Graphic Novel Spotlight: Usagi Yojimbo

Usagi Yojimbo series by Stan Sakai

This is a truly epic series, currently sitting at 28 volumes of collected issues. First published in 1987, Mr. Sakai is still writing new issues today. This series follows the adventures of a rabbit samurai, during turn of the 17th century Japan. Miyamoto Usagi has lost his master he wanders across Japan, serving honor, right, protecting the weak and innocent. There are a wide variety of storylines and the art work is an amazing blend of cartoony and amazingly detailed. We own about a dozen volumes at our library and while they aren't constantly off the shelves they go through cycles of popularity. 

WWW Wednesdays

What are you currently reading?
Thicker Than Water by Bruce Hale
Book 2 of the School SPIES series. Life is complicated for Max Segredo. His father, Simon, is on the run from rival spy organization LOTUS. Max's spy group, the Merry Sunshine Orphanage, is in trouble. LOTUS is trying to run them out of business while the Ministry of Health investigates reports of violations. And, as always, the spies are fighting amongst themselves. 
 
What did you recently finish reading?
Followers by Anna Davies
Briana's school is doing a production of Hamlet. When she doesn't get cast in the show, she takes a position as the social media director. She tweets about rehearsals, behind the scenes drama, etc. Then things take a dark turn. People are dying. And someone is tweeting about it, before it happens.
Ever seen one of those teen horror movies? That's pretty much this book in a nutshell. Decent number of twists, lots of guessing who the killer might be. The ending has some holes but still a decent read.

What do you think you will read next?
Loot by Jude Watson
A heist novel. Usually good for an entertaining read. 

A last look at the 48 Hour Book Challenge

I've spent the 24 hours thinking about my experience this weekend. That and sleeping. I've done a lot of sleeping. I read a lot of cool books and checked out some blogs written by some pretty awesome readers and advocates of youth fiction. I've already mentioned my epiphany regarding audio books. Apart from that, these are the three books that stick with me the most from this weekend.

My all around favorite - Cress by Marissa Meyer
I've absolutely loved each book in the Lunar Chronicles and this was certainly no exception. Meyer has created an amazing, complex world peopled by dynamic characters. I can't wait for book 4 and the twists and new stories she'll integrate in that one.

The surprise - I Funny by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein
I didn't have very high hopes for this one so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. If Patterson's Middle School series is anything like this one I can see why our young patrons enjoy them so much.

The most thought provoking - Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Talk about a book that wants you to think. Consider your place in the universe, it says. Find your place in your life and you'll understand everything. And it's got beautiful, almost pastoral, scenes.

Audio books

I have a confession to make - I don't like audio books. Even as a kid, as soon as my reading speed outpaced the speed of our Sesame Street book-and-tape sets (and one awesome Popeye book-and-record), I preferred to read things myself. 
In the past decade I've attempted maybe 8 audios. Some were absolute torture, like when I forced myself to sit through three incredibly dry tracks of The Fellowship of the Ring. Even dynamic audios (Hello Redwall and Junie B. Jones) didn't hold up against the dozens of distractions around me. If I just sat and listened I felt like I needed to be doing something with my hands. As soon as my hands started moving, though, I lost track of what was happening in the book. The only audio I managed to listen to in it's entirety was Love that Dog. The audio version of Love that Dog is 35 minutes long. And I almost didn't finish it. And I love Love that Dog. 
Then came the 48 Hour Book Challenge. I really wanted to participate and I wanted to put in as much time as I could even though I had to work and had other things that needed to get done. I figured I could maximize my time if I included an audio book in my stack. I took a gamble with the audio of Eleanor & Park, a book I had adored when I read it originally. So, this weekend, I made two discoveries*.
     1. If it's really important to me I can, in fact, focus on an audio book even when doing other things. I have to really try, but I can do it.
     2. When you listen to an audio book at night, in the dark, lying in bed, the audio becomes your whole world. It's fully immersing. It's like a friend whispering in your ear. 

Given the experience of this weekend, I think I need to give audios another chance.


*Also, discovery two and a half
It's really funny when your audio book develops a skip in the middle of the f-word so all you hear as you walk down the cereal aisle of the grocery store is "fu-fu-fu-fu-fu"

Finish Line

This pretty much concludes my participation in the 48 hour reading challenge.

I read and reviewed a total of 13 books.

My completed stack

And the books I didn't get to

I read and reviewed for 35 hours and 31 minutes. 

I've really enjoyed this experience. I read stuff that I might otherwise have ignored and finally finished an audio book. What a great challenge!

Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities

Geeks, Girls, and Secret Identities is a twist on the classic superhero story. Think a variation on Captain Marvel. It's a case of superhero obsession paying off for Vincent, George, and Max, self-proclaimed experts in Captain Stupendous. While the plot mostly follows a predictable arc, complete with mad scientist, it's pretty entertaining and takes time to consider gender roles and our preconceived notions about heroes.

Eleanor and Park

Even though I've read Eleanor & Park before, I knew I wanted this one to be my audio book selection for this weekend. I'm not a huge fan of audio books (more on that tomorrow) but really enjoyed this one. Both readers are dynamic and add another dimension to the story. I especially loved Park's mother. I loved her when I read the book the first time but on the audio - man, I was cracking up at times. So, even if you've already read this one listen to the audio. It's well worth the time.