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September 2, 2010

War of Words

Filed under: Art, Hip & Hype, Local Interest, Promotions — Tags: , , — Hayley @ 2:30 pm

WOW is a graffiti crew founded in Utrecht in 1989 who  started spray-painting Dutch trains with their work. Their colorful, large and detailed pieces, the likes of which had never been seen before in The Netherlands made an incredible visual impact.

WOW’s work has previously been published in black and white –  in 1990 in Bomber Megazine  for example – but it has never before been published in color.

Now a new publication – War Of Words – collects 20 years of urban grafitti from this ground-breaking group in a full-color limited-edition book tocelebrate their 21st anniversary. The book is in the unusual form of a tabloid newspaper –  reflecting the immediacy and transience  of graffiti –  and comes with a screen-printed protective envelope.


Just 1500 copies of War of Words will be printed. 325  copies will be available for sale at The American Book Center and a handful of other exclusive points around the world. After reserving a few copies for themselves, the group burned every single remaning copy of War of Words from their print run. You can see them go up in flames in the video below.

Bookbits for September 2nd, 2010

  • Can’t wait for NaNoWriMo in November to write your novel? Then join the 3-day Novel Contest, starting on, uhm, September 4th.  Registration closes tomorrow, and it’s not free (just to warn you).
  • BoingBoing posted a great graph about the trends in Fantasy cover art (comparing 2008 to 2009)(done every year by Orbit’s summer intern)(and if you consider me geeky because I’m posting it here, then I’m afraid you might be on the wrong kind of blog, heeheehee).  I love their categories: Glowy Magic, Dark Cover of Meaninglessness, or Damsels (No Distress), for example.

You Review: Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton

Reviewed by  Stefanie Rosenboom

Since the gothic novel era with Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, the contemporary gothic revival had only one queen. Anne Rice reigns over the vampire world with the groundbreaking work she has done on the vampire Lestat. The famous example of this is the movie, Interview with the Vampire (starring Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Christian Slater, Kirsten Dunst and Antonio Banderas). Later on we had the Buffy and Angel tv-series (and spin-off novels) followed by a long period of nothing. Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse novels revived the undead world. Her witty heroine and assortment of lovable (and sexy) supernatural characters were placed in the same realm as Anne Rice’s New Orleans based vampires. However, the styles were so uniquely different that both could happily coexist. Her novel Dead until Dark has been the basis of the wildly popular True Blood tv-series that is currently in their 3rd series on HBO.

For the younger audience, The Vampire Dairies by L.J. Smith (also a popular tv-series) and the Twilight saga by Stephenie Meyer are currently a hit. The later one is the base of the popular movies series, with Eclipse being the latest one playing in the cinemas today. Both of these book series are based in the northern part of America and play on teenage angst and alienation.

When I was discussing Let The Right One In by John Ajvide, a pretty horrific novel about a child vampire in the dark and gloomy Stockholm suburbs who befriends a little boy, my friend then went on to tell me that there is another competitor on the vampire field worth mentioning: The Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton. The series focuses on Anita, an animator, who raises zombies for a living and fights vampires for a hobby.

The series combines the best in all the other vampire books. The author is as meticulous in detail as Anne Rice’s character descriptions and features the mainstreaming of vampires as in Charlaine Harris’s world. Like the first 2 writers the author based the series in southern USA, St. Louis. It further has the same wit and zest as the buffy series and Anita has even the same occupation as the well-known vampire slayer. It further is as ghastly and scary as the Swedish set Let The Right One In. It also has some light romance and insecure angst as the juvenile vampire series reflect.

Guilty Pleasures is the first in the series (at the moment being re-released with new covers) and sets the tone for the rest. Anita has to battle ghouls and investigate vampire murders whilst also having to keep various vampires from biting her, even the ones playing on her own team. These vampires aren’t the decent mainstreamers often seen in tv-series, these are the primal ones going for the jugular. Thankfully, Anita has a trigger-happy hunting partner and a desperate ex-junkie to keep her grounded in the real world. The series has some true originality and is easy to read and even easier to get hooked on.

You Review: The latest releases, reviewed by ABC customers. If you’d like to join in and get free books and ABC gift vouchers, see the original post for more details.

