The Muppet Show Comic Book: The Treasure of Peg-Leg Wilson by Roger Landridge & Company

The Treasure of Peg-Leg Wilson by Roger Landridge & Company

Completion Date: January 21, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with the Series.

Roger Langridge's celebrated run on THE MUPPET SHOW comic book begins a new, zany arc! Scooter discovers old documents which reveal that a cache of treasure is hidden somewhere within the theater...and when Rizzo the Rat overhears this, the news spreads like wildfire! Meanwhile, Animal's acting very strangely—he's now refined and well-mannered! All your favorites are back as THE MUPPET SHOW COMIC BOOK continues!

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre?

Fiction. Graphic Novel. No idea what you would call it as a genre...

What led you to pick up this book?
I read the first book in this series way back in 2009 and then promptly forgot to check for more.

I didn't review it...

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending!

Scooter finds a map while cleaning up the storage room and it turns into treasure hunt mania. In the meantime, the show must go on!

What did you like most about the book?
I always loved this TV show and attempted to rewatch it last year. It would be great if it could come back, but if it can't this is really the next best thing. They have brought back acts that you used to see in the show. Every time it happens I can't help smiling. While things are being played out I can hear it all in my mind. I am enjoying this trip down memory lane!

What did you like least?

That it was only a comic?

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books?

I read the first book in 2009, but I enjoyed this book way more. I am not sure if it is a mood or this is just way better. I think before the year is out I am going to have to read the first one again to see if I like it any better.

What did you think of the main character?

Kermit. I am a bit of Kermit fangirl at times. He was always my favourite character when I was a child... I was so sad when Jim Henson died. I love the show, Muppet Treasure Island is a classic comedy, and I watch Muppet Christmas Carol every year.

What about the ending?

The ending was good. There never really is an ending because this is like the show. They show the backstage happenings, but there are also things happening on the stage. All the classics acts are there.

What did you think of the cover?

It's fun, but they can do so much better. I don't understand why they don't!

Series:

Meet the Muppets (Read in 2009)

The Treasure of Peg-Leg Wilson

On the Road

Family Reunion

Muppet Mash

Week in Review (4)

Random Thoughts

I cannot believe that January is pretty much over! Where does the time go! I am very happy with my reading year so far. I am hoping that it will continue! What is everyone else thinking about January? Was it a good start to the year, or do you wish it had been different? December was a bit of a bad month, so I don't think it took a lot for January to look shining in comparison. Plus, I bought books and I don't do that a lot anymore, so I am excited about it and all the parcels arriving in the mail. That is something you miss with e-books. Although, it is exciting to just plug your reader in and get a new book. Just not exactly the same...

Challenge News

This month I read A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear and The Sherlockian by Graham Moore which can both count for the Historical Fiction Challenge. Then, I finally read Witness in Death by J.D. Robb, the 10th book in the In Death series, which I consider sci-fi and am counting for the Sci-Fi Experience. Marg also challenged me to read it for the Great Reading Swap. I also finally carried on in the Chobits series and read volume 5, which counts for the Manga Challenge.

Weekly Reads

22. A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear (Maisie Dobbs Series, Book 8)

23. The Sherlockian by Graham Moore

24. Witness in Death by J.D. Robb (In Death Series, Book 10)

25. Plain Kate by Erin Bow

26. Chobits Volume 5 by Clamp

Weekly Reads

Week in Review (3)

Buddy Review: Masques by Patricia Briggs

Colleen Gleason New Releases

Review: Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 1 by Svetlana Chmakova

Review: Muppet Peter Pan by Grace Randolph & Company

Review: Muppet King Arthur by Paul Benjamin, Patrick Storck, & Company

Review: Six Sentence Saturday: Dear Enemy by Jean Webster

New Additions

Bought:

The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan (gift card)

The Ghost in Love by Jonathoan Carroll (gift card)

My Reading Life by Pat Conroy (ebook - gift card)

Spitfire Women of World War II by Giles Whittell (ebook - gift card)

Loaded:

Nothing this week...

Received:

Wicked Gentlemen by Ginn Hale (from Ames)

Dear Enemy by Jean Webster (Daddy-Long Legs, Book 2)

Dear Enemy by Jean Webster

Completed: January 17, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with the Series.

Jean Webster (1876-1916) was an American novelist, playwright, and social activist. During the start of the twentieth century (1912), Webster wrote "Daddy-Long-Legs", an epistolary, best-selling novel that she developed into a play. It met with much success, and the characters were sold as dolls, the money from which going to charities to help fund orphan adoptions. In 1915, Webster published the sequel, "Dear Enemy". Written in the same epistolary form, "Dear Enemy" met with best-selling acclaim as well. The novel is unique in that the story is propelled by crude, stick-figure animations, drawn by Webster herself, that add a whimsical air to the social issues addressed, the care of orphans and women's life choices in particular. Sadly, Webster died of childbirth fever in 1916, just a year after the success of "Dear Enemy".

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.

At the end of each review I will post a

rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.

Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!

4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.

3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal

2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?

Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)

(I did post like this back in 2009. Thought I would bring it back once in a while in 2011. I stole it from Staci at Life in the Thumb.)

Dear Enemy is the sequel to Daddy-Long-Legs, which I read earlier this month and quite enjoyed. This book was very different in tone and nature, but was still told in the epistolary form. If you do not read this book expecting something similar, it is enjoyable and the narrator does entertain; but it is missing some of the magic that her previous work held. This book is about a woman who comes from a good background and takes over orphanage that Judy, the character from the previous book, used to live in; so she is pretty much the exact opposite of Judy when we met her. It is predictable and the story has essentially been done before, but it has its quirky moments and you will still get caught up in the story. I enjoyed how everything played out in the end and thought it was a satisfactory ending and the majority of the letters were sent to Judy, so you still found out what was going on with her, too.

Series:
Daddy-Long-Legs
Dear Enemby

Muppet King Arthur by Paul Benjamin, Patrick Storck, & Company

Muppet King Arthur by Paul Benjamin, Patrick Storck, & Company

Date Completed: January 21, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with the Series.

Many have sought the Holy Grail, and many have failed. Now the Muppets present some very good reasons why, as they recount the fantastic quest of King Arthur and his Muppets of the Round Table! This classic tale of adventure, romance, and magic is told once again, but this time with more frogs, chickens, bears, and Whatnots than you can shake Excalibur at! In the words of Fozzie, it will be a "knight" to remember! Features a cover gallery with art from David Petersen, the Eisner Award-winning creator of Mouse Guard!

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre?
Fiction. Classic retelling in graphic novel format.

What led you to pick up this book?

I have all ready read and reviewed Muppet Robin Hood and Muppet Peter Pan.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending!

