Showing posts with label Chi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chi. Show all posts

Monday, July 27, 2015

Tuesday Tomorrow

Circling the Sun by Paula McLain
Published by: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: July 28th, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Paula McLain, author of the phenomenal bestseller The Paris Wife, now returns with her keenly anticipated new novel, transporting readers to colonial Kenya in the 1920s. Circling the Sun brings to life a fearless and captivating woman—Beryl Markham, a record-setting aviator caught up in a passionate love triangle with safari hunter Denys Finch Hatton and Karen Blixen, who as Isak Dinesen wrote the classic memoir Out of Africa.

Brought to Kenya from England as a child and then abandoned by her mother, Beryl is raised by both her father and the native Kipsigis tribe who share his estate. Her unconventional upbringing transforms Beryl into a bold young woman with a fierce love of all things wild and an inherent understanding of nature’s delicate balance. But even the wild child must grow up, and when everything Beryl knows and trusts dissolves, she is catapulted into a string of disastrous relationships.

Beryl forges her own path as a horse trainer, and her uncommon style attracts the eye of the Happy Valley set, a decadent, bohemian community of European expats who also live and love by their own set of rules. But it’s the ruggedly charismatic Denys Finch Hatton who ultimately helps Beryl navigate the uncharted territory of her own heart. The intensity of their love reveals Beryl’s truest self and her fate: to fly.

Set against the majestic landscape of early-twentieth-century Africa, McLain’s powerful tale reveals the extraordinary adventures of a woman before her time, the exhilaration of freedom and its cost, and the tenacity of the human spirit."

I am a sucked for all things Kenya, especially during this period. I should note though that Out of Africa is the exception to this rule. I hate that book.

The Complete Chi's Sweet Home Part 1 by Konami Kanata
Published by: Vertical Comics
Publication Date: July 28th, 2015
Format: Paperback, 480 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Chi is a michievous newborn kitten who, while on a leisurely stroll with her family, finds herself lost. Seperated from the warmth and protection of her mother, feels distraught. Overcome with loneliness she breaks into tears in a large urban park meadow., when she is suddenly rescued by a young boy named Yohei and his mother. The kitty is then quickly and quietly whisked away into the warm and inviting Yamada family apartment...where pets are strictly not permitted.

The Complete Chi's Sweet Home collects Chi's Sweet Home vol 1, Chi's Sweet Home vol 2 and Chi's Sweet Home vol 3 and includes never before translated comics from Konami Kanata in a new larger trim size!"

I adore Chi so much, this little kitty is infectious in her awesomeness. This would be a great edition to anyone's library who hasn't checked her out yet.

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Published by: William Morrow
Publication Date: July 28th, 2015
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"The #1 New York Times bestselling author’s ultimate edition of his wildly successful first novel featuring his “preferred text”—and including the special “Neverwhere” tale “How the Marquis Got His Coat Back.”

Published in 1997, Neil Gaiman’s darkly hypnotic first novel, Neverwhere, heralded the arrival of this major talent and became a touchstone of urban fantasy. Over the years, a number of versions were produced both in the U.S. and the U.K. Now, this author’s preferred edition of his classic novel reconciles these versions and reinstates a number of scenes cut from the original published books.

Neverwhere is the story of Richard Mayhew, a young London businessman with a good heart and an ordinary life, which is changed forever when he is plunged through the cracks of reality into a world of shadows and darkness—the Neverwhere. If he is ever to return to the London Above, Richard must join the battle to save this strange underworld kingdom from the malevolence that means to destroy it."

Sentimentally my favorite Gaiman book. Also I'm very excited that the short story about the Marquis is included.

Friday, April 6, 2012

The Bibliophilic Spree

1)* Fair Game by Patricia Briggs - The 3rd book in Patricia Briggs Alpha and Omega series, which is a spin off from the Mercy Thompson Books. Also this was the first time in Hardcover! I have waited a year for this book and it didn't disappoint, but I read it too fast and now have to wait a year for the new Mercy and possibly two years for the new Alpha and Omega, sigh. Bought at Barnes and Noble.

