warm and fuzzy books

[snugglekitty]

While sick, I read Hopeless Savages by Jen Van Meter, Christine Norrie, and Chynna Clugston-Major. (I believe I had previously read one issue at the home of sunspiral. I saw the name of the comic again on a list of GLBT-friendly comics that 7j snagged me from Million Year Picnic.) The comic follows a family of punks, aging stars Dirk and Nikki, and their children Arsenal, Twitch, Skankabelle Zero, and Rat. Boy, did this book EVER make me feel warm and fuzzy. It's kind of like if the Addams Family said Oi! a lot. Freaktastic! Four stars.

My favorite moments, which I think I have taken out of context enough to make them un-spoil-y:
"Gabba gabba hey."
Baby self-defense.
"I don't want to be de- I mean, I haven't been programmed!"
Attack of the label recruiters!
Adorable little romantic short at the end of the book. Teenage LUUUVVVV!

So, yup, that means I'm adding another comic series to the read pile. (The rest of what's in the pile, if you really care: X-Men, Strangers in Paradise, Girl Genius, Questionable Content, Buffy.)

I also read Changeling by Delia Sherman. Now that is a nice book. I liked the "rules for changelings" listed at the beginning of each chapter. I also liked the way each chapter was generally a self-contained story, and I liked the conclusion of the book. It made me want to re-read the story "CATNYP" in the book The Faery Reel. Three stars.

Comments

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

You probably know this already, but just in case you don't, Kim Harrison's new book comes out tomorrow.

I just read Because I'm the Vampire, That's Why! about a townful of soccer moms who turn into vampires and have to start having school at night, so they can make the PTA meetings. It's not all that well done -- about the level of the Betsy Taylor books (with cardboard bad guys and some things happening for no apparent reason) -- but her take on the well-used vampire legend was a bit different than I've seen before. I found it not good enough to buy but worth the five seconds it took to request it from the library.

Oh, and I forget if I learned about the Children of the Lamp series from you or not. If it was from you, the third book is out. If it wasn't, it's a series of YA books where the children are djinn. It's still the magical-kid stuff but with a different flavor than usual.

Glad you're feeling some better; I hope that continues!

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Hey, cool. I was just thinking that my shelf of library books was looking a little bare. :) Something that your description of the first book reminds me of is the book Vampire High, which was actually much better than you would think. It had heart.

And no, I never heard of the Children of the Lamp series! Thanks for the suggestion! *clicky clicky*

[samidha.livejournal.com]

I really should know this, but can I assume you've read Francesca Lia Block?

Because if you haven't, it sounds like you really ought to... and that I really ought to read this because I like FLB.

Where can I find this?

(Sort of braindead, sleep is a myth today.)

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I have read FLB. Oh, have I ever read FLB - even got my hands on an advance copy of Necklace of Kisses last year. But you're right, Hopeless Savages has a very similar feel. You can get it through the Minuteman library system, or from your local dealer of comic book crack. :)

[samidha.livejournal.com]

Necklace of Kisses seems to be...not very available. I am sad about this.

I haven't checked B&N though, I should do that.... But what's the deal?