SOUNDTRACK: FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS-The Distant Future EP (2007).
We really enjoyed the Flight of the Conchords series on HBO. Although the stories weren’t always great, the music and music videos were hilarious. Probably better than the show itself was the live special that they showed on HBO before they aired the series. Their comedy/music performance is simply great. What works best about the songs is that they can be funny repeatedly, but that they are also great songs too.
This EP is a good taste of their music, and I understand they have a full length coming out soon too. The only disappointing thing about the EP is that the song “Business Time” does not contain all of the lines from the show and the live rendition (where he trips getting out of his pants, which is the funniest thing ever). So I may have to look for the older live CD they have out.
Although they have some information on their official site, http://www.conchords.co.nz/, you’re better off going to What the Folk!, where you can hear a lot of great downloads. There are some great tracks available here like “Business Time” (several versions) and “Hiphopapotamus v Rhymenocerous.” I suppose your tolerance for this depends on your tolerance for “novelty” music, but I think they’re pretty great.
Oh, and Mel, from the show was featured in this month’s Radar magazine.
[READ: November 21, 2007] The Name of This Book is Secret
Sarah received a copy of this book, and it was sitting on top of a pile in our office. I was very intrigued by, well, everything about it, and it was the author’s name Pseduonymous Bosch, that really caught my attention. Actually, the entire design of the book is eye catching and interesting.
And what about the content? I was a little concerned at first that this book was basically a Lemony Snicket cash-in. The book opens with warnings not to read it, that it would be very dangerous for any reader to learn the secrets held within and that they should just go do something more worthwhile. Now, clearly Snicket does not hold the patent on this snarky attitude, so it’s not fair to lump Bosch in too quickly. And, thankfully, he quickly moves past Snicket-lite into a new territory.
So, the premise is that there is a terrific secret within this book, and no one should know about it. The narrator really plays this up, by stating that he is afraid to tell you any of the information contained within. So, he makes up names for the characters (not their real names) and makes up a location for where it occurred (your home town), and basically tries to disguise the events that happened to keep the reader safe.
The story follows a young girl named Cass, who is a “survivalist” and keeps items for any emergency in her backpack. She befriends the class jokester (who can’t tell a funny joke) Max-Ernest, and they become collaborators in a mystery. The mystery has many facets: the disappearance of a magician, the bomb shelter in his house, the disappearance of people with synthesthesia, the Midnight Sun Spa, the unusual people who run the Midnight Sun Spa, and Egyptology in general.
Cass’ uncles own a junk shop/firehouse. One day they receive a mysterious container called the Symphony of Smells. It is essentially a case full of vials containing various concentrated smells. As the thread of synesthesia flows through the book, the Symphony of Smells plays a very big role.
The owners of the mysterious Midnight Sun spa are hell-bent on finding the philosopher’s stone, the secret to eternal life. They believe that somehow…well, it’s a secret, so I can’t tell you. However, synesthesia plays a large role in the secret.
Clearly Cass and Max Ernest are going to wind up in the Midnight Sun spa, but the way they get there, (which involves some popular young girls called the Skelton sisters, hee!) and the dangers they encounter are worth the read.
The story itself is very briskly paced, the chapters are short and have good cliffhangers. There are also some fun riddles, and lots and lots of Egyptology. I have a fondness for synesthesia, so I enjoyed the funky plot line about the young boy who paints what he hears. The Philosopher’s Stone was also a good myth to interweave into the story.
And, for some young readers, this will be the introduction to metafiction tropes. For instance, he suggests that you finish the last chapter yourself, because the ending of a book invariably is a letdown for everyone. So the last chapter is, well, blank. He also employs some other meta ideas like suggesting the reader looks up some words (unlike Snicket’s definitions which are included), and of course, the many levels of “secrets.”
The book was very fun. A quick read, a good story, and fun supernatural aspects make the story compelling for all ages. I assume from the denouement (Chapter 0 it’s called) that there will be a sequel, if not a whole series. And that would be fine. I’d be curious to see if he’s able to keep up the “secret” aspect over many volumes.
As to the identity of Pseudonymous Bosch, that is the book’s greatest mystery.
[UPDATE: December 17, 2007] Here are two more great reviews of the book. Each with her own take on the story. Here’s Abby (the) Librarian’s, and here’s ProfessorNana’s.
