Lakis Fourouklas's Blog

Eat the World: A Collection of Poems by Marina Diamandis

It has been a few years since I last wrote a book review so perhaps I am a little bit rusty but here it goes.

To begin with let me say that I first came to know Marina Diamandis as a poet rather than a very successful singer/songwriter. I've slowly started getting to know her music after reading this collection. Some of the poems here came as a point blank shot to my heart, others brought back to my mind memories from a time and a youth long past.

One of the things I can say to describe this collection is that it is refreshingly honest. Diamandis lays everything out for all to see and I'm guessing that felt quite liberating to her: “The things I need to write about are the things I'm scared to write about,” she says. And elsewhere: “I'm scared to be happy/I'm scared that I'll miss being sad...” Well said.

In the poem titled Denominator she seems to indirectly quote the famous Greek writer Nikos Kazantzakis as she declares: “...my thoughts are the paint/words are my brushes...” But elsewhere when she decides to talk about one of people's most favorite subjects she hits hard:“...my relationships hang/like broken spider-/webs in the sun...” And I believe she talks for most of us when she exclaims: “Fuck others/ Why do I have to bear/the weight of the discomfort?”

A lot of these poems sound kind of bittersweet. They are all about losing something and gaining something else and they talk about the sweet freedom of simply being yourself. They also speak of the sadness and joy of living and the will to change, when time comes, and break out of the cage that keeps you still. As she says: “Metamorphosis/awaits every being/in the end...” and “...Now I can see to truly/live, parts of me/had to die...”

I have been reading a lot of poetry this year and I have to say that this collection was the one that got stuck in my head for the most time.Its rawness and directness really spoke to me. I look forward to reading more from Diamandis. She really has quite a few things to say.

To Hold Her Hands

To hold her hands, the way you did the day you met her, and the way you do since you promised that you'll be together forever, soul for soul, body for body.
To hold her hands, so that you can together traverse the pathways of life, to smile together and together to taste some of the bitter fruits of being, to try new flavors, to meet different people, to travel.
To hold her hands, when she's ill and when she's sad, when she's happy and full of optimism, when she needs you and does not, and thus, together continue to venture through the shadow lands of space and time, through sunny valleys, rivers wild and emotional peaks and bottoms. To hold her hands…
The photo was taken in Pai, Thailand

My (Previous) Year in Reading: 121 to 130

…in chronological order.
2015 has been a great year when it comes to reading books for me. During it, according to Goodreads, I have gulped down 212 volumes that were not only novels for adults but also volumes that belonged in many other genres: YA, graphic novels, poetry, children's stories, short stories and books in translation. This has also been a year that I stopped writing reviews since I had much else occupying my mind and time, so below I'll give you no more than a few words about the books I have read. I hope some of my choices echo yours and I look forward to an exciting new year of reading.
So here it goes:
121) Small Wars by Lee Child. This is one of those Jack Reacher ebook shorts that now tend to appear before every new novel released by the author. What we have here is one of the same and which yet we enjoy just the same. Reacher is asked to investigate a crime, and surely soon enough he finds who the killer is, though that discovery comes as a bit of a surprise to the unsuspecting reader. A job well done once again.
122) The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz. When I found out that an author was hired to write a sequel to Stieg Larsson's Millennium series I didn't quite know what to expect. The good thing is that the new author doesn't disappoint. He delivers the goods in a masterful way and since he's a better writer than the late Larsson this new book reads more smoothly than the first three in the series. I look forward to the next one.
123) Judge Surra by Andrea Camilleri. This is not a Montalbano story. It takes place in 1862 in Montelusa, Sicily, where the judge of the title arrives to take over the local court. Most people think that he won't last long there, but the good judge is much more canny than they give him credit for. A very good short story by a great writer.
124) Red Rosa: A Graphic Biography of Rosa Luxemburg by Kate Evans. This graphic novel could have been a masterpiece, but doesn't quite reach that status for one simple reason: it's overly chatty. If that doesn't bother you much then start reading and be prepared for an exciting ride into the muddled waters of history and a heroine that will stay with you for a long time to come.
125) Ragnarok Volume 1: Last God Standing by Walter Simonson. Whenever I read the word Ragnarok in a title I get myself ready to enjoy a great adventure. Sometimes I do others I don't. With the graphic novel at hand I feel a bit conflicted because, though the premise is great, it doesn't quite deliver the goods. I would hope that the best is still to come.
126) Junction True by Ray Fawkes and Vince Locke. This is a futuristic tale about a man and the boundaries he's willing to cross for the woman he loves; a tale of extremes. This is a great concept which could do with some improvements in both the script and art departments. The story works but not as well as it could and should.
127) Alex + Ada Volume 3 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn. Here we also have a love story of sorts, taking place in the future. Alex, the man, comes to have feelings for Ada, the robot and decides to set her free in order to explore the world in humanly fashion. But things don't quite work out the way they want them to. I loved this story. Good work all around.
128) Edward Scissorhands Volume 2: Whole Again by Kate Leth and DrewRausch. I've enjoyed the second volume of this graphic novel just as much as the first. This Tim Burton creature took a new life on the page and I look forward to reading whatever comes next in the series. Thumbs up.
129) Chew Volume 10: Blood Puddin' by John Layman and Rob Guillory. This series of graphic novels is one of the best out there at the moment. The good scripts and pinpoint accurate art, the heroes and villains, and most of all the action make it one to look out for. A real joy to read.
130) Black Science Volume 3: Vanishing Point by Rick Remender, MatteoScalera and Moreno Dinisio. Yet another series that seems to grow better and better. For me it was enough to read that its heroes are the members of The Anarchist League of Scientists to be sold on the premise. Inter-dimensional travel, intrigue and lots of adventure are the cornerstones of the story. Bring me more.
To be continued.
Read also: 1 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80, 81 to 90, 91 to 100, 101 to 110, 111 to 120. 

