I've been organizing my books and the biggest frustration in the whole process is stickers that won't come off without damaging the book. There's nothing so attractive as a big orange sticker on the spine of a book announcing that you bought it used, while also covering 80% of the title so you have to take it down to see what it is /s. Easily removed stickers exist. Why on earth wouldn't everyone use them? (End of rant.)

I saw a thread about alternatives to Amazon for fantasy and sci fi books. Unfortunately I saw this post a little late and realised no one had mentioned this indie book store.

Link: https://www.thebrokenbinding.co.uk/

Other than Waterstones I've been buying from these guys over the past year when they mysteriously popped up on Instagram and Twitter, quickly becoming hugely popular, due to their excellent customer service and active and quick responses via social media. Although they don't have as big of a selection as other online bookstores, they more than make up with their selection of signed, numbered and special editions. They also frequently have authors come in for personal signings. They're just about to start a subscription service which I'm planning on joining!

If you're also looking for another UK based bookstore than does special and numbered editions check out: https://www.goldsborobooks.com/

Recently I've been thinking about the manner in which the bookstore I work at has been stocking Martin's titles over the years. When I first started working at Barnes & Noble (in February 2004) we only had 1 copy each of the first 3 books of the ASOIAF series (and only in mass market format). I don't recall paying them much attention, and oddly enough I don't even remember the release of FEAST FOR CROWS (I must have seen it on the bestseller bay at some point, I presume). Starting around 2006 I began to notice customers often coming in and asking if A DANCE WITH DRAGONS was out, which is when I first began to pay attention to the series. Then, when A DANCE WITH DRAGONS did finally come out, I remember that in the week prior to its release, when we had all the boxes in the receiving room, one of my co-workers would hang around back there after his shift was done and read the book before it was officially released. Even though his consensus was "It wasn't worth it" I was fascinated by such obsession and decided to eventually read them myself, though that wasn't until 2013 (and after I had seen the first season of the show).

Anyway at the height of the show's popularity the bookstore I work at had close to 2 big bookcases devoted to Martin's work. Aside from the hardcover, trade paperback and mass market versions of the main series (plus the Tv tie-in covers), we had the box sets, the WORLD OF ICE AND FIRE book, the maps book, THE WIT AND WISDOM OF TYRION LANNISTER, the graphic novels, plus many of Martin's older non-ASOIAF related books (many of which were being re-published with new covers), and books that Martin had edited, like the WILD CARDS series. And that's not even mentioning all of the merchandise related to the TV show (DVDs, board games, POP figures, and so on). I remember one point (probably around 2015) where we were getting massive numbers of Martin's books on a daily basis. But then around 2019, following the show's end, it began to slowly trickle off, to the extent that now weeks can go by without us getting one new Martin book delivered.

Last night after we had closed I was sprucing up the fantasy section and was kind of shocked when I noticed that our Martin section has now shrunk down to 2 and a half shelves, and mostly all just the mainline ASOIAF books (and with some of those, we don't even carry the hardcovers anymore). And while there's still some books like FIRE & BLOOD and the Dunk & Egg one we no longer have titles l

The Scum Villain's Self Saving System, Heaven Official's Blessing, and Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation are the three gay Chinese fantasy romances that have achieved an extreme level of success, Grandmaster in particular with live action and anime adaptations, merchandise, games, etc.,

Enough that a publisher (Seven Seas Entertainment) finally licensed official English translations for all three works and is actually doing a very big physical release.

Reading options for these kind of works are often limited to unofficial fan translations online, so it's pretty wild that they are being displayed prominently in major bookstores including Barnes and Noble.

Just a really interesting and possibly watershed moment for fantasy publishing in the US, this is not the kind of content that historically gets physical releases at all, much less rolled out nationally across a mainstream bookstore chain like B&N.

Release announcement: https://twitter.com/gomanga/status/1470770473411788808?t=t6xaLo5xeNAWuLychz3TzQ&s=19

SVSSS

>This hilarious story of a man reborn as a villain in a fantasy novel series who ends up romancing the male protagonist is now in English, for the very first time.

>Half-demon Luo Binghe rose from humble beginnings and a tortured past to become unrivaled in strength and beauty. With his dominion over both the Human and Demon Realms and his hundreds-strong harem, he is truly the most powerful protagonist...in a trashy webnovel series!