[UPDATE: May 22, 2008] A reader asked for the chapter titles, and here they are:
CHAPTER ONE:
CHAPTER ONE AND A HALF: Apologia
CHAPTER TWO: A Wednesday
CHAPTER THREE: and now introducing…Max-Ernest
CHAPTER FOUR: A Message for the Winds
CHAPTER FIVE: Lying
CHAPTER SIX: The Magician’s House
CHAPTER SEVEN: A Striking Couple
CHAPTER EIGHT: The Title of This Chapter is so Alarming I’ve Decided Not to Include It
CHAPTER NINE: A Tight Leash
CHAPTER TEN: An Awful Accusation
CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Magician’s Notebook
CHAPTER TWELVE: The Story of the Bergamo Brothers Part 1
CHAPTER THIRTEEN 14: The Story of the Bergamo Brothers Part 2
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: A Confusion of the Senses
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: A Rumor About Monkey Blood, A Forged Ransom Note, and a Scary Phone Call
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: I’ve Changed My Mind
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
CHAPTER NINETEEN: The Midnight Sun
CHAPTER TWENTY: and now back to Max-Ernest…
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: the treatments
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: Caught
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE: A Surprise Guest
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR: Dinner
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE: Prisoners
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: Benjamin Blake prize-winning artist
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN: Into the Pyramid
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: Into the Pyramid Part Two
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE: A Spinal Tap through the Nose
CHAPTER THIRTY: A Message from Above
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE: Smoke
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: Do-It-Yourself Ending
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO: Your Version
CHAPTER ZERO: The Denouement
Thanks for the link! I have to admit that at work today we were all looking up our Symphony of Smells names on the book’s website… 🙂
I love your book !!!!!!!!!!
it is the best book ever but one thing whats the secret mum thinks its something and i think its something
anyway it is awesome cant wait to read the sequal
please give us more answers this time by the way your book rocks!!
Thanks for writing such a awesome books and giving me the oppertunity to read it
Just like how you have some great grammar. Seriously though, work on that grammar. It pains me to see this. My poor poor eyes.
Just for the record. I didn’t write the book. But I assume you knew that.
Yes I Do Enjoy Reading Ths Book, As The Chief O Club Penguin, I Order You To KEEP THIS A SECRET!
play.clubpenguin.com/load.swf
Billybob- CP Founder + Chief
I seriously doubt you founded club penguin.
Your secret is safe with me. Wait, what secret?
the one in the book
WHAT SECRET!!!
Your secret is safe with me. Wait, what secret?
I read this book and loved it!! After taking it back to the lybary I whent on the website for it. it said that there was a hidden clue in the 8th word in chapter 8. I looked and looked for the chapter names online a can not find them!!! So I was wondering if you still have the book, can you PLEASE write down the chapter names on here!! Thank you so much!
its “whisper”
The eighth word in chapter eight?
Here’s the first sentence….
I’ve also decide not to repeat the terrible threats that Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais screamed when they realized that cass was holding the magician’s book because it might…………………
Is it the word “terrible”?
No it’s chapter eight’s title ‘The Title of This Chapter is so Alarming I’ve Decided Not to Include It’
Then what is the password?
Okay, I’ve posted the chapter titles at the end of the post. Good luck!
Thank you so much!
Does anybody know when the sequel (If You’re Reading This it’s Too Late) will be published in the US? It’s being published in Australia next month.
I believe the sequel is due out on October 1, 2008.
Thanks!!!
On the mystery (on the UK website) there is a clue,”…the eighth word of the eighth chapter title…” and I can’t figure it out. If anyone has figured it out, please tell me! (I have looked for it but I can’t find it)
The 8th word of the 8th chapter is “alarming” That is what you should use as your keyword. What I can’t seem to figure out is where the coded message is…..
i’m trying to find out too, did you ever find it?
The messahe is ‘join me at http://www.ifyourreadingthisitstoolate.co.uk and i will tell you more’. a dissappointment really. the code word was alarming
“Alarming”
The Eighth Chapter title ” The title of this chapter is so Alarming I’ve decided not to include it “
hey, its the word alarming – the 8th word in the title.
and the letters are the final message in the book.
hope this helps
Hi. If you know what the code is, please put it here!!!
=)
[…] [READ: February 10, 2008] If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late This is the sequel to Bosch’s The Name of this Book is Secret. I was really hooked by the first book, and was pretty excited to hear that the sequel had arrived. To see a summary of that book and for background info, click here. […]
Oh, and of course, Go Fruvous!
Need last message.
WHAT IS THE LAST MESSAGE IN THE BOOK? I NEED IT!
Anyone care to help?
The last message is ‘Join me at http://www.ifyourreadingthisitstoolate.co.uk and I will tell you more’. The code word was ‘alarming’.
does anyone have the last message in code?
can have the last message on this website that would be amazing thank you
can you have the last message on this website that would be awesing thank you soo munch
Yeah, can I have the coded message please? From the first book. My cousin took it. Grr.
What is the coded message “Paul”?? Pretty please tell me. If you won’t tell me here because its “private” then please give me your email address and i will email you mine and you can email me back the message! pretty please?
I also want to know!
Has anyone gotten the message? And also, the word ‘alarming’ doesnt work in the Password box…can someone please help me?
the word alarming goes in the ultra decoder
Dude “alarming” doesn’t work!!! I can’t figure out the word to put in the box!!! Does anybody know what it is??? Thanks
what is the coded message?
