Sneak Peek: The March 2014 Indie Next list

Sneak Peek: The March 2014 Indie Next list

Indie Next logoWe're shaking off the winter blues with great news: we've got four fantastic books on the March 2014 Indie Next list, including the #1 pick! 

SHOTGUN LOVESONGS by Nickolas Butler (#1 Pick!)
Butler's atmospheric debut novel about the relationship between four friends in a little Wisconsin town is an ABA Spring 2014 Indies Introduce selection, a Maximum Shelf Awareness feature, and a "love letter to the Midwest." (Publishers Weekly)

RUNNER by Patrick Lee
There's a good reason we've been hyping this new thriller starring retired special forces operative Sam Dryden–it's got three starred reviews, sold international rights in seven countries, and the film rights were optioned by Warner Brothers with director Justin Lin (Fast & Furious 6) attached. (Now can we pleeeease get Channing Tatum to star?!)

THE WIVES OF LOS ALAMOS by TaraShea Nesbit
Nesbit's debut novel about the wives of the men who created the atom bomb is also an ABA Spring 2014 Indies Introduce selection, a Barnes & Noble Spring 2014 Discover Great New Writers selection, and has two great starred reviews with major media coverage to come.

THE BLACK-EYED BLONDE by Benjamin Black
Black's "pitch-perfect recreation" of Raymond Chandler's incomparable private eye Philip Marlowe goes "beyond mere thoughtful homage" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) when a seductive young heiress asks Marlowe to find her former lover.  

Make sure to get whitelisted on Edelweiss and get your digital review copies of these great titles! [...]

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#BookBday Bonus: ANNIHILATION

#BookBday Bonus: ANNIHILATION

If J.J. Abrams, Margaret Atwood, and Alan Weisman collaborated on a novel...it might be this awesome! 

Ok, we know we just did a bunch of Book Birthdays, but this one is extra special: Jeff VanderMeer's ANNIHILATION, the first book in the Southern Reach trilogy.

With more buzz than a hornet's nest, this futuristic supernatural thriller has three fabulous starred reviews and is on several 2014 Most-Anticipated lists, including io9, SF Signal, Vulture, The Onion's A.V. ClubB&N.com, and Omnivoracious!

Praise for ANNIHILATION: 

“After their high-risk expedition disintegrates, it’s every scientist for herself in this wonderfully creepy blend of horror and science fiction.... Speculative fiction at its most transfixing.” Kirkus Reviews, starred review

A gripping fantasy thriller, ANNIHILATION is thoroughly suspenseful. In a manner similar to H. G. Wells’ in THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU (1896), VanderMeer weaves together an otherworldly tale of the supernatural and the half-human. Delightfully, this page-turner is the first in a trilogy.” Booklist, starred review

“Using evocative descriptions of the biologist's outer and inner worlds, masterful psychological insight, and intellectual observations both profound and disturbing—calling Lovecraft to mind and Borges—VanderMeer unfolds a tale as satisfying as it is richly imagined.” Publishers Weekly, starred review

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Happy #BookBday (2/4/14 Edition)

Happy #BookBday (2/4/14 Edition)

What a lovely day for a Book Birthday! Today we wish Happy #BookBday to:

THE BOOK OF JONAH by Joshua Max Feldman
Feldman puts a modern spin on his retelling of the ancient tale, whisking his Jonah–a successful Manhattan lawyer–around the globe from Las Vegas to Amsterdam. "Feldman is clever in his use of the Jonah story, and his novel is of the same strange and enigmatic quality as the original." – Kirkus Reviews

MARSHLANDS by Matthew Olshan
In his first novel for adults, Olshan reveals the story of a prisoner who was formerly a doctor in a culture virtually snuffed out under Saddam Hussein. "Although it is easy and appropriate to take this novel as stark commentary on U.S. involvement in Iraq, its most powerful moments explore a much deeper and more abstract ambivalence about tribalism and its allure." – Booklist, starred review

STRANGE BODIES by Marcel Theroux
Theroux's weird and wonderful novel that poses questions about identity, authenticity, and what it means to be truly human has three starred pre-publication reviews, such as this one from Library Journal: “Truly enthralling... Philip K. Dick’s THE TRANSMIGRATION OF TIMOTHY ARCHER meets Stephanie Meyer’s THE HOST in this very highly recommended work.” 

THE WILY O'REILLY by Patrick Taylor
Taylor tells the origin story of Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly through warm and wryly amusing vignettes as the good doctor tends to the colourful and eccentric residents of Ballybucklebo. "Readers unfamiliar with the good doctor’s personal antics and medical adventures will be delighted to make his acquaintance, and old friends will settle in for a comfortable visit." – Booklist

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Even MORE 2014 YALSA Award Winners!