This is like the classic story meets Monty Python, but with Muppets. It stays to the story a bit, but it also has fun with it. Kermit plays King Arthur. Percival is played by Fozzie. Animal is Gawain. Morgana is Piggy. I expected her to be Guinevere. Dog (?) is Merlin. The annoying hippy woman, I need to look up her name, is the Lady of the Lake. She didn't bother me as much in this one. Gonzo is Lancelot. A chicken plays Guinevere. I know, weird, huh? Think about it, though...

What did you like most about the book?

The humour. This books are just funny and fun. That's really the only reason that I am reading them. They took lots of liberties with the story and I appreciated them. King Arthur is always one of my favourite stories, so I enjoy reading any retellings.

What did you like least?

I thought it was a little strange that a chicken plays Guinevere. It never occurred to me when I was a child that there were so few female characters in the Muppets. That's good, though. Nowadays it would bother me... Yes, the chicken makes sense, but all she does is cluck. (That's another thing that would bother me now that didn't bother me as a child... Think about it...) Although, they did make some homour out of her inability to speak, so it wasn't as bad as it could be.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books?

This author, no, but I have read other books in the series. I liked this book and Muppet Peter Pan way better than Muppet Robin Hood. They took too many liberties with Robin Hood and it was just weird. These stories were just fun...

What did you think of the main character?

Kermit as King Arthur. It makes a lot of sense because he is the leader of the Muppets. It works well for him. I always enjoy Kermit. It's a childhood thing! I sort of wish they would mix things up a bit, though, and I am happy to see it looks like Fozzie plays Sherlock Holmes and obviously Miss Piggy is Snow White.

What about the ending?

The end was something they took a lot of liberties with. The narrator even comments on how they decided to change things drastically for a change and I enjoyed it. It is how Arthur should have played out, but obviously things like that never happen!

What did you think of the cover?

Once again, I liked the cover but I think some of the ones in the galley included at the back are way better!

Series:

Muppet Robin Hood

Muppet Peter Pan

Muppet King Arthur

Muppet Sherlock Holmes

Muppet Snow White

Muppet Peter Pan by Grace Randolph & Company

Muppet Peter Pan by Grace Randolph & Company

Completed: January 21, 2011

Reason for Reading: Becky brought the series to my attention.

The timid Kermie Pan resides in the magical realm of Neverswamp, where the pushy fairy Piggytink tries to toughen him up! One night, while searching for his shadow, Kermie Pan and Piggytink encounter the Darling children, who run away to Neverswamp and encourage Kermie Pan to battle Captain Gonzo!

Features a cover from David Petersen, the Eisner Award-winning creator of Mouse Guard!

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre?

Fiction. Classic Retelling in a Graphic Novel.

What led you to pick up this book?

I read Muppet Robin Hood earlier this month. While I didn't love it, I still was curious.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending!

Peter Pan is played by Kermit. Tinkerbell, or Piggytink, is Piggy. Gonzo stars at Hook. Rizzo is Mr. Smee. It's just all in good fun. They take some liberties with the story. The children are from America, for example, because Sam (the eagle) plays the narrator and the father in the story.

What did you like most about the book?
I love the Muppets. I strongly think they are great no matter how old you are, so it was really fun to visit with them. I love the humor. I mean, Piggy as Tinkerbell? It takes into play a lot of the things that made the show great a lot more than Muppet Robin Hood did.

What did you like least?

The person that played Wendy drove me crazy! What is her name again, I can't even remember... Since there were not a lot of girls in the Muppets (one of its faults) she plays a part in most of these retellings. She's funny as herself, but annoying as anyone else if you have to put up with her too long. I mean, a hippy Wendy is interesting, but not entirely what I want to see.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books?

By the author, no, but I have read other books in what I am calling this series. I started with Muppet Robin Hood and while it was cute, it didn't really appeal to me as much as I was hoping. I thought this one was a lot better done.

What did you think of the main character?

It's Kermit as Peter Pan! He's supposed to be annoying and selfish, but it's still Kermit at the end of the day and I always loved Kermit. I was very sad when Jim Henson died because he has never really been the same since.

What about the ending?

You can tell it is a children's book. The ending is very... safe... Still good, though.

What did you think about the cover?

It was fun, but some of the others that were used when they were released as individual comics were way better!

Series:

Muppet Robin Hood

Muppet Peter Pan

Muppet King Arthur

Muppet Snow White

Muppet Sherlock Holmes

Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 1 by Svetlana Chmakova

Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 1 by Svetlana Chmakova

Completion Date: January 21, 2011

Reason for Reading: I really liked Dramacon, her previous manga series.

Schools may lock up for the night, but class is in session for an entirely different set of students. In the Nightschool, vampires, werewolves, and weirns (a particular breed of witches) learn the fundamentals of everything from calculus to spell casting. Alex is a young weirn whose education has always been handled through homeschooling, but circumstances seem to be drawing her closer to the Nightschool. Will Alex manage to weather the dark forces gathering?

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre?

Fiction. Paranormal Manga.

What led you to pick up this book?

Nicola read the first two over at Back to Books. I also really liked her other manga series, Dramacon, so would have planned to read this anyway.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending!

This book talks place after hours at a school. The 'regular' kids have no idea what happens when they leave for the day. After 6, though, werewolves, vampires, and weirns begin a very different education. There is action and adventure, but mainly this is to introduce you to the characters.

What did you like most about the book?

The art. For some reason I really love Svetlana's art. It's fun, but it can also capture the mood very well. Then, there was a section that was in colour and it was amazingly well-done! I also enjoyed how she managed to take something that is maybe, possibly starting to get a bit overdone and make it her own. She has an original story here that I am looking forward to reading more of.

What did you like least?

With any manga I hate that it is essentially one book broken up into many books. You just get captivated with the story and is over. Plus, I am reading this through the library and have to wait each time for the book to come in. I wound up buying the collected edition of Dramacon because the library did not have book three and in this case, they don't have book four!

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books?

Yes, I read Dramacon back in 2009. It was a fun trilogy and I never reviewed it... I should reread it this year so I can remedy that. Anyway, this series is very different than her previous one. The other one was set in modern day at a comic convention. This is a paranormal world. She pulls off the differences really well.

What did you think of the main character?

You only just barely get to meet the main character. Her name is Alex and there is obviously a lot more to her than meets the eye. She is weirn, but not even she knows entirely what she is capable of. The first scene is very comical. Svetlana does humour rather well, even if this book is supposed to be a bit on the dark side. She may not have a lot of pages for you to get to know her characters, but they still made an impression on me and I am looking forward to getting to know them better in the future.

What about the ending?

As far as I am concerned, the ending for mangas is generally the last book. That being said, there is a nice cliffhanger to this book that makes me really want to know what happens next.

What do you think of the cover?

I love it! So pretty and mood-setting and pretty and, uh, I think I am becoming a bit of a fangirl for this author. I will probably wind up buying the series...

