Book Review: Clown Girl

I am not remotely like any of the characters in Monica Drake's Clown Girl and nothing about their lives is remotely familiar to me. And yet, I loved the lead character Nita (aka Clown Girl) and the assorted hoodlums and heroes in this strange story. Drake clearly has a talent with misfit characters and I ended up being really drawn into the frantic world she creates. It took me a while to get into it, but I stayed up late to finish - something that I haven't done with a non-YA book in quite a while.

IndieSpensable Volume IV: Clown Girl

A while back, I decided to spring for an IndieSpensable subscription from one of my super favorite bookstores, Powell's Books. According to the site, IndieSpensable is a subscription that "delivers the best new books, with special attention to leading independent publishers. Signed first editions. Inventive, original sets. Exclusive printings.... Every six weeks, another installment to read and admire." What better thing for a girl who loves books, supporting local bookstores, AND getting fantastic fun things in the mail?



My first installment arrived today and I'm not dissapointed. Here's what's inside:

• The Super Crazy Cat Dance - a "super-fun crazy comic for kids and grownups alike" by Aron Nels Steinke
• Clown Girl by Monica Drake - one of a special limited edition of 750, and the novel's only hardcover printing
• A rubber chicken key chain
• A collection of extra large postcards featuring stuff abou the authors, Portland (Powell's Books hometown), and the series