Modern Romance: Audio book Review

Book: Modern Romance

Author: Aziz Ansari and Eric Klinenberg

Publisher: Penguin Press

Publication Date: June 16th 2015

My Review:

I have read a few comedian celebrity memoir type books in the past via audio book and really enjoyed them and even read a few in physical book form and didn't enjoy them as much as I did audio book so when I heard Aziz was coming out with a book I knew I had to pick it up on Audio Book and give it a listen.

I listened via Audible.com and typically use this service for all of my audio book needs. 

I read the synopsis and was still very surprised at the content of the book by the time it was finished.

Personally, I found this book refreshing, poignant, and it redefined the way I think about Aziz.

This, above all else, is a sociological study of modern romance. The author spent several years conducting focus groups, reading and doing research, and really focusing and a scientific way on the changing landscape of romance, passion, and the dating scene. 

I thought his approach was fresh, his viewpoints insightful, and his overall coverage of the topic thorough and well researched.

As a person who graduated with a sociology degree a few years ago I was not put off by the format or topic of this book and I think any rating that is less than 4 stars is because they were expecting something like BOSSYPANTS by Tina Fey, or IS EVERYONE HANGING OUT WITHOUT ME by Mindy Kailing. That is not what this is and not what this is trying to be.

Aziz found a topic he was passionate about learning more about, hired a trained sociologist, worked countless hours and produced a sociological study worth reading.

I will say it does have many humorous passages and if you listen to the audio book he is always cracking jokes about how lazy you are for letting him read his book to you and a lot of the accounts of him doing research also contain him impersonating people he spoke with.

There is a lot of crass humor with sex and cuss words so if you don't feel comfortable with that this might not be the right book for you; but it definitely was the right book for me. I loved it.

My Rating: 5/5 stars

Read if you enjoyed:

        

ODY-C by Matt Fraction and Christian Ward Review

Book: Ody-C

Author/Illustrator: Matt Fraction and Christian Ward

Pumblisher: Image Comics

Publication Date: June 25th 2015

My Review:

I received this graphic novel from netgalley.com and Image Comics in exchange for my honest review.


I was actually really excited to get an E-Arc of this volume because 1) I love Matt Fraction and 2) I love the idea of a gender bending space version of the Odyssey.

I actually considered preordering this before I was approved I was so excited about it.

I was not disappointed despite what you might think by my sort of "average" rating on the graphic novel.

I actually really enjoyed it and hope to continue the series if they do keep putting out issues.

I loved the story line because even though it takes place in space and Odysseus is now Odyssia I thought it kept true, in its unique way to the original tale and although I found the story and dialog a little disjointed in parts I thought overall it proceeded well.

The art is full of pop and color. It is psychedelic and if you can tell by the way it is presented on the color it definitely matches what they were going for. The female symbol in the title alone is very 60's/70's and I think it did a great job of sticking to that theme.

I would say to read it you do need some background knowledge in the original story and need to be prepared for a few graphic images but I do believe it was  worth the read and I do plan to continue on.

My Star Rating: 3.5/5

Great for people who enjoyed:

         

Gotham Academy: Vol 1 Review

Book: Gotham Academy: Vol 1 Welcome to Gotham Academy

Author/illustrator: Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl

Publication Date: June 17th 2015

My Review:

I decided to pick this up after reading the synopsis and although it seemed like it might be a little more aimed at younger readers I thought I would give it a shot.

It didn't disappoint. First, the art style is fantastic. Lots of colors and a dark moody feel with very modern characters. I really enjoyed that aspect.

The story takes place from the perspective of Olive, a young precocious girl who returns to Gotham Academy after a summer in which she can't remember what happened, only that it was something bad.

She immediately gets assigned to mentor a new young student, Maps, who also happens to be her ex-boyfriends kid sister.

From there we learn that there might be a ghost haunting the academy, Olive is getting picked on by a bully, dealing with relationship drama, while trying to remember the summer and make new friends.

Over the issues include there is a lot of character development but still a long way to go and that's amazing. I am already hooked and already wondering what villain from Arkham will turn up next.

If you like Batman, Batman villain's, and uniquely voiced comic book characters then you will enjoy this. It has so much potential for such a great series.

My Star Rating: 5/5

Recommend for people who enjoy:

      

Dare Me: Megan Abbott Review

Book: Dare Me

Author: Megan Abbott

Publication Date: July 31st 2012

My Review:

I have heard quite a few positive things about this book and actually it has been mentioned in a few articles on buzzfeed.com so I decided to give it a try.

It was just OKAY.

This is a high school cheerleader story with a little sex, murder, and drama thrown into the mix.

The cheerleader aspect was great. I enjoyed the attention to detail the author displayed in this area. As a former high school cheerleader I could clearly see the parallels to my cheer experience with the bitchy girls and all the tricks and stunts and drama but also sense of accomplishment you feel in that role.

The sex and murder was great too. I thought it had some interesting twists and turns but just not enough to really make me care.

I also felt that Addy, the main character was a bit under developed and up until the end when you learn a little more about her relationships do you really get a feel for her. 

I don't know. It just felt a little dated. It actually reminded me of the same style of writing that Daniel Handler used in "The Basic 8" so if you enjoyed that or if you enjoyed "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart than I can see you enjoying this story.

