Narcolepsy Books

Deronte' Smith introduces young readers to a most unlikely hero in FANTASTICAL ADVENTURES OF SLEEPY STEVE. The book opens at the beginning of a new school year, and Steve is more nervous than usual because he will be attending a new school where he will make new friends. The morning is a disaster but somehow he manages to make some friends during the bus ride to school. He immediately explains to his new friends that he suffers from a sleep disorder, and as a result, he often falls asleep at the most inopportune times. As readers follow Steve on his day-to-day activities, they will soon discover that he and his group of friends, all of whom don't quite fit in, find excitement in even the most mundane of situations. Whether going to find the school's maintenance man, discovering a first crush, or visiting a museum, the character's vivid imaginations (and Steve falling asleep at just the wrong moment) add humor and interest to the plot.

FANTASTICAL ADVENTURES OF SLEEPY STEVE presents a fun and engaging story while highlighting the power of imagination. The children in the book found excitement in the least expected places. I enjoyed the way the author incorporated Steve's sleep disorder into the story to add humor, but I would have liked a little more emphasis on explaining how the disorder works. I also would have liked more depth in the characters. The plot, filled with humorous antics, is what drives the story, but better characterization would have made readers more invested in the unfolding events and better able to relate to the characters. Overall, FANTASTICAL ADVENTURES OF SLEEPY STEVE is an above average read with lots of laugh-out-loud moments.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

I purchased this book at the GHEA conference.
> I paid more for that reading book
> that I did any other book
> that I purchased; because I knew that my son would
> enjoy reading it. Well,
> I was correct. He picked it up the day I brought it
> home and didn't want to
> put it down. Every chance he had to read it, he did
> until he finished it
> and has now asked if we can buy more of that kind.
We look forward to more!
>
> M Layton
>

very funny, and very well written. Obviously enjoyed by the writer and all readers. I have suggested it to all my family and friends. The characters have been brought to life, as well as every setting in the book. My friends and I agree, it is a great book and can't await more from Deronte Smith.

daniel J carr

I truly enjoyed reading this book. The author did an excellent job of bringing the characters to life, describing every detail in it's entirety, which made you feel as if you were in the same room with them. Each chapter ignited such excitement about what was going to happen next, causing me to reflect on my earlier days in elementary school. We all can relate to having at least two friends (bully & brainiac) in our circles while growing up like these, as well as dealing with some of the realities they faced.

I'm looking forward to the next book! Great job Deronte!

The Fantastical Adventures of Sleepy Steve is a fast paced, well written book. I read it in little under 2 hours, but could not put it down once. I know it is for kids under 13, but it put me back in touch with my own childhood, the pranks, the idea that the janitor was a monster, the floating turds....

I recommend this book to all Parents and Children alike and I myself am putting in an early order for book 2.

Great work Deronte, keep them coming.

Andrew.

Coming of age is often a difficult time in children's lives as they make that complex transition into adulthood. Author Penelope Przekop has deftly written "Aberrations", the coming of age story of Angel Duet, a 21-year-old troubled narcoleptic. Angel struggles with seeking the truth about her mother, knowing her father harbors many secrets, and her own identity. Angel seeks solace with a new group of friends and finds herself further complicated, including dealing with homosexuality, drugs and adultery. "Aberrations" is a very edgy novel that explores through this engaging character the premise that coping mechanisms only gets a young adult so far before they are forced to face inconvenient truths about themselves and the world they live in. Readers are provided with an insightful and fascinating journey with Angel as she learns what the truth about her life is and how to accept it. Recommended for adult readers, "Aberrations" is especially appropriate for community library contemporary fiction collections.

Angel Duet (a delicious name, I think) is 21 years-old, motherless, in a bad relationship, a narcoleptic, and going nowhere fast. The phrase "sleepwalking through life," corny though it may seem, is apt.

However, as the novel begins, certain changes are beginning to affect Angel. A new woman enters her father's life, and disrupts their shrine (both physical and mental) to Angel's mother, Betty Lou. When Angel takes a job at her college in the agricultural department, she both finds herself spending less time with her married lover, and accidentally letting two friends into her life.

And from there, a series of awakenings occur for Angel, again both physical and mental, as she comes into her own, and takes control of her own life.

The language in this novel is perhaps its most shining feature. Przekop really has a gift for flow and description. The story itself was compelling, don't get me wrong, but with the lovely language used here, it could be significantly weaker and still succeed.

Angel herself is a fascinating, if not always likable character. I think this is a definite strength. After all, if I can spend that much time in a character's head, not always like her, and yet still feel the need to keep reading, that really speaks to the strength of the writing. I thought the narcolepsy was a nice touch. While central to the character of Angel, it also makes a great metaphor for her personal state, as well as a great comparison point for all the aberrations of those that surround her.

Now, I'm going to get the bad out of the way real quick. Some like the use of dialect, but I don't. I found all the cain't and thangs distracting, even though I know people who actually speak like this. I can't quite put my finger on why, but they come off as distractions rather than adding local color.

