Reading: BLACK CANARY: IGNITE - Meg Cabot (writer), Cara McGee (illustrator)

Bestselling author Meg Cabot (The Princess Diaries) offers up her first graphic novel via DC Zoom, telling the story of thirteen-year student Dinah Lance whose interests are as diverse as winning the battle of the bands contest at school and following her Gotham City cop father into the business of taking down bad guys. Dinah's dad forbids the latter and - based on Dinah's voice - even seriously questions her playing in the all-girl band with her best friends. But when Dinah finds her voice - her true voice, which can shatter glass and bend steel and short out electricity - she soon discovers a legacy and power she never knew she had; one that could potentially set her long-term career goal of being a crime fighter into motion, even as the young girl finds herself in trouble at school when she finds herself unable to control her talent ... and is stalked by a figure in black with ties to her mother and "the family secret". This origin story for Black Canary, well-illustrated (if a little "cartoon-y" for me) by the super-talented Cara McGee, paints a realistic portrait of a typical thirteen-year-old full of drama and big dreams and bullheaded determination. Dinah is likable, funny, loyal to her friends - even funny, in her initial reaction to having what she thinks is the most boring superpower ever. The relationship with Dinah and her friends feels right as well, and especially good is the bond between Dinah and her mother, the original Black Canary who ultimately will or will not "pass the mantle" down to her daughter. But while I enjoyed Black Canary: Ignite and it's characters, plot and art, the book always felt very "DC Lite" for me; I never felt bonded with any of the characters on a level that drew me fully into the story. And having had that very experience in a number of graphic novels, this was just the tiniest bit of a letdown for me.  3.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: GRETA AND THE GIANTS - Zo Tucker (writer), Zoe Persico (illustrator)

"And a little child shall lead them." Not a Bible quote from this picture book spotlighting Nobel Prize nominee Greta Thunberg, though it nonetheless fits her story. Thunberg is the Swedish teen who became an overnight source of adoration and inspiration when she basically (and very descriptively) told world leaders where to get off because they'd spent decades systematically destroying the environment, the planet, and everyone/everything living on it. This picture book colorfully spins a tale of Greta, who lives in a forest that one day is besieged by "Giants" who unthinkingly and (seemingly) without thought begin plummeting the home of her animals friends of trees, water and other resources for their own gain. Greta comes up with a plan to try and save the day, and the end of the book even has helpful resources for kids wanting to learn more about saving the planet, and helping Greta in her fight. The book is great, beautifully done and with lively art to keep kids interested; my only issue with it is a mild one, in that even before Greta young activists from all over the world - Nigeria, the Amazon, South America, and more - have been stepping up and fighting back to save their world, knowing full well that today's crop of adults have ruined it so it's up to future generations to fix. Sadly, not one of them are mentioned or highlighted in this story, even as back-up to Greta's fight, so for me the book came across a bit like yet another story of how the white child/person is the one to set the tone as the leader, doing it first and best to show others the way - when in reality that's just not true. At best, you see people of color here in a few of the kids who come to take up the fight with Greta. Again, not so much a complaint, as something that just felt off to me while reading it. As if the story wasn't so much about the little child shall lead them as it was the little white child shall lead them. It just would have just been nice to see "reality" represented here a bit more, in what's otherwise a great, informative, maybe even life-changing addition to any child's picture book library.  4/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: ROWDY RANDY - Casey Rislov (writer), Zachary Pullen (illustrator)

Rowdy Randy is a colorful picture book depicting an average day in the Wild West through the eyes of a rather large, rambunctious female horsefly who lives to stir up trouble. In beautiful, gallery-worthy, fully-painted illustrations, we follow Randy as she buzzes the cows and bulls and other animals, even narrowly missing some fatal blowback from an angry fish and nest of rattlesnakes less than thrilled with her attention. Personal highlight: Randy bronco-busting a cranky lizard, which kids should love. While the story seems a bit light even for a picture book (and seemingly - of all things - ends on a cliffhanger no less), Randy is the rootinest-tootinest horsefly in the west, and the lively artwork alone vividly brings her day to life.  3.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. 

