{"id":5733,"date":"2014-01-01T08:00:39","date_gmt":"2014-01-01T15:00:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/macblaze.ca\/?p=5733"},"modified":"2014-08-12T11:13:52","modified_gmt":"2014-08-12T17:13:52","slug":"books-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/macblaze.ca\/?p=5733","title":{"rendered":"Books 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

What I read in 2013<\/strong>
\nI recorded my reading in 2012<\/a> and decided to do it again in 2013.<\/p>\n

The count is slightly higher this year, although given my lack of gainful employment for a portion of the year it really should be more.<\/p>\n

The Books <\/h3>\n

(appearing in the order they were read)
\nGhost Ship<\/strong><\/i> Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (2011)
Liaden Universe<\/b> – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Dragon Ship<\/strong><\/i> Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (2012)
Liaden Universe<\/b> – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Shadowed Sun<\/strong><\/i> N.K. Jemesin (2013)
Dreamblood<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Furious<\/strong><\/i> Mike Shepherd (2012)
Kris Longknife<\/b> Book 10 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Harlequins Moon<\/strong><\/i> Brenda Cooper & Larry Niven (2012)
<\/b> – ebook;<\/p>\n

Spartan Planet<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1969)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook;<\/p>\n

The Inheritors<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1972)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook;<\/p>\n

The Big Black Mark <\/strong><\/i>A. Bertram Chandler (1975)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Far Traveler <\/strong><\/i>A. Bertram Chandler (1979)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Clan Corporate<\/strong> <\/i>Charles Stross (2006)
Merchant Princes<\/b> Book 3 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Green<\/strong><\/i> Jay Lake (2009)
Green Series<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

The Merchant\u2019s War<\/strong> <\/i>Charles Stross (2007)
Merchant Princes<\/b> Book 4 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Endurance<\/strong><\/i> Jay Lake (2011)
Green Series<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

The Revolution Business <\/strong><\/i>Charles Stross (2009)
Merchant Princes<\/b> Book 5 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Kalimpura<\/strong><\/i> Jay Lake (2013)
Green Series<\/b> Book 3 – ebook;<\/p>\n

The Trade of Queens<\/strong> <\/i>Charles Stross (2010)
Merchant Princes<\/b> Book 6 – ebook; <\/p>\n

Honor Among Enemies<\/strong><\/i> David Weber (1996)
Honor Harrington Series<\/b> Book 6 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

In Enemy Hands<\/strong><\/i> David Weber (1997)
Honor Harrington Series<\/b> Book 7 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Echoes of Honor <\/strong><\/i> David Weber (1998)
Honor Harrington Series<\/b> Book 8 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Ashes of Victory<\/strong><\/i> David Weber (2000)
Honor Harrington Series<\/b> Book 9 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

the Jazz<\/strong><\/i> Melissa Scott (2000)
<\/b> – ebook; <\/p>\n

Captain Vorpatril\u2019s Alliance<\/strong><\/i> Lois McMaster Bujold (2012)
Miles Vorkosigan Series<\/b> Book 13 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Curse of Chalion<\/strong><\/i> Lois McMaster Bujold (2001)
Chalion<\/b> Book 1 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Paladin of Souls<\/strong><\/i> Lois McMaster Bujold (2003)
Chalion<\/b> Book 2 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Tuf Voyaging<\/strong><\/i> George R.R. Martin (1986)
– ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Star Courier<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1988)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook; <\/p>\n

To Keep the Ship<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1978)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook; <\/p>\n

Matilda\u2019s Stepchildren<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1979)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook;<\/p>\n

Star Loot<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1980)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Anarch Lords<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1981)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook; <\/p>\n

The Last Amazon<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1984)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook; <\/p>\n

The Wild Ones<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1985)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook; <\/p>\n

Catch the Star Winds<\/strong><\/i> A. Bertram Chandler (1969)
John Grimes<\/b> – ebook; <\/p>\n

Poor Man\u2019s Fight<\/strong><\/i> Elliot Kay (2013)
– ebook (self-published); <\/p>\n

Terms of Enlistment<\/strong><\/i> Marko Kloos (2013)
– ebook (self-published);<\/p>\n

For the Win<\/strong><\/i> Cory Doctorow (2010)
– ebook;<\/p>\n

The Human Division<\/strong><\/i> John Scalzi (2013)
Old Man\u2019s War<\/b> – ebook;<\/p>\n

Heroes Die<\/strong><\/i> Matthew Stover (1998)
The Acts of Caine<\/b> Book 1 – ebook; <\/p>\n

Cobra Slave<\/strong><\/i> Timothy Zahn (2013)
Cobra Rebellion<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Agent of Vega and Other Stories<\/strong><\/i> James H. Schmitz (2001)
– ebook; <\/p>\n

