Boy Toy by Barry Lyga

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin; 1 edition (September 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618723935
• ISBN-13: 978-0618723935
• List Price: $16.95
• I finished this book on July 28

Okay, so, I read Mr. Lyga's other book The Astonishing Adventures of Fanboy and Gothgirl way back when. I also saw Lyga speak and very much enjoyed his presentation on the History of Geekery. So, when this finally showed up at my library (why do book orders take so long to come in? It's like having perma-blue balls. Ugh) I knew I had to read it.
So, Josh was the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of his female teacher when he was 12. Very Mary Kay Letourneau. Anyway, the abuse eventually comes out and the story follows the life of an older Josh, who is still dealing with (or not so much dealing with) his abuse. High school Josh is applying to colleges and trying to get a baseball scholarship. He is also trying to repair a fractured relationship with his former b/f and possible love interest. Oh, and his parents are douches. And he thinks he is a sex-pervert and that the abuse was his fault. Oh, one more thing: his abuser is getting out of prison. Frickin awesome. As if this kid doesn't have enough problems.
This abuse in the story is told little by little in flashbacks, it's honest and frank, but it isn't kitty porn. The guilty party is a 24-year-old teacher. This really skeeved me out because she's obviously bonkers and I'm a 25-year-old high school teacher and I can't even fathom how this happens. The cool thing about the book is that it isn't just about this abuse, it's really more about Josh's life now and how his past is influencing his present. It was all really artfully handled, really. Josh's character is well written and the story wraps up pretty nicely. Oh, and the baseball stuff wasn't too much for a non-jock like me to handle. It was actually pretty well done. I followed it and I was interested. All in all I think I like this one better than Fanboy and I will continue to keep an eye out for Lyga.
Sountrack: Hot for Teacher by Van Halen. Because it's totally inappropriate and there's nothing funny about this book book's abuse. And I love inappropriatness (and making up words).

New Feature: Movie Trailers!

Hey my lovlies. So, because I review movies that are based on books, and because there are some I am excited about, and because I feel like it (and love run on sentences) I am adding a new sexy feature to the blog. Movie Trailers! I this will probly be rather haphazard and posted only when there is something I am really excited about. Either way: hope you enjoy!
First up is the new Chronicles of Narnia movie Prince Caspian. I will totally need to read this again before the release of the movie as my memory of it is very foggy. Sadly, none of the kids have gotten any cuter, but Prince Caspian is pretty good looking, despite having some awesomely bad layers. You only see it for a minute so I couldn't tell if it was more 80s or flat-ironed man shag. Either way: here you go:



Next up is Inkheart, which is a popular YA novel by Cornelia Funke. I am currently listening to this on tape, so I almost didn't want to watch the trailer, but it's very cool that it will be a movie. Also, Vanessa Redgrave is reading my version, so in my head, I thought the father was older than Brendan Frasier. (I should not want to make out with Moe, is my feeling.) Either way, be patient and you will have my book review for that soonish (I think the tape is something over 10 hours). Enjoy:


Update: I've finally finished the book and I've watched the trailer. I have some concerns, but hopefully it will be awesome. Also: huge crush on Paul Bettany. Especially if he plays with fire. *sigh*

bee's random ramblings

So, my astute lovelies, you've probably noticed that this post isn't a book review. And you'd be right. It's a love note from me to tell you that I will be out of town a lot during the rest of the month. I'm going on two separate trips to Florida, and will have only sporadic internet access.
I mention this because I like to think you'll miss me. The real moral of the story is that I won't be on my meebo chat so if have something really important to say you can e-mail me (check out my profile for the address).
In other news: I have been asked several times lately how I choose what to read next. Mostly, I choose based on two things: recommendations from friends/colleagues, or book reviews. I read lots and lots of book reviews at my job. Anywho: up till now I have collected titles of books I wanted to read on little post it notes (have I mentioned that I'm a school supply junkie? check out this cryptic quiz of movies made out of office supplies. it's good times.) Because the post it's have been taking over my life I have begun to make an actual list that I won't loose. You can peek at it here, please note that it's just a random listing of some of the post its I've collected with titles i want to check out. Also note that I hate capitalizing things. I'm not sorry. Feel free to give me more suggestions, I'm always looking.
Okay, one last thing to share with you: I totally stalk where people come from to get to my site and what search terms lead people here. Some of them are hysterical and I will now share them for your amusement.

• schmoozing geek
• what happens in the champagne room (no sex, that's what, son!)
• gay bum sex (heehee! I can't imagine why!)
• how to get an awesome ponytail (I'm number 2 - that cracks my shit up!)
• werewolf sex room (okay, that's too weird even for me)
  
• foxy librarian (that's me!)
• naughty greek gods
• homosexual priests
• inappropriate behavior
  

There are actually tons of ones about these two things: gay porn and man ponytails/80s hair.
So, if you've come here accidentally while looking for porn please stick around even though there is no boobage or naked men (but you know, there are some books about gay sex) If you've come here trying to find how to have an awesome 80's man-shag maybe, um, you should reconsider that look. Just sayin' So, lovely reader...how did you get here? (perv)
The moral of this post: I'll be on vacation but I promise I'll be reading a lot (finishing up my challenge books!) and I'll post when I can! p.s. pretend like you miss me!

