Category: books

Geography Club cover boys and visualizing characters based on their movie actors

This is a post about Geography Club, Geography Club (the movie) and The Thing I Didn’t Know I Didn’t Know.

A while ago Brent Hartinger wrote a book called Geography Club which is the story of a young gay guy and various coming out issues.  You know.  Back then, this sort of thing wasn’t as acceptable.  Naming a social or support organization with something so harmless was a bit of a brilliant turn.  Also, the book always attracted my eye because of the young man on the cover. Continue reading “Geography Club cover boys and visualizing characters based on their movie actors”

Remembering Ned Vizzini at Skylight Books

Hey. I didn’t say anything because I have issues with public speaking so I like to put words together first so I know that I have words and I’m not just standing around looking like I’m trying to say something or make a point when I’m just trying to think because communication words don’t come easily to me.

Tonight, some people, especially young adult writers came together to remember Ned Vizzini, the talented young adult author who committed suicide right before Christmas last year.  Some selections from his books were read out loud as well as some personal recollections.  Some really nice things were said.  Ned will be remembered as a caring and intelligent guy. Continue reading “Remembering Ned Vizzini at Skylight Books”

Grasshopper Jungle

9781101590065.600x600-75Grasshopper Jungle is a new book by Andrew Smith.  I have previously read books by Andrew Smith such as Winger, Stick, and The Path of Falling Objects.  I’ve been looking forward to this book for several months.  Feels like nearly a year.  A year of John Corey Whaley hyping the book to me.  A year of trying to get my hands on the galley.  An exaggerated year of trying to figure out what the book is about.

And the book comes out on Tuesday.  So soon you will be able to find out.  I finished a free advanced reader’s copy I got from Netgalley so there may have been some changes in the finished copy then what I read.

Things that the book reminded me of:  mid-century science fiction films, Lost, Venture Bros, plus a fairly honest look at teenage boys in the middle of nowhere Iowa.

Book was better; Ender’s Game

First I want you to know that Orson Scott Card is a crazy man and I don’t know if he’s in on the joke or if he’s become the joke.  He’s Westboro Baptist Crazy.

Before I saw Ender’s Game I was struck by a simple truth that I was shocked that has never occurred to me:  that due to the limits of time, books are a super medium for storytelling. Continue reading “Book was better; Ender’s Game”

Aquaman! Quickly, talk to the fishes and SAVE THE WORLD. Justice League Volume 3: Throne of Atlantis

This is an embargoed review that should not be released before October 1, 2013.

I read a digital galley of Justice League Volume 3 “Throne of Atlantis.”  It’s probably the best / only story of Aquaman I’ve ever read.  Basically:  Aquaman and the Justice League try to prevent a war between Atlantis and the people on land.  It’s basically the plot of a Doctor Who episode, but instead of silurians we have (the mer people of Atlantis?).  You don’t need to have read Justice League Volume 2 or previous issues of Aquaman.

Overall I felt it was enjoyable, not very deep or probing.  Kind of like a summer super hero movie.  Recommended for fans of Aquaman, and the Justice League.

More rings! More emotions! Fight the Third Army with more lantern power! Green Lantern Rise of the Third Army

Perhaps you are familiar with the Green Lantern and the Green Lantern Corps. Perhaps you know about the Guardians and the power rings. If not, then this is a super hero graphic novel review that is probably not for your eyes.

The universe is under attack by mysterious invaders that subsume all life it encounters.  They can even convert the powerful (Green) Lanterns … if the ring is removed.  However will the good guys save the day?  With the help of new friends and new power ups and a little ass kicking courtesy of Guy Gardner.  Sorry if that’s a spoiler. Continue reading “More rings! More emotions! Fight the Third Army with more lantern power! Green Lantern Rise of the Third Army”

Briefly: Without Internet, I Can Do Nothing But Read

I’m dogsitting and I don’t have wifi.  This means that my ability to post comments about things is severely limited.  But on the other hand I finished a book yesterday and I’m going to finish another book today so … there’s that.  And then I’ve left my iPhone behind.  So don’t call me.  Not that you ever do.  ttfn

Three brothers and gravity – In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith @marburyjack

I finished a book today!  In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith.  Since there are apparently a billion Andrew Smith’s out there, it’s the Andrew Smith who wrote the best rugby book of 2013 Winger and the I’m not comfortable talking about it without at least a drink in me Stick.

There are three brothers.  Matthew is a soldier in Vietnam.  Jonah and Simon are his younger brothers and they live in the middle of nowhere, New Mexico.  Their mother abandons them and their father is incarcerated in Arizona.  Jonah and Simon depart on a journey hoping to meet up with Matthew in Arizona.  The journey is the story.
Continue reading “Three brothers and gravity – In the Path of Falling Objects by Andrew Smith @marburyjack”