So Very Dark

Be forewarned–I saved the best for last.

Wolf Who Rules is the sequel to Tinker — the book about a human girl who lives in quantum Elf-world Pittsburgh, who accidentally gets embroiled in elf affairs and kind of marries head elf muckedy-muck.

This one takes place shortly thereafter, named for said muckedy-muck, The Wolf Who Rules the Winds.  The immediate issues from the first book have been taken care of, but all of the underlying problems (Oni invading Elfhame) still exist, along with some new ones regarding physics genius Tinker having torn timespace a new one that got Pittsburgh possibly perminantly stuck on Elfhame.  Oh, and made a part of Turtle Creek exist in at least 3 universes simultaniously to the detriment to everything living there–a phenomenom that seems to be spreading.

The problems I had with this book are the same as the ones I had with the first one.  It was entertaining, but not exactly good…and the character relationships were really badly executed.  I was kind of hoping that given a chance to rest for a few days, Tinker would do some deep thinking about her relationships and figure out what she really felt for the people in her life, instead of persisting with her ‘I’ve known my husband a second and a half, he’s practically a different species than me and I don’t understand him or his culture all that well…but I know I love him‘ attitude–actually, she seems to continue with that attitude for other characters as well, arbitrarily assigning emotional temperatures to people for very thin reasons.  This is not all that is wrong with the book…but probably the thing that bugs me the most.  If the characters don’t make sense to me, it’s a bit hard to believe the story.

Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist is a young adult novel that seems to enjoy near-cult status among the underage and hip — they recently made it into a movie, staring Michael Cera (you know…that guy from Arrested Development and Juno…the awkward one.) and Kat Dennings.

Honestly, I’m a bit curious to see the movie after reading the book, but not necessicarily in a good way.  The book is introspection heavy — the story of two teenagers in one night in New York City, told from both characters’ POV in alternating  chapters…both of them insecure and hurt by previous relationships and just not sure how to get inside the head of the other one.  A favorite scene of mine was the two of them sitting in a burlesque club at the beginning of their eveing.  Norah is getting increasingly stressed out because the conversation was flowing like gangbusters earlier in the night, but now when she tries to bring up something to talk about, Nick answers her question (usually in a random and ironic fashion) and goes back to just chillin’.  She is panicing.  HOW DID SHE KILL THE DYNAMIC?!  Did she screw up?!?  Then, the chapter flips and we are dropped into Nick’s head.  He is TOTALLY enjoying himself and feels that everything is mellow and great.  He has a response to everything Norah asks him, the evening has reached a low-key place…they have a vibe going and everything is GREAT.

I’m not quite sure how that will translate onto screen.  Are they going to do voice-overs?  In the book, however, it works beautifully…the angst and uncertainty of getting to know someone, of getting over past pain, of being young and trying to figure out that thing called ‘like’.  (You know, like like.)  There were a few things that I didn’t really relate to (kids these days and their floppy hair and black eyeliner.  Stay off my lawn!) and I can’t say I was 100% pulled into the emotions of the characters, but overall, I really enjoyed it.

All right…you’ve had the rest…it’s time for the best.

The other day at work, a customer came up to the register and asked if we had the new Neil Gaiman book.

The WHAT?

Yeah.  I had no idea.

New young adult novel by that God among men, Neil Gaiman.  (I found them in the computer, took the customer up and grabbed one for myself right then and there.)

The Graveyard Book is the story of a boy whose family is slaughtered brutally when he’s about a year and a half old.  Lucky for him, when The Man Jack came to the house with his sharp and shiny knife, the infant escape artist had taken leave of his crib, bumped his way down the stairs, and toddled out into the night.

He ended up at the graveyard, and the waning spirit of his mother implored the ghosts to keep and protect him.  So they do.  He is adopted and named Nobody, he learns the tricks and secrets of the dearly departed.  He is kept safe from Shere Khan–I mean, The Man Jack.

Yeah, this is very much The Jungle Book, with ghosts rather than gorillas.  But in a good and intentional way.  I loved it.  I barely put it down.  It was sweet and heroic, and a little dark.  It was beautifully written, but written for the story, not the words.  I loved it.

Go.  Read it now.  Why are you still looking at my stupid blog?  Go!