Fiction
The Streets of Panic Park
Who out there has ever read the Goosebumps books by R.L. Stine? You know the horror/thriller novels that are supposed to be for kids, but for some reason this adult likes them to. R.L. Stine has written 'The Streets of Panic Park' a part of the Goosebumps Horrorland series. In this edition a group of young kids and their parents go to Horrorland, an amusement park that is scary fun for all, but for a few kids they are told to go to Panic Park that has been closed for decades and the horror begins but will fear win out.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Stall Buddies
Here is an old children's chapter book entitled 'Stall Buddies' written by Penny Pollock and illustrated by Gail Owens. This is the story of a young horse by the name of Scarlett who was bought by a horse trainer Bud the owner of the farm. Scarlett is to be a horse racer but must figure out a way so that she will not be afraid of every little thing. Scarlett makes friends at her new home, but does she really fit. Gail Owens' illustrations are like pencil sketches but well-detailed and does tell the story as well as Penny's words.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Murder at the Kinnen Hotel by Brian McClellan-A critique
"Murder at the Kinnen Hotel" is a 2014 novella with less than a hundred pages. It is authored by Brian McClellan and part of the Powder Mage book series set to be "twenty-two years before the events in Promise of Blood", the first book in the series.
By Merritt Xavier2 years ago in Critique
The O'Hurley's
Nora Robert's has written another series and this one is entitled 'The O'Hurley's'. The first one is entitled 'O'Hurley Born' when you meet Abby and Maddy O'Hurley. This volume has two novels each entitled 'The Last Honest Woman' and the second entitled 'Dance to the Piper'. This is the story of family and/or career and the choice that these two have made for their lives. It is a romance, but again I read Nora Roberts novels for the family aspects. 'O'Hurley Born' is each of these women meets and slowly understands what being in a relationship means to each other. 'The Last Honest Women' is the book that deals with Abby and her choices she makes and made. 'Dance to the Piper' is all about Maddy and her career as a dancer and her various choices.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Wyrm King. Top Story - June 2024.
'The Wyrm King' the third and final volume of Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. In this volume the fantastical characters are really showing themselves and their various talents. Nick and Laurie and family and still learning and making compromises as well as promises trying to be kept in helping the Nixie's and the other people and entities. Nick along with all the others learn how to help each other past and present. Once again Holly Black's artwork would make great coloring pages. All of these books thanks to Tony and Holly were great show and tell books for all ages.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
A Giant Problem
'A Giant Problem' is book two of Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. In this story Nick and Laurie are still trying to help the Nixie's, but another adventure issue pervades their activities in helping them while more fantastical characters are introduced. Nick and Laurie are still learning more about family and friends and working through various ideas and issues. They meet an old man named Noseeum Jack who has a few stories for them. Again, Holly Black's artwork depicts various scenes really well and again would make great coloring pages.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
The Nixie's Song
'The Nixie's Song' is Book One of a three volume series of Beyond the Spiderwick Chronicles created by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. 'The Nixie's Song' is the story of how Nick Vargas learns all about the magical world that no one else can see. Nick has a few issues that he needs to figure out family wise. His father meets someone and things change. He meets his new stepsister Laurie and a few other things begin to happen that can be somewhat unexplainable. This is a fast paced read and basically for the youth readers out there, but I found them interesting for adults could learn from them too. The illustrations that Holly created were well detailed and I thought they would make good coloring pages.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
WHAT YOU NEED NOW
In an unprecedented and historic turn of events, President Joe Biden addressed the nation from the Oval Office, acknowledging the failure of U.S. efforts in Ukraine and Gaza. In a speech that stunned both allies and adversaries, Biden admitted that the complex geopolitical challenges had overwhelmed his administration's strategies and called upon former President Donald Trump to assist in finding a path forward.
By lahsen ezahouani2 years ago in Critique
The House at Pooh Corner
The last book that I received in my Winnie the Pooh collection is entitled 'The House at Pooh Corner' written by A.A. Milne. This is the book when their new friend Tigger bounces into the story. It is also the book where things begin to change, and it seems that they are all growing up in so many ways. Pooh and everyone try to change Tigger, become a little more organized for various projects, learning new things about each other and finding out what learning can do for you and others and just plain helping each other in what they do whether work or play. 'The House at Pooh Corner' can really be anywhere where one needs to figure things out whether you are an adult or child for all you have to do is close your eyes and you are there in your own special Pooh corner.
By Mark Graham2 years ago in Critique
Boys Kills World (2023)
Boy Kills World is a dystopian thriller staring Bill Skarsgard (Boy), who does not say a single word through the entire 111 minute run time. It is however, one of his best performances to date (in my entirely unprofessional opinion). Instead his inner monologue is narrated by H. Jon Benjamin (Bob’s Burgers) with just the right amount of comedy to lighten the graphic and violent action sequences. Skarsgard’s facial expressions show you that his character is a killing machine, uncertain of himself at time, but solely focused on his mission. Now, lets get into the plot.
By Mariah Cruise2 years ago in Critique
