Horimiya Vol. 1

How do I explain Horimiya? How do I explain why I read it in the first place?

Um.......

I blame Netflix. Damn them and their Glitter Force. It looks ridiculous, and Netflix was like "you'd hate this- one star recommendation." And I tried it anyway. And it happens to be really lame and kind of funny at the same time? My favorite character is Bafoon, the bad guy they have to fight EVERY EPISODE. And he turns into weird stuff like a chair or dandelion... it's stupid and awesome.

BUFFOOOOOOON!

Overall, my exposure to anime has been minimal, and usually considered a guilty pleasure. Same goes for manga. I've read a few books of a few series. I can't usually take the stories seriously, but I do enjoy the artwork. At least for the ones I've read in the past, they are very detailed and handled differently than traditional western comic books. 

That's pretty damn good, right??

I bought Horimiya thinking it would be nice to get back into that genre a bit... and what I got? Well, not quite the same...

Granted, it's a different genre. This is more "slice of life" than epic fantasy. So I'll give it some credit that it wasn't trying to be beautiful. But frankly it's more boring than anything...artistically, anyway.

Story wise? 

I think this one has the most "lost in translation" that I've encountered so far. I figured it'd be pretty straight forward. In short, it's about two students whose lives in school are fairly different from their lives at home. The girl is super popular, but she's a home body who takes care of her little brother and cleans the house a lot. (Gasp!?) And Miyamura (who's name I only know because its visible above) is this nerdy quiet kid, who dresses like a punk when he's not in class. (Scandalous?!) The two end up friends outside of school... and that's about it... Seriously. And I don't consider it a spoiler alert because that's the damn summary from Goodreads and/or the cover! 

I figured something interesting would happen. Maybe Miyamura is in a punk rock band and just waiting to get a touring gig so he can get the heck out of dodge. Or maybe the girl has some skeletons in her closet that keep her from going out.

Nope. Nothing like that. Spoilers I guess if you keep reading...

Miyamura has a bunch of piercings and tattoos because he's bored and/or he likes them! And he doesn't want his classmates to know... just because. And there is a whole section of the manga dedicated to a story where they go on a school trip and he has to avoid anyone seeing his tattoos when he showers. WHO GIVES A SHIT?! And who gets a tattoo if you don't want anyone to see it?! How lame. If he was as badass as he is supposed to be, then he wouldn't care if anyone saw it. BECAUSE THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT. Ugh.

And the girl, well she takes care of her brother and the house because her parents work all the time. Her mom shows up one day and takes care of everything, but the girl can't let it go that she cooks better and her mom only makes insta-noodles or whatever. I get what they were trying to say - that her parents are just never around and don't even know how to do that kind of thing. But it just made her seem petty and controlling. She doesn't seem to resent having to take care of everything. And it doesn't really seem a big deal or contrary to how popular she is, (oh, except she doesn't wear make up at home! WOW.)

So that's disappointing. 

Half the book is them hanging out, and the other half is them freaking out about hanging out. What are they? Dating? Friends? ...Maybe it's a big deal in Japan, if two people of opposite sex are friends. But here, good gravy. The drama isn't whether you want to be friends, silly. Which yes, let me restate that -- they mostly are trying to figure out if they are friends!!! WTF. Yes, you are friends, dummies.

For example:

School trip. Miyamura's tattoos are impacting his ability to shower in the shared bathroom with his peers. The lady gets a private bathroom for her and her roommate. The lady then agrees to let Miyamura use his shower. Then everyone gets their panties in a bunch about whether this means that she would let anyone use her shower. Good grief. No, stupid. You're her friend. We're at the end of the first book, you're freakin' friends already. People do nice things for their friends, stop freaking out about it! UGGGGH.

Boring. So. So. So. Boring.

Two stars. 

Drizzle Fo Shizzle (The Legend of Drizzt - Homeland)

I don't know if I've mentioned this before, but I enjoy table top gaming. Particularly, I have played Dungeons & Dragons, off and on, for the last few years with a small group of guys (and sometimes other gals) in a town about an hour away. Prior to that, my exposure was limited to the one time I tried to play a Star Wars version for an afternoon with my brother and his drooling friends... Actually I don't think they cared I was there at all, but young ego-ed high-school-er me did not notice... My bad. And my understanding is that their game took off pretty well and they continued to play for years.

