It’s hard to believe that another month has come and gone so quickly. No one was more surprised than me to find that I had posted 27 times in July, 14 of which were review posts, especially since I have been fighting with a blogging slump lately. I took 5 days off last week just because I couldn’t bring myself to post a single thing.
July was the month of the graphic novel for me as I read several of them. I read the first book in the Emma series which I have been seeing around forever, and I really liked it; I already have the second volume ready to go. Some of the transitions were a little awkward for me, but the story of this young maid, her many male admirers and her feisty employer are such an enjoyable reads, that it is quite easy to forgive a lot.
I also read the first volume of the graphic novel series for Twilight, and so far I am not sure what all the hoopla is over these books. They seem to be perfectly enjoyable YA vampire fic. I don’t appear to have lost any IQ points yet. Maybe that sets in only after reading the second volume. Granted, the graphic novels series are sure to be different from the novels, and they are condensed. I think I ended up reading 6 total this month, and I have a few on tap already for August.
The graphic novel that stood out for me by far is Yummy, by Greg Neri. It was just released and is definitely one to watch out for. It tells the story of Robert “Yummy” Sandifer, a Chicago gang member executed by his own gang in 1994 when he was just eleven years old. I had only heard of Yummy recently, so it was a piece of synchronicity to get the graphic novel on his life so shortly after first hearing about him. His story really stuck with me and the graphic novel is a compelling read.
This has also been a pretty amazing month for novels. I read To Kill A Mockingbird and The Color Purple this month for the first time and they were both amazing reads. They were inspring and uplifting, though the subject matter dealt with was very serious, neither was depressing, which takes some skill on the part of both these revered authors. I would have to say that those were my favorites of the month. It almost isn’t fair to include them with the other books that I read, which were excellent as well. I had a hard time picking what would follow To Kill A Mockingbird.
July
- The Local News, by Miriam Gershow
- Faithful Place, Tana French
- For the King, by Catherine Delors
- Living Dead Girl, by Elizabeth Scott
- Path to My African Eyes, by Ermila Moodley
- The Color Purple, by Alice Walker
- Dracula, My Love: The Journals of Mina Harker: A Novel, by Syrie James
- The Stand: Captain Trips, by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, Mike Perkins, Laura Martin & Stephen King
- Emma (Vol 1)
- Crime and Punishment, by Korkos & Mairowitz
- The Littlest Bitch
- Twilight: The Graphic Novel (Vol 1), by Young Kim & Stephanie Meyer
- Never Let You Go, by Erin Healey
- Man In The Woods, Scott Spencer
- To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee
- Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter, by Tom Franklin (release date – 10/1)
- Folly, by Marthe Jocelyn
- Goldengrove, by Francine Prose
- Yummy, by Greg Neri
Other Reviews in July
- My Wife’s Affair, by Nancy Woodruff
- The Lost Sumer of Louisa May Alcott, by Kelly O’Connor McNees
- Bad Marie, by Nancy Dermansky
- For the King, by Catherine Delors
- Evil?, by Timothy Carter
- A Fierce Radiance, by Lauren Belfer
Let’s go August!
Other reviews and posts:
Even with those 5 days off you got some serious reading done!!! I so want to read Dracula, My Love! I almost bought it yesterday
Dracula, My Love is pretty darn good. I think it might have spoiled me for Dracula. I have been trying to read a few pages of it and can’t do it!
Glad you’re out of the blogging slump. I do love reading Linus’s Blanket. I now get it in my email too. Take care.
Thanks so much. I am glad that you enjoy it. I am not quite out of the woods yet, but I am trying to fight it off a bit.
I am willing my slump to begone! I’ve got stuff to do. Just finished So Cold the River and the review is begging to be written. You really had a great month, and all those graphic novels! I love them. I can’t believe I never touched one until this year.
Sandy´s last [type] ..Monday Movie Meme – Repeat After Me
I know! This was my first year reading them too. I am so glad that we got with the program. I am trying to put myself back together. I am begging for your So Cold review too. It might make me pick it up. Look at what happened with The Stand.
I think I want a “graphic novel month”. Yep, I’m going to work on that for September maybe.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- Are there any pills for TBR anxiety
That would be so much fun. I would totally clear the deck and read only graphic novels with you. I am starting to love them so!
You know, I’ve been tempted to try Dragula in Love. Then, I think is this me talking????
I know how you have felt. I’m not feeling the best lately either. I’m doing better this week than last week.
I don’t know how you read so much with all the other stuff you do.
So much for being in slump, you had a terrific July!
Slump or not, July was a good reading month for you.
Amy´s last [type] ..July 2010 Wrap-Up
The Emma series sounds really good… I’m always on the lookout for graphic novel ideas. I’m glad you enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird and The Color Purple, they’re soooo good! Well done on a great reading month!
Joanna´s last [type] ..In the Woods by Tana French
The Emma series is adorable. You should definitely check it out!
Slump???? Doesn’t look like it to me.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Weekend Cooking- Review- Fresh Fruit Desserts by Sheryl and Mel London