So I just listend to "Mazer in Prison", the audio file I mentioned in my post about Orson Scott Card's new online magazine. As Erik and Rachel mention, it takes place prior to Ender's Game. What a great story. And what a great experience listening to it on my half hour each way daily commute! I think I'm hooked. I must find out if the local library carries books on CD. I even just purchased an audio version of Ender's Game on sale because I would really enjoy "reading" it again. I've never read a book twice because there are just too many books to read and it takes so long to read them. But an audio CD, I could listen to that however many times I choose and it wouldn't take any time out of my life because I'd be listening to it during my daily commute. :)
Recently in Books Category
In case you haven't heard, Orson Scott Card started an online magazine called InterGalactic Medicine Show. It's first issue is out right now. It costs $2.50 per issue, and stuff keeps getting added to the issue until the next issue comes out (you can sign up for a mailing list to be informed of when new stuff is added). It also sounds like you will always have access to past issues you've paid for and can also purchase past issues at any time.
There will be at least one story in an OSC universe. This issue's Card story is set in the Ender universe and is called, "Mazer in Prison", which is also offered as an audio version. I think I will be downloading it and burning to disc to play in my car during my daily commute. Actually, first I'll have to find out if it will ruin anything since I haven't read the latest Ender book, or has it been the last two that I've missed?
Anyway, the magazine also features science fiction and fantasy stories by other authors. If you are a writer and would like to submit your work for consideration, go here.
I've been reading a lot lately, which has been very nice. I'm about 200 pages from the end of the latest Harry Potter and will be sad to have the book finished so soon.
I've also been reading some stories by my friend Erik. If you happen to like to read a lot and like the idea of providing feedback directly to the author, check out Erik's blog. In particular, read this post about what he looks for in a critique.
Back to Harry Potter now...
Release date for the new Harry Potter book has been announced. There are rumors again of one of the characters being killed off.
What an interesting idea. A friend of mine has been looking for things that truly appealed to her to benefit the community. What she stumbled across was BookCrossing. Basically, after you're done reading a book, you label it, leave it someplace to be found or give it to someone, someone picks it up, goes to the website and enters the number on the label, then they read the book and/or pass it on. You get to track where the book has been or at the very least know that you are spreading enjoyment and/or knowledge. I don't actually buy a lot of books, I try to borrow them as much I can. But I think this is a neat idea, so now when I do buy a book, I won't have to worry about it cluttering up my apt when I'm done!
