Comic Book February - Week 1

The Runaways - Volume 2: Teenage Wasteland by Brian K. Vaughan and

Company

Completed: February 1, 2014
Length: 144 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Still on the run from their super-villain parents, this motley crew of super-powered kids finds a kindred spirit in a daring young stranger and welcomes him into their fold. But will this dashing young man help the teenagers defeat their villainous parents...or tear them apart? One troubled member finds out, as she leaves the group's hideout with their new recruit, who reveals his startling secret, putting the entire team in jeopardy Plus: Who do you send to catch a group of missing, runaway teenage super heroes? Marvel's original teen runaway crimefighters, Cloak and Dagger, making their first major appearance in years.

I don't think I ever reviewed Volume 1 of this series, which I read back in 2013, so maybe I should start there. I am reading this series because I really like Brian K. Vaughan. The illustrator, Adrian Alphona, is also Canadian. So, I bought Volume 1 and was all excited to see what was in store for me. I am not sure I like it. I think a lot of it is that I find the characters just too young for my current frame of mind. I am tired about teenage drama. I know this is different teenage drama, but I wasn't able to see it that way. I thought it might be just a mood thing, so I determined I was going to read Volume 2 to make sure.

Fast-forward to February of this year when I finally decided to retry the series. If anything, there was way more drama and I just find it isn't working for me. It could also be that I don't read a lot of 'superhero' comics. I don't know. I just know that compared to everything else I have read by Vaughan, this is my least favourite. The art is good, though. I had the mass-market size for the first book and the hardcover for the second. Alphonsa has a great style that I wouldn't mind seeing more of, but I just don't know if it will be this series. If my library had it I would happily read the rest just to complete the series, but I don't want to buy a series I only kind of like.

This book was just okay.

Saga - Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Completed: February 3, 2014
Length: 160 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.

From New York Times bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist Fiona Staples (Mystery Society, North 40), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults.

This specially priced volume collects the first six issues of the smash-hit series The Onion A.V. Club calls "the emotional epic Hollywood wishes it could make."

This was a reread, actually. I originally read the comic on December 7, 2012. I bought Volume 2 right away when it came out; but then I seemed to not read any graphic novels at all the second half of 2013. I was determined to get back to the series this year because Volume 3 will be out in April. See, this is why The Runaways is just okay. Saga is an example of Vaughan at the top of his game. I enjoyed this comic just as much the second time as I did the first. (Not surprisingly, I do not have a review to prove that...) Basically, this is the story of a man and a woman who meet and unexpectedly fall in love. They are supposed to be enemies, but the man has been arrested and the woman is his jail-keeper. They wind up coming together over a book and when the fate of the man is dire, they wind up as a couple on the run.

The story is told by Hazel, the daughter that Marko and Alana wind up having together. She is born at the very beginning of this comic and gets caught up in her parents escape. She even gets a baby-sitter in an expected way after she saves her parents and comes along on their adventures. Isabel is a spirit who often plays the comic relief in the story. After getting away from the people that are following them, they find themselves on a space ship that looks like a tree. Maybe that is why we haven't gone beyond the moon? We don't make space ships out of wood...

I love this series, folks! If you haven't read it, I strongly recommend this volume!

Saga - Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Completed: February 3, 2014
Length: 144 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The smash-hit ongoing epic continues! Thanks to her star-crossed parents Marko and Alana, newborn baby Hazel has already survived lethal assassins, rampaging armies, and alien monstrosities, but in the cold vastness of outer space, the little girl encounters something truly frightening: her grandparents!

I can't believe it took me this long to read this book... What is wrong with me?? Volume 1 ended on a cliffhanger and everything. I should have been devouring Volume 2 as soon as it arrived. I know that I can't wait to see how the cliffhanger in this volume plays out... I just have to wait until April for that! I was so happy that I once again loved this comic. (I am going to need something for when Fables ends next year... I hope they plan to keep going for a while!) In this Volume Marko, Alana, Isabel, and Hazel are still in their wooden space ship. They are headed to the planet where the author of the book that brought them together lives. Things don't go completely as planned, though. Marko inadvertently summons his parents and interesting things happen...

One thing I really like about this series is that while it is written by a man... It plays with gender roles. Marko is the nurturing part of the relationship and Alana is the kick-ass part. Both of them are capable of taking care of themselves, but this is played up more when it comes to Hazel. Then Marko's parents show up and you see it again, so obviously an intentional thing. It is not the case with all the 'species' in the book, but Marko's father sews and takes care of Hazel. Marko's mother banishes Isabel and then heads out to save her when Marko does. I look forward to seeing that investigated more.

I should point out this is a very 'adult' series. If you want to try Vaughan for a younger audience, I would go with Runaways. There is violence and nudity throughout both volumes. But, they are just so good! Also, the art is fantastic. I have heard good things about Fiona Staples and look forward to more from her!

Strongly recommended!

Boxers (Boxers & Saints #1) by Gene Luen Yang

Completion Date: February 5, 2014
Length: 325 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

China, 1898. Bands of foreign missionaries and soldiers roam the countryside, bullying and robbing Chinese peasants.

Little Bao has had enough. Harnessing the powers of ancient Chinese gods, he recruits an army of Boxers--commoners trained in kung fu--who fight to free China from "foreign devils."

Against all odds, this grass-roots rebellion is violently successful. But nothing is simple. Little Bao is fighting for the glory of China, but at what cost? So many are dying, including thousands of "secondary devils"--Chinese citizens who have converted to Christianity.

Yep. Another reread. Another situation where I read book 1 and then never read book 2. And, another book I never reviewed when I read it in June of last year. Frankly, as much as I love graphic novels... I hate reviewing them... Standalones are okay, but I find series impossible because I hate spoiling stuff. Apparently 2013 was just not the year of the graphic novel for me. I did really bad with keeping up on things. This year is about fixing that! Gene Luen Yung has quickly become one of my favourite graphic novel authors. I originally read him in 2009 and have made a point to pay attention to his releases ever since. When I first heard of this duology I knew I was going to have to grab a copy.

I really enjoy a book that makes you want to read more books. That is what was the result of Boxers. I don't know very much about this period in history. Yung's book was a nice introduction, but I really want to explore the topic more in the future. I appreciate that Yung has done this because other people I know also have mentioned wanting to know more. This comic follows Little Bao. Circumstances come together to make Bao grow up very quickly and lead a rebellion against the 'devils' of China. They have moved in and taken over. There has been much death since. There has also been loss of ways with the influx of 'white' believes pushing out the older Chinese customs. It is time for the Chinese to take action and they do in a very spiritual way. (I want to say it is like Magic Realism... I know it isn't really, but from our modern standpoint it is close to it.)

