The Avian Gospels

Earlier today I stumbled upon a book (or set of books) that, I have to say, intrigues me. I don't know if it's a style that I'm only now becoming aware of, but I rather enjoy this story-as-biblical-tale trend of writing. First with Philip Pullman's Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ, then with Adam Levin's The Instructions... there is something about re-incorporating the ideas of myth, sacrifice, and religion that I find fascinating.

Now, a little late on the band wagon, I realize, I've come across Adam Novy's two-book set, The Avian Gospels:

This debut has the potential to become a cult classic, if readers aren't distracted from the oddly compelling story by the unconventional structure. The beleaguered residents of an unnamed mythical city long at war with Hungary are enjoying a parade to mark the end of the "endless war." In the midst of the parade, refugee Zvominir's wife goes into labor, and then dies giving birth to their son in the abandoned storefront they call home. Seventeen years later, Zvominir and Morgan, his son, are "the Bird Man and Bird Boy"; they can control birds but are opposed in their outlooks and philosophies. But when the city suffers from a bird invasion so large that they block out the sun, the pair are commanded by their tyrannical ruler, Judge Charles Giggs, to clear the birds away, and soon the citizens (including the Judge's daughter, Katherine) and the birds are caught up in a conflict of ideals. Cleverly formatted in a Biblical style, this is a fascinating examination of what makes a martyr, a myth, or a legend. [Publisher's Weekly]

It was published last September, about the same time Levin's book was making a splash, so was most likely overlooked by all (me included) but the most keyed in. It's been compared to Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds (naturally) and Stephen King's The Stand.

There's a fabulous review over at The Nervous Breakdown.

Purchase copies through the publisher: Short Flight / Long Drive Books - two book set: $20.95.

The Future of the Printed Book?

Shelf Awareness and McNally Jackson are both reporting on Sci-Fi writer Cory Doctorow's latest experiment  in self publishing. He is teaming up with the McNally Jackson books store to publish his latest short stories, titled With a Little Help. Apropos, since it will be printed with the help of McJ's Print-on-Demand Espresso Book machine.

The book is an experiment for Doctorow and will feature information on the cost of the book, as well as the number of books printed & sold within the index. The Espresso-printed book has four different covers and sells for $10. It can be ordered through McNally Jackson (see links below).

Doctorow has struck a similar agreement with the Custom Book Centre at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Price for the same book covers listed below is AU$21.95.

From Doctorow:

With a Little Help is my first serious experiment in self-publishing. I’ve published many novels, short story collections, books of essays and so on with publishers, and it’s all been very good and satisfying and educational and so on, but it seems like it’s time to try something new.

You see, I’ve always released my work under open licenses from the Creative Commons project, so that my readers could share and remix my works. A good number of these readers wanted to know why I didn’t distribute the physical book as well, and see what a writer working on his own could do.

In addition, Doctorow has teamed up with Wyvern Bindery in London to create a limited edition, handbound hardcover, priced at US$275. This edition comes with original, signed paper ephemera from other authors, as well as an SD card that houses the full text of the book and the full audio version of the book.

The limited edition book can be bought through Doctorow's Web site.

With a Little Help, Cory Doctorow

McNally Jackson Espresso covers:

Rick Lieder cover

Pablo Defendini cover

Frank Wu cover

Rudy Rucker cover

PW Asks: Will the 'First Printing' Become a 20th-Century Relic?

Publishers have long used 'First Printing' numbers to espouse the importance of an upcoming book. It used to be that a publisher would announce the number of books printed in the first print run (50,000 or 100,000 and up). With the onset of digital books, that number is getting a little fuzzy, as is the term "print."


In an article published this morning, Publishers Weekly discusses the reality of 'First Print' numbers in an ever increasing digital world, observing that first printings are disappearing from advance copy covers, and that, outside of the publishing house, the numbers are getting harder to come by.

Echoing what many publishers said, Dick Heffernan, president of hardcover sales at Penguin, said his company has adopted a policy of combining an author's print sales history with the e-book sales history instead of offering first printing numbers, saying, "Both the print and electronic formats are factored in together."

