All The Rage

5 out of 5 stars

     

     I haven't written a full book review in a while. Just too much going on. Too many books to read that I could be reading that I'd have to stop reading if I'm writing a review. Then again somethings must be talked about, must be discussed, must to spoken of. Some talents are too much of a glimmer on the surface of this world not to talk about, some works of art need to be pointed at and given yells  of "You need to read this... NOW!" Such a talent is Courtney Summers, such a piece of art is All The Rage.

     Below is a cut and paste from a entry a few days ago when I started reading this book:

     I don’t really read much realistic fiction. I like to escape, I need to escape, but there are some writers I am right there ready to take part in their creations when they appear such as Laurie  Halse Anderson, Nova Ren Suma, and Courtney Summers to name a few. The reason these writers stand out in my mind? Others are squeak hammers; these three are those climbing ones that would go straight through your skull. I’m thinking about this as I’m reading All The Rage by Courtney Summers sitting in the library after work. If I’m going to read realistic fiction I don’t need no after school special rated for the age group and time slot, which is usually before school even lets out. I want; I need to feel scratchy, played, twisted, punched in the face to pay attention, called to think, and questioned about myself and the world, by myself and the world. I love writers, artists who have no interest in me being comfortable, except when they are playing with my little bitty brain holder. Love when a book can make you have to put it down for a bit so you can think, because dammit you really need to think on this. Art that crawls under your skin and you see the pages as an elastic gift which flips between the eyes we need and this is where powerful art lives. So I’m going to sit here and read more. Sometimes I look up and wonder why the world around me isn’t noticing what’s going on? Can’t they see? Don’t they feel what’s going on here?

     I finished this book after many moments during reading it when I was left shaking. Shaking because of things I remember what a story a friend told. Shaking because I've read story after story about the reality, the cold hard truth of what kind of world we live in. Courtney Summers can do that to you with her writing. She can shake your life.

     There's a scene in Some Girls Are that had me stop reading it for a week because it hit me so hard.

     You should go read that too. My review is here.

     All The Rage is a book that keeps your mind from focusing. I don't know if I can explain it. From the formatting of the chapters, to the places where different type setting is used, different ways of approaching the story, it stirs you away from getting your feet planted. What Courtney Summers does in tackling the subject of rape culture is never for a moment do you forget this is about a person; which is what news agency's do time after time when covering stories. The writer of this story isn't playing to dramatic points and this isn't done I think to keep you from guessing whats coming but to show you the reality of the pain, the reality of the reality.

     Most writers would tackle this like a gun shot wound on a kids show, no blood, no gasping for life. Courtney Summer goes at it like a finger poked deep into the wound. There's pain here, there is falling, there's standing, there's cruelty, and there's numbness that's is honorable. There's a numbness that is there that no can understand from out of it.

     All The Rage is also about the armors we wear to give a little fuck you to the world when it wants you to be strong in demanding fashion. Being strong is a personal choice. Being weak is a personal choice. The way of dealing is a personal choice that belongs to that person. Not yours, theirs. I love Courtney Summers characters because she isn't crafting you a birthday card friend and Romy Grey isn't one. She's a person. The writer says here is a person, deal.

    Ok, I suck at reviews. I just write and ramble but this is a great book. Go and buy it. Check it out at the library. Give it to friends, talk about it with friends.

     After reading the last words of this story and thinking two things came to mind- If you want to be a ally don't get angry when someone points out your mistakes like when you might need to back off. and two- This persons pain, its theirs to own in whatever way they want to own it.

All The Rage

These Books They

I don’t really read much realistic fiction. I like to escape, I need to escape, but there are some writers I am right there ready to take part in their creations when they appear such as Laurie  Halse Anderson, Nova Ren Suma, and Courtney Summers to name a few. The reason these writers stand out in my mind? Others are squeak hammers; these three are those climbing ones that would go straight through your skull. I’m thinking about this as I’m reading All The Rage by Courtney Summers sitting in the library after work. If I’m going to read realistic fiction I don’t need no after school special rated for the age group and time slot, which is usually before school even lets out. I want; I need to feel scratchy, played, twisted, punched in the face to pay attention, called to think, and questioned about myself and the world, by myself and the world. I love writers, artists who have no interest in me being comfortable, except when they are playing with my little bitty brain holder. Love when a book can make you have to put it down for a bit so you can think, because dammit you really need to think on this. Art that crawls under your skin and you see the pages as an elastic gift which flips between the eyes we need and this is where powerful art lives. So I’m going to sit here and read more. Sometimes I look up and wonder why the world around me isn’t noticing what’s going on? Can’t they see? Don’t they feel what’s going on here?

