Muppet King Arthur (Muppet Graphic Novels) #BookReview

muppet-king-arthur by Christopher Jimenez

Bibliographic Info

FROM WORLDCAT
Title: Muppet King Arthur
Author: Paul Benjamin; Dave Alvarez; Patrick Storck; James Silvani
Publisher: Los Angeles, CA : Boom Studios, 2010.
Edition/Format: Print book : Graphic : Fiction : Juvenile audience
Genre/Form: Graphic novels, Fiction, Juvenile works, Juvenile fiction
Material Type: Fiction, Graphic, Juvenile audience
Document Type: eBook
All Authors / Contributors: Paul Benjamin; Dave Alvarez; Patrick Storck; James Silvani
ISBN: 1608865568 9781608865567 9781608865550 160886555X
OCLC Number: 875958645
Description: 1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations
Responsibility: writers Paul Benjamin and Patrick Storck ; artists Dave Alvarez (issue 1) ; James Silvani (issues 2-4).
Subjects:
Arthur, -- King -- Juvenile fiction.
Arthur, -- King.
Muppets (Fictitious characters) -- Juvenile fiction.

Background

I love The Muppets. I love everything Muppets. Real quick: Muppet Movie, Muppet Christmas Carol, Muppet Treasure Island, Muppets From Space, The Muppets; all classics. The latest Muppet movie sucked. I saw it, I enjoyed it for what it was... but it was not a classic.

So I was browsing Hoopla again, looking at whatever they had and I saw this Muppet King Arthur graphic novel. I knew that I had to experience the graphic novel series. So I borrowed this from my public library and downloaded the ebook to my phone.

NOTE: The bibliographic info is for the physical edition. I got lazy and didn't locate the e-edition. But don't worry, you can use this info to get it yourself, no problem!

Review

Of course, our lovable green frog friend is the protagonist of this story. Arthur is propelled onto the throne when, as a squire tasked with fetching a sword for Sam of Eagle, the lady of the lake directs him to Excalibur. Arthur the Frog pulls the sword from the stone and is destined to rule all of England.

Sam of Eagle is the main antagonist who is determined to follow the American Democratic process rather than some mystic monarchy. So Arthur is aided by Merlin to assemble his knights by hosting a talent show. They proceed to battle Sam of Eagle, go on a quest and bring civility to England.

As a big fan of the franchise, my expectations might have been too high. I felt that the jokes got a little annoying. I know, the jokes are corny and they are supposed to be corny. But it just felt a little more forced than farce and that is an easy pitfall for this kind of humor.

It was an entertaining read for an afternoon or two, but it's not exactly a "must-add" to my library.

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1776 #bookreview

Bibliographic Info

From WorldCat
Title: 1776
Author: David G McCullough; Recorded Books, LLC.
Publisher: Prince Frederick, Md. : Recorded Books ; [Prince Frederick, Md.] : [Distributed by] OneClick Digital, 2011, ℗2005.
Edition/Format: eAudiobook : English : Unabridged
Material Type: Audio book, etc., Sound recording, Internet resource
Document Type: Internet Resource, Computer File, Sound Recording
All Authors / Contributors: David G McCullough; Recorded Books, LLC.
ISBN: 9781449869854 1449869858
OCLC Number: 867115097
Performer(s): Narrated by the author.
Subjects: United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783.

Background

Honestly, who hasn't read 1776 by David McCullough? More than that, who hasn't read something by the great biographer? You know, he also wrote about John Adams and The American Spirit... Well, me; sadly, shockingly even! (Although I did watch the John Adams miniseries with Paul Giamatti on Amazon Prime. It is excellent and I heartily recommend it.) This has been on my reading list for far too long and as I browsed my public library's Hoopla offerings, I saw 1776 and decided to check it out and give it a listen.

As Liaison to the History department, I feel I should at least be familiar with the accessible popular biographies of authors like Chernow & McCullough, even if they are somewhat looked down on by serious academics. At least they provide a baseline of general knowledge that can be improved. But alas, there's only a limited number of hours in the day.

