Weekend Cooking: The Comic Book Story of Beer by Jonathan Hennessey & Mike Smith

I picked up The Comic Book Story of Beer because I like comic books and I like beer. While whiskey is alcoholic beverage of choice, I appreciate a good beer. I love trying new brews. But I know very little about beer.

I really enjoyed The Comic Book Story of Beer. It starts with the beginning-the first fermented drinks. The story takes the reader through the entire history of how beer went from a seasonal beverage to a huge national product. I loved the single page panels that explained one type of beer like porter, India Pale Ale, lagers, and Belgian wits. This book definitely made me want to go out and try more beer.

This was my third read for the Foodies Read Challenge.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth  Fish Reads and is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page.

Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier

I had enjoyed Telgemeier's other books so I was excited to read Ghosts. I was not disappointed. Telgemeier does a great job of translating all the feelings of being a teen into her books. And this was one no different. Catrina and her family are moving to Northern California for her sister, Maya's health. Catrina is upset about leaving her friends. But Catrina and Maya wind up  gaining friends, family history, and developing a closer relationship with each other. I enjoyed this story and I look forward to more ffrom Telgemeier.
I read this one for the Read Harder Challenge: Read an all ages comic.

November Graphic Novel Review

Jessica Jones: Alias vol 1

I really enjoyed Jessica Jones tv show. This graphic novel had elements (Hello, Luke Cage) but didn't follow the show. I liked learning more about Jessica. I look forward to more Jessica.

Snow White

Set during the Great Depression in New York. Beautifully drawn. Followed the usual story line. I loved it.

Groot
I loved this one. I hope they do more Groot graphic novels.

We Stand On Guard
It's no secret I'm a Brian K Vaughan fan girl. I really enjoyed this one.

Princeless vol 1
I loved this one. Great for girls of all ages.

The Vision vol 1
This one was a lot deeper than other graphic novels I've read. The Vision wants to be human. This volume explore what being human and having a family means. Really makes you think.

October Graphic Novel Review

Luke Cage Noir

I love the time period on this one. But I was a little confused as I'm not well versed in Luke Cage's story. I'm watching the Netflix show and enjoying. I'll be looking for more about Luke in the future.

Wonder Woman: Earth One
I admit I know very little about Wonder Woman's orgins. I thought this was good. Graphics were amazing.

Star Wars: Vader Down
I don't know if this is cannon but I loved this one. Funny. The writers obviously captured the characters beautifully.

Girl In Dior
Cute fictional story about a model for Dior in the early days of Dior. Drawings were good. Great story.

September graphic novel reviews

Sex criminals vol 3

Meh, not as good as the first two. Fraction is still funny but the story got lost towards the end.

Hawkeye vol 6

Another meh one. Solid story but I like Clint more than Kate.

Star Wars: Lando

Good story just about Lando. I'm going to look For more Star Wars graphic novels.

The Nameless City

Good story about a city that's been conquered so much no one knows it's true name. Talks about being different and being kind to those different than you.

How To Talk To Girls At Parties

I love Gaiman. The story was interesting, a little short. But still good.

Saga vol 6

Probably my favorite so far. Love the action. And getting to know Hazel more.

August Graphic Novel Review

Persepolis

Persepolis had long been on my radar but a friend recently encouraged me to read it. I checked it out from the library again and this time made time to read it. I really enjoyed Satrapi's story. I knew a little about Iran and enjoyed learning more especially from someone who was there. The drawing was good and helped illustrate the story. I want to read the sequel.

Batgirl vol 1
I really liked that this one followed the events of the Killing Joke. The first part was good with the Mirror but the second half didn't excite me as much. I'll continue with the series and see how it goes. 

July Graphic Novel Review

Paper Girls vol 1

I'm a huge fan of Brian K Vaughn so I really liked Paper Girls. The time period, the plot, it was all very cool. I look forward to more.

Southern Bastards vol 1

I'm not sure how I heard about Southern Bastards. The drawing was good. The story was good but brutal. I don't know if it's something I'll continue.

Drowned City

I remember Katrina vividly. This felt brief and would be better suited to someone who didn't remember Katrina. But a good primer on what happened there. A little gritty, better for an older teen reader. 

