Reading: BIG NATE: THE GERBIL ATE MY HOMEWORK - Lincoln Peirce

Prose (Story): Yet another entry in the New York Times bestselling series of comic collections featuring the hilarious, self-absorbed and wholly subversive middle schooler, Big Nate: The Gerbil Ate My Homework focuses on a new year in middle school for the little ... tyke.

Don's (Review): I don't know how many of these I've read now (Big Nate has been featured in comics for something like thirty years, so we're talking a lot), but as much as I very rarely have had a single negative thing to say about any Big Nate collection, somehow this one is even better than most; focusing on a new year in middle school during which (among other things) Nate breaks up with his girl, tries to pin his lack of homework skills on the hapless class gerbil, Sherman, and even turns his plump little friend and classmate Chad into a superhero by directing his first film, I laughed out loud even more at this school-focused collection that shows off Peirce's narcissistic little middle-schooler at his best. Or is it his worst? Either way, bring on some more of Big Nate - always.  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: JASMINE GREEN RESCUES: A KITTEN CALLED HOLLY - Helen Peters (author), Ellie Snowdon (illustrator)

Prose (Story): In the latest entry in the popular chapter-book series for kids, young Jasmine Green and her best friend Tom, while checking out a broken-down shed on Jasmine's farm as a potential clubhouse, discover a stray/feral cat and her three kittens. When they scare the mom away, who comes back later and only moves two of her three kittens - leaving the little black bundle of fur behind - Jasmine talks her veterinarian mother into letting her and Tom take it in to foster, just in time for the upcoming winter holidays. 

Don's (Review): This is, I believe, book seven in the Jasmine Green series (she fosters a different animal in each book), which I had never heard of before coming across this title. Though set in modern day, the tone of the book, thanks to writer Helen Peters, is very reminiscent of classic children's books like the Little House on the Prairie series; the writing is crisp, not a word wasted so that the story moves along quickly, with equally old-fashioned-looking charcoal or pencil-like illustrations by illustrator Ellie Snowdon that fit so well with the charmingly old-fashioned feel of the story. Better still, Jasmine and her siblings and Tom come off as real kids, who make mistakes and goof up (and wow, do they goof up when some cats get loose near the Christmas decor), and learn to take responsibility when necessary; it's a great read for, I think, early school-age readers to explore and enjoy even on their own. Normally someone who finds "old-fashioned" can often border on "schmaltzy", imagine my surprise when I had a tear or two in my eyes by the end of this fine, very well-done chapter book. Now that's saying something, and I look forward to going back and reading more about Jasmine's other animal rescues now .  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: TEA & TREACHERY - Vicki Delany

Prose (Story): Former New York City pastry chef Lily Roberts trades in her big-city life to become owner of Tea by the Sea, a traditional English tearoom situated at the edge of the Victorian B&B her grandmother Rose owns and runs on the bluffs of Cape Cod. Having only recently opened for the season, Lily's initial success is tempered by the accidental death of shady real estate developer Jack Ford, a man who fell to his death on Rose's property just one day after she and Ford had a bitter argument over his buying the property next to hers. Dealing with crooked politicians, an even more potentially crooked cop, and one hunky British gardener as distractions, Lily must keep her tearoom running while helping Rose at the B&B as she searches for a murderer to prove her grandmother innocent.  

Don's (Review): I loved Lily from page one, maybe even more so her no-nonsense, take-no-prisoners grandmother, Rose - who, in a fight, I'd want on my side every time. The discovery of the body is handled very well, the detectives who show up (one a slovenly, heavyset pawn of local politicians, the other a savvy and smart female detective newly relocated from Boston) making for a nice contrast even as the bad cop obviously fixates on Rose as guilty right off. Lily's investigation is logical and builds suspense, while the crime-solving team of Lily's best (female) friend Bernie and grandma Rose, who together have the potential to stir up all sorts of trouble, provides some brilliant comic relief in between the tracking down of suspects and overturning of lies (of which there are many). Thankfully, even any potential romance for Lily and her suave and sexy gardener is handled as a blip on the radar for now, this very well-plotted book's focus almost solely on the mystery right up until a rather rowdy confrontation that's both satisfying and downright fun to read. Author Delany's writing is tight, her characters exceptionally likable, and while I wish I could visit Tea by the Sea in person (and I'm not normally a tea drinker), I am more than happy to wait for the next installment in this entertaining new series.  4.5/5 stars

Reading: THE PRINCESS AND THE PONY - Kate Beaton

Prose (Story): Princess Pinecone, an adorable little girl who wants nothing more than to be a fierce warrior battling side by side with her family and kin, decides that asking for her own horse - a big, strong, victorious horse - for her birthday would be a good start to getting into the fray ... until that day comes and the short, chubby little pony with the wonky eyes she receives as a gift doesn't exactly scream "warrior princess".

