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ABOUT THE STORE : NEWSLETTER

DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER

Events and News from Borderlands Books

March, 2006

Chapter One - Event Information, News, and Special Feature

Justine Larbalestier and Scott Westerfeld, Tuesday, March 7th at 7:00 pm

Logan's Run and Free Enterprise at Variety's Preview Room, Thursday, April 6th at 7:00 pm

Scott Sigler, Saturday, April 8th at 3:00 pm

Jane Lindskold, Saturday, April 22nd at 3:00 pm

(for more information check the end of this section)

"If I Liked The Naked Chef, Will I Like Naked Lunch?"

Recommendations from the front lines

One of my favorite (and one of the most challenging) aspects of being a bookseller is making recommendations.  Book recommendations are a tricky business, because the bookseller is frequently expected to be psychic, or at least empathic, and answer accurately the question "what will I like?"

So here are some recommendations that folks commonly ask for; please do remember that this is an art, not a science.  (Please also keep in mind that just because I think you'll like a book, I'm not necessarily saying that the suggested books are specifically similar.) Feel free to email jfeldman@borderlands-books.com if you have some suggestions to add, if you'd like some additional ideas, or if you'd like to hear further choices.  Also let me know if you're interested in seeing this feature continue.  If so, I'll bring it back, in addition to a fun little audience-participation column for next month called The Psychic Readers' Corner.

If you like George R.R. Martin's A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE, you might like:
Steven Erikson's MALAZAN books
Guy Gavriel Kay - TIGANA and many of his other novels
Robin Hobb's ASSASSIN series and THE LIVESHIP TRADER books
LEGENDS (AND LEGENDS VOL. 2): SHORT NOVELS FROM THE MASTERS OF FANTASY edited by Robert Silverberg
R. Scott Bakker's PRINCE OF NOTHING series
HEROES DIE by Matthew Woodring Stover
THE CHRONICLES OF AMBER by Roger Zelazny
Steven King's DARK TOWER series

If you like Richard Morgan's ALTERED CARBON, you might like:
WHEN GRAVITY FAILS by George Alec Effinger
PASHAZADE: THE FIRST ARABESK by John Courtney Grimwood
CARLUCCI by Richard Paul Russo
THE BLUE PLACE by Nicola Griffith
PERFECT CIRCLE by Sean Stewart
MAUL by Tricia Sullivan
THE SKINNER by Neal Asher

If you like Emma Bull's WAR FOR THE OAKS, you might like:
WAR OF THE FLOWERS by Tad Williams
TITHE by Holly Black
COYOTE COWGIRL by Kim Antieau
SINGER OF SOULS by Adam Stemple
A STIR OF BONES by Nina Kiriki Hoffman
TAMSIN by Peter S. Beagle
FIREBIRDS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF ORIGINAL SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY edited by Sharyn November

If you like SNOW CRASH by Neal Stephenson, you might like:
SEWER, GAS AND ELECTRIC by Matt Ruff
THE CALLAHAN CHRONICLES by Spider Robinson
DOWN AND OUT IN THE MAGIC KINGDOM by Cory Doctorow

Perhaps all of these titles sound familliar to you and you'd like to read something great from someone unfamilliar.  We can help.

BAD VOLTAGE by Jonathan Littell - an unheralded cyberpunk classic with a mean streak a mile wide (out of print, but we frequently have used copies.)

ULTIMATE MALLWORLD by S.P. Somtow - A bit dated, but still a clever piece of cyberpunk/tales of disenfranchised youth on an enormous space station.

VOYAGE FROM YESTERYEAR by James P. Hogan - Entertaining and thought-provoking treatment of an "innocent techno-utopia" that isn't quite as innocent as it seems.

THE KIN OF ATA ARE WAITING FOR YOU by Dorothy Bryant - A kick-ass & difficult-to-describe fantasy set in a gender-neutral utopia.  For fans of Le Guin and Marion Zimmer Bradley.

That's about all we have room for this time.  Send me your recommendation requests, suggestions and advice and I'll see you next month!

-Jude

News

*OCTAVIA BUTLER
Octavia Butler passed away suddenly Saturday, February 25th.  We were all shocked and saddened by her passing; her death is a great loss to the genre community and literature in general.  Read John Clute's obituary here: ( http://news.independent.co.uk/people/obituaries/article348674.ece )

*EMAIL GLITCH
Borderlands' website and email was down for about twelve hours last week, and we lost some email.  If you sent us an email last week and haven't received a reply, please re-send.  We are sorry for the trouble.

*NO MORE DANGEROUS VISIONS
From The Ansible, ( http://news.ansible.co.uk/a224.html ):
"Harlan Ellison has been talking to lawyers again.  Lydia Marano, of the 25-year-old American sf bookshop formerly known as Dangerous Visions, explains: `Harlan Ellison has asked us, through his lawyer, to stop using the name Dangerous Visions for our bookstore which went virtual-only in 2002.  We have complied with his wishes and are now openly soliciting the public for a replacement name.  Send us your recommendations and we will post the top ten on our site.  The person who provides the best name will win a $50 gift certificate -- good on any purchase -- and our undying thanks. The next five runners-up will receive a $10 gift certificate.  Name selection ends April 30th.  Until then, we remain readsf.com ( http://readsf.com/ ).'  Could this long-delayed request be intended to clear the way for web publication of some long-delayed anthology?"

