Title: Orange
Author: Benjamin
Illustrator: Benjamin
Publisher: TokyoPop Inc.
Copyright: 2009
Price: $14.99
ISBN: 978-1-4278-1463-0
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Summary: Do not be fooled by the smiling girl on the cover of Orange for she is Orange, a depressed high school girl. The story opens up with Dashu as he jumps off of the apartment building to his death. Orange explains to the reader that he was a drunken artist that she may have loved. The story is a collection of her memories explaining her depression and how he played a role in her life until the moment he jumped from the building.
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Thoughts: It honestly took me a little while to get used to the photo-like artwork of the story, yet once used to it, I felt like I was reading a short movie instead of a short graphic novel. This book does not shy away from showing Dashu falling and crashing to his death (he lands on a car). Orange is not always a relatable character to me, but I do understand her depression and the feeling that the friends you hang out with are not really your friends. The afterword of this story by artist Benjamin was more intense than the story itself as he wrote about the creation and publication of Orange. While the images are memorable for the use of color and shadows, the afterword text is haunting. A story about depression, Orange is a book that you have to be aware is there and that it does serve a purpose like other books about suicide.
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Will Teens Like It? Probably high school students.
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Things to be aware of: sexual situations, suicide (shown), drinking and smoking
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Bonus: I was surprised that this was a TokyoPop book, but only because I’m used to their manga titles that are all uniformly the same size.
2010 ALA Great Graphic Novel for Teens
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Source: Library copy.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Bride of the Water God - vol. 6
Title: Bride of the Water God vol. 6
Author: Mi-Kyung Yun
Illustrator: Mi-Kyung Yun
Publisher: Dark Horse Manwha
Copyright: 2010
Price: $9.99
ISBN: 978-1-59582-605-3
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: At the beginning of this volume, Mui and Soah prepare to head back to his home when he is paralyzed. Did the stranger from the last volume do something to Mui? Soah, unsure, decides to rest with Mui until she falls asleep. In the morning, Habaek is in his child form and runs off, afraid to show Soah the truth. When Soah wakes, she grows scared and looks for him, only to be captured by another God. In a stroke of luck, Mui/Habaek is captured as well and he saves Soah. Once home though, nothing is right. Mura knows Nakbin’s true intentions, and someone attempts to kidnap Soah, and she faces a familiar face with the truth. Throughout all of this, Mui/Habaek asks that throughout everything that she trusts him. When she finally agrees to, it seems that she might be too late.
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Will Teens Like It? Mature and older teens.
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Things to be aware of: N/A.
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Further Thoughts: Like the game pieces introduced in volume 5, we see that not is all as it seems and we’ll have to sit back as they game plays out. Nakbin’s true motives are hidden, although readers are given hints as to what she plans to do. Alliances are forming and we can tell who is for Soah and Habaek/Mui, and who is not. Like in the last review, the plot lines are intricate, but more and more aspects of the story are coming into focus. There is someone who wants to hurt the Water God, but who is it? There is enough story here to keep readers wanting more and more and more, and to reread until the next latest volumes come out.
------
Source: Library copy.
Author: Mi-Kyung Yun
Illustrator: Mi-Kyung Yun
Publisher: Dark Horse Manwha
Copyright: 2010
Price: $9.99
ISBN: 978-1-59582-605-3
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: At the beginning of this volume, Mui and Soah prepare to head back to his home when he is paralyzed. Did the stranger from the last volume do something to Mui? Soah, unsure, decides to rest with Mui until she falls asleep. In the morning, Habaek is in his child form and runs off, afraid to show Soah the truth. When Soah wakes, she grows scared and looks for him, only to be captured by another God. In a stroke of luck, Mui/Habaek is captured as well and he saves Soah. Once home though, nothing is right. Mura knows Nakbin’s true intentions, and someone attempts to kidnap Soah, and she faces a familiar face with the truth. Throughout all of this, Mui/Habaek asks that throughout everything that she trusts him. When she finally agrees to, it seems that she might be too late.
---------
Will Teens Like It? Mature and older teens.
--------
Things to be aware of: N/A.
----------
Further Thoughts: Like the game pieces introduced in volume 5, we see that not is all as it seems and we’ll have to sit back as they game plays out. Nakbin’s true motives are hidden, although readers are given hints as to what she plans to do. Alliances are forming and we can tell who is for Soah and Habaek/Mui, and who is not. Like in the last review, the plot lines are intricate, but more and more aspects of the story are coming into focus. There is someone who wants to hurt the Water God, but who is it? There is enough story here to keep readers wanting more and more and more, and to reread until the next latest volumes come out.