Little Bao is an interesting character. You get to see him grow throughout the book. He doesn't always make the right decisions, but he does what he thinks is in the best interest of China. It made for a very interesting story that I enjoyed just as much the second time as the first.

Strongly Recommended!

Saints (Boxers & Saints #2) by Gene Luen Yang

Completed: February 5, 2014
Length: 170 Pages

Synopsis from Goodreads:

China, 1898. An unwanted and unwelcome fourth daughter, Four-Girl isn't even given a proper name by her family when she's born. She finds friendship--and a name, Vibiana--in the most unlikely of places: Christianity.

But China is a dangerous place for Christians. The Boxer Rebellion is in full swing, and bands of young men roam the countryside, murdering Westerners and Chinese Christians alike. Torn between her nation and her Christian friends, Vibiana will have to decide where her true loyalties lie...and whether she is willing to die for her faith.

I wish I had read this last year. I really liked this book! What Yang essentially does with this story is go back to the beginning with a character that will appear a couple times in Boxers. We see her difficult up-bringing and how she winds up turning to Christianity. Her grandfather would not give her a name; so she grew up being called Four-Girl until she is baptised and can rename herself to Vibiana. This is her story and I really liked the female-viewpoint. There is a female character that prominently appears in Boxers, but the story is only told from Bao's point of view. So, in just 170 pages Yang talks about gender issues, growing up a girl in China, Christianity, and the Boxer Rebellions. It is about half the size of Boxers but just as powerful.

I felt really bad for Vibiana. Her goal in life was just to get her grandfather to love and accept her, but nothing she tries works out. This leads her on an entirely different path away from her family and up-bringing. It gives her a chance to be herself and break away. It is not always perfect, though. She really struggles with her identity and her decisions. But, it is worth reading. I would definitely read Boxers first, though. And don't be like me, read them both at the same time! They really flow well together and like all of Yang's work, they are worth checking out. Not to forget, but this book also ties in Joan of Arc!

Strongly recommended!

Graphic Novel February - The Books

Hi everyone! Debi and Chris came up with 'themed' months last year for their reading. February was graphic novels (and their like). When they started talking about doing it again I knew I had to join in! The other night I collected my books, sorry about the bad picture quality, and got very excited to get to many of these! I thought I would share. The pile, from bottom to top, is as follows:

Y: The Last Man - I enjoy this series, but I am behind. I have to figure out where I am in the series, so this follow is just a stand-in until I go back and find my spot.

Fables: Encyclopaedia - I bought this when it came out and have been holding on it... It is even still in its plastic wrap!

Fairest in all the Land - This came out at the end of 2013. I am excited! I was going to read it in January, but I decided to save it for February.

Once Upon a Time Machine - Sadly even comic book short story collections take me forever. I sort of even forgot to read this one after putting it down at one point. I know I will like it. I need to read it!

Fatale: Volume 1 - Death Chases Me - I just have read this because I didn't want to start another series until I caught up in some... And then it got kind of buried on my shelves and there are three sequels if I like it. oops!

The Unwritten - Volume 6, 7, and Tommy Taylor and the Ship That Sank Twice - I got behind in The Unwritten last year!

Saga - Volume 2 - I am kind of shocked I never read this. I just stopped reading graphic novels last year. It's terrible... Though not pictured, I might also reread Volume 1.

Kill Shakespeare - Volume 3 - I got Volume 1 and 2 for Christmas 2012, I believe. I am excited to see what happens next!

A Bunch of Fables - All the Fables are rereads. I am not sure how many I will get through, but this enough for 2 a week or so.

Once Upon a Time - This is a comic based on the show. The art is very pretty. I just got it this month for February.

Nausicaa Volume 1, 2, and 3 - Yeah, another one I meant to read in January a couple times and kept waiting for February... I borrowed them so I need to get cracking!

The Runaways Volume 2 - I haven't rushed right out and read this because my library doesn't carry the series, I don't love it enough to buy it, etc. But, I have this one and should at least read it. It might convince me I enjoy it more? I don't know..

2014 Reading Challenges

I didn't do any reading challenges last year... Well, this year. I decided to do a couple in 2014, though. Nothing too stressful. We will see how it goes! The ones I picked out are below: 

Hosted By Teresa's Reading Corner.

January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

There are five levels to the challenge: 

Flirting-Listen to 6 Audio Books
Going Steady- Listen to 12 Audio Books
Lover- Listen to 25 Audio Books
Married-Listen to more than 25 Audio Books
You Define the Relationship- Create your own challenge (choose your own name and level starting as low or going as high as you’d like) 

This challenge is completely laid back. I want it to be as enjoyable as possible.
Audio Books can be any genre
You can cross challenges
You don’t have to be a blogger to participate. You can tell us about what you are listening to in the comments of the monthly link up.

My Thoughts: In a dream would I would like to listen to two audiobooks  a month, but we will see how that goes... To start with I will go with Going Steady - Listen to 12 Audio Books.

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Hosted at it own dedicated blog.

January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Wondering what’s a chunkster? A chunkster is an adult book, non-fiction or fiction, that’s 450 pages or more.

Rules for this challenge:

Audio books and e-books are now allowed. You want to listen to a chunkster on audio? Be my guest.
Essay, short story, and poetry collections are allowed but they have to be read in their entirety to count.
Books may crossover with other challenges.
Anyone can join.
You don’t have to list your book ahead of time.
Graphic novels don’t count. Sorry guys but reading a chunkster graphic novel isn’t the same as reading a non-graphic chunkster.

I’ve been thinking long and hard about the levels of participation that have always been a part of this challenge. This year we’re going to try something new: there won’t be any levels.

My Thoughts: I am not going to stress about it. I just want to clean some of the chunskters off my shelves.

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Hosted at its own dedicated blog.