You Review is made possible by the following publishers: Penguin US; Penguin UK; HarperCollins US; Hachette US; Hachette UK; Simon & Schuster

Events in September/October

Wednesday, September 8th: Karin Slaughter will be at Pulchri Studio in Den Haag, from 8 pm onwards, to celebrate the Dutch publication of her latest, Broken.  See the Borderkitchen website for more details.

Friday, September 17th: Brett Easton Ellis will be at the Singelkerk in Amsterdam, from 8 pm onwards, to discuss his new book Imperial Bedrooms.  For more information, see the John Adams Institute website.

Sunday, September 19th: ABC’s Spiritual Book Club will host Gary Goldschneider at the ABC Treehouse in Amsterdam.  For more information please see the separate post right here.

Thursday, September 23rd: ABC Amsterdam will host Bobbi Brown’s latest book launch, Bobbi Brown’s Beauty Rules.  More details will follow in a separate post, but I’ve been told this event may include customer make-overs and giveaways, so keep your eyes peeled on this blog for more info!

Saturday, September 25th: ABC Amsterdam will once more have a book launch, this time of The Beautiful: Illustrations for Fashion and Style, edited by Anneke Krull, starting at 15.00 hrs.  A separate blog post will be up as soon as all the details are finalized!

Monday, September 27th: Richard Russo will at the Westindisch Huis in Amsterdam, from 8 pm onwards, to chat about many things, not least of which his newest novel That Old Cape Magic.  For more information, again check the John Adams Institute website.

Tuesday, October 5th: Best-selling author Ian McEwan comes to Den Haag to discuss his latest book SolarSee the Borderkitchen website for details.

Friday, October 8th and Saturday, October 9th: Our colleague Ester’s no. 1 favorite author in the world, Kieron Connolly, will come for a visit, and in the process join the Open Mike Night (to read from his book Harold) at the ABC Treehut in Den Haag on Friday, and give a workshop and sign books there on Saturday.  A separate post will be put up as soon as we have all the details!

Monday, October 11th: Fashion photographer and perennial America’s Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker will come to ABC Amsterdam to present and sign his book Nigel Barker’s Beauty EquationAll the details can be found right here!

Thursday, October 21st: Jonathan Franzen returns to Amsterdam to discuss his latest, much publicized, novel Freedom.  He’ll be speaking at the University of Amsterdam at the invitation of the John Adams Institute.  See their website for details.

September 1, 2010

ABC’s Spiritual Book Club News

ABC’s Spiritual Book Club meets once a month on Sunday, from 3pm to 5pm at The ABC Treehouse in Amsterdam to discuss a title from the American Book Center’s Consciousness section.

Our new bookpick is The Art of Dreaming by Carlos Castaneda.

This book will be the subject of our October and November meetings.

At our September meeting (Sunday September 19th, from 15-17 in the ABC Treehouse) special guest Musician, astrologer and author Gary Goldschneider will give a lecture on Music & Spirituality! To sign up for this event, send an e-mail to femke@abc.nl

About Gary

Gary began his piano study at the age of seven with David Sokoloff in Philadelphia. As a concert pianist he has appeared worldwide in recitals, including 12-hour Beethoven marathon concerts in which he performs all 32 piano sonatas of this great composer.

Gary is internationally known as the bestselling author of The Secret Language of Birthdays, The Secret Language of Relationships, and The Secret Language of Destiny. This trilogy derives from his training in psychiatry and medicine at Yale University, his background in English Literature (B.A., M.A. University of Pennsylvania), his forty-year study of astrology, and his experiences living and working with spiritual groups in California and New Zealand.

To keep up with the latest news,  find ABC’s Spiritual Book Club on Facebook!

You Review: Room by Emma Donoghue

This Man Booker longlist title, inspired by the stories of Elizabeth Fritzl and Natascha Kampusch, is being hailed as ‘the next Lovely Bones’. We got a copy each from the British and American publishers, so we could give two of you the opportunity to read and review it.

Reviewed by Natalie Gerritsen

Room is the story of Jack, a five-year-old boy who lives in Room with his Ma. Room is just what it’s called, a room, with Bed, Table, TV and Door, which is always locked. Jack was born in Room, because his Ma was snatched from the street seven years ago, when she was nineteen,  and held prisoner in Room. For Jack, Room is the entire world and Outside doesn’t exist. Everything in TV is just fantasy and only Ma and Room are real.

