The Book Blog

Prose and figurative language can feel too flowery and self-indulgent, but, if done right, they can make the writing memorable. This is how I felt after reading Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff, which chronicles America’s entry into the space race with Project Mercury. Wolfe, who spearheaded the New Journalism movement of the 1960s, is ever the provocateur with his use of subjectivism and narrative techniques to describe what it meant to compete against the Soviet Union in the race to get a man into space.

Unapologetic and jingoistic, Wolfe’s The Right Stuff celebrates the men who risked their lives to get to space. Written in 1979, the book focuses on the test pilots and the Mercury Seven astronauts selected for NASA’s Project Mercury – Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton – and likens them to warriors about to engage in combat while exhibiting heroism, grit, and courage; qualities Wolfe calls the “right stuff.”

Many aspiring astronauts were former Air Force pilots and test pilots who lived on a knife’s edge around danger like Chuck Yeager who broke the sound barrier with the Bell X-1 rocket plane in 1947. These aviators wanted to push the boundaries of what was possible – even if they sacrificed their lives to do so. Many test pilots and early astronauts died young due to training accidents and equipment malfunctions. To be considered among the best of the best, the pilot needed to have the “right stuff,” which Wolfe defines as a combination of having guts, moxie, or courage in the face of extreme danger. This also included reckless machismo. As Wolfe succinctly put it “believers in the right stuff would rather crash and burn” than request help or admit they made a mistake (24). Those who did not have the “right stuff” either died or were excluded from the group that had “it.”

Wolfe’s writing style takes on a rapturous and frantic tone throughout the work. He is not concerned about writing formally or objectively; he frequently uses run-on sentences to convey his enthusiasm throughout the book. This informality lets him convey his sense of awe about the Mercury Seven and those with the “right stuff” with winding sentences and verbose excitement.

The Right Stuff was adapted into a movie in 1983 and has been recently remade as a television show on Disney Plus, but the exuberant feel and feverish tone of the book is lost in translation. If you like adventure stories with a flair for the dramatic and with a sharp writing style, Tom Wolfe’s The Right Stuff is a must read.

The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe

ISBN: 0553381350

Publication Date: 2001-10-30

The first Americans in space--Yeager, Conrad, Grissom, and Glenn--battle the Russians for control of the heavens and put their lives on the line to demonstrate a quality beyond courage, in this classic by Wolfe.

 

 

 

The Right Stuff (Film) by Kaufman, Philip, 1936-

Call Number: PN1997 Right S78 2010 DVD

ISBN: 141988333X

Publication Date: 2010

The true story of Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Walter Schirra, Gordon Cooper, and Deke Slayton -- the seven men chosen for the Mercury Project manned space flight program in the U.S.

If you have chatted with me about books, you probably know that I recommend Neil Gaiman about one hundred percent of the time. I hate to say that I have a “favorite author,” but if I had to make the commitment, I’d most likely go with Neil. When I’m recommending Neil’s books to other readers, I often describe his works with words like intelligent, whimsical, magical, mystical, gripping…just to name a few. Gaiman is one of the few authors whose books feel more like an experience than a read, and I often have difficulty pulling away from them. He’s also one of the few authors with books that I will read repeatedly.

Neil hasn’t limited his works strictly to traditional novels. He is also well known for his comic books, graphic novels, nonfiction works, and short fiction. You might be familiar with Gaiman’s work through other media, as several of his books have been adapted to film or television series. His book Coraline was made into a stop motion movie that is wildly popular and is known for having a bit of a cult following. Another book by Gaiman, Stardust, was made into a film starring Claire Danes. This movie is so dreamy and is one of my personal favorites! Gaiman’s book American Gods has three seasons available for those who prefer a series.

If you love audiobooks or are looking for potential audiobooks to try, I recommend Neil's books. Neil generally narrates his own books, sometimes with other voice actors or professional narrators, and really tells the story. Since he’s intimately familiar with his own imaginative works, he knows precisely where to inflect, emphasize, and dramatize. He also has a dreamy British accent that I personally adore.

