This month's pick for book club is The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. We will be meeting on Thursday, September 30th in an online video chat. You can RSVP to the event & get the chat link here.
 
The Author -- TJ Klune

TJ Klune is an LGBT author of fantasy and romance. He has been nominated for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature and won the Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Romance. The House in the Cerulean Sea is a New York Times bestseller. You can find links to his work at his website and on social media at @tjklune.
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So, what's the book about?

Lambda Literary Award-winning author TJ Klune’s bestselling, breakout contemporary fantasy that's "1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." (Gail Carriger)

Linus Baker is a by-the-book caseworker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He's tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world.

Arthur Parnassus is the master of the orphanage. He would do anything to keep the children safe, even if it means the world will burn. And his secrets will come to light.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is an enchanting love story, masterfully told, about the profound experience of discovering an unlikely family in an unexpected place—and realizing that family is yours.

"1984 meets The Umbrella Academy with a pinch of Douglas Adams thrown in." —Gail Carriger, New York Times bestselling author of Soulless

​If this sounds like something you would like to read, you can get your copy of the book from the store for 15% off when you order with us: in store, online, over the phone (828.386.1219), or via email. Our booksellers will be happy to help you get the book in the format that you prefer! ​

Paperback
Audiobook
E-book
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We are open to the public again (Mon-Sat from 11am-7pm) so you can pickup orders at the register. However, you can also pickup your book using our pickup basket at the front door or the drive thru window. We offer free media mail shipping for orders $30+ and free local delivery (within Boone town limits). Getting your book to you as conveniently as possible is important to us! 
 
Finally, you can RSVP on the Facebook event to get reminders & updates about any changes to the event! Do that here! You can also add it to your personal calendar--check out the event page to see our Google event calendar where you can RSVP!
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The House in the Cerulean Sea -- Kirkus Review
Finding Family & Breaking Rules in The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune -- Tor.com
​Book Review: The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune -- The Queer Review
​Q&A: TJ Klune, Author of 'The House in the Cerulean Sea' -- The Nerd Daily
​An Interview with Alex Award Winner TJ Klune, author of The House in the Cerulean Sea -- The YALSA Hub

So, what's the book about?

In Upright Women Wanted, award-winning author Sarah Gailey reinvents the pulp Western with an explicitly antifascist, near-future story of queer identity.

Esther is a stowaway. She's hidden herself away in the Librarian's book wagon in an attempt to escape the marriage her father has arranged for her--a marriage to the man who was previously engaged to her best friend. Her best friend who she was in love with. Her best friend who was just executed for possession of resistance propaganda.

The future American Southwest is full of bandits, fascists, and queer librarian spies on horseback trying to do the right thing.
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If this sounds like something you would like to read, you can get your copy of the book from the store for 15% off when you order with us: online, over the phone (828.386.1219), or via email. Our booksellers will be happy to help you get the book in the format that you prefer! 
​

Hardcover
Audiobook
E-book

​We are open to the public again (Mon-Sat from 11am-7pm) so you can pickup orders at the register. However, you can also pickup your book using our pickup basket at the front door or the drive thru window. We offer free media mail shipping for orders $30+ and free local delivery (within Boone town limits). Getting your book to you as conveniently as possible is important to us! 

Finally, you can RSVP on the Facebook event to get reminders & updates about any changes to the event! Do that here! You can also add it to your personal calendar--check out the event page to see our Google event calendar where you can RSVP!
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In A Dark Future, These 'Upright Women' Bring Hope -- NPR.com
'Upright Women Wanted' Is a Stunning, Queer Western Set in the Future -- Southern Review of Books
Review: Upright Women Wanted by Sarah Gailey -- thenerddaily.com
Interview with an Author: Sarah Gailey -- Los Angeles Public Library
Q & A with Sarah Gailey -- ReadMoreCo

So, what's the book about?

In the early 1900s, a young woman embarks on a fantastical journey of self-discovery after finding a mysterious book in this captivating and lyrical debut.

