Comics Wrap Up - Run Neon Tiger

Film Trailers

A couple of X-Men: Apocalypse teasers/TV ads/whatever you want to call them for you - because clearly nerd-dom wasn't riled up enough about superheroes this month already ;)

Graphic Novels

This week, I read Klaw: The First Cycle (UK - US)  - a pretty unique take on shape-shifters and the Chinese zodiac, with some superhero-origin-story action creeping in as well.

It was pretty cool - not earth-shattering, but interesting and readable.

A full review will be up in a month or so (I know, I'm cruel, making you wait :P .)



Other Stuff


I read this short review of Gotham Academy Vol 2 (UK - US) from Magdalena @ A Bookish Swede, which reminded me that I need to get my hands on this series at some point.



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Review! (Yay!) - alt.sherlock.holmes

Title: alt.sherlock.holmes

Author: Gini Koch, Jamie Wyman, Glen Mehn

Genre: Anthology, Novellas/Short Stories, Crime, Contemporary*, Historical Fiction*, LGBTQ+*, M/M* (*one or more stories.)

Amazon: UK - USA



Individual Novellas:

The Case of the Tattoed Bride (UK - US)
A Study in Starlets (UK - US)
The Power of Media (UK - US)

A few starting notes:

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

I'm a fan of pretty much anything Sherlock-Holmes-related, so when I got the chance to read this collection of alternative takes on Holmes & Watson, I was there.

Premise:

A Scandal in Hobohemia (and) The Case of the Tattooed Bride by Jamie Wyman

 

Sanford 'Crash' Haus (this story's version of Sherlock,) is the owner of a travelling carnival in 1930s dustbowl-America.

Fate throws him together with Jim Walker (John Watson,) a black amputee war-veteran, who also happens to be one hell of a doctor.

All the Single Ladies (and) A Study in Starlets by Gini Koch

Murder and reality shows bring together Dr John Watson with Ms Sherlock Holmes, a consulting detective with the LAPD.

Will Southern California ever be the same?






Half There/All There (and) The Power of Media by Glen Mehn


This Sherlock is hanging out with some very interesting people - Andy Warhol's hangers-on, to be exact, and their drug-dealer, Dr John 'Doc' Watson.

But Sherlock is bored - and decides to find some cases to occupy his time. 

Best bits:

A Scandal in Hobohemia (and) The Case of the Tattooed Bride by Jamie Wyman

I really loved the romance between Jim Walker (this story's John Watson,) and Mrs Hudson - it was sweet but not overly, and gave a nice sub-plot to the whole thing.

I also liked that Jim was a black man in 1930s America - along with all the prejudice that comes with that, despite being a wounded war veteran.

Jim's the narrator here, and never lets himself be pigeon-holed as a victim.

I also love the careful balance of the PTSD elements - a realistic struggle, but not something which overwhelms Jim's whole life.

The 1930s circus/carnival (not entirely sure which,) setting gave it all a slightly Carnevale (UK - US) vibe, which I kind of loved.

All the Single Ladies (and) A Study in Starlets by Gini Koch

I think this was the scenario where Sherlock seemed most like Sherlock - despite being a woman instead of the traditional male role.

She's clever, cutting, but also occasionally playful.

She has a strong edge to her which just spoke totally of Sherlock Holmes to me - determined and non-nonsense; as far as I'm concerned she rocks.

I liked the part-showbiz setting, and the title of 'A Study in Starlets,' is just fantastic ;)

Half There/All There (and) The Power of Media by Glen Mehn

I really liked the prose here in particular - it was incredibly well-written and was quite beautiful in places.

I also loved the Holmes/Watson relationship dynamic here - totally made sense, and was believable and sweet t'boot :)

Plus there was always the sense that everything interweaved with everything else in this one, even if not directly, which gave it a really unique vibe.

Hard to explain it really, but I liked it, whatever it was.

I liked that this novella tried to deal with the racial tensions, and the issues faced by LGBTQ+ people in the 1960s - unfortunately it maybe didn't always get the balance right.

Not so great bits:

There's various instances of violence and swearing throughout the collection, which won't be to everyone's taste.

