Recent Reads

1. On the Camino
I seem to be on a graphic memoir/ visual journal reading spree at the moment, and this is one I was really looking forward to spending some time with. The author turned 50 and decided to walk the Camino de Santiago, a historic 500 mile pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. This is a walk I've had on my travel list for years so expected to really enjoy this book. I did not.

You know that Jon Kabat-Zinn saying, wherever you go, there you are? Well, that seems to be especially true for the author, who somehow manages to write a book that is both tedious and boring. How is that even possible? Think about it. The author goes on a solo walk that lasts a bit over a month, covers 500 miles, and he doesn't have a single interesting thing to say? My daily neighborhood walk, which features rabbits, seems more interesting than this book. I kid you not!

It is clear that the author is not an outdoor person, and to be fair, long walks/hikes has much repetition: putting one foot in front of the other, finding lodging, the nightly washing of socks and undies, etc. But what about all the people you meet on the way? The people who live there, and the other walkers/pilgrims? The sights, the sounds, the smells, the ambiance of the experience? When you walk, the world unfolds slowing in front of you and there is a lot of time for meditative thinking, but the author seems to be a shy introvert who barely talked to other travelers and kept mostly to himself, so much of that is lost.

I've enjoyed other books by the author, and I think this is his first foray into nonfiction, but I much prefer his fictional work. I quite like his anthropomorphic animals and illustration style, but it doesn't really work for this material. The black and white illustrations don't capture a sense of what he's looking at, or the colors of the locales he walks through. The art I liked best are on the front and back covers of the book.

We often reach milestone birthdays and do things that we think will change us one way or another, and often that doesn't happen. We are who we are, and maybe that was the point of this memoir. This book got me interested in reading about The Camino again, but this is not one I'd recommend. Rating: 2 stars.

2. Pantheon: The True Story of the Egyptian Deities
The Gods are nuts. Don't take my word for it. All you'd have to do is read about any of them. Like I said, nuts.

This comic is about the Egyptian Pantheon and their shenanigans. Oh my word, but nutty doesn't begin to describe what's going on here. Incest, murder, poison, betrayal, lots of sex - yes, I guess it is rather like Game of Thrones with these cutely drawn, chubby gods. The art is fun and colorful and cutesy, and you'd be wrong to think it might be appropriate for kids. It is not. That sex scene between uncle and nephew gave me pause, and I'll never again look at salad dressing without thinking of this book. My favorite part though was not the boys and all their bromance/murder/war dynamics, but the lovely relationship between the sisters/wives.

Save this graphic novel for when you feel like your family dysfunction makes you want to pull your hair out. No matter what is going on, reading about these Egyptian Gods and their family dynamics will make you feel better about your situation. Rating: 3 stars.

3. Dan Eldon: Safari as a Way of Life
For some reason I seem to be really into reading about creative people and their journals and sketchbooks lately.

Dan Eldon and his story is not new to me. Given the Kenya connection, I was intrigued when I first heard about him, and years ago I read a book that collected some of his journal pages. More recently I've watched a couple of biopics about the young man, his life, and his death while still in his early twenties while covering the war in Somalia.

I picked up this book to learn more about the man, and I really love the physical book format. It is a thing of beauty and love and was clearly not inexpensive to produce. There are full color reproductions of photos, his heavily collaged journal pages, letters, fold-outs, tip-ins, envelopes, pockets, etc., and part of the fun of reading this book is the tactile experience of it. The text however is rather basic and covered things I already knew, and did seem rather biased, as opposed to a true biography of the man. Given that it's written for a young adult audience that makes sense, but it didn't work as well for me. It was interesting to learn about the foundations and such that his family had started and the work they do to keep Dan's spirit/message alive.

If you are not familiar with his work this would be a good introduction, and it would be a really good book for creative teens, as Dan's story is inspirational and his art was integral to his life. Rating: 3 stars.

Cinemascope: Peaky Blinders ( Seasons 1 thru 4)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2014 - 2017.

