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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
Gregory has commented on (19) products
Nos4a2
by
Joe Hill
Gregory
, May 16, 2013
Ok yes I may be going against type here talking about someone that is getting a lot of press right now but with how much I loved this novel I have to... Joe Hill is just that good; this book sets its hooks into me with the opening scene and wormed it way into my heart in ways I least expected. Like Heart Shaped Box, Locke and Key and his short fiction, this story is wildly and convincingly conceived; the knife knife of Joe's imagination cuts through disbelief as if it were tissue. Nos4a2 is a novel that I sped through considering its near 700 pages. It will make you read late into the night and give you chills when the lights are off. Joe Hill does not go for cheap gore horror or simple shocks; he deftly foreshadows the events and revelations so that as the reader you never feel that he's cheating and sometimes you get the reveal just before he shows you. I loved his first novel Hear Shaped Box, and his graphic novel series Locke and Key that pays right into my enjoyment of HPL influenced horror but this one really hit in all the right spots and occasionally in some painful places. In addition to the roller coaster ride and tense chase scenes he throws in seveal good emotional gut punches, to borrow a comment from the SFSqueecast a couple of episodes back. NOS4A2 is more then just a well told weird suspense tale that breaks the walls of reality a bit there is so much real about the feelings and moments Joe conjures up that it would be just as affective without all the weird. He brought me to tears unexpectedly with the way he wrote one scene that even though I knew what was coming the hurt was still very bright. As a short story writer Joe is deft at creating character in a few lines painting a person fully in a simple brushstroke. The bigger story may be the conflict between Charlie the spooky sociopath with the NOS4A2 license plate and Victoria (Vic or the Brat) spry and foul mouthed biker chick but Joe never forgets to give hints of the stories of the other players and give them just as much weight in their moment. Just after finishing the book I wanted to start it again just to re-encounter the fictional friends I almost instantly missed. Vic we meet as a headstrong pre teen who's home life is less then ideal given unstable parents and see her grow up into a loveable but very flawed and broken person, creative, witty, vulgar and headstrong but very broken. Her story collides after a particularly bad family blowup with that of the sociopathic child"saving" Manx. Many chance events lead to this moment that changes her life and his really and leading to the dramatic sad hard and spooky years that follow between their first encounter the the climactic one. The other characters drawn into the gravity of this conflict include family friends and children and no one leaves unchanged even those who never really encounter them in the flesh. NOS4A2 as I said was a wildly creative novel, a world that some can bend or influence in powerful subtle and twisted ways but it was wild in other senses. In terms of pacing Joe sculpted some of the tensest series of scenes into a form that spread my pulse and left me just as jittery or shaken as his characters; he effectively created the visceral experience of the event though I did not move at all. He did more then create a maniac thrill ride, there are tender and tense family scenes that though not fast paced drew me in just as much wanting to see if the foreshadowing was as bad or worse then I feared. Other reviewers have written about the plot and and love to discuss it and reveal things or hint at this but since this novel for me was a visceral experience I've focused on that. Joe's writing, his ability to convey the contents of his head, clearly enough to make my heart race, fear for incoming injuries and cry and laugh openly makes this a pretty great novel. Also, though out it has illustrations, imbedded magazine adds, bits do dental that could have been left only as words and a brilliant map that hints.... hints at more things related to the novel. Perhaps he's hinting that well be seeing more of this crazy world, hey one can only hope. So now some links... Joe Hill can be found here and post lots on twitter and tumblr Trailers and videos related to the novel can be found there too here and here There is also a cool illustrations of a couple of the characters from the book on Joe's site along with a list of his tour dates (the one at Powells that I sadly miss due to some horror called work) and some promos for more Locke and Key.... Here is a link to the mentioned SF Squeecast its a great group of writers sharing the SFnal things they dig... As always I invite comments if you found my review helpful or fun or well whatever you think of it...
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Throne of the Crescent Moon Crescent Moon Kingdoms 1
by
Saladin Ahmed
Gregory
, January 01, 2013
Saladin Ahmed's love of fantasy fiction and the conventions of action adventure pulps makes this novel a joy. Heis characters are varies and wonderful twists on recognize able types and his setting is so wonderfully familiar and alien at the same time. Among all the fantasy novels I read in 2012 and most of the books I read this last year easily fall into the fantasy category Throne ranks right up there at the top with Wise Mans Fear by Patrich Rothfuss.
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Wolf Age
by
James Enge
Gregory
, August 05, 2012
This the second novel about Morlock Ambrosius hunchback, wizard, maker, hero, and sometimes hopeless drunk is a book that begs to be re read even while reading it. I would not say it's the right place to dive into the unique blended mythos about the son of The infamous Merlin but it's a great reason to start reading James' weird noirish sword and sorcery tales. This novel starts at a point where Morlock has isolated himself from his allies and friends for their protection and is almost at a point of rock bottom. He becomes involved in a plot bigger then just freeing refugees from the clutches of a werewolf raiding force. The novel is often brutal and gory in descriptions of combat and unforgiving in it's treatment of it's protagonist an his allies. It is a story that follows more the tales of the allies of Morlock and allows the hero to remain somewhat a mystery as is the intent of the Strange Gods that set events in motion in the story. The tales raise more questions then they really answer and beg for a second reading.
