It's December again! The perfect time for curling up with hot cocoa and a good book, and for picking up some great books for holiday gifts. Here as usual is our Opinionated Gift Guide to help you out. However, we're always happy to make custom suggestions for you or anyone in your life. We'll even wrap 'em for you! (A special note to those of you purchasing presents: we're happy to gift wrap upon request, although our typical caveats apply: first, if we're busy, you may have to wait a bit to have things wrapped, and, second, some staff members are much better than others at it. It is possible that your package may resemble a brightly wrapped Lovecraft-ian, batrachian, rugose, Thing of No Human Shape. For some customers, this is not a problem . . ."better than I can do!," they say. However, if you are concerned about our, ahem, abilities, we're also happy to just hand you the gift wrap, scissors and tape.)
All of us at Borderlands wish you a peaceful and comfortable holiday season, and an absolutely brilliant new year in 2015.
- Jude Feldman
December 13, 2014
November Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
2. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
3. SYMBIONT by Mira Grant
4. HARVEST SEASON edited by Bill Roper
5. WAISTCOATS AND WEAPONRY by Gail Carriger
6. WILLFUL CHILD by Steven Erikson
7. FEAR CITY by F. Paul Wilson
8. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
9. REVIVAL by Stephen King
10. PRINCE LESTAT by Anne Rice
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
2. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
3. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
4. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 2 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
5. THE BULLET CATCHER'S DAUGHTER by Rod Duncan
6. EMPIRE OF DUST by Jacey Bedford
7. DARK CITY by F. Paul Wilson
8. HUMAN DIVISION by John Scalzi
9. HEIRS AND GRACES by Rhys Bowen
10. STARHAWK by Jack McDevitt
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
2. THE DARK DEFILES by Richard K. Morgan
3. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
4. HILD by Nicola Griffith
5. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
1. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
2. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
3. SYMBIONT by Mira Grant
4. HARVEST SEASON edited by Bill Roper
5. WAISTCOATS AND WEAPONRY by Gail Carriger
6. WILLFUL CHILD by Steven Erikson
7. FEAR CITY by F. Paul Wilson
8. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
9. REVIVAL by Stephen King
10. PRINCE LESTAT by Anne Rice
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
2. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
3. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
4. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 2 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
5. THE BULLET CATCHER'S DAUGHTER by Rod Duncan
6. EMPIRE OF DUST by Jacey Bedford
7. DARK CITY by F. Paul Wilson
8. HUMAN DIVISION by John Scalzi
9. HEIRS AND GRACES by Rhys Bowen
10. STARHAWK by Jack McDevitt
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
2. THE DARK DEFILES by Richard K. Morgan
3. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
4. HILD by Nicola Griffith
5. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
December News Roundup
* Whatever Comics in the Castro could use some support to recover from sales lost during the street "improvements" over the summer. Like many businesses, their sales suffered considerably during the six months that the street and sidewalks were torn up and they could really use a boost this holiday season. It's a great shop with lovely owners and well worth our help. http://hoodline.com/2014/11/whatever-comics-hosts-sale-to-stay-in-business
* Overheard in the Store:
"How San Francisco! Don't get a stripper to show up; you get a nude unicyclist to ride around the living room. 'Glad yer gettin' hitched Amy!'"
* Spider Robinson, who lost his beloved wife Jeanne to cancer in 2010, is now on the verge of losing his daughter to the same disease. If you can spare anything to help with the medical costs, please donate: http://boingboing.net/2014/11/27/help-spider-robinsons-daught.html
* LunaCon, New York's longest running science fiction and fantasy convention, has been canceled for 2015. They plan to return in 2016. http://2015.lunacon.org/
* io9 reports that J.K. Rowling will be releasing twelve Harry Potter short stories during the month of December. Not much is known of the stories except that one is supposed to center on Draco Malfoy. http://io9.com/j-k-rowling-to-release-12-new-harry-potter-short-stori-1667496900
* The 2014 World Fantasy Awards were announced at the World Fantasy Convention, and store friends Sofia Samatar and Ellen Klages were among the winners. Congratulations to them and to all the winners! http://worldfantasy2014.org/awards4.php
* Ursula LeGuin was awarded a medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Awards. Watch her lovely speech here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et9Nf-rsALk
* Congratulations to science fiction writer and critic John Clute, who was named an Honorary Visiting Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2014/11/clute-named-fellow-at-anglia-ruskin/
* Noted popular mystery writer and author of the science fiction novel CHILDREN OF MEN, PD James passed away recently at the age of 94. Here are five of her novels to check out: http://mashable.com/2014/11/27/four-pd-james-books-to-read/
* Vice has launched a weekly online science fiction magazine, Terraform, which has already published pieces by Bruce Sterling, Claire L. Evans, Cory Doctorow, Alison Wilgus, Paul Ford and others. http://motherboard.vice.com/read/terraform-home-online-fiction
* Ryan Reynolds has closed a deal for a "Deadpool" film. We can only hope it will be a better representation of the "Merc with a Mouth" than the first time Reynolds played Deadpool. http://deadline.com/2014/12/ryan-reynolds-deadpool-fox-x-men-1201309406/
* Hachette has finally won its battle with Amazon and are going to set their own prices for their e-books. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/technology/amazon-hachette-ebook-dispute.html?_r=1
* Yahoo reports that Ridley Scott may actually return to direct "Blade Runner 2," mostly because he thinks the script is that good. We can only hope he didn't think the same about the "Prometheus" script . . . . https://uk.yahoo.com/movies/ridley-scott-i-could-still-direct-blade-runner-104242760001.html
* Check out a sneak peek of the newest Avenger to get a solo book, the fantastic Squirrel Girl! The first issue of Unbeatable Squirrel Girl will be out next month. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/04/kraven-hunter-vs-squirrels-first-look-unbeatable-squirrel-girl-1/
* That season is almost upon us when Netflix offloads a bunch of its titles and picks up some new ones, and Slice of SciFi gave us a list of the titles we'll be gaining and losing. http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2014/11/28/goodbye-hello-from-netflix/
* Veronique Greenwood publishes a piece in the NY Times about her Great-Great-Aunt who worked with the Curies and discovered Francium. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/magazine/my-great-great-aunt-discovered-francium-and-it-killed-her.html?_r=1
* Peter Jackson explains why, without some sort of deal with the Tolkien estate, the third "Hobbit" movie will be the final film in Tolkien's world. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/peter-jackson-tolkien-estate-rights-753368
* Congratulations to Madhvi Ramani, who won both the inaugural Diverse Writers and the inaugural Diverse Worlds grants from the Speculative Literature Foundation. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2014/11/slf-grants/
* The Guardian has listed some of the Science Fiction and Fantasy books they consider to be the best of 2014. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/dec/05/best-science-fiction-books-2014
* We may finally have a Jessica Jones for Marvel's Netflix original series. Apparently the role has been offered to Krysten Ritter. As long-time Jessica Jones fans, we're nervous about the choice, having never seen Ritter in a non-party-girl, high-fashion role, which is the polar opposite of the gritty, practical and street-smart Jones. However, Marvel has done well with its casting so far, so Ritter could end up being awesome, if she takes the role. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/04/found-jessica-jones-leads/
* Flavorwire has a list of 25 genre novels that they believe should be classics: http://flavorwire.com/492187/25-genre-novels-that-should-be-classics/view-all
* "Star Trek 3" is again without a director. Robert Orci, who stepped in after J.J. Abrams left to work on the new "Star Wars" film, is now out and no one seems to know why yet. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/05/breaking-roberto-orci-beamed-star-trek-3/
* Two online petitions are floating about to rename the bay bridge after Emperor Norton, though neither seems to have much momentum: http://sfist.com/2013/08/06/effort_to_rename_bay_bridge_after_e.php
* Dean Devlin explains why his plans to film "Independence Day" 2 and 3 simultaneously have now changed and what sort of delay this puts on the reboot of the "Stargate" film franchise in a new interview. http://www.nerdreport.com/2014/12/04/independence-day-2-exclusive-why-theyre-not-doing-2-sequels-at-once/
* With as much as we think we know about the Marquis de Sade, Jonathon Sturgeon points out that we don't actually know that much. http://flavorwire.com/491906/200-years-later-we-still-do-not-know-the-marquis-de-sade
* Cheryl Eddy over at io9 explores the history and the myths of the famous ghost ship the Mary Celeste: http://io9.com/what-happened-aboard-historys-most-baffling-ghost-ship-1667518366
* Kickstarter to fund a full-length documentary about San Francisco's own beloved Emperor Norton! Some of the interviews were filmed here at Borderlands; kick in a few dollars if you can: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2072206954/norton-the-first-americas-emperor
* Lastly, Patrick Rothfuss' charity Worldbuilders can use your support. http://www.worldbuilders.org/ Pat says he'll probably kiss a llama for the charity: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/books/review/inside-the-list.html?ref=books&_r=1
* Overheard in the Store:
"How San Francisco! Don't get a stripper to show up; you get a nude unicyclist to ride around the living room. 'Glad yer gettin' hitched Amy!'"
* Spider Robinson, who lost his beloved wife Jeanne to cancer in 2010, is now on the verge of losing his daughter to the same disease. If you can spare anything to help with the medical costs, please donate: http://boingboing.net/2014/11/27/help-spider-robinsons-daught.html
* LunaCon, New York's longest running science fiction and fantasy convention, has been canceled for 2015. They plan to return in 2016. http://2015.lunacon.org/
* io9 reports that J.K. Rowling will be releasing twelve Harry Potter short stories during the month of December. Not much is known of the stories except that one is supposed to center on Draco Malfoy. http://io9.com/j-k-rowling-to-release-12-new-harry-potter-short-stori-1667496900
* The 2014 World Fantasy Awards were announced at the World Fantasy Convention, and store friends Sofia Samatar and Ellen Klages were among the winners. Congratulations to them and to all the winners! http://worldfantasy2014.org/awards4.php
* Ursula LeGuin was awarded a medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Awards. Watch her lovely speech here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et9Nf-rsALk
* Congratulations to science fiction writer and critic John Clute, who was named an Honorary Visiting Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2014/11/clute-named-fellow-at-anglia-ruskin/
* Noted popular mystery writer and author of the science fiction novel CHILDREN OF MEN, PD James passed away recently at the age of 94. Here are five of her novels to check out: http://mashable.com/2014/11/27/four-pd-james-books-to-read/
* Vice has launched a weekly online science fiction magazine, Terraform, which has already published pieces by Bruce Sterling, Claire L. Evans, Cory Doctorow, Alison Wilgus, Paul Ford and others. http://motherboard.vice.com/read/terraform-home-online-fiction
* Ryan Reynolds has closed a deal for a "Deadpool" film. We can only hope it will be a better representation of the "Merc with a Mouth" than the first time Reynolds played Deadpool. http://deadline.com/2014/12/ryan-reynolds-deadpool-fox-x-men-1201309406/
* Hachette has finally won its battle with Amazon and are going to set their own prices for their e-books. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/technology/amazon-hachette-ebook-dispute.html?_r=1
* Yahoo reports that Ridley Scott may actually return to direct "Blade Runner 2," mostly because he thinks the script is that good. We can only hope he didn't think the same about the "Prometheus" script . . . . https://uk.yahoo.com/movies/ridley-scott-i-could-still-direct-blade-runner-104242760001.html
* Check out a sneak peek of the newest Avenger to get a solo book, the fantastic Squirrel Girl! The first issue of Unbeatable Squirrel Girl will be out next month. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/04/kraven-hunter-vs-squirrels-first-look-unbeatable-squirrel-girl-1/
* That season is almost upon us when Netflix offloads a bunch of its titles and picks up some new ones, and Slice of SciFi gave us a list of the titles we'll be gaining and losing. http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2014/11/28/goodbye-hello-from-netflix/
* Veronique Greenwood publishes a piece in the NY Times about her Great-Great-Aunt who worked with the Curies and discovered Francium. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/magazine/my-great-great-aunt-discovered-francium-and-it-killed-her.html?_r=1
* Peter Jackson explains why, without some sort of deal with the Tolkien estate, the third "Hobbit" movie will be the final film in Tolkien's world. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/peter-jackson-tolkien-estate-rights-753368
* Congratulations to Madhvi Ramani, who won both the inaugural Diverse Writers and the inaugural Diverse Worlds grants from the Speculative Literature Foundation. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2014/11/slf-grants/
* The Guardian has listed some of the Science Fiction and Fantasy books they consider to be the best of 2014. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/dec/05/best-science-fiction-books-2014
* We may finally have a Jessica Jones for Marvel's Netflix original series. Apparently the role has been offered to Krysten Ritter. As long-time Jessica Jones fans, we're nervous about the choice, having never seen Ritter in a non-party-girl, high-fashion role, which is the polar opposite of the gritty, practical and street-smart Jones. However, Marvel has done well with its casting so far, so Ritter could end up being awesome, if she takes the role. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/04/found-jessica-jones-leads/
* Flavorwire has a list of 25 genre novels that they believe should be classics: http://flavorwire.com/492187/25-genre-novels-that-should-be-classics/view-all
* "Star Trek 3" is again without a director. Robert Orci, who stepped in after J.J. Abrams left to work on the new "Star Wars" film, is now out and no one seems to know why yet. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/05/breaking-roberto-orci-beamed-star-trek-3/
* Two online petitions are floating about to rename the bay bridge after Emperor Norton, though neither seems to have much momentum: http://sfist.com/2013/08/06/effort_to_rename_bay_bridge_after_e.php
* Dean Devlin explains why his plans to film "Independence Day" 2 and 3 simultaneously have now changed and what sort of delay this puts on the reboot of the "Stargate" film franchise in a new interview. http://www.nerdreport.com/2014/12/04/independence-day-2-exclusive-why-theyre-not-doing-2-sequels-at-once/
* With as much as we think we know about the Marquis de Sade, Jonathon Sturgeon points out that we don't actually know that much. http://flavorwire.com/491906/200-years-later-we-still-do-not-know-the-marquis-de-sade
* Cheryl Eddy over at io9 explores the history and the myths of the famous ghost ship the Mary Celeste: http://io9.com/what-happened-aboard-historys-most-baffling-ghost-ship-1667518366
* Kickstarter to fund a full-length documentary about San Francisco's own beloved Emperor Norton! Some of the interviews were filmed here at Borderlands; kick in a few dollars if you can: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2072206954/norton-the-first-americas-emperor
* Lastly, Patrick Rothfuss' charity Worldbuilders can use your support. http://www.worldbuilders.org/ Pat says he'll probably kiss a llama for the charity: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/books/review/inside-the-list.html?ref=books&_r=1
Upcoming Events
Amber Benson, THE WITCHES OF ECHO PARK (Ace, Trade Paperback, $15.00) Friday, January 9th at 7:00 pm
Shannon Page, OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS (Per Aspera Press, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 pm
The triumphant return of SF in SF with authors Cecilia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson, at The Book Club of California, 312 Sutter Street Suite 500, Thursday, January 22nd
Shannon Page, OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS (Per Aspera Press, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 pm
The triumphant return of SF in SF with authors Cecilia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson, at The Book Club of California, 312 Sutter Street Suite 500, Thursday, January 22nd
Dispatches From the Border: December 2014
Events and News From Borderlands Books
----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------
Amber Benson, THE WITCHES OF ECHO PARK (Ace, Trade Paperback, $15.00) Friday, January 9th at 7:00 pm
Shannon Page, OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS (Per Aspera Press, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 pm
The triumphant return of SF in SF with authors Cecilia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson, at The Book Club of California, 312 Sutter Street Suite 500, Thursday, January 22nd
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)
-------
News
-------
* Whatever Comics in the Castro could use some support to recover from sales lost during the street "improvements" over the summer. Like many businesses, their sales suffered considerably during the six months that the street and sidewalks were torn up and they could really use a boost this holiday season. It's a great shop with lovely owners and well worth our help. http://hoodline.com/2014/11/whatever-comics-hosts-sale-to-stay-in-business
* Overheard in the Store:
"How San Francisco! Don't get a stripper to show up; you get a nude unicyclist to ride around the living room. 'Glad yer gettin' hitched Amy!'"
* Spider Robinson, who lost his beloved wife Jeanne to cancer in 2010, is now on the verge of losing his daughter to the same disease. If you can spare anything to help with the medical costs, please donate: http://boingboing.net/2014/11/27/help-spider-robinsons-daught.html
* LunaCon, New York's longest running science fiction and fantasy convention, has been canceled for 2015. They plan to return in 2016. http://2015.lunacon.org/
* io9 reports that J.K. Rowling will be releasing twelve Harry Potter short stories during the month of December. Not much is known of the stories except that one is supposed to center on Draco Malfoy. http://io9.com/j-k-rowling-to-release-12-new-harry-potter-short-stori-1667496900
* The 2014 World Fantasy Awards were announced at the World Fantasy Convention, and store friends Sofia Samatar and Ellen Klages were among the winners. Congratulations to them and to all the winners! http://worldfantasy2014.org/awards4.php
* Ursula LeGuin was awarded a medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Awards. Watch her lovely speech here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et9Nf-rsALk
* Congratulations to science fiction writer and critic John Clute, who was named an Honorary Visiting Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2014/11/clute-named-fellow-at-anglia-ruskin/
* Noted popular mystery writer and author of the science fiction novel CHILDREN OF MEN, PD James passed away recently at the age of 94. Here are five of her novels to check out: http://mashable.com/2014/11/27/four-pd-james-books-to-read/
* Vice has launched a weekly online science fiction magazine, Terraform, which has already published pieces by Bruce Sterling, Claire L. Evans, Cory Doctorow, Alison Wilgus, Paul Ford and others. http://motherboard.vice.com/read/terraform-home-online-fiction
* Ryan Reynolds has closed a deal for a "Deadpool" film. We can only hope it will be a better representation of the "Merc with a Mouth" than the first time Reynolds played Deadpool. http://deadline.com/2014/12/ryan-reynolds-deadpool-fox-x-men-1201309406/
* Hachette has finally won its battle with Amazon and are going to set their own prices for their e-books. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/technology/amazon-hachette-ebook-dispute.html?_r=1
* Yahoo reports that Ridley Scott may actually return to direct "Blade Runner 2," mostly because he thinks the script is that good. We can only hope he didn't think the same about the "Prometheus" script . . . . https://uk.yahoo.com/movies/ridley-scott-i-could-still-direct-blade-runner-104242760001.html
* Check out a sneak peek of the newest Avenger to get a solo book, the fantastic Squirrel Girl! The first issue of Unbeatable Squirrel Girl will be out next month. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/04/kraven-hunter-vs-squirrels-first-look-unbeatable-squirrel-girl-1/
* That season is almost upon us when Netflix offloads a bunch of its titles and picks up some new ones, and Slice of SciFi gave us a list of the titles we'll be gaining and losing. http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2014/11/28/goodbye-hello-from-netflix/
* Veronique Greenwood publishes a piece in the NY Times about her Great-Great-Aunt who worked with the Curies and discovered Francium. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/magazine/my-great-great-aunt-discovered-francium-and-it-killed-her.html?_r=1
* Peter Jackson explains why, without some sort of deal with the Tolkien estate, the third "Hobbit" movie will be the final film in Tolkien's world. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/peter-jackson-tolkien-estate-rights-753368
* Congratulations to Madhvi Ramani, who won both the inaugural Diverse Writers and the inaugural Diverse Worlds grants from the Speculative Literature Foundation. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2014/11/slf-grants/
* The Guardian has listed some of the Science Fiction and Fantasy books they consider to be the best of 2014. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/dec/05/best-science-fiction-books-2014
* We may finally have a Jessica Jones for Marvel's Netflix original series. Apparently the role has been offered to Krysten Ritter. As long-time Jessica Jones fans, we're nervous about the choice, having never seen Ritter in a non-party-girl, high-fashion role, which is the polar opposite of the gritty, practical and street-smart Jones. However, Marvel has done well with its casting so far, so Ritter could end up being awesome, if she takes the role. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/04/found-jessica-jones-leads/
* Flavorwire has a list of 25 genre novels that they believe should be classics: http://flavorwire.com/492187/25-genre-novels-that-should-be-classics/view-all
* "Star Trek 3" is again without a director. Robert Orci, who stepped in after J.J. Abrams left to work on the new "Star Wars" film, is now out and no one seems to know why yet. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/05/breaking-roberto-orci-beamed-star-trek-3/
* Two online petitions are floating about to rename the bay bridge after Emperor Norton, though neither seems to have much momentum: http://sfist.com/2013/08/06/effort_to_rename_bay_bridge_after_e.php
* Dean Devlin explains why his plans to film "Independence Day" 2 and 3 simultaneously have now changed and what sort of delay this puts on the reboot of the "Stargate" film franchise in a new interview. http://www.nerdreport.com/2014/12/04/independence-day-2-exclusive-why-theyre-not-doing-2-sequels-at-once/
* With as much as we think we know about the Marquis de Sade, Jonathon Sturgeon points out that we don't actually know that much. http://flavorwire.com/491906/200-years-later-we-still-do-not-know-the-marquis-de-sade
* Cheryl Eddy over at io9 explores the history and the myths of the famous ghost ship the Mary Celeste: http://io9.com/what-happened-aboard-historys-most-baffling-ghost-ship-1667518366
* Kickstarter to fund a full-length documentary about San Francisco's own beloved Emperor Norton! Some of the interviews were filmed here at Borderlands; kick in a few dollars if you can: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2072206954/norton-the-first-americas-emperor
* Lastly, Patrick Rothfuss' charity Worldbuilders can use your support. http://www.worldbuilders.org/ Pat says he'll probably kiss a llama for the charity: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/books/review/inside-the-list.html?ref=books&_r=1
--------------------
Holiday Gift Guide
--------------------
It's December again! The perfect time for curling up with hot cocoa and a good book, and for picking up some great books for holiday gifts. Here as usual is our Opinionated Gift Guide to help you out. However, we're always happy to make custom suggestions for you or anyone in your life. We'll even wrap 'em for you! (A special note to those of you purchasing presents: we're happy to gift wrap upon request, although our typical caveats apply: first, if we're busy, you may have to wait a bit to have things wrapped, and, second, some staff members are much better than others at it. It is possible that your package may resemble a brightly wrapped Lovecraft-ian, batrachian, rugose, Thing of No Human Shape. For some customers, this is not a problem . . ."better than I can do!," they say. However, if you are concerned about our, ahem, abilities, we're also happy to just hand you the gift wrap, scissors and tape.)