Plot line: Britain is a mixture of despair and hedonism in 1919 in the aftermath of the Great War. Returning soldiers, newly minted revolutions and criminal gangs are fighting for survival in a nation rocked by economic upheaval. One of the most powerful gangs of the time is the Peaky Blinders, run by returning war hero Thomas Shelby and his family. But Thomas has bigger ambitions than just running the streets. When a crate of guns goes missing, he recognizes an opportunity to advance in the world because crime may pay but legitimate business pays better. Trying to rid Britain of its crime is Inspector Chester Campbell, who arrives from Belfast to try to achieve that goal.

I've watched this series over a couple of months and there are so many things I really like about it. This period piece looks at the lives of a group of men after the Great War, the way the lives of women changed and then had to change back, poverty, corruption, politics, crime, and the fact that no matter how much money you make, the aristocrats will never let you in. It's a slow build with lots of twists and turns. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction and family sagas.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Best Reads of 2017

It's always fun to look back at the best reads of the previous year. I had a really good reading year, and hope you did too. 

Here are the twelve 5-star reads of my year. A good mix of fiction, nonfiction, classics, and comics. I read in print, ebook, and audiobook formats. 

What were your fave reads of the year?

Recent Reads

153. A Paris Year: My Day-to-Day Adventures in the Most Romantic City in the World
Book blurb: Combining personal observations and anecdotes with stories and facts about famous figures in Parisian history, this visual tale of discovery, through the eyes of an artist, is sure to delight, inspire, and charm.

This is a travel memoir setup in the form of a yearly calendar. I too keep travel journals, and always love to see how others log their journeys. This is a delightful read with lots of local history, insider secret spots, photographs, and drawings, and I wish I had read it before my visit the City of Lights. Highly recommended for Francophiles, armchair travelers, and anyone looking for journal inspiration. Rating: 4 stars.

154. The Sun and Her Flowers
2.5 stars.

Here I go again trying to articulate my thoughts about a poetry collection.

I really liked her collection Milk and Honey, so was looking forward to this one, but it's not as good. That's a subjective statement I know, but it's how I feel, and I'm not sure I can put into words why I feel that way, but I'll try.

I really like the themes Kaur deals with. There is a raw honesty to her work that I find appealing. Some of her writing reminds of catchy breakup songs. This is however a very uneven collection. Some of the poems are one liners, and much of this feels like getting a peak into the author's poetry journal. There are longer pieces, and I liked many of them, but again, not sure I'd classify them as poems. More like snippets of thought, wisdom, inspiration. Her sketchy art continues to be interspersed throughout, and I did really like the ode to her Mother. There were several pieces I read again, and copied out into my own journal, but the scope of themes covered seems too much for this one collection. For example, the pieces about being an immigrant seem to cater to this moment in time, and I'm not sure that much new was added to the conversation already ongoingI. Still, I liked it enough to round up. Rating: 3 stars.

155. Drawn from Life: Tips and Tricks for Contemporary Life Drawing
Book blurb: Drawn from Life offers bite-size lessons that will help anyone master the classic practice of life drawing.

See that blurb? I disagree with it. This little book will not help anyone master anything. This book is a curated collection of art pieces what showcase various styles of drawing techniques. The text that accompanies each piece of art is cursory at best, but this little book is like holding a mini gallery in your hands. Flip through, admire the variety of artistic styles on display, then get out your own sketchbook and draw. Rating: 3 stars.

156. Bertolt
I'm slowly making my way through The 7 Loveliest Children’s Books of 2017 as selected by brainpickings. You can see the list here.

This is the second picture book on the list that I've read and it's simply lovely. It's not often that I see stories about kids who like to be alone and enjoy their own company, so this was a delight. This is the story about a little boy and a tree he named Bertolt. The art is sketchy and cute, and I was was amused and touched by the antics of the kid in this story. I loved how the themes of being different, the desire for solitude, and the connection with nature are explored in this little story. This would be a wonderful read aloud story for all the littles in your life. Rating: 4 stars.

157. Oliver Twist
December 2017 was my 3rd annual Dickens in December event. I decided to read Oliver Twist and completed it at 11:15 pm on the 31st, so just in the nick of time.