Even MORE 2014 YALSA Award Winners!

The good news just keeps coming in! We're happy to have these wonderful Macmillan titles selected for more of YALSA's great reading lists:

YALSA's 2014 Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults

The Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list is arranged by topics that are timely and also have lasting value.  

Conflicted: Life During Wartime 
I AM A SEAL TEAM SIX WARRIOR: Memoirs of an American Soldier by Howard E. Wasdin & Stephen Templin 

See the full list of Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults here.

YALSA's 2014 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers 

The Quick Picks list suggests books that teens, ages 12-18, will pick up on their own and read for pleasure; it is geared to the teenager who, for whatever reason, does not like to read.

ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell
USES FOR BOYS by Erica Lorraine Scheidt 
BEFORE I DIE by Candy Chang 
ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY: Heartwarming Stories of Animals Caring for One Another by Lisa Rogak  

See the full list of Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers here.

YALSA's 2014 Great Graphic Novels for Teens 

The Great Graphic Novels for Teens list is recommended for readers ages 12-18, and meets the criteria of both good quality literature and appealing reading for teens.

THE ODYSSEY by Seymour Chwast
MARBLE SEASON by Gilbert Hernandez 
KITARO by Shigeru Mizuki 

See the full list of Great Graphic Novels for Teens here.

Congratulations to all winners!!

 

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Subway Success Story: THE RACE UNDERGROUND

Subway Success Story: THE RACE UNDERGROUND

“The blizzard of 1888 was the trigger that cities needed to finally acknowledge that the horse-pulled carriages, the steam-powered elevated trains, the cable-pulled trolleys and even the electrified street railways all suffered from the same flaw that could no longer be ignored. They were at the mercy of the skies.”
– THE RACE UNDERGROUND

 


Forget Chris Christie's bridge saga–we've got an even better true life story about a rivalry between cities and brothers that resulted in an invention that changed the lives of millions: THE RACE UNDERGROUND by Doug Most.

When the great blizzard of 1888 brought New York City to a halt, citizens realized a new transportation solution had to be found. Enter two brothers–Henry Melville Whitney of Boston and William Collins Whitney of New York City. Each man shared the same dream: that their city would be the first to have a subway system. And with that, the great race was on!

This riveting story is a Junior Library Guild selection, making it a great choice for younger readers interested in transportation history. It's also a great recommendation for adult readers who enjoy Erik Larson and David McCullough.

“Mr. Most weaves together the egos, political hurdles and other daunting challenges…in a sweeping narrative of late-19th-century intrigue.” – Sam Roberts, The New York Times

"An almost flawlessly conducted tour back to a time when major American cities dreamed big." – Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"...A remarkably well-told story filled with villains, heroes, and events of the Gilded Age...." – Library Journal

"[Most] delivers a fun and enjoyable read about a vital, transformative period.” – Publishers Weekly

“This book proves again that American history is a treasure trove of great stories, this one filled with drama, sacrifice, loss and unimaginable success.” — Ken Burns, filmmaker, creator of the PBS series "The Civil War"

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Super KITTEN Bowl!

Super KITTEN Bowl!

On Sunday, many of you will be watching to see whether the Seattle Seahawks can top the Denver Broncos in the Super Bowl. Even the Seattle and Denver libraries are duking it out on Twitter in the #ReadingBowl! (Tweet what you're reading with the hashtags #ReadingBowl and #SEAReads or #DENreads to play along.)

But some of us don't care about sports. We only care about cute things and have finally been rewarded with THE KITTEN BOWL!!!

Ferrell Owens
Catnip 
Patches
Brett Furve

Airing at 12:00 noon/11am Central on the Hallmark Channel, the Kitten Bowl has four adorably furry teams competing on an obstacle course of hurdles, tunnels, hoops, jumps, weave poles, lasers, lures and toys on strings!

Check out the lineup
and pick your favorite kitten now! We're loving Feline Manning, Troy Paw-Lamalau, Ferrell Owens, and Catnip. Plus, there's a live Kitten Cam feed on the website so you don't have to miss a minute of feline fun! Meow.

Best of all, each kitten is guaranteed to be adopted into a loving home (no, we didn't adopt ALL of them, as much as we'd like to...). 

Enjoy! And if you need more cuteness, there's always that other bowl game...

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Friday Reads (1/31/14 Edition)

Friday Reads (1/31/14 Edition)

TGIF friends! Hopefully those of you who attended ALA Midwinter made it home safely and are nominating books like crazy for LibraryReads (the deadline for the March list is today so hurry!).

Already done? Then why not share your Friday Reads with us!