January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Here’s the schedule:

Jan./Feb.: Gulf Wars (Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm and Iraq War/Operation Iraqi Freedom)
March/April: French and Indian War
May/June: Korean War
July/August: WWI (100th Anniversary)
Sept./Oct.: WWII
Nov./Dec.: Vietnam War

Level of Participation:

Dip Your Toes: Read 1 book for any war
Novice: Read 1 book per war throughout the year for a total of 6 books on 6 different wars
Intermediate: Read 2+ books for 1 war, and 1 book for each of the others for a total of 7 books
Expert: Read 2+ books for each war for a total of 12 books

My Thoughts: I really like the idea of this challenge. I should do it more! I am not sure what level to go with just because I have no idea what to read for some of the wars. I normally read primarily WWI and WWII, so I will have to see what the options are for the other wars and take it from there.

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Hosted at its own dedicated blog.

January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014

Here is how the Challenge will play out this year:

Levels:

Modern Age: read and review 12 books during the year (that's only 1 book a month)
Bronze Age: read and review 24 books during the year (Can you handle 2 books a month.)
Silver Age: read and review 52 books during the year (Are you up to a book a week!)

You must sign up for a level, but once you complete that level you may move up and try for the next one.

My Thoughts: I am behind on my graphic novel reading. I need to catch-up! I am going to go with the Modern Age. I would have to start going back to the library to do better than that. We will see how it goes.

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Two More Challenges!

I need more challenges like a need a whole in my head, but I am signing up for them anyway! I really should cut myself off after this because I haven't been reading so much the last part of the year, but we will see what happens!

The Essay Reading Challenge 2010

Here are the basics:

~ Join anytime, but don’t start reading until January 1, 2010. The challenge ends November 30, 2010.
~ If you read a book of essays, that book can also apply to any other challenges you are working on.
~ Choose a goal of reading 10, 20, or 30 essays, and then write a challenge post, linking back to this post. Feel free to copy and paste the above image into your challenge post.
~ Copy your challenge post’s link into Mr. Linky below.
~ You don’t have to list your essays ahead of time – just have fun reading throughout the year.
~ I will put up a page for the challenge in my left sidebar, and add a Mr. Linky for essay reviews and wrap-up posts as the year goes on.
~ Everyone who completes the challenge and writes at least one review will be eligible for the giveaway prize: A copy of Best American Essays 2010.
~ New for 2010: You can earn extra credit – and an extra entry in the giveaway – by writing an essay of your own and leaving the link at the challenge page.
~ I will put up a wrap-up and giveaway post sometime early in December – that’s why the challenge only runs through November.

I am going to aim for 10 essays. I have no idea what yet, but I will add this challenge to my sidebar!

Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon (16 essays)

Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon (39 essays)

Graphic Novels Challenge 2010

So - rules and guidelines:

• The challenge starts on January 1st 2010 and ends on December 31st (but we don't mind you starting early.)
• You don't have to make a list beforehand (but you can, of course! Lists are great because they give ideas to people who aren't sure what to read. And if you do make one, don't feel forced to stick to it!)
• We simplified the levels of participation: you can be a Beginner (3 Comics or Graphic Novels), Intermediate (3-10) or an Expert (10+). You're more than free to adjust your level of participation after the challenge has begun.
• There will be mini-challenges! Look for a post with more info on that soon.
• Overlaps with other challenges are totally fine.

I did this challenge this year and read a LOT of them! I am sure I can handle 10+, but since I don't want to stress myself out next year I am just going to go with 10.

1. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs
2. Amulet - Book One: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
3. Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere by Mike Carey & Glenn Fabry
4. Dracula Adapted by Michael Mucci, Ben Caldwell, and BIll Halliar
5. Black is for Beginnings by Laurie Faria Stolarz
6. The Baby-Sitters Club: A Graphic Novel - Kristy's Great Idea (Book 1) by Raina Telemeier
7. Jack of Fables: Book Five - Turning Pages by Bill Willingham
8. Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea by Guy Delisle
9. Redwall: The Graphic Novel by Brian Jacques
10. Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of Death and Dementia Illustrated by Gris Grimly
11. The Photographer: Into War-torn Afghanistan with Doctors Without Borders by Emmanuel Guibert
12. Outlaw: The Legend of of Robin Hood by Tony Lee
13. The Unwritten - Volume 1: Tommy Taylor and the Bogus Identity by Mike Carey and Peter Gross
14. Jack of Fables - Volume 6 - The Big Book of War by Bill Willingham
15. Fables - Volume 13 - The Great Fables Crossover by Bill Willingham

16. Courtney Crumrim - Volume 1 - The Night Things by Ted Naifeh

17. Bone - Volume 4: The Dragonslayer by Jeff Smith

18. I Kill Giants by Joe Kelly & JM Ken Niimura

19. Bone - Rock Jaw: Master of the Eastern Border (Volume 5) by Jeff Smith

20. The Muppet Show Comic Book: Meet the Muppets by Roger Langridge

21. Stitches: A memoir by David Small

22. Mercury by Hope Larson

23. Bone - Old Man's Cave by Jeff Smith (Book 6)

24. Bone - Ghost Circles by Jeff Smith (Book 7)

25. Jack of Fables Volume 7: The New Adventures of Jack and Jack by Bill Willingham

26. Bone - Volume 8 - Treasure Hunters by Jeff Smith

27. Bone - Volume 9: Crown of Horns by Jeff Smith

28. Fables - Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love by Chris Roberson

Six Sentence Saturday - Take One

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?)

Staci does this cool feature that I am borrowing. I have the worst time keeping up on my reviews, so I figure if I do this mostly every Saturday than I will review books I probably won't review otherwise. It will likely just be books that I consider okay, so expect detailed reviews (hopefully) about books that I love.

A Distant Soil - Volume 2 - The Ascendant by Colleen Doran

I didn't like the first volume of this because I found it too cliched and predictable, but I decided to read the second volume anyways. The series does not improve. I found this volume as predicatable as the first volume and probably skimmed at times. Doran essentially takes popular aspects of fantasy, science-fiction, and mythology and puts them together. It sounds like a good idea, but it just didn't work for me. It makes me sad, really, because it did sound interesting.

Bogus to Bubbly: An Insider's Guide to the World of Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
I read this because I had read the books related to it this year and wanted to feel like I completed the series. This book was actually pretty interesting because you do often wonder how authors get their ideas; but Westerfeld addresses that and wrote a book that answers the questions the readers have always been wondering about. I learned a lot. Even though it is a book about a fictional world, it is written very believably. I was glad I read it and was welcomed even further into Westerfeld's world. There are some aspects of it that I wouldn't want to experience, but some of the technology is pretty cool.



