Review Time! - Last Night, A Superhero Saved My Life By Liesa Mignona (Ed.)

Title: Last Night, A Superhero Saved My Life

Editor: Liesa Mignona

Genre: Non-fiction, Essays

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book via NetGalley. NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

Frequent readers of this blog will be aware that yours truly is a nerdgirl extraordinaire with much-love for the superpowers and the capes.

Superheroes are more than just characters to me - like books in general, they are a lifeline.

This book - about how superheroes can be real-life heroes too - was calling out my name.

Premise:

Superheroes can be a huge part of our lives - in this compilation, contributors from Neil Gaiman, to Jodi Picoult, to Leigh Bardugo, write about what superheroes mean to them.

Best bits:

I dare anyone to not find something here which speaks to them.

Whether you're a superhero fan or not, you will find one essay at least, among the many here, which shows how the deepest meanings can be found in the pop culture we drink in every day, often without giving it a second thought.

And it will serve as an explanation, I hope, to all of the people who look at cosplayers, comic-conners, and fandom, with disdain.

There are reasons we love this stuff. Heroes matter.

Those of you already converted to all things labelled 'Marvel' and/or 'DC' will love this book. It's a celebration of the things we love, by others who love them too.

This book shows that superheroes are as versatile as their readers - often fun and light-hearted, with a variety of traumas and complexities in their histories, who, at the end of the day, are human. (Yes, superhuman counts as human too.)

And, as most of the contributors are already writers of a pretty high calibre, the whole thing manages to flow pretty damned well.

I read it straight-through, but the beauty of an essay book is that it's easy to dip in-and-out of. If you don't connect with one essay, just find one that's more interesting to you :)

Not so great bits:

OK, so, there were superheroes discussed here which won't be known to the general public (i.e. the non-nerdy,) and there were a couple that left even me wracking my brains for reference-points.

I managed to muddle through, but readers who are less knowledgeable on all things hero may wind up skipping the odd essay here and there.

And, obviously, when given a book with this amount of voices you aren't going to agree with all of them.

The essay about Wolverine promoting 'real' masculinity? Yeah... I wasn't a fan. Especially as 'real' masculinity here seemed to involve promoting violence. Just not my thing, pal, sorry.

For people who dislike such things, I should mention that there's swearing.

Also, this book deals with a lot of issues which people may find themselves coping with.

Including (but not limited to): bereavement, mental health problems, sexual abuse, child abuse, and a huge amount of family issues.

It's all handled very well, but I thought that I'd give you the heads-up: this is a beautiful book, but it deals with some very hard subjects.

Verdict:

Any fans of superheroes (or those who want to understand the proper care and maintenance of your nerd,) will find a beautiful and inspiring collection of personal experiences.

Sometimes, superheroes are real heroes too.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads

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Comics Wrap Up - Gallons of the Stuff

TV Trailers


Here's Netflix's trailer for their adaptation of Marvel's Luke Cage:

Looks pretty cool. Unfortunately, I still don't have Netflix.

And before everyone starts going 'it's only x-pounds per month' let me remind you that I don't have a lot of money. And the money I do have goes on books. 

Luckily, since I live in my parents' house, I mooch off of their Sky+ a lot ;)

Graphic Novels

This week I read Vertigo's First Offenses (UK - US) which is more an anthology of single issues than a graphic novel, but I'm totally putting it in this section (because I feel like it dammit!)

So, like I said, this is made up of single issues. 5 series starters from Vertigo's versatile range of devil-may-care comics:

• The Invisibles #1
• Fables #1
• Preacher #1
• Sandman Mystery Theatre #1
• Lucifer #1

My favourites had to be... Preacher #1 and Lucifer #1.

Both are kind of based in subverted religious iconography - so I really don't know what that says about me! But they were pretty damned good, and I may read more of these series in the future.

