Valentine's Day Book Porn

Received eight more books (plus one purchase that arrived by mail) on Thursday and Friday. First picture contains the five Thursday arrivals, all review copies, while Friday's four arrivals includes that one purchase along with three more review copies, making for a one week total of 23 books arriving at my address.

Top: Amber Benson, Death's Daughter (first novel in a new urban fantasy series, by an author who played the role of Tara in Buffy the Vampire Slayer); Anton Strout, Deader Still (Strout's first novel was a rather bland read for me, so I'm uncertain if/when I'll read this sequel); Dave Duncan, The Alchemist's Pursuit (third volume in a series featuring an apprentice to Nostadamus in an alt-history Venice. Since I haven't read the first two volumes, highly unlikely I'll read this one anytime soon); Chris Marie Green, A Drop of Red (fourth volume in Green's Vampire Babylon series. Same applies here that does to the Duncan book); Allen Steele, Coyote Horizon (new novel in the same setting as previous tales that garner Steele two Hugos. Tempting, especially since I see Steele was born and raised in Nashville).


Top: Julie E. Czerneda and Robert St. Martin (eds.), Ages of Wonder (original anthology of short stories. I see one author included is Caitlin Sweet and since it's been a long time since I've read her fiction, I might at least read her story in here; others if I have the time); Rob Thurman, Deathwish (paranormal investigation-type novel, part of a series, based on the press kit description. Uncertain if I'll read it, for the usual reason of not having the first volume on hand); Brian Evenson, Father of Lies (this 1998 short novel about a pedophile church provost/counselor is disturbing, but in a way that reflects the ways those around a pedophile often deny what is in front of them. Just finished it this afternoon and it was excellent.); Escober, Chaos (upcoming April 2009 release from new publisher Underland Press, this is the English-language debut of a Dutch husband/wife writing team. Description is that of a psychological thriller, with the protagonist struggling to maintain his grip on reality in the face of his old "demons" returning to haunt him. Will likely read/review sometime in the next month or so).