Release Week: 13 September 2022
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Release Week: 13 September 2022
Posted on 2022-09-13 at 12:00 by Samuel Montgomery-Blinn
PICKS:
What If? 2: Additional Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions By: Randall Munroe, read by Wil Wheaton for Penguin -- "The #1 New York Times bestselling author of What If? and How To answers more of the weirdest questions you never thought to ask."
Lessons By: Ian McEwan, read by Simon McBurney for Recorded Books -- "When the world is still counting the cost of the Second World War and the Iron Curtain has closed, eleven-year-old Roland Baines's life is turned upside down. 2,000 miles from his mother's protective love, stranded at an unusual boarding school, his vulnerability attracts piano teacher Miss Miriam Cornell, leaving scars as well as a memory of love that will never fade. Now, when his wife vanishes, leaving him alone with his tiny son, Roland is forced to confront the reality of his restless existence. As the radiation from Chernobyl spreads across Europe, he begins a search for answers that looks deep into his family history and will last for the rest of his life."
Act of Oblivion: A Novel By: Robert Harris, read by Tim McInnerny for Harper -- "From the best-selling author of Fatherland, The Ghostwriter, Munich, and Conclave comes this spellbinding historical novel that brilliant imagines one of the greatest manhunts in history: the search for two Englishmen involved in the killing of King Charles I and the implacable foe on their trail—an epic journey into the wilds of 17th-century New England, and a chase like no other."
All That's Left Unsaid: A Novel By: Tracey Lien, read by Aileen Huynh, Yen Nguyen, and Amelia Nguyen for Harper -- "For fans of Everything I Never Told You and The Mothers, a deeply moving and unflinching debut following a young Vietnamese Australian woman who returns home to her family in the wake of her brother’s shocking murder, determined to discover what happened—a dramatic exploration of the intricate bonds and obligations of friendship, family, and community."
Thistlefoot: A Novel By: GennaRose Nethercott, read by January LaVoy for Random House -- "The Yaga siblings—Bellatine, a young woodworker, and Isaac, a wayfaring street performer and con artist—have been estranged since childhood, separated both by resentment and by wide miles of American highway. But when they learn that they are to receive a mysterious inheritance, the siblings are reunited—only to discover that their bequest isn’t land or money, but something far stranger: a sentient house on chicken legs. "
The Butcher By: Laura Kat Young, read by Amanda Dolan for Blackstone -- "When Lady Mae turns eighteen, she’ll inherit her mother’s ghastly job as the Butcher: dismembering Settlement Five’s guilty criminals as payment for their petty crimes. But then their leaders, known as the Deputies, come to Lady Mae’s house, and there in the living room they murder her mother for refusing to butcher a child. Within twenty-four hours, now alone in the world, Lady Mae begins her gruesome job. But a chance meeting years later puts her face to face with the Deputy that murdered her mother. Now Lady Mae must choose: Will she flee and start another life in the desolate mountains, forever running? Or will she seek vengeance for her mother’s death even if it kills her?"
Silver Under Nightfall By: Rin Chupeco, read by Matthew Spencer for Simon and Schuster -- "Remy Pendergast is many things: the only son of the Duke of Valenbonne (though his father might wish otherwise), an elite bounty hunter of rogue vampires, and an outcast among his fellow Reapers. His mother was the subject of gossip even before she eloped with a vampire, giving rise to the rumors that Remy is half-vampire himself. Though the kingdom of Aluria barely tolerates him, Remy’s father has been shaping him into a weapon to fight for the kingdom at any cost."
Bindle Punk Bruja: A Novel By: Desideria Mesa, read by Frankie Corzo for Harper -- "Boardwalk Empire meets The Vanishing Half with a touch of earth magic in this sexy and action-packed historical fantasy set in the luminous Golden Twenties from debut author Desideria Mesa, where a part-time reporter and club owner takes on crooked city councilmen, mysterious and deadly mobsters, and society’s deeply rooted sexism and racism, all while keeping her true identity and magical abilities hidden—inspired by an ancient Mexican folktale."
