From the Platform 2: More NYC Subway Graffiti, 1983–1989

Review:

BLURB:

 

This is a nostalgic, visual account of the best time and place to be a graffiti writer. In the 1980s, brothers Kenny, a.k.a. KEY, and Paul, a.k.a. CAVS, immersed themselves in the graffiti scene in the Boogie Down Bronx, dutifully photographing hundreds of pieces on now-discontinued MTA subway cars and capturing their proud comrades before, during, and after the act. “Bombing” “White Elephants” with their pilot markers and documenting them with their cameras, which they always carried, they were on the ride of their lives—until 1989, when the last painted train was removed from service. Tags by names like QUIK, IZTHEWIZ, and many others appear here in color exposures, and dozens of artists share stories and drop knowledge with no filter. A foreword by graffiti historian Henry Chalfant, coproducer of Style Wars—the seminal documentary on New York graffiti and hip-hop culture—kicks things off.

 

REVIEW:

 

I have always loved graffiti. I live near two cities that both sport a lot of graffiti. I never tire from seeing it. 

 

I really enjoyed this coffee table book. It is amazing what someone can create with some spray paint. I can only imagine the amount of time and dedication it took for the brothers to photograph all these subway car masterpieces. The text boxes tell the story of their jouney.

 

 

Highly recommended.

 

REVIEW copy provided by Edelwiess.

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1612435/from-the-platform-2-more-nyc-subway-graffiti-1983-1989

Reading progress update: I've read 80 out of 432 pages.

Much better than anticipated so far. Young adult, but not the sappy, eye roll kind, the good kind. I am kicking myself though because I picked this up not expecting to get sucked in, I don't typically like starting a series until all books are published. Daughter has all three books and I have a feeling I am going to be impatiently waiting for more. 

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1612394/reading-progress-update-i-ve-read-80-out-of-432-pages

Color Squared: Color, Dot, Dash, or Stamp Your Way to Awesome Pixel Art

Review:

Description:

 

Paint-by-number meets the traditional coloring book in this brand new format that showcases pixelated images of cool and quirky nostalgia objects. Doodlers, artists, and puzzlers alike will enjoy this new take on coloring. With a focus on old favorites, pictures of things like cassette tapes, a rotary phone, and roller skates have been pixelated and rendered as numbered grids. To fill them in, users have options to vary the colors, just vary the shading, or even use different shapes or lines. Color Squared can relieve stress or challenge the mind, depending on the approach the reader chooses--but either way, it will keep the head and hands busy, and make for a fun trip down memory lane. 

 

My Thoughts:

 

Wow, this is really time consuming, but it does completely take your mind off of everything else. Think paint by numbers, but not wit h paint and offers the user a chance to be more creative. It is like numbered grid paper and you choose what to fill each with whatever you want. This kind of made me a bit crazy because I have a terrible time with choices and will not decide until I have thoroughly thought about every possible option. I sat there with an unused page in front of me for like four hours... Lmao.

 

About the Author:

 

Lee Meredith calls herself a maker of things, doer of stuff; with a background in art and photography, a career in knitting pattern design, and a later-in-life education in graphic design, she has undertaken countless projects in the worlds of craft, art, and design. She brings her love of color, puzzles, and experimentation into her creative work, known for designing knitwear with unusual construction and often with game-like twists on the process of knitting itself, and thinking outside the norm in all pursuits.

 

Barnes and Noble

 

Review copy provided by Blogging for Books.

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1608867/color-squared-color-dot-dash-or-stamp-your-way-to-awesome-pixel-art

Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews

Review:

I can't believe this is the end to this. I want more. I need to know what happens To the rest of the characters. I would like to see a young adult series features the juveniles in the series. Gonna miss Edge. Gonna mix these crazy Ass characters. 

 

So I kinda felt this ended at a joint in the series where I will always wonder how things turned out. Yes, we got the happily ever after, but I felt it was the condensed version. Need a novelette or something so I can figure out how Lark is. I really liked her character.

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1608844/steel-s-edge-by-ilona-andrews

Fate's Edge

Review:

I really like this series. This one was a bit different than the previous two because there wasn't as much family fun as in the other two where we had a main character frequently in the story.

I did enjoy that the couple was very compatible and had similar interests. I liked having the kids in this one. Book 4 now.

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1607885/fate-s-edge

Me Today...

I went on a rampage. I live by a house full of too much stupid, there stupid tried to leak past the property line. No one died, but they were scared. 

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1607639/me-today

Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews (quick review)

Review:

I love this. The Mar family reminds me so much of my husband's family from West Virginia, ha! I really like how tough Cerise is and William is great too. 

 

I have had this series on my tbr for some time. I kept putting it off. For some reason I had it in my head that I didn't care for the Andrews' writing. I was mistaken. Funny, suspenseful, and set in an interesting, magic filled world. Not a lot of sexy times, which a year or so ago I would have considered a drawback, but now I prefer. 

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1607638/bayou-moon-by-ilona-andrews-quick-review

On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

Review:

I really enjoyed this paranormal romance. It had just the right amount of romance, adventure, action and a great array of characters. I loved reading about the different worlds and how they were sort of magic and non magic copies of each other with a kooky ass strip called The Edge between them. Really liked the lady lead, bat shit crazy and smart. 

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1607252/on-the-edge-by-ilona-andrews

Reading progress update: I've read 50 out of 352 pages.

I blushed. Hardcore erotica. Not in the mood for something like this at the moment, though if you like paranormal and very graphic sex that at times can be a bit harsh, this is a good pick. Not for the sexual timid reader. Is well written. 

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1604884/reading-progress-update-i-ve-read-50-out-of-352-pages

Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke

Review:

I liked the first half of the book better than the second half. I liked the writing. I wasn't impressed with the characters. I felt the female protagonist really accepted her "fate" way too easily than what I thought she would based on how she had previously portrayed. The male protagonist I really liked, but at times his actions and dialogue felt flat. There wasn't as much sexual tension as I have grown to expect from books of the genre. The love didn't feel intense. There were a lot of cheesy one liner during battle scenes that made me feel like I was in the midst of one chronic eye-rolling fit.

 

I have read other books by this author that I have enjoyed and will read book two hoping this book is just a fluke.

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1604883/kiss-of-fire-by-deborah-cooke

Who likes FREE comics?

Reblogged from: David Gallaher

In honor of New York Comic Con, NoiseTrade invited me to curate a list of comics and sci-fi stories guaranteed to keep you in suspense! Featuring selections by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque,Samuel Sattin, Mariah McCourt, Black Mask, Kodansha Comics, Matthew Petz, Kujaku Joe and more -- you have to check this out!

Original post: jessicafox.booklikes.com/post/1604854/who-likes-free-comics