SECONDS

Author:  Bryan Lee O'Malley

Genre:  Graphic Novel, Standalone

Published:  2014

Personal Rating:  3/5 (just okay)

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  38

In her late 20's, Katie has things going for her until she doesn't.  A house spirit appears and gives Katie a solution to all her problems.

Once the house spirit appeared, I disconnected a bit . . . that's just not my thing.  Also, the manga-ish appearance of the characters didn't help either.  I picked it up because I wanted to read another graphic novel, and it had very high ratings.  The actual story (which is a message) turned out to be just okay for me.  

Thoughts of Joy

TWILIGHT

Author:  Stephenie Meyer

Genre:  YA Graphic Novel, Series #1

Published:  2010

Personal Rating:  3/5 (just okay)

Format:  Book

Yearly Count:  104

Yes.  This is THE "Twilight" book in a graphic format.

The graphic format made this a light version of the whole story.  I, surprisingly, enjoyed the first book in this series.  It was my introduction to vampires, and it explained the hows and whys, etc.  This book lacked any detail of any thing.  I understood what was going on, because I could fill in the holes.  Due to that, it turned out to be just okay, instead of a confused reader.

The best news . . . it has fulfilled my GoodReads 2014 Reading Challenge.  WOO!!!  

Thoughts of Joy

   

THE OCEAN AT THE END OF THE LANE

Author:  Neil Gaiman

Genre:  Paranormal, Standalone

Published:  2013

Personal Rating:  3.25/5 (just okay +)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Neil Gaiman

Yearly Count:  49

A 40-something man remembers his childhood when he met an 11-year-old girl at the end of the lane when he was just 7.

First things first.  Neil Gaiman.  He should become a full-time narrator!  I didn't remember it was him until I was loving it and looked it up.  Love his inflection and voice.  Perfect.  :)  Now, the story itself, I was really enjoying the peculiarity for close to 4 out of 5 discs.  Then . . . it fell apart for me.  The way it came to a close was too messed up.  I didn't feel like it was a story anymore - more like a mind-wandering collaboration.  So, in the end, I'm left with disappointing feelings.  Oh well.  

Thoughts of Joy

SO COLD THE RIVER

Author:  Michael Koryta

Genre:  Paranormal, Standalone

Published:  2010

Personal Rating:  2/5 (not enjoyable)

Format/Narrator:  Audiobook/Robert Petkoff

Yearly Count:  24

A dejected filmmaker is asked to make a documentary about a 95-year-old billionaire.  He isn't given much to go on except a childhood location and an old bottle of water.

Oh dear.  This is NOT a genre I like - at all.  The only reason I kept listening was because I really like Robert Petkoff, and I was too busy sewing to take the time to find another audiobook.  AND, I actually kinda liked the main character . . . that is until the end.  Anything else I say would be negative, so I'll end here. 

Thoughts of Joy