A Story to Try

Story suggestions without spoilers or ratings: just little reasons to read, like an intriguing premise, a spunky character, or just a killer opening line.

[nprbooks]

This week in the NPR Books Time Machine, we’re rewinding Scott Lynch’s fabulous Gentlemen Bastard series, which is hard to describe without babbling about Locke and Jean and alternate Venice and thieves and magic and bucklers being swashed and sword fighting and con jobs and OOOHHH GOOD BOOK NOISE!  Our reviewer Jason Heller calls the series a “witty, ribald, picaresque fantasy epic,” and you can check out his essay here.

In the meantime, any excuse for FAN ART! (Locke himself by AKRU, Sabetha by dejan-delic and Locke & pals by Sir-Heartsalot, all on Deviant Art, knitted Locke and Jean – and cat for luck! – by florenceandcalamity here on Tumblr.)

[astorytotry]

Daughter of Deep Silence by Carrie Ryan

In the wake of the deadly devastation of the luxury yacht Persephone, just three souls remain to tell its story...a revenge thriller that examines perceptions of identity, love, and the lengths to which one girl is willing to go when she thinks she has nothing to lose.

Don’t read the rest of the official blurb. It’s so spoilery. My impression is that it might be a little like We Were Liars by e lockhart?

My initial interest in this book was the hardcover. The jacket was the velvety sort that just absorbs the light, keeps the colors deep and glowing, and feels so smooth and soft when you hold it. Like the new Harry Potter paperbacks by Kazu Kabuishi and The Queen of the Tearline. Ahhh. I want to hold this book again.

[astorytotry]

The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker

Chava is a golem. Ahmad is a jinni. They are both in 1899 New York.

Published by Harper Collins (always a plus, I think)

[astorytotry]

Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

from the book jacket:

A dangerous world where the Great Library of Alexandria has survived the test of time...

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly–but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

[astorytotry]

Stuff Matters by Mark Miodownik

[astorytotry]

The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays, by Albert Camus

Philosophy by the author of The Stranger–how could I not be curious? But I’m especially interested after glancing at the table of contents:

[astorytotry]

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

In this stunning debut, author Scott Lynch delivers the wonderfully thrilling tale of an audacious criminal and his band of confidence tricksters. Set in a fantastic city pulsing with the lives of decadent nobles and daring thieves, here is a story of adventure, loyalty, and survival that is one part "Robin Hood", one part Ocean's Eleven, and entirely enthralling...

As with any game-of-wits/con story, let’s avoid the full summary and all the impressions and assumptions that come with it.

Maybe I should mention, because I happen to know for this one, that there’s plenty of language here. Like, fucking assholes everywhere.

[astorytotry]

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

r/books is crazy about this one, I don’t really understand why, so I want to find out. Best to go in cold, I think. Something about virtual reality and puzzles.

The above image is a concept cover by Alii Kellner; found here.

[astorytotry]

The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

[astorytotry]

Zeus Is Dead: A Monstrously Inconvenient Adventure

A comedy-fantasy by Michael G. Munz

You probably saw the press conference. Nine months ago, Zeus's murder catapulted the Greek gods back into our world. Now they revel in their new temples, casinos, and media empires--well, all except Apollo. A compulsive overachiever with a bursting portfolio of godly duties, the amount of email alone that he receives from rapacious mortals turns each of his days into a living hell.

Yet there may be hope, if only he can return Zeus to life! With the aid of Thalia, the muse of comedy and science fiction, Apollo will risk his very godhood to help sarcastic TV producer Tracy Wallace and a gamer-geek named Leif--two mortals who hold the key to Zeus's resurrection. (Well, probably. Prophecies are tricky buggers.)

Soon an overflowing inbox will be the least of Apollo's troubles. Whoever murdered Zeus will certainly kill again to prevent his return, and avoiding them would be far easier if Apollo could possibly figure out who they are.

Even worse, the muse is starting to get cranky.