June Wrap-Up: An Unscheduled Mental Hiatus

June ended up a tough month with work, health - just needed a mental health break, so found solace in letting my brain turn to paste watching films over reading. 

Stuck more to the kids' playground in books, with mixed results - definitely check out Ham Helsing if you can, and a big wow to Love: The Mastiff, which blew me away! Had no idea that one was part of an entire series of books when I read the ARC, but with no words to convey the story what the intense, beautiful artwork - genuine artwork - on each page does to reveal story and the character of the Mastiff is astounding. Can't wait to read more in the series, which I think should be read by everyone of every age. 

And while the films were a mixed bag, there were more gems than stinkers this time around; you are really cheating yourself if you haven't seen The Mitchells vs. The Machines, and Henry Golding's understated, sensitive performance in Monsoon will make you forget his rich eligible bachelor Nick from Crazy Rich Asians in a hurry. In the Heights lived up to its incredible hype 150% - smiled through the entire film, which is nearly as rich with humor as it is with music - and while The Woman in the Window was a slight disappointment, the latest incarnation of The Conjuring series even more so, Disney's newest animated offering is the usualy visual feast of style and heart ... though, and I don't mean to compare dragons here, but it was Sony Animation's Wish Dragon (the title characer voiced by John Cho) that had me grining and laughing out loud throughout; easily one of my favorite films of this year so far.

Reviews to come - but aren't they always? - so please check back, or sign yourself up to get updates as they're posted. Or both, always happy to see anyone here! Now? Back to the books, excellent films notwithstanding! Hope you're all okay, happy, and reading!

The BookTube Spin #3 - My List

  Back on January 28th I posted here about the BookTube Spin, round one. Through Rick MacDonnell, the BookTube Spin is a challenge he's hosting through his channel (as well as Instagram) for bookaholics who A) want to work at clearing up their TBR list; and B) are up for a little randomness/game of chance in their reading life. I was all for it, after watching his post explaining how it works (which you can find HERE). The premise:

1)Red, White & Royal Blue; 2) The Plot; 3) The Taking of Jake Livingston; 4) Fatal Fried Rice; 5) One by One

Essentially, you choose 20 books off your current TBR. Books you already own, in particular books you have maybe been putting off reading ... maybe feared reading, due to their size, or content ... maybe been a bit intimidated to read for some reasons - whatever. Choose 20 titles, assign each a number, then post your list somewhere PUBLICLY (your blog, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, do a video on your own YouTube channel) to hold yourself accountable. You do NOT have to have a YT channel or be a book tuber in order to participate (neither apply to me), and you can even get in touch with Rick with your list as he wants to see them; nope, it's just a fun challenge, and round three (which has an extra month, due to a clerical error) begins on July 1st; in a few days, on June 25th, Rick will post a video on his channel, spinning a virtual wheel with numbers on it, 1-20, and whatever that number is - you read the corresponding title on your list between July 1st and September 30th. That's THREE MONTHS, for round three, to read the one book (and thank God, because I haven't yet read round two's book, as I knew we had more time - pre-clerical error), at which time Rick will do a round four spin and start another challenge.

6) The Final Girl Support Group; 7) The Lions of Fifth Avenue; 8) Billy Summers; 9) Murder in a Teacup; 10) The Only Good Indians

Onto the books: check out Rick's post above - they can be 20 you've been wanting to knock off your TBR for ages, or you can break them down, say 5 titles in four different genres or categories (classics, LGBTQ+ fiction, biographies, cozy mysteries, etc.) for variety; shoot, you can even only choose 10 titles and just double up on their places on your numbered list (again, watch Rick's post above, he explains it much better than I do).  For round three I shook things up, keeping a number of previous titles and shuffling them around, but also adding some of my most hugely-anticipated new releases due out within the same time frame. Again, this is all just to put a little spark of randomness in your reading life, as well as knock a much-needed title off your TBR.

11) Into the Drowning Deep; 12) Bath Haus; 13) My Heart is a Chainsaw; 14) Razorblade Tears; 15) Cemetery Boys

So, now my round three list is officially public. Hope fellow book nerds will come aboard, and check out Rick's wheel spin in a few days to join in on the new round, as well. Welcome to the BookTube Spin, and keep reading!

16) Skulduggery Pleasant; 17) The Guncle; 18) If the Shoe Fits; 19) Velvet Was the Night; 20) Swimming in the Dark

Watching: MONSOON (2019)

Director: Hong Khaou

85m/Not Rated

Prose (Story): Kit (Crazy Rich Asian's Henry Golding) is a British-Vietnamese man who is returning to the country of his birth for the first time since he and his family fled over three decades earlier, when Kit was just a small child, during the Vietnam War. Once in Saigon, he connects with a second cousin, Lee (David Tran), whom he used to play with as a child (which Lee remembers, though Kit does not), but Kit's unfamiliarity with everything from the language to the geography to the culture of his long-ago home - which he's returned to in the hopes of finding a place to scatter his parents' ashes - weighs heavily on his weary shoulders. Though finding both solace and unexpected romance with another American in Saigon named Lewis (Parker Sawyers), who's living in Vietnam to work on starting up his own clothing company, the story remains the study of a man come home ... to a home he doesn't recognize, as he seeks to do the right thing by his parents and family.