Jack describes his routine with Ma in Room. They watch TV, play made-up games, eat canned food, and at night Ma puts him in Wardrobe, in case He comes. Jack doesn’t like it when He comes, but besides that, he is content with his world and his Ma.

But Jack’s growing and Ma feels they need to escape, or they won’t survive. Miraculously, Ma’s plan works and they are rescued. Now, the biggest challenge turns out to be (re)adjusting to the strange and overwhelming Outside.

Room is a remarkable book and I honestly don’t think I can do it justice in these 250 words. It’s told in Jack’s voice, and uses convincing five-year-old’s speech, without being annoying or distracting. You really get sucked into his world, and feel his fear and wonder when he has to understand the most basic things like shoes or rain.

The story is horrifying and heartbreaking, but at the same time kind of sweet, because of the special bond between Jack and Ma and the amazing ability of people to bounce back after a trauma. Jack and Ma really came alive for me, and I’m sorry to let them go now that I’ve finished the book.r

Reviewed by  Nathan van der Waa

nathan-van-der-waa.jpgThe story in this novel is told from the perspective of five year old Jack, whose whole world consists of Room, a small room where he lives with his mother. Room is Jack’s world, his only notion of outside is the television he watches. This trusted enviroment leaves him enough space to have fun with his mother. Jack is happy with his situation.

Until Jack’s mother tells him that there is a world outside, and some of the things on the TV really exist. To reach this world and be free, they must outsmart the man who holds them captiver. A man who Jack only knows as “Old Nick”.

The story focuses on the relationship between Jack and his mother. It is a very powerful subject, however I found the story unconvincing at crucial moments, which really broke the spell. Secondly, sometimes I didn’t like the author’s  style, which seems over-manufactured to appear child like. And lastly, there were too many sideways references to current pop culture. (To add realism? To make it relevant to current readers?) I don’t want to read about Kanye West, ever.

I never really was able to enjoy the book, constantly aware of unconvincing plot twists or style that irritated me ( that’s not usual for me, even when reviewing books I don’t particularly like). Yet, in the end I found it rather a touching story. Too bad the style and the sometimes silly plot detract from it.

You Review: The latest releases, reviewed by ABC customers. If you’d like to join in and get free books and ABC gift vouchers, see the original postfor more details.

You Review is made possible by the following publishers: Penguin US; Penguin UK;HarperCollins US; Hachette US; Hachette UK;Simon & Schuster

August 30, 2010

Win Free tickets to Neale Donald Walsch’s lecture!

Filed under: Events, Mind Body & Spirit — Tags: , , , , — Femke @ 12:29 pm

In cooperation with Heart Media, the American Book Center is giving away A pair of tickets (two tickets worth € 149 each) for Neale Donald Walsch’s full day workshop When Everything Changes, Change Everything.
Neale Donald Walsch is the bestselling author of Conversations With God.

He is a modern day spiritual messenger whose words continue to touch the world in profound ways.

With an early interest in religion and a deeply felt connection to spirituality, Neale spent the majority of his life thriving professionally, yet searching for spiritual meaning before beginning his now famous Conversation with God.

His With God series of books has been translated into 34 languages, touching millions of lives and inspiring important changes in their day-to-day lives.

When Everything Changes, Change Everything: a life-altering workshop

The world faces a financial crisis, with hundred-year-old firms and trusted banks suddenly gone—and everything changes. The planet encounters environmental calamities, with entire cities inundated by water in angry waves or winds in savage swirls—and everything changes.

OR…on a more personal level…a dear one has died, or a romantic relationship has ended, or a job has evaporated—and everything changes. Or your child has left home, or you’ve moved to a new town, or you’re suddenly facing a major health challenge—and everything changes.

Whatever the circumstance, you are sure about one thing: Nothing is ever going to be the same.

WHEN EVERYTHING CHANGES, CHANGE EVERYTHING speaks to the heart of all people who have lost their bearings in the aftermath of change — and to those who would help them. A strikingly clear, imminently useful program, it offers new insights on the way to move on, and a breathtaking reason to do so. In a time of upheaval, here is a path to peace – and a new way to be human.

