Review: DO YOU LIKE MY WIENER? by Brenda Rothert!

Today we are celebrating the release of Do You Like My Wiener?: a non-expert's no-nonsense guide to dating by Brenda Rothert. With laugh-out-loud mishaps and heartfelt advice, bestselling romance author Brenda Rothert shows readers that while dating these days can be the worst, great men aren’t just fictional. Check out the links below to grab your copy now!

PURCHASE IT NOW ON AMAZON | B&N | IBOOKS | KOBO

Check out www.DoYouLikeMyWiener.com for exclusive details and fun extras!

My Review: Any one who has read my blog knows I'm a fiction type of girl. But that doesn't mean I don't enjoy my share of nonfiction - and this is a perfect example. This is a laugh-out-loud, hilarious look at real life and dating. I've read this author's fiction titles, and enjoyed them greatly, so it's a pleasant surprise that her style works just as well in a non-fictional setting. 

The dating world can be a very scary place - but after reading this book, I think it really helps put things in perspective. Yeah, it's tough out there, but clearly, having a sense of humor about the whole thing helps. Not only does this book have some great advice, and real-life experience, but the fun and approachable style gives readers the confidence to get out there and try it themselves!

Cover Lovin': Fun!

Recommendation: For humor and nonfiction fans. Romance readers would enjoy this as well, if they're in the mood for something different. 

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5)!! Fun, funny, and a great read!

Do You Like My Wiener?: a non-expert's no-nonsense guide to dating by Brenda Rothert

Book Blurb:

With laugh-out-loud mishaps and heartfelt advice, bestselling romance author Brenda Rothert shows readers that while dating these days can be the worst, great men aren’t just fictional. Ladies, we’ve all been there…a good first date is wrapping up and we’re sure a second date is likely after a great goodnight kiss beside our car. He’s tall, funny and charming. FINALLY a good one. He asks to get in the car, which seems natural since it’s cold outside. And then, once inside, another kiss, and he exposes himself and asks us if we like his wiener. Wait, what? You haven’t been there? Guess that one only happened to me. What about the guy who spends most of a first date complaining bitterly about his ex-wife? The one with the guy who cops to his criminal record over dessert? Dating these days can leave a girl frustrated and disgusted. But fear not, I’m here to help. I’m a veteran dater, having spent a fair amount of time in the cheap-cologne scented trenches. And while I am admittedly not an expert, I can help you avoid my mistakes. I’ll show you how to prepare yourself for dating, how to spot the red flags and how to laugh off the misadventures you will inevitably have. And hopefully, how to avoid an awkward wiener encounter of your own.  

Add the book to Goodreads

PURCHASE IT NOW ON AMAZON | B&N | IBOOKS | KOBO

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 

Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | | Wattpad | Amazon

Release Day: DO YOU LIKE MY WIENER? by Brenda Rothert!

Today we are celebrating the release of Do You Like My Wiener?: a non-expert's no-nonsense guide to dating by Brenda Rothert. With laugh-out-loud mishaps and heartfelt advice, bestselling romance author Brenda Rothert shows readers that while dating these days can be the worst, great men aren’t just fictional. Check out the links below to grab your copy now!

PURCHASE IT NOW ON AMAZON | B&N | IBOOKS | KOBO

Check out www.DoYouLikeMyWiener.com for exclusive details and fun extras!

Do You Like My Wiener?: a non-expert's no-nonsense guide to dating by Brenda Rothert

Book Blurb:

With laugh-out-loud mishaps and heartfelt advice, bestselling romance author Brenda Rothert shows readers that while dating these days can be the worst, great men aren’t just fictional. Ladies, we’ve all been there…a good first date is wrapping up and we’re sure a second date is likely after a great goodnight kiss beside our car. He’s tall, funny and charming. FINALLY a good one. He asks to get in the car, which seems natural since it’s cold outside. And then, once inside, another kiss, and he exposes himself and asks us if we like his wiener. Wait, what? You haven’t been there? Guess that one only happened to me. What about the guy who spends most of a first date complaining bitterly about his ex-wife? The one with the guy who cops to his criminal record over dessert? Dating these days can leave a girl frustrated and disgusted. But fear not, I’m here to help. I’m a veteran dater, having spent a fair amount of time in the cheap-cologne scented trenches. And while I am admittedly not an expert, I can help you avoid my mistakes. I’ll show you how to prepare yourself for dating, how to spot the red flags and how to laugh off the misadventures you will inevitably have. And hopefully, how to avoid an awkward wiener encounter of your own.  