X/1999: Prelude by Clamp (Volume 1)
X/1999: Overture by Clamp (Volume 2)
Chris recommended this series to me, and it does have an interesting premise behind it, but it was not one of my favourite manga series. I find, for me, that manga takes a while to get going for me, but I guess we will have to see what happens. The library doesn't have the next volume, so not sure when that will happen, but as it stands right now the series is not working for me. It's been a while since I read it and it isn't even sticking with me. Clamp is an interesting company, though, so I have hopes because I enjoyed Chobits. I will do a more detailed review when I carry on with this series.



One Piece: Romance Dawn by Eiichiro Oda (Volume 1)
One Piece: Buggy the Clown by Eiichiro Oda (Volume 2)
One Piece: Don't Get Fooled Again by Eiichiro Oda (Volume 3)
I find manga series hard to talk about, but I have to talk about this series because it is so much fun! I love the characters and the writing. I am very happy that Renay suggested this series for the Herding Cats challenge. I need to read more books in this series right away, but somehow never seem to check anymore out. I was a bit worried that it would be just a little so strange that it wouldn't work for me, but it was enjoyable. To appreciate it, though, you really need to read it and that is about all I can say on the matter.

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

This moving, charming graphic novel about a dog and a robot shows us in poignant detail how powerful and fragile relationships are. After a Labor Day jaunt to the beach leaves the robot rusted, immobilized in the sand, the dog must return alone to the life they shared. But the memory of their friendship lingers, and as the seasons pass, the dog tries to fill the emotional void left by the loss of his closest friend, making and losing a series of friends, from a melting snowman to epicurean anteaters. But for the robot, lying rusting on the beach, the only relief from loneliness is in dreams.

Title and author of book: Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Graphic Novel. Fantasy?

What led you to pick up this book? I have seen a couple of reviews that made it look promising, so I figured I would give it a try.

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

What did you like most about the book? I liked this book because it was different. It is not like anything I had read before, to be truthful. You had to make your own impressions about the book based on the pictures. There were no words telling you exactly what was going on. This meant that the artist had to be able to draw pictures that were clear. It also meant that each person that 'reads' this book might not get the same impression from it. That made it fresh, which really interested me.

What did you like least? On the other hand, I am finding that I am not very good at 'reading' books by use of pictures. I think at heart I am a novel girl. I like words and I find that I have a hard time remembering to pay attention the pictures. I expect the words to tell me everything that is going on. At least with this book there were no words, so you had to pay attention to the pictures. While I did like this book, though, it is not something that I need to read a lot of. Plus, I am glad I got it from the library because it wouldn't be worth it to me to own it.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? No. This was my first.

What did you think of the main character? I think there were two main characters: the dog and the robot. I felt bad for both of them. The dog lost his best friend and spends the book trying to replace that experience, but it doesn't really work out for him. He cannot get over the loss of his friend. The robot, on the other hand, is trapped on a closed beach. He does not have any options other than to dream, so that is what he does. Varon does a good job making you feel for the characters. I was pretty impressed by this!

What about the ending? I had no major problems with the ending. Saying any more than that, though, would be a spoiler!

While this is not my favourite method of reading a book, I do have to say that I enjoyed this at the same time. While I won't be rushing out to buy it, I do recommend it.

Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi

From the best–selling author of Persepolis comes this gloriously entertaining and enlightening look into the sex lives of Iranian women. Embroideries gathers together Marjane’s tough–talking grandmother, stoic mother, glamorous and eccentric aunt and their friends and neighbors for an afternoon of tea drinking and talking. Naturally, the subject turns to love, sex and the vagaries of men.

As the afternoon progresses, these vibrant women share their secrets, their regrets and their often outrageous stories about, among other things, how to fake one’s virginity, how to escape an arranged marriage, how to enjoy the miracles of plastic surgery and how to delight in being a mistress. By turns revealing and hilarious, these are stories about the lengths to which some women will go to find a man, keep a man or, most important, keep up appearances.

Full of surprises, this introduction to the private lives of some fascinating women, whose life stories and lovers will strike us as at once deeply familiar and profoundly different from our own, is sure to bring smiles of recognition to the faces of women everywhere—and to teach us all a thing or two.

Title and author of book: Embroderies by Marjane Satrapi

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Graphic Novel. Current Affairs.

What led you to pick up this book? I have read her other three books, so figured it was time I got around to this one!

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

What did you like most about the book? The style. It is a group of women sitting around discussing what life was like in Iran. Iran has been in the news a lot over the last few years, but it was never about the personal stories. Satrapi gathers a group of Iranian women together to talk about something so simplistic as their sex lives. For Iranian women, though, it is not that simple. She infuses humour into the telling and brings to life women who have had to deal with things that we can only begin to imagine in the western world. At the same time, though, it is not that different from the way things are here. I think we forget that sometimes, so it was wonderful for Satrapi to humanize the story.

What did you like least? It was too short. I am glad I took this out from the library because it took me no time at all to read it. I actually was sitting in the parking lot waiting for the guy to buy something. He wasn't in there all that long and I think I had it finished and was just sitting there waiting for him to come out.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I have read all of her other books. For my thoughts, click on the links. (Remember that this was back in my early days of blogging and the reviews might not be the greatest!) Persepolis 1, Persepolis 2, and Chicken with Plums.

What did you think of the main character? There really isn't a main character. It is just a bunch of women each telling their story, so it is more like a collection of short stories. They also aren't really 'characters' because this is a true story and they are telling about things that really happened to them. I liked all the characters and enjoyed reading their stories.

What about the ending? I have no complaints about the ending. Just, as I said above, it came too soon!

I am glad that I have read all of her books now. It was three years ago that I read the first three, though, so I think I might reread them this year. When I read them before I was still very much a newbie to graphic novels, so my opinions might have changed over time. I do think that everyone should read Satrapi. She is a wealth of information in a world where her country is often being condemned on the news. It is always good to have both sides of the story. I hope that she has a new book out soon!

Happy Canada Day!

In honour of Canada Day, I am going to do mini-reviews of the last few books I read for the 2nd Canadian Challenge, Eh? It finishes today, so it would be a good plan to finish things up.

The Golden Phoenix and Other Fairy Tales from Quebec Edited by Marius Barbeau & Michael Hornyansky

Vasilly asks: What were some of your favorite tales in the book, The Golden Phoenix? Should I read it?

