WWW Wednesdays

What are you currently reading?
Perfected by Kate Jarvik Birch
Ella is a genetically engineered teenager, raised to be a pet for a rich family. When she arrives at her new home, she quickly realizes that "perfect" isn't all it's cracked up to be. I've only just started this one but am really enjoying it so far. The atmosphere and what little characterization I've encountered is fantastic.
 
What did you recently finish reading?
Conversion by Katherine Howe
Colleen and her friends are completely wrapped up in their senior year at St. Joan's Academy. Their lives are wrapped up in AP classes, extracurriculars, college applications, and, occasionally, boys. Senior year seems perfect until a mysterious illness begins to strike down girls in the senior class. Characterized by tics, seizures, paralysis, baldness, or other, more bizarre, symptoms the illness causes panic throughout the school and community. As people search for an explanation, Colleen begins to suspect something sinister is happening at St. Joan's.
Interspersed with events from the Salem Witch Trials, Conversion keeps you guessing all the way to the end. A pretty compelling read.
 
What do you think you will read next?
The Dare by Hannah Jayne
 

Guest review - Noggin

This is my second guest review and the first of a book I myself have reviewed. This is part of a project that I am undertaking with Abby, the Lupine Librarian. We hope to do a handful of these throughout the year.

Noggin

What if death wasn't absolute? John Corey Whaley explores this idea in his latest novel, Noggin. Travis and his friends and family must deal with the harsh reality that his cancer is terminal, unless an experimental head transplant will miraculously save his life. Against all odds, Travis wakes up five years later. He's the same guy - with a new body. If you can wrap your head around this idea, noggin makes for a great, thought-provoking read. The main character's relationships with his best friend and girlfriend pre and post transplant are especially poignant.
I would say this book is thought-provoking.

And that's Abby's review. Check out my review of Noggin here.

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