Review

It took a while for me to get into this audio title. I like to read history books on the page (physical or digital) so I can dwell on the details. I found myself wanting to dig into certain phrases when the narrator, David McCullough himself, kept moving on. That is no fault of the writer, it is a personal preference of the reader. Still, it is something of which to beware.

On the subject of the audiobook. While McCullough absolutely did a marvelous job of researching and writing, I did not particularly like his reading of the text. It also threw me when some random lady read random chapters. I assume this is because McCullough read the book initially, and then for the unabridged portions someone else took over. Her voice wasn't bad, it was just a jarring transition at times.

1776 covers the first year of the American Revolution (duh, it's in the title). David McCullough includes details from the highest ranks to the lowest. Eventually, though, he focuses more on General Washingon's tactical decisions which allow the Americans to survive that first year of the war when their cause could have been squashed if the British had made different decisions.

I heartily endorse this book for anyone interested in Early American History. It is eminently accessible and audiobooks are a really convenient medium.

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Star Wars: Verily, A New Hope #bookreview

Bibliographic Info 

From WorldCat
Title:  William Shakespeare's Star Wars: verily, a new hope.
Author:  Ian Doescher; Daniel Davis; Jonathan Davis, (Narrator); January LaVoy; Marc Thompson;
Publisher:  New York : Books on Tape, 2013.
Edition/Format:  Audiobook : Fiction : English
Genre/Form:  Adaptations, Parodies, imitations, etc
Material Type:  Fiction, Audio book, etc.
Document Type:  Sound Recording
ISBN:  9780804191807 0804191808
OCLC Number:  869549899
Duration: 3 hr., 29 min.
Performer(s): Read by Daniel Davis, Jonathan Davis, January LaVoy and Marc Thompson.
Subjects:
Shakespeare, William, -- 1564-1616 -- Parodies, imitations, etc.
Star wars (Motion picture) -- Adaptations.
Star Wars fiction.

Background

Being a good librarian who's always looking to improve, I attended the American Library Association's (ALA) Annual conference last summer (2017) in Chicago. It was an absolute blast! It was also my first ALA Annual since I didn't exactly have the means to attend before this past summer. While I heard my colleagues tell stories of the grand buffet of books to be consumed, I really was not ready for it.

Some of these stories include an instance when a colleague packed boxes for the books they intended to pick up at the conference. These boxes were not going to fly back with her, they were headed back to Miami via the UPS store. Now that's what I call planning for a conference.

Opening night at the exhibition hall is like turning children loose in a candy store or turning teenagers loose at a Cici's pizza. Free books for librarians, uh-YES! As luck would have it, I saw this set of William Shakespeare's Star Wars audiobooks as I was about to plunge into the children's section. I probably tripped a few fellow bibliophiles and momentarily lost a colleague, but I scored this impressive tome.

It was not until later on that I inspected the cover at my hostel. (Yes, I stayed in a hostel in Chicago for 5 days this past summer.) This was not just a single title, but a trilogy--the original (IV, V & VI) Trilogy at that! What a score! Three titles in one relatively compact case. I knew this would be awesome!

Review

If the first thing that popped into your mind was, Wow! The Star Wars saga set to glorious iambic pentameter, sweet! You will NOT be disappointed by this audiobook. Ian Doescher marvelously converts the movie script into about 3,000 lines of Shakespearian verse and language, the chorus, fie and anon included.

Verily, a new hope is presented on five discs, representing the 5 acts of the play, naturally. Doescher also claims that Shakespeare and George Lucas are connected by Joseph Campbell. Lucas claims that he rewrote the Star Wars screenplay to align with Campbell's The Hero With A Thousand Faces, making Star Wars one of the first motion pictures to do so explicitly. Many of Campbell's archetypes ( a term actually coined by Carl Jung when he wrote about the Collective Unconscious) are clear in Shakespeare's plays. Well, more accurately, these archetypes are seen in most good literature from all over.