*NEBULA BALLOT
The 2005 final Nebula Ballot has been released.  The nominees for best novel are:
    AIR: OR, HAVE NOT HAVE by Geoff Ryman
    CAMOUFLAGE by Joe Haldeman
    GOING POSTAL by Terry Pratchett
    JONATHAN STRANGE AND MR. NORRELL by Susanna Clarke
    POLARIS by Jack McDevitt
    ORPHANS OF CHAOS by John C. Wright
Click here to read the rest of the nominees:
( http://www.sfwa.org/news/2006/nebula_ballot05.htm )

*TOP FIVE!
San Francisco Magazine has called Borderlands one of the Top 5 Niche Bookstores in the Bay Area - Pretty cool, huh?
( http://www.sanfran.com/home/view_story/1209/ )

*SPIKE AND MIKE'S SICK AND TWISTED FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION

The festival will premiere 20 brand new short animated films plus two surprise bonus films.  New titles include Spike's pick for the next Blockbuster TV Series, "Save Virgil" by Steve Hein with voice over by Adam Corolla, Gary Coleman, and the very first porn star Ginger Lyn; new Happy Tree Friends episodes by Mondo Media; new from the people who brought you Dr. Tran, "Roy Bertitos" possibly the fastest paced film [they've] ever shown! And for the Goth crowd, "Jack and Jill" by Andrea Shear; for the perverts, "Pig & Bunny" by Bruce Simpson.  From Joe Cartoon, the people who brought you "Frog in the Blender" for the first time on the big screen, "Donkeybong!"  Now through April 29 @ The Victoria Theatre, 2961 16th St and Mission

* JAMES TIPTREE JR. AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED

The James Tiptree, Jr. Literary Award Council is pleased to announce that the 2005 Tiptree Award will go to AIR: OR, HAVE NOT HAVE by Geoff Ryman (originally published in the U.S. by St. Martin’s/Griffin; reprinted in the United Kingdom by Orion Books). The award ceremony will be held at WisCon 30, to be held in Madison, Wisconsin from May 26 to May 29, 2006.  Mr. Ryman will receive $1000 in prize money, an original artwork created specifically for the award, and the signature chocolate that always accompanies the Tiptree Award. Thanks to Jill Roberts for this press release; for more information on the Tiptree Award, see ( http://www.tiptree.org/ )

* SNIPPET OF INTERVIEW WITH GILES CARWYN AND TODD FAHNESTOCK, authors of HEIR OF AUTUMN (Eos):

[Interviewer]: So where do you come into conflict?

T[odd]: He’s bossy.

G[iles]: He’s whiney.

T: I don’t like conflict. Well, unless it’s with swords.

[Interviewer]: What do you each contribute to the process?

G: We always say that I’m in charge of the ick, and he’s in charge of the cheese.

T: Yeah. He’s the plot monkey, and I’m the tracer.

G: Basically, we brainstorm together. I plot what happens in each chapter. Todd writes the rough draft, and then we fight about the revisions.

T: G likes twisting the events of a normal fantasy world into something unique, and then setting the characters to untwisting it again.

G: Todd likes to get into the heads of the characters, live their adventures with them. Bring them to life.

Read the complete interview here: ( http://www.harpercollins.com/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0060829753&tc=ai )

*WORLD HORROR CONVENTION 2007 ANNOUNCES HOTEL

For the first time in its 17-year history, the World Horror Convention will be held outside of the United States.  WHC 2007 ( http://www.whc2007.org ) has just announced that its venue is the TORONTO MARRIOTT DOWNTOWN EATON CENTRE, located in the heart of Toronto.  Guests of Honour already announced include British author MICHAEL MARSHALL SMITH, Canadian writer NANCY KILPATRICK, British publisher PETER CROWTHER and American illustrator JOHN PICACIO.  More guests from both sides of the Atlantic will be revealed in the coming weeks, when advertising and membership rates will also be announced.

*CHRIS MOORE SUBTLE BORDERLANDS REFERENCE

Thanks to eagle-eyed customer Susan Tunis, who picked out this oblique mention of Borderlands' sci-fi book club by Chris Moore in a recent interview.  Chris was kind enough to participate (via phone) in the book club for BLOODSUCKING FIENDS last October. . .

"You Suck picks up right where Bloodsucking Fiends left off almost ten years ago. Was it challenging to pick up the story in a city that has changed since then?"

"It was, and I worried about that for some time, but then I sat in on a meeting of a book club in San Francisco who had just read Fiends. They knew the city and they knew the book, and although the city has changed, they suggested that I just ignore the change. Go forward as if it was the next day. So I did."
 
 The rest of the lengthy interview may be found here:
 ( http://contemporarylit.about.com/od/authorinterviews/a/chrisMooreInt.htm )

*ESSAY CONTEST FROM SPIDERWORDS.COM

Uncle Spider wants your essay on poetry! For more details, see: ( http://www.spiderwords.com/contest.htm )

From The Office

Of Movies and Cafes (with a touch of Bar thrown in for good measure)

Last week we hosted the first of our monthly free film screenings at the Variety Preview Room.  Jeremy Lassen, our DVD buyer and Rina Elson of Variety put it together and I have to say, it was great.  Since it was the first time we had done it, we promoted it very lightly but I expect it will get very busy and popular.  So, please consider this a warning -- you should expect that in a few months we'll have completely full houses and will have to turn people away.  So, if you want to be able to say, "I remember when no one knew about this.", you had better come soon.

