Trying to find a Copy?

[David]

I just got notification my purchase was canceled due to lack of availability from Abebooks.

Congrats who ever got it!

[Aloha]

That $9 hardback is still available. Hurry!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listin...

[David]

Thanks for the link! I just searched it on amazon and it didn't come up. I bought it. We'll see how this one goes.

[Aloha]

Good luck, Dave!

[Nathan "N.R.", James Mayn]

All gone. Penki got one. David, are you confirming success? Please let us know. Anyone else?

[Nathan "N.R.", James Mayn]

Ian wrote: "I tried and failed."

Damn. YOU (of all people, but them too) need to read this.

[s.penkevich [mental health hiatus]]

Oh no, sorry David! Hopefully another pops up today. I mean, there were 3 copies <$25 all in the course of a day, hopefully more will arrive.

[David]

I just got notification from Amazon that my copy of Women and Men has shipped from Full Paper Jacket! I wonder what will arrive. I've always felt "Acceptable" is a rather noncommittal grade to use on a book, but at $12.94 I can't really complain about much with this one.

[Aloha]

Let us know how the book is when it arrives, David. And congratulations!

[Nathan "N.R.", James Mayn]

David wrote: "I just got notification from Amazon that my copy of Women and Men has shipped from Full Paper Jacket! I wonder what will arrive. I've always felt "Acceptable" is a rather noncommittal grade to use ..."

Nicely done! My suspicion is that "acceptable" in this instance, should it include any damage at all, would indicate damage due to 25 years of (mis)handling an over-sized volume, its own weight being perhaps more responsible for any slight damage than someone actually having ever read it. But maybe... Even highlighter would be nothing to complain about at $12.94. (Hope that's not the case)

[Aloha]

Did somebody mention highlight? *rubs hands in glee*

[David]

My copy finally arrived today. I have no idea what the condition was when it left, but it was so poorly packaged a chunk of the damage on it is probably from shipping. It's amazing it got here because I ordered a book a couple of years ago on Ebay that was packed in a similar envelope and a piece of the wrapper arrived about a month later, with apologies from the Post Office. The book followed a month after that, only because the seller had inserted a receipt with my name and address into the book. It was very beat up.

Women and Men is a typical former library book with more markings than some and it was obviously read by a few people. But I have a copy!

[Nathan "N.R.", James Mayn]

David wrote: "I have no idea what the condition was when it left, but it was so poorly packaged a chunk of the damage on it is probably from shipping."

I don't understand why booksellers so frequently disrespect books, why they don't foresee the vicissitudes involved in shipping. I'm sorry to hear about the sorry condition of your copy. But, too, I think it's the first I've heard of a copy which has been previously read. There's something to be treasured there, given the quantity of unread copies coming off of library shelves and being pressed into the used-book circuit. I hope you enjoy it as much as a few of us have. Looking forward to your first impressions.

[Aloha]

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "There's something to be treasured there, given the quantity of unread copies coming off of library shelves and being pressed into the used-book circuit. I hope you enjoy it as much as a few of us have. Looking forward to your first impressions.
"

Good way of seeing it, Nathan. Glass half full.

Congratulations, David! As long as it's not highlighted or written on, thereby making the original print unreadable, it's still good for the price.

[David]

it's still good for the price
Yes, I definitely have no complaints here. I paid very little for this copy and I know others paid a great deal for there's. So, you think maybe because a worn, well read copy is rare, it increases the value a tad? Just kidding. :) This one was definitely abused a bit. The binding is pretty shot and has that "wonderful" white archival library tape reinforcing the front cover hinge. How can it be "archival" when it damages the book so much? Even if I peel it off, it leaves an awful residue (I tried). Most former library books I can work on a bit and improve them. This one is a lost cause. Even the head of the DJ is crunched. Usually the DJ protector keeps it nice and crisp, but not this one. OK, so I can complain a bit. LOL But, really, at this price, I'm not unhappy with the purchase.