So, I don't know what made me decide to suggest starting a D&D campaign. It's not really my comfort level, or that of anyone else in our group, but we all gave it a try and seemed to enjoy it. Some of us play very story-like, and detailed with characterization, backstory, and dialogue. Others like to do math quickly after rolling a handful of die onto the table. To each their own.

A fairly accurate representation.

My husband is often our DM (Dungeon Master) and had started reading The Legend of Drizzt books. And honestly there were like six months where that was all he did. He read those books like others drink water. I'd always be like "what ya doing?" and his replies would progress from...

"Reading Drizzt." 

...

"Drizzt."

...

"Drizzle."

...

*Rain emoji*

So after enough of this, I figured there has to be something to it. 

I admit I hesitated to pick this one up. It just seemed so cheesy. Like, I enjoy World of Warcraft, but I don't read the books. Same for Mass Effect. I tried a Doctor Who book and it was cheesy as all gets out. Like a big old block of cheddar. Did I really want to do the same for this fandom?

Well, fast forward a year or so, and I found myself in a library. I looked all over for stuff to read, but I absolutely judge books by their cover. So at a loss for what to check out, I browsed old favorites to see what was in store. I think I ended up in Salvatore's area because he had written a few Star Wars books. And what I found instead was Drizzt.

(Frankly, had I done my homework, I wouldn't have waited so long to pick up this series. I just looked it up and he wrote Attack of the Clones' novel. Now hear me out. If you hate young Anakin, and the prequels, then you have not read this book. It changes everything. So much more nuanced than allowed for on film, and it makes much more sense.)

What I enjoyed about Drizzt, is the same thing I enjoy the most about Dungeons & Dragons overall. It's got great characters and the world building is just about unparalleled. That really comes through in Salvatore's presentation. It's such a unique world, Menzoberranzan, with interesting perspectives on personal bonds and trials, and overall political power struggles.

In case you need a few more details to whet your appetite, the main character, Drizzt Do'Urden is a dark elf that lives in this underground civilization, where everything is pitch black and they can see everything from heat patterns. Drizzt's family is all caught-up in this political hierarchy that worships some spider god lady thing, and Drizzt is raised as a fighter who is crazy talented with his iconic scimitars. It's very mafia like in structure, but surprisingly everything holds a matriarchal structure. Matron Malice, for instance, is Drizzt's mother. Um, how cool of a name is that? If I joined a roller derby league, dibs on that for my alter-ego!

Wheeee!

Most of the story is about Drizzt's role in all the politics (familial and otherwise), and growing up in Menzoberranzan. It sounds like it should be boring, but Salvatore keeps it moving with well paced action, and interesting character and relational development. So it's got a little bit of something for everyone.

...But I won't say I loved it. It wasn't really cheesy, but it was still just off. I didn't realize it was written in the 80s, so it's pretty cool to have such powerful women in a fantasy story, even back then. But, I wasn't thrilled that they are pretty much all bitches. That kind of sucked. Like, really? Dudes are in charge all the time! Someone finally gives the ladies the power, and "naturally" it's an awful, conniving mess. Gee, thanks.

The story also wasn't entirely compelling. My understanding is that this and a few other books work as prequels, and weren't written first in the incredibly long series. So, it does kind of read like it's written to be backstory. Maybe it would help to read the others first? I'm not really sure, but I figure since I started here, I'll continue through in order, all the same. And I will say, the cover made me mad. It explained everything right there! I know fantasy can get a bad rep because of their covers, but this was a total graphic design fail. I don't want to explain exactly, but if you read half-way through this book you can kind of infer what is going to happen pretty easily. I don't have a problem with that, but if that's your main source of suspense or intrigue, then I'm not really to keen on having that taken away in such a careless manner. 

Overall, unlike my husband, it's not my kind of literary water, but I'm sure I'll be back for another sip. 3/5 stars.