>At least, that's what Shen Yuan believes as he finishes reading the final chapter in Proud Immortal Demon Way. But when a bout of rage leads to his sudden death, Shen Yuan is reborn into the world of the novel in the body of Shen Qingqiu--the beautiful but cruel teacher of a young Luo Binghe. While Shen Qingqiu may have the incredible power of a cultivator, he is destined to be horrifically punished for crimes against the protagonist. The new Shen Qingqiu now has only one course of action: get into Luo Binghe's good graces before the young man's rise to power or suffer the awful fate of a true scum villain!

HOB

>Born the crown prince of a prosperous kingdom, Xie Lian was renowned for his beauty, strength, and purity. His years of dedicated study and noble deeds allowed him to ascend to godhood. But those who rise may also fall, and fall he does--cast from the heavens and banished to the world below.

>Eight hundred years after his mortal life, Xie Lian has ascended to godhood f

Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, is purely Coinci Dental.

I had a great time today exploring the Abids Book Market. This is just a personal observation (not saying its a fact) but I felt the booksellers were really helpful and well spoken there. They won't hesitate to recommend other book vendors or stores if they don't have a book you are looking for.

Some may help at Koti too but the ones at Abids were just really good. It was fun and refreshing to visit!! Maybe we should hold the next subreddit meetup there xD

I increased the sampling temprature a lot so that's why this shit makes no sense. Anyways, here it is:

>Harry potter was a violent, unhurt wizard. One day, he decided grow his hand for Ron, his best friend from Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Ron was pointing Snape and said "you got a good look." Dumbledore stood drunkenly and roared at Ron because he was enraged by Ron's mouth words. Ron instinctively veiled his rock cakes. Hepzibah happily said "this is my friend James Potter." Harry felt that James was not remotely flat. James approached Harry and said "you might belong in Azkaban." Harry was glad. Dumbledore was trying to drown Mrs. Longbottom, alongside Hermione Granger, Harry's friend from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dudley Dursley was playing with his Playstation but he knew that Harry had feelings for him. Horace, Draco Malfoy's best friend, decided to remain bearded. Bellatrix showed Snape her eyebrows and retreated. "Moving 'arry potter tonight." said him. Mundungus fletcher stole fang the boarhound, bellowing with sarcasm. Fang the Boarhound knew that he must not speak now.

Okay, okay former bookseller here (I’ve worked part time at a bookstore for nearly all my adult working life. Books = happiness): One thing I have to point out is the “I Just Read a Book Feeling” everyone who reads the BOM all the way through and is a TBM talks about. This is literally just the same good feeling people get from reading any kind of book. I’ve noticed that people who feel it especially strong for the BOM are typically men who might be more inclined to read a newspaper or a magazine. Or like…the latest political tell-all from a right winger like Candace Owens. Or women who go onto media checker sites to make sure the books their reading are not explicit I.e. sexually activating in any way.

Avid readers get that rush of pure adrenaline mixed with a huge tasty dollop of dopamine after reading a good book, you know a book that GOT them. Here are some examples of those: Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Brandon Sanderson books, Red Rising, Where the Crawdads Sing, etc. you know the mega bestsellers who attract readers across nearly every age category.

Why is the BOM so successful at, in the moment, making people feel the adrenaline dopamine high? The repetitive rhythm in which it’s written. Don’t be fooled, the rhythm and style of this storytelling is quite addictive and excellent at piggy backing on biblical methods of storytelling to unlock that inner whatever within the brain that sometimes goes “good story, bro.”

However, avid readers of narrative storytelling find the BOM dull and repetitive and extremely untenable as a “story” to get behind because they can read critically and subconsciously know that the BOM is hat-rock drivel a-la Bible verses style.

So, I’m conclusion your TBM BOM is true people, likely aren’t big readers and love the BOM so much because it tricked their brain and gave them a dopamine rush.

Cold-blooded Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen looked at the gold f1 car in his hands and felt angry.

He walked over to the window and reflected on his bad surroundings. He had always loved fast Yas Marina Circuit with its rabblesnatching, racid rich people. It was a place that encouraged his tendency to feel angry.

