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Showing posts with label Fiction. Show all posts
After a tragic accident, Arturo, Alma, and Maribel Rivera packed up their belongings and made their way to the United States. After months of waiting, a mound of paperwork, and a long journey, the Rivera's found themselves in the lovely state of Delaware, where Maribel could attend a special school called Evers. Life in Mexico was beautiful for the Rivera until the accident changed everything, especially the vibrant girl that used to be Maribel Rivera. Although Arturo and Alma gave up their prosperous life, and livelihood, their hope is to restore the daughter they thought they lost. When the Rivera's see their new home, it's not exactly the cozy home they knew back in Patzcuaro, Mexico. Despite not owning furniture, and other conveniences, Alma and Arturo are determined to make a better life for Maribel. What the Rivera's don't realize is that their entire apartment building is inhabited by a group of people who have similar stories and, as they get to know each other, take comfort knowing they are not alone in their struggles. In fact, when Alma and Maribel meet the Toro's, life was about to get more complicated and exciting when Mayor sees Maribel in The Dollar Store. In fact, for Mayor, it was love at first sight despite the fact that Maribel is different than the other girls from school. In this riveting and honest story told by eleven different voices, readers are invited to the lives of immigrants as the travel through the motions of leaving everything behind in pursuit of something better, even it the price is sometimes too heavy to bare. The ending will resonate with readers since all of us came from somewhere and realize the sacrifices that were made to give us the world they desperately wanted to experience.
Critical Evaluation:
My initial fear with this story is that it is told from eleven point of views. That's a lot of voices and stories to keep straight in my honest opinion. However, that is not the case with The Book of Unknown Americans. Henriquez is an incredible storyteller because every single voice and every single story was unique, inspiring, beautiful, and tragic. What seemed like a collection of vignettes, Henriquez managed to bring all of those stories full circle to create an incredible community and story. My absolute favorite scene was the impromptu Christmas party and I literally busted a gut when all of the neighbors, and the Riviera's, hear the song: "Feliz Navidad." Clearly, this was an American song because none of them had ever heard of it and talk about patronizing if everyone expects all Latin, Hispanic, and South American folks to know the song. This is just instance that make the book utterly amazing, but there are parts that really drove home for me because my own grandmother and family were interned at Manzanar. Arturo and Alma came to the United States to care for their daughter who was involved in a tragic accident. In many cases, a lot of people come to this country to seek out a better life for their children so this story isn't the first. However, their immigrating to the US was more than just finding a good school for their daughter: this story was about forgiveness and redemption. Alma and Arturo carried so much pain and grief over something they had no control over and I really do believe that is why people start over. For the Toro's, the had no choice to leave Panama, but the pain and the longing for Panama is what drives the wedge between Rafa and Celia. On the flip side, for the Maribel and Mayor, this move provided them the opportunity to feel love and accepted. There is so much going on with this story that it's impossible to cover every topic, but, let me assure, dear readers, this is an amazing story that will spark amazing conversation, especially with teens.
Information about the Author:
According to her website:
Cristina Henríquez is the author of The Book of Unknown Americans, The World In Half, and Come Together, Fall Apart: A Novella and Stories, which was a New York Times Editors’ Choice selection.
Her stories have been published in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Glimmer Train, The American Scholar, Ploughshares, TriQuarterly, and AGNI along with the anthology This is Not Chick Lit: Original Stories by America’s Best Women Writers.
Cristina’s non-fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, The Oxford American, and Preservation as well as in the anthologies State by State: A Panoramic Portrait of America and Thirty Ways of Looking at Hillary: Women Writers Reflect on the Candidate and What Her Campaign Meant.
She was featured in Virginia Quarterly Review as one of “Fiction’s New Luminaries,” has been a guest on National Public Radio, and is a recipient of the Alfredo Cisneros Del Moral Foundation Award, a grant started by Sandra Cisneros in honor of her father.Cristina earned her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University and is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. She lives in Chicago.
