Estella's Revenge: monthly wrap up

Showing posts with label monthly wrap up. Show all posts

Tuesday, March 03, 2015

February Reading Wrap Up!

February wasn't a good month for novels in number, but the quality of the two novels I read, alongside the ton of comics and graphic novels, made this a fantastic reading month.

Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer, is the first novel in the Southern Reach trilogy. This short novel is a lot of fun in a scary, Lost sort of way.

The Testament of Mary, by Colm Toibin, is a non-traditional look at the mother of God. In this particular take, she's an aging, somewhat bitter woman reflecting on her son's life.

I just love Lucy Knisley. I know I say that every time I post about her work, but it's just so true! While I favored Displacement over An Age of License, Knisley's work is always a delight for me.

Single issue comics were in no short supply this month. As always, Lumberjanes continues to be a big, adventurous, beautiful winner. I zipped through all six issues of Ares and Aphrodite, and I gobbled up the most recent issue of my favorite series, Alex + Ada.

I really wasn't a fan of Bitch Planet when it first came out, but now that it's delving into some of the characters' backstories, it's becoming much more interesting to me. I hate to keep comparing books to TV shows, but this one smacks of Orange is the New Black, but far more brutal. I'll be doing a dedicated review of this one soon!

Batgirl #39 continued the drama! Batgirl has become a target for the media and a whole lotta haters.

Wild's End is a stunning series that doesn't get enough love. I read issues 4-6 this month.

I thought there was a good chance I wouldn't like Edward Scissorhands in comics format, but I looooove it. Another dedicated review coming soon!

What was your favorite book you read this month?

Sunday, February 01, 2015

Sunday Salon: January 2015 Reading Wrap Up!

January! You most definitely did not suck!

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel was my first finished book of the year, and I can't think of any other book I'd rather have to kick off a new year of reading. So good! So atmospheric!

An Untamed State, by Roxane Gay, ripped my heart right on out, but it was so worthwhile.

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly, by Sun-Mi Hwang, was a really fast read packed with meaning. It's unusual to find a short book this affecting.

Birds of a Lesser Paradise, by Megan Mayhew Bergman, was the first short story collection I've finished in a while, and it was absolutely engrossing. Full of damaged people and the animals that help move them in a new direction. Review on the way!

Batgirl #38 by Brenden Fletcher, Cameron Stewart, and Babs Tarr keeps the good times rolling...for the reader. Barbara Gordon is catching some flack for some decisions she's made as Batgirl. Juicy!

Ares and Aphrodite: Love Wars #1-3, by Jamie S. Rich and Megan Levens, is a brand new comic com Oni Press. Will Ares is a divorce attorney and Gigi Averelle is the wedding planner for one of his biggest clients. Lots of love craziness and super cute illustrations.

Alex + Ada #7-#12 by Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughan is amazing. I've already bragged on these enough.

Family, by J. California Cooper, was an amazing novel. I'm completely new to J. California Cooper's work, but I will definitely read more. Looking forward to reviewing this one!

Wonder Woman: Blood, by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chang, was definitely my least favorite book of the month. While I enjoyed diving into a Wonder Woman comic, I did find the storytelling sort of hard to follow at times. It was a combo of jumpy-feeling artwork and the actual text. I may try the second volume, but I'm a little undecided at this point.

How did your reading go in January? Would love to hear any recommendations you have to give!

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Sunday, November 02, 2014

October in Review!

Thanks to the Readathon, October was a great reading month! Without it, I'm not sure where I'd be. October was a mish-mash of novels, short stories, nonfiction and single-issue comics, and there were some definite stars in each group.

I can't pick a hands-down favorite this month, but I loved...

Short stories really seemed to take the cake, which Incendiary Girls and Spoiled Brats both blowing my socks off. I've already posted my glowing review of Spoiled Brats, and I can't wait to glow about Incendiary Girls later in the week.

I accidentally left Lumberjanes #7 out of my graphic up top. I adored this issue just as I've adored all the rest, so I want to take a moment to praise another great comic I read this month. Wild's End #1, by Dan Abnett and I.N.J. Culbard.

Inspired by the sci-fi aesthetic of War of the Worlds and the anthropomorphic characters of Blacksad and Mouse Guard, readers will be blown away by Culbard’s art. When a rural English community of the 1930s is the victim of an alien invasion, the residents’ lives are upended. Led by the town’s outsider and retired war veteran, they will have to rally together to uncover the secret of their invaders and ultimately fight back. (via Boom! Studios website)

I'm itching for more issues of this. The artwork is just breathtaking, and the characters are unique and fun, amidst all the alien invading. I have a feeling there's much more to uncover about these folks in future issues.

What impressed you in October?

