Tag: review
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GLOW: Season 2 — Even Better Than the First
GLOW: Season 2 outshines the first for the very simple reason that much of the groundwork for this ensemble cast has already been laid. Season 1 entertained and impressed in many unexpected ways, but it still had the task of introducing us to the characters and getting them onto the mat. Season 2 benefits in…
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Saints by Gene Luen Yang – A Book Review
I recently wrote a review of Gene Luen Yang’s Boxers, and this book, Saints, is a companion piece. In fact, it’s more than just a companion piece — it’s a conclusion. In Boxers, there’s a moment where the main character, Bao, sees a young girl close to his own age. He believes she looks like…
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Boxers by Gene Luen Yang – A Book Review
After teaching American Born Chinese for several years, I finally decided my (then) nine-year-old could handle it last fall. She loved it, so when Gene Luen Yang came to our local library, we had to pay him a visit. Unbelievably, we got there before anyone else and snagged a front row seat. Mr. Yang was…
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Codename Villanelle by Luke Jennings – A Book Review
You may remember that my wife and I very much enjoyed Killing Eve, which aired on BBC America. As is my habit, I had to go check out the source material, which turned out to be a novel entitled Codename Villanelle. Written by Luke Jennings, this fast-paced, brisk thriller served as the basis for the…
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Pops by Michael Chabon – A Book Review
If you visit this site regularly, you probably know I’m a bit of a Michael Chabon fan. (I met him once, you know.) His latest book recently released, and I could not wait to read it. Pops is a very slim collection of nonfiction essays. I particularly enjoy Chabon’s nonfiction because he is unafraid. He…
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Avengers: Infinity War – A Spoiler-Free Review
At long last, the film we’ve all been waiting for has arrived. It’s hard to believe that the groundwork for Infinity War began all the way back in 2011 with Captain America: The First Avenger and Thor. 2012 brought The Avengers which introduced us to Thanos and his quest for those pesky Infinity Stones. Was…
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Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn – A Book Review
I took a chance on this very quick read after a friend recommended it. Ella Minnow Pea is a unique concept. The premise is that a small island exists off the coast of South Carolina. This entire island’s culture is based upon Nevin Nollop, the man responsible for the blessed phrase: “The quick brown fox…
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Batman: The War Of Jokes and Riddles by Tom King and Mikel Janin – A Book Review
I’m not totally on board with Tom King’s Batman. Tom King is a good writer, don’t misunderstand, but his take on Batman just isn’t really doing much for me. In this volume, Bruce Wayne is in bed with Selina Kyle, aka Catwoman. He is baring his soul regarding a horrific moment during his first year…
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The Sorcerer’s House by Gene Wolfe – A Book Review
This particular book has been on my “to read” list for quite a while after I saw that Neil Gaiman recommended it. The plot revolves around a man named Bax — a scholar many times over, a cheat, a sometimes fraud, and a recently released convict. He has no money and so, after drifting a…
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Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson – A Book Review
As you know, I’m honored to be a teacher by day. An esteemed student recommended this book to my class, and he made it sound so exciting, so imaginative, and so flat-out fun that we all wanted to read it. I ran to my local library and picked up a copy as soon as I could.…