Thursday, December 27, 2012

Melissa finally does Audiobooks

I was not for audiobooks at first. I found them intimidating and thought that I wouldn't be able to fully grasp the context. I could not figure out how people lived their lives while listening to a book. Nope. However, my logic was flawed. I have been listening to story podcasts for over a year. I only listen to them while doing something else and if I feel like I zoned out or missed something I (dramatic parenthesis) rewind. I am now currently enjoying Happy Accidents as one of 2 of my free audible trial books. I still doubt my ability to listen to a full fiction book on tape but I can listen to people tell me about their lives. I don't know if I'll keep audible but I'm a little more tempted than I was before. Also, I could listen to Jane Lynch tell me about her life for hours...apparently. 



Saturday, December 22, 2012

Who Fears Death


Nnedi Okorafor is a really good storyteller. I love it when a fantasy novel can cover non fantasy social problems. Love it. Who Fears Death has humor within the dark and at times violent tale. The flow helps as well. While Onyesonwu can be a frustrating narrator, I still loved her. Her Eshu powers reminded me a bit of Wildseed which was a great feeling. The feeling looked like the following gif.
So happy I finally opened started this book and I regret nothing.

Thursday, December 13, 2012

I can't quit you, Dresden


This is a series that annoys me but I keep coming back to read. I enjoy the adventure and the fast pace. For instance, this book opens with the action and then walks you back through the build up. I also a enjoy the rules, the White Council and the jokes. So then what annoys me about this series? Dresden. His 'weakness for a damsel in distress' is supposed to be charming (I guess) but comes across off putting. His police cop Murphy calls him on it frequently (well I'm on the 3rd book so frequently so far) but it feels like this book's version of "You so crazy." I believe this is why I am reading this series as slowly as possible.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Confession Time

I am slow to finish this series because I read a spoiler about a character death a while ago. It's a great series. I love it. I'm starting to think Brian K. Vaughn was invented to write graphic novel series that get next to my heart. However, I know this one character, whom I frakkin love, will die and I just can't. Well, I can but I can't do it in a timely manner. There are times I rue the day I met tumblr. 

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Locke and Key 2nd Halloween Read


Thanks to a recommendation from Pop Culture Happy Hour, I started this also for Halloween. It is giving me the creeps but I like it.

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Halloween Read

I don't usually do this but I thought I'd read this book now because Halloween is right around the corner. I'm not quite finish with it yet but I need to be done before Halloween.

In short, her life sucked and then she died but she sucked at dying and now she's learning how to be a ghost. Seriously, it's a fine combination of sad/funny. At first, you swear this is about to be a rom-com but I am almost halfway finished and nope. I'm good with that though because I don't need her to fall in love or whatnot. I mean, at this point, how would that work?

It's not exciting and it's not really that spooky. I guess I was hoping for fantasy with sarcasm and I got sarcasm with fantasy. I'm used to a bit more lore and just creepiness. I read Vertigo Comics. Just saying. I can feel someone about to 'son' me right now with a creepier independent company. But anyway, this does not take away from the book. It would be a quicker read if it weren't so depressing but Notaro's humor keeps the depression in check.

I definitely had flashbacks to Dead Like Me. Remember Dead Like Me? It was great. This book is not as great as Dead Like Me. I don't want to slam this book but I don't want to lie to you.

See:

I picked the Season 2 trailer for Roxy.

Monday, October 8, 2012

Impulse Buy



I  bought this on an impulse. I don't actually have a coffee table on which to display it. So pretty though. 9.98 at Barnes and Noble. Still happy.

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

I love the library


I love Detroit Public Library-Main Branch. I love the library in general but my day was brighten by the Main Branch. I went into check out a book that was not checked in yet. The librarian kindly retrieved the book and then proceeded to checked it in. She could have easily told me to come back. I would have come back despite having to fight after work/DIA event traffic to get there after work. I really wanted to read this book but could not justify it in my budget crammed with other unjustifiable purchases. While I was waiting on her to retrieve the book, I found three other books I've been meaning to read from GoodReads. On my way out, I passed by youth program (HYPE). It's pretty much everything I have ever loved about the library. I smiled all the way back to my car.

They also have a fantastic library used book sale twice a year. Seriously, it's multiple rooms filled with used books and a good number of them are fairly new.

Also, I am on a break from Storm of Swords because after my heart got broken I had to read about Brown Ben Plumm. Seriously, George R.R. Martin? SERIOUSLY?! It's not that I don't like the character but I feel like we could have used other words than "nappy" to describe his hair. His tone might not be all magical Negro but it's a bit close.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Books cause Feelings

I am reading George R.R. Martin's Storm of Swords and had to my version of this. I think of this clip whenever a book I love upsets me and I need to take a moment.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Thank You For Smoking

After suffering somewhat of a reading slump, I was excited to read this book. The portion of the movie I saw seemed really interesting. The book wasn't a bad read by far. The premise and satire was potent enough to carry it through and some of the jokes did land nicely. The book's pace is fast which also helped. And now for the side eye portion of the reading experience. The running gag about black women could have been left in the author's head. The lead character Naylor, while charming, was more likable in the movie than in the book. The ending itself also felt too nicely wrapped. And so 3 stars on goodreads. I am reading the second book in the Ladies Detective Agency book and after that I'm sure I'll dip my toe in Storm of Swords.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

So Good but sooo long

Spending my Friday night trying to finish this epic book. It's great and interesting and a journey but damn is it long. There's adventure, religion, politics, family lines (which I have to tell you internet, is not a selling point for me in fantasy novels)and tortured romance. I am reading an electronic copy now and I feel like it's a book that readers faster in physical hard copy form.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Overcoming initial reactions

This isn't the cover of the book but I really like this picture. I didn't think I'd like this book. My first reaction was "Older white guy writing about an African woman starting a detective agency? Okay, Internets." I cringe every time I think about James Patterson describing Alex Cross (Young Muhammad Ali), I mean really. I hear the rest of that series is pretty though. However, I kept collecting the books at used book sales. Eventually, I collected his other books as well. This can be partial explained by my impulsive behavior at used book sales. I mean, where am I'm going to find these books in good condition for a dollar ever again? I know. I'm working on it. Anyway, I finally read the first book in the series and I enjoyed it. The book reads like a series of short stories (I heart short stories) that are connected. There were some bits that made me roll my eyes but I can't tell if it's from my ignorance regarding Africa and how it is referenced. This only happened a few times so for the most part, I enjoyed it.