I listened to the audiobook, which is wonderfully narrated by Simon Vance, and I'd give him 5 stars for his work on this one.

I don't recall if I've ever read this book in it's entirety before, but there is way more to this story than the bits and pieces I remember about this yarn. I don't think I need to recap anything as this is a classic for a reason. Dickens is an excellent social critic and his descriptions of the the time and place were so good I could picture myself in every scene described. The tale has many fun twists and turns, and I enjoyed how all the characters connected in one way or another. I constantly wanted to hit Fagin and Sikes on the head with a dirty saucepan, and as for Mr. Bumble, well, he got exactly what he deserved. I really liked the story, the characters, and the themes explored, but I felt that it dragged in a few places, and the characters were not as fleshed out as per his usual fare. For that I docked a star.

If you haven't read it, I'd highly recommend the audiobook. As for me, I'm looking forward to watching the musical next. Rating: 4 stars.

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This ends the list of books I read in 2017. Stay tuned for my best of 2017 reads. I 'd love to know your fave reads of the year, so please let me know. 

Happy reading!

Cinemascope: The Crown (Season 2)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2017.

Plot line: Based on an award-winning play ("The Audience") by showrunner Peter Morgan, this lavish, Netflix-original drama chronicles the life of Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) from the 1940s to modern times. The series begins with an inside look at the early reign of the queen, who ascended the throne at age 25 after the death of her father, King George VI. As the decades pass, personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries are revealed that played a big role in events that shaped the later years of the 20th century.

This award winning show is fantastic, and while Season One was entertaining and fun, this one has much darker tones. It's still great, but I could not binge the series as each episode evokes strong feelings. Loved it. Am sad to see Claire Foy leave, but also really like the notion of having older actors play these roles, rather than simply aging the current cast in uncomfortable and strange ways. Cannot wait for the next season.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

One Little Word 2018 | Savor

If you read my blog, you know that rather than make resolutions, I pick a word each year. I've discovered that having a word as a focus, shapes my year dramatically. I am affected physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in unexpected ways.

Past years:
2008: Health and Wealth
2009: Passion
2010: Connect
2011: Explore
2012: Light
2013: Begin
2014: Cultivate

2015: Capture

2016: Stretch

My word for 2017 was TRY, and each month I paired my word with an objective and tracked how well I did, or did not do. It turned out to be a great word for me last year, and I learned much about myself, my self-imposed restrictions, and made major changes that I plan to maintain this year.

My word for 2018 is SAVOR. Here are some facets that excite me:

Appreciate | Relish | Taste | Experience | Sample |  Luxuriate In | Treasure | Enjoy | Cherish.

I wanted to take a moment to thank those of you who read along, share your journey, and inspire me. May 2018 be the best year yet.

Recent Reads

149. Artemis
Not worth my time. Bailed on page 188.

I really enjoyed The Martian, so you might assume that my expectations were too high going into this one. They were not. I was not expecting to love it, but did expect a fun, entertaining ride. Unfortunately it's neither.

The story here is set on a Moon colony called Artemis. We follow the life and times of Jazz Bashara, who is not above breaking that law for cash. One thing leads to another, and soon Jazz is way over her head and her life is at stake. Will she survive? I simply don't care.

I've got so many issues with this one and I'll just jot them down as they occur to me.

1. The writing is mediocre. Honestly, I don't expect lyrical writing, but this is plain awful.
2. The characters are all cardboard cutouts who move across the page. Not one has any depth, or character development. They are simply tools to move the plot from here to there.
3. The plot is ridiculous and boring.
4. Unlike The Martian, there is barely any science or really anything of interest in this story. Also, smelting and welding are not new technologies, so we don't need detailed descriptions of either.
5. Weir cannot write women. At all.
6. Saudis, Vietnamese, and Colombians, oh my! While I think Weir was ticking off as many diversity boxes as he could, he should really stick with what he knows. Every single ethnic group were cliches and clumps of undifferentiated masses that added no texture or value to this story.
7. Like The Martian, this story is told from the first person point of view. The problem is Weir seemed to forget that unlike The Martian, Jazz is not talking to a camera. We are in her head, so when she suddenly looks at/talks to us, the reader, it makes no sense whatsoever.
8. Also, who the hell needs to have Muslim clothing explained in this day and age? Sometimes it's explained in parenthesis after the word, and other times, there's a wiki like explanation. Seriously Weir?
9. It seemed to me that Weir was writing a screenplay, so maybe he should have jettisoned all the additional weight and simply published his screenplay, which might have been a more interesting read.

