Andy Wolverton

The Next Stop

2010-05-25T06:04:00.000-05:00

At least for now, the blog has moved to this location.

Movin' Out

2010-05-22T05:23:00.001-05:00

This blog will soon be moving to a new location. Stay tuned!

Where Have All the Westerns Gone?

2010-05-18T05:49:00.007-05:00

I weed every day. Not outdoors in the yard or garden, but in the library, specifically Adult Fiction. We have a pretty small section of Westerns, as I suspect most libraries do these days. A very dedicated few are keeping that section going, checking out the same 20 or 30 titles over and over. Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour are mainstays with a few Elmer Kelton and Elmore Leonard titles thrown in, but otherwise the Western is dying a slow death.

Maybe you have to have been from an older generation to truly appreciate a Western novel or story. I've only read a handful of Westerns but I saw lots of Western movies as a kid. Maybe that's a generational thing, too. When I was a kid, Gunsmoke was nearing the end of its 20-year run on television. I watched it from time to time, but even as a kid, the show struck me as somewhat sanitized, a little too squeaky-clean for the Old West.

In sharp contrast were the Western movies. I grew up in the 60s and 70s, watching Clint Eastwood as The Man With No Name and some of the more non-traditional Westerns like High Plains Drifter, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid and A Fistful of Dynamite. I didn't even know about the earlier tradition of classic Westerns like Stagecoach, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, My Darling Clementine, The Searchers and tons of others.

So I suppose I came to the table after most of the good cards had been dealt. Later I understood the attraction (and sometimes, even, the genius) of the American Western film, even though I largely ignored Western Fiction. Maybe I should make it a point to check out one of those Louis L'Amour books and see what the fuss was all about. Before they're all gone.

The City and the City (2009) - China Miéville

2010-05-16T20:22:00.003-05:00

While I confess to never having read a China Miéville novel before The City and the City, I have read a few of his short stories. From those I came away with the sense that one of Miéville’s favorite themes is the uneasy, sometimes foreboding feeling one gets after realizing that the forces in this world that can’t be seen are more unsettling than the ones we can. The City and the City is, in a very fundamental way, about this feeling, but it is so much more.

The novel begins with a detective named Borlú assigned to solve the murder of a young woman in his home city of Beszel. No problem, right? Ah, but Beszel co-exists in the same place as another city, Ul Qoma. The citizens of one city have been trained for generations to ignore or “un-see” anything that might go on in the other city. Each city has its own police force and judicial system, but anyone caught “crossing over” into a place they don’t belong or participating in an activity that would cause one to “recognize” the other city comes under the jurisdiction of the Breach, a powerful entity that seemingly sees all, knows all, and tells nothing.

If it all sounds ludicrous, trust me that Miéville is talented (okay, brilliant) enough to make it all work. Even when Borlú is granted permission to investigate the case in Ul Qoma, I thought the whole thing was going to fall apart, but Miéville clearly has it all figured out in a way that, if you think about it, makes perfect sense.

The easy danger in reading The City and the City is in trying to turn everything into a metaphor. Yes, anyone who’s lived in a city (or even visited one, for that matter) knows that certain people can be ignored or un-seen, that the culture of a city sometimes exists on such behavior, but Miéville is doing far more than tossing metaphors around. He’s showing us ideas, big ideas having to do with philosophy, perception, motivation, manipulation, behavior control, mind control and much more. And, by the way, it’s a darned good detective tale.

The City and the City is a labyrinthine tale that is the ultimate “You can get lost in it” novel. Yet reading it is anything but a frustrating experience. This is the most mind-expanding (and the best) novel I’ve run across this year. There’s a reason it’s been nominated for a long list of awards: it’s stellar. Read it.

Now What?

2010-05-14T06:01:00.004-05:00

I've have much more to say about China Miéville's novel The City and the City next time, but for now, I'm in a quandary: The novel is so good and resonated so well with me that just about anything I read after it is bound to be a major disappointment. Maybe the thing to do is read something at the polar opposite of this book, something completely goofy or maybe a short story collection.

So what book(s) have you read that you finished, thinking, "That's it. Nothing will ever top this one!"?

Let Your Dog Organize Your NetFlix Queue

2010-05-09T06:31:00.003-05:00

It's early on, but my dog is becoming quite the critic. We've had Broadway a little over a month and he's already making his movie tastes known to us. A couple of nights ago I tried watching Superman Returns. About 20 minutes into it, he started whining, so I stopped the movie and took him outside for a walk.

Last night I watched another hour of the film before I got bored with it. Broadway was way ahead of me. He got off his bed in the basement (in front of the TV) and went upstairs to his much less comfortable blanket.

Yet he stayed with me for every minute of the Wim Wenders film Wings of Desire (1987). (Maybe he picked up some German while he was racing?) I may just put him in charge of my NetFlix queue. I just shouldn't be too surprised if I see Space Buddies show up in the mail one day.

This is How It's Done

2010-05-07T07:17:00.004-05:00

It astonishes me in this economy how few businesses get it right. Money is tight and when people do have a little bit that they can spend on entertainment (or anything, for that matter), they want it to count for something. People want to walk into a clean, well-maintained, well-stocked store run by friendly, knowledgeable staff who make you feel special. They want a good experience, they don't want to be intimidated or talked down to or jerked around.

The staff at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis know this. I can't think of any store that I've been in lately that's as well run as Third Eye. The entire store is spotless. Not only that, it's organized and has a natural flow to it. There's no wasted space, yet everything is in plain sight, no books hidden behind books, no stacks of merchandise littering the floor, and not a speck of dirt anywhere.

And these guys and gals know their stuff. On my initial visit, the store manager (one of the friendliest, most engaging guys I've ever met) asked me what type of comics/graphic novels I was interested in, made a few no-pressure suggestions and said to let him know if I had any questions. I did have a few and he answered them expertly.

Well, that can happen in lots of places, right? But the next time I came in, he called me by name, named the titles I'd bought previously and asked how I liked them. He does that every time. And he does it with everybody. The guy's memory is incredible.

During Free Comic Book Day last week, Third Eye was a madhouse. Yet the staff had the day exceptionally well planned out and never looked the least bit stressed or shaken. What was even more impressive was walking into the store this week, just days after FCBD. The shelves were completely restocked with incredible stuff. I remember seeing guys checking out on FCBD with several big ticket items. (I bought a fairly big ticket item myself.) Every one of those items had been reordered and were on the shelf.

These guys know their product. They know customer service. That's why they've been nominated for The Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, honoring the best comic shops in the world. That's right: in the world.

If you want to see a comic shop done right, heck, if you want to see a business done right, take a drive over to Third Eye Comics.

Books Read April

2010-05-05T05:28:00.013-05:00

Hellboy Library Edition Volume 1: Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil (GN 2008) - Mike Mignola, John Byrne
Thoughts on this collection here.

The Weight of Silence (2009) - Heather Gruenkauf
Thoughts on this novel here.

The Losers, Volumes One and Two (GN 2010) - Andy Diggle, Jock
Why is it that British writers are so good at writing about international espionage? Brit Andy Diggle’s The Losers (also a current movie) is an former elite U.S. Special Forces unit that discovers a nasty C.I.A. secret and is wiped out by the agency. Or so the agency thinks. Violent, clever and often hilarious, The Losers won’t be for everyone, but it just might be for you.

Your Best Body at 40+ (NF 2010) - Jeff Csatari
Having been in my 40s for a few years now, and regretting that I don’t look more like the guy on the front cover, I checked this book out from the library and thought a lot of the advice inside was doable, some with a little work, some with a lot. I’m certainly not on the path to consistency, but after two weeks of implementing just a few of the suggestions in this book, I’ve lost ten pounds and feel great. Good advice on just about all aspects of health, but I think the greatest strength of the book is the section on nutrition.

Get Outta My Face! How to Reach Angry, Unmotivated Teens with Biblical Counsel (NF 2009) - Rick Horne
I read this book as research for the Sunday school class my friend Trip and I are currently teaching. Some really good stuff here for parents who’re just about at the end of their rope. Many of the concepts here also could apply to teaching.

Human Target: Final Cut (GN 2002) - Peter Milligan, Javier Pulido
Sort of a Mission: Impossible type of story: Christopher Chance impersonates his clients in order to keep them safe from those out to kill them. A bit confusing; I had to reread a few sections to make sure I was on the right page (no pun intended). An okay read, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to read more. Also a TV series on Fox.

Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn (GN 2010) - Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Philip Tan
Wow, what a fun book! More thoughts on this one here.

Pure Pleasure: Why Do Christians Feel So Bad about Feeling Good? (NF 2009) - Gary Thomas
The first book finished on the Kindle app. for iPhone. Thomas lets us in on some news that’s really no surprise: Christians (some of them, anyway) don’t know how to have a good time. That statement may offend some, but consider how many Christians you know who rarely smile, laugh or admit to enjoying something legitimately pleasurable. Thomas says it’s time to re-examine pleasure and celebrate it in light of Scripture. An excellent book.

A Beautiful Place to Die (2009) - Malla Nunn
An Edgar Award nominee and my favorite read of the month. In 1952 South Africa, a white police chief of Jacob’s Rest, a small village, is murdered. Detective Emmanuel Cooper is sent in from Johannesburg to investigate. Pressure comes down on Cooper to arrest a black man, but everyone on Cooper’s list of suspects is white. Although the novel sometimes relies on stereotypes, the characters are strong and the amount of racial, social and political tension sustained throughout is impressive. Nunn (who is also a screenwriter) really knows how to tell a story.

Nemesis (2002/2009) - Jo Nesbø
Nesbø’s hero’s name is probably the worst (translation) of any detective in the history of crime fiction: Harry Hole. Translated from the Norwegian, Nemesis is an often compelling hunt for a bank robber who also committed a disturbing murder during the robbery. Hole seeks the help of a hardened criminal in finding the robber/killer while Hole himself is being investigated for another murder. I enjoyed Nemesis, but didn’t have much trouble putting it down from time to time. I don’t really know why that was the case, other than this isn’t the first book in the series and maybe I didn’t know all the backstory required to fully enjoy it. (Once again, the American publishers have decided not to release these novels in their original order. The first two books in the series, The Bat Man and The Cockroaches, haven’t even been translated into English yet.)

Kane, Volume I: Greetings from New Eden (GN 2002) - Paul Grist
Police procedural graphic novel that is intriguing, sometimes funny, sometimes confusing. Grist juggles several story lines at once, yet often uses flashbacks that look no different from action going on in the present. Many of the characters look so similar, it’s often difficult to tell who’s who. Still, worth a look.

That's it for April. Get out there and read something.

What's Your (Guilty) Pleasure?

2010-05-03T05:58:00.005-05:00

One of my guilty pleasure is the 70s TV show Sanford and Son. I grew up watching the show as a kid and always laugh at it when it's on, even if it's an episode I've seen a dozen times. (My favorite, which never fails to put me on the floor, is the episode focused on Fred's cigarette-smoking habit.)

I love all the characters: Fred, Lamont, Bubba, Grady, Woody, Rollo, and especially Aunt Esther. Nearly all the episodes end the same way, with Fred's get-rich-quick schemes amounting to nothing, but the characters are always nothing short of hilarious.

So what's your guilty pleasure? It can be anything: a TV show, novel, movie. Anything you're comfortable sharing (and I'm comfortable reading).

Edgar Award Winners and Everything Old is New Again

2010-04-30T05:42:00.006-05:00

The Edgar Award winners have been announced! As usual with most awards, I'm more interested in reading the books that didn't win rather than those that did. If you read any of these, chime in.

And now from the "Everything Old Is New Again" category: Yesterday I drove over to a comic shop I hadn't been to in nearly ten years when I sold just about my entire collection of comics. It was a day of mixed emotions: I knew I had to make space in our new house and six long boxes of comics were just taking up too much room. Yet I hated to part with them. Some of them I'd collected since I was twelve years old, Silver-Age Spider-Man comics from as early as #18, Fantastic Four issues from the early #30s and more.

But yesterday I went to pick up comics for Free Comic Book Day at the library. I got in a conversation with the owner, the same guy I'd sold my comics to ten years ago. He remembered me and the transaction. I'll never forget that day ten years ago when I left and he'd said "When you're ready to get back into it (collecting comics), stop on in." I told him that, yes, I am back into it now in a manner of speaking, but I'm mainly buying graphic novels rather than individual comics, since they are much easier to store in bookcases.

"Tell you what," he says. "Any graphic novel you like - take 50% off!"

"Are you serious?"

"Yeah, I'm serious."

"Okay."

So I pick up a hardcover edition of Batman: Arkham Asylum, a graphic novel I'd parted with in the collection I'd sold him ten years ago, one that has gone on to become something of a classic.

I left and got to the library and opened the book. I looked at it closely. This graphic novel has been reprinted many times, but this certainly looked like a first edition. Actually it looked like my first edition, the one I'd originally bought in a comic shop in Germantown, Tennessee in 1989 and sold to this guy in 2000. I didn't write my name in books in those days, but I did have a really stupid habit of putting labels carrying my name/address/phone number in the endpages. Sure enough, I saw sticker residue on the front endpage.

This was my graphic novel.

And at half-price it only cost me $12.50.

Let me tell you, it was worth every cent.

Books Bought April

2010-04-29T07:21:00.009-05:00

The Skylark (2010) - Peter Straub

I was so zipped up after reading the slimmer version of the same novel A Dark Matter that I ordered the longer (200 pages longer, to be exact) version, The Skylark. Straub never ceases to amaze me. Creepy, supernatural, ultra-well-developed characters and a story you think about for days (or weeks) afterward. More Straub, please.

Mirror Kingdoms: The Best of Peter S. Beagle (2010)

I've never read a Peter S. Beagle story I didn't like. Every time I finish one, I think, "Man, I should read more stuff by this guy." Now I can.

Planetary Vol. 2: The Fourth Man (GN 2001) - Warren Ellis, John Cassaday

The Planetary saga is now complete, but I've only read Volume 1. Time to catch up.

Kane Vol. 1: Greetings from New Eden (GN 2002) - Paul Grist

This book was highly recommended in Kennenburg's 500 Essential Graphic Novels, but I've never encountered anyone who'd read it. I figured since I picked it up at a used bookstore for store credit, it wouldn't exactly send me into depression if it's not all that.

Gregor the Overlander (J-Fic 2003) - Suzanne Collins

Orangerful has lately been singing (well, okay, speaking) the praises of this series and since I really like Collins's writing in The Hunger Games series, picking this one up on store credit was a no-brainer.

Kafka on the Shore (2005) - Haruki Murakami

A World Fantasy Award winner from a few years back. I listened to this one on audio a couple of years ago and was utterly captivated. You can't really talk about plot when discussing Murakami; just hang on and enjoy the surrealistic ride. Store credit - Cost: nada.

Zeroville (2007) - Steve Erickson

My favorite novel from 2007, one I wanted to own as soon as I read it. An ex-seminary student with a tattoo of Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor on his bald head arrives in Hollywood in 1969, obsessed with the movies. A wild ride that I hoped would never end. Can't wait to revisit it. Another store credit "purchase."

Hellboy Library Edition Volume 3: Conqueror Worm and Strange Places (GN 2009) - Mike Mignola

I've been on quite a Hellboy kick lately. I've borrowed the first two library editions from (where else?) the library and enjoyed them enough to know I'd like to own them. This volume came up on a Scratch & Dent sale at Things From Another World at half-price, so that was all the incentive I needed. Mignola rocks.

That's what I bought in April. Really, that's all. At least I think it is. Hey, what's this package on my desk?

Okay, Stop Everything...

2010-04-28T05:56:00.004-05:00

That Dan Simmons, he's a wild man. Here's his new novel, Black Hills, about a young Sioux warrior named Paha Sapa, who witnesses the death of General George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn in 1876. Oh, did I mention that Custer's spirit decides to inhabit the Paha's body? And that Paha, later in life, works as a dynamite handler at the site of Mount Rushmore, just as the site is about to be visited by FDR?

For me, this is one of those "Drop everything and read this NOW!" books. Darn that Dan Simmons....

What Book Would You Memorize?

2010-04-26T07:03:00.005-05:00

In Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451, Clarisse introduces Montag to an underground society that has kept books and literature alive by memorizing them. My friend D. and I were talking about that scene yesterday between services at church. She wondered if there would be books in heaven. I told her I hoped so. She said if the Fahrenheit 451 scene played itself out in heaven with people memorizing books of the Bible, she'd like to have the Gospel of John. I told her that with my faulty memory, Philemon would probably be all I could handle.

So what book would you want to memorize? Don't let the difficulties of memorization hinder your choice. Just imagine you could memorize any book, but make it one book. Which would you choose? And why?

Just Testing

2010-04-22T05:52:00.002-05:00

My last two posts didn't cross over into Facebook, so this is a test, only a test.

Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn (GN 2010) - Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Philip Tan

2010-04-20T19:05:00.003-05:00

Batman & Robin: Batman Reborn (GN 2010) - Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely, Philip Tan

If you haven't been keeping up with Batman lately (and no, watching The Dark Knight doesn't count) you might want to brush up on your Batman Encyclopedia or at least check out his Wikipedia articles. You learn early on in Batman Reborn that this is not your typical Bruce Wayne/Batman adventure. This one's got some serious family baggage that might leave you scratching your head, at least initially. But the essentials get explained without becoming a huge infodump.

This Batman and Robin hit the ground running (or rather flying, in an airborne Batmobile), tackling Toad, then moving on to a whole onslaught of villains, most of whom were new to me. The danger, the violence and the stakes are raised with the turn of just about every page as Morrison does a masterful job of not only providing great fight scenes but also adding depth to the characters and their situations. Commissioner Gordon isn't really sure this is a Batman he can trust, but he's placing his confidence in him anyway. This new Robin? He's not so sure about him... Even Alfred has his doubts. And as for the citizens of Gotham, well... Let's just say things are heating up.

Are these guys even worthy to wear the costumes of Batman and Robin? Are they any good? What is good? What is evil? Who's on the right side and what is the right side? Is there even such a thing as a right side? These were questions explored in the film The Dark Knight, but certainly not exhaustively, for Morrison is able to get added mileage out of them, pushing things further and further as the end approaches. And it is quite an end. Highly recommended.

The Edgar Awards

2010-04-20T05:55:00.003-05:00

I never really paid a whole lot of attention to them before, but I'm really enjoying my journey through the Edgar Award nominees. I've read Charlie Huston's The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death and am currently reading Jo Nesbo's Nemesis and listening to Malla Nunn's A Beautiful Place to Die.