Blood
I need help with the same thing… does anyone have the coded message form “if you’re reading this, it’s too late”? I NEED IT!!
thnx!
Hey does anyone else need the message?I need the message for this book is not good for you because i have finished reading it and it is amazing best book ever. But i really need that code, And if it is secret the my email is Shawsullivan329@gmail.com
Yes, I’m trying to find the coded message in the first book, too. I know the code word is “alarming”, but I need the message itself. I’ve combed through that book cover to cover, and the only coded message there is the one at the end, which is already deciphered for you and is just part of the story, and the one on the back cover which you just use a mirror to read and doesn’t say much anyway. Does it matter which version of the book you have (like with different cover designs?)? Cause I really want that message! 😦
I am also trying to find the secret message! It’s driving me crazy!!!! I have tried everything! I even tried the first letter in each chapter put together, but that didn’t even work! I searched everywhere for it online, i even posted it as a question on Yahoo! Answers!
I thought i was the only one who was stuck on this but know i know there are many more…
PLEASE!! PLEASE!!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
SOMEONE EMAIL ME THE CODE AT: superpie1053@aim.com
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone please email me the coded message! I know the word is alarming, but I can’t find the message it’s self!
Email me it at sirap1997@hotmail.com
Can anyone tell me what is the password for the myspace thing for pb or what the message is, pls email me at kyrachong@hotmail.com!
whisper
Message at the end of the book is:
DKCJ HI AT http://WWW.CNYKUQIQIAMCJGTBCSCTSTKKFATI.RK.UE, AJM C WCFF TIFF YKU HKQI
WWW. and .RK.UE must be WWW. and .CO.UK
but the keyword ALARMING doesn’t seem to work.
Just decoded the message at the end of the first book
but the keyword “alarming” from the website is not for this message. In fact there seems to be no keyword. Just fitted in the name of the second book and worked out the rest from that.
DKCJ HI AT http://WWW.CNYKUQIQIAMCJGTBCSCTSTKKFATI.RK.UE, AJM C WCFF TIFF YKU HKQI
thats the secret message peeps now whats the one 4 book 2 i dont know!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
%$&#@!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
OMG!!!! I just took the secret code that you people put up and used the keyword “alarming” and it worked!!! Try it for yourself and you will see the message: join me at http://www.ifyourereadingthisitstoolate.co.uk, and i will tell you more
I am so excited!!!!
Where did you find the message exactly? I worry that it’s not in my book, because it’s very latest.
But when you get there what is the message with the keyword blood?
umm, when i cracked the code for the name of this book is secret, the final message was at the BOTTOM of the page just before it tells you about other books in the secret series. look there in the next book for the next message too. and don’t boother asking me what the coded message is because i lended my copy of if you’re reading this it’s too late to my friend. im only 11 and i cracked the code first time i tried. next time you can’t find smething that should be in any of pseudonymous bosch’s books, don’t forget to look at the bottom and underneath the pages too.
THE CODE WORD IS ‘ALARMING’ BECAUSE I’VE ALREADY DONE IT. The MESSAGE is : ‘Join me at http://www.ifyourreadingthisitstoolate.co.uk and I will tell you more’.
The secret is:
Why did the ibis cross the nile?
to get to the other side
I know I was dissapointed too.
hey hey hey hey hey ok everybody, that’s not the secret! Don’t worry!
WHY WOULD YOU TELL THEM THE its not the secret just forget you read this it is a hint though which is why i am mad “oh, gee, the most powerfull secret in the universe. i’ve got an idea. lets put it on the web. GENIUS!” and by most powerfull secret of course i mean HINT to the most powerfull secret because that is not the secret, by the way.
What is the message with the keyword blood?
I lent my book to a friend so i can’t find it.
The password is secret x
just type in the box ‘secret’ and it works!!
What do i do after-this book is not good for you website- because it won’t send me the email!!!
can anybody give me the coded message at the end of “If you reading this it’s too late”, and the keyword to decode it and help me move on? Pretty please with cherries on top?
urm what’s the secret message for the 3rd book?
does anyone know the log in for bosch’s myFaceSpacebook? PLZ HELP!!!
whisper
darkness
But I’m not telling you any more. Honestly.
senses
I really can’t keep secrets.
touch
Oh dear…
last line in book is:
if you are following my adventures at http://WWW.THENAMEOFTHISBOOKISSECRET.CO.UK
then here is my final message to you:
DKCJ HI AT http://WWW.CNYKUQIQIAMCJGTBCSCTSTKKFATI.RK.
UE, AJM C WCFF TIFF YKU HKQI.
can anyone tell the password of first book “the name of the book is secret” plzz really need help i m super confused
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the pass is secret