The First Entry: August 2021
Hello and welcome to the first entry in my monthly reading lists. (For a more formal introduction to these, please check out my introductory post.)
I recently moved to a new area in the Pacific Northwest of the US and was excited to get my library card and start checking some books out! There was no particular reason or theme for me choosing these four books this month, beyond that I had been wanting to read them for a while and was very glad to see they were in stock for me to borrow. With that said, let’s check them out!
Teen Titans: Raven (as well as vol. #2, Teen Titans: Beast Boy)*
By: Kami Garcia, Illustrated by: Gabriel Picolo
Details: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Series, Superhero, Coming of Age, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-1401286231
Synopsis: Raven can’t remember anything before the accident, and as strange things start happening around her, she wonders if maybe that’s a good thing.
My Thoughts: As someone who was enthralled with the Teen Titans show growing up, it was very nice to see Raven’s (and eventually her fellow Titans’) story revisited. A very different take on her, while still feeling very true to her character and the struggles of being a teenager. Beautifully illustrated and a quick read.
*For ease and to avoid any spoilers, I’ve only listed the information for the first book, Teen Titans: Raven.
Slaughter House-Five
By: Kurt Vonnegut and Ryan North, Illustrated by: Albert Monteys
Details: Graphic Novel, Adult, Historical Fiction, Biographical Fiction, Classic, 2020
ISBN-13: 978-1684156252
Synopsis: Billy Pilgrim’s journey is both a farcical look at the horror and tragedy of war and an examination of what it means to be fallibly human.
My Thoughts: I’ve always liked Kurt Vonnegut but had never gotten around to reading Slaughter House-Five and was surprised to learn that this was inspired by real events from Vonnegut’s life as a prisoner of war in WW2. While very compelling, I did find myself needing to take a break at times from some of the stark moments in Billy’s life that are presented. A great reminder of how chilling war can be.
Cheshire Crossing
By: Andy Weir, Illustrated by: Sarah Anderson
Details: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Fantasy, Fanfiction, 2019
ISBN-13: 978-0399582073
Synopsis: After returning from Wonderland, Neverland, and Oz, our trio (Alice, Wendy, and Dorothy) meet at Cheshire Crossing - a boarding school where girls like them learn how to cope with their supernatural experiences and harness their magical world-crossing powers.
My Thoughts: I was very excited to see Alice, Dorothy, and Wendy together in a book, as well as a piece of fanfiction written by an outstanding author! (Andy Weir wrote the book turned movie, The Martian.) Very charming, wholesome, and a fun take on our three heroines and their worlds. A quick and pleasant read for any age.