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Source: Library copy.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
What's Been Happening
Here's what happened
March is a crazy month for me. It seems that March is one of the few months of the year (the others being May and October for sure) that I just get hit with workshops, programs, meetings, and all sorts of obligations that I must meet (or want to meet). Generally, I chose this craziness, but this March, I almost over scheduled myself because I wasn't using the right planning calendar. Oops...
Which means, I didn't pay attention to the blog. It's sad really. I have so much "back log" review-wise you'd think I'd be ready to go, but I just don't feel like booting the computer up some days, especially after spending a day staring at the computer for various reasons. I'm going to try to change this, and also try to warn you if there seems to be some down time happening.
What's going to happen now
April is my "new leaf" month, at least for the blog. Really, I've marked May 1st as my "turn around date" for a lot (I don't believe in just New Year's Day as the only goal setting day of the year). I've just spent a few hours clearing up the back log and getting posts ready to go. From this weekend out, you'll see regular updates on Sundays. If the Sunday post was volume 1, check back on Monday for a possible bonus post for volume 2. Wednesdays in April will be a slew of "bonus" posts to hopefully make up for my March absence. I'm also going to try to prepare some bonus posts since Book Links has been focused on Graphic Novels, which is an interesting surprise (They reviewed Axe Cop of all things!).
Enjoy!
March is a crazy month for me. It seems that March is one of the few months of the year (the others being May and October for sure) that I just get hit with workshops, programs, meetings, and all sorts of obligations that I must meet (or want to meet). Generally, I chose this craziness, but this March, I almost over scheduled myself because I wasn't using the right planning calendar. Oops...
Which means, I didn't pay attention to the blog. It's sad really. I have so much "back log" review-wise you'd think I'd be ready to go, but I just don't feel like booting the computer up some days, especially after spending a day staring at the computer for various reasons. I'm going to try to change this, and also try to warn you if there seems to be some down time happening.
What's going to happen now
April is my "new leaf" month, at least for the blog. Really, I've marked May 1st as my "turn around date" for a lot (I don't believe in just New Year's Day as the only goal setting day of the year). I've just spent a few hours clearing up the back log and getting posts ready to go. From this weekend out, you'll see regular updates on Sundays. If the Sunday post was volume 1, check back on Monday for a possible bonus post for volume 2. Wednesdays in April will be a slew of "bonus" posts to hopefully make up for my March absence. I'm also going to try to prepare some bonus posts since Book Links has been focused on Graphic Novels, which is an interesting surprise (They reviewed Axe Cop of all things!).
Enjoy!
Bride of the Water God - vol. 5
Title: Bride of the Water God Vol. 5
Author: Mi-Kyung Yun
Illustrator: Mi-Kyung Yun
Publisher: Dark Horse, Manhwa
Copyright: 2010 (2007)
Price: $9.99
ISBN: 978-1-59582-445-5
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Mui/Habaek has decided it is time to make a formal proposal to Soah, but just as she’s going to give him an answer, another human woman arrives. Soah asks Habaek to save the woman because she was in that position before, but no one is prepared for the woman to look like Nakbin, Habaek’s first human bride. What ensues is a story of push-pull as Soah does not know who to trust and enemies in friends are revealed. Complicated plot lines and a constant change in the characters keeps readers on their toes in this high fantasy fairy-tale. A bonus story included at the end shows readers the full story of Mui/Habaek’s first meeting with Soah.
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Will Teens Like It? Mature and older teens.
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Things to be aware of: Nothing
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Further Thoughts: The re-introduction of Nakbin sends the story into a new direction. Who is she? What is her story? Not much in this volume, but what readers want to know is whether or not Mui/Habaek loves Soah still or is he in love with Nakbin? Toward the end of the volume, the discovery of Huye’s alliance shows readers that he is not someone to be trusted (which I think has been there throughout the story). I admit this is a very confusing story because every time you think you have it figured out, the story changes. To me, that makes a good read and if readers can keep up with the varying plot lines, I promise you that the next volume you’ll start seeing the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. The art continues to be superb.
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Bonus: A short story showing when Habaek first falls for Soah.
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Source: Library copy.
Author: Mi-Kyung Yun
Illustrator: Mi-Kyung Yun
Publisher: Dark Horse, Manhwa
Copyright: 2010 (2007)
Price: $9.99
ISBN: 978-1-59582-445-5
-----------
Summary and Quick Thoughts: Mui/Habaek has decided it is time to make a formal proposal to Soah, but just as she’s going to give him an answer, another human woman arrives. Soah asks Habaek to save the woman because she was in that position before, but no one is prepared for the woman to look like Nakbin, Habaek’s first human bride. What ensues is a story of push-pull as Soah does not know who to trust and enemies in friends are revealed. Complicated plot lines and a constant change in the characters keeps readers on their toes in this high fantasy fairy-tale. A bonus story included at the end shows readers the full story of Mui/Habaek’s first meeting with Soah.
