These twisted Grishaverse children's stories are delightful in that nightmare fairy tale way. You'll feel empathy for the villains, but you'll also feThese twisted Grishaverse children's stories are delightful in that nightmare fairy tale way. You'll feel empathy for the villains, but you'll also feel a little glad for the bitterness that accompanies every victory....more
A Spindle Splintered is a very English-major-y book. It's a fun, brief, feminist, LGBTQ-friendly, multi-verse type of update to the Sleeping Beauty stA Spindle Splintered is a very English-major-y book. It's a fun, brief, feminist, LGBTQ-friendly, multi-verse type of update to the Sleeping Beauty story. It's also surprisingly hopeful despite highlighting the most grim and gruesome elements of fairy tales. Maybe we haven't advanced socially as far as we should have in centuries of time, but we're working on it....more
This was fun! The articles were informative, but sometimes they felt like they ended abruptly. It is an updated reprint, so you may have seen some parThis was fun! The articles were informative, but sometimes they felt like they ended abruptly. It is an updated reprint, so you may have seen some parts of it before. I hadn't, so that was okay with me....more
I adore dear Baba Yaga's wisdom and the odd but pleasing artwork that accompanies her advice. So lovely to have a forest witch to help guide us througI adore dear Baba Yaga's wisdom and the odd but pleasing artwork that accompanies her advice. So lovely to have a forest witch to help guide us through life....more
This is kind of a bizarre collection of short stories, etc. It feels like Uncle Stevie just dug around in some old files and unearthed some oddities, This is kind of a bizarre collection of short stories, etc. It feels like Uncle Stevie just dug around in some old files and unearthed some oddities, polished them up, and voila! Super long collection to publish! They were mostly fun to read, though, so that's cool....more
What a bunch of weird stories. They're mostly pretty good. Several of them suffer from a typical 1980s dudes writing women problem, but I'm willing toWhat a bunch of weird stories. They're mostly pretty good. Several of them suffer from a typical 1980s dudes writing women problem, but I'm willing to overlook it since they were written by dudes in the 1980s and the problem isn't pervasive. Creepy stories, bitchin' cover, no strong complaints....more
For the first half of Rule of Wolves, I was wondering why I got myself into this convoluted, slow, messy book. I loved the first five Grishaverse bookFor the first half of Rule of Wolves, I was wondering why I got myself into this convoluted, slow, messy book. I loved the first five Grishaverse books and was fine with the sixth. But this one. Ugh. Soooooo unnecessarily drawn out. But, just like King of Scars, the second half really picked up. By the end, I was satisfied and even ready to jump into the next Grishaverse book set up in the last chapter, when Bardugo eventually decides to write it. I do think there were too many shoehorned cameos, too many villains, and too many political intrigues, plus not enough magic, not enough banter, and not enough hijinks. But it was still pretty good. (The second half, anyway.)...more
Stephen Graham Jones is one of the best authors writing horror today. There are twists, but the plot doesn't rely on them. There are mysteries that doStephen Graham Jones is one of the best authors writing horror today. There are twists, but the plot doesn't rely on them. There are mysteries that don't seem contrived. There is depth to his characters and their culture. Plus, there is true visceral horror that is not gratuitous. He uses gore, but there's also the deep honest horror of life and the cruelties people inflict on one another. I've only read two of his books, but both are in my favorites. I'll definitely read more....more
The photographs in this book are the stars. Creepy gargoyles, funny gargoyles, ones that look like natural elements, ones that look like supernatural The photographs in this book are the stars. Creepy gargoyles, funny gargoyles, ones that look like natural elements, ones that look like supernatural elements: the impulse to look up and find these stone faces will follow me for a long while. Unfortunately, the text by Stephen King is less enjoyable. It seems like a gimmick hatched to sell more books, especially when considered alongside the author's other books which include one with photos of cathedrals and text by Ken Follett. The text could be summarized thus: "Wow, there's a lot more of these things around than I realized. Look at that." But for 35 pages. Oh, and the requisite King mention of cupping a breast, of course. Too bad none of the gargoyles are wearing a blue chambray work shirt....more
As a teacher who reads "The Fall of the House of Usher" with my students yearly, I had high expectations for this reimagining. I love the language, deAs a teacher who reads "The Fall of the House of Usher" with my students yearly, I had high expectations for this reimagining. I love the language, description, and all around gothicness of the original and this version held up well on those fronts. The characterization in this version is more rounded out in many ways. I found the narrator particularly delightful with their dry wit. As the story advanced, the tension and creep factor built steadily, as they should, and some parts were straight horrifying. The conclusion was a little anticlimactic, but the rest was so good that I'll forgive it....more
