As the World Burns by Derrick Jensen. Illustrated by Stephanie McMillan

Published by Seven Stories Press
Distributed by Raincoast Books

As the World Burns covers the subjects of global warming, over consumption, animal testing, and other environmental issues that we hear about in our everyday lives. 'We meet two young girls who are concerned with preventing the end of the world, but unsure of how to do so. All the information shared in the many 'quick-fix' guides doesn’t seem to be enough. Meanwhile, the US government has worked out a deal with aliens from outer space and has granted them permits to eat the entire country in exchange for gold - gold that the aliens consider worthless. While the corporations are up in arms over the loss of resources/profits, a solitary one-eyed bunny breaks into a research laboratory in an attempt to rescue the animals within. Chaos runs rampant as many lives come together in an attempt to save the planet.

I love environmental books and graphic novels so I was pretty certain I was going to be on to a winner with this title. I didn't like it as much as I had hoped. I believe it contains strong - and important - messages that our world is in trouble and many of the 'band-aid' solutions are not making as much of a difference as we would like. I believe it is informative in some aspects and I definitely like the 'back-to-nature' theme that occurs at times. That said, I didn't like the violence, I didn't care much for the politics, or the feelings of anger it rouses in the reader but it gets the message across and I do always say that it's a well written book that can provoke emotion in a reader.

I liked the illustration a great deal. Graphic Novels always seem to have such unique styles of artwork and this is no exception though I do wish it had been released here in colour as it is going to be in France. One thing I didn't like about it was that the corporations, president etc were all designed to look like villains, sharp monstrous pointy teeth and all. While I am in agreement that companies have a great deal to answer to, and that priorities need to be changed, I don't think it's fair to present them in such a negative way. Most especially when the environmentalists are usually depicted as cute little girls and tortured animals. I am a firm believer in balance and this book struck me as very one-sided in many aspects and honestly comes off as a personal rant designed strictly to enrage the reader.

Whether you love this book or hate it, one thing is for certain. It will definitely provide much food for thought and while I may not agree with the somewhat violent message, it's always a great thing to see someone else speaking out about the state of this planet.

You can learn more about the author at: http://www.derrickjensen.org/ and the illustrator at: http://mcmillan.livejournal.com/

Temping Fate by Esther Friesner

Published by Dutton Children's Books an imprint of Penguin Group Canada

Ilana Newhouse is sick of weddings - or more specifically - the wedding between her sister Dyllin and her partner Ras. Okay, so Ilana can see why her sister would freak out at the freshly drawn skull that Ilana is sporting on her cheek but in all fairness, it's not like Ilana knew that it was a permanent marker! To get away from the wedding craziness and to silence her parents' non-stop speeches about responsibility and colleges, she looks for a summer job but no one seems interested in hiring her. That is until she finds a business card in Dyllin's room - a card for D. R. Temps. She is hired on the spot (well, after a little breaking and entering...) and is very eager to begin her new job. It doesn't take long for her to realize that this job is a little different and she is surprised to learn that she is temping for the fates. What follows is a comical look into the world of the many Greek Deities and more importantly, the many temps who help to keep the world running smoothly while the Gods and Goddesses are busy slacking off at the beach, dealing with their children’s hectic after school activity schedules, and so on.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. It was funny, dripping with sarcasm - always a winner with me -, and very creative in general. It was a great mix of adventure, love, and of course - the old battle between good and evil. Throw in a few Deities with frayed nerves and short fuses, along with a temp-gone-wild and you can just imagine the chaos that follows.

It was a quick, easy read and though I enjoyed it a great deal I couldn't help but feel like it got a little rushed towards the end. I think also that because I previously read Gods Behaving Badly - written by Marie Phillips and also based on Greek Deities in the modern world - and loved it, this book was always going to come off second best for me. That said, I think Temping Fate is the better choice for younger teens. I will definitely be exploring other works by Esther Friesner in the future.

