The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite: Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba

"In an inexplicable worldwide event, forty-seven extraordinary children were spontaneously born by women who'd previously shown no signs of pregnancy. Millionaire inventor Reginald Hargreeves adopted seven of the children; when asked why, his olny explanation was, "To save the world."

"These seven children from the Umbrella Academy, a dysfunctional family of superheroes with bizarre powers. Their first adventure at the age of ten pits them against an erratic and deadly Eiffel Tower, pioleted by the fearsome zombie-robot Gustave Eiffel. Nearly a decade later, the team disbands, but when Hargreeves unexpectedly dies, these disgruntled siblings reunite just in time to save the world once again.

"Conceived and written by Gerard Way of My Chemical Romance, The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite features interior art by Eisner Award-nominated artist Gabriel Ba (De: TALES, Casanova), colors by Eisner Award-winning colorist Dave Stewart, and original series covers by multiple Eisner Award-winning James Jean. This volume collects the first six-issue series, as well as out-of-print short stories and an expanded sketchbook section featuring work by Ba, Jean, and Way."

I originally saw an advertisement for this book when my little brother was watching G4 cover Comic-con. I was really excited and couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Finally, I found it...and devoured it in about two hours.

To be entirely honest, I keep going back and forth as to whether or not I actually liked it. Initially, I really enjoyed it. However, as I go back anfd look at it, I like various parts of the art less and less. Half the time the characters don't even look like themselves. As an artist (and I am NOT saying that I would or could ever do a comic) it just really bothered me.

Overall, the plot was interesting. I wish a bit more had been explained, but I can live with it. This is definitely something that should be read at least once, just so you can say you have. It's worth it.

Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?—More Questions You’d Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Whiskey Sour: Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg, M.D.

“THE DOCTOR IS IN…AGAIN!

“Did the mega-bestselling Why Do Men Have Nipples? exhaust your curiosity about stuff odd, icky, kinky, noxious, libidinous, or just plain embarrassing? No, you say? Well, good, because the doctor and his able-bodied buddy are in! Again! Mark Leyner and Billy Goldberg, M.D., now take on the differences between the sexes—those burning questions like Why doesn’t my husband ever listen? or Why does my wife ALWAYS have to pee? And of course, Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex?, plus plenty of others to keep you fully informed.

“Full of smart and funny answers to an onslaught of new questions, all in a do-ask-we’ll-tell spirit that entertain and teaches you something at the same time, Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex? Offers the real lowdown on everything everyone wants to know about all things anatomical, medical, sexual, nutritional, animal, and mineral, but would only ask a physician after a few too many, like:
· Why do you have a “bionic” sense of smell when you’re pregnant?
· Does peeing in the shower cure athlete’s foot?
· Can you breastfeed with fake boobs?
· Does thumb sucking cause buckteeth?
· Do your eyebrows grown back if shaved?

“Bigger, funnier, and better than ever, Why Do Men Fall Asleep After Sex? proves that in the battle of the sexes, as in most things, a little Q&A is a safe, effective, minimally invasive remedy.”

After reading the first book by the dynamic duo, I was SO excited to discover that they’d written another one! This book is just as fun and witty as the first and I devoured it. It didn’t even feel like I was actually learning something about the human body. I love it when books do that.

Leyner and Goldberg definitely lived up to my expectations in this often hilarious sequel.

Why Do Men Have Nipples?—Hundreds of Questions You’d Only Ask a Doctor After Your Third Martini: Mark Leyner & Billy Goldberg, M.D.

“IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?

“Say you’re at a party. You’ve had a martini or three, and you mingle through the crowd, wondering how long you need to stay before going out for pizza. Suddenly, you’re introduced to someone new, Dr. Nice Tomeetya. You forget the pizza. Now is the perfect time to bring up all those strange questions you’d like to ask during an office visit with your own doctor but haven’t the guts (or more likely the time) to do so. You’re filled with liquid courage…now is your chance! If you’ve ever wanted to ask a doctor…
· How do people in wheelchairs have sex?
· Why do I get a killed headache when I such down my milkshake?
· Can I lose my contact lens inside my head forever?
· Why does asparagus make my pee smell?
· Why do old people grow hair on their ears?
· Is the old adage “beer before liquor, never sicker, liquor before beer…” really true?
…then Why Do Men Have Nipples? is the book for you.

