Oh the Moon: Stories from the Tortured Mind by Charlyne Yi (review by Shannon H. '16)

Oh the Moon by Charlyne Yi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh the moon made me laugh and made me cry with hundreds of pages that flew by (literally, some pages didn't have words on them). The book is relatable, fun, and of course, mindblowing. The frankness of the stories gave me pause, waking me up from the banality of college applications. In one story, a woman who is ALL LEGS (literally) takes control of her destiny and runs away from her repetitive life. In another, two people who are in love are stuck in separate snowglobes -- whatever shall they do? I appreciated Charlyne Yi's randomness (like when an old lady gives birth to a giant on the second page), and her writing made me feel like she actually understood me and my optimistic cynicism (people say teenagers are the cross section of idealistic and intelligent/aware). Reading these short stories was an adventure in grasping odd metaphors, suspending disbelief, and finding the beauty of life.

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Watchmen by Alan Moore (review by Huck V. '14)

Watchmen by Alan Moore
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Watchmen, written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Dave Gibbons and colored by John Higgins, is among the most critically acclaimed graphic novels ever created. Illustrated in a traditional superhero style, Watchmen has an aura of nostalgia that comic connoisseurs will enjoy. It is a 1985 in which a band of American superheroes known as the Watchmen have already made their mark on history but have been relatively quiet for many years. Something, however, is afoot. Retired vigilantes are falling left and right while tensions between the USSR and the US are heating up. Elaborate personal histories enrich interweaving story lines. Moore pays homage to the classic superhero form while not conforming to traditional styles by any means. The plot escalates rapidly from start to finish culminating in a final scene that will leave readers wishing there were more pages to flip. – Huck V. ‘14

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Bone by Jeff Smith (review by Huck V. '14)

Bone by Jeff Smith
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

What happens when Tin Tin goes to Middle-earth? Artist and writer, Jeff Smith shows us in his graphic epic Bone. Bone is unlike any other series; complete with hopeless sweethearts, sweeping battle panoramas, and quiche-loving rat creatures. The three Bone cousins, Fone, Phoney and Smiley, have been run out of Boneville and find themselves swept into a magical, wooded valley where their adventures begin. Smith moves the plot along consistently, all the while incorporating amazing artwork that makes Bone an enjoyable visual experience. Bone is suitable for a variety ages; while there is death and betrayal there are also clever puns and physical humor subtly woven in with more serious themes. Jeff Smith perfectly blends love, desolation and humor into an epic tale not easily forgotten. – Huck V. ‘14

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