Why Literature; Hairy Saga Guardians; Approximately A Hundred Worlds
Guardians of the Galaxy: Deluxe Edition, vol. 1, by Brian Michael Bendis et al
I love how goofy this comic is. But at the same time I can't totally fall IN love with this comic because of how goofy it is. It's a thing. I'll eventually keep reading them but I'm not panting for the next one.
(320)
Ms. Marvel, vol. 2: Generation Why, by G. Willow Wilson et al
I enjoyed vol. 1 of this series but thought it was overhyped. Liked volume 2 MUCH better, lots more action and humor. Excited to read the third.
(322)
Essays on Literature and Life, by Arthur Clutton-Brock
A very odd little book, from the 20s, that I think was not odd at all back then. What I remember most about it is how utterly lovely the book design is - beautiful fonts, beautiful layout, lovely textual ornaments. A perfect size for the hand, and a beautiful binding. What I don't remember at all about it is why I got the notion to read it in the first place. It was quite charming, though, so I'm glad I did.
(323)
Hairy Maclary's Bone, Hairy Maclary Scattercat, Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper, Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet, and Slinky Malinki (reread), by Lynley Dodd
For most of this series, I had the feeling that I'd read it before, but didn't really remember it. (This happens to me sometimes - I read A LOT as a kid.) Finally, with Slinky Malinki, I realized what was going on: I'd ONLY read Slinky Malinki, but the artwork is so adorable and lively and distinctive that reading other volumes by the same author in the same illustrative and poetic style somehow felt like rereading. Even though they were new to me. The story sometimes leaves something to be desired in these, but some of them are great both ways. Slinky Malinki was, unsurpisingly, my favorite.
(324, 352, 362, 383, 409)
King Dork, Approximately, by Frank Portman
This is more of the same that made King Dork so great. Except, unfortunately, without the driven sense of narrative need. It's just... kind of there. It was fine, I would read more like it (the voice is still spot on), but I wasn't in awe of it. If you want something like King Dork, I would actually go for Andromeda Klein first (I loved that one), and only then move on to this lesser work.
(325)
A Hundred Words for Hate, by Thomas Sniegoski
I keep checking out books in this urban theological fantasy series from the library and then returning them unread. Then when I finally DO read them, I really like them. Same goes for this one. Same will probably go for the next one. Wish I knew what my deal is with that. This one had some George C. Chesbro-style not-actually-science fiction bits, which in the wrong hands could be offputting, but, in Sniegoski's hands, was exciting, dramatic, and pulpy in the good way.
(328)
Sex Criminals, vol. 2: Two Worlds, One Cop, by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky
Hm. I know I liked this 2nd installment of Sex Criminals (albeit a bit less than the first installment), but I don't remember anything else about it. *peeks at summary* Oh right. The difference is that the first volume was mostly lighthearted and this volume is mostly depressing. If you want me to read about absurd sex-related scifi premises, you really do have to make it fun. The writing and art were still good enough to keep me interested, though, so I'll read the next one.
(330)
Saga, volume 4, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
I loved this volume of Saga so much - my favorite in the series so far. The exact right mix of straightforwardness, absurdity, and realism. Starting to develop a real fondness for many of the characters. It's muscling its way toward the Fables/Unwritten/Sandman top tier, though it hasn't quite broken through the velvet rope yet. We'll see how volume 5 goes.
(332)
I love how goofy this comic is. But at the same time I can't totally fall IN love with this comic because of how goofy it is. It's a thing. I'll eventually keep reading them but I'm not panting for the next one.
(320)
Ms. Marvel, vol. 2: Generation Why, by G. Willow Wilson et al
I enjoyed vol. 1 of this series but thought it was overhyped. Liked volume 2 MUCH better, lots more action and humor. Excited to read the third.
(322)
Essays on Literature and Life, by Arthur Clutton-Brock
A very odd little book, from the 20s, that I think was not odd at all back then. What I remember most about it is how utterly lovely the book design is - beautiful fonts, beautiful layout, lovely textual ornaments. A perfect size for the hand, and a beautiful binding. What I don't remember at all about it is why I got the notion to read it in the first place. It was quite charming, though, so I'm glad I did.
(323)
Hairy Maclary's Bone, Hairy Maclary Scattercat, Hairy Maclary's Caterwaul Caper, Hairy Maclary's Rumpus at the Vet, and Slinky Malinki (reread), by Lynley Dodd
For most of this series, I had the feeling that I'd read it before, but didn't really remember it. (This happens to me sometimes - I read A LOT as a kid.) Finally, with Slinky Malinki, I realized what was going on: I'd ONLY read Slinky Malinki, but the artwork is so adorable and lively and distinctive that reading other volumes by the same author in the same illustrative and poetic style somehow felt like rereading. Even though they were new to me. The story sometimes leaves something to be desired in these, but some of them are great both ways. Slinky Malinki was, unsurpisingly, my favorite.
(324, 352, 362, 383, 409)
King Dork, Approximately, by Frank Portman
This is more of the same that made King Dork so great. Except, unfortunately, without the driven sense of narrative need. It's just... kind of there. It was fine, I would read more like it (the voice is still spot on), but I wasn't in awe of it. If you want something like King Dork, I would actually go for Andromeda Klein first (I loved that one), and only then move on to this lesser work.
(325)
A Hundred Words for Hate, by Thomas Sniegoski
I keep checking out books in this urban theological fantasy series from the library and then returning them unread. Then when I finally DO read them, I really like them. Same goes for this one. Same will probably go for the next one. Wish I knew what my deal is with that. This one had some George C. Chesbro-style not-actually-science fiction bits, which in the wrong hands could be offputting, but, in Sniegoski's hands, was exciting, dramatic, and pulpy in the good way.
(328)
Sex Criminals, vol. 2: Two Worlds, One Cop, by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky
Hm. I know I liked this 2nd installment of Sex Criminals (albeit a bit less than the first installment), but I don't remember anything else about it. *peeks at summary* Oh right. The difference is that the first volume was mostly lighthearted and this volume is mostly depressing. If you want me to read about absurd sex-related scifi premises, you really do have to make it fun. The writing and art were still good enough to keep me interested, though, so I'll read the next one.
(330)
Saga, volume 4, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
I loved this volume of Saga so much - my favorite in the series so far. The exact right mix of straightforwardness, absurdity, and realism. Starting to develop a real fondness for many of the characters. It's muscling its way toward the Fables/Unwritten/Sandman top tier, though it hasn't quite broken through the velvet rope yet. We'll see how volume 5 goes.
(332)