What the staff has been reading:
Alan: "An advance copy of THE INCREMENTALISTS by Steven Brust and Skyler White. And he's quite looking forward to Brust coming to the store for a reading."
Cary: "Been re-reading Joe Abercrombie. The First Law Trilogy and BEST SERVED COLD."
Claud: "IN PERSUASION NATION and TENTH OF DECEMBER, by George Saunders; GODBODY, by Theodore Sturgeon; THE ABSOLUTIST, by John Boyne; MISS BUNCLE'S BOOK, by D.E. Stevenson; THE STEEL SERAGLIO, by Mike, Linda and Louise Carey (excellent); CINDERELLA: From Fabletown With Love and CINDERELLA: Fables Are Forever, by Chris Roberson and Shawn McManus; KIKI DE MONTPARNASSE, by Catel & Bocquet; ZOO CITY, by Lauren Beukes (excellent); THE GIRL, THE GOLD WATCH & EVERYTHING, by John D. MacDonald (reread); BEYOND THIS HORIZON, by Robert A. Heinlein; MAE MURRAY: The Girl With The Bee-Stung Lips, by Michael G. Ankerich; THE MAKING OF BLACK DETROIT IN THE AGE OF HENRY FORD, by Beth Tompkins Bates (wonderful); SAINTS ASTRAY, by Jacqueline Carey; DARK CURRENTS, by Jacqueline Carey; TOP 10: Vol. 2, by Alan Moore and Zander Cannon; THE EYRE AFFAIR, by Jasper Fforde (reread); and NADA, by Carmen Laforet."
Jude: "Okay, here goes: finished the advance copy of THE INCREMENTALISTS by Steven Brust and Skyler White and passed it to Alan. JUSTICE HALL by Laurie King. Sue Grafton's C IS FOR CORPSE, D IS FOR DEADBEAT, E IS FOR EVIDENCE, F IS FOR FUGITIVE, G IS FOR GUMSHOE. (What can I say? Those books are like popcorn!) DOG ON IT by Spencer Quinn, which is very charming, but narrated by a dog, so that has both upsides and downsides. TO HELL ON A FAST HORSE: Billy the Kid, Pat Garrett and the Epic Chase to Justice in the Old West by Mark Lee Gardner."
Naamen: "I'm reading THE SUMMER PRINCE by Alaya Dawn Johnson right now. Really great world-building, story is set in a post-post-apocalyptic futuristic South American city and only 30 pages in I'm already pleasantly surprised by a lot of the twists that are built into what could be a more traditional YA plot but isn't. Can't wait to read more."
July 09, 2013
July 02, 2013
B&N, Marriage, and World War Z
by Alan Beatts
Barnes & Noble's Financial Report
B&N had a very poor year based on their recent financial filings. Their 2013 fiscal year (which ended on April 27th) showed a total loss of $154.8 million dollars, compared to last year, which showed less than half that loss ($65.6 million in 2012). Much of that was a result of sales of their e-reader, the Nook, falling off a cliff (sales down 16.8%). But sales at their retail stores were also poor: same-store sales (the comparison between stores that have been open for at least a year) were down 3.4%.
Most telling to me, however, are the figures for the last quarter of this year. In the 4th quarter alone, ebook sales (both devices and ebooks) were down 34% and same-store retail sales were down 8.8%. That looks like an accelerating slide to me. If you dig through the accountant-speak in the report, some of the retail store sales drop was tied to poor Nook performance, but that could also be wishful thinking. Likewise, that quarter lacked some big sellers like Fifty Shades of Gray and such but still . . . it's not looking very good. What will tell us a great deal is what the quarterly reports for the next two look like. If the drop continues or increases, it'll be a very bad sign for the company's future.
Barnes & Noble's Financial Report
B&N had a very poor year based on their recent financial filings. Their 2013 fiscal year (which ended on April 27th) showed a total loss of $154.8 million dollars, compared to last year, which showed less than half that loss ($65.6 million in 2012). Much of that was a result of sales of their e-reader, the Nook, falling off a cliff (sales down 16.8%). But sales at their retail stores were also poor: same-store sales (the comparison between stores that have been open for at least a year) were down 3.4%.
