pulling in the reader
No cover to show you until I have time to do some scanning, but I did want to share the book that kept me on the edge of my seat during my flight back from ALA in San Diego earlier this week. THE PULL OF GRAVITY by Gae Polisner (FSG, May 2011) combines the heart of FREAK THE MIGHTY with the humor of STRANGE CASE OF THE ORIGAMI YODA with road trips reminiscent of PAPER TOWNS. And then, of course, there is OF MICE AND MEN. Perhaps a little explanation is in order.
Nick's dad takes off on foot, leaving the quiet suburbs that he swears are killing him, headed back to the big city where he was a reporter. Nick wants to think that Dad's journey is one of purpose, but somewhere inside he also knows that Dad is leaving so that he does not have to deal with some terrible situations. Nick's best friend, Scooter (don't call him Reginald), is dying. Nick knows his father does not want to deal with this death any more than Nick does. So, off goes Dad. Local press comes in to interview Nick and his family about Dad's trip. That is when Nick meets Jaycee, stepdaughter of the reporter. Nick and Jaycee embark on their own road trip, one to commemorate Scooter and his too short life. <17>
Star Wars and Steinbeck combine in this warm and real story of how lives can intersect in totally unpredictable ways.
On another unrelated topic, the insomnia seems to be coming to an end. I actually took a nap this afternoon. Of course, those couple of hours will never replace the two months of sleeplessness, but is it a relief to find that I have not lost my napping gene/skill/whatever. Now, let's see if we can get the torn knee fixed soon.
Nick's dad takes off on foot, leaving the quiet suburbs that he swears are killing him, headed back to the big city where he was a reporter. Nick wants to think that Dad's journey is one of purpose, but somewhere inside he also knows that Dad is leaving so that he does not have to deal with some terrible situations. Nick's best friend, Scooter (don't call him Reginald), is dying. Nick knows his father does not want to deal with this death any more than Nick does. So, off goes Dad. Local press comes in to interview Nick and his family about Dad's trip. That is when Nick meets Jaycee, stepdaughter of the reporter. Nick and Jaycee embark on their own road trip, one to commemorate Scooter and his too short life. <17>
Star Wars and Steinbeck combine in this warm and real story of how lives can intersect in totally unpredictable ways.
On another unrelated topic, the insomnia seems to be coming to an end. I actually took a nap this afternoon. Of course, those couple of hours will never replace the two months of sleeplessness, but is it a relief to find that I have not lost my napping gene/skill/whatever. Now, let's see if we can get the torn knee fixed soon.