Pride & Prejudice

I admit it. I am a Jane Austen fangirl. I'm not in any club, I don't know how to play whist, or the differences between all the types of carriages... but still. I consider myself a tried-and-true Austen fan. I started reading her work in high school, I think. And even if it was a bit dense for my attention-span at the time, I still loved the stories all the same.

It doesn't hurt that they are transformed into the most brilliant movies...

Toni Collette is just so sweet in Emma!

And let's not forget the new classic...

I'm sorry Colin Firth, but I just can't even give the BBC's Pride and Prejudice a try... there is just NO WAY it's as good as this one is... NO WAY. I mean, just look at it! It is gorgeous!

But anyway, the book...

The book is so insanely delightful. Jane Austen just writes with such wit. She's so talented I want to stop here mid-sentence and just give up this task of writing because there is no way it will be good enough. Austen makes me laugh out loud. There is such sarcasm too it, but it doesn't read like satire. There are so many characters, but it still feels so personal. Elizabeth Bennet could be your best friend, you just read it and end up knowing her so well, and cheering her on.

...

"I dare say you will find him very agreeable."

"Heaven forbid!--That would be the greatest misfortune of all!--To find a man agreeable whom one is determined to hate!--Do not wish me such an evil."

...

I feel like I don't really need to summarize the story for you. Frankly the quote above is a pretty good set-up for the entirety of it. Let me just say that if her prejudice had remained, the ending would be very evil, indeed... (By the way, if you've seen You've Got Mail, then you've pretty much seen Pride & Prejudice. I'm fairly certain it was adapted or inspired by the plot.)

If you are at all curious about giving Austen a try, this is definitely where to start. It's just so well done. I wish I had the words to sufficiently describe it, but I just don't know what to say. I love the characters, and the history of it, it's all so easy to imagine. There are moments of drama, and intrigue, and humor and satire (oh, I know, I just said it doesn't come across as satire...perhaps, literary caricatures, would be more accurate). It's just charming, all put together. It makes me want to time-travel, or visit some theme-park like in the movie Austenland.

How fun would that be?!

I just find Pride & Prejudice to be so inspiring too. It's so smartly done, and their discussions are fascinating. The idea of the "accomplished" woman, and what that looks like... it's hard to imagine in this day and age. But I have decided to take Darcy's qualifications as a bit of a challenge. Maybe I'll start a new (seperate) blog for the new year about it. I'll think about it, and get back to you...

Maybe that's it. It's all Elizabeth. She's just a fantastic character in literature, so well-rounded and strong, even if she isn't accomplished. Stubborn, outspoken, smart, sharp, and witty. She's a beloved daughter, and compassionate sister, and dear friend. Who wouldn't want to be more like her? Oh, Jane Austen, please teach me how!

Oh snap.

So, back to the movie! (Sorry, I can't resist!)...The movie itself is the perfect representation. I made my husband watch it with me when I finally finished the book (be warned, I love the story but it still took me months of intermittent reading). I must say, he laughed as much, if not harder than I did. A man liking Jane Austen?! I never would have guessed, but I'm so happy to be wrong!

And speaking of men, this time reading through Pride & Prejudice, I have to say Mr. Collins cracked my shit up. He is the most pompous ass in literature I may have ever read. Mr. Darcy, proud? Nay. He doesn't hold a candle to Mr. Collins. I think old-me glossed over his parts of the story originally, but this time he had me in stitches (that would be laughing AT him, not with him). If I haven't convinced you to read it yet, then do yourself a favor and at least read it for him.

Mr. Collins, obviously on the left...

Enjoy!

Wild

Sometimes we have no idea what we are capable of...

I read this book at the right time. As I've mentioned before 2015 has been a banner year...for crap. My Grandfather passed away in April or May. It was all kind of a blur. But I do know that two weeks before my mom's best friend's mom, who I had grown up affectionately calling my Grandma Bobbie, had died as well. Fairly suddenly. Almost tragically. We were on the road at the time, for work, and just could not get away for her visitation or celebration of life. I spent the week in Savannah, Georgia curled up in a ball, alternating sobbing with staring out at the large cargo ships on the Savannah River outside my hotel. I hadn't seen her in years, but it hurt like a knife. Her own daughter seemed more composed and would call to sort of talk me off a cliff. I think I was mostly numb when my Grandfather then passed, quite painfully, when we got home.

