Blog Archives

3/31/2022

Sam Strives For 55 - Week Eleven

Here is week 11 of Sam's reading journey, the metrics and first week can be found here

The Rise of Kyoshi (The Kyoshi Novels #1) by F.C. Yee , Michael Dante DiMartino

Intrigue
1. This novel is part of the Avatar the Last Airbender universe. It takes place several hundred years before the original TV series, where Aang and Co. take on the Fire Nation. It’s about the last female and earth-bender avatar before Aang, named Kyoshi and her origin story.
Writing Style
1. This won’t be the last time that I say this, but it is so easy for big fandom fictional books, as well as high Fantasy or High Sci books to be written poorly. There seems to be this idea that the quality of the writing doesn’t have to meet the quality of the story. So often there is no description, no character development, no real stakes, no care for the prose. This is not the case. It’s cliche at times for sure, but that’s because the Avatar Universe relies on some tropes of fantasy. The band of travelers who don’t want to be heroes, the realization of heroism, etc. That’s not the fault of this book. This book is the best version of that within the Avatar Universe.
2. Juicy quote:
  1. “What you do when no one is guiding you determines who you are.”
Flow of Storytelling
1. This is a very easy book to follow, a story that is easy to understand. It maybe a bit too predictable, especially for fans who already know Aang’s story. Still the book is straightforward and to the point, with very little beating around the bush.
Re-readability
1. The change that Kyoshi undergoes in this book is done well. The characters aren’t stale, though they are trope-y, and the action sequences are quite fun. This book, especially for those in the fandom, is almost infinitely re-readable, just as the original show is re-watchable.
TESS
1. The extra special something comes in moments. The first moment that Kyoshi (spoilers) firebends is so well executed it’s still seared into my brain. These moments of masterful storytelling come in the pacing of the story. Yee and DiMartino do such a good job of giving the reader a second longer to hold onto important aspects of the novel, which create a real emotional reaction.

Final Rating: ★★★★★

J. Sam Williams is an illustrious black-tailed hawk, longing to eat as many vegan mice as possible. In his human form, he is a High School English Teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he lives with his wife, one dog and two cats. A somewhat retired breakdancing teacher, he is now a co-host on the Alohomora Podcast! He has been published on Lunch Ticket, immix: a journal for justice, Mugglenet, and a slew of small sports journalism publications. You can find him on twitter @Jabbernator.

3/27/2022

LIFEHACKS - Sun Mar 27 2022

Shappy Seasholtz was one of the funniest motherfuckers to ever grace a poetry slam. Check out "Whale Song For My Bastard Son" as just one of so many examples of his greatness. He is tremendously missed.

Follow Jesse Bradley on Instagram @questionabledecisioncomics.

3/24/2022

Sam Strives For 55 - Week Ten

Here is week 10 of Sam's reading journey, the metrics and first week can be found here

A Feast for Crows (A Song of Ice and Fire #4 )by George R.R. Martin

Intrigue
1. This is from that fantasy series. You know the one that spawned one of the biggest TV shows ever, made HBO a lot of money, and then suddenly disappeared from the cultural zeitgeist. The book is good, if you’re into heavy fantasy. The continuation of this lengthy series continues with characters that, if you start reading from the beginning, you learn to love.
Writing style
1. What’s great as the series goes on - as it does in every fantasy series - is that the author, Martin in this case, doesn’t have to rely on world building as much and the story can breathe and grow. What’s an absolute gem is that Martin’s characters continue to change and morph like real people. It’d be easy to have someone like Tyrion be a schtick. But no, he feels real and so the story is buoyed by great character writing.
2. At the sentence level though, there are times where it feels adjectives are overused, and specifically some adjectives are repeated enough that it feels frustrating.
3. Juicy quote:
  1. “My old grandmother always used to say, Summer friends will melt away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever.”
Flow of storytelling
1. Even with what I’ve written so far, it is clear that world building continues to be a need in this novel. It helps to clarify the hard magic and political systems we learn about this universe. Unlike Dune, it’s not super dense and it’s very easy to understand, and yet it breaks the flow of storytelling occasionally. The multiple POV changes can also break the flow if you aren’t ready to leave the character before, or if you don’t like the character ahead. But that’s true of all the Fire and Ice novels.
Re-readability
1. Yes, it’s re-readable because this whole series is re-readable. It’s enjoyable enough and dense enough that I know I’ll pick up new info whenever I choose to reread.
TESS
1. While this book qualifies, it barely does so. There are issues surrounding the flow of storytelling and writing style. The book falls prey to most high fantasy issues, which may not be an issue for you. The characters and real world consequences written into this series are wonderful and so this might just be a five star for you.

Final Rating: ★★★★

3/20/2022

LIFEHACKS - Sun Mar 20 2022

Jesse Bradley wishes his fiancé, StatCat, a happy 2-year anniversary. Check out more of his comics on Instagram: @questionabledecisioncomics.