This book counts for the 2011 Manga Challenge.

I did posts like this in 2009. Since I don't really have a lot to say about mangas and graphic novels because they are often one large book and I hate spoilers, I decided to bring it back once in a while for some variety.

Series:

Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 1

Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 2

Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 3

Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Voume 4

Colleen Gleason New Releases

When I posted the books I was looking forward to in 2011 I forgot the new series by Colleen Gleason. I have them pre-ordered, so I should have remembered! Seems to me since I missed them I should give them their own post, right?

Regency London – a dizzying whirl of balls and young ladies pursued by charming men.

But the Woodmore sisters are hunted by a more sinister breed: Lucifer's own.

Voss, also known as Viscount Dewhurst, relishes the sensual pleasures immortality affords. A member the Dracule – a cabal of powerful, secretive noblemen marked with a talisman that reveals their bartered souls – the mercenary Voss has remained carefully neutral ... until Angelica.

Angelica Woodmore possess the Sight, an ability invaluable to both sides of a looming war among the Dracule. Her very scent envelops Voss in a scarlet fog of hunger – for her body and her blood. But he is utterly unprepared for the new desire that overcomes him – to protect her.

Now Voss must battle his very nature to be with Angelica ... but this vampire never backs down from a fight.

Released March 22, 2011

Regency London loves a Society wedding – Even if there are vampires on the guest list.

Dimitri, the Earl of Corvindale, should be delighted that the headstrong Maia Woodmore is getting married. His mortal ward and houseguest has annoyed – and bewitched – the Dracule nobleman too long, and denying his animal cravings grows more excruciating by the day.

Miss Woodmore's family has a rather...complicated history with the immortals and she herself possesses a keen sensibility far beyond mere women's intuition. Marriage will give her safety, respectability, and everything else a proper young lady could wish for. Everything, that is, except for passion.

In the looming battle between Dracule factions, all pretenses will shatter as Maia and Dimitir come together in an unholy union of danger, desperation, and fiercest desire.

Released April 19, 2011

Regency England stands defiant against Napoleon. But battles among men mean little to those who live forever – especially when the Dracule are waging their own war.

Skilled in the seduction of men, both mortal and immortal, Narcise Moldavi is the greatest weapon in her twisted brother's war among the Dracule. Until she falls for Giordan Cale.

Her first searing encounter with Giordan brands them with a passionate love. But Giordan's vow to help Narcise escape her brother's rule is followed by a betrayal more agonizing than sunlight.

Wounded but determined, Narcise ensnares vampire hunter Chas Woodmore in her quest for revenge and to reclaim her life. He wants her, worships her, will kill for her. And the Dracule never forget a wrong – nor do they forgive.

Released May 24, 2011

Masques by Patricia Briggs (Aralorn Series, Book 1; Sianim Series, Book 1)

Masques by Patricia Briggs

Completion Date: January 12, 2011

Reason for Reading: Buddy Read with Vanessa from Reading in Bed

After an upbringing of proper behavior and oppressive expectations, Aralorn fled her noble birthright for a life of adventure as a mercenary spy. Her latest mission involves spying on the increasingly powerful sorcerer Geoffrey ae'Magi. But in a war against an enemy armed with the powers of illusion, how do you know who the true enemy is-or where he will strike next?

Today is a buddy read with Vanessa, from Reading in Bed. I have known Vanessa since I was a teenager, so it is fun that we are now reading and blogging together even if we hardly ever see each other anymore!

I have the first part of the review, and then you have to head over to her blog to read the second part. Enjoy!

Kelly: I have to admit I have always been curious about this book, but it was largely out-of-print for a while. When I saw at one point last year that she was going to edit it a bit and reissue it I was excited to finally get a chance to read the whole series. Did you think this book was worth being reissued?

Vanessa: I think it was worth it. Since the Mercy Thompson series is very popular, Patricia Briggs is gaining lots of new fans who may be curious about her older work (I know I was). While it certainly wasn’t her best book it was interesting to see how she has progressed as a writer since she started out. A lot of the foundations of her later work were there - strong heroine, romantic tension without being overtly romantic, interesting and memorable supporting characters and a story with a clear ending that also leaves an opening for future adventures. How did you find this book compared to her later work?

Kelly: I agree with a lot of your points. This was obviously a very strong influence on her later books. She obviously had the right ingredients determined from the very beginning, but she had to grow as a writer in technical areas. I know that when we were reading this book I commented to you how you could tell she never expected these books to be reissued because she borrows so much from them. Aralorn reminds me a lot of Mercy. They have different skills, but their attitude is very similar. The biggest difference is maturity, I think. Aralorn acts a bit younger than Mercy in some situations. Then, Wolf reminded very strongly of Charles from the Alpha & Omega series. While Wolf wasn’t exactly a werewolf, he had a lot of the same characteristics and moods that we see from Charles. What did you think of the characters?

Vanessa: I liked them but they were definitely a tad more 2 dimensional than her later characters. Their reactions to situations were quite predictable for the most part. Aralorn definitely seems like a younger Mercy especially how she jumped into all situations without thinking first. What made her seem more immature was the fact that when something happened that bothered her or made her wonder she never voiced it. She always put up a front. Wolf was made to seem wise in a lot of ways but in others he was almost like a scared little boy especially when it came to his feelings about Aralorn. I understand that caring for someone else is alien to him but the way his fear and confusion was conveyed was a little much. Myr was ok but also a little bit too flawless as a character. The people at the camp were interesting but would have been better if she’d written them now. As a villain the ae’Magi was...kinda boring. Don’t get me wrong I wanted them to triumph over him but his whole premise was a bit weak and we didn’t really get to the true root of his motivation. This all makes me sound like I didn’t like the characters but I really did they just had some flaws. How long did it take you to figure out who Wolf really was?

Kelly: Yes, I can see a lot of what you are saying. The ae’Magi was pretty dull. I didn’t like him, but I didn’t have as strong a reaction to him as I would if he was written with a bit more skill. On Wolf, though, Charles is a lot like that in the beginning to when it comes to his feelings. That’s part of the reason why Wolf reminds me of him so much. The book was a bit predicable, I must say. I had a very strong suspicion who Wolf was the minute we were introduced to him as a human and it didn’t take me long to deduce that I was right. So, even though she tried to keep it a big secret it was a bit obvious to me... I don’t want to spoil anything, but just the way she reveals things leads it to only be possible for it to be one person. Hopefully I am not giving too much away with that! What about you? And, what did you think about the magical aspects of the book?

Now head over to Vanessa's Blog to read Part Two!

This book counts for the TwentyEleven Reading Challenge.

