Six Sentence Saturday

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?)

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

Completion Date: January 15, 2011

Reason for Reading: Fun!

The carnival rolls in sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early.

The shrill siren song of a calliope beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. In this season of dying, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. And two boys will discover the secret of its smoke, mazes, and mirrors; two friends who will soon know all too well the heavy cost of wishes. . .and the stuff of nightmare.

Few American novels written this century have endured in the heart and memory as has Ray Bradbury's unparalleled literary classic SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. For those who still dream and remember, for those yet to experience the hypnotic power of its dark poetry, step inside. The show is about to begin.The carnival rolls in sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early. The shrill siren song of a calliope beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. In this season of dying, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. And two boys will discover the secret of its smoke, mazes, and mirrors; two friends who will soon know all too well the heavy cost of wishes. . .and the stuff of nightmare.

I really liked The Halloween Tree by Bradbury, but for some reason this book just didn't work for me at all. I think it can be put down to a mood at the time and having read two books before it that I just could not seem to enjoy, so I will probably try and read it again someday. The book did have a fun plot and idea behind it, but I found myself not really caring what happened to the characters after a while. If this was a book I easily could have got again I would have put it aside and tried again later, but unfortunately it was an ILL and could not be renewed, so it was read it now or maybe never. Bradbury is an author that has had lasting fame, so obviously it was just me and I still think many other people will enjoy this book if they haven't read it all ready. I think before I try this one again I will attempt read something else by him later this year.

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

Completion Date: February 19, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with the series.

Does Scott and Ramona's burgeoning relationship have a future? Isn't Scott still supposedly dating Knives Chau? Who is Ramona's second evil ex-boyfriend, and why is he in Toronto? Who are The Clash At Demonhead, and what kind of bizarre art-punky music do they play? Who's their hot girl keyboardist, and what is Scott's relation to her? Why are they Knives Chau's new favourite band? Fights! Drama! Secrets revealed! The answers to all these questions and more!

I like this series, but unfortunately do not love it, so now that I have read the two books that the library has in the series I am not sure what I am going to do about the rest of the series. I recently watched the movie and actually think that considering the size of these stories, it pretty much covered the comics; so at least if I don't get a chance to read the rest of the series I know what happens! Scott is a fun character and it is entertaining that he has to fight Ramona's ex-boyfriends like in a video game. The comic really does answer the questions presented in the blurb above and I think it was better than the first book in the series. I also really enjoy that this book is set in Toronto and I have actually been to Toronto, so I knew the places that were being talked about. Overall, a fun read, and someday I may finish the series.

Series:

Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World

Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness

Scott Pilgrim Gets it Together

Scott Pilgrim vs. Universe

Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour

(This book counts for the Manga Challenge.)

Bone: Quest for the Spark by Jeff Smith and Tom Sniegoski (Book 1)

Completion Date: February 23, 2011

Reason for Reading: Spin-off Series from BONE.

A return to the enthralling world of BONE with book one in this gripping spin-off novel trilogy, illustrated in four-color!

Twelve-year-old Tom Elm is just an ordinary turnip farmer from the Valley, but he's always felt destined for something bigger. So when he discovers everyone in his village is asleep and plagued by nightmares, he assembles a band of unlikely heroes. They must fight to preserve the Spark--a divine light born at the core of a vast, dark nothingness called the Nacht. The Nacht is trying to permeate the Waking World with nightmares of the Dreaming, and it's Tom's mission to defeat the Nacht and its most loyal follower, the Constable. If he fails, his family--and everyone--might never wake up again.

I really enjoyed the Bone graphic novel series, so when I heard that there was going to be a spin-off series I was very excited to read it, but on the other hand disappointed that many of the characters would not be included. These really are new adventures with mentions of the events from the other series and a few choice appearances from old characters. I wanted to love this book, but instead I only liked it. It's just not the same when it is told mostly in words and there are very few pictures, so it makes for a totally different reading experience. The adventures were still fun and I will still read on in the series, but I think I am ultimately disappointed in the direction the series has taken. If it was new stories in graphic novel format, it might have worked better for me, but I found myself wanting pictures and they were not there.

Chobits Volume 6 by Clamp

Completion Date: February 23, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with Series.