The only things, and I mean ONLY things I liked about this book were the cover art and the Kenyan connection. The rest is absolute rubbish. Rating: 1 star.

150. Journal Sparks: Fire Up Your Creativity with Spontaneous Art, Wild Writing, and Inventive Thinking
There are indeed lots of ideas to help you fill out those blank pages, but there's nothing new here for me. It is very colorful and bright, and while it's not labeled as a young adult book, I think kids as young as 10 might find this a fun and useful book. If you are a person who has never kept a journal, would like to, and have no idea where to start, this might be the book for you. Rating: 2 stars.

151. Hercule Poirot's Christmas: A Holiday Mystery (Hercule Poirot #20)
"You have said that Christmas is a season of good cheer. That means, does it not, a lot of eating and drinking? It means, in fact, the overeating! And with the overeating, there comes indigestion And with the indigestion there comes the irritability!" - M. Poirot.

"How dreadful that the holidays should begin with a wailing scream and a deathly gurgle!" - The New York Times.

This is the story of a family that gets together for the Christmas holiday, so I thought it would be perfect for some seasonal reading while having a snow event in these parts. It's a cozy murder with lots of blood, a locked house scenario, lots of characters with questionable motives who lie about everything, and twists and turns that I did not see coming. It was a good thing indeed that M. Poirot was in the neighborhood to help sort it all out.

For those of you visiting with family this holiday season, I'll pass along this warning from M. Poirot:
"The result of pretending to be a more amiable, a more forgiving, a more high-minded person than one really is, has sooner or later the effect of causing one to behave as a more disagreeable, a more ruthless and an altogether more unpleasant person than is actually the case! If you dam the stream of natural behaviour, mon ami, sooner or later the dam bursts and a cataclysm occurs!" Rating: 3 stars.

152. Thornhill
Book blurb: Parallel stories set in different times, one told in prose and one in pictures, converge as a Ella unravels the mystery of the girl next door.

I really liked the format of this novel. In the 1982 timeline the story of Mary unfolds via her diary entries, and in the 2016 timeline the story of Ella is told as a wordless graphic novel. The story alternates between these two perspectives with lots of black pages in between. The Thornhill Institute for Children is the backdrop against which these stories unfold.

This is a beautifully designed book, and I especially loved the illustrations which wonderfully evoke the dark mood of the tale. I was less impressed with the text/diary sections, but that might be because of the age group this is written for. The themes explored are all important ones, and I enjoyed the juxtaposition of these two girls and their stories. 4 stars for the art, 2 stars for the writing.

This horror graphic novel/diary mashup is targeted for 8-12 year old readers, and while I didn't find it scary, it might work really well for the intended age group. Rating: 3 stars.

Recent Reads

145. The Hunting Accident
Book blurb: "The Hunting Accident" is the true life story of a Chicago gangster who is blinded during a shootout and is sent to Stateville Prison where he learns to navigate life under the tutelage of real life thrill killer Nathan Leopold.

The True Crime genre has been exploding over the past several years, so it's no surprise that it has spilled over into the comics arena. There are several interesting and intersecting narratives in this one. Charlie Rizzo tells the true story about his father, Matt, to the author, who researches the story and reports back with this book. The black and white artwork by Landis Blair is fantastic, and I could spent hours looking at all that hatching and crosshatching. Simply wonderful, and it's worth picking this up for the art alone.

I didn't know about the sensational and horrible Leopold and Loeb crime, and it was interesting to learn about it, and Matt Rizzo's connection to Nathan Leopold. This is an interesting look at the crimes at the center of this story, the relationships between fathers and sons, and the power of books, stories, and unexpected friendships. Rating: 4 stars.