Now you're probably thinking, is it really going to get that busy?  Consider --

The Room - It's a real theater with ranked seats, Dolby 5.1 surround system and a huge screen.  Hell, it has even got lights that dim and a motorized curtain that slides back and forth.  There's even a popcorn maker!  Let me put it this way -- they rent it out for screenings for the judges for the Academy Awards.  Real theater.  But, it only seats 49 people.

The Movies - Carefully chosen by Jeremy, who has both an encyclopedic knowledge of genre films and very eclectic taste.  He's focusing on either films that are not available in the US on DVD or obscure editions of available films so in many cases the movie will not only be one that you can't rent at your local video store but it may well be one that you can't get in the US at all.

The Bar - The lobby of the screening room is really very nice, with comfortable seats and plenty of room, but more importantly there is a real bar that we'll be staffing for your enjoyment.  The profits go to benefit Variety and so you're not just having a nice drink (which you're welcome to bring into the theater) but you're supporting a worthwhile children's charity (for more information about Variety check out http://www.usvariety.org and/or http://www.varietync.org ).  We open the doors a half hour before show time for your drinking and socializing pleasure as well as having a half -hour intermission between the first and second features.

The People - Many of Borderlands' staff are going to the screenings as well as our customers.  Those are two groups of people who are really quite a lot of fun to hang out with, have a few beers and watch a movie.

The Price - And all of this is free.  We'll pass a hat before the movie for people who want to make a donation to Variety but otherwise admission is 100% free (we'll even throw in the popcorn).

To run it down -- two cool movies in a great space, good people and drinks, all to support a good cause.  What more could you ask for?  Check out the events section of this newsletter for the next movies.

Cafe Update --

The best way to describe the last month in cafe-land is _slowly_.  Actually that's not completely true.  Holli and I have gotten lots of work done in terms of menu planning, equipment research (who knew refrigerated cases were so damn expensive?), and general planning.  And, several people got in touch about the advisory board that I mentioned last month, (at this point all we are lacking is an attorney who specializes in business and employment law) so that's going well.

The construction is going less quickly.  There are some structural issues that the landlord needs to take care of and before that happens I need to get some plans from the engineer.  The plans that were supposed to be done at the beginning of February.  The plans that I still don't have.  They were supposed to be here this week.  As I write this it's Saturday and there are no plans.  Terse phone calls will occur on Monday.  But, I never figure that things will happen on schedule so I'm not really very concerned.  Hopefully I'll have more news next month.  Perhaps even some pictures.

Until then, stay warm, stay dry, and read lots.  It's the time of year for it.

Best,
Alan

Top Sellers At Borderlands

Hardcovers
    1) Judas Unchained by Peter F. Hamilton
    2) Pushing Ice by Alastair Reynolds
    3) Solstice Wood by Patricia McKillip
    4) Snake Agent by Liz Williams
    5) Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town by Cory Doctorow
    6) Thousandfold Thought by R. Scott Bakker
    7) Fledgling by Octavia Butler
    8) Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link
    9) Accelerando by Charles Stross
    10) Viator by Lucius Shepard

Paperbacks
    1) Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
    2) Singularity Sky by Charles Stross
    3) Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson
    4) Titan by John Varley
    5) Pandora's Star by Peter F. Hamilton
    6) Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
    7) Predator's Gold by Philip Reeve
    8) Gateways by F. Paul Wilson
    9) Kindling by Mick Farren
    10) Dawn by Octavia Butler

Trade Paperbacks
    1) Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross
    2) Old Man's War by John Scalzi
    3) Air by Geoff Ryman
    4) V for Vendetta by Alan Moore
    5) Pashazade by John Courtenay Grimwood
        Tie
        When Gravity Fails by George Alec Effinger

Notes From a DVD Geek

There are a bunch of interesting new releases, so I will start off with those.  For all you Firefly/Joss Whedon fans, Serenity has made its way to DVD.  It’s a pretty good little science fiction film in its own right, and is a nice coda to the TV series.  Most importantly, it continues Whedon’s fetish for 90 lb. teenage girls that can kick his ass.

Another important new release is Dave McKean and Neil Gaiman’s fantabulous coming-of-age fairy tale extravaganza, MirrorMask.  This film was in the theaters for about five minutes, so if you missed it, that’s understandable. Now you have the opportunity to see this hallucinatory, haunting vision in the privacy of your own home.  I recommend that you do so.

Also new to DVD is the “EXTENDED” cut of David Lynch’s Dune.  You remember David Lynch’s Dune?  That seemingly incomprehensible, oddly attractive mess of a movie that came out in the ‘80s?  Yeah. That one.  For a while now, a “producer's cut” has been circulating in various bootleg editions, and now it is finally available legitimately on DVD.  What this is NOT is “David Lynch’s Dune”.  Lynch was nagged out of the editing process for the theatrical version, and eventually washed his hands of the whole process – he had nothing to do with this edit.  What this is, is a bunch of voiceover exposition, matte paintings, and footage that was excised from the theatrical version.  It’s not really any BETTER then the theatrical version, but it's definitely interesting . . . a nother perspective on one of the most interesting failures of all time.  This release contains both the original theatrical version of the film, as well as the “extended” version.  Another cool bit about this release is its package.  Imagine a normally-sized DVD case, made from brushed aluminum, with an embossed title, and the artwork, and credits painted onto the metal with a slightly metallic paint, creating an almost holographic effect.  I’m not usually a packaging slut, but this release looks classy, and would be an excellent addition to any SF fan’s shelf.

