Monday, May 30, 2011

Tuesday Tomorrow

Will return to it's regularly scheduled programing next week once I've recovered from WisCon... until then, you can always wonder around the new release table at your local bookstore to see what you can see. Let me know if you see anything good!

Friday, May 27, 2011

WisCon

I know you will all be jealous of my holiday weekend plans when I say I'm spending them at WisCon. The best book geek convention and so near my house, it's fate. While I wanted, but was unable to battle the hordes at BEA this past week (damn inner ear) my consolation prizes (seeing as I couldn't be in two places at the same time) are Catherynne Valente, K. Tempest Bradford, Ellen Klages, Seanan McGuire, Sarah Monette, Mary Doria Russell, Lynne M. Thomas and so many more (go here to drool). It's not really consolation but jubilation. So as you're eating your brats and drinking your brew, I'll be where I'm meant to be, in rooms surrounded by people clutching books. And what's even better? No one thinks you're weird when you geek out at the mention of Joss Whedon or Doctor Who. In fact... they expect it! MY PEOPLE! Expect a full report once I've recovered.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Book Review - Katie Fforde's Love Letters

Love Letters by Katie Fforde
Published by: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: January 18th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 388 Pages
Rating: ★★
To Buy
Laura Horsley (yes, the heroine's name is the least romantic most equine name there could be) is being made redundant at the bookstore she loves. Not because the bookstore is logically closing due to the harsh realities of publishing, just because the store's owner Henry wants to retire. This book loving introvert starts throwing caution to the wind and saying things she'd never have said if her life wasn't being uprooted. She's not rude, she just speaks her mind, which brings her to the attention of a literary agent at the store, Eleanora. Eleanora likes to scheme. And she has just the scheme for this little bookworm. How would Laura like to run a literary festival? She'd just have to convince the most recluse author on the planet, Dermot Flynn, to leave his secluded village in the west of Ireland and come to England. Sure, no problem, seeing as he won't even do an event 5 miles from his house... With her new bff Monica, lead singer of a swing and nostalgia band in tow, off they go to Ireland. After much alcohol, Laura decides that it's a great idea to loose her virginity to the author she has worshiped since college in order to secure his appearing at her festival. Problem is, the next day she doesn't remember what happened. This shy little girl now has to get up the courage to ask this literary lion if they slept together.

Even if they didn't, Laura still wishes to, because she realizes, after now meeting the man, she's in love. She tries to deny her feelings by throwing herself into her work on the festival and subsequently her work in a writing course she's helping Dermot with, but all her work having the ring of Dermot doesn't help to distract her much. But while she may be ignoring her feelings for a certain man, she is embracing her dream of becoming an editor. Laura has finally broken into the rarefied book world and she has a bright future ahead, despite how gloomy her parents are about it. Now if she can just ignore Dermot forevermore and mend her broken heart, then life could be peachy.

Part of me wants to know if this was all some big joke. A book about a character aspiring to be an editor should have logically had an editor itself. The grammatical errors, typos and sentences that just plain didn't make sense, ran rampant through this book. Several times I thought, I should put this down, and then didn't. It really doesn't matter that I finished, it feels like a book I've read a hundred times before, only less original. It's riddled with cliches of the genre and peopled by unlikable characters in stupid situations. There's the wallflower, who obviously is virginal, her bff, the extrovert rocker chick and her other bff, the gay boy. Then add in the dollop of Darcy sex appeal with Dermot and wait to get them together. Once together, break them up for a stupid reason and in the climax get them back together with all problems surmounted. Ug. And ironically, I was in the mood for some really good chick lit. This my friends, is not good chick lit. Laura becomes an extrovert through the heavy and liberal application of alcohol. So girls, remember, to get the guy, start drinking whisky by the tumbler full! The two writers Veronica and Anne who show up to the literary festival are the only reason this is two stars. They are star one and star two, the rest of the book is a zero. Plus, I was once more lured in by a cover. There is NOTHING in the book that that cover relates too! Skip it, that's my advice of the day, seeing as it's going straight into my sell pile. I can only be grateful I picked this up used... and now I know why such a new release was at Half Price Books...