* Means it's already been read

2)* Chi's Sweet Home Vol. 8 by Kanata Konami - The next best thing to having a cat is reading these sweet tales about the kitten Chi and her adventures. This one had and awesome sequence about how a cat always lands on her feet and the first time with the collar that turns pets into looking like satellite dishes with legs. Bought at Amazon.com.

3)* Soulless Manga Vol. 1 by Gail Carriger - Very pleasantly surprised how it translate the book. Despite being Vol. 1, it covers all the book Soulless, so yeah! All the characters are well drawn and unique, and it was a quick fun read. I almost wish it was all in color, like the beginning of the book. Also, I swear that the Loontwills house is the house from Upstairs Downstairs, the look is just right. Bought at Murder by the Book, and they got it signed for me!

4) How to Be Death by Amber Benson - Yes, Tara from Buffy is a writer! Also, totally got this signed thanks to my Houston peeps. Bought at Murder by the Book.

5) Jane Bites Back by Michael Thomas Ford - So, I had heard about the newest book in this series, Jane Vows Vengeance, but I didn't know it was a series. Jon at Murder by the Book was sure I'd love them, so I ordered all three because the author was signing at the store! Bought at Murder by the Book.

6) Jane Goes Batty by Michael Thomas Ford - Ditto above.

7) Jane Vows Vengeance by Michael Thomas Ford - Ditto above.

8) Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter - The newest Gallagher Girls book, found before release date at a favorite bookstore. Bought at Frugal Muse

9) Death and Victoria Dock by Kerry Greenwood - If you read last month's post, you will have read about my excitement over finding all those Phryne Fisher mysteries... well I found another one I needed! Bought at Frugal Muse.

10) Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire - I got to meet Seanan at WisCon last year and her new book looks like kick ass fun. Bought at Barnes and Noble.

11) Death of an Expert Witness by PD James - Because I love me some mystery, but even cooler, this book is the last book I needed in the earlier James books where all the covers are cool and match. I just hate when they change size/cover design half way through a series of books. It's a series, make them look like one, sheesh. Bought at Half Price Books.

12) The Scapegoat by Daphne Du Maurier - I was over the moon at this find! I've been trying to get all the Virago Daphne Du Maurier books, which, when you're trying to pick them up used because they are pricey, is hard. New they are too pricey, and the US has never published more than a few of her more popular titles. Also, the fact that she might be under mystery or fiction or "D" or "M" depending on the store... even if they are IN the store, you might not find them. For future reference for people who own bookstores, she's filed under "D" and probably fiction, but you could make an easy argument for Mystery, so I'm down with that. Bought at Half Price Books.

13) A Bride's Story Volume 3 by Kaoru Mori - I first heard about Kaoru because of her manga series Emma, which I quite enjoyed. I think I might have actually enjoyed the author's little afterwards which are very funny and self-deprecating even more. Last year A Bride's Story started, which is quite different, being about the 19th century Silk Road versus and Upstairs, Downstairs like situation with lots of maids and servants. The first two volumes really hooked me and am so excited that the next volume is finally out! Bought at Amazon.com.

14) Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz - The newest installment by Lisa in one of my most favorite series ever. I wasn't able to go to the signing, but called the bookstore and got a signed copy delivered direct to my door. Yes, independent bookstores are that awesome, and they need and want you business! Bought at Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore.

Ok, and here's where my being goodish ends... The RT Convention in Chicago for the first time ever (that I've heard about) is letting people who aren't going to the convention come to the signing, oh... this is bad, 300+ authors, many of which I adore, some of which I've been meaning to read. In advance of this, I went on an Amazon crazy shopping spree to fill in the gaps moving books from my "to-get" shelf to my "to-read" shelf... sigh, one does try to be good and ones does fail horribly.

15) Dark and Stormy Night by P.N. Elrod - RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

16) Must Love Hellhounds by Charlaine Harris - Because the SOokie Short Story Book doesn't have the Sookie-verse non-Sookie stories in it. Also RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

17) The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox - A talking doggie, I'm in! RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

18) Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost - RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

19) The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley - RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

20) Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah McLean - Because EVERYONE keeps telling me to read it and RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

21) Faery Tales & Nightmares by Melissa Marr - How excited am I to meet Melissa Marr? VERY! RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

22) The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell - RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

23) Some Girls Bite by Chole Neil - Because I should have read about vampires in Chicago years ago... RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

24) Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin - RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

25) Embers by Laura Bickle - RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

26) Ill Wind by Rachel Caine - Because I love me some weird weather and RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

27) The Girl Who Was on Fire by Various - Yeah for a book about other people who love The Hunger Games! RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

28) English as a Second Language by Megan Crane - RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

29) The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross - Yeah steampunk and RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

30) Goodnight, Mr. Holmes by Carole Nelson Douglas - Did anyone else know about this series about Irene Adler from Sherlock Holmes? Sounds awesome. RT Convention. Bought at Amazon.com.

