English Translations of Scandinavian/Nordic Mysteries & Thrillers discussion
Mystery (Non-Scandinavian)
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Where do you get your books?
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Interesting.....let me share my experience. I live in The Netherlands 29 years, read mostly in English. Phantom was out in Dutch (as are most translations IMO) months before.... It was painful for me earlier waiting for the final Wallander as the NL was on the stands the summer 2010 before but I had to wait til winter 2011! Phantom was published Harvill Secker 2012 available to pre order on iBook store so I did 15/3/12 and it automatically downloaded then on April 12, 2012.
My situation is strange being on GR as I then read a book and have still NO ONE to chat to about it for months and months. By then it is all old hat and done for me.
Currently there are quite a few USA residents reading Phantom so it must be available also in various parts of the country.
This all IMO goes back to the editions query I made to Jim and all earlier on GRs. If writers are publishing under so many and these editions are available and readily available why are they then not in the selection for current reading again and again on GRs?
Seems we all have challenges.
But happy reading...S
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I cannot get English on Bol.com or Play.com seems a monopoly by amazon for kindle readers or users in NL, for English.
My back door has been the joys of the truly continuing better and better selections coming on iBook store month by month. Visible in fact is growth and selection. Especially for older Scandinavian or Italian translated books.
I don't know the details but remember reading a GRs member changed residence to get an order through. Don't know how nor if that works but recall reading something.....
S
Sharon wrote: "James wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Jim, I have a problem and do not know where in the Goodreads group to discuss it but it truly is driving me nuts. I get excellent prices and quicker European books in ..."I do the same thing. Read a book, fall in love, and seek out everything by the author. Tough when it's someone like Graham Greene who wrote over 40 books. Had to force myself to stop and make myself read other things. Or I think a book is great, read it multiple times then deconstruct it and back-outline it so I can see how the author made it work. Shrugging shoulders. I'm compulsive, can't help it.
I know that feeling Sharon. My tbr list just keeps growing and the kindles on my my lovely little machine just go on increasing. I mean I haven't read any scandi crime for months.....what's wrong with me??
When I find an author I really dig, I too want to read all of his/her books of the same genre or series. But usually I try to be good, and not read all of them at once - otherwise I'll run out of that author and will have to find out a new one to replace them with. Besides I try not to read all the books of one kind in order, so something really noir, then something less noir, something completely different between, something else, then back to the first author etc. But with a few exceptions (when it's a full blown book binge) :)
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Anna: I'm the same way.... But then I feel badly if I don't start with the first in the series. Ie. I read "Child 44" first and I was so glad that I did. What a great trilogy, of Soviet Russian historical crime drama. You wouldd really like him if you havent already discoverd his style, by now.
Anna : author Tom Rob Smith isn't Nordic but Russian . Try his trilogy for crime drama start w/ " child 44"
If I had the money I would probably get all new gear, iPad, iPad, and iPhone. I suppose the devotion to Kindle mostly stems from so many people owning them, and they're cheaper. I do know that there are some changes coming, at least in the Nordic region, because I have deals but can't discuss them. After thinking about it, at present, I don't think there are any better ways of going about book buying and reading than you currently are.
That's why I asked you where you live, because what language/sales territory makes all the difference. I got a Polish deal not long ago. They had it translated and in stores before I could blink. Same with Turkey. AND the Turkish publisher released 2 of my books in a short time period. US and UK publishers want the manuscript delivered about a year before publication, and generally only want to publish one a year. They spend a lot more time gearing for a book in a number of ways. Copyediting, publicity and marketing, deciding on a sales approach, the catalog copy, ARCs and pre-release reviews. Every country has it's own take on how the publishing industry should work and they sometimes differ wildly.
Ada-Lee wrote: "Anna : author Tom Rob Smith isn't Nordic but Russian . Try his trilogy for crime drama start w/ " child 44""Nope, he is English. His mother is Swedish, his father English, and he was born and has lived all his life in London.
I typically get my books at the library. I have an ipad that my husband gave me, so I occasionally download books from itunes. My downloads are typically books in a series that I am reading that I am unable to get at the library. I feel really strongly about not stealing intellectual property - authors and musicians should be well compensated for how much better they make my life! I will also pick books up off of the bargain table at the local chain book store and have found a number of great offerings that way. I'm in Canada. If I were wealthy, I'd own more books!
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Don't forget to check tour library's selection for ebooks too y'all. At least here in Austin it's pretty good for the new stuff (but I prefer analog - I can't concentrate on ebooks, an analog book is way less distracting for me).And don't forget the scond hand and charity store options too (at least for the books for 'just reading' or for trying wild new genres, when you find some awesome places encouraging your reading addiction for just like 50 c a shot... I mean a book)
I have to agree about the library. Whatever my library doesn't have, they generally can borrow from another library. In a perfect world, we'd all have space and money for lots and lots of books, but in this nearly perfect world, thank goodness for libraries!
I will get a lot of books at the public library. For those that are not available, or I Just Have to Own(!), I will purchase used on Amazon or visit the used bookstore. I will also buy books on Kindle with Amazon if the price is right. :) I have been known to find little gems at charity stores or flea markets.
The business of publishing books isn't cheap and publishers have staff to pay (editors, printers, designers, cover artists, marketing staff, etc.), promotional costs, large commissions to distributers and bookstores, etc., not to mention modest royalties to authors. If they can't cover their costs, which includes publishing clunkers (often known as literary fiction) that don't pay their own way, there wouldn't be books at all. If you object to costs, there are alternatives, most known as libraries. In addition many authors and retailers are now engaged in digital only publishing which results in books that are usually priced well below paperback editions.
Lately, I have been using the website www.paperbackswap.com. It is great! You can post books you are willing to part with (you pay shipping) and then you get books sent to you for free (the sender pays shipping). I have already gotten several books this way, and it keeps me from hoarding all my books.
Thanks for your chats above and thinking I could do reviews. I think not but I am fascinated to read those I now have access to on Goodreads, SYKM and some publishers I get emails from or am on Twitter and Facebook with. Enjoy most.
My problem is with selecting a new current read on Goodreads and despite what looks like a long list to select from, there is NEVER a iBook or the publishers e edition to choose from!!! Hakan Nesser books I have from iBook store by Pantheon E Books..... Do I and others that prefer iPad and a choice outside kindle have to always try and create a new edition?
Anyway, I think it is some internal prejudice within goodreads agains iPad or iBook but consistently those of our outside the USA get better choice and price through iBook store so I will learn to bear it.
All the best....s