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Murray's Picks

Murray's not afraid of genre fiction, enjoys comics and graphic novels, and peppers in the great fiction writers and occasional biography when not too worn out from parenting.

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Every Tool's a Hammer: Life Is What You Make It By Adam Savage Cover Image
$27.00
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ISBN: 9781982113476
Published: Atria Books - May 7th, 2019

Part autobiography, part instruction manual, and part permission slip for the chronic "jack-of-all-trades", this is perfect for anyone with more interests than time or who loves making random things just for the joy of creating something.


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The Sea Beast Takes a Lover: Stories By Michael Andreasen Cover Image
$17.00
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ISBN: 9781101986639
Published: Dutton - March 5th, 2019

A lovely debut short story collection. Every story is unique, odd, and beautifully written, and the collection as a whole explores human emotions of all kinds.


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An Unkindness of Magicians (Unseen World, The #1) By Kat Howard Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781481451208
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: S&S/Saga Press - June 5th, 2018

Magicians in New York City are part of the "Unseen World", a society with its own rules and heirarchy, completely unknown to all but a few non-magical NYC citizens. When the Turning starts, the entire society is shaken to its core as leading participants question the very basis for their lifestyle. A fresh take on urban fantasy that kept me turning the pages.


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Senlin Ascends (The Books of Babel #1) By Josiah Bancroft Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780316517911
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Orbit - January 16th, 2018

I took a chance on an author unknown to me, and it was well worth it! It's a great sci-fi/fantasy twist on the classic naive travelogue. Thomas Senlin, after losing his wife to the crowds of the Tower of Babel just a few hours into their honeymoon, must ascend the tower with all its bizarre trappings.

Bancroft originally self-published this title, and it's no wonder that Orbit snapped it up to give it the wide audience it deserves.


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Cræft: An Inquiry Into the Origins and True Meaning of Traditional Crafts By Alexander Langlands Cover Image
$17.99
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ISBN: 9780393356571
Published: W. W. Norton & Company - January 15th, 2019

A wonderful exploration of where traditional craft fits in modern society and a call to everyone to learn a greater appreciation for working with one's hands.


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The Best of All Possible Worlds: A Novel By Karen Lord Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780345549341
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Del Rey - February 4th, 2014

Thoughtful scifi at its best. Lord has written a beautiful love story set against an anthropological exploration of alien culture. This is not your typical action packed scifi, so instead of edge of your seat action expect a rich world & excellent character development.


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The Fifth Season (The Broken Earth #1) By N. K. Jemisin Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780316229296
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Orbit - August 4th, 2015

So good I've been waking up at 5am just to read it before the rest of the family is up. Jemesin's writing is amazing - a mix of magical realism, "Wyrd fiction", and straight ahead literary storytelling - and her characters compelling. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.

--Murray


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Lumberjanes Vol. 1: Beware The Kitten Holy By ND Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Gus A. Allen (Illustrator), Grace Ellis Cover Image
$14.99
ISBN: 9781608866878
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: BOOM! Box - April 7th, 2015

These Hardcore Lady Types are having anything but a normal summer camp experience. Who knew that earning your Lumberjane badges would involve warnings from 3-eyed foxes to "Beware the Kitten Holy", a cave full of traps and magic, or hipster yetis guarding a mysterious tower?

Lumberjanes is a great series for all ages (well, at least ages 3 to 36) and features wonderful, varied, empowered female characters. Girls, boys, and grown-ups alike will find someone to relate to.


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The Road: Pulitzer Prize Winner (Vintage International) By Cormac McCarthy Cover Image
$17.00
ISBN: 9780307387899
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Vintage - March 28th, 2007

McCarthy is, perhaps, my favorite author of all time. Any of his books could be on my staff picks at any time, but The Road is a good compromise between the darkness of Blood Meridian and the love story of All The Pretty Horses. It's a great first step into his writing, though as with all of his books I must say it's not for everyone. Picture a collaboration between Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Jose Saramago, and Haruki Murakami, but distinctly American in tone.

--Murray


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Saga Volume 1 By Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples (By (artist)) Cover Image
By Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples (By (artist))
$9.99
ISBN: 9781607066019
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Image Comics - October 23rd, 2012

At first glance this looks like another scifi action comic, but just a few pages in it becomes clear it's so much more. At its core, Saga is a story of family, friendship, racism, love, and the messiness of life. I encourage you to give it a try even if science fiction isn't your usual thing, and even if you don't normally read visual stories.

--Murray


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A Conspiracy of Truths By Alexandra Rowland Cover Image
$25.99
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ISBN: 9781534412804
Published: S&S/Saga Press - October 23rd, 2018

A snarky old storyteller is arrested on false charges of witchcraft. Little do they know that his stories, while completely mundane, will change the course of history. I think Rowland is one of the great new voices in the genre and highly recommend picking up a copy of this novel!


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Bad Monkeys: A Novel By Matt Ruff Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780061240423
Availability: Usually Ships in 1-5 Days
Published: Harper Perennial - August 12th, 2008

A strange, compelling psychological thriller from a wonderful local author.


Hilda and the Troll: Book 1 (Hildafolk) By Luke Pearson Cover Image
$10.99
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ISBN: 9781909263789
Published: Flying Eye Books - December 1st, 2015

Great for kids and adults alike, and a wonderful readaloud with the kiddos. Hilda is adventursome, compassionate, and curious, and my whole family can't wait to see what happens next.