Most telling to me, however, are the figures for the last quarter of this year. In the 4th quarter alone, ebook sales (both devices and ebooks) were down 34% and same-store retail sales were down 8.8%. That looks like an accelerating slide to me. If you dig through the accountant-speak in the report, some of the retail store sales drop was tied to poor Nook performance, but that could also be wishful thinking. Likewise, that quarter lacked some big sellers like Fifty Shades of Gray and such but still . . . it's not looking very good. What will tell us a great deal is what the quarterly reports for the next two look like. If the drop continues or increases, it'll be a very bad sign for the company's future.
June Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes
2. Scatter, Adapt and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction by Annalee Newitz
3. The Fractal Prince by Hannu Rajaniemi
4. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
5. Quarry by Iain Banks
6. The Long War by Stephen Baxter and Terry Pratchett
7. The Human Division by John Scalzi
8. Mending the Moon by Susan Palwick
9. Homeland by Cory Doctorow
10. Inferno by Dan Brown
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
2. Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds
3. Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
4. Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
5. Old Man's War by John Scalzi
6. The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi
7. Home From the Sea by Mercedes Lackey
8. 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson
9. Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu
10. Shapeshifted by Cassie Alexander
Trade Paperbacks
1. Cold Steel by Kate Elliott
2. Sorcerer's Luck by Katharine Kerr
3. World War Z by Max Brooks
4. Abbadon's Gate by James S.A. Corey
5. Aether Age: Helios edited by Christopher Fletcher and Brandon H. Bell
1. The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes
2. Scatter, Adapt and Remember: How Humans Will Survive a Mass Extinction by Annalee Newitz
3. The Fractal Prince by Hannu Rajaniemi
4. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
5. Quarry by Iain Banks
6. The Long War by Stephen Baxter and Terry Pratchett
7. The Human Division by John Scalzi
8. Mending the Moon by Susan Palwick
9. Homeland by Cory Doctorow
10. Inferno by Dan Brown
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
2. Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds
3. Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
4. Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
5. Old Man's War by John Scalzi
6. The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi
7. Home From the Sea by Mercedes Lackey
8. 2312 by Kim Stanley Robinson
9. Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu
10. Shapeshifted by Cassie Alexander
Trade Paperbacks
1. Cold Steel by Kate Elliott
2. Sorcerer's Luck by Katharine Kerr
3. World War Z by Max Brooks
4. Abbadon's Gate by James S.A. Corey
5. Aether Age: Helios edited by Christopher Fletcher and Brandon H. Bell
June News Roundup
* Those of you going to see "Star Trek: Into Darkness" probably already have, so, hilarious Spoiler FAQ from i09.com: <http://io9.com/star-trek-into-darkness-the-spoiler-faq-508927844>
* And more from i09.com: The difference between geeks and nerds, settled by an infographic: <http://io9.com/the-difference-between-geeks-and-nerds-settled-by-a-ge-590379134>
* We unfortunately lost two of the greats this month: Iain M. Banks at age 59 <http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/scottish-author-iain-m-banks-dies-of-cancer-aged-59-8651163.html> and Richard Matheson at age 87. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/books/richard-matheson-writer-of-haunted-science-fiction-and-horror-dies-at-87.html?_r=1&>
* And more from i09.com: The difference between geeks and nerds, settled by an infographic: <http://io9.com/the-difference-between-geeks-and-nerds-settled-by-a-ge-590379134>
* We unfortunately lost two of the greats this month: Iain M. Banks at age 59 <http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/scottish-author-iain-m-banks-dies-of-cancer-aged-59-8651163.html> and Richard Matheson at age 87. <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/26/books/richard-matheson-writer-of-haunted-science-fiction-and-horror-dies-at-87.html?_r=1&>
July Upcoming Events
Simon Wood, NO SHOW (Thomas & Mercer, Trade Paperback, $14.95) Saturday, July 13th at 3:00 pm
SF in SF (at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street) with authors Nalo Hopkinson, Madeleine Robins and Deborah J. Ross, Saturday, July 20th at 7:00 pm
Grania Davis, TREE OF LIFE, BOOK OF DEATH - THE TREASURES OF GRANIA DAVIS (Ramble House, Trade Paperback) Sunday, July 21st from 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Max Gladstone, THREE PARTS DEAD (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99 and Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, July 27th at 3:00 pm
Sheldon Siegel, THE TERRORIST NEXT DOOR (Poisoned Pen Press, Trade Paperback $14.95 and Hardcover $24.95) Saturday, August 3rd at 3:00 pm
And coming up later on this year, look for events with Seth Harwood, Richard Kadrey, actress and author Lara Parker, Seanan McGuire, and many, many more!
