Sunday, April 29, 2012

In My Mailbox (7)




In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.


For Review

Broxo by Zack Giallongo
House of Night #1 (House of Night: The Graphic Novel #1) by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast, Kent Dalian
Tune by Derek Kirk Kim


Bought

365 Manners Kids Should Know by Sheryl Eberly
Blink & Caution by Tim Wynne-Jones
Clara and Mr. Tiffany: A Novel by Susan Vreeland
Creating Magic by Lee Cockerell
Down the Rabbit Hole (Echo Falls #1) by Peter Abrahams
Northanger Abbey  by Jane Austen
Palladio by Jonathan Dee
Poke the Box by Seth Godin

What did you get this week?

Monday, April 16, 2012

Adaptation Releases: The Lucky One, Think Like a Man

The Lucky One

Based On: The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks
Director: Scott Hicks (Other movies include Snow Falling on Cedars and Hearts in Atlantis)
Screenwritter: Will Fetters (Other works include Remember Me)
Stars: Zac Efron, Taylor Schilling and Blythe Danner
Release Date: 20 April 2012 
A Marine travels to North Carolina after serving three tours in Iraq and searches for the unknown woman he believes was his good luck charm during the war.
Nicholas Sparks said in an interview that The Lucky One is a novel he is very proud of. I don't know. The trailer makes it sound a little creepy. Whether the movie does well or not (most likely it will) Sparks must be very happy. He has a movie coming out every year now.




Think Like a Man


Based On: Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man by Steve Harvey 
Director: Tim Story (Other works include Taxi and Fantastic Four films)
Writers: Keith Merryman and David A. Newman (Also Collaborated writing Friends with Benefits)
Stars: Chris Brown, Gabrielle Union and Kevin Hart
Four friends conspire to turn the tables on their women when they discover the ladies have been using Steve Harvey's relationship advice against them.
I really want to see this movie! I've been curious to read the book for the longest time, and it would be really interesting to see how a non-fiction book is adapted to screen. I don't understand how it "stars Chris Brown" though. He's not even in the poster. I just think it's a little weird.



Sunday, April 15, 2012

In My Mailbox (6)





In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.


I haven't done these in a while. I got those books in the span of the last three weeks.


For Review




Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise Vol.1 by Gene Luen Yang
Dollhouse Vol.1 by Andrew Chambliss
Empowered Deluxe Edition Vol.1 by Adam Warren
Gary Gianni's Monstermen and Other Scary Stories by Gary Gianni

I'm a huge fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender so I was excited to read this. I already did and it's a good addition. Too bad it's only going to be three parts.

Bought

The Lotus Eaters by Tatjana Soli
The Surrendered by Chang-Rae Lee
Jazz by Toni Morrison
Slide by Jill Hathaway
Bliss (The Bliss Bakery #1) by Kathryn Littlewood
The Women by T.C. Boyle
The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
The Crimson Portrait by Jody Shields


What did you get this week?

Thursday, April 12, 2012

J.K Rowling's New Book Title and Synopsis Revealed!

Are you as excited as I am about Rowling's new project?



Finally after years of ending her Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling is back with a new book intended for adult audience. While this one won't be about wizards, having Rowling's name on the cover is a good enough motivation for me to rash to the book store and get it. And Luckily, I don't have to wait for very long.

The new book titled The Casual Vacancy will be released on  September 27 of this year. This is more than I've ever asked for because when they announce on Rowling's new book, I assumed it would be released later in 2013. No cover is revealed yet, but I'm assuming a picture of it will be up soon.

This book is officially my most anticipated release of the year!


Summery


When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.

Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils...Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

Add it on Goodreads!
Pre-order it on Amazon!



Comic Review: Ratfist


Title: Ratfist 
Author: Doug Tennapel (Author, Artist), Katherine Garner (Author)
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Pages: 176 pages
Buy the Book: Amazon
Source: NetGalley

Summery

Earthworm Jim creator Doug Tennapel is publishing his Webcomic Ratfist, a vigilante-in-tights that satirizes comics, politics, philosophy, and even Tennapel himself Featuring a forward written by MST3K/RiffTraxx''s Michael J. Nelson, and pin-ups by Ryan Ottley, Scott Kurtz, Christopher Hastings, and Ethan Nicolle.



Review

I usually like superhero stories. I even like satires. Ratfist has both of those things so it should be a fun read, right?

Unfortunately, I was let down. I can't really say that Ratfist was bad because it really wasn't. It's just that I'm obviously not the target audience for it.

I don't read satire that often so going back to it in a comic format was an interesting experience. However, like I said before, I'm not the intended audience for Ratfist. People who read superhero comic books and those who have a little interest in politics will more than likely enjoy this comic. I personally have no interest in either of those things which I think the reason why I wasn't impressed by this comic.

