by Jeremy Lassen
It’s not quite the Christmas season yet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start looking for gifts, or for things to put on your list. Here’s some stuff that might appeal to a genre movie buff.
First up is the giant pink Jedi in the living room: Love ‘em or hate em, the "Star Wars" prequel trilogy has been out on DVD for some time, and if you’ve just been avoiding them altogether, now is your chance to get all three movies in one. This special edition package contains all the bonus material from the previous releases, and has a documentary that hasn’t been previously released. If you are going to own it, this may be the way to go.
November 01, 2008
October Bestsellers
Hardcover:
1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
2. The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan (UK)
3. The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
4. Nation by Terry Pratchett
5. Anathem by Neal Stehenson
6. Temporal Void by Peter F. Hamilton (UK)
7. Return of the Crimson Guard by Ian Cameron Esslemont (UK)
8. White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages
9. Leather Maiden by Joe R. Lansdale
10. A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire tie with
Half a Crown by Jo Walton
Mass Market:
1. Halting State by Charles Stross
2. Making Money by Terry Pratchett
3. The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
4. The Last Colony by John Scalzi
5. Extraordinary Engines edited by Nick Gevers
6. Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley
7. The Merchants' War by Charles Stross
8. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
9. Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
10. Necropath by Eric Brown
Trade Paperback:
1. Steampunk edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer
2. Shadow of the Scorpion by Neal Asher
3. The Living Dead edited by John Joseph Adams
4. Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson
5. The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
2. The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan (UK)
3. The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson
4. Nation by Terry Pratchett
5. Anathem by Neal Stehenson
6. Temporal Void by Peter F. Hamilton (UK)
7. Return of the Crimson Guard by Ian Cameron Esslemont (UK)
8. White Sands, Red Menace by Ellen Klages
9. Leather Maiden by Joe R. Lansdale
10. A Lion Among Men by Gregory Maguire tie with
Half a Crown by Jo Walton
Mass Market:
1. Halting State by Charles Stross
2. Making Money by Terry Pratchett
3. The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
4. The Last Colony by John Scalzi
5. Extraordinary Engines edited by Nick Gevers
6. Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley
7. The Merchants' War by Charles Stross
8. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
9. Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
10. Necropath by Eric Brown
Trade Paperback:
1. Steampunk edited by Ann and Jeff VanderMeer
2. Shadow of the Scorpion by Neal Asher
3. The Living Dead edited by John Joseph Adams
4. Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson
5. The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
Just Stop, Already!
by Alan Beatts
A few months ago I was chatting with some friends about those series where one should just stop part-way through. It's not surprising that this happens to some sequences of novels. Most fiction work is subject to "Jumping the Shark," whether it be novel series, television programs, or movie franchises. (As an aside, that term was coined about the old TV show, "Happy Days," about which there is almost universal agreement that the point when the show became unwatchable was when one of the major characters actually jumped a shark . . . while on water skies . . . wearing, fer' gods' sake, a leather jacket and shorts).
What surprised me was the almost universal agreement among those present (which included two editors, two publishers, three booksellers, and several readers). For your amusement let me present some of our conclusions.
A few months ago I was chatting with some friends about those series where one should just stop part-way through. It's not surprising that this happens to some sequences of novels. Most fiction work is subject to "Jumping the Shark," whether it be novel series, television programs, or movie franchises. (As an aside, that term was coined about the old TV show, "Happy Days," about which there is almost universal agreement that the point when the show became unwatchable was when one of the major characters actually jumped a shark . . . while on water skies . . . wearing, fer' gods' sake, a leather jacket and shorts).
What surprised me was the almost universal agreement among those present (which included two editors, two publishers, three booksellers, and several readers). For your amusement let me present some of our conclusions.
Overheard at The World Fantasy Convention
This is a feature that appears periodically, as we attend conventions and overhear things. The tradition of keeping track of anonymous overheard bits and bobs started for us at the 2002 ConJose in San Jose, where trying (or trying not to) fill in the blanks on overheard conversations made us laugh so much that we made it a tradition. In this issue we share the newest "overheards" from the World Fantasy Convention in Calgary. Thanks to Alan Beatts and Rina Weisman for their help in collecting quotes.
"Facebook is, like, mostly for 15-year-olds who can't talk to each other but really want to mate."
"The fake fur covers on the manuscript were a dead giveaway."
"'Crazy' is the new black."
"No, really, you're very entertaining when you're drunk."
"My theme for the con was 'Get Therapy!'"
"I saw the Moody Blues recently. All of those chubby sixty-something year-old hippies smoking pot were kind of depressing."
"Yeah, and then there was the audience!"
"But freeloading is a lot of fun."
"I had to drive 30 miles to find a coffee shop to write in! Every Starbucks between the Pacific Ocean and the [Interstate] 5 Freeway is packed full of screenwriters."
"THE LOVELY BONES is the feel-good rape/murder novel of the year."
"Facebook is, like, mostly for 15-year-olds who can't talk to each other but really want to mate."
"The fake fur covers on the manuscript were a dead giveaway."
"'Crazy' is the new black."
"No, really, you're very entertaining when you're drunk."
"My theme for the con was 'Get Therapy!'"
"I saw the Moody Blues recently. All of those chubby sixty-something year-old hippies smoking pot were kind of depressing."
"Yeah, and then there was the audience!"
"But freeloading is a lot of fun."
"I had to drive 30 miles to find a coffee shop to write in! Every Starbucks between the Pacific Ocean and the [Interstate] 5 Freeway is packed full of screenwriters."
"THE LOVELY BONES is the feel-good rape/murder novel of the year."
October 01, 2008
Notes From A DVD Geek
by Jeremy Lassen
Happy October, horror fans. This is the month in which all of the good, bad and indifferent horror movies come out on DVD. Luckily, I’m here to point out the good stuff.
Before we get started with the horror movies, I wanted to point out one of the more interesting anime shows I’ve run across. . . a post-apocalyptic steampunk adventure in a world were androids and humans live side by side: "Ergo Proxy". This one went 24 episodes, and is worth checking out, now that it's available as a single box set DVD release. The director of "Ergo Proxy" is the director who brought us the 2003 series "Witch Hunter Robin". If you haven’t seen either of these, you might want to check them out.
Happy October, horror fans. This is the month in which all of the good, bad and indifferent horror movies come out on DVD. Luckily, I’m here to point out the good stuff.
Before we get started with the horror movies, I wanted to point out one of the more interesting anime shows I’ve run across. . . a post-apocalyptic steampunk adventure in a world were androids and humans live side by side: "Ergo Proxy". This one went 24 episodes, and is worth checking out, now that it's available as a single box set DVD release. The director of "Ergo Proxy" is the director who brought us the 2003 series "Witch Hunter Robin". If you haven’t seen either of these, you might want to check them out.