My (Previous) Year in Reading: 111 to 120

…in chronological order.
2015 has been a great year when it comes to reading books for me. During it, according to Goodreads, I have gulped down 212 volumes that were not only novels for adults but also volumes that belonged in many other genres: YA, graphic novels, poetry, children's stories, short stories and books in translation. This has also been a year that I stopped writing reviews since I had much else occupying my mind and time, so below I'll give you no more than a few words about the books I have read. I hope some of my choices echo yours and I look forward to an exciting new year of reading.
So here it goes:
111) The Art of Flying by Antonio Altarriba and Kim. This is one of those great graphic novels that make you feel blessed for having read them. It's a story about poverty and despair, revolution and war. The setting is Spain in turbulent times, in the era of Franco and the story is as human as they come as it recounts the adventures of a humble man whom history has not treated quite well. Excellent script, based on true facts, and great art.
112) The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath. I came late to this novel and I guess one of the reasons for that is that I always tend to read books when there's not much buzz about them. Of course it's been ages since Plath died but more or less she's as popular as ever, so I thought that perhaps if I was to read this novel I'd be disappointed in the end. Thank Buddha that wasn't the case. I really enjoyed reading this story of a young woman whose life, though filled with joy, then takes a turn for the worse and leads her almost to the point of no return. I think the story hasn't aged at all. It's still relevant today in many ways.
113) Blue Horses by Mary Oliver. I am new to the work of this poet and as the first book of hers I've read this volume has left a bittersweet taste on my lips. Some of the poems I've loved, some not so much. Here and there I caught glimpses of great things yet to come. I'll read more of her work for sure, though, to be honest, when it comes to poetry I'm a harsher judge than when I'm reading fiction.
114) Four Eyes Volume 1: Forged in Flames by Joe Kelly and Max Fiumara. This story takes place in an alternate past, and it has to do with fighting dragons. The setting is convincing and the concept is quite good but the truth is that when I've read the synopsis I've expected something more. Well, perhaps the best is yet to come.
115) Ashes by Mario Candelaria. I liked this graphic novel more than most other reviewers and I guess that's simply because I tend to pay more attention to the story than the art. And this story of a firefighter who lost a leg and is now trying to build his life anew is a very good one. Perhaps it is a bit melodramatic but that doesn't take away any of the reading pleasure.
116) Pawn Shop by Joey Esposito and Sean Von Gorman. Things didn't seem quite to work for me in this one, though others found it quite good. I found it good alright, but just that. I thought it could be better both script-wise and art-wise. The concept though is very promising.
117) The Shadow: Midnight in Moscow by Howard Chaykin. Here we follow the life of The Shadow, a hero who feels warn out and gets ready to retire at the dawn of the 1950's. However the world seems to be in imminent danger yet again, so perhaps this is not the best time to do that. A look back in comic book time that sometimes works great and sometimes not so well.
118) All That You've Seen Here Is God: New Versions of Four GreekTragedies by Sophocles, Aeschylus and Bryan Doerries. Well, the ancient Greek civilization and especially its literary branch, doesn't ever seem to go out of fashion. Here the title says it all. Though it's been ages since I've read any of the tragedies included in this volume I feel that the translator did a very good job in adapting them for a modern audience.
119) Supreme: Blue Rose by Warren Ellis and Tula Lotay. Sometimes you can't tell what's an illusion and what's real in this story, but that is a bonus. This is a very good graphic novel with great art and an unforgettable heroine. I am certain that if you are a fan of Warren Ellis' work you're going to love this volume.
120) The Autumnlands Volume 1: Tooth and Claw by Kurt Busiek andBenjamin Dewy. This is an epic adventure with quite a few twists and turns and lovely art that will leave the lovers of fantasy fiction well-pleased. Hard times call for desperate measures, thus some wizards try to recall a hero from the past to help their fight, but the one who shows up is not the one they expected. Good work. 
To be continued.
Real also: 1 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80, 81 to 90, 91 to 100, 101 to 110 