So, as I said, I read this at about the right time...

I suppose I could have read it earlier in the year. But I couldn't handle it then, I don't think. I instead decided to vigorously start gardening, spending the entire afternoon after my Grandfather's funeral fixing our incredibly small backyard into an even tinier garden plot. I read up on herbology (herbalism, I guess, is the more appropriate term. I blame my time playing World of Warcraft). I wanted to get back to the earth, somehow. My friends, understanding my distress, took me to a cabin for a weekend, and it still amazes me how much it helped. And as a bookend to the year, we went camping again, this time in tents, over a cold, rainy, Halloween weekend.

It was a mess. It was raining and cold when we arrived, already dark outside. And like the unprepared noobs we were, we forgot to make sure our old tent had it's rain fly... it did not. And one of the hooks for the tent rods was broken, and I had to fashion a solution with a spare key ring to even be able to build and stake the tent down. I had only gone camping a few times with my family in my childhood, remembering only vaguely how to set up camp, or build a fire. We had an extra tarp that was about three-sizes too big to keep the rain out the rest of the weekend. The sun didn't come out until the last day as we started to pack up. It wasn't the trip I had imagined; we weren't even an hour from our home. But it was still the trip I needed, all the same.

In short, I had my deepest sympathies for Cheryl Strayed, when I started reading her book that weekend. She was unprepared, so was I. She was finding solace in the elements, and whether I wanted to admit my grief or not, so was I...

When you are out in the wilderness, of any kind or intensity, you have to prioritize. You have to decide what is worth your energy and focus, and in some cases, the small dry space you share with your sleeping bags. You can't quit. I mean, you can. But you won't. You see what you are made of, what you can do when you don't have any other reasonable options.

I could see why a lot of people would NOT like this book. A young woman, whose mother dies, leaving her in shambles, soon divorced, and an addict of both sex and drugs. Reckless. Naive. I could see why that would be frustrating to read. This main character isn't an hero... but I think, she's still worth cheering for. She is the perpetual underdog. A complete mess. But endearing, I think, for it. Perhaps I give her too much credit, charmed the same as the people along the Pacific Crest Trail, whose charity helps her through. But they too are such charming characters that give life to the wilderness of the PCT. I wanted to be out on the trail with her, although I'm certain I would do worse than she did herself. After all, even my roughest camping adventures still require some semblance of a bathroom.

I also admire her perseverance. As a notorious quitter, I probably wouldn't have made it a week on the trail that she traveled for a summer. I may be the age now that she was then, but there is a distinct gap in maturity, or more accurately, will.

And her mourning for her mother? Well, that was especially hard. I'm incredibly close to my mother, and I don't want to imagine what that was like for Strayed. But she makes it so clear what she experienced. But there was still hope and toward the end, clarity. Some semblance of peace. I admit, I almost cried when I saw her mother's name finally. Bobbi. So close to the name of one of the loved ones who left us all this year. A kindred spirit in many ways, too many to name here. And although I haven't hiked a thousand miles, or even a dozen, I'm beginning to hope for the same kind of peace that Strayed finds, and hopefully in time for the bittersweet holiday season.

I read it at the right time, I think.

(Five out of five stars).

Harley Quinn Vol. 1 (New 52)

Disclaimer: I know very little about the DC Universe, New 52, and Harley Quinn. At most I know the more iconic parts of Batman's story, particularly illustrated through film. So my review isn't a comparison against previous variations of Harley Quinn, but rather how this comic holds up without any prior exposure...

I really really wanted to like Harley Quinn. There are only so many female characters I know about in the DC universe, like Batgirl or Catwoman or Wonder Woman. I've read some Wonder Woman stuff, and it was good, but the New 52 is way too heavy on her mythos so I couldn't keep up with it. And after all, Harley Quinn is unhinged which is often how I feel lately, so perhaps she'd give misery some good rowdy company! (I've opted for counseling over a Joker-obsession and knack for mayhem). I'd get to live vicariously through her, witness her destruction and twisted sense of justice! Plus, look at the cover! She's clearly badass, and involved with roller derby -- a hobby I would have picked up myself if I had a shred of athletic ability or comfort wearing short shorts in public... so this can't be all that bad...