Continuing in the realm of extended editions, be sure to not miss Peter Jackson's little gem of a film, The Frighteners.  It was his first Hollywood production, and kicked much ass.  Now it’s getting a deluxe re-release, with a bunch of added scenes that make this already wonderful film even better.  Given the atrocity that Jackson’s post LOTR effort (King Kong) turned out to be, I’d recommend giving that a miss, and picking up this film instead.  You won’t be disappointed, or more importantly, bored, which was my main problem with Jackon’s Kong – too much eye candy and not enough characterization and story.

Speaking of characterization and story, did anybody see Peter Jackson’s wonderful, touching exploration of a horrible murder?  Heavenly Creatures was based on actual events, and chronicles the growing love between two girls, and the violence that resulted when their families try to keep them apart.  Equal parts wonderful, brutal, and touching.  Definitely worth picking up.

Moving away from New Zealand, to Spain, I wanted to focus on another foreign director who has made good in Hollywood – no. . . not Guillermo del Toro. . . I’ll get to him in a second.  The man I wanted to talk about is Alejandro Amenábar.  He wrote and directed a stunning little piece of “Dickian” SF called Open Your Eyes, which is available on DVD.  Some of you may be more familiar with the US remake, called Vanilla Sky, which was directed by Cameron Crowe (a pretty damn good director in his own right).  Because of this, and despite Tom Cruise in the starring role, Vanilla Sky did not suck.  In fact, some have argued that it is better then the original.  I’m not willing to go that far, but. . . hey. . . it was pretty good!  On the heels of having his baby turned into a big Hollywood project, Alejandro ended up directing one of the most effective Haunted House movies in ages: The Others.  I can’t recommended this film enough.  Creepy, effective -- great acting by Nicole Kidman, and two child actors who managed to be effective, without dripping into saccharine land.  If you haven’t seen The Others yet, do yourself a favor and see it. Alejandro’s next film, The Sea Inside was only remotely genre in nature.  Hopefully, like Bill Paxton, he will return to the SF/fantasy/horror genre next time out.

Another Spaniard who has delivered some phenomenal genre films is Guillermo del Toro.  His first film was a wonderful little vampire film set in Mexico, called Cronos, which received a ton of critical attention, probably because people weren’t used to seeing genre films with this level of care and craftsmanship.  After Cronos, del Toro did a mediocre Hollywood monster film called Mimic.  Giant cockroaches run amuck in New York.  He followed this up with an absolutely incredible ghost story set during the Spanish civil war, called The Devil's Backbone.  Almost immediately after this, Blade 2 came out.  Another Hollywood monster movie, this one at least had a solid franchise and great cast, and ended up being the best of the three Blade movies, I believe.  After this came a career-defining moment, in my opinion.  Hellboy hit the screen in all of its over-the-top Lovecraftian/Nazi/Rasputin glory.  The script suffered from being a mish-mash of too many different storylines from the comic, but the production values were spotless, as were the performances by the actors. . . especially Ron Perlman in the lead role.  Next up on  del Toro’s CV is the as-yet-to-be released Pan’s Garden, which looks like it could be a lot of fun.  In addition, Hellboy 2 is in the works with del Toro directing.  And. . .del Toro is shopping a big budget, period adaptation of H. P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness.  DreamWorks has expressed interest, and if Hellboy 2 proves to be a successful “franchise maker” for the series, he just might get the green light.  And THAT would be something to be excited about.

Until next month, keep watching those DVD’s.  Drop me a line if there’s a director whose work you’d like me to cover, or if there’s a movie we should have in stock but don’t.

-Jeremy Lassen
jlassen@borderlands-books.com

Book Club Info

The Gay Men's Book Club will meet on Sunday, March 12th, at 5 pm to discuss DECLARE by Tim Powers.  April's book is TBA.  Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.

The Classic Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, March 19th, at 6 pm to discuss DECLARE by Tim Powers.  The book for April is THE DARK BEYOND THE STARS by Frank Robinson, who will be on hand to discuss the book.  Please contact Jude at jfeldman@borderlands-books.com for more information.

Upcoming Event Details

Tuesday, March 7th at 7:00 pm: Justine Larbalestier, MAGIC LESSONS (Razorbill) and Scott Westerfeld, MIDNIGHTERS: BLUE NOON (Eos)-  Join us in welcoming these two versatile authors to Borderlands for the first time!  Justine Larbalestier is the author of the nonfiction THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES IN SCIENCE FICTION, the two novels MAGIC OR MADNESS and MAGIC LESSONS, and the forthcoming DAUGHTERS OF EARTH.  Scott Westerfeld is the prolific author of THE RISEN EMPIRE  and THE KILLING OF WORLDS, the awesome MIDNIGHTERS series, EVOLUTION'S DARLING, UGLIES, PRETTIES, and several more.  Don't miss this rare appearance!