Genre:
Fiction, Teen Contemporary Fiction
Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up
Books Similar to Book of Unknown Americans:
- Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
- American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang
Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com
“Vivid . . . . Striking. . . . A ringing paean to love in general: to the love between man and wife, parent and child, outsider and newcomer, pilgrims and promised land.” —The Washington Post
“Powerful. . . . Moving. . . . [Henríquez has] myriad gifts as a writer.” —The New York Times
“Passionate, powerful. . . . A triumph of storytelling. Henríquez pulls us into the lives of her characters with such mastery that we hang on to them just as fiercely as they hang on to one another and their dreams.” —Ben Fountain, author of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
“Gripping, memorable. . . . A novel that can both make you think and break your heart.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“A remarkable novel that every American should read.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Unfailingly well written and entertaining. . . . [Henríquez’s] stories illuminate the lives behind the current debates about Latino immigration.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Lyrical. . . . This is a book about love, about how we seek to help those we love, sometimes with unforeseen and tragic consequences.” —The Dallas Morning News
“Powerful. . . Henríquez gives us unforgettable characters . . . whose resilience yields a most profound and unexpected kind of beauty.” —Ruth Ozeki, author of A Tale for the Time Being
“There’s an aura of benevolence in these pages. . . . Henríquez’s feat is to make the reader feel at home amid these good, likable people.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Characters are as vivid as they are resilient. . . . [The] story is told from Alma and Mayor’s points of view, but their voices are interlaced with tales of dreams deferred from the other tenants.” —Elle
“A lovingly woven portrait of how friendships sustain people, how people support one another, and how people make a home in unlikely places. . . . Henríquez offers up stories we need to hear and lets us sit with her characters in communion and even friendship.” —Christian Science Monitor
“Unforgettable: an important story about family, community, and identity, told with elegance and compassion.” —Jami Attenberg, author of The Middlesteins
“Passionate.” —O, the Oprah Magazine
“Henríquez distills the vast sea of immigrant stories into a small apartment building community in Delaware. . . . Through Henríquez’s unadorned prose, these immigrants’ struggles ring clear, their voices rising above that din of political debate.” —USA Today
“An exquisite and profound novel of love, longing, and the resilience of the human spirit. . . . [These characters] leave an indelible mark on the heart.” —Gilbert King, author of Devil in the Grove
“Henríquez allows the characters to speak for themselves. . . . The politics of immigration, while never explicitly argued, remain subtly in play, as do more existential matters affecting immigrants, such as the mixed national and cultural allegiances and affiliations between the generations.” —Chicago Tribune
“Distinctively compassionate and original. . . . Extraordinary.” —Heidi Julavits, author of The Vanishings
“[Henríquez is] a world-class stylist.” —Chicago Reader
“Beautiful . . . Cristina Henríquez introduces us to . . . vibrant lives, to heartbreaking choices, to the tender beginnings of love, and to the humanity in every individual. Unforgettable.” —Esmeralda Santiago, author of Conquistadora
“Powerful. . . . Moving. . . . [Henríquez has] myriad gifts as a writer.” —The New York Times
“Passionate, powerful. . . . A triumph of storytelling. Henríquez pulls us into the lives of her characters with such mastery that we hang on to them just as fiercely as they hang on to one another and their dreams.” —Ben Fountain, author of Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
“Gripping, memorable. . . . A novel that can both make you think and break your heart.” —San Francisco Chronicle
“A remarkable novel that every American should read.” —Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Unfailingly well written and entertaining. . . . [Henríquez’s] stories illuminate the lives behind the current debates about Latino immigration.” —The New York Times Book Review
“Lyrical. . . . This is a book about love, about how we seek to help those we love, sometimes with unforeseen and tragic consequences.” —The Dallas Morning News
“Powerful. . . Henríquez gives us unforgettable characters . . . whose resilience yields a most profound and unexpected kind of beauty.” —Ruth Ozeki, author of A Tale for the Time Being
“There’s an aura of benevolence in these pages. . . . Henríquez’s feat is to make the reader feel at home amid these good, likable people.” —The Wall Street Journal
“Characters are as vivid as they are resilient. . . . [The] story is told from Alma and Mayor’s points of view, but their voices are interlaced with tales of dreams deferred from the other tenants.” —Elle
“A lovingly woven portrait of how friendships sustain people, how people support one another, and how people make a home in unlikely places. . . . Henríquez offers up stories we need to hear and lets us sit with her characters in communion and even friendship.” —Christian Science Monitor
“Unforgettable: an important story about family, community, and identity, told with elegance and compassion.” —Jami Attenberg, author of The Middlesteins
“Passionate.” —O, the Oprah Magazine
“Henríquez distills the vast sea of immigrant stories into a small apartment building community in Delaware. . . . Through Henríquez’s unadorned prose, these immigrants’ struggles ring clear, their voices rising above that din of political debate.” —USA Today
