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Solstice Reading; or, Ali’s Backlist Books for Druids

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Ali Fisher

And so the summer solstice is upon us. If you're not living it up at Stonehenge or weaving flowery head wreaths and braiding your sister's hair, then maybe you need a good book to get you in the spirit.

My solstice backlist pick is Juliet Marillier's Alex Award-winner DAUGHTER OF THE FOREST.

Sorcha is the seventh child and only daughter of Lord Colum of Sevenwaters. Bereft of a mother, she is comforted by her six brothers who love and protect her. But Sorcha's joy is shattered when her father is bewitched by an evil enchantress who binds her brothers with a terrible spell, a spell which only Sorcha can lift. When Sorcha is kidnapped by the enemies of Sevenwaters and taken to a foreign land, she is torn between the desire to save her beloved brothers, and a love that comes only once.

How exactly does this story tie in to the solstice? The curse on Sorcha's brothers turned them all into swans (read: total bummer). They only become humans again on midsummer and midwinter (read: solstices!). And there's all sorts of tricky magic, sorcery, and druids (read: excellent).

What is your solstice reading pick?

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Monday Fun Day!

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Ali Fisher

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!

First 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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Talia’s Pick: The Hypnotist

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Ali Fisher

If you've attended a book buzz, panel, or webinar featuring Talia this year, you were undoubtedly recommended THE HYPNOTIST by the pseudonymous couple, Lars Kepler. Booklist warned us of Talia's penchant for gore, so we all should have known this book would be right up her alley. I mean, come on, the cover is a pair of bloody scissors suspended over what looks like a pool of more blood. And just listen to this description:

In the frigid clime of Tumba, Sweden, a gruesome triple homicide attracts the interest of Detective Inspector Joona Linna, who demands to investigate the murders. The killer is still at large, and there’s only one surviving witness—the boy whose family was killed before his eyes. Whoever committed the crimes wanted this boy to die: he’s suffered more than one hundred knife wounds and lapsed into a state of shock. Desperate for information, Linna sees only one option: hypnotism. He enlists Dr. Erik Maria Bark to mesmerize the boy, hoping to discover the killer through his eyes.

It’s the sort of work that Bark has sworn he would never do again—ethically dubious and psychically scarring. When he breaks his promise and hypnotizes the victim, a long and terrifying chain of events begins to unfurl.

Publishers Weekly gave THE HYPNOTIST a starred review that reads, "The brutal slaying of gambling addict Anders Ek, his wife, and his younger daughter propels this outstanding thriller debut. [...] Readers will look forward to seeing more of Linna in what one hopes will be a long series."

Shelf Awareness calls it "extraordinary—a heart-pounding, enthralling story of madness and malevolence." And "a riveting story of obsession and revenge."

Booklist says THE HYPNOTIST has "a cracking pace" and that it "belongs on every international crime fan’s reading list."

If you're looking for a pulse-raising, blood spattered, fast-paced thriller, then THE HYPNOTIST is for you.

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QUINN: Getting Closer to Bonnie’s Killer

Posted on June 15, 2011 by Ali Fisher

When we ran a giveaway for copies of EVE back in February the response was overwhelming. This leads me to believe that you lot will be interested in hearing about the second book in Iris Johansen's current Eve Duncan trilogy, QUINN. This trilogy finally discloses the long-awaited details of Eve's daughter's murder.

As a former Navy SEAL turned cop, Joe Quinn has seen the face of evil and knows just how deadly it can be. When he first met Eve Duncan, he never expected to fall in love with a woman whose life would be defined by her dual desires to bring home her missing daughter and discover the truth behind her disappearance---no matter how devastating. With the help of CIA agent Catherine Ling, they make a shocking discovery that sheds new light on young Bonnie’s abduction and puts Quinn squarely in the crosshairs of danger. Eve’s first love, John Gallo, a soldier supposedly killed in the line of duty, is very much alive---and very much a threat.