Details after the break
SF in SF (at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street) with authors Nalo Hopkinson, Madeleine Robins and Deborah J. Ross, Saturday, July 20th at 7:00 pm
Grania Davis, TREE OF LIFE, BOOK OF DEATH - THE TREASURES OF GRANIA DAVIS (Ramble House, Trade Paperback) Sunday, July 21st from 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Max Gladstone, THREE PARTS DEAD (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99 and Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, July 27th at 3:00 pm
Sheldon Siegel, THE TERRORIST NEXT DOOR (Poisoned Pen Press, Trade Paperback $14.95 and Hardcover $24.95) Saturday, August 3rd at 3:00 pm
And coming up later on this year, look for events with Seth Harwood, Richard Kadrey, actress and author Lara Parker, Seanan McGuire, and many, many more!
Details after the break
June 10, 2013
A Fistful of the Last Shining Human Burglars
What the staff has been reading. . .
Alan: "B IS FOR BURGLAR by Sue Grafton."
Cary: "Recently been reading THE LIVES OF TAO by Wesley Chu, and THE LAST
POLICEMAN by Ben H. Winters."
Claud: "A FISTFUL OF COLLARS, by Spencer Quinn; CARTHAGE MUST BE DESTROYED: The Rise And Fall Of An Ancient Civilization, by Richard Miles (wonderful); MR. PENUMBRA'S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE, by Robin Sloan; LAST CALL: The Rise And Fall Of Prohibition, by Daniel Okrent (reread, amazing); FLATLANDER and TALES OF KNOWN SPACE, by Larry Niven; DEATH OF A RED HEROINE, by Qiu Xiaolong; and THE BRAINDEAD MEGAPHONE, by George Saunders."
Heather: "THE HUMAN DIVISION by John Scalzi."
Jude: "I just finished THE SHINING GIRLS by Lauren Beukes, which was riveting. Before that I read a really trashy memoir called FULL SERVICE: MY ADVENTURES IN HOLLYWOOD AND THE SECRET SEX LIVES OF THE STARS by Scotty Bowers and Lionel Friedberg."
Alan: "B IS FOR BURGLAR by Sue Grafton."
Cary: "Recently been reading THE LIVES OF TAO by Wesley Chu, and THE LAST
POLICEMAN by Ben H. Winters."
Claud: "A FISTFUL OF COLLARS, by Spencer Quinn; CARTHAGE MUST BE DESTROYED: The Rise And Fall Of An Ancient Civilization, by Richard Miles (wonderful); MR. PENUMBRA'S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE, by Robin Sloan; LAST CALL: The Rise And Fall Of Prohibition, by Daniel Okrent (reread, amazing); FLATLANDER and TALES OF KNOWN SPACE, by Larry Niven; DEATH OF A RED HEROINE, by Qiu Xiaolong; and THE BRAINDEAD MEGAPHONE, by George Saunders."
Heather: "THE HUMAN DIVISION by John Scalzi."
Jude: "I just finished THE SHINING GIRLS by Lauren Beukes, which was riveting. Before that I read a really trashy memoir called FULL SERVICE: MY ADVENTURES IN HOLLYWOOD AND THE SECRET SEX LIVES OF THE STARS by Scotty Bowers and Lionel Friedberg."
June 06, 2013
Borderlands' Brush with Censorship
by Alan Beatts
In general the temptation to engage in censorship is not a problem for me. I truly believe that there are no ideas too dangerous to discuss, no books that are too obscene to sell, no person whose ideas are too repugnant to be expressed. Moreso, I think that censorship is one of the most slippery ethical and legal slopes that we face, as individuals and as a society. As a result it's something that I steer clear of almost by reflex.
That's a good thing for a bookseller. Along with publishers and librarians, we are uniquely equipped to act as censors -- in part because we can be very effective by inaction, unlike most other parties. All that we need to do is refrain from purchasing a specific work and we've achieved our goal. And we can always come up with reasons for our decision that are solid, hard to challenge, and lack all but the faintest whiff of censorship. "The market isn't ready for it", "That sort of book just doesn't sell," "We're working on a limited budget and there are more important works to buy," "Our space is limited," and so on. The explanations are limitless.