146. A Different Pond
"A kid at my school said my Dad's English sounds like a thick, dirty river. But to me his English sounds like gentle rain."

The immigrant experience is both universal and unique, and this picture book for kids explores themes of displacement, family, and making sense of the world around you. I'm delighted that there is more diversity in books available for kids this days, and while I appreciated this one, I enjoyed the art more than the actual text. A question I'd ask parents who read this one to their kids: how do you explain that in America people can work one or two jobs and still not have enough money for food? Rating: 3 stars.

147. Japanese Notebooks: A Journey to the Empire of Signs
Book blurb: Part graphic memoir, part cultural meditation—Igort vividly recounts his personal experiences in Japan, creating comics amid the activities of everyday life, and finding inspiration everywhere: in nature, history, custom, art, and encounters with creators including animation visionary Hayao Miyazaki.

This graphic memoir is an ode to Japanese culture, movies, and Manga, and explores much of what fascinates the author, and in this book he takes us along on the ride. The book is divided into sections that each explore a different topic of fascination. Some were more interesting to me than others, but it's always fun to see what people are drawn to. The highlight of this book is the art. It is wonderful and evocative, and captures a sense of time and place in a way that a camera never could. Something to note is that the author is Italian, and there is a certain way that outsiders look at a culture not their own that is a tad disturbing. A glossing over, if you will, that is no fault of the author, as he is not part of that world, even though the believes he was Japanese in a previous life.

With the above caveats, I'd highly recommend this one to armchair travelers, journal keepers, visual artists, readers of Manga, and anyone who has been, or is planning a visit, to Japan. Rating: 4 sars.

148. Wolves of the Calla (The Dark Tower #5)
At 23.0%: "Wolves on grey horses out of Thunderclap? Ooh. Delighted with the link to 'Salem's Lot."

At this point you are either all in or you are not. There is not middle ground, no sitting on the fence. I'm all in on this long, strange trip that is The Dark Tower series, and this, the fifth installment, does not disappoint. There are many reviewers who did not love it, but you either buckle in and enjoy the ride, or get the hell out.

There's not much I can say without spoilers, so here's what you need to know. Roland Deschain, aka The Gunslinger, and his ka-tet, aka his posse, are minding their own business and heading to the Dark Tower. Their journey takes them near Calla Bryn Sturgis, which looks like a tranquil farm town, but is no happy hamlet. There is a horror that befalls the townsfolk every generation or so, and our travelers might be asked to help.

There is so much I enjoyed with this one, and if you have not read 'Salem's Lot, read that before you read this one. I love how King spins out this yarn, the new people we meet, the women, the local culture, the multiverse jaunts, and the realization that guns alone will not be enough. Like most great stories, the entire book is buildup for action that lasts five minutes or so, and while most readers complained about that, it's the build up that gives the action scene its power in my opinion. After that cliff hanger of an ending I cannot wait to see what happens next on this road trip, and have the rest of the series lined up and ready to go.

I listened to the audiobook, which is wonderfully narrated by George Guidall. I did miss the superb narration by Frank Muller, who read the previous books, and in the afterword King explains the sad reason for this change. I did not know the man, but having spent countless hours with him in my head, he will be missed.

P.S. I watched the new Dark Tower movie the other day, and it's absolute rubbish. Don't waste your time. Read the books instead. Rating: 4 stars.

2018 Bullet Journal Setup (Video)

Something new for 2018. I'll be keeping my bullet journal in a separate book.

If the embedded video doesn't work, click here.

Cinemascope: Happy Valley (Seasons 1 & 2)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2016.

Plot line: In a magnificent role written specifically for her, Sarah Lancashire (Last Tango in Halifax, The Paradise) shines as Catherine Cawood, a hard-working, earthy police sergeant who strides her beautiful patch of Yorkshire like a grown-up. Catherine's work and personal life are already complicated in crime-riddled Happy Valley when Tommy Lee Royce wanders into town, freshly released from prison. Was he responsible for Catherine's daughter's death, as she believes? And will her suspicion cloud her judgment when another young girl goes missing? A superb, award-winning BBC hit with a dynamite cast and six finely wrought episodes, from one of Britain's best writers, Sally Wainwright (Last Tango in Halifax, Scott & Bailey).

