Graphic Novel Review of Saga Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughan

 

Synopsis: "When two soldiers from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war fall in love, they risk everything to bring a fragile new life into a dangerous old universe.

From New York Times bestselling writer Brian K. Vaughan (Y: The Last Man, Ex Machina) and critically acclaimed artist Fiona Staples (Mystery Society, North 40), Saga is the sweeping tale of one young family fighting to find their place in the worlds. Fantasy and science fiction are wed like never before in this sexy, subversive drama for adults."

My Review: This was such a fantastic read, I am a little ashamed that it has been sitting on my shelf for over 6 months. While entire new worlds and species are introduced, it doesn't feel like massive amounts of world building the way it is all presented. The characters are widely varied and each interesting in their own way. The art is detailed but without being too busy. This is really a top notch graphic novel in my opinion and I plan to follow the series until they are not making any more!

My Rating: This is a fantastic series, I have purchased all the volumes available. The nice thing is that this series is so new that there are only four volumes and perfect for someone wanting to get started in GNs.  I give it a rating of Four Paws and a Stump Wag!

Bedtime Story: Outer Space Bedtime Race by Rob Sanders

 

Synopsis: "Aaaaaand they’re off . . . to bed! Aliens from every planet rocket through their out-of-this-world bedtime routines—they sink into steamy crater bubble baths and shimmy into deep-sleep suits, just like you (almost)! Brian Won’s glowing graphic art pops off the page, and Rob Sanders’s goofy rhymes will have kids racing to snuggle under the covers and blast off to dreamland."

My Review: Munchkin has decided he wants to be an astronaut, so I went on a hunt for some astronaut and outer space books for him. This was one of only 4 I could find in 2 book stores. It was okay, I would have preferred something a little more realistic but it definitely was creative. You get to travel through space and visit aliens on the different planets as they prepare for bedtime. It had a nice rhythm and the artwork was very vibrant.

 

My Rating: This was a cute and imaginative book and of course good for bedtimes. I give it a rating of Three Paws.

 

 

 

Good Night! Sweet Dreams!

Beginning Reader Review: Three Little Grouches by Jodie Shepherd

 

 

 

Synopsis: Three Little Grouches are stinky and messy. What will it take to clean the street up.

My Review: I found this in the target dollar zone and had picked it up for Munchkin. He was a little confused as to why Elmo and Zoe were in trash cans like Oscar. It was a different take on the three little pigs (to the point where Snuffy was huffing and puffing and blowing trash away). It does have a little message about keeping things clean and trash picked up. It also had a nice little message at the beginning about new words that would be presented in the story.

 

My Rating: This was a nice little book for $1 and one that Munchkin will like in the future. It was a little bit odd to realize halfway through it was a take on Three Little Pigs. I give it a rating of Two Paws and a Stump Wag.

After Dark Review of Master of Freedom by Cherise Sinclair

I have added After Dark Reviews to my blog as a way of notifying you of a review of a book with Adult themes and scenes. From now on I will keep my reviews of all books I read that have explicit scenes in them for late night posts for those of you who prefer to avoid them or easy to find for those of you who seek them out ;)

 

 

Read For: Because I love this series and needed a good steamy read.

 

Synopsis: "Detective Atticus Ware gave up his beloved Idaho to start again in the mountains of California, close to his imprisoned brother. He has a rewarding job and friends, but the experienced Dominant wants more than the Do-Me submissives who flock around him. He needs a woman who will give her heart as well as her body.

Virginia, “Gin,” is damn good at her challenging career as a prison psychologist. However, one problem inmate is mired in misery and unable to overcome his guilt at causing a friend’s death.
To clear her mind, she joins a friend’s kinky backpacking excursion, planning to hide in her tent during the evening BDSM pursuits. But Atticus lures her into the activities. She’s read about BDSM, but submission under the hands of a powerful Dom is beyond anything she’d imagined. She doesn’t trust men, doesn’t want a relationship, and yet…wants more from him.

Finally, Atticus has found the woman he wants in his life. In his bed. In his cuffs. But she’s not only his brother’s therapist, but also works in a prison. How can he tolerate his woman walking into danger every single blasted day?

Gin knows she has no future with Atticus Ware, but still, hope is rising in her heart."


My Review: I definitely prefer the Mountain Masters series by Sinclair as opposed to the Shadowlands, I do love the rugged men! While I didn't really get Gin's issues, I still really enjoyed her personality. Of course Atticus is perfect, dedicated and loyal, strong and swoon worthy. The story did take some interesting turns, I was surprised by what the conflict ended up being and was glad for a change of pace in the story. The conclusion was a little quick to wrap things up 'off page' but this was a novella so it needed to be shortened up in some way. I really enjoyed the story and the characters and look forward to continuing this series!

