The Book Wormer – Introductions
Sunday, January 11th, 2009
Introducing Geekshow Entertainment’s new Book Critic, writer Stephanie Merchant.
The Book Wormer
Reviews of the Latest, Greatest, and Worst-est in Books and Comics
I guess it best to get my mad awesome introduction in order.
My real name is Stephanie, but I think most people know me here as Sunshineyness. It’s my handle. (And yes, I still call them ‘handles.’ For I think it’s 1995 and me and Crash Overdrive are SO gonna hack into some supercomputers.) I used to just go by Sunshine, but most sites I registered for already had that taken so I started going by the new name and it has stuck ever since. Wacky. I know. Anywhosits, I am 25, live in NY and have three jobs.
I hate two out of the three.
My main job is a bookseller for a ‘large chain’ bookstore in their children’s department. To help pay my bills I work freelance as an office assistant for a company that makes licensed children’s clothes (we have the rights to Warner Brothers/DC, Star Wars, Pokemon, some Disney, exclusive on Nintendo, etc.). About the only neat thing about that job is overhearing meetings with Warner Brothers people with any developments on the Green Lantern movie (basically, their marketing department told us to start designing tie-in stuff for it. But that could just be an overzealous marketing department. And they still keep proclaiming they’re on the ball with the Justice League movie. So I’m thinking overzealous licensing department.)
I am also desperate to break into the young adult fiction world and become a bestselling author of young adult fiction as well as write comics for a living.
Because, you know, they have ads for that in The Post, like, ALL THE TIME.
My biggest pet peeve is when people look at today’s YA market and dismiss it because they only see Twilight and Gossip Girl. Believe you me; there is so much other great stuff out there.
I’m usually pretty up-to-date with new releases in the book world and occasionally get my grubby hands on some fun advance reader’s copies. I specialize in the teen books because that’s what my favorite section is (though, in my opinion the distinction between teen and ‘young reader’ is only there for marketing and shelving guideline purposes and not necessary for anyone else) but I’ve been known to dabble in the other genres as well.
I love all books, since I was in first grade and learned to read I always attached on to the written word. My apartment has five bookcases (one small one dedicated to trades) and no kitchen table, and my library card is very well worn. One of my big tenants of reading is I don’t discriminate based on genre. I am judgmental mind you- but that mostly extends to the Nicholas Sparks’ and James Patterson’s of the world. If something in regular fiction looks cool- I’m there. Heck, I read romance novels if I get the craving for them. (And to be fair, romance is a very varied genre of fiction and some of the hottest sci-fi/fantasy writers do some amazing romance titles. It also makes up about 25% of all books sold in this country.) I’m not huge into genre-y fantasy novels, but I SWEAR one day soon I WILL start reading “Song of Ice and Fire.” (Promise Randy)
Anywhosit, just so you all know I cry every time I read “Summer of My German Soldier” or “Jacob Have I Loved” and just bought Terminator comics the other day. (Don’t look at me like that… it was extra discount week at work. Moment of weakness… stop judging me from your computer screen…I can’t help it. I’ll buy anything Terminator related. Just like how I bought a box of fruit snacks the other day because Batman was on the box. It’s a disease. A sick, sick disease.)
I can recite line by line Back to the Future Parts 1, 2, and 3 and on the flip side Wings of Desire is probably one of my favorite all time movies. My favorite YA author is Meg Cabot (she writes fun fluffy stories about geek girls who always end up with nerd boys! Tres cute!) and worship at the throne of Neil Gaiman. My first comic I ever read was Jeff Smith’s Bone in the old Disney Adventure magazine, but what brought me in as an older reader was Sandman. I’ve been a Marvel girl at heart ever since I started reading my brother’s comics when he discarded them on the floor as kids and I’ll read anything if Captain America, Hal Jordon’s Green Lantern, or X-Men are involved. A literary nerd as well, I love the Bronte sisters, Shakespeare and Henry James. I’ve eaten Harry Potter books like candy and think Maureen Johnson is one of the best new up and comers and preach the choir that is Rosemary Clement-Moore’s “Maggie Quinn: Girl vs. Evil” series as well as Cassandra Clare’s “Mortal Instruments” trilogy. (Third book coming out this March! Yay!)