Reading: NANCY DREW & THE HARDY BOYS: THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING ADULTS - Scott Bryan Wilson (writer), Bob Solanovicz (illustrator)

If you grew up watching animated TV series from the 1990's to the present, the "Saturday morning cartoon"-style artwork of this mashup of a graphic novel will appeal to the eye. Indeed, some of the images/art could be screen-shot from TV. If you grew up, however, reading and loving the classic Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys mystery novels, this volume may we be a huge let-down. Here, Nancy's the new gal at Bayport High where - soon after meeting the "great detectives" Frank and Joe Hardy - finds herself pulled into a mystery with the guys when all the adults in town disappear on the eve of a major science fair/contest Bayport has with its rival school. Could there be a connection? The road to finding out is a rather silly one, Frank and Joe Hardy (especially Joe) often doing or saying something that makes neither of them come off too bright - even to the boys physically fighting in a Wile E. Coyote ball of dust whenever Frank teasingly calls Joe "Joseph". Nancy comes across as the smart (mature) one, though all do contribute to solving the mystery ... but sadly, the characters you loved from the original novels are just dumbed-down and unrecognizable here. The story - even book - is fine on its own, and would have actually worked better with original characters in the leads. As a vehicle for iconic characters like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, it simply falls flat on the page.  2/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: BURY THE LEDE - Gaby Dunn (writer), Claire Roe (illustrator), Miguel Muerto (colorist)

One of the more gratifying, intelligent and absorbing graphic novels I've read in years, Bury the Lede centers around Madison Jackson, a young woman who's just landed a prime interning position at The  Boston Lede, the most prestigious newspaper in town. Soon after she starts at the paper, a brutal murder rocks Boston when beautiful celebrity socialite Dahlia Kennedy is arrested for the heinously brutal hanging and stabbing death of her husband. The couple's young son has also vanished without a trace - and Dahlia Kennedy, shocking the world, confesses to both crimes, claiming to have also murdered her son and disposing of his body! Dahlia refuses all requests to talk with the many reporters practically climbing over each other to get her full story ... except Melody Jackson, who the Lede's ace reporter sends in on a whim, figuring the young intern could do no harm. And thus begins a fascinating, can't-tell-who's-lying-and-who's-not mindgame that Dahlia seems determined to play, Melody slowly rethinking the case and unsure if anything is at it seems. It's a genuine cat-and-mouse of each woman thinking she's playing the other, beautifully written onto the page by Gaby Dunn; so much so, often reading this graphic novel feels more like reading a fully-formed, structured novel (though the dark, moody artwork and murky colors help to set the entire mood of this bizarre game between the two women). Definitely for "mature audiences" due to its depiction (and descriptions) of graphic violence, Bury the Lede is brilliantly-written and stylistically impressive, gruesome and raw as whatever is going on between Madison and Dahlia themselves. Here's hoping I can find more graphic novels like it.  4.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: THE AMAZING LIFE OF AZALEAH LANE - Nikki Shannon Smith (writer), Mari Lobo (illustrator)

When Washington D.C. third-grader Azaleah Lane takes a field trip with her class to the National Zoo, the little girl has such a great time, later she readily jumps at the chance to make a diorama of one of the endangered species her class saw, for extra credit at school. Setting her entire weekend aside to craft her project so she can knock the socks off her teacher and principal, Azaleah's plans hit a snag when her little sister's favorite stuffed animal, comes up missing. As an older sister with a talent for solving mysteries - with her parents busy at their prospective careers, and Azaleah's own older sister too busy rehearsing for her leading role in the school musical - Azaleah has no choice but to investigate, determined to solve the mystery and still finish her diorama ... all by Monday! This first-in-a-series chapter book by the bestselling #OwnVoices writer Nikki Shannon Smith captures well the frustrations of being a middle child - putting up with your younger sibling while rolling your eyes at the antics of your older, supposedly more mature sister. Though I found Azaleah and her family a bit too picture-perfect on the page, it didn't detract from my enjoying the book, which features bright, colorful illustrations and even a good mystery that should keep young readers guessing.  4/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: HERE COMES SANTA PAWS - Laurien Berenson

