Friday, June 28, 2013

Booknote: The New York Times: The Times of the Eighties

William Grimes, ed., The New York Times: The Times of the Eighties. New York: Black Dog and Leventhal, 2013.

ISBN: 978--1-57912-933-0

Genre: Nonfiction
Subgenre: history, popular culture

This is a compilation of news stories with photos that shaped the decade of the 1980s. The material, naturally, comes from The New York Times. I have to say that though there is coverage of world events, most of the focus is still centered on the United States. Ronald Reagan looms large in the narratives. Granted, he was a major figure and influence on the decade, for good or ill, but it seems the editor wanted to make sure he was present pretty much in every section of the book. Was Reagan really so omnipresent in the decade, or were the folks at the NYT just really big fans? Maybe it's a little of both, and it is a question I will allow readers to consider.

The book begins with an introduction that presents the decade and provides some context. We get a basic summary of what happened. For those of us who lived through the decade, this is a trip down memory lane. For those born later, it's a basic summary and explanation of the decade's significance. For instance, many of the inventions we take from granted today came about or took shape in the 80s.

The book is divided then into eight thematic chapters: national (U.S.); international; business; New York (remember, this is a book from The New York Times); science, technology and health; fashion and life & style; and sports. Each chapter opens with an introductory essay that sets up the stories selected for each chapter. After each essay, we get a very good sampling of stories for each chapter's theme. Aside from what I mentioned earlier in terms of coverage, the book does pick up a lot of events and people from the decade. From the great business scandals to accomplishments in sports and arts to great moments in science and technology, it seems like almost everything is in here.

This is a book that lends itself to browsing. As I mentioned before, for those who lived during the decade, it is a walk of memories from great joys such as "the Miracle on the Ice" to disasters such as African famine and what became the AIDS epidemic. It is an interesting experience reading this book knowing how things have turned out, saddened at times that some lessons from the past have not been learned. Still, this is a good book to look through, and I think it is one worth sharing with younger generations. The book also features some good color photos with the news clipping. I will say I wish some of the photos were larger.

There is a lot to see, remember, and learn from the 80s, and this book does pretty well in capturing a very large part of it. Fans of the decade will probably want to acquire it. As a librarian, I think this may be a good selection for public libraries. Some academic libraries, especially in teaching schools and/or with popular culture collections may want to consider it as well.

Disclosure note: This review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley as an e-book review copy in exchange for an honest review. There, we have appeased The Man once more. The book was scheduled for publication June 4, 2013, so it should be out in stores by now. 


Signs the economy is...weird? June 30, 2013

This post was going to be a part of my semi-regular series (as in when I find material and feel like doing it) on "Signs that the economy is bad." I have seen one or two of those oh so subtle signs, but not many. What I have seen are some odd and unusual stories that show that somewhere, someplace, with a little ingenuity, someone is making a buck. So, here is a bit of both then.

  • A serious sign the economy in the U.S. is bad: people are going to the rent-to-own model when it comes to automobile tires. Via Bizmology, "economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports." The rent-to-own model is notoriously predatory and unfavorable to consumers. The blog post mentions some of this. If you are interested in learning more about models like rent-to-own and other practices that basically prey on the poor to make a profit, the book Broke USA, which I have read and reviewed, may be of interest. 
  • Via Bizmology, another sign the economy is bad, or that hotels are just trying to do without. It seems that many hotels are now cutting back on having room service. Do note that the higher end hotels will still have it, but otherwise, you want to eat at 3am, pray there is a Waffle House nearby. 
  • Now, via Boing Boing, an example of someone making a buck or two. It turns out that there is business to be made in artificial fingers. In Japan, a prosthetics maker has expanded business by making prosthetic fingers for ex-Yakuza members. You see, in the Yakuza, failure often means you have a finger cut off in retaliation, often starting with the pinkie finger (if you are a serious screw-up, you may lose multiple fingers). Prosthetics can cost about $3,000.
  • And of course, natural disasters always seem to be a way for some people to make a buck or two. We can debate the notion of profiteering or not some other time. Via Bizmology, given the many recent storms and tornadoes, there is now growing demand for storm shelters. Why is this a big deal? Besides the desire of some people to be safe during a natural catastrophe like a storm or a tornado? According to Bizmology, "architects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters." I do honestly wonder how much of this is people honestly wanting some sense of safety versus people just falling for panic advertising, kind of like the advertising you see from certain home security companies where they clearly advertise by appealing to your worst fears of a home invasion.
    Architects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpuf
    Architects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpuf
    Architects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpuf
    Architects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpuf
    Architects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpuf
    Architects, builders, and concrete contractors could experience an increase in demand for safe rooms or shelters. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/13/storms-create-demand-for-safe-structures/#sthash.vc9vM2EX.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf
    Economic concerns are driving more consumers to tire rental companies instead of tire dealers, according to recent reports. - See more at: http://bizmology.hoovers.com/2013/06/12/financially-strapped-consumers-turn-to-tire-rental/#sthash.Ogswe3vf.dpuf

