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."
June 10, 2013
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.
May 23, 2013
Far Too Many Options for a Clever Title
It has been a while since I posted this, so you'll find a flood of titles from some of us. What the staff is (and has been) reading:
Alan: "METZGER'S DOG by Thomas Perry. It's essentially a 'caper' novel incorporating: stupid CIA operatives, smart crooks, dumb drug dealers, a cat named Dr. Henry Metzger, a 20mm aircrafit cannon hidden in the back of a panel van, the biggest junkyard dog in the world, and a safe filled with $1,000,000 of cocaine. I am loving every bit of it and laughing my ass off at times. Also GANGS OF NEW YORK by Herbert Asbury. I'm trying to find something that is at all like the film and failing. And, considering what some of the history was really like, I'm even less impressed with the film than I was before I read the book."
Cary: "THE THIN MAN by Dashiell Hammett, and LOCKED ROOMS by Laurie R. King. And just finished AN ALPHABETICAL LIFE: LIVING IT UP IN THE WORLD OF BOOKS by Wendy Werris."
Claud: DEAD UNTIL DARK, LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS, CLUB DEAD, DEAD TO THE WORLD, DEAD AS A DOORNAIL, ALL TOGETHER DEAD, DEFINITELY DEAD, FROM DEAD TO WORSE, A TOUCH OF DEAD, DEAD IN THE FAMILY, DEAD AND GONE, DEAD RECKONING, and DEADLOCKED, by Charlaine Harris (all rereads); PARASITE REX: Inside The Bizarre World Of Nature’s Most Dangerous Creatures, by Carl Zimmer (amazing); HELL’S HALF ACRE, by Will Christopher Baer; THE FALLEN BLADE, THE OUTCAST BLADE, and THE EXILED BLADE, by Jon Courtenay Grimwood; UNDERSTANDING THE MALE HUSTLER, by Samuel M. Stewar; DEAR SAMMY: Letters From Gertrude Stein And Alice B. Toklas, by Gertrude Stein; LAND’S END: A Walk In Provincetown, by Michael Cunningham; FIRE IN THE BELLY: The Life And Times Of David Wojnarowicz, by Cynthia Carr (amazing); ALTERED CARBON, BROKEN ANGELS, and WOKEN FURIES, by Richard K. Morgan; THE VERY PERSISTENT GAPPERS OF FRIP, by George Saunders; THE VANISHED LIBRARY: A Wonder Of The Ancient World, by Luciano Canfora; LONDON FALLING, by Paul Cornell; THE GREAT GATSBY, by F. Scott Fitzgerald; SHADOW CITIES: A Billion Squatters, A New Urban World, by Robert Neuwirth; THE BRIEF AND FRIGHTENING REIGN OF PHIL, by George Saunders; JUMPER, by Steven Gould; STRANGE ANGEL: The Otherworldly Life Of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons, by George Pendle (amazing); THE SUNDIAL, by Shirley Jackson (reread – amazing); YOU CAN’T WIN, by Jack Black; THE POWER OF HABIT: Why We Do What We Do In Life And Business, by Charles Duhigg (fascinating); THE ALTERATION, by Kingsley Amis; BRIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE: The Lost Generation Of London’s Jazz Age, by D.J. Taylor; ERRANTRY, by Elizabeth Hand; BLOOD ORANGES, by Kathleen Tierney; DOG ON IT, THEREBY HANGS A TAIL, TO FETCH A THIEF, and THE DOG WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, by Spencer Quinn; LOVE SONG: The Lives Of Kurt Weill And Lotte Lenya, by Ethan Mordden; and VANISHING ACT, by Thomas Perry.
Cole:"LONELY PLANET: SCOTLAND, BROKEN KINGDOMS and THE KINGDOM OF GODS by N.K. Jemisin."
Dev: "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS by Robert A. Heinlein and PARTIALS by Dan Wells."
Heather: "DANCE WITH DRAGONS. Lugging around this stupid 150 pound hardcover because ONCE AGAIN the paperback release date was put off. Feh. Good book though."