While publishers may be coming up with different ways to tweak the math they use to reach their first printings, many are becoming more uncomfortable sharing the information. First printings are disappearing from galley covers and catalogues, and publishers are becoming increasingly resistant to share the figures with reporters. 

As eBooks continue to gain in sales, these numbers will have less meaning for those of us who actually collect the printed books. And while the number of first printings can affect the value of the book, as many collectors have realized, it is only a small factor in a book's overall valuation.


With sales of printed books being stripped by their digital cohorts, it is only a matter of time before the actual number of printed books is greatly reduced. This can only add to their collectibility.

Borders May Close Another 51 Stores

According to Publisher's Lunch Borders may close another 51 stores to avoid defaulting on their latest set of loans.

A showdown like this has been looming from the start, given Borders' financing terms, exacerbated by their significant and continuing losses. (As we reported last week, Borders has just $85 million in available financing left to use from the initial $500 million granted by GE Capital.) Referring to themselves in the abstract as the "debtors," Borders' lawyers tell the court they face an unfortunate dilemma: "This leaves the Debtors with a Hobson's choice: the Debtors can proceed with store closing sales at these stores under these unfortunate circumstances or, if they refuse to do so, risk being placed into default."

...the company says they would have to pick a liquidator by June 16 and begin store closings by June 22 to avoid defaulting on their loans.

...An unofficial employee message board is circulating a list of the 51 affected stores, asserting that up to a third are "definitely" closing, some are ready to sign a new lease and the remainder are in negotiations for new leases. Among those on the list are the remaining two stores in Manhattan, airport stores at JFK, Detroit, Indianapolis, Logan International and BWI, and three stores in Hawaii. 

Before Lisbeth Salander there was Kathy Mallory

I am constantly amazed when readers who love Stieg Larsson's character Lisbeth Salander have not heard of Carol O'Connell's Kathy Mallory. Both characters are equally strong, independent (nee sociopathic), damaged, crime fighting heroines with their own set of rules / morals. And, while I truly enjoyed Larsson's books, O'Connell is, I believe, a much better writer.


Kathleen Mallory was an 11-year-old thief living on the streets of New York City when she was rescued/adopted and raised against her will by Detective Louis Markowitz and his wife. She is an intense creature who lacks socialization skills and must be taught a set of rules by which to live. Mallory learns the basic social morés but lives with her own ideas of how the world works and how the world sees (or doesn't see her). She is a savant when it comes to computers and hacking. She has a multitude of secrets and pain, kept well hidden/compartmentalized, even from her closest comrades. O'Connell rounds Mallory out with a cast of extremely well developed, compelling characters. 


If you've not read any of O'Connell's work, start with Mallory's Oracle. While some may think that Kathy Mallory comes across a little stiff in this first novel, you'll get hooked - especially if you liked Lisbeth Salander. With each book, a little more of Mallory's past is revealed, and with each revelation her character becomes more compelling. There are currently nine books in the series, with a 10th coming out in January of 2012. You'll want to read them in order:

1. Mallory's Oracle (Putnam, Aug. 17, 1994) *50,000 first printings.
2. The Man Who Cast Two Shadows (Putnam, June 1, 1995) aka The Man Who Lied to Women (Hutchinson, U.K. 1995)
3. Killing Critics (Putnam, June 18, 1996)
4. Stone Angel (Putnam, July 14, 1997) aka Flight of the Stone Angel (Hutchinson, U.K.)
5. Shell Game (Putnam, July 5, 1999) aka Magic Men (Hutchinson, U.K.)
6. Crime School (Putnam, Sept. 12, 2002)
7. Dead Famous (Putnam, Sept. 11, 2003) aka The Jury Must Die (Hutchinson, U.K.)
8. Winter House (Putnam, Oct. 21, 2004)
9. Find Me (Putnam, Dec. 28, 2006) aka Shark Music (Hutchinson, U.K.)
10. The Chalk Girl (January 17, 2012)

O'Connell has also written two stand alone novels, and while Mallory is not present in either of these books, they're both quite good:

1. The Judas Child (Putnam, June 15, 1998)
2. Bone by Bone (Putnam, Dec. 30, 2008)

Review: Death Cloud, Andrew Lane

• Reading level: Young Adult
• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (February 1, 2011)
• Cover Price: $16.99
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374387672
• ISBN-13: 978-0374387679
• Rating: ★★★★★

Andrew Lane revisits the theme of young Sherlock Holmes, creating a character pieced together from the few clues left by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  While the book is slow to start, it picks up the pace 2/3rds of the way through, rallying at the end.  Lovers of Sherlock Holmes will enjoy this story, especially if they can suspend belief here and there.

