Just Arrived, 4/14/10
Posted on April 14, 2010 Posted by John Scalzi 14 Comments
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.
Kadrey is currently writing the sequel to “Sandman Slim” entitled (for now, at least) “Kill the Dead”. It involves at least one vampire.
John,
Do you ever combine mixed media with your writing (art + writing)?
I’m wondering if the Lord of the Changing Winds, by Rachel Neumeier is a YA or intended for adults as well, or? I couldn’t tell from the scanty info I found.
I reviewed Sandman Slim a couple weeks ago and enjoyed it. It’s a fun read that moves along quickly.
Sandman Slim review at: http://whatmarkread.blogspot.com/2010/04/sandman-slim-by-richard-kadrey.html
I really enjoyed Sandman Slim. The sequel is due out Oct 5, according to the mighty Amazon.
I’m really excited about the debut of Newspaper Blackout. Austin’s a good friend of mine, and I think (hope!) that this book is the beginning of a Saul Steinberg-like career for him.
Nnedi Okorafor’s book is AMAZING. It’s definitely one of my top books of 2010–which has been a pretty great year for books, too. And I am intensely jealous that you have a copy of Among Others.
The first one looks interesting. I’d like to see some Scalzi poetry, other than what’s in Zoe’s Tale. You post beautiful pictures from time to time, and a Scalzi haiku would be a nice match. A limite ed book of poems with pics would be nice.
Also, I like it when J.S. uses cover art to promote a book. Why don’t all books get their cover shown? Just curious, not criting.
Read Sandman Slim. Thought it was very entertaining and look forward to the sequel.
A fantasy quasi-autobiography sounds like a Big Idea.
“Newspaper Blackout” sounds very strongly inspired by Tom Phillip’s “Humument”, a long-running art project which does similar things to a Victorian novel.
amk @12: In fact, Austin K. is a fan of “A Humument,” and has blogged about it a couple of times:
http://www.austinkleon.com/tag/humument/
~
I, too, have found that my need for “found printed texts with most of the words blacked out” has been filled admirably by A Humument and the works of Kurt Schwitters, but I wish all the best to Austin Kleon nonetheless.