March 2006 books

[dirtylibrarian]

Your and My Secret (Volume 1)
Ai Morinaga
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Crushes. High School. Romance. Masculine girls. Feminine boys. Mad scientists. Body swapping. Family. Friends.
A fun concept, with an interesting perspective, that does touch on inequity of expectations for different genders.

A Certain Slant of Light
Laura Whitcomb
Teen Fiction
Recommend?: Yes.
Ghosts. Romance. Literature. Possession. Religion. Families. Forgiveness.
A very unusual romance, which conservative families may find offensive.

How to Be Happy
Shannon Wheeler
Adult Comic
Recommend?: Definitely!
Coffee. Angst. Anxiety. Politics. Happiness. Depression. Stress. Modern life. Humor.
I adore TMCM, and am happy my library system finally wised up and bought his books!

Prince of Tennis: Volume 10
Takeshi Konomi
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Tennis. Japan. Competition. Endurance. Teen life. Middle school. Gifted athletes. Friendship.
Quality sports manga. Not sure one should pick it up volumes from the middle of the series though.

Fruits Basket (Volume 12)
Natsuki Takaya
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Shrug.
Japan. Orphans. Chinese horoscope. Families. Transformations. Magic. Intrigue.
Very difficult to figure out what is going on between all the characters when you pick it up on the middle of the series.

Mary Jane (Volume 2): Homecoming
Sean McKeever
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
High school. Spider-man. Crushes. Love triangles. Cheating. Football. Friendship.
Not bad. I'd recommend for teen girls wanting a romance.

Socrates in Love
Kyoichi Katayama
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Shrug.
Romance. Tragedy. High school. Cancer.
I can only hope the hugely popular Japanese novel this is based on is much better.

What's Michael? (Volume 10): Sleepless Nights
Makoto Kobayashi
Adult Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Cats. Japanese life. Family.
Very cute series I eat up like shrimp chips.

Love as a Foreign Language (Volume 1-4)
J. Torres
Adult Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Definitely!
Korea. English as a Second Language. Teaching. Romance. Drinking.
Enjoyable series…I was just disappointed not to have the whole run to read at once.

Humble Masterpieces: Everyday Marvels of Design
Paola Antonelli
Adult Non-Fiction
Recommend?: Definitely!
Form. Design. Function. Beauty. Practicality. Inventions. Refinements. Efficiency.
A great bathroom read, highly recommended. Though I still want to know who invented the staple remover.

Slim Aarons: A Place in the Sun
Slim Aarons
Adult Photography
Recommend?: Shrug.
The filthy rich. Vacation homes. Hot spots. Families. Glamour. Architecture.
Lovely pictures, but not terribly compelling.

Babymouse Queen of the World! (Babymouse Volume 1)
Jennifer L. Holm
Kids Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Grade school. Friendship. Enemies. Imagination. Mice. Cats. Weasels. Slumber parties.
Fun, but too young for most teens. Good introduction to graphic novels for grade school kids.

Babymouse Our Hero (Babymouse Volume 2)
Jennifer L. Holm
Kids Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Mice. Dodgeball. Heroism. Lockers. Enemies. Friendship. Cats.
Looks to continue as a good solid young series.

Woman in the Mirror
Richard Avedon
Adult Photography
Recommend?: Yes.
Portraits. Women. Models. Aristocrats. Celebrities.
A solid collection with more than a few exceptional photos. A truly delightful portrait of Janice Joplin is worth checking out.

Grampa & Julie: Shark Hunters
Jef Czekaj
Kids Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Family. Adventure. Silly stories. Sharks. Rockets. Space travel. Grandmas with mad skills. Whales. Summer vacation.
Very fun book, but too young for teens. Mid-elementary school kids would enjoy.

Stink: The Incredible Shrinking Kid
Megan Mcdonald
Kids Audiobook
Recommend?: Definitely!
Little brothers. Second grade. Newts. Tragedy. Mean big sisters. Size anxiety.
Amazing reading by Nancy Cartwright. Very funny and enjoyable. Ended too soon!

Mark Seliger: In My Stairwell
Mark Seliger
Adult Photography
Recommend?: Yes.
Celebrities. Artists. Portraits. NYC. Musicians. Poets.
A nice collection.

Thessaly Witch for Hire
Bill Willingham
Adult Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Definitely!
Sandman Presents. Mythology. Witches. Big evil things. Monsters. Ghosts. Restless undead. Gore. Quests.
Great stuff…fun to have a new Sandman related book to read. I love everything B.W. has been putting out :)

Freaks: Alive, on the Inside!
Annette Curtis Klause
Teen Fiction
Recommend?: Definitely!
Freaks. Sideshows. Performers. Circuses. Adventures. Romance. Ancient Egypt. Friendship. Mummies. Dwarfs. Kidnapping.
Terrific fun. A bit too sexy for younger teens, but a great read. Its been too long in the waiting!