In a sprawling mansion filled with peculiar treasures, January Scaller is a curiosity herself. As the ward of the wealthy Mr. Locke, she feels little different from the artifacts that decorate the halls: carefully maintained, largely ignored, and utterly out of place.

Then she finds a strange book. A book that carries the scent of other worlds, and tells a tale of secret doors, of love, adventure and danger. Each page turn reveals impossible truths about the world and January discovers a story increasingly entwined with her own.

If this sounds like something you would like to read, you can get your copy of the book from the store for 15% off when you order with us: online, over the phone (828.386.1219), or via email. If you're looking for an audiobook, our partners at Libro.fm have it available for easy access on our affiliate website. You can get it here. You can also get it in e-book format, as well! We have a new e-book partner called My Must Reads & you can buy the e-book here.

We are open to the public again (Mon-Sat from 11am-7pm) so you can pickup orders at the register. However, you can also pickup your book using our pickup basket at the front door or the drive thru window. We offer free media mail shipping for orders $30+ & local delivery (within Boone town limits). Getting your book to you as conveniently as possible is important to us! 

Finally, you can RSVP on the Facebook event to get reminders & updates about any changes to the event! Do that here!
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​THE TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY| Kirkus Reviews-- Kirkus
Gary K. Wolfe Reviews The Ten Thousand Doors of January-- LocusMag
INTERVIEW WITH ALIX E. HARROW-- The Fantasy Hive
Interview With an Author: Alix E. Harrow-- LA Public Library
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This month's pick for book club is Witchmark by C.L. Polk. We will be meeting on Thursday, June 24th in an online video chat. You can RSVP to the event & get the chat link here.

C.L. Polk is an award-winning Canadian author. Their pronouns are they/them. 

After leaving high school early, they have worked as a film extra, sold vegetables on the street, and identified exotic insect species for a vast collection of lepidoptera before settling down to write fantasy novels. 

Mx. Polk lives in Calgary, Alberta in a tiny apartment with too many books & a yarn stash that could last a decade. They drink good coffee because life is too short. You can find them on Twitter or Patreon. You can also subscribe to their free newsletter here. 

So, what's the book about?

Witchmark is the first novel in the Kingston Cycle & the winner of the World Fantasy Award. It was nominated for the Lambda, Locus, Nebula & Aurora Prizes, as well. It's been described as a stunning, addictive fantasy that combines intrigue, magic, betrayal, and romance. Here's the publisher summary: 

Miles Singer trades luxury, comfort, and his real name in exchange for surgical training and seven year’s service in Aeland’s Royal Army. Now home after a haunting, terrible war, Miles takes a job as a physician in Kingston’s cash-strapped veteran’s hospital, hiding the magical gift of healing that would land him in a witchcraft asylum, or worse–returned to the bosom of his power-hungry family.

His quiet life is shattered when an emergency lands a poisoned witch in his caseload, brought into his hospital by the most handsome man he’s ever seen–a man who, after uncovering Miles’ powers, proposes that they investigate the murder of Miles’ patient…together. As they follow the trail of the witch’s poisoner, the sister Miles fled returns to convince him to take his place among the noble families who control the fate of Aeland–as a magical battery and a second-class citizen.
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As Miles resists his sister’s demands and his detective partner’s charm, Miles stumbles on the national secret that cost his patient his life...

​If this sounds like something you would like to read, you can get your copy of the book from the store for 15% off when you order with us: online, over the phone (828.386.1219), or via email. If you're looking for an audiobook, our partners at Libro.fm have it available for easy access on our affiliate website. You can get it here. You can also get it in e-book format, as well! We have a new e-book partner called My Must Reads & you can buy the e-book here.

We are open to the public again (Mon-Sat from 11am-5pm) so you can pickup orders at the register. However, you can also pickup your book using our pickup basket at the front door or the drive thru window. We offer free media mail shipping for orders $30+ & local delivery (within Boone town limits). Getting your book to you as conveniently as possible is important to us! 

