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Equal parts random information and inside jokes, this is the book you get for the person who wants to know the names of every pilot, gambler, and bad guy in Star Wars (because they all have names). I enjoyed it immensely, even though I mostly bought it for kicks. The photo quality is really good.
Book #77: Bomber Command, by Jason Fry
Dec. 22nd, 2017 10:49 amNO ONE TOUCH ME I AM HAVING FEELINGS
So this is Paige Tico's account of her mission as part of Cobalt Squadron. It's part of the journal-style series that also has books about Rey, Finn, and Poe (Rey's is relentless and most of Poe's is from the POV of the First Order, which is actually super funny), so it includes fold-outs with maps and diagrams, and is written like a journal. It also includes one of Leia's speeches to the Galactic Senate (DON'T TOUCH ME), and a couple of technical entries from Rose, explaining the machine she built for the Cobalt Squadron book.
I really like it. It covers basically the same ground as Cobalt Squadron, but Paige's POV makes it worth it. I would recommend reading CS first (because it actually has a plot), but it probably doesn't matter. Just, you know, bring tissues.
(The only thing I DIDN'T love was the use of "he/him" for vague-singular. Which is made extra weird because one time, they DID use "his or her", and also THE CREW CHIEF IN QUESTION IS ACTUALLY FEMALE, so it made, like, zero sense.)
So this is Paige Tico's account of her mission as part of Cobalt Squadron. It's part of the journal-style series that also has books about Rey, Finn, and Poe (Rey's is relentless and most of Poe's is from the POV of the First Order, which is actually super funny), so it includes fold-outs with maps and diagrams, and is written like a journal. It also includes one of Leia's speeches to the Galactic Senate (DON'T TOUCH ME), and a couple of technical entries from Rose, explaining the machine she built for the Cobalt Squadron book.
I really like it. It covers basically the same ground as Cobalt Squadron, but Paige's POV makes it worth it. I would recommend reading CS first (because it actually has a plot), but it probably doesn't matter. Just, you know, bring tissues.
(The only thing I DIDN'T love was the use of "he/him" for vague-singular. Which is made extra weird because one time, they DID use "his or her", and also THE CREW CHIEF IN QUESTION IS ACTUALLY FEMALE, so it made, like, zero sense.)
I was really excited about this one.
Basically the idea of the book is that all these kids are on a freighter bound for Canto Bight (they are, uh, not paid employees, so while they're not quite slaves, they are, at best, being hugely taken advantage of. This is discussed on the page), and they find themselves all telling stories about the legendary Luke Skywalker. The whole thing has a very campfire-feel, even though the kids are engaged in their own secondary adventure for most of the book, which I liked a lot.
The Legends range from laugh-out-loud funny to deeply profound and moving. I straight up cried at the end (surprise!), because it was just so Star Wars. Ken Liu did a fabulous job mixing myth and mayhem, and the end result was entirely delightful.
There are several movie Easter eggs, of course. This book came out in the fall, so you were meant to read it before you see the film, but I don't think it really matters. Highly read-aloud-able, too. I loved it a lot.
Basically the idea of the book is that all these kids are on a freighter bound for Canto Bight (they are, uh, not paid employees, so while they're not quite slaves, they are, at best, being hugely taken advantage of. This is discussed on the page), and they find themselves all telling stories about the legendary Luke Skywalker. The whole thing has a very campfire-feel, even though the kids are engaged in their own secondary adventure for most of the book, which I liked a lot.
The Legends range from laugh-out-loud funny to deeply profound and moving. I straight up cried at the end (surprise!), because it was just so Star Wars. Ken Liu did a fabulous job mixing myth and mayhem, and the end result was entirely delightful.
There are several movie Easter eggs, of course. This book came out in the fall, so you were meant to read it before you see the film, but I don't think it really matters. Highly read-aloud-able, too. I loved it a lot.
A tie-in to The Last Jedi, Cobalt Squadron ends, like, ten minutes before the movie starts and stars Rose and Paige Tico and my emotions, my emotions.
Basically it's a character piece with some background ship talk, set up in a way I really liked. Rose and Paige (and their pilot, other gunner, and bombardier), are doing reconnaissance on a planet they think the First Order is pillaging (before TFA, so they have to be secretive about it), and then they try to supply the resistance force on that planet.
I love Rose and Paige so much, and this is Rose's "little push out the door" story, and it was really, really good. I would say you could read it either before or after the movie, but definitely read it.
