I'm feeling rather blue this evening.

There's an author--never mind who--it's not really germane--whose books I have collected for 16 years. An author who, I might add, is rather prolific--and steadily releases two, sometimes even three books a year.

A few years back, she got so popular, that her books started being released in hardback (UGH!!!) a year before they were released in paperback...which has meant I've wound up always being a year behind her newest releases, since I REFUSE to buy, or even read, modern hardbacks. (Too big--too hard to hold, and usually the paper feels icky. I HATE reading a book with icky paper! )

Anyhoo--one of her hardbacks was coming out in paperback this month, and I've been all excited about it--even to the point of rereading a good 20 or my favorite of her books in the last few of weeks, to "get in the mood" for this one. Heck, I spent two hours this weekend rearranging my bookshelves, just so I'd have room for her latest book--as she'd overflowed her area--and I was starting to stack her books on top of her books..

So tonight...I headed to the bookstore after work--to renew my Barnes and Noble membership, and purchase her latest. I got out of work late--around 8--but that still gave me plenty of time to finish the book up before bedtime, and I was eagerly anticipating devouring it--starting with the ride home, on the T. (Oh, who am I kidding? Starting with standing in line to PAY for the silly thing! )

But alas! When I got to the bookstore, I discovered that the book had been published in a "premium edition"--which is *like* a standard paperback, but about an inch and a half taller, with wider spaces between the lines. It's bigger. Bulkier. Top heavy--longer, and thinner than a normal paperback. Does not fit neatly in a coat pocket. Does not fit in a small purse. It does not tuck comfortably under my arm, when I'm juggling lots of things...nor does it fit in the "small" pocket in my backpack--the place where I keep things I need to be able to reach in a hurry--like books, and cash. It doesn't match the rest of my paperbacks...and won't fit on the bookshelves I had designed with paperbacks in mind--it's too tall. And while it will fit in a "normal" bookshelf, it's a weird size, and means you can't stack books on top of the other books--because it sticks out.

Oh yeah, and it's $2 more than a regular paperback.

I bought one a couple of years ago, when I was simply desperate for a book, and another of my favorite authors had a new one out, in that edition. ("Specially made, to be easier to read!", read the blurb on the book!) I didn't like the looks of it, but I WAS desperate--and I bought it anyway.

And have regretted it ever since. It sits on in a place of disgrace, on one of the bookshelves in my bathroom (doesn't everyone have bookshelves in their bathroom?!), and I feel rather disgruntled, every time I see it.

So no WAY was I buying another one.

I bought a new Anne McCaffrey, instead. Or rather Todd McCaffrey--but you know what I mean. (If you're in the know, that is! )

And the new Pern book is okay...but I'm oh-so-sad to be missing out on this new book...and am even sadder, because it's entirely possible that this might be the new trend for this author--and that means I won't be buying her (new) books anymore...and finding new authors I enjoy isn't easy, these days!

I've written to the author...and I'm trying to locate an email or physical address for the publisher, to write to them, as well, but I doubt it'll make a difference. Still--if you aren't part of the solution, then you're part of the problem, right? And they DID bring back Classic Coke, when the public protested--so maybe it *will* make a difference....maybe.

But for now, I'm just...sad.

(However, I just opened my email...and I see has sent me an ecard--so I'm pretty sure that will perk me up a bit! )

EDIT: Yeah, I was right. The card from *kayceeus perked me right up. She always knows how to make me laugh--and she didn't even know I was feeling blue this evening! How's THAT, for timing??!

Footnotes:



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One of my favorite entries, in my all-time favorite blog - Creating Passionate Users. Prepare to be challenged by it!