Can a human be happy living with a machine? Hiroyasu Ueda truly believed he could when he married his persocom but one fateful day tragedy struck and Ueda was separated from his true love. It's often said that persocoms are more perfect than humans, better looking, better lovers, better thinking. Is it possible for someone who once loved the perfect, if artificial, woman go back to loving a mere human?

Since the series is drawing to a close, this book actually answered some of the questions that have been hovering in the background, so I think I appreciated this volume more than some of the previous ones. It is a interesting idea for a series and is something that in many ways is being worked on now. It addresses the idea that if there were personal computers that looked very much like humans, would people love them and marry them? The manga series is much more complex than it first appears, so I enjoy that aspect of it greatly. It also has entertaining characters and situations that will easily make you laugh. I am glad I am reading this series and look forward to more very soon!

Series:

Volume 1

Volume 2

Volume 3

Volume 4

Volume 5

Volume 6

Volume 7

Volume 8

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

Graphic Novels: Mini-Reviews

Writing mini-reviews left me feeling so accomplished yesterday that I think I am going to do some more today! This time I am going to concentrate on some of the graphic novels I have read lately and haven't had time to review. It won't contain anything by Bill Willingham, though, because I am going to post about him on his own.

Bone - Volume 1: Out From Boneville by Jeff Smith
Finally! I am so glad I finally read the first book in this series. Everyone has said great things about it, but I was waiting for it to come in for me at the library. I might buy the series eventually, but for now I am going to enjoy it through the library. The art is great and the story is fun. I like how Smith combines the believable and the unbelievable so easily. I am looking forward to the dysfunctional Bone-folk characters developing as the series go along. Plus, there is a dragon and I love dragons!

The Eternal Smile by Gene Luen Yang & Derek Kirk Kim
I read Gene Luen Yang's other book earlier this year. I think he is lost on me, but I will keep trying! It isn't that I don't like his books, I just don't love them as much as other people tend to. I will say that this one wasn't as good as his first book no matter what I think of him overall. He does have creative ideas, though, and I appreciate the creativity. I just still have some hang-ups with graphic novels no matter how many I have read this year.

Emiko Superstar by Mariko Tamaki & Steve Rolston
I think this is actually a perfect book for a teenage audience. Many teens feel a bit left out at some point and time during high school. Emiko has friends, but she is starting to feel like she doesn't fit in with them anymore so she goes looking for another social group that will make her feel better. She just wants to belong. Sometimes you need to break out of your comfort zone in order to find yourself, and that is what Emiko is doing here. She is surrounded by a great cast of characters which is clearly illustrated by the graphics that accompany the text.

Salamander Dream by Hope Larson
I read this book because of a review I read on Nymeth's blog. I have to be honest. I am still not always the most comfortable about books that rely more on the pictures than the words. This book is based on reading the story through the pictures. I always feel like I am missing something. When you read a novel with words you pick up on everything. When you read a book through pictures it can often be more about interpretation. I think I prefer knowing what it is going on... That's not to say it is always clear in novels, but it is different. I am not sure if I am making sense. I guess what it comes down to is that while I thought it was a good book, I didn't particularly love it. I am glad I took a chance on it, though.

Skim by Mariko & Jillian Tamaki
By the same authors of Emiko Superstar. I enjoyed this book, too. This is another book about fitting in, really. They seem to like that idea. It's another one that I can see working well for young adults, though. This graphic novel also tackles suicide, love of a teenager, and other teenage issues. Skim was a troubled character, but she is also a typical teen trying to make her life work for her when things don't always make the best sense. Another good graphic novel from this team.

Jellaby by Kean Soo
Jellaby: Monster in the City by Kean Soo
Book one and two in Kean Soo's graphic novel series. For anyone looking for a fun graphic novel series for their kids I strongly recommend this one. I thought that it was a lot of fun. Jelllaby is a monster that finds himself meeting a little girl who takes him as her pet. A large purple monster. It was an enjoyable series so far. I look forward to book three to see what adventures that Jellaby and company are up to this time.