Author's website: http://www.sff.net/people/e.friesner/

Red Colored Elegy by Seiichi Hayashi

Published by Drawn & Quarterly Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Red Colored Elegy tells the story of Ichiro and Sachiko, two people who live together (on and off) as they struggle to make ends meet, and dream of better days. For Ichiro those better days include becoming successful with his comics. For Sachiko, she simply longs for the day when the man she loves will propose marriage.

I love graphic novels. I love to explore the pages and different drawing styles of each author. At first I was a little thrown off by the faces that are sometimes missing, and the characters can have a 'super bendy' look that would cause any yoga expert to be green with envy. It's very easy to put that aside though as the reader gets drawn into the story by the turbulent and often dysfunctional lifestyle of this young couple.

I couldn't help but keep my hopes up that they would eventually manage to communicate to each other what they truly desire in life, even while I found myself greatly saddened by the constant struggle between the two characters. Seiichi Hayashi expresses so much in his artwork and though I could have read this book a lot more quickly than I did, I found myself lingering over each image and admiring the way the author can cause the emotional side of this story to leap out from each one.

For a preview, visit: http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/imagesPreview/a477d4683b76d3.pdf

This is definitely one of my favourites and I look forward to reading it again.

Ms. Hempel Chronicles by Sarah Shun-Lien Bynum

Published by Harcourt Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Ms. Hempel is a seventh grade teacher who, while passionate about teaching and nurturing her students, sometimes wishes she could seek out a different path in life. It seems that every time she holds this debate in her mind, she can't quite grasp a way to achieve this without being seen as dishonourable. In these chronicles the reader gets to witness memorable moments of life through the eyes of this charming, yet seemingly fragile character. Often these moments are reflected through her relationships with other teachers and of course, her students.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The first word that springs to mind is 'intimate'. It's written in such a style that the reader can't help but feel a close bond with Beatrice Hempel as she moves through her life. She is charming, unsure of herself, and often finds herself visiting old memories and longing for a change she doesn't feel brave enough to reach for.

Through the various 'glimpses' into her life, Í couldn't help but feel sorry for this character. When we first meet her, she is in her early to mid twenties and we are still with her as she reaches the thirties but it often seems that the only thing to change is her age. I got the distinct impression that she tends to just stand still and let life happen around her, taking very little control over her own destiny. I was relieved when offered an image of her in earlier years when she had blue hair and dressed in torn t-shirts and leopard print mini skirts, as it showed that she wasn't always this quiet, almost timid woman.

Along with her quietness though, she sometimes displays a child-like naivety that is simply endearing. The naivety lessens as the years unfold though she still seems to retain an ‘innocence’. I would have loved to have seen more of this character and followed her through the next couple of years to see how she would further develop. It's rare to read a book and feel like you have so much invested in the content but with this title, it's exactly how I felt - almost like a doting parent, cautiously watching as Beatrice struggles to discover who she is and what she really wants in life.

This was a wonderful work of fiction.

Website: http://www.mshempelchronicles.com/Welcome.html

The Gospel of the Second Coming: The Long-Awaited Sequel! by Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy

Published by Hay House Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Pretty much everyone knows the main players in this book. We follow Jesus during his second coming as he introduces Mary and Peter to Gnosticism. Mary is eager to learn but then again, could that have something to do with the fact that she has a teensy crush on the big JC. Peter is more sceptical and struggles to keep his old ideas of religion safe. If it were possible, I think Peter would be calling the men in white jackets to take Jesus away. I mean, what else can you do with a guy who claims not to exist! Especially when his dear old dad - AKA God - butts in and claims to be on the 'non-existent' team too.

This is actually a really well written book. During the first chapter or two, it was the humour and outrageousness of this book that kept my interest but as the authors got more in depth, I paid less attention to the humour and was genuinely engrossed in the thoughts and ideas that are shared within the pages.

I can imagine some Christians being offended by the content but I personally think this is the kind of book that everyone should read at least once, regardless of your religious preferences. I am all for a book that promotes love, peace, tolerance and above all, self-love and self-respect. I love that this book pushes readers towards enjoying the life that you live today and turns readers away from the guilt that is all too often attached to religious beliefs.

A positive and inspirational read though admittedly, it did get dry in a few places.

