Page Turners

Here is a list of books that have been shared on KMA's Page Turners with the Shenandoah Public Library.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Etta by Gerald Kolpan - I just finished this fabulous story of Etta Place. Very little is known about her other than that she road with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. So Gerald Kolpan has taken much liberty with history and written her story. I loved the character development and the setting. It was a great read, one I highly recommend. It is hard to remember that it is just a fictional story and none of it is true.

Tuesday, May 05, 2009

Best Graphic Novels I've read lately - Well, it's been a busy month or so, but I've had a little time to read. I thought for this post I'd share the graphic novels I've read lately that I really enjoyed. At the bottom I'll just list off the graphic novels I didn't care for. So without further ado, my picks for May 2009:

+Anima by Natsumi Mukai (10 v.) - This is a cute story about children who in a moment of desperate fear receive an animal-power (+anima) that allows them to survive and stays with them through their childhood years. However, many people discriminate against the +anima. Young Cooro, a crow +anima, is traveling around his country, where he meets other +anima, including a bear, fish, and bat. Together, they are looking for a way to put the past behind them and find a place for themselves in a world that's not completely comfortable with what they've become. 5 stars. From TokyoPop: Rated T for teen.

Flower of the Deep Sleep by Yuana Kazumi (2 v.) - This is a shojo story about a girl with the power to see the future through her dreams. Yuuki must choose a husband from one of two brothers with special powers. When they arrive at her house, first her sister, then a classmate fall into a deep sleep from which they cannot be awakened. The brothers help her try to unravel the mystery of the deep sleep before it swallows everyone. 5 stars. From TokyoPop: Rated T for teen.

Jing King of Bandits and Jing King of Bandits: Twilight Tales by Yuichi Kumakura (7 v. each) - These two series profile the adventures of the Bandit King - Jing - and his avian companion, Kir. The two travel across the world, meeting lovely ladies and looking for the greatest loot. Along the way they manage to set little injustices to rights. A fun romp. 4 stars. From TokyoPop: Rated T for teen (some vols may be OT for older teen).

Kieli by Yukako Kabei and Shiori Teshirogi (2 v.) - This series made the Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2009 list, and I can see why. From reading the cover description, I didn't think I'd like the books, but the evolution of the characters is so compelling that I finished it and started it again immediately. Kieli is a lonely girl whose only friends are ghosts. She meets a young man who can see ghosts, too, but soon discovers that he's not like anyone she's ever met: decades ago he was turned into an undying soldier and now must hide his identity from the church police. They join on a journey to help a spirit from the war find rest and find something special in eachother - but how long can it last? 5 stars. From Yen Press: Rated OT for older teen.

Song of the Hanging Sky by Toriko Gin (2 v. so far, more projected) - Fleeing from a war he no longer believes in, doctor Jack is living alone in the mountains. He finds a young boy in need of help and soon finds that this boy is quite unusual - he has wings! The ancient mountain-dwelling tribe has kept its secrets for years, but now its renewed contact with members of the outside world threatens once again to destroy it. 4 stars. From GoComi!: rated OT for older teens.

So there you have my picks. For pans, I'll give you Cowboy BeBop by Yutaka Nanten and Hajime Yatate and Kill Me Kiss Me by Lee Young You. Not my cup of tea.