Jude: "A IS FOR ALIBI and B IS FOR BURGLER by Sue Grafton, THE BARBARY COAST by Herbert Asbury, CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT ARC by Seanan McGuire, GOD OF THE HIVE by Laurie R. King. Also, last night at a wonderful author event at Books, Inc, I picked up AN ARCHIVE OF HOPE: HARVEY MILK'S SPEECHES AND WRITINGS by Harvey Milk, edited by Jason Edward Black and Charles E. Morris, III. after hearing the editors, Frank Robinson, and Danny Nicoletta speak."
Naamen:"I am leaving for a 51 hour train ride so I'm taking an assortment of books to read on the trip: SHAPESHIFTED ARC by Cassie Alexander, WICKED GENTLEMEN by Ginn Hale, ASH: A SECRET HISTORY by Mary Gentle, A ROPE OF THORNS by Gemma Files, A STRANGER IN OLONDRIA by Sofia Samatar, THE TALENTED MISS HIGHSMITH by Joan Schenkar, JAMES TIPTREE JR: THE DOUBLE LIFE OF ALICE SHELDON by Julie Phillips, FROM HARLEM TO PARIS by Michel Fabre, CITIES OF THE DEAD by Joseph Roach, POINT OF HOPE by Melissa Scott & Lisa A. Barnett and THE DROWNING CITY by Amanda Downum. I'm thinking it might be a personal challenge to see how many I can finish in the space of the trip. Hopefully I come out of this with all my faculties intact, I mean, I didn't include Lovecraft for a reason (well, a few reasons actually). See you on the other side!"
Alan: "METZGER'S DOG by Thomas Perry. It's essentially a 'caper' novel incorporating: stupid CIA operatives, smart crooks, dumb drug dealers, a cat named Dr. Henry Metzger, a 20mm aircrafit cannon hidden in the back of a panel van, the biggest junkyard dog in the world, and a safe filled with $1,000,000 of cocaine. I am loving every bit of it and laughing my ass off at times. Also GANGS OF NEW YORK by Herbert Asbury. I'm trying to find something that is at all like the film and failing. And, considering what some of the history was really like, I'm even less impressed with the film than I was before I read the book."
Cary: "THE THIN MAN by Dashiell Hammett, and LOCKED ROOMS by Laurie R. King. And just finished AN ALPHABETICAL LIFE: LIVING IT UP IN THE WORLD OF BOOKS by Wendy Werris."
Claud: DEAD UNTIL DARK, LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS, CLUB DEAD, DEAD TO THE WORLD, DEAD AS A DOORNAIL, ALL TOGETHER DEAD, DEFINITELY DEAD, FROM DEAD TO WORSE, A TOUCH OF DEAD, DEAD IN THE FAMILY, DEAD AND GONE, DEAD RECKONING, and DEADLOCKED, by Charlaine Harris (all rereads); PARASITE REX: Inside The Bizarre World Of Nature’s Most Dangerous Creatures, by Carl Zimmer (amazing); HELL’S HALF ACRE, by Will Christopher Baer; THE FALLEN BLADE, THE OUTCAST BLADE, and THE EXILED BLADE, by Jon Courtenay Grimwood; UNDERSTANDING THE MALE HUSTLER, by Samuel M. Stewar; DEAR SAMMY: Letters From Gertrude Stein And Alice B. Toklas, by Gertrude Stein; LAND’S END: A Walk In Provincetown, by Michael Cunningham; FIRE IN THE BELLY: The Life And Times Of David Wojnarowicz, by Cynthia Carr (amazing); ALTERED CARBON, BROKEN ANGELS, and WOKEN FURIES, by Richard K. Morgan; THE VERY PERSISTENT GAPPERS OF FRIP, by George Saunders; THE VANISHED LIBRARY: A Wonder Of The Ancient World, by Luciano Canfora; LONDON FALLING, by Paul Cornell; THE GREAT GATSBY, by F. Scott Fitzgerald; SHADOW CITIES: A Billion Squatters, A New Urban World, by Robert Neuwirth; THE BRIEF AND FRIGHTENING REIGN OF PHIL, by George Saunders; JUMPER, by Steven Gould; STRANGE ANGEL: The Otherworldly Life Of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons, by George Pendle (amazing); THE SUNDIAL, by Shirley Jackson (reread – amazing); YOU CAN’T WIN, by Jack Black; THE POWER OF HABIT: Why We Do What We Do In Life And Business, by Charles Duhigg (fascinating); THE ALTERATION, by Kingsley Amis; BRIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE: The Lost Generation Of London’s Jazz Age, by D.J. Taylor; ERRANTRY, by Elizabeth Hand; BLOOD ORANGES, by Kathleen Tierney; DOG ON IT, THEREBY HANGS A TAIL, TO FETCH A THIEF, and THE DOG WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, by Spencer Quinn; LOVE SONG: The Lives Of Kurt Weill And Lotte Lenya, by Ethan Mordden; and VANISHING ACT, by Thomas Perry.