Author's website; http://www.timothyfreke.com

Dead is the New Black by Marlene Perez

Published by Harcourt Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

High School can be a nightmare and very rarely do students make it through the experience unscathed. For Daisy Giordano, high school just got a whole lot worse. Her mother and sisters have psychic abilities and though Daisy's mother is convinced that Daisy is just a slow developer, it doesn't make her 'norm' status any easier to bear.

Throw in the fact that the head cheerleader has just returned from summer break looking somewhat dead and random female teens have been showing up dead (or very close to it) and it's very clear that something nasty is happening in the town of Nightshade. Whatever it is, it seems to be revolving around the Nightshade High cheerleading team. As members of the team are falling victim to some unexplained weirdness, new talent has to be found and Daisy is taken on as a new addition. Hopefully she is in a better position to help solve this mystery before anyone else gets hurt.

'Dead is the New Black' is a highly addictive read which drew me in from the very first page. The writing style is perfectly descriptive - enough detail to paint a very clear image in the mind of the reader, yet not enough to take away from the fast pace of the story. The characters are equally as well written and it's not often easy to become attached to characters within such a quick read but I found myself dreading the end of the book. Thankfully it seems there will be a couple of sequels at least, including 'Dead is a State of Mind' which should already be available and which I hope to review soon.

This is the first book I have read by Marlene Perez but it certainly won't be the last. This book is a welcome addition to my bookshelf and it's a sure-fire winner as a gift for any girls over the age of 12.

Author's website: http://www.marleneperez.com

All We Ever Do Is Talk About Wood by Tom Horacek

Published by Drawn & Quarterly Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

All We Ever Do Is Talk About Wood contains a variety of cartoons which deal with the darker aspects of life. Death, Insanity, Marriage, and Infidelity are among the many topics covered in these simple yet brilliant drawings.

The back of the book describes the characters in these drawings as having the hydrocephalic proportions of playmobil people and I have to agree. The characters have a definite 'cute' factor and I am a big fan of any book that can add humour to the more negative aspects of life.

My favourite comics in this book are: the Agoraphobics Anonymous meeting (page two of the preview PDF which is linked to below), The mousehole, Josh, and the Broken Leg. This is a smaller book, filled with delightful single panel gags that will entertain and amuse.

Preview Link: http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/imag...

How to Behave: A Guide to Modern Manners for the Socially Challenged by Caroline Tiger

Published by Quirk Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

This book is divided into various environments that you will encounter on a day-to-day basis. It covers Transportation, At the Office, Big City Living, Leisure Time, Dating Love and Sex, and Out on the Town. Caroline Tiger captures so many situations that we can all associate with but rather than being a book on manners for the socially challenged (as the title would suggest) the reader is instead faced with a book on how to deal with rude people.

I find it less a book on etiquette, more a book on how to deal with obnoxious people by being more obnoxious than they are. It's hard to tell whether this book is written tongue in cheek but in some places I would sincerely hope it was. I believe that if one were to follow the advice laid out by the author in much of this book, the situation could (and probably would) escalate to levels that do nothing to resolve the original problem but instead would create new ones.

The main theme of the book seems to be 'an eye for an eye' which, personally, I dislike.

On a plus note, at least the author usually offers two solutions per situation. One is tactful and the other is confrontational. If you are someone who likes to be pro-active in correcting the behaviours of those around you then perhaps this title is for you. I did glean a little information from this title regarding general consideration for those around me but was it worth digging my way through the rest of it? I don't know.

It’s not a book I would read again.

Author's website: http://www.carolinetiger.com

Gentleman Jim by Raymond Briggs

Published by Drawn & Quarterly Books
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Jim has a steady job working in the public toilets, a job he is really good at. During his breaks he takes time to read the papers and see what new job opportunities are available but it seems like every job needs 'levels' these days. Life was so much easier back in the days of the old west, or even during the times of Dick Turpin. Gosh those times looked exciting. After spending 12 years thinking about switching jobs, Jim finally decides to look at an alternative life and soon finds that although he has more excitement in his life now, it's not the good kind.

