American Gods: A Novel by Neil Gaiman

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Now a STARZ^® Original Series produced by FremantleMedia North America starring Ricky Whittle, Ian McShane, Emily Browning, and Pablo Schreiber | Premiering Sunday, April 30, at 9pm EST

Locked behind bars for three years, Shadow did his time, quietly waiting for the day when he could return to Eagle Point, Indiana. A man no longer scared of what tomorrow might bring, all he wanted was to be with Laura, the wife he deeply loved, and start a new life.

But just days before his release, Laura and Shadow’s best friend are killed in an accident. With his life in pieces and nothing to keep him tethered, Shadow accepts a job from a beguiling stranger he meets on the way home, an enigmatic man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday. A trickster and a rogue, Wednesday seems to know more about Shadow than Shadow does himself.

Life as Wednesday’s bodyguard, driver, and errand boy is far more interesting and dangerous than Shadow ever imagined. Soon Shadow learns that the past never dies . . . and that beneath the placid surface of everyday life a storm is brewing—an epic war for the very soul of America—and that he is standing squarely in its path.

PLUS… don’t miss American Gods: The Official Coloring Book, featuring illustrations by Yvonne Gilbert, Craig Phillips, and Jon Proctor. Indulge your inner artist and revel in the stunning imagery of the gods and people, places and artifacts of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods.

my thoughts:

After reading this excellent story I must now watch the TV version of it, because I just know that I'm going to LOVE it.  Neil Gaiman is a powerful storyteller and I absolutely enjoyed reading all about Shadow, Mr. Wednesday, and all of other crazy, quirky, and unforgettable characters he created.  Talk about fantasy fiction at its best!

American Gods is about old gods vs. new gods.  Apparently old gods were brought to America via man and his faith, but they have been cast aside.  By whom?  The new gods, which are basically drugs, technology, media, etc. - all the things that people seem to worship now.  And if people keep choosing the new gods over the old gods, then the old gods will be gone for good.  So, what's to be done? The answer is simple - go to war.  Along the way, we get to travel across America, meet up with various characters and learn about how the old gods were created.  Its a slow ride, but one that keeps you entertained.  You can't help but get caught up in this mythical, fantastical, mysterious, and magical world Gaiman has constructed - it makes for quite a unique adventure story that you won't want to put down.  I will admit that the story does seem to jump around, but its necessary and definitely keeps you on your toes. All in all, this book is a must-read for  new fans of Gaiman (old fans will have already read and LOVED this book) - you will fall even deeper in love with his writing ( I promise! ).

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: American Gods

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Neverwhere: A Novel by Neil Gaiman

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

The #1 New York Times bestselling author’s ultimate edition of his wildly successful first novel featuring his “preferred text”—and including his special Neverwhere tale, “How the Marquis Got His Coat Back”

Published in 1997, Neverwhere heralded the arrival of a major talent and became a touchstone of urban fantasy. Over the years, a number of versions were produced both in the U.S. and the U.K. Now Gaiman’s preferred edition of his classic novel reconciles these works and reinstates a number of scenes cut from the original published books.

Richard Mayhew is a young London businessman with a good heart whose life is changed forever when he stops to help a bleeding girl—an act of kindness that plunges him into a world he never dreamed existed. Slipping through the cracks of reality, Richard lands in Neverwhere—a London of shadows and darkness, monsters and saints, murderers and angels that exists entirely in a subterranean labyrinth. Neverwhere is home to Door, the mysterious girl Richard helped in the London Above. Here in Neverwhere, Door is a powerful noblewoman who has vowed to find the evil agent of her family’s slaughter and thwart the destruction of this strange underworld kingdom. If Richard is ever to return to his former life and home, he must join Lady Door’s quest to save her world—and may well die trying.

my thoughts:

I finally understand why everyone is always raving about Neil Gaiman - his stories are just magical.  Or at least, Neverwhere was. Yep, I finally read one of his fiction books and found myself completely smitten with his writing, creativity, and talent for storytelling. Talk about falling in love with a new author - I am hooked!

Neverwhere is about an "everyman" named Richard Mayhew who finds himself in London Below after helping an injured woman named Door.  He finds himself in a new reality that is far different than London Above, where his job, apartment, and girlfriend Jessica reside.  Apparently, by helping Door so much, he's no longer able to be seen by the people of London Above.  So, he sets out to find Door in this new, mysterious place and figure out a way to get back home.  Of course, nothing is at it seems in this dark and mythical land; and Richard quickly realizes that getting home is not going to be an easy feat.  As adventures abound, he finds himself caught up in Door's mission to find out who killed her family.  Monsters are fought, allies are made, and so much more happens in this fantastical gem filled with quirky, oddball characters.  It was so much fun to read.  I absolutely loved this book! It almost felt like a fairy tale with its whimsical overtones, but then its shadowy, wicked side would emerge and add a sinister tinge to things; thereby shifting the story from fairy tale to fantasy.  I found that I didn't want the story to end.  I wanted more!

I would happily recommend this book to anyone looking for a sharp, engaging, and entertaining read - you will not be disappointed!  I know that I can't wait to read more of Gaiman's unputdownable books.

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: Neverwhere

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

The View From the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction by Neil Gaiman

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

An inquisitive observer, thoughtful commentator, and assiduous craftsman, Neil Gaiman has long been celebrated for the sharp intellect and startling imagination that informs his fiction. Now, for the first time in print, The View from the Cheap Seats brings together more than sixty works of his outstanding nonfiction on topics and people close to his heart.

As Neil explains, “This book is not ‘the complete nonfiction of Neil Gaiman.’ It is, instead, a motley bunch of speeches and articles, introductions and essays. Some of them are serious and some of them are frivolous and some of them are earnest and some of them I wrote to try and make people listen.”

my thoughts:

I think I have found a new author to crush on - Neil Gaiman.  I just finished reading The View From the Cheap Seats and it was AMAZING!!  The book is a collection of his essays, introductions, and interviews - all nonfiction.  The pieces included cover everything from his passion for writing to his LOVE of bookstores/libraries.  It was my first foray into Gaiman's world and I absolutely LOVED what I read.  This is a man who is passionate about being a writer and shares with us about his craft, how he creates fiction, and his opinion on other writers' books.  I just love finding out what authors love to read and who their favorite writers are.  We also get to learn about the books that shaped him - think science fiction ( a genre that I've grown to enjoy over the years ).  And, he writes about books as a means of escape, something that I think all of us bookworms can relate to.

Gaiman was a journalist who realized that he had stories inside of him that he needed/wanted to get out.  So, he wrote and wrote and wrote.  He was writing the stories that he wanted to be reading.  And the rest is history, as we all know that he has created some of the BEST comics/graphic novels, short stories, children's fiction, novels, nonfiction, etc.  He is a writing machine that just won't quit - he has too much to say and too much creativity inside of him.  I'm excited to read more of his work. I have Trigger Warning, Neverwhere and The Ocean at the End of the Lane sitting on my nightstand waiting to be read.  I can't wait to dive into his magical world!

I would happily recommend The View From the Cheap Seats to fans of Gaiman - you will most definitely enjoy this tome of nonfiction work.  

Here's the link to the TLC Book Tour schedule for: The View From the Cheap Seats

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!