September 2017 – Looking For a Good Book

September 30, 2017

THE AMBER AMULET – Craig Silvey

This is an unusual children’s bedtime tale. Liam McKenzie is a twelve-year-old boy who patrols his neighborhood (at least his block) at night, wearing a mask and a cape and answers to the name of Masked Avenger. His faithful companion, Ritchie – a beagle – patrols at his side. On the block is a red-headed Continue reading

CHILDREN’S

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Children’s Books, Reviews, superheroes

September 29, 2017

FIENDISH SCHEMES – K. W. Jeter

I… Oh, boy. I don’t know what to say. I can’t recall the last time I was so bored with a book. This book is a sequel to K.W. Jeter’s Infernal Devices, which I have not read. And based on this, I’m going to stay away from it. Jeter is credited with coining the phrase Continue reading

SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized

1 Star, Book Reviews, Books, Reviews, SF/Fantasy

September 28, 2017

THEATER OF FEAR AND HORROR – Mel Gordon

THROWBACK THURSDAY: REVIEWING A REISSUE I’ve heard of the Grand Guignol of Paris and that it was horror or even depraved theatre, but I didn’t really know too much about it. It’s not the sort of theatre taught in the local colleges. The sub-title, I think, really gets it right when calling it a “grisly Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, NON-FICTION, Uncategorized

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Entertainment, non-fiction, Plays, Reviews, Theatre

September 27, 2017

CLEOPATRA: I AM FIRE AND AIR – Harold Bloom

Shakespeare scholar Harold Bloom explores one of Shakespeare’s most intriguing personalities with his book Cleopatra: I am Fire and Air. Bloom clearly appreciates the literary character and writes not only about the character as written, but also as performed by some of the bigger named or more famous actresses. Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra is not Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, NON-FICTION

5 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Mythology/Legend, non-fiction, Reviews, Theatre

September 26, 2017

STAN LEE: THE MAN BEHIND MARVEL – Bob Batchelor

Like many baby-boomers, I grew up reading comics and thinking of Stan Lee as that crazy but lovable uncle who knows how to talk to kids. Plus, he worked in comics – how cool is that?! While I was big into comics for much of the 1970’s I didn’t really stay with it, but I Continue reading

ENTERTAINMENT, GRAPHIC NOVEL, MEMOIR, NON-FICTION, Uncategorized

4 stars, Biography, Book Reviews, Books, comic book superheroes, Entertainment, Graphic Novels, non-fiction, Reviews, superheroes

September 25, 2017

CROSSTALK – Connie Willis

In the near future couples hoping to prove their love for one another, and wanting to increase the emotional bond between each other, can have a simple medical procedure that increases the empathy between partners. Good-looking billionaire Trent Worth has insisted that he and the lovely Briddey Flannigan (hey work for a mobile phone manufacturer Continue reading

ROMANCE, SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Reviews, Romance, SF/Fantasy

September 22, 2017

THE APOTHECARY’S CURSE – Barbara Barnett

There is a romantic quality to this fantasy that is subtle but ever-present and works well for this story. Oddly enough, I had just finished another mystery in which an immortal apothecary was seeking a book of ancient writing that provided the secret to immortality when I started this book. It wasn’t an intended synergy Continue reading

MYSTERY, SF/FANTASY

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Mystery, Reviews, SF/Fantasy

September 21, 2017

SPUTNIK’S CHILDREN – Terri Favro

WARNING — THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS This was … well … unusual. Debbie Reynolds Biondi is a comic book creator and writer who achieved fame for her superhero series “Sputnik Chick Girl with No Past.” It’s been 20+ years and much of Biondi’s life is now attending conventions, signing autographs, and listening to fan Continue reading

SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized

4 stars, Book Reviews, Books, Reviews, SF/Fantasy

September 20, 2017

MUSIC TIME – Gwendolyn Hooks

This is a thirty-three page Easy Reader book intended for those youngsters who’ve just discovered the joy of reading, and hopefully getting them interested in music as well. In many ways it does just what it sets out to do. It is short. The stories (there are multiple chapters in this brief book) are simple Continue reading

CHILDREN’S

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Children’s Books, Music, Reviews

September 19, 2017

TWILIGHT OF THE DRAGONS – Andy Remic

I just finished the first book in this series, The Dragon Engine, and I jumped right in to this next book because I was on such an octane high from the story. Author Andy Remic picks up right where the previous book left off and adds some complications (as if Beetrax, Lillith, Dake, and Talon needed Continue reading

SF/FANTASY, Uncategorized

3 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Reviews, SF/Fantasy

September 18, 2017

HOW TO DRAW COOL STUFF: HOLIDAYS, SEASONS AND EVENTS – Catherine V. Holmes

“How to Draw…” books typically don’t impress me, but this is now the second book of this sort from Catherine V. Holmes that has excited me for what it is doing. Holmes breaks down a drawing so that it starts with very obvious, basic shapes and then she adds bits and pieces so that the Continue reading

NON-FICTION, OTHER, Uncategorized

5 Stars, Art, Book Reviews, Books, non-fiction, Reviews

September 15, 2017

THE RETURNED – Jason Mott

The dead are coming back to life. Not as zombies or ghosts or any other form of ‘undead’ supernatural creatures, but as themselves, just as they were when they left their mortal coil. It is an interesting concept. As much as we miss those who have passed away, and as hard as it is to Continue reading

SF/FANTASY, YA

2 Stars, Book Reviews, Books, Reviews, SF/Fantasy, Young Adult