Book 24 in the long-running Melanie Travis cozy mystery series is a slim, quick Christmas-time mystery that finds wife/mother/poodle enthusiast Melanie literally called in to help when her close friend Claire finds a dead body. In the rundown gatehouse of an even more rundown estate, Claire's personal shopper client Lila Moran lies dead in her living room, a bullet in her chest. Right away, even during the police's questioning of her friend, Melanie suspects Claire isn't being entirely forthcoming ... and sure enough, soon Claire admits to Melanie that a background check she did on Lila revealed the woman had no history going more than five years back. Melanie sets out to get to the bottom of the mystery, digging into Lila's past even as she puts herself into danger via a killer ready to strike again if needed, in a mystery that, while definitely set in an around Christmastime, never feels 100% fully-rooted in the holiday season; the mystery simply takes place during the holidays, but in no way feels tied into it (also the lack of any snow, oddly enough, felt a bit disconnected from wintertime). That said, one think I truly appreciated, as a new reader to both Berenson and Travis, was Berenson's skilled economy of words that immediately introduced the murder in the story and kept things moving without lapsed for long exposition or description. Melanie's questioning of one suspect leads her to another, and she simply follows the trail, everything tied up neatly and quickly even once the killer was exposed. Even though I guessed who that killer was from the character's introduction on  the page, it never felt like a letdown even when I was proven correct, the book is that smoothly written and takes you on the ride to solve the puzzle with Melanie so easily. Maybe a longer novel would have benefited the mystery more, via the addition of other suspects or a few red herrings (also, the ending was a bit anti-climactic), but for a short,fluffy-light Christmas cozy Berenson delivers exactly that, via her "get in, tell your story, get out" writing style that works well here. Also worth mentioning is the way the author, even through her economy of words, still in so short a novel makes Melanie and Aunt Peg and all the other characters so real on the page. Kudos for that alone!  4/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from  NetGalley and the publisher,  in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: HARLEY QUINN: BREAKING GLASS - Mariko Tamaki (writer), Steve Pugh (illustrator)

While not exactly the characters or background stories I am accustomed to with three such iconic characters from the DC canon, if taken on its own merits that is a LOT to love about Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass, which opens when a 15-year-old Harleen Quinn is sent to Gotham City by her mother to live. In the big bad city Harleen is befriended by the unlikely Mama, a chubby drag queen who ultimately takes the girl under her wing, Harleen adoring her as a surrogate mom as she also bonds with the other drag queens at Mama's club. It's through these new friends, as well as the meeting of a girl named Ivy at school, that Harley comes to learn about the serious divisions between the rich and the poor in Gotham - the rich fully embodied by the evil, selfish, hideously-rich Kane family (the heir of which, teenager John Kane, also taking great pains to taunt Ivy and Harleen in school), who seem determined to own the city, and to and including their efforts at gentrification that could destroy both Ivy's family and Mama's livelihood in almost a single blow ... until Harleen meets yet another new Gothamite friend in the form of a young man wearing a mask he refuses to take off, who appears to want to topple Gotham's elite even at the fire and brimstone-like destruction of the city itself. A man who just calls himself "Joker". While as far as I can tell these are all basically different takes on each character (Ivy a hardcore activist and champion of human rights, Harleen still "out there" but very toned-down/coming across more like a vigilante hero here than an arch-criminal, and - well, let's not get into The Joker), what makes this graphic novel such an engrossing read is how writer Mariko Tamaki has caught the basic personalities of each character so perfectly, each so readily recognizable that you have no problem following any of them onto these strange, altered paths. All of this is only enhanced by Steve Pugh's art, often so reflective of Harleen's childlike mentality or Joker's frenetic insanity or Ivy as the eye of the storm she creates herself, as the situation warrants (even his use of color is a spot-on at creating mood).  I don't know if I can handle a Harley Quinn who almost seems like "the goody guy" in the story, but reading this knowing what and who her character becomes later on poses some fascinating questions about how in the world she gets there.  4.5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. 