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The Greyfriar
by
Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith
Gregory
, January 29, 2011
Greyfriar is by far the 2010 title that moved me the most emotionally. It rates up there among the action adventure titles too since the suspence and combat action was there is spades too but it was the true to reality emotion that made the story the best. Clay and Susan have a real live and affection for their subject matter - alternate victoriana, steampunk and vampires returning all those memes to things I look forward to. They imagined a dark world and populated it with bright spots that I long for more of. They gave me heroes to cheer for and predatory villains to love to hate. Top that with the fact that I cried real tears at the end and take the book everywhere still a were later. Loved the book.
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Buntline Special
by
Mike Resnick
Gregory
, January 01, 2011
Mike Resnick recasts the shootout at the OK Corral in a setteing alive with magics of multiple kinds but most of all the magic of his furtile immagination. His versions of Doc Holiday, Johnny Ringo, Bat Masterson and on and on live in my mind right alongside the brillant movie versions from Tombstone. His west is a forign yet familiar frontier and I hope for more adventures in this land with potent medicine man magic right alongside whitman technology.
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Tangy Tart Hot & Sweet A World of Recipes for Every Day
by
Padma Lakshmi
Gregory
, April 22, 2010
Ok, yes she is a judge on a reality show but the former model can write some great recipes; they are not too difficult and they are from all over the world. This book will require that you find some of the indian and arab markets in your area but it is really worth the time to look into these under appreciated treasures if you have them near you. The dishes in this book will make you learn to appreciate new flavors and to experiment with items that may frighten you. There is a dish that will cured my fear of fillo dough and is worth the occasional curse word to finish. The range of variety in this book and the clarity of the instruction will surprise you . If you are at all interested in ethnic food exploration this is a great place to head towards.
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Gordon Ramsays Great Escape 100 of My Favourite Indian Recipes
by
Gordon Ramsay
Gregory
, April 22, 2010
To start off I have to say that in terms of recipes I have yet to have one by Gordon Ramsay fail on me. This book is exceptional if you are a fan of Indian Food and will introduce you to dishes you will not find in your regular restaurant; he includes Puri witch are a standard of Indian breakfasts which are deep fried breads that are puffy delicate and not a bit greasy and egg curry that is delicious simple and of all things cheap to make. Along with the various dishes he puts in things about his trip and I cant say how much I would love to see the series that the book is based on. I have made about a quarter of the dishes in the book - a little from each section and have yet to come across something too complicated and less then great in taste. its worth the cost of the import fee... I have been a fan since trying to cook his dishes and have yet to fell let down. Get it you will thank him.
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Bonehunters Malazan 06
by
Steven Erikson
Gregory
, October 24, 2009
Steven Erikson's book are doorstops and at this point at book 6 you really have to read the others to enjoy it fully but Bonehunters is an excellent addition to the series. Erikson writes multiple storylines here some filled with battle, some sad and depressing, some humorous but all filled with characters worth assailing this mountainous book to encounter again.
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Lightbreaker Codex Of Souls 01
by
Mark Teppo
Gregory
, October 24, 2009
Those who have read the books of Jim Butcher and wished that Magic seemed less typical should check out Lightbreaker. Mark has tapped into the western "wiccen" occult mythos and gives you a familiar and yet strange new verion of magic that is really not all that safe. The world is somehow darker then other Urban fantasy and has a more crime/noir novel feel. Its worth a try if you want something that feels unsafe.
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Gardens of the Moon
by
Steven Erikson
Gregory
, October 14, 2009
After years of being a fan of writers like R. Jordan and T Goodkind to be disillusioned by them it was refreshing to find Steven Erikson. He gives you an excellent tale well told and with a conclusion with hints towards a larger story. I have been fully entertained by all the various Malazan novels and am almost to the 9th volume (a task that the other mentioned have failed to keep me on board till...). Erikson fills his books with characters of various types and levels of power and like GRRM you find that they are not all black or white. He is worth the time and money.
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Jack Wakes Up
by
Seth Harwood
Gregory
, May 15, 2009
Harwood has the real product here...well that is the was his player character Junius Ponds would put it. If you like the gritty grey reality of shows like the Wire - and recall classics like Bullet and the Maltese Falcon you should look into the world of Jack Palms... come and fight the urge to drink, smoke and possibly trust the wrong person - again. Jack is a man who has been out of the night life since his brush with hollywood stardom - three years clean but without an income he needs a score and he scores a new lease on life as long as he can act the par enough to fool everyone...
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Molto Italiano: 327 Simple Italian Recipes to Cook at Home
by
Batali, Mario
Gregory
, May 09, 2009
Just reading through the book I am reminded of growing up and my grandmothers kitchen... she was a one time cook for a family in marin county and kept up her heritage throughout her life. The few dishes I have made from this tome were simple and wonderful. Mario's description about how to cook the dishes lead you well and it is so worth the price of admission.... I am reminded about why I wish I has a chance to work in the cooking industry ... I love it when a simple dish comes out great and filled with love...