Notorious Sorcerer By: Davinia Evans, read by Kirsten Foster for Orbit -- "In a city filled with dangerous yet heavily regulated alchemical magic, a man from the slums discovers he may be its only hope to survive certain destruction in this wickedly entertaining fantasy."
The Book Haters' Book Club By: Gretchen Anthony, read by Tanya Eby for Harlequin -- "As the beloved co-owner of Over the Rainbow Bookshop, Elliot was passionate about and gifted in recommending books to customers. Now, after his sudden death, his grief-ridden business partner, Irma, has agreed to sell Over the Rainbow to a developer who will turn the cozy bookshop into high-rise condos. But others won’t give up the bookshop without a fight. When Irma breaks the news to her daughters, Bree and Laney, and Elliott’s romantic partner, Thom, they are aghast. Over the Rainbow has been Bree and Laney’s sanctuary since childhood, and Thom would do anything to preserve Elliott’s legacy. Together, Thom, Bree and Laney conspire to save the bookshop, even if it takes some snooping, gossip and minor sabotage."
I Walk Between the Raindrops: Stories By: T.C. Boyle, read by T.C. Boyle, Cheryl Smith, Jason Culp, Derek Perkins, Jeremy Arthur, Stephen Mendel, Johnathan McClain, Ewan Chung, Pete Simonelli, David de Vries, Nan McNamara, and Rex Anderson for Harper -- "An electric collection of new short stories from the inimitable, bestselling writer of Talk to Me and Outside Looking In."
SERIES WATCH:
Nona the Ninth: Locked Tomb, Book 3 By: Tamsyn Muir, read by Moira Quirk for Recorded Books -- "In many ways, Nona is like other people. She lives with her family, has a job at her local school, and loves walks on the beach and meeting new dogs. But Nona's not like other people. Six months ago she woke up in a stranger's body, and she's afraid she might have to give it back. The whole city is falling to pieces. A monstrous blue sphere hangs on the horizon, ready to tear the planet apart. Blood of Eden forces have surrounded the last Cohort facility and wait for the Emperor Undying to come calling. Their leaders want Nona to be the weapon that will save them from the Nine Houses. Nona would prefer to live an ordinary life with the people she loves, with Pyrrha and Camilla and Palamedes, but she also knows that nothing lasts forever. And each night, Nona dreams of a woman with a skull-painted face..."
In the Coils of the Labyrinth: Arkham Horror Series, Book 10 By: David Annandale, read by Jennifer Jill Araya for Tantor -- "Professor Miranda Ventham is having bad dreams—nothing new in 1920s Arkham—but hers are horrifying glimpses of a dark future. Now seriously ill, she books herself into the new sanatorium, Stroud Home."
Be the Serpent: October Daye, Book 16 By: Seanan McGuire, read by Mary Robinette Kowal for Audible -- "October Daye is finally something she never expected to be: married."
Star Trek: Picard: Second Self By: Una McCormack, read by January LaVoy for Simon and Schuster -- "Following the explosive events seen in season one of Star Trek: Picard, Raffi Musiker finds herself torn between returning to her old life as a Starfleet Intelligence officer or something a little more tame—teaching at the Academy, perhaps. The decision is made for her though when a message from an old contact—a Romulan spy—is received, asking for immediate aid. With the help of Elnor and assistance from Jean-Luc Picard, Raffi decides to take on this critical mission—and quickly learns that past sins never stay buried. Finding the truth will be complicated, and deadly."
BACKLIST WATCH:
The Spider's House: A Novel By: Paul Bowles (1955), read by Cheryl Smith and Raphael Corkhill for Harper -- "Set in Fez, Morocco, during that country's 1954 nationalist uprising, The Spider's House is perhaps Paul Bowles' most beautifully subtle novel, richly descriptive of its setting and uncompromising in its characterizations. Exploring once again the dilemma of the outsider in an alien society, and the gap in understanding between cultures—recurrent themes of Paul Bowles' writings—The Spider's House is dramatic, brutally honest, and shockingly relevant to today's political situation in the Middle East and elsewhere."
