The Past, the Present and the Future - In Books

My friends tell me I am their source of information when it comes to new books and new authors. So imagine my horror when I realized that I hadn't caught on that Shannon K. Butcher's new romantic suspense, NO CONTROL, had come out already. I saw an excerpt of it in Cosmopolitan magazine (don't judge - I subscribed for the possible free iPod) and realized I was behind. Speaking of Mrs. Butcher, her husband has some interesting projects coming out this year. Subterranean, a small press that specializes in creepy books, is publishing BACKUP, a novelette by Jim Butcher featuring Harry Dresden's brother, Thomas, and is due in October. Also due in October is another addition to the Dresden world. THE DRESDEN FILES: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is a new graphic novel by Butcher, just in time for Halloween.

Another author who has a lot of books coming out this year is Richelle Mead. Two more books in her YA series, Vampire Academy, are due this year. The third Succubus book, SUCCUBUS DREAMS, is due in September. And she is launching a third series, Dark Swan, with STORM BORN in August. (If you are attending RT this year, you should be able to ask her about them.)

On a non-fiction note, I have seen something of interest. I am a big fan of memoirs and biographies, but reading them I am always aware that there is more than one side to the story. TWEAK: GROWING UP ON METHAMPHETAMINES by Nic Sheff is a recent release and tells the story about his addiction to meth and his eventual recovery. And then there is BEAUTIFUL BOY: A FATHER'S JOURNEY THROUGH HIS SON'S METH ADDICTION, by David Sheff, Nic's father. I love the idea of these two books telling the same story, but from different perspectives. While I am sure there would still be questions at the end of the day, this would go a long way towards illustrating a more complete story.

Coming soon, guest blogger Bonnie Vanak and other favorite authors that will be attending RT convention.

Nicole