I know one author can’t fill the needs of every reader, but I implore you to at least give Neil a shot. He is an author that I discovered through the help of a friend that has stuck with me for years. I find comfort in Gaiman’s work because he allows me to escape our harsh reality to enjoy a little magic. If you decide to try him out, the St. Johns River State College Library has many of his works for you to enjoy! I'm listing just a few to get you started. Let me know what you think!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman; Dave McKean (Illustrator); Margaret Atwood (Foreword by)

Call Number: St. Augustine Circulation PR6057 .A319 G73 2008

ISBN: 9780060530921

Publication Date: 2008-09-30

The original hardcover edition of a perennial favorite, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, which has sold more than one million copies and is the only novel to win both the Newbery Medal and the Carnegie Medal.  Bod is an unusual boy who inhabits an unusual place--he's the only living resident of a graveyard. Raised from infancy by the ghosts, werewolves, and other cemetery denizens, Bod has learned the antiquated customs of his guardians' time as well as their ghostly teachings--such as the ability to Fade so mere mortals cannot see him. Can a boy raised by ghosts face the wonders and terrors of the worlds of both the living and the dead? The Graveyard Book is the winner of the Newbery Medal, the Carnegie Medal, the Hugo Award for best novel, the Locus Award for Young Adult novel, the American Bookseller Association's "Best Indie Young Adult Buzz Book," a Horn Book Honor, and Audio Book of the Year.

 

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Call Number: Palatka Popular Fiction PR6057.A319 A84 2002

ISBN: 9780380789030

Publication Date: 2002-04-30

Shadow is a man with a past. But now he wants nothing more than to live a quiet life with his wife and stay out of trouble. Until he learns that she's been killed in a terrible accident. Flying home for the funeral, as a violent storm rocks the plane, a strange man in the seat next to him introduces himself. The man calls himself Mr. Wednesday, and he knows more about Shadow than is possible. He warns Shadow that a far bigger storm is coming. And from that moment on, nothing will ever he the same...

 

Coraline by Neil Gaiman; Dave McKean (Illustrator)

Call Number: St. Augustine Circulation PZ7 .G1273 Co 2002

ISBN: 9780380977789

Publication Date: 2002-07-02

New York Times bestselling and Newbery Medal-winning author Neil Gaiman's modern classic, Coraline--also an Academy Award-nominated film "Coraline discovered the door a little while after they moved into the house...." When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvelous. But there's another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go. Coraline will have to fight with all her wit and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life. Neil Gaiman's Coraline is a can't-miss classic that enthralls readers age 8 to 12 but also adults who enjoy a perfect smart spooky read.

 

Art Matters by Neil Gaiman; Chris Riddell

Call Number: Palatka Circulation BF408 .G276 2018

ISBN: 9780062906205

Publication Date: 2018-11-20

A stunning and timely creative call-to-arms combining four extraordinary written pieces by Neil Gaiman illustrated with the striking four-color artwork of Chris Riddell. "The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before."--Neil Gaiman Drawn from Gaiman's trove of published speeches, poems, and creative manifestos, Art Matters is an embodiment of this remarkable multi-media artist's vision--an exploration of how reading, imagining, and creating can transform the world and our lives. Art Matters bring together four of Gaiman's most beloved writings on creativity and artistry: "Credo," his remarkably concise and relevant manifesto on free expression, first delivered in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shootings "Make Good Art," his famous 2012 commencement address delivered at the Philadelphia University of the Arts "Making a Chair," a poem about the joys of creating something, even when words won't come "On Libraries," an impassioned argument for libraries that illuminates their importance to our future and celebrates how they foster readers and daydreamers Featuring original illustrations by Gaiman's longtime illustrator, Chris Riddell, Art Matters is a stirring testament to the freedom of ideas that inspires us to make art in the face of adversity, and dares us to choose to be bold.

 

Stardust

Call Number: St. Augustine Audio-Visual PN1997 Stardust DVD

ISBN: 9781415737378

Publication Date: 2007

Tristan hopes to win the heart of his beautiful, but shallow love, Victoria. He promises to recover a star that fell somewhere beyond the stony wall that sets between the mundane England and the fantasy kingdom of Stormhold. So Tristan sets forth on his own journey in Stormhold. Meanwhile in that magical land, the dying king has set his four surviving sons on a quest for the crown. And the witch Lamia is seeking the heart of the star for an entirely different purpose, one that involves her secret power.