“Compiled by Billy Goldberg, an emergency medicine physician, and Mark Leyner, bestselling author and well-known satirist, Why Do Men Have Nipples? offers real factual and really funny answers to some of the big questions about the oddities of our bodies.”

I found this book on accident one day (actually quite a while ago) at work (I work in the non-fiction section at the library and naturally come across some pretty odd things) and took one look at the title and decided I had to discover the answer for myself. Needless to say, I was quickly drawn in to this little book by two hilarious men. I loved the little breaks where they input some of their odd, sometimes awkward, IM conversations. This book was unique and really informative in a tasteful way. I really enjoyed it (as well as its sequel).

Why We Suck—A Feel Good Guide to Staying Fat, Loud, Lazy and Stupid: Denis Leary

“Do you SUCK?

“Would you like not to SUCK?

“So you know other people who SUCK?

“Would you like to tell them how to SUCK less of how to possibly become totally SUCK-free?

“Then buy this book, because inside Dr. Denis Leary is ready to help you overcome all the sucky things that make you such a jackass. Not to mention all the fat, loud, lazy and stupid suckholes you have to deal with at the office, family gatherings or while using public transportation.

“Part memoir, part self-help to me but definitely a full-time funny assault on all the posers, politicians and pop culture icons who have sucked in public for far too long, this book is a call to arms for everyone who feels the way the good doctor does:

*Skinny jeans are for skinny people.
*Men will never change. Not even to clean underwear.
*If God didn’t want us to eat meant, why did He make the cow so slow? (Ever eaten a cheetah-burger? Nope. And you never will.)

“Buy this book and you will hopefully laugh out loud, call your mom a little more often and never vote for a member of the Bush family ever again.

“At the very least, though, you’ll have yourself a nice big twenty-six-dollar coaster to place your drink on while you watch TV. And isn’t that reason alone to buy it?”

I came across this book by accident one day at work (for those of you who don’t know, I work at the local library). I like Denis Leary as an actor and thought it might be interesting to see what kind of an author he was—not to mention that it was in the comedy section so I was excited about getting a bit of a laugh out of it too. Needless to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

His takes on the simplest things—from parenting and school bullies to Oprah, Dr. Phil, and the U.S. as a whole—were so raw and honest that I couldn’t help but laugh. I’ve honestly never read anything so blatant. Denis Leary has no fear. He’s not afraid of insulting his friends, the government, his peers, or the Pope.

I recommend reading the prologue because not only do you get a taste of his (ha! A commercial with Denis Leary just came on) acidic sense of humor; but you get a fair warning of what the book will be like. This book is not for the faint-hearted or easily offended. But for those of you who can handle it, this book is a hilarious read.

Who Ever Heard of a Horse in the House?: Jacqueline Tresl

"Who ever heard of a Horse in the House?

"That's a question Jackie and Mark Tresl could answer. They've lived with Misha, a full-grown American Quarter Horse mare, for the last thirteen years.

"As a five-month-old filly, Misha suffered from pneumonia and malnutrition when the Tresls adopted her. Fearing that the cold Ohio winter would be deadly for the little horse, Jackie brought the foal inside the house and made a bed for her by the woodstove. Gradually, winter wore on and Misha grew stronger. She also grew more and more attached to Jackie and household living.

"Now, at nearly fourteen years old, Misha enjoys her own porch with a swinging door that enables her to help out in the kitchen, watch television in the living room, and slurp water from the bathtub. She is also fully housetrained. Her unconventional lifestyle and diet (spaghetti is one of her favorite foods) has prompted criticism from acquaintences, but Misha is a happy and healthy horse, defying those who believe her life is anything but perfect.

"Jackie Tresl's story of her life with a house-horse demonstrates that horses are just as capable and deserving of the capable and deserving of the emotional bond we share with our other animal companions."

