JASPER (HE/HIM)
While my love for books was found later in life than most, I couldn't imagine surrounding myself with anything else. I gravitate toward books rooted with science fiction, and fantasy elements but ANY story that focuses on strong and sturdy characters will surely pique my interest. Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga are strong contenders for my heart as well. Characters > Writing Style > Plot.
NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO… oops, caps lock. I love Vespertine so much! Warrior nuns, hungry spirits, ancient relics… the world is old and lived-in, the magic system is fresh, and Artemisia is, well, Artemisia is the protagonist we all need right now. There's something about the creeping chill of Autumn that accentuates spoopy themes but honestly, this novel will hit at any time of year, every time. Promise.
I find that there are two types of essay collections: you have the 300-seat lecture hall, and the 8-person focus group. Escape into Meaning is the latter, where Puschak actually, delightfully, speaks my language. He contextualizes his thoughts in a manner that resonates with me, and it makes all the difference. I relish in his ability to point at something, like a park bench, and make me realize how precious, and meaningful our time on this Earth is. Yeah.
I won't mince words, my appetite for books has waned this first half of the year. I picked up several titles that seemed promising but they either fell flat, weren't very engaging, or perhaps simply "okay" by the end. And sometimes that's just how it is... But sometimes a book comes along and reminds you exactly why you fell in love with reading in the first place; Ordinary Monsters was just that book for me. Miro's prose in this historical fantasy is captivating. While I savored every page turned, the audiobook (available on Libro.fm) is equally as enchanting.
Fans of Castlevania will covet this opportunity to learn all there is to know about the development of the animated series with this beautifu, expertly designed, full color, hardcover art book featuring concept art and commentary from all four seasons of the hit animated series.
"Freedom is an unapologetic socioeconomic study of what it means to live a free and open life. Junger looks at governing bodies, military powers, and societal constructs of the past and lays them bare. He examines the advantages and disadvantages of creating restraints (rules and laws, and the enforcement of such), in favor of safety, stability, etc. Junger looks to the past, in hopes to ignite conversations about how you can, as the kids say, “live your best life” in the future. This will be on ALL the lists for 2021."
"This handsome tome has got me [Distracted Boyfriend]-ing all over my TBR stack. The bullets fly, the vampires are sexy, and the denizens, welllll they're straight from Hell. Sprinkle in some over-the-top dialogue, and you can practically hear the Rap/Metal music as you turn the pages. Ohh and it smells AMAZING!"
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"Rachel Kim is a Korean-American who moves to South Korea with dreams of being part of the next global K-Pop sensation. She’s spent the past six years training and competing [with friends and rivals alike], and with time running out to make her debut, Rachel wonders if she’s got what it takes to make the cut all while staying true to herself. While it isn’t the true-to-life, tell-all book we all wanted, it was still enjoyable to try and separate fact from fiction. TL;DR – Shine is Mean Girls, K-Pop Edition ?~"
"Yukari Hayasaka, a young woman about to graduate high school, stumbles upon a group of college kids running an atelier named Paradise Kiss. This manga explores the notions of living up to parental/societal expectations versus experiencing life yourself, and finding your own way. It’s beautiful, emotional, and heartfelt. Of all the wonderful things to be said about ParaKiss, for me, it’s the art and fashion that takes the cake. I am enamored to think there is a whole generation that’s yet to discover this delicious slice-of-life story."
"I am embarrassed to admit that the ‘kung-fu fantasy’ sub-genre (aka ‘wuxia’) was completely missing in my life. If you happen to share this sentiment, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. A Hero Born is a wuxia novel that shines with its bright characters, and fast-paced narrative. Filled with martial arts masters, forbidden texts, and a delightfully naiive protagonist with a heart of gold, this first book in the Legend of Condor Heroes series is an absolute joy to read. Anna Holmwood’s translation transported me to 13th century China and the Mongolian Steppe with ease."
