2022 Halloween Update (or lack thereof)

I would firstly like to apologise. I haven't been in the best of moods for Halloween. I've hardly watched any movies, and I wasn't invited to any costume parties, fairs or dos. It's bad. Very bad. And scary, and not in the appropriate sense.

It's been a tremendously, unbelievably shit year, and this month especially has hit me with many hard blows personally. I've been very depressed. Nothing is going right. I want to stay positive, but I don't want to deny reality either. That's not a healthy or safe way to live, either.

How we as a species are meant to survive when we have suddenly, aggressively refused to progress... and why we can't just love, care and respect each other already - it's madness. It's all scarier than any horror film or imagined creature ever thought up by man, woman, enby, and child of all genders and ethnicities.

Still, I had enough of the witchy and orange pumpkin spirit in me on this particular day to be the only person dressed up at my work, and be the envy of everyone else as a result. I wore my pumpkin and black cat jumper, black cat earrings, purple lipstick, amethyst jewel necklace, Wednesday Addams/Lisa Simpson pin, and my little witch hat with the veil and gems in it. I forgot to take a photo to show you. Oh well. It's a shame about the lack of parties around because I love to dress up. It helps build up my confidence.

I'll leave off my Halloween (and life) update with my favourite Halloween films list, from the list I made two years ago, with new additions.

Here we go!:

23. Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)

22. The Craft: Legacy (2020)

21. Black Christmas (2019)

20. Till Death (2021)

19. Jennifer's Body (2009)

18. Dracula's Daughter (1936)

17. Assassination Nation (2018)

16. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)

15. Crimson Peak (2015)

14. Daphne & Velma (2018)

13. The Witches of Eastwick (1987)

12. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

11. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

10. Carrie (1976)

9. Mary Shelley (2017)

8. Ghostbusters (aka Ghostbusters: Answer the Call) (2016)

7. Black Swan (2010)

6. Corpse Bride (2005)

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

4. Return to Oz (1985)

3. Coraline (2009)

2. The Love Witch (2016)

1. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Happy Halloween 👻💀👿😱🧛💜😨🌱

Book Review - 'The Grimrose Girls' by Laura Pohl

There's hardly much for me to say about 'The Grimrose Girls', other than it adds weight to a theory of mine that in the last couple years a lot of publishing houses have been cutting back on editors and proofreaders, since again, this new book contains numerous and inexcusable typos. Or people involved in the industry are getting lazy. Either way, it goes to show how the late stage and endgame of capitalism is effecting everything - everything in our media, including literature. It is ruining--no, it is destroying everything, and we are all suffering for it.

Also, 'The Grimrose Girls' isn't a well executed and well written book overall, in my opinion. The diversity is great, that much should be lauded, but that alone can't save a weak story with squandered potential. The characterisation is inconsistent and confusing, any kind of plot structure is almost nonexistent, leading to a slow and meandering pace, characters whom it would be generous to call "minor" pop up and disappear just as quickly, plus you're somehow supposed to care about some of these names-on-one-page when they die much later on (no matter how brutally and grisly), other "characters" are superfluous and serve no real or solid purpose whatsoever, and the ending is underwhelming, with the mystery only half solved in order to set up the sequel, which is really not needed.

Stuff just happens. By and large forgettable stuff. Not a good sign for a mystery.

What a disappointing gothic mystery. But I can't say I'm surprised. YA has a bad track record when it comes to books like these.

The main Grimrose elite boarding schoolgirls themselves - Ella, Yuki, Rory and Nani - are interesting, distinct and diverse (in sexualities, body types and health issues as well as race), but they all become irritating and even infuriating to read about, around the book's second half; not helped by the aforementioned inconsistent characterisation. This is despite knowing they are teenagers with serious issues amidst a shadow of grief over the death - the murder - of a friend. Often they just do and act however the "plot" wants them to. Further on, especially when other gruesome student deaths start happening, and when overt supernatural phenomena occur, it becomes clear they don't act like believable human beings, let alone behave appropriately in any given situation.

Side characters suffer from the same problems. Nearly everyone gets their arsehole moment for the sake of conflict and angst, or to be gratuitously mean, or they're sketchy arseholes throughout for no logical reason.

I didn't like anyone more the further I kept reading. I only found them to be more difficult to like as I got closer to the end.

Also, are Frederick, Ella's love interest, and Edric, the murdered girl Ariane's ex-boyfriend, the only male students in Grimrose Académie? I now realise how similar their names are! And why is no one mentioning the boy who is murdered later in the book, alongside a girl? So it's not just girls who are targeted in tragic fairy tale fashion in the school, is it?

