tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78604385761990041012024-03-08T15:21:33.389-08:00Borderlands NewsletterThis blog is a separate feed dedicated to archiving and embedding the full text of the bookstore's monthly newsletter. All of the individual content from the newsletter, and other timely updates are reproduced on the store's main blog, at <a href="http://borderlands-books.blogspot.com">borderlands-books.blogspot.com</a>
We humbly suggest you follow that one, and not this one.Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comBlogger78125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-44187538308014817282021-04-11T00:49:00.000-07:002021-04-11T00:49:13.622-07:00Dispatches from the Border<p> -------<br />News<br />-------<br /><br />*Overheard in the store:<br /><br />"He's hardly some Svengali. I don't think he could mesmerize a Pet Rock."<br /><br />"When I sit down to read a Terry Pratchett novel, I know that nothing can hurt me until after I'm done."<br /><br />(Small Child, to stranger): "You look like a witch!"<br />(Guardian of Small Child, shocked): "[child's name], why would you say that? That's really not a nice thing to say!" (To Stranger) "I'm very sorry."<br />(Small Child, totally confused): "It IS a nice thing! Witches are pretty!"<br /><br />#1: "Oh my gosh -- it's a wall of Tolkien!" <br />#2: "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" <br />#1: "YES!"<br /><br />* This was a tough month for literature lovers:<br /><br />RIP Norton Juster: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/09/norton-juster-author-of-the-phantom-tollbooth-dies-aged-91">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/09/norton-juster-author-of-the-phantom-tollbooth-dies-aged-91</a><br /><br />Larry McMurtry passed away at age 84: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/31/larry-mcmurtry-obituary">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/31/larry-mcmurtry-obituary</a><br /><br />And we lost beloved "Ramona Quimby" author Beverly Cleary at age 104: <a href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/beverly-cleary-obituary-cmwnfx38t">https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/beverly-cleary-obituary-cmwnfx38t</a><br /><br />* Photosynthesis without sun! <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/deep-sea-bacteria-spurn-the-sun-instead-using-earths-internal-heat-for-photosynthesis">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/deep-sea-bacteria-spurn-the-sun-instead-using-earths-internal-heat-for-photosynthesis</a><br /><br />* This was completely amazing; the real life (and much better!) "Lord of the Flies" -- what actually happened when six schoolboys were shipwrecked for 15 months: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/09/the-real-lord-of-the-flies-what-happened-when-six-boys-were-shipwrecked-for-15-months">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/may/09/the-real-lord-of-the-flies-what-happened-when-six-boys-were-shipwrecked-for-15-months</a><br /><br />* Have you ever wondered how they did the special effects in that particularly gross scene in John Carpenter's movie "The Thing"?<a href="https://filmschoolrejects.com/the-thing-chest-chomp/">https://filmschoolrejects.com/the-thing-chest-chomp/</a><br /><br />* We're all thrilled that brilliant fantasy author Peter S. Beagle has regained control of the rights to his work following a lengthy court battle with his criminal former manager Conor Cochran! Read the press release here, and if you'd like to follow him on Twitter (@Peterbeaglever1) or Facebook (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Peter-S-Beagle-107876501377186">https://www.facebook.com/Peter-S-Beagle-107876501377186</a>), please use the official links listed: <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-last-unicorn-returns-home-renowned-fantasy-author--screenwriter-peter-s-beagle-prevails-after-multi-year-legal-battles-against-elder-abuse-and-to-regain-control-of-his-literary-legacy-301254107.html">https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-last-unicorn-returns-home-renowned-fantasy-author--screenwriter-peter-s-beagle-prevails-after-multi-year-legal-battles-against-elder-abuse-and-to-regain-control-of-his-literary-legacy-301254107.html</a><br /><br />* Esteemed science fiction author John Varley is recovering well from recent heart surgery, but could really use some financial help. Varley is a favorite writer of the staff not to mention being an all around lovely person. A Gofundme campaign has been started by Spider Robinson and Steph Herman -- <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpjohnvarley">https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpjohnvarley</a><br /><br />* Sure, this isn't creepy AT ALL -- "Dark Watchers" in the Santa Lucia mountains: <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/local/editorspicks/article/dark-watchers-santa-lucia-range-stories-steinbeck-16012812.php">https://www.sfgate.com/local/editorspicks/article/dark-watchers-santa-lucia-range-stories-steinbeck-16012812.php</a><br /><br />* The hyperreal life of Chen Qiufan: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/science-fiction-writer-china-chen-qiufan/">https://www.wired.com/story/science-fiction-writer-china-chen-qiufan/</a><br /><br />* 13 times science fiction accurately predicted future tech: <a href="https://studybreaks.com/tvfilm/science-fiction-predicts-future-technology/">https://studybreaks.com/tvfilm/science-fiction-predicts-future-technology/</a><br /><br />* NASA hopes pirates don't steal the new space telescope: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/03/nasa-james-webb-space-telescope-pirates/618268/">https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/03/nasa-james-webb-space-telescope-pirates/618268/</a><br /><br />* We thought this was fascinating -- "Spiders appear to offload cognitive tasks to their webs, making them one of a number of species with a mind that isn't fully confined within the head.": <a href="https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-thoughts-of-a-spiderweb-20170523/">https://www.quantamagazine.org/the-thoughts-of-a-spiderweb-20170523/</a><br /><br />* Seven (sailing) ships that disappeared without a trace: <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/84242/7-ships-disappeared-without-trace">https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/84242/7-ships-disappeared-without-trace</a><br /><br />* High school student Dasia Taylor invented sutures that change color to detect infection: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/high-schooler-invented-color-changing-sutures-detect-infection-180977345/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/high-schooler-invented-color-changing-sutures-detect-infection-180977345/</a><br /><br />* "Today I am monumentally fed up with the idea of writing." "Writing can be good. You attack it, don’t let it attack you." Douglas Adams' 'General Note to Myself' (& other thoughts) on the writing process: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/22/douglas-adams-note-to-self-reveals-author-found-writing-torture">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/22/douglas-adams-note-to-self-reveals-author-found-writing-torture</a><br /><br />* Well, THIS is a fun headline -- "Uranus is belching X-rays and is weirder than we ever thought": <a href="https://www.space.com/uranus-emitting-x-rays-chandra-observations">https://www.space.com/uranus-emitting-x-rays-chandra-observations</a><br /><br />* Growing better lettuce -- in space: <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-26/growing-better-lettuce-in-space-may-improve-agriculture-on-earth">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-03-26/growing-better-lettuce-in-space-may-improve-agriculture-on-earth</a><br /><br />* The Guardian (UK) talks with physicist Michio Kaku: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/apr/03/string-theory-michio-kaku-aliens-god-equation-large-hadron-collider">https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/apr/03/string-theory-michio-kaku-aliens-god-equation-large-hadron-collider</a><br /><br />* A few things about WorldCon this year -- it will take place in person (!), the hotel has changed, and it's been moved to December (!): <a href="https://discon3.org/news/new-dates-new-hotel/">https://discon3.org/news/new-dates-new-hotel/</a><br /><br />* A 30-year-old Soviet adaptation of "The Fellowship of the Ring", for your viewing. . . pleasure? (Also, while you're at it, breathe deeply over the fact that 1991 was THIRTY YEARS AGO): <a href="https://www.tor.com/2021/04/06/soviet-lord-of-the-rings-1991/#more-640635">https://www.tor.com/2021/04/06/soviet-lord-of-the-rings-1991/#more-640635</a><br /><br />--------------------<br />From The Office<br />--------------------<br /><br />Hearing about John Varley's current health and associated financial difficulties (see the news section above or read about it here - <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpjohnvarley">https://www.gofundme.com/f/helpjohnvarley</a>) this month and also hearing the very, very good news that Peter Beagle has finally and conclusively beaten his scumbag former manager in court . . . . <br /><br />It got me thinking. Booksellers, as a group, have pretty poor retirement paths. But, there are a few professions that have even worse ones. A friend once outlined the usual retirement for a fencing coach; "Work 'til your knees give out and then live poor in a hovel for your remaining years. If you're lucky." That's pretty bad. But, the retirement of a full-time mid-list author isn't much better. <br /><br />If you're reasonably successful, your books will stay in print and so you'll have constant royalties coming from your backlist. But, royalties are based on sales and, unless something happens that makes your books suddenly notable (i.e. a movie or a TV show, a topic you wrote about being in the news in a big way, someone famous talking about your work, and so on), the royalties drop over time as fewer and fewer people buy your work. <br /><br />Of course, if you're not lucky, then your books go out of print. And you get nothing. That does mean you can sell your out-of-print books again but, first, someone has to be interested in reprinting them and, second, the payment and royalties are usually not as good as they were the first time.<br /><br />So, really, the only way to keep your income in-coming is to keep writing new books and selling them.<br /><br />Meanwhile, if you live in the United States, your medical coverage is expensive and, probably, not very good (unless you're lucky enough to have a spouse with a "real" job that gives you benefits). So, when the inevitable health problems come up, it's really expensive. And, those same health problems often make it damn hard to write, which creates an even bigger financial pinch.<br /><br />It's a pretty crappy situation, all around. And it happens more often that most people realize. I see it because I have a lot of friends who are writers and, though I'm just a baby bookseller (in booksellers' years, 22 is right around kindergarten age or, maybe, grade-school), I've been around long enough to be friends with writers who are getting old now.<br /><br />So, think of a writer you adore, whose work changed your world, and who you figure must be doing great financially (because, after all, they're a brilliant writer -- that's why you love their work so much). Now consider that at some point in the past, present, or future they might be in financial straights so harsh that they are having to decide what bills to forgo paying and wondering how they are going to buy groceries.<br /><br />Awful, isn't it?<br /><br />There isn't really a fix for it. At least there isn't a simple one. At Borderlands we try to help by spreading the word when an author is trying to raise money, like John is now and like Spider Robinson did when his partner was sick. <br /><br />You can help too. That author I asked you to think of? Are you on their mailing list? Or do you follow them on Facebook? If you don't, there's a chance you won't find out if they get in a jam. So, here's what I'd like you to do. First, pick three authors that you absolutely love (only living ones please, the dead ones are past all trouble). Second, go sign up for their mailing list or blog or whatever damn thing they have -- almost everyone has some sort of "social media presence" now.<br /><br />(You so know what's coming next.)<br /><br />Third, if they get in a jam, help them out. Send some cash. Some good wishes too but, the cash is the important part. It's a tiny, fractional payment for all the happiness and pleasure they've given you.<br /><br />Until next time, stay safe, be kind, and I hope to see you around the shop sometime.<br /><br />Alan Beatts<br /><br />----------------<br />Best Sellers<br />----------------<br />Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for March, 2021<br /><br />Hardcovers<br />1. A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine<br />2. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />3. Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro<br />4. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke<br />5. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab<br />6. Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson<br />7. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia<br />8. Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire<br />9. The Burning God by R.F. Kuang<br />10. Persephone Station by Stina Leicht<br /><br />Trade Paperbacks<br />1. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune<br />2. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu<br />3. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler<br />4. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />5. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow<br />6. The Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />7. Memory of Empire by Arkady Martine<br />8. Agency by William Gibson<br />9. Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke<br />10. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br /><br />Mass Market Paperbacks<br />1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />2. Calculated Risks by Seanan McGuire<br />3. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />4. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />5. Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson<br />6. Foundation by Isaac Asimov<br />7. Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson<br />8. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />9. The Thousand Names by Django Wexler<br />10. False Value by Ben Aaronovitch<br /><br />------------------------------<br />Book Club Information<br />------------------------------<br /><br />The QSF&F Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, April 11th, at 5 pm to discuss Network Effect: A Murderbot Novel by Martha Wells. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br /><br />The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, April 18th, at 6 pm to discuss The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br /><br />This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br /><br />Dispatches from the Border<br />Editor - Jude Feldman<br />Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br /><br />All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />San Francisco CA 94110<br />415 824-8203<br />http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br /><br /></p>Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-67631848326109361422021-02-06T22:02:00.003-08:002021-02-06T22:02:48.954-08:00Dispatches from the Border, February 2021<p> DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />FEBRUARY, 2021<br /><br />-------<br />News<br />-------<br /><br />* We're very sorry to report that author and editor Storm Constantine has died at age 64: <a href="https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/storm-constantine-fantasy-author-passes-away-aged-64-news/">https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/storm-constantine-fantasy-author-passes-away-aged-64-news/</a><br /><br />* Someone created a computer graphic of what a Culture ship, from Iain Banks' novels, might look like: <a href="https://vimeo.com/184041325">https://vimeo.com/184041325</a><br /><br />* I completely lost myself in this totally fascinating (Very geeky! Very academic!) blog series by historian Bret Devereaux, excoriating George R. R. Martin for his portrayal of the Dothraki. (Thanks to Fazal for letting us know about this one!): <a href="https://acoup.blog/2020/12/04/collections-that-dothraki-horde-part-i-barbarian-couture/">https://acoup.blog/2020/12/04/collections-that-dothraki-horde-part-i-barbarian-couture/</a>. <br /><br />* Thanks to Jordan for letting us know about this extensive (and in-progress) Historical Science Fiction Dictionary: <a href="https://sfdictionary.com/">https://sfdictionary.com/</a>. (From <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/arts/science-fiction-dictionary.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/26/arts/science-fiction-dictionary.html</a>)<br /><br />* Legend Ursula K. Le Guin gets a postage stamp! <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/pioneering-sci-fi-author-ursula-k-le-guin-gets-her-own-us-postage-stamp/">https://www.cnet.com/news/pioneering-sci-fi-author-ursula-k-le-guin-gets-her-own-us-postage-stamp/</a><br /><br />* A really interesting article on the 1960's concerns about "alien microbes" and the extreme (and massively flawed) steps NASA took to avoid a possible "lunar pandemic": <a href="https://aeon.co/essays/what-can-we-learn-from-the-lunar-pandemic-that-never-was">https://aeon.co/essays/what-can-we-learn-from-the-lunar-pandemic-that-never-was</a><br /><br />* Netflix's "Sandman" series has its main cast (ohmigosh, Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer! But where/who is Death?!): <a href="https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/sandman-netflix-series-cast-1234894383/">https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/sandman-netflix-series-cast-1234894383/</a><br /><br />* LeVar Burton (<3!) has been named the inaugural PEN/Faulkner Literary Champion: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2021/02/levar-burton-named-inaugural-pen-faulkner-literary-champion/">https://locusmag.com/2021/02/levar-burton-named-inaugural-pen-faulkner-literary-champion/</a><br /><br />* Yes, the title of this article from the Guardian UK is, in fact, "Texas Sorry After Mistakenly Sending Emergency Alert for Cursed Chucky Doll": <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/03/texas-emergency-alert-chucky-doll">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/03/texas-emergency-alert-chucky-doll</a><br /><br />* Serious issues with AI and the "new" phrenology: <a href="https://aeon.co/ideas/algorithms-associating-appearance-and-criminality-have-a-dark-past">https://aeon.co/ideas/algorithms-associating-appearance-and-criminality-have-a-dark-past</a><br /><br />* The first successful face and double hand transplant has been completed: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/03/first-successful-face-double-hand-transplant-completed-joe-dimeo">https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/feb/03/first-successful-face-double-hand-transplant-completed-joe-dimeo</a><br /><br />* Nice article about how the "The Expanse" shows (mostly) accurate science: <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/tv/article/We-asked-a-Bay-Area-astrophysicist-if-Amazon-s-15919191.php">https://www.sfgate.com/tv/article/We-asked-a-Bay-Area-astrophysicist-if-Amazon-s-15919191.php</a><br /><br />* Somewhat unsurprisingly, the galaxy is larger than we thought. Check out this article just for the phrase "galactic cannibalism"!: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/01/discovery-of-outer-stars-of-dwarf-galaxy-sheds-new-light-on-dark-matter">https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/feb/01/discovery-of-outer-stars-of-dwarf-galaxy-sheds-new-light-on-dark-matter</a><br /><br />* Locus Magazine has published their "Recommended Reading" List for 2020 - lots of fabulous stuff to check out: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2021/02/2020-locus-recommended-reading-list/">https://locusmag.com/2021/02/2020-locus-recommended-reading-list/</a><br /><br />----------------------<br />Haight St. Update<br />----------------------<br /><br />January is not a quiet month for small businesses. There's all the catch-up to do after the holidays on top of all the work to close out the books for the past year, along with getting tax information prepared (since Borderlands is a corporation, our tax deadline is a month early, on March 15th). On top of that, mid-month I took a run up to Seattle to buy a book collection (more about that in my Office Piece a bit further down in this newsletter). Long and short of it was that it was not a productive month at the new building. <br /><br />We did make some solid inroads on finishing up the last bits of sheetrock for the bathroom but, beyond that, all that I managed to get done was hang the bathroom door. That was a job that should have taken an hour or two, tops, but instead took closer to a day and a half. The door that I was putting in is essentially temporary. It's enough to pass inspection and work perfectly well but . . . it's a cheap hollow-core door. Due to the thickness of the bathroom walls, I had to special order it but I wasn't really expecting any surprises. But, that door was _made_ of surprises.<br /><br />The first thing was that there was a gap at the top of the frame. One of the nails had split the wood and so the joint wasn't tight. Before hanging the door, I pulled the offending nail and closed up the gap. I figured that would be it. Once I got the door up, however, I discovered that the door had been fitted correctly _with_ the gap so now it was too tight and was sticking at the top. Next step was to plane the side of the door to make it narrower and fit properly. That job done, the door closed but was a little wobbly. I checked the hinges.<br /><br />Four of the eight screws in the top hinge were loose. I tightened them and now, guess what, there was a gap at the top of the door where I had planed it. Oh well, not a big thing (or a big gap - the door would have needed to be planed anyway just . . . not quite so much). Onward!<br /><br />Next I installed the latch and door knob. It was a little irritating because the mortise (i.e. the recessed area that the strike plate fits into) had been miss-cut but I was able to sort that out with some quick chisel work. That was made more complicated because, at some point, an unknown someone had hit a nail or screw with my narrow chisel, cracking off the corner of the edge. A hassle but I just flipped the chisel over (it was a thankfully shallow cut) and finished up. Installed the door knob and . . . the door won't latch shut.<br /><br />Subsequent investigation determined that the location of the strike (the thing in the doorframe that the latch goes into) and the location of the lock-set (the holes in the door that the door knob and latch fit into) didn't match up. They weren't off by a whole lot but it was enough to stop the door from latching. The fix was to make the hole in the strike plate bigger. Rather than do that by hand with a file, I decided to take the strike back to the bookstore, where I had the tools to reshape it easily.<br /><br />Back at the bookstore, I turned on my trusty compressor and grabbed a die grinder. I figure that would make quick work of the job. Then the compressor turned off. Check compressor, it's fine. Check cord, it's fine. Check circuit breaker . . . tripped. Hummmm. Reset breaker. Compressor starts back up. Runs for a minute or so. Circuit breaker trips. Double hummmmm. Reset breaker. Compressor runs. Breaker trips.<br /><br />Check cord on compressor. No problems, no wear, no short-circuit. Take off a couple of cover plates to check wiring to compressor. All fine. Ummmmmm. Plug table saw into compressor circuit, reset breaker, turn on saw. Saw runs then; breaker trips. Right, bad breaker (they're all quite old because . . . landlord).<br /><br />Look for extension cord for compressor. All the heavy-duty cords are at Haight St. Unplug compressor from air-lines, move compressor to different outlet. Hook up temporary air line.<br /><br />I'm not going to bore you with all the rest of the details. Suffice it to say that, at pretty much every step, hanging that door was a problem. I dunno, maybe the tree was cursed or something. But, by the end of the second day (!) that I was working on it, the door functioned properly. <br /><br />That was last week. I have high hopes that this week will be better. I suppose it could be worse but I'm not sure I can imagine how. Barring some unforeseen problems though, this month and next month are going to be very heavy days at the new building. I've got all the catch-up done, the taxes are about ready to go to the accountant, and things at the shop are running smoothly. The permit for the new front windows will expire in April and the permit for the bathroom expires in June. It would be a very, very good thing to get both of those jobs closed out before the permits expire. With a bit of luck and plenty of concentration, I'm pretty sure that I can get them finished. Certainly, you will either be hearing about a bunch of accomplishments next month or . . . I'll be getting extensions for the permits sorted out. Let's hope for the former.<br /><br />-Alan Beatts<br /><br />--------------------<br />From The Office<br />--------------------<br /><br />My, it's much easier to focus on writing (or anything else) this month compared to early January. That was one very weird time in the US. Things are still pretty weird, I grant you, but the improvement is notable. I hope that you are all doing well and staying safe.<br /><br />We're one month into the year and our annual sponsorship renewal process. As I mentioned last month, we have been dependent on our sponsorship program to offset higher payroll costs since 2015. Each year 300 or more people sponsor us with a $100 contribution. That process has not only allowed Borderlands to remain in operation but was the basis for the direct borrowing that allowed us to buy the building that will be our future home on Haight St. Due to the economic effects of last year, moreso than ever before, sponsorships are critical for our continued operation. If you've never been a sponsor before, now would be a great time to start. You can sign up on-line here - https://borderlands-books.com/v2/become-sponsor/, come in person, or call us to sign-up via credit card. We're even happy to take checks via mail (if you're going to go the mail route, please include your full name, phone number, email address and mailing address).<br /><br />If you'd like to know more about the history of sponsorship and the benefits associated with it, take a look here - https://borderlands-books.com/v2/sponsorships/<br /><br />One of the benefits that doesn't appear on that list is access to preview sales when we buy large, interesting book collections. Last month I took a trip to Seattle and purchased an extensive library (over two and a half _tons_ of books). It's a really neat collection and very wide-ranging. I haven't unpacked all the boxes yet but so far there have been things ranging from good paperback reading copies (right now we have more Philip K. Dick paperbacks than anytime in the past decade) all the way to mid-20th century classics (for example, the nicest first edition of Who Goes There by John W. Campbell that I have _ever_ seen). It's a good collection and there are a huge number of books (by my estimate it's around 4000 individual books).<br /><br />There's another element to this sale as well; since we're going to need to make room for all those books when we get them inventoried, this sale will also include a 25% discount on all our used books (including the rare books behind the counter).<br /><br />I mention all this to you for two reasons.<br /><br />First, the preview sale for our sponsors will be on Thursday, February 11th. The shop will be closed to the public that day, which is one thing you should know, but, more importantly, it's not too late to get a sponsorship and come to the sale.<br /><br />Second, right now our used paperback sections are filled with really great stuff because we entered those books from the boxes we've sorted first. It's not going to last though so, if you're in the market for some paperbacks that you don't see used often, come on by. Also, over the next few months as we inventory all those books, you can expect that there will be a lot of neat books, mostly hardcover, showing up in the shop. So, as they say, shop early and often.<br /><br />All Best,<br />Alan<br /><br />----------------<br />Best Sellers<br />----------------<br /><br />Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for January, 2021<br /><br />Hardcovers<br />1. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />2. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab<br />3. Across the Green Grass Fields by Seanan McGuire<br />4. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke<br />5. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin<br />6. Ring Shout by P. Dejeli Clark<br />7. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik<br />8. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia<br />9. Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline<br />10. Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor<br /><br />Trade Paperbacks<br />1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />2. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune<br />3. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang<br />4. The Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />5. Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey<br />6. The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu<br />7. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow<br />8. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu<br />9. Exhalation by Ted Chiang<br />10. The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br /><br />Mass Market Paperbacks<br />1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />2. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />3. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert<br />4. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />5. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />6. The Thousand Names by Django Wexler<br />7. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />8. Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson<br />9. Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson<br />10. Foundation by Isaac Asimov<br /><br />------------------------------<br />Book Club Information<br />------------------------------<br /><br />The QSF&F Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, February 14th, at 5 pm to discuss THE FOLD by Peter Clines. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br /><br />The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, January 21st, at 6 pm to discuss FINNA by Nino Capri. The book for March 21st is THE MEMORY POLICE by Yoko Ogawa. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br /><br /><br />This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br /><br />Dispatches from the Border<br />Editor - Jude Feldman<br />Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br /><br />All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />San Francisco CA 94110<br />415 824-8203<br />http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br /><br />*******</p>Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-26422643032189801712021-01-08T14:56:00.000-08:002021-01-08T14:56:35.966-08:00Dispatches from the Border, January 2021<p>Events and News From Borderlands Books<br /><br />-------<br />News<br />-------<br /><br />* The amazing Nalo Hopkinson has been named the 37th recipient of the Damon Knight Memorial Grand Master Award by SFWA: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2020/12/hopkinson-named-sfwa-grand-master/">https://locusmag.com/2020/12/hopkinson-named-sfwa-grand-master/</a><br /><br />* We regret to report that legendary author and editor Ben Bova has died at age 88: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/books/ben-bova-dies.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/books/ben-bova-dies.html</a><br /><br />* Comrade! Come live on this extremely modern Russian cyberfarm: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMX0pCs5-n0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMX0pCs5-n0</a><br /><br />* As Scott said, "cute so quickly devolves into terrifying,"; the Boston Dynamics robots dance, and this is completely unrelated to the cyberfarm link above: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn3KWM1kuAw&feature=youtu.be">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn3KWM1kuAw&feature=youtu.be</a><br /><br />* "Rolling Stone" Magazine (!) talks to Kim Stanley Robinson: <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/the-ministry-for-the-future-interview-kim-stanley-robinson-1101738/">https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/the-ministry-for-the-future-interview-kim-stanley-robinson-1101738/</a><br /><br />* "Write a sentence as clean as a bone," and other sage advice from genius James Baldwin: <a href="https://lithub.com/write-a-sentence-as-clean-as-a-bone-and-other-advice-from-james-baldwin/">https://lithub.com/write-a-sentence-as-clean-as-a-bone-and-other-advice-from-james-baldwin/</a><br /><br />* Would you like to be able to create holographs at will? <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/looking-glass-portrait-holographic-display/">https://mymodernmet.com/looking-glass-portrait-holographic-display/</a><br /><br />* The best book covers of 2020, according to 29 professional book cover designers. Jude and Scott have Opinions; let us know what you think!: <a href="https://lithub.com/the-89-best-book-covers-of-2020/">https://lithub.com/the-89-best-book-covers-of-2020/</a><br /><br />* The mysterious death of Edgar Allan Poe, explored: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/still-mysterious-death-edgar-allan-poe-180952936/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/still-mysterious-death-edgar-allan-poe-180952936/</a><br /><br />* "Time-traveling" comedian Julie Nolke's shorts, explaining current events to her past self, have been helping us keep sane this year through (somewhat bitter) laughter. Start here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7capx4Cb8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ms7capx4Cb8</a><br /><br />* The ten most popular "National Geographic" stories of 2020 -- (spoiler alert, there are totally Murder Hornets; you'd temporarily forgotten about those because of all the other disasters, right?): <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/2020/top-10-most-popular-stories-of-2020/">https://www.nationalgeographic.com/2020/top-10-most-popular-stories-of-2020/</a><br /><br />* The science stories most likely to make headlines in 2021, according to "Science" Magazine: <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/science-stories-likely-make-headlines-2021">https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/science-stories-likely-make-headlines-2021</a><br /><br />* Highlights in Radio Astronomy 2020, from Syfy Wire: <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/2020-didnt-completely-suck-here-are-some-cool-radio-astronomy-highlights">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/2020-didnt-completely-suck-here-are-some-cool-radio-astronomy-highlights</a><br /><br />* SF Grand Master James Gunn has died at age 97: <a href="https://kryptonradio.com/2020/12/23/sf-grandmaster-hugo-winner-james-gunn-dead-at-97/">https://kryptonradio.com/2020/12/23/sf-grandmaster-hugo-winner-james-gunn-dead-at-97/</a><br /><br />* The Zodiac Killer's most famous cypher, finally solved: <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/zodiac-340-cipher-solved-solution-code-15795178.php">https://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/zodiac-340-cipher-solved-solution-code-15795178.php</a><br /><br />* Eleven lost cities you can visit: <a href="https://www.afar.com/magazine/11-lost-cities-you-can-actually-visit">https://www.afar.com/magazine/11-lost-cities-you-can-actually-visit</a><br /><br />* We're very sorry to report the death of author John Le Carre, undisputed master of the Cold-War spy thriller: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/books/john-le-carre-dead.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/13/books/john-le-carre-dead.html</a><br /><br />* The life and death of the fisherman who discovered the Loch Ness Monster: <a href="https://narratively.com/the-obsessive-life-and-mysterious-death-of-the-fisherman-who-discovered-the-loch-ness-monster/">https://narratively.com/the-obsessive-life-and-mysterious-death-of-the-fisherman-who-discovered-the-loch-ness-monster/</a><br /><br />* William Gibson discusses his literary influences (& we're so pleased to see Jack Womack's endlessly underrated RANDOM ACTS OF SENSELESS VIOLENCE mentioned!): <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jan/01/william-gibson-i-read-naked-lunch-when-it-was-still-quasi-illicit">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/jan/01/william-gibson-i-read-naked-lunch-when-it-was-still-quasi-illicit</a><br /><br />* "Serial Killers Should Fear This Algorithm": <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-02-08/serial-killers-should-fear-this-algorithm">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-02-08/serial-killers-should-fear-this-algorithm</a><br /><br />* An absolutely mind-boggling 3D model wins 2020's Best Illusion of the Year Contest: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/3d-schroder-staircase/">https://mymodernmet.com/3d-schroder-staircase/<br /></a><br />* Previously unseen Shirley Jackson story to be published: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books">https://www.theguardian.com/books</a>/2020/dec/17/unseen-shirley-jackson-story-to-be-published-adventure-on-a-bad-night<br /><br />* Chinese authorities are investigating the suspected poisoning death of wealthy game tycoon (and producer of "The Three-Body Problem" Netflix adaptation) Lin Qi: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/28/games-of-thrones-video-game-tycoon-li-qin-dies-suspected-poisoning<br /><br />* Can virtual reality change peoples' minds on social issues? (Please note, this story is from 2017.) https://narratively.com/can-virtual-reality-change-minds-social-issues/<br /><br />* Seanan McGuire discusses how "My Little Pony" (or, as she describes it, "Gormenghast with hooves") inspired her (and continues to help her) subvert genre norms: https://www.tor.com/2021/01/04/my-little-pony-taught-me-to-write-fluffy-glittery-violence/#more-626133<br /><br />* In case you hadn't noticed, nature is weird: https://www.biographic.com/convenient-conveyance/<br /><br />* R.I.P., artist Jael, who has died at age 83: https://locusmag.com/2021/01/jael-1937-2020/; https://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=jael-brown-ruesch&pid=197183150&fhid=12938<br /><br />-------------------<br />From the Editor<br />-------------------<br /><br />Well, welcome to 2021. At this point, all I can say is that I'm fervently hoping that you're all doing and feeling as well as possible, and that the entirety of the rest of the year is extraordinarily boring. <br /><br />A few quick reminders and updates for y'all -- first, we're currently open to the public from 11 am - 6 pm, seven days a week. We have a maximum capacity of 10 people in the store at once, and masks are required for entry. We'll also ask you to sanitize your hands on your way in.<br /><br />If you'd rather not come into the store, there are other options. We're always happy to do mail orders -- search our inventory online here: https://www.biblio.com/bookstore/borderlands-books-san-francisco or just call us directly and we'll be glad to send you whatever you'd like.<br /><br />We're also doing curbside pickup, and we even have a specifically reserved parking space for it just outside the store -- call us and we'll work out the details and cheerfully bring your books out to you when you arrive.<br /><br />As far as the new building on Haight Street -- as you can imagine, it's been pretty difficult to get anything substantial done. We have made some progress on finishing the exterior of the bathroom (did I mention that, yay, we have a bathroom?!) and also gotten some planning work done, but concrete progress has been more elusive. As with so much else right now, it's a matter of staying focused and doing the best we can. We'll get there. We appreciate your support and faith.<br /><br />Very Best, <br />Jude<br /><br />--------------------<br />From The Office<br />--------------------<br /><br />As I write this, it is the evening of Wednesday, January 6th. It's hard to think that anything I've got to say has any significance in light of what has been (and is) happening in Washington, DC. But, this is going to pass and we'll move on (though, like much of what 2020 brought us, I don't think we'll be "moving on" in the same way that we were). So, please forgive the comparative triviality of what follows.<br /><br />The last year has been crushingly hard for most small businesses and Borderlands was no exception. Compared to 2019, our sales were down by 45%. That's a really hard hit for a bookstore. On the other hand, several things were in our favor; we were among the lucky businesses to get a PPP loan from the SBA (which looks to be completely forgivable), we were able to make some changes to the schedule that reduced payroll (without any layoffs), and we have a wonderfully loyal set of customers.<br /><br />But, the biggest thing we had going for us was that we are not a restaurant or, gods help them, a bar or music venue. I cannot imagine what the owners of that sort of business have been going through. Compared to them, at least we've been able to be _open_ through most of the past nine months.<br /><br />One other thing that has been an immeasurable help over the past year is our sponsor program - https://borderlands-books.com/v2/sponsorships/. It came about in 2015, when I planned to close Borderlands because of the upcoming increases to San Francisco's minimum wage. Though I enthusiastically support a higher minimum wage, the economics of the business meant that Borderlands wasn't going to be viable if we had to increase wages by almost 50% over three years. Rather than hold on as long as we could, I decided it was best to close once it became apparent that we wouldn't be able to make it.<br /><br />I expected that our customers would be upset to hear that we were closing but I totally underestimated the magnitude of the outcry. To make a long story short(er), as a result of our customers' ideas and input from the staff, we came up with a solution. <br /><br />The wage increase was going to put the store roughly $30,000 in the red each year. To offset that, we asked that 300 people each become "sponsors" at a cost of $100 each. As long as that continued, each year thereafter, we could remain in business. The response was overwhelmingly favorable and it has continued so every year since.<br /><br />This year, more so than any other since 2015, sponsorships of Borderlands are hugely important. We can continue to operate for at least the next six months under the current circumstances and probably longer but . . . without help, our planned move to our new location is going to be incredibly more difficult. I'm pretty sure we can do it, regardless of the circumstances, but, at the very least, it won't be the way we've been imagining it. But, to be painfully honest, I'm not 100% sure that it will be possible. And that would mean that we will be in a difficult position indeed when our current lease expires in October.<br /><br />So, if you are already a 2021 sponsor, thank you so much. If you've been a sponsor in the past but didn't renew (something for which there are a multitude of good reasons), it would really mean a great deal if you came back this year. And, finally, if you've never been a sponsor . . . becoming one, even if only for this year, will make a truly concrete difference for Borderlands' future.<br /><br />But, all that aside, Borderlands is not the business that needs your help the most. As I mentioned, there is a whole set of local businesses that have been hurt much more severely than us. Restaurants, bars, gyms, nightclubs and live music venues, and many others; they are really struggling and some of them may not survive the next six months. Many of us are experiencing constrained circumstances right now and, for many people, resources are limited. So, if you're in a position where you must be selective about what businesses you are going to support -- please, turn your attention to the local businesses that are most at risk.<br /><br />You can get some takeout from a local restaurant. Or, even better, go in and pick it up yourself -- the delivery services eat (pun intended) a hell of a lot of restaurant profits. Almost every local bar has a fund-raiser of some sort going on and, if they don't, they likely have t-shirts and other swag for sale. If live music is your thing, check out the Independent Venue Alliance (https://independentvenuealliance.com). Also check your favorite place's website 'cause there's a good chance that they're running a "staff relief fund". Anyway, you get the idea.<br /><br />You're on this mailing list because you care about bookstores; you already know that the tapestry of locally-owned businesses are the backbone of a city's character. Among all the things that have been threatened by the past year; those businesses; that backbone -- it's at risk. Please help all of us get through the next six months so that, when the dust finally clears, SF will still be the city we lived in a year ago. The alternative is a quasi-dystopian landscape of vacant storefronts and national chains enlivened by the occasional local shop that, somehow, managed to hang on.<br /><br />If you're interested in becoming a sponsor, you can find more information here - https://borderlands-books.com/v2/sponsorships/ - and you can sign up on-line here - https://borderlands-books.com/v2/become-sponsor/. You're also welcome to stop by the shop and sign up in person. Or, if you're truly old-school, you can join by mail; just send your information (name, phone #, email address, and mailing address) to the store address with a check.<br /><br />Thank you all for your support over the years. Here's hoping for a much better and brighter year for all of us.<br /><br />All Best,<br />Alan<br /><br />PS The focus of the preceding was on San Francisco, but it applies regardless of where you call home. Local businesses really need your support if they are going to make it. Please do what you can, whether you live in Chapel Hill, USA; Malmo, Sweden, or Helensburgh, Australia.<br /><br />----------------<br />Best Sellers<br />----------------<br />Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for December, 2020<br /><br />Hardcovers<br />1. Rhythm of War by Brandon Sanderson<br />2. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />3. Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline<br />4. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia<br />5. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke<br />6. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik<br />7. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab<br />8. Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse<br />9. The Once and Future Witches by Alix Harrow<br />10. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin<br /><br />Trade Paperbacks<br />1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />2. The Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />3. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu<br />4. The Long Way to A Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers<br />5. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang<br />6. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow<br />7. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />8. Aurora Rising by Alastair Reynolds<br />9. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />10. Rejoice, a Knife to the Heart by Steven Erickson <br /><br />Mass Market Paperbacks<br />1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />2. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />3. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />4. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />5. Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson<br />6. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />7. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />8. Foundation by Isaac Asimov<br />9. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />10. The Thousand Names by Django Wexler<br /><br />------------------------------<br />Book Club Information<br />------------------------------<br /><br />The QSF&F Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, January 10th at 5 pm to discuss GRIDLINKED by Neal Asher. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br /><br />The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, January 17th at 6 pm to discuss THE DIAMOND AGE by Neal Stephenson. The book for February is FINNA by Nino Capri. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br /><br />This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br /><br />Dispatches from the Border<br />Editor - Jude Feldman<br />Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br /><br />All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />San Francisco CA 94110<br />415 824-8203<br />http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br /><br />*******</p>Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-89799969869866712982020-11-16T16:31:00.000-08:002020-11-16T16:31:04.357-08:00Dispatches from the Border, November 2020<p>Events and News From Borderlands Books<br /><br />-------<br />News<br />-------<br /><br />* Overheard in the store:<br />"We're really happy because, Space Vampires."<br />"Now everyone's wearing masks -- no more facial recognition software for you, Surveillance State!"<br />"'Sexy Sorting Hat' was a Halloween costume that just didn't fly."<br />[Customer holding a copy of DUNE]: "Do you have a less-thick version of this?"<br /><br />* We're sorry to report the death of incredibly popular fantasy author Terry Goodkind, who passed away in September at the age of 72: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/books/terry-goodkind-dead.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/02/books/terry-goodkind-dead.html</a><br /><br />* RIP Richard A. Lupoff; writer, fan, Edgar Rice Burroughs expert, dear heart and old friend. <a href="https://locusmag.com/2020/10/richard-a-lupoff-1935-2020/">https://locusmag.com/2020/10/richard-a-lupoff-1935-2020/</a><br /><br />* With regret we report the death of amazing author and lovely person Rachel Caine at age 58. <a href="https://preview.mailerlite.com/x6r7e1">https://preview.mailerlite.com/x6r7e1</a><br /><br />* A bit belated, but still stunning -- watch nearly 11,000 lightning strikes spark the awful mid-August Bay Area fires via a compilation of more than 400 satellite images: <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/20/watch-heres-what-10800-bay-area-lightning-strikes-sparking-367-wildfires-looked-like-from-space/amp/">https://www.mercurynews.com/2020/08/20/watch-heres-what-10800-bay-area-lightning-strikes-sparking-367-wildfires-looked-like-from-space/amp/</a><br /><br />* 15 recent sci-fi books that have shaped the genre: <a href="https://www.polygon.com/21516173/best-new-science-fiction-books-scifi-last-15-years">https://www.polygon.com/21516173/best-new-science-fiction-books-scifi-last-15-years</a><br /><br />* Care for a cup of Satanic tea? This company is making traditionally "cozy" tea a lot more metal: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/style/care-for-a-cup-of-satanic-chamomile.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/style/care-for-a-cup-of-satanic-chamomile.html</a><br /><br />* A viable (and relatively safe) fusion reactor by 2025? <a href="https://www.livescience.com/nuclear-fusion-reactor-sparc-2025.html">https://www.livescience.com/nuclear-fusion-reactor-sparc-2025.html</a><br /><br />* This NASA spacecraft is losing precious study-able rubble: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/23/nasa-spacecraft-osiris-rex-asteroid-rubble">https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/23/nasa-spacecraft-osiris-rex-asteroid-rubble</a><br /><br />* "Animals keep evolving into crabs," said the Popular Mechanics headline "which is somewhat disturbing," said the Popular Mechanics headline. Gee, you think?!: <a href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a34389129/crab-evolution-carcinization/">https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a34389129/crab-evolution-carcinization/</a><br /><br />* Just what everyone needs! A life-size, knitted Thanos! (Thanks to sponsor Jo F. for pointing this out.) <a href="https://nerdist.com/article/life-sized-knitted-thanos/">https://nerdist.com/article/life-sized-knitted-thanos/</a> Photos here: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/woolymcwoolface/">https://www.instagram.com/woolymcwoolface/<br /></a><br />* A much-too-short article, but some science to back up our strong supposition that growing up surrounded by books is a Very Good Thing Indeed: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/growing-surrounded-books-may-bolster-skills-later-life-180970523/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/growing-surrounded-books-may-bolster-skills-later-life-180970523/</a><br /><br />* Crowdsourcing your moral code? What could possibly go wrong? <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/oct/22/aita-how-a-reddit-forum-posed-the-defining-question-of-our-age">https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/oct/22/aita-how-a-reddit-forum-posed-the-defining-question-of-our-age</a><br /><br />* Not super surprising but still incredibly cool: definitive evidence of water on the moon! (Not to mention that just the phrase "flying telescope" is pretty nifty.) <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/cnet/article/NASA-telescope-uncovers-definitive-evidence-of-15675446.php">https://www.sfgate.com/cnet/article/NASA-telescope-uncovers-definitive-evidence-of-15675446.php</a><br /><br />* Well, this was absolutely terrifying. A short UK film on the "logical conclusions" of tech we already have: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HipTO_7mUOw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HipTO_7mUOw</a><br /><br />* This subterranean freshwater fish named after Gollum belongs to a never-before-described taxonomic family: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/subterranean-fish-named-gollum-belongs-new-family-180976123/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/subterranean-fish-named-gollum-belongs-new-family-180976123/</a><br /><br />* What happens to your body when you die in space? <a href="https://www.popsci.com/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-die-in-space/">https://www.popsci.com/what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-die-in-space/</a><br /><br />* Whether it's a sundial, a "witches' mark", or something else entirely, this mysterious carved medieval graffiti is pretty interesting: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/witch-markings-thought-ward-evil-spirits-are-discovered-england-180976112/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/witch-markings-thought-ward-evil-spirits-are-discovered-england-180976112/</a><br /><br />* "Imagine an albatross with a hacksaw for a mouth" -- scientists have identified what may be the largest flying bird ever, with a wingspan of roughly 20 (!) feet: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/scientists-reveal-what-may-be-largest-flying-bird-ever-180976128/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/scientists-reveal-what-may-be-largest-flying-bird-ever-180976128/</a><br /><br />* This is just cool. Rather than build entirely over the hundreds and hundreds of years of history their Dublin grocery store was going to cover, these folks decided to feature it instead: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/medieval-viking-building-dublin/">https://mymodernmet.com/medieval-viking-building-dublin/</a><br /><br />* The footage is incredible, no question about it -- but we're not sure why they keep putting the word "spy" [referring to the hummingbird-style drone photographer] in quotation marks in this article: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/butterfly-swarm-video/">https://mymodernmet.com/butterfly-swarm-video/</a><br /><br />* A design studio has developed a concept for a spaceship that would take tourists into space: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/priestmangoode-neptune-spaceship/">https://mymodernmet.com/priestmangoode-neptune-spaceship/</a><br /><br />* An envelope hidden in a wall for 100 years solves a minor mystery at the Winchester House: <a href="https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/winchester-mystery-house-windows-true-facts-14444695.php">https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/winchester-mystery-house-windows-true-facts-14444695.php</a><br /><br />* 14-year-old Anika Chebrolu was named America's Top Young Scientist in the 3M Young Scientist Challenge for her work in finding a molecule that could lead to a cure for COVID-19: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/3m-young-scientist-coronavirus-drug/">https://mymodernmet.com/3m-young-scientist-coronavirus-drug/</a><br /><br />* An alternative to GoodReads: <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/social-media/2020/08/better-goodreads-possible-bad-for-books-storygraph-amazon">https://www.newstatesman.com/science-tech/social-media/2020/08/better-goodreads-possible-bad-for-books-storygraph-amazon</a><br /><br />--------------------<br />From The Office<br />--------------------<br /><br />Despite the strangeness and historic elements of 2020, it's actually been pretty boring in a day-to-day way. I don't know if that matches your experience but, around Borderlands, it's mostly been The Usual. Or, perhaps I should say, the "new" usual. Sales are slow-ish but we're managing and otherwise we're just plugging along. Don't get me wrong, "plugging along" is just great, given how things might be, but it means I don't have a whole lot of news for you all. One or two things, sure, but there really hasn't been much excitement around the shop.<br /><br />Which is just _fine_ with me. Absolutely. In 2020 excitement has rarely, if ever, been a good thing.<br /><br />Before I get to the store news, such as it is, I'm going to make a (thankfully rare) public service announcement. I had been on the fence about mentioning this but today a friend who's a doctor with the SF Department of Public Health stopped by the shop. She was a valuable resource for us in March and April while we were figuring out how to manage the pandemic and, as you'd expect, we started chatting about the current state of affairs. That conversation made up my mind. So, here goes - <br /><br />As a country, we are in deep, deep trouble with the increasing rates of COVID-19. At this moment, your risk of getting sick is probably higher than at any point since early March. It's possible that your chances are higher than they have _ever_ been. More importantly, your chances of getting infected and then passing that infection along to other people is higher than it's ever been.<br /><br />And, the whole situation is going to get worse between now and January / February. Possibly much worse.<br /><br />There are two big things you can do to both keep you & yours safe and help out everyone else. First is wear a mask (which you are almost undoubtedly doing already). But the second thing is probably more important.<br /><br />Stay home. And, fer gods' sake, don't go to parties and social events.<br /><br />It's pretty damn clear now how the vast majority of COVID infections are transmitted. It's by breathing air in enclosed spaces with other people. The longer you do it, the worse the risk. The more people, the worse the risk. Less air circulation . . . worse.<br /><br />So, don't do that.<br /><br />No holiday parties. No parties, period. No big Thanksgiving get together (no small one either). Don't go camping with a group of people. Stay home New Year's Eve (though really, who would want to go out -- it's just the annual party for amateurs). And so on.<br /><br />If you're thinking, "Come on, Alan. I'm not an idiot. I've been smart since March. It's all those other people who are the problem." . . . I know you're smart. Hell, you're someone who likes to read <grin>. But here's the thing; I'm saying all this because I'm not seeing a clear message anywhere else. Here's the bottom line:<br /><br />The COVID-19 pandemic is;<br />WORSE THAT IT HAS EVER BEEN.<br /><br />It is going to get;<br />WORSE THAN THIS;<br />before it gets better.<br /><br />So, at the very least, act like you did in June or July. If your behavior made sense then, it certainly makes sense now.<br /><br />New Store Update<br />I'm still having trouble getting clear time to work at the new building but last month was better. The most exciting thing is the plumbers came in and hooked up all the bathroom fixtures. So, we once again have a toilet and sink. There is still some finish work on the bathroom to do but I hope to have that done soon and then I'll post some pictures. I think it's going to look really lovely when we're done.<br /><br />Rare Books at the Shop<br />There have been a couple of neat books that have come into the shop that I thought I'd mention. First off, we have a complete set of the 11th edition of the Encyclopedia Brittanica. "Meh," you may think, "I've got the internet -- who needs an encyclopedia?" Well, this one was published in 1910 and is notable in a number of ways: it's generally considered the last "British" edition (the later ones were produced in the US); it was the last one to include long, comprehensive articles (some almost the length of a short book); the contributors are a who's who of contemporary arts and sciences (Algernon Charles Swinburne, John Muir, T. H. Huxley, and Bertrand Russell for example); and, last but not least, the production is lovely (heavy, full leather binding on onion-skin paper). And, it's a remarkable picture of the 19th Century. When it was published there had never been a world war, the British Empire dominated most of the world, and the majority of nations were ruled by monarchs. (By the way, it is technically a 12th edition, because it includes the three additional volumes published in 1921 that update the 11th edition to the 12th.)<br /><br />It's not really something that's in our line but I just couldn't resist bringing it into the shop. If you want a treat, ask to take a look at one of the volumes the next time you visit. And, if you'd like to take the full 32 volume set home with you, it's priced at $500 (shipping, if needed, will be extra).<br /><br />We also have a copy of The Storisende Edition of the Biography of the Life of Manuel by James Branch Cabell. This was, at the time (published between 1927 and 1930), his complete works and the editing and production were supervised by him. It is a total of 25 works in 18 uniform volumes and includes perhaps his best known work, Jurgen. It's a pleasure to have a work like this, by such an early founder of the American fantasy tradition, in such a unique edition. The condition is good but there has been some shelf wear in the past 90 years. $600.<br /><br />More Rare Books Coming<br />It's looking like we'll be getting a few more older rare books in stock over the next month or so. And, sometime is the next couple of months, I think I'll be purchasing a pretty large collection with some nice titles in it. All those will be 21st century works, but some small presses are going to be well represented so I think it will be exciting to get some of those in stock. More details about that as I have them.<br /><br />2021 Sponsorships in December<br />We are heading, once again, towards our annual sponsor signup drive. (If you're not familiar with the sponsor program, you can find the details and history here - <a href="https://borderlands-books.com/v2/sponsorships/">https://borderlands-books.com/v2/sponsorships/</a> ). This year we will be doing a couple of things differently.<br /><br />Unlike previous years, you'll be able to sign up in advance, starting on December 1st, by going to <a href="https://borderlands-books.com/v2/become-sponsor/">https://borderlands-books.com/v2/become-sponsor/</a> and following the instructions. Also, after years of requests, we will have the option to have your sponsorship renew automatically every year. Details about that can be found at the page I've linked to.<br /><br />As I'm sure you all realize, the events of 2020 have made the support of our customers more important than at any time in our history. I'm incredibly grateful for everything you have done for us over the past eight and a half months. I'm hopeful that 2021 overall will be much better than this year, but I fear that at least the first half of it is going to be pretty rough. That prospect combined with our upcoming move to the new building on Haight St. is causing me some financial concern. Concerns aside, I'm positive that support in the form of sponsorship will do a great deal to protect the store through 2021. So, if your situation allows, please consider becoming a sponsor this year if you haven't done so in the past.<br /><br />Thank you for being a customer and supporting independent bookselling through 2020. You're the best.<br /><br />All Best,<br />Alan<br /><br />----------------<br />Best Sellers<br />----------------<br />Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for October, 2020<br /><br />Hardcovers<br />1. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik<br />2. The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />3. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke<br />4. Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker<br />5. Battle Ground by Jim Butcher<br />6. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab<br />7. Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh<br />8. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin<br />9. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia<br />10. The Left-Handed Booksellers of London by Garth Nix<br /><br />Trade Paperbacks<br />1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />2. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow <br />3. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine<br />4. The Emperor's Wolves by Michelle Sagara<br />5. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />6. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />7. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, trans. by Ken Liu<br />8. The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang<br />9. A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher<br />10. The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins<br /> <br /> Mass Market Paperbacks<br />1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />2. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />3. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert<br />4. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert<br />5. Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire<br />6. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />7. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />8. Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson<br />9. Foundation by Isaac Asimov<br />10. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br /> <br />------------------------------<br />Book Club Information<br />------------------------------<br /><br />The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 8th, at 5 pm to discuss KINDRED by Octavia Butler. These meetings are currently being held virtually. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br /><br />The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 15th, at 6 pm to discuss THE CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT by Charlie Jane Anders. The book for December is ANNIHILATION by Jeff Vandermeer. These meetings are currently being held virtually. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br /><br />This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br /><br />Dispatches from the Border<br />Editor - Jude Feldman<br />Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br /><br />All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />San Francisco CA 94110<br />415 824-8203<br />http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br /><br />*******<br /> </p>Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-68829681135641602752020-10-15T21:49:00.008-07:002020-10-15T21:49:52.044-07:00Dispatches from the Border, October 2020<p>DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />OCTOBER, 2020<br /><br />-------<br />News<br />-------<br /><br />* Disappointingly, the release of the anxiously-awaited new "Dune" film has been delayed until October 1, 2021, but the trailer is definitely something to see: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xhJrPXop4">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xhJrPXop4</a> There's also this absorbing shot-by-shot comparison of the images from 1984 and 2020: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcZPZGq3Zy8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcZPZGq3Zy8</a><br /><br />* Fascinating stories of the recent (non-fictional) hard-boiled private eyes of San Francisco: <a href="https://altaonline.com/private-investigators-san-francisco-phil-bronstein/">https://altaonline.com/private-investigators-san-francisco-phil-bronstein/</a><br /><br />* Wow -- check out this amazing animated short film based on Peter Watts' novel BLINDSIGHT! <a href="https://blindsight.space/">https://blindsight.space/</a><br /><br />* These new climate change projection maps show a radically transformed US: <a href="https://projects.propublica.org/climate-migration/">https://projects.propublica.org/climate-migration/</a><br /><br />* The pros and cons of Netflix's plan to adapt the THREE-BODY PROBLEM series, according to The Ringer: <a href="https://www.theringer.com/tv/2020/9/1/21417294/three-body-problem-netflix-benioff-weiss">https://www.theringer.com/tv/2020/9/1/21417294/three-body-problem-netflix-benioff-weiss</a><br /><br />* Real drone footage of San Francisco's enormously unsettling "Red Day" on September 9th, 2020 set to the "Blade Runner 2049" theme: <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/09/11/real-footage-of-san-francisco.html">https://boingboing.net/2020/09/11/real-footage-of-san-francisco.html</a><br /><br />* Brilliant author Kim Stanley Robinson on why climate change doesn't have to be the end: <a href="http://nautil.us/issue/90/something-green/kim-stanley-robinson-holds-out-hope">http://nautil.us/issue/90/something-green/kim-stanley-robinson-holds-out-hope</a> (We still have a few signed copies of Stan's new novel THE MINISTRY FOR THE FUTURE, so let us know if you'd like us to hold one for you.)