Don's (Review): There are so many wonderful points that make up Monsoon, but the best of it can be summed up in two words: Henry Golding. So far removed from his obscenely-rich, jet-setting, most-wanted bachelor from Crazy Rich Asians as to be a bit of shock (in the best way), here Golding turns in a masterful performance in which he conveys, with a gesture or a look, a level of emotional countenance that many lesser actors couldn't put out in half a page of dialogue. Kit is a man on a mission, trying to do the right thing yet clearly so much a fish out of the proverbial water, you can feel his confusion, angst or resignation in every frame. Quite smartly and beautifully, the film plays up the fact that Kit is gay with zero fanfare; it is simply a part of who he is as a person, not a vital or even secondary part of the story - a genuine relief to find in a film today. Those expecting this to be a romance, or some high-concept exploration of race or the Vietnam conflict, will be sorely disappointed; Monsoon is a simple, straightforward, slow-moving (maybe too slow, for some) character study of a man searching for threads to a past he barely remembers, to better understand his present. And, in Henry Golding, it contains one of the most beautiful, understated performance this reviewer has seen in years.  4/5 stars

Reading: I AM PERFECTLY DESIGNED - Karamo Brown & Jason "Rachel" Brown (authors), Anoosha Syed (illustrator)

1st line: "First there was you, Dad."

Prose (Story): Written after dealing with the experiences of Queer Eye alum Karamo Brown's reaction to his own son's coming out to him, I Am Perfectly Designed is a picture book following a man and his young son as they explore the city around them ... and the bond they will always share.

Don's (Review): A loving story of bonding between father and son, in which the dad seeks to emphasize to his chld that he is perfect exactly as he is - and always will be, no matter what - I Am Perfectly Designed, beautifully illustrated by Anoosha Syed, ultimately (and sadly) becomes a one-note wonder fast, seemingly unwilling to really "go there" as the same initial message given in the book's title is simply repeated over and over again throughout; no elaboration or exploration. Anyone seeking anything deep, especially knowing that the book was written by a father-and-son duo who had to overcome a couple hurdles of their own when the son came out to his dad, identifying as pansexual, will be disappointed by what appears to be little more than a catchphrase accompanied by great art, as opposed to what it could have been by way of real substance - especially in light of the real-life story behind it.  2.5/5 stars

Reading: HAM HELSING #1: VAMPIRE HUNTER - Rich Moyer

1st Line: "Even a long, long time ago, vampire hunting was a Helsing family obsession ... "

Prose (Story): Ham Helsing, a painter and writer of poetry whose refined ways belie the centuries of vampire and monster hunting heritage behind him, is forced to take over the family business when his roguish hunter brother Chad is killed, leaving him the last of his line. Determined to do his family proud, Ham sets off to a small village on his first mission, little realizing both the dangers and dorks awaiting him. 

Don's (Review): After a brief introduction, in which we are introduced to the short and happy lives of some of Ham and Chad's monster-hunting ancestors, it becomes clear right away that the Helsings mean well, but that these pigs are not exactly the brightest crayons in the box. Ham, soft-spoken and kind (though he steps up to any challenge when riled), arrives for his first kill seeking the castle of the vampire on the hill, and right away builds hiimself a team via a female ninja tree-pig, a pair of greedy (and snarky) rats, and a small boy who happens to turn into a big snarling ... well, wolf technically, but he's more like a big, sloppy, doofy dog, whenever the moon comes out. But with a diabolical hench-hen, an army of spiderlings, and townspeople who don't believe Ham could fight his way out of an argument going against him, it will take all this courageous pig's will to complete his mission - and the laughs along the way make this book a joy. Author Moyer sets up a Looney Tunes-style premise and look to this brilliant graphic novel from the start, but then tempers that humor to a more sarcastic, mature (and funnier) feel, in between the physical comedy, that really makes you care about Ham, Ronin (the aforementioned piglet ninja), Lobos (the wolf-dog); all the characters really. Better still, amidst a book that's funny to read and an animated series on paper to look at (seriously love the art), Ham Helsing also has some nice messages about how both life and people can fool you - in the best way - and that when you have friends  you have it all (none of it ever coming across on the page as obvious or preachy). If you hate spiders, a couple scenes toward the end in particular may cause some glee, but this reader devoured Ham Helsing wearing a huge grin throughout - even more so thanks to a surprise twist, in the end, that leads to setting up what appears will be an even larger-scale sequel. Absolutely loved this one, which can be enjoyed by kids of any age - even mine!  4.5/5 stars

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

May Wrap-Up: Kidlit & Graphic Novels - Light, but Quality!

Another month that sort of got away with me; just light reading, including some kidlit and graphic novels, but some genuine quality here: another run-in between Batman and the Scooby Gang completely resurrected some favorite childhood memories, and I would never have thought it but reinventing Cinderella as an elephant easily led to one of the funniest kids books I've read in ages.

Top of the Charts for the month? Definitely the m/m love story Cheri, My Destiny! fast became one of my favorite mangas ever upon finising it, and Wynd ... oh my goodness, Wynd; one of my favorite graphic novels of all-time, full of heart and adventure and with a lead character you can't help but love; I can hardly wait for book two! Kidlit-wise, The Treasure Troop's first mystery was terrific; between this and her Haunted Library series, I am at the point where I'd read anything Dori Hillestad Butler puts on the page. And Ghoulia; how I love dear little Ghoulia (think Wednesday Addams as a softhearted zombie full of love), and her second adventure was easily as great as the first.

Filmwise, only three, none of them outstanding. And don't get me started on Things Heard & Seen, as this film qualifies for neither.

Hoping to have a bigger crossover between kidlit and adult fare in coming months - though for some reason, my Mood Reading switch has kicked into overdrive and I'm navigating my readig life without a map. But hey - long as I'm reading, I'm happy there (and yes, always catching up on reviews, so keep checking back if you don't see someting here!). Happy Reading and Viewing to All, and welcome to summer!

