At these prices, I'm an ecdysiast

In which I practice the genteel art known in vulgar parlance as BookPimpage.

For example, Jeannelle Ferreira's first novel, A Verse from Babylon: you want this book. If you don't read Holocaust novels. If you know nothing about Hirsh Glik or Raissa Gellerman or Violeta Stern. If you have never been in fear for your life, or written a poem, or loved someone. There are still stories that need to be heard. Vi a parol zol geyn dos lid fun dor tsu dor.

Or Catherynne M. Valente's The Labyrinth. If you thought you knew anything about the nature of quests and mazes, monsters and seekers, read this novel and think again. Did I mention that it might seriously reorder the ways in which you view language? Don't worry: the effect will probably fade. Unless you go on to read Yume no Hon: The Book of Dreams, which will also mess with your ability to separate reality, story, and dream. I can't promise that will go away either. But these books are well worth the hazard.

Lastly, let me be honest: there really isn't anything else like Anna Tambour's Monterra's Deliciosa & Other Tales & out there. Poetry, fiction—you will find neither this style nor these sensibilities anywhere else. For those who desire proof, I recommend "How To Play The Cows." See? This is a good thing.

All right, BookPimpage over. But a preemptive happy birthday to Sean Wallace, who was sucker enough to publish all of these. And we love him for it. Many more years of reading to you!