Book News: Book Report for the Week of April 29th on Forces of Geek

Microsoft Invests in Barnes & Noble 

Today it was announced that computer giant Microsoft has invested $300 million in a subsidiary of the Barnes & Noble Nook ereader.  Microsoft will own 17.6% of the Nook subsidiary, valuing it at $1.7 billion.  Unsurprisingly, Barnes & Noble shares are up more than 70% pre-marketing trading, and it seems clear which side Microsoft is taking in the competitive Kindle vs. Nook ereader battle.  Microsoft will also begin providing a Nook application on its new Windows 8 platform.

Blackout 
The final book in Mira Grant’s Newsflesh Trilogy, Blackout, is due out May 22 (my birthday!).  Here’s some tidbits on what readers can expect from the book, as well as some fun puzzles to solve from the publisher, Orbit, and a giveaway of all three book in the series from SF Signal.

Stephenie Meyer Troubles 
An interesting article from Quill & Quire discussing some of the more disliked authors in the publishing world, including David McKee and Stephenie Meyer.

Jackie Collins Self-Publishes 
Bestselling author Jackie Collins is self-publishing a book, The Bitch, in a new version.  On her website, she talks about why she’s doing this.

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