le book review number one hundred five~ The Walking Dead, Single Issue #14

Title: The Walking Dead, Issue 14
Author: Robert Kirkman
Illustrator: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn
Series: The Walking Dead
Paperback
Genre: Horror Comic, Graphic Novel
Pages: 33
Year Published: 2004
Publisher: Image Comics
Personal Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Cover Comments:
This cover is foreshadowing for something that is to happen.

Spoiler Warning:
The following review may contain spoilers.

Review:
In this issue, the group move in to the prison and the spirit of the group is more hopeful and positive. As they return to Hershel's farmhouse and invite the others to join their safer space, it seems like their lives and luck are turning around. However, the shocking ending, where Tyreese's daughter turns into a zombie without being bitten reveals something about the transformation after death.

le book review number one hundred four~ The Walking Dead, Single Issue #13

Title: The Walking Dead, Issue 13
Author: Robert Kirkman
Illustrator: Charlie Adlard, Tony Moore, Cliff Rathburn
Series: The Walking Dead
Paperback
Genre: Horror Comic, Graphic Novel
Pages: 33
Year Published: 2004
Publisher: Image Comics
Personal Star Rating: 4.5/5

Cover Comments:
I like the dark blues of this cover and the silhouette images of the walking dead. I especially like how the light shines through the holes in the zombie and I think that is a gorgeous artistic addition that is an effective element to include.

Spoiler Warning:
The following review may contain spoilers.

Review:
In this issue of the series, the group, led by Rick, are clearing up the prison that they stumbled upon in the last issue. I love how the preservation of innocence is attempted, yet is complicated by the clear lack of integrity that is maintained amidst the the ever decaying world. However, there is hope for the group as they discover that the prison can be a safe place for everyone.

le book review number one hundred three~ The Walking Dead, Single Issue #12

Title: The Walking Dead, Issue 12
Author: Robert Kirkman
Illustrator: Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn
Series: The Walking Dead
Paperback
Genre: Horror Comic, Graphic Novel
Pages: 32
Year Published: 2004
Publisher: Image Comics
Personal Star Rating: 4.5/5

Cover Comments:
I like this cover, although there's something about the colour that I'm not completely fond of. However, it also has significance with the gun that becomes known after reading.

Review:
I've watched the television show that is based off of these comics, but this issue especially shows how they diverge from each other. I really admire how decayed the characters are becoming and not just the zombies, but the living. I think that this deteriorated world is showcased, especially in this issue. The things that people are seeing are taking a toll on their mental states.

my shelf this monday~ (16/5/16)

Good morning!

In my TBR pile for this week I have two novels that I really want to get through:

This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel (reread - a review is already posted!)

Such Wicked Intent by Kenneth Oppel

I will also probably be reading more of The Walking Dead as well in between.

What's on your shelf this week?

Thank you for reading!

le book review number one hundred two~ The Internet is a Playground

Title: The Internet is a Playground: Irreverent Correspondences of an Evil Online Genius
Author: David Thorne
Standalone
Paperback
Pages: 353
Year First Published: 2010
Publisher: TarcherPerigee
Personal Star Rating: 4/5

Description:
From the notorious Internet troublemaker who brought the world the explosively popular "Overdue Account," in which he attempted to pay his chiropractor with a picture he drew of a spider; "Please Design a Logo for Me. With Pie Charts. For Free," which has been described as one of the most passed-on viral e-mails of all time; and the staggeringly popular "Missing Missy," which has appeared everywhere, from The Guardian to Jezebel to Andrew Sullivan's The Daily Dish, comes this profoundly funny collection of irreverent Internet mischief and comedy.
Featuring every one of Thorne's viral successes from 27bslash6, The Internet Is a Playground will keep you laughing - and, indeed, crying - until Thorne's next stroke-of-genius prank. Or hilarious hoax. Or almost-stint in jail.

Cover Comments:
The cover is effective. It contributed to me wanting to read the book, although I may not have picked it up at the bookstore based on the cover alone.

Title Thoughts:
The title is very fitting for the book. It definitely expresses how comical the book is, in the best ways possible.

Review:
This book was recommended to me by my boyfriend who described it as "weird humour that I find hilarious". I was hesitant when he first described the book to me, but found myself laughing about many of the email replies that were compiled. "Missing Missy" is the main reason this got a full 4 stars because that alone was worth reading the whole book. As well, the Spider drawing, which the cover alludes to, was also one of the funnier ones. There were some aspects that were not as interesting or funny, but that could have been that I didn't understand the humour or that I didn't interpret it as being funny. However, it made me laugh, gave me something to talk about with my boyfriend, and also allowed me to share some of my favourites with other friends. I would recommend this for anyone looking for something to pass the time, and since they are split into sections, it's perfect to pick up and put back down if you have a busy schedule and only have time for a few stories in between other commitments.

feature friday~ bookcases (16)

Welcome to Feature Friday!

This design adds an element of artistic design to a standard shelving unit. The zig-zag appeal of each shelf would make this a funky addition to any room, and is slim enough to fit in a corner beside a desk or couch. This is visually unique, yet still functional to fit enough books on it. It's definitely a concept that deserves to be featured.

