Comics to movies: the 2017 edition

Since the rise of the comic book movie phenomenon, we've had a plethora of movies to feast our eyes on (and heavily critique) and 2017 is indeed the feast of all feasts!

First up we had Logan, and honestly, who doesn't love a bit of Wolverine! This is set in the near future of 2024, where an aging Wolverine and Professor X are protecting someone special, someone with some slightly familiar claws of her own. Ok, I have to confess, I DID cry when I saw this (and more than once), but it really is a comic book movie like no other. If you are wanting a Wolverine refresher before you see it, then you could check out earlier movies X-Men Origins: Wolverine or The Wolverine.

Or if you've seen it already and want EVEN MORE WOLVERINE GOODNESS, you could check out the incredible comic series Wolverine:Old Man Logan which features a much older time traveling Wolverine in an elseworld type adventure. Perhaps you want to know more about Laura (aka X-23), if so you may want to check out X-23:The complete collection.

Next up we had the Lego Batman movie, which all fans of the Lego movie are not going to want to miss. I am still a little heartbroken as I was sick when if first came out, and my mini-geeks went with their dad to see it without me *cries*. If anyone is looking for a date to go see it, PICK ME. They did come back and tell me it was the BEST MOVIE EVER that they had ever seen. But I have to confess they are fickle, and have since seen Moana and declared that the best movie they have seen, kids eh ;)

Right about now we have Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 hitting the ground. I've heard of people who have seen it three times already, and I admire these people greatly! In this new addition, the team continue their adventures and unravel the mystery around Peter Quill's parentage. If you want a heads up on that particular mystery you could check out the graphic novel series that starts with Guardians of the Galaxy (Volume 1). Or if you want a rewatch of the first film to refresh you (or tide you over until the new one hits DVD/digital release) you will find it here. I am seriously hanging out for my baby Groot fix.

Still to come this year, we have so much more awesomeness coming our way.  DC will be attempting to give Marvel a run for their money with Wonder Woman in June, and The Justice League in November. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one drooling over all those released scenes of Jason Momoa's Aquaman *drool*. I'm also pretty sure I really need to catch up on the previous releases Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of justice in order to really appreciate these new upcoming movies, better get on that!

Last up on my SQUEEEEEE list for 2017 is Thor: Ragnarok which is coming out this October. The third installment of Thor is directed by New Zealand's very own Taika Waititi, and if you haven't seen the trailer already then check it out below. There are a couple of cool little treats in there for fans of his previous movies Hunt for the Wilderpeople and What we do in the shadows . With gladiator Hulk and a super cool looking Cate Blanchett as the big bad Hela, this looks unmissable!

20 years of Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Last week over on Twitter, there was a glorious celebration of all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer in honour of 20 years of Buffy. Yes, you read that right, 20 years of Buffy and the rest of the Scooby Gang kicking butt and taking names. If you are on Twitter and want to catch up on some of the fun that was had, check out the hashtag #Buffyslays20. It was wonderful to see lots of the cast members including Sarah Michelle Geller coming on board and sharing their memories and favourite moments of the series as well.

I've managed to maintain my love of Buffy over the years by closely following the comic book series which was launched after the end of Season 7. Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy (you may have heard of him, he's done a couple of decent things since *giggles*) already had a plan for Season 8. So when the series was brought to a close by the network, he helped to produce Buffy the vampire slayer: Season 8 as a comic series instead. MORE BUFFY, YAY! I have collected every issue ever since :)

We are currently up to Season 11 in comic land, so if you would like to know just what happened next to Buffy, Willow, Xander, Spike or your favourite BtVS character you can still get your fix too. Auckland Libraries has Buffy the vampire slayer Season 8 available to borrow as an e-book graphic novel series, beginning with Volume 1. The long way home. Or we have the print copies of Series 9 and onward starting with Volume 1: Freefall.

Or maybe you would like to head back to the beginning of the series for a rewatch, in which case we totally have your back there too. We have Buffy the vampire slayer. Season 1 available on DVD for your viewing pleasure (and of course Season 2, Season 3, Season 4, Season 5, Season 6 and Season 7, oh so much Buffy goodness to marathon right there!)