I read this book quite a while ago because Nicola reviewed it. I love fairy tales, so what better to read than a collection released by Canadians. It was a really worthwhile read, I must say. The stories were ones that I had heard before, in many cases, but they had been retold probably through the generations orally. These two men took the oral stories and wrote them down for everyone to enjoy. To see the transformation made the book that much more enjoyable. The book follows a lot of the common trends in fairy tales: There is the repetition, the use of the number three, the successful youngest brother winning over his two older ones, etc. It should be read and enjoyed by more. Unfortunately, I didn't write down which stories I enjoyed and I already returned it to the library. I will say that I think I enjoyed all eight of the stories, though, and I do recommend it.

Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life - Volume 1 by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Scott Pilgrim's life is totally sweet. He's 23 years old, he's in a rock band, he's "between jobs," and he's dating a cute high school girl. Nothing could possibly go wrong, unless a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, rollerblading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. Will Scott's awesome life get turned upside-down? Will he have to face Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends in battle? The short answer is yes. The long answer is Scott Pilgrim, Volume 1: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life.

This book was just a fun read. Scott Pilgrim is one of those characters that everyone would love. It's funny because in many ways, it is a book about nothing. It is just Scott's life told in comic book form. He is in his twenties, lives with a guy, has no stuff of his own, plays video games, and belongs to a band. Then, there are the girls, of course. You think it is just going to be a typical down on his luck guy, but then O'Malley surprises you. I am looking forward to more in this series. Frankly, I think it is so stupid in premise that it makes it great!

Lost at Sea by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Raleigh doesn't have a soul. A cat stole it - or at least that's what she tells people - or at least that's what she would tell people if she told people anything. But that would mean talking to people, and the mere thought of social interaction is terrifying. How did such a shy teenage girl end up in a car with three of her hooligan classmates on a cross-country road trip? Being forced to interact with kids her own age is a new and alarming proposition for Raleigh, but maybe it's just what she needs - or maybe it can help her find what she needs - or maybe it can help her to realize that what she needs has been with her all along.

This was a good graphic novel. The artwork was well-done, the characters were interesting, and the story kept you wanting to learn more. It's rather interesting, though. O'Malley deals with a serious subject, but he manages to do it with a bit of humour thrown in. I enjoyed that. What teenager doesn't feel like they have lost themselves at some point and time. A very good book, I must say. I look forward to more by him.

The Guests of War Trilogy - Book 3 - The Lights Go On Again by Kit Pearson

For five years Gavin and his sister Norah have lived in Canada as "war guests." But now, as 1945 approaches, the war is finally ending, and Gavin and Norah will soon be going back to England.

Norah, who's fifteen, is eager to see her parents again, but ten-year-old Gavin barely remembers them. He doesn't want to leave his Canadian family, his two best friends and his dog.

Then something happens that forces Gavin to make the most difficult decision of his life.

The Lights Go On Again is the last book in the acclaimed series that began with The Sky Is Falling and Looking At The Moon.

All I can think of to say at the beginning of this review is FINALLY! I read the first two books in this trilogy several years ago, reread them a couple years ago, and then is the first time I have finally read book three. The first two books are told from the perspective of Gavin's sister, Norah, but in this book he takes centrestage. When he came to Canada because of the war, he was really too little to know what was going on. Now that the war is drawing to an end, though, he finds that the time to go home is near and he doesn't remember anything but his life in Canada. This book is a struggle between what is home for Gavin and the changes that the end of the war are bringing with them. A strong end to the trilogy. I am glad that I finally read it!

A Distant Soil - Volume 1 - The Gathering by Colleen Doran

Books Completed: 82
Completion Date: March 2009
Pages: 240
Publication Date: January 1, 2001

Reason for Reading: Graphic Novel Challenge, New Author Challenge, Neil Gaiman recommends it...

The story of a young girl who is born the heir to an alien religious dynasty, is one of comics most lavish and romantic sagas, listed as one of the five best books for teen age girls by Sassy Magazine. A never-before-published A Distant Soil short story and the first 11 chapters of the science/fantasy series are collected in this 240 page trade.

Title and author of book: A Distant Soil- Volume 1 - The Gathering by Colleen Doran

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Fiction. Fantasy & Science-Fiction

What led you to pick up this book? Neil Gaiman recommends it... And, I mean, by the back of the book it sounds like something that would be right up my alley!

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

What did you like most about the book? The combination of fantasy and science-fiction. It was a really good mix! It also has a King Arthur connection, so it would count for the Arthurian Reading Challenge if anyone is interested!

What did you like least? Okay, truth be told... Mostly everything! Doran is a fabulous artist, but the story didn't do a lot for me. I like the idea behind the story, but I guess it was carried out a little strangely. I couldn't get into it. I really wanted to like it, too, so I was very disappointed when it didn't work very well for me. I didn't really feel like the characters worked for me. I also think that Doran took like every genre possible and combined them. It made for a jumbled mess and a story that I often found confusing! It jumped around a lot, too, so I found it hard to keep everything straight and I never felt like I had time to connect with anyone. There were a lot of storylines and people to keep straight!

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? This was my first book by her specifically, but she is credited as an artist on Neil Gaiman's Sandman series. I have read a few of them.

What did you think of the main character? That's the thing... Is there really a main character? It seemed like she was trying to make everyone a main character! You had no one to focus on...

What about the ending? I don't even remember how this book ended... I read the sequel, too, so everything is jumbled! It was a couple months ago...

Other reviews:
Poisoned Rationality: "Epic engaging storyline, romance, mythology, humor, violence, betrayal, shapeshifters, magic, powers...I'm starting to sound like Grandpa from The Princess Bride! But no really it has something for everyone. Yes even naked boobs for guys who look for that."

If you reviewed this book, let me know! I figured my reviews need a bit more and decided to link!

The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg

Reason for Reading: Graphic Novel Challenge, Dewey Reading Challenge, New Author Challenge

Noted young adult novelist Cecil Castellucci and artist Jim Rugg launch MINX with THE PLAIN JANES, a story about four girls named Jane who sit at the reject table at lunch.When transfer student Jane is forced to move from the confines of Metro City to Suburbia, she thinks her life is over.But there in the lunch room at the reject table she finds her tribe: three other girls named Jane. Main Jane encourages them to form a secret art gang and paint the town P.L.A.I.N. -- People Loving Art In Neighborhoods.But can art attacks really save the hell that is high school?

