundwork for later volumes. I'm looking forward to volume 2.(less)
I loved this book. Set in a fictional world, The Returning follows different people from a village as they cope with the end of a long war. I found my...moreI loved this book. Set in a fictional world, The Returning follows different people from a village as they cope with the end of a long war. I found myself really caring about this community and feeling like I was a part of it. Hinwood subtly explores how racism and ethnicity effect people - with fear and suspicion for many - and also how we re-build and adapt to change. Highly recommended for teens and adults of all ages. (less)
I love this series of graphic novels (I've read most of them now, after starting with this one). I Love Him to Pieces is my favorite. It features a st...moreI love this series of graphic novels (I've read most of them now, after starting with this one). I Love Him to Pieces is my favorite. It features a strong, sporty, smart girl who falls for a nerd and will do whatever it takes to protect him and survive. She does all the heavy-lifting (or, rather, bat-swinging) in this book, while he knows the science to save them. This was a fun, quick read and I wish there were more comics like this out there for teen girls.(less)
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