Cole:"LONELY PLANET: SCOTLAND, BROKEN KINGDOMS and THE KINGDOM OF GODS by N.K. Jemisin."
Dev: "THE MOON IS A HARSH MISTRESS by Robert A. Heinlein and PARTIALS by Dan Wells."
Heather: "DANCE WITH DRAGONS. Lugging around this stupid 150 pound hardcover because ONCE AGAIN the paperback release date was put off. Feh. Good book though."
Jude: "A IS FOR ALIBI and B IS FOR BURGLER by Sue Grafton, THE BARBARY COAST by Herbert Asbury, CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT ARC by Seanan McGuire, GOD OF THE HIVE by Laurie R. King. Also, last night at a wonderful author event at Books, Inc, I picked up AN ARCHIVE OF HOPE: HARVEY MILK'S SPEECHES AND WRITINGS by Harvey Milk, edited by Jason Edward Black and Charles E. Morris, III. after hearing the editors, Frank Robinson, and Danny Nicoletta speak."
Naamen:"I am leaving for a 51 hour train ride so I'm taking an assortment of books to read on the trip: SHAPESHIFTED ARC by Cassie Alexander, WICKED GENTLEMEN by Ginn Hale, ASH: A SECRET HISTORY by Mary Gentle, A ROPE OF THORNS by Gemma Files, A STRANGER IN OLONDRIA by Sofia Samatar, THE TALENTED MISS HIGHSMITH by Joan Schenkar, JAMES TIPTREE JR: THE DOUBLE LIFE OF ALICE SHELDON by Julie Phillips, FROM HARLEM TO PARIS by Michel Fabre, CITIES OF THE DEAD by Joseph Roach, POINT OF HOPE by Melissa Scott & Lisa A. Barnett and THE DROWNING CITY by Amanda Downum. I'm thinking it might be a personal challenge to see how many I can finish in the space of the trip. Hopefully I come out of this with all my faculties intact, I mean, I didn't include Lovecraft for a reason (well, a few reasons actually). See you on the other side!"
May 09, 2013
Steampunks Without Context
by Alan Beatts
A few of us at the store were chatting about the phenomena of Steampunk recently and the conversation went in some interesting directions. Before getting into that however, I want to make something abundantly clear. When I refer to "Steampunk" I'm referring to the lifestyle or the fashion movement rather than to the sub-genre of fiction. Steampunk as fiction has been around for a much longer time than the current popular culture meme. We could argue for days about what the first steampunk novel was but both Infernal Devices by K. W. Jeter in 1987 and The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling are sure as hell steampunk novels. There was a bit of a hiatus in the 90s and early noughties but then the fiction genre came back. And it came back before the pop culture scene.
It is amusing to read comments from people who are really into the steampunk "scene" who rail against the idea that it is based in genre fiction. I've even seen some (quite upset) commentators insist that it's not fiction, it's their _lifestyle_. Which seems to me a bit self-absorbed and . . . well . . . dumb. It is as if they want to distinguish themselves from the people who dress up as Stormtroopers from Star Wars or characters from Star Trek.
To be fair, the steampunk lifestyle folks are very different from the average costumed science fiction fan. But not necessarily in a good way.
A few of us at the store were chatting about the phenomena of Steampunk recently and the conversation went in some interesting directions. Before getting into that however, I want to make something abundantly clear. When I refer to "Steampunk" I'm referring to the lifestyle or the fashion movement rather than to the sub-genre of fiction. Steampunk as fiction has been around for a much longer time than the current popular culture meme. We could argue for days about what the first steampunk novel was but both Infernal Devices by K. W. Jeter in 1987 and The Difference Engine by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling are sure as hell steampunk novels. There was a bit of a hiatus in the 90s and early noughties but then the fiction genre came back. And it came back before the pop culture scene.
