I was Their American Dream by Malaka Gharib

Title: I was Their American Dream

Author: Malaka Gharib

Publisher: Clarkson Potter 2019

Genre: Graphic Novel Memoir

Pages: 160

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Monthly Theme

I Was Their American Dream is at once a coming-of-age story and a reminder of the thousands of immigrants who come to America in search for a better life for themselves and their children. The daughter of parents with unfulfilled dreams themselves, Malaka navigated her childhood chasing her parents' ideals, learning to code-switch between her family's Filipino and Egyptian customs, adapting to white culture to fit in, crushing on skater boys, and trying to understand the tension between holding onto cultural values and trying to be an all-American kid.

Malaka Gharib's triumphant graphic memoir brings to life her teenage antics and illuminates earnest questions about identity and culture, while providing thoughtful insight into the lives of modern immigrants and the generation of millennial children they raised. Malaka's story is a heartfelt tribute to the American immigrants who have invested their future in the promise of the American dream.

I picked this one up on recommendation from the local library. While I was engaged in the story of identity and culture, I couldn’t help but compare it to other books and specifically graphic novel memoirs I have read. I kept being reminded of Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. That volume really gutted me. This one felt a little too comedic to have the impact that I thought it should have. I wanted a bit more gravity to the story than I actually got. Beyond the comparisons, this was a interesting volume, just not quite something I would love.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

Title: The Things We Cannot Say

Author: Kelly Rimmer

Publisher: Graydon House 2019

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 432

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

In 1942, Europe remains in the relentless grip of war. Just beyond the tents of the Russian refugee camp she calls home, a young woman speaks her wedding vows. It’s a decision that will alter her destiny…and it’s a lie that will remain buried until the next century.

Since she was nine years old, Alina Dziak knew she would marry her best friend, Tomasz. Now fifteen and engaged, Alina is unconcerned by reports of Nazi soldiers at the Polish border, believing her neighbors that they pose no real threat, and dreams instead of the day Tomasz returns from college in Warsaw so they can be married. But little by little, injustice by brutal injustice, the Nazi occupation takes hold, and Alina’s tiny rural village, its families, are divided by fear and hate.

Then, as the fabric of their lives is slowly picked apart, Tomasz disappears. Where Alina used to measure time between visits from her beloved, now she measures the spaces between hope and despair, waiting for word from Tomasz and avoiding the attentions of the soldiers who patrol her parents’ farm. But for now, even deafening silence is preferable to grief.

I’ve been really over the various WWII books this year, but this one was our book club selection for February. And I found that I mostly really enjoyed this one. I loved Alina’s story during the war. It was tough to read, but a great perspective on the war. You don’t often get stories centered in Poland during the 1940s. The first person narration felt a lot like Alina telling us her story from old age. I was fascinated by the mystery of Alina’s future. However I know need to go to the bad. I was not a fan of the modern story line. Well, that’s not quite true. I liked the sections where Alice tried to uncover the mystery of her Babcia’s life during the war and in Poland. I was on pins and needles waiting for the reveal of the players and what happened. I was not a fan of Alice’s voice throughout the modern sections. The voice was very whiny and informal. I thought I was reading a blog post instead of a published novel. The voice was grating. If I could have ignored the voice, I would have given the book 5 stars.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

Title: Brown Girl Dreaming

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books 2014

Genre: Middle Grade

Pages: 368

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Monthly Theme - February

Raised in South Carolina and New York, Woodson always felt halfway home in each place. In vivid poems, she shares what it was like to grow up as an African American in the 1960s and 1970s, living with the remnants of Jim Crow and her growing awareness of the Civil Rights movement. Touching and powerful, each poem is both accessible and emotionally charged, each line a glimpse into a child’s soul as she searches for her place in the world. Woodson’s eloquent poetry also reflects the joy of finding her voice through writing stories, despite the fact that she struggled with reading as a child. Her love of stories inspired her and stayed with her, creating the first sparks of the gifted writer she was to become.