But, then again, it wasn't great.

The story is alright, with Harley inheriting an old building in New Jersey somewhere. Jersey Shore? I don't know. She gets herself into all kinds of trouble, and is oft-visited by her pal (perhaps lover?) Poison Ivy... and she does in fact join a roller derby league for a bit. But none of that mattered to me, really. I couldn't get into it completely. It was mildly amusing at parts, particularly in the beginning, but charm was quickly replaced by annoyance.

Well that's new... at least Ivy treats her better than "Mistah J"

I found the art style chaotic and frankly overwhelming after a while. I struggled to focus on each panel, and the movement was hurried and frantic. Maybe that's normal for Harley? I don't know, but it made it hard to read and the last few issues included in this volume required a real test of will. It's a shame too, because it started with such promise. If you are vaguely interested in this story line, then at most I would recommend just picking up a copy of the 1st issue as a standalone. You get enough of Harley's personality and humor, and a flavor of the writers who in a way make a cameo appearance as they work their way through selecting the appropriate artist to depict this New 52 rendition. Each page features the illustrative works of a different artist, and to me that was easily the best part of the whole thing. And frankly it set the bar too high to maintain by the artists they selected in the end. My vote would have gone somewhere else, but then they didn't ask me.

And I knew the famed-femme-fatale associate of the Joker had a lust for chaos and gore. If that's your bag, then this will not disappoint. I really didn't mind it, but it got old. I get it now, don't piss her off or you'll lose your head to the big hammer. But then again, that may be a better option than hearing her recite, "Holeee knife-in-the-neckeeee!" or the like, every other page... yikes.

As an aside, I'm a fan of linguistics/languages and that includes Yiddish. So while her exclamations grew old, fast, there is an old man that shows up that speaks Yiddish quite frequently. That part was particularly awesome to me... but again, the story itself was nothing to write home about. It was better than some of the others though, that is for sure.

I can respect her love of animals, and appreciate their role in the stories too.

I give it three stars. It was fun while it lasted, but then again, it lasted a bit too long for my taste. Now if they made a reboot where she just rescued dogs all day, then we'll give this another go... Until then, "Holeeeee guacamoleeee!" I'm out.

(Okay I say that, but let's be real, the stuff I've seen of Suicide Squad looks pretty epic. Again, I admit I know nothing, but I'd be lying if I didn't say I was intrigued, and that Harley didn't have something to do with it... maybe I'll give her a second chance after all...)

Holeey upgrade-erole! She looks epic now. I'm diggin' her new aesthetic that's for sure!

Casino Royale

Best cover ever!

The latest James Bond movie came out, Spectre, and I admit I didn't think anything of it. I actually forgot it was released, because I just haven't been paying attention. But a friend suggested a group of us go see it this last weekend. I'm so glad they did too, because I absolutely loved it. In fact, I was the only one who went who was so completely enthusiastic about the experience. I left the theatre absolutely satisfied. It was the most-Bond-like Bond movie I've seen yet. It isn't my favorite, but I still enjoyed that movie immensely and kept thinking during the movie, "yes, this is it." Everything you could want in an action spy movie is in Spectre... and yes, as my husband would remind me, that includes a ridiculous story, unbelievable action, and plot holes the size of a small crater... but it's Bond, what do you expect?

I'm already enamored with spy stories as it is, particularly in the action variety like James Bond. I don't care much for the overly dramatic, dialogue based, espionage stuff. It can be technically very good, but it's not my cup of tea. I expect something to blow up.

And actually, I'm such a fan of James Bond and Archer, and the like, that I've tried a couple times to start writing my own spy novel. I'm not nearly as knowledgeable as Ian Fleming, who if I remember correctly actually was a spy. I'm more of the Spy movie-watcher variety (which I also saw recently and adored. Melissa McCarthy was fantastic, and way cooler than I would be if I was in her shoes).

Seriously. What isn't to love? Just look at 'em! McCarthy and Statham. Perfect!