I'm not sure when I'll be getting around to reading this. I've started Bleak House, have Roadside Picnic and The End Of The Affair slated for March. On top of that, for some reason being on Goodreads, rather than enhancing my reading, seems to have curtailed it. I'm generally a book a week reader on average, but the past 3 or 4 months I've only finished two or three books. Granted one was Dhalgren, but I've been mostly reading comics lately. I may need to quit most of the groups I've joined and get back to my old reading habits.

[Matthew]

gave my copy back to library sigh...

[Nathan "N.R.", James Mayn]

The site looks a bit iffy, but it says W&M @ US$33.
http://www.bookbase.com/search?search...

[credit for spotting this one goes to Jordan, member of BP: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... ]

[Aloha]

David wrote: "it's still good for the price
Yes, I definitely have no complaints here. I paid very little for this copy and I know others paid a great deal for there's. So, you think maybe because a worn, well r..."

Didn't get notification for this post. For the price, as long as it's not internally marked up, it's a steal. I checked your profile and you have made great strides at GR in the last few months for a newbie! Actually, you immersed yourself with the turbo reader/reviewing group from the very beginning! While it's great that you're exploring, you should take some time off to get back in touch with what excites you. You may find that you've changed due to influences, and what used to excite you doesn't. But you need the time to get back to what you're comfortable with. It's a move forward, step back, and a move even further forward. Also, it takes getting used to interacting with such a rich reading community.

I'm starting to discover what excites me, and being stubborn about how I read and learn, how I like to interact with this community, retain what's important to me, and push away what's not important.

The GR community is great. It takes time to incorporate it into your life to get the most out of it, Dave.

[Aloha]

Matthew wrote: "gave my copy back to library sigh..."

Does that mean you were forced to give it back but wish you could keep it longer, or that you gave up reading the book?

[David]

Thanks for the encouragement, Aloha. but I think I may know what is going on. I've never been good at sticking to assigned reading, even when I assign it to myself. I tend to read anything but that book. LOL Also, I've always tended to just follow a whim, when choosing a book. I'll pull 8 books off the shelf, start all of them and see which sticks. If none do, I'll pull another 8 until one sticks. So, choosing one ahead of time and following through on it really goes against the grain for me. Even in High School, I'd be reading my own stuff and never touch the book that was assigned, especially if I could get by just by taking notes.

I have found some cool comic books, though. Image has some really interesting new series starting up, like Great Pacific, about a wealthy entrepreneur, who claims the plastic floating in the Pacific as a new continent and nation. Then there's Saga, by Brian K. Vaughan, who wrote for the show, Lost. It's a cool science fi/ fantasy comic that defies description. Black Acre is about a future United States, where the 1% create the guarded, gated community Black Acre and shut the 99% out, let everything fall apart and what happens when they finally have to go outside. These are unlike anything I've ever seen in comics and Image seems to have a lot of that going on right now. Such a surprise from a company that started from things like Spawn and Savage Dragon. But I digress from the main topic here. Sorry about that!

[Nathan "N.R.", James Mayn]

The following listing appears to be still current. I'm suspect of the site only because I'm not familiar with it. Clicking on a book title brings up an Enquiry window if you'd like to check on it first. Two copies available @ US$33 & $35.

http://www.bookbase.com/search?search...

[credit for spotting this one goes to Jordan, member of BP: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... ]

[[deleted user]]

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "The following listing appears to be still current. I'm suspect of the site only because I'm not familiar with it. Clicking on a book title brings up an Enquiry window if you'd like to check on it..."

I tried to purchase this copy, but the seller informed that they already sold both these copies a while ago. Apparently the website administrators are lazy and haven't updated the page.

[Dionysius]

Hello everyone.

To those searching slash inquiring:

I have a copy of the Dalkey version in mint condition. I paid a fortune for it, having spent unnameable hours with the book in the library beforehand and then just throwing my money at any chance to own the unknown masterpiece, but I would be willing to part with it for 85 flat, about half of what I paid - If interested send me a message anytime. Have the book ready to ship. Will be kicking myself later on, but for now could really use the cash.