Thursday, April 6th at 7:00 pm: Logan's Run and Free Enterprise at Variety's Preview Room - Join us for Borderland's second free double-feature!  In association with Variety Children's Charity, we are pleased to present the 1970's classic Logan's Run, and the late 1990's silliness of Free Enterprise.  The screenings will take place at Variety's Preview Room, located in The Hobart Building, 582 Market Street @ Montgomery, San Francisco.
Doors open at 6:30 pm and the first movie starts at 7:00 pm.  There will be one thirty-minute intermission between the two films. Seating is limited and seats are available on a first-come, first seated basis, so arrive early!  Refreshments will be available for purchase, and your purchase benefits Variety Children's Charity of Northern California, a non-profit organization that supports children in local communities who are dealing with poverty, neglect, violence, and physical disabilities.  For more information about Borderlands and upcoming movies, write movies@borderlands-books.com.  For more information on Variety Children's Charity, see their web site at ( http://www.varietync.org/ ) or write sffilmvariety@yahoo.com.  For info about the films check - Logan's Run ( link ) and Free Enterprise - ( link )

April 8th at 3:00 pm: Scott Sigler, EARTHCORE (Dragon Moon Press) - Please join us in welcoming San Francisco author Scott Sigler, who will be presenting his new novel EARTHCORE.  From the author's press release: "Deep below a desolate Utah mountain sits the largest platinum deposit ever discovered.  A billion-dollar find, it waits for any company that can drill a world's record, three-mile-deep mine shaft.  Earthcore is the company with the technology, the resources and the guts to go after the mother lode. . . But at three miles below the surface, where the rocks are so hot they burn bare skin, something has been waiting for centuries.  Waiting. . . and guarding. . ."
Mr. Sigler is a creator of novels, short stories, and screenplays.  His work revolves primarily around modern science's dichotomy of simultaneously producing good and evil.  Don't miss this chance to meet him.

Saturday, April 22nd at 3:00 pm: Jane Lindskold, WOLF HUNTING (Tor) - Borderlands is delighted to welcome Jane Lindskold, prolific author of THE BURIED PYRAMID, CHILD OF A RAINLESS YEAR, the FIREKEEPER series, DONNERJACK (completion of the novel begun by Roger Zelazny) and nearly a dozen others.  Ms. Lindskold will present her newest Firekeeper novel, WOLF HUNTING.  From Publisher's Weekly: " In the thrilling fifth installment of Lindskold's Firekeeper fantasy saga, Firekeeper, a human girl raised by a pack of wise wolves, receives a message from Truth, an oracular jaguar, that Firekeeper is the only one who can help her regain her sanity, which was lost in battle in the previous book, WOLF CAPTURED (2004).  Firekeeper's wolflike sense of curiosity leads her to accept Truth's challenge, and she soon takes to the road accompanied by, among others, Blind Seer, her faithful wolf companion, and Darian Carter, a native of the land of Liglim.  They seek to reunite Truth with her senses and to find out who belongs to the voice Truth is hearing in her head.  With a smaller cast of characters and more interaction between animals, this volume is more tightly focused than earlier entries in the series.  The intriguing plot makes for a quick and enjoyable read."  Ms. Lindskold doesn't get out to San Francisco often, so come on down on April 22nd! 

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 the author's 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

Nonfiction, etc.:

Collected Essays: Volume 3: Science by H.P. Lovecraft and edited by S.T. Joshi (Hippocampus Press, Trade Paperback, $20.00)

Collected Essays: Volume 4: Travel by H.P. Lovecraft and edited by S.T. Joshi (Hippocampus Press, Trade Paperback, $20.00)

The Monster in the Mirror - Looking for H.P. Lovecraft by Robert H. Waugh (Hippocampus Press, Trade Paperback, $20.00)

Horror:

Seascape by Jack Ketchum (Shocklines Press, Chapbook, $20.00) - One of 200 signed and numbered limited edition copies. Give-aways for the World Horror Convention 2005.

Ghosts of Albion: Initiation by Amber Benson and Christopher Golden (Subterranean, Hardcover, $40.00) - One of 750 signed and numbered limited edition copies.

In Delirium edited by Brian Keene (Delirium Books, Hardcover, $50.00) - One of 274 signed and numbered limited edition copies.

Flaming London by Joe R. Lansdale (Subterranean, Hardcover, $95.00) - One of 250 signed and numbered limited edition copies.

Thing of Darkness by G.G. Pendarves (Darkside , Hardcover, $45.00) - Edited and with an introduction by Mike Ashley

Song of Kali - 20th Anniversary Edition by Dan Simmons (Earthling Publications, Hardcover, $75.00) - One of 400 signed and numbered limited edition copies.

Host by Bryan Eytcheson (Delirium Books, Trade Paperback, $17.95)

Bernie Herrmann’s Manic Sextet - Six Dark Novelettes edited by Gary Fry (Gray Friar Press, Trade Paperback, $11.00) - Novelettes by Paul Finch, Andrew Hook, Rhys Hughes and others.

Poe’s Progeny - An Anthology of Contemporary Stories Inspired by Classic Dark Fiction edited by Gary Fry (Gray Friar Press, Trade Paperback, $23.00) - Stories by Ramsey Campbell, Tim Lebbon, Conrad Williams and others.

The Lost District and Other Stories by Joel Lane (Night Shade Books, Trade Paperback, $14.95)

Man Made Monsters by Mad Marv (Crypto-American Press, Trade Paperback, $9.95)

Running with the Devil: The Best of Hail Saten vol. 2 by Brian Keene (Delirium Books, Hardcover, $70.00) - One of 150 signed and numbered limited edition copies.

Jack Ketchum: A Selected Bibliography edited by N.G. Christakos and Dallas William Mayr (Seele Brennt, Chapbook, $3.00) - 250 copies printed.

