Saturday, April 14, 2012
Syntax as Music in Arisa White’s "Hurrah’s Nest"
Just a quick update to let you know that my review of Hurrah's Nest, a collection of poetry by bay area author Arisa White, is now up on the Switchback website. Check it out here!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Review: "The Narrows" by M. Craig
Title: The Narrows
Author: M. Craig
Publisher: Papercut Press
Date Published: September 10, 2011
Pages: 226
How I Heard About It: Author M. Craig (a.k.a. Maggie) reached out to me in February to link up as writers. She also told me about her first book and the exciting, independent Brooklyn-based Papercut Press. Maggie kindly sent me a copy of The Narrows to read and review.
Review:
That's why we come to the Narrows, because we're all a little different.
So says Sim, the book's punkish yet sweet protagonist. Working as a servant to the infamous (shady) Lord Nogron's daughter, Sim finds herself in a confusing and sticky situation, one which means she must flee and start her life alone, elsewhere.
Through a stroke of luck, Sim stumbles into a friendship with charming young quester Cader, who just so happens to have an opening for a roommate. Cader introduces Sim to his gorgeous home (Kailash), his intricate roommates (Prudence and Kai), and the Bikeway Narrows. Cader also finds Sim a day job, working for the eccentric Azzer, a gadget repairman who specializes in magical devices and helps Sim begin to hone her latent magic-weaving talents.
Others have described Sim's favorite neighborhood, the Bikeway Narrows, as a literally-magical Portland. The neighborhood felt a lot like my own: San Francisco's Mission District. (I think this was some clever writing on Maggie's part; she relies on the universality of bike-filled, coffee-shop-loving hip, youthful urban areas to paint a scene that is immediately accessible.)
With dashes of steampunk (brass goggles, leather pouches, carriages), some old-school magic (magic dust, wands, the occasional fairy or dragon), and plenty of the difficulties faced by an early-twenties woman in a big new city, Craig's book is already a complex undertaking.The meat of the novel, however, lies in its allegorical social commentary, taking a look at the ramifications of corporate takeover in terms of environmental and political impact. Factories spewing toxic, black magic byproducts are run by an exploited dwarf population, a race whose rights are consistently ignored by the government. There is an aggressive population of soldiers that monitors the Narrows to keep an eye on the myriad things that have become illegal. (Beer-brewing, for instance, has been forbidden and bears a punishment of lifetime in jail.)
Truly on her own, Sim now has an opportunity to grow in an understanding of her own identity. A new friend, known simply as Wood, brings Sim's sexuality to the forefront of her mind and she begins to explore who she is, what she wants, in the context of a world (sadly not unlike our own) in which homosexuality can bear the heavy consequences of discrimination and hate crimes.
She had to figure out who she was and then maybe she could figure out what was right and wrong in the world and what was worth fighting for.
This quote is so at the heart of what The Narrows ultimately does: consider big-picture morality and justice through the lens of an equally tough and vulnerable young woman. Sim's journey is hugely adventurous and always surprising.
There are a plethora of plot elements, fantasy world-modifications, and genres in play, which can sometimes become overwhelming for the reader to track or comprehend. The trick I discovered was to let The Narrows wash over me, carry me along at its own pace, without feeling some sort of academic stress to figure out all of the linkages. The novel ends in a manner that hints at future installments, so perhaps Craig has plans to wrap up any loose ends in book number two?
Maggie has generously agreed to do an interview with me, so stay tuned for future discussions with the author herself! In the meantime, you can read more about (and order your own copy of) The Narrows here, and be sure to check out the website for Papercut Press in Brooklyn.
Author: M. Craig
Publisher: Papercut Press
Date Published: September 10, 2011
Pages: 226
Review:
So says Sim, the book's punkish yet sweet protagonist. Working as a servant to the infamous (shady) Lord Nogron's daughter, Sim finds herself in a confusing and sticky situation, one which means she must flee and start her life alone, elsewhere.