Sunday, August 03, 2014

July 2014 Reading Wrap-Up!

HOW IS JULY OVER??? That means August is HERE, and I'll be right back to teaching online composition courses in addition to my regular eight-to-fiver. It makes me tired just thinking about it.

BUT, July was a month of reading. Or maybe "a month of looking at pictures." Even if a large chunk of my reading was graphic novels and picture books. It's been a long time since I've gone on an image binge, so it felt kinda good!

The Zoo Box, by Ariel Cohn and Aron Nels Steinke, was a cute graphic novel for the younger set. When the parents go out of the house for an evening, a young girl and her brother become part of a human zoo!

Cinnamon and Gunpowder, by Eli Brown, was a rollicking sea adventure with beautiful writing, a really fun plot, and quirky characters. It doesn't get any better.

Horrorstor, by Grady Hendrix, is one of the most unusual novels I've read in a while. Formatted like an IKEA catalog, this horror story plays out in a knockoff of the retail mecca. Thoughts coming closer to publication time!

The Shadow Hero, by Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew, was a big hit for me. I love everything Yang does, and this was no exception. A multicultural graphic novel about the first Asian American superhero!

Sweet Tooth: Animal Armies (volume 3), by Jeff Lemire keeps this great series rolling. I can't get enough of Gus, his animal hybrid friends, and the forces of good and evil at war.

Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys, by Stephen James and David Thomas, was a book I found on Literary Lindsey's blog, and I knew straight off I had to have it. Non-fiction about boys' developmental stages? Yes, please! I have a boisterous 4-year-old at home, so this is my bag. More coming soon!

And speaking of my boisterous 4-year-old, he got some new picture books this month that we're really enjoying.

I won Pig and Small, by Alex Latimer, and Stanley the Builder, by William Bee, during Armchair BEA. My son was keen to start reading both when they came into the house. Pig and Small seems to be the winner of his affections for now, but that can change.

And you might remember that I already reviewed Pumpkin Time, by Erzsi Deák! There's still time to win your own copy of this adorable book about gardening and seasons right over here.

How was your July? What's on your plate for August?

Thursday, July 03, 2014

June Reading Wrap-Up!

Not much to wrap up here, kids. Not much to wrap at all! I can't complain too much, though, because June was a month of fun with my kiddo and it was a month of great developments writing-wise. So yay!

While I only managed to complete three books this month, they were all EXCELLENT. I gave Ruby 5/5 stars on Goodreads and Delancey and The Book of Life both nabbed 4/5 stars.

July is a month of big reading plans!

My book club chose East of Eden for our July discussion, so I'm off and running with that. I'm also feeling the need for some short, quality reading, so I jumped into the third volume of Sweet Tooth called "Animal Armies." And y'all know I love me some Gene Luen Yang, so I grabbed The Shadow Hero.

It was also a pretty good month for BookTubing! I managed to work up five videos in June...

And since I'll be spending time with family, cooking out and having a few cocktails for the Fourth of July tomorrow, I bid you adieu until next week! Be safe and have a great weekend!

Monday, June 02, 2014

May Reading Wrap-Up!

May was an excellent month. I finally feel like I'm getting back into the groove I was in last summer which was an awesome groove to be in. I've been looking for this groove ever since the first of the year! The Bout of Books 10 put me back on course with plenty of five-star reads.

The House at the End of Hope Street, by Menna van Praag wasn't the greatest for me, but it was a cute way to start the month.

Upstairs at the White House, by J.B. West was a significant step up. I can always count on good non-fiction to boost my reading.

The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri, was a stellar look at the Indian immigrant experience, and it wrestled with lots of issues of identity, and I'm always down for that.

The Enchanted, by Rene Denfeld, was a home run. Magical, brutal, and just an enthralling story.

Sweet Tooth, volumes 1 and 2, by Jeff Lemire were some of the best graphic novel reading I've done in a while. I liked 'em better than Saga. I know!

The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss, was a big change of pace. It's been forever since I read any epic fantasy, and I couldn't have picked a better book to rekindle that interest.

We Were Liars, by e. lockhart. Just read it.

When She Woke, by Hillary Jordan, is my book club pick for June, but I couldn't wait to pick it up.

As you can see, I have a lot of books from this month left to review, so stay tuned! I have much gushing to do.

How did your May reading turn out?

Monday, May 05, 2014

April Reading Wrap-Up

April reading did not suck as hard as it could've. I've still been in a vicious slump, but all terrible reading crags must come to an end sometime. With the end of the semester in sight, and my too-many-online-classes winding down, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

I read six books in April, and I really enjoyed them all. It seems I've managed to shake off most of the "sea of threes" syndrome from previous months, as I think everything I read this month was rated four or better on Goodreads.