Review: Batman: Vol 6 Bride or Burglar? By Tom King, Mike Janin and Joelle Jones

Goodreads Blurb

The path to the altar has never been so dangerous!

Not long after Batman announces his engagement to Catwoman, he and Wonder Woman are called to honor an old commitment requiring them to fight for Earth in a distant, magical realm. But time flows strangely in this new land, and an hour in our world could be years there. The storied friendship between two great heroes begins to unravel–while the universe itself does the same around them!

Next, the Bat and the Cat find themselves isolated as Poison Ivy seemingly takes over the rest of the world, including the Justice League! Can they nip Ivy’s plans in the bud before the whole world falls under her dominion? After all, there’s still a wedding to plan…

The big day approaches in these stories from Batman #38-44, from author Tom King (Mister Miracle) and artists Mikel Janín (Grayson), Joëlle Jones (Supergirl: Being Super) and Travis Moore (Fables: The Wolf Among Us).

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Will we finally see a wedding between Batman and Catwomen? To be continued. Love the illustrations throughout the comic. The romance between Batman and Catwoman is romantic. Love how Superman is always fighting with Batman. Poisob Ivy illustrations are great. Her character grows through each scene. Comic has romance, fights, death, and flashes of the future. Will love catch the bats’ heart, or will he turn to the dark?

Review: Super Late Bloomer by Julia Kaye

Goodreads Blurb

A highly personal collection documenting the early months of artist Julia Kaye’s gender transition.

Instead of a traditional written diary, Julia Kaye has always turned to art as a means of self-reflection. So when she began her gender transition in 2016, she decided to use her popular webcomic, Up and Out, to process her journey and help others with similar struggles realize they weren’t alone.

Julia’s poignant, relatable comics honestly depict her personal ups and downs while dealing with the various issues involved in transitioning—from struggling with self-acceptance and challenging societal expectations, to moments of self-love and joy. Super Late Bloomer both educates and inspires, as Julia faces her difficulties head-on and commits to being wholly, authentically who she was always meant to be

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

It is a powerful comic that lets us experience all Julia went through with her gender transition throughout a year. This comic collection gives you first-hand account of how a transgender view themselves, struggle, and worry, but through it all, they stand strong and help others see they can. You see the happy moments and the sad moments that can bring you down. Julia is a strong woman who stands tall and does what makes her happy. Thank you for sharing your story, and please continue to share it.

Goodreads Author Biography

Julia Kaye is an award winning artist and illustrator whose webcomic Up and Out has garnered hundreds of thousands of readers and wide critical praise. Her commitment to activism has led to collaborations with non-profit organizations such as The Trevor Project and Trans Lifeline. Her work has appeared on Webtoon, GoComics, Buzzfeed, and the Disney animated show Big City Greens. Julia lives in Los Angeles.

Review: The Language of Spells by Garret Weyr

Goodreads Blurb

Grisha is a dragon in a world that’s forgotten how to see him. Maggie is a unusual child who thinks she’s perfectly ordinary. They’re an unlikely duo—but magic, like friendship, is funny. Sometimes it chooses those who might not look so likely. And magic has chosen Grisha and Maggie to solve the darkest mystery in Vienna. Decades ago, when World War II broke out, someone decided that there were too many dragons for all of them to be free. As they investigate, Grisha and Maggie ask the question everyone’s forgotten: Where have the missing dragons gone? And is there a way to save them? At once richly magical and tragically historical, The Language of Spells is a novel full of adventure about remembering old stories, forging new ones, and the transformative power of friendship.

My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars

A magical story with dragons, sorcerers, and humans. A dragon named Grisha was turned into a tea pot and lived many years with no mobility but hearing and seeing. He was released from the spell, but after being free, other rules had to be obeyed. Dragons were divided and hidden with a sleeping spell. Grisha and Maggie work together to free the dragons, but by doing so, Maggie had to give up something she cherished. Garret is a good storyteller. It is an easy read for young readers. I loved the illustrations.

Goodreads Author Biography

Garret Freymann-Weyr (rhymes with ‘I’m on fire”) is a novelist and teacher whose seven books have been banned, translated into a multitude of languages, and included in college curricula. She is a Printz honor award recipient and her short stories have been published in the Greensboro Review, the now sadly missed Christopher Street, and the anthology Starry Eyed. Her next book will be published under the name Garret Weyr (Divorce. Painful. Don’t ask.)

She is a native of New York City and now lives with a large cat and a sweet dog. She reads too much, drinks too much tea, and loves listening to readers talk about their passions. She is studying Spanish. Has anyone else read “Buenas Noches, Luna?”

Review: Chocolate Me! By Taye Diggs

Met Taye Diggs at BookCon

Goodreads Blurb

The boy is teased for looking different than the other kids. His skin is darker, his hair curlier. He tells his mother he wishes he could be more like everyone else. And she helps him to see how beautiful he really, truly is.

For years before they both achieved acclaim in their respective professions, good friends Taye Diggs and Shane W. Evans wanted to collaborate on Chocolate Me!, a book based on experiences of feeling different and trying to fit in as kids. Now, both men are fathers and see more than ever the need for a picture book that encourages all people, especially kids, to love themselves.

My Review: Rated 3 out of 5 stars

A book about race and how other children bullied him for his differences. It teaches children to accept everyone no matter how different they are. It took the boy to see and accept his differences in order to teach others that he is just like them. Great illustrations.

