Production costs, marketing, supply and demand, all play a factor in pricing. Hardcover books are typically more expensive than paperback books due to factors such as higher production costs, premium materials, and the strategic pricing model used by publishers. However, in some cases, the same titles of paperback books can be more expensive than hardcovers, usually due to specific market conditions or timing.
For example, this can happen when a hardcover book has not been popular, leading to a significant price reduction to clear inventory, while the paperback version remains at a higher price due to its availability and demand.
Additionally, the pricing of books can vary based on the retailer, the edition, and the time of year, with some paperback versions being discounted more than hardcovers.
In general, hardcover books are more expensive because they are released first and are often considered more prestigious, but this can change over time as the paperback version becomes more widely available and may be sold at a higher price due to its lower production costs and higher demand.
Just finished The Wide Wide Sea by Hampton Sides (author of Blood and Thunder, if you haven’t read it you should).
It’s tells the story of James Cook’s 3rd and final voyage. Probably not quite as vivid a picture of the Royal navy as The Wager but Sides has a good knack for providing detail while also moving the story along.
As for Cook, the author treats him pretty evenhandedly. The man was certainly an important tool of the Imperial interests but he himself was a sailor/explorer first and foremost. He also was aware and wary of the effect contact with westerners was having on the native populations they encountered.
But he had his tyrannical moments which were not glossed over.
If you enjoy history I’d recommend it.
I just finished Joe Hill’s (Stephen King’s son) new book, King Sorrow. It’s excellent.
He is such a good writer. I highly recommend Side’s, Hellhound on His Trail, about James Earl Ray and the MLK assassination. It was very eye opening.
Thanks for that recommendation. I’ll put that one on my short list.
Been reading a lot of horror recently.
Two standout books were red rabbit (weird western).
The fisherman (lovecraftian cosmic horror, langan author).
Both have better than the usual writing you find in the genre.
Will get it to read on my flight to Melbourne! Thanks.
If anybody enjoys reading grimdark fantasy, I would suggest the world of The First Law(two trilogies and 3 stand alone novels) by Joe Abercrombie. I’ve read the first trilogy(the First Law), all 3 stand alones(Best Served Cold, The Heroes, and Red Country) and the first two books of the last trilogy(Age of Madness), I’ll be starting the last book soon. The series is often compared to Song of Ice and Fire, but it’s actually a complete story and in my opinion Abercrombie writes characters as good or better than Martin does.
That’s on my Amazon list for the next time I order stuff.
Read this a few years ago, very interesting and I’m not sure how much overlap there would be b/t the two, if you’re interested in the subject:
Co-signed. That’s a fun book.
I’ve read both and like them both. Martin’s best is better, but abercrombie is more consistently good. As a fan, really appreciate how joe makes his deadlines…
Read abercrombie’s new book “the devils” when it came out. Alternative history europe with monsters. 100% it hits the screen. First law trilogy is much better, imho, but its good.
Strongly recommend “Blacktounge thief” and “between two fires” if grim dark fantasy appeals. Both novels by Christopher buehlman…horror element is strong in both. Buehlman also writes horror but i haven’t gotten to them yet.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. I do find myself quoting Abercrombie characters more in daily life, ok mostly Logen, you have to be realistic.
I’ll get around to this eventually. It’s the only Abercrombie I have yet to read
A friend of mine here swears by Buehlman.
If you are ever around in the houston area in the fall Buehlman used to/still appears at the renfest as christoph the insulter (havent been in a while)…he is an amazing insult comedian. It was a mind fuck when i found out the author of “between to fires” was someone i had met.
He is very creative–in “blacktounge thief” he invents a fucking game that the characters play that he actually playtested and is probably fun.
Would be suprised if his horror aren’t excellent…but its a big pile of books…bigger every week.
Also–blacktongue thief has a prequel..“the daughter’s war.” One of my sons read it and says its very different from THIEF…more of a bleak military fantasy than rougues adventure. As far as i know its the first time he’s written twice in the same world…though for all i know the horror have recurring characters.
Bay Area brothers shocked after discovering $9 million comic in mother’s attic.
Finished Buckeye by Patrick Ryan last night. Best book I’ve read in years. I loved almost everything about it.**
Finished A Voyage For Madmen by Peter Nichols. It tells the stories of the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe race, a historic and perilous solo sailing competition to circumnavigate the globe nonstop.
Thanks! I’ve been looking for my next read while waiting for a heavy favorite from the library, so I’ve snagged this one.
Hellbound On His Trail by Hampton Sides. The account of the MLK Jr. assassination and the events following. It is very detailed in the atmosphere of the country at the time and the events prior and following.
That’s on my short list.