Here’s what’s new on my desk today:

* Newspaper Blackout, by Austin Kleon (Harper Perennial): In which Kleon takes newspaper articles and blacks out everything but certain words, which are then turned into poetry of a sort. It’s almost like classified document haiku! Not entirely surprisingly, based on a blog. Sheesh, people printing books from blogs! Like that will ever fly! Out as of yesterday.

* Sandman Slim, by Richard Kadrey (Eos): The paperback version of the popular novel featuring a hitman from Hell. No, actually from Hell. We’re not trafficking in metaphors here. Hardcover’s been out for a bit; this paperback version will be out on the 27th of this month.

* Teeth of Beasts, by Marcus Pelegrimas (Eos): Third book in the supernatural “Skinners” series, in which various were-beasties and other monstrosities are afflicted with a mysterious disease. Is this good for regular mortals — or a harbinger of bad times ahead? Also out April 27.

* Lord of the Changing Winds, by Rachel Neumeier (Orbit): One day, it’s just another day in your peaceful, boring little village, and the next — griffins everywhere! And they need a healer! Looks like life just more interesting for our protagonist Kes. Out in May.

* Who Fears Death, by Nnedi Okorafor (DAW): Nnedi Okorafor’s first novel written for the adult market, taking place in a future, post-apocalyptic Africa, in which young woman holds the fate of her tribe in her hands. Out June 1.

* Among Others, by Jo Walton (Tor): This one’s hard to explain except to note that a) it’s a fantasy quasi-autobiography and b) it’s really quite lovely. And c) you’ll have to wait until January 2011 to read it, sorry. But if you’re a Jo Walton fan (or would like to be) it’s worth the wait.

Well, they didn’t arrive today. It’s Sunday. The mail doesn’t work. But they did come in the last week or so:

* How it Ends: From You to the Universe, by Chris Impey (Norton): This pop-sci book does what it says on the cover: It tells you how everything from you to the whole damn cosmos will one day wink out of existence (so far as we know at this point). I’m reading it now, and for a book whose subject is, essentially “we’re all doomed,” it’s surprisingly entertaining, probably because the end of all things really is a very long time away; long enough that I’ll probably make it through the year. and that’s reassuring. Out April 19.

* Deceiver, by C.J. Cherryh (DAW): The latest installment of the “Foreigner” series. The civil war of the previous books has ended — but that doesn’t mean the danger is over. Out May 4.

* The Devil in Green, by Mark Chadbourn (Pyr): Chadbourn follows the success of his “Age of Misrule” series with a new series in the same world called “The Dark Age”; this is the first book, in which the Knights Templar rise again! You know you were waiting for that to happen. Out May 25.

* Blood of the Mantis, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Pyr): Pyr keeps the books of the military fantasy series “Shadows of the Apt” coming hard and fast; this third installment features an action-filled struggle for “The Shadow Box,” which, if it falls into the hands of the Wasp Emperor, spells doom. Not, wait: DOOOOOOOOOOM. There, that’s better. Out May 25.

* Swords and Dark Magic, edited by Jonathan Strahan and Lou Anders (Eos): An anthology of stories which feature, presumably, swords and dark magic, either singly or combined. A strong lineup of writers includes some greats going back to their favorite worlds and characters: There’s a new Majipoor tale from Robert Silverberg and a new Elric novella from Michael Moorcock. Plus a Black Company story from Glen Cook, and new stuff from hot new writers like Joe Abercrombie and Scott Lynch. Out in July.

* Stories, edited by Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio (William Morrow): A collection of imaginative fiction from folks lie Chuck Palahniuk, Joyce Carol Oates, Lawrence Block, Walter Mosley, Joe Hill, and Jodi Picoult, and no, the last one is not a joke. Hey, don’t be hatin’ on Picoult. I’ve got a little crush on her. Can’t explain it myself, but there it is. Out in June.

* Going in Circles, by Pamela Ribon (Downtown Press): Ooooh. My friend Pamie, who is one of the funniest humans I know, is back with her third novel, this one about life, love, and roller derby. Sold, man, sold. Pamie’s going to be here on April 20 to talk about this one in a Big Idea. Can’t wait.

* The Buccaneer’s Apprentice (Flux): Bet you didn’t know you could apprentice for a buccaneer, did you? The entrance exam is a lot of keelhauling and arrrrrrghing. I just made that last part up. This book actually follows the adventures of a 17-year-old who finds himself plotting to take over a pirate ship. First in a series; the second book in the series will be featured in a Big Idea piece later this week. Out now.

