Friday, April 27, 2012

Binky to the Rescue by Ashley Spires

After abandoning his plans for space travel to protect his humans, Binky gave up on any chance for stepping foot outside the space station. That is, until he accidentally falls out of a window. He always knew that being a member of F.U.R.S.T. came with its share of dangers, but space is a dangerous place for a kitty. Luckily his humans come to HIS rescue. Everything returns to normal until - GASP!!! Where's his best friend, Ted? Outside!!! Right beneath the alien spacecraft!!! Will Binky take his chances in outer space, or will his first and only visit spell doom for his mousie?

Ashley Spires does not disappoint in the follow up to Binky the Space Cat. It's as hilarious as its predecessor and its successor - just as gassy, too!

You can pick up your copy of Binky to the Rescue at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Until next time, keep on huntin'.

You can read my reviews of Binky the Space Cat and Binky Under Pressure on this blog.

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Thursday, April 19, 2012

Binky The Space Cat by Ashley Spires

Back in February, I green dotted - the process in which I place a green dot on a new book - entitled Binky Under Pressure by Ashley Spires. At the time, I didn't know that Binky was already a well known space cat. I just saw the short graphic novel - graphic novella? - as cute. I mean, it's about a cat who thinks outside the house equals outer space! To my knowledge, we didn't hold the other books - we do, by the way, just not all in the same section for some strange reason (libraries lack logic). 

So yesterday, I picked up the first book and gave it a read. And Ashley Spires did not disappoint. 

Binky may seem like an ordinary cat,  but he has a purpose. After receiving his acceptance letter to F.U.R.S.T. - Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel - he takes the much needed steps for space exploration. The only problem is, Binky begins to worry about his humans. Who would take care of them from the evil aliens that are constantly invading the space station? Will Binky be able to part with them in order to have adventures in outer space?

Ashley Spires delivers a hilarious little tale about a kitten who had a dream and learns what's most important in life.

Binky the Space Cat is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

The X-Rated Book Hunt


Now I've never heard of Oriana Small (aka Ashley Blue), but I do know that I like a rare book. And while Girlvert may not be the rarest of books (in fact, it isn't rare at all), the fact alone that the price of a used copy is way more than a new copy - original cover price - I knew that this fine would be the greatest of the year thus far. I snagged this copy for only $15.97 on eBay. Now before you jump on my case and say it's regular cover price at Amazon, you should check out the "usually ships within" part. See that? Yeah, homie don't play that.

Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo


Let's get something straight first. I've never read the novel. That is not to say I haven't read the novel. It's just that the novel is unreadable. It's boring. It's dull. It drags and drags and drags. Now there are some who say that the novel picks up after the first - oh say - 180 pages, but I'm a firm believer that no book or movie or musical album should bore the snot out of the audience before it gets to the good stuff. Meanwhile, there are others who think the exact opposite. The book doesn't get better after 180 pages or even after 280 pages. It just drags and drags and drags. So I've given up on the novel at least ten times since I purchased it. And the second novel sits there untouched.

However, I liked the American adaptation - I haven't seen the original, so I have nothing to compare it to. Daniel Craig (aka my favorite James Bond since Sean Connery) does a marvelous job in his role. Whereas, Rooney Mara actually makes me want to rewatch the godawful remake of A Nightmare Elm Street just to see how she did. 

I wish I could write more on this film, but it's been over a week since I saw it - thanks to my son being born, I've been ignoring all my duties as a blogger (which are none, and if there were some, they'd not outmatch the importance on the little guy). Oh well, check out the film on Amazon Instant or purchased the BluRay combo pack

Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Zombie in the Library by Michael Dahl

A few months ago, a coworker told me that we were required to write reviews for the books in our department. Having read several of the books in my youth, I didn't see this as a problem - I just had to do a quick refresher on them. The reviews were never written. And I nearly forgot about the subject entirely until the children's librarian sent an e-mail. Since then, I've been hounding several books in the department to see which will be my first victim. 

Now there are only two things that pique my interest in books - erotica and zombies. Now - thankfully - the children's department is void of erotica, so zombies were my first choice. It just so happens that I happened upon Michael Dahl's Zombie in the Library, which is part of his Return to the Library of Doom series. 

I've never written a review for anything other than this blog and Good Reads, so writing a review that would capture the attention of a child or a parent is not an easy task. Especially if I want to encourage them to check the book out. I'm willing to try anything once.