“An exquisite and profound novel of love, longing, and the resilience of the human spirit. . . . [These characters] leave an indelible mark on the heart.” —Gilbert King, author of Devil in the Grove
“Henríquez allows the characters to speak for themselves. . . . The politics of immigration, while never explicitly argued, remain subtly in play, as do more existential matters affecting immigrants, such as the mixed national and cultural allegiances and affiliations between the generations.” —Chicago Tribune
“Distinctively compassionate and original. . . . Extraordinary.” —Heidi Julavits, author of The Vanishings
“[Henríquez is] a world-class stylist.” —Chicago Reader
“Beautiful . . . Cristina Henríquez introduces us to . . . vibrant lives, to heartbreaking choices, to the tender beginnings of love, and to the humanity in every individual. Unforgettable.” —Esmeralda Santiago, author of Conquistadora
Tag :// Fiction,
Tag :// Teen Contemporary Fiction
After being unemployed for a year, Clay decided to get off the computer and "pound the pavement" with want ads in hand. Although San Francisco is a relatively small city, the hills will make any job hunt difficult, but at least the views are spectacular. On his hunt, Clay stumbles upon a small shop that sells pristine used books called "Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore." Upon entering this establishment, Clay is blown away not just by the selection, but the sheer amount where tall ladders are requited for searching. When Clay meets Mr. Penumbra, an elderly gentlemen with kind blue eyes, he blurts out that he needs a job. Granted, the only experience Clay has with book retail is the the crummy job he previously held where the owner sold his own cookbook, Mr. Penumbra gives him the job based on the fact that he and his best friend bonded over a fantasy series called Dragon-Song Chronicles and he can climb a ladder. There are only three staff members at the store and Clay works the night shift. Granted, most people just stop by to browse, but Mr. Penumbra's does have an interesting clientele that actually uses the store as a library where specific customers can obscure books from the Waybacklist; these are items that are so rare that they don't have any ISBN numbers, the pages are gold leafed, and their cover designs are sculpted intricately. More importantly, these items are so obscure, they are literally unreadable. There are a few rules about Penumbra's: first of all, when a customer comes in to the store to purchase, or borrow, be must record these dealing in a giant ledger where Clay must write the customer's name, the book purchased/borrowed, customer description, and their reaction to the transaction. Secondly, Clay is not allowed to read through any of the materials despite the fact he in the bookstore, by himself, all through the night. Lastly, each member of the Waybacklist has a membership card with a series of numbers that he must record. Although Clay does the best he can to do what he is told ( he pretty paranoid about losing this job), he can't help himself when it comes to the Waybacklist and shows his closest friends the phenomenon that are these books. With the help og his buddies, and a cute Googler named Kat, they concoct an elaborate scheme to digitize the logs books and input that data into a series of super computer programs will allow him to create a 3D model of the bookstore and how customer transactions affect the shape. When they finish the project, they reveal an answer that will not only threaten the existence of the bookstore, but Mr. Penumbra himself. Is it possible that the very code Clay and company have created crack the code in the books? Be prepared for an all nighter, everyone because this book is unstoppable.
Critical Evaluation:
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!! I don't think I have had this much fun with a book since I read Harry Potter! Not only was my little nerd heart pumping a million miles an hour, I had to devour this book because my brain craved it so much. Bravo, Robin Sloan for writing such an original and creative story that not only resonates with people my age, but books lovers will appreciate the adventure that the characters go through. One of the underlying themes that I have discovered is that everything evolves over time. In other words, the members of the Unbroken Spine have spent many, many years trying to solve the puzzle that when Clay and Cat crack the code using modern tools, they have shown that modern methods work efficiently and effectively, which is upsetting for traditionalists like Corvina. This book, in my opinion, is the perfect title to bring readers of all ages together to launch a dialogue about tradition and innovation. Clearly, there is a huge gap right now between the generations where older folks prefer to stay clear of technology and the younger generation may know how to code computer programs but are completely uses when it comes to common sense things such as balancing a check book or changing a tire. The problem that this younger, and newer, group is facing is that some of the older members are willing to use new tools to solve the mystery, but the "leader" of the group is not willing to employ such methods. As a librarian, this problem is an every day occurrence and there really isn't a solution unless the patron is willing to give in and learn. Lastly, the idea of immortality is what draws people into the Unbound Spine, but don't realize that immortality goes beyond living forever, physically and metaphysically.For Clay and company, their mission to copy the Codex Vitae is not just about immortality, but about solving a mystery that has yet to be solved. This book provides an important lesson that it's not about what tools, or means, we use to solve the problem, but how we solved it as a team. I really, really, really, really like this book so I think all of you should go out and read it TODAY!
