Last night I could not fall asleep. No, it was not because I kept thinking of all of the horrible things that the dentist was going to do to me this morning (which actually wasn't too bad), it was because of new Neil Gaiman books!! The long wait is over and I am now the proud owner of 2 (yes, only 2) brand new, hardcover, first edition, Neil Gaiman books.
The first is Interworld, a Young Adult novel written by Neil Gaiman and Michael Reaves and is apparently about a boy at war against himself in two different dimensions of reality. At least that is what I gather from the jacket flap. I may be totally wrong about that. We shall see.
The second book is M is for Magic and is a collection of short stories for children. Most of these have been published before, but it's a great collection and the cover is wonderful. I have another signed, numbered, limited edition of this book coming to me later from Subterranean Press!
A word to the wise. If you go to Barnes and Noble to buy these, don't freak out if you can't find them in the fantasy/sci-fi section. I found Interworld in the Teen section and M is for Magic in the Children's section. So I suggest you look there.
While in the children's section, I also picked up the last three books I need for the Newberry challenge. They are Bridge to Terabithia, The High Power of Lucky, and The Tale of Despereaux. All three look great and all are new to me except for Bridge which I read ages ago, so it might as well be new to me. So I now own all of the books for that challenge and can get started on it!
I couldn't find the new illustrated Stardust or the Stardust visual companion, but that's ok, because I couldn't afford them anyway! I spent enough money today as it is....thank God I signed up for B&N's members program when I had the money for that ;) But in other Stardust news, I'm happy to welcome Deslily to the Stardust ranks as she received her copy in the mail today...you're in for a treat! Also, Friends of English Magic (a wonderful site for Susanna Clarke, Neil Gaiman, and Charles Vess related news) has started a Stardust movie news blog! How cool. I suggest visiting it often ;)
32 comments:
yeah but that same mailman will now deliver my charge card bill ! So he's not always a nice person LOL.
yay! Happy Neil Day! :D
My copy of Interworld hasn't arrived yet... hurry up, mail, hurry up! I am anxiously awaiting it. Hopefully it will be here next week, and we can compare notes when it's still fresh on your mind. I'm going to wait a bit longer to get "M is for Magic" because I've already read all the stories in it, but I definitely plan on getting it too... the cover is SO gorgeous.
I'm reading "Bridge to Terabithia" in the near future too. I look forward to your review!
My copy of the Stardust Illustrated book is supposed to be in the comic shop tomorrow! Woo-hoo!!!
I plan on picking up Interworld soon, will probably pass on M only because I have all the stories in other versions. But who knows, that generally doesn't stop me from buying Gaiman and I love the cover.
And I'll freak out in Barnes and Noble if I want to, thank you very much! ;)
I know the feeling Deslily...luckily the charge card bill and books don't always arrive on the same day, so I don't always have to be reminded ;)
Nymeth, They're both beautiful!! The covers are even better in person than on the internet (of course). Can't wait to compare notes! Also can't wait to get back to Bridge to Terabithia. I haven't seen the movie yet, so I'll have to read it soon so that I can see the movie!
Carl,
Yippppppppeeeeee!! Maybe I should head over to the comic book shop tomorrow too then. Geez...like a bunch of high school girls...*shakes head*
I couldn't pass on M is for Magic only because I'm a completist and a bit compulsive...I have to have everything...all of my favorite author's entire collections...dangerous.
I hereby grant you permission to throw fits in B&N. Please make them loud and have Mary record them and post them on YouTube :)
And I thought *I* was bad. You totally have me beat in the book buying category!! Of course, these are MUST HAVES, so I guess that doesn't count!
I haven't read Bridge to Terabithia, but I did see the movie. I wish someone would have warned me that I would be sobbing in the middle of it!! My kids were looking at me like I was nuts! GREAT movie!
Stephanie, yeah these are definitely must haves! There are certain author's whose books that I absolutely have to have the day they are published and Neil Gaiman is one of those.
Bridge to Terabithia is def. a tear jerker...at least you gave your kids a laugh :p
No fair, I wanted to celebrate Neil day but I am still waiting for my books. :( Mine won't be until later in the week, and hopefully will not coincide with a dentist appointment... I am getting Interworld and M is Magic too... why? No idea, as I still have a few books by him that I have not read and I have not even bought Fragile Things yet.... It's best to not try and understand my reading, er, buying habits.