Basically it's a character piece with some background ship talk, set up in a way I really liked. Rose and Paige (and their pilot, other gunner, and bombardier), are doing reconnaissance on a planet they think the First Order is pillaging (before TFA, so they have to be secretive about it), and then they try to supply the resistance force on that planet.
I love Rose and Paige so much, and this is Rose's "little push out the door" story, and it was really, really good. I would say you could read it either before or after the movie, but definitely read it.
You guys.
YOU GUYS.
Y.O.U. G.U.Y.S.
I really liked this book a lot.
Taking place just before Leia gets in the mess, Gray has written a powerhouse book about destiny, privilege, friendship, family, emotionally fraught tea parties, and possibly the most awkward dinner party sequence of all time.
I thought Gray did a good job of balancing Leia's Action Girl and her Princess aspects. For example: Leia isn't a huge fan of her personal attendant droid, which is programmed to dress her and do her hair, but by the end of the book, realizes that 1. it's part of what/who she is, and 2. it's another tool she can use to operate.
Leia's reach frequently overextends her grasp in this book, but I didn't mind it. No one ever makes her feel stupid for messing up when she acts on the information she has. Instead they all talk about it like REAL PEOPLE, which I liked a lot.
ALSO ALSO ALSO
no spoilers, but JESUS CHRIST that tea party. I was on an airplane, and I had to keep setting the book down so I wouldn't freak out and alarm the flight attendants.
Also, you meet the woman who'll become Vice Admiral Holdo, and she's wonderful.
I JUST I JUST
...i just really miss Carrie Fisher. But this helps.
YOU GUYS.
Y.O.U. G.U.Y.S.
I really liked this book a lot.
Taking place just before Leia gets in the mess, Gray has written a powerhouse book about destiny, privilege, friendship, family, emotionally fraught tea parties, and possibly the most awkward dinner party sequence of all time.
I thought Gray did a good job of balancing Leia's Action Girl and her Princess aspects. For example: Leia isn't a huge fan of her personal attendant droid, which is programmed to dress her and do her hair, but by the end of the book, realizes that 1. it's part of what/who she is, and 2. it's another tool she can use to operate.
Leia's reach frequently overextends her grasp in this book, but I didn't mind it. No one ever makes her feel stupid for messing up when she acts on the information she has. Instead they all talk about it like REAL PEOPLE, which I liked a lot.
ALSO ALSO ALSO
no spoilers, but JESUS CHRIST that tea party. I was on an airplane, and I had to keep setting the book down so I wouldn't freak out and alarm the flight attendants.
Also, you meet the woman who'll become Vice Admiral Holdo, and she's wonderful.
I JUST I JUST
...i just really miss Carrie Fisher. But this helps.
I finished Guardians of the Whills! I liked it. Chirrut and Baze were on point (and so was Saw Gerrera, tbh), and the new characters were good (though obviously I would have preferred it if a single one of Saw’s partisans were female). The illustrations were excellent, and the story itself, like all good Middle Grade, pulled no punches at all.
There were a couple of philosophical points I disagreed with (at one point, Chirrut tells Baze that there are there are others worse off and when Baze says that doesn’t make him feel better, Chirrut says maybe it should. Which, I mean, no), but at the beginning when Chirrut is describing how Jedha has changed since the Empire showed up, just, my heart. Like, I see a lot of people talking about how great Rae Sloane is and how much they love nuanced, hard-working Imperials, and this book just goes to town on that, and I appreciate it.
It also pulls no punches with regard to Saw, who we already know is kind of a jerk about, like, literally everything. Obviously I am more sympathetic to him and his partisans than I am to the Empire, but I still have zero problems believing that the dude who abandoned 16yo Jyn with a knife and a blaster and NO EXPLANATION because she was cramping his style would do any of the things he did in this book.
Middle Grade is so deliciously complicated. :)
There were a couple of philosophical points I disagreed with (at one point, Chirrut tells Baze that there are there are others worse off and when Baze says that doesn’t make him feel better, Chirrut says maybe it should. Which, I mean, no), but at the beginning when Chirrut is describing how Jedha has changed since the Empire showed up, just, my heart. Like, I see a lot of people talking about how great Rae Sloane is and how much they love nuanced, hard-working Imperials, and this book just goes to town on that, and I appreciate it.
It also pulls no punches with regard to Saw, who we already know is kind of a jerk about, like, literally everything. Obviously I am more sympathetic to him and his partisans than I am to the Empire, but I still have zero problems believing that the dude who abandoned 16yo Jyn with a knife and a blaster and NO EXPLANATION because she was cramping his style would do any of the things he did in this book.