* Dreams of Sex and Stage Diving, by Martin Millar (Soft Skull Press): Hey, I have those dreams too! Set in the 90s, this is a tale of sex and revenge and music and delusion and a little bit of fantasy thrown in for good measure. Out May 4.

* The Bloodstained Man, by Christopher Rowley (Tor): The second book in the Tor/Heavy Metal retro-pulp series, featuring the same protagonist, Detective Rook Venner, who is trying to keep the dangerous sex clone Plesur alive, and then somewhere along the line there are gladiatorial games, as there so often are in times like these. A book for when you’re not getting enough “lurid” in your diet. And are you? You look a little pale, man. Out in June.

And here’s what publishers have sent me recently:

* Kraken, by China Mieville (Tor UK/Del Rey (US): This was sent along by China’s UK publisher, and bless them for it; I’ve been hankering after it for a while, since I’m a big sloppy fan of China’s writing. This book features mysteriously disappearing cephalopods, squid cults, crime bosses and, of course, very possibly the end of the world. Because if you’ve got squid cults, can the end of the world really be that far behind? No. Not at all. China’s having a good year; his previous book The City and The City was deservedly nominated for the Nebula, and the buzz on this one is pretty strong. Folks in the UK get this on May 7; here in the US, we have to wait until the end of June. Well. You have to wait until the end of June. Bwa ha ha hah ha!

* Farlander, by Col Buchanan (Tor UK): Also sent along by the Tor UK folks. In a fantasy world, an apprentice assassin and his master pit themselves against powerful forces, and naturally the fate of nations hang in the balance. Like they do. This debut novel is already out in the UK; it’s apparently been sold in the US but I don’t have a release date for it here.

* The Poison Throne, by Celine Kiernan (Orbit): A young woman returns to the court of an increasingly mad king and finds herself thrown into palace intrigue, which include a missing prince and a reluctant replacement heir. This first installment in a fantasy trilogy got a starred review in Publishers Weekly and is out now.

* Sisters Red, by Jackson Pearce (Little, Brown): I don’t generally quote the press releases for books, but this is a snappy little synopsis: “What if instead of a basket of treats, Little Red Riding Hood carried an ax — and wasn’t afraid to use it?” Well, if nothing else, it does call into question what plans she had for her grandmother. This fable revision (featuring two ax-wielding little red riding hoods for the price of one) is out in June.

* Death Most Definite, by Trent Jamieson (Orbit): First book in a new series featuring a fellow named Steven de Selby. His job? Death’s assistant! Hey! Death wants a vente half-caf latte! Although this book isn’t about that, it about what happens when Death goes missing, and de Selby has to deal with the after-effects. Out in August.

Some of these are actually a few days old, but, hey, dude, my house has been a shambles for the last week, okay? Okay, then:

* Sweater Quest: My Year of Knitting Dangerously, by Adrienne Martini (Free Press): When Krissy was pregnant with Athena, both she and I decided to try our hand at knitting, and very quickly thereafter both of us stopped trying our hand at knitting, because neither of us could figure it out and we were likely to use the knitting needles to stab something instead. So I have a baseline level of being impressed with knitters, because they seemingly do quite easily something I very failed at. In Sweater Quest, Martini not only knits but attempts one of knitting’s supreme challenges: A Mary Tudor sweater, the mere mention of which apparently gives knitters the sweats. The book tracks that, plus explores the world of knitting — a world which, anecdotally, has a significant overlap with science fiction geeks, considering how many of them I know who knit (Martini herself writes for SF/F outlets). As noted, I’m not a knitter and likely never will be, but I did read through this book and enjoyed it as an exploration of a well-loved yet sometimes-frustrating hobby, which I think is something everyone can identify with (I know I can). It comes out next Tuesday, so now you know what to get that knitter in your life.

* Ship Breaker, by Paolo Bacigalupi (Little, Brown): Paolo tries his hand at YA, and the resulting novel is unsurprisingly good, and full of the world-run-down-y-ness that has become his trademark. I was sent a galley of the draft for possible blurbing and indeed liked it enough to blurb it, although you’ll have to wait for May 2010 to find out precisely what I said. By that time Paolo may have picked up a Hugo nod to go with his Nebula nod for The Wind Up Girl. Not a bad year for Paolo, I’d say.

