Anime + Chibi Art Class
Anime + Chibi Art Class is a good beginning art guide for drawing anime characters and their Chibi variations. While the techniques shown begin with drawing ovals, the vocabulary and suggested tools seem more oriented toward older readers. It is best suited for people used to drawing that want toContinue Reading
Between a Flock and a Hard Place
Meg is trying to a deal with a flock of feral turkeys set loose in a suburban neighborhood, a shady house renovation show, and complaining neighbors in Between a Flock and a Hard Place. This is the 35th book in this series and I’ve read them all. This book containsContinue Reading
The Seventh Spell
Adrian has been through some hard times. But now his lifelong dream is being fulfilled. He is a crew member on a trip to Mars! Mars has been colonized for its rare metals. But with any new enterprise, factions have been fighting for control. The current government has imposed strictContinue Reading
After Oz
Be careful what you wish for. In the beloved tale, The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy tries tirelessly to return home. After Oz is the story of what happens when she gets there. Do the townspeople rush to receive her? Or does her tale seem not only delusional but even satanicContinue Reading
Story and Structure
Story and Structure is a master class in how literature is structured. It is best for the academically minded. It definitely reads like a university textbook. It has a lot of interesting information buried in its over five hundred pages. I can see why it won an award for bestContinue Reading
Draw with Art for Kids Hub Animals
Draw with Art for Kids Hub Animals is the perfect book to teach kids, and truly beginners of all ages, how to draw. The easy step-by-step approach will make anyone feel great about their art. It may also lead to an artistic approach where all objects are seen as simpleContinue Reading
Peking Duck and Cover
Happy Chinese New Year! In Peking Duck and Cover, it’s that time of year again for Chinese restaurant manager, Lana Lee. She is coordinating an Asian Village, her restaurant’s outdoor mall, party complete with a dance troop and fireworks. Little does she suspect, though regular series readers will be anticipating,Continue Reading
Trouble Is Brewing
Trouble Is Brewing is tea slinger Lily’s latest cozy mystery. Her cafe, Tea by the Sea, is closed for a bridal shower. Though the couple seem blissfully happy, their parents are less enchanted with each other. When the groom’s father is murdered, Lily must investigate to clear her tea houseContinue Reading
Alley
With ten eerie tales, Alley is a fascinating look into Japanese fears. With serial killers, ghosts and demons, most horror sub-genres are represented. My favorite story, Blessing, even has a mystery to solve within it. Many of the stories are unique enough to be remembered long after the story isContinue Reading
The Book of Elsewhere
A plethora of adjectives. A dearth of full stops. The prose in The Book of Elsewhere reminds me of college literature courses. Here’s looking at you, James Joyce. This book contains run-on sentences that quickly emerge as run-on paragraphs. I’ll admit that it took me almost 20% of the bookContinue Reading
BRZRKR: Bloodlines
I read books for plots and comics/graphic novels/manga for the artwork. BRZRKR: Bloodlines contains great vibrant western style artwork. The bright red of blood is splashed throughout this comic. The fact that the main character, B, has the face of Keanu is just an added plus. Unfortunately, the plot, ofContinue Reading
Camp NetGalley
I am attending the first annual virtual Camp NetGalley! What fun! There are bingo cards, a scavenger hunt, and a talent show, where you only need to submit a book review. No off-key singing attempts to sit through. Plus, at the end, all attendees get a NetGalley badge for theirContinue Reading
The Lost Story
With nods to The Chronicles of Narnia and even Alice in Wonderland, The Lost Story begins with an intriguing premise. Two fifteen-year-old boys are lost in the woods for months. When they return, one cannot remember anything and the other refuses to talk about it. Fifteen years later, they meetContinue Reading
Shades of Mercy
Shades of Mercy is perfect for fans of Longmire and Joe Pickett, while they wait for the next book to be released in those series. Sheriff Beck is investigating a hacked military drone in rural Nevada. His county has a whole lot of land and a dearth of people, includingContinue Reading
Dog Day Afternoon
Dog Day Afternoon is another pleasant mystery with reluctant attorney Andy Carpenter and a myriad of supporting players. Marcus is Andy’s muscle, who keeps his personal life, well, personal. Until now. He brings a defendant, Nick, to Andy who seems to have the deck stacked against him. Most of Nick’sContinue Reading
Made for You
Made for You is a twisty little tale told from the viewpoint of a “synth” (synthetic human or android) created to win the heart of the main character on a Batchelor type show. I love the concept of this book. It is nice to see AI portrayed in a goodContinue Reading