ABOUT THE STORE : NEWSLETTER

DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER

Events and News from Borderlands Books

February, 2009

Chapter One - Event Information, News, and Special Features

News

* Cats, Cats, Cats -
Some of you may remember Sly, Ripley's half-brother, who stayed with us for a few months back in 2007.  Well, he's back, at least for a bit!  Sly's people are once again in transit, so for the next month or so you can delight in the presence of three hairless cats.

* Amazon Drops Microsoft and Adobe E-Book Formats
If you're following the E-book Reader Wars, Amazon just fired another volley.  Publishers Weekly says, "Amazon.com has notified its publisher and author clients that it plans to cease offering e-books in the Microsoft Reader and Adobe e-book formats. In the future, the online retailer says it plans to offer only e-books in the Kindle format. . . . and the Mobipocket format, both of which are owned by Amazon."  Read the brief article here: <http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6631991.html?nid=2286&source=title&rid=1689110361>

* Sawyer Novel Becomes TV Series
From author Robert J. Sawyer comes the following exciting news: "ABC, the most-watched television network in the United States, begins filming a one-hour TV series pilot based on Rob's novel FLASH FORWARD in Los Angeles on February 21, 2009.  The pilot script was written by David S. Goyer ("Batman Begins") and Brannon Braga ("Star Trek", "24"), and David is directing. Rob is serving as consultant, and will be writing one of the first-season episodes."

* Graham Joyce DOOMed
Graham Joyce, distinguished author and favorite of many Borderlands employees, has confirmed that he's been hired to help develop the storyline for DOOM 4.  <http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3172288>  We can't wait!  In the meantime, look for Graham's new novel which will be released in the States shortly; HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH DEMONS is coming from Night Shade Books soon!

* Interview with Chris Roberson
Another Borderlands fave, Chris Roberson, talks fables (and "Fables") with BookSpot Central: <http://www.bookspotcentral.com/2009/01/chris-roberson-interview-fables/>

* Science Fiction Canon?
i09 reports on the Guardian (UK) newspaper's list of 1000 books you must read, including the must-read science fiction novels.  <http://io9.com/5139743/a-first-stab-at-a-science-fiction-canon>

Cafe News

Will Return Next Month.

From The Office

Due to the intensifying work on the cafe, this is an abbreviated newsletter.  We'll return next month with all the regular features, reviews, and sarcasm you expect.  I can pause long enough to tell you that the tile is complete in the bathroom and kitchen areas of the cafe, and Alan is frantically priming and painting.  More news to come next month!

-Jude Feldman

Top Sellers At Borderlands

Will Return Next Month.

Notes From a DVD Geek

Will Return Next Month.

Book Club Info

The Gay Men's Book Club will meet on Sunday, February 8th, at 5 pm to discuss QUEEN OF ANGELS by Greg Bear.  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, FEBRUARY 15th, at 6 pm to discuss CHILDHOOD'S END by Arthur C. Clarke.  The book for March is UNDERTOW by Elizabeth Bear.  Please contact Jude at jfeldman@borderlands-books.com for more information.

Upcoming Event Details

John Birmingham, WITHOUT WARNING, (Del Rey, Hardcover, $26.00) Tuesday, February 3rd at 7pm -  From the book: "The author of the acclaimed novels WEAPONS OF CHOICE, DESIGNATED TARGETS, and FINAL IMPACT returns with his most chilling -- and most mainstream -- story yet. . . . A thrilling novel that explores what would happen if an unexplained phenomenon virtually erased the United States overnight -- leaving the rest of the world to survive without it."  Come meet John Birmingham and ponder this frightening scenario!

Patricia Briggs, BONE CROSSED, (Ace, Hardcover, $24.95) Friday, February 6th at 7:00 pm - Patricia Briggs is the author of about a dozen books, and she's always been great, but it seems that she's just recently  come to major national attention with the kick-ass Mercy Thompson novels.  Mercy is an auto mechanic and a shapeshifter, and a cooler heroine would be difficult to imagine.  In BONE CROSSED, Mercy has to deal with an angry local vampire queen whom she has crossed; but because Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by her powerful associates, (_really_ powerful. . .they're werewolves!) it won't be Mercy's blood the vampire is after.  It'll be her friends'.  You can read an excerpt from BONE CROSSED here: <http://www.patriciabriggs.com/books/BoneCrossedChapter.shtml>

