Hey!! Let's get some action going! What are we reading?

[captobvs]

Originally Posted by ATDrake

You can get some of Cherryh's work via Closed Circle, an e-bookstore she runs with a couple of other authors.

While it's DRM-free and the money goes directly to the authors themselves, I think their execution of the concept is a bit lacking. They seem to grasp some potential in e-books, but still confuse them with paper books.

They have their website set up so that it charges per format (though there's also the option of a MultiFormat "Full" pack), you get one download link via e-mail which expires in 24 hours, and if anything happens such as a corrupt or lost file (apparently you're supposed to "protect" your sole download like a not-easily-replaceable physical book, according to the FAQ), or you got a single format and find out you need another, you have to re-buy the book.

That seems a bit much to pay for in terms of what you get for the price when the better-known books cost 9.95 (though there are some $5 more obscure titles).

By contrast, BookViewCafé has excellent terms: online reading access, MultiFormat straight off the bat, re-download as necessary, and generally $4.99 per book, bundle/omnibus pricing available. It would be nice if Cherryh et al. joined them.

Thanks bunches. I had found the Closed Circle website after I posted here but they not have much in the way of books for now. Possibly just starting the site? Anyway I also enjoy the ST series. I have just about all the paperbacks although it became awfully hard to keep up when they started running stories for all 4 series once a month and then added new ones! I'm just now catching up with those. Right now I'm reading the Starfleet Corps of Engineers stories on my Kindle.

[slenderperson1]

Originally Posted by Bob Russell

I'm reading Failure Is Not an Option

The thrilling story of NASA's Mission Control teams that guided the "Apollo" spacecraft through successful lunar landings is recounted by "Apollo 13" flight director Gene Kranz. Published on the 30th anniversary of the "Apollo 13" mission.

Also the the first Honor Harrington book, and Pilgrims Progress.

My progress on all three is very slow as I haven't actually spent much time reading recently. I really look forward to getting back to reading more.

Oh I would love to read "Apollo". I find books on space so facinating.

[slenderperson1]

I'm reading "The Emperor of All Maladies, A Biography of Cancer". Very interesting. Can't put it down.

[FlorenceArt]

Originally Posted by slenderperson1

I'm reading "The Emperor of All Maladies, A Biography of Cancer". Very interesting. Can't put it down.

[DMcCunney]

Originally Posted by ATDrake

Oh, I bought that last month with the FW CyberMonday 60% coupon, and its sequel (and a whole chunk of other MacAvoy to sample) yesterday evening with the Xmas week coupon.

Good. If you are going to read one MacAvoy, _Tea with the Black Dragon_ is it.

I did hold off on getting The Third Eagle just yet, because I've found that sometimes writers who do really enjoyable fantasy just don't carry that talent over to science fiction enough for my tastes, and vice versa. Some authors can do both genres quite well, others seem to be visibly better at one or the other.

I'd call MacAvoy better at fantasy. The Third Eagle was enjoyable enough, with a protagonist who is descended from American Indians. Each eagle in his culture is a mark of distinction in a particular area. I was tickled mostly by the setting, as I'm extravagantly fond of the Anthony Villiers books, and wish Panshin had in fact completed the series. (Three of a projected seven were published.)

But yeah, this is probably one of the most important things about e-books: the potential to have all these old titles that might have fallen into obscurity become readily available to read (rights and other considerations permitting), regardless of physical print status or perceived profitability of maintaining such.

The rights are likely the thorniest issue. I'm delighted by efforts like Backlist Ebooks, which is an author led initiative to return books for which the rights have reverted to electronic life.

Of course there are costs to making them available in the first place, but it seems a far lower entry barrier than for paper-format books.

The biggest costs are in acquiring and preparing the manuscript for publication in any format. Once you have, making an ebook has a cost to do it right, but a relatively small one.

The underlying problem is the same for print books or ebooks: letting the audience that might like them know they exist.

And less potential waste. There are some things that trees just shouldn't have to die for.

Trees are a renewable resource, but granted, I can think of some titles I'd prefer not to have seen print. Some of them are currently wildly popular...
______
Dennis

[gmw]

I'm just starting In the Name of Honour by Richard North Patterson ("In the Name of Honor" in the US). His last few books I have found a bit inconsistent, I was disappointed in The Race and Eclipse in particular. I'm hoping this new one will be a return to the excellent form of his earlier work.

[Radiorox]

Going Old school - The Count of Monte Cristo.

[pilotbob]

Originally Posted by Radiorox

Going Old school - The Count of Monte Cristo.

Great book!

BOb

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by slenderperson1

I'm reading "The Emperor of All Maladies, A Biography of Cancer". Very interesting. Can't put it down.

Then you'd probably enjoy The Mind's Eye by Oliver Sacks. I listened to it on audio, and felt so sorry for the poor guy.

[GraceKrispy]

I just finished "Anomaly." It's about a transgender who's struggling to define and understand his own gender identity. I think it's pretty well written and interesting, but could use a bit of fleshing out. Overall, a good (pretty short) book

[edbro]

Originally Posted by GraceKrispy

It's about a transgender

but could use a bit of fleshing out.

I just love subtle puns!

[MickeyC]

Just finished Tami Hoag's Night Sins/Guilty as Sin. Next up Brad Thor, The First Commandment.

[Pookeysgirl]

I just bought the LOTR from Kobobooks. I saw in another thread that there were some issues with typos and such. I hope they've fixed them since then.

[DixieGal]

Originally Posted by Pookeysgirl

I just bought the LOTR from Kobobooks. I saw in another thread that there were some issues with typos and such. I hope they've fixed them since then.

Be sure to let Kobobooks know if you find errors so they can fix it.

[Pookeysgirl]

Originally Posted by DixieGal

Be sure to let Kobobooks know if you find errors so they can fix it.

I definitely will. If this book is full of errors I want a refund.