Chopsticks: A Novel

Title: Chopsticks: A Novel
Author: Jessica Anthony
Illustrator: Rodrigo Corral
Publisher: Razorbill (Penguin Group)
Copyright: 2012
Price: $19.99
ISBN: 978-1-59514-435-5
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Piano prodigy Glory Fleming is bored, lonely, and tired of being forced into something she is not. She just wants to be a teenager, especially when she falls for the mysterious neighbor boy, Frank. As the two grow closer together, Glory’s playing falls apart. She stops mid performances and often finds herself breaking into themes and variations of “Chopsticks.” Essentially, readers work through Glory’s world before her disappearance and you are left to wonder what was real and what was not.
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Recommended Audience: high school
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Things to be aware of: nudity (drawings); swearing
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Further Thoughts: I know. This is not a graphic novel, but oddly enough, I could picture libraries placing this in the graphic novel section because the library just wasn’t sure how and where to catalog it. So, I read it and here’s my review:

It is a pretty work, but I’m confused and this book unsettled me.

I know I’m supposed to recognize that Frank was a figment of her imagination, but I’m so confused because of the evidence presented. I saw the overlaps easily in school logos and timing in regards to things that involved him and her, but still, I find myself confused by something. I think it is because he was actually presented as a physical person. I look at spreads to see the clues and I do, but my mind can’t process it like I think I’m supposed to. There are lots of positive reviews out there and I must admit I was interested in reading it. The only thing that makes sense to me is that she plays “Chopsticks” when she wants to imagine him or think of him because of the mention of notes F and G.

This is not a graphic novel. It is a scrap book and I suspect that the library copy I have has it in the right spot: Fiction. I think a professional journal called it a graphic novel while another called it fiction. I feel the photos and the lack of a comic book feel is what tips the scales for me regarding this book.

Overall, this is a pretty book, but I suspect it might need some reader’s advisory help in order to go out. It might appeal to the reluctant reader, or the artist, but overall it confused this reader.

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Source: Library copy.

What can you expect in my reviews?

I'm experimenting. I'm trying to write more, especially since I'm reminded of Ray Bradbury on this sad day. Also, my other blogging gig has been revealed.

Simply put, this is my explanation about my reviews here and over there.

1. Currently, I get GNs that are of interest to me or I feel I should read because everyone is talking them up. Mainly, the talking up bit is because, well, I should know about it and generally I have to wonder, if the librarians are talking it up, is it really that awesome (lately it has been 50/50)?
2. I get books from the library, Netgalley, purchasing them (wish I had more funds for that...I miss my manga habit) and if people give them to me for free (ARCs, friends, etc).
3. I will not hesitate to rip into a book (aka give it a negative review). If you want to know what I mean, please find the review on Marvel's Pride and Prejudice. I cannot stop talking about how much that book irked me and yet it got such high praise.
4. Since I sometimes give negative reviews, please look at it as another voice out there and not that I hate your book. I truly believe that books have their readers and places and that we can't all love the same books. If we did, life would probably be boring. On the other hand, I will make every effort to find some sort of positive in the book, be it that it is suited better to school librarians, adult readers (see Prime Baby as an example), etc, or that the art is pretty or the plot was pretty good but not for me. Negative reviews should exist and I find it my duty to tell you my thoughts on the book.
5. I'm writing from both a professional stance and that of a graphic novel reader. My main reading habits include the following: comics, graphic novels, manga, young adult books, and non-fiction for grown-ups. I dabble in chapter books and picture books (but picture books are so easy to read in a few minutes and so much fun). I will probably post YA once in a while, but like non-fiction for grown-ups, it is mainly pleasure reading and to improve my RA skills. Huzzah!
6. If you want a completely professional stance, visit The Graphic Classroom. They have great professional reviews and that is where you can find my "professional voice."
7. If it looks like I have a DC slant, I do and openly admit to the fact I love Batman. He is my favorite hero and have read a lot about him (and Catwoman). I will read other comics though. Believe me. I will read almost everything in a comic format (excepting gore. No. Way. Not my style.).
8. Not every comic/graphic novel I read will get reviewed. I gotta have my mind candy and truly pleasure reading. 
9. This blog exists mainly as a place to tell my friends and family (Hi Mom!) about what graphic novels to get for their libraries since I'm seen as some expert because I read comics. Go figure.