September Bestsellers
Hardcover:
1) Anathem by Neal Stephenson
2) Paul of Dune by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert
3) Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson
4) The Steel Remains (UK) by Rickard K. Morgan
5) The Scourge of God by S.M. Stirling
6) Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
7) Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
8) Return of the Crimson Guard (UK) by Ian Cameron Esslemont
9) The Night Sessions (UK) by Ken MacLeod
10) An Evil Guest by Gene Wolfe
Mass Market:
1) The Sunrise Lands by S.M. Stirling
2) Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
3) Night of Knives (UK) by Ian Cameron Esslemont
4) Debatable Space by Philip Palmer
5) Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
6) Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch
7) The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
8) Halting State by Charles Stross
9) Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre
10) Acacia by David Anthony Durham
Trade Paperback:
1) The Living Dead edited by John Joseph Adams
2) Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson
3) World War Z by Max Brooks tie with
Content by Cory Doctorow
4) Blindsight by Peter Watts
5) Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie
1) Anathem by Neal Stephenson
2) Paul of Dune by Kevin J. Anderson and Brian Herbert
3) Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson
4) The Steel Remains (UK) by Rickard K. Morgan
5) The Scourge of God by S.M. Stirling
6) Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
7) Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
8) Return of the Crimson Guard (UK) by Ian Cameron Esslemont
9) The Night Sessions (UK) by Ken MacLeod
10) An Evil Guest by Gene Wolfe
Mass Market:
1) The Sunrise Lands by S.M. Stirling
2) Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan
3) Night of Knives (UK) by Ian Cameron Esslemont
4) Debatable Space by Philip Palmer
5) Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
6) Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch
7) The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
8) Halting State by Charles Stross
9) Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre
10) Acacia by David Anthony Durham
Trade Paperback:
1) The Living Dead edited by John Joseph Adams
2) Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson
3) World War Z by Max Brooks tie with
Content by Cory Doctorow
4) Blindsight by Peter Watts
5) Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie
September 01, 2008
Notes From A DVD Geek
by Jeremy Lassen
Hey everyone. I’m going to totally put on my film geek hat for this one.
First up, I want to talk about Orson Welles. Most might not think of him when they think of SF and fantasy, but Welles was all about the SF and fantasy, and not just in a Shakespearian sort of way. Of course the most famous thing Welles did was his Mecury Theater War of the Worlds broadcast. I’m sure most of you have heard it, or have heard bits sampled from it. It’s quite the awesome piece of writing and radio production and well worth checking out.
Hey everyone. I’m going to totally put on my film geek hat for this one.
First up, I want to talk about Orson Welles. Most might not think of him when they think of SF and fantasy, but Welles was all about the SF and fantasy, and not just in a Shakespearian sort of way. Of course the most famous thing Welles did was his Mecury Theater War of the Worlds broadcast. I’m sure most of you have heard it, or have heard bits sampled from it. It’s quite the awesome piece of writing and radio production and well worth checking out.
August Bestsellers
Hardcover:
1. LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow
2. BY SCHISM RENT ASUNDER by David Weber
3. THE CITY AT THE END OF TIME by Greg Bear
4. TOLL THE HOUNDS by Steven Erikson
5. ZOE'S TALE by John Scalzi
6. PIRATE SUN by Karl Schroeder
7. VICTORY OF EAGLES by Naomi Novik
8. IMPLIED SPACES by Walter John Williams
9. JHEGAALA by Steven Brust
10. BREAKING DAWN by Stephanie Meyer
tie with
THE LAST CENTURION by John Ringo
Mass Market:
1. PLAGUE WAR by Jeff Carlson
2. THE LAST COLONY by John Scalzi
3. RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES by Scott Lynch
4. ALTERED CARBON by Richard Morgan
5. THE ACCIDENTAL TIME MACHINE by Joe Haldeman
6. COMPANION TO WOLVES by Elizabeth Bear and Sarah Monette
7. CRY WOLF by Patricia Briggs
8. THE GOOD FAIRIES OF NEW YORK by Martin Millar
9. THE CITY, NOT LONG AFTER by Pat Murphy
10. GALE FORCE - WEATHER WARDEN VOL. 5 by Rachel Caine
tie with
MAINSPRING by Jay lake
Trade Paperback:
1. HEROES ARISE by Laurel Anne Hill
2. BARREN WORLDS edited by Eric T. Reynolds, Adam Nakama, and Rob Darnell
3. LAST ARGUMENT OF KINGS by Joe Abercrombie
4. CROOKED LITTLE VEIN by Warren Ellis
tie with
MIRRORED HEAVENS by David J. Williams
5. THE LIVING DEAD edited by John Joesph Adams
1. LITTLE BROTHER by Cory Doctorow
2. BY SCHISM RENT ASUNDER by David Weber
3. THE CITY AT THE END OF TIME by Greg Bear
4. TOLL THE HOUNDS by Steven Erikson
5. ZOE'S TALE by John Scalzi
6. PIRATE SUN by Karl Schroeder
7. VICTORY OF EAGLES by Naomi Novik
8. IMPLIED SPACES by Walter John Williams
9. JHEGAALA by Steven Brust
10. BREAKING DAWN by Stephanie Meyer
tie with
THE LAST CENTURION by John Ringo
Mass Market:
1. PLAGUE WAR by Jeff Carlson
2. THE LAST COLONY by John Scalzi
3. RED SEAS UNDER RED SKIES by Scott Lynch
4. ALTERED CARBON by Richard Morgan
5. THE ACCIDENTAL TIME MACHINE by Joe Haldeman
6. COMPANION TO WOLVES by Elizabeth Bear and Sarah Monette
7. CRY WOLF by Patricia Briggs
8. THE GOOD FAIRIES OF NEW YORK by Martin Millar
9. THE CITY, NOT LONG AFTER by Pat Murphy
10. GALE FORCE - WEATHER WARDEN VOL. 5 by Rachel Caine
tie with
MAINSPRING by Jay lake
Trade Paperback:
1. HEROES ARISE by Laurel Anne Hill
2. BARREN WORLDS edited by Eric T. Reynolds, Adam Nakama, and Rob Darnell
3. LAST ARGUMENT OF KINGS by Joe Abercrombie
4. CROOKED LITTLE VEIN by Warren Ellis
tie with
MIRRORED HEAVENS by David J. Williams
5. THE LIVING DEAD edited by John Joesph Adams
How We Love and How We Hate
by Alan Beatts
Ten Things that Customers Do that We Love
and
Five Things We Hate
We love it when a customer --
Tells us how much they like the store.
Lets us know when we suggested a book that they loved.
Brings their family and out of town visitors to see the store.
Writes nice things about us on Yelp.
Comes up the the counter and says, "Can you help me find a book? I don't remember the author or the title but it was about . . . ."
Makes sure we hear about a new author or book that we should have in stock but don't.
Suggests books to another customer and gets mistaken for someone who works here.
Warns us about bad movies.
Brings in their pets and / or children for us to meet.
Sits on the couch in back for hours, petting Ripley and reading.
We hate it when a customer --
Asks us to check the price of a book on Amazon.
Walks in and, without so much as a "How are you doing?", asks peremptorily, "Where's the cat!" (At this point we often explain that Ripley is a cat, not a geyser, and doesn't appear on a schedule).
Takes a bunch of books off the shelves, reads them while sitting on the couch, and then _leaves them on the floor_. (We're happy to re-shelve books but it's really nice when they're brought up to the counter and not hidden under the couch).
Brings in books to sell that a) are a mixture of all sorts of stuff, mostly _not_ SF, fantasy or horror and / or b) are covered with so much cat hair, dust or other matter that we have to vacuum them before buying them.
Comes in the shop -- past two signs listing our specialty, past two big displays of books -- stops at the counter -- in front of another sign which mentions our specialty -- and asks, "Where are your cookbooks?" And then is shocked and slightly offended when we tell them we don't have any.
Ten Things that Customers Do that We Love
and
Five Things We Hate
We love it when a customer --
Tells us how much they like the store.
Lets us know when we suggested a book that they loved.
Brings their family and out of town visitors to see the store.
Writes nice things about us on Yelp
Comes up the the counter and says, "Can you help me find a book? I don't remember the author or the title but it was about . . . ."
