Sadako at the End of the World, by Koma Natsumi

Remember the creepy cursed girl from the movie, The Ring? The one with the hair who met her demise at the bottom of a well and, somehow, created a cursed videotape that would bring a horrible death to anyone who viewed said tape? Yeah, that girl.

Well, when I first saw that movie, it terrified me beyond all rationality. Of course I watched it alone. In a creepy pitch-black apartment. And, at the time, I had this old TV with a screen that would glow faintly for several minutes after I switched it off. Oh yeah, and a friend just happened to call shortly after I'd finished watching the film. Not a good combination all around. Needless to say, I've avoided the movie and everything to do with it since.

Until now, that is.

Enter Sadako At the End of the World, the delightfully twisted (and also twistedly hilarious) graphic novel by Koma Natsumi. The story opens when two apocalypse survivors happen upon the infamous cursed videotape. Of course they watch it and of course Sadako crawls from the TV, intent on bringing death and destruction in her wake. Imagine the cursed girl's surprise when the intended victims excitedly embrace her as a New Friend, rather than the bringer of their demise. The girls decide to help their new pal break the curse and travel around a ruined landscape, seeking more victims friends with whom they can share the video. When the last survivor has happily accepted their fate (much to Sadako's surprise), will the curse finally be broken? Or will there be one final twist to the story?

Although not a fan of the (backward to me) Manga format, I braved it so I could read this amazing story. The plot was twisted and funny and strangely endearing and 100% creative. I loved how the two heroines so openly befriended the movie monster, despite her creepiness and desire to kill...and the way Sadako's perspective on the world changed (yes, she became a different person at the end of the story).  

Am I still creeped out by the movie? Yes. Absolutely! 

But would I watch it again with this book in mind? Maybe... But I'd be switching my ringer to "silent" if I did. No promises, though...

This book, though... Awesome!!

--AJB

Daria (the complete TV series)

I totally get that representation in books, TV Shows, and Movies needs to be Real in order to be taken seriously, but sometimes things beg to be poked fun of. Like High School and, more accurately, high school clichés. 

Lately, I've been revisiting Daria, an hilarious and, often, on-point TV series from the 1990s that was actually a spinoff of a much more well-known and controversial show (Bonus Points if you can name said show without Googling). Daria tastefully pokes fun at all the standard tropes of the High School Movies and TV Shows that were so popular in the last few decades of the twentieth century: Mean Girl Cliques, Dumb Jocks, Flaky Cheerleaders, Nerdy Smart Kids, and don't forget Clueless Parents and Out of Touch Teachers. All of this filtered through the eyes of the show's cheeky, sarcastic heroine. Of course the show has a lot of heart as well, sometimes addressing more serious topics as (freakin') friendships, relationship dynamics, self esteem, and death (but never so seriously things veer into After School Special territory). The show is funny, smart, and, although cliché (purposefully I assure you), holds up today.

If you're looking for a bit of 1990s nostalgia without committing to a full-length movie, an episode or two of Daria is a good place to start. I bet you'll be hooked and end up binging the whole thing! 

--AJB

Sweet Revenge, by Heather Kim

I've been feeling a bit angsty this past week or so (No particular reason or person causing this angst, just life in general being dramafied...and I'm totally OK now, though, thankyouverymuch!), so I'm talking a break from Back To School Books to blog about something very near and dear to my heart: Dessert!

Back to School is overrated anyway. It's like New Year's. Once the supplies and new clothes have been shopped for and the excitement of seeing all your friends again has passed, you find yourself sitting in an uncpomfortable desk, under the harsh shine of the florescent lights, listening to some teacher drone on about whatever... and you find yourself wondering what all the hype was for. Because it's not a fresh start. It's just another (school) day.

But desserts!!

Angsty ones!!

Without further ado, I give you Heather Kim's culinary masterpiece, Sweet Revenge: Passive-Aggressive Desserts for Your Exes and Enemies. 

So... You know that cheating ex who broke your heart & crushed your soul, friend who turned ghost for no reason, or resident bully who will not leave you alone? Well, doing something just as terrible to them might feel good in the moment, but there's a good chance you'll feel guilty about it later (like any decent person would). Also, you don't want to rack up a negative tab with Karma. But what to do? Kim suggests baking them something tasty.

But wait, you say. Why would I want to bake that jerk anything? Isn't that, like, doing something nice? 

I believe Kim said it best in her book intro: "Get out your heaviest rolling pins, sharpest cleavers, and most blistering torches, and kill your enemies & exes...with kindness."

Besides, doing something actually nice for those who have scorned you will totally throw them for a loop. It'll make them lie awake wondering about your motives and what that batch of Go Fudge Yourself brownies or I don't Give a Fig cookies could really mean. It's really very diabolical.

And BONUS! channeling all your heartbreak and rage into doing something creative and beautiful is probably the best way for you, personally, to deal and heal. Just ask Taylor Swift. (or Alanis Morissette for you Gen X-ers out there)

p.s. This book is great even if you don't have anyone in mind to get revenge upon. 

 

--AJB