2016 Bookish Resolutions

 Reading Resolutions

1. To read 200 books (Goodreads Challenge) - I've decided to use the same target number as my 2015 Challenge because it seems to be just right for the speed I read. I can always revise it up or down as needed. I started 2015 with a target of 50, and moved it from there.
2. To read at least 20 books for the Charity Reading Challenge 2016.
3. To read widely - neither genre, nor popularity, nor age range shall limit my reading! Huzzah! (Ok, I may have had some coffee... Reading Addicts like coffee *nods sagely, grins maniacally*)
4. To read at least 5 books in Welsh - I learn languages best by reading (not that much of a surprise) and I'm always looking for ways to improve my Welsh (it is not an easy language to learn,) so I figure reading at least five kids' books in Welsh, from beginning to end, will give me a helping hand.
5. To never, ever, stop reading in print - I have an eReader now, but that does not  mean I'm going to let myself get carried away and abandon the magic of actual, physical books. I will always prefer print and paper, and this resolution is there to remind me of that.

Blogging Resolutions

1. To blog regularly.
2. To always be open, honest, and genuine in my blogging and my reviewing.
3. To never lose sight of why I started this blog - which was to have fun, feel a bit more like a person again, enjoy reading, and encourage others to do the same.
4. Try to find ways to promote reading - sometimes I feel like blogging involves a lot of preaching to the converted, I want to make readers of non-readers.
5. To not get stressed! - If I don't finish a post by a certain time, it doesn't matter! This is my blog, and I shouldn't be stressing about it.

Like this post? Try these:

Reflecting on 2015
Charity Reading Challenge 2016
Goodreads Challenge 2015 - One Month Left

Changes To Mobile Version

Hi! Just to let you all know, I've been encountering a few problems with the mobile version of 'Diary of a Reading Addict.'

To make sure all posts are readable, and to serve my mobile readers the best that I can, I have converted my mobile site to a simpler template. This should mean that my posts are readable, as well as being mobile compatible.

If you want the full effect of my blog design, I recommend you view the desktop version, which has an awesome star background that, try as I might, just doesn't work well on mobile.

Review Time! - Shirley Link & The Safe Case by Ben Zackheim

Title: Shirley Link & The Safe Case. (US.)

Author: Ben Zackheim.

Genre: Kids, Crime.

Series: Shirley Link (#1)

A few starting notes:

I grabbed this on special offer to read on my new Kobo, on a fairly random whim.

 

I'd say this was suitable for anyone over nine or ten, and possibly even younger. The protagonists are about 14, but the content and style definitely feels more suited to a slightly younger audience.

Premise:

Shirley Link, kid detective and expert at deduction, is called in by the principal of her school to solve a crime which may put his job on the line.

Best bits:

Shirley is pretty much Sherlock Holmes in 14-year-old girl form. This actually works pretty well - clearly teenage girls lend themselves to sociopathic character traits very easily. I actually really enjoyed Shirley's snarky attitude - though she's not a 'nice' person exactly.

 

This book was generally nice and light and fairly entertaining. Which was perfect for my Christmas dinner induced chill out in front of the TV with Kobo in hand.

Not so great bits:

I think that the mystery itself could have done with some beefing out - a few more clues, maybe some more involving red herrings, and just a smidge less 1960s style Scooby Doo, (not that I don't totally love Scooby,) and it would've been so much better.

Verdict:

Light-hearted and very entertaining, this was a decent start to the series. I can imagine 11-year-old mystery hunters loving it.

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

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Merry Christmas!

Have an awesome Christmas everyone! Hope it's good for you and yours.

Nadolig Llawen i chi! Merry Christmas to all of you!

I shall see you after all the mince pies and goodies (no turkey or other meats for me - vegetarian!)

So, I've just got some last minute wrapping to do, and some cards and pressies to deliver.

Comics Wrap-Up - She's a Rebel

Graphic Novels

This week, my graphic novel reads have been all about girls who kick butt.

Rat Queens Deluxe Edition Volume 1 follows the not-suitable-for-kids adventures of Violet, Hannah, Dee and Betty - four adventurers who make up the 'Rat Queens' gang. It's very fantasy-based, so includes elves, mages, orcs, and the like. It's pretty awesome, and in no way afraid of gore and full-frontal nudity.