So there you have it! Shakespeare leads to Campbell then leads to Star Wars. Sort of... It's fun anyways!

It is fun to change the format of a beloved work and see to what kinds of interpretations it leads. When a film is represented as a novel, details must be added. When the format changes to a graphic novel, image stills take the lead. It is fascinating to observe the details required to transpose the movie into a play. But when you think about it, a screenplay is very similar to a play. So what we are reading (or hearing) is the script itself.

There are a few interpretive licenses taken with character development. I felt that Leia took on a bit of a flattened role. C3PO received a bit of an insult to his intelligence. And R2D2 received more credit for its role in orchestrating the entire saga.

Notwithstanding, this is an excellent piece to add to any Star Wars fanatic's library; particularly a literary fan. I can't wait to listen to The Empire Striketh Back and The Jedi Doth Return.

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Bossypants - Book Review

Book:  Bossypants

Author:  Tina Fey

This title is intriguing. At least, it drew me in. I am a fan of SNL and 30 Rock. Tina Fey played a large role in both. So why not?

Further, my previous boss teased me about this book without mercy. I remembered seeing someone whose look reminded me of Tina. (It's the classic librarian look, she says so in the book.) At the time, there was a huge display featuring Bossypants in Barnes & Noble. We got coffee every morning. So, of course, I got teased every morning.

So here's to my former boss. Thanks.

The Book

The prose was not great, so I'd have to give it 2.5 stars on my scale to 5. Right smack dab in the middle. A few grains of salt: I listened to the audiobook and did not read the traditional medium.

Yet, I don't think the format hurt my experience. In fact, I feel like it may have enhanced it. Tina writes in a conversational style. Though I assume editors made modifications to account for the medium. One liners. Jokes. Anecdotes. These all lend themselves to auditory medium.

Further, Tina Fey lent her voice talents to the production of this audiobook edition. Since the author was also the reader, the listener reaps the following benefits:

1. Timing was impeccable. Granted, this could have been due to editing/work in the studio. Listening to certain chapters of this book sometimes felt like watching an SNL skit.
2. Hearing the text read as the author would have it read. Again, directors could have changed the text for greater appeal. Please, leave me the pleasure of imagining that this is how she wanted it read.
3. Listening to it in the author's voice. I might have done this anyways (in my head), but it's actually reinforced. This is an autobiography after all!

The Review

It is always interesting to learn about the people, places and events that shaped the lives of public figures. Tina Fey describes er breakthrough experiences in Bossypants.

Being a man, sections of several chapters described things to which I cannot relate. I feel that I could react to these moments in one of two ways:

1. I could dismiss them and consider the book disappointing.
2. I could learn to empathize with and gain respect for women in society.

Either way, I did not have the option to simply laugh or read for pleasure. Gender colored some of the jokes. Perhaps a late 20-year-old, professional man was not the target audience of this book.

Chapters of note were those dealing with Tina Fey's early experiences with Christianity, the cult following 30 Rock garnered, SNL (and Tina's relationship with Sarah Palin) and the description of Mr. Fey.

My favorite chapter was the last one described. Yes, the SNL/30 Rock chapters were fun and amusing. But the chapter on Tina Fey's dad was poignant and rich. Maybe I'm just being sentimental because I am a new father to two young girls. But it was nice to hear of the love shared between a daughter and her father--even with an imperfect relationship.

Bossypants was an easy listen. I suggest you pick it up and give it a try.

Book Review: The Sorcerer's Stone

The Book

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J. K. Rowling

I nabbed this title on audiobook from overdrive. Score! I have, admittedly already seen the movies. But I wanted to experience the book as written by J. K. Rowling, even if by listening to the audiobook it technically means I still have not read the novel. Shocker I've never read a single Harry Potter book. Shame on me, I know. But now I have read it. And here is my review.