Makes sure we hear about a new author or book that we should have in stock but don't.
Suggests books to another customer and gets mistaken for someone who works here.
Warns us about bad movies.
Brings in their pets and / or children for us to meet.
Sits on the couch in back for hours, petting Ripley and reading.
We hate it when a customer --
Asks us to check the price of a book on Amazon.
Walks in and, without so much as a "How are you doing?", asks peremptorily, "Where's the cat!" (At this point we often explain that Ripley is a cat, not a geyser, and doesn't appear on a schedule).
Takes a bunch of books off the shelves, reads them while sitting on the couch, and then _leaves them on the floor_. (We're happy to re-shelve books but it's really nice when they're brought up to the counter and not hidden under the couch).
Brings in books to sell that a) are a mixture of all sorts of stuff, mostly _not_ SF, fantasy or horror and / or b) are covered with so much cat hair, dust or other matter that we have to vacuum them before buying them.
Comes in the shop -- past two signs listing our specialty, past two big displays of books -- stops at the counter -- in front of another sign which mentions our specialty -- and asks, "Where are your cookbooks?" And then is shocked and slightly offended when we tell them we don't have any.
Overheard at The World Science Fiction Convention
This is a feature that appears periodically, as we attend conventions and overhear things. The tradition of keeping track of anonymous overheard bits and bobs started for us at the 2002 ConJose in San Jose, where trying (or trying not to) fill in the blanks on overheard conversations made us laugh so much that we made it a tradition. In this issue we share the newest "overheards" from the World Science Fiction Convention in Denver. Thanks to Rina Weisman for her help in collecting quotes.
"Don't you even put that ass out; don't you even offer it to me!"
"Now when I smell hot dogs I think. . . . feminists."
"Wow, that's a BIG Jawa."
"I'm going to fire you if you ever say 'gerbil nookie' again."
"Connie Willis signed your banana?!"
"Tornadoes? In Denver?"
"It's kind of heavy on the donkey and light on the Pez."
"[Name omitted], what nice tentacles you have!"
"The last time I fit into those jeans was when I had the tapeworm."
Con attendee, as the lights in the bar come on for last call: "Is it morning?"
"Don't you even put that ass out; don't you even offer it to me!"
"Now when I smell hot dogs I think. . . . feminists."
"Wow, that's a BIG Jawa."
"I'm going to fire you if you ever say 'gerbil nookie' again."
"Connie Willis signed your banana?!"
"Tornadoes? In Denver?"
"It's kind of heavy on the donkey and light on the Pez."
"[Name omitted], what nice tentacles you have!"
"The last time I fit into those jeans was when I had the tapeworm."
Con attendee, as the lights in the bar come on for last call: "Is it morning?"
August 08, 2008
July Bestsellers
Hardcover:
1. Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson
2. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
3. Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik
4. Saturn's Children by Charles Stross
5. Implied Spaces by Walter John Williams
6. Escapement by Jay Lake
7. Jhegaala by Steven Brust
8. The Man With the Iron Heart by Harry Turtledove
9. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
10. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
Mass Market:
1. The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
2. The Devil You Know by Mike Carey
3. The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
4. Ha'Penny by Jo Walton
5. Snake Agent by Liz Williams
6. Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
7. Mainspring by Jay Lake
8. Shadows Return by Lynn Flewelling
9. Valiant: The Lost Fleet by Jack Campbell
10. Sun of Suns by Karl Schroeder tie with
The Margarets by Sheri S. Tepper
Trade Paperback:
1. Mirrored Heavens by David J. Williams
2. Thirteen by Richard K. Morgan
3. Spook Country by William Gibson
4. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
5. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie tie with
The Word of God by Thomas Disch
1. Toll the Hounds by Steven Erikson
2. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
3. Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik
4. Saturn's Children by Charles Stross
5. Implied Spaces by Walter John Williams
6. Escapement by Jay Lake
7. Jhegaala by Steven Brust
8. The Man With the Iron Heart by Harry Turtledove
9. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
10. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
Mass Market:
1. The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
2. The Devil You Know by Mike Carey
3. The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
4. Ha'Penny by Jo Walton
5. Snake Agent by Liz Williams
6. Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
7. Mainspring by Jay Lake
8. Shadows Return by Lynn Flewelling
9. Valiant: The Lost Fleet by Jack Campbell
10. Sun of Suns by Karl Schroeder tie with
The Margarets by Sheri S. Tepper
Trade Paperback:
1. Mirrored Heavens by David J. Williams
2. Thirteen by Richard K. Morgan
3. Spook Country by William Gibson
4. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
5. The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie tie with
The Word of God by Thomas Disch
Ebooks, the Coda
by Alan Beatts
I thought this month was going to be easy. I'd been working really hard putting the past few articles together and I figured I was done. This month I was going to write about something simple -- maybe my favorite ten novels or the _real_ story of what happens to socks when they vanish in the dryer. But two things happened. First, there were several pieces of news about eBooks that came to my attention and second, (and most notably) a lot of people wrote me emails about the last article. I had no idea that so many of you were interested in eBooks and their possible effects. I also wasn't expecting so many cogent, thoughtful comments on the topic. Not that I don't think that Borderlands customers are smart (our customers are _very_ smart, believe me) but I figured that you had more important things to do than write me.
So, welcome to _the last_ (I swear) article about the state of books according to yours truly. At least for a while. Here are some headlines to start off with.
I thought this month was going to be easy. I'd been working really hard putting the past few articles together and I figured I was done. This month I was going to write about something simple -- maybe my favorite ten novels or the _real_ story of what happens to socks when they vanish in the dryer. But two things happened. First, there were several pieces of news about eBooks that came to my attention and second, (and most notably) a lot of people wrote me emails about the last article. I had no idea that so many of you were interested in eBooks and their possible effects. I also wasn't expecting so many cogent, thoughtful comments on the topic. Not that I don't think that Borderlands customers are smart (our customers are _very_ smart, believe me) but I figured that you had more important things to do than write me.
So, welcome to _the last_ (I swear) article about the state of books according to yours truly. At least for a while. Here are some headlines to start off with.
July 01, 2008
Notes From A DVD Geek
by Jeremy Lassen
Hey everyone. Some great new titles and stuff hitting DVD for the first time.
First up is Stuart Gordon’s "From Beyond". Made on the heels of Gordon’s classic "Reanimator," this movie is the legendary Lovecraftian S&M bondage movie, and should not be missed. Previously only available on VHS and Laserdisk, this one is finally making its way to DVD. Actually, it made its way to DVD several months ago, but somehow I missed it. Sorry, everyone. This disk looks to be a tricked-out, remastered edition, with alternate scenes, interviews with Gordon, and other cool stuff.
Hey everyone. Some great new titles and stuff hitting DVD for the first time.
First up is Stuart Gordon’s "From Beyond". Made on the heels of Gordon’s classic "Reanimator," this movie is the legendary Lovecraftian S&M bondage movie, and should not be missed. Previously only available on VHS and Laserdisk, this one is finally making its way to DVD. Actually, it made its way to DVD several months ago, but somehow I missed it. Sorry, everyone. This disk looks to be a tricked-out, remastered edition, with alternate scenes, interviews with Gordon, and other cool stuff.
June Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. Kushiel's Mercy by Jacqueline Carey
2. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
3. Futuristic Tales of the Here and Now by Cory Doctorow
4. The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy
5. Line War by Neal Asher
6. The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds
7. Matter by Iain M. Banks
8. Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon
9. Implied Spaces by Walter John Williams
10. House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
2. Galactic North by Alastair Reynolds
3. The Devil You Know by Mike Carey
4. The Man With the Golden Torc by Simon R. Green
5. Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
6. The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
7. Snake Agent by Liz Williams
8. Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey
9. Axis by Robert Charles Wilson
10. Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
Trade Paperbacks
1. Spook Country by William Gibson
2. World War Z by Max Brooks
3. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie tie with
Mirrored Heavens by David J. Williams
4. Steampunk edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer
5. Thirteen (Th1rt3en) by Richard Morgan
1. Kushiel's Mercy by Jacqueline Carey
2. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
3. Futuristic Tales of the Here and Now by Cory Doctorow
4. The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy
5. Line War by Neal Asher
6. The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds
7. Matter by Iain M. Banks
8. Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon
9. Implied Spaces by Walter John Williams
10. House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
2. Galactic North by Alastair Reynolds
3. The Devil You Know by Mike Carey
4. The Man With the Golden Torc by Simon R. Green
5. Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
6. The Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar
7. Snake Agent by Liz Williams
8. Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey
9. Axis by Robert Charles Wilson
10. Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
Trade Paperbacks
1. Spook Country by William Gibson
2. World War Z by Max Brooks
3. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie tie with
Mirrored Heavens by David J. Williams
4. Steampunk edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer
5. Thirteen (Th1rt3en) by Richard Morgan
Bookstores Are Going to Close
At some point in the future, electronic books are going to put almost all bookstores out of business.
Period.
I don't like it. Even if I wasn't a bookseller, I wouldn't like it. But it's going to happen unless something really, really extraordinary happens. And I mean extraordinary on the level of World War III, a super flu that wipes out 50% of the world's population or perhaps an extinction-level asteroid strike.
The big question is how soon.
Welcome to my last article in a series of four on current trends in the book business. Last month I warned you this was going to be a gloomy set of predictions. Well, here we go.
Period.
I don't like it. Even if I wasn't a bookseller, I wouldn't like it. But it's going to happen unless something really, really extraordinary happens. And I mean extraordinary on the level of World War III, a super flu that wipes out 50% of the world's population or perhaps an extinction-level asteroid strike.
The big question is how soon.
Welcome to my last article in a series of four on current trends in the book business. Last month I warned you this was going to be a gloomy set of predictions. Well, here we go.
June 01, 2008
May Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1) Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
2) House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds
3) Line War by Neal Asher
4) The Golden Cord by Paul Genesee
5) Passage: The Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold
tie with The Dreaming Void by Peter F. Hamilton
6) Matter by Iain M. Banks
7) The Starry Rift edited by Johnathan Strahan
8) Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton
9) Lavinia by Ursula K. LeGuin
10) Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon
Paperbacks
1) Cruel Zinc Melodies by Glen Cook
2) Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey
3) Galactic North by Alastair Reynolds
4) Snake Agent by Liz Williams
5) One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
6) KOP by Warren Hammond
7) Mainspring by Jay Lake
8) Axis by Robert Charles Wilson
9) Natural Ordermage by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
10) Legacy: The Sharng Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold
Trade Paperback
1) Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow tie with
Steampunk edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer
2) Mirrored Heavens by David J. Williams
3) World War Z by Max Brooks
4) The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
5) Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
1) Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
2) House of Suns by Alastair Reynolds
3) Line War by Neal Asher
4) The Golden Cord by Paul Genesee
5) Passage: The Sharing Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold
tie with The Dreaming Void by Peter F. Hamilton
6) Matter by Iain M. Banks
7) The Starry Rift edited by Johnathan Strahan
8) Blood Noir by Laurell K. Hamilton
9) Lavinia by Ursula K. LeGuin
10) Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon
Paperbacks
1) Cruel Zinc Melodies by Glen Cook
2) Kushiel's Justice by Jacqueline Carey
3) Galactic North by Alastair Reynolds
4) Snake Agent by Liz Williams
5) One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
6) KOP by Warren Hammond
7) Mainspring by Jay Lake
8) Axis by Robert Charles Wilson
9) Natural Ordermage by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
10) Legacy: The Sharng Knife by Lois McMaster Bujold
Trade Paperback
1) Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctorow tie with
Steampunk edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer
2) Mirrored Heavens by David J. Williams
3) World War Z by Max Brooks
4) The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
5) Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
Hi, I'm From Amazon and I'm Here to Help
by Alan Beatts
This is the third in a series of articles about current changes and trends in the book business. The last one looked at Borders Books and Music's financial woes and the possible consequences for authors and readers. The final article in this series will take a look at eBooks and the possible effects of that technology. This installment is going to consider Amazon.com's recent business moves and where that might lead the book business and the book-loving public.
Last month I started with a long disclaimer about my built-in bias as an independent bookseller when it comes to chain stores. I need to mention something like that this month as well but not as strongly. Compared to Borders and Barnes and Noble, many booksellers are even more upset about the effect that Amazon has had on their business, but I'm not one of them. Amazon started the same year as Borderlands and many times since then I've pointed out that what Amazon does is very different from what we do. I think that, in general, ecommerce is a great thing. I shop on the internet with some frequency (though not for goods that I can buy from a local business) and I think that the overall effect of ecommerce has been positive. But shopping on-line is no substitute for actually going into a store, picking out what you want, and walking out the door with it. And this goes double for book-shopping. When it gets down to it and no matter how hard Amazon and other vendors have tried -- browsing on-line is deeply unsatisfying. So, although Amazon does compete with my shop, I have enough faith in the unique qualities that my physical store offers that I don't bristle and shake my head when I see an Amazon box being delivered.
And what's Amazon been up to recently? Quite a lot, actually. I'll run down the list in no particular order.
This is the third in a series of articles about current changes and trends in the book business. The last one looked at Borders Books and Music's financial woes and the possible consequences for authors and readers. The final article in this series will take a look at eBooks and the possible effects of that technology. This installment is going to consider Amazon.com's recent business moves and where that might lead the book business and the book-loving public.
Last month I started with a long disclaimer about my built-in bias as an independent bookseller when it comes to chain stores. I need to mention something like that this month as well but not as strongly. Compared to Borders and Barnes and Noble, many booksellers are even more upset about the effect that Amazon has had on their business, but I'm not one of them. Amazon started the same year as Borderlands and many times since then I've pointed out that what Amazon does is very different from what we do. I think that, in general, ecommerce is a great thing. I shop on the internet with some frequency (though not for goods that I can buy from a local business) and I think that the overall effect of ecommerce has been positive. But shopping on-line is no substitute for actually going into a store, picking out what you want, and walking out the door with it. And this goes double for book-shopping. When it gets down to it and no matter how hard Amazon and other vendors have tried -- browsing on-line is deeply unsatisfying. So, although Amazon does compete with my shop, I have enough faith in the unique qualities that my physical store offers that I don't bristle and shake my head when I see an Amazon box being delivered.
And what's Amazon been up to recently? Quite a lot, actually. I'll run down the list in no particular order.
May 01, 2008
Notes From A DVD Geek
by Jeremy Lassen
I’m going to cover some old ground with this one, but the really high profile new release last month was "I Am Legend". I’ve gone on about this one before, but I figure I’d mention some of the interesting bits about this release. The two-disk special includes the “original” ending that actually speaks to the source material, and addresses the problems I had with the first half of the movie, and the intelligence of the zombie/vampires. It’s still not a very good movie in my opinion, but it’s not as bad as the theatrical version, which is also included with the DVD.
Speaking of Bad Adaptations, "The Golden Compass" came out at the end of last month. It’s got a nice CGI polar bear battle, anyway.