Reflections in the Mirror of a Distorted Mind II

I didn't want to come here… Oh I've already told you that. How much money have I already spent by repeating myself. That's not much. Yes, I have money. Enough to pay you anyway. I think you are developing a tick. Or a tack. Your eye is trembling. The right one. No. Wait. Don't get angry. Not yet. Okay now, okay, I surrender. Let me tell you a true story.
*
There was once a girl that was called Helena. Yes, that Helena. Helena was a beautiful girl and had always been popular with boys. And with girls as well, mind you. Helena was blessed, or at least so everyone thought, because she had everything a girl would ever want. The looks, the wits, the wealth. But deep down she was as miserable as miserable people come. She wanted something else in life. What exactly, she couldn't tell. So while the lips were smiling, the eyes were sad. And while her body was blossoming her soul was fading. For hers, you know, was an ancient soul. She could see things that others could not. She could feel things. Really feel. When I met her she was at a crossroad in her life I guess. She was falling apart and trying desperately to find something to hold onto. I was in the exact opposite state. At a good place. Which thanks to her turned bad. Her sorrow swallowed me whole, but somehow my presence in her life was enough to keep her floating over the murky waters of her graceless existence. And here comes out the poet in me. But I digress. No, I don't. To make a long story short I fell for her, and, here I am…
*
Do I blame her for my depression? Did you really have to ask that? Of course I do. Before I met her I was… I was… Truth is I never was happy. Nor unhappy. But I was content. She took that away from me. Now I'm mostly unhappy. And I mask my misery behind wide smiles. I smile the questions away. Not yours obviously, since you don't ask many. Why don't you? No I am not upset. I'm not. Did you see what I did there? No? Well, once I've used an apostrophe, just like now, and once I did not. If my sister is bipolar I guess I am bi-parallel or something. Does that make any sense?
*
You think perhaps we should take a break here. You think? You don't know? Are my fifty minutes over already? Well, time flies by in this office. Sorry, practice. But how can a space be a practice? I know you didn't say that. I'm just wondering. Couldn't it simply be a practice space? I mean they are both words. I see a spark in your eyes. Am I an interesting patient after all? A nut job? I guess I am. I find me interesting. What? You want to talk about my mother? Are you crazy? I mean did you know my mother? My mother was… My mother was a figment of my father's imagination. As I am of hers. We are all fictions. Mostly bad ones. Oh, you wanted to know how she was as person. Let me see…
Part I
To be continued.
The image was taken from here. 

