Books you gave up on ever being ebooks - Page 22

Strether · 01-17-2017, 06:14 PM

I've just started re-reading Robertson Davies' Fifth Business, the first of his Deptford trilogy novels and wishing it was available as an ebook, along with all his others. This is a Penguin paperback with very small print and a little uncomfortable to read.

And as long as I'm wishing, wish that all of Dick Francis' novels published by his first publisher were available in the US. I see that they can be bought in the UK.

Jim

ZodWallop · 01-17-2017, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strether

And as long as I'm wishing, wish that all of Dick Francis' novels published by his first publisher were available in the US. I see that they can be bought in the UK.

Jim

Yes! Geo-restrictions suck. I know there are good and valid arguments for them. But it doesn't help me get a copy of Ken Harvey's The Town That Forgot How To Breathe or early John Irving books, all available in the UK, but not here

disconnected · 01-18-2017, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strether

I've just started re-reading Robertson Davies' Fifth Business, the first of his Deptford trilogy novels and wishing it was available as an ebook, along with all his others. This is a Penguin paperback with very small print and a little uncomfortable to read.

And as long as I'm wishing, wish that all of Dick Francis' novels published by his first publisher were available in the US. I see that they can be bought in the UK.

Jim

Kobo Canada has lots of Robertson Davies' books. I bought a bunch of them when they were on sale for 2.99 CAD but they all seem to be 9.99 now.

PeterT · 01-18-2017, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disconnected

Kobo Canada has lots of Robertson Davies' books. I bought a bunch of them when they were on sale for 2.99 CAD but they all seem to be 9.99 now.

WOOT.. And they're available at the Toronto Public Library

Dr. Drib · 01-24-2017, 06:21 AM

I'm a huge Bentley Little fan, and was wondering if anyone had any information on why "University" is not yet available as an ebook.

Fortunately, I'm looking at a tattered paperback as I write this.

ZodWallop · 01-24-2017, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I'm a huge Bentley Little fan...

Hey! Me too! I always felt like he should have hit bigger than he did.

Quote:

...wondering if anyone had any information on why "University" is not yet available as an ebook.

Fortunately, I'm looking at a tattered paperback as I write this.

He seems to have a number of books from that time that aren't yet available as e-books: Death Instinct, The Summoning, University, Dominion, The Ignored (my favorite of his books). Makes me wonder if the rights just haven't reverted to him yet? The two books published before those: The Revelation and The Mailman have both been released as e-books and then most of his work after that run is available.

Dr. Drib · 01-24-2017, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

Hey! Me too! I always felt like he should have hit bigger than he did.

He seems to have a number of books from that time that aren't yet available as e-books: Death Instinct, The Summoning, University, Dominion, The Ignored (my favorite of his books). Makes me wonder if the rights just haven't reverted to him yet? The two books published before those: The Revelation and The Mailman have both been released as e-books and then most of his work after that run is available.

I agree with you: He should be more popular!

"The Mailman" is a wonderfully wicked, funny and scary book, and is my favorite. Sort of like the cable guy on steroids. I've also read the "The Ignored", and it's a great book, too.

I've read almost every one of his books.

issybird · 01-24-2017, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strether

I've just started re-reading Robertson Davies' Fifth Business, the first of his Deptford trilogy novels and wishing it was available as an ebook, along with all his others. This is a Penguin paperback with very small print and a little uncomfortable to read.

On top of that, my Penguin Davies didn't age well; the pages yellowed terribly. I agree with you; they're virtually unreadable.

So. I think it's morally questionable to "travel" to save money; an author (or his estate) is entitled to cut the best deal he legally can. But when books are unavailable in the US, I find I can square my conscience. Even as far as authors' rights go, I figure some money is better than none at all.

Kobo Canada sells the Davies novels and I've tossed my paperbacks. Make of that what you will.

ZodWallop · 01-24-2017, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by issybird

On top of that, my Penguin Davies didn't age well; the pages yellowed terribly. I agree with you; they're virtually unreadable.

So. I think it's morally questionable to "travel" to save money; an author (or his estate) is entitled to cut the best deal he legally can. But when books are unavailable in the US, I find I can square my conscience. Even as far as authors' rights go, I figure some money is better than none at all.

