Manifest Destiny, Volume 2, 128 pages

Interesting take on the Lewis and Clark exploration.

Wonder Woman '77 Special, 80 pages

Comics based on the Lynda Carter version of Wonder Woman.

Wonder Woman '77 Special, Volume 2, 82 pages

New comics based on the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman version.

Fashion Victims by Alison Matthews David, 225 pages

A great look at fashions basically from the Victorian Age and on that killed it's makers and wearers. Very well done, lots of information and great pictures.

When Gods Die by C. S. Harris, 338 pages

A victorian murder mystery. Very well-done.

Pennyroyal Academy by M.A. Larson, 314 pages

Fantastic, fantastic read. A girl with no name comes stumbling out of a forest looking to join Pennyroyal Academy and become a princess warrior. She must study, make friends, and learn who she is if she hopes to survive the year.

The Monuments Men by Robert Edsel with Bret Witter, 595 pages

The Monuments Men were a small group (9 or so men) who were responsible for trying to protect culturally important locations and artwork during WWII and trying to track down the artwork that the Nazis confiscated from the original owners. They helped locate and preserve some very important pieces. I've been wanting to watch the movie but I live by a code of not seeing a movie until I've read the book.

Some Clever Title by Bill Amend, 143 pages

I've been reading Fox Trot from almost day one, so I was excited to get to meet the cartoonist at Planet Comic-con. He not only autographed my copy but also drew a small Quincy on the title page. Fan girl squeal!

TimeBangers-One Does Not Simply Walk Into Tudor by Ivery Kirk & Luna Teague, 259 pages

There was quite a collection of authors at Planet Comic-con, and this book caught my eye. Tawny and Beth go time traveling to see just how great a lay Henry VIII actually was. I love historic books, especially those set in England. I also enjoy campy and torrid books. This one was a perfect melding of all those categories. I was a little worried since it was an independent book, but it was surprisingly well-done. I enjoyed the friendship between Tawny and Beth, Beth's anxiety about being a good parent was spot on, and Tawny's social anxiety was well presented. The sex scenes weren't tasteless and were actually pretty fun. All in all, I can't wait to read the next book. Plus, I got to meet the one of the authors (Ivery Kirk) and she was so nice and humorous.

The Murder of Mary Russell by Laurie R. King, 585 pages

Another fabulous Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell mystery by Laurie King. This one delves into Mrs. Hudson's past. While I wouldn't recommend starting with this book, the whole series is a must read for any Sherlock fan.

Fowl Language, Welcome to Parenting by Brian Gordon, 126 pages

I've been following this artist on Facebook, and he was at the Kansas City Comic-con, so I was not only able to get his book, but also get it signed. His comics are spot on about parenting, I've laughed so hard reading this book. My husband enjoyed the books and both of my kids found it hilarious.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, 192 pages

I knew the original book was different from the movie but I didn't realize just how much. Our book club is reading this for this month, and it's another one that I am really glad I picked up.

Poison Study by Maria Snyder, 361 pages

This was recommended on a review site so I gave it a try. Yelena is about to be executed for murder when she is given a chance for reprieve, become the commander's food taster. But it turns out that dying from poison could be the least of her problems.

Sex Criminals, Volume One by Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky, 135 pages

I picked this up during a sale because I'd heard it mentioned numerous times as a good read. The premise is 2 people discover they have the ability to stop time when they orgasm so they team up to rob banks to save a library. What's not to love? Plus, it has the question, "Is your penis glowing?", which I feel is a question that isn't uttered enough.

Hannah Mary Tabbs and the Disembodied Torso by Kali Nicole Gross, 220 pages

This wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be, dealing with a true crime in the late 1800s. The author made a central issue of race during the book, but I didn't see it playing as big a role in the case. Plus, the author kept talking about Hannah's violence against others but it was never fully explained I felt. All in all, not one of my favorite historical crime books, it read more like a thesis.