My (Previous) Year in Reading: 101 to 110

…in chronological order.
2015 has been a great year when it comes to reading books for me. During it, according to Goodreads, I have gulped down 212 volumes that were not only novels for adults but also volumes that belonged in many other genres: YA, graphic novels, poetry, children's stories, short stories and books in translation. This has also been a year that I stopped writing reviews since I had much else occupying my mind and time, so below I'll give you no more than a few words about the books I have read. I hope some of my choices echo yours and I look forward to an exciting new year of reading.
So here it goes:
101) Criminal Volume 6: The Last of the Innocent by Ed Brubaker and SeanPhillips. This is getting a bit too much, right? I would like to ask the creators of Criminal to take a little break. Come on people, how much of this good stuff you think we can take? And what if we overdose? Jokes aside, another great volume from a great creative team. I won't even bore you with the details of this story.
102) East of West Volume 4: Who Wants War? by Jonathan Hickman and NickDragotta. Apparently everyone, or almost everyone, wants war. Here we are yet again in the throes of a major catastrophe. Maybe I had a bit too much of this stuff during last year since I haven't enjoyed this volume as much as the previews ones, though both the art and the story are good.
103) Ways of Going Home by Alejandro Zambra. Zambra is a Chilean writer whose star seems to be rising higher year after year. This here is a short beautifully written novel that plays with the notions of time and space, character and author. It is experimental, but not experimental enough to give one pause. Besides the language is so rich and the game so good that most friends of literary fiction will surely enjoy it.
104) Millennium by Joe Harris and Colin Lorimer. The great disaster to come never realized at the dawn of the millennium largely thanks to the efforts of three people. However evil has not lost all its power and as it seems it is about to strike again. Will it succeed this time? An interesting story with a good plot, but which could use a little more of work.
105) Vampirella Feary Tales by Nancy A. Collins. To tell you the truth I like reading the adventures of Vampirella though I am never quite satisfied with the stories or the art. They always remind me of rush jobs but at least they are fun to read, so as long as they can keep my interest alive I guess I will keep reading them. This volume collects five stories full of action and mayhem.
106) Twisted Dark Volume 3 by Neil Gibson and others. This is my favorite of the Twisted Dark series. The writing is as good as ever and the art is absolutely great. And I do love its heroine, a young girl who simply wants to be left alone but, alas, that's not meant to be. One of the comic book highlights of the year in my opinion.
107) Mercy Thompson: Hopcross Jilly by Patricia Briggs, Rik Hoskin andTom Garcia. This volume brings together a lot of talent and that can be seen on the page, as the reader rushes through a story full of action and echoes of love, and mythical creatures and their endeavors. The script is great and the art serves it well.
108) Where There's Love, There's Hate by Adolfo Bioy Casares and SilvinaOcampo. I hate to admit that this is the first piece of work that I've read by either author, or at least I think it is since my memory is not that great. Anyway, this is a crime novel of sorts. I say of sorts since it spends most of the time mocking the genre, or simply having fun with its clichés. It all begins with a murder. And then… Silvina Ocampo is already in my to-read list, so I guess I will see what happens next.
109) Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck. This is a short novel that mostly takes place in a house, but whose main subject is history. History as it happened and as it now unravels in the lives of a small community of people who, like it or not, are haunted by their country's, Germany's, past. The author does a great job when diving into the souls of her heroes.
110) Lovers on All-Saints' Day by Juan Gabriel Vásquez. This collection hosts seven stories that most often than not are preoccupied with the many ghosts that haunt the lives of people. Things like memory and loss. Things like regret and redemption. Fear and hope. Vásquez, an exile to Europe, sets his stories on this continent, as if trying to escape his past, but then the stories themselves seem to echo it, thus proving that wherever you go you carry your ghosts with you. A job well done. 
To be continued.
Read also: 1 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80, 81 to 90, 91 to 100 