All of us at Borderlands wish you a peaceful and comfortable holiday season, and an absolutely brilliant new year in 2015.
- Jude Feldman
Lots of Recommendations:
Two brand-new things - we have fun key tags from Cursed Clothes for $5 each. They are perfect for stocking stuffers, and we have Bates Motel ("With a mother's touch!"), The Overlook Hotel, Ghostbusters, the research station from "The Thing", and a few other fun options. We're also VERY excited to present unique Steampunk-inspired jewelry from Fire Selkie Creations <https://www.facebook.com/FireSelkieCreations>. We have over a dozen different necklaces created by this Oakland artist, ranging from $40 - $95. You MUST check them out.
Some great gifts for big fans - THE WORLD OF ICE AND FIRE: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Elio Garcia and Linda Antonsson (Bantam, Oversized Hardcover, $50.00) This is a stunning coffee-table book with history, backstories, snippets, awe-inspiring artwork, and so much more. It's like THE SILMARILLION for Westeros, except it didn't lull me to sleep! If your friends haven't read it yet, THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss (DAW, Hardcover, $18.95) is a beautiful, strange little novella that follows Auri and takes place in the Kingkiller world, under the University. PRINCE LESTAT by Anne Rice (Knopf, Hardcover, $28.95) finds the author returning to her roots. Even the gloriously snarky New York Times Review ("Although the style, mixing celebrity-worshiping gush with Gothic portentousness, is, not to put too fine a point on it, nutty, Rice wielded it with amazing self-assurance, as if it were inevitable, something that had been waiting to be discovered. That’s what all pop-culture geniuses do, in their different ways. And over nearly four decades and many, many books, she has seen no reason to change it. In "Prince Lestat," the first Vampire Chronicles novel in a decade, Rice’s queenly prose is unaltered.") admits that fans will love this book. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson (Putnam, Hardcover, $28.95) is another mind-blowing adventure from this science fiction master. Sandman fans will swoon over the new DUST COVERS: THE SELECTED SANDMAN COVERS by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean (Vertigo, Hardcover, $49.99).
Signed books - We've still got a few signed copies of John Scalzi's LOCK IN (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99) a wonderful sort-of mystery novel set in a future where a terrible disease has pushed VR tech to an incredible new level. We've also got lots of signed books from Seanan McGuire, aka Mira Grant, including the new Parasitology novel SYMBIONT (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00). Here are just a few of the authors who have been kind enough to stop in and sign things for us recently -- just let us know if you want us to reserve a book: Juliet Blackwell, Gail Carriger, Steven Erikson, Richard Kadrey, Laurie R. King, Nick Mamatas, Michael J. Martinez, F. Paul Wilson. . .many, many others!
For the Lovecraft fan in your life, may I recommend the fantabulous (and huge, and heavy) NEW ANNOTATED H.P. LOVECRAFT, edited by Leslie Klinger, with an introduction by Alan Moore (Liveright, Oversize Hardcover, $39.95). You could also pick up THE NICKRONOMICON, by Nick Mamatas (Innsmouth Free Press, Trade Paperback, $13.00) - 13 twisted new stories!
For a change of pace, try noir for the holidays. THE LAST GOOD KISS by James Crumley (Vintage, Trade Paperback, $14.95) is one of my favorites. F. Paul Wilson called it "roadside noir - as dark as it gets"! You could also pick up Kelli Stanley's CITY OF DRAGONS, (Minotaur, Hardcover, $24.99 and Trade Paperback, $17.99) set in San Francisco's Chinatown, 1940. BLACKMAIL, MY LOVE by Katie Gilmartin (Cleis, Trade Paperback, $16.95) is a wonderful neo-noir murder mystery set in 1951 San Francisco, a dark age in queer history. And Katie wrote part of the book at Borderlands Cafe!
For a fluffier mystery, try Kerry Greenwood's adorable Phryne Fisher series, set in 1920's Melbourne and starring a plucky, rich, beautiful, and intelligent flapper. The first book is COCAINE BLUES (Poisoned Pen Press, Trade Paperback, $14.95) . Slightly more serious, but also featuring a wonderful heroine, I enjoyed the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, set in mid-30's London. The first book is MAISIE DOBBS (Soho Crime, Trade Paperback, $14.95).
As usual we have absolutely everything Edward Gorey for your holiday. Pick up an adorable "Bibliophile with Cats" puzzle, or stick with the classically morbid GASHLYCRUMB TINIES. We also have just a few of the prized Gorey "Fruitcake" cards, which are out of print, left!
Favorite geeks on your list might enjoy Randall Munroe's (of XKCD fame) new book WHAT IF? SERIOUS SCIENTIFIC ANSWERS TO ABSURD HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS (Houghton Mifflin, Hardcover, $24.95), which has actually hit the New York Times' Bestseller List. And if you're looking for a sampler, pick up either (or both!) ROGUES (Tor, Hardcover, $30.00) and DANGEROUS WOMEN (Tor, Hardcover, $32.50), both edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. There are many outstanding stories in both anthologies, and at least one story in each collection just blew me away. If you want something unusual and heart-wrenching that you know they won't have read, pick up BEING SMALL by Chaz Brenchley (Per Aspera, Trade Paperback, $12.99). This is a self-proclaimed "ghost story without a ghost" and it is both lovely and difficult to describe. I also loved AFTERPARTY by Daryl Gregory (Tor, Hardcover, $26.99), a quirky road novel about designer drugs, crime, more drugs, and (very peripherally) miniature bison.
Forever classics that are good for almost anyone: GOOD OMENS by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (Harper, Mass Market, $7.99) and THE PRINCESS BRIDE by William Goldman (Harvest, Mass Market, $8.95 or Harcourt, Hardcover, $25.00).
If you're having difficulty deciding, ask us for help with recommendations, or you could pick up a gift certificate and let them choose for themselves!
----------------
Best Sellers
----------------
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for November, 2014
Hardcovers
1. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
2. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
3. SYMBIONT by Mira Grant
4. HARVEST SEASON edited by Bill Roper
5. WAISTCOATS AND WEAPONRY by Gail Carriger
6. WILLFUL CHILD by Steven Erikson
7. FEAR CITY by F. Paul Wilson
8. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
9. REVIVAL by Stephen King
10. PRINCE LESTAT by Anne Rice
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
2. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
3. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
4. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 2 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
5. THE BULLET CATCHER'S DAUGHTER by Rod Duncan
6. EMPIRE OF DUST by Jacey Bedford
7. DARK CITY by F. Paul Wilson
8. HUMAN DIVISION by John Scalzi
9. HEIRS AND GRACES by Rhys Bowen
10. STARHAWK by Jack McDevitt
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
2. THE DARK DEFILES by Richard K. Morgan
3. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
4. HILD by Nicola Griffith
5. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
------------------------------
Book Club Information
------------------------------
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 14th, at 5 pm to discuss WOOL by Hugh Howey. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 21st, at 6 pm to discuss WOMAN ON THE EDGE OF TIME by Marge Piercy. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.
------------------------------
Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------
Amber Benson, THE WITCHES OF ECHO PARK (Ace, Trade Paperback, $15.00) Friday, January 9th at 7:00 pm - We are thrilled to welcome the lovely and talented Amber Benson back to Borderlands! Here's the info on her newest title from the publisher: "When Elyse MacAllister’s great-aunt Eleanora, the woman who raised her, becomes deathly ill, Lyse puts her comfortable life in Georgia on hold to rush back to Los Angeles. And once she returns to Echo Park, Lyse discovers her great-aunt has been keeping secrets -- extraordinary secrets -- from her. Not only is Lyse heir to Eleanora’s Victorian estate; she is also expected to take her great-aunt’s place in the Echo Park coven of witches. But to accept her destiny means to place herself in deadly peril -- for the world of magic is under siege, and the battle the witches now fight may be their last. . ." Don't miss this great chance to meet Amber and enjoy the new novel!
Shannon Page, OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS (Per Aspera Press, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 pm - We are happy to welcome Shannon Page, co-author (with Jay Lake) of OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS to Borderlands! Sadly, Jay died of cancer in 2014, but the publisher believes he would be very proud of the presentation of this book. "It is a powerful tale of political intrigue, divine mystery, and swashbuckling naval battles. Graced with splashes of humor, this novel is full of cliffhangers that will keep you turning pages. Sian Kattë is a successful middle-aged businesswoman in the tropical island nation of Alizar. Her life seems comfortable and well-arranged. . . until a violent encounter one evening leaves her with an unwanted magical power. Arian des Chances is the wife of Alizar’s ruler, with vast wealth and political influence. Yet for all her resources, she can only watch helplessly as her son draws nearer to death. When crisis thrusts these two women together, they learn some surprising truths: about themselves, their loved ones, and Alizar itself. Because beneath a seemingly calm façade, Alizar’s people -- and a dead god --are stirring. . . ." Join us to meet Shannon and check out the novel that Publishers Weekly called one of the Best Books of 2014! http://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2014/sf-fantasy-horror#book/book-6
The triumphant return of SF in SF with authors Cecilia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson, at The Book Club of California, 312 Sutter Street Suite 500, Thursday, January 22nd - Time and details to come!
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge. You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event). For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs. If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you. We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you. Just give us a call or drop us an email. If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee. Call or email for details.
----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------
Amber Benson, THE WITCHES OF ECHO PARK (Ace, Trade Paperback, $15.00) Friday, January 9th at 7:00 pm
Shannon Page, OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS (Per Aspera Press, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 pm
The triumphant return of SF in SF with authors Cecilia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson, at The Book Club of California, 312 Sutter Street Suite 500, Thursday, January 22nd
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)
-------
News
-------
* Whatever Comics in the Castro could use some support to recover from sales lost during the street "improvements" over the summer. Like many businesses, their sales suffered considerably during the six months that the street and sidewalks were torn up and they could really use a boost this holiday season. It's a great shop with lovely owners and well worth our help. http://hoodline.com/2014/11/whatever-comics-hosts-sale-to-stay-in-business
* Overheard in the Store:
"How San Francisco! Don't get a stripper to show up; you get a nude unicyclist to ride around the living room. 'Glad yer gettin' hitched Amy!'"
* Spider Robinson, who lost his beloved wife Jeanne to cancer in 2010, is now on the verge of losing his daughter to the same disease. If you can spare anything to help with the medical costs, please donate: http://boingboing.net/2014/11/27/help-spider-robinsons-daught.html
* LunaCon, New York's longest running science fiction and fantasy convention, has been canceled for 2015. They plan to return in 2016. http://2015.lunacon.org/
* io9 reports that J.K. Rowling will be releasing twelve Harry Potter short stories during the month of December. Not much is known of the stories except that one is supposed to center on Draco Malfoy. http://io9.com/j-k-rowling-to-release-12-new-harry-potter-short-stori-1667496900
* The 2014 World Fantasy Awards were announced at the World Fantasy Convention, and store friends Sofia Samatar and Ellen Klages were among the winners. Congratulations to them and to all the winners! http://worldfantasy2014.org/awards4.php
* Ursula LeGuin was awarded a medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Awards. Watch her lovely speech here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Et9Nf-rsALk
* Congratulations to science fiction writer and critic John Clute, who was named an Honorary Visiting Fellow at Anglia Ruskin University. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2014/11/clute-named-fellow-at-anglia-ruskin/
* Noted popular mystery writer and author of the science fiction novel CHILDREN OF MEN, PD James passed away recently at the age of 94. Here are five of her novels to check out: http://mashable.com/2014/11/27/four-pd-james-books-to-read/
* Vice has launched a weekly online science fiction magazine, Terraform, which has already published pieces by Bruce Sterling, Claire L. Evans, Cory Doctorow, Alison Wilgus, Paul Ford and others. http://motherboard.vice.com/read/terraform-home-online-fiction
* Ryan Reynolds has closed a deal for a "Deadpool" film. We can only hope it will be a better representation of the "Merc with a Mouth" than the first time Reynolds played Deadpool. http://deadline.com/2014/12/ryan-reynolds-deadpool-fox-x-men-1201309406/
* Hachette has finally won its battle with Amazon and are going to set their own prices for their e-books. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/14/technology/amazon-hachette-ebook-dispute.html?_r=1
* Yahoo reports that Ridley Scott may actually return to direct "Blade Runner 2," mostly because he thinks the script is that good. We can only hope he didn't think the same about the "Prometheus" script . . . . https://uk.yahoo.com/movies/ridley-scott-i-could-still-direct-blade-runner-104242760001.html
* Check out a sneak peek of the newest Avenger to get a solo book, the fantastic Squirrel Girl! The first issue of Unbeatable Squirrel Girl will be out next month. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/04/kraven-hunter-vs-squirrels-first-look-unbeatable-squirrel-girl-1/
* That season is almost upon us when Netflix offloads a bunch of its titles and picks up some new ones, and Slice of SciFi gave us a list of the titles we'll be gaining and losing. http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2014/11/28/goodbye-hello-from-netflix/
* Veronique Greenwood publishes a piece in the NY Times about her Great-Great-Aunt who worked with the Curies and discovered Francium. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/07/magazine/my-great-great-aunt-discovered-francium-and-it-killed-her.html?_r=1
* Peter Jackson explains why, without some sort of deal with the Tolkien estate, the third "Hobbit" movie will be the final film in Tolkien's world. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/peter-jackson-tolkien-estate-rights-753368
* Congratulations to Madhvi Ramani, who won both the inaugural Diverse Writers and the inaugural Diverse Worlds grants from the Speculative Literature Foundation. http://www.locusmag.com/News/2014/11/slf-grants/
* The Guardian has listed some of the Science Fiction and Fantasy books they consider to be the best of 2014. http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/dec/05/best-science-fiction-books-2014
* We may finally have a Jessica Jones for Marvel's Netflix original series. Apparently the role has been offered to Krysten Ritter. As long-time Jessica Jones fans, we're nervous about the choice, having never seen Ritter in a non-party-girl, high-fashion role, which is the polar opposite of the gritty, practical and street-smart Jones. However, Marvel has done well with its casting so far, so Ritter could end up being awesome, if she takes the role. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/04/found-jessica-jones-leads/
* Flavorwire has a list of 25 genre novels that they believe should be classics: http://flavorwire.com/492187/25-genre-novels-that-should-be-classics/view-all
* "Star Trek 3" is again without a director. Robert Orci, who stepped in after J.J. Abrams left to work on the new "Star Wars" film, is now out and no one seems to know why yet. http://sciencefiction.com/2014/12/05/breaking-roberto-orci-beamed-star-trek-3/
* Two online petitions are floating about to rename the bay bridge after Emperor Norton, though neither seems to have much momentum: http://sfist.com/2013/08/06/effort_to_rename_bay_bridge_after_e.php
* Dean Devlin explains why his plans to film "Independence Day" 2 and 3 simultaneously have now changed and what sort of delay this puts on the reboot of the "Stargate" film franchise in a new interview. http://www.nerdreport.com/2014/12/04/independence-day-2-exclusive-why-theyre-not-doing-2-sequels-at-once/
* With as much as we think we know about the Marquis de Sade, Jonathon Sturgeon points out that we don't actually know that much. http://flavorwire.com/491906/200-years-later-we-still-do-not-know-the-marquis-de-sade
* Cheryl Eddy over at io9 explores the history and the myths of the famous ghost ship the Mary Celeste: http://io9.com/what-happened-aboard-historys-most-baffling-ghost-ship-1667518366
* Kickstarter to fund a full-length documentary about San Francisco's own beloved Emperor Norton! Some of the interviews were filmed here at Borderlands; kick in a few dollars if you can: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2072206954/norton-the-first-americas-emperor
* Lastly, Patrick Rothfuss' charity Worldbuilders can use your support. http://www.worldbuilders.org/ Pat says he'll probably kiss a llama for the charity: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/14/books/review/inside-the-list.html?ref=books&_r=1
--------------------
Holiday Gift Guide
--------------------
It's December again! The perfect time for curling up with hot cocoa and a good book, and for picking up some great books for holiday gifts. Here as usual is our Opinionated Gift Guide to help you out. However, we're always happy to make custom suggestions for you or anyone in your life. We'll even wrap 'em for you! (A special note to those of you purchasing presents: we're happy to gift wrap upon request, although our typical caveats apply: first, if we're busy, you may have to wait a bit to have things wrapped, and, second, some staff members are much better than others at it. It is possible that your package may resemble a brightly wrapped Lovecraft-ian, batrachian, rugose, Thing of No Human Shape. For some customers, this is not a problem . . ."better than I can do!," they say. However, if you are concerned about our, ahem, abilities, we're also happy to just hand you the gift wrap, scissors and tape.)