* Blood of the Demon, by Diana Rowland (Bantam): The second of Rowland’s series featuring Kara Gillian, a cop with supernatural gifts, searching for a killer who doesn’t just murder people, but eats their souls. Which is just rude, if you ask me. Diana, incidentally, is also running for South/Central Regional Representative in the current SFWA election and has my endorsement, because she would be just plain awesome in that role. So if you’re in SFWA, consider voting for her. If you’re not in SFWA, well, hey, look: A book! Which is out now.

* Not My Boy! by Rodney Peete (Hyperion): Former NFL player and current football commentator Peete’s memoir of his son’s autism and his own coming to terms with the autism and his work to connect to his son and connect him to the world. Out now.

* Fire Will Fall, by Carol Plum-Ucci (Harcourt): Prinz-winning author Plum-Ucci with the sequel to 2008′s Streams of Babel, in which four teens affected by bioterrorism try to deal with the fallout (so to speak) of their affliction while others race to find the cure. Out in May.

* Bitter Seeds, by Ian Tregellis (Tor): It’s the eve of World War II! Are the Nazis up to no good? Well, if they weren’t, they really wouldn’t be Nazis, now, would they. But what they’re up to no good with this time? Scary horrible mutant technology! And it’s up to the warlocks of Britain to stop them! I mean, obviously, right? This (clearly) fantasy-history telling of WWII will be the subject of a Big Idea in April.

* Dragonfly Falling, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Pyr): The follow up to Empire of Black and Gold. This time two unlikely heroes have to warn their city of an encroaching menance. But will they be believed in time? Out in April.

As noted earlier, I’m busy moving boxes and tearing down furniture all day long, so today’s Just Arrived bit will be even shorter than usual. Nevertheless, here’s what’s in the in door today:

* 2010 Nebula Awards Showcase, edited by Bill Fawcett (Roc): Nebula winning fiction by Ursula K. Le Guin, John Kessel, Nina Kiriki Hoffman and others, plus poetry (including from my pal Cat Valente) and essays by Robert Silverberg, David Drake, Mike Resnick and more. Lots of cool stuff in here. Out on April 6.

* WWW: Watch, by Robert J. Sawyer (Ace): The follow-up to Sawyer’s WWW:Wake, in which a woman who discovers a consciousness inside the Internet tries to keep it safe from those who are hunting it. This will be out May 18.

* Directive 51, by John Barnes (Ace): The end of the world is (probably) nigh! Is there a government protocol for that? Oh, you bet there is. You’ll find out more what it is on April 6.

* Ark, by Stephen Baxter (Roc): The follow up to Baxter very moist thriller Flood. This time around humans are looking to save themselves from watery inundation by traveling to a new planet… but our book’s heroine be one of the few who will be chosen to go? Out May 4.

* Destroyermen: Distant Thunders, by Taylor Anderson (Roc): The fourth book in the Destroyerman series, which features an alternate universe World War II. Out June 1.

* Shine, edited by Jetse de Vries: An anthology of optimistic science fiction. Because all your dystopias are just bringin’ us down, man! Editor de Vries will be doing a Big Idea to tell us more on the book at the beginning of April; the book itself will be out March 30.

* Imaginary Jesus, by Matt Mikalatos (Barna): In which our narrator (who has the same name as the author) goes on a quest to find the real Jesus, and meets a whole bunch of other Jesuses (Jesi?) along the way. Written by someone who is both a former missionary and a former comic book clerk, which is an interesting combination, I think. Out now.

Hey, did you know people send me books? In today:

* The Midnight Mayor, by Kate Griffin (Orbit): They say that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, England shall fall! So guess what’s happening in this book? If you said “the ravens just signed a new lease on the Tower,” boy, are you ever not paying attention. This is the sequel to Griffin’s A Madness of Angels, and it’s out today.

* The Folding Knife, by K.J. Parker (Orbit): The ruler of country on the verge of empire discovers a choice he made in his past may come to haunt him. Out now.

* Changes, by Jim Butcher (Roc): Another Harry Dresden novel? You bet. This time Harry takes on the Forces of Evil™ to save his kid. And you say, kid? There’s a kid now? Surprise! Don’t worry, Harry’s surprised too. And for anything more than that,you’ll have to wait for April 6, which is when it comes out. I know, I know. Be strong, people.