Week in Review (3)

Random Thoughts

This week was a bit quiet because it took me longer than I expected to read Jane Eyre for my buddy review with Amanda. I am so happy that I finally read it! I was updating my GoodReads over the last week or so and I have discovered that while I didn't read very many classics over the last few years, I really liked the ones I did read. I haven't given very many books a 5 star rating yet, but Rebecca and The Moonstone were two of the few. I loved those books. I can't wait to read more Collins in 2011 and I really need to buy my own copy of Rebecca.

Challenge News

I didn't get very much accomplished this week. I had hoped to read more than I did, but like I said, I got caught up with Bronte. Unfortunately, while I finally finished the book it doesn't count for any of the challenges I have joined. The only book I read for a challenge was Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 1 by Svetlana Chmakova for the Manga Challenge that I only officially joined yesterday. I read Dramacon by Chmakova in 2009 and really enjoyed it. Looking forward to reading book 2 in this series very soon!

Weekly Reads

15. Dear Enemy by Jean Webster (Sequel to Daddy-Long Legs)

16. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

17. Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 1 by Svetlana Chmakova

18. Muppet Peter Pan by Grace Randolph & Company

19. Muppet King Arthur by Paul Benjamin, Patrick Storck, & Company

20. The Muppet Show Comic Book: The Treasure of Peg-Leg Wilson by Roger Landridge & Company

21. The Muppet Show Comic Book: Family Reunion by Roger Landridge

Favourite Read: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Reason for Reading all the Comics: Trying to keep my library pile down to a decent number.

Weekly Posts

Week in Review (2)

E-Books and Me: A Discussion

Review: The Fallen Kings Cycle Book 1: The Sworn by Gail Z. Martin

I Read Classics...

Buddy Review: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Manga Challenge 2011

New Additions

Bought:

When Demons Walk by Patricia Briggs (Gift Card)

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (Gift Card)

Passion by Jude Morgan (Gift Card)

Loaded:

Cordelia's Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold

Young Miles by Lois McMaster Bujold

Miles, Mystery & Mayhem by Lois McMaster Bujold

Miles Errant by Lois McMaster Bujold

Miles, Mutants, & Microbes by Lois McMaster Bujold

Miles in Love by Lois McMaster Bujold

Cryoburn by Lois McMaster Bujold

On Basilisk Station by David Weber

The Honor of the Queen by David Weber

Received:

Vampire Voss by Colleen Gleason (from NetGalley)

The Screwed-up Life of Charlie the Second by Drew Ferguson (from Chris)

Borrowed:

The Sherlockian by Graham Moore (ebook)

The Muppet Show Comic Book: Family Reunion (Read)

The Poison Throne by Celine Kiernan

A Venetian Affair by Andrea Di Robilant

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

The Boneshaker by Kate Milford

Princess in Pink by Meg Cabot (carry on with the series...)

Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

The Muppet Show Comic Book: The Treasure of Peg-Leg Wilson (read)

Muppet King Arthur (read)

Muppet Peter Pan (read)

Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 1 by Svetlana Chmakova (read)

Manga Challenge 2011

In 2009 I read a lot of great manga, but last year, for whatever reason, I didn't read much of it at all. I decided to try and fix that in 2011, but I forgot to sign up for Rhinoa's Manga Challenge at the beginning of the year. I am remedying that now.

Challenge runs January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

Read a Minimum of 6 manga books.

My list:

1. Nightschool: The Weirn Books - Volume 1 by Svetlana Chmakova

2. Chobits Volume 5 by Clamp

3. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (Volume 2) by Bryan Lee O'Malley

4. Chobits Volume 6 by Clamp

5. One Piece Volume 4 - The Black Cat Pirates by Eiichiro Oda

6. Chobits Volume 7 by Clamp

7. Nightschool: The Weirn Books Volume 2 by Svetlana Chmakova

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Completion Date: January 20, 2011
Reason for Reading: Buddy Read with Amanda from The Zen Leaf

An orphan girl's progress from the custody of cruel relatives to an oppressive boarding school culminates in a troubled career as a governess. Jane's first assignment at Thornfield, where the proud and cynical master harbors a scandalous secret, draws readers ever deeper into a compelling exploration of the mysteries of the human heart.

Finally! I have started this book several times and never managed to get through it. Thanks to my eReader, though, I finally managed to read through it. It took me longer than I expected, but I did really enjoy it. I always thought it was like Pride & Prejudice and I am not a big fan of that genre of books. I really liked the Gothic feel of this book. Until the last couple years I didn't know just how much a fan of the genre I was. It was just something that I didn't read enough. I read classics when I was university, but I haven't read many at all since. So, in 2011 I have decided to read a bit with Amanda. In February we are going to read North and South by Gaskell.

I think people may want to know what I thought about this book before reading it. I have to be honest, I knew it was about a governess and I thought there was a romance because Jane and Mr. Rochester, but that is all I knew. I just didn't pay attention, I guess. I knew I would read it eventually, but I wasn't sure when. The mystery behind the book really appealed to me as I got reading. I guess I was just expecting a straight romance, but there was a lot more to it than that. I never even imagined that there would be a mystery involved. I did gather that there was more to the story than met the eye as I got reading it, though. I was not really surprised when the story was revealed. I think I had expected it all along, or something along the same lines.

I couldn't help continuing to compare this book to Pride & Prejudice. What happened was I determined that I like this book better than P&P. I like the Gothic and the mystery feel of it. It made for really page-turning reading. That being said, I couldn't decide what I thought about the men involved in the story. St. John Rivers sounded interesting for a bit, but then he ended up really annoying me. I am not so keen on having religion thrown down my throat. Actually, having non-religion thrown down my throat, too. It is just not a theme that draws me to books and religion was a huge theme to the book. Obviously, it is something that was very important for the time, but it still annoyed me. As a result I found St John annoying. I know, I am small-minded, but his ideas entirely baffled me. I have no doubt he has people's best interests at heart, but he had a funny way about going about them.

Then, there was Mr. Rochester. The only man that I even though existed in the book. I was really intrigued by him because I had actually heard about him. I was rather surprised by what I found. When you compare him to St. John, for example, they are like exact opposites. I think I liked Rochester more because of the comparison to St. John. Rochester and St. John have suffered, but Rochester was tricked into suffering and St. John does it because of a religious calling. I actually felt bad for Rochester when his entire story was revealed. I understand that times were different, but it was still crazy what the poor man was put through and trapped into despite all of his money. I think that I appreciated Mr. Rochester more after meeting St. John, though. It made everything that happened afterwards more memorable if that makes any sense.

I left Jane Eyre for last. I have to say that I liked Elizabeth Bennett more, if I maintain my P&P comparison, but I still liked Jane Eyre for the most part. She annoyed me at times, though. I think Bronte was trying to write a strong female character, but even when she is in love with Rochester she still calls him her master. That bothered me. All these 'Sirs' and calling him by his last name while he is very familiar with her. I understand that in the beginning he outranks her, but even when they are supposedly equal she still treats him like her superior. Again, I understand that times were different, but it was still rather strange to me. The things that she says, though, are very opinionated and out-spoken, so she is not entirely hopeless in being a strong character. She almost struck me as a contradiction. Sometimes she annoyed me, but then a moment later she was an interesting character. Overall, I didn't really find it all that feminist in nature, but I do think that Bronte tried and I can't really fault her considering the time.