Through a stroke of luck, Sim stumbles into a friendship with charming young quester Cader, who just so happens to have an opening for a roommate. Cader introduces Sim to his gorgeous home (Kailash), his intricate roommates (Prudence and Kai), and the Bikeway Narrows. Cader also finds Sim a day job, working for the eccentric Azzer, a gadget repairman who specializes in magical devices and helps Sim begin to hone her latent magic-weaving talents.
Others have described Sim's favorite neighborhood, the Bikeway Narrows, as a literally-magical Portland. The neighborhood felt a lot like my own: San Francisco's Mission District. (I think this was some clever writing on Maggie's part; she relies on the universality of bike-filled, coffee-shop-loving hip, youthful urban areas to paint a scene that is immediately accessible.)
 |
| M. Craig at a launch party for The Narrows. [[via]] |
Truly on her own, Sim now has an opportunity to grow in an understanding of her own identity. A new friend, known simply as Wood, brings Sim's sexuality to the forefront of her mind and she begins to explore who she is, what she wants, in the context of a world (sadly not unlike our own) in which homosexuality can bear the heavy consequences of discrimination and hate crimes.
This quote is so at the heart of what The Narrows ultimately does: consider big-picture morality and justice through the lens of an equally tough and vulnerable young woman. Sim's journey is hugely adventurous and always surprising.
There are a plethora of plot elements, fantasy world-modifications, and genres in play, which can sometimes become overwhelming for the reader to track or comprehend. The trick I discovered was to let The Narrows wash over me, carry me along at its own pace, without feeling some sort of academic stress to figure out all of the linkages. The novel ends in a manner that hints at future installments, so perhaps Craig has plans to wrap up any loose ends in book number two?
Maggie has generously agreed to do an interview with me, so stay tuned for future discussions with the author herself! In the meantime, you can read more about (and order your own copy of) The Narrows here, and be sure to check out the website for Papercut Press in Brooklyn.
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
New Features and Ratings System. Hooray!
Yesterday, The Chef and I were discussing my penchant for reading multiple books simultaneously. While he is more of a "steady as she goes," one at a time type of fellow, I've almost always got poetry, nonfiction, literary fiction, and a "popcorn" book in the rotation. (The popcorn category can encompass a variety of things, but usually this is something I read more for entertainment, less critically, to balance out the heavier stuff on my plate.)
Having finished both a SUPER INTENSE literary award-winner and a young adult thriller last night, I came up with the idea to do a new feature called "Veggies vs. Popcorn," two mini-reviews in which super different books can snuggle up together.
NOTE: I've decided to change my ratings system to align with that of GoodReads, where my reviews are also cataloged. Instead of a 1-10 scale, I will now be rating books from 1-5.
Having finished both a SUPER INTENSE literary award-winner and a young adult thriller last night, I came up with the idea to do a new feature called "Veggies vs. Popcorn," two mini-reviews in which super different books can snuggle up together.
NOTE: I've decided to change my ratings system to align with that of GoodReads, where my reviews are also cataloged. Instead of a 1-10 scale, I will now be rating books from 1-5.
5 - I am crazy-impressed/-smitten/-awestruck and unspeakably envious of the author's skills.
4 - I really liked this book and would recommend it to my people.
3 - Equal amounts of "wow!" and "what?" moments.
2 - Not really my cup of tea.
1 - I can't.
So, coming this week, get ready for ....
I hope you are having a wonderful week so far!
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Review: The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Title: The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Author: Emily M. Danforth
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Date Published: February 7, 2012
Pages: 480
How I Heard About It: On the book's date of publication, NPR's Melinda Lo posted a review immediately, singing Danforth's praises in an irresistible way.
Two Sentence Summary: Set in the early 90s in super-conservative, small-town Montana (Miles City, to be precise), this book is the beautiful coming-of-age and coming out story of Cameron Post, a young woman whose parents have both just died in a freak car accident. When Cameron's religious Aunt Ruth catches wind of her niece's romantic goings-on, Cameron is packed up and shipped off to a facility for "correcting" her homosexuality, and Danforth takes us on an impressive journey through the mind of a young woman coping with trauma.
Things I Think: This is an exceptional debut novel, and while it is largely marketed as a Young Adult read, I'm one of many adults who has picked up and lauded "The Miseducation of Cameron Post."
