Title: Wanted
Author: Matsuri Hino
Illustrator: Matsuri Hino
Publisher: Shojo Beat Manga (Viz, Inc.)
Copyright: 2008
Price: $8.99
ISBN: 978-1-4215-1934-0
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Pirates never let a lady board their ship, but what happens when Armeria, dressed as a boy and calling herself Arto, secures a position on the Pirate Skulls ship? For Armeria, it is her search for Luce who was kidnapped the night he saved her from ruining her voice and showed her the flower of her namesake. Surprises abound though when after one stupid mistake, Armeria’s ruse is discovered and Captain Skulls tells her Luce is dead. But, how can it be that the captain looks so much like her beloved Luce and why does Doc have the same tattoo? Wanted is a collection of three stories featuring Arto/Armeria and Captain Skulls as they sail the ocean in search of treasure and act like pirate Robin Hoods.
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Recommended Audience: older teens
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Things to be aware of: female nudity (chest), prostitution/brothels
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Further Thoughts: Wanted is a fun adventure on the high seas as Armeria and Captian Skulls travel the ocean. Her voice is his heaven and each tale returns to her love of singing, a treasure to the Pirate Skulls. I honestly wanted the adventure to keep going due to the chemistry between these characters, but the author says she may or may not return to it. I’m doubtful we’ll see any more at this time as her other work Vampire Knight is taking off. Hino is also the creator of the short run series Captive Hearts. A perfect one shot manga title for libraries with limited budgets and limited space, but want lots of circulations. An added bonus is another love story of a lady who learns to speak her mind in a bygone era (Meiji Era) because of love. Just lovely and entertaining!
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Bonus:
Source: Library copy.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Batten Down the Hatches
So...Hurricane Irene. We've prepped, we keep prepping (Me: "Hon, what if we lose water?" Him: "Dear, we'll probably be ok."), and I know we'll reach a point where we can't prep any more. We aren't in a spot where we'll have to evacuate (I think), but there is a shelter opening up tonight. The closest river is on the other side of the county city, which is a few miles and up a bit of a bank. We have a pond nearby but I think the ground is graded enough and we're on the second floor.
We have a radio. We have books. I have crafting (a treadle sewing machine of all things!). I'm trying not to panic, but the last 24 hours or so, I've surprisingly been panicked. "Don't panic. Always travel with a towel." (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).Why does this make sense in a hurricane all of a sudden?
I do have a plan though should power go out for more than about 2 or 3 days: Mom's, which is about 2 hours west and should be ok. When I was in middle school and Dad lost power due to that Hurricane, we kids eventually wound up there ("Mom has running water! And power!"). Although, that is also dependent on work.
At this time, it is dark for 7:30 PM (I think), which means that more of the Hurricane is here. We're probably not going to have any major problems, but seeing as this is my first one on my own, I'm still a little panicked. There has been a surprising amount of panic here. I've seen so many pictures of empty bread shelves (good thing I'm g-free and don't care) and hearing about how stores don't have milk and eggs (which is useless people, if the power goes out for more than a day) and how there's no bottled water (what about using water pitchers and bottles at home? We've filled everything we can find and then some. Thank you water filter pitcher).
I'm actually planning to get away from this computer and all the Hurricane Irene coverage in order to calm down. The Philosopher Musician made pudding but I'm so stressed I'm afraid to eat it. I know this is stress because I made it to PAYA today, despite the weather. I was relaxed and had fun. I love seeing this event happen, but am sorry about the timing (of the Hurricane that is). I think more librarians stayed home and a slew of authors didn't come out. I only stayed an hour so I could get home earlier to wait the storm out. All that time, I felt fine and even ate my lunch. Now home, I'm stressing and panicked.
Here's the plan though: I have a ton of books to read and surprisingly I've decided to reread a series I devoured as a teen, and my first manga: Mars. It is interesting to read it now as a 20-something in a relationship instead of a single, never-been-kissed, semi-outcast teen. I am looking out for the idea of rape culture, bloated ideals, and the idea that "he'll be there to save her." Rei, the male lead, was not there for Kira, the female lead, when the popular girls threw out her shoes in the first volume. He does take her home though (on his motorcycle. Oh bad boy). I'm wondering what adult me will have to say about the series, while teen me was like "OH OH I want to read the next volume! Why do I have to WAIT? GAH. SO ROMANTIC!" (Or how adult me is feeling about Bride of the Water God and Chi's Sweet Home, minus romance in that one.) So far, the bits I have reread (out of order) has me saying "that's convenient" to a lot and "that's romantic."