Information about the Author:According to his website:
I grew up near Detroit and went to school at Michigan State, where I studied economics and co-founded a literary magazine called Oats. Between 2002 and 2012, I worked at Poynter, Current TV, and Twitter, and at all those places, my job had something to do with figuring out the future of media.
I’m the author of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, which started as a short story right here and is now a full-length novel published by FSG and Picador in the United States and many others around the world.
Genre:
Fiction
Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 11 & up
Books Similar to Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore:
- The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
- The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To by DC Pierson
Awards & Recognition:
From Amazon.com
“A real tour de force [and] a beautiful fable...The reader is swept along by Sloan’s enthusiasm.”—George Saunders, BLIP Magazine“Part love letter to books, part technological meditation, part thrilling adventure, part requiem... Eminently enjoyable, full of warmth and intelligence.”—The New York Times Book Review“A book about passion—for books, for history, for the future...There is nothing about Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore that I didn’t love.”—Cory Doctorow
“Delightful.” —Graham Joyce, The Washington Post“An irresistible page-turning novel.” —Newsweek“One of the most thoughtful and fun reading experiences you’re likely to have this year...There’s so much largehearted magic in this book.”—NPR
“A jaunty, surprisingly old-fashioned fantasy about the places where old and new ways of accessing knowledge meet...[Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore] cleverly uses the technological age in the service of its fantasy...Sloan’s ultimate answer to the mystery of what keeps people solving Penumbra’s puzzle is worth turning pages to find out.”—Tess Taylor, San Francisco Chronicle“[A] winning literary adventure...Sloan grounds his jigsawlike plot with Big Ideas about the quest for permanence in the digital age.”—Thom Geier, Entertainment Weekly“Fantastic...I loved diving into the world that Sloan created, both the high-tech fantasyland of Google and the ancient analog society. It’s packed full of geeky allusions and wonderful characters, and is a celebration of books, whether they’re made of dead trees or digits.”—Jonathan H. Liu, Wired, GeekDad
“Sloan makes bits and bytes appear beautiful. ...The rebels’ journey to crack the code—grappling with an ancient cult, using secret passwords and hidden doorways—will excite anyone’s inner child.”—The Economist
Tag :// Fiction
R misses many things, but the thing his misses the most is his own name. After being transformed into a zombie, the hustle and bustle of his former life has changed, significantly, and the only thing he looks forward to is standing still and looking at the desolate world. R lives in an abandoned hanger of an airport with his good friend M. Just like R, M is still in the early stages of decay and the have the ability to moan and groan and to form a zombie language. Inside of his head, R is alive and filled with ideas and coherent speech, but his body won't allow him to say the things he want to say. Although being a zombie is pretty easy, the days just get longer and longer. Another downside to being a zombie, other than not being able to talk, read, or remember names, is eating. R doesn't like hearing the cries and the pain that comes from his meal, but the only thing he takes pleasure in is eating the brains of his prey; by eating the brains, he can absorb the memories of that person. Although R has established his ranks in the zombie community (he has a wife and two kids), something is still missing. On a routine hunting, something inside R makes him ravenous and when he eats the brain of a young man named Perry, R has devoured everything that makes Perry who he is. After re-living Perry's memories, the ones that stick out the most are of Julie. Julie was Perry's everything and now that he is a part of R, R chooses to protect her. After saving her from his horde of hungry zombies, Julie actually follows R and discovers that zombies are not what them seem; at least this one tries to talk to her, has a great collection of Frank Sinatra LP's, and is actively protecting to her. The question that nags at her is "why?" Why is R protecting a girl he doesn't know, but is attracted to because of the brain he consumed? Lastly, something about him is changing and he doesn't know why.