Talia and Anne are treating themselves like royalty with pedicures and these historical novels:

GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN by Marci Jefferson
This solid debut novel about the beautiful and captivating Royalist exile Frances Stuart, who must walk a fine line between pleasing kings and protecting her family's secret is perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory. "Jefferson's intoxicating first novel superbly draws readers into the mischief and maneuverings, loyalties and treacheries, and lust and hostility of powerful 17th century kings and scheming court sycophants." – Publishers Weekly, starred review  

SEDITION by Katharine Grant
British author Grant turns away from YA for a decidedly adult first novel set in late eighteenth-century London. In this "...witty, dark, and sophisticated tale" (Publishers Weekly, starred review), four nouveau rich fathers make their five marriageable daughters learn to play the piano in an effort to attract men and marry well. However, the girls' lascivious (and French) piano teacher has an education beyond music in his plans... "[A] fun, lascivious gambol through the lives of women and men with decidedly carnal appetites... Suggest to fans of Sarah Dunant and Sarah Waters." – Booklist  

What are you reading this Friday? Share your #FridayReads with us @MacmillanLib

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Thriller Thursday (1/30/14 Edition)

Thriller Thursday (1/30/14 Edition)

You didn't really think we'd let a Thursday go by without sharing some of our favorite thrillers, did you?!

THE ORPHAN CHOIR by Sophie Hannah
Sophie Hannah writes taut, psychological suspense novels and her latest takes domestic horror to a new level when a woman is haunted by choral music only she can hear. “Absolutely haunting, in every sense of the word.” — Booklist, starred review

THE PAWNBROKER by Aimée and David Thurlo
In this new series, ex-special ops soldier Charlie Henry is settling into civilian life as the owner of the Three Balls pawnshop; that is, until his best friend is shot and puts Charlie on a mission to track down the killer. "...Hawaii 5-0 set in the Southwest should make for a popular series." – Library Journal

MORIARTY RETURNS A LETTER by Michael Robertson
In the next book in Robertson’s contemporary Baker Street mystery series, a desperate detective imitates Professor Moriarty to protect himself from a criminal and a century later, the lawyers answering mail at 221B Baker St. will pay. "You don’t have to be a Sherlockian to enjoy Robertson’s excellent fourth Baker Street mystery..." – Publishers Weekly, starred review

What's tingling your spine this #ThrillerThursday? Share your reads with us @MacmillanLib. [...]

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Happy Belated #BookBday (1/28/14 Edition)

Happy Belated #BookBday (1/28/14 Edition)

D'oh! We forgot to wish our new books a happy #BookBday on Tuesday! We'll keep the party going with belated best wishes for...

THE LAST ENCHANTMENTS by Charles Finch
Finch's coming-of-age tale about a Yale graduate is getting lots of attention, from People Magazine to USA Today. "In prose that glides effortlessly from scene to scene, Finch captures the fleeting time in people’s lives when their every decision, from career to lover, seems freighted with eternal consequence. Highly recommended for all collections." – Library Journal, starred review

THE QUEEN'S DWARF by Ella March Chase
In this richly imagined novel set in the Stuart court, our unique hero Jeffrey Hudson–who happens to be a dwarf–is tasked with spying on the beautiful but vulnerable queen. "Rich in detail and brimming with intriguing characters, Chase’s novel will please fans of historical fiction..." – Kirkus Reviews

A DARKLING SEA by James Cambias
This debut science fiction novel about alien races has three remarkable starred reviews, such as this one from Kirkus: “An exceptionally thoughtful, searching and intriguing debut.” 

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Our 2014 YALSA Award Winners!

Our 2014 YALSA Award Winners!

Put up the balloons and streamers, sprinkle confetti and cut the cake! We're celebrating all of the fine authors who won awards or were selected for YALSA's various reading lists this year!

Huge congratulations to these Macmillan winners:

Printz Eleanor & Park

2014 Printz Award Honor Book

 

ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell 

See all of the 2014 Printz Award winners and nominees here.
 
 

2014 Morris Award Winner

CHARM & STRANGE by Stephanie Kuehn

See all of the finalists for the 2014 Morris Award here.
 

YALSA's 2014 Best Fiction for Young Adults 

IF YOU FIND ME by Emily Murdoch
ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell (A Top 10 selection!) 
FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell

See the full list of Best Fiction for Young Adults here.

 

2014 Alex Award Official Nominations

The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. In addition to the ten winning titles, the Alex Award committee also publishes a vetted list of official nominations.

THE RAINBOW TROOPS by Andrea Hirata
MEN WE REAPED by Jesmyn Ward 

See all of the 2014 Alex Award winners here

 

Congratulations to all winners and honorees!! [...]

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