Books received 5/11/2014 Del Rey edition

Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

The Best of Connie Willis
Award-Winning Stories

Promo copy:

Few authors have had careers as successful as that of Connie Willis. Inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame and recently awarded the title of Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Willis is still going strong. Her smart, heartfelt fiction runs the gamut from screwball comedy to profound tragedy, combining dazzling plot twists, cutting-edge science, and unforgettable characters.

From a near future mourning the extinction of dogs to an alternate history in which invading aliens were defeated by none other than Emily Dickinson; from a madcap convention of bumbling quantum physicists in Hollywood to a London whose Underground has become a storehouse of intangible memories both foul and fair—here are the greatest stories of one of the greatest writers working in any genre today.

All ten of the stories gathered here are Hugo or Nebula award winners—some even have the distinction of winning both. With a new Introduction by the author and personal afterwords to each story—plus a special look at three of Willis’s unique public speeches—this is unquestionably the collection of the season, a book that every Connie Willis fan will treasure, and, to those unfamiliar with her work, the perfect introduction to one of the most accomplished and best-loved writers of our time.

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The Illustrated Lansdale

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DC’s decision to finally release the complete Lansdale/Truman Jonah Hex spurred me on to write a history of the comics of Joe R. Lansdale (much like I previously did for Michael Moorcock). Titled “As Seen on the Rush Limbaugh Show: The Comics of Joe R. Lansdale,” the essay appeared as part of the regular Nexus Graphica column.

My reasoning behind the title lies with that back in the 90s, Rush Limbaugh attacked Lansdale and Truman’s Lone Ranger and Tonto comic.

On the August 17, 1995 episode of his TV series, conservative mouthpiece Rush Limbaugh held up a copy of Joe R. Lansdale and Tim Truman’s Lone Ranger and Tonto (Topps, 1995) graphic novel and chided their portrayal of an intelligent, independent Tonto as “political correctness.” In his typical, uninformed manner, Limbaugh didn’t even research the offending material (“I have far more productive things to do than read comic books.”) The creative duo would attract even more controversy in 1996.

I even included the video as proof of the event.

I won’t lie. The title was a blatant attempt to attract readers. (Really, isn’t that the purpose of every title?) Judging from the fact that the column has been shared all over the net, it may have worked. Course could be the subject material. I hear that Lansdale fella is mighty popular.

Stuff received 5/1/2014

Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

Chu’s First Day of School

by Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by Adam Rex

Promo copy:

A brand-new picture book adventure about the New York Times bestselling panda named Chu from Newbery Medal-winning author Neil Gaiman and acclaimed illustrator Adam Rex!

Chu, the adorable panda with a great big sneeze, is heading off for his first day of school, and he’s nervous. He hopes the other boys and girls will be nice. Will they like him? What will happen at school? And will Chu do what he does best?

Chu’s First Day of School is a perfect read-aloud story about the universal experience of starting school.

Supports the Common Core State Standards.

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