I am clearly a freak.
Those of you who have read this blog for any length of time surely have no doubt of that, but if you have read this blog for any length of time, you are probably a freak too.
In any case, I am usually reminded of my non-standard social, mental and cultural configuration when either
A) One of my favorite tv shows/radio stations/comic books/magazines are cancelled
or
B) Some "official" organization hands out awards
Both have happened frequently lately, but let's talk about books just now.
My wife's book, "Princess Academy" won a Newbery Honor two years ago, which actually surprised me, since it was a book I liked, and things I like rarely get awards. But "Princess" was actually my least favorite of my wife's books (which is no slight, since I still like it much better than any of that Nietszche guy's books).
I wrote off the incongruity by telling myself that, well, maybe the Newbery committee had just been unaware of "The Goose Girl," and its spectacular follow-up "Enna Burning." "Enna" was, at the time, my favorite book of hers.
So another book comes out, but as a sequel, I can, just barely, give the awards committees the benefit of the doubt for not, again, giving it the degree of recognition it deserves.
But then she writes "Book of a Thousand Days," a stand-alone fantasy tale better than any I have read. Claim if you like that I can't be unbiased, as I am the husband of the author, but don't do it in my presence, as I will consider it a personal insult and will surely head-butt you.
Thus, coming from such a point of view, it would seem that this book would be a shoo-in for any number of awards.
But no. The American Library Association announced their grundle of awards and recognitions today with no "Book" among them. My wife got an honor already, so sure, maybe you want to spread to love around, but one of the gazillion recognitions is a 50 book list of "Best Books for Young Adults." The absence there is the one that rankles. Couldn't spare a spot for the best book of the year, ARTARDS!?
I know, I know, complaining about this sort of thing is silly, seems like whining, and could ultimately do more harm than good. But still, one can only tolerate the absolute idiocy of Man for so long before bringing out the bat.
And yes, I have to acknowledge that I haven't read everything that got recognized by the ALA today. Maybe some of them are actually good. Phenomenally, incomprehensibly good. Burn-all-your-posessions-and-devote-your-life-to-it good.
But all of them? Doubtful.
All I know is that my reader-sense is tingling, and it seems a miscarriage of justice is afoot. I may very well have to wreak vengeance upon those that wronged my family, Frank Castle style.
It could be, though, that people are just stupid.
And since I tend to spare the mentally handicapped from my wrath, that might actually be nice.
Because, you know, vendettas can be very time consuming.
I have video games to play, after all.
Those of you who have read this blog for any length of time surely have no doubt of that, but if you have read this blog for any length of time, you are probably a freak too.
In any case, I am usually reminded of my non-standard social, mental and cultural configuration when either
A) One of my favorite tv shows/radio stations/comic books/magazines are cancelled
or
B) Some "official" organization hands out awards
Both have happened frequently lately, but let's talk about books just now.
My wife's book, "Princess Academy" won a Newbery Honor two years ago, which actually surprised me, since it was a book I liked, and things I like rarely get awards. But "Princess" was actually my least favorite of my wife's books (which is no slight, since I still like it much better than any of that Nietszche guy's books).
I wrote off the incongruity by telling myself that, well, maybe the Newbery committee had just been unaware of "The Goose Girl," and its spectacular follow-up "Enna Burning." "Enna" was, at the time, my favorite book of hers.
So another book comes out, but as a sequel, I can, just barely, give the awards committees the benefit of the doubt for not, again, giving it the degree of recognition it deserves.
But then she writes "Book of a Thousand Days," a stand-alone fantasy tale better than any I have read. Claim if you like that I can't be unbiased, as I am the husband of the author, but don't do it in my presence, as I will consider it a personal insult and will surely head-butt you.
Thus, coming from such a point of view, it would seem that this book would be a shoo-in for any number of awards.
But no. The American Library Association announced their grundle of awards and recognitions today with no "Book" among them. My wife got an honor already, so sure, maybe you want to spread to love around, but one of the gazillion recognitions is a 50 book list of "Best Books for Young Adults." The absence there is the one that rankles. Couldn't spare a spot for the best book of the year, ARTARDS!?
I know, I know, complaining about this sort of thing is silly, seems like whining, and could ultimately do more harm than good. But still, one can only tolerate the absolute idiocy of Man for so long before bringing out the bat.
And yes, I have to acknowledge that I haven't read everything that got recognized by the ALA today. Maybe some of them are actually good. Phenomenally, incomprehensibly good. Burn-all-your-posessions-and-devote-your-life-to-it good.
But all of them? Doubtful.
All I know is that my reader-sense is tingling, and it seems a miscarriage of justice is afoot. I may very well have to wreak vengeance upon those that wronged my family, Frank Castle style.
It could be, though, that people are just stupid.
And since I tend to spare the mentally handicapped from my wrath, that might actually be nice.
Because, you know, vendettas can be very time consuming.
I have video games to play, after all.
Except for the relation to Shannon and the more violent parts, I agree.
But please don't do a Frank Castle. Even though you could probably successfully plead insanity, it's not the best idea.
Posted by: Q | January 14, 2008 at 02:00 PM
I know this isn't really an angry threat to the book world but a loving postcard to me. You are so sweet (in your own creepy way). I love you, honey.
Posted by: the wife | January 14, 2008 at 02:58 PM
We were all so sure. B1000 is a life-changing book. It's just so.... good!
I agree Ranty.
Posted by: Enna Isilee | January 14, 2008 at 04:37 PM
I see you are very upset about this. B1000 was amazing! :)
Posted by: maribeth_kayla | January 15, 2008 at 06:25 PM
Indeed B1000 was. We all think it should have won. But don't carry out your OTHER (veiled) threat about bespectacled heads rolling. I don't think ALA would appreciate it.
Posted by: Q | January 15, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Is this out of fear of the husband's retribution?
http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/
booklistsawards/bestbooksya/08bbya.cfm
Or, perhaps, Book of a Thousand Days made the list because Shannon deserves it.
Now we'll never know.
Posted by: Laura | January 16, 2008 at 09:25 AM
Woohoo!
I guess those librarians ARE smart, after all.
Or *I'M* dumb.
But that surely couldn't be the case...
[Click on Laura's name in her entry above, if that link isn't working quite right for you...]
Posted by: Dean | January 16, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Wow, Dean, you have a real racket going on.
Posted by: Q | January 17, 2008 at 08:47 PM