Monday, May 23, 2011

Tuesday Tomorrow

Welcome to Bordertown edited by Holly Black and Ellen Kushner
Published by: Random House
Publication Date: May 24th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 544 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Bordertown: a city on the border between our human world and the elfin realm. Runaway teens come from both sides of the border to find adventure, to find themselves. Elves play in rock bands and race down the street on spell-powered motorbikes. Human kids recreate themselves in the squats and clubs and artists' studios of Soho. Terri Windling's original Bordertown series was the forerunner of today's urban fantasy, introducing authors that included Charles de Lint, Will Shetterly, Emma Bull, and Ellen Kushner. In this volume of all-new work (including a 15-page graphic story), the original writers are now joined by the generation that grew up dreaming of Bordertown, including acclaimed authors Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, Cory Doctorow, Neil Gaiman, Catherynne M. Valente, and many more. They all meet here on the streets of Bordertown in more than twenty new interconnected songs, poems, and stories."

An anthology I've been waiting for, and with these stellar authors who wouldn't be?

Something Deadly This Way Comes by Kim Harrison
Published by: Harper Collins
Publication Date: May 24th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 256 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"I'm Madison Avery, in charge of heaven's hit squad . . . and fighting it all the way.

When Madison died the night of her prom, she knew her life would never be the same. Now she has a powerful amulet, a team of rogue angels by her side, and the ability to flash forward into the future to see the shape of destiny. And of course, now she's finally with Josh—a perfect boyfriend who doesn't even mind that she's dead.

But being dead has its disadvantages, too. Madison feels caught between the light and the dark, and between her real life and her timekeeper status. When Madison has the opportunity to get her body back—to be alive again—she faces her most difficult decision yet. If she claims it, she could return to being a normal girl—and have a chance at a real relationship with Josh. But would having the one thing she wants most in the world also mean giving up everything she's worked so hard for?"

Woo hoo! New Madison Avery novel by Kim Harrison.

The Vampire Narcise by Colleen Gleason
Published by: Mira
Publication Date: May 24th, 2011
Format: Paperback, 384 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Skilled in the seduction of men, both mortal and immortal, Narcise Moldavi is the greatest weapon in her twisted brother's war among the Dracule. Until she falls for Giordan Cale.
Her first searing encounter with Giordan seals their fierce connection for their eternal lives. But Giordan's vow to help Narcise escape her brother's rule is followed by a betrayal more agonizing than sunlight.

Wounded but determined, Narcise ensnares vampire hunter Chas Woodmore in her quest for revenge and to reclaim her life. He wants her, worships her, will kill for her. And the Dracule never forget a wrong— nor do they forgive. "

I really can't get enough of Colleen Gleason and her vampires.

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Published by: Scholastic
Publication Date: May 24th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 400 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"om bestselling, Printz Award-winning author Libba Bray comes the story of a plane of beauty pageant contestants that crashes on a desert island.

Teen beauty queens. A Lost-like island. Mysteries and dangers. No access to emall. And the spirit of fierce, feral competition that lives underground in girls, a savage brutality that can only be revealed by a journey into the heart of non-exfoliated darkness. Oh, the horror, the horror! Only funnier. With evening gowns. And a body count."

Sounds like an all girls version of Lord of the Flies meets Hunger Games with a side of Miss Congeniality, I'm in!

The Warlock by Michael Scott
Published by: Delacorte
Publication Date: May 24th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 400 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"In the fifth installment of this bestselling series, the twins of prophesy have been divided, and the end is finally beginning.

With Scatty, Joan of Arc, Saint Germain, Palamedes, and Shakespeare all in Danu Talis, Sophie is on her own with the ever-weakening Nicholas and Perenelle Flamel. She must depend on Niten to help her find an immortal to teach her Earth Magic. The surprise is that she will find her teacher in the most ordinary of places. "

New book in the Nicholas Flammel series, though every time I look at these books I think, does Michael Scott hate The Office because it's made his name infamous?

Thursday, May 19, 2011

(O)Mega Giveaway. The Mega Horde Returns!

Two year ago to the minute I posted my first post. I first off, can't believe it's been two years. Secondly, I can't believe all of you have followed me, commented and become my friends. I think this deserves a giant HUZZAH! As with anniversaries and parties, seeing as in a virtual space, I can't really give you all cake. Saying there'd be cake would be a lie. But I can bring in some prezzies!

There is one guaranteed prize, that of a $25 gift cardto Amazon.com. But once I officially hit 300, I add in a book. I get another 25, I add in another book, and so on and so forth. So this could be one really big prize that could potentially have many winners. Possible books will be hinted at with teasers to get more entrants. Trust me, they're awesome prizes, I horde books oh so well! So let's keep those numbers shooting skyward!

Prize 1: $25 gift card to Amazon.com
Prize 2 (once at 300): Clue: Osseous Microbes (and it's signed)

The Rules:
1. Open to EVERYONE, just because you haven't been following me all along doesn't mean you don't matter, you just get more entries if you prove you love me by following.
2. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if your name is drawn, either your blogger profile or a link to your website/blog or you could even include your email address with your comment(s).
3. Contest ends Thursday, June 30th at 11:59PM CST
4. How to enter:

Answer me this: What book are you looking forward to most in the coming year?

5. And for those addicted to getting extra entries:

  • +1 for answering the question above
  • +2 for becoming a follower
  • +10 if you are already a follower
  • +10 for each time you advertise this contest - blog post, sidebar, twitter (please @MzLizard), etc. (but you only get credit for the first post, so tweet all you like, and I thank you for it, but you'll only get the +10 once). Also please leave a link!
  • +50 if you are the first person to correctly identify what the next prize is just from the cryptic clue

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

One Win, Some Lost

Ok, so apparently, due to the end of my semester, I lost complete knowledge of time or space. I was supposed to announce the winner of this wonderful ARC giveaway about 18 days ago. Whoops. So here you go, the winner of this awesome books is: katrinao. Congrats! Hope you love it like I did. Stay tuned for more giveaways... there may be some sort of announcement tomorrow...

Monday, May 16, 2011

Tuesday Tomorrow

Graveminder by Melissa Marr
Published by: William Morrow
Publication Date: May 17th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"The New York Times bestselling author of the Wicked Lovely series delivers her first novel for adults, a story about the living, the dead, and a curse that binds them.

Rebekkah Barrow never forgot the tender attention her grandmother, Maylene, bestowed upon the dead of Claysville, the town where Bek spent her adolescence. There wasn't a funeral that Maylene didn't attend, and at each Rebekkah watched as Maylene performed the same unusual ritual: three sips from a small silver flask followed by the words "Sleep well, and stay where I put you."

Now Maylene is dead and Bek must go back to the place--and the man--she left a decade ago. But what she soon discovers is that Maylene was murdered and that there was good reason for her odd traditions. It turns out that in placid Claysville, the worlds of the living and the dead are dangerously connected. Beneath the town lies a shadowy, lawless land ruled by the enigmatic Charles, aka Mr. D--a place from which the dead will return if their graves are not properly minded. Only the Graveminder, a Barrow woman, and the current Undertaker, Byron, can set things to right once the dead begin to walk."

Previously known for her teen fairy series, Melissa Marr goes into the land of the adult... which I can't wait for. The Wicked Lovely series was always best when it went into the dark places, so this should be a great read. Plus my friend John from Murder by the Book says it's awesome, 'nuff said!

Embassytown by China Mieville
Published by: Del Ray
Publication Date: May 17th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 368 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"China Miéville doesn’t follow trends, he sets them. Relentlessly pushing his own boundaries as a writer—and in the process expanding the boundaries of the entire field—with Embassytown, Miéville has crafted an extraordinary novel that is not only a moving personal drama but a gripping adventure of alien contact and war.

In the far future, humans have colonized a distant planet, home to the enigmatic Ariekei, sentient beings famed for a language unique in the universe, one that only a few altered human ambassadors can speak.

Avice Benner Cho, a human colonist, has returned to Embassytown after years of deep-space adventure. She cannot speak the Ariekei tongue, but she is an indelible part of it, having long ago been made a figure of speech, a living simile in their language.

When distant political machinations deliver a new ambassador to Arieka, the fragile equilibrium between humans and aliens is violently upset. Catastrophe looms, and Avice is torn between competing loyalties—to a husband she no longer loves, to a system she no longer trusts, and to her place in a language she cannot speak yet speaks through her. "

I haven't read any of China Mieville's books, but the review in Entertainment Weekly for this one really capture my attention. Could be total crap, or could be awesome, we'll just have to see now won't we?