3/17/2022

Sam Strives For 55 - Week Nine

Here is week 9 of Sam's reading journey, the metrics and first week can be found here

SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome by Mary Beard

Intrigue
1. Interested in the creation of Rome? This is the book for you. Beard is clever in the way she tells playful anecdotes and drops what some call fascinating historical facts, and what others call technical jargon. Although, I will say I much prefer the myth of Remus and Romulus being raised by wolves as compared to the, ‘lets go rape women in neighboring town so our claim on them is cemented and our city grows.’
2. To be honest, I am not one who normally reads historical books. SPQR was my attempt to give it a go! I love history, but usually love to learn about it in podcast form or video format. SPQR is an absolutely fantastic book to try and get back into history books.
Writing style
1. Endlessly witty. I will never forget the discussion about how spiders and contraceptives were involved together. Beard has a knack for keeping things interesting through the whole book.
2. Juicy quote:
  1. “It is a dangerous myth that we are better historians than our predecessors. We are not.”
Flow of storytelling
1. With non-fiction it can be both easy and hard to keep a flow going: easy because chronological order seems, usually, to be the best option with history texts; hard because it’s difficult to know what to omit. Beard does a splendid job navigating the water here crafting what feels like a story about Rome, when it’s actually the real history of it.
Re-readability
1. Maybe before reading a trip this could be interesting for some people, or if I was a history teacher. For me this was an absolute blast to read but not something I’ll be moving forward with.
TESS
1. Does not qualify - but I’ll add this is a special history text.

Final Rating: ★★★

3/13/2022

LIFEHACKS - Sun Mar 13 2022

Jesse Bradley believes in admitting to what he doesn't know, unlike most other men. Check out how he documents his honesty on Instagram: @questionabledecisioncomics. He also improvises mostly true stories on Highwire Improv. Catch his next story on Monday, March 14 at 7:00 PM ET.

3/10/2022

Sam Strives For 55 - Week Eight

Here is week 8 of Sam's reading journey, the metrics and first week can be found here

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Intrigue
1. Initially, as the novel develops, Atlas Shrugged seems like a straightforward literary novel about general, albeit extremely well-written, dysfunction in society. As the novel progresses it becomes clear the story is an allegory for Rand’s personal philosophy about life. A philosophy, called objectivism, which many people have taken on for themselves. If the book stayed more within the lanes of an exploration of people who reflect objectivism then this reader could have given it a star for intrigue, but the book’s narrative turns to an almost propaganda like level of promotion for objectivism.
Writing style
1. Rand’s style for description, dialogue, characterization, plot development, especially in the first half of the book is masterful. The pages come to life, whether or not you like what you’re reading.
2. Juicy quote:
  1. “If you don't know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn.”
Flow of Storytelling
1. If you are a big proponent of the individual over the group, aka ethical egoism and individualism, and metaphysical realism this book probably comes across as one of the great hero stories. Indeed many think so, and Atlas Shrugged has influenced many politicians and celebrities. However, coming from this reader, who disagrees wholeheartedly with ethical egoism and individualism, this book feels more like an un-nuanced view on the way life is, and the way life ought to be. Especially during the time of COVID, when the reader knows people who’ve passed away from the disease, asserting that the individual’s right usperps the collective feels misplaced at best.
Re-readability
1. Again this depends on how you feel about Rand’s philosophy. For me, I have no need to read this book again. I’ve read and studied it enough to understand the arguments made and how I feel about it.
TESS
1. Does not qualify.

Final Rating: ★

3/6/2022

Lifehacks - Sun Mar 6, 2022

Jesse Bradley says sad music is the best music. Check out how he documents his sadness on Instagram: @questionabledecisioncomics. He also improvises mostly true stories on Highwire Improv. Catch his next story on Monday, March 14 at 8:30 PM ET.

3/3/2022

Sam Strives For 55 - Week Seven

Here is week 7 of Sam's reading journey, the metrics and first week can be found here

Walt Disney: The Triumph of the American Imagination by Neal Gabler

Intrigue
1. Interested in Walt Disney? Say no more. This biography does an excellent job of detailing his life’s events and his personal beliefs. Depending on how you look at it, this is a story about how an artist capitalizes on their idea, only to become more obsessed with the money than the art. Or this is about how humans are only capable of doing the same thing for so long, and eventually what excites and motivates us changes and we have to change with it. Disney’s biography paints a full picture of the man, and of the time.
Writing Style
1. This is the strongest piece of the entire book. Everything is organized. The sentences are clear. The ideas are eloquently discussed. And, namely the word choice is never, ever distracting. Fantastic writing from Gabler.
Flow of Storytelling
1. The short answer, the flow is nice. Unlike many biographies it doesn’t get bogged down after the subjects initial moment of victory. Once Disney starts growing his business the story stays tight and on subject. The only moments of blockage occur when Disney’s politics come up. Then it becomes hard to figure out if there is any protection around Disney’s image, or authorial point of view interpreting what Disney meant or inferred, etc. This doesn’t stop the flow too much, as it’s a very enjoyable read.
Re-readability
1. None! But that’s just me. I read this about Disney and am uninterested in reading any more about him. While an excellent read, to me there are so many more people to read about if I’m going to pick up a biography. But this is a very good biography.
TESS
1. Does not qualify.