These novels are so diverse, each so different from each other that, were I judging, it would be really tough to pick a winner. The Best First Novel By An American Author category looks great, too. And even though I was a bit disappointed with the ending of The Weight of Silence, as a first novel, I think it's quite good. I'm very eager to read the other five nominees.

If you've read any of these twelve novels, let me know your thoughts (without spoilers, of course!). The Edgar Awards will be announced next Thursday, April 29.

The Weight of Silence (2009) - Heather Gudenkauf

2010-04-14T05:28:00.004-05:00

The Weight of Silence (2009) by Heather Gudenkauf is currently up for an Edgar Award for Best First Novel by an American Author. There's lots to like in this gripping tale of seven-year-old girl named Calli, a selective mute who goes missing. Calli's best friend (and interpreter) Petra has also gone missing, setting into motion a powderkeg of pent-up tension, angst and all sorts of family drama.

Gudenkauf tells the story from multiple points of view: Calli's, Petra's, members of their families, and law enforcement officials. With each point of view, we learn more of the relationships between these characters, the baggage they've carried for years, their hopes, dreams and disappointments. Although there are several of them, the point of view changes work because they strengthen both the family tensions and mostly (except when the reflections on the past run a little too long) drive the plot along.

In fact The Weight of Silence works better as a family drama than it does as a mystery. As the book progresses, you soon figure out that there are very few choices as to who has abducted the girls. (Or were they, in fact, abducted?) When it arrives, the solution provides little satisfaction. (Telling you why, at this point, would reveal too much. The book contains many characters, but far too few are really capable of committing the crime[s] involved.) Once the culprit has been identified, the loose ends are wrapped up far too conveniently, so much so that character integrity suffers. The sequence of events that unfolds during the last forty pages just feels far too manipulated.

Still, I like Gudenkauf's writing style and would definitely read more of her work in the future. If you're looking for a mystery that leans more toward family drama, give The Weight of Silence a try.

Hellboy Library Edition, Vol. 1 (2008) - Mike Mignola, John Byrne

2010-04-12T07:05:00.006-05:00

Mike Mignola’s artwork is highly addictive, at least to someone like me who grew up with the works of Jack Kirby, an obvious influence on Mignola. I’m not sure what it is - maybe it’s those twisted faces that Mignola does so well, maybe the shadow silhouettes or the heavy inking. Maybe it’s the fact that Hellboy is just a cool, fun guy.

If you aren’t familiar with him, Hellboy is indeed one of the good guys. As an infant he was summoned forth from another dimension in order to help the Nazis during WWII, but the little red guy had other plans and sided with the Allies. Working with the Bureau for Paranormal Research, the grown-up Hellboy now (Yes, now. He doesn’t age the way humans do. That whole other-dimension thing, I guess....) fights against the dark forces of the universe, which are seemingly endless.

So what, right? Another superhero fighting the bad guys, just what we need. But Mignola injects an irresistible charm into Hellboy. He’s strong, he’s funny, and usually doesn't take himself too seriously. And like all of us, he’s not perfect. He can slug it out with giant slimy frogs, tackle the most hideous snake-like creatures, then get his butt handed to him from something he didn’t see coming. But throughout, he has an unmistakable moral bent, knowing that the evil side must be fought against.

You may be familiar with the film adaptations Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008). The graphic novels (from what I’ve seen in this volume, which covers the stories Seed of Destruction and Wake the Devil) are pretty evenly divided between mystery, investigation into the paranormal and action. The movie? Mostly flat-out action. The initial story and the first movie don’t exactly line up, but each version can be enjoyed without ruining anything in the other. The graphic novels tend to be darker, grittier and more Lovecraftian than the films. (Although film director Guillermo del Toro's visual style is just as impressive, just in a different way.) The first graphic novel, scripted by John Byrne, is a little more cohesive than Mignola’s second, but both are stunning. I suppose you could spend a lot of time talking about the philosophies and worldviews of Hellboy, but the main thing is just to sit back and have fun.

Books Read March

2010-04-09T19:21:00.017-05:00

Y: The Last Man, Vol. 2 - 10 (GN 2003-2008) - Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, Jose Marzan, Jr., etc.

When I had a stomach virus in early March, I read just about the entire 10-volume run of Y: The Last Man. It’s a very readable, very hard story to put down about a plague that wipes out the entire male population except for a man and his pet monkey. It’s definitely a quest story with all sorts of action/adventure, death/violence, f-bombs and the like, but you can’t say it’s not compelling; Vaughan sure knows how to write a story. A movie adaptation has been in the works for some time, possibly staring Shia LeBeouf.

Planetary: All Over the World and Other Stories (GN 2000) - Warren Ellis, John Cassaday, Laura DePuy

Three superhumans, known as the organization Planetary are tracking down the world’s secret history. (C’mon, we’ve all been wondering, right?) Weird things happen, secret things, otherworldly things. It’s sort of like The X-Files with superpowers. Good stuff.

The 13th Hour (2009) - Richard Doetsch

This thriller, about a man who’s been given the ability to go back in time and relive each previous hour with the hope of preventing his wife’s murder, has some exciting moments, but grew tedious after a few chapters. Maybe it's just me always being suspicious of time travel stories...

Daredevil: The Devil, Inside and Out, Vol. 1 (GN 2006) - Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark

With very little proof, Matt Murdock has been locked behind bars, suspected of being Daredevil (which he, of course, is). As an added bonus, the prison is packed with criminals DD helped put there for years. It’s hard to believe that Brubaker could produce such a nail-biter that barely shows Daredevil in costume, but the tension sustained in this volume (as well as the starkly drawn work of Michael Lark) is incredible.

A Dark Matter (2010) - Peter Straub

Thoughts here.

Powers: Who Killed Retro Girl? (GN 2000) - Brian Michael Bendis, Michael Avon Oeming

Detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim set out to solve the murder of Retro Girl, one of the city’s most popular superheroes. Sounds routine, yet it’s anything but that. A great combination of noir, superheroes and police procedural.

The Death of Captain America Vol 1: The Death of the Dream (GN 2007) - Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting, Mike Perkins

I highly recommend reading Marvel’s Civil War graphic novel (see below) before tackling The Death of Cap, otherwise you might be as confused as I was.

Jar City (2000/2004) - Arnaldur Indridason

Police procedural set in Reykjavik, Iceland that weighs heavily on atmosphere and detective work, yet still comes across as a gripping read. I definitely plan on reading more by Arnaldur Indridason.

Sacred Scars (YA 2009) - Kathleen Duey

Like it’s predecessor Skin Hunger, Sacred Scars takes its sweet time moving forward, but once it does, it’s fascinating. I’m afraid many teens won’t have the patience to even get to the second book, but the rewards in this series are (so far, anyway) well worth the wait. Told in alternating points of view, both books deal with a school of magic where students must learn or starve. (Hogwarts is a kindergarten compared to this school.) Loaded with mystery and subtlety, Duey has created a fascinating world.

City of Thieves (2008) - David Benioff

A writer asks his grandfather to tell his story of World War II and gets far more than he bargained for. The old man tells of how he survived the Siege of Leningrad, killed Germans, fell in love, and discovered a friend he would never forget. Powerful storytelling. I actually listened to the audiobook narrated by Ron Perlman, which was superb.

The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language - Eugene Peterson

Just what it says: The Bible in contemporary language. A great first Bible for many people, easy to understand and in many instances enlightening.

Cemetery Road (2009/2010) - Gar Anthony Haywood

Three young friends commit a crime in Los Angeles and vow never to see one another again, living with the consequences in silence. Yet twenty-six years later, one of the friends is murdered, causing one of the two surviving friends to break his silence by investigating the murder. This stand-alone novel is wonderfully crafted, full of humanity and suspense. Seek this one out; it’s definitely worth your time.

Civil War (GN 2007) - Mark Millar, Steve McNiven
The characters in the Marvel Universe are being forced to sign a superhero registration act which would (1) allow them to be sanctioned and protected by the government and (2) force them to disclose their identities. Some superheroes are more than eager to comply with the legislation, but others make their feelings known in some very interesting ways. And some switch sides. (I wish I had read this before I read The Death of Captain America.)

Signal to Noise (GN 2007) - Neil Gaiman, Dave McKean

A stunning portrayal of a filmmaker who is dying, yet insists on making one final film, even if the film can only be played in his head. I read this in the midst of a death in my family, so the work had an even greater impact on me than it might have otherwise had. Exceptional art and a hauntingly beautiful story. Probably not for everyone, but it really resonated with me.

Stitches (GN 2009) - David Small

This is one of those books that’s so good, that evokes so many emotions that are so painful that you'll probably never want to read it again. But you should read it once. A dysfunctional family story that will stick with you long after you’ve finished it. Powerful stuff. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

That's it. Get out there and read something.

Books Bought March

2010-04-07T06:10:00.011-05:00

Okay, so March was definitely Graphic Novel Overload Month here at the blog. I had a graphic novel binge like you wouldn’t believe, as evidenced below. A couple of actual novels managed to sneak in, but the words & pictures combination really had their day/month. Let’s get started.

I blame Things from Another World‘s Scratch and Dent Sale (and Orangerful, for telling me about it) for getting the graphic novel fever up and running. At 60% off, it was hard to turn these four books down, especially since I’ve been on a Daredevil kick lately.

Daredevil, Vol. 1 (GN 2008) - Frank Miller, Klaus Janson
(Reprints Daredevil #158-161, 163-172)

Daredevil Visionaries Vol. 1: Guardian Devil (GN 2001) - Kevin Smith, Joe Quesada

Daredevil: The Devil, Inside and Out (GN 2006) - Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark

The Death of Captain America Vol. 1: The Death of the Dream (GN 2001) - Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting

The death of Cap was big news even outside the comic world. Just wanted to see what it was all about. That title and the others were highly recommended in Greg Garrett’s book Holy Superheroes.

The Losers (GN 2010) - Andy Diggle, Jock

From Amazon’s product description: “This collection introduces The Losers, formerly an elite U.S. Special Forces unit that served as the covert bloody hand of America until they stumbled across a C.I.A. secret they couldn't ignore. The C.I.A. tried to kill them, but they're about to learn that it takes more than one try to eliminate The Losers.” There’s also a film version that opens later this month. We’ll see which is the more entertaining format.

Planetary: Crossing Worlds (GN 2004) - Warren Ellis, John Cassaday

Okay, the guy in the comic shop in Tampa talked this one up so much I had to try it. It’s Planetary (the first volume of which I thought was great), an organization seeking the world’s secret history, combined with Batman. Couldn’t resist.

Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. Ultimate Collection (GN 2010) - Warren Ellis, Stuart Immonen

What looks to be pure, mindless, hilarious fun. The agents of H.A.T.E. (Highest Anti-Terrorism Effort) organize to fight Bizarre Weapons of Mass Destruction. You could really have some fun with this and it looks like Ellis and Immonen did just that.

500 Essential Graphic Novels: The Ultimate Guide (NF 2008) - Gene Kannenberg

This looked like an essential reference guide to understanding and appreciating graphic novels.

I managed to purchase some actual books, too:

Pandemonium (2008) - Daryl Gregory

Recommended by one of the many Karens I work with.

My First Summer in the Sierra (NF 1911) - John Muir

Watching the first episode of Ken Burns’ National Parks - America’s Best Idea did me in. I just have to read something by Muir.

That's it for purchases. Next time, what I actually read. (Think there might be just a few graphic novels in the mix?)

Say Hello to Broadway

2010-04-03T18:41:00.003-05:00

Today Cindy and I adopted another retired racing Greyhound, Broadway. We've been planning on adopting another hound since our first, Bullet, passed away in October 2009. Broadway will turn five in June.

We looked up his racing record, which was not exactly long (four months) or stellar (17 races, 0 wins), but who cares, other than the people who lost money on him at the track in Palm Beach, Florida.

But he's ours now and we're delighted to have him!

Playing Favorites, Installment #9

2010-03-31T06:03:00.004-05:00

Installment #9: "The Logical Song" (Rick Davies, Roger Hodgson) - Supertramp (1979)

A few days ago, as I was driving from the airport to my Aunt Margaret’s funeral, “The Logical Song” by Supertramp came on the radio, a song that never fails to bring a smile to my face. Maybe that’s because when I bought the single (cover pictured above) in 1979, I thought all the strings of assonances in the lyrics were cool or maybe it was the sound of a Mattel electronic football game in the background. Or maybe just because it was a fun song.

I began thinking about how the song really does summarize how we’re expected to grow up and be all the things mentioned in the lyrics: sensible, logical, responsible, practical. If we’re not careful, we can have all the fun in life beaten out of us, finding ourselves in jobs we can’t stand, stuck in social rock-climbing, planning on retirements where (if we’re lucky enough to have saved enough money in this economy) we can finally do something we enjoy. If we can remember how.

From the song’s chorus:

There are times when all the world's asleep,
the questions run too deep
for such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
but please tell me who I am.

Not knowing who you are can be a real danger. Years pile up and you can reach that place not even knowing how you got there. In the midst of this somewhat goofy, quirky song from the 70s, Supertramp is laying some real wisdom on us.

On this same trip I was reading a book by Gary Thomas called Pure Pleasure: Why Do Christians Feel So Bad about Feeling Good? Thomas reminds us that pleasure in and of itself is a good thing. God designed it and wants us to enjoy it, but not to be consumed by it. Both Thomas and Supertramp remind me that I can take pleasure in something as seemingly trivial as comic books (or, if you’d like it to sound more socially acceptable, “graphic novels”).

Lately I’ve enjoyed a return to the comics world, largely due to my friends Trip and Sam (Hey, Cindy: blame them!) as well as my local gateway, Third Eye Comics in Annapolis. I’ve found that returning to old superhero favorites (Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Batman and my current favorite Daredevil) or new ones (Hellboy) or non-superhero titles (Y: The Last Man, Global Frequency, and the brilliant Neil Gaiman/Dave McKean collaboration Signal to Noise), comics hold just as much wonder and fascination at age 48 as they did at age 8.

Apparently I’m not alone. The majority of customers I see at Third Eye are in their mid-20’s or older, most of them around my age. So what happened? Did we never grow up?

The owner of a shop I frequented in Germantown, Tennessee in the late 80s summed it up: “It’s words and pictures, man, words and pictures. It’s the best of both worlds.” I think he’s got something. It’s a combination of two things I love: the written word and images. It’s a combination that’s hard to resist. Is it sensible, logical, responsible, practical? I don’t know. It certainly may sound absurd, but it’s who I am.

The Best Teacher I Ever Had - My Aunt Margaret

2010-03-25T20:44:00.005-05:00

My Aunt Margaret passed away last night at the age of 92. If you attended Forest High School in Forest, Mississippi anytime from 1949 to 1979, Mrs. Richardson probably taught you. That's right, she taught American History, World History, Government and Civics for 32 1/2 years. (If you want to think in terms of Presidents, she taught through the administrations of Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Ford and Carter.)

She not only taught me and my brother Bob, she also taught her two sons and each of her own three sisters. I think I can speak for all of my relatives when I say that being related to Mrs. Richardson didn't buy me a drop of sympathy in her class. She took no prisoners and she didn't play.

Yet she never raised her voice or got angry, ever. Her class was strictly business from bell to bell. I remember each day she had excruciatingly long sentences and questions written on the chalkboard in her pristine, textbook cursive. You had to copy it down fast because she hit the ground running. Everything was important: what she had written and what she was saying. (I still have my American History notes in a notebook as big as a moderately-sized city phonebook.) You didn't have time to clown. Even the kids who were notorious for misbehaving in school straightened up and flew right in her class.

I've earned three college degrees, two of them graduate degrees. I can't think of a teacher that was more of a professional than my aunt. I never, ever saw her frustrated, shaken, at a loss for words, unprepared or in any way less than stellar. She knew her stuff and she expected the same from you. The only time I can even remember a mistake at all was when she ended her lesson one day just a bit before the lunch bell. "We're stopping 30 seconds early," she said, looking at the clock that sat on her desk. "We'll have to cut our lunch period short by 30 seconds to make up for it. Be prepared." And that's exactly what we did.

If you wanted an "A" in Mrs. Richardson's class you could ace every test, participate in class and turn in your homework, but that still wasn't gonna cut it. You were also required (every six weeks) to write an article review (from American Heritage or some similar magazine/journal) AND do a book report. Every six weeks. And these weren't fluff books or simple book reports. We're talking The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich type of stuff. Every six weeks.

And of course your test papers could contain no errors, none, not if you wanted an A+. Misspell a word? Forget it. You're toast. It had to be perfect.

Aunt Margaret had extremely high standards, but once you left her class, you were ready for just about anything that any teacher could throw at you. I can't tell you the number of people that came up to me later in life and said that nobody prepared them for college coursework better than Mrs. Richardson. Other people told me that no one had ever made them work that hard for anything. And every one of them loved her for it.

At home, Aunt Margaret was mostly quiet and reserved, but that inner strength was always present. She loved to laugh and always wanted to know how we were all doing as we grew older. She's one of the main reasons I became a teacher. And I think there's something of her still in me that comes out when I realize I'm not working quite as hard as I should, that I'm not giving 100%, or that I'm trying to cut corners, even a little bit. She took no excuses and never compromised. She pushed you to your personal limit, but when you finished her class, you knew you had accomplished something. Boy, do we need teachers like that now. Not only teachers, we need leaders like that in all walks of life. I'll certainly miss you, Aunt Margaret. Thank you for everything.

Capclave 2010 - Register Now!

2010-03-23T05:53:00.004-05:00

Two of my favorite writers, Jeff VanderMeer and Connie Willis will be Guests of Honor at this year's Capclave con in Rockville, MD, October 22-24. (Jeff's wife Ann VanderMeer, editor of Weird Tales, will also be a GoH.) As an added bonus, WSFA will offer signed, limited hardcover editions of VanderMeer's The Three Quests of the Wizard Sarnod and Willis's Fire Watch for $20 each.

So go ahead, register!

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

2010-03-22T08:16:00.006-05:00

Timing is everything.

In 1977 my fifteen-year-old world came a little closer into focus. At least I thought it did.

Like everyone else of my generation, I went to see Star Wars in the summer of 1977. I’d never seen anything like it; no one had. I enjoyed it tremendously and might have even gone to see it twice, but it didn’t really grab me, refusing to let go. It was just another movie to carry me from the end of my first bumbling year of high school into a hopefully more focused, determined sophomore year.

