Zombies and Heart: Valentine's Day ala Chronicle Books

Hi there insatiable readers!

Wow...would you look at that...

It's February!

You know what that means, right?

Time to get your Valentine's Day plans in order.

Whether celebrating it with your sweetie, friends, family, or yourself....there are parties to plan, reservations to be made, outfits to pick out, and presents to be purchase.  While I can't promise to help with all of that (hey, it's YOUR celebration after all), I can tell you that today's post might just help you check a present or two off your list.  Ready? 

Today's featured selections come to us from the great folks over at Chronicle Books (hi guys!).  Recently, I received an email sharing their Valentine's Day Gift Guide and I must say, it's quite the selection of titles!  Everything from the yummy inducing Cake Pops (ooh...cake..*nom*nom*) to the adorable early readers book Who Loves You Baby? (so cute), the whimsical Paper Blossoms (paper flower bouquets...have cool!) to The Book of Love (~sings~ someday my prince will come...)....there is something for every age group represented and every reading taste.  Don't believe me?  Have a look for yourself!  Betcha have a hard time keeping your virtual shopping cart empty (I know I did).  Without further adieu, today's first book of choice (that's right...first) is....

Ten Little Zombies

by

Andy Rash

What would you do if ten little zombies were after you? 
Would you fight or take flight?
Seek shelter til they pass or come out guns a blazin'?
Our little Kevin has just this dilemma when four zombies come a knockin'...but wait!  Isn't the title "Ten Little Zombies"  What happened to the other six?  Uh-oh.  O_O

Now I just finished my first full length zombie encounter via a mash up novel the other day and while my opinion of that one is yet to be revealed fully (no worries, it's coming next week), I have no problem sharing my thoughts on this humorous little find.  It's an unexpected choice for Valentine's Day that's for certain, but the smiles it lends readers with its quirky rhymes and curious illustrations provide all the explanation needed.  I mean really, who doesn't like a story about undying love (even if it does involve a strange craving for brains)?

In an otherwise black and white world, there is a predominant color that's serves it's purpose quite well....RED (okay and yellow in one case...but I'll let you discover that one on your own).  It's very striking really, exploding right off the page (much like a zombie or two...*ahem*).    The technique used in both the illustrations creation and final presentation give it a "real" quality.  Each little zombie has its own personality even in death, quite apparent from their assorted facial expressions.  You have to love a group of undead-ish creatures that sport everything from a suit and tie to a strand of pearls ala Julia Childs...sadly though that one is one of the first to bite the dust.  The blood droplets and splatters (as odd as this is to say) look fresh; they even have a sheen when you tilt the page that makes it appear as though they're merely sitting on top of the page not printed on it.  It gives the book a creepy (but in a fun way) aspect that keeps you turning the pages to see just what will happen next to both our crafty little hero and the mini-hoard following him intent on a snack of the brain-ish variety.

In short, a cautionary tale of the lengths that love will make you go....for better, or worse.  ~shudders~  Recommended Valentine (or any time) read (or gift) for teen to adult readers looking for an alternative to the candies and flowers routine of the holiday.

Now let's take a look at the second feature of today's post.  It takes our expression of all those warm fuzzy feelings to the extreme in a fun, funky, and fantastically bright way....not to mention uber useful!  Today's second "book" (<--those quotes will be explained in a second) of choice is...

I Heart Everything Journal

by

Mike Perry

Yep, that's right!  That gorgeously fun cover you see before you eyes belongs to a journal and trust me in person, it's just as interesting.  Now I know, it seems strange to describe a journal as interesting, but let me explain.  Aside from the Picasso-esque artwork and free range cover usage, the pages within are just as creative spark inducing.  Each one is has a border alternating in both design and color!  Everything from asterisks to rickrack, dots to triangles, with each turn of the page you are met with this fun detail and when you combine that with the convenient size, who WOULDN'T want one to call their own?

In summary, I HEART this journal!  As I've already begun to fill it with bookish thoughts and notes to boot, I'm certainly getting my use out of it (hehe).  Recommended for journal lovers of all ages....there really is no one that this would be inappropriate for (at least in my opinion). 

Review copies courtesy of Alyson at Chronicle Books.  (Double THANKS!)  For more information on these selections as well as their full catalog, hop on over to their website, or follow along on Twitter.  Don't forget...February 14th...Valentine's Day...it's coming.  Don't let it take you by surprise (like poor Kevin and the zombies.... -shouts- run Kevin, RUN!)...

Until next time...happy reading!