---------
Will Teens Like It? Mature and older teens.
--------
Things to be aware of: Nothing
----------
Further Thoughts: The re-introduction of Nakbin sends the story into a new direction. Who is she? What is her story? Not much in this volume, but what readers want to know is whether or not Mui/Habaek loves Soah still or is he in love with Nakbin? Toward the end of the volume, the discovery of Huye’s alliance shows readers that he is not someone to be trusted (which I think has been there throughout the story). I admit this is a very confusing story because every time you think you have it figured out, the story changes. To me, that makes a good read and if readers can keep up with the varying plot lines, I promise you that the next volume you’ll start seeing the pieces of the puzzle fall into place. The art continues to be superb.
-----
Bonus: A short story showing when Habaek first falls for Soah.
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Source: Library copy.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The HarperCollins Issue
"You know, the general public still doesn't know about this," The Philosopher Musician said to me last night after I brought up my continual annoyance at the HarperCollins Issue.
"Yeah. Yet another quiet battle the quiet librarians are fighting for their readers." I said quietly and in disgust.
Despite the NYTimes article, despite BoingBoing, despite the major news circuits and Twitter, I wonder how much the general population realizes is at stake. As I look for more information on this I can't help but find that these are the facts:
What I'm asking for at the moment, is that librarians don't give into this decision. In fact, I say we take it to the public and post a huge notice on the OverDrive page. Those who use the service will see it. We also need to make it clear that something like this is only in the interest of the publisher, not the reader. This is not in the interest of the libraries. Boycotting the books will not help as the works that are popular include HarperCollins works. As it stands, HarperCollins is winning the publicity side of things, too. Of all the (top 5) book publishers, HarperCollins has the social media side down pat. I see tweets daily from HaperTeen and HarperChildren.
Since the digital age began, publishers have seen libraries as "the bad guys." What publishers often see is "$." What librarians see are people and readers. What has happened and what will continue to happen is that readers will get their books the way they've always gotten them: through the library or purchase them, and at that, either used or new. You cannot control the buyer. Please stop trying to control the buyer. This nonsense has to stop. We need the right to purchase a book and to purchase it where we want to purchase it; or, we need the right to borrow it where we want to borrow it.
PS: We can actually make a difference as OverDrive is trying to determine what to do next (I don't expect an answer overnight, but it'd be good if it were before the month is out).
"Yeah. Yet another quiet battle the quiet librarians are fighting for their readers." I said quietly and in disgust.
Despite the NYTimes article, despite BoingBoing, despite the major news circuits and Twitter, I wonder how much the general population realizes is at stake. As I look for more information on this I can't help but find that these are the facts:
- HarperCollins wants to limit circs to 26 times per title (meaning if 50 people want it, 24 are shit out of luck, go buy it, or ask the library to buy more copies but suffer when it comes to other best sellers you want now).
- Librarians are currently trying to boycott HarperCollins from not touching the books to not purchasing (no offense, but not a smart move considering they are quite the mover and shaker in publishing...or rather the publisher a lot of books. Boycotting their eBooks makes more sense).
- A lot more is at stake than I think people realize (Librarian by Day).
What I'm asking for at the moment, is that librarians don't give into this decision. In fact, I say we take it to the public and post a huge notice on the OverDrive page. Those who use the service will see it. We also need to make it clear that something like this is only in the interest of the publisher, not the reader. This is not in the interest of the libraries. Boycotting the books will not help as the works that are popular include HarperCollins works. As it stands, HarperCollins is winning the publicity side of things, too. Of all the (top 5) book publishers, HarperCollins has the social media side down pat. I see tweets daily from HaperTeen and HarperChildren.
Since the digital age began, publishers have seen libraries as "the bad guys." What publishers often see is "$." What librarians see are people and readers. What has happened and what will continue to happen is that readers will get their books the way they've always gotten them: through the library or purchase them, and at that, either used or new. You cannot control the buyer. Please stop trying to control the buyer. This nonsense has to stop. We need the right to purchase a book and to purchase it where we want to purchase it; or, we need the right to borrow it where we want to borrow it.
PS: We can actually make a difference as OverDrive is trying to determine what to do next (I don't expect an answer overnight, but it'd be good if it were before the month is out).
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