Publishers Weekly gave QUINN a starred review and says, "As Eve seeks relentlessly to find closure in Bonnie's disappearance, she deliberately puts herself in harm's way to lure the killer connected with the missing children out in the open. Suspense kicks into high gear as the killer strikes very close to Eve. As the novel fast forwards to a present-day search for another killer, the pulse-pounding pace will leave readers breathlessly anticipating the final installment."

Library Journal calls QUINN "suspensful," "entertaining," and "an integral read for fans of Johansen’s Eve Duncan series."

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Shadow Falls Book & Signed Poster Giveaway!

Posted on June 14, 2011 by Ali Fisher

All of twenty minutes ago, I remembered that during TxLA in April I got my hands on a beautiful Shadow Falls poster signed by the lovely C.C. Hunter!

So I'm pulling it off the shelf and giving it away to one lucky librarian along with a shiny finished copy of BORN AT MIDNIGHT, the first book in the Shadow Falls series. Here's a quick description to get you excited:

One night Kylie Galen finds herself at the wrong party, with the wrong people, and it changes her life forever. Her mother ships her off to Shadow Falls—a camp for troubled teens, and within hours of arriving, it becomes painfully clear that her fellow campers aren’t just “troubled.” Here at Shadow Falls, vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches and fairies train side by side—learning to harness their powers, control their magic and live in the normal world.

Kylie’s never felt normal, but surely she doesn’t belong here with a bunch of paranormal freaks either. Or does she?

To win the signed Shadow Falls poster and a copy of BORN AT MIDNIGHT send your name, library, and full mailing address to: Library @ MacmillanUSA.com subject: Shadow Falls!

[UPDATE:] This contest is now closed. Thanks to all who entered and congrats to winner Cort Kern!

Contest ended: Friday, June 17th 12pm EDT

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ALA Annual Schedule 2011, New Orleans!

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Ali Fisher

June 23th–28th, 2011, Booth #1126

Friday, June 24th

5:30pm Julie Cross will sign copies of TEMPEST in our booth #1126.

Saturday, June 25th*

10:00am John Hart will sign copies of IRON HOUSE in the Baker & Taylor booth #2049.
11:00am Rhys Bowen and Jane Cleland will sign copies of BLESS THE BRIDE and DEADLY THREADS in our booth #1126.
12:30pm Mary Kay Andrews will sign copies of SUMMER RENTAL in our booth #1126.
1:30pm Mary Kay Andrews will speak on the LIVE! @ your library Reading Stage at the back of the 1400 aisle.
1:30pm "Celebrating Southern Writers" with John Hart (IRON HOUSE) at MCC #335-336.
4:00pm "Tales from the Heart: Literary Memoirs" with Margaux Fragoso (TIGER, TIGER) at MCC #283.

*Saturday is also Mystery Day on the Pop Top Stage featuring Minotaur authors Ro Harris, Jane Cleland, Nancy Martin, Michael Wiley, Steve Hamilton, Barbara Fister, Rhys Bowen and Cathy Pickens!

10:00am "Traditional Mysteries: Who are the new Jane Marples?" with authors Rhys Bowen, Nancy Martin, Rosemary Harris, and moderator Jane Cleland.
11:00am "Tough Guys" with authors Steve Hamilton and Michael Wiley.
12:00pm An interview with Cathy Pickens.
1:00pm BrownBag Lunchtime Interview with Rosemary Harris.
2:00pm "Attention to Detail: how research adds to the mystery" with authors Rhys Bowen, Jane Cleland, and moderator Michael Wiley.
3:00pm "Laugh or I’ll Kill You" with authors Rosemary Harris, Nancy Martin, and Cathy Pickens.
4:00pm "Mystery Chicks and Private Dicks" with author Barbara Fister.

