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Weekend Recommendations: Books & CDs

Each weekend, Needcoffee.com’s staff of whackos will wrack our brains to give you interesting and new things to do over the weekend. Books, movies, whatever. We’ll throw them out, you do with them what you will. And hey…if you have something you want to recommend–whatever it is–drop us a line.

Incidentally, we’ve provided links where we can for you to buy the stuff or find out more if you’re interested, courtesy of those Amazon types, in the US, the UK and Canada.

Hey, come on, we can’t be totally selfless in this, can we? Okay, books and music first…

Book of the Week: The Campfire Collection: Thrilling, Chilling Tales of Alien Encounters, edited by Gina Hyams. If you’re seeking out some freaky stories to read around a campfire, then Chronicle’s Campfire Collection is exactly what you’re looking for. This time around they’re talking about extraterrestrial shenanigans, which is never my first choice for freaking people out while camping, but whatever works and makes your stand on end, I guess. This collection comes with stuff like J.G. Ballard, Philip K. Dick and one of my favorite King stories, “I Am the Doorway.” Nice. (Buy it)


Audiobook of the Week: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl, performed by Eric Idle. Was the movie your cup of tea? Well, regardless, they’ve reissued the audiobook performance that got Idle another Grammy nomination. The tale of Charlie, Willy Wonka, Charlie’s granddad, and a bunch of brats who get their comeuppance that we’ve all grown familiar with. But if all you know is the Gene Wilder version (which is awesome, make no mistake), then you’re missing it. Because Dahl was a wonderfully twisted guy. This unabridged rendition comes from Harper Children’s Audio. (Buy it)

Graphic Novel of the Week: Dead@17: Revolution by Josh Howard. Getting ready for the new prequel limited series, Protectorate, which hits in October? Well, you had best refresh your memory about how the saga ended, with Viper Comics’ trade of the third and final Dead@17 limited series, Revolution. Plenty of what you expect from this title: hot chicks, zombies and a battle against ultimate evil: plus the showdown with Bolabogg and the final fate of Nara is revealed. And bonus, there’s some nifty sketch action going on in the back. (Head to Viper and buy it)

CD of the Week: ‘Round About Midnight by Miles Davis. Miles Davis is so unbelievably badass, it’s just ridiculous. Here, backed by John Coltrane on tenor sax, is an awesome “Legacy Edition” re-release. Not only do you get the original six tracks sounding better than ever, but four bonus tracks not originally on the album…and a second disc. This bonus disc contains a live rendition of “‘Round Midnight,” plus a live set from 1956 with thirty minutes of unreleased goodness. If that’s not enough, there’s updated liner notes and a full-color booklet. This hits from Sony Legacy. (Buy it)