"Imagine a world very much like ours: city life, going to work/school, shooting a text to a friend, enjoying a cafe date… but what if you could hop off the train and walk into a dungeon? What if when you clear that dungeon of its traps, puzzles, and monsters, you could walk away with all the gold and treasure? What if you can literally track your experience allowing you to calculate just how strong, how fast, and how tough you are? Solo Leveling follows the lowly E-Rank Hunter, Sung Jin-Woo, as he quickly learns that in this cutthroat world, the only person he can trust is himself. Content Warning: Fantasy Violence, Gore, Language."
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If you're a seasoned MTG player, you've just found your next book! If you've never heard of Magic: The Gathering, you should also pick up Generation Decks and find out what you have been missing. Chalk throws us back to 1993, when Richard Garfield came up with the bonkers idea of an incomplete collectible card game (an asymmetrical game where you manage resources to summon creatures and cast spells, all the while having no information of what your opponent is capable of)! Chalk goes through Magic's 20+ year trailblazing history of game mechanics and savvy business strategies, eventually bringing us to the community-driven scene it is today. While I loved the history lesson, my favorite thing about this book is when Chalk unabashedly tells of his personal on-again, off-again relationship with the game, a love affair that many of us share. Generation Decks is easily my go-to book recommendation of 2017.
A terribly engrossing read! I stayed up many nights devouring sections of this book only to slow down as I neared the end. The Divine Cities series has become one of my favorites in recent years, as Bennett’s writing style is unrivaled in the fantasy genre. On the outside Sigrud je Harkvaldsson is one tough cookie but on the inside is a caring and loyal character that you won’t soon forget. While City of Miracles is the third book in the series, I welcome any and all to dive into this rich, wonderful, and tragic world.
This collection of myths is a shining example of short-form prose at its best! It's easy and accessible, and most of the stories are appropriate for all ages (bedtime story approved)!
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I’ve always been drawn to fairy tales for two reasons: 1) they are short stories, easy to comprehend in any language; and 2) no matter the outcome there is a lesson to be learned. For me, The Singing Bones meets the criteria in a refreshing and original way. The photos of Shaun Tan’s sculptures speak volumes: how they’re staged, the colors, THE LIGHTING! Everything comes together to build a spectacular atmosphere for all their fantastic worlds. Highly recommended for budding young readers, creative minds looking for inspiration, and book groups.
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Never did I imagine that I’d one day read something so thorough about a hypothetical concept of movement! Just from the title, I am immediately reminded of the conversations (and let’s face it, arguments) I’ve had about the DOs and DON’Ts of time travel -- this book elevates that discussion. Time Travel: A History is fun, challenging, and well paced. Gleick is a huuuge nerd and if this isn’t a labor of love, I don’t know what is! ♥~
For anyone and everyone who fell in love with the phenomenal show that is Gravity Falls comes THE journal that has all the deets! “Ford” aka “The Author” (aka Alex Hirsch) delivers a beautiful book that’s jam packed with secrets and liner notes; all of the coded messages at the end of the episodes, deciphered; all the monsters and oddities, revealed; the unexplained, explained! If you’re curious about the show ignore this book (spoilers!) but if you’re an obsessive fan like myself, Journal 3 is must-own. (Jasper)
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Such a rewarding story! The writing is full of heart and the characters are so honest. The resonance I felt for Alex (he’s just 9 years old!) is uncanny—his goals, fears, frustrations, all of it was tangible. By far the best book I’ve read in 2016. (Jasper)
For fans of psychological thrillers, this one’s a doozie! I'm not sure what I just read but I loved it. Proehl’s writing puts you in the middle of things right away and keeps you in suspense. It’s short and sweet; good for travel, better for a single sitting, probably great for book groups! If the cover compelled you to pick this up, you’re going to enjoy the ride. (Jasper)
Awesomely informative! Abel does a fantastic job getting right to the heart of what makes narrative nonfiction so great, shining a light on the hard work of the individuals needed produce them. The art provides identity to the different aspects of building a radio show that many people have probably never considered but is what keeps folks coming back to listen. A solid graphic text for those interested in radio shows and podcasts. (Jasper)
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An engaging and enjoyable read! I love knowing the history of things. I love learning about character relationships. I love pathos. Rucka does a fine job with the three short stories, all of which are appropriate for kids and adults alike. Anyone interested in Finn, Rey, or Poe's backstory should pick up this book. (Jasper)
In the near future the nations of the world have set their sights on the stars. As we send more rockets, shuttles, and other probes out into space, the more debris is accumulated orbiting Earth. The story revolves around the crew of the DS-12 aka “Toy Box” whose job is to collect the garbage left behind to make space safe for us. I’m so happy this series is back in print! If you loved the Martian by Andy Weir, you must check out Planetes. (Jasper)
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Trigger Warning, though not my favorite title, is Gaiman’s best collection of stories yet. What surprised me the most is not his world building and imagery, but how he’s able to telegraph his mastery of them into short fiction and poetry. His characters are relatable and the twists and turns that they experience will get a ton of emotions out of you. If you're in the mood for some light fantasy told by a seasoned wordsmith, Trigger Warning is now available in paperback, so give it a look! (Jasper)
It’s been four years since McGonigal taught us what it means to be “gameful” -- learning new skills, tackling challenges, building friendly competition -- and in doing so, helped make us happier and healthier people. In SuperBetter, she expands on that philosophy, this time exploring the ways we can use that same gameful mindset to boost our confidence to reach our goals, build our resilience against negativity, and altogether brighten our outlook of the future. If you’re interested in the “whys” of human behavior/psychology, don’t miss out on this one. (Jasper)
When you’re a kid, one of the hardest things to do sit still and wait. Luckily we have picture books to help in that department, and Waiting is an exceptionally good one! The children’s toys are set up along the windowsill, all of them looking out, patiently waiting for the moon, rain, wind, and snow. The charming illustrations and the soft color palette hits all of my nostalgia buttons. Perfect for bedtime. (Jasper)
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Press Start to Play is a collection that takes the proverbial cake! No matter what category of gamer you fall under, you’ll do well to find a story (or seven) that really speak to you. The authors reach as far back as text-based adventures and jump to the future of gaming: virtual reality. The social themes in- and out- of game, mixed with a plethora of writing styles, make for great conversation pieces with your friends, book groups, or both! (Jasper)
Our main focus is a woman named Carolyn. She’s a linguist. Years ago, she and eleven other children were "saved" by a man they call Father, and brought into his library. Each child -- librarian -- was given a specific folio or catalog to learn and master; languages, medicine, animals, etc. Sharing information was highly discouraged. Fast-forward years later when Carolyn and her estranged siblings must band together to figure out why their Father has left them. This book was so different from anything I’ve ever read. Being isolated from society, the characters' behaviors were at times shockingly refreshing. There were outlandishly wonderful concepts, where going from point a to b was certainly not a straight line. It’s funny, awkward, dark, crazy, and brilliant. (Jasper)
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Lou Anders is raising the bar for middle-grade readers who love tales of fantasy in this second book of the Thrones and Bones series. Despite finally giving in to his father’s wishes and learning the family business, Karn Korlundsson must once again venture off after he hears that his good friend Thianna Frostborn has gone missing … but how does a half-giantess go missing? With new characters, new cultures and landscapes to explore, and a challenging riddle to fuel their quest, Nightborn is a sequel that surely delivers! While I do suggest checking out the first book in the series, Frostborn, I’d say you can definitely jump into action here if you so desire. (Jasper)
