Preludes and Nocturnes...to the letter G

Neil Gaiman

Today is the beginning of my G week. In celebration of my gigantic reading event, I am reading from the works of one of my favorite authors...Neil Gaiman. Not only can I send a tribute to his last name for beginning with a G, the genre I am reading begins with a G...the Graphic Novel; I have never ventured to read a graphic novel before and this is going to be my first time in this strange territory. As for Neil Gaiman, I have been privy to a couple of his books and short stories. The purpose of the 26 Weeks, Authors, Books deal was to introduce me to new authors...well, here, I am sticking to someone familiar. My claim to difference is the graphic novel.

For those of you that do not know, a graphic novel is a book written in comic form. Basically, they are around 200 pages or so and are bound nicely. Some of them offered at Barnes and Noble are hardbound, these being Marvel Comics, DC and Vertigo for the most part. My chosen reading this week is Gaiman's Preludes and Nocturnes, book one of his Sandman twelve part series.

As for Gaiman, he has written many novels for adults and two for kids. As for writing, I would say he is the Tim Burton of authors. His books have that twisty, edgy, dark side to them just as a Burton film would indicate. The soundtracks to his books could easily be scored by Danny Elfman. The first book I ever read by Gaiman was Neverwhere; I read it in 2006. It is about the London Underground and is extremely spellbinding. The book is heavily appealing to the imagination. When in London's famous Tube, you can feel his book moving in and out of the gap. Other books by Gaiman include Anansi Boys, American Gods, Stardust (made into a great movie), Smoke and Mirrors (short stories) and Good Omens (co-authored by Terry Pratchett). His children's books are Coraline, a lovely Tim Burton film now, and 2009 Newbery Award Winner The Graveyard Book. The Graveyard Book was the last book I read by him. It was excellent (and obviously so for the Newbery). It is about a boy named Bod who grows up in a graveyard in England. His caretakers are ghosts and a vampire. It is absolutely amazing. His storytelling is phenomenal.

From what I have read, The Sandman can be read in order or in parts...it doesn't matter with which graphic novel one starts. I figured number one would be good enough for me. I am not sure what type of adjustment it is going to take for me to read this stuff. I think the fact the book is painted in never ending pictures is a plus, but it could also work not so great in my favor. I have a feeling I am going to have to take note of every character's face since there is no "he said, she said" stuff in it. It is straight dialogue with narrations. If I forget a face, I am going to be confused. Leave it to me to be confused by a graphic novel. The inspiration for reading this is from my best friend Jonathan. He loves graphic novels and said Gaiman's were a great introduction to the genre. So, here's to Jonathan's word.

As for Neil Gaiman, I found out he is a very good friend of my co-worker's sister. I would love to meet him. He actually gave her a big thanks in the back of The Graveyard Book. Gaiman was born November 10, 1960 in Portchester, Hampshire, England. His family is of Polish Jewish origins (funny how I cannot seem to come away from the Jewish theme). They opened a chain of grocery stores in the area in which his father and grandfather ran and his mother was a pharmacist. He has two sisters. In his youth, he loved the works of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein and other science fiction writers. He was a journalist for the British Fantasy Society...this helped him eventually get published.

Duran Duran was the subject of his first book, Ghastly Beyond Belief, written in 1984 (it is a biography). Later down the road in the 80's, he wrote Don't Panic: The Official Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Companion. Funny he should write that...it is connected to my A book. :)

Currently, Gaiman lives near Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is the divorced father of three children and Godfather to Tori Amos' daughter Tash. He has won so many awards for his writing. He currently has a huge blog online, as well (just click on the word blog).

Preludes and Nocturnes has the creepy twist that all Gaiman novels have right from the beginning. People have obtained a book that will aid them in catching death to keep it from striking ever again. In the ceremony to conjure death, they accidentally get the wrong guy, the keeper of dreams. Mysteriously, people everywhere cannot sleep anymore or do not sleep at all. One girl only wakes four times in five years. Does this sound like Gaiman? Yes. I know I will love it.
Speaking of fun. A little girl peed on herself and on the stage in the Children's Section tonight. Julie and Amanda were able to witness it, I just saw the pee on the floor and on a Pinkalicious stuffed plush doll. I did hear her screaming after she peed. And, being the good North Shore parents she has, they ran off without even apologizing or offering to help clean up. :) FML

We also projected A LOT in the Children's Section tonight. Thank God Amanda stayed in there. With her and I it took four hours. We had to move the Caldecott bay up and turn the top four shelves of every bay to new and bestselling faceouts. Oh la la. What fun that is. Plus, it is Monday night, there is already enough projecting to do in Barnes and Noble as it is without that. The good news is that I found out our department is ahead in the district for the most part. Kudos to us!

Tomorrow, I am heading over to Marquette School to see if I can get a job. I also have grad school, a check-in on Dena, a hang-out session with Tim and hopefully a workout with Brian. What a busy day "off!"

Have a lovely night! :) Happy G Reading!