March 4, 2015
by Joy
Comments Off on Sirens 2015 Reading Challenge
For the last three years, I’ve attended Sirens, an interdisciplinary conference dedicated to women in fantasy literature. In 2015, the conference will be held in Denver, from October 8-11, with the theme of “rebels and revolutionaries.” If you know me … Continue reading
January 22, 2015
by Joy
Comments Off on Leadership and management reading list
It’s been a little over two years since I accepted my first job with formal supervisory responsibilities. These days I supervise 12 direct reports and manage a building with 25 staff. So it’s fair to say that I have a … Continue reading
October 14, 2013
by Joy
Comments Off on Sirens 2013
Over the weekend, I attended Sirens, a conference on women in fantasy literature in Stevenson, Washington. This is the second year I attended, but I’m sure I will be back again in the future (especially if it continues to be … Continue reading
June 17, 2013
by Joy
Comments Off on The Black Beetle: No Way Out #1-4
When Colt City’s two biggest mobsters set up a suspicious meeting on neutral ground, the masked vigilante Black Beetle makes a point of inviting himself to the party. But when a bomb explodes at the meeting, Black Beetle has a new investigation on his hands–one that is thwarted at every turn by another masked man. Continue reading
March 20, 2012
by Joy
Comments Off on Miller, Nguyen, and Pérez: Batgirl: The Lesson (2011)
Batgirl: The Lesson Written by Bryan Q. Miller Art by Dustin Nguyen, Pere Pérez, Ramon Bachs, and Derek Fridolfs Colors by Guy Major DC Comics, 2011 Collects Batgirl (v.3) #15-24 It’s a a sad state of affairs when you have … Continue reading
March 6, 2012
by Joy
Comments Off on Batwoman #1-5
Batwoman–the long-awaited follow-up to the Batwoman Elegy arc by Greg Rucka and J. H. Williams III that ran in Detective Comics a couple years back–is the least surprising good thing to come out of the DC New 52. Continue reading
March 4, 2012
by Joy
2 Comments
Durarara!! vol. 1 Created by Ryohgo Narita Character design by Suzuhito Yasuda Art by Akiyo Satorigi Translated by Stephen Paul Yen Press, 2012 Original Japanese edition: Square Enix, 2009 ISBN-13: 978-0316204903 Perhaps the hardest thing about writing a review of … Continue reading
February 28, 2012
by Joy
Comments Off on The Flash #1-5
The Flash is still never going to be a comic that’s edgy, hip, and modern, but Manapul and Buccellato pull off the nifty trick of turning Barry Allen’s squareness into part of his appeal. Continue reading
February 26, 2012
by Joy
2 Comments
Next on my catch up list: One Piece by Eiichiro Oda. Volumes 56 through 60 of the series follow Luffy on his desperate quest to save his brother, Ace, from execution by the Marines. Some One Piece arcs don’t necessarily … Continue reading
February 21, 2012
by Joy
3 Comments
One of the nicest things about 2012 so far is that I’m finally finding the time to catch up on reading some of my favorite manga series, like Twin Spica and Fullmetal Alchemist and 20th Century Boys and Cross Game. … Continue reading
February 3, 2012
by Joy
2 Comments
Today I looked at the Diamond comics sales figures for January and found myself pondering the reasons why comics like Justice League so consistently leave me cold. It’s a bestselling series: clearly this is a story that works for a … Continue reading
June 7, 2010
by Joy
2 Comments
I know updates have been few and far between lately, but that’s because a lot has been going on in my offline life that’s demanded my attention. Last week I accepted a new job as Youth Services Librarian for Pierce … Continue reading
March 31, 2010
by Joy
1 Comment
This afternoon I read volume 3 of Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service by Otsuka Eiji and Yamazaki Housui while sitting in one of my favorite neighborhood cafes. This series is another that reminds me that first impressions of manga series are … Continue reading
March 4, 2010
by Joy
6 Comments
This week marked the return of Shiho Sugiura’s Silver Diamond to Tokyopop’s publication schedule, and that is a reason for much rejoicing. It has been almost a full year since US readers got a new volume of this underappreciated shōjo … Continue reading
February 19, 2010
by Joy
2 Comments
My apologies for this week’s unexpected downtime! I was singularly unimpressed by my previous host’s handling of the downtime, and I’ve switched over to a new host…and while I was at it, a new WordPress theme. Please excuse any electronic … Continue reading
February 16, 2010
by Joy
6 Comments
This month I’ve read volumes from two different series by Hidaka Banri–I Hate You More than Anyone (vols. 1 and 2) and V. B. Rose (vol. 1 only)¹–mostly thanks to the recs of various folks in the manga blogging ‘verse. … Continue reading
February 9, 2010
by Joy
12 Comments
Fifteen volumes in, I’m ridiculously fond of Claymore’s women warriors, but I still have a sneaking suspicion that Yagi’s target audience does not necessarily include me. Continue reading
January 31, 2010
by Joy
1 Comment
[“What I’m Reading” posts are not intended to be formal reviews and generally contain spoilers for the book under discussion after the jump. Readers beware!] A few days ago I finally sat down with volume 13 of Ouran High School … Continue reading
January 28, 2010
by Joy
17 Comments
Over on Twitter today, Sean Gaffney (@Toukochan) of A Case Suitable for Treatment observed that many shōjo series have the situation “heroine hated by all female classmates, has male friends.” In response, I remarked that I have limited patience for … Continue reading
January 27, 2010
by Joy
1 Comment
The Lapis Lazuli Crown, vol. 1 Story and art by Natsuna Kawase Translation and adaptation by Sheldon Drzka CMX Manga, 2009 Original Japanese edition: Hakusensha, 2004 ISBN-13: 978-1401221201 Paperback $9.99 Like many people in the kingdom of Savarin, Miel has … Continue reading