All in all, I guess we're as prepared as we'll be. Most of the hurricane will pass through while we're sleeping so tomorrow morning will definitely be interesting. I have stuff to do, with or without power. Our cats are being cute and trying to comfort us or me (one cat is sleeping so beautifully on the couch with me) and I am thankful I'm at home with my family (The Philosopher Musician and the cats). Here's hoping my friends are safe and we'll be safe.
UPDATE: I ate some of the pudding as The Philosopher Musician proofed this..
We have a radio. We have books. I have crafting (a treadle sewing machine of all things!). I'm trying not to panic, but the last 24 hours or so, I've surprisingly been panicked. "Don't panic. Always travel with a towel." (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy).Why does this make sense in a hurricane all of a sudden?
I do have a plan though should power go out for more than about 2 or 3 days: Mom's, which is about 2 hours west and should be ok. When I was in middle school and Dad lost power due to that Hurricane, we kids eventually wound up there ("Mom has running water! And power!"). Although, that is also dependent on work.
At this time, it is dark for 7:30 PM (I think), which means that more of the Hurricane is here. We're probably not going to have any major problems, but seeing as this is my first one on my own, I'm still a little panicked. There has been a surprising amount of panic here. I've seen so many pictures of empty bread shelves (good thing I'm g-free and don't care) and hearing about how stores don't have milk and eggs (which is useless people, if the power goes out for more than a day) and how there's no bottled water (what about using water pitchers and bottles at home? We've filled everything we can find and then some. Thank you water filter pitcher).
I'm actually planning to get away from this computer and all the Hurricane Irene coverage in order to calm down. The Philosopher Musician made pudding but I'm so stressed I'm afraid to eat it. I know this is stress because I made it to PAYA today, despite the weather. I was relaxed and had fun. I love seeing this event happen, but am sorry about the timing (of the Hurricane that is). I think more librarians stayed home and a slew of authors didn't come out. I only stayed an hour so I could get home earlier to wait the storm out. All that time, I felt fine and even ate my lunch. Now home, I'm stressing and panicked.
Here's the plan though: I have a ton of books to read and surprisingly I've decided to reread a series I devoured as a teen, and my first manga: Mars. It is interesting to read it now as a 20-something in a relationship instead of a single, never-been-kissed, semi-outcast teen. I am looking out for the idea of rape culture, bloated ideals, and the idea that "he'll be there to save her." Rei, the male lead, was not there for Kira, the female lead, when the popular girls threw out her shoes in the first volume. He does take her home though (on his motorcycle. Oh bad boy). I'm wondering what adult me will have to say about the series, while teen me was like "OH OH I want to read the next volume! Why do I have to WAIT? GAH. SO ROMANTIC!" (Or how adult me is feeling about Bride of the Water God and Chi's Sweet Home, minus romance in that one.) So far, the bits I have reread (out of order) has me saying "that's convenient" to a lot and "that's romantic."
All in all, I guess we're as prepared as we'll be. Most of the hurricane will pass through while we're sleeping so tomorrow morning will definitely be interesting. I have stuff to do, with or without power. Our cats are being cute and trying to comfort us or me (one cat is sleeping so beautifully on the couch with me) and I am thankful I'm at home with my family (The Philosopher Musician and the cats). Here's hoping my friends are safe and we'll be safe.
UPDATE: I ate some of the pudding as The Philosopher Musician proofed this..
