Books read in June 2014
I've actually been trying to read two books since the middle of June but have yet to finish them...probably because I keep stopping to read these graphic novels and kids books LOL. Oh well! At least I read something!
Adventure Time Sugary Shorts Vol. 1 by Paul Pope
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Collection of one-shot issues and special edition cover art. A little hit or miss with the stories, but a fun collection but only really worth a look if you're a hardcore Adventure Time fan.
Don't Pigeonhole Me! by Mo Willems
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think a few of the reviewers on here missed the point. The title of the book is "Don't Pigeonhole Me!" and it's Mo Willems sharing the art he has been creating for DECADES, even before he was famous for his Pigeon and Elephant and Piggie. As he explains in the first few pages, he doodles all the time and sometimes he draws things for his adult friends and this collection highlights many of those doodles.
If you are a teen or adult fan of Willem's art, you MUST read this book. It gives you insight on his artistic career through his love of 'zines. It starts out with him as a poor struggling artist in NYC in his 20s, practically tricking his friend to publish an entire 'zine of his work. And then this becomes an annual tradition that he still upholds today.
You get to watch his entire style grow and expand until you see the Mo we know by the end.
I loved this book. I loved his little notes. I think Mo loved having the opportunity to share this artwork which was just distributed to a handful of his friends over the years. It's like being a part of his inner circle. The introduction of each collection explains where he was in his life at the time and why the collection is themed the way it is. GREAT book for aspiring artists who need some motivation to go on and maybe great inspiration for a home project or school/library program.
My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell by G.M. Berrow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I had already read the Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle books in this series and loved them. This is book 1 in the series and I think it was my least favorite so far? Maybe it's because I had already seen the first episode of Season 4, which covers similar territory with Twilight coming to terms with the changes that happened in the finale of Season 3.
Still, entertaining and fun. Berrow really has a knack for capturing the voice of each pony and beginner chapter book readers who are fans of the series will eat this up!
The Race by Édouard Manceau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The humor in this book will probably go over little kid's heads but for the older picture book readers, this should be a hoot, especially if the know someone who does marathons. I loved the very dry humor of this silly story.
Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Search, Part 3 by Gene Luen Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wrapping up the storyline about what happened to Zuko's mother. It was a satisfying ending to that story, though I think I would have enjoyed it more sitting down and reading all three of the trades at once. Waiting the three months between made me forget story chunks. Still, Gene Luen Yang stays true to the series art style and storytelling.
Adventure Time Vol. 1 Playing With Fire Original Graphic Novel by Danielle Corsetto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Let me say,it is SO WEIRD to experience Adventure Time without any color. I really wanted to get out some markers and color in the pages of this story. Black and White and Ooo just feels wrong!
Other than that, this was a great story about Finn and the Flame Princess. Good character development for her and a fun adventure.
Adventure Time Sugary Shorts Vol. 1 by Paul Pope
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Collection of one-shot issues and special edition cover art. A little hit or miss with the stories, but a fun collection but only really worth a look if you're a hardcore Adventure Time fan.
Don't Pigeonhole Me! by Mo Willems
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I think a few of the reviewers on here missed the point. The title of the book is "Don't Pigeonhole Me!" and it's Mo Willems sharing the art he has been creating for DECADES, even before he was famous for his Pigeon and Elephant and Piggie. As he explains in the first few pages, he doodles all the time and sometimes he draws things for his adult friends and this collection highlights many of those doodles.
If you are a teen or adult fan of Willem's art, you MUST read this book. It gives you insight on his artistic career through his love of 'zines. It starts out with him as a poor struggling artist in NYC in his 20s, practically tricking his friend to publish an entire 'zine of his work. And then this becomes an annual tradition that he still upholds today.
You get to watch his entire style grow and expand until you see the Mo we know by the end.
I loved this book. I loved his little notes. I think Mo loved having the opportunity to share this artwork which was just distributed to a handful of his friends over the years. It's like being a part of his inner circle. The introduction of each collection explains where he was in his life at the time and why the collection is themed the way it is. GREAT book for aspiring artists who need some motivation to go on and maybe great inspiration for a home project or school/library program.
My Little Pony: Twilight Sparkle and the Crystal Heart Spell by G.M. Berrow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I had already read the Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle books in this series and loved them. This is book 1 in the series and I think it was my least favorite so far? Maybe it's because I had already seen the first episode of Season 4, which covers similar territory with Twilight coming to terms with the changes that happened in the finale of Season 3.
Still, entertaining and fun. Berrow really has a knack for capturing the voice of each pony and beginner chapter book readers who are fans of the series will eat this up!
The Race by Édouard Manceau
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The humor in this book will probably go over little kid's heads but for the older picture book readers, this should be a hoot, especially if the know someone who does marathons. I loved the very dry humor of this silly story.
Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Search, Part 3 by Gene Luen Yang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wrapping up the storyline about what happened to Zuko's mother. It was a satisfying ending to that story, though I think I would have enjoyed it more sitting down and reading all three of the trades at once. Waiting the three months between made me forget story chunks. Still, Gene Luen Yang stays true to the series art style and storytelling.
Adventure Time Vol. 1 Playing With Fire Original Graphic Novel by Danielle Corsetto
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Let me say,it is SO WEIRD to experience Adventure Time without any color. I really wanted to get out some markers and color in the pages of this story. Black and White and Ooo just feels wrong!
Other than that, this was a great story about Finn and the Flame Princess. Good character development for her and a fun adventure.