My thoughts are all over the place! Normally I like to think about a book a bit before reviewing it, but unfortunately it took me longer to read than I expected and lead to me being a bit late in getting my thoughts together. I do apologize because I think this review shows that. I did like Jane Eyre and I am finally glad I crossed it off my TBR list. Many thanks to Amanda for encouraging me to finally read it! Be sure and read her review.

I Read Classics...

I have been updating my Goodreads the last couple days after hardly touching it for a couple years. I decided I want to be more organized in 2011. I was just going through my reads for 2009 and you know, I read almost 400 books and very few of them could be classified as classics... (I also started many series that I sort of stalled on in 2010, but that's nothing new.) Here it is the 19th of January and I am over halfway through Jane Eyre, a book I really should have read by now!

Then, I have read:

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Dear Enemy by Jean Webster

That's more in just over two weeks than I have read in a couple years. I am finally crossing off my list a whole bunch of books I have really wanted to read for years. These are books that I have bought and even started and never accomplished more than a couple chapters. I don't know what it is about classics. I am not even so much scared of them as turned off by them. The only reason I read Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier last year, for example, is because my library had a copy that was a trade paperback and had decent size font. I have owned a copy for years and could never get myself to read it...

Why do you read or not read classics? What ones have you read so far this year? What ones have you read previous years that you recommend?

The Fallen Kings Cycle Book 1: The Sworn by Gail Z. Martin

The Fallen Kings Cycle Book 1: The Sworn by Gail Z. Martin

Completion Date: January 10, 2011
Reason for Reading: Received an ARC from Hachette Book Group through NetGalley

Summoner-King Martris Drayke must attempt to meet this great threat, gathering an army from a country ravaged by civil war. Tris seeks new allies from among the living - and the dead - as an untested generation of rulers face their first battle. Meanwhile, the legendary Dread are stirring in their burrows after millennia of silence and no one knows what hand wakes them and whom they will serve when they rise.

Now, Drayke turns to the Sworn, a nomadic clan of warriors bound to protect the Dread. But even the mighty Sworn do not know what will happen when the Dread awake. All are certain, though, that war is coming to the Winter Kingdoms.

THE SWORN is the beginning of a new adventure set in the world of The Chronicles of the Necromancer.

One of the things that really bothered me about 2010 was how little fantasy I read. I have decided to make reading more in 2011 an unofficial goal. With this in mind, I was browsing through the catalogue at NetGalley and saw this book by Gail Z. Martin. I have heard of her before and have the first book from her other series on my TBR pile, but for whatever reason never got to it. While this is a spin-off series, it didn't seem necessary to have read her other books first, so I decided to give this one a try. I am so happy I did! I put the book aside with about 50 pages left to go to sleep, and I wound up sneaking out to the living room at an ungodly hour to see how the book ended. I was so caught up in the story I had to know!

I have this thing with not reading the description of books that I plan on reading soon if I can help it. I picked this book entirely because I recognized the authors name. I had no idea what the book was even about. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. What I ended up with is a very good fantasy story with a paranormal connection. I felt no disadvantage from not reading her other series because she filled in the details if she felt they were important. I do plan to go back and read the other series now, though.

In the beginning, I was a little overwhelmed with all of the characters. I read a few chapters before they started repeating themselves again. As a result it did take me a bit to get caught up in the story, but once I did I was hooked. It was just refreshing to read a really good fantasy again. I feel like that didn't happen nearly enough in 2010. Even though there are a lot of characters, by the end I had everyone straightened out and now I am curious what will happen to them in the future. I do think that sometimes there was too much detail given about minor characters, but that is just because there are so many major characters to keep straight. In another book I would think that was a good thing. It might turn out that those major characters are important in later books.

When I was in the midst of this book I was reading a very detailed description of a woman and I commented on how you can tell this book is written by a man. The thing is, it isn't. It just slipped my mind who the author was for a moment. I am a girl who likes guys, so I really could careless how well-endowed a woman is in a book. Unfortunately, fantasy is stereotypically a male-dominated world and authors cater to that accordingly. I think that was my only major problem with the book and that is not really the authors fault. It is mainly just a pet-peeve of mine. Other than that, what you have here is a book that I really enjoyed and an author that I look forward to reading more from. The sequel, out in 2012, will definitely be on my priority list.

This book is listed to go on sale February 1, 2011.

E-Books and Me: A Discussion

For Christmas, the cc bought me an eReader. I had only sort of wanted one since they came out, but he had a good argument. My books won't fit in our place and are still mostly residing at my mother's house. Maybe later this year we will finally have enough room, but just in case that doesn't happen I can put books on an eReader and then I don't have to worry about space. Then, I can resume buying books once in a while and actually know where they are AND maybe get them read. He made a good point and I agreed that I wanted an eReader for Christmas. I still bought books, though. All the books in my list of books I was looking forward to in 2011? I pre-ordered them all and they will be physical books. They are series and authors that I love and will want to hang onto for years to come.

Just because I was getting an eReader, though, I had no idea what I was going to do with it once it arrived. Would I even like it? Would it be something I love for a moment and then get tired of? I opened it up on Christmas Day and discovered that I love it. It came loaded with 100 classics and I always feel like I don't read enough classics. Why buy them, though, when they are available free? It is much more affordable to read them on an eReader. It is not taking away from authors, either, because they are dead. I feel no guilt. Plus, I am currently making a list of books I have read either through my eReader or the library that I want to own. If I see them at a second-hand store, I will buy them then. If not, they are just books that I will buy when I have more space.

I actually have reasons for why I like eReaders:

• The big one is space. I don't have room for everything that I read... Once I read a book I do tend to decide if I want to keep it or discard it, but sometimes that doesn't help much.
• Money! I want to read classics, so this way I can read them for free and buy the ones that I really love at a later date if I want to.
• Font size. I hate really little font in books. I will either not read or put off reading a book because of it. With an eReader you can change the size and this means I am reading books I probably would never have read otherwise.
• Page count. I am really good with books in the 300 to 400 page range. Bigger than that, though, I tend to start them and never finish them! With an eReader you have no idea how big a book is. I just read and don't worry about it. With paper books I am constantly checking to see how many more pages a chapter is or how many more pages the book has left. The eReader counts down the pages and tells you how far you are from the end. I actually read ebooks faster!

Those are just the reasons that come to mind. What is it that you love or don't love about eReaders? I have seen lots of posts about the subject, but I am still curious about this issue.