When going through school, math and science were not my strongest subjects. I thought that I would never use either discipline, that they constituted busy work. As I have gotten older, I find myself drawn to both subjects through my interest in astronomy.

Ever since I looked at Jupiter and Saturn with a telescope, I have been fascinated by space and our place in it. I began devouring books on astronomy which were mostly introductory texts and general interest books about the stars and planets.

After a while, I wanted to read more in-depth content about space, so I gave Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time a try. My family had a copy tucked away in a bookshelf, but I had never been confident enough to try the physicist’s book on the origins of the universe. Until now.

Originally written in 1988, Hawking’s A Brief History of Time explores our perception of the universe, the concept of space and time, the mathematical possibility of black holes (which has since been proven), and the theoretical possibility of time travel with wormholes. At around 200 pages, the book is a quick, succinct read with an accessible writing style.

The book’s crowning achievement is how Hawking breaks down complex physical and scientific concepts and explains them in a way that anyone can understand. He explains complicated theoretical physics by providing clear analogies and vivid descriptions laden with humor and insight. As a reader, I never felt as if he was talking down to me; in fact, his inclusive style is a big reason why the book is a bestseller and one of my favorite books.

Reading A Brief History of Time has given me a deeper appreciation for math and science through astronomy. It has also inspired me to become a better teacher. While I may not be breaking down theoretical physics, I have become better at breaking down complicated concepts into manageable chunks that students can understand and learn. Being able to digest complex content into a readable format is a skill I am always trying to hone.

A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking

ISBN: 9780553109535

Publication Date: 1998-09-01

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER   Published more than two decades ago to great critical acclaim and commercial success, A Brief History of Time has become a landmark volume in science writing. Stephen Hawking, one of the great minds of our time, explores such profound questions as: How did the universe begin--and what made its start possible? Does time always flow forward? Is the universe unending--or are there boundaries? Are there other dimensions in space? What will happen when it all ends?   Told in language we all can understand, A Brief History of Time plunges into the exotic realms of black holes and quarks, of antimatter and "arrows of time," of the big bang and a bigger God--where the possibilities are wondrous and unexpected. With exciting images and profound imagination, Stephen Hawking brings us closer to the ultimate secrets at the very heart of creation.

I’ll start this post with the disclaimer that I love audiobooks. Listening to audiobooks is one of my biggest hobbies. You can often find me consuming a great story while driving, cleaning my house, or lounging in the pool. Recently, it was brought to my attention that to some, audiobooks aren’t considered “real books,” and consumers of audiobooks aren’t actual readers. I’ll say what needs to be said about that stance- it’s book snobbery. Now let me explain why!

First and foremost, audiobooks are essential for many readers from an accessibility standpoint. While some automatically associate audiobooks as a resource for blind readers, audiobooks are a solution for many, including readers suffering from migraines and readers with cognitive functioning challenges. Have you noticed that many textbooks are now only available in a digital format? This is an attempt by publishers to increase the accessibility of their texts. The digital format helps with the accessibility needs of many types of readers, including those that use a screen reader for audio content. So, the next time you overhear a misinformed person making harsh judgments about audiobooks, you can enlighten them about the importance of making books accessible to all readers.  

Another essential function of audiobooks is that they can be a tool to engage reluctant readers. You don’t have to take my word on this since numerous studies and reports are available worldwide on the subject. The facts are that audiobooks engage readers and contribute to the enjoyment of reading for many. For example, I have never been a fan of reading graphic novels or comic books. I recently tried an audio version of a popular comic book series, The Sandman by Neil Gaiman. The audio version of this graphic series was produced by none other than DC Comics, and the quality of this production is nothing short of AMAZING! I can honestly say that I have been enthralled with this audiobook. The best part is that I’m now interested in comic books. I have already asked for the Omnibus collections for my birthday. There are multiple volumes that are costly, so I’ll probably be spreading this request out among many holidays, so my husband doesn’t have a heart attack! Even though I am a huge fan of Gaiman’s work, I probably wouldn’t have spent any time with Sandman if it weren’t for the audio version. I am now very thankful that I have experienced this incredible collection of stories. 