My (Previous) Year in Reading: 91 to 100

…in chronological order.
2015 has been a great year when it comes to reading books for me. During it, according to Goodreads, I have gulped down 212 volumes that were not only novels for adults but also volumes that belonged in many other genres: YA, graphic novels, poetry, children's stories, short stories and books in translation. This has also been a year that I stopped writing reviews since I had much else occupying my mind and time, so below I'll give you no more than a few words about the books I have read. I hope some of my choices echo yours and I look forward to an exciting new year of reading.
So here it goes:
91) Southern Bastards Volume 2: Gridiron by Jason Aaron and JasonLatour. I really liked the first volume of this series and I'm happy to report that I've enjoyed the second just as much. This is the story of a bad man that needs to be taught a lesson. Sharp dialogue and very good art. A graphic novel well-worth reading.
92) Velvet Volume 2: The Secret Lives of Dead Men by Ed Brubaker, SteveEpting and Elizabeth Breitweiser. I have mentioned before how good I believe Ed Brubaker is. His writing is so good that keeps you asking for more, and the art here is up to the task as well. A spy turns avenger in an effort to discover the truth about a past that scarred her for life. Five stars.
93) Justice, Inc. Volume 1 by Michael E. Uslan and Giovanni Timpano. Three heroes of the pulp era of American Comics team up in this volume to save the world from yet another catastrophe. The Shadow, Doc Savage and The Avenger are their secret-identity names, and war is their game. An interesting plot drives the narrative as the heroes do not only have to defeat their opponents but also reconcile their differences or at least put them aside for a while in order to succeed. Good stuff.
94) MPH by Mark Millar and Duncan Fegredo. Some guys find a drug that gives them superpowers. But usually when something good happens, something bad follows, since MPH, as the drug is called, though it proved their "savior" in the near future may well bring their downfall. An interesting story that reminded me of the Limitless TV Series and the NZT drug used there. I will read the next volume when the time comes.
95) Family Pets by Pat Shand and Sarah Dill. This is the story of a girl who lost her parents quite young and since then expects something good to happen to her, though it never does. Something does happen though. All of a sudden her remaining family are turned into pets while her pet snake transforms into a beautiful young man. Now she has to do something to make things right but… A very good plot accompanied by appropriate art that serves well its purpose.
96) Stray Bullets Volume 2: Somewhere Out West by David Lapham. The storytelling here is absolutely great. These are the stories of people coming together and parting ways, of dreams that come true or not, of lives saved or destroyed. The characters are the driving force, but the plot and the art are good as well. I really look forward to the next volume.
97) The Suicide Shop by Jean Teulé. At last, reading some literary fiction. This is a short novel that I really enjoyed mostly because of its premise. The story takes place in a world without hope and talks about a family that thrives among its ruins; a family that runs a shop that promises its clients a swift exit from this life. It all goes well until an apostate, their own child, chooses to love life instead of looking forward to its end. A good story told in beautiful prose.
98) The Prince by Morim Kang and Niccoló Macchiavelli. This is not the first comic book adaptation of a classic that I've read which doesn’t really work. Okay, maybe my western gaze is again to blame for not liking it enough, but is that really it? There were moments of pure magic in these pages and then there were others that made me think that I should give up reading. It could have definitely been better in my humble opinion.
99) Snow in May by Kseniya Melnik. The stories in this collection are quite interesting, as they seem claustrophobic and wide open to the world at the same time. Most of them take place in Magadan in Russia's far east, a town that seems to thrive in a snowy white setting. Good and bad mix well together in these narratives, as hopes arise and dreams are laid to rest. Love, loss, life, death, longing, disappointment. These are but a few of the things or feelings explored in these pages. An author to look out for.
100) Criminal Volume 5: The Sinners by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Here goes Mr. Brubaker again. This is an action packed volume starring a tough man called Tracy who works for the bad guys, but who also doesn't mind stepping into the shoes of a deliverer of justice as only he dares go where the cops won't. Yet another great piece of work. 
To be continued.
Read also: 1 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80, 81 to 90 

Reflections in the Mirror of a Distorted Mind I

She made me do it. I swear I didn't want to. This is not me. This is never me. I am different. But she… Helena. Always Helena. Eleni of old. Helen of not so old. A name that haunts the ages. In the beginning was Troy. And then it was me. And then came The Vampire Diaries. Funny, isn't it?
*
You were supposed to ask me questions. Come on. Ask away, or close, it matters not to me. Ask and I will answer. Honestly. Most of the time. What? My sentences are too short? Short. That's how they always were. I think. No. No, they were not. I remember now. But how can that be? How did I transform long sentences into short? People change, you say. You don't say.
*
What should I tell you? Whatever I want? Your job is to listen and mine to talk? But then why are you the one getting paid? You smile. Or you smirk. I can't tell. Can I have a drink? I always carry a flask full of vodka with me. No? Why not? It's not proper you say. But if things were proper I wouldn't be here, would I? Right? Don't sigh. You don't know anything about me yet. When you get to know me, and I'm not sure that you will, then you can sigh. Then you will want to sigh.
*
You say I should start at the beginning, but which beginning? The beginning of this session? Of my life? Of the rest of my life? Okay, I was born… But I guess you already knew that. Anyway, my family was rich. In idiots. My father was an idiot. My mother was a moron. My sister is bipolar and I think I have multiple-purpose disorder. No, not personality, purpose. I exist to fulfill many purposes.
*
Go on, laugh. You want to laugh. I can tell. I guess you meet crazy people all the time because of your practice. Oh, I always wanted to know, why do you call it practice and not job? I see. It doesn't make any sense, but anyway, if you say so… I think you need to sleep more. Those bags under your eyes suggest… I know this isn't about you, but since I'm the one doing the paying I should be the… No?
*
The beginning, right. At the beginning was the light. Ha ha. Where's your sense of humor? What? You think this is not going to work? You are giving up on me already? That was fast. And I was just beginning to like you, you know. I am driving you crazy, I can tell. I just hope that you won't pull a gun on me like that shrink did in that TV series… What was it? Whatever. Okay, I will talk.
To be continued.
The image was taken from here. 

