The Simpsons Mocks YA?! Surely You Jest!

At least it was all in good fun. And, I think, a rather poignant jab at not only the likes of YA manufacturers like Full Fathom Five but the tendency of the publishing industry to ride a wave raw.

The general gist of the show, Lisa gets her book bubble burst when she finds out that one of her favorite authors isn't actually an author but a cover model and the series this person supposedly penned was cranked out by a bunch of "drugged up lit majors." Homer, in all his glory, wants some quick cash and realizes the best way to do that is capitalize on the YA craze, get a team together and write a book. Lisa, of course, protests and vows to write her own book but, like any good writer, procrastination gets in the way. Neil Gaiman pops in with a prominent role in the episode, titled The Book Job, and serves as food bitch to Homer and Co.

While this article wishes the message were a little more accurate (that, really, not ALL YA is pumped out in a writing factory), I ultimately don't think it's needed. It is, after all, The Simpsons. This is, after all, a parody. Is the overall context true? Pretty much. But those of us that do the reading know full well that authors are real and something like this takes up a small corner of the market. And there are people out there that don't mind the manufactured books. I'm not talking about the copycats but books like I AM NUMBER FOUR that really are work-for-hire books, written by one person, or a couple o people and masked by a name that isn't theirs. That's okay if they do (I personally don't, especially with who owns that particular business, plus I'm not a fan of how it belittles reader tastes, but that's just me). Love for a book is love for a book and the show asks, does it really matter who wrote it?

For me, most of the time it does. I probably would have liked I AM NUMBER FOUR if it were actually well-written. I was a huge fan of THE BABY-SITTERS CLUB. A lot of popular books have been ghost written and pseudonymously authored. I like my authors, though. I like knowing that the book I hold in my hands was created out of love of writing, not purely out of want of money. Passion can't be faked, no matter how much money is involved.

If you still haven't seen the episode, you can catch it on Hulu. It's definitely worth the 22 minutes. It's hilarious!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

First published in 2008.

He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead.

There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy - an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer.

But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack - who has already killed Bod's family . . . (book flap blurb)

What an amazing book. No wonder it won the Newbery Award. It was completely deserving. And it only took Gaiman 20 years to write! Now my spending a year on my own manuscript doesn't make me feel so guilty.

I tend to not make connections from one book to another all that easily and it wasn't until Gaiman mentioned the Jungle Book reference that it all clicked for me. Of course! Same concept, different landscape. Granted it's been quite a while since I've read Kipling, I still remember enough to draw the post-parallels.

Bod is such a magical character, and this is above and beyond the Freedom of the Graveyard that he has. There was something special about him right from the very beginning. There was something calling to him to get him out of harm's way and into the safety of, of all places, a graveyard. The man Jack never stood a chance.

And how I loved the Jacks of All Trade! How awesome of a group. I really wish the book went into a little more detail about just what they were because, really, the little worm on a hook we got about them so wasn't enough for me. I wanted more! And I just might get it in Gaiman's supposed sequel!

The book is written in such a simplistic way that it would be simple for a child of really any age to understand but the older you are, the greater you're capable of understanding all of the underlying elements it holds. This book is literally something for people of all ages to read. There's nothing in here that someone 10 or 30 wouldn't like.

All of the characters are living and breathing as soon as they come onto the page. Maybe it's the bias that I have towards Gaiman because I love most of his work so much, but I honestly think the man could create an infinitely dynamic character from a couple of words, he's that good. But everyone from Bod to Scarlett to Silas (how awesome Silas was!) to the Owenses and Liza and the Jacks, even the Sleer had a rich depth about them that only magnificent storytelling could weave.

What pulled at me the most was the relationship between Scarlett and Bod. I found myself in Bod's shoes asking why? towards the end because there were other ways, there could have been other ways but Silas knew what he was doing. And that pain of Bod being without another living person to exist around really permeated the pages. Of course he loved where he was and he loved his ghost family, but at the end of the day Bod was human and as a human he required like companionship.

The ending opened up all sorts of possibilities for Bod but even then it was a sad send-off for him. I didn't want him to leave the people that have cared for him all those years. And he was so young! But all times must come and it was Bod's turn to play that fiddle. It didn't keep the tears from prickling my eyes, though, that much I can tell you.