Oddly though, I've never actually read many spy novels. I'm much more familiar with the genre in film or television instead. So after falling in love with Spectre I decided to throw a couple bucks at the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale (and then I went and got a library card again, realizing I have a serious problem buying too many books, and if I love this series, that's going to add up to some serious cash, whereas a library will let me read them for free. Yay!).

It should be known that Casino Royale is my favorite Bond movie. (And let's be honest, that can only mean the 2006 Daniel Craig version, really.) So the bar was set pretty high, and I tried to keep my expectations fairly low for this book. I mean, it's decades old, extremely dated, and that probably includes some serious misogyny, right?

Oh, geez. I was so right. I mean at one point he's talking about Vesper Lynd's cold personality (and for the record, in the book she has about a teaspoon's worth), and how she's hiding something. But still, Bond is certain he will seduce her, which will add the "tang of sweet rape."

WHAT?!

Those eyes say "oh, hell no."

NO, Bond. Just NO. I will send M over to smack the sense into you, you stupid perv.

"If you ever say something so disgusting again, I will have you killed."

So yes, seriously misogynistic. Women's rights were little-to-none when this was written, so it makes sense that it's reflected in this book. Although I don't think that's sufficient reasoning, since there are books from the 18th century that have stronger female characters than this... but I guess it was written from a man's point of view, not the standard chick lit perspective I'm used to... I mean, if you like 50 Shades of Grey, you may be into that kind of thing anyway... but even then, I think you'd get annoyed reading about how Bond is certain that women have no business in...well, business, and belong in the kitchen... yup.

Otherwise, as a spy book, it's pretty damn good. The movie apparently followed the story pretty closely, so there aren't many surprises if you've already seen the movie. It still was written in such a cool way that I found it suspenseful even knowing vaguely what was about to happen. Obviously there are some changes, it wouldn't make sense for the movie to feature Le Chiffre as a part of the Soviet Union, since it doesn't exist anymore. So honestly, all the work they did in the movie to give Le Chiffre motive to gamble such large sums is actually more straightforward in the book. And who knew that reading about a poker game could be so exciting? I really started to get into it, and whatever the hell Baccarat is, it's way cooler than it's comparable Twenty-One.

Also, the book is crazy graphic. I don't really know what I was expecting, I guess. But damn. I can only guess Ian Fleming saw some serious shit, the way he writes about some action scenes. Whew. It was hardcore. This is no casual romp into the espionage of the 50s/60s. I didn't grow up watching Sean Connery as James Bond, but honestly I couldn't see him as Bond in this story anyway.

Do what to my balls???

After re-watching the movie, Daniel Craig does an amazing job portraying the intensity of Bond (and the cinematography is shear brilliance. I wish they were all shot in the gritty way Casino Royale was). And Eva Green's Vesper Lynd has been an inspiration since the movie released. Good gravy is she badass. She's gorgeous, AND gives Bond a run for his money (haha, literally too). She can hold her own against Bond, and I just think that's fantastic. Way cooler in the movie than the book, this time. And probably my favorite Bond girl.

So overall, I'd say four out of five stars. If Vesper Lynd was even half as strong as her character is in the movie, I would give it that fifth star... dammit. I guess the next one is Live and Let Die. And I do intend to watch the movie after reading it, so we'll see how that goes...

Until next time!

No-Go-Wrimo

Wow. It's like this blog just won't die... one year, I'm going to update this thing enough so that I don't have to have these reunion-type posts. One day...
But probably not.

Anyway. This year has been a wreck. There has been a lot of good stuff scattered throughout the whole thing, but overall, I'm not a fan. I'm already looking at like food stuff that's labeled "Best by: 12/15" and going "oh, that's expired..." because I'm just so damn over it. Needless to say, but I'm going to say it anyway, this poor blog has been woefully neglected since... January...

And now it's November. Oops.

