[  Mood: Sick ]
[  Currently: Watching Colbert Report ]

Laid out like an actual government publication, The Government Manual for New Superheroes, gives wanna be superheroes advice on every aspect of the business: costumes, secret lairs, evil nemeses, sidekicks, transportation, even what to call yourself. There is even a registration form at the back to speed your entry into the superhero life.

Authors Matthew Brozik and Jacob Weinstein have produced a very funny, and highly sarcastic, guide to being a superhero. They routinely reference heroes like Batman and Spiderman, but not so explicitly as to attract the attention of the corporate suits. There is also plenty of original material (like the Fencesitter, who had to eventually choose a side, although too often it was tragically too late) to keep the reader laughing. You will find yourself snorting repeatedly as you read this book.

This is a light, entertaining read that is perfect for the bus or the bathroom. A must for the comic book fan in your life.

[  Mood: Sleepy ]
[ Currently: Waiting for my drugs to kick in. ]

"I Know I am, But What Are You" is a collection of essays that tell some parts of Samantha’s shady past. The daughter of a failed marriage, she was raised by her grandmother until her parents got their heads put on right and were actually able to parent, although in the case of Samantha’s mother, it would have probably been better if she had been raised by wolves. Even if you discount 50% of her claims due to hyperbole, she would have been better off.

The only real flaw w …more "I Know I am, But What Are You" is a collection of essays that tell some parts of Samantha’s shady past. The daughter of a failed marriage, she was raised by her grandmother until her parents got their heads put on right and were actually able to parent, although in the case of Samantha’s mother, it would have probably been better if she had been raised by wolves. Even if you discount 50% of her claims due to hyperbole, she would have been better off.

The only real flaw with this book is the disjointed nature of the narrative. This is less of a traditional memoir, and more a snapshot of funny vignettes from Bee’s life, leaving plenty of room for a sequel.

I was lucky enough to pick this up as an audiobook from my local library. Having Samantha Bee delivery her book with her usual snarky delivery was a value added experience.

[  Mood: Very Sad ]
She was in movies like Dead Zone and WIllard. She did voices for Heavy Metal and Ewoks. But she is best known as Aunt Hetty from Road to Avonlea.

She was Canadian, and yes Gary, now she’s dead, but I am crying.

God speed Aunt Hetty.

[  Mood: Distorted ]
[  Currently: Listening to CBC Radio ]
So last night I had a dream that I was in Vancouver, and I stumbled across a sci-fi convention. I had the boy with me as I toured the exhibit hall. There were movie props from movies such as Alien, Saw, Nightmare on Elm Street. Apparently it was more of a horror convention, and I was dragging a two year-old through the exhibit. The boy was getting increasingly terrifies by all the scary things, while I kept saying "It’s ok. Isn’t that cool?" He was not buying it.

Even in my dreams I am a crappy mother.

[  Mood: Sleepy ]
[ Currently: Getting Ready for Bed ]
Realized today that the funniest line in Star Wars is:

"These blast marks are far too accurate for Sand People. Only imperial Stormtroopers are so precise."

Because given that Imperial Stormtroopers couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn when they were standing two feet from it, this makes the Sand People really crappy shooters.

[  Mood: Happy ]
There is much to be said for the Internet and book services like Goodreads and LivingSocial. You can find similar books to the ones you love, and get suggestions from friends. In spite of all this technobibliographic help, there is something to be said for wandering through the stacks of your local library or book store. Sometimes you stumble across a cover like this:

How could I resist?

Dwight is a looser, with a capital LOOSER, but when he invents and origami Yoda puppet that seems to be able to tell the future. Soon Dwight is sought out by kids who want Yoda to give them advice on topics such as their love life or how to deal with bullies. But Dwight’s friend Tommy isn’t sure how real is this prognostication. Especially since he has a very important question to ask.

This book is a clever tale of boys on the edges of the social plane aimed at the Grades 4 to 6 set. Written as a series of case files with commentary, it is also accessible to the Middle School group who are into the high interest-low vocab books or are Star Wars fans. The crazy, kid-style illustration only serve to bump up the humour even more. Author Tom Angleberger has set the right tone for this boy friendly tale.