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Questionable Purchase



I bought this at a used booksale today. The reviews aren't good. I have a bad feeling about this. I am pretty much going to read it like fiction and if I feel bad or scandalized then I won't finish it.

Yes.

That's a good plan.

I probably shouldn't have bought this book. I really don't like the "outing" folks. Welp. We'll see.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Stepford Wives




I loved this book. Perfect weekend creepy. It's short and fast paced. I was afraid it would be dry and boring.

Monday, March 19, 2012

Monday, March 5, 2012

Chew!


In less than a week, I have devoured (pun!) four volumes of the graphic novel series Chew. Reading this gives me the same feeling a good Guy Richie (see Snatch and Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) movie gives me. I feel like I've been given a lot in short amount of time. I felt like everything was done in a very good balance. The story centers around Tony Chu who is a cibopath. He can tell the history of anything he eats except for beets. He is apart of the FDA in a world where millions were killed by a bird flu. This event led to a ban of poultry. In this world, the FDA is pretty bad ass.
At first, I was afraid the series would be mostly "Hey, is gonna eat that guy? Wonder if he'll eat that poo? Ew! Dead body! Eat it!" I would not have marathon'ed that series. Chew goes the extra mile to develop characters, as well as jokes. I loved it. So pretty much, if you like strange, action, adventure and a lovable hero that continually gets beat up by life then this is for you!

Side note: I am now including graphic novels in my book reading goal. I wasn't going to at first because they are sooo much fun for me to read. Only trade paperbacks though.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

A Clash of Kings

I was up until after 1 am reading this epic fantasy novel. It's the second in the series about honor, deceit politics, family, power, love, dragons and direwolves. Magic because more of a player in this book and its more pronounced presence is a welcomed addition. However, I was doubtful that I'd be able to get through the second book. I am unclear how I made it through the first book. I just remember the feeling of excitement when I was done. There were a lot of feasts and family lines to get through. The second book has the same except the tone is more battle prone than feasting. There are some light parts mixed in with the dark and gore. Honestly, if this were just Tyrion or Arya's story, I'd probably love it more. This feeling isn't a slam on the series, it's a testament to my love of those two characters. I don't know that I could have read this series before watching the HBO program and I'm sure that doesn't matter now.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Books that surprised me



















I was surprised that these books interested me the way they did. I was still (okay am still) pretty committed to strictly fiction. Autobiographies and biographies stirred some interest in me but not enough to get me through an entire book. Or so I thought. I read these books with great interest. I even laughed at parts of the Thurgood Marshall book. I need to get back to doing this.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Fairest


I read a little about this new series from Fables in January 2012's Previews. I squeed in my heart. I love Fables and I tend to enjoy the spin offs. Okay, I stopped keeping up with Jack of Fables but I'll get back to it.

Basically Fairest gives back story on women characters. I look forward to it despite that one time in #100 when Snow lost her mind on Ms. Spat. *shudder*

I did not know he was a conservative. Okay. I'm an adult. I don't have to agree with you (unless you touch my line) in order to enjoy your work.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

JD Robb

I am always surprised when other people have heard about this series set in the future. Imagine my delight when I found a small section for it at a used bookstore. Yay!


Monday, January 2, 2012

Non-Fiction, Non Memoir Book Challenge

”2012

I've decided on my first challenge of the year. This challenge is hosted by Julie of My Book Retreat. I am reaching for the elementary level (5 books this year). I am excited because I've been doing lip service for years about reading non fiction. It's also a challenge because essays and articles are not included. I have an idea about what I want to read. I know I'm most likely going to get the books from the library. The challenge runs all year.

So excited.

Saying Goodbye






I will also be posting about comic books on here as well. FYI.

I just skimmed this article on MTV's Geek New detailing the 12 comics that ended in 2011. I was really only looking for a mention of Secret Six written by Gail Simone.

It was number one. Happiness mixed with sadness. I was instantly fond of this series and even when it went places I didn't agree with, I remained loyal.


Photo Source- Secret Six Issue 16 written by Gail Simone/ Cover by Danny Luvisi



Sunday, January 1, 2012

Melissa's Newest (and last) Book Blog

I am starting this blog to record my reading. Hopefully, this will encourage me to challenge myself more in my reading and to use more of my free time for it. I enjoyed reading last year but I did not read as much as I could have read. My bookshelf right now is crowded with books I've been meaning to read for years. So this book is for that. Maybe I'll do some challenges. Maybe I won't. But this here is a blog.

Christopher Moore-Coyote Blue


I can't count this book at all for the first of the year. I started reading it late. I've decided to use this blog for books and comics alike. I hope I'm able to keep it up.

This is not my favorite Moore book but Lamb and Dirty Job were exceptional books. Coyote Blue just feels fun and absurd. I am sucker for a trickster god and Coyote does not disappoint. Moore seems to excel at mean humor and this is pretty much that. I enjoyed the experience and the lore throughout. Good show.

Does anyone else think about Lance Reddick when Minty Fresh shows up? Just me?