Middle Grade is so deliciously complicated. :)
Toronto ComiCon
Mar. 18th, 2017 05:34 pmSuch a good day at Toronto ComiCon. It came together kinda last minute, so I was a bit worried, but it turned out so well. I think there were 40 books, and only 8 were left at the end? And a bunch of people had brought their own copies, so I actually saw a lot of people. It was pretty great. The 501st were awesome hosts.
And the costumes! Were so great.
FIRST OF ALL, THIS GUY!
I was just setting up when he walked past, and I think he was surprised by how excitedly I was all "CAN I TAKE YOUR PICTURE?" but then the 501st guys (who are basically professionals) were ALSO really impressed (I had assumed he was one of them, but he wasn't!). Anyway. SUPER impressive.
These Reys were super cute, comparing staffs (the one on the left is the 501st, so she was telling the other woman how she'd done it. They're actually both holding 501st weapons in the shot, which I thought was super nice of them).
I love family cosplays, and I love how smart girls are about coming up with ways to cosplay BB-8.
YOU GUYS. YOU GUYS. (Yes, I was sitting down behind, like, six people when they walked past. Yes, I yelled "WAIT COME BACK" and chased them a little bit. YES, THAT CHILD HAS THE MOST PERFECT HAN POSE OF ALL TIME.)
"Rey!" said the taller one, and then handed over her lightsaber for the picture. I'm not crying, it's raining on my face.
This is my favourite Phasma, I think.
I saw these two on the way in, but was too far away, so I was SUPER glad they came by my booth! They couldn't fit the Sabé headdress in the car, so her new goal is to build one that can be taken off if needed during the day.
Jyn! I asked if she made the coat, because it was REALLY good quality, and she said she bought it online because of the sewing (all my cosplay friends were in FITS after they saw the stills, because of the sleeves), but she made the cowl.
And at last, on the way back into the train station, I saw this family. The little girl dressed as Rex was SUPER into being photographed, and the Ezra was getting the hang of posing (pun intended!). I love the way this Ahsoka uses gold tights for skin coverage. She looked amazing.
And here is me, safely back at The Sister's (I have to do pass pages by tomorrow night, so). The skirt and petticoat are Her Universe. The tank top and blazer are mine, and the scarf is from Think Geek. I got compliments on the skirt all day long (Me: Why did we stop wearing petticoats? Me, trying to pee: Oh. Right. That.), and it was awesome.
An excellent day. Hopefully I can do another con in TO sometime. This one was super fun.
And the costumes! Were so great.
FIRST OF ALL, THIS GUY!
I was just setting up when he walked past, and I think he was surprised by how excitedly I was all "CAN I TAKE YOUR PICTURE?" but then the 501st guys (who are basically professionals) were ALSO really impressed (I had assumed he was one of them, but he wasn't!). Anyway. SUPER impressive.
These Reys were super cute, comparing staffs (the one on the left is the 501st, so she was telling the other woman how she'd done it. They're actually both holding 501st weapons in the shot, which I thought was super nice of them).
I love family cosplays, and I love how smart girls are about coming up with ways to cosplay BB-8.
YOU GUYS. YOU GUYS. (Yes, I was sitting down behind, like, six people when they walked past. Yes, I yelled "WAIT COME BACK" and chased them a little bit. YES, THAT CHILD HAS THE MOST PERFECT HAN POSE OF ALL TIME.)
"Rey!" said the taller one, and then handed over her lightsaber for the picture. I'm not crying, it's raining on my face.
This is my favourite Phasma, I think.
I saw these two on the way in, but was too far away, so I was SUPER glad they came by my booth! They couldn't fit the Sabé headdress in the car, so her new goal is to build one that can be taken off if needed during the day.
Jyn! I asked if she made the coat, because it was REALLY good quality, and she said she bought it online because of the sewing (all my cosplay friends were in FITS after they saw the stills, because of the sleeves), but she made the cowl.
And at last, on the way back into the train station, I saw this family. The little girl dressed as Rex was SUPER into being photographed, and the Ezra was getting the hang of posing (pun intended!). I love the way this Ahsoka uses gold tights for skin coverage. She looked amazing.
And here is me, safely back at The Sister's (I have to do pass pages by tomorrow night, so). The skirt and petticoat are Her Universe. The tank top and blazer are mine, and the scarf is from Think Geek. I got compliments on the skirt all day long (Me: Why did we stop wearing petticoats? Me, trying to pee: Oh. Right. That.), and it was awesome.
