An Einsteinian Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has come and gone, but we know of at least one thing Kristin of Bellevue, Washington is thankful for...

There's still time to get in line before the November drawing, although not much. If you'd like to be entered, just click on the "Request a book" button in the sidebar and email us your choice. Good luck!

Being and Time and a Photo

Now equipped with a copy of Being and Time, Sam W. of Orinda, California is ready to reach self-actualization.

If you haven't won a book yet, click the orange link in the sidebar to request a book. The November drawing is happening soon!

Moonwalking With Einstein

Kristin of Bellevue, Washington was second in line this month, and chose Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer. In his first book, Foer recounts his journey to becoming U.S. Memory Champion, and advises on how to unlock the power of memory within ourselves.

Kristin said she's had her eye on the book for awhile. "I saw Moonwalking with Einstein on one of Amazon's best of 2012 lists early this year," she said, "and it's been on my mind ever since. I've heard a lot of great things about his research into the art of memory, and I'm always looking to learn about interesting things."

Being and Time

Sam W. of Orinda, California was first in line this month, requesting Being and Time by Martin Heidegger. Apparently, the philosopher gives his take on the age-old question, What is the meaning of existence? We'll ask Sam what the answer is later.

"I've been meaning to read Being and Time for years," Sam said. "Heidegger is one of the most importantly and notoriously difficult philosophers ever, and this is supposed to be his masterwork.

"I love philosophy, but Heidegger seemed so daunting that I never could bring myself to buy a copy. Now that I've got a copy on the way, I'll finally be motivated enough to dive in (or so I hope!)"

November Breadline Open

The breadline is now officially open for November, so let us know what you'd like to read! Just click the request button over on the sidebar and we'll get back to you.

As always, the first two participants in line are automatic winners, and everyone else has a shot at the November drawing. Good luck!

Keturah and Lord Death

Happy Halloween and congratulations to our October drawing winner, Tiffany D. of Belton, Missouri. Tiffany selected Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt.

"What's better than the a love story about a girl and Death?" Tiffany said. "If you're going to fall for a god, he's definitely one of the more brooding and dangerous gods out there. As long as you ignore the creepy metaphor behind the whole thing, it's a lot of fun!"

In Line with Martin Kee

First time author Martin Kee joins us to talk about his novel, A Latent Dark, and his upcoming 2013 book, Bloom.

Kee is one of eight horror and dark fantasy authors featured in Story Bundle's Halloween Horror Bundle, which is a pay-what-you-want ebook package. Check it out!

Breadline Books: Can you talk about the process of how A Latent Dark came into existence, from concept to the final edits?

Martin Kee: Conceptually, I was inspired by the idea of how fear of death shapes religion. I began to wonder what it would be like for someone who already knew what came after. What if they already saw the truth? What if they knew that it wasn't anything like what they tell you in church? What if it was a dark, alien place with predators?

I started with a very, very loose outline, nothing more than a page really. I'm somewhere between a pantzer and a plotter, in that I like a very small amount of loose structure when I write. I call these tentpole ideas, main plot points that must be included to hold the story up. The rest is discovery.

I wrote the first words of the rough draft in February 2010 with very little idea where it would take me. It started with Skyla wandering the streets after the awful events in her house had just occurred. Most of the chapters from there on started as backstory and had to be removed. It was a huge learning process for about two years.

Which author would you be most flattered to be compared to?

Oh gosh. If I were to go out on a limb here, I'd say Stephen King? He is certainly one of my first influences and the author who originally inspired me to start writing fiction in the first place. His book ON WRITING was immensely helpful when I started on my novel.

I have a long way to go before that comparison works, in my opinion.

Your next book is called Bloom. Can you give us a little hint of what to expect?

Bloom is equal parts bio-horror and dark fairy tale. There are two main characters, each with their own unique world and story, yet the two eventually merge towards the end. It's unlike any book I have written or read, and I hope you'll forgive me if it's a little hard to explain. Think Darwin's Radio or The Andromeda Strain meets Grimm's Fairy Tales. It is very gory, very violent, and very adult.

Tennyson Middlebrook is a boy growing up in the California Central Valley as a new disease emerges. Bloom is a highly contagious fungal affliction that effects memory, physical appearance, and personality. It seems to have infected his best friend and love interest Allison--though she has other health issues as well. As bloom spreads throughout the world, causing horrific deaths, Tennyson attempts to regain contact with Allison, perhaps even rescue her. This involves returning to his home town despite the obvious health risks.

Lil'it is not human. She is small, fragile, and beautiful. She lives in a cage, her saliva used to create potions for a hag. It isn't until she is sold to a local prince as a plaything that she realizes just how dangerous and terrifying her world really is. Her journey, like Tennyson's is one of survival and the need to find human connection amid atrocity and cruelty.

It should be out early in 2013.