A simple, yet entertaining, craft

In my new job, I work in a cubicle which has a corkboard on one wall. I bought some thumbtacks for my board, but plain old white tacks are really dull. I have plans to decorate them in a variety of ways, but to start out I glued a piece of craft foam to one of them. Given the general design of tacks, this arrangement seemed fairly obvious to me.
 

When I made my Pac-Man tack, my brother immediately asked me when I planned to make some cherries to go along with it. I figured I'd get to it eventually. The day after I put up my tacks, though, I arrived at work to discover this on my board:
 

I am impressed by my mystery co-worker.

Book review - These Vicious Masks

Title: These Vicious Maks
Author: Tarun Shanker and Kelly Zekas
Genre: historical fiction/sci-fi
Similar books: The Diviners by Libba Bray
                     The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni
Rating:

not great, but not bad

Summary (provided by publisher): Evelyn has no interest in marriage and even the dashing Mr. Kent can’t make her want to live up to society’s expectations. She’d much rather assist her beloved sister Rose in achieving her radical dream of becoming a doctor. But everything changes the night she meets Sebastian Braddock – not only is the reclusive gentleman both vexing and annoyingly attractive, he’s also quite possibly mad, and his interest in Rose is galling. So when Evelyn wakes up to discover that Rose has disappeared, she immediately suspects Sebastian.

But then she discovers that Sebastian’s strange tales of special powers are actually true, and that Rose’s kidnappers have worse in mind for her than simply ruining her reputation. Surrounded by secrets, lies, and unprecedented danger, Evelyn has no choice but to trust Sebastian, yet she can’t help but worry that Sebastian’s secrets are the most dangerous of all… 

My opinion: I've read other historical fiction with fantastical elements like mental powers. For such novels to be truly successful, there needs to be a careful blend of historical elements and the fantastic, using the history to give the fantastic context and heavier impact. Unfortunately, in this novel, the balance is off. There's too much focus on Victorian propriety and match-making, not enough on the powers and conspiracy around them. While the historical elements are important, giving the plot and the characters context, they don't need to be the major focus of the novel. Evelyn is a great character, full of attitude and thoroughly fed-up with the society in which she lives. The other characters are less well-fleshed and the plot is a little murky. There's certainly room for growth, though, and future volumes could make the series as a whole quite strong.

More information: These Vicious Masks releases February 9.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Graphic Novel Spotlight - Herobear and the Kid

Herobear and the Kid: The Inheritance by Mike Kunkel

Here's a graphic novel that is sure to appeal to kids and adults alike. Indeed, Kunkel actually addresses the adults in the audience. The opening narration for each issue appears to be an adult Tyler recalling childhood and its sense of wonder, belief, and magic in a way that is certainly more typical of an adult than any ten year old. ThHe magic and that recapturing of wonder along with the great details and sense of artistry will appeal to adults. The cartoon style and the fulfillment of every kid's desire to be a hero will draw in the young, not to mention the universal dilemmas of new schools, the bus, and bullies. The combination of a thrilling plot and fantastic detail make Herobear an all around excellent choice.

Non-fiction book review - Science Stunts

Science Stunts by Jordan D. Brown

This is a great collection of cool science tricks. If you've spent much time looking at books of science tricks (or on Pinterest) many of these tricks will be familiar. Clear step-by-step instructions and excellent illustrations keep the experiments from seeming stale. From an educational standpoint, each experiment has an easily understood explanation of the science that makes it work. It's a great choice for individuals and libraries.

Book review - The Bolds

Title: The Bolds
Author: Julian Clary
Genre: humor
Similar books: Claude in the City by Alex T. Smith
                     The Ghastly McNastys by Lyn Garner
Rating:

very silly fun

Summary (provided by publisher): The Bolds live in an ordinary suburban house on an ordinary suburban street in London—but they are far from being an ordinary family...
Mrs. Bold makes unusual hats from egg boxes and chicken bones.
Mr. Bold is rather fond of scavenging in the neighbors' garbage cans.
Bobby is a cheeky little one, always running about and chewing on table legs.
And Betty likes to chase her brother and has a strange, cackling laugh.
Yes, they are far from being an ordinary family. But have you guessed their secret yet? 

My opinion: This is a truly bizarre book, but bizarre in a way that makes it a great deal of fun. It is the ultimate in silly with a perfect blend of the ludicrous and toilet humor. The illustrations really support the plot. Parents might not love this book but it should be a hit with the children. I personally enjoyed it more than I expected. Clary has an acute sense of comedic timing. A great choice for fans of offbeat humor.

More information: The Bolds releases March 1. 
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Custom gnome

My sister is a fan of lawn gnomes, so I've long considered the idea of customizing a gnome for her. I was lucky enough to find this one at a yard sale for a very reasonable price.

Personally, I find the original design somewhat creepy, what with his solid black eyes, bright red eyes, solid sky-blue suit, and odd gold boots. He had a high gloss finish so first I did some light sanding and covered the whole thing in a white base coat. I painted it with acrylic paints and finished it with an acrylic top coat.

 His eyes still aren't quite right but the light grey isn't nearly as bad as the black.
 

Book review - Salt to the Sea

Title: Salt to the Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Genre: historical fiction
Similar books: Black Dove, White Raven by Elizabeth Wein
                     The Extra by Kathryn Lasky
Rating: 

fascinating, tragic

Summary (provided by publisher): The author of Between Shades of Gray returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war's most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.

In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer toward safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

Told in alternating points of view, and perfect for fans of Anthony Doerr's Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See, Erik Larson's critically acclaimed #1 New York Times bestseller Dead Wake, and Elizabeth Wein's Printz Honor Book Code Name Verity, this masterful work of historical fiction is inspired by the real-life tragedy that was the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff--the greatest maritime disaster in history. As she did in Between Shades of Gray, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.

My opinion: At face value, this is a relatively easy read. The plot is relatively straightforward. Emotionally, though, it's  far from easy. It's uncomfortable and hard to handle. War is tragic. Terrible things happen. People survive months of tribulation and near death, find what promises to be their salvation only to have that promise of safety torn away. This book is so beautifully written that, even when we know dreadful things are about to happen we are compelled to keep reading. This book is not for the faint of heart, especially as some scenes are overly descriptive and gruesome. For those willing weather the discomfort, though, this is a fantastic read.

More information: Salt to the Sea releases February 2.
Advance Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.