An excellent day. Hopefully I can do another con in TO sometime. This one was super fun.
Longtime followers may remember that once upon a time, I was an aide in a nursing home. I started just after my sixteenth birthday, and stayed until I was 21. Amongst other things, I learned what happens when you survive fifteen minutes without a pulse.
It's a long time. It's such a long time. More than enough for her brilliant brain to lose function, for her limbs and her tongue to slow.
But enough time to hope.
And I did. I did, even though I knew better. Because that is what we do. That is what she taught us. Get up, speak up, stand up. Hope.
But I didn't want to see her in a wheelchair, unable to talk. She shouted so much and she gave so much, and it's probably selfish of me, but I wanted her to go out in a flash, here one day and gone the next, preferably three decades from now.
A friend said: I'm weirdly glad it was a heart attack, you know? People who spend their lives in combat with bipolar don't die of heart attacks. She beat bipolar, and she beat it by calling it out and refusing to let it slide, silent, into every aspect of her life.
My princess is a senator too, and a general. The woman behind her is even more besides. They were ANDs. AND instead of OR. I love them both for that.
I'm so sad. So sad. She's in all of the things I lean on when I feel like this. I got my Christmas card from Lucasfilm today. I could never have imagined that. But ever since her heart attack was announced, I'd been imagining what this was going to feel like.
But I'm happy too. I'm happy that she was in TFA and I'm happy we got the General to round out her story. I'm happy she loved Twitter and had Gary. I'm happy for that footage of her dancing with Daisy Ridley. And it's the happy things that keep making me cry.
I know she was so much more than Star Wars, but Star Wars is, as in all things, my heart. And right now my heart is a little broken. But I'll get up, speak up, stand up. And she'll be a lot of the reason why.
It's a long time. It's such a long time. More than enough for her brilliant brain to lose function, for her limbs and her tongue to slow.
But enough time to hope.
And I did. I did, even though I knew better. Because that is what we do. That is what she taught us. Get up, speak up, stand up. Hope.
But I didn't want to see her in a wheelchair, unable to talk. She shouted so much and she gave so much, and it's probably selfish of me, but I wanted her to go out in a flash, here one day and gone the next, preferably three decades from now.
A friend said: I'm weirdly glad it was a heart attack, you know? People who spend their lives in combat with bipolar don't die of heart attacks. She beat bipolar, and she beat it by calling it out and refusing to let it slide, silent, into every aspect of her life.
My princess is a senator too, and a general. The woman behind her is even more besides. They were ANDs. AND instead of OR. I love them both for that.
I'm so sad. So sad. She's in all of the things I lean on when I feel like this. I got my Christmas card from Lucasfilm today. I could never have imagined that. But ever since her heart attack was announced, I'd been imagining what this was going to feel like.
But I'm happy too. I'm happy that she was in TFA and I'm happy we got the General to round out her story. I'm happy she loved Twitter and had Gary. I'm happy for that footage of her dancing with Daisy Ridley. And it's the happy things that keep making me cry.
I know she was so much more than Star Wars, but Star Wars is, as in all things, my heart. And right now my heart is a little broken. But I'll get up, speak up, stand up. And she'll be a lot of the reason why.
Last Stop on the Tour
Nov. 7th, 2016 08:11 amWe were at the Grove in LA for the final event of the Ahsoka Tour last night, and it was amaaaaaaazing. Like, Captain Rex met us at the door amazing.
Also a lot of people show up.
ALSO, A SABINE SHOWED UP.
It was awesome.
Also a lot of people show up.
ALSO, A SABINE SHOWED UP.
It was awesome.
TOUR DATES for Star Wars: AHSOKA
Sep. 26th, 2016 03:35 pmHI!
F-list, if you live in/near NYC, Orlando, Tampa, LA, or San Diego, I will be touring with Ashley Eckstein.
The schedule is here.
If you do come, please make sure to tell me so I can be on the lookout for you.
(I AM SO EXCITED, OMG!)
F-list, if you live in/near NYC, Orlando, Tampa, LA, or San Diego, I will be touring with Ashley Eckstein.
The schedule is here.
If you do come, please make sure to tell me so I can be on the lookout for you.
(I AM SO EXCITED, OMG!)
New York Comic Con
Sep. 19th, 2016 02:33 pmHi!
So I don't know if any of you are planning to go to New York Comic Con, but I will be there! I am on two panels, here, and also doing a booth signing on Friday October 7, Booth 2028, at 6PM.
The signing is particularly notable because Ashley Eckstein will be signing with me (!!!!!).
