The New York Four by Brian Wood

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A graphic novel, first year in college, engaging for the short read. Curious about what happens next.


American Eve: Evelyn Nesbit, Stanford White, the Birth of the "It" Girl and the Crime of the Century by Paula Uruburu

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A sensational, tabloid worthy history. I found my attention wandering somewhat in the first two thirds, but as the craziness mounted was more engaged in the story.


The Saffron Kitchen by Yasmin Crowther

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Oh, I enjoyed this book. The writing drew me in, descriptions that were evocative of place and emotion but well balanced with the story and character development. A switching narrative perspective that left just enough for some mystery. Yum.


American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Parallel stories woven together. A graphic novel worth reading.




Good as Lily by Derek Kirk Kim


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On a continuing graphic novel kick, I enjoyed this one. The Minx imprint of DC comics issues a good number of girl power good reads.



The Wee Free Men Illustrated Edition by Terry Pratchett


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tiffany Aching and the Nac Mac Feegle in audio book form. I love listening to this series, the narrator is great! I checked out this edition of Wee Free Men not realizing that it was the first book, just with pictures. I was concerned that it would not be as funny, but I laughed and I think the audio version is abridged, there were pieces I didn't remember. A treat with great full color and spot illustrations.



Bee Season by Myla Goldberg


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed this quirky exploration of a family. Funny and sweet, painful and surprising.



My Own Two Feet: A Memoir by Beverly Cleary


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I've read Beverly Cleary books for years and thoroughly enjoyed these memoirs of her college years. I am looking forward to reading her childhood memoirs in A Girl from Yamhill.


View all my reviews >>

If I Am Missing or Dead: A Sister's Story of Love, Murder, and Liberation by Janine Latus

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
I found this compelling and disturbing exploration of women in abusive relationships in the children audiobook section of the library. Not what I was expecting in that section, very much mis-filed. A striking and horrifying listen.


She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Unsettling and hopeful, this coming of age story was a page-turner. Unfortunately it coincided with my listening to If I am Missing or Dead and the violence within hit harder than it might have otherwise.


Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Re-read 9/08

Needing something lighter after multiple women being abused. I reread Harry Potter.


Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Re-read 5/09


Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Re-read 5/09


World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This alarming imagined history of the zombie war was well-done, invading my thoughts and creeping me out. Told with short interviews, it was nearly one fifth of the way through the book before a woman was interviewed. This uneven balance continued throughout, a fact that made me wonder about the social and personal reasons behind this. It is a book heavily concerning the tactics and other militant aspects of war, a field dominated by men, and perhaps this is all there is too the bias. However, noticing the imbalance (to my eyes), I found it challenging to immerse myself in this post-war vision.


Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Light and funny. A great remedy for World War Z. A classic and I love the illustrations.


Agnes Quill: An Anthology Of Mystery by Dave Roman

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This spooky and interesting graphic novel about a young detective who can see and speak with ghosts was a fun read. I particularly appreciate the traditional style of comic illustrating (this superhero comics) intermixed with a more cartoony style from story to story. It was a bit startling to switch reading gears after the last illustrated comic story to the prose of the last two chapters. Perhaps if they were interspersed between chapters, it wouldn't have been so jarring.


Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
A lucky find at the library. I'd read about this book and visited Scott McCloud's website after hearing his TED talk. I love comics. I've read the funnies in the paper as long as I can remember and comic books and graphic novels in more recent years (though I read my share of Archie and Betty and Veronica while growing up).

This year I am going to try my hand at comics, we'll see what comes from the exploration, and McCloud's book examines the many aspects of comics, breaking down the process into clear concise pieces. It has given me much to consider as I attempt this project.

The girls were excited to see me and my key today. An hour in the yard is not too much to ask.

Photo by Brooks Peterson

Last night, we wandered the Lowertown Art Crawl and I was delighted by the stories and creations of Michael Bahl. From Studio360, here's an interview with the artist. Click the photo for more information about his work.