Finally, you can RSVP on the Facebook event to get reminders & updates about any changes to the event! Do that here!
​

A Different Shade of Magic: Witchmark by C.L. Polk -- Tor.com
Witchmark by C.L. Polk -- BookPage
Author Interview: C.L. Polk on Witchmark -- The Illustrated Page
Sleeps with Monsters: C.L. Polk Answers Seven Questions -- Tor.com

This month's pick for book club is Red Rising by Pierce Brown. We will be meeting on Thursday, May 27th at 6:30pm in an online video chat. You can RSVP to the event here.

Pierce Brown graduated from college in 2010, fancying the idea of continuing his studies at Hogwarts. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a magical bone in his body. So while trying to make it as a writer, he worked as a manager of social media at a startup tech company, toiled as a peon on the Disney lot at ABC Studios, did his time as an NBC page, and gave sleep deprivation a new meaning during his stint as an aide on a U.S. Senate campaign. Now he lives Los Angeles, where he scribbles tales of spaceships, wizards, ghouls, and most things old or bizarre.

What's the book about?

Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations. Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.

But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and lush wilds spread across the planet. Darrow and Reds like him are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.

Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies . . . even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

​If this sounds like something you would like to read, you can get your copy of the book from the store for 15% off when you order with us: online, over the phone (828.386.1219), or via email. If you're looking for an audiobook, our partners at Libro.fm have it available for easy access on our affiliate website. You can get it here.

You can pickup your book using our pickup basket at the front door or the drive thru window. We also offer free media mail shipping & local delivery (within Boone town limits). Getting your book to you as conveniently as possible is important to us! 

Finally, you can RSVP on the Facebook event to get reminders & updates about any changes to the event! Do that here!
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Interview with Pierce Brown, author of Red Rising - January 27, 2014 -- The Qwillery
​RED RISING | Kirkus Reviews -- Kirkus 
Review: Red Rising (Red Rising Trilogy 1) -- Geeks Under Grace
Interview with Pierce Brown, author of RED RISING trilogy -- ​Hodder & Stoughton

Suzanne Walker is a Chicago-based writer and editor. Her academic work has been published in Classical World and Barriers and Belonging. She has spoken widely on topics ranging from disability representation in sci-fi/fantasy to applying the themes of science fiction to everyday political activism. You can follow her on twitter: @suzusaur.

What's the book about?

It's a story of love and demons, family and witchcraft. Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers' bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town.

One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods.

As a werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any townhome. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help.

​Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery. 
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If this sounds like something you would like to read, you can get your copy of the book from the store for 15% off when you order with us: online, over the phone (828.386.1219), or via email. 

You can pickup your book using our pickup basket at the front door or the drive thru window. We also offer free media mail shipping & local delivery (within Boone town limits). Getting your book to you as conveniently as possible is important to us! 

Finally, you can RSVP on the Facebook event to get reminders & updates about any changes to the event! Do that here!

Review: Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker & Wendy Xu -- The Nerd Daily​
Graphic Novel Review: Mooncakes, by Suzanne Walker & Wendy Xu -- The Queerblr
Interview: Wendy Xu & Suzanne Walker reflect on transforming MOONCAKES into a graphic novel -- Comicsbeat.com

Keep reading to find the summary, reviews of the book, interviews with the author, and info about how to buy your book from us in various formats. ​

When global climate change and economic crises lead to social chaos in the early 2020s, California becomes full of dangers, from pervasive water shortage to masses of vagabonds who will do anything to live to see another day. Fifteen-year-old Lauren Olamina lives inside a gated community with her preacher father, family, and neighbors, sheltered from the surrounding anarchy. In a society where any vulnerability is a risk, she suffers from hyperempathy, a debilitating sensitivity to others' emotions.

Precocious and clear-eyed, Lauren must make her voice heard in order to protect her loved ones from the imminent disasters her small community stubbornly ignores. But what begins as a fight for survival soon leads to something much more: the birth of a new faith . . . and a startling vision of human destiny.
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If this sounds like something you would like to read, you can get your copy of the book from the store for 15% off when you order with us: online, over the phone (828.386.1219), or via email. This title is also available from our audiobook partner, Libro.fm, as a DRM-free audiobook--buy it here. 