I’ve seen this book on so many Best Of lists and it won so many awards. it’s been on my To Read list for years and I finally got around to reading this one. I’m not usually one for books in verse, but this one really struck me. I loved turning every page to find out more about Woodson’s life. I loved the little snippets of memories and stories. I loved the imagery she evokes on every page. The constant callbacks to her family and ancestors were beautiful. This was such a great book. I would love to see this on required reading lists for middle schoolers. Perfect age to dive in to discussions.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Drive-Thru Dreams by Adam Chandler

Title: Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America’s Fast-Food Kingdom

Author: Adam Chandler

Publisher: Flatiron Books 2019

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 274

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

Most any honest person can own up to harboring at least one fast-food guilty pleasure. In Drive-Thru Dreams, Adam Chandler explores the inseparable link between fast food and American life for the past century. The dark underbelly of the industry’s largest players has long been scrutinized and gutted, characterized as impersonal, greedy, corporate, and worse. But, in unexpected ways, fast food is also deeply personal and emblematic of a larger than life image of America.

With wit and nuance, Chandler reveals the complexities of this industry through heartfelt anecdotes and fascinating trivia as well as interviews with fans, executives, and workers. He traces the industry from its roots in Wichita, where White Castle became the first fast food chain in 1921 and successfully branded the hamburger as the official all-American meal, to a teenager's 2017 plea for a year’s supply of Wendy’s chicken nuggets, which united the internet to generate the most viral tweet of all time.

Random new books shelf from the library pick and I was pleasantly surprised. Every chapter details the rise of one of the well-known fast food places. We get a bit of interesting history as well as a commentary on our current world. I much preferred the history bits, but understand why the rest was included. I cam out of the book with a ton of new random facts. A pretty enjoyable book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas

Title: The Art of Theft (Lady Sherlock #4)

Author: Sherry Thomas

Publisher: Berkley 2019

Genre: Mystery

Pages: 304

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

As "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes has solved murders and found missing individuals. But she has never stolen a priceless artwork—or rather, made away with the secrets hidden behind a much-coveted canvas.

But Mrs. Watson is desperate to help her old friend recover those secrets and Charlotte finds herself involved in a fever-paced scheme to infiltrate a glamorous Yuletide ball where the painting is one handshake away from being sold and the secrets a bare breath from exposure.

Her dear friend Lord Ingram, her sister Livia, Livia's admirer Stephen Marbleton—everyone pitches in to help and everyone has a grand time. But nothing about this adventure is what it seems and disaster is biding time on the grounds of a glittering French chateau, waiting only for Charlotte to make a single mistake...

Another amazingly inventive Lady Sherlock book. I love Charlotte so much, but was glad that this book featured all the other beloved characters. Olivia has really grown on me throughout the books. I loved that the setting of this volume moved out of England and into Paris. A change of scenery is often jus the thing for a series. And oh my, the twists and turns of this one were great. After all the revelations, I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Lady Sherlock

• #1 A Study in Scarlet Women

• #2 A Conspiracy in Belgravia

• #3 The Hollow of Fear

• #4 The Art of Theft

Next up on the TBR pile:

Wolfpack by Abby Wambach

Title: Wolfpack: How to Come Together, Unleash Our Power, and Change the Game

Author: Abby Wambach

Publisher: Celadon Books 2019

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 112

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

Based on her inspiring, viral 2018 commencement speech to Barnard College’s graduates in New York City, New York Times bestselling author, two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA World Cup champion Abby Wambach delivers her empowering rally cry for women to unleash their individual power, unite with their pack, and emerge victorious together.

I pulled this book on the recommendation from the Omaha Public Library. It’s a slim volume full of great advice. I really liked Wambach’s positive outlook on life filled with strength. It only took me a few minutes to read, but it was a lovely experience.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Packing for Mars by Mary Roach

Title: Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void

Author: Mary Roach

Publisher: W.W. Norton 2010

Genre: Nonfiction - Science

Pages: 334

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

The best-selling author of Stiff and Bonk explores the irresistibly strange universe of space travel and life without gravity. From the Space Shuttle training toilet to a crash test of NASA’s new space capsule, Mary Roach takes us on the surreally entertaining trip into the science of life in space and space on Earth.

How have I never actually read this one? I love Mary Roach’s books and her wit. This is a great collection of topics relating to our desire to conquer space. I especially loved the chapters detailing the early attempts to get to the moon. Roach writes with such wit while conveying tons of factual content. I really enjoyed this book a lot. I don’t think it’s quite as good as Spook but it may be my second favorite of her books.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren

Title: Twice in a Blue Moon

Author: Christina Lauren

Publisher: Gallery Books 2019

Genre: Romance

Pages: 366

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

Sam Brandis was Tate Jones’s first: Her first love. Her first everything. Including her first heartbreak.