Reading: MR. SUMMERLING'S SECRET CODE (THE TREASURE TROOP #1) - Doris Hillestad Butler (author), Tim Budgen (illustrator)

1st Line: "Marly heard the doorbell ring, but she didn't budge from the couch."

Prose (Story): The first in a new chapter-book mystery series from Edgar-winning author Doris Hillestad Butler (the Haunted Library series), in which three classmates who barely know each other must band together to solve a series of codes and mysteries to uncover a hidden treasure left to them by a beloved neighbor. 

Don's (Review): Mr. Summerling, the old man who'd lived next door for years, was someone young Marly had always enjoyed watching strutting around town with his metal detector, obsessed with finding treasure. When news of Mr. Summerling's death comes in the form of an invitation to the reading of his will, Marly is shocked at both the sad turn of events ... and when she then learns that, in his will, the eccentric Mr. Summerling left a treasure - not only to Marly, but two other children from her class, Isla and Sai ... provided the three kids can work together to solve a series of codes, puzzles, and riddles the old man left behind, which will lead them to their prize. At first Marly - still hurting from when her best friend recently moved to the other side of the country - is a bit resentful of having to work with a pair of classmates she doesn't know, but soon the three become entranced in their treasure, forming a friendship without even realizing it in what is a terrific, charming, and very upbeat kid's book that incorporates themes of loss, acceptance, friendship, working together as a team, children with disabilities - all featuring a multi-ethnic cast of characters and some cool puzzles that children will enjoy, as well as a satisfying and fun conclusion that kids of any age will enjoy - plus setting up the new Treasure Troop series! Having read only the first Haunted Library book as well and loving it), I can honestly say that I will eagerly be continuing with/finishing off both series, as well as pretty much anything else Doris Hillestad Butler writes; her plots and characters (always accompanied by perfect illustrations, in this case by Tim Budgen) make for books that are always fresh and interesting page-turners I whisk through in no time. Genuine treats.  4.5/5 stars

Reading: HOLLYWOOD TRASH - Stephen Sonneveld (author), Pablo Verdugo (illustrator)

1st Line: "... And that is the source of my power, and why the garbage man must die."

Prose (Story): In a lavish Hollywood mansion owned by a world-famous entertainment mogul named Grapevine meets The Privy Council, a clandestine and nefarious club of the famous and near-famous, led by Grapevine, whose latest grab to attain power, influence and wealth seems oddly simple: they must kill a garbage man. One who has something belonging to their ruthless leader that he wants back. As each member of the council (if he or she doesn't want to face Grapevine's wrath) systematically hunts down the hapless James - a burly and good-natured guy completely unaware of what's going on, who only wants to train his new route partner, Billy - little do the two Los Angeles-based garbage collectors understand the eventful day ahead of them, as one assassination attempt after another hunts their every move through Hollywood.

Don's (Review): This volume collects issues 1-5 of the comic, and while I normally wait a day or two (minimum) to write a review, all the negatvie reviews and bashing of this book - on Goodreads especally - spurred me to write ths literally minutes after finishing. The problem on GR seems to be that some are posting low, one-star reviews, and then complaining about how incomprehensible the book was to them. In fact, when reading on, the problem becomes obvious: the reviewer read one or two issues of the comic, jumping in on the middle of the story, whch of course means so, so very much won't make sense. Worse, they are posting these reviews on the page dedicated to the 118-page collected volume of the five issues and NOT for the individual issues, therefore badly skewering the numbers when, in fact, the reviews being left don't apply to this volume! All - inredibly - WRONG; for my taste, even a slap-dash, too-quick ending that left me a bit "Huh?" still didn't hurt the fact that this is an over-the-top, often funny, and beautifully-illustrated parody, of sorts, of a supervillain movie where the majority of the villains are genuinely inept. I loved James and Billy, both good guys just trying to do their job, and as each attempt to kill them ends in delicious disaster, the stakes rise and the reader becomes more invested in wondering just what could a garbage collector have, on some super-rich Hollywood mogul, that'd be worth being killed for? It's a lot of fun, and yes if you are reading the compendium it all DOES make sense (contrary to some GR reviews) by the end; in fact, this would make a great limited series for something like Adult Swim or even Fox; the visual style of the book, as well as the writing, would be ideal for either. Not sure what Oprah would think of all that, considering the very thinly-disguised version of her here, in the form of a major member of The Privy Council - but yeah, please don't listen to the negative reviews; at least not until you've read the full compilation volume, and enjoyed some great art and snarky humor tthat will keep you turning pages.  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: CHÉRI, MY DESTINY! - Okoge Mochino

1st Line: "'Hello, and thank you for dropping in!'"

Prose (Story): Kaoru, after studying the art of candymaking in France, proudly opens up Bisous, his own patisserie, in Japan, specializing in new and innovative flavors and creations. The store is a hit, Kaoru even more so as he is quite young and handsome; a good catch, for someone so young yet already operating his own successful business. Kaoru takes huge pride in all he's learned and accomplished - no more so than when he hears of a nearby patisserie, called Tatsuya, that's been in business forever and yet remains as popular as the day it opened. As Tatsuya only deals in traditional Japanese chocolates and sweets, Kaoru is even more dumbfounded about how the shop could rival his ... until he takes it upon himself to visit the store to size up the competition, and sees that the manager behind the counter is just as elegant, upscale, and breathtaking as the shop itself. Worse, Kaoru - who is bi - finds himself immediately smitten by the store manager, Sojiro, the insta-love throwing him completely off-course, and after trying unsuccessfully to reign in his emotions regarding the superiority of his own shop and sweets, Kaoru makes it his mission to create some new, even more innovative sweets ... for the sole purpose of bringing them over to Sojiro, who will then have to acquiesce to the superiority of Bisous and French sweets, even as Kaoru finds himself falling more and more in love with his shop's biggest rival.