<br /><br />* The incredible power of the number instinct in the animal kingdom: <a href="https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/animal-kingdom-power-of-the-number-instinct/">https://thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/animal-kingdom-power-of-the-number-instinct/</a><br /><br />* Would we actually recognize aliens if we saw them? <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/sep/05/are-aliens-hiding-in-plain-sight">https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/sep/05/are-aliens-hiding-in-plain-sight</a><br /><br />* While we're considering it, here are the 4 most promising worlds for life: <a href="https://www.inverse.com/science/the-4-most-promising-worlds-for-alien-life">https://www.inverse.com/science/the-4-most-promising-worlds-for-alien-life</a><br /><br />* The fabulously successful Kickstarter for Brandon Sanderson's limited edition of THE WAY OF KINGS is over, but there's a sneak-peek image of the books here, and they are stunning. (We say "books" because THE WAY OF KINGS limited edition will be two volumes.) <a href="https://www.brandonsanderson.com/the-way-of-kings-leatherbound-kickstarter-sneak-peek/">https://www.brandonsanderson.com/the-way-of-kings-leatherbound-kickstarter-sneak-peek/</a><br /><br />* Decoding the mathematical secrets of amazing leaf patterns: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/decoding-mathematical-secrets-plants-stunning-leaf-patterns-180972367/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/decoding-mathematical-secrets-plants-stunning-leaf-patterns-180972367/</a><br /><br />* This could be the future of biomaterial: <a href="https://www.inverse.com/innovation/bioinspired-material-for-martian-colonies">https://www.inverse.com/innovation/bioinspired-material-for-martian-colonies</a><br /><br />* The oldest items from 13 obscure libraries: <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/oldest-library-books-small-specific-libraries-manuscripts">https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/oldest-library-books-small-specific-libraries-manuscripts</a><br /><br />* The conflicted, challenging, and sometimes life-saving history of lesbian pulp novels: <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/lesbian-pulp-fiction-ann-bannon">https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/lesbian-pulp-fiction-ann-bannon<br /></a><br />* How "A Wrinkle in Time" changed science fiction forever: <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/66705/how-wrinkle-time-changed-sci-fi-forever">https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/66705/how-wrinkle-time-changed-sci-fi-forever</a><br /><br />* A new look at Phineas Gage, neuroscience's greatest mystery: <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2014/05/phineas-gage-neuroscience-case-true-story-of-famous-frontal-lobe-patient-is-better-than-textbook-accounts.html">https://slate.com/technology/2014/05/phineas-gage-neuroscience-case-true-story-of-famous-frontal-lobe-patient-is-better-than-textbook-accounts.html</a><br /><br />* What would humans do with a vastly extended expected life span? <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-if-we-could-live-for-a-million-years/">https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-if-we-could-live-for-a-million-years/</a><br /><br />* The Guardian UK says that Silicon Valley's notion of "disruption" is a con: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/sep/24/disruption-big-tech-buzzword-silicon-valley-power">https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/sep/24/disruption-big-tech-buzzword-silicon-valley-power</a><br /><br />* It was amazingly simple for this college student to generate an AI-created, virally popular fake blog: <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/14/1006780/ai-gpt-3-fake-blog-reached-top-of-hacker-news/">https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/08/14/1006780/ai-gpt-3-fake-blog-reached-top-of-hacker-news/</a><br /><br />--------------------<br />From The Office<br />--------------------<br /><br />What's Goin' On?<br /><br />Firstly (and maybe a bit redundantly) -- Wow, 2020 has been a terrible year in almost every detail. From the most global standpoint all the way down to the most personal, it's just been awful for almost everyone I know.<br /><br />I had a conversation recently with a friend that put some perspective on it. They're at the age when low iron levels and / or thyroid issues start to crop up with the common symptom of general fatigue. They'd been feeling like they just couldn't get enough sleep so, like you do, they got in touch with their doctor about maybe getting some blood tests. The doctor's (quite lengthy) response was, in essence; "I'll order the tests for you but I suggest you skip them for now. Almost every single one of my patients has mentioned the same symptom and, in virtually all of those cases, the cause is stress because of what this year has been like. So, stay home, take care of yourself, and let me know if the feeling gets worse."<br /><br />Imagine. This year has been so bad, universally, that it's causing a common medical complaint all the way across the patient list of a busy doctor practicing in a major and diverse city.<br /><br />That is, as they say, a Thing.<br /><br />On one hand, that's pretty distressing. But, on the other hand, it actually made me feel better. Goodness knows, I've had some trouble focusing and getting work (or anything else) done over the past few months. And there've been a fair number of days when a nap seemed like just about the best thing in the world. Knowing that it's not just _me_, knowing that everyone has been having problems functioning this year . . . it makes it a little easier.<br /><br />I mention this because, if you've been having a bit of trouble with the old "get up and go"; it ain't just you. So, do like a bookseller - just hang on, read (if and when you can), and wait this out. It's _got_ to end sometime.<br /><br />On that topic, that's what we've been doing at the shop -- hanging on and taking the cards as they're dealt. Overall, it's been tough but manageable. Business is down about the same amount as most retail in SF but we'll be fine for the rest of this year and into the next. In part it's because we managed to get one of the Payroll Protection loans in April. In part it's because we had pretty good cash reserves at the beginning of the year (because we were saving money to cover our moving costs). Finally, we're doing alright because our payroll is down. Maddy decided that it was time to move on from SF so they're no longer working with us. That means Jude and I are covering two counter shifts a week. Since we're both on salaries, that drops our staff payroll by close to a third, and payroll has always been our biggest expense. <br /><br />So yeah, times are tough and we can't stay in business like this forever, but we're doing alright for now. And, we're still on track to make our move to the new store on Haight St. It's just going to be a bit later than I expected when I announced that we were going to open there in May of this year. Ah, in hindsight, there were many plans that I had at the beginning of the year that look so sweet, quaint and optimistic it almost makes me giggle now.<br /><br />Basically, I lost several months of working time at the new building this year. The first problem was the initial shut-down. To start with, I sheltered at home like everyone else. Then we were able to start filling mail orders and that took up most of my time. Then the store was able to do curb-side pickups and figuring that out, then making it work, used up my time. And then we could open again, with all new protocols, which ate up even more of my time. It wasn't until late August that I was really able to get back to work.<br /><br />Then, about a month ago, in a splendid display of distraction, I stepped on an unsecured board and took a fall. It wasn't a bad one, as such things go, but I did manage to sprain both of my wrists. Figuring out how much damage I'd done took a while and so I was doing very limited work 'til just this week (pro tip - broken bones in your wrist are nothing to mess around with . . . ever, hence my caution). Now it's clear that it was only a sprain so I can get back to hammering and such, as long as I take it easy.<br /><br />But, all in all, we are way behind schedule. However, I'm not sure it makes much difference. The pre-pandemic plan was to get moved as soon as we could and then get our landlord on Valencia St. to buy out the remaining time on our lease (much as he did with the cafe). At the very least, I was pretty sure he'd be happy to see us go and would let us out of the lease early and at no cost.<br /><br />Now though . . . were I a landlord, I wouldn't be very excited about letting a tenant out of their lease. I damn sure wouldn't be buying out any leases. The commercial vacancy rate in town is going up a lot and it's probably going to keep increasing for the next six months or more. What that means is there is probably no upside to getting out of the current shop before our lease ends in October next year. Not to say that I'm going to waste time getting the new shop open, far from it. But it does mean that there is less urgency than there was in the "before times". I expect that we'll get moved sometime in the middle to latter part of next year but I wouldn't be unhappy if it was sooner.<br /><br />This isn't really a good outcome but, like much of this year; if it's going to be like that and it's beyond my control, I'm happy to take the good parts since I'm stuck with the bad. The (comparative) lack of pressure is certainly a good part. I'll be continuing to work on the new building and I hope to have some cool pictures up at the store's blog in the next couple of weeks. The bathroom will be finished soon and it's going to look great. Plus, there are one or two other things I'd love to show you all.<br /><br />Until then, please do take care of yourselves and the people around you. We'll be here at the shop. If you feel like coming by for a visit -- it's pretty darn COVID-safe. Most times during the weekdays, there are two or three customers in the place, tops, and much of the time, it's pretty much empty. If you want to say, "Hi", and chat with someone you don't live or work with . . . we'll be here.<br /><br />All Best,<br />Alan<br /><br />----------------<br />Best Sellers<br />----------------<br /><br />Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for September, 2020<br /><br />Hardcovers<br />1. A Killing Frost by Seanan McGuire<br />2. Piranesi by Susanna Clarke<br />3. Battle Ground by Jim Butcher<br />4. The Trouble With Peace by Joe Abercrombie<br />5. A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik<br />6. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin<br />7. The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson<br />8. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia<br />9. House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune<br />10. Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty<br /><br />Trade Paperbacks<br />1. The Trials of Koli by M.R. Carey<br />2. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler<br />3. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />4. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow<br />5. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />6. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />7. All Systems Red by Martha Wells<br />8. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone<br />9. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, trans. by Ken Liu<br />10. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine<br /> <br /> Mass Market Paperbacks<br />1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />2. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert<br />3. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert<br />4. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />5. Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire<br />6. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson<br />7. Hyperion by Dan Simmons<br />8. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />9. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />10. The Shining by Stephen King<br /> <br />------------------------------<br />Book Club Information<br />------------------------------<br /><br />The QSF&F Book Club will meet online Sunday, November 8th, at 5 pm to discuss KINDRED by Octavia Butler. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br /><br />The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet online Sunday, October 18th, at 6 pm to discuss GIRL IN LANDSCAPE by Jonathan Lethem. The book for November 15th is THE CITY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT by Charlie Jane Anders. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br /><br />-----------------------------<br /><br />This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br /><br />Dispatches from the Border<br />Editor - Jude Feldman<br />Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br /><br />All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />San Francisco CA 94110<br />415 824-8203<br />http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br /><br />*******<br /> <br /></p>Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-2907236221258980142020-09-08T15:24:00.003-07:002020-09-08T15:47:24.781-07:00Dispatches from the Border, September 2020DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />SEPTEMBER, 2020<br /><br />-------<br />News<br />-------<br /><br />* Mapping Earth's eighth continent, which is almost entirely under New Zealand: <a href="https://www.livescience.com/lost-continent-zealandia-new-tectonic-map.html">https://www.livescience.com/lost-continent-zealandia-new-tectonic-map.html</a><br /><br />* An AI wrote this opinion piece on why we shouldn't be afraid of AI: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/08/robot-wrote-this-article-gpt-3">https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/sep/08/robot-wrote-this-article-gpt-3</a><br /><br />* National Geographic discusses "declinism" (decline bias), news and social media consumption, and why 2020 isn't _actually_ the Worst Year Ever: <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/09/why-2020-feels-like-the-worst-year-ever/">https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2020/09/why-2020-feels-like-the-worst-year-ever/</a><br /><br />* Author Judith Tarr on horses, metaphors, and accurate worldbuilding: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/09/08/writing-horses-those-handy-equestrian-metaphors/">https://www.tor.com/2020/09/08/writing-horses-those-handy-equestrian-metaphors/</a><br /><br />* Brandon Sanderson will be offering a free YouTube lecture series on writing science fiction and fantasy: <a href="https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2020/9/2/21417196/brandon-sanderson-free-creative-writing-class-youtube-science-fiction-fantasy">https://www.deseret.com/entertainment/2020/9/2/21417196/brandon-sanderson-free-creative-writing-class-youtube-science-fiction-fantasy</a><br /><br />* This was fascinating; mystery writer Gabriel Cohen moved into a New York apartment that seemed too good to be true, and ended up both captivated and haunted by the real-life murder he found out had taken place there: <a href="https://narratively.com/a-splash-of-red/">https://narratively.com/a-splash-of-red/</a><br /><br />* For fans of Seanan McGuire's "Wayward Children" books, a side-quest novella with Lundy from IN AN ABSENT DREAM: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/07/13/juice-like-wounds-seanan-mcguire/">https://www.tor.com/2020/07/13/juice-like-wounds-seanan-mcguire/</a><br /><br />* A bit click-bait-y, but still good for providing perspective on our place (and importance) in the Universe: <a href="http://justsomething.co/these-25-pictures-will-make-you-completely-re-evaluate-your-existence/">http://justsomething.co/these-25-pictures-will-make-you-completely-re-evaluate-your-existence/</a><br /><br />* "Scientists were convinced that biological clocks are predominantly driven by internal rhythms. There was just one problem --involving some mollusks and the moon." <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/oysters-that-knew-what-time-it-was/">https://www.wired.com/story/oysters-that-knew-what-time-it-was/</a><br /><br />* "A working class hero/is something to be. . ." Tor.com celebrates the unsung cooks, clerks, janitors and freelance bards of science fictions and fantasy media: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/09/04/celebrating-the-working-class-warriors-of-sff/">https://www.tor.com/2020/09/04/celebrating-the-working-class-warriors-of-sff/</a><br /><br />* 17 of the most devious sci-fi and fantasy villains, according to BookBub: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/blog/most-devious-sci-fi-and-fantasy-villains">https://www.bookbub.com/blog/most-devious-sci-fi-and-fantasy-villains</a><br /><br />* "The Future is Fungal" -- why the science of mycology is on the rise: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/aug/23/the-future-is-fungal-why-the-megascience-of-mycology-is-on-the-rise">https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/aug/23/the-future-is-fungal-why-the-megascience-of-mycology-is-on-the-rise</a><br /><br />* For the home that has everything, "broken", cartoon-y fantasy furniture from artist and woodworker Henk Verhoeff: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/amazing-woodworking-projects/">https://mymodernmet.com/amazing-woodworking-projects/</a><br /><br />* The 60-year-old teenage lie that became "The Creature From the Sand Pits":<a href="https://narratively.com/the-teenage-prank-thats-lasted-60-years/">https://narratively.com/the-teenage-prank-thats-lasted-60-years/</a><br /><br />* "Comics Open Up The Idea Of What A Story Can Be": A Conversation With Tom Gauld: <a href="http://www.tcj.com/comics-open-up-the-idea-of-what-a-story-can-be-a-conversation-with-tom-gauld/">http://www.tcj.com/comics-open-up-the-idea-of-what-a-story-can-be-a-conversation-with-tom-gauld/</a><br /><br />* Move over, Spinal Tap -- one man's dream of an Arthurian rock opera on ice is stranger: <a href="https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/06/the-stranger-than-fiction-secret-history-of-prog-rock-icon-rick-wakeman">https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/06/the-stranger-than-fiction-secret-history-of-prog-rock-icon-rick-wakeman</a><br /><br />* August 21st, 2020 was the 50th anniversary of the original fanzine publication of "The Eye of Argon" by Jim Theis, which in later novel form is frequently considered to be one of the worst fantasy novels ever published: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eye_of_Argon">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eye_of_Argon</a><br /><br />* "There are hundreds of thousands of absolutely incredible creatures in the World Ocean that keep surprising even the most experienced marine biologists." Here are some of them, gorgeously photographed by marine biologist and photographer Alexander Semenov: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/alexander-semenov-underwater-photography/">https://mymodernmet.com/alexander-semenov-underwater-photography/</a><br /><br />* C'mon, you know you want to hear "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the original Klingon: <a href="https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/heres-bohemian-rhapsody-performed-in-the-original-klingon/">https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/heres-bohemian-rhapsody-performed-in-the-original-klingon/</a><br /><br />* Best cure for your fear of bugs? Become an award-winning macro insect photographer like Mofeed Abu Shalwa: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/macro-beetle-photography-mofeed-abu-shalwa/">https://mymodernmet.com/macro-beetle-photography-mofeed-abu-shalwa/</a><br /><br />* Useful dinosaur survival information for time travelers: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-outrun-dinosaur/">https://www.wired.com/story/how-outrun-dinosaur/</a><br /><br />--------------------<br />From The Editor<br />--------------------<br /><br />Since business has been a bit slow due to the pandemic, we took the chance to make some changes to how the books are shelved at the shop. It seems to us that it would be easier for everyone if our used books and new books were shelved together. In fact, there was a time when we did exactly that, but then we ran out of space and had to split them up. We have enough space now due to a bunch of shelf re-arranging, and so we've merged the new and used hardcover and trade paperback sections together in all three genre areas (science fiction & fantasy, horror, and mystery). Likewise the used and new paperback horror and mystery sections have been combined as well. Sadly, there is no way that we could fit the science fiction & fantasy paperbacks in one section so they are still in two spots.<br /><br />We hope that it will make shopping easier for you all in addition to making shelving easier for us. Please feel free to let us know what you think.<br /><br />Do bear in mind - if you see two or more copies of the same book; one or more of them may be used and, therefore, much less expensive.<br /><br />Since we made these changes, we've created more room on the shelves as well. So, we're looking for more used books. If you've got some books that you like to sell to the shop for store credit or even cash, we're going to be buying books all through the month of September. So, sort through that pile of books by your bed and bring us the ones you don't want to keep. <br /><br />----------------<br />Best Sellers<br />----------------<br /><br />Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for August, 2020<br /><br />Hardcovers<br />1. Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />2. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin<br />3. Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia<br />4. House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune<br />5. Quantum Shadows by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.<br />6. Network Effect by Martha Wells<br />7. Angel of the Crows by Katharine Addison<br />8. Axiom's End by Lindsay Ellis<br />9. The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho<br />10. Empire of Gold by S.A. Chakraborty<br /><br />Trade Paperbacks<br />1. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone<br />2. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow<br />3. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />4. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />5. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />6. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine<br />7. Drowned Country by Emily Tesh<br />8. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler<br />9. Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, trans. by Ken Liu<br />10. The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br /><br />Mass Market Paperbacks<br />1. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />2. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert<br />3. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />4. Arcanum Unbounded by Brandon Sanderson<br />5. Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch<br />6. Foundation by Isaac Asimov<br />7. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />8. Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire<br />9. Octavia Gone by Jack McDevitt<br />10. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert<br /><br />------------------------------<br />Book Club Information<br />------------------------------<br /><br />The QSF&F Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, September 13th, at 5 pm to discuss GIDEON THE NINTH by Tamsyn Muir. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br /><br />The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, September 20th, at 6 pm to discuss TIME SHARDS by Dana Fredsti and David Fitzgerald. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br /><br />-----------------------------<br />Featured Upcoming Titles<br />-----------------------------<br /><br />(These titles have not arrived yet. You may pre-order most of these books by calling or emailing us. Of course, we have many more titles arriving each week . . . call or email us if you're curious about a particular upcoming title not listed here. This list is tentative and subject to change by publishers. Unless otherwise noted, books are originals.) <br /><br />NINA ALLAN * Ruby * Titan Books US, Oct 2020 (tp, eb)<br />ANONYMOUS, ED. * Escape Pod: The Science Fiction Anthology * Titan Books US, Oct 2020 (an, tp, eb)<br />KELLEY ARMSTRONG * A Stitch in Time * Subterranean Press, Oct 2020 (hc)<br />ELIZABETH BEAR * Machine * Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />BEN BOVA * My Favorites * Blackstone Publishing, Oct 2020 (c, hc, eb)<br />TERRY BROOKS * The Last Druid * Penguin Random House/Del Rey, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />P. DJÈLÍ CLARK * Ring Shout * Tor.com Publishing, Oct 2020 (na, hc, eb)<br />JOHN CONNOLLY * The Dirty South * Simon & Schuster/Atria/Bestler, Oct 2020 (1st US, h, hc, eb)<br />BRENDA COOPER * The Making War * WordFire Press, Oct 2020 (tp, hc, eb)<br />ELLEN DATLOW, ED. * The Best Horror of the Year, Volume Twelve * Skyhorse/Night Shade Books, Oct 2020 (an, tp)<br />ALIETTE DE BODARD * Seven of Infinities * Subterranean Press, Oct 2020 (na, hc, eb)<br />CORY DOCTOROW * Attack Surface * Tor, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />C.S. FRIEDMAN * This Virtual Night * DAW, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />NEIL GAIMAN * A Neil Gaiman Reader * HarperCollins/Morrow, Oct 2020 (c, hc, eb)<br />NEIL GAIMAN * Pirate Stew (with Chris Riddell) * Bloomsbury, Oct 2020 (ya, hc, art)<br />PAULA GURAN, ED. * The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror: Volume One * Start/Pyr, Oct 2020 (an, tp, eb)<br />PETER F. HAMILTON * The Saints of Salvation * Penguin Random House/Del Rey, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />ALIX E. HARROW * The Once and Future Witches * Orbit US/Redhook, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />ALICE HOFFMAN * Magic Lessons * Simon & Schuster, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />ALAYA DAWN JOHNSON * Reconstruction * Small Beer Press, Oct 2020 (c, tp, eb)<br />STEPHEN JONES, ed. * Terrifying Tales * PS Publishing, Oct 2020 (hc)<br />CAITLÍN R. KIERNAN * The Tindalos Asset * Tor.com Publishing, Oct 2020 (na, h, tp, eb)<br />T. KINGFISHER * The Hollow Places * Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, Oct 2020 (h, tp, eb)<br />DEAN KOONTZ * Elsewhere * Amazon/Thomas & Mercer, Oct 2020 (h, hc, eb)<br />URSULA K. LE GUIN * Annals of the Western Shore * Library of America, Oct 2020 (om, ya, hc)<br />YOON HA LEE * Phoenix Extravagant * Rebellion/Solaris US, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />CIXIN LIU * To Hold Up the Sky * Tor, Oct 2020 (c, hc, eb)<br />TOM LLOYD * God of Night * Orion/Gollancz, Oct 2020 (eb, hc)<br />GREGORY MAGUIRE * A Wild Winter Swan * HarperCollins/Morrow, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />MARSHALL RYAN MARESCA * People of the City * DAW, Oct 2020 (pb, eb)<br />GRAHAM MASTERTON * The House of a Hundred Whispers * Head of Zeus, Oct 2020 (h, hc)<br />SEANAN MCGUIRE * Dying With Her Cheer Pants On: Stories of the Fighting Pumpkins * Subterranean Press, Oct 2020 (c, hc, eb)<br />JAMES S. MURRAY & DARREN WEARMOUTH * Don't Move * Blackstone Publishing, Oct 2020 (h, hc, eb)<br />CHRISTOPHER PRIEST * The Evidence * Orion/Gollancz, Oct 2020 (eb, hc)<br />PHILIP PULLMAN * Serpentine * Penguin Random House/Knopf, Oct 2020 (na, hc, eb)<br />REBECCA ROANHORSE * Black Sun * Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />KIM STANLEY ROBINSON * The Ministry for the Future * Orbit US, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />MICHELLE SAGARA * The Emperor's Wolves * Harlequin/Mira, Oct 2020 (tp, eb)<br />ANDRZEJ SAPKOWSKI * The Tower of Fools * Orbit US, Oct 2020 (hc, tp, eb)<br />V.E. SCHWAB * The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue * Tor, Oct 2020 (v, hc, eb)<br />CHARLES STROSS * Dead Lies Dreaming * Tor.com Publishing, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />JODI TAYLOR * Hard Time * Headline, Oct 2020 (hc)<br />MEGAN WHALEN TURNER * Return of the Thief * HarperCollins/Greenwillow, Oct 2020 (ya, hc, eb)<br />CARRIE VAUGHN * Kitty's Mix-Tape * Tachyon Publications, Oct 2020 (c, tp, eb)<br />IAN WHATES, ed. * London Centric: Tales of Future London * NewCon Press, Oct 2020 (hc, eb, tp)<br />DAVID WONG * Zoey Punches the Future in the Dick * St. Martin's, Oct 2020 (hc, eb)<br />JANE YOLEN * Midnight Circus * Tachyon Publications, Oct 2020 (c, tp, eb)<br /><br />Abbreviations indicate: (r) reprint, (h) horror, (ya) young adult, (nf) non-fiction, (c) collection, (oc) original collection, (na) novella, (a) associational, (om) omnibus, (eb) e-book, (an) anthology, (pi) pictoral and other, (art) art and others, (gn) graphic novel, (x) media tie-in, (nv) novelette, (ss) short story, (hc) hardcover, (tp) trade paperback, (ph) pamphlet, (pb) paperback, (oa) original anthology, (b) biography, (v) paranormal romance, (pm) poetry.<br /><br />This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br /><br />Dispatches from the Border<br />Editor - Jude Feldman<br />Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />(Special thanks to David Fitzgerald for tracking down a bunch of news items, and to sponsors Ken P. and Jay M. for contributions as well!)<br /><br />All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />San Francisco CA 94110<br />415 824-8203<br />http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br /><br />*******<br /><br />Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-4089818118824762982020-07-05T15:21:00.002-07:002020-09-08T15:47:15.223-07:00Dispatches from the Border, July 2020<span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Events and News From Borderlands Books</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">JULY, 2020</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">----------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Upcoming Events</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">----------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Virtual event with Katherine Addison, THE ANGEL OF THE CROWS (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Wednesday, July 8th at 6:00 pm PST</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Virtual event with Jo Walton, OR WHAT YOU WILL (Tor, Hardcover, $26.99) Thursday, July 9th at 5:00 pm PST</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">In the Middle: a virtual event with Mike Chen (A BEGINNING AT THE END, Mira, Hardcover, $26.99) and Kelly McWilliams (AGNES AT THE END OF THE WORLD, Little, Brown, Hardcover, $17.99) Wednesday, July 15th at 5:00 pm PST</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Relentless and Unconquerable: a virtual event with Kate Elliott (UNCONQUERABLE SUN, Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) and Mary Robinette Kowal (THE RELENTLESS MOON, Tor, Hardcover $30.99 and Trade Paperback $17.99) Tuesday, July 21st at 7:00 pm PST</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Virtual event with L.E. Modesitt, Jr. QUANTUM SHADOWS (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Thursday, July 23rd at 7:00 pm PST</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Virtual event with Ferrett Steinmetz, AUTOMATIC RELOAD (Tor, Trade Paperback, $17.99) Friday, July 31st at 5:00 pm PST</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">(for more information check the end of this newsletter)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">-------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">News</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">-------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* As above, so below. . . a photographer captures the Milky Way and bioluminescent waters together: </span><a href="https://mymodernmet.com/bioluminescence-milky-way/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://mymodernmet.com/bioluminescence-milky-way/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* Author L.L. McKinney discuses the role publishers play in commodifying black pain, and how the focus of the industry must move beyond just "Issue" books: </span><a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/06/17/the-role-publishing-plays-in-the-commodification-of-black-pain/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.tor.com/2020/06/17/the-role-publishing-plays-in-the-commodification-of-black-pain/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* Customer Adam M. pointed out Bright 21st, a sci-fi short-story contest for "inspiring futures and positive alternate realities". They have posted the winners of the most recent contest, and they're all free to read on the site (with free registration) and will be turned into audio plays this fall: </span><a href="https://www.bright21st.com/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.bright21st.com/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* Kate Warne, Pinkerton agent and America's first female private detective, was a pioneer in her field who also helped protect Abraham Lincoln: </span><a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/606901/kate-warne-first-female-detective" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/606901/kate-warne-first-female-detective</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* Wow. An "Untethered Miniature Origami Robot that is able to self-assemble, walk on various surfaces, swim in shallow water, carry small items, and climb up different grades" - </span><a href="https://laughingsquid.com/dissolvable-miniature-origami-robot/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://laughingsquid.com/dissolvable-miniature-origami-robot/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* This hotel room has a secret library door that opens when you pull out a specific book in the room! </span><a href="https://mymodernmet.com/bella-vista-bb-hidden-room/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://mymodernmet.com/bella-vista-bb-hidden-room/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* Shut down during the pandemic, these museums are competing online for the creepiest object in their collection: </span><a href="https://www.boredpanda.com/creepiest-objects-curator-battle-yorkshire-museum/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.boredpanda.com/creepiest-objects-curator-battle-yorkshire-museum/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* One point scored against dystopia! A machine that sucks up smog and turns it into diamonds: </span><a href="https://ideas.ted.com/this-tower-sucks-up-smog-and-turns-it-into-diamonds/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://ideas.ted.com/this-tower-sucks-up-smog-and-turns-it-into-diamonds/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* Night of the Living Dead. . . Crickets? </span><a href="https://www.popsci.com/living-dead-excerpt/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.popsci.com/living-dead-excerpt/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* A bit of cryptographic history is up for auction: an Enigma encryption machine -- </span><a href="https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/second-world-war-enigma-coding-machine-on-offer-at-vienna-s-dorotheum" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/second-world-war-enigma-coding-machine-on-offer-at-vienna-s-dorotheum</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* Two terrifying trailers for the new "Candyman" movie, directed by Nia DaCosta and written by DaCosta, Jordan Peele, and Win Rosenfeld -- the theatrical trailer here: </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlwzuZ9kOQU" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlwzuZ9kOQU</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> and DaCosta's haunting puppet trailer, that shows the Candyman's tragic origin story, here: </span><a href="https://variety.com/2020/film/news/candyman-short-puppet-origin-story-1234640739/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://variety.com/2020/film/news/candyman-short-puppet-origin-story-1234640739/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* Scientists say conspiracy theorists have a fundamental cognitive problem: </span><a href="https://www.inverse.com/article/37463-conspiracy-beliefs-illusory-pattern-perception" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.inverse.com/article/37463-conspiracy-beliefs-illusory-pattern-perception</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* Probably in my list of Top Ten Best Headlines Ever -- "The monstrous blobs near Earth's core may be even bigger than we thought": </span><a href="https://www.livescience.com/core-mantle-ulvz-blobs-enormous.html" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.livescience.com/core-mantle-ulvz-blobs-enormous.html</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">* What do you call the world's only pink manta ray? Inspector Clouseau, of course. . . . </span><a href="https://mymodernmet.com/pink-manta-ray-kristian-laine/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://mymodernmet.com/pink-manta-ray-kristian-laine/</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">-----------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Special Offer</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">-----------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">About a month ago (or was it two years? -- so hard to tell nowadays) a nice guy named Payam Salehi who runs Anam Cara (</span><a href="https://writewithfriends.com/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://writewithfriends.com</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">) emailed us. Anam Cara is part writing workshop, part social-network type of thing, and part writing/accountability group. He got in touch with us to see if we'd be willing to help promote the next session (which starts on July 14th, and is led by author, professor and speaker Faith Adiele <</span><a href="https://www.adiele.com/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.adiele.com</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">>).</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Off the bat we were _very_ skeptical. There are an awful lot of on-line "writing classes" and they are usually, to some degree, a scam. They over-promise, the "experts" actually aren't, they charge too much, and so on. But Alan gave him a call anyway and he seemed like a nice, sincere guy. After that, Alan did some digging and talked to both some prior participants and some other folks who are promoting it. In the end, we decided that it was legit. </span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Though it has the usual elements that you'd expect from an on-line writing class, the thing that stands out to us is the peer-support element. At the outset, participants are added to a group and, further, assigned a writing partner. The expectation is that, in addition to the class element, the group and especially your writing partner will be helpful and supportive of your work. Based on the people Alan talked to, that idea actually functions as intended.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">That seems to us to be a big plus over the typical writing group where the level of engagement within the group often leaves a bit to be desired, especially within groups that consist of mostly less-experienced writers.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Bottom line, if you're interested in trying it out, Payam is offering Borderlands folks a discount on the program. The base cost is $390 ($290 each if you sign up with a friend) for the five-week course, but, if you use promo code "borderlands", you'll get $20 off of either price. Further, he's agreed to extend the refund period through the entire class so it is essentially a no-risk deal. If you don't feel like it was worthwhile, you'll get a refund.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Full disclosure: Anam Cara's side of the promotional deal is that Borderlands will get 15% of any signups that come in through our promotion code. We're not really focused on the income but, if the program is good and legit, it might be a nice little bit of extra cash for the shop. The most important thing to us, however, is that it is, in fact, good and legit. So, if you do decide to try it out, please let us know what you thought.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">-----------------------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Audiobook Recommendations</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">------------------------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Escape Through the Audio Hatch - </span><a href="http://libro.fm/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Libro.fm</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> Recommendations</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">By Melinda Rose</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">As I was compiling the list of my favorite listens of the past month, I realized these are all pure escapism. Light enough that you can do other things while listening, but meaty enough to hold your attention and distract. Turns out that's something I'm really needing right now, and maybe you are too. If so, I invite you to snuggle up with any of the following selections.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Going Postal by Terry Pratchett, performed by Stephen Briggs.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">It's been a while since I've gone to the DiscWorld, and I'd almost forgotten how much it's like listening to a Monty Python sketch. Moist Von Lipwig is a con artist about to hang for his crimes when he's given a second chance at life. All he has to do is get the post office up and running again. Not a simple task. The mail's been piling up for decades and the postal workers are a skittish bunch of misfits. Despite his best efforts to remain cynical and aloof, Moist discovers his skill set is perfectly suited for government work, and that he really _wants_ to bring the postal service back to its glory days.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780060824693-going-postal?bookstore=borderlands" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780060824693-going-postal?bookstore=borderlands</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Have Space Suit, Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein, performed by Mark Teretsky.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">This classic has long been on my to-read list, and I'm glad I finally got around to it. It's hard science fiction from 1958, yet somehow it holds up. There were times it reminded me of listening to The Martian by Andy Weir, because our hero is constantly science-ing himself out of or into difficult situations. I particularly loved Kip's pragmatic, supportive father. You want to go to the moon? Sure thing kid, guess you better figure out how you're getting there.There are so many great characters and plot twists I simply couldn't put my earbuds down.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781482964189-have-space-suit-will-travel?bookstore=borderlands" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781482964189-have-space-suit-will-travel?bookstore=borderlands</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Lucky Supreme by Jeff Johnson, performed by Keith Szarabajka</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">I loved "Everything Under the Moon", so when I was craving something gritty I decided to explore more of Johnson's catalogue. The voice actor brings the perfect gravelly tones and pacing to this modern noir tale. The story centers around Darby Holland who runs a tattoo parlor in Old Town Portland. He's content with a simple life and an inner circle of employees and the other neighborhood proprietors. His life gets a lot more complicated when there's a sighting of a former employee in California. In order to save face Darby has to go down there, confront him, and attempt to recover the art he stole while skipping town. That endeavor escalates into a confrontation with a seedy Bay Area crime syndicate. Now Darby has to gather up all his resources to save his shop from those nefarious forces as well as a landlord ready to give into the pressures of gentrification. </span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781982616137-lucky-supreme?bookstore=borderlands" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781982616137-lucky-supreme?bookstore=borderlands</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher, performed by Hilary Huber</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">"And I twisted myself about like twisted ones." Fair warning - you're not going to be able to stop repeating the litany of the twisted ones for weeks after listening to this book. Mouse's grandmother was not a pleasant person. And, as Mouse discovers when she agrees to clean out the house after grandma dies, she was one hell of a hoarder. Among all the useless junk Mouse finds her step-grandfather's journal, and discovers there is definitely something eerie going on in the woods. The crazy ramblings of the journal start to manifest in the world around her and things get seriously spooky. There's an excellent unraveling of a mystery here, mixed in with so much laugh-out-loud humor I had to be careful about listening to this story in public. </span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781508297475-the-twisted-ones?bookstore=borderlands" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781508297475-the-twisted-ones?bookstore=borderlands</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">[Editor's Note:</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><a href="http://libro.fm/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Libro.fm</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> is an audiobook purchase platform specifically designed to support independent bookstores. Unlike all of the e-book sites that have offered us partnerships, and in direct contrast to Amazon's audiobook platform, Audible, </span><a href="http://libro.fm/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Libro.fm</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> makes it practical and seamless to support Borderlands (or another indie of your choice) with your online audiobook purchases. It's easy to sign up and easy to use, moreso, we've been blown away by their extraordinary customer service and dedication to helping bookstores. Just go to </span><a href="https://libro.fm/story" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://libro.fm/story</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> to learn more about them and create your free account. As part of the account set-up process, you designate an independent bookstore that you want your purchases to support. (You can use this link if you want to choose Borderlands to support right out of the gate: </span><a href="https://libro.fm/?bookstore=borderlands" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://libro.fm/?bookstore=borderlands</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> .) After that, browse more than 150,000 audiobooks and either set up a monthly membership, or buy audiobooks a la carte. ]</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">--------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">From The Office</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">--------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">[Editor's Note: With all of the work we've been doing creating and revamping procedures and the projects that needed to occur to get our Valencia Street location back open, almost nothing has happened at Haight Street. We hope to get back to work there shortly!]</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">----------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Best Sellers</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">----------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for June, 2020:</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Hardcovers</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">1. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">2. Network Effect by Martha Wells</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">3. Shakespeare for Squirrels by Christopher Moore</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">4. House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">5. The Last Emperox by John Scalzi</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">6. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">7. Angel of the Crows by Katharine Addison</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">8. The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">9. Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">10. The Mermaid, The Witch, and the Sea by Maggie Tokuda-Hall</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Trade Paperbacks</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">1. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">2. Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisinn</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">3. Defy or Defend by Gail Carriger</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">4. The Book of Koli by M.R. Carey</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">5. Middlegame by Seanan McGuire</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">6. Fall; or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">7. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">8. Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">9. Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">10. City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Mass Market Paperbacks</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">1. Dune by Frank Herbert</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">2. A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">3. The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">4. Foundation by Isaac Asimov</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">5. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">6. Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">7. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">8. Hyperion by Dan Simmons</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">9. Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">10. Rosemary & Rue by Seanan McGuire</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">------------------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Book Club Information</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">------------------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Both of the book clubs that typically meet in the store will be meeting online via Zoom in July:</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, July 12th, at 5 pm to discuss A CLOCWORK ORANGE by Anthony Burgess. All the details are here: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/qsfandf" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/qsfandf</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> . Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at </span><a href="mailto:cobalt555@earthlink.net" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">cobalt555@earthlink.net</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">, for more information.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, July 19th, at 6 pm to discuss A MEMORY CALLED EMPIRE by Arkady Martine. Please contact </span><a href="mailto:bookclub@borderlands-books.com" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">bookclub@borderlands-books.com</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> to get the Zoom info.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">------------------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Upcoming Event Details </span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">------------------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Virtual event with Katherine Addison, THE ANGEL OF THE CROWS (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Wednesday, July 8th at 6:00 pm PST - We're happy to virtually welcome Katherine Addison, beloved author of THE GOBLIN EMPEROR, as she presents her awesome new novel THE ANGEL OF THE CROWS! ANGEL is a terrific, atmospheric Holmesian fantasy with angels and werewolves and robotic dogs and mysterious murderer(s), and we know you're going to love it. Register here for the event: </span><a href="https://www.crowdcast.io/e/borderlands-books-hosts/register" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.crowdcast.io/e/borderlands-books-hosts/register</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> and call or email us to set up an order for a signed and/or personalized copy!</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Virtual event with Jo Walton, OR WHAT YOU WILL (Tor, Hardcover, $26.99) Thursday, July 9th at 5:00 pm PST - We're thrilled to be hosting Jo Walton as she presents her brand-new novel OR WHAT YOU WILL! This is a story about an author's most beloved character, who has decided that perhaps he does not wish to be just a character any more. Jo will read an excerpt and discuss the book, and answer questions from the audience. We do hope you'll join us; more details, and sign up for free here: </span><a href="https://www.crowdcast.io/e/borderlands-books-hosts-2/register" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.crowdcast.io/e/borderlands-books-hosts-2/register</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> The author has also been kind enough to offer to sign and/or personalize copies purchased from Borderlands, so call or email us to set that up!</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">In the Middle: a virtual event with Mike Chen (A BEGINNING AT THE END, Mira, Hardcover, $26.99) and Kelly McWilliams (AGNES AT THE END OF THE WORLD, Little, Brown, Hardcover, $17.99) Wednesday, July 15th at 5:00 pm PST - Please join us for a fascinating virtual event with authors Mike Chen and Kelly McWilliams! Mike and Kelly will each do a short reading and then discuss what it's like to launch pandemic fiction during a pandemic, moderated by Jude Feldman from Borderlands. There'll be an opportunity for live audience questions as well. And, if you purchase a copy of either (or both) A BEGINNING AT THE END or AGNES AT THE END OF THE WORLD from Borderlands, you can get a bookplate from the author signed and/or personally inscribed! Email (</span><a href="mailto:orders@borderlands-books.com" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">orders@borderlands-books.com</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">) or call (888 893-4008) for book order details; the link to sign up for the event via Crowdcast is here </span><a href="https://www.crowdcast.io/e/55so28hg/register" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.crowdcast.io/e/55so28hg/register</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Relentless and Unconquerable: a virtual event with Kate Elliott (UNCONQUERABLE SUN, Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) and Mary Robinette Kowal (THE RELENTLESS MOON, Tor, Hardcover $30.99 and Trade Paperback $17.99) Tuesday, July 21st at 7:00 pm PST - We're delighted to host a virtual event with these two acclaimed authors! Register for free here: </span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sci-fi-authors-mary-robinette-kowal-and-kate-elliott-in-conversation-tickets-111045758854" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sci-fi-authors-mary-robinette-kowal-and-kate-elliott-in-conversation-tickets-111045758854</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> and join us on July 21st to hear an excerpt from Mary Robinette's eagerly awaited new Lady Astronaut novel, and Kate's thrilling new space opera. The authors will also be in conversation, and how lucky are we to get to listen in?!</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Virtual event with L.E. Modesitt, Jr. QUANTUM SHADOWS (Tor, Hardcover, $27.99) Thursday, July 23rd at 7:00 pm PST - We're always happy to welcome L.E. Modesitt, Jr. to Borderlands, regardless of the format! Lee's new book is called QUANTUM SHADOWS, and he'll read a short excerpt, discuss the novel with Borderlands' manager Jude Feldman, and answer questions from the audience. Register here and don't miss this fascinating event! </span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/borderlands-books-hosts-l-e-modesitt-jr-for-new-book-quantum-shadows-tickets-111050990502" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/borderlands-books-hosts-l-e-modesitt-jr-for-new-book-quantum-shadows-tickets-111050990502</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> The author is also happy to sign and personalize books ordered from Borderlands, so give us a call or drop us an email to set up your order!</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Virtual event with Ferrett Steinmetz, AUTOMATIC RELOAD (Tor, Trade Paperback, $17.99) Friday, July 31st at 5:00 pm PST - Details TK!</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">-----------------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Featured Upcoming Titles</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">-----------------------------</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">(These titles have not arrived yet. You may pre-order most of these books by calling or emailing us. Prices may be subject to change. Of course, we have many more titles arriving each week . . . call or email us if you're curious about a particular upcoming title not listed here. This list is tentative and subject to change by publishers. Unless otherwise noted, books are originals.) </span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">ROBERT JACKSON BENNETT * In the Shadow of Men * Subterranean Press, Aug 2020 (na, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">BEN BOVA & DOUG BEASON * Space Station Down * Tor, Aug 2020 (hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">JOHN BIRMINGHAM * The Shattered Skies * Head of Zeus, Aug 2020 (hc)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">CHRISTOPHER BROWN * Failed State * Harper Voyager US, Aug 2020 (tp, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">P.D. CACEK * Second Chances * Flame Tree Press US, Aug 2020 (h, tp, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">NEIL CLARKE, ED. * The Best Science Fiction of the Year * Volume Five, Skyhorse/Night Shade Books, Aug 2020 (an, tp, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">JULIE E. CZERNEDA * Mirage * DAW, Aug 2020 (hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">SETH DICKINSON * The Tyrant Baru Cormorant * Tor, Aug 2020 (hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">GARDNER DOZOIS & MICHAEL SWANWICK * City Under the Stars * </span><a href="http://tor.com/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Tor.com</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> Publishing, Aug 2020 (tp, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">GREG EGAN * Dispersion * Subterranean Press, Aug 2020 (na, hc)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">SHANNON HALE * Kind of a Big Deal * Macmillan/Roaring Brook, Aug 2020 (ya, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">LAURELL K. HAMILTON * Sucker Punch * Penguin Random House/Berkley, Aug 2020 (v, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">MARIA DAHVANA HEADLEY * Beowulf * Macmillan/MCD X FSG Originals, Aug 2020 (pm, a, tp, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">KEVIN HEARNE * Ink & Sigil * Penguin Random House/Del Rey, Aug 2020 (hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">RICHARD KADREY * Ballistic Kiss * Harper Voyager US, Aug 2020 (h, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">DEREK KÜNSKEN * The House of Styx * Rebellion/Solaris US, Aug 2020 (eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">JOHN LANGAN * Children of the Fang and Other Genealogies * Word Horde, Aug 2020 (c, tp, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">JEFFREY ALAN LOVE * The Mountain of Smoke * Flesk Publications, Aug 2020 (pi, art, hc)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">JONATHAN MABERRY * Lost Roads * Simon & Schuster, Aug 2020 (ya, h, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">STEPHENIE MEYER * Midnight Sun * Little, Brown, Aug 2020 (ya, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">TAMSYN MUIR * Harrow the Ninth * </span><a href="http://tor.com/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Tor.com</a><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;"> Publishing, Aug 2020 (hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">KAREN OSBORNE * Architects of Memory * Tor, Aug 2020 (tp, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">K.J. PARKER * How to Rule an Empire and Get Away with It * Orbit US, Aug 2020 (tp, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">GEORGE A. ROMERO & DANIEL KRAUS * The Living Dead * Tor, Aug 2020 (h, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">ANTHONY RYAN * The Black Song * Ace, Aug 2020 (1st US, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">LAVIE TIDHAR * By Force Alone * Tor, Aug 2020 (1st US, hc, eb)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">F. PAUL WILSON * Other Sandboxes: Stories with Characters and Places Shared with Writers Living and Dead * Gauntlet Press, Aug 2020 (c, art, hc)</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Abbreviations indicate: (r) reprint, (h) horror, (ya) young adult, (nf) non-fiction, (c) collection, (oc) original collection, (na) novella, (a) associational, (om) omnibus, (eb) e-book, (an) anthology, (pi) pictoral and other, (art) art and others, (gn) graphic novel, (x) media tie-in, (nv) novelette, (ss) short story, (hc) hardcover, (tp) trade paperback, (ph) pamphlet, (pb) paperback, (oa) original anthology, (b) biography, (v) paranormal romance, (pm) poetry.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Dispatches from the Border</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Editor - Jude Feldman</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Thanks to David Fitzgerald for contributing news items!</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">San Francisco CA 94110</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">415 824-8203</span><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><a href="http://www.borderlands-books.com/" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">http://www.borderlands-books.com</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">Comments and suggestions should be directed to </span><a href="mailto:editor@borderlands-books.com" style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">editor@borderlands-books.com</a><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><br style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="font-family: Geneva; font-size: 14px;">*******</span>Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-13384237016893716042020-06-17T14:24:00.002-07:002020-06-17T14:24:11.252-07:00Dispatches from the Border, June 2020Hi Everyone,<br />
<br />
I'm going to jump in here right at the beginning of the newsletter since I'm sure folks are wondering about our plans for this month in terms of reopening the shop. Based on the current (but subject to change) plan for San Francisco, we will be able to allow customers into the store starting on Monday, June 15th. As we did with curbside pickup, I think that we'll take a slightly slower approach and we'll actually open for customers on Wednesday, the 17th. That gives us time to make sure that we have everything in place to make the process comfortable for everyone. It also gives us time to see what other businesses are doing and spot possible problems. Likewise, just as we did last month, I think that we'll start with only Jude and myself working and then we'll bring the rest of the staff in the following week.<br />
<br />
I'm still in the process of working out all the details. Obviously we'll be doing all the expected things (hand sanitizing left and right (pun intended), masks required all the time for everyone in the shop, asking everyone to stay 6' apart, and so forth) but there will be a few other steps that we'll take as well. What has been decided so far is that we'll be using a bunch of HEPA air filters that, in total, are able to cycle the air in the shop four to five times per hour. Though there isn't a rigorous scientific conclusion that they are effective in reducing the risks in an enclosed space, I have found no guidance that suggest that they will be harmful in any way and it's reasonable to conclude that they will be helpful, if to an unknown degree.<br />
<br />
We'll also be restricting the total number of people in the shop. The exact number is still to be determined, absent guidance from the SF Department of Public Health, but my sense is that it will be in the 8-10 person range, inclusive of staff. So, if you come by the shop after we're open and, upon entry, are asked to come back later, I hope that you'll understand our reasons and be patient with us. We will also be open by appointment outside of normal business hours. I'm still working on the exact details of that, but it's in the works.<br />
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You can expect a mid-month update email with all the details, once they're ironed out. I've got to say, we're all very excited at the prospect of seeing you all again. We've missed you.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
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Upcoming Events<br />
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<br />
Melissa Caruso, THE OBSIDIAN TOWER (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $16.99), Tuesday, June 9th at 6:00 pm PST, virtual event via CrowdCast<br />
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(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
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We're also excited to be virtually hosting L.E. Modesitt, Jr. (QUANTUM SHADOWS) on Tuesday July 21st, and Kate Elliott (UNCONQUERABLE SUN) and Mary Robinette Kowal (THE RELENTLESS MOON) together on Thursday, July 23rd! Look for more details on those events coming soon.<br />
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News<br />
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* Massive, enormous, huge "thank you"s to the wonderful folks who did incredibly successful fund-raising benefits for us over the last month -- Annalee Newitz and Short Story Club <<a href="https://www.shortstory.club/">https://www.shortstory.club/</a>>; Charlie Jane Anders, N.K. Jemisin, Rebecca Roanhorse, and Maggie Tokuda-Hall via We Love Bookstores <<a href="https://welovebookstores.org/">https://welovebookstores.org/</a>>; and all of you who turned up virtually to show your support! We appreciate it more than we can express, and it has made an immense difference in allowing us to continue paying our staff during the shutdown and moving forward with the construction plans for our permanent home on Haight Street. We can't thank you all enough.<br />
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* We're also thrilled and grateful to artist Eli the Man <<a href="https://elitheman.com/">https://elitheman.com/</a>> and Paint the Void for this amazing mural that now graces the temporary doors at 1377 Haight Street, our permanent-home-to-be: <<a href="https://twitter.com/borderlands_sf/status/1267174129683202048/photo/1">https://twitter.com/borderlands_sf/status/1267174129683202048/photo/1</a>>. Paint the Void is keeping artists engaged and paid during the shutdown; check out more of the stunning work they've been doing here: <<a href="https://paintthevoid.org/">https://paintthevoid.org/</a>><br />
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* In very sad news, Uncle Hugo's Science Fiction Bookstore, the oldest independent science fiction and fantasy bookstore in the US, and Uncle Edgar's Mystery Bookstore (which shared the building) were both completely destroyed by fire during riots at the end of May. Owner Don Blyly has claimed the Go Fund Me page originally set up by a fan: <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/let-us-help-save-uncle-hugo039s">https://www.gofundme.com/f/let-us-help-save-uncle-hugo039s</a>. In addition, Greg Ketter's DreamHaven Bookstore, also in Minneapolis, "was trashed," according to Greg, but is still standing, and volunteers are coming to assist in the cleanup. Dreamhaven is doing fine but the folks at Uncle Hugo's could really use your support.<br />
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* Tor and Tor.com Publishing, in partnership with Den of Geek, are launching TorCon, a virtual convention running from Thursday, June 11th through Sunday June 14th! Info, schedule, and register here: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/06/01/announcing-torcon-a-virtual-books-convention/">https://www.tor.com/2020/06/01/announcing-torcon-a-virtual-books-convention/</a><br />
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* Tor.com is also hosting an amazing recorded panel with an absolutely stellar lineup of authors: P. Djéli Clark, Alaya Dawn Johnson, N.K. Jemisin, Victor LaValle, and Tochi Onyebuchi! The panel is part of The Bronx is Reading Festival. RSVP here: <a href="https://www.thebronxisreading.com/rsvp">https://www.thebronxisreading.com/rsvp</a><br />
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* A wearable, robotic third arm can assist with tasks when you need an extra hand: <a href="https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/robotics-hardware/robotic-third-arm-can-smash-through-walls">https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/robotics-hardware/robotic-third-arm-can-smash-through-walls</a><br />
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* A dictionary of Dolphinese? The clicking sounds dolphins use for echolocation actually form reproducible holographic pictures, that researchers suggest may be the basis of dolphin language.<br />
<a href="https://upliftconnect.com/dolphins-communicate-holographically/">https://upliftconnect.com/dolphins-communicate-holographically/</a><br />
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* You may remember local author (and photographer) Mark Coggins from last year's Litquake reading at Borderlands (remember when we could have in-person readings?!). Mark has started a podcast, and he's reading the most recently-published August Riordian book as a serial audiobook. The podcast is called "Riordan's Desk", and you can check it out here: <a href="https://riordansdesk.buzzsprout.com/">https://riordansdesk.buzzsprout.com/</a><br />
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* "Ugliest place I've ever seen": artist Amber Share makes charming travel posters for National Parks, based on their worst 1-star reviews. . . . <a href="https://boingboing.net/2020/03/05/artist-makes-travel-posters-fo.html">https://boingboing.net/2020/03/05/artist-makes-travel-posters-fo.html</a><br />
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* While we were paying attention to other things, they made "Beetlejuice" into a musical: <a href="https://beetlejuicebroadway.com/">https://beetlejuicebroadway.com/</a><br />
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* Genre? What Genre? Six recent SFF novels that blur the lines: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/03/06/six-recent-sff-novels-that-give-no-effs-about-genre-distinctions/">https://www.tor.com/2020/03/06/six-recent-sff-novels-that-give-no-effs-about-genre-distinctions/</a><br />
<br />
* Fifty years on, here are six ways Patrick McGoohan's surreal cult spy series "The Prisoner" prepared us for the modern world. Are we all now living in The Village? <a href="https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/prisoner-patrick-mcgoohan-50">https://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/news-bfi/features/prisoner-patrick-mcgoohan-50</a><br />
<br />
* Here's a pandemic treatment for you: Romans used to ward off sickness with (adorable) flying penis amulets: <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/romans-used-to-ward-off-sickness-with-flying-penis-amulets.amp">https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/romans-used-to-ward-off-sickness-with-flying-penis-amulets.amp</a><br />
<br />
* How a humble bookstore clerk outed Stephen King as Richard Bachman: <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/502166/how-stephen-king-was-outed-richard-bachman">https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/502166/how-stephen-king-was-outed-richard-bachman</a><br />
<br />
* Electrons may actually be conscious, sort of: <a href="http://nautil.us/blog/electrons-may-very-well-be-conscious">http://nautil.us/blog/electrons-may-very-well-be-conscious</a><br />
<br />
* 'Disco' tardigrade parties under microscope to win an international photo prize (and 50 other tiny wonders of microphotography): <a href="https://www.livescience.com/trippy-tardigrade-image-of-the-year.html">https://www.livescience.com/trippy-tardigrade-image-of-the-year.html</a><br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Haight St. Update<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
