Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero

Title: Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero

Author: Larry Tye

ISBN: 9781400068661

Price: $27.00

It's the Summer of the Superhero and what better way to celebrate than Larry Tye's new biography of America's favorite Superman? From his creation in 1933 by Joe Shuster and Jerry Siegel to the Christopher Reeve films of the 1980s, television shows, and a new movie due out next summer, Tye has all the inside info on the Man of Steel.
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Beginning with Superman's creative birth and development in the 1930s, Larry Tye takes readers on a journey almost more incredible than Superman's journey to Earth. Through the advents of new technologies, wars, and even a battle against comic books themselves, Superman has proven to be a character worthy of reinvention. Superman, fans will recall, began in the comics. From there, his journey mirrored our own cultural development as he found his way into newspapers, radio shows, television shows, and finally the big screen. With each twist, the Man of Steel proved himself to be a necessary and celebrated figure of pop culture around the world.
What makes Tye's particular book so fascinating for readers is the depth of research and insight. Pulling on interviews, archival footage, books, and articles, Tye brings a well-rounded insight into the creation to fame of one of pop culture's most recognizable figures. Tye also gives great insight into the creators, artists, actors, writers, directors, and marketers who made Superman a household name. From the origins of Superman mythology to those little known Superman facts, Superman is a wonderful addition to pop culture literature and a fun, smart summer read.

--Kyla Paterno

Watchers

Title: The Watchers
Author: Jon Steele
ISBN: 9780399158742
Price: $26.95

Are there really angels among us? Do fallen angels exist? Jon Steele's beautiful new novel is a haunting, mesmerizing, and genre-bending look at angels, the forces of good and evil, and the spirit of humanity.

Marc Rochat is the Watcher of Lausanne Cathedral in Switzerland. He was sent there after the death of his father. His mother always told him that one day an angel would come to him. He would know the angel  by the light in the angel's eyes and must protect the angel at all costs. Complications during his birth have left Marc physically deformed and somewhat simple. Still, he knows the duty his mother has charged him with and believes in it with all his heart. He believes, now, that he has found the angel and must protect her from the dark shadows that encroaching on the cathedral.

Katherine Taylor is a beautiful young American woman, living the high life as an exclusive call-girl, the highest paid escort in all of Switzerland. She has money to spare and all the material goods she could ask for, but Katherine has dreams and an insatiable curiosity. She's fascinated by Marc and his life, but believes she's about as far as one could be from angel status.

Jay Harper is a man so mysterious even he doesn't have the answers. He's a private detective for the Olympics committee and has no idea why, or even what qualifies him. There's a lot Harper doesn't know these days. There's more that he knows and can't explain. A trail of international murders are all pointing to Lausanne. Something dark is closing in, and Marc and Katherine may hold pieces of the puzzle.

Described by its publisher as "Silence of the Lambs meets Hunchback of Notre Dame, as told to Justin Cronin," The Watchers is a perfect blend of murder mystery, paranormal fiction, and character portrait. Steele's novel is one not to be plowed through, but to be savored and read at a leisurely pace. Some critics have called the book too long; literature of today is often break-neck speeds read in a matter of days. The Watchers is one to be treasured and enjoyed. Each page holds a piece of the mystery and what unfolds at the end is amazing.

--Kyla Paterno

Coming This Fall....

There's much to be excited about this fall season. Among one of the major releases this fall is The Twelve, Justin Cronin's highly anticipated sequel to The Passage.

The Passage released in June 2010 to instant success and became the summer blockbuster. Early reviews are calling The Twelve even BETTER than The Passage, meaning Cronin should have fantastic success with this one as well. 

The Twelve follows Amy, Peter, Alicia and the others as they hunt down the twelve original virals. It also introduces new characters, people in our present-day fighting to survive the unfolding apocalypse. 

Keep checking back for the latest on Cronin's book, including a full review of The Twelve in the next few months.

The Twelve releases October 16 and will sell for $28.00. Pre-order your copy today!

Check out these reviews....
While we were on hiatus, Kyla was still reviewing Young Adult and Middle Reader titles for Shelf Awareness: Readers' Edition. Check them all out here! Though these books are all classed as Young Adult and Middle Reader, many of the titles are one adults will love as well, particularly Masque of the Red Death (a fantastic and thrilling read inspired by Poe's short story) and Ripper, a historical semi-steampunk book that dares to ask: What if Jack the Ripper's murders in England only stopped because he came to the U.S. in search of the son he never knew he had?

What's the best book you've read lately?

Zoe Letting Go

Title: Zoe Letting Go

Author: Nora Price

ISBN: 9781595144669

Price: $17.99

Check out Kyla's newest review on Shelf Awareness: Zoe Letting Go by Nora Price.

Zoe is in an exclusive treatment for girls with eating disorders. Zoe doesn't believe she has an eating disorder, and neither do other girls. So why is she there? And why won't her best friend answer her letters?

Cinder Sequel!


Hi everyone! We've got some details about the highly-anticipated sequel to New York Times bestselling Cinder. Book two (of a four-book series), Scarlet: The Lunar Chronicles releases February 5, 2013. This time Cinder's world collides with Scarlet. Cinder spun the old Cinderella story on its head and Scarlet is expected to do the same for "Little Red Riding Hood."

More updates will be posted as they become available.

GBC has signed editions of Cinder available for purchase. Marissa Meyer is a PLU alum. Cinder is her debut novel.

Any other fans excited for this?

Hunger Games: Catching Fire
We don't yet have a release date beyond just "2013," but fans are already clamoring for part two of the Hunger Games Trilogy, Catching Fire.

Following the immense success of The Hunger Games, Jennifer Lawrence (Katniss Everdeen), Liam Hemsworth (Gale), Josh Hutcherson (Peeta), Elizabeth Banks (Effie Trinkett), and Woody Harrelson (Haymitch) have all signed on for the sequel. Recently, Philip Seymour Hoffman has been confirmed to join the cast as Plutarch Heavensbee, the newest Gamemaker. Rumor has it Mia Wasikowska may be signing on for the role of Joanna Mason.

Books into Film
There's a lot to look forward to in the Book-into-Film news. Head over for updates on this holiday season!

We're back! We apologize for our unexpected hiatus, but the GBC Book Blog is back!
Check out our new Summer Reading Catalog with all of our summer favorites.
Check back soon for frequent updates including new reviews, staff picks, book into film news, a preview of the hottest titles coming this fall, and more!