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This gem of a book really surprised me. As the title suggests, the narrator tells us how four different families, spanning four hundred years, gather ingredients, prepare, and then serve Blackberry Fool. It’s really cool to see the technological differences from century to century but even more noteworthy are the cultural differences between the families and how subtly Jenkins and Blackall chose to address them. I suggest reading it yourself first before reading it aloud to children but definitely do the latter as it will open up some interesting conversations. Bonus: the recipe for Blackberry Fool is at the end of the book! Mmmmm. Mmmmm. Mmmmm. (Jasper)
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A small group of DARPA scientist are weeks away from crossing Instant Teleportation off the list of Future Technological Advances -- they simply need to convince one man that their invention works 100 percent. In The Fold, humble New England schoolteacher Mike Erikson is given an irresistible proposition for the summer: fly out to sunny California to audit the safety and functionality of The Albuquerque Door. Clines writes an engaging science fiction novel that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat. My must-read book of 2015 ... who needs hoverboards when you can cut out commuting all together? (Jasper)
When Arianna’s older brother, Gage, decides to leave the home of their guardian, Janna, she follows him out the door only to find that they've yet to have a place to call their own. Convinced that the situation is a temporary one, Ari keeps the fact that she and her brother are couch surfing from her schoolmates, her teachers, and most importantly, Janna. Paper Things touches on loss, family, friendship, acceptance, struggling to say what you mean, and all this from the perspective of a super smart Eleven-year-old who's more mature than she needs to be. The resonance this book has is a welcome surprise. I haven’t felt "heavy boots" like this since Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. (Jasper)
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Despite pouring all his time and talent into his art, David Smith just cannot find a break and is well on his way into a downward spiral. When all seems lost, David finds himself sharing a meal with a familiar face who offers him a deal of a lifetime: he now has an amazing ability to sculpt any material, any surface into any shape he imagines them to be, but upon accepting this gift he only has two hundred days to live. McCloud takes this seemingly simple premise and knocks it clear out of the park. A perfect example of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. (Jasper)
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This spectacular book collects some of the Dark Knight’s most iconic moments, from his humble beginnings as a masked vigilante to becoming the greatest detective in pop culture history. Inside you’ll find 22 of the best single-issue stories, as well as a Brad Metzler and Chip Kidd "remix" of Detective Comics #27, the very first appearance of “the Bat-Man.” Journey through the past 75 years, the various costume changes, allies, villains, alternate timelines, future timelines, and everything in between -- all of which are presented beautifully in this hardcover format that’s sure to please, old chum. (Jasper)
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This picture book is not for the faint of heart! It is for the adventurous, the curious, and the daring! Professor Astro Cat leads a band of space enthusiasts on a tour of the planets in our solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and beyond! Along the way they explore relevant topics like gravity, how rocketships work, and even the possibility of life in the unknown. The illustrations are excellent and help enhance the learning experience for budding space enthusiasts, young and old. (Jasper)
Silver Screen Fiend is an intimate and funny account of Oswalt’s four-year love affair with film.From 1995 to 1999, Los Angeles' New Beverly Cinema is his home away from home. Oswalt systematically checks off each classic movie he sees, hoping to absorb the dos and don'ts of filmmaking. Oswalt's passion for stand-up comedy runs alongside his tales of midnight shows and double features, which, mixed with his conversational tone, makes for a humorous and insightful read. While his crusade to watch them all is certainly an ambitious one, it’s one that is easy to relate to if not share implicitly. (Jasper)
This collection of short stories was so fun to read. The stories vary in length, each one an acute commentary on the behavior of today’s "spoiled brats." From a college student studying abroad on an alien planet in the future, to a 27-year-old immigrant (from 1912) preserved in pickle brine for 100 years, to a small-time band playing the most important show of their lives for the guy they’d least expect, I’d say that there’s something for everyone. If you like satire and/or sketch comedy, this book is for you. (Jasper)
