Blog Change Input Needed

Well, as it's bloggiesta weekend, I've made a few changes and am working on more. That's where you come in. I have some questions and I'd REALLY love your input. 

1 Do you care that I changed my layout?

2 How often do you click on a link within. Those little, you might like this, buttons at the bottom of each post? I'm considering getting rid of them. 

3 And last but not least, are my review posts as boring as I think they are? I've been trying to be more professional by saying what I like and dislike but they seem so boring. What do you think? 

4 So, since I changed my layout Google Chrome won't let me comment. I can on Firefox, though. Anyone know what the heck happened? 

Thanks for your help, guys! Have a great weekend! OLE! 

Bloggiesta, I Guess!

Alright, alright! I'm going to sign up for this fun event hosted by Suey and Danielle. I've hesitated because I wasn't sure I'd really be able to donate any time to it this weekend, however, there are things I've been wanting to do around my blog to spiff it up so eventually here's what I'd like to do.

1 Silly me! I never bothered adding labels to my posts. Sigh! It's going to be a long boring task but I'm going to do it.

2 I think it's time to mess with my template again...maybe.

3 I've been trying to add some of those nice tabs at the top of my blog to get organized and I'd like to finish that project.

So, yeah, that's about all I'm committing to right now. I'm excited to visit everyone's blogs and make new friends and learn some stuff. I'm woefully ignorant when it comes to a lot of 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. ;)

Review: The Brief History Of The Dead

Title The Brief History Of The Dead
By Kevin Brockmeier
Genre Adult Dystopian/Parnormal
Pages 252
Recommended by Louise Goodreads friend

First sentence When the blind man arrived in the city, he claimed that he had traveled across a desert of living sand.

Synopsis
The City is home to those who have died but are remembered by those still alive. When the inhabitants of the City start disappearing and the rumor is that a horrible plague has wiped out humanity on earth, those left discover they have one thing in common; a young woman alone in Antarctica trying to survive.

What it had going for it
Um, well, yeah, the reason I read this one was based mostly on the cover. Well, that's why I picked it up, anyway. Check it out! Isn't it an awesome cover? Then I read the synopsis and thought it sounded rather intriguing. It was intriguing, the most unique story I've read in awhile, in fact. I enjoyed the chapters about Laura, the girl struggling to survive in Antarctica. Her story was filled with tension and heartbreak and I liked it. I also enjoyed the fact that her survival meant the survival of all the people in the City. It added another level of suspense to the story.

What's lacking
Sigh! I think I'm done with books that are dripping in symbolism. They make me feel so stupid. Especially when the symbolism is very subtle...too subtle and open for interpretation. I'm tired of trying to figure out what the author was trying to "say" using a story that, while good, is still weak and only a means to and end. Some symbolistic end meant to open our minds. Or something like that. Like I said, I didn't really get it.

Yea or Nay?
I say, if it sounds good to you and you then give it a go. It was interesting enough and wasn't boring or hard to read.

I Think I'm So Funny!