Another big SF franchise hitting DVD this month is "Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem". The word on the street is that this one isn’t as bad as the original "Alien Vs. Predator" movie. That’s high praise indeed.
Another adaptation that just hit DVD is Tim Burton’s "Sweeny Todd". Neither of the leading actors can sing very well, and Burton manages to screw up the framing device, but hell . . . it's Sweeny Todd! Even Tim Burton can’t squeeze the goodness out of the source material.
On the good side of the DVD releases this month, there’s a two-disk 25th anniversary edition of "War Games". Would YOU like to play a game?
On the anime side of the shelf, the sequel to "KITE" just hit DVD. "KITE Liberator" follows high-school student Monaka as she becomes a feared and highly-skilled contract killer.
Two films from Spain to check out: one very high-profile movie just released was produced by Guillermo Del Toro: "The Orphanage". It got a wide theatrical release and a ton of well deserved positive reviews. On the opposite side of the spectrum is "Crazy Eights," a Spanish horror/exploitation film from the Afterdark Horrorfest series, starring Tracy Lords. "Crazy Eights" was released last year, so this isn’t one of Lord’s early efforts. But it’s got all the right moves for a gruesome little indy horror film. Check it out.
Another After Dark Horrorfest release is "Deaths of Ian Stone". I haven’t seen this one yet, but it’s a sort of slasher version of "Groundhog Day". Ian Stone must relive the day of his death, over and over until he solves his murder. I’m definitely looking forward to giving this one a watch.
And, finally, to the truly sublime part of this month's releases, we have "The Mist". This adaptation is very true to the original novella by Stephen King, and features top notch performances. It also has some really stunning fx work, and has an unbelievably grim ending. What’s not to like? This was one of my two favorite movies of the year last year, so I hope you’ll check it out. There’s a two disk special edition of this one that features an extensive mix of extras that are worth the extra $3.
I’m going to cover some old ground with this one, but the really high profile new release last month was "I Am Legend". I’ve gone on about this one before, but I figure I’d mention some of the interesting bits about this release. The two-disk special includes the “original” ending that actually speaks to the source material, and addresses the problems I had with the first half of the movie, and the intelligence of the zombie/vampires. It’s still not a very good movie in my opinion, but it’s not as bad as the theatrical version, which is also included with the DVD.
Speaking of Bad Adaptations, "The Golden Compass" came out at the end of last month. It’s got a nice CGI polar bear battle, anyway.
Another big SF franchise hitting DVD this month is "Alien Vs. Predator: Requiem". The word on the street is that this one isn’t as bad as the original "Alien Vs. Predator" movie. That’s high praise indeed.
Another adaptation that just hit DVD is Tim Burton’s "Sweeny Todd". Neither of the leading actors can sing very well, and Burton manages to screw up the framing device, but hell . . . it's Sweeny Todd! Even Tim Burton can’t squeeze the goodness out of the source material.
On the good side of the DVD releases this month, there’s a two-disk 25th anniversary edition of "War Games". Would YOU like to play a game?
On the anime side of the shelf, the sequel to "KITE" just hit DVD. "KITE Liberator" follows high-school student Monaka as she becomes a feared and highly-skilled contract killer.
Two films from Spain to check out: one very high-profile movie just released was produced by Guillermo Del Toro: "The Orphanage". It got a wide theatrical release and a ton of well deserved positive reviews. On the opposite side of the spectrum is "Crazy Eights," a Spanish horror/exploitation film from the Afterdark Horrorfest series, starring Tracy Lords. "Crazy Eights" was released last year, so this isn’t one of Lord’s early efforts. But it’s got all the right moves for a gruesome little indy horror film. Check it out.
Another After Dark Horrorfest release is "Deaths of Ian Stone". I haven’t seen this one yet, but it’s a sort of slasher version of "Groundhog Day". Ian Stone must relive the day of his death, over and over until he solves his murder. I’m definitely looking forward to giving this one a watch.
And, finally, to the truly sublime part of this month's releases, we have "The Mist". This adaptation is very true to the original novella by Stephen King, and features top notch performances. It also has some really stunning fx work, and has an unbelievably grim ending. What’s not to like? This was one of my two favorite movies of the year last year, so I hope you’ll check it out. There’s a two disk special edition of this one that features an extensive mix of extras that are worth the extra $3.
April Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1) Infected by Scott Sigler
2) Passage by Lois McMaster Bujold
3) The Dreaming Void by Peter F. Hamilton
4) Small Favor by Jim Butcher
5) Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
6) Starry Rift edited by Jonathan Strahan
7) Wit's End by Karen Joy Folwer
8) Pump Six by Paolo Bacigalupi
9) The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford
10) On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers
Paperbacks
1) Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill tie with
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
2) Poison Sleep by T.A. Pratt
3) The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
4) Ravenous by Ray Garton
5 ) Hilldiggers by Neal Asher
6) Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews tie with
Snake Agent by Liz Williams
7) The Android's Dream by John Scalzi
8) Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
9) The Demon and the City by Liz Williams
10) Judge by Karen Traviss
Trade Paperbacks
1) World War Z by Max Brooks
2) Wastelands edited by John Joseph Adams
3) Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks
4) Steampunk edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer
5) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
1) Infected by Scott Sigler
2) Passage by Lois McMaster Bujold
3) The Dreaming Void by Peter F. Hamilton
4) Small Favor by Jim Butcher
5) Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
6) Starry Rift edited by Jonathan Strahan
7) Wit's End by Karen Joy Folwer
8) Pump Six by Paolo Bacigalupi
9) The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford
10) On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers
Paperbacks
1) Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill tie with
Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
2) Poison Sleep by T.A. Pratt
3) The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
4) Ravenous by Ray Garton
5 ) Hilldiggers by Neal Asher
6) Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews tie with
Snake Agent by Liz Williams
7) The Android's Dream by John Scalzi
8) Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
9) The Demon and the City by Liz Williams
10) Judge by Karen Traviss
Trade Paperbacks
1) World War Z by Max Brooks
2) Wastelands edited by John Joseph Adams
3) Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks
4) Steampunk edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer
5) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Books Without Borders
by Alan Beatts
This is the second in a four-part series of stories about changes in the book world. In part one I gave a quick overview of three major changes. In this part I'm going to focus on Borders Books and Music's recent financial problems and what they may mean for readers, writers and publishers over the next year or two. The final two columns will focus on Amazon.com's recent business changes and eBooks respectively. As always, comments are welcome at abeatts@borderlands-books.com.
First off, a quick disclaimer -- I don't like Borders. I like them better than Barnes & Noble but still, like any independent bookseller, I don't like them. Despite my intention to be as objective as possible in the article, I'm sure that my bias is going to creep in here and there. But, if you were looking for objective, dispassionate news, you wouldn't be reading this. I'm going to start with what has been going on with Borders over the past year, then I'm going to talk about the implications, and I'll finish off with the reasons that it matters to everyone who loves books.
This is the second in a four-part series of stories about changes in the book world. In part one I gave a quick overview of three major changes. In this part I'm going to focus on Borders Books and Music's recent financial problems and what they may mean for readers, writers and publishers over the next year or two. The final two columns will focus on Amazon.com's recent business changes and eBooks respectively. As always, comments are welcome at abeatts@borderlands-books.com.