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Book Review - Charlaine Harris' Dead in the Family

Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse Book 10) by Charlaine Harris
Published by: Ace Hardcover
Publication Date: May 4th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
Challenge: Fantasy
Rating: ★★★
To Buy
Sookie is slowly healing, but she has had enough. She will no longer be as peppy or as perky. In fact, she could even get herself a little hit list going if she bothered, Eric's direct boss being number one on that list. But what with Amelia moving out and Claude moving in, it looks like the Fae War wasn't the end of the fairies in her life. Plus, the Weres have noticed that there are other fairies prowling the woods behind the Stackhouse property. As Sookie opines, wasn't the sealing of the worlds meant to take care of all these pesky fairies? Of course a corpse then ends up on the property, Sookie's house being a magnet for all kids of trouble. But she has little time to think of who could be planting bodies on her property line when two more vamps show up sharing the same blood as her. Eric's sire, Ocella, returns with a Romanov in tow. Being around the three spins Sookie around, and she doesn't know which way is up. Plus Eric's sibling, Alexi, he's not exactly right in the head, more of the mass murderer sensibilities. If it wasn't for Sookie's respite with Hadley's child Hunter and helping Bill find his own sibling to heal, she might just go crazy.

In the latest installment of the beloved Southern Vampire novels we have a book almost veering out of control. Starting unlike any other in that months elapse in a matter of pages, we then proceed to slog through a book with no plot. There is much character development and back story and little vignettes with different variations on family. From human blood, to fairy blood, to vamp blood, Sookie sure has a lot of "blood relatives" out there. If it wasn't for the hilarious and horrifying Alexi, I don't really think this book would have had any umph to it. I try to think about it and my mind is almost blank, not an impression that an author wishes to leave. With the series continuing on I think we need to have an end in sight. There's only so many more people left that can die and soon Bon Temps could be left unoccupied. I just hope that come this time next year Charlaine will have a plot in mind. But as a final note, the thing that bothered me most. Sookie felt herself not whole until she had an orgasm. So, apparently, despite all that she's been through, she didn't feel herself whole until Eric helped her come. Ah... ok, interesting... I thought it might have been the absence of pain and being able to function, and yes, pleasure is important, but still, I felt it a little crass.

Monday, May 9, 2011

Tuesday Tomorrow

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
Published by: Feiwel and Friends
Publication Date: May 10th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 256 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn’t . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday.

With exquisite illustrations by acclaimed artist Ana Juan, Fairyland lives up to the sensation it created when the author first posted it online. For readers of all ages who love the charm of Alice in Wonderland and the soul of The Golden Compass, here is a reading experience unto itself: unforgettable, and so very beautiful."

I read about this while trolling goodreads one night and now I MUST read it! Right NOW!

The Penderwicks at Point Mouette by Jeanna Birdsall
Published by: Knopf
Publication Date: May 10th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 304 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"When summer comes around, it's off to the beach for Rosalind . . . and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey. That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)—a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor. But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind's directions about not letting Batty explode? Will Jane's Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty—contrary to all accepted wisdom—the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune? And will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family? It's a rollicking ride as the Penderwicks continue their unforgettable adventures in a story filled with laughs and joyful tears!"

For those who like a little bit of that olde tyme feel, like The Moffats.

A Tale of Two Castles by Gail Carson Levine
Published by: Harper Collins
Publication Date: May 10th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Newbery Honor author of Ella Enchanted Gail Carson Levine weaves a spellbinding tale about a clever heroine, a dragon detective, and a shape-shifting ogre.

Newly arrived in the town of Two Castles, Elodie unexpectedly becomes the assistant to a brilliant dragon named Meenore, and together they solve mysteries. Their most important case concerns the town’s shape-shifting ogre, Count Jonty Um: Someone is plotting against him. Elodie must disguise herself to discover the source of the threat amid a cast of characters that includes a greedy king, a giddy princess, and a handsome cat trainer. 