Dear Dewey,

I wish I had taken more notice back when you reviewed this book, because I was really missing out! It surprised me how much I liked this graphic novel. I am very strict about my graphic novel buying, but I think I might actually buy this one! Not just for the fact that I like it, but because the library doesn't have the sequel and I am probably going to want to read that at some point! This book might not look like much, but when you get inside the pages you find a hidden gem! I am not a huge art fanatic, I will clear that up right now, but I know how horrible high school can be! I think most people can attest to that. The authors of this graphic novel have just came up with a way to make life a little bit better for four young women named Jane. You see, they may fly under the radar, so you might think they are plain, but it is actually P.L.A.I.N.: People Loving Art in Neighborhoods. The things that these women do is actually sort of inspiring, even if the town doesn't think so!

This book actually reminded me of you! Especially now as I am reading your review and writing this letter. Main Jane was all about building a community, when those that were in charge (including her parents) would rather live in fear. While the circumstances are not the same exactly, you were all about community-building, too. Your community building lives on, and hypothetically speaking, the events in this book will, too! Jane finds a way to bring her town together; while you find a way to bring book bloggers and readers from all over the world together. I really enjoyed that parallel. Jane changes the way that people look at things, and you changed the way that people read. Book bloggers can be just as unpopular as the members of P.L.A.I.N., you know. It really makes a person think!

I really liked your last paragraph, so I am going to close with quoting it:

In fact, once it’s discovered who P.L.A.I.N. is, Jane’s new friends try to decide how to restructure themselves now that they’re no longer anonymous. Jane ends by saying, “Of course we can still be an art girl gang.” And she thinks, “I feel a fierce pride. This is my tribe.”

Until next time...

To read Dewey's review of this book, click here.

The Tale of One Bad Rat by Bryan Talbot

Reason for Reading: Dewey Reading Challenge, Graphic Novel Challenge

Helen Potter lived a happy life until she got lost in a nightmare of sexual abuse. Now she's on a journey that takes her through urban and rural England along the same path that another Potter, Beatrix Potter, once took. Across the decades, two lives touch, and Helen discovers that the strength of two is far greater than one. She becomes the armored knight before her own personal demons in this story of heroism and courage.

Dear Dewey,

I actually remember when you reviewed this book. Beatrix Potter was a big part of my childhood, so any mention of her always garners my attention! It was just unfortunate that this book turned out to be out-of-print in Canada. With my new interest in the library this year, though, I was finally able to give the book a read! I am very glad that I did. Bryan Talbot is an amazing graphic novelist. I have enjoyed both of the books I have read by him recently! You mention in your review how this was the second time that you had read this book. I find I have to do that with all graphic novels, because I am so used to reading that I do not always pay as much attention to the pictures as I should. This is why I don't really think graphic novels are my thing, but I keep reading them anyway!

I agree with your review in so many ways. This was a very powerful book that it can be read many times and you still discover new things about it. There is the obvious story, but then there is a lot more going on than meets the eye. The book should be read a couple times to appreciate all the layers. Eventually I am going to track this book down and buy it. It does stay with you, though. I read it probably over a month ago now and it is still with me. The words and images are such that you will not soon forget.

I think the reason that I picked this book up was for the Beatrix Potter connection. The parallels between Helen Potter and Beatrix Potter caught my attention. The fact that to distract herself from the horrors of her life, Helen copied the watercolours from these childhood stories was a wonderful addititon to the story. Finding a safe place where Beatrix Potter settled for the last part of her life was also a wonderful idea. Talbot wrote a story where he took a very serious subject and added some childhood magic. You said in your review that you thought the one year dealing with things, and then confronting your father was a bit rushed, but it was still handled well. I agree.

I am very glad that you reviewed this book and brought it to my attention. It is a very worthwhile graphic novel. I look forward to visiting it again in the coming years and picking up more of the insight into both Helen's life, the art, and the connections with Beatrix Potter (when I get around to reading the huge biography of her residing on my TBR pile!). Another great book to talk about with you, Dewey!

Until next time...

To read Dewey's review of this book, click here.

Black Hole by Charles Burns

Books Completed: 89
Completion Date: March, 2009
Pages: 368
Publication Date: January, 2008

Reason for Reading: Graphic Novels Challenge, New Author Challenge

Winner of the Eisner, Harvey, and Ignatz Awards

The setting: suburban Seattle, the mid-1970s. We learn from the outset that a strange plague has descended upon the area’s teenagers, transmitted by sexual contact. The disease is manifested in any number of ways — from the hideously grotesque to the subtle (and concealable) — but once you’ve got it, that’s it. There’s no turning back.

As we inhabit the heads of several key characters — some kids who have it, some who don’t, some who are about to get it — what unfolds isn’t the expected battle to fight the plague, or bring heightened awareness to it , or even to treat it. What we become witness to instead is a fascinating and eerie portrait of the nature of high school alienation itself — the savagery, the cruelty, the relentless anxiety and ennui, the longing for escape.

And then the murders start.

As hypnotically beautiful as it is horrifying, Black Hole transcends its genre by deftly exploring a specific American cultural moment in flux and the kids who are caught in it- back when it wasn’t exactly cool to be a hippie anymore, but Bowie was still just a little too weird.

To say nothing of sprouting horns and molting your skin…

Nymeth asked the following question about this book:

Charles Burns said that the plague can be seen has a metaphor for adolescence itself. Does this interpretation make sense to you? Why or why not?

- This interpretation totally makes sense to me! All of us have been in school, so I think that most people know what high school is all about. There were the popular students, the students that slipped through the cracks, and the students that were ridiculed. Obviously, there are little sub-groups in all the major groups, but that was what high school was. In this book, Burns has it so that the people that have the plague are the 'unpopular' students. It is changing a bit now, but in most high schools the administration and teachers are aware of the fact that students are picked on, but they don't do anything about it. That's contributing factors to why students come to school with guns or commit suicide. The plague is the same thing. Instead of figuring out what is wrong, the students are shunned and they are forced to run away because they are different. This is a perfect example of how things are not done to to help those in need. Burns just turns the popularity contest into a real sickness.

In normal high schools, students are often treated badly for minor things. Burns makes it a major thing- with the students growing tails and molting their skin. I bet, though, many people who read this book had more sympathy and outrage for the treatment of these plague sufferers than they had for the picked on when they were in high school... In this book there is also the depressed and a little crazy student that carried a gun. I can see so many comparisions between what high school was like and what school was like for these plague sufferers. It was a learning experience. It reminded me what high school could be like, that's for sure! It was also interesting that there was really no adults present in this book. The story was told from the point of view of the students, it showed their reactions to the plague, and we saw them suffer from it, but we were never really shown the adult point of view. None of the students told their parents they were sick, either. It is like when you are being bullied, it takes a lot to go home and tell your parents. People are ashamed when they are bullied in some cases, and the students in this book were ashamed that they were sick.

