Book Review: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

 Book: They Called Us Enemy by George Takei

Genre: Graphic memoir

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

This was the other book we read last month for book club. (If you've been paying attention, we've been reading two books per month through the summer. It's been an interesting endeavor!)  I found it to be very interesting in learning about what happened to George Takei's family during World War II and how they ended up in the interment camps. 

It's a great look from a young boy's point of view. He didn't understand a whole lot of what was going on, but he sure did feel the pain from his parents. He makes a big deal about the fact that he really questioned his father later on... and wanted answers to why they did what they did and suffered what they did.

But as a young boy, he adapted well and the whole experience was quite an adventure actually. And it turned out they felt very safe in these camps and built up quite the life for themselves. That was one of the most interesting parts to me... that once they were freed and let out to go about their lives again... that was almost a worse adjustment than going in. And they felt very afraid of everyone. 

But yeah. It's so depressing the way we all have treated each other over the years. And so scary that this sort of thing very well could happen again. I'm glad George Takei has taken this experience and made it sort of his life's campaign.

Anyway, another great book and story that I never would  have read except for book club! I love that!

Book Review: Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks

Book: Pumpkin Heads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks
Genre: YA graphic novel

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★


A cute story about two high school seniors who have worked for years at a pumpkin patch during the Halloween season. They will be graduating now and going off to college, so they know this will be their last night working. Our girl is determined to get our guy to finally confess to the "fudge girl" he has crushed on all these years, but never talked to.

So they end up trying to track her down the whole evening, but she keeps moving locations. In the meantime, they sample a lot of food, run into their favorite co-workers, and generally reminisce about all their adventures over the years.

And by the end of the evening, they realize something that they totally didn't expect when their shift started!

Awesome! I'm not one to pick up a graphic novel on purpose, but whenever I do, I'm always happy I did.

Book Review Thoughts: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

Book: Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Genre: Graphic Memoir
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

In an effort to read more widely, the book club has been adding graphic books to our lineup recently. This particular book is our February choice. It's one I've seen floating around for years, I remember it way back from my book fair days, which was a long time ago! It's fun to finally read it!

Basically, the author who is an amazing artist, has illustrated and documented her middle school years, which are defined by the fact that she has to get major orthodontic work because of an incident where she fell and knocked out her front teeth. It does sound quite traumatic and had I been her, I wouldn't have suffered through it quite as well as she did I'm afraid.

And her friends! Sheesh, what terrible friends! I was happy to see that even as a kid, she realized this pretty quickly and made changes. I think most kids would have just been devasted and wallowed in self pity.

It was fun to see the historical and cultural references she made to stuff going on in the world. This was during my "lost years" where I wasn't paying attention to much of anything since I had just entered my life as a mommy with little babies. So while I can't say totally that I related, I did enjoy experiencing it with her.

Bottom Line: I found it to be very fun and a fabulous way to preserve a bit of one's life story!

P.S. I was so happy to see they included a real life picture of the author as she looks today... smiling! So we could see how her smile turned out all these years later!

Other Reviews:

Something I love the most about this book - well, maybe it's just Raina Telgemeier - is the power of storytelling through comics, even stories from your own life. From The Blue Bookcase

What I really love about this book is how well Telgemeier captures tween angst. The accurately portrays many of the struggles tween girls are faced with, from fake friends to body image issues. From The Reading Zone

I really liked the artwork; it’s pretty straightforward panel-based narrative, but I like Telgemeier’s style of drawing, and the book is really bright and colorful throughout. From Fyrefly's Book Blog

I really enjoyed the nostalgia I felt while reading. From Jenni Elyse

Book Review Discussion: Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang

Book (s): Boxers and Saints by Gene Luen Yang
Genre: Graphic Historical (these are shelved in the history section at the library. I found that interesting.)
Rating:★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
For: the readathon
From: the library

Short Synopsis: This is the story of the Boxer Rebellion in China that took place right around 1900 between the Chinese and the Catholics. In Saints, we get the story from the POV of a girl who has been converted to the church and ends up wanting to fight in the cause. She never really gets a chance and is (SPOILER) killed defending her faith. In Boxers, we get the story from the POV of a kid who's brothers start a group that becomes a force in the rebellion and who hunts down the Catholics that are destroying their culture. Sadly, his story doesn't go to far either.

My Response: It's a pretty gruesome tale and so frustrating as you can see both sides. And it just makes you want to scream.. why can't people get along and let each other do their thing?? It's madness! It was fun to learn about this event, as I knew nothing at all before hand. Some of the stuff, especially in Boxers, was a bit mystical and complicated and went over my head (especially as I was trying to read fast for the readathon!) but the feeling came across in a huge way.

Bottom Line: Amazing medium to use for teaching us about this historical event. Brilliant even. I totally enjoyed it.