Don's (Review): Love Princess Pinecone, love the pony (trouble with flatulence and all), and love where the story goes in this laugh-out-loud early reader book for kids, featuring a girl-power heroine who learns that power can come in different forms. This is my first Kate Beaton, after hearing so many good things about her work, but it won't be my last; fart jokes and all, this is a must-have book young kids will return to again and again, that will equally entertain adults, too.  4.5/5 stars

Reading: BOOKED FOR DEATH - Victoria Gilbert

Prose (Story): Book one in Victoria Gilbert's new Booklovers B&B Mystery series, set in Beaufort, North Carolina, follows Charlotte Reed - new owner of Chapters, a B&B specializing in bookish themes she inherited from her quirky (even mysterious) great-aunt Isabella - who, during a weekend of festivities celebrating the life/work of mystery writer Josephine Tey, finds herself under suspicion when a rare book dealer (and guest) at Chapters, having hinted at some dark dealings in Isabella's past, is found stabbed to death during a party. 

Don's (Review): Gilbert expertly fills her B&B with plenty of worthy suspects - including Chapters's long-time cook/housekeeper, Charlotte's fill-in chef, and even her bookstore-owning best friend; all characters you expect to return in future installments, so long as they not have committed murder here! This adds a nice layer of insecurity as Charlotte begins nosing into whodunnit it, and herself can't even trust anyone completely, as she is so new to the scene, herself! Another plus that's a bit more rare in cozies is a full-on "B" storyline, featuring Charlotte's great-aunt Isabella, that at times is as intriguing to guess at as the primary murder mystery itself; I really liked how Gilbert seamlessly wove the two plots together right up to the end, almost making Isabella (who, being deceased, is never "on-camera") as much a character as anyone else in the book. The mystery is well-developed, pacing spot-on as Charlotte's investigation brings her closer to the killer, and without giving spoilers I also like Gilbert's fresh/different take on the usual cozy finale, where normally the amateur sleuth and villain would just have a one-on-one, with the sleuth clearly at the disadvantage. Well-done, and looking forward to book two!  4/5 stars

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

Reading: A CHRISTMAS CAROL - Charles Dickens (author), Phillip Gooden (adapted by)

Prose (Story): This Easy Classics illustrated edition, by Sweet Cherry Publishing, of Charles Dickens's iconic classic Christmas tale re-tells - this time with a few bits from the novel not usually found in, say, the best-known film versions - the story of the miserly, miserable Ebenezer Scrooge, who through the late night visits of three spirits, finds redemption and his heart in discovering what Christmas is truly about. 

Don's (Review): The oft-told tale still manages to feel fresh here and will appeal to kids of all ages, largely due to the stylized illustrations that young ones will find cute and funny ... while adults like me, who grew up with Underdog, Clutch Cargo, and more animation from back when Saturday mornings were spent with cartoons on TV, will wax nostalgic over the broadly-drawn characters of similar style. The already-short novel is perfectly adapted to hold, along with the artwork, even the youngest person's attention, while older kids and adults will find this version one to return to repeatedly on- or off-season, due to the story's perfect length and message of always being kind, but especially at Christmas. Really glad Gooden included, as mentioned, a few tidbits from the novel itself that I had forgotten from reading it so long ago; a nice touch that somehow freshened up a story so many of us know by heart already. (Available September 29)  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: TEEN TITANS GO! TO CAMP - Sholly Fisch (author), Marcelo DiChiara & Agnes Garbowska & Dario Brizuela & Abigail Larson & more (illustrators)

Prose (The Story): After the uber-competitive Robin caused a landslide of molten marshmallow - during a hideous giant s'mores fiasco - effectively shutting down their last summer camp, this year the Teen Titans find themselves spending an even slightly more ... challenging six weeks at Camp Apokolips, which rather resembles Purgatory on a bad day, complete with fire pits and parademons and the presence of activity director Granny Goodness, a white-haired, chubby old lady whose evil eye is on auto-pilot along with her temper. Further to frustrate are the opposing bunks; the Titans must go up against the Titans East and the H.I.V.E. Five to compete in some very dangerous camp games - Robin, blindly and bullheaded-ly leading the way in his personal and selfish quest for the Camper of the Year title, no matter what - or who - he has to crush to get it.

