What the staff is reading this week:
Alan: "THE QUANTUM THIEF by Hannu Rajaniemi."
Cary: "PRIDE AND PREJUDICE by Jane Austen."
Claud: "CLOUDS OF WITNESS, by Dorothy Sayers (reread); THE SECRET HISTORY OF MOSCOW, by Ekaterina Sedia; I AM NOT A SERIAL KILLER and MR. MONSTER, by Dan Wells; and A NEW KIND OF COUNTRY, by Dorothy Gilman."
Cole: "I am reading GOD NO! SIGNS YOU MAY ALREADY BE AN ATHEIST AND OTHER MAGICAL TALES by Penn Jillette."
Heather: "RED COUNTRY by Joe Abercrombie, woohoo! Reading less, though, since I haven't been stuck on Muni much lately."
Jude: "LONDON UNDER by Peter Ackroyd (brilliant non-fiction companion to MIDNIGHT RIOT by Ben Aaronovitch) and THE INEXPLICABLES by Cherie Priest, which I am enjoying more than any other book in the Clockwork Century series so far."
December 20, 2012
Mocking Mrs. Pollifax's Midnight Blue Thirst for Hydrogen
We've been so busy with the holidays that I've forgotten to post what the staff is reading for a few weeks! Here's our current reading:
Alan: "MOCKINGBIRD by Chuck Wendig."
Claud: "MRS. POLLIFAX PURSUED, MRS. POLLIFAX, INNOCENT TOURIST, MRS. POLLIFAX AND THE LION KILLER, and MRS. POLLIFAX UNVEILED, by Dorothy Gilman (rereads); WOLF HALL and BRING UP THE BODIES, by Hilary Mantel (awesome historical fiction); THE HYDROGEN SONATA, by Iain M. Banks (best Culture novel in years); THE RESCUE ARTIST: A True Story Of Art, Thieves, And The Hunt For A Missing Masterpiece, by Edward Dolnick; RED COUNTRY, by Joe Abercrombie; A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, by Agatha Christie; FAIREST: Wide Awake, by Bill Willingham; THE CHOSEN FEW: How Education Shaped Jewish History, 70-1492, by Maristella Botticini and Zvi Eckstein (amazing economic history of Judaism); THE PLAYER OF GAMES, by Iain M. Banks (reread); THE ALIENIST and THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS, by Caleb Carr (rereads); GEORGETTE HEYER: A Critical Retrospective, by Mary Fahnestock-Thomas; and WHOSE BODY?, by Dorothy L. Sayers (reread)."
Cole: "I've been re-reading THE PRINCESS BRIDE as well as THE SCIENCE FICTION HALL OF FAME VOL. 1."
Jude: "I finished the advance copy of MIDNIGHT BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL by Seanan McGuire, which was even better than the first book in the series, and I'm currently reading SIN IN THE SECOND CITY: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott."
Naamen: "Currently reading an advanced copy of MIDNIGHT BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL by Seanan McGuire. It has everything that made me like the first book (DISCOUNT ARMAGEDDON) and seems to be building into a massive good versus evil showdown which I always love. Also just started EARTH THIRST by Mark Teppo; not that deep into it yet but vampires who want to save the environment/earth from wasteful humans and rampaging multinational corporations? I'll bite. "
Alan: "MOCKINGBIRD by Chuck Wendig."
Claud: "MRS. POLLIFAX PURSUED, MRS. POLLIFAX, INNOCENT TOURIST, MRS. POLLIFAX AND THE LION KILLER, and MRS. POLLIFAX UNVEILED, by Dorothy Gilman (rereads); WOLF HALL and BRING UP THE BODIES, by Hilary Mantel (awesome historical fiction); THE HYDROGEN SONATA, by Iain M. Banks (best Culture novel in years); THE RESCUE ARTIST: A True Story Of Art, Thieves, And The Hunt For A Missing Masterpiece, by Edward Dolnick; RED COUNTRY, by Joe Abercrombie; A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED, by Agatha Christie; FAIREST: Wide Awake, by Bill Willingham; THE CHOSEN FEW: How Education Shaped Jewish History, 70-1492, by Maristella Botticini and Zvi Eckstein (amazing economic history of Judaism); THE PLAYER OF GAMES, by Iain M. Banks (reread); THE ALIENIST and THE ANGEL OF DARKNESS, by Caleb Carr (rereads); GEORGETTE HEYER: A Critical Retrospective, by Mary Fahnestock-Thomas; and WHOSE BODY?, by Dorothy L. Sayers (reread)."