I loved this book. I fell in love with the work of Raymond Briggs when I first saw The Snowman (which I still have on DVD along with Father Christmas.) I hadn't heard of Gentleman Jim and was further surprised to see that it's one of the first graphic novels ever published. The illustrations are vivid, brilliant, wonderfully detailed and often rich and vibrant. The story itself is heartwarming and inspirational while also terribly sad in places. That said, it's also greatly entertaining and caused me to laugh out loud more than a few times.

Easily one of my favourite reads this year.

Preview can be seen at: http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/imagesPreview/a477d459beb320.pdf

Garbage Land by Elizabeth Royte

Published by Little Brown and Company an imprint of Hachette Book Group

Do you ever find yourself wondering what happens to your garbage? The author - Elizabeth Royte - decides to track the weekly journey of the garbage from her home. What follows is an in depth account of trips to landfills, recycling centers, sewage treatment centers, scrap metal centers and much, much more. There are some parts that are a little 'squicky' like the subject of composting and 'disco rice' (maggots) or while doing cleanups and encountering 'Coney Island whitefish' (used condoms). I think the biggest gross factor for me was the subject of Biosolids. I am completely in awe of the author and her determination to leave no stone unturned.

The detail in this book is both incredible and fascinating. To quote a san man (garbage collector) - 'People think there is a garbage fairy. You put it on the curb and pffft, its gone. They don’t have a clue'. This totally applies to me. I didn't even think much about what happens after I drop off my recyclables at the local depot so it was wonderful to get such a great education on the subject. I found myself frequently quoting parts of the book to my husband as I learned new facts and it even raised my own curiosity about landfills here in Canada since the book is based in the USA. I will definitely need to see if I can find a Canadian book about trash.

What did I like most about this book? It was most probably the facts and figures that are sprinkled throughout the narrative. I found them easy to understand and the author clearly put a lot of time and effort into making sure the book was not only easy to comprehend but that it would keep the reader interested also. I couldn't put this title down and read it in about a day and a half. I especially liked the sprinklings of garbage history. Another thing I liked was that unlike so many books which tell a reader what they need to be doing differently in their life, this author provides many different thoughts and ideas in such a friendly manner that the reader can't help but be enthused about garbage and how to maybe handle it a little differently in their own way. I especially love that the book covers both the pros and cons of recycling and that it encourages the reader to consider cutting down on the garbage at the origin - being more aware of purchases.

I loved one of the ideas that was thrown around by a student in the book, during a recycling meeting. The student in question asked about making the original producers more responsible. Someone replied that they wouldn't agree to 'sticking it to the companies' but it really got me thinking and in an era where nothing is really built to last, this could really be a viable option. If companies were forced to take back the packaging, damaged goods and so on and had to handle the financial responsibility for disposal then surely they would be encouraged to go back to building things that last longer, or cut down on the endless - and oftentimes unnecessarily excessive packaging. It sounds good to me.

This was a brilliantly written and greatly informative read that I would recommend to anyone. You can get an idea about things you can do to make a difference at http://www.booknoise.net/garbageland/ and you can learn even more about the book too.

I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt: Replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion by Vince Antonucci

Published by Baker Books

I was raised Church of England (in school at least) though I was exposed to Jehovahs Witnesses for a while and then religion just seemed to drop out of my life in early teens. I did explorations of my own, Pentecostal, Jehovahs Witnesses, Catholic, but nothing seemed right. I think a big part of it was all the rules, all the judgments, all the hypocrisy of people going to church once a week and then going against those beliefs the remaining six days of the week. It was disheartening. Now I am not religious formally though I do try to live a good life (in my own eyes) and treat others with kindness and as I would like to be treated.

I still enjoy reading about all the various religions and personal views of those involved. Some may come across as too dry a read, others may seem too preachy, but 'I became a Christian and all I got was this lousy t-shirt' is neither. It's subtitle is replacing Souvenir Religion with Authentic Spiritual Passion and it sums it up perfectly. Vince Antonucci provides an authentic glimpse into his life, his journey as a Christian, his moments of disappointment, his 'a-ha!' moments and just basically provides a sincere, personal view on what Christianity is about.