The attempts at humour are hit and miss; the Disney references mostly consist of misses, as does the banter between the four girls. I know three of them are grieving the loss of a best friend, and they are going through difficult times, but are they actually best friends themselves? They don't seem to like each other at all. Why are they friends? How were they friends even before the death which sets off the book's supernatural mystery "plot"? Hence part of the reason why I found them to be irritating to read about and follow.

The best compliment I can give 'The Grimrose Girls' is that it is a better version of 'The Sisters Grimm' by Menna van Praag. At least the four teenage girl leads who're based off of fairy tale female leads know each other and talk to each other, and there's no sickening heteronormativity everywhere. Almost no one is straight. The love interest of one of the girls is a trans girl*. What proud rep!

In conclusion: 'The Grimrose Girls' needed miles better editing and tightening before being published and sold in bookshops. More plot, less overarching situation; more clues earlier on, less revelatory clues that are contrivedly crammed in in the last fifty pages; and give the side characters more of a presence and something to do. Give them purpose other than emotional support, and make them good emotional support, who talk like actual human beings, at the very least! As for other characters who appear in and are mentioned in precisely one or two chapters, include them in further pages, or scrap them entirely.

Lastly: give a reason why certain overprotective parents wouldn't take their child out of Grimrose Académie after the news of the multiple horrific student deaths!

Final Score: 2/5

*Though said girl, Nani, is meant to represent Beauty of 'Beauty and the Beast', which makes the only trans character in the book, Svenja, intentionally or not, the Beast, which is problematic. In fact there is some problematic rep in the diversity (the absent Black father who abandons Nani, the cold, distant, somewhat heartless aro-ace Yuki, etc), so I can't say now that it's "great", no matter how much rep is included and spread throughout. How they are portrayed is just as important. At least Nani is a fat, bespectacled, half-Black/half-Hawaiin lesbian Beauty, and Svenja, who is connected to 'The Ugly Duckling' and 'Swan Lake', isn't angsty and is generally a cheeky, happy-go-lucky sort.

EDIT: How could I forget about another instance which proves the book's bad editing and bad writing all around - "Yuki snapped" (following her dialogue) is written eight times, maybe nine. She does snap at her friends an awful lot, doesn't she? Not that her unwarrantably mean and catty friends are any better.

Book Review - 'Nick and Charlie' by Alice Oseman

More Nick and Charlie is never a bad thing, and this sweet, touching, yet harrowing and sad and real 'Heartstopper' novella takes place at the cusp of their adulthood - well, Nick's adulthood, as it's close to the end of the school year and he's going to leave for university.

Charlie doesn't know how things will turn out for them now. True to form, he's anxious about how they will manage a long distance relationship after two years of constantly being together. Constantly sleeping over at each other's houses even on school nights. Constantly loving to spend time together, no matter how "boring" or "mundane" or "ordinary" it is. Rising worries and apprehension, and a lack of communication, are not helping the situation.

Teenage couples are not supposed to be this intense, so full of genuine love and nonstop affection, right?

First loves rarely, if ever, last forever, after all.

But for Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring, the ultimate couple of the new generation, there might indeed be such a thing as soulmates.

'Nick and Charlie' isn't getting five solid gold stars, as is the case for my 'Heartstopper' comics ratings, mainly because I am not fond of, and generally have no patience for, teenage relationship melodrama and misunderstandings, even if I like the couple in question, and no matter how much I like them. At least this is a short novella, skirting at 160 pages, and is easily readable and digestible.

Tao is here, and he and Elle are talked about - in fact they become a plot point - but Elle herself isn't present in the book, which is disappointing. She's one of my favourite characters, and I don't appreciate her being shafted in Nick and Charlie's "final" story.

Come to think of it, where are Tara and Darcy? Harry receives a part, but they don't?!

However, there are things to like and love in 'Nick and Charlie' that aren't just about the precious title characters. Tori is in it, and is awesome and surprising as usual. Her support for her brother is beyond commendable. Aled Last has a big role; he's a sweet little angel cupcake. The author's illustrations, occasionally included throughout, are the best, most wonderful things ever. They help elevate Nick and Charlie's status as the OTP of the century. And Nick's dogs!

What more is there to say? Obviously read it if you're already a fan of 'Heartstopper', and Alice Oseman's works across the universal board. They're special. They're lovely. They're true to life, and uplifting and hopeful.