These Books They

Where I talk about comments John Green made about the future of publishing and also stuffs.

While I watched storm winds try to destroy our balcony garden yesterday I was also watching some Hank Games Without Hank with John Green starting with The Future of Publishing: The Miracle of Swindon Town #136
     I love watching these John Green videos as he plays FIFA not only for the game play but also because he always ends up talking about some very interesting things as he plays the game. I have a great deal of respects for John Green and love all of his web content and currently listening to a couple of his books while exercising. It's slow going, not because the books aren't good, but because I'm a lazy sod.
     I also don't want people to think I'm trying to take on points that John Green talks about because one, I'm not that smart and two, it's not true, I'm more or less using what he discussed as a springboard for me to talk about things I enjoy to discuss and want to address my own views on these issues. This was me free form thinking while watching the videos.
     I don't necessarily disagree with what John says in the first video about publishing but I just have a couple things. One is if an editor is as much of an influence on a lot of books as John says shouldn't they be listed as co-writers of a work or at least be listed on the covers. I know the cover thing is a marketing issue but if a editor had a beyond normal influence on my books I want to credit them properly. I have a big issue with work load getting proper work load credit. A example is recently I was working with an artist on a graphic novel project and it went from me being the writer and him artist in the agreed credits to me telling him after about six pages that he needed to be listed as co-writer because that's what I felt was the right thing.
     Another thing to something John mentioned about how the publisher model being the best is how I think modern publishing has failed in many degrees because of its lack of creative forward thinking and by also producing just as much crap as any self-publishing model has done. You can't rip self-publishing for quality issues alone because my friends read a lot and see crap and I read a lot and if I'm spotting mistakes in your work then that says a lot about how the state of quality publishing in general needs to be addressed whether we are talking big publisher or self-publisher. This is not an excuse for self-publishers to put out materials not ready for release but at least they aren't spending thousands of dollars on what sometimes is the same levels of quality checks.
     Notice I said sometimes.
     Sometimes.
     I think people have lost confidence in the major publishers to publish, show, and shine a light on the best that's out there.
     The Future of Publishing, Part 2: The Miracle of Swindon Town #137 I think writers can reach readers in so many more creatives ways in this day and age. Big publishers are still falling farther behind in trying to tap into the new media methods. They are spending more money and time but failing in any creative or long lasting way.
     I agree with him on some of the differences between the film and music industry and the publishing industry but I've worked in both in very low levels and I will tell you they both do a lot of nothing with a lot of money, that's something they very much have in common. They aren't the same but that's easy to see with a little study.
     I think publishing is going towards the Hollywood model, and I agree with John That's Not A Good Thing, in ways such as trying to hit trends even if with a little research they could discover that trend is already tired, dead, and over. They trying to appeal to the masses with brainless approaches and less risk taking is the result. That's why I think people are finding more comfort in finding books by writers websites, blogs, Twitter, and the like. That can cause issues if you settle into a little area or community on the internet and stop exploring for new and different things. Writers who already have a web following or self-published writers who are taking the risks sometimes that big publishers are scared of are the leaders of the industry.
     That's my opinion.
     But I think I'm right.
     About my opinion.
     Like I said before for a lot of readers the big publishers have just lost their way in their methods of showing you great stories. If they ever really had a grasp on that method as their main focal point. Readers are going on their own journey and happily doing so to find books they want to read. I also love when people talk about loving literature being about a broad surface of books but then anything outside of the big publisher market doesn't fit that?
     John mentioned how a lot of bookstores are closing. The decline of bookstores is also hurt sometimes by bad stores. Since I was able to read I've always bugged everyone I'm with wherever I go to check out any used bookstores I see and to be honest most suck. People hate to say that but its just true. I think the good ones have and will survive unless the economic situation in a given area is just really bad because they are creative and forward thinking. The digital/print sales issues when it comes to brick and dirt stores can be worked out with clear creative thinking. I with everything I have believe this. I think when it comes to the issue of the closure of those stores hurting people getting books that brings up the issue of the digital divide and I've ranted on that in the past but hate that this is almost never addressed in these types of discussions.
     For anyone who thinks I'm just ranting for self-publishing because I self-publish I will tell you I'm ranting because publishers have put the industry into the fuck wrecks its currently in  and that a still young and full of problems option(self-publishing) maybe a better option in the long run. Just as media content industries failed when it came to evolving to new technologies, creating this huge black market pirating industry, they also failed in providing readers with new, original, and ground breaking content. I whole heartily believe the self-publishing industry is in its infinticey but I also think it will have to grow or the whole of publishing will suffer because the big companies are not learning any lessons from their failures.
     Anyone want to argue that they are?
     Again as I'm said over and over. Any self-publisher that can afford it should hire an editor. Any self-publisher who can afford it should hire a cover artist. But not every writer can do that and I don't think they should be shoved into the publishing is about perfection delusion, because prose is the only art form that has to be that way, which is stupid, I see lots of shit by big publishers. As I've stated if you can take the ax hacking of readers on your not finished book I believe the sushi writing mood of crowd surfed editing can work. 
     Just have your shields up.
     And don't check you stats that much.
     .... and maybe a couple beers in hand when you hit upload.