During a whirlwind two-week vacation abroad, Sam and Tate fell for each other in only the way that first loves do: sharing all of their hopes, dreams, and deepest secrets along the way. Sam was the first, and only, person that Tate—the long-lost daughter of one of the world’s biggest film stars—ever revealed her identity to. So when it became clear her trust was misplaced, her world shattered for good.

Fourteen years later, Tate, now an up-and-coming actress, only thinks about her first love every once in a blue moon. When she steps onto the set of her first big break, he’s the last person she expects to see. Yet here Sam is, the same charming, confident man she knew, but even more alluring than she remembered. Forced to confront the man who betrayed her, Tate must ask herself if it’s possible to do the wrong thing for the right reason… and whether “once in a lifetime” can come around twice.

I was so incredibly excited for this book after reading and loving The Unhoneymooners last year. And this one just fell completely flat for me. I wasn’t a fan of the pacing of the novel. Splitting the book in half slowed the entire story. I wanted less of Tate and Sam in London and much much more of them as adults. Related to pacing, I was not a fan of the inclusion of parts of the screen play. It really dragged me down. Beyond the pacing, I wasn’t a fan of Tate as a character. She didn’t seem to flushed out enough to be a main character. I couldn’t get beyond it. Overall I just did not enjoy this book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Daybreak by Brian Ralph

Title: Daybreak

Author: Brian Ralph

Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly 2013

Genre: Comics

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

You wake up in the rubble and see a ragged, desperate one-armed man greeting you. He takes you underground to a safe space, feeds you, offers you a place to sleep, and then announces that he'll take the first watch. It's not long before the peril of the jagged landscape has located you and your newfound protector and is scratching at the door.

What transpires is a moment-to-moment struggle for survival―The Road meets Dawn of the Dead. Daybreak is seen through the eyes of a silent observer as he follows his protector and runs from the shadows of the imminent zombie threat. Brian Ralph slowly builds the tension of the zombies on the periphery, letting the threat―rather than the actual carnage―be the driving force. The postapocalyptic backdrop features tangles of rocks, lumber, I-beams, and overturned cars that are characters in and of themselves.

We watched the television series last month and I had to pick up the original material. I sped through this slim graphic novel in record time. I was fascinated by the story and couldn’t wait to see what happened to our unseen narrator and the few we meet along the way. The last page was harrowing! I loved every single cell in this book. So good.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Scholar by Dervla McTiernan

Title: The Scholar (Cormac Reilly #2)

Author: Dervla McTiernan

Publisher: Penguin Books 2019

Genre: Crime Thriller

Pages: 384

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

When Dr. Emma Sweeney stumbles across the victim of a hit-and-run outside Galway University early one morning, she calls her boyfriend, Detective Cormac Reilly, bringing him first to the scene of a murder that would otherwise never have been assigned to him. The dead girl is carrying an ID that will put this crime at the center of a scandal--her card identifies her as Carline Darcy, heir apparent to Darcy Therapeutics, Ireland's most successful pharmaceutical company. Darcy Therapeutics has a finger in every pie, from sponsoring university research facilities to funding political parties to philanthropy--it has even funded Emma's own ground-breaking research.

As the murder investigation twists in unexpected ways and Cormac's running of the case comes under scrutiny from the department and his colleagues, he is forced to question himself and the beliefs that he has long held as truths. Who really is Emma? And who is Carline Darcy?

The Girly Book Club selection for January. I had to read the first book in the series as I am a completionist, but it’s not necessary to understand this volume. I really liked this story of murder and corporate intrigue. I loved following the murder mystery and DS Reilly. This is not my usual type of book, but I did enjoy it. I wasn’t a huge fan of the background storyline of Emma and her involvement in the case. It seemed a bit much and I could have done without that storyline piece. I’m pretty sure that I’ll read the third book in the series when it releases.