Let's Talk About: Do you know about this event in history? Would you read a graphic novel to learn stuff like this? (I guess most of the graphic novels I've read have actually been non-fiction historical. Interesting that.)

Other Reviews:

But taken together, these books are present an interesting, engaging read that brings up a lot of interesting ethical questions about the nature and cost of war. From Fyrefly's Book Blog

This is what makes Boxers and Saints really work - Yang manages to draw sympathies to each character without having to jeopardize the plot. He shows how there is right and wrong on both sides of the fences, just as it is with most wars, and it is never possible to look at this event and pinpoint who was to blame. From Reading on a Rainy Day

Yang is a master of employing visual and narrative techniques that bring the characters and their struggles to life. From Estella's Revenge

Highly recommended, this graphic novel duo has a place in every library collection. From Walking Brain Cells

Book Review Discussion: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

Book: American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Genre: YA Graphic
Rating:★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
For: Fun, Printz Award
From: Bought at a conference and signed by the author

Short Synopsis: Several stories in comic book form, that in the end come together to prove a point about embracing who you are. One is an ancient Chinese legend... about this monkey god. One is about our hero who is just trying to fit in and be normal. And another is about some other kid who's cousin comes to visit.

My Response: Lots of laughs! Awesome pictures! I didn't get the cousin story line for awhile and then when it all made sense I was like... BRILLIANT! I don't know. Graphic books are kinda hard to review, but really, this one deserves all the praise it's been getting and I'm glad I finally picked it up. It didn't hurt that I met the author and he is dang cool. And fascinating to listen to. And that's an understatement.

Bottom Line: If you aren't sure about you and graphic novels yet, do give this one a try!

Let's Talk About: What's the best graphic novel you've read?

Other Reviews:

I loved the colorful illustrations and am never ceased to be amazed at how emotionally powerful and descriptive graphic novels can be. From Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity

There are many funny moments in the story, but, like the best sort of humour, this doesn’t get in the way of the book’s seriousness or poignancy. From Things Mean A Lot

What I loved most about American Born Chinese is aside from the colourful illustrations and the great characterization, these three little (interlinked) stories convey the same message about finding one's identity and to love and to accept who you are. From Melody's Reading Corner

BUT then . . . then Yang comes from out of left field and BAM! Home run!! I'm telling you that this book just blew me away. From Tif Talks Books

Book Review Discussion: Saga Volume 1 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples

Book: Saga Volume 1 by Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Genre: Graphic novel, SciFi
Rating:★★☆☆☆
For: Fun
From: The library

Short Synopsis: This is the story of two people in love, both from different sides of an intergalactic war who just want to find peace. Their baby is being born when the story opens and it's this baby that narrates the tale. We follow them as they try to escape, take on a nanny who's a mutilated ghost, fight off lots of bad guys and find the most amazing star ship ever. We also follow another guy who appears to be a bad guy but in reality seems to have a surprisingly soft heart. (Not sure what's up with him yet, not enough of the story in this first volume!)

My Response: Well. How to say this!? I've heard so much about this one and felt the need to find out for myself what I thought, though I had a sneaking suspicion that it was going to be a bit much for me. I was right. Though I could totally get into the story and characters without a problem, the content and images are, shall we say, too adult for me! (I hate that term, but there you go.) I loved the snarkiness of the characters. I loved the main dude (Marco, was it?) because he seems so sweet, mostly. The girl rubbed me the wrong way a bit. The baby narrating was hilarious, and I was totally intrigued by the guy that appears bad but is really good. Oh, and the nanny was a riot.

But the F bombs were way over the top and more than I can take (I guess I have a threshold after all!) and some of the pictures were, shall we say, a little indecent. Ha. But at least now I know and even though I kind a feel sad not knowing the rest of the story, I'll probably pass on the others.

Bottom Line: Great science fiction story (very weird though) if you love that stuff but told in a over the top gritty way.

Let's Talk About: How do you feel when you want to try something that so many other people love but then when you try it you know you aren't going to love it? I feel disappointment pretty bad, but it doesn't happen very often so I think I'll be okay when it does.

Other Reviews:

Saga is at turns, and sometimes at once, beautiful and horrifying. From Fantasy Book Critic

What a ride! From 1330v: Thoughts of an Eclectic Reader

The dialogue is snappy and brings the characters to life incredibly easy. From SFF Book Reviews

Saga brings us non-stop action in a world filled with war, but it also brings us love and laughter. From Tif Talks Books

Book Review Discussion: Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney

Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid The Third Wheel by Jeff Kinney
Genre: MG Graphic Novel
Rating:★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
For: Readathon
From: Bought from... somewhere

Short Synopsis: How to summarize these books?! It's more of Gregory and his life... this time with stories about his bum of an uncle coming to live with them, getting paired up for dancing in PE, finding a date to the school dance, going on a date with two boys and one girl, chicken pox, and I can't remember what else.