The Wild Irish by Robin Maxwell, 393 pages

A look at Queen Elizabeth's campaign to win Ireland, especially looking at Grace O'Malley. She was basically the Mother of the Irish Rebellion. This was a fascinating look at a part of Elizabeth's reign I knew little about.

The Wicked & The Divine by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, 144 pages

The newest book for my Comics & Cocktails book club. Imagine 12 gods are reborn every 90 years, will walk among us for 2 years and then die. Fascinating read.

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson, 308 pages

I always like fairy tale retellings and this was Rapunzel so I had to pick it up. It was an okay read, but just wasn't the best I've read. It just came across as unbelievable and she was too goody-goody to be true.

It Ended Badly by Jennifer Wright, 240 pages

A look at 13 bad breakups through history. I really liked that the author did some of the big ones, but also did some not so famous ones (at least for people that aren't fanatical history buffs). I loved that she included Oscar Wilde, he's one of my favorite most-maligned by society historical figures. I also enjoyed her asides during the book, I've decided she's my new best friend because of her snarky wit.

Rattle His Bones by Carola Dunn, 243 pages

This one was set in the Natural History Museum in London. Eek, Daisy and his fiance' and dinosaur bones, what more could you ask?

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer Holm & Matthew Holm, 216 pages

A very well-done graphic novel looking at a 12-year-old girl dealing with her older brother's drug addiction in the late 1970s.

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan, 527 pages

This looks at the fabulous wealth and lifestyles of Asian families in Singapore. The money is just mind-blowing. This was really interesting, and I loved seeing the family dynamics.

Yellow Brick War by Danielle Paige, 270 pages

I thought this would wrap up the storyline, but no, it's still going. I can't wait to see what happens next. Unfortunately I think I have a little bit of a wait.

The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige, 293 pages

This series set after Dorothy returns to Oz is very dark and very well done. I'm really enjoying reading about the Wicked Rebellion trying to take her down. As soon as I finished this book I picked up book three. I can't wait to see how it all works out.

Breakdown by Jonathan Kellerman, 350 pages

Always a good solid mystery, but I wouldn't want to start with one of the later books. It really helps to have the full series behind you.

Luke Skywalker Can't Read and Other Geeky Truths by Ryan Britt, 208 pages

This book is best savored read one essay at a sitting, rather than reading them in one fell swoop. They lose their impact, and if you aren't into all the geekdoms written about, they don't touch you as much. But it was still an entertaining read for a fellow nerd.

The Diary of a Teenage Girl by Phoebe Gloeckner, 310 pages

I'd seen this mentioned as a "visual and raw look at a teenage girl's sexuality" done in words and comic, so I thought it would be an interesting read. I really tried to look at it as viewed through the difference in approach to a teenage sexuality in the 70s, but it just read to me as a young girl victimized by an older man and damaged by the parenting of her mother. I just felt bad for her and the whole book creeped me out. Not a read I would recommend.

Delia's Shadow by Jaime Lee Moyer, 336 pages

Set 5 years after the San Francisco earthquake, this book has Delia returning home to deal with a ghost that has been haunting her. The ghost proves to be connected to a serial killer returned to San Francisco, killing again.
I heard great things about this book, but didn't love it myself.

How To Be A Tudor by Ruth Goodman, 320 pages

I love historical nonfiction books, and this detailing the everyday life of people during Tudor times is right up my alley. It takes a person from waking up (including what their bed would have been like) up to finishing the day. Meals, clothing, washing, cooking, and recreation are just a few of the topics covered. I'd also read How to be a Victorian so I knew I would enjoy this author and I wasn't disappointed.

Dorothy Must Die Stories by D.M. Paige, 377 pages

I really enjoyed the novel "Dorothy Must Die" so it was great to read prequels giving me back stories for the Dorothy, the head maid, and the Wizard. A very dark and great take on the Oz story.

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe, 278 pages

I read this for my book club and was shocked to discover I'd only read the abridged version before. For what is essentially the first English novel, this really has stood the test of time.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire, 173 pages

This was a fantastic read looking at what happens to those people who went through doors into other worlds, and then return to our world. Very well done.