The Best of Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet
Kelly Link and Gavin Grant Eds.
Del Rey trade Paperback $14.95

Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet is the Hugo-nominated 'zine published by Nebula winner and Hugo nominee Kelly Link and Gavin Grant, named for the tattoo on Winston Churchill's mother.

It's an eclectic publication, with fiction, poetry, an advice column, art, comics, essays and useful lists. The book, the first (but hopefully not last) collection, includes some of all of it. It also details the history of its creation, Gavin looking into the window of a travel agent's office, and upon seeing an advertisement for a cheap weekend in the Caribbean saying,"300 bucks? Why would I go there when I could start a 'zine!". He and Kelly proceeded to create it on the rest of the walk home. The rest is history. It's worth noting that many of the stories from LCRW have appeared in many Year's Best collections since it began publication in 1996. There are some wonderful stories including my particular favorite, the Le Guin-esque "Fishie." "Dear Aunt Gwenda" by writer Gwenda Bond provides a mix of hilarity and deep truths. “Dear Aunt Gwenda, why aren't all books as good as Geoff Ryman's 'Air"?" "Because not all books are by Geoff Ryman, therefore most suck." There are also useful lists, and a wonderful essay about Scotch and how to appreciate it by Gavin Grant. If you're looking for something slightly off beat with great writing, this is for you. By the way, subscriptions include chocolate. No, I'm not kidding. - Nadine Armstrong