Science Fiction and Fantasy:

The Complete Hammer’s Slammers vol. 1 by David Drake (Night Shade Books, Signed and Numbered Limited Edition (250 copies) Hardcover, $60.00, and Trade Hardcover, $35.00) - Introduction by Gene Wolfe.  This is the first in a three volume set -- the definitive edition of Drake's military SF stories featuring Col. Alois Hammer's mercenary regiment.  Drake's talent lies not only in his ability to write concise, tight stories that remind me of Dashiell Hammett at his best but also in his acute depiction of both the essential horror of war and the essential humanity of soldiers.  Even if you don't typically like military SF, give these stories a try.  You may not enjoy them but I'll bet my last dollar that you'll be engaged and affected by them.  This volume includes all the short stories as well as one story written especially for this edition.  The two later volumes will collect the novels.  Highly recommended by Alan, Jude, Jeremy, and Francis.

Best of Philip Jose Farmer by Philip Jose Farmer and edited by Dorman T. Shindler (Subterranean, Hardcover, $38.00)

In the Beginning - Tales from the Pulp Era by Robert Silverberg (Subterranean, Hardcover, $40.00) - One of 1000 signed and numbered limited edition copies.

Last Week’s Apocalypse by Douglas Lain (Night Shade Books, Trade Paperback, $14.95)

New and Notable

Nonfiction, etc:

Don’t Panic: Douglas Adams and the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Neil Gaiman (Titan, Hardcover, $21.95)

About Writing - Seven Essays, Four Letters, and Five Interviews by Samuel R. Delany (Wesleyan University Press, Trade Paperback, $24.95)

The Bradbury Chronicles: The Life Of Ray Bradbury by Sam Weller (Harper Perennial, Trade Paperback, $15.95)

The Invisible Art - The Legends of Matte Movie Painting by Mark Cotta Vaz and Craig Barron (Chronicle Books, Oversized Softcover, $39.95) - Foreword by George Lucas. Signed by Mark Cotta Vaz.

The Puzzling Puzzles : Bothersome Games Which Will Bother Some People by Lemony Snickett (HarperCollins, Trade Paperback, $3.99) - A collection of logic puzzles done in the style of A Series Of Unfortunate Events.

Graphic Novels: Everything You Need to Know by Paul Gravett (HarperCollins, Oversized Softcover, $24.95) - Cover reads GRAPHIC NOVELS: STORIES TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud (HarperCollins, Oversized Softcover, $22.95)
 
Horror:

Poison by Chris Wooding (Orchard, Hardcover, $16.99)

The Passion by Donna Boyd (HarperTorch, Mass Market, $7.99)

The Promise by Donna Boyd (HarperTorch, Mass Market, $7.99)

Sharper Than A Serpent’s Tooth - A Nightside Novel by Simon R. Green (Ace, Mass Market, $6.99)

Micah - Anita Blake vol. 13 by Laurell K. Hamilton (Jove, Mass Market, $7.99)

Headstone City by Tom Piccirilli (Bantam Spectra, Mass Market, $5.99)

Dance of Death by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (Warner, Mass Market, $7.99)

Giants of the Frost by Kim Wilkins (Warner, Mass Market, $6.99)

Gateways - A Repairman Jack Novel by F. Paul Wilson (Tor, Mass Market, $7.99)

The Hunter’s Prey - Erotic Tales of Texas Vampires by Diane Whiteside (Heat/ Berkley Publishing Group, Trade Paperback, $14.00)

Foul Play! - The Art and Artists of the Notorious 1950’s E.C. Comics! by Grant Geissman (HarperDesign, Oversized Softcover, $29.95) - With a never- before- published E.C. story.

Science Fiction and Fantasy:

The Thousandfold Thought - Prince of Nothing vol. 3 by R. Scott Bakker (Overlook, Hardcover, $26.95)

Spacer and Rat by Margaret Bechard (Roaring Brook Press, Hardcover, $16.95)

Willful Creatures by Aimee Bender (Doubleday, Hardcover, $22.95)

Sebastian by Anne Bishop (Roc, Hardcover, $23.95)

Titan by Ben Bova (Tor, Hardcover, $24.95)

Genetopia by Keith Brooke (Pyr, Hardcover, $25.00)

Crystal Rain by Tobias S. Buckell (Tor, Hardcover, $24.95)

Heir of Autumn by Giles Carwyn and Todd Fahnestock (Eos, Hardcover, $25.95)

Shadows in the Starlight - A Changeling Detective Novel by Elaine Cunningham (Tor, Hardcover, $23.95)

The Well of Tears - Crowthistle Chronicles vol. 2 by Cecilia Dart-Thornton (Tor, Hardcover, $27.95)

Crown Of Stars - Crown Of Stars vol. 7 by Kate Elliott (DAW , Hardcover, $25.95)

Judas Unchained - Commonwealth Saga vol. 2 by Peter F. Hamilton (Del Rey, Hardcover, $26.95)

The Plot to Save Socrates by Paul Levinson (Tor, Hardcover, $25.95)

Solstice Wood by Patricia A. McKillip (Ace, Hardcover, $23.95)

Voidfarer - Moonworlds vol. 3 by Sean McMullen (Tor, Hardcover, $27.95)

Golden Hills of Westria by Diana L. Paxson (Tor, Hardcover, $24.95)

The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi (Tor, Hardcover, $23.95) - Sequel to OLD MAN’S WAR.

