April 2015: Graphic Novel Mini-Reviews

The Wicked + The Divine, Vol. 1: The Faust Act  by Kieron Gillen - Goodreads
Published: 12 Nov 2014 by Image Comics



Everyone should read this. This volume is the first five issues of The Wicked + The Divine. The story is based on this: every 90 years, 12 gods incarnate as humans. People love them, and people hate them. But the gods are only here for two years, then they die. These gods are treated as myths. Guilty until proven innocent, right? If you are a fan of morally grey characters, then you will love this. If you are a fan of mythology, you will love this. If you are a fan of comics, you will love this. You learn to root for the devil, literally. And then you kind of fall in love with her. The artwork is absolutely stunning, and the story draws you in immediately. Everyone should read this.

All-New X-Men, Vol. 1: Yesterday's X-Men  by Brian Michael Bendis - Goodreads
Published: 27 Mar 2013 by Marvel



If you are a fan of the X-Men movies and want to get into this massive world, this is the place to start. Saying that, make sure you've actually  seen all the movies (and I would recommend watching all the movies, minus the Wolverine ones) because this world is massive. This artwork isn't my favorite that I've seen out of the Marvel Now! series, but it does get increasingly better as the volume progresses. There is this one 2-page spread of Jean that made me want to buy just the fifth issue so that I could see it properly. It's that  gorgeous. The story-arc at the beginning isn't the best. It's a lot of exposition and not a lot of action; however, the action definitely comes later in the volume. And there's a cliffhanger that makes me upset that I have to wait for my library to order the second volume.

Also, I have been obsessively listening to this playlist about Jean & Scott and this playlist about Bobby & Kitty.

Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware of the Kitten Holy  by Noelle Stevenson - Goodreads
Published: 8 April 2015 by BOOM! Studios



This is golden. If you are familiar at all with Girl Scouts, and especially if you were  ever a Girl Scout, you NEED to pick this graphic novel up. It is aimed at a younger (YA to Middle Grade) audience, but it is definitely enjoyable for all ages. Set up in the format of the "Lumberjanes" handbook (the Girl Scout handbook, if you will) with the comics drawn in each chapter or section. This is a great set up for the rest of the series, which I am honestly angry that I have to wait for. I fell in love with all of the characters, and this is just amazing. Highly, highly recommend.

What are some of the best graphic novels you've read this month or so far this year? Tell me down in the comments!

Happy Reading!

Tuesday Talks: Book Covers

"Tuesday Talks" is a weekly meme hosted by Janie @ Bookworm Buddy on YouTube to share our thoughts and feelings on bookish topics. You can find the goodreads group here. 

Book Covers

It's a touchy topic, and as much as I wish it wasn't true, a book's cover can make it or break it. Personally, I've never known a person that loves a book-face. Unless it's tastefully done, I steer clear of them. Like the plague. Actually, any real-life people (or parts of people) just turn me away, again unless it's tastefully done. 

Example: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown  by Holly Black

I haven't read it yet, and upon first examination, the cover wasn't my favorite. However, the more and more I look at it, I just hate that the hand on the cover is a little too real looking for my tastes. If it had been a sketch or an animation instead of something that may or may not be a human hand, I would like it considerable more. 

Silhouettes I can do. Outlines I can do. Artwork I can do. Sometimes I can do people too.

See, I'm not totally opposed to people.

Simplicity

One of the key things I like in a book cover. Some of my favorite covers are just a black and white design with the title and author in simple font. Most of the time these have little pokes at things that happen in the story that only people who have read it will understand. However, that's not always the case (**cough** The Bone Season  **cough**), but they're still stunning. 

My favorite thing though:

Typography

A simple cover with some stunning or even simple typography. 

Some nice typography a simple background, I'm sold.

What about you? What do you like in a book cover?

Do you agree with my choices? Let me know down in the comments!

Happy Reading!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - Book Review

 I've only ever met one person that didn't like this book. I had to read this book for my Modern Literature course at school. Also, I bought the book and movie for my mom for Christmas. I needed to read it.

I'm so glad I read this.

And not it in the "I'm glad I read this so that I can say that I've read it" way. Which is a good thing. 

Let's start with Liesel. I adore Liesel, the book thief. So well developed and shaped. Death is the narrator in this story, and he is telling us Liesel's story. He knows what happens to her in the end, as he is Death, he knows how everyone dies. Our narrator is very much attached to Liesel and he story, so he takes great care in telling us all about her. Liesel is a German girl in Germany during WWII. So we don't see a lot of the nitty-gritty, but we do see things that often aren't shown in other books surrounding WWII. 

We definitely see a different side to Germany than is often presented, something I find extremely important in a young adult book about World War II that is meant for all ages. 

