books read in July
Aug. 2nd, 2017 11:18 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
orangerfulI can't seem to settle on my next read so I sorta stalled this month trying to find what to read next. I tried to start the audio version of 'The Gunslinger' by Stephen King so I would be ready for the movie, but the reader just didn't do it for me.
Anyway, this is why most of this month was children's books and comics!
Roughneck by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a book. Intense and real, raw and gritty. Fantastic use of the medium to tell this story, one that could be happening right now. Lemire continues to put out top notch work at a surprising rate!
Real Friends by Shannon Hale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A worthy shelf-mate for Smile, El Deafo, and Roller Girl - Shannon Hale takes a look back at her elementary school friendships and her family life, mostly dealing with being a middle child. It's honest and about as raw as you can get for a book for kids.
Even though Shannon's story takes place in the late 70s/early 80s, every kid today will identify with her struggle between being true to herself and wanting to belong.
4 stars and ALL THE FEELS!
Black Hammer, Vol. 1: Secret Origins by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow, what a great first trade! I'm really glad Lemire finally got around to making this book a reality. It's both a great new story and one that uses classic tropes to really pull you in. Cannot wait for the second collection!
Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben Clanton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This series is a great next step after my beloved 'Elephant and Piggy' books. Two best friends who delight in each other's company and just try to have a good time and also eat waffles.
Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. Laskin
My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Such a great idea, but poorly executed. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it and it is a very short book written in verse. I want someone else to take this idea and run with it, write a prose novel that can go into more details of the characters and the story.
Very disappointed. :(
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 6: Civil War II by G. Willow Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another solid story arc (even if it borrows a plot line from Minority Report). Wish Kamala Khan was in the line up for a Marvel Movie.
Captain Pug: The Dog Who Sailed the Seas by Laura James
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Cute little early chapter book, great for kids who are just starting out with the longer reads. Pug is adorable and his main goal in life is finding strawberry tarts so I could identify with his struggle. :)
My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil Ferris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
That was not at all what I expected which probably made it even more enjoyable as I tried to wrap my head around it. This is definitely "literary fiction" in graphic novel format. If anyone scoffs at your graphic novel reading, give them this book and watch as they have to sit down and examine each page, sometimes turning the book on its side to read the notes scribbled near the spine.
Just enough closure to make me feel finished with the book but enough loose ends that I will definitely pick up the second book.
I just started listening to Eddie Izzard's autobiography "Believe Me" which has to be one of the most ridiculous audiobooks I've ever heard because Eddie cannot stay on task. He has gone off book several times, in true Izzard fashion. It's like a whole other book because he is thinking of things he didn't say (or sometimes forgetting he is going to say) and begins to go off on a little tangent.
I also started the audio of 'The Awkward thoughts of W. Kamau Bell' but as I'm not a huge fan of his, when I hit the part that turned into more biography and less musings, I kinda zoned out. And then my Eddie Izzard book came in and he got bumped so I might come back to this, I might not.
Anyway, this is why most of this month was children's books and comics!
Roughneck by Jeff LemireMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
What a book. Intense and real, raw and gritty. Fantastic use of the medium to tell this story, one that could be happening right now. Lemire continues to put out top notch work at a surprising rate!
Real Friends by Shannon HaleMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A worthy shelf-mate for Smile, El Deafo, and Roller Girl - Shannon Hale takes a look back at her elementary school friendships and her family life, mostly dealing with being a middle child. It's honest and about as raw as you can get for a book for kids.
Even though Shannon's story takes place in the late 70s/early 80s, every kid today will identify with her struggle between being true to herself and wanting to belong.
4 stars and ALL THE FEELS!
Black Hammer, Vol. 1: Secret Origins by Jeff LemireMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow, what a great first trade! I'm really glad Lemire finally got around to making this book a reality. It's both a great new story and one that uses classic tropes to really pull you in. Cannot wait for the second collection!
Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt by Ben ClantonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This series is a great next step after my beloved 'Elephant and Piggy' books. Two best friends who delight in each other's company and just try to have a good time and also eat waffles.
Ronit & Jamil by Pamela L. LaskinMy rating: 1 of 5 stars
Such a great idea, but poorly executed. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it and it is a very short book written in verse. I want someone else to take this idea and run with it, write a prose novel that can go into more details of the characters and the story.
Very disappointed. :(
Ms. Marvel, Vol. 6: Civil War II by G. Willow WilsonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another solid story arc (even if it borrows a plot line from Minority Report). Wish Kamala Khan was in the line up for a Marvel Movie.
Captain Pug: The Dog Who Sailed the Seas by Laura JamesMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Cute little early chapter book, great for kids who are just starting out with the longer reads. Pug is adorable and his main goal in life is finding strawberry tarts so I could identify with his struggle. :)
My Favorite Thing Is Monsters by Emil FerrisMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
That was not at all what I expected which probably made it even more enjoyable as I tried to wrap my head around it. This is definitely "literary fiction" in graphic novel format. If anyone scoffs at your graphic novel reading, give them this book and watch as they have to sit down and examine each page, sometimes turning the book on its side to read the notes scribbled near the spine.
Just enough closure to make me feel finished with the book but enough loose ends that I will definitely pick up the second book.
I just started listening to Eddie Izzard's autobiography "Believe Me" which has to be one of the most ridiculous audiobooks I've ever heard because Eddie cannot stay on task. He has gone off book several times, in true Izzard fashion. It's like a whole other book because he is thinking of things he didn't say (or sometimes forgetting he is going to say) and begins to go off on a little tangent.
I also started the audio of 'The Awkward thoughts of W. Kamau Bell' but as I'm not a huge fan of his, when I hit the part that turned into more biography and less musings, I kinda zoned out. And then my Eddie Izzard book came in and he got bumped so I might come back to this, I might not.