Normally November is the worst month for this sort of thing, because it's usually Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month, yay!). But I'm at least 10,000 words behind already. I haven't written since day four, I think. I had the best story started and it was super funny and witty and awesome, and the Hubby considered it akin to like Douglas Adams (the BEST compliment ever!) and it was great!
And then I went out of town for a weekend, and then another week, and now here I am throwing words at this thing while neglecting my actual word count. Boo.
It doesn't help that a big hurdle I had yet to overcome was figuring out the damn plot. I pretty much had like a weird episode of Seinfeld going, where nothing really was happening but it was kind damn fun anyway? I set the bar too high, I suppose...

Anyway. I'm out.

But I'm also back!

Books are probably more important to me now than ever. My Goodreads "currently-reading" list is a whopping 10 books long right now. A new record, I think. Granted, some of them I semi-abandoned, but there is still hope for them, if there is still hope for me... I'm still 2 books behind on my goal of 40 books for the year, so I guess between reading and writing, I'm some how failing at both still. Technically. That's cool...

I've been all of the place too in my quest for awesome books. I've tried re-reading Harry Potter (good gravy, still. I have not finished the series yet. It is killing me. I love the books, I swear. But sometimes, I just can't...) And while I won't attempt to retroactively review everything I've already read from months ago, let's go with a..

Top 5 Books I've Already Read This Year and Should've Reviewed But Didn't:

1. The Martian -- are you surprised? If you are, that just means you didn't read it. Dummy.
2. Hondo -- I dabbled with Westerns during what can probably be described as mild depression. I wasn't just reading Hondo, I was Hondo. Out in the wilderness just doing the best I can to survive... it's good. Dated (and not just historically) but good. 

   

   Me, circa April 2015.

3. Why Can't I Be You -- an interesting chick lit built on mistaken identity. It was unique and endearing. I dig it.
4. The Girl With All the Gifts -- oooh, soooo goood. This should be #2, really. I don't want to talk about it. I just want you to read it.
5. The Just City -- disclaimer, I didn't like it. But it gets an honorable mention, because it's so unique. If you've read Plato's Republic, I'd be curious as to your thoughts. Well, even if you hadn't I want to know what you think. Because it's just so weird.

Also, I'm back into comics, the money-drain obsession that I had (apparently, only temporarily) abandoned. Yikes. And according to my reading list from this past year, this was the year of comics and graphic novels... So many! ...so, how fitting for a:

Top 5 Graphic Novels that I've Already Read This Year and Should've Reviewed But Didn't!

1. RAT QUEENS -- no, it's not supposed to be in all caps. That's just my enthusiasm showing! I effin' LOVE Rat Queens. They are snarky, mean, drunk, drugged, sexed, crazy, badass chickas that are rockin' out to some lovely fantasy tropes. It's like, I dunno... if a roller derby team played out a game of Dungeons & Dragons, you get Rat Queens. I adore it! 
   
2. Persepolis -- WOW. This one was so good. So eye-opening. Basically, and not to get too political here, but it shows how Iran changed so quickly and so much. I found it especially interesting that the people who speak out the most about how dangerous Iran is, are the people who most match the way Persepolis characterizes their government -- fundamentalism is the same no matter which side of the Atlantic you are on... just something to cook on... 
   
3. The Wicked + The Divine -- oooh, this is not like any graphic novel I've read lately. It's intense and confusing, and beautiful. I just really enjoy it. So much that I bought the t-shirt and walked around Disney Springs feeling like a rock star... 
   
4. The Cartoon Introduction to Philosophy -- this is just so darn cute and neat. It really explains stuff in detail without getting complicated. It's just fun! If you have been on the fence or curious about some of the big ideas, this is a great place to start. I thought it was so nifty I bought a second copy and sent it to my former undergrad professor. 
5. The New Teen Titans Vol. 1 (Wolfman & Perez) -- I started watching Teen Titans Go! this year, and honestly it's so bizarre and funny and awesome (I love Beast Boy.... he is my "spirit animal" haha). So I figured it's about time to get into the comics and actually learn something. It's so neat! I enjoy seeing the early forms of all my current favorite characters, and see how their personalities have stayed fairly the same since the 80s. Just fun!

This is from an episode of Teen Titans Go! where they revert to their Perez days. LOL

So that's it for now. I'll be back with more legit reviews and story times soon... and hopefully not this time next year!