All of us at Borderlands wish you a peaceful and comfortable holiday season, and an absolutely brilliant new year in 2015.
- Jude Feldman
Lots of Recommendations:
Two brand-new things - we have fun key tags from Cursed Clothes for $5 each. They are perfect for stocking stuffers, and we have Bates Motel ("With a mother's touch!"), The Overlook Hotel, Ghostbusters, the research station from "The Thing", and a few other fun options. We're also VERY excited to present unique Steampunk-inspired jewelry from Fire Selkie Creations <https://www.facebook.com/FireSelkieCreations>. We have over a dozen different necklaces created by this Oakland artist, ranging from $40 - $95. You MUST check them out.
Some great gifts for big fans - THE WORLD OF ICE AND FIRE: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Elio Garcia and Linda Antonsson (Bantam, Oversized Hardcover, $50.00) This is a stunning coffee-table book with history, backstories, snippets, awe-inspiring artwork, and so much more. It's like THE SILMARILLION for Westeros, except it didn't lull me to sleep! If your friends haven't read it yet, THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss (DAW, Hardcover, $18.95) is a beautiful, strange little novella that follows Auri and takes place in the Kingkiller world, under the University. PRINCE LESTAT by Anne Rice (Knopf, Hardcover, $28.95) finds the author returning to her roots. Even the gloriously snarky New York Times Review ("Although the style, mixing celebrity-worshiping gush with Gothic portentousness, is, not to put too fine a point on it, nutty, Rice wielded it with amazing self-assurance, as if it were inevitable, something that had been waiting to be discovered. That’s what all pop-culture geniuses do, in their different ways. And over nearly four decades and many, many books, she has seen no reason to change it. In "Prince Lestat," the first Vampire Chronicles novel in a decade, Rice’s queenly prose is unaltered.") admits that fans will love this book. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson (Putnam, Hardcover, $28.95) is another mind-blowing adventure from this science fiction master. Sandman fans will swoon over the new DUST COVERS: THE SELECTED SANDMAN COVERS by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean (Vertigo, Hardcover, $49.99).
Signed books - We've still got a few signed copies of John Scalzi's LOCK IN (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99) a wonderful sort-of mystery novel set in a future where a terrible disease has pushed VR tech to an incredible new level. We've also got lots of signed books from Seanan McGuire, aka Mira Grant, including the new Parasitology novel SYMBIONT (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00). Here are just a few of the authors who have been kind enough to stop in and sign things for us recently -- just let us know if you want us to reserve a book: Juliet Blackwell, Gail Carriger, Steven Erikson, Richard Kadrey, Laurie R. King, Nick Mamatas, Michael J. Martinez, F. Paul Wilson. . .many, many others!
For the Lovecraft fan in your life, may I recommend the fantabulous (and huge, and heavy) NEW ANNOTATED H.P. LOVECRAFT, edited by Leslie Klinger, with an introduction by Alan Moore (Liveright, Oversize Hardcover, $39.95). You could also pick up THE NICKRONOMICON, by Nick Mamatas (Innsmouth Free Press, Trade Paperback, $13.00) - 13 twisted new stories!
For a change of pace, try noir for the holidays. THE LAST GOOD KISS by James Crumley (Vintage, Trade Paperback, $14.95) is one of my favorites. F. Paul Wilson called it "roadside noir - as dark as it gets"! You could also pick up Kelli Stanley's CITY OF DRAGONS, (Minotaur, Hardcover, $24.99 and Trade Paperback, $17.99) set in San Francisco's Chinatown, 1940. BLACKMAIL, MY LOVE by Katie Gilmartin (Cleis, Trade Paperback, $16.95) is a wonderful neo-noir murder mystery set in 1951 San Francisco, a dark age in queer history. And Katie wrote part of the book at Borderlands Cafe!
For a fluffier mystery, try Kerry Greenwood's adorable Phryne Fisher series, set in 1920's Melbourne and starring a plucky, rich, beautiful, and intelligent flapper. The first book is COCAINE BLUES (Poisoned Pen Press, Trade Paperback, $14.95) . Slightly more serious, but also featuring a wonderful heroine, I enjoyed the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, set in mid-30's London. The first book is MAISIE DOBBS (Soho Crime, Trade Paperback, $14.95).
As usual we have absolutely everything Edward Gorey for your holiday. Pick up an adorable "Bibliophile with Cats" puzzle, or stick with the classically morbid GASHLYCRUMB TINIES. We also have just a few of the prized Gorey "Fruitcake" cards, which are out of print, left!
Favorite geeks on your list might enjoy Randall Munroe's (of XKCD fame) new book WHAT IF? SERIOUS SCIENTIFIC ANSWERS TO ABSURD HYPOTHETICAL QUESTIONS (Houghton Mifflin, Hardcover, $24.95), which has actually hit the New York Times' Bestseller List. And if you're looking for a sampler, pick up either (or both!) ROGUES (Tor, Hardcover, $30.00) and DANGEROUS WOMEN (Tor, Hardcover, $32.50), both edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. There are many outstanding stories in both anthologies, and at least one story in each collection just blew me away. If you want something unusual and heart-wrenching that you know they won't have read, pick up BEING SMALL by Chaz Brenchley (Per Aspera, Trade Paperback, $12.99). This is a self-proclaimed "ghost story without a ghost" and it is both lovely and difficult to describe. I also loved AFTERPARTY by Daryl Gregory (Tor, Hardcover, $26.99), a quirky road novel about designer drugs, crime, more drugs, and (very peripherally) miniature bison.
Forever classics that are good for almost anyone: GOOD OMENS by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (Harper, Mass Market, $7.99) and THE PRINCESS BRIDE by William Goldman (Harvest, Mass Market, $8.95 or Harcourt, Hardcover, $25.00).
If you're having difficulty deciding, ask us for help with recommendations, or you could pick up a gift certificate and let them choose for themselves!
----------------
Best Sellers
----------------
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for November, 2014
Hardcovers
1. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
2. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
3. SYMBIONT by Mira Grant
4. HARVEST SEASON edited by Bill Roper
5. WAISTCOATS AND WEAPONRY by Gail Carriger
6. WILLFUL CHILD by Steven Erikson
7. FEAR CITY by F. Paul Wilson
8. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
9. REVIVAL by Stephen King
10. PRINCE LESTAT by Anne Rice
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
2. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
3. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
4. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 2 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin & Gardner Dozois
5. THE BULLET CATCHER'S DAUGHTER by Rod Duncan
6. EMPIRE OF DUST by Jacey Bedford
7. DARK CITY by F. Paul Wilson
8. HUMAN DIVISION by John Scalzi
9. HEIRS AND GRACES by Rhys Bowen
10. STARHAWK by Jack McDevitt
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
2. THE DARK DEFILES by Richard K. Morgan
3. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
4. HILD by Nicola Griffith
5. THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir
------------------------------
Book Club Information
------------------------------
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 14th, at 5 pm to discuss WOOL by Hugh Howey. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 21st, at 6 pm to discuss WOMAN ON THE EDGE OF TIME by Marge Piercy. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.
------------------------------
Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------
Amber Benson, THE WITCHES OF ECHO PARK (Ace, Trade Paperback, $15.00) Friday, January 9th at 7:00 pm - We are thrilled to welcome the lovely and talented Amber Benson back to Borderlands! Here's the info on her newest title from the publisher: "When Elyse MacAllister’s great-aunt Eleanora, the woman who raised her, becomes deathly ill, Lyse puts her comfortable life in Georgia on hold to rush back to Los Angeles. And once she returns to Echo Park, Lyse discovers her great-aunt has been keeping secrets -- extraordinary secrets -- from her. Not only is Lyse heir to Eleanora’s Victorian estate; she is also expected to take her great-aunt’s place in the Echo Park coven of witches. But to accept her destiny means to place herself in deadly peril -- for the world of magic is under siege, and the battle the witches now fight may be their last. . ." Don't miss this great chance to meet Amber and enjoy the new novel!
Shannon Page, OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS (Per Aspera Press, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, January 17th at 3:00 pm - We are happy to welcome Shannon Page, co-author (with Jay Lake) of OUR LADY OF THE ISLANDS to Borderlands! Sadly, Jay died of cancer in 2014, but the publisher believes he would be very proud of the presentation of this book. "It is a powerful tale of political intrigue, divine mystery, and swashbuckling naval battles. Graced with splashes of humor, this novel is full of cliffhangers that will keep you turning pages. Sian Kattë is a successful middle-aged businesswoman in the tropical island nation of Alizar. Her life seems comfortable and well-arranged. . . until a violent encounter one evening leaves her with an unwanted magical power. Arian des Chances is the wife of Alizar’s ruler, with vast wealth and political influence. Yet for all her resources, she can only watch helplessly as her son draws nearer to death. When crisis thrusts these two women together, they learn some surprising truths: about themselves, their loved ones, and Alizar itself. Because beneath a seemingly calm façade, Alizar’s people -- and a dead god --are stirring. . . ." Join us to meet Shannon and check out the novel that Publishers Weekly called one of the Best Books of 2014! http://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2014/sf-fantasy-horror#book/book-6
The triumphant return of SF in SF with authors Cecilia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson, at The Book Club of California, 312 Sutter Street Suite 500, Thursday, January 22nd - Time and details to come!
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge. You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event). For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs. If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you. We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you. Just give us a call or drop us an email. If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee. Call or email for details.
November 17, 2014
The Best Book for Old Hallows
by Devany Tesch
Since October has come to a close and the holiday season is blasting at full volume from every drugstore and supermarket, I’m already beginning to miss the cobwebs, fake blood and horrors of Halloween. Really, who can blame me?
As an antidote for the too early switch to day-light savings time, Christmas carols, and turkeys, I'm going to tell you about the best Halloween novel of all time.
Before I moved out to San Francisco, I grew up in North Carolina. I would come out to the West Coast to visit my family during the summers and holidays. On one night in particular, when I was trying to go to sleep before my flight back east, I was restless and completely unable to sleep. I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes closed and my heart kept racing. My dad heard me rolling around and came in to check on me. When I told him that I was restless and sleep was being particularly troublesome, he asked me what he could to do to help. I asked him to read me a story.
The book he chose was Roger Zelazny’s “A Night in the Lonesome October”, and while it did eventually manage to get me to sleep my Dad stayed up for more than two hours reading to me. That night I fell in love with that novel.
The first year I lived in San Francisco, I started feeling pretty lonely around the beginning of October. To cheer myself up, I asked my Dad if I could borrow his old copy of Zelazny’s novel. Not only did reading it cheer me up, it also set into motion a tradition I’ve kept for the past four years; reading through “A Night in the Lonesome October”, day by day, starting October first. Even disregarding my pleasant associations with that novel, it is the perfect Halloween story and one of Zelazny's most underrated works.
The book take place over the thirty one frightfully fun days of October, with each chapter dedicated to a single date. This set-up makes it perfect to read throughout the entire month, getting the reader all set and ready for the final, terror-fueled night. I think of it as the advent calendar for October. Zelazny uses a wide cast of characters. pulling from all the great classics in fright; Jack the Ripper, Witches, Dracula, Frankenstein and his Monster and many more. But none of these big name stars is the narrator nor are they central to the action.
Instead the focus is on their familiar animals, primarily Snuff, the companion to Jack the Ripper, through whose canine point of view the story is told. Each familiar has a distinctive voice and presence and adds to the character of whatever master they serve. This structure makes the story approachable for all ages. Adults will get a kick out of the macabre humor and the many nods to classic literary monsters, while the kids have the entertaining and wacky animals to focus on, without getting too scared.
This book, to my mind, is a prime example of the art of “show, don’t tell”. Throughout the story, the reader is given bits and pieces of information about the ancient "game" which all the "players" have gathered to complete. At the outset, the players and their familiars clearly know more than we do, but as the story progresses the curtains are opened by increments to shed light on the story at just the right time to keep the reader interested, but still thoroughly in the dark. The mystery of the book is part of its charm and appeal and, even after the central secret has been revealed, the reader is drawn to continue to the resolution.
It is so full of fine details and clever bits of writing, not to mention sly references to classic horror stories, that it has stood up tremendously well to multiple readings. I suppose that at some point I might stop re-reading it but I can't see that happening anytime soon.
Since October has come to a close and the holiday season is blasting at full volume from every drugstore and supermarket, I’m already beginning to miss the cobwebs, fake blood and horrors of Halloween. Really, who can blame me?
As an antidote for the too early switch to day-light savings time, Christmas carols, and turkeys, I'm going to tell you about the best Halloween novel of all time.
Before I moved out to San Francisco, I grew up in North Carolina. I would come out to the West Coast to visit my family during the summers and holidays. On one night in particular, when I was trying to go to sleep before my flight back east, I was restless and completely unable to sleep. I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes closed and my heart kept racing. My dad heard me rolling around and came in to check on me. When I told him that I was restless and sleep was being particularly troublesome, he asked me what he could to do to help. I asked him to read me a story.
The book he chose was Roger Zelazny’s “A Night in the Lonesome October”, and while it did eventually manage to get me to sleep my Dad stayed up for more than two hours reading to me. That night I fell in love with that novel.
The first year I lived in San Francisco, I started feeling pretty lonely around the beginning of October. To cheer myself up, I asked my Dad if I could borrow his old copy of Zelazny’s novel. Not only did reading it cheer me up, it also set into motion a tradition I’ve kept for the past four years; reading through “A Night in the Lonesome October”, day by day, starting October first. Even disregarding my pleasant associations with that novel, it is the perfect Halloween story and one of Zelazny's most underrated works.
The book take place over the thirty one frightfully fun days of October, with each chapter dedicated to a single date. This set-up makes it perfect to read throughout the entire month, getting the reader all set and ready for the final, terror-fueled night. I think of it as the advent calendar for October. Zelazny uses a wide cast of characters. pulling from all the great classics in fright; Jack the Ripper, Witches, Dracula, Frankenstein and his Monster and many more. But none of these big name stars is the narrator nor are they central to the action.
Instead the focus is on their familiar animals, primarily Snuff, the companion to Jack the Ripper, through whose canine point of view the story is told. Each familiar has a distinctive voice and presence and adds to the character of whatever master they serve. This structure makes the story approachable for all ages. Adults will get a kick out of the macabre humor and the many nods to classic literary monsters, while the kids have the entertaining and wacky animals to focus on, without getting too scared.
This book, to my mind, is a prime example of the art of “show, don’t tell”. Throughout the story, the reader is given bits and pieces of information about the ancient "game" which all the "players" have gathered to complete. At the outset, the players and their familiars clearly know more than we do, but as the story progresses the curtains are opened by increments to shed light on the story at just the right time to keep the reader interested, but still thoroughly in the dark. The mystery of the book is part of its charm and appeal and, even after the central secret has been revealed, the reader is drawn to continue to the resolution.
It is so full of fine details and clever bits of writing, not to mention sly references to classic horror stories, that it has stood up tremendously well to multiple readings. I suppose that at some point I might stop re-reading it but I can't see that happening anytime soon.
October Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
2. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
3. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
4. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
5. THE DOUBT FACTORY by Paolo Bacigalupi
6. BLOOD OF OLYMPUS by Rick Riordan
7. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
8. HAWK by Steven Brust
9. GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM: THE WORLD'S HEROES SAVE THE NIGHT/ SUENO BUENO, SUENO MALO by Juan Calle & Serena Valentino
10. THE BROTHERS CABAL by Jonathan L. Howard
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. SABRIEL by Garth Nix
2. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin
3. THE NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss
4. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
5. INCREMENTALISTS by Steven Burst & Skyler White
6. LIRAEL by Garth Nix
7. ACROSS THE WALL by Garth Nix
8. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
9. BASTION by Mercedes Lackey
10. PERILOUS SHIELD by Jack Campbell
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
2. VANISHING POINT - TUNE VOL. 1 by Derek Kirk Kim
3. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
4. PROPHECIES, LIBELS & DREAMS by Ysabeau S. Wilce
5. THE DARK DEFILES by Richard K. Morgan
1. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
2. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
3. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
4. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
5. THE DOUBT FACTORY by Paolo Bacigalupi
6. BLOOD OF OLYMPUS by Rick Riordan
7. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
8. HAWK by Steven Brust
9. GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM: THE WORLD'S HEROES SAVE THE NIGHT/ SUENO BUENO, SUENO MALO by Juan Calle & Serena Valentino
10. THE BROTHERS CABAL by Jonathan L. Howard
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. SABRIEL by Garth Nix
2. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin
3. THE NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss
4. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
5. INCREMENTALISTS by Steven Burst & Skyler White
6. LIRAEL by Garth Nix
7. ACROSS THE WALL by Garth Nix
8. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
9. BASTION by Mercedes Lackey
10. PERILOUS SHIELD by Jack Campbell
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
2. VANISHING POINT - TUNE VOL. 1 by Derek Kirk Kim
3. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
4. PROPHECIES, LIBELS & DREAMS by Ysabeau S. Wilce
5. THE DARK DEFILES by Richard K. Morgan
November News Roundup
* Overheard in the Store:
"You just called 'Westeros','Dextrose'! Westeros is the land. Dextrose is sugar. I am NEVER going to let you live that down."
"[H. P. Lovecraft] stories are like a magic-eye image of a goth Georgia O'Keefe painting. Just unfocus your eyes & witness the beginning and the end."
"Sometimes I forget to ask myself, 'Will doing this thing make me an a**hole?', & then I usually run into trouble."