CHECK OUT THESE COOL LINKS:
   I love when Wil Wheaton updates his podcast Radio Free Burrito. Episode 33
   Pretty
   Bill & Ted & Who - Brain-Confetti
   If you're reading the Game Of Thorns books check out this review on Geektress.
   Love the last line of this Moon Freight 3
   Nova Ren Suma is one of my favorite writers right now and I can't wait to read her next book. 17 & GONE Cover and Plot Summary Revealed!
   A podcast I haven't tried before. Comic Book Club: Amanda Palmer & Kurt Braunohler


RANTS AND SCREAMS:
   How about all of us in Florida march on the local police stations and demand Rick Scott be arrested for his actions? Why that's never going to happen in a lot of people in Florida are so stupid they love what he's doing. Gov. Scott Has Secret List Of 180,000 ‘Ineligible’ Voters
   James Cameron making more movies that all the sheep will praise feeding his already large ego. He's right there with Oliver Stone and Christopher Nolan as directors that leave me thinking, "Good movies but I don't get the hype." All three also seems to think they are "Film makers!" with their own noses and tongues up their own asses. James Cameron Plans to Shoot Three Avatar Sequels at Same Time
   I've torn with this. I love that its raising awareness but I'm also not the biggest fan of the Komen group because of how much of a bunch of assholes they tend to be with people. Marvel is teaming with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to observer Breast Cancer Awareness 

Where I talk about comments John Green made about the future of publishing and also stuffs.

Where I talk about stories growing or splitting into a different story? and the stories that change and how it can be a good thing.

 

