Non-fiction book review - Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army

Spy on History: Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army by Enigma Alberti

With all the books about World War II out there, you might think there's nothing left to learn. But how many of us have ever heard of the ghost army? The reader will learn about the origins of espionage, camouflage, code-breaking, and more. Framed as a narrative, this book is as readable as it is informative. And make no mistake: there's loads of information here.The language is fairly straightforward, making it accessible to even young readers.

More information: Victor Dowd and the World War II Ghost Army releases January 23.

Book review - As You Wish

Title: As You Wish
Author: Chelsea Sedoti
Genre: magical realism
Similar books: Fragments of the Lost by Megan Miranda
                      The Wendy Project by Melissa Jane Osborne
Rating:

thought provoking

Summary (provided by publisher): What if you could ask for anything- and get it?
In the sandy Mojave Desert, Madison is a small town on the road between nothing and nowhere. But Eldon wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, because in Madison, everyone gets one wish—and that wish always comes true.
Some people wish for money, some people wish for love, but Eldon has seen how wishes have broken the people around him. And with the lives of his family and friends in chaos, he’s left with more questions than answers. Can he make their lives better? How can he be happy if the people around him aren’t? And what hope is there for any of them if happiness isn’t an achievable dream? Doubts build, leading Eldon to a more outlandish and scary thought: maybe you can’t wish for happiness…maybe, just maybe, you have to make it for yourself.

My opinion: A town with strict rules of wishing is a unique, if somewhat hard-to-sell, concept for a novel. Personally, I found the plot a bit hard to swallow, mostly because of all of the unknowns. There are very strict but arbitrary rules for the wishes, no reason given. Nobody really questions the rules or tests them for validity. And while Eldon and his friends do wonder about the system, their exploration of it's bounds is fairly tame and limited. There were a number of missed opportunities to explore their town's whole construction. There are a number of themes that come into play, though none of them ever get the novel's full focus. This results in plenty of topics for discussion but no clear takeaway.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley.

Comic book collage

I have a number of comics among my possessions that I don't exactly love. I've kept them for the purpose of crafting. I thought I'd start with a collage, adding some interest with paint.

 

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.