All in all, a good little selection - and it really shows the quality of the Vertigo imprint :)

Other Stuff

I've just finished an excellent essay collection - Last Night, A Superhero Saved My Life (UK - US) - edited by Liesa Mignona, about how superheroes make a difference to every-day life. It's great.

I'll be reviewing it soon :)

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I also kind of binge-read all of Linda Sejic's Blood Stain series on DeviantArt - not as convenient as waiting for the collected volume (read my review of vol 1 here) but like the crazy-a*s fangirl dedicated reader that I am, I read the whole thing :)

I also managed to scare my cat (the fluffy white boy-cat, Jango, in case you're familiar with my cats) by laughing at it at a random moment.

And I managed to succeed in being exceptionally awkward and tagging a random instead of Linda on Twitter! (I need the Coffee God now Linda... please?)

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5 Must-Read Non-Fiction Books

Non-fiction tends to get eclipsed - in book-blogging and in general - by the awesomeness that is fiction.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with fiction taking centre-stage, but that doesn't mean that we should leave non-fiction to languish by the wayside.

Non-fiction can be vitally important for a variety of reasons: not least that it tells us important things about life, the universe, and everything (42! - I'm such a nerd.)

So, my dearest nerdlets, I give you here a list of 5 non-fiction books which I consider to be 'must-reads.'

3 of these are memoirs/autobiographies - not of politicians or pop stars, but of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances.




These books are 'must-reads' because of what they are - because of what they represent, and the message that they send to the world.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

Amazon: UK - US

This is no great work of literature - and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

Anne Frank's diary was never really intended for publication, so it's not written to appeal to an audience, or really to tell any clear story.

The main strength and value of this book is that it is so ordinary - it's the diary of a life cut unfairly and unjustly short, true, but a life that belonged to a real, breathing, loving, wonderful girl. A girl who was so very human.

And because of this, it shows even more vividly the horrors of the holocaust - this was not just the fate of nameless, faceless, people, who were nothing to do with us. This was the fate of normal people; just like us.

This book is proof of the potential and beauty that hatred can steal from the world.

12 Years A Slave by Solomon Northup

Amazon: UK - US

I actually reviewed this quite a while back; it's an incredible, and very, very powerful book.

Solomon's dignity, humanity, and love, prove a definite contrast to the horrendous situation he finds himself in.

I think everyone should know his story, if only so that we understand the human cost of the shameful practice of slavery.

Born on the Fourth of July by Ron Kovic

Amazon: UK - US

The last of the memoirs/autobiographies in this list, this is the honest, bitter, ugly, beautiful work of a Vietnam veteran - describing both his time in Vietnam, and the longer battle of rights, dignity, and recovery, back home in the US.

A fairly short book that makes hard reading in places, this is one that everyone needs to read - because Kovic was there; he saw it, he felt it, he went through it.

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig

Amazon: UK - US

This is a book I wrote a mini-review for during Mental Health Awareness Week.

'Reasons To Stay Alive' is an important read because of what it stands for - a hand in the dark, a discussion about mental health, and an end to stigma.

Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

Amazon: UK - US

This is a book I am determined to make EVERYONE read.

It's a real eye-opener in terms of the sexism and misogyny, as well as the violence towards women, that still exists, right now, in 2016.

As I said in my review, I don't necessarily agree with all of the opinions in this book, but it is one of the most worthwhile books you will ever read.

If it's not on your TBR list then put it on there - right now.

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Month in Review(s) - May 2016

And so another month is well on its way to faffing off into the sunset.

I actually haven't reviewed any graphic novels this month (I know - who am, and what have I done with Cee?)

I'm probably making up for last month, which had graphic novels falling from the ever-loving rafters.

I've been on a bit of a contemporary YA binge lately - which led to me reviewing 3 contemporary YA titles this month.

'The Art of Being Normal' was beautiful, 'One' was unique, and 'Boy Meets Boy' was your favourite rom-com in book form.






My stand-out book this month, though? 'Swan Boy.' Wow. Just wow.