* Admit One: A Life in Film, by Emmett James (Fizzypop): Being the memoir of journeyman actor James, refracted through the prism of films he’s loved and admired. Out now.

* Book Girl and the Suicidal Mime, by Mizuki Nomura (Yen Press): A book-loving student (who is actually a book-consuming demon) has her appetite whetted when another student comes looking for advice writing love notes. Translated out of Japanese, which for some reason does not surprise me at all. Out in July.

* The Mage in Black, by Jaye Wells (Orbit): The latest installment of the urban fantasy series featuring Sabina Kane. This time she heads for New York City, and you know how New York is. Out April 1.

* The Gaslight Dogs, by Karen Lowachee (Orbit):  A young woman from the frozen north and a soldier of an empire on the edge of war are called upon to use their talents, supernatural and otherwise, to decide the fate of nations. This looks a bit like Inuit Steampunk, and I’m all for that. April 1.

* Shut Up and Kiss Me, by Christie Craig (Love Spell): Man, if I had a dollar for every time someone said that to me, I’d be… well. Needing a dollar. Anyway, in this one a photojournalist takes the wrong picture at the wrong time and then has to entrust her life to a sexy lawman. Man, if I had a dollar for every time that happened to me… don’t worry, I’ll stop now. Out in June.

Another month, and more books. Some of what arrived today:

* Scenting the Dark, by Mary Robinette Kowal (Subterranean Press): Mary’s short-but-awesome story collection, gorgeously put together by SubPress. I’m not going to pretend to be objective about this particular book since a) Mary and I are friends, b) and currently running to be president and vice-president of SFWA, c) and anyway I wrote the intro to this collection. That said, it really is excellent and I want you to read it. It’s out now.

While we’re on the subject of Mary, incidentally, she is the subject of an entire latest edition of Apex magazine, which has four works by her in its pages, including the title story of this very collection. Go check it out.

* Getting In, by Karen Stabiner (Voice/Hyperion): Hey, remember your panic at getting into the right (elite) college? This is that, in book form! Don’t worry, it’s a humorous book. That is, unless you only got into your fallback school. In which case, here’s a hug, man. This one’s out on March 16.

* Mysterius the Unfathomable, by Jeff Parker and Tom Fowler (Wildstorm): A reporter for an alt-weekly paper gets sucked into a weird (i.e., supernatural) situation and ends up the assistant to a belligerent conjurer. This graphic novel will be featured in a Big Idea post later on in the month.

* Eyes Like Leaves, by Charles de Lint (Subterranean Press): This is an interesting one: de Lint wrote this fantasy novel thirty years ago but then apparently set it aside because he wanted to focus on other works, so this marks the novel’s actual publication debut. Clearly something for de Lint fans to add to their collection. Out now.

Look what the cat dragged in:

* White Cat, by Holly Black (Margaret K. McElderry): Holly’s latest YA, featuring a good kid in a family of black magic con men, drawn unwillingly into one of their schemes. We’re big fans of Holly’s stuff here in the Scalzi household, and this one looks particularly cool. Out May 4.

* The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, by Kelly O’Connor McNees (Amy Einhorn): This debut novel imagines a romance for the historically-not-known-to-have-had-a-romance writer Alcott. But can Alcott have romance and independence in the 1850s? McNees will be along in late March with a Big Idea piece about this book, which will arrive in book stores in early April.

* Mistwood, by Leah Cypess (Greenwillow): Weird fact: I was looking at the cover of this book this morning and the looked over to my Twitter feed, and there was tweet from Ms. Cypess pointing to something on Whatever. COINCIDENCE? Well, yes. But still amusing. This debut fantasy features a shapeshifter who must protect a king — if she can just remember how. Out in May.

* Petrodor, by Joel Shepherd (Pyr): The second book in the Shepard’s “Trial of Blood and Steel” fantasy quartet, featuring the series heroine Sasha struggling mightily to stop a madly onrushing war. Because war is bad, people. Out next month.

* Watcher of the Dead, by J.V. Jones (Tor): The fourth book in the “Sword of Shadows” series. Three heroes arise to try to reclaim a chaotic world. Out in April.

* Pleasure Model: Netherworld Book 1, by Christopher Rowley (Tor): This collaboration between Tor Books and Heavy Metal Magazine seeks to revive the look and feel of pulp novels; at the very least they’ve got the artwork down. Story involves a cop and a genetically-designed sex slave, working a murder case. Yeah, it’s pretty much exactly as you’d expect something from Heavy Metal to be. Out now.