First off, a quick disclaimer -- I don't like Borders. I like them better than Barnes & Noble but still, like any independent bookseller, I don't like them. Despite my intention to be as objective as possible in the article, I'm sure that my bias is going to creep in here and there. But, if you were looking for objective, dispassionate news, you wouldn't be reading this. I'm going to start with what has been going on with Borders over the past year, then I'm going to talk about the implications, and I'll finish off with the reasons that it matters to everyone who loves books.
April 01, 2008
March Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. Matter by Iain M. Banks
2. The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford
3. Rolling Thunder by John Varley
4. Pump Six by Paolo Bacigalupi
5. The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison
6. When the Tide Rises by David Drake
7. Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis
8. Singularity's Ring by Paul Menko
9. Halting State by Charles Stross
10. The Triumph of Night and Other Stories by Edith Wharton
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. Snake Agent by Liz Williams
2. The Demon and the City by Liz Williams
3. Poison Sleep by T.A. Pratt
4. The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
5. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
6. The Android's Dream by John Scalzi
7. Judge by Karen Traviss
8. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
9. Spindrift by Allen Steele
10. The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction vol. 2, edited by George Mann
Trade Paperbacks
1. World War Z by Max Brooks
2. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams
3. Blindsight by Peter Watts
4. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
5. The Dragon Never Sleeps by Glen Cook
1. Matter by Iain M. Banks
2. The Shadow Year by Jeffrey Ford
3. Rolling Thunder by John Varley
4. Pump Six by Paolo Bacigalupi
5. The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison
6. When the Tide Rises by David Drake
7. Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis
8. Singularity's Ring by Paul Menko
9. Halting State by Charles Stross
10. The Triumph of Night and Other Stories by Edith Wharton
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. Snake Agent by Liz Williams
2. The Demon and the City by Liz Williams
3. Poison Sleep by T.A. Pratt
4. The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
5. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill
6. The Android's Dream by John Scalzi
7. Judge by Karen Traviss
8. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
9. Spindrift by Allen Steele
10. The Solaris Book of New Science Fiction vol. 2, edited by George Mann
Trade Paperbacks
1. World War Z by Max Brooks
2. Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams
3. Blindsight by Peter Watts
4. Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
5. The Dragon Never Sleeps by Glen Cook
Book Business Shakeups
by Alan Beatts
Thus far, 2008 has brought several things that may lead to some changes in the world of books - business moves that Amazon.com is making, the current financial trouble at Borders Books, and sharply increased interest in eBooks. I thought it would be interesting to talk about all three in this column. Over the next three months I'll talk about each one in depth but first I'm going to start with an overview of what's going on. Before I start, one warning -- much of what follows isn't very good news if you love traditional books and bookstores. I don't want to bring anyone down but I do think it's good to let people know what's going on. So, if you want cheerful and happy bunnies, you might want to give this column a miss for the next few months. On the upside, in the next three months I'm going to give some specific suggestions about what you can do if you don't like some of the changes I'm discussing here.
Thus far, 2008 has brought several things that may lead to some changes in the world of books - business moves that Amazon.com is making, the current financial trouble at Borders Books, and sharply increased interest in eBooks. I thought it would be interesting to talk about all three in this column. Over the next three months I'll talk about each one in depth but first I'm going to start with an overview of what's going on. Before I start, one warning -- much of what follows isn't very good news if you love traditional books and bookstores. I don't want to bring anyone down but I do think it's good to let people know what's going on. So, if you want cheerful and happy bunnies, you might want to give this column a miss for the next few months. On the upside, in the next three months I'm going to give some specific suggestions about what you can do if you don't like some of the changes I'm discussing here.
Overheard In The Store
This is a feature that appears periodically, usually as we attend conventions and overhear things. The tradition of keeping track of anonymous overheard bits and bobs started for us at the 2002 ConJose in San Jose, where trying (or trying not to) fill in the blanks on overheard conversations made us laugh so much that we made it a tradition. There wasn't much to report from the recent World Horror Convention, but there are plenty of funny things to overhear here at the store:
*"Now THIS is a work of absolute genius on par with the Sistine Chapel." - (Customer, brandishing the graphic novel V FOR VENDETTA at her friend.)
*"The next Goth club I go to, I'm totally going dressed as a Pilgrim."
*"There's no way that kid is making it through high school without a collection of dead birds in his locker." - (Author, discussing the character Charlie Brown)
*"Externalizing your organs is a sign of maturity." - (Bookseller, World Horror Convention)
*"Now THIS is a work of absolute genius on par with the Sistine Chapel." - (Customer, brandishing the graphic novel V FOR VENDETTA at her friend.)
*"The next Goth club I go to, I'm totally going dressed as a Pilgrim."
*"There's no way that kid is making it through high school without a collection of dead birds in his locker." - (Author, discussing the character Charlie Brown)
*"Externalizing your organs is a sign of maturity." - (Bookseller, World Horror Convention)
March 03, 2008
Overheard In The Store
This is a feature that appears periodically, usually as we attend conventions and overhear things. The tradition of keeping track of anonymous overheard bits and bobs started for us at the 2002 ConJose in San Jose, where trying (or trying not to) fill in the blanks on overheard conversations made us laugh so much that we made it a tradition. We haven't been to any conventions lately, but there are plenty of funny things to overhear here at the store:
*Customer: "It's like the Internet in here -- I come in to look at one thing and suddenly it's three hours later and I've forgotten what I was looking for originally!"
*(Alan to Cary, delivering her paycheck) "Here's your pittance, dear."
*Customer (discussing a mutually disliked movie):"It just proves that you can't save bad content with good presentation."
*Jude: "But it's really serious, gripping, compelling, heartbreaking literature. With zombies."
*Customer: "I'm looking for the fantasy book with all of the fantasy characters in it, but I can't remember the title or the author." Jeremy: "You must mean SILVERLOCK, by John Myers Myers." Customer: "That's it! You're a genius!"
*Customer: "It's like the Internet in here -- I come in to look at one thing and suddenly it's three hours later and I've forgotten what I was looking for originally!"
*(Alan to Cary, delivering her paycheck) "Here's your pittance, dear."
*Customer (discussing a mutually disliked movie):"It just proves that you can't save bad content with good presentation."
*Jude: "But it's really serious, gripping, compelling, heartbreaking literature. With zombies."
*Customer: "I'm looking for the fantasy book with all of the fantasy characters in it, but I can't remember the title or the author." Jeremy: "You must mean SILVERLOCK, by John Myers Myers." Customer: "That's it! You're a genius!"
March 01, 2008
Notes From A DVD Geek
by Jeremy Lassen
Who’s the most exciting genre director to come out of England in the last 20 years? If you said Neil Marshal, you’d be right. I mention this because his third feature film is hitting theaters next week. "Doomsday" looks from the trailer to be a "28 Days Later" meets "The Road Warrior"-esque thing, but . . . well. . . US distributors have done a really bad job of promoting his films in the past. The smartness and freshness, and just plain competence has never really been discernible in any of the promotional material for his first two films. So I’m cautiously optimistic that the film that hits the streets March 14th will be fun, and at the very least, competent (but I’m secretly hoping for a ground breaking genre classic). We’ll see.
Who’s the most exciting genre director to come out of England in the last 20 years? If you said Neil Marshal, you’d be right. I mention this because his third feature film is hitting theaters next week. "Doomsday" looks from the trailer to be a "28 Days Later" meets "The Road Warrior"-esque thing, but . . . well. . . US distributors have done a really bad job of promoting his films in the past. The smartness and freshness, and just plain competence has never really been discernible in any of the promotional material for his first two films. So I’m cautiously optimistic that the film that hits the streets March 14th will be fun, and at the very least, competent (but I’m secretly hoping for a ground breaking genre classic). We’ll see.
February Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1) Matter by Iain M. Banks
2) Pump Six by Paolo Bacigalupi
3) The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison
4) One Beastly Beast by Garth Nix
5) The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes
6) Manxome Foe by John Ringo
7) Duma Key by Stephen King
8) Singularity's Ring by Paul Menko
9) The Dragons of Babel by Michael Swanwick
10) Renegade's Magic by Robin Hobb
Paperbacks
1) Snake Agent by Liz Williams
2) Jumper by Stephen Gould
3) Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters
4) Feast of Souls by C.S. Friedman
5) Command Decision by Elizabeth Moon
6) White Night by Jim Butcher
7) Unquiet Dreams by Mark Del Franco
8) Griffin's Story by Stephen Gould
9) X-Rated Bloodsuckers by Mario Acevedo
10) The Dragon's Nine Sons by Chris Roberson
tie with
A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham
Trade Paperbacks
1) Un Lun Dun by China Mieville
2) Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams
tie with
Sins of the Sirens edited by John Everson
3) The New Weird edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer
4) The Dragon Never Sleeps by Glen Cook
5) The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
tie with
Fangland by John Marks
1) Matter by Iain M. Banks
2) Pump Six by Paolo Bacigalupi
3) The Outlaw Demon Wails by Kim Harrison
4) One Beastly Beast by Garth Nix
5) The Somnambulist by Jonathan Barnes
6) Manxome Foe by John Ringo
7) Duma Key by Stephen King
8) Singularity's Ring by Paul Menko
9) The Dragons of Babel by Michael Swanwick
10) Renegade's Magic by Robin Hobb
Paperbacks
1) Snake Agent by Liz Williams
2) Jumper by Stephen Gould
3) Whitechapel Gods by S.M. Peters
4) Feast of Souls by C.S. Friedman
5) Command Decision by Elizabeth Moon
6) White Night by Jim Butcher
7) Unquiet Dreams by Mark Del Franco
8) Griffin's Story by Stephen Gould
9) X-Rated Bloodsuckers by Mario Acevedo
10) The Dragon's Nine Sons by Chris Roberson
tie with
A Shadow in Summer by Daniel Abraham
Trade Paperbacks
1) Un Lun Dun by China Mieville
2) Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams
tie with
Sins of the Sirens edited by John Everson
3) The New Weird edited by Ann and Jeff Vandermeer
4) The Dragon Never Sleeps by Glen Cook
5) The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
tie with
Fangland by John Marks
A Short History of Paperback Books
by Alan Beatts
Something that I love about working in my field is being part of a history that goes back hundreds of years (actually, thousands of years -- the first booksellers were in Egypt before the common era and their original stock was copies of The Book of The Dead). Bookselling in general has been around for a very long time and is full of some of the oddest traditions, characters and incidents. But more than that, the science fiction, fantasy and horror field has been around for quite a long time as well. And it has its own odd traditions, strange history and remarkable persons.
It would be a foolish game to try to spot when science fiction, fantasy or horror first started. One can make a solid argument that science fiction started with Jules Verne in the middle of the 19th century but there are other arguments to be made. However horror has been around much longer. Varney the Vampire also dates from around the same time as Verne's work but there were ghost stories, both written and oral, many, many years earlier. And, if you're willing to call mythology the father of the fantasy novel, you can easily go all the way back to the ancient Greeks (and yes, much of those stories were religious in nature but many of them were simply entertainment with only a hint of religion).
But, there is a point where I'm pretty comfortable saying that original SF and fantasy in novel form as we know it first sent down roots in the US. And there are some remarkable people who did it.
Something that I love about working in my field is being part of a history that goes back hundreds of years (actually, thousands of years -- the first booksellers were in Egypt before the common era and their original stock was copies of The Book of The Dead). Bookselling in general has been around for a very long time and is full of some of the oddest traditions, characters and incidents. But more than that, the science fiction, fantasy and horror field has been around for quite a long time as well. And it has its own odd traditions, strange history and remarkable persons.
It would be a foolish game to try to spot when science fiction, fantasy or horror first started. One can make a solid argument that science fiction started with Jules Verne in the middle of the 19th century but there are other arguments to be made. However horror has been around much longer. Varney the Vampire also dates from around the same time as Verne's work but there were ghost stories, both written and oral, many, many years earlier. And, if you're willing to call mythology the father of the fantasy novel, you can easily go all the way back to the ancient Greeks (and yes, much of those stories were religious in nature but many of them were simply entertainment with only a hint of religion).
But, there is a point where I'm pretty comfortable saying that original SF and fantasy in novel form as we know it first sent down roots in the US. And there are some remarkable people who did it.
February 02, 2008
Notes From A DVD Geek
by Jeremy Lassen
Hello again. February already. For Valentine's Day, be sure to check out a complete series box set of one of the most iconic anime shows of all times -- "Cowboy Bebop". Bounty hunters Spiek and Jet, and (yes, you knew this was coming, right?) Faye Valentine get their groove on -- on the space ship Bebop. If you haven’t experienced the joy that is "Cowboy Bebop", do so now.
Hello again. February already. For Valentine's Day, be sure to check out a complete series box set of one of the most iconic anime shows of all times -- "Cowboy Bebop". Bounty hunters Spiek and Jet, and (yes, you knew this was coming, right?) Faye Valentine get their groove on -- on the space ship Bebop. If you haven’t experienced the joy that is "Cowboy Bebop", do so now.
February 01, 2008
January Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1) Renegade's Magic by Robn Hobb
2) A Vintage From Atlantis: Collected Fantasies vol. 3 by Clark Ashton Smith
3) Teatro Grottesco by Thomas Ligotti
4) One Beastly Beast by Garth Nix
5) Dragons of Babel by Michael Swanwick
6) Complete Hammers Slammers vol. 3 by David Drake
7) Ice, Iron and Gold by S.M. Stirling
8) The Merchant & The Alchemist's Gate by Ted Chaing
9) The Kragen by Jack Vance
10) Ring of Fire vol. 2 edited by Eric Flint
Paperbacks
1) Snake Agent by Liz Williams
2) Scar Night by Alan Campbell
3) Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
4) Glasshouse by Charles Stross
5) Forest Mage by Robin Hobb
6) Three Days to Never by Tim Powers
7) Idlewild by Nick Sagan
8) Dust by Elizabeth Bear
9) Dog Days by John Levitt
10) Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett
Trade Paperbacks
1)Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams tie with The Dragon Never Sleeps by Glen Cook
2) World War Z by Max Brooks
3) You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore
4) The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
5) River of Gods by Ian McDonald
1) Renegade's Magic by Robn Hobb
2) A Vintage From Atlantis: Collected Fantasies vol. 3 by Clark Ashton Smith
3) Teatro Grottesco by Thomas Ligotti
4) One Beastly Beast by Garth Nix
5) Dragons of Babel by Michael Swanwick
6) Complete Hammers Slammers vol. 3 by David Drake
7) Ice, Iron and Gold by S.M. Stirling
8) The Merchant & The Alchemist's Gate by Ted Chaing
9) The Kragen by Jack Vance
10) Ring of Fire vol. 2 edited by Eric Flint
Paperbacks
1) Snake Agent by Liz Williams
2) Scar Night by Alan Campbell
3) Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
4) Glasshouse by Charles Stross
5) Forest Mage by Robin Hobb
6) Three Days to Never by Tim Powers
7) Idlewild by Nick Sagan
8) Dust by Elizabeth Bear
9) Dog Days by John Levitt
10) Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett
Trade Paperbacks
1)Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams tie with The Dragon Never Sleeps by Glen Cook
2) World War Z by Max Brooks
3) You Suck: A Love Story by Christopher Moore
4) The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
5) River of Gods by Ian McDonald
Those Responsible
by Alan Beatts
I'm not a big one for blaming other people for how my life has turned out. At this point, I'm pretty much sure that where I've ended up is completely a consequence of the choices I've made. And really, I'm OK with that.