Side Note: In my Children's Literature class, I had to read a bunch of books and write reviews (which I published on this blog because, well, why not?). Students were allowed to read and review the Harry Potter books, but the professor discouraged it, alleging that the chances were slim that we have not been influenced one way or another regarding the text. She made a great point, as this book has been hotly debated as long as I can remember.

The Review

Technically speaking, this was not the most poetic or ingenious piece of writing. Honestly, it was formulaic. However, the formula works for the genre and drives the action along nicely. I found myself enjoying the flow of the story. It was masterfully told and really lends itself to the spoken word.

The story is about a young wizard (Harry Potter), an orphan raised by non-magical people (muggles). Once he becomes of age, he receives an invitation to wizarding school at Hogwarts. As one can imagine, this comes as a shock to the lad. The pressure on Harry escalates as he realizes that he is already a famous wizard who has somehow defeated a powerful wizard (Voldemort) as an infant.

Harry Potter balances friendships, enemies, schoolwork, sports, and evil wizards during his first year at Hogwarts.

The Conclusion

This is an entertaining book and the beginning of a long series of adventures. I recommend this adventure classic (yes, it's a modern classic) to fans of adventure/fantasy books. The movies are pretty good, too.

Book Review - The 4-Hour Workweek

The Book

The 4-Hour Workweek
Timothy Ferriss

I was introduced to this book by my colleagues at Florida International University. They were raving about his other book, The 4-Hour Chef, so I decided to look him up. Of course, I did not buy the book. Instead, I borrowed this book from my local library for free. Go libraries! Yay, free!

Technical Merit

As mentioned, I borrowed this book from the library. What I did not mention was the fact that I borrowed an audio-book. As such, I did not get a good feel for the layout of the book. Nor did I really get a chance to analyze the writer's technical merit. What I can say if that it made for a good audio-book which leads me to say that Timothy writes using a very smooth, colloquial approach. The 4-Hour Workweek was not written for pleasure reading, the author is trying to convey a message in the most efficient way possible.

Since the author is trying to be efficient, he uses a sort of template in his writing. He begins with the goal: working less and playing more. Then he describes a method for doing so, like working more productively from home than you do at the office. Then he will show you how to initiate the process of getting to that goal. Finally, he gives homework—like go to the flea market and haggle three vendors down to half their asking price. Finally, he wraps up his chapter with a list of pertinent materials for further research.

I imagine this book (in written form) could be used as a reference book of sorts. Each chapter can stand alone and be re-read when facing certain challenges. Timothy would seem to endorse this approach. He is not enthusiastic of the gathered information for information's sake approach to life and prefers a gather information pertinent to an immediate decision model instead.

In all, I give this book four stars for technical merit. It seems to achieve the purpose it was designed for extremely well. I was able to finish it in two days (without completing the homework).

The Review

This book seeks to help the entrepreneur to establish themselves in what Timothy Ferriss describes as the "New Rich." The New Rich (NR) is a group of individuals that seek to enjoy the things that are typically reserved for the traditional rich while not necessarily having the capital that goes along with it. He argues that by working efficiently, one can complete the typical 40-hour workweek in a fraction of the time. Therefore, they will earn more on a per-hour basis while still having the free-time to enjoy things like extensive travel and fine dining. The NR will also have the time to open new businesses that add to their revenue streams, increasing their ability to live.

The key is that the NR is not waiting to retire in order to enjoy life. The NR works hard and plays hard now. By working efficiently and cutting out superfluous things that gobble up time and capital, the NR can enjoy their preferred lifestyle while they are still young and spry.

This book goes into detail on several topics which include:

• How to get your boss to agree to let you work from home.
• How to train your colleagues to stop slowing you down.
• How to plan for extensive travel.
• What to look for in a virtual assistant.
• How to become an expert at something.

Personally, I find his ideas on information interesting. Ferriss clearly believes that there is way too much information at our fingertips. In fact, he recommends absolutely no reading except when the information has a clear application in the short-term future. This rule only applies to non-fiction, pleasure reading is always ok. Ferriss even recommends zero news consumption under the premise that if something catastrophic happens that you need to know, someone is going to tell you about it.