Add the book to Goodreads

PURCHASE IT NOW ON AMAZON | B&N | IBOOKS | KOBO

----------------

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 

Brenda Rothert is an Illinois native who was a print journalist for nine years. She made the jump from fact to fiction in 2013 and never looked back. From new adult to steamy contemporary romance, Brenda creates fresh characters in every story she tells. She’s a lover of Diet Coke, chocolate, lazy weekends and happily ever afters.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | | Wattpad | Amazon

Weekly Reading Update 9/23 - 9/29/16!

Another week, another update!

It's actually Tuesday as I'm writing this, because I will be out of town for the rest of the week - and therefore unable to set this up on Thursday afternoon like I usually do. But I read plenty over the weekend, so I'll still have more than enough to share for this week.

I was going through a nostalgic phase, and I remembered these books I used to read in grade school - Horrible History by Terry Deary. So because I was so desperate to read them again, to see if they are as good as I remember, I managed to get Cut-throat Celts from our interlibrary loan program.. And let me tell you, I enjoyed it just as much now as I did back then.

Continuing on in my nonfiction phase, I picked up Foundations of Chinese Civilization: The Yellow Emperor to the Han Dynasty by Jing Liu. This is a graphic novel history of China, or at least part of it. Considering how much history they packed into this book, I think it was well done. The art just didn't work for me as much as I had hoped.

Needing some fiction to get me back in the mood for the books I needed to review, I picked up The Marriage Contract by Katee Robert. This has been on my to-read shelf for far too long. And I mean that literally. I checked this out from the library ages ago. And now that I've read it, I'm mad I waited so long! I loved this, and I can't wait to get to the next book in the series and see how James manages to redeem himself (or not?)!

I focused on review books after this, so for-fun reading was put on hold. But that doesn't mean what I read wasn't fun. As you can tell by the reviews this week, I had a stream of great reads. And finishing that off, I read Ruthless by Lexi Blake to review for Romance Reviews Today. Oh man, this was so good. I hated having to stop when my lunch break was over. So I rushed home, quickly finished packing for my work trip, then curled up to see how Riley gets himself out of the hole he dug with his lies. So good! I can't wait for the next book. And I will definitely have to check out more by Lexi Blake.

Well that's it for me this week - at least so far.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: F*CK THAT: An Honest Meditation by Jason Headley

Release Date: April 12th, 2016

Type: Humor, Nonfiction, Meditation, Oooh Pretty Pictures!

About the Book: Let this book help you find peace with the challenges that surround you. Because they are f*cking everywhere. [Description from the back cover.]

My Review: My job can be stressful sometimes, so I tend to drift towards books about meditation... and funny books. Usually, I don't find them in the same text, so imagine how excited I was when I found this gem! F*ck That combines gorgeous pictures with curse words, and some legitimately good advice. It's not just humor to be funny, and not just cursing to be crude. Sometimes life just gets you down, and you need an expletive or two to truly express how your day is going. F*ck That can help you channel that inner grump into something a little more healthy - or at least a little more humorous.

What I loved the most about this book is that while reading, I can imagine calming music in the background, and a soothing voice reading the text to me, all while I look at the pretty, serene pictures. And really, all that alone would be enough to get me out of any bad mood I might find myself in.

Is this the best meditation book you will ever find? Hardly. Is this the funniest book you'll ever read? Definitely not. But it is an entertaining cross between the two, and worth a look through.

Cover Lovin': Beautiful cover! And fits right in with every other meditation book I've seen.

Recommendation: Curse words abound, so be prepared.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). This was a fun, funny, quick read. Worth a look through!

