I know it’s blasphemous, as a comic book nerd, to ever admit that you like a character’s costume redesign. But I wholeheartedly endorse Wonder Woman’s new look in Odyssey. Gone are the unflattering, high-waisted hot pants, the heeled boots, that super-in-your-face-patriotism that makes you think she just might fart out eagles. (Which I never really understood… She’s an Amazon. So, if we have to put a nationality to her, wouldn’t it be Greek? I don’t know. I probably just caused at least two people to […]
If Dexter Had A Baby with Supernatural
In theory, Dexter crossed with Supernatural sounds like an interesting idea. In practice, it’s more like mixing chocolate with guacamole. Of course, being being forewarned is forearmed. I went into this book thinking I was going to read something more in a serious vein, like We Need to Talk about Kevin; the summary on the back doesn’t suggest any paranormal themes. John Wayne Cleaver (named after the cowboy, not the deranged clown) knows he is a sociopath. He has rules for himself to fit in. No […]
Beautiful and Bizarre, Weird and Wonderful
Two things before we dive in: 1. This is the second book in a series, so, you know, spoilers. 2. If you do buy this book (and you really, really should, after you buy the first one), I’d advise getting the first edition. It’s out of print, but not hard to find a fine used copy and not very expensive either. Subsequent additions don’t include Barker’s original artwork and while it’s not completely necessary to the story, it does help set the mood of the book. […]
Alternative Title: Miss Pym is an Awful House Guest, For Many Reasons
Tey was mostly overshadowed in her lifetime by making the mistake of writing mystery novels around the same time as Agatha Christie. I first picked up a Tey book a few years ago (it was The Franchise Affair) and was somewhat surprised that Tey was kind of a best kept secret. And then I read Miss Pym Disposes and was disappointed. Of course, in my super scientific sample size of two, this just leaves Tey at a wash. Miss Pym miraculously wrote a book about […]
In Which I Question My Sanity
I’m going to say the words that few book lovers ever utter. I completely understand if, from this moment on, no one ever trusts my judgement again. I can’t even trust my judgement anymore. But… *deep breath* The movie was better than the book. I know, I know! Blasphemy! But the fact still remains, the Wachowski siblings and Tykwer were able to pull it off where Mitchell mostly floundered. (Not that the movie was a cinematic masterpiece, but I feel like I “got” what they […]
Never Was One for a Prissy Girl
Admittedly, I am not a short story person. Most authors seem to think short stories should always leave the reader wanting more. I’m of the opinion that if I pay full admission to the museum, I get to see all the things and not be hustled out the door after making it past the lobby. Short stories should be appetizing little morsels, a blissful snack that may leave you with a ghost of taste long after you finish, but never still famished. Epiphanies in pastries […]