Last month we finally got back to work on the new shop. And we made some really great progress. So much that I've got some pictures for you to look at - <a href="https://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/p/haight-st-photos.html">https://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/p/haight-st-photos.html</a>. The high points are:<br />
<br />
The sheet rock is mostly complete. There are still some small areas that I'll be completing (because they're tricky) but the crew from Pat Trainor Drywall <<a href="https://www.marinbuilders.com/list/member/pat-trainor-drywall-inc-736">https://www.marinbuilders.com/list/member/pat-trainor-drywall-inc-736</a>> came by and banged it out faster than I would have thought possible. They are the same company that did the work at the cafe and they're just the best. It took them only one day to hang the entire 1400 square foot ceiling plus 300 square feet of wall. And then just two more days to do all the mud. The difference is like night and day. <br />
<br />
Tile is also mostly complete. Simon Firth of Canterbury Tile, who set the tile for the bathroom, did the work for the front wall and about half of the vestibule. We changed the design partway through and so we needed more red tiles than we had on hand. Once we finalize the design for the entry floor, he'll be back and we'll get the job finished off. It looks so good. Even moreso, it's especially exciting because it's the first piece of final and finished work on the exterior.<br />
<br />
And, finally, we have a mural. Paint The Void <<a href="https://paintthevoid.org/">https://paintthevoid.org</a>> is a cooperative effort on the part of two non-profits whose goal is, "Helping keep artists engaged and paid as guardians of hope and beauty in the wake of COVID-19". Basically they raise funds to pay local artists to paint murals on boarded-up storefronts around town. My friend Aaron referred me to them and, despite telling them that it was a construction site rather than someplace boarded up because of the shelter-in-place order, they said they would love to get us a mural. A few days later I met up with Eli The Man <<a href="https://elitheman.com/">https://elitheman.com</a>> who did the coolest damn thing on the front of the shop. I think it's kind of a shame that it's temporary but, who knows, perhaps we'll figure out something neat to do, once the plywood comes down and we have windows?<br />
<br />
This month my plan is to get the final work done on the walls in the bathroom and then I'll get the plumbers back in to finish off that job. Beyond that, there's a tiny bit of framing in the ceiling right outside the door, followed by sheetrock and then the bathroom is done. We'll see how getting that work done goes, with everything else that's going on. Wish me luck!<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for May, 2020<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1. Shakespeare for Squirrels by Christopher Moore<br />
2. Network Effect by Martha Wells<br />
3. The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin<br />
4. The Last Emperox by John Scalzi<br />
5. House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune<br />
6. If It Bleeds by Stephen King<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1. Defy or Defend by Gail Carriger<br />
2. Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />
3. Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
4. Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
5. Middlegame by Seanan McGuire<br />
6. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alex Harrow<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
<br />
(Since we've only been doing mail order and curbside pickup sales, we didn't have enough mass market sales in May to make a reasonable list.)<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
Both of the book clubs that typically meet in the store will be meeting online via Zoom in June:<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, June 14th, at 5 pm to discuss TIAMAT'S WRATH by James S.A. Corey. All the details are here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/qsfandf">https://www.facebook.com/groups/qsfandf</a> . Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet virtually on Sunday, June 21st, at 6 pm to discuss IRONTOWN BLUES by John Varley. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com to get the Zoom info.<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Melissa Caruso, THE OBSIDIAN TOWER (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $16.99), Tuesday, June 9th at 6:00 pm PST via CrowdCast - Borderlands is delighted to host a virtual book launch with Melissa Caruso for THE OBSIDIAN TOWER, the first novel in her new Rooks and Ruin series! Join us via CrowdCast to meet the author, hear her read from the book, and get your questions answered. You can also order signed and personalized copies from us, either by calling 415 824-8203, emailing orders@borderlands-books.com, or securely online via Biblio.com using this link: <a href="https://tinyurl.com/yd6rnomd">https://tinyurl.com/yd6rnomd</a><br />
<br />
Here's the book summary for this thrilling title from the publisher:<br />
"One woman will either save an entire continent or completely destroy it in a captivating epic fantasy bursting with intrigue and ambition, questioned loyalties, and broken magic. 'Guard the tower, ward the stone. Find your answers writ in bone. Keep your trust through wits or war -- nothing must unseal the door.' Deep within Gloamingard Castle lies a black tower. Sealed by magic, it guards a dangerous secret that has been contained for thousands of years. As Warden, Ryxander knows the warning passed down through generations: nothing must unseal the Door. But one impetuous decision will leave her with blood on her hands -- and unleash a threat that could doom the world to fall to darkness."<br />
<br />
We hope you'll join us and Melissa for an exciting new kind of event!<br />
<br />
Find more information and register for free here: <a href="https://www.crowdcast.io/e/caruso-obsidiantowerlaunch/register">https://www.crowdcast.io/e/caruso-obsidiantowerlaunch/register</a>Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-14439573041581761242020-05-08T12:07:00.001-07:002020-05-08T12:07:48.953-07:00Dispatches from the Border, May 2020DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
MAY, 2020<br />
<br />
----------<br />
Update<br />
----------<br />
<br />
How are we doing at Borderlands?<br />
<br />
A lot has happened since my last update, a month ago. Or was it two years ago? I'm not sure because corona-time is strange and elastic. Regardless, much has happened. Jude and I have been filling mail-orders as fast as we can (and that is fast indeed) but it's been hectic. Selling 20-40 books over the counter is a moderately busy day but not at all a strain. Processing, packing and shipping out 20-40 books in a day, however, is an awful lot of work. We've been thrilled to do it -- both serving our customers and getting a little income makes us very happy -- but it's been busy. We'll be continuing to fill mail-orders for the duration and we're happy to send you anything you'd like. You can check out our inventory at Biblio.com - <a href="https://www.biblio.com/bookstore/borderlands-books-san-francisco">https://www.biblio.com/bookstore/borderlands-books-san-francisco</a><br />
<br />
This is a good time to mention that Martha Wells' much anticipated Murderbot novel, Network Effect, just arrived today and we expect to be shipping out a lot of copies of that. We're also going to have our first socially-distanced, drop-in signing with Christopher Moore on Friday. He'll be signing copies of his newest, Shakespeare For Squirrels. If you'd like to get a copy of that, or any of Chris' other novels, inscribed to you, just drop us a line at orders@borderlands-books.com and we'll be happy to take care of you.<br />
<br />
While Jude and I have been being the mail-order-monkeys, the rest of the staff have been working from home on various things, many of which I'm excited to announce today.<br />
<br />
Thanks to a bunch of outstanding work on the part of Amy (with help from Jeremy), we have a new website. It seems that 2005 called recently and wanted its website back, so we made a new one. Please do check it out and let me know what you think - <a href="http://www.borderlands-books.com/">http://www.borderlands-books.com</a><br />
<br />
We've also improved some other parts of our presence on-line. Maddy has set up and is managing an Instagram account for us at borderlands_books so, if that's your thing, please do follow us there. Maddy is also in the process of producing a series of videos that we'll be posting on our channel at YouTube. The first should be up this Friday and we're hoping to post on a weekly basis thereafter. If you want to be sure to hear when the video is up, please subscribe to our channel at <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvLsi-6ZyU0fuY09DIAt3A">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgvLsi-6ZyU0fuY09DIAt3A</a><br />
<br />
The final major thing that we've been working on is setting up our own shopping cart / ecommerce system. As good as Biblio.com is and as great to work with as they are; our own system will work better, since it'll be specifically matched to our business, and we'll also save on the commission that Biblio charges. Jeremy's been working on that and it's getting close to ready for a test run. We hope to have it ready for ordering specific new releases within a week or two and to offer our entire inventory by next month.<br />
<br />
Finally, I have been working on getting one of the Small Business Administration's Payroll Protection Program loans. If you've been following the news about that, you won't be surprised that it's been a complicated and frustrating process. However, despite my expectations, we did receive the loan on Sunday. Granted, we applied on the 8th of April but, better late than never, as they say. Thankfully, the decision about whether to accept the loan was simpler for us than it was for many others because we had kept the whole staff on payroll from the outset of the shelter-in-place order. Consequently, we didn't have to make the hard decision about whether to bring people back from furlough while still very unsure what the coming months would hold.<br />
<br />
Thanks to that loan, we are currently in much the same financial position that we were in at the end of February. Depending on what the next six to twelve months hold, it is still possible that we will be in a tricky financial situation at some point but, for now, things are looking relatively good. Not great, mind you, but pretty good. Certainly, we are not at risk of going out of business.<br />
<br />
That said, your support is still very welcome and needed. Ordering books from us to be shipped has made a huge difference over the past month and will continue to do so for as long as we keep the shop closed. It's looking like we will be able to start offering curb-side pickup of books sometime in the coming weeks. When that happens, continuing to shop with us would be a huge help in these trying times.<br />
<br />
Though our original opening date at the new shop on Haight Street is now a thing of the past, I will be starting work there again this week. The sheet rock crew will be starting on Monday, the 11th, and I hope to keep the work there moving forward at a good pace. Perhaps by next month I'll have some idea of an opening date. Sadly, I fear that we will have to wait for the opening party extravaganza that I had planned but, that will just make it even sweeter when it happens. Because it will not only celebrate our new location but will also celebrate the existence of a vaccine for COVID-19!<br />
<br />
So, until I see you again at the store -- whether it be outside the window, picking up a bag of books, or inside the shop, peering at me over a mask -- take care of yourself, your people and your world, be kind and patient, and stay safe.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
An Additional, Unrelated Note<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
<br />
A Word About State Senator Scott Wiener<br />
<br />
Right now there are so many people behaving wonderfully that the ones that behave badly and deceptively are especially irritating. Which is why I really feel the need to mention that our State Senator, Scott Wiener, said something in his April Newsletter that was deliberately misleading. And it was about Borderlands.<br />
<br />
In his newsletter he said, in part. "I know I'm biased, but I think that San Francisco has the best small businesses in the world. Some, like my personal favorite dim sum restaurant Mama Ji's, are still open for takeout. Others, like one of my favorite bookstores, Borderlands Books — a fantasy and sci-fi bookstore in the Mission -- have closed for now. "<br />
<br />
Nice, huh? Except I dunno why we would be one of his favorite bookstore since I'm absolutely certain that he's only set foot in the shop once. It was back in 2015 and the occasion was to talk with me about some highly critical things that I had said. I hadn't appreciated his position on the minimum wage increase that almost put us out of business and the cavalier way that he had dismissed a reporter's question about our closure by saying words to the effect of -- I love Borderlands but we knew that there would be some negative consequences from the wage increase.<br />
<br />
At the time of his comment to the reporter, I asked all the staff if they had ever seen him in the shop. They were all sure that they hadn't. For some people, that recollection might not be authoritative but -- Scott Wiener is over six and a half feet tall, has red hair, and is even scrawnier than I am. He's not a person you can miss.<br />
<br />
That conclusion was further supported by his one (and, I'm pretty damn sure) only visit to the shop. He walked in and looked around in exactly the same way I've seen thousands of people do; the first time they come in. He came to the counter and we had the following conversation.<br />
Him, "Hi. I'm Scott Wiener."<br />
Me, "Yup."<br />
Him, "I'm sorry to hear that you're closing."<br />
Me, "Yeah, me too."<br />
Him, " . . . . "<br />
<br />
And then he left.<br />
<br />
Not what I would say is the best possible example of reaching out to your constituents (at the time, Wiener was a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and represented the district that both the store and my home are located in). But, to be fair, I've been told that I can be a bit intimidating, especially if I'm not in a very good mood.<br />
<br />
Since 2015, as far as I know, he's never set foot inside the shop again. He's also not one of our mail-order customers (I checked). Amusingly enough, we do have a sponsor named Scott Wiener, but it's not the same guy (I also checked).<br />
<br />
So, why are we one of his favorite bookstores? I truly don't know. Unless it's because he likes being able to tie himself, as a supporter, to a business that enjoys a huge amount of support. Perhaps he thinks that he'll get the people who support us to support him? As I said, I dunno and I don't really care. But, I'm not going to let him act like he cares a bit about us when, at the time we needed help, all he could say was that -- there would be some negative consequences -- and then run away when he was face to face with the person who was suffering that consequence.<br />
<br />
(Oh, and of course, he also said we were closed on April 3rd when, at the time, we had begun doing mail-orders again.)<br />
<br />
- Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
N.K. Jemisin and Rebecca Roanhorse read and chat, hosted by Maggie Tokuda-Hall -- a virtual event to benefit Borderlands Books, thanks to Charlie Jane Anders and the wonderful I Love Bookstores Folks! Wednesday, May 27th at 12:00 pm PST - We Love Bookstores is the brain-child of our friend Charlie Jane Anders, the author of The City In The Middle Of The Night, and was set up in response to concerns about the effects of the economic shut-down on Bay Area bookstores. They're doing weekly events on Zoom and each event benefits a specific bookstore. The two best parts of these events is that We Love Bookstores does all the work and all the proceeds from the ticket sales go to the specified bookstore. It's a wonderful and completely spontaneous "happening" (in the very much 60's sense of the word) and we're just speechless with gratitude for what they're doing. <br />
<br />
The event that they're doing to benefit Borderlands is on May 27th and will feature N.K. Jemisin, Hugo Award winning author of The City We Became, and Rebecca Roanhorse, Hugo and Nebula Award winning author of Trail Of Lightening, in conversation, hosted by Maggie Tokuda-Hall. This promises to be a really wonderful exchange between two hugely influential modern writers in our field and one super-talented up-and-comer! You can get tickets here - <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nk-jemisin-and-rebecca-roanhorse-for-borderlands-books-tickets-103364449852">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/nk-jemisin-and-rebecca-roanhorse-for-borderlands-books-tickets-103364449852</a><br />
<br />
(Given the current circumstances, all of our in-person events have been cancelled indefinitely. We'll let you know as soon as it's safe to restart them!)<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
-------<br />
<br />
* The brilliant Kim Stanley Robinson, author of The Mars Trilogy, NEW YORK 2140, and many other seminal works, examines our current pandemic: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/the-coronavirus-and-our-future">https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inquiry/the-coronavirus-and-our-future</a><br />
<br />
* Two enlightening links about what our bookshelves say about us: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/books/celebrity-bookshelves-tv-coronavirus.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/30/books/celebrity-bookshelves-tv-coronavirus.html</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BCredibility">https://twitter.com/BCredibility</a><br />
<br />
* Check out the gorgeous relaunch of The Fabulist Magazine! They're running an open call for fantastical art, with more fiction, poetry, and reviews to come: <a href="https://fabulistmagazine.com/">https://fabulistmagazine.com/</a><br />
<br />
* Cozy up with book-themed socks, and help out the bookseller community at the same time! <a href="https://libro.fm/binc">https://libro.fm/binc</a><br />
<br />
* Check out the virtual launch of one of Jude & Alan's favorite books of 2020, Mike Carey's BOOK OF KOLI! (You'll need to sign in & give your email to Orbit Books, but you probably want to get their updates anyway.) <a href="https://www.crowdcast.io/e/229sxi4b/register">https://www.crowdcast.io/e/229sxi4b/register</a><br />
<br />
* Fans of Sir Terry, rejoice! Discworld will finally be getting the adaptation it deserves: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/28/terry-pratchett-novels-faithful-tv-adaptation-discworld">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/apr/28/terry-pratchett-novels-faithful-tv-adaptation-discworld</a><br />
<br />
* There’s a newly-discovered snake named after Salazar Slytherin! <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/21/world/salazar-slytherin-pit-viper-trnd/index.html">https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/21/world/salazar-slytherin-pit-viper-trnd/index.html</a><br />
<br />
* Seven amazing libraries you can explore from your living room: <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/7-libraries-you-can-visit-from-home">https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/7-libraries-you-can-visit-from-home</a><br />
<br />
* The Baloney-Detection Kit -- Carl Sagan's rules for critical thinking: <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/?s=baloney+detection+kit">https://www.brainpickings.org/?s=baloney+detection+kit</a><br />
<br />
* When Queen Elizabeth II made a rare televised appearance on April 5th, she gave a stirring, inspriational and heartfelt speech. She also wore an electric green dress that made A LOT of people think "green screen". And so hilarity ensured: <a href="https://www.boredpanda.com/queen-green-screen-outfit-photoshop/">https://www.boredpanda.com/queen-green-screen-outfit-photoshop/</a><br />
<br />
* We're delighted that City Lights Books has gone way past their fundraising goal -- folks have donated nearly $500,000 to save this landmark bookstore! <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/aeany-keep-city-lights-books-alive">https://www.gofundme.com/f/aeany-keep-city-lights-books-alive</a><br />
<br />
* A playful poem on the wonders of reading from Ursula K. Le Guin: <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/10/21/ursula-k-le-guin-reading-poem/">https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/10/21/ursula-k-le-guin-reading-poem/</a><br />
<br />
* Dan Mallory (pen name: A. J. Finn) went to No. 1 with his debut thriller, "The Woman in the Window," but his life contains even stranger twists. . . . <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/02/11/a-suspense-novelists-trail-of-deceptions">https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/02/11/a-suspense-novelists-trail-of-deceptions</a><br />
<br />
* What happens when you set out to create the world's worst porn? <a href="http://www.10zenmonkeys.com/2017/07/10/amazons-secret-bad-erotic-video-auteur/">http://www.10zenmonkeys.com/2017/07/10/amazons-secret-bad-erotic-video-auteur/</a><br />
<br />
* She caught bullets with her bare hands, and made magic's glass ceiling disappear. The greatest female magician you've never heard of - Adelaide Hermann! <a href="https://narratively.com/she-caught-bullets-with-her-bare-hands-and-made-magics-glass-ceiling-disappear/">https://narratively.com/she-caught-bullets-with-her-bare-hands-and-made-magics-glass-ceiling-disappear/</a><br />
<br />
* One man's mission to build a magical mouse village: <a href="https://mydailymagazine.com/post-36ce93c1/?dai=6BWwbB0KW1FKMEXE1aDOM8&fpCode=">https://mydailymagazine.com/post-36ce93c1/?dai=6BWwbB0KW1FKMEXE1aDOM8&fpCode=</a><br />
<br />
* How do we know other industerialized civilizations haven't already risen and fallen in prehistoric times? This is how: <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2018/04/20/143758/if-we-werent-the-first-industrial-civilization-on-earth-would-we-ever-know/">https://www.technologyreview.com/2018/04/20/143758/if-we-werent-the-first-industrial-civilization-on-earth-would-we-ever-know/</a><br />
<br />
* A star is dancing around a black hole -- just like Einstein said it would: <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/16/world/star-black-hole-dance-einstein-relativity-scn/index.html">https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/16/world/star-black-hole-dance-einstein-relativity-scn/index.html</a><br />
<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
Audiobook Recommendations<br />
------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Battles, Science, and Zombies -- Libro.fm Recommendations<br />
by Melinda Rose<br />
<br />
I've been writing weekly audiobook recommendations for the Borderlands Blog, and it's been a lot of fun. I've rounded up and refreshed the past month's reviews for you here. We've got an epic battle for the soul of a city, a character-driven military drama, armchair science, and of course a zombie apocalypse.<br />
<br />
The City We Became by NK Jemisin, Narrated by Robin Miles.<br />
Just, Wow! This audiobook was an experience. I've never listened to a book so well-produced, and it's set a new standard in my mind. Miles' performance is stellar. She nails the accents of each individual borough, and every character has a distinctive voice - not an easy feat considering all the different cultures, backgrounds, and ages represented. There are sound effects and music woven throughout the story - at just the right point below the narration so as to enhance but not distract.<br />
There's a lot that resonated with me in this book. Not only does Jemisin tackle issues of racism, gentrification, and toxic masculinity; she does it with a diverse group of characters whose race and sexual orientations are important, but don't define them. I find that refreshing.<br />
In this story, every major city has a soul, and New York City is fighting for its life. In order to fend off the powers that want to prevent it from becoming truly alive, it selects one person from each borough to be a physical manifestation of that part of The City. The story follows each of their journeys as they come to understand who they are, what they stand for, and what's at stake if they don't join forces and fight for the city they love.<br />
Each character is strong on their own. There are wonderful 'oh hell no, not today' moments when they feel backed against a wall and have to fight, but none of them are exactly eager to trust each other. They're used to being self-reliant, and thinking of their own boroughs as distinct, but this can be isolating. Since listening to this book I've been thinking a lot about isolation versus community, and the strength in vulnerability. I like it when a story stays with me and inspires me to ponder things on a deeper level.<br />
Plus, as a San Franciscan, I completely relate to the struggle against the forces that would chip away at the very things that make a city unique, and I loved seeing that fight made as personal as it feels.<br />
<a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781549119736-the-city-we-became?bookstore=borderlands">https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781549119736-the-city-we-became?bookstore=borderlands</a><br />
<br />
The Light Brigade By Kameron Hurley, Narrated by Cara Gee<br />
I was already a fan of Cara Gee, who plays OPA Captain Drummer on The Expanse. No, she doesn't use her Belter accent here, but the performance is equally strong.<br />
The story is told in first person by Dietz, who volunteers for the army after her home is destroyed by aliens. She's idealistic and stubborn, but as she progresses through training and then into fighting, she discovers things aren't exactly what they seem. Through a glitch in the way travel at the speed of light is made possible in her world, she ends up jumping around through time and spends most of the story trying to catch up with herself so she can figure what the hell is going on. The non-linear timeline is confusing, because you're experiencing it in the same way Dietz is, but the way all the strands end up weaving together is quite compelling.<br />
<a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781508280408-the-light-brigade?bookstore=borderlands">https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781508280408-the-light-brigade?bookstore=borderlands</a><br />
<br />
Have some extra time on your hands and looking for something you can really sink your teeth into?<br />
Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson, and narrated by Edward Herrmann is a great way to go. Part biography, part history of science, and part exploration of Einstein's contributions to the fields of mathematics and physics, it all adds up to a wonderful listen.<br />
There was a lot in here I didn't know about Einstein's personal life or his earlier, less famous but still deeply important theories. It's interesting to put his discoveries in the context of the world events at the time. I also enjoyed the crash course in theoretical physics, which was neither too dense nor dumbed down, the perfect balance for an armchair science nerd.<br />
<a href="http://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780743561396-einstein?bookstore=borderlands">libro.fm/audiobooks/9780743561396-einstein?bookstore=borderlands</a><br />
<br />
World War Z by Max Brooks is a great listen. It's a series of interviews with a myriad of survivors of the Zombie War from all over the world. Each conversation features a different voice actor, with Max Brooks playing the role of the interviewer, so it really feels like you're listening in on the interviews themselves. This book is eerily poignant at this time, what a friend of mine might refer to as a "disaster cozy". The first interviews are about the beginning of the global pandemic, as governments try to cover it up or ignore the severity, until it gets completely out of hand. And then of course, chaos ensues.<br />
There are several versions, all abridged, but the ‘Complete Movie Tie In Edition' has the most content. (Note, the book and the movie are related in name only)<br />
<a href="https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780449806968?bookstore=borderlands">https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9780449806968?bookstore=borderlands</a><br />
<br />
Thanks for tuning in, and I hope you find some great listens of your own.<br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
A number of people have asked me about Bookshop.org over the last month. Specifically, they've been drawing my attention to it because they think that it would be really useful to us, especially given the current situation. If you haven't heard about Bookshop.org, the super-short version is that they're offering an almost effortless way that bookstores can sell books on-line and get a very nice percentage of the sales (30% right now). Further, they're offering a much larger percentage of affiliate sales than Amazon (10% vs. 4.5%). And, finally, they're giving a substantial portion of those sales to local bookstores. So far they've raised $1,271,387.61.<br />
<br />
So, what's not to like? And, where can Borderlands sign up?<br />
<br />
The first one is a complicated question but the second one, that's easy -- Borderlands _can't_ sign up.<br />
<br />
The American Booksellers Association has a very long history (it was founded in 1900) and my history with the ABA is long as well. Borderlands became a member in, I dunno, 1998?<br />
<br />
The ABA has done some great things. It was the kernel for The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (founded in 1990), an outstanding organization that supports freedom of speech and has mounted highly effective opposition to banning books. It has also worked closely with the BINC Foundation, which provides aid to individual booksellers in financial distress. And it has been a tireless advocate for independent booksellers by providing extensive education opportunities, acting as an advocate, and working in opposition to, initially, the threat posed by large chain stores like Borders and Barnes & Noble and, later, Amazon's domination of the market.<br />
<br />
It's also a wealthy, often clueless, organization that see itself as the embodiment of independent bookselling. Perhaps its greatest failing, probably due to institutional blinders, is that when the ABA _thinks_ "bookstore" what it _sees_ is a large, general interest, new bookshop. Problem is; that doesn't describe most of the bookstores in the US. Consequently much of what the ABA does ends up being a Procrustean bed. Everything that doesn't fit gets cut off or distorted. Please bear with me while I dig into the ABA for a bit.<br />
<br />
The ABA is wealthy. Per the last federal tax filing in 2018, the ABA has assets of a bit over $34 million and revenue of $3.9 million. In the real world, that's not much for a national trade organization, but we're talking about bookselling here -- that's a lot of cash. In comparison, the average bookstore in the US has an annual revenue of around $225,000 <a href="https://www.womply.com/blog/the-state-of-local-bookstores/">(1)</a>. As would suit a wealthy organization, the ABA is generous. Salaries and other compensation in 2018 were $2.4 million. Oren Teicher, the former CEO, pulled down a salary of $379,859 plus $65,367 in other compensation. Remember that average bookstore? Teicher's compensation is just shy of double that amount. It's probably a good thing that the ABA is sitting on so many assets since, in 2018, they had an operating loss of more than three-quarters of a million dollars <a href="https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/135676641/0ca9d546f5bf1c27b1240f1296c9bab0">(2)</a>.<br />
<br />
The ABA is clueless. I'll just give a single example because I could go on and on. Since the early 2000s, the ABA has flailed around trying to figure out how to provide access to ebook revenue for indy bookstores. After various false starts (i.e. partnering with Sony and their walled-garden ebook reader), they settled on Kobo. Which is not a bad eReader platform but, the deal that is supposed to make ebook sales have some value for stores nets a participating store around fifty cents per sale <a href="https://publishingperspectives.com/2015/08/ebooks-sold-at-independent-bookstores-garner-pitiful-profits/">(3)</a>. That's a fine model. If a store moved 25% of its business to ebooks they could look forward to going right the hell out of business. So, why the deal in the first place? Every bookseller I've talked to about it has, at best, said, "Well, at least we can sell ebooks. But, it's not really worthwhile." One of the booksellers was an ABA board member at the time! So, in a desire to seem relevant, the ABA chose a solution so bad that, if all their members embraced it and supported it, it would put them out of business (both the members and the ABA). What makes it even better is that, though they didn't come up with a solution, they did create a perception on the part of customers that buying ebooks would support their local store. If that doesn't sufficiently demonstrate the cluelessness of the ABA, just go visit the ABA's ecommerce site - <a href="https://www.indiebound.org/">https://www.indiebound.org</a>. Never heard of it? That's because it's awful and has always been awful.<br />
<br />
Bottom line, the ABA is composed of well-meaning people who care about books, readers and bookstores. I would never dispute that. But, as an organization, they're not very competent and they're seriously out of touch with what bookselling is actually like. Here's a secret about bookstores - many of the big, well-known stores are run by people who don't need to survive on their profits. To my certain knowledge there are big bookshops owned by: venture capitalists who did very well during the dot-com boom; people who are well-enough-off to own a villa in Italy for vacations; the heir of a family that owns a significant portion of the downtown of a major city; and a landlord who owns a nice strip of top-end retail buildings in another major city (actually, there are two like that). It is booksellers like that who have the time to serve as board members of the ABA. I certainly have neither the time nor money to do it. No bookseller who is really scrabbling does. It's also booksellers like that who give the ABA the endowments that allow it to function. And, finally, because ABA dues work on a sliding scale, it's the big stores that pay the most in annual dues.<br />
<br />
So, you've got an organization steered by booksellers who are complete outliers in their field and headed by an officer whose compensation is almost double the gross sales of the average member store. What could possibly make it better? How about this? The ABA, as an organization, is habitually less than honest in its public communication. The first time I ran into that was a write-up in their newsletter years ago about a town-hall meeting with the CEO. It was described as a pleasant discussion with Northern California booksellers. In fact, it included an exchange between myself and the CEO that was so unpleasant that the president of our local booksellers association apologized to me for the CEO's conduct. Over the years I've seen that pattern of spin-doctoring over and over again. In that case, it wasn't particularly harmful, but it can be. Take the ABA's recent riff, for example. Over the past few years a big talking point for the ABA has been that indy bookselling is doing well and that new stores are opening. It's treated as serious news by places like NPR <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/03/29/598053563/why-the-number-of-independent-bookstores-increased-during-the-retail-apocalypse">(4)</a>, The Harvard Business School <a href="https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/20-068_c19963e7-506c-479a-beb4-bb339cd293ee.pdf">(5)</a>, and The Voice of America <a href="https://www.voanews.com/arts-culture/us-independent-bookstores-thriving-and-growing">(6)</a>.<br />
<br />
But what the ABA has actually been saying is that _their membership_ is growing. If you look at the US Census figures, it's a different story --"For 1992, the Census Bureau reported 13,136 bookstore establishments, consisting of small "independent" stores as well as larger chain stores. As of 2016, the number of stores tallied in the Census Bureau survey had fallen to less than half that figure, to an all-time low of 6,448." Furthermore -- "The bookstore workforce increased by more than 54% from 1992 to 2008. The number of employees then declined substantially, with 45% fewer people (83,319) working in these establishments in 2016 than eight years earlier." <a href="https://www.amacad.org/humanities-indicators/public-life/bookstores-establishments-and-sales">(7)</a> Even adjusted for the closure of Borders and the downsizing of Barnes & Noble, that is still a steady decline.<br />
<br />
That kind of spin-doctoring is actually damaging because it gives people a false sense that everything is fine for bookstores. Why does the ABA do it? First, I think it's to maintain the fiction that bookstores are vibrant and important (and, by extension, that the ABA is important and going a good job). Based on what I've seen over the years, that fiction is very important to the ABA. Second, I think it's a function of the institutional blinders that I mentioned earlier. The ABA has a hard time conceiving that bookselling is much bigger than their members.<br />
<br />
Last point, and speaking of members. Notice that the census figure for number of bookstores in 2016 was 6,448? The ABA has gotten pretty clever of late and doesn't clearly list their total number of members. But, searching their online list of members without any limit returns 2,817 stores <a href="https://www.bookweb.org/member_directory/search/ABAmember/results/0/0/0/0">(8)</a>. They do list how many new stores join each year (while omitting the number of stores that stop being members -- perhaps no-one ever leaves?). Per their website, they added 75 members in 2017 and 99 members in 2018. Backtracking from that information suggests that they had 2643 members in 2016. So, the ABA actually represents significantly less than half of bookstores in the US. But you'd never imagine that from either their public statements or the amount of credibility they enjoy.<br />
<br />
We haven't been a member since around 2000 or so. I just wasn't willing to participate in an organization like the ABA. I haven't regretted it for one moment.<br />
<br />
By now, you're probably wondering what in the world the ABA has to do with Bookshop.org, yeah?<br />
<br />
Fair question. Bookshop.org exists because a guy named Andy Hunter went to the ABA with some suggestions about what they could / should do to correct the problems with the ABA's ecommerce site - Indiebound.org. The catch was that the ABA couldn't do it. His suggestions would have meant that they were actually selling books, which they can't do. (Rightly, I think. The ABA is a trade organization. It's not cool for an organization that represents businesses to set up as a competitor.)<br />
<br />
I talked to Mr. Hunter yesterday. He's a good guy. I think he really cares about bookstores. Actually, I know he cares about bookstores because, when he couldn't work with the ABA to make something that would be really functional for indy stores, he went and did it himself; in consultation and with the support of the ABA. At the time, he told me, he didn't know about issues with the ABA. In fact, he said he had no idea that any booksellers had problems with the ABA.<br />
<br />
So, to participate in Bookshop.org, as a bookseller, you have to be a member of the ABA. Granted, any bookstore can be an affiliate (just like anyone else on the planet) and get a little cut of referred sales but; that is neither financially nor practically the same thing.<br />
<br />
Further, part of Bookshop.org's plan is sharing a portion of their profits with independent bookstores. From their website -- "If you want to find a specific local bookstore to support, find them on our map and they'll receive the full profit off your order. Otherwise, your order will contribute to an earnings pool that will be evenly distributed among independent bookstores (even those that don't use Bookshop)."<a href="https://bookshop.org/pages/about">(9)</a><br />
<br />
The stores that get a piece of that "earnings pool". It's the members of the ABA. No-one else.<br />
<br />
Which makes the counter at the top of their site reading, as of this moment, "$1,271,387.61 raised for local bookstores", a bit inaccurate. Might be more honest if it said, "$1,271,387.61 raised for the membership of the American Booksellers Association". Perhaps the ABA's fondness for less-than-straight speech rubbed off? I hope not. But, as my dad used to say, "You can't touch pitch and not be defiled".<br />
<br />
The question I had was; Why ABA members only? Since then, I've spoken with Sarah High, Bookshop.org's Partnership's Manager, and with Andy Hunter, the founder. Initially the only answer I got was, "Our reasoning for the ABA requirement is because of our partnership with their organization." But, at the end of a really lovely conversation with Ms. High, she said that it was because of an agreement that they had made with the ABA. An agreement that the ABA requested. No surprise there, really. But then, during my conversation with Mr. Hunter, it turned out that there actually is not a binding agreement in place nor does the ABA have a controlling ownership stake or board position. In an email followup to our call, Mr. Hunter pointed out that, from the very beginning, his understanding with the ABA was that only their members would be participants and that the ABA had been very helpful through the process. But, when all is said and done, the only conclusion that I can come to is that the requirement is there because the folks who run Bookshop.org want it there. Which, I guess, is fine. It's their company, after all. Perhaps they don't want to piss off the ABA. That's never been something that's concerned me very much (shocking, eh?) but I'd hardly suggest that my way of doing business is well suited to most other companies.<br />
<br />
I find myself very conflicted about Bookshop.org. It is obviously run by people who share values with me. Most importantly, they both care about independent bookselling and are competent enough to actually do something effective. I absolutely love that they're playing Robin Hood to Amazon's Sheriff of Nottingham; with the greater affiliate percentage and their pass-along-the-profit scheme, they're taking sales away from Amazon and giving the money to bookstores and the people who are generating the sales. During my conversation with Mr. Hunter he genuinely listened to my perception of the problems with the ABA and said he would bring them up. I was left with the feeling that he really would like to see things work out well.<br />
<br />
On the other hand, their catering to the ABA doesn't sit very well with me. And, especially at a time like this, when _all_ bookstores are struggling and people are so happy to help, the misdirection in using a phrase like, "XXX dollars raised for local bookstores" and avoiding almost any mention of the ABA on their website is . . . upsetting.<br />
<br />
The ultimate feeling I'm left with is that I just wish it were different. Bookshop.org is something that I'm thrilled to see and I would love to support wholeheartedly. I just wish they would support me.<br />
<br />
Hell, they seem smart enough. Perhaps they could solve the problem of how to get indy bookstores a good enough margin on ebooks that we could sell them, and not go out of business in the process. That would be cooler than skates on a rattlesnake.<br />
<br />
- Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
1) <a href="https://www.womply.com/blog/the-state-of-local-bookstores/">https://www.womply.com/blog/the-state-of-local-bookstores/</a><br />
2) <a href="https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/135676641/0ca9d546f5bf1c27b1240f1296c9bab0">https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/view_990/135676641/0ca9d546f5bf1c27b1240f1296c9bab0</a><br />
3) <a href="https://publishingperspectives.com/2015/08/ebooks-sold-at-independent-bookstores-garner-pitiful-profits/">https://publishingperspectives.com/2015/08/ebooks-sold-at-independent-bookstores-garner-pitiful-profits/</a><br />
4) <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/03/29/598053563/why-the-number-of-independent-bookstores-increased-during-the-retail-apocalypse">https://www.npr.org/2018/03/29/598053563/why-the-number-of-independent-bookstores-increased-during-the-retail-apocalypse</a><br />
5) <a href="https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/20-068_c19963e7-506c-479a-beb4-bb339cd293ee.pdf">https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/Publication%20Files/20-068_c19963e7-506c-479a-beb4-bb339cd293ee.pdf</a><br />
6) <a href="https://www.voanews.com/arts-culture/us-independent-bookstores-thriving-and-growing">https://www.voanews.com/arts-culture/us-independent-bookstores-thriving-and-growing</a><br />
7) <a href="https://www.amacad.org/humanities-indicators/public-life/bookstores-establishments-and-sales">https://www.amacad.org/humanities-indicators/public-life/bookstores-establishments-and-sales</a><br />
8) <a href="https://www.bookweb.org/member_directory/search/ABAmember/results/0/0/0/0">https://www.bookweb.org/member_directory/search/ABAmember/results/0/0/0/0</a><br />
9) <a href="https://bookshop.org/pages/about">https://bookshop.org/pages/about</a><br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for April, 2020<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1) The Last Emperox by John Scalzi<br />
2) The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin<br />
3) Shorefall by Robert Jackson Bennett<br />
4) The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune<br />
5) Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix Harrow<br />
6) Hidden Girl and Other Stories by Ken Liu<br />
7) Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire<br />
8) Agency by William Gibson<br />
9) When We Were Magic by Sarah Gailey<br />
10) Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1) This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone<br />
2) Foundryside by Robert Jackson Bennett<br />
3) Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
4) City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
5) Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee<br />
6) A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers<br />
7) The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley<br />
8) Sixteenth Watch by Myke Cole<br />
9) Cast in Wisdom by Michelle Sagara West<br />
10) Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
<br />
(Since we've only been doing mail order sales, we didn't have enough mass market sales in April to make a reasonable list.)<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Both of the book clubs that typically meet in the store will be meeting online via Zoom in May:<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, May 10th, at 5 pm to discuss REVENGER by Alastair Reynolds. All the details are here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/qsfandf">https://www.facebook.com/groups/qsfandf</a> . Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, May 17th, at 6 pm to discuss A SCANNER DARKLY by Philip K. Dick, as well as voting for their next six books. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com to get the Zoom info.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />
Big thanks to David Fitzgerald, who rounded up lots of news for us this month!<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
*******Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-33442463551784752672020-04-04T17:17:00.000-07:002020-04-04T17:17:00.743-07:00Dispatches from the Border, April 2020DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
APRIL, 2020<br />
<br />
Hi Everyone,<br />
<br />
Strange days indeed are here. I hope that you are all happy, healthy and managing the day-to-day challenges with "grace and artistry" (as Tom Lehrer put it). Levity aside, I know that this is a difficult time for all of us. The crew at the shop are managing pretty well but we're all quite lucky in our individual circumstances. Others are not so lucky and our thoughts are with them.<br />
<br />
In the scale of what is happening, Borderlands really isn't very important and so I'm not going to waste many words on our situation other than to say that, financially speaking, we're doing alright. The financial consequences of closing up the shop are significant but, at this point, manageable. The staff will continue to get paid and/or they'll be getting unemployment benefits that equal their usual income, which is a huge load off my mind. For the business, money will be tight down the road but we can deal with that then. For now though, there are a few things that we're doing that will help our situation. You'll find details about them below. Bottom line though - there is little risk that we'll have to close as a result of the current situation.<br />
<br />
What is important, however, are the grimly historic events that we are caught up in. I think we each have our own personal, "Wow. This is serious." moments. I don't mean the big things that you see on the news but the little, personal things. For me it was today; I did the math and realized that I could park in front of the shop, all day long, for $4. I know it's silly for cheap parking meters to bring home the depth of our situation but a small thing is something that my mind can really put in context.<br />
<br />
A super-tanker sized hospital ship coming into New York harbor is just too large, both figuratively and literally, to be easily incorporated in my world-view.<br />
<br />
But, however we get there, this truly is deeply serious. The effects of this will be with us for a long time. I hope that the magnitude of the measures we need to take as a society will decrease sharply in the next months. And I also hope that, within a year or two, we will be past the destructive part of this pandemic. But, there will be vestiges and scars of it left over for years to come.<br />
<br />
San Francisco is strange right now, in may ways, but it's also kinder than it was a few weeks ago. People seem to be smiling more at each other on the street (albeit while walking past each other as far apart as possible). I talked with a postal worker today who was genuinely pleasant, helpful and accommodating. There's a bag-piper in my neighborhood who's playing from his rooftop at sunset each evening. In general, people are driving slower and with more courtesy. And, across the board, the people I've dealt with have been kinder and more considerate than usual.<br />
<br />
It's is all those little things combined with the big stuff, like the generally responsible behavior of mayors and governors around the country, that make me confident that we're going to be alright. This is going to be hard and it's going to be long but we'll get through.<br />
<br />
We're going to be alright.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
"I believe in my whole race. Yellow, white, black, red, brown. In the honesty, courage, intelligence, durability, and goodness of the overwhelming majority of my brothers and sisters everywhere on this planet. I am proud to be a human being. I believe that we have come this far by the skin of our teeth. That we always make it just by the skin of our teeth, but that we will always make it. Survive. Endure."<br />
-- Robert A. Heinlein, 1952<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
Books Available for Mail Order<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
<br />
This week, the San Francisco Health Department revised the shelter-in-place order. The revised order states that non-essential businesses (which is us) can continue "Minimum Basic Operations" which are described, in part, as "provide for the delivery of existing inventory directly to residences or businesses" (Section 13.g.i.). That change, along with the shift of most of the bookstores in the city to doing mail order services, means that we feel that we can start fulfilling mail orders, effective immediately. <br />
<br />
(To be perfectly clear, we wouldn't be doing this if we weren't confident that we can ship books without putting the staff, our customers, or the mail carriers at risk. Likewise, to maintain social distancing, the only staff that will be working in the store will be Alan and Jude, who share a household. No other staff will be present.)<br />
<br />
So, if there's anything you'd like, please feel free to place some orders. There are three ways you can go about that -<br />
<br />
1) Biblio - Our entire book inventory is listed online at Biblio.com <<a href="https://www.biblio.com/bookstore/borderlands-books-san-francisco">https://www.biblio.com/bookstore/borderlands-books-san-francisco</a>>. It's easy and intuitive to use, and is the simplest way to order books from us securely online.<br />
<br />
2) Email - You can always email us at orders@borderlands-books.com with any orders, questions, comments, or preorders. We'll need to know the item(s) you'd like, your shipping address and phone number, and a good time to call you so we can get payment info.<br />
<br />
3) Call - If you're really anxious to speak to a human to place your order, we'll be available to answer calls and happy to speak with you from noon until six pm PST on Mondays. The phone number is 415 824-8203.<br />
<br />
We're going to be doing one thing different from some of the other stores in town by not offering "curb-side pickup" -- all our orders are going to be sent through the post office, even if you just live right around the corner from the store. We know it's a pain in the butt and seems completely ridiculous but, first off, the Health Department Order doesn't say anything about having customers come to pick up their items, and secondly, we believe that passing paper bags between us and you, even if we remain separated by six feet or more, isn't consistent with the sort of social distancing that we, as a community, need.<br />
<br />
Also, unlike other stores in the city, we're going to have to charge shipping on all orders. The cost of shipping is high enough ($2.80 to $3.33 for media mail shipping on one book), that it would seriously eat into our margin on a sale. However, for the duration of the store closure, we are going to reduce our shipping charges to $3 for the first book, and $1.50 each for additional books.<br />
<br />
We expect that, even within San Francisco, it will take a few days for your order to arrive. In part this is because, based on what we've seen, the postal service is overloaded right now. But, there will also be a delay built into our shipping process. Per the NIH, the virus that causes Covid-19 can survive up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 72 hours on plastic (<a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/new-coronavirus-stable-hours-surfaces">https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/new-coronavirus-stable-hours-surfaces</a>). Since book covers are often treated with a plastic-like substance, it's possible that the virus could last for up to 72 hours on books that we pack. Of course, neither Jude nor Alan will be packing up books if they're sick but that's beside the point.<br />
<br />
To ensure that we don't mail you a box full of germ-y books (wrapped in germ-y bubble wraps like some sort of tasty garnish), we will be packing books on the first day after we get the order (or thereabouts) but they'll spend the second day all boxed up at the shop. The third day we'll drop them at the post office and they'll arrive no sooner than the fourth day after we get the order. As a result, though we can't make any promises about the exterior of the packaging, all of the contents should be perfectly safe. So, just like anything you get delivered, open the outside packaging, wash your hands, unpack it, wash your hands again and enjoy. Granted, the risk of infection from a contaminated surface is considered low by the CDC but, we want to take all possible steps to protect the health of our customers. (And that is why we're not doing curb-side pickup).<br />
<br />
------------------------------------------------------<br />
Help Support Borderlands with Audio Books<br />
------------------------------------------------------<br />
<br />
[Editor's note: Long-time customer Melinda Rose is a big audio book fan and a recent convert to Libro.fm, so we asked her to share her thoughts about the service and some of her personal recommendations. See more about Libro.fm at the end of this article.]<br />
<br />
Read Me a Story<br />
By Melinda Rose<br />
<br />
I love books, I love stories, and I love being read to. Growing up my parents read to us almost every night, and it's always felt like such a loving, nurturing thing when a partner reads to me.<br />
<br />
I'm a longtime fan of audiobooks, and pretty much always have one going. The right performance can bring so much life and texture to a story, and I can get lost in a book while doing chores around the house, exercising, driving, or simply relaxing. Plus it's a great way to work through that never ending, ever increasing, to-read pile. Between all the fabulous new books coming out on the regular, recommendations from friends of great books I've somehow never read, all the books I've meaning to read, and the impulse buys when browsing my favorite bookstores, well, the sad truth is I'll never get to everything I want to read.<br />
<br />
I've had an audible account since 2007, and I was thrilled when I found out there was an alternative that supports independent book stores. I recently made the switch to Libro.fm, and it's been wonderful. It's easy to set up an account and choose which independent bookstore you'd like to support. The company splits the profits with the bookstore, and they have a huge selection. You can set up a monthly membership to automatically buy one credit a month (good for any book in their collection) or just buy as you go a la carte style. You can listen to a sample before you buy to make sure you like the narrator (and believe me, that really makes or breaks the experience).<br />
<br />
If you want to listen on your smartphone or other device, download the libro.fm app and your purchases automatically show up in your library. The app's interface is basically the same as Audibles, and it's very intuitive, so if you're switching over it's an easy transition, and if you're new to the world of audiobooks you’ll find it pretty easy to navigate. They also have a very human, responsive, and helpful customer service team.<br />
<br />
It's all about the performance!<br />
Here are some of my favorite listens<br />
<br />
* Erin Morgenstern's latest novel THE STARLESS SEA is a story about stories, and the way the stories we love shape our lives. It has love, adventure, and hidden doorways to a secret world. There are multiple narrators and it's very effective. There's the main story arc, and then there are the books and stories the characters come across and those are read by different voice actors. This is one of the most beautiful books I've encountered, and the audio version really brings the intersecting stories to life.<br />
<br />
* Warren Ellis's CROOKED LITTLE VEIN performed by Todd McLaren perfectly captures the twisted noir tone of the story, told in first person by a private detective reluctantly exploring the debaucherous underbelly of American culture. Sex, drugs, and plot twists galore!<br />
<br />
* If you're a fan of The Kingkiller Chronicles, Patrick Rothfuss reading his novella "The Slow Regard of Silent Things" is an absolute treat. It follows the adventures of Auri -- her life in the forgotten, underground halls and rooms of the university. It's an achingly beautiful character study.<br />
<br />
* "Aliens suck at music" is the first line in YEAR ZERO by Rob Reid (performed by John Hodgman). Basically the galaxy is filled with intelligent, creative, and evolved life forms who had no intention of contacting the primitive Earthlings, until they discovered our pop music. . . . And downloaded and listened to it for decades before reading our copyright laws. Delegates from the intergalactic society descend upon a low-level entertainment lawyer to try and negotiate down the huge sum of money the rest of the galaxy collectively owes Earth.<br />
<br />
* Neil Gaiman is as brilliant a voice performer as he is a writer, and he narrates most of his books. I've only listened to a few, but I've loved them all, and honestly I don't think you can go wrong in selecting one of his works.<br />
<br />
I encourage you to go to libro.fm's website and explore the options. Their catalog is not quite as extensive as Audible's, but it's still a huge collection and they're helping the small independent guys, which is wonderful. I know many of us could use an extra diversion right about now.<br />
<br />
[Libro.fm is an audiobook purchase platform specifically designed to support independent bookstores. Unlike all of the e-book sites that have offered us partnerships, and in direct contrast to Amazon's audiobook platform, Audible, Libro.fm make it practical and seamless to support Borderlands (or another indie of your choice) with your online audiobook purchases. It's easy to sign up and easy to use, moreso, we've been blown away by their extraordinary customer service and dedication to helping bookstores. Just go to <a href="https://libro.fm/story">https://libro.fm/story</a> to learn more about them and create your free account. As part of the account set-up process, you designate an independent bookstore that you want your purchases to support. (You can use this link if you want to choose Borderlands to support right out of the gate: <a href="https://libro.fm/?bookstore=borderlands">https://libro.fm/?bookstore=borderlands</a> .) After that, browse more that 150,00 audiobooks and either set up a monthly membership, or buy audiobooks a la carte. ]<br />
<br />
-------------------------------<br />
Borderlands Sponsorships<br />
-------------------------------<br />
<br />
As you may know, Borderlands has been supported by a sponsorship program since 2015. Under normal circumstances, our sponsors' annual contribution of $100 allows us to offset the difference between our annual sales and the higher wages in San Francisco. In the current crises, that program is what has allowed us to continue paying our staff, despite the store being closed. It is also what is allowing us to manage our expenses despite having almost no income.<br />
<br />
There are a number of benefits to being a sponsor (most of which, sadly, are meaningless right now since our operations are so terribly curtailed) but the important thing is that being a sponsor is a crucial support for one of the few stores remaining in the United States that represents our specialties.<br />
<br />
Any support that you wish to give Borderlands in these challenging times -- be it mail order purchases, a subscription to Libro.fm, or just rushing to the store to buy books when we can reopen -- is hugely appreciated by all of us here. If you would like to become a sponsor as well, that would be wonderful and we'd love to have you as a member of this very special group of people.<br />
<br />
You can get your sponsorship on-line via secure credit card payment at <a href="https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship.html">https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship.html</a> . You are also welcome to mail a check or call us during our limited office hours to pay by credit card. Sponsorships are $100 per year for one individual, are good for one calendar year, and are available throughout the year. When you get your sponsorship you'll also have the option of making an additional contribution to help cover the cost of our current operations as well as our moving costs when we relocate to our new building on Haight St. later this year.<br />
<br />
Information about sponsor benefits - <a href="http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-benefits-and-privilidges.html">http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-benefits-and-privilidges.html</a><br />
The story of how the sponsor program came to be - <a href="http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/why-sponsorships.html">http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/why-sponsorships.html</a><br />
<br />
----------------------------------------<br />
A Personal Note From the Editor<br />
----------------------------------------<br />
<br />
I was already knee-deep in personal complications before March 16th, when San Francisco's shelter-in-place order came down. It's pretty exciting (read: harrowing) to move your 78-year-old father and his two cats from Los Angeles to an assisted living place in Northern California in the middle of a torrential rainstorm. It's even more exciting when they announce a shelter-in-place order just after you've passed The Grapevine. We had planned to overnight in San Francisco, and then drive the remaining 60 miles and move Dad, his cats Nicky and Parker, and all his stuff in the next day. When we heard about the order, we determined we had to go straight through, lest we get stuck in an untenable situation in SF. Sixteen absolutely exhausting hours after we left LA, he and the cats were both safely installed. The next day, the assisted living place folks told me very politely I could finish moving him in and then I needed to leave as soon as possible and not come back, since they were no longer allowing any visitors, and closing to all non-essential personnel immediately. Given the givens, everything is as good as it can be right now but everything's also REALLY complicated.<br />
<br />
My collected complications are now feeling closer to neck-deep. While I'm thrilled that we're going to be able to serve our customers, even in this quite limited capacity, I am way, way behind on everything. So this is a little PS to let you know that I'm trying to catch up but it is super slow going. Both Alan and I do read every single (non-spam) email we receive and we try to reply to all of them, but replies are going to be slower than usual while we both get ourselves unburied. <br />
<br />
More generally, we look forward to providing you with great books during this bizarre and uncertain period. I said earlier today that these are really strange times, but it's also fascinating to know you're living history as it happens, as opposed to recognizing it in hindsight as usual. I feel like genre fiction readers are better equipped than the general population to handle it when things get Deeply Weird, and indeed they have.<br />
<br />
We'll get through this together, even while we're at least six feet apart.<br />
<br />
- Jude Feldman<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
At this point, due to the San Francisco shelter-in-place order, we have canceled all our upcoming events. As soon as this changes, we'll let you know.<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
-------<br />
<br />
* Overheard in the Store/ at the Con/ at Writers With Drinks:<br />
<br />
"It's a writing prompt: 'A lending library. . .*of* children. Maybe a Redbox too.'"<br />
<br />
"Hey, have you heard of this Robert Heinlein guy?"<br />
"Wasn't he the one who wrote TWILIGHT?"<br />
<br />
"Sadly I've had to put the whole cannibal thing on hiatus indefinitely."<br />
<br />
"People will totally pay double to get drunk in a collapsing multiverse."<br />
<br />
"It's completely legal to ship axolotls in the US, so at one point I received a box that said 'Contains Live Salamanders -- Hopefully'."<br />
<br />
"That's A LOT of finger food for a pandemic."<br />
<br />
"Their first mistake was assuming I was a harmless old woman. They didn't get a chance at another mistake."<br />
<br />
"Eeney, meeney, mine-y, . . . . Both!"<br />
<br />
"A bunch of great people. . . great, supportive, and REALLY weird."<br />
<br />
"We're vertical, on the right side of the sod, and sending telemetry. We're good!"<br />
<br />
* Welcome to our new neighbors, indie comic shop Silver Sprocket! <a href="https://missionlocal.org/2020/02/sliver-sprocket-punk-rock-indie-comic-disneyland-opens-on-valencia-street/">https://missionlocal.org/2020/02/sliver-sprocket-punk-rock-indie-comic-disneyland-opens-on-valencia-street/</a><br />
<br />
* Meet the mad scientist who wrote the book on hunting hackers: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/meet-the-mad-scientist-who-wrote-the-book-on-how-to-hunt-hackers/">https://www.wired.com/story/meet-the-mad-scientist-who-wrote-the-book-on-how-to-hunt-hackers/</a><br />
<br />
* Black History Month is over, but these authors deserve to be read all year 'round: <a href="https://theportalist.com/black-science-fiction-and-fantasy-authors">https://theportalist.com/black-science-fiction-and-fantasy-authors</a><br />
<br />
* Beer in Space! Author Arkady Martine gives us the low-down on deep-space home brewing: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/01/24/how-to-brew-beer-in-the-confines-of-a-generation-ship/#more-544311">https://www.tor.com/2020/01/24/how-to-brew-beer-in-the-confines-of-a-generation-ship/#more-544311</a><br />
<br />
* A victim of the 79 A.D. volcanic blast at Herculaneum was found with an exploded skull and glass-like brain tissue . . . <a href="https://www.livescience.com/vitrified-brain-of-vesuvius-victim-found.html">https://www.livescience.com/vitrified-brain-of-vesuvius-victim-found.html</a><br />
<br />
* A gallery of Rod Serling's "Night Gallery" paintings: <a href="https://dangerousminds.net/comments/a_gallery_of_the_paintings_from_rod_serlings_night_gallery">https://dangerousminds.net/comments/a_gallery_of_the_paintings_from_rod_serlings_night_gallery</a><br />
<br />
* Riddle us this: What has the head of a vulture, the body of a parrot, is the size of a small child -- oh, and is TOTALLY REAL? This isn't a fantasy creature, this is the Dracula Parrot. <a href="https://mysticalraven.com/adventures/17554/the-dracula-parrot-is-scary-and-beautiful-all-at-once">https://mysticalraven.com/adventures/17554/the-dracula-parrot-is-scary-and-beautiful-all-at-once</a><br />
<br />
* In today's real-life Lovecraftian-Horrors news: <a href="https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/newly-discovered-underwater-volcanic-range-teeming-bizarre-tiny-fanged-fish">https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/newly-discovered-underwater-volcanic-range-teeming-bizarre-tiny-fanged-fish</a><br />
<br />
* From the Hogwarts school to the Wall in "Game of Thrones," here's how different buildings from fiction measure up: <a href="https://www.digg.com/video/comparison-sizes-of-fictional-buildings">https://www.digg.com/video/comparison-sizes-of-fictional-buildings</a><br />
<br />
* A 16th-century assassin's (or perhaps just an herbalist's?) cabinet discovered in a hollowed-out book: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/poison-cabinet/">https://mymodernmet.com/poison-cabinet/</a><br />
<br />
* Once again, reality and science fiction are neck and neck: scientists build "first living robots" from frog stem cells: "It's a new class of artifact: a living, programmable organism." <a href="https://futurism.com/scientists-worlds-first-living-robots-stem-cells">https://futurism.com/scientists-worlds-first-living-robots-stem-cells</a><br />
<br />
* What every mystery fan needs -- a thorough guide to not getting murdered in a quaint English village: <a href="https://crimereads.com/your-guide-to-not-getting-murdered-in-a-quaint-english-village/">https://crimereads.com/your-guide-to-not-getting-murdered-in-a-quaint-english-village/</a><br />
<br />
* Is Belukha Mountain (Siberia's highest peak) haunted by the color out of space? <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/clouds-belukha-mountain-siberia/">https://mymodernmet.com/clouds-belukha-mountain-siberia/</a><br />