Happy 250th Birthday, Jane Austen

The photo was posted by the Jane Austen Festival

I can’t believe 250 years ago, the amazing Jane Austen was born and delighted us with her books, especially the most captivating character, Mr. Darcy. Below are some photos from the Jane Austen exhibit at the Morgan Library and Museum. I was very happy I got to experience this exhibit and got to see Jane Austen’s ring, hair, and letters.

For halloween, I dressed as Jane Austen.

Review: A Is For Apperdoo by John Barkhimer Jr.

Goodreads Blurb

When a child’s imagination takes hold and creates a world of fascinating creatures, you get an Apperdoo. This book is meant to be a captivating journey through the creative mind of an eight-year-old, as he builds a field guide describing the 26 mysterious creatures he encounters in the wild. Take a rhythmic trip with your little one and discover the power of the imagination as you bump into a Lingendue, Treestope, and many other magnificent and colorful animals.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This is a must-read for children. Mr. Barkhimer is truly gifted. The illustrations are superb, and the names of each animal are hilarious and inventive. Loved the idea of using the alphabet to create these amazing creatures. The story had me laughing, with hilarious illustrations and words. The most fun is how each animal acted differently and unexpectedly. I highly recommend everyone to read and laugh your way through the pages.

Review: Wicked Nix by Lena Coakley

Goodreads Blurb

Mischievous woodland fairy Nix is up to no good. His beloved fairy queen has gone away, leaving him with a very important job: He must protect the forest from a most dangerous enemy—humans.

When a determined invader trespasses on his territory, Nix’s skills are put to the test as he invents several wicked tricks to chase the sorry fellow away. But when his efforts don’t go quite according to plan, it becomes clear that this intruder—and this sprite—may not be at all what they seem.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Wicked Nix is a fairy full of tricks. The protector of the fairy forest will stop at nothing to rid himself of a human. Nix uses many tricks and spells to scare the human away. Halfway through the story, you are surprised to find out the human is family and the Nix is not a fairy. Nix and the human go to Fairy Meadow to see the fairy queen. Nix realizes she isn’t who he thought she was. Nix and the human work together to get Rose back to her mom. The cottage Nix was protecting was his past home and is reunited with his family. A fairy-tale full of tricks and courage.

Goodreads Author Biography

Lena Coakley is the Toronto Star and Globe & Mail bestselling author of Worlds of Ink and Shadow, a YA portal fantasy about the young Brontë siblings and the imaginary countries they wrote about in childhood. It made both the CBC and Quill & Quire’s Best Books of the Year lists.

Her previous novel, Witchlanders, was called “one stunning teen debut” by Kirkus Reviews, won the SCBWI Crystal Kite award and was a White Pine Award honouree.

Her first middle grade novel, Wicked Nix, will come out in October of this year from Abrams and Harper Collins Canada. She lives in Toronto.

Review: Ivy & Bean: Take Care of the Babysitter by Annie Barrows

Goodreads Blurb

The adventures of Ivy and Bean continue in the latest installment from series creators Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall. In Ivy and Bean Take Care of the Babysitter, the two girls hatch a plan to prove that Bean’s big sister is the world’s worst babysitter. Of course plans go awry, but fun ensues!

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Ivy and Bean truly know how to have an adventure. These two know how to have fun even at their age. I enjoyed the imaginative ideas they had for playing. They are great friends who know how to keep a secret and let the adventure unravel. Never a dull moment for Ivy and Beans’ imagination.

Goodreads Author Biography

Annie grew up in Northern California, and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, with a degree in Medieval History. Unable to find a job in the middle ages, she decided upon a career as an editor, eventually landing at Chronicle Books in San Francisco, where she was in charge of “all the books that nobody in their right mind would publish.” After earning an M.F.A. in Creative Writing at Mills College, Annie wrote (as Ann Fiery) a number of books for grown-ups about such diverse subjects as fortune-telling (she can read palms!), urban legends (there are no alligators in the sewer!), and opera (she knows what they’re singing about!). In 2003, Annie grew weary of grown-ups, and began to write for kids, which she found to be way more fun.

Upcoming Book Event: Kenan Thompson

Omg, I just saw Kenan Thompson will be at Bookends on January 11th to sign his children’s book. I loved watching him and Kel at Kenan & Kel.

Kenan Thompson – Book/Ticket -Longest-tenured SNL cast member celebrates picture book debut- Sun., Jan. 11th @ 1pm Each Person Needs a Book.

Kenan Thompson – Book/Ticket – Longest-tenured SNL cast member will be signing his new book: UNFUNNY BUNNY -Sunday, January 11th @ 1pm. Each Person needs a book for entry.



*Only choose the Shipping Option if you ARE NOT attending the event*



About the book:

From the beloved longest-tenured cast member of Saturday Night Live, Kenan Thompson, comes a hilarious new picture book perfect for fans of Jory John and Grumpy Monkey.



Tomorrow is Bunny’s first day of school, and everything is going to be perfect. All he wants is to be the funniest kid in class and make everyone else laugh. But when Bunny gets there, his jokes fall flat. What’s an UNfunny bunny to do?



This laugh-out-loud tale about unexpected friendship and pursuing your dreams is a silly, lighthearted read-aloud stuffed with 30 “unfunny” jokes that are sure to send readers of all ages into fits of giggles.