The writing is, without a doubt, fantastic. The characters are as real as if they were breathing at your neck and every emotion Bod feels, every sense of fear or pain or sadness or happiness, pulls at your heart just like it does to him. You'll look up to the parental figures of the graveyard, you'll sneer at the foes and you'll love the life just like Bod does. So be sure to read this book because this is one you certainly don't want to miss.

Fuck It, We're All Going to Die and Other Uplifting Children's Stories by Neil Gaiman

Just watch the video. It'll all make sense, I swear.

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Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman

First published in 2005.

When Fat Charlie's dad named something, it stuck. Like calling Fat Charlie "Fat Charlie." Even now, twenty years later, Charlie Nancy can't shake that name, one of many embarrassing "gifts" his father bestowed - before he dropped dead on a karaoke stage and ruined Fat Charlie's life.

Mr. Nancy left Fat Charlie things. Thing like the tall, good-looking stranger who appears on Charlie's doorstep, who appears to be the brother he never knew. A brother as different from Charlie as night is from day, a brother who's going to show Charlie how to lighten up and have a little fun . . . just like Dear Old Dad. And all of a sudden, life starts getting very interesting for Fat Charlie.

Because you see, Charlie's dad wasn't just any dad. He was Anansi, a trickster god, the spider-god. Anansi is the spirit of rebellion, able to overturn the social order, create wealth out of thin air, and baffle the devil. Some said he could cheat even Death himself.

This was definitely an interesting read and I’m glad I listened to those that recommended this book. While I may not have seen it in Stardust, I can see why people consider Gaiman a fantasy god. His writing, when he’s not trying to write in a specific style like Stardust, just takes you fluidly from one end of the story to the other. It’s not high brow literary nor is it a fantasy that takes itself way too seriously. It’s just good writing telling a story that I’ve never heard before.

I’m sure, if the story of Anansi was broken down into it’s more baser parts, there’d be your standard fantasy fare in there somewhere (know-nothing guy saves of the day of the other guy that everyone thought could do it all) but the story of Anansi, of all the animals and the transcendence from their world into ours is nothing like I’ve ever read. I believe the Anansi and other gods myths are actual myths that Gaiman expounded on but even if they weren't, the story was told so well and in such an authentic voice that they could have been. And that’s all that matters, right?

Fat Charlie is immediately relatable–slightly awkward, doesn’t think too highly of himself, has something of a go-nowhere job, less than stellar relationship with his parents. And then Spider comes into the picture, the sibling that’s so much better, and ruins everything even more for him. It certainly doesn’t help that Spider is half god, nor all the interesting that was taken out of Fat Charlie.

I don’t know about you but I wanted to punch Spider in the face when he started to move in on Rosie but during and after the shift, when you begin to see that it’s better for both Rosie and Charlie that they not be together and that Spider and Rosie really are in love, you can’t help but be endeared. And Charlie doesn’t walk away empty handed either.

I thought the role reversal, though, was the strongest part of the novel. While reading it the first time, it felt abrupt, as if I’d just turned the page and Fat Charlie was Spider and Spider was Fat Charlie. But with hindsight, the change was much more subtle.

When Spider was taken into the Bird Woman’s world, he seemed to have done a complete 180, especially when Fat Charlie came to rescue him. Their personalities just switched bodies. But closer to the end they pretty much leveled out on each other, each taking pieces of the other’s person for their own. Spider was, himself, a little more humbled and Fat Charlie walked away with more confidence and a thicker backbone. In the end Spider was never as much god as he thought and Charlie always had some of his father in him, however latent.

The only downside to this book were the numerous typos I kept coming across. At first I thought they could have been stylistic choices but then it became pretty obvious that there was some rushed copy editing involved. I don’t know if this book came down to crunch time when it was released but there were a few too many typos for comfort. It got to a point where I would get pulled out of the story because I’d hit yet another typo.

All in all, this was an excellent book. It’s surefire proof that you don’t need high fantasy to have a fantasy story and a unique view on a slightly less traveled road can make all the difference. Gaiman is not only an excellent storyteller but an excellent writer as well. I think I’m going to have to invest in a few more of his books now.

We Got More Winners

The 2008 Cybils have been announced and it's really no surprise that Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book won for best middle grade fantasy and science fiction book. Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games won in the same category for young adult while The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart won for best young adult fiction.