<br />
* Forget chess - the real challenge is teaching AI to play D&D. Some artificial intelligence experts think role playing adventure games will help machines learn to be as clever as we are: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/forget-chess-real-challenge-teaching-ai-play-dandd/">https://www.wired.com/story/forget-chess-real-challenge-teaching-ai-play-dandd/</a><br />
<br />
* The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is 42! <a href="https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2020/02/28/45518/the_hitchhiker%E2%80%99s_guide_to_the_galaxy_is_42%21">https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2020/02/28/45518/the_hitchhiker%E2%80%99s_guide_to_the_galaxy_is_42%21</a><br />
<br />
* It was just a matter of time. Creepy abandoned dollhouses for your inner demon child: <a href="https://www.messynessychic.com/2020/02/27/and-now-abandoned-dollhouses-for-your-inner-demon-child/">https://www.messynessychic.com/2020/02/27/and-now-abandoned-dollhouses-for-your-inner-demon-child/</a><br />
<br />
* Akira Kurosawa's spectacular hand-painted storyboards: <a href="https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/akira-kurosawa-hand-painted-storyboards/">https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/akira-kurosawa-hand-painted-storyboards/</a><br />
<br />
* "Medieval wall made of bones". How can you resist a phrase like that? <a href="https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/medieval-wall-made-of-human-bones-discovered-in-belgium/">https://www.iflscience.com/editors-blog/medieval-wall-made-of-human-bones-discovered-in-belgium/</a><br />
<br />
* NOT Dr. Seuss creations . . . 10 amazing and beautiful houseplants you never knew existed: <a href="https://mysticalraven.com/art/11803/top-10-amazing-but-also-beautiful-houseplants-you-never-knew-existed">https://mysticalraven.com/art/11803/top-10-amazing-but-also-beautiful-houseplants-you-never-knew-existed</a><br />
<br />
* Metal, Dude! Astronomers have discovered a planet where it rains iron: <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/astronomers-discovered-a-giant-planet-where-it-rains-iron/">https://www.cnet.com/news/astronomers-discovered-a-giant-planet-where-it-rains-iron/</a><br />
<br />
* David insisted I HAD to include this in a newsletter ASAP -- detailed 3D illustrations of anatomically correct cartoon character skulls labeled as scientific specimens: <a href="https://laughingsquid.com/cartoon-skulls/">https://laughingsquid.com/cartoon-skulls/</a><br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for February, 2020<br />
(Note, due to current events, the March bestsellers are not listed)<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
<br />
1. Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire<br />
2. Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey<br />
3. Agency by William Gibson<br />
4. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />
5. Strange Planet by Nathan Pyle<br />
6. Sword of Fire by Katharine Kerr<br />
7. Penric's Progress by Lois McMaster Bujold<br />
8. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern<br />
9. Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer<br />
10. Dune: Deluxe Edition by Frank Herbert<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
3. City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
4. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers<br />
5. Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />
6. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
7. The Imaginary Corpse by Tyler Hayes<br />
8. Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski<br />
9. Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James<br />
10. Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. Imaginary Numbers by Seanan McGuire<br />
2. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />
3. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
4. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
5. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert<br />
6. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
7. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson<br />
8. Children of Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
9. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
10. Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
We have canceled all our upcoming bookclub meetings. We'll let you know as soon as they are restarted.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
Big thanks to David Fitzgerald for rounding up lots of news items this month!<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
*******Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-16689644450354800992020-02-12T01:16:00.000-08:002020-02-12T01:16:00.630-08:00Dispatches from the Border, February 2020--------------------------<br />
Borderlands Is Hiring<br />
--------------------------<br />
<br />
Dave Fitzgerald, whom many of you know as the "baby" member of our staff (he's only been a bookseller for a bit over a year -- that's a mere infant in bookseller years), is going to be heading out of SF for Eureka. We're damn sad to see Dave go; he's a hell of a fine bookseller on top of fitting in well with the rest of the inmates at The Borderlands Home for Those Who Read Too Much. But, since it's looking like he'll be splitting at the end of February, we need to hire someone to replace him. Further, because of all the extra work that this year is going to hold, we're decided to hire two new staff people. So . . .<br />
<br />
If you've ever thought that it would be fun to work at Borderlands, here's your chance. But, before you fire off a resume and cover letter, there are a couple of things you should know -<br />
1) It's a hard job. Despite his charming disposition, Alan can be a demanding person to work for and, on top of that, there is a _lot_ of work to do.<br />
2) The pay is San Francisco minimum wage, currently $15.59 per hour.<br />
3) Almost all shifts are from noon to 8 pm, weekends included.<br />
4) After being trained, there would be two to three shifts per week.<br />
And that's all the bad news. There are a bunch of upsides, but we can talk about them in person. If you're interested, please do email Alan Beatts (abeatts@borderlands-books.com) a resume-type-object along with a cover letter explaining why you'd like the job.<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
Juliette Wade, MAZES OF POWER (DAW, Hardcover, $26.00) with Deborah J. Ross, Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Tracy Clark Flory, Aaron Glantz, Meng Jin, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
Sarah Gailey, UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED (Tor.com, Hardcover, $20.99) in conversation with Meg Elison, Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Katharine Kerr, SWORD OF FIRE (DAW, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders' Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with Mike Chen, Tiffany Trent, and Juliette Wade, moderated by Terry Bisson, Sunday, February 23rd at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Seanan McGuire, COME TUMBLING DOWN (Tor.com, Hardcover, $19.99) and IMAGINARY NUMBERS, (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99), Saturday, February 29th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
N.K. Jemisin, THE CITY WE BECAME (Orbit, Hardcover, $28.00) Thursday, April 2nd, time and location TBA<br />
<br />
Max Barry, PROVIDENCE (G.P. Putnam's Sons, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, April 4th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
Borderlands 2020 Sponsorships<br />
--------------------------------------<br />
by Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
At the beginning of 2015 Borderlands was getting ready to close. San Francisco voters had passed an increase in the minimum wage that was going to end the financial viability of the store, probably by the middle of July that year. If not at that point, then the second increase scheduled for July of this year was certainly going to do the job. Although I and the rest of the staff strongly support minimum wage laws in general, and we suspected that San Francisco's local increase would be generally positive for the city as a whole, we were trapped by the idiosyncrasy of the book business. Unlike most products, books have a price printed on them. That makes the usual business solution of increasing prices to cover higher expenses impossible for us. Rather than ride the business down into the grave, I and the rest of the staff decided it was better to close quickly, at the time of our choosing and at the top of our game.<br />
<br />
Our customers were very much opposed to this and, out of their comments & suggestions and in consultation with the staff, we decided to try an experiment. We would ask that a minimum of 300 people sponsor the store for $100 each. If that many people were willing, it would offset the added expense of the wage increases that were scheduled to raise the wage to $15 per hour by the middle of the following year. Since that increased expense would be on-going, a basic assumption was that the sponsorship would need to recur each year.<br />
<br />
2020 will be our sixth year operating as a sponsored business. Thus far, it has been a big success. Not only have more than the required number of people sponsored us for each year, but with the support of our sponsors, customers, and fellow professionals in our field, we were able to raise the funds to purchase a building on Haight Street to be our permanent location. 2020, our 22nd year in business, is going to be a momentous one marked by our relocation to our new home. We will no longer be subject to the greatest threat to the survival of any small business -- a massive and unmanageable increase in rent.<br />
<br />
As exciting as this year will be, it's not going to be easy. We are still under the wage pressure that caused us to start the sponsorship program in the first place. In time, our new building will ease some of that pressure, once the costs of moving and the finances stabilize, but for now the finances of the building are only self-supporting and they do not benefit the bookstore. In fact, the building finances are only self-supporting once the bookstore is paying the rent that currently goes to our landlord into the new building's coffers instead. Added to that pressure, I am doing a great deal of work to get the building is shape to house the store, which means that there will be even more work than usual for the rest of the bookstore staff.<br />
<br />
If you have never been a sponsor or if you were in the past but stopped, this year will be a watershed moment for your support. If you'd like to sign up, you can do so on-line at <a href="https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship.html">https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship.html</a>, or you can call 888 893-4008, email office@borderlands-books.com or come into the store in person. Though there are quite a few benefits to sponsorship (you'll find a full list here - <a href="http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-benefits-and-privilidges.html">http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-benefits-and-privilidges.html</a>) the greatest thing that your sponsorship will accomplish is helping us move forward and make our transition to our new space.<br />
<br />
If you're interested in more details about how the sponsorship program came to be, you'll find the story here <a href="http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/why-sponsorships.html">http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/why-sponsorships.html</a>.<br />
<br />
In closing we'd like to thank everyone who has been a sponsor in the past. Without you, we wouldn't be here.<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
-------<br />
<br />
* Overheard in the Store:<br />
<br />
"Our benevolent, yet hapless, geek empire will span the galaxy."<br />
<br />
"PLEASE go away. I am completely out of patience for mumbled glossolalia today."<br />
<br />
"Thank you kindly, but I don't need anything else that could potentially cause awkward questions from the TSA."<br />
<br />
"I don't need to watch the game. I can track it from the screaming outside."<br />
<br />
"She kills all the plants, right?"<br />
"Yeah, she's _definitely_ more of a mineral person."<br />
<br />
[angrily, on the phone]: "Well obviously there's a ton of uncertainty here. We have no idea what we're doing, but that's never stopped us before!"<br />
<br />
"Our team-building activity is to not talk to each other.”<br />
<br />
"I told her that I REALLY needed a cocktail. Or a lobotomy."<br />
<br />
"I like it when the aliens are weird enough to be recognizably alien but still human enough to be hot."<br />
<br />
* "In partnership with SF in SF, Borderlands Books, Locus magazine, Tachyon Publications, Consonance and other organizations, SF by the Bay at the San Francisco Public Library, February 1 – April 30, presents over two dozen programs, including film screenings, author talks, live dramas, lectures, panel discussions, a filk music concert, book displays, a costume contest, and an exhibit of rare books, magazines and art drawn from the Main Library's J. Francis McComas Fantasy and Science Fiction Collection, a reference collection of more than 3000 books and magazines. With a focus on local authors and culture, the SF by the Bay exhibit and programs highlight the San Francisco Bay Area's important contributions to the history of fantasy and science fiction and celebrate this ongoing history in relation to its international and multimedia contexts." <a href="https://tachyonpublications.com/experience-sf-by-the-bay-a-grand-celebration-of-the-san-francisco-bay-area-science-fiction-and-fantasy/">https://tachyonpublications.com/experience-sf-by-the-bay-a-grand-celebration-of-the-san-francisco-bay-area-science-fiction-and-fantasy/</a><br />
<br />
* The Wall Street Journal talks to Kim Stanley Robinson about surviving climate change and his amazing novel NEW YORK 2140: <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-sci-fi-authors-boldest-vision-of-climate-change-surviving-it-11581004678">https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-sci-fi-authors-boldest-vision-of-climate-change-surviving-it-11581004678</a><br />
<br />
* How science fiction pictured the 2020's: <a href="https://onezero.medium.com/how-science-fiction-imagined-the-2020s-f8e98a5bc729">https://onezero.medium.com/how-science-fiction-imagined-the-2020s-f8e98a5bc729</a><br />
<br />
* William Gibson's new novel AGENCY is fantastic (and it starts literally on Valencia Street, directly across from Borderlands!). Here's a couple of articles on Gibson: (a review) <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/22/agency-william-gibson-review">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/22/agency-william-gibson-review</a>, and (an interview) <a href="https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/tracking-realitys-fuckedness-quotient-an-interview-with-william-gibson/">https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/tracking-realitys-fuckedness-quotient-an-interview-with-william-gibson/</a><br />
<br />
* Nova Scotia bookstore entices cat lovers with adoptable kittens! <a href="https://coleandmarmalade.com/2020/01/30/bookstore-entices-cat-lovers-with-adoptable-kittens/">https://coleandmarmalade.com/2020/01/30/bookstore-entices-cat-lovers-with-adoptable-kittens/</a><br />
<br />
* This is AMAZING. Actual pulp cover treatments of classic novels: <a href="https://lithub.com/50-pulp-cover-treatments-of-classic-works-of-literature/">https://lithub.com/50-pulp-cover-treatments-of-classic-works-of-literature/</a><br />
<br />
* Christopher Tolkien, editor and tireless keeper of his father's legacy, has died at age 95: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/books/christopher-tolkien-dead.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/books/christopher-tolkien-dead.html</a> . (Christopher Tolkien was not just his father's editor, but also the cartographer of those iconic maps of Middle-Earth that set the standard for fantasy ever after: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/01/22/celebrating-christopher-tolkiens-cartographic-legacy/">https://www.tor.com/2020/01/22/celebrating-christopher-tolkiens-cartographic-legacy/</a> )<br />
<br />
* If you happen to be in Atlanta, there's a "Dark Crystal" exhibition at the Center for Puppetry! <a href="https://www.gpbnews.org/post/dark-crystal-exhibit-center-puppetry-arts-showcases-iconic-cult-film">https://www.gpbnews.org/post/dark-crystal-exhibit-center-puppetry-arts-showcases-iconic-cult-film</a><br />
<br />
* It may not be _where_ we are, it may be _when_: <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/alone-in-a-crowded-milky-way/">https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/alone-in-a-crowded-milky-way/</a><br />
<br />
* Scott says "I knew I was cooler than my ancestors." He pointed us to this interesting article that claims human body temperature has decreased in the US since the 19th century: <a href="https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-01-human-body-temperature-decreased-19th.html">https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-01-human-body-temperature-decreased-19th.html</a><br />
<br />
* Richard Stanley's "Dunwich Horror" will expand his Lovecraft universe and feature the Necronomicon: <a href="https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3601424/richard-stanleys-dunwich-horror-will-expand-lovecraft-universe-feature-necronomicon/">https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3601424/richard-stanleys-dunwich-horror-will-expand-lovecraft-universe-feature-necronomicon/</a><br />
<br />
* Five books that will leave you with hope for humanity: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/01/20/5-books-that-leave-you-with-hope-for-humanity/">https://www.tor.com/2020/01/20/5-books-that-leave-you-with-hope-for-humanity/</a><br />
<br />
* If your language had no words to describe "the future," would you still stress over it? Here are five languages that could change the way you see the world: <a href="http://nautil.us/blog/5-languages-that-could-change-the-way-you-see-the-world">http://nautil.us/blog/5-languages-that-could-change-the-way-you-see-the-world</a><br />
<br />
* Similarly, English is the world's dominant scientific language, yet it has no word for the distinctive smell of cockroaches. What happens though, if you have no words for basic scientific terms? <a href="https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200116-what-happens-when-you-have-no-word-for-dinosaur">https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200116-what-happens-when-you-have-no-word-for-dinosaur</a><br />
<br />
* For the music of nightmares. . . you need the Apprehension Engine: <a href="http://www.openculture.com/2020/01/the-apprehension-engine.html">http://www.openculture.com/2020/01/the-apprehension-engine.html</a><br />
<br />
* N. K. Jemisin talks about the dreams that led to her worlds: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/01/27/nk-jemisins-dream-worlds">https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/01/27/nk-jemisins-dream-worlds</a><br />
<br />
* Amazing historic scenes you won't believe are actually miniatures. . . . <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/chris-toledo-miniature-interiors/">https://mymodernmet.com/chris-toledo-miniature-interiors/</a><br />
<br />
* Judith Schaechter draws on Catholic iconography, contemporary culture, and Greek mythology to create stained glass works of art that recall Hieronymus Bosch's chaotic hellscapes: <a href="https://hifructose.com/2019/12/06/judith-schaechters-stained-glass-work-part-of-major-survey/">https://hifructose.com/2019/12/06/judith-schaechters-stained-glass-work-part-of-major-survey/</a><br />
<br />
* How Animals Behave When We Aren't Looking by artist Julien Tabet. This is equally cool and just a bit distressing. <a href="https://www.demilked.com/animal-photo-manipulations-julien-tabet/">https://www.demilked.com/animal-photo-manipulations-julien-tabet/</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
Two Cool Things:<br />
<br />
I don't get much time to write about stuff that I thought was particularly neat now-a-days. Actually, I don't get much time. Period. <br />
<br />
But, I ran across two things last month that I wanted to share. The first is the TV series of Andrzej Sapkowski's "The Witcher". It is . . . odd . . . and I really liked it. The books are thoroughly imbued with Polish historical and cultural influences and that quality comes through in the show. Which means that characters don't always act the way that you'd expect, and the story doesn't play out that way, either.<br />
<br />
Now, granted the show is a bit uneven and there are some flaws but, overall, I thought it was refreshingly different. And there are two _great_ sword fights, which is a big plus in my book. You'll find it on Netflix and I think it's worth a watch. As a little added treat, here's the show's star, Henry Cavill, reading the first "Witcher" story - <a href="https://youtu.be/uUST_IQYp-o">https://youtu.be/uUST_IQYp-o</a><br />
<br />
The other thing . . . wow. I read Everything Under The Moon by Jeff Johnson a couple of weeks ago. I read it in one day (almost in a single sitting). The damn thing grabbed me by the face and didn't let go 'til I was done. I absolutely loved it. It came out in 2016 but somehow I managed to miss it 'til now. Full disclosure prompts me to make clear that this isn't everyone's sort of book; it's kind of like Crooked Little Vein by Ellis or Bad Monkeys by Ruff ran into a Jim Butcher novel in a dark alley. The main character is part werewolf and kills bad people for fun (and profit), all while wearing a bad attitude like a trench-coat. It's very noir, pretty violent, and the first person narrator's voice is absolutely spot-on and irresistible. If that sounds like your sort of thing, you will _love_ this book.<br />
<br />
February Building Update:<br />
<br />
January was a good month and we made solid progress. The bathroom tile work is done and looks wonderful. We have a little bit of work left to do on the walls, and then we can have the plumbers and electricians come in to do the final work. With that completed, we should be just about ready to close out that permit; almost two years after we opened it. That's been a long trip but, given that the job started in the basement with new foundations and structural beams, I think we've done pretty well. I'm excited to get that closed and, perhaps even more so, excited to have a bathroom again.<br />
<br />
The upstairs electrical work is also well on its way. All the ceiling lights are wired up and, after some work this weekend, we should be ready for the "rough" electrical inspection. Being past that means we can close up the ceiling and remaining walls. That's a real watershed moment because it marks the change from doing "rough" work (framing, major electrical, plumbing) to doing "finish" work, which is the stuff that makes the place start to look complete. Depending on the availability of a sheet-rocking crew, the space will change dramatically over the next month or so.<br />
<br />
Remaining work is completing the new front windows and doors, replacing the floor, and doing the painting. Once that's all done, we can get to work on the shelves and final details. When that is complete, we can get the basement office built and the rest of the basement in order. At this point I still don't know exactly how thoroughly completed the place will be when we open up on May 25th but it's looking like we'll at least have all the big stuff done in time. Thank goodness that we don't have a hard deadline for when we need to be out of the shop on Valencia. That has really eased the pressure on this job.<br />
<br />
That's about all the news. Cross fingers that the progress continues and I shall keep you posted.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for January, 2020<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
<br />
1. Agency by William Gibson<br />
2. Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire<br />
3. Strange Planet by Nathan Pyle<br />
4. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />
5. Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer<br />
6. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern<br />
7. Penric's Progress by Lois McMaster Bujold<br />
8. The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz<br />
9. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo<br />
10. Dune: Deluxe Edition by Frank Herbert<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
3. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers<br />
4. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
5. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers<br />
6. Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers<br />
7. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
8. Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey<br />
9. Death's End by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
10. Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
2. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
3. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />
4. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert<br />
5. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
6. Hyperion by Dan Simmons<br />
7. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson<br />
8. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire<br />
9. The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi<br />
10. Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, February 9th, at 5 pm to discuss THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, February 16th, at 6 pm to discuss SENLIN ASCENDS by Josiah Bancroft. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Juliette Wade, MAZES OF POWER (DAW, Hardcover, $26.00) with Deborah J. Ross, Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm - We're delighted to welcome local author Juliette Wade, showing off her debut novel MAZES OF POWER! From the book description: "The cavern city of Pelismara has stood for a thousand years. The Great Families of the nobility cling to the myths of their golden age while the city's technology wanes. When a fever strikes, and the Eminence dies, seventeen-year-old Tagaret is pushed to represent his Family in the competition for Heir to the Throne. To win would give him the power to rescue his mother from his abusive father, and marry the girl he loves. But the struggle for power distorts everything in this highly stratified society, and the fever is still loose among the inbred, susceptible nobles. Tagaret's sociopathic younger brother, Nekantor, is obsessed with their family's success. Nekantor is willing to exploit Tagaret, his mother, and her new servant Aloran to defeat their opponents. Can he be stopped? Should he be stopped? And will they recognize themselves after the struggle has changed them?" Join us to meet this up-and-coming author who is soon to be a superstar! Juliette will be in conversation with author Deborah J. Ross.<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Tracy Clark Flory, Aaron Glantz, Meng Jin, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders, Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted by the incredible Charlie Jane Anders, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup this month includes Tracy Clark Flory, Aaron Glantz, Meng Jin, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade and Charles Yu! 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. www.writerswithdrinks.com<br />
<br />
Sarah Gailey, UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED (Tor.com, Hardcover, $20.99) in conversation with Meg Elison, Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm - We couldn't be more excited to welcome Sarah Gailey, who will be showing off their brand-new novella UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED! Jude can't stop raving about this book and we're convinced you'll love it, too. Here's the description from the publisher: "Esther is a stowaway. She’s hidden herself away in the Librarian’s book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her -- a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. Her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda. The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing." Join us to meet Sarah and hear about your next favorite book. Sarah will be in conversation with local author (and Philip K. Dick Award winner) Meg Elison.<br />
<br />
Katharine Kerr, SWORD OF FIRE (DAW, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 pm - We're always happy to welcome the beloved Katharine Kerr to Borderlands! She's back with the first a new trilogy that will re-introduce readers to Deverry! From the book description: "The bards are the people’s voice -- and their sword. All over the kingdom of Deverry, the common people are demanding reform of the corrupt law courts. In Aberwyn, the situation catches fire when Gwerbret Ladoic, second in authority only to the High King, allows a bard to starve to death rather than hear their grievances. Guildwoman Alyssa, a student at the local scholars’ collegium, and Lady Dovina, the gwerbret’s own daughter, know that evidence exists to overthrow the so-called traditional legal system, if they can only get it into the right hands. The powerful lords will kill anyone who threatens their privileges. To retrieve the proof, Alyssa must make a dangerous journey that will either change her life forever -- or end it." Don't miss this near-legendary author who is at the height of her creative powers right now!<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders' Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with Mike Chen, Tiffany Trent, and Juliette Wade, moderated by Terry Bisson, Sunday, February 23rd at 6:00 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 the fabulous Mike Chen, Tiffany Trent, and Juliette Wade! 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. <a href="http://www.sfinsf.org/">www.sfinsf.org</a><br />
<br />
Seanan McGuire, COME TUMBLING DOWN (Tor.com, Hardcover, $19.99) and IMAGINARY NUMBERS, (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99), Saturday, February 29th at 6:00 pm - One of the hardest working authors in genre fiction today, Seanan McGuire is back with not one but two new books! From the publisher: "The fifth installment in New York Times bestselling author Seanan McGuire's award-winning Wayward Children series, COME TUMBLING DOWN picks up the threads left dangling by EVERY HEART A DOORWAY and DOWN AMONG THE STICKS AND BONES. When Jack left Eleanor West's School for Wayward Children she was carrying the body of her deliciously deranged sister -- whom she had recently murdered in a fit of righteous justice -- back to their home on the Moors. But death in their adopted world isn't always as permanent as it is here, and when Jack is herself carried back into the school, it becomes clear that something has happened to her. Something terrible. Something of which only the maddest of scientists could conceive. Something only her friends are equipped to help her overcome. Eleanor West's "No Quests" rule is about to be broken. Again." From the publisher of IMAGINARY NUMBERS: "The ninth book in the fast-paced InCryptid urban fantasy series returns to the mishaps of the Price family, eccentric cryptozoologists who safeguard the world of magical creatures living in secret among humans. Sarah Zellaby has always been in an interesting position. Adopted into the Price family at a young age, she's never been able to escape the biological reality of her origins: she's a cuckoo, a telepathic ambush predator closer akin to a parasitic wasp than a human being. Friend, cousin, mathematician; it's never been enough to dispel the fear that one day, nature will win out over nurture, and everything will change. Maybe that time has finally come." We're always delighted to welcome Seanan and we sincerely hope you'll join us!<br />
<br />
N.K. Jemisin, THE CITY WE BECAME (Orbit, Hardcover, $28.00) Thursday, April 2nd, time and location TBA - (Details TK. We are absolutely thrilled to host the three-time Hugo winning author of The Broken Earth Trilogy. This event will take place at a local theater venue and there will be a suggested donation of $20 to help offset the rental costs. However, no one will be turned away due to lack of funds. There will be advance tickets and we will be sending out a special notice when they are available.)<br />
<br />
Max Barry, PROVIDENCE (G.P. Putnam's Sons, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, April 4th at 3:00 pm - We are happy to welcome Max Barry to Borderlands! Max is the author of LEXICON, MACHINE MAN, and many other novels, but this current one may be his most inventive yet. From the publihser: "Seven years after first contact, Providence Five launches. It is an enormous and deadly warship, built to protect humanity from its greatest ever threat. On board is a crew of just four -- tasked with monitoring the ship and reporting the war’s progress to a mesmerized global audience by way of social media. But while pursuing the enemy across space, Gilly, Talia, Anders, and Jackson confront the unthinkable: their communications are cut, their ship decreasingly trustworthy and effective. To survive, they must win a fight that is suddenly and terrifyingly real."<br />
<br />
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge unless otherwise noted. 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.Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-53946603101569173502020-01-27T22:52:00.001-08:002020-01-27T22:52:15.156-08:00Dispatches from the Border, January 2020----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Cecelia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson, Sunday, January 12th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
Juliet Wade, MAZES OF POWER (DAW, Hardcover, $26.00) Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Tracy Clark Flory, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu, Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
Sarah Gailey, UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED (Tor.com, Hardcover, $20.99) Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Katharine Kerr, SWORD OF FIRE (DAW, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 pm<br />
<br />
Seanan McGuire, COME TUMBLING DOWN (Tor, Hardcover, $19.99) and IMAGINARY NUMBERS (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, February 29th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
-------<br />
<br />
* Overheard in the Store:<br />
<br />
"We washed the rest of The Watcher. . . witched the rest of The Washer . . . DAMMIT. We WATCHED the rest of 'The WITCHER' last night!"<br />
"I've never seen a 'Damn You, AutoCorrect' in real life before."<br />
<br />
"When I worked for the hospital, I wrote, and then unfortunately lost, 'The Cat in the Hat Gets a Colonoscopy'."<br />
<br />
"Ooh! An asexual tentacle monster! That's the closest thing to describing my actual gender."<br />
<br />
"You can always tell the clouds that are hiding alien spacecraft behind them."<br />
<br />
"This year EVERYONE is getting books!"<br />
<br />
"Have YOU ever tried to wrap Z-Fold Mil Spec Combat Gauze to put in a Christmas stocking? I don't recommend it."<br />
<br />
"I'll just let it live its Majestic Chicken Life."<br />
<br />
"Everywhere I look -- tentacles!<br />
<br />
"All I remember are bed shelves, clabbered milk, and people wandering off to die in the cold."<br />
<br />
"It's THE CALL OF CTHULHU, done Dr. Seuss-style. There's no denying the world was waiting for that."<br />
<br />
"The place is really called 'Normal, Illinois'? The city doth protest too much, methinks."<br />
"You're right -- it's like calling a town 'Definitely Not Gay, Kansas'."<br />
<br />
"Around here, I will tell you when to panic. You don't get to panic without authorization."<br />
<br />
* The Bold Italic talked to Alan Beatts, Rudy Rucker, M. Luke McDonnell and Rina Weisman for this optimistic piece about science fiction in San Francisco! <a href="https://thebolditalic.com/san-franciscos-sci-fi-renaissance-95713a91171c">https://thebolditalic.com/san-franciscos-sci-fi-renaissance-95713a91171c</a><br />
<br />
* We're delighted to share the news that Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore has new owners and will have a new location shortly! <a href="https://www.mystgalaxy.com/new-owners-and-location-mysterious-galaxy-2020">https://www.mystgalaxy.com/new-owners-and-location-mysterious-galaxy-2020</a><br />
<br />
* The New York Times on how Chinese science fiction conquered America (spoiler: it had a lot to do with Ken Liu): <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/03/magazine/ken-liu-three-body-problem-chinese-science-fiction.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/03/magazine/ken-liu-three-body-problem-chinese-science-fiction.html</a><br />
<br />
* "Come and bake with us, Danny, forever and forever . . . . " It's a gingerbread Overlook Hotel!: <a href="https://nerdbot.com/2019/11/30/this-gingerbread-house-of-the-shining-is-amazing/">https://nerdbot.com/2019/11/30/this-gingerbread-house-of-the-shining-is-amazing/</a><br />
<br />
* The New Yorker talks with William Gibson (whose new novel AGENCY comes out January 21st): <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/12/16/how-william-gibson-keeps-his-science-fiction-real">https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/12/16/how-william-gibson-keeps-his-science-fiction-real</a><br />
<br />
* George R.R. Martin has opened Beastly Books next to his cinema in New Mexico: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/dec/16/george-rr-martin-opens-bookshop-santa-fe-beastly-books-game-of-thrones">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/dec/16/george-rr-martin-opens-bookshop-santa-fe-beastly-books-game-of-thrones</a><br />
<br />
* The fabulous Michael Moorcock turned 80 December 18th, so we thought it was time to revisit this great article on him: <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/anti-tolkien">https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/anti-tolkien</a><br />
<br />
* Borderlands Cafe made this list of San Francisco's Saddest Business Closures in 2019, along with Lucca Ravioli and Beach Blanket Babylon <sniffles>: <a href="https://brokeassstuart.com/2019/12/19/s-f-s-saddest-closures-of-2019/">https://brokeassstuart.com/2019/12/19/s-f-s-saddest-closures-of-2019/</a><br />
<br />
* "I think that a lot of rejection of critical analysis of people like Tolkien and Lewis, and of children's fantasy more broadly, comes out of this kind of harsh binary around how people deal with realizing that their faves are problematic." Read the rest of this fascinating article from scholar Maria Sachiko Cecire: <a href="https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/12/childrens-fantasy-literature-oxford-school-tolkien-lewis.html">https://slate.com/human-interest/2019/12/childrens-fantasy-literature-oxford-school-tolkien-lewis.html</a><br />
<br />
* We are saturated with information. What matters now is how credible the source is: <a href="https://aeon.co/ideas/say-goodbye-to-the-information-age-its-all-about-reputation-now">https://aeon.co/ideas/say-goodbye-to-the-information-age-its-all-about-reputation-now</a><br />
<br />
* "The 20 Best Books of a Decade That Unmade Genre Fiction" from Wired Magazine. (Spoiler, this article is almost entirely about how amazing Ursula K. Le Guin & N.K. Jemisin are, and that is FINE.) <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/best-books-2010s-science-fiction-fantasy/">https://www.wired.com/story/best-books-2010s-science-fiction-fantasy/</a><br />
<br />
* Two different sponsors passed on this fascinating article about "How [Johannes] Kepler Invented Science Fiction and Defended His Mother in a Witchcraft Trial While Revolutionizing Our Understanding of the Universe": <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/12/26/katharina-kepler-witchcraft-dream/">https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/12/26/katharina-kepler-witchcraft-dream/</a><br />
<br />
* Cory Doctorow on imagining a better world: "Science fiction needn't be monochromatic disaster porn. Many of our most cherished science-fictional visions... propose a better world -- not a perfect one, and never free from strife... -- but still hopeful and inspiring." The complete article is here: <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-science-fiction-and-the-unforeseeable-future-in-the-2020s-lets/">https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-science-fiction-and-the-unforeseeable-future-in-the-2020s-lets/</a><br />
<br />
* We have copies of the (gorgeous!) 40th Anniversary Edition of BUNNICULA in stock. Why is this book so amazing? Dear ones, sit back while Sarah Gailey explains the love story behind the vampire bunny story: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/the-enduring-legacy-of-bunnicula-a-40-year-old-in-joke-thats-still-hilarious/">https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/the-enduring-legacy-of-bunnicula-a-40-year-old-in-joke-thats-still-hilarious/</a><br />
<br />
* A sweet article on the 14 best bookstores in San Francisco! <a href="https://wayfaringviews.com/best-bookstores-in-san-francisco/">https://wayfaringviews.com/best-bookstores-in-san-francisco/</a><br />
<br />
* "You can't wear Stormtrooper armour to Ren Faire!" "Hold my mead." <a href="https://www.facebook.com/wolfsdenarmoury/photos/a.10150119255449819/10157774858714819/">https://www.facebook.com/wolfsdenarmoury/photos/a.10150119255449819/10157774858714819/</a><br />
<br />
* How might future paleontologists visualize OUR era's animals? <a href="https://www.sunnyskyz.com/blog/2932/If-We-Drew-Modern-Animals-The-Way-We-Draw-Dinosaurs-Based-On-Bones-Alone">https://www.sunnyskyz.com/blog/2932/If-We-Drew-Modern-Animals-The-Way-We-Draw-Dinosaurs-Based-On-Bones-Alone</a><br />
<br />
* Speaking of paleontology, here are some of the strangest dinosaur names: <a href="https://www.neatorama.com/2007/02/19/the-worlds-strangest-dinosaur-names/">https://www.neatorama.com/2007/02/19/the-worlds-strangest-dinosaur-names/</a><br />
<br />
* A Smithsonian exhibit on the real vampires among us: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-world-needs-bloodsucking-creatures-180973670/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-world-needs-bloodsucking-creatures-180973670/</a><br />
<br />
* We really do live on the coolest planet. Here's proof: <a href="https://www.boredpanda.com/interesting-rarely-seen-things/">https://www.boredpanda.com/interesting-rarely-seen-things/</a><br />
<br />
* Ye dinnae need the Keekin Gless o Erised tae ken woo awesome thees is! <a href="https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2018/01/19/harry-potter-scots-language-edition-might-best-book-time/">https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2018/01/19/harry-potter-scots-language-edition-might-best-book-time/</a><br />
<br />
* "The Mushroom Hunters" by Neil Gaiman becomes a gorgeous animated short film: <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/11/25/the-mushroom-hunters-animation-neil-gaiman/">https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/11/25/the-mushroom-hunters-animation-neil-gaiman/</a><br />
<br />
* "Star Wars" filming locations you can visit in real life: <a href="https://www.afar.com/magazine/star-wars-filming-locations-you-can-visit-in-real-life">https://www.afar.com/magazine/star-wars-filming-locations-you-can-visit-in-real-life</a><br />
<br />
* Welcome to Mystery Flesh Pit National Park: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2020/01/03/welcome-to-mystery-flesh-pit-national-park-one-redditors-colossal-feat-of-worldbuilding/">https://www.tor.com/2020/01/03/welcome-to-mystery-flesh-pit-national-park-one-redditors-colossal-feat-of-worldbuilding/</a><br />
<br />
* Indie booksellers creating community (what else is new?!): <a href="https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/12/27/indie-booksellers-create-community-to-survive-the-age-of-amazon">https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/12/27/indie-booksellers-create-community-to-survive-the-age-of-amazon</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
by Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
Happy New Year All!<br />
<br />
I hope that 2020 is treating you well. As far as years go, 2019 was an often challenging one and, to be honest, I'm happy to see the back of it. I think that 2020 is going to be . . . interesting . . . as well; but I hope in a much more positive way. Something that is going to make this year especially interesting is that we're going to be moving our store.<br />
<br />
"There's no knowing where we're rowing<br />
Or which way the river's flowing"<br />
- R. Dahl<br />
<br />
If you've been following these newsletter for a while, you can probably skip down to the part that starts with "A scheme is not a vision" but, for folks who haven't been around for the past two years, here is the short version of what's going on. In 2015, we planned to close the store because the increasing minimum wage in San Francisco was going make Borderlands unsustainably unprofitable (i.e. losing more than $30,000 a year by the time we were done). Rather than do that, we planned to close. But, once we announced that, our customers inspired us to try to find a solution. We started a sponsorship program that worked better than we could have imagined (more about that next month - but, if you want an outline read here - http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/why-sponsorships.html ). Six years later, it's still working and going strong.<br />
<br />
With that problem solved (and with a new sense of obligation to our customers), we started looking to the future for what the next problem would be. The conclusion we came to was that the end of our current lease in 2021 would be a disaster. Rents in San Francisco have climbed a lot since 2011, when we signed our current lease, and they've gone up even more than average on Valencia St. There was no chance that we would be able to pay the new rent when the lease was up.<br />
<br />
So, around 2016, we started looking for a building that we could buy and have as our permanent home. It was a long shot, both because our down-payment would be low (though not tiny since we had been able to save much of the extra money that our sponsors had given us) and because it was going to be hard to find a building that would work. Despite all that, in late 2017 we found a place and we managed to raise the money to purchase it. In fact, we raised the entire purchase price by borrowing from fifty of our customers and sponsors.<br />
<br />
The building is a lovely 1902 three-story Victorian at 1377 Haight St. that used to be the home of a used record shop. There are two (rented) apartments upstairs, which give us enough income to cover the expenses for the building (at least they will once we add in the rent that the bookstore will pay). The actual store location is a little bit smaller than our current space but, because of it's shape, it will actually work (and, I think, feel) like a bigger store.<br />
<br />
Since the purchase we've been remodeling the store so that it will work for us for years and years to come. It's been a long, slow process, in part because almost all of the work has been done by me and a group of volunteers. But, the time it's taken us to get the job done is far outweighed by the money we've saved by doing it ourselves.<br />
<br />
We're still a far way from being finished but we've set a date to be open and operating at the new building -- May 25th of this year. Between now and then there will be a lot going on and I thought you might like to hear about the plan.<br />
<br />
"A scheme is not a vision"<br />
- L. Cohen<br />
<br />
Thankfully, I've had the experience of moving a (granted, much smaller) store in the past. And, I've helped out with a couple other store moves. By now, I think that my schemes on the subject are pretty good. However, as Jude is fond of saying, "The Universe abhors a plan" and so we're going to keep the following a "scheme", not in any way, shape, or form a "plan". It will certainly change in the specific details as we move along and it may change in a more general sense. But, for now, this is how we think our relocation to Haight St. is going to play.<br />
<br />
Despite my deadline of May 25th, I don't expect that we'll be completely moved by then. In fact, I don't want to be moved by then. The last time we moved the shop, way back in 2001, we shut down for a week to do it. Packing all the books took almost two days, then moving them, then getting them back on the shelves (which weren't all built by that time) . . . it was horrible and exhausting. Plus it actually took closer to two weeks to get open again. And the whole time I was hearing the "tick, tick, tick" of the clock since we were, probably, losing a full day of sales every day we were closed.<br />
<br />
Not. Fun. At. All.<br />
<br />
So, this time, we'll be doing it in stages. On May 25th . . . yeah, we'll be open at the new shop. But the inventory will probably consist of new releases and staff reccs but not much else. And, we'll probably be open limited hours and days. At the same time, we'll be open normal hours and days at the old store. If nothing else, having little stock at the new shop means we'll have plenty of room for the opening party -- which will be epic.<br />
<br />
Over the following weeks we'll move the inventory over to Haight St. one section (or one part of a section) at a time. So, on the 1st of June you might come into the store on Valencia to discover that the Mystery section is empty 'cause it's been moved. Then a couple days later the used Horror section might be moved. And so on.<br />
<br />
Doing it that way has a bunch of advantages. It'll allow me time to get things finished off at the new shop if I'm not completely done by May (for example, the office is going to be just about the last thing that I build out at Haight St.) It'll mean that we won't have any days when we're closed for moving. We'll also have a lot of time at Valencia St. to let customers know that we're moving and where we're moving to. But probably most importantly it will give us time to sort out problems, in a well-considered and final way, as they come up at the new space rather than rushing to get things fixed "Right Now!"<br />
<br />
My best guess is that we'll be completely moved by the middle to end of June. We'll mark that with a "wake" for the old shop, and then lock the doors an' walk away.<br />
<br />
As you're probably imagining, there'll be a ton of work to do through June and so, if you've ever thought it would be fun to move a bookstore (pro tip: it's not but it certainly is an "experience"), we'll be letting people know via this newsletter when we're having a book packing party.<br />
<br />
Getting to this point has been the result of a huge effort from more people than I can count. The First 300 Sponsors who convinced us that we could stay open. All the sponsors through all the years after that kept supporting us and having faith in us. The professionals who helped make the building purchase work out (first and foremost among them, Dan Marshall and Lance Fulford of Compass Realty, who were willing to play along with my crazy scheme). The 50 people who had the belief and trust in us to make the loans on the building. The trades workers who have been so reasonable and easy to deal with. Even the city inspectors who have put up with my constant, dumb "I'm not a contractor; in fact I don't even play one on TV" antics. They all have played a vital part in getting us here.<br />
<br />
But, moreso than anyone else, my thanks for two sets of absolutely extraordinary people. First, the small crew of people who have volunteered their time, weekend after weekend, to getting the job done at Haight St. All together they have put literally thousands of hours into building our dream. The remarkable quality of the final product will be, in a large part, due to their efforts.<br />
<br />
And second, the outstanding staff of Borderlands Books and Cafe. In the first place, they made a business that people cared about enough to save. And, in the second place, they are so damn good at their jobs that I could (and can) take the time to get all this together. <br />
<br />
And this is the year that it happens.<br />
<br />
"For the rowers keep on rowing<br />
And they're certainly not showing<br />
Any signs that they are slowing."<br />
- R. Dahl<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for December, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
<br />
1. Strange Planet by Nathan Pyle<br />
2. Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer<br />
3. The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz<br />
4. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern<br />
5. The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman<br />
6. Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi<br />
7. Dune: Deluxe Edition by Frank Herbert<br />
8. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo<br />
9. Starsight by Brandon Sanderson<br />
10. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
3. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers<br />
4. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />
5. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers<br />
6. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
7. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
8. Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers<br />
9. The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
10. The Ninja Daughter by Tori Eldridge<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
2. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
3. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
4. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />
5. American Gods by Neil Gaiman<br />
6. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman<br />
7. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch<br />
8. Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
9. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert<br />
10. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, January 12th, at 5 pm to discuss PERSEPOLIS RISING by James S.A. Corey. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, January 19th, at 6 pm to discuss LA BELLE SAUVAGE (BOOK OF DUST VOLUME 1) by Philip Pullman. The book for February 16th is SENLIN ASCENDS by Josiah Bancroft. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Cecelia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson, Sunday, January 12th at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10, no one turned away for lack of funds.) Doors 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! The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson. The authors will schmooze & sign books after. Books available for sale courtesy of Borderlands Books. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated. Bar proceeds benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
Juliet Wade, MAZES OF POWER (DAW, Hardcover, $26.00) Saturday, February 8th at 3:00 pm - We're delighted to welcome local author Juliette Wade, showing off her debut novel MAZES OF POWER! From the book description: "The cavern city of Pelismara has stood for a thousand years. The Great Families of the nobility cling to the myths of their golden age while the city's technology wanes. When a fever strikes, and the Eminence dies, seventeen-year-old Tagaret is pushed to represent his Family in the competition for Heir to the Throne. To win would give him the power to rescue his mother from his abusive father, and marry the girl he loves. But the struggle for power distorts everything in this highly stratified society, and the fever is still loose among the inbred, susceptible nobles. Tagaret's sociopathic younger brother, Nekantor, is obsessed with their family's success. Nekantor is willing to exploit Tagaret, his mother, and her new servant Aloran to defeat their opponents. Can he be stopped? Should he be stopped? And will they recognize themselves after the struggle has changed them?" Join us to meet this up-and-coming author who is soon to be a superstar! Juliette will be in conversation with author Deborah J. Ross.<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Tracy Clark Flory, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu, Saturday, February 8th at 7:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted by the incredible Charlie Jane Anders, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup this month includes Tracy Clark Flory, Barbara Tomash, Juliette Wade, and Charles Yu! 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. http://www.writerswithdrinks.com/<br />
<br />
Sarah Gailey, UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED (Tor.com, Hardcover, $20.99) Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm - We couldn't be more excited to welcome Sarah Gailey, who will be showing off their brand-new novella UPRIGHT WOMEN WANTED! Jude can't stop raving about this book and we're convinced you'll love it, too. Here's the description from the publisher: "Esther is a stowaway. She's hidden herself away in the Librarian's book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her -- a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. Her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda. The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing." Join us to meet Sarah and hear all about your next favorite book!<br />
<br />
Katharine Kerr, SWORD OF FIRE (DAW, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, February 22nd at 5:00 pm - We're always happy to welcome the beloved Katharine Kerr to Borderlands! She's back with the first a new trilogy that will re-introduce readers to Deverry! From the book description: "The bards are the people’s voice -- and their sword. All over the kingdom of Deverry, the common people are demanding reform of the corrupt law courts. In Aberwyn, the situation catches fire when Gwerbret Ladoic, second in authority only to the High King, allows a bard to starve to death rather than hear their grievances. Guildwoman Alyssa, a student at the local scholars' collegium, and Lady Dovina, the gwerbret's own daughter, know that evidence exists to overthrow the so-called traditional legal system, if they can only get it into the right hands. The powerful lords will kill anyone who threatens their privileges. To retrieve the proof, Alyssa must make a dangerous journey that will either change her life forever -- or end it." Don't miss this near-legendary author at the height of her creative powers!<br />
<br />
Seanan McGuire, COME TUMBLING DOWN (Tor, Hardcover, $19.99) and IMAGINARY NUMBERS (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, February 29th at 6:00 pm - Details to come!<br />
<br />
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge unless otherwise stated. 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.<br />
<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />
Big thanks to David Fitzgerald for contributing news pieces this month!<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.comBorderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-38957780630886354582019-12-09T19:05:00.001-08:002019-12-09T19:05:56.983-08:00Dispatches from the Border, December 2019DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
DECEMBER, 2019<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers' of America Annual Holiday Party, Saturday December 7th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Meg Elison, Megan E. O'Keefe, Alvin Orloff, Amanda Rosenberg, Zoe Young, Olga Zilberbourg and fabulous guest host Maggie Tokuda-Hall! Saturday December 14th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
We're about to take our customary event hiatus until the New Year, but we'll be back in 2020 with dozens and dozens of fabulous authors, including Seanan McGuire, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, exciting debut author Juliette Wade in conversation with Deborah Ross, and many, many more!<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
-------<br />
<br />
* We're very sad to report the death of the incredible artist Gahan Wilson, who passed away at age 89. Read Neil Gaiman's loving tribute here: <a href="http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2019/11/gahan-wilson-born-dead-now-dead-again.html">http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2019/11/gahan-wilson-born-dead-now-dead-again.html</a><br />
<br />
* We're also sad to note that Dorothy "D.C." Fontana, author of several of the most beloved original "Star Trek episodes", passed away last month: <a href="http://www.treknews.net/2019/12/03/star-trek-writer-dorothy-dc-fontana-dead/">http://www.treknews.net/2019/12/03/star-trek-writer-dorothy-dc-fontana-dead/</a><br />
<br />
* Borderlands' owner Alan Beatts, along with The Booksmith's Christin Evans and Dog Eared & Alley Cat Books' owner Kate Rosenberger, will be participating in a panel on the state of bookshops and bookselling, including how the industry works, what issues are facing it, and the place and importance of bookshops in city life. The panel will take place Tuesday, January 28th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm at Manny's, 3092 16th Street, San Francisco. <a href="https://www.welcometomannys.com/">https://www.welcometomannys.com/</a><br />
<br />
* The best science fiction and fantasy books of 2019, according to Silivia Moreno-Garcia and Lavie Tidhar: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/the-best-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-of-2019/2019/11/21/96604448-ef65-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html">https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/the-best-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-of-2019/2019/11/21/96604448-ef65-11e9-8693-f487e46784aa_story.html</a><br />
<br />
* The original movie "Bladerunner" was set in November, 2019. Since it's no longer set in the future, here are a couple of interesting discussions about that: <a href="https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/movies/as-of-wednesday-blade-runner-is-no-longer-set-in-the-future">https://nationalpost.com/entertainment/movies/as-of-wednesday-blade-runner-is-no-longer-set-in-the-future</a> ; <a href="https://laist.com/2019/11/18/blade_runners_2019_los_angeles_then_now_future_past.php">https://laist.com/2019/11/18/blade_runners_2019_los_angeles_then_now_future_past.php</a><br />
<br />
* And, relatedly, dystopia meets Autopia with a museum exhibition of vehicles from dystopian movies including "Blade Runner" and "Mad Max: Fury Road": <a href="https://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/l-a-museum-opens-new-exhibit-of-dystopian-vehicles-fro-1834478920">https://paleofuture.gizmodo.com/l-a-museum-opens-new-exhibit-of-dystopian-vehicles-fro-1834478920</a><br />
<br />
* And lastly, speaking of dystopian vehicles, Tesla's recently-announced "Cyber Truck" has been receiving a lot of derision. Here's a satirical video about Tesla's new Triangulator, which turns anything in a boxy, pointy copy of itself: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StlhIiAgZIM">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StlhIiAgZIM</a><br />
<br />
* Author Claire Legrand is drawn to books containing characters described by that horrible, overused phrase "unlikeable female protagonists" - a.k.a., complex, flawed, human characters. This is why she loves these fantasy novels featuring girls and young women who don't much care if they're "likeable" or not: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/11/15/5-books-about-girls-who-dont-care-what-you-think-of-them/">https://www.tor.com/2019/11/15/5-books-about-girls-who-dont-care-what-you-think-of-them/</a><br />
<br />
* Seasonally important news, just in case you need to know how to kill Krampus: <a href="https://nowthisnews.com/videos/nerd/how-to-kill-krampus">https://nowthisnews.com/videos/nerd/how-to-kill-krampus</a><br />
<br />
* Love Baby Yoda, you must! <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/baby-yoda-internet/">https://www.wired.com/story/baby-yoda-internet/</a><br />
<br />
* Our RNA may have come from space! <a href="https://www.livescience.com/space-sugar-rode-rna-metoers.html">https://www.livescience.com/space-sugar-rode-rna-metoers.html</a><br />
<br />
* Neil Gaiman shares some early details on the upcoming "Sandman" TV series. Jude has been waiting for this to be turned into television since she was 15! <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/neil-gaiman-shares-some-early-details-on-the-upcoming-s-1840022235">https://io9.gizmodo.com/neil-gaiman-shares-some-early-details-on-the-upcoming-s-1840022235</a><br />
<br />
* The Flat Earth Society may have members all around the globe, but what is the Earth WAS flat? We'd all be very dead; here's why: <a href="https://www.livescience.com/what-if-flat-earth.html">https://www.livescience.com/what-if-flat-earth.html</a><br />
<br />
* A timely topic: immigration, migration, and the associated questions of belonging are rife in science fiction and fantasy, author Malka Older notes. Here are some of her favorites: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/11/20/6-speculative-fiction-books-about-migration/">https://www.tor.com/2019/11/20/6-speculative-fiction-books-about-migration/</a><br />
<br />
* The current king of weird eco-fiction, Jeff Vandermeer talks DEAD ASTRONAUTS, cool animals and more: <a href="https://www.bookbub.com/blog/jeff-vandermeer-interview-dead-astronauts">https://www.bookbub.com/blog/jeff-vandermeer-interview-dead-astronauts</a><br />
<br />
* An amazing and heartwarming new documentary from Screen Junkies (the mad geniuses behind Honest Trailers) about the greatest I-can't-believe-it's-not-Star Trek movie, "Galaxy Quest". No geek should miss it: <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/galaxy-quest-cast-warmly-recalls-1999-sci-fi-classic-in-new-documentary-never-surrender/">https://www.cnet.com/news/galaxy-quest-cast-warmly-recalls-1999-sci-fi-classic-in-new-documentary-never-surrender/</a><br />
<br />
* Because you know you want it, here is "Let it Go" sung in Klingon: <a href="https://www.handitv.com/stories/let-it-go-sung-entirely-in-klingon">https://www.handitv.com/stories/let-it-go-sung-entirely-in-klingon</a><br />
<br />
* Relatedly, "Frozen 2" now has the biggest global debut of any animated film, ever: <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/frozen-2-now-has-the-biggest-global-debut-of-any-animat-1840021985">https://io9.gizmodo.com/frozen-2-now-has-the-biggest-global-debut-of-any-animat-1840021985</a><br />
<br />
* I think at one point or another, we've all asked ourselves: what if our planet suddenly turned into an Earth-size pile of blueberries? This is science. <a href="https://www.livescience.com/63224-blueberry-earth.html">https://www.livescience.com/63224-blueberry-earth.html</a><br />
<br />
* Leonardo Da Vinci's best ideas: <a href="https://www.livescience.com/11329-leonardo-da-vinci-10-ideas.html">https://www.livescience.com/11329-leonardo-da-vinci-10-ideas.html</a><br />
<br />
* As if a single black hole the size of ninety millions suns wasn't mind-blowing enough, here's one colliding with two other black holes. . . . (!): <a href="https://news.yahoo.com/hidden-black-hole-the-size-of-90-million-suns-spotted-colliding-with-two-others-184611811.html">https://news.yahoo.com/hidden-black-hole-the-size-of-90-million-suns-spotted-colliding-with-two-others-184611811.html</a><br />
<br />
* File this under "We can't do this here, and that's okay" - hair freezing contests: <a href="https://www.buzznick.com/hair-freezing-contest/">https://www.buzznick.com/hair-freezing-contest/</a><br />
<br />
* Richard Silver's panoramic photos turn cathedrals into beautiful, science-fictional, fractal works of art: <a href="https://themindcircle.com/vertical-panoramic-churches/">https://themindcircle.com/vertical-panoramic-churches/</a><br />
<br />
* The Saturday Evening Post lists their picks for the 7 Greatest American Horror Novels: <a href="https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2019/10/7-greatest-modern-american-horror-novels/">https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2019/10/7-greatest-modern-american-horror-novels/</a><br />
<br />
* H.R. Giger + Martha Stewart = Giant Gingerbread Xenomorph: <a href="https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2019/11/29/this-gigantic-gingerbread-alien-xenomorph-is-glorious-beyond-measure/">https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2019/11/29/this-gigantic-gingerbread-alien-xenomorph-is-glorious-beyond-measure/</a><br />
<br />
* Holy Cthulhu! This new Lovecraft movie will be the first in a trilogy! <a href="https://www.horrornews.com/horror-news/holy-cthulu-new-lovecraft-movie-will-be-first-in-trilogy/">https://www.horrornews.com/horror-news/holy-cthulu-new-lovecraft-movie-will-be-first-in-trilogy/</a><br />
<br />
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Borderlands' Opinionated Holiday Gift Guide<br />
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<br />
Welcome to December! We've finally gotten our winter weather -- as a life-long, drought-hardened Californian, I have a superstitious aversion to _ever_ complaining about the rain -- and this is the perfect time to curl up with a good book yourself, or gift one to someone dear to you. Personally this year has been a very difficult one, and I will be glad to see the back of it -- but that means it's even more important to celebrate the good things we have and the friends and family we love; hatch, and feather, as Becky Chambers would say.<br />
<br />
Those of you who have been around a while know that I always do an opinionated and rambling gift guide for December, and this year is no exception. I am excited to call your attention to just a few of the myriad cool and unexpected things we have in the store. However, if you don't see something appropriate here, we're always happy to make custom suggestions for you or anyone in your life. We'll even wrap 'em for you! (A special note to those of you purchasing presents: we're glad to gift wrap upon request, although our typical caveats apply: first, if we're busy, you may have to wait a bit to have things wrapped, and, second, some staff members are MUCH better than others at it. It is vaguely possible that your package may resemble a brightly wrapped Lovecraft-ian, batrachian, rugose, Thing of No Human Shape. For some customers, this is not a problem . . ."better than I can do!," they say. However, if you are concerned about our, ahem, abilities, we're also happy to just hand you the gift wrap, scissors and tape.) Now, onward!<br />
<br />
First, so many marvelous signed books! Charlie Jane Anders, Gail Carriger, Becky Chambers, Richard Kadrey, Seanan McGuire, Christopher Moore, Annalee Newitz, Rudy Rucker, and Brent Weeks were all here recently, and we have lots of their signed stock for your gifting pleasure. Additionally, we have signed copies of the exceptional short-story collection FULL THROTTLE by Joe Hill and A LITTLE HATRED by Joe Abercrombie (one of my favorite grim-dark fantasies of the last year, although truthfully not as dark as most of his earlier work). Lastly, we should shortly have copies of the absolutely stunning special signed leatherbound edition of Brandon Sanderson's WARBREAKER with tons of never-before-seen artwork.<br />
<br />
You'd like a classic, you say? No problem there -- there's a gorgeous new deluxe version of DUNE by Frank Herbert with the edges of the text block dyed a vivid blue, illustrated end papers and maps; two different lovely versions of THE PRINCESS BRIDE; an illustrated GOOD OMENS, and various hardcover classics like THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS by Ursula K. Le Guin, NEUROMANCER by William Gibson, STRANGER IN A STRANGE LAND by Robert Heinlein, a new-to-us UK tenth anniversary (!) hardcover edition of THE NAME OF THE WIND by Patrick Rothfuss, and many other fancy selections. Speaking of tenth anniversary editions (!), we also have the new hardcover ROSEMARY AND RUE anniversary edition by Seanan McGuire, and the illustrated anniversary edition of SOULLESS by Gail Carriger.<br />