   I've said for a long time that I think it's bullshit that painters, artists, singers, song writers, dancers, and most other talents in the arts can have works in progress, works that change but a writer of prose has to have one story finished complete for a forever watch when its sent out into the word.
   Musicians can play songs that are barley finished in concerts when the song will not go out in mass for years. They can change songs at will and nothing is said but George Lucas makes changes in his film or a comic creator makes changes and people scream like they own the story.
   No Star Wars films and comics aren't prose but I gave those as examples to show how one art form is allowed to grow a story while when another does the same its seen a roasting a baby on stick.
   For the most part prose stories aren't allowed growth, change, and without growth they are also maybe missing out on a chance of finding great discovers that can come from change, from being allowed to grow.
   I've gotten into some good discussions with friends in publishing over my view that the biggest thing digital publishing offers for writers beyond controlling your work, and this is part of controlling your work, is also letting the work evolve. I say stop playing creationist storytelling, let that story walk onto land if it can.
   In the case of Nova Ren Suma's Dani Noir, which I loved, my review, being moved from a Middle Grade book to a YA book with changes within and a change of name and title, I find it is a very interesting thing and would like to see how Fade Out differs from Dani Noir.
   My only big issue with this might be that now a lot of younger readers may not get a chance to read Dani Noir as I did. It's such a great book I hope they keep both versions in print. I'm hoping success for both versions.
   Throw in note: if you not reading books by Nova Ren Suma you are missing out on stories by one of the best writers writing today.
   This isn't the first time this happened in big time publishing. It actually happens a lot more than people think. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes its just a move from Adult to YA without any changes except maybe a different cover. Sometimes its a move from one genre to the next.
   Now comparing this instance with Dani Noir/Fade Out to what I'm talking about when it comes to the Evolving Story isn't apt. I'll admit that right now but I just wanted to use it to show changes in story aren't really unusual in prose, it just seen that way, and it gives me a chance to bridge into that subject I've wanted to discuss for a while here in greater depth.
   People tell me releasing a work before its "pefect" is a big mistake. But why? First is a story ever truly perfect? No bodies stories out there walk on water. Though Neil Gaiman's lips are dreamy......anyway, What one editor considers ready to release another looks at as being in need of a lot of work.
   People tell me self publishing is a terrible thing because most of the time, unless you have the money to hire a professional editor, it's a work that goes out that isn't ready for publication.
   I read a lot, my friends read a lot more, Mar reads as much as anyone I've ever meet and anyone who reads a lot will tell you there are tons of books published through "big publishers" which could use a couple more edit passes. Need another set of eyes or have their editor "fired" That was actually said to me by a editor who works for a big company.
   But not everyone has the money to hire an editor, or has friends and loved ones who will read over their stories, or even has access to find things like writing groups. I've tried working with several writing groups but they more often than not writers groups confused with being a book reading slash book shitting on group. Now stand out and don't be confused by your group identity, I'll love you either way, but the point is everyone doesn't have access to support systems like everyone else. Nor should the "normal" support and learning systems be the only ones recognized.
   One of the reasons I like the idea of the evolving sushi story is how it puts your neck out there. It throws you into the pool to learn to swim.  It creates a very thick skin. It teaches. And it allows for change. You know change, that thing humanity has enslaved, killed, and destroyed to try to hold back?
   Change and control should be in the hands of the writer. I hate some of the changes George Lucas has made to Star Wars but they are his stories. His right to control them. I hate DRM on efiles but its up to the artist to decide if they want to use it, not you. I think as long as the changes are made by the creator or approved by them then its a good thing.
   I have friends in big time publishing. People who are writers, editors, in marketing, and work at the printers. I have no problem with anyone going the route of traditional publishing to make their mark but the one of the things you do lose is how much control you have over change. I wont be like some self publishers who say its a price to be paid. Lets not get over dramatic, its a choice. Oh, and lets make this clear every self publisher would "sell out" in second if the offer was put on the table.
   What people like Amanda Palmer are doing should be applauded because its not only creating a direct line from the fan to the creator but its putting the changes and control further in the choice of the creator if that want they want.
   What podcasters, webcomic makers, webseries creators, webfilm makers, ebook writers, are doing should be applauded because they are not only producing some really good works of art, they are fighting for our rights by the mere attempt to change the system.
   Within this mess of writing I guess what I need to say is what I want more than anything else for creators is a right to change.
   Dani Noir becoming Fade Out isn't a bad thing. I don't know what changes will be made to translate it to a YA book besides the cover and title change. I loved Dani Noir. I think Nova Ren Suma is one of the best writers today. My only wish was that these changes were totally in the writers hands and that all writers "published" and "self-published" were allowed to change their work, to evolve their work if that's the road they want to walk.
   There was a time that every book was truly unique because they were hand written. The original sushi books. And there is nothing wrong with experimenting with a story until it finds it footing and finds its audience. And taking a reader along for that journey could be a very cool thing. It's not for everyone, I get that. Not for every reader and not for every writer but the changes should be choice and not ripped like you are throwing fire into church. I'm just throwing my story into the wild.
   I'm just looking for a better model for the writer and believe that sometimes a little raw or not quite ready doesn't hurt whether its in your food choices or publishing choices.


