Books not available as e-books

[Robyn]

This is a difficult question. There are plenty of amazing books are are only available in deadtree media. One example is Feb's book, Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was.

However, those books will cause problem for several members, specially those in other countries. Getting our hands on those books can be a problem. I know this one will be hard for me to get (I actually have no idea how to get it without spending a fortune).

So, anyway. Does anyone have any feelings about S&L picking books that are not available as e-books? I know I'm thorn on the subject. I know if I restrict myself to ebooks, I will be giving up plenty of amazing works. On the other hand, I've got so used to only buying e-books in the past years that it is hard (and expensive for me) to get deadtree books.

Thoughts anyone ?

[Rick]

Rodrigo,

LIbrary? If that's not an option, audiobooks? (Note that there's an audiobook of Bridge of Birds here http://hcforgottenclassics.blogspot.c...).

I don't think S&L can, yet, restrict the choices to what's available in ebooks, but the group should know about books a month ahead if possible when selecting works like this so people who don't have easy access to them have time to order and ship books.

[Robyn]

Rick,
I can always find a way to get the book. I'm ordering the paperback from Amazon, and getting it shipped here. Should arrive in 2-3 week (unless I pay the aforementioned fortune for express shipping). In the mean time, I will probably grab a pirate e-book. Since I'm actually buying the book, I don't feel any moral conflicts on this issue.

However, you make a very good point. Knowing in advance would make things easier.

Audiobooks are not an option for me (tried, hated it), and the local library... Well, lets just say that the best books they have there are the ones I donated.

[Robyn]

Before anyone asks: I'm not telling anyone where to get pirate books. The reason I know where to find those is because part of my job is to create blacklists (blocking lists) for corporate firewalls.

[Rick]

Rodrigo wrote: "Rick,
I can always find a way to get the book. I'm ordering the paperback from Amazon, and getting it shipped here. Should arrive in 2-3 week (unless I pay the aforementioned fortune for express sh..."

See the thread I just posted about Bridge being available as an ebook (US only it seems, but...)

[Robyn]

Just saw it. Thank you.
Amazon gives "Pricing not available".
Kobo says "This content is not available internationally"
B&N says $9.99, but I don't own a Nook. I wonder if I can buy it, get the file, and convert it. Might be worth a try.

[Robyn]

Nathan wrote: "I think Rodrigo's point is the lack of ebook availability *outside the U.S.*. It's pretty easy to find most popular books in digital formats in the U.S., but everywhere else is a much different story."

Actually, although I had hit some restriction on Fictionwise, Amazon never stopped me from buying any e-books.

So no, my point is about books which are not available as e-books anywhere, or have limited availability. By limited availability I mean only 1 platform, say only Kindle, or only Nook.

I only read books in English, so I mostly only buy them on the US.

[Rick]

rodrigo - my copy (from Kobo) is not DRMed. It's possible that the BN version is also DRM free.

[ladymurmur]

Rick wrote: "rodrigo - my copy (from Kobo) is not DRMed. It's possible that the BN version is also DRM free."

On Amazon, it says "Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited" which usually means DRM free.

[Robyn]

So, does anyone see anyone selling Downbelow Station (March pick) as an e-book? I can't find any.