Cormac Reilly

• #1 The Ruin

• #2 The Scholar

• #3 The Good Turn

Next up on the TBR pile:

Coffee Talk by Morton Satin

Title: Coffee Talk: The Stimulating Story of the World’s Most Popular Brew

Author: Morton Satin

Publisher: Prometheus Books 2011

Genre: Nonfiction

Pages: 368

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library Love; Nonfiction Bingo

This entertaining yet comprehensive book describes how, in recent times, coffee has become the magnet that draws people together for spirited interchanges of information and ideas. In the intellectual capitals of the world, coffeehouses have been and continue to be the venues where the great minds flock to discuss the latest developments in the arts, sciences, and social philosophies. The author also traces the rich and intriguing history of coffee and even goes on to reveal the best techniques for home brewing. Moreover, he enlivens his narrative with stories of the fine art of the barista, which includes the World Barista Championship where rival barmen from around the globe display the highest artistry of coffee brewing. Lavishly illustrated, this delightful and informative book is the perfect complement for your next coffee break.

I had high hopes for this book. I had heard good things. Unfortunately the chapters in this book were a mixed bag. I loved learning about the history of coffee and the science behind the plant. My favorite part was following coffee around the world. A wonderful history. And then the chapters start to go down hill. There’s interesting content, but I didn’t particularly need an entire glossary of terms or a chapter detailing different ways to brew coffee. I start skimming the second half of the book until I got to the end. Oh well.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dorothy Must Die Stories Vol. 1 by Danielle Paige

Title: Dorothy Must DieStories Vol. 1 (Dorothy Must Die #0.1-0.3)

Author: Danielle Page

Publisher: Full Fathom Five 2015

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 377

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fairytale Retellings; New to Me

These three prequel novellas to the New York Times bestselling Dorothy Must Die series follow the iconic characters from the beloved classic The Wizard of Oz as their lives intertwine to bring about the downfall of Oz. Dorothy begins a journey down a darker path. Glinda the Good Witch may not be so Good. And the Wizard realizes that Oz is his destiny. Kiss the land where troubles melt like lemon drops goodbye. Here there's danger around every corner and magical shoes won't be able to save you.

"No Place Like Oz" -- Oh so good! I loved this story detailing how Dorothy came back to Oz and became the Dorothy we know in Dorothy Must Die. I loved the reappearance of so many characters. And the explanation of the switch from silver slippers to ruby slippers is perfect.

"The Witch Must Burn" -- My least favorite of the three stories. Glinda is such an odd character. Even evil I'm not a fan of her at all. The story felt a bit convoluted and I just couldn't get behind it. 

"The Wizard Returns" -- Much better than Glinda's story. I loved seeing the Wizard change from the Wizard we knew to a man without his memory to something different and a bit unknown. Can't wait to see what happens in the rest of the series.

Dorothy Must Die

• #0.1 No Place Like Oz
• #0.2 The Witch Must Burn
• #0.3 The Wizard Returns
• #0.4 Heart of Tin
• #0.5 The Straw King
• #0.6 Ruler of Beasts
• #0.7 Order of the Wicked
• #0.8 Dark Side of the Rainbow
• #0.9 The Queen of Oz
• #1 Dorothy Must Die
• #2 The Wicked Will Rise
• #3 Yellow Brick War
• #4 The End of Oz

Next up on the TBR pile:

2017 Library Love Reading Challenge

From Bea's Book Nook:

If you love to read and/or listen to books then you also love to buy every book you want to read. And, well, that puts a hurt on your wallet. Checking books (print, ebook, or audios) out from the library can save you LOTS of money and in most places getting a library card is FREE.

Details:

1. Runs: January 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017. You can join any time.
2. Put a sign up post on your blog or (dedicate a Goodreads shelf or LibraryThing) and link it below. Make sure it’s public.
3. The goal is to read at least twelve (12) books from the library, but you can read more. While twelve is the minimum, there is no maximum limit. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you.
4. Any format will work for this challenge (print, ebook, or audio); as long as you checked it out from the library, it counts.
5. Books can be any genre (fiction, nonfiction, romance, fantasy, mystery, thriller, horror, etc.).
6. Crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed, including re-reads. The goal is to support your local library and save money.
7. Write a review - 2 sentences or an essay, whatever works for you, but there is a minimum of 2 sentences. Not sure what to write? How about something like, "The plot was a delight, but the characters didn’t capture me."