My Response: Fun as always, but I maintain that they are not as funny as the first ones. Silly silly fun though and perfect for the readathon!

Bottom Line: Kids will keep loving them. Adults might start getting tired of them! Did you know there's another coming out? :)

Let's Talk About: I seriously don't really know what to discuss regarding this book! I think middle school/junior high is crazy, but not as bad as these books make them out to be. That being said, they also strike at the truth so much! It's an interesting line between exaggeration and truth, don't' you think?

Other Reviews:

I don’t know if I’ve never really grown up or if I’m going through my second childhood, but I just love these books. From BermudaOnion's Weblog

These books never get old. From ReadingJunky's Reading Roost

Book Review Discussion: Maus Vol. II: And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman

Book: Maus Vol.II: And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman
Genre: Graphic Memoir
Rating:★★★★☆
For: Fun 
From: Bought for my daughter for school years ago

Short Synopsis: This one started where the other one ended, with our family getting thrown into Auschwitz. We are taken through all the experiences they had here, being separated, figuring out ways to see each other, using skills to his advantage and how much it helped, and sometimes hurt, all the worries about the ovens and the showers. And how it all ended.

My Response: I loved the flashing back and forth between the dad "now" as an old grandpa and dealing with his son and his wife that left and old age, and the dad as the young guy surviving in a concentration camp. The contrast is really amazing between the onery old guy and the competent and resourceful young one. Anyway, such a sad and crazy story, as they all are and once again I'm always left wondering how people made it through these things. I truly did enjoy this graphic art way to tell the story. Quite effective really, and I was surprised how well I actually enjoyed this method.

Bottom Line: Read this.. first the first one and then the second. Just do it.

Let's Talk About: The old Vladek is pretty ornery and mean. But do you blame him? How would you expect a survivor of the Holocaust to act during the rest of their days? I mean... really.

Other Reviews:

Overall, however I think this set of novels is unmatched when it comes to the history of WWII from the perspective of the common Polish Jew. I will be forever marked by it. From You've GOTTA Read This!

Spiegelman adds to the documentation of Holocaust survivors with his father's story, and in the end, makes the story even more real by including a copy of an actual photo of his father. From Bookish

Reading it reminded me of an interview I did with a holocaust survivor when I worked at a daily newspaper. I remember being shocked by how angry he was. In my naïveté I assumed he would feel only gratitude for the fact that he survived, but there are some wounds that you can never truly forgive. From Avid Reader's Musings

If you thought the first one was heart-felt and moving, wait until you get to this one. From Becky's Book Reviews

Book Review Discussion: Maus: A Survivor's Tale Volume 1: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman

Book: Maus: A Survivor's Tale Part 1 by Art Spiegelman
Genre: Graphic NF Memoir
Rating:★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
For: Book club
From: Book club library set

Short Synopsis: The author sits down and interviews his dad about their experiences during WWII. This is the stuff leading up to their imprisonment in a concentration camp. The rest of the story is in Part 2. It's all harrowing and terrible and gut wrenching.

My Response: I wasn't overly fond of the drawings themselves. I mean, I could take them or leave them. But the story was powerful and sad and crazy. My favorite parts, however, were back in the "present" (the story was written in the 70s I think) and seeing the interactions between the son and the dad. I loved the dad's cute accent. And loved that the author decided to leave that in and let us enjoy it. Some parts of the story were very hard to read. And the dad told it so matter of factly. I wonder if that's how he really told it, and if he had to distance himself from things that way just in order to get through the telling. And also, I'm with the author and feel pretty furious about the throwing away of the mom's diary. Say what????

Bottom Line: I can see why this one gets so much attention. It's yet another wonderful, terrible Holocaust tale. And yes, I'll for sure be reading the rest of the story. I think it's in my house somewhere.

Let's Talk About: What do you think about a story such as this being told in graphic (comic) form? Strange I think. Very strange. But still, I guess it can make it even more a powerful story to actually SEE it as the author would like us to see it. The animal thing I just think is weird. I don't get why he decided to do that. Just... weird.

Other Reviews:

While I read this, I found moments to laugh, but there are also many moments to cry. From Historical Tapestry

There’s a good reason Maus has won nearly every award that can be bestowed on graphic novels. From Little Read Reviewer

I cannot possibly recommend Maus I and II enough. If you are new to graphic books, this would be a perfect place to start, and if you are an old pro with the genre – why haven’t you read these yet?? From Book Addiction

To say much more would come across as trite but suffice to say that Spiegelman never trivialises Vladek’s experiences but articulates them with brutal honesty and creativity that emphasises rather than detracts from the horror whilst also presenting it through an accessible medium. From Paperback Reader