The following is the actual review I wrote for the children's library webpage, which is being updated as we speak.

Adam is determined to buy a classic movie monster book for his mother's birthday. Not even something like an electrical storm will deter him. Little does he know that the storm has brought several old books to life, creating a library book zombie. Part of the Return to the Library of Doom series, Michael Dahl uses the power of sound to curdle the blood in our veins in this bone-chilling tale. And using his gift of illustration, Bradford Kendall brings the horror to life. What are you waiting for? Go pick up Zombie in the Library today, and, while you're at it, be sure to check out other chilling titles in the series.
The review still needs reviewing - weird, right? - so I don't expect to get it right the first time around. This is just the concept of my understanding. Anyway, moving on.

I did like the book, don't get me wrong. It's just not my bag. So from an adult standpoint, it's a drag. From a child's standpoint, R.L. Stein's stuff is way creepier. From a parent/educator's opinion, well, it's actually a great book for children beginning chapter books. Michael Dahl uses onomatopoeia to create the chilling sensations. Coupled with the doodles and illustrations of Bradford Kendall, we get the complete story.

It's a book worth reading or gifting for a young one. And it receives my stamp of approval! Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Zombie in the Library is available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble (cheapest).  

Thursday, April 5, 2012

The Book Hunter Has A Baby


Presenting the future book hunter, Shaun Damien Corona. He was born in the wee early hours of April 5, 2012. Weighing a mere 4lbs 11oz, Shaun may be a small guy but he is an overflowing cup of love.

His mom and I are both escatic about starting our family, and look forward to the years that lie ahead.

Until next time, keep on huntin'.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Let Me Tell You About... Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon


A fresh-faced high school graduate, that's what I was when I first came across Michael Chabon's Wonder Boys for the first time. I heard about through the grapevine that we call Hollywood. I obtain a VHS copy of the film the book inspired. It hooked me. I can't say if it was Michael Douglas's portrayal of Tripp, Robert Downey , Jr.'s Crabtree that inspired me to read. Maybe it was Tobey Maguire's rendition of James Leer that hit close to home. Or maybe it was because, at the time, I was madly in love with Katie Holmes and wanted to know more about her character. Either way, I set off to read the novel.

Because I was a fresh-faced high school graduate, the summer of 2001 - hell, summer, fall, winter of 2001 and all of 2002 - was spent with little ambition to attend college. What could college teach me that I couldn't learn on my own? Besides, after spending three years as a slacker smart ass, I fell into a deep anxiety bout my senior year - there was no way I was going to spend another year in that school - attempting to graduate. Couple with my lack of ambition to work, I spent a lot of time at the local library - then modestly called Edinburg Public Library.

I read through several books then. Some by well known authors and some by not-so-well-known. Wonder Boys was the first book I read by Michael Chabon, The Mysteries of Pittsburgh being the second and last book I read. While I love The Mysteries of Pittsburgh, it didn't draw me as quickly as Wonder Boys did. Why? Because I was Wonder Boys, at least that's what I thought at the time (and sometimes, whenever I pick up the novel, I still feel that I am). I connected with the trifecta that was Grady Tripp, Terry Crabtree, and James Leer. I loved them as I have loved no other characters - not even my own.

Wonder Boys became my bible, my calling. If not for that week I spent reading and rereading Chabon's words, I may not have walked to the local college and filled out an application. I might not have enrolled in whatever creative writing course I could. I would not have met the fabulous mentors who are probably shaking their heads with disgust at my poorly structured book blog. (Come on, guys, not all things have to be written properly.)

Eleven years later, I find myself sitting with my dog-eared copy of Wonder Boys - which I bought with my financial aid money back in 2003 or 2004 - scratching out the outline that would become this post. It's a book I pick up every year or every other year, depending on my mood. Whenever I find myself stuck, confused with what to read next, I turned to it like religion. I sit back and read, discovering new things and fondly remembering words like my own memories. I now work for the local library - now called Dustin Michael Sekula Memorial Library - but the copy I fell in love with is no longer a part of our catalog. 

As I sat down for lunch today, a co-worker asked me what I was reading. When I responded, he asked the usual question, "Is it any good?" "It's actually one of my favorites," I said. 

"You're rereading it?" Almost in disbelief. 

Yeah. I'm rereading it. Again and again and again.