Comments on: How I Shortlisted John Scalzi as a New Favorite Author

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 23:54:38 +0000

I think the Kindle had to do with it in part. Initially, it was the “OMG this is awesome,” but then I settled in and realized how freaking nice it was to be able to read in any position with one hand and not have to worry about not being able to see half the book. A well designed ebook reader actually made reading books easier and more comfortable, so I was able to jump back into reading with a fresh look. Going from the 1100 monster Under the Dome in hardcover to a Kindle that’s about the size of a children’s book is refreshing. Even reading Leviathan felt awkward and uncomfortable after going back, and it’s a well put-together book.

I love to read, though. I’ve felt bad for a while that I want to write books but never find the time to read them. So I made the time and have loved it.

I avoided the ebook reader fad for a while. I thought it was silly. But I finally bought in and decided to see, and I won’t throw around the word revolutionary, but being able to download just about any book I want (or a sample, at least) whenever I want is nice. I don’t even have to wait for shipping anymore.

It will never replace physical books for that collector in me (I love my shelves of all of Stephen King’s hardcovers), but the Kindle has certainly proven to me that ebooks are just as necessary for readers as iPods/mp3s are for audiophiles.

By: Robert Kuang

Robert Kuang — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 20:01:11 +0000

Do you think a Kindle is the reason you have finished so many books? I rarely have the time or feel the need to read an actual book anymore, and I’m sure it’s my generation as a whole. I don’t know what I think of this new gadget…

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:03:16 +0000

I don’t know how long that will last, though, Gordon. I read a few days ago that two publishing houses (I can’t remember which ones) said they were delaying ebook releases by up to 4 months after hardcovers in order to keep people buying the physical books. They said there wasn’t a market for ebooks immediately and that it was a good spot between hardcover and paperback.

I think that’s ludicrous. And it feels like they’re withholding out of spite a little. Just because the nature of the industry is poised to change. It shouldn’t affect me too much, though; there are plenty of older books I can read during that time on my Kindle.

By: Professor Beej

Professor Beej — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 16:58:40 +0000

I’m lucky: my winter holiday doesn’t end until the 13th. I have a couple of night classes between now and then, but I don’t have to start doing full days for a while yet. So that gives me lots of reading and writing time still.

I do hope you enjoy Leviathan. It’s a fun little romp. It was a good introduction to steampunk, I think, since I hadn’t read any before. I need to look up Uglies sometime, too. I don’t know anything about it.

By: We Fly Spitfires

We Fly Spitfires — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:48:28 +0000

So jealous you have Kindle OK, let me rephrase that… so jealous you live in a country that actually lets you get the books you want and doesn’t withhold releasing stuff out of spite
We Fly Spitfires´s last blog ..MMO Win, RPG Fail

By: Longasc

Longasc — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:25:06 +0000

*drools* I am glad you liked the series. I think Scalzi is the most enjoyable SciFi author at the moment. His novels often have surprising depth while having this really special and very enjoyable kind of Scalzi humor. I cannot say the same about Charles Stross and Peter F. Hamilton, unfortunately. Scott Westerfeld is an amazing author, too. He wrote another SciFi novel in a very interesting universe, people mourned that he did not continue to write in it: “The Risen Empire”. He instead wrote young adult novels (The “Uglies” trilogy, which got brilliant reviews, too). I did not read them, but I am glad he wrote “Leviathan”. I read many good reviews, and if even Scalzi recommends it, who could disagree.

But I am afraid the winter holidays are over… oh well, then I will just take my time reading all these novels. But I will read them for sure.