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

The Science Fiction/Fantasy/Horror Book Meme

I got this via Flexnib blog, who got it from Kalgrl. You get the idea. At any rate, here it goes.

The prompt: For EACH of the following questions, name 1 or more science fiction, fantasy or horror book titles. 

The questions, with my answers: 


  1. The last sf/f/h book I read and enjoyed was: Fulgrim (part of the Horus Heresy series. I enjoyed the first three, then it dropped off a little, Fulgrim is the 5th in the series. By the way, the opening trilogy is excellent. I am on the 8th now, and getting better again. I could write more on this later).
  2. The last sf/f/h book I read and did not enjoy was: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell. (To this day I hate this book, and I mean that in a visceral, fiery way. If someone ever made a list of books that need to be burned, not that I advocate book burning, I would make an exception to light the fire with this one. I had to read in library school for a readers' advisory class. No, I am not linking it. You want it, you find it. I do not recommend it).
  3. A sf/f/h book that I would recommend to new sf/f/h readers is: The Manhattan Projects (graphic novel. I really liked this, and I discovered it recently), Old Man's War (Scalzi has done sequels to it, which I have not liked as much, but this first is very good).
  4. A sf/f/h book that I would recommend to seasoned sf/f/h readers is: I would recommend Old Man's War to seasoned readers too. It has been compared positively some of Heinlein's good early works. To add something else, I would recommend the American Vampire series (comics) and Shadows Over Baker Street (this is one of the best anthologies I have read recently. Horror). If they have not read it, Alfred Bester's work would be one I would recommend to seasoned readers. For this, I figure that seasoned readers have read "the basics," so recommending may take some time and thought.
  5. The sf/f/h book I most want to read next is: There are few choices here. For one, I need to catch up on the Ciaphas Cain series (Warhammer 40K, link to list of novels so far. Emperor's Finest is the next one for me. See next list item).
  6. My favorite sf/f/h book series includes: Ciaphas Cain.
  7. I will read anything by this sf/f/h author: I am fairly eclectic here. I will read some authors because they are "classic" or have good reputations, and I will try new ones if the work in question looks intriguing enough. Since discovering Warhammer 40K, I can say I would read almost anything in that setting (the 40K setting. I don't care much for Warhammer fantasy). Also, some Star Wars fiction (though this can be trial and error).
  8. The first sf/f/h book I read was: Master of the Five Magics is one of the first I remember reading and enjoying in my youth. I recently reread it as an adult, and while I can see the appeal, did not hold up as well for me. The Sword of Shannara is another one I remember as being one of the first.
  9. The sf/f/h book I’m most surprised that more people don’t like is: See above for The Sparrow. I have found people either love it or hate it (and to be honest, I don't understand people who like it).
  10. The sf/f/h book I’m surprised so many people do like is: The Twilight series. The Hunger Games (seems to me a rip off of Battle Royale, which is a much better work, but I won't rant further).
  11. The most expensive sf/f/h book I own is:I do have some hardcovers, but they were often bought used or as clearance/remainder items. I don't have any big collector books. I do have one of Marvel Comics big omnibus volumes, but I bought that used, and I got a very good deal for it (about 25 bucks on an almost 80 bucks volume had it been new). Now, if you ask what is the item I plunked out most money on in one instance, that would be my hardcovers of Battle Royale, ultimate editions (link to first volume; it is a five-volume set, which if my house goes on fire, I am running back in to get given how rare it is now. Needless to say, no, you cannot borrow them).
  12. The number of sf/f/h books I own and have yet to read is:Way too many, and this includes prose and graphic novels and comics that fit the category.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Booknote: Musical Ink

Jon Blacker, Musical Ink. Atglen (PA): Schiffer Publishing, 2013.