Rose by Jeff Smith

Books Completed: 70
Completion Date: March, 2009
Pages: 160
Publication Date: March 15, 2002

Reason for Reading: New Author Challenge, Graphic Novel Challenge

The hit comic book mini-series "Rose" now comes to you in a single handsome package with a brand-new cover! Released over a yearlong period to rave reviews (and an Eisner nomination for best painter), the "Bone" prequel by Jeff Smith and Charles Vess can now be read as it was originally intended - as one massive epic. In the old days, when "BONE'S" Gran'ma Ben was a teenager, a terrifying dragon laid siege to the small towns of the Northern Valley. Unknown to Princess Rose (young Gran'ma Ben), the strange dragon is actually the minion of the Ancient Enemy called the Lord of the Locust. Unable to defeat the monster, Rose seeks the advice of her advisor, who tells the young princess how to destroy the dragon - but at a terrible cost.

There were a lot of steps along the path that lead to me reading this book. First, Debi reviewed it and brought it to my attention, then I read about it in Alice in Sunderland, and then I decided I really need to try Jeff Smith and found that I would be number twenty in the waiting list for Bones. I think I will probably end up buying Bones, but this book I could check-out right away. It is actually a prequel to the hit series. Rose in this series goes on to be Gran'ma Ben in the hit series. I am sure that means something, but since I haven't read the 'hit' series yet, I have no idea who she is!

I enjoyed this book. Rose was a very engaging heroine. She is a little bit of a wild child, but she has amazing powers. Most importantly she has the ability to see things in her dreams, which is what foreshadows the adventures that she is about to have. In the book, Rose has to kill a dragon, but at a terrible cost. I have to admit that I rather hated the ending... Not that it wasn't good; just that I didn't want it to end that way! I suppose it is the mark of a good book, though, when you are so engaged in the characters that you don't want to see terrible things happen to them. Also in the story are Rose's two dogs. Rose has the ability to talk with them, which adds to the story. Her advisor is a dragon, which I thought was cool considering she is on a mission to kill another dragon. Then, there is her sister, who is very jealous and not at all what she appears to be. Sibling rivalry makes a good story element, I guess!

Couple the story with the fact that Charles Vess does the artwork and you have a great read ahead of you!

The Book of Ballads by Charles Vess and Others

Books Completed: 9
Date Completed: January 7, 2009
Pages: 192
Publication Date: September 30, 2004

Reason for Reading: Graphic Novel Challenge

Illustrated and presented by one of the leading artists in modern fantasy, here are the great songs and folktales of the English, Irish, and Scottish traditions, re-imagined in sequential-art form, in collaboration with some of today's strongest fantasy writers. Here are New York Times bestseller Neil Gaiman with "The False Knight on the Road"; popular mystery author Sharyn McCrumb's version of "Thomas the Rhymer"; acclaimed children's writer Jane Yolen with "King Henry" and "The Great Selchie of Sule Skerrie"; popular novelist Charles de Lint's contemporary reworking of "Twa Corbies"; Bone creator Jeff Smith with "The Galtee Farmer"; Emma Bull's version of "The Black Fox," and much, much more. Introduced by award-winning editor and writer Terri Windling, and finished with full lyrics and discographies of the classic versions of these songs and tales, The Book of Ballads is an event in the worlds of fantasy and graphic storytelling alike.

Luck was with me when I was at the second-hand bookstore on Tuesday! I have tonnes of credit there, but haven't been having much luck finding books that interest me lately. Tuesday, I brought home quite the pile! When I found this book I almost did a happy dance right in the store! Think about it... This book is illustrated by Charles Vess, who is an amazing artists. The stories included in each comic are retelling ballads, which are something that I love! And, then, there are the authors of each comic. They are some of the best fantasy authors out there. Add in the fact that Terri Windling does the introduction, and you have everything that this folk tale fangirl needs! I mean, the book is second-hand, so it is not as nice as it would be if I had bought it new, but it is hardcover and has a beautiful cover! I hope the rest of 2009 is as wonderful reading-wise as this first week has been!

The book includes stories by Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen, Sharyn McCrumb, Midori Snyder, Lee Smith, Elaine Lee, Delia Sherman, Charles de Lint, Jeff Smith, Charles Vess, and Emma Bull. Charles Vess is the main illustrator. Jane Yolen and Charles de Lint have two stories included. The best thing is that they not only rewrite these ballads, but the actual ballads are also included. I thought that was a great idea! If that is not enough for you, also included is a discography so you can actually find singers that sing these ballads and hear them for yourself! So, yes, I loved this book! It took so many wonderful things that I love and brought them all together! I am so happy that I went to the bookstore because this is a book that I will be holding onto for years to come. I also intend to spend some time looking up some of the music so I can hear it myself.