Kailana, there's no understanding to be made of my buying habits either ;) They're Neil books! No explanation needed! Whenever Orson Scott Card or Neil Gaiman come out with a new book, I can't wait long enough to order it...I have to have it the day it comes out, so I just get it in the store...I'm that obsessive :/
I miss being that obsessive about books. I don't even really have an author right now that I HAVE to have the next book from...
OSC and Neil Gaiman have been stables for years and I suspect they'll always remain that way...aside from them, it's whatever catches my eye..which is entirely too much these days!
Yeah! For Neil Day! Great puchases. I hope to pick up Interworld this weekend. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a Borders Rewards coupon to hopefully come out for this weekend. I'm also looking forward to picking up M is for Magic on audio. Neil is supposed to have read all the stories including my personnel favorite of his - The Price. I also think it's great that you ordered the Limited version from Subterran Press. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it when you get it. We're lucky there's a publishing house like them out there for cool book collectibles in the genres we love.
I also need to read and watch Bridge to Terabithia one day. I hear nothing but good things about it. I have read all of Kate DeCamillo's books on Carl recommendation and they are wonderful. My kids love them too.
Carl and I intend to continue celebrating Neil day part 2 tommarrow when our Stardust hardcovers are scheduled to arrive.
Jeff, Interworld's great so far! Really enjoying it and I'm only about 40 pages into it. You know I still don't have anything of his on audiobook! I'm going to have to change that soon. Isn't SubPress great! My wallet doesn't like them, but I sure do.
I haven't read ANY of Kate DeCamillo's books, so I'm really looking forward to this one. I've heard nothing but great stuff about it. I think I'll start the Newbery challenge off with that one. Glad I picked that one.
I'm so jealous that y'all are getting new Stardusts tomorrow!! I'm broke, but I get paid tomorrow...hmmm...I think I may be picking mine up on Thursday, so not much of a wait. I'm guessing Carl will do a post that I can drool over...at least I'm hoping so ;)
I've read two of those (Despereaux and Terabithia) and loved them both. Looks like you've got more fun ahead of you. :)
That's great news on Interworld. I try to keep up on all things Gaiman but I hadn't heard of this book until last month. I haven't read anything from his co-author on this one so I'm glad your enjoying it.
As for audio. Gaiman has a perfect reading voice. He's such a gifted storyteller. Carl and I had a chance to see him on his Anansi Boys book tour and if you ever have the chance try to attend one of his signing's someday if you haven't already. He did a live readings as apart of the tour and it was captivating. This may sound crazy but we drove 8 and half hours from Kansas City to Chicago just to see him and it was worth it. He was so nice to everyone in the signing line too. I highly recommend his recent Stardust audio recording although you really can't go wrong with any of his recordings. I have one cd where he's reads Chivilary which is wonderful but I'm most partial to Stardust.
Also if you enjoy Tales of Desperaux I recommend The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulley after that. My kids would vote for Because of Winn-Dixie though. They loved that dog in the movie.
Bookfool, I'm looking forward to both of those. I have entirely too much fun ahead of me...in fact, I really need to cool it on the fun...that, or find a better paying job ;)
Jeff, He really hasn't said much about this book! I'm kind of learning what it's about as I go. I don't know who wrote which parts, though I think I have an idea of how it works.
I've never been to one of his signings unfortunately :( I've heard his reading voice though and he does have a perfect reading voice! I'm going to meet him one day even if it involves me getting on a plane to do it...or driving 8 1/2 hours ;)
Hmmm...I'm about 75 pages into Interworld and am not sure what I think of it. It doesn't feel like a Gaiman book to me, which doesn't mean it is bad. So far I am entertained but I wouldn't say that this is a true Neil book. Which is odd because I really feel like his Good Omens collaboration is a true Neil book.
As I said, so far, so good, although I don't think it is on par for being an unforgettable Neil book. But, there is a long way to go and I hope to be proven wrong.
Carl, I think that it's a Neil book so far in theory...I'm just a tad bit ahead of you. In theory, I mean that it has that same story line of two (or multiple) realities in the same realm...But I'm finding it to be MUCH more Sci-fi than anything he's ever written before, and I think that's where Michael Reaves comes in, being a writer for Star Trek: TNG and Star Wars: Death Star. I'm really enjoying it, though I know what you mean...Neil's stuff tends to lean more towards the fantasy side with a bit more human drama, always has..this is new territory for him. I'm interested in seeing where this goes.