This book is artfully done, crafted in such a way as to soften the ending for younger and older readers alike. However, as this is a book narrated by Death, he is very blunt about what other Germans are doing in the world, bombing cities. 

Zusak creates a very unique narrator that I don't want to say too much about. I want you to figure him out yourself because he sure is a character.

Rudy, Max, Hans, and Rosa. Oh, Rosa. She's a favorite of mine in amount of change seen in a character. 

None can surpass Papa, though. I didn't cry, but I did well up considerably. I knew it was going to happen. I have the wonderful writing to thank for my lack of tears, something that is actually very much appreciated.

I would like to mention that I half-listened to the audiobook for this. So if you're wary to pick up an almost 600 page novel, the narrator of the audiobook is great, and I highly recommend it as well.

I recommend this to absolutely everyone if you are one of the few who have not read it yet.
Content: PG
Language: Various cursing in German and English
Violence: I mean, it's set in WWII.

The Book Thief  by Markus Zusak

Published: 1 September 2005 by Alfred A. Knopf

Format - Pages: Hardcover - 567 pages

Source: Book Outlet

Genre: YA Historical Fictional

Goodreads

Buy it: Amazon, Kindle, Barnes and Noble

My Goodreads Rating

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother's graveside, Liesel's life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger's Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery. So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor's wife's library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel's foster family hides a Jew in their basement, Liesel's world is both opened up, and closed down.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

Have you read The Book Thief? Probably. Tell me your thoughts about the book below!

Happy Reading!

Stacking the Shelves & Sunday Post [11]: I Did a Half Marathon!

Stacking the shelves is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews, and it's all about sharing the books that have come into your possession throughout the week, whether it books added to your collection, ebooks, library books, etc. Sunday post is a weekly meme  hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer where bloggers can recap their week, showcase books, and share news.

**all goodreads links are available through the picture of the cover**

Library

   

I only picked up two physical books this week: The Girl on the Train  by Paula Hawkins and Lumberjanes, Vol. 1.  I've started the first, but I'm only 28 pages in (hopefully that will change with the 24 hour readathon today) and loving it. I can't wait to read more.

When I need a break, I will definitely pick up the graphic novel. From what I've seen so far, the artwork is stunning. 

Netgalley

   

I literally know nothing about Olivay,  which is intentional. I want to go into this one blind. 

I only know slightly more about the second. It's a middle grade nonfiction. Going in blind is my favorite. Do you ever do that?

Life Update

 I did it! I did my first (and maybe only) half marathon. I walked the majority of it, almost cried three times, hated myself at mile 10, hit the notorious wall, and then felt amazing (except not physically).

I'm almost positive my legs are in the process of revolting aka falling off. I only have three blisters and minor sunburn on my arms and chest. It's honestly an answered prayer that it there wasn't a constant downpour. I did it entirely by myself, but I was not without support. A group from our church did it. Look how happy we are before we started. 

It didn't last long. I am the one on the far right repping the Atlanta Braves, even though they aren't my favorite baseball team. 

While I am almost positive my legs are going to fall off at some point, I am so happy I did it (and before I was even 18 too!).

Also, in less exciting news, I finished all ten seasons of Grey's Anatomy on Netflix (no spoilers for season 11 in the comments please!), and I started watching Lost (for the second time). I kind of regret it, but then again I don't.

How have your weeks been? Did you get any books?

Tell me down in the comments!

Happy Reading!

24 Hour Read-a-Thon & I Run 1/2 Marathon?

So, if you've never heard of Dewey's 24 Hour Read-a-Thon, please join me and we can take this journey together.

This read-a-thon takes place on April 25th 2015.

What's so unique about Dewey's? I mean, there are 24 hour read a thons all the time, right? Right. But how often do people participating all around the world start reading at the same time?  Yes, you heard me. People that participate in this read-a-thon don't necessarily start at midnight. If you are interested in participating, you can find the official start time for all time zones here.

Do I have to stay up all 24 hours? No! I'm running a half marathon that morning, so I definitely won't be reading during all twenty four hours. Also, I will definitely at least be taking a nap after that.

What will you be reading? Well, why don't you take a look?

Along with attempting to finish The Girl on the Train  by Paula Hawkins and listening to some more of the hilarious and beautiful The Help  by Kathryn Stockett, I plan on finishing one graphic novel and at least starting one other novel.

I am definitely going to pick up Lumberjanes, Volume 1  which is something that I have heard excellent things about. Also, from a few quick glances, the artwork is stunning. If I finish The Girl on the Train ,  then I am definitely going to pick up Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.  It looks like it would be a quick read, and it's less than 300 pages.

Am I crazy for participating in this after running/walking a half marathon? Actually, don't answer that because I know I'm crazy. 

What are you reading this weekend? Are you participating in Dewey's Read-a-Thon? Tell me down below!

Happy Reading!