Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction discussion

That would be insane. :)

It sure would! Imagine! *faints*

I see a lot of discussions here, that mention ordering/waiting for/getting books from local libraries. Nothing wrong with that. Our library system here in Denmark is (in my opinion) second to none. If you're Danish or Danish speaking. Which, luckily, I am now.
However, I have always preferred owning and keeping my books. I always buy, not loan (I mostly loan music from our library). I buy hardback as well, if possible.
Do you?
Don't you? Why not?
I see buying as supporting authors. If they don't earn money (library loans ain't gonna keep a roof over their heads) we don't get their books to enjoy.
There you go.

I buy the books my favourite authors release in a series that I follow, eg Bernard Cornwell, Robert Low and I try new authors sometimes if they are writing in a favoured era eg James Aitcheson, but I cannot afford to buy every book I want to read.

I'm afraid I don't have much in the budget for luxuries and if I was not in my library I would not be reading many books. I would have to buy them to read them. I do not have many used book stores around me either, but even used books are not cheap. Not a few dollars each like they used to be 10 years ago or something.

So, great though it is to support every author we read with money, people generally do not have the money to do that and they need the library.

By borrowing those books and then reading those books on Goodreads, which is the public domain, the author is getting exposure and with any luck, sales will eventuate that way.

Hardcover/paperback
I like both, hardcovers look good in the bookcase, but when I buy I nearly always buy paperback because they are the cheaper option.

Speesh wrote: "I see a lot of discussions here, that mention ordering/waiting for/getting books from local libraries. Nothing wrong with that. Our library system here
in Denmark is (in my
My house is filled with books. Hard cover and paper cover. They are everywhere. I try to keep them organized by subject. Every now and then I try to weed them (why do I need four French textbooks?), but I cannot throw away a book. I have donated to the library, Goodwill, friends, etc., and still my shelves grow. These ereaders do not take up very much space, and I can archive my books. I cannot afford to buy every that interests me. I would love to do the Jack Whyte(sp) October read, but the book costs $22.00. The book may or may not be good. I cannot find a free download, but if most of the group likes the book, I will buy one of his books.

For people like me who are on a fixed income, the library is a blessing. I could never budget $20-$30 per book when I read several a week. I am also an author and I realize authors have to eat too. Kindle has also been great as i have over 600 books on mine, the majority free, some 99 cents and a couple over that. So from my standpoint as an avid reader, I love the library.

Speesh wrote: "I see a lot of discussions here, that mention ordering/waiting for/getting books from local libraries. Nothing wrong with that. Our library system here in Denmark is (in my opinion) second to none...."

I am like Terri in that I, too, buy my books of only my favorite authors. However, when I do buy one, it has to be a hardcover and, preferably, a first edition. I very seldom do buy them, though, as money is an issue. That is one of the few benefits of getting the boys grown up and out is that then, I will be able to afford a little more of things I like... books, motorhome, more books, more bullets, even more books- you get the picture! lol

I use my library for group-read books. My in person book club is sponsored by and meets at the library and they, actually, set aside the books for us. I also belong to a women's group on here and the books most voted for are often chick-lit, which are usually not worth buying. I do have a long, long list of classics that I want to buy, also.

My husband had a kindle that I have adopted because he has an ipad now, but I play a word game and have only read one book on it. I was surprised at how easy it was to read on it! I just prefer the feel and smell of real books, especially hardbacks. Not to mention, they look nice on the bookshelves and can last longer than paperbacks. I hope that, generations from now, my family will be intrigued with the variety of books in the Bulls library and that there will be a little of something for everyone. 8-D

Everyone has a preference, and that is good. The public library is one of the best programs in the USA. (It and the county health department. Pediatricians even reccommend it.) If my favorite authors put out a new books, I buy through B&N on the Nook Color. There many good free ebooks that are downloadable. I usually don't have an app that will open them. The best thing about the ereader is reading for authors. I have read for some really great authors!
Darla V, I would love to browse your library! I can trade you bullets for books! Lol My husband made a bullet maker. He doesn't use them, so now along with my books, we have his bullet collection. Weird. One more thing, when my boys left the nest (boomeranged[sp] once or twice) they left their Tom Clancy books here. Never thought I would love Tom Clancy, but I do.

We have bullet makers too, Linda. If you're not rich you have to make your own for cowboy shooting because those sizes are hard to come by. What size is your husband's mold?

My husband likes Tom Clancy so we have several of his books. I tried to read The Hunt for Red October but got too bogged down by the extreme detail and could not finish. I haven't tried another, though.

I have noticed that about you, though, that you like a broader array of styles than I do. I really admire that! What, pray tell, do you mean by "reading for authors"?

I think Linda means, although I could be wrong, that she is picking up free Indie authors around Goodreads and is reading some Indie books that she likes??
Is that what you mean, Linda?