Readers who loved Ella Enchanted and Fairest will delight in this tale of a spirited heroine who finds friendship where she least expects it and discovers that goodness and evil come in all shapes and sizes. "

There's a cat trainer, nuff said. Also, on another site I read there are  black-and-white cats, doubly sold!

Die For Me by Amy Plum
Published by: Harper Collins
Publication Date: May 10th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"In the City of Lights, two star-crossed lovers battle a fate that is destined to tear them apart again and again for eternity.

When Kate Mercier's parents die in a tragic car accident, she leaves her life--and memories--behind to live with her grandparents in Paris. For Kate, the only way to survive her pain is escaping into the world of books and Parisian art. Until she meets Vincent.

Mysterious, charming, and devastatingly handsome, Vincent threatens to melt the ice around Kate's guarded heart with just his smile. As she begins to fall in love with Vincent, Kate discovers that he's a revenant--an undead being whose fate forces him to sacrifice himself over and over again to save the lives of others. Vincent and those like him are bound in a centuries-old war against a group of evil revenants who exist only to murder and betray. Kate soon realizes that if she follows her heart, she may never be safe again.

In this incandescent debut, newcomer Amy Plum has created a powerful paranormal mythology with immortal revenants. The Paris setting comes enchantingly alive as a relentless struggle between good and evil takes place in its streets. Rich with romance, atmosphere, and thrills, Die for Me will leave readers breathlessly awaiting its sequel."

Another undead book, looks different that the rest so I'm in.

The Snowman by Jo Nesbo
Published by: Knopf
Publication Date: May 10th, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 400 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Internationally acclaimed crime writer Jo Nesbø’s antihero police investigator, Harry Hole, is back: in a bone-chilling thriller that will take Hole to the brink of insanity.

Oslo in November. The first snow of the season has fallen. A boy named Jonas wakes in the night to find his mother gone. Out his window, in the cold moonlight, he sees the snowman that inexplicably appeared in the yard earlier in the day. Around its neck is his mother’s pink scarf.

Hole suspects a link between a menacing letter he’s received and the disappearance of Jonas’s mother—and of perhaps a dozen other women, all of whom went missing on the day of a first snowfall. As his investigation deepens, something else emerges: he is becoming a pawn in an increasingly terrifying game whose rules are devised—and constantly revised—by the killer.

Fiercely suspenseful, its characters brilliantly realized, its atmosphere permeated with evil, The Snowman is the electrifying work of one of the best crime writers of our time.."

This one's for my mom and for all those people looking for the next Stieg Larsson. Also, I adore this cover! It's like an old Saul Bass piece!

Friday, May 6, 2011

Book Review - Charlaine Harris' Dead and Gone

Dead and Gone (Sookie Stackhouse Book 9) by Charlaine Harris
Published by: Ace Trade
Publication Date: May 5th, 2009
Format: Paperback, 320 Pages
Challenge: Fantasy
Rating: ★★★★
To Buy
Sookie has lived through the were wars and the hostile take over of her state by the Nevada vamps... but can she still keep the status quo when the weres finally come out and an all out fairy war looms on the horizon, seeing to make the previous battles look like a game. Would have been nice if she'd known in advance all the heaps of trouble having a fairy lord as a relative could bring down on her. But issues with her immediate friends and family make the fairies a secondary concern. Sam has left the bar under Sookie's supervision because his mom got shot by his stepfather when she revealed herself as a shifter. Plus, they're down a  waitress when Arelene quites because she can't work for a shifter, bigot that she now is. Sookie inadvertently ends up "married" to Eric. Also Jason's two timing ex wife ends up crucified in the Merlotte's parking lot. Which could end up as Sookie's fate if certain people have their way, or if the fairies don't get her first. But everything in the world becomes insignificant when she's kidnapped by two sadistic fairies and just staying alive from one moment to the next is all that she can focus on. The question becomes, how many of them will make it out alive?

