Genres: Science Fiction and Fantasy Hey booklovers, while the bookshop is closed for browsing, that hasn’t stopped me from ordering in new and exciting books for our stock (and more than a little bit for me, as our sci-fi/fantasy section is basically my glorified TBR list)! These new books are a mix of new releases, and newly-recommended-to-me titles. Fantasy The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood I’m apparently very excited about this book, as I managed to preorder a paperback copy whenever I first heard about it, and then also ordered a copy last week in anticipation of its publication next week! Guess this one is moving to the top of by TBR list… Does she owe her life to those planning her death . . . Csorwe was raised by a death cult steeped in old magic. And on her fourteenth birthday, she’ll be sacrificed to their god. But as she waits for the end, she’s offered a chance to escape her fate. A sorcerer wants her as his assistant, sword-hand and assassin. As this involves her not dying that day, she accepts. Csorwe spends years living on a knife-edge, helping her master hunt an artefact which…
Continuing on from last week’s post about the top science fiction picks from last year that I haven’t managed to read yet, here’s my list of top fantasy books that I haven’t gotten to! There are two YA fantasy titles at the end that also look like excellent general fantasy books. In no particular order: The Obsidian Tower by Melissa Caruso One woman will either save an entire continent or completely destroy it in a captivating epic fantasy bursting with intrigue and ambition, questioned loyalties, and broken magic. ‘Guard the tower, ward the stone. Find your answers writ in bone.Keep your trust through wits or war–nothing must unseal the door.’ Deep within Gloamingard Castle lies a black tower. Sealed by magic, it guards a dangerous secret that has been contained for thousands of years. As Warden, Ryxander knows the warning passed down through generations: nothing must unreal the Door. But one impetuous decision will leave her with blood on her hands–and unleash a threat that could doom the world to fall to darkness. Book One of The Gate of Secrets CHF 14 Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Morenoo-Garcia The Jazz Age is in full swing,…
Well, once again we come to the start of a new year, and there are many books that I discovered last year, but didn’t find the time to read! This list is some of the top books that I haven’t found time to read yet. They’re not necessarily all books that were published last year, but they’re books that I stumbled across and ordered for the bookshop in the past year, and am excited about reading! While the bookshop will be closed to the general public from next week, we are still open for orders, and are happy to send books to you by post, or you can come to the bookshop to collect orders that have been made in advance (Click and Collect – for further information, click here). Without further ado, in no particular order, here are some of my top unread sci-fi picks of 2020: Planetfall by Emma Newman Renata Ghali believed in Lee Suh-Mi’s vision of a world far beyond Earth, calling to humanity. A planet promising to reveal the truth about our place in the cosmos, untainted by overpopulation, pollution, and war. Ren believed in that vision enough to give up everything to…
Genres: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Superhero Well booklovers, I finally got my most-anticipated book of 2020 this month, Brandon Sanderson’s Rhythm of War, book 4 of the Stormlight Archive. This is my favourite epic book series, and this volume didn’t disappoint! I’ve been restraining myself from rereading it again immediately – I’m saving that for Christmas! If you like epic fantasy and haven’t heard of Brandon Sanderson, you probably haven’t ever talked to me about books (I may be known to recommend his books often). I opted for the US cover, with the beautiful commissioned Michael Whelan cover. Email us if you’d like to order in a copy – they take around a week to arrive. After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage, and the threat of a betrayal by Dalinar’s crafty ally Taravangian looms over every strategic move. Now, as new technological discoveries by Navani Kholin’s scholars begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of…
Genres: Fantasy/alt history, Sci-fi I haven’t been reading very much Young Adult lately, but two of the titles that I have read recently have really been standouts. The first, Dread Nation by Justina Ireland, just sounded cool. Trained at Miss Preston’s School of Combat for Negro Girls in both weaponry and etiquette, Jane McKeene is poised for a successful career protecting the wealthy from the encroaching plague of walking dead. But when families begin to go missing, Jane uncovers a conspiracy that pits her against some powerful enemies. Sent far from home, Jane will need all her resourcefulness, wit and strength of character to survive. I mean, I loved Gail Carriger’s Finishing School Series, and this one sounded similar – weapons and etiquette? Yes, please! It’s a fantastic zombie book, set in a post-Civil War alternative history, that deftly explores racial oppression throughout the action and tension of the story. This was a fun, engaging read that kept me hooked and interested the whole way through, and I highly recommend it. There’s also an excellent review of the book over at Tor. The sequel, Deathless Divide, is also out. The other YA book that really…