My Holy Grail in those days was music. It sounds juvenile now, but I wanted to become the best trumpet player in the state. The measure of that for most folks in Mississippi was being accepted into the Lions All-State Band. Auditioning consisted (and probably still does) of a two-step process: if you pass the first audition, you move on to the second round.

I hadn’t passed the first round in 1976. Back in those days, you never knew your ranking; you either made it or you didn’t. And I didn’t.

Over the next year I’d worked hard and felt like I had a chance of making it past the first round. I auditioned early that Saturday and felt pretty good about it, so good that I decided to treat myself to a movie. When I saw the poster with the long dark highway stretching into the star-filled horizon, there was no doubt which movie I’d see.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind captivated me in a way that Star Wars simply couldn't. Sure, Richard Dreyfuss was not as good-looking as Mark Hamill or Harrison Ford, but he was me. Roy Neary was searching for something and he simply wasn’t going to be denied. He was driven, obsessed, out-of-control in pursuit of his goal, his dream. I don’t think I was out-of-control, but I was certainly driven, maybe even obsessed with my music.

But the film did more than confirm that I was searching for something. It filled me with a sense of wonder. I’m no longer driven by the need to be a great musician, but I am still filled with wonder and every time I watch Close Encounters, I’m filled with wonder all over again.

I recently watched the film on Blu-Ray and couldn’t get over how good it looks and sounds. Yes, it was filmed in 1977, so you’re going to see some grain, but you’re also going to see exceptional detail. When you see Ray’s sunburn, it no longer looks like a bit of paint slapped onto Dreyfuss’s face. The desert scenes make you feel like you’re right there. And the Devil’s Tower scenes? Wow. You just have to see them.

The 30th Anniversary edition contains the original 1977 theatrical release, the 1980 theatrical re-release and the 1997 director’s cut, all on one disc. The packaging even includes a fold-out map detailing the differences between the three versions.

And if you’re into extras:

Steven Spielberg: 30 Years of Close Encounters (22 min.)
Storyboard to Screen Comparisons
Photo Gallery
Making of Documentary (1997, 97 min.)
"Watch the Skies" (1977, 6 min.)
Deleted Scenes (approx. 10 min.)
A View From Above (which informs you which scenes are present in one or more of the three editions)

Highly recommended!

Jonny Quest Day

2010-03-19T06:10:00.002-05:00

For no reason in particular, I hereby proclaim today Jonny Quest Day! Enjoy, but look out for Dr. Zin!

A Dark Matter - Peter Straub

2010-03-13T20:59:00.003-05:00

A Dark Matter, a novel set in the present day, spends much of it’s time reflecting back to a single unexplained event in 1966. Much of the novel’s point of view comes from novelist Lee Harwell, whose four high school friends - Donald “Dilly” Olson, Howard “Hootie” Bly, Jason “Boats” Boatman and Lee “The Eel” Truax witnessed an horrific event along with three University of Wisconsin students and their guru, the charismatic Spencer Mallon. Mallon had promised the students that through this “ceremony” he would change the world. He did, but in unexpected ways: one of the students completely vanished during the ceremony and another was brutally killed. Harwell, who declined an invitation to the event, tries to piece together what actually happened. And even though Harwell eventually married Truax, she has refused to speak of that day.

The event has had a profound effect on those who survived: Dilly Olson has been in and out of prison; Hootie Bly grew so disturbed he had to be institutionalized, his speech consisting of nothing but quotes from the works of Nathaniel Hawthorne; Boats Boatman began a life of thievery. And Harwell’s wife “The Eel”? She lost her sight years later. Each of these people that had been so close to Harwell tell their version of what happened in Rashomon-style, leaving Harwell to piece it all together. (I’ve neglected to mention much about the three university students. Their stories are crucial, but I want you to discover them through the book.)

A Dark Matter is horrific on many levels, not the least of which concerns “the event” itself, but Straub has much more on his mind than a creepy ceremony and routine scares. Yes, what happened that day in 1966 continues to fill those involved with horror, but it’s the everyday horror of something uncontrollable that permeates your life, something that you had a hand in setting into motion that becomes the real horror. A Dark Matter is about regrets, growing older, friendship, redemption and learning to live with the lives we’ve chosen. It’s also about discovery and coming to grips with how our discoveries can cause us to rethink our lives in ways we can’t even imagine. Highly recommended.

Ah, Florida!

2010-03-12T20:53:00.002-05:00

Back from visiting Cindy for the Tampa portion of the U.S. Navy Band tour. Cindy and I had a great time, visiting two beaches (Indian Rocks Beach and Sandy Key Beach), the Salvador Dali Museum, some good restaurants, a lot of traffic in Clearwater, and a greyhound race track, where we saw some beautiful hounds. (I also found time to visit a comic shop or two!) Pictures to follow at some point.

Best Picture - The Hurt Locker

2010-03-08T07:05:00.002-05:00

Most years I find it impossible to watch all the movies nominated for Best Picture and that's when there were only five. With ten, forget it. But I did get to see four of them. Of those four (The Hurt Locker, Up, District 9, and Avatar), I did feel that The Hurt Locker was the best of the lot. There's too little time before work to go into much detail, but thought it was the most compelling story that was handled in most interesting way. (District 9 had some elements of a compelling story, but took awhile for them to develop.)

So what are your thoughts? Is The Hurt Locker deserving? Ready to cry "Foul!"? Is Bigelow Queen of the World?

Forthcoming Books

2010-03-06T17:26:00.009-05:00

Ah, yes, the new issue of Locus Magazine just arrived, complete with their list of Forthcoming Books through December 2010. Among those I'll be following are:

February

Mirror Kingdoms: The Best of Peter S. Beagle, Subterranean Press
I pre-ordered this one awhile back. It should be shipping any day now.

March

The Skylark - Peter Straub, Subterranean Press
Okay, I'm not wild about the cover, but I am wild about the shorter version of this novel, A Dark Matter, wild enough, in fact, to order this edition that includes 200 more pages and Straub's signature.

Darkness: Two Decades of Modern Horror - Ellen Datlow, ed., Tachyon Publications
I sure hope the library gets this one. Man, what a creep-out cover...

May

Under Heaven - Guy Gavriel Kay, Penguin/Roc

June

Shirley Jackson: Novels and Stories, Library of America
No cover for this one yet, but I'm very excited that the Library of America has seen fit to honor Shirley Jackson.

Who Fears Death - Nnedi Okorafor, DAW
I loved Okorafor's The Shadow Speaker and am very much looking forward to this one.

July

The Loving Dead - Amelia Beamer, Night Shade Books
No cover art yet, but I'm very excited for my Clarion buddy's first novel. Go Amelia!

September

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games Vol. III) - Suzanne Collins, Scholastic Press
I enjoyed The Hunger Games so much I've refused to even read the second book, Catching Fire, until this third book comes out.

What I Didn’t See and Other Stories - Karen Joy Fowler, Small Beer Press
No cover yet. Most people that have read the novels Wit's End and The Jane Austen Book Club have no idea Fowler started out writing speculative short stories, which are absolutely stunning, especially this title story.

October

All Clear - Connie Willis, Ballentine Spectra
No cover yet. Time travel tale that picks up where Blackout (released last month) leaves off.

November

Holiday (Short Stories) - M. Rickert, Golden Gryphon Press
No cover yet. Rickert's entire output (at least so far) consists of short stories. All of them are very good, most of them superb.

Books Read February

2010-03-04T07:51:00.017-05:00

February certainly appears to have been the Month of the Graphic Novel. I was able to read a lot of them while we were snowed in. They seemed to be the perfect length for reading: read a little, shovel a little, read a little, shovel a little, repeat. And I did. Lots of good stuff. Let's get started.

The Resurrectionist (2008) - Jack O’Connell

Highly recommended by many in the weird fiction community, The Resurrectionist did not disappoint. My favorite novels seem to mix the ordinary world (a pharmacist who's seeking treatment for his comatose son) with the extraordinary (a band of comic book circus freaks). I was instantly reminded of the Stephen King/Peter Straub collaboration The Talisman, only this book is about 500 pages shorter. Highly recommended for those who enjoy weirdness.

Hound (2009) - Vincent McCaffrey

Hound is one of those rare books that you read and after only a few pages, realize that “The author wrote this just for me.” If you love books and don't mind a leisurely paced murder mystery, this one's for you, too.

Awake in the Dark: The Best of Roger Ebert (NF 2006) - Roger Ebert

Awake in the Dark covers 40 years of Ebert’s reviews and essays, all of which are written with the clear prose of someone who wants to communicate his love of film with you, the viewer. I appreciate that. Reading Ebert is a lot like talking to a good friend about a movie you agree on or disagree on. But also, like a good friend you frequently converse with, he repeats himself. Yet with all that we've seen lately of Ebert's unfortunate demise (he lost his lower jaw to thyroid cancer, I believe), it give me great pleasure to "hear" him through his writing.

Global Frequency: Planet Ablaze (GN 2004) - Warren Ellis, various artists

Global Frequency has been called the Mission: Impossible for the 21st Century. The Global Frequency is made up of 1001 special agents who fight unusual threats to public safety. Quite interesting; I plan to read more.

100 Bullets: First Shot, Last Call (GN 1999) - Brian Azzarello, Eduardo Risso

What if you could take revenge on those who wronged you without worrying about the consequences? What if you were given a gun with 100 bullets, all of it untraceable? Great concept, but too violent for me.

Ex Machina, Vol. 1: The First Hundred Days (GN 2005) - Brian K. Vaughan, Tony Harris

Not only is Mitchell Hundred the Mayor of New York, he can also talk to (and command) machines, any kind of machines. Much better than I'm making it sound.

Daredevil: Born Again (GN 1986) - Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli

I am discovering in my graphic novel journey that the superhero genre is most definitely not what it was when I was growing up. Daredevil’s identity has been compromised by former girlfriend Karen Page. She offered this information to The Kingpin in exchange for a heroin fix. Reprints a run of Daredevil comics from 1986. Still potent.

Batman: Hush (GN 2002, 2003) - Jeph Loeb, Jim Lee

I think the story covers too many bases, but the atmosphere of darkness (it's always raining) and artwork are incredible.

Everlost (YA 2006) - Neal Shusterman

Shusterman is never short on ideas or philosophy. There's plenty of both in Everlost, the story of kids who die and are trapped in a sort of limbo between life and death, a world with rules all its own. Seems to be written for a younger audience than one of his other books I read last year, Unwind.

The Ultimate Teen Book Guide (NF 2006) - Daniel Hahn, Leonie Flynn, eds.

A great resource for teen reads. It's a British publication, so it leans a little heavily in that direction, but still a very valuable resource with plenty of tangential recommendations beyond the main ones. Definitely worth a look.

The Silver Surfer: Rebirth of Thanos (GN 1990/2006) - Jim Starlin, Ron Lim

Thoughts here.

Y: The Last Man - Unmanned (GN 2002) - Brian K. Vaughan, Pia Guerra, Jose Marzan, Jr.

Yorick, an escape artist, wakes up to find himself the last man on Earth. So why are all these women (gun-toting Republican wives, guerilla Amazons, militant Israeli women, and even his sister) trying to kill him? Lots of humor mixed with violence and some rough language, yet a very engaging graphic novel, the first in a series of ten.

U.S. Navy Band on Tour

2010-03-03T06:40:00.002-05:00

If you live in the Southeast U.S., the U.S. Navy Band is coming your way. (Tour schedule here.) Cindy and the band left yesterday on a tour which will include stops in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Go check 'em out. It's free; your tax dollars have already paid for it. Enjoy!

)musica(aperta

2010-03-01T07:19:00.004-05:00

Cindy and I shared a wonderful, intriguing experience last night at the National Gallery of Art in D.C., a performance by the group )musica(aperta. The event was called Pheasants, a performance work based on this 1656 painting entitled Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor) by Diego Velazquez.

From the program:

Setting

The Thirty Years' War ended in 1648 with an arranged marriage between Louis XIV of France and his double cousin Maria Teresa, the daughter of Philip IV of Spain. She took on the royal name Marie-Therese in a ceremony organized by Diego Velazquez, Philip's court painter, on Pheasant Island in the Bidassoa River. The event represented the transition of power in Europe from the old "Regime of Mystery" to the new "Empire of Reason." Through music, dance, movement, and theatrics, )musica(aperta reevaluates the event through the looking glass of Velazquez's contemporary painting Portrait of the Family of Philip IV, also known as Las Meninas. In this ars pictorica, what the painting hides matters as much as what it shows. The missing person in this family portrait is the absent daughter, Maria Teresa, given to France in exchange for peace.

Scene

The chambers of the deceased Prince Baltasar at the Royal Alcazar in Madrid, assigned to Velazquez as a studio after the boy died.
A court garden.
The time is circa 1660.

Action

The play is structured as a chess game. The first act takes place in a single morning circa 1656. The second act unfolds in a single afternoon, a year later. The third act happens sometime around 1660, and has the structure of a masque written by the king. The game is interrupted by interludes taken from Tiento XXIII por Alamire by Joan Bautista Cabanilles.

The performance combined instrumental and vocal works by such composers as Shostakovich, Lully, Messiaen, Prokofiev, Golijov and others with dance and acting. I greatly admire )musica(aperta's vision to combine the arts into something new and fresh and hope their vision will find its audience. Many thanks to our friends Stanley and Christiane for inviting us to this extraordinary evening.

Books Bought February

2010-02-28T07:41:00.008-05:00

February was a pretty slim month in the book purchasing department, but I more than made up for it by buying a new TV, Blu-Ray player and Blu-Ray discs. But it's books we're talking about now, so without further ado, here are February's book purchases:

Daredevil: Born Again (GN 1986) - Frank Miller, David Mazzucchelli

I asked the manager at Third Eye Comics to recommend a good introduction to Daredevil for someone who's been out of comics for awhile. He unreservedly recommended Born Again, the story of Matt Murdock's heroin-addicted former girlfriend Karen Page, who spills Murdock's secret identity to The Kingpin for a heroin fix. Not a pretty story, the manager said, but a great introduction (or re-introduction) to the character of Daredevil.

Trade Paperback; Price = $19.99

Planetary Vol. 1 (GN 1999) - Warren Ellis, John Cassaday, Laura Depuy

The name Warren Ellis keeps coming up time and time again in the comics/graphic novel world, so I decided to add Planetary to the list of titles to explore. (More on Ellis next time.)

Trade Paperback; Price = $14.99

Jar City: A Reykjavik Thriller (2000/2006) - Arnaldur Indridason

I know and work with three Karens, one of whom reads a lot of international mysteries. Knowing of my recent fascination for all things Icelandic, she recommended that I try Jar City, the first in the Reykjavik Thriller series. And since this one was really on-the-cheap, how could I resist?

Trade Paperback; Price = $.50

Total Expenditures for February = $35.48

Next time: The stuff I actually read.

The Silver Surfer: Rebirth of Thanos

2010-02-26T17:03:00.003-05:00

I bought The Silver Surfer: Rebirth of Thanos last year at an outlet store somewhere in South Carolina, remembering that I had once owned the first 50 or so issues of the 90s incarnation of The Silver Surfer. (I still have many of them bagged and boarded.) I've always liked the Surfer, but never really cared that much for his comic's first run in the late 60's, probably due to the fact that he was confined to Earth and couldn't really get involved much into all the cosmic stuff that I thought was so cool. Yet in the 90s, all that changed.

It was fun to revisit several of those issues with The Silver Surfer: Rebirth of Thanos, but the graphic novel collection could more aptly be called Rebirth of Thanos, featuring The Silver Surfer. Thanos is in all of the stories, yet the Surfer appears only in the first half of the collection. (The second half collects the Thanos Quest for the six soul-gems.)

I know that all of this leads to the Infinity Gauntlet and beyond, I can't comment on how these stories prepare you for that event, only on how the story stands on its own. I thought the concept of Thanos wanting to kill half the population of the universe quite silly (at least in the way it was presented early on in the story), but I decided to play along, mainly because Ron Lim's artwork is so compelling. The only other artist (in my very limited experience) that has that quirky weirdness is Steve Ditko when he was drawing Dr. Strange. I could look at Lim's work for hours (and did).

The storyline of Thanos searching out and collecting the six soul gems reminded me too much of the Avengers/Defenders War over the Evil Eye, which I believe was also in six pieces. Still, the artwork carried me through, making Rebirth of Thanos a keeper. At least for now...

More Graphic Novels...When Will It End???

2010-02-24T06:57:00.004-05:00

Graphic Novel Mania continues here on the blog these days... I just finished the first volume in Brian K. Vaughan's Y: The Last Man - Unmanned. Yorick Brown - an escape artist with a pet monkey - just wants to be with his girlfriend in Australia when a plague hits that wipes out every male on Earth... except for Yorick. (His monkey is male too, if you want to get technical.) That would be a bad enough day in itself, but Yorick is attacked by a radical group of Amazons celebrating the destruction of men, gun-wielding wives of Republican representatives and more. The violence does get graphic, but the book is also filled with laugh-out-loud moments.

I've also just learned that my friend and Clarion 2004 pal Marjorie M. Liu is now writing Dark Wolverine. (She actually started with issue #82 if I'm not mistaken.) Since this is part of Marvel's The Siege series, I'll be sure to pick this one up.

Some Graphic Novels I've Read While Snowed In

2010-02-11T07:15:00.004-05:00

While You're Waiting to Thaw Out...

2010-02-09T11:16:00.007-05:00

Just a few covers that caught my eye lately. I'm not necessarily going to read these, mind you, but thought that someone out there might be interested.

Elvis, My Best Man
Hey, why not? Would spice up any wedding.

Slow Death By Rubber Duck
This one's actually getting good reviews and might be worth a look. But death by rubber duck? I guess there are worse ways to go... Death by Elmo?

My Two-Year-Old Eats Octopus
I believe it. Trust me, working in a library, I believe it.

Leonard Maltin's 151 Best Movies You've Never Seen
I've never cared for Leonard Maltin, but am curious to see what he thinks are the 151 best movies I've never seen.

The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart
Love the cover, even though both the title and the cover seem to be Stieg Larsson rip-offs.

Books Read January

2010-02-04T08:36:00.013-05:00

Genesis (2006/2009) - Bernard Beckett

Genesis plays on a familiar sf trope: What if robots began to develop their own conscience? Anax is a young woman seeking admittance into the prestigious Academy, but first she must pass a series of examinations. These exams serve as a way to fill us in on the backstory of an island republic that’s sealed itself off from the world by means of a Great Sea Fence. One of the early defenders of the island named Adam disobeys one of the republic’s directives and is imprisoned with an android. This historical event forms the basis of Anax’s “thesis” if you will. What follows is lots of philosophical discussion about man, robot, free will, etc.

