Why????
I couldn’t stand it–even though I’m in the middle of reading TROUBLE IN MUDBUG, by Jana DeLeon and really enjoying it–AND I downloaded Staci Troilo’s novel TORTURED SOUL to read next–I still HAD to buy the last Kate Daniel’s urban fantasy that just came out by Ilona Andrews. If you’ve read my blog very long, you know how much I love that series. Her new Legacy series, too. I’ve bought EVERY book. And I couldn’t wait, but I also couldn’t find it on the usual bookshelf at my local Barnes & Noble. Why? Because one of their helpful clerks explained that it was on the hardcover display and wouldn’t be out in paperback until a LONG time. Now, I know I bought the previous one in paperback. The memory is sketchy, though. Kids were in and out of the house, staying, moving, staying a little more, and the joy of reading got a little chaotic. But I’ve bought all of the other books in paperback. And that’s where my sorry personal lament starts– WHY??? Why a hardcover now?
It’s time to confess that I can be a little anal about my books. And I should have seen this coming. WAY back before the dawn of man, I bought every Martha Grimes’ novel and Elizabeth George novel when they came out. And they both started in paperback and then, when they became bestselling authors, their books went to hardcover. So did Patricia Briggs with her Mercy Thompson series. And now, so is Ilona Andrews. I don’t mind paying $22. for their books instead of $8. I’m happy for all of them. They’ve EARNED more money and recognition.
BUT–I keep all of my favorite authors’ books together on my bookshelves. And call me a little controlling, but my rows of books look crooked when half or three-fourths of a shelf is paperback and the rest is hardcover. It hurts my aesthetic balance. At least, until I get used to it. And to have an ENTIRE series in paperback with just the one, last book in hardcover? It just looks whopper-jawed. I’m so into this, that I’ve already decided that when the paperback version of MAGIC TRIUMPHS comes out, I’m buying it. And putting it with my other paperbacks in the series. And I’ll give my hardcover copy to my library and hopefully some other readers will enjoy it. But until then, I have to be patient and wait. Not my strong suit, but hey! I don’t have any choice.
Do any of you have bookshelf issues? In the large scheme of things, it’s a minor irritation, but what can I say? I hope every book you read is a winner, and happy writing!