The other thing to think about in regards to this book is that this plague was actually a sort of STD. Now, think about all the illnesses present in our society that are transported sexually. We are aware of them, but many people still have unprotected sex. This was the same case in this book. The students were scared of the plague, but even knowing how it was spread they didn't do anything preventive. They still had sex unprotected. This is obviously a very clear message in this book. You try reading it and not think 'How stupid can you be?' Well, we might not have the same diseases, but we do have the same reactions... And then, when you get the diseases you are shunned and treated terribly for them. Like AIDs... As you can see, Burns has a lot going on in this book.

Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel

Books Completed: 77
Completion Date: March, 2009
Pages: 232
Publication Date: April 18, 2009

Reason for Reading: Graphic Novel Challenge, New Author Challenge

In this groundbreaking, bestselling graphic memoir, Alison Bechdel charts her fraught relationship with her late father. In her hands, personal history becomes a work of amazing subtlety and power, written with controlled force and enlivened with humor, rich literary allusion, and heartbreaking detail. Distant and exacting, Bruce Bechdel was an English teacher and director of the town funeral home, which Alison and her family referred to as the "Fun Home." It was not until college that Alison, who had recently come out as a lesbian, discovered that her father was also gay. A few weeks after this revelation, he was dead, leaving a legacy of mystery for his daughter to resolve.

Chris, Nymeth, and Vasilly all wanted to hear my thoughts on this book, so here goes!

It is sort of fitting Nymeth wanted to hear my thoughts because she was actually one of the reasons why I added this book to my wish list! The reason that I own it, though, is because I won it from the New Author Challenge hosted by Literary Escapism.

Vasilly asked two questions:

What did you think of Fun Home?

- When I read books like this I am always left wondering: What is wrong with the human race that people can write such depressing and revealing accounts of themselves and people flock to the bookstores to buy them? Does it make us feel better because we can always find an aspect of their life that is worse than ours? And, along the same lines, what makes people write such revealing books about themselves? Is it for their five minutes of fame, or some deep psychological issues? Like, really, why did I find myself reading a book about some random woman that created a graphic novel about her childhood, her relationship with her parents, her fathers' sexuality, her sexuality, and on and on... What is it about our culture that we need to tell everyone everything? Even if we are not writing books about it, look at the popularity of sites like Facebook, Twitter, or one of the various blogging programs. I write a post and I might say something about my personal life, several people read it and comment on it... But, why? What has changed in even the last ten years that people feel the need to be so impersonal. To hang their 'dirty laundry' out for everyone to see... It boggles the mind, really...

As to the actual question, I am not really sure what I thought about this book. I have actually being staring at the question for a few minutes trying to decide what I wanted to say. (That and my computer fan is making a weird noise that is just about driving me crazy!) The truth is, I remember what the book is about and I remember what happens in it, but I don't think the book is going to have a lasting effect on me. It was good. It was just not fantastic. I didn't find myself caring for the characters, it was more like I was just reading the book to read the book. I hate saying stuff like that because I am really not heartless... Anyway, this book is about Alison and her slightly dysfunctional family, but then, aren't most families dysfunctional nowadays? Okay, I did like this book, don't get me wrong!

Have u read any strips from Bechdel's "Dykes to Watch For" series?

-This answer is easy: Nope! Not because I don't want to, but because I never thought about actually doing it.

Not one of my better reviews... Did I mention the noise my computer is making is driving me crazy? I am going to go see if I can find some air and maybe that will shut it up!

Challenges Update

My sidebar is getting rather cluttered and I have actually finished a lot of challenges, but have just been keeping them there anyway. I am going to do a bit of a progress report now so I can clean the sidebar off a bit, but if books still apply I will probably continue to keep track... Just not on my sidebar.

The Series Challenge Season 3
December 1, 2008 - November 30, 2009

Read Four Books that Finish an On-going series:
1. Mercy Thompson Series - Book 4 - Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs
2. Grave Goods: A Mistress of the Art of Death Novel by Ariana Franklin
3. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (The Giver Trilogy, Book 2)
4. Messenger by Lois Lowry (The Giver Trilogy, Book 3)
5. The Guests of War Trilogy - Book 3 - The Lights Go On Again by Kit Pearson (need to review)

Challenge Status: COMPLETED!

Dewey's Books Reading Challenge
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009

Read 5 Books that Dewey Reviewed:
1. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
2. The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier
3. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett
4. Looking for Alaska by John Green
5. American Born Chinese by Gene Luch Yang
6. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
7. Paper Towns by John Green
8. The Tale of One Bad Rat by Bryan Talbot
9. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
10. So Many Books, So Little Time by Sara Nelson
11. Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: The Frightening New Normalcy of Hating Your Body by Courtney E. Martin
12. The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
13. The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby
14. Gossamer by Lois Lowry
15. Nation by Terry Pratchett
16. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
17. One Piece, Volume 1 by Eiichiro Oda


Challenge Status: COMPLETED!

Women's History Month Challenge
Month of March

Read 5 books by any women:
1. The Lost Journals of Ven Polypheme - Book Two - The Thief Queen's Daughter by Elizabeth Haydon
2. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
3. Messenger by Lois Lowry (The Giver Trilogy, Book 3)
4. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
5. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale
6. Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi - Still Need to Review

Challenge Status: COMPLETED!