Genesis feels like familiar ground for good reason: we’ve been there before with Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick and others. Therein lies the problem. I’m not the most well-read sf reader out there, but early on I had an idea about how the book might end. I’d hoped I was wrong, but I wasn’t. If you’re new to the genre, you might enjoy Genesis. Otherwise, this is probably one republic you’ve already visited.

When You Reach Me (YA 2009) - Rebecca Stead

Everyone seems to be anointing When You Reach Me as one of last year’s best novels for children, maybe even the best. While I was intrigued by much of the book, narrated by a sixth-grader named Miranda, I wasn’t completely caught up in it. Set in New York City in 1979, Miranda is fascinated with Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time, a fascination that seems to drive the story in some ways, ways perhaps even Miranda doesn’t understand. The novel is really about friendship and relationships (its strongest point, in my opinion), but there are also weird things at work: mysterious notes left for Miranda, a new weird boy in her class and a strange homeless man hanging out near a mailbox.

The problem for me was that Miranda wasn’t more fascinated about what was going on around her. She takes it all these strange happenings as rather routine, which, after reading A Wrinkle in Time, seems very unlikely. An enjoyable read, but I’m certainly not ready to say this was the best children’s book of 2009.

Scenting the Dark and Other Stories (2009) - Mary Robinette Kowal

Thoughts here.

Some of Your Blood (1961) - Theodore Sturgeon

My fear is that with each passing year, fewer and fewer people seem to be talking about Theodore Sturgeon. Maybe it’s just where I am and the circles I move in, but I certainly hope Sturgeon is not in danger of being forgotten. This odd psychological tale of a disturbed soldier with a horrific secret is a real page-turner, although the letter format of the first several pages gets rather tiresome. Some sections of the novel seem quite dated, but the unsettling sense of unease Sturgeon creates is remarkable.

Essential Fantastic Four Vol. 3 (GN 2007) - Stan Lee, Jack Kirby

It’s always fun to revisit the comics of my youth. I once owned most of these original issues of the Fantastic Four (issues #41-62 plus Annuals #3 and 4), so the otherworldly Kirby artwork was familiar, yet still pretty awesome nearly 40 years after I’d first discovered it. What doesn’t always hold up are Stan Lee’s stories, but you have to consider what most comic writing was like at the time. It’s still fun to watch the characters develop and the progression of some of the most ground-breaking art in comics.

Holy Superheroes! Exploring the Sacred in Comics, Graphic Novels and Film (NF 2008) - Greg Garrett

This short, interesting book examines several of the major American comics from Marvel and DC Universes, focusing on their spiritual aspects. Chapter themes and topics include Evil, Justice, Vigilantism and more. Although the thrust of the book is comics and graphic novels, Garrett includes some discussion of movies (most of which are film versions of comics/graphic novels). I only wish the book had gone into a little more depth, but it’s a good starting point.

Valdez is Coming (1970) - Elmore Leonard

Elmore Leonard seldom disappoints. Heck, maybe never. It's rare that I read Westerns, but Leonard's writing (and especially his dialogue) is so good, you forget you're reading a Western. A masterful storyteller. There's a dying scene that's written so well, so poignantly, you'd think Leonard actually died to see what it was like so he could write about it.

The Authority Vol. I: Relentless (GN 1999) - Warren Ellis, Bryan Hitch, Paul Neary, Laura Depuy

Writer Warren Ellis presents a team of superheroes doggedly determined to combat an international terrorist and his army. It’s amazing to think that these original issues appeared pre-9/11. The artwork and coloring are astounding. This is one of the few graphic novels I want to revisit soon.

The Nobody (GN 2009) - Jeff Lemire

After reading Lemire’s Tales of Essex County Vol. 1, I had some idea of what The Nobody would be like: sparse drawings, atmospheric renderings of small-town life, odd characters. Yet The Nobody captivated me in a way that Essex County did not. I won't be able to articulate exactly how until I read it again, and maybe not even then.

A man walks into a small Canadian fishing village wrapped in bandages, very much like The Invisible Man. The townspeople are understandably suspicious, all except for a teenage girl who feels strangely drawn to the man. The Nobody did not go where I expected, which in itself is refreshing. Definitely worth a look.

That's it for January. Now go and read something.

The End Begins Tonight

2010-02-02T07:02:00.004-05:00

With both anticipation and trepidation, I await tonight's season opener of the sixth and final season of Lost. I missed the first two seasons, caught up to speed on DVD, then watched Seasons 3-5 as they aired. I guess you could say I was fascinated with Seasons 1 and 2, was a little disappointed in the strike-interrupted Season 3, engaged once again with Season 4, and often quite confused with Season 5. I still think it's a good show and maybe even a great one, depending on how they end it.

One of my concerns is all the loose ends hanging around. They are legion. My friend John and I always talk about how shows shouldn't even hit the air unless the writers have the entire thing mapped out, saying "Here's the show from beginning to end: four seasons (or five or six, or whatever)." But I know television doesn't work that way. I just like to know that the writers aren't flying by the seats of their pants, that they have a plan and they're sticking to it.

So many shows have started well and have not been satisfying over the long run, especially at the end (X-Files). And some shows are just cut off in midstream (Firefly, Carnivale). So when the writers of Lost say that this is indeed the end, I'm hoping they know what they're doing.

'Cause I sure as heck don't.

Books Bought January

2010-02-01T06:48:00.013-05:00

Scenting the Dark and Other Stories (2009) - Mary Robinette Kowal

It’s rare that I purchase a book sight unseen by an unknown author, but I’d read so many glowing reviews about Mary Robinette Kowal’s writing that I decided to give this short collection a try. Plus it’s always nice to support the independent press, in this case, Subterranean Press.

Hardcover signed edition; Price = $25

Voices: A Thriller (2003/2006) - Arnaldur Indridason

An Icelandic mystery recommended to me by one of the several Karens that I know. I’ve lately become stricken with all things Icelandic, so it’s no surprise that Icelandic Fever would affect my reading choices. Actually I’ll have to wait on this one, not realizing at the time that this is the third book in a series. Ah, well....

Hardcover signed edition; Price = $3.98

Valdez is Coming (1970) - Elmore Leonard

I’ve read very few westerns, but I have read a few Elmore Leonard novels (and I love his dialogue). This is one of those “Read the Novel/See the Film” books. I did see the film many, many years ago and am eager to read the book.

Trade Paperback; Price = $3.98

Listen to This: Leading Musicians Recommend Their Favorite Artists and Recordings (NF 1999) - Alan Reder

Now how could you not like this book: Musicians talking about their favorite artists and recordings? Who knew that DMC is a fan of Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon or that jazz saxophonist David Sanborn digs Puccini operas? What a fun book!

Trade Paperback; Price = $5.98

What Are the Seven Wonders of the World? and 100 Other Great Cultural Lists--Fully Explicated (NF 1998) - Peter D’Epiro

Here are just some of the questions answered in this book:

Who are the 3 daughters of King Lear?
What are the 4 properties of a musical tone?
What were the 5 events of the ancient Olympic pentathlon?
Which were the 6 Axis Powers in World War II?
What are the 7 voyages of Sinbad the Sailor?

and such all the way through the number 24 (although a few numbers are skipped). A true geek’s delight!

Trade Paperback; Price = $4.98

Here, There Be Dragons (J-Fic 2006) - James A. Owen

I’m not sure where I heard about this fantasy novel for kids, but it’s been on my list for at least a couple of years.

Hardcover; Price = $5.98

The Authority Vol. 1: Relentless (GN 1999) - Warren Ellis, etc.

I’ve been trying to broaden my graphic novel horizons lately and thought this might be a good place to start. Thanks to my friend Orangerful and Steve at Third Eye Comics in Annapolis for steering me in the right direction.

Trade Paperback; Price = $14.95

Literary Theory: A Very Short Introduction (NF 1997) - Jonathan Culler

My Clarion 2004 bud Trent Hergenrader spoke highly of the Very Short Introduction series published by Oxford University Press, so I decided to take the plunge with this volume. (Purchased with birthday $)

Trade Paperback; Price = $8.60

The American Cinema: Directors and Directions 1929-1968 (NF 1968) - Andrew Sarris

I’d heard the name Andrew Sarris before, but after reading about him in Roger Ebert’s Awake in the Dark, I thought it was time to read him. (Another purchased with birthday $)

Trade Paperback; Price = $12.50

Notes from a Small Island (NF 1996) - Bill Bryson

The Ultimate Teen Book Guide says that this one is a laugh a minute. I’ve read a couple of Bryson’s books and enjoyed them, so for ten cents, it wasn’t a huge leap of faith.

Trade Paperback; Price = $.10

Suttree (1992) - Cormac McCarthy
I’ve greatly enjoyed Blood Meridian and No Country for Old Men, but those who have read more McCarthy than I have say this is his best work.

Hardcover; Price = $.50

The Motel Life (2007) - Willy Vlautin

The plot of this one sounds like a bad county song: two brothers from Reno are on the run after killing a boy in a hit-and-run accident. Could be because Vlautin is a member of the alt-country band Richmond Fontaine. I’ve got a feeling I’ll either love or hate this one.

Ex-Library Trade Paperback; Price = $.10

The Dragon King Saga (1985) - Stephen Lawhead

Someone recommended this trilogy (beginning with In the Hall of the Dragon King) over 25 years ago. I don’t know if I’ll still enjoy it now, but hey, the whole trilogy is in one place and the price was right.

Mass Market Paperback; Price = $.10

“Repent, Harlequin!” Said the Ticktockman (1997) - Harlan Ellison

Ah, one of the first sf stories I read as a “serious” reader. How could I turn this down?

Ex-Library Hardcover; Price = $.50

Tales of the Ten Lost Tribes (2008) - Tamar Yellin

I believe it was Jeff VanderMeer who highly recommended this on his blog. It was on the weedling list and almost no one had checked it out, so I shelled out two quarters.

Ex-Library Hardcover; Price = $.50

Grilling: Exciting International Flavors from the World's Premier Culinary College (NF 2006) - The Culinary Institute of America

It’s not quite grilling time yet (not with six inches of snow on the ground), but it’ll be here before you know it. And since I need to expand my grilling repertoire, here’s the perfect solution.

Ex-Library Hardcover; Price = $.50

Total Book Expenditures for January = $88.25

Next Time: What I Actually Read

The New Peter Straub Novel - Release Date February 9

2010-01-27T21:10:00.003-05:00

The book trailer for Peter Straub's upcoming novel A Dark Matter. I can't wait for this one!

Geaux Saints!

2010-01-25T07:31:00.005-05:00

I rarely write about sports here on the blog, but I'm faced with something I truly never thought would happen: The New Orleans Saints going to the Super Bowl. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad for them, you might even say delighted. When I was growing up in Mississippi, the Saints were the nearest NFL team, so we saw their games every painful, excruciating week. And they were awful. I mean really bad. If you didn't grow up watching them every week, I'm not sure you can truly appreciate the depth of atrociousness that was the Saints.

They really sucked.

Yet there were glimmers. There was Tom Dempsey (a man with half a left foot) kicking a 63-yard field goal in 1970, a record that still stands today (although Jason Elam tied the record a few years ago). And of course, there was Archie Manning. I remember watching the Saints on TV and going to a couple of games. At the time, I didn't know a lot about football, yet I did know that quarterback Manning was clearly talented, but he couldn't do it all by himself. As a whole, the team just never seemed to be able to put it all together. Manning's last season was in 1982, about halfway thorough my college days. I still watched, still hoped, but to no avail. It really boggled the mind how the Saints would have a game all but locked up and lose in the closing seconds due to either a bonehead play or a freak sequence of events that no one could have predicted. When Ken Stabler went to the Saints for three seasons in the 80s, there was hope, but those hopes never materialized. I remember the "Aints," the bags over the heads and everything.

Then came a real turnaround in 1979. The Saints won 8 games and lost 8 games that season. It was a really, really big deal: the first time they weren't losers. If you don't know the rest of their history, you will. Just turn on any sports station or watch ESPN for the next two weeks. You'll hear all about it.

Again, I'm delighted for them. It's hard to describe, but there's almost a sense of relief in last night's Championship Game. There was something about growing up, watching the Saints lose week after week, year after year, even decade after decade that really got to me. I'm not sure why. I never played organized football and my favorite team was the Dallas Cowboys (perhaps because they did win a lot?), but something about all those Saints losses really hurt. Maybe it caused me to want to strive for something bigger, not just to not lose, but to win, to excel. Maybe watching those Saints games made me work a little harder to achieve my goals as a musician, a teacher, a writer, a person.

Or maybe I just like to see the underdog win sometimes. I don't know.

But I'm glad for the Saints. Best of luck in the Super Bowl. Enjoy!

I'm So Confused...

2010-01-22T06:36:00.004-05:00

We're getting closer to making a large(r) screen TV a reality, but the more I look, the more confused I get. The Samsung LN40B630 40-Inch is probably my top choice right now. I'd like to get a 46", but I think the price jump is a little too much. The things I will insist on are 120Hz (as opposed to 60Hz, even though the prices for the 60Hz are dropping like crazy) and 1080p.

I've still got lots of review to read and places to look. Maybe this weekend. It's not so much confusing as it is time-consuming. The other considerations require just as much thought. For instance, a Blu-Ray player, one that will allow me to watch streaming NetFlix and allow me to up-convert my regular DVDs to near HD quality. I've heard that a lot of Blu-Ray players just don't hold up, breaking after a few months. Everyone's trying to get me to consider the PS3, but I'm not interested in games (and don't want to get addicted!).

And what about surround sound? If I get surround, the speakers in the back of the room will have to be wireless. $$$

Lastly (and most oddly), Cindy and I rarely watch TV. So why the big screen? I love movies. That's the main reason I want the TV. Currently we get only local channels which is fine with us. I'm hoping I'll still be able to pull the same channels out of the air with the TV's digital tuner. I certainly don't want to pay $60 a month for channels I'll never watch.

Lots of my Facebook buddies (especially Don) have given me some great advice and insight. Still....Decisions, decisions.

Goals, Not Resolutions

2010-01-16T06:52:00.005-05:00

So we're over two weeks into 2010... How are you doing on your resolutions? Most of the people who have resolved to get in shape at my gym either have already given up or are going at a time other than my usual time. I hope they haven't given up, but I do like to find a parking spot and available equipment.

Anyway, I prefer the term goals to resolutions. Resolutions are usually heard in the form of "I'm going to lose weight this year" or "I'm going to get in shape this year." Too vague. A goal, in my mind, is more specific and has a definite time-table. For instance, one of my goals is to read at least 120 poems in 2010. Why? I'm quite poetry-ignorant and want to understand how poems work, both for enjoyment and my own writing. (Although I don't plan on writing any poetry, I think reading it can greatly enhance your fiction writing.) So my goal is to read at least 10 poems a month. That's not that many, but it's probably nine more than I typically read a month. And by read, I don't mean zip through; rather absorb, dwell on, chew, digest.

Next, to get at least one short story published in 2010. In the last three or four years, I've had one story published (all in small magazines or on websites most people have never heard of) with the exception of 2009 in which I published nothing. Mostly because I wrote nothing, certainly nothing of consequence, other than revising a YA novel, which is still sitting on my hard drive. It's not a lofty goal, but I need to spend a minimum of 10 hours a week writing from January to April (this is over and above the novel revision, which I plan to have ready to submit by July). Again, that's not much. It's certainly not enough, but I should have more time on my hands in April.

And finally (although this is not my final goal, not by a long shot), to read (or listen to) Roberto Bolano's massive 2666, not only because it's been on my shelf for over a year, but also because it represents all of the other books that have been sitting on my shelf for well over a year. (It was also given to me by a co-worker and one day she's going to ask me how I liked it!) My goal is to have it read by the end of February.

Tell me about your goals. Or resolutions. Or dreams.

Scenting the Dark and Other Stories (2009) - Mary Robinette Kowal

2010-01-11T07:15:00.004-05:00

Scenting the Dark and Other Stories (2009) - Mary Robinette Kowal

There's a lot of great science fiction, fantasy and horror being published by small presses and I like to support their efforts when I can. Usually I'll purchase a couple of small press books a year, books that I know I can't get anywhere else by authors I know I'll like. I decided to take a chance on Mary Robinette Kowal's debut collection of short stories from Subterranean Press. I'd never read one word of Kowal's work, but have read glowing reviews of her individual stories as they appeared in print or online. So it was a bit of a risk spending $25 on a slim 80-page book by a relatively unknown author.

I'm so glad I did.

Kowal's stories are filled with interesting characters and fascinating ideas, but it's the human element (as well as excellent writing) that makes this collection soar. Two of the stories concern young adults who yearn for something they don't yet have. In the case of a boy named Aage in "This Little Pig," it's a 1952 MG in a future in which internal combustion engines are largely a thing of the past. For a girl named Jaiden in "Jaiden's Weaver," it's an expensive teddy bear spider that her homesteading family will never be able to afford. Both stories capture not only the yearning of these two people, but also the humanity and struggles that we all remember from our youth (and beyond).

"Just Right," about OCD and "Locked In" about a man suffering from ALS are both moving without becoming sappy, powerful without being manipulative. Yet the title story is my favorite, a tale of a blind man and his dog who travel to distant planets searching for exotic native fragrances that can be turned into perfumes. Kowal narrates this gripping "first contact" story from the blind man's point-of-view. I challenge anyone to write a gripping, nail-biting alien story as good as this one without using visual imagery.

Kowal, winner of the Campbell Award for Best New Writer, is clearly a writer to watch. I know I plan to.

Book Loot

2010-01-09T09:28:00.009-05:00

Well, the holidays are over, most of us have been back to work for awhile, so now it's time to reflect on what's really important. That's right, Book Loot. Here are the books I received for the holidays:

I'd never heard of Nicholas Carr until recently, but from what I've read, he has an interesting perspective on technology and culture. I've dabbled into Big Switch and have had a tough time putting it down. I can say the same for Jeff VanderMeer's Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer. Lots of great stuff in here, but I'm reading it in bits and pieces as not to get overwhelmed. (Thanks, Dave and Cher!)

