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| Chrestomanci by PinayChicksRock |
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| Chrestomanci Designs by Chira-Chira |
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| Fun with markers no.1 by Nolleny |
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| Oh Clistoffer by Monotogne |
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| Spirit Friends by IheartNargles |
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| The Chrestomanci by Miz-zy |
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| Chant Girls by WingedLioness |
Friday, January 20, 2012
Fanart Friday: The Chrestomanci series
If you've read any of my Top 10 Tuesday posts you'll be well aware how much I loved reading The Chrestomanci Series growing up (and still do for that matter). As I sat at my computer wondering what book to do next for Fanart Friday I almost punched myself when I realised I've never yet focused on this marvellous series filled with magic, multi-lived (which is definitely a word) wizards, dragons, mermaids, parallel worlds, dream walking and all other kinds of fantasy goodies. Before becoming a book blogger I never found anyone who'd read this book (except the people I eagerly thrust my copies at) so imagine my surprise (and delight) when I typed "Chrestomanci" into the Deviantart search field and found hundreds of pictures of my favourite characters and worlds!! Here are a collection but they're simply the tip of the iceberg. Do yourself a favour and follow the links and discover the others works these artists have created, and the other Chrestomanci art making the rounds of Deviant.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Book review: Zoo City by Lauren Beukes
Written by Lauren Beukes
Published: 2010
Synopsis: Zinzi has a Sloth on her back, a dirty 419 scam habit and a talent for finding lost things. But when a little old lady turns up dead and the cops confiscate her last paycheck, she’s forced to take on her least favourite kind of job – missing persons.
Zoo City is the first read in Ellie's 2012 sci-fi challenge, and I think she picked a brilliant book to start with. I'm not exactly new to the science fiction genre, but this book is the perfect bridge for readers who want to get a taste of sci-fi, but don't want to commit to a fully-fledged Asimov or PKD world. There are subtle changes to the world we live in, which is manifested primarily through the creation of 'zoos' (which I'll explain soon), but otherwise it's a very similar world to the one we live in. There are no science experiments or machines to wrap your mind around, and it doesn't matter if you've never even thought about what it'd take to survive in a post-apocalypse dystopia. If you live with your eyes open to the disparity that exists between people, especially in places like South Africa where the novel is set, then you're more than equipped to read and appreciate this novel.
Zinzi is the protagonist and has a rather chequered past. She's a recovering addict, murdered her brother and was once a journalist who stole money from her editor/boyfriend. Now she's estranged from her parents and lives in one of South Africa's ghettos, known as 'zoo city'. Zinzi, as well as most of the other people in the apartment and neighbourhood, is a zoo, meaning that she has an animal which has 'attached' itself to her since she committed her criminal offence. This is quite similar to the daemons in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials except these aren't a physical manifestation of one's soul, but are instead, according to popular belief, the manifestation of your guilt. Zinzi's animal is a sloth, and their connection is strong. Like the daemons in Pullman's trilogy, they aren't tied by a physical string, but their separation is unbearable and should the animal be removed completely, or dies, the zoo will be visited by 'the undertow'. In addition to being a physical demonstration of her criminal past, the sloth imbibes Zinzi with a special ability, the ability to find lost things. And it is the search of lost keys, rings, photos and other paraphernalia which pay Zinzi's rent. Well that and writing the template emails for those lousy scammers claiming "you could receive $3 million if..."
It is a fine line between too much and too little when it comes to releasing details about what caused the dystopian or sci-fi aspect/element of a novel, but in this case I found myself wanting a little more. By the end of the novel you have all the answers, but I found myself pulled away from the story trying to work out exactly what a zoo and what the undertow was, especially in the first half of the novel. The inclusion of psychiatric reports and documentary excerpts to fill in the gaps were an interesting and informative way to fill in the gaps of knowledge, I just wish they'd been a little earlier in the book. That said, the zoo element of the book was very interesting. It's pretty much the only difference that exists between this world and the one we actually live in, and it serves as a physical demonstration of the disparity that exists in society, especially amongst people considered to live in the shadows of society. The investigation Zinzi finds herself on really explores this issue, and considering the location is South Africa, I think it makes some poignant statements on the current state of society.