1812: The Rivers of War (Trail of Glory, Book 1) By: Eric Flint (2005), read by Franklin Pierson for Recorded Books -- "In this alternate history of the American frontier and the Jacksonian era, a small change takes place in the Battle of the Horseshoe Bend during the War of 1812. What results is a cascade of new developments that becomes an avalanche. In our world, Ensign Sam Houston, just turned 21, led the charge on the creek barricade in that battle and almost died from a terrible wound that took him a year to recover from. In this world, his wound is minor, so he is able to continue fighting the British—and develop his close relationship with Andrew Jackson much sooner."
In One Fell Swoop By: Willow Rose (2017), read by Kendra Lee Oberhauser for Dreamscape -- "Every now and then, Mother Nature likes to show us who is boss. On a hot day in June, two groups of campers disappear in the Green Swamps of Florida. The wood is still burning in the bonfire, all their belongings are abandoned, and there is blood at the campground. But not a single body is found. Patty McGee, the grandmother to one of the missing campers, sets out to find out what happened to her grandson, thinking his father might have kidnapped him. However, soon she realizes she is up against a force way more powerful than that."
Lost Things: The Order of the Air, Book 1 By: Melissa Scott and Jo Graham (2012), read by Joshua Saxon for Crossroad Press -- Replaces the 2012 John Lee narration, I'm assuming/hoping that this is because Saxon has been tapped to narrate more books in the series? "In 1929, archeologists began draining Lake Nemi in search of the mysterious ships that have been glimpsed beneath its waters since the reign of Claudius. What they awakened had been drowned for 2,000 years. For a very good reason."
INDIE WATCH:
River of Shadows: Underworld Gods Series, Book 1 By: Karina Halle, read by Jo Raylan for Tantor -- Narrator Xe Sands under her 'Raylan' name so things are going to get spicy: "When twenty-four-year old Hanna Heikkinen's estranged father dies, she reluctantly makes the trip to Northern Finland for his funeral. Being in the enchanting land of ice and snow feels miles away from Hanna's busy life back in Los Angeles, especially under the complicated circumstances. But when Hanna discovers that her father's body is missing, that's when things really get weird. A mysterious man, Rasmus, tells Hanna the truth: her father was a powerful shaman who went into Tuonela, the Realm of the Dead, in order to barter for more life, and has been held captive by Tuoni, the God of Death. The only way her father can be freed is if she travels with Rasmus into the mythical underworld to rescue him."
Miss Percy's Pocket Guide to the Care and Feeding of British Dragons By: Quenby Olson, read by Zara Ramm for Podium -- "Miss Mildred Percy is a spinster. She does not dance, she has long stopped dreaming, and she certainly does not have adventures. That is, until her great uncle has the audacity to leave her an inheritance, one that includes a dragon’s egg. The egg—as eggs are wont to do—decides to hatch, and Miss Mildred Percy is suddenly thrust out of the role of “spinster and general wallflower” and into the unprecedented position of “spinster and keeper of dragons.” But England has not seen a dragon since…well, ever. And now Mildred must contend with raising a dragon (that should not exist), kindling a romance (with a humble vicar), and embarking on an adventure she never thought could be hers for the taking."
MOST MISSING:
Malarkoi: Cities Of The Weft, Book 2 by Alex Pheby (Galley Beggar Press) -- "Nathan Treeves is dead, murdered by the Master of Mordew, his remains used to create the powerful occult weapon known as the Tinderbox. His companions are scattered, making for Malarkoi, the city of the Mistress, the Master’s enemy. They are hoping to find welcome there, or at least safety. They find neither – and instead become embroiled in a life and death struggle against assassins, demi-gods, and the cunning plans of the Mistress. Only Sirius, Nathan’s faithful magical dog, has not forgotten the boy."
The Hamptonville Hauntings: Ghosts of the Trivette Clinic by Alex Matsuo with a foreword by Mortellus -- "In the rural area of Iredell County in the town of Hamptonville, North Carolina, sits one of the most haunted buildings in the South. The Trivette Clinic has acquired its own collection of ghosts since it opened in 1932, beginning as a hospital, becoming a supper club, a detox center, a nursing home and in the end, a residence. From reported paranormal activity tied to nurses, former patients, and mysterious children, it has both terrified and intrigued those who dare to walk through its doors."