Image found on google.

Thanks for reading!

le book review number one hundred one~ Eleanor & Park

Title: Eleanor & Park
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Standalone
Hardcover
Pages: 325
Year First Published: 2013
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Personal Star Rating: 5/5

Description:
Set over the course of one school year in 1986, this is the story of two star-crossed misfits - smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you'll remember your own first love - and just how hard it pulled you under.

Cover Comments:
I think to cover is perfect. It feels like you're sitting behind them on the bus as they sit listening to the tapes and I like how the cord forms the ampersand sign.

Title Thoughts:
It's a beautiful title. It showcases how the story is written about these two teenagers and that their story is the focus.

Review:
I bought this book a couple years ago (when this edition was released), but I hadn't read it until now because I was nervous. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I know that it was recommended to me by a friend who praised it highly. I'm glad that I waited to read this though, because I felt so much more because I could relate my own experiences to this book that I didn't have when I first bought it. I am glad that I bought the exclusive collector's edition because the fanart inside is a beautiful addition.
Eleanor and Park are both written in such an honest, raw, real way. I found myself drawn to their story, and it provoked real emotions in me that I was not expecting, but that showed how important this was for me to read.
I'm so happy that I read this book and it is one of the most emotionally impacting books that I've read in quite a while.

le book review number one hundred~ The Handmaid's Tale

Title: The Handmaid's Tale
Author: Margaret Atwood
Standalone
Paperback
Pages: 358
Year First Published: 1985
Publisher: Emblem
Personal Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Description:
"My name isn't Offred, I have another name, which nobody uses now because it's forbidden."

Cover Comments:
I really like the scrabble tiles used on the cover. It conveys how important language and words are in the novel. As well, I like the colour scheme and minimalist appeal of the Handmaid outline.

Title Thoughts:
It's a very well-known title and the story follows well from the title. It's descriptive and accurate.

Review:
The Handmaid's Tale is very iconic. I had to read this book for a Science Fiction/Speculative Fiction English course at my University and it affected me greater than I had anticipated. It was very interesting in the construction of the future world, and also had a well-developed, although very oppressed character. Offred had a very unique story to tell in a world that attempts to create conformity and uniformity. I think this book is still very relevant today, if not even more relevant in expressing future changes in terms of gender equality and feminism. There is an important message the this book conveys in terms of how women have been historically subjected to extreme misogyny and that this pervasive mindset still infiltrates contemporary society. I enjoyed reading this and would recommend it for both an academic setting and for reading it for enjoyment as well.

le book review number ninety-nine~ White Girl Problems

Title: White Girl Problems
Author: Babe Walker
Standalone
Paperback
Pages: 273
Year First Published: 2012
Publisher: Hyperion
Personal Star Rating: 3 stars

Description:
Babe Walker, center of the universe, is a painstakingly manicured white girl with an expensive smoothie habit, a proclivity for Louboutins, a mysterious mother she's never met, and approximately 50 bajillion Twitter followers. But her "problems" have landed her in shopping rehab - that's what happens when you spend $246,893.50 in one afternoon at Barneys. Now she's decided to write her memoir, revealing the gut-wrenching hurdles she's had to overcome in order to be perfect in every way, every day. Hurdles such as:

• I hate my horse.
• Every job I've ever had is the worst job I've ever had.
• He's not a doctor, a lawyer, or a prince.
• I'll eat anything, as long as it's gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, low-fat, low-calorie, sugar-free, and organic.

In an Adderall-induced flash of inspiration, Babe Walker has managed to create one of the most enjoyable, unforgettable memoirs in years.

Cover Comments:
I think the simplicity of the cover is very effective. I like the colours and the centered style. It definitely is catching and interesting.

Title Thoughts:
A very effective title. I think the humour is was the reason why my friend sent this book to me for a summer read.

Review:
I read the book last summer (2015), but since coming back home from being away at University and digging up books to read this summer, I found it sitting in a pile. It inspired me to get back to writing book reviews, since it has been something that I have missed. I haven't read many books for "fun" since University takes a lot of my time.
Anyway, this book was hilarious. I found myself laughing and shaking my head at how absurd the story is. It wasn't challenging in terms of vocabulary and it was perfect for sitting in a lounge chair in the shade on a hot summer day, which is exactly how I spent my time reading this book.
Although it seemingly is self-aware of how crazy the antics of one very well-off girl can get up to, but perhaps some of the stories and events hit a little too close to home. I know I felt myself considering my own lifestyle choices while reading, but it was definitely filled with laughs as well.
I may read it again, but probably not this summer.

le book review number ninety-eight~ the walking dead, single issue #11

Title: The Walking Dead, Single Issue 11
Author: Robert Kirkman
Series: The Walking Dead
Pages: 33 pages
Year Published: 2004
4 Stars

Cover Comments:
This shows a lot more companionship and a familial atmosphere than the previous covers have.

Review:
This is so different from how the television show goes. Wow, I am blown away. I can't believe Hershel did that! I just, definitely am surprised. This will be a turning point. Definitely cannot predict exactly what is going to happen.