Dragon And Thief<\/strong><\/i> Timothy Zahn (2003)
Dragonback<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Dragon and Soldier<\/strong><\/i> Timothy Zahn (2004)
Dragonback<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Dragon and Slave <\/strong><\/i>Timothy Zahn (2005)
Dragonback<\/b> Book 3 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Limits of Power<\/strong><\/i> Elizabeth Moon (2013)
Legacy of Paladins<\/b> Book4 – ebook;<\/p>\n

The Blade of Tyshalle<\/strong><\/i> Matthew Stover (2001)
The Acts of Caine<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Caine Black Knife<\/strong><\/i> Matthew Stover (2008)
The Acts of Caine<\/b> Book 3 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Caine\u2019s Law<\/strong><\/i> Matthew Stover (2012)
The Acts of Caine<\/b> Book 4 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Trade Secret<\/strong><\/i> e-ARC Sharon Lee & Steve Miller (2013)
Liaden<\/b> Book – ebook;<\/p>\n

Freedom\u2019s Landing<\/strong><\/i> Anne McCaffrey (1995)
The Freedom Series<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Deadman Switch<\/strong><\/i> Timothy Zahn (1988)
– ebook; <\/p>\n

Monster Hunter Vendetta<\/strong><\/i> Larry Correia (2010)
Monster Hunters International<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

The Atrocity Archives<\/strong><\/i> Charles Stross (2004)
The Laundry Files<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Manta\u2019s Gift<\/strong><\/i> Timothy Zahn (2002)
– ebook;<\/p>\n

The Paladin<\/strong><\/i> C.J. Cherry (1998)
– ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The WarSlayer<\/strong><\/i> Rosemary Edghill (2002)
– ebook;<\/p>\n

Tiassa<\/strong><\/i> Stephen Brust (2011)
Vlad Taltos<\/b> Book 13 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Course of Empire<\/strong><\/i> Eric Flint and K.D. Wentworth (2003)
Jao Empire Series<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

The Crucible of Empire<\/strong><\/i> Eric Flint and K.D. Wentworth (2010)
Jao Empire Series<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Dragon and Herdsman<\/strong><\/i> Timothy Zahn (2006)
Dragonback Series<\/b> Book 4 – ebook; <\/p>\n

Dragon and Judge<\/strong><\/i> Timothy Zahn (2007)
Dragonback Series<\/b> Book 5 – ebook; <\/p>\n

The Jennifer Morgue<\/strong><\/i> Charles Stross (2011)
The Laundry Files<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Red Seas Under Red Skies<\/strong><\/i> Scott Lynch (2007)
Locke Lamora<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Only Superhuman<\/strong><\/i> Christopher L. Bennett (2012)
– ebook;<\/p>\n

Old Nathan<\/strong><\/i> David Drake (1991)
– ebook; <\/p>\n

The Incrementalists<\/strong><\/i> Steven Brust & Skyler White (2013)
– ebook;<\/p>\n

Seven for a Secret<\/strong><\/i> Elizabeth Bear (2009)
New Amsterdam<\/b> – ebook;<\/p>\n

The White City<\/strong><\/i> Elizabeth Bear (2011)
New Amsterdam<\/b> – ebook;<\/p>\n

A Passage of Stars<\/strong><\/i> Kate Elliot (1990)
Highroad Trilogy<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

The Warriors Apprentice<\/strong><\/i> Lois McMaster Bujold (1986)
Miles Vorkosigan<\/b> Book 1 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Vor Game<\/strong><\/i> Lois McMaster Bujold (1990)
Miles Vorkosigan<\/b> Book 2 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Hallowed Hunt<\/strong><\/i> Lois McMaster Bujold (2005)
Chalion<\/b> Book 3 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Tyrant<\/strong><\/i> David Drake & Eric Flint (2002)
Raj WhiteHall<\/b> – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

March Upcountry<\/strong><\/i> David Weber & John Ringo (2001)
Empire of Man<\/b> Book 1 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

March to the Sea<\/strong><\/i> David Weber & John Ringo (2002)
Empire of Man<\/b> Book 2 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

March to the Stars<\/strong><\/i> David Weber & John Ringo (2003)
Empire of Man<\/b> Book 3 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

We Few<\/strong><\/i> David Weber & John Ringo (2005)
Empire of Man<\/b> Book 4 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Draw One In the Dark<\/strong><\/i> Sarah A. Hoyt (2006)
Shifter Series<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Stormdancer<\/strong><\/i> Jay Kristoff (2012)
The Lotus Wars<\/b> Book 1 – ebook; <\/p>\n

Come and Take Them<\/strong><\/i> Tom Kratman (2013)
A Desert Called Peace<\/b> Book 5 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Kinslayer<\/strong><\/i> Jay Kristoff (2013)
The Lotus Wars<\/b> Book 2 – ebook; <\/p>\n

Under a Graveyard Sky<\/strong><\/i> John Ringo (2013)
Black Tide Rising<\/b> Book 1 – ebook; <\/p>\n

<\/i>To Sail a Darkling Sea<\/strong><\/i> eARC John Ringo (2014)
Black Tide Rising<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