A Scandal in Hobohemia (and) The Case of the Tattooed Bride by Jamie Wyman

There were moments when I felt that things just didn't quite gel together with this take on Holmes.

I'm not sure why exactly - maybe it was just trying to achieve too much in too short a time, but this made it seem a little jumpy and incoherent in places.

Also, it kept switching from a circus to a carnival, and I'm like: which is it?!

I felt like maybe we could've done with a stronger show of Sanford (this version's Sherlock,) or 'Crash,' and his general character.

He didn't seem all that detailed, character-wise, and, to me at least, I would've liked some more depth.

That's a personal thing though, and I think a lot of people will be happy enough with Wyman's portrayal.

All the Single Ladies (and) A Study in Starlets by Gini Koch

There were moments here where the prose seemed to drag a bit. It wasn't too bad, but it did slow me down in places.

Largely speaking it zipped along, there was just the odd moment where the prose slowed down a little too much for my liking.

Also, occasionally Sherlock acts like a bit of a douche - but then, the character always has been a bit of a douche. (In the best possible way.)




Half There/All There (and) The Power of Media by Glen Mehn

I wasn't too thrilled by all the casual-drug-taking here. In places, it felt like it was a little too normalised, and that's not great. *Shrugs.*

I was also a little confused by the 1960s references in places - I'm not from New York in the '60s, you may have to explain a little more. Just saying.

Also, if the author could've dialogue-tagged the speech a little more? Explained who was talking and when? That would've been great.

I did feel a little uncomfortable with the way some of the racial and LGBTQ+ issues were dealt with.

Referring to LGBTQ+ people as 'homos,' for example, may be historically accurate (i.e. for the 1960s,) but it doesn't feel right to a 21st Century mind-frame.

It's highly uncomfortable - at best.




Verdict:

I really enjoyed this collection overall.

Each one of the interpretations somehow managed to bring a freshness to a story that's been told time and time again (and very well at that.)

Sure, there were hiccups here and there, but largely speaking? An enjoyable read.

Buy Now UK – Buy Now USA – Goodreads

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Portraits in the Attic

I'm re-reading The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde at the moment.

It's a fantastic classic piece of Victorian gothic literature which tells the tale, oddly enough, of Dorian Gray, and his portrait.

Dorian's portrait (which he keeps in the attack - hence the title of my post. See? I think these things through...occasionally,) ages while he stays young.

The effects of all of his stresses and vices are transferred to the image on the canvas, while Dorian stays as he always was - young and beautiful.

This means that he decides to essentially go on a bender that lasts years, maybe decades.

Because his responsibility is basically null and void, it clearly goes to his head, and he just goes all out. Probably had too much absinthe.

So it got me to thinking: what would my portrait show?

I like to think it wouldn't be too bad. I like to think that my life has been good enough to stop my little magical-y gothic-y metaphorical-y portrait looking too dastardly, or too haggard.

I'm going to be honest though, it's probably wearing a bit by now. (Sigh.) (From the stresses, not the vice - I'm mind-numbingly boring when it comes to the vice.)

So, maybe a slightly more wrinkled and drawn version of myself? (I mean drawn as in gaunt - portraits are already the other type of drawn.)

That wouldn't be too bad. It might actually be quite nice to be able to show my story on my face for once.

What's so good about looking young anyway?

Looking young is a pain in the ever-loving behind. It really is. (I'm in my 20s. I look about 14.)

But you don't see Dorian getting ID'd to buy alcohol, or asked where his parents are.

That would've made the novel far more awkward - life of sin, sir? But aren't you a little young? We're going to need to see your driver's license.

Yep, that would've put a cork in his wild-times.

What would your portrait show?







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Review! - The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson

Title: The Art of Being Normal

Author: Lisa Williamson

Genre: YA, Contemporary, LGBTQ+

Amazon: UK - USA

A few starting notes:

The bookish online community has me chomping at the proverbial bit in terms of the contemporary genre (especially YA.)

(Because I clearly wasn't reading enough genres before *rolls eyes, smiles*)

So to get a start on my epic TBR, and take advantage of the books I can get my hands on without selling my blood for book money, I borrowed this from the Welsh libraries ebook system.