ISBN: 978-0-7643-4443-5.

Genre: Art and photography
Subgenre: tattoo art

The book is a very nice collection of black and white photographs of musicians and performers who tell a story about one of their tattoos. The artists choose which tattoo to discuss; their reasons for choosing a tattoo range from whimsical to serious and moving.

Music and tattoos have been together for a long time. We often think of metal or rock artists having tattoos, but artists in other genres from hip hop to country music to opera have tattoos as well. Blocker strives to show that diversity through the artists selected. As he writes in his introduction:

"There are as many different reasons for wearing tattoos as there are people who wear them. Everyone has a story and every one has a story; it can have a deeply moving heartfelt meaning, a really funny tale, or simply be just because" (5). 

We get to read and see some of those stories. Often, when artists become parents, like other tattoo enthusiasts, they get inked to commemorate their children. One example is Erik "Everlast" Shrody who got some ink to celebrate the birth of his daughter. In this vein, I also liked Phil Demmel's tattoo, which is a footprint of his son on his own foot, so every step he takes, his boy is with him. Loss is also remembered as other artists choose to memorialize someone dear who has passed on. Other tattoos may be done for rebellion or fun. Each tattoo here is as unique as the person wearing it, and the author has chosen an eclectic group to share their tattoos and stories with us. Their tattoos range from full arm sleeves to playful small designs to various Japanese styles.

The book includes an introduction by the author. It then features an interview with celebrity tattoo artist Kat Von D, where she talks about the connections she sees between musicians and tattoos. She provides a bit of the tattoo artist's perspective. Next, we get the portraits. The book features 62 musicians and performers. For these portraits, we get a photo of the artist and a close-up photo of the tattoo they have chosen to display for us. After the portraits, we get some short biographies of the artists. I think these biographies could have been integrated into the narrative pages rather than segregating them to the back of the book. That small detail could make the book a bit more accessible to readers who may not be as familiar with some of the artists. The book then concludes with a small explanation of the infrared (IR) technique used for the photos. 

There are some small issues with the book. One, the photos are in black and white. Now, they are not just monochrome photos. As the author explains in the book, he uses an infrared (IR) spectrum technique that "allows for a much higher contrast between the skin and the ink" (142). The tattoos look good. I mention the color issue because there are some tattoos that I wish were photographed in color; this is because the artists mention how color played a role in choosing a tattoo, designing it, or placing it on the body. So I can't fully appreciate those details in those cases. Two, some of the tattoos are not displayed to full advantage. For instance, a chest tattoo being partially covered by a pendant, which takes away from being able to fully see the art. 

Overall, I do think this can be an enjoyable book. It features a pretty diverse group of artists including folks like Dave Navarro (who many readers may recently know from his appearance as host on Spike TV's Ink Master) and Sammy Hagar. However, there are some issues that, had they been addressed, could have made for a better reading experience. Fans of music and tattoos will likely be interested in this volume.

Readers' Advisory note: Readers who like this book may also like Generation Ink, which I reviewed previously.

Disclosure note: This review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley as an e-book review copy in exchange for an honest review. There, we have appeased The Man once more. The book was scheduled for publication May 30, 2013, so it should be out in stores by now.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Reading about the reading life, June 19, 2013

I realized I have not done one of these link posts in a while, yet I have been reading and putting aside items that I think my four readers might find of interest. I often don't read them right away, but I do enjoy reading them when I finally do. It's one of the nice things of using an RSS feed reader. So, here are the things about reading and the reading life I am highlighting this week. I really liked the one about Borges and Bradbury as they are both favorite authors of mine.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Booknote: Country Music's Most Wanted

Francesca Peppiatt, Country Music's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of Cheatin' Hearts, Honky-Tonk Tragedies, and Music City Oddities. Dulles: Brassey's, 2004. ISBN: 9781574885934.