Make sure to grab your copy of F*ck That from Amazon.com today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Review: HOW MAY WE HATE YOU by Anna Drezen & Todd Dakotah Briscoe

Release Date: May 17th, 2016

Type: Humor, Nonfiction, This is real life y’all

About the Book: Most people think hotel employees are effortlessly cheerful, naturally helpful, and genuinely like their work. 

Most people are wrong.

Find out what really goes on in the world of hospitality with this hilarious book full of funny and absurd stories, anecdotes told in dialogue, factoids, and hoax pop quizzes by two veteran concierges who paid their way while working at a combined 50 hotels in and around Times Square. They are very pleased to help you learn the following: 
·         The Truth About Bed Bugs
·         The Mythology of “Loyalty Programs”
·         The 411 on Hotel Residents
·         And so much more

Filled with photographs and infographics, How May We Hate You? is both romp and commentary on the hospitality industry and life behind the nametag. [Description from Goodreads.com]

My Review: I work at a public service desk, so I can’t help myself - I love to read stories from others that work in public service. We downtrodden have to stick together! Humor is definitely my coping mechanism for a rough day - and I can tell authors Anna Drezen and Todd Dakotah Briscoe are the same. When I originally looked into this book, I figured it would just be a bunch of funny stories from the authors’ time at the concierge desk. And while yes, there were definitely funny anecdotes along the way, this book is definitely so much more.

Included in this book you’ll find some actually helpful advice - though it’s mostly stuff you should already be doing anyways. Be nice to people, and they will do everything they can to help you. Be rude, and no one will want to go out of their way to do anything special for you. It also cleared up some confusion about exactlya concierge can and cannot do. The meaning has changed considerably over the years, and I will admit, even I have been confused a time or two about what they can help me with.

If you want a quick, humorous read - give this book a shot. It’s worth it.

Cover Lovin’: Simple, yet sweet.

Recommendation: For anyone that needs a quick laugh - and doesn’t mind a quirky sense of humor.

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (⅗)! Fun, quick read. But ultimately nothing to write home about.

Make sure to grab your copy of How May We Hate You today!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for a review.

Weekly Reading Update: 3/18 - 3/24/16!

Here we go again - another weekly reading update!

This week, I read a fascinating graphic novel called “Bernie” by Ted Rall. The beginning of the book discusses a brief history of the Democratic party in the 20th and 21st centuries, and then goes on to talk about Bernie Sanders’ policies and how they differ from the modern Leftist beliefs. Along with Bernie’s personal history, it talks about his efforts throughout his life to better his community and the world around him. Great read!

I also read “Gotham Academy Volume 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy” by Becky Cloonan. The only reason I picked this up was because I read an article talking about an upcoming Gotham Academy and Lumberjanes cross over. But now that I’ve read this, I plan to continue with the series. It was a fun read, though I can see it appealing more to those that like DC and Batman, rather than the typical Lumberjanes crowd.

I also read “Love Struck” by Laurelin McGee, to review for Romance Reviews Today. It definitely has a modern day You’ve Got Mail feel to it, since they met on an anonymous forum and know each other only by their usernames - or do they?! This is a cute one. It’s book two in a series, but I hadn’t read book one and still got along fine. Though it makes me want to read the first book, “Miss Match.”

My next goal is to continue to tackle the nonfiction book “The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It… Every Time” by Maria Konnikova. Anyone that follows my Goodreads page will know my obsession with thieves and con-men - it even has its own shelf! This book talks about just why we fall for cons, and it’s pretty fascinating thus far. But I’ll admit, I’m a slow reader when it comes to nonfiction - it just takes me longer to process actual facts rather than fiction. But it doesn’t mean I enjoy it any less.

Happy Reading
~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "The Worrier's Guide to Life" by Gemma Correll

Disclaimer: I received a free, advance e-copy of this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Release Date: May 26, 2015

Type: Humor, Nonfiction, Graphic Novel, Anxiety is my middle name, Was this written about me?

About the Book: If you're floundering in life, striking out in love, struggling to pay the rent, and worried about it all -- you're in luck! World Champion Worrier and Expert Insomniac Gemma Correll is here to assure you that it could be much, much worse.

