A number of short story collections made the list this week, along with a new Alex Benedict novel about alternate universes, another Discworld book from Terry Pratchett, and a Corellian Engineering Corporation YT-1300 owner’s manual for the intergalactic do-it-yourselfer.

The Bible Repairman and Other Stories by Tim Powers and J. K. Potter (Oct 31, 2011)

Hardcover: 200 pages Publisher: Subterranean

‘The Bible Repairman’ is a new collection of five stories and a historical novella from author Tim Powers. The stories include ‘The Bible Repairman’ where a murder leads the title character to the restless dead and a client who wants his blood. ‘A Journey of Only Two Paces’ is about an executor of a will who meets with the deceased man’s widow to complete the Letter Testamentary Kabbalah soul transmigration. ‘A Time to Cast Away Stones’ continues the story of ‘The Stress of Her Regard’. ‘The Hour of Babel’ is the story of a survivor of a disaster caused by a fallen angel who wants to return to the past to alter the timeline. ‘Parallel Lines’ is about an elderly woman and her twin sister who returns after committing suicide. ‘And A Soul in a Bottle’ is about a dead poetess named Cheyenne who wants a second chance at life. These stories have appeared in small press but this is the first time they’ve been collected into one book.

The Inheritance and Other Stories by Robin Hobb, Megan Lindholm and Tom Kidd (Oct 31, 2011)

Hardcover 400 pages Publisher: Subterranean

Another collection of short fiction, Hobbs penned three of the tales and Lindholm does the other seven. The stories include ‘A Touch of Lavender’, ‘Cut’, ‘Drum Machine’, ‘Homecoming’, ‘The Inheritance’, and ‘Cat’s Meat’, among others. Both authors weave stories containing intelligence, strong narrative, and a fine attention to detail.

Guards! Guards!: The Play (Discworld Series) by Terry Pratchett (Oct 31, 2011)

Print Length: 180 pages Publisher: Transworld Digital

A giant fire-breathing dragon, summoned by dubious tradesmen, threatens the infamous city of Ankh-Morpork. It’s up to a drunken Captain, a fat Sergeant, an opportunistic Corporal, a tiny swamp dragon, an orangutan who happens to be the Librarian of the Unseen University, and new recruit Lance Constable Carrot.

The Nemesis List by R. J. Frith (Nov 4, 2011)

Print Length: 384 pages Publisher: Tor

Humans may have ventured to the stars but it has cost them their freedom. The Government controls every aspect of life along with all technical and scientific achievement. Deviation is punishable by death but in the fringe of space, criminals manage to flout the law. Frank Pak jumps from galaxy to galaxy to avoid detection. He is offered a job to escort a runaway back home but gets more than he bargained for. Jeven is the next step in human evolution, thanks to the Government’s experiments. Now they want him dead and leaders of a revolution want to use him for their own means.

Millennium Falcon Manual (Owners Workshop Manual) by Ryder Windham (Nov 3, 2011)

Hardcover: 128 pages Publisher: Haynes Publishing Group

This is a “Haynes Manual” based on the Millennium Falcon, the iconic spaceship piloted by Han Solo and Chewbacca in the original trilogy of ‘Star Wars’ films. Using brand-new, full-color cutaways, together with other art and photographs, this manual provides the most thorough technical description of the Millennium Falcon available, making it essential reading for all ‘Star Wars’ fans.

Alien Contact by Marty Halpern (Nov 1, 2011)

Print Length: 400 pages Publisher: Night Shade Books

From ‘War of the Worlds’ to ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’, ‘ET’ to ‘Close Encounters’, creators of science fiction have always eagerly speculated on just how the story of alien contact would play out. Editor Marty Halpern has gathered together some of the best stories of the last 30 years, by today’s most exciting genre writers, weaving a tapestry that covers a broad range of scenarios: from the insidious, to the violent, to the transcendent.

Atlantis and Other Places by Harry Turtledove (Nov 1, 2011)

Paperback: 464 pages Publisher: Roc; Reprint edition

‘Atlantis and Other Places’ includes twelve amazing stories of ancient eras, historical figures, mysterious events, and out-of-this- world adventures from the incomparable Harry Turtledove. These stories, some dead serious, some tongue-in-cheek, have been published previously in other collections.

Birds of Prey by David Drake (Nov 1, 2011)

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Tor Science Fiction

Rome, 262 A.D had been the capital of the greatest civilization on Earth. Now both city and civilization are dying. Imperial unity has shattered as supporters of independence and usurpers quarrel among themselves and greater enemies gather to swallow them all. One man stands between humanity and the Long Night, matching his fierce determination against a hopeless future. He is Aulus Perennius, an Imperial secret agent as tough and merciless as the age in which he lives. Until now, though, his enemies have all been human.

A Fighting Chance (Legion of the Damned) by William C. Dietz (Nov 1, 2011)

Hardcover: 368 pages Publisher: Ace Hardcover

Earth has fallen. And the men, women, and cyborgs of the Confederacy must dig deep within their warrior hearts to make one final stand against an alien aggressor. On a rim world, Captain Antonio Santana is reunited with diplomat Christine Vanderveen to protect the severely wounded Ramanthian Queen, who has fled there to avoid assassination. And they’ll risk everything to save the Confederacy, billions of lives-and their future together. This is the conclusion to the ‘Legion of the Damned’ series.

Firebird (Alex Benedict) by Jack McDevitt (Nov 1, 2011)

Hardcover: 384 pages Publisher: Ace Hardcover

This is the new Alex Benedict novel from former naval officer, taxi driver, English teacher, customs officer, and motivational trainer, Jack McDevitt. In this tale, the renowned physicist Chris Robin vanished forty-one years ago. Before his disappearance, his fringe science theories about the existence of endless alternate universes had earned him both admirers and enemies. Alex Benedict and Chase Kolpath discover that Robin had several interstellar yachts flown far outside the planetary system where they too vanished. And following Robin’s trail into the unknown puts Benedict and Kolpath in danger.