[[deleted user]]

Joe wrote: "Hello everyone.

To those searching slash inquiring:

I have a copy of the Dalkey version in mint condition. I paid a fortune for it, having spent unnameable hours with the book in the library befo..."

That's for more of a price than you can get on Amazon right now. That ain't helping nobody out. I'll give you twenty-five for it.

[Nathan "N.R.", James Mayn]

Anthony wrote: "That's for more of a price than you can get on Amazon right now. That ain't helping nobody out. I'll give you twenty-five for it. "

amazon currently has multiple copies available, both pb & hd, between US$80-90. http://www.amazon.com/Women-Men-Josep...

I think that is still a bit steep. Overly optimistically, I'd conjecture that once Dzanc gets the ebook released, the price might drop a bit further (is US$50 too much to expect?)

[Dionysius]

Update: dalkey edition has been sold.

[[deleted user]]

Nathan "N.R." wrote: "Anthony wrote: "That's for more of a price than you can get on Amazon right now. That ain't helping nobody out. I'll give you twenty-five for it. "

amazon currently has multiple copies available, ..."

I hope it goes down, because I don't want to read it on an e-reader. I am, and will always be a dinosaur when it comes to me and my print copies. I read a book once on a nook and it was not a pleasurable experience.

I'd suck it up and pay 50, maybe.

[s.penkevich [mental health hiatus]]

It does seem the average price has slowly been going down. They must be realizing there is a new, small market for that book now. Hopefully the trend continues. Hopefully once the ebook gets released they will reprint it maybe?
I agree with Anthony, I dislike reading e-books on any device, I couldn't imagine reading a book this lengthy on one. (Says the guy who sells nooks... shhh!).

[[deleted user]]

s.penkevich wrote: "It does seem the average price has slowly been going down. They must be realizing there is a new, small market for that book now. Hopefully the trend continues. Hopefully once the ebook gets releas..."

I hope they do a reprint of some sort. Hell, if the man wants to get his books back out in the world, he should just use a vanity press since publishers don't seem to have any respect for him after all these years. That way, people would actually buy some of his books and they can be printed as needed. I don't see why publishers don't do that as well, honestly.

I have to help people check out books on their various devices at my library all the time. I have to show older patrons all the time how to use their nooks and kindles and they always expect me to tell them how much I love using the devices. Then I get to tell them I only read books in book form.

[Aloha]

I prefer eBooks over paper books, but I do love the hardbacks to decorate my shelves. I prefer my paper books for art and design. Maybe I should offer my Women & Men hardback for sale. I got it for $25 when it was reasonable. Kidding. Not giving it up.

[James]

Ebooks are so much easier for me with an eighteen month old running around the house. If I survive W&M the only reason I would want a paper and glue copy would be to show it off. The problem is that I can't think of anyone in my life who would see it there and be impressed. I'll have to settle for eventually placing it on my virtual Read shelf here on GR.

[s.penkevich [mental health hiatus]]

Anthony wrote: "I have to help people check out books on their various devices at my library all the time. "

haha, that's hilarious, I'm the same way. I had a woman slam a nook down on customer service and shout 'convince me I want this and shouldn't return it!' I said 'woah, wrong guy here for that'. I feel I should get one just since I too have to troubleshoot them all the time, but yeah, I love a good physical book too much.

Aloha, any certain reason you prefer them? I do like the idea of having everything in one place all the time, but that's also my biggest deterrent. I'd break the thing on accident and all would be gone. Perhaps I should give one a chance.

