OT: Bookworms

[Sallyem]

What formats will the ebooks be available in? Will I be able to read them on my iPad/Sony (NYSE: SNE) eReader/Kindle…?
The Pottermore shop is due to open in October. Our aim is to offer the e-books in an as many formats as possible. We’ll provide more information closer to the time.

Here’s what’s still unclear, as we wrote at the time of the announcement: Whether Kindle will be forced to start supporting the open EPUB format for Harry Potter, or whether Amazon will manage to swing a deal that has Pottermore selling the Harry Potter e-books in the proprietary Kindle format. The former seems more likely since there have also been rumors that the Harry Potter e-books will be DRM-less. And with Amazon reportedly releasing a tablet and two new Kindles this fall, the company could fairly quietly roll out EPUB support mixed in with a string of other announcements. As Pottermore tells us, though, we’ll have to wait a bit longer to find out for sure.

 

[Sallyem]

Ach...why the helicopter can't I find them on Amazon in Kindle edition? Grrrrr......

I believe they are not yet out in any e-book form.

 

[TheScootness]

Reading is a big hobby of mine also.

Like Morandir, I thoroughly enjoy Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion. I used to read Star Wars novels like crazy. The Hannibal Lecter novels by Thomas Harris are great. My big authors lately have been John Grisham and Michael Connelly. I would recommend anything from the wide array of novels from those two. I also enjoyed the classic Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series.

I too prefer the feel of a real novel. I don't even want an e-reader. Just give me a normal size paperback that I can hold in one hand and I'm happy. (Must have a cover though. That would annoy the .... out of me!)

Never delved into the Potter series and I don't see it happening. The fad is too "mainstream" for my taste.

 

[Chemcat]

I've been a bookworm since I first learned to read, I'm always reading when I'm not doing anything else. I love fiction, mainly sci/fi and fantasy. I've read so much good stuff it would be impossible to list them all. I'll list a few of my current favorites in no particular order.

Hawaii- James Michener (anything by Michener is awesome)

A Song of Ice and Fire (series)- George R.R. Martin (not for children- sex and violence, outstanding never-the-less)

Kushiel's Legacy- (series)- Jacqueline Carey (not for children-very weird sexual mores but outstanding world building and character development)

The Kingkiller Chronicles- (series)- Patrick Rothfuss

The Acts of Caine- (series)- Matthew Woodring Stover (not for kids, but Caine is the baddest character in fantasy!)

Altered Carbon -(1st book in series)- Richard K. Morgan

The First Law Trilogy- (series)- Joe Abercrombie

This is just a few off the top of my head, there are so many incredible authors.

 

[KrisBKream]

Not my thread, but thanks to all anyway! I'm filling up my kindle wishlist as I type!

 

[chimchim]

WOW so many titles and authors I have never heard of before! Making my list....

 

[izabella]

Sara Paretsky is one of my favorite authors. She's a smart lady, and she writes a series of mystery novels featuring a smart, tough woman private investigator. I love that the stories are set in Chicago (my hometown), and that the author assumes her readers are also smart.

I was at the airport today, and was so excited to see that her latest novel, "Body Work," was finally out in paperback! Such a treat for me for a long cross-country flight.

 

[FantWriter]

The first book I always tell people they must read is: Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Book by Terry Jones and Brian Froud. It is the charming tale of a little girl who sees faeries behind the potting shed, but sadly, no one believes her. She is there one day with her book for pressing flowers and gets an idea, so . . . SNAP! she has a pressed fairy! The book is her diary (starting in a childish scrawl and becoming the fine hand of a noble young lady as the years pass), as well as all the faeries she caught. The author is Terry Jones from Monty Python, and it's illustrated by Brian Froud, best known for Labyrinth.

Many people are ho-hum about The Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas but that's because they only know the highly abridged/censored high school version. The drugs, lesbians, and slaves make a huge difference.

Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove is a fascinating alternate history.
Practical Demonkeeping is an early Moore -- his humor has evolved since then, but it's really in full force here!
Bertie Wooster Sees it Through by P.G. Wodehouse is a wonder. It's even more fun when you envision Hugh Laurie (tv's Dr. House) as the twit Bertie (H.L. played the role in a four-season series and in Masterpiece Theatre movies).

I'll stop there because that's five, but honestly, there isn't enough bandwidth for me to list all the great books I love and want to share with others.

 

[Biomom]

I've read such a variety of things, but looking at what you posted Chim I'd recommend Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo series if you haven't read it already (slug thru ch 5 and don't stop , also if you want something fast and fun like Twilight books with vamps Rachel Caine's Morganville series is so good my friend went nonstop through 3 of them in one weekend.

I'm really enjoying this author that is amazing for starting out self-published, Colleen Houck's Tiger's Curse. The 1st couple of chapters were disappointing on purpose to build up to the surprise, and then it launched into a roller coaster adventure. Her second book is supposed to be even more amazing, which once she got famous with elite editors makes sense

 

[angelad]

ChimChim- I loved all of those books! "I know this much is true" by Wally Lamb is a fav of mine. I also loved The Girl Who Played with Fire books.

 

[linrag]

Ha! I was thinking if I had to do it over, I'd get a color Nook ~LOL!~

Too funny - I've been waiting and hoping for a color Kindle - kinda like waiting for manual XL diamond batteries

 

[linrag]

Okay - I'll stand and take the ridicule
I love trashy romance novels (my friend calls them bodice-rippers) and lately have gotten into the time-travel/fairie thing, when I get the chance to read (graduate work has really cut into my leisure time; no time to quilt - no time to read)
I highly suggest (if you're into this sort of lit) the Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning [caution: expicit]
Lynn Kurland is a fantastic story teller [caution: clean romance - leaves it all up to your imagination]
Melissa Mayhue Daughters of the Glen series
anything by Lisa Kleypas

other authors:[not romance]
Nora Roberts is great
Judith Michael
Danielle Steele - haven't read her in years, but good stories
East of Eden by Steinbeck - one of the best
Gone with the Wind - if you've never read it, try it - movie is fantastic - book is 10 times better

 

[lujin4]

Too many books to list, so I will go with authors. Anything by the following (not in any particular order):

Carlos Castaneda
J.R.R. Tolkien
Christopher Moore ((Practical Demonkeeping) and many others)
Frank Herbert
Erich von Daniken

 

[chimchim]

Okay - I'll stand and take the ridicule
I love trashy romance novels (my friend calls them bodice-rippers) and lately have gotten into the time-travel/fairie thing, when I get the chance to read (graduate work has really cut into my leisure time; no time to quilt - no time to read)
I highly suggest (if you're into this sort of lit) the Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning [caution: expicit]
Lynn Kurland is a fantastic story teller [caution: clean romance - leaves it all up to your imagination]
Melissa Mayhue Daughters of the Glen series
anything by Lisa Kleypas

other authors:[not romance]
Nora Roberts is great
Judith Michael
Danielle Steele - haven't read her in years, but good stories
East of Eden by Steinbeck - one of the best
Gone with the Wind - if you've never read it, try it - movie is fantastic - book is 10 times better

No ridicule here! I love trashy romance novels! In my opinion, there are times and places for certain kinds of books. I love to read romance, biographies, spiritual, self help, classics and mindless garbage! Just depends on my state of mind. Sometimes I just need mindless! It helps me de-stress to get lost in a story that I don't have to think or try to analyze or understand! LOL!