Sunday, June 26th

9:00am Coffee Klatch featuring Steve Hamilton (THE LOCK ARTIST) and Alden Bell (THE REAPERS ARE THE ANGELS) at J.W. Marriott (614 Canal Street) and lle de France Ball Room sponsored by YALSA.
9:00am Rosemary Harris will sign SLUGFEST in our booth #1126.
10:30am The Alex Award winners panel and book signing with featured speakers Steve Hamilton (THE LOCK ARTIST) and Alden Bell (THE REAPERS ARE THE ANGELS) at MCC #383-385.
10:30am ALTAFF’s “Mysteries @ your Library” with featured speakers Erica Spindler (WATCH ME DIE) and Bill Loehfelm (THE DEVIL SHE KNOWS) at MCC #268.
12:30pm From the Inside(rs) Out: AAP/ Book Buzz Editor’s Panel with Nancy Pearl and John Sherer.
1:30pm ALTAFF’s “First Author, First Book” panel with featured speaker Ellen Bryson (THE TRANSFORMATION OF BARTHOLOMEW FORTUNO) at MCC #269.

Monday, June 27th

9:00am Justin Spring and Wendy Moffat will sign copies of SECRET HISTORIAN and A GREAT UNRECORDED HISTORY in our booth #1126.
2:00pm ALTAFF’s Gala Author Tea with Nevada Barr (BURN) at MCC #293-296.

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Our Rapture Reading Recommendation: The Leftovers

Posted on May 20, 2011 by Ali Fisher

Should the Rapture fail to claim us (or, at least, some of us) tomorrow, we have a great Rapture reading recommendation to look forward to: THE LEFTOVERS by Tom Perrotta.

What if the Rapture happened and you got left behind? Or what if it wasn’t the Rapture at all, but something murkier, a burst of mysterious, apparently random disappearances that shattered the world in a single moment, dividing history into Before and After, leaving no one unscathed? How would you rebuild your life in the wake of such a devastating event?

If you're still around to read it...

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2011 Anthony Award Nominees

Posted on May 13, 2011 by Ali Fisher

Nominees for the 2011 Anthony Awards have been posted and there are some fantastic novels on their list! Look at all these chilling/thrilling/gut-spilling Macmillan titles:

Best Novel
BURY YOUR DEAD, Louise Penny
THE LOCK ARTIST, Steve Hamilton

Best First Novel
DAMAGE DONE, Hilary Davidson
THE POACHER'S SON, Paul Doiron
ROGUE ISLAND, Bruce DeSilva

Best Paperback Original
EXPIRATION DATE, Duane Swierczynski

Winners will be announced at the annual Bouchercon World Mystery Convention.

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Booklist’s Bookmakers Featured Talia in All Her… Gory

Posted on May 10, 2011 by Ali Fisher

Earlier today Booklist debuted their new publishing house-focused e-newsletter, Bookmakers, featuring everything Minotaur. They interviewed Andrew Martin, listed upcoming titles, spotlighted Minotaur authors, aaand asked Talia for recommended books!

The editor's note on "Seeing Red: Talia's Favorite Gory Bits" reads,

"Sure, if you read Talia’s gory favorites, you’ll find the occasional spleen enjoying the open air rather than resting quietly wherever it belongs inside our bodies, but beyond that, you’ll also find a bunch of richly satisfying stories peopled by multidimensional characters who will make you think as much as they make you retch."

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Booklist Webinar: High-Demand Mysteries in Libraries

Posted on May 6, 2011 by Ali Fisher

If you missed Booklist's "Beyond Bestsellers: High-Demand Mysteries in Libraries" webinar, then you missed some very enthusiastic mystery recommendations from our very own, Talia, but don't fret! The webmasters over on the Booklist site just posted an archived recording of the entire presentation (find it here).

Readers want more than just bestsellers, says Readers' Advisory expert and Booklist columnist Joyce Saricks, and librarians have an obligation to alert their patrons to wonderful authors who don't necessarily top the sales charts. Saricks will share her discoveries about what really circulates and how librarians can help spread the news. Representatives from four publishers—Macmillan, Severn House, AudioGO, and Felony & Mayhem—will preview the best titles from their forthcoming lists. Booklist Online Senior Editor Keir Graff moderates.

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