Another thing I have seen circulating is piracy issues. Some authors have found ways around this by supporting the free downloading of books. Last night I downloaded a whole series of books by Lois McMaster Bujold from Baen Books. I am excited because I have always wanted to read the series, so now I can read them and then decide if I like them or not. If I do, you can bet that I will buy them. If I don't, then, well, I didn't waste money. I don't feel guilty if I get a few free books here or there, though. I used to buy books just based on recommendations, but I have to be picky about that nowadays. When you don't have space for anymore books you have to do what works. There are sites that are even starting to make the first book in series available for free. I think that is an awesome idea because if I like the first book I will buy it and then buy all the rest of the series... I have to have complete sets!

What are your thoughts on free ebooks? Do you think they have their benefits, or are they a bad idea entirely?

Week in Review (2)

Random Thoughts

I am very happy that so far my reading is going really well! I am hoping it will continue. I think part of my problem last year was book choices. I just couldn't seem to find books I loved. There were only really a couple that will carry with me, despite how many I have on my Best of... post. In 2009 there were a lot of books that I loved, so 2010 was just a letdown and then it got to be almost a chore to read. The good thing is that with a new year started, it is not hard to top my reads from last year. What normally leads to your reading slumps?

Challenge News

I haven't done much for my challenges yet. I have books here to read, but I haven't got around to them yet. I did read some Patricia Briggs' books (Masques and Wolfsbane) for a buddy read with Vanessa from Reading in Bed. This will be my first of 2011. I really enjoyed buddy reads in 2009, but moved away from them last year. I am hoping to do more in 2011. I all ready have a few scheduled. If anyone is interested, just let me know and I am sure we can work something out. Some all ready in the works are two with Amanda from The Zen Leaf: Jane Eyre and North and South. I am going to be reading Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier (finally) with Melissa from Book Nut. I am doing a 3-people read in February of How the Irish Saved Civilization with Megan at Po(sey) Sessions and Carrie at Books and Movies. Then there are a few others that we are just trying to figure out the book.

Weekly Reads

10. Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.:Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman by Sam Wasson

11. The Fallen Kings Cycle Book 1: The Sworn by Gail Z. Martin (Review scheduled for Tuesday)

12. Muppet Robin Hood by Tim Beedle & Company

13. Masques by Patricia Briggs (Up-coming Buddy Review)

14. Wolfsbane by Patricia Briggs (Up-coming Buddy Review)

Favourite Read: Tough call. I always love Briggs, but these were early books and not quite as good as her newer ones. I'd have to say The Fallen Kings Cycle Book 1: The Sworn by Gail Z. Martin.

Weekly Posts

Week in Review (1)

Review: Bone: Tall Tales by Jeff Smith

Review: The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells (Sci-Fi Experience)

Review: Fables - Vol 14: Witches by Bill Willingham & Company

Review: Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley

Review: Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's and the Dawn of the Modern Woman by Sam Wasson

Review: Muppet Robin Hood (and a movie) by Tim Beedle & Company

New Additions

Bought:

Star Trek Typhon Pact: Zero Sum Game by David Mack

Star Trek Typhon Pact: Seize the Fire by Michael Z. Martin

Star Trek Typhon Pact: Rough Beasts of Empire by David R. George III

The Hundred Thousands Kingdom by N.K. Jemisin (ebook)

Loaded:

Fiddler Fair by Mercedes Lackey

This Scepter'd Isle by Mercedes Lackey

1632 by Eric Flint

Fire in the Mist by Holly Lisle

Medicus by Ruth Downie

Received:

Nothing this week

Borrowed:

If on a Winter's Night a Traveller by Italo Calvino

Plain Kate by Erin Bow

Muppet Robin Hood (read)

Dune by Frank Herbert (ebook)

Happy Birthday, Vanessa!

Everyone should head to Reading in Bed and wish the author, Vanessa, a very Happy Birthday!

Vanessa is actually one of my real life friends. We have known each other since we were about 12 or 13. We are currently reading Patricia Briggs' books together to eventually do a buddy review of them.

Muppet Robin Hood by Tim Beedle (And, a movie review...)

Muppet Robin Hood by Tim Beedle & company

Date Completed: January 11, 2010
Reason for Reading: Just for fun!

The Muppets tell the Robin Hood legend for laughs, and it’s the reader who will be merry! Robin Hood (Kermit the Frog) joins with the Merry Men — Sherwood Forest’s inf

amous gang of misfit outlaws — to take on the stuffy Sheriff of Muppetham (Sam the Eagle) and the wicked Gonzo of Gisbourne! Features a cover from David Petersen, the Eisner Award-winning creator of Mouse Guard!

I was catching up some blog reading and I happened to notice on Becky's, from Becky's Book Reviews, post wrapping up the Graphic Novel Challenge that she had read classic stories retold with the Muppets in graphic novel format. I was curious... Even the cc was curious. Off to the library website I went and they actually had a few of them. I can sum up my thoughts very easily: This book was really fun, but nothing amazing. I laughed a few times and enjoyed the retelling of the story with Kermit and friends. The cc read a bit over my shoulder and he thinks they should make a movie. I plan to read whatever other ones the library has just for fun.

Then, in one of those weird twists of fate, the movie that we had planned to watch last night was Robin Hood: Men in Tights.

Cary Elwes stars as Robin Hood, the dashing defender of the down-trodden, who along

with his merry men and Maid Marion, resides in Sherwood Forest. There they have

become together to fight against the seriously neurotic Prince John, the not quite-evil Sheriff of Rottingham, and the mad scorceress Latrine.

This was a fun movie! I am pretty sure I have seen it before, but if I did it was a while ago. I just love the movie. I think anything that Mel Brooks does is sure to be an entertainment not easily forgotten. It is just so random that you think it is going to be really bad, but it all works together so well. I mean, picture a bunch of men dressed in tights doing a dance number about how they are manly men. I laughed for a while at that scene. The movie still keeps to the basic story, but adds humour and entertainment, of course.

The characters were casted really well. Cary Elwes also plays Westley in The Princess Bride. The movies reminded me a lot of each other, actually. I think William Goldman and Mel Brooks have the same creative minds in a way. Then, at the end of the movie Patrick Stewart appears as King Richard. I enjoyed that immensely. We were watching the opening credits and kept saying, oh, he is going to be funny and thoughts along those lines. It has a great cast of really funny people. It's a cheesy movie, I am not going to lie, but it is great for a laugh and is easily a movie you can watch over and over again. Now that I remember seeing it, I am going to make sure to add it to the few movies I do rewatch. So, if you are one of very few people, I am sure, that haven't seen this movie... Watch it!

*** I think I might keep track of what I watch in 2011 over on the sidebar and review from time to time. While I love reading, the cc is a TV/movie person. So, when he is around we tend to watch a lot of stuff. When he is not around I hardly even turn the TV on!