Then he saw something in the distance, or rather someone. It was the figure of Lewis Hamilton. Lewis was a bold fast with hairy arms and grubby feet.

Max gulped. He glanced at his own reflection. He was a cold-blooded, mean, red bull drinker with tall arms and strong feet. His friends saw him as an ashamed, angry aggresive. Once, he had even jumped into a river and saved a greasy trophy.

But not even a cold-blooded person who had once jumped into a river and saved a greasy trophy, was prepared for what Lewis had in store today.

The sunny teased like driving lions, making Max unstable.

As Max stepped outside and Lewis came closer, he could see the uptight glint in his eye.

"I am here because I want the world championship," Lewis bellowed, in a brutal tone. He slammed his fist against Max's chest, with the force of 9967 snakes. "I frigging hate you, Max Verstappen."

Max looked back, even more unstable and still fingering the gold f1 car. "Lewis, I am champion of the world," he replied.

They looked at each other with jealous feelings, like two bumpy, beautiful badgers running at a very ruthless final race, which had classical music playing in the background and two clever uncles drinking to the beat.

Suddenly, Lewis lunged forward and tried to punch Max in the face. Quickly, Max grabbed the gold f1 car and brought it down on Lewis's skull.

Lewis's hairy arms trembled and his grubby feet wobbled. He looked surprised, his body raw like a gifted, green gun.

Then he let out an agonising groan and collapsed onto the ground. Moments later Lewis Hamilton was dead.

Max Verstappen went back inside and made himself a nice drink of red bull.

the wheels fell off

I am specially looking for an update on the traditional book placement model in local bookstores. With covid and bookstores being shuttered, and a lot of buying moving online, have genre distinctions fully stood their ground? There also seem to be a lot more crossovers nowadays, and not just in the YA space. These get packaged into the book's dominant genre, but is that how publishers (and booksellers) are still thinking when acquiring?

I've been reading Pat Roger's The Poet and the Publisher (2021) and in a number of excerpts from pamphlets Berwick upon Tweed is explicitly specified as seemingly a unique town. Any particular reason why Berwick upon Tweed is considered different to England and Wales in terms of booksellers?

THIS is Sonny Roccosta. Your run of the mill regen. Nothing too special, has a 4.5 star potential but probably won't turn out to be a stud. Nothing to see here.

But I hate him. Oh how I hate him with a fucking passion.

How did a player make his manager hate him more than AFC Wimbledon fans hate MK Don you ask? Well let me tell you.

Lets set the scene. It's the night before the Champions League final for OGC Nice, the biggest game the club has ever played in, against Barcelona. I call a team meeting, and the players file in solemnly one by one. Gouiri. Dolberg. Reine. The heart and souls of this club. They all take a seat, and the lights dim.

"I am so proud of everyone in this squad for making it this far. We set out as underdogs in this competition, nobody believed in us, but we made it to the finals. I know Barca are a tough opponent, but we've knocked out Real Madrid and Porto on our way, and we can take this final in Wembley to go down in history!"

The players look encouraged. A few nod in agreement. The atmosphere is heavy, but with a sense of encouragement. The players are ready.

Just when I'm satisfied with everyone, Sonny motherfucking Roccosta, a player that slipped into the first team squad on ACCIDENT because I signed him after his trial ran out with the team, pipes up:

"W-wow, that's quite a lot of pressure you're putting on us, I'm a bit shook now"

Every single player, staff and person with a pulse looks at this squeaky little shit from Saint-Laurent-du-Var, wondering how he got in here.

"I'm just not sure that's the way you want to motivate us before such a big game--" he continues before Gouiri slaps his little shit face and shuts him up.

So this is why I'm making sure it is my number one priority in life to make sure Sonny never sees the light of day in football. I'll sign him for the maximum number of years allowed, put every extension clause possible on it, and throw him down to train with the 16 year old shitstains until he is 37. I'll make it my personal mission to double his training and put him on strength focus so he lifts weights until his brittle little bones break from underneath him.

You've made a dangerous enemy here, Sonny Roccosta.

-Need to loot a item from resort? 10 player warzone at resort at all times

-Need to kill PMCs with baclava on my chin? 0 PMCs in resort for 10 raids.

The end.