The words that come to mind as I recall the content are: honest, sincere, imperfect, funny (my favourite by far is the subject of Monks), inspiring, uplifting, and personal. Not just personal because the author is sharing his life but because the author talks to - not at - the reader which makes the whole experience feel less like reading a book, and more like listening to a good friend. This book is a must read for any Christian but I would also highly recommend it to anyone who has questions regarding religion of any kind. I would recommend it to parents of teens who have questions regarding religion (it's the most fun book on Christianity I am aware of!) Most especially, if you are like me, then you have all met Christians who preach but fail to live by their own words. Or the Christians who seem to direct judgement at everyone around them. This book if nothing else, will show that just like everything in life there will always be good and bad sides to our religious experiences. It will lead you into the heart and mind of a Christian who is far different than most I have met, and one who provides much food for thought.

The content is presented in a greatly entertaining manner. A good example is in Chapter 6: Hungry, from which I will provide a quote;

Jesus: 'Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.'
The bible tells us this was the day almost everyone decided not to follow Jesus anymore.
I bet this was also the day when Jesus' closest disciples realized they had a problem: Jesus was a loose cannon. I can picture them, later that night, suggesting to Jesus that perhaps they could help him with his PR.
'Now Jesus, if we heard you correctly, earlier, your new marketing slogan is: Bite Me!'

There is much more to it but I tried to capture a little part of it so as to share an example of the fun discussion without ruining your enjoyment of the book should you get it and read it.

Did it make me want to rush out and get baptized? No.. but it did provide me with a lot of ideas on ways I can improve my life and the lives of those around me. It did inspire me to take a look inside myself and check out my priorities in life. I greatly enjoyed this book.

Author's site: http://www.vinceantonucci.com/

There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around by Vivian Vande Velde

Published by Magic Carpet Books - an imprint of Harcourt Inc.
Distributed by Raincoast Books

Ted has a problem. It all started one night while Ted and his sixteen year old brother were watching TV. Looking up he spies his younger sister Vicky - who is in kindergarten - trying to watch TV even though she shouldn't be awake. Vicky explains that she is only there because her new friend Marella was curious about TV. Chalking the experience up to invisible friends, Vicky is sent back to bed by her brothers. Following that there seems to be more than a few strange events including one terrifying night when Ted wakes up from a really bad nightmare only to hear his sister screaming that 'the bad lady' was trying to hurt him.

Through a conversation with his cousin, and later with his grandparents, Ted is convinced the house is haunted and he learns that their almost 150 year old home used to be a part of the underground railroad. Furthermore, his grandparents tell him of a secret room in the house that is now unreachable but which once held a diary. He is thrilled to learn the diary is in the attic but soon learns that someone really doesn't want him to go up there.

Will he get the answers he needs, and will it be in time to put an end to the hauntings before something really bad happens?

I decided on a quick read tonight and this title just caught my eye. From the beginning this book grabs your attention and has no problem holding onto it. The reader is informed that unlike most ghost stories, this one doesn't begin with an old old house, or being sent to stay with an aunt who lives near a windswept moor. Nor does it involve a lighthouse or any of the other things usually found in those kind of stories. Within the first couple of pages I was already chuckling at the humour and I was already drawn in to the point where I didn't want to put the book down at all.

I liked that this book delves into some of the history of slavery and the underground railway. It was fascinating to read about and I especially liked the reactions from Ted as he learned of his family's involvement. The tale has a wonderfully balanced mix of fantasy and educational content that is sure to please both parents and children alike. It's an entertaining read with many fantastic twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat right until the very end. For ages 10 and up.

Author's site: http://www.vivianvandevelde.com

Overcoming Overeating by Jane R. Hirschmann

In Overcoming Overeating, therapists Jane Hischmann and Carol Munter delve into the many patterns (diet/binge, good food/bad food, punishment/reward) that lead to overeating and weight gain. Rather than focus on weight-loss, they offer up a new way of dealing with this situation. Throw all your diet materials out of the window and focus purely and simply on reconnecting with your body while taking control over your own habits and behaviours rather than following the latest 'quick fix' diet fad. Contained within these pages is a step-by-step plan which has been well proven.

