Saturday, June 19, 2010

Mr. Barnes & Mr. Noble Must Hate Me!


That's from the email they sent me this morning.  Glenn Beck?  Dean Koontz?  Tori Spelling?  You really think this is the stuff I want to read? (I don't know who the other author is, so I'll cast no aspersions her way.)

At least Amazon keeps track of what I've bought from them in the past and accurately suggests that I might enjoy a bunch of books I've already read, but purchased elsewhere.

Glenn Beck?  ORLY?

8 comments:

Steve Buchheit said...

Well, at least their shelving Glenn in the right category now, solidly in fiction. I'll take that as a progressive step in the right direction.

Eric said...

Oh come on.

Wuss.

Why should I be the only one who takes a bullet? And haven't you been known to complain about a lack of blog fodder?

What does it take to get you to man up and read The Overton Window, Glenn Beck's instant alternative classic?* Do I need to send you beer? Does Janiece need to send you preserves? Does John have to promise to let you pick the restaurant next time you guys do lunch? Does Jim need to give you wood?

Okay, maybe that last one was phrased in the best way possible....

What will it take?

-----
*For those unfamiliar with the term, "alternative classic" is a phrase possibly coined by mystery writer Bill Pronzini to describe memorably awful works. From early reviews, The Overton Window is full of unbelievably bad dialogue, boring plot "twists," hackneyed characters, inept descriptions and turns of phrase, and lots of loose ends (including characters who are introduced for no reason alongside threads that are quickly forgotten). Also, there's apparently an atomic bomb that kills between zero-and-three people (reviews have varied).

Alt-classics are the text equivalent of a movie featured on MST3k, in other words.

Eric said...

Looking back, I think I meant to say "wasn't phrased in the best way possible." However, since the typo is a distinct improvement, we'll pretend I meant it that way all along....

Nathan said...

I'm letting Jim off the hook for the part you've volunteered him for. The rest of you are going to have to pony up something if you want me to read that thing.

And I could be wrong, but don't I remember you getting the book for free as well? I think that would only be fair.

Eric said...

Well... yeah, Leanright did buy my copy....

But that was different... because... uhm....

(Help me out, someone! I think we might really be able to get him to do it!)

Nathan said...

As long as you're trying to get me to read stuff, I really, really, really would hate to have to read "The Information Officer" by Mark Mills. It's be sheer torture!

If anyone wants to make me suffer, go ahead and send me that too.

John the Scientist said...

OK, Nathan. I'll bring the book to the Apple next time I'm in town.

And you get to pick the restaurant.

Eric, he can't have beer. If he drinks beer, I'm duty bound to pound his ass.

You need to convince Janiece to send apple butter.

Nathan said...

I can have O'Doul's. Or if you guys really care about me, I bet you can find no-alcohol beer that's a little better than that.