<br />
Some of the staff's recent favorites are THE WANDERERS by Chuck Wendig, (an unusual and amazing story about an apocalyptic, mysterious phenomenon); THE SOL MAJESTIC by Ferrett Steinmetz, (a touching and tremendously sweet novel for the science-fiction-loving foodie in your life); THE IMAGINARY CORPSE by Tyler Hayes, (the very best book about a cuddly triceratops detective who solves crimes in a land of sort-of imaginary friends I've ever read, which is NOT damning with faint praise!), Sarah Kuhn's absolutely adorable Heroine Trilogy (starring some marvelous Asian-American superheroines in San Francisco) and REJOICE, A KNIFE TO THE HEART by Steven Erikson, (sort of like the most extraordinary, most intelligent take on "The Day the Earth Stood Still" you can possibly imagine).<br />
<br />
Some unexpected treasures for those folks who have read everything: IRONTOWN BLUES by John Varley; IN OTHER LANDS by Sarah Rees Brennan; HANNAH GREEN AND HER UNFEASIBLY MUNDANE EXISTENCE by Michael Marshall Smith, WINTER TIDE by Ruthann Emrys (this, along with Matt Ruff's LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, THE BALLAD OF BLACK TOM by Victor La Valle, and CARTER AND LOVECRAFT are my favorite recent extremely-unconventional takes on Lovecraft), and the Axiom Trilogy (THE WRONG STARS; THE DREAMING STARS; and THE FORBIDDEN STARS) by Tim Pratt, (my pick for fans of Becky Chambers).<br />
<br />
Creepy choices to keep you up at night: THE TWISTED ONES by T. Kingfisher, BEDFELLOW by Jeremy C. Shipp, THE FIFTH HOUSE OF THE HEART by Ben Tripp, SOMEONE LIKE ME by M.R. Carey, and PEACEABLE KINGDOM by Jack Ketchum.<br />
<br />
Absolutely kick-ass anthologies: A PEOPLE'S FUTURE OF THE UNITED STATES edited by John Joseph Adams and Victor La Valle; Hugo-award-winning WORLDS SEEN IN PASSING edited by Irene Gallo; THE MYTHIC DREAM edited by Dominik Parisien and Navah Wolfe; REDISCOVERY: SCIENCE FICTION BY WOMEN (1958 TO 1963) edited by Gideon Marcus; and LOST TRANSMISSIONS: THE SECRET HISTORY OF SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY edited by Desirina Boskovich.<br />
<br />
For the mystery lover in your life: THE CORONER'S LUNCH by Colin Cotterill (Alan and I both LOVE this series!); the Charles Lenox mysteries by Charles Finch that begin with A BEAUTIFUL BLUE DEATH; SECONDHAND SPIRITS, which begins Juliet Blackwell's sweetly cozy just-a-bit-paranormal series; classic DEVIL IN A BLUE DRESS by Walter Mosley; Barbara Hambly's excellent Benjamin January mysteries, which begin with A FREE MAN OF COLOR (you will fall in love with her characters); the suffocatingly dark LAST GOOD KISS by James Crumley; and Christopher Fowler's Peculiar Crimes mysteries, a series of funny, wonderful impossible-crime books starring two elderly detectives in London.<br />
<br />
Not brand-new but great and absolutely worth another look: PASSING STRANGE by Ellen Klages; SWORDSPOINT by Ellen Kushner; PANDEMONIUM by Daryl Gregory; WOMEN UP TO NO GOOD by Pat Murphy; ZOO CITY by Lauren Beukes; THE STEEL REMAINS by Richard Morgan.<br />
<br />
Not genre at all but we love 'em anyway: DIARY OF A BOOKSELLER by Shaun Bythell (side-splittingly hilarious; Alan and I both heartily recommend this one), THE YELLOW-LIGHTED BOOKSHOP by Lewis Buzbee (absolutely charming & perfect for any Bay Area book lover), THE SECRET HISTORIAN by Justin Spring (you will be stunned when you learn about the life of Samuel Steward, the most famous professor, Oakland tattoo artist, Kinsey test-subject, and sexual renegade you've never heard of), and CAPTIVE OF THE LABYRINTH by Mary Jo Ignoffo, (the captivating true story of Sarah Winchester, heiress to the rifle fortune who was falsely accused of madness, and architect of the famous Winchester House in San Jose).<br />
<br />
Other fun stuff: we just got in Nathan Pyle's adorable book of cartoons STRANGE PLANET (our bestselling hardcover last month!). We have creepy key tags for places like The Bates Motel, The Hotel California, The Overlook Hotel from THE SHINING, The Hotel Cortez from "American Horror Story", Cyberdyne Systems, and many others. New to us and oh-so-cool are little enamel pins for book lovers from Rather Keen <https://ratherkeen.com/collections/bookish-pins>: they say things like "The Book Was Better", "Sorry, I'm Booked", "I Like Big Books". . . and some that are "Star Wars"-inspired -- "One With the Force", "Fly Casual", and "I Have a Bad Feeling About This". We've recently gotten a new selection of fantastic blank journals, too -- everything from Cthuluhu to antique map images to beautiful Tiffany glass to The Unicorn Tapestry to pulp movie covers like "Attack of the 50 Foot Woman" <https://monkeyupatree.com/> to clever ones that say things on the covers like "Strange Ideas and Impure Thoughts", "I Regret Nothing", "Creative Ramblings of a Restless Mind", and many more.<br />
<br />
As always, we're happy to make personalized recommendations and practice our Psychic Bookseller Skills when you're stumped. If you just can't decide, we also offer gift certificates in any amount.<br />
<br />
Here's wishing you a happy, hopeful, and peaceful holiday season, and all the best for next year.<br />
<br />
- Jude Feldman<br />
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From The Office<br />
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<br />
After a monograph like Jude's Gift Guide, there doesn't seem to be much need for me to add a lot of extra verbiage here. Just two things to pass along.<br />
<br />
First, work continues at the new building. It's been slow going, mostly because some personal stuff had me in LA for about half of the last month. But . . . it is moving along. Rough electrical for the bathroom is done and will be inspected (and passed, I'm sure) on the 10th. Rough framing for the front passed inspection week before last and now we're working to get the surface finish done outside and the electrical done inside. Rough electrical for the main floor will probably happen this month and, because our electrician is great, should pass inspection this month as well. Once that's done there'll be a few other things to take care of in the ceiling (Cat 6 network cabling, audio cabling, and the lifting point of the trap door for the basement shop) and then I can get the sheetrock crew in to close it up. So, we're plugging right along.<br />
<br />
Second, this has been a rough year personally and, I think, a rough year for most Americans. For me, December is when it's easiest to get stressed out, feel rushed, and generally lose my sense of calm. Further, for many people, it's a month when it's easy to feel worried and, perhaps worst of all, isolated.<br />
<br />
This month, despite everything that is going on, I try to slow down, breathe and keep clear in my mind what is actually important. Most of all, I try to remember that the things that are getting my attention -- nasty weather, flashing lights, bad drivers, and the constant refrain of "Buy, buy, buy!" -- really aren't that significant at all. <br />
<br />
At the risk of sounding like a Hallmark card, what matters this month is exactly the same as every other month -- our friends, our family (whether by blood or by choice), our principals, and our dreams & goals. So, as we head into the end of 2019 and the end of the second decade of the 21st century; take care of yourselves, take care of your people, find calm within the noise and haste, and have a peaceful and happy holiday followed by a joyous New Year.<br />
<br />
Warmest Regards,<br />
Alan<br />
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Best Sellers<br />
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Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for November, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
<br />
1. Strange Planet by Nathan Pyle<br />
2. Rosemary and Rue 10th Anniversary Edition by Seanan McGuire<br />
3. The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz<br />
4. The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern<br />
5. Burning White by Brent Weeks<br />
6. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie<br />
7. The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman<br />
8. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo<br />
9. Dune: Deluxe Edition by Frank Herbert<br />
10. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers<br />
3. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />
4. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers<br />
5. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
6. The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
7. Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers<br />
8. The Ninja Daughter by Tori Eldridge<br />
9. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
10. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
2. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
3. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson<br />
4. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
5. The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi<br />
6. Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch<br />
7. Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
8. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire<br />
9. The Forbidden Stars by Tim Pratt<br />
10. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />
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Book Club Information<br />
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<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, November 8th, at 5 pm to discuss BATTLEFIELD EARTH by L. Ron Hubbard. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 15th, at 6 pm to discuss SHARDS OF HONOR by Lois McMaster Bujold. The book for January 19th is LA BELLE SAUVAGE -THE BOOK OF DUST VOL. 1 by Philip Pullman. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br />
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Upcoming Event Details<br />
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<br />
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers' of America Annual Holiday Party, Saturday December 7th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Join us and more than two dozen fabulous local mystery writers for a fun holiday party! There will be light refreshments and the chance to mingle with, and get books signed by, fantastic authors, including Susan Bickford, Cara Black, Dana Fredsti, Heather Haven, Gigi Pandian, Susan Shea, Kelli Stanley, Nancy Tingley, CJ Verburg & many others! Don't miss this opportunity to meet so many authors all at the same time in an informal setting, and enjoy a rousing kick-off to the party season!<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Meg Elison, Megan E. O'Keefe, Alvin Orloff, Amanda Rosenberg, Zoe Young, Olga Zilberbourg and fabulous guest host Maggie Tokuda-Hall! Saturday December 14th at 7:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted this month by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup this time includes Meg Elison, Megan E. O'Keefe, Alvin Orloff, Amanda Rosenberg, Zoe Young, and Olga Zilberbourg! 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.<br />
<br />
Borderlands event policy - all events are free of charge unless otherwise noted. 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.<br />
<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />
Special thanks to contributors David Fitzgerald and Madeleine Hubbert, who tracked down lots of December news!<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
*******Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-73744944146745653992019-11-21T21:50:00.000-08:002019-12-02T10:48:58.695-08:00Dispatches from the Border, November 2019DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
NOVEMBER, 2019<br />
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Upcoming Events<br />
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<br />
Tori Eldridge, NINJA DAUGHTER (Agora Books, Trade Paperback, $16.95) Sunday, November 24th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers' of America Holiday Party, Saturday, December 7th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks with authors Megan E. O'Keefe, Alvin Orloff, and Olga Zilberbourg, and fabulous guest host Maggie Tokuda-Hall! (At the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) Saturday, December 14th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
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News<br />
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<br />
* Overheard in the Store:<br />
<br />
"Pokemon should not make you feel funny in your pants-parts."<br />
<br />
"Finally, a bookstore with the _correct_ smell!"<br />
<br />
"Some fungi are only edible once."<br />
<br />
"If all else fails, use the parallel world."<br />
<br />
"The highest villain in the book is a giant bagpipe. Nothing could be more evil than a bagpipe."<br />
<br />
"I was ambushed, and she forcibly read her poetry at me."<br />
<br />
"If you're not pissing someone off, you're probably in PR."<br />
<br />
"Joel Selvin has covered pop music for the San Francisco Chronicle since shortly after the Civil War."<br />
<br />
"It's a book title - 'Consensual Cannibalism: An Atheist's Primer for Surviving the Apocalypse'."<br />
<br />
"Apparently it's the day of Hyper Aggressive Authors."<br />
<br />
* Big congratulations to all the nominees and winners of this year's World Fantasy Awards! <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/11/2019-world-fantasy-awards-winners/">https://locusmag.com/2019/11/2019-world-fantasy-awards-winners/</a><br />
<br />
* We are very sad to share news of the death of the incomparable Michael Blumlein. Michael was a Borderlands sponsor, a retired doctor, and an extremely talented genre author, but more importantly he was a brilliant, humorous, generous, and tremendously good human being with an enduring sense of wonder. He will be fiercely missed. <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/10/28/michael-blumlein-1948-2019/">https://www.tor.com/2019/10/28/michael-blumlein-1948-2019/</a><br />
<br />
* You can hear a podcast of Rudy Rucker's October 26th, 2019 event at Borderlands (including his touching tribute to Michael Blumlein) here: <a href="http://www.rudyrucker.com/blog/2019/10/28/podcast-110-million-mile-road-trip-memories-of-michael-blumein/">http://www.rudyrucker.com/blog/2019/10/28/podcast-110-million-mile-road-trip-memories-of-michael-blumein/</a><br />
<br />
* A lengthy article on how the amazing author John M. Ford fell into obscurity after his death. And guess what? His books are going to be reprinted!: <a href="https://slate.com/culture/2019/11/john-ford-science-fiction-fantasy-books.html">https://slate.com/culture/2019/11/john-ford-science-fiction-fantasy-books.html</a><br />
<br />
* John Varley's alien sex chart in WIZARD changed Annalee Newitz's life: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/11/20/the-sex-chart-that-changed-my-life-spectrums-of-sexuality-in-john-varleys-wizard/">https://www.tor.com/2019/11/20/the-sex-chart-that-changed-my-life-spectrums-of-sexuality-in-john-varleys-wizard/</a><br />
<br />
* Say, how big ARE Supermassive Black Holes? Big enough to crush our puny human brains: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgNDao7m41M">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgNDao7m41M</a><br />
<br />
* Golden Gate Bridge vs. asteroid? Florida vs. the Death Star? See who wins: <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/kevin-wisbith-a-quick-perspective">https://mymodernmet.com/kevin-wisbith-a-quick-perspective</a><br />
<br />
* A real-life Iron Man breaks a powered suit aerial speed record: <a href="https://nerdist.com/article/irl-iron-man-sets-jet-engine-powered-suit-speed-record/">https://nerdist.com/article/irl-iron-man-sets-jet-engine-powered-suit-speed-record/</a><br />
<br />
* Listen to a new, free China Mieville horror story on audiobook, "The Design": <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/10/29/listen-to-china-mievilles-the-design-a-free-audiobook-horror-story/">https://www.tor.com/2019/10/29/listen-to-china-mievilles-the-design-a-free-audiobook-horror-story/</a><br />
<br />
* Creepy tunnels under San Francisco: <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11782405/tunnels-under-san-francisco-inside-the-dark-dangerous-world-of-the-sewers">https://www.kqed.org/news/11782405/tunnels-under-san-francisco-inside-the-dark-dangerous-world-of-the-sewers</a><br />
<br />
* Your moment of quasicrystalline mind-wreckery for the day: <a href="https://laughingsquid.com/quasicrystal-hypnotic-animation/">https://laughingsquid.com/quasicrystal-hypnotic-animation/</a><br />
<br />
* Wisdom for aspiring artists from Moebius: <a href="http://www.openculture.com/2015/03/moebius-gives-18-wisdom-filled-tips-to-aspiring-artists-1996.html">http://www.openculture.com/2015/03/moebius-gives-18-wisdom-filled-tips-to-aspiring-artists-1996.html</a><br />
<br />
* An interesting article on "last words" -- what people actually say before they die: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/01/how-do-people-communicate-before-death/580303/">https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2019/01/how-do-people-communicate-before-death/580303/</a><br />
<br />
* They look like scenes from an ancient tomb, but they aren't. . . . they're macro shots taken inside instruments: <a href="https://arthusiast.art/amazing-macro-shots-taken-inside-instruments-by-adrian-borda/">https://arthusiast.art/amazing-macro-shots-taken-inside-instruments-by-adrian-borda/</a><br />
<br />
* An entertaining article on Charles Adams from The Long Island Press: <a href="https://www.longislandpress.com/2018/10/29/charles-addams-the-long-island-macabre-master-who-created-the-addams-family/">https://www.longislandpress.com/2018/10/29/charles-addams-the-long-island-macabre-master-who-created-the-addams-family/</a><br />
<br />
* A haunting Ted-Ed lesson written by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and animated by Jorge Jaramillo, explains how H.P. Lovecraft turned scientific discoveries of his time into the creepy fear of the unknown: <a href="https://laughingsquid.com/hp-lovecraft-fictional-terror/">https://laughingsquid.com/hp-lovecraft-fictional-terror/</a><br />
<br />
* A new study shows what people from one of the earliest civilizations on Earth may have looked like: <a href="https://weather.com/en-IN/india/science/news/2019-10-10-study-people-indus-valley-civilisation-faces-looked-like">https://weather.com/en-IN/india/science/news/2019-10-10-study-people-indus-valley-civilisation-faces-looked-like</a><br />
<br />
* We're sorry to report the death of Alexei Leonov, the first person to walk in space. Read a bit about that terrifying & history-making first spacewalk here: <a href="https://gizmodo.com/how-alexei-leonov-survived-the-harrowing-first-spacewal-1838980458">https://gizmodo.com/how-alexei-leonov-survived-the-harrowing-first-spacewal-1838980458</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
November Building Update<br />
<br />
The last month has been a good one for the construction but not particularly exciting, so this update is going to be kind of short. The rough plumbing is completed and passed inspection. Other than some less-than-esthetically-pleasing work in the lightwell, it's a really nice, clean job. And, it'll be easy enough for me to re-route the stuff in the lightwell so that it's not quite so . . . industrial . . . looking. Granted, I can understand why a plumber would want to run all the piping between waist and shoulder height -- it's easy to work at that level. But it doesn't really make for the best look, if you know what I mean.<br />
<br />
Antonius and Juan, our electricians, were in last week and the rough electrical for the bathroom is finished. We just need to get that inspected and then we can get to closing up the walls. With a little luck, I hope to have the bathroom completed by the end of next month.<br />
<br />
The framing for the front wall is also finished (big thanks to Zach for getting the last bits completed) and it passed inspection yesterday. We need to put a little bit of electrical in that wall and then we can start closing it as well. That job is going to be a bit long because of the complexity. Instead of just simple sheetrock like the bathroom, there's tile on the outside to do, plus an awful lot of windows to build. On the other hand, because that wall is mostly windows, once they are built and installed, most of the wall will be completed, both outside and in.<br />
<br />
Regarding that wall, I did some research about what sort of wood to use for the trim, casing, and other parts of the window frames and trim-work outside. I was looking for something that was hard (because of the wear and tear that a storefront gets on a busy street) and also rot resistant (because of the outside exposure). I was surprised to find that white oak is very resistant to rot and insects. It's right up there with redwood and is much, much harder. I was astonished to find the results of a test conducted by the USDA Forest Service in which they left completely untreated (i.e. no paint or sealer) wood samples outside in Wisconsin for 22 years. Over that time not one sample of white oak showed decay or fungal infection (https://www.fs.fed.us/t-d/bridges/documents/tdbp/decayres.pdf). Of course, white oak is expensive and hard to work but, if we can afford it, I hope to use that for the exterior woodwork for the front of the shop. It's sort of a shame to hide such a nice looking wood but, with a proper coat of primer and paint, I'm confident it'll last for at least 100 years.<br />
<br />
Finally, I met with Kevin Short, our architect, yesterday as well and we came up with the lighting plan for the main section of the store. After having guessed at that for both the current store and the cafe, it was really nice to work with someone who actually knew what they were doing. I think it's going to look great and give us plenty of light. The added plus is that, with that plan in hand, I can turn the electricians loose on that job. Once it's completed, we can get the ceiling closed, which is going to make the place look completely different.<br />
<br />
Bottom line, we're still plugging along and getting there, it's just been a little s-l-o-w this month.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for October, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
<br />
1. Burning White by Brent Weeks<br />
2. Angel Mage by Garth Nix<br />
3. The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman<br />
4. The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz<br />
5. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />
6. Turning Darkness Into Light by Marie Brennan<br />
7. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie<br />
8. The Institute by Stephen King<br />
9. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo<br />
10. The Grand Dark by Richard Kadrey<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers<br />
2. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
3. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
4. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers<br />
5. Perfect Specimen by M. Luke McDonell<br />
6. Million Mile Road Trip by Rudy Rucker<br />
7. Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />
8. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />
9. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
10. In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi<br />
2. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
3. Fallen by Benedict Jacka<br />
4. The Forbidden Stars by Tim Pratt<br />
5. The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi<br />
6. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
7. Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
8. American Gods by Neil Gaiman<br />
9. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />
10. Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 8th, at 5 pm to discuss BATTLEFIELD EARTH by L. Ron Hubbard. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, Decmeber, at 6 pm to discuss SHARDS OF HONOR by Lois McMaster Bujold. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Tori Eldridge, NINJA DAUGHTER (Agora Books, Trade Paperback, $16.95) Sunday, November 24th at 3:00 pm - We're happy to welcome author Tori Eldridge to Borderlands for her debut novel! "THE NINJA DAUGHTER is an action-packed thriller about a Chinese-Norwegian modern-day ninja with Joy Luck Club family issues who fights the Los Angeles Ukrainian mob, sex traffickers, and her own family to save two desperate women and an innocent child." Tori's own history is fascinating . . . from her bio, she is "a Honolulu-born thriller writer who challenges perspective and empowers the spirit. She holds a fifth-degree black belt in To-Shin Do Ninjutsu and has traveled the USA teaching seminars on the ninja arts, weapons, and women's self-protection." We hope you'll join us to meet Tori and check out this new thriller!<br />
<br />
Sisters in Crime / Mystery Writers' of America Holiday Party, Saturday, December 7th from 2:00 - 4:00 pm - Join us and more than two dozen fabulous local mystery writers for a fun holiday party! There will be light refreshments and the chance to mingle with, and get books signed by, fantastic authors! Don't miss this opportunity to meet so many authors all at the same time in an informal setting, and enjoy a rousing kick-off to the party season.<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks with authors Megan E. O'Keefe, Alvin Orloff, and Olga Zilberbourg, and fabulous guest host Maggie Tokuda-Hall! (At the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) Saturday, December 14th at 7:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, hosted this month by Maggie Tokuda-Hall, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup this month incldes Megan E. O'Keefe, Alvin Orloff, and Olga Zilberbourg! 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. <a href="http://www.writerswithdrinks.com/">http://www.writerswithdrinks.com/</a><br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />
(And big thanks to guest contributors David Fitzgerald and Madeleine Hubbard, who tracked down a bunch of news this month!)<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
*******Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-28882124773754255272019-10-10T22:00:00.001-07:002019-10-31T19:11:01.276-07:00Dispatches from the Border, October 2019DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
OCTOBER, 2019<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks with authors Marta Acosta, Imani Gandy, Dr. Jen Gunter, Vivian Ho, Nazelah Jamison, and Michelle Ruiz Keil (at the Make Out Room, The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco), Saturday, October 12th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
Litquake Litcrawl Phase 2, SF in SF Presents: Women Imagine Different Worlds with authors Lisa Goldstein, M. Luke McDonell, Pat Murphy, Madeleine Robins, and Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Saturday, October 19th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
Litquake Litcrawl Phase 3, Adventures in Crime and Time with authors Mark Coggins, Paul Drexler, Richard Kadrey, and Annalee Newitz Saturday, October 19th at 8:00 pm<br />
<br />
Brent Weeks, THE BURNING WHITE (Orbit, Hardcover, $30.00) Thursday, October 24th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Rudy Rucker, THE MILLION MILE ROAD TRIP (Nightshade Books, Trade Paperback, $14.99) Saturday, October 26th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
JUST ADDED! An Afternoon with N.K. Jemisin, Sunday, November 3rd at 3:00 pm <br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz, Sunday, November 10th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
An Evening with Seanan McGuire, Saturday, November 16th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Tori Eldridge, NINJA DAUGHTER (Agora Books, Trade Paperback, $16.95) Sunday, November 24th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
-------<br />
<br />
* Overheard in the Store:<br />
<br />
"At one point in history you could certainly read every science fiction & fantasy title that came out that year. Now you can't even read all the Seanan McGuire titles that come out in a year!"<br />
<br />
"What house are you in? Gryffindor? Like everybody. I'm in Slytherin, obviously."<br />
<br />
"It's low-level and hilarious vegan propaganda, TBH."<br />
<br />
"I just need to find an ancient Babylonian oatmeal recipe RIGHT NOW!"<br />
<br />
"I think it's really creative what this guy did with dried noodles."<br />
<br />
"Please don't kill people. It would be rude."<br />
<br />
"Tentacles are coming. Paint is drying."<br />
<br />
"As a friend of mine once sniffed, 'Suburban bondage'."<br />
<br />
"That's the name of my new punk band --'Stalin's Unicorns'."<br />
<br />
"This is the sort of book you put on your coffee table to find out who your real friends are."<br />
<br />
* Huge congratulations to Alex and JoAnne! Alex proposed to JoAnne at Borderlands on Tuesday, October 1st with a custom-made book that celebrates their story. We wish them a lifetime of happiness! You can see pictures of the happy couple (and that adorable book) on our Twitter feed, @borderlands_sf.<br />
<br />
* Bay News Rising talked to Alan about Borderlands' new building and discussed the difficulties of small businesses purchasing them: <a href="https://baynewsrising.org/2019/08/19/small-business-survival-tactic-own-your-own-building/">https://baynewsrising.org/2019/08/19/small-business-survival-tactic-own-your-own-building/</a><br />
<br />
* Author Tananarive Due discusses Octavia Butler: <a href="https://www.essence.com/entertainment/only-essence/octavia-butler-interview/">https://www.essence.com/entertainment/only-essence/octavia-butler-interview/</a> (And if you haven't read Due's story "Attachment Disorder" from A PEOPLE'S FUTURE OF THE UNITED STATES, you should do so as soon as possible. It's wonderful.)<br />
<br />
* Margaret Atwood reads: <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/09/04/754859270/first-read-hear-margaret-atwood-tell-the-tale-of-the-testaments">https://www.npr.org/2019/09/04/754859270/first-read-hear-margaret-atwood-tell-the-tale-of-the-testaments</a><br />
<br />
* Protect your books as folks did in the past: with horrifying curses! <a href="https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-to-protect-your-library-with-medieval-book-curses">https://getpocket.com/explore/item/how-to-protect-your-library-with-medieval-book-curses</a><br />
<br />
* Daniel Henney will play al'Lan Mandragoran in the upcoming "Wheel of Time" tv show: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/09/04/the-wheel-of-time-tv-show-daniel-henney-will-play-allan-mandragoran/">https://www.tor.com/2019/09/04/the-wheel-of-time-tv-show-daniel-henney-will-play-allan-mandragoran/</a><br />
<br />
* Cory Doctorow on "The Cold Equations" and Moral Hazard: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2014/03/cory-doctorow-cold-equations-and-moral-hazard/">https://locusmag.com/2014/03/cory-doctorow-cold-equations-and-moral-hazard/</a><br />
<br />
* Shamelessly using the Loch Ness Monster to interest people in biodiversity research: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/09/06/loch-ness-monster-is-still-mystery-scientists-have-some-new-evidence-theory/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2019/09/06/loch-ness-monster-is-still-mystery-scientists-have-some-new-evidence-theory/</a><br />
<br />
* How did we miss this?! Jonesy, the cat from "Alien", has his own book! Call or email if you'd like us to reserve or send you a copy. <a href="https://www.nme.com/news/cat-alien-getting-spin-off-jonesy-2392038">https://www.nme.com/news/cat-alien-getting-spin-off-jonesy-2392038</a><br />
<br />
* Check out this trailer for the new dystopian drama "See", with Jason Momoa. I'm not too sure about this one: <a href="https://www.tvguide.com/news/see-apple-tv-trailer-jason-momoa/">https://www.tvguide.com/news/see-apple-tv-trailer-jason-momoa/</a><br />
<br />
* Richard Dormer will play Sam Vimes in "The Watch", based on Terry Practhett's books! <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/09/11/vimes-bbc-america-casts-richard-dormer-in-terry-pratchett-series-the-watch/">https://www.tor.com/2019/09/11/vimes-bbc-america-casts-richard-dormer-in-terry-pratchett-series-the-watch/</a><br />
<br />
* A thoughtful & entertaining article from The Smithsonian about how how the Rocky & Bullwinkle Show taught kids sophisticated political satire: <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-bullwinkle-taught-kids-sophisticated-political-satire-180964803/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/how-bullwinkle-taught-kids-sophisticated-political-satire-180964803/</a><br />
<br />
* Employee Maddy told me about this amazing WPA program I'd never heard of; kick-ass female librarians on horseback! <a href="https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/">https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/horse-riding-librarians-were-great-depression-bookmobiles-180963786/</a><br />
<br />
* Green Apple has bought Browser Books: <a href="https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3576#m45794">https://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=3576#m45794</a><br />
<br />
* A fascinating introduction to Elizabeth Friedman, cryptography pioneer: <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2018/09/06/the-woman-who-smashed-codes-elizebeth-friedman/">https://www.brainpickings.org/2018/09/06/the-woman-who-smashed-codes-elizebeth-friedman/</a><br />
<br />
* Once we stopping gasping & choking over the fact that the "Scooby-Doo" cartoon is FIFTY YEARS OLD, this was a really interesting article: <a href="https://crimereads.com/50-years-ago-scooby-doo-was-the-perfect-weird-hopeful-mystery-series-1969-needed/">https://crimereads.com/50-years-ago-scooby-doo-was-the-perfect-weird-hopeful-mystery-series-1969-needed/</a><br />
<br />
* Manuscript critique from Mary Robinette Kowal: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/posts/manuscript-arent-11552026">https://www.patreon.com/posts/manuscript-arent-11552026</a><br />
<br />
* Our friends Gavin Grant & Kelly Link, who also happen to be the publishers of Small Beer Press, are opening a bookstore! Huge congratulations to them! <a href="https://www.bookweb.org/news/author-kelly-link-gavin-j-grant-open-book-moon-easthampton-massachusetts-574432">https://www.bookweb.org/news/author-kelly-link-gavin-j-grant-open-book-moon-easthampton-massachusetts-574432</a><br />
<br />
* Check out the chapter icons from the new Robert Jordan book: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/09/25/get-a-detailed-look-at-the-chapter-icons-in-robert-jordans-new-book-warrior-of-the-altaii/">https://www.tor.com/2019/09/25/get-a-detailed-look-at-the-chapter-icons-in-robert-jordans-new-book-warrior-of-the-altaii/</a><br />
<br />
* A warm welcome to the Mission's newest comic shop, Hella Novella! <a href="https://missionlocal.org/2019/09/comically-tiny-comic-book-shop-opening-up-in-the-mission/">https://missionlocal.org/2019/09/comically-tiny-comic-book-shop-opening-up-in-the-mission/</a><br />
<br />
* An old (2013) but still fascinating article written by undertaker, about changing trends in funeral customs and how the actual dead bodies are disappearing from funerals: <a href="https://aeon.co/essays/a-funeral-without-a-body-is-no-way-to-mourn">https://aeon.co/essays/a-funeral-without-a-body-is-no-way-to-mourn</a><br />
<br />
* The BBC presents former cult books that have fallen out of favor: <a href="http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20190920-the-cult-books-that-lost-their-cool">http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20190920-the-cult-books-that-lost-their-cool</a><br />
<br />
* Scientists are finally starting to understand "ballooning" -- the way in which spiders can kinda-sorta fly: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/the-electric-flight-of-spiders/564437/">https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/the-electric-flight-of-spiders/564437/</a><br />
<br />
* In this article from last year, Fast Company speculates on the future of food. I don't know about you, but most of this sounds pretty dystopian to me: <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90222618/what-the-future-of-food-will-look-like-in-2038?cid=search">https://www.fastcompany.com/90222618/what-the-future-of-food-will-look-like-in-2038?cid=search</a><br />
<br />
* Artist Banksy has "opened" a dystopian housewares store (actually a temporary installation) called "Gross Domestic Product": <a href="https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2019/10/gross-domestic-product/">https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2019/10/gross-domestic-product/</a><br />
<br />
* Leigh Bardugo shares the cast list and first cast photo from the upcoming "Shadow and Bone" adaptation: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/10/02/leigh-bardugo-shares-cast-list-and-first-cast-photo-of-netflixs-upcoming-shadow-and-bone-adaptation/">https://www.tor.com/2019/10/02/leigh-bardugo-shares-cast-list-and-first-cast-photo-of-netflixs-upcoming-shadow-and-bone-adaptation/</a><br />
<br />
* Find your necromancy family among the houses of GIDEON THE NINTH! <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/09/20/find-your-necromancy-family-among-the-houses-of-gideon-the-ninth/">https://www.tor.com/2019/09/20/find-your-necromancy-family-among-the-houses-of-gideon-the-ninth/</a><br />
<br />
* The secret meanings behind the beasts in a medieval menagerie from Atlas Obscura: <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/medieval-bestiary-allegories">https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/medieval-bestiary-allegories</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
It's been a very busy month at the new building on Haight St. I'll get to all the details in a second but I've got a bigger piece of news. I finally decided when (roughly) we're going to move.<br />
<br />
I'm aiming to have us up and running at the new building by Spring of next year. Specifically, by May. That is, granted, a long way off from now but at least there's a date. Or, at least a month.<br />
<br />
Why so long? Well, here's the thing -- we need to get the two big jobs finished (the bathroom and the new front wall). Both are pretty far along but, once that's done, there's still quite a lot to do. I'd like to get the basement office in reasonable shape because trying to do that after we've moved would just be a whole lot of not-fun. Also, there are some bits and pieces of work that will also need doing (reworking the stairway to the basement, getting the final electrical in place, and so on). But the big one is building the shelves. There are quite a lot of them to build and, speaking from experience, that's a time-consuming process. Plus, there are bound to be delays as we go. So yeah, I think that May is about right. We'll see if that lasts, eh?<br />
<br />
In terms of what's been done since you last heard from me:<br />
<br />
The electrical overhaul is complete. Last week the electricians replaced the two breaker panels for the upstairs apartments and so that job is complete, pending inspections. That also means that the old, might-burn-the-building-down breakers are gone, gone, gone. In addition to my feeling of relief about that, it should mean we can get an insurance policy for the building that will be a good deal cheaper than what we have now. <br />
<br />
The rough plumbing is nearly complete. This isn't just the new plumbing for the bathroom: since we had time and opportunity, we also replaced all the 100+ year-old drain pipes. They were in surprisingly good shape, considering, but there were still a number of places where half the thickness of the pipe walls had rusted away. So, probably good to have that done. We also replaced and rerouted all the gas lines and the water lines. In fact, since the sidewalk replacement schedule worked out (more about that in a moment), we were able to upgrade both services. The original water supplies were 3/4" for the store and 1" for the apartments. They're now 1" and 1 1/2" respectively. The gas lines were similarly sized, but we stepped all three of them up to 1 1/4". That means there is sufficient gas supply to run on-demand water heaters for both apartments and plenty of gas for out-door heaters for the garden. Bottom line, all the important plumbing services for the whole building are brand new, stem to stern. When you add in the electrical upgrades, new roof, and the structural work that we've done, pretty much all the fundamental systems in the building are in top shape and should be trouble-free for decades to come.<br />
<br />
Speaking of fundamental stuff. The sidewalk replacement was completed last week as well. It looks really great and, because we got the work on the front of the building completed (just in time, as it turns out), the sidewalk comes right up to the front framing and matches the level of the entry just about perfectly. It was really hard to get all the scheduling to work out, but the product is excellent.<br />
<br />
Finally, since the plumbers needed to do work in the lightwell area, those walls have been almost completely closed and should be finished this week. I'll also be completing the roof over the bathroom extension so the whole place with be sealed up against weather and rain, just in time for winter.<br />
<br />
After the lightwell walls are completed, the next steps will be to finish the final bits of framing on the front (it's only three pieces of wood, actually, but I just have not had time to put them in) and then get the framing inspection for that. Also, once the rough plumbing is finished, there will be a little bit of electrical work to do in the bathroom and then it'll be time to close those walls, lay the tile, and then get the final plumbing and electrical work done.<br />
<br />
It's going to be another busy month, but I think we'll be getting a lot done. <br />
<br />
- Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for September, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
<br />
1. The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz<br />
2. Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir<br />
3. The Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire<br />
4. The Testaments by Margaret Atwood<br />
5. A Little Hatred by Joe Abercrombie<br />
6. Jade War by Fonda Lee<br />
7. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone<br />
8. The Institute by Stephen King<br />
9. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
10. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers<br />
2. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
3. Time Shards: Shatter War by Dana Fredsti and David Fitzgerald<br />
4. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
5. Velocity Weapon by Megan E. O'Keefe<br />
6. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
7. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
8. Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />
9. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
10. The Dark Forest by Liu Cixin, translated by Joel Martinsen<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
<br />
1. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
2. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
3. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
4. Empire of Silence by Christopher Ruocchio<br />
5. American Gods by Neil Gaiman<br />
6. Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
7. Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
8. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />
9. Eye of the World by Robert Jordan<br />
10. Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, October 13th, at 5 pm to discuss THE COLLAPSING EMPIRE by John Scalzi. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, October 20th, at 6 pm to discuss HOMINIDS by Robert Sawyer. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks with authors Marta Acosta, Imani Gandy, Dr. Jen Gunter, Vivian Ho, Nazelah Jamison, and Michelle Ruiz Keil (at the Make Out Room, The Make Out Room, 3225 22nd St, San Francisco), Saturday, October 12th 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 this month includes Marta Acosta, Imani Gandy, Dr. Jen Gunter, Vivian Ho, Nazelah Jamison, and Michelle Ruiz Keil. 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.<br />
<br />
Litquake LitCrawl Phase 2, SF in SF Presents: Women Imagine Different Worlds with authors Lisa Goldstein, M. Luke McDonell, Pat Murphy, Madeleine Robins, and Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Saturday, October 19th at 6:30 pm - We are delighted to once again take part in one of the most exciting literary events in San Francisco - the LitCrawl. This is a three-hour pub-crawl-style literary event with dozens of venues and hundreds of authors, all taking place right here in the Mission District. In the past we've had events in both the bookstore and the cafe, but this year (lacking the Cafe) we're doing back-to-back bookstore events! Phase 2: "For over a decade SF in SF has offered readings, films, and special events in the Bay Area for readers of science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction. Usually hosted by Terry Bisson, past guests have included Connie Willis, George R. R. Martin, Jeffrey Ford, Daryl Gregory, Cecil Castellucci, Ben Loory, Gene Wolfe, Laurie King, Nancy Kress, Lev Grossman, Samuel R. Delany, Carol Emshwiller, Charlie Jane Anders, Patrick Rothfuss, Gail Carriger, Cory Doctorow, Peter S. Beagle, and many others." This event will feature women authors from the event series.<br />
<br />
Litquake LitCrawl Phase 3, Adventures in Crime and Time with authors Mark Coggins, Paul Drexler, Richard Kadrey, and Annalee Newitz Saturday, October 19th at 8:00 pm - We're happy to host four fantastic authors whose work will range from noir science fiction to true & fictional crime to time travel escapades!<br />
<br />
Brent Weeks, THE BURNING WHITE (Orbit, Hardcover, $30.00) Thursday, October 24th at 6:00 pm - We're are always excited to welcome the delightful Brent Weeks back to Borderlands, and particularly this time -- for the long-awaited fifth and final volume of the Lightbringer sequence, THE BURNING WHITE! We hope you'll join us to meet Brent and celebrate the last installment of this epic series!<br />
<br />
Rudy Rucker, THE SECRET OF LIFE (Nightshade Books, Trade Paperback, $14.99) Saturday, October 26th at 3:00 pm - It's always a treat to welcome the quirky and irrepressible genius Rudy Rucker to the store! Rudy is an author, artist, mathematician and one of the godfathers of Cyberpunk. Join us to check out the release of his new novel THE MILLION MILE ROAD TRIP, and celebrate the reprints of a few other titles! Meantime, definitely read this fabulously fun NPR review for the new book: https://www.npr.org/2019/05/19/724130325/buckle-up-for-this-million-mile-road-trip<br />
<br />
JUST ADDED! An Afternoon with N.K. Jemisin, Sunday, November 3rd at 3:00 pm -
Borderlands Books is absolutely thrilled to present "An Afternoon with
N.K. Jemisin"! Join us for the rare opportunity to hear this historic,
multiple-Hugo-Award-winner as she shares her talent, wit and wisdom with
fans old and new, and get your books signed. As always, you may call
ahead to reserve a copy of any of her in-print books including the
recently-released trade paperback version of her short story collection
HOW LONG ‘TIL BLACK FUTURE MONTH? You don't want to miss this one! <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Because
a lot of people may want to attend, we can't promise that we'll be able
to accommodate everyone inside the store. Entry and seating will be
ticketed and on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll be able to
pick up a ticket (maximum of two per person) starting at noon on the day
of the event. There is no charge and no purchase required for a ticket.
The store will be emptied one hour before the event to allow for us to
set up. Once we're set up, we'll let people back in based on their
ticket number. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee seats.</span><br style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">In
case you don't get here early enough to get into the event, we are
hoping that Ms. Jemisin will be able to stay long enough to get
everyone's books signed after she speaks. We should be able to confirm
this by Saturday.</span><br style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><br style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">If
you won't be able to attend the event but would still like to get a
signed or inscribed copy of one of Ms. Jemisin's books, just drop us an
email or give a call and we'll take care of it for you. You can pick up
your book(s) at the store after the event or we can mail them to you.</span></span></span> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times-Roman; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></span><br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz, Sunday, November 10th 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 authors Charlie Jane Anders and Annalee Newitz! 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.<br />
<br />
An Evening with Seanan McGuire, Saturday, November 16th at 6:00 pm - We're always thrilled to welcome formerly-local author Seanan McGuire to Borderlands! The astonishingly prolific Seanan has FOUR recent books out -- IN THE SHADOW OF SPINDRIFT HOUSE (as Mira Grant); THE UNKINDEST TIDE (the newest October Daye book); the fancy tenth anniversary (!) hardcover edition of ROSEMARY AND RUE; and the incredible new short story collection LAUGHTER AT THE ACADEMY. Join us to meet Seanan, have books signed, and be regaled with tales funny, strange, and distressing. Feel free to bring baked goods to share if you like!<br />
<br />
Tori Eldridge, NINJA DAUGHTER (Agora Books, Trade Paperback, $16.95) Sunday, November 24th at 3:00 pm - We're happy to welcome author Tori Eldridge to Borderlands for her debut novel! "THE NINJA DAUGHTER is an action-packed thriller about a Chinese-Norwegian modern-day ninja with Joy Luck Club family issues who fights the Los Angeles Ukrainian mob, sex traffickers, and her own family to save two desperate women and an innocent child." Tori's own history is fascinating. . . from her bio, she is "a Honolulu-born thriller writer who challenges perspective and empowers the spirit. She holds a fifth-degree black belt in To-Shin Do Ninjutsu and has traveled the USA teaching seminars on the ninja arts, weapons, and women's self-protection." We hope you'll join us to meet Tori and check out this new thriller!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
*******Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-51040330478448458132019-09-04T22:10:00.002-07:002019-09-08T13:01:46.088-07:00Dispatches from the Border, September 2019DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
SEPTEMBER, 2019<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
Tyler Hayes, THE IMAGINARY CORPSE (Angry Robot, Trade Paperback, $12.99) Tuesday, September 10th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Informal signing with D.J. Butler (WITCHY KINGDOM, Baen, Hardcover, $25.00) Christopher Husberg (FEAR THE STARS, Titan Books, Trade Paperback, $14.95) and Christopher Ruocchio (THE HOWLING DARK, DAW, Hardcover, $27.00) Thursday, September 12th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Fonda Lee, JADE WAR (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) with Megan E. O'Keefe (VELOCITY WEAPON, Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, September 14th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Chad Stroup, SEXY LEPER (Bizarro Pulp Press, Trade Paperback, $13.95) Sunday, September 15th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina, San Francisco) with authors Christopher Brown and Hannu Rajaniemi, Sunday, September 15th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
Dana Fredsti & David Fitzgerald, TIME SHARDS: SHATTER WAR (Titan Books, Trade Paperback, $14.95) Saturday, September 28th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Annalee Newitz, THE FUTURE OF ANOTHER TIMELINE (Tor Books, Hardcover, $26.99) Sunday, September 29th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina, San Francisco) with author Garth Nix, Wednesday, October 2nd at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
Marie Brennan, TURNING DARKNESS INTO LIGHT (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, October 5th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
And coming up in the Fall, stay turned for more Writers With Drinks, the fabulous Litquake Lit Crawl, Rudy Rucker, Brent Weeks, and many more excellent authors!<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
-------<br />
<br />
* Overheard in the Store:<br />
<br />
"Don't worry, it only _looks_ haunted."<br />
<br />
"It didn't actually end, it just ran out of chapters.”<br />
<br />
"Like I'd let some wimpy ghost best me in a fight. I will die by the hands of Al Capone's fat ghost or I will NEVER DIE."<br />
<br />
"There are two kinds of people in the world: those who can extrapolate from incomplete data."<br />
<br />
"I really wish there was someone smarter than me around to deal with it."<br />
"I understand, but sometimes being a grownup means you're all the smart you’ve got, and you just have to do your best."<br />
<br />
* Dell Magazines has elected to change the name of the John W. Campbell Award to The Astounding Award for Best New Writer, following Jeannette Ng's award acceptance speech at the Hugos, and much discussion in the field: <a href="https://theastoundinganalogcompanion.com/2019/08/27/a-statement-from-the-editor/">https://theastoundinganalogcompanion.com/2019/08/27/a-statement-from-the-editor/</a> . (The full text of Ms. Ng's speech is here, if you missed it: <a href="https://medium.com/@nettlefish/john-w-campbell-for-whom-this-award-was-named-was-a-fascist-f693323d3293">https://medium.com/@nettlefish/john-w-campbell-for-whom-this-award-was-named-was-a-fascist-f693323d3293</a>)<br />
<br />
* Congratulations to all of the Hugo Award nominees and winners! <a href="http://www.thehugoawards.org/">http://www.thehugoawards.org/</a><br />
<br />
* A crashed Israeli lunar lander accidentally scattered microscopic "water bears" on the moon: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/a-crashed-israeli-lunar-lander-spilled-tardigrades-on-the-moon/">https://www.wired.com/story/a-crashed-israeli-lunar-lander-spilled-tardigrades-on-the-moon/</a><br />
<br />
* Thanks to sponsor Gary C. for sending the link to this fascinating article about feminism in the 1905 science fiction short story "Sultana's Dream": <a href="https://www.ladyscience.com/features/feminist-visions-science-fiction-utopia-rokeya-hossain">https://www.ladyscience.com/features/feminist-visions-science-fiction-utopia-rokeya-hossain</a><br />
<br />
* Last month we asked if you have suggestions for science fiction television shows to watch since "Westworld" is drawing to an end. Reader AL responds: "I would suggest DARK, having recently finished watching its second season. It pushes all of my Twin Peaks/X-Files/Lost/Fringe/Westworld/The OA buttons, but does a better job than any of those, I feel, at answering the questions it poses. (But it still keeps asking more, which is all to the good.)"<br />
<br />
* If you happen to be in Boston and can splurge a bit for a good cause and a fascinating evening, Maggie Schpak -- emeritus Star Trek jeweler and prop-maker -- will be making a rare public appearance discussing her career and telling stories. Proceeds benefit Artisan's Asylum. The event will be followed by a reception and raffle for Star Trek collectibles! <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talk-alien-adornment-50-years-of-star-trek-jewelry-tickets-67601284261">https://www.eventbrite.com/e/talk-alien-adornment-50-years-of-star-trek-jewelry-tickets-67601284261</a><br />
<br />
* Bookselling This Week reported that N.K. Jemisin will be the spokesperson this year for Indies First, the campaign supporting independent bookstores that takes place on Small Business Saturday (November 30th, 2019): <a href="http://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3508467Biz41565009">http://www.shelf-awareness.com/ct/uz3508467Biz41565009</a><br />
<br />
* While we're discussing the fabulous Ms. Jemisin, check out an early peek at her new novel THE CITY WE BECAME: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/08/29/heres-a-first-look-at-n-k-jemisins-new-novel-the-city-we-became/">https://www.tor.com/2019/08/29/heres-a-first-look-at-n-k-jemisins-new-novel-the-city-we-became/</a><br />
<br />
* All the states of matter we didn't know existed, according to Popular Mechanics: <a href="https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/g28728445/other-states-of-matter/">https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/g28728445/other-states-of-matter/</a><br />
<br />
* The magical phone of the future that never was, or, a cautionary tale about crowdfunding: <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/13/20758599/idealfuture-dragonfly-futurefon-indiegogo-crowdfunding-phone-scam-fraud-case">https://www.theverge.com/2019/8/13/20758599/idealfuture-dragonfly-futurefon-indiegogo-crowdfunding-phone-scam-fraud-case</a><br />
<br />
* Bookstores to visit on your next road trip: <a href="https://www.outsideonline.com/2344391/adventure-town-bookstores">https://www.outsideonline.com/2344391/adventure-town-bookstores</a><br />
<br />
* Living longer, and possibly forever: <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614078/transhumanists-live-forever/">https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614078/transhumanists-live-forever/</a><br />
<br />
* Do your books spark joy? (Gosh, we hope so!) <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/marie-kondo-bibliophiles-books-decluttering-tidying-a8864926.html">https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/marie-kondo-bibliophiles-books-decluttering-tidying-a8864926.html</a><br />
<br />
* Zeppelins! <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/zeppelins-stopped-flying-after-hindenburg-disaster-now-scientists-want-bring-ncna1043911">https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/zeppelins-stopped-flying-after-hindenburg-disaster-now-scientists-want-bring-ncna1043911</a><br />
<br />
* Developing technology for older people that's not "beige and boring": <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614167/why-are-products-for-older-people-so-ugly/">https://www.technologyreview.com/s/614167/why-are-products-for-older-people-so-ugly/</a><br />
<br />
* An interesting article from The Guardian on social media, attention, and addiction: <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/aug/23/social-media-addiction-gambling">https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/aug/23/social-media-addiction-gambling</a><br />
<br />
* The future of AI & the importance of storytelling: <a href="http://nautil.us/issue/75/story/the-storytelling-computer">http://nautil.us/issue/75/story/the-storytelling-computer</a><br />
<br />
* Perhaps tangentially related; universities are using science fiction to teach ethics to computer scientists and engineers: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/how-we-learn-computer-science-ethics/">https://www.wired.com/story/how-we-learn-computer-science-ethics/</a><br />
<br />
* Another trailer from "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker"! - <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-trailer-d23/">https://www.wired.com/story/star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-trailer-d23/</a><br />
<br />
* Good news: there's a release date for Black Panther II! Bad news: it's really, really far away! <a href="https://www.inverse.com/article/54692-black-panther-2-release-date-trailer-cast-plot">https://www.inverse.com/article/54692-black-panther-2-release-date-trailer-cast-plot</a><br />
<br />
* A brief interview with Alan Bradley (author of the beloved Flavia de Luce mysteries): <a href="https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2019/01/25/to-alan-bradley-flavia-is-very-much-real.html">https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2019/01/25/to-alan-bradley-flavia-is-very-much-real.html</a><br />
<br />
* An article on the comfort of reading the same book (or watching the same media) repeatedly: <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/8/22/20826617/harry-potter-the-office-netflix-rewatching-binge-comfort-show">https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/8/22/20826617/harry-potter-the-office-netflix-rewatching-binge-comfort-show</a><br />
<br />
* NASA is investigating allegations of the first crime in space: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-49457912">https://www.bbc.com/news/world-49457912</a><br />
<br />
* Potential life on Proxima B (and similar planets) -- spoiler: it might glow!: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/08/alien-corals-exoplanet-stars/596854/">https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/08/alien-corals-exoplanet-stars/596854/</a><br />
<br />
* Gizmodo asks experts which animal they believe most likely to develop human-level intelligence: <a href="https://gizmodo.com/which-animal-will-develop-human-level-intelligence-in-t-1837573694">https://gizmodo.com/which-animal-will-develop-human-level-intelligence-in-t-1837573694</a><br />
<br />
* The Mandelorian Trailer and details! <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/star-wars-the-mandalorian-release-date-plot-cast-disney-plus-pedro-pascal-jon-favreau/">https://www.cnet.com/news/star-wars-the-mandalorian-release-date-plot-cast-disney-plus-pedro-pascal-jon-favreau/</a><br />
<br />
* Just when we thought it was over, there's more American Horror Story! Check out the trailer and details for American Horror Story: 1984 - <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/a-maniac-heads-to-summer-camp-in-the-screamingly-great-1837586511">https://io9.gizmodo.com/a-maniac-heads-to-summer-camp-in-the-screamingly-great-1837586511</a><br />
<br />
* Astrophysicists are still trying to figure out what's going on with these weird gravitational waves: <a href="https://gizmodo.com/mystery-deepens-around-newly-detected-ripples-in-space-1837581646">https://gizmodo.com/mystery-deepens-around-newly-detected-ripples-in-space-1837581646</a><br />
<br />
* Kit Harrington will play Marvel's Black Knight: <a href="https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/marvel/283025/eternals-who-is-black-knight">https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/marvel/283025/eternals-who-is-black-knight</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
Building Update<br />
<br />
Big news, in several ways, this month. First off, not only is the framing for the bathroom completed but, yesterday, I met with our structural engineer and he signed off on his final inspection. Which means that the whole, big, complicated structural job that we started over a year ago in the basement is completed, from an engineering standpoint. He said that it was a very nice job and that everything looked great.<br />
<br />
This is a big milestone not just for the obvious reasons but also because it marks the end of the section of the job that I had no experience doing. The blessedly innocent Alan of 2018 knew nothing of I-beams, steel-reinforced foundations, engineered lumber, or how to get a 400 lb. beam 13 feet in the air. He also never considered that he would not only be intimately familiar with the Simpson Company catalog, but that he would own his own dog-eared copy of it!<br />
<br />
So, at least for that job, we're out of my particular patch of woods. Now it's just coordinating the plumber and electrician (did that and got the T-shirt when we built out the cafe), hanging sheet-rock (which I hate exactly because I've done it so many damn times), finish carpentry (can do it in my sleep and, in fact, I have), and tile (which I don't do but . . . I know people -- Jim, I'm looking at you). It'll take time but it should be clear, easy, and straightforward work.<br />
<br />
The other piece of big news is that the other, how-the-hell-do-I-do-this? job -- putting in the beams and posts to frame the new front of the building -- is done as of Sunday. That job has a few wrinkles to smooth out still, but it should be pretty simple as well. That was just in time because, on Friday, I discovered that they are going to be replacing the sidewalk all along Haight Street over the next month. Since the current temporary wall that closes up the front of the building is built on top of the sidewalk they're going to replace, it's a very good thing that building the new front is moving along. Thankfully they're not going to get to our building 'til near the end of the process, so we've got about three weeks to have the new front built up enough that we can remove the temporary one. I'm pretty sure we can make it but it's going to be a long month for me until we're done.<br />
<br />
So, that's were we stand. There are many possible next steps, several of which can happen at the same time; get the rough plumbing done, get the front built, and, as soon as I'm cleared by the city inspector, start closing up the outside walls of the bathroom (inside walls will have to wait 'til the plumber is done with his work). I think that next month I'll have even more news of work completed. And, just possibly, an actual, informed guess about when we'll be moving.<br />
<br />
And how damn exciting is _that_?<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for August, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1. Reticence by Gail Carriger<br />
2. Exhalation by Ted Chiang<br />
3. Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton<br />
4. Fall; or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson<br />
5. Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey<br />
6. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone<br />
7. The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang<br />
8. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
9. Dark Age by Pierce Brown<br />
10. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
2. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
3. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
4. Velocity Weapon by Megan E. O'Keefe<br />
5. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
6. The Dark Forest by Liu Cixin, translated by Joel Martinsen<br />
7. The Power by Naomi Alderman<br />
8. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? By N.K. Jemisin<br />
9. Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />
10. The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
2. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
3. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
4. Eye of the World by Robert Jordan<br />
5. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
6. Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch<br />
7. Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
8. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />
9. American Gods by Neil Gaiman<br />
10. The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, September 8th, at 5 pm to discuss VICIOUS by V.E. Schwab. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, September 15th at 6 pm to discuss THE TRAITOR BARU COMORANT by Seth Dickinson. The book for October is HOMINIDS by Robert J. Sawyer. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Tyler Hayes, THE IMAGINARY CORPSE (Angry Robot, Trade Paperback, $12.99) Tuesday, September 10th at 6:00 pm - We're delighted to host the launch party for local author Tyler Hayes' debut, THE IMAGINARY CORPSE! Just check out the irresistible summary from the book: "A dinosaur detective in the land of unwanted ideas battles trauma, anxiety, and the first serial killer of imaginary friends. Most ideas fade away when we’re done with them. Some we love enough to become Real. But what about the ones we love, and walk away from? Tippy the triceratops was once a little girl’s imaginary friend, a dinosaur detective who could help her make sense of the world. But when her father died, Tippy fell into the Stillreal, the underbelly of the Imagination, where discarded ideas go when they’re too Real to disappear. Now, he passes time doing detective work for other unwanted ideas -- until Tippy runs into The Man in the Coat, a nightmare monster who can do the impossible: kill an idea permanently. Now Tippy must overcome his own trauma and solve the case, before there’s nothing left but imaginary corpses." Tyler will be in conversation with Leslie Light of Black Nerd Problems, and there will be cake and a raffle for an adorable plush Tippy! You REALLY don't want to miss this one.<br />
<br />
Informal signing with D.J. Butler (WITCHY KINGDOM, Baen, Hardcover, $25.00) Christopher Husberg (FEAR THE STARS, Titan Books, Trade Paperback, $14.95) and Christopher Ruocchio (THE HOWLING DARK, DAW, Hardcover, $27.00) Thursday, September 12th at 6:00 pm - Join us for a meet-and-greet signing with three fantastic up and coming authors!<br />
<br />
Fonda Lee, JADE WAR (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) with Megan E. O'Keefe (VELOCITY WEAPON, Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, September 14th at 3:00 pm - We're happy to welcome World Fantasy Award winner Fonda Lee to Borderlands! Ms. Lee will be presenting JADE WAR, the second novel in the Green Bone Series. (The first book in the series, JADE CITY, won that World Fantasy Award, and "was nominated for the Nebula Award and the Locus Award, and was named a Best Book of 2017 by NPR, Syfy Wire, and others".) Ms. Lee will be in conversation with fabulous local author Megan E. O'Keefe (VELOCITY WEAPON). We hope you'll join us to meet both authors and explore this epic and magical fantasy series!<br />
<br />
Chad Stroup, SEXY LEPER (Bizarro Pulp Press, Trade Paperback, $13.95) Sunday, September 15th at 3:00 pm - Join us for a pre-Halloween bizarro book event with Chad Stroup! From the book description: "It's Halloween in the Hollywood Hills, and Kat Dyer's going to have the sexiest costume for a night of shameless debauchery. However, Kat's plan is derailed when the costume shop screws up her order and gives her a costume that is the polar-opposite of sexy. Deciding it's better to be temporarily ugly and seen than beautiful and quickly forgotten, Kat attends the biggest party of the year, only to awaken with the strangest post-Halloween hangover ever: partygoers are transforming into the likenesses of the costumes they wore the night before. Meanwhile, a mysterious force begins to stalk and pick them off on by one. Kat and her friends must discover the cause of the horror, and what they find will haunt them forever."<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina, San Francisco) with authors Christopher Brown and Hannu Rajaniemi, Sunday, September 15th 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 authors Christopher Brown and Hannu Rajaniemi. 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.<br />
<br />
Dana Fredsti & David Fitzgerald, TIME SHARDS: SHATTER WAR (Titan Books, Trade Paperback, $14.95) Saturday, September 28th at 3:00 pm - Hometown favorites Dana Fredsti & David Fitzgerald present: SHATTER WAR, the thrilling sequel to TIME SHARDS! Earth's past, present, and future have shattered in "the Event," yielding a terrifying new world of prehistoric monsters, lost cultures, strange technologies, and displaced armies. Coming from different points throughout history, a desperate band of survivors join "Merlin," a mysterious figure who may be their only hope to save the world -- if he can be trusted. When their twenty-third-century ship the Vanuatu is sabotaged by an unknown enemy and thrown far off its course, the team must discover who is responsible, even as they are split apart and fight to survive in the war-torn Shard world. . . .<br />
<br />