Don's (Thoughts): I love the Teen Titans, and this graphic novel depicts the gang's usual determination to win (or at least stay alive), no matter what insanity Robin leads them into with his big head and ego. The book has a few laugh-out-loud moments (Cyborg's band camp obsession won my heart) and is filled with the snarky humor you'd expect from the series; if I had any complaints, it would be that here the rest of the Titans seem to take a backseat to Robin's shenanigans throughout. One nice touch: each chapter ends with one of the team member's letters they've sent back home, talking about (and often playing up) the "great" time they are having at the horrible camp. Granny Goodness is very funny (even if she did bring back memories of an old grade-school teacher I'd rather have forgotten), and the ending is way cool ... right up to the last letter home depicted in the book, my personal favorite. Could have used a little more punch, but a solid and funny addition to the Teen Titans lexicon!  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: SEX AND VANITY - Kevin Kwan

Prose (Story): Crazy Rich Asians author Kevin Kwan once again oozes money and name-dropping onto every page in his new novel, that opens when young, beautiful and rich Lucie Churchill, visiting Capri for the insanely extravagant wedding of her cousin, meets and instantly falls in hate with the handsome, rich, seemingly full-of-himself George Zao - a man whose very presence seems to turn her head, heart and life upside-down ... even years later, when they meet again after she's become engaged to another man.

Don's (Thoughts): You have to give Kwan credit for covering much of the same territory of his breakthrough bestseller, while still telling a fresh story. Lucie is a mixed-race (Asian/Caucasian) beauty who has always been reserved and in control of her life ... until she comes across the most annoying (even if incredibly sexy), laidback, free-thinking Chinese-with-an-Aussie accent boy she's ever met, and is as immediately annoyed by his personality as she almost is (when she admits it) by her bizarre attraction to him. Not a lot of substance or depth here, but there's not supposed to be; the designer name-dropping, almost too-detailed descriptions of the decadence of everything from Capri to various characters's multi-million-dollar homes and yachts or jewelry - this is still very much the world that is Kwan's brand, and once you stop looking for a deep story (or surprise ending) and just enjoy the ride, Sex and Vanity is a fun getaway, a peek into the lives of the obscenely rich and famous that writers like what Sidney Sheldon or Judith Krantz once did so well. This one also felt more streamlined than Crazy Rich Asians, without some of the filler that (to me) weighed down that novel (much of which, thankfully, was jettisoned for the terrific film version). Light, fun, fluffy, similar to maybe a binge-watch of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" - and if that's your thing, this is a fun read you should enjoy.  3.5/5 stars

July Wrap-Up: Books Keeping Me Sane

Going back and forth from lack of concentration to living among the pages, I have to admit the only thing keeping me sane during this virus hell are books, films, and - to a lesser extent - some television.

July was a better month, reading-wise; also a month that saw me finishing a HIGHLY anticipated release that I actually found a little disappointing (Home Before Dark), as well as another new release that blew my mind and became one of my favorite books so far this year (Mexican Gothic). In between, fell in love with a new manga (There Are Things I Can't Tell You), read a terrific sequel I liked even better than its predecessor (Oddmire Book 2: The Unready Queen), and discovered the amazing artwork of the Fan Brothers (Ocean Meets Sky). Behind on reviews, as always, but with a laptop now hopefully can catch up on those quickly. 

No films again this month (SO unlike me), but being a huge fan of the Ju-on/Grudge films (the Japanese ones, not the ka-ka Americanized versions), I had to try season one (six episodes) of "Ju-on: Origins". Still mixed on how I feel about it, will be clearer in an upcoming review, but I do know that the violence level of one scene in particular came as a surprise. No, make that more a shock.

Already completed two books so far for August, hopefully a good sign it will be a good reading month. It's also going to be a big transitional month for me, so fingers crossed? Meanwhile, please keep you and yours healthy, happy - and MASKED! Please! And keep doing whatever you can to take your mind off all the craziness.

I do hope the rest of 2020 goes fast. Lordy, what a year ...