* The wondrous Tanarive Due & Guest of Honor David Gerrold are scheduled to host Hugo Awards Ceremony. Can't wait! - https://www.facebook.com/david.gerrold/posts/10204191553801406?pnref=story
* Sad news: the SF/F Translation Awards are shutting down. Read their farewell here - http://www.sfftawards.org/?p=695
* An unpublished 1959 essay by Isaac Asimov is finally seeing the light of day. It was shared after Asimov left the GLIPAR contract. It's as valid now as it was then - http://www.technologyreview.com/view/531911/isaac-asimov-asks-how-do-people-get-new-ideas/
* And a triptych of Amazonian news:
Amazon and Simon & Schuster finally reach an agreement, but unfortunately since it's being kept super-secret-hush-hush it's impossible for us to tell which of them gave in more - http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/64461-s-s-amazon-agree-on-version-of-agency-pricing.html
Amazon is going to open physical store, which when you consider their beginnings and raison d'etre, makes about as much sense as a fur coat in August in Florida but . . . okay - http://online.wsj.com/articles/amazon-to-open-first-store-1412879124
And finally, Amazon releases their Diversity stats waaaay after other companies and the results are not exactly good, especially since they refuse to break down their numbers as other companies have: http://www.blackenterprise.com/career/top-careers/amazon-diversity-numbers/ & https://gigaom.com/2014/10/31/late-to-the-party-amazon-finally-publishes-its-diversity-numbers/
* The amazing and skilled Zilpha Keatley Snyder died on October 8th. This is a great loss to the children's/YA field and to us all. Zilpha was best known for her novels THE EGYPT GAME, THE HEADLESS CUPID, THE WITCHES OF WORM & the GREEN SKY TRILOGY, which lead to one of the first computer games (written by the book's author and considered canon, 1984's BELOW THE ROOT) - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/books/zilpha-keatley-snyder-author-of-eerie-childrens-tales-dies-at-87.html?_r=0
* For those of us who came up in the 80s/90s there is a new free fan-made Pokemon game that is sweeping the internetz! People who had no interest in Pokemon in their youth are enjoying this like never before - http://kotaku.com/fan-made-pokemon-game-is-more-exciting-than-the-real-th-1655072789/
* io9 give us their monthly list of the most exciting new SF/F books coming out in November - http://io9.com/the-most-exciting-new-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-1654859090
* The Geffen Awards, which are presented by the Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy, have announced their 2014 Winners - http://geffen.sf-f.org.il/?page_id=79
* Nicola Griffith wins the Washington State Book Award for her absolutely fantastic historical novel HILD: http://asknicola.blogspot.com/2014/10/hild-wins-washington-state-book-award.html
* Deliciously dark fan-made film catches the more serious side of Sabrina that's been recently explored in Archie comics - http://comicsalliance.com/sabrina-chilling-adventures-witch-girl-fan-film-video/
* Charlie Jane Anders and Abhimanyu Das give us a list of 20 Dr. Who plots that are based on actual science - http://io9.com/20-doctor-who-stories-that-are-based-on-real-science-1655056800
* Comics Master Bill Watterson has drawn a one page comic which will be a poster for this year's Angouleme festival - http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2014/comics-bill-wattersons-angou-poster-relevealed/#prettyPhoto
* In news of Mother Nature showing you that everything you thought you knew is wrong, Lucien Beaumont captures on film a lone porcupine fending off 17 lions and surviving- http://blog.londolozi.com/2014/10/a-prickly-encounter-lions-vs-porcupine/
* The excavation of a 3,400 year-old temple by seven residents of the apartments above results in their arrest - http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/114274/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Giza-men-arrested-after-digging-up-ancient-temple-.aspx
* Annalee Newitz breaks down why "Interstellar" is both the best and worst space opera you'll see - http://io9.com/interstellar-is-the-best-and-worst-space-opera-youll-ev-1654807305
* Four pieces of wonderful Marvel news:
Behind-the-scenes footage has arrived for both the upcoming Ant-Man film and Avengers: Age of Ultron - http://www.slashfilm.com/ant-man-footage-avengers-age-of-ultron/
Speaking of Ant-Man, significant changes to the synopsis for the Ant-Man movie clear some things up, sort of - http://screenrant.com/ant-man-new-synopsis-master-thief-heist/
Speaking of first views, the first view of the Agent Carter mini-series featuring Agent Peggy Carter during WWII has arrived and it looks amazing! http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Agent-Carter-Footage-Pump-You-Up-Series-68220.html
And finally, Marvel announced release dates for a string of nine films, fulfilling many geek dreams, wishes, and sacrifices by revealing that both Captain Marvel & Black Panther are getting feature films! - http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/28/marvel-confirms-movies-for-black-panther-captain-marvel-more
* So we've finally gotten the title for the new Star Wars film STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Head over here to see how this title might play into the latest rumors on Luke Skywalker's fate - http://sciencefiction.com/2014/11/06/official-title-star-wars-episode-vii-just-announced/
* Andy Serkis, everyone's favorite body motion actor, will be in the new Star Wars film, but is but he will also be voicing the antagonist in an upcoming Robin Hood-esque futuristic game called VOLUME by THOMAS WAS ALONE creator Mike Bithell- http://www.gamespot.com/articles/lord-of-the-rings-actor-andy-serkis-playing-villai/1100-6423334/
* George R.R. Martin says "No one ever gets the Iron Throne right" - http://www.businessinsider.com/george-rr-martin-no-one-gets-game-of-thrones-iron-throne-right-2014-10
* An interesting post on the decline of writing income, and how your class background and parents' economic status might limit your artistic dreams. A lot to chew on and talk about - http://www.nappertime.com/george-r-r-martins-sister-the-economics-of-being-a-writer/
"You just called 'Westeros','Dextrose'! Westeros is the land. Dextrose is sugar. I am NEVER going to let you live that down."
"[H. P. Lovecraft] stories are like a magic-eye image of a goth Georgia O'Keefe painting. Just unfocus your eyes & witness the beginning and the end."
"Sometimes I forget to ask myself, 'Will doing this thing make me an a**hole?', & then I usually run into trouble."
* The wondrous Tanarive Due & Guest of Honor David Gerrold are scheduled to host Hugo Awards Ceremony. Can't wait! - https://www.facebook.com/david.gerrold/posts/10204191553801406?pnref=story
* Sad news: the SF/F Translation Awards are shutting down. Read their farewell here - http://www.sfftawards.org/?p=695
* An unpublished 1959 essay by Isaac Asimov is finally seeing the light of day. It was shared after Asimov left the GLIPAR contract. It's as valid now as it was then - http://www.technologyreview.com/view/531911/isaac-asimov-asks-how-do-people-get-new-ideas/
* And a triptych of Amazonian news:
Amazon and Simon & Schuster finally reach an agreement, but unfortunately since it's being kept super-secret-hush-hush it's impossible for us to tell which of them gave in more - http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/64461-s-s-amazon-agree-on-version-of-agency-pricing.html
Amazon is going to open physical store, which when you consider their beginnings and raison d'etre, makes about as much sense as a fur coat in August in Florida but . . . okay - http://online.wsj.com/articles/amazon-to-open-first-store-1412879124
And finally, Amazon releases their Diversity stats waaaay after other companies and the results are not exactly good, especially since they refuse to break down their numbers as other companies have: http://www.blackenterprise.com/career/top-careers/amazon-diversity-numbers/ & https://gigaom.com/2014/10/31/late-to-the-party-amazon-finally-publishes-its-diversity-numbers/
* The amazing and skilled Zilpha Keatley Snyder died on October 8th. This is a great loss to the children's/YA field and to us all. Zilpha was best known for her novels THE EGYPT GAME, THE HEADLESS CUPID, THE WITCHES OF WORM & the GREEN SKY TRILOGY, which lead to one of the first computer games (written by the book's author and considered canon, 1984's BELOW THE ROOT) - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/books/zilpha-keatley-snyder-author-of-eerie-childrens-tales-dies-at-87.html?_r=0
* For those of us who came up in the 80s/90s there is a new free fan-made Pokemon game that is sweeping the internetz! People who had no interest in Pokemon in their youth are enjoying this like never before - http://kotaku.com/fan-made-pokemon-game-is-more-exciting-than-the-real-th-1655072789/
* io9 give us their monthly list of the most exciting new SF/F books coming out in November - http://io9.com/the-most-exciting-new-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-1654859090
* The Geffen Awards, which are presented by the Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy, have announced their 2014 Winners - http://geffen.sf-f.org.il/?page_id=79
* Nicola Griffith wins the Washington State Book Award for her absolutely fantastic historical novel HILD: http://asknicola.blogspot.com/2014/10/hild-wins-washington-state-book-award.html
* Deliciously dark fan-made film catches the more serious side of Sabrina that's been recently explored in Archie comics - http://comicsalliance.com/sabrina-chilling-adventures-witch-girl-fan-film-video/
* Charlie Jane Anders and Abhimanyu Das give us a list of 20 Dr. Who plots that are based on actual science - http://io9.com/20-doctor-who-stories-that-are-based-on-real-science-1655056800
* Comics Master Bill Watterson has drawn a one page comic which will be a poster for this year's Angouleme festival - http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2014/comics-bill-wattersons-angou-poster-relevealed/#prettyPhoto
* In news of Mother Nature showing you that everything you thought you knew is wrong, Lucien Beaumont captures on film a lone porcupine fending off 17 lions and surviving- http://blog.londolozi.com/2014/10/a-prickly-encounter-lions-vs-porcupine/
* The excavation of a 3,400 year-old temple by seven residents of the apartments above results in their arrest - http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/114274/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Giza-men-arrested-after-digging-up-ancient-temple-.aspx
* Annalee Newitz breaks down why "Interstellar" is both the best and worst space opera you'll see - http://io9.com/interstellar-is-the-best-and-worst-space-opera-youll-ev-1654807305
* Four pieces of wonderful Marvel news:
Behind-the-scenes footage has arrived for both the upcoming Ant-Man film and Avengers: Age of Ultron - http://www.slashfilm.com/ant-man-footage-avengers-age-of-ultron/
Speaking of Ant-Man, significant changes to the synopsis for the Ant-Man movie clear some things up, sort of - http://screenrant.com/ant-man-new-synopsis-master-thief-heist/
Speaking of first views, the first view of the Agent Carter mini-series featuring Agent Peggy Carter during WWII has arrived and it looks amazing! http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Agent-Carter-Footage-Pump-You-Up-Series-68220.html
And finally, Marvel announced release dates for a string of nine films, fulfilling many geek dreams, wishes, and sacrifices by revealing that both Captain Marvel & Black Panther are getting feature films! - http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/28/marvel-confirms-movies-for-black-panther-captain-marvel-more
* So we've finally gotten the title for the new Star Wars film STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Head over here to see how this title might play into the latest rumors on Luke Skywalker's fate - http://sciencefiction.com/2014/11/06/official-title-star-wars-episode-vii-just-announced/
* Andy Serkis, everyone's favorite body motion actor, will be in the new Star Wars film, but is but he will also be voicing the antagonist in an upcoming Robin Hood-esque futuristic game called VOLUME by THOMAS WAS ALONE creator Mike Bithell- http://www.gamespot.com/articles/lord-of-the-rings-actor-andy-serkis-playing-villai/1100-6423334/
* George R.R. Martin says "No one ever gets the Iron Throne right" - http://www.businessinsider.com/george-rr-martin-no-one-gets-game-of-thrones-iron-throne-right-2014-10
* An interesting post on the decline of writing income, and how your class background and parents' economic status might limit your artistic dreams. A lot to chew on and talk about - http://www.nappertime.com/george-r-r-martins-sister-the-economics-of-being-a-writer/
Upcoming Events
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm
Chaz Brenchley BEING SMALL (Per Aspera Press, Trade Paperback, $10.99) & BITTER WATERS (Lethe Press, Trade Paperback, $18) and Laurie R. King IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (Pegasus, Hardcover, $24.95) Sunday, November 9th at 3:00 pm
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm
Frankie Y. Bailey, THE RED QUEEN DIES (Minotaur Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Saturday, November 15th at 4:00 pm
Steven Erikson, WILLFUL CHILD (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Sunday, November 16th at 3:00 pm
Mira Grant, SYMBIONT (Orbit, Hardcover, $26) Tuesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 6th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Chaz Brenchley BEING SMALL (Per Aspera Press, Trade Paperback, $10.99) & BITTER WATERS (Lethe Press, Trade Paperback, $18) and Laurie R. King IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (Pegasus, Hardcover, $24.95) Sunday, November 9th at 3:00 pm
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm
Frankie Y. Bailey, THE RED QUEEN DIES (Minotaur Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Saturday, November 15th at 4:00 pm
Steven Erikson, WILLFUL CHILD (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Sunday, November 16th at 3:00 pm
Mira Grant, SYMBIONT (Orbit, Hardcover, $26) Tuesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 6th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Dispatches From the Border: November 2014
Events and News From Borderlands Books
----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm
Chaz Brenchley BEING SMALL (Per Aspera Press, Trade Paperback, $10.99) & BITTER WATERS (Lethe Press, Trade Paperback, $18) and Laurie R. King IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (Pegasus, Hardcover, $24.95) Sunday, November 9th at 3:00 pm
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm
Frankie Y. Bailey, THE RED QUEEN DIES (Minotaur Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Saturday, November 15th at 4:00 pm
Steven Erikson, WILLFUL CHILD (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Sunday, November 16th at 3:00 pm
Mira Grant, SYMBIONT (Orbit, Hardcover, $26) Tuesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 6th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)
-------
News
-------
* Overheard in the Store:
"You just called 'Westeros','Dextrose'! Westeros is the land. Dextrose is sugar. I am NEVER going to let you live that down."
"[H. P. Lovecraft] stories are like a magic-eye image of a goth Georgia O'Keefe painting. Just unfocus your eyes & witness the beginning and the end."
"Sometimes I forget to ask myself, 'Will doing this thing make me an a**hole?', & then I usually run into trouble."
* The wondrous Tanarive Due & Guest of Honor David Gerrold are scheduled to host Hugo Awards Ceremony. Can't wait! - https://www.facebook.com/david.gerrold/posts/10204191553801406?pnref=story
* Sad news: the SF/F Translation Awards are shutting down. Read their farewell here - http://www.sfftawards.org/?p=695
* An unpublished 1959 essay by Isaac Asimov is finally seeing the light of day. It was shared after Asimov left the GLIPAR contract. It's as valid now as it was then - http://www.technologyreview.com/view/531911/isaac-asimov-asks-how-do-people-get-new-ideas/
* And a triptych of Amazonian news:
Amazon and Simon & Schuster finally reach an agreement, but unfortunately since it's being kept super-secret-hush-hush it's impossible for us to tell which of them gave in more - http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/64461-s-s-amazon-agree-on-version-of-agency-pricing.html
Amazon is going to open physical store, which when you consider their beginnings and raison d'etre, makes about as much sense as a fur coat in August in Florida but . . . okay - http://online.wsj.com/articles/amazon-to-open-first-store-1412879124
And finally, Amazon releases their Diversity stats waaaay after other companies and the results are not exactly good, especially since they refuse to break down their numbers as other companies have: http://www.blackenterprise.com/career/top-careers/amazon-diversity-numbers/ & https://gigaom.com/2014/10/31/late-to-the-party-amazon-finally-publishes-its-diversity-numbers/
* The amazing and skilled Zilpha Keatley Snyder died on October 8th. This is a great loss to the children's/YA field and to us all. Zilpha was best known for her novels THE EGYPT GAME, THE HEADLESS CUPID, THE WITCHES OF WORM & the GREEN SKY TRILOGY, which lead to one of the first computer games (written by the book's author and considered canon, 1984's BELOW THE ROOT) - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/books/zilpha-keatley-snyder-author-of-eerie-childrens-tales-dies-at-87.html?_r=0
* For those of us who came up in the 80s/90s there is a new free fan-made Pokemon game that is sweeping the internetz! People who had no interest in Pokemon in their youth are enjoying this like never before - http://kotaku.com/fan-made-pokemon-game-is-more-exciting-than-the-real-th-1655072789/
* io9 give us their monthly list of the most exciting new SF/F books coming out in November - http://io9.com/the-most-exciting-new-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-1654859090
* The Geffen Awards, which are presented by the Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy, have announced their 2014 Winners - http://geffen.sf-f.org.il/?page_id=79
* Nicola Griffith wins the Washington State Book Award for her absolutely fantastic historical novel HILD: http://asknicola.blogspot.com/2014/10/hild-wins-washington-state-book-award.html
* Deliciously dark fan-made film catches the more serious side of Sabrina that's been recently explored in Archie comics - http://comicsalliance.com/sabrina-chilling-adventures-witch-girl-fan-film-video/
* Charlie Jane Anders and Abhimanyu Das give us a list of 20 Dr. Who plots that are based on actual science - http://io9.com/20-doctor-who-stories-that-are-based-on-real-science-1655056800
* Comics Master Bill Watterson has drawn a one page comic which will be a poster for this year's Angouleme festival - http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2014/comics-bill-wattersons-angou-poster-relevealed/#prettyPhoto
* In news of Mother Nature showing you that everything you thought you knew is wrong, Lucien Beaumont captures on film a lone porcupine fending off 17 lions and surviving- http://blog.londolozi.com/2014/10/a-prickly-encounter-lions-vs-porcupine/
* The excavation of a 3,400 year-old temple by seven residents of the apartments above results in their arrest - http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/114274/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Giza-men-arrested-after-digging-up-ancient-temple-.aspx
* Annalee Newitz breaks down why "Interstellar" is both the best and worst space opera you'll see - http://io9.com/interstellar-is-the-best-and-worst-space-opera-youll-ev-1654807305
* Four pieces of wonderful Marvel news:
Behind-the-scenes footage has arrived for both the upcoming Ant-Man film and Avengers: Age of Ultron - http://www.slashfilm.com/ant-man-footage-avengers-age-of-ultron/
Speaking of Ant-Man, significant changes to the synopsis for the Ant-Man movie clear some things up, sort of - http://screenrant.com/ant-man-new-synopsis-master-thief-heist/
Speaking of first views, the first view of the Agent Carter mini-series featuring Agent Peggy Carter during WWII has arrived and it looks amazing! http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Agent-Carter-Footage-Pump-You-Up-Series-68220.html
And finally, Marvel announced release dates for a string of nine films, fulfilling many geek dreams, wishes, and sacrifices by revealing that both Captain Marvel & Black Panther are getting feature films! - http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/28/marvel-confirms-movies-for-black-panther-captain-marvel-more
* So we've finally gotten the title for the new Star Wars film STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Head over here to see how this title might play into the latest rumors on Luke Skywalker's fate - http://sciencefiction.com/2014/11/06/official-title-star-wars-episode-vii-just-announced/
* Andy Serkis, everyone's favorite body motion actor, will be in the new Star Wars film, but is but he will also be voicing the antagonist in an upcoming Robin Hood-esque futuristic game called VOLUME by THOMAS WAS ALONE creator Mike Bithell- http://www.gamespot.com/articles/lord-of-the-rings-actor-andy-serkis-playing-villai/1100-6423334/
* George R.R. Martin says "No one ever gets the Iron Throne right" - http://www.businessinsider.com/george-rr-martin-no-one-gets-game-of-thrones-iron-throne-right-2014-10
* An interesting post on the decline of writing income, and how your class background and parents' economic status might limit your artistic dreams. A lot to chew on and talk about - http://www.nappertime.com/george-r-r-martins-sister-the-economics-of-being-a-writer/
--------------------
From The Office
--------------------
The Best Book for Old Hallows
by Devany Tesch
Since October has come to a close and the holiday season is blasting at full volume from every drugstore and supermarket, I’m already beginning to miss the cobwebs, fake blood and horrors of Halloween. Really, who can blame me?
As an antidote for the too early switch to day-light savings time, Christmas carols, and turkeys, I'm going to tell you about the best Halloween novel of all time.
Before I moved out to San Francisco, I grew up in North Carolina. I would come out to the West Coast to visit my family during the summers and holidays. On one night in particular, when I was trying to go to sleep before my flight back east, I was restless and completely unable to sleep. I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes closed and my heart kept racing. My dad heard me rolling around and came in to check on me. When I told him that I was restless and sleep was being particularly troublesome, he asked me what he could to do to help. I asked him to read me a story.
The book he chose was Roger Zelazny’s “A Night in the Lonesome October”, and while it did eventually manage to get me to sleep my Dad stayed up for more than two hours reading to me. That night I fell in love with that novel.
The first year I lived in San Francisco, I started feeling pretty lonely around the beginning of October. To cheer myself up, I asked my Dad if I could borrow his old copy of Zelazny’s novel. Not only did reading it cheer me up, it also set into motion a tradition I’ve kept for the past four years; reading through “A Night in the Lonesome October”, day by day, starting October first. Even disregarding my pleasant associations with that novel, it is the perfect Halloween story and one of Zelazny's most underrated works.
