false 2 36 26 true 5838090 read 4 true 2961902 currently-reading 6 true 2961901 to-read 3 false 7751438 graphic-novels <![CDATA[Vickie added 'Always']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80239916 Always (Hardcover) by Nicola Griffith
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> <![CDATA[Vickie added 'New Moon']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/80237131 to: New Moon (Twilight, #2) by Stephenie Meyer
I admit that I kind of suffered through this book. My best friend is a huge fan of the series, so I borrowed her set. The first book was an enjoyable enough read. New Moon, however, was a special kind of torture.

I admit, I read books fro a feminist standpoint. And Bella bothers me. I understand being miserable, and how, as a teenager, everything is such a Big Deal. Bella is, overall, a pretty self-sufficient and independent person, other than this teeny tiny completely overwhelming love affair she has.

Hmm, I guess I'm belittling the "epic" quality of the book. Having supernatural elements and long-lived characters does not make a book epic, nor does this all-consuming love story. What is truly "epic" is Bella's fanatical devotion to Edward that reminds me to not drink the kool-aid. Edward doesn't permeate her being, but rather her life, and she chooses to put her body and soul in danger for a bare hint of his essence or voice, like a desperate disciple hungry for a smidgeon of proof that their faith is justified.

Anywho, my best friend dragged me to the movie, so I was able to finish the book by skipping sheafs of passages that bored me and were covered adequately in the movie.

Although, I do admit to one fannish obsession: I'm all for Team Alice! ^_^ ]]> <![CDATA[Vickie is on page 100 of Horse Heaven ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76389907 Vickie is on page 100 of 640 of Horse Heaven ]]> <![CDATA[Vickie added 'Horse Heaven']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76389907 Horse Heaven (Mass Market Paperback) by Jane Smiley
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> <![CDATA[Vickie added 'Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing: Stories']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76389462 Reasons for and Advantages of Breathing: Stories (P.S.) by Lydia Peelle
bookshelves: to-read
]]> <![CDATA[Vickie added 'The Natural Laws of Good Luck: A Memoir of an Unlikely Marriage']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76389395 The Natural Laws of Good Luck: A Memoir of an Unlikely Marriage (Hardcover) by Ellen Graf
bookshelves: to-read
]]> <![CDATA[Vickie added 'The Girl Who Played with Fire']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76355015 to: The Girl Who Played with Fire (Millennium, #2) by Stieg Larsson
]]> <![CDATA[Vickie added 'Fray']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76353917 to: Fray (Paperback) by Joss Whedon
bookshelves: graphic-novels
There's nothing I can say about this that hasn't been said before. I am also a confessed Whedonite, and I would marry him if not for the fact that he works too much and would never be home in time for dinner and I totally wasted this roast that took all day to cook!

Ahem. 50's housewife flashback aside, this is an excellent, stand-alone comic. It's like the Buffy movie that never was. While the setting with its tired trope of flying cars and post-apocalyptic ghettos underneath floating cities needs a little forgiving, the rest of the comic is pure Whedon magic. His trademark dry wit finds a perfect match with Melaka Fray, who is more jaded than the "sensible yet stylish shoes" Buffy but less isolated than the "7th season General" Buffy.

This comic also answers the question of what makes a Slayer. Is she a Slayer because she is Chosen? Or has a Watcher? Or has prophetic dreams or enhanced physical abilities? One commonality between past and present Slayers is a strong sense of justice, and the power to wield it. Much as Whedon's Buffy-Slayer acted as a rallying cry for all those blonde bimbos in horror movies that are powerless against the monster, or who always must open the wrong door or trip on something, Fray-Slayer is a symbol of believing in something larger than yourself, your life of crime, and even this particular plane of existence.

And much as I hate to use the word "empowerment", its presence pervades the comic and the Buffy-verse. Though she might not have elected to be put in this position, Mel chooses to take on the responsibility of protecting those around her, despite not having any guidance.

The art of this novel is also amazing. The lines are almost strong enough to carry the action by themselves, but the intense colors only add to the life of the story. The reds in particular are intense, cherry tomato reds, that make the blood and other visceral things pop out intensely.

I guess my critique is, though there is a twist ending, much of the themes in the story has already been done in the Buffy-verse before. There are qualities of the epic story that are fulfilled to the letter, and you can imagine what would happen if the story were to continue: Mel would gain allies, leveling up before facing the next boss. She will meet a sage who will guide her, have a moment when she questions herself but returns stronger, etc. Urkonn subverts some of these old standbys, but a continuation of the story would seem to have no choice but to rehash some old Buffy themes. Then again, I'm not Joss Whedon, and he could probably pull a big technicolor rabbit out of that hat.

So. Final answer? Get your hands on it. You'll lurve it. ]]> <![CDATA[Vickie added 'Ash']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/76352855 to: Ash (Paperback) by Malinda Lo
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
]]> <![CDATA[Vickie added 'Kitchen']]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/75601121 to: Kitchen (Paperback) by Banana Yoshimoto
I find it difficult to review a book that has been translated from another language, especially ones as grammatically different as Japanese. Are the words truly as transformative as they seem or is it the work of a transcendental translator?

Further complicating matters is the fact that this book was/is a monumental success, despite the critiques leveled at it by the more serious members of the literary community. Populist vs. Intellectual... nowadays this conflict seems to be growing too heated to remain polite conversation.

Now, to the uncomplicated part. I like this book. It made me happy to read it, despite the consistent tragedies. The imagery in "Kitchen" especially moved me. In describing a summer when she was happy, Mikage expounds on her joys in cooking, and food. "At the supermarket I would stare at a bright red tomato, loving it for dear life." I love this line.

Banana Yoshimoto's book is excellent at encapsulating the 80's for me. Japan was going through a terrible economic recession, and likewise, Mikage lost every single one of her relatives. Suddenly she is relying on people she hardly knows. You have Eriko, a character who is larger than life and outlandish in a way that was shocking back then, and solid, quiet Yuichi. Through their support Mikage is able to reconnect with what makes her happy in life--cooking--and despite continued tragedies they make their way through with love. Dawwww. It makes me nostalgic for those simpler times as opposed to the doom and gloom of later pop culture literature.

The second story, "Moonlight Shadow", has a metaphysical aspect that, while very Japanese, also translates well to popular ghost stories in the West. Shorter, but more tightly weaved than "Kitchen", I found it to be a pleasant addition. I di like "Kitchen" a bit more, but then again, I love anything pertaining to food.

What a winding review I wrote! My brain is wonky today, but I felt I had to write some review before I put this book back on my shelf. Liked it! Read more! ]]>