Don's (Review): Run-on sentence above aside, I can hardly find room in my heart for the love I have for this incredibly sweet (no pun intended) male-male manga love story with a confectionary setting. Kaoru is so reminiscent of that one character (at least) in every anime - film or series - whose reactions are all overreactions; one minute he's adorable, in the next panel a bug-eyed, shrieking fiend with razor-sharp teeth because something minor has sent him over the edge. A talented pastry chef and smart business owner, yet at times very immature emotionally, whether it be falling in love so fast or having a serious freakout when Sojiro isn't immediately impressed with one of his confections. My worry was that these constant actions and reactions would make Kaoru incredibly annoying, very fast, but in truth somehow writer Okoge Mochino has in Kaoru created a character whose emotional outbursts seem to cover up a young man who's simply trying very hard to be successful in the adult world, even while maybe still not fully a "grown-up" inside. Indeed, instead of off-putting, as the story went on I found myself becoming more and more endeared with Kaoru, wanting him to succeed both in business and with Sojiro - and speaking of which, in Sojiro Mochino has successfully created a sensitive yet masculine, empathetic yet intelligent "hottie" that makes it easy to see why Tatsuya has such a large female clientele ... and why Karou falls in love. Not a lot of conflict here, in a pretty straightforward story, but if seeking a charming, simple, boy-meets-boy love story, you probably couldn't find anything in either Kaoru or Sojiro's patisseries that is any sweeter. I only hope Mochino continues, either via these boys or other standalones, with bringing characters so wonderfully to life on the page as a manga artist and writer.  4.5/5 stars

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

Reading: WYND BOOK ONE: THE FLIGHT OF THE PRINCE - James Tynion IV (author), Michael Dialynas (illustrator)

1st Line: "Wynd?"

Prose (Story): Wynd is a teenage boy who lives and works at a bawdy tavern in Pipetown, working with the cook downstairs at preparing and sending food orders, via pressurized chutes, up to the tables in the inn above. His best friends are Oakly, an engineering apprentice, and her mother - his found family, as he has none of his own. His job keeps him downstairs and away from actually facing customers; a good thing as Wynd, under his unruly head of hair, has pointed ears - a sign of magic in his blood, and magic is forbidden in Pipetown. So forbidden, in fact, the king has recently called the sinister Bandaged Man back to hunt down and kill anyone in the city even touched by magic. Magic contaminates, after all, and Pipetown is seemingly the last truly, wholly human city left standing; the king is determined to keep it that way. So Wynd stays indoors mostly, covering his pointy ears with his thick hair or hood - even when he sneaks up to the crow's nest above the tavern on break time, to spy on Thorn, the beefy, handsome son of the king's gardner, when the young man goes on his daily runs. Wynd dreams of this young gardner boy as much as he does a normal life ... though dreams, these days for Wynd, include nightmares where he transforms into a hideous beast with wings that Oakley beats to death when she doesn't recognize it's him. But an escalation in the Bandaged Man's plans, conbimed with the king's son's attempt to flee the kngdom with Thorn in a plot to help make Pipetown free, puts Wynd on his own path, along with Oakley, to get out of Pipetown before he's discovered and killed - and find his way north, to where he'll be able to not only live with his own kind ... but accept himself for who he is, as well.

Don's (Review): If the plot above sounds complicated, it's not really - and yet is, thanks to writer Tynion's cinematic take on this pretty brilliant first-in-a-series graphic novel that - thanks to artist Dialynas's artwork, as well - plays out like a film while reading. A very unique history and world surrounds the seemingly simple Pipetown, and that world is populated with real characters you can either hate or root for, as well as a natural storyline pulsating with dramatic tension that plays a bit like an Indiana Jones-style adventure on the page. Wynd is endearing and sweet, torn between who he is and his desire to lead a normal life (hopefully with the right boy; hopefully Thorn), and even supporting characters like Oakley, Thorn, the prince, etc. all come to life in this exciting, suspenseful page-turner that I loved from cover to cover, spurred on by both great story and art. Even the ending, thankfully, leaves some doors and questions open for book two, while not pulling the silly, too-often-used trope of leaving the reader with a doozy of a cliffhanger to literally yank them into book two. No such gimmicks needed here; here, your attachment to (love for) both characters and story will be more than enough to make you wonder what happens next, long after you close this one. Only my second 5-star graphic novel read of 2021 so far, and one of my favorite reads of all time. Outstanding.  5/5 stars

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

Reading: TWISTED FAIRY TALES: CINDER-ELEPHANT - Samantha Newman (author), James Hearne (illustrator)

1st Line: "There once was a girl called Cinderella."

Prose (Story): A retelling of Cinderella for kids 6+, in which a hard-of-hearing Fairy Godmother sends the poor but beautiful young girl to the prince's ball in the form of a full-grown elephant!