I think the biggest flaw of Ratfist is that, in my opinion, it fails to grab different kinds of audiences. It has funny moments, but only those who are hard-core comic fans will really get it. I don't usually get bored reading comics, but unfortunately I bored with reading this comic. I thought the story dragged on for too long mostly because it had too much text which I don't take as a good thing in comics. I understand in some parts it was done on purpose and it was funny when I understood it.

I didn't understand what the story was satirizing which is why I felt that the story overall was a huge mess Yes I know in most superhero stories thing don't always make sense, but here I thought it was a little bit too much. I thought some parts of the story was too stupid, like the tail thing which was a little bit too silly. Again, I know it supposed to be, but it didn't quite work for me.

I didn't enter this expecting a compeling superhero story. I wanted something entertaining and at some parts I was entertained. The art is unique in its own way, but in the end nothing special.

In the end, I found this book an interesting read despite its flaws. I think it's a shame because Ratfist could have been so much better if it had the appeal for a wider audience. I'd say if you're a hardcore comic book fan, you should check this one out.

In fact, if you want, you can read it here right now.

Final Rating


Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Waiting for Wednesday (8)




Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted Jill at by Breaking the Spine.




Breaking Beautiful
by Jennifer Shaw Wolf


Publisher: Walker Childrens
Pages: 368 pages
Release Date: April 24, 2012

More About the Author



Allie lost everything the night her boyfriend, Trip, died in a horrible car accident—including her memory of the event. As their small town mourns his death, Allie is afraid to remember because doing so means delving into what she’s kept hidden for so long: the horrible reality of their abusive relationship.


When the police reopen the investigation, it casts suspicion on Allie and her best friend, Blake, especially as their budding romance raises eyebrows around town. Allie knows she must tell the truth. Can she reach deep enough to remember that night so she can finally break free? Debut writer Jennifer Shaw Wolf takes readers on an emotional ride through the murky waters of love, shame, and, ultimately, forgiveness.

Abusive relationship? budding romance? I'm In!

I've been so drown to YA contemporary fiction especially this year. Although they may not always turn out the way you expect, I love how books in this particular genre almost has something to say. YA contemporary fiction is what I consider my comfort zone and I'm dying to get back to it.


Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Waiting on Wednesday (7)


Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted Jill at by Breaking the Spine.




Insignia (Insignia #1)
by S.J. Kincaid 



Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Pages: 400 pages
Release Date: July 10, 2012

More About the Author


More than anything, Tom Raines wants to be important, though his shadowy life is anything but that. For years, Tom’s drifted from casino to casino with his unlucky gambler of a dad, gaming for their survival. Keeping a roof over their heads depends on a careful combination of skill, luck, con artistry, and staying invisible. 


Then one day, Tom stops being invisible. Someone’s been watching his virtual-reality prowess, and he’s offered the incredible—a place at the Pentagonal Spire, an elite military academy. There, Tom’s instincts for combat will be put to the test, and if he passes, he’ll become a member of the Intrasolar Forces, helping to lead his country to victory in World War Three. Finally, he’ll be someone important: a superhuman war machine with the tech skills that every virtual-reality warrior dreams of. Life at the Spire holds everything that Tom’s always wanted—friends, the possibility of a girlfriend, and a life where his every action matters—but what will it cost him? 


Gripping and provocative, S. J. Kincaid’s futuristic thrill ride of a debut crackles with memorable characters, tremendous wit, and a vision of the future that asks startling, timely questions about the melding of humanity and technology.

I'm not crazy about the YA dystopian trend that goes on right now, but the premise of this one is interesting. Besides it has a male main character, which is refreshing. I really miss those. Most YA books I come across nowadays feature female protagonists and it's not always pleasant. Dystopia is one of my favorite genres so these books are hard to ignore.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books To Read In A Day


Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  

Being the slow reader that I am, I rarely sit down and read a whole book in one day. And if I do they would be short books. I honestly can't imagine myself reading a 500 or so pages book in one day. I really envy those who can do that >_< The books on this list are books my-slow-reading self finds manageable to get through in a day. If you are a slow reader like me, you may want to check this out ;-)

Anyway, on to the list. Those are in no particular order.

1- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling
This book means alot to me. I will never get tired of it. A good relaxing  afternoon read with the good old memories...

2- A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
A Very short book with gorgeous illustrations. Probably it will keep you up all night. I'll let you know once I do read it but I heard from multiple people that it's very terrifying

3- Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
This book is featured in alot of my lists. I can't help it! It's so enchanting.

4- For One More Day by Mitch Albom
If you want to cry, read any of Mitch Albom's books.


5- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

I read this book several times as a child. Baum is not the best storyteller, but he had a wonderful imagination.

6- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
I never get tired of this story.

7- Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
If you want a book that can touch your heart in a short amount of time, read this!

8- Coraline by Neil Gaiman

9- Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

10- Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen



Let me know what's on your list :)