Pretty Guardian Sailormoon

This Christmas I have finally finished reading the Pretty Guardian Sailormoon manga series by Naoko Takeuchi. Sailor Moon since its start in the 1992 was a sort of favorite of mine. I watched the anime show, I sang along with the intro song in more languages I care to admit and I turned into a girly girl when I finally purchased my own manga set.

 

 

I had few issues with reading the manga version since I watched the anime version long ago and kept trying to compare the two. Manga has 12 volumes and in comparison to anime has much more stuff going on. It was really hard to keep up with all the things in manga, and at times it was a rather psychedelic experience. So many characters who look very similar, and since the manga is all black and white it was hard to keep track at times.

The whole first two seasons of the anime version were summed up in one volume and a half of manga version. The dynamics between characters were much more complex in manga version. I was not prepared for how fast paced the plot was.

 

Crybaby Usagi was my childhood hero. I’m very glad I have it and all trough the volumes there were funny and cute reading moments. I loved the happy ever after ending and this manga shoujo classic.

Reading experience 2014

Everywhere I turn I see lists of best books for the year 2014. These lists vary and from what I saw I realized that any list I can give is that from my own personal reading experience. Se here are some books that were most memorable and made 2014 better.

My reading interests were all over the place so to make things simpler I made up few categories.

YOUNG ADULT BOOK

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

MANGA

Kitchen Princess by Natsumi Ando, Miyuki Kobayashi

HISTORICAL ROMANCE BOOK SERIES

Desperate Duchesses by Eloisa James

URBAN FANTASY BOOK SERIES

The Hollows by Kim Harrison

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Fall Away by Penelope Douglas

NONFICTION BOOK

So Many Books by Gabriel Zaid

SCIENCE FICTION BOOK

Saga by Brian K. Vaughn , Fiona Staples

HONORABLE MENTIONS:

Rosie Project by Greame Simsion

Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Claire

Suicide Squad (New 52) by Adam Glass, Frederico Dollacchio

Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs

Mr.Penumbra 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan

 

MOST DIFFICULT BOOK 2014

Topping from Below by Laura Reese

 

Whit all this said and read I do plan on reading few more good books by the end of this year!

The Witcher

Evolution of the Witchers Medallion – one of the most known symbols in the Witcher game series

I was a great fan of the Witcher when it first came out. I badly wanted to play it, but my computer was not capable of such feats back then. I’ve upgraded and recently came across the game series again. It came as a nice surprise that the graphic novel version was published in September. I never read the books and I’m using this opportunity to add them to my monstrous reading pile list. Also I’m adding them to my wishlist!

First three books of the Witcher Saga by British publisher Orbit from 2008. , 2009 and 2013 respectively.

The first book with English title THE LAST WISH in the Witcher Saga first came out in 1993. by Polish author Andrzey Sapkowski under the Polish title Ostatnie zyczenie. It was later developed into a rather successful game series with some great video scenes and an amazing story.

Introduction video for the first instalation in the Witcher game series.

The main character is named Geralt of Rivia, also known as “White Wolf”. He is a monster hunter of sorts and leads us trough the dark and gritty fantastic world full of intrigue and magic. The story of Witcher would not be complete without the added effects of sex and violence. For an emotionally challenged character with supernatural abilities and monster hunting day/night job he never lacks for a female companionship.  He was for me and still remains, quite the heartthrob.

One other piece of merchandise from the Witcher series is the newest addition of The Witcher Adventure Game by Fantasy Flight. This is a fantasy board game that really got my attention.

This one also goes on my Wishlist!

This post was inspired by the graphic novel version I read recently.

House of Glass (Witcher Volume 1) by Paul Tobin (story); Joe Querio (Illustration)

House of Glass (Witcher Volume 1) cover

This was a first volume from what I hope to be a longstanding series. It is a story where we see Geralt of Rivia at his “business as usual” ride trough the countryside. I enjoyed reading this graphic novel.

The art was not the kind I usually prefer but it went well with the general theme of the story. The story hinted at many creatures and possibilities the world of Witcher has to offer to fans and readers.  And this was what made up for all the shortcomings in the visual sense. It reminded me of the game and made me want to read the books just to discover more about these characters and the world they occupy.

Here is a quote that made me smile while reading what is generally perceived to be reading material for male reading population. Granted this comes from the mouth of a possibly mad and removed from reality character, but it is a great quote nonetheless.

“Women are divine creatures, Witcher! They command our respect! No man can understand a woman, not ever! Their reasons are too mysterious! Too chaotic! We must accept them for what they are. “ – House of Glass (Witcher Volume 1) Chapter three.

 

 

Acquisitions in Paperback!

December and the gift of books!

I was lucky to receive several books in paperback as a gift recently! I got five books and here they are!

