Reading: THE BRIGHT FAMILY - Matthew Cody & Carol Klio Burrell (authors), Derick Brooks (illustrator)

1st Line: "And you said they were CUTE?!?"

Prose (Story): The over-achieving Bright Family - scientist/explorer mom Banira, inventor/scientist dad Ben, and their precocious children (12-year-old Nia, who works 24/7 to prove she can keep up with her genius family, and Jayden, 10-year-old kaiju and robot fanatic already years ahead of his classmates and bored because of it) - face their greatest challenge yet when Mom and Dad are accidentally sucked into a malfunctioning portal to another universe ... and their kids, along with nanny robot Dusty, set off the through the multiverse to find them, in this first graphic novel based on the popular Epic Originals series.

Don's (Review): Though things seemed to start off a bit slowly at first, there is a lot to love in this graphic novel about a family of superintelligent geniuses who still need to get their act together as a family unit. We're introduced to the kids first, and it's easy to like Nia for how hard she tries to keep up with the family's rep, while Jayden's brattiness, we soon realize, is partially because he's so smart that he's bored in school at a grade below his current skill level. When it seems Nia is behind the malfunctioning portal that sends their parents away, guilt and worry both guide the kids and Dusty to go in search of them - and here the story picks up considerably, as we see the different (sometimes cute, sometimes not so cute - sometimes way too cute) universes the kids encounter, always seemingly one step behind Mom and Dad. What makes the book great is the kids also take it upon themselves to stop and try to help wrongs they see in each world they land in, trying to do what's right even if it puts them behind in their own search, and it's these moments - any of the moments that are more about family, relationships, and taking time for both - where the book shines, coming to life with humor and heart. Dusty is also way cool, and as the Brights are a biracial family as well it was great to see that rep here! But at heart this fun, funny, ultimately sweet graphic novel succeeds because the Brights - by the end - just may set aside their brains long enough to come together as a loving family, as no greater power exists.  Hoping for a sequel, if not a series, soon! (Available September 7)  4/5 stars

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

Reading: CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: EIGHTH GRADE WITCH - Andrew E. C. Gaska & Eric L. Thomas (authors), Valerio Chiola (illustrator)

1st line: "Wake up, Rabbit! We're here ..."

Prose (Story): The first official graphic novel, based on the popular Choose Your Own Adventure series of books we all grew up with, is here! Rabbit, newly-arrived to town with her ghost-hunting parents, finds eighth grade a bit hectic when it starts off with a possible haunted house (hers) ... a local witch from the town's dark past who seems determined to come back from the dead ... and the gaggle of witchcraft-practicing girls - fellow students of Rabbit's - who seem determined to help her! With 28 different endings possible, it's up to YOU, the reader, to decide Rabbit's fate (or fates) in this spooky, entertaining supernatural mystery for fans of the orginal hit novels!

Don's (Review): Though not obsessed with the Choose Your Own Adventure books as a kid, I did enjoy them - even when  seemingly-smart choices got me killed faster than a spider in a bathtub. I think it was pretty brilliant, for this first oficial graphic novel based on the books, for the writers to actually choose a CYOA story that was already part of the canon: this tale is based on the original by C. E. Simpson, which means that even in a slicker, more ... well, graphic ... graphic novel format, the action and story itself very much retains the flavor of the original novels we loved growing up. It's also nice having visuals with each scenario, now; whether you choose well and delve deeper into story subplots and new characters, or get turned into a giant bug by your third go-round and are out of the game, here it's displayed in richly colorful, old-school comic book-like illustrations (though painted and colored with strong, more modernized tones that add depth) by artist Valerio Chiola. The graphics, while certainly not adult-rated, don't let up, either; if you ,as Rabbit, choose wrong and die (or when/if any other character buys it, for that matter), very little is left to the imagination depicting their fate. I made sure to go through every ending and every page of this clever bit of nostalgia, which somehow feels timely today yet very reminiscent of when these books were in their hey-day, and can definitely label this a "must-read" for fans of the original series - and a "should-read" for anyone else wanting to have a little fun at controling the narrative of a spooky, witchy story ... even when it kills you! Very nicely done. (Available August 24)  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: CHEER UP! LOVE AND POMPOMS - Crystal Frasier (author), Val Wise (illustrator)

1st line:  "You can't trust her, Mom!"

Prose (Story, via Goodreads): Annie is a smart, antisocal lesbian starting her senior year of high school who's under pressure to join the cheerleader squad to make friends and round out her college applications. Her former friend Bebe is a people-pleaser - a trans girl who must keep her parents happy with her grades and social life to keep their support of her transition. Through the rigors of squad training and amped up social pressures (not to mention micro aggressions and other queer youth problems), the two girls rekindle a friendship they thought they'd lost and discover there may be other, sweeter feelings springing up between them.

Don's (Review): Rude, crude, and socially unacceptable, I fell for Annie from the start; she knows herself, apologizes for none of it, and is fiercely independent (even if she has zero people skills). Bebe just wants to please everyone and not make waves, but her squad often thrusts her into the limelight - most notably by making her squad leader as the book opens - and once back together as friends both Annie and Bebe find they have a lot to learn from each other. Cheer Up! is a funny, sweet, more deeply-felt-than-you'd-expect light romance about accepting and being yourself first, regardless of those around you. The trans rep is terrific; even if Bebe seems a bit wishy-washy at first, you quickly understand this is all new to her, too, and how she grows as she feels her way through the process is wonderful. While her parents and friends and school seem very accepting of her coming out as trans at first, there are subtle hints dropped in that it's an adjustment for everyone ... but one worth it because of Bebe. If I had a complaint about this charming graphic novel - illustrated more like an animated series on Fox by the talented Val Wise - it's that I wish it were longer; took more time to flesh out the other girls on the squad or even Bebe's parents and Annie's mom (who is a hoot), or maybe added a bit more depth to the storyline, even to the point of setting up a sequel. But hey, look at it this way: I say that because I like Annie and Bebe and this world so much, I'd love to see more of 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.

July Wrap-Up: Cinematic Books and Bookish Cinema

Another definitive month for quality over quantity on the reading - while not quite a five-star read, Ace of Spades was captivating and played like a film in my head while reading (always a good sign) ... and God knows I would absolutely love to see Dial A for Aunties - one of my favorite reads of the year - as a film or even TV series. And having now finally read the first Eerie Elementary novel, the very cool illustrations inside have me totally wondering why this isn't an animated series on Fox or something, already!

On the flipside, while the Fear Street book series has been on my radar for years, I have not read one as of yet - but that didn't stop me from watching all three of the Netflix fiilms loosely based on the famous R. L. Stine horror series. While I expected a potential YA kind of experience, maybe with cheesy Disney Channel-style dialogue and humor, what I got instead was a terrific trio of bloody, visceral and well-crafted films, aimed for mature viewers and populated by characters you really about instead of just "victims" lined up for the slaughter. It was also nice to see the uncut AVP in its entirety at last, and to wind up the month with Peninsula - the sort-of sequel to the best zombie film EVER, Train to Busan - turned out ideal, as I liked the film much, much more than expected, via what word of mouth and reviews I'd seen.

My love of films aside, definitely looking to flip the script for August, no matter what, and get to more reading than viewing. It's getting to be the time of year when the best new book releases come out, and I hope to get at least a few under my belt. Happy reading and movies to all!