From the back cover: Life just couldn't have been better—or maybe it couldn't have gotten worse. Aboard the massive starship Red Dwarf, life was barely happening at all. Holly, the ship's computer, had gone from super genius to so dumb that even a talking Toaster could hold its own with him. And the only surviving human aboard, David Lister—along with the holographic Arnold … [Read more...] about Better Than Life by Grant Naylor: C
Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch: A
From the back cover: Mirka Hirschberg is a spunky, strong-willed eleven-year-old who isn't interested in knitting lessons from her stepmother, or how-to-find-a-husband advice from her sister, or you-better-not warnings from her brother. There's only one thing Mirka does want: to fight dragons! But she'll need a sword—and therein lies the tale! Review: Hereville: How Mirka Got … [Read more...] about Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch: A
Barefoot Gen 1 Keiji Nakazawa: B
From the back cover: Barefoot Gen is the powerful, tragic story of the bombing of Hiroshima, seen through the eyes of the artist as a young boy growing up in a Japanese anti-militarist family. Of particular interest is Barefoot Gen's focus on family in a militarized culture, and the special problems which they encounter. Barefoot Gen brings home the reality of an event in our … [Read more...] about Barefoot Gen 1 Keiji Nakazawa: B
One Thousand and One Nights at The Hooded Utilitarian
When Noah Berlatsky of The Hooded Utilitarian invited MJ and me to contribute one of our conversation-style posts to his site, I knew immediately which series we should talk about. "One Thousand and One Nights!" I cried. It's one of MJ's favorites, for one thing, and something I'd been meaning to read for ages, for another. Additionally, I thought it might be nice to focus on … [Read more...] about One Thousand and One Nights at The Hooded Utilitarian
Human Nature by Paul Cornell: B-
From the back cover: "Who’s going to save us this time?" April, 1914. The inhabitants of the little Norfolk town of Farringham are enjoying an early summer, unaware that war is on the way. Amongst them is Dr. John Smith, a short, middle-aged history teacher from Aberdeen. He’s having a hard time with his new post as house master at Hulton Academy for Boys, a school dedicated … [Read more...] about Human Nature by Paul Cornell: B-