Ok. I think that's it regarding the "Important Stuff You Should Know" about my reviews. One of these weeks I'll get into:

• Why I don't read book blog book reviews.
• Why I tend to blog only reviews and very rarely other stuff.
• Why I love webcomics and eventually web comic reviews (or web comic book reviews)
• And other mysteries as I feel I have to explain them.

Lou!: Secret Diary

Title: Lou!: Secret Diary (volume 1)
Author: Julien Neel
Illustrator: Julien Neel
Publisher: Graphic Universe (Lerner)
Copyright: 2012
Price: $27.93
ISBN: 978-0-7613-8776-3
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Precocious tween Lou is in love with the boy across the street. How will she ever confess her love to him? Although, this is only one of the many problems she faces in this book. A few of the problems she faces include being taken seriously as a fashion designer, setting her mom up with the new neighbor, and helping her mom when it comes to a visit from Memaw (Grandma). Lou’s story is told in one to two page comic spreads that can easily be read in small sittings, but you have to read it in order as the spreads do build upon each other.
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Recommended Audience: upper elementary
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Things to be aware of: revealing clothing, characters in underwear.
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Further Thoughts: Oh look, another French import. My first thought when I grabbed this one was that I wasn’t going to enjoy it. Why? It was too bright, too kiddy, too girly, and lastly, it was Graphic Universe. I’m still not used to them putting out anything decent.

Well, this one was decent. Frankly, I enjoyed this a bit more than I thought I would. Lou is fun. Lou is actually really smart and a bit wise for her age of 12 going onto 13. Her mom is completely childish (I mistook her for an older sister in the beginning), but they obviously care about each other. Also, the timing in the comics is impeccable. I found something funny in everything, excepting Lou’s back story about her parents. That was just touching and I know that we’re going to be exploring that more in the future.

The art is colorful and things are easily recognizable, like cell phones and the now past Game Cube. I don’t think that detracts from the story though. It will be recognized as “video games” and the phone is still as cell phone. Otherwise, these are full color comics with fantastic, comedic details.

Any tween will easily relate from the fact their crush picks his nose to parent troubles to just general tween drama. A strong yet relatable heroine makes this a great pick for that tween generation.

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Source: Library copy.

Pandemonium

Title: Pandemonium (volume 1)
Author: Chris Wooding
Illustrator: Cassandra Diaz
Publisher: Graphix (Scholastic)
Copyright: 2012
Price: $12.99
ISBN: 978-0-439-87759-6
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Seifer Thombchewer (his last name from his grandfather who enjoys eating gravestones) thinks he leads a dull life. Seifer’s charismatic, he’s the star of the skullball team, and he has a loving family. Yet, he is drawn to the mountains, knowing that there is something over there and adventure is waiting. Adventure does come to him, though, in the form of kidnapping and being enlisted to pretend to be Prince Talon Pandemonium, Lord Defender of the Realm. The resemblance is uncanny, but there isn’t time to dwell on that as another force is determined on claiming part of the country. Pandemonium spends a lot of its first volume setting up the world and leaving us with way too many questions.
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Recommended Audience: Middle and High school readers
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Things to be aware of: violence, magic
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Further Thoughts: I know Chris Wooding for his YA work, which was a different kind of fairy story as far as I could tell. I’ve never read anything by him so this is my first exposure. Frankly, this title feels like a web comic type of story from the lack of back story to the art.

I picked up this title because it was a “Scholastic Graphic” title and thought “hey, this looks like something with potential.” My first glances, though, disappointed me. I wasn’t interested in the art and I thought it was rather weak. It looked like the artist’s first work, yet I found that as I read it, the art grew and seemed to be what the story needed, even if it is an odd pairing.