Kids




Swan Boy by Nikki Sheehan - Contemporary, Magic Realism








Young Adult

The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson - Contemporary, LGBTQ+
One by Sarah Crossan - Contemporary, Poetry* (*novel in verse)
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan - Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance (M/M)









Adult




alt. sherlock. holmes - Anthology, Novellas/Short Stories, Crime, Contemporary*, Historical Fiction*, LGBTQ+* M/M* (*one or more stories.)







Non-fiction




Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig

Mini-Review! - Reasons To Stay Alive by Matt Haig

16-22 May is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK. May is also Mental Health Month in the US.

Title: Reasons To Stay Alive

Author: Matt Haig

Genre: Non-fiction

Amazon: UK - USA

Verdict:

The main importance of this book is that it exists.

It exists because Matt Haig is alive, when depression could so easily have taken him from the world.

He kept going. He has loved, laughed, and lived, and continues to do so.

So he gives us this - 'Reasons To Stay Alive' - in the hope of adding another spark of light to the end of the metaphorical tunnel.

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The main importance of this book is that it exists.

It exists for people like me - who need to continually add weapons to our tool-kit against depression.

Not all of the tips will help everyone. There are things which will help, and things which won't. Do what works for you.

It exists for people who care about someone with a mental illness. To give a glimpse of what they may be feeling.

It exists for society. Because we need to speak out. To stop the stigma that still exists and haunts us.

It's not an easy read in places. It's an intense topic - let's face it.

And I took a lot of breaks between chapters, to try and let myself absorb what I was reading without overwhelming myself. Sometimes you need processing time.

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The main importance of this book is that it exists.

It exists because the pain is not endless - even though it often feels like it.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Site

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Charity Reading Challenge 2016 Update - March

Yes! I have finally read something for this challenge!

Host: Becky's Book Reviews
Duration: January 2016-December 2016

The Challenge: 'Read for a good cause! Buy books at a charity shop, or, even a friends of the library book sale, or, donate a certain percentage of money for each book you read for the challenge. You can choose your own goal of how many books to read, what charity you'll be donating money towards, how much money, etc.'

The full rules can be found on Becky's Book Reviews here.

My sign-up post can be read here.


March 2016

Number of books read so far: 1/20
This Month: 1


Title: Born on the Fourth of July (UK Click Here - US Click Here)

Author: Ron Kovic

Price: £0.25

Charity Helped: Local cause - sale to help a local child with medical care and equipment.

My Thoughts:

This is a non-fiction book detailing Ron Kovic's experiences as a Vietnam veteran; there is also a film of the book, starring Tom Cruise, of the same name.

Born on the Fourth of July is one of those books that everyone needs to read simply because it is a snapshot of history, and a testament to the uncomfortable truths that we need to remind ourselves of, and never let the world forget.


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The Month In Review(s) - March 2016

Ahhh, spring and March and books and reviews :)

Check out all the books I've reviewed this month:

Kids

Midnight by Jacqueline Wilson - contemporary, chick lit
After Tomorrow by Gillian Cross - dystopian

Young Adult

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - fantasy, paranormal, LGBTQ+ (M/M)

Adult

Mr Mercedes by Stephen King - crime, thriller
Orlando by Virginia Woolf - classics, historical fiction, LGBT*Q+
The True and Splendid History of the Harristown Sisters by Michelle Lovric - historical fiction
The Zoo Father by Pascale Petit - poetry

Graphic Novels

Adulthood is a Myth: A Sarah's Scribbles Collection by Sarah Andersen - humour
The Beauty, Volume 1 - dystopian, horror, sci-fi

Non-fiction

Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

Review! - Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

Title: Everyday Sexism

Author: Laura Bates

Genre: Non-fiction

Release Date: 5 Apr 2016 (This Edition)

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book from publishers St. Martin's Griffin via NetGalley. NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

The opportunity to review this book came up ahead of the release of a new special hardcover library edition from Thomas Dunne Books for St. Martin's Griffin.

Now, from the start, I'm going to be honest - this is the most difficult review I have ever written.

