(Originally posted on September 19, 2011) This is the most basic of stories, a family drama, told from the point of view of the most biased observer- the family dog. It is a really well done story, and the short sentences and chapters make it a very quick read, a nice way to spend a rainy Seattle afternoon. My only issue with the book (and this may be a “me” issue, as I seem to have it often) is the final chapter, which was more of an epilogue. It was too much a perfect dream ending to a book that had been very based in reality.

(Originally posted on September 12, 2011) I love John M Ford’s writing. He has a distinctive style, especially in his earlier novels, of telling stories from multiple people’s viewpoints. He takes each individual’s story and wraps the whole narrative together, often skipping large amounts of time and leaving the reader to piece together what happened. This can be a very successful and rewarding (for the reader) style. Not so much in The Dragon Waiting. I had a hard time figuring out some of the background or understanding why I cared about the outcome. Not one I’ll be recommending (unlike The Last Hot Time which is fabulous).

(Originally posted on September 2, 2011) I would like to be as talented as Neil Gaiman. Is that too much to ask? Writing wise, it seems the man’s talent knows no bounds. He can write dark and gritty, very adult, adventure, and even win the Newberry Medal for children’s books. It really doesn’t seem fair. But at least I can read what he writes, and I’ll take that as compensation. The Graveyard Book is a story of the fantastical that children of all ages can relate to, a true coming of age tale filled with friends and family, a few secrets, and even some bad guys.