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Stormcaller Twilight Reign 01
by
Tom Lloyd
Gregory
, May 09, 2009
I have to say that I took two stabs at reading Tom Lloyds beginning to the Twilight reign series... this is not a bad thing - my favorite new epic fantasy series Steve Ericksons Gardens of the Moon I also took two stabs at. I really like Lloyds world building here - there are lots of tropes attacked like the existence of elves and multiple human nations and vampires and I really like his vampires. Tom tackles concepts of destiny and prophecy and their relevance... Id say check it out maybe from the library and you may be like me thinking I need to own in since I know I missed things in the beginning and throughout now that I have finished it....
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Patient Zero
by
Jonathan Maberry
Gregory
, April 13, 2009
Be careful picking up this book - make sure you have plenty of time because it will keep you coming back till you finish it wanting more. Jonathan Mayberry cooks up a stew of police drama, spy thriller, and military action liberally spicing it with zombies and headline terrorist themes. He succeeds in creating very likable and believable characters that I genuinely want more stories about - even the heels.. Zombies aside this would be a great modern military thriller so even if horror is not your thing you might still want to go there. People who like horror and want to fill in the time till World War Z the movie arrives should give this a whirl...... This is the first book of his that I have read of his but it wont be the last....
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Midnight Robber
by
Nalo Hopkinson
Gregory
, September 17, 2008
Wow .... just finished this book. Not really what I was expecting - ok I could see there the story was going but I have to say I did not expect the dark places that Nalo went to...... Read Black Giril in the RIng first to get a handle on her idioms but again wow....powerful storytelling. She projects a future descended from various cultures where criminals are exiled to a 'neighbor' place where the things of folklore - not western folklore - have real counterparts.....but not the way it sounds. Really compelling world building...aliens and real characters....its a shame that we will not see Tan Tan the Robber Queen again... till we re read the book
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Deadhouse Gates Malazan Book 2
by
Steven Erikson
Gregory
, July 29, 2008
In terms of size this book is a doorstop like many of the modern epic fantasy novels. Mr. Erikson writes with numerous ideas and great passion in his series and I feel even more in this book of the series. The Malazan cycle is a long series....I believe it will be 10 books...the difference here is that you can read any of the novels by it self as a complete tale and not have to worry about being cliffhangered (thanks JC Hutchins). This is why I feel comfortable recommending his novels to anyone that reads fantasy. Deadhouse gates is an adult novel....this is a war story that does not pull punches; people die here, there is not much pretty here....but there are great characters , ideas and events that are worth your time to explore. Sure if you read further in the series you see where some of the strange things come from and lead to but if you want a compelling and real feeling war story you can not go wrong with this book.....Thanks Steven I loved this book.
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(8 of 9 readers found this comment helpful)
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Isabels Cantina Bold Latin Flavors from the New California Kitchen
by
Isabel Cruz
Gregory
, July 23, 2008
If you have ever or ever get the chance to eat at Dragonfly in Ashland OR you must do so. Really - if you are there or in the LA area google Isabel Cruz and go eat at her place now....go now really. This is by far the best cookbook that we have. The food is great - the recipes are easy to follow, wont cost you an arm and leg and deliver with out fail. We have yet to find something that is just ok.....everything is to die for. Its fusion food but this goes beyond trendy - its not complicated - just good simple food done right....even the simple quick black beans are something special. Really 27 dollars is a steal for this much good food even if you have to do the cooking yourself.
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Chasm City Revelation Space 02
by
Alastair Reynolds
Gregory
, July 20, 2008
First realize that it was about 2 and a half years since I read the novel and that names escape me at this point but the power of the narrative has lingered on.... This was the first of Reynolds' books that I had an opportunity to read set in the same universe as Revelation space dealing with the planet of Yellowstone and specifically the once great now fallen Chasm City. A plague that affects flesh and machine both has lead to the fall of a great civilization...or to the evolution of a stagnant one. The story focus follows a mercenary carrying more then one set of memories. His adventures are both into the strange altered landscape of Chasm and the past of human colonization of the stars. Both of the tales are brutal, compelling and human. Having further explored Alistair's universe this is still my favorite - maybe for the vague similarities to the first feelings of cyberpunk of the mid 80's and 90's or the reality of the characters both continuing and brief in their appearance. This is a tale well told in a fictional city I much would love to visit.
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Cenotaxis
by
Sean Williams
Gregory
, July 15, 2008
This was my first experience of Sean Williams' writing and based on its strength it wont be my last. This novella though short was well worth the money to me. The hero - Jasper - is captive of a self proclaimed messiah - Imre Bergemasc (who happens to be the hero of the series Astropolis). Jasper to is messianic; he claims a connection to god and to follow his vision, unquestioningly. He lives life non-sequentially - effects proceed cause when viewed by others. Jasper's tale is touching and frustrating and filled with ideas that keep coming back after you have finished the story. I will be reading it again - you could say I think it has replay value....and is worth you time no matter how you experience it...
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