The Other Wizard Called Harry

The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher are quickly becoming some of my favorite books. Lately I’ve been on a huge Dresden kick and have read the last three books in the series in less than two weeks. If you’re a scifi fan and haven’t read this series, or if you were a fan of the television version on SciFi last year, then I highly recommend these books.

A quote on the cover of one of the books described the Dresden novels as a cross between a grown up Harry Potter and Spencer, and I must agree. While these novels are full of magic and fantasy, they are also more firmly grounded in reality than Harry Potter. You could almost believe that that there really is an underground magical community out there under our very noses.

Each novel is narrated by Harry himself, and he provides a very amusing description of events as they take place. I love the wit and humor, and I love the fact that I actually get the majority of the pop culture references used in these books; Tolkien, Star Wars even Darby O’Gill and the Little People, these are all references that I get and understand. Harry Dresden certainly isn’t a perfect man, like everyone he has his flaws and personal demons (literally, in his case) but it’s those flaws that make his character so realistic and so likeable.

The supporting cast of characters in these books are extremely diverse and they’re all just as interesting as Dresden himself. There’s Karrin Murphy, the head of Special Investigations and a friend of Dresden’s; Bob, the talking skull; Thomas, a vampire who is more than he seems (Thomas is quickly becoming my favorite character after Harry, but I won’t tell you why because that may give too much away) and Harry’s friend Michael, a faithful, God-fearing man who wields a powerful sword said to be forged with one of the nails from the cross of Christ. There’s also an equally diverse and intriguing cast of villains, including werewolves, vampires, demons and a powerful mobster known as Gentleman Johnny Marcone.

While many fantasy series these days seem to borrow heavily from classic tales such Tolkien’s works, Butcher has created a world all his own. However, like Tolkien, Butcher takes inspiration from classical mythology and folklore (Queen Mab, Merlin, etc.) as well as various religions. What fascinates me is the way he blends Christian tradition with his magical universe. Most often books of this genre tend to view the existence of magic (witches, wizards, etc.) and God as mutually exclusive; but in Dresden’s universe God and those doing his work have just as much power as the wizards.

Some book series tend to dry out, become less interesting with each novel published, but that’s not true in this case. Each novel is better than the one that precedes it, the stories become more intense, the stakes are higher and I love Harry more and more with each page I turn. So far I’ve finished each book thinking this one is my favorite, only to fall even more in love with the next one as I’m reading. I’ve also finished each novel faster than the one before it, because I just get more and more involved in the stories.

I also love how each novel builds on the one that preceded it. These aren’t completely individual stories. While the first few books seem fairly stand alone, with only a few references to previous novels, by the fifth or sixth book you begin to realize that there is a much bigger picture, and Butcher is just starting to reveal his plans to us.

Okay, I’m done raving now. I really love these books and definitely recommend them to any scifi fan. These books are terrific, and just get better with each one published.

Small Favors, book 10 of the Dresden Files, goes on sale Tuesday and I’m looking forward to it almost as much as I was looking forward to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I’ll let you know what I think of it when I’m finished reading.

Beautiful Children and Other Odds and Ends

I just finished reading Beautiful Children by Charles Bock and this book is absolutely amazing. While it's kind of hard to recommend to people unless I really know them and know their taste in books, I think this was an incredible read and definitely worth the time.

The story is set in Las Vegas around the disappearance of a young boy named Newell Ewing. The novel follows his parents as they deal with the tragedy, while also weaving together other stories to create the overall tapestry of events that took place the night Newell disappears. Other characters include a geeky comic book artist, a group of runaway street kids, a stripper named Cheri Blossom and her boyfriend Ponyboy (named after Hinton's characters in the Outsiders).

I loved the author's style. This is his first book, and rumor has it it took him 11 years and 4 drafts to complete the novel. His hard work was worthwhile. His style is extremely raw and real, and as your reading you get the impression that he actually knows these characters intimately. He knows their lives and motivations and everything about them. The old addage is true, a writer should write what he knows. Bock grew up in Vegas, so he probably did know many people like these characters.

I must offer a word of caution though. This novel is at times extremely provocative, graphic and sometimes shocking. There's a lot of language, sex, pornography, etc. But the story is amazing. Usually I would have been turned off by a lot of the content of this novel, it's not something I would have chosen myself to read (we started a book club at work and one of the guys chose this, not knowing much about it) but something about this story captured my interest and kept me reading till the end.

Other Stuff:

I planned on reading Neverwhere next, as it was recommended to me by a friend, but we were out of copies at work so I'm currently reading Smoke & Mirrors, short stories by Neil Gaiman. Some are kind of strange some are really interesting. I'm beginning to love Gaiman's writing.

I'm planning on adding a list to the left with my current list of planned reading. If anyone has recommendations please feel free to mention them. I'm willing give almost anything a try (with the exception of romance novels or manga).

"You will fly and you will crawl, God knows even Angels fall..."

As much as I love the entertainment industry, I don't usually get very emotional over the death of celebrities. While I know it's sad, I've never really understood getting worked up over the death of someone you've never met. However, that changed at about 4:39 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2008.

For some reason the death of Heath Ledger has hit me really hard. I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe it's because I've been a fan of his since the first time I saw 10 Things I Hate About You almost a decade ago (don't laugh, I was about 15 and that smile could win over anybody). Maybe it's because he was so young and good looking. Maybe it's because he's left behind a 2-year-old daughter who will only know her father through the movies he's made. Or, maybe it's because I saw so many good things in his future. For years I believed he would become one of the Hollywood's greats - a legendary actor/director with multiple Academy Awards on his mantle.

Heath Ledger should have had a brilliant career. He was already well on his way. He was an amazing actor and by all accounts a good person. Sure, he wasn't perfect, but then, nobody is.

Since Tuesday I've been reading as much as I can about Heath, focusing on stories about his life, as thinking about his death is too sad. My favorite story was sent into CNN by a Dan Bova from Larchmont, NY:

"Once when I was driving in Brooklyn, I got a flat tire. As I was jacking up my car, this deep voice from behind me said, "Need a hand?" It was Heath Ledger. I couldn't believe it. He helped jack up my car and change the tire. He was really good with tools!"

No matter what the circumstances of Heath's death, this is how I choose to remember him. Despite his fame, he was not above helping a stranger on the street. He was a compassionate person, a caring father and a talented actor. I believe we were just beginning to see what he was capable of, and I am saddened by the fact that we'll never have the opportunity to watch him achieve everything I know he would have in his life. He accomplished so much in 28 years, who knows what he could have done with 28 more.

Rest in Peace, Heath. You will never be forgotten.