<\/i>Live Free or Die<\/strong><\/i> John Ringo (2010)
Troy Rising<\/b> Book 1 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Citadel<\/strong><\/i> John Ringo (2011)
Troy Rising <\/b> Book 2 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Hot Gate<\/strong><\/i> John Ringo (2011)
Troy Rising <\/b> Book 3 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

An Oblique Approach<\/strong><\/i> David Drake & Eric Flint (1998)
Belisarius<\/b> Book 1 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

In the Heart of Darkness<\/strong><\/i> David Drake & Eric Flint (1998)
Belisarius<\/b> Book 2 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Destiny\u2019s Shield<\/strong><\/i> David Drake & Eric Flint (1999)
Belisarius<\/b> Book 3 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Fortune\u2019s Stroke<\/strong><\/i> David Drake & Eric Flint (2000)
Belisarius<\/b> Book 4 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Tide of Victory<\/strong><\/i> David Drake & Eric Flint (2001)
Belisarius<\/b> Book 5 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

The Dance of Time<\/strong><\/i> David Drake & Eric Flint (2006)
Belisarius<\/b> Book 6 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Stand By For Mars!<\/strong><\/i> Carey Rockwell (1952)
Tom Corbett Space Cadet<\/b> Book 1 – ebook; reread<\/p>\n

Galactic Bounty<\/strong><\/i> William C. Dietz (1984)
Sam McCade<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

Danger in Deep Space!<\/strong><\/i> Carey Rockwell (1953)
\nTom Corbett Space Cadet<\/b> Book 2 – ebook;<\/p>\n

A Call to Duty<\/strong><\/i> eArc David Weber & Timothy Zahn (2014)
\nManticore Ascendant<\/b> Book 1 – ebook;<\/p>\n

95 books; .26 books a day; 1.8 books a week
\n       62 new titles
\n       33 rereads<\/p>\n

Once again my move to ebooks has been made manifest: I read zero bound books this year. It wasn’t my intention but I always reached for the convenience of an ebook when it was time to choose a new book. My eyes are getting bad and changing type size for light conditions is a bonus. I did take a few bound books along on trips as a backup but never needed them.<\/p>\n

I added a Nexus 7 (Android) to my collection of readers and synch that from Calibre<\/a> (still awesome!) using their wireless content server function. I also picked up a new Sony PRS T1 as the battery on my old Sony was starting to go. I have started to use its wireless function with the content server as well since it doesn’t need to be plugged in all that often. I do 99% of my evening reading on the Sony and most of the daytime on either the iPad or the Nexus. It took me quite a bit of experimenting with Android’s store to choose a reader but I settled on the Calibre Companion app to manage the books and FB Reader to read them. You can say a lot about the ‘open’ nature of Android but it is actually more of a pain to choose a good ereader from the dozens available than it is to be stuck with Apple’s default choice. I mean the reviews are worthless and you actually have to use it to read something to test out the functionality properly; that makes a quick and obvious choice almost impossible.<\/p>\n

THe iPad’s Books app continues to drain the battery like hell but I didn’t upgrade to the iPad Air like I intended so I have no idea if that has been fixed in iOS 7. I also did more reading on my iPhone this year: generally when I was waiting in line or had a few moments to myself.<\/p>\n

I also have been experimenting with audio books, listening to Isaac Asimov’s Foundations series in the truck. It has a bluetooth connection to my iPhone so I can just have it start up the book whenever I am driving alone. I suppose I might add another book to the total based on that experiment but we will leave that question to next year.<\/p>\n

This year most of my purchases were either Baen or Kobo. I did pick up a few from a new venture Open Road Media<\/a> but their list is still pretty limited. I am much happier with Kobo’s new store but seriously, what kind of book store won’t let you sort by Author? Ridiculous! I admit to spending time in Chapters for research and then coming home and downloading the books. Really… have the engineers and programmers at Kobo never<\/strong> been to a books store? Gah!<\/p>\n

And I am still madly in love with Baen’s eArcs. It is totally worth the extra money to read a book early. To be true the best and worst thing about genre fiction (SF\/Fantasy most especially) is the serial nature of the narratives. But damn, sometimes it hard to wait for a book to come out.<\/p>\n

I also picked up two self published books based on online recommendations (Poor Man’s Fight<\/em> by Elliott Kay and Terms of Enlistment<\/em> by Marko Kloos) and was pretty satisfied. You can see that the lack of a good editor does affect the overall quality but all in all the books were definitely readable and nowhere near as bad as the worst of the traditionally published books I have encountered. I have picked up the Wool Omnibus<\/em> by Hugh Howey for the new year and have great hopes; it has had rave reviews.<\/p>\n

According to Calibre I made 77 acquisitions since January 1st 2012. There were a couple of freebies, some open source stuff from the University of Adelaide<\/a>‘s excellent ebook library and the majority bought and paid for. I think my spending has actually gone up since I forsook paperbacks.<\/p>\n

After a few Xmas purchases (thanks Zak!) my total ebook count is now up to 318:<\/p>\n