The Queen of Cool
Cecil Castellucci
Teen Fiction
Recommend?: Definitely!
Teen life. High school. Partying. Popularity. Ennui. Dwarfs. Zoos. Telescopes. Nerd love.
Very enjoyable and fast read about a smart popular girl who gains depth by shoveling elephant shit.

Fashion Kitty
Charise Meri Harper
Kids Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Shrug.
Cats. Vegetarians. Mice. Superheroes. Fashion.
Cute, but unimpressive. But I did like where the family sprayed the house with blue-cheese air freshener.

Kimi No Unaji Ni Kanpai! (Kanpai! Volume 1)
Maki Murakami
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Dark rabbits. Monster guardians. Exorcists. Middle school. Romance. Neck napes. Fighting. Werewolves. Ghosts.
Fun, though not necessarily a series I will be following. Action was sometimes convoluted.

In a Sunburned Country
Bill Bryson
Adult Audiobook
Recommend?: Definitely!
Australia. Travel. Exploration. History. Biology. Geology. Tourist attractions. People.
An absolutely delightful audiobook…one of the best I've ever heard. Highly recommended.

Inexcusable
Chris Lynch
Teen Fiction
Recommend?: Definitely!
Liars. Football. Rape. Family. Alcoholism. Denial. Drug abuse. Budding sociopaths.
Intense and thought provoking. Makes one really think about "good guys" who do bad things. Strongly recommended.

Animal Man (Animal Man Volume 1)
Grant Morrison
Adult Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Definitely!
Revived superheroes. Animal rights. Animal testing. Africa. Alien invasions. Coyote. Evil villains. Rampaging robots. Family.
I just adore G.M.'s twisted approach to things. Having him bring back a odd little known superhero is just a delight.

Origin of the Species (Animal Man Volume 2)
Grant Morrison
Adult Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Definitely!
Revived superheroes. Animal rights. South Africa. Politics. Dolphins. Aliens. Time travel.
Continuing delight.

Deus Ex Machina (Animal Man - Volume 3)
Grant Morrison
Adult Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Definitely!
Revived superheroes. Peyote. Government conspiracies. Time travel. Corporate abuse of power. Criminally insane. Postmodernism.
Yes, I worship Grant Morrison.

Each Little Bird That Sings
Deborah Wiles
Tween Fiction
Recommend?: Definitely!
Funeral homes. Family business. Death. Relatives. Friendship. Picnics. Dogs.
Very sweet, but also sad. Most enjoyable.

Gregory Crewdson 1985-2005
Gregory Crewdson
Adult Photography
Recommend?: Definitely!
Photography. Set scenes. Cinematic effect. Actors. Flowers. Dead things.
Disturbing and beautiful photographs. Well worth checking out.

Too Much Coffee Man's Parade of Tirade
Shannon Wheeler
Adult Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Cartoons. Coffee. Superheroes? Cartoonist. Fame. Destitute. Politics. Romance. Cynicism. Humor.
I really like TMCM, and think it is one of the top indies out there. A great combination of personal and political, and just plain old likable.

Sunday Afternoon (Little Lulu - Volume 4)
John Stanley
Tween Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Humor. Comic strips. Little kids. Friends. Family. Storytelling. Neighborhood life. Young romance. Lollipops.
Not something I would have normally picked up, but surprisingly fun.

Crimson Hero (Volume 1)
Mitsuba Takanashi
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
Manga. Japan. High schools. Volleyball. Independence. Parental expectations. Restaurants. Wild aunts. School nurses. Lousy jobs.
Strong, engaging beginning to this series.

Ultra Cute (Volume 1)
Nami Akimoto
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Shrug.
Manga. Romance. Rivals. High school. Daydreams. Players. Revenge.
A bit on the fluffy side, but not without redeeming values.

Princess Academy
Shannon Hale
Tween Fiction
Recommend?: Definitely!
Village life. Miners. Mountains. Family. Purpose. Education. Courage. Friendship. Empathy. Romance.
Don't be put off by the admittedly lame sounding title. This is a terrific book and worthy of its Newbery Honor. I love this book.

Yotsuba&! (Volume 3)
Kiyohiko Azuma
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Definitely!
Manga. Children. Wonder. Neighbors. Friendship. Fireworks. Zoos. Florists. Street fairs.
I just love this series to pieces. I read them any time I need cheer, or want more.

Ministry of Space
Warren Ellis
Adult Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Yes.
England. Alternative histories. Space travel. World War 2. Dirty dealings. Exploration.
An enjoyable one shot.

