Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Decent Book Clubs for Sci-Fi Fans?

Posted by Soulskill on from the signal-to-noise dept.

willyhill writes "I'm a Sci-Fi and Fantasy book nut, but in the last few years I've found it more and more difficult to find the time to read. Contrary to what most people would think, I actually have a hard time finding books, rather than cuddling up with them. In reality, I don't have time to mess around at my local Barnes & Noble and browse books, and I find it dicey and expensive to do the same at Amazon or other online retailers. I was looking at a magazine the other day and I found an advert for the Science Fiction Book Club. While my experience with CD clubs and the like in the past has not been entirely positive, I was prepared to give it a shot given the fact that it would be less expensive than Amazon in the long run. The problem was that their selection is not exactly grand. Having read the Simmons Hyperion Cantos, for example, I was ready to give Ilium a go, but I could only find its sequel. How do other readers get their hands on Sci-Fi books? I tried Googling for book clubs and the like, but there's too much static out there, mostly caused by Oprah. Any suggestions would be appreciated!"

2 of 406 comments (clear)

  1. google minus oprah by sonamchauhan · · Score: 5, Interesting

    > too much static out there, mostly caused by Oprah.

    http://www.google.com/search?q=book+club+-oprah

  2. Private Library Development...[and LibraryThing] by rootrot · · Score: 4, Interesting

    One alternative is to work with a good book dealer to build whatever sort of collection you might be interested in creating. Most of my business is in collection/library development, most often for people in the situation you describe...people who love books, want to read what comes into their collection, but lack the time to properly track down material.

    Several of my favorite clients are on personal "book of the month club" programs, where I send them a random book within their interest area(s) each month. Thus far, I've never had anyone complain about a choice.

    I strongly encourage you to find a good book dealer and have a chat. In the alternative, drop me a line *g*...my personal collecting is in hard spec. fiction and cryptography.

    Good luck. .ijk
    --
    Ian J. Kahn
    Lux Mentis, Booksellers
    Antiquarian & Fine First Editions
    211 Marginal Way, #777
    Portland, ME, 04101
    http://www.luxmentis.com/
    Member ABAA/ILAB

    p.s. You should also check out the SF comm. at www.librarything.com.