Today on the blog, I review Pit Stops and Proton Beams by Aurelio Rico Lopez III. It's been a while since I've accepted a review request because I've been busy with my own writing, ferrying my sons to soccer, and even coaching the younger lad's soccer team. I wasn't looking to get back into accepting review requests, but this one piqued my interest—both the cover and the fact the writing is entirely comprised of haikus. I've always been fascinated by all things Japanese, including haikus, so I figured I'd give it a read.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I cracked open Pit Stops and Proton Beams. I don't regularly read poetry, let alone sci-fi-inspired verse. I was pleasantly surprised. Like the cover, the haikus were fun. Typically, I don't do much laughing while reading, but a number of these poems had me giggling—that alone made this a worthy read.
How does the author inspire chuckles time and again? Playing with all the classic sci-fi tropes: ignorant humans, irate martians, slithering tentacles, first contact gone awry, and the list goes on.
Anyone who enjoys haikus and needs a laugh will find much to savor in this slender volume. Highly recommended.