This book is an amusing collection of all kinds of country music trivia and lists. Find out who borrowed a helicopter, then flew it to Johnny Cash's lawn in order to pitch him a song. Learn more about country music performers who also pitched and sold products from chicken to sausage. Love affairs, divorces, films, crimes, train songs and truck songs, so on, they are all here. There is even a list of tequila songs. The book is part of Brassey's Most Wanted series. Fans of country music will probably enjoy this one. Folks like me who just like trivia and learning little things here will probably like it as well. I can say that the book also helped me put some of the things I learned and saw on trips to places like Nashville, TN in better context. I will note that I borrowed this from my local public library.

Sunday, June 09, 2013

Booknote: Danger Girl and the Army of Darkness

Andy Hartnell, Danger Girl and the Army of Darkness. Mt. Laurel (NJ): Dynamite Comics, 2013. ISBN: 9781606902462. (Link to publisher website)

Genre: Graphic Novels and Comics.
Subgenre Adventure

This collection compiles the first six issues of the title comic. This is a crossover of Danger Girl and Army of Darkness. I think readers of either franchise will probably enjoy it. In fact, I am already recommending it to a couple of my students who are fans of Army of Darkness.

Abby Chase, adventurer extraordinaire and member of the secret spy group Danger Girl, has a mission to rescue the brother of a tin pot dictator general. The brother got into trouble after discovering a certain dark and ancient book. This, of course, is the one book no one should mess with, the Book of the Dead. Ash, meanwhile, was doing relatively well until he starts to have hallucinations. At that point, he knows someone has messed with the book, and he has a personal vendetta to make sure no one is trying to use the dark powers of the book. He then sets out to put things right. The Danger Girls figure he has a role to ply, and soon he joins them, and the adventure begins. Will they be able to prevent doom from happening?

Hartnell delivers a good action story with some of the humor that Ash is well-known for. The feel of the comic is a blend of adventure and comedy, but the comedy is kept fairly light. Bolson's art gives us the glamour of the Danger Girls, a definite reason to pick up this comic. The girls simply look great. The art also brings the action to life. There are some very good two-page panels here enhanced by good color work. Overall, this is a very nice comic to read, and it is well done visually.

Disclosure note: Publication date is August 2013 (though I think the distributor will be shipping them in July if I read the website correctly). I read this via NetGalley, where the publisher provided a review copy in exchange for an honest review. So, once again, we have appeased The Man.

Friday, June 07, 2013

Booknote: 'Taint the Meat. . . It's the Humanity

Feldstein, Albert B., Jack Davis (illustrator), et.al., 'Taint the Meat. . . It's the Humanity! Seattle (WA): Fantagraphics Books, 2013.

ISBN: 9781606995785

Genre: Comics and graphic novels
Subgenre: horror, vintage comics

This is a collection of the EC Comics title The Crypt of Terror, which would later be known as Tales from the Crypt, illustrated by Jack Davis.  Davis was well known in the 1950s not only for his work with EC Comics but also in magazines ranging from Mad to Playboy. He went on to become a leading commercial illustrator. Ringgenberg, in his biographical essay on Davis, included in the book, describes Davis as a hard worker and versatile artist with a "frenetic, humorous, loose-limbed style" (203). It is a style that is very well-suited to these comics. The book collects all Crypt of Terror titles that Jack Davis illustrated. It is part of a series that Fantagraphics is publishing of EC Comics, each volume devoted to one artist. From revenge tales to supernatural tales, Davis did excellent work bringing them to life.

Tales from the Crypt and other EC Comics horror titles (as well as other genres) were considered too gruesome and controversial in their time, eventually falling victim to censorship, including the Comics Code Authority. Personally, I think people back then were way too sensitive (and like today, there were probably a few opportunistic politicians pandering to moralists when it came to the government's attempts at censorship); if they want gruesome, they should have seen the seriously gory horror flicks and comics of today. However, these comics did feature good horror tales with interesting twists of fate and pretty healthy doses of dark humor at times. You can always count on poetic justice being given to wrongdoers in these tales. That poetic justice often takes many horrifying forms. For me, as a reader, that was a draw for these comics.

In addition to the comics, the volume features an introduction and some additional essays on Davis, the writers, and the history of EC Comics plus a restored 3-D version of the story "The Trophy." The original 2-D version is included, so you can compare differences.