It is amusing to read comments from people who are really into the steampunk "scene" who rail against the idea that it is based in genre fiction. I've even seen some (quite upset) commentators insist that it's not fiction, it's their _lifestyle_. Which seems to me a bit self-absorbed and . . . well . . . dumb. It is as if they want to distinguish themselves from the people who dress up as Stormtroopers from Star Wars or characters from Star Trek.
To be fair, the steampunk lifestyle folks are very different from the average costumed science fiction fan. But not necessarily in a good way.
April Bestsellers
Hardcovers
1) Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
2) Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal
3) Protector by C.J. Cherryh
4) Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks
5) Blood of Dragons by Robin Hobb
6) River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay
7) Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
8) You by Austin Grossman
9) The Twelve by Justin Cronin
10) Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente
Mass Market Paperbacks
1) Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
2) Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
3) Midnight Blue Light Special by Seanan McGuire
4) Plague Nation by Dana Fredsti
5) Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
6) Soulless by Gail Carriger
7) Banner of the Damned by Sherwood Smith
8) Triggers by Robert J. Sawyer
9) Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
10) Plague Town by Dana Fredsti
Trade Paperbacks
1) The Apes of Wrath edited by Richard Klaw
2) World War Z by Max Brooks
3) Empty Space by M. John Harrison
4) Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal
5) Exiled Blade by John Courtenay Grimwood tie with Queen Victoria's Book of Spells edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
1) Etiquette and Espionage by Gail Carriger
2) Without a Summer by Mary Robinette Kowal
3) Protector by C.J. Cherryh
4) Hydrogen Sonata by Iain M. Banks
5) Blood of Dragons by Robin Hobb
6) River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay
7) Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
8) You by Austin Grossman
9) The Twelve by Justin Cronin
10) Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente
Mass Market Paperbacks
1) Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
2) Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
3) Midnight Blue Light Special by Seanan McGuire
4) Plague Nation by Dana Fredsti
5) Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
6) Soulless by Gail Carriger
7) Banner of the Damned by Sherwood Smith
8) Triggers by Robert J. Sawyer
9) Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
10) Plague Town by Dana Fredsti
Trade Paperbacks
1) The Apes of Wrath edited by Richard Klaw
2) World War Z by Max Brooks
3) Empty Space by M. John Harrison
4) Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal
5) Exiled Blade by John Courtenay Grimwood tie with Queen Victoria's Book of Spells edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling
April News Roundup
* 7x7 Magazine mentions Borderlands in their article "Seven Two-in-One Coffee Shops to Give Your Caffeine Routine a Jolt". Thanks, guys! <http://www.7x7.com/eat-drink/seven-two-one-coffee-shops-give-your-caffeine-routine-jolt>
* The winners of the Edgar Awards were just announced on May 2nd. Congratulations to the winners and to all of the nominees! <http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html>
* West Virginia is considering a bill to make teaching science fiction in schools compulsory. Not only is this awesome, but it's NOT an article from "The Onion". <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/apr/19/bill-compulsory-science-fiction-west-virginia>
* i09.com presents: Fun with Radium! <http://io9.com/seriously-scary-radioactive-consumer-products-from-the-498044380>
* It's time to retire "Boob Plate" Armor, argues Emily Asher-Perrin on Tor.com. Because it would kill you. http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/05/boob-plate-armor-would-kill-you?WT_mc.id=10897
* We're sorry to report the death of special effects pioneer (and wizard) Ray Harryhausen at age 92. <http://www.npr.org/2013/05/09/181947528/remembering-monster-maker-ray-harryhausen>