Blue Moon - Midnighters vol. 3 by Scott Westerfeld (Eos, Hardcover, $15.99)

Charles Addams Mother Goose by Charles Addams (Simon and Schuster, Oversized Hardcover, $19.95)

Amano: The Complete Prints of Yoshitaka Amano by Yoshitaka Amano (HarperDesign, Oversized Softcover, $40.00) - “Japanese artist Yoshitaka Amano began his career with exceptional design work on fan-favorite anime such as Gatchaman/G-Force and Time Bokan and popular graphic novels Sandman: The Dream Hunters and Wolverine & Elektra: The Redeemer, but it wasn't until he turned his attention to the medium of printmaking that his artistic genius began to flower. Drawing from influences as diverse as Art Nouveau and Art Deco traditions, American comics, Japanese ukiyo-e, and traditional fantasy illustration, Amano's prints capture a breathtaking world -- sometimes whimsical, sometimes luxurious, and sometimes terrifying.
Amano: The Complete Prints showcases hundreds of these captivating works, comprising an impressive, comprehensive look at one of the art world's visionary talents. Art scholar and critic Unno Hiroshi contributes an insightful message on Amano, the genesis of this style, and his place in the panoply of art history. Also included is a brief timeline noting the high points of the artist's career.”

Girl on Girl - Y: The Last Man vol. 6 by Brian K. Vaughn (Vertigo/DC Comics, Oversized Softcover, $14.99) - Originally published in single magazine form as Y: The Last Man #32-36

Myth Directions by Robert Asprin (Ace, Trade Paperback, $6.99)

The Faery Reel edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (Firebird, Trade Paperback, $9.99) - Stories by Neil Gaiman, Charles de Lint, Holly Black and others. Cover and decorations by Charles Vess.

The Green Man - Tales from the Mythic Forest edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (Firebird, Trade Paperback, $8.99)

A Fire In The Sun by George Alec Effinger (Orb, Trade Paperback, $14.95) - Sequel to WHEN GRAVITY FAILS.

The Carpet Makers by Andreas Eschbach (Tor, Trade Paperback, $14.95) - Foreword by Orson Scott Card.

Winter Moon by Mercedes Lackey and Tanith Lee (Luna, Trade Paperback, $13.95)

Bridge Of Souls - The Quickening vol. 3 by Fiona McIntosh (Eos, Trade Paperback, $14.95)

Family Values - Sin City vol. 5 by Frank Miller (Dark Horse Books, Trade Paperback, $12.00)

Drowned Wednesday - Keys to the Kingdom vol. 3 by Garth Nix (Scholastic, Trade Paperback, $6.99)

All The Rage This Year edited by Keith Olexa (Phobos , Trade Paperback, $14.95) - Contains stories by Barr Kirtley, David Walton, Eric Griffin and more.

Pastoralia by George Saunders (Riverhead, Trade Paperback, $14.00)

Cartomancy - Age of Discovery vol. 2 by Michael A. Stackpole (Bantam Spectra, Trade Paperback, $15.00)

City Of Saints And Madmen by Jeff Vandermeer (Bantam Spectra, Trade Paperback, $14.00)

Tatja Grimm’s World by Vernor Vinge (Tor, Trade Paperback, $14.95)

BSI: Starside: The Cause of Death by Roger MacBride Allen (Bantam Spectra, Mass Market, $6.99)

Exit Strategy - Inconstant Moon vol. 3 by Pierce Askegren (Ace, Mass Market, $7.99)

Novice - Black Magician vol. 2 by Trudi Canavan (Eos, Mass Market, $7.50)

Destroyer - Foreigner vol. 7 by C.J. Cherryh (DAW , Mass Market, $7.99)

Sunstorm - A Time Odyssey vol. 2 by Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter (Del Rey, Mass Market, $7.99)

1862 by Robert Conroy (Ballantine, Mass Market, $6.99)

Iron Tree - Crowthistle Chronicles vol. 1 by Cecilia Dart-Thornton (Tor, Mass Market, $7.99)

In the Ruins - Crown of Stars vol. 6 by Kate Elliott (DAW , Mass Market, $7.99)

Deadhouse Gates - Malazan Book of the Fallen vol. 2 by Steven Erikson (Tor, Mass Market, $7.99)

Kindling by Mick Farren (Tor, Mass Market, $7.99)

The King’s Own - A Borderlands Novel by Lorna Freeman (Roc, Mass Market, $7.99)

Millennium 3001 edited by Martin H. Greenberg and Russell Davis  (DAW , Mass Market, $7.50) - Contains stories by Allen M. Steele, Sarah A. Hoyt, Brian Stableford, Kevin J. Anderson and more.

The Hidden Stars - The Rune of Unmaking vol. 1 by Madeline Howard (Eos, Mass Market, $7.99)

Unexpected Magic by Diana Wynne Jones (Eos, Mass Market, $7.99)

Darby O’Gill by Herminie Templeton Kavanagh (Tor, Mass Market, $5.99)

Black Juice by Margo Lanagan (Eos, Mass Market, $5.99) - Contains the stories Singing My Sister Down, Wooden Bride, Rite Of Spring and more.

Resenting The Hero by Moira J. Moore (Ace, Mass Market, $7.50)

Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan (Del Rey, Mass Market, $6.99)

Men of Iron by Howard Pyle (Tor, Mass Market, $4.99)

What Fire Cannot Burn by John Ridley (Warner, Mass Market, $6.99)

Mystic And Rider - A Novel of the Twelve Houses by Sharon Shinn (Ace, Mass Market, $7.99)

Touching Darkness - Midnighters vol. 2 by Scott Westerfeld (Eos, Mass Market, $6.99)

Spin by Robert Charles Wilson (Tor, Mass Market, $7.99)

New and Notable DVDs

Acacia directed by Park Ki-Hyung (Tartan Asia Extreme, DVD, $24.99) - Korean ghost horror.