But, there are a few people who I feel comfortable blaming for my love of SF, fantasy and horror. When I was young I hated reading (and school in general) with a fiery passion. I wasn't very good at reading and I was way behind the rest of my class. That, added to being a discipline problem and trouble maker, didn't produce much affection on my part for school (and believe me, the schools I went to didn't love me much either). When I was ten or so, I suddenly learned how to read. I don't remember what did it or what I started off reading but I got very good at it and very fast. But, nothing really interested me much. Stevenson was OK (I think I read Kidnapped because I wanted to know about the character I was named after. And by the way, I don't think that namesake worked out quite the way my father planned . . . or perhaps it did) and I liked Sherlock Holmes but nothing really lit a fire in me.
Then that summer my family took a trip to visit a friend of my dad's. My sister and I stayed in the "den" on a sofa-bed. Above that sofa-bed was a whole wall of bookshelves that were completely filled with copies of Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine. I picked one at random and I started reading it because I liked the picture on the cover. It had a serious looking young man in a big, red spacesuit in the foreground, a young boy (I thought) with a teddy bear in the middle-ground, and the background was the surface of the moon. That was a cool cover. The spacesuit didn't look . . . wimpy . . . it looked like armor. It looked . . . important.
I'm not a big one for blaming other people for how my life has turned out. At this point, I'm pretty much sure that where I've ended up is completely a consequence of the choices I've made. And really, I'm OK with that.
But, there are a few people who I feel comfortable blaming for my love of SF, fantasy and horror. When I was young I hated reading (and school in general) with a fiery passion. I wasn't very good at reading and I was way behind the rest of my class. That, added to being a discipline problem and trouble maker, didn't produce much affection on my part for school (and believe me, the schools I went to didn't love me much either). When I was ten or so, I suddenly learned how to read. I don't remember what did it or what I started off reading but I got very good at it and very fast. But, nothing really interested me much. Stevenson was OK (I think I read Kidnapped because I wanted to know about the character I was named after. And by the way, I don't think that namesake worked out quite the way my father planned . . . or perhaps it did) and I liked Sherlock Holmes but nothing really lit a fire in me.
Then that summer my family took a trip to visit a friend of my dad's. My sister and I stayed in the "den" on a sofa-bed. Above that sofa-bed was a whole wall of bookshelves that were completely filled with copies of Fantasy and Science Fiction Magazine. I picked one at random and I started reading it because I liked the picture on the cover. It had a serious looking young man in a big, red spacesuit in the foreground, a young boy (I thought) with a teddy bear in the middle-ground, and the background was the surface of the moon. That was a cool cover. The spacesuit didn't look . . . wimpy . . . it looked like armor. It looked . . . important.
January 01, 2008
New Orleans
by Alan Beatts
Happy New Year everyone!
I hope that you all had a nice time through the holidays and that 2008 finds you well. I had a great time this last month. My brother and his family were in town for all of December, which was just great and for New Years I went to New Orleans with my daughter. It was her first trip there and she loved it (takes after her dad that way, I'm guessing).
I was a little concerned about what New Orleans would be like. I hadn't been back there since before the hurricane in 2005 and I was really concerned that it wouldn't be the same. Actually I had no doubts that the city wouldn't be the same. No city can go through what New Orleans did and not be changed. What I was concerned about, in my selfish way, was the French Quarter and (to a lesser degree) the area around Frenchman St. and the Garden District.
Happy New Year everyone!
I hope that you all had a nice time through the holidays and that 2008 finds you well. I had a great time this last month. My brother and his family were in town for all of December, which was just great and for New Years I went to New Orleans with my daughter. It was her first trip there and she loved it (takes after her dad that way, I'm guessing).
I was a little concerned about what New Orleans would be like. I hadn't been back there since before the hurricane in 2005 and I was really concerned that it wouldn't be the same. Actually I had no doubts that the city wouldn't be the same. No city can go through what New Orleans did and not be changed. What I was concerned about, in my selfish way, was the French Quarter and (to a lesser degree) the area around Frenchman St. and the Garden District.
December Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1) Halting State by Charles Stross
2) Pirate Freedom by Gene Wolfe
3) Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman
4) The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy
5) Confessor by Terry Goodkind
6) Fatal Revenant by Stephen R. Donaldson
7) Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis
8) Dreamsongs vol. 1 by George R.R. Martin
9) Spook Country by William Gibson
10) The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds (UK edition)
Paperbacks
1) The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
2) The Android's Dream by John Scalzi
3) Three Days to Never by Tim Powers
tie with The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
4) The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
5) Forest Mage by Robin Hobb
tie with The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
6) Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
7) Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
8) Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
9) Rainbow's End by Vernor Vinge
10) Dust by Elizabeth Bear tie with
For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison
Trade Paperbacks
1) World War Z by Max Brooks
2) The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
3) Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams
tie with Butcher Bird by Richard Kadrey
4) His Dark Materials (Omnibus Edition) by Philp Pullman
5) Rewired: The Post-Cyberpunk Anthology edited by James Patrick Kelly and John Kessel
1) Halting State by Charles Stross
2) Pirate Freedom by Gene Wolfe
3) Soon I Will Be Invincible by Austin Grossman
4) The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy
5) Confessor by Terry Goodkind
6) Fatal Revenant by Stephen R. Donaldson
7) Crooked Little Vein by Warren Ellis
8) Dreamsongs vol. 1 by George R.R. Martin
9) Spook Country by William Gibson
10) The Prefect by Alastair Reynolds (UK edition)
Paperbacks
1) The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
2) The Android's Dream by John Scalzi
3) Three Days to Never by Tim Powers
tie with The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
4) The City, Not Long After by Pat Murphy
5) Forest Mage by Robin Hobb
tie with The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman
6) Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
7) Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
8) Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs
9) Rainbow's End by Vernor Vinge
10) Dust by Elizabeth Bear tie with
For a Few Demons More by Kim Harrison
Trade Paperbacks
1) World War Z by Max Brooks
2) The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
3) Wastelands: Stories of the Apocalypse edited by John Joseph Adams
tie with Butcher Bird by Richard Kadrey
4) His Dark Materials (Omnibus Edition) by Philp Pullman
5) Rewired: The Post-Cyberpunk Anthology edited by James Patrick Kelly and John Kessel
Notes From A DVD Geek
by Jeremy Lassen
Happy New Year, movie fans. The new year is a good time to talk about new versions, and old versions of some classic movies. First up is Rob Zombie's interesting and earnest remake of John Carpenter's "Halloween". As Carpenter himself is a director who has "re-imagined" many movies to good effect, I was eager to see what could happen to the "Halloween" franchise, re-imagined by one of my favorite new directors.
Happy New Year, movie fans. The new year is a good time to talk about new versions, and old versions of some classic movies. First up is Rob Zombie's interesting and earnest remake of John Carpenter's "Halloween". As Carpenter himself is a director who has "re-imagined" many movies to good effect, I was eager to see what could happen to the "Halloween" franchise, re-imagined by one of my favorite new directors.
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