Looks like I need to get my read on so I can contribute my vote for the 2009 Cybils. Considering I'm someone that's perpetually behind in terms of anything current, I think it's time to focus. Right now I only have one book in my TBR that was released this year, Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. I have horizons that need to be broadened, don't you think?

Neil Gaiman Wears a Tiara

As well as a sash and carries around a scepter too. Figuratively speaking, of course. His book The Graveyard Book is the winner of the Newbery Award and this article likens it to winning the Miss American Pageant in the literary world. Although I'd be hard-pressed to think Gaiman smears his teeth with Vasoline for a better, shinier smile.

Aside from the fact that that article is a great first response from Gaiman about his win (he's such a funny guy), it highlights a major statement, that people, not just Gaiman, are so happy that this particular book won the award. The Newbery is the children's equivalent to the National Book Award. It's not usually the popular books that win but those that are deeper, sometimes darker, usually eloquently written, and carry with it a more deep-seeded message. They're not usually books many kids actively seek out to read but more so books that are usually on some kind of school reading list.

Now The Graveyard Book will boast one of those coveted medals on its cover and kids were flocking to read it long before it won anything. For once educators and students will be on the same page with this one. Not that I don't think the other Newbery winners are any less because of the fact that kids might not want to read them without some coercion, but now teachers will have at least one book that the majority of the kids will be anxious to read (if they haven't read it already) that's Board of Education approved and they won't have to duck around BOE rules to do it.

Hopefully this is another piece to the proof pile that just because something's popular doesn't automatically negate its quality. This one's still in my TBR pile but it will get read. I swear.

And the Award Goes to . . .

January is the month of awards, at least for the American Library Association's Youth Media Awards which includes he Newbery Award. If you haven't heard already, Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book won that coveted slot in the canonization of young adult fiction. We should all be so lucky, right? Critics of the Newbery have been wagging their jaws about how the award is out of touch with the youth of America and how it turns kids off to reading more than it turns them on to it. Well, with this awarding, I think they hit the nail on the head, don't you?

But that's not the only award handed out this month. Teenreads.com has a rather thorough list of award winners and these are books that shouldn't be ignored! Among the list is The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves by MT Anderson for the Michael L. Printz Honors along with The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E Lockhart. Stephen King's Just After Sunset: Stories received an Alex Award and Laurie Halse Anderson won the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her works Catalyst, Fever 1793 and Speak. Click the link to see the entire list.

Also at Teenreads.com are the Top 10 Books for Young Adult Readers including The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, Top 10 Great Graphic Novels for Teens and the Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. Be sure to check them all out!

Coraline, Catching Fire and New Moon

Just a few tidbits for you today. First I have a first look at Suzanne Collins's cover art for the second book in her Hunger Games trilogy. It's not exclusive or anything but I saw it and I knew just how popular that first book is. I haven't read it yet but it is on my paper TBR (as opposed to my actual TBR of doom) and if Stephen King says good things about it then I will gladly take a look! He is one of my gods, after all. The image is courtesy of Publisher's Weekly and you can read a short article about the secrecy surrounding this book here.

Next on the list is a short snippet from the upcoming Henry Selick/Neil Gaiman movie Coraline. Another book I've heard wonderful things about. I'm a burgeoning Neil Gaiman fan and I think his writing is wonderful so of course I plan on reading this one as well. And Nightmare Before Christmas was awesome! I have the underwear! Uh, maybe that was TMI . . . But how could this go wrong? Enjoy the clip! Let me know if you have problems viewing it. It's a MySpace snippet thing.


Last but not least, some New Moon movie news. Now, I'll say this right now, Twilight, for me, is nothing more than a very guilty pleasure. I couldn't stand Edward, Bella or Jacob but I did enjoy the snippets of life from the secondary characters, so long as they remained secondary characters. And I won't even start on the writing.

But the movie wasn't half bad. I actually found it rather enjoyable, mainly because I didn't have to listen to that insufferable twit for the entire two hours. I much prefer just being behind her eyes than I did actually being in her head. While it was roomy, what was in there wasn't really worth the gray matter it was printed on.

Anyway, New Moon news. Dakota Fanning is in the works to play Jane, among other unnamed actresses. I think it's very obvious the movie people really want her in this part. The girl has amazing range as an actress and has done so much and she's only 14 but in all honesty, I never thought of Jane as being a teenager. I always figured she was an adult. It's been a while since I read the book but I can't remember if it's said how old she is. The article has a snippet of her description from the book and I think Dakota fits it pretty nicely, but it doesn't say anything about age. It she's cast in the role, I'll definitely be looking forward to seeing her in the part. That's some real acting talent right there.