Bio Zombie directed by Yip Wai-Shun (Toko Shock, DVD, $24.95) - Japanse exploitation zombie horror.

The Brood directed by David Cronenberg (MGM, DVD, $14.95)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer directed by Fran Rubel Kuzui (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $9.98) - Original movie that inspired the TV series.

Crazy Lips directed by Hirohisa Sasaki (Adness, DVD, $19.99) - Japanese horror slasher.

Cronos directed by Guilermo Del Toro (Lion’s Gate, DVD, $14.98)

Double Vision directed by Chen Koo Fu (Paramount, DVD, $9.95) - Starring Tony Leung.

Eko Eko Azarak: Wizard of Darkness, Birth of the Wizard, and Misa the Dark Angel directed by Shimako Sato (Tokyo Shock, DVD, $19.98)

Evil Dead Gift Set - Evil Dead 1 & 2 (Book of the Dead editions) - directed by Sam Raimi (Anchor Bay, DVD, $69.98)

Frailty directed by Bill Paxton (Lion’s Gate, DVD, $9.98)

The Frighteners directed by Peter Jackson (Universal Pictures, DVD, $26.98)

The Gift directed by Sam Raimi (Paramount, DVD, $12.99)

Halloween 2 directed by Rick Rosenthal (Universal Pictures, DVD, $9.99)

Halloween 3 directed by John Carpenter (Universal Pictures, DVD, $14.98)

High Tension directed by Alexandre Aja (Lions Gate, DVD, $27.98)

Ichi The Killer directed by Takashi Miike (Tokyo Shock, DVD, $24.95) - Japanese Yakuza Exploitation.

Infection directed by Masayuki Ochiai (Lion’s Gate, DVD, $26.98) - Japanese bio-horror survival film.

Inferno directed by Dario Argento (Anchor Bay, DVD, $9.98)

Living Hell: A Japanse Chainsaw Massacre directed by Shugo Fujii (Subversive, DVD, $14.96) - Japanese exploitation grindhouse horror.

Psycho II directed by Richard Franklin (Universal Pictures, DVD, $12.98)

Python directed by Richard Clabaugh (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $9.98)

Rabid directed by David Cronenberg (Somverville House, DVD, $24.99)

The Rage: Carrie 2 directed by Katt Shea (MGM, DVD, $14.95)

Red Dragon directed by Brett Ratner (Universal Pictures, DVD, $14.98)

Season of the Witch directed by George A. Romero (Anchor Bay, DVD, $19.98)

Suspiria directed by Dario Argento (Anchor Bay, DVD, $14.98) - Starring Jessica Harper.

The Fly: Special Edition directed by David Cronenberg (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $19.98)

Videodrome directed by David Cronenberg (Criterion, DVD, $39.95)

Alien directed by Ridley Scott (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $26.98) - Contains both the original theatrical cut, and the 2003 director’s cut.

Alien Resurrection directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $26.98) - Contains both the original theatrical cut, and the 2003 special edition.

Alien3 directed by David Fincher (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $26.98) - Contains both the original theatrical cut, and the 2003 special edition.

Aliens directed by James Cameron (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $26.98) - Contains both the original theatrical cut, and the 1991 special edition.

Assault on Precinct 13 directed by John Carpenter (Elite, DVD, $19.99)

Clash of the Titans directed by Desmond Davis (Warner, DVD, $12.97)

Cocoon directed by Ron Howard (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $9.98)

The Day the Earth Stood Still directed by Robert Wise (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $12.13)

Donnie Darko: Director’s Cut directed by Richard Kelly (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $26.98)

Dragonslayer directed by Matthew Robbins (Paramount, DVD, $9.98)

Dune: The Extended Edition directed by David Lynch (Universal Pictures, DVD, $27.98)

Equilibrium directed by Kurt Wimmer (Dimension Home Video, DVD, $19.99)

Ever After: A Cinderella Story directed by Andy Tennant (Twentieth Century Fox, DVD, $14.98)

King Kong (1976) - directed by John Guillermin (Paramount, DVD, $12.99)

Mirrormask directed by Dave McKean and written by Neil Gaiman (Sony , DVD, $26.96)

Scroodged directed by Richard Donner (Paramount, DVD, $14.98) - Comedic modern re-telling of A Christmas Carol

Serenity directed by Joss Whedon (Universal Pictures, DVD, $29.98)

Vanilla Sky directed by Cameron Crowe (Paramount, DVD, $9.99)

Yesterday directed by Jeong Yu-Su (ADV Films, DVD, $19.98)

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.)

THE LINE BETWEEN by Peter S. Beagle (Tachyon Publications, Trade Paperback, $14.95) - Coming in July, this fresh collection of short stories from the master fantasist kicks off with a sequel to THE LAST UNICORN.

FEELING VERY STRANGE: THE SLIPSTREAM ANTHOLOGY edited by James Patrick Kelly and John Kessel (Tachyon Publications, Trade Paperback, $14.95) - Includes tales by Jonathan Lethem, Karen Joy Fowler, Carol Emshwiller, George Saunders and others.

British Book Watch:

We should have copies of BONEHUNTERS by Steven Erickson any day now.

THE VOYAGE OF THE SABLE KEECH by Neal Asher will also be arriving soon from across the Atlantic, along with Geoff Ryman's newest, THE KING'S LAST SONG.  We're also excited about DAN LENO & THE LIMEHOUSE GOLEM by Peter Ackroyd.

This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long as 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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