Review: Big Mushy Happy Lump

Title Big Mushy Happy Lump (Sarah's Scribbles 2)
By Sarah Andersen
Genre Graphic Novel Comedy
Format Ebook
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



Synopsis
Sarah is back with her hilarious and oh so real look into life today as an adult.








I love Sarah Scribbles and finally got my hands on one of her books. It was, as I suspected, hilarious. I love her look at life and how completely relatable it is. My favorite comic was this one and I'm sorry to any men reading my post if it makes you uncomfortable but it's so true and had me laughing the hardest.

Every. Freaking. Time! It's so true!

My only complaint was it was too short. I could read her comics for hours without getting bored.

Review: Wires and Nerve

Title Wires and Nerve (Wires and Nerve #1)
By Marissa Meyer
Genre Graphic Novel, Sci-fi, Adventure
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Before Cinder and her friends brought down Queen Levana, she released wolf hybrid soldiers on earth. The hybrids have gone rogue and to help her friend, Iko becomes a hunter. Determined to stop the hybrids before they kill anyone else.








I was excited to read this graphic novel and get more from the wonderful world Meyer created.

Of course, I enjoyed the story but I wasn't as wowed or in love as I wanted to be. A lot of the characters didn't look at all how I imagined them so I'm not sure what I thought of the art.

I loved the relationship between Iko and the guard Cinder sent to help her. It was obvious but funny.

I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series, though. I preferred the novels.

Review: Kristy's Great Idea

Title Kristy's Great Idea (Baby-Sitter's Club GN #1)
By Ann M. Martin, Raina Telgemeier
Genre Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
When Kristy and her friends decide to start a baby sitting club they make friends with Stacey and get her to join. Things are going great with the club but Stacey seems to be hiding something and Kristy, upset that her mom is dating a new man, wants to know what it is.





First Sentence

Guys, I was such a Baby-Sitters Club nut growing up. I loved the books and read as many as I could get my hands on.  When I found out that Raina Telgemeier was doing graphic novels I almost cried. I bought the first one and had been saving it for the readathon. I'm so glad Dewy's 24 Hour Readathon decided to do a reverse readathon in July because there was no way I was holding back till October.

Bringing together these fun stories with Telgemeier's art was genius. It was so fun taking a trip down memory lane. I obviously don't remember the books, since it's been so long, but this brought back memories and all the feels and I loved it.

I'm just so thrilled that a new generation of young readers will get to enjoy these in graphic novel form. It makes my heart so happy!

Review: Drama

Title Drama
By Raina Telgemeier
Genre Middle Grade Graphic Novel
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Callie loves the theater and is working on the new set design for her school's latest production, Moon Over Mississippi. Crushes, heartbreak and drama ensue.

First Sentence
"Do you think Mr. Madera will let me operate the spotlight again?"



For someone who isn't a big graphic novel fan, I love Telgemeier's books. They're so relatable and I'm not even the intended audience!

When I was young I acted in a few plays and, boy oh boy, did I have some serious crushes. I could totally relate to this one. It's my new favorite of hers.

As usual the art was wonderful and I couldn't put it down. I read it in one sitting, not that that's hard, but still.

Very fun story. I'd highly recommend Telgemeier for anyone trying to get into graphic novels.

Review: Ghosts

Title Ghosts
By Raina Telgemeier
Genre MG Graphic Novel
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Catrina and her family have to move because her little sister Maya is sick. The town they move to is even worse than Catrina was imagining. It's damp and foggy all of the time and all anyone talks about is ghosts. Maya loves the idea of the Day of the Dead celebration but Catrina doesn't want anything to do with it or the boy next door that's trying so hard to befriend her.





First Sentence

To get out of my reading slump I decided to pick up a graphic novel. And guess what? It totally worked. I flew through it and have been reading ever since! Wahoo!

I don't know why I'm so drawn to Telgemeier's books but I am. I like her artwork and I love that her stories deal with issues that kids can relate to. This one, for instance, has a lot going on. The MCs little sister has cystic fibrosis and probably won't live very long and when they move to a town that's seemingly obsessed with death Catrina is not happy. Moving to a new town is hard enough but having a future reality shoved in her face isn't easy.

The book still manages to be mostly light-hearted and easy to read in spite of its heavier subject matter and the artwork was beautiful. I kind of wish the town they moved to really existed.

While this one is geared to a younger audience it appealed to me too. I think it was a great read and can't wait to try Telgemeier's other books.

Review: Sense and Sensibility

Title Sense and Sensibility
By Jane Austen
Genre Manga/Graphic Novel
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Jane Austen's beloved story of two sisters and their dealings with love in Manga form.











