My Batman Face

When we held our Batman program this fall, I was repeatedly asked why I chose to dress as the Joker rather than Batman himself. The answer is actually twofold. 1. I wanted to wear the purple blazer again so I could justify having purchased it. 2. This picture right here:

I'd already done a Batman costume for Halloween two years ago. It's a fun costume but I wanted to try something new this year.

Book review - Gone Too Far

Title: Gone Too Far
Author: Natalie D. Richards
Genre: realistic fiction/thriller
Similar books: Undone by Cat Clarke
                     Made of Stars by Kelley York
Rating:

A pretty solid, engrossing read

Summary: Ever since she was harassed in middle school, Piper hasn't thought much of the popular kids in her school. Even so, she feels terrible when she hears Stella, one of the most popular girls, being torn down after a sex tape goes viral. She feels even worse when Stella dies, potentially a suicide. She's at a loss for what to do until she receives an anonymous text. Someone wants to punish the guilty. All Piper has to do is send a name.

My Opinion: For the most part, the plot of this novel isn't particularly surprising. Guilt drives Piper to participate in some revenge. The fact that she is only observing, rather than perpetrating, said revenge allows her to justify her participation. Given that Piper is meant to be an intelligent, compassionate person (she's thinking of joining the Peace Corps) you'd think it wouldn't take so long to consider the full ramifications of what she's become involved in, especially as it was an act of public humiliation that inspired her involvement in the first place. That was probably my biggest problem with the book. Overall, though, it raises some important issues and is well worth a read.

More Information: Gone Too Far releases January 6.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley

Looking ahead

Originally I had intended to write a list of book/blog resolutions today but all of my attempts ended in just a few lines. I think I’ve concluded that I’m not really a resolution sort of person. Instead, I’ve looked ahead at some book news. Here are 10 books I’m looking forward too in the coming year.

10. Jack by Leisl Shurtliff publishing 4/14
    I read pretty much anything fairytale based. Somehow I’ve missed Shurtliff up to this point. This might be a good place to start.
9. Rutabaga the Adventure Chef by Eric Colossal publishing 3/24
    Sounds like a pretty funny concept for a graphic novel.
8. Because You’ll Never Meet Me by Leah Thomas publishing 6/2
    A story of two friends who've never met. The complications sound like they could be really cool. Or really weird.
7. Black Dove White Raven by Elizabeth Wein publishing 3/31
    Wein is another author I’ve somehow missed so far. This one sounds right up my alley.
6. Painless by S. A. Harazin publishing 3/1
    I don't know. Medical issues are just fascinating to me, especially when paired with the process of discovering yourself and traveling towards adulthood.
5. Watch the Sky by Kirsten Hubbard publishing 4/7
    I'm also fascinated by controlling cults and attempts to escape them, which is the focus of this upcoming novel.
4. The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun David Hutchinson publishing 1/20
    A story of grief, this one sounds heartbreaking.
3. Dr. Critchlore’s School for Minions by Sheila Grau publishing 3/17
    We get books about training to be a hero and books about training to be a villain. Minions almost never get the focus. So this book could be a great deal of fun.
2. Nimona by Noelle Stevenson publishing 5/19
    I read this one when it was a web comic. It’s a great story and I was thrilled when I found out it was coming to print. Plus, Stevenson promises bonus content in the print edition.

And most excitingly

1. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell publishing 10/6
When I read the news about this one I literally flailed and started shouting “I don’t believe it.” And I might have slapped the sofa cushion. And maybe my sister, with whom I live, stared at me. When I read Fangirl I found myself very anxious to find out what was going to happen to Simon and Baz. Not knowing was one of my few disappointments at the end of the book. I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS BOOK!

2014 in review

Something about the end of the year begs us to look back. I think it’s the new calendar. Somehow the physical act of replacing Spiderman with Transformers makes us nostalgic. Ha ha.

In all seriousness, 2014 was a pretty amazing year for books. Of the 400ish books I read this year I picked 14 that really stood out to me. So, here it is, in no particular order:

14 noteworthy books published in 2014
1. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
    Really, read this one. It’s magic.
2. The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang
    The best controlling mother character. Ever
3. Tomboy by Liz Prince
    It was the first memoir I’d ever read about someone I really related to. Plus it’s an awesome graphic novel.
4. Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
    You’ll never read another dystopia that works out like this one.
5. The Ninja Librarians: The Accidental Keyhand by Jen Swan Downey
    As a librarian, I’m a fan of any book that supports freedom of expression and portrays librarians as action heroes
6. Sekret by Linday Smith
    Psychics in Soviet Russia. Normally I’m not a huge fan of psychics but the setting really made this one work for me.
7. Noggin by John Corey Whaley
    Come on. It’s John Corey Whaley. Sure, head transplants are a weird topic but this book is about so much more.
8. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
    There is literally nothing I can say about this book without spoilers. Just trust me. If you haven't already, read this one. And if you have read it, you know exactly what I mean.
9. Blood of My Blood by Barry Lyga
    I actually read the whole Jasper Dent trilogy this year. It’s grim but seriously engrossing.
10. The League of Seven by Alan Gatz
     An interesting take on the whole “mythology kids” subgenre
11. Revolution by Deborah Wiles
     The 60’s are quickly becoming my favorite decade for historical fiction. And this trilogy is absolutely fantastic.
12. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
     Troubled sibling relationships. Plus weird kids who are happy being weird.
13. In Real Life by Cory Doctorow
     An adventuresome graphic novel that includes a solid dose of social consciousness
14. Death Coming Up the Hill by Chris Crowe
     Read this one all the way through. Then read what Crowe was doing with the haiku form. Your mind will be blown.

So, there you have it. 14 books that stuck with me this year. Here’s hoping 2015 brings us another amazing assortment of books

Book review - All the Bright Places

Title: All the Bright Places
Author: Jennifer Niven
Genre: realistic fiction
Similar books: Paper Towns by John Green
                     Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos
Rating:

Oh. My. Goodness.

Summary: Finch and Violet met on the ledge of their school bell tower. Violet is a well liked "good girl" still overwhelmed by her sister's death a year ago; Finch is the school freak, know to behave impetuously and at times violently. When they pair up on a class project they start to look at the world and themselves differently. As Violet learns to embrace life, though, Finch's is slipping away.
My opinion: This book simply blew me away. I just...wow. Let me list the positives: 1)The sensitive portrayal of metal illness. The characters are fully fleshed out, dynamic and human. 2)The detailed exploration of the undoing that is grief. Finch doesn't judge Violet's continuing grief. He simply helps her to keep living. 3)The joy of the every day. Really, the way these characters find magic and beauty and meaning in just the smallest of things is wonderful. 4)The message about labels. Labels can, by their very nature, harm people. 5)The sense of atmosphere and character. And while the ending is not the one I would have picked, it is realistic and satisfying.
More information: All the Bright Places releases January 6th.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Minion mirror

I found this small compact with a magnetic clasp at Dollar Tree. A little model paint allowed me to customize it into a minion for my sister.
 

Merry Christmas

I hope this holiday finds you safe, warm, and surrounded by loved ones. I'm taking the rest of the week off from blogging. I hope you'll rejoin me next week.

P.S. If you enjoy this picture, you should check out Torchwood Babiez