Guillermo Del Toro has been one of the most unique movie directors for the past 15 years. His works have an authentic and unique feel that is rare in western cinema. Watching most of his movies has always been not just a treat for the eyes, but always has something for my mind to sink its teeth into.

Guillermo Del Toro, The Iconic Filmmaker and His Work, is a book that delves into the beginnings of Del Toro, his interests, and how he developed his aesthetic. It examines the movie's director's development, his missteps, and how he almost lost his sense of self thanks to the cutthroat environment of Hollywood.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK
I love how the author allowed space for the director's own words about his processes. I love reading Del Toro's words about what was going through his mind during the creation of his ideas.

The images in the book illuminate what kind of director Del Toro is. Being able to glimpse into a few pages of his actual notebook to see how he constructs his ideas in words and pictures was exciting.

DISLIKES
None

WHO IS THE BOOK FOR?
This is for Del Toro's fans, both newcomers and long-time admirers. It gives an insight into what makes the director tick as well as what he considers as good movies.

Many thanks to Quarto Publishing Group for providing a review copy.

Art is usually considered inferior to text - an examination of people's attitude to comics versus normal textbooks is a testament to that. However, what if art is actually an elevated form of communication? What if the medium has more to offer us if we open our minds and allow it to show us its secrets. Teaching Artfully is all about the exploration of the possibilities of art for both the artists and the people who consume it as a medium.

LIKES
This book reminds me of Nick Sousanis' Unflattening, hence I was not surprised to see his name at the bottom of the foreword. Teaching Artfully is a meditation on the nature of art and how it can help us understand ourselves and the world as well. It is a book that points out the potential of art to inspire out-of-the-box thinking and perspectives.

DISLIKES
None.

WHO IS IT FOR?
It does not matter if you are an artist or not, Teaching Artfully is for anyone who is open to learning what art has to offer for their self-development as a human being.

Many thanks to Diamond Books for providing a review copy.

Mafiosa is a story of Nicoletta, a young lady in a Sicilian-American crime family, who is deemed unsuitable for taking a big role in the family business because she is a woman. Determined to prove herself, she engages in a few reckless ventures that turn out to be profitable yet attract enough trouble to plunge her family into crisis.

LIKES
The colour scheme is used well to suit the overall theme of crime, blood, and deceit. The dark tones used to depict the overall mood in some of the panels are top-notch.

DISLIKES
The characters are hard to get into, and that includes the protagonist. I find it difficult to sympathise with her though she has good reasons to be agitated. I wish the plot is worked a bit more to make us care about her feelings.

WHO THIS IS FOR
For fans of crime novels, of course. Though the protagonist might not be everyone's cup of tea.

Many thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing a review copy.

"To abandon facts is to abandon freedom. If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so. If nothing is true, then all is spectacle."

In penning On Tyranny, Snyder and Krug created a masterpiece of a graphic novel that presents historical lessons from nations that have fallen into dictatorship in recent past. This is a book that calls us into action to defend our countries against influence(s) that may seek to take it over in the way of division and hate.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK
There is always an unconscious assumption about people living in countries that are under despotic rule. We think they are weak-willed or easily led. We assume any normal person ought to see the kind of disaster that befell them coming a mile away. On Tyranny: 20 Lessons From The Twentieth Century shows us how hard it is to spot despotism when it is looming over us, especially if we are not the ones feeling the pinch. It tells us that tyranny appeals to a very deep-seated desire within us for order and certainty. More importantly, ruthless leaders know how to harness this desire and use it to their benefit.

DISLIKES
None.

WHO IS IT FOR?
Ultimately, this is a book for anyone living in a democratic country. It is a warning that a state of peace and security in any nation never lasts unless most citizens work to sustain it. It teaches us that this role is even more important today in a social media age where anyone can either contribute to falsehood or promote truth and kindness. All in all, On Tyranny is a timely book for our times and worth a read for everyone that is of voting age.

Many thanks to Ten Speed Press for providing a review copy.

This is the tale of Elina who, discovering that her ill grandmother is the keeper of the little folk, had to step in for her in stemming a threat that is about to send the fairy community into crisis.

LIKES
The art evokes warm feelings in me. The colour combination and the detail that went into the paintings make this book a collectible.

DISLIKES
The story is a bit cliche and predictable but charming nonetheless.

WHO IS IT FOR?
This is for lovers of fairytales of all kinds, though this story is as traditional as they come.

Many thanks to Europe Comics for providing a review copy.

 

The Decagon House Murders (Volume 1) is based on Yukito Ayatsuji's 1987 mystery novel. The plot is about a university mystery club whose members took a vacation on a remote island where they stayed in a house that happens to be a crime scene. An unknown assailant had killed a family in that house many years ago in a manner that attracted the nation's attention. The manga focuses on the characters within the club, their individual theories about the murder case, as well as the strange happenings that are occurring both on and off the island.