I don't always agree with him, but I do enjoy Roger Ebert's writing. I'm already over 100 pages into Awake in the Dark and am delighted to have received it. (Thanks, Jan and Pete!) High Wire by Peter Gosselin is actually not a Christmas present, but Cindy's dad read it and thought I'd like it.

I've been coveting the ESV Study Bible (Is it right to covet a Bible???) for quite some time, so I was delighted to get it for Christmas. This is a beautifully put together Bible with study aids, cultural references, maps, just all kinds of stuff. (Thanks, Cindy!)

I decided to take advantage of the Small Beer Press sale (which is now over), an effort to raise money for the Franciscan Children's Hospital in Boston. I also decided to try two authors I've never read - Cloud & Ashes: Three Winter's Tales by Greer Gilman and Hound, a mystery by Vincent McCaffrey. These two and the next two books were sort of presents to myself, so I didn't take a look at them until after the New Year. (Well, not much of a look...)

More from the Small Beer Press sale, Benjamin Rosenblum's The Ant King and Other Stories and A Working Writer's Daily Planner, a really nifty and inspiring planner/journal that I've been using since Jan. 1. I highly recommend it.

Okay... Tell me about the books you got. (You did ask for books, didn't you?)

The Year in Reading

2010-01-04T09:51:00.003-05:00

I finished 2009 with 119 total books read, one less than I read in 2008. A lot of people seem impressed with reading over 100 books a year, but they shouldn't be. I know a lot of people who read many more than I do, some over 200. And consider that many of these books (over one third) were audiobooks.

A few breakdowns:

Fiction = 89
Non-Fiction = 39

Male authors = 86
Female authors = 36

Translated works = 5

And the breakdown by Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction, YA and J-Fiction: (It makes a nice little peace sign if you turn it upside down.)

Enough with the stats and graphs! Here's everything that I read in 2009:

JANUARY

Hot, Flat and Crowded: Why We Need a Green Revolution--and How It Can Renew America (NF 2008) - Thomas L. Friedman * * * *
Last Evenings on Earth: Stories (2006 translation) - Roberto Bolano * * * * 1/2
Mansfield Park (1814) - Jane Austen * * * * *
The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death (2009) - Charlie Huston * * * *
The Hour I First Believed (2008) - Wally Lamb * * * 1/2
Ernest Hemingway on Writing (NF 1984) - Larry W. Phillips, ed. * * * *
The Truth About Celia (2003) - Kevin Brockmeier * * * * *
Indemnity Only (1982) - Sara Paretsky * * *
Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (1964) - Philip K. Dick * * * *
What I Saw and How I Lied (YA 2008) - Judy Blundell * * * * *
The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (YA 2007) - Sherman Alexie * * * * *

FEBRUARY

Killshot (1989) - Elmore Leonard * * * *
Looking for Alaska (YA 2005) - John Green * * * * 1/2
The Hunger Games (YA 2008) - Suzanne Collins * * * * 1/2
Logged On and Tuned Out: A Nontechie’s Guide to Parenting a Tech-Savvy Generation (NF 2007) - Vicki Courtney * * * 1/2
Deadville (YA 2008) - Ron Koertge * * * * *
The Final Solution (2004) - Michael Chabon * * * 1/2
The 39 Clues, Book 1: The Maze of Bones (J-Fic 2008) - Rick Riordan * * 1/2
Bog Child (YA 2008) - Siobhan Dowd * * * * *
Little Brother (YA 2008) - Cory Doctorow * * *

MARCH

Me, the Missing, and the Dead (YA 2008) - Jenny Valentine * * * * 1/2
The Adoration of Jenna Fox (YA 2008) - Mary E. Pearson * * * 1/2
The Little Sleep (2009) - Paul Tremblay * * * *
Newes from the Dead (YA 2008) - Mary Hooper * * * 1/2
The Castle (1922) - Franz Kafka * * * *
Outliers: The Story of Success (NF 2008) - Malcolm Gladwell * * * * 1/2
Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life (NF 2008) - Colin Duriez * * * 1/2
Snow Falling in Spring: Coming of Age in China During the Cultural Revolution (YA NF 2008) - Moying Li * * *
Faceless Killers (1991/2003) - Henning Mankell * * * 1/2
The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment (NF 2007) - Tim Challies * * * * *
No Choirboy: Murder, Violence, and Teenagers on Death Row (YA NF 2008) - Susan Kuklin * * * 1/2

APRIL

Ubik (1969) - Philip K. Dick * * * *
Hooked: New Science on How Casual Sex is Affecting Our Children (NF 2008) - Joe S. McIlhaney, Jr., MD and Freda McKissic Bush, MD * * * * 1/2
Mr. Gaunt and Other Uneasy Encounters (2008) - John Langan * * * *
The Manual of Detection (2009) - Jedediah Berry * * *
Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else (NF 2008) - Colvin Geoff * * * *
Castle (2009) - J. Robert Lennon * * * * *
Feathers (J-Fic 2007) - Jacqueline Woodson * * *
Knots and Crosses (1987) - Ian Rankin * * * * 1/2
My Teacher is an Alien (J-Fic 1989) - Bruce Coville * * * 1/2
An Open Book: Coming of Age in the Heartland (NF 2003) - Michael Dirda * * * *

MAY

The Grifters (1963) - Jim Thompson * * * * *
The Neddiad (J-Fic 2007) - Daniel Pinkwater * * * *
Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose (NF 1969) - Flannery O’Connor * * * * *
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (J-Fic 1973) - John Bellairs * * * 1/2 (2nd x)
Private Midnight (2009) - Kris Saknussemm * * * * 1/2
Making Movies (NF 1995) - Sidney Lumet * * * * *
Hide and Seek (1990) - Ian Rankin * * * *

JUNE

Pretty Monsters (YA 2008) - Kelly Link * * * * *
Why We’re Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be) - (NF 2008) - Kevin DeYoung and
Ted Kluck * * * * *
No Right to Remain Silent: The Tragedy at Virginia Tech (NF 2009) - Lucinda Roy * * * *
Hostage (2001) - Robert Crais * * * 1/2
Wait Till Helen Comes (J-Fic 1986) - Mary Dowling Hahn * * 1/2
The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith (NF 2008) - Tim Keller * * * * *
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (J-Fic 1968) - E.L. Konigsburg * * * *
The Impossible Bird (2002) - Patrick O’Leary * * * 1/2
Ignore Everybody and 39 Others Keys to Creativity (NF 2009) - Hugh MacLeod * * * *
Tooth and Nail (1992) - Ian Rankin * * *

JULY

Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, an American Town (NF 2009) - Warren St. John * * * * 1/2
Dead Until Dark (2001) - Charlaine Harris * * * 1/2
The Lightning Thief: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Book 1 (J-Fic 2006) - Rick Riordan * * * 1/2
Intent to Kill (2009) - James Grippando * * 1/2

AUGUST

The Scarecrow (2009) - Michael Connelly * * * *
Strange Telescopes: Following the Apocalypse from Moscow to Siberia (NF 2009) - Daniel Kalder * * * * 1/2
Simplexity: Why Simple Things Become Complex (and How Complex Things Can Be Made Simple) (NF 2008) - Jeffrey Kluger * * *
The Girl Who Played with Fire (2006/2009) - Stieg Larsson * * * * *
The Thin Book of Naming Elephants: How to surface Undiscussables for Greater Organizational Success (NF 2004) - Sue Annis Hammond & Andrea B. Mayfield * * * *
Same Kind of Different As Me (NF 2006) - Ron Hall & Denver Moore w/Lynn Vincent * * * *
Illyria (2007) - Elizabeth Hand * * * * 1/2
White Sands, Red Menace (J-Fic 2008) - Ellen Klages * * * *
Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations...One School at a Time (NF 2006) - Greg Mortenson, David Oliver Relin * *
The Lincoln-Douglas Debates * * * *

SEPTEMBER

The Long Goodbye (1953) - Raymond Chandler * * * * *
Life As We Knew It (YA 2008) - Susan Beth Pfeffer (Books For The Beast) * * *
The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership (NF 2009) - Bill Walsh with Steve Jamison and Craig Walsh * * * * 1/2
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking (NF 2005) - Malcolm Gladwell * * * * 1/2 (2x)
World of Faith and Freedom: Why International Religious Liberty is Vital to American National Security (NF 2008) - Thomas F. Farr * * * * 1/2
The Siege (2009) - Stephen White * * * *
Ravens (2009) - George Dawes Green * * * * *
Unwind (YA 2007) - Neal Shusterman (BFTB) * * * * 1/2
Farewell, My Lovely (1940) - Raymond Chandler * * * * 1/2
Slammer (2009) - Allan Guthrie * * * *
Wake (YA 2008) - Lisa McCann (BFTB) * * *
The Sacredness of Questioning Everything (NF 2009) - David Dark * * * * *

OCTOBER

Confessions - St. Augustine (trans. Henry Chadwick) * * * * *
Wise Blood (1952) - Flannery O’Connor * * * *
Marked (YA 2007) - P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast (BFTB) * *
Graceling (YA 2008) - Kristin Cashore (BFTB) * * * *
The Concrete Blonde (1994) - Michael Connelly * * * *
The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural (YA 2007) - Deborah Noyes, ed. (BFTB) * * *
Isis (2006) - Douglas Clegg * * * * 1/2
Columbine (NF 2009) - Dave Cullen * * * * *
Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (NF 2008) - Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski * * * * *
Her Fearful Symmetry (2009) - Audrey Niffenegger * * * *

NOVEMBER

The Space Between: A Parent’s Guide to Teenage Development (NF 2009) - Walt Mueller * * * *
Audrey’s Door (2009) - Sarah Langan * * *
As I Lay Dying (1930) - William Faulkner * * * * *
Await Your Reply (2009) - Dan Chaon * * * * *
This is For the Mara Salvatrucha: Inside the MS-13, America’s Most Violent Gang (NF 2009) - Samuel Logan * * 1/2
Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That
Matters (NF 2009) - Timothy Keller * * * * *
Odd and the Frost Giants (J-Fic 2009) - Neil Gaiman * * * *
Stormbreaker (YA 2001) - Anthony Horowitz * * * *
Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye (J-Fic 2004) - Geronimo Stilton * * * 1/2
The Film Club (NF 2008) - David Gilmour * * * 1/2
Good People (2008) - Marcus Sakey * * * *
Pobby and Dingan (2000) - Ben Rice * * * * 1/2
Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity (NF 2006) - David Lynch
* * * 1/2

DECEMBER

The Real Festivus; The True Story Behind America’s Favorite Made-up Holiday (NF 2005) - Dan O’Keefe * * * 1/2
The Fine Line: Re-envisioning the Gap Between Christ and Culture (NF 2008) - Kary
Oberbrunner * * * * *
Rogue Male (1939) - Geoffrey Household * * * * 1/2
9 Dragons (2009) - Michael Connelly * * * * 1/2
Break (YA 2009) - Hannah Moskowitz * * * *
Peace Like a River (2001) - Leif Enger * * * * 1/2
Secret Lives (2008) - Jeff VanderMeer * * * * *
The Giant-Slayer (J-Fic 2009) - Iain Lawrence * * * *
Red Shift (1973) - Alan Garner * * * * 1/2
unChristian: What a New Generation Thinks about Christianity...and Why It Matters (NF 2007) -
David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons * * * * 1/2
Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall (2009) - Kazuo Ishiguro * * * 1/2
Leviathan (YA 2009) - Scott Westerfeld * * * * 1/2

Okay. Now go and read something.

Best Books of 2009: Fiction

2009-12-31T07:25:00.015-05:00

Originally I planned to write separate categories for general fiction, SF/Fantasy, and Horror. There's really not much straight-up SF/Fantasy or Horror on this list, but some titles contain elements of each of these genres, so let's just toss out all the genre classifications! Right out the window - There they go! After all, good writing is good writing, right? So: the best adult fiction of any kind that I read in 2009:

Mansfield Park (1814) - Jane Austen

Everyone should read something by Jane Austen at some point in their lives. Yes, everyone. No, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies doesn't count (although it is fun).

The Truth About Celia (2003) - Kevin Brockmeier

If you asked me to give you just one word on what I thought of this novel it might be "sad" or "beautiful" or maybe just "Wow." Or maybe I'd just point to the book, then point to you, then point to the book again. Sometimes word descriptions just don't work. Maybe I'd just hand you the book.

The Truth About Celia is a book of interconnected short stories told from various points of view. Celia is a seven-year-old girl playing in her backyard one early spring morning while her father Christopher shows their historic house to a couple of visitors. Janet, Celia's mother, has gone to rehearse with a community orchestra. And at some point during the day, Celia simply disappears without a trace.

Christopher, a writer, tries to deal with Celia's disappearance by creating stories that might explain what happened to his daughter. Sometimes they're stories of pure fantasy as in "The Green Children," a story of two children who are transported to a parallel world where their green color fades with time. Another, "Appearance, Disappearance, Levitation, Transformation, and the Divided Woman," is a tale from the point of view of Stephanie, a divorcee whose ten-year-old son Micah wants desperately to become a magician. Sometimes the connecting elements of these stories are clear, sometimes nebulous as Brockmeier bends the rules of narration to wonderful effect.

Other stories are told from Christopher's point of view, Janet's, and even Celia's. Maybe the most effective story, "The Telephone," is about Christopher receiving calls from Celia over the toy phone still in her room four years after her disappearance. Yet Christopher is torn between keeping the news of the calls to himself or sharing them with Janet while their marriage begins to slowly disintegrate.

Sad. Beautiful. Wow. Get your hands on it and read it.

Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (1964) - Philip K. Dick

A novel I'd like to read again soon. A wild ride with lots to think about. Read the Wikipedia description. It's far too much to go into here. And if you've never read PDK before, this is probably not the best place to start. My vote would be The Man in the High Castle.

Castle (2009) - J. Robert Lennon

The most powerful book I read in the first half of 2009. Since reading it, I've seen many negative reviews. Ignore them. Eric Loesch buys a large piece of land in his upper New York state hometown. He wonders if the locals remember him, as their welcomes seem not-so-welcome. Loesch discovers one small part of his land that is actually owned by someone else, yet the owner's name is blackened out on all the legal documents. An extremely potent look at power, memory, culture and the 21st century world we live in. Highly recommended.

Her Fearful Symmetry (2009) - Audrey Niffenegger

Audrey Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry has taken a lot of knocks, many of them unfounded. I believe the culprit in this case is the old "I-loved-your-first-book-and-demand-that-each-subsequent-book-be-just-like-it" syndrome. I have not read her first novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, so I cannot make any comparisons, but even if I had, it shouldn't matter. Writers (and all artists) are free to pursue any paths they choose, even if they diverge from the expectations of their previous works. If it's good writing, it's good writing and it shouldn't matter if Niffenegger's next novel is about time travelers, ghosts or pig farming in Oslo.

The main story here (and there are several smaller ones) concerns 20-year-old American twins Julia and Valentina Poole, who have inherited a London apartment from their recently deceased aunt, whom they have never met. But there are two important conditions: the twins must live in the apartment for a full year before they can sell it and the girls' parents must never enter it. I guess if I had to pin this novel down, it's a ghost story, but it's so much more. The writing is wonderful, the atmosphere both humorous and creepy. Her Fearful Symmetry is one of those novels that comes dangerously close to coming off the rails at times (especially as the ending approaches), but I found myself drawn in, unwilling to leave until it was over (and maybe even not then).

As I Lay Dying (1930) - William Faulkner

(I choose this cover because I find the Oprah sticker so distasteful.)

“My mother is a fish.” Oh boy. Faulkner loves multiple points of view, stream of consciousness and dark, dark humor. He also loves strange and does it well. I haven’t read tons of Faulkner (at least not yet), but As I Lay Dying seems to me one of his more approachable novels. One by one, we meet the family of Addie Bundren as they seek to honor her wish to be buried in a nearby town. As with much of Faulkner’s work, the novel is set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi.

Pobby and Dingan (2000) - Ben Rice

Delightful, funny, sad and celebratory short novel about Kellyanne, a young girl who loses her imaginary friends Pobby and Dingan. The story is narrated by Kellyanne’s brother Ashmol, who believes in none of the products of Kellyanne’s imagination. But he does care about her. Seek this short book (only 94 pages) out. You won’t be sorry.

Private Midnight (2009) - Kris Saknussemm

This is one seriously messed-up book. Many readers have said that Private Midnight is hands-down the weirdest book they've ever read. I'd have to say that Mark Z. Danielewski's House of Leaves still holds that distinction for me, but Saknussemm's novel is definitely near the top.

Private Midnight is a mixture of detective noir, David Lynch, supernatural horror, psychological games, mythology, sexuality and way, way more. Disturbing? Yes. Also very hard to put down.

Illyria (2007) - Elizabeth Hand

(Please note that the picture on the left is the expanded novel-length edition of Illyria, due out in May, 2010. The novella that I read is pictured on the right.)

It pains me that Elizabeth Hand is not more widely read. Both her short and long fiction are stunning. She has a beautiful command of the language and a vision of the strange that together form work that is simply incredible. Illyria is a dark romance focused on the stage, particularly Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." Maddy and her cousin Rogan are teenagers born on the same day, yet in many ways opposites. Romantic and artistic longings are beautifully and painfully intertwined in this short, masterfully written tale.

Isis (2006/2009) - Douglas Clegg

First published as a limited edition by Cemetery Dance in 2006, Clegg's novella has thankfully gained a wider audience in this Vanguard Press edition. If you could bring a loved one back from the dead, would you do it? The concept has been around forever, but Clegg has managed to make the tale compelling and extremely difficult to put down. A creepy little Gothic tale with some wonderful illustrations.

Peace Like a River (2001) - Leif Enger

I have found that you either love Enger's Peace Like a River or you hate it. You either buy into it or you don't. The novel, set in rural Minnesota in the early 1960s, is narrated by Reuben "Rube" Land, an asthmatic 11-year-old boy. The plot itself is fairly simple: two boys break into the Land home, intending to threaten (or just scare?) Rube's 9-year-old sister Swede. Older brother Davy intervenes, killing the two boys before hiding out from the police. The bulk of the novel consists of the family trying to find Davy before the law does. The book contains a combination of earthiness, elements of the fantastic and faith. Perhaps each of these elements in isolation bother people. Perhaps it's the combination of them. Regardless, Peace Like a River is a unique experience that's worth your time.