My (Previous) Year in Reading: 81 to 90

…in chronological order.
2015 has been a great year when it comes to reading books for me. During it, according to Goodreads, I have gulped down 212 volumes that were not only novels for adults but also volumes that belonged in many other genres: YA, graphic novels, poetry, children's stories, short stories and books in translation. This has also been a year that I stopped writing reviews since I had much else occupying my mind and time, so below I'll give you no more than a few words about the books I have read. I hope some of my choices echo yours and I look forward to an exciting new year of reading.
So here it goes:
81) Twisted Dark Volume 1 by Neil Gibson and others. I don't know if you need to have a-sort-of twisted mind to enjoy the stories contained in this volume, but if you do, I plead guilty. I loved the stories and I loved the art - though some of them were better drawn than others. If you are a comic books fan I'm certain that you'll enjoy this tome.
82) Die Again by Tess Gerritsen. Gerritsen is a great crime fiction writer and I really love her Rizzoli & Isles series. Though the characters on TV are funnier than the ones on the page, I like the latter more because in every new book that comes out I, as a reader, come to discover new depths in their psyches. As for the plot, well, there's a murder, and there are some more, and these dynamic women have to capture the killer. Simple as that. And not simple at all. Read it.
83) Karate Chop by Dorthe Nors. The stories included in this collection I could never describe as usual. They remind me of exercises in storytelling; very good exercises. They are short. They are to the point. And they have a lot to offer to the open-minded reader. This author is a new discovery for me and I'll keep an eye out for any future work of hers that's translated into English or Greek.
84) The Malediction by Jean Giono. To be honest I didn't have an easy time reading this book. I don't know if that had something to do with the translation. Whatever the reason, the fact is that in the end it left a bittersweet taste in my mouth. Bitter for the words that didn't seem to flow as they should; sweet for the story itself. And I still can't decide as to whether I should recommend it to someone or not.
85) Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro. As I've mentioned in an earlier review it's almost impossible for me to give five stars to a short story collection, and I only did it twice all year long. This was the second time. Wow! I said after I finished reading it. Wow! Read it. Full stop.
86) Solitude Creek by Jeffery Deaver. I don't like the Kathryn Dance series of novels as much as the Lincoln Rhymes one, but this here was a really great read. In it Deaver did what he does best, wrong-foot the reader again and again, make him believe one thing while leading him to another. I think this is the best book in the series so far, but Rhymes is Rhymes people.
87) The Other Language by Francesca Marciano. Italians, just like Irish, are natural-born storytellers, and Marciano is a very good one. I really enjoyed following the figments of her imagination from one place to the next, see the world through their eyes, share their feelings. Stories that speak to the soul.
88) You Don't Say by Nate Powell. This is a hybrid collection of comic stories and more. And it is exactly this miscellany of pieces that make it worth reading. Perhaps one would say that some things don't belong in this volume, but in turn I'd say that they are wrong. There is a great concept here that works very well on the page. One could only wish that one day he'd be able to create something like this. Not perfect, but close enough.
89) Flash Gordon Omnibus Volume 1 by Various. I wish I could say that I've enjoyed reading this a lot but I'm afraid that's not the case. I did like it, but at the same time I felt that the art was a bit lacking, that the plots could use a bit of… shining, and so on and so forth. However I'm sure that the fans will enjoy reading it since it offers a lot of material and enough action scenes to satisfy their thirst.
90) Robert Heinlein's Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Lazaro, EricGignac and Steve Erwin. Most of the times when a work of fiction is "translated" into a comic book things don't quite work out. However they did work out here, as the original myth took new life on the page, with the help of a good script and wonderful artwork. A job well done.
To be continued.