Reading: THE PRINCE AND THE DRESSMAKER - Jen Wang

In 19th-century Paris (or thereabouts), a poor but talented seamstress/dressmaker gets the opportunity to design a gown for a client that captures both the imagination of Paris fashionistas and the ire of the Paris upper-class. So much so, when the young designer is soon after contacted at her job to possibly work for royalty, she finds herself whisked off where indeed she meets none other than Prince Sebastian of Belgium himself. The young (16) prince is on an extended visit to Paris with his parents, in order for them to find Sebastian a suitable bride to marry, where Sebastian managed to see Frances's controversial gown featured in the local press and wants her to be his personal designer ... not of suits and royal princely finery, but of beautiful gowns and dresses, as Prince Sebastian finally confesses to Frances - that he often sneaks out of the palace at night dressed as his alter-ego Lady Chrystallia, a woman who seems to have at least three times the courage, energy, and passion for life that Sebastian feels when in men's clothing. Frances, out of the good nature of her heart while also understanding what being the prince's personal seamstress could do for her career in fashion, commits to Sebastian's secret, and over the next few months helps to turn Lady Chrystallia into something of a local celebrity via her innovative designs, as well as Sebastian's coming to terms with embracing his gender-fluid lifestyle at last. This is such a brilliant graphic novel, light on dialogue as in many cases author/artist Jen Wang can compact so much emotion into just a character's look or gesture on the page, making nearly every panel have an impact. Sebastian and Frances form a bond of friendship palpable on the page, and even as you feel that things are going to blow up (and open up) sooner or later, you feel for both of these characters, greatly, to come through it all okay. Anxious as heck to figure out where Wang was going with their story (and what the heck would happen when/if Sebastian's secret were discovered) - how many stereotypical endings or over-done tropes she could avoid, in order to bring this to the satisfying conclusion that her richly-drawn/lovable characters deserved - I plowed through the last third of the book fairly holding my breath the entire time. Then I read that last third again. It really is that good; a great story that plays fair with its characters and their story right up to the end, while hitting home some important, very valid points about friendship, loyalty, love, and acceptance. So great.  4.5/5 stars

Reading: THE SECRET OF THE OLD CLOCK (80TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION) - Carolyn Keene

Growing up weaned on Encyclopedia Brown, Nancy Drew, and the Hardy Boys set the stage for my falling in love with Agatha Christie at age twelve, as well as my lifelong infatuation with mystery novels. So much so, upon hearing this was the 80th anniversary of Nancy Drew, I wanted to get back to my roots with my favorite gal detective with a re-read of The Secret of the Old Clock for maybe the first time since reading it originally, as a kid, decades ago. What a joy this was, I loved the book - the experience even more - and if nothing else was happily reminded that, while the stories and characters in Carolyn Keene's iconic novels may feel a bit corny and dated by today's standards, all the Nancy updates and remakes that have come since, bearing the original character (and I am talking whether in book, film, or television form) are fairly ka-ka by comparison. In book one of the original, wonderful series, Nancy sets about solving the mystery of what happened to what may well be a missing will, written by the elderly, eccentric Josiah Crowley who promised those he cared for that they'd be taken care of upon his death ... only to have him pass, and have the last family he lived with - the rich, affluent, vain, and very disliked Tophams - produce a will naming them as the only beneficiary. Knowing in her gut that something isn't right. with her father's guidance Nancy starts her own investigation, soon running into a dangerous band of house thieves in her quest to find the hidden document (not to mention the greedy Tophams themselves), at times even putting herself in danger to get to the truth, as Nancy always does. What I wasn't expecting, though - didn't realize until reading this - was the tightness of the prose; not a word is wasted here, in a novel that keeps you reading, the anticipation mounting without a beat as Nancy methodically asks questions and follows the clues, the action moving along swiftly right up until the book's satisfying conclusion; truly, a lot of mystery writers today could well adapt this trait, and tighten up their plots instead of meandering at times on the page. Before starting, I kind of assumed this would be a great, nostalgic trip down memory lane; never did I realize reading this fast-paced, sparely-written mystery would make me a Nancy Drew fan all over again.  4.5/5 stars

Reading: A CUP OF HOLIDAY FEAR - Ellie Alexander

The 10th (though first for me) Bakeshop Mystery gets the Christmas-obsessed mountain town of Ashland, Oregon so meticulously and perfectly described, you should be able to feel the snow in the air and Christmas lights of every color twinkling around you. Similarly, the book's intro to Torte - the bakeshop itself centered in the town plaza across from the local police station and also dolled up for Christmas - brings to full life the smells and tastes and warmth of the coziest bakeshop in the west, co-run and -owned by Jules Capshaw, who also happens to have a nose for solving mysteries. As a bonus to their employees, Jules and her partner/mother have treated their staff, for Christmas, to the Dickens Feast at the local Winchester Inn on the hill, where a six-course period-correct meal will be served by the likes of Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley as live carolers sing, in a hotel redecorated in the same era for the occasion (though the book takes awhile to get the reader to that night, which only happens when page after page of description, exposition, and a lot of baking/cooking have gone by). The first quarter of the book paints a perfect, detailed picture of Ashland at Christmastime that you could almost live in - but the problem, for me, was that the lengthy descriptions never stopped. By the time the murder occurs the author has thrown enough at you, you aren't a hundred percent sure who the victim will be (kudos for that) until the person is found dead ... but that's more than a third of the way into the novel, and for me things went a little downhill from there. Readers get yet more detailed descriptions of baking and recipes, while something as important as any clues from the crime scene or body are never covered or cared enough about to be mentioned (indeed, no forensics team even appears to show up; none are mentioned and no such evidence is ever discussed - instead the story coming off like the coroner just came to collect the body, and left again as the cops started asking questions and investigating). Character development of any depth is relegated mostly to Jules or the ongoing cast of characters, even the mystery itself really taking a backseat to the town, its residents, and the season (truly, a romance plot could have replaced the mystery in this book without extensive rewrites). And, of course, the baking. Even worse (MILD SPOILER AHEAD; nothing ruined but be alert!) is the unforgivable sin this book makes of having its killer nabbed "off-screen"; in other words, instead of the murderer's apprehension in the story, in real-time, readers learn the person's fate the same way the main character does - when someone tells her. This robs the reader of all that time and emotional investment in all the pages that came before, only to not actually see justice done on the page (the killer's motive? Also one of the weakest I've ever read, in over four decades of reading mysteries). Very conflicted about this one, a well-written Christmas-themed mystery that works on some levels but definitely not as a mystery. Can't help but feel that a romance subplot would have fit with the rest of the book's tone and worked a lot better.  2/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Reading: BACK TO CHRISTMAS - Dennis Canfield