The Astonishing Ant Man vol 1 

Meh. Not my favorite Ant Man volume. 

January Graphic Novel Review

Over Easy

I enjoyed the story of this one. It's the 70's and Madge takes a job in a coffee shop. The story follows Madge and her coffee friends as they fall in and out of relationship and do drugs.

Deadpool vs Thanos

Still trying to read more Deadpool before the movie comes out. I liked this one because the Avengers and the  Guardians of the Galaxy show up.

2016 Graphic Novel & Manga Challenge

I had fun with this challenge this year so I look forward to trying it again next year. I'm going to stick with the Bronze Age (24 books read and reviewed). I'm going to keep the same format, reviewing the books once a month. To sign up, go here.

November Graphic Novel Review

Saga vol 5

Still loving this series.

The Sleeper and The Spindle

Neil Gaiman does fairy tales. Just delightful. A little Sleeping Beauty, a little Snow White but all one gorgeously dark tale.

Gotham Academy vol 1
A little like Scooby Doo set in the DC universe. Not sure how it ties into Batman but cute story. 

Get Jiro! by Anthony Bourdain

I picked up Get Jiro! because a graphic novel written Bourdain sounded to interesting to pass up. I really enjoyed this very bloody romp.

Yes, this is the Jiro from Jiro Dreams of Sushi. Jiro has a small sushi bar in Los Angeles. Los Angles has become split by two rival food ideologies, the purists and the locavore. I loved how Bourdain skewers food culture.  People are waiting years to dine at some restaurants, Getting into fist fights to get into restaurants. The two heads of each faction acting like mafia bosses. It's all very funny and tongue in cheek. But it's also very bloody. It is like a mafia movie. Lots of feeding people to the pigs. It is very bloody and violent, definitely not for the squeamish.

I found the story interesting but the characters were a little flat. I need to read more by Bourdian. He;s funny. Others who shared their thoughts on Get Jiro!:Well Preserved, Kei's Kitchen, and iFanboy.
This is my eighth read of the Foodies Read Challenge.

October Graphic Novel Review

Nimona

Really glad I finally picked this one up. Great characters, interesting story. Very much enjoyed it.

Alex + Ada vol 3

Good conclusion to the series. I had a problem with how one thing played out but overall I enjoyed it.

Fables vol 5

I just keep enjoying this series.

September Graphic Novel Review

RIPD vol 1

I liked the movie version but thought it could have been more. The graphic novel was better than the movie. I'm going to try to get the second volume since the library doesn't have it.

Hawkeye vol 4
I've been enjoying this series. This one was confusing at first but got better. It looks like this is Matt Fraction's last volume as author on Hawkeye.

Deadpool: Head Trip

In preparation for the Deadpool movie, I've decided to learn more about Wade Wilson. Good story, funny. I look forward to more Deadpool.

August Graphic Novel Review

Transposes

A fantastic graphic novel about 6 transgender men. Very honest and beautiful. I can't recommend it enough.

Pregnant Butch

An interesting memoir of a lesbian who gets pregnant while identifying as butch. Great look at how health care and society looks at non-gender conforming people. Thought provoking and funny.

Sex Criminals vol 2

I love this series. Such great characters and an interesting premise.

July Graphic Novel Reviews

Glory: The Complete Saga

I read the first volume of Glory last year. I enjoyed it and hoped to finish the series. I was lucky to find the entire story on the library shelf so I could complete it in one fell swoop. I liked the beginning of Glory but it got off the rails and ended somewhere else. The ending was good. I liked how Glory's backstory developed but it certainly didn't end I thought it would. 

Ada + Alex vol 2

I enjoyed the second one just as much as the first. Really looking forward to the next volume.

Mara

The story of a young woman who suddenly acquires supernatural powers. Interesting story, good characters. It's brief but maybe that's all it needed to be.

Fables vol 4
I was starting to lose interest in Fables but the second half of this volume renewed my interest.

June Graphic Novel Review

Fables vol 2 & 3

Still enjoying Fables. Looking forward to seeing how the Snow & Bigby storyline works out.

The Heartbreak Diet

The story of a woman as her marriage is ending. Well done but sad.

The Last Unicorn 

A childhood favorite. I enjoyed the graphic novel but want to see the movie again.