Title- Avatar: The Last Airbender: The Promise Parts 1,2, and 3
Author- Bryan Konietzko & Michael Dante DiMartino
Series- Divided into 3 books of 80 pages each
Genre- Fantasy
Pages- 240
Pages to date- 2,979
The Good:
This series feeds the craving for more Avatar. The story is pretty interesting as well.
The Bad:
There just isn't enough. The books are mostly pictures and there is very little dialogue, even for a comic book.
Zuko kind of regresses as a character, and, while it makes for a good story catalyst, it isn't what fans want to see.
Cool aspects of the story are just glossed over, like Toph's metal-bending school.
While there are teasers for the story of Zuko's mother, it is pushed back until the next series (The Search), out March 2013.
The Verdict:
This series is good for a quick refresher on the Avatar world, but it won't satisfy loyal fans as much as it should.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Book #10- Stuff Every American Should Know
Title- Stuff Every American Should Know
Author- Denise Kiernan & Joseph D'Agnese
Series- None
Genre- History
Pages- 144
Pages to date- 2,739
The Good:
This is a fun read with many interesting facts about the USA. The topics are compelling.
The Bad:
I knew most of the stuff already and it's not very in-depth (much like this post).
The Verdict:
Interesting, but superficial.
Author- Denise Kiernan & Joseph D'Agnese
Series- None
Genre- History
Pages- 144
Pages to date- 2,739
The Good:
This is a fun read with many interesting facts about the USA. The topics are compelling.
The Bad:
I knew most of the stuff already and it's not very in-depth (much like this post).
The Verdict:
Interesting, but superficial.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Book #9- Thin Kimono
Title- Thin Kimono
Author- Michael Earl Craig
Series- None
Genre- Poetry
Pages- 105
Pages to date- 2,595
The Good:
Craig has a very distinct style of poetry. Each piece is imbued with a sort of "I know a ton but won't tell you anything" tone. It's very interesting. My personal favorites are "In the Road" and "The Sorensen Effect."
The Bad:
Some of Craig's longer poems didn't quite keep my attention as much as I would hope, but further readings dispelled this effect.
The Verdict:
There isn't much I can say about this collection; it's one of those you have to read for yourself. My best summary is that it is an interesting, eclectic set of poems.
Author- Michael Earl Craig
Series- None
Genre- Poetry
Pages- 105
Pages to date- 2,595
The Good:
Craig has a very distinct style of poetry. Each piece is imbued with a sort of "I know a ton but won't tell you anything" tone. It's very interesting. My personal favorites are "In the Road" and "The Sorensen Effect."
The Bad:
Some of Craig's longer poems didn't quite keep my attention as much as I would hope, but further readings dispelled this effect.
The Verdict:
There isn't much I can say about this collection; it's one of those you have to read for yourself. My best summary is that it is an interesting, eclectic set of poems.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Book #8- A Wrinkle in Time
Title- A Wrinkle in Time
Author- Madeleine L'Engle
Series- Book 1 of The Time Quartet
Genre- Fantasy/Science Fiction
Pages-211
Pages to date-2,490
The Good:
A Wrinkle in Time is a quick read and has a lot to offer. A blurb describes it as such: "Fascinating...It makes unusual demands on the imagination and consequently gives great rewards." This is a very fair description of the book. The characters are interesting and the ideas presented are thought-provoking.
The Bad:
I left the book wanting more. Not necessarily a sequel (there are three companions, though not direct sequels), but more content. This story could have done well with 200 more pages. Everything is explained, but you are taken to such amazing worlds that you feel shortchanged once you've left. The concepts are so large that the time they are given seems unjust. Most of this is because it is meant for children. It would do even better if converted to an adult novel.
A few religious references interfered with my reading of the story, but not too much.
The Verdict:
A Wrinkle in Time is a swift and easy read that is satisfying, but a tad short of that amazing, vast story you've been craving.
Author- Madeleine L'Engle
Series- Book 1 of The Time Quartet
Genre- Fantasy/Science Fiction
Pages-211
Pages to date-2,490
The Good:
A Wrinkle in Time is a quick read and has a lot to offer. A blurb describes it as such: "Fascinating...It makes unusual demands on the imagination and consequently gives great rewards." This is a very fair description of the book. The characters are interesting and the ideas presented are thought-provoking.
The Bad:
I left the book wanting more. Not necessarily a sequel (there are three companions, though not direct sequels), but more content. This story could have done well with 200 more pages. Everything is explained, but you are taken to such amazing worlds that you feel shortchanged once you've left. The concepts are so large that the time they are given seems unjust. Most of this is because it is meant for children. It would do even better if converted to an adult novel.
A few religious references interfered with my reading of the story, but not too much.