Cole: "I've been re-reading THE PRINCESS BRIDE as well as THE SCIENCE FICTION HALL OF FAME VOL. 1."
Jude: "I finished the advance copy of MIDNIGHT BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL by Seanan McGuire, which was even better than the first book in the series, and I'm currently reading SIN IN THE SECOND CITY: Madams, Ministers, Playboys, and the Battle for America's Soul by Karen Abbott."
Naamen: "Currently reading an advanced copy of MIDNIGHT BLUE LIGHT SPECIAL by Seanan McGuire. It has everything that made me like the first book (DISCOUNT ARMAGEDDON) and seems to be building into a massive good versus evil showdown which I always love. Also just started EARTH THIRST by Mark Teppo; not that deep into it yet but vampires who want to save the environment/earth from wasteful humans and rampaging multinational corporations? I'll bite. "
December 11, 2012
Science Fiction Class at Borderlands
Borderlands is partnering with the University of the Commons - http://www.uotc.org/wordpress/ - to present a six week class on the Science Fiction Short Story. It will be taught by Phil Gochenour and will meet once a week for six weeks. The meetings will be on Mondays in the cafe from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. It's free of charge and you can sign up at http://www.meetup.com/uotcsf/events/92794082/.
More info about the class after the break.
More info about the class after the break.
December 10, 2012
Holiday Gift Guide
by Jude Feldman
Happy holidays, everyone! I'd like to start the annual Gift Guide with a big ol' THANK YOU to all of you who have kept us going 15 years and beyond. We are grateful for your support, and humbled to be part of such a vibrant, cheerful, and important community. So, thanks.
The gift-giving season is quickly swooping down upon us with its great shadowy black wings, and Borderlands is here to help you find the perfect gift for every elf, fairy, shoggoth, and wizard on your list. (And the plain-old human readers on that list will probably be very happy, too.)
Let me first mention that we have a whole bunch of amazing local authors who are happy to personalize their books for your gift-giving pleasure. Terry Bisson, Chaz Brenchley, S.G. Browne, Gail Carriger, Richard Kadrey, Seanan McGuire, Rudy Rucker, and Scott Sigler have all volunteered to inscribe books. You can purchase and pick up personalized books here, or if the recipients are far away, we're happy to do mail orders, so consider which of the fans in your life would be most tickled by having their name actually written in a book by the author! The deadline to order inscribed books to be shipped in time for Christmas is December 14th; the deadline to request inscribed books for in-store pickup is December 19th.
Happy holidays, everyone! I'd like to start the annual Gift Guide with a big ol' THANK YOU to all of you who have kept us going 15 years and beyond. We are grateful for your support, and humbled to be part of such a vibrant, cheerful, and important community. So, thanks.
The gift-giving season is quickly swooping down upon us with its great shadowy black wings, and Borderlands is here to help you find the perfect gift for every elf, fairy, shoggoth, and wizard on your list. (And the plain-old human readers on that list will probably be very happy, too.)
Let me first mention that we have a whole bunch of amazing local authors who are happy to personalize their books for your gift-giving pleasure. Terry Bisson, Chaz Brenchley, S.G. Browne, Gail Carriger, Richard Kadrey, Seanan McGuire, Rudy Rucker, and Scott Sigler have all volunteered to inscribe books. You can purchase and pick up personalized books here, or if the recipients are far away, we're happy to do mail orders, so consider which of the fans in your life would be most tickled by having their name actually written in a book by the author! The deadline to order inscribed books to be shipped in time for Christmas is December 14th; the deadline to request inscribed books for in-store pickup is December 19th.
November Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
2. Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
3. I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus by S.G. Browne
4. The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks
5. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold
6. The Rapture of the Nerds by Cory Doctorow and Charles Stross
7. Red Country by Joe Abercrombie
8. Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone
9. Cold Days by Jim Butcher tied with Pirate Cinema by Cory Doctorow
10. Velveteen vs. the Junior Super Patriots by Seanan McGuire
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
2. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
3. Pandaemonium by Ben Macallan
4. Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
5. Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
6. Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
7. Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
8. Stone Spring by Stephen Baxter
9. Seeds of Earth by Michael Cobley
10. Feed by Mira Grant
Trade Paperbacks
1. The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle by Patrick Rothfuss
2. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
3. The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
5. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
2. Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
3. I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus by S.G. Browne
4. The Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks
5. Captain Vorpatril's Alliance by Lois McMaster Bujold
6. The Rapture of the Nerds by Cory Doctorow and Charles Stross
7. Red Country by Joe Abercrombie
8. Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone
9. Cold Days by Jim Butcher tied with Pirate Cinema by Cory Doctorow
10. Velveteen vs. the Junior Super Patriots by Seanan McGuire
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
2. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
3. Pandaemonium by Ben Macallan
4. Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
5. Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
6. Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
7. Altered Carbon by Richard Morgan
8. Stone Spring by Stephen Baxter
9. Seeds of Earth by Michael Cobley
10. Feed by Mira Grant
Trade Paperbacks
1. The Adventures of the Princess and Mr. Whiffle by Patrick Rothfuss
2. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
3. The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
5. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
November News Roundup
* 100 Things You Didn't Know About the "Lord of the Rings" Movies: http://www.empireonline.com/features/lord-of-the-rings-100-facts/default.asp
* Does someone you know need a map of John Carter's Mars? http://mythicimages.com/product.php?product_id=145 Thanks to Amanda for the link!
* This isn't science fiction now, but it was just a short time ago. Mind-controlled artificial limbs coming soon: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/11/mind-controlled-robotic-arm/
* Congrats to Borderlands Cafe employee Cole Kelly, who placed third in the recent local Star Trek Convention's costume contest! Cole was dressed as the 10th Doctor from "Dr. Who". http://www.sfweekly.com/slideshow/great-costumes-of-the-official-star-trek-convention-38202868/#37
* I wish we'd thought of this first! The Monkey's Paw, a used bookstore in Toronto, has created an incredibly cool random book-vending machine: www.npr.org/2012/11/18/165219956/book-vending-machine-dispenses-suspense?utm_source=NPR&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=20121118
* Read Local asked 10 local booksellers (including us!) for a holiday recommendation for their gift guide: http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/12/holiday_gift_guide_10_local_books.php
* Does someone you know need a map of John Carter's Mars? http://mythicimages.com/product.php?product_id=145 Thanks to Amanda for the link!
* This isn't science fiction now, but it was just a short time ago. Mind-controlled artificial limbs coming soon: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/11/mind-controlled-robotic-arm/
* Congrats to Borderlands Cafe employee Cole Kelly, who placed third in the recent local Star Trek Convention's costume contest! Cole was dressed as the 10th Doctor from "Dr. Who". http://www.sfweekly.com/slideshow/great-costumes-of-the-official-star-trek-convention-38202868/#37
* I wish we'd thought of this first! The Monkey's Paw, a used bookstore in Toronto, has created an incredibly cool random book-vending machine: www.npr.org/2012/11/18/165219956/book-vending-machine-dispenses-suspense?utm_source=NPR&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=20121118
* Read Local asked 10 local booksellers (including us!) for a holiday recommendation for their gift guide: http://blogs.sfweekly.com/exhibitionist/2012/12/holiday_gift_guide_10_local_books.php
December Upcoming Events
Cassie Alexander, MOONSHIFTED, (St. Martin's, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, January 5th at 3:00 pm
Rudy Rucker, TURING AND BURROUGHS: A BEATNIK SF NOVEL (Transreal Books, Trade Paperback, $16.00) Saturday, January 12th at 3:00 pm
SF in SF with authors Steven Gould and Laura Mixon, at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building (582 Market St.) Saturday, January 19th at 7:00 pm
We take an event hiatus between Thanksgiving and New Year's, but stay tuned for the awesome authors above and many, many more in 2013, including Peter Brett, Cory Doctorow, and Brandon Sanderson!
Rudy Rucker, TURING AND BURROUGHS: A BEATNIK SF NOVEL (Transreal Books, Trade Paperback, $16.00) Saturday, January 12th at 3:00 pm
SF in SF with authors Steven Gould and Laura Mixon, at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building (582 Market St.) Saturday, January 19th at 7:00 pm
We take an event hiatus between Thanksgiving and New Year's, but stay tuned for the awesome authors above and many, many more in 2013, including Peter Brett, Cory Doctorow, and Brandon Sanderson!
More information after the break
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