books read in October

[orangerful]

Rupert Can Dance by Jules Feiffer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I've always loved Feiffer's artwork and the story in this book is so cute. Rupert just wants to dance his own way and he doesn't want anyone to see him dance. But one night his owner wakes up and catches him. Can Rupert ever bring himself to dance again?


The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A very sweet book and a very quick read. It's funny but I tend to not like these kinds of stories, but Zevin's writing was very accessible and it was just the right length.

Perfect gift for the book-snob in your life with lots of references to literature and popular culture in the current book world.


Red Madness: How a Medical Mystery Changed What We Eat by Gail Jarrow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Fascinating look at a little known medical epidemic, pellagra, which hit the United States south very hard in the early 1900s. The target audience is definitely middle school and up, but honestly this book is perfect for anyone with a passing interest in the subject. I learned a LOT about that time in US history along with why we eat the way we do today.


The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Extra star for being inspired by a forgotten comic from the 1940s which featured the first Chinese-American superhero. (well, if you believe the rumors).

But even without this, this is a fantastic graphic novel and original origin story.


Adventure Time Vol. 5 by Ryan North

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A strong addition to the Adventure Time series, lots of fun playing with POV in this one. And the "narrator" was extra hilarious.




Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


5/5 for style but minus lots of points for just being your cliche horror story. I think this might have worked better as a short story. I know the main idea was to make a book that physically looked like the IKEA catalog, with products advertised at the start of each chapter, but the charm wears off pretty quick. I forced myself to speed read to the end last night and was left underwhelmed.


A Perfectly Messed-Up Story by Patrick McDonnell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Very cute, reminded me a lot of Battle Bunny. (though the librarian in me was cringing at the thought of food getting stuck in my picture books and what would grow inside...)
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


If you can LISTEN TO THIS BOOK. Having Wil Wheaton read this out loud may be the best thing that could have happened to this story. It is definitely written by a geek for a geek. If you grew up during the 80s or have a passion for classic video games, 80s movies, and geek culture, you will love this book. Otherwise, you might just be mildly amused by it.

The story itself is the usual hero story, the poor, uncool kid who manages to rise up against the evil empire. There's a reason we see that story all the time though - it works. It speaks to us. And it is SO satisfying when it all ends, even if you knew it had to end the way it did. The journey is so much fun.

Comments

[thekaiserchief.livejournal.com]

I have heard so many good things about Ready Player One. May have to add it to my ever-growing to-be-read pile.

I don't play video games (unless you count Mario Party and Mario Kart :P) but I am fascinated by 80s culture, probably because I didn't grow up during that time.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Seriously, if you can listen to it, LISTEN TO IT. Have Wheaton read it is just icing on an already deliciously geeky cake. You will love it.

[ragnarok-08.livejournal.com]

Those look like good books :)

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

Most of them were. :)

[http://users.livejournal.com/_profiterole_/]

I've heard of Horrorstör. From what you say, the IKEA catalogue aspect is only the cover art and the beginning of chapters and the rest is just a novel as usual? Somehow I expected some sort of elaborate artistic contents, you know, the kind of things people create and post on Tumblr and you're like "Whoa! This is simply brilliant!" in front of their work.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

It would have been WAY better as a Tumblr post. Trying to stretch the gimmick out for a whole book did not work, which is too bad. I think a crazy Murder!IKEA book would have been much more amusing than what they actually made. **shrug** oh well.

[rhoda-rants.livejournal.com]

Ready Player One is great! A touch predictable and tropy, but SO fun. It's pretty much written for our age group and geekdom, I think.

[orangerful.livejournal.com]

I agree 100% and I regret nothing! It really was just pure geek joy. :)