Fantastic Four: The Beginning of the end

Title
Fantastic Four: The Beginning of the end

Library Link

http://catalog.houstonlibrary.org/search~S1
Available
at Lakewood Public Library
Marvel Comics, 2008, by Dwayne McDuffie

10 Second Review
Dr. Doom travels from the future to thwart the Fantastic Four in the present and Diablo causes trouble by turning things into gold.

Good art and mediocre stories make this a decent read for fans.

Notes
See Diablo's origin story.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Those new to Fantastic Four might be confused.

Reading Order
N/a

Gateway

Title
Gateway

Library Link

Gateway / Frederik Pohl
Pohl,
Frederik.

10 Second Review
Humans have discovered an ancient alien station with ships that travel the universe. The problem? They need volunteers to test out a system no one understands. Few volunteers ever return.

An excellent book that succeeds in creating a sense of wonder.
Published in 1977 this book shows it's age but is surprisingly progressive. Adult themes may not be appropriate for younger readers.

Notes
True 'old-school' sci-fi

Learning Curve
Moderate: Those new to sci-fi might be confused.

Reading Order
Gateway
Beyond the Blue Event Horizon
Heechee Rendezvous
Annals of the Heechee
The Boy Who Would Live Forever

Oh My Goddess: Colors

Title
Oh My Goddess Colors

Library Link

Oh
My Goddess! Colors
Fujishima, Kōsuke.Milwaukie, OR : Dark Horse Manga,
c2009.Year: c2009Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
A young boy makes a wish and finds himself with a goddess for a roommate.

Soon her sisters arrive, romance threatens and mayhem ensues.

Lots of fun in this lighthearted series.
This is a great book for those new to manga and new to the series.
Each main character is introduced with notes and a short story.

Check this out first if you want to read this substantial series (30+ volumes!)

Notes
Read manga from right to left.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
Numeric order, but not essential.

Career Match

Title
Career Match

Library Link

Career
match : connecting who you are with what you'll love to do
Zichy,
Shoya.New York : AMACOM, American Management Association, c2007.Year: c2007

10 Second Review
Provides a short personality test and uses that information to suggest a possible career field.

This is an interesting book that may provide career suggestions that readers have not considered. May not be accurate for everyone but it is still a fun and interesting book.

Notes
This is non-fiction so don't feel you need to read this cover to cover.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for all readers

Reading Order
N/a

Uncanny X-men Lovelorn

Title
Uncanny X-men Lovelorn

Library Link

Lovelorn
Brubaker,
Ed.New York : Marvel ; London : Diamond [distributor], 2009.Year: 2009Format:
BOOK

10 Second Review
Colossus is sent off to relieve some stress, Emma Frost feels distant from Scott and Hank McCoy seeks out some unconventional assistance to help save the dwindling mutant population.

Great art and good story with some interesting guest appearances.
Some readers may feel left out by unexplained elements of the storyline.

Notes
Art by Terry & Rachel Dodson

Learning Curve
Moderate: Readers new to X-men will likely be confused.

Reading Order
Occurs after M-day.

This is what I did

Title
This is what I did

Library Link

This
is what I did
Ellis, Ann Dee.New York : Little, Brown, 2007.Year: 2007

10 Second Review
From the back cover:

"Imagine if you had witnessed something horrific.
Imagine if it had happened to your friend.
And imagine if you hadn't done anything to help."

A gripping and unsettling novel that will immediately pull in the reader.
Successfully captures teen feelings of isolation and frustration.

Notes
Writing style is unusual but easy to read.

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Young X-men: Books of Revelations

Title
Young X-men: Books of Revelations

Library Link

Young
X-Men. book of revelations
Guggenheim, Marc.New York : Marvel ; London :
Diamond [distributor], c2009.Year: c2009Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
The young x-men team discovers one of their members is not really a mutant.

Great art and decent story but the wide spectrum of unintroduced characters and events may send readers running to the wikipedia.

Notes
Fans of Teen Titans will likely enjoy this series

Learning Curve
Moderate to High: Readers new to this series might be confused.

Reading Order
N/a

Galactic pot-healer

TitleGalactic pot-healer

Library Link

Galactic
pot-healer
Dick, Philip K.[New York] : Berkeley Pub. Corp., [c1969]Year:
c1969

10 Second Review
Stuck in a pointless job with little reason to live a ceramic restorer is given an incredible opportunity to actually lead a meaningful life.
If he can only muster the courage to accept the mission.

Readers who enjoy a book that exposes them to new concepts will enjoy this book.
Others might find the strange array of characters and settings to be overwhelming.

Notes
While very creative this book is a bit depressing.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Those new to sci-fi might be confused.

Reading OrderN/a

Batman: The Black Casebook

Title
Batman: The Black Casebook

Library Link

Batman
: the black casebook.
Black casebookNew York : DC Comics, c2009.Year:
c2009Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
The book contains a collection of unrelated Batman stories and is described as the "stories that inspired Batman R.I.P."

The included comics are from the late 50's and early 60's and are aimed at a young audience.

Older readers might enjoy the nostalgic nature of these books but others will find them too juvenile.

Notes
See the first appearance of Bat-Mite!

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers.

Reading Order
N/a

Hyperion

Title
Hyperion

Library Link

Hyperion
Simmons,
Dan.New York : Bantam Books, 1990, c1989.Year: 1990

10 Second ReviewSeveral strangers meet and swap stories while on a pilgrimage to confront a violent and powerful creature.

This is an excellent book but its complexity may turn off many readers. Vast and expansive, even the summary on Wikipedia is long and confusing. Still, the book is worth the effort with many clever and creative elements.

Notes
Hugo Award Winner.

Learning Curve
High: Even die-hard sci-fi fans may find this book overwhelming.

Reading Order
Hyperion
The Fall of Hyperion
Endymion
The Rise of Endymion

Xmen First Class: The Wonder Years

Title
Xmen First Class: The Wonder Years

Library Link

X-Men,
first class.
Wonder yearsParker, Jeff, 1966-New York : Marvel
Enterprises, c2009.Year: c2009Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
A collection of individual stories that follow the adventures of the newly formed X-men. The original team battles some B-list villains and explores hidden cities.

Good art with stories that range from good to forgettable.
Seems to be aimed at younger readers.

Notes
Lots of Marvel guest stars

Learning Curve
Low: Good for new readers

Reading Order
N/a

Game Players of Titan

Title
Game Players of Titan

Library Link
The game-players of Titan
Dick, Philip K.New York : Vintage Books, 1992.Year: 1992Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Earth has been defeated by an alien race and humanity is nearing extinction. Survival may depend on a small group winning at the enemy's game of chance.

Gelatinous aliens, psychic powers and a slippery reality make this a typical book for Philip K. Dick. A great story but it reflects the author's obsession with psychology and it's associated pharmaceuticals.

Notes
Adult themes might be too much for younger readers.

Learning Curve
Moderate: Those new to sci-fi might be confused.

Reading Order
N/a

Booster Gold: 52 Pick-up

Title
Booster Gold: 52 Pick-up

Library Link

Booster
Gold : 52 pickup
52 pickupJohns, Geoff, 1973-New York : DC Comics,
2008.Year: 2008Format: BOOK

10 Second Review
Turns out Booster Gold isn't really such a big loser.
Sort of.
Booster gets selected for a special operation that will make him the greatest hero. But he can't tell anyone.

Good story line that most fans of Booster will enjoy.
However, some may find this book dilutes Boosters uniqueness.

Notes
Lots of guest appearances.

Learning Curve
Low to moderate: Those new to Booster Gold might be confused.

Reading Order
N/a