Final Score: 4/5

Book Review - 'This Winter' by Alice Oseman

Hey, why not read a tiny little story about someone's worst Christmas Day right now?

I work in retail. Christmas stuff has been fucking everywhere since September. So reading about a miserable holiday this winter (heh) is somewhat cathartic.

Taking place in the world of 'Heartstopper' - hence why I ultimately decided to buy it - 'This Winter' is a novella that is pretty depressing for the most part; anger-inducing in some, and nice and lovely in others. It's barely one hundred pages long - even less if you don't count the always wonderful Oseman illustrations - and is divided into three parts, each from the perspectives of the three Spring siblings: Tori, Charlie and Oliver respectively, during a particularly difficult Christmas, after a particularly difficult year.

Seven-year-old Oliver's section is the final one and is only seven pages, yet his simple wisdom is something adults should adhere to and remember. The innocent little boy just wants to play Mario Kart with his big brother and sister amidst the season of presents and family.

But Charlie and Tori...oh boy.

But at least Charlie will always have Nick. Nick Nelson, despite his own ridiculously large family gathering, is there for him this Christmas, thank goodness.

Charlie will fully learn and realise he has Tori, too. Always had, always will.

'This Winter' really is a simple novella that can be finished in less than an hour, and could easily have been a chapter in the 'Heartstopper' comic. It didn't need to be sold as a separate book, and it isn't the most joyous, endearing, dynamic and fixed structurally-driven of holiday reads. It's honest, and a little incomplete, but that's life, isn't it? It's part of the 'Heartstopper' universe, and it shows there is hope in the future for these kids. Lessons are learnt. So that makes its existence valid.

Charlie's self-pity and lamenting that everything is his fault (it isn't) is grating at this point. Not that he doesn't occasionally acknowledge that unfortunately a lot of people are just shit to him and he's not to blame for their words and actions, and he is fifteen and has been struggling with his mental health issues, but still. It can get irritating.

You matter, Charlie! You deserve to exist, and as you are! Nick knows it, Tori knows it. You are accepted. You are loved. There are people who want to help you and want to try to understand you. I want to hug this kid.

Tori is her deadpan, sardonic, snarky, morose, depressed self, who remains there for Charlie, and sticks up for him, and puts herself out there for him. She's great. You don't need to change either, girl!

I relate to Tori and Charlie: my brother and I are also the only quiet and withdrawn ones in a family full of loud and cheerful chatterboxes! How does that work genetically?!

There's no such thing as the perfect family, no matter how many of them try to pretend otherwise. Humans are human, individuals are individuals, and people and situations will not always turn out like how you wanted. In fact, nice times out of ten, they don't. Not genuinely.

Sometimes just being there for someone, hugging them, is the best you can do for them, in times of distress. And not just at Christmas.

I'm there for Charlie and Nick. And for Charlie and Tori.

'This Winter' also counts as a 'Solitaire' novella, and the paperback version I have ends with the first chapter of 'Solitaire'. Good, as its beginning is the best part of it, in my opinion. You can never have too much Tori Spring, either.

(Additionally, one of the presents she receives is a Wednesday Addams laptop case. As well as Nick and Charlie being together, there are some legit adorable and sweet moments in the novella; that is one of them. Plus Oliver just being Oliver.)

Sad and true, yet uplifting thanks to flawed people's children's positive efforts and actions. Relatable reading, and not only because winter might be my favourite season after all (when there should be Christmas and other holiday things around).

Final Score: 3/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'The Heartstopper Yearbook' by Alice Oseman

It's always good to have more 'Heartstopper' in the world. So sweet, wholesome and romantic, and now in colour!

Character bios, minicomics, sketches, themes, alternate universe ideas, drawing tips, and other behind the scenes goodness, and Alice Oseman is here to guide us through it all! To look at how far 'Heartstopper' has come, and it's not finished yet! It is a successful phenomenon.

Nick and Charlie, Tara and Darcy, Elle and Tao, Mr Farouk and Mr Ajayi, and Tori, Aled(!), Michael, and other characters are presented in this yearbook.

I only wish Miss Singh was in it and had her own bio, too. She's awesome. She's married to a woman - let her have her spotlight!

And oh, those doggies, Nellie and Henry! And did I mention Tori? The best sister ever? The best antisocial moody teen ever? Aled is beyond adorable, as well. Heck, every main character here is: Charlie, Nick, Elle, Darcy, Tara - I want to hug and gush about them all! I want to adopt them!