And although I understand its significance to the story, I think there was an accidental message (or at least a development that could cause people to read this into the story) that mental problems, unlike "real" diseases, don't require doctors, medicine, and treatment, but just for the mental patient to buck up a little. I don't think this was the intent, but again, a message that could none the less be taken from the book.

Lastly, some of the sexual liasons and situations seem unecessary to me. I just didn't get the character of Scarlet, for instance. Those who have read the book, clue me in, please! Then again, I've noticed myself becoming a bit prudish on this subject. Perhaps I read to many kids' books.

All and all, however, those few issues are, dare I say it? Aberrations. I greatly enjoyed this beautiful and beautifully-written book and hope Przekop has some more novels in her. I'm looking forward to reading them.

(Also the cover is very, very pretty. In the grand scheme of things, I know that there are more important issues. However, a cover is a first impression, and this is a good one.)

I'll be recommending this book to a lot of people, even ones I have to buy it for - it's just that good. It's a page-turner, the characters are unfamiliar, and whole. Whole, not in the sense of being whole human beings - because who is, really? But whole, as in drawn whole for us to see all of their sides, in and out. Angel is especially intriguing, and her friends and relatives are all wide-open, raw, for us to see. The way they interact, even embarrassing one another, is great. Penelope Przekop is an author to watch. Since this is her first book, I can't even imagine what she'll come up with next.

I loved this book. From the first page the author grabs your attention. There are many twists, turns and surprises in the novel. She develops her characters so that you feel you know them and brings out their vulnerabilities in a way in which we can all identify. The author also enters you into the world of narcolepsy and the challenges it poses. A lovely first fiction novel from Penelope Przekop. I am now a big fan and look forward to another novel from Ms. Przekop.

Angel Duet, a young woman with many unanwswered questions about her past sets out on a mission to find out what secrets her father has been keeping from her about her mother's mysterious death during Angel's birth. Aberrations takes place in the 1980's in Louisiana. The only pieces of her mom that she has is the photographs she use to take - most of which were of her favorite - photos of clouds. Two distinct kinds of cloud photographs represent two distinct times in her mom's life. Przekop's book is fascinating because not only are you trying to understand and solve a mystery about Angel's mom and find out what (good) reasons her father would keep such secrets from her, but you are also introduced into the complex and lonely world of narcolepsy which Angel suffers from.

There are several characters that are all introduced throughout the book that in one way or another all share some secret(s) as well about their life or lifestyle. So some underlying questions are raised as you read Przekop's book "should we keep secrets (even tell lies) to spare and protect the feelings of those we love and care for? Of course like the saying goes "what we don't know, won't hurt us" - but is this fair? When you read Aberrations - you'll certainly think twice (three times) about that saying! Sometimes we are much better off hurting and at least knowing the truth rather than searching and searching for endless possibilites.

I loved the book and also loved the beautiful cover!

I have recently been diagnosed with Narcolepsy. I read this book and enjoyed reading the author's experiences. However, she openly admitts that she has not tried recommended treatements. So, it is difficult to understand the true extent of the disease, when there are so many ways to help control the disease. I would like to read a book written by someone who has tried the available solutions. There may be much more hope than indicated in this book.

On a completely different note, the book cover design is very poor. I'm a graphic artist and can't help remarking on layout of the cover. But, that has nothing to do with what is written on the inside, it's just a personal objection I have. As they say, "Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover!"

Narcolepsy is a hard disorder to live with and this book really helped. It helped me to understand some symptons that I had that I did not relate to narcolepsy. It also was great to know that I am not the only one that experiences some of the things that I do. A really good book and source of knowledge. I gave it to my doctor to read.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is newly diagnosed, both for their own reading and to educate family members, friends, and employers. This book is a detailed personal account of narcolepsy and cataplexy, explaining in plain English how the disease functions. I have loaned my copy out to many people, and may also purchase a copy for my local library. This is an excellent introduction to narcolepsy, explaining the basics and validating your experience so you know that you're not going crazy. Buy this book!

After reading this book I was better able to understand why I go through what I do. Being a person with narcolepsy I applaud Ms. Utley for being able to tell her story and tell it with medical facts, truth, humor, grace and style. It is a must read for patients and their families.

Utley's book is a tremendous help to those who need to know more about this disorder.

She's great in interjecting humor, while at the same time showing empathy for others.

The only drawback is that she doesn't explore treatments for all the symptoms (such as hypnagogic hallucinations). If she didn't personally seek treatment for a symptom, she doesn't really list treatment options.

It would be helpful if in a future addition, she would share stories from others as well.

If you have the disorder or love someone who does, read this. It does not advocate using narcolepsy as an excuse for not living--it tells you how to live with narcolepsy.

If you crack open the cover of Narcoleptic Sunday, the new graphic novel by Jeremy Haun and Brian Koschak, you might read the opening pages with a feeling of déjà vu. In the first chapter we are introduced to Jack, a hapless young guy who, after a chance encounter with a gorgeous woman named Jill, has found himself in bed with her. Basking in post-coital bliss, he drifts off to sleep, but eventually he is rudely awakened to the discovery that his beautiful bedmate has been murdered and he is the chief suspect in the crime.