Strangehaven Vol 3: Conspiracies by Gary Spencer Millidge

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Abiogenesis (September 21, 2005)
• ISBN-10: 0946790078
• ISBN-13: 978-0946790074
• List Price: $14.95
• I finished this book on April 10

I know you're expecting the exciting conclusion to Strangehaven right now, but too bad: it wasn't the end! That's right, guys, its happened again. Remember A Distant Soil? Argh!! And once again, the last book isn't even available yet. Boo. To. That.
Anyway, I suppose I will begrudgingly tell you what happened even though I'm mad. Ku Klux Klan outfit guys tried to get Alex into their group, and while he was inclined to say boo to that a couple of the people from town convinced him to go in as a spy. Apparently Strangehaven is a kind of magical hot spot that affects the whole world (not to be confused with the Hellmouth, guys). And the KKK dress guys are gonna put the whammy on the universe if they aren't balanced by the white witches in the town.
In other news, the murder (which was actually two like I thought) from the last book is pretty much ironed out and don't worry one of the many ponytailed men was exonerated. There was also more infidelity and the switching of identities. Oooh! And there was a ghost who came back to hang with his wife when she died. That's sweet, and you know it. Warms my heart.
So this is the problem I always have with graphic novels and comics: I can't get my hands on the good ones in order. Hopefully when this next one comes out I'll be able to get my hot paws on it quickly and share it with you all. Cross your fingers
If your interested, you can check out some of Millidge's other artwork: here. And for fun: here's a picture of Millidge with his flowing locks of love falling over his face as he signs some comics. I dunno, guys, it's funny to me.

Strangehaven Vol. 2: Brotherhood by Gary Spencer Millidge

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Abiogenesis (March 1, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0946790051
• ISBN-13: 978-0946790050
• List Price: $13.95
• I finished this book on April 10

So, I've gotta tell you kiddies, a lot just happened. Like I mentioned, the first book had various bizarro plot lines going on and they kept right on going in this one.
So, this book did not focus on Alex as much as the first one did, though he played a part in it. He gets lost in the woods for like a week (which is apparently enough time to grow a ponytail) and then comes back to start teaching. Imagine his surprise when there are only two students and some creepy dummies in the classroom. Other than him there's an affair going on in which the young woman decides to tell the wife (because that always works out well) and of course, our pal the alien guy who I think has a skullet (looks like from balding though, not shaving). Either way, there are many many plots weaving in and out here.
Now, I like to think I'm a sharp cookie (what does that phrase even mean, when you think about it, it doesn't even make sense) and I can follow a confusing plot. Having said that, it might be easier for this girl to understand it is every man in the book didn't have long hair wearing a ponytail. Seriously, there's at least 3 ponytail guys in here. Not to mention that because of Millidge's interesting illustrations and shading these guys sometimes look blond and sometimes not - so I'm all "huh?" and have to go back and think about which ponytail dude I'm looking at. Maybe that makes me visually illiterate or something, but I'm okay with that. I have a theory that perhaps Mr. Millidge only has so many male characters with long hair because that's clearly the style he likes to rock. As evidenced by the photos of his flowing locks. So, for fun: please enjoy a picture of him getting made fun of for his awesome 80's hair at a comic con (pic is halfway down the page - caption is priceless).
Sorry, I got all sidetracked thinking about petting the author...dreamy. Anywho: did I mention that there was one death, possibly two at the end of this book? There was. So, yeah, I have to go and find what happens. Up Next: the exciting conclusion!

Strangehaven Vol. 1: Arcadia by Gary Spencer Millidge

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Abiogenesis (May 1, 2001)
• ISBN-10: 0946790043
• ISBN-13: 978-0946790043
• List Price: $13.95
• I finished this book on April 8

So, alright, my lovelies, I know I said that I was going to be reading something from the list next, and I swear I had the best intentions. I got a book from the list out from the library. Then I couldn't bring myself to read it. And it kept staring at me. Creepy. Anyway, an esteemed library school colleague of mine loaned me a series of graphic novels, among others, and so here it is. I am too busy with real homework right now to be dealing with self-imposed homework. I will get back to the list in a week or so. For now...graphic novels.
So this book one of three. In it, we meet Alex, who gets in a car accident and wakes up in a mystery village somewhere in the UK. He keeps having visions of a woman underwater with fish. When he tries to leave he can't seem to get out - he drives in circles for hours and ends up right back there. So he decides to stay. Huh? I'm not mad at this or anything, but I mean, who really stays somewhere that they fully intended to leave because they get lost? Someone who's not trying very hard, that's who. Okay, anyway, so there's a girl he likes, Janey. He finds a house and a job and then, inexplicably turns down Janey's advances and goes camping.
There are also a bunch of other subplots going on here. For one, there is a weird cult/religious group who wear ku klux klan outfits and are doing shady rites. There is also a brazilian guy who befriends Janey's brother and who's contstant offerings of tea and pipe smoke are suspicious to me. Also, one of the guys claims he's an alien and appears to have x-ray vision. I must admit I'm intrigued by all of this and will be starting the next one tonight.
The illustrations are unique, they look a lot like photographs. The pictures of Alex's vision underwater woman are very cool. They are blurred in places and look as though they're really underwater.
In searching, as I do, for more information on these books I found the author's website. He looks all cool and dark in that picture, right? So I was intrigued ( I love cool dark men) so I was compelled to search him out: and I found this. Seriously, look at that hair, it's better than I could have hoped! Oh me oh my, it's like awesome 80's hair band hair. So tasty, and hilarious, thank you Mr. Millidge and your auqua net. I mean, it's lovely, it's prettier than my hair for certain. Anyway, back to the point: Mr. Awesome Face Framing Waves Millidge also has a blog but it doesn't look like it's been updated in a while.
Overall, interesting beginning and I look forward to reading more. Thanks, Chip, for loaning them to me!