Reads
I am an avid reader and love writing book reviews. Hopefully you will find your next great read here. I read a little bit of everything including comics and graphic novels, YA and children’s literature, non-fiction, and more.
-
Too Many Robins
We Are Robin Vol. 1: The Vigilante Business I’m not sure if this series was inspired by the Spider-Verse in Marvel comics which sees hundred of variants on Spider-Man from a variety of parallel Earths. Maybe the premise was inspired by The Dark Knight Returns. There, a female character decides to take on the mantel…
-
How Did We Survive Passed the Novelty?
The Anthology of Rap by Adam Bradley and Andrew DuBois When rap became an official genre of music back in 1979, many people thought that it wouldn’t last. Dozens of forgettable tracks were released. There were some horrible recordings that seemed to just be cashing in on the new fad. Part of the problem was…
-
Rap Used to Have a Conscience
When Rap Music Had a Conscience: The Artists, Organizations and Historic Events That Inspired and Influenced the “Golden Age” of Hip-Hop from 1987 to 1996 by Tayannah Lee McQuillar. Brother J of X-Clan writes the forward to this book that explores what is often referred to the Golden Age of Rap. Of course, the artform has…
-
What is the Opposite of Spoiled?
The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money by Ron Lieber I’ve never been good with money. But I have also never been spoiled. As a teacher, I am interested in teaching kids about money. Maybe if I understood the world of money better, I wouldn’t have to live…
-
Unanswered Questions and Curiosity
One day, a little girl looked up towards the night sky and asked, “How did all those stars get up there?” Her dad replied, “We don’t really know.” She thought for a moment and then asked, “How did I get here?” Her father answered brilliantly, “That’s an equally puzzling question.” This was a story that author,…
-
Surprise, Forever is a Long Time!
Surprise Me by Sophie Kinsella How long is forever? It is an interesting question that preoccupies the minds of Sylvie and Dan. They have been together for ten years and things are good. They have a nice home, jobs they enjoy, twin daughters, and are enjoying a happy marriage. Everything is great, until . .…
-
Black Panther Was a Middle School Kid Once Too
Black Panther – The Young Prince by Ronald L. Smith I really enjoyed the Black Panther movie. I was familiar with the character before the film, but I had really not paid him much attention. I read a graphic novel here and there, but they never really captured my attention. I wasn’t sure about tackling…
-
Hana’s Story NEEDED to be Told
Hana’s Suitcase by Karen Levine An educator in a small museum in Japan asked for some artifacts for an exhibit she was preparing on the Holocaust. One of the items she received was an empty suitcase with a girl’s name painted on the front of it. This peaked her curiosity and she set forth to…
-
Escape From the Library
Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein I have to admit that I don’t like the genre of mystery. It’s not appealing to me to see someone solve a murder. Detective fiction seems too formulaic and improbable for me to truly get into the story. Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library sounded like a great…
-
Justice League Stand-Alones
Aquaman – Vol. 1: The Drowning This is the start of a new era for Aquaman. He wants to work closely with the people of Earth and hopes that a new embassy will help him achieve peace between the land and the sea. Of course, there are those on both sides that don’t want to…