Upcoming Events
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Ferrett Steinmetz, THE SOL MAJESTIC (Tor, Trade Paperback, $16.99) Saturday, June 22nd at 3:00 pm
Writers With Drinks (at the Make Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco) with authors Natasha Dennerstein, Sarah Gailey, Helen Phillips, Troy Jollimore, Grace Lavery, and Gabby Rivera, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, Saturday, July 13th at 7:30 pm
SF in SF with authors Vylar Kaftan and Megan E. O'Keefe (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) Sunday, July 21st at 6:30 pm
Charlie Jane Anders, Meg Elison, Shaenon K. Garrity, and Richard Kadrey, WASTELANDS: THE NEW APOCALYPSE (Titan Books, Trade Paperback, $14.95 ) Saturday, August 3rd at 3:00 pm
Gail Carriger, RETICENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Tuesday, August 6th at 6:00 pm
Michael Blumlein, LONGER (Tor.com, Trade Paperback, $15.99) and Paul Park, A CITY MADE OF WORDS (PM Press, Trade Paperback, $14.99) Saturday, August 10th at 3:00 pm
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)
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News
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*Overheard in the Store:
"You can't discriminate against someone based on their Hogwarts' House!"
"The clerks were whimsical and the customers were insane."
"You FOOL! We're all English teachers and there were BOOKS back there!"
"You care about something, and you're not an idiot."
"Well, when you put it THAT way, it is _definitely_ creepy."
* R.I.P. Dennis Etchison, acclaimed horror author and editor and recipient of the Bram Stoker Lifetime Achievement Award, who died at the end of May. https://locusmag.com/2019/05/dennis-etchison-1943-2019/
* Babylon 5 was one of the most innovative SF shows of its time, and here are 5 things that it did that changed science fiction forever. https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/5-things-babylon-5-did-that-changed-science-fiction-forever
* College writing classes have traditionally been hostile or dismissive of genre fiction writers, but this article argues that perhaps it now depends on the author's specific style. https://www.wired.com/2019/06/geeks-guide-college-fantasy-sci-fi/
* As you go through this list you realize most of the dads in the MCU are. . . . less than ideal: https://sciencefiction.com/2019/06/14/ranking-the-dads-of-the-marvel-cinematic-universe/
* A ranking of the classic Final Fantasy series games listed from the best to the worst: https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/all-final-fantasy-games-ranked-from-best-to-worst/
* Speaking of the classic Final Fantasy series, there is finally more news on the remake of FF7 that was announced four years ago and has been scantly mentioned since. https://www.dualshockers.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-vii-preview-e3-2019/
* Reviewing India's first all-female feminist SF anthology, MAGICAL WOMEN: https://factordaily.com/sf-anthology-magical-women/
* The idea of a "Gambit" movie has been floating around Hollywood for well over a decade now. Rupert Wyatt reveals that when he was holding the reins the idea was for the Gambit film to be a 70's heist film. Which. . . actually sounds pretty great? https://sciencefiction.com/2019/06/14/rupert-wyatt-original-idea-for-his-gambit-movie-would-have-place d-it-in-the-70s/
* The anime classic "Akira" was set in the Neo-Tokyo of 2019, which is of course this year. SO, what if anything does Akira's vision of Tokyo have in common with the Tokyo of today? A lot. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/16/the-year-of-akira-how-does-2019-neo-tokyo-compare-with-todays-city
* An excerpt of Annalee Newitz's new novel THE FUTURE OF ANOTHER TIMELINE which comes out this September. https://io9.gizmodo.com/weve-got-an-exclusive-first-look-at-io9-co-founder-anna-1832512608
* The first reveal is here for "Elden Ring", the game co-created by George R.R. Martin! https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2019/06/10/george-r-r-martins-developing-a-fantasy-game-now-video/
* It's Pride Month! Here's a list of 30 great LGBTQIA+ books, many award-nominated themselves or by award-nominated authors, for you to read not only this month but year round. https://www.bustle.com/p/30-lgbtqia-sci-fi-fantasy-books-you-should-read-this-pride-month-17940283