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman by Sam Wasson

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman by Sam Wasson

Completed January 9, 2011
Reason for Reading: Whim...

Audrey Hepburn is an icon like no other, yet the image many of us have of Audrey—dainty, immaculate—is anything but true to life. Here, for the first time, Sam Wasson presents the woman behind the little black dress that rocked the nation in 1961. The first complete account of the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. reveals little-known facts about the cinema classic: Truman Capote desperately wanted Marilyn Monroe for the leading role; director Blake Edwards filmed multiple endings; Hepburn herself felt very conflicted about balancing the roles of mother and movie star. With a colorful cast of characters including Truman Capote, Edith Head, Givenchy, "Moon River" composer Henry Mancini, and, of course, Hepburn herself, Wasson immerses us in the America of the late fifties before Woodstock and birth control, when a not-so-virginal girl by the name of Holly Golightly raised eyebrows across the country, changing fashion, film, and sex for good. Indeed, cultural touchstones like Sex and the City owe a debt of gratitude to Breakfast at Tiffany's.

In this meticulously researched gem of a book, Wasson delivers us from the penthouses of the Upper East Side to the pools of Beverly Hills, presenting Breakfast at Tiffany's as we have never seen it before—through the eyes of those who made it. Written with delicious prose and considerable wit, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M. shines new light on a beloved film and its incomparable star.

I have no idea why I read this book. I have never seen the movie, read the book, or seen Audrey Hepburn act. I have never heard of the author of this book before. I am not a huge fan of the classic movie franchise or the old-time big stars. Actually, I just saw my first Marilyn Monroe movie last week. I just was flipping through the library eBook selection, which is really sad, and adding what sounded sort of interesting to my wish list. Then, I moved 5 of them to the holds area and this was one of them. So, what are my thoughts after finishing this book? I have now added both the book Breakfast at Tiffany's and the movie version to my library holds. I even added a couple other Audrey Hepburn movies. I am actually going to watch classic movies!

I am surprised by my interest in this book. It really is a subject I knew next to nothing about. I wasn't even entirely sure what Breakfast at Tiffany's was even about. Last night, though, I was trailing the cc around the place reading him some of the things that I learned. This is why I need to read more non-fiction in 2011. It becomes a sharing experience! Now, I need to reiterate that I am not very well-read on this subject, so I have no idea what someone that loves this era and the movies that came from it would think. I just know that I learned a lot and if I want to learn more, the author included pages and pages of sources for all his info. I was just really amazed about the whole process of making this movie. Trying to sneak it through the censors was something that I never thought about before. Well, mainly because up until yesterday I didn't know that Hepburn played a call-girl in the movie. It was things like this that I was discussing with the cc last night. He included some of the scenes that were cut and the reasoning behind it.

I'd like to think that the author captured the players well. I like how he set this book out as a movie script. In the beginning his lists all the characters, the scenes, and includes a map. Then he divides it into sections like a script would. Even the end keeps up this theme. For another book, it wouldn't work at all, but for the idea of this book it worked really well. I just found myself surprising interested in most of what happens in the book. I could careless about Audrey's marriage, but I did appreciate how she was trying to balance being a mother and being an actress. I even enjoyed the pages dedicated to the famous song 'Moon River'. I might not have seen the movie before, but I have heard that song before. I also like how without necessarily going into a lot of detail, we learn about all the people that were related to Hepburn and this movie. I think it made the book more enjoyable.

I am glad I read this book on a whim. I never would have read it otherwise! Now, of course, my question to my readers is what classic movies should I see? I put the following on hold, but I am always up for more recommendations!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

My Fair Lady

Funny Face

Sabrina

The Seven Year Itch

Casablanca

(So, this book didn't get very good ratings on Barnes & Noble... I assume by people that might actually know what they are talking about. I liked it... It was a good introduction, I think, but maybe not for those that know more than me...)

Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley

Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror by Chris Priestley

Date Completed: January 8, 2011

Recommended by people like Cath, Carl, and many more!

This spine-tingling, thrill-packed novel has more than enough fear-factor for the most ardent fan of scary stories. Uncle Montague lives alone in a big house, but regular visits from his nephew, Edward, give him the opportunity to recount some of the most frightening stories he knows. As each tale unfolds, it becomes clear that something sinister is in the air. From the account of a curious boy who intrudes on Old Mother Tallow's garden to a shy girl's ghostly encounter during an innocent game of hide and seek, a pattern emerges of young lives gone awry in the most terrifying of ways. Young Edward begins to wonder just how Uncle Montague knows all these ghastly tales, and ultimately discovers that his mysterious uncle's life has a darker side than he ever imagined. This cleverly wrought collection of stories-within-a-story by Chris Priestly is perfectly matched in darkly witty illustrations by David Roberts.

So, this is one of the authors I saw circulating around the blogosphere in 2010. I had hoped to read this book for the R.I.P. challenge, but unfortunately my library didn't have any of his books and by the time they agreed to my request to buy at least one, it was January! This book would be perfect for the challenge, though, if you are ever wondering what to read. The cc (for those that are new to my blog, that means 'Charming Comedian' and is my creative way of saying 'the guy') fell asleep on the couch last night, so I wandered off to the bedroom to read. I decided to try this book because I have been curious about it for a while. It was a perfect nighttime atmospheric read. For starters, it is a group of stories that is being told in front of a fire in a spooky old house to a young boy. You can easily read this book and feel like the stories are being told directly to you. I like that!

Unlike a collection of short stories, this has breaks so you can get to know the storyteller, Uncle Montague, and his audience, Edgar. Then, he launches into another story. At the end of the book you also get to hear a story about Uncle Montague. I thought that was a nice touch because Edgar is curious about his uncle, which means that we are made curious, too. You know there is more to things than meets the eyes. Edgar is skeptical, though. He thinks his uncle is ill or in poor mental health. Especially when Montague hints that the stories he tells are not entirely stories. I also like the rather ambiguous endings that some of the stories have. You know that there is danger afoot, but he doesn't tell you exactly what happens. You have to draw your own conclusions. Some of the stories are very different, but others you will feel like you have heard before. They just have a slight twist to them.

The other thing to note is the fantastically creepy artwork that is included. I found that the pictures really helped to set the stage for the stories. There was one included for everyone, which was a great touch. David Roberts has done a really good job of making Priestley's visions a reality. I have to say that I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from Priestley in the future. I am glad I gave in to the majority rule this time!

This book counts for the TwentyEleven Reading Challenge.

Fables - Volume 14: Witches by Bill Willingham & company

Fables - Volume 14: Witches by Bill Willingham & company

Date Completed: January 7, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with Series

While the meek and mild flying monkey Bufkin is trapped in Fabletown's collapsed business office with the evil witch Baba Yaga, Frau Totenkinder and the witches at the Farm upstate prepare to deal with Mister Dark down in what's left of Fabletown.