Levels:

• Dewey Decimal: read 12 books
• Thrifty Reader: read 24 books
• Overdrive Junkie: read 36 books
• Library Card on Fire: read 50+ books

As an added bonus: We are offering up a GIVEAWAY with this Challenge. Winner will be picked at the end of the year!! The entries are the direct links to your book reviews and you will have until Jan. 2nd, 2018 to enter your reviews in the Rafflecopter.

What you could win: Winner gets their choice of 2 books (shipped from Book Depository) or ebooks (nook or kindle) up to $12 each. (Open INT)

Join the Goodreads Group Library Love Challenge, where we talk, share, and discuss the books we snagged/read during the 2017 Library Love Challenge - Click Here

To join this challenge, grab the 2017 Library Love Challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post (or to Angela's at Angel's Guilty Pleasures) so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you can track your progress on Goodreads/LibraryThing (as long as you have a dedicated shelf someplace).

I'm going for the Thrifty Reader level of 24 books. I always find something at the library to read.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Title: Ready Player One

Author: Ernest Cline

Publisher: Random House 2011

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 374

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Popsugar - NYT Bestseller; 52 Books - W17

In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape.

Holy cow! I am blown away by this book. Everyone I know needs to read it so we can discuss further... I was immediately sucked into the world of OASIS and Wade's life in and out of OASIS. Cline created such a detailed world that I can see everything perfectly in my mind. The characters are all very realistic. But the best part of the book is all the 80s references... I am in awe of how many references are included in this slim novel! I can't wait to have the twins and J read the book so we can discuss further.

The Lost by Sarah Beth Durst

Title: The Lost (The Lost #1)

Author: Sarah Beth Durst

Publisher: Harlequin 2014

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 350

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Popsugar - First book you see in a bookstore (library); Women Authors

It was only meant to be a brief detour. But then Lauren finds herself trapped in a town called Lost on the edge of a desert, filled with things abandoned, broken and thrown away. And when she tries to escape, impassible dust storms and something unexplainable lead her back to Lost again and again. The residents she meets there tell her she's going to have to figure out just what she's missing—and what she's running from—before she can leave. So now Lauren's on a new search for a purpose and a destiny. And maybe, just maybe, she'll be found….

Against the backdrop of this desolate and mystical town, Sarah Beth Durst writes an arresting, fantastical novel of one woman's impossible journey…and her quest to find her fate.

This was the first book I saw at the library last week and something about the cover drew me in. I picked it up without really thinking yesterday and somehow finished this book in a day and a half. I was immediately pulled into Lauren's story. More than anything I was fascinated by Lost. The place becomes a character itself. I loved the visual details especially elements like the ocean and the train. Overall, I sped through the book on the edge of my seat waiting to see if Lauren would be able to figure out what she lost and the conclusion of her relationships with Peter and Claire. I loved this book until the very last page. The volume leaves the reader on a huge cliffhanger. I did some digging into the series, but it seems like the rest of the books aren't being released anytime soon. Oh well... Leaving off that last page, I loved the book.

The Lost

• #1 The Lost
• #2 The Missing
• #3 The Found

Comics Review Round-up

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 6 Girl on Girl

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2005

Genre: Comics

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Seriously Series

Accompanied by his mischievous monkey and the mysterious Agent 355, Yorick embarks on a transcontinental journey to find his girlfriend and discover why he is the last man on Earth. This volume finds Yorick, Agent 355 and Dr. Mann traveling across the Pacific to Japan in pursuit of Yorick's stolen monkey Ampersand, whose innards may hold the key to mankind's future.

Hmmm.... Not the bestest volume of the series. The story seemed a bit stuck in this volume, but I still did enjoy it. Can't wait to see what happens next.

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 7 Paper Dolls 

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra 

Publisher: Vertigo 2006 

Genre: Comics 

Pages: 144 

Rating: 5/5 stars 

Reading Challenges: Library; Seriously Series

In addition to catching up on the adventures of Yorick's monkey Ampersand (whose body holds the key to stopping the male-killing plague) and telling the origin of Agent 355, PAPER DOLLS chronicles Yorick and 355's search for Yorick's fiancée Beth in Australia—a search that yields a large dose of unwanted publicity for the Last Man, and deadly consequences for those he cares for!

Much better issues. Oh my! The stakes have been upped yet again. And lots of new mysteries have been alluded to. Plus we get some storyline from Beth. I've been wondering what happened to her. I am super excited to read the next volume.

