Books

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore is modern-day quest by Robin Sloan, full of nerdery, humor, and heart. It’s feels a bit like reading a live-action video game, which is fun, but with the unfortunate side effect that not all characters are fully developed beings, rather cyphers for whoever the protagonist needs them to be.

In all, William Shakespeare’s The Empire Striketh Back is another solid work of literary art and wonder. I absolutely love that Ian Doescher has taken the time and the immeasurable effort to give the world this book which might otherwise never exist. Fans of Star Wars and Shakespeare will find much to love and enjoy. And! The best part is that it is not over. The third book of the trilogy, The Jedi Doth Return, is set to be released on July 1, 2014. I cannot wait.

It’s that time of year again, where the fans of different genres gather together to share experiences, meet up with friends, and to buy all the merchandise they can carry …
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Battle Royale has been hailed as one of most moving and unique pieces of science fiction literature in modern history. Written by Koushun Takami in 1999, the story follows …
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What do a convicted serial killer about to be released because of new evidence, a hit man, a run of ‘accidental’ NYPD deaths and $89 million in Mafia money have in common? Mike Hammer is going to find out in his final novel, King of the Weeds.

A series of funny drawings, diagrams, lists and charts from comedian Demetri Martin. There are much worse places to point your face.

The novelizations of the Star Wars Trilogy capture the magic and the wonder that is Star Wars in book form.

Demetri Martin attempts to bring his comedy style into a book with very good results. There’s no great depth to This is a Book, but something most people will enjoy for a few hours. Definitely worth a look if you’re a fan.

David here, Nerdspanners!

Joe Abercrombie is one of the decade’s most outstanding fantasy writers. Robert and I have both been captive devotees since The Blade …
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Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell’s third novel, is chock full of the great characters and witty dialogue readers have come to expect from Rowell, all while delving into a fictional world within a fictional world. It’s imaginative, great fun, and well worth a read (or two or three).

After decades of turning away from The Ten Commandments and The Greatest Story Ever Told, Hollywood is having a good old fashioned revival in 2014, with numerous biblical and …
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Elysium: The Art of the Film is a beautiful coffee table book devoted to the art, cinematography, and design of the 2013 Blomkamp film. It is a sturdy hardcover with stunning photos, drawings, and insight into the decisions behind the film. If you enjoyed both of Neill Blomkamp’s films, you will enjoy having access to the behind-the-scenes process this art of the film book reveals.