This collection of poems is truly something special. Kay's imagery, smooth and effortless, paints beautiful pictures that give way to unobstructed metaphors. Her experiences and observations range from hand modeling, shirt-lending and keeping, an extra supply of chocolate and rain boots, and so much more. The bare honesty you'll find in these pages is warm and hauntingly familiar. (Jasper)
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Frostborn stars two protagonists: Karn, a smart and cunning human boy, and Thianna, a confident and fearless half-giant girl. The flavor and background, based on Norse mythology, is very refreshing and the vocabulary will challenge kids (and adults) to read words like “Ymirian” and “Norronir”. Also, Thrones & Bones, the chess-like strategy board game that Karn loves to play, is an actual game that Lou Anders created that you can play with the help of the rules at the end of the book. This is the most fun I’ve had since the Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. (Jasper)
Like many of us, I spent the better part of my youth playing games (sports, video games, board games, etc.), and amidst all the fun, I was learning and building skills that as an adult, I use every day. So if games are the perfect teaching tool, why aren't we using games in our adult lives to continue to build and improve on those skills? In Reality Is Broken, Jane McGonigal takes you through a crash course of her philosophy on how games and gaming culture as a whole can change our outlook on reality, making us happier and mentally healthier. (Jasper)
Have you ever been in a casual conversation and an idiom just went way over your head? Well, don’t worry, because every Tom, Dick, and Harry has been in the same boat. But if you want to get a handle on those pesky idioms, this book can be an ace up your sleeve! You’ll be glad to see eye to eye with your friends and colleagues and pretty soon, you’ll be quick on the draw, slinging idioms like the best of them! (Jasper)
The story follows two teenage boys, Tetsuo and Kaneda, trying to make heads or tails of life on the street in post-WWIII Neo-Tokyo. One day, while settling a turf war with a rival bike gang, Tetsuo starts manifesting psychic abilities that he can neither explain nor control. The military catches wind of Tetsuo’s abilities and decides to capture and contain him in fear of awakening another “Akira.” Meanwhile, all Kaneda wants to do is find his friend and bring him back home. Not only did Otomo pen this revolutionary sci-fi epic (circa 1982), he drew each and every panel to perfection. This long-format manga title definitely deserves all of the acclaim and reverence it garners. One of my favorites. (Jasper)
CLEOPATRA. IN SPAAACE! With a flying bike in the shape of a Sphinx! Simple and clean character designs. A fun and intriguing story that’s suitable for all ages. This graphic novel is a winner for anyone who enjoys books like the Bone or Amulet and is looking for something new. (Jasper)
This book (very aptly titled) is indeed an atlas with coordinates and statistics, but it’s certainly more than that. There are little blurbs for each entry that talk about the origin of the island or its inhabitants or something really interesting that goes on there. Every time I pick it up, I learn something cool about a place I never even knew existed -- sort of fun and magical in that way. For the curious, trivia-seeking person in your life. It’s a very handsome book, also. The Atlas of Remote Islands rocks my socks. (Jasper)
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This is my new favorite picture book! While the illustrations of the animals are cute and colorful, the charm comes from how engaged you are searching for "The Odd One Out" ... or, as I grew up watching Sesame Street, discovering which one of these things is not like the others. As you get further into the book, the the patterns/tessellations of the animals become more and more complex, in a fun, Where’s Waldo? kind of way. Yep, The Odd One Out is two references good! (Jasper)
After a shootout takes the life of his partner, detective John Tallow stumbles upon a locked room with an entire wall of guns, each one used in a previously unsolved murder. An inventive police procedural story, Gun Machine is about a man with nothing to lose and very little to gain, shy of retribution and peace of mind ... but sometimes that's enough. (Jasper)
In a dystopian near-future, the world governments have failed to serve their purpose and now Information, Money, Power, and Authority all equate to the same thing. A handful of Families rule over their designated territories; there are those who contribute and work for the Families and everyone else is deemed “Waste.” Forever “Eve” Carlyle is the Lazarus of Family Carlyle. She protects the Family. Bad-ass female lead. Political intrigue. Really, really, really good artwork. (Jasper)