I'm holding out hope that I will feel it was a worthwhile read when all is said and done.
And regardless of how I feel about it I still plan on buying Reaves' Death Star book when it comes out!
Yeah, the Death Star book sounds awesome! I hadn't heard of that book until your recent mention of it on your blog. It's on my wishlist now ;)
I'm with both of you on the SW: Death Star book. That one looks interesting and I'll be picking it up too.
I like reading your guys early comments on Interworld. I'm intrigued plus I haven't read any Stevens I think.
Chris - I really hope you make it to a Neil appearence one day.
I'm sure I'll make it one of these days Jeff! I'm on page 150 now, and I've gotta say, I really like this book! Still not really your normal Neil Gaiman, but it's damn good!
I found it better than average but not great. It read like a book that started life as a television series pitch, which is what it was. I enjoyed it but I sure don't consider it wonderful and I certainly don't consider it a 'Neil' book. I think people should read it, just not make it a priority. My review will be up at Estella's Revenge next week. Just thought I'd share a bit here first. Don't be too disappointed with me.
LOL, shame shame shame....Just joking Carl. I understand your point. I sort of feel the same way. I'm not finished it yet, but my thoughts so far is that it's a really fun story, and a great read, but not a Neil Gaiman book. I keep forgetting actually that I'm reading a Neil Gaiman book...It actually reads more like an Orson Scott Card book! It's very weird for him. I'm thinking that this is mainly Michael Reaves book...I may be totally wrong there, but I don't see alot of Gaiman...anyway, I'm liking it alot, just not a Gaiman.
I felt bad sharing that I didn't love it, mostly since I feel like we've all been put through the wringer in the past 24 hours. More accurately, I allowed all of you to be put through the wringer. I don't know what the hell I was thinking sending that link out to all of you. I was so outraged for your sakes that I wanted you to all to go over and storm the castle. Instead I succeeded in getting everyone else upset when no one would have probably seen this had I not said anything. I feel so guilty about that and I am very sorry.
Please don't feel that way my friend. In an odd sort of way it's been kind of a bonding experience for the group. See I can spin a negative into a positive. :)
Chris - It's been great getting your guys reactions to Interworld. I was in Border's today and checked it out. I love the cover. I didn't pull the trigger and buy it today though instead I bought Children of Hurin. I don't think Neil would mind me picking up Tolkien before him first; right? I almost picked up The Book of Lost Things though. I read the first few pages in the isle and I loved the little I read. I'm sure I will be picking it up after I get my next paycheck!
Oh Carl! First of all, you certainly don't have to be sorry for not loving the book! It's a matter of taste. I can guarantee you you'll never find two people in the world who will like all the same books ;)
Second, I'm happy you told us about what's her faces stupid post! I think it was a wonderful thing to see everyone defending our love of not only fantasy as a genre, but our love of reading in general. I'm hoping that maybe, just maybe, with such a response, whether she outwardly admits it or not, some of what we said sinks in...lingers in her brain and makes her rethink a little bit of how she handles things in the future. I'd like to think that people have a little more of a conscience than that..but....who knows.
Seriously, no apologies necessary...at all!!
Jeff, I totally agree! A bonding experience it was. Children of Hurin was a great buy! I still haven't read it, but I do own it and I've enjoyed just staring at it ;) Oh no, that paycheck's going to be spent before you even get it!
i am gurreeen with envy...!!
JP, I REALLY shouldn't have spent the money on these, but I have a really bad problem with money...that is, I can't seem to keep it for very long ;)...especially when books are involved.
Carl, don't you dare feeling bad for sharing the link to that post with us! I agree with Jeff that it was a bonding experience. Plus... it was only upsetting for the first half hour or so, then it became amusing :P
Also, don't feel bad for not liking Interworld all that much! I'm glad you said that, because it allowed me to readjust my expectations. I still hope I can enjoy it, but now I won't start reading it expecting a typical Neil story.
I can't wait for The Graveyard Book. Judging by "The Witch's Headstone", it's going to be a wonderful experience of pure Neil-ness!
I'm with Nymeth. I can't wait for The Graveyard book as well. I loved the The Wicth's Headstone and it just wetted my appeatite for more.
Thanks all! You all are too cool.
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