Critical Evaluation:
The writing in this book is just brilliant! I will confess
that I did see the movie, before reading the book, and I am pretty impressed
with how true the film is to the book. However, I am not here to review the
movie, I am here to talk about the book. Warm Bodies is more than a story about
a boy who meets a girl. This story is about self-discovery and, in R's case,
recovering everything he has lost. Just like John Gardner's Grendel, readers
will get a unique insight into the mind of the undead and identify with it in so
many ways. Although zombies are nothing more than an urban legend, the question
is, if they did exist, would they be like R? What I find entertaining about
this story is that there is a very thin line between the living in the dead;
although R is dead, he takes it upon himself to stop and observe the life
around him. For most living people, we are too busy to even notice the
landscape that surrounds us or if your co-worker is going through a hard time.
Even now, I feel like a zombie because I am sitting at any empty desk waiting
for the hours to go by so I can go home. At some point in time, R was a living
person, like we are, but, now that he is dead, he has a huge appreciation for
everything around him including the ability to speak. R wants to communicate so
bad, but his body won't let him. I loved it when he said that being a zombie
was easy, but, being human, is never easy. As for Julie, who is the complete
opposite of R (besides a pulse), has no idea what to think or understand why a
zombie would protect her. The more she gets to know R, the more she realizes
that he is not just a zombie, but a friend and confidant. When R risks his
undead existence to love Julie, not only have readers cheering, but melt the
hearts of cynical readers.
Information about the Author:
According to his website:
Isaac Marion was born near Seattle in 1981 and has lived in and around that city ever since. He began writing in high school and self-published three novels before finally breaking through with Warm Bodies. He currently divides his time between writing, playing obscure instruments in obscure bands, and exploring the country in a 1977 GMC motorhome named Baleen.
Genre:
Fiction, Romance, Horror
Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 10 & up
Books Similar to Warm Bodies:
- Boneshaker by Cherie Priest
- World War Z by Max Brooks
From Amazon.com:
“Elegantly written, touching, and fun.”
(Audrey Niffenegger, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Time Traveler's Wife)
“Dark and funny.”
(Wired)
“Warm Bodies
is a terrific zombook. Whether you're warm-bodied or cold-bodied,
snuggle up to it with the lights low and enjoy a dead-lightful
combination of horror and romance.”
(Examiner.com)
“The writing is lively, the characters intriguing, and the creative reinvention of popular themes is thought-provoking.”
(Commonsensemedia.org)
“Compulsively readable.”
(Thereadinggate.com)
“A masterfully crafted retelling of Romeo & Juliet.”
(Goodereads.com)
“Remarkable.
From the very first page you are hooked on protagonist R’s story. You
actually care about R. Yes, you find yourself really caring about a
zombie.”
(Teenlitrocks.com)
“Fun and entertaining.”
(Gliterarygirl.com)
“Marion’s
novel is even better [than the movie], digging deep into sardonic
observations about humanity, comic takes on zombie behavior and stirring
reflections on what it really means to be alive or dead.”
(Seattle Times)
“Artful.”
(The Onion A.V. Club)
“Highly original.”
(Seattletimes.com)
What if every biography about Abraham Lincoln was missing a dark part of his life? What if the greatest president of the United States not only freed us from the ideology of slavery, but from becoming a slave race itself? Although we know that Abraham Lincoln was a humble country boy who overcame his obstacles to become president, what if he was a sent by God to free us from the devil himself? Let's face it: Abraham Lincoln was, and still is, the greatest vampire slayer in history. When he lost his mother to "milk" sickness, Abe learned that it was not disease that killed her, but a vampire. Unable to live with the idea that vampires were free to roam the Earth to feed off anyone, he dedicated his life to destroying this evil. However, what we didn't realize is that his teacher, and greatest, ally is a vampire himself. What the history books don't tell us, his friend, Henry Sturges, a vampire and mentor, is the one who taught him that not every vampire is a ruthless monster. In fact, there are vampires who wish to remain in the shadows where peace and coexistence prevail. When Abraham witnesses a slave auction, for the first time, not only does he see the horrors of this institution, he notices that amongst the audience members are vampires. Of all things to witness, and know, Vampires have the ability to purchase their prey without having to come out at night and without worrying about people noticing. The worst part is that humans have actually made a pact with the vampires so everyone can profit. With Henry's help, and that of the infamous Edgar Allan Poe, Lincoln has to make a decision to fight the good fight or live a normal life. For Abe, he chooses to live a life with his wife and sons, but, in return, he will fight his battle against slavery in office and hang up his ax for good. However, when his rival, Stephen Douglas, changes his position on slavery and promotes slavery in the new, free territories, Lincoln decides to come out of "retirement" and take a stand once and for all. The rest we know is "history," but is it really?