I am so excited!
ETA: Also, this happened
So I don't know if any of you are planning to go to New York Comic Con, but I will be there! I am on two panels, here, and also doing a booth signing on Friday October 7, Booth 2028, at 6PM.
The signing is particularly notable because Ashley Eckstein will be signing with me (!!!!!).
I am so excited!
ETA: Also, this happened
Cover Art!
Jul. 15th, 2016 11:23 am(This one has an extra special place in my heart, obviously...)
(Pre-order from your store of choice and/or add it on Goodreads).
(Pre-order from your store of choice and/or add it on Goodreads).
Book #43: Bloodline, by Claudia Gray
Jun. 4th, 2016 11:41 pmThis. Book.
Okay, so I am in the small percentage of people who was 100% on board with Leia and Han in TFA, and this book is basically a perfect encapsulation of WHY they were like that. It just makes sense to me. Marriage doesn't work the same for everyone, and it certainly shouldn't in Star Wars-verse, and I love the idea of two people who made it work while also keeping their very complicated lives, and then it got TOO complicated, and they were...screwed.
But really, that's not the most important part of this book.
BLOODLINE is the story of Leia and politics and betrayal and coming so fucking close and then everything falling apart because: Star Wars. It was flipping genius, and brilliantly written and literally everything I wanted.
(OH GOD I AM WRITING A STAR WARS BOOK WHAT IF THE INTERNET HATES ME HOLD ME LJ I MAY SWOON.)
In addition to Leia, we get two more fantastic female characters (Korr Sella, who appears briefly in the movie, and an ex-pilot), and another woman who, well, that would be telling. IT'S JUST SO GOOD.
Also: Bail (and Breha) Organa. JUST BURY ME HERE. Leia knows who her father is, and I JUST LOVE IT.
(Also, Gray got to make A Certain Thing canon, and IT IS BEAUTIFUL.)
Read this.
Okay, so I am in the small percentage of people who was 100% on board with Leia and Han in TFA, and this book is basically a perfect encapsulation of WHY they were like that. It just makes sense to me. Marriage doesn't work the same for everyone, and it certainly shouldn't in Star Wars-verse, and I love the idea of two people who made it work while also keeping their very complicated lives, and then it got TOO complicated, and they were...screwed.
But really, that's not the most important part of this book.
BLOODLINE is the story of Leia and politics and betrayal and coming so fucking close and then everything falling apart because: Star Wars. It was flipping genius, and brilliantly written and literally everything I wanted.
(OH GOD I AM WRITING A STAR WARS BOOK WHAT IF THE INTERNET HATES ME HOLD ME LJ I MAY SWOON.)
In addition to Leia, we get two more fantastic female characters (Korr Sella, who appears briefly in the movie, and an ex-pilot), and another woman who, well, that would be telling. IT'S JUST SO GOOD.
Also: Bail (and Breha) Organa. JUST BURY ME HERE. Leia knows who her father is, and I JUST LOVE IT.
(Also, Gray got to make A Certain Thing canon, and IT IS BEAUTIFUL.)
Read this.
SO THAT ROGUE ONE TRAILER
Apr. 7th, 2016 09:31 pmI mean, I was here for this movie. A heist movie with politics and a woman leading the charge? I mean, OBVIOUSLY. BUT THEN BUT THEN BUT THEN.
Just.
( I Rebel )
I am so flipping excited.
Just.
( I Rebel )
I am so flipping excited.
Book #14: Rey's Survival Guide
Feb. 25th, 2016 02:59 pmIf you feel like it's been too long since Star Wars stomped on your feelings, I recommend picking this up. Though it's targeted MG (which most SW books for kids are), it is REALLY well pieced together, giving not only a good overview of Jakku, but also the people and ships you find there.
AND REY, JUST, MY HEART.
My favourite/the most heart-breaking page was her diagram of the X-wing she scavenged. It is labeled in food, so many portions for each part. "37 PORTIONS THANK YOU YELLOW 4 😀" she writes. JUST BURY ME HERE.
It's a cool book to add to the shrine of Rey action figures I am sure you, like me, are slowly building in your office.
AND REY, JUST, MY HEART.
My favourite/the most heart-breaking page was her diagram of the X-wing she scavenged. It is labeled in food, so many portions for each part. "37 PORTIONS THANK YOU YELLOW 4 😀" she writes. JUST BURY ME HERE.
It's a cool book to add to the shrine of Rey action figures I am sure you, like me, are slowly building in your office.
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