Reading: BATMAN AND ROBIN AND HOWARD - Jeffrey Brown

1st Line: "Gotham City."

Prose (Story): When Robin makes a sizeable goof one night as they patrol Gotham City, Batman decides it's time for him to be a regular kid for awhile - making Damian Wayne the newest student at public school Gotham Metro Academy, Here his intelligence and soccer skills and affable personality make him very popular ... much to the annoyance of Howard, a fellow student previously enjoying all those perks of school life. What follows is a rivalry of the two boys besting each other as - meanwhile - a potential new arch-villain has Batman trapped in a sports equpiment room at another school, leaving Damian/Robin on his own.

Don's (Review): Autor Jeffrey Brown's sense of humor is fun and semi-snarky, so how could I not love this? Perfect for kids right down to the kid-like art, the rivalry between Damian and Howard at Gotham Metro, especially on the soccer pitch, will resonate pitch-perfect (yeah, I went there) with anyone who has ever attended middle school. Damian comes off likeable even as he's also a bit of a know-it-all, while Howard's jealousy over losing the honors and benefits of school life that used to go to him make him understandably (to any kid) turn a bit underhanded in trying to be on top again. Meanwhile, there's Batman; I really loved how Brown made him kind of a doofuss-y dad here, and the plotline of his attempts to find out who is sabotaging local schools is very funny ... but leads to a cool resolution to the mystery, all the same: a bonus. Colorful, funny, light, and a great read for any Batfan (or soccer fan), young or old. Also my first experience reading Jeffrey Brown, though now I look forwad to more. (Available November 9)  4/5 stars

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

October Wrap-Up: Including 2 of 2021's Top 10 Reads ALONE??

A few real gems in October, including two novels that will most likely show up on my Top 10 Reads of 2021 list, and one of my favorite graphic novels of the year! Sixteen total, but bear in mind that's inclding kidlit and even a picture book or two - although, that said, I think anyone of any age would benefit from cracking open The Rock from the Sky just because it's so sarcastic and hilarious, alone.

Meanwhile: in a previous post I mentioned reading (and loving) volume one of the manga series version of The Decagon House Murders. That book ended the story on such a cool cliffhanger, when I couldn't lay my hands on volume two I opted for reading the original novel, instead - and while I fell hard for the Agatha Christie homage, I wasn't prepared for, weeks later, the book and its characters still floating around my mind like ghosts. To me, always a sign of a brilliant book. And while I wasn't sure what to expect of Silvia Moreno-Garcia's latest, after only reading Mexican Gothic (which made my Top 10 Reads list of 2020) by her and knowing the new one was very different, there is just something about the way she writes - and in particular writes her characters - that made me fall in love with this book just as much as its predecessor. In fact, all three books mentioned in this paragraph are, to me, absolute must-reads.

And I really need to go back and re-read the first Witches of Brooklyn graphic novel. Maybe I wasn't in the right headspace when I read it the first time; I liked it, but on a middling level. Had no plans to even try the sequel, but got it via the library and WOW what a difference! Loved it, heartily recommend it, and need to do a re-read on book one asap!

In October, I also learned (in a fun and funny read guaranteed to appeal to any mysery buff) how to thwart getting murdered in an English village - never a bad thing - but other than everything mentioned already, October's reading was a mix of "yeah" and "meh". But boy, when they were gems, they were incredible ones; not bad for my birthday month. So on that note, Welcome to November, during which I am hoping a return to films will be in store, as well.