Enter the World of Smart Pop Books (Lit 101 Part 3)

Last week, I brought to our readers another list of Smart Pop Books that are dedicated to many of the popular works of fiction. This week brings the final part of that three-part article series from that collection.

To review, Smart Pop Books have been published by Benbella Books since 2003, covering topics ranging from Star Wars to Gilmore Girls to the work of Joss Whedon. The writers of these books are New York Times best-selling authors, television writers, psychologists and philosophers: they are actually anyone with a love of pop culture and who have something worth sharing.

Uglies

First, there is the popular Scott Westerfield series of books known as Uglies that was made into the Smart Pop Book called “Mind-Rain”. This book is a collection of smart, analytical and completely unauthorized essays about a story that is set in a future where cosmetic surgery is a requirement at age 16 and attractiveness is mandated. The book series has received critical acclaim from the press and public alike. “Mind-Rain,” according to the website, is chock-full of action, adventure and teenage rebellion with popular authors examining the series of books and delving into the underlying themes.

You can get your copy of “Mind-Rain” here.

The House of the Night

Next up is the Smart Pop Book called “Nyx in the House of Night” dedicated to the P.C. and Kristin Cast Vampyre Series of books known as The House of the Night. The House of Night is no ordinary school—and not just because it’s for vampyres. As the website states, it’s a place where magic, religion, folklore, and mythology from multiple traditions meet and meld to create something incredible and new. Within the cover of this book, young adult authors, plus a few experts, help the reader navigate the influences behind The House of Night series in a guide that would get even Damien’s seal of approval.

You can get your copy of “Nyx in the House of Night” here.

His Dark Materials

Then there is the Smart Pop Book called “Navigating the Golden Compass” that is based on the His Dark Materials trilogy by author Philip Pullman. Per the official website, this anthology includes essays ranging from what Dust has in common with drugs to the position of children in contrast to other young adult series, to what His Dark Materials has to say about the scientific and religious practices of our modern era.

You can get your copy of “Navigating the Golden Compass” here.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Moving over to one of the most popular sci-fi books – which has been a cult favorite for over twenty years – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. The Smart Pop Book dedicated to this book is “The Anthology at the End of the Universe”. The anthology includes not only a look at the inaccurately named trilogy’s social and technological effects, but also an assessment of Vogon poetry, the Zen of 42 and why Marvin is actually Jesus Christ.

You can get your copy of “The Anthology at the End of the Universe” here.

Eragon

Next up is the Smart Pop Book “Secrets of the Dragon Riders” that is based on the popular Inheritance Cycle book series by author Christopher Paolini. According to the official website: the book series is about an earnest hero, its breathtaking battles and, of course, its awe-inspiring dragon Saphira. But there’s so much more to the series than meets the eye such as why might Roran be the real hero of the Inheritance Cycle; what does Paolini’s writing have in common with role-play games and modern action films and are teenage writers judged more harshly than their adult counterparts?

You can get your copy of “Secrets of the Dragon Riders” here.

Dune

Then in an analysis of the best-selling science fiction adventure of all time – Dune by Frank Herberts – the Smart Pop Book called “The Science of Dune” explore all aspects of the novel, including the fascinating scientific speculations ranging from physics and chemistry to ecology and evolution, from human psychology and mental potential to technology and genetics. Authors and experts examine what Herbert gets right and what he gets wrong, how lasguns might work and if Bene Gesserit and mental capabilities are possible. The book also takes a look at whether the ecology of Dune is realistic or if it’s theoretically possible to get information from the future.

You can get your copy of “The Science of Dune” here.

Michael Crichton

Then we move into the world of the late author Michael Crichton in the Smart Pop Book “The Science of Michael Crichton”. As the website states, wherever the cutting edge of science goes, Michael Crichton is there. From dinosaur cloning to global warming, nanotechnology to time travel, animal behavior to human genetics, Crichton always takes us to the cutting edge of science and then pushes the envelope. This anthology examines the amazing inventions of Crichton’s books and lifts up the hood, revealing the science underneath. The description of “The Science of Michael Crichton” goes on to say: In intelligent and well-thought essays, scholars and experts decide what Crichton gets right and what he gets wrong. They examine which Crichton imaginings are feasible and which are just plain impossible. Scenarios examined include whether dinosaurs can be cloned, if nanotechnological particles can evolve intelligence, and if we can go back in time.

You can get your copy of “The Science of Michael Crichton” here.

The War of the Worlds

Lastly, there is the Smart Pop Book called “The War of the Worlds” dedicated to H.G. Wells, the father of science fiction, who created the classic stories The Time Machine and the aforementioned The War of the Worlds. As the Smart Pop Books website shares, this anthology includes the full text of The War of the Worlds as well as some of the genre’s top names discussing Wells and his most famous work, from the setting to the scientific milieu to speculation on Martian society.

You can get your copy of “The War of the Worlds” here.

And, that brings us to the end of the three-part article series on the Smart Pop Books that are dedicated to some of the best works of fiction. Coming in August will be an article series on the Smart Pop Books that have been done in honor of some of the popular box office movies.

Until then, if you would like to learn more about Smart Pop Books, please visit their official website.

Gomez

Musician Spotlight: Gomez are an English indie rock band, consisting of members Ian Ball (vocals and guitar), Paul Blackburn (bass), Tom Gray (vocals, guitars and keyboards), Ben Ottewell (vocals and guitars) and Olly Peacock (drums and synthesizers). Ball and Peacock had been friends since childhood, playing in a 3-piece band during their teens; and then were joined by Blackburn, Gray and Ottewell during their time in college. They played their first gig together in 1996 without actually having a name for the band. At this time the band started recording four-track demos that were eventually handed to Steve Fellows, who distributed them to several record labels. A year later they were signed by Hut Records (a division of Virgin Records). Their debut album “Bring It On” was released in April of 1998. This album earned the band a Mercury Music Prize, an annual music prize awarded for the best album from the UK and Ireland in September of that year. “Liquid Skin”, the band’s second album, came out in 1999, garnering them success on both the British and Australian album charts as well as hitting the Billboard charts for the first time. Featured singles from this album included “Bring It On” and “We Haven’t Turned Around”. In 2002, their third album “In Our Gun” came out followed two years later by their next album “Split the Difference”. Then in 2006, the album “How We Operate” was released and included the self-titled single that was featured in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, as the title music for the pilot of the series The Riches and as the ending song to the remake of the cult classic The Hitcher. Their most recent album “A New Tide” came out in 2009. For more information, visit the band’s website here.