[Aloha]

s.penkevich wrote: "Aloha, any certain reason you prefer them? I do like the idea of having everything in one place all the time, but that's also my biggest deterrent. I'd break the thing on accident and all would be gone. Perhaps I should give one a chance. "

I have an iPad and the apps. can do wonders with an eBook. While I'm reading, I can highlight, underline or make notes. I can change font size and type, which is great for my eyesight. If there's a word or a segment I want more info. on, I can highlight and launch directly into Dictionary, Wiki, or Google. I get quick GR's notification on a bar that pops in and out at the top of the iPad so that I can see what thread it's from and who posted. I can quickly copy a passage to put into my writing program for notes, or eMail it to a pal. It's easier for me to find a book in my computer since they're automatically ordered by the computer, or I can do a search. They also don't take up real estate room and don't kill your back when you have to move. I've been a nomad lately with the changes in life and had to discard tons of property. My computer and my drives became my most prized possession.

Oh, and I have the text to speech option, too.

[James]

Aloha wrote: "s.penkevich wrote: "Aloha, any certain reason you prefer them? I do like the idea of having everything in one place all the time, but that's also my biggest deterrent. I'd break the thing on accide..."
I like all those reasons plus when I read in bed at night next to my wife I can use the backlight feature on my device instead of looking like a Chilean miner when I read an analog book by my camping headlight. I can hold everything one handed and in any angle so the last 30 minutes I spent rocking my son down could have been spent on the Ice-Shirt instead of GR. Alas, Vollmann is woefully under-represented in epub. I really like the annotation on my nexus. I find myself making notes much more often on ebooks and taking the time to look up words. I also like being able to read the files on multiple devices using the nook app.

[Aloha]

I love the fact that I can read at night, too. I can fall asleep without having to get up to turn off the light. I remember what a pain it was trying to search words on a paper dictionary. My iPhone also holds some of my books. My favorite books are everywhere with me. I draw and filter photos on the iPad, too. It's a great way for me to switch from one task to another with the blink of an eye.

[David]

I have a new iPad, but find I enjoy reading on my cheap aluratek e-reader much better. It's low tech, not backlit, so it affects my melatonin levels a lot less than the backlit iPad screen. It's also pocket sized and I can take it anywhere and not worry about it as much. Even if I break it, all my books are on an SD card and backed up on my Mac. That said, I still like the feel of a paperback better. I like seeing the bookmark sticking out the top to show me my progress. I'm not sure if I'll ever feel the same way about the percentage meter. I like being able to flip forward to see when the next chapter starts, it's too much a pain to do that with my e-reader. Right now I'm reading a book on my e-reader I also have in paperback. The type in the paperback is really small and the paperback is on the bulky side, so I'm reading it on the e-reader despite all the typos in the e-book. I'm also keeping track of my progress in the paperback as I go. It makes me feel better. Call me bipolar. Lol

[s.penkevich [mental health hiatus]]

Aloha: Good points, that is really convenient. Now I'm thinking of me with a book in hand, a pen behind my ear as I try to look up words on a ipod to write them in the margins - that does sound much easier. True, I'm dreading the day I move. I have double the books I did the last time I moved and those were HEAVY!

James: HAHA, i know exactly what you mean! Just today I woke up still wearing my headlight and still had a nice red line around my head when I went out into the world.

[Aloha]

David wrote: "I have a new iPad, but find I enjoy reading on my cheap aluratek e-reader much better. It's low tech, not backlit, so it affects my melatonin levels a lot less than the backlit iPad screen. It's al..."

I forgot about the melatonin levels. I realize my sleeplessness has more to do with whether I'm stressed out or not, not on how much I spend on the iPad. I had a bunch of unfortunate events lately, which curiously made me more zen. Either crumble under it or let it roll over you. The moment I decided to let it go, I feel much happier.

[Aloha]

s.penkevich wrote: "ames: HAHA, i know exactly what you mean! Just today I woke up still wearing my headlight and still had a nice red line around my head when I went out into the world. "

Just don't stick a pack of lighted matches on your forehead for headlight.