The story fits a web comic saga: spend time on the action and world building; then, start explaining stuff. In a way, it’s fine, but on the other hand, I’m worried that because of that set-up, this is all we will get from this series. I didn’t mind the adventure, but I somewhat wanted a little more information than I got about the Seifer-Talon connection (because it’s clear there is one). I certainly thought we’d get an explanation about the ring that shows up in the latter half of the book before the end, but nope. We’re left hanging, since the one character that had been explaining everything did not explain that before the end. Now, I wish this was in a web comic format so I can read more of this.

Overall, it’s a solid, fantasy story with a lot of world building, action, and good comic timing. I’m not sure I’d have purchased this based on a review, but on the other hand, it adds a nice change, especially in paperback. For some reason I keep thinking that this might appeal to readers of Amulet, but I have to admit I haven’t read Amulet yet to tell you if that is true. I’d like to see more of Seifer, but I hope that the next volume gives us a little more back story than this one.

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Source: Library copy.

Sense & Sensibility Marvel Adapation

Title: Sense & Sensibility
Author: Jane Austen (Adapted: Nancy Butler & Sonny Liew)
Illustrator: Sonny Liew
Publisher: Marvel
Copyright: 2010
Price: $19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4829-7
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: After the death of their father, the Dashwood daughters and their mother relocate to a small college. This is mainly due to their half-brother’s manipulating wife, but that’s ok as they will live happily there and marriage prospects look good. This is the story of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, their friendship and their romances. This is just an adaptation of the classic and collects the single issues published in fall 2010.
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Recommended Audience: Middle, high school, and adult
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Things to be aware of: None.
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Further Thoughts: Let me begin this by the fact that I was thoroughly expecting to snark my way through this book. Seriously. After the horrendous adaptation of Pride and Prejudice (click for my review), I expected to read this for the inconsistencies and the annoying, horrendous art.

Um. I was wrong. I was so crazy wrong. I’m so glad that this one is much, much better than the first which I still can’t believe actually made the New York Times Bestsellers (according to the back cover of this one).

Full disclosure: I have not read Sense & Sensibility, but have watched a few adaptations so I know the general story…sorta.

First, the art. I expected the art not to match the covers since that was obviously what happened with the first Austen adaptation. Nope. The art on the covers totally matched what was in the comic and I was thrilled. For me, half of the story is made up in the art from the nuances to the faces, the placing of characters, and how the scene is to be understood. One highlight of this work is that the characters are somewhat like caricatures, so when we slip into chibis (tiny bodies, large heads, in manga used to convey humor and cuteness) it was a natural shift and helped to add to the scene’s humor. I also never grew tired of the possibly screwed-up proportions. It just added to the story and the illustrator did a fantastic job conveying how the characters were feeling. My only complaint is how flushed everyone looked for most of the time. Occasionally I thought “who is going to be sick now?”

The text of the story is a bit wordy for a comic, but I’m not sure if there was any way to get around that. The narrated bits seemed out of place, but necessary. Having not read the text though, I cannot tell you where the liberties were taken for this story and what was original. I did feel that there were no essential parts left out this time like the major plot point missing in the Pride and Prejudice adaptation.

I’m impressed. I look forward to the next adaptation of Austen into comic style and hope that this success is only the beginning of more. Considering I’ve never read any other Austen (only got half-way through Emma), I’m hoping for an adaptation of Persuasion, as that movie adaptation only confused me. I’d also like to see how Mansfield Park could be improved upon as I tried to read that and couldn’t believe the stuff that character went to.

If you’re looking for more girl-centric stories and something that is mostly clean, this is a good selection. Well done Marvel. Not what I expected at all.

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Source: Library copy.

Baby's In Black

Title: Baby’s In Black
Author: Arne Bellstorf

Illustrator: Arne Bellstorf
Publisher: First Second (:01)

Copyright: [May 8] 2012

Price: $24.99

ISBN: 978-1596437715
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Before The Beatles made it big, they were performing in Germany. Instead of four band members, there were five and this was before Ringo. Paul, George, John, Pete, and Stu were performing a crazy amount of time in a club in a not so great part of town. This is not that story though. This is the story of Klaus, who discovers The Beatles and brings in his friends, including Astrid Kirchherr, whose eyes meet Stuart Sutcliff’s and the rest follows their tragic love story.

