Merry Holidaze from The Talking Library!

Merry Holidaze to all of our readers!

We wish you peace, love, and abundance in the new year.

Cheers to 2021!

The brightest light shines.

Live long and prosper.

On My Bookshelf: Graphic Novels, Myths & Legends (and other delightful characters)

Welcome to my book shelf! Graphic novels are on the menu, and I plan to feed your hungry eyes. I was introduced to graphic novels by a friend of mine in high school who shared his Sandman collection with me. After that I became a huge fan, and I've kept that shelf growing ever since. Most of my Sandman volumes are from Cave Comics, and they are all 100% pure magic.

I'm not going to go into what the stories are about or who the characters are, instead I'm expressing my feelings about these wondrous books. The best part about getting into a new graphic novel series is not knowing much about it. For me, it's like the world actually does disappear and I'm whisked away into the story. There's something so mystical about how my brain receives a graphic novel- nothing else has the same delicious effect.

*My favorite volume in the Sandman series is Fables and Reflections: Orpheus's Song.

Ah, Mr. Punch. Wow- this was an interesting trip. I needed a bit of literary truth about an old story for research, so I turned to master writer, Neil Gaiman, for his take on it (which I often do), and of course he nailed it home. How poignant this story is, and how fantastical that it was told to me in this fashion. It wasn't easy to find this edition, and I'm super psyched to have it in my collection.

The Dreaming is a tangent continuation of the Sandman graphic novels. The characters are based on Neil Gaiman's, but the storylines sprout from the original- and they are brilliant. I think the new writers have channeled the characters extraordinarily well, keeping within the perimeters of their personalities and preserving their unique voices. I like the twist in this tale where the Sandman story leaves off, and I'm excited to find out what happens next in the Dreaming.

Oh my. This is one of my most exquisite graphic novels (the edition I have is a beautiful hardcover compilation of volumes that was given to me as a gift). After having received this unbelievably unique story by Marjorie Liu, with inconceivably spectacular artwork by Sana Takeda, as an artist and writer, I can say, I'm not worthy. Sometimes a book just impresses you so much that you're beside yourself. Monstress is simply glorious. Breathtakingly brilliant. I am delighted to have found this series. Bravo to the author, illustrator, editors, book designers, art directors, publisher, and all involved with its creation. I will be on pins waiting for the next volumes to be released.

I took a chance on Saga, and I was not disappointed! I LOVE this series. I was in Barnes and Noble, perusing the graphic novels, and I picked up a copy of Volume 1. I didn't think it would be for me- having a different feel than what I'm usually drawn to. The story had me hooked on page one, and I started my journey into Saga. This dystopian fantasy is different in its telling, and the characters are very real, with interesting flaws and charms. If you haven't already found yourself immersed in Saga, I highly recommend checking it out.

Will O' the Wisp is a graphic novel that I picked up at the Book Expo in NYC. The story is eerie and mysterious, and the illustrations set the mood perfectly.

Here are additional treasures in my graphic novel collection~

On the Lighter Side of the Shelf~

I adore Heart & Brain. This book will bring a smile to your face while making you stop and think about life. I have a tendency to anthropomorphize things in general, so this book has been a great teacher. Feeling close to my organs has been quite beneficial. Thanks, Awkward Yeti!

I really enjoy the interactions in this book. There are no specific characters, which leaves all of the beings relatable in some way. I think it's cool how the author conveys emotion by using logical language to point out the illogical. Smart, silly, and poignant- highly recommend!

I cannot express myself enough about this incredibly delightful, disastrous, hilarious, miscellaneous, amazing, freaking awesome book. One of the best things I've bought myself in a while. Allie Brosh had me rolling with laughter, then snuggling with grief. This book is brave, raw, and real. The illustrations are a part of my soul now.

Graphic novels are a timeless treat for me, and they live top shelf in my private collection. I get giddy to add more volumes to whatever series I'm currently reading, and now I'm thrilled to share these fantabulous books with you. Leave me a comment below and tell me your thoughts about this reading style. Do you have a favorite graphic novel series you love to dive into?

Tune in for the next On My Book Shelf post. I'll be showcasing my quarantine reading~ Featuring: twisted short stories by Emma J. Gibbon, cool audible listens, hanging with Socrates, tip toeing into quantum physics, and more!

Jess Haight likes to be a writer and artist. Animals, rocks, and books are her jam. She was probably the town lamp lighter in a past life, either that or a crow. Both sound fine to her.

Find out about Jess at cottagefive.com.

Patio Book Life: Our New Spot on the Book Block

Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson are the co-authors of the Fairday Morrow books, and they have been friends forever.

In addition to being book buddies and crafting stories, Jess and Stephanie have been blogging as their main characters, Fairday and Lizzy, since 2011- holy cow!

You can still visit Fairday's Blog to read our book reviews, author interviews, riddles, and all sorts of bookish fun from over the past 9 years.

2020 brings about change, and Jess and Stephanie have moved their blog to this new spot on the book block, writing as themselves.

Fear not the unexpected. Anything's possible.

• Middle grade book reviews: Stephanie is an elementary school media specialist, and she is all about the books. Tune in for children's picture book and middle grade book reviews.

• Drawing, poetry, and riddles with Jess: Most enjoyable and keeps up writing skills.

• Patio Book Club: next review: The Evening and the Morning by Ken Follett- prequel to Pillars of the Earth and World Without End.

• Graphic novel reviews with Jess: Bursting to share.

• Adult fiction reviews with Stephanie: You're in for a treat.

• WTF Panel: Writers' Thoughts and Feelings

The comments are a little wonky on this site, but they seem to be working okay. You can either log in to leave a comment or you can comment in the box without having to log in and sign up. Either way, we love to hear from our readers! Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We appreciate it. :)

Stephanie and Jess circa 1997

DMS CASE FILE #1

The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow (book 1)

Publish date: 12/1/15

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Illustrator: Roman Muradov

Ages: 8 and up

Grade Level: 3-6

Hardcover, Library Bound, Paperback, E-book

FEAR NOT THE UNEXPECTED.

The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, the DMS enters into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can they piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?

DMS CASE FILE #2

Fairday Morrow and the Talking Library (book 2)

Publish date: 10/23/17

Publisher: Willow Press

Illustrator: David SanAngelo

Ages: 8 and up Grade level: 3-6 Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

ANYTHING'S POSSIBLE

Fairday Morrow had no clue that moving from Manhattan to the small town of Ashpot, Connecticut, would lead to an unsolved mystery. Her parents’ dream of renovating a crumbling Victorian, called the Begonia House, into a bed and breakfast had seemed like treachery at the time. But Fairday found out that her new house kept secrets, and once inside its twisted front gates, anything was possible. When mysterious notes start showing up warning that a librarian is in trouble and a bookworm is devouring words, Fairday thinks the Begonia House has more skeletons in its closets. What happens to stories when their words get eaten?

DMS CASE FILE #3- COMING SOON!

Fairday Morrow and the Master's Emporium (book 3)

Publish date: TO BE ANNOUNCED

Publisher: Willow Press

Illustrator: TO BE ANNOUNCED

Ages: 8 and up

Grade Level: 3-6