At times, this just seemed like a compilation of Brown's previous work without much new material. But it is beautifully published, with pull quotes gaAt times, this just seemed like a compilation of Brown's previous work without much new material. But it is beautifully published, with pull quotes galore and cartoons to illustrate key concepts. Even if it feels like a compilation, it's a good one with excellent updated information. This would be a good intro to her work, but it's also a good review....more
The beginning and the end were great, but the middle ... OOF. I found the story of Travis and his ability to be a great hook, but once we got to PastoThe beginning and the end were great, but the middle ... OOF. I found the story of Travis and his ability to be a great hook, but once we got to Pastoral, the story dragged. I'll avoid spoilers, but the end did bring it together in a satisfying way (if not as surprising as I believe it was supposed to be). The message about choosing your life and your identity was ultimately uplifting. My heart was warmed by it all in the end....more
I love The Great Gatsby. So, I was unsure if I would really like a graphic novel adaptation because I believe the beauty of the original flows from itI love The Great Gatsby. So, I was unsure if I would really like a graphic novel adaptation because I believe the beauty of the original flows from its lyrical prose. I am impressed with how well-done this adaptation is. The captions come directly from the original text, with the very best morsels selected. The color story of the illustrations draws from the symbolic use of color in the original. My only nitpick is that the faces all look pretty similar and the character drawings lack nuance. The artwork overall is beautiful, though and does a good job of filling in the story between the captions. The speech balloons are sometimes paraphrased and sometimes direct from the original text, but they're all accurate and clear. Overall, I recommend this as an adaptation of the original that could be enjoyed by adults and teens and even used in high school classes that would like an easier-to-understand version without losing the subtlety of the original....more
What I wanted this book to be: A blazing circus spectacle A tale of the show's underbelly A coming of age story of the young woman who was sold to the What I wanted this book to be: A blazing circus spectacle A tale of the show's underbelly A coming of age story of the young woman who was sold to the circus and found her own voice
What it was: Two confused dudes being alternately complete assholes or pathetic lumps Lack of communication being framed as drama or heartache The Crimean War Unsatisfying
About twenty pages from the end, it seemed like I might get my satisfying conclusion, but no. Oh, well, I guess they can't all be winners....more
Literary Witches is a charming little volume pairing Horan's artwork, which skirts the line between icon and representation, with Kitaiskaia's lyricalLiterary Witches is a charming little volume pairing Horan's artwork, which skirts the line between icon and representation, with Kitaiskaia's lyrical, odd, fantastical, yet somehow true written descriptions. The literary women depicted in the book range from old favorites to vaguely familiar to those previously unknown to me. I have some reading to do to learn more about these spectacular women and their work....more
Unmasked tips slightly more toward memoir than true crime, but that's okay with me. I've been a listener of Paul Holes's podcast from beginning to (apUnmasked tips slightly more toward memoir than true crime, but that's okay with me. I've been a listener of Paul Holes's podcast from beginning to (apparent) end and I find him to be a sincere, dedicated investigator. Holes's struggle with work-life balance will be relatable to anyone who works in a helping profession. There's always a problem to be solved and more to be done. But we have to care for ourselves and our loved ones, too. I hope Paul finds his balance and happiness while still doing his valuable work....more
This book is everything: poignant, sad, heartwarming, jolly, mischievous, sensuous, and more. It has a daydream-like quality that is gorgeous, but alsThis book is everything: poignant, sad, heartwarming, jolly, mischievous, sensuous, and more. It has a daydream-like quality that is gorgeous, but also somewhat unsettling. The choice to not use quotation marks on dialogue never stopped being distracting for me. I think the book would have had a vibrancy it missed if the dialogue had felt more immediate. Overall, it's just a stunning chronicle of a life well-lived with the family they chose....more
I'm giving this five stars because it's exactly the kind of weird I love. However, I only recommend you read it if: 1. You don't mind feeling like youI'm giving this five stars because it's exactly the kind of weird I love. However, I only recommend you read it if: 1. You don't mind feeling like you're on shrooms for 300-ish pages. 2. Characters making bad choices doesn't faze you. 3. You're an adult. Like, a real adult, not an almost-adult. 4. Tracing nature motifs and symbolism is your jam. 5. You're pretty literary. Like, you've read a lot of classics and poetry. 6. You've enjoyed stories like the movie Heathers, the book I'm Thinking of Ending Things, the painting The Scream, and Van Gogh's life. If this describes you, go for it and enjoy! If not, there are plenty of other books you will like much better....more
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