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 8 Kimono Dragons

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2006

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: What's in a name - Animal; Seriously Series

KIMONO DRAGONS brings the hunt for Ampersand—the monkey who could unlock the mystery of the male-killing plague— to its explosive climax, as the last man on Earth and his companions finally reach Japan and discover the truth behind Ampersand's abduction.

Wow! A volume full of revelations. We finally get to meet Allison's mother and learn more about the players in this large chess game. I am speeding through these volumes to see where the story ends.

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 9 Motherland

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2007

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 52 Books - W14; Seriously Series

Featured in THE NEW YORK TIMES and on NPR, Y: THE LAST MAN is the gripping saga of Yorick Brown, an unemployed and unmotivated slacker who discovers he is the only male left in the world after a plague of unknown origin instantly kills every mammal with a Y chromosome. Accompanied by his mischievous monkey, Ampersand, and the mysterious Agent 355, Yorick embarks on a transcontinental journey to find his long-lost girlfriend and discover why he is the last man on earth.

This volume of the critically acclaimed series features Yorick and Agent 355 preparing for their ultimate quest to reunite the last man with his lost love, while the person, people or thing behind the disaster that wiped out half of humanity is revealed!

The series is starting to wrap up. We got some great closure on a few storylines. And we seem to be nearing some type of conclusion. We end the volume as we started the series, with Yorrick and 355 attempting to find Beth... We'll see if they can find her.

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 10 Whys and Wherefoes 

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra 

Publisher: Vertigo 2008 

Genre: Comics 

Pages: 168 

Rating: 4/5 stars 

Reading Challenges: Dewey Decimal - 700s; Seriously Series

Featured in THE NEW YORK TIMES and on NPR, Y: THE LAST MAN is the gripping saga of Yorick Brown, an unemployed and unmotivated slacker who discovers he is the only male left in the world after a plague of unknown origin instantly kills every mammal with a Y chromosome. Accompanied by his mischievous monkey, Ampersand, and the mysterious Agent 355, Yorick embarks on a transcontinental journey to find his long-lost girlfriend and discover why he is the last man on earth.

Yorick Brown's long journey through an Earth populated only by women comes to a dramatic, unexpected conclusion in this final volume.

What an ending... I was totally with it until the last issue. I loved finding out epilogues for all the characters, but the structure of the stories was a bit confusing. I had to keep reminding myself what time each story was set in. But I still would say that I loved the series. Very exciting read! Now I can't wait to read Vaughan's newest comic series: Saga.

Y: The Last Man

• Vol. 1 Unmanned
• Vol. 2 Cycles
• Vol. 3 One Small Step
• Vol. 4 Safeword
• Vol. 5 Ring of Truth
• Vol. 6 Girl on Girl
• Vol. 7 Paper Dolls
• Vol. 8 Kimono Dragons
• Vol. 9 Motherland
• Vol. 10 Whys and Wherefoes

Y: The Last Man Vol. 4 Safeword and Vol. 5 Ring of Truth

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 4 Safeword and Vol 5 Ring of Truth

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2004 and 2005

Genre: Comics

Pages: 144 +192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Seriously Series

Yorick Brown, the last man on Earth, finally makes it to San Francisco where his unbalanced sister, Hero, finds him seemingly succumbing to the male-killing plague after losing his still-unused engagement ring to the burqa-clad agents of the Setauket Ring. But is the ring really the key to his survival? And what does it have to do with the mysterious Amulet of Helene, which the Setauket leader is determined to take from Agent 355 by any means necessary. Collects issues #24-31 of the runaway hit Vertigo series by Brian K. Vaughan (EX-MACHINA, ASTONISHING X-MEN, RUNAWAYS) and Pia Guerra.

After a devastating plague, Yorrick Brown is the last man left alive in a world of women. On the run from Amazon extremists who would be happy to see him dead, his friends leave him in the care of Agent 711. But 711 is not the tragic woman she seems to be and Yorrick is propelled into a drug-fuelled nightmare of blood and sadism. Collects issues #18-23 of the runaway hit Vertigo series by Brian K. Vaughan (EX-MACHINA, RUNAWAYS) and Pia Guerra.