I have been an avid user of the library my whole life, there is no way I could afford to buy all the books I want to read.
I've had a full bookshelf almost as long as I've been able to read. I buy almost everything used and almost all paperback. Again because of the cost, I can't afford to pay over $10 for new paperbacks and $30-$40 for every new hardcover. So I pay $5 for paper and $8 for hard at the local used bookstore.

Now you say that you loan music and in that respect I never do. I buy all mine, whether it's in the increasingly hard to find CD's or online. Music I like to own and musicians are finding it increasingly hard, unless they're Nickelback of course. :)

Music I generally have to own also. I have been given some by not so legitimate means. I cannot lie.
For the most part however, I need to buy the CD.

Terri, I was thinking about your idea to start writing a novel/book/something. Did you get started? Are you past the "It was a dark and stormy night" stage?
Or maybe you commented about this in another thread?
Yes, I know, I'm curious...

Terri wrote: "I think Linda means, although I could be wrong, that she is picking up free Indie authors around Goodreads and is reading some Indie books that she likes??
Is that what you mean, Linda?"

Yes.

Darla V wrote: "We have bullet makers too, Linda. If you're not rich you have to make your own for cowboy shooting because those sizes are hard to come by. What size is your husband's mold?

My husband likes Tom C..."

Terri wrote: "I think Linda means, although I could be wrong, that she is picking up free Indie authors around Goodreads and is reading some Indie books that she likes??
Is that what you mean, Linda?"
Yes to what Terri said. Yes, I do read a broad array of styles. Check out some other Tom Clancy books. THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER is technical and long with too many acronyms. About the bullet molds: 22 calibre to 44 magnum. I am sorry I missed the comments. I am reading
Quo Vadis and failed to check my comments. I found QUO VADIS free at Project Gutenberg. I believe Leon Uris' EXODUS can be found there because EXODUS is historically significant.

I am very interested in the bullet maker. I have about 1/2 box of ammo which isn't near enough. My gun uses .357 magnum bullets. Where do you find bullet makers?

Simona wrote: "Terri, I was thinking about your idea to start writing a novel/book/something. Did you get started? Are you past the "It was a dark and stormy night" stage?
Or maybe you commented about this in ano..."

Hi Simona,
I got to halfway over a year ago and lost my mojo. I still haven't got back to it. I have wanted to for months, but I never get very inspired in winter. I have been waiting for Spring and Summer and the warm, sunny weather. Which is now here. I hope to start writing again in the next couple weeks.
Thanks for remembering that I was trying to get passed a writer's block, Simona. :)

Anne wrote: "I am very interested in the bullet maker. I have about 1/2 box of ammo which isn't near enough. My gun uses .357 magnum bullets. Where do you find bullet makers?"

Bullet molds for your gun are available here: http://www.midwayusa.com/find?userSea...+

If you have never made bullets before, the initial setup can be a bit expensive but it will be less per bullet if you shoot a lot. These molds are for you to melt lead and make the top portion of your bullet. You then have to purchase the shells, primers, and powder then you prime and load the shells then crimp the bullets onto them. I don't know how familiar you are with reloading so I apologize if you feel that I am explaining it too simply.

Terri wrote: "Thanks for remembering that I was trying to get passed a writer's block, Simona..."

Just waiting to click on the "become a fan" button here on GR.

Ha. You'll be waiting a long time. :D

Darla V wrote: "Anne wrote: "I am very interested in the bullet maker. I have about 1/2 box of ammo which isn't near enough. My gun uses .357 magnum bullets. Where do you find bullet makers?"

Bullet molds for you..."

Thats fine, Darla. It sounds like it may be a wee bit more than I could handle. But thanks for the info.

Terri wrote: "Ha. You'll be waiting a long time. :D"

then I will. ;)

Simona wrote: "Terri wrote: "Ha. You'll be waiting a long time. :D"

then I will. ;)"

Lol. :-)

Terri wrote: "Hi Simona,
I got to halfway over a year ago and lost my mojo. I still haven't got back to it. I have wanted to for months, but I never get very inspired in winter. I have been waiting for Spring and Summer and the warm, sunny weather."

Wow Terri, what are you writing about? Half way is great! I only have about two pages of one novel, a variety of poetic pieces, and random ideas for other novellas- nothing that goes together with much of anything- lol.

It is a historical fiction story set after 1066 in England. I'm only really writing it for myself because I enjoy writing.
If I like it enough when I finish, I might send it out and see if anyone wants to publish it. But it is a small 'might' as I write for pleasure and I don't really care if it gets published. :)

Anne wrote: "Thats fine, Darla. It sounds like it may be a wee bit more than I could handle. But thanks for the info."

