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I was pretty excited when the announcement regarding the latest LEGO video game dropped back in December. I mean, I already have the fantastic Lord of the Rings LEGO video game, and I adored all of the Harry Potter LEGO video games… but now there's going to be a Hobbit adaptation?

And the LEGO minifig looks like Martin Freeman? YES! 

Okay, okay, I get it. The game is more of an adaptation of the movie and not the book. It specifically focuses on the first two films, An Unexpected Journey and The Desolation of Smaug, and chances are the third game will end up being some standalone title or (evil) DLC. But you know what? I'm okay with that.

Because Martin Freeman minifig. 

But let's talk about others works of literature that might make for amazing LEGO video games. Because I want them, and because several people have already gone ahead and made projects inspired by these literary masterpieces. Let's go! 

Image via Flickr

MOBY DICK: A thrilling adventure on the high seas! LEGO minifigs running around a ship, whaling, floating around on rowboats, and oh yeah, chasing after a massive white LEGO whale?

And can you imagine the beautiful brick waves of water? Yes. Yes you can. Let's do this, video game developers. 

SHERLOCK HOLMES: Remember when I went crazy over the Martin Freeman minifigs? WELL I'M NOT DONE YET.

Someone went ahead and made Sherlock inspired LEGOs. Let's hire this person to be the designer on the Sherlock Holmes LEGO video game. Do some serious sleuthing around a brick world. Also, more plastic block shaped Martin Freeman. 

Image via Eurobricks

THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS: A LEGO video game adaptation of James Fenimore Cooper's classic work of literature? I'd play it. Perhaps, just perhaps, we could get Daniel Day Lewis on board to reprise his role, and provide the voice over for Nathaniel. A boy can dream.

THE ODYSSEY: Someone already went to the (amazing, incredible) trouble of recreating this scene in LEGO, and seriously, the epicness is pretty astounding. Seeing as how Homer's works are frequently getting new films, TV series, and are the inspiration for countless other works, a LEGO video game just feels right, you know? 

Image via Flickr

THE HUNGER GAMES: I VOLUNTEER! I VOLUNTEER AS LEGO TRIBUTE!

You know, I'm actually really surprised this doesn't exist yet. Maybe it's because the whole teenagers killing teenagers thing wouldn't gel with the whole "rated E for Everybody" ranking LEGO games get. That's probably it. Whatever, I'd play it.

Bonus, watch this trailer done up in LEGOs. Awesome. 

Long John Silver via Flickr

TREASURE ISLAND: Robert Louis Stevenson's classic would make for a great LEGO video game. And LEGO is almost there! There's already a LEGO Treasure Island… although it isn't quite what we're looking for. And there are plenty of pirate playsets. Come on guys, let's do this. 

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Alright guys, I've gone on long enough. What are some pieces of literature YOU'D like to play as a LEGO video game? 

Image via Tumblr

If you are going to certain parts of South America this year for your summer break, and are likely to be around freshwater rivers, this advice may come in handy if you find yourself in a situation where the only way to survive is to cross a river full of flesh eating fish.

Hopefully, you will spend your break having a good time, seeing some beautiful sights and relaxing by the pool, but just in case, The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel, can help you out. And read on to win a copy! 

Image via Tumblr

If you are going to certain parts of South America this year for your summer break, and are likely to be around freshwater rivers, this advice may come in handy if you find yourself in a situation where the only way to survive is to cross a river full of flesh eating fish.

Hopefully, you will spend your break having a good time, seeing some beautiful sights and relaxing by the pool, but just in case, The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel, can help you out. And read on to win a copy! 

One of the perks of working in a bookstore is that a new person will ask a new question everyday. Sure, there’s the standard, “Where’s the bathroom?” and “I’m looking for that blue book,” and “Where’s that book by Jane Eyre?”

But my favorite questions are along the lines of recommendations. Those are fun and wonderful – because booksellers love talking about books. Hearing you list your favorite books and genres helps us narrow down your interests, and exposes us to new material!

But with children, it can sometimes be difficult. They’re either extremely picky – “She only likes to read books about ballerinas” — or they read everything under the sun. They either have a narrow direction, or their habits are so sporadic even the parent doesn’t know which way to go.

I recently had someone ask for middle grade historical fiction. You’d think it’d be easy, but middle grade fiction is almost exclusively fantasy these days. It can sometimes be made more difficult for boys, because there are very few Dear America and American Girl types of books for them.

The next time you’re stuck in a rut for good historical fiction for younger readers, take a good hard look at this list. It just might point you in the right direction.

Bloggers! The final book in Ben H. Winters' amazing, Edgar award winning The Last Policeman trilogy, World of Trouble, will collide with bookstores everywhere this July. I can't wait to see how things wrap up for Detective Hank Palace, and I want to get you just as excited about it as I am.

We released the first book, The Last Policeman, in 2012, with the second book, Countdown City, following just last year. For those of you who haven't taken a trip into Ben's fantastic pre-apocalyptic world, I want to give you that chance before the final book hits. So if you'd like to get familiar with the series I'd be more than happy to send you the first two books to review on your book blog or BookTube channel. 

Or if you're just curious how many asteroid puns I can make in a single email (spoiler: a lot), you can reach out to me at [email protected].