* Wow, just . . . wow. Check out the synopsis for this were-hedgehog paranormal romance. You read it right, a were-hedgehog. <http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hedging-his-bets-celia-kyle/1115084845?ean=2940016662312&isbn=2940016662312>
* The winners of the Edgar Awards were just announced on May 2nd. Congratulations to the winners and to all of the nominees! <http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html>
* West Virginia is considering a bill to make teaching science fiction in schools compulsory. Not only is this awesome, but it's NOT an article from "The Onion". <http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2013/apr/19/bill-compulsory-science-fiction-west-virginia>
* i09.com presents: Fun with Radium! <http://io9.com/seriously-scary-radioactive-consumer-products-from-the-498044380>
* It's time to retire "Boob Plate" Armor, argues Emily Asher-Perrin on Tor.com. Because it would kill you. http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/05/boob-plate-armor-would-kill-you?WT_mc.id=10897
* We're sorry to report the death of special effects pioneer (and wizard) Ray Harryhausen at age 92. <http://www.npr.org/2013/05/09/181947528/remembering-monster-maker-ray-harryhausen>
* Wow, just . . . wow. Check out the synopsis for this were-hedgehog paranormal romance. You read it right, a were-hedgehog. <http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hedging-his-bets-celia-kyle/1115084845?ean=2940016662312&isbn=2940016662312>
May Upcoming Events
Valencia Corridor Sidewalk Sale Private Preview, Saturday, May 11th from 9:00 am - 11:30 am
Valencia Corridor Sidewalk Sale, Saturday, May 11th from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
SF in SF with authors Austin Grossman and Robin Sloan (in the Variety Preview Room at the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street, San Francisco), Saturday, May 11th at 7:00 pm
The Pub From Another World Preview, Sunday, May 12th at 3:00 pm
John Scalzi, THE HUMAN DIVISION (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99), Wednesday, May 15th at 7:00 pm
SF in SF featuring Connie Willis and Gene Wolfe (in the Market Room at the Hilton San Jose, 300 Almaden Blvd. San Jose, CA 95110), Thursday, May 16th at 7:00 pm
Mass Autographing Session at the Nebula Awards, (in the Winchester Room at the Hilton San Jose, 300 Almaden Blvd. San Jose, CA), Friday, May 17th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Mary Robinette Kowal, WITHOUT A SUMMER (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99 ) and Susan Palwick, MENDING THE MOON (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99), Monday, May 20th at 7:00 pm
Annalee Newitz, SCATTER, ADAPT, AND REMEMBER: HOW HUMANS WILL SURVIVE A MASS EXTINCTION (Doubleday, Hardcover, $26.95), Saturday, June 1st at 3:00 pm
Lauren Beukes, THE SHINING GIRLS (Mullholland Books, Hardcover, $26.00), Friday, June 7th at 7:00 pm
Hannu Rajaniemi, THE FRACTAL PRINCE (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99), Friday, June 14th at 7:00 pm
Details after the break
Valencia Corridor Sidewalk Sale, Saturday, May 11th from 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
SF in SF with authors Austin Grossman and Robin Sloan (in the Variety Preview Room at the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street, San Francisco), Saturday, May 11th at 7:00 pm
The Pub From Another World Preview, Sunday, May 12th at 3:00 pm
John Scalzi, THE HUMAN DIVISION (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99), Wednesday, May 15th at 7:00 pm
SF in SF featuring Connie Willis and Gene Wolfe (in the Market Room at the Hilton San Jose, 300 Almaden Blvd. San Jose, CA 95110), Thursday, May 16th at 7:00 pm
Mass Autographing Session at the Nebula Awards, (in the Winchester Room at the Hilton San Jose, 300 Almaden Blvd. San Jose, CA), Friday, May 17th from 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Mary Robinette Kowal, WITHOUT A SUMMER (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99 ) and Susan Palwick, MENDING THE MOON (Tor, Hardcover, $24.99), Monday, May 20th at 7:00 pm
Annalee Newitz, SCATTER, ADAPT, AND REMEMBER: HOW HUMANS WILL SURVIVE A MASS EXTINCTION (Doubleday, Hardcover, $26.95), Saturday, June 1st at 3:00 pm
Lauren Beukes, THE SHINING GIRLS (Mullholland Books, Hardcover, $26.00), Friday, June 7th at 7:00 pm
Hannu Rajaniemi, THE FRACTAL PRINCE (Tor Books, Hardcover, $25.99), Friday, June 14th at 7:00 pm
Details after the break
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