(Because we actually have some of our priorities right here in Wales - and I'm happy to say that literacy is one of them. Sorry, I'll stop being smug and/or political now.)

This is a book about transgender people. I am cisgender and so do not have enough prior knowledge to truly analyse the representation of trans people in this book.

So, here's some reviews I found from the perspective of transgender reviewers:

Here's a review from Goodreads user Neo.

And here's a review from transgender reviewer James, who blogs/booklr's @ Crusing For Content

Premise:

Kate has a secret. It's not, as her parents suspect, that she's gay.

Kate is not gay. Kate is a straight girl, stuck in a boy's body.

Leo Denton is the new kid in school. He just wants to put his past behind him. But sometimes past events won't let us be.

Two kids*. Two secrets. And one hell of a term at Eden Park school. 

(Kate is referred to as her previous name throughout the book, but as she has chosen the name Kate, I have amended this review to only call her Kate.)

Best bits:

Firstly, let me just make this clear from the start:

I FREAKING LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!

...I basically spent a couple of days snapping at anyone who dared to interrupt my reading of this book. My family must think I've been in a really bad mood (oops.)

Anyone who has ever felt different will be able to sympathise with the struggles of Kate and Leo.

The bullying scenes in particular will break your heart, and Williamson really pushes the button marked 'ouch' in terms of the feels.

LIKE REALLY?!?! STOP IT. STOP BREAKING MY HEART!!!!!!

You know those books that you somehow feel in your bones? Yes. This book is one of them. In spades.

It's well-written, sensitive but not sentimental, realistic but not grim, and has complex and hugely believable characters.

My bookish friends, this is a good book.

It deals with trans issues. It manages to do it well.*

I also loved the supportiveness of Kate's mates, and Leo's twin sister - it always makes me smile when characters have people to fall back on, even if they're not the biggest part of the story.

And the parent-stuff was handled quite well too.

Yes, in places we have the trope of absentee parents, but it's addressed as a real relationship/family issue instead of a lazy plot device; which is certainly refreshing.

(* but see the 'not so great bits' for improvements that could be made.)

Not so great bits:

Usual warnings for stuff that might upset people: a bit of swearing, the smallest bit of violence, transphobia, family issues, and bullying, all feature here.

Also, there's some underage drinking, and references to underage sexy-times, and parts of male and female anatomy.

All of these things are handled very well, and I can't see them bothering the majority of people.

I got a bit disorientated over whether we were in Leo or Kate's point of view at various moments, because both are written in the first person.

Annoying, but not the end of the world.

I also worked out what one of the major plot points (relating to Leo's father) was going to be from pretty early on, so it really didn't come as the surprise I think it was probably meant to be.

Whether this is because it was obvious, or because I read far too many books, is difficult to say.

It didn't spoil my overall enjoyment though: this is a great book.

Although I still think this book is awesome, I've become aware that there are issues with dead-naming Kate as David throughout the book. And mis-gendering her as him.

I decided to come back to this review and add this note because I felt it was an important point to make.

Verdict:

Guys, if you're a fan of YA and/or contemporary, read this book.

If you're a fan of well-written books, with complex characters and a hell of a lot of heart, read this book.

Seriously, you'll love it.

(This review was amended on 24th October 2016.)

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

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Nerd Church - The Importance of Chillaxation

You know what I've realised this week?

Relaxation is uber-uber-important.



This is a photo I took in Pembrokeshire. See? I keep telling you Wales is beautiful.

I don't mean just being lazy, I mean giving yourself some time to completely chillax.

Human brains are peculiar things, and they need processing time to put all the things they've thought about, seen, heard, felt, etc., into little individually-labelled folders, and then put those folders in the correct drawers in the filing cabinet.

(No, I don't mean literally - silly people! It's all metaphorical and junk, of course.)

I mean, we're all (by which I mean society - that big ominous thingummy,) obsessed with fitting more 'productivity' into everything.



You know what will actually increase your productivity? Chilling out.

I mean it, your brain works better when you've had time to relax and chill.