And as much of a book nerd and comic geek I am- I’m also a music-file and a hardcore film lover as well as bizarre TV coinsure and P.J Soles’ ‘Riff Randell’ in”Rock and Roll High School” is my favorite feminist icon.
I have been a loyal fan and commenter on Geekshow for a long time now and have no plans on leaving this really awesome and fun little community of nerds, geeks and otherwise miscreants. I eagerly look forward to writing awesome reviews of books and comics for you all and…
…just for the record, no I did not like Twilight. But I can tell you all about the hundreds of supernatural books for teens that are supremely awesome-r. And yes, I will be using words like awesome-r.
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Book of the Month
Y The Last Man Vol. 5In this final Deluxe Edition hardcover collecting Y #49-60, Yorick and Agent 355 prepare for their ultimate quest to reunite the last man with his lost love, while the person, people or thing behind the disaster that wiped out half of humanity is revealed. Then, Yorick Brown's long journey through an Earth populated only by women comes to its dramatic, unexpected conclusion.
Woot-woot for BTTF fans! Great to have a fellow book nerd!
I’m going to hold you to A Song of Ice and Fire, Sunshineyness.
BTW, the Batman Fruit Rollups are better :)
I bought those last week but was disappointed when I saw that they weren’t the kind you peeled out shapes with.
And my roomate owns all the books and has told me I’m more than welcome to borrow them. I just have to get around to them, lol.
I’m always on the lookout for a good book I look forward to reading your reviews
You are woman after my own heart in many respects. Much welcome. Can’t wait to read your reviews and recommendations.
Can’t wait to read your recommendations!
Welcome, Looking foward to reading what you recommend
Welcome, looking forward to reading your articles.
Welcome to the fold sister
I look forward to your reviews. I’m a big reader myself. I’m currently (attempting to anyway) read Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and a rather thick biography of the children of Henry VIII. Anyway, maybe we can talk books sometime. I have so many fantastic ones to recommend to somebody! Welcome aboard!
Yes I’v been “attempting” Fear and Loathing in Las Vagas too.(along with 6 other book’s….man I cant organise myself very well at all)
Yeah, I hear you Prettz. I have a habit of buying books and not reading them. It’s an addiction.
I’m in the same boat myself
Welcome Sunshineyness! :)
hello. I am new to the site, my husband is Wayne (freakzombie) and he has been trying to get me more active with the site but I’m more into books than anything so now I have an excuse to get on here more! I also love YA fiction alone with tons of other genre’s and I can’t wait to see your reviews. I’m working on a few YA novels right now and hope to get them published some day. It’s be great to be able to talk one on one and compare books and thoughts if you’d like. My email is liliandren13@gmail.com. Can’t wait foe the first review!
(cos Twilight was boring :D IMO)
Yay! Barely any of my friends read YA, so it’ll be good to see some opinions finally.
Have you read Tamora Pierce?
Oh my God, I love Tamora Pierce! The Allana books were totally porn to my virgin 12 year old self back in the day, lol.
I’m so excited she’s gonna be at Comic-Con this year- I’m totes gonna make her sign one of my old copies. :)
the lioness series rocks… and the immortals, not big on protector of the small, but tricksters definitely
having alot of trouble getting through terrier though
also like the winding circle stuff, but not as much as the tortal books
Welcome, welcome! :D
Hi Sunshineyness. I’m looking to not only reading your reviews but also the books you recommend. I enjoy reading lots of YA fiction as well (have you read any Jennifer Donnelly?) and am always on the lookout for new reads. Nice style of writing, btw.
Welcome! I used to be a big book reader until work took over my life. I look forward to see if you get me back on into books.