Kobo Canada sells the Davies novels and I've tossed my paperbacks. Make of that what you will.

I've never bothered to take the time to work around geo-restrictions (because I'm lazy), but I don't have any issue with it if the book is unavailable in your region. I've been tempted to do so for a couple of the books I mentioned up-thread that are available in the UK, but not here.

You could have resorted to piracy, but you didn't.

pwalker8 · 01-24-2017, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I've never bothered to take the time to work around geo-restrictions (because I'm lazy), but I don't have any issue with it if the book is unavailable in your region. I've been tempted to do so for a couple of the books I mentioned up-thread that are available in the UK, but not here.

You could have resorted to piracy, but you didn't.

My basic take on geo-restrictions is that is a contract between the author and the publisher. There is absolutely nothing illegal about buying a book in England if you are from the US. As long as the author gets their money, what's the problem? Is it any different than someone buying a paper book in England that isn't available in the US and sending it to you?

haydnfan · 01-27-2017, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I agree with you: He should be more popular!

"The Mailman" is a wonderfully wicked, funny and scary book, and is my favorite. Sort of like the cable guy on steroids. I've also read the "The Ignored", and it's a great book, too.

I've read almost every one of his books.

Yeah I had to buy the Mailman on hardcover to read it. That was a few years ago don't know if it made it over to ebook.

ZodWallop · 01-27-2017, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haydnfan

Yeah I had to buy the Mailman on hardcover to read it...don't know if it made it over to ebook.

It has! The Mailman by Bentley Little

I'd like to reread his 'vampire' novel The Summoning. But it's not available as an eBook. I do have the paperback. But I'll just wait it out.

Dr. Drib · 01-27-2017, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

It has! The Mailman by Bentley Little

I'd like to reread his 'vampire' novel The Summoning. But it's not available as an eBook. I do have the paperback. But I'll just wait it out.

I think this was originally a Zebra paperback. (All of my first edition paperbacks are in storage in the U.S. And they're in MINT condition!)

ZodWallop · 01-27-2017, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Drib

I think this was originally a Zebra paperback. (All of my first edition paperbacks are in storage in the U.S. And they're in MINT condition!)

Your memory doesn't fail you. Here's the original cover, done in Zebra's usual, subdued style:

[Image violates Posting Guidelines for size - MODERATOR]

I remember visiting my in-laws neighbors once. The lady had a bookcase full of vampire books and there was a Zebra edition of The Summoning. I got excited and asked her about it, but she couldn't remember reading it

Waylander · 01-28-2017, 09:38 AM

I bought The Sword and the Lion by Roberta Cray (Ru Emerson) because it's Bronze Age historical fantasy and looks really good. Unfortunately DAW haven't released an ebook version and I don't know if they ever will given she's a midlist author and this is a standalone book under a pen-name. Oh well.

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01-17-2017, 06:14 PM	#316
Strether Guru Posts: 765 Karma: 2825929 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fresno Device: Kindle 1; iPad Air; iPhone 7; Kobo Libra; Kindle Oasis 3	I've just started re-reading Robertson Davies' Fifth Business, the first of his Deptford trilogy novels and wishing it was available as an ebook, along with all his others. This is a Penguin paperback with very small print and a little uncomfortable to read. And as long as I'm wishing, wish that all of Dick Francis' novels published by his first publisher were available in the US. I see that they can be bought in the UK. Jim

01-24-2017, 06:21 AM	#320
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 45,655 Karma: 60740261 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: KINDLE: Oasis 3, Scribe (1st), Matcha; KOBO: Libra 2, Libra Colour	I'm a huge Bentley Little fan, and was wondering if anyone had any information on why "University" is not yet available as an ebook. Fortunately, I'm looking at a tattered paperback as I write this.

01-28-2017, 09:38 AM	#330
Waylander Guru Posts: 692 Karma: 2905052 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 6	I bought The Sword and the Lion by Roberta Cray (Ru Emerson) because it's Bronze Age historical fantasy and looks really good. Unfortunately DAW haven't released an ebook version and I don't know if they ever will given she's a midlist author and this is a standalone book under a pen-name. Oh well.