In fairness to the book, the plot device that incites the conflict of this graphic novel was not exactly original when it was famously employed by Frank Miller in his first Sin City story. Still, it's hard to read Narcoleptic Sunday, especially early on, and not find its plot slightly derivative. But what makes this story's take on the classic mystery trope succeed is the unique twist the plot takes in explaining why Jack didn't wake up when Jill was murdered. He wasn't drugged or stone-drunk; he suffers from narcolepsy, as the book's title implies.

This added dimension to the character creates great tension in the early chapters of the story, as Jack seems to fall asleep at the most inopportune times and is nearly always awakened by someone out to kill him. However, as the story presses on and this scenario replays itself through a number of variations, it eventually becomes a bit played out. By the final two chapters of the book it is a welcome change of pace that the momentum the story has gained does not afford Jack the opportunity to drift off for the umpteenth time.

The graphic novel's pace is an issue of concern, as it seems the book was written like it was planned as an eight-issue miniseries and instead released as an original graphic novel. Thus, the cliffhangers that end each chapter tend to lose their effectiveness when the reader can simply turn the page and watch the scene unfold. But overall, the dialogue is solid enough to make the book a decent first effort at writing for Haun, who up to now has primarily been known as an artist for books such as Leading Man or Battle Hymn.

Similarly, Koschak's art starts off very strong yet by the end seems a bit rushed, less detail-oriented than it had been in earlier chapters. In the final chapter, the page layouts switch from the standalone, single-page layouts used throughout the rest of the book to several double-page spreads coming one after the other. This change is a bit confusing at first, especially since the pages are printed with white spaces between them, interrupting the flow of each spread. This problem could be more of a production issue, however, rather than an issue with the art itself, and again had this device been used in a single issue of a comic rather than a chapter in a graphic novel, it might have worked a little better. Koschak's figure work certainly can't be faulted. The beautiful women that populate early chapters of the book set in a strip club are some of the sexiest characters I've seen in comics in quite some time, and the rugged, tough bouncers in these same scenes jump off the page menacingly.

Overall, Narcoleptic Sunday is a decent enough read that will surely please fans of mystery and noir. Despite not having anything necessarily new or inventive to offer plot-wise, it's still an enjoyable thriller with its fair share of suspense and an ending that, even if it doesn't come as a surprise, is executed well. At the very least, it is worth a look to see Koschak's art in its early stages, for his budding talent seems like it will only continue to blossom from here.

Excellent graphic novel with superb illustrations by Brian Koschak and a cool noir story by Jeremy Haun. Beautifully drawn sex scenes and lovingly illustrated beatings with the blood and viscera to make your day. It's sexy, it's violent, and the bad "guy" is a wonderfully disturbing drag queen. Definately worth checking out.

Art student Larry Rostovich doesn't know that his life is about to change forever. He meets Egyptian student Ahbra Sahib, who is prone to sleep attacks and exhibits a fear of the King Tut exhibit. The story line deals with Larry's friendship with Ahbra and her subsequent diagnosis of narcolepsy, but times have changed since the publication date of this book. Narcolepsy is portrayed as a disease which keeps people from functioning. With proper diagnosis and newer medications, many narcoleptics are able to have a normal life. This book would be useful in a classroom discussion on narcolepsy, but it should be used with newer non-fiction materials.

This book is really a compilation of academic papers on the various psychological and social aspects of narcolepsy. Each study goes into great (technical) detail about its methodology and its results -- however, what I found to be most interesting (and valuable) are the conclusions drawn by each researcher and his/her discussion of the implications of their findings that end each chapter. The book covers many aspects of narcolepsy -- quality of life issues (i.e. self-esteem, depression, social distance, etc.), issues in managing symptoms of narcolepsy (i.e. the role of prescription drugs, napping, psychological counseling, etc.), and political and legal issues -- that I have not read about anywhere else. Although you have to sift through a bunch of academic mumbo-jumbo at the beginning of each chapter, it is these concluding sections that, in my opinion, make the book a valuable addition to the library of anyone who is living with and/or (like myself) struggling to get a better handle on his/her narcolepsy.

Unfortunately, this book is not a very helpful good for patients of narcolepsy (or other sleeping disorders). The book was published in 2002 and several of the websites included are no longer accessible. In addition, the list of available "free" information for narcolepsy patients is rather sparse, while more attention is focused on all the possible medical journals and expensive textbook materials.

While the book editors claim that this source was written with patients in mind, it clearly has information guiding doctors to additional technical sources on the subject matter.

Also, the clinical researches listed are all since ended at this time, and only one website link is provided to obtain listings of more current clinical trials. I am disappointed with the lack of information I found in this book, as it only reiterated the basic definitions of the diagnosis of narcolepsy and elements related to that disorder. All of what is in this book is easily accessible for free via a google web search. It is definitely not worth the $25 and shipping costs.