I work in a library and I've shelved this book several times. Finally, I decided to pick it up and read it. Now, I'm not normally one for this type of book as anyone who has ever read any of my other blog posts will realize... However, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

It was unbelievably cute and the stories that Tresl had were so sweet and touching. From one animal-lover to the next, I believe that her story is one of undeniable love for our animal bretheren. The Tresl family is a strong one and I don't know how many people could keep a house-horse and show as much unconditional love as they did for Misha. I recommend this book for anyone who loves horses or animals in general!

Surrender: Amanda Quick (Jayne Ann Krentz)

“From the dazzling ballrooms of glittering London society to a magnificent, cursed estate in the distant wilds of Yorkshire, comes the deliciously wicked story of a thoroughly unconventional courtship—and a thrilling midnight rendezvous that could only lead to love….

“At four and twenty Victoria Hintington thought herself quite adept at fending off fortune hunters…until she came under siege from Lucas Colebrook, the darkly disturbing new Earl of Stonevale. Amidst the brightly plumed birds of the ton, Lucas was a hawk. And when he held out the lure of moonlight rides and wild, reckless midnight escapades, Victoria found herself powerless to resist.

“But becoming Stonevale’s companion in adventure was more dangerous that Victoria could ever imagine. For the attractive earl would use her ever weakness to woo her, to win her, and ultimately to wed her. And soon the amber-eyed lady would find herself ensconced in a crumbling mansion deep in the English countryside…where the real reason for her hasty marriage becomes all too apparent…and where the ghosts of her dark-stained past are waiting to rise up in a terrifying plot that will threaten her life, her honor, and the only man she could ever love.”

Sorry that it’s taken me forever to review this book… Anyway, this is another wonderful book by Amanda Quick. The characters are fun and the plot was interesting. I really enjoy her quick-witted writing style and how her characters have such strong personalities. The fact that she’s not afraid to make her male characters somewhat flawed means that she has confidence in her writing abilities and is not afraid to step out of the box for romance writing. I can really admire that.

Of course, I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more.

Dream Chaser (Dark-Hunter Series, Book Twenty-four): Sherrilyn Kenyon

“HADES DOESN’T OFTEN GIVE SECOND CHANCES…

“Xypher has one month on Earth to redeem himself through one good deed, or be condemned to eternal torture in Tartarus. But redemption means little to a demigod who only wants vengeance on the one who caused his downfall.

“UNTIL ONE DAY IN A CEMETERY…

“Simone Dubois is a medical examiner with a real knack for the job. Those who are wrongfully killed appear to her and help her find the evidence the police need to convict their killers. But when a man appears and tells her that she;d more than just a psychic, she’d convinced he’s insane.

“NOW THE FATE OF THE WORLD HANDS IN HER HANDS…

“It was bad enough when just the dead relied on her. Now there’s the seductive Dream-Hunter Xypher who needs Simone’s help in opening a portal to the Atlantean hell realm to fight insatiable demons. The future of mankind is at stake—and so is her life. The only question now is: Who is the bigger threat? The demons out to kill her? Or the man who had left her forever changed?”

***Technically, you’re supposed to read the Dark-Hunter Companion before you read this book, but I’m about half-way through the Companion and picked this up and just COULD NOT put it down long enough to go back to the other book. Sorry for my weakness!***

Readers are initially introduced to Xypher in an earlier book with Katra and Sin titled Devil May Cry. It’s difficult to care for a man (or should I say, god?) with such an acerbic personality and grim outlook, but even then I was able to tell that there really was more to Xypher than Sherrilyn Kenyon was letting on. Obviously, I couldn’t wait to read more. When I got this book and saw that its hero was in fact Xypher, I was so excited! The more I read, the more I fell for the battered man. It was really difficult not to, seeing as how he’d been so wrongfully tortured.

Xypher is truly the epitome of a beaten being—as are most of Kenyon’s characters—but Xypher was made even more interesting by the fact that he is a Dream-Hunter. It was nice to see the world from the eyes of a Dream-Hunter once more. I’ve only read another book and a short-story by Kenyon that were from this p.o.v. and it was really great to see again. However, I will say that I miss the Dark-Hunters a little…

Anyway, this story was full of really GREAT twists and turns and I look forward to reading more, as always!!!