Thursday, November 20, 2014

Kobo Now Lists eBook File Type and if it has Adobe DRM

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There tends to be some confusion among new e-reader owners on what formats their new device reads. Numerous Kindle owners try to buy eBooks at a good price online, only to  get disgruntled when they aren’t  compatible. In order to solve many of the top customer concerns Kobo now lists the format their eBooks are in and whether or not they have Digital Rights Managment (DRM).

When you are browsing the online Kobo catalog their is a new section at the bottom of the description. It is called Download Options and lists the eBooks are EPUB 2, EPUB 2 (Adobe DRM), PDF, PDF (Adobe DRM).

When you buy an eBook with DRM on it, the title is only compatible with Kobo e-readers and tend not to play nice with any other device.  Things get easier if you manage to find something that does not have any encryption, this means you can basically load in on your smartphone, tablet, e-reader or loan it out to a friend  and not need Adobe Digital Editions to facilitate the transfer.

The new download system is live in most countries. We have confirmed reports that Canada, US, Australia, UK all have it, but sadly not New Zealand.

Kobo Now Lists eBook File Type and if it has Adobe DRM is a post from: Good e-Reader

Support the People Who Make the Web with Google Contributor

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Advertising sucks in general, but we recognize it as a necessary evil in a lot of situations –not the least of which being a means to raise the funds required to keep the Internet going (or at least the content contained ‘within it’). Now, what if you could visit your favourite sites, and instead of seeing an advertisement block on the screen and being encouraged to click on it… you could just donate a little money to the site and not go through that dance? Google is betting you might just take them up on that offer, creating a new service that does that exact thing: Google Contributor.

Contributor is being labeled as ‘alternative monetization’, allowing us to designate a monthly fee we are willing to sacrifice in the name of Internet content with the promise of not having to see Google ads (though you will still see a pixelated box in the space where the ad would have been displayed).

Contributor is currently in beta, with participants getting involved by invitation only. During this phase, there are 10 publishing partners (like Mashable, Imgur, and WikiHow) with an opt-in dollar amount of $1, $2, or $3.

I’m not sure I see Contributor as a viable alternative to advertising… at least not in it’s current form. I would wager that most seasoned web surfers are already quite familiar with tuning out advertisements. Now, if I could see an ad-free version of the site (where the entire screen real estate was given to the content I’m actually interested in seeing), I’d be much more likely to toss in a few dollars.

Support the People Who Make the Web with Google Contributor is a post from: Good e-Reader

What do you Look for in an e-Reader?

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When it comes to buying an e-reader for the first time or upgrading to the largest and greatest, there are lots of factors to consider. Do you want a very large screen to fit a copious amount of text or are you looking for something with a great ecosystem to buy eBooks? Over the course of the last month we asked the question, what do you look for in an e-reader? 694 people weighed in and today we look at the results.

Arguably the most important factor people look for in an e-reader is a large screen. 25.43% of the voting popular made it apparent that when it comes to reading digital books, a very large screen makes a world of difference. High resolution came in second with  16.62%, which makes it quite evident that high PPI  and overall screen clarity matters.

Things were more competitive with the next tier down. 9.68% of the vote said that portability was important while 7.66%  mentioned that an e-reader with open Android is important. 7.66% of the population stated that price is most important while 7.23% of the said that a particular e-reader brand, such as Kindle, Kobo or Nook weighed in on their decision.

What was most surprising about this vote is that serious readers aren’t engaged with gimmicks such as GoodReads, X-Ray, Badges, social media or achievements. A paltry 1.01% of the vote said things were totally unimpressive.

What do you Look for in an e-Reader? is a post from: Good e-Reader

Oyster Launches Online Literary Magazine

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Oyster is hoping to appeal to literary buffs that aren’t currently paying for their eBook subscription service. The company has launched a new online book blog that will feature original essays, book reviews and interviews with prestigious authors.

Oyster's editorial director, Kevin Nguyen described the publication as the company's "latest discovery project," explