Another sparkler from Hope Tarr. I love this author's writing, which reminds me of pink champagne - fizzy, fun, but still very satisfying. This is a gAnother sparkler from Hope Tarr. I love this author's writing, which reminds me of pink champagne - fizzy, fun, but still very satisfying. This is a great series, and I'm taking my time with them. Tough to do, because I love her writing so much!...more
Interesting. I admit I watched the AMC series first, and then found this. I wonder how I'd feel about the series if I'd read the graphic (and I do meaInteresting. I admit I watched the AMC series first, and then found this. I wonder how I'd feel about the series if I'd read the graphic (and I do mean graphic--EEK!!) novel first? The series is fairly faithful to the GN, though with changes appropriate for a TV series. Sticking with the GN: I have comic book ink in my blood. My biological father is a well-known comic book artist and New York Times bestselling graphic novelist ("The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation"? That's him), so the first thing I look at in comix and graphix is, of course, the art. I mean, that's 90 percent of the point, isn't it? Otherwise, just buy books with words. If the art isn't good, I can't get past the first two pages. In "The Walking Dead," the art is good--very good, and very appropriate to the story. Artist Tony Moore isn't a hyper-realist--there are some exaggerated features and expressions on his characters--and that's good in this case. He happens to be very, very good at drawing the living, rotting dead, and that was quite enough realism for me. I mean, his fly-ridden zombies are so great to look at, but they're so hard to look at! I also like the way Moore and author Robert Kirkman imbued their zombies with a kind of dazed reaction ("Guh...?") when in their sedentary, non-attack mode. It gave them a little personality beyond being just mindlessly violent flesh-eaters. As for the story, you all know the basic premise: Our Hero wakes up from a coma to find a lot of dead people--some really dead, some reanimated--and very few living people. This first installment focuses on the microcosm of change: Despite the world being turned upside down, people haven't changed all that much. Our hero is still good, and those with issues have even bigger issues. La plus ca change... My only issues are my own: I'm not as jazzed about the people as I am about the zombies, and the violence is strong. I know--what the heck should I expect from a zombie comic? Like I said, it's a testament to Moore's art that "The Walking Dead" is something that I want to look at and away from at the same time....more
Yes, I went from the sensitive literary fiction of Anna Quindlen's "Every Last One" to an indulgence in my zombie fetish. This book came highly recommYes, I went from the sensitive literary fiction of Anna Quindlen's "Every Last One" to an indulgence in my zombie fetish. This book came highly recommended by my friend Margaret at Barnes & Noble, who knows her books, and so far, I can't get any work done because I keep wanting to read more of this incredibly imaginative piece of sci-fi. Loving!...more
How Anna Quindlen could handle such potentially depressing subject matter (no, I'm not going to spoil it) and not make you want to turn away is a testHow Anna Quindlen could handle such potentially depressing subject matter (no, I'm not going to spoil it) and not make you want to turn away is a testament to her beautiful writing. I read this book in two days, and it's not short, nor am I a graduate of the Evelyn Wood School of Speed Reading. Quindlen just made her characters so deeply compelling--mostly because they are ordinary people one can relate to instantly. It's easy to project oneself into the story, though the subject is probably everyone's worst nightmare. Brava, madame, for your beautiful words. Not a fun read, but a deeply moving and memorable one that is definitely worth checking out. ...more
As a person who just released "Cherries in Winter," a book about finding my grandmother's Depression-era recipes (including beef stew, Chicken Roman, As a person who just released "Cherries in Winter," a book about finding my grandmother's Depression-era recipes (including beef stew, Chicken Roman, and rolled shoulder of lamb), I may be an unlikely person to give this book my highest recommendation. Or maybe I'm the perfect person to do that, because Jonathan Safran Foer's thoughtful, philosophical book has changed my eating habits, and my mind. Two things I loved about this book: first, that Foer went into his research as an omnivore. He doesn't start his argument as a pro-veggie; he simply wants to know more about where his food comes from. Well, as Pandora can tell you about opening boxes, anyone interested in finding out about what they eat had better have a strong stomach. Foer's discoveries, which were verified by two fact-checkers, are nothing short of horrifyingly enlightening. Which brings me to the second thing I loved about this book: Foer's writing. Facts can be numbing, especially when they're so terrible. But Foer will interject with a conversational "No jokes here, and no turning away." He also has the ability to write about brutality in a beautiful way--not to make the wretched less wretched, but in fact to make it more meaningful and impactful. I think everyone who eats should read this book. And I'll be concentrating on Nana's other, less meat-y recipes. ...more
Maggie, you kill me with your beautiful writing! Another gorgeous love story from Mercy Falls. Loved the added dimension of the voices of Cole and IsaMaggie, you kill me with your beautiful writing! Another gorgeous love story from Mercy Falls. Loved the added dimension of the voices of Cole and Isabel, two characters so rich and multifaceted that they nearly stole the spotlight from Sam and Grace! Another killer was the cliffhanger ending; AGH. The good news there, of course, is the clear indication of another Mercy Falls novel a-comin'. But the waiting is the hardest part! I'll just have to let my imagination run with Maggie's wolves until she gives us more of her beautiful prose. ...more
I re-read this book every time I start writing. It's like a book-sized cheerleader. I'm such a fan of King's, so reading about his life is like hearinI re-read this book every time I start writing. It's like a book-sized cheerleader. I'm such a fan of King's, so reading about his life is like hearing the story from an old friend. But I also need him to remind me not to watch so much TV, and to watch my "--ly" words (thrillingly, patronizingly, etc. "Said" is 'nuff said)....more
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