All Anthologies, All The Time!

So, the conversation went something like this:

NAFIZA: So what are we going to do for July?

STEPH: Well, how about-

ME: Anthologies!

JANET: But what if we-

ME: ANTHOLOGIES! 

NAFIZA: I haven’t read all that many-

ME: *grabs Nafiza by the shoulders* *presses face against shoulder* *creepy whisper* Anthologies!

STEPH AND JANET: *backing away slowly* Oh-kaaay …

ME: *flings glitter everywhere* Anthologieeeees! 

Okay, so, maybe it was a little less creepy, but (in case you didn’t already figure this out) I wanted to do this very badly. Anthologies are fun because they could be any format (epistolary, flash fiction, verse, comics etc.) and any genre (fantasy, romance, science-fiction etc) and, like most of the stuff we review, can cater to various age groups. Basically, we all get to talk about the stuff we want to talk about … just not in novel format.

We all have a rough idea of what we’re going to be doing this. Possibly because of the panic and uncertainty. Possibly because Steph is wise and she sent out an email. Think of us as drift-compatible jaeger pilots and Anthology Month as the kaiju. *ahem* I mean to say, we are prepared.

Here are some things to look forward to:

1. Nafiza will be reviewing Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link, Monstrous Affections edit by Kelly Link (which I am SO excited for), Damascus Nights by Rafik Schami, and possibly a comic anthology. Also, a discussion post about novellas.
2. Steph has the following list of suspects she has rounded up from the library: After: Nineteen Stories of the Apocalypse, Unnatural Creatures by Neil Gaiman, Diverse Energies by Tobias S. Buckell and Joe Monti, Let it Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle, The Curiosities by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton and Brenna Yovanoff, and Pretty Monsters by Kelly Link. I’m not sure if she’s narrowed the list down, but since they all sound fantastic we’re not worried.
3. I have a strong fairy tale theme dictating my selection: Grim by Christine Johnson, Twisted Fairy Tales by Maura McHugh and Jane Laurie and  Rags & Bones: New Twists on Timeless Tales by Melissa Marr and Tim Pratt. And well, even though it isn’t a fairy tale, I will talk again about The Bane Chronicles (because when don’t I talk about those). Also, I promised on Tumblr that I would find a way to talk about this adorable picturebook. Most likely, I’ll post this review during some unsuspecting Sunday.
4. Steph and I will be co-reviewing (commenting/critiquing/cuddling?) Vacations from Hell.
5. We are hoping some of our contributors come through this month. If not, we still have a rather full month ahead because …

Unrelated to Anthology Month:

1. You may have noticed that we have fabulous new artwork for the blog from Simini Blocker. Well, we also asked if we could interview her and she said yes because she is lovely like that. So, there’s that to look forward to.
2. Nafiza and I will be co-reviewing/buddy-reading (not necessarily in that order) Libba Bray’s Beauty Queens because it’s summer and why not?
3. We are working on changing how we do The Cover Wars segment of our blog. We are trying to make it less about, “Oh no, that genre” and more about covers and marketing and design decisions. So expect some changes on that front.
4. I will have to depart from this month’s theme briefly to do a review of Adam by Ariel Schrag. I promised. And a warlock always keeps her word.

I think that’s about it. If it isn’t covered here, well then, I guess you are in for a nice surprise?!

Oh but before I sign out, to my beloved Canadian friends- HAPPY CANADA DAY YOU GUYS! For the rest of us also-special-but-just-not-in-a-Canadian-way, happy July! ^_^