We follow a 14 year old Sherlock over the course of his summer break and through an unlikely set of events that are to act as the catalysts that form who he will become. In one summer, under the tutelage of American Amyus Crowe, he learns to observe, deduct, and think. He is exposed to bare-knuckle boxing, fencing, and bee keeping; He gets his first taste of hand-writing analysis; He meets his red-headed love (Virginia); is exposed to laudanum (opiates) - which he does not like; finds a Watson-esque side kick (Matty); finds a Moriarty-like nemesis (The Baron); gets glimmers as to who his brother really is; and survives four or five attempts on his life.  All the while, still maintaining the awkwardness of a 14 year old boy.

While the action and adventure propels the last 1/3rd of the book, some of which nags at the edges of belief, the first 2/3rds of the book gives us glimmers into the adult Sherlock Holmes. Quotes like, "If you haven’t got enough facts to come to a conclusion, then you go out and get more facts,” and “The collection of proper information depends primarily on the proper phrasing of the question,” reveal the roots for his later machinations. In the end, our young heroes are able to best their adult captors both physically and mentally, even when grossly outnumbered. 

This is an entertaining read, especially for those who enjoy Doyle's Holmes, with several threads of the mystery left dangling for the next book.  It will be interesting to see how Lane develops young Holmes. It's unfortunate that he felt the need to introduce so many of the influences into this first book (at times, it felt a little like being force fed). It would've been much nicer to have these threads evolve a bit more organically. Then again, if this is only to be a three book series (?), I can understand the desire to impart as much information as possible.

Get This: Carte Blanche, Signed Edition

As a new era in James Bond is about to be unleashed in the literary world, publishers and book sellers alike are readying themselves for the onslaught of buyers. Jeffrey Deaver's Carte Blanche is being released here in the U.S. next week, but already released is the U.K. edition as well as several signed, limited editions.

The signed, limited edition of 750, housed in a presentation box (also listed as slip-cased or tray-cased). These are listing for £275 (US$450) on Abe Books.

The 300-500 copy Bentley edition (to be released after July 20th, 2011). Hodder & Stoughton is listing this for £1,799.99 (or US$2,943.74). Each copy of the Special Edition is custom-produced to Bentley’s exacting standards and arrives inside a stunning metal case. The result is a striking and unique collector’s item – an expertly crafted book like no other.

The signed, limited "indie" edition of 1,500 with a black cover (rather than the white cover of the U.K. trade edition) Hodder & Stoughton, U.K. 26TH MAY 2011. Currently listing on Abebooks.com for £26.00 (US$42.52) up to £60.00 (US$100). Some listings come with a chap book of "Jeffery Deaver on Writing Carte Blanche" as well.

The first U.K. edition, printing unknown. Features a white cover. Released by Hodder & Stoughton, U.K. 26TH MAY 2011. Listing for up to £124 (US$204) signed.

The first U.S. edition, to be released 14 June, 2011 by Simon & Schuster. Cover price: $26.99

Deaver's USA Tour for Carte Blanche, and opportunities to get a signed U.S. edition:

June 14, 2011, New York, New York
The Mysterious Book Shop58 Warren Street
2:00 PM, Stock Signing

June 19, 2011, Houston, Texas
Murder by the Book
2342 Bissonnet Street
2:00 PM, Talk, Q&A, and Signing

June 20, 2011, Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Tattered Cover Highlands Ranch9315 Dorchester Street
7:30 PM, Talk, Q&A, and Signing

