Books
It was a big month for YA books.
Kiki Strike by Kirsten Miller - This was a utterly fabulous book about renegade girl scouts exploring a secret underground world in New York.
The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Goth Girl by Barry Lyga - Tale of troubled teens, with plenty of very authentic comic book references.
Midnighters Book [...]

Comic Book Easter Eggs
Look at this adorable shojo style Wonder Woman comic!

Dr. Peter A. Maresco wrote:
Can you tell me if product placement occurs in manga novels. I am interested to learn if specific products are mentioned in the stories and if so how many.
This is tricky. I’m not aware of any studies that have been done about product placement in manga, and in any case it [...]

Spirits That Walk in Shadow by Nina Kiriki Hoffman (amazon.com)
I always feel that Hoffman should be more hyped than she is. Her fantasy novels are so inventive, and she has a talent for creating engaging characters. Spirits that Walk in Shadow features Jamie, who appeared in the earlier novel The Thread that Binds the Bones. [...]

I’m not really sure what to think yet about the new “Minx” line from DC comics aimed at teenage girls. I think out of all the titles announced, I’m probably most interested in “The P.L.A.I.N. Janes”, because it is being written by an established YA author and drawn by Jim “Street Angel” Rugg. I’m really [...]

Blood Alone by Masayuki Takano, Volumes 1 & 2 (amazon.com)
I do love a good vampire manga. Blood Alone is the story of Kuroe, a writer/detective/bodyguard, and his girl vampire companion Misaki. The story starts by providing a glimpse into an already established relationship. I’m intrigued by what little I know about the characters, and [...]

The Cybils graphic novel nominations list is up. I’m sort of glad that I’m on the judging panel, because I can just sit back and let the nominations folk take care of whittling the list down

I’ve had a good, restful Thanksgiving vacation. Instead of the traditional turkey and pumpkin pie, Mr. Tangognat and I had corned beef and cheesecake. I finished all of my library books, and I’m determined to not check out anything more until I’m able to make a dent in the stack of unread books I have [...]

Stolen from Amanda
You. Can. Only. Type. One. Word. No. Explanations.
1. Yourself: sleepy
2. Your spouse: smile
3. Your hair: shorter
4. Your mother: busy
5. Your father: cello
6. Your dream last night: blank
7. Your favorite drink: soda
[...]

Emma by Kaoru Mori (amazon)
In many ways, Emma is unlike many of the other manga I’ve been reading recently. It is set in Victorian England during the industrial revolution. The relationships between characters are hampered by the social constraints of the British class system. Emma is a beautiful maid who serves Mrs Stownar, a [...]