Fans of these comics will want to add this volume and, probably, the rest of the series to their collections. The edition I read was a very nice hardcover. The book features some titles that have not been available for quite a while. Public libraries will want to add this to their comics and graphic novels collections. In fact, that is how I read it; I borrowed it from my local public library, but this is a volume I would consider adding to my personal collection down the road. Some academic libraries with pop culture interests and/or recreational reading collections may wish to add it as well.

Overall, if I have to give it stars, I'd say 4.5 out of 5.


Tuesday, June 04, 2013

Short Booknotes on Graphic Novels 18

Welcome to another set of short booknotes for graphic novels. These for the most part are quick reads for me, so it is easier to compile these reviews into one post every so often. This time around we have things from humor to biography to cheesy stuff. There is also one manga in this set.


Scott Adams, 14 Years of Loyal Service in a Fabric Covered Box: A Dilbert Book. Kansas City: Andrews McMeel, 2009. ISBN: 9780740773655

After having read Your New Job Title is "Accomplice," I just felt a need to read some more Dilbert. Lucky for me, the library's Overdrive offerings had another book, so I went ahead and checked it out. They also have a few in print, so I may be checking out those later. In this volume, Dilbert faces the tough recession. He gets laid off and then gets to work with other units like sales and collections. Will Dogbert be able to save him this time? Meanwhile, Wally shows Asok that experience can be evil, and the company goes through other severe budget cuts. Will they need a bailout, or will the company be bought out? These are some of the situations in this volume of Dilbert comics.You will laugh, be amused, and odds are good you will recognize something from your workplace in Dilbert's situations. For me, the title seemed a bit appropriate. I have been in places where it felt that after many years of loyalty, there was not much to show for it. Again, Dilbert does have much to say to the library world (but don't say that out loud).


Kazuki Ebine, Gandhi: A Manga Biography. New Delhi: Penguin, 2011.ISBN: 9780143120247.

This was a nice find at my local public library. It is a very easy read; I managed to read it during a lunch hour at work. Once you start, it moves pretty quickly. The art is simple, black, white, grey, but it is well suited for the story. Ebine makes an effort to show Gandhi as a human being, not just the Mahatma that everyone remembers. Yes, Gandhi did have some failures along the way, but he persevered. And even though we know how his life ends, we are still moved when it happens in the midst of his dream of a unified India not coming true (today we have India and Pakistan). Overall, a nice easy read, and I think a nice basic introduction to the man, his struggles and triumphs. Definitely a good selection for young readers.


Pete Von Sholly, Pete Von Sholly's Morbid. Milwaukie (OR): Dark Horse Comics, 2003. ISBN: 9781593070281.

This is a collection of B-horror style short stories. The stories are laid out using the "fumetti" technique (these works are often known as photonovels), bringing together live actors, sculpted models, and computer-generated effects to create stories that feel right out of a 1950s cinema, or more recently, one of SyFy's original movies. However, these are more fun than SyFy's schlock. There is a certain charm to these outlandish yet amusing at times tales. The tales in this collection run from horror to dark humor. There is even an adaptation (a very free adaptation) of a tale by H.P. Lovecraft. One of my favorite tales was "Out of Print," which I would describe as a nice tribute to books and reading. I also admit that I smiled at the ridiculous adventures of Captain Harry Hauser. Add some sea monsters and some hot girls in bikinis, and you've got some Velveeta-quality stories rendered in a great visual style. In the end, Von Sholly has made a good tribute to those old drive-in movies of horror and adventure, bringing them to new readers. Plus, the excellent graphic work certainly deserves a look. There is a second volume out, and I will be looking for it as well. I borrowed this one from my local public library.


QuinRose, Alice in the Country of Clover: Cheshire Cat Waltz, Vol. 1. Los Angeles; Seven Seas Press, 2012. ISBN: 9781935934912.