* Repo Men, by Eric Garcia (Harper): Rebranded paperback version of The Repossession Mambo, with the title changed to reflect the name of the upcoming movie based on it, starring Jude Law. Because, hey, if a major motion picture based on your book was being released under a slightly different name, you’d probably put out a rebranded paperback, too. Out March 9, with the movie out ten days later.

The UPS dude rolled up at 7:30pm with a stack of packages. What was inside?

* I Am Not a Serial Killer, by Dan Wells (Tor): Well, if he’s not a serial killer, what’s that body doing behind the laundromat? Well? I do like the note in the introduction of the book, from Wells, to his family: “let me please reiterate this book is not autobiographical.” Hmmmm. Wells, I should note, will be offering up a Big Idea essay, in which he will incriminate explain himself, the day the book drops, which will be at the end of March.

* Gardens of the Sun, by Paul McAuley (Pyr): The follow-on to McAuley’s very highly regarded novel The Quiet War, which was nominated for the Clarke award. This is out March 23.

* The Passage, by Justin Cronin (Ballentine): The ARC cover to this book is every major and minor HarperCollins executive squeeing about how awesome it is, so I guess the company’s behind this one. Must be nice. It’s apparently a postapocalypic vampire trilogy, which makes me think of someone pitching it to a movie company: “It’s Twilight! Meets The Road!” Let’s hope it’s not, you know? This one is coming June 8.

* Ghost Radio, by Leopoldo Gout (Harper): Aside from its author having the most Dickensenian author name in a while, this debut novel features a tale of ghosts, poltergeists and call-in talk radio. Nifty. Out next week.

* Earth Strike: Star Carrier: Book One (Eos): Author Ian Douglas is apparently buying colons in bulk for the titles of this military science fiction series, in which the star carrier America faces down some very bad alien bad guys coming to destroy us all. You know. Like they do. Also out next week.

What came in before the snow walled us in again:

* The Lost Fleet: Victorious, by Jack Campbell (Ace): Sent this in ARC form. I do believe this is the final book in the very successful “Lost Fleet” series, so Campbell fans, gird yourself. This one comes out April 27.

* Guardian of the Dead, by Karen Healey (Little, Brown): This YA takes place in New Zealand and purports to tap into the mythos of the Maori to tell its story. Nifty, I say; I love me some New Zealand. Out in April.

* Changeless, by Gail Carriger (Orbit): I’ll let the cover copy speak for it: “A novel of vampires, werewolves, dirigibles and parasols.” Italics theirs. It must mean something. Also out in April.

* A User’s Guide to the Universe, by Dave Goldberg and Jeff Blomquist (Wiley): I’m afraid to open this because I’m worried I’ll find out I’ve been using the universe all wrong. What would the penalty for that be? I don’t want to find out. This pop science book is out next week and its authors will be doing a Big Idea piece in a few weeks’ time.

* Food, Wine: Burgundy (The Little Bookroom), by David Downie: This installment of The Terroir Guides (think of them as travel guides to wine country) goes deep into the Burgundy region of France to give you tours of the local vineyards, vinters, and restaurants. Makes me want to take a trip, it does. Out as of last week.

* The Dying Earth, by Jack Vance (Brilliance Audio): Vance’s classic 1950 novel, in audio form, read by Arthur Morey. Out today!

* The Agent: An indie film about an agent locking horns with a writer. I’m jazzed I’m being sent DVDs again. This is out in the UK and I am assured will be in the US at some near point.

Noting that given the snowpack, it’s a miracle the UPS and FedEx people can make it up the driveway at all:

* The Boneshaker, by Kate Milford (Clarion Books): This is kind of an interesting thing, as Ms. Milford’s upcoming historical fantasy YA (pictured here on the right), is a mere definite article away from having the same title as Cherie Priest’s steampunk alt history (on the left). As the two books are in different categories (YA vs. adult SF), this might not normally make a huge difference, but there is the complicating factor that Cherie’s Boneshaker is selling like hotcakes and will almost certainly be on award ballots this year, so it’s not a book one wants to have a similar title to. Hopefully there won’t be too much market confusion, because Milford’s book looks like a lot of fun. And I’d note that Cherie’s totally cool with another Boneshaker being out there, which goes a bit of the way of explaining why Cherie herself is full of awesome. In any event, keep your brain open for this one when it hits in May.

