Book Review: The Inimitable Jeeves

Book Review: The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse Bertie Wooster may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, as he will sometimes admit.  But compared to some of his friends among the idle rich of England, Bertie’s a model of intellect and common sense.  For example, Bertie knows that keeping his valet Jeeves in… Continue reading Book Review: The Inimitable Jeeves

Book Review: Nine Strange Stories

Book Review: Nine Strange Stories edited by Betty N. Owen When I was a lad, one of the fun annual events I looked forward to was the Scholastic Book Fair.  Scholastic Publishing would send boxes of books around the country to schools so that kids could get the thrill of picking out their own low-cost… Continue reading Book Review: Nine Strange Stories

Book Review: Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney: Slavery, Secession and the President’s War Powers

Book Review: Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney: Slavery, Secession and the President’s War Powers by James E. Simon Those of us with a cursory knowledge of American history, like myself, have heard of the Dred Scott decision of 1857, in which Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger B. Taney opined that the black man had no… Continue reading Book Review: Lincoln and Chief Justice Taney: Slavery, Secession and the President’s War Powers

Comic Book Review: Ben 10: Deep Trouble

Comic Book Review: Ben 10: Deep Trouble written by Jason Henderson, pencils by Gordon Purcell, inks by Scott McRae When Ben Tennyson was ten years old, he went on a summer vacation with his cousin Gwen and Grandpa Max.  Seemingly by coincidence, Ben stumbled upon an alien pod containing a device named the Omnitrix.  Bonding itself… Continue reading Comic Book Review: Ben 10: Deep Trouble

Book Review: Stories from Everywhere

Book Review: Stories from Everywhere by various authors One of the joys of picking up random old books from Little Free Libraries, garage sales and discard bins is discovering rare volumes that have strayed far from their starting point.  In this case, it’s a Developmental Reader from the California school system printed in 1954.  A… Continue reading Book Review: Stories from Everywhere

Book Review: Fresh Eyes on Famous Bible Sayings

Book Review: Fresh Eyes on Famous Bible Sayings by Doug Newton Disclaimer:  I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway to facilitate the writing of this review.  No other compensation was offered or requested. One of the things about living in a “culturally Christian” nation like the United States is that a… Continue reading Book Review: Fresh Eyes on Famous Bible Sayings

Manga Review: Kenka Bancho Otome #1

Manga Review: Kenka Bancho Otome #1 by Chie Shimada Hinako is looking forward to high school.  She grew up in an orphanage, constantly harassed by bullies until she learned to fight back, only to get a reputation as a violent tomboy.  Ever since, the rumors about her fighting skills have kept her from having any… Continue reading Manga Review: Kenka Bancho Otome #1

Book Review: Secondhand Origin Stories

Book Review: Secondhand Origin Stories by Lee Blauersouth Opal’s father should have been a superhero, but he used his powers to protect a neighbor illegally and wound up in jail.  Ever since, Opal has kept her nose clean, excelling in school and decorum, in the hope of being licensed and redeeming the family name.  Now… Continue reading Book Review: Secondhand Origin Stories

Book Review: The Fourth Galaxy Reader

Book Review: The Fourth Galaxy Reader edited by H.L. Gold Galaxy Magazine had a decent run with a lot of good stories, so it’s not surprising that even this fourth collection of fifteen science fiction reprints from the 1950s has a strong selection.  (I recognized almost all of these!)  There’s an introduction which runs down inferior… Continue reading Book Review: The Fourth Galaxy Reader

Manga Review: Hayate the Combat Butler Vol. 2

Manga Review: Hayate the Combat Butler Vol. 2 by Kenjiro Hata Nagi Sanzenin, for all her wealth, is a lonely 13-year-old girl who must constantly be on guard against those who would harm her to gain some of her money, even her own relatives.   On Christmas Eve, Nagi is saved from kidnappers by an outstandingly athletic… Continue reading Manga Review: Hayate the Combat Butler Vol. 2