For me, it just feel a little flat and I would have liked to see more and felt more for the characters.

My Rating: 3/5

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Uprooted by Naomi Navik Review

Book: Uprooted 

Author: Naomi Novik

Published: June 1, 2015

First, thank you to netgalley.com and Pan Macmillan for giving me a copy of the E-Arc version in exchange for an honest review.

My Review:

I was pleasantly surprised that this book lived up to all the hype I have been hearing. I have seen nothing but favorable reviews and I was a bit hesitant going into it because I always hate hating something everyone else enjoys.

This is the story of a wizard names Dragon who takes a girl from a local valley once every 10 years and keeps her in his tall white tower at the edge of an evil wood and then lets her go with a dowry and the girls always take their dowry and move away after they leave the Dragon's tower.

The story opens right before the Harvest ceremony where the Dragon will pick his next girl and everyone in the village assumes it will be a young girl who is bright, and beautiful, who has been preparing her whole life to be taken but a different girl, the beautiful girl's best friend gets taken instead.

I don't want to say much else because I don't won't to spoil anything but I will say this read like a folk tale and I loved that about it. The magic system was unique, there were a lot of natural elements, a monarchy, an amazing villain, and for the most part rich and fleshed out characters.

I will say I had a few problems with a few of the characters endings but I did enjoy the story over all. I might also mention that at 400 pages it isn't particularly long but it does read a little slow at times.

Overall, I would suggest this to anyone who enjoys fantasy and folk tales. 

Star Rating: 4/5

The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray by Robert Shnakenbreg Review E-ARC

Book: The Big Bad Book of Bill Murray: A Critical Appreciation of the World's Finest Actor

Author: Robert Shnakenberg

Publisher: Quirk Books

Release Date: Sept. 15, 2015

First thank you to netgalley.com and Quirk Books for the opprotunity to read and review an advanced ebook in exchange for my honest opinion. I have been certified by netgalley as a featured reviewer and a Top reviewer.

My Review

I am a few months ahead of this one but I wanted to discuss it while my feelings and ideas about it were still fresh.

First, I love Bill Murray. I have since I saw Caddyshack in the 4th grade and then immediately watched Ghostbusters and was hooked.

I still say one of his most memorable roles was the bit piece he did in Zombieland and I think he has made amazing choices in the last few years.

The author of this book takes my admiration of Bill to an entirely new level while occasionally critiquing his choices he still radiates a passion for his characters and Bill himself.

The cover. Brilliant and I think a perfect summation of how we have all grown to see Bill; a relaxed lovable goofy guy.

My favorite thing about this book was the formatting. I loved the chapter breakdown and the individual headers throughout and loved that they were alphabetized. So cool. 

I enjoyed the quotes throughout and the look from what I could tell from the ebook version. I almost wish, however, that when printed it would maybe include more images and have a "coffee table book" feel to it. 

I think it would be fun to even just flip to sections and see parts and roles that each individual reader might recognize.

I am a big Wes Anderson fan which is really when I think Bill shines the most is within his film and with his direction so it was great to read about those fills as well and the relationships he has formed in Hollywood over the years.

I feel like this was really a testament to the author's admiration of Bill Murray while also being thought provoking, informative, and at times silly.

Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Uprooted: Naomi Novik preview

I have been so busy lately with the holiday and some other things I have not really made a good amount of time to read and I have a ton of review books to get through.

The one that topped my list was Uprooted by Naomi Novik.

First off lets talk about the UK vs USA cover. I actually didn't mind the USA version until I saw just how gorgeous the UK cover was. Since I received this book for review as an E-ARC I actually received the digital UK version so I do get to see that pretty cover.

I am about 20% into the story so far and am loving it. 

Basically what I have gathered so far is that the story takes place in a small village where every 10 years a man called "Dragon" takes a different woman from a small village and keeps her for 10 years, lets her free, and then chooses another. The entire village assumed a specific girl would be chosen for her beauty and wit and had basically been training her to be prepared and the a turn of events turns the town upside down and then we start from there.

So far there are princes, chimera, magic, and all sorts of things just waiting around every corner of the tall tower and I can't wait to get more into it.

I will admit that currently I am not really connected to the main female protagonist or the Dragon but hopefully that will change as I get more connected to the story.

Has anyone read this? What did you think? I definitely think it could be something amazing. 

Poorly Drawn Lines: Good Ideas and Amazing Stories by Reza Farazmand ARC Review

Book: Poorly Drawn Lines: Good Ideas and Amazing Stories

Author: Reza Farazmand

Publication Date: Oct. 6th 2015

First thank you to netgalley.com and Penguin Group Blue Rider Press Plume for allowing me to receive an advanced ecopy of this collection of cartoons and stories in exchange for my honest opinion.

My Review:

If you have ever been on the internet searching some place like Reddit or the Chive or the Berry you have probably come across one of these stories or cartoons and thought: How funny!

I loved them. There were several standouts but they are a bit difficult to describe since they are short cartoons. Most included are simple 4-5 panel drawings with quirky stories or jokes and a lot contain funny things about animals or worms or just silly people.

I would definitely recommend picking this up if you want a quick laugh.

It would make a great fun gift or a coffee table book where you can just pick it up occasionally and read a few, get a laugh, and keep coming back for more.

Rating:

4.5/5 stars