(Y-10) feeling the good vibe

I couldn’t be happier for the recent resurgence of my page progress, for this, the tenth year of my crazy little project.

Two really spectacular things happened these last few days.

First of all, I finished both the graphic novel, Saga of the Swamp Thing Vol.1 and the book, The Lone Drow, over the course of the weekend.

Some genuinely mesmerizing and compelling stories in their own right.

The real value of an excellent author is that he or she can take what may appear a run of the mill idea and transform it into a profound and profoundly poetic study of our own fears, hopes and the strange monsters that we create to cope with an imperfect world.

So, I genuinely urge you to read more fantasy, horror and comic books, and especially to read between the lines to find the hidden messages.

The Second thing is that I have officially broken the 16,000-page mark, 16,180 to be precise, I feel that finally, this boat is catching a rhythm.

For this week I also have big plans, to finish a couple of Graphic Novels, the first on the list is Neil Gaiman’s Midnight Days, which I have already started and to make matters even more connected it kicks off with a Swamp Thing story.

The second graphic novel is the first volume of the critical acclaim run by author Ta-Nehisi Coates of Black Panther, with the quick glance I gave it seems really promising.

On the book side of things, I expect to finish the eighteen book of The Legend of Drizzt Saga, and the closing chapter of the thrilling Hunter’s Blade Trilogy, The Two Swords, the last book left some pretty nail-biting cliffhangers.

And just to top off the day, I received, only a few hours ago, my vinyl copy of Father John Misty latest album, God’s Favorite Customer, in all its red glory.

I’ll take it for a spin tomorrow.

Happy Readings!!!

azr.

11 June, 2018 0

(Y-10) 12 years and 364 days

Yesterday I turned 37 and with that the clock on my crazy little project keeps on ticking .

Now I have little under 13 years to complete my task and a whole lot of pages left to read.

Right now I’m still enjoying the week-long celebration, but I wanted to share some of my new goodies that are now gracing my bookshelves.

My plan is to continue throughout next year with my “total epicness” reading, including, for next year, a deep dive into the world of one of my all time favorite characters, Hellboy.

After these two epic years the next task will be to read some authors with the distinction of receiving a Nobel or a Pulitzer prize, hence the Dylan, McCarthy and Alexievich additions to my collection.

For now I’ll just enjoy the rest of my week of celebraction, for which I am really thankful of being surrounded by so much love, and try to squeeze in some reading.

Back to it then.

azr.

7 June, 2018 0

(Y-10) A day for wandering

Yesterday was a very rich day for running around.

I went to one of my favorite spots in my fair city and catch up with some new art exhibition.

This time was The Trans Border Biennial ELP-JRZ 2018.

And, being a border town, this has a great impact on our way to visualize our relationship with not only the physical space that is the border but also all the psychological and emotional aspects that construct it.

There are some amazing pieces that capture this enigmatic place.

Be sure to check it out if you are around Ciudad Juarez.

It also gave me some free time to catch up with some reading.

I’m glad to say that the second volume of Lady Mechanika is under my belt and my current book, The Lone Drow, is past the half way mark, on page 195 of 370, to be precise.

Below you can see some of the cover of Lady Mechanika by the extraordinary artist Joe Benitez

Today I plan to do more of the same, what better way to commemorate 37 years on this beautiful planet than to be with my beautiful family and read some more.

Well, back to it.

azr.

6 June, 2018 0

(Y-10) at the sound of thunder

Yesterday afternoon a typical summer storm hit our beloved, and as these type of things go, it was fast and over in the blink of an eye.

Luckily, yesterday I finished the first part of my little oasis and the new plants that I transplanted in the morning got the full benefit of some summer rain.

During this week I’ll take some time to finish the rest of my little haven and start to grab my morning coffee, and some afternoon wine, outside.

On the book front, I had good progress with The Lone Drow, right now I’m on page 99 of 370.

For the rest of the morning, and into the early afternoon I’ll focus on reading my two current graphic novels, Lady Mechanika Vol.2 and The Saga of the Swamp Thing Vol. 1.

Back to it, and to reading.

azr.

4 June, 2018 0

(Y-10) Weekend plans…better known as what am I going to do between reading.

As all of my weekends, well at least in recent memory, I woke up really early, brewed some coffee, and took my favorite spot at our dining table to start my weekend reading.

This was an atypical start, usually, on Saturday morning I update my reading tracking lists, or tracking spreadsheets to be more precise, but not today, the pull by the Dark Knight himself was more compelling than any organizational task could ever be.