31) Elegy for Eddie by Jaqueline Winspear - Yeah new Maisie Dobbs! Yeah Murder by the Book for getting it signed to me! Bought at Murder by the Book.

32) The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin - Because I'm Downton desperate and everyone says this is like Downton and then it was at Frugal Muse so I thought it was fate! Bought at Frugal Muse.

33) Renegade Magic by Stephanie Burgess - Because I'm a sucker for Regency England and Magic! Bought at Barnes and Noble.
Darnit, almost had the same number of books as days... sigh. I swear I'll be better next month...

Note on the bookstores:

Barnes and Noble - the last big chain in the Midwest that everyone knows and loves or loathes accordingly.

Amazon.com - because sometimes, more often that not, your local Barnes and Noble didn't stock that ONE book you where looking for, and having prime means everything shows up so fast!

Murder by the Book - the best bookstore in the world! They're in Houston, Texas and have tons of amazing events and for every book you buy they'll let you send in three books to get signed. Love you all!

Frugal Muse - local Madison, Wisconsin chain with two stores in town which sells both old and new books at wonderful prices (at a really steep discount for new books too) and is easily my favorite bookstore.

Half Price Books - chain store of used books where you can often get amazing deals, but whose prices are not quite half off anymore since they decided to raise their prices in a bad economy.

Centuries & Sleuths Bookstore - An all mystery bookstore in Forest Park, Illinois that I really have to get to one of these days, it looks so cool!

Monday, February 27, 2012

Tuesday Tomorrow

Trail of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz
Published by: Simon and Schuster
Publication Date: February 28th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"FOR THE FIRST TIME in Spellman history, Isabel Spellman, PI, might be the most normal member of her family. Mom has taken on an outrageous assortment of extracurricular activities—with no apparent motive. Dad has a secret. Izzy’s brother and sister are at war—for no apparent reason. And her niece keeps saying “banana” even though she hates bananas.
That’s not to say that Izzy isn’t without her own troubles. Her boyfriend, Henry Stone, keeps wanting “to talk,” a prospect Isabel evades by going out with her new drinking buddy, none other than Gertrude Stone, Henry’s mother.

Things aren’t any simpler on the business side of Spellman Investigations. First, Rae is hired to follow a girl, only to fake the surveillance reports. Then a math professor hires Izzy to watch his immaculate apartment while he unravels like a bad formula. And as the questions pile up, Izzy won’t stop hunting for the answers—even when they threaten to shatter both the business and the family."

It seems longer than two years since the latest in the wonderfully funny Spellman series... but once you start reading it's like they haven't been gone at all.

Timless by Gail Carriger
Published by: Orbit
Publication Date: February 28th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 416 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Alexia Tarabotti, Lady Maccon, has settled into domestic bliss. Of course, being Alexia, such bliss involves integrating werewolves into London High society, living in a vampire's second best closet, and coping with a precocious toddler who is prone to turning supernatural willy-nilly. Even Ivy Tunstell's acting troupe's latest play, disastrous to say the least, cannot put a damper on Alexia's enjoyment of her new London lifestyle.

Until, that is, she receives a summons from Alexandria that cannot be ignored. With husband, child, and Tunstells in tow, Alexia boards a steamer to cross the Mediterranean. But Egypt may hold more mysteries than even the indomitable Lady Maccon can handle. What does the vampire Queen of the Alexandria Hive really want from her? Why is the God-Breaker Plague suddenly expanding? And how has Ivy Tunstell suddenly become the most popular actress in all the British Empire?"

I am so excited about the newest Parasol Protectorate book, but at the same time I don't want it to end! I know we'll have the two spin off series, but still!