Wow! Safeword was a powerful volume. I was blown away by the revelations in these issues. I didn't see those coming and can't wait to see what happens next... But Ring of Truth was just an all around great volume. We got more insight into Agent 355. Plus Yorrick went through a few new trials that strengthened his drive to survive. I ams o hooked on this series.

Y: The Last Man

• Vol. 1 Unmanned
• Vol. 2 Cycles
• Vol. 3 One Small Step
• Vol. 4 Safeword
• Vol. 5 Ring of Truth
• Vol. 6 Girl on Girl
• Vol. 7 Paper Dolls
• Vol. 8 Kimono Dragons
• Vol. 9 Motherland
• Vol. 10 Whys and Wherefoes

Y: The Last Man Vol. 2 Cycles and Vol. 3 One Small Step

Title: Y: The Last Man Vol. 2 Cycles and Vol. 3 One Small Step

Author: Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra

Publisher: Vertigo 2003 and 2004

Genre: Comics

Pages: 128 + 168

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Seriously Series

As Yorick Brown, the last man on Earth, begins to make his way across the country to California, he and his companions are forced to make an unscheduled stop in Marrisville, Ohio—a small town with a big secret. Collects issues #6-10 of the runaway hit Vertigo series by Brian K. Vaughan (EX-MACHINA, RUNAWAYS) and Pia Guerra.

The adventures of Yorick Brown continue in Y: THE LAST MAN: ONE SMALL STEP, collecting issues #11-17 of the critically acclaimed series. A Russian Soyuz capsule is coming down from the International Space Station carrying three passengers: one woman and two men. Could this be the end of Yorick's tenure as last living male?

Loving the twist in volume two. The little town in Ohio was an interesting discussion of law and order after the men have died. Intriguing. And volume three deals with the twist on the last page of volume two. I don't want to give it away, but oh my it was a good one. Still loving where this story is going.

Y: The Last Man

• Vol. 1 Unmanned
• Vol. 2 Cycles
• Vol. 3 One Small Step
• Vol. 4 Safeword
• Vol. 5 Ring of Truth
• Vol. 6 Girl on Girl
• Vol. 7 Paper Dolls
• Vol. 8 Kimono Dragons
• Vol. 9 Motherland
• Vol. 10 Whys and Wherefoes

The Sworn Sword by George R.R. Martin

Title: The Sworn Sword

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publisher: Jet City Comics 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 176

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library

After the deaths, surprises, and heroics in The Hedge Knight, Dunk and Egg continue their journey in search of the fair puppeteer Tanselle. Along the way, the elderly knight Ser Eustace takes both men under his charge, alongside another knight—and this one promises trouble. Peace is ever elusive for Dunk and Egg, as they are soon embroiled in the schemes of local nobility, while a darker, greater thread threatens to unravel long-held truths of the Battle of Redgrass Field.

In classic George R.R. Martin fashion, heroes and villains are never clear-cut, and political alliances threaten to slice the deepest. Yet one path lies ahead for Dunk and Egg: onward toward destiny. Join them as they venture along a now-familiar world but in a time all-new!

Another mildly interesting entry into the world of Westeros. I don't think I'm a huge fan of Dunk and Egg, but the stories are fairly entertaining. Moving on to something different...

The Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin

Title: The Hedge Knight

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publisher: Jet City Comics 2013

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 184

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; 52 Books - W12

Shouldering his fallen master’s sword and shield, Duncan (or “Dunk") is determined to reinvent himself as a knight in a nearby tournament. But first Dunk needs a sponsor, and that requirement sends him down a road studded with friends, foes, adventure, and hidden agendas. One such friend is Egg, who becomes Dunk’s squire, yet even he may hold secret motivations of his own.

In this gripping prequel, Dunk and Egg seek glory in a world both familiar and new to Game of Thrones fans. What the two fortune seekers encounter, however, is a world of distrust and political machinations. Chivalry is not lost while Dunk holds fast to his dreams of honor. But such outdated virtues make him a target—and they may even lead to his ruin. This vivid and elaborately wrought tale brings new dimension to George R. R. Martin’s beloved world.

I picked this slim volume up at a recent library visit. I was looking for a different series, but this one caught my eye. I forgot that they published some prequels to A Song of Ice and Fire series. I liked a little look into a time before the series is set, but I didn't find myself connecting with any of the characters. And I had to remember the family lines to figure out where these characters fall. Interesting quick read, but not something I will read again.