July 17, 2017

July News

* Overheard in the Store:
"My perspective is skewed... I thought Cormac McCarthy's THE ROAD was about a father & son taking a trip to the beach."

"[I thought], when the Universe gives you ice cream, you'd _better_ get a spoon."

"That's not so great, honey -- did your mom _really_ call you a 'buzz kill'?"

* We are so sad to hear that after 41 years, the legendary bookstore Dark Carnival in Berkeley will be closing soon.  Please go by and buy a book or two or ten and give the store a grand send-off.  http://www.berkeleyside.com/2017/06/12/41-years-berkeley-sci-fi-bookstore-dark-carnival-closing/

* AB228 (amendment to California's dreadful autograph law AB1570 -- see http://eurekabooksellers.com/california-just-made-it-harder-to-sell-your-signed-books-and-art/ for background on the law) still faces two more committees; however some positive changes have been made to the amendment.  The language now includes "This bill would instead define 'autographed collectible' to mean an autographed sports or entertainment media item, as specified, sold or offered for sale in or from this state by a dealer to a consumer for $50 or more, bearing the actual signature of a person signed by that individual's own hand that increases the sale value of the item over that of a comparable item without the actual signature. The bill would exclude, among other items, works of fine art, signed books, furniture, and certain decorative objects, from the definition of an autographed collectible."  Therefore, if the amendment is adopted, booksellers and others whom this law was never intended to include would _actually_ be excluded from it.  The full text of the amendment can be found here: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB228

* Are you into "Magic: The Gathering"?  Want to play with other Borderlands customers and friendly, like-minded weirdos?  Come hang out with the Bay Area Lady Planeswalker Society (informally known here as "Magic for Not-the-Usual-Suspects") at Borderlands Cafe, every first and third Saturday of the month, from 5 pm - 9 pm!  They welcome fresh faces.  However, since we've a private sponsor rental on Saturday, July 15th, the next "Magic: The Gathering"-Gathering will be Saturday, August 5th.  We hope you'll attend!

* Comedian and cartoonist Mike Capozzola has a cool new multimedia show for comic book & science fiction fans called "Evil Cyborg Sea Monsters", and partial proceeds from his July 25th performance at The Punch Line benefit the Cartoon Art Museum.  https://www.capozzola.com/upcoming-shows

* An interview with one of the greats of experimental science fiction, Samuel R. Delany, at The Portalist: https://theportalist.com/samuel-r-delany-interview

* Ahh, the 1920s --  when sci-fi fashion meant actually looking like some planet or space anomaly.  We long for those days to return (but not in a hipster way!).  http://dangerousminds.net/comments/the_far-out_sci-fi_costume_parties_of_the_bauhaus_school_in_the_1920s

* So, this happened: https://imgur.com/gallery/pDfmP

* Thanks to sponsor Andrea F. for pointing out Levar Burton's new podcast, "Levar Burton Reads," which is like "Reading Rainbow" for adults!  Mr. Burton particularly likes science fiction, so you should definitely check this out.  http://nerdist.com/levar-burtons-new-podcast-is-like-reading-rainbow-for-adults/

* You're a passenger in seat 14C, on Flight #008, and when you land, your plane has been mysteriously transported 20 years into the future.  Participate in this short story contest about the innovations and changes you find in 2037.  The prize includes a trip to Japan, a hotel stay and more.  https://seat14c.com/future_ideas/new

* A list of all the classic (and maybe some not-so-classic) science fiction, fantasy and horror movies coming to Blu-Ray in July: http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/every-classic-sci-fi-fantasy-and-supernatural-horror-blu-ray-coming-in-july-2017

* Everything you need to know about Luc Besson’s upcoming science fiction epic "Valerian", which is based on a series of French comics: http://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/movies/a27180/everything-you-need-to-know-about-valerian/

* Most science fiction fans know that there's always been some crossover with the Western genre, from themes to plotlines to the Weird West trend.  More mainstream audiences are finally picking up on this: https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2017/07/05/the-western-is-finally-returning-from-the-dead/#38c14b859ff9

* We have never heard of this so-called "greatest science fiction TV show of all time", but it does sound interesting: http://boingboing.net/2017/06/24/paleopodcasting.html

* This essay over at io9 argues that it's really the creation of Hogwarts (and readers' reactions and love of the school) that has made the Harry Potter series.  http://io9.gizmodo.com/how-hogwarts-crushed-all-other-fantasy-schools-under-it-1796407081

* CBS has a new summer sci-fi series that basically sounds like a derivative "Armageddon: The Mini-Series," but also trashy summer fun, so why not?  http://www.cleveland.com/tv-blog/index.ssf/2017/07/salvation_is_lightweight_summer_sci-fi_fare_for_cbs.html

* Geek Actually is serial fiction from Serial Box about five women who are geeks and friends.  Honestly as soon as Na'amen read "for anyone who loves both Sex and the City and Star Wars", he was sold, but your mileage may vary.  http://www.denofgeek.com/us/books-comics/geek-actually/266171/geek-actually-a-serialized-tale-of-five-female-nerds

* An interview with artist Cristina Iglesias, who names Clarke and Ballard among her influences.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/cristina-iglesias-im-interested-in-building-places_us_595f397ce4b085e766b5119f

* Proving that Netflix learned nothing from "Ghost In The Shell", "The Great Wall", or their own "Iron Fist".  http://www.esquire.com/entertainment/news/a56081/netflixs-death-note-ghost-shell/

* Science and Science Fiction meet at Future Con (which we certainly hope to attend some year soon, 'cause it sounds amazing).  http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/when-cutting-edge-science-meets-science-fiction-it-packs-house-180963774/

* An interview with fantasy author Myke Cole on his new dark fantasy series about oppressive religions, magic, and a young woman thrust into a leadership role. https://www.theverge.com/2017/6/29/15879438/myke-cole-the-sacred-throne-armored-saint-cover-reveal-interview-fantasy-grim

* It's late for Fathers' Day, but here's a list of the supposed best fathers in science fiction.  (We find more than a few entries dubious at best.)  https://www.cnet.com/au/news/fathers-day-dads-sci-fi-tribute-star-wars-star-trek-harry-potter/

* There seems to be an interesting new Turkish science fiction series where all of Istanbul is under ice.  The only question now is how to find episodes in the US?  https://www.dailysabah.com/arts-culture/2017/06/10/scary-scenario-istanbul-under-ice

* A round-table discussion between speculative authors Jeff Vandermeer, Lidia Yuknavitch, and Omar El Akkad, who have all recently released dystopian novels.  https://www.wired.com/story/dystopia-trump-science-fiction-roundtable/

* A list of comic books coming out this month that you should check out. http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/legend-of-korra-shade-and-8-more-must-read-graphic-novels-for-july

* Marvel's New Warriors has announced its cast, including Squirrel Girl: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/marvels-new-warriors-squirrel-girl-cast-milana-vayntrub-derek-theler-topline-freeform-comedy-1019588

* Speaking of exciting casting, Jodie Whittaker will be the next Doctor in Dr. Who! http://io9.gizmodo.com/jodie-whittaker-is-doctor-whos-next-doctor-1796924974

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Award News
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* New Award Announcement: The Splatterpunk Awards, for achievement in the sub-genre of Splatterpunk/Extreme Horror.  More info here: http://killerconaustin.com/awards

* The Locus Science Fiction Foundation has announced the winners of the 2017 Locus Awards.  http://www.locusmag.com/News/2017/06/do-not-touch-2017-locus-awards-winners/

* Colson Whitehead’s amazing novel UNDERGROUND RAILROAD won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Fiction! http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/carnegieadult

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