Soulless Manga Volume 1 by Gail Carriger
Published by: Yen
Publication Date: February 28th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 224 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.
Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Or will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?"

So, at least with the end happening we can now go back to the beginning in Manga form!


Girl Genius Omnibus Volume 1: Agatha Awakens by Phil and Kaja Foglio
Published by: Tor
Publication Date: February 28th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Girl Genius, the multiple Hugo Award–winning steampunk webcomic by Phil and Kaja Foglio, now collected in hardcover!

The Industrial Revolution has become all-out war! Mad Scientists, gifted with the Spark of genius, unleash insane inventions on an unprepared Europe. For centuries, the Heterodyne family of inventors kept the peace, but the last Heterodyne disappeared twenty years ago, leaving their ally Baron Klaus Wulfenbach to maintain order with his fleet of airships and army of unstoppable, if not very bright, Jaeger Monsters.

At Transylvania Polygnostic University, Agatha Clay dreams of being a scientist herself, but her trouble concentrating dooms her to be a lowly minion at best. When her locket, a family heirloom, is stolen, Agatha shows signs of having the Spark in a spectacular, destructive fashion and captures the attention of the Baron—and the Baron’s handsome young son, Gilgamesh.

Swept up to the Baron's Airship City, Agatha finds herself in the midst of the greatest minds of her generation, as well as palace intrigue, dashing heroes, and an imperial cat. Agatha may be the most brilliant mind of her generation and the key to control of the continent, but first, she just has to survive."

People have been trying to get me into Agatha and Girl Genius for some time... perhaps this is the incentive I needed!

Jane Vows Vengeance by M.C. Beaton
Published by: Ballantine Books
Publication Date: February 28th, 2012
Format: Paperback, 288 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"How will Jane Austen break the news to her fiancé that she’s not only undead, but also a two-hundred-plus-year-old literary icon?

In sleepy upstate New York, Jane’s wedding preparations have taken on a bloodsucking intensity. So when Walter suggests they ditch it all and combine their marriage and honeymoon with a house tour of Europe, Jane jumps at the chance to flee Lord Byron and the lingering threat of Charlotte Brontë. But to Jane’s chagrin, more than one secret from her past is about to resurface.

From an Agatha Christie–style murder mystery to a wedding interrupted by the ghosts of the Princes in the Tower to a shocking revelation about Walter’s mother, nothing about this trip is less than pure mayhem. And when a chance encounter puts Jane on the trail of a legendary device reputed to restore a vampire’s human soul, will our beloved heroine finally be able to vow her love and devotion—or will a vampire hunter’s vengeance drive a stake through her eternal life?"

The phrase that sold me was "Jane jumps at the chance to flee Lord Byron and the lingering threat of Charlotte Brontë!"

The Agency: The Traitor in the Tunnel by Y.S. Lee
Published by: Candlewick
Publication Date: February 28th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 384 Pages
To Buy

The official patter:
"Get steeped in suspense, romance, and high Victorian intrigue as Mary goes undercover at Buckingham Palace - and learns a startling secret at the Tower of London.

Queen Victoria has a little problem: there's a petty thief at work in Buckingham Palace. Charged with discretion, the Agency puts quickwitted Mary Quinn on the case, where she must pose as a domestic while fending off the attentions of a feckless Prince of Wales. But when the prince witnesses the murder of one of his friends in an opium den, the potential for scandal looms large. And Mary faces an even more unsettling possibility: the accused killer, a Chinese sailor imprisoned in the Tower of London, shares a name with her long-lost father. Meanwhile, engineer James Easton, Mary's onetime paramour, is at work shoring up the sewers beneath the palace, where an unexpected tunnel seems to be very much in use. Can Mary and James trust each other (and put their simmering feelings aside) long enough to solve the mystery and protect the Royal Family? Hoist on your waders for Mary's most personal case yet, where the stakes couldn't be higher - and she has everything to lose."

Another series that has been on my tbr pile for a long time. Sigh, too many books I want to read. I can stop time, catch up and then start time again?

Chi's Sweet Home Volume 8 by Konami Kanata
Published by: Vertical
Publication Date: February 28th, 2012
Format: Hardcover, 160 Pages
To Buy

Yeah! More cute Chi. The perfect cat fix.

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