Break in Posting

It has been almost a year since I have posted a single review and I want to say that it is not from lack of reading. In 2016 I started Law School and as I head towards the finish line I have been swamped with work. 

I have been reading and after July 2019, I fully intend to go back to posting and sharing every book I have managed to squeeze in between studying.

Big Nate: Revenge of the Cream Puffs by Lincoln Peirce

It's Big Nate, need I say more. In his super hilarious comic strips he's always trying to be a little wiseguy.  You'll definitely get a laugh or two out of it. It's aimed to children, BUT, as an adult I still enjoy them very much, so I'm gonna go with the five on this one.

Kids love these books. I guess they can relate to a lot to Nate’s strife’s with school and chores.

Rating 5 out of 5
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NetGalley ARC

Wade's Wiggly Antlers by Louise Bradford

For this one I didn’t read with any children around. I read this one  because I thought the cover was just the cutes. 

Little Wade is losing his antlers, and while he used to have a little bit of angst when it comes to his antlers, losing them scares him.

But not to worry, these are just his baby antlers, so they’re supposed to fall off. Think baby teeth and the happiness/joy that comes after.

Rating 5 out of 5
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Canticos: Elefantitos / Canticos: Little Elephants by Susie Jaramillo

These rhyming/song books always draw the attention of toddlers. They can’t read and some of them can’t even speak but the like the tunes and they like to repeat the few words they can semi understand. 

A minor twist from the rhyme you remember as a child, still makes this book worthy of picking up for lil’ babies and toddlers learning that books are our friends. 

Rating 4 out of 5
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Little White Fish and His Daddy by Guido Genechten

This was cute short book perfect for bedtime story-time or for children learning to read. The sea animals and colorful depictions really pull the children in and make reading fun. 

We have different little sea animals telling Little White Fish what makes their daddies spacial and unique. It was just so adorable.

Rating 5 out of 5
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The Hellblazer, Volume 1: The Poison Truth by Simon Oliver (Writer), Moritat (Artist)

Rebirth took Constantine back to London and because it’s Constantine you can be sure there will be someone wanting his head.

Our lovable rogue is back to doing what he does worse and screwing things up. I will say, Constantine needs to get with a gym and maybe a boxing coach …. I know he’s going up against magical creatures, but still be ready to run.

Rating 5 out of 5

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When Crocs Fly: A Pearls Before Swine Collection by Stephan Pastis

Just laugh. I love reading these Pearls Before Swine books. It’s just one of those non-stop laughter books meant to chill you out after a long day at work. 

By the way #TeamCroc, because I find him the funniest character in these strips.

Rating 5 out of 5 
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All-Star Batman Vol. 1: My Own Worst Enemy by Scott Snyder

So in my personal opinion Snyder is an amazing writer and “All-Star Batman” proves it. Volume 1 is OMFG good; collecting issues 1-5 you are taken on a serious battle for Batman’s life that will have you cursing at allies left and right. You can expect the bad guys to take on a bounty on Batman’s head, but other NON-baddies, well, talk about an ungrateful Gotham.

I want to write soooo much more, but I only semi believe in spoilers, all I can say is that this is a must read. My only issue is with the cover, there were a few covers in issues 1-5 that I felt portrayed Batman in cooler cover, but that’s just me, I always end up thinking “oh this cover would be better”.

One last tidbit, there was someone that literally had screaming “WHATTTT”, I won’t say who but just, you won’t see that coming.

Rating 5 out of 5
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Just One Spark (Just One... #1) by Jenna Bayley-Burke

I couldn't really get into this story, the main characters just didn't seem to really have that spark. Hannah spends her time being all hot-and-cold and complaining about how Mason only likes her for her body but the moment he tries to have a conversation with her she just runs and compares him to a guy that lied to her and had her as the other woman.

Mason was a like a super romantic because he has his parents perfect love at first sight story. So of course he comes across as a bit pushy because he feels he's found the one.

Like it's a semi-short read that resolves quickly, so, I'd say check it out, maybe you can find the spark I felt just wasn't there.

Rating 3 out of 5 
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Super Sons Vol. 2: Planet Of The Capes by Peter J. Tomasi

So Mr. Know-it-all, I mean Robin get's the Teen Titans in a bit of a pickle and who does he turn to, Superboy. With Superboy's help the Teen Titans are saved and Robin goes back to being young. Obviously the story can't end there, so, cue a portal to another realm and the Robin and Superboy being pulled through. 

Their adventure is interesting, difficult, and full of heroics. Definitely worth reading. Super Sons is actually a really good series that sees Robin actually acting more like a 13 year old. 

Rating 5 out of 5 
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One True Bear by Ted Dewan

I have no idea if this book is happy or sad. It’s an emotional roller-coaster seeing everything that little boy puts all those little bears through until one bear comes along and doesn’t break. Then the story ends all sad with the little bear giving comfort to a new child and his old child I think is now a first responder. All I know is I was sad and happy and sad. Still the book was beautiful. If you read it to kids, expect a lot of questions that will be very hard to answer without going into I’m crushing a little kids innocent outlook on life.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo by John Lithgow

This book was a little eh for me. Although all the craziness of the animals interacting with the orchestra players was very exciting for the little kids in the reading group.

Rating 3 out of 5 
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I am Martin Luther King, Jr. by Brad Meltzer

This amazing book aimed at children around the ages of 4 to 6 covers the life of Martin Luther King Jr. I honestly think this is a must read for children. The book goes over some of the most important and memorable events occurring during Dr. King's life that to this day continue to be a source of inspiration.