Don's (Review): Dropping 6/1, I read and fell in love with this kids (age 6 and up, though I was giddy as a six-year-old just reading it) book tonight; have already read it twice. Yes, I love elephants, but like me if you also remember "Fractured Fairy Tales" from your youth, this Twisted Fairy Tale - in both story and funny full-color illustrations - will take you back to those days and laughter of your childhood. Cinderella is a poor but beautiful, rather bedraggled young girl who, after the death of her father, is basically treated like a servant by her bad-tempered stepmother and two stepsisters. When they keep her from attending the ball the prince is throwing for the kingdom's maidens, Cinderella is visited by her fairy godmother ... whose ears happen to be clogged with fairy dust, making her mis-hear everything Cinderella says to the point that she sends the poor girl to the ball transformed into an elephant (!) - one who will have only until midnight to capture the prince's heart. Not sure what else to add, except GET THIS; I loved it so much, plus as of this writing the Kindle pre-order price is just a whopping 99 cents! (Available June 1)  5/5 stars

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

April Wrap-Up: Welcome to Slumpsylvania

Well, April started off good anyway. Some book disappointments but got "Lost" in a couple of really decent reads (one of which, in particular, still resonates in my mind), and had even started reminding myself of my love for films by starting to catch up on some I'd been wanting to see.

Then sadly, about three weeks in, a series of circumstances convinced me to give a long-term dream - writing. I finished both The Lost Village and The Lost Apothecary around the same time, suffering a book hangover with the latter especially. Then suddenly, I had lost the capacity - even desire - to read. Concentration impossible for more than a couple pages, and even when making myself pick up a book, no matter what it was, the desire to read just wasn't there.

So I turned to films, which took less concentration and allowed me to veg out; hence the eleven titles on this month's wrap-up. Had such hope for Melissa McCarthy's newest (hopes dashed) otherwise saw some fair-to-mediocre films with the occasional gem in between. Meanwhile, the most I could muster for the rest of the month, book-wise, were kidlit and graphic novels - though that said, there were a couple goodies in that mix!

Now in May, the slump continues (so far). HATE book slumps; don't think I've been mired in one for like six years, at least. And as there are some freaking amazing titles coming out in May - not to mention I've got blog tour commitments I'm trying to keep - fingers crossed I can push this trolley back on the tracks asap. 

Any suggetions welcomed! See you in June, and oh yeah - have just barely started back to posting some long-overdue back reviews ... at last! Still a ways to go to catch up, but let's see what we can do ...

BookTube Spin #2 ... + Reaction to Book #1

If you saw my post of 23 April (which you can read here), you saw I posted my list of 20 titles for the second BookTube Spin, hosted and spun by BookTuber Rick MacDonnell on 28 April. Details on how the project works are in the linked post above; it's an easy and fun way to knock a few books off your TBR - especially if you're up for the game of a random spin to see which from that list you'll read next.

Spin #2 came up with a boring number - "1" no less - but the corresponding book from my list seems anything but: The Deep by Alma Katsu. A part of me has been obsessed with the Titanic forever, and I've been wanting to read Katsu's novel for what feels just as long ... so yay! Now it's official, and will be read by June 30th.

Meanwhile, for the first spin (#15) back in late December, my book-to-read was The Lost Village by Camilla Sten, which I gave three stars. Official review to come (hopefully within this millenia), but I did enjoy the book a lot, while at the same time felt it definitely came with some of the growing pains most first novels (it is a debut) come with. More to come. 

Such a fun project, though, and if even one person reads this post and comes aboard The BookTube Spin now - or for the next spin in July - it will have done its job!

The BookTube Spin #2 - My List

 Back on January 28th I posted here about the BookTube Spin, round one. Through Rick MacDonnell, the BookTube Spin is a challenge he's hosting through his channel (as well as Instagram) for bookaholics who A) want to work at clearing up their TBR list; and B) are up for a little randomness/game of chance in their reading life. I was all for it, after watching his post explaining how it works (which you can find HERE), and for round one got THE LOST VILLAGE by Camilla Sten, which was #15 in the spin. The premise:

1)The Deep; 2) The Year of the Witching; 3) The Plot; 4) Red, White & Royal Blue; 5) These Violent Delights

Essentially, you choose 20 books off your current TBR. Books you already own, in particular books you have maybe been putting off reading ... maybe feared reading, due to their size, or content ... maybe been a bit intimidated to read for some reasons - whatever. Choose 20 titles, assign each a number, then post your list somewhere PUBLICLY (your blog, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, do a video on your own YouTube channel) to hold yourself accountable. You do NOT have to have a YT channel or be a book tuber in order to participate (neither apply to me), and you can even get in touch with Rick with your list as he wants to see them; nope, it's just a fun challenge, and round two begins on May 1st; in a few days on the 27 or 28th I believe, Rick will post a video on his channel, spinning a virtual wheel with numbers on it, 1-20, and whatever that number is - you read the corresponding title on your list between May 1st and June 30th. That's TWO MONTHS to read the one book, at which time Rick will do a rund three spin and start another challenge.

6) Into the Drowning Deep; 7) Midnight Crossroad; 8) The Only Good Indians; 9) Goblin; 10) Cemetery Boys

Onto the books: check out Rick's post above - they can be 20 you've been wanting to knock off your TBR for ages, or you can break them down, say 5 titles in four different genres or categories (classics, LGBTQ+ fiction, biographies, cozy mysteries, etc.) for variety; shoot, you can even only choose 10 titles and just double up on their places on your numbered list (again, watch Rick's post above, he explains it much better than I do).  For round two I removed two titles that I had managed to read over the last couple months, changed a couple more, then shuffled the others around for variety to post my current list now. Again, this is all just to put a little spark of random in your reading life, as well as knock a much-needed title off your TBR.

