April Book Reviews

I read 2 books in April.  Here are my mini reviews.

Doodle Art Handbook:  The Non-Artist's Guide in Creative Drawing by Lana Karr

Amazon Description:  "Welcome to the wonderful world of DOODLE ART. 
The Doodle Art Handbook is a guide to inspire you and bring out your inner Doodle creativity. With the help of step by step lessons you will be able to create Doodle masterpieces with no experience necessary. 
The Handbook contains: 

• 25 original tangle patterns with many variations divided into 5 sections from beginner to expert level.
• Step by step lessons on how to draw, while having little or no experience.
• Guidance on how to draw animals, flowers, trees and other objects in doodle art style.
• Many original art works from Doodle Art collaborators./li>
• Detailed instructions and advanced techniques for using shading, depth and drawing 3d objects.

Doodle art is an excellent source of stress relief and meditation, and can be used by artists of all levels.
Please enjoy!"

My thoughts:  Overall I liked this book, but I was disappointed.  Unfortunately, the text parts of the book became very repetitive, and it didn't live up to my expectations.  I have been drawing a lot of Zentangle-Inspired Art recently and learning as many different tangles as I can.  I thought that this book would introduce me to some new doodle patterns that I could use in my art; however, most of the doodle patterns in the book were the same as the Zentangle patterns that I have already learned, although they had different names.  Also, some of the most interesting doodle patterns in the book did not have step-outs.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Amazon Description:  "In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he's jacked into the virtual utopia known as the OASIS. Wade's devoted his life to studying the puzzles hidden within this world's digital confines—puzzles that are based on their creator's obsession with the pop culture of decades past and that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock them. 

   But when Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade's going to survive, he'll have to win—and confront the real world he's always been so desperate to escape."

My thoughts:  OMG!!  I loved this book!  Maybe it was all the 80's references?  But really, this book is like Willy Wonka, but in the future.  I really liked Wade: poor, socially awkward, raised by virtual reality, and trying to win the biggest prize ever offered.  Cline has created a reality that I would never want to live in and a virtual world that sounds amazing.  I was rooting for Wade from page one; Cline's voice really pulled me into the story.  I did not want to put this book down.  I felt like I was there in the OASIS with Wade, falling in love, fighting my way through challenges, trying to beat the evil Sixers to the Egg......  It was an epic video game book, and I have been recommending it to everyone I know ever since I put it down.  I can't wait to get Cline's next book, Armada.  It is already on my TBR list.

Have you read either of these books?  What did you think?