Stressing just makes you feel icky, makes your brain work like mush (and not the good kind of mush,) and impedes your ability to actually do all the productive stuff you want to do.

via GIPHY

So schedule in some you-time.

And don't spend that time worrying that you should be working - it kind of defeats the object of the thing.

Grab a book, or turn on the TV, or whatever you like... and don't stress over it. Allow yourself to actually enjoy it and to actually relax.



Self-care is important.

You have to take care of yourself - all of yourself - or you won't be able to do anything else.

We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health.

If you don't exercise and eat right, your physical health suffers. If you don't chillax and allow your brain some time to process everything - no matter how big or small - then your mental health suffers.



Sometimes you're not relaxed, even if you think you are.

Relaxing is far more difficult than it sounds - and I know that's a bit of a paradox,  but trust me on this one.

I'm exceptionally good at convincing myself I'm relaxed, when in reality I'm just less tense.

Remember to give yourself some time to actually relax - not just be less stressed ;)

via GIPHY

Cut the screen-time a bit.

I know this is heresy to a lot of people... but you need time without electronic screens. They screw with your brain.

So spend some time unplugged (yes, even e-readers, try paper once in a while,) - your poor digital-fatigued brain will thank you for it.

via GIPHY

Hopefully this post made a degree of sense.

I realise that I have the tendency to go way off-topic, and ramble my little reading-addict mouth off (or should that be fingers? I'm typing, not talking, after all,) but hopefully every so often I actually say something worthwhile (a girl can dream.)



Nerd Church is a weekly post where I ramble about just about anything and everything. Feel free to continue the discussion, but please link back here ;)



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The Writer Diaries: Micropoetry April 2016

A reminder, my dear blog-readers that micropoetry is something that I came across on Twitter, and dutifully dived into with little to no thought.


March was my first 'Writer Diaries' micropoetry post - where I essentially stick all the little bits and bobs of micropoetry I've written in the month into one blogpost, so that it's not lost forever in the mire of my Twitter feed.



Much less micropoetry from li'l old me this month, though.


I guess that's what happens when my method is essentially:

• have random phrases going round and round my head 
• write them down (usually directly into the Tweet box)
• head is now free of random phrases (woo!)

 

 

31st March

Not for the first time,
She wondered
Why they would make a girl of ink,
Into flesh and bone...




5th April

But surely you knew this before?
That she liked to watch the transient
Fade into decay
While celebrating and mourning the same?




5th April

My Shadow Man -
I dread the day
When you shadow another.
Am I your Shadow Girl?




20th April

You thought my spark had gone out
Hell no,
I'm a wildfire -
And I still burn




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Friday Fics Fix! - No Sex, Please, We're British

Do you want the good news first or the bad news?

 

Let's lead with the bad news: this week's fic is Omegaverse.

I've explained Omegaverse and all of it's bizarreness before, and I'm not doing it again. Go check that post if you want to know more.



The good news then?

There's no sexy-times!

Did you hear that???? Omegaverse - the fount of weird alternate-universe porn - has produced a completely no sexy-times fic!!!!!!

via GIPHY

 

In fact, this fic (from the Sherlockians, that most dearly beloved and often most deranged group of fangirls and fanboys,) is about an asexual and aromantic Omega-designated Sherlock.

Now, a round of applause really has to go to the fic writer here: asexuality and aromanticism in Omegaverse?

You, my friend, are a credit to the fandom. You should have a certificate for services to nerd-dom.

 

via GIPHY

 

(Fangirling note: this gif, my dear nerdlets, is from the original 'Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.' That is Kimberley, Billy, and Tommy. Non-90s-kids do not know the pain. That was my childhood, right there.)

 

 

Also, I really love the whole Lestrade-is-protective-of-Sherlock (on account of him being basically Sherlock's dad,) thing.



This week's fantastical piece of fanfiction, then, is:

I Can Stand Alone by SailorChibi

Honestly, I'm so chuffed to have found something which takes a well-worn AU and finds something original to say about it :)



Also, I haven't recommended a fic with sexy-times in a month. Still can't help feeling it's the calm before the storm.

via GIPHY

 

 

 

 

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