First in the Never-Before-Published Series from Amanda Hocking!

First in the Never-Before-Published Series from Amanda Hocking!

I'm back from sunny Seattle (I can't believe I just said that!) and the brilliant weather got me in the mood to talk about WAKE, the first book in Amanda Hocking's new never-before-published YA paranormal romance series!

From a writer who needs no introduction comes the story of a girl-turned-siren and the new life, loves, and threats she faces while mastering her new siren powers. 

opens in a new windowio9io9 included WAKE on their list of "All The Science Fiction and Fantasy Books You Can’t Afford to Miss in August." They said, "August's new book releases are just packed with brilliant new ideas and thrilling stories, from some of the world's best writers." We agree!

And Booklist said, "[WAKE] effectively melds myth and contemporary teen life. High school, family, young love, and mythology all combine to create an easy-to-read paranormal suspense story that will have fans eagerly awaiting new installments."

Dive in (mermaid joke!) by watching the book trailer now:

opens in a new windowwake trailer

WAKE will be available this month from St. Martin's Griffin. [...]

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Monday Fun Day!

Monday Fun Day!

Thanks to the sage adage of our ancestors, we know that Monday is, in fact, Fun Day, and it's high time we began treating it that way! Today we've got a veritable* smörgåsbord of library and literary goodness for you. Enjoy!

opens in a new windowFirst and foremost, get up out of that rolly chair and join us in a standing ovation for the King County Library System, winner of the Gale/Library Journal Library of the Year Award.

"The innovations and programs, the creative management of KCLS resources, the ability to stretch but still serve the principles and core values of librarianship, the strong public support, and the vision for the system’s future make it clear that KCLS is more deserving than ever to be named Library of the Year." Library Journal

Hear, hear! I am particularly giddy about this announcement seeing as KCLS is the library system I grew up on. Way to go, KCLS.

In other super-awesome awards news, THE WAY OF KINGS by Brandon Sanderson won the 2010 DGLA Legend Award for Best Novel! And Simon Winder's travel romp, GERMANIA, was shortlisted for the 2011 Dolman Travel Book of the Year!

In getting-pumped-for-ALA-Annual news, Library Journal's Barbara Hoffert made a super convenient, printable PDF for this year's author signings and hot galley giveaways. View and print Barbara Hoffert's ALA Galley & Signing Guide 2011 here! Here's a sneak peek:

Barbara's ALA Picks

Oh, and a reminder for all you sci-fi fans: io9 is holding a book club discussion for THE QUANTUM THIEF on June 28th. I'll definitely be dropping by. Need convincing? Read the reviews!

And finally, this weekend I waited in line for a scrumptious burrito and morita lunch combo behind this brilliant fellow:

Never Underestimate 

Seriously good taste, my friend.

[...]

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io9’s Spring Title Parade!

io9’s Spring Title Parade!

io9, that great hub of all things science and science fiction, announced which spring titles are making them wiggly with anticipation. Six of the must-haves are available from Tor:

      THE GRAVITY PILOT, by M.M. Buckner
      DEATHLESS, by Catherynne M. Valente
      AFTER THE GOLDEN AGE, by Carrie Vaughn
      ALL THE LIVES HE LED, by Frederik Pohl
      FUZZY NATION, by John Scalzi
      THE QUANTUM THIEF, by Hannu Rajaniemi

Having just finished Carrie Vaughn's AFTER THE GOLDEN AGE, I can only agree that this modern heroine story is an April must. It's the kind of book that lives in front of your face making getting off the bus at the right stop or pouring coffee in the cup, instead of all over the counter, impossible. Next up for me from this list is Hannu Rajaniemi's debut, THE QUANTUM THIEF, a hard sci-fi May release handed to me by our old buddy Ben. [...]

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