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Recommended Audience: adults

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Things to be aware of: smoking…in every panel
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Further Thoughts: I’m not a Beatles Nerd. I’m not necessarily a lover of The Beatles, but don’t mind when The Philosopher Musician puts their music on (probably one of the few things we can agree to in his car). I adored the movie Across the Universe (my intro to most of The Beatles music). I read the YA book that borrows from the song Across the Universe, but like A Million Suns, I had to be filled in by The Philosopher Musician regarding The Beatles and how the songs tied into this book and the YA books.

So, that explains my reaction to this book: lukewarm, excepting the last chapter, which almost made me cry.

The Philosopher Musician should really do this review. Instead, he’s busy with school work.

Baby’s in Black is the love story of Astrid Kirchherr and Stuart Sutcliff, the “fifth Beatle.” He’s really a trapped artist along for the ride because he likes John. Throughout the story, we watch as Astrid works on her English, Stuart works on his German, and they fall sweetly in love. He moves in, discovers his passion for art, watches his friends get deported, watches them come back, and so on and so forth. Then his health starts to deteriorate. He has “episodes” until finally he succumbs in a simply wordless (ellipses-filled) final chapter that pulls on your heart strings.

The last chapter is beautiful. I cannot express how the scenes, at first confusing, express emotions and words not said. You’ll want to cry reading the story, especially if you don’t know how the love story ends.

Sadly, I can’t say I liked the art much. Half the time I was thinking “which Beatle is that?” I couldn’t tell who was who, but after a while, I knew who Astrid was, I knew who Klaus was, and I knew who Stu was. Any “Beatle” that spoke was just “A Beatle” in my mind and for scenes where I couldn’t tell anyone apart, I just decided “dialogue.”

Overall, to sum it up, Baby’s in Black is a reference to a title of a Beatles song, which I did not know and wish I had known earlier. This book could have benefited from an intro instead of the small epilogue we got. Get it for the Beatles Lovers, but pass if you don’t have the budget.

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Bonus:

Source: NetGalley

Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Cardboard Box (#12)

Title: Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Cardboard Box (#12)
Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Retold by M. J. Cosson & Murray Shaw)

Illustrator: JT Morrow & Sophie Rohrbach
Publisher: Lerner Publishing

Copyright: 2012

Price: $27.93

ISBN: 978-0761370901
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Summary and Quick Thoughts: Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are called to help Lestrade investigate a mysterious package with disturbing contents sent to Miss Susan Cushing. Told in a bland tale about a bland adventure

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Recommended Audience: Upper Elementary

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Things to be aware of: Gross box contents
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Further Thoughts: When poking around Netgalley for interesting graphic novels to read I saw this title and thought “OH MY GOSH, Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Cardboard Box sounds great. What could be so mysterious about a cardboard box?” Sadly, it did not live up to the greatness that the title implies. If anything, I figured it’d be some hilarious zombie story that had me in stitches. Instead, it is the mystery of Miss Susan Cushing receiving a mysterious box with severed [spoiler] in it. BORING.

If this is a Sherlock Holmes story, I have yet to read this one or even hear about it or see it adapted with Jeremy Brett. Unless it was ages ago and I forgot, which tells you what I think the fate of this book will be: forgotten.

The text is unappealing. The art is unappealing (to me). The text is badly done: told not shown, not spiced up a bit. The words probably borrowed from Doyle or they were adapted to make it a more interesting and easier read for kids. Alas, it comes off stiff and dull. The art is not my thing at all. The characters are all bizarre shapes and Sherlock is a different skin tone than everyone else. Not to mention his chin: it grows, it shrinks. The only character who seems consistent and true to the tale is Dr. Watson.

Despite the word “adventure” in the title, this Sherlock Holmes lacks it. Pass for better adaptations, which I know are out there.

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Bonus:

Source: Netgalley.