Monday, August 22, 2011

I Discover a Great New Fantasy Writer

The Warded Man - Peter V. Brett
2009 - Del Rey
By "discover" I dont mean that I am introducing Brett to the world - I simply mean a discovery of a writer previously known to me. 

This was a tough one to rate for me - I kept wavering between 9 and 10 stars. Then I thought that I best back down and reserve the 10 star rating for the truly special. But hey, 9 stars is pretty damn good.

So why 9 stars? Plain and simple, I like the magic structure Brett uses and I enjoyed the character development (at least the main character). Very fresh and very entertaining.


Amazon descriptionThe time has come to stand against the night.

As darkness falls each night, the corelings rise–demons who well up from the ground like hellish steam, taking on fearsome form and substance. Sand demons. Wood demons. Wind demons. Flame demons. And gigantic rock demons, the deadliest of all. They possess supernatural strength and powers and burn with a consuming hatred of humanity. For hundreds of years the demons have terrorized the night, slowly culling the human herd that shelters behind magical wards–symbols of power whose origins are lost in myth and mystery, and whose protection is terrifyingly fragile.

It was not always this way. Once, men and women battled the corelings on equal terms. Once, under the leadership of the legendary Deliverer, and armed with powerful wards that were not merely shields but weapons, they took the battle to the demons . . . and stopped their advance.

But those days are gone. The fighting wards are lost. Night by night the demons grow stronger, while human numbers dwindle under their relentless assault.
Now, with hope for the future fading, three young survivors of vicious demon attacks will dare the impossible, stepping beyond the crumbling safety of the wards to risk everything in a desperate quest to regain the secrets of the past.

Arlen will pay any price, embrace any sacrifice, for freedom. His grim journey will take him beyond the bounds of human power.

Crippled by the demons that killed his parents, Rojer seeks solace in music–only to discover that music can be a weapon as well as a refuge.

Beautiful Leesha, who has suffered at the hands of men as well as demons, becomes an expert healer. But what cures can also harm. . . .

Together, they will stand against the night.
Click here for regular paperback of The Warded Man (I benefit from all sales made through this link, so thank you in advance):

Saturday, August 20, 2011

A Book of Swords

Swords: An Artist's Devotion - Ben Boos (9 stars)
2008 - Candlewick


First off, I'm a big fan of Ben Boos' work. Add to the mix that I'm a bit of a fantasy geek, and it's easy to see why this book fascinates me.


Amazon descriptionBe smitten by the sword! An extraordinary young artist brings the history of this noble weapon — and its skillful masters — into stunningly sharp relief.

Brave men and women have taken up the sword since ages of old, and a fascination with this formidable weapon grips dedicated followers to this day. Here is a celebration of swords and swordsmen that spans time and place — from ancient warriors such as Beowulf to medieval knights; from stealthy ninja and samurai to legendary maidens of war. Illustrated with breathtaking intricacy, SWORDS reflects the passion of a true devotee, offering lavish background details on design and use as well as exquisite spreads showcasing specimens in all their shining glory.
I do not carry any collectible editions of this book, but here's a link to buy a standard edition (I benefit from all sales made through this link, so thank you in advance):

Friday, August 19, 2011

Temple of Books

Strahov Theological Hall
This thread is dedicated to great libraries from around the world and I will add to this as I stumble upon great pictures. This particular set is the work of photographer Jorge Royan. (Click here for his specific set of pictures from large libraries around the world.)

National Library, Austria
Melk Abbey , Austria

Admont Abbey, Austria
Baroque
Goettweig Abbey Library, Austria
Heiligenkreuz Abbey Library, Austria
Jesus College, Oxford UK
Lichtenstein Museum and Library, Austria
Max Reinhardt Library, Austria
Strahov Library, Prague



Thursday, August 18, 2011

Refreshing Look At the State of Books

Great, objective look at the idea of "books" and how this industry is really doing:

http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/17/the-golden-era-of-books-isnt-over-the-golden-era-of-books-is-now/

Contemporary Art compilation from Gingko Press

Further - Sori Kim (9 stars)
2010 - Gingko Press


This is a great survey of contemporary art thought I was interested in primarily one specific artist. I have been in love with Oliver Vernon for a long time now and the more I see the more I fall in love. And the other artists fit quite well thematically with the book which made it that more enjoyable.


I do not carry any collectible editions of this book, but here's a link to buy a standard edition (I benefit from all sales made through this link, so thank you in advance):

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Hawaii - A History Rewritten

Unfamiliar Fishes - Sarah Vowell (9 Stars)
2011 - Riverhead


I am not much of a history buff, cannot stand the subject really - I seem to lack the attention span and the ability to hold together important dates and such. (Although I have ALWAYS been able to remember that the Battle of Hastings was in 1066 for some reason.) 

Anyway, I now prefer my doses of history to come from Sarah Vowell. I love her particular and seemingly unique viewpoint, her historical wit and perspective - it's a very palatable way to digest history. She is my official chronicler.

Unfamiliar Fishes is her latest foray into the history genre and of particular interest to me - the history of Hawaii as a sovereign nation ad its "transition" to American statehood. If you really dont think you can take another history book, I highly, highly recommend this as an audiobook. Vowell has a very distinct voice (akin to a David Sedaris reading) that only adds to the experience.

I would normally give this book 8 stars out of 10 but the subject matter is so close to my heart and thus earns a higher recommendation.


Amazon descriptionFrom the bestselling author of The Wordy Shipmates, comes an examination of Hawaii, the place where Manifest Destiny got a sunburn. 

Many think of 1776 as the defining year of American history, when we became a nation devoted to the pursuit of happiness through self- government. In Unfamiliar Fishes, Sarah Vowell argues that 1898 might be a year just as defining, when, in an orgy of imperialism, the United States annexed Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam, and invaded first Cuba, then the Philippines, becoming an international superpower practically overnight.

Among the developments in these outposts of 1898, Vowell considers the Americanization of Hawaii the most intriguing. From the arrival of New England missionaries in 1820, their goal to Christianize the local heathen, to the coup d'état of the missionaries' sons in 1893, which overthrew the Hawaiian queen, the events leading up to American annexation feature a cast of beguiling, and often appealing or tragic, characters: whalers who fired cannons at the Bible-thumpers denying them their God-given right to whores, an incestuous princess pulled between her new god and her brother-husband, sugar barons, lepers, con men, Theodore Roosevelt, and the last Hawaiian queen, a songwriter whose sentimental ode "Aloha 'Oe" serenaded the first Hawaiian president of the United States during his 2009 inaugural parade.

With her trademark smart-alecky insights and reporting, Vowell lights out to discover the off, emblematic, and exceptional history of the fiftieth state, and in so doing finds America, warts and all.
I do not carry any collectible editions of this book, but here's a link to buy a standard edition (I benefit from all sales made through this link, so thank you in advance):

My Most Beautiful Book For Sale

The Winning of the WestTheodore (Teddy) Roosevelt
1899 - G.P. Putnam's Sons
 Well, actually 4 books make up this edition of The Winning of the West

When this set came through my shop it immediately jumped out at me: the beautiful binding of the full red leather is exquisite. This is how books should be, old and new. This is how books should feel. And this is how books should smell. 

And this is just the beginning. 

This very limited Boone edition (of only 200 copies printed) includes not only a gift note in Roosevelt's hand to a Philadelphia publisher, but a leaf of the actual manuscript of this title. What a historical document. 

As of this writing there are only 4 editions for sale in the world.