The book take place over the thirty one frightfully fun days of October, with each chapter dedicated to a single date. This set-up makes it perfect to read throughout the entire month, getting the reader all set and ready for the final, terror-fueled night. I think of it as the advent calendar for October. Zelazny uses a wide cast of characters. pulling from all the great classics in fright; Jack the Ripper, Witches, Dracula, Frankenstein and his Monster and many more. But none of these big name stars is the narrator nor are they central to the action.
Instead the focus is on their familiar animals, primarily Snuff, the companion to Jack the Ripper, through whose canine point of view the story is told. Each familiar has a distinctive voice and presence and adds to the character of whatever master they serve. This structure makes the story approachable for all ages. Adults will get a kick out of the macabre humor and the many nods to classic literary monsters, while the kids have the entertaining and wacky animals to focus on, without getting too scared.
This book, to my mind, is a prime example of the art of “show, don’t tell”. Throughout the story, the reader is given bits and pieces of information about the ancient "game" which all the "players" have gathered to complete. At the outset, the players and their familiars clearly know more than we do, but as the story progresses the curtains are opened by increments to shed light on the story at just the right time to keep the reader interested, but still thoroughly in the dark. The mystery of the book is part of its charm and appeal and, even after the central secret has been revealed, the reader is drawn to continue to the resolution.
It is so full of fine details and clever bits of writing, not to mention sly references to classic horror stories, that it has stood up tremendously well to multiple readings. I suppose that at some point I might stop re-reading it but I can't see that happening anytime soon.
----------------
Best Sellers
----------------
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for October, 2014
Hardcovers
1. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
2. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
3. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
4. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
5. THE DOUBT FACTORY by Paolo Bacigalupi
6. BLOOD OF OLYMPUS by Rick Riordan
7. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
8. HAWK by Steven Brust
9. GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM: THE WORLD'S HEROES SAVE THE NIGHT/ SUENO BUENO, SUENO MALO by Juan Calle & Serena Valentino
10. THE BROTHERS CABAL by Jonathan L. Howard
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. SABRIEL by Garth Nix
2. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin
3. THE NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss
4. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
5. INCREMENTALISTS by Steven Burst & Skyler White
6. LIRAEL by Garth Nix
7. ACROSS THE WALL by Garth Nix
8. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
9. BASTION by Mercedes Lackey
10. PERILOUS SHIELD by Jack Campbell
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
2. VANISHING POINT - TUNE VOL. 1 by Derek Kirk Kim
3. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
4. PROPHECIES, LIBELS & DREAMS by Ysabeau S. Wilce
5. THE DARK DEFILES by Richard K. Morgan
------------------------------
Book Club Information
------------------------------
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 9th, at 5 pm to discuss EIGHT MILLION GODS by Wen Spencer. The book for December is WOOL by Hugh Howey. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 16th, at 6 pm to discuss ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie. The book for December is WOMAN ON THE EDGE OF TIME by Marge Piercy. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.
------------------------------
Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm - Photographer Robert Shults looks for the sublime in his images of the Texas Petawatt Laser. This past spring, Austin-based fine art photographer Robert Shults visited the Texas Petawatt Laser, one of the most powerful lasers in the world. He wanted to capture "an observer's awe-struck perception of a seemingly sacred space where a brilliant but mortal group of men and women perform work normally reserved for the gods." The book features a scientific introduction by Dr. Todd Ditmire, director of the Texas Petawatt at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as an original science fiction story by award-winning author, mathematician, genius, artist and troublemaker Rudy Rucker. Additionally, each copy of the volume includes a unique bookmark made from specialized laser "burn paper" with an image etched directly onto its surface by the Texas Petawatt. You can read more about the fascinating process that brought Shults to the project here: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/24/robert-shults-vs-the-lasers/. Do not miss this incredible, very unusual event!
Chaz Brenchley BEING SMALL (Per Aspera Press, Mass Market, $10.99) & BITTER WATERS (Lethe Press, Trade Paperback, $18) and Laurie R. King IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (Pegasus, Hardcover, $24.95) Sunday, November 9th at 3:00 pm - Store favorite Chaz Brenchley returns to Borderlands with two new books! In BEING SMALL the horror of grief and growing up is exemplified by Michael and his mother who endeavor to keep Small -- the dead twin removed from Michael's body -- alive in spirit. This goal narrows their world & keeps them isolated. When Michael meets a house of men caring for their dying friend, he is drawn more and more into their world and away from the world he's always known -- but will Mother and Small let him leave? BITTER WATERS, Brenchley's newest short story collection and the first devoted to gay readers, will make you weep, sweat and bleed. The bitter waters are always inside of us and Brenchley brings them all out with his daring style and unique viewpoint. We are also thrilled to welcome Laurie R. King to Borderlands for the first time! World-renowned and respected for her Kate Matinelli mysteries, her Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes mystery series, and other fantastic books, she comes to us as co-editor of the anthology IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. Chosen by King and her co-editor Leslie S. Klinger, these stories come from authors spanning every genre from horror, to science fiction, to fantasy, to mystery, and more. What they all have in common is an appreciation of Doyle's genius detective. Lovingly curated and excellently chosen, these stories take the essence of Sherlock Holmes' canon and merge them with other worlds, other times, and other lives. Please join us to meet these two marvelous authors!
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm - We are thrilled and excited to welcome F. Paul Wilson back to Borderlands for the last chapter of "Repairman Jack: The Early Years, the prequel trilogy focusing on the formative years of Wilson's globally popular supernatural troubleshooter." From Macmillan's website: "The strands of Jack's life, established in the first two books, COLD CITY and DARK CITY, are now woven into a complete pattern. Centered around an obscure group of malcontents intent on creating a terrible explosion in New York City in 1993, Fear City shows the final stages of young Jack becoming Repairman Jack. It is a dark and terrible story, full of plots and needless mayhem, with secret agents, a freelance torturer, a secret society as old as human history, love, death, and a very bleak triumph. Jack threads his way through this intricate maze, as people he loves are stripped away from him in a way that presages the later epic series of novels."
Frankie Y. Bailey, THE RED QUEEN DIES (Minotaur Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Saturday, November 15th at 4:00 pm - We are delighted to welcome Frankie Bailey to Borderlands! Frankie is a criminal justice professor at UAlbany (SUNY). She won the George N. Dove Award for her research on mystery and crime fiction, and has been nominated for several other awards, including the Edgar, Agatha, and Anthony, and is the winner of a Macavity Award for African American Mystery Writers (2008). Frankie is a former Executive Vice President of Mystery Writers of America and a past president of Sisters in Crime. Her new near-future mystery sounds amazing! From the book description: "The year is 2019, and a drug used to treat soldiers for post-traumatic stress disorder, nicknamed "Lullaby," has hit the streets. Swallowing a little pill erases traumatic memories, but what happens to a criminal trial when the star witness takes a pill and can't remember the crime? When two women are murdered in quick succession, biracial police detective Hannah McCabe is charged with solving the case. In spite of the advanced technology, including a city-wide surveillance program, a third woman is soon killed, and the police begin to suspect that a serial killer is on the loose. But the third victim, a Broadway actress known as “The Red Queen,” doesn’t fit the pattern set by the first two murders. With the late September heat sizzling, Detective Hannah McCabe and her colleagues on the police force have to race to find the killer in a tangled web of clues that involve Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Fast-paced and original, this is a one-of-a-kind mystery from an extremely talented crime writer."
Steven Erikson, WILLFUL CHILD (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Sunday, November 16th at 3:00 pm - We're always happy to welcome Steven Erikson back to Borderlands! This time he's got a left-field treat for all of us -- a loving "Star Trek" pastiche/parody/tribute -- WILLFUL CHILD! From the book description: "From the New York Times Bestselling author Steven Erikson comes a new science fiction novel of devil-may-care, near calamitous and downright chaotic adventures through the infinite vastness of interstellar space. These are the voyages of the starship A.S.F. Willful Child. Its ongoing mission: to seek out strange new worlds on which to plant the Terran flag, to subjugate and if necessary obliterate new life-forms, to boldly blow the. . . And so we join the not-terribly-bright but exceedingly cock-sure Captain Hadrian Sawback and his motley crew on board the Starship Willful Child. . . . The New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Malazan Book of the Fallen sequence has taken his lifelong passion for Star Trek and transformed it into a smart, inventive, and hugely entertaining spoof on the whole mankind-exploring-space-for-the-good-of-all-species-but-trashing-stuff-with-a-lot-of-high-tech-gadgets-along-the-way, overblown adventure. The result is an SF novel that deftly parodies the genre while also paying fond homage to it." Check out a preview here: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/11/steven-erikson-willful-child-preview
Mira Grant, SYMBIONT (Orbit, Hardcover, $26) Tuesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm - Join us to meet Mira Grant and check out the terrifying sequel to PARASITE! From the book description: "The SymboGen designed tapeworms were created to relieve humanity of disease and sickness. But the implants in the majority of the world's population began attacking their hosts, turning them into a ravenous horde.
Now those who do not appear to be afflicted are being gathered for quarantine as panic spreads, but Sal and her companions must discover how the tapeworms are taking over their hosts, what their eventual goal is, and how they can be stopped." Don't miss the opportunity to get your book signed and have your skin crawl when you realize that the enemy is _inside us_.
Sister in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 6th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Join us and more than a dozen fabulous local mystery writers for a fun holiday party! There will be light refreshments and the chance to mingle with, and get books signed by, fantastic authors including Juliet Blackwell, Diana Chambers, Reece Hirsch, R. Franklin James, Susan Spann, CJ Verburg, and many others. Don't miss this chance to meet so many authors all at the same time, and enjoy a rousing kick-off to the party season!
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge. You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event). For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs. If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you. We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you. Just give us a call or drop us an email. If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee. Call or email for details.
Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman
Guest Piece - Devany Tesch
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com
*******
----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm
Chaz Brenchley BEING SMALL (Per Aspera Press, Trade Paperback, $10.99) & BITTER WATERS (Lethe Press, Trade Paperback, $18) and Laurie R. King IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (Pegasus, Hardcover, $24.95) Sunday, November 9th at 3:00 pm
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm
Frankie Y. Bailey, THE RED QUEEN DIES (Minotaur Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Saturday, November 15th at 4:00 pm
Steven Erikson, WILLFUL CHILD (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Sunday, November 16th at 3:00 pm
Mira Grant, SYMBIONT (Orbit, Hardcover, $26) Tuesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 6th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)
-------
News
-------
* Overheard in the Store:
"You just called 'Westeros','Dextrose'! Westeros is the land. Dextrose is sugar. I am NEVER going to let you live that down."
"[H. P. Lovecraft] stories are like a magic-eye image of a goth Georgia O'Keefe painting. Just unfocus your eyes & witness the beginning and the end."
"Sometimes I forget to ask myself, 'Will doing this thing make me an a**hole?', & then I usually run into trouble."
* The wondrous Tanarive Due & Guest of Honor David Gerrold are scheduled to host Hugo Awards Ceremony. Can't wait! - https://www.facebook.com/david.gerrold/posts/10204191553801406?pnref=story
* Sad news: the SF/F Translation Awards are shutting down. Read their farewell here - http://www.sfftawards.org/?p=695
* An unpublished 1959 essay by Isaac Asimov is finally seeing the light of day. It was shared after Asimov left the GLIPAR contract. It's as valid now as it was then - http://www.technologyreview.com/view/531911/isaac-asimov-asks-how-do-people-get-new-ideas/
* And a triptych of Amazonian news:
Amazon and Simon & Schuster finally reach an agreement, but unfortunately since it's being kept super-secret-hush-hush it's impossible for us to tell which of them gave in more - http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/industry-deals/article/64461-s-s-amazon-agree-on-version-of-agency-pricing.html
Amazon is going to open physical store, which when you consider their beginnings and raison d'etre, makes about as much sense as a fur coat in August in Florida but . . . okay - http://online.wsj.com/articles/amazon-to-open-first-store-1412879124
And finally, Amazon releases their Diversity stats waaaay after other companies and the results are not exactly good, especially since they refuse to break down their numbers as other companies have: http://www.blackenterprise.com/career/top-careers/amazon-diversity-numbers/ & https://gigaom.com/2014/10/31/late-to-the-party-amazon-finally-publishes-its-diversity-numbers/
* The amazing and skilled Zilpha Keatley Snyder died on October 8th. This is a great loss to the children's/YA field and to us all. Zilpha was best known for her novels THE EGYPT GAME, THE HEADLESS CUPID, THE WITCHES OF WORM & the GREEN SKY TRILOGY, which lead to one of the first computer games (written by the book's author and considered canon, 1984's BELOW THE ROOT) - http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/books/zilpha-keatley-snyder-author-of-eerie-childrens-tales-dies-at-87.html?_r=0
* For those of us who came up in the 80s/90s there is a new free fan-made Pokemon game that is sweeping the internetz! People who had no interest in Pokemon in their youth are enjoying this like never before - http://kotaku.com/fan-made-pokemon-game-is-more-exciting-than-the-real-th-1655072789/
* io9 give us their monthly list of the most exciting new SF/F books coming out in November - http://io9.com/the-most-exciting-new-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-1654859090
* The Geffen Awards, which are presented by the Israeli Society for Science Fiction and Fantasy, have announced their 2014 Winners - http://geffen.sf-f.org.il/?page_id=79
* Nicola Griffith wins the Washington State Book Award for her absolutely fantastic historical novel HILD: http://asknicola.blogspot.com/2014/10/hild-wins-washington-state-book-award.html
* Deliciously dark fan-made film catches the more serious side of Sabrina that's been recently explored in Archie comics - http://comicsalliance.com/sabrina-chilling-adventures-witch-girl-fan-film-video/
* Charlie Jane Anders and Abhimanyu Das give us a list of 20 Dr. Who plots that are based on actual science - http://io9.com/20-doctor-who-stories-that-are-based-on-real-science-1655056800
* Comics Master Bill Watterson has drawn a one page comic which will be a poster for this year's Angouleme festival - http://www.forbiddenplanet.co.uk/blog/2014/comics-bill-wattersons-angou-poster-relevealed/#prettyPhoto
* In news of Mother Nature showing you that everything you thought you knew is wrong, Lucien Beaumont captures on film a lone porcupine fending off 17 lions and surviving- http://blog.londolozi.com/2014/10/a-prickly-encounter-lions-vs-porcupine/
* The excavation of a 3,400 year-old temple by seven residents of the apartments above results in their arrest - http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/9/40/114274/Heritage/Ancient-Egypt/Giza-men-arrested-after-digging-up-ancient-temple-.aspx
* Annalee Newitz breaks down why "Interstellar" is both the best and worst space opera you'll see - http://io9.com/interstellar-is-the-best-and-worst-space-opera-youll-ev-1654807305
* Four pieces of wonderful Marvel news:
Behind-the-scenes footage has arrived for both the upcoming Ant-Man film and Avengers: Age of Ultron - http://www.slashfilm.com/ant-man-footage-avengers-age-of-ultron/
Speaking of Ant-Man, significant changes to the synopsis for the Ant-Man movie clear some things up, sort of - http://screenrant.com/ant-man-new-synopsis-master-thief-heist/
Speaking of first views, the first view of the Agent Carter mini-series featuring Agent Peggy Carter during WWII has arrived and it looks amazing! http://www.cinemablend.com/television/Agent-Carter-Footage-Pump-You-Up-Series-68220.html
And finally, Marvel announced release dates for a string of nine films, fulfilling many geek dreams, wishes, and sacrifices by revealing that both Captain Marvel & Black Panther are getting feature films! - http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/10/28/marvel-confirms-movies-for-black-panther-captain-marvel-more
* So we've finally gotten the title for the new Star Wars film STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS. Head over here to see how this title might play into the latest rumors on Luke Skywalker's fate - http://sciencefiction.com/2014/11/06/official-title-star-wars-episode-vii-just-announced/
* Andy Serkis, everyone's favorite body motion actor, will be in the new Star Wars film, but is but he will also be voicing the antagonist in an upcoming Robin Hood-esque futuristic game called VOLUME by THOMAS WAS ALONE creator Mike Bithell- http://www.gamespot.com/articles/lord-of-the-rings-actor-andy-serkis-playing-villai/1100-6423334/
* George R.R. Martin says "No one ever gets the Iron Throne right" - http://www.businessinsider.com/george-rr-martin-no-one-gets-game-of-thrones-iron-throne-right-2014-10
* An interesting post on the decline of writing income, and how your class background and parents' economic status might limit your artistic dreams. A lot to chew on and talk about - http://www.nappertime.com/george-r-r-martins-sister-the-economics-of-being-a-writer/
--------------------
From The Office
--------------------
The Best Book for Old Hallows
by Devany Tesch
Since October has come to a close and the holiday season is blasting at full volume from every drugstore and supermarket, I’m already beginning to miss the cobwebs, fake blood and horrors of Halloween. Really, who can blame me?
As an antidote for the too early switch to day-light savings time, Christmas carols, and turkeys, I'm going to tell you about the best Halloween novel of all time.
Before I moved out to San Francisco, I grew up in North Carolina. I would come out to the West Coast to visit my family during the summers and holidays. On one night in particular, when I was trying to go to sleep before my flight back east, I was restless and completely unable to sleep. I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes closed and my heart kept racing. My dad heard me rolling around and came in to check on me. When I told him that I was restless and sleep was being particularly troublesome, he asked me what he could to do to help. I asked him to read me a story.
The book he chose was Roger Zelazny’s “A Night in the Lonesome October”, and while it did eventually manage to get me to sleep my Dad stayed up for more than two hours reading to me. That night I fell in love with that novel.
The first year I lived in San Francisco, I started feeling pretty lonely around the beginning of October. To cheer myself up, I asked my Dad if I could borrow his old copy of Zelazny’s novel. Not only did reading it cheer me up, it also set into motion a tradition I’ve kept for the past four years; reading through “A Night in the Lonesome October”, day by day, starting October first. Even disregarding my pleasant associations with that novel, it is the perfect Halloween story and one of Zelazny's most underrated works.
The book take place over the thirty one frightfully fun days of October, with each chapter dedicated to a single date. This set-up makes it perfect to read throughout the entire month, getting the reader all set and ready for the final, terror-fueled night. I think of it as the advent calendar for October. Zelazny uses a wide cast of characters. pulling from all the great classics in fright; Jack the Ripper, Witches, Dracula, Frankenstein and his Monster and many more. But none of these big name stars is the narrator nor are they central to the action.
Instead the focus is on their familiar animals, primarily Snuff, the companion to Jack the Ripper, through whose canine point of view the story is told. Each familiar has a distinctive voice and presence and adds to the character of whatever master they serve. This structure makes the story approachable for all ages. Adults will get a kick out of the macabre humor and the many nods to classic literary monsters, while the kids have the entertaining and wacky animals to focus on, without getting too scared.
This book, to my mind, is a prime example of the art of “show, don’t tell”. Throughout the story, the reader is given bits and pieces of information about the ancient "game" which all the "players" have gathered to complete. At the outset, the players and their familiars clearly know more than we do, but as the story progresses the curtains are opened by increments to shed light on the story at just the right time to keep the reader interested, but still thoroughly in the dark. The mystery of the book is part of its charm and appeal and, even after the central secret has been revealed, the reader is drawn to continue to the resolution.
It is so full of fine details and clever bits of writing, not to mention sly references to classic horror stories, that it has stood up tremendously well to multiple readings. I suppose that at some point I might stop re-reading it but I can't see that happening anytime soon.