Originally read this book in February of 2016 and I loved the way this book inspired a dialogue as the children asked questions about why Dr. King did the things he did and why he fought for equality.

Rating 5 out of 5 
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Marvel's Captain America: Sub Rosa by David McDonald

This is not a graphic novel. It’s a chapter book more ideal for young readers in the 10-14 age group. Granted anyone can really read it, but based on the formatting and language it comes off as more for young readers than little children.

The story was intriguing enough that I got over it not being a graphic novel.

Rating 3 out of 5 
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Must Love Wieners (A Rescue Dog Romance #1) by Casey Griffin

Main Guy: Aiden Caldwell

Main Girl: Piper Summers

This was so total romcom. You have all these crazy, crazy misunderstandings. Like honestly I have no idea how Piper got through life; Aiden of course is the rich hero, so he doesn't really have struggles.

Aiden is trying to be this super anonymous, benevolent guy, so it kind of gets a little strange when things really hectic. Towards the end everything gets resolved in a super nice and tidy bow and they can get their happily ever after.

My total favorite scene was when piper makes huge major discovery and she's running out of Aiden’s offices and she's dressed in her Supergirl costume so that was like so so awesome. Here she was like “oh my God I just saw you talking about the thing the cops are looking into” and here she dressed as Supergirl catching the bad guy in the act, how kick ass is that.

This story with a little bit of everything, especially a lot of super adorable doggies is a nice relaxing weekend read enjoy.

Rating 4 out of 5

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His Australian Heiress by Margaret Way

Main Guy: Brendon
Main Girl: Charlotte 

How I got through this one is beyond me.

I hated the characters and found them sooooo boring and so martyr-ish that I was hoping a piano would fall on them and liven things up.

And her family; ugh, like seriously you’re loaded you don't need this, they’re aholes, just hit delete and be rid of them.

Now, as I’m a sucker for friends to lovers, I have to give props for that.

Rating 2 out of 5
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The Bachelor Auction (The Bachelors of Arizona #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

Main Guy: Brock Wellington
Main Girl: Jane 

This story was a total Cinderella meets Prince Charming with the exception that the evil step-sisters and step-mother are just two extremely bitchy and annoying sisters.

As you read you will spend half your time shouting “Jane honey, you’re their sister, not their slave. Tell Bitch-1 and Bitch-2 you are totally done with them.” 

A major kill for this story was how weak the female lead was, coupled with a guy so riddled with issues over mommy and daddy that he spends his time teetering between sweetheart and jackass it became blah.

What did save the story was the sweet romantic ending two matchmaking old timers. Brock’s brothers were also somewhat entertaining characters, I will totally be reading their books and hopefully in those books the female leads don’t let their sisters use them like old dishrag.
​
Rating 3 out of 5 
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Christmas at the Castle by Melissa McClone

Katrina is BFF’s with Prince Gil’s little sister. Prince Gil and his mother are so anti-Katrina because all they think is “she's a bad influence”. 

They don't think she's good enough because they think that she's like some sort of Golddigger. Especially Gil’s mom, towards the end she kind of makes up for it, but in the middle she's a major B. 

So, as a Gil gets to know Katrina he realizes that she's actually a really good person and she always has her BF’s best interest at heart. She's always trying to do what's best for her friend and not for herself or for anyone else. It was super adorable to see how both of these characters come together; they go from kind of friends to “I love you”. This book was like major hearts.


Rating 4 out of 5 
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How Do Dinosaurs Stay Friends? by Jane Yolen

Personally I find this book is full of cliches and so repetitive, however, I have to give these books a lot of credit because they really do draw the attention of children and after all if we're trying to get children to read. When picking a book for the children’s reading group, you want to read a book that they really want to look at and you know children love dinosaurs. As such, even though I'm not a huge fan, as long as the children in the reading group love these, I will continue to read them. So, I have to say this one gets a good score.

Rating 4 out of 5 
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Batman/The Flash: The Button by Tom King, Joshua Williamson

Okay, for months now we have heard of this mysterious event that will 
crossover Watchmen into the DCU knows as Doomsday Clock and we've all been waiting on baited breath for more hints and what not.

Well "The Button" is the road to Doomsday Clock; collecting BATMAN #21-22 and THE FLASH #21-22, this four issue crossover gives us all this drama and action as Barry and Bruce find themselves in the Flashpoint universe. Now, I'm not going to say more because if you were one of the ones waiting for the release of the collected series you're in for a treat. And, if like me you have a subscription at your local comic book shop and you picked up every issue like your life depended on it, then you already know how awesome this story is (I mean we see Bruce's dad as Batman again) and what answers our boys will find. 

We've covered story, now lets talk art and covers. When these issues released they were released in variant lenticular covers and two of those now grace the covers of the hard cover deluxe edition. 

The Covers:
Despite having all the issues and the variant covers, my collection felt a little lonely without the hard cover set. So which did I choose? I chose the one with Batman and Flash running side by side. Personally I felt that one was way cooler and really encompassed the teamwork between Batman and Flash and they try to solve this mystery.

The Insides:
Like the covers, the art inside does not disappoint. By the end you'll like treadmills and caves.

Basically, if you haven't read, go get yourself a copy and get ready for the release of Doomsday Clock.

Rating 4 out of 5
(had to wait to long for what comes next)

Issues & Hardcover purchased at Collector's Paradise in Pasadena
Digital ARC provided by NETGALLEY