We've also got a number of other Buffytastic goodies that you might be keen to explore. Buffy, the vampire slayer edited by Jennifer K. Stuller is a celebration in itself, with a collection of interviews and essays 'addressing how Buffy inspires the creation of, among other enduring artifacts of fandom, fan fiction, crafting, performance, cosplay, and sing-alongs' Or there is this teenage fiction series based in the world of Buffy. Or perhaps you'd be interested in Buffy: the making of a slayer: the official guide by Nancy Holder, a great behind the scenes book which offers a 'commentary on the creation of the show and explores the characters, the mythology, and the evolution of all seven seasons - and beyond'

So, regardless of whether you are Team Angel or Team Spike, there should be something in there to tickle your fancy, and remind you of just why this fantastic series has endured for the last 20 years. I'd love to hear about your favourite #Buffyslays20 moment in our comments below!

Fairy Tales and Peculiar Resolutions

Just about every year I resolve to add a new genre or sub-genre to my reading repertoire. As a library assistant I feel pangs of guilt when I'm unable to recommend the right book to someone - though I swear this rarely happens! Over the past few years I've resolved to get into crime, paranormal romance, historical fiction, etc etc. I haven't yet succeeded in fully diving into any of them.

Teen fiction has been one of my "must get into" genres for a while. Being a fairly advanced reader in childhood, by the time I got the appropriate age for teen fiction I was passing them over for more serious, literary adult fiction tomes that in hindsight I barely understood. So, there's a giant gap in my adolescence where I missed out on the Hunger Games and Twilight's of  my time.

However, each time I've picked up a work of teen fiction, it's failed to grab me. I cringe at the self conscious descriptions of outfits and the hammy dialogue. Ever an optimist, I kept telling myself that eventually I would find a work of teen fiction that I would love, and I finally did!

I decided to jump on the Ransom Riggs bandwagon and have a go at reading Tales of the Peculiar, and I'm so glad! If I'm honest, I'd decided to read it based on the beautiful cover alone (all books should look like this!) but after realizing the connection to Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (also a work of Riggs) I was sold. Those more ahead of the times might have seen the film by now, however it's *still* on my to do list!

Much unlike the teen fiction I'd encountered, Tales of the Peculiar is beautifully written in a way that's complex without being inaccessible to a teen audience, and totally devoid of cringe-worthy outfit descriptions and unnatural 'cool' slang. Essentially a collection of fairy tales, this book reminds me of my favourite authors of magical realism: a little bit Angela Carter in prose, and a little bit Italo Calvino in dark humour. While they all hint at some sort of moral lesson (or lessons) they're not as straight forward as many other fairy tales, allowing the reader to bemuse for a good while after closing the book. The brief sojourns into darker territory (capitalism, cannibalism, greed, murder) are chilling without being *too* scary. Perfect for teens but also wonderful for adults, I would recommend it to just about anyone looking for a good old fashioned cautionary tale, and for anyone who might have grown up on things like Struwwelpeter!

I will definitely be seeking out more teen fiction in the same vein - and you can borrow it here if you'd like to read it too :)

And I Brought Some Corn For Popping...

Christmas cake, mince pies, candy canes, chocolate... food is endless at this time of year, what with work functions and family gatherings and drinks and nibbles with friends.  

I'm kind of glad that I don't cook and that I'm very fortunate to have such lovely people around me who do all the hard work.  

Thanks Mum.

If you're struggling for inspiration for yet another Christmas get-together then why not check out some - if not all - of the books above and below.  There's pretty much something for everyone, be you a vegan, a paleo or raw lover.

And if you more of a traditionalist then we've got you covered too.

There's books on cakes and desserts, both large and decadent; and vegetables from artichokes to zucchinis.

And last but not least books on how to make every kind of cocktail imaginable.

G & T anyone?

Deck The Halls...

Some years Christmas just seems a little blah.  It's either too hot or too wet and there's a serious lacking of snow and blazing fires and mulled wine.

Decorating your home and making your gifts to hand out is definitely one way to get into the Christmas spirit. 

Whether you want to make your own cards or get out the wool and make your very own Rudolph there is something for everyone among our huge range of Christmas books.  Even better you can make some Christmas cookies before you get stuck into the decorating and crafting and have a munch... or two as you go.