This book was mentioned on the Dragon's Den facebook page last year. It is definitely a great story for young readers. The story is about a boy who is sort of being haunted by a banshee. The author took a myth and modern technology and blended them together in a very fun story.
The boy in the story is Irish and has been told a legend about how banshees appear and shriek when someone around you is going to die. The banshee who invades his room doesn't know who it is she's there for or why. Somehow she's forgotten, but since she's in the human world, she's curious about everything around her. Our hero, if you can call him that, takes it upon himself to answer her questions and even lets her pretend to be his cousin so she can go to school with him. Of course, he has ulterior motives. He is trying to figure out a way to get rid of the banshee and save whoever it is before she can take them. It really is a fitting read for tweens.
I also enjoyed the visual appeal of the cover. I bought this book in harback and the striking blue dust jacket helped catch my attention. Since I loved this book after just one read, I added it to my favorites shelf. I get bored very easily, so it's always nice when I find a fun diversion. Also, because the book features a young boy as the lead, I think it is one my son will also like.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Monday, August 25, 2014
Death Note
This anime easily tops my list as one of the 10 best anime ever made. The story centers on Light Yagami who is the son of a police officer. He leads a pretty normal life until a god of death drops a notebook on the lawn of his school. He picks it up, takes it home and uses it. From there, he falls into the twisted idea that somehow killing people by using the power of the notebook will make the world better. He comes to believe his own delusion. He goes by the name Kira and even after he crosses the line from what he feels are justifiable killings to killing cops and other innocent people, he never stops believing that he is right.
A special investigator creates a task force to catch him. I found myself siding with Light every time it seemed that 'L', the investigator, got close to catching him. This was my first experience dealing with the psychological twist of rooting for the villain. That probably makes me a little messed up in the head, but I really thought that "Death Note" was a great idea and very well executed. I gave this anime 5 stars. It has been dubbed in English for those of you who don't like to read and watch tv at the same time.
If you can handle a dark story-line, Death Note is a great way to start your exploration of Japanese anime. If you're already a well established fan of this genre and haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.
A special investigator creates a task force to catch him. I found myself siding with Light every time it seemed that 'L', the investigator, got close to catching him. This was my first experience dealing with the psychological twist of rooting for the villain. That probably makes me a little messed up in the head, but I really thought that "Death Note" was a great idea and very well executed. I gave this anime 5 stars. It has been dubbed in English for those of you who don't like to read and watch tv at the same time.
If you can handle a dark story-line, Death Note is a great way to start your exploration of Japanese anime. If you're already a well established fan of this genre and haven't seen it, I highly recommend it.
Thursday, August 21, 2014
The Emperor's Edge
The Emperor's Edge is the first book in a series by Lindsay Buroker. I must warn you that I found her series to be highly addictive. The book features a strong female lead who is also intelligent and battling her attraction to a member of her team. This steampunk series is set in a fictional world of the author's creation.
After uncovering a plot to assasinate the emperor, the woman assembles a team of less than savory characters to help her save their country's ruler. Due to her pursuit of justice, she is thrown in jail, almost killed and has her good name tarnished. Of course, this story is just the first in a long line of adventures for our heroine and her team.
I'm sorry that today's discussion is a little short. But honestly, to really feel the excitement and tension of the situations the characters get into, you need to experience this book personally.
After uncovering a plot to assasinate the emperor, the woman assembles a team of less than savory characters to help her save their country's ruler. Due to her pursuit of justice, she is thrown in jail, almost killed and has her good name tarnished. Of course, this story is just the first in a long line of adventures for our heroine and her team.
I'm sorry that today's discussion is a little short. But honestly, to really feel the excitement and tension of the situations the characters get into, you need to experience this book personally.
Monday, August 18, 2014
Gallery Fake
Having finished this one, I have to give it 4 stars. The anime is subtitled, so it's definitely not for dub only anime fans. This anime came out in 2005 and the artwork definitely clings to the more realistic style that I prefer. The voice acting is fine. But what I really loves is the good hearted "criminal" who is the center of the feature.
Reiji Fujita is the owner of Gallery Fake. It's an art gallery where are the works in the front of the shop are fakes but he does black market deals behind the scenes. He's also an expert on art restoration and makes side money restoring art for his less than scrupulous customers. Throughout the series, he's often called on by the authority figures in the art world when they have something they want repaired, because only the best of the best will do. He is accompanied by Sara, his assitant. She's the sole survivor of a royal family in the middle east somewhere and she has a good eye for what's real and what's not. She's also in love with Fujita.