Conclusion

This is an interesting read. I doubt that the tactics described in The 4-Hour Workweek are applicable on a widespread level, but some of his points are key to personal development and can be implemented for success within one's organization. For instance, Ferriss makes a lot of the 80-20 principle and applies it to every situation, both professional and personal. This could easily be applied in any situation. He also refers to Tom Rath's Strengthsfinder when noting that we sometimes spend too much energy improving weaknesses when we should be highlighting strengths.

I recommend this book for the ambitious who are able to take the principles and recommendations of this book and find creative ways to apply them in their lives.

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Get Boring... For Free!

Free Stuff

A short while ago I was asked to read, review and give away a copy of Boring: Finding an extraordinary God in an ordinary life by Michael Kelley. I finally finished it and scheduled a review post for tomorrow on my other blog: We Talk of Holy Things. But I couldn't wait to get the giveaway party started!

So here's the deal

I want you to do all the things this Rafflecopter thing tells you to do and then you'll get entries into this sweepstakes. Make sure you tell your friends about it so you can get some competition and I get exposure for my blog. Keep coming back to Holy Things throughout the week for more entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review - The Lightning Thief

** I just completed a Young Adult literature course and have read and reviewed several materials using a new format. This review follows a template given to me by my professor.**

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Name: Christopher M. Jimenez	Media Format: Book (ebook)
Title: The Lightning Thief	Genre: Supernatural, Adventure
Author: Rick Riordan	Selection Source: YALSA Best Books for Young Adults, 2006
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion	Recommended Audience Age: 10 - 14
-	Reading Recommendation: 5
-	Curriculum Connections: Literature, World History

Review

Percy Jackson thinks he is just a normal student struggling with ADHD and Dyslexia, but his world changes in a flash when he discovers that he is actually a Demi-god who is thrust into a quest to appease a three-way feud between Poseidon (his father), Zeus and Hades. his action-packed adventure sends him across the U.S., down to the depths of Hades, and up into Mount Olympus.

Evaluation

The Percy Jackson series of books is enticing for many YAs and understandably so. YAs are drawn into the adventure and may actually learn something about Greek Mythology and World History in the process. In particular, the spread of Western Civilization is discussed in this novel, giving it a tie-in to school curriculum on the subject.

Book (Movie/Material) Review - Smoke Signals

** I just completed a Young Adult literature course and have read and reviewed several materials using a new format. This review follows a template given to me by my professor.**

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Name: Christopher M. Jimenez	Media Format: Video
Title: Smoke Signals	Genre: Ethnic/Multicultural, Realistic Fiction, Humor
Author: Sherman Alexie	Selection Source: N/A (Textbook, pg. 208)
Publisher: Miramax	Recommended Audience Age: 13 - Adult
-	Reading Recommendation: 4
-	Curriculum Connections: History, Civics, Culture, Health

Review

In the vein of other Sherman Alexie works, this movie deals with Native American culture and identity. Young Victor’s family is torn apart by alcohol abuse. He is forced to face his past when he learns of his father’s death and is summoned to collect his father’s ashes. Thomas, a childhood friend offers to pay for the trip under the condition that he be allowed to come along. Thomas helps Victor through the mourning process and helps him connect with his Native American roots.

Evaluation

This is an excellent companion to the Sherman Alexie novels. It illustrates some of the key points that the novels revolve around, like alcoholism, life on the rez, and the significance of long hair. This particular movie also discusses divorce and forgiveness of missing fathers, a potentially psychologically loaded issue for YAs.

Book Review - The Great Fire

** I just completed a Young Adult literature course and have read and reviewed several materials using a new format. This review follows a template given to me by my professor.**

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Name: Christopher M. Jimenez	Media Format: Books (ebooks)
Title: The Great Fire	Genre: History, Information, Tragedy
Author: Jim Murphy	Selection Source: 1995 Newbery Honor
Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks	Recommended Audience Age: 8 - 12
-	Reading Recommendation: 5
-	Curriculum Connections: History, Civics

Review

Jim Murphy pieces together accounts of the tragic events that lead to the great fire which destroyed Chicago in 1871. These accounts are weaved together by a fantastic narrative that remains readable.