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Little Endless Storybook
Title: The Endless Storybook
Author: Jill Thompson
Illustrator: Jill Thompson
Publisher: DC Comics (Vertigo)
Copyright: 2001/2004
Price: $9.95
ISBN: 1-4012-0428-7
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Delirium has a puppy, named Barnabas, and together they have adventures (well, as much as Delirium can have adventures I think). As she goes off to play, so does her puppy and suddenly, both realize the other is lost. So begins Barnabas’s journey to find Delirium since he is her playmate and also her protector. Barnabas’s journey takes him to the homes of the other Endless siblings who offer advice and a charm, but will that help him find Delirium? Based on Neil Gaiman’s Sandman characters, this story book tells a single story from Delirium’s childhood for fans to enjoy and go “awww.”
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Recommended Audience: Adults (book recommends “mature”)
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Things to be aware of: Nothing
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Further Thoughts: Yes, this is a spinoff from the popular Sandman stories written by the fantastic Neil Gaiman (Newbery winner of The Graveyard Book). Jill Thompson has worked with Gaiman and crafted the “chibi” style and Dream’s family as children. Simply put, this is a delightful, fun and cute tale illustrated with what looks to be line art and water colors. I will admit, I didn’t know what to expect from this little story, but was happy to find a fun, sweet-hearted tale of crazy little Delirium and her siblings. The only side-note I have to offer is that this isn’t exactly a graphic novel. It is more of an illustrated story as there is a story on one page and an illustration on the other page. It is best placed with graphic novels so that Sandman fans can find it, although fans who want to read it will find it one way or another. I found it by browsing the graphic novel section of the library. This title is a must-read for Sandman fans and a story that helps to broaden the story realm of The Endless.
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Bonus: I’m posting this now because I remember coming across Delirium’s further adventures with her sister. The latest Little Endless Storybook was recently highlighted in a review journal (I can’t remember which! Sorry. I read VOYA, Kirkus, and School Library Journal so it was one of those three in the last two months).
Source: Library copy.
Author: Jill Thompson
Illustrator: Jill Thompson
Publisher: DC Comics (Vertigo)
Copyright: 2001/2004
Price: $9.95
ISBN: 1-4012-0428-7
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Delirium has a puppy, named Barnabas, and together they have adventures (well, as much as Delirium can have adventures I think). As she goes off to play, so does her puppy and suddenly, both realize the other is lost. So begins Barnabas’s journey to find Delirium since he is her playmate and also her protector. Barnabas’s journey takes him to the homes of the other Endless siblings who offer advice and a charm, but will that help him find Delirium? Based on Neil Gaiman’s Sandman characters, this story book tells a single story from Delirium’s childhood for fans to enjoy and go “awww.”
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Recommended Audience: Adults (book recommends “mature”)
--------
Things to be aware of: Nothing
----------
Further Thoughts: Yes, this is a spinoff from the popular Sandman stories written by the fantastic Neil Gaiman (Newbery winner of The Graveyard Book). Jill Thompson has worked with Gaiman and crafted the “chibi” style and Dream’s family as children. Simply put, this is a delightful, fun and cute tale illustrated with what looks to be line art and water colors. I will admit, I didn’t know what to expect from this little story, but was happy to find a fun, sweet-hearted tale of crazy little Delirium and her siblings. The only side-note I have to offer is that this isn’t exactly a graphic novel. It is more of an illustrated story as there is a story on one page and an illustration on the other page. It is best placed with graphic novels so that Sandman fans can find it, although fans who want to read it will find it one way or another. I found it by browsing the graphic novel section of the library. This title is a must-read for Sandman fans and a story that helps to broaden the story realm of The Endless.
------
Bonus: I’m posting this now because I remember coming across Delirium’s further adventures with her sister. The latest Little Endless Storybook was recently highlighted in a review journal (I can’t remember which! Sorry. I read VOYA, Kirkus, and School Library Journal so it was one of those three in the last two months).
Source: Library copy.
Monday, August 22, 2011
What am I doing Saturday? Going to PAYA!
It's that time of year again! PA to YA is happening again! Hurrah! This is a great way to support PA Libraries and Young Adult Lit being in those libraries. So, be there. August 27. More information, times, and the authors who will be there available HERE. Funds and such will benefit PA Libraries.
And there are a few bonus things JUST FOR PA LIBRARIANS, which makes it more exciting!!
Hope to see you there!
And there are a few bonus things JUST FOR PA LIBRARIANS, which makes it more exciting!!
Hope to see you there!
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