LIKES
The art is good to look at and the characters are distinct enough. The dialogue flows very well and the background to the story is well-explained. In short, this is a tale that is easy to get into.

DISLIKES
I find it difficult taking The Decagon House Murders seriously. Apart from the weird codenames that are forced on many of the characters, the plot seemed contrived as some of the situations the characters are put in aren't realistic nor believable.

WHO IS IT FOR?
This seems to be a book for any kind of mystery novel fans. The enjoyment factor might be debatable.

Many thanks to Kodansha for providing a review copy.

 

Championess is the story of Elizabeth and Tess, based on the real-life story of Elizabeth Wilkinson, an 18th-century mixed-race bare-knuckle female boxer living in London.

In this graphic novel, we explore how Elizabeth fought against poverty, betrayal, racism, and many other obstacles to establishing herself as one of the best pugilists of that period.

LIKES
The story flows like a movie. The plot is smooth and there is a bit of surprise sprinkled here and there, keeping me invested all through.

Also, the colour scheme fits the overall mood of the story and the fight scenes are dynamic enough to make readers pause long enough to enjoy the art.

DISLIKES
None.

WHO THIS IS FOR
Fans of boxing, historical graphic novels, and seekers who want to learn what it takes to build their own stuff amid stiff opposition will find interesting stuff in this book.

Many thanks to Legendary Comics for providing a review copy.

 The Secret Of Chocolate is an author's journey through the process of making chocolate. It details the process and procedure of making chocolate confectionery and the care that goes into it. Through the eyes and hands of chocolate makers and cocoa producers, we are able to share the joy of growing a crop that goes into making one of the most delectable treats in the world.

THINGS I LOVE IN THIS BOOK
The enthusiasm of the author is infectious. It is clear he loves chocolate and the process of making it. Through his eyes, the reader is able to appreciate the efforts and techniques that go into creating some of the most popular treats on the market today.

DISLIKES
The font choice for this book is not suitable for the eyes. It is curly and requires extra attention to decipher some of the phrases used. It is a poor choice of font, if I may say so.

WHO THIS IS FOR
If you love chocolate and are curious about the level of creativity and toil that goes into making it, there is a high chance you will enjoy reading The Secret Of Chocolate.

Many thanks to NBM Publishing for providing a review copy.

Crossroads: I Live Where I Like is a graphic novel that retells some parts of the South African apartheid story through the lens of gender and housing. In this book, we see how South African women organised and resisted the government's attempt to bulldoze Crossroads, a settlement created by women who had nowhere to live because of the government's segregation policies.

THINGS I LOVE IN THIS BOOK
Crossroads contains diverse accounts (more than 50 witnesses) of the atrocities committed during the apartheid period. The book explains the origins of the underhanded tactics used by the government to sow distrust and division within black communities.

DISLIKES
None.

WHO THIS IS FOR
Those interested in the historical happenings during the South African apartheid regime will find new perspectives and narratives here.

Many thanks to PM Press for providing a review copy.

 

The Famous Quartet of Piraeus is a biographical graphic novel that explores the lives and careers of a band of four Greek musicians pre-World War Two. The band is formed in a cafe around 1934 and did go on to record multiple records to critical acclaim. Their success catches the eye of authorities who are displeased at some of the quartet's lyrics.

THINGS I LOVE IN THIS BOOK
The colour profile complements the story and its timeline. The dialogue is natural and the book does not seem to shy away from uncomfortable themes like infidelity, bribery, drug addiction, etc

DISLIKES
Some of the Greek words used in the book may be confusing for those unfamiliar with the language.

WHO THIS IS FOR
The Famous Quartet of Piraeus is for any music enthusiast who loves the historical side of it.

Many thanks to Europe Comics for providing a review copy.

"It is helpful to be categorical and unsentimental on this score:... there is no way of parenting that does not inflict some form of psychological damage on children. The most psychotherapised person in the world will not be able to avoid generating neuroses; there is no such thing as a blameless parent. Above the door of the nursery, the most emotionally mature parent should still hand a sign: 'I love you - but I will give you issues.'

The Good Enough Parent explains what parents do to sabotage their children and what can be done to mitigate that. This is a book that wants to help parents reconnect with what childhood feels like and how regaining that sort of perspective can help their children.


THINGS I LOVE IN THIS BOOK
The author does not beat the parents over or claim to hold any particular secret knowledge. All we are being exhorted to do here is to understand what being a child feels like as well as develop an understanding of our own person as a parent.

DISLIKES
None.

WHO THIS IS FOR
The Good Enough Parent is for any parents who feel that their personality flaws are getting in the way of going a decent enough job. It is also for those trying to get better at what is seemingly one of the hardest jobs in the world.

Many thanks to The School Of Life for providing a review copy.