In her hugely popular comic drawings, Gemma Correll dispenses dubious advice and unreliable information on life as she sees it, including The Dystopian Zodiac, Reward Stickers for Grown-Ups, Palm Reading for Millennials, and a Map of the Introvert's Heart. For all you fellow agonizers, fretters, and nervous wrecks, this book is for you. Read it and weep...with laughter. [Synopsis from Netgalley.com]

My Review: Ugh, gosh, I think author Gemma Correll wrote a book about my life! Anyone that has ever suffered through depression, anxiety, insomnia, or even every day life will find something in common with this book. I chuckled out loud multiple times, and nodded in agreement at least once ever page.

"The Worrier's Guide to Life" is incredibly clever, and very original. While this book is organized into like sections, there really isn't a flow to the book. However, since this seems to be material from the author's blog, as well as (I think?) some new material, that would make sense. The chapters contain comics similar enough that it works for the most part, and that's good enough for me. I enjoyed the heck out of this.

Cover Lovin': Aw man, this cover is my life. What you see on the cover is what you're going to get.

Recommendation: For fans of Hyperbole and a Half, and similar true-to-life, anxiety-ridden humor blogs.

Final Rating: FOUR POINT FIVE out of FIVE (4.5/5). Hilarious. The awkward nerd at me connected deeply with this. Highly recommended.

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda, Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Hedgewitch Book of Days" by Mandy Mitchell

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Type: Nonfiction, Spell book, Book of Days, Hedgewitch, A whole years worth of reading

About the Book: Down to earth and humorous, Mandy Mitchell is a modern Hedgewitch whose passion is finding magic in simple everyday tasks and turning them into rituals and spells along with cooking wholesome, hearty, and tasty food based on the seasons of the year. Her book echoes these passions and serves as a tapestry of real-life stories and time-honored folklore laced with a hint of magic! It is aimed at the practicing or would-be witch whose life is more jeans, chaos and the never-ending question of what's for dinner than it is black robes, cauldrons, and incantations.

"Hedgewitch Book of Days" features recipes and wisdom as it reveals the hidden properties behind the things we use all the time. The author shows how to turn the simplest tasks into meaningful rituals, opening our eyes to the extra special world behind the mundane and how to celebrate it! A new broader approach to old beliefs, there is something for everyone to take away--whatever path you are on.

Journey through the wheel of the year with one eye on the kettle and the other on the magical! [Description from Goodreads.com]
My Review: I will say right now, I wouldn't have picked this up on my own. So I didn't really know what to expect. That said, I really enjoyed this. I haven't read every single word - I'm saving some stuff for when the actual featured month happens. But that's what makes this book great - it's the book that keeps on giving!

Included in each month: Information about traditions in that month (pagan festivals, etc), rituals the reader can do to relax, recipes, ways to celebrate the month, spells, and folklore. I'm a picky eater, but these recipes have me drooling!

This book isn't for everyone. I'm sure there are plenty of people that would find offense, but if you keep an open mind, this is a really fun read with fascinating information, and plenty of useful facts. Be sure to check this out in the near future!

Cover Lovin': Good cover. I'm not sure it entirely conveys what all is included in this book, but it is calming and nice looking.

Recommendation: Sure there are spells and rituals included in this book, so you should be into that, but there are a lot of recipes and plenty of good advice that anyone would find useful!

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). This was a fun read, and has tons of helpful and useful tips!

Happy Reading!

~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "The Roommates: True Tales of Friendship, Rivalry, Romance, and Disturbingly Close Quarters" by Stephanie Wu

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. 

Type: Nonfiction, Essays, Roommates are the Devil (sometimes?), Happy Endings and Will This Ever End?-ings

About This Book: In Stephanie Wu's The Roommates, people of all ages reveal their disastrous, hilarious, and sometimes moving stories of making their best friend for life or lifelong nemesis. Learn what it’s like to share a room in places as unusual as a thirty-person beach house, a billionaire’s yacht, a reality show mansion, and a retirement hotel, and those as familiar as sleepaway camps, boarding schools, and college dorms. Put down your roommate’s dirty dishes and passive-aggressive Post-it’s for this eye-opening glimpse into how people live together in the modern age.