A very forgiving Santa has shaken things up at the North Pole, virtually eradicating his "Naughty" list by believing that - regardless of their mistakes and weaknesses - people are generally good at heart. This couldn't be worse news for Marmel, Santa's Head Labeling Elf, who doesn't want to lose his job - so is overjoyed when he discovers the Krumwerth family. The Krumwerths, who used to be very loving and do things together as a family unit, have since somehow lost their way, and now rarely communicate with each other, choosing to spend their time glued to phone or game or television screens. Only problem: this will be the Krumwerths third year in a row on the Naughty list - and once you've hit that third time, you're Naughty for good and lose a lot more than presents. It's Marmel's job to warn the family that they have very little time to perform the tasks to get them off the list before sundown on Christmas Day, and he chooses to share this info with 12-year-old Amanda Krumwerth, who - even once she believes him - has no idea how to get her family back. Worse, when Marmel learns his own fate might be tied in with the Krumwerths' dire straits, he has no choice but to try and help correct his own huge mistake ... but can he, even with the help of Santa's younger brother, Reverse Claus, and a group of disheveled flying penguins, find the spirit of Christmas either in himself or a jaded, technology-addicted family? This book is fantastic; lively and funny and with enough heart to induce a tear or two in the end. Sentimental but not sticky, easily enjoyable by kids from eight to eighty-eight, and deserving of its own place alongside your favorite Christmas stories on the bookshelf.  5/5 stars

NOTE: I received a free ARC of this title via NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

September Wrap-Up: Reading Light, Life Heavy

Rarely have I been so glad to have a month over, but September was it. It's difficult to suddenly learn, after nearly two years, that you live with someone with a mental illness; to have that person's newly-acquired second personality actually drive you out of your home is a different story. Just a couple days left until freedom, and may I never, ever have another Jekyll/Hyde roommate like this one again!

Tensions have been so tight the last few weeks, even finding the concentration to read was often tough, so while I am in the middle of about four books right now that I'd hoped to finish in September (now pushed to October, hopefully), instead the month ended up devoted to lighter fair in the reading department; more than a couple graphic novels and children's books on this list. The quality? A mixed bag - in particular one I'd really been looking forward to reading that, ultimately, disappointed (never trust the hype, only your own instincts and tastes)! But definitely some good quality in this group, too (a children's book, in particular, that genuinely blew me away)!

Reviews to come - PROMISE! Just gotta get this move out of the way. October is already starting off better, having just finished my first Christmas-themed book of the year. And quite a good one it was, too.

Amazing, what differences just a month can make. No more like September, hopefully, for awhile. Thank God for books, they keep me sane. Even the one film I watched in September (saw it on the 1st, thinking I was on my way to a better movie month!) was pretty freaking awesome; I don't usually watch a lot of action films, but this series just gets better and better.

Anyway, will let you go. You should be reading, anyway. Please check back for reviews, or scroll down a bit on the left to subscribe for updates! As always, any image here can be clicked on to enlarge, if need be.

October! Spooky month! Hopefully you are getting some awesome Halloween-y type books read while cowering under the covers with a flashlight, ignoring that crack in your closet door that seems to grow wider and wider in the dark. Happy Reading!