----------------
Best Sellers
----------------
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for October, 2014
Hardcovers
1. CLARIEL by Garth Nix
2. THE SLOW REGARD OF SILENT THINGS by Patrick Rothfuss
3. THE PERIPHERAL by William Gibson
4. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
5. THE DOUBT FACTORY by Paolo Bacigalupi
6. BLOOD OF OLYMPUS by Rick Riordan
7. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
8. HAWK by Steven Brust
9. GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM: THE WORLD'S HEROES SAVE THE NIGHT/ SUENO BUENO, SUENO MALO by Juan Calle & Serena Valentino
10. THE BROTHERS CABAL by Jonathan L. Howard
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. SABRIEL by Garth Nix
2. DANGEROUS WOMEN VOL. 1 edited by Geroge R.R. Martin
3. THE NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss
4. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
5. INCREMENTALISTS by Steven Burst & Skyler White
6. LIRAEL by Garth Nix
7. ACROSS THE WALL by Garth Nix
8. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
9. BASTION by Mercedes Lackey
10. PERILOUS SHIELD by Jack Campbell
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY SWORD by Ann Leckie
2. VANISHING POINT - TUNE VOL. 1 by Derek Kirk Kim
3. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
4. PROPHECIES, LIBELS & DREAMS by Ysabeau S. Wilce
5. THE DARK DEFILES by Richard K. Morgan
------------------------------
Book Club Information
------------------------------
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 9th, at 5 pm to discuss EIGHT MILLION GODS by Wen Spencer. The book for December is WOOL by Hugh Howey. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 16th, at 6 pm to discuss ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie. The book for December is WOMAN ON THE EDGE OF TIME by Marge Piercy. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.
------------------------------
Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm - Photographer Robert Shults looks for the sublime in his images of the Texas Petawatt Laser. This past spring, Austin-based fine art photographer Robert Shults visited the Texas Petawatt Laser, one of the most powerful lasers in the world. He wanted to capture "an observer's awe-struck perception of a seemingly sacred space where a brilliant but mortal group of men and women perform work normally reserved for the gods." The book features a scientific introduction by Dr. Todd Ditmire, director of the Texas Petawatt at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as an original science fiction story by award-winning author, mathematician, genius, artist and troublemaker Rudy Rucker. Additionally, each copy of the volume includes a unique bookmark made from specialized laser "burn paper" with an image etched directly onto its surface by the Texas Petawatt. You can read more about the fascinating process that brought Shults to the project here: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/24/robert-shults-vs-the-lasers/. Do not miss this incredible, very unusual event!
Chaz Brenchley BEING SMALL (Per Aspera Press, Mass Market, $10.99) & BITTER WATERS (Lethe Press, Trade Paperback, $18) and Laurie R. King IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES (Pegasus, Hardcover, $24.95) Sunday, November 9th at 3:00 pm - Store favorite Chaz Brenchley returns to Borderlands with two new books! In BEING SMALL the horror of grief and growing up is exemplified by Michael and his mother who endeavor to keep Small -- the dead twin removed from Michael's body -- alive in spirit. This goal narrows their world & keeps them isolated. When Michael meets a house of men caring for their dying friend, he is drawn more and more into their world and away from the world he's always known -- but will Mother and Small let him leave? BITTER WATERS, Brenchley's newest short story collection and the first devoted to gay readers, will make you weep, sweat and bleed. The bitter waters are always inside of us and Brenchley brings them all out with his daring style and unique viewpoint. We are also thrilled to welcome Laurie R. King to Borderlands for the first time! World-renowned and respected for her Kate Matinelli mysteries, her Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes mystery series, and other fantastic books, she comes to us as co-editor of the anthology IN THE COMPANY OF SHERLOCK HOLMES. Chosen by King and her co-editor Leslie S. Klinger, these stories come from authors spanning every genre from horror, to science fiction, to fantasy, to mystery, and more. What they all have in common is an appreciation of Doyle's genius detective. Lovingly curated and excellently chosen, these stories take the essence of Sherlock Holmes' canon and merge them with other worlds, other times, and other lives. Please join us to meet these two marvelous authors!
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm - We are thrilled and excited to welcome F. Paul Wilson back to Borderlands for the last chapter of "Repairman Jack: The Early Years, the prequel trilogy focusing on the formative years of Wilson's globally popular supernatural troubleshooter." From Macmillan's website: "The strands of Jack's life, established in the first two books, COLD CITY and DARK CITY, are now woven into a complete pattern. Centered around an obscure group of malcontents intent on creating a terrible explosion in New York City in 1993, Fear City shows the final stages of young Jack becoming Repairman Jack. It is a dark and terrible story, full of plots and needless mayhem, with secret agents, a freelance torturer, a secret society as old as human history, love, death, and a very bleak triumph. Jack threads his way through this intricate maze, as people he loves are stripped away from him in a way that presages the later epic series of novels."
Frankie Y. Bailey, THE RED QUEEN DIES (Minotaur Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Saturday, November 15th at 4:00 pm - We are delighted to welcome Frankie Bailey to Borderlands! Frankie is a criminal justice professor at UAlbany (SUNY). She won the George N. Dove Award for her research on mystery and crime fiction, and has been nominated for several other awards, including the Edgar, Agatha, and Anthony, and is the winner of a Macavity Award for African American Mystery Writers (2008). Frankie is a former Executive Vice President of Mystery Writers of America and a past president of Sisters in Crime. Her new near-future mystery sounds amazing! From the book description: "The year is 2019, and a drug used to treat soldiers for post-traumatic stress disorder, nicknamed "Lullaby," has hit the streets. Swallowing a little pill erases traumatic memories, but what happens to a criminal trial when the star witness takes a pill and can't remember the crime? When two women are murdered in quick succession, biracial police detective Hannah McCabe is charged with solving the case. In spite of the advanced technology, including a city-wide surveillance program, a third woman is soon killed, and the police begin to suspect that a serial killer is on the loose. But the third victim, a Broadway actress known as “The Red Queen,” doesn’t fit the pattern set by the first two murders. With the late September heat sizzling, Detective Hannah McCabe and her colleagues on the police force have to race to find the killer in a tangled web of clues that involve Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Fast-paced and original, this is a one-of-a-kind mystery from an extremely talented crime writer."
Steven Erikson, WILLFUL CHILD (Tor Books, Hardcover, $24.99) Sunday, November 16th at 3:00 pm - We're always happy to welcome Steven Erikson back to Borderlands! This time he's got a left-field treat for all of us -- a loving "Star Trek" pastiche/parody/tribute -- WILLFUL CHILD! From the book description: "From the New York Times Bestselling author Steven Erikson comes a new science fiction novel of devil-may-care, near calamitous and downright chaotic adventures through the infinite vastness of interstellar space. These are the voyages of the starship A.S.F. Willful Child. Its ongoing mission: to seek out strange new worlds on which to plant the Terran flag, to subjugate and if necessary obliterate new life-forms, to boldly blow the. . . And so we join the not-terribly-bright but exceedingly cock-sure Captain Hadrian Sawback and his motley crew on board the Starship Willful Child. . . . The New York Times bestselling author of the acclaimed Malazan Book of the Fallen sequence has taken his lifelong passion for Star Trek and transformed it into a smart, inventive, and hugely entertaining spoof on the whole mankind-exploring-space-for-the-good-of-all-species-but-trashing-stuff-with-a-lot-of-high-tech-gadgets-along-the-way, overblown adventure. The result is an SF novel that deftly parodies the genre while also paying fond homage to it." Check out a preview here: http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/11/steven-erikson-willful-child-preview
Mira Grant, SYMBIONT (Orbit, Hardcover, $26) Tuesday, November 25th at 7:00 pm - Join us to meet Mira Grant and check out the terrifying sequel to PARASITE! From the book description: "The SymboGen designed tapeworms were created to relieve humanity of disease and sickness. But the implants in the majority of the world's population began attacking their hosts, turning them into a ravenous horde.
Now those who do not appear to be afflicted are being gathered for quarantine as panic spreads, but Sal and her companions must discover how the tapeworms are taking over their hosts, what their eventual goal is, and how they can be stopped." Don't miss the opportunity to get your book signed and have your skin crawl when you realize that the enemy is _inside us_.
Sister in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Northern California Holiday Party, Saturday, December 6th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Join us and more than a dozen fabulous local mystery writers for a fun holiday party! There will be light refreshments and the chance to mingle with, and get books signed by, fantastic authors including Juliet Blackwell, Diana Chambers, Reece Hirsch, R. Franklin James, Susan Spann, CJ Verburg, and many others. Don't miss this chance to meet so many authors all at the same time, and enjoy a rousing kick-off to the party season!
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge. You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event). For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs. If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you. We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you. Just give us a call or drop us an email. If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee. Call or email for details.
Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Na'amen Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman
Guest Piece - Devany Tesch
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com
*******
October 07, 2014
September Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
2. THE GETAWAY GOD by Richard Kadrey
3. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
4. THE MAGICIAN'S LAND by Lev Grossman
5. EXO by Stephen Gould
6. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
7. ECHOPRAXIA by Peter Watts
8. SLEEPING LATE ON JUDGMENT DAY by Tad Williams
9. GOLDEN PRINCESS by S.M. Stirling
10. COLORLESS TSUKURU TAZAKI AND HIS YEARS OF PILGRIMAGE by Haruki Murakami
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
2. FRANKENSTORM by Ray Garton
3. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. HAPPY HOUR IN HELL by Tad Williams
6. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
7. OLD MAN'S WAR by John Scalzi
8. THE SHINING by Stephen King
9. CAPTAIN VORPATRIL'S ALLIANCE by Lois McMaster Bujold
10. HALF-OFF RAGNAROK by Seanan McGuire
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
2. ACCEPTANCE by Jeff VanderMeer
3. THE CORONER'S LUNCH by Colin Cotterill
4. ASSAIL by Ian C. Esslemont
5. ANNIHILATION by Jeff VanderMeer
1. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
2. THE GETAWAY GOD by Richard Kadrey
3. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
4. THE MAGICIAN'S LAND by Lev Grossman
5. EXO by Stephen Gould
6. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
7. ECHOPRAXIA by Peter Watts
8. SLEEPING LATE ON JUDGMENT DAY by Tad Williams
9. GOLDEN PRINCESS by S.M. Stirling
10. COLORLESS TSUKURU TAZAKI AND HIS YEARS OF PILGRIMAGE by Haruki Murakami
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
2. FRANKENSTORM by Ray Garton
3. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. HAPPY HOUR IN HELL by Tad Williams
6. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
7. OLD MAN'S WAR by John Scalzi
8. THE SHINING by Stephen King
9. CAPTAIN VORPATRIL'S ALLIANCE by Lois McMaster Bujold
10. HALF-OFF RAGNAROK by Seanan McGuire
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
2. ACCEPTANCE by Jeff VanderMeer
3. THE CORONER'S LUNCH by Colin Cotterill
4. ASSAIL by Ian C. Esslemont
5. ANNIHILATION by Jeff VanderMeer
October News Roundup
*Overheard in the Store:
"For me, bra shopping is like going to the dentist. I put off both of them until something is actually falling out."
"Working in a cafe is like living with a toddler; there's always something else that shouldn't be, but is, inexplicably sticky."
The 2015 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest has opened for submissions. They are looking for stories of near-future space exploration. Deadlines and other details here: http://www.baen.com/baenmemorialaward.asp
NBC has released an official synopsis and behind-the-scenes video featurette on its upcoming television adaptation of the comic book "Constantine". http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=108553
Unfortunately, as promising as it looks, NBC is also using the adaptation to wipe away Constantine's identity as a bisexual man: http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2014/07/28/op-ed-nbcs-straight-washing-john-constantine-bi-erasure
The 2014 Sunburst Literary Awards for excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic have announced their winners Ruth Ozeki and Charles De Lint! For shortlisted books, jurors, and information on past winners go here: http://www.sunburstaward.org/2014-sunburst-winners
The Science Fiction Poetry Association has presented both the Dwarf Star, for poetry 1-10 lines, and the Elgin Award, for chapbook and full-length book of poetry. First place winners are Mat Joiner, Helen Marshall and Bryan Thao Worra. For second- and third-place winners check out the SFPA website here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/dwarfstars.html and here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/el/14elgin.html
Fantasy and horror author Robert Jackson Bennett breaks down the huge gender issues with the blockbuster book/film "Gone Girl": http://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/blog/gone-girl-and-the-fallacy-of-the-weaponized-female-sexuality
Fans of "Battlestar Galactica" will want to check out the trailer to Syfy's new 6 hour mini-series "Ascension". Not only does it star BSG Alum Tricia Helfer, but it's all about shipboard tension. It's set on a an arc ship that, just as it nears the point of no return, discovers a mysterious murder that leads them to question everything. Check it out here: http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/09/30/syfy-ascension-tricia-helfer/
Osprey Publishing Group has sold the imprints Angry Robot (science-fiction & fantasy), Nourish (cookbooks) and Watkins (mind/body/spirit books) to American businessman Etan Ilfeld. http://angryrobotbooks.com/2014/09/angry-robot-news/
Warner Brothers is making another film of the Richard Matheson classic I AM LEGEND not even a decade after the Will Smith version grossed over half a billion dollars. For anyone who has even the littlest bit of hope that they might be more faithful to the original story? Get rid of that notion straightaway! The script is actually an original that has nothing to do with Matheson's book but that the writer is retrofitting to bear some resemblance to?! Read it for yourself: http://deadline.com/2014/10/i-am-legend-reboot-sold-by-iphone-salesman-warner-bros-will-smith-844507/
The Bradbury Estate Auction managed to raise nearly half a million dollars. Check out what sold and for how much here: http://natedsanders.com/Catalog.aspx?auctionid=37&displayby=2&lotsperpage=100&category=1
Charlie Jane Anders brings us news of a Kollywood science fiction film actually written, directed and starring a NASA scientist. Only time will tell if that is actually a good thing, but you can check out the trailer over at io9: http://io9.com/ex-nasa-scientist-writes-directs-and-stars-in-science-1641864984
New Zealand statistician Richard Vale has worked out a number of predictions for the future Game of Thrones novels, specifically how many POV chapters they'll have in upcoming works, based on previous installments. He freely admits that there are many issues with his formula, but it's still fun to play the guessing game. http://www.popsci.com/article/spoiler-alert-statistician-predicts-future-chapters-game-thrones-novels
In more Game of Thrones related news, you can now order a book and CD package called Living Language: Dothraki. It is being released this month with everything you need to master the fictional language. http://www.scifinow.co.uk/news/game-of-thrones-fans-teach-yourself-to-speak-dothraki/
Lou Anders, who has been editorial and art director of the sf/f imprint Pyr since its creation 10 years ago, has stepped down to focus on his writing career. Anders' first novel Frostborn was published this year by Crown Books. We wish Lou great success! http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/people/article/64071-anders-leaving-prometheus-books.html
Ursula K. LeGuin has been awarded the 2014 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Foundation. http://www.nationalbook.org/amerletters_2014_uleguin.html#.VDBmul6f_h5
Even though we've gotten hints and clips here and there, we finally have our first trailer for the new space film "Interstellar". The studio is being surprisingly tightlipped, so a lot of the plot of this movie is still unknown; even the actual running time is still unknown. However, the new trailer actually gives us a few answers: http://sciencefiction.com/2014/10/01/new-interstellar-trailer-reveals-movies-epic-mission/
The Sunburst Society announces the winners of its 3rd annual Copper Cylinder Awards, which are Guy Gavriel Kay and Cory Doctorow! http://coppercylinderaward.ca/2014-copper-cylinder-winners
Over at io9, Annalee Newitz writes about what exactly it would physically take to transform New York City into a Mega-city. She talks about issues like garbage, expansion and city walkways. Check out the whole thing here: http://io9.com/what-would-it-take-to-turn-new-york-into-a-megacity-1641252944
These 25 photos of mushrooms could easily be alien worlds -- creatures -- even machines. Check them out and get your imagination flowing. http://www.the-open-mind.com/25-stunning-photos-within-the-mystical-world-of-mushrooms/
NPR has picked up on the controversy surrounding the use of H.P. Lovecraft's image for the World Fantasy Award: http://www.npr.org/2014/10/04/353737040/horror-of-horrors-is-h-p-lovecrafts-legacy-tainted
We regret to announce the death of speculative author Eugie Foster, whose battle with cancer ended on September 27th. Eugie won the Nebula Award and was nominated for the Hugo for her short stories rich in amazing imagery and beautiful language. She published over one hundred short stories and had her work collected in numerous anthologies. Her unique voice will be missed. http://boingboing.net/2014/09/27/rip-eugie-foster.html
"For me, bra shopping is like going to the dentist. I put off both of them until something is actually falling out."
"Working in a cafe is like living with a toddler; there's always something else that shouldn't be, but is, inexplicably sticky."
