Comments on: Review: The Book of Nonsense

By: Kim U.

Kim U. — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:30:46 +0000

Alex: True as well.

jess: That’s cool, I knew Slater had written children’s books, but didn’t know more than that. Word of mouth is a huge way to get readers, so I hope that even though I wasn’t thrilled about the book reviewing it and having good conversation about it will get some other people to pick it up themselves. Last time I looked the book was sold out on Amazon, so I think that’s a good sign

By: jess

jess — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:46:07 +0000

I’m familiar with the author here in Portland. He’s a very popular middle school teacher, slogging away in the public schools for over a decade while publishing wonderful but little known (nationally) picture books. He’s been doing free school visits in his district all these years, inspiring thousands of kids with hilarious presentations and a message about following your dreams and never giving up. If someone out there deserves success for deserving books, it’s him. Yes, Blooming Tree is a tiny Texas publisher and will need all the help it can get to sell this wonderful book. That help will be word-of-mouth, and so is my word : )

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:48:03 +0000

Yes, no doubt it’s partly about marketing. I tend to give it a pass because I suspect it’s a case of a tiny little publisher with probably zero marketing budget trying to compete against the globe-eating conglomerates for any scrap of attention. In which case I say more power to ‘em.

By: Kim

Kim — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:21:29 +0000

ted: Thanks

Alex: You know, that makes sense. I couldn’t really figure out what about this particular book was going to incite book banning, but the publisher is probably referring to the series as a whole. And I do remember the line about the First Tounge — good point.

However, I do find it a little annoying the publisher is using the idea of the books being banned as a marketing scheme — like people should read books just because they are in some way controversial. Meh, seems a little heavy-handed.

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:44:05 +0000

There’s that brief, almost throwaway line in Nonsense that suggests the First Tongue could be the language God used to create the world. Probably not really throwaway at all, I’m thinking.

By: Alex

Alex — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:31:59 +0000

Re: Golden Compass – someone on Amazon wrote she’d heard that one of the future books features a “crazed version of Adam” from the Garden of Eden. Given the series title “Sacred Books,” I’m guessing it goes into religious territory one way or another. Certainly would explain the publisher’s slogan “Publishing the Banned Books of Tomorrow.” Certainly makes me want to read it : )

By: ted

ted — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:14:12 +0000

Go, go, go…just cheering you on.

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 03:30:00 +0000

Alex: Yeah, I suppose this book is a little more Golden Compass-esque, a little more deliberative and academic. I haven’t looked for much more info than my review, but I might have to go see the Amazon stuff now.

By: Alex

Alex — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 21:11:52 +0000

Could be really big, I think, but more along the lines — according to the rumors anyway — of the Golden Compass. I posted a review on Amazon, where there is already some gushing going on…

By: Kim

Kim — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 20:46:34 +0000

Kathy: Me too, the premise of the series is really cool, I just wasn’t into it for some reason.

Alex: Huh, it’s is funny how different people respond to books. It could certainly be an age thing; I’m not that old, but maybe the characters just didn’t resonate with me because of age. I think if the buzz gets going this book will be pretty big — people are looking to fill the fantasy void now that Harry Potter is done.