Genres: science-fantasy, science fiction Well booklovers, it’s been quite some time since I posted some recommendations, and I’ve read a number of very good books in the past few months! It had been awhile since I read much new science fiction, so I set about ticking a few of the books off of that list – although most of them were more science-fantasy than strictly science fiction. One of the books that had been on my list for ages was Gideon the Ninth, by Tamsin Muir, as it was nominated for a bunch of awards. This was a very fun read (exploring a haunted gothic castle in space? yes please!), and was adjective-tastic. Gideon is a great snarky protagonist, and I highly recommend this quirky science fantasy book. This is the first in a trilogy, the first two of which are out. The Emperor needs necromancers. The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman. Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense. The first in The Locked Tomb Trilogy, this book unveils a solar system of swordplay, cut-throat politics, and lesbian necromancers. Her characters leap off the page, as skillfully animated as arcane revenants….
Save a space in your diary this weekend for Le Livre sur les quais, the annual literary festival in Morges. This year the English programme consists of – ahem – actually just me talking to Jonathan Coe on Sunday at 16.30. We’ll be discussing his new novel, Mr Wilder and Me, which follows a naive young woman called Calista who sets out from Athens into the wider world and finds herself working for the famed Hollywood director Billy Wilder. You have to sign up beforehand for all the events this COVID year, so visit this page for the full programme. To sign up for the Jonathan Coe event specifically, choose ‘English Programme’ from the ‘Affichez le programme par type d’évènement’ menu. I’ve interviewed Jonathan before and he is a charming and engaging speaker. It’s definitely worth browsing the entire programme, there is bound to be something that strikes your fancy. Looking forward to seeing you there! Matthew
On Monday, May 11th at 10am, we are reopening! We will be open from Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm. Le lundi 11 mai à 10h, nous rouvrons! Nous serons ouverts du lundi au samedi de 10h à 18h.
The bookshop is now open, from 10am-6pm, Monday through Saturday, however you can still order books for delivery through us. 24-Hour Book Service Two of our local suppliers can deliver books to the bookshop in 24 hours if you order before midday. Otherwise, we can normally order books and receive them in about a week. If you have books to order, then please contact us with the titles and we will reply with a quote. The fastest way to get a response is to use the contact form. However, we also reply to WhatsApp messages and telephone calls. Deliveries We offer free deliveries on orders throughout Switzerland of CHF 40 or more. Orders of less than CHF 40 will be charged at cost price, unless: your book(s) weigh less than 250g each (in which case they will be sent as a letter and there will be no charge) Your order is slightly less than CHF 40 (for example, if your order if CHF 37, then the delivery fee will be calculated as CHF 3, even if the book(s) weigh more than 250g each) Online Catalogue We do not have an online catalogue of the books we have in stock. However,…
Well booklovers, in the past few years I (Rachel) have become an aunt several times over, which means I get to buy picture books! Here are some of my top picks from the past year or two: I am Bat by Morag Hood Bat does not like mornings, but he loves cherries – and his cherries start going missing! This book is aimed at the preschool/toddler age, and is one of my favourite new children’s books. have I also read it aloud to friends? I sure have. I also love Morag Hood’s Colin and Lee, Carrot and Pea, which celebrates the differences between friends. Dave the Lonely Monster by Anna Kemp This is a fun story about a lonely monster called Dave, who lives all alone in his retirement cave. It’s a story about friendship, and treating others the way you’d like to be treated, and the rhyming story will definitely appeal to young listeners! Mini Rabbit Not Lost by John Bond The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful, and the story will definitely appeal to kids who like cake! Mini Rabbit and his mother are making a cake, but he…