Await Your Reply (2009) - Dan Chaon

Finally, my favorite read from 2009. No other novel I read this year was as compelling and as satisfying as this one. In the first chapter of Await Your Reply, we see Ryan Schuyler, a college dropout, racing down the highway with his severed hand in an ice chest. In the next, it's Lucy Lattimore, recent a high school graduate running away with her history teacher. Then we have Miles Chesire, searching for his twin brother who vanished 10 years ago. From there, it's a wild ride.

Wild, but not chaotic. I could tell you more about these characters, but I won't. (And I'd advise you not to read too many reviews that might reveal more than you want to know.) Dan Chaon masterfully unwinds these parallel stories that seem to have no connecting elements other than identity.

Await Your Reply is all about identity and the possibility of starting over, a concept attractive to many people in these unstable times. But the novel is also about family, relationships, trust and fear. Alternating chapters told across various timelines add an almost insurmountable tension, keeping the pages turning at a brisk pace. Yet read too quickly and you'll miss some wonderfully resonant writing that requires patience.

As soon as I finished the novel, I wanted to start it again just to see if I could find the clues that I'd missed the first time. You may have the same reaction. Don't be surprised. And don't plan to get much sleep once you've started this one.

That's it for fiction. Next time: a list of every blessed book I read in 2009: good, bad and everything in between.

Best Books of 2009: Mystery and Suspense

2009-12-29T05:58:00.012-05:00

I read a good bit of mystery/suspense this year, but to be honest, most of it wasn't very good. So here's what was left, the best of the mystery/suspense/action/thriller/noir books I read in 2009:

The Grifters (1963) - Jim Thompson

Several thoughts on this one here.

The Little Sleep (2009) - Paul Tremblay

Don't let this little jewel slip under the radar; seek it out. South Boston PI Mark Genevich suffers from narcolepsy. That's right, a private investigator who can fall asleep while questioning someone, while on a case, while driving, while... well, you get the picture. A wonderful combination of the hard-boiled and surreal with plenty of humor and power. Definitely worthy of your time. Check it out.

The Girl Who Played with Fire (2006/2009) - Stieg Larsson

If you haven't yet caught Larsson fever, start with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Just understand that this second book, The Girl Who Played with Fire, is even better.

Knots and Crosses (1987) - Ian Rankin

My first experience with Rankin and his Scottish detective John Rebus. Good, solid (if somewhat dark) detective fiction. I read the first three books in the series this year and while Hide and Seek and Tooth and Nail were both good, Knots and Crosses is the best of the three for my money. (Thanks to my friend Tom for recommending Rankin.)

The Siege (2009) - Stephen White

I’d never read anything by White before now, but I may keep reading him on the basis of this one. The action takes place at Yale, where someone is holding an unknown number of students inside the building of one of the university’s secret societies. At various intervals, prisoners are released to deliver messages from their captor, messages which are sometimes confusing, sometimes deadly.

Ravens (2009) - George Dawes Green

When a Georgia family wins over $300 million in the lottery, two low-life drifters try to cash in on the winnings by holding members of the family hostage. It seems a lot of reviewers have dismissed Ravens as out-of-control, over the top and simply unbelievable. I think it’s one of the most revealing looks at the culture of greed and, oddly enough, how the Stockholm Syndrome works.

The Long Goodbye (1953), Farewell My Lovely (1940) - Raymond Chandler

I hadn’t read any Chandler since reading The Big Sleep a few years ago, so taking on two of his novels was a real treat. The Chandler imitators are a dime a dozen, but nobody captures the spirit of hardboiled like Chandler when he’s penning Philip Marlowe tales. Marlowe is a tough, hard-drinking thinker of a private detective getting involved in cases that have no tidy solutions, mostly because, beneath his jaded hard shell, he is a moral man who can’t help but at least try to do the right thing, even at a cost to himself. I love everything about these novels: the gritty L.A. atmosphere, the 1940s and 1950s feel, the language, the femme fatales, everything.

Rogue Male (1939) - Geoffrey Household

Something of a forerunner of Frederick Forsyth’s The Day of the Jackal. A man attempts to assassinate an unnamed tyrant (obviously Hitler) and is captured before he can carry out his mission. The would-be assassin escapes and provides the reader with what reads like a memoir on how to lose yourself from those intent on finding you at any cost.

9 Dragons (2009) - Michael Connelly

Connelly’s best Harry Bosch novel since Echo Park (2006). The killing of an Asian convenience store owner in Los Angeles seems somewhat routine until Bosch gets an anonymous phone call telling him to back off the case. In no time at all, Bosch receives a video on his cell phone showing that his daughter in Hong Kong has been kidnapped. Connelly remains one of my favorite crime fiction writers.

Next time: The rest of Fiction

Best Books of 2009: YA and J-Fiction

2009-12-22T06:40:00.013-05:00

I read Young Adult (YA) and J(uvenile)-Fiction novels for two reasons: (1) I want to know what kids are reading and which books to recommend at the library and (2) I like them. I also find that a lot of other adults read YA for enjoyment. There's lots of good stuff out there. Here are some of the best ones I read this year.

What I Saw and How I Lied (2008) - Judy Blundell (YA)

It's entirely possible that this novel could singlehandedly change teens' minds about reading historical fiction. Winner of the National Book Award, which I didn't discover until after I'd finished the book.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian (2007) - Sherman Alexie (YA)

A great novel about friendship, being different, ethnic identity, and so much more. Also laugh-out-loud funny.

The Hunger Games (2008) - Suzanne Collins (YA)

The biggest danger in reading The Hunger Games is in finishing it: You're going to immediately want to read the next book, Catching Fire. Then you're going to want to read the third book. As soon as you find out it won't be published until August 24, 2010, you're going to want to hurt someone.

I absolutely could not put The Hunger Games down. In this futuristic setting, children from the 12 districts are chosen by lottery to participate in a fight to the death, a real "Survivor" scenario. Very compelling, although at times you must suspend disbelief. (If child-on-child violence bothers you, stay away.)

Bog Child (2008) - Siobhan Dowd (YA)

Eighteen-year-old Fergus McCann finds a dead body buried in the mountains of Ireland, a body that may be hundreds of years old. This novel did not go at all where I expected it to, but Dowd's story is hard to put down, touching on friendship, family, responsibility and love. Highly recommended.

Deadville (2008) - Ron Koertge (YA)

For some reason, this quiet little novel really connected with me. Ryan is a high school kid that's basically sleepwalking through life two years after his little sister died of cancer. When a senior girl named Charlotte (who doesn't even know Ryan's alive) has an accident and falls into a coma, Ryan is there by her side everyday. He spends less and less time around his slacker friend Andy (No comparisons, now....) and begins his own awakening. It's much better than I'm making it sound.

Unwind (2007) - Neal Shusterman (YA)

Perhaps my favorite YA read of the year. Previous thoughts on Unwind here.

Graceling (2008) - Kristin Cashore (YA)

Thoughts on Graceling here.

Stormbreaker (2001) - Anthony Horowitz (J-Fiction)

I must admit I wasn't expecting much from this, the first book in the Alex Rider series, but I was pleasantly surprised. Alex Rider is sort of a James Bond-in-training (only without the sex and martinis). Exciting with lots of gadgets and a few surprises. A good book for reluctant readers, especially boys.

The Giant-Slayer (2009) - Iain Lawrence (J-Fiction)

It's 1955 and Laurie Valentine goes to visit her friend Dickie, who is in an iron lung hospital ward suffering from polio. She meets other kids there, also in iron lungs. To take their minds off their awful situation, Laurie begins to make up a story, the story of Jimmy the Giant-Slayer. This book could easily have descended into sappiness, but Lawrence does an admirable job of pulling off the story-within-a-story.

Leviathan (2009) - Scott Westerfeld (YA)

Okay, so I'm not quite finished with this one, but I'm still including it! Leviathan is sort of an alternate history of World War I. In this war we have two factions: Clankers, who fight with (and in) machines, and the Darwinists, who have developed a hybrid of machines/living creatures. Prince Aleksandar (whose parents have been assassinated) flees those who would seek his life via a Cyklop Stormwalker, a two-legged fighting machine. The other half of the story involves Deryn Sharp, a girl trying to pass for a boy as an airman in the British Air Service. Deryn is assigned to the hulking flying/living battleship Leviathan, which is part whale and many other species. Of course, Aleksandar and Deryn will cross paths.

It's rare that books fill you with a jaw-dropping sense of wonder, but Leviathan is one of those books. It's also a very handsome-looking book, beautifully illustrated. (Two more books to follow in the series.)

There's still two categories to cover - Mystery and other Fiction. Both will probably have to wait until after the New Year. Merry Christmas, everyone, and Happy New Year!

Best Books of 2009: Collections

2009-12-21T08:09:00.005-05:00

Well, this is unusual. I only read a handful of short story collections this year, possibly because I spent a good amount of time working on The Great Short Story Collection Purge, reading one or two stories from my unread collections. (And there are an awful lot of them. I'm currently still on authors whose names begin with D.)

So here's what I can recommend to you from this year's completed collections:

Last Evenings on Earth (2006) - Roberto Bolano

Chilean writer Bolano died in 2003 at age 50, but not before writing what many consider his magnum opus, 2666. I still haven't read 2666, but wanted to get a taste of Bolano's writing before diving into a 900-page novel, so I was pleased to find Last Evenings on Earth in our library.

Like Bolano, most of the characters in these stories suffer early deaths and nearly every story has something to do with writing poetry or literature. The stories also center on an intense desire by these characters to be something more than they are. These are haunting stories, sometimes featuring elements of the fantastic. Seek this one out.

Pretty Monsters: Stories (2008) - Kelly Link

If you've never read Kelly Link, this is a good place to start. Several of these stories have appeared in other collections, but even if you're a seasoned Link fan, don't let that put you off. No two Kelly Link stories are alike and she's unlike any other writer you've ever read. Link's stories are filled with hilarity, absurdity, fantasy, myth, weirdness, horror, uncertainty, unexpectedness, delight, humanity... Just read the collection, okay?

Pretty Monsters is marketed as YA, but don't let that stop you either. Buy it. Read it. Loan it out to friends. Then buy it again. (Because you won't get it back.)

Secret Lives (2008) - Jeff VanderMeer

An absolutely delightful collection. I read this one in anticipation of VanderMeer's new Ambergris novel Finch, which I hope to get for Christmas (subtle hint). As the title implies, these are short little biographies of fictional people, their secret lives that the author graciously allows us to peek into. Often beautiful, often laugh out loud, these stories are filled with VanderMeer's wonderfully rich imagination, a true gift to readers everywhere. Each story is excellent, but the final two are stunningly beautiful.

Three categories left:

Mystery
General/Speculative Fiction
YA/J-Fiction

Best Books of 2009: Christianity and Culture

2009-12-20T08:30:00.009-05:00

The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment (2007) - Tim Challies

Tim Challies takes the reader on a full-scale, yet highly readable journey through all aspects of biblical spiritual discernment: its definition, uses, practices, and yes, even its dangers. Each well-constructed chapter builds on a solid foundation of Scripture. I’ve encountered very few books this concise and yet this thorough. Challies is an excellent writer who has given Christians a book we really can’t afford not to read.

Why We’re Not Emergent: By Two Guys Who Should Be (2008) - Kevin DeYoung & Ted Kluck

Maybe you haven’t heard the term “emergent,” but you’ve probably heard of some of its people. Names like Rob Bell (author of Velvet Elvis), Donald Miller (Blue Like Jazz), Brian McLaren (The Secret Message of Jesus) and others crop up in discussions of emergent leaders. Authors Kevin DeYoung and Ted Kluck are not emergent and although they see much good in the movement, they also see much danger. For anyone who wants to know what the emergent church is all about, or for anyone who wants to engage the culture in a biblical manner, Why We’re Not Emergent is an excellent book.

The Sacredness of Questioning Everything (2009) - David Dark

Nobody writes on Christianity and culture quite like David Dark. According to Dark, when religion refuses to tolerate questions, “it obstructs our ability to think, empathize, and live lives of authenticity and genuine engagement.” Dark’s works are always challenging, yet always rewarding.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (2008) - Francis Chan

“Because when you’re wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.” Christianity isn’t about a list of do’s and don’ts. It’s about a passionate relationship with God. If you sometimes feel that you’ve lost that relationship or that it’s not what it used to be, Crazy Love is for you. It’s a book you’ll want to read again and again.

Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters (2009) - Timothy Keller

God has given us so many good things. The problem comes when we turn those good things into idols. Keller takes a biblical look at our culture’s idols and why they are so destructive to our walk with God.

The Fine Line: Re-envisioning the Gap between Christ and Culture (2008) - Kary Oberbrunner

We often see two extremes in the church: Christians who withdraw completely from the culture around them and Christians who embrace every aspect of the culture with no discernment whatsoever. Oberbrunner calls Christians to be relevant to the culture by walking the fine line between the two extremes.

unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity...and Why It Matters (2007) - David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons

Christianity has an image problem. A study of sixteen to twenty-nine-year-old nonbelievers (or unChristians) reveals that most feel Christians no longer represent what Jesus had in mind. “Find out why these negative perceptions exist, learn how to reverse them in a Christlike manner, and discover practical examples of how Christians can positively contribute to culture.”

Next time, it'll be one of these:

Collection
YA/J-Fic
Mystery
General and Speculative Fiction

Best Books of 2009: Non-Fiction

2009-12-18T12:32:00.010-05:00

I love making lists and always look forward to listing what I thought were the best books of the past year. These are the best I read in 2009, although they don't necessarily have to have a 2009 publication date. Today I cover the best Non-Fiction of the year. Here they are:

Outliers: The Story of Success (2008) - Malcolm Gladwell

What is it that makes some people succeed? Is it talent alone? Gladwell doesn't think so. Outliers takes a fun, somewhat scattershot approach to what makes people successful, but much of the material consists of information you may have read in other places. Even so, Gladwell is always a fun, thoughtful read.

Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose (1968) - Flannery O'Connor

If you become a fan of Flannery O'Connor, you'll want to read everything she ever wrote, both fiction and non-fiction. Her thoughts on writing, the South, and Christianity contain gems that I already look forward to revisiting.

Making Movies (1985) - Sidney Lumet

Lumet is one of my favorite film directors, so it's no surprise I devoured this memoir of films and how they are made.

Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference (2009) - Warren St. John

I first heard of this book on a podcast and was intrigued enough to seek it out. I'm glad I did. I have little interest in soccer, but great interest in how people from other cultures behave in unfamiliar environments. Further thoughts here.

Strange Telescopes: Following the Apocalypse from Moscow to Siberia (2009) - Daniel Kalder

This was one wild ride! Initially I thought this was a work of science fiction, but it's got more imagination and strangeness than most sf stories I've run across. More here.

The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership (2009) - Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison, Craig Walsh

Being a Cowboys fan, I never rooted for the 49ers, but after reading this memoir/leadership book, I have a whole new respect for Walsh and his philosophy. More here.

Columbine (2009) - Dave Cullen

Thoughts here.

That's it for general non-fiction. Next: the Best Books on Christianity and Culture

Books Read November

2009-12-11T06:22:00.010-05:00

The Space Between: A Parent’s Guide to Teenage Development (NF 2009) - Walt Mueller

I read this book in preparation for a Sunday School class I’m co-teaching soon. Mueller is one of the leading guys on youth culture and this slim book serves as a good introduction to what’s going on in the life of teenagers.

Audrey’s Door (2009) - Sarah Langan

I started my 2009 “Halloween Read” a little too late to finish it before the end of October, so it eased into early November. Langan’s a talented writer and Audrey’s Door contains several wonderfully creepy scenes, but overall there were too many elements and concepts at work. Overall quite good, but just a bit disappointing.

As I Lay Dying (1930) - William Faulkner

“My mother is a fish.” Oh boy. Faulkner loves multiple points of view, stream of consciousness and dark, dark humor. He also loves strange and does it well. I haven’t read tons of Faulkner (at least not yet), but As I Lay Dying seems to me one of his more approachable novels. One by one, we meet the family of Addie Bundren as they seek to honor her wish to be buried in a nearby town. As with much of Faulkner’s work, the novel is set in the fictional Yoknapatawpha County, Mississippi.

Await Your Reply (2009) - Dan Chaon

An amazing novel. Read about it here.

This is For the Mara Salvatrucha: Inside the MS-13, America’s Most Violent Gang (NF 2009) - Samuel Logan

A mostly disappointing look at the gang in question. Here’s why.

Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters (NF 2009) - Timothy Keller

Like Dylan once said, you’ve gotta serve somebody, or in this case, you’ve gotta live for something. Is it money? Sex? Power? Whatever it is, ask yourself if it satisfies you on a consistent basis. Does it let you down? It’s probably a counterfeit god or, to use a more biblical term, an idol.

Odd and the Frost Giants (J-Fic 2009) - Neil Gaiman

If Gaiman had published this relatively quiet, short tale before the enormously popular novel The Graveyard Book, it might have slipped under the radar. Based on Norse mythology, this little tale is full of wonder, humor and adventure. In short, pure Gaiman.

Stormbreaker (YA 2001) - Anthony Horowitz

How I describe this book to kids at the library: “Fast-paced. Lots of spy stuff. Action. Danger. Way cool.”
How I describe this book to parents at the library: “James Bond for kids without the sex and martinis.”

Lost Treasure of the Emerald Eye (J-Fic 2004) - Geronimo Stilton

Lots of silly fun, filled with puns, wordplay and goofy characters. The book contains lots of color, cool fonts, and wacky images. The audiobook is filled with great voices and an entire plethora of sound effects. Lots of fun for kids, but not something I’d want to read in mass quantities.

The Film Club (NF 2008) - David Gilmour

A father makes a deal with his teenage son: You can drop out of school as long as you watch three movies a week with me. Maybe not the best parenting advice in the world, but Gilmour does describe some good movie moments and a glimpse at a touching father/son relationship.

Good People (2008) - Marcus Sakey

A couple rents out part of their house and one day finds a dead tenant and $400,000 in cash. From that moment, the accelerator is pushed to the floor as Tom and Anna Reid try to evade a drug dealer and a robber, both of whom have their eyes on the money.

Pobby and Dingan (2000) - Ben Rice

Delightful, funny, sad and celebratory short novel about Kellyanne, a young girl who loses her imaginary friends Pobby and Dingan. The story is narrated by Kellyanne’s brother Ashmol, who believes in none of the products of Kellyanne’s imagination. But he does care about her. Seek this short book (only 94 pages) out. You won’t be sorry.

Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity (NF 2006) - David Lynch

As I suspected, I learned almost nothing of any consequence about Lynch’s films, many of which I’ve admired. I learned more about Lynch himself and his philosophy, most of which can be linked to transcendental meditation, the chief focus of this short book. I don’t know much about transcendental meditation, but I think I practice some of the same concepts through prayer. All in all, this was a mixed bag. Just know that if you’re looking for insight into Lynch’s films, you won’t find it here.

That's it for November. Get out there and read something!

Huge Book Sale for a Good Cause

2009-12-09T20:15:00.003-05:00

One of my favorite writers, Kelly Link, gave birth to a beautiful girl named Ursula on February 23, 2009. Ursula, who was due on June 16, weighed 1 lb. 9 oz. Ursula has been greatly helped by the staff at Boston's Franciscan Children's Hospital. (You can read about the ordeal that Ursula and her parents Kelly Link and Gavin Grant have been through here.)

There are a few things you should know about Kelly and Gavin:

1) They're great people. (Kelly was one of my instructors at Clarion 2004. Gavin was there, too.)

2) They run Small Beer Press, a press that has published some great books by authors such as Elizabeth Hand, Ellen Kushner, John Crowley, John Kessel, Geoff Ryman and many others, including, of course, Kelly Link.

3) They're having a huge sale over at Small Beer Press. Read about it here. Proceeds go to the Franciscan Children's Hospital. Please consider donating!

Books Bought November

2009-12-01T19:28:00.006-05:00

Things were fairly sedate until Cindy and I went to the Green Valley Book Fair last weekend. Even then, I believe I practiced remarkable restraint. You be the judge. Here are the books I bought in November with the reasons why.

NOVEMBER BOOKS BOUGHT

Encyclopedia of Fantasy And Horror Fiction (NF 2006) - Don D'Ammassa

Normally $22, this one was on sale at Amazon a few weeks ago. Since it's fairly current (2006), I thought this would be a good reference book for my desk at work.

Trade Paperback; Price = $9.68

The Fine Line: Re-envisioning the Gap between Christ and Culture (NF 2008) - Kary Oberbrunner

This book examines two types of Christians: those who isolate themselves from culture and those who embrace all aspects of culture with little or no discernment whatsoever. A fascinating concept; I couldn't say no, especially not at this price.

Trade Paperback; Price = $3.99

Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue (NF 2006, 2nd edition) - Robert Johnston

Awhile back I read a book called Eyes Wide Open about Christianity and the arts. I've been looking for books specifically on Christianity and film and this one seemed to be on everyone's must-read list. And the price was right.

Trade Paperback; Price = $10.43

Holy Superheroes! Revised and Expanded Edition: Exploring the Sacred in Comics, Graphic Novels, and Film (NF 2008) - Greg Garrett

I'm doing some preliminary research on an upcoming project and hope this book will be helpful.

Trade Paperback; Price = $8.86

The Engine's Child (2008) - Holly Phillips

I absolutely love Holly Phillips's beautifully stylized short fiction and although this novel has gotten generally poor reviews, I'm a big enough fan to give it a try, especially at this price.

Trade Paperback; Price = $4.00

Catching the Big Fish: Meditation, Consciousness, and Creativity (NF 2006) - David Lynch

I remember this book coming out about the same time that Lynch's most recent film INLAND EMPIRE was released. I wanted to buy the book then, but didn't want to spend $20 on it. Plus it's pretty slim; I read nearly the whole thing in Borders one day. I figured it wouldn't give a whole lot of insight into Lynch's films, but thought it might reveal a little about what makes this weird dude tick.

Hardcover; Price = $5.00

Writing and Selling the YA Novel (NF 2008) - K. L. Going

There are some good Writers Digest books out there, especially Nancy Kress's Beginnings, Middles & Ends. I don't know if this is necessarily one of them, but since it does deal with YA novels and I have written (but not yet published) one, I thought, what the heck?

Trade Paperback; Price = $4.00

The 3 A.M. Epiphany (NF 2005) - Brian Kiteley

Another Writers Digest book that I'd heard about a few years ago. And here it is, falling right into my lap. How opportunistic!

Trade Paperback; Price = $4.50

Things That Fall from the Sky: Stories (2002) - Kevin Brockmeier

Brockmeier has successfully combined weird and literary over the course of his career. I've loved several of his stories and loved his novel The Truth about Celia even more, so I'm really looking forward to this collection.

Trade Paperback; Price = $3.50

The Real Festivus (NF 2005) - Daniel O'Keefe

Our staff this year is having something of a Festivus-themed celebration, so I thought this book might give me a few ideas on some hijinks to conjure up in the coming weeks. Gather 'round for the Feats of Strength!

Trade Paperback; Price = $3.00

Zahrah the Windseeker (YA 2005) - Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu

Okorafor's The Shadow Speaker was one of the most delightful YA books I've read over the past few years. I've been looking for Zahrah for awhile and was delighted to find it just as I was making one last sweep of the YA novels at the Green Valley Book Fair.

Trade Paperback; Price = $2.75

Total Expenditures for November = $59.71

That's it for November. Now get out there and read something.

Wintergreen Virginia

2009-11-30T06:55:00.009-05:00

Just a few photos from our weekend trip to the Wintergreen Resort. Text to follow soon.

Playing Favorites, Installment #8

2009-11-24T06:55:00.005-05:00

(It's been awhile since I've contributed anything to "Playing Favorites," my discussion of what are not necessarily the greatest songs, but, as the name says, my personal favorites.)

Installment #8 - "Life in a Glasshouse" (Radiohead) - Radiohead (2001)

“Life in a Glasshouse” opens with some weird, atmospheric shimmering sounds that could be interpreted as church bells tolling. I offer up that interpretation only because what follows is a slow dirge in A minor featuring trumpet, trombone and clarinet, instruments often found in New Orleans-style jazz, but in this case they carry a funereal flavor.

Once again, I'm in trouble with my only friend
She is papering the window panes
She is putting on a smile
Living in a glass house

You could say this is mourning, pure and simple. Pure and simple, maybe, but its effects are deep and far-reaching. It’s more than just the loss of innocence that’s being mourned, it’s the loss of something you can’t return to or improve upon; but it is something that can get worse. Celebrities pay a high price for their status. I’m sure they often read the papers and tabloids (and watch the cable and web equivalents) thinking, “Isn’t there something more important to cover than us? We’re at war; people are starving!” And I’m sure there comes a point when the famous actually want to share something of substance with the world, in fact they’re probably dying to share. But they can’t. "We are hungry for a lynching," after all.

At the end of the second chorus, “ Well of course I'd like to sit around and chat,” is followed by a string of the word “only” repeated over and over with white-hot intensity while the clarinet wails, a soul overwhelmed with indescribable loss, a great mass of pain looking for just a drop of comfort. It’s almost a dwelling, or rather a lamenting on the fact that the singer can’t share this with you, but only if he could, it might just benefit us all. But it’s never going to happen. The last line “There’s someone listening in” is delivered in an exhausted resignation, devoid of hope. The horns end on a C - F# interval, one that longs for a release that never arrives.

“Life in a Glasshouse” is far from a great Radiohead song, but it is one I will always remember because of my friend David. We were driving to a leadership retreat a couple of years ago, talking about music. David had Amnesiac with him and slipped it into my car CD player. “Listen to this, listen to this,” he would say about every thirty seconds, turning up the volume and pointing out some musical or lyrical particular. I think we only made it through two or three songs, since the other people riding in the back seat were getting tired of the Radiohead seminar. But David told me to hang onto the disc for awhile. I listened to it, thinking it was great, but the last song baffled me for awhile.

When David passed away a few months later, I always associated that album with him. His brother Brian insisted that I keep the CD, that David would have wanted me to have it. Although we never got the chance to discuss “Life in a Glasshouse,” I always think of David when I hear it. David's life, attitude and outlook were as far from "Life in a Glasshouse" as you can get. He was hopeful, with a bright and joyous outlook, full of wonder. I often dwell on Radiohead's music and this song in particular, wondering what thoughts David would have had on a particular lyric or musical choice. I can almost hear him in the car now, turning up the volume to drown out the naysayers in the back seat.

Twilight Zone, Episode 5: “Walking Distance”

2009-11-23T08:55:00.004-05:00

"Walking Distance" (aired October 30, 1959)

New York advertising executive Martin Sloan pulls his sports car into a lonely gas station on the outskirts of a small town called Homewood. It happens to be Sloan’s hometown, a place he hasn’t visited in years. Needing a break from the fast-paced advertising world, he decides to take a walk into town while his car is being serviced. When he arrives, the phrase “Things haven’t changed much” takes on a whole new meaning.

“Walking Distance” is one of the handful of Twilight Zone stories that has stood the test of time for several reasons: Serling’s touching (but not sappy) script, Bernard Herrmann’s outstanding musical score, experiments in camera work and lighting, and a superb performance by Young.

Serling’s writing sometimes seemed a bit heavy-handed, sometimes a bit pedantic, but with “Walking Distance” he simply stood back and told a great story. You can’t go home again and even if you could, it wouldn’t work. It’s almost as if Serling is telling us there’s an order to the universe and you can’t tamper with it. It’s often sad, often regretful, but there it is; you can dwell on it or you can move forward.

This is the first episode where I actually noticed many of the weird tilted camera angles that would help define the series. In “Walking Distance” this technique (as well as the symbolic lighting) works perfectly, showing us a world that’s somehow out of kilter, one that needs restoration. Yet the technique is not overused.

There’s a scene of Gig Young in a drugstore having a soda that’s just about as good as TV got in the 1950s. He’s reflecting on his life, his youth, where he’s been and where he is now. He’s driven himself too hard in the advertising world and you can see it in his walk, his stature. But when the camera comes in for a close-up, you can see the lines on Young’s face, lines the character Martin Sloan shouldn’t have at age 36, but they’re there. (Young was actually near 46 at the time.) You can also see it in Young’s tired eyes. The drugstore soda fountain stood could almost be a barstool, a place where the weary pour out what’s left of their souls to anyone willing to listen.

Sadly, Young’s offscreen life was an extremely dark one. Although he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for the 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, alcoholism destroyed his later acting career. (Young took both his wife's and his own life in 1978.) I can never watch “Walking Distance” without wondering what Young’s life might have been if he could have really experienced what Martin Sloan experienced.

Turning 50 in 2010

2009-11-22T07:46:00.017-05:00

No, I'm not, let's get that straight right now! But here are just a few things and people who will be turning 50 in 2010. (Doesn't hurt to look ahead, right?)

Books

Music

Film

People

Bono
Kenneth Branagh
Adam Clayton
David Duchovny
Neil Gaiman
Daryl Hannah
Mike Lookinland
Aimee Mann
Julianne Moore
Cal Ripken

God Grew Tired of Us (2006)

2009-11-15T19:32:00.004-05:00

A few months back I was talking to a guy from my church about films, documentaries in particular. He recommended that I see a documentary called God Grew Tired of Us. I thought that, if nothing else, it was an interesting title.

The film (directed by Christopher Quinn and narrated by Nicole Kidman) tells the larger story of southern Sudanese Christians who were driven out of their country by northern Sudan's Muslim Arabs during the second Sudanese Civil War (1983-2005). Thousands of refugees walked over 1,000 miles to northern Kenya for sanctuary, where their hollow, emaciated bodies sought food and shelter. (I warn you: the footage in this section is graphic.) Relief does come to many; several of these "Lost Boys" are given an opportunity to go to America where they might work to rescue those of their families who remain behind.

Yet the smaller story of three of these boys (men by this time) is the main focus of the film. Daniel Abol Pach and Panther Bior get placed in Pittsburgh, John Bul Dau in Syracuse, NY. While in America, they will have to earn enough money to first pay for their airfare to America before they can help support their families.

From this point, God Grew Tired of Us becomes a multifaceted film that touches on themes of joy, cultural confusion, adjustment, loneliness, striving, unrest and hope. These men have no idea how to react to American culture. Some of them have never even experienced electricity. Without realizing it, the men point out some of the less attractive aspects of American culture. After one year in America, Panther comments, "In the United States, people are not friendly. You can find someone that's walking in the street by himself, you know, don't even talk, you know. You cannot go to the house of somebody you don't know, though you are all Americans. They call the police and say, 'why did this guy come to my house? I don't know him." In one of the film's most telling scenes, John looks in wonder at all the Christmas lights, Christmas trees, all the signs of commercialism and says (paraphrase), "There are so many ways to celebrate Christmas here... All our people have is Jesus Christ."

The camera follows these men for three years during which time they work two or three jobs so they can send money home. It doesn't take long for them to understand that people working minimum wage jobs can't get very far. In one scene, John sits down, tired from all his work, and reflects on what life was like during the genocide in Sudan. He's clearly thankful for his new life in America, but longs to see his family again. He realizes that because of the genocide (which at this point is still going on), this may never happen. When he was a boy of thirteen in Sudan, one of his jobs was burying the bodies of the slaughtered. "I began to think," John reflects, "that God had given up on us."

God Grew Tired of Us shows us all the things we take for granted as Americans. It shows us what it's really like to be a stranger in a strange land. And it shows us the lengths that some people will go to in order to provide for the ones they love. I don't want to tell you too much more; I'd rather you see the film for yourself. Be prepared for an incredible experience.

Await Your Reply (2009) - Dan Chaon

2009-11-13T06:18:00.003-05:00

In the first chapter of Await Your Reply, we see Ryan Schuyler, a college dropout, racing down the highway with his severed hand in an ice chest. In the next, it's Lucy Lattimore, recent a high school graduate running away with her history teacher. Then we have Miles Chesire, searching for his twin brother who vanished 10 years ago. From there, it's a wild ride.

Wild, but not chaotic. I could tell you more about these characters, but I won't. (And I'd advise you not to read too many reviews that might reveal more than you want to know.) Dan Chaon masterfully unwinds these parallel stories that seem to have no connecting elements other than identity.

Await Your Reply is all about identity and the possibility of starting over, a concept attractive to many people in these unstable times. But the novel is also about family, relationships, trust and fear. Alternating chapters told across various timelines add an almost insurmountable tension, keeping the pages turning at a brisk pace. Yet read too quickly and you'll miss some wonderfully resonant writing that requires patience.

As soon as I finished the novel, I wanted to start it again just to see if I could find the clues that I'd missed the first time. You may have the same reaction. Don't be surprised. And don't plan to get much sleep once you've started this one.

Twilight Zone, Episode 4: “The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine”

2009-11-12T07:58:00.003-05:00

“The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine” (aired October 23, 1959)

In an episode very reminiscent of Billy Wilder’s 1950 film Sunset Boulevard, aging screen actress Barbara Jean Trenton (Ida Lupino) can’t bring herself to realize that time has moved on, that her onscreen glory days have vanished. Day after day she sits in her private screening room, absorbed in the roles of her past. Her agent Danny Weiss (Martin Balsam) finds her a part in an upcoming film, but Barbara Jean refuses to play (gasp!) a mother. Instead she retreats further and further into her previous films, until... Well, you’ve seen this plot enough times to know what comes next.

“The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine” is nostalgic without becoming hokey, largely due to strong, yet restrained performances by Lupino and Balsam, probably one of the stronger duos to appear in the show's first season (if not the entire series). Yet time has not been particularly kind to this episode. Again, we’ve seen this theme of the aging star trying to capture her former glory many, many times. For 1950s television, it was quite effective. Now? Not so much. Still a good episode, but not one of my favorites.

Interestingly, Lupino became one of America’s first female film directors, directing nine films and fifty television episodes. Just a few months after “The Sixteen-Millimeter Shrine” aired, Balsam appeared in one of his most famous roles, Detective Milton Arbogast in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.

This is For the Mara Salvatrucha (NF 2009) - Samuel Logan

2009-11-11T06:54:00.003-05:00

This is For the Mara Salvatrucha: Inside the MS-13, America’s Most Violent Gang - Samuel Logan

I put this book on my “To Read” list after reading about it in Publishers Weekly, hoping to gain some insight into how gangs work, especially the MS-13. The book does give some insight into the gang, most of it from the point of view of Brenda Paz, a former teen gang member who turned police informant. Rather than a full focus on the gang itself, the book is mostly Paz's story, one that is both gripping and horrifying.*

Paz desperately sought acceptance and friendship. We all do, only most of us have friends and family who provide those needs. When those needs are absent, young people are going to find someone to meet fill the void. Paz discovered that MS-13 did provide acceptance and friendship, but also introduced her to a world of crime and violence.

The story of how Paz turned into a police informant and became the youngest person ever admitted into the Witness Protection Program is the strength of the book. It is a narrative both amazing and sad. I was engaged by Paz’s struggle to find love and acceptance in an atmosphere of violence and death. I was not engaged by the author’s points of view. Logan often recounts events, thoughts, feelings, emotions from the point of view of a character who is about to be murdered. Sorry, you can't do that. It may make your story more exciting, but it's a lie, a falsehood; cheating. This speculative form of writing (omniscient point of view) is fine in fiction; in non-fiction it destroys credibility. Even worse, the book includes no notes or citations, so the reader can never be sure of the accuracy of any of the information presented.

While This is For the Mara Salvatrucha is an often gripping, disturbing look (maybe “glimpse” would be a better word) into gang activity, it’s not a book I can recommend.

*For a more credible (although far less graphic) account of gangs, gang structure and how they work on a day-to-day basis, read Gang Leader for a Day by Sudhir Venkatesh.

The Great Short-Story Collection Purge, Parts 14 & 15

2009-11-09T07:48:00.004-05:00

The Great Short-Story Collection Purge has been on hiatus for quite a few months, but with all my recent book purchases, I believe its return is inevitable. For those of you new to The Purge, I'm reading at least one story from every unread short story collection (but not anthologies) I own. After reading a story or two, I'll decide whether to keep it or purge it. So here we go with Parts 14 & 15:

The Avram Davidson Treasury: A Tribute Collection (1998) - Avram Davidson

I picked up this collection and the one below at a library sale a few years ago, both library discards. I had only heard of Davidson, but what I'd heard was stellar: smart, humorous, literate, wildly creative, cranky, imaginative... the list continues. I read the first two stories from this collection, "My Boy Friend's Name is Jello" and "The Golem," both of which confirm all of the above attributes. The stories contain excellent writing, a sharp wit and a bit of a sting (in a good way). The volume also features introductions and afterwords by some pretty heavy-hitters in speculative fiction, among them Ray Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, Robert Silverberg, Poul Anderson, John Clute, Peter S. Beagle, Ursula K. Le Guin, Michael Swanwick, Lucius Shepard and many more.

