Domestic Violets
By Matthew Norman
Paperback | Kindle
Harper Perennial
Release Date: August 9, 2011

Have you wished that you’d have everything you ever wanted by the time you reached a certain age? Meet Tom Violet, he’s just like you. He wants to be rich and famous with a gorgeous wife and a career as a novelist by the age of 35. Well, Tom is 35 now and has a beautiful wife, but hasn’t become a successful novelist like his Pulitzer Prize-winning father. He’s written a novel which sits in a desk and Tom works a soul crushing job that he doesn’t love. Did I also mention he has a crush on his young female co-worker? Tom Violet’s life is not the one he wanted but he’s going to try to change it.

The Magician King
By Lev Grossman
Hardcover | Kindle
Viking/Penguin
Release Date: August 9, 2011

It’s time to return to the magical land of Fillory with The Magician King, the anticipated sequel to author Lev Grossman‘s 2009 bestselling debut novel, The Magicians.

It’s been several years since the events of the first book, The Magicians. Quentin, Eliot, Janet, and Julia are now the High Kings and Queens of Fillory. One day, Quentin and Julia decide to venture on a quest, but find themselves back in the real world of Earth where Quentin’s parents reside. In order to find a way back to Fillory, Quentin and Julia must use the help of underground magicians to find a way back to their home of Fillory.

27: Second Set #1
Written by Charles Soule
Art by Renzo Podesta
Cover by W. Scott Forbes
Image Comics
Release date: September 14, 2011
Price: $3.99

Guitarist William Garland is back to playing music once again, but not to the level of fame where he once was.

In 27: Second Set Issue #1, William Garland returns to his former life: playing guitar and being passionate about the music. Unfortunately, Garland isn’t as famous as he once was. He thinks his life is just as bad as when he couldn’t play guitar at all. Garland craves the fame of being known and wants it badly. When an accident happens with the magical contraption built into his chest, Garland uses its power to catapult himself back into the limelight but unknowingly catches the eyes of a villain.

The previous 27 miniseries was a favorite of mine earlier this year and I was hoping for another volume of the series. I got my wish. 27: Second Set is an excellent start to what seems to be another thrilling ride. William Garland seems to be obsessed with getting back to his famous status that he once claimed, but is causing a lot of road bumps along the way.

Baltimore: The Curse Bells #2
Written by Christopher Golden, Mike Mignola
Art by Ben Stenbeck
Colors by Dave Steward
Letters by Clem Robins
Cover by Mike Mignola with Dave Stewart
Dark Horse Comics
Release date: September 14, 2011
Price: $3.50

The battle between Lord Henry Baltimore and the creatures of evil continues.

In Baltimore: The Curse Bells #2, Lord Henry Baltimore continues his search for the vampire that ultimately ruined his life: the one-eyed vampire known as Haigus. While searching for Haigus, Baltimore and his new accomplice, Mr. Hodge, investigate a castle that may have evil inhabiting it. While searching the castle, Baltimore comes across a ritual involving a pregnant woman and evil has a plan to raise the dead.

Ready Player One
By Ernest Cline
Hardcover | Kindle
Crown
Release Date: August 16, 2011

In a not so distant future, the world is in shambles. Instead of the dealing with the truth of reality, the people of this bleak world create an escape by using OASIS, a virtual reality world where you can create your perfect reality and do everyday things like going to school or meeting new people. When James Halliday, the creator of OASIS and the richest man to ever have lived, dies, it initiates a contest that Halliday leaves behind in his will. There are three keys that for whoever finds all three will win Halliday’s entire fortune. The contest won’t be easy to win, but protagonist Wade Watts is determined to be the victor.

Ready Player One was one of the most innovative and entertaining books that I’ve read in a very long time. The book is truly a love letter to the era of the 1980s. With references to 80’s video games, movies, and television, the book is like a geek bible to those who grew up in the 80’s or is just a fan of that time period. The author, Ernest Cline (screenwriter of 2009’s Fanboys), has a vast knowledge of the 1980s and it definitely shows. Cline also makes very likeable characters in the novel. Wade and his group of friends were very relatable in the book. You understand their poverty stricken world and their need to constantly escape into OASIS to make a new world for them.