Annalee Newitz, THE FUTURE OF ANOTHER TIMELINE (Tor Books, Hardcover, $26.99) Sunday, September 29th at 3:00 pm - We're always thrilled to welcome local author Annalee Newitz to the store! Here's some info about the new novel from the publisher: "In a modern-day United States just a step away from our own, time travel is possible -- in fact, it has existed for as long as humanity itself. Jumping into the past is simple, and scientists say that altering the timeline is almost impossible. But Tess, an idealistic geology professor, has figured out how to use time travel to try to undo a horrible injustice in the past whose effects are still being felt in her own time. Meanwhile, in 1992, teenage riot grrl Beth's ordinary life is about to become a tangle of toxic friendship and murder. And across the timeline, a secret war is brewing as a group of men attempt to destroy time travel. If they succeed, only a small elite will have the power to shape past, present, and future. Tess and Beth are part of this hidden war that stretches back millions of years. But with the help of unlikely allies from times past and times yet to come, they may be able to save each other -- and build a different future." We do hope you'll join us to meet Annalee and check out this awesome book!<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina, San Francisco) with author Garth Nix, Wednesday, October 2nd at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10.) Doors and bar at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm. A special mid-week SF in SF! We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! This time we're thrilled to welcome Garth Nix! The author will read a selection from his work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by Terry Bisson. Author 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.<br />
<br />
Marie Brennan, TURNING DARKNESS INTO LIGHT (Tor Books, Hardcover, $27.99) Saturday, October 5th at 3:00 pm - We're always happy to welcome local author Marie Brennan to Borderlands! Here's the cover copy from her new novel (featuring Lady Trent's granddaughter!), which she'll be showing off October 5th: "As the renowned granddaughter of Isabella Camherst (Lady Trent, of the riveting and daring Draconic adventure memoirs) Audrey Camherst has always known she, too, would want to make her scholarly mark upon a chosen field of study. When Lord Gleinleigh recruits Audrey to decipher a series of ancient tablets holding the secrets of the ancient Draconean civilization, she has no idea that her research will plunge her into an intricate conspiracy, one meant to incite rebellion and invoke war. Alongside dearest childhood friend and fellow archeologist Kudshayn, she must find proof of the conspiracy before it's too late. TURNING DARKNESS INTO LIGHT is a delightful fantasy of manners, the heir to the award-winning Natural History of Dragons series, a perfect stepping stone into an alternate Victorian-esque fantasy landscape."<br />
<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
-----------------------------<br />
Featured Upcoming Titles<br />
-----------------------------<br />
<br />
(These titles have not arrived yet. You may pre-order most of these books by calling or emailing us. Prices may be subject to change. Of course, we have many more titles arriving each week . . . call or email us if you're curious about a particular upcoming title not listed here. This list is tentative and subject to change by publishers. Unless otherwise noted, books are originals.)<br />
<br />
NINA ALLAN * The Dollmaker * Penguin Random House/Other Press, Oct 2019 (1st US, tp, eb)<br />
MIKE ASHLEY, ed. * Beyond Time: Classic Tales of Time Unwound * The British Library, Oct 2019 (tp)<br />
LEIGH BARDUGO * Ninth House * Macmillan/Flatiron, Oct 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
HAROLD BLOOM * The American Canon: Literary Genius from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Ursula K. Le Guin * Library of America, Oct 2019 (nf, hc)<br />
RAMSEY CAMPBELL * Phantasmagorical Stories, Book One * PS Publishing, Oct 2019 (c, tp)<br />
GAIL CARRIGER * Fan Service * Subterranean Press, Oct 2019 (c, hc)<br />
DELILAH S. DAWSON & KEVIN HEARNE * The Princess Beard * Penguin Random House/Del Rey, Oct 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
SEBASTIEN DE CASTELL * Crownbreaker * Hot Key Books, Oct 2019 (ya, hc)<br />
PAUL DI FILIPPO * Plumes of Pegasus * WordFire Press, Oct 2019 (c, tp, eb)<br />
NICKY DRAYDEN * Escaping Exodus * Harper Voyager US, Oct 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
DAVE DUNCAN * Merlin Redux * Skyhorse/Night Shade Books, Oct 2019 (tp, hc, eb)<br />
GREG EGAN * The Best of Greg Egan * Subterranean Press, Oct 2019 (c, hc, eb)<br />
CHRISTOPHER FOWLER * Bryant & May: England’s Finest * Transworld/Doubleday UK, Oct 2019 (c, eb, tp)<br />
LISA GOLDSTEIN * Ivory Apples * Tachyon Publications, Oct 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
THEODORA GOSS * The Sinister Mystery of the Mesmerizing Girl * Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, Oct 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
PETER F. HAMILTON * Salvation Lost * Penguin Random House/Del Rey, Oct 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
FRANCES HARDINGE * Deeplight * Macmillan Children’s Books, Oct 2019 (ya, hc)<br />
HEIDI HEILIG * A Kingdom for a Stage * HarperCollins/Greenwillow, Oct 2019 (ya, hc, eb)<br />
JOE HILL * Full Throttle * HarperCollins/Morrow, Oct 2019 (c, h, hc, eb)<br />
JOHN HORNOR JACOBS * A Lush and Seething Hell * Harper Voyager US, Oct 2019 (c, hc, eb)<br />
ROBERT JORDAN * Warrior of the Altaii * Tor, Oct 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
S.T. JOSHI, ed. * Apostles of the Weird * PS Publishing, Oct 2019 (hc)<br />
S.T. JOSHI, ed. * The Best of Black Wings * PS Publishing, Oct 2019 (hc)<br />
T. KINGFISHER * The Twisted Ones * Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, Oct 2019 (h, tp, hc, eb)<br />
DEREK KÜNSKEN * The Quantum Garden * Rebellion/Solaris US, Oct 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
MERCEDES LACKEY & ROSEMARY EDGHILL * The Waters and the Wild * Baen, Oct 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
STEPHANIE PUI-MUN LAW * Dreamscapes: Magical Fantasy Art * F+W Media/Impact, Oct 2019 (art, tp)<br />
CIXIN LIU * Supernova Era * Tor, Oct 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
JENN LYONS * The Name of All Things * Macmillan/Tor UK, Oct 2019 (eb, hc)<br />
CARMEN MARÍA MACHADO * In the Dream House * Graywolf Press, Oct 2019 (nf, b, tp, eb)<br />
CARMEN MARÍA MACHADO & JOHN JOSEPH ADAMS, EDS. * The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2019 * Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Mariner, Oct 2019 (an, tp, eb)<br />
JOHNNY MAINS, ed. * Best British Horror 2018 * NewCon Press, Oct 2019 (hc, eb, tp)<br />
MARSHALL RYAN MARESCA * Shield of the People * DAW, Oct 2019 (pb, eb)<br />
WIL MCCARTHY * Antediluvian * Baen, Oct 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
SEANAN MCGUIRE * Laughter at the Academy * Subterranean Press, Oct 2019 (c, hc, eb)<br />
JAMES A. MOORE * Bloodlines * Earthling Publications, Oct 2019 (h, hc)<br />
KIM NEWMAN * Anno Dracula 1999: Daikaiju * Titan US, Oct 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
GARTH NIX * Angel Mage * HarperCollins/Tegen Books, Oct 2019 (ya, hc, eb)<br />
TIM PRATT * The Forbidden Stars * Angry Robot US, Oct 2019 (pb, eb)<br />
PHILIP PULLMAN * The Book of Dust, Volume Two: The Secret Commonwealth * Penguin Random House/Knopf, Oct 2019 (ya, hc, eb)<br />
VERONICA ROTH * The End and Other Beginnings: Stories from the Future * HarperCollins/Tegen Books, Oct 2019 (c, ya, hc, tp, eb)<br />
BOGI TAKÁCS * The Trans Space Octopus Congregation * Lethe Press, Oct 2019 (c, tp, eb)<br />
BOGI TAKÁCS, ED. * Transcendent 4: The Year’s Best Transgender Speculative Fiction * Lethe Press, Oct 2019 (an, tp, eb)<br />
JODI TAYLOR * Doing Time * Headline, Oct 2019 (hc)<br />
TADE THOMPSON * The Rosewater Redemption * Orbit US, Oct 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
GREG VAN EEKHOUT * Cog * HarperCollins, Oct 2019 (ya, hc, eb)<br />
BRENT WEEKS * The Burning White * Orbit US, Oct 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
GARY WESTFAHL * The Rise and Fall of American Science Fiction, from the 1920 to the 1960s * McFarland, Oct 2019 (nf, tp, eb)<br />
JEANETTE WINTERSON * Frankissstein * Grove Atlantic/Atlantic, Oct 2019 (1st US, hc, eb)<br />
<br />
Abbreviations indicate: (r) reprint, (h) horror, (ya) young adult, (nf) non-fiction, (c) collection, (oc) original collection, (na) novella, (a) associational, (om) omnibus, (eb) e-book, (an) anthology, (pi) pictoral and other, (art) art and others, (gn) graphic novel, (x) media tie-in, (nv) novelette, (ss) short story, (hc) hardcover, (tp) trade paperback, (ph) pamphlet, (pb) paperback, (oa) original anthology, (b) biography, (v) paranormal romance, (pm) poetry.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
*******<br />
<br />
<br />Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-62372719774510779032019-08-07T01:10:00.000-07:002019-09-03T14:02:29.552-07:00Dispatches from the Border, August 2019DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
AUGUST, 2019<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
TOMORROW Gail Carriger, RETICENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Tuesday, August 6th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Michael Blumlein, LONGER (Tor.com, Trade Paperback, $15.99) and Paul Park, A CITY MADE OF WORDS (PM Press, Trade Paperback, $14.00) Saturday, August 10th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Lynn Breedlove, Sarah Rose Etter, Vanessa Hua, Seth Katz, Brandon Melendez, and Namwali Serpell, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders! Saturday, August 10th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
CANCELLED - Seanan McGuire, THE UNKINDEST TIDE (DAW, Hardcover, $26.00) Saturday, September 7th at 5:00 pm<br />
<br />
Fonda Lee, JADE WAR (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) in conversation with Megan E. O'Keefe, VELOCITY WEAPON (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, September 14th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Chad Stroup, SEXY LEPER (Bizarro Pulp Press, Trade Paperback, $13.99) Sunday, September 15th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders' Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with authors Mike Chen and Hannu Rajaniemi, hosted by Terry Bisson, Sunday, September 15th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
Dana Fredsti and David Fitzgerald, SHATTER WAR (Titan, Trade Paperback, $14.95) Saturday, September 28th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Annalee Newitz, THE FUTURE OF ANOTHER TIMELINE (Tor, Hardcover, $26.99) Sunday, September 29th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
<br />
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News<br />
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<br />
* Overheard in the Bookstore:<br />
<br />
"I'm sorry, but you need to leave RIGHT NOW, because you're not actually wearing pants."<br />
<br />
"He looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger, as possessed by the spirit of Ernest Hemingway."<br />
<br />
"She's a library."<br />
"She works in a library?"<br />
"No, she IS a library."<br />
<br />
"What is the duck for?"<br />
"I think it's just a Breast Cancer Awareness duck."<br />
<br />
"You _can't_ just go to the bathroom at Jurassic Park in the rain."<br />
<br />
"Schadenfreude isn't just a river in Egypt."<br />
"Right. [pause] Wait; what?"<br />
<br />
"It's the best pop-culture writing of the last 30 years -- it's got a zombie ska band!"<br />
<br />
"Tom Waits is mid-life crisis music for goths."<br />
<br />
* A decent article about the creative things San Francisco comic stores have done to survive, with a dire headline: <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/SF-comic-book-sellers-hang-on-hoping-each-laugh-14092674.php">https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/SF-comic-book-sellers-hang-on-hoping-each-laugh-14092674.php</a><br />
<br />
* Speaking of doing creative things to survive. . . Probably because we had just announced that we were closing the Cafe and people were understandably distracted, a bunch of folks missed this link when we first posted it. Freethink Media created an awesome video on Borderlands' and Mission Comics and Arts' respective sponsorship programs and our survival models for unconventional retail! Watch it (among other excellent reasons) to see Alan looking Very Serious Indeed: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=mQD1y2yORPQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=mQD1y2yORPQ</a><br />
<br />
* A really lovely post by Jud Meyers (of North Hollywood's Blast Off Comics, which sadly closed at the end of July) about the rewards of being able to give the gift of books (and comic books), and secondarily about why there were never any posters obscuring Blast Off's windows: <a href="http://www.blastoffcomics.com/2019/07/four-letter-words/">http://www.blastoffcomics.com/2019/07/four-letter-words/</a><br />
<br />
* Beloved author James A. Moore could use some financial help for medical expenses, if you can assist: <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-author-james-a-moore">https://www.gofundme.com/f/please-help-author-james-a-moore</a><br />
<br />
* There's going to be a Broken Earth Trilogy role-playing game! <a href="https://greenronin.com/blog/2019/08/02/green-ronin-to-publish-the-fifth-season-roleplaying-game/">https://greenronin.com/blog/2019/08/02/green-ronin-to-publish-the-fifth-season-roleplaying-game/</a><br />
<br />
* Taking a late-summer trip? SF FY Wire has ten geeky hotels around the world for you! <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/geek-road-trip-10-nerdy-hotels-thatll-turn-vacation-into-a-fandom-pilgrimage">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/geek-road-trip-10-nerdy-hotels-thatll-turn-vacation-into-a-fandom-pilgrimage</a><br />
<br />
* Want to visit Winterfell? Historic Castle Ward welcomes you! <a href="https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward">https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-ward</a><br />
<br />
* Sheffield is not _that_ far from Dublin. . . why not hit the UK's National Videogame Museum on your way back from WorldCon? <a href="https://www.thenvm.org/">https://www.thenvm.org/</a><br />
<br />
* Designer and writer Dinah Fried has created an incredibly cool book of meals from famous fiction, called FICTITIOUS DISHES. <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/04/16/fictitous-dishes-dinah-fried-book/">https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/04/16/fictitous-dishes-dinah-fried-book/</a><br />
<br />
* The Independent suggests a pretty pedestrian list of science fiction television shows to check out now that "Westworld" is drawing to a close; which ones would you suggest? https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/westword-season-2-best-sci-fi-shows-star-trek-doctor-who-x-files-a8408031.html<br />
<br />
* Scientists are seeking materials that defy or retard friction at the atomic level: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/scientists-seek-materials-defy-friction-atomic-level?tgt=nr<br />
<br />
* Courtesy of Tor.com, you can read Joe Abercrombie's introduction to The (GORGEOUS) Folio Society edition of A GAME OF THRONES: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/07/16/read-joe-abercrombies-introduction-to-the-folio-society-edition-of-a-game-of-thrones/">https://www.tor.com/2019/07/16/read-joe-abercrombies-introduction-to-the-folio-society-edition-of-a-game-of-thrones/</a> (Seriously, this edition is an amazing work of art. They _illustrated the inside of the slipcase_! Who does that?! <a href="https://www.foliosociety.com/usa/a-game-of-thrones.html">https://www.foliosociety.com/usa/a-game-of-thrones.html</a>)<br />
<br />
* i09 has a list of great genre books coming out in August: <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/summer-is-fading-but-there-are-tons-of-new-sci-fi-and-1836697702">https://io9.gizmodo.com/summer-is-fading-but-there-are-tons-of-new-sci-fi-and-1836697702</a><br />
<br />
* A nine-year-old Chinese boy has now lived my childhood dream -- he found a nest of 66-million-year-old dinosaur eggs while playing on the banks of a river: <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/child-discovers-nest-of-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-eggs">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/child-discovers-nest-of-66-million-year-old-dinosaur-eggs</a><br />
<br />
* A massive asteroid is expected to pass close to Earth on August 10th: <a href="https://www.geek.com/news/enormous-asteroid-is-expected-to-zoom-by-earth-on-aug-10-1798427/">https://www.geek.com/news/enormous-asteroid-is-expected-to-zoom-by-earth-on-aug-10-1798427/</a><br />
<br />
* "First Human-Monkey Chimera Raises Concern Among Scientists" -- what could possibly go wrong? <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/03/first-human-monkey-chimera-raises-concern-among-scientists">https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/03/first-human-monkey-chimera-raises-concern-among-scientists</a><br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Awards News<br />
----------------<br />
<br />
* Huge congratulations to 2019's World Fantasy Award finalists! Check out the whole list here: <a href="http://www.worldfantasy.org/world-fantasy-awards%e2%84%a0-2019/">http://www.worldfantasy.org/world-fantasy-awards%e2%84%a0-2019/</a><br />
<br />
* The shortlists for the 2019 Sunburst Awards for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic have been announced! Congratulations to all the nominees: <a href="http://www.sunburstaward.org/2019-shortlist">http://www.sunburstaward.org/2019-shortlist</a><br />
<br />
* The 58th Japan Science Fiction Convention has announced the 2019 Seiun Awards winners, which honor the best original and translated works published last year in Japan. (The Seiun Awards are the Japanese equivalent to the Hugo Awards.) Check out all the nominees and winners here: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/07/2019-seiun-awards-winners/">https://locusmag.com/2019/07/2019-seiun-awards-winners/</a><br />
<br />
* The 2019 Booker Prize Longlist has been announced, and of the 13 titles on the list, quite a few will be of interest to genre fans: <a href="https://thebookerprizes.com/booker-prize/news/2019-booker-prize-longlist-announced">https://thebookerprizes.com/booker-prize/news/2019-booker-prize-longlist-announced</a><br />
<br />
* The 2019 Eisner Awards were presented at ComicCon in San Diego. Nominees and winners here: <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/here-are-your-2019-eisner-awards-winners-1836392844">https://io9.gizmodo.com/here-are-your-2019-eisner-awards-winners-1836392844</a><br />
<br />
* Congratulations to Tade Thompson, whose novel ROSEWATER won the 2019 Arthur C. Clarke Award! The other nominees (and previous years' winners) are here: <a href="https://clarkeaward.com/#about">https://clarkeaward.com/#about</a><br />
<br />
* The Chesley Award winners have been announced! <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/07/2019-chesley-awards-winners/">https://locusmag.com/2019/07/2019-chesley-awards-winners/</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
Last month I mentioned that I was going to be meeting with a specialist contractor about removing the flooring in the new store. The flooring itself isn't a problem, but the tile and adhesive on it is. Both contain asbestos, as is pretty typical for old tile. Though one solution would be to simply cover it up with a new floor, I don't really want to go that route for a couple of reasons. First off, adding a layer to the existing floor will (obviously) raise the height. That increased height becomes a problem because we need to meet the sidewalk outside the shop without too much of a slope because of accessibility requirements. At the current floor height we can just make it without having to build a ramp and add a handrail. If we add even 3/4", I don't think we can manage it.<br />
<br />
Secondly, asbestos is not very nice stuff. There aren't a whole lot of construction materials that give me the creeps but asbestos is one of them. If we don't take the floor out now, there's never going to be a good time to do it. On top of that, any time we need to work on the floor in the future (like drill a hole through it for an electrical line or some speaker wiring) we'll have to deal with the asbestos risk.<br />
<br />
The estimate to remove the floor is around $9000. Adding the cost of a new, lovely fir floor (much like what we have in the current store), the total is probably going to be around $20,000. That's a steep price-tag but I think I'm going to do it. The floor is probably the absolutely hardest thing to replace after we open and so I feel like getting a truly permanent job done is in our best interests. The schedule for that job is a bit up in the air since I need to figure out how it'll fit with the other work we're doing. I expect that it will happen after we have the bathroom framed and the light well closed up. Having those two jobs done will make the asbestos removal easier and it will also make it much simpler to clear everything out of the place (because we can store a bunch of the stuff inside the bathroom rather than moving it to the back yard).<br />
<br />
Speaking of the bathroom, last weekend we got a huge amount of work done on the framing. Almost all the walls are in place (and they all fit properly, thank goodness) and I'll be working on the final touches all this week.<br />
<br />
Also on the bathroom topic, my meeting with our plumber, Brian Fusco, went really well. He's a total pro and I'm looking forward to working with him. He also gets our goal of really making sure that everything is in solid shape from the outset, even if it'll cost a little more. So, it's looking like we'll have, for the first time ever, a shop with a completely top-notch electrical and plumbing system. Oh, and a roof that doesn't leak. I'm not sure that, after the past 20 years, I'll know what to make of that.<br />
<br />
Before you ask, sorry, but still no opening date. There are still too many moving parts for anything I say to be better than a wild-ass-guess.<br />
<br />
- Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for July, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1. Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey<br />
2. Fall; or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson<br />
A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay<br />
3. Exhalation by Ted Chiang<br />
4. This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone<br />
5. The Grand Dark by Richard Kadrey<br />
6. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
7. Atmosphaera Incognita by Neal Stephenson<br />
8. Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter<br />
9. The Knife by Jo Nesbo<br />
10. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
3. Velocity Weapon by Megan E. O'Keefe<br />
4. The Power by Naomi Alderman<br />
5. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
6. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
7. Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />
8. All Systems Red by Martha Wells<br />
9. The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
10. Hexarchate Stories by Yoon Ha Lee<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
2. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
3. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
4. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
5. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
6. American Gods by Neil Gaiman<br />
7. Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />
8. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin<br />
9. Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch<br />
10. Neuromancer by William Gibson<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, August 11th at 5 pm to discuss SEA OF RUST by C. Robert Cargill. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, August 18th, at 6 pm to discuss NINEFOX GAMBIT by Noon Ha Lee. The book for September is THE TRAITOR BARU COMORANT by Seth Dickinson. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Gail Carriger, RETICENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Tuesday, August 6th at 6:00 pm - Join us in welcoming author Gail Carriger back to Borderlands! This event, which celebrates the final book in the Custard Protocol series, is a touch bittersweet and also a bit mind-boggling, because TEN YEARS ago Gail did her first signing for SOULLESS here. Where does the time go? What is the meaning of it all? Is Percy really, finally done with hats? The answers to these and so many other questions can be found at the store on August 6th. We hope to see you here! <a href="https://gailcarriger.com/books/reticence/">https://gailcarriger.com/books/reticence/</a><br />
<br />
Michael Blumlein, LONGER (Tor.com, Trade Paperback, $15.99) and Paul Park, A CITY MADE OF WORDS (PM Press, Trade Paperback, $14.00) Saturday, August 10th at 3:00 pm - We're very happy to host authors Michael Blumlein and Paul Park! Michael's gorgeous new novel LONGER is a science fiction study on mortality, consciousness and intimacy, and Paul's work is described by the publisher thus: "[w]ith exotic settings and characters truly alien and disturbingly normal, his novels and stories explore the shifting interface between traditional narrative and luminous dream, all in the service of a deeper humanism." Join us to meet these two fascinating authors and have the best time you've ever had gaining a deeper understanding of humanity!<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at the Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Lynn Breedlove, Sarah Rose Etter, Vanessa Hua, Seth Katz, Brandon Melendez, and Namwali Serpell, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders! Saturday, August 10th 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 Lynn Breedlove, Sarah Rose Etter, Vanessa Hua, Seth Katz, Brandon Melendez, and Namwali Serpell. 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.<br />
<br />
CANCELLED - Seanan McGuire, THE UNKINDEST TIDE (DAW, Hardcover, $26.00) Saturday, September 7th at 5:00 pm - Due to unforeseeable circumstances, this event has unfortunately been cancelled. We will post as soon as we have a rescheduled date.<br />
<br />
Fonda Lee, JADE WAR (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) in conversation with Megan E. O'Keefe, VELOCITY WEAPON (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Saturday, September 14th at 3:00 pm - We're happy to welcome World Fantasy Award winner Fonda Lee to Borderlands! Ms. Lee will be presenting JADE WAR, the second novel in the Green Bone Series. (The first book in the series, JADE CITY, won that World Fantasy Award, and "was nominated for the Nebula Award and the Locus Award, and was named a Best Book of 2017 by NPR, Syfy Wire, and others".) Ms. Lee will be in conversation with fabulous local author Megan E. O'Keefe (VELOCITY WEAPON). We hope you'll join us to meet both authors and explore this epic and magical fantasy series!<br />
<br />
Chad Stroup, SEXY LEPER (Bizarro Pulp Press, Trade Paperback, $13.99) Sunday, September 15th at 3:00 pm - Join us for a pre-Halloween bizarro book event with Chad Stroup! From the book description: "It's Halloween in the Hollywood Hills, and Kat Dyer's going to have the sexiest costume for a night of shameless debauchery. However, Kat's plan is derailed when the costume shop screws up her order and gives her a costume that is the polar-opposite of sexy. Deciding it's better to be temporarily ugly and seen than beautiful and quickly forgotten, Kat attends the biggest party of the year, only to awaken with the strangest post-Halloween hangover ever: partygoers are transforming into the likenesses of the costumes they wore the night before. Meanwhile, a mysterious force begins to stalk and pick them off on by one. Kat and her friends must discover the cause of the horror, and what they find will haunt them forever."<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders' Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with authors Mike Chen and Hannu Rajaniemi, hosted by Terry Bisson, Sunday, September 15th 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 Mike Chen and Hannu Rajaniemi. 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.<br />
<br />
Dana Fredsti and David Fitzgerald, SHATTER WAR (Titan, Trade Paperback, $14.95) Saturday, September 28th at 3:00 pm - Hometown favorites Dana Fredsti & David Fitzgerald present: SHATTER WAR, the thrilling follow-up to TIME SHARDS. Earth's past, present, and future have shattered in "the Event," yielding a terrifying new world of prehistoric monsters, lost cultures, strange technologies, and displaced armies. Coming from different points throughout history, a desperate band of survivors join "Merlin," a mysterious figure who may be their only hope to save the world -- if he can be trusted. When their twenty-third-century ship the Vanuatu is sabotaged by an unknown enemy and thrown far off its course, the team must discover who is responsible, even as they are split apart and fight to survive in the war-torn Shard world. . . .<br />
<br />
Annalee Newitz, THE FUTURE OF ANOTHER TIMELINE (Tor, Hardcover, $26.99) Sunday, September 29th at 3:00 pm - We're always thrilled to welcome local author Annalee Newitz to the store! Here's some info about the new novel from the publisher: "In a modern-day United States just a step away from our own, time travel is possible -- in fact, it has existed for as long as humanity itself. Jumping into the past is simple, and scientists say that altering the timeline is almost impossible. But Tess, an idealistic geology professor, has figured out how to use time travel to try to undo a horrible injustice in the past whose effects are still being felt in her own time. Meanwhile, in 1992, teenage riot grrl Beth's ordinary life is about to become a tangle of toxic friendship and murder. And across the timeline, a secret war is brewing as a group of men attempt to destroy time travel. If they succeed, only a small elite will have the power to shape past, present, and future. Tess and Beth are part of this hidden war that stretches back millions of years. But with the help of unlikely allies from times past and times yet to come, they may be able to save each other -- and build a different future." We do hope you'll join us to meet Annalee and check out this awesome book!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
*******Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-90519299526568299872019-07-18T02:00:00.002-07:002019-07-18T02:00:45.762-07:00Dispatches from the Border, July 2019Welcome David Fitzgerald!<br />
<br />
Hiring staff for Borderlands Books is something we do far less often then once in a blue moon! So we’re happy to mark this rare occurrence and welcome our newest employee, David Fitzgerald, to the party. David is an author, editor, animal lover and sword fighter, among other esoteric talents, and so he’s a great fit for Borderlands. He’s written everything from nonfiction to science fiction to erotica & more under a few different pen names, so in addition to his solid “book knowledge”, is a great resource for aspiring writers. David was a Borderlands sponsor for years, and also volunteered doing construction work at the Haight Street building (before he started working Sundays on Valencia!) Please give him a warm hello when you’re next in the store (and ask him for a book recommendation).<br />
<br />
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Upcoming Events<br />
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<br />
Writers With Drinks (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<br />
<br />
LitCrawl Junior with authors Kalyn Josephson, Katy Rose Pool, and Shannon Price, Sunday, July 14th at 3:30 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Vy Kaftan and Megan E. O'Keefe, moderated by Terry Bisson, Sunday, July 21st at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Gail Carriger, RETICENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Tuesday, August 6th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Michael Blumlein, LONGER (Tor.com, Trade Paperback, $15.99) and Paul Park, A CITY MADE OF WORDS, (PM Press, Trade Paperback, $14.00) Saturday, August 10th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Seanan McGuire, THE UNKINDEST TIDE (DAW, Hardcover, $26.00) Saturday, September 7th at 5:00 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
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<br />
* Overheard in the store:<br />
<br />
"I love the smell of books. It smells so good in here! I want to bottle it and wear it as a perfume."<br />
<br />
"I've only met one person ever who didn't like GOOD OMENS, and I didn't trust them."<br />
"It's like people who never say the f-word, or who dislike dogs!"<br />
<br />
"She said that worrying was like praying for something you don't want."<br />
<br />
"She sold her soul for a toaster oven."<br />
"So... what I'm hearing is that Wiccans shouldn't drink."<br />
<br />
"Repeatedly forgetting your PIN is an excellent way to save money."<br />
<br />
"I'm turning my life in a new direction: Horizontal."<br />
<br />
"You can't discriminate against someone based on their Hogwarts' House!"<br />
<br />
* Locus Magazine is hosting a Writing Master Class with author Andy Duncan! July 21, 2019, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Locus Magazine HQ in downtown Oakland. The cost is $150.00. Details and sign up here: <a href="https://locusmag.com/locus-bay-area-writers-workshop-writing-master-class-with-andy-duncan-july-2019/">https://locusmag.com/locus-bay-area-writers-workshop-writing-master-class-with-andy-duncan-july-2019/</a><br />
<br />
* Local author (and Borderlands sponsor) Charlie Jane Anders did a marvelous interview with the Huffington Post: <a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/charlie-jane-anders-crosses-the-divide_n_5cdc281ae4b0437438c5290e">https://www.huffpost.com/entry/charlie-jane-anders-crosses-the-divide_n_5cdc281ae4b0437438c5290e</a><br />
<br />
* Congratulations to Irene Gallo, who has been promoted to Vice President, Publisher of Tor.com! <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/06/20/irene-gallo-promoted-to-vice-president-publisher-of-tor-com/">https://www.tor.com/2019/06/20/irene-gallo-promoted-to-vice-president-publisher-of-tor-com/</a><br />
<br />
* Author Richard Kadrey on the Cool Tools Podcast: <a href="https://kk.org/cooltools/richard-kadrey-nyt-bestselling-author-of-the-sandman-slim-series/">https://kk.org/cooltools/richard-kadrey-nyt-bestselling-author-of-the-sandman-slim-series/</a><br />
<br />
* HBO is turning Philip Pullman's HIS DARK MATERIALS into a series, and the trailer looks awesome: <a href="https://youtu.be/0Qz8L4KaTss">https://youtu.be/0Qz8L4KaTss</a><br />
<br />
* This annotated list of the books that author & scholar Jo Walton read in June is really fascinating. <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/07/05/jo-waltons-reading-list-june-2019/">https://www.tor.com/2019/07/05/jo-waltons-reading-list-june-2019/</a><br />
<br />
* Daniel O'Malley's supernatural spy novel THE ROOK has been made into a series on Starz. Check out the trailer here! <a href="https://www.tvguide.com/news/starz-the-rook-trailer/">https://www.tvguide.com/news/starz-the-rook-trailer/</a><br />
<br />
* A list of the 100 most commonly mentioned fantasy books on Reddit, 2018 - 2019: <a href="https://topredditbooks.com/c/genre/fantasy">https://topredditbooks.com/c/genre/fantasy</a> . No real surprises but it interesting to skim.<br />
<br />
* Nanoprobes are in the works: <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190703121358.htm">https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190703121358.htm</a><br />
<br />
* Quantum leaps are real? <a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/2205089-quantum-leaps-are-real-and-now-we-can-control-them/">https://www.newscientist.com/article/2205089-quantum-leaps-are-real-and-now-we-can-control-them/</a><br />
<br />
* An interesting podcast on converting carbon dioxide to fuel, and autofocal glasses: <a href="https://www.sciencemag.org/podcast/converting-carbon-dioxide-gasoline-and-autofocal-glasses-lenses-change-shape-fly">https://www.sciencemag.org/podcast/converting-carbon-dioxide-gasoline-and-autofocal-glasses-lenses-change-shape-fly</a><br />
<br />
* Telepathic Tetris, anyone?: <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190701163827.htm">https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190701163827.htm</a><br />
<br />
* The first trailer for Disney's live-action "Mulan" is here, and it's beautiful: <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-first-mulan-trailer-teases-a-sweeping-warriors-adve-1836166020">https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-first-mulan-trailer-teases-a-sweeping-warriors-adve-1836166020</a><br />
<br />
* Author Gillian Flynn is "sickened" by a defense attorney's suggestion that a missing woman (whose husband, along with his girlfriend, have been charged with evidence tampering and hindering prosecution) has staged her own disappearance a la GONE GIRL: <a href="https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/author-of-gone-girl-issues-statement-regarding-jennifer-dulos-disappearance/">https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/author-of-gone-girl-issues-statement-regarding-jennifer-dulos-disappearance/</a><br />
<br />
* Did you know there was a celebrity cruise that included authors Ben Bova and Issac Asimov to commemorate the launch of Apollo 17 in December 1972? Neither did we. <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90372061/the-weird-space-themed-caribbean-cruise-that-celebrated-the-last-trip-to-the-moon">https://www.fastcompany.com/90372061/the-weird-space-themed-caribbean-cruise-that-celebrated-the-last-trip-to-the-moon</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
Haight Street Update<br />
<br />
Things are going well with the construction at the new building. At the beginning of the month, PG&E hooked up the new electrical service. Despite all the delays and torturous steps to get there, the actual hook-up went very smoothly. We started at nine and were done by noon. The PG&E crew were very pleasant and professional. We shared a couple of jokes at the expense of office and engineering staff, mostly along the lines of, "They don't get it, don't get it right, and waste time. Thank goodness there are people like us doing the actual work who have a clue."<br />
<br />
We've still got two long days ahead switching out the panels for each of the apartments upstairs but, once that's done, the big electrical work is finished. We'll still need to do the wiring for the bookstore but that's a quite simple job. This week I put in four extra temporary circuits (so we can run a saw and the compressor at the same time without tripping a breaker) and it took me all of about two hours to do. The final wiring will be a bit more time-consuming but not by much.<br />
<br />
Since that work was done, last Sunday we were able to finally tear out the big post in the middle of the store that used to hold the old service. Having that gone really opened up the space a lot and now I can actually see what it's going to look like. It's going to be awfully good. Despite being a tiny bit smaller than our current space, I think it's going to _look_ bigger.<br />
<br />
I've got several meetings next week that will move us even further forward. First I'm meeting on Monday with an asbestos abatement specialist. I'll get a quote from him to pull all the old floor and tiles that are a problem. I'm hopeful that the price will be within reach because, after looking over the place, really the best solution is to remove the entire floor and replace it. With the asbestos out of the way, that's not actually a very hard job and it'll give us a beautiful, strong floor that will last for decades to come.<br />
<br />
I'm also meeting with our plumber, Brian Fusco, to get the bathroom work scheduled. He's a referral from my buddy Bruno, a general contractor here in town who has never steered me wrong. I'm looking forward to meeting Brian. Based on our email conversations, he's definitely our sort of people.<br />
<br />
The rest of this month will be mostly filled up with completing the framing for the bathroom and, if all goes well, getting a start on framing the new front of the building.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for June, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1. Fall; or, Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson<br />
2. Exhalation by Ted Chiang<br />
3. Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey<br />
4. The Grand Dark by Richard Kadrey<br />
5. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
6. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey<br />
7. Lent by Jo Walton<br />
8. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine<br />
9. Stealing Worlds by Karl Schroeder<br />
10. A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
3. The Sol Majestic by Ferrett Steinmetz<br />
4. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
5. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
6. The Power by Naomi Alderman<br />
7. Empress of Forever by Max Gladstone<br />
8. Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />
9. All Systems Red by Martha Wells<br />
10. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
2. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
3. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
4. American Gods by Neil Gaiman<br />
5. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
6. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin<br />
7. Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch<br />
8. Salvation by Peter F. Hamilton<br />
9. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
10. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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 August is SHARDS OF HONOR by Lois McMaster Bujold. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
LitCrawl Junior with authors Kalyn Josephson, Katy Rose Pool, and Shannon Price, Sunday, July 14th at 3:30 pm - Thanks to Litquake for the following write-up!: "Litquake's Lit Crawl Junior is excited to welcome THREE debut YA authors to Borderlands, each with a brand-new or upcoming novel: Kalyn Josephson (THE STORM CROW), Katy Rose Pool (THERE WILL COME A DARKNESS) and Shannon Price (A THOUSAND FIRES). There will be readings and a panel about publishing.<br />
<br />
Kalyn Josephson's brand-new fantasy novel, THE STORM CROWN (July 9, Sourcebooks) has been called ERAGON meets AND I DARKEN, and takes place in the tropical kingdom of Rhodaire, where magical crows are part of every aspect of life until they are invaded and the crows are destroyed. That terrible night throws Princess Anthia into a deep depression. Her sister Caliza is busy running the kingdom after their mother's death, but all Thia can do is think of all she has lost. But when Caliza is forced to agree to a marriage between Thia and the crown prince of Illucia, Thia is finally spurred into action. Kalyn lives in the Bay Area and loves books, cats, books with cats, and making up other worlds to live in for a while.<br />
<br />
Katy Rose Pool's debut fantasy novel, THERE WILL COME A DARKNESS (Sept. 3, Henry Holt) has been described as SIX OF CROWS meets GRACELING. For generations, the Seven Prophets guided humanity. Using their visions of the future, they ended wars and united nations -- until the day, one hundred years ago, when the Prophets disappeared. All they left behind was one final, secret prophecy, foretelling an Age of Darkness and the birth of a new Prophet who could be the world's salvation . . . or the cause of its destruction. With chaos on the horizon, five souls are set on a collision course. Katy graduated from UC Berkeley and resides in the Bay Area, where she can be found eating breakfast sandwiches, rooting for the Golden State Warriors, and reading books that set her on fire.<br />
<br />
Shannon Price's A THOUSAND FIRES (Nov. 5, Tor Teen) is a dystopian novel where gangs rule, and has been described as THE OUTSIDERS meets THE ILLIAD, perfect for fans of Courtney Summers and Veronica Roth. Valerie Simons knows the Wars are dangerous -- her little brother was killed by the Boars two years ago. But nothing will sway Valerie from joining the elite Herons with her boyfriend Matthew to avenge her brother. But when Jax, the volatile and charismatic leader of the Stags, promises her revenge, Valerie is torn between old love and new loyalty. Shannon is a self-described proud Filipina-American. When not writing, she can be found watching baking shows, exploring old bookstores, going to the beach as often as she can, and working when she must in Silicon Valley."<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Vy Kaftan and Megan E. O'Keefe, moderated by Terry Bisson, 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. www.sfinsf.org<br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
Gail Carriger, RETICENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Tuesday, August 6th at 6:00 pm - Join us in welcoming author Gail Carriger back to Borderlands! This event, which celebrates the final book in the Custard Protocol series, is a touch bittersweet and also a bit mind-boggling, because TEN YEARS ago Gail did her first signing for SOULLESS here. Where does the time go? What is the meaning of it all? Is Percy really, finally done with hats? The answers to these and so many other questions can be found at the store on August 6th. We hope to see you here! <a href="https://gailcarriger.com/books/reticence/">https://gailcarriger.com/books/reticence/</a><br />
<br />
Michael Blumlein, LONGER (Tor.com, Trade Paperback, $15.99) and Paul Park, A CITY MADE OF WORDS, (PM Press, Trade Paperback, $14.00) Saturday, August 10th at 3:00 pm - We're very happy to host authors Michael Blumlein and Paul Park! Michael's gorgeous new novel LONGER is a science fiction study on mortality, consciousness and intimacy, and Paul's work is described by the publisher thus: "[w]ith exotic settings and characters truly alien and disturbingly normal, his novels and stories explore the shifting interface between traditional narrative and luminous dream, all in the service of a deeper humanism." Join us to meet these two fascinating authors and have the best time you've ever had gaining a deeper understanding of humanity!<br />
<br />
Seanan McGuire, THE UNKINDEST TIDE (DAW, Hardcover, $26.00) Saturday, September 7th at 5:00 pm - Details TK!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
Assistant Editor - Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-15085168989796648852019-07-18T01:54:00.002-07:002019-07-18T01:54:41.104-07:00Dispatches from the Border, June 2019----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
Ferrett Steinmetz, THE SOL MAJESTIC (Tor, Trade Paperback, $16.99) Saturday, June 22nd at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
Gail Carriger, RETICENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Tuesday, August 6th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
-------<br />
<br />
*Overheard in the Store:<br />
<br />
"You can't discriminate against someone based on their Hogwarts' House!"<br />
<br />
"The clerks were whimsical and the customers were insane."<br />
<br />
"You FOOL! We're all English teachers and there were BOOKS back there!"<br />
<br />
"You care about something, and you're not an idiot."<br />
<br />
"Well, when you put it THAT way, it is _definitely_ creepy."<br />
<br />
* 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. <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/05/dennis-etchison-1943-2019/">https://locusmag.com/2019/05/dennis-etchison-1943-2019/</a><br />
<br />
* 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. <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/5-things-babylon-5-did-that-changed-science-fiction-forever">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/5-things-babylon-5-did-that-changed-science-fiction-forever</a><br />
<br />
* 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. <a href="https://www.wired.com/2019/06/geeks-guide-college-fantasy-sci-fi/">https://www.wired.com/2019/06/geeks-guide-college-fantasy-sci-fi/</a><br />
<br />
* As you go through this list you realize most of the dads in the MCU are. . . . less than ideal: <a href="https://sciencefiction.com/2019/06/14/ranking-the-dads-of-the-marvel-cinematic-universe/">https://sciencefiction.com/2019/06/14/ranking-the-dads-of-the-marvel-cinematic-universe/</a><br />
<br />
* A ranking of the classic Final Fantasy series games listed from the best to the worst: <a href="https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/all-final-fantasy-games-ranked-from-best-to-worst/">https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/all-final-fantasy-games-ranked-from-best-to-worst/</a><br />
<br />
* 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. <a href="https://www.dualshockers.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-vii-preview-e3-2019/">https://www.dualshockers.com/final-fantasy-7-remake-vii-preview-e3-2019/</a><br />
<br />
* Reviewing India's first all-female feminist SF anthology, MAGICAL WOMEN: <a href="https://factordaily.com/sf-anthology-magical-women/">https://factordaily.com/sf-anthology-magical-women/</a><br />
<br />
* 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? <a href="https://sciencefiction.com/2019/06/14/rupert-wyatt-original-idea-for-his-gambit-movie-would-have-place%20d-it-in-the-70s/">https://sciencefiction.com/2019/06/14/rupert-wyatt-original-idea-for-his-gambit-movie-would-have-place d-it-in-the-70s/</a><br />
<br />
* 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. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/16/the-year-of-akira-how-does-2019-neo-tokyo-compare-with-todays-city">https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/jun/16/the-year-of-akira-how-does-2019-neo-tokyo-compare-with-todays-city</a><br />
<br />
* An excerpt of Annalee Newitz's new novel THE FUTURE OF ANOTHER TIMELINE which comes out this September. <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/weve-got-an-exclusive-first-look-at-io9-co-founder-anna-1832512608">https://io9.gizmodo.com/weve-got-an-exclusive-first-look-at-io9-co-founder-anna-1832512608</a><br />
<br />
* The first reveal is here for "Elden Ring", the game co-created by George R.R. Martin! <a href="https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2019/06/10/george-r-r-martins-developing-a-fantasy-game-now-video/">https://www.2oceansvibe.com/2019/06/10/george-r-r-martins-developing-a-fantasy-game-now-video/</a><br />
<br />
* 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. <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/30-lgbtqia-sci-fi-fantasy-books-you-should-read-this-pride-month-17940283">https://www.bustle.com/p/30-lgbtqia-sci-fi-fantasy-books-you-should-read-this-pride-month-17940283</a><br />
<br />
* 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. <a href="https://www.tweaktown.com/news/66110/magic-gathering-fantasy-series-coming-netflix/index.html">https://www.tweaktown.com/news/66110/magic-gathering-fantasy-series-coming-netflix/index.html</a><br />
<br />
* 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. <a href="https://www.etonline.com/orlando-bloom-and-cara-delevingne-star-in-first-look-at-victorian-fantasy-series-carnival-row">https://www.etonline.com/orlando-bloom-and-cara-delevingne-star-in-first-look-at-victorian-fantasy-series-carnival-row</a><br />
<br />
* 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. <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/6-reasons-why-genre-fans-should-check-out-the-criterion-1834765009">https://io9.gizmodo.com/6-reasons-why-genre-fans-should-check-out-the-criterion-1834765009</a><br />
<br />
* Speaking of Godzilla, how about a deep dive into the philosophy of the king of the kaiju and environmental pessimism? <a href="https://merionwest.com/2019/06/15/godzilla-and-the-doctrine-of-environmental-pessimism/">https://merionwest.com/2019/06/15/godzilla-and-the-doctrine-of-environmental-pessimism/</a><br />
<br />
* 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.) <a href="https://truthout.org/articles/the-real-monster-in-game-of-thrones-is-its-hidden-reactionary-ideology/">https://truthout.org/articles/the-real-monster-in-game-of-thrones-is-its-hidden-reactionary-ideology/</a><br />
<br />
* Looking for something to stream? Here's a list of the 17 most highly-rated fantasy shows available on Netflix. <a href="https://decider.com/2019/05/07/best-fantasy-shows-on-netflix/">https://decider.com/2019/05/07/best-fantasy-shows-on-netflix/</a><br />
<br />
------------------<br />
Award News<br />
------------------<br />
<br />
* The winners of the 2018 Bram Stoker Awards have been announced! Congratulations! <a href="http://horror.org/2018-bram-stoker-award-winners-nominees/">http://horror.org/2018-bram-stoker-award-winners-nominees/</a><br />
<br />
* The Sunburst Awards, which celebrate Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic, have announced their 2019 nominations longlist. <a href="http://www.sunburstaward.org/2019-longlist">http://www.sunburstaward.org/2019-longlist</a><br />
<br />
* 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: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/05/2018-nebula-awards-winners/">https://locusmag.com/2019/05/2018-nebula-awards-winners/</a><br />
<br />
* Finalists for the best science fiction novel John W. Campbell Memorial Award 2019 has been released: <a href="http://www.sfcenter.ku.edu/news/Campbell-Award_finalists-press-release-2019.pdf">http://www.sfcenter.ku.edu/news/Campbell-Award_finalists-press-release-2019.pdf</a><br />
<br />
* 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! <a href="http://www.eugiefoster.com/eugieaward">http://www.eugiefoster.com/eugieaward</a><br />
<br />
* The Mythopoeic Awards Finalists for 2019 have been announced as well. Congratulations to Mishell Baker, Ruthanna Emrys and the others! <a href="https://mythsoc-rohan.blogspot.com/2019/06/mythopoeic-awards-finalists-for-2019.html">https://mythsoc-rohan.blogspot.com/2019/06/mythopoeic-awards-finalists-for-2019.html</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
Building Update<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for May, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1. Exhalation by Ted Chiang<br />
2. A Brightness Long Ago by Guy Gavriel Kay<br />
3. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
4. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine<br />
5. The Book of M by Peng Shepherd<br />
6. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey<br />
7. In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire<br />
8. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
9. The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie<br />
10. Empire of Grass by Tad Williams<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
3. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
4. All Systems Red by Martha Wells<br />
5. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
6. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />
7. Children of Ruin by Adrian Tchaikovsky<br />
8. The Power by Naomi Alderman<br />
9. Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse<br />
10. New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color edited by Nisi Shawl<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
2. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
3. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
4. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
5. American Gods by Neil Gaiman<br />
6. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson<br />
7. A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin<br />
8. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
9. Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />
10. The Thousand Names by Django Wexler<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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!<br />
<br />
Gail Carriger, RETICENCE (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Tuesday, August 6th at 6:00 pm - Details TK.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun<br />
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St. San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-86344495926440607582019-05-17T03:11:00.000-07:002019-05-29T20:43:18.112-07:00Dispatches from the Border, May 2019DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
May, 2019<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
Guy Gavriel Kay, A BRIGHTNESS LONG AGO (Berkeley, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, March 18th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with guests Guy Gavriel Kay, Ransom Stephens, and Simon Vance, moderated by Terry Bisson, Sunday, March 19th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with guests Nancy Etchemendy and Loren Rhoads, Sunday, June 9th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
Megan E. O'Keefe, VELOCITY WEAPON (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Thursday, June 13th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Sarah Gailey, MAGIC FOR LIARS (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Saturday, June 15th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Ferrett Steinmetz, THE SOL MAJESTIC (Tor, Trade Paperback, $16.99) Saturday, June 22nd at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
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<br />
* Overheard in the Store:<br />
<br />
"Receipt? Oh, no, no, thank you. I don't want to be reminded how much I've spent on books."<br />
<br />
"That’s adorable! The Prius had a bumper sticker that said 'Cool Prius! - Nobody'."<br />
<br />
"But the paper ones are _meant_ to be edited"<br />
<br />
"Space said 'we have black holes' and scientists just replied with, 'pics or it didn't happen'."<br />
<br />
"You measure the cinnamon in parsecs?"<br />
<br />
* ICYMI: Yes, we have permanently closed Borderlands Cafe (JUST THE CAFE), and we will be moving the bookstore (only) to the building that we purchased on Haight Street at some point in the future, when the construction work on the Haight Street building is complete. Alan Beatts, the business' owner, on closing the Cafe: <a href="http://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/2019/04/borderlands-cafe-to-close.html">http://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/2019/04/borderlands-cafe-to-close.html</a><br />
<br />
* Because we've closed the Cafe, we'll be selling all the Cafe furniture, fixtures, and equipment, plus some extra bookshelves and other things while we're at it. The sale starts Sunday, May 19th at 12:00 pm. Come check out many tables, chairs, a variety of bookshelves, and a mind-boggling array of mugs, glasses, teapots, and such! We also have some really beautiful furniture -- would you like an amazing Chinese-style armoire, or a church pew for your place? This is a really cool opportunity to take home a little bit of Borderlands' history. We'd love to know that these items will live on with people who appreciate them. (Regrettably, it won't be possible for us to hold anything. And not to sound too salesman-y, but. . . prices will be dropping as we get closer to the cafe's must-be-vacant date of June 1st, but if you wait you'll risk missing out!)<br />
<br />
* R.I.P. celebrated author and science fiction Grand Master Gene Wolfe: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/gene-wolfe-science-fiction-writer-with-a-literary-touch-dies-at-87/2019/04/28/9bf76226-69c1-11e9-a66d-a82d3f3d96d5_story.html">https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/gene-wolfe-science-fiction-writer-with-a-literary-touch-dies-at-87/2019/04/28/9bf76226-69c1-11e9-a66d-a82d3f3d96d5_story.html</a><br />
<br />
* We also regret having to share the news of the death of "Star Wars" actor Peter Mayhew: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/05/03/peter-mayhew-1944-2019/">https://www.tor.com/2019/05/03/peter-mayhew-1944-2019/</a><br />
<br />
* A very nice article on Borderlands Books by local author Kevin Smokler, from The Battery's magazine: <a href="https://www.thebatterysf.com/article/local-literary-gem">https://www.thebatterysf.com/article/local-literary-gem</a><br />
<br />
* A tribute and examination of one of the most important science fiction authors in history, Alice B. Sheldon (aka James Tiptree, Jr.): <a href="https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/4/18/18282660/james-tiptree-jr-feminist-dystopian-science-fiction">https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2019/4/18/18282660/james-tiptree-jr-feminist-dystopian-science-fiction</a><br />
<br />
* You shouldn't waste food, but (#1) Oreos are barely food, and (#2) this isn't waste, this is ART! <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/90328526/oreo-uses-2750-cookies-to-recreate-game-of-thrones-opening-credits">https://www.fastcompany.com/90328526/oreo-uses-2750-cookies-to-recreate-game-of-thrones-opening-credits</a><br />
<br />
* Marlon James, author of the wildly popular BLACK LEOPARD, RED WOLF, (and the Man Booker Prize winner for A BRIEF HISTORY OF SEVEN KILLINGS) is on "Time" Magazine's list of 100 most influential people in 2019. <a href="http://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2019/5567700/marlon-james/">http://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2019/5567700/marlon-james/</a><br />
<br />
* Privacy: a topic that is becoming increasingly relevant to our lives and our fiction: <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/04/surveillance-science-fiction-colonializing-force/587863/">https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2019/04/surveillance-science-fiction-colonializing-force/587863/</a><br />
<br />
* More and more streaming services are popping up, and many of them are mining science fiction stories for their original programs. <a href="http://fortune.com/2019/05/03/data-sheet-apple-disney-amazon-streaming-science-fiction/">http://fortune.com/2019/05/03/data-sheet-apple-disney-amazon-streaming-science-fiction/</a><br />
<br />
* Book Riot has organized a list of the Top 30 science-fiction books on Goodreads. Check it out here: <a href="https://bookriot.com/2019/05/03/top-sci-fi-books/">https://bookriot.com/2019/05/03/top-sci-fi-books/</a><br />
<br />
* In a continuing trend of AI and human cooperation in SFF, DJ Steve Aoki's new comic series "Neon Future" explores an optimistic future between man and machine. <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/tech/meet-neon-future-a-science-fiction-comic-that-trades-cyber-paranoia-for-optimism-2128799.html">https://www.news18.com/news/tech/meet-neon-future-a-science-fiction-comic-that-trades-cyber-paranoia-for-optimism-2128799.html</a><br />
<br />
* Sarah Ditum investigates why so many "literary" authors want to play with the ideas of science fiction while at the same time denigrating the genre and those of us who enjoy it. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/18/it-drives-writers-mad-why-are-authors-still-sniffy-about-sci-fi">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/apr/18/it-drives-writers-mad-why-are-authors-still-sniffy-about-sci-fi</a><br />
<br />
* "Yes" Magazine examines SFF's so-called "compassionate revolution" or "hopepunk": <a href="https://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/science-fiction-revolution-hope-hugo-award-20190423">https://www.yesmagazine.org/happiness/science-fiction-revolution-hope-hugo-award-20190423</a><br />
<br />
* Inverse pulls together the top 11 SFF TV shows and movies streaming on Netflix this month. <a href="https://www.inverse.com/article/55427-best-science-fiction-movies-and-tv-on-netflix-may-2019">https://www.inverse.com/article/55427-best-science-fiction-movies-and-tv-on-netflix-may-2019</a><br />
<br />
* A very interesting article that discusses the confluence of atheism and omnipotent beings in much of the SFF we consume -- the resistance to calling them gods doesn't alter the things they can do. <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/atheism-in-the-face-of-omnipotence-in-science-fiction">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/atheism-in-the-face-of-omnipotence-in-science-fiction</a><br />
<br />
* Aliens move further and further from the realm of science fiction and closer and closer to science fact. <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6986897/Expert-reveals-idea-alien-life-no-longer-like-science-fiction.html">https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-6986897/Expert-reveals-idea-alien-life-no-longer-like-science-fiction.html</a><br />
<br />
* Thank you to sponsor Jo F., who made sure we didn't miss the entire cast of "Avengers: Endgame" covering "We Didn't Start the Fire". (No spoilers here.) Watch till the end for the sweet tribute to Stan Lee: <a href="https://www.cnet.com/news/avengers-endgame-cast-sings-we-didnt-start-the-fire-adds-stan-lee-tribute/">https://www.cnet.com/news/avengers-endgame-cast-sings-we-didnt-start-the-fire-adds-stan-lee-tribute/</a><br />
<br />
* For those who've seen "Avengers: Endgame", here are some burning questions you might have after the movie (beware, spoilers!): <a href="https://sciencefiction.com/2019/05/03/12-burning-questions-we-have-after-seeing-avengers-endgame/">https://sciencefiction.com/2019/05/03/12-burning-questions-we-have-after-seeing-avengers-endgame/</a><br />
<br />
* So often science fiction and fantasy focuses on colonizing powers without ever examining the history of the indigenous people, whether they be an existing culture, or one that's made up (and given attributes of real-life cultures). Here's one artist exploring the history of Mexico's indigenous people through speculative art. <a href="http://eltecolote.org/content/en/arts_culture/mexican-painter-imagines-indigenous-history-as-science-fiction/">http://eltecolote.org/content/en/arts_culture/mexican-painter-imagines-indigenous-history-as-science-fiction/</a><br />
<br />
* Ranking the most destructive weapons in science-fiction (with a few real-life WMDs included for perspective) in an infographic! <a href="https://techaeris.com/2019/04/05/infographic-what-are-the-top-weapons-in-science-fiction">https://techaeris.com/2019/04/05/infographic-what-are-the-top-weapons-in-science-fiction</a><br />
<br />
* SFF is full of created sports, from rollerball to qudditch to blitzball to pyramid, and Dr. Derek Thiess' latest book explores the ideas and importance of made-up sports within the realm of speculative fiction. <a href="https://ung.edu/news/articles/2019/04/thiess-latest-book-examines-sports-in-science-fiction.php">https://ung.edu/news/articles/2019/04/thiess-latest-book-examines-sports-in-science-fiction.php</a><br />
<br />
* Are sea serpent sightings the result of actual science? <a href="https://www.sciencealert.com/the-public-s-fascination-with-marine-fossils-changed-how-we-saw-monsters">https://www.sciencealert.com/the-public-s-fascination-with-marine-fossils-changed-how-we-saw-monsters</a><br />
<br />
* "The Flintstones" and "The Jetsons" are icons that few people forget, but for Na'amen, "The Herculoids" were an absolute favorite, and he's so glad someone is finally giving the classic cartoon some credit. <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/alex-toth-and-the-herculoids-helped-define-science-fiction-in-animation">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/alex-toth-and-the-herculoids-helped-define-science-fiction-in-animation</a><br />
<br />
* Apex Magazine will unfortunately go on indefinite hiatus after their 120th issue. Read editor Jason Sizemore's statement here: <a href="https://www.apex-magazine.com/sleep-now-apex-magazine-youve-earned-it/">https://www.apex-magazine.com/sleep-now-apex-magazine-youve-earned-it/</a><br />
<br />
* If you live in New York or will be there in January 2020, sponsor Flash S. is putting together a meet up to celebrate Isaac Asimov's hundredth birthday at a location near one of Asimov's childhood homes in Brooklyn. Meetup info here: <a href="https://www.meetup.com/Asimov-Centennial-Meetup/">https://www.meetup.com/Asimov-Centennial-Meetup/</a> and discussion here: <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/asimov/comments/a4j4wn/asimov_centennial_convention/">https://www.reddit.com/r/asimov/comments/a4j4wn/asimov_centennial_convention/</a><br />
<br />
* A Speculative Fiction Writers Group is starting at The Mechanics' Institute Library & Chess Room in San Francisco this Tuesday, May 7th: <a href="https://www.milibrary.org/events/speculative-fiction-writers-group-may-07-2019">https://www.milibrary.org/events/speculative-fiction-writers-group-may-07-2019</a><br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Awards News<br />
----------------<br />
<br />
* Here are the Hugo finalists both for 2019 and the Retro Hugos for 1944! <a href="https://dublin2019.com/hugo-finalists/">https://dublin2019.com/hugo-finalists/</a><br />
<br />
* The Nebula Award nominations have recently been the subject of controversy, as accusations of "slate voting" and rigging fly: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/04/nebula-awards-ballot-controversy/">https://locusmag.com/2019/04/nebula-awards-ballot-controversy/</a><br />
<br />
* The 2018 British Science Fiction Association awards have been announced! <a href="https://bsfa.co.uk/bsfa-awards-2018-announced/">https://bsfa.co.uk/bsfa-awards-2018-announced/</a><br />
<br />
* The 2019 Phillip K. Dick Award winner was announced, along with a special citation winner! <a href="https://www.philipkdickaward.org/2019/04/2019-philip-k-dick-award-winner-announced.html">https://www.philipkdickaward.org/2019/04/2019-philip-k-dick-award-winner-announced.html</a><br />
<br />
* The nominees for the 2018 Shirley Jackson Awards have been announced. The awards are presented for "outstanding achievement in horror, psychological suspense, and dark fantasy fiction". The list of nominees is here: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/05/2018-shirley-jackson-awards-nominees/">https://locusmag.com/2019/05/2018-shirley-jackson-awards-nominees/</a><br />
<br />
* DOWN THE RIVER UNTO THE SEA by Walter Mosley has won the 2019 Edgar Award for Best Novel! The complete list of nominees and winners is here: <a href="http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html">http://www.theedgars.com/nominees.html</a><br />
<br />
* Baltimore Science Fiction Society has decided on the winner for the 2018 Compton Crook award. (THE POPPY WAR by R.F. Kuang is an amazing book that you should definitely check out.) <a href="http://www.bsfs.org/">http://www.bsfs.org/</a><br />
<br />
* Madeline Miller's newest novel CIRCE, (based on our favorite witch from Greek myth, or is that just us?), has been shortlisted for the 2019 Women's Prize for Fiction. <a href="https://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/">https://www.womensprizeforfiction.co.uk/</a><br />
<br />
* PulpFest has announced the nominees of the 2019 Munsey Award, given "to an individual or institution that has bettered the pulp community." The list of nominees is here: <a href="http://www.pulpfest.com/2019/05/2019-munsey-award-nominees/">http://www.pulpfest.com/2019/05/2019-munsey-award-nominees/</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
Hi Everyone,<br />
<br />
This is going to be a very short update on our building process. I've been very busy this month getting all the work done to shut down the cafe and so time (and sleep) has been in very short supply. Despite that, we've made some very good progress at Haight Street. Milestones have been:<br />
<br />
Revised bathroom layout approved. It's a much better arrangement than the original design and also takes up less floor space. Kevin Short, our architect, really outdid himself getting it worked out and permitted.<br />
<br />
Floor framing for bathroom and lightwell completed. Since we know the layout for sure now, we were able to finalize the floor framing layout and get it done. I'm very pleased with how it all came out. And perhaps the most impressive part of the job was that it was almost completely done by our volunteers with only oversight from me. It was a difficult and demanding job (the bathroom floor especially so, since it had to be just about dead level) and, personally, I think they produced a better and more precise piece of work than the average professional crew would have.<br />
<br />