You know why? Because this book is about sexism and feminism - and, apart from the fact that I could talk about this book for literally hours (this is a fairly long review, just a warning,) people tend to get just a little bit f**king crazy on both sides of this debate.

So, at the risk of people yelling at me/misinterpreting what I'm saying, let's give this a shot!

Premise:

You think sexism doesn't exist in the 21st Century? Think again.

This book, from the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, Laura Bates, sets out to make clear what women all over the world have to face every single day.

Best bits:

Laura Bates doesn't strike me as a f**king crazy sort of person - she strikes me as pretty cool, all in all. She's funny, chatty, and has a nice writing style - she's also hugely passionate about the project, and that passion shines through throughout.

You know the scary part about this book? I wasn't surprised by most of it.

Being catcalled or wolf-whistled? Been there. Being felt-up or leered at? Been there too. Having my opinions dismissed because I'm a woman? Damn right I've been there.


The thing is - I agree with what Ms Bates says. We brush it off.

We don't make a fuss. And in that way, it's made to seem normal - something we should just learn to live with; which, in 2016, is disgraceful.

We wonder if we're over-reacting, or even imagining things: I can remember a more mature dude leaning over while walking past me in the street, in order to look down my jumper - I didn't say anything, because what if he was just... I don't know, losing his balance?

It sounds silly, but he was walking alongside a lady of about the same age, who was right next to him, and didn't react at all.

We were the only people walking there (I live in a semi-rural town, complete with lack of foot-traffic in the middle of the day,) so I figured I must have misinterpreted a simple stumble, or have been imagining things, or whatever.

But then, I'm short with relatively ample breasts. It's not the first time someone's taken advantage of the height difference to 'lose their balance' around me, and it wasn't the last either.

Bates uses facts and figures to put across her views admirably, eloquently, and logically. Even when you don't agree with her on a point or two, it's easy to see where she's coming from - and to respect her opinions as valid.

The statistics are truly disgusting. The violence against women, the attitudes towards women, and the discrimination against women, is simply unacceptable.

And the interviews, tweets, project stories - they all combine to create a picture of what women go through on a daily basis, simply because they're women.

Women in the workplace, in higher education, online, still have to battle against out-dated attitudes in order to get on in life.

Anyone who thinks that sexism no longer exists needs only to read some of Ms Bates' personal experiences - the horrendous online abuse she has received, the actual fears for her safety - to realise that sexism is all too horrifically real in the modern age.

And, personally, I'd like to thank Ms Bates for all that she's had to go through to give women a voice.

Not so great bits:

I don't agree with everything in this book - if I did, I'd actually be Laura Bates, and then the name on my birth certificate would be wrong.

Nothing wrong with a little respectful debate though - something I'm sure Ms Bates would agree with.

Just for example: I think it's ok to refer to people as dudes and chicks. And, if I'm feeling in a particularly insulting mood, I'd be more than willing to refer to people as b**ches, just as I refer to them as b*****ds. I'm an equal opportunities foul-mouth.

I also think that when it comes to media representation of women, that, sometimes, the portrayal of women as being sexually desirable is acceptable in context - just as all Marvel fangirls have, at some point, admired Captain America's a**.

At the same time, I totally agree that there needs to be less objectification and over-sexualisation in general. It's the amount, the intention, the taste in which it was done - all, unfortunately, very wibbly-lines kind of things.

For me, it all comes back to context: was this important to the plot? How much screen-time/screen-area was focused on the sexualisation?

Did it belittle the gender of the character? Is it out of character? Was it gratuitous? Was this pose even physically possible?

But there's definitely a point in what Ms Bates says - it's everywhere.

When looking for stock photos I could use to 'break up' the text of this review a little, I typed 'women' into stock photo sites.

The amount of beds and underwear involved (as well as legs, thighs, butts, etc.) made me wonder if I'd accidentally found my way onto a soft-porn site (I hadn't.)