Evaluation

This title exposes the gender and economical biases prevalent in the day. Misogynist and anti-poor sentiments can be a lively discussion in the classroom. Further, the city of Chicago learned from their experiences and did a better job building structures and planning for disasters moving forward. It is important to learn from history and try to avoid making the same mistakes.

Book Review - Dream Team

** I just completed a Young Adult literature course and have read and reviewed several materials using a new format. This review follows a template given to me by my professor.**

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Name: Christopher M. Jimenez	Media Format: Book (ebook)
Title: Dream Team: How Michael, Magic, Larry, Charles, and the Greatest Team of All Time Conquered the World and Changed the Game of Basketball Forever	Genre: Sports, Non-fiction, Biography
Author: Jack McCallum	Selection Source: Kirkus Reviews
Publisher: Random House, LLC	Recommended Audience Age: 12 - Adult
-	Reading Recommendation: 4
-	Curriculum Connections: Physical Education, Health, Leisure, History

Review

Jack McCallum is the journalist who was assigned by Sports Illustrated to cover the 1992 Dream Team during their whirlwind tour of the Barcelona Olympics. As a first-hand observer with access to closed practices and personal interviews with the players, Jack tells the riveting story of how the personalities came together and played for the love of the game.

Evaluation

This history reads like the biography of the 1992 Men’s Olympic Basketball team. It talks about the introduction of the NBA to an international game, fierce competitors that love basketball more than their own pride and the controversy swirling around Magic Johnson and his AIDS diagnosis. This book could easily supplement a discussion of the historical significance of the Olympics and its role in world diplomacy.

Book Review - The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

** I just completed a Young Adult literature course and have read and reviewed several materials using a new format. This review follows a template given to me by my professor.**

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Name: Christopher M. Jimenez	Media Format: Book (ebook)
Title: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian	Genre: Memoir, Ethnic, Realistic Fiction, Humor, Sports
Author: Sherman Alexie	Selection Source: 2007 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers	Recommended Audience Age: 12 - Adult
-	Reading Recommendation: 5
-	Curriculum Connections: History, Civics, Culture

Review

When Junior decides to leave the reservation to pursue his high school education, he feels opposition from both the white people at the school and the red people on the rez. He tries to honor his heritage while rejecting stereotypical vices. Along the way, he earns respect from both worlds and sets himself up for a promising future.

Evaluation

This novel serves as a glimpse into a new culture for most YAs. It is important to note the opposition that Junior feels on every front, and how he rises above it. The book is also satirical and illustrates the oppression that Native Americans have endured throughout history.

Book Review - 13 Reasons Why

** I just completed a Young Adult literature course and have read and reviewed several materials using a new format. This review follows a template given to me by my professor.**

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Name: Christopher M. Jimenez	Media Format: Book (ebook)
Title: Thirteen Reasons Why	Genre: Realistic Fiction, Tragedy,
Author: Jay Asher	Selection Source: Booklist
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated	Recommended Audience Age: 12 - Adult
-	Reading Recommendation: 3
-	Curriculum Connections: Health

Review

Instead of writing a suicide note, Hannah Baker makes a series of audio recordings telling her reasons for committing suicide. Her reasons include 13 individuals who must listen to the tapes and pass them on. The reader follows Clay Jensen’s part of the story and learns of the horrible things that Hannah had to endure during her time at school.

Evaluation

This is yet another YA novel that is ripe for discussion. How many YAs deal with obsession over their reputation or identities that are imposed on them? Many people are unhappy with the way they are perceived by others and, for some, this drives them towards suicide. A discussion on healthy alternatives and modes of expression could be beneficial for YAs.