The 2015 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest has opened for submissions. They are looking for stories of near-future space exploration. Deadlines and other details here: http://www.baen.com/baenmemorialaward.asp
NBC has released an official synopsis and behind-the-scenes video featurette on its upcoming television adaptation of the comic book "Constantine". http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=108553
Unfortunately, as promising as it looks, NBC is also using the adaptation to wipe away Constantine's identity as a bisexual man: http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2014/07/28/op-ed-nbcs-straight-washing-john-constantine-bi-erasure
The 2014 Sunburst Literary Awards for excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic have announced their winners Ruth Ozeki and Charles De Lint! For shortlisted books, jurors, and information on past winners go here: http://www.sunburstaward.org/2014-sunburst-winners
The Science Fiction Poetry Association has presented both the Dwarf Star, for poetry 1-10 lines, and the Elgin Award, for chapbook and full-length book of poetry. First place winners are Mat Joiner, Helen Marshall and Bryan Thao Worra. For second- and third-place winners check out the SFPA website here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/dwarfstars.html and here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/el/14elgin.html
Fantasy and horror author Robert Jackson Bennett breaks down the huge gender issues with the blockbuster book/film "Gone Girl": http://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/blog/gone-girl-and-the-fallacy-of-the-weaponized-female-sexuality
Fans of "Battlestar Galactica" will want to check out the trailer to Syfy's new 6 hour mini-series "Ascension". Not only does it star BSG Alum Tricia Helfer, but it's all about shipboard tension. It's set on a an arc ship that, just as it nears the point of no return, discovers a mysterious murder that leads them to question everything. Check it out here: http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/09/30/syfy-ascension-tricia-helfer/
Osprey Publishing Group has sold the imprints Angry Robot (science-fiction & fantasy), Nourish (cookbooks) and Watkins (mind/body/spirit books) to American businessman Etan Ilfeld. http://angryrobotbooks.com/2014/09/angry-robot-news/
Warner Brothers is making another film of the Richard Matheson classic I AM LEGEND not even a decade after the Will Smith version grossed over half a billion dollars. For anyone who has even the littlest bit of hope that they might be more faithful to the original story? Get rid of that notion straightaway! The script is actually an original that has nothing to do with Matheson's book but that the writer is retrofitting to bear some resemblance to?! Read it for yourself: http://deadline.com/2014/10/i-am-legend-reboot-sold-by-iphone-salesman-warner-bros-will-smith-844507/
The Bradbury Estate Auction managed to raise nearly half a million dollars. Check out what sold and for how much here: http://natedsanders.com/Catalog.aspx?auctionid=37&displayby=2&lotsperpage=100&category=1
Charlie Jane Anders brings us news of a Kollywood science fiction film actually written, directed and starring a NASA scientist. Only time will tell if that is actually a good thing, but you can check out the trailer over at io9: http://io9.com/ex-nasa-scientist-writes-directs-and-stars-in-science-1641864984
New Zealand statistician Richard Vale has worked out a number of predictions for the future Game of Thrones novels, specifically how many POV chapters they'll have in upcoming works, based on previous installments. He freely admits that there are many issues with his formula, but it's still fun to play the guessing game. http://www.popsci.com/article/spoiler-alert-statistician-predicts-future-chapters-game-thrones-novels
In more Game of Thrones related news, you can now order a book and CD package called Living Language: Dothraki. It is being released this month with everything you need to master the fictional language. http://www.scifinow.co.uk/news/game-of-thrones-fans-teach-yourself-to-speak-dothraki/
Lou Anders, who has been editorial and art director of the sf/f imprint Pyr since its creation 10 years ago, has stepped down to focus on his writing career. Anders' first novel Frostborn was published this year by Crown Books. We wish Lou great success! http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/people/article/64071-anders-leaving-prometheus-books.html
Ursula K. LeGuin has been awarded the 2014 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Foundation. http://www.nationalbook.org/amerletters_2014_uleguin.html#.VDBmul6f_h5
Even though we've gotten hints and clips here and there, we finally have our first trailer for the new space film "Interstellar". The studio is being surprisingly tightlipped, so a lot of the plot of this movie is still unknown; even the actual running time is still unknown. However, the new trailer actually gives us a few answers: http://sciencefiction.com/2014/10/01/new-interstellar-trailer-reveals-movies-epic-mission/
The Sunburst Society announces the winners of its 3rd annual Copper Cylinder Awards, which are Guy Gavriel Kay and Cory Doctorow! http://coppercylinderaward.ca/2014-copper-cylinder-winners
Over at io9, Annalee Newitz writes about what exactly it would physically take to transform New York City into a Mega-city. She talks about issues like garbage, expansion and city walkways. Check out the whole thing here: http://io9.com/what-would-it-take-to-turn-new-york-into-a-megacity-1641252944
These 25 photos of mushrooms could easily be alien worlds -- creatures -- even machines. Check them out and get your imagination flowing. http://www.the-open-mind.com/25-stunning-photos-within-the-mystical-world-of-mushrooms/
NPR has picked up on the controversy surrounding the use of H.P. Lovecraft's image for the World Fantasy Award: http://www.npr.org/2014/10/04/353737040/horror-of-horrors-is-h-p-lovecrafts-legacy-tainted
We regret to announce the death of speculative author Eugie Foster, whose battle with cancer ended on September 27th. Eugie won the Nebula Award and was nominated for the Hugo for her short stories rich in amazing imagery and beautiful language. She published over one hundred short stories and had her work collected in numerous anthologies. Her unique voice will be missed. http://boingboing.net/2014/09/27/rip-eugie-foster.html
Upcoming Events
Terry Shames, DEAD BROKE IN JARRETT CREEK (Seventh Street Books, Trade Paperback, $15.95) Sunday, October 12th at 3:00 pm
**CANCELED** Greg Bear, WAR DOGS (Orbit, Hardcover, $25.00) Wednesday, October 15th at 7:00 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Ways" with Cara Black, Juliet Blackwell, Michelle Gagnon, and Susan C. Shea Saturday, October 18th at 7:15 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds" with David Edison, Emily Jiang, Annalee Newitz, and Kim Stanley Robinson Saturday, October 18th at 8:30 pm
Serena Valentino GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM / SUEÑO BUENO, SUEÑO MALO (Immedium, Harcover, $15.95) Saturday, October 25th at 3:00 pm
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm
And, coming up in the Fall, don't miss Steven Erikson, Mira Grant, the Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Holiday Party, and much, much more!
**CANCELED** Greg Bear, WAR DOGS (Orbit, Hardcover, $25.00) Wednesday, October 15th at 7:00 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Ways" with Cara Black, Juliet Blackwell, Michelle Gagnon, and Susan C. Shea Saturday, October 18th at 7:15 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds" with David Edison, Emily Jiang, Annalee Newitz, and Kim Stanley Robinson Saturday, October 18th at 8:30 pm
Serena Valentino GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM / SUEÑO BUENO, SUEÑO MALO (Immedium, Harcover, $15.95) Saturday, October 25th at 3:00 pm
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm
And, coming up in the Fall, don't miss Steven Erikson, Mira Grant, the Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Holiday Party, and much, much more!
Dispatches From the Border: October 2014
Events and News From Borderlands Books
----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------
Terry Shames, DEAD BROKE IN JARRETT CREEK (Seventh Street Books, Trade Paperback, $15.95) Sunday, October 12th at 3:00 pm
**CANCELED** Greg Bear, WAR DOGS (Orbit, Hardcover, $25.00) Wednesday, October 15th at 7:00 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Ways" with Cara Black, Juliet Blackwell, Michelle Gagnon, and Susan C. Shea Saturday, October 18th at 7:15 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds" with David Edison, Emily Jiang, Annalee Newitz, and Kim Stanley Robinson Saturday, October 18th at 8:30 pm
Serena Valentino GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM / SUEÑO BUENO, SUEÑO MALO (Immedium, Harcover, $15.95) Saturday, October 25th at 3:00 pm
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)
And, coming up in the Fall, don't miss Steven Erikson, Mira Grant, the Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Holiday Party, and much, much more!
-------
News
-------
*Overheard in the Store:
"For me, bra shopping is like going to the dentist. I put off both of them until something is actually falling out."
"Working in a cafe is like living with a toddler; there's always something else that shouldn't be, but is, inexplicably sticky."
The 2015 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest has opened for submissions. They are looking for stories of near-future space exploration. Deadlines and other details here: http://www.baen.com/baenmemorialaward.asp
NBC has released an official synopsis and behind-the-scenes video featurette on its upcoming television adaptation of the comic book "Constantine". http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=108553
Unfortunately, as promising as it looks, NBC is also using the adaptation to wipe away Constantine's identity as a bisexual man: http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2014/07/28/op-ed-nbcs-straight-washing-john-constantine-bi-erasure
The 2014 Sunburst Literary Awards for excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic have announced their winners Ruth Ozeki and Charles De Lint! For shortlisted books, jurors, and information on past winners go here: http://www.sunburstaward.org/2014-sunburst-winners
The Science Fiction Poetry Association has presented both the Dwarf Star, for poetry 1-10 lines, and the Elgin Award, for chapbook and full-length book of poetry. First place winners are Mat Joiner, Helen Marshall and Bryan Thao Worra. For second- and third-place winners check out the SFPA website here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/dwarfstars.html and here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/el/14elgin.html
Fantasy and horror author Robert Jackson Bennett breaks down the huge gender issues with the blockbuster book/film "Gone Girl": http://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/blog/gone-girl-and-the-fallacy-of-the-weaponized-female-sexuality
Fans of "Battlestar Galactica" will want to check out the trailer to Syfy's new 6 hour mini-series "Ascension". Not only does it star BSG Alum Tricia Helfer, but it's all about shipboard tension. It's set on a an arc ship that, just as it nears the point of no return, discovers a mysterious murder that leads them to question everything. Check it out here: http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/09/30/syfy-ascension-tricia-helfer/
Osprey Publishing Group has sold the imprints Angry Robot (science-fiction & fantasy), Nourish (cookbooks) and Watkins (mind/body/spirit books) to American businessman Etan Ilfeld. http://angryrobotbooks.com/2014/09/angry-robot-news/
Warner Brothers is making another film of the Richard Matheson classic I AM LEGEND not even a decade after the Will Smith version grossed over half a billion dollars. For anyone who has even the littlest bit of hope that they might be more faithful to the original story? Get rid of that notion straightaway! The script is actually an original that has nothing to do with Matheson's book but that the writer is retrofitting to bear some resemblance to?! Read it for yourself: http://deadline.com/2014/10/i-am-legend-reboot-sold-by-iphone-salesman-warner-bros-will-smith-844507/
The Bradbury Estate Auction managed to raise nearly half a million dollars. Check out what sold and for how much here: http://natedsanders.com/Catalog.aspx?auctionid=37&displayby=2&lotsperpage=100&category=1
Charlie Jane Anders brings us news of a Kollywood science fiction film actually written, directed and starring a NASA scientist. Only time will tell if that is actually a good thing, but you can check out the trailer over at io9: http://io9.com/ex-nasa-scientist-writes-directs-and-stars-in-science-1641864984
New Zealand statistician Richard Vale has worked out a number of predictions for the future Game of Thrones novels, specifically how many POV chapters they'll have in upcoming works, based on previous installments. He freely admits that there are many issues with his formula, but it's still fun to play the guessing game. http://www.popsci.com/article/spoiler-alert-statistician-predicts-future-chapters-game-thrones-novels
In more Game of Thrones related news, you can now order a book and CD package called Living Language: Dothraki. It is being released this month with everything you need to master the fictional language. http://www.scifinow.co.uk/news/game-of-thrones-fans-teach-yourself-to-speak-dothraki/
Lou Anders, who has been editorial and art director of the sf/f imprint Pyr since its creation 10 years ago, has stepped down to focus on his writing career. Anders' first novel Frostborn was published this year by Crown Books. We wish Lou great success! http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/people/article/64071-anders-leaving-prometheus-books.html
Ursula K. LeGuin has been awarded the 2014 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Foundation. http://www.nationalbook.org/amerletters_2014_uleguin.html#.VDBmul6f_h5
Even though we've gotten hints and clips here and there, we finally have our first trailer for the new space film "Interstellar". The studio is being surprisingly tightlipped, so a lot of the plot of this movie is still unknown; even the actual running time is still unknown. However, the new trailer actually gives us a few answers: http://sciencefiction.com/2014/10/01/new-interstellar-trailer-reveals-movies-epic-mission/
The Sunburst Society announces the winners of its 3rd annual Copper Cylinder Awards, which are Guy Gavriel Kay and Cory Doctorow! http://coppercylinderaward.ca/2014-copper-cylinder-winners
Over at io9, Annalee Newitz writes about what exactly it would physically take to transform New York City into a Mega-city. She talks about issues like garbage, expansion and city walkways. Check out the whole thing here: http://io9.com/what-would-it-take-to-turn-new-york-into-a-megacity-1641252944
These 25 photos of mushrooms could easily be alien worlds -- creatures -- even machines. Check them out and get your imagination flowing. http://www.the-open-mind.com/25-stunning-photos-within-the-mystical-world-of-mushrooms/
NPR has picked up on the controversy surrounding the use of H.P. Lovecraft's image for the World Fantasy Award: http://www.npr.org/2014/10/04/353737040/horror-of-horrors-is-h-p-lovecrafts-legacy-tainted
We regret to announce the death of speculative author Eugie Foster, whose battle with cancer ended on September 27th. Eugie won the Nebula Award and was nominated for the Hugo for her short stories rich in amazing imagery and beautiful language. She published over one hundred short stories and had her work collected in numerous anthologies. Her unique voice will be missed. http://boingboing.net/2014/09/27/rip-eugie-foster.html
--------------------
From The Office
--------------------
Will return next month.
----------------
Best Sellers
----------------
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for September, 2014
Hardcovers
1. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
2. THE GETAWAY GOD by Richard Kadrey
3. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
4. THE MAGICIAN'S LAND by Lev Grossman
5. EXO by Stephen Gould
6. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
7. ECHOPRAXIA by Peter Watts
8. SLEEPING LATE ON JUDGMENT DAY by Tad Williams
9. GOLDEN PRINCESS by S.M. Stirling
10. COLORLESS TSUKURU TAZAKI AND HIS YEARS OF PILGRIMAGE by Haruki Murakami
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
2. FRANKENSTORM by Ray Garton
3. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. HAPPY HOUR IN HELL by Tad Williams
6. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
7. OLD MAN'S WAR by John Scalzi
8. THE SHINING by Stephen King
9. CAPTAIN VORPATRIL'S ALLIANCE by Lois McMaster Bujold
10. HALF-OFF RAGNAROK by Seanan McGuire
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
2. ACCEPTANCE by Jeff VanderMeer
3. THE CORONER'S LUNCH by Colin Cotterill
4. ASSAIL by Ian C. Esslemont
5. ANNIHILATION by Jeff VanderMeer
------------------------------
Book Club Information
------------------------------
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, October 12th, at 5 pm to discuss THE RESTORATION GAME by Ken Macleod. The book for November is EIGHT MILLION GODS by Wen Spencer. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, October 19th, at 6 pm to discuss THE CITY AND THE STARS by Arthur C. Clarke. The book for November is ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.
------------------------------
Upcoming Event Details
------------------------------
Terry Shames, DEAD BROKE IN JARRETT CREEK (Seventh Street Books, Trade Paperback, $15.95) Sunday, October 12th at 3:00 pm - We are delighted to welcome local author Terry Shames for the DEAD BROKE IN JARRETT CREEK launch party! Terry serves on the boards of the Northern California chapters of both Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, and her first two novels have gotten a fantastic reception. In the third novel in the series, her protagonist Samuel Craddock may well be in over his head -- "With the Jarrett Creek bankrupt and the police department in disarray, Samuel Craddock takes on a murder investigation. He discovers that the town's financial woes had nothing to do with incompetence and that murder is only one of the crimes he must solve." We do hope you'll join us to meet Terry and discover Craddock's world.
**CANCELED** Greg Bear, WAR DOGS (Orbit, Hardcover, $25.00) Wednesday, October 15th at 7:00 pm - Mr. Bear unfortunately had to have unexpected surgery, which will prevent him traveling to this event. We're happy to announce that Mr. Bear is recovering well, and we will hope to see him back in the Bay Area in the near future.
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Ways" with Cara Black, Juliet Blackwell, Michelle Gagnon, and Susan C. Shea Saturday, October 18th at 7:15 pm - We are delighted to once again take part in one of the most exciting literary events in San Francisco - the LitCrawl! This is a three-hour pub-crawl-style literary event with dozens of venues and hundreds of authors, all taking place right here in the Mission District. This year, meet mystery authors who will thrill, confound, and delight you with their stories! We are pleased to present: Cara Black, the New York Times bestselling author of 14 books in the Private Investigator Aimée Leduc series, which is set in Paris. Juliet Blackwell, the New York Times bestselling author of the Witchcraft Mystery series and the Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series, both based in San Francisco. Michelle Gagnon, an international bestselling author of thrillers for teens and adults. She splits her time between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and Susan C. Shea, who writes the Dani O'Rourke mysteries, featuring a museum fundraiser who spends far too much time with rich donors and her persistent ex.
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds" with David Edison, Emily Jiang, Annalee Newitz, and Kim Stanley Robinson Saturday, October 18th at 8:30 pm - Join us to travel to previously unimagined worlds and explore mind-blowing new concepts, without even leaving the bookstore! This year we're delighted to welcome the following authors: David Edison. who currently lives in San Francisco. THE WAKING ENGINE is his first novel, and its sequel, THE NOONDAY PLAGUE, is forthcoming in 2015. Read more at DavidEdison.com. Emily Jiang, who holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Saint Mary’s College of California. Her first book is SUMMONING THE PHOENIX, was a Borderlands’ April 2014 Bestseller. Annalee Newitz is the editor of io9.com, and the author of SCATTER, ADAPT AND REMEMBER: HOW HUMANS WILL SURVIVE A MASS EXTINCTION, and Kim Stanley Robinson, who is a science fiction writer, author of the Mars trilogy, GALILEO'S DREAM, 2312, and SHAMAN. His work has been translated into 24 languages. Don't miss this incredible lineup!
Serena Valentino GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM / SUEÑO BUENO, SUEÑO MALO (Immedium, Harcover, $15.95) Saturday, October 25th at 3:00 pm - Serena Valentino returns to show off her wonderful new book for children! From Kirkus Reviews: "Enlisting the powers of some awesome heroes transforms a child’s nightmares into commanding dreams in this bilingual flight of the imagination. Julio’s nightly search for monsters lurking in his room is interrupted by his father, who reminds the boy that “for every bad dream, you can have a good dream to help defeat your fears.” Papa lists all the conquering heroes for each scary creature. A mighty hunter will take care of a snarling mammoth, a crafty falcon will catch a scary scorpion, a strong wrestler will defeat a roaring jaguar, and so on. Julio’s confidence and assertiveness grow with each new dueling scenario Papa introduces." Bring your little ones to check out this charming and empowering story and meet the marvelous Ms. Valentino!
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm - Photographer Robert Shults looks for the sublime in his images of the Texas Petawatt Laser. This past spring, Austin-based fine art photographer Robert Shults visited the Texas Petawatt Laser, one of the most powerful lasers in the world. He wanted to capture "an observer's awe-struck perception of a seemingly sacred space where a brilliant but mortal group of men and women perform work normally reserved for the gods." The book features a scientific introduction by Dr. Todd Ditmire, director of the Texas Petawatt at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as an original science fiction story by award-winning author, mathematician, genius, artist and troublemaker Rudy Rucker. Additionally, each copy of the volume includes a unique bookmark made from specialized laser "burn paper" with an image etched directly onto its surface by the Texas Petawatt. You can read more about the fascinating process that brought Shults to the project here: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/24/robert-shults-vs-the-lasers/. Do not miss this incredible, very unusual event!
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm - We are thrilled and excited to welcome F. Paul Wilson back to Borderlands for the last chapter of "Repairman Jack: The Early Years, the prequel trilogy focusing on the formative years of Wilson's globally popular supernatural troubleshooter." From Macmillan's website: "The strands of Jack's life, established in the first two books, COLD CITY and DARK CITY, are now woven into a complete pattern. Centered around an obscure group of malcontents intent on creating a terrible explosion in New York City in 1993, Fear City shows the final stages of young Jack becoming Repairman Jack. It is a dark and terrible story, full of plots and needless mayhem, with secret agents, a freelance torturer, a secret society as old as human history, love, death, and a very bleak triumph. Jack threads his way through this intricate maze, as people he loves are stripped away from him in a way that presages the later epic series of novels."
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge. You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event). For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs. If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you. We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you. Just give us a call or drop us an email. If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee. Call or email for details.
-----------------------------
Featured Upcoming Titles
-----------------------------
(These titles have not arrived yet. You may pre-order any of these books by calling or emailing us. Prices may be subject to change. Of course, we have many more titles arriving each week . . . call or email us if you're curious about a particular upcoming title not listed here.)