But the true highlight of Gallery Fake (at least for me) was the fact that you really start to get an appreciation for fine art. Many of the historical facts and details about art, artists and the other antiques mentioned in the show are true. I know because I looked up most of them. I was really impressed by the level of research conducted. Or maybe it was personal knowlege on the manga artist's part. Either way, I love watching things where I can learn stuff that I didn't already know. I even found a piece of artwork in one episode that I loved so much I had to order a poster print of it. In case you're wondering it is La Femme A La Pearl by Corot.
The picture was featured in an episode where they talked about the history behind the Mona Lisa and who was the woman in the portrait. I personally found this Mona Lisa style painting to be more beautiful and alluring than the famous one housed at the Louvre. Before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch because I don't like the Mona Lisa, remember that art like music and books is subjective. To each their own.
Anyway, I recommend Gallery Fake. Watching Fujita get in and out of trouble with the police is entertaining enough. But you just may find yourself pining for a piece of art as well.
Reiji Fujita is the owner of Gallery Fake. It's an art gallery where are the works in the front of the shop are fakes but he does black market deals behind the scenes. He's also an expert on art restoration and makes side money restoring art for his less than scrupulous customers. Throughout the series, he's often called on by the authority figures in the art world when they have something they want repaired, because only the best of the best will do. He is accompanied by Sara, his assitant. She's the sole survivor of a royal family in the middle east somewhere and she has a good eye for what's real and what's not. She's also in love with Fujita.
But the true highlight of Gallery Fake (at least for me) was the fact that you really start to get an appreciation for fine art. Many of the historical facts and details about art, artists and the other antiques mentioned in the show are true. I know because I looked up most of them. I was really impressed by the level of research conducted. Or maybe it was personal knowlege on the manga artist's part. Either way, I love watching things where I can learn stuff that I didn't already know. I even found a piece of artwork in one episode that I loved so much I had to order a poster print of it. In case you're wondering it is La Femme A La Pearl by Corot.
The picture was featured in an episode where they talked about the history behind the Mona Lisa and who was the woman in the portrait. I personally found this Mona Lisa style painting to be more beautiful and alluring than the famous one housed at the Louvre. Before anyone gets their underwear in a bunch because I don't like the Mona Lisa, remember that art like music and books is subjective. To each their own.
Anyway, I recommend Gallery Fake. Watching Fujita get in and out of trouble with the police is entertaining enough. But you just may find yourself pining for a piece of art as well.
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Endymion Spring
It has been more than 10 years since I read this book. All I really remember is that my mother gave it to me and said that I would love it, and I did. I still have the hardback version she purchased. Hardbacks for us was rare, considering the expense. Anyway, what intrigues me about the book, aside from the striking red and gold cover, was the sense of majesty and mystery I got from the story. Even today when I look at this book, I feel like the contents are almost mystical.
Even as I write this blog entry I'm tempted to pick it up and read it again. It is about a boy who finds a strange book in an Oxford library and...he opens it obviously. He first finds the book blank, but the story is far from over. What happens next? You'll have to find a copy of Matthew Skelton's debut novel and find out for yourself. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't. This book has easily earned its place on my favorite's shelf. As a matter of fact, it's the first book there when you start searching from left to right. Even though I haven't read it in ages and can't fully remember the story, I still know that I love it. And that's really all that matters when it comes to books.
Even as I write this blog entry I'm tempted to pick it up and read it again. It is about a boy who finds a strange book in an Oxford library and...he opens it obviously. He first finds the book blank, but the story is far from over. What happens next? You'll have to find a copy of Matthew Skelton's debut novel and find out for yourself. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. I know I wasn't. This book has easily earned its place on my favorite's shelf. As a matter of fact, it's the first book there when you start searching from left to right. Even though I haven't read it in ages and can't fully remember the story, I still know that I love it. And that's really all that matters when it comes to books.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Fruits Basket
If I had to pick a favorite anime of all time, Fruits Basket would be it. I've seen it about 15 times all the way through and last Christmas, my husband bought me the boxed set. I love the artwork and the acting in this one. But what I love most of all is the sweet Tohru Honda and watching how her kindness changes the members of the Soma family for the better. It's too bad that this anime ends while the manga continues.
