I'm anxiously waiting for some books that I ordered on Amazon a couple of weeks ago. Four of them are faerie 'research' books. :-) To the uneducated eye, it would seem as if I have faeries on the brain, but I need these books for research. Hey, it could be worse, I could be writing about serial killers or terrorists, and Homeland Security might be knocking on my door. I've often wondered if Allison Brennan has set off alarms with the books she buys.
Of course, a couple of these books are from vendors other than Amazon, and they have a HUGE window to send them (Sept. 2-18th). Five books are coming directly from Amazon and the delivery date is 9/9/09. I hope the other vender's books will arrive sooner than the 18th as I've already received confirmation that they've been sent.
I will say that three of the books I ordered from Amazon are NOT faerie research books.
Strange Brew, novella anthology written by Patricia Briggs, Jim Butcher, and Charlaine Harris
Seduced by His Touch by Tracy Ann Warren, historical romance
and Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz's futuristic ghost hunters)
These three books are basic mass market books AND the only one I found in my local B & N was Seduced. I was a mite unhappy with this. They did have one faerie book that I wanted, but it was double the price I could get on Amazon. Recently, I've been very discouraged by the books available at B & N. And yes, I did have them check the computer. Even though, Harris and Butcher are big names with hardbacks with tons of shelf space, the store didn't even have their anthology. Obsidian wasn't even ordered! There were ZERO copies available! Not happy here. And yes, I did buy their 'discount' member card, but at the rate I'm currently going, it doesn't look like I'll be saving enough to justify buying the card!
I know brick and mortar places are having a tough time competing in the market, while Amazon can supply books with virtually no overhead, but I'm a frustrated book buyer here. I made my voice heard at the B & N, but my voice is only one. Shelf space is getting cut back for middle range authors and the 'big names' are taking up more and more space. How are the mid-range authors supposed to get a break? No one will pick up their book if their book isn't available to look at.
*sigh* What a conundrum . . .
Until I get my books, guess I'd better keep on writing.
Write on!
It's crazy that they didn't even order Obsidian Prey! I noticed B&N was getting less romance -- which is the biggest selling genre. Does that even make sense??? No wonder they're losing customers. And JAK, in any name she uses, is a big seller. I'm looking for that book, too.
ReplyDeleteHave fun reading!
Thanks, Edie! Opening a big box of books is like Christmas for me!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that about B&N too. A year ago, I could walk in there and want 50 books they had on the shelf-- now, I typically walk out of there with nothing. And not a thing I wanted that I couldn't buy.
ReplyDeleteWhat's up with that??
It's sad when a book lover can't find a book they like at the bookstore. Especially a store that size. Pfft!
Anywho--I've ordered stuff off amazon and it took 2 months to get. Hopefully, you have better luck. And I SO understand buying research. My shelves are filled with Scotland books. :D
See ya Thurs!!
One of my books came yesterday--from an independent vendor that sells through Amazon. It was in 'original' shrink wrap, but I could tell it was in a location where someone was a smoker.
ReplyDelete--it'll air out eventually.
ICK on smoker smell. Just yuck. One of the used bookstores in HS always smelled like an old ash tray. Owner's husband would sit there and smoke all day. I think he might have died. Haven't seen him but then, I don't go there anymore.
ReplyDeleteAngela James was kind of "blah" on Obsidian. Doesn't matter. I'll still read it.
I have one book on order. A book on voice. I'm currently reading LaNora's first book in her wedding series. Typical Nora and I'm loving it. Very romantic.
Have you seen where Sandra Brown is going with her writing? From Romance to Thriller to now something really different. Something call Rainwater. Not romance, not thriller. Can find the link I had yesterday but maybe leaning toward Women's Fiction.
Wow, so much change is in the air, Cyndi. I wonder what is going to hit the fan next.
ReplyDeleteMaybe. . . Quartet Press shutting down before it opens? Anyone know about Angela James's plans??
Cyndi passed this on . . . http://quartetpress.com/
Yeah I heard right when it happened. So sad! I feel so bad for Angela. That seems so wrong. I'm sure she will be fine though.
ReplyDeleteStill not sure why they shut down.
I'm sure we'll eventually hear what happened.
ReplyDelete