If my first two points haven’t convinced you to fall in love with audiobooks, then let me tie up my case with my final point- audiobooks tell us great stories. The amount of care and work that go into audiobooks is astounding, and audiobooks are big business. If you are at all familiar with prominent audio vendors such as Amazon’s Audible, you know that they are bringing in big-name narrators like Tim Curry, James McAvoy, and Claire Danes, just to name a few. Like the Sandman audiobook I mentioned earlier, many well-produced audiobooks also incorporate sound effects to engage listeners. I have also listened to excellent renditions of A Christmas Carol and The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon, just to name a few. The production value of some of these titles is comparable to a well-developed television series. The best part for me is enjoying these stories while being active and outside.

I hope that I have convinced you that audiobooks are an excellent resource for all readers and a great way to enjoy stories of all kinds. I’m a bit of an audiobook diva, so I pay for the convenience of Audible. Don’t fret- there are many great free options available from your local public library. The Putnam County Library System uses Overdrive. St. Johns County uses both Overdrive and Hoopla, and the Clay County Library has an extensive audiobook collection. Some public libraries may still have audiobooks on compact discs (CD). Maintaining a CD collection is expensive, so many libraries are moving to a strictly digital format.

If you are thinking about exploring audio, please reach out. I’d love to recommend some of my favorites! Take time to listen to a story. I don’t think you’ll regret it!

-Brittnee

The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 1 by Neil Gaiman

Call Number: Palatka Popular Fiction PN6728.S26 G39 2013

ISBN: 9781401241889

Publication Date: 2013-09-03

A New York Times Bestseller! The Sandman is the universally lauded masterwork following Morpheus, Lord of the Dreaming-a vast hallucinatory landscape housing all the dreams of any and everyone who's ever existed. Regardless of cultures or historical eras, all dreamers visit Morpheus' realm-be they gods, demons, muses, mythical creatures, or simply humans who teach Morpheus some surprising lessons. Upon his escape from an embarrassing captivity at the hands of a mere mortal, Morpheus finds himself at a crossroads, forced to deal with the enormous changes within both himself and his realm. His journey to find his place in a world that's drastically changed takes him through mythical worlds to retrieve his old heirlooms, the back roads of America for a twisted reunion, and even Hell itself-to receive the dubious honor of picking the next Devil. But he'll learn his greatest lessons at the hands of his own family, the Endless, who-like him-are walking embodiments of the most influential aspects of existence. This massive hardcover tome, over 1000 pages, collects the first 37 issues of Neil Gaiman's groundbreaking series!

 

The Sandman Omnibus Vol. 2 by Neil Gaiman

Call Number: Palatka Popular Fiction PN6728.S26 G393 2013

ISBN: 9781401243142

Publication Date: 2013-11-12

A New York Times bestseller! The Sandman is the universally lauded masterwork following Morpheus, Lord of the Dreaming--a vast hallucinatory landscape housing all the dreams of any and everyone who's ever existed. Regardless of cultures or historical eras, all dreamers visit Morpheus' realm--be they gods, demons, muses, mythical creatures, or simply humans who teach Morpheus some surprising lessons. In this epic tale, Delirium, youngest of the Endless, prevails upon the Sandman to help her find their errant brother, Destruction. But their quest will lead to a painful reunion between Morpheus and his son, Orpheus. Then, the Sandman and others are trapped in a mysterious inn while a tempest rages--and all they can do to while away the time is tell the stories of their lives. And when a young woman's baby is stolen, she turns to The Kindly Ones for vengeance--only to set off a series of events that will lead the Sandman to his ultimate fate, and the baby to find a destiny no one could have foretold. This massive hardcover tome, over 1000 pages, collects the final 38 issues of Neil Gaiman's groundbreaking series. Collects The Sandman #38-75 plus stories from Vertigo Jam #1 and Vertigo: Winter's Edge #3.