Jeff

I enjoyed this book. I didn't know anything about it when I picked it up. I originally bought it as a gift for my wife because her name is Alison. She read and enjoyed the book, which led to my reading it. It reminded me at times of Calvin and Hobbes, Wallace the Brave, and Cul de Sac, but as I read more and more of it, I truly felt it found its own voice. I thought the choice at the end. The artist sharing his personal story was quite brave. I liked his opening up and sharing why he wrote this book. I hope he returns to Alison's world with The Director's one day.

This was the first time I've ever experienced the art of Sergio Toppi, and I have to say he's amazing. What an incredible storyteller. I look forward to reading more of the collected volumes in the future.

Beehive Books created something special. They took the original story written by Carlo Collodi in the 1800s and enhanced it with commentary from author Lemony Snickett and illustrations from Mike Mignola. All of these three working separately, but ultimately together, created a unique reading experience that I genuinely enjoyed.

I did knock the book down one star as the story is pretty dark and goes on a little too long in accomplishing its message. Don't get me wrong, though, this edition is worth a read. Speaking of this edition, Beehive Books has put together a top-tier edition, which enhanced my enjoyment of the "Grimm" tale. The Lemony parts are included as loose journal notes, and the artwork from Mignola is spread throughout the book.

If, like me, you have never read Pinocchio then this is this experience is one I recommend.

My wonderful and thoughtful wife gave me this book for Valentine's Day. She knows how much I love Peanuts, and this book is fantastic. Several laugh-out-loud moments.

This was a fantastic book. I loved how the book was so honest with its storytelling. Brian May honestly shared his thoughts and reflections on the chronicled events. I also loved how he highlighted and credited so many people's work in this book. Not just his fellow band members but also kinds of people from assistants to security guards to numerous tech and production people, interpreters, family members, and the list goes on and on. I've never read a biography book where the author truly credited so many others who helped with their success. Lastly, the Sterocopic images are amazing. I highly recommend this book.

This was my first time reading this author's work. The language was descriptive and beautiful, and I really connected to the main characters. I don't want to spoil things, but it's an interesting take on an old story. If you like classic fantasy stories, then I think you will enjoy this tale.

I enjoyed this author when I watched the IT Crowd, and all I could hear was his voice as I read this book. That was not a bad thing in this case. In fact, I thought it was perfect. The story is fun, and the artwork perfectly complements the book. If you're looking for a light, fun read, then you enjoy this book, which NO ONE wanted to read. :-)

Another great collection of masterpieces from an incredible artist. The work has such scale. Nobody else paints quite like John Harris. I loved seeing all the study drawings along with the finished works. High recommended.

This is one of the best biographies I've read. The author, Rob Wilkins, served as Terry's assistant for over two decades. Working with Terry daily offered him incredible access, giving us readers a unique look inside Mr. Pratchett's life. I felt like I truly got to know the “real” Terry. Highly recommended for any Terry Pratchett fans.

Short (Geode-sized) Review. Buy this book. Claudia Gray has spun another fun filled Star Wars Adventure. Highly recommended.

Expanded (Reath-sized) Review. When Disney and Lucasfilm Press announced the Star Wars: High Republic concept I was immediately intrigued because of the creative talent they were bringing together. From authors such as Claudia Gray and Charles Soule to concept artists like Iain McCaig (Designer of Darth Maul) and Phil Noto. Then I heard this new time period was set 200 years before the Skywalker saga and focused on the Jedi. On top of the talent and the time period we have a shared universe concept that crossovers novels, comic books and magazines. This sounded exciting and so far the everything is hitting on all cylinders for me including Claudia Gray's Star Wars: The High Republic: Into The Dark.

This novel continues with events taking place around The Great Disaster. While there are several books and comics weaving stories that take place around The Great Disaster the stories can all be read independently as they stand on their own. Although reading them all gives you a better sense of The New High Republic era. The references to characters from other stories is fun in the individual novels and comics for those reading all the stories you still get a complete story in this novel without reading any of the other books or comics. People can really pick up any comic or book and jump right into The High Republic.

What I want to start with for this novel is the characters. Claudia Gray does an excellent job of introducing us to and filling out a list of new characters. If us, as readers, don't care about and fall in love with the characters then the novel just won't work. We have to buy in and care about them for a novel to be memorable. Standouts for me where Orla Jareni; A Wayseeker Jedi. She's wise, independent and struggling with a second storyline that involves her past. Affie who gives us a human angle to the story. Reath Silas a Jedi I could relate to with his love of books and history. I have to commend Claudia Gray on how she writes Geode. How the other characters talk about Geode gave me several laugh out loud moments. 

The next element is story that's always moving forward. The novel doesn't drag because she always has the characters on the move. What I also love about these new stories is the atmosphere of the era. After reading stories in the dark times of the Empire it's refreshing to read about a time period that's hopeful. The villain's are also unique and mysterious. The Drengir and The Nihl are wonderful new additions to the Star Wars Rogue's Gallery. 