* There's a "Magic: The Gathering" fantasy series coming to Netflix, directed by "Avengers" directors the Russo brothers! The middle school nerds in us are jumping up and down and clapping very excitedly right now. https://www.tweaktown.com/news/66110/magic-gathering-fantasy-series-coming-netflix/index.html
* A Victorian fantasy series with Orlando Bloom and Cara Delevingne - "Carnival Row" looks like an interesting hit or an excruciating miss. Prepare some popcorn and prepare to love- or hate-watch this beautiful disaster. https://www.etonline.com/orlando-bloom-and-cara-delevingne-star-in-first-look-at-victorian-fantasy-series-carnival-row
* io9 provides valid arguments for why speculative fans should subscribe to Criterion; one of the most compelling being its deep library of Godzilla and other kaiju movies available. https://io9.gizmodo.com/6-reasons-why-genre-fans-should-check-out-the-criterion-1834765009
* Speaking of Godzilla, how about a deep dive into the philosophy of the king of the kaiju and environmental pessimism? https://merionwest.com/2019/06/15/godzilla-and-the-doctrine-of-environmental-pessimism/
* There have been a lot of critiques of the last season of "Game of Thrones", but were the real issues the hidden politics it only pretended to subvert? (It wouldn't be the first time zombies were meant to represent fear of immigrants.) https://truthout.org/articles/the-real-monster-in-game-of-thrones-is-its-hidden-reactionary-ideology/
* Looking for something to stream? Here's a list of the 17 most highly-rated fantasy shows available on Netflix. https://decider.com/2019/05/07/best-fantasy-shows-on-netflix/
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Award News
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* The winners of the 2018 Bram Stoker Awards have been announced! Congratulations! http://horror.org/2018-bram-stoker-award-winners-nominees/
* The Sunburst Awards, which celebrate Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic, have announced their 2019 nominations longlist. http://www.sunburstaward.org/2019-longlist
* The 2019 Nebula Award Winners have been announced! Congratulations to Mary Robinette Kowal, Brooke Bolander, Phenderson Djèlí Clark and more! Check out the full list here: https://locusmag.com/2019/05/2018-nebula-awards-winners/
* Finalists for the best science fiction novel John W. Campbell Memorial Award 2019 has been released: http://www.sfcenter.ku.edu/news/Campbell-Award_finalists-press-release-2019.pdf
* The 2019 Eugie Foster Memorial Award for Short Fiction finalists have been announced. All of them are available online for free, so get to reading! http://www.eugiefoster.com/eugieaward
* The Mythopoeic Awards Finalists for 2019 have been announced as well. Congratulations to Mishell Baker, Ruthanna Emrys and the others! https://mythsoc-rohan.blogspot.com/2019/06/mythopoeic-awards-finalists-for-2019.html
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From The Office
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Building Update
Despite not having much time to work at Haight St. last month (because, closing up the cafe), we made some solid progress in May. Perhaps the biggest thing is that we finally (Finally? Finally!) passed the last inspection with PG&E for the new electrical service. We're all set to have the actual service hooked up on the 2nd of July, and that will be the first construction permit of this whole project that is completely finished. To say that I'm looking forward to it is a hell of an understatement.
Over the last few weeks we've also made major progress on the bathroom. Three of the five walls are framed and in place. The next two will follow shortly and then we can get the plumber in to do the rough work. With luck that will go quickly (depending on his schedule) and then we can get the finish work done. Still no firm ETA for all that but we're getting close to a point when I feel like I can make something other than a wild-ass guess.
The garden is really coming into its own with the spring and thanks to all the rain this winter. I know I've been promising pictures for months now but I truly will try to get some up by the next newsletter.
With the work of closing (and running) the cafe behind me, I'm really looking forward to putting my full attention into getting our new "house" ready for move in.