And before I go, click my eggs, dammit! They'll die if you don't! Do you want dragon egg deaths on your conscience?

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

First published in 1999.

Young Tristan Thorn will do anything to win the cold heart of beautiful Victoria--even fetch her the star they watch fall from the night sky. But to do so, he must enter the unexplored lands on the other side of the ancient wall that gives their tiny village its name. But beyond that old stone barrier, Tristan learns, lies Faerie--where strange things can happen to a determined lad chasing his heart's desire . . . and where nothing, not even a fallen star, is what he imagined. (book back blurb)

This book was my first foray into fantasy outside of my slight Harry Potter obsession and it was pretty awkward. Like dancing with a guy with broccoli in your teeth awkward. At that point I'd heard of Neil Gaiman but along with this book popping my fantasy cherry, it also popped my Gaiman cherry (sorry, sir). At that moment, I wasn't all that impressed, at least not to the extent with which everyone who likes fantasy held him to. I just didn't see it. It was interesting, sure, but it read as if it were trying too hard to be something other than what it was. I took issue with that, especially since it was pretty different in tone from the movie. Now before you grab the pitchforks, I saw the movie before I even knew it was based on a book. Like I said, I was new to the genre. And I love the movie. Only natural to read the book to compare. Eh.

Overall, it was an interesting read. I don’t know if it’s something I could read over and over and over again but it was good nonetheless although I felt the book was a bit rushed in too many pivotal places and some greater depth was rendered.

The relationship between Yvaine and Tristian, for example, I would have liked to see something a bit more gradual blossom between them because it read like turning on a light switch. Throughout nearly the entire thing Tristian talked only of Victoria but, at the 11th hour and 59th minute, he says no, I love Yvaine and she him. It just seems that it wasn’t there and then, miraculously, it was. At least with the movie we’re able to see the animosity between the two slowly drift away and their like for each other grow. In the book, Tristian was enthralled with Victoria for 95% of the time and we see a gradual decline from Yvaine’s bitterness to something more closely resembling begrudging submission with the jump to love something akin to jumping over the Grand Canyon. There seemed to be no segue.

Another major point that very much irked me were the voices in the story. They all seemed to blend except for Yvaine when she was cranky. I felt the language, the tone of voice, was shared by all characters most of the time. I found it difficult to differentiate between any of them and even discern emotions. They just read very flat to me, as if Gaiman were trying to portray a particular attitude of the time but instead of inflection we’re given a British Ben Stein wearing the clothes of the pauper, the witch, the Wall-folk and the noblemen simultaneously. Initially I thought it was some kind of British wit that I just wasn't getting.

Outside of those, I would have liked to see a bit more worldbuilding. At times it felt like I was traveling by candlelight through the book itself and that I wasn’t privy to such wonders that the world had to offer. Too much time was spent leading up to, and getting Tristan over, the wall and not enough within Stormhold itself. He spent months over there and yet, for most of it, we’re just given glimpses of what he’s done, what he’s seen, what Stormhold could possibly offer. I didn’t care so much about what was going on in Wall as I did with what was going on in Faerie.

If elements from the movie could be combined with elements from the book, I think the book itself would be more well-rounded, I would have a better grasp on the world itself and a greater element of magic and fantasy would emerge. If given the choice, I would rather watch the movie than read the book again simply because I felt the movie offered more. I’m probably stomping on something that’s the epitome of fantasy in many people’s eyes but its just how I feel. It didn’t leave me wanting more story to carry on from the end; it left me wanting to know more about what I was teased with in between the covers.

Lucky for me, my internet friends love me and are thoroughly forgiving of my indiscretions. It was the lovely Stormy that enlightened me to the fact that Stardust isn't written in Gaimen's usual style and was something more of an experiment in the old timey ways of story telling. Well that certainly explains it! It doesn't explain away what I found lacking in the book but it explains the voice and tone, without a doubt.

Actually, I'm happy I started my Gaimen adventure with this book. I think I would have been more disappointed had I read his other work (which I've started doing, yeah, now I can understand the canonization) first because I don't think this one holds muster to the rest. I got this one out of the way and now I can peaceably move on to the better works.