Critical Evaluation:
In this delightful spin on the life of Abraham Lincoln, Seth Grahame-Smith brings even more awesomeness to the life and legacy of Honest Abe. By intertwining the facts of Lincoln's life with that of his "secret" diaries, readers get to see a different side of a man who did everything he could to conceal his personal life. Although the vampire slayer gig may be fiction, I think it adds depth to the man who suffered and rose above it all. What's even more fascinating is that by casting this man as a strong, nimble, and fierce warrior, readers get have the opportunity to challenge the facts that said Lincoln was a humble, gawky, and freakishly tall man who couldn't find pants that fit. Most will wonder if Lincoln, was in fact, the opposite of his persona. In other words, if Lincoln was presented the opportunity to show the world the fire that was in his eyes when eh spoke, could he have done so much more? I will admit that I have a bit of Lincoln obsession because we don't really know much about this private man other than what historians, biographers, friends, and acquaintances know or have told over the years. In many ways, I really, really want to believe that Lincoln was this all powerful superhero who was denied his full potential because this world wasn't ready for him. After reading this amazing story, readers will be itching to read the Lincoln biographies or do a little research of their own. As a reader, I am not only impressed with the twist on Lincoln's life, but juxtaposing two very similar, yet very different examples of slavery. For Abraham Lincoln, not only did he want to free his fellow human beings from the bondage of slavery, but protect the human race from becoming enslaved by vampires. Personally, I like the fact that I am not being harvested for my blood to feed a merciless race of otherworldly beings. Furthermore, I love the fact that I live in a country that protects and upholds my inalienable right to live of life liberty, freedom, and happiness. There is a phrase that says "evil begets evil" and if Lincoln had not put an end to slavery than who knows where would be now.
Information about the Author:
According to his website:
Raised in Weston and Bethel, Connecticut, Seth Grahame-Smith recieved a degree in film from Boston's Emerson College. In 2005, he quit a TV-development job to become a freelance writer- and for a few years that seemed like a very, very bad decision.
Published in 2009, Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies, debuted as #3 on the New York Times Bestseller List. Since then "PPZ" has sold over a million copies and has been translated into more than 20 languages.
Seth's follow up book, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, debuted at #4, and remained on the on the New York Times Bestseller List for over three months.Genre:
Fiction
Reading Level/Interest:
Adult
Books Similar to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter:
- Jane Slayre by Sharon Browning Erwin
- Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
From Amazon.com
"Seth Grahame-Smith is an excellent writer whose prose raises Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter a step above others of its genre...[He] does such an excellent job blending the facts of Lincoln's life into the story that it is sometimes hard to determine fact from fiction...Suspenseful, and most readers will want to read it in one sitting." ( Asbury Park Press )
"Evocative...Grahame-Smith [is] a lively, fluent writer with a sharp sense of tone and pace." (TIME )
"Thanks to P&P&Z, a delicious mutant book craze was born. But then opportunists infested the territory...It's nice to see plucky Grahame-Smith retake his turf." (Entertainment Weekly )
"Not just the Lincoln biography we've all been waiting for. It's also the funniest, most action-packed and weirdly well-researched account of the Civil War you'll probably read in a long time. Grahame-Smith could be poised to become the Howard Zinn of vampire-related alterna-history." (Vanity Fair )
"Grahame-Smith does an excellent job of capturing the spirit of this style of story-telling, mixing historically accurate anecdotes with entries from Lincoln's fictional secret journal, weaving the vampire elements into the story in a manner that's quite believable." (Wired
Tag :// Fiction
Darren is ambivalent about a lot of things, but he does have one serious ambition: to write a series of comics/novels that will turn into a hit movie. Although Darren spends a lot of his "doodling" between note taking and in his free time, he hasn't really taken this dream seriously until he met Eric. To some of his classmates, Eric is seen as a weirdo and, unfortunately, has been compared to a potential school shooter. Why would anyone say this about him? Darren hasn't a clue. However, Eric and Darren develop a solid friendship based on their passion for comics and that Eric has faith in Darren's stories. When most teens are out at parties, causing trouble, or doing "teen" things, Darren and Eric dedicate their time to make Darren's Dr. Praetoreous adventures a lucrative success before they graduate. When Darren is approached by a girl named Cecilia Martin, who is a bit of a freak herself, she tells him to be careful around Eric. Although Cecilia has no right to tell Darren that Eric is weird, he starts to wonder why she would say that. One night, Darren's idiot brother confesses to Darren that he and his friend, Alan, actually spotted Eric walking down the street at 3 a.m. and decided to beat him up. Outraged, and upset at Eric for not telling him, Darren and Eric decide to repay the favor by egging Alan's house. Unfortunately, that plan didn't doesn't work out and sends the both of them running through the streets on Halloween night. When they make it to Eric's house, Darren’s world is totally turned upside down when Eric makes a startling confession as to why he is the way he is. Moreover, Darren starts to realize the reason behind Eric's brilliance and just how awesome it is to have a friend like him. Unfortunately, things take an awkward turn when Darren meets Christine, which creates a whole new set of problems that could threaten his friendship with Eric. On the other hand, girls are the least of this problem because if the world finds out Eric's "thing," the two of them have to a quick decision: fight or flight.