 

My Rating: This didn't feel like a novella until the end which was nice. I really enjoyed this book and of course those Mountain Men! I give it a rating of Four Paws!

 

 



Pen to Paper: Tips for Starting Out

 

Welcome back to the second posting of Pen to Paper where we embark on a letter writing and snail mail adventure!

 

 First Item of business: Congrats Jenny for winning the giveaway!!

 

Did you accomplish last week's task? What did you write about? Of course if it is private you don't need to share.  One of the letters I wrote was to my grandmother who would appreciate Munchkin's dedication to our garden (if it weren't for him remembering to water it every week it definitely would have died by now).

 

 

Since we are just getting started on this adventure together I thought I would share a few little tips with you.

 

~ Keep your supplies together.

If the inspiration strikes you don't want to be hunting down an address or that pesky stamp.  On that same note, personally I keep a small stash in my purse (which is ridiculously big) for those quick spur of the moment thoughts.

 

~ Start out small.

You don't want to burn yourself out or run out of things to write the first day. Oh and you do not want a wrist or hand cramp! Start out with one page letters, post cards or note cards.

 

~Schedule correspondence time.

Just like everything else in this world if you don't schedule it in you will not have time for it.  Set aside half an hour once a week to write and you can add more days or time as you need.

 

~Keep a record.

It seems a little odd but I keep a record of who I wrote, when I wrote and what I wrote about. This way I don't accidently write about the same things and also when they respond and they answer some questions I have a little idea what we were talking about.

 

~Be yourself.

You don't need to write some fancy, wordy letter like some Victorian. Friends and family want to hear you, so write like you would talk to your friends.

 

 

 

 

 

This week's task: Write a note of gratitude.

You don't have to wait for a holiday or birthday to send a thank you.  Did your significant other pick up one of your chores this week? Or maybe someone in your past deserves a thank you, a favorite teacher who pushed you or someone who inspired your career path. Just write to someone to say thank you this week.

 



Review of Rose by Kirsten Osborne

Read for: Mount TBR and Reading Across the States

 

Synopsis: "Rose is the first book in a highly anticipated new series Suitors of Seattle, following the adventures of eight Western daughters ready to benefit from the matchmaking skills of her new Aunt Harriett, whom readers will recognize from the best selling Brides of Beckham series.

Pampered socialite Rose is used to men falling at her feet. But her match with handsome Dr. Shawn Henry leaves her feeling less than adored. Has Rose fallen in love with a man who can’t love her back?"

My Review: This was a book you kind of needed to read after the author's previous series. The story jumped right in and I wasn't able to get to know the characters too well. It was a very short read and would be great for an afternoon lazing around in the sun. There weren't any great shockers or twists in the story, just the usual storyline of a stupid misunderstanding that gets blown out of proportion and is quickly resolved at the end. Towards the end of the book I did start to get to know a couple of the sub-characters and was a little intrigued by them. This book felt more like a prequel to a series than the first book.

 

My Rating: This was an enjoyable read but nothing remarkable or something I could connect with but it was nice to have a quick and light read. I give it a rating of Three Paws.

Re-Reading Review of Beowulf

Read for: Re-reading of a favorite

 

Synopsis: "Beowulf is the conventional title of an Old English heroic epic poem consisting of 3182 alliterative long lines, set in Scandinavia, commonly cited as one of the most important works of Anglo-Saxon literature. It survives in a single manuscript known as the Nowell Codex. Its composition by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon poet is dated between the 8th and the early 11th century."

My Review: It has been many years since I last read Beowulf. I first read it in high school English class and again in college in my Epic Poetry class and thoroughly enjoyed it both times. So this was my first time reading it for personal pleasure and it was much different from a class setting. I certainly learned a few things, first was that the translation I picked up was a lot different from the translation I had in school, next was that this is a book you need complete silence to read and concentrate on, next is once you get the rhythm and flow you will be sucked into the story and finally each time you read this book you will get something different out of it. In class we were told what to take away from reading this book. Upon reading it this time what I took away more than anything was a warning against pride and greed. I read the translation by Gummere and it was definitely a more Old English translation than what I originally read so it was a little more difficult to read but I think the verse was probably closer to the original text. It took some time in between breaks to get the flow of the verse back but once I got back into the rhythm it was much smoother and faster reading. While it many not rank among my top favorites any more it is still a great story.

 

My Rating: It really was interesting reading this book outside of an educational setting and for my own pleasure. It was definitely a different experience, especially with the more difficult translation. A lot of the story comprehension was probably lost this time around but it was still an interesting read and I did take some new views away from this re-reading. While it won't remain in my top favorite books I still think it is a great book that should be read and re-read. I give it a rating of Three Paws and a Stump Wag.