Taken from the back of the book:

The authors will show you how to:

Give up dieting forever and discover that you actually eat much less without the pressure of restraints.
Eat from true stomach hunger instead of 'mouth' hunger - the emotional trigger that makes you turn to food even though you're not hungry.
Enjoy the enormous satisfaction of meeting true hunger with the foods you most desire.
Stop overeating and lose weight naturally.
Move beyond your negative preoccupation with eating and weight towards a fuller, more satisfying life.

While talking about my inability to keep weight off when I lose it, this title was recommended and loaned to me. I will admit to being a little uncertain about the idea of 'putting an end to overeating', after all, that's just another way of saying diet isn't it? I am so glad I read this book. Many people who have eating disorders and especially those caught in the vicious diet/binge cycle, will find themselves experiencing frequent 'a-ha' moments as they recognize their eating and thought patterns. I truly felt like this book was a real eye-opener.

There were a few things I especially liked. One is that regardless of what is being discussed in the book, it is communicated in a supportive and non-judgemental way. It is also made clear that this is no quick or magical fix which is refreshing to me. I am so used to reading books that promise a guaranteed result within a set timeframe. This book simply informs the reader that everyone is unique and the timeframe for the results will depend on the individual needs of the reader. I know, I hear your groan from here but if, like me, you have found yourself losing weight regularly only to gain it back and then some.. then what do you have to lose from trying something different? I know that the average reader, like I did, will have frequent questions spring to mind as they read but I found that everything I feared or was nervous about was answered in a clear and reassuring manner.

I greatly enjoyed that this book encourages the reader to be in touch with their body, how to reconnect with your emotions and your hunger/fullness signals. It comes across as a 'back to the basics' kind of book and I like the idea of that. Mostly I loved that it encourages the reader to take responsibility for - and nurture - his/her own body, mind and spirit. I found this book to highly encouraging, inspirational and positive - not to mention empowering. I will be putting the plan into action in the very near future and will update this review after I have done that,. but for now this book definitely gets a big thumbs up!

Website: http://www.overcomingovereating.com (site includes links to Overcoming Overeating online support groups hosted on Yahoo).

Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland

Published by St. Martin's Press an imprint of McMillan Books.
Reviewed as part of Librarything's Early Reviewer program.

Elizabeth Phoenix has never had what you would consider a regular life. She always knew she was a little 'different' than other people and had she been raised by anyone else, maybe that would have been more of a problem. As it was, her foster mum Ruthie, was very supportive and tried to encourage Liz to learn more about her gifts. This is a good thing as Ruthie has been killed and it's down to Liz to uncover the truth behind the brutal death. At least she has some help but with the help being provided in the form of a cheating ex-boyfriend who left her heartbroken some time ago, and a creepy navajo guy who she has never felt comfortable with, I am sure Liz would rather go it alone. Little does she know (at first) that she has been thrust into a position of major responsibility, she has a limited amount of time to develop her gifts and on top of it all she has to save the world!

I have limited experience with supernatural fiction but I am finding that I like the genre a great deal. I mostly enjoyed this book though I found some parts to be a little too ' B-movie' in style. It was interesting to see the way Liz develops as a person who has to grow in maturity at an alarming rate if she is to succeed with her current task. It was also great to see the way she handles her psychic and supernatural abilities though I could have lived without the linking of sexual activity to her gifts. I think that took away from the story some and it almost makes the reader not take the author seriously. Then again, it could have been written that way in an attempt to add humour. Personally I prefer the humour that was expressed with snappy comebacks and hilarious descriptions that show up from time to time.

With all that in mind, I found this book impossible to put down. I even took the book to a seminar I had to attend and continued to read it there. I had someone approach me and ask what I was reading and it turned out she was a fan of this genre but hadn't heard of this author before but she was thrilled to learn about it and hopes to read some of Lori Handeland's books in the future. All in all, I liked this book and I have to say, I am so hooked on the story that I can't wait for the next installment which is due out next month I believe.

Great read.

Author's site: http://www.lorihandeland.com/