First book I got is a third book by J.R.Ward series Fallen Angels ENVY.

I haven’t read any of Fallen Angels series but I have read first four books in Black Dagger Brotherhood series by the same author. In this urban fantasy series I’m expecting something like BDB with Angels instead of vampires.

Second book is historical romance THE SCOUNDREL TAKES A BRIDE by Stefanie Sloane.

This book is fifth in the Regency Rogues series. I have not read anything by this author but generally like the genre. I’m looking forward to reading some historical romance and hope it’s a good one!

Next are first three books in Elder Races series by Thea Harrison.

Dragon Bound – book 1

Storm’s Heart – book 2

Serpent’s Kiss – book 3

I have heard some nice reviews on this author but never tried it before. I have only vague idea what this urban fantasy series is about but the promise of dragons is enough to keep me interested!

Lately I’ve been reading some serious books for my Book Club and these will be delightful reprieve from some serious topics.

Monthly reading review November

I’ve read only two books in November.

One was Unterstadt by Ivana Šojat-Kuči an author from my hometown.

It was deeply disturbing family drama based on real events told from the perspective of four women in a family with German origins. Plot has a time frame from WWI to early 21st century. It was a book I had to read for my real life book club. We had a club birthday which we celebrated in a small vine shop with the author above. It was fun to have a conversation with the author in person. This book was made into a play in our local theater and we will go to see it as a club next season. The play was actually a big hit in our country. What I don’t like about the book is serious tone of it and reality of the tragedies in it – it has a politic theme and I tend to avoid that in my reading. It is after all Balkan peninsula I live in; and we have a long history with wars and political disorders…

Second was Outlander (Outlander book 1) by Diana Gabaldon.
It was a long read and had it’s good sides and bad sides. Jamie was okay and the historical details were interesting. I’m not sure if I’m going to continue this series. I’ve posted a review on it HERE

I have three more books with reading in progress:

1984 by George Orwell

This is a reading assignment for my RL book club. It is progressing nicely but I’m not too thrilled with what I read so far. Dystopian theme is not my favorite at all…

Mirror Dance (Miles Vorkosigan saga book 12) by Lois McMaster Bujold

This is part of my BF challenge. I like this most of from the current reading even though it is a space opera.

The third one is In Desert and Wilderness by Henryk Sienkiewicz. This one I have been reading the least.

I think I need to go back to reading some mangas soon …

Book Boyfriends!

This is a summary of one of my Shelfari group  Happy Bookers activities.

Few months ago I posted a challenge to nominate a Book Boyfriend. For those who are not familiar with the term let me just explain it as a fictional character whose traits make him desirable boyfriend material. Sometimes these characters represent the ultimate dream and sometimes they are more close to reality.

So here they are, the book boyfriends we love reading about. These characters inspire us and make our hearts beat faster. They are here because we think they are the best around and want to share their awesomeness with other readers!

Here are our nominees summarized:

A vampire, a cursed bookstore owner, a werelion, a highlander and a billionare bussinesman walk into a bar….

Ethan „Rarely good. But often spectacular.“ Sullivan ( Chicagoland Vampires series by Chloe Neill )

Master vampire almost 4 centuries old. Is 6’3″, lean, with broad shoulders, green eyes, straight, shoulder-length, golden blond hair, knife-edge cheekbones, a firm jaw, and a strong brow. He is known for his impeccable black Armani suits.
Jericho „Gave his love a bookstore“ Barrons (Fever series by Karen Marie Moning)

He has the ability to shape shift into a monster with a dragon/cat-like form. Experienced in Druid ways. Has black hair that reaches his jawline, tanned skin, and black eyes. According to his Ireland identification, he is 6’3″ and weighs 245 pounds (17.5 st). He’s very powerfully built and often has red and black rune tattoos.

Jericho Barrons from graphic novel version

Curran „Yummy Beast Lord“ Lennart ( Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews)

Beast Lord and a werelion. 5’11” with blond hair and grey eyes. Favorite fighting style: Grows teeth the size of dinner forks and bites people’s heads off. Roars afterward.
Jamie „Rocks a kilt“ Fraser (Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon)

Fine kilt-wearing, ale-drinking, maiden-saving Scotsman. This redheaded highlander with a knack for learning languages is portrayed by Sam Heughan in the Outlander TV series. Fans all around the world approve this 6’3″ hottie.

Sam Heughan as James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser

Roarke „The walking Orgasm“ (In Death series by J.D. Robb)

A former career criminal, Roarke is the owner and CEO of Roarke Industries, an inter-planetary corporation that has made him one of the richest men in the world. Of Irish descent is 6’2″ with blue eyes and black hair.

I’m going to stop myself now before this turns into a crazy fanfic…

I don’t know about others but you’ve given me new series for my TBR pile!