* The Story of Cirrus Flux, by Matthew Skelton (Delacorte Press): In the late 18th century, an orphan with a unique object in his possession must escape the various nefarious folks trying to find him and take it from him. Out March 9.

* Empire in Black and Gold, by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Pyr): The first in a new series which promises to meld epic fantasy with World War I. Between this and Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan, I’d say that World War I is the new black. March 23.

* Feed, by Mira Grant (Orbit): So the good news is that in 2014 we’ve cured cancer and the common cold. The bad news is… well, let’s just say that in exchange we’ve got an even nastier virus. What does it make people into? Please refer to the title. Oh my, yes. Out in May.

A little groundhog showed up at the house today and said “sorry about the six extra weeks of winter. Maybe these will make up for it.”

What did he bring?

* Coyote Destiny, by Allen Steele (Ace): True fact: My very first author fan letter was to Allen Steele. I found his e-mail and gushed in hopefully not-too-stalkery fashion about how we went to the same high school (sort of) and how I liked his books AND WAS STANDING RIGHT OUTSIDE HIS WINDOW. Well, maybe not that last part. He wrote back one of those polite “thanks!” letters authors learn to write to overenthusiastic fans, and that was pretty much it, until we eventually met face to face AND I SHOWED HIM THE TATTOO OF HIM I HAVE ON MY CHEST. I’m kidding! It’s not really of him. Just his face on a unicorn body. That’s not weird. I’m going to stop oversharing now. Anyway, this is the latest in the Coyote series, which I’ve enjoyed the heck out of so far, and it’ll be out March 2nd.

* Shalador’s Lady, by Anne Bishop (Roc): The new installment of Bishop’s “Black Jewels” series. It promises dark eroticism. That’s the best kind! Also out March 2nd.

* And Falling, Fly, by Skyler White (Berkeley): She’s a fallen angel! He’s a neurochemist! They’re caught between worlds! No, really, it’s not a metaphor: In the book they’re caught between worlds. Dark fantasy, out March 2nd.

* Deep in the Woods, by Chris Marie Green (Ace): Sixth book in the Vampire Babylon series, featuring vampire slayer Dawn Madison. Out March 2nd.

* Where Angels Fear to Tread, by Thomas E. Sniegowski (Roc): The latest installment of the Remy Chandler series, he being an angel-turned-private investigator, this time on the trail of a missing child. March 2nd.

* Xombies: Apocalypticon, by Walter Greatshell (Ace): Zombies! With an X! The followup to Xombies: Apocalypse Blues. In other news, “Apocalypticon” is my new favorite word. Out February 23rd.

* Roadkill, by Rob Thurman (Roc): The next in the urban fantasy series featuring half-human PI Cal Leandros and his brother Niko. March 2nd.

Even in the midst of a publishing industry fracas, new and upcoming books make their way to the Scalzi Compound. Here’s today’s stack:

* Dragon Keeper, by Robin Hobb (Eos): First book in “The Rain Wilds Chronicles,” Hobb’s latest series, featuring dragons and those who tend to them (I was going to say “and those who love them,” but, uh, that might be open to mistinterpretation). This book got a starred review from Booklist and is out now.

* Dragon Haven, by Robin Hobb (Eos): The second book in “The Rain Wilds Chronicles.” This one’s an ARC. Yes, fantasy lovers, I have two, two, two new Robin Hobb books! Please don’t kill me. Dragon Haven is due in May.

* Cat’s Claw, by Amber Benson (Ace): The former Buffy star returns with a second urban fantasy novel featuring her character Calliope Reaper-Jones. Out 2/23.

* Dead Matter, by Anton Strout (Ace): A NYC paranormal investigator has is hands full when his partner starts disturbing the dead for his own reasons. Out 2/23.

* A Local Habitation, by Seanan McGuire (DAW): McGuire’s first novel with half-human, half-fae October Daye earned a Booklist starred review; in this follow-up Day is thrown into a situation filled with intrigue and murder. Out March 2.

* Song of Scarabaeus, by Sara Creasy (Eos): A story of a renegade terraformer and her reluctant bodyguard. Out April 27.

* Brains: A Zombie Memior, by Robin Becker (Eos): No, it’s not “UUUnnnnGGGGhhHHH!” for a couple hundred pages. This zombie retains some higher brain function, and wants to bring peace between humans and zombies. Out in June.