After long winded mess.


Check out some cool links:
   John Green's team starts another FIFA season.
Season 4: The Miracle of Swindon Town #108
The John Green School: The Miracle of Swindon Town #109


Funny fan made cartoon about Marvel Characters.
Disassembled


   Love Ted Raimi and Alison Haislip.
4 Points - Ted Raimi joins Alex Albrecht and Alison Haislip: Episode 2


   Someone pointed me toward this series. I can't remember who. I watched the first two episodes and thought they were ok. I don't know if you could take this concept long term but then again a lot of people said that about The Guild. I'll check out more of The Unwritten Rules.
The Unwritten Rules: Ep. 1


Rants and rambles:
A look at a man who has become a icon to many and to some a symbol, cooperate symbol of how creators have been ripped off in the comic book industry. I see it this way. The guy saw the writing on the wall and took care of his house so to speak. Maybe he has never fought hard for creators rights but he did what was best for himself and his family. And after that being Stan Lee more and more is really coming off like a cooperate asshole.
The Inquisition Of Mr. Marvel


I want to ask conservatives this. What stops drugs next from being denied to people with the wrong political views, the wrong faith, or the wrong race in the eyes of the pharmacist? Or is this really the world you want to live in?
Thanks to GOP, new Kansas law lets a pharmacist size you up to decide whether or not you deserve your Rx


Religion and Gay Marriage


Warren Ellis blog just blinded me. The image just wont go away.................just die brain and let me drift away in peace.....................................
Conan! What Is Best In Life? [Conan! posts are an old tradition. Often not safe for eyes.]

Where I talk about stories growing or splitting into a different story? and the stories that change and how it can be a good thing.

REVIEW: IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma

Published by Penguin

www.penguin.com/teen

http://novaren.com/

In a lot of books you can see how the chapters will map out. Some writers use that as a sort of template. Certain things usually happen in the first chapter, others in the second, and the fourth chapter is where the story really moves. With IMAGINARY GIRLS the story kicks into high gear with the first word "Ruby" and as soon as you read the power the writer puts into the first  and every use of the word "sister" you are racing down hill out of control and all you can do is run faster and faster and hope the great feeling of being out of control never leaves you... and you don't die.

Imaginary Girls taps into those feelings when you get scared at an extreme height, the feelings just before a fight, how you feel loving someone so much that you could kill someone else just so they couldn't be loved by them. It deals with family, sisterhood, siblings, relationships, how futile our perceptions of someone else's reality is, and with me it tapped into that feeling that even if I could influence others, I could never influence away the "balance" of life. A "balance" life will not let you skirt.

I've had a lot of discussion recently with friends about the state of YA fiction. I think its in a very fragile state of bubble life. The publisher have gotten Money Eyes as they always do when something is hot. There are still so many great YA books coming out but I think YA is being harmed by publishers pushing some writers to produce books too quickly and publishers are dishing out a lot of books way too soon. Not bad books, just not fully cooked yet. Overall its doing a lot of harm. I had actually danced into a state of not wanting to read much YA fiction for a while before reading Imaginary Girls but the writer returned my faith so to speak.

Imaginary Girls is one of the few original writing voices I've come across in any form of storytelling in a very long time. I hope I never read a interview where the writer says this books was easy to write because I might just walk into the ocean. How this highly crafted work could have been anything except for a lot of very hard work would be hard to believe. 

I'm inspired as a writer and want to stand up or buy a drink.

Someone recently pointed out to me that one of the problems with being a writer is that sometimes when reading or watching a filmed stories you can see where the story is going. See the wires so to speak. All the nasty tricks and such. That's one of the reasons I almost never give 5 star reviews. With this book whenever you think "Oh, so this is how the story is going or I bet this is whats going to happen." This story mockingly laughs at you to say "You thought you were so smart, sorry, my writer worked her ass off to craft my tale."

IMAGINARY GIRLS

By Nova Ren Suma

5 out of 5 Stars

REVIEW: IMAGINARY GIRLS by Nova Ren Suma