Thank you, Alice Oseman, once again, for your creations.

Final Score: 4.5/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Doughnuts and Doom' by Balazs Lorinczi

I'm a simple woman. I see a book with the word "doughnuts" in the title and I'm gonna get it. That 'Doughnuts and Doom' is also about witches and is an LBGTQ love story helps its case.

One young woman, Margot Grapes, is a struggling learner witch with a snake familiar and an online potion making and selling business, and the other, Elena Rogers, works at Midnight Froth Doughnuts and is a struggling rock band musician. One has a broom, the other a guitar. One has magic, the other doesn't, and they're both having a bad day. They meet, and chaos and curses, and healing, love and support, start.

It's the start of an organic and crusty warm relationship, that is anything but doomed, and is as sweet as a pink frosted doughnut.

'Doughnuts and Doom' is a short and simple comic where both the witchy and the queer elements are understated. Witches and magic are a normal everyday fact of life in this contemporary world similar to our own - if a bit rare since apparently Margot is the only witch the other characters have ever really encountered. It's a slice of life comedy more than anything. It even makes references to 'Kiki's Delivery Service', with Margot flying around on her broomstick as her mode of transport and of making deliveries for her potion webshop business. The characters feel like real people, with flaws and problems, but they have positive, caring and empathetic sides, too.

The art is all shades of blue, and black, with the occasional pink to signify when magic and curses are present. And to signify musical romantic stars and sparks. I wonder why Margot looks like a Muppet, though. Or a Potato Head. The only other witch in the comic, the examiner Katie Banks - who is also the closest the book has to an antagonist - doesn't have a nose that looks detachable. Maybe Margot actually originally came from Sesame Street.

Magic, music, singing, lovely lyrics, social media, soul lifts and life affirmations, and doughnuts. And a friendly snake. And a slow burning love between seeming polar opposites, each with big dreams.

'Doughnuts and Doom' is a comfort and confidence booster, to be sure. Like a cathartic coffee or tea in a café, served with the sweetest pastry goods on the side.

Final Score: 4/5

Graphic Novel Review - 'Shazam Family Giant: Make Mine Mary Marvel' by Mini Komix

What can I say? Turns out I have a soft spot for the superhero classics that go back to the 40s and 50s. I bought this weird and obscure little thing from Amazon mainly because of Mary Marvel, and I wanted to know more about her.

'Shazam Family Giant: Make Mine Mary Marvel' collects Mary Bromfield/Batson's origin issue, and both her individual and her Shazam/Marvel family team-up (consisting of Billy Batson/Captain Marvel and Freddy Freeman/Captain Marvel Jr.) issues. These are more funnies and magazine companions to go with other products than anything else. This is from a time before DC even owned these characters.

The stories are such silly but fun little visual ditties, as is to be expected from that period of time. Every kind of wackiness, goofiness, "just roll with it"-ness, and murdering of science is present. "Holy Moley!" is said a lot, too.

I like the ones where: Mary Marvel uncovers a witch hunt and conspiracy in a superstitious part of a town; the Marvel family literally save galaxies from a million year war with each other; Mary saves her kidnapped friend Freckles Dudley, who isn't so helpless after all (Freckles is a recurring female friend character); Mary in a sweet, sleighing Christmas special; Mary stops a robot-inventing supervillainess from stealing a diadem and becoming the princess of earth; the family trio travels to the past, present and future to save geniuses; and Mary stops an unseasonal blizzard and a mad scientist, when she'd been out at a tropical beach with her (adoptive, presumably) mother.

It's impressive how much of a strong, capable and competent superheroine Mary Marvel is, whether independently or in her team of brothers. She is the lightning bolt girl, with super strength, speed, flight and invulnerability, from the goddesses Selena, Hippolyta, Ariadne, Zephyrus, Aurora and Minerva (oh, I get it now). Always proving sexist assumptions wrong, she is called the mightiest girl in the world, possibly the universe. And this is from the 40s-50s.

Unfortunately, for every step forward in positive gender representation, there still remains the racist depictions. In the million year galactic war story, the aliens from one of the galaxies that the family sees strongly resemble Chinese male stereotypes, and in some issues I'm sure there are villains who are antisemitic caricatures as well.

Mary Marvel is getting her own solo comic book, 'The New Champion of Shazam!', and I'll definitely be reading it when it comes out as a full volume in 2023. I'm always on the lookout and staying tuned to stories about superhero girls and women!

Final Score: 3.5/5