* Blonde Bombshell, by Tom Holt (Orbit): Labeled as “a heartwarming tale of Armageddeon.” And don’t we all need one of those? Also out in June.

* The Weekend Novelist Rewrites the Novel, by Robert J. Ray (Watson Guptill): Not fiction, this is a writing book on the subject of revising and reworking your completed (but not yet submitted) novel. Out 2/16.

Let’s see what we’ve got:

* A Stain on the Silence, by Andrew Taylor. Taylor won the 2009 Cartier Diamond Dagger from the UK’s Crime Writer’s Association, which is going to be awesome in an upcoming game of Clue. In this literary thriller, a middle-age fellow discovers a daughter he never had — on the run for murder! And pregnant! It’s always something. Out 2/16 from Hyperion.

* Wild Hunt, by Margaret Ronald. The sequel to Ronald’s debut urban fantasy, Spiral Hunt, which was featured in a Big Idea last year. Wild Hunt will also be the subject of a Big Idea real soon now. Out now, from Eos.

* An ARC of Black Blade Blues, by J.A. Pitts. Dragons! Among us! As shapeshifters! Debut urban fantasy. Out May 2010 from Tor.

* Jesus Freak, by Sara Miles. The founder of San Francisco’s St. Gregory Food Pantry explores faith and her own late-in-life conversion. Out early February from Josey-Bass Books. Miles will also be contributing a Big Idea essay in the near future.

Books that arrived at my doorstep today:

* Total Oblivion, More or Less, by Alan De Niro. Modern day Minnesota attacked by Scythians, and other strange doings. Ballentine/Spectra. Out now, and Alan will be doing a Big Idea piece on Thursday.

* Token of Darkness, by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes. A deadly car accident allows a teenage football star to see ghosts; naturally this leads to complications. Delacorte Press, out 2/9.

* The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms, by N.K. Jemisin. In a mystical land, an unwitting heir to the throne is thrown into a perilous situation. Orbit Books. Out 2/25, with a Big Idea piece planned for the same day.

* The World We Live In, by Susan Beth Pfeffer. The third book in Pfeffer’s series in which a rogue meteor irrevocably changes life as we know it. Harcourt Press, April 2010.

Books what came in the mail today:

* Tails of Wonder and Imagination, edited by Ellen Datlow. An anthology of fantastical tales featuring cats (thus the modeling of the book with Ghlaghghee). Night Shade Books, out this month.

* Lightbreaker and Heartland, by Mark Teppo. The first and second books in Teppo’s “Codex of Souls” series. Lightbreaker is currently out; Heartland will be out this month. Teppo will also be penning a Big Idea for Heartland in about a week. Night Shade Books.

* Shadowline, by Glenn Cook. Night Shade reprints a science fiction trilogy from the “Black Company” author; this is the first of those books. Out in January.

* Hespira, by Matthew Hughes. Hughes’ latest installment in his genre-bending Henghis Hapthorn series. Out now, from Night Shade Books.

* The Talisman #3. The third installment of Del Rey Comics’ adaptation of Stephen King’s and Peter Straub’s massive fantasy book. On sale 1/27.

One my New Year’s resolutions is to do a better job noting the books I get sent, for the edification of all y’all who are always wondering “damn, what’s new out there that I can read next, or pre-order and hover by the mailbox for?” And here’s the system I think I’m going to use:

1. If I get zero books on a particular day, then I’m not going to tell you, because really, what would I tell you? “Waaah, I got no books?” No one needs that.

2. If I get one or two books, then I’ll tweet it, as I did yesterday with the ARC of Jay Lake’s upcoming novel Pinion.

3. More than two books and I’ll do a “Just Arrived” entry, like I’m doing right this very second, because today I got four books.

That’s my plan, although usually in the case of number three there, I won’t do all this prefatory nonsense. I’m just giving you context, this one time.

In any event, what’s just arrived? I’m glad you asked!

* Except the Queen, by Jane Yolen and Midori Snyder. Two banished fairies see signs of encroaching evil. Out: 2/2/10

* The Adamantine Palace, by Stephen Deas. Debut fantasy novel. It’s got dragons! Out: 2/2/10

* State of Decay, by James Knapp. In a dystopian future, zombies do all of humanity’s dirty jobs. Out: 2/2/10

* Shadows Past, by Lorna Freeman. A new fantasy novel in the author’s Borderlands series. Out: 2/2/10