This particular story is the time period of the legendary series Dark Knight Returns and reprising his duties as the writer was no other than Frank Miller in cahoots with another legend of the comic book industry, Brian Azzarello.

And to round up this already behemoth of a team is legendary illustrator John Romita Jr., the story feels like a frenetic build-up of the shattering events to follow, a short but bittersweet tale.

For my next graphic novel endeavor is the legendary run on Swamp Thing by master storyteller Alan Moore.

I have the first two volumes and working on buying the remaining to complete the saga.

Also, try to make some headway with The Lone Drow, I have high expectations for the weekend.

Happy Readings!!!

azr.

2 June, 2018 0

(Y-10) let’s get things rolling.

Early this morning I finally finished The Thousand Orcs, it is great to once again follow the perilous adventures of Legendary Drow Drizzt.

This book just pushed me past the 15,000 page mark for this year, 15,362 to be precise.

So, to start today’s session I’ll sit outside for awhile and start reading the 18th book of The Legend of Drizzt Saga.

Happy Readings!!!

azr.

P.S.

The new Father John Misty album is available for streaming, just something more to round this beautiful morning.

1 June, 2018 0

(Y-10) All in..or how I am going to read my ass off.

With a few pending things under the “done” column, now it is the perfect time to capitalize on the upcoming extended vacation period and really make some headway.

Right now I’m sitting on 14,955 pages of total reading, my goal is to double that by the end of July.

Let us call it goal number one, to reach 29,910 pages by July 31st.

For my second goal of the period is to get back on schedule for these years “Goodreads Reading Challenge,” in which, I put a 100 book goal for 2018, and according to my current progress, I am 6 books behind.

As you can see, I am currently reading one book and one graphic novel, and just finished The Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman.

So, the immediate task for tonight is to finish my current book, The Thousand Orcs, jump right into the next book in the extraordinary saga of Drizzt, probably start reading Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade, get some sleep in between all of this, and hopefully pass the 15,000-page mark by tomorrow.

For now, I’ll just get caffeine in my system and get to reading.

Good Night.

azr

30 May, 2018 0

(Y-10) let’s keep on reading

I plan reading into the early hours of tomorrow.

Here is a quick update.

Book Front: The Thousand Orcs, when from page 135 to 266, also, I’m keeping track of my mini reading session on an app called Reading Tracker, it gives an estimated time of when you are going to finish the book.

On the graphic novel front: Started reading The Books of Magic and I’m currently at page 103 of 197.

That gives me, 234 pages of total reading, slowly but surely I’m picking up the pace.

On the little oasis front: Got a little work done but ran out of material, I’ll stock-up during the week and try to finish next weekend.

Well, back to it.

azr.

27 May, 2018 0

(Y-10) time to read

This weekend I’m going to indulge with some heavy reading and gardening.

I have been quite busy these past few weeks, and finally, there is some time to catch my breath and relax.

As always I have big plans, the only difference, at least for this weekend, is that it involves some physical work.

But I’ll start with the mental work.

On the book front, I’m up and running the with the first book of The Hunter’s Blade Trilogy, part of The Legend of Drizzt saga, currently, I’m on page 135, and the primary goal is to finish it by Sunday afternoon.

On the graphic novel front, three astounding books from some of the most legendary writers and artist in the comic book history.

First off, Dark Knight Returns The Last Crusade, written by not one but two legendary powerhouses, Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello and illustrated but non-other that John Romita Jr. It seems like a short story, short but sweet.

Second off, legendary run of Swamp Thing by comic book legend Mr. Alan Moore, accompanied by the psychedelic art of Stephen Bissette.

And finally, The Books of Magic by my favorite writer Neil Gaiman and John Bolton, lending his dark and gritty art to complete a remarkable story.

Concerning my little desert oasis, I have already prep the area to work in, some new flower pots, some new decorative stones, and a whole facelift to be ready for “reading outside season.”

And to start off this weekend with a sonic delight, the new Arctic Monkeys album.

Well, I’m off to read.

azr.

25 May, 2018 0

(Y-10) improving my grooves

Yesterday I received a really early birthday, of course at the hands of my beautiful wife.

A Crosley T100 turntable.

Truly a thing of beauty and with an amazing sound. I have already taken it for its first spin. Non other than Pearl Jam to do the honors.

On the reading front I’m glad to inform that two more graphic novels are under my belt, Saga Vol. 5 and Vol.6, a must for any comic book enthusiast. Also just started reading the second volume of the amazing adventures of Lady Mechanika.