When my friend Kami discovered these Jane Austen's made into Manga I knew I had to try at least one. I chose Sense and Sensibility because I was in the mood for that story.

I was worried about reading these books backwards but ended up hardly noticing; my brain picked up on it pretty fast. I love Manga art and this book was absolutely lovely! I liked all the depictions of the characters and even swooned a little over Col. Brandon. I even posted his photo on Instagram.

I read it in one sitting and am very interested in trying some of the others.

Should You Read It
If you love Jane Austen or Manga and graphic novels I'd highly recommend this one.

Review: The Sculptor

Title The Sculptor
By Scott McCloud
Genre Adult Graphic Novel
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
David Smith a struggling artist has just made a deal with Death. Given the ability to sculpt anything with his bare hands he only has 200 days left to live. Can he make a name for himself before time runs out? Finding the love of his life wasn't in the plans either but the deal is made and there's no going back.








First Sentence

I thought it would be fun to share the first page of the book for the first sentence.

I've never read a graphic novel that blew me away. I always feel very "meh" about them. The only reason I voluntarily read this book was because the cover intrigued me and I needed a quick book for the readathon to make me feel like I was accomplishing something.

I loved this book, guys! I can finally see what people love about graphic novels.

The story was fascinating. At first, while I could see where the MC was coming from, I struggled with his mopey attitude. I loved watching him own up to his mistakes, learn to quit running away and figure out what really matters in life. I cried at the end. It was so beautiful.

The graphics were great too, of course. While I'm more about the story and tend to rush through graphic novels without really looking at the pictures, I was forced to look in this one. They were fascinating. I think it helped that the MC was an artist. I loved looking at his sculptures.

I'm so very glad I picked this one up. I might become a graphic novel fan yet.

Should you read it?
I thought it was a beautiful story that would be worth anyone's time.

Review: Smile

Title Smile
By Raina Telgemeier
Genre Graphic Novel, Middle grade
Pages 224
Rating ⭐️⭐️

Synopsis
Growing up is hard enough with grade school to junior high transitions, crushes on boys, dealing with snarky friends, breakouts and puberty. Throw in some serious dental issues and poor Raina might not survive.

First Sentence
 Smile!!

• Graphic novels really aren't my thing because I like more depth but I adore how quickly you can read them. This whole book took me about 20 minutes to read. 
• This book is totally relateable. I never had to get braces but I had to go to the dentist so much I ended up with a irrational fear of dentists and dental work...luckily I grew out of it. But reading this story and seeing the great pics that went with it brought back some memories. 
• I love that the story AND the art is by the author and that it's a memoir of sorts. 
• I liked the style of art work. Except the pics of the bloody dental work and the gauze. *shudders*
• A cute read that pre-teens will love. For me it wasn't a favorite but I liked it well enough. 

Should you read it?

It's a good clean read with fun pictures and a relatable MC. If graphic novels are your thing (or your kids) then yes, read it.  

Review: Odd Is On Our Side (Graphic Novel)

Title Odd Is On Our Side
By Dean Koontz and Fred Van Lente
Genre Graphic Novel
Pages 186
Recommended by Me

First sentence I try to lead a simple and quiet life.


Synopsis
A prequel to the Odd Thomas series, this graphic novel follows Odd trying to discover why there are Bodachs suddenly hanging around town right before Halloween.

What it has going for it
Well, this was my very first graphic novel ever! I decided I needed to get over my block against them and give one a shot. I figured I'd go with an Odd Thomas GN because, let's face it, you can't go wrong with Odd, and because it was and Odd Thomas book, I enjoyed it. The pictures were fun and, I though, the characters were portrayed well. There was some fun extras in the back where the artist, Queenie Chan, talks about and shows some of her first attempts at some of the character and, most importantly, the Bodachs. Because Dean Koontz was involved (thank goodness) the final result of the Bodachs were EXACTLY how I imagined them.  The best part, I have to admit, was how fast of a read it was. It's fun to read something so quickly and still get  a whole story.

What's lacking
I enjoyed my foray into graphic novels but I don't think I'm exactly convinced to read a ton more. I got so into the story I kept forgetting to do more than glance at the pictures and that seems a shame. After all, it was a GRAPHIC novel. Wasn't I supposed to really enjoy the graphics? This was mainly my own problem, though, and had nothing to do with the pictures. Like I said, I thought they were very well done, I'm just not sure I get the whole concept. *shrugs* The story was OK but not nearly as good or creepy as the actual novels but it worked for the GN concept.

Yea or Nay?
If you like graphic novels and haven't had the pleasure of meeting Odd then, yes, read these books and then maybe you'll fall in love with him and read the novels. ;)