Heir to Michael Crichton

Well, have no fear, Michael Crichton's legacy is here. Enter Warren Fahy. He has written the equivalent of a love child between James Rollins, Michael Crichton, and Al Gore. I was dismayed when Michael Crichton died, like much of the literary community, because he filled such a unique place with his extreme science thrillers that were all somehow plausible in their craziness. Warren Fahy has proved himself capable of assuming that mantle. His book, Fragment, which pubs in June from Random House, is going to be one of the most talked about debuts of the year, if not the decade. I haven't had this much fun (or this many goosebumps) reading a book about evolutionary science ever. Not since Jurassic Park has having so much information thrown at me not bothered me a bit. In fact, it makes me want to dig out my old zoology and botany books just to feel a little smarter because, frankly, I feel about as smart as a brick after reading this whirlwind ride. I hope upon hope that the movie rights get sold to the correct person because this could be amazing if done well. Groundbreaking even. The best part about the novel is just that overall, the writing isn't all that fantastic, the characters aren't amazingly well developed, and some of them are "stock," but what makes it so good is that you DON'T CARE! All you care about is that they survive and that the good guys win in the end (one word: HENDER . . . it will change your world). That is the mark of a great novelist when the writing can be flawed and it doesn't detract at all from the experience. Bravo Mr. Fahy. You have just made my summer in bookselling because nothing sells books like people excited and I'm ecstatic.

Why No Love for the SFF?

Why is it that scifi fans are so often NOT considered to be mainstream readers? Why do we get shunted around away from all of the "normal" book consumers and lumped with all of the fringe genres? Some of the greatest literature in the world has been written in the scifi/fantasy vein: Lord of the Rings, Hitchhiker's Guide & sequels, anything William Gibson, and so many others that it is impossible to list them all. How is it that works of this genre are so often shut out of the major awards? Not that the majors are all that matters because they aren't, but that doesn't meant that theses authors don't still deserve the recognition and therefore the sales boost. So many of them are immensely popular in Europe and get virtually nothing here. It's a travesty. Now, I realize that many authors don't want to be mainstream and have no problem with only reaching those who find them. That's their prerogative but as a bookseller, it's my job to try and introduce them to more readers when I know it's a perfect fit. But how can I do that when it looks like some of their covers were drawn by 3rd graders, approved by 5th graders, and then marketed by middle schoolers? The old cliche doesn't apply or else publishers wouldn't be spending oodles of money on covers and they would all look the same, so why do they instantly relegate SFF covers to ridiculous status? I hate it. Rant over.

Addicted to Kristen Cashore

Here's the deal. I am like a crazed Twilight fan for Graceling. It is one of my favorite YA (and adult for that matter since the crossover appeal is limitless) titles of the year, and probably in my top 5 all-time. It's THAT good people. You get love, violence, good vs. evil, and one of the most intriguing and strong female protagonists to come along in years. But the best part is the simplicity of the writing: no overblown descriptions, no gooey makeouts or declarations of love, and no wasted words. Just a beautiful purity of storytelling. So, imagine my delight to arrive at Winter Institute this year and see the wondrous sight of early reader copies of Fire, the Graceling prequel that comes out in October. My partner in YA obsession, Sandra, and I made fools of ourselves as we giggled and jumped around like tweens at a Jonas Brothers show. Of course I devoured it and now can't wait for the next. I've had a good run with sequels lately as this was on the pedestal with Graceling. I actually yelled at my 2 year old daughter to leave me alone so I could finish it (sorry Lily . . . I really am a good parent!) because I was in so deep. Fire (name of the main character as well as the novel . . . sorry it's confusing) is also an amazing female character like Graceling's Katsa: set apart by nature but accepting of herself and what she is capable of without being dramatic or whiny. What's great about Fire is that it tells its story while set in lands only hinted about in Graceling but doesn't feel retread. It was fan-freaking-tastic. While there wasn't really any sort of coming of age and much more of a romantic struggle, this too will only add fuel to the obsession fire for many.

Seriously. Go buy Graceling (from an independent bookstore mind you). Go get it right now and don't stop reading until your eyes hurt. And then in October, go get Fire. Get it for all of the girls you know who feel like they are something "other" while in high school, like they don't belong. No one will be disappointed.

Who doesn't love E.T. and Steig Larsson?

How great is this for a desk lamp? Who wouldn't feel ready to work with E.T. hawking you down?

I just finished Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr. Seriously, what is it with all of us adults getting sucked into all of these YA books? And series no less? I have compulsive love/hate relationship with series. On one hand, I love to read about the same characters in different situations, much like watching a TV series, but I HATE to have to wait to read the next book! HATE IT! Even though I may get to read some of them early, it still means that I have to wait eventually. But if I were only to read series that were complete, I would be missing out on some of the best and most innovative YA (and adult) books.

Take for instance, my new favorite obsession, Steig Larsson, author of last year's Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. That was quite possibly one of the best debuts of the year and going to be difficult to top, so naturally I couldn't wait for his second, Girl Who Played With Fire (out in July from RH). I was literally incommunicado while I was reading this. I had started reading it on a flight and was PISSED when I had to stop because we were landing and I had to get off. I'm trying to find time to read this while I am at ABA's Winter Institute (anyone who has been there knows that there is virtually NO time to read unless you are playing hooky or up all night, sadly, neither of which I did) and couldn't stop trying to figure it out. When I finally finished it, my satisfaction was RUINED by the fact that it once again ends very abruptly and nothing is really tidied up. That is where he gets you: his plots are so tricky because they are laid out so simply that it's hard to figure out early. His characters are wonderfully flawed but not so irritating that you don't care what happens to them. When this book pubs, all bets are off. It's going to do better than his first because all of the people that read that one are going to buy this one, AND lend both to their friends because they can't stop talking about it, and then this great cycle of lending and buying will ensue . . . in a perfect world. Now we have to wait until Summer 2010 to see how the cliffhanger ends. I just wish that I had the power to resurrect people because Steig Larsson was a gem to the literary community and if only the library in The Dreaming of unfinished/never written books that Neil Gaiman created in his Sandman series existed . . .

Long Overdue

So, to say that I am behind the times is something of a generalization considering that I was covered in a sensual combo of baby barf, breastmilk, and dog hair when blogging became the thing to do. I guess it's better to be late to the party than to never show up at all. And, the best part is that other people got to work out all of the kinks in the system before I showed up. Bravo people paying attention!

I love my job. I get paid a decent amount (and by decent, I mean that if I ever had to live on my own, I'd be screwed without my husband's "real job," benefits, and general earning power) to read . . . all the time. And order books for a store. And talk to people about books. And get copies of said books BEFORE they come out (quite possibly the single greatest job perk for a booseller since we are all beyond BROKE). And to travel to exotic locales like Salt Lake City and Detroit with other bookish people. (Cue Price is Right prize music) For someone like me who has a dusty B.A. in English on the shelf, it's a great gig. Not to mention that I get to stay home and hang out with my kid while I do this.

Welcome to my life. Hopefully you don't think it's too boring.