To win the pair of tickets for this unforgettable event, send an email to femke@abc.nl before September 15th with “Neale Donald Walsch Prize Draw” in the subject line!

Date: Sunday, September 26 2010

Time: 10.00 – 17.30

Venue: Posthoornkerk, Amsterdam

Normal Ticket Price: € 149

More information: www.heartmedia.nl

You Review: Dracula, My Love by Syrie James

Reviewed by Eefje Koppers

Vampires with tortured souls are hot, hot, hot, and I am not just talking about their looks (think Brad Pitt, David Boreanaz and Robert Pattinson), but mainly about their popularity as a subject for books. However, there is only one über-vampire and that is of course Count Dracula. And according to Syrie James’ new book Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker he was the most tortured of dashing neck biters.

Syrie James has taken Bram Stoker’s tale of Dracula a step further by revealing the other side of the story; the previously untold version by Mina Harker, the object of Dracula’s affection and obsession. In her diary, she weaves a tale of quite a different Dracula: a mouth-wateringly handsome, powerful, cultured and passionate one. Instead of a cruel killer, this is a man who avoids human tragedy at all cost and would love nothing better than to share his eternal life with Mina. And believe me, she is tempted! But, alas, she is the only one who sees this side of him. To the rest of the world and, more importantly, her beloved husband, he is a vicious killer who must be stopped at all cost. Mina finds herself torn between the two men she loves and is taken on a quest from which she will return a completely different woman. And we will never think of Dracula in the same way ever again.

Syrie James has previously written The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen and The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë about the lives and loves of two of Britain’s most popular authors. I immensely enjoyed her book about Jane Austen, so I was interested to see how she would tackle this tale. And…I…Loved…It! This is a gripping story, infused with passion, excitement and emotional turmoil. It sheds a whole new light on Count Dracula. In true über-vampire style, he completely outdoes Edward Cullen and Buffy’s Angel in the sexy tortured soul stakes. This vampire can bite my neck any time!

You Review: The latest releases, reviewed by ABC customers. If you’d like to join in and get free books and ABC gift vouchers, see the original postfor more details.

You Review is made possible by the following publishers: Penguin USPenguin UKHarperCollins US;Hachette USHachette UKSimon & Schuster

August 27, 2010

This Just In: Dark Fantasy

Six Brand-New Titles from the Dark Fantasy Section*:

*Only ABC Den Haag has a separate Dark/Urban Fantasy section; these titles can be found in the regular Science Fiction/Fantasy section in ABC Amsterdam.

(more…)

You Review: 61 Hours by Lee Child

Reviewed by Andrée Walch

I was one of the lucky ones who won one of the signed copies of this book given away on Do You Read Me? in June. :-)

Lee Child has already written a whole bunch of stories with Jack Reacher, a former military but this is the very first one I ever read from this author. And it will definitely not be the last one, I’ll go and buy some more, that’s sure.

61 Hours starts with Jack Reacher on a bus with a group of elderly people going on a trip to Mount Rushmore. There is a huge snow storm and the bus has an accident, leaving the passengers  stranded in a little town in South Dakota; a town which will soon have a brand new prison.

Jack Reacher travels light, has no luggage and no clothes: he buys four days worth at a time, then throws them away and starts anew. Well, why not? It is definitely a change to the other thriller heroes.

Reacher notices that there is something going on in this little town, something weird. He finally finds out that they are expecting a killer to come and get rid of an old lady who was the key witness of a drug deal.

The story is well written, with great suspense. There is a running count down at the end of each chapter,  and this increases the suspense even more. At the end, when there are only minutes left for … what? A huge inferno, Reacher being caught in it – or isn’t he?

I turned the pages, excited and wanting to know what would happen next. But then came the terrible words: TO BE CONTINUED! I was grumbling and chuckling at the same time. That is so unfair! But hey, in September the continuation (Worth Dying For) will be on the market. I can hardy wait…

61 Hours is a book I warmly recommend to all Jack Reacher fans as well as to anyone wanting to read a good thriller.

You Review: The latest releases, reviewed by ABC customers. If you’d like to join in and get free books and ABC gift vouchers, see the original postfor more details.

You Review is made possible by the following publishers: Penguin USPenguin UKHarperCollins US;Hachette USHachette UKSimon & Schuster

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