Critical Evaluation:
This story is absolutely h-y-s-t-e-r-i-c-a-l!! As a fellow nerd, and lover of "draw-ers," I absolutely loved the dialogue and ideas that Eric and Darren come up with. Moreover, the dynamic between the two of them resemble the classic superhero duo where one is the brains and the other the brawn. Although Darren and Eric are like day and night, they share quite a few similarities that make this partnership almost enviable. Given the fact that Eric, right off the bat, is able to trust Darren with his secret, Darren's willingness to keep this secret is extraordinary. Teenagers, in many ways, have a hard time adjusting to things that are very different. It's not that it’s a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of being totally unprepared to deal with situations that is above their capabilities. For Darren, despite having Eric prove that he is what he is, he is able to move past his doubts and take a chance on his friend. Deciphering truth and lies is not only hard for adults, but knowing that two teens can put absolute faith in each other is a feat in itself. Another great aspect of this story is the illustrations. I just loved seeing a representation of each character especially the Tilnar soldier and Tilnar vulture. Despite all the glorious geekdom, this novel does a beautiful job of conveying the ups and downs of adolescence where two teens discover the power of friendship, betrayal, adventure, and success.
Information about the Author:
According to his book, DC Pierson was born in raised in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2007, he graduated from New York University and earned a degree in television writing. He is currently belongs to a comedy group DERRICK and they made a film called Mystery Team. He currently publishes short stories and blogs daily on his Tumblr and personal website. The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep And Never Had To is his first novel.
Genre:
Fiction
Reading Level/Interest:
Grades 12 & up
Books Similar to The Boy Who Couldn't Sleep and Never Had To:
- The Freak Observer by Blythe Woolston
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Awards & Recognition:
Review Quotes:
"Funny as hell. . . . The ribald humor of a Judd Apatow movie married to a science-fiction-fantasy spectacle."--"Kirkus "
"A witty coming-of-age novel. . . . In Darren and Eric, Pierson has created two engaging and memorable co-conspirators and co-protagonists."--"Booklist"
"Charmingly honest and honestly funny. Nails what it's like to be a geeky teenage male, right down to the Agtranian Berserkers." --Max Barry, author of "Company"
"In a smart, funny and endlessly imaginative debut, the voluminously talented DC Pierson shows keen insight into the rocky emotional terrain of adolescence and the nuances of geek culture. Pierson has a sharp eye for the way teenagers think, talk and behave. The scope and depth of the novel's ambition don't become apparent until a riveting final third that radically reinvents the narrative as a sly, Unbreakable-style exercise in genre deconstruction. Pierson has written a trenchant, briskly readable and ultimately sad novel about the greatest, most fantastical and mind-bending adventure of all: growing up."--Nathan Rabin, Head Writer, "The A.V. Club", author, "The Big Rewind: A Memoir Brought To You By Pop Culture"
"Awesome stuff: great jokes, shocking twists, cyborgs. There's even some sex. It's fast-paced and funny and you should definitely check it out."--Simon Rich, author of "Free-Range Chickens"
Tag :// Fiction