Book review - Pretty Dead Girls

Title: Pretty Dead Girls
Author: Monica Murphy
Genre: mystery
Similar books: Little Monsters by Kara Thomas
                      Bad Call by Stephen Wallenfals
Rating:

a bit disappointing

Summary (provided by publisher): Beautiful. Perfect. Dead.
In the peaceful seaside town of Cape Bonita, wicked secrets and lies are hidden just beneath the surface. But all it takes is one tragedy for them to be exposed.
The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she's next. All the victims so far have been linked to Penelope—and to a boy from her physics class. The one she's never really noticed before, with the rumored dark past and a brooding stare that cuts right through her.
There's something he isn't telling her. But there's something she's not telling him, either.
Everyone has secrets, and theirs might get them killed.

My opinion: This is not the first time we've read tales of horrible things happening to teen characters, the main suspect being another teen. It's not the best offering in the genre. For one, the suspect is a bit inexplicable. There's a rumor that his mother killed his father. That's it. This is the whole of the initial basis for his potential guilt. No personal enmity. Even if he'd had more motivation, his presentation, as with all of the characters, was fairly simplistic. The book is meant to be a thriller. For that to work we need to care about the character, to be caught up in their stories and concerned for their safety. We should feel the tension in every moment but it's not there. I could accept these failings more easily if it were meant to be more of a commentary on culture and the genre. If done correctly, a plot can be taken to ridiculous extremes and still reach the audience with sincere messages. This book is a bit more mediocre.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Pick 6: Twins

I've noted before how the characters in teen novels tend to have certain hobbies. They are often talented musicians and artists with a penchant for Converse shoes. Another character type that occurs far more often in novels than in reality is twins. A high percentage of novels have twins or other multiples involved in some way: the protagonist's siblings, friends, neighbors. Fictional worlds are overrun with multiples. Here are six books published in the last six months that include twins or other multiples.

6 new books that include twins:

1. All Things New by Lauren Miller

2. Gian Pumpkin Suite by Melanie Heuiser Hill

3. Satellite by Nick Lake

4. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yen Glaser

5. Rules of Rain by Leah Scheier

6. Flower Moon by Gina Linko

Book review - Marley's Ghost

Title: Marley's Ghost
Author: Harvey Kurtzman, Gideon Kendall, Josh O'Neill, and Shannon Wheeler
Genre: graphic novel, retelling
Similar books: Poe by Gareth Hinds
                      Manga Classics: The Jungle Book by Crystal S. Chan
Rating:

a near perfect adaptation

Summary (provided by publisher): Harvey Kurtzman’s Marley’s Ghost will see the posthumous expansion and completion of this legendary creator's adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic A Christmas Carol. Kurztman's ambitious concept for Marley's Ghost began in the 1950s—as an early "graphic novel"—but was never realized. Now, the talented trio of Shannon Wheeler, Gideon Kendall, and Josh O'Neill will adapt and expand upon Kurtzman's extensive breakdowns and notes to make his long-lost vision a reality.

My opinion: I am an unabashed fan of A Christmas Carol.  Adaptations are unavoidable, given how many major tv shows have made an attempt at the source material. My favorite has always been Muppet's Christmas Carol, a surprisingly faithful adaptation. This book has challenged that preference. For one, this version includes many elements of Dicken's story that most adaptations eliminate. It captures the atmosphere well, equal parts dingy and hopeful. The characters are highly stylized, lending an element of humor. They're remarkably expressive. As with many adaptations, it's best used to support a reading of the original, helping the reader to understand what they have read and highlighting elements you may have missed.

More information: Marley's Ghost is only available in digital form.

Exterminate Winter Cold

We seem to be welcoming 2018 here with more snow and cold temperatures. This after a week of the same. My favorite way to chase away the winter blahs is with new winter hats. I've wanted a Dalek hat for a while but had trouble finding a pattern that I really liked. This hat was the product of a combination of a few different patterns. It may not be my warmest hat but I think a fleece liner will make a difference.

UPDATE: Based on the advice of a friend, I've added a small, battery operated light to the eyestalk. The effect is pretty excellent.

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 1

I've had a lot of fun playing with Christmas images this month but to close this list I felt it was important to focus on what Christmas really means. So I'm closing with this nativity image. It was a really fun repainting project, starting with a Halloween decoration I found on clearance, making the transition from dark and lurid to meaningful with a little acrylic paint.

 

Merry Christmas, friends and may God bless you.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 2

When I first started making puppets I admired Muppets but figured they were far beyond anything I was capable of creating. Yet the notion won't leave me along. So for one of my final crafts this Christmas season I thought I would make a first attempt, with this penguin. It's a little rough, especially along the top of the head but a hat covers that flaw well. 

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 3

Last year I added stars to the lights I hang over my bed. Since I still haven't gotten around to adding the flamingo covers to my lights, I thought I'd decorate them again. This is another idea I found on Pinterest, and it's super simple. All you need is some drinking straws and tape. What better way for a geek to decorate.