This manga was a light and entertaining read. It is a different take on Alice in Wonderland, and it is a sequel to Alice in the Country of Hearts. While it does help if you have read the previous work, there is enough context and background, such as a character list, provided to help any readers like me who just picked up the series here. As this series starts, Alice, who chose to stay in Wonderland's Country of Hearts, finds herself transported suddenly to the Country of Clover. She thinks all the folks she knew back in the Country of Hearts are left behind or lost, but there is at least one guy who made it over. That is Boris, who we may know better as the Cheshire Cat. Here, Boris is a punk teen boy with cat ears, tail, and piercings. He is still quite the feline. He is in love with Alice, and he constantly hits on her. Does she like him too? Is she too vulnerable from feeling lonely to resist his charms? Meanwhile, others have an interest in Alice as well. For me, the interesting element in the series is seeing the various characters in a different light. The Mad Hatter is basically a mafia-type boss for example. If you are familiar with Lewis Carroll's work, you will probably appreciate this take on the tale. However, no prior knowledge of the classic is needed here. I know I will keep seeking out volumes in the series as well as the volumes of Alice in the Country of Hearts to catch up. This is rated for teens 16 and up.


Justin Aclin, The Smuggler's Code (Star Wars: The Clone Wars). Milwaukie (OR): Dark Horse Books, 2013. ISBN:  9781616551087.

Obi-Wan, along with Anakin and Asoka, are on a small vacation in a resort world when Obi-Wan spots a fugitive he has sworn to apprehend. He decides to go on his own to try to catch him in order to honor a vow he made to himself. In the process, he meets a local smuggler who seems to give him way more trouble than help. Fans of the television series will probably enjoy this comic. In fact, reading it feels pretty much like watching an episode. We get a short, tight story that is nicely wrapped at the end. The art is very cartoonish, a bit more so than in the television episodes, but it still works for a juvenile comic. Overall, a nice, light read for Star Wars fans, especially if you like the Clone Wars. (Disclosure note for this item: I received this work as an electronic edition from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review. So there, The Man has been appeased once more).



Monday, June 03, 2013

Booknote: Occupants

Rollins, Henry. Occupants. Chicago: Chicago Review Press, 2011.

ISBN: 9781569768150

Genre: Photography and travel
Subgenre: Politics and cultural studies

Note: I borrowed this via Interlibrary Loan at my library. It came from Western Kentucky University. By the way, it is kind of cool to look up a record in WorldCat and find the library your ILL came from.  Anyhow, I do find it neat to track where my ILL's come from, which I always jot down (or try to jot down) in my personal journal. I may start doing that more here. Though I borrowed it, this is a book that, if given the chance and a bit of extra coin, I would add to my collection. Let's go on to the review and notes.

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After listening to Henry Rollins back in April, I knew that I had to seek out some of his writings. This is one of his recent books and since I do enjoy photography books, I figured it would be a pretty accessible way to read his writing and see some good travel photography. Boy was I in for an intense ride. The book presents photos that Mr. Rollins has taken around the world. Rollins is an angry man in a world that offers many reasons to be angry. He is also a man interested in learning and seeing things for himself. Thus, he constantly travels around the world, taking photos, writing, reflecting, and saying things that need to be said, things that may or not be popular.

The photos cover a period from 2003 to 2010 and take us to various places from Kyrgyzstan to Saudi Arabia to Bhopal to Mali and other places in between. Rollins provides commentary and narrative with each photo. Rollins' writing is angry at times, but it is also moving and lyrical at times. We see suffering, but we also see people who are resilient and strive in spite of odds against them. Through Rollins' photos and narrative we come to see the world as it truly is, and it can be a scary place, more so because we see it is people with power, exploiting others, who have made it so. As Rollins writes, "a lot of things I see happening in the world rub me the wrong way. Some of them are in this book" (ix). I know many rubbed me the wrong way as well. If you are a decent human being with some compassion and sense of caring, and you are paying attention, they should rub you the wrong way as well.

Yet through it all, Rollins manages to maintain some optimism even as he seeks to shake his audience out of privileged complacency. He goes on to write at the end of his book's introduction:

"The future of humans on the planet will be determined by the bottom line being realized and acted upon in a way that is beneficial to the species. It can go either way. I am hoping that innovation, science, and decency will triumph over corporate interests, ignorance, and cruelty. I am in it to win, of course" (xii). 

This is a book I highly recommend. Fans of Henry Rollins will definitely want to add it to their collections. Folks who appreciate good photography, travel narratives with some political commentary, and strong writing will like this book. Libraries should definitely be adding this to their collections.