Bob Schildgen, “Hey Mr. Green”

Mr. Green answers all your questions regarding eco-consciousness, something akin to Slate’s Green Lantern.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2008, 216 pp.
Obtained via: Library
Date started: 7.18.08
Date finished: 7.19.08
What I liked: There were a few questions answered in here that I’d wondered myself—such as how to compost if you live in an apartment, and whether it really uses up more energy to turn on a CFL bulb every time you need it or to just leave it on, etc.
What I didn’t like: A lot of the running conversations in this book left me feeling like its only real purpose was to charge up readers with ammunition to be eco-consciouser-than-thou.
What I learned: People really sweat the small stuff.

Brian Wood, Richard Burchielli and Nathan Fox, “DMZ: Public Works”

The latest installment of the series I’ve been reading that takes place in a demilitarized Manhattan in the midst of a new civil war.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2008, 128 pp.
Obtained via: Library
Date started: 7.16.08
Date finished: 7.18.08
What I liked: This comic comes off as so much more serious after reading “Transmetropolitan” for a while. Even more depressing.
What I didn’t like: Feeling like I’d forgotten everything that happened since the last volume.
What I learned: Maybe I should start reading the individual comics rather than wait for the compilations.

Sarah Waters, “Tipping the Velvet”

Nan Astley, an oyster girl from a seaside town in Victorian England, falls in love with a masher—a girl who performs in music halls as a boy. She picks up and moves to London, where she joins the act, but success isn’t without its downfalls, and she has all sorts of crazy adventures.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 1999, 472 pp.
Obtained via: Library
Date started: 7.6.08
Date finished: 7.15.08
What I liked: The research that went into this book shows. You’re transported straight into fin-de-siecle London and sucked into the life of Nan. The running themes of secrecy and persistence—as well as the skillful prose—kept me speeding through this book at lightning pace. Plenty of sex scattered throughout the book, as well as honest takes on love and betrayal.
What I didn’t like: Some parts were frustrating, but nothing that I outright disliked. I was put off by the first chapter, which seems to be all about oysters, but after you get through that it gets straight to the point.
What I learned: The definition of picaresque, and how many common phrases today originated in Victorian England.

Warren Ellis and Derick Robertson, “Transmetropolitan” vols. 3 through 10

The final eight volumes of the series I started zipping through earlier.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 1999 to 2004, about 144 pp each
Obtained via: Pat
Date started: 6.18.08
Date finished: 7.3.08
What I liked: The renegade journalist fighting for justice, the feisty assistants saving his ass.
What I didn’t like: The especially gory stuff.
What I learned: How it all ends.

Cynthia Lair, “Feeding the Whole Family”

Found this in the new and notable section of my library. It focuses a lot on foods to make for babies and kids; I picked it up for the veggie-friendly recipes.

THE LOWDOWN
Published: 2008, 310 pp.
Obtained via: Library
Date started: 7.5.08
Date finished: 7.5.08
What I liked: All the ideas for meals using mainly vegetarian ingredients. Sometimes I get in a rut and keep making the same three dishes over and over again. So far I’ve tried the recipe for fresh vegetable spring rolls (p. 119). Pretty good!
What I didn’t like: The book skewed a little new-agey for me. Like this passage from the section about cooking whole grains:

Swirl the grains in the water with your hand. As you touch the grain, remember your gratefulness to the earth for providing this food.

What I learned: Lots about preparing fresh and whole foods. Got a lot of new items to add to my grocery list, and it inspired me to make a trip to the Findlay Market this Saturday.