New Author Challenge 2009
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009

Read Ten New Authors:
1.Hiro Mashima
2.Barbara Randall Kesel
3.Bill Willingham
4. Art Spiegelman
5. David Wolman
6. Jon & Kate Gosselin
7. Katherine Barber
8. John Green
9. Gene Luch Yang
10. David Michaelis
11. James Bow
12. Scott Westerfeld
13. Ellen Hopkins
14. Carrie Vaughn
15. Edith Pattou
16. Queenie Chan
17. Trenton Lee Stewart
18. Christine Fletcher
19. Melissa Marr
20. Linda Medley
21. Jo Graham
22. Jessica Abel
23. Nick Abadzis
24. Kaoru Mori
25. J.H. Sweet
26. Bryan Talbot
27. Jeff Smith
28. Alison Bechdel
29. Natsuki Takaya
30. Clamp
31. Mary E. Pearson
32. David B.
33. Colleen Doran
34. Derek Landy
35. Charles Burns
36. Eizabeth Wein
37. Ingrid Law
38. April Lurie
39. John Scalzi
40. P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast
41. Francesca Lia Block
42. Eiichiro Oda
43. Sara Nelson
44. Courtney E. Martin
45. Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
46. K.L. Going
47. Nick Hornby
48. Ysabeau S. Wilce
49. Sonya Sones
50. Erich Von Daniken
51. Megan Whalen Turner
52. Claudia Gray
53. Mark Crilley
54. Carolyn Turgeon
55. Susan Beth Pfeffer
56. Ted Naifeh
57. Christopher Barzak
58. Carrie Ryan
59. Marc Eliot
60. Raymond Briggs
61. Sharon Creech
62. Ali Smith
63. Erica Kirov
64. Kristin Cashore
65. Suzanne Collins
66. Bryan Lee O'Malley
67. David Almond
68. Anne Fadiman
69. Melina Marchetta
70. Lesley Livingston
71. Pierre Bayard
72. Andi Watson
73. Ellen Potter
74. Rachel Neumeier
75. Philippa Pearce
76. Alessandro Baricco
77. Jay Asher
78. Philip Reeve
79. Holly Lisle
80. Per Petterson
81. Jennifer Holm
82. Kelly Link
83. Margaret Peterson Haddix
84. Janet Taylor Lisle
85. Chris Wooding
86. Martin Wilson
87. M.T. Anderson



Challenge Status: COMPLETED!

Rhinoa's Manga Challenge
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009

Read Six Mangas:
1. Fairy Tail - Volume 1
2. Fairy Tail - Volume 2
3. Legends of the Dark Crystal - Volume 1
4. The Dreaming Vol 1
5. The Dreaming Vol 2
6. The Dreaming Vol 3
7. Emma - Volume 1
8. Emma - Volume 2
9. Emma - Volume 3
10. Emma - Volume 4
11. Emma - Volume 5
12. Emma - Volume 6
13. Emma - Volume 7
14. Chobits Vol. 1
15. Fruits Basket Vol 1
16. Fruits Basket Vol 2
17. Chobits Vol. 2
18. Chobits Vol. 3
19. Fruits Basket Vol 3
20. Fruits Baskey Vol 4
21. X/1999: Prelude by Clamp (Volume 1)
22. X/1999: Overture by Clamp (Volume 2)
23. Chobits Vol. 4
24. One Piece: Romance Dawn by Eiichiro Oda (Volume 1)
25. One Piece: Buggy the Clown by Eiichiro Oda (Volume 2)
26. One Piece: Don't Get Fooled Again by Eiichiro Oda (Volume 3)
27. Emma - Volume 8 by Kaoru Mori
28. Miki Falls - Book 1: Spring by Mark Crilley
29. Miki Falls - Book 2: Summer by Mark Crilley
30. Manga Shakespeare: A Midsummer's Night Dream
31. Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life - Volume 1 by Bryan Lee O'Malley
32. Manga Shakespeare: Romeo & Juliet
33. Manga Shakespeare: Hamlet
34. Manga Shakespeare: The Tempest


Challenge Status: COMPLETED!

Graphic Novels Challenge
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009

Read Six Graphic Novels:
1. Fables Volume 1: Legends in Exile
2. Fables Volume 2: Animal Farm
3. The Book of Ballads
4. Maus - Volume 1: My Father Bleeds History
5. Maus - Volume 2: And Here My Troubles Began
6. Fables - Volume 3: Storybook Love
7. Fables - Volume 4: March of the Wooden Soldiers
8. Fables - Volume 5: The Mean Seasons
9. Fables -Volume 6: Homelands
10. Fables: Volume 7: Arabian Nights (And Days)
11. American Born Chinese
12. Fables - Volume 8: Wolves
13. Fables - Volume 9: Sons of Empire
14. Castle Waiting
15. Life Sucks
16. Laika
17. Alice in Sunderland: An Entertainment
18. Rose
19. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic
20.Epileptic by David B.
21. Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon and Dean Hale
22. A Distant Soil - Volume 1 - The Gathering by Colleen Doran
23. A Distant Soil - Volume 2 - The Ascendant by Colleen Doran
24.Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi
25. The Tale of One Bad Rat by Bryan Talbot
26. Black Holes by Charles Burns
27. The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci & Jim Rugg
28. Robot Dreams by Sara Varon
29. The Good Neighbors: Kin: Book One by Holly Black & Ted Naifeh
30. Ethel and Ernest by Raymond Briggs
31. Clubbing by Andi Watson
32. Babymouse: Our Hero by Jennifer Holm
33. Lost at Sea by Bryan Lee O'Malley


Challenge Status: COMPLETED!

2nd Canadian Book Challenge, Eh!
July 1, 2008 - July 1, 2009

Read 13 Canadian Books:

1.Traveling Music by Neil Peart
2. Eleanor Rigby by Douglas Coupland
3. Don't Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller
4. The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews
5. Lord Beaverbrook by David Adams Richards
6. Coventry by Helen Humphreys
7. Jolted by Arthur Slade
8. The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
9. Conceit by Mary Novik
10. What They Wanted by Donna Morrissey
11. Barnacle Love by Anthony De Sa
12. Personal Demon by Kelley Armstrong
13. The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson
14. I Was a Child of Holocaust Survivors by Bernice Eisenstein
15. Santa Claus: A Biography by Gerry Bowler
16. Cats I Have Known and Loved by Pierre Berton
17. Louis Riel: A Comic Book Biography by Chester Brown
18.Turtle Valley by Gail Anderson-Dargatz
19. one good story, this one by Thomas King
20. Men of the Otherword by Kelley Armstrong
21. Only in Canada, You Say: A Treasury of Canadian Language by Katherine Barber
22. The Unwritten Girl by James Bow
23. Dust by Arthur Slade
24. JPod by Douglas Coupland
25. The Golden Phoenix and Other Fairy Tales from Quebec Edited by Marius Barbeau & Michael Hornyansky
26. Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life - Volume 1 by Bryan Lee O'Malley
27. Lost at Sea by Bryan Lee O'Malley
28. The Guests of War Trilogy - Book 3 - The Lights Go On Again by Kit Pearson
29. Wonderous Strange by Lesley Livingston


Challenge Status: COMPLETED!