Read also: 1 to 10, 11 to 20, 21 to 30, 31 to 40, 41 to 50, 51 to 60, 61 to 70, 71 to 80 

My (Previous) Year in Reading: 71 to 80

…in chronological order.
2015 has been a great year when it comes to reading books for me. During it, according to Goodreads, I have gulped down 212 volumes that were not only novels for adults but also volumes that belonged in many other genres: YA, graphic novels, poetry, children's stories, short stories and books in translation. This has also been a year that I stopped writing reviews since I had much else occupying my mind and time, so below I'll give you no more than a few words about the books I have read. I hope some of my choices echo yours and I look forward to an exciting new year of reading.
So here it goes: 
71) At the Reunion Buffet by Alexander McCall Smith. Reunions tend the be bittersweet events. Whether one likes it or not, not all of them are consumed with sweet nostalgia and new discovery, but also bring to the surface long forgotten feelings, sometimes sad, sometimes angry. The hostess of the reunion party described here is working hard to make things work out for the better, but her task is not an easy one. A lovely novella from a very good writer.
72) Sweet Blood Volume 1 by Kim Seyoung. Real life and fantasy meet in this graphic novel from South Korea. This is the story of a student whose home life is far from perfect. His parents seem to ignore him, so when the opportunity arises he strikes a deal with (kind of) the devil to escape his everyday demons, but… A good story. I am not too excited about the art but the plot is very rewarding.
73) Shadow Show: All-New Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradbury. Well, it's not easy to read this collection without trying to compare the skills of the authors involved. Some of them do great work, others not so, but all in all I'd say that this is one of the books I've really enjoyed diving into during the course of 2015. Some of the biggest names of the fantasy genre can be found in these pages, and their stories are definitely worth reading.
74) Spread Volume 1: No Hope by Justin Jordan and Kyle Strahm. I loved this story. The premise is not something new: a big evil has cast its shadow over the world and only one person is capable of stopping it, and that turns out to be a small boy. The good script and matching art and lots of adventure make this one of the stand out comics of the year.
75) Low Volume 1: The Delirium of Hope by Rick Remender and GregTocchini. Here's yet another post-apocalyptic tale. After a great catastrophe the remaining people have to live in deep ocean waters as the rays of the sun can spell their death. But can someone really call theirs a life? Not really. And that's exactly why they turn to the stars in order to find a new home. A very good graphic novel that leaves many promises for the future.
76) Monster Motors by Brian Lynch and Nick Roche. I didn't expect to like this graphic novel but I really did. For starters it's very funny, and then the action almost never stops. But it also draws inspiration from classic literature which is a big bonus in my eyes. I've always believed that terror plots are mostly funny, and this volume proved me right.
77) Wayward Volume 1: String Theory by Jim Zub, Steven Cummings and JohnRausch. A young woman moves to Japan to live with her mother and all hell breaks loose as she comes to realize that she's anything but normal; she has some powers that she finds hard to comprehend but which she must unleash in order to save herself and the others. A great plot drives the story from start to finish, while beautiful animations bring the heroes to life.
78) Sinergy Volume 1 by Michael Avon Oeming and Taki Soma. This is yet another of those graphic novels that show a lot of potential when it comes to the main idea behind them; a potential that doesn't translate so well on the page. A story about a young girl discovering a new world of monsters and terror in a somewhat funny manner but… I've already said it all.
79) The Adventures of Artemus by Jim Patrick. This is supposed to be a children's book and it is but, well, I believe most adults will enjoy reading it too. Here we have the story of a mouse who works as an art restorer and who offers the reader the opportunity to learn, in a fun and lighthearted way, a thing or two about great art. Highly recommended.
80) A Day of What IFs by Lauren Micchelli. There are way too many what ifs in life. What if I do this or I do that? What if that happened or something different? What if… This children's book explores in a very pleasing manner some of those what ifs while allowing the reader to have some fun on the way. A very creative piece of work.
To be continued.
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