Trench and conduit for new electrical completed. The schedules all lined up for both our trenching contractor and our electrician so that job was completed in less than a week. Now we're just waiting for a second inspection of the panels (because, really, the inspector was kind of unreasonable). After that, there are two inspections from PG&E (both scheduled for this month) and then we wait for them to connect the power (which is scheduled for the beginning of July . . . because PG&E is a little slow). But, at this point, the job is moving forward and quickly too. Which is damn nice since we first applied for the permits well over a _year_ ago.<br />
<br />
Aside from that, the garden is coming along beautifully now that spring is here, and many smaller jobs have been knocked out.<br />
<br />
That's about it. Goodnight.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for April, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey<br />
2. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine<br />
3. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
4. The Book of M by Peng Shepherd<br />
5. The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie<br />
6. Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen<br />
7. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
8. Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James<br />
9. In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire<br />
10. Radicalized by Cory Doctorow<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
3. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
4. All Systems Red by Martha Wells<br />
5. Fault Lines edited by Margaret Lucke<br />
6. The Power by Naomi Alderman<br />
7. Blood Ink by Dana Fredsti<br />
8. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
9. New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color edited by Nisi Shawl<br />
10. Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
2. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
3. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
4. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
5. Spawn of Lilith by Dana Fredsti<br />
6. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson<br />
7. Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />
8. Who Fears Death? By Nnedi Okorafor<br />
9. Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
10. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, June 9th, at 5 pm to discuss BABYLON'S ASHES by James S.A. Corey. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, May 19th, at 6 pm to discuss GATEWAY by Frederik Pohl. The book for June is ARTEMIS by Andy Weir. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information.<br />
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Upcoming Event Details<br />
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<br />
Guy Gavriel Kay, A BRIGHTNESS LONG AGO (Berkeley, Hardcover, $27.00) Saturday, March 18th at 3:00 pm - We are always delighted to welome Guy Gavriel Kay to Borderlands. He's such a lovely person and such a talented writer -- his prose is almost universally gorgeous. This time, he's presenting a new fantasy set in a world that will be familiar to his dedicated readers. As for the plot, the publisher says: "In a chamber overlooking the nighttime waterways of a maritime city, a man looks back on his youth and the people who shaped his life. Danio Cerra's intelligence won him entry to a renowned school even though he was only the son of a tailor. He took service at the court of a ruling count--and soon learned why that man was known as the Beast. Danio's fate changed the moment he saw and recognized Adria Ripoli as she entered the count's chambers one autumn night--intending to kill. Born to power, Adria had chosen, instead of a life of comfort, one of danger--and freedom. Which is how she encounters Danio in a perilous time and place. Vivid figures share the unfolding story. Among them: a healer determined to defy her expected lot; a charming, frivolous son of immense wealth; a powerful religious leader more decadent than devout; and, affecting all these lives and many more, two larger-than-life mercenary commanders, lifelong adversaries, whose rivalry puts a world in the balance. A BRIGHTNESS LONG AGO offers both compelling drama and deeply moving reflections on the nature of memory, the choices we make in life, and the role played by the turning of Fortune's wheel." If that wasn't enough to pique your interest, Kirkus Reviews calls the book "[a]n epic tale filled with characters compelling enough to bear the weight of the high stakes." Join us to meet Guy Gavriel Kay!<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with guests Guy Gavriel Kay, Ransom Stephens, and Simon Vance, moderated by Terry Bisson, Sunday, March 19th 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 the fabulous Guy Gavriel Kay, Ransom Stephens, and Simon Vance (the narrator of Kay's audiobooks). 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.<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with guests Nancy Etchemendy and Loren Rhoads, Sunday, June 9th 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 authors Nancy Etchemendy and Loren Rhoads, who will be showing off a new charity anthology whose proceeds benefit the victims of the November 2018 Camp Fire. 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.<br />
<br />
Megan E. O'Keefe, VELOCITY WEAPON (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Thursday, June 13th at 6:00 pm - We're happy to welcome fabulous local author Megan E. O'Keefe back to Borderlands! Her new novel sounds incredible; here's the teaser from the publisher: "The last thing Sanda remembers is her gunship breaking up around her as her preserving pod expanded, sealing herself away for salvage-medics to pick up. She expected to awaken in friendly hands, patched up and patched back into a new gunship. Instead, she awakens 230 years later upon an empty enemy smartship, The Light of Berossus or, as he prefers to be called, "Bero". The war is lost. The star system is dead. However, Bero may not exactly be telling the whole truth." We hope you'll come meet Megan and check out this fantastic new space adventure!<br />
<br />
Sarah Gailey, MAGIC FOR LIARS (Tor, Hardcover, $25.99) Saturday, June 15th at 3:00 pm - We are very excited to welcome formerly-local Sarah Gailey back to Borderlands! From the publisher: "You may recognize Hugo award winner Gailey as the author of the novellas RIVER OF TEETH and TASTE OF MARROW or for their hilarious online pop culture commentary on sites like Tor.com, Mashable, and more. Their fantastic debut novel reads like Jessica Jones meets THE MAGICIANS (with a dash of Megan Abbott for good measure!) [and] is already earning great praise. . ." Sarah will be in conversation with author Maggie Tokuda-Hall, and we do hope you'll join us to meet them and check out this fantastic new novel!<br />
<br />
Ferrett Steinmetz, THE SOL MAJESTIC (Tor, Trade Paperback, $16.99) Saturday, June 22nd at 3:00 pm - (More details to come, but Jude absolutely loves this book and won't shut up about it!)<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Na'amen Tilahun<br />
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
*******Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-49034847942011728182019-04-12T01:16:00.001-07:002019-04-12T01:16:18.703-07:00Dispatches from the Border, April 2019DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
April 2019<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
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<br />
Mike Chen, HERE AND NOW AND THEN (MIRA, Hardcover, $26.99), and Peng Shepherd, THE BOOK OF M (William Morrow, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, April 13th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks with authors Susannah Breslin, Mike Chen, Michelle Cruz Gonzales, Arkady Martine, Peng Shepherd, and Saskia Vogel, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders! (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) Saturday, April 13th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
Alex White, A BAD DEAL FOR THE WHOLE GALAXY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:00 pm<br />
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FAULT LINES Launch Party, Sunday, April 28th at 3:00 pm<br />
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SF in SF with authors Peter S. Beagle and Jaymee Goh (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) Sunday, April 28th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
Coming up Saturday, May 18th, look for a very special reading and signing with Guy Gavriel Kay!<br />
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News<br />
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* Overheard in the Store:<br />
"I have done things with ladders that make bystanders shriek with horror."<br />
"The last person not bleeding wins."<br />
<shouting at repetitive busker outside> "Hey Joey Ramone! Pretty PLEASE learn another chord!"<br />
"In general, I try not to microwave sour cream."<br />
"Sometimes we bear seemingly unbearable things, because the alternative is so much worse."<br />
"Does anything ever get described as a 'low-octane thriller'?"<br />
"The fact that it's tactless doesn't make it untrue."<br />
"I'd be a really Casual Assassin, like 'You're gonna die, no doubt about that, but meantime would you like a coffee or a soda?'"<br />
"Someone had an Emotional Support chicken on the bus today."<br />
"What I really thought was that I had ordered a goat when I was drunk and forgot."<br />
“Trust me, absolutely nothing good starts with burned garlic.”<br />
"Thanks, Car Insurance Company. There couldn't possibly be more perfect hold music than an endless instrumental loop of 'Danger Zone'."<br />
"I don’t remember what I ate for lunch, but I remember the plot to every one of these books."<br />
<br />
* R.I.P. to Vonda N. McIntyre, who passed away on April 1st from pancreatic cancer. McIntyre was a multiple award winner, brilliant author, one of the founders of the Clarion West Writers Workshop, founder of Book View Cafe, and the person who gave Hikaru Sulu his first name, among many other accomplishments. She managed to finish her final novel a few weeks before her death. <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2019/vonda-n-mcintyre-1948-2019-seattle-science-fiction-star-dies-cancer/">https://www.geekwire.com/2019/vonda-n-mcintyre-1948-2019-seattle-science-fiction-star-dies-cancer/</a><br />
<br />
* Freethink Media created an awesome video on Borderlands' and Mission Comics and Arts' respective sponsorship programs and our survival models for unconventional retail! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=mQD1y2yORPQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=mQD1y2yORPQ</a><br />
<br />
* Wow, so, we're not sure how we managed to miss linking to this months ago when it came out, but we did -- Alan was interviewed for "The Muni Diaries" podcast, and he tells the story of the "The Secret in the Basement of the Store" (actually the basement of the Cafe, but it's an interesting story either way) <a href="https://www.munidiaries.com/2018/10/30/the-secret-about-the-basement-at-borderlands-books/">https://www.munidiaries.com/2018/10/30/the-secret-about-the-basement-at-borderlands-books/</a>! Also check out "The Muni Diaries" talk with Pete Mulvihill, owner of Green Apple Books: <a href="https://www.munidiaries.com/?s=green+apple+books">https://www.munidiaries.com/?s=green+apple+books</a><br />
<br />
* How can you NOT want to watch the opening credits to "Game of Thrones" re-created with a couple thousand Oreo cookies?! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmf-6TYjGuQ">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmf-6TYjGuQ</a><br />
<br />
* Congratulations to Seanan McGuire! Her series Wayward Children is going to be coming to TV. More details here: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2019/03/18/seanan-mcguires-wayward-children-series-coming-to-television/">https://www.tor.com/2019/03/18/seanan-mcguires-wayward-children-series-coming-to-television/</a><br />
<br />
* Ohmigosh does the trailer for "Good Omens" look awesome! <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUJoR4vlIIs">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUJoR4vlIIs</a><br />
<br />
* San Francisco literary icon Lawrence Ferlinghetti is celebrating his 100th birthday, and the NY Times did a retrospective on old San Francisco, and they mention Borderlands to boot! <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/11/travel/lawrence-ferlinghettis-enduring-san-francisco.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/11/travel/lawrence-ferlinghettis-enduring-san-francisco.html</a> This article from Medium contains alternate photos to illustrate the Times article, including one quite old one taken at Borderlands Cafe! <a href="https://medium.com/@mark_20745/lawrence-ferlinghettis-enduring-san-francisco-696caa078a0b">https://medium.com/@mark_20745/lawrence-ferlinghettis-enduring-san-francisco-696caa078a0b</a><br />
<br />
* According to some (probably pretty dubious) Yelp statistics, Borderlands is number 35 on the list of America's top 50 bookstores: <a href="https://hoodline.com/2018/10/bibliophiles-take-heed-here-are-america-s-50-favorite-bookstores">https://hoodline.com/2018/10/bibliophiles-take-heed-here-are-america-s-50-favorite-bookstores</a><br />
<br />
* Local author Nick Mamatas is teaching another Fabulist Fiction course at WeWork starting May 4th. Details and sign up here: <a href="https://sfwriting.institute/portfolio/fabulist_fiction/">https://sfwriting.institute/portfolio/fabulist_fiction/</a><br />
<br />
* As fans of speculative fiction we tend to obsess over worlds, big and small. Well here are some worlds that fit in old pocket watches. <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/miniature-worlds-antique-jewelry-gregory-grozos/">https://mymodernmet.com/miniature-worlds-antique-jewelry-gregory-grozos/</a><br />
<br />
* An extremely rare discovery of fossils that were the direct victims of the KT extinction event will keep scientists busy for decades. <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-day-the-dinosaurs-died">https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/04/08/the-day-the-dinosaurs-died</a><br />
<br />
* When people think of Cyptids, they tend to go to Bigfoot, Chupacabra, or the Loch Ness Monster, but the fact is there are rumors about unusual creatures all around the world, from dogmen to frogmen to extinct species, some known only to locals. Here are 24 of those lesser known ones: <a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/great-local-cryptids">https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/great-local-cryptids</a><br />
<br />
* Self-publishing has helped a lot of marginalized authors find their audience, but there's a dark side of plagiarism, book-stuffing, and scammers on the rise, making sometimes as much as $100K a month. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/28/plagiarism-book-stuffing-clickfarms-the-rotten-side-of-self-publishing">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/mar/28/plagiarism-book-stuffing-clickfarms-the-rotten-side-of-self-publishing</a><br />
<br />
* An article on how the end of "Game of Thrones" (the television series) should not be the end of our respect for fantasy as a vehicle for story telling. <a href="https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-game-of-thrones-fantasy-20190403-story.html">https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-game-of-thrones-fantasy-20190403-story.html</a><br />
<br />
* "The Twilight Zone" is returning for the third time, and as Jordan Peele's take on the classic franchise premieres, it's a great time to look back at the history of the series. <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-twilight-zone-rod-serling-jordan-peele/">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/the-twilight-zone-rod-serling-jordan-peele/</a><br />
<br />
* Thrillist has a list of their favorite SF/F shows of 2019 so far, some of which have gotten universal acclaim, some of which are a little more controversial in their inclusion. <a href="https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/best-sci-fi-shows-2019">https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/best-sci-fi-shows-2019</a><br />
<br />
* One of the Hugo nominees this year is a fan fiction archive; Samantha Cole over at Motherboard talked to some of the authors who have fiction on AO3. <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/vbw9eb/internet-fan-fiction-archive-ao3-hugo-award">https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/vbw9eb/internet-fan-fiction-archive-ao3-hugo-award</a><br />
<br />
* On the political bent of much of current science fiction, and how the writers are trying to create a path back to normality. <a href="https://www.wired.com/2019/03/geeks-guide-sci-fi-future/">https://www.wired.com/2019/03/geeks-guide-sci-fi-future/</a><br />
<br />
* It might be time to get cautiously excited about the new "Dune" film -- (hyped is probably pushing it). <a href="https://www.superherohype.com/movies/441631-5-reasons-to-get-hyped-about-the-dune-remake">https://www.superherohype.com/movies/441631-5-reasons-to-get-hyped-about-the-dune-remake</a><br />
<br />
* Apple has released the line-up for their Apple Plus TV service and quite a few of the original programs are of interest to science-fiction and fantasy fans, including "Amazing Stories". <a href="https://www.polygon.com/2019/3/25/18277261/apple-tv-plus-streaming-shows-movies">https://www.polygon.com/2019/3/25/18277261/apple-tv-plus-streaming-shows-movies</a><br />
<br />
* "The Matrix" came out 20 years ago (!), and while some people continue to discover and enjoy the film (the first more than the second or third,) there are many who look back and don't think the film series has gotten better with age. <a href="http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20190319-the-matrixs-male-power-fantasy-has-dated-badly">http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20190319-the-matrixs-male-power-fantasy-has-dated-badly</a><br />
<br />
* An opinion piece on "What tech hasn't learned from science fiction": <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/1b8ef552-554b-11e9-91f9-b6515a54c5b1">https://www.ft.com/content/1b8ef552-554b-11e9-91f9-b6515a54c5b1</a><br />
<br />
* When science fiction does come true? It's not necessarily a good thing. For every good use of a development, there can be a much darker application. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/12/books/review/namwali-serpell.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/12/books/review/namwali-serpell.html</a><br />
<br />
* For example! The search for a death ray and all the other inventions that have come out of this goal. <a href="https://slate.com/technology/2019/04/death-ray-history-jeff-hecht-excerpt.html">https://slate.com/technology/2019/04/death-ray-history-jeff-hecht-excerpt.html</a><br />
<br />
* The upcoming "Godzilla: King of Monsters" has promised us a slew of monsters and a line in the new trailer says they've found 17 creatures and counting. We might not see all of them in the film, but fingers crossed. <a href="https://sciencefiction.com/2019/04/03/monarch-has-found-17-and-counting-titans-in-godzilla-king-of-the-monsters/">https://sciencefiction.com/2019/04/03/monarch-has-found-17-and-counting-titans-in-godzilla-king-of-the-monsters/</a><br />
<br />
* Sometimes all you need to hear is the title of something to know you're going to be interested. Two words: "Warrior Nun." <a href="https://sciencefiction.com/2019/04/03/netflixs-warrior-nun-gains-sylvia-de-fanti-as-mother-superior/">https://sciencefiction.com/2019/04/03/netflixs-warrior-nun-gains-sylvia-de-fanti-as-mother-superior/</a><br />
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Award News<br />
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<br />
* In sad news, after a decade the Gemmell Awards have announced that they are being disbanded. Check out the full statement here: <a href="http://www.gemmellawards.com/">http://www.gemmellawards.com/</a><br />
<br />
* The finalists for the 2019 Hugo Awards have been announced and it's a pretty great list. <a href="https://bookriot.com/2019/04/03/2019-hugo-award-finalists/">https://bookriot.com/2019/04/03/2019-hugo-award-finalists/</a><br />
<br />
* Check out the winners of Spectrum 26 over on the Spectrum Awards blog.<br />
<a href="http://spectrumfantasticart.com/blog/2019/03/31/spectrum-26-awards-recipients/">http://spectrumfantasticart.com/blog/2019/03/31/spectrum-26-awards-recipients/</a><br />
<br />
* The International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts Awards have been announced as well. Check out the list of winners at Locus: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/03/iafa-awards-winners/">https://locusmag.com/2019/03/iafa-awards-winners/</a><br />
<br />
* Gabriela Damian Miravete has won the 2018 Tiptree Award for the short story "They Will Dream In the Garden". You can both read the announcement and find a link to the story here: <a href="https://tiptree.org/2019/03/gabriela-damian-miravete-wins-2018-tiptree-award-honor-and-long-list-announced">https://tiptree.org/2019/03/gabriela-damian-miravete-wins-2018-tiptree-award-honor-and-long-list-announced</a><br />
<br />
* Uncanny Magazine has released the results of their Reader's Poll - check out the list and read the winners here: <a href="https://uncannymagazine.com/uncanny-magazine-2018-favorite-fiction-reader-poll-results/">https://uncannymagazine.com/uncanny-magazine-2018-favorite-fiction-reader-poll-results/</a><br />
<br />
* Check out the short list for the 2018 Sara Douglass Series Award - especially if you don't like to start series until they finish. <a href="https://aurealisawards.org/2019/03/03/2018-sara-douglass-book-series-award-shortlist/">https://aurealisawards.org/2019/03/03/2018-sara-douglass-book-series-award-shortlist/</a><br />
<br />
* And finally, Locus Magazine has the short list for this year's Sturgeon Award. <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/03/sturgeon-finalists-announced/">https://locusmag.com/2019/03/sturgeon-finalists-announced/</a><br />
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From The Office<br />
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<br />
Firstly, and probably most importantly, we reached our goal of 300 sponsors by March 31st. In fact, on the 31st, we were at exactly 500 sponsors. That's a slight drop from the same time last year, when we were at 532, but that's still way over the minimum and I'm pleased as punch about it. <br />
<br />
But, just because we've met our goal, that doesn't meant that we're not happy to accept more sponsors. So, if you'd like to help us get our move completed and continue to do all that we do (not to mention enjoy the social camaraderie and other benefits of being a sponsor), feel free to sign up online at https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship.html, over the telephone anytime between noon and eight pm PST, or in person by stopping by the shop.<br />
<br />
Now, on to the building update. Last month I mentioned that we were just about to put up the really big beam that's a requirement for building the new restroom. I'm very pleased to say that it's done and, moreso, the horrible pit of a restroom that we had is nothing but a memory (and, a big hole in the floor). Tearing out the old one was a one-day job and a hell of a lot of fun. We filled an entire debris box with the result and, by end of day, we were dirty, tired, and happy.<br />
<br />
And then we ran into reality in the form of ADA access requirements and fire code. The sort version is that the combination of those requirements was going to make the interior wall of the restroom extend further into the store that I had hoped. So, I'm in the process of working on a different layout with our architect, Kevin Short. We've got one layout that will work for sure and we're messing around with an even better one. But, that means the construction of the restroom is on hold for now. Thankfully, there's still work to do on the surrounding area and some repairs to make in the remaining walls, so we're not leaning on our shovels.<br />
<br />
The storefront improvements have been on hold while I've been focusing on the restroom job, so no movement on that front.<br />
<br />
The last planters in the garden are done (these are the small ones on top of the west retaining wall) and the irrigation and planting is done on them as well. Melinda Rose, our gardener, has a few more tweaks to do, but then we're at a wait-and-see point while things grow in a bit. That's fine because Melinda has become quite a good rough carpenter over the last year and so now I can put her to work on other stuff.<br />
<br />
The electrical job has not progressed much. We've had our pre-construction meeting and that went quite well. But, I've had a little trouble finding a sub-contractor to do the trenching work from the PG&E box in the sidewalk over to our building. In theory that's something I could do but . . . the liability associated with cutting concrete and digging trenches in a public (and well-traveled) sidewalk isn't something I want to take on. Right now I'm waiting to hear back from two folks. My original pick was great -- a total pro whose usual deal is not only do the digging and then close it all back up, but also install the conduit and deal with PG&E (our electric company). Then I got the bid. For 30 feet of trench about three feet deep the quote was $16,000. Granted, he was going to deal with a bunch of inspections and so forth, but that is one _hell_ of a lot of money. <br />
<br />
And that is about where we stand right now. I'm sorry but I haven't gotten the pictures that I promised last month up on-line. I really will get that done but . . . time, time, time.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
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Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for March, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1. Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey<br />
2. The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie<br />
3. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
4. In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire<br />
5. Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James<br />
6. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
7. Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor<br />
8. Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee<br />
9. The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon<br />
10. A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2. A People's Future of the United States edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
3. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, translated by Ken Liu<br />
4. The Power by Naomi Alderman<br />
5. New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color edited by Nisi Shawl<br />
6. Autonomous by Annalee Newitz<br />
7. All Systems Red by Martha Wells<br />
8. The Freeze-Frame Revolution by Peter Watts<br />
9. Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
10. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1. That Ain't Witchcraft by Seanan McGuire<br />
2. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
3. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
4. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
5. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
6. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
7. American Gods by Neil Gaiman<br />
8. Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson<br />
9. Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
10. Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, April 14th, at 5 pm to discuss RECORD OF A SPACEBORN FEW by Becky Chambers. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, April 21st at 6 pm to discuss NEW YORK 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson. The book for the following month will be GATEWAY by Frederik Pohl. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Mike Chen, HERE AND NOW AND THEN (MIRA, Hardcover, $26.99), and Peng Shepherd, THE BOOK OF M (William Morrow, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, April 13th at 3:00 pm - We are very happy to welcome these two excellent, up-and-coming authors to the store! Publishers Weekly liked both of their novels, and gave HERE AND NOW AND THEN, Mike Chen's debut, a starred review and called it "heartfelt", "thrilling" and "unforgetable". <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7783-6904-2">https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7783-6904-2</a>. Peng Shepherd's debut, THE BOOK OF M, about a post-apocalyptic world full of danger and magic was called "graceful and riveting". <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-266960-5">https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-266960-5</a>. We sincerely hope you'll join us to meet Mike and Peng and check out their books -- you'll be able to say you "knew them when"!<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks with authors Susannah Breslin, Mike Chen, Michelle Cruz Gonzales, Arkady Martine, Peng Shepherd, and Saskia Vogel, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders! (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) Saturday, April 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 this month includes authors Susannah Breslin (Forbes Vices), Mike Chen (Here and Now and Then), Michelle Cruz Gonzales (The Spitboy Rule: Tales of a Xicana in a Female Punk Band), Arkady Martine (A Memory Called Empire), Peng Shepherd (The Book of M), and Saskia Vogel (Permission). Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 6:30 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books.<br />
<br />
Alex White, A BAD DEAL FOR THE WHOLE GALAXY (Orbit, Trade Paperback, $15.99) Tuesday, April 23rd at 6:00 pm - We're very happy to welcome author Alex White for an informal chat and signing event in the bookstore! Come meet Alex and check out their newest Salvagers novel A BAD DEAL FOR THE WHOLE GALAXY. <a href="http://www.alexrwhite.com/">http://www.alexrwhite.com/</a><br />
<br />
FAULT LINES Launch Party, Sunday, April 28th at 3:00 pm - What do you call a large group of mystery writers? A gang, or perhaps a murder? Either way, we're delighted to welcome a whole slew of mystery authors to the store to celebrate the launch of the anthology FAULT LINES! From the editor: "Fault lines in the earth can shake our world. Fault lines within people give rise to wrongs that must be righted. FAULT LINES, Sisters in Crime/Northern California's first short story anthology, invites you to take a journey into mystery and intrigue, with 19 short stories that explore crime, guilt, and justice in this earthquake-prone region and beyond." The authors joining to do super-short "flash" readings include Ana Brazil, Diana Chambers, Vinnie Hansen, David Hagerty, Judith Janeway, Mariah Klein, Susan Kuchinskas, Margaret Lucke, Terry Shames, Susan Shea, Robin Stuart, Nancy Tingley, and CJ Verburg. We hope you'll join us, too!<br />
<br />
SF in SF with authors (and editors) Peter S. Beagle and Jaymee Goh (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) Sunday, April 28th at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10.) We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson. Authors will schmooze & sign books after. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated. Doors and bar open at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm. Donations benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun<br />
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
* * * * * * *<br />
<br />
<br />Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-1595783666269590252019-03-06T00:10:00.002-08:002019-03-27T08:22:16.183-07:00Dispatches from the Border, March 2019DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
March 2019<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Josiah Luis Alderete, SevanKeelee Boult, Isaac R. Fellman, Leslie Miley, Kyle Thomas Smith, and Maurisa Thompson, with guest host Elena Rose, Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
Seanan McGuire, THAT AIN'T WITCHCRAFT (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, March 23rd at 5:00 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Nancy Kress and Jack Skillingstead, moderated by Jacob Weisman, Sunday, March 31st at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
Dana Fredsti, BLOOD INK (Titan, Trade Paperback, $14.95) Sunday, April 7th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Mike Chen, HERE AND NOW AND THEN (MIRA, Hardcover, $26.99), and Peng Shepherd, THE BOOK OF M (William Morrow, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, April 13th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) Saturday, April 13th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
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News<br />
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* Overheard in the Store:<br />
<br />
"I had a REALLY long week yesterday."<br />
<br />
"My toast was 'To 2019 - may it be a great year for schadenfreude!'"<br />
<br />
"I like your name!"<br />
"Thanks, I got it for my birthday."<br />
<br />
"It's one of those fundamental rules: if you're lit, don't light things."<br />
<br />
* Overheard at Mission Police Station:<br />
"I'm here to get my sh*t back."<br />
"What sh*t is that, Sir?"<br />
"My sh*t that got taken away from me."<br />
"Under what circumstances was your sh*t taken away, Sir?"<br />
"When I was arrested."<br />
"Oh. Hang on for a minute."<br />
<br />
* Octavia Butler's groundbreaking classic Parable duology is set to be reprinted with gorgeous new covers and a foreword from N.K. Jemisin, which you can read at the link below. Feel free to preorder by emailing office@borderlands-books.com! <a href="https://ew.com/books/2019/02/25/parable-octavia-butler-reissue/">https://ew.com/books/2019/02/25/parable-octavia-butler-reissue/</a><br />
<br />
* N.K. Jemisin also sat down with Studio 360, where she spoke about her new collection of short stories and her own approach to writing. Listen here: <a href="https://www.pri.org/stories/2019-02-28/nk-jemisin-and-unspoken-politics-speculative-fiction">https://www.pri.org/stories/2019-02-28/nk-jemisin-and-unspoken-politics-speculative-fiction</a><br />
<br />
* Well it's only going to be 25 years until we get to start messing up the Moon the way we did the Earth. Yay? <a href="http://www.mining.com/mining-moon-ready-lift-off-2025/">http://www.mining.com/mining-moon-ready-lift-off-2025/</a><br />
<br />
* There are rumors that the 2019 CW Arrowverse crossover will lead to the cancellation of "Arrow" (meh) and "Legends of Tomorrow" (WHAT?! How. Dare. You.) They are only rumors for now, though. <a href="http://sciencefiction.com/2019/02/26/rumor-mill-cw-may-cancel-arrow-andor-legends-tomorrow-crisis-infinite-earths/">http://sciencefiction.com/2019/02/26/rumor-mill-cw-may-cancel-arrow-andor-legends-tomorrow-crisis-infinite-earths/</a><br />
<br />
* When you name things in space, there are a whole list of rules about what things have to be named after. Like the fact that everything on Io is named after something associated with fire, volcano or Dante's Inferno. Who makes up these rules? The International Astronomical Union. Check out more here! <a href="https://www.washingtonpost./">https://www.washingtonpost.</a>com/science/2019/02/26/bizarre-brilliant-rules-naming-new-stuff-space/?utm_term=.445823c04a29<br />
<br />
* Lillian Li is publishing her first book, but her first writing experience? Well, Harry Potter fanfiction of course! <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/number-one-chinese-restaurant-book">https://www.refinery29.com/en-gb/number-one-chinese-restaurant-book</a><br />
<br />
* WiFi brain hacking! <a href="https://www.inverse.com/article/53699-brain-neural-engineering-neurological-disorders-hacking-the-brain">https://www.inverse.com/article/53699-brain-neural-engineering-neurological-disorders-hacking-the-brain</a><br />
<br />
* If you've read DUNE you probably already know the answer to the question "Why is this novel so hard to film?!", but it's always fun to see people run through it. <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/dune-versus-hollywood-frank-herberts-spicy-sci-fi-saga-hard/">https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/dune-versus-hollywood-frank-herberts-spicy-sci-fi-saga-hard/</a><br />
<br />
* On the Rick Owens runway, aliens ("Star Trek" rubber-face aliens, but aliens) met fashion, and it was great! <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/03/01/rick-owens-turned-his-models-into-aliens-oddballs-they-looked-so-glamorous/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.243b9c02fc79">https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/03/01/rick-owens-turned-his-models-into-aliens-oddballs-they-looked-so-glamorous/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.243b9c02fc79</a><br />
<br />
* Unfortunately if you weren't in Arizona, you probably missed the Afrofuturism festival they held this month. However, there's a Q&A with some of the basics if you've always wondered what Afrofuturism was. <a href="https://asunow.asu.edu/20190206-discoveries-afrofuturism-explores-science-fiction-rooted-past">https://asunow.asu.edu/20190206-discoveries-afrofuturism-explores-science-fiction-rooted-past</a><br />
<br />
* Rumors are that "Aquaman 2" will feature the team that Aquaman was a part of previous to The Justice League -- The Others who each wield an Atlantean object. <a href="http://sciencefiction.com/2019/03/01/rumor-mill-aquaman-2-will-introduce-others/">http://sciencefiction.com/2019/03/01/rumor-mill-aquaman-2-will-introduce-others/</a><br />
<br />
* There are some movies that should never be touched or rebooted, and then there are the campy classics that just beg to be driven into the ground. "Critters" is of the latter category. <a href="http://sciencefiction.com/2019/03/01/shudder-released-first-trailer-critters-new-binge/">http://sciencefiction.com/2019/03/01/shudder-released-first-trailer-critters-new-binge/</a><br />
<br />
* Almost as a companion to the Karin Lowachee story about human/AI interaction <<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/4/18139371/karin-lowachee-sci-fi-story-video-seimei-ai-better-worlds">https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/4/18139371/karin-lowachee-sci-fi-story-video-seimei-ai-better-worlds</a>>, here is an article telling us to ignore science-fiction: that AI isn't out to get us. Which first means they haven't read as broadly as they thought, and second that Lowachee is a visionary! <a href="https://www.spectator.co.uk/2019/02/ignore-the-science-fiction-ai-isnt-out-to-get-us/">https://www.spectator.co.uk/2019/02/ignore-the-science-fiction-ai-isnt-out-to-get-us/</a><br />
<br />
"History is 'the closest thing we have to science fiction,' says historian Jose Raymund Canoy." If that first line didn't make you want to read this whole article then. . . . you're probably not that interested in history. But for those who are check out this article: <a href="https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2019/02/24/1896144/historian-who-says-history-science-fiction">https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/sunday-life/2019/02/24/1896144/historian-who-says-history-science-fiction</a><br />
<br />
* There has been a lot of talk about how Chinese speculative fiction has been growing and has a new perspective on genre fiction. Here's an article on how Chinese science fiction is exploring dystopias. <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/chinese-science-fiction-dystopia-liu-cixin-triology">https://www.newstatesman.com/chinese-science-fiction-dystopia-liu-cixin-triology</a><br />
<br />
* The Mad Scientist Initiative, which is something that would inspire less terror and more joy if they weren't part of the military, is holding a short story contest about war in the year 2030. Check out details here: <a href="https://www.dailypress.com/news/military/dp-nws-army-mad-scientist-20190125-story.html">https://www.dailypress.com/news/military/dp-nws-army-mad-scientist-20190125-story.html</a><br />
<br />
* Mahershala Ali, who just took home an Academy Award, has signed on to play the lead in a science-fiction movie written by the co-writers of "A Quiet Place". <a href="http://sciencefiction.com/2019/02/28/academy-award-winner-mahershala-ali-will-headline-sci-fi-movie-sovereign-quiet-place-writers-stranger-things-producers/">http://sciencefiction.com/2019/02/28/academy-award-winner-mahershala-ali-will-headline-sci-fi-movie-sovereign-quiet-place-writers-stranger-things-producers/</a><br />
<br />
* Creating a suggestion matrix based on 100 years of of science-fiction which can analyze trends and suggest things you would not normally consider sounds amazing! <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/infoporn-100-years-of-sci-fi-explored/">https://www.wired.com/story/infoporn-100-years-of-sci-fi-explored/</a><br />
<br />
* If you have not watched Netflix's adaptation of the comic book series "The Umbrella Academy", get on it! Then check out this article on the six questions the first season left us with. <a href="http://collider.com/the-umbrella-academy-netflix-questions">http://collider.com/the-umbrella-academy-netflix-questions</a><br />
<br />
* SYFY FANGRRLS is doing a special limited podcast called Forgotten Women of Genre to explore women's contributions to genre. Their first subject is Melissa Mathison, the woman who wrote the "ET" screenplay. There will be a new subject every day for the month, so check it out. <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/forgotten-women-of-genre-melissa-mathison">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/forgotten-women-of-genre-melissa-mathison</a><br />
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Award News<br />
------------------<br />
<br />
*The Tiptree Fellows for 2018 have been announced as Vida Cruz and Ana Hurtado. Congratulations! <a href="https://tiptree.org/tiptree-fellowships/2018-tiptree-fellowships">https://tiptree.org/tiptree-fellowships/2018-tiptree-fellowships</a><br />
<br />
* The 2018 Aurealis Awards, which celebrate Australian speculative fiction, have released their shortlist. <a href="https://aurealisawards.org/2019/02/20/2018-aurealis-awards-shortlist-announcement/">https://aurealisawards.org/2019/02/20/2018-aurealis-awards-shortlist-announcement/</a><br />
<br />
* The Horror Writers Association has revealed the final ballot for the 2018 Bram Stoker Awards. The graphic novel category looks especially good this year. <a href="http://horror.org/2018-bram-stoker-awards-final-ballot/">http://horror.org/2018-bram-stoker-awards-final-ballot/</a><br />
<br />
* The finalists for the Nebula Awards have been announced, and they include the marvelous Mary Robinette Kowal, as well as Sam J. Miller, P. Djèlí Clark, and others. Check out the full list here: <a href="https://nebulas.sfwa.org/2018-nebula-finalists-announced/">https://nebulas.sfwa.org/2018-nebula-finalists-announced/</a><br />
<br />
* NESFA, The New England Science Fiction Association, has announced that the Skylark Award (presented to someone, who, in the opinion of the membership, has contributed significantly to science fiction) has been awarded to Melissa Snodgrass. They have also presented the Gaughan (for emerging artist) to Nicolas Delort. <a href="https://www.nesfa.org/awards/skylark.html">https://www.nesfa.org/awards/skylark.html</a> and <a href="https://www.nesfa.org/awards/gaughan.html">https://www.nesfa.org/awards/gaughan.html</a><br />
<br />
* The Baltimore Science Fiction Society has listed the finalists for the 2019 Compton Crook Award! Nominees include S.A. Chakraborty, R. F. Kuang, Rebecca Roanhorse and more. <a href="http://www.bsfs.org/CCA/bsfsccnu2014.htm">http://www.bsfs.org/CCA/bsfsccnu2014.htm</a><br />
<br />
* The British Science Fiction Association has listed the finalists for this year's BSFA Awards. <a href="https://bsfa.co.uk/awards-shortlist/">https://bsfa.co.uk/awards-shortlist/</a><br />
<br />
* Head over and check out the amazing art that's been nominated for the Spectrum Awards! They run the gamut in tone and material but are all interesting. <a href="http://spectrumfantasticart.com/blog/2019/02/18/spectrum-26-awards-nominations/">http://spectrumfantasticart.com/blog/2019/02/18/spectrum-26-awards-nominations/</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
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<br />
March Building Update<br />
<br />
Looking back, I realize that it's been quite a while since I've given an update on how the construction is going at the new building. Sorry for that but . . . the holidays, catchup after them, and then Cary's passing all made for a few months when extensive writing wasn't going to happen. However, time to correct that now.<br />
<br />
There are four big jobs that we've been working on since late last year and they've all moved forward quite a bit since November. They are, in no particular order; rebuilding the front of the store, expanding the bathroom to make it ADA compliant, creating the garden in the backyard, and getting the new electrical service installed. There was one other job, the structural work in the basement, but the final touches were completed in January. Here's where we stand on the other jobs:<br />
<br />
Rebuilding the storefront ran into a hiccup in January and it took 'til the middle of last month to get past it. The storefront that existed was, to be blunt, crap. It had been built in the 70s at low cost, and it showed. It also was not ADA accessible. So, in consultation with the Historic Preservation department of the planning commission, we designed a completely new storefront that was correct for the building while also being accessible. The new design included some big posts and beams that increased the seismic strength of that portion of the place (important because, right now, it's the weakest point in the structure).<br />
<br />
Tearing out the old construction was easy (and a pleasure) but then the process of getting the material delivered involved a few delays. Beams that are 19 feet long and measure 9 1/12" by 7 1/2" are not, at all, something you throw in the backseat of your car. Once the material was delivered, fitting it all was a complicated and (very) careful job but not too hard. But then . . . due to the method of attachment, I had to drill six precisely-located holes the long way through some 4" by 8" posts. And they had be be dead-straight so that they would all line up correctly on the far side. I blew through four 12' long posts before I figured out how to get the holes to line up correctly (BTW, it took a full-size drill press to do the job).<br />
<br />
Now that those are done, it'll just take a little bit more work to get both posts and both beams in place. Once that is finished, the job is a mostly straightforward piece of framing work with some fine details like the front tile and the windows. I'm guessing that it'll take another month or two for completion because I'm also going to be working on . . .<br />
<br />
The bathroom expansion also involves some big beams and posts. Actually, one huge beam and a couple smaller ones. The big beam is 18 feet and measures 5 1/4" by 16". The sucker weighs about 432lbs and has to go all the way up to the ceiling. The tricky part of that job is where the smaller beam meets both the supports for the stairs going up to the apartments and the big beam. We've been working on fitting that for two weeks and we're very close to having a pattern that we can transfer over to the actual beam so we can cut it to shape. Once that's done, we put up the big beam, the posts to support it and then we can demolish the old bathroom. With the old bathroom gone, like the previous job, it's a simple matter of framing the walls and then getting the plumbing and electrical installed. I'm going to guess a month or two from now to complete that job as well, then we'll need to see how fast the plumber and electrician can get their work done.<br />
<br />
The garden is going very well. All the plants aren't in yet but we're at about 50%. Over the last couple of weeks we got the first section of brick layed and that allowed us to move the rest of the brick out there, rather than having it take up a bunch of space inside the shop. We'll be working along on that as time and weather allows but, it doesn't need to be finished before we open so it's less of a priority than the other jobs. Regardless of how far we get on it before we open, it's going to be a work in progress for a long time because that's how gardens "do".<br />
<br />
Finally, the new electrical service has been taking much longer that expected, mostly because Pacific Gas and Electric does everything on their own time (except when it comes to blowing up or burning down whole towns, it seems). But, we're finally under contract for the service, the trenching plans are set, and we just need to have a pre-construction meeting to make sure all the ducks are in a row. After that we can get the trench in the sidewalk cut, the new conduit in place, and then we can wait for a couple of weeks 'til they put in the new wires. With that done, our electrician, Antonius Dintcho, should be able to get the rest of the work finished pretty quickly. Because of the PG&E factor, I'm not going to make any prediction when that will be finished.<br />
<br />
After we get all those jobs done, it's going to be a matter of final inspections for the storefront and the bathroom. Once we pass those, then it's all small jobs and finish work -- additional electrical, new ceiling, lights, new floor (or, ugh, carpet), building dividing walls in the basement, getting the shelving in and so forth. It'll still be a long way to go but, once we get the three big jobs above completed, we'll have made moved from the big-complicated part of the job to the smaller-simple part. Which will be very, very nice.<br />
<br />
In closing, I still don't have a date in mind. I'm still sticking with "this year" but when this year is still anyone's guess.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
PS I'll try to have some pictures posted in time for the next newsletter.<br />
<br />
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Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for February, 2019<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1. The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
2. Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James<br />
3. The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie<br />
4. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
5. In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire<br />
6. Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee<br />
7. Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty<br />
8. Kingdom of Needle and Bone by Mira Grant<br />
9. Binti: The Complete Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor<br />
10. Early Riser by Jasper Fforde<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1. The Power by Naomi Alderman<br />
2. The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin<br />
3. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />
4. Autonomous by Annalee Newitz<br />
5. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, trans. by Ken Liu<br />
6. The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
7. Freeze-Frame Revolution by Peter Watts<br />
8. All Systems Red by Martha Wells<br />
9. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
10. A People's Future of the United States ed. by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1. Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin<br />
2. Dune by Frank Herbert<br />
3. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
4. Who Fears Death? by Nnedi Okorafor<br />
5. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
6. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
7. American Gods by Neil Gaiman<br />
8. The Long Sunset by Jack McDevitt<br />
9. Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs<br />
10. Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi<br />
<br />
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Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, March 10th at 5 pm to discuss ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, March 17th at 6 pm to discuss ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells. The book for the following month will be NEW YORK 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information<br />
<br />
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Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Josiah Luis Alderete, SevanKeelee Boult, Isaac R. Fellman, Leslie Miley, Kyle Thomas Smith, and Maurisa Thompson, with guest host Elena Rose, Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 pm - Writers With Drinks is the most awesome spoken-word variety show in the world, and we're always happy to participate! The amazing lineup this month includes authors Josiah Luis Alderete (The Spanglish Power Hour), SevanKeelee Boult (Chile! Hood Stories: A Fairy's Tale), Isaac R. Fellman (The Breath of the Sun), Leslie Miley (The Musings of a Black Man in Tech), Kyle Thomas Smith (Cockloft: Scenes From a Gay Marriage), and Maurisa Thompson (Fat Man and Little Boy Take a Selfie in San Francisco), with fabulous guest host Elena Rose! Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 7:00, show begins at 7:30 pm and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books.<br />
<br />
Seanan McGuire, THAT AIN'T WITCHCRAFT (DAW, Mass Market, $7.99) Saturday, March 23rd at 5:00 pm - We're always delighted to welcome Seanan McGuire back to Borderlands! This time we're celebrating InCryptid volume 8(!) which again features Antimony Price. Still fleeing the Covenant, Annie and her not-at-all human friends have hopefully found a safe spot to lay low and catch their breath in a rambling, isolated old farmhouse in seemingly-idyllic New Gravesend, Maine. Unfortunately, The Crossroads are trying to call in their bargain, and more than one person seems to want Annie and her friends dead (or worse). Without her family and the Mice, will Annie make it out of this one? Join us to find out!<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at the American Bookbinders Museum, 355 Clementina St. San Francisco) with authors Nancy Kress and Jack Skillingstead, moderated by Terry Bisson, Sunday, March 31st 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! The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by publisher Jacob Weisman. 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.<br />
<br />
Dana Fredsti, BLOOD INK (Titan, Trade Paperback, $14.95) Sunday, April 7th at 3:00 pm - Join us to meet local author Dana Fredsti and check out the thrilling sequel to SPAWN OF LILITH! Here's the synopsis of the new title: "Having killed her last producer (SO not her fault, though), stuntwoman Lee Striga's next film shoot takes her to the voodoo-soaked bayous and haunted back alleys of New Orleans, where sinister supernatural figures stalk the streets. In a dark corner of the French Quarter, an arcane tattoo artist is using his clients in rituals that will open an inter-dimensional gateway for a demon god from beyond the stars." Don't miss this chance to get a signed copy & enjoy the next book in this atypical urban fantasy series.<br />
<br />
Mike Chen, HERE AND NOW AND THEN (MIRA, Hardcover, $26.99), and Peng Shepherd, THE BOOK OF M (William Morrow, Hardcover, $26.99) Saturday, April 13th at 3:00 pm - We are very happy to welcome these two excellent, up-and-coming authors to the store! Publishers Weekly liked both of their novels, and gave HERE AND NOW AND THEN, Mike Chen's debut, a starred reivew and called it "heartfelt", "thrilling" and "unforgetable". <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7783-6904-2">https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-7783-6904-2</a>. Peng Shepherd's debut, THE BOOK OF M, about a post-apocalyptic world full of danger and magic was called "graceful and riveting". <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-266960-5">https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-06-266960-5</a>. We sincerely hope you'll join us to meet Mike and Peng and check out their books -- you'll be able to say you "knew them when"!<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) Saturday, April 13th at 7:30 pm - More details to come!<br />
<br />
-----------------------------<br />
Featured Upcoming Titles<br />
-----------------------------<br />
(These titles have not arrived yet. You may pre-order most of these books by calling or emailing us. Prices may be subject to change. Of course, we have many more titles arriving each week . . . call or email us if you're curious about a particular upcoming title not listed here. This list is tentative and subject to change by publishers. Unless otherwise noted, books are originals.)<br />
<br />
KELLEY ARMSTRONG * Cruel Fate * Subterranean Press, Apr 2019 (na, hc, eb)<br />
MIKE ASHLEY, ed. * The Menace of the Machine * British Library Publishing, Apr 2019 (tp)<br />
NATHAN BALLINGRUD * Wounds: Six Stories from the Border of Hell * Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, Apr 2019 (c, hc, tp, eb)<br />
ASHOK K. BANKER * Upon a Burning Throne * Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/John Joseph Adams, Apr 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
PETER S. BEAGLE & JACOB WEISMAN, EDS. * The Unicorn Anthology * Tachyon Publications, Apr 2019 (an, tp, eb)<br />
JOHN CONNOLLY * A Book of Bones * Hodder & Stoughton, Apr 2019 (hc)<br />
DELILAH S. DAWSON & KEVIN HEARNE * No Country for Old Gnomes * Penguin Random House/Del Rey, Apr 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
STEPHEN R. DONALDSON * The War Within * Penguin Random House/Berkley, Apr 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
TERRY DOWLING * The Complete Rynosseros * PS Australia, Apr 2019 (c, hc)<br />
GREG EGAN * Perihelion Summer * Tor.com Publishing, Apr 2019 (na, tp, eb)<br />
MEG ELISON * The Book of Flora * Amazon/47 North, Apr 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
DAVID FARLAND, ED. * L. Ron Hubbard Presents Writers of the Future Volume 35 * Galaxy, Apr 2019 (oa, tp, eb)<br />
JAINE FENN * Broken Shadow * Angry Robot US, Apr 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
PAUL DI FILIPPO * The Deadly Kiss-Off * Blackstone Publishing, Apr 2019 (a, hc, eb)<br />
NEIL GAIMAN * The Nice and Accurate Good Omens Companion * Headline, Apr 2019 (nf, hc)<br />
NEIL GAIMAN * The Quite Nice and Fairly Accurate Good Omens Script Book * Headline, Apr 2019 (hc)<br />
CHRISTOPHER GOLDEN * The Pandora Room * St. Martin’s, Apr 2019 (h, hc, eb)<br />
TERRY GOODKIND * The Scribbly Man * Head of Zeus, Apr 2019 (hc)<br />
GWYNETH JONES * Big Cat and Other Stories * NewCon Press, Apr 2019 (c, hc, eb, tp)<br />
STEPHEN JONES, ed. * Best New Horror #29 * PS Publishing, Apr 2019 (hc)<br />
KAY KENYON * Nest of the Monarch * Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, Apr 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
MARK LAWRENCE * Holy Sister * Ace, Apr 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA, ED. * Nebula Awards Showcase 2019 * Start/Pyr, Apr 2019 (an, tp, eb)<br />
EMMA NEWMAN * Atlas Alone * Ace, Apr 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
SUZANNE PALMER * Finder * DAW, Apr 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
K.J. PARKER * Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City * Orbit US, Apr 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
MIKE RESNICK * The Master of Dreams * DAW, Apr 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
REBECCA ROANHORSE * Storm of Locusts * Simon & Schuster/Saga Press, Apr 2019 (hc, tp, eb)<br />
ANGELA SLATTER * The Heart Is a Mirror for Sinners and Other Stories * PS Publishing, Apr 2019 (c, hc)<br />
JONATHAN STRAHAN, ED. * The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the Year Volume 13 * Rebellion/Solaris US, Apr 2019 (an, tp, eb)<br />
JONATHAN STRAHAN, ED. * Tor.com Publishing Editorial Spotlight #5 * Tor.com Publishing, Apr 2019 (an, eb)<br />
SAM SYKES * Seven Blades in Black * Orbit US, Apr 2019 (tp, eb)<br />
ADRIAN TCHAIKOVSKY * Cage of Souls * Head of Zeus, Apr 2019 (hc)<br />
ANN VANDERMEER, ED. * Tor.com Publishing Editorial Spotlight #4 * Tor.com Publishing, Apr 2019 (an, eb)<br />
FRAN WILDE * Riverland * Abrams/Amulet, Apr 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
T.M. WRIGHT * The Best of T.M. Wright * PS Publishing, Apr 2019 (c, hc)<br />
TIMOTHY ZAHN * Knight * Tor, Apr 2019 (hc, eb)<br />
<br />
<br />
Abbreviations indicate: (r) reprint, (h) horror, (ya) young adult, (nf) non-fiction, (c) collection, (oc) original collection, (na) novella, (a) associational, (om) omnibus, (eb) e-book, (an) anthology, (pi) pictoral and other, (art) art and others, (gn) graphic novel, (x) media tie-in, (nv) novelette, (ss) short story, (hc) hardcover, (tp) trade paperback, (ph) pamphlet, (pb) paperback, (oa) original anthology, (b) biography, (v) paranormal romance, (pm) poetry.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun<br />
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
* * * * * * *Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-64335235723242009602019-03-05T23:58:00.001-08:002019-03-05T23:58:33.687-08:00Dispatches from the Border, February 2019In Memoriam<br />
Cary Heater<br />
1961-2019<br />
<br />
Cary Heater passed away at San Francisco General Hospital in the early morning of Thursday, January 31st as a result of complications following a fall and severe head injury on the night of Wednesday, January 16th.<br />
<br />
Cary was a Bay Area native, born and raised in San Jose. She moved to San Francisco in the 80's, in part to escape the South Bay's heat (which she despised). Throughout much of her time in SF she worked as an accountant, ultimately heading the accounting department of a major downtown firm. In the early 2000's she left that field and went looking for something else. She found bookselling and never looked back.<br />
<br />
She started working with us at Borderlands in 2002. Initially she was very worried that she wouldn't be a good bookseller because she didn't read widely enough in the field to make good recommendations. But, with a little encouragement, she quickly grew into the role. Over time, Cary took over many of the administrative duties at the store and was an absolutely vital part of Borderlands' success.<br />
<br />
On a personal level, Cary and I were friends for 27 years. We meet dancing in nightclubs around town and became close friends. Our friendship persisted and grew through multiple career changes, life crises, triumphs and defeats. She was my oldest friend.<br />
<br />
She also counted among her friends many fellow booksellers, authors, artists and, above all, customers. We will be gathering to celebrate her life on Friday, February 8th, from 7 pm to 11 pm at Borderlands Books. We hope that you will be able to join us.<br />
<br />
It was her wish that she be cremated and there will be no service. If you wish to make a donation to charity in Cary's name, I'd like to suggest the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (<a href="https://www.bincfoundation.org/donate/">https://www.bincfoundation.org/donate/</a>). Had Cary survived her injury, that organization's support would have been crucial to helping her manage the financial consequences.<br />
<br />
Cary had no surviving family but I don't think she ever felt alone in the world. She had a family that she chose in the staff and customers of Borderlands. There had never been anything in her life that she loved more than bookselling. We are all grateful that she chose us.<br />
<br />
- Alan Beatts<br />
<br />
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Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Charlie Jane Anders, Gayle Brandeis, Chris Denson, Laleh Khadivi, and Lisa Margonelli, Saturday, February 9th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinder's Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with authors Nick Mamatas and Anya Martin, hosted by Terry Bisson, Sunday, February 24th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
Canceled - Ann Leckie, THE RAVEN TOWER (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Thursday, February 28th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco), Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
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* Overheard in the Store:<br />
"Who, exactly, decided that this image of empowered femininity would be a completely naked woman chasing a playful mini T-Rex around a tree with a kitchen knife?"<br />
<br />
"This seems like a good plan; I'll just pose in this hoodie on an emu!"<br />
<br />
"I believe in role-playing games, & I believe in cosplay. I just don't believe they go great together."<br />
<br />
"In my experience, LARP-ing is just sitting in 30 pounds of dress while my friends argue for hours."<br />
<br />
"We never said it would be easy. We just said it'd be worth it."<br />
<br />
"They may be coming here to leave their hearts in San Francisco, but they clearly left their brains in Dayton or Poughkeepsie or wherever it is they're from!"<br />
<br />
* A 100 year-old Holocaust survivor talks about the importance of books. Her letter is included in an anthology of essays on books and reading. <a href="https://www.brainpickings.org/2018/12/18/a-velocity-of-being-helen-fagin/">https://www.brainpickings.org/2018/12/18/a-velocity-of-being-helen-fagin/</a><br />
<br />
* In extremely sad local news, Aardvark Books has closed after 40 years in San Francisco. <a href="https://hoodline.com/2019/01/final-chapter-aardvark-books-to-close-this-friday-after-40-years-in-business">https://hoodline.com/2019/01/final-chapter-aardvark-books-to-close-this-friday-after-40-years-in-business</a><br />
<br />
* A exploration on how women were not excluded from early science fiction circles, but in fact made vital contributions that were erased over time. <a href="https://www.wired.com/2019/02/geeks-guide-history-women-sci-fi/">https://www.wired.com/2019/02/geeks-guide-history-women-sci-fi/</a><br />
<br />
* io9.com gives you a list of 37 speculative books releasing in February that you can purchase and curl up with just in case you're in the middle of the Polar Vortex. <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/37-new-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-to-keep-you-wa-1831879973">https://io9.gizmodo.com/37-new-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-to-keep-you-wa-1831879973</a><br />
<br />
* A list of eight SF/F books with queer, poly relationships, which we would have loved to have as young adults. <a href="https://www.autostraddle.com/8-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-with-queer-poly-relationships-445053/">https://www.autostraddle.com/8-science-fiction-and-fantasy-books-with-queer-poly-relationships-445053/</a><br />
<br />
* A reexamination of "The Matrix", and whether it had some part to play in our current reality where people feel free to blissfully ignore facts. <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2019/02/the-matrix-built-our-reality-denying-world.html">https://www.vulture.com/2019/02/the-matrix-built-our-reality-denying-world.html</a><br />
<br />
* The creators of RWBY have a new anime series to launch with an all-star cast including David Tennant, Michael B. Jordan and Maisie Williams. Introducing "gen:LOCK": <a href="https://www.inverse.com/article/52550-rooster-teeth-genlock-explained-trailer-premiere-date">https://www.inverse.com/article/52550-rooster-teeth-genlock-explained-trailer-premiere-date</a><br />
<br />
* While the conversation on the diversity of authors and worlds has taken steps forward in the last few years, diversity in the industry itself is still worth consideration. Bustle interviewed 10 women of color who work in publishing about their experiences. <a href="https://www.bustle.com/p/how-10-women-of-color-actually-feel-about-working-in-book-publishing-15867283">https://www.bustle.com/p/how-10-women-of-color-actually-feel-about-working-in-book-publishing-15867283</a><br />
<br />
* Now the only question is: resistance, or do we bow and welcome our future Skynet overlords? <a href="https://www.techspot.com/news/78519-self-aware-machines-wont-science-fiction-much-longer.html">https://www.techspot.com/news/78519-self-aware-machines-wont-science-fiction-much-longer.html</a><br />
<br />
* There's a college that focuses on Fantasy and History. Unfortunately if your interests stray anywhere outside of Europe, this is not the school for you -- but maybe someone else will start a more diverse version soon. (Also, it has no accreditation.) <a href="https://www.concordmonitor.com/signum-university-tolkein-nashua-nh-22924145">https://www.concordmonitor.com/signum-university-tolkein-nashua-nh-22924145</a><br />
<br />
* "Paradise Hills" sounds like a weird, over-the-top, lush prison film where hyper-femininity is enforced, confining and deconstructed. "Lord of the Flies" by way of a dystopian finishing school. We're already interested. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/4/18201719/paradise-hills-review-awkwafina-milla-jovovich-alice-waddington-sundance-2019">https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/4/18201719/paradise-hills-review-awkwafina-milla-jovovich-alice-waddington-sundance-2019</a><br />
<br />
* Whenever we think about living spaceships, it's generally more squishy and "Farscape"-like, but this article points out there's any number of ways scientists are working on living spaceships. <a href="https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/think-living-spaceships-are-science-fiction-think-again/90873">https://www.ozy.com/fast-forward/think-living-spaceships-are-science-fiction-think-again/90873</a><br />
<br />
* Where was this cutting-edge research when we were in school struggling with French or Spanish? All the things science fiction promised us, it's delivering to the next generation -- not fair. <a href="https://www.inverse.com/article/52901-can-you-learn-new-information-or-languages-during-sleep">https://www.inverse.com/article/52901-can-you-learn-new-information-or-languages-during-sleep</a><br />
<br />
* An interview with author Karin Lowachee about her short story "A Sun Will Always Sing" and a future in which humanity and AI coexist in harmony rather than competition. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/4/18207357/karin-lowachee-interview-sci-fi-artificial-intelligence-better-worlds">https://www.theverge.com/2019/2/4/18207357/karin-lowachee-interview-sci-fi-artificial-intelligence-better-worlds</a><br />
<br />
* A list of 20 black speculative fiction authors that you should know. <a href="https://culturess.com/2019/02/03/20-legendary-black-science-fiction-authors/">https://culturess.com/2019/02/03/20-legendary-black-science-fiction-authors/</a><br />
<br />
* A Harvard astronomer talks about the the possibilities of aliens: why they are no less speculative than other space theories, and why astronomy should open its mind to the idea of extraterrestrial intelligence. <a href="https://www.wbur.org/endlessthread/2019/01/30/oumuamua-alien-probe-avi-loeb">https://www.wbur.org/endlessthread/2019/01/30/oumuamua-alien-probe-avi-loeb</a><br />
<br />
* The assumption that women writers of speculative fiction are automatically writing for a younger audience is one that many of us who work in bookstores have noticed, but where does that idea come from? <a href="https://bookriot.com/2019/01/21/sexist-problem-in-fantasy/">https://bookriot.com/2019/01/21/sexist-problem-in-fantasy/</a><br />
<br />
* A man taught himself how to animate the story he wanted to tell all on his own. Check out his story here and then go watch all the nine episodes of the first season of "Esluna: The First Monolith" on youtube. <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/meet-a-guy-who-taught-himself-to-animate-his-own-sci-fi-1832155351">https://io9.gizmodo.com/meet-a-guy-who-taught-himself-to-animate-his-own-sci-fi-1832155351</a><br />
<br />
* Bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon has accused her husband of a plot to poison her and steal her financial resources while being emotionally abusive and manipulative. More details here: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/17/best-selling-paranormal-romance-writer-accuses-her-husband-shakespearean-plot-poison-her/">https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/17/best-selling-paranormal-romance-writer-accuses-her-husband-shakespearean-plot-poison-her/</a><br />