 

[Biomom]

Too funny - I've been waiting and hoping for a color Kindle - kinda like waiting for manual XL diamond batteries

I've got [in the family and tried out each myself] the latest Kindle with the cover/built in LED light, Archos 9 tablet PC with Kindle, Sony Pocket reader, Sony Touch reader, and an iPad. I think I vape for the gadgetry, as in I'm more addicted to gadgets than nicotene =D

The Kindle and Pocket reader are the easiest on the eyes. The tablet and iPad have color but the iPad has way too much glare. The only advantage to reading in color is to have the option for the alabaster (tan colored) background or white letters on black background. Having back-lit text tires the eyes out, although the alabaster option and the less shiny screened Archos 9 is helpful. e-ink color technology just isn't there yet.

People buy the Nook color because they think they're getting a cheap tablet with free 3G, and while it *can* be used to web browse, it's quite cumbersome (slow from reviews). Browsing with a kindle = clicking little directional arrows to get a cursor to move around a screen in place of a mouse is soon maddening.

The Sony touch with 3G is cool, but expensive. Taking hand scripted notes and making doodles on your eBooks is useful and fun. If anyone is to come out with the best of ALL worlds, my money is on Sony to do it.

 

[Ever1ast]

People buy the Nook color because they think they're getting a cheap tablet with free 3G, and while it *can* be used to web browse, it's quite cumbersome (slow from reviews).

While I wouldn't agree that everybody buys it for that reason, although I could see that some would. I've had a regular Nook for about a year and a half now, and even though I know the e-ink is easier on the eyes, I still plan on getting a Color due to the extra versatility. The fact that I can carry all my books, watch MP4 format movies, and (if you know how to do it) stream Netflix on a Nook color, makes it worth losing the e-ink screen to me. I borrowed a Color from a friend for two weeks to take on vacation, and found it no more cumbersome than my standard Nook. The triple-fold cover he had on it was a bit thicker than what I was used to with lighted cover, but that's a personal preference and could easily be changed.

 

[Lisa66]

I like historical novels heavily based on fact but with period embellishments (living conditions, dress, food and drink, etc.)

1. The Devil in the White City - Erik Larson: based on Chicago's version of Jack the Ripper during the late 1800's

2. Poland - James Michener

3. Anything by Philippa Gregory - covers the Tudors, the Yorks, the Lancasters, etc.

Also, old favorites by Tom Wolfe, just wish he'd write more:

4. The Bonfire of the Vanities

5. A Man in Full

 

[Loveridden]

I can totally understand reading a "dumbed down" book or just an easy to read book at times to just relax and not have to think so hard lol

Not much for romance books but on occasion have picked up a danielle steele book or a book that combined romance and another category, like crime or mystery.

Some of the danielle steele books can have some major drama and dysfunction going on in them, they aren't just mushy mushy lol
She can be a bit long winded for my tastes sometimes tho lol

 

[FantWriter]

I like historical novels heavily based on fact but with period embellishments (living conditions, dress, food and drink, etc.)

Joseph and Frances Gies have a series of books on just that. Life in a Medieval City and Life in a Medieval Castle are my favorites. They are non-fiction but are very easy to read and are full of anecdotes of the period.

 

[Biomom]

I can totally understand reading a "dumbed down" book or just an easy to read book at times to just relax and not have to think so hard lol

Not much for romance books but on occasion have picked up a danielle steele book or a book that combined romance and another category, like crime or mystery.

Some of the danielle steele books can have some major drama and dysfunction going on in them, they aren't just mushy mushy lol
She can be a bit long winded for my tastes sometimes tho lol

I found Steele to be frustrating to read. I tried 2 or 3 books, but she kept repeating things. One repeat of maybe 2 really important facts I could take, but even with my bad memory I found it distracting and frustrating, if not insulting to my intelligence.

I suffer migraines and permanent aura issues, so reading can be difficult and makes me super picky. I enjoy easy to read young adult fiction; I use the excuse of being a mom of teenage girls but many women enjoy the genre. The romance is often toned down to PG, and the reading is easy. If the author is decent, the books are usually written with ADD teens in mind and work hard to be gripping, which is helpful to me!