Category: Reviews

Novel Review: Confessions of A Jane Austen Addict by Laurie Viera Rigler

Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict (Jane Austen Addict, #1)Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

by Laurie Viera Rigler

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

A light fluffy quick read about a modern woman who “wakes up” in “Jane Austen’s” England in someone else’s life. Wasn’t super substantial (either time, or content) but I enjoyed myself (for the most part).

I did appreciate the fact that the author/main character could quote from Austen’s “smaller” novels like “Northanger Abbey” and “Persuasion”. Austen is NOT only about Pride & Prejudiced people! [<– This is my mini-rant about Austen-inspired novels]

The references get a little heavy in some areas, particularly the end, which unfortunately concludes like a school research paper.

When an Austen fan (me) is reading a story about an Austen fan living in Austen’s world it’s difficult not to be hyper-aware of the wild inaccuracies. I won’t explain them here, because I don’t want to turn my book review into an Austen biography, and because you can have the pleasure of pointing them out yourself.

The story had potential, but I don’t believe was successfully realized. There was a “paralleling” between the heroine’s old life in Modern L.A. and her new life which didn’t seem to have weight – which is probably why the totally expected ending was so unsatisfying. I’m hoping reading the sequel will rectify this issue (or at least soften it a bit) for me.

Overall. I’d recommend this to someone who’s read enough Austen to get the references in the book but wants to spend sometime not thinking too hard.

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Non-Fiction Review: Status Factory: The Art of Ron English by Ron English

Status Factory: The Art of Ron EnglishStatus Factory: The Art of Ron English

by Ron English

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m said I didn’t know about Ron English before now. I especially love his playful use of the most famous works of art juxtaposed against the banal. It’s rare these days for art to actually delight and offend me at the same time. He’s really worth looking at!

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Novel Review: Pegasus by Robin McKinley

Pegasus (Pegasus, #1)Pegasus

by Robin McKinley

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This isn’t going to be a top pick for me this year. I was immediately bored with the story — at the start, there was nothing to draw me in. No captivating text, no interesting event… nothing! It didn’t begin to catch my interest until closer to half-way through when she eventually goes to visit her friend’s home. And it continued to bore me after she returned again. This book seems to be more of a set-up to a sequel — and you know how tedious that can get. I’ll probably try and read the next one, because the ending is left rather open-ended; and I would like to see the problem resolved.

I guess the most frustrating thing in the book is that there are so many ill-timed flashbacks. If these parts are so important to the story, they really should have been included at the start of the book… when she was still 12. Not later when she was remembering being 12.

It does have nice characters, and a nice setting — and is a fairly easy read. But, I’ve read better YA fantasy than this — and am looking forward to reading better fantasy next time. I’m sure that people who like this author will continue to like this novel, but I (who’ve not read this author before) found it a bit disappointing.

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Novel Review: Gidget by Frederick Kohner

Gidget (Gidget series, #1)Gidget

by Frederick Kohner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

My sister and I love the movie… you know the real corny 1959 film starring Sandra Dee & James Darren. [p.s. who doesn’t love a little James Darren? Cute & has a delicious voice!] I think it’s great because it’s so corny. I decided that it was time to finally read the novel that the movie was “loosely” based on. The story was charming and simple and so much fun to read. Plus it was ridiculously short, it only took me about an hour to finish.

All of the characters were so different from the film that it was such a surprise. I love it when books or films deliver a new perspective or plot from each other. It gives you an opportunity to enjoy the story on a much broader scale. Fun!

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Quick Review : Attack on Titan by Hajime Isayama

Attack on Titan, Vol. 1 (Attack on Titan, #1)Attack on Titan, Vol. 1

by Hajime Isayama

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this more than expected. The story is surprising and solid. The art though it doesn’t appeal aesthetically to me, suits the intensity and raw emotion of the characters. And there are enough holes and speculation at the end of volume 1 that I am thoroughly anticipating reading book 2.

The feel, design and concept remind me of the painting by Goya, “Chronos eating his son.” If you don’t know it, look it up and tell me if you don’t think it was the inspiration. Chronos was one of the original “Titans” who fearing his children decided to eat them.

I don’t know how much, “Attack on Titan” resembles ancient mythology, after all I’ve only read book 1 so far, but if it concludes that the Titans are the parents of the human race or, if they are defeated by the same trickery as in the mythology I wouldn’t be surprised.

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Non-Fiction Review: Hello Kitty Collaborations by Sanrio

Hello Kitty CollaborationsHello Kitty Collaborations

by Sanrio

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Collaborations with leading artists, designers and brands of the “Hello Kitty” brand motif in high art and low culture. A gorgeous Rizzoli art book (as if they knew how to make anything but gorgeous art books) celebrating one of my favourite motifs. This book is really a combination of my 2 favourite things: Fine arts & Japanese pop culture! How could I not love it? Also, the fabrics on pp 108-13 are AMAZING!

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Non-Fiction Review: Manga Pro Superstars by Colleen Doran

Manga Pro Superstar Workshop: How to Create and Sell Comics and Graphic NovelsManga Pro Superstar Workshop: How to Create and Sell Comics and Graphic Novels

by Colleen Doran

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Probably the best “how to draw manga” book I’ve seen in English. The art tips are practical rather than just “copy what you see” and there is insight into the “Japanese” process which isn’t often touched on in other titles, including the use of proper equipment. Good title.

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Novel Review: Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt

Keturah and Lord DeathKeturah and Lord Death

by Martine Leavitt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I listened to this on audiobook (I can’t comment on the reading experience). But, as an audiobook was a brilliant story about a girl who encounters death and is given a chance to find her “one true love”; before he returns to claim her. I loved the psychological thickness of this story — and the gratifying ending. An unconventional and abstract plot created a satisfying story without disappointing loose ends.

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Review: Gretzky: an autobiography by Wayne Gretzky

Gretzky: An AutobiographyGretzky: An Autobiography by Wayne Gretzky

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I can’t tell you how many times I read this as a child (I had a bit of a crush). I remember getting in trouble for reading it in “free reading” period in 6th grade because I wasn’t being “serious” — I remember my friends standing up for me because, yes, I was serious! hah. Good times. Sorry, this review doesn’t have much to do with the book. I actually don’t remember it much except that I loved it then. I had other Gretzky books in my collection, but this was my favourite.

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