coronam's reviews
680 reviews

Clumsy by Jeffrey Brown

4.0

Ugh. After having to endure 15 months apart from my boyfriend, I don't wish long-distance relationships on anyone. With that said, Jeffrey Brown captures the essence of a long-distance relationship PERFECTLY. Between the brief weekend visits back and forth, holidays and time-off orchestrated around each others schedules, and Sunday afternoons spent sulking by the phone, L.D.R.'s are expensive at best, emotionally draining at worst. They are also what make books like "Clumsy" so beautiful and touching. I don't know how Jeffrey Brown does it, but his books are a wonderful reminder that often the most memorable moments of a relationship are the simple stories we overlook. Check out "AEIOU" while you're at it.

The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci

3.0

This was my first encounter with Cecil Castellucci, Jim Rugg, and Minx books (the DC comics division developed specifically for teenage girls) so I can honestly say I went into "The Plain Janes" not knowing what to expect. What I found was a comic book that I would have LOVED had I been 15, with absolutely no insight into how high-school really worked.

"The Plain Janes" is about a young girl named Jane (the main Jane), who moves out to the suburbs with her parents following an incident in Metro City. At her new high-school, she befriends a group of girls whose names also happen to be Jane (funnnn) and together they form The P.L.A.I.N. (People Loving Art in Neighborhoods) Janes, a sort of subversive "art attack" club.

There were just a few trouble areas to this book, in my opinion. For instance, Jane #1 actively attempts to befriend the Janes (school rejects) following an invitation to hang-out with the popular kids. Believable? Well, Buffy did it successfully- but I don't buy it. Are we glad Jane #1, with the potential to be popular (as deemed by other popular kids) decided to forgo said popularity for the embrace of true friendship? Heck yes! Also, the Janes ended up being a bit too compartmentalized for me. We have Smart Jane, Sporty Jane, Dramatic Jane and Artsy Jane and every line written for them MUST remind us of this. Eh. But I'm being too harsh. I do have to admit that Jim Rugg's art was absolutely spot-on. I've heard his "Street Angel" stuff is even more dynamic, so I'll have to remember and check it out.

Overall, a cute story about the new girl in town with excellent illustrations.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

5.0

An orchestra of mice. Child ghosts locked up in a closet. An alternate world with "other" parents.
This was a seriously dark, beautifully-written children's book that blows the typical "monster-in-the-closet" tale out of the water any day.

Well done. A must read.

Werewolves in Their Youth: Stories by Michael Chabon

4.0

My first foray into Michael Chabon. Although I read a lot of reviews sayings that "Werewolves in Their Youth" was not a fan favorite, I have to say that most of the stories were quite entertaining. The majority of them tended to come from a floundering male perspective, but he was probably just writing about what he knew best. Probably. My favorite story by far was, "In the Black Mill" with the title story coming in at a close second. Recommended.

Carnet de Voyage by Craig Thompson

4.0

This book reminded me of two things that I wish I could do/do more often-draw and travel, respectively. Seeing as how neither of those are likely to occur in the near future, "Carnet de Voyage" provided the perfect escape to foreign and exotic locales, namely, France, Barcelona, Morocco and the Alps. Intended to be a sort of in-between breather to award-winning, "Blankets" and his highly-anticipated upcoming novel, "Habibi," I thought "Carnet" was the perfect interlude between the two. It was a tidy 224-page travel log chalk-full of his beautiful and at times, painful, drawings and musings. C. Thompson's got a knack for being brutally honest with his experiences (which can drive you nuts, especially with regards to the fairer sex) but I think that's why his books are so good. They're that much more human.

I can't wait for "Habibi!"

Fables, Vol. 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham

5.0

So far, so good.
Again, this series popped-up on a MUST READ graphic novel list and I couldn't resist. It's a fun premise with Bill Willingham & Company remembering all the little nuances of our fairy-tale youth in what is now the clandestine community of Fabletown. Recommended.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami, Haruki Murakami

4.0

Although I read a handful of reviews saying that, "What I Talk About When I Talk About Running" was a huge departure from typical Murakami material (of which I have only read "The Wind-up Bird Chronicles"), I still wanted to check it out. The book essentially breaks down the process in which Murakami starts running, almost as a physical supplement to his sedentary career as a novelist. It also explores his approach to each marathon he competes in, including (and most importantly) the training that is involved. Above all else, he takes time to discuss the fragile love/hate relationship runners have with running. To this point, he was spot on.

As a runner training for a half-marathon and an avid reader, this book was extremely inspirational. On the other hand, I can't see non-Murakami fans and/or non-runners enjoying this memoir very much.

The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes & Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman

5.0

AMAZING. But seeing as how I still have nine more volumes to read, I'll keep this review brief. "Preludes and Nocturnes" follows Morpheus, a thin Gene Simmons look-alike representing Dream, who has just escaped imprisonment after being held captive for 70 years. Weak, he manages to return home only to find his kingdom, The Dreamworld, now in shambles. In order to reconstruct it, he must reclaim various powerful pieces of strength (an amulet and helmet) from his past life that are now scattered all over (Hell, the human world). What ensues, and the characters introduced, are pure genius. My favorite personification is that of Lucifer Morningstar who the creators render as some spaced out David Bowie with devil wings. Just fantastic :)

Fables, Vol. 2: Animal Farm by Steve Leiloha, Bill Willingham, Mark Buckingham, James Jean

5.0

After the lengthy intro that was the first volume, "Animal Farm: Volume 2" just flew by. This book, in true Orwellian fashion, follows the Fabletown annex (known as The Farm) and its unforeseen uprising, fronted by The Three Little Pigs and Goldilocks. And yes, it's pretty awesome.

Welcome to Hoxford by Ben Templesmith

4.0

Two words: Werewolf necrophilia. If you're up for that you'll definitely enjoy this book. As always, beautiful illustrations and words provided by Ben Templesmith (le sigh).