February 2017
Books
I did not complete many books in February. I started a quite a few books and decided to not continue reading them. If I am not captivated within the first few pages of reading a book, I tend to drop them and move on to something else. Unfortunately this included American Gods by Neil Gaiman, I wanted to like this book so much. I am looking forward to the television show, hopefully it gives me what I found lacking to continue with the story line. I also returned some other books I will refrain from mentioning because I do not want to give them a ‘not worth reading’ label.
A Darkness Absolute by Kelley Armstrong
#karlikes rating 5 *WBRL
This is the second case with Casey Duncan, a female detective who has relocated to a new ‘city’. In the first book City of the Lost, we find out how and why she ends up in this new place. Not to reveal to much about either book, in A Darkness Absolute, Casey is key to solving another mysterious case in this strange northern place. I am a HUGE fan of Kelley Armstrong’s writing, and in fact I have read everything she has ever published, even short stories and collaborations. I am loving this story line and am looking forward to the series continuing.
Snowblind by Ragnar Jonasson
#karlikes 5 rating *WBRL
Another trend you are going to notice in my reading, is that I love Scandinavian thriller novels, especially those set in Iceland. This novel is just that, the main character Ari Thór Arason, is a new police officer on his first job in the northern community of Siglufjörður, Iceland. This community tends to be really quiet when suddenly not one, but two crimes occur back to back and police are forced to investigate. The weather is always a huge addition to the suspense built in these novels, there is no lack of it here. This is my first novel of Ragnar Jonasson’s, and I had screenshot a picture of this book while I was in Iceland August 2016 to locate once I got home. The only downfall of loving Icelandic thrillers is that they are not written in English and thus when you find an author you cannot get enough of, you will need to wait to see if and when it will be translated. Look for more Icelandic authors featured on Karllikes.
Comics
How to Talk to Girls at Parties by Neil Gaiman
#karlikes rating 4 *WBRL
The title basically gives away what this comic is about. The story revolves around 15 year old boys who are trying to understand girls, and boy are they in for a surprise when they crash a local party. This was a great, quick read with amazing illustrations.
Paper Girls Volume 2 by Brian K. Vaughan
#karlikes rating 4 *WBRL
I received Paper Girls Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan for Christmas 2016. At first I was a little lost into the story line but kept with it. By the middle of the trade I was hooked. I love Brain K. Vaughan, who has also written Saga, Y: The Last Man, and really his comics were what got me into comic book reading. This is a series you will need to read in chronological order or you will be lost. The premise of this story is that the morning after Halloween 1988, 4 12-year old newspaper delivery girls discover what is to be the biggest news story of all time. Throughout both volumes they deal with what they have uncovered and are trying to discover the truth about the world around them. I love the colours and the different young female personas in this series.
The Sandman Overture by Neil Gaiman
#karlikes rating 2 *WBRL
I think I picked up this comic up at the wrong time of my exploration into the Sandman world as created by Neil Gaiman. The illustrations were what kept me turning pages in this one. The story line was really over my head and I was honestly confused for most of it. That Sandman is a complex guy. I will continue to read more because I have really enjoyed other comics involving the Sandman, his origins, and his family.
NEW
I am now going include a book recommendation for little ones. Currently my son is 16 months old so I am in full control of which books we read. He does have some favourites which we read every single day, often over and over again. This ‘Littles Book Feature’ will be a combination of what he enjoys listening to and what I enjoy reading.
Karllikes Littles Book Feature
Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
*WBRL
We picked up this little gem at Indigo while on a family road trip. The book’s sleeve indicates that it is geared towards ages 4-6, but my son was able to enjoy and participate with this book. The book goes through the seasons and what happens to a deciduous tree using illustrations and action instructions such as rubbing, knocking and shaking. I found the book easily demonstrated the concept of seasons in a child friendly manner. My niece (3) and nephew (6) also enjoyed reading and acting this book out together. This book is a keeper, and re-reader for sure.
*WBRL- this book is available at the Wood Buffalo Regional Library as of March 2017. Memberships are free.
Wood Buffalo Regional Library has a great selection of comics on the second floor. They also now offer Hoopla with your membership. I have yet to check this out but it looks promising.
We have an amazing local comic shop Nerdvana, if they do not have what you are looking for, they will special order it for you 
#karllikes book rating is done on a 1-5 scale. The scale ranges from 1-I personally did not enjoy the book and see absolutely no chance of recommending it or re-reading it-to 5-I personally thoroughly enjoyed the book and see every chance of recommending it or re-reading the book.
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