With more death than in previous installments, we do get quite of few questions answered as well as a tying up of the fairies, which seemed to be just thrown in because a) supernatural beings and why don't we add another supernatural species and b) this could be a handy way to explain away Sookie's powers. Also, the deaths and crimes have reached a new level of gore. While Sookie has always been hurt and in danger, I don't think she's ever been hurt to the extent she was in this book and I will be interested to see how this affects her sunny disposition and outlook on the world. Plus, while she is now "married" to Eric, why wasn't he there to help her when she needed him most? He would of course have felt her pain and terror! While main plots were resolved and longtime mysteries wrapped up, in particular Sookie's parents, I always knew there had to be something more, there are many questions still left. Ah Charlaine, you keep us coming back for more, I just wish you could write faster! Also, I don't think I want to ever be a pregnant lady in Charlaine's world, Tara, keep a look out!

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Book Review - Charlaine Harris' A Touch of Dead

A Touch of Dead: The Complete Sookie Stackhouse Short Stories by Charlaine Harris
Published by: Ace Trade
Publication Date: October 6th, 2009
Format: Hardcover, 208 Pages
Challenge: Fantasy
Rating: ★★★
To Buy
From learing that Claude and Claudine are really triplets, to Eric's obsession with Dracula, to the queen of Louisiana punishing the killer of Sookie's cousin Hadley, to an insurance agent who takes more than his share of the worlds luck to a very lucky Christmas for Sookie, the Sookie short stories are all combined in this handy, yet slim volume. Of course... they aren't really all the Sookie short stories, just the ones where Sookie makes an appearance, omitting all other Sookieverse stories, which makes it less handy in my mind. Plus, it's still irritating to those who are trying to read everything Sookie that we have all the other, rather stupid anthologies we have to buy to get the other stories. Also the thing is, short stories don't seem to be Charlaine's strong suit. They're funny (occasionally) and interesting (some of the time), but they are also boring too (the insurance one, really!?!) I think for cannon, the one with Hadley is the most important, and really should have been included in the beginning of book six, but other than that, they are all throw away. Also, Sookie's fairy granddad hooking her up with some sex for Christmas, can we saw eww!?! Just read it quickly, get a few laughs and move on. But if you are a die hard Sookie fan, I have a feeling you already have this book.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Tuesday Tomorrow

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
Published by: Ace
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows... "

Yet another Sookie book... I love ya Sookie, but I think you've run your course and are dying a slow death from overexposure.

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan
Published by: Hyperion
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 464 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"In this exciting second installment of the three-book series, Carter and Sadie, offspring of the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane, embark on a worldwide search for the Book of Ra, but the House of Life and the gods of chaos are determined to stop them. "

Wow, could your book discription be shorter? Also, not sure if I'm going to pick this up, I really, and I mean REALLY disliked the first book. A Egyptian monkey god who plays basketball? Please save me now.

The Rogue Crew by Brian Jacques
Published by: Philomel
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 400 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Redwall Abbey has never seen a creature more evil or more hideous than Razzid Wearat. Captain of the Greenshroud, a ship with wheels that can sail through water as well as the forest, this beast is a terror of both land and sea, traveling Mossflower Country, killing nearly everything-and everyone- in his path. And his goal? To conquer Redwall Abbey. From Salamandastron to the High North Coast, the brave hares of the Long Patrol team up with the fearless sea otters of the Rogue Crew to form a pack so tough, so rough, only they can defend the abbey and defeat Razzid Wearat once and for all."

Not sure it this is the last Redwall book or not, what with Brian Jacques passing recently. Still, it's been a great series and even if this is the end, at least we have tons of re-reads ahead of us.


Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Published by: Scribner
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2011
Format: Paperback, 960 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"An anniversary edition of Margaret Mitchell's timeless classic."

Yes, I can't fault the Riordan book for short discriptions now can I? 75th anniversary cool new blue edition, doesn't top the neat hardcover re-print, but it's still damn cool.

My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me by Hilary Winston
Published by: Sterling
Publication Date: May 3rd, 2011
Format: Hardcover, 240 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"TV writer Hilary Winston offers up a witty collection of autobiographical tales about her misadventures in dating. Just when Hilary feels like her life is finally in order, she gets a sucker-punch to the gut: Her ex has written a novel based on their relationship in which he refers to her throughout as the “fat-assed girlfriend.” Her response to this affront is just one of the many hilarious stories in My Boyfriend Wrote a Book About Me-a laugh-out-loud, tell-all in which Hilary sets the record straight for all her exes."

Looks hilarious, and she writes for Community, so I'll forgive her My Name is Earl.

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