New HH book

[Vertigo]

Is that an absolute increase or will the ebook fall back in line with the papaerback when that is released?

 

[Parson]

Is that an absolute increase or will the ebook fall back in line with the paperback when that is released?

Who knows for sure. But if the vast majority of books are any indication the ebook will be priced slightly (a dollar or two) lower than the paperback price. I don't know enough about the publishing industry to say with any certainty, but I suspect that although the total cost of an ebook is likely 50% or more than that of a paperback that there is a nice little extra margin for the publisher in that price. And for Amazon that doesn't even count the cost of the Kindles to read them. It saves money for people like me who read lots of books. But I doubt it makes monetary or environmental sense for the casual reader.

That said, I love my Kindle. Reading this book in a hard cover was a frustrating experience. I had to have two hands to hold the book. I had to work to prop it up on the table while I ate. I couldn't stick it in my jacket pocket to read during the times I sit waiting for someone. The old fashioned book has lost a lot of its appeal for me.

 

[Timba]

Is that an absolute increase or will the ebook fall back in line with the papaerback when that is released?

I notice that some of the older books on the Baen site remain lower priced although almost all seem to have gone up a little. The really old books appear to not have changed but I cannot be sure as I am not usually looking at them as they are books I literally read decades ago. Still, I think it will be interesting to watch and see what happens when the paperback comes out.

Who knows for sure. But if the vast majority of books are any indication the ebook will be priced slightly (a dollar or two) lower than the paperback price. I don't know enough about the publishing industry to say with any certainty, but I suspect that although the total cost of an ebook is likely 50% or more than that of a paperback that there is a nice little extra margin for the publisher in that price. And for Amazon that doesn't even count the cost of the Kindles to read them. It saves money for people like me who read lots of books. But I doubt it makes monetary or environmental sense for the casual reader.

That said, I love my Kindle. Reading this book in a hard cover was a frustrating experience. I had to have two hands to hold the book. I had to work to prop it up on the table while I ate. I couldn't stick it in my jacket pocket to read during the times I sit waiting for someone. The old fashioned book has lost a lot of its appeal for me.

I agree about the readers Parson. All the reasons you state, the ability to read in the dark, the ability to take a literal library with me on a trip and the ease of purchase all make the e-book pretty attractive.

Lately I have been mining the free Kindle books. I expect I will come across a dud or two in the process but so far have been pleasantly surprised. I have found older books by favorite authors and picked them up as a reread seems a worthwhile idea and I have found new authors and while sometimes the editing is a bit loose the stories and how they have captured me and held my attention has been very satisfying.

 

[Jade44]

Have to agree with Parson so far as the book in concerned. It doesn't really seem to have a definite ending. Although a few situations are resolved it is almost as if Mr. Weber got far enough along and decided that since he was going to write at least one more Honorverse book he may as well quit and get on with the next one. I note that House of Steel, the next book in the series is out next month.

The author also takes for granted that the reader has copies of his other books. This is unfortunate as I read all of the books from the library and this book had no glossary containing a list of terms or a character list. I had to really think back to identify some of the characters who have not appeared for several books.

I also found the writing a bit sloppy in parts. The phrase bared his/her teeth was used repeatedly. Surely Mr. Weber must know of some other figure of speech to describe a smile or snarl.

That said, once the action started it was quite well done for the most part in typical Weberese space opera style and I finished the book in three days. Even a mediocre Weber book is better than what most other writers do.

 

[Vertigo]

It's funny how it can be the little things, like having to actually hold the book, that can be the most annoying when switching back to printed! I particularly miss the instant dictionary look up when I'm reading printed as well as having to hold the book (intensely ennoying when reading in bed that one!).

I'm still holding off on these until I see one of you guys post that the latest book has a concrete ending! Sorry to be using you as guinea pigs

 

[Timba]

It's funny how it can be the little things, like having to actually hold the book, that can be the most annoying when switching back to printed! I particularly miss the instant dictionary look up when I'm reading printed as well as having to hold the book (intensely ennoying when reading in bed that one!).

I'm still holding off on these until I see one of you guys post that the latest book has a concrete ending! Sorry to be using you as guinea pigs

Not to worry, I and Parson (you can just tell he really cannot wait) will be happy to travel that road first. I am looking forward to the 2 books coming out this summer but clearly they are not going to move the story much if at all. Sometimes I wonder if I will live long enough to see the miserable people behind the slave trade get their just rewards.

 

[Vertigo]

I think the bigger concern is whether Weber can live long enough. I know he's only 61 but lets be honest he is carrying a little more weight than is good for him!

 

[Timba]

Good point!

 

[Parson]

I think the bigger concern is whether Weber can live long enough. I know he's only 61 but lets be honest he is carrying a little more weight than is good for him!

Harsh man! Harsh! True, but speaking as someone who has lost more than than a 120 pounds it's hard to keep it off. I'm not doing famously well at the present time.

 

[Timba]

I blame it on the snow Parson, if it ever stops snowing I will get out and get a little walking in. For now I just sit and watch those miserable white flakes continue to fall.

 

[Parson]

I blame it on the snow Parson, if it ever stops snowing I will get out and get a little walking in. For now I just sit and watch those miserable white flakes continue to fall.

Works for me. We just had an epic rain, ice, and snow storm. Lots and lots of down trees, power lines, etc. etc.

 

[Vertigo]

Well I've now started catch up on HH and have read World of Honor which I enjoyed much more than the previous one in this series (more than honor) and also A Rising Thunder which I actually thought was pretty good despite somehow not feeling complete. In particular I think he handled his info-dumping (political at least) in much easier to handle chunks are more show rather than tell. More thoughts on WOH here and ART here.

 

[Timba]

Well I've now started catch up on HH and have read World of Honor which I enjoyed much more than the previous one in this series (more than honor) and also A Rising Thunder which I actually thought was pretty good despite somehow not feeling complete. In particular I think he handled his info-dumping (political at least) in much easier to handle chunks are more show rather than tell. More thoughts on WOH here and ART here.

Enjoyed your reviews of the books. I agree pretty much completely with what you had to say. Fire Season and the next book about tree cats (Treecat Wars) are both collaborations with Weber and Lindskold and I really enjoyed Fire Season so am looking forward to the new one. Lindskold seems to be tuned in to this story line and I enjoy her writing.

 

[Vertigo]

As I say, I think that was my first reading of Lindskold but frankly it almost could have been Weber writing. Very impressive.

I've still quite a bit of catching up to do, but I seem to be moving into a military action mood in my reading at the moment (on Mirror Dance at the moment) so maybe I'll pick up some more and catch up some more!

 

[Parson]

Vertigo well reviewed!

 

[Vertigo]

Why thank you Parson!