You definitely have to enjoy reloading and love shooting a lot for it to be beneficial.

Terri wrote: "It is a historical fiction story set after 1066 in England. I'm only really writing it for myself because I enjoy writing.
If I like it enough when I finish, I might send it out and see if anyone ..."

I hope that you like it enough! Is your main character anything like Uhtred? It's fine if you don't want to talk about your story before it's done, I understand.

Lol. No, he has more compassion and empathy than Uhtred. Tough as Uhtred. Less self absorbed though. :-)

Since Ancient & Medieval Historical Fiction Group was officially 1 year old on September 1, I decided to give the place a fresh new group avatar.

Hope you all like it. I feel that on our own personal home pages, where all our groups are displayed, it stands out nicely. Is eyecatching.

I like it, better than the other guy.

Me too.
I liked the 300 image when the guy that set the group up put it up, but after 12 months, I have grown jaded with it.

I'm like Terri and Darla V. I buy the books of my favorite authors such as John Sandford and Kerry Greenwood - and I do buy the books in Paul DohertyBrother Athelstan series, but not his others.

Everything else is library, opp shop or garage sale.

I need to own books - can't enjoy them without that sense that they belong to me. Also fussy about the state they're in, so I do tend to buy new books. It's my only expense, my only possession. I don't own house, car, er, much else. I eat cheaply. Quite a library though.

Nice new avi Terri. :) I like it.

Good. :)

Me too!

Since I did not like "300" one bit, I like the new image much more.

Bryn wrote: "I need to own books - can't enjoy them without that sense that they belong to me. Also fussy about the state they're in, so I do tend to buy new books. It's my only expense, my only possession. I d..."

My thoughts exactly.
Though, perhaps unfortunately, they aren't my only expense - speaking coming off the back of ordering the new Led Zeppelin thing and the Manic Street Preachers' 25th Anniversary 'Generation Terrorists'.
I keep my books in (as close as I can manage) perfect nick. normally can't abide beat-up spines. However, I did find a real gold-mine of second-hand, slightly less than perfect condition books down at the Lifeboat shop where my parents live a while ago. Someone with a very similar taste to me must have been spring-cleaning.
One advantage with e-books is, I suppose, they're always in perfect nick. And people generally haven't written a shopping list in the margin, like some library books I could mention...

Speesh wrote: "Bryn wrote: "I need to own books - can't enjoy them without that sense that they belong to me. Also fussy about the state they're in, so I do tend to buy new books. It's my only expense, my only po..."
I find ebooks a great way to replace paperbacks now falling apart that I can't replace anymore.

One of the advantages with e-books for me is that when I loan them out, they automatically are returned in 2 weeks. With "real" books I have loaned out a library-full of them over my lifetime and have NO idea to whom or where they went. Its not just an age thing, I've given away books in the "loan-mode" my whole life!! Saying that, however, I still buy and maintain a good bevy of "real" books.

That is a good plan, I have a couple I keep wearing out but I can't stand to part with them. :)

Can you lend ANY book or only those marked 'Lend Me'?

I have always had a Golden Rule with loaning books.
I don't loan books to anyone but my Dad. Period.

Of course, when I was in my early twenties I loaned a couple books out and they never came back, but that taught me the error of my ways. Since then. No loanie from Terri. (Unless it is a book I don't care whether it comes back or not and in that case I'll tell the person "take it and keep it if you want")

I don't lend books. End of story.

Amen.

Your friend has to have a Kindle also, and you go to your aaccount and find where it says loan a book-you choose a book and then find your friend's Kindle address and hit loan such and such a book to them. You can also gift a book to a friend also.

Ok. I have a Nook Color. I have some really good books that are Lend Me books. I would be glad to lend anyone my Cornwell, Iggulden, Uris and more becauses they would be electronically transferred(sp). Then I have the Nook to Android chip which gives me Kindle. I think lending through that would be very difficult. Anyone, go to my books on Goodreads, if you want to borrow something, please do so.
I understand not lending paper books. I have lost and gained a few myself (books).

Linda wrote: "Can you lend ANY book or only those marked 'Lend Me'?"

I have loaned books but only a few where it was more important to share what was inside with somebody than to have the book myself. I do not like to lend books because it is hard for me to afford them and I like to HAVE them and for them to look nice. Although, we have moved so much that many of my dustjackets have got messed up. I only loan books to my mom and sons.

Linda wrote: "Can you lend ANY book or only those marked 'Lend Me'?"

Only marked "lend"!

I must remember that I am talking about ebooks and others may be talking about hard cover and paperback books. If anyone can access my lend me shelf on my Nook Color, then by all means pick up a book. If anyone knows how to access by other means, then borrow. The free books and downloads through google
might be in that category. If there is a NOOKER out there we would be compatable.