One of the things I love about Netflix is the ability to see TV shows from other countries. This British drama is dark and suspenseful with complex characters and complex themes. It's not your typical American style cop show, and the story arc carries over the entire season. How you feel about people and things will change as you watch the show, and isn't that why we watch?

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is a TV series worth watching.

Recent Reads

141. The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Vol. 1
"This is a story of two people--one human, one inhuman--who linger in the hazy twilight that separates night from day. "

This manga is wonderfully strange and atmospheric. In this fairy tale like story, there are two kingdoms: "the Outside, where twisted beasts roamed that could curse with a touch, and the Inside, where humans lived in safety and peace."

In this tale we spent time with, and get to know, a young girl called Shiva, and a monster she calls Teacher. The thing to remember (and we often forget this), what is monstress is in the eye of the beholder. I loved the sweetness of their relationship, and the black and white art wonderfully sets the mood for this dark tale, but there are so many things that are not clear as of yet. Things are revealed slowly, and I expect future volumes to fill in the blanks. This is a fun quick read. Rating: 3 stars.

142. The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Vol. 2
Just take a look at the cover art. It's a good example of how wonderful the art is in this Manga series.

This installment of the story shed more light on this dark fairy tale of a story. To be touched by a monster makes you a monster, and Shiva has been touched by one. What does will happen to her?

There are some wonderful sections in this one, especially surrounding the relationship between young Shiva and Teacher. However, there are also sections (the lake and creatures for example) that do not make sense, but I'm sure there is a larger tapestry that I am unable to see at this reading. I continue to love the art, but the story is not fleshed out enough yet for my tastes. Rating: 3 stars.

143. The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Vol. 3
Oh, I understand so much more with this installment of this fun Manga series. Things are starting to make more sense in this sweet and dark tale. The art continues to be lovely and I could look at these detailed pen and ink frames, with what looks like the crosshatching of a person not entirely sane, for hours. There's more action, and not as many tea parties in this one, but I think this is the best in the series so far. Since, there is not much I can say without spoilers, all I'll say is that I'm on board for the ride and cannot wait for the rest of the series to get published. Rating: 4 stars.

144. Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow
I listened to the audiobook, which is wonderfully narrated by Derek Perkins.

His book Sapiens was the best book I read in 2015, so when Harari released this one I got my hands on it as soon as I could. Then it sat on my TBR pile, not because I wasn't excited to read it, but because this author makes me work.

Reading his books is not an easy thing to do. He writes about the history of humans, and then projects us forward in time to possible futures. He writes about religion, philosophy, and all the isms, about technology, and medicine, and science, and social media, and the meaning of life, and really almost everything about what what it means to be human. And he does it all in a very easy to understand, accessible manner. So when I say it's not an easy read, it not about how he writes, but rather what he writes about. He makes me think, he makes me question, he upsets my mental models, and as I expected, he changed how I look at myself, humanity, and our future. That's where the work is. This is not a light, fluffy read, so wait until you are in the mood to do some heavy lifting, mentally speaking, and then settle in for a read that will change how you see yourself and the world.

I'm not going to summarize the main points of this book, because I want you to experience those Ah-Ha moments for yourself. But here's a teaser: Did you know that in 2014 a Japanese venture capital firm, Deep Knowledge, named an artificial intelligence (AI) to its board of directors? The robot, named Vital, was chosen for its ability to pick up on market trends ‘not immediately obvious to humans.' It wasn't a one-off either.

The evolution from Homo Sapiens to Home Deus is a thrilling, scary, fascinating, horrifying, enlightening, terrible, educational, entertaining, compelling, and humbling ride. Highly recommended for every human who doesn't want to go the way of the Dodo. I am not the same person I was before I read this book. Is there any higher praise? Rating: 5 stars.