<br />
* If you happened to miss Appreciate a Dragon Day this year, no worries -- here is a list of 10 iconic dragons of film & TV to remind you why you loved them in the first place! (Also a good reminder of things to re-watch or perhaps watch for the first time.) <a href="https://parade.com/731743/solanahawkenson/the-top-10-dragons-from-film-tv-for-appreciate-a-dragon-day/">https://parade.com/731743/solanahawkenson/the-top-10-dragons-from-film-tv-for-appreciate-a-dragon-day/</a><br />
<br />
* Author Garth Nix has made a deal to publish his first books aimed squarely at an adult audience with Gollancz. Details for the upcoming two novels are here: <a href="https://www.thebookseller.com/news/gollancz-snaps-nixs-two-novels-935501">https://www.thebookseller.com/news/gollancz-snaps-nixs-two-novels-935501</a><br />
<br />
* "CBS All Access" seems to be aiming directly for the science fiction market, with not only the second season of "Star Trek: Discovery" premiering, but also announcements of a "Star Trek" spin-off series, "The Twilight Zone" reboot, and a new adaptation of Stephen King's "The Stand." <a href="https://qz.com/quartzy/1539178/with-star-trek-the-twilight-zone-and-the-stand-cbs-all-access-is-a-necessity-for-sci-fi-nerds/">https://qz.com/quartzy/1539178/with-star-trek-the-twilight-zone-and-the-stand-cbs-all-access-is-a-necessity-for-sci-fi-nerds/</a><br />
<br />
* Rick Riordan's new imprint has been putting out acclaimed science fiction. Check out its newest offering from acclaimed science-fiction writer Yoon Ha Lee, DRAGON PEARL. <a href="https://culturess.com/2019/01/15/dragon-pearl-yoon-ha-lee-rick-riordan-presents/">https://culturess.com/2019/01/15/dragon-pearl-yoon-ha-lee-rick-riordan-presents/</a><br />
<br />
* Apparently the government is researching travel via wormhole. This will either advance us hundreds of years or blow us back to the stone age. (Honestly the way things are going, either sounds pretty good.) <a href="https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/traversable-wormholes-super-fast-travel-usa-defense-intelligence-agency">https://www.thequint.com/voices/opinion/traversable-wormholes-super-fast-travel-usa-defense-intelligence-agency</a><br />
<br />
* "Glass", whatever you think of the ending, gave us a glimpse into a very real condition: people who think they are superheroes. <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/science-behind-the-fiction-glass">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/science-behind-the-fiction-glass</a><br />
<br />
<br />
------------------<br />
Award News<br />
------------------<br />
* R.F. Kuang has won the Crawford Award for the amazing debut fantasy novel THE POPPY WAR: <a href="https://locusmag.com/2019/02/kuang-wins-crawford-award/">https://locusmag.com/2019/02/kuang-wins-crawford-award/</a><br />
<br />
* The nominees for the 2019 Philip K. Dick Awards have been announced! <a href="https://www.philipkdickaward.org/2019/01/2019-philip-k-dick-award-nominees-announced.html">https://www.philipkdickaward.org/2019/01/2019-philip-k-dick-award-nominees-announced.html</a><br />
<br />
* SFWA has announced the recipients for the 2019 Kate Wilheim Solstice Award for distinguished contributions to the science fiction & fantasy community: Nisis Shawl & Neil Clarke! <a href="https://nebulas.sfwa.org/sfwa-announces-the-2019-kate-wilhelm-solstice-award-recipients/">https://nebulas.sfwa.org/sfwa-announces-the-2019-kate-wilhelm-solstice-award-recipients/</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
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<br />
When visiting someone's home for the first time, it's a habit among book people to take a careful look at what is on the shelves. It always gives a remarkably detailed insight to their personality and character. I can't show you Cary's bookself but I can do something close. Below you'll find a list of the books that Cary loved and reccomended over the years. Jude compiled it and I've sorted them by author. In the case of series, I've only listed the first novel but, generally, Cary tended to only suggest series titles that held up through their run. I hope that you enjoy this peek into Cary's personality.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie<br />
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie<br />
Sharp Ends by Joe Abercrombie<br />
<br />
In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker<br />
Gaudeamus by John Barnes<br />
Tamsin by Peter S. Beagle<br />
Tithe by Holly Black<br />
Necklace of Kisses by Francesca Lia Block<br />
I Was a Teenage Fairy by Francesca Lia Block<br />
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley<br />
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan<br />
World War Z by Max Brooks<br />
Little Green Men by Christopher Buckley<br />
Territory by Emma Bull<br />
<br />
Soulless by Gail Carriger<br />
Romancing the Werewolf by Gail Carriger<br />
The Devil You Know by Mike Carey<br />
Fellside by M.R. Carey<br />
Someone Like Me by M.R. Carey<br />
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers<br />
Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu<br />
<br />
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow<br />
The Spaceship Next Door by Gene Doucette<br />
<br />
The Circle by Dave Eggers<br />
<br />
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde<br />
Willful Machines by Tim Floreen<br />
<br />
The Princess Bride by William Goldman<br />
The Gashlycrumb Tinies by Edward Gorey<br />
Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory<br />
<br />
Hounded by Kevin Hearne<br />
My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix<br />
Holmes on the Range by Steve Hockensmith<br />
<br />
Fated by Benedict Jake<br />
How to Make Friends With Demons (originally published as Memoirs of a Master Forger) by Graham Joyce<br />
Some Kind of Fairy Tale by Graham Joyce<br />
Curioddity by Paul Jenkins<br />
<br />
The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages<br />
Passing Strange by Ellen Klages<br />
Portable Childhoods by Ellen Klages<br />
Wicked Wonders by Ellen Klages<br />
Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal<br />
Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress<br />
The Privilege of the Sword by Ellen Kushner<br />
Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner<br />
Tremontaine edited by Ellen Kushner<br />
<br />
Savage Season by Joe R. Lansdale<br />
How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier<br />
Razorhurst by Justine Larbalestier<br />
The Gentleman by Forrest Leo<br />
Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart<br />
Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch<br />
<br />
A Crown for Cold Silver by Alex Marshall<br />
Good Fairies of New York by Martin Millar<br />
Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore<br />
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore<br />
Fool by Christopher Moore<br />
Lamb, or, the Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore<br />
Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore<br />
The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore<br />
Secret History of Witches by Louisa Morgan<br />
The Wild Girls by Pat Murphy<br />
<br />
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel<br />
<br />
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett<br />
Reaper Man by Terry Pratchett<br />
James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon by Julie Phillips<br />
Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough<br />
The Stress of Her Regard by Tim Powers<br />
<br />
Stiff by Mary Roach<br />
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
The Slow Regard of Silent Things by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
<br />
Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi<br />
Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi<br />
The Android's Dream by John Scalzi<br />
Agent to the Stars by John Scalzi<br />
Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab<br />
Illuminatus Trilogy by Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea<br />
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan<br />
<br />
Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor<br />
<br />
The Martian by Andy Weir<br />
I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells<br />
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld<br />
The Midnighters by Scott Westerfeld<br />
Bellwether by Connie Willis<br />
Crosstalk by Connie Willis<br />
Black Out & All Clear by Connie Willis<br />
Miracle by Connie Willis<br />
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis<br />
<br />
Mechanical Failure by Joe Zieja<br />
<br />
Robots vs. Fairies edited by Dominik Parisien and Navah Wolfe<br />
Rogues edited by GRRM and Gardner Dozois<br />
Zombies vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier<br />
<br />
Non-genre:<br />
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt<br />
Cool Grey City of Love by Gary Kamiya<br />
Heresy by Melissa Lenhardt<br />
Tales of the City by Armisted Maupin<br />
Altamont by Joel Selvin<br />
The Season of the Witch by David Talbot<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for January, 2018<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1. In an Absent Dream by Seanan McGuire<br />
2. How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
3. Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee<br />
4. Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty<br />
5. Fire and Blood by George R.R. Martin<br />
6. Rejoice, A Knife to the Heart by Steven Erickson<br />
7. Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
8. Though Fiery Trials by David Weber<br />
9. Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells<br />
10. Thin Air by Richard Morgan<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1. The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin<br />
2. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin, trans. by Ken Liu<br />
3. The Power by Naomi Alderman<br />
4. Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal<br />
5. Autonomous by Annalee Newitz<br />
6. Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
7. Freeze-Frame Revolution by Peter Watts<br />
8. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
9. Hannah Green and Her Unfeasibly Mundane Existence by Michael Marshall Smith<br />
10. The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1. Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
2. Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. LeGuin<br />
3. The Dispossessed by Ursula K. LeGuin<br />
4. Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
5. Who Fears Death? by Nnedi Okorafor<br />
6. Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
7. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
8. Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
9. Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi<br />
10. The Brightest Fell by Seanan McGuire<br />
<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Book Club Information<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, February 10th, at 5 pm to discuss TOMORROW'S KIN by Nancy Kress. The book for the following month will be ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, February 17th at 6 pm to discuss THE CLOCKWORK DYNASTY by Daniel H. Wilson. The book for the following month will also be ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information<br />
<br />
<br />
------------------------------<br />
Upcoming Event Details<br />
------------------------------<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Charlie Jane Anders, Gayle Brandeis, Chris Denson, Laleh Khadivi, and Lisa Margonelli, Saturday, February 9th 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 this month includes authors Charlie Jane Anders (yes, she's reading as well as hosting! (The City in the Middle of the Night), Gayle Brandeis (The Book of Dead Birds), Chris Denson (Crushing the Box), Laleh Khadivi (The Age of Orphans) and Lisa Margonelli (Underbug). This one will be extra special, since we've got permission from the publisher to sell Charlie Jane's new book 3 days early! Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 6:30 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books.<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinder's Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with authors Nick Mamatas and Anya Martin, hosted by Terry Bisson, Sunday, February 24th at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10.) We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson. Authors will schmooze & sign books after. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated. Doors and bar open at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm. Donations benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
Ann Leckie, THE RAVEN TOWER (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) Thursday, February 28th at 6:00 pm - Ann Leckie, author of the award-winning & highly acclaimed Ancillary Trilogy, turns her sites to epic fantasy with exciting results. We're delighted to welcome Ann back to Borderlands to show off this new novel, THE RAVEN TOWER! Publisher's Weekly says: "In this complex novel, the first epic fantasy from SF author Leckie (PROVENANCE), the best-laid plans of gods and mortals collide, throwing a nation into turmoil and setting the stage for a divine conflict that’s been brewing for centuries. The tale spins out in past and present, narrated by the rockbound god known as the Strength and Patience of the Hill." We don't want to give too much away, but Leckie's strength and cretivity as a writer and keen intelligence are all on display in this amazing new work. We don hope you'll join us to meet her! Read the starred review from Kirkus here: <a href="https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ann-leckie/the-raven-tower/">https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/ann-leckie/the-raven-tower/</a><br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco), Saturday, March 9th at 7:30 pm - Details to come!<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun<br />
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
* * * * * * *Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-80184306992555489512019-01-25T19:58:00.004-08:002019-02-13T12:34:58.102-08:00Dispatches from the Border, January 2019DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
January 2019<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
----------------------<br />
<br />
TOMORROW! Rudy Rucker, RETURN TO THE HOLLOW EARTH (Transreal Books, Trade Paperback, $13.95 and Hardcover, $22.95) and others, and art show premiere! Saturday, January 26th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Charlie Jane Anders, Gayle Brandeis, Chris Denson, Laleh Khadivi, and Lisa Margonelli, Saturday, February 9th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinder's Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with authors Nick Mamatas and Anya Martin, hosted by Terry Bisson, Sunday, February 24th at 6:30 pm<br />
<br />
CANCELLED - Ann Leckie, THE RAVEN TOWER (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) - CANCELLED<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
-------<br />
News<br />
-------<br />
* Overheard in the Store:<br />
"The Pope's never seen _my_ meat!"<br />
<br />
* Local author Nick Mamatas is teaching a Fabulist Fiction course at WeWork Golden Gate, 25 Taylor St., San Francisco. There are six sessions and it starts THIS Saturday, January 12th. The cost is $395. Details and sign up here: <a href="https://sfwriting.institute/portfolio/fabulist_fiction/">https://sfwriting.institute/portfolio/fabulist_fiction/</a><br />
<br />
* A very interesting article on the way young Muslims are finding a sense of belonging in science fiction. <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/12/28/young-muslims-find-meaning-and-inspiration-science-fiction-novels/2413653002/">https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/12/28/young-muslims-find-meaning-and-inspiration-science-fiction-novels/2413653002/</a><br />
<br />
* io9 has gotten together a list of the fictional people, shows and comics that we lost in 2018. R.I.P. <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-fictional-people-and-things-we-lost-in-2018-1831260333">https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-fictional-people-and-things-we-lost-in-2018-1831260333</a><br />
<br />
* How many science fiction predictions for 2019 came true? How many didn't? (We will probably always be mad at the absence of flying cars and teleportation devices.) <a href="https://triblive.com/business/technology/14448704-74/science-fiction-predictions-right-and-wrong-about-2019">https://triblive.com/business/technology/14448704-74/science-fiction-predictions-right-and-wrong-about-2019</a><br />
<br />
* A new science-fiction magazine, "Dreamforge", with a theme of optimism, survival and hope, will be coming out of Pittsburgh in 2019. <a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2018/12/27/science-fiction-magazine-takes-off-in-pittsburgh.html">https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2018/12/27/science-fiction-magazine-takes-off-in-pittsburgh.html</a><br />
<br />
* Speaking of optimistic science fiction, check out the short story series "Better Worlds," -- ten stories, half turned into animation and the other half into audio stories. The series will premiere on January 14th on The Verge. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/5/18055980/better-worlds-science-fiction-short-stories-video">https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/5/18055980/better-worlds-science-fiction-short-stories-video</a><br />
<br />
* The Biology of Science Fiction is a class we wish we could have taken in college. (Na'amen always complained that they weren't teaching him how to make mutants to obey his every whim, but Duke's class is a step in the right direction.) <a href="https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article223159485.html">https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article223159485.html</a><br />
<br />
* British science fiction author Robert Storey has been missing since the day after Xmas. Anyone with any information is being asked to contact the police. <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6532419/Fears-grow-vulnerable-science-fiction-author-42-Ancient-Origins-thriller-series.html">https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6532419/Fears-grow-vulnerable-science-fiction-author-42-Ancient-Origins-thriller-series.html</a><br />
<br />
* io9 gives us a list of the ten best and the four worst TV shows of 2018. We feel vindicated about our reaction to the "Nightflyers" adaptation. <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-10-best-and-4-worst-tv-shows-of-2018-1831217984">https://io9.gizmodo.com/the-10-best-and-4-worst-tv-shows-of-2018-1831217984</a><br />
<br />
* A list of the best future-focused science-fiction TV and film being released in 2019. <a href="https://newatlas.com/best-sci-fi-fantasy-coming-2019-tv-film/57791/">https://newatlas.com/best-sci-fi-fantasy-coming-2019-tv-film/57791/</a><br />
<br />
* For those who watched all of the DC series "The Titans", but missed the after-credits scene. Two new characters were teased as joining in season 2. One we expected, the other. . . . <a href="http://sciencefiction.com/2018/12/27/watch-titans-s1-post-credits-scene-meet-two-new-super-additions/">http://sciencefiction.com/2018/12/27/watch-titans-s1-post-credits-scene-meet-two-new-super-additions/</a><br />
<br />
* Did you enjoy "The Titans" and wonder about all the shifts from the announcements of titles to the cut episode count? Here are your answers: <a href="http://sciencefiction.com/2018/12/26/showrunner-explains-titans-went-12-episodes-11/">http://sciencefiction.com/2018/12/26/showrunner-explains-titans-went-12-episodes-11/</a><br />
<br />
* NASA has released a study on the best way to go about possibly locating other intelligent species in the universe. It even theorizes that Earth may hold some artifacts of non-human origin. <a href="https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1064164/nasa-announcement-news-alien-technology-discovery-space-extraterrestrial">https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1064164/nasa-announcement-news-alien-technology-discovery-space-extraterrestrial</a><br />
<br />
* Coming after the tremendous success of "Get Out", the trailer for Jordan Peele's newest horror film, "Us" has been released -- and it definitely looks terrifying. <a href="http://sciencefiction.com/2018/12/28/jordan-peele-shares-directors-insight-trailer-us/">http://sciencefiction.com/2018/12/28/jordan-peele-shares-directors-insight-trailer-us/</a><br />
<br />
* Na'amen only cares about science that asks the really important questions, the ones that seem relevant to his life and interests, like when we will be able to speak to marine life. <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/aquaman-superpowers-talk-fish-science">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/aquaman-superpowers-talk-fish-science</a><br />
<br />
* Fans of comic book adaptations know that not all adaptations of Marvel works exist within the same universe. In fact there are currently four worlds - the main MCU, the X-men films, the Netflix Marvel series & the "Deadpool" movie universe. Here are the odds on some of the characters from the latter three transferring into the big leagues of the main MCU. <a href="http://sciencefiction.com/2018/12/26/characters-will-transition-mcu-odds/">http://sciencefiction.com/2018/12/26/characters-will-transition-mcu-odds/</a><br />
<br />
* Former President Barack Obama has released his best-of lists for 2018, and two genre films made the list - "Annihilation" & "Black Panther". For more detail go here: <a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/barack-obama-black-panther-annihilation-best-of-list-2018">https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/barack-obama-black-panther-annihilation-best-of-list-2018</a><br />
<br />
* The links between science fiction and philosophy, and how each can be used to illustrate and illuminate the other: <a href="https://www.thedailystar.net/shout/news/the-philosophy-science-fiction-1679149">https://www.thedailystar.net/shout/news/the-philosophy-science-fiction-1679149</a><br />
<br />
* Do you like whiskey? Do you like science fiction? Then it seems like there's a company you should be checking out: <a href="https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-styles/bourbon/science-fiction-whiskey-theme-continues-with-predator-bourbon/">https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-styles/bourbon/science-fiction-whiskey-theme-continues-with-predator-bourbon/</a><br />
<br />
* Vulture gives the list of their top ten science fiction and fantasy books, which we're glad we checked out, because there are a couple on this list we hadn't heard of, and sound great! <a href="https://www.vulture.com/article/best-sci-fi-books-2018.html">https://www.vulture.com/article/best-sci-fi-books-2018.html</a><br />
<br />
* A gentleman has managed to create and patent a quiet ion powered aircraft. For now the focus is on using it for drones, but eventually the plan is to create one that can carry passengers. <a href="https://www.news5cleveland.com/an-oberlin-man-is-creating-a-flying-machine-straight-out-of-science-fiction">https://www.news5cleveland.com/an-oberlin-man-is-creating-a-flying-machine-straight-out-of-science-fiction</a><br />
<br />
* Wired got eight speculative fiction authors to contribute stories about the future of work - including Charlie Jane Anders, Nisi Shawl, Ken Liu and Martha Wells. Check them out here: <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/future-of-work-sci-fi-issue/">https://www.wired.com/story/future-of-work-sci-fi-issue/</a><br />
<br />
* Dyson Sphere! <a href="https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/12/this-video-explains-everything-you-need-to-know-about-my-favorite-science-fiction-superstructure/">https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2018/12/this-video-explains-everything-you-need-to-know-about-my-favorite-science-fiction-superstructure/</a><br />
<br />
* Did a transformer actually explode in Queens? Or is it an MIB-style cover-up for an alien showdown in our backyard? <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericmack/2018/12/28/crazy-blue-light-over-new-york-wasnt-aliens-but-it-sure-looked-like-it/#4f2a19e356e5">https://www.forbes.com/sites/ericmack/2018/12/28/crazy-blue-light-over-new-york-wasnt-aliens-but-it-sure-looked-like-it/#4f2a19e356e5</a><br />
<br />
* Speaking of MIB: the trailer for the new film "MIB International" is out, starring Chris Hemsworth & Tessa Thompson. Thor & Valkyrie fighting aliens side by side? We're there.<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV-WEb2oxLk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV-WEb2oxLk</a><br />
<br />
* Is it just a hunk of rock, or a derelict sun-powered alien craft? (Let's be honest; it's most likely the former, but the latter sounds way cooler.) <a href="https://www.macleans.ca/society/science/oumuamua-hunk-of-interstellar-rock-or-sun-powered-alien-ufo/">https://www.macleans.ca/society/science/oumuamua-hunk-of-interstellar-rock-or-sun-powered-alien-ufo/</a><br />
<br />
* What is the connection between space and dead children: why are they so often paired together in science fiction tales? <a href="https://theweek.com/articles/809988/unfortunate-scifi-trope-dead-child-backstory">https://theweek.com/articles/809988/unfortunate-scifi-trope-dead-child-backstory</a><br />
<br />
* Meet Rose Macaulay, a contemporary of Aldous Huxley, whose dystopian novel WHAT NOT has been out of print since it first appeared in 1919 and seems to have had considerable influence on BRAVE NEW WORLD. It will reappear in print this coming March. <a href="https://qz.com/quartzy/1498891/the-pillars-of-science-fiction-are-two-writers-you-dont-know/">https://qz.com/quartzy/1498891/the-pillars-of-science-fiction-are-two-writers-you-dont-know/</a><br />
<br />
------------------<br />
Award News<br />
------------------<br />
<br />
* The 2018 GoodReads Choice Winners have been announced after millions of votes. <a href="https://bookriot.com/2018/12/04/2018-goodreads-choice-winners-announced/">https://bookriot.com/2018/12/04/2018-goodreads-choice-winners-announced/</a><br />
<br />
* The 2018 Parsec Awards, celebrating speculative podcasting, have been announced. <a href="http://www.parsecawards.com/2018-winners-finalists/">http://www.parsecawards.com/2018-winners-finalists/</a><br />
<br />
* The inaugural award for books focusing on STEAM have announced their shortlist. <a href="https://www.thebookseller.com/news/uclan-announces-shortlist-inaugural-steam-prize-917186">https://www.thebookseller.com/news/uclan-announces-shortlist-inaugural-steam-prize-917186</a><br />
<br />
* The judges for the 2019 World Fantasy Award have been announced. <a href="http://file770.com/2019-world-fantasy-awards-judges/">http://file770.com/2019-world-fantasy-awards-judges/</a><br />
<br />
--------------------<br />
From The Office<br />
--------------------<br />
<br />
Welcome to 2019 Everyone!<br />
<br />
As you can tell, this newsletter is _horribly_ late. And it's all my fault. January is usually a bit busy and crazy but this one has been a record-breaker. I've been trying to write something articulate for the past two weeks and all that has come out was "mumble, sponsorships, mumble, new roof, mumble, mumble, mumble". So, I'm not going to be articulate very much at all (I'll try that next month, which will be here in . . . six days!?!!).<br />
<br />
It's a new year and so, once again, we're soliciting sponsorships for 2019. We do this every year so we can stay open. We need to have 300 sponsors (at $100 each) by March 31st or we'll close. Full story here - <a href="http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/why-sponsorships.html">http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/why-sponsorships.html</a> . Benefits here - <a href="http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-benefits-and-privilidges.html">http://borderlands-sponsors.blogspot.com/p/sponsor-benefits-and-privilidges.html</a> . On-line signup here - <a href="https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship19.html">https://borderlands-books.com/buysponsorship19.html</a> . Or you can sign up by mail, or in person at the shop.<br />
<br />
We've been working on the building at Haight Street a lot. We've got a new roof, some big structural work almost complete (last bits to do in the basement and ground floor structural work 50% done), the garden is looking great (pictures up at the blog soon), and we're just about to start the new electrical service installation. It continues to go slow but very well.<br />
<br />
And that's all I've got right now. I hope that 2019 is treating you better than it's treating me (insert wry smile here) and I hope to see you around the shop sometime soon.<br />
<br />
All Best,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
----------------<br />
Best Sellers<br />
----------------<br />
Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for December, 2018<br />
<br />
1) Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin<br />
2) How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
3) The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi<br />
4) Rejoice, a Knife to the Heart by Steven Erikson<br />
5) Artificial Condition by Martha Wells<br />
6) Thin Air by Richard Morgan<br />
7) Worlds Seen in Passing edited by Irene Gallo<br />
8) Exit Strategy by Martha Wells<br />
9) Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
10) So Far, So Good: Final Poems by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1) The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2) The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal<br />
3) The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, trans by Ken Liu<br />
4) Autonomous by Annalee Newitz<br />
5) All Systems Red by Martha Wells<br />
6) All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
7) The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
8) Freeze-Frame Revolution by Peter Watts<br />
9) Hannah Green and Her Unfeasibly Mundane Existence by Michael Marshall Smith<br />
10) Space Opera by Cat Valente<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1) Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
2) The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi<br />
3) Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
4) Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
5) Who Fears Death? by Nnedi Okorafor<br />
6) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
7) Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
8) Rosemary & Rue by Seanan McGuire<br />
9) The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
10) Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erikson<br />
<br />
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Book Club Information<br />
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The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, February 10th, at 5 pm to discuss TOMORROW'S KIN by Nancy Kress. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, January 20th at 6 pm to discuss THE CALCULATING STARS by Mary Robinette Kowal. The book for the following month will be THE CLOCKWORK DYNASTY by Daniel H. Wilson. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information<br />
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Upcoming Event Details<br />
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<br />
TOMORROW! Rudy Rucker, RETURN TO THE HOLLOW EARTH (Transreal Books, Trade Paperback, $13.95 and Hardcover, $22.95) and others, and art show premiere! Saturday, January 26th at 3:00 pm - It's always a treat to welcome the quirky and irrepressible genius Rudy Rucker to the store! Rudy is an author, artist, mathematician and one of the godfathers of Cyberpunk. Join us to check out his newest book, RETURN TO THE HOLLOW EARTH, and celebrate the reprints of two other titles. Rudy will also lead a "guided tour" of his current art show at Borderlands Cafe.<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors Charlie Jane Anders, Gayle Brandeis, Chris Denson, Laleh Khadivi, and Lisa Margonelli, Saturday, February 9th 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 this month includes authors Charlie Jane Anders (yes, she's reading as well as hosting! (The City in the Middle of the Night), Gayle Brandeis (The Book of Dead Birds), Chris Denson (Crushing the Box), Laleh Khadivi (The Age of Orphans) and Lisa Margonelli (Underbug). This one will be extra special, since we've got permission from the publisher to sell Charlie Jane's new book 3 days early! Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 6:30 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books.<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinder's Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with authors Nick Mamatas and Anya Martin, hosted by Terry Bisson, Sunday, February 24th at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10.) We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson. Authors will schmooze & sign books after. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated. Doors and bar open at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm. Donations benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
CANCELLED - Ann Leckie, THE RAVEN TOWER (Orbit, Hardcover, $26.00) - CANCELLED - Very unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, Ann Leckie has had to cancel the RAVEN TOWER tour. We hope to see her back in the store later on this year. You can read her announcement here: https://www.annleckie.com/2019/02/12/the-raven-tower-tour-not/<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun<br />
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
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<br /></div>
Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7860438576199004101.post-64644559547313209822018-12-12T00:05:00.001-08:002018-12-12T00:05:07.711-08:00Dispatches from the Border, December 2018DISPATCHES FROM THE BORDER<br />
Events and News From Borderlands Books<br />
December 2018<br />
<br />
----------------------<br />
Upcoming Events<br />
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<br />
Adam Plantinga, POLICE CRAFT (Quill Driver Books, Trade Paperback, $16.95) Thursday, January 10th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors John Briscoe, Izzy Oneiric, Simon Sheppard, and Colin Winnette, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders! Saturday, January 12th at 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
BCAF (Black and Brown Comix Arts Festival), at the San Francisco Public Library and City View at Metreon, Sunday, January 20th from 1:00 - 5:00 pm, and Monday, January 21st from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinder's Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with authors Howard Hendrix, Cecelia Holland, and Kim Stanley Robinson, hosted by Terry Bisson, Sunday, January 20th at 6:00 pm<br />
<br />
Rudy Rucker, RETURN TO THE HOLLOW EARTH (Transreal Books, Trade Paperback, $13.95 and Hardcover, $22.95) and others, and art show premiere! Saturday, January 26th at 3:00 pm<br />
<br />
(for more information check the end of this newsletter)<br />
<br />
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2019 Gift Guide<br />
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<br />
Hello All and Sundry!<br />
<br />
This year seems to have flown by. The explanation I've heard for the seeming acceleration of time I'm experiencing is that as we age, time seems to go by faster, because any given amount of time is a smaller fraction than it used to be of your life overall (i.e. when you're five years old, one year is one-fifth of your life, but when you're thirty-five, one year is a thirty-fifth of your life, so it is comparatively a much shorter time). Regardless of why it happens, recognizing this disconcerting speeding up is a reminder to me to enjoy all the time we've got as best we can. I'm working on it, and in that spirit -- I wish you all the very best, and hope that this season and next year both treat you all very well, and that you have much to celebrate both now and in the future!<br />
<br />
As we hurtle seemingly increasingly quickly toward this gift-giving season, we here present our usual Opinionated (and Digression-Filled) Gift Guide to help you out. However, if you don't see something appropriate here, we're always happy to make custom suggestions for you or anyone in your life. We'll even wrap 'em for you! (A special note to those of you purchasing presents: we're glad to gift wrap upon request, although our typical caveats apply: first, if we're busy, you may have to wait a bit to have things wrapped, and, second, some staff members are MUCH better than others at it. It is possible that your package may resemble a brightly wrapped Lovecraft-ian, batrachian, rugose, Thing of No Human Shape. For some customers, this is not a problem . . ."better than I can do!," they say. However, if you are concerned about our, ahem, abilities, we're also happy to just hand you the gift wrap, scissors and tape.)<br />
<br />
Onward!<br />
<br />
- Jude Feldman<br />
<br />
New and Exciting:<br />
<br />
FIRE & BLOOD by George R.R. Martin - This first of two parts of the Targaryen history that begins 300 years before the events in GAME OF THRONES is getting excellent reviews, but some readers don't want to pick it up because the book keeps stubbornly refusing to be WINDS OF WINTER.<br />
<br />
THE CALCULATING STARS and THE FATED SKY by Mary Robinette Kowal - EVERYONE on staff read and loved THE CALCULATING STARS. All of us. We can't say enough good things about this alternate history starring the indomitable Elma York, who wishes to be an astronaut despite all the obstacles in her way. Come in to the store and hear us rave about these novels!<br />
<br />
WORLDS SEEN IN PASSING: TEN YEARS OF TOR.COM SHORT FICTION edited by Irene Gallo - an absolutely astonishing collection. Everything in here is at the very, very least "totally solid", and the stories range from there to mind-blowingly good.<br />
<br />
HOW LONG 'TIL BLACK FUTURE MONTH? By N.K. Jemisin - History's first black female author (and author, period) to win 3 sequential Hugos for Best Novel presents her first short fiction collection, and it is getting fantastic reviews from everyone. I loved this description from the publishers: ". . . Jemisin equally challenges and delights readers with thought-provoking narratives of destruction, rebirth, and redemption." But don't take my word for it: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/30/books/review/nk-jemisin-how-long-til-black-future-month.html<br />
<br />
THIN AIR by Richard Morgan - The creator of ALTERED CARBON is back with a new futuristic noir thriller which I think is his best since THIRTEEN.<br />
<br />
REJOICE, A KNIFE TO THE HEART - Steven Erikson, best known for the epic and massive Malazan fantasy series, has written a new science fiction novel that neither Jim nor Scott can stop rating about -- both of them are saying "It's SO GOOD!".<br />
<br />
RED MOON by Kim Stanley Robinson - This is a "black licorice" book -- people either love it or they hate it, but no one has been neutral. I'm firmly in the "love it!" camp.<br />
<br />
ALL I EVER DREAMED by Michael Blumlein - Do yourself a favor and check out the transcendental short fiction of local author Michael Blumlein. This collection is a keeper.<br />
<br />
SOULLESS ILLUSTRATED EDITION by Gail Carrier - The light and funny steampunk romp, now with lovely Edward-Gorey-style illustrations by Jensine Eckwall!<br />
<br />
SOMEONE LIKE ME by M.R. Carey - I couldn't put down this new novel from the author of THE GIRL WITH ALL THE GIFTS. It's a totally unconventional thriller and like nothing else I've read recently.<br />
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<br />
Better Together:<br />
<br />
We've curated a handful of book pairings for you!<br />
<br />
A Noir 2-Pack: For the noir fan in your life, pick up the rollicking novel NOIR by Christopher Moore, and the decidedly grim and exceptionally good SANTA CRUZ NOIR edited by Susie Bright!<br />
<br />
Haunting Non-Fiction 2-Pack: CAPTIVE OF THE LABYRINTH by Mary Jo Ignoffo is the riveting true story of the life of Sarah Winchester (of Mystery House & Winchester heiress fame). Everything we thought we knew is wrong! Pair this with GHOSTLAND: AN AMERICAN HISTORY IN HAUNTED PLACES by Colin Dickey for the person on your list who thinks the Truth is out there.<br />
<br />
If They Liked THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL, ANGRY PLANET 2-Pack: Grab THE WRONG STARS by Tim Pratt and NOUMENON by Marina Lostetter! <br />
<br />
Ugly Surf 2-Pack: Two older, amazing super-dark surf-crime novels! TAPPING THE SOURCE by Kem Nunn and THE DAWN PATROL by Don Winslow.<br />
<br />
Unconventional Superhero 2-Pack: VELVETEEN VS. THE JUNIOR SUPER PATRIOTS by Seanan McGuire, and PREPARE TO DIE! by Paul Tobin. These are definitely not your parents' superheroes.<br />
<br />
Overcoming Darkness 2-Pack: SMOKE by Dan Vyletta, and THE LIBRARY AT MOUNT CHAR by Scott Hawkins. Both of these novels explore transcending the darkness of the human condition to find completion.<br />
<br />
Feminist Mythology 2-Pack: CIRCE by Madeline Miller and THE GOLEM AND THE JINNI by Helene Wecker. Scott says that both books have in common women reaching beyond their societally proscribed roles in a mythological context.<br />
<br />
"Keep the Government Out of My Science" 2-Pack: THE FOLD by Peter Clines and INFLUX by Daniel Suarez -- bureaucracy destroys creativity.<br />
<br />
Start Them Off Right Coloring Book 2-Pack: HER HIGHNESS BUILDS ROBOTS by Laura and Beth Winters and THE JAMES TIPTREE JR. AWARD SPACE BABE COLORING BOOK by Jeanne Gomoll - for the empowered kid in your life!<br />
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<br />
In Memory of Ursula K. Le Guin, 1929 - 2018 --<br />
<br />
The world is so much poorer for the loss of Ursula K. Le Guin, who passed away in January of 2018. It is some consolation that we still have her magnificent work. Explore these (mostly) posthumously published works:<br />
<br />
THE BOOKS OF EARTHSEA: THE COMPLETE ILLUSTRATED EDTION is an absolutely stunning volume celebrating the 50th anniversary of A WIZARD OF EARTHSEA. With more than 50 illustrations by Charles Vess, it weighs nearly 6 pounds and contains not only the original four novels, but also TALES FROM EARTHSEA, THE OTHER WIND, "The Rule of Names", "The Word of Unbinding", "The Daughter of Odren", and "Earthsea Revisioned: A Lecture at Oxford University". This is definitely one for you, or the collector in your life!<br />
<br />
LATE IN THE DAY: POEMS 2010 - 2014, and SO FAR SO GOOD: FINAL POEMS 2014 - 2018 - poetry collections you should not miss.<br />
<br />
CONVERSATIONS WITH URSULA K. LE GUIN by Carl Freedman - "In the pieces collected here, Le Guin takes every interview not as an opportunity to recapitulate long-held views but as an occasion for in-depth intellectual discourse."<br />
<br />
URSULA K. LE GUIN: CONVERSATIONS ON WRITING with David Naimon - "Ursula K. Le Guin discusses her fiction, nonfiction, and poetry -- both her process and her philosophy -- with all the wisdom, profundity, and rigor we expect from one of the great writers of the last century."<br />
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<br />
Classics and Old Favorites:<br />
<br />
We've got beautiful hardcover editions of enduring classics - GOOD OMENS by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, THE STUPIDEST ANGEL and LAMB, THE BIBLE VERSION (both signed!) by Christopher Moore, THE PRINCESS BRIDE by William Goldman (R.I.P.) (we have a gorgeous illustrated edition and also the 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), DUNE by Frank Herbert, THE LEFT HAND OF DARKNESS by Ursula K. Le Guin, THE NEVERENDING STORY by Michael Ende, PARABLE OF THE SOWER and PARABLE OF THE TALENTS by Octavia Butler (_stunning_ cover art by Paul Lewin!), and NEUROMANCER by William Gibson, THE COMPLETE FICTION OF H.P. LOVECRAFT in a lovely slipcased edition, plus many many more.<br />
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<br />
Weird Stuff:<br />
<br />
No idea what they'd like? How about one of these amazing oddities?<br />
<br />
BORN TO BE POSTHUMOUS: THE ECCENTRIC LIFE AND MYSTERIOUS GENIUS OF EDWARD GOREY by Mark Dery - pair with a slim volume of Edward Gorey stickers!<br />
<br />
Krampus cards, stickers, postcards, and coloring books - The Devil of Christmas is definitely making a comeback.<br />
<br />
THE SECRET ART OF DR. SEUSS by Theodor Suess Geisel - propaganda, weirdness, and stuffed and mounted heads of Suessian creations are just the beginning!<br />
<br />
THE NUTSHELL STUDIES OF UNEXPLAINED DEATH by Corinne May Botz - explore the work of the criminally unknown Frances Glesner Lee, a feminist pioneer and creator of astoundingly intricate dollhouse murder scenes that are still being used as a forensic teaching tool 70+ years after their creation! <https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/nutshells><br />
<br />
THE LEAGUE OF REGRETTABLE SUPERHEROES by Jon Morris - a whole volume of real-life, ill-advised superheroes from comics history, like Doctor Hormone, Lady Satan, Fantomah, and Stardust the Super Wizard!<br />
<br />
THE COCKTAIL GUIDE TO THE GALAXY: RECIPES FROM THE CELEBRATED DR. WHO BAR by Andy Heidel - Learn how to make cocktails like The Blue Blazer, Gin Buck Rogers, Close Encounters of the Third Lime, Cognac the Barbarian, and dozens more!<br />
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<br />
Books for the writer in your life:<br />
<br />
WONDERBOOK by Jeff Vandermeer, WANDERINGS ON WRITING by Jane Linskold (packed with musings and good advice), THE THORN NECKLACE: HEALING THROUGH WRITING AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS by Francesca Lia Block, STORYTELLER by Kate Wilhelm, STEERING THE CRAFT: A 21ST-CENTURY GUIDE TO SAILING THE SEA OF STORY by Ursula K. Le Guin, DAMN FINE STORY: MASTERING THE TOOLS OF A POWERFUL NARRATIVE by Chuck Wendig, and the classic ON WRITING by Stephen King.<br />
<br />
We've also got fantastic journals -- everything from a super-shiny Cthuluhu journal, to a rainbow 10-pack of Pantone blank books, to Compact Novel Journals, where the book's text (in light type) makes the lines you write on!<br />
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<br />
Bestsellers:<br />
<br />
Some of our most popular titles this year:<br />
<br />
AUTONOMOUS by Annalee Newitz, ALL THE BIRDS IN THE SKY by Charlie Jane Anders, WHO FEARS DEATH? By Nnedi Okorafor, THE FIFTH SEASON and sequels by N.K. Jemisin, THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM by Liu Cixin (translated by Ken Liu), THE LONG WAY TO A SMALL, ANGRY PLANET by Becky Chambers, EVERY HEART A DOORWAY by Seanan McGuire, ALL SYSTEMS RED by Martha Wells, THE FREEZE-FRAME REVOLUTION by Peter Watts, and oh-so-many more incredible titles!<br />
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<br />
Art!<br />
<br />
We have many unique items from local artists! Gorgeous art prints from Christine Rhee <https://www.christinerhee.com/>; meaningful jewelry from Luminous Darlings <http://luminousdarlings.com/storeFront.html>; cool steampunk one-offs from Fire Selkie Creations <http://www.fireselkiecreations.com/>; and fancy lapel pins and hair clips from Fly By Night Gifts. <br />
<br />
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<br />
As always, we're happy to make personalized recommendations and practice our Psychic Bookseller Skills when you're stumped. If you just can't decide, we also offer gift certificates in any amount. <br />
<br />
We deeply appreciate your support of independent booksellers; proudly keeping America thoughtful and weird! Here's to a bright, peaceful, and optimistic 2019. <br />
<br />
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News<br />
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<br />
* R.I.P. to Stan Lee, the creator of so many famous superheroes and a man who inspired many people: <a href="https://www.tor.com/2018/11/12/stan-lee-1922-2018/">https://www.tor.com/2018/11/12/stan-lee-1922-2018/</a><br />
<br />
* We're sorry to report the death of William Goldman, Oscar-winning screenwriter and more importantly, author of THE PRINCESS BRIDE. <a href="https://variety.com/2018/film/news/william-goldman-dead-dies-butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-1203030474/">https://variety.com/2018/film/news/william-goldman-dead-dies-butch-cassidy-and-the-sundance-kid-1203030474/</a><br />
<br />
* We're extremely sorry to hear that Endgame in Oakland will be closing at the end of January. Please drop by and give them some support this month to assist with their closing expenses -- pick up a board or card game or a miniature, and also let them know they'll be sorely missed. <a href="http://www.endgameoakland.com/">http://www.endgameoakland.com/</a><br />
<br />
* The classic vampire book THE GILDA STORIES by Jewelle Gomez is being adapted for TV by Cheryl Dunye and we are so excited. Pick up the collection now while you can. <a href="https://shadowandact.com/afrofuturistic-novel-on-bisexual-vampire-the-gilda-stories-is-being-developed-for-tv-by-cheryl-dunye">https://shadowandact.com/afrofuturistic-novel-on-bisexual-vampire-the-gilda-stories-is-being-developed-for-tv-by-cheryl-dunye</a><br />
<br />
* ANOTHER great adaptation on the way: this time Mira Grant's killer mermaid novella! <a href="https://www.tor.com/2018/11/15/mira-grant-rolling-in-the-deep-adaptation-seanan-mcguire-killer-mermaids/">https://www.tor.com/2018/11/15/mira-grant-rolling-in-the-deep-adaptation-seanan-mcguire-killer-mermaids/</a><br />
<br />
* If you weren't lucky enough to make it to WorldCon this summer, check out George R.R. Martin's talk about a number of his works and techniques here: <a href="https://winteriscoming.net/2018/12/05/george-r-r-martin-interview-research-fantasy-fiction/">https://winteriscoming.net/2018/12/05/george-r-r-martin-interview-research-fantasy-fiction/</a><br />
<br />
* Yeah this movie sounds . . . bad. BUT, it sounds like it might be on the border of so bad it's good, so we sorta still want to check it out. <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/20-sci-fi-takes-fantasy-turn-706699.html">https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/20-sci-fi-takes-fantasy-turn-706699.html</a><br />
<br />
* Na'amen's only read one of the five novels on this list, but it was one of his favorite reads this year (THE POPPY WAR), and some of the others are on all of our lists, so we think it checks out: <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/the-5-best-science-fiction-and-fantasy-novels-of-2018/2018/11/13/14451af0-cbef-11e8-920f-dd52e1ae4570_story.html?utm_term=.24c85e8ddeac">https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/the-5-best-science-fiction-and-fantasy-novels-of-2018/2018/11/13/14451af0-cbef-11e8-920f-dd52e1ae4570_story.html?utm_term=.24c85e8ddeac</a><br />
<br />
* A list of the Top 5 Science Fiction movies of the year -- but your mileage may vary; some of these are questionable: <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2018/12/03/the-5-best-science-fiction-movies-of-2018/#409819b5174f">https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2018/12/03/the-5-best-science-fiction-movies-of-2018/#409819b5174f</a><br />
<br />
* "Nightflyers" doesn't look like it's the quite the runaway hit that Syfy thought it was getting. <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/nightflyers-attempts-apply-george-r-r-martin-s-game-thrones-ncna944761">https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/nightflyers-attempts-apply-george-r-r-martin-s-game-thrones-ncna944761</a><br />
<br />
* So there seems to be some debate as to whether "It's A Wonderful Life" is a speculative movie or not. Na'amen's always thought of it as a speculative movie, and a bad one -- but if you disagree you can go to the io9.com article and argue in the comments. <a href="https://io9.gizmodo.com/is-holiday-classic-its-a-wonderful-life-secretly-or-ac-1830726913">https://io9.gizmodo.com/is-holiday-classic-its-a-wonderful-life-secretly-or-ac-1830726913</a><br />
<br />
* Here are nine of the most important British science fiction stories, many of which were part of waves that launched entire subgenres. <a href="https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/books-comics/62079/the-9-most-important-british-science-fiction-stories">https://www.denofgeek.com/uk/books-comics/62079/the-9-most-important-british-science-fiction-stories</a><br />
<br />
* If you don't mind subtitles and are into some interesting and gripping Alt-History, you should definitely check out Netflix's "1983" which is set in a world where the Iron Curtain never fell and the Cold War continues. <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/netflix-s-new-show-1983-tightly-paced-well-written-polish-ncna942511?icid=related">https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/netflix-s-new-show-1983-tightly-paced-well-written-polish-ncna942511?icid=related</a><br />
<br />
* Check out this great interview with Lisa Yaszek about her book THE FUTURE IS FEMALE!: 25 Classic Science Fiction Stories by Women, from Pulp Pioneers to Ursula K. Le Guin and the things that we get wrong about the history of women writing in science fiction: <a href="https://loa.org/news-and-views/1439-lisa-yaszek-we-get-the-history-of-women-in-science-fiction-thoroughly-wrong">https://loa.org/news-and-views/1439-lisa-yaszek-we-get-the-history-of-women-in-science-fiction-thoroughly-wrong</a><br />
<br />
* A list of 10 new science fiction and fantasy books coming out this month that you should consider adding to your collection. <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/1/18109892/science-fiction-fantasy-books-recommendation-december-2018">https://www.theverge.com/2018/12/1/18109892/science-fiction-fantasy-books-recommendation-december-2018</a><br />
<br />
* Using science fiction to discuss the ethics of actual controversial science such as gene-editing on children. <a href="https://www.marketplace.org/2018/11/29/tech/can-science-fiction-help-us-grapple-gene-editing-technology">https://www.marketplace.org/2018/11/29/tech/can-science-fiction-help-us-grapple-gene-editing-technology</a><br />
<br />
* For those who are interested in exploring other countries' speculative fiction that might not have made it over here, there's the new book A BRILLIANT VOID, which is a collection of Irish Science Fiction. <a href="https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/a-brilliant-void-a-selection-of-classic-irish-science-fiction-1.3709937">https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/a-brilliant-void-a-selection-of-classic-irish-science-fiction-1.3709937</a><br />
<br />
* How many times have you watched the "Avengers: Endgame" trailer? Did you catch these nine easter eggs? <a href="https://www.inverse.com/article/51550-avengers-4-endgame-trailer-breakdown-secrets-spoilers-easter-eggs">https://www.inverse.com/article/51550-avengers-4-endgame-trailer-breakdown-secrets-spoilers-easter-eggs</a><br />
<br />
* Look for our future corporate overlords to start hiring science fiction writers with an eye toward predicting future trends and inventions. <a href="https://boingboing.net/2018/12/07/brian-david-johnson.html">https://boingboing.net/2018/12/07/brian-david-johnson.html</a><br />
<br />
* If you haven’t been watching "The Good Place", we recommend you begin. Immediately. This article argues that Janet is the most optimistic AI on TV, although Janet would be the first to tell you "Not a Robot/AI." <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/the-good-place-janet-optimistic-ai/">https://www.wired.com/story/the-good-place-janet-optimistic-ai/</a><br />
<br />
* What does science fiction say about the place where the author resides, where they grew up, and what their country is going through? <a href="http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20181203-what-our-science-fiction-says-about-us">http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20181203-what-our-science-fiction-says-about-us</a><br />
<br />
* We just heard about this game and we are so into it. A pulp sci-fi RPG?!? Sign us up! <a href="https://in.ign.com/the-outer-worlds/130908/preview/the-outer-worlds-is-bringing-fun-back-to-science-fiction">https://in.ign.com/the-outer-worlds/130908/preview/the-outer-worlds-is-bringing-fun-back-to-science-fiction</a><br />
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* Scotland is having its first book festival dedicated to Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror. <a href="https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17244634.scotlands-first-book-festival-dedicated-to-fantasy-science-fiction-and-horror-is-launched/">https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/17244634.scotlands-first-book-festival-dedicated-to-fantasy-science-fiction-and-horror-is-launched/</a><br />
<br />
* The Best Sci Fi movies of 2018 that star women. This list actually convinced us to check out a few movies that we had written off. <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a25323468/best-sci-fi-movies-2018/">https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a25323468/best-sci-fi-movies-2018/</a><br />
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* The discussion and debate of Tolkien and racism continues with author Andy Duncan weighing in, along with others. <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6428971/Science-Fiction-writer-claims-Lord-Rings-series-racist.html">https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6428971/Science-Fiction-writer-claims-Lord-Rings-series-racist.html</a><br />
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* Here's a list of 15 of the greatest hard science movies. <a href="http://whatculture.com/film/15-greatest-hard-science-fiction-movies-of-all-time">http://whatculture.com/film/15-greatest-hard-science-fiction-movies-of-all-time</a><br />
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Award News<br />
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* The Nebula Awards have announced a new category for Game Writing. <a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2018/first-ever-nebula-award-game-writers-approved-professional-science-fiction-writers-organization/">https://www.geekwire.com/2018/first-ever-nebula-award-game-writers-approved-professional-science-fiction-writers-organization/</a><br />
<br />
* The 2018 Ignotus Winners, the equivalent to the Hugo for Spain, have announced their winners including Kameron Hurley. <a href="http://locusmag.com/2018/11/2018-ignotus-winners/">http://locusmag.com/2018/11/2018-ignotus-winners/</a><br />
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* Congratulations to local author & sponsor Ellen Klages for winning the 2018 Best Novel Gaylactic Spectrum Award! <a href="http://www.spectrumawards.org/2018.htm">http://www.spectrumawards.org/2018.htm</a><br />
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From The Office<br />
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<br />
Hi Everyone,<br />
<br />
Here we are at the end of another year. It's been an interesting one for Borderlands, in the good, bad, and ugly(-ish) ways. Mostly good, however.<br />
<br />
Obviously, the biggest thing going on for us is the slow process of moving. As regular readers know, I had expected the process to move faster, but the logic of doing the work ourselves versus hiring contractors has made the process slower but much, much cheaper. All in all, it's to our advantage, but it has made for a substantially longer process that I expected going into it. <br />
<br />
Last month was the one year anniversary of starting work and it's kind of fun to look back on all that we've done. Some of the highlights have been:<br />
<br />
Taking a mass of ivy and concrete in the backyard and turning it into a set of lovely planters with actual plants growing in them.<br />
<br />
Replacing the falling-down plywood and scrap around the yard with new redwood fences.<br />
<br />
Building a shearwall across the back of the building so that it will withstand earthquakes much better than before.<br />
<br />
Nailing reinforcing clips on to the ceiling joists to further improve the seismic resistance of the building. Forty-five joists, four clips per joist, eight nails per clip, for a total of 1440 nails. That is, in contractor terms, a s**t-ton of nails.<br />
<br />
Patching and repairing about 1000 square feet of sheetrock and plaster wall (roughly half of the exterior walls).<br />
<br />
Shifting 8 tons of brick for the backyard (which is still to be set in place, so we'll move it one more time before we're done).<br />
<br />
Installing a 400-lb steel I-beam in the basement, and excavating well over 5 cubic yards of dirt for foundations.<br />
<br />
Pouring 5 cubic yards of concrete into the holes we excavated.<br />
<br />
Taking delivery of more than $3500 worth of wooden beams, some weighing 300-400 lbs, and then using them to reinforce the floor (that's a work still in progress but should be finished this weekend).<br />
<br />
And, of course, endless dump-runs, sweeping, nail-pulling, more sweeping, and all the day-to-day of a construction job.<br />
<br />
At times the work seems like it will never end but, in actuality, it's going quite well. A job like this is always slow and all the work we're doing now to make sure that the place will suit for the next ten, or twenty, or thirty years is well worth the extra time. But, darn it, at times I'd really like to just get moved and be done with it.<br />
<br />
None of this would have been possible without the support of our sponsors and the folks who lent us the money to buy the building. It also wouldn't have been possible without the hard-core crew of people who have been volunteering their time over the last year. Many people have been kind enough to come by and lend a hand for a day or two, and I've very grateful to all of them. But, there is also a group of about a dozen people who have come to help regularly on many Sundays for months. They are a great group and an absolute pleasure to work with. It is their help, encouragement, good humor, and hard work that has made this the best construction job I've ever worked on. They are: Caroline Kaster, Jutta Degener, Canute Haroldson, Kelsey Dietz, David Gates, Jo Falcon, Bill Spears, Laura Mazzola, Emily Schaeffer, Josie Schaeffer, Carl Ueber, Dave La Point, Jim Lively, Melinda Rose, Cassie Beckley, and Zach Harper. How they put up with me, week after week, is a bit of a mystery but I'm very glad that they do.<br />
<br />
Where we stand now on the building is pretty good. The concrete is all poured and so that brings to an end the Saga of the Beam of Eye, which I have posted for you amusement here - <<a href="https://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-tale-of-beam-cautionary-and.html">https://borderlands-books.blogspot.com/2018/12/the-tale-of-beam-cautionary-and.html</a>>. To say that I'm happy about it is the understatement of 2018. With that done, we're working on reinforcing the floor joists (the big boards that support the actual floor). Once that's finished, we're on to doing the last big structural work - reinforcing the front of the building (which is two posts, 10 feet long and 4" by 8", plus two beams 17' long and 7 1/4" by 9") and putting in the supports so we can expand the bathroom (also two posts, 12 feet long and 6" by 6" plus three beams, the biggest of which is 15 feet long and 5 1/4" by 16"). Those are both pretty big jobs since the beams weight hundreds of pounds each and are going 10-13 feet in the air. But, once that's done, we can start doing the actual building of the walls and so forth. So, it's all very exciting.<br />
<br />
I still don't have a completion date and I'm not going to for a while since we're still at the "it'll take as long as it takes" stage. But, we'll keep plugging along and I'll keep you posted on how it's going.<br />
<br />
In closing, I hope that the holiday season treats you well and, more so, I wish you a peaceful and happy New Year.<br />
<br />
Warmest Regards,<br />
Alan<br />
<br />
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Best Sellers<br />
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Borderlands Best-Selling Titles for November, 2018<br />
<br />
Hardcovers<br />
1) Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
2) The Consuming Fire by John Scalzi<br />
3) Soulless: Illustrated Edition by Gail Carriger<br />
4) Rejoice, a Knife to the Heart by Steven Erikson<br />
5) Fire & Blood by George R.R. Martin<br />
6) Labyrinth Index by Charles Stross<br />
7) How Long 'Til Black Future Month? by N.K. Jemisin<br />
8) Someone Like Me by M.R. Carey<br />
9) The Monster Baru Comorant by Seth Dickinson<br />
10) Lies Sleeping by Ben Aaronovitch<br />
<br />
Trade Paperbacks<br />
1) The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin<br />
2) The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu, trans by Ken Liu<br />
3) The Omega Objection by Gail Carriger<br />
4) The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal<br />
5) All Systems Red by Martha Wells<br />
6) Autonomous by Annalee Newitz<br />
7) Hannah Green and Her Unfeasibly Mundane Existence by Michael Marshall Smith<br />
8) All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders<br />
9) Freeze-Frame Revolution by Peter Watts<br />
10) The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin<br />
<br />
Mass Market Paperbacks<br />
1) Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
2) Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson<br />
3) Old Man's War by John Scalzi<br />
4) The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi<br />
5) Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett<br />
6) Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
7) Who Fears Death? by Nnedi Okorafor<br />
8) Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss<br />
9) Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson<br />
10) The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin<br />
<br />
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Book Club Information<br />
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The QSF&F Book Club will meet on Sunday, January 13th, at 5 pm to discuss NEMESIS GAMES by James S.A. Corey. Please contact the group leader, Christopher Rodriguez, at cobalt555@earthlink.net, for more information.<br />
<br />
The Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Club will meet on Sunday, December 16th, at 6 pm to discuss THE HANDMAID'S TALE by Margaret Atwood. The book for the following month will be THE CALCULATING STARS by Mary Robinette Kowal. Please contact bookclub@borderlands-books.com for more information<br />
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Upcoming Event Details<br />
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<br />
Adam Plantinga, POLICE CRAFT (Quill Driver Books, Trade Paperback, $16.95) Thursday, January 10th at 6:00 pm - This event is outside our usual genres, but we think it will be of interest to you -- particularly mystery fans! Adam Plantinga is a sergeant at Mission Station in San Francisco, just a few blocks from Borderlands. He'll be at the store to share his second non-fiction title, and we think it's fascinating! From the publisher: "A veteran police officer gives his thoughtful, balanced views on every aspect of policing -- and he'll change what you think about the police. POLICE CRAFT is a thought-provoking and revelatory examination of policing in America, as seen by a working police officer. Adam Plantinga, a sergeant with the San Francisco Police Department, gives an inside view of the police officer's job, including police techniques, police culture, and the sociology of crime and criminals. Hard-boiled, humorous, and compassionate, Plantinga wrestles with the complexities and contradictions of a job he loves in which he witnesses so much suffering. Transcending today's strident pro-cop/anti-cop rhetoric, POLICE CRAFT will give every reader a greater respect for the police and greater understanding of the job they do. Adam Plantinga has been a police officer for 17 years. Plantinga's first book, 400 THINGS COPS KNOW, received rave reviews from star crime writers such as Lee Child, Edward Conlon, George Pelecanos and Joseph Wambaugh and was hailed as 'the new bible for crime writers' by The Wall Street Journal."<br />
<br />
Writers With Drinks (at The Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd Street, San Francisco) with authors John Briscoe, Izzy Oneiric, Simon Sheppard, and Colin Winnette, hosted by Charlie Jane Anders! Saturday, January 12th 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 this month includes authors John Briscoe (Crush: The Triumph of California Wine), Izzy Oneiric (The Year Is Sunday: a lyric memoir), Simon Sheppard (Man on Man: The Best of Simon Sheppard), and Colin Winnette (The Job of the Wasp). Cost: $5 to $20, no-one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds benefit local non-profits. Doors open at 6:30 and Borderlands will be on hand to sell books.<br />
<br />
BCAF (Black and Brown Comix Arts Festival), at the San Francisco Public Library and City View at Metreon, Sunday, January 20th from 1:00 - 5:00 pm, and Monday, January 21st from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm - We're always honored and delighted to participate in the Black and Brown Comix Arts Festival! BCAF "celebrates the creativity of people of color in the comic arts and popular visual culture and is dedicated to the notion that all audiences deserve to be subject in the culture in which we participate." Panels, artists, authors, creators, films, cosplay, kids events, and much more await you at this amazing free event, which takes place over three days and in two locations. Borderlands will be on hand to sell books. For the schedule, more details, and updates on the incredible list of guests, see http://sfmlkday.org/bcafcon/#schedule<br />
<br />
SF in SF (at The American Bookbinder's Museum, 355 Clementina Street, San Francisco) with authors Howard Hendrix, Cecelia Holland, and Kim Stanley Robinson, hosted by Terry Bisson, Sunday, January 20th at 6:30 pm - (Suggested donation $10.) We're so happy to participate in the Science Fiction in San Francisco reading series! It has become a tradition to welcome Cecelia Holland and Kim Stanley Robinson in January each year, and this time they'll be joined by science fiction author Howard Hendrix! The authors will read a selection from their work, followed by Q&A from the audience moderated by author Terry Bisson. Authors will schmooze & sign books after. Seating is limited, so first come, first seated. Doors and bar open at 6:00 pm, event begins at 6:30 pm. Donations benefit the American Bookbinders Museum. Questions? Email sfinsfevents@gmail.com.<br />
<br />
Rudy Rucker, RETURN TO THE HOLLOW EARTH (Transreal Books, Trade Paperback, $13.95 and Hardcover, $22.95) and others, and art show premiere! Saturday, January 26th at 3:00 pm - It's always a treat to welcome the quirky and irrepressible genius Rudy Rucker to the store! Rudy is an author, artist, mathematician and one of the godfathers of Cyberpunk. Join us to check out his newest book, RETURN TO THE HOLLOW EARTH, and celebrate the reprints of two other titles. Rudy will also lead a "guided tour" of his current art show at Borderlands Cafe.<br />
<br />
This newsletter is distributed monthly free of charge and may be distributed without charge so long all the following information is included.<br />
<br />
Dispatches from the Border<br />
Editor - Na'amen Gobert Tilahun<br />
Assistant Editor - Jude Feldman<br />
<br />
All contents unless otherwise noted are the property of Borderlands Books, 866 Valencia St.<br />
San Francisco CA 94110<br />
415 824-8203<br />
http://www.borderlands-books.com<br />
Comments and suggestions should be directed to editor@borderlands-books.com<br />
<br />
* * * * * * *Borderlands Bookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01903373457948819777noreply@blogger.com