I felt like the story went a little off the rails towards the end, but this was an entertaining book that I really enjoyed reading. If you've been looking for a nice and un-intimidating way into science-fiction then I think you'll find this book the one for you. It's almost a little young adult-y in places, but again, that's just another way of making the book easy to get into. A good start to the challenge and the year!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Top 10 Tuesday: 10 Graphic novels to read if you've never read one before.
I adore graphic novels, but when I look around the book blogs it seems that more often that not people seem to avoid them. I can understand why, it's a different way of reading, and if you aren't used to it, finding your way through the images and texts can be a little confusing or exhausting. But it's well worth a try. As I said, a graphic novel is a very different reading experience to simply reading a book. You have to hunt through the pictures for the hints, emotion or subtext, and learn to read between the lines when the text and the image seem to be saying opposite things. It can be a real adventure, and lots of fun. And while creating a world in your head is always magical, sometimes it's nice to see that world in front of you, created by an extremely talented artist who can make you laugh or cry with a single image the size of a postage stamp. My world of imagination has opened up greatly since I've started reading graphic novels, and while I still read novels more often, there are graphic novels that make up some of my favourite reads of all time.
Below is a list of 10 (in no particular order) graphic novels that simply must be read. Most are very accessible for a first time graphic novel reader and several have been adapted from books or by traditional authors making them far easier to read that their comic author counterparts. Hopefully some of the artworks and descriptions below are enough to entice you to step into this wonderful world and experience something new and different from what you typically read. Enjoy!
1. Maus
If you ask for a graphic novel recommendation from a book fan you'll most likely be told to pick this one up, and for good reason. The story combines the biography of Vladek Spiegelman's survival during WW2 with his later life in America, as told by his writer/artist son Art Spiegelman. The dichotomy between the two time periods makes for an incredibly interesting story that must have been very difficult for Art to tell. Also, it's a little Animal Farm-y, with the Jews depicted as mice while the Germans are cats
If you ask for a graphic novel recommendation from a book fan you'll most likely be told to pick this one up, and for good reason. The story combines the biography of Vladek Spiegelman's survival during WW2 with his later life in America, as told by his writer/artist son Art Spiegelman. The dichotomy between the two time periods makes for an incredibly interesting story that must have been very difficult for Art to tell. Also, it's a little Animal Farm-y, with the Jews depicted as mice while the Germans are cats
2. The Great Gatsby
A graphic retelling of the marvellous Fitzgerald novel by the same name. The art is astounding in this graphic novel, it's made to look like a collection of old photographs collected in a photo album, and that sense of nostalgia is maintained through the entire story. The cast are depicted as sea creatures, which simply seems perfect for this story, don't ask me why. (my review)
3. From Hell
Actually, just read anything by Alan Moore. He's a master graphic novelist, his other works including V For Vendetta, The League of Extraordinary Gentleman and Swamp Thing. From Hell is the graphic interpretation of the Jack the Ripper conspiracy that it stemmed from a royal cover-up. It's a fantastic tale of the hidden and the covered-up, that is guaranteed to send you on a google search to check the validity of this theory!
4. 30 Days of Night
There are actually quite a few of these out now, but the only ones you really want to read are the original three written by Steve Niles and illustrated by Ben Templesmith. The first book (the best) takes place in a small Alaskan town that suffers through 30 days of night each winter. This year they're attacked by a posse of vampires who intend to make the most of the wintery darkness. The artwork is what stands this series apart, Ben Templesmith is one of my favourite artists, his work blends photo-manipulation with intense colour and ethereal illustrations that render everyone slightly manic and monster-ish.
There are actually quite a few of these out now, but the only ones you really want to read are the original three written by Steve Niles and illustrated by Ben Templesmith. The first book (the best) takes place in a small Alaskan town that suffers through 30 days of night each winter. This year they're attacked by a posse of vampires who intend to make the most of the wintery darkness. The artwork is what stands this series apart, Ben Templesmith is one of my favourite artists, his work blends photo-manipulation with intense colour and ethereal illustrations that render everyone slightly manic and monster-ish.
