false 7 60 27 true 5686059 read 1 true 3618796 currently-reading 5 true 3618795 to-read 14 true 3620626 comics-and-manga 13 true 3618964 teen-books 13 false 3625658 damn-funny 10 false 3621622 fiction 7 false 3625642 mystery 5 false 3625652 sci-fi 5 false 3618840 craptastic 4 false 3625659 classics 3 false 3625670 satire 3 false 3621623 nonfiction 1 false 3795002 didn-t-finish http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59184154 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Paperback) by Seth Grahame-Smith
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/59182291 to: No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days (Paperback) by Chris Baty
bookshelves: nonfiction
Ever heard of NaNoWriMo? Chris Baty came up with the idea of writing a novel in a month with some friends- this quickly became "National Novel Writing Month" (NaNoWriMo- celebrated every November.) Baty uses his experiences with with NaNoWriMo, or writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days for fun as a way to write. Serious writers may point out that it takes longer than a month to write. But for people who are hesitant, procrastinators, or just plain inspirationally crippled (like me) this can be a creative and fun way to write.

The book is an easy read, encouraging people to write now, as the book you write in the next decade would be vastly different than the one you would write now. It has a "button" drawn on one page, that when you "push" it, it chases away that most fearsome of creatures, your inner editor. It is an encouraging, but constructive book.

Will the book you write be any good? Based on Baty's advice, it'll be fueled by caffeine, eat up all of your spare time, and make you a social recluse. On the other hand, "The Great Gatsby" was around 50,000 words. Either way, if you do write 50,000 words in 30 days or three months, you'll have a working rough draft.

Note- If you do the NaNoWriMo challenge, you have a month to write, you can bring in no previously written material save for outlines/character sheets, and a week prior to research. You can Google "National Novel Writing Month" to learn more.

Another Note- So, is anyone up for some novel-writing madness? I bet I could come up with some damn funny badassery in 30 days. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/46580366 to: Jellicoe Road (Hardcover) by Melina Marchetta
bookshelves: fiction, teen-books
Jellicoe Road, this year's Printz winner, was definitely better than its predecessor, The White Darkness. The first chapter left me awestruck- it was an incredible beginning. However, the next 100 pages are comprised of two stories that swirl around one main character who frankly, is less than likable in the beginning. After the 200 page mark, it is apparent that the structure emulates the main character's confusion- the reader is already beginning to piece together what the main character is beginning to suspect. It is tedious work, but the payoff is worth it- once the story picks up and the characters begin to interact, the story is quite enjoyable.

I took off one star for two reasons. One is due to editing. I felt that structurally, the reader could relate to the main story of Jellicoe Road, but the reader never really relates to the secondary story. With as many pages and development allocated by the writer, there should have been more development or in my opinion, less of the secondary story except in the development of the main story (I'm trying to write this without spoiling anything here). There are also some basic mistakes, as noted in other reviews- the ethnicity of one character contradicts itself, there are unexplained lapses in time during scenes, and so on.

Finally, this is supposed to be an award-winning book, with an emphasis on literary achievement. While Jellicoe Road does not lack this, I personally see this book as having a rather limited teen audience. I work in a public library, and there is a certain type of teen who would be willing to put in the effort to navigate the complexities of this novel- a novel that is sometimes overly complex and at times somewhat inaccessible. I worked through the first third of the book because it was a Printz winner, and I felt an obligation to finish it. I wonder if teens would do the same- it's not difficult, but it can be a chore. And who wants to make their leisure reading a chore? (This isn't me advocating Twilight for the Printz award, but really, let's take into account the audience of a book, and not just what adults/professionals think). ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/35936390 to: Hitman Vol. 1 (Paperback) by Garth Ennis
bookshelves: comics-and-manga, damn-funny
Yes, Garth Ennis actually wrote a DC title that was not for mature readers. And half the fun is how he constantly stretched the rules...and how the rules made Ennis come up with new and inventive ways to tell a good story. Don't get me wrong- Hitman runs the gamut of humor, from gallows to dark and twisted to lighthearted and sweet. What people missed out on with it's run is that there is some incredible storytelling (and not just the one where Tommy throws up on Batman's boots, though yes, it happens, and it is supremely funny.)

Tommy Monaghan is a "superhero" of sorts- he is one of the few titles to actually come out of DC's "Bloodlines" experiment where humans were killed by crazy aliens who sucked out their spinal fluid. Those who survived developed powers- just like Tommy, a hired gun. He never really uses his powers- instead, the title is about his interactions with his friends and how he almost becomes a mercenary for good in his run-down home in the "bad" part of Gotham (called the Cauldron). This is all about characterization my friends- think about Ennis' first run on the Punisher. Yes, it's the good Ennis, and it happens through the whole run of Hitman. Read it.

Look for the Eisner-winning issue with Superman (#34- not collected, but so worth tracking down), appearances from the Green Lantern (Local Heroes, Hitman TPB #3) Catwoman (Ace of Killers, Hitman TPB #4) and Batman (this trade).

This is my favorite comic book title. Some of the stories are funny, others poignant, and some just plain terrifying. It is truly some of Ennis' finest, and I was saddened to see it end. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/36073724 to: The Matters at Mansfield: Or, The Crawford Affair (Mr. and Mrs. Darcy Mysteries) by Carrie Bebris
bookshelves: mystery
I really enjoy Bebris' Pride and Prejudice "sequels" though as a warning for readers, they have a totally different feel than Austen's original work. However, the pacing of Matters at Mansfield made it difficult to get into a rather interesting premise- a rake familiar to Austen readers charms his way into the de Bourgh family, leading the Darcys onto a rather grisly murder investigation. As always, there was some really interesting insights into the cultural and social mores of the time, thanks to the author. Plus, some of the character developments were surprising, though most will prove a treat for P&P fans. However, the itself story starts out slowly and meanders to the point that you see the connection at the end, but it's more of a relief than a surprise. Plus, there's not enough interaction between Darcy and Elizabeth, and really, that's the best bit of the previous novels. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/35995023 to: Ultimates 2 Volume 2: Grand Theft America (Trade Paperback) by Mark Millar
bookshelves: comics-and-manga
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/35995009 to: The Ultimates Vol. 2: Homeland Security (Paperback) by Mark Millar
bookshelves: comics-and-manga
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