There was obviously more story here, but for some reason, the company producing the anime chose not to finish it. Oh well. That's the way it goes sometimes. Even great stories get canceled because they're too expensive to keep producing.
In case you didn't know, the members of the Soma family all transform into animals from the Zodiac when they are touched by a member of the opposite sex. This includes other cursed members of the Soma family. Thanks to problems with her living situation, the orphaned Tohru ends up living with 3 members of the Soma family. As bad as they think they've got it (being cursed and all), living with Tohru shows them that they're lives don't completely suck. Also, there's this big hint that something about Tohru makes her the key to breaking the Soma family curse. But, you have to read the manga to find out how that happens.
This totally goes against my standard 5 star ranking system, but Fruits Basket tops the charts with a whopping 12 stars. Why? Because I love this anime so much. I think it's awesome. The only thing I would change if I could would be I'd have them finish it.
There was obviously more story here, but for some reason, the company producing the anime chose not to finish it. Oh well. That's the way it goes sometimes. Even great stories get canceled because they're too expensive to keep producing.
In case you didn't know, the members of the Soma family all transform into animals from the Zodiac when they are touched by a member of the opposite sex. This includes other cursed members of the Soma family. Thanks to problems with her living situation, the orphaned Tohru ends up living with 3 members of the Soma family. As bad as they think they've got it (being cursed and all), living with Tohru shows them that they're lives don't completely suck. Also, there's this big hint that something about Tohru makes her the key to breaking the Soma family curse. But, you have to read the manga to find out how that happens.
This totally goes against my standard 5 star ranking system, but Fruits Basket tops the charts with a whopping 12 stars. Why? Because I love this anime so much. I think it's awesome. The only thing I would change if I could would be I'd have them finish it.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Crazy, Stupid Sex
I just finished "Crazy, Stupid Sex". It's definitely not something I'd let my teenager read, that is if I had a teenager. Maisey Yates made erotica classy with this one. She expertly crafted the sex scenes without being vulgar and made you feel the emotions of her female lead. It certainly doesn't go the way I imagined, the main character having a string of random hook-ups, but it was good. Not only did it help me kill an hour and a half, but it kind of makes the idea of sexual exploration fun.
This book is from Harlequin. It does have a few content and grammatical errors. Nothing that seriously takes away from the sexual scenes, but distracting enough that it makes someone like me pause for a moment. Anyway, I did receive it free at Book Expo America and many of the books there are unedited preview editions, so I won't hold the flaws against her. The verison you end up with will definitely be the perfected copy.
If you feel the need to fantasize or dip your toe in a little of the seedy side of life, then this book is a good place to start.
This book is from Harlequin. It does have a few content and grammatical errors. Nothing that seriously takes away from the sexual scenes, but distracting enough that it makes someone like me pause for a moment. Anyway, I did receive it free at Book Expo America and many of the books there are unedited preview editions, so I won't hold the flaws against her. The verison you end up with will definitely be the perfected copy.
If you feel the need to fantasize or dip your toe in a little of the seedy side of life, then this book is a good place to start.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Wolf Children
This movie was really amazing. It's been a few months since I've seen it, but it's already on the top of my 'want to buy' list. Not only did I find the story unique, but I found the characters truly developed and interesting. The relationship between the family members is so realistic, it was really powerful watching them grow and learn from and about each other.
I was blown away by the quality of the artwork. I really hate 3D and CG graphics, so I'm more partial to the realistic hand drawn style. Needless to say, the voice acting was superb. Quality actors help to elevate an already exceptional story. But really, I guess I was most impressed by the vivid scenery.
I personally gave this movie 4 stars.
I love them all!
I know this blog is called Books VS Anime, but there is no way I could ever choose between them. I love them both. There are books I love and there are anime I love so much I've seen them at least 20 times or more. It's rare when you find that one special anime or book that you just keep coming back to.
Anyway, this blog isn't going to be about trying to persuade anyone of anything. I just couldn't contain my nerdiness any longer. So I wanted to talk about the books and anime I find that I really like.
Anyway, this blog isn't going to be about trying to persuade anyone of anything. I just couldn't contain my nerdiness any longer. So I wanted to talk about the books and anime I find that I really like.
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