A Spiritual Compass

Easily one of my favorite book series ever. What truly makes me love this series is the character progression and the really fascinating world that Phillip Pullman creates. At first I found Lyra to be a bit annoying, not really helped by her voice actress in the BBC production. But after reaching the second book she started to become an interesting character, independent and strong. While Will is still one of my favorite characters in literature, his personality and weapon just make him so amazing.
The underlying symbology is not really underlying, its fairly obvious to see. A story about kids becoming teenagers, discovering sexuality, and butting heads with the adults in their life. The biggest point of contention with people who don't like the book is its anti-religious tone. However I always saw this book not as anti-god, but as anti-organized religion. In the final book god is portrayed as a weak and frail figure, kept alive only as long as he stays inside his glass coffin. Lyra even feels pity for the angel when he dies. The real bad people are the church and the general oblation board, they pull the strings and act as the antagonists.
Either way the story of the Golden Compass is extremely enjoyable and I'm sure that it will continue to be my favorite book long into the future.

Zombies! Zombies! Zombies!

The zombie is becoming more and more of a prevalent figure in today's pop culture. From movies like Zombieland to games like Left 4 Dead, it seems that zombies are certainly rampaging in our media. Our fascination with the walking dead could stem from several sources, they act as a punching bag to vent our frustrations and anger. Is killing something that's already dead really wrong? Additionally it seems to become a bit of a spitting contest between developers to see in what new and interesting ways you can present new hordes to turn to red mist in the most novel of ways.
The Zombie Apocalypse is also a fun exercise for your imagination. How would I survive? What would I need? Where would I go? Would I even survive? These questions present interesting dynamics not only in a personal will to survive but an chance to see more complex group dynamic. What will happen when a group of people come together to try and live? Will they come together as a group and over come, or will the crumble under the collective weight of their different backgrounds and ideals? Several times I have found myself thinking and devising plans and scenarios in which the dead have taken over and what my actions would be.
(PS: 3d labs for weaponry, Publix for supplies, then stay on the move on a bike, travel light)
But I personally believe that this interest in the dead comes from the teens, tweens, and young adults coming to terms with the impending onset of adulthood. The job, the suit, just being another number in a vast land of numbers. Being afraid to become just another number of the horde of schedule driven adults. These fantasies give them a place to escape to, where they are free from societal rules and the expectations of those around them. It also serves as a proving ground, testing their mettle against a seemingly impossible task and proving themselves as individuals. It used to be fantasy novels and Dungeons and Dragons, now the current generations seems to have grasped this
Any one of these would serve for the seeming omnipresence of zombies in our lives. But, personally, on of the more interesting issues that these scenarios bring up involves loved ones, children. When someone you care about has been turned into a flesh hungry creature, would you have the courage to strike out?

To me the social issues are far more interesting and poignant. For instance the recent trailer for the game Dead Island that has been going around has sparked a lot of controversy and tears.
Watch the trailer
A family being torn apart literally and metaphorically, a father being turned upon by his daughter, while a mother watches. These dredge up emotions and a lot of serious questions. Either way it's a beautiful piece of work.

I found Monster Island to be an interesting piece of work, with a bit of a unique twist, but in the end I really couldn't get into it as much as I could, say, World War Z. Mostly due to the way it was written being so short and limiting.

It's Frankunshteen! Not Frankenstein!

The monster erroneously labeled by the public as Frankenstein. This is not my first encounter with this story, from Young Frankenstein to the story of the Golem, I've seen many adaptations of this story. All of them share the same common elements, the theme of hubris, seeking a place to belong, vengeance. While I find the story to be entertaining, it never really tickled my interest or intellect. Unfortunately I don't have much else to say on this book.