My full review of Rat Queens can be found here.

Red Sonja: The Black Tower, is another graphic novel which features a warrior woman. I love Sonja, and enjoyed this truly random adventure that felt more than a little bit cracked - but I totally understand that this won't be to everyone's taste.

You can find my full review of Red Sonja: The Black Tower here.

Single Issues

The Amazing Spider-Man #611 is a bit lacking in terms of plot, but awesome in terms of Deadpool. I love Deadpool; he rocks, so much - and I totally love the randomness and pure insanity that he brings to everything he touches.

Plus, the combination of Spidey and Deadpool is sacred to fan circles - what with the shipping of Spideypool and everything (this is where people who make fanfiction and fanart etc. have decided that Spiderman and Deadpool are romantically involved, sometimes to quite graphic effect. Fangirls and boys have very vivid imaginations. I've seen some things folks, I've seen some things.)


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Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) Red Sonja: The Black Tower by Frank Tieri
Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) Rat Queens Deluxe Edition Volume 1
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Review! (Graphic Novel Edition!) Red Sonja: The Black Tower by Frank Tieri

Title: Red Sonja: The Black Tower. (US link.)

Author: Frank Tieri.

 

Contributor: Cezar Razek

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy.

Series: Red Sonja.

 

Release Date: 29 Dec 2015

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.

 

For any of you who have not heard of Red Sonja, think Conan the Barbarian in female form with incredible red hair and, if possible, even less clothing.

Premise:

A threat comes to the mythical land of Hyboria - one that Sonja has never seen the likes of before. Prepare for The Black Tower, and the day the door opens.

Best bits:

OK, this was mad as a box of frogs. A lot of people won't like the whole 'screw it, let's just blow up this sh**' attitude that this storyline seems to have. It's like an adventure story on crack. And I actually kind of liked that - but I guess it appealed to my bizarre sense of humour.

 

Undeniably, the art is good - and the cover-work is stunning. And it turns out that Sonja can pull off white highlights very well, who knew?

 

Of course, Sonja kicks butt and takes no sh** - as per usual.

Not so great bits:

Like I said earlier, a lot of people will be completely bemused and/or irritated by the amount of random cr*p thrown into this story with very little regard for things like sense or...plot. It's not going to appeal to everyone, and those who take Red Sonja very seriously aren't going to like it.

 

OK, onto the other galumphing elephant in the room: Sonja is one of the most over-sexualised female characters I have ever come across in comics and graphic novels. That is no small achievement, but it's not one to be proud of.

 

It continues to annoy me that a character that could be so freaking awesome, complex, and admirable, is degraded in terms of (lack of) clothing, non-ending emphasis on breasts, and physically questionable/impossible poses.

 

There's also a bunch of swearing, violence, and some pretty damned shocking gory moments.

 

Verdict:

It's a bit 'out there,' and there are some issues that it's a little difficult to skirt around, but overall it's a quick and enjoyable read - just don't go trying to take it too seriously.

Buy Now UK - Buy Now USA – Goodreads – Author's Twitter

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Allowing Yourself To Be Selfish

Sometimes, you have to allow yourself to be selfish.

Yes, I know how bad that sounds. All our lives we're told it's 'Bad' with a capital 'B' to be selfish. And it can be. But you want to know what I've found out recently? There's different types of selfish.

See, there's such a thing as 'Healthy Selfishness' - that means that you can do things like, allow yourself a piece of chocolate or to buy a magazine as a treat, you can take a nice long shower or bath with all the pampering lotions and potions, and you don't have to feel guilty about it.

That doesn't mean it's ok to take advantage of people, to disregard others' feelings, or to be cruel. No, it just means you're allowed to put yourself first sometimes.

If you don't take care of you, then you can't take care of anyone else. You can't slay the dragon if your sword arm's broken, and you can't save the world on an empty tank. Take care of yourself, and the rest will follow (and I mean both physically and mentally.)

As someone who's been a carer, and as someone who has been through the mill and back again with depression, I can tell you that there is no shame in being vulnerable, or hurt, or ill, and there is no shame in putting yourself first.


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