11) Blacktop Wasteland; 12) Hamnet; 13) Swimming in the Dark; 14) The Cost of Knowing; 15) The Push

So, now my round two list is officially public. Hope fellow book nerds will come aboard, and check out Rick's wheel spin in a few days to join in on the new round, as well. Welcome to the BookTube Spin, and keep reading!

16) Malibu Rising; 17) Lovecraft Country; 18) Skulduggery Pleasant; 19) The Lions of Fifth Avenue; 20) One by One

March Wrap-Up: The March of the Wooden Reader

Feel like I slogged off in March, with only six books read - but some good quality there, and who knew a kid's picture book about the celebrating of Persian New Year (Seven Special Somethings) would be one of my most interesting and entertaining reads of the year already? Also admit, though The Burning Girls was my first C.J. Tudor, it certainly won't be my last. And Carl Hiaasen ... oh my goodness, Mr. Hiaasen. If you're a Trump fan, do NOT read Squeeze Me. IOn the other hand, if you (like most people) despise Trump and all he represents, then you may want to commit parts of Hiassen's latest to memory. Should also mention that a visit with the Ratso Brothers always makes me smile ... so yeah, not a bad reading month for quality - and have a few goodies I'm already into or have completed for April, as well!

Film-wise, received an invite to a private screening to watch an Emile Hirsch (always a fan) film that's still "under construction", but having signed an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) for it can't discuss my thoughts (*sigh*, one less review to catch up on, I guess) until/unless the film come out. My strong opinions on the other two, however, more than make up the difference for that, and hopefully my total love for Zack Snyder's Justice League and so-so love for Godzilla vs. Kong will be on-board here soon, via upcoming reviews (from my mouth to God's ear)!

Lastly, March saw the premiere of "The Irregulars" on Netflix - the modern-day take on the Baker Street Irregulars of Sherlock Holmes's fame, with a supernatural twist. Have watched two episodes so far, and have fallen in love with the show, as well as at least half its cast. One goal for April: finish the other six episodes for season one ... and cross fingers for a season two!

Already two books down for April; hopefully a good sign. And warmer weather isn't hurting. Whatever you're up to, may your April be filled with great books, films, television ... and hopefully some comfy outdoor reading!

As always (no spoilers here): Reviews to come! 

February Wrap-Up: 28 (Very Short) Days Later

Wow, February went by like a blip. Not the best reading or film month (eight books, four films) - mostly graphic novels and kidlit with the former - but dang it, had February been a full 30/31 days, the numbers would have been different; am more than halfway through three novels I am genuinely enjoying, all of which would have been done with a couple more days' grace!

Rant aside, some good quality in February; I always enjoy the shenanigans of the Wolf in Underpants, and Big Nate collections remain funny as always. Made a new friend in Ghoulia, a zombie girl who only wants friends and to have fun; this was book one, and I look forward to more of  her adventures. For graphic novels, Grimoire Noir is rich and darkly beautiful from cover to cover, with Snapdragon being my first 5-star graphic novel of 2021; all the right feels with that girl! Also loved my second adventure with Amy Wu, whose energy and upbeat spirit are always so contagious!

Films varied, but happy to add another, well-done Andy Lau film to what I've watched of his resume via Blind Detective, and my other Asian Cinema watch - The Bridge Curse - was almost too twisty with its plot but a lot of fun, as many times with scary movies from Asia, those "Ah-hah!" moments both exciting and enlightening. With Ghosts of War ... well, I can't wait to write that review. If you watch it in the meantime, please do yourself a favor and stop twenty minutes from the end. Just ... stop. You're welcome.

Here's a surprise - way behind on reviews! But with March actually freaking HAVING 31 days in it, I promise to try and do better starting this month.

Meanwhile: Spring, where are you??

Reading: THE WOLF IN UNDERPANTS AT FULL SPEED - Wilfrid Lupano (author), Mayana Itoïz & Paul Cauuet (illustrators), Nathan Sacks (translator)

1st Line: "The Big Race: THE FAST AND THE FEATHERIEST!"

Prose (Story): Everyone in the forest has been preparing for months for The Big Race - until suddenly, throughout the forest, posters for the events are showing up vandalized! Now on friendly terms with the wise wolf in underpants, the other animals enlist his aid in finding the culprit, the wolf's investigation turning up a tiny little chickadee with a very big attitude. Learning the reason behind the chip on the bird's shoulder, the wolf - aided by his trademark underpants, no less - finds a way to again bring peace to the forest in time for the big event, in book three of the popular series.

Don's (Review): This is my second Wolf in Underpants book (still have to read the debut, but The Wolf in Underpants Freezes His Buns Off was terrific), and while the same themes of making friends of supposed enemies and working together for the greater good still make for a great story here - and while I loved the chickadee and hope to see her in future volumes - I would rate this book just a tiny bit behind the previous one, as for me the previous story of the wolf being more at odds with his fellow forest creatures, his attitude more cantankerous, made for better conflict. It's a mild quip, though, as the characters and story here are as fresh as ever - and really, who couldn't love a wolf in striped underpants, under any circumstances?  4/5 stars

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

January Wrap-Up: Books & Movies & Books About Movies; A Decent Mix

Would have liked more variety in the reading for January, but already taking steps for just that (two blog tour posts coming up soon, plus participating in the BookTube Spin Challenge, as you can read in a recent post) - though am happy to get the film wagon back on track with eight films for the month, and my first 5-star read of 2021 was ironically a book about a film: Grease: The Director's Notebook by Randal Kleiser. If you like the film at all, you will LOVE his behind-the-scenes look at the making of the hit musical. A genuine must-have.