So I'm very happy and comfortable in the knowledge that I would never consider restricting what I allow my customers to buy based on my personal political or social agenda.
At least that's how I thought until about five years ago.
In general the temptation to engage in censorship is not a problem for me. I truly believe that there are no ideas too dangerous to discuss, no books that are too obscene to sell, no person whose ideas are too repugnant to be expressed. Moreso, I think that censorship is one of the most slippery ethical and legal slopes that we face, as individuals and as a society. As a result it's something that I steer clear of almost by reflex.
That's a good thing for a bookseller. Along with publishers and librarians, we are uniquely equipped to act as censors -- in part because we can be very effective by inaction, unlike most other parties. All that we need to do is refrain from purchasing a specific work and we've achieved our goal. And we can always come up with reasons for our decision that are solid, hard to challenge, and lack all but the faintest whiff of censorship. "The market isn't ready for it", "That sort of book just doesn't sell," "We're working on a limited budget and there are more important works to buy," "Our space is limited," and so on. The explanations are limitless.
So I'm very happy and comfortable in the knowledge that I would never consider restricting what I allow my customers to buy based on my personal political or social agenda.
At least that's how I thought until about five years ago.
May Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1. The Human Division by John Scalzi
2. You by Austin Grossman
3. NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
4. Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal
5. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
6. Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman
7. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
8. Inferno by Dan Brown
9. Mending the Moon by Susan Palwick
10. River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay tie with Redshirts by John Scalzi
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. Old Man's War by John Scalzi
2. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
3. Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
4. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
5. Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds
6. Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik
7. Lost Fleet: Invincible: Beyond the Frontier by Jack Campbell
8. Zoe's Tale by John Scalzi
9. Serene Invasion by Eric Brown
10. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Trade Paperbacks
1. Redshirts by John Scalzi
2. Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
3. Your Hate Mail Will be Graded by John Scalzi
4. In Broad Daylight by Seth Harwood
5. The Departure by Neal Asher
1. The Human Division by John Scalzi
2. You by Austin Grossman
3. NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
4. Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal
5. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
6. Make Good Art by Neil Gaiman
7. The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson
8. Inferno by Dan Brown
9. Mending the Moon by Susan Palwick
10. River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay tie with Redshirts by John Scalzi
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. Old Man's War by John Scalzi
2. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
3. Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
4. Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
5. Blue Remembered Earth by Alastair Reynolds
6. Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik
7. Lost Fleet: Invincible: Beyond the Frontier by Jack Campbell
8. Zoe's Tale by John Scalzi
9. Serene Invasion by Eric Brown
10. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
Trade Paperbacks
1. Redshirts by John Scalzi
2. Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
3. Your Hate Mail Will be Graded by John Scalzi
4. In Broad Daylight by Seth Harwood
5. The Departure by Neal Asher
May News Roundup
* So I've watched this four times, and it's still giving me chills. Chris Hadfield sings "Space Oddity" in the first music video in space! <http://io9.com/chris-hadfield-sings-space-oddity-in-the-first-music-503764317>
* Economists recommend SF! <http://noahpinionblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/science-fiction-for-economists.html> and <http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/more-science-fiction-for-economists-seriously-time-wasting/>
* Join Clarion West's tenth annual Write-A-Thon! They're aiming for 300 participants this year. It's a fundraiser for Clarion West, but it's all about the writing first. For more info and to sign up, see <http://www.clarionwest.org/>
* Author Blake Charlton (SPELLWRIGHT and SPELLBOUND) writes about dyslexia in an op-ed piece in the NY Times: <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/23/opinion/defining-my-own-dyslexia.html?_r=2&>
* We think you might enjoy reviewer and blogger Steven Klotz <http://mentatjack.com/>. He's not only a sharp reviewer but he's also got the class to link to indi bookstores (instead of Amazon) from his site.
* The amazing 91-year-old Sir Christopher Lee (or, you might know him as Saruman) is releasing a _third_ heavy metal album -- his second about Charlemagne! <http://www.uproxx.com/music/2013/05/sir-christopher-lee-metal-album-charlemagne-the-omens-of-death/>
* Help the EFF save podcasting! (Some of our best friends are podcasters.) <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/05/help-save-podcasting>
* Check out the 25 coolest science fiction weapons, according to an Australian news site: <http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/ign-the-25-coolest-sci-fi-movie-weapons/story-fn5fsgyc-1226652984957>
* In May we hosted a preview of "The Pub From Another World" in the Cafe. If you'd like to check out the recording, you can find it here: <http://sftheaterpub.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/some-echoes-of-the-pub-from-another-world/>. Thanks to Sunil Patel for directing & arranging, and herding cats. . . I mean actors!
* We're extremely sorry to report the death of science fiction legend Jack Vance at the age of 96: <http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/30/187231982/book-news-sci-fi-author-jack-vance-dead-at-96>
* Economists recommend SF! <http://noahpinionblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/science-fiction-for-economists.html> and <http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/11/more-science-fiction-for-economists-seriously-time-wasting/>
* Join Clarion West's tenth annual Write-A-Thon! They're aiming for 300 participants this year. It's a fundraiser for Clarion West, but it's all about the writing first. For more info and to sign up, see <http://www.clarionwest.org/>
* Author Blake Charlton (SPELLWRIGHT and SPELLBOUND) writes about dyslexia in an op-ed piece in the NY Times: <http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/23/opinion/defining-my-own-dyslexia.html?_r=2&>
* We think you might enjoy reviewer and blogger Steven Klotz <http://mentatjack.com/>. He's not only a sharp reviewer but he's also got the class to link to indi bookstores (instead of Amazon) from his site.
* The amazing 91-year-old Sir Christopher Lee (or, you might know him as Saruman) is releasing a _third_ heavy metal album -- his second about Charlemagne! <http://www.uproxx.com/music/2013/05/sir-christopher-lee-metal-album-charlemagne-the-omens-of-death/>
* Help the EFF save podcasting! (Some of our best friends are podcasters.) <https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2013/05/help-save-podcasting>
* Check out the 25 coolest science fiction weapons, according to an Australian news site: <http://www.news.com.au/technology/sci-tech/ign-the-25-coolest-sci-fi-movie-weapons/story-fn5fsgyc-1226652984957>
* In May we hosted a preview of "The Pub From Another World" in the Cafe. If you'd like to check out the recording, you can find it here: <http://sftheaterpub.wordpress.com/2013/05/28/some-echoes-of-the-pub-from-another-world/>. Thanks to Sunil Patel for directing & arranging, and herding cats. . . I mean actors!
* We're extremely sorry to report the death of science fiction legend Jack Vance at the age of 96: <http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/05/30/187231982/book-news-sci-fi-author-jack-vance-dead-at-96>
June Upcoming Events
Lauren Beukes, THE SHINING GIRLS (Mulholland, Hardcover, $26.00), Friday, June 7th at 7:00 pm
SF in SF Screening of "Safety Not Guaranteed" with guest speaker (and author) Ken Wharton, (at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street), Saturday, June 8th at 6:30 pm. Tickets $25.
Hannu Rajaniemi, THE FRACTAL PRINCE (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99), Friday, June 14th at 7:00 pm
SF in SF with authors Cassie Alexander, Heather MacDougal, and Cliff Winnig, (at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street), Saturday, June 22nd at 7:00 pm
Kate Elliott, COLD STEEL (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $18.00) and Katharine Kerr, SORCERER'S LUCK (Book View Cafe, Trade Paperback, $14.50), Thursday, June 27th at 7:00 pm
Event details after the break.
SF in SF Screening of "Safety Not Guaranteed" with guest speaker (and author) Ken Wharton, (at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street), Saturday, June 8th at 6:30 pm. Tickets $25.
Hannu Rajaniemi, THE FRACTAL PRINCE (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99), Friday, June 14th at 7:00 pm
SF in SF with authors Cassie Alexander, Heather MacDougal, and Cliff Winnig, (at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street), Saturday, June 22nd at 7:00 pm
Kate Elliott, COLD STEEL (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $18.00) and Katharine Kerr, SORCERER'S LUCK (Book View Cafe, Trade Paperback, $14.50), Thursday, June 27th at 7:00 pm
Event details after the break.
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