So You Want to Be a Wizard (Diane Duane)

[Nita enters, running. Bullies follow. Nita hides in a library.]
Cover of a children's book: So You Want to Be a Wizard
Nita: Yes, but it won't happen.

It happens.

Things I liked:
1. One of the main characters is a white hole called Fred. He's brave, sensitive, caring, and when he hiccups, he emits a blue Mercedes and solid gold.
2. The scene when the Eldest, a dragon forgetful with age, struggles to recount what's in his horde.

Things that made me groan:
1. Bullies. Or rather, both Nita and Kit (male protagonist) were bullied at school.
2. Having Androcles and the lion 2.0 shoved down my throat.

Lesson learned:
1. Lotus Esprits are the coolest cars. Ever.

Question raised:
1. Who on earth OKed this cover? Kit's pose is especially awkward, but both of them look less like wizards walking on air than photoshopped tourists (in front of Big Ben, the Eiffel Tower, and now, presenting the New York skyline edition...)

All in all, if I hadn't skimmed through some passages from the middle of the book first, I might have given up on page 12. Glad I didn't. Sort of.
6.5/10

So You Want to Be a Wizard
Diane Duane

Sex and the City (Movie)

It all becomes clear... That unidentified sitting object on SJP's head really is very tongue-in-cheek. Carrie wore a bird on her head, therefore SJP had to wear peacock parts. Very tongue-in-cheek, I'm sure.

Lessons learned from the movie:
1. Toilet humour is suitable for all ages.
2. Four-letter passwords are not secure.

Question raised:
1. Who made that sushi in my lunchbox?

All in all, predictable, and predictably enjoyable.
8/10