Lastly, I realize this is billed as a Young Adult novel but it doesn't feel that way. It reads to me like an adult novel but with a more narrow focus of characters and locations. Honestly if someone hadn't told me it was a Young Adult novel I wouldn't have known it. I hope you have as much fun reading this novel as I did. I was provided an advance copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Great book. I loved the stories, the art, and the subject matter. We've adopted two shelter dogs over the years, and they have each been wonderful. Forever in our hearts. A Labrador Retriever and a Great Pyrenees. This book was my first from this author. I like his art style and will now be tracking down more of his collections.

I was lucky enough to pick up the 2024 Reprint edition from Standards Manual. They did an incredible job with this reprint. So much of my childhood was filled with the comics of this ERA; many of my favorites were drawn by Jose Luis Garcia-Lopez (JLGL), who produced most of the work in this style guide. Reading the book was like taking a trip down memory lane. I was primarily drawn to DC characters as a kid; they remain some of my favorites as an adult. I'm a sucker for comics involving the big three at DC.

I enjoyed reading all the directions that DC gave the license companies. It was a fascinating read. I was surprised to learn that DC Comics and Marvel Comics shared a trademark on the term “Super Heroes.” How interesting! At least, that was the case when this style guide was published in 1982. I wonder if that's still the case today.

If you're a fan of JLGL, you truly owe it to yourself to pick up this book. Highly Recommended. Fingers crossed, I will meet this comic book legend this March at Planet Comicon.

Mr. Bradbury had a significant impact on the world through his fiction writing and his work on films, TV, and more. I remember growing up being enthralled by his work. Specifically, Something Wicked This Way Comes and Fahrenheit 451. The latter book is especially relevant in today's social landscape.

These interviews took place from 2010 to 2012, during Bradbury's last three years of life. Bradbury shares some interesting stories and ideas through the interviews, and the book certainly made me want to learn more about his life. I hope to read one of his biographies in the future, which I know the editor of this book has written about Bradbury.

If you have never read Bradbury, don't start here, but with some of his works. If you're a fan of his, you will truly enjoy these interviews. I know I did.

You can tell right away that Mike Mignola is having so much fun creating this all-new world. He's always been inspired by folklore and mythology. This new book is filled with all new short stories that he's either adapted from old tales or created himself. By the end of the book, I really felt the world come together through the threads of the stories. If you're a Mignola fan, this is a must by and immediately. Here's hoping we get to see Mignola return to this new world soon. In the meantime, I look forward to reading these tales again and again. I want to add that Dave Stewart brings a lot to the storytelling through his color work. Mignola and Stewart are a dynamic duo.

I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first book in this series. I will note the artwork is lovely and added to my enjoyment of the story. I didn't feel this story was as clever as the Puppets of Spelhorst story.

I absolutely loved this book. It feels like a fantasy book I would have read growing up, but it fits in current times. The author, Peter S. Beagle, takes classic troupes and updates them in ways that I didn't know I was looking for but was so glad I found while reading this book. The story has dragons, princes, princesses, kings, queens, villains, reluctant heroes, supporting characters, battles, adventure, and a hero's journey quest story. Still, it never felt like a story I had read before. As I got deeper and deeper into the book, I was compelled to keep reading in hopes the tale would end in the way I wanted it to, and for me, it did! After the halfway point, I just couldn't put it down. I also want to note the book has a gorgeous cover painted by the husband and wife team of Annie Stegg-Gerard and Justin Gerard. It's a fantastic cover for a magical book. Highly recommended for fairy tale and fantasy readers. Now, I need to read The Last Unicorn this year and explore more of Mr. Beagle's previous works.

Another fantastic book from Kate DiCamillo. I love how she weaves together so many themes, especially in this book, with love being such an overall focus.

It is another fun Peanuts collection. There are a lot of Spike-focused strips in this collection. I would also add that Peppermint Patty is also getting a lot more focus in the 1980s strips. My favorite strips are the ones that focus on Charlie Brown, Woodstock, and Snoopy.

This was my second time reading this book, this time, I re-read it along with a friend who gifted me this book for Christmas. It had been over a decade since I read this book the first time, and I had forgotten most of the story. This meant I fell in love with the book again, almost like it was my first time reading it. I really need to re-read it more often, as Sanderson packs a lot into this novella. There are just so many philosophical statements he drops, yet he leaves it up to the reader to come to his own conclusions on how we feel about the topics he brings up. I can't recommend this book highly enough. It's an especially good entry-point book if someone just wants to sample a Sanderson book.

Another excellent collection. You would think after 30-plus years that Schulz would run out of ideas. That's not the case. What a brilliant creator.

I have always enjoyed Kate DiCamillo's stories, and this one is no exception. I enjoyed the new fable she created, along with all the beautiful artwork that perfectly matches this tale. Plus, who doesn't love puppets?

I loved it. This book builds off the first book in all the best ways, but it could also be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone. If you've read book one first, you will appreciate this story more as the author continues the world-building. The artwork is incredible. It just makes the world come alive. I also loved how the author introduced us to the characters as they assembled the adventuring party. The build-up to and action in the book's later half was exceptionally well done. I found myself holding my breath at one point.

I look forward to the next book in the series when it is released.