Danforth is an exceptional writer. The characters are hyper-realistic in their three-dimensionality, as is the in-depth portrayal of Miles City ("home," for the narrator) and all of its secret nooks. The level of detail and the absolute honesty of the narrator combine to make this book intensely intimate. It would be difficult not to "become one" with Cameron on her journey, in which we are allowed to experience private moments of infatuation, gullibility, shame, pride, wrath... Even when she steps away from herself, numbs her overwhelmed brain with drugs or shoplifting or stolen beers, Cameron is endearing and sweet and hugely clever.
Perhaps the thing that rang truest for me was the major social pressure of living in a small town. Privacy is typically unlikely and short-lived, and one's decisions are colored by concern for how the town will react. This constant presence can become a heavy burden, and while some might crumble under the weight of these societal expectations, Cameron wages a fierce battle to maintain her sense of self. Constantly pushing back against the status quo, her story is one of perseverance and individuality, a recipe for a powerful and important coming-of-age novel.
Author: Emily M. Danforth
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Date Published: February 7, 2012
Pages: 480
How I Heard About It: On the book's date of publication, NPR's Melinda Lo posted a review immediately, singing Danforth's praises in an irresistible way.
Two Sentence Summary: Set in the early 90s in super-conservative, small-town Montana (Miles City, to be precise), this book is the beautiful coming-of-age and coming out story of Cameron Post, a young woman whose parents have both just died in a freak car accident. When Cameron's religious Aunt Ruth catches wind of her niece's romantic goings-on, Cameron is packed up and shipped off to a facility for "correcting" her homosexuality, and Danforth takes us on an impressive journey through the mind of a young woman coping with trauma.
Things I Think: This is an exceptional debut novel, and while it is largely marketed as a Young Adult read, I'm one of many adults who has picked up and lauded "The Miseducation of Cameron Post."
Danforth is an exceptional writer. The characters are hyper-realistic in their three-dimensionality, as is the in-depth portrayal of Miles City ("home," for the narrator) and all of its secret nooks. The level of detail and the absolute honesty of the narrator combine to make this book intensely intimate. It would be difficult not to "become one" with Cameron on her journey, in which we are allowed to experience private moments of infatuation, gullibility, shame, pride, wrath... Even when she steps away from herself, numbs her overwhelmed brain with drugs or shoplifting or stolen beers, Cameron is endearing and sweet and hugely clever.
Perhaps the thing that rang truest for me was the major social pressure of living in a small town. Privacy is typically unlikely and short-lived, and one's decisions are colored by concern for how the town will react. This constant presence can become a heavy burden, and while some might crumble under the weight of these societal expectations, Cameron wages a fierce battle to maintain her sense of self. Constantly pushing back against the status quo, her story is one of perseverance and individuality, a recipe for a powerful and important coming-of-age novel.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Giveaway @ Dragonflight Dreams
Want to win one of my bags? Hop on over to Amanda's blog ASAP!
Also, it is Wednesday and that means I need a nap. Adieu.
Also, it is Wednesday and that means I need a nap. Adieu.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Top Ten Tuesday: Karen's Spring Reading List
Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.
My book backlog is out of control right now. And never, ever has the to-be-read pile been so alluring. See for yourself...
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Featured Sponsor at Dragonflight Dreams
Hello from a very rainy Thursday morning!
I am really stoked to be the featured sponsor at Dragonflight Dreams today. Amanda Cobb, the super sweet proprietress of said blog, gave away this great sponsor spot which I was lucky enough to win. And today, she has posted our interview!
Later in the month, I'll be participating in a sponsor giveaway here as well. [[Hint: Bettie Bag.]] Definitely keep checking back to see what kinds of craft goodness are up for the winning.
Stay warm and dry during these [pre]spring showers!
I am really stoked to be the featured sponsor at Dragonflight Dreams today. Amanda Cobb, the super sweet proprietress of said blog, gave away this great sponsor spot which I was lucky enough to win. And today, she has posted our interview!
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| [[via]] |
Stay warm and dry during these [pre]spring showers!
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