You’ll meet: The Amateur Taxidermist ∙ The Alcoholic Genius ∙ The Kleptomaniac ∙ The Rent Stiffer ∙ The Naked Nanna ∙ The Serial Roommate ∙ The Top Chef ∙ The Recovered Addict ∙ The Russian Missionary ∙ The Obsessive Lesbian ∙ The Impersonator ∙ The Party Poopers...and many more! (From Goodreads.com)
My Review: Recently, I have been considering a roommate, because hey... having someone else helping out with rent seems like a great idea! And then this book was sent to me - I thought it was fate. I enjoy some hilarious real-life experience essays, so I was looking forward to diving into "The Roommates." But here's the thing - this isn't just a hilarious grouping of essays. There are some funny parts, for sure, but these are real tales, so there are some disgusting stories, sad stories, happy endings, etc. It's a nice mix, but with the whimsical cover, I expected much more hilarity.

I know these are essays written by people who actually experienced these horrifying living situations, but I wish some of the essays had a little bit more editing. There was one story that stuck in my mind - basically the writer started the story, continued in a confusing tone, and then suddenly went back to the beginning to add a few points, then just finished. Giving the contributors a little help in the final editing process wouldn't hurt.

That said, this was an entertaining read, and something you could either do in one sitting, or take your time.

Cover Lovin': This cover could be really busy - but it works with the subject matter. The cover is eye catching and definitely lends itself to a closer look if someone saw it on the shelf.

Recommendations: For people who have had awkward roommate experiences. Or maybe for people who are considering roommates and want to see some good and bad examples - it helps having an idea of what you might be getting into!

Final Rating: THREE out of FIVE stars (3/5). This book was interesting. Fun. Good, but not great. The essays could do with some editing, but that didn't take away from an enjoyable read.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

Review: "Ares: Bringer of War" by George O'Connor

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Release Date: January 27, 2015

Type: Graphic Novel, History, Greek Mythology, Mythology, Ares, The Iliad, War of the Gods, Book 7, Series, So Much Death and Destruction

About the Book: The myth continues in the tenth year of the fabled Trojan War where two infamous gods of war go to battle. The spotlight is thrown on Ares, god of war, and primarily focuses on his battle with the clever and powerful Athena. As the battle culminates and the gods try to one-up each other to win, the human death toll mounts. Who will win this epic clash of power? And how many will have to die first?

My Review: This volume felt like a let down when compared to the previous ones - especially the Poseidon and Aphrodite volumes, since those were particularly awesome. The art is still on par with the rest of the series, but it was the story itself that didn't work for me.

I didn't like this volume as much as the previous ones. The author decided to take on The Iliad for Ares' story and it became a confusion of names more than once. Unless the reader is already familiar with the story, this would have been a bumbling mess. But the quality of the previous volumes is still there. 

That said, I think this would be a great companion story to anyone working their way through the Iliad. The rest of the series I recommend giving to anyone struggling in a mythology class, or maybe just someone who can't stop devouring mythology books - but this volume isn't something I would just hand to someone. It almost feels like it comes with some extra homework.

I am hopeful there will be more books in this series. George O'Connor does a fantastic job capturing the Greek myths in graphic novel form. And hey - he hasn't even finished the 12 Olympians, so he better keep going!

Cover Lovin': Well done on the cover. It matches the rest of the series, and I'd say this battle cry stance fits the god of war perfectly.

Recommendations: For fans of Greek Mythology, and Graphic Novels. This would be a good companion for a high school or college student reading the Iliad, as well.

Final Rating: TWO POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (2.5/5). As stated above, this seems like a step down in quality compared to the previous books in the series. Unless the reader has a good grasp of Greek history and/or the happenings of the Iliad, this book will seem like an info dump.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: "Hades Speaks!" by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Disclaimer: I received a free, advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Release Date: September 1, 2014

Type: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Teen, Mythology, Greek, Humor, Illustrated, Fun, Highway to Hades

About the Book: Hades, god of the dead, welcomes readers on a dangerous tour of his underworld kingdom, filled with monsters, furies, giants, and vampire demons. Along the way, he reveals ancient death rites and sinister curses, tells hair-raising stories, and cracks jokes to die for. With his witty voice and ghoulish sense of humor, Hades is the perfect guide through this fresh and imaginative work of nonfiction that reads like a novel. Includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.