5. Transmetropolitan
Eleven issues of pure brilliance. This is the graphic novel series of what it'd be like if Hunter S. Thompson was alive and reporting in the very messed up future. However, in Transmetropolitan he's known as Spider Jerusalem, a controversial journalist who hates pretty much everyone. Just as HST told the story in the most honest, hard-hitting, gratuitous and venomous ways possible, so does Spider. Thoroughly entertaining, mercilessly funny, and dangerously good.
Eleven issues of pure brilliance. This is the graphic novel series of what it'd be like if Hunter S. Thompson was alive and reporting in the very messed up future. However, in Transmetropolitan he's known as Spider Jerusalem, a controversial journalist who hates pretty much everyone. Just as HST told the story in the most honest, hard-hitting, gratuitous and venomous ways possible, so does Spider. Thoroughly entertaining, mercilessly funny, and dangerously good.
6. FreakAngels
Another brilliant Warren Ellis series, FreakAngels tells the story of a group of slightly strange kids who destroyed England. The illustrations are by the wonderful Paul Duffield, and the entire series is available FREE on the FreakAngels website. So you have no excuse not to go read it! (my review)
7. The Arrival
There really is truth to the saying "a picture is worth 1000 words". Shaun Tan's beautiful graphic novel/picture book charts an immigrants journey to a new and magical land. Each page bursts with expressive, detailed sepia toned pencil drawings that will literally bring tears to your eyes. There is so much going on in each image that it doesn't matter than not a single word is included, the story is there for anyone to see.
There really is truth to the saying "a picture is worth 1000 words". Shaun Tan's beautiful graphic novel/picture book charts an immigrants journey to a new and magical land. Each page bursts with expressive, detailed sepia toned pencil drawings that will literally bring tears to your eyes. There is so much going on in each image that it doesn't matter than not a single word is included, the story is there for anyone to see.
8. The Five Fists of Science
Yes you're seeing right, that is Mark Twain in the picture yelling "SCIENCE!" while a giant robot and monster take up the background. Other characters in this cheeky little comic are Nikola Tesla, Thomas Edison (as the baddy) and many more. It's a fun revision of our history that plays around with real life grudges and personality traits to create a monster of a story. (my review)
9. The Stand
The Stand is probably my all time favourite Stephen King novel, and this graphic adaptation does it absolute justice. It's almost word for word with King's version, and the illustrations perfectly match up with the way King meticulously describes his characters. I haven't finished this series yet, but so far they've been perfect. They've maintained King's sharp wit, shaped the characters perfectly and done everything possibly to make sure that this series is a knock-out. They've got some talented men and women working on this, and it really shows.
Cartoonist Guy Delisle worked in North Korea for several months in 2001. This is the graphic diary he kept while he was there. It's unflinchingly honest of life as a Westerner within the propaganda and weapon rich North Korea, and his insights are frank, to the point and rarely embellished. It's an interesting look into a side of life we rarely see, and it's perspective on propaganda and censorship provides food for thought. (my review)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Monday Links
*An enjoyable little puzzle game called Prose and Motion, where you have to find the 'perfect' word from the scrabble-like tiles on screen.
*I swear, the English get all the good stamps. First Doctor Who and now Roald Dahl. Any lovely English bloggers want to post me a little something?
*Horror fiction will soon make a comeback, at least according to editor Jo Fletcher.
*A stunning book sculpture by David Kracov called, Book of Life.
*I do love the Viking/Penguin Tumblr, me.
*A poem that details the complexity (and absurdity) of the English language. Could you make it all the way through?
Bookfest 2012
This week is Brisbane's BOOKFEST. Imagine an indoor arena the size of a football field with table after table (after table after table) of books piled high, and you'd be coming close to the epic-ness of this sale. There are 1000s of books sorted into their special little categories (sci-fi, paperback fiction, hardback fiction, literature/classics, history, biography, cooking, computer etc. etc.) and waiting in the wings are containers of 1000s more, just waiting for the tables to empty out a little so that those who can't make it until the final day (it runs a full week) still have an opportunity for some amazing finds.
