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Saturday, June 5, 2010

BEA Round Up: The Books

Here's my fantastic book booty from BEA 2010:

ADULT BOOKS:
Taroko Gorge:I liked the cover. Its so spacious and contemplative yet ominous. And since this is a thriller, I felt that boded well for the story. Also the title is simple and elegant.

Orion You Came and You Took All My Marbles: Again, the cover caught my attention. I've never noticed before how much a white cover can stand out in a sea of black, dark green, and navy blue. Also the staff really liked this one, though they seemed incapable of categorizing it.

I've read the first few pages and so far the story is obtuse and dryly humorous. The prose is lovely, too. However it's too soon to tell whether or not I'll get tired of wading through all the beautiful vagueness to find out what happens.

Collusion: I've been intrigued by Stuart Neville ever since I read on the blogosphere that he wrote The Ghosts of Belfast in secret (I can't even fathom how this must have affected his social life: "No I can't go out tonight...I'm very busy...with something) until it was published last year to much acclaim--lucky bastard! I don't usually read crime novels but I had to check this one out.

The Eden Hunter:I really have no reason for picking this up. Not to insult the book--it's just not the type of story I usually read (even less so than crime novels). I guess I got caught up in the thrill of the free book hunt.

The Primal Blueprint:I actually pimped this book--technically. All I had to do was stand there and point out the author Mark Sisson and the ladies flocked to the signing table. And seriously youshouldseethisguy. He is 57 and freaking hot. And, lest you think I'm attempting to pull a Jennifer here, check out his gorgeous, super fit wife Carrie, who just happens to be 53!

Now, I'm a sucker for workout promotions on TV. I will sit and watch them for hours, wondering if I too could change my body in only 60 days or something like that. And Mark seemed so happy (and looked SO fit) that I had to check this out. I love it! Curt and I are already giving it a try.

YOUNG ADULT:

Nightshade:First of all, the lavender cover really stood out. Second, how could I resist a cover design featuring the faerie-like glitter of Carrie Jones' Need and Captivate, and the implied blood popularized by the Twilight book covers (all that red)? The combination of glitter and blood just screams tragically romantic teen angst.

Ballad: Speaking of romantically tragic teen angst, I couldn't resist picking up a copy of this book by Maggie Stiefvater, the author of Shiver.

Ballad and its companion novel Lament were actually published before Shiver so the publisher Flux wasn't giving out free copies. But I was waxing poetic about how much I love Flux (I really really do!) and so she let me choose a novel to take home!I've already started it, as evidenced by the bookmark you can see in the photo.

I Am Number Four: I actually won this book in a drawing. It's even signed (with the author's pen name, but still!). I won something. Me. Take a moment to digest that and get back to me.

COMICS:
Grimm Fairy Tales, Volume One:They weren't giving this book away, but I was chatting with some of the employees and they handed it to me. I read it in the airport on my way home. Pass on this one. The stories seem to target young women but the art and some of the subject matter seems specifically designed for lonely teen boys.

Neverland:This comic isn't out yet, so what I got was sort of like an extended movie trailer in comic book form. Interesting premise and pretty art, but too short for me to pass judgment.

Farscape Uncharted Tales: D'Argo's Lament: As I was walking by, a man asked if wanted this. He turned out to be the artist. Of course I said yes--that takes guts! He proudly signed it for me and we chatted for a while about how comics have become a new venue for cult favorites (Farscape, Buffy) that no longer have a big enough audience for TV but still have a strong, devoted fan base willing to continue the story in another format.

Janet Evanovich Preview:I also got a sneak peek of the forthcoming graphic novel for Janet Evanovich's Alex Barnaby series! They weren't giving out copies but they let me take a photo.I think the art looks great!

CHILDRENS BOOKS:

Judy Moody, Girl Detective, Book 9: I took this because it's published by Candlewick Press and I love them. However, I'm not entirely sure why it has to specify that she's a GIRL detective. It's not as if "detective" is a gender specific word, or profession. (grumble grumble)

On The Blue Comet: I took this book because it's by Rosemary Wells and I LOVE her (see list of favorite authors in the margin). That is all.

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