George Takei's graphic memoir about the years he and his family spent in Japanese internment camps (here in the States) during WWII was also amazing and heartbreaking - make sure to get the Expanded Edition when reading it - and OMG finishing book three in Barry Hutchison "Teddy" series, Invasion of the Living Ted, was a joy; it's easily as brilliant as its two predecessors! Whether you're eight or eighty, this (so far) trilogy deserves a place on your shelves!

Film-wise, it was nice to finally catch up on the shenanigans of Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, and watching Soul was a wondrous experience that made me laugh, get misty-eyed, and even look into my own soul a bit. Dear Ex, better than even I expected, also had me grabbing for tissues between laughs.

Reviews to come (big surprise: am behind, as always). Meanwhile ... February. The weather has gotten so cold here it's making my knees ache, so guess even a better reason to cover up, grab a mug of chai tea, and crack open a good book or stream something on-screen. Hope you are all warm and fuzzy wherever you are, and here's to an early Spring thaw!

Reading: BRACELETS FOR BINA'S BROTHERS - Rajani LaRocca (author), Chaaya Prabhat (illustrator)

1st Line: "Bina had three big brothers: Vijay, Siddharth, and Arjun."

Prose (Story): Raksha Bandhan is coming up, and to surprise her brothers young Bina wants to make each of them a special beaded bracelet incorporating their favorite colors. After a little snooping to determine which colors each brother likes or dislikes, Bina sets out to make each bracelet via a special pattern, discovering math can actually be fun along the way.

Don's (Review): There is a lot packed into this short picture book for kids - and that's meant in the best possible way, as author LaRocca incorporates the information in a way that never feels jammed together, much less like the reader is being taught. This is a Storytelling Math book, developed in cooperation with math experts at the STEM education nonprofit TERC, which shows children utilizing math and patterns in their everday lives in a positive - even fun - way, which Bina does here in trying to make the best beaded bracelets she can for her special gifts. It's very well-executed here, as the love Bina has for her older siblings shines through as well, so by no means is this "a book about math" and in fact feels anything but. Chaaya Prabhat's lush, brilliantly-colorful illustrations help to set mood and tone for both the story and the Hindu holiday of Raksha Bandham, and to me anytime a children's book can teach me this much without it feeling like learning, said book deserves a place in any kid's library - in this case for its diversity/cultural value, alone. Very sweet. (Available April 20).  4/5 stars

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

Reading: WITCHES OF BROOKLYN - Sophie Escabasse

1st Line: "Once upon a time n Ditmas Park, a calm neighborhood in Brooklyn ... "

Prose (Story): In this middle grade, first-in-a-series graphic novel, Effie - a young girl still reeling from the death of her mother - comes to live with her two eccentric aunts in Brooklyn ... and soon discovers their little quirks seem to include being a pair of practicing witches. 

Don's (Review): A sweet story about a young girl finding her place, and finding it in the magic community. Effie is an engaging character, her aunts even more so, and when Effie's favorite female pop star shows up on the doorstep of her aunt's home, seeking their special brand of help, the little girl and her two friends become even more involved in the proceedings. The artwork by author Escabasse is equally well-done, adding to both character development and story - and while I want to continue with the series in August, when book two drops, there was something about this debut that just ... didn't grab me. Much as I enjoyed the read on a surface level, a part of me fell just short of completely becoming invested in the characters and story, and to this moment I can't even fully understand why. I think kids will love it, and I myself will be doing a re-read of this one before book two releases - sometimes it's not the book, just the head-space you're in when you happened to read the book - but far as recommending, I think any middle-grade kid will enjoy it, and Effie especially, for sure; very well-done!  3/5 stars

Reading: INVASION OF THE LIVING TED - Barry Hutchison (author), Lee Cosgrove (illustrator)

1st Line: "'Yes, yes, Agent Strong, we get it.'"

Prose (Story): Book three in the comedy-suspense adventure series for kids picks up three days after Revenge of the Living Ted, where young Lisa Marie and her stepbrother Vernon find themselves flying solo when a government agency has taken away Bearvis and their teddy bear army to be studied ... just in time for Grizz, the arch-nemesis they thought was now defeated, to return with a new plot involving now taking over the entire world via a new, insidious invention. What can the kids, especially without their friends, do when teddy bears everywhere - really, really angry ones - start springing to life, determined to rule?

Don's (Review): Easily in my top ten favorite children series of all time, book three - just like its predecessor - joyously escalates both the suspense and scale of possible disaster with Grizz's latest plot. The mayhem here extends way beyond the young siblings' small town/community, and seeing evil teddies (via Cosgrove's always glorious, always funny illustrations) come to life in the middle of London, taking to the streets with destruction on their minds, really sets a new bar for what Lisa Marie and Vernon need to do, in order to stop them. Bearvis returns, of course, Elvis-y as ever, and even in the middle of trying to thwart the villain's most complex, dastardly plot yet (which includes a gigantic, King Kong-sized teddy the kids must somehow vanquish, no less), author Hutchison still fnds time to interject plenty of humor, some of it laugh-out-loud, even while building suspense and character. The fact that an epilogue of sorts hints at a potential fourth book doesn't hurt, either; this children's series is so charming and funny, its characters and plots so well-drawn, I'm here for it till the end.  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: LEMONADE CODE - Jarod Pratt (author), Jey Odin (illustrator)

1st Line: "This is the story of how I got this black eye."