The Verdict = Keep it.

The Other Nineteenth Century (2001) - Avram Davidson

Focusing on historical tales of the fantastic, The Other Nineteenth Century contains stories from the 1970s and 80s, several of which appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine or Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, although many appeared in F&SF and Asimov's. So far I've only read one story from this collection, "The Singular Incident of the Dog on the Beach," which was, as I expected, well-crafted, clever and enjoyable. I'll read at least one more before making a final decision, but I'll probably stick with The Avram Davidson Treasury and see how it strikes me first. If I like it, I'll seek out The Other Nineteenth Century.

The Verdict = Purge it.

Books Read October (Yes! With Comments!)

2009-11-06T08:05:00.012-05:00

Confessions - St. Augustine (trans. Henry Chadwick)

An amazing, transparent account of Augustine's conversion to Christianity. Augustine's thoughts are so rich, you could dwell on them for years. Many people do. I hope to read this again in a couple of years, sometime after I tackle Augustine's City of God, which will no doubt be a real workout.

Wise Blood (1952) - Flannery O’Connor

One of only two novels O’Connor published (the other being The Violent Bear It Away), Wise Blood is strange, bizarre, wonderful. Coming home from the Army, Hazel Motes believes the only way to escape sin is to not have a soul. After witnessing life in "the city," Motes begins to introduce "The Church of Christ Without Christ." Wonderfully bizarre, often grotesque, people have debated both the novel's philosophy and theology for years. Read it for yourself. (And check out the movie too, which is quite faithful to the novel.)

Marked (YA 2007) - P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast (BFTB)

The kids seem to like this one, but it wasn't for me. I enjoyed protagonist Zoey Redbird's relationship with her grandmother and the idea of being "marked" a vampire, but thought most of the novel predictable with shallow, stereotypical characters. Even so, it’s twice as good as Twilight.

Graceling (YA 2008) - Kristin Cashore (BFTB)

This is more like it. Some thoughts on Graceling here.

The Concrete Blonde (1994) - Michael Connelly

As the novel opens, Detective Harry Bosch has just shot and killed the psychopathic serial killer known as The Dollmaker. The only problem is that Bosch is on trial for using excessive force and "going cowboy" on The Dollmaker. Plus, it seems the Dollmaker killings have not stopped.... Did Bosch kill the wrong man? Hard, hard-hitting Connelly with several disturbing scenes. Not for the squeamish.

The Restless Dead: Ten Original Stories of the Supernatural (YA 2007) - Deborah Noyes, ed. (BFTB)

Standout stories by Kelly Link, M.T. Anderson, Nancy Etchemendy and Chris Wooding make this collection worth a look. I wish all ten had been as good.

Isis (2006) - Douglas Clegg

If you could bring a loved one back from the dead, would you do it? A creepy little Gothic tale with some wonderful illustrations.

Columbine (NF 2009) - Dave Cullen

Previous thoughts on Columbine here.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (NF 2008) - Francis Chan with Danae Yankoski

Chan challenges Christians to take a closer look at the Bible, not so much to follow a list of rules and regulations, but to fall in love with a God who inspires wonder, awe and devotion. A book I plan to read again very soon. (Check out the video "The Awe Factor of God.")

Her Fearful Symmetry (2009) - Audrey Niffenegger

The main story (there are several smaller ones) concerns 20-year-old American twins Julia and Valentina Poole, who have inherited a London apartment from their recently deceased aunt, whom they have never met. But there are two important conditions: the twins must live in the apartment for a full year before they can sell it and the girls' parents must never enter it. I guess if I had to pin this novel down, it's a ghost story, but it's so much more. The writing is wonderful, the atmosphere both humorous and creepy. Her Fearful Symmetry is one of those novels that doesn't quite work (especially as the ending approaches), but I found myself liking it anyway.

That's it for October. Get out there and read something.

Ford Rules

2009-11-03T06:21:00.003-05:00

A big congratulations goes out to my 2004 Clarion instructor Jeffrey Ford for winning two World Fantasy Awards over the weekend. Ford was the co-winner (along with Margo Lanagan for Tender Morsels) of the Best Novel award for The Shadow Year and also won Best Collection for The Drowned Life. Way to go, Jeff!

Full World Fantasy Award results can be found here.

Lancaster, PA or Food, Drink & Art

2009-11-02T08:05:00.020-05:00

On our mini-getaway, Cindy and I stopped first in Lititz, PA where we found the delightful Cafe Chocolate where I had

a chocolate/peanut butter/banana panini. Plus a drink called a Turbo (chocolate and espresso). Good stuff!

Although much of it appears in galleries, many of the shops in and around Lititz and Lancaster feature some outstanding works of art. Unfortunately most of the galleries would not allow photography, but did provide literature with links to art on their websites. As far as art goes, all the locals told us to come back on any first Friday, when Lancaster is packed with art, artists and art lovers.

Here's an art lover right here.

All along the neighborhoods we encountered some interesting and/or spooky local art---

This is my personal favorite.

Cindy and I even got to make our own pretzels at the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery. Mine turned out pretty good, don't you think?

And what trip would be complete without a stop at a couple of local independent bookstores?

Cindy and I highly recommend a stay at the Lancaster Arts Hotel, which features some amazing paintings, sculpture, carvings and more (all of which you can purchase).

This beer sampler didn't last long...

Neither did these donuts from The Fractured Prune...

With all this eating, drinking and art, sometimes your best option is just to sit down and take it all in.

Books Bought October

2009-10-30T05:24:00.007-05:00

It's always dangerous posting the books you purchased in a certain month when there's two days left in that month and opportunities abound. But what the heck... Here are the books I've bought (so far) in October:

Audrey's Door (2009) - Sarah Langan

My Halloween read (or one of them) for this year. I enjoyed Langan's The Keeper a couple of years ago and thought it was time to read her latest. I've heard some good things about the book from several people, but what really sold me was the book trailer. Whew!

Mass Market Paperback; Price = $4.79

A Quest for More: Living for Something Bigger Than You (NF 2007) by Paul David Tripp

My men’s group from church is reading this one. We meet every other Friday morning. At 6:15AM. (There’s coffee, that’s how.)

Trade Paperback; Price = $12.23

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels (NF 2008) - Kenneth E. Bailey

My friend Jim S. recommended this one. Bailey (who holds degrees in Arabic Language and Literature, Systematic Theology and a doctorate in New Testament) explores how the people of Jesus’ time and culture would have understood His teachings. So far I’ve only read bits and pieces, but what I have read is fascinating.

Trade Paperback; Price = $17.16

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God (NF 2008) - Francis Chan

Cindy and I have our little rituals. When we were first dating and would see movie previews at the theater, she'd say, "Will that be worth seeing?" I'd give an immediate thumbs up or down. She no longer has to ask; I just automatically give the thumbs up/down. She does the same thing when I ask if I'd like the book she's currently reading; just a nod or shake of the head. When I asked her about Crazy Love, she said "You really need to read this." So I bought it.

Trade Paperback; Price = $8.99

The Space Between: A Parent’s Guide to Teenage Development (NF 2009) - Walt Mueller

Sent to me after I made a donation to the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding (CPYU).

Trade Paperback; Price = $0

Total Expenditures = $43.17

Next Time: What I actually read.

Twilight Zone, Episode 3: "Mr. Denton on Doomsday"

2009-10-28T05:37:00.004-05:00

"Mr. Denton on Doomsday" (aired October 16, 1959)

Rod Serling must’ve loved westerns or maybe he simply understood that television audiences of the time loved them. The Rifleman, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke and Have Gun Will Travel were just a few of the popular westerns on the air in 1959. Serling no doubt realized that western stories might pull in audiences to this weird new show called The Twilight Zone.

Even for seasoned western fans, “Mr. Denton on Doomsday” does not disappoint. What easily could have been a cliché-ridden half hour instead becomes a clever, well-produced episode. Al Denton (Dan Duryea), the town drunk, is shown in the opening sequence singing for a drink. Unlike most TV drunks of the time, Denton is truly dirty and sloppy, a staggering mess. Fate literally steps in, allowing Denton a second chance at redemption in the form of a gun. But there’s a price: Denton was once the best gunfighter in the west. Now he’ll have to prove it again and again. It’s what drove him to drink in the first place. So is he now in the midst of deliverance or deeper in despair?

“Mr. Denton on Doomsday” is the first Twilight Zone episode with a true twist at the end, the kind of twist that would help define the series. It’s certainly not in my Twilight Zone Top Ten, but maybe the Top 50. (This episode also features a young Martin Landau and a very young Doug McClure.)

Columbine (NF 2009) - Dave Cullen

2009-10-25T19:17:00.004-05:00

The front cover of Dave Cullen's Columbine shows a mostly deserted Columbine High School (date undetermined) with a few scattered cars sharing the parking lot with large patches of melted snow. It's a scene you see at countless schools across the country hours after the doors have closed for the day. What makes the cover so striking is that the school grounds only take up a very small portion of the photo. The school is dwarfed by a huge gray sky that seems to stretch on forever.

For a long time, I found myself staring at that photo in wonder. Then I realized that the photo stirred something in me greater than wonder. It haunted me. Then it angered me. Then, strangely, it comforted me.

Although the story of Columine belongs to the students, parents, teachers and surrounding community, it is partly a masterful psychological study of the two killers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Harris was the mastermind, a true psychopath that literally saw himself as superior to nearly everyone else around him, a young man filled with absolute hatred for most of the people in his universe. He saw himself as a god, but in fact, he was quite small, a small young man raging against the world. Right or wrong, that's what the photo says to me. That one quiet picture unleashes a whole gamut of emotions that you can't deny while reading Columbine.

Regardless of what you've been told about what happened at Columbine, what you know is probably wrong. Dave Cullen spent nearly ten years researching and writing Columbine, which serves not only as a stellar account of what really happened on April 20, 1999, but also how the media got it wrong.

We were led to believe a group calling itself the Trench Coat Mafia was responsible, that they were hunting down jocks, settling long-standing feuds. None of that is true. The truth is far worse and far more chilling. Cullen shows, citing the killers’ journals, videotaped conversations and eyewitness accounts, that the attack was intended to kill not just a few hated students, but every single person at the school, over 2,000 students and faculty.

Cullen masterfully tells the Columbine story in an unconventional manner, using multiple time lines and points of view. This works because Columbine is such an unconventional story. There had been school shootings before Columbine, many of them, but none were quite like this one. Cullen doesn't pull any punches, but he doesn't exploit his subject either. He's got too much respect for the subject, his audience and his profession. That respect comes across on every page.

Columbine is often a painful book to read, but one we should not shrink away from. It belongs to that community, but it also belongs to all of us. It's a necessary reminder and an essential warning of what did and could happen anywhere.

TZ Season One: "One for the Angels"

2009-10-21T05:48:00.002-05:00

“One for the Angels” (aired October 9, 1959)

A sidewalk pitchman (“salesmen” we would call them now) named Bookman (Ed Wynn) is approached by Mr. Death (Murray Hamilton), informing him that his time on Earth has come to an end. Bookman begs for a little more time, until he can make one last masterpiece pitch, a big one, one for the angels. When Mr. Death feels he’s been cheated, he threatens to take, instead of Bookman, an eight-year-old girl.

Again, no spoilers, but “One for the Angels” suffers from Mr. Death being inconsistent and in some ways not very smart (unless you consider his actions part of his overall scheme). The episode also suffers from being too sweet, too sentimental, yet its heart is in the right place, allowing Serling to reflect on death and self-sacrifice, themes he would frequently revisit.

Marc Scott Zicree claims that veteran actor Wynn suffers from not portraying a convincing, fast-talking pitchman. I think that’s really the point: Bookman isn’t very good at what he does. He’s not a fast-talker and he’s not an effective salesman. (He even gives some of his products away to children early in the episode, evidencing both his failure as a pitchman and his generosity.) His inadequacies make his quest for the Big Pitch all the more improbable. Yet when the Big Pitch comes, it’s neither convincing to us nor should it be to Mr. Death. (Again, this could be part of Mr. Death’s plan, but I think I’m reading more into the episode than is actually there.)

While far from the best Serling would serve up in the show’s first season, “One for the Angels” is still enjoyable. It’s also fun to see a young Murray Hamilton playing Mr. Death. Hamilton would gain far more attention as Mrs. Robinson’s husband in 1967’s The Graduate and as the mayor of Amity Island in Jaws.

Twilight Zone Season One: "Where Is Everybody?"

2009-10-20T05:46:00.003-05:00

"Where Is Everybody?" (aired October 2, 1959)

A man (Earl Holliman) is seen walking through a deserted town. He doesn’t know his name, how he got there or where he’s going. He just wants to find someone, anyone, to talk to. Signs of other people are everywhere: a jukebox blaring in an abandoned cafe, a movie projector running in an empty theater, a freshly lit cigar in an ashtray at a police station desk, a telephone ringing in a phone booth. The man can’t help the feeling that he’s being watched.

It seems ridiculous to raise a spoiler alert to a show that’s half a century old, but I can’t bring myself to give away the ending. It’s an ending that probably carried more impact in 1959 than it does now, yet it still works. What doesn’t work is the man’s constant (and unnatural) commentary on what’s happening to him. (It’s a lesson that Serling would learn and use to his advantage in later episodes.) “Where Is Everybody?” is essentially a one-man show and while the subject matter was somewhat fresh fifty years ago, seeing the episode now is a bit unsatisfying only because we’ve seen "The Last Man on Earth" scenario so many times since. Yet Holliman’s performance contains a certain warmth and charm that’s hard to deny.

“Where Is Everybody?” was TZ’s pilot episode, the show that would either sell the series to the network executives or stop it cold. It was far from the best episode to air (even in the first season) and in many ways uncharacteristic of most of the episodes that would follow. But imagine what might have happened (or not happened) had the pilot episode been “The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street” or “Long Live Walter Jameson.” “Where Is Everybody?” did what it was supposed to do: it persuaded CBS to give Serling the green light. After that, there was no turning back.

Rod Serling's The Twilight Zone

2009-10-19T20:34:00.003-05:00

I usually iron for about half an hour, which is about as long as I can stand it. I’m not very good at ironing (which you can no doubt attest to upon seeing me), but I keep at it. After thirty minutes, frustration sets in. (That usually equals one shirt and one pair of pants.) But thirty minutes is plenty of time for an episode of The Twilight Zone to keep me company.

A couple of years ago I bought the first two seasons of The Twilight Zone (The Definitive Edition) at Costco, relatively on-the-cheap. (I hope to buy the remaining three seasons the next time I see them at a good price. Or maybe Santa will bring them?) It’s always fun seeing these episodes, but this past weekend I thought, “What the heck? I’m usually ironing on a regular basis, so why not take a look at some TZ episodes? Why not in the order that they aired?"

Why not?

So I plan to comment on the episodes as I see them in the order they were broadcast from 1959-1964. I’ll be referring quite a bit to Marc Scott Zicree’s excellent book The Twilight Zone Companion, but mostly commenting on...well, what I like. Stay tuned.

Addiction

2009-10-19T08:22:00.000-05:00

Another Forgotten Film

2009-10-16T05:45:00.007-05:00

Last night a woman came into the library with her two daughters who were getting library cards for the first time. They were probably twelve or thirteen and clearly excited. Were they interested in the Twilight books? No. When I asked "Can I help you find anything?" their answers were Pat Benatar and Joan Jett.

Wow. Two names you don't hear every day, not anymore. I found a couple of CDs and showed them where all the books on Rock n Roll are and they were very happy. For some reason the movie Light of Day (starring Joan Jett) popped into my mind. I mentioned it to the girls' mom and she said "I remember that movie. Haven't seen it in years."

I remember seeing that movie in a theater in 1987, thinking that it was good, despite the fact that it was not the rock n roll movie I was expecting. It starred Joan Jett (whom I remember delivered a surprisingly good performance) and Michael J. Fox. I even remember thinking, "I'd like to see this movie again someday" after it was over. But I never did.

Rock n roll was important in the film, but the central focus was family. Fox and Jett played a brother and sister who were in a rock n roll band, much to the displeasure of their parents. (Read Roger Ebert's review from 1987 for more details.) The film was directed by Paul Schrader, who wrote screenplays for Taxi Driver and Raging Bull and directed Cat People, American Gigolo and Mishima.

I'd love to see Light of Day again, but it's currently unavailable on Region 1 DVD.

Graceling (YA 2008) - Kristin Cashore

2009-10-13T05:30:00.004-05:00

Kristin Cashore's YA novel Graceling is far better than its book trailer, which comes as no real surprise. The trailer does give you the basic information: Katsa is a Graceling, a person born with an unusual gift. You can spot Gracelings by their eyes, each a different color. These graces vary in kind and importance: one might be able to talk backwards. Another might be able to predict the weather. Katsa's grace is....well, killing people.

It's a grace she uses in service to her king. She's not required to kill all the time, just when necessary. Often it's her fighting skills that are called upon as in the book's opening. Katsa is sent by the king to rescue a man kidnapped by the leader of another kingdom. While on this mission, Katsa learns that there's more to this rescue mission than she was led to believe. She's about to begin a journey that will reveal things about the seven kingdoms that she's never suspected. And, of course, she's going to learn something about herself. This is, after all, a "quest" fantasy.

Graceling will be familiar enough to most fantasy readers, yet sprinkled with fresh ideas and interesting characters. Sure, there's some formula at work, but the story kept me engaged, although there's a little too much romance for my taste. This is definitely one of the better of the Books for the Beast selections I've read this year. Recommended.

(Note that the new book in the Graceling series, Fire, is actually a prequel.)

Bullet (June 21, 1998 - October 6, 2009)

2009-10-06T18:32:00.005-05:00

Our best friend Bullet left us today. Cindy and I were with him right up to the end as our vet eased his pain and suffering quietly, peacefully and with dignity. He was eleven. We had had him for nearly seven years.

Cindy and I attended a Greyhound Meet & Greet at a local PetSmart in 2001 and fell in love with the breed. I found Bullet through Greyhound Pets of America, an organization that brings former racers from the track when they're no longer deemed "fast enough." Bullet started his racing career in The Woodlands, Kansas (for three races) before settling in Melbourne Beach, Florida where he raced from November 2001 till March 2002. (He won two of those races.)

I don't want to dwell on Bullet too much for now, but do want to celebrate the time we had with him and the great joy he gave us. We miss him. Sleep well, Mr. B.