The hall is divided into three sections, the unpriced section, which is the dodgy books that are either in shocking condition or are readers digest editions of short-stories (that was where I got the books for my Christmas decorations), the priced section where all books are $2.50, or the high-quality section, where the prices are marked on the book and there is an additional section of "rare or out-of-print" books.
Unfortunately, the rare books that are a really good find are often snapped up in that first day (usually the first few hours - people make a real sport out of this fest) so I typically stay in the priced section, because the titles are comparable to the high quality section, equal quality and a much better price. Tom and I made our way through all the fiction, literature, sci-fi sections yesterday and loaded our arms with about 30 books (combined) and then took a seat to cull it down to 8 each, so that we'd each only be spending $20.
While there are dozens of classic authors and books available (i.e. Austen, Dickens and Shakespeare) it's much harder to get your hands on a more contemporary book that isn't by either Patricia Cornwell, Steve Martini, Dan Brown or Jack Higgins. While I do sometimes come out of this sale with some Gaiman, Ishiguro or other authors that are high on my TBR list, this sale is primarily a golden opportunity to collect a few more Stephen King titles and books from the horror/thriller genre. They're easily the most prevalent, and are often the books most lacking from our local book stores. We did quite well this year, if I say so myself!
So without further ado, I give you the books we've taken home and welcomed into our book family...
Stephen King - Gerald's Game
New Terrors Omnibus
Stephen King - Carrie
Stephen King -The Dead Zone
Stephen King and Peter Strab - The Talisman
James Herbert - The Fog
James Herbert - The Survivor
Clive Barker - The Damnation Game
Ramsey Cambell - The doll who ate his mother
Kazuo Ishiguro -The Remains of the Day
R. L. Stevenson - Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Neil Gamain - Stardust
Stephen King - The drawing of the Three
Stephen King/G.R.R.Martin, Dan Simmons - Dark Visions
Stephen King - Needful Things
Richard Bachman - The Regulators
The hall is divided into three sections, the unpriced section, which is the dodgy books that are either in shocking condition or are readers digest editions of short-stories (that was where I got the books for my Christmas decorations), the priced section where all books are $2.50, or the high-quality section, where the prices are marked on the book and there is an additional section of "rare or out-of-print" books.
Unfortunately, the rare books that are a really good find are often snapped up in that first day (usually the first few hours - people make a real sport out of this fest) so I typically stay in the priced section, because the titles are comparable to the high quality section, equal quality and a much better price. Tom and I made our way through all the fiction, literature, sci-fi sections yesterday and loaded our arms with about 30 books (combined) and then took a seat to cull it down to 8 each, so that we'd each only be spending $20.
While there are dozens of classic authors and books available (i.e. Austen, Dickens and Shakespeare) it's much harder to get your hands on a more contemporary book that isn't by either Patricia Cornwell, Steve Martini, Dan Brown or Jack Higgins. While I do sometimes come out of this sale with some Gaiman, Ishiguro or other authors that are high on my TBR list, this sale is primarily a golden opportunity to collect a few more Stephen King titles and books from the horror/thriller genre. They're easily the most prevalent, and are often the books most lacking from our local book stores. We did quite well this year, if I say so myself!
So without further ado, I give you the books we've taken home and welcomed into our book family...
Stephen King - Gerald's Game
New Terrors Omnibus
Stephen King - Carrie
Stephen King -The Dead Zone
Stephen King and Peter Strab - The Talisman
James Herbert - The Fog
James Herbert - The Survivor
Clive Barker - The Damnation Game
Ramsey Cambell - The doll who ate his mother
Kazuo Ishiguro -The Remains of the Day
R. L. Stevenson - Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
Neil Gamain - Stardust
Stephen King - The drawing of the Three
Stephen King/G.R.R.Martin, Dan Simmons - Dark Visions
Stephen King - Needful Things
Richard Bachman - The Regulators
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