My Review: This was a great nonfiction title that I would gladly give to both a juvenile and young adult audience. Written from Hades' perspective, the reader gets a tour through the Underworld, with tales of Greek myths and History thrown in. One of my favorite parts of the book was the punctuation guides, located throughout the text whenever an unfamiliar word was introduced, as well as in the glossary in the back.

The whole book contains a wonderful sense of humor, enough to keep anyone entertained while reading. There are mentions of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, and I can see this as being a great gift for any Percy Jackson fan. The few illustrations in hand book were well done, and very artistic. There are a few I would gladly frame and add to my Halloween decor. 

Giving this book a four out of five stars for its originality, clarity, and amusing style.

Cover Lovin': This cover is pretty perfect for this book. The illustrations are appropriately haunting, considering the subject matter, but there is a hint at the humor you will find inside, in the smile that Hades is trying to hide.

Recommendation: For young fans of Greek mythology that want to read the stories from a different angle. Adults can enjoy this book as well, but this is definitely kid-centered.

Final Rating: FOUR out of FIVE stars (4/5). Good book, fun to read, and I know it would be popular with both juveniles and teens at my library.

Happy Reading!
~!~ Amanda at Novel Addiction ~!~

REVIEW: DC Entertainment Graphic Novel Essentials And Chronology 2014

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Type: Graphic Novel, Nonfiction, DC Entertainment, Vertigo, MAD, Informative, Where do I even start?, Series, etc.

About the Book: DC Entertainment has been the birthplace of comics' landmark graphic novels, from books that defined the genre like WATCHMEN, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS, and THE SANDMAN to contemporary classics such as JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 1: ORIGIN and BATMAN VOL. 1: THE COURT OF OWLS.

The DC Entertainment Essential Graphic Novels and Chronology has revised its expansive look into our rich backlist collection featuring the talents of the best writers and illustrators in the industry. Included are key reading lists, in-depth looks at graphic novels starring heroes such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the Justice League, and the best collections from our Vertigo, MAD, and digital-first lines.

This catalog can be used as an important resource for new fans seeking a starting point, as well as a look at our impressive backlist for the most fervent DCE fan.

My Review: I wasn't so sure about reading and reviewing this. I'm a huge fan of DC and Vertigo, and religiously follow several of their comic book lines - but a nonfiction book about their comics? What could they tell me that I didn't already know? Well, a lot, apparently. This book doesn't just let readers know what is out there - it also includes some history of DCE and, my favorite part, includes a listing of the 25 essential graphic novels. I love lists, and I was pleased to see how many on it I had already read, and added the rest to my to-read pile.

What pleased me most about this book was its ability to show good starting points for anyone interested in comic books. I was lucky that I had several friends obsessed with comics when I decided I wanted to start reading them, otherwise it's quite daunting to pick something up - what if you start reading in the middle of a story arc? the DCE Essentials and Chronology shows all the volume ones, and explains the recently rebooted New 52 line, which is definitely a great place to start for anyone interested. Even better, it doesn't just cover DC lines, but Vertigo (my favorite!) and MAD as well.

I would have rated the book higher, but it's very short - the size of an average graphic novel. There is so much history to cover, I believe the book would have done well to be longer. And included some more history when it comes to the big names - Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Each character (and more!) were covered, but these are the heavy hitters, they needed some more special treatment. Especially considering this is where new readers are likely to start.

Cover Lovin': I really love this. I love the characters reading comics - and not just in print form, even! Catwoman is reading comics on a digital device, highlighting DCE's digital-first lines.

Recommendation: For fans of the DC universe, as well as for anyone interested in beginning their journey into some of the most popular graphic novels. Great for someone that wants to start reading comics, and has no clue where to begin.

Final Rating: THREE POINT FIVE out of FIVE stars (3.5/5).

Happy Reading!
~!~ Manda from Novel Addiction ~!~