All Best,
Alan
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Best Sellers
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Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for May, 2019
Hardcovers
1. Exhalation by Ted Chiang
2. A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay
3. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders
4. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
5. The Book of M by Peng Shepherd
6. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey
7. In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire
8. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin
9. The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie
10. Empire of Grass by Tad Williams
Trade Paperbacks
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
2. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu
3. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams
4. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
5. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
6. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
7. Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky
8. The Power by Naomi Alderman
9. Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse
10. New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color edited by Nisi Shawl
Mass Market Paperbacks
1. Dune by Frank Herbert
2. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
3. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
4. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
5. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
6. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
7. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
8. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
9. Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
10. The Thousand Names by Django Wexler
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Book Club Information
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The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, July 14th at 5 pm to discuss AUTONOMOUS by Annalee Newitz. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, July 21st at 6 pm to discuss KINGS OF THE WYLD by Nicholas Eames. The book for the following month will be SHARDS OF HONOR by Lois McMaster Bujold. Contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information
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Upcoming Event Details
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Ferrett Steinmetz, THE SOL MAJESTIC (Tor, Trade Paperback, $16.99) Saturday, June 22nd at 3:00 pm - The Sol Majestic is the most prestigious restaurant in the galaxy, located at Savor Station -- and 16-year-old Kenna comes to it starving, both physically and spiritually. He's a member of a dying religion, and his parents have been dragging him from station to station as long as he can remember, seeking backing for their faith, the Inevitable Philosophy. Kenna is pretty far overdue for finding his expected Inevitable Philosopy until he wins a free meal at the Sol Majestic, and its genius creator makes a project out of Kenna, changing everything. Jude just won't shut up about how much she loves this book, which is about finding your guiding passion, the dignity of work, and so much more. We definitely hope you'll join us to meet Ferrett Steinmetz and check out this fabulous new novel!
Writers With Drinks (at the Make Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco) with authors Natasha Dennerstein, Sarah Gailey, Helen Phillips, Troy Jollimore, Grace Lavery, and Gabby Rivera, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, Saturday, July 13th at 7:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup for July includes authors Natasha Dennerstein, Sarah Gailey, Helen Phillips, Troy Jollimore, Grace Lavery, and Gabby Rivera. Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 7:00 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books.
SF in SF with authors Vylar Kaftan and Megan E. O'Keefe (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) Sunday, July 21st at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10.) Doors and bar at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm. We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! This month we're joined by fabulous local authors Vy Kaftan and Megan E. O'Keefe. The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by Terry Bisson. Authors will schmooze & sign books after. Books will be available for sale. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated. Bar proceeds benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.
Charlie Jane Anders, Meg Elison, Shaenon K. Garrity, and Richard Kadrey, WASTELANDS: THE NEW APOCALYPSE (Titan Books, Trade Paperback, $14.95 ) Saturday, August 3rd at 3:00 pm - From editor John Joseph Adam's site: "In WASTELANDS: THE NEW APOCALYPSE, veteran anthology editor John Joseph Adams is once again our guide through the wastelands using his genre and editorial expertise to curate his finest collection of post-apocalyptic short fiction yet. Whether the end comes via nuclear war, pandemic, climate change, or cosmological disaster, these stories explore the extraordinary trials and tribulations of those who survive." We're delighted to welcome four fabulous local authors who contributed to the anthology! Charlie Jane and Shaenon have amazing reprints, and Richard and Meg's stories are original to this collection. Don't miss this event; we know it's going to be magnificently apocalyptic!
Gail Carriger, RETICENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Tuesday, August 6th at 6:00 pm - Details TK.
Michael Blumlein, LONGER (Tor.com, Trade Paperback, $15.99) and Paul Park, A CITY MADE OF WORDS (PM Press, Trade Paperback, $14.99) Saturday, August 10th at 3:00 pm - Details TK.
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge. You are welcome to bring copies of an author's books purchased elsewhere to be autographed (but we do appreciate it if you purchase something while at the event). For most events you are welcome to bring as many books as you wish for autographs. If you are unable to attend the event we will be happy to have a copy of any of the author's available books signed or inscribed for you. We can then either hold the book(s) until you can come in to pick them up or we can ship to you. Just give us a call or drop us an email. If you live out of town, you can also ship us books from your collection to be signed for a nominal fee. Call or email for details.
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.
Dispatches from the Border Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St. San Francisco CA 94110
415 824-8203
http://www.borderlands-books.com
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com