This is another series that I am obsessed with, but never review... It's just so hard to say anything without ruining the series for those new to it, or even those that are a few behind. Comic series are really just one long book, so you cannot really review each story individually and not destroy it. I really should have at least reviewed the first book, but I didn't, and now here we are 14 books into the series and I haven't really said anything about it! I bought the first two books in this series in January of 2009 with gift cards that I had from Christmas. I had always wanted to read it, but just never got around to it. Now here it is 2 years later and I am all caught-up and left waiting for more. This has been pretty much the case since some time in 2009. I am a bit obsessed with this series...

You see, I love fairy tales. When I was little I was obsessed with Grimms' Fairy Tales and other famous writers. I watched Disney, even though they were not very true to the story, and I think that they were my first love. I have never gotten over it. I am hopeless when I see a book based on a fairy tale. There are simply too many of them, but I still want to read all of them. Later in life I have read non-fiction books about the genre, read fairy tales from a broader scope of the world, and even took a course dedicated to it in university. So, when I see a book with pretty pictures based around fairy tale characters you can pretty much guarantee that I am in love before I even read the first book. I think I was worried at first, though, because there is a lot of creative license at work. I never should have worried, though, as you can tell by the fact that I just finished the 14th book in the series! I love Fables! It is probably my favourite on-going series. I get excited when I buy the newest volume.

So, what can I say about Volume 14? It was a bit anti-climatic after all the adventure in 13, but it still was great. I am looking forward to Volume 15, though. It has an awesome cover and looks like it is finally going to be centred around Rose Red. There is obviously an interesting story there. Some of the storylines started in this book will likely be addressed, too. I am excited to see what the two volumes released this year are all about! I also think once the person that is currently borrowing the series slowly is finished I am going to reread the whole thing.

***Edited to add, I have no idea what happened the other day, but I have reviewed some of this series. I thought I had, but when I searched it didn't come up! I have adjusted the list below to link to those that I have managed to review. Another good reason to reread the series this year! Then I can review the later ones that I apparently missed before...

Fables (Core) Series:

Legends in Exile

Animal Farm

Storybook Love

March of the Wooden Soldiers

The Mean Seasons

Homelands

Arabian Nights (and Days)

Wolves

Sons of Empire

The Good Prince

War and Pieces

The Dark Ages

The Great Fables Crossover

Witches

Rose Red (Forth-coming)

Werewolves of the Heartland (Forth-coming)

This book counts for the TwentyEleven Reading Challenge.

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

Completed January 5, 2011

Reason for Reading: Sci-Fi Experience

'The stranger came early in February ... He was wrapped up from head to foot, and the brim of his soft felt hat hid every inch of his face but the shiny tip of his nose.' After being evicted by his innkeeper, the invisible man reveals his "secret" and escapes without being seen by anyone. This eerie beginning develops into the story behind the "disfigured stranger" as he is hunted through the English countryside.

I think it is the mark of a good book when it is late at night and you should be sleeping, but instead you want to find out what happens next. I think I needed some classic science-fiction in my life because I haven't read nearly as much of it as I would like. H.G. Wells was a good place to start. This was the type of book where you kept thinking 'What happens next?' I am not even sure why. Maybe because The Invisible Man was such a villain-ish character and I don't read enough books with really great egotistical, self-centred, crazy characters. It was a refreshing change and it was written so well. It was also like a mystery because while you knew from the title there was an invisible man involved; it was near the end of the book before everything was revealed.

Most of the science-fiction I read is of the Space Opera variety. I am a huge Trekkie, to be honest, and like to try and read books related to that series. This was different. It was fate that I read this book, though. While I was in the midst of it I paused to read The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger and she actually got her inspiration for her story from a H.G. Well story. Then, we were having a movie night and the cc, without knowing what I was reading, decided he wanted to watch War

of the Worlds. It is weird how things line up like that.

Anyway, back to the book. This was a great late night read. It was fast-paced enough to keep me awake way later than I should have been. It caught you from the very first page because you don't know what to expect. A mysterious man shows up at an Inn and then strange things start to happen. They think that he is just severely disfigured, but we know that there is more to it than that. You just don't know how it happened or what to expect from him. You know he is rude from the very first, though. That's about it. Sometimes you can't help loving a villain because he is just so compelling in his personality. The Invisible Man is like that. You want to hate him, but at the same time you really feel for him. It's a strange situation. I was fascinated by his thought process and what lead him to one of the most amazing scientific discoveries out there.

So, without revealing any of the plot to a degree that can be considered spoilerish, I am glad I read this book and I look forward to more from H.G. Wells.

Bone: Tall Tales by Jeff Smith & Tom Sniegoski

Bone: Tall Tales by Jeff Smith & Tom Sniegoski

Completed January 4, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with the Series

Long before the Bone cousins were ever lost in the uncharted desert on the outskirts of the Valley, Big Johnson Bone, the discoverer of Rolling Bone River, founded Boneville. But little is known of the mighty explorer's adventures before he started his famous trading post. So when Smiley Bone sits down with a group of young scouts to retell the legendary stories of Boneville's origin and its tough, no-nonsense founder, what they hear are tall tales in typical bone fashion--wild antics, complete with rat creatures, dragons, and a snarky little monkey! Previously published in black-and-white as Stupid-Stupid Rat-tails, this edition features new stories and full-colour art.

I started this series back in 2009. Other than a review of Rose and my brief thoughts in my post at the end of 2010, I have never reviewed this series. I just find graphic novels hard to review because they are really one large story and I hate to give things away. I had meant to post a general look at the entire series when I finished book 9, but my reviewing was a bit sporadic last year. This is the newest book in the series. While it starts off taking place after the events of the original series, it actually looks back on things that happened beforehand. So, it is sort of a prequel, but sort of not at the same time. It was fun, though. A collection of short stories with fantastic artwork. It is my kind of book!

I am glad that one of the stories included Fone Bone and Phoney Bone. Smiley is the one that is telling the stories in the beginning, but then one of the boys starts dreaming and that becomes the rest of the book. While this book was fun and I enjoyed Johnson, the main character, I was disappointed to not see more of the original characters. They are really what made the series fun. I read it through the library initially, but now I think I am going to buy the complete set in one book so I will be able to reread them at some point. The combination of Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone is hilarious. They play off of each other really well! It would take a lot to beat out Fables to be my favourite, but it does hold a special place in my heart.

If you are looking for a fun introduction to graphic novels, this is the series for you. There is humour, adventure, mystery, romance, and so much more! I strongly recommend both this book and the entire series.

Bone Series:

Rose

Out from Boneville

The Great Cow Race

Eyes of the Storm

The Dragonslayer

Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border

Old Man's Cave

Ghost Circles

Treasure Hunters

Crown of Horns

Tall Tales