The Finder Library

I know your estimation of me will undoubtedly be lowered when you find out that I read graphic novels, but there it is. I read graphic novels. The latest one in my hands was The Finder Library, Volume 1, a compilation of three story arcs from a series about a man named Jaeger, who lives on the fringes of a futuristic society where cities are built under crumbling domes and (some) animals can talk like people. More interesting to me than the word choices (and she did manage to sneak in a few goodies) were the cultural choices and references that McNeil used to build her world, borrowing from Native American, East Asian, and Classical Antiquity.

Palaver - can mean both a conference/discussion of high occasion and importance; or idle talk. McNeil uses the former.

Sough - a sighing sound. as in "the soughing wind."

Habiliment - clothes for an occasion, event, occupation, etc. McNeil draws several characters in "Holo-Habiliments" which change to suit their surroundings.