Rain Graves, BARFODDER: POETRY WRITTEN IN DARK BARS AND QUESTIONABLE CAFES, (Cemetery Dance, Trade Paperback, $20.00), Saturday, February 21st at 3:00 pm - From Cemetery Dance: "Worlds created; nightmares given. The universe is a tiny grain of sand, and by turns, it opens up into a revolving world of horrific little poems in BARFODDER by Rain Graves.  Each poem tells a distinct story—from serial killers, to love and loss, to the raising of Cthulhu in a haiku.  Each poem in this collection was inspired by and written in a dark bar or questionable café throughout her travels...called forth by ominous candles, succulent liquors, and velvet curtains to delight the reader with a sensory of dark, demonic, luxurious imagery."  Join us to hang out with this charming local author and pick up some BARFODDER.  Publishers Weekly describes the collection of more than 100 short poems as "Lovecraft meets Bukowski," and how can you resist that?

Michael Boatman and Deborah Grabien are guests of SF in SF at the Variety Preview Room in the Hobart Building, 582 Market Street, Saturday, February 21st at 7:00 pm - We are happy to help SF in SF welcome these authors!  Each author will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson.  Authors will schmooze & sign books after in the lounge. Books available for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books.  Seating is limited, so first come, first seated.  Bar proceeds benefit Variety Childrens Charity - learn more at <http://www.varietync.org/>.  We REALLY encourage you to take BART into the City, or use MUNI to get here - parking can be problematic in San Francisco, to say the least.  We are less than one block away from the Montgomery St. station.  Trust us - you don't want to be looking for parking and be late for the event!  Phone (night of event) 415-572-1015.  Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.

Potlatch 18 at the Domain Hotel in Sunnyvale, February 27 - March 1, 2009 - "Potlatch, the convention, is an all-volunteer, non-profit, literary event for the readers and writers of speculative fiction. At Potlatch, people talk to each other and participate in panel discussions about reading and writing speculative fiction. You’ll find conversations at the program events, in Algonquins (spontaneous member-generated programming), in writers workshops, in the consuite, in the halls, and in elevators. Proceeds from Potlatch benefit Clarion West—an intensive six-week workshop for writers who are preparing for professional careers in science fiction and fantasy."  Borderlands will be on hand in the Dealers' Room, and this is always an enjoyable convention.  More info here: <http://www.potlatch-sf.org/>

Kim Harrison, WHITE WITCH, BLACK CURSE, (Eos, Hardcover, $25.99), Saturday, February 28th at 3:00 pm - We are always delighted to host the bewitching Kim Harrison, and all the more so as she presents the seventh Rachel Morgan novel, WHITE WITCH, BLACK CURSE!  Kim has all sorts of exciting things in the works, including a new young adult book coming out in June called ONCE DEAD, TWICE SHY.  Don't miss this chance to meet Kim and hear about the future of The Hollows!

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 it until you can come in to pick it up or we can ship it 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.  Call or email for details.

Chapter Two - Book Listings

Small Press Features

SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET - THE READER'S BLOCH VOL. 2 by Robert Bloch (Subterranean Press, Limited Edition (750 copies) Hardcover, $40.00)

THE EXQUISITE CORPUSCLE edited by Jay Lake and Frank Wu (Fairwood Press, Trade Paperback, $25.00)

New and Notable

HORIZON: THE SHARING KNIFE VOL. 4 by Lois McMaster Bujold (Eos, Hardcover, $26.99) - The fourth of the tremendously popular Sharing Knife series.

LITTLE (GRRL) LOST by Charles de Lint (Viking, Trade Paperback, $8.99) - I love this quirky story of the unlikely friendship between awkward T.J., whose family has just moved to the city, and the six-inch tall Elizabeth, a punk-y "little" with a really, really big attitude.  Recommended by Jude.

MAP OF MOMENTS by Christopher Golden and Tim Lebbon (Bantam, Trade Paperback, $12.00) - It is difficult to discuss this novel without giving too much away, but suffice it to say that our very unlikely professor hero finds himself in just-post Katrina New Orleans mourning his young, dead, difficult lover, when he is given a very special map and an opportunity to -- maybe -- make everything right again by re-living a series of specific moments in New Orleans' history.  Recommended by Cary and Jude.

LAST WATCH by Sergei Lukyanenko (Hyperion, Trade Paperback, $14.95) - The ongoing battle between the forces of darkness and light seem to be heading toward a climax in the last of the NIGHT novels.  Recommended in advance by Alan.

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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
Contributors - Jeremy Lassen

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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