I read a lot of books this month though most of them were graphic novels so this list will look more impressive than usual. My “librarian shame” is that I am a very slow, distracted reader and I tend to only read during my lunch break or right before bed…if I go to bed at a decent hour which depends on how much time I’ve spent goofing off online or watching TV.

Anyway, here is a rundown of the books I managed to get through this month:

The Surprise Attack of Jabba the Puppett: An Origami Yoda Book by Tom Angleberger
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think this book was a big improvement over Darth Paper Strikes Back and slightly better than The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee. You can tell that Angleberger lives in the MD/DC/VA area because the students of McQuarrie Middle are being “punished” for the low score on the previous year’s standardized tests.

I like this book a lot more because it got the entire student body involved and there was just as much story and plot as there was silly Star Wars references. It does end on a cliffhanger, so be warned! I am very curious to see how Angleberger wraps up this story, since the tests that the students are rebelling against are nationally mandated now. Can he write a conclusion that is satisfying to readers?

You’re All Just Jealous of My Jetpack: Cartoons by Tom Gauld
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hilarious collection of one page comics with lots of literary and geeky humor.

Adventure Time Vol. 1 by Ryan North
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These comics are hilarious. I do recommend watching the TV series first, at least a few episodes, so you know what the characters sound like. The dialogue is written just like they talk and if you know how they sound, it makes it that much more enjoyable. Also, make sure you don’t miss the little author notes at the bottom of each page, many of which had me laughing out loud. I also read Volume 2 which was good (though not quite as good as Volume 1)

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: Donner Dinner Party by Nathan Hale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love non-fiction graphic novels. LOVE THEM. They are the gateway books into finding out about all kinds of random history. Nathan Hale’s series is fantastic since it is written for middle school age readers, the age when most kids start the “history is boring” mantra. Get these books into their hands (especially if they are boys) and you will see students who learn to love history.

Amulet, Vol. 1: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the first few pages of intense action, what feels like the opening scenes to a movie, Amulet pulls you in. Being that this is the first book in the series, the majority of the pages are setting up the rest of the series, but what a set up it was.

This series is perfect for those older elementary/middle school readers who are fans of adventure movies like Indiana Jones and Star Wars – where the plot-driven story moves fast and furiously in all directions. I’m on the fourth book now and the action has not stopped, and now you can include elements of Lord of the Rings and survival stories like Hunger Games in the mix.

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Tried too hard to be cool and funny, lost me about halfway through, by the end I was disappointed, even more so when the final page was not a list of ways for readers to seek help if they were faced with similar feelings or problems.

How Not to Be a Dick: An Everyday Etiquette Guide by Meghan Doherty
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 stars. Not at all what I expected. What looks like it’s going to be a totally ridiculous book on the cover, inside is just a simple guide to etiquette, albeit with more mentions of “dick” and “dickishness” than most Emily Post titles. The advice is great and if someone did bother to read it, they would learn some very good behaviors.