[[deleted user]]

s.penkevich wrote: "Now I'm thinking of me with a book in hand, a pen behind my ear as I try to look up words on a ipod to write them in the margins - that does sound much easier"

A habit I really need to start doing. My problem is when I get into reading mode, I don't want to stop continually and look up words I don't know. But then again, I bet the authors must've had to stop just as much to scour their thesauruses for all those words they love to pretend are part of their regular vocabulary.

[Aloha]

Anthony wrote: "A habit I really need to start doing. My problem is when I get into reading mode, I don't want to stop continually and look up words I don't know. But then again, I bet the authors must've had to stop just as much to scour their thesauruses for all those words they love to pretend are part of their regular vocabulary. "

This needs to be a part of my routine. When I get lost in the book, my predicament is that I dislike pausing to search for definitions. However, I speculate that the writers comb through their wordfinder just as often in order to sound erudite. :oD

[Drew]

You guys aren't going to believe this: I just bought a copy of W&M, and had it shipped to my house, and when the package arrived, it was ripped open and empty! I have no idea why someone would do this...at a complete loss.

[Nathan "N.R.", James Mayn]

Drew wrote: "You guys aren't going to believe this: I just bought a copy of W&M, and had it shipped to my house, and when the package arrived, it was ripped open and empty! I have no idea why someone would do ..."

!!!! unbloodybelievable. Is there any chance that a packing slip was included within the book? If so, it should be still underway to you. The seller should be able to do something here: USPS lost and found? There'd be only one W&M there. Hope that there's still hope?

[Drew]

I guess I'm going to go to the post office first; the envelope had "media mail, subject to inspection" stamped on it, so it seems the most likely possibility is that the only postal worker/McElroy fan in Boulder snapped it up when he or she saw what it was...

[Drew]

I bought it from a private seller through Paypal, so hopefully Paypal will take care of it, but we'll see.

[Aloha]

Sorry to hear about that, Drew. :o( I hope you'll get it resolved.

[David]

That happened to a book I bought last year. The mailing label torn from the bubble pack arrived about a month after the seller sent it to me. The seller reimbursed me. About a month after that, the book arrived, beaten and battered. The seller had smartly slipped the sale record into the book and it had my address on it. The book had gone to Atlanta where the Post Office has a hub office where lost mail goes. It's pretty shocking it arrived at all. The original condition was, "as new." Unfortunately, it wasn't close to that when it arrived, but it was free at that point. The seller didn't want it back.

[Drew]

Yeah, I'm working on getting it back from the post office, but the post office is a shadow of its former self--there's been so much downsizing recently that nobody knows where to tell you to go to get something done. They gave me two different numbers for the lost and found, both of which were voicemails that referred me to different numbers, and of those, one was the number for a different department entirely and one was disconnected. So I don't think I'm going to get it back that way.

[David]

Unfortunately, once it's out of its packaging, it will be tough for the Post Office to find anyway. The seller and I weren't even trying to do that. It was just dumb luck the invoice managed to stay with the book and had my address on it. Otherwise there would have been no way for the Post Office to track it down. I believe the seller was in new York and I'm in Connecticut. The book ended up in a holding facility in Atlanta because that's where lost items go in my region, not with any eye to getting it where its supposed to go. Even with a bigger staff I still think it would be a pretty tough proposition for them to find it. It really could be anywhere at this point. Good luck with it. I hope it turns up.

[Post Ironic]

This book occasionally pops up in used bookshops. I purchased one of the leather bound copies in the late '90s for somewhere in the vicinity of $40. Being 15 years old and having an obsession with long and difficult books I dutifully read it cover to cover in about a week, and understood nothing of it; yet I certainly thought it was pretty cool to have read it. Oh, the follies of youth. I read it a second time a few years ago, at a slower pace, allowing it to sink in a little deeper, rereading most passages I thought important several times. What a magnificent book. Rather hypnotic.

Péter Nádas' "Parallel Stories" reminds me of this book. Another sprawling epic that tramps about wildy with a seeming disregard for temporal and spatial context. I'd like to read them both again soon.