Baxter, Stephen * Proxima * (Penguin/Roc, hc)
Baxter, Stephen * Ultima * (Orion/Gollancz, hc)
Brett, Peter V. * Messenger's Legacy * (Subterranean Press, nva, hc)
Card, Orson Scott * Visitors * (Simon Pulse, nvl-ya, hc)
Carey, Mike, & Linda Carey & Louise Carey * House of War and Witness * (ChiZine Publications, tpb)
Carriger, Gail * Waistcoats & Weaponry * (Little, Brown, nvl-ya, hc)
Czerneda, Julie E. * A Play of Shadow * (DAW, tpb)
Erikson, Steven * Willful Child * (Tor, hc)
Fleskes, John, ed. * Spectrum 21: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art * (Flesk Publications, anth, hc/tpb)
Fox, Andrew * The Bad Luck Spirits' Social Aid and Pleasure Club * (MonstraCity Press, tpb)
Grant, Mira * Symbiont * (Orbit US, hc)
Harris, Charlaine, & Toni L. P. Kelner, eds. * Games Creatures Play * (Quercus/Jo Fletcher, anth)
Harrison, Harry * Harry Harrison! Harry Harrison! * (Tor, nf, hc)
Herbert, Frank * Frank Herbert: Collected Stories * (Tor, cln, hc)
Huff, Tanya * The Future Falls * (DAW, hc)
Jones, Stephen, ed. * The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror: Volume 25 * (Skyhorse, anth, tpb)
King, Stephen * Revival * (Simon & Schuster/Scribner, hc)
Klima, John, ed. * The Best of Electric Velocipede * (Fairwood Press, anth, tpb)
Marillier, Juliet * Dreamer's Pool * (Penguin/Roc, hc)
Martin, George R. R., ed. * Wild Cards: Lowball * (Tor, anth, hc)
McDevitt, Jack * Coming Home * (Ace, hc)
Modesitt, L. E., Jr. * Heritage of Cyador * (Tor, hc)
Naam, Ramez * Apex * (Angry Robot US, tpb)
Pratt, Tim * The Deep Woods * (PS Publishing, nva, hc)
Sanderson, Brandon * Legion: Skin Deep * (Subterranean Press, hc)
Sherman, Delia * Young Woman in a Garden * (Small Beer Press, cln, tpb)
Shinn, Sharon * The Turning Season * (Ace, hc)
Williams, Sean * Crashland * (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, hc)
Abbreviations indicate --
hc=hardcover; tpb=trade paperback; otherwise mass-market pb, or we're not sure
cln=collection; om=omnibus; anth=anthology; nva=novella; otherwise novel
h=horror; nf=nonfiction; a=associational [non-sffh]; otherwise sf/fantasy
1st US editions (+) are books previously published in the UK or other countries; otherwise US and UK books listed as originals are 1st English language editions.
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.
Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Jude Feldman
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com
*******
----------------------
Upcoming Events
----------------------
Terry Shames, DEAD BROKE IN JARRETT CREEK (Seventh Street Books, Trade Paperback, $15.95) Sunday, October 12th at 3:00 pm
**CANCELED** Greg Bear, WAR DOGS (Orbit, Hardcover, $25.00) Wednesday, October 15th at 7:00 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Ways" with Cara Black, Juliet Blackwell, Michelle Gagnon, and Susan C. Shea Saturday, October 18th at 7:15 pm
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds" with David Edison, Emily Jiang, Annalee Newitz, and Kim Stanley Robinson Saturday, October 18th at 8:30 pm
Serena Valentino GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM / SUEÑO BUENO, SUEÑO MALO (Immedium, Harcover, $15.95) Saturday, October 25th at 3:00 pm
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)
And, coming up in the Fall, don't miss Steven Erikson, Mira Grant, the Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers of America Holiday Party, and much, much more!
-------
News
-------
*Overheard in the Store:
"For me, bra shopping is like going to the dentist. I put off both of them until something is actually falling out."
"Working in a cafe is like living with a toddler; there's always something else that shouldn't be, but is, inexplicably sticky."
The 2015 Jim Baen Memorial Short Story Contest has opened for submissions. They are looking for stories of near-future space exploration. Deadlines and other details here: http://www.baen.com/baenmemorialaward.asp
NBC has released an official synopsis and behind-the-scenes video featurette on its upcoming television adaptation of the comic book "Constantine". http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=108553
Unfortunately, as promising as it looks, NBC is also using the adaptation to wipe away Constantine's identity as a bisexual man: http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2014/07/28/op-ed-nbcs-straight-washing-john-constantine-bi-erasure
The 2014 Sunburst Literary Awards for excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic have announced their winners Ruth Ozeki and Charles De Lint! For shortlisted books, jurors, and information on past winners go here: http://www.sunburstaward.org/2014-sunburst-winners
The Science Fiction Poetry Association has presented both the Dwarf Star, for poetry 1-10 lines, and the Elgin Award, for chapbook and full-length book of poetry. First place winners are Mat Joiner, Helen Marshall and Bryan Thao Worra. For second- and third-place winners check out the SFPA website here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/dwarfstars.html and here: http://www.sfpoetry.com/el/14elgin.html
Fantasy and horror author Robert Jackson Bennett breaks down the huge gender issues with the blockbuster book/film "Gone Girl": http://www.robertjacksonbennett.com/blog/gone-girl-and-the-fallacy-of-the-weaponized-female-sexuality
Fans of "Battlestar Galactica" will want to check out the trailer to Syfy's new 6 hour mini-series "Ascension". Not only does it star BSG Alum Tricia Helfer, but it's all about shipboard tension. It's set on a an arc ship that, just as it nears the point of no return, discovers a mysterious murder that leads them to question everything. Check it out here: http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/09/30/syfy-ascension-tricia-helfer/
Osprey Publishing Group has sold the imprints Angry Robot (science-fiction & fantasy), Nourish (cookbooks) and Watkins (mind/body/spirit books) to American businessman Etan Ilfeld. http://angryrobotbooks.com/2014/09/angry-robot-news/
Warner Brothers is making another film of the Richard Matheson classic I AM LEGEND not even a decade after the Will Smith version grossed over half a billion dollars. For anyone who has even the littlest bit of hope that they might be more faithful to the original story? Get rid of that notion straightaway! The script is actually an original that has nothing to do with Matheson's book but that the writer is retrofitting to bear some resemblance to?! Read it for yourself: http://deadline.com/2014/10/i-am-legend-reboot-sold-by-iphone-salesman-warner-bros-will-smith-844507/
The Bradbury Estate Auction managed to raise nearly half a million dollars. Check out what sold and for how much here: http://natedsanders.com/Catalog.aspx?auctionid=37&displayby=2&lotsperpage=100&category=1
Charlie Jane Anders brings us news of a Kollywood science fiction film actually written, directed and starring a NASA scientist. Only time will tell if that is actually a good thing, but you can check out the trailer over at io9: http://io9.com/ex-nasa-scientist-writes-directs-and-stars-in-science-1641864984
New Zealand statistician Richard Vale has worked out a number of predictions for the future Game of Thrones novels, specifically how many POV chapters they'll have in upcoming works, based on previous installments. He freely admits that there are many issues with his formula, but it's still fun to play the guessing game. http://www.popsci.com/article/spoiler-alert-statistician-predicts-future-chapters-game-thrones-novels
In more Game of Thrones related news, you can now order a book and CD package called Living Language: Dothraki. It is being released this month with everything you need to master the fictional language. http://www.scifinow.co.uk/news/game-of-thrones-fans-teach-yourself-to-speak-dothraki/
Lou Anders, who has been editorial and art director of the sf/f imprint Pyr since its creation 10 years ago, has stepped down to focus on his writing career. Anders' first novel Frostborn was published this year by Crown Books. We wish Lou great success! http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/people/article/64071-anders-leaving-prometheus-books.html
Ursula K. LeGuin has been awarded the 2014 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters by the National Book Foundation. http://www.nationalbook.org/amerletters_2014_uleguin.html#.VDBmul6f_h5
Even though we've gotten hints and clips here and there, we finally have our first trailer for the new space film "Interstellar". The studio is being surprisingly tightlipped, so a lot of the plot of this movie is still unknown; even the actual running time is still unknown. However, the new trailer actually gives us a few answers: http://sciencefiction.com/2014/10/01/new-interstellar-trailer-reveals-movies-epic-mission/
The Sunburst Society announces the winners of its 3rd annual Copper Cylinder Awards, which are Guy Gavriel Kay and Cory Doctorow! http://coppercylinderaward.ca/2014-copper-cylinder-winners
Over at io9, Annalee Newitz writes about what exactly it would physically take to transform New York City into a Mega-city. She talks about issues like garbage, expansion and city walkways. Check out the whole thing here: http://io9.com/what-would-it-take-to-turn-new-york-into-a-megacity-1641252944
These 25 photos of mushrooms could easily be alien worlds -- creatures -- even machines. Check them out and get your imagination flowing. http://www.the-open-mind.com/25-stunning-photos-within-the-mystical-world-of-mushrooms/
NPR has picked up on the controversy surrounding the use of H.P. Lovecraft's image for the World Fantasy Award: http://www.npr.org/2014/10/04/353737040/horror-of-horrors-is-h-p-lovecrafts-legacy-tainted
We regret to announce the death of speculative author Eugie Foster, whose battle with cancer ended on September 27th. Eugie won the Nebula Award and was nominated for the Hugo for her short stories rich in amazing imagery and beautiful language. She published over one hundred short stories and had her work collected in numerous anthologies. Her unique voice will be missed. http://boingboing.net/2014/09/27/rip-eugie-foster.html
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From The Office
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Will return next month.
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Best Sellers
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Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for September, 2014
Hardcovers
1. LOCK IN by John Scalzi
2. THE GETAWAY GOD by Richard Kadrey
3. WHAT IF? by Randall Munroe
4. THE MAGICIAN'S LAND by Lev Grossman
5. EXO by Stephen Gould
6. THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS by M.R. Carey
7. ECHOPRAXIA by Peter Watts
8. SLEEPING LATE ON JUDGMENT DAY by Tad Williams
9. GOLDEN PRINCESS by S.M. Stirling
10. COLORLESS TSUKURU TAZAKI AND HIS YEARS OF PILGRIMAGE by Haruki Murakami
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. THE WINTER LONG by Seanan McGuire
2. FRANKENSTORM by Ray Garton
3. REPUBLIC OF THIEVES by Scott Lynch
4. THE THOUSAND NAMES by Django Wexler
5. HAPPY HOUR IN HELL by Tad Williams
6. WISE MAN'S FEAR by Patrick Rothfuss
7. OLD MAN'S WAR by John Scalzi
8. THE SHINING by Stephen King
9. CAPTAIN VORPATRIL'S ALLIANCE by Lois McMaster Bujold
10. HALF-OFF RAGNAROK by Seanan McGuire
Trade Paperbacks
1. ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie
2. ACCEPTANCE by Jeff VanderMeer
3. THE CORONER'S LUNCH by Colin Cotterill
4. ASSAIL by Ian C. Esslemont
5. ANNIHILATION by Jeff VanderMeer
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Book Club Information
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The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, October 12th, at 5 pm to discuss THE RESTORATION GAME by Ken Macleod. The book for November is EIGHT MILLION GODS by Wen Spencer. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, October 19th, at 6 pm to discuss THE CITY AND THE STARS by Arthur C. Clarke. The book for November is ANCILLARY JUSTICE by Ann Leckie. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.
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Upcoming Event Details
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Terry Shames, DEAD BROKE IN JARRETT CREEK (Seventh Street Books, Trade Paperback, $15.95) Sunday, October 12th at 3:00 pm - We are delighted to welcome local author Terry Shames for the DEAD BROKE IN JARRETT CREEK launch party! Terry serves on the boards of the Northern California chapters of both Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, and her first two novels have gotten a fantastic reception. In the third novel in the series, her protagonist Samuel Craddock may well be in over his head -- "With the Jarrett Creek bankrupt and the police department in disarray, Samuel Craddock takes on a murder investigation. He discovers that the town's financial woes had nothing to do with incompetence and that murder is only one of the crimes he must solve." We do hope you'll join us to meet Terry and discover Craddock's world.
**CANCELED** Greg Bear, WAR DOGS (Orbit, Hardcover, $25.00) Wednesday, October 15th at 7:00 pm - Mr. Bear unfortunately had to have unexpected surgery, which will prevent him traveling to this event. We're happy to announce that Mr. Bear is recovering well, and we will hope to see him back in the Bay Area in the near future.
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 2, "Mysterious Ways" with Cara Black, Juliet Blackwell, Michelle Gagnon, and Susan C. Shea Saturday, October 18th at 7:15 pm - We are delighted to once again take part in one of the most exciting literary events in San Francisco - the LitCrawl! This is a three-hour pub-crawl-style literary event with dozens of venues and hundreds of authors, all taking place right here in the Mission District. This year, meet mystery authors who will thrill, confound, and delight you with their stories! We are pleased to present: Cara Black, the New York Times bestselling author of 14 books in the Private Investigator Aimée Leduc series, which is set in Paris. Juliet Blackwell, the New York Times bestselling author of the Witchcraft Mystery series and the Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series, both based in San Francisco. Michelle Gagnon, an international bestselling author of thrillers for teens and adults. She splits her time between San Francisco and Los Angeles, and Susan C. Shea, who writes the Dani O'Rourke mysteries, featuring a museum fundraiser who spends far too much time with rich donors and her persistent ex.
Litquake LitCrawl, Phase 3, "New Worlds" with David Edison, Emily Jiang, Annalee Newitz, and Kim Stanley Robinson Saturday, October 18th at 8:30 pm - Join us to travel to previously unimagined worlds and explore mind-blowing new concepts, without even leaving the bookstore! This year we're delighted to welcome the following authors: David Edison. who currently lives in San Francisco. THE WAKING ENGINE is his first novel, and its sequel, THE NOONDAY PLAGUE, is forthcoming in 2015. Read more at DavidEdison.com. Emily Jiang, who holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Saint Mary’s College of California. Her first book is SUMMONING THE PHOENIX, was a Borderlands’ April 2014 Bestseller. Annalee Newitz is the editor of io9.com, and the author of SCATTER, ADAPT AND REMEMBER: HOW HUMANS WILL SURVIVE A MASS EXTINCTION, and Kim Stanley Robinson, who is a science fiction writer, author of the Mars trilogy, GALILEO'S DREAM, 2312, and SHAMAN. His work has been translated into 24 languages. Don't miss this incredible lineup!
Serena Valentino GOOD DREAM, BAD DREAM / SUEÑO BUENO, SUEÑO MALO (Immedium, Harcover, $15.95) Saturday, October 25th at 3:00 pm - Serena Valentino returns to show off her wonderful new book for children! From Kirkus Reviews: "Enlisting the powers of some awesome heroes transforms a child’s nightmares into commanding dreams in this bilingual flight of the imagination. Julio’s nightly search for monsters lurking in his room is interrupted by his father, who reminds the boy that “for every bad dream, you can have a good dream to help defeat your fears.” Papa lists all the conquering heroes for each scary creature. A mighty hunter will take care of a snarling mammoth, a crafty falcon will catch a scary scorpion, a strong wrestler will defeat a roaring jaguar, and so on. Julio’s confidence and assertiveness grow with each new dueling scenario Papa introduces." Bring your little ones to check out this charming and empowering story and meet the marvelous Ms. Valentino!
Robert Shults and Rudy Rucker, THE SUPERLATIVE LIGHT (Daylight Books, Paperback, $39.95) Saturday, November 8th at 3:00 pm - Photographer Robert Shults looks for the sublime in his images of the Texas Petawatt Laser. This past spring, Austin-based fine art photographer Robert Shults visited the Texas Petawatt Laser, one of the most powerful lasers in the world. He wanted to capture "an observer's awe-struck perception of a seemingly sacred space where a brilliant but mortal group of men and women perform work normally reserved for the gods." The book features a scientific introduction by Dr. Todd Ditmire, director of the Texas Petawatt at the University of Texas at Austin, as well as an original science fiction story by award-winning author, mathematician, genius, artist and troublemaker Rudy Rucker. Additionally, each copy of the volume includes a unique bookmark made from specialized laser "burn paper" with an image etched directly onto its surface by the Texas Petawatt. You can read more about the fascinating process that brought Shults to the project here: http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/24/robert-shults-vs-the-lasers/. Do not miss this incredible, very unusual event!
F. Paul Wilson, FEAR CITY (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99) Friday, November 14th at 7:00 pm - We are thrilled and excited to welcome F. Paul Wilson back to Borderlands for the last chapter of "Repairman Jack: The Early Years, the prequel trilogy focusing on the formative years of Wilson's globally popular supernatural troubleshooter." From Macmillan's website: "The strands of Jack's life, established in the first two books, COLD CITY and DARK CITY, are now woven into a complete pattern. Centered around an obscure group of malcontents intent on creating a terrible explosion in New York City in 1993, Fear City shows the final stages of young Jack becoming Repairman Jack. It is a dark and terrible story, full of plots and needless mayhem, with secret agents, a freelance torturer, a secret society as old as human history, love, death, and a very bleak triumph. Jack threads his way through this intricate maze, as people he loves are stripped away from him in a way that presages the later epic series of novels."
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge. You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event). For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs. If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you. We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you. Just give us a call or drop us an email. If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee. Call or email for details.
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Featured Upcoming Titles
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(These titles have not arrived yet. You may pre-order any of these books by calling or emailing us. Prices may be subject to change. Of course, we have many more titles arriving each week . . . call or email us if you're curious about a particular upcoming title not listed here.)
Baxter, Stephen * Proxima * (Penguin/Roc, hc)
Baxter, Stephen * Ultima * (Orion/Gollancz, hc)
Brett, Peter V. * Messenger's Legacy * (Subterranean Press, nva, hc)
Card, Orson Scott * Visitors * (Simon Pulse, nvl-ya, hc)
Carey, Mike, & Linda Carey & Louise Carey * House of War and Witness * (ChiZine Publications, tpb)
Carriger, Gail * Waistcoats & Weaponry * (Little, Brown, nvl-ya, hc)
Czerneda, Julie E. * A Play of Shadow * (DAW, tpb)
Erikson, Steven * Willful Child * (Tor, hc)
Fleskes, John, ed. * Spectrum 21: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art * (Flesk Publications, anth, hc/tpb)
Fox, Andrew * The Bad Luck Spirits' Social Aid and Pleasure Club * (MonstraCity Press, tpb)
Grant, Mira * Symbiont * (Orbit US, hc)
Harris, Charlaine, & Toni L. P. Kelner, eds. * Games Creatures Play * (Quercus/Jo Fletcher, anth)
Harrison, Harry * Harry Harrison! Harry Harrison! * (Tor, nf, hc)
Herbert, Frank * Frank Herbert: Collected Stories * (Tor, cln, hc)
Huff, Tanya * The Future Falls * (DAW, hc)
Jones, Stephen, ed. * The Mammoth Book of Best New Horror: Volume 25 * (Skyhorse, anth, tpb)
King, Stephen * Revival * (Simon & Schuster/Scribner, hc)
Klima, John, ed. * The Best of Electric Velocipede * (Fairwood Press, anth, tpb)
Marillier, Juliet * Dreamer's Pool * (Penguin/Roc, hc)
Martin, George R. R., ed. * Wild Cards: Lowball * (Tor, anth, hc)
McDevitt, Jack * Coming Home * (Ace, hc)
Modesitt, L. E., Jr. * Heritage of Cyador * (Tor, hc)
Naam, Ramez * Apex * (Angry Robot US, tpb)
Pratt, Tim * The Deep Woods * (PS Publishing, nva, hc)
Sanderson, Brandon * Legion: Skin Deep * (Subterranean Press, hc)
Sherman, Delia * Young Woman in a Garden * (Small Beer Press, cln, tpb)
Shinn, Sharon * The Turning Season * (Ace, hc)
Williams, Sean * Crashland * (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, hc)
Abbreviations indicate --
hc=hardcover; tpb=trade paperback; otherwise mass-market pb, or we're not sure
cln=collection; om=omnibus; anth=anthology; nva=novella; otherwise novel
h=horror; nf=nonfiction; a=associational [non-sffh]; otherwise sf/fantasy
1st US editions (+) are books previously published in the UK or other countries; otherwise US and UK books listed as originals are 1st English language editions.
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.
Dispatches from the Border
Editor - Jude Feldman
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.
San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com
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