You can pickup your book using our pickup basket at the front door or the drive thru window. We also offer free media mail shipping & local delivery (within Boone town limits). Getting your book to you as conveniently as possible is important to us! 

Finally, you can RSVP on the Facebook event to get reminders & updates about any changes to the event! Do that here!
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Octavia Butler’s Prescient Vision of a Zealot Elected to “Make America Great Again” 
​-- The New Yorker
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (Book Review) -- Black & Bookish
Parable of the Sower -- Publisher's Weekly
An Interview with Octavia Butler, 2004 -- by Joshunda Sanders for Africana.com & In Motion Magazine
Octavia Butler: Writing Herself Into The Story -- for Code Switch by NPR

​Keep reading to find the summary, reviews of the book, interviews with the author, and info about how to buy your book from us in various formats. ​

The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.

Tamsyn Muir’s Gideon the Ninth unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants. The result is a heart-pounding epic science fantasy.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.
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If this sounds like something you would like to read, you can get your copy of the book from the store for 15% off when you order with us: online, over the phone (828.386.1219), or via email. This title is also available from our audiobook partner, Libro.fm, as a DRM-free audiobook--buy it here. 

You can pickup your book using our pickup basket at the front door or the drive thru window. We also offer free media mail shipping & local delivery (within Boone town limits). 
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"Smart, Snarky 'Gideon The Ninth' Swears Her Way Through The Stars" -- NPR Books

"Gideon the Ninth is about lesbian necromancers in space. Obviously, it's perfect."
-- Vox

"Wet Hot Necrogoth Summer: A Non-Spoiler Review of Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir" -- Tor.com

"Interview with Tamsyn Muir: The gay goth space opera of our dreams" -- BookPage
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"The Horror of it All! A Conversation with Tamsyn Muir" -- Clarkesworld

"A Conjuring of Light" -- KIRKUS Review
 "In Search of Doors"  -- Pembroke Tolkein Lecture 2018
"An Interview with VE Schwab" -- Forbidden Planet
"A Conjuring of Light" -- Publishers Weekly
"On Creativity and Transparency" -- Bookriot
"A Conjuring of Light" -- Fantasy Book Review
"Enough of the Classic Female Roles in Fantasy" -- Washington Post

For September, we decided on a debut novel, Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse. Rebecca is a Nebula, Hugo, and Sturgeon Award Finalist. She has written several short stories published in Apex Magazine and Uncanny Magazine, and is a contributor to several collected works including New Suns: Original Speculative Fiction by People of Color and Invisible 3: Essays and Poems on Representation in SF. Trail of Lightning is the first book in her The Sixth World series, followed by her newest release, Storm of Locusts. Trail of Lightning received the 2019 Locus Award for Best First Novel.

The story follows Maggie Hoskie, a Dinétah monster hunter, a supernaturally gifted killer. When a small town needs help finding a missing girl, Maggie is their last best hope. But what Maggie uncovers about the monster is much more terrifying than anything she could imagine. Maggie reluctantly enlists the aid of Kai Arviso, an unconventional medicine man, and together they travel the rez, unraveling clues from ancient legends, trading favors with tricksters, and battling dark witchcraft in a patchwork world of deteriorating technology. As Maggie discovers the truth behind the killings, she will have to confront her past if she wants to survive. Welcome to the Sixth World.

If this sounds like something you'd like to read, you can get your copy of the book from the store with a 15% discount until the end of September.

"Rebecca Roanhorse on Which Aspects of Dine Culture Are Featured in Trail of Lightening" -- Tor.com
"Trail of Lightning" -- Kirkus Review
"Rebecca Roanhorse: From Legend to Fantasy" -- Locus Magazine
"A Breathtaking Native American Urban Fantasy Adventure" -- The Verge
"Rebecca Roanhorse Interview: Natives and the Future" -- Females in Fantasy Podcast