This is a legitimate problem - we just have to be very careful not to stifle art and creativity while we're at it.

The book is mainly focussed on the UK and US, though it does mention other countries at various points; this may make it less interesting to those who don't live/have interest in either the US or Britain.

I also got a little over-whelmed by the switching between US and UK, and the amount of statistics - but I struggle with both geography and stats due to suspected dyscalculia, so it may honestly just have been me.

This book is difficult reading - simply because of the amount of rape and violence discussed - both through personal stories and statistics. It's something that had to be written - but it doesn't make for pleasant reading.

Verdict:

Everyone should read this book. Every man and every woman. Because, despite the fact that I disagreed with a few minor points, this is an important book. A book that tells a truth we need to hear.

I mean it. Everyone should read this book. Every man. Every woman. Every parent. Every grandparent. Everyone.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Everyday Sexism Project on Twitter

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The Month in Review(s) - January 2016

From now on I'm going to provide a brief 'Month in Review(s)' post.

This is literally a re-cap of all the reviews that I've written this month, collated in one post.

So now you can take a shufty at the books (and the odd film) that I've reviewed in the month, and catch up on any you may have missed.

Enjoy! :)

Kids

Hetty Feather by Jacqueline Wilson - Historical Fiction

Young Adult

Dark Hope by Monica McGurk -  Angels, Paranormal.
The Invisibles by Francis Gideon - Romance (M/M), LGBTQ+.



Adult

Dead Ice by Laurell K Hamilton - Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Zombies, Vampires, Crime, LGBTQIAP+
Poetry From the Lady of the Pier by Effrosyni Moschoudi - Poetry, Short Stories, Chick Lit

Graphic Novels

STARVE Vol 1 - dystopian

Non-fiction

Death, Disability, and the Superhero: The Silver Age and Beyond by Jose Alaniz

Popcorn Reviews (Film)

Batman (1989)
Constantine (2005)


I'll do a Charity Reading Challenge 2016 update when I've actually read something towards it. (Note to self: remember to read stuff for that challenge.)

Review! - Death, Disability, and the Superhero by Jose Alaniz

Title: Death, Disability, and the Superhero: The Silver Age and Beyond

Author: Jose Alaniz

Genre: Non-fiction

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

I received a free digital review copy of this book via NetGalley. NetGalley provides review copies from publishers in exchange for fair and honest reviews.

 

As you will all be aware by now, I'm a total nerd. So a study of the representation of death and disability in superhero comics? Bring it on.

Premise:

An academic study of the representation of the disabled, and the concept of death, in superhero comics.

Best bits:

I loved the exploration of ideas here - comics and graphic novels are a part of our culture, and so are just as worthy of study as film or literature. I was really interested by the various points raised, and the interpretation of various representations.

I was a little worried that this would go over my head - so was pleased that it turned out to be much more readable than I had feared. Unfortunately, many may still find it a difficult read.

 

Where the author is clearly engaged, the writing flows well and with little concern for being 'worthy,' or academic. These parts were, to me, by far the most enjoyable - the parts where there was pure exploration, rather than the weight of expectation.

Not so great bits:

The need to be considered intelligent and academic sometimes leads to over-analysing and a more stilted tone. As mentioned, this is going to make it a difficult read for some people.

 

Some of the points I felt could do with more moderation and balance: I know that Professor X doesn't need to be knocked out of his wheelchair so often, but at the same time I would've liked an acknowledgement that at some point, a villain is likely to do this.

 

Villains aren't known for their manners or political correctness, and are likely to take advantage of Prof X's paralysis. It's the over-use of this occurrence which should've been more clearly highlighted.

 

Also, where was Hawkeye? Brief mentions. That's all. Yet, to me, his deafness is a huge point when discussing disability in comics. Not least because the movies write his disability out entirely.

Verdict:

An interesting study of the depictions of death and disability in superhero comics. Not for people who want a light read, this is nevertheless worth reading if you want something thought-provoking and a bit more intellectually stimulating.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads

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