The Verdict:
A Wrinkle in Time is a swift and easy read that is satisfying, but a tad short of that amazing, vast story you've been craving.
Friday, September 28, 2012
Book #7- Steal Like An Artist
Title- Steal Like An Artist
Author-Austin Kleon
Series- None
Genre- Creativity
Pages- 140
Pages to date- 2,279
The Good:
Steal Like An Artist is an easy but interesting read. It gives a fantastic perspective on creativity as a whole, allowing readers to apply the concepts presented to whichever form his or her work takes. This makes it feel specific, as if Kleon is just writing a letter to you.
The illustrations and occasional newspaper blackouts add to the piece as well. They are entertaining and inspiring.
The Bad:
I wish there was a bit more. Kleon obviously has many ideas to present, but some of them just seem to be scratching at the surface. While what he has to say is interesting, it's over all too quickly.
The Verdict:
Steal Like An Artist is perfect for anyone who likes to create. It is a short read that presents some thoughtful suggestions and enhances the desire to make something.
Author-Austin Kleon
Series- None
Genre- Creativity
Pages- 140
Pages to date- 2,279
The Good:
Steal Like An Artist is an easy but interesting read. It gives a fantastic perspective on creativity as a whole, allowing readers to apply the concepts presented to whichever form his or her work takes. This makes it feel specific, as if Kleon is just writing a letter to you.
The illustrations and occasional newspaper blackouts add to the piece as well. They are entertaining and inspiring.
The Bad:
I wish there was a bit more. Kleon obviously has many ideas to present, but some of them just seem to be scratching at the surface. While what he has to say is interesting, it's over all too quickly.
The Verdict:
Steal Like An Artist is perfect for anyone who likes to create. It is a short read that presents some thoughtful suggestions and enhances the desire to make something.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Book #6- A Universe From Nothing
Title- A Universe From Nothing: Why is there something rather than nothing?
Author- Lawrence M. Krauss (Afterword by Richard Dawkins)
Series- None
Genre- Cosmology, Science
Pages- 166
Pages to date- 2,139
The Good:
Krauss presents a comprehensive, mind-blowing look at the universe as it is today and how it came to be. His presentation is phenomenal.
The Bad:
Much of the scientific language was lost on me. While I could understand the broad concepts of what he was saying, as well as the implications of them, the specifics were hard to grasp. This is merely because it is targeted at a more educated audience.
The Verdict: A Universe From Nothing is a great choice for anyone interested in cosmology, but the uneducated reader (like myself) will have to push through until the final chapters to really be satisfied. A stellar work, just not the universal (pun intended) leisure read.
Author- Lawrence M. Krauss (Afterword by Richard Dawkins)
Series- None
Genre- Cosmology, Science
Pages- 166
Pages to date- 2,139
The Good:
Krauss presents a comprehensive, mind-blowing look at the universe as it is today and how it came to be. His presentation is phenomenal.
The Bad:
Much of the scientific language was lost on me. While I could understand the broad concepts of what he was saying, as well as the implications of them, the specifics were hard to grasp. This is merely because it is targeted at a more educated audience.
The Verdict: A Universe From Nothing is a great choice for anyone interested in cosmology, but the uneducated reader (like myself) will have to push through until the final chapters to really be satisfied. A stellar work, just not the universal (pun intended) leisure read.
Book #5- Broetry
Title- Broetry
Author- Brian McGackin
Series- None
Genre- Poetry, Humor
Pages- 121
Pages to date- 1,973
The Good:
Broetry offers a nice sigh of relief for anyone (especially the college English student) who is constantly required to read poetry as if it has infinite depth. It is funny, straightforward, and easy to read. Additionally, McGackin frequently parodies very well known poems, which is good for a laugh.
The Bad:
The poetry all kind of melts together in one's head. While there are a few that abandon the typical subject matter, the rest just seem the same. This probably resulted from my one-sit reading of the piece, though.
The Verdict: Broetry is funny and an easy read as well as a nice conversation starter. I would recommend it to anyone who needs a break from the monotony of "real" poetry.
Author- Brian McGackin
Series- None
Genre- Poetry, Humor
Pages- 121
Pages to date- 1,973
The Good:
Broetry offers a nice sigh of relief for anyone (especially the college English student) who is constantly required to read poetry as if it has infinite depth. It is funny, straightforward, and easy to read. Additionally, McGackin frequently parodies very well known poems, which is good for a laugh.
The Bad:
The poetry all kind of melts together in one's head. While there are a few that abandon the typical subject matter, the rest just seem the same. This probably resulted from my one-sit reading of the piece, though.
The Verdict: Broetry is funny and an easy read as well as a nice conversation starter. I would recommend it to anyone who needs a break from the monotony of "real" poetry.
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