June 21, 2011, Scottsdale, Arizona
Poisoned Pen Bookstore 
At the Scottsdale Community College, Turquoise Room, 9000 East Chaparral Road
7:00 PM, Talk, Q&A, and Signing

June 22, 2011, San Mateo, California
"M" is for Mystery
86 East Third Avenue
7:00 PM, Talk, Q&A, and Signing

June 23, 2011, Los Angeles, California
Rarebird Literary Event
Saban Theatre, 8440 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills
8:00 PM, Talk, Q&A, and Signing

June 28, 2011, Raleigh, North Carolina
Barnes & Noble
8431 Brier Creek Parkway
7:00 PM, Talk, Q&A, and Signing

June 29, 2011,  Pittsboro, North Carolina
McIntyre's Books Fearrington Village, 220 Market Street
7:00 PM, Talk, Q&A, and Signing

July 8, 2011, New York, New York
Barnes and Noble/Tribeca
6pm, 97 Warren Street
Launch party and signing event for No Rest For The Dead, with many of the contributing authors in attendance.

Book Collector Apps

Just recently I joined the modern, more technologically savvy world, by purchasing an iPhone. (I know, I am now one of those people). And truth be told, while not a luddite, neither am I a big cell phone user. I have found, however, that some of the applications for smartphones are actually rather nifty tools.  


There's the flashlight app, that turns the face of my iPhone white, so that I may see my way down the dark hallways that lead to my studio (where the light switches have no affect on the lights); the level tool that allows me to find both level and plumb when I've naturally forgotten to bring both to my workshop; and now iCollect Books, which allows me to keep track of the books I already own so I don't keep buying duplicates.

On my computer at home, I use the Collectorz software which I like just fine (even though it is skewed toward the PC and I am a Mac user). I was hesitant, however, to buy their accompanying smartphone app priced at $10+/- (beware, if you do wish to buy it, it is not a stand alone app - you must have the Collectorz software too, but if you have A LOT of books in your database, this might be the better deal for you, since it automatically downloads the database to your phone).  I looked at a couple of other, less expensive apps, reading through the plethora of one and two star reviews (which almost ALL of them sport), then I tried the free versions. 

iCollect Books was the easiest and most consistent to work with. Their most recent updates have all but quashed the one and two star complaints. I have loaded over 100 book titles onto my phone and only once did it come up with the wrong title - in which case, I had to manually enter the title and author - (the horror). It also allows you to upload a backup copy of your book list to their server. Should you lose your list, you can easily download and restore your data.


Pros:

• Stand alone app
• Uses smartphone camera to scan barcode and automatically enter book information & cover art
• If it can't find cover art, it allows you to search Google, or take your own photo
• Includes lots of data fields plus one custom field (which I use to note whether the book is signed, and it's condition)
• Allows for manual entry when no barcodes are available
• Allows you to back up and restore your files 
• Allows for the exclusion of "The" and "A" at the beginning of titles (for alphabetization purposes)
• Has a search function that allows you to search by author, title, publisher, or any number of other criteria.

Cons:

• Only alphabetizes by title, not author
• Sometimes, even if the "The" exclusion is turned on, it fails to neglect the "The" and alphabetizes the title in the T's
• Occasionally it lists multiple authors when there is only one.
• Cover art isn't always accurate
• Titles occasionally disappear from view (although a search for the title shows they are still in the database)
• If you have a large library of books, it may take a while to catalogue one at a time

Of course all of this will change with the introduction of "cloud" computing. Soon, all information will be stored in and accessed from the ether with few worries about data loss. Until then, this is a nice little tool that helps keep track of your collection right on your phone. 

Book Giveaways

It's summer and for a lot of us in the northern hemisphere, it's hot; the type of weather that dictates either swimming or air conditioning (or both), preferably in an exotic location accompanied by a book. There are plenty of titles available, but why not try to snag an upcoming, as-yet-to-be-released title? Both LibraryThing and Goodreads have posted their monthly giveaways for ARCs, eBooks, and even signed copies. If you don't yet have accounts at either of these bibliophile social networks, they're free. And don't forget the LibraryThing Members Giveaway as well (not all of which are e-books).