Prose (Story): Young Robbie Reynolds is an up-and-coming mad scientist genius following in the footsteps of his mother, Doctor Mama, whose own career has stalled, so she holds down a day job. In her absence, Robbie has invented an automatista robot who, solo, operates a sophisticated lemonade stand in Robbie's front yard, where it can make any flavor of lemonade your heart desires - from bagels to boogers or anything in between - and do it in record time. It's a big hit, and both Robbie's pride and head swell to huge proportions ... until the new kid across the street (a girl, no less!) named Daphne opens up her own, old-fashioned lemonade stand in her own front yard. This sets Robbie off (to be fair, it takes very little to set Robbie off), and when it seems Daphne's cuteness and sincerity and positivity make her stand more popular than Robbie's, the young mad scientist proclaims her his first arch-nemesis and seeks to take her down fast.

Don's (Review): Love the artwork on this frenetic, over-the-top graphic novel, as well as the sharp contrast between Daphne's seemingly-endless sweetness, while Robbie is about as all-over-the-place as it gets (think "needs Ritalin") - and especially love Doctor Mama, who I wish we saw more of throughout the book. I can also see where kids would enjoy this battle-of-the-sexes lemonade competition, especially as hidden things we didn't know about are revealed as the story goes on. That said, for me the book really dragged in the middle, bogged down in Robbie's mayhem and ongoing scientific descriptions and lingo, not finally picking up again until toward the end, when some final (and unexpected) battles ensue. Not a bad book, just wish the middle didn't seem stretched out and over-long (for me, Robbie even got a little annoying and boring, during this time), because once we get to the climax (and more Doctor Mama), the book rocks all over again.  2.5/5 stars

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

The BookTube Spin #1 - My List!

I have had a years-long love/hate relationship with BookTube, only now following a small handful of people I feel really do what they do for the love of books and reading, over being monetized or gaining "fans" (aka subscribers) - and one of my very favorites is Barter Hordes, led by Robert who is the creator of the BookTube Prize, currently in its second year of judging. It was, in fact, through Robert that I found Rick MacDonnell and The BookTube Spin, a challenge he's hosting through his channel and Instagram for those who A) want to work at clearing up their TBR list; and B) up for a little randomness/game of chance in their reading life. I was all for it, after watching his post explaining how it works (which you can find HERE), and will try my best to explain the premise:

1)These Violent Delights; 2) Cemetery Boys; 3) The Deep; 4) Swimming in the Dark; 5) Hamnet

Essentially, you choose 20 books off your current TBR. Books you already own, in particular books you have maybe been putting off reading ... maybe feared reading, due to their size ... maybe been a bit intimidated to read for some reasons - whatever. Choose 20 titles, assign each a number, then post your list somewhere PUBLICLY (your blog, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter, do a video on your own YouTube channel) to hold yourself accountable. You do NOT have to have a YT channel or be a book tuber in order to participate (neither apply to me), and you can even get in touch with Rick with your list as he wants to see them; nope, it's just a fun challenge that begins on January 31st ... when, on Rick's channel, he will sping a virtual wheel with numbers on it, 1-20, and whatever that number is - you read the corresponding title on your list during the months of February and March. That's TWO MONTHS to read the one book, at which time Rick will do another spin and another challenge (to-be-announced).

6) Into the Drowning Deep; 7) One by One; 8) Revival; 9) Midnight Crossroad; 10) Malibu Rising

Onto the books: check out Rick's post above - they can be 20 you've been wanting to knock off your TBR for ages, or you can break them down, say 5 titles in four different genres or categories (classics, LGBTQ+ fiction, biographies, cozy mysteries, etc.) for variety; shoot, you can even only choose 10 titles and just double up on their places on your numbered list (again, watch Rick's post above, he explains it much better than I do). Again, this is just to put a little spark of random in your reading life, as well as knock a much-needed title off your TBR. 

11) Skulduggery Pleasant; 12) Lovecraft Country; 13) Red, White & Royal Blue; 14) The Only Good Indians; 15) The Lost Village

This post is just to make my list public. Hope fellow book nerds will come aboard, and check out Rick's wheel spin on January 31st to see what your first book will be. Welcome to the BookTube Spin!

16) The Lost Apothecary; 17) Blacktop Wasteland; 18) The Year of the Witching: 19) The Lions of Fifth Avenue; 20) The Push

Watching: THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY (1934)

Director: William Beaudine

71m/Not Rated

Prose (Story): The late, great W.C. Fields stars as The Great McGonigle, head of a rundown, rather shady traveling theatrical troupe who've just shown up at a small-town boarding house in time to start rehearsals for "The Drunkard". McGonigle, forever just one step ahead of bill collectors, process servers, and sheriffs, tries working his magic to charm a rich widow staying at the boarding house into backing his show, while at the same time trying to turn his own daughter Betty - part of the troupe - into a star, even as she's falling in love with an actor wannabe.

Don's (Review): I love W.C. Fields, but am woefully behind in seeing all his films, so was overjoyed to accidentally find this, uncut, on YouTube. The film starts off in typical Fields style - sarcastic humor, some very funny physical bits of business and one liners, and double entendres ... and Fields's attempt to woo the talentless but rich widow who only wants a part in the play, as well as thwart a naughty little boy McGonigle only wants to throttle, are borderline hilarious. But then, for me, the film takes a bizarre turn in regards to the widow, the end following suit with the story winding up in a way that, while it seems fitting (I guess), is also a bit of a downer. For me that, sadly, cost the film at least one star off my rating, alone. (NOTE: clicking on the image below will enable you to view the full film, not just the trailer!)  3/5 stars