The Dreaming (Volume 1)
Queenie Chan
Teen Graphic Novel
Recommend?: Definitely!
Austrailia. Boarding schools. Twins. The outback. Hauntings. Horror. Nightmares. Dark menacing forests. Missing persons.
Great start to a new series! I think teens will really enjoy this, and I look forward to reading more.

Comments

[telegramsam70.livejournal.com]

i love that you do this. you have no idea. i'm seriously about two steps away from stalking librarians for a date.

[dirtylibrarian.livejournal.com]

Don't you have a girlfriend?

Regardless, I'm glad you enjoy the lists. I've only been keeping databases since 2002, but I've been writing down all the books I read since junior high (20 years now??). Someday I really need to make all those lists digital...or at least gather them in one place.

[telegramsam70.livejournal.com]

SRSLY. i can't ever connect with anyone who doesn't have that kind of mind. whip-smarties and a love of learning.

and yes, at the moment i do still have a gf. but i'm considering leaving her. permanantly. there are some unreconcilable issues of compatability.

it's sad, as i do love her. lots. more than anyone else ever. in fact i'd say no one knows me better than she does.

but said issue keep coming up and seems to have no resolution.

i'd rather not stay and torture someone i love.

so yeah - i'm considering my options and polishing my library card.

~J

[telegramsam70.livejournal.com]

my stupid problem was probably in choosing a girl who seemed a little broken, and thus less scary. she's sweet and amart and awesome to spend time with and she's broken. no fixin possible. (i think)

[dirtylibrarian.livejournal.com]

As my father says, some people are just sick puppies and there is nothing we can do to fix them. But before you decide to write her off, you need to examine what it is in you that decided this was what you needed. And again, if you haven't talked it over with a professional, it is a much better option than opening up to anonymous strangers (who tend to try an be supportive without knowing anything about a situation except what you feed them).

[dirtylibrarian.livejournal.com]

The important thing is that you are connected, and if you want to come out of the situation with integrity you owe it to both of you to give it your best. Has the issue only been discussed amoung yourselves, or with a professional? I find it is rare that an issue is a one person deal. If you don't deal with it now there is a very good chance you will torture the next person you love too.

[telegramsam70.livejournal.com]

you know - we ARE connected. that connection has felt so strong that i have not been able to leave, even when it's seemed there was not another good choice. I'm beginning to realize that I have some training from a prior relationship that has made me not-quite-the-ideal mate for this woman. I don't think either of us has access to any sort of professional help. we are without medical insurance, sadly. still - you've given some good advice.

[telegramsam70.livejournal.com]

to be honest - i've been looking for someone - who i could talk to in order to get a reality check - an opinion - and i'd hoped it could be from a woman's perspective. she and i have been wrestling things out for so long i'd hoped and outsiders perspective might do some good. i don't blame anyone for not wanting their fingers in this pie tho. i'd gladly spill my guts (not on a public journal) to someone who'd listen.

[dirtylibrarian.livejournal.com]

Try calling:

Kalamazoo Community Mental Health Services
3299 Gull Road, P.O. Box 63
Nazareth, MI 49074
(269) 553-8000 Voice
(269) 373-6000 24-Hour Emergency

They might be able to refer you to local sliding-scale practitioners.

OR

Catholic Family
MH counseling
269-381-9800
Kalamazoo MI
Services Sliding scale.

OR

First Presbyterian Church Health Clinic
321 West South Street
Kalamazoo , MI
Phone #: (616) 344-0044

[telegramsam70.livejournal.com]

okay - i can take the hint. didn't mean to cross any lines or overstay my welcome. perhaps i'llgive a call around.

thanks for the resources.

~J

[dirtylibrarian.livejournal.com]

What do you expect? I'm a professional information provider.

And besides, I felt guilty flirting...if I was in your girl's shoes I would not be pleased, nor want to be treated as such.

I need good karma ;)

[telegramsam70.livejournal.com]

here's some karma for you. she reads all my posts and we have no secrets. she sits about 4 feet away as we share an office. aske dme why i was spending so much time on your journal. i told her and invited her to read behind me. you've been cool even when no one was looking. thanks again.

[synapsomatic.livejournal.com]

I don't know if this is quite appropriate, but I'll do it anyway. You have no reason to feel guilty: flirtation is a normal and healthy interaction between people, there is nothing inherently wrong with it, even if both parties are "taken". As long as it remains in the realm of "just playful flirting" with no intended further outcome, then it is both acceptable and, in some sense, expected amongst most people. As human animals, we are kind of hard-wired this way.

I have thought you were pretty cool from the start. Cheers.