Doctor Who crafts

My Doctor Who program is just two days away. Here's where we stand.

The console and photo props - Done! Photos coming Thursday in the post about the program.
 
The fob watch - Done! (sorry for the blurry photos)

Circular Gallifreyan outside

Clock face inside

The shadow box - in progress

The poodle skirt - Done!

The loopy flight path

TARDIS detail

The complete outfit with my favorite high-tops

And because I'm a glutton for punishment (apparently) this is not my outfit for the program. No, I'll be wearing this tomorrow. I'm working at putting together a different costume for Wednesday. Here's my first piece.

re-banded for the occasion

 Kudos to anyone who can tell who I will be dressing as from this photo alone.

Book review - The Shadow Hero

Title: The Shadow Hero
Author: Gene Luen Yang
Genre: Super hero/graphic novel
Similar books: The Adventures of Superhero Girl by Faith Erin Hicks
                     Hero Worship by Christopher Long
Rating:

a super entertaining read

Summary: It's the 1930's in Chinatown. Hank Chu just wants to follow in his father's footsteps and run the family grocery store. His mother wants more. After being rescued by the Anchor of Justice, Mrs. Chu is determined to make her son into a superhero whether he likes it or not.
My opinion: A re-imagining of a short lived comic, The Shadow Hero really captures the essence of golden age comics. The characters are compelling and have varied motivations. The art is phenomenal and really supports the plot. There's this great sequence where Mrs. Chu tries to force super powers on Hank, going so far as to expose him to toxic waste. It's like all of those classic comics just with a little more nuance. A great addition to the world of superhero comics.
More information: The Shadow Hero releases July 15th.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Books on Screen

Fantastic Mr. Fox

This movie was pretty similar to the book, though less funny. The movie modernized the plot a touch and added a subplot about the son and a nephew, giving the movie a much more serious tone. The book has more of Dahl's classic ridiculous humor. Still, the movie is worth watching if only for the wonder that is stop motion animation. Also, the variation in the resolution is an interesting twist on the original.

WWW Wednesdays

What are you currently reading?
I Am the Mission by Allen Zadoff
The follow-up to I Am the Weapon, this one follows the life of a teenage assassin. Boy Nobody has just finished a difficult mission that is still weighing on him emotionally. While he tries to come to terms with what he's done, he must also take on a new mission while trying to learn more about the organization that employs him. The pacing is tight and keeps it moving.

What did you recently finish reading?
Garden of Darkness by Gillian Murray Kendall
When a plague commonly known as the Pest killed most of the adults and the attempted cure has left others insane (almost like zombies), 15 year old Clare sets off on her own looking for a man who calls himself The Master, broadcasting on the radio with the promise of a real cure. Along the way to the Master's, Clare meets several other kids and begins to view the world differently. Think of this book like The Road for teens.
 
What do you think you will read next?
Mirror X by Karri Thompson
Time travel(ish), dystopia(ish), and romance story. I'm not sure what to expect from this one.

Pick 6: Dystopia

I suspect this will not be the last dystopia list I'll be sharing on here. Ever since the popularity of The Hunger Games the teen book market has been flooded with dystopian stories and the trend shows no sign of stopping. So, for now, here are six recent novels.

6 dystopian novels
1. Paradigm by Ceri A Lowe

2. Hungry by H. A. Swain

3. Riot by Sarah Mussi

4. Deliver Me by Kate Jarvik Birch

5. Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott

6. The Hit by Melvin Burgess

Projects in progress

It had been my intention today to post more decorations I've been working on for my Doctor Who program. The problem? I haven't finished any of it yet. So, here are some projects that I'm working on. Finished products coming soon.

TARDIS Poodle Skirt

I found the tutorial for this skirt here. I've had some problems with my version, enough to earn this one it's own post coming soon. Now it just needs the TARDIS part.

The Doctor's fob watch

This one is mostly done. Just needs the top detailing.

Slitheen and Cybermat

 

These little fellows are actually complete. They're meant to go in a shadow box. The box is what is unfinished.

I'm also working on a TARDIS console prop and some photo booth props, none of which I've managed to photograph yet. With the program just over a week away I'm down to the wire. Hopefully I have photos of the finished products for you next week

Book review - The Body in the Woods

Title: The Body in the Woods
Author: April Henry
Genre: Mystery/thriller
Similar books: The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk
                     Acceleration by Graham McNamee
Rating:

King of the "ah-ha" moment

Summary: While searching the woods for a missing man, new Search and Rescue volunteers Alexis, Nick, and Ruby find the body of a teenage girl. The police think it was an isolated incident; she appears to have been homeless. The teens aren't so sure and they won't let it go. They'll keep digging until they find out the truth.
My Opinion: At face value, this is a pretty straightforward book. The mystery follows a logical progression. Each lead they follow has solid evidence backing it. What makes this book stand out, though, is the characters. Each of the three main characters has a different motivation for investigating. And the characters and their voices are distinct. When we are reading a chapter from Ruby's perspective, we know right away it's her. That's incredibly important when switching between characters. While not a really deep book, it was still an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
More Information: The Body in the Woods releases June 17th.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley