Grenade

The New York Times bestselling author of Blue Sisters and Cleopatra and Frankenstein returns with an extraordinary novel about a woman grappling with a life-changing decision during three days in Paris.

When filmmaker Zuzu arrives in Paris for the premiere of her first feature, she has only three days before she must return to Los Angeles to try, once again, to conceive a child. At thirty-four, she is reeling from multiple miscarriages just as she begins to taste the first real success of her career, and this trip is only meant to be a brief detour before the next attempt. But Paris in July—hot, crowded, and full of temptations—has other plans.

There is her brilliant, unruly best friend, Anouk, who wants everything and fears nothing. There is the possibility of a reunion with Paloma, her world-famous ex-girlfriend, whose attention Zuzu still craves. Finally, there is her husband back home, and a love both threatened and deepened by their shared longing for a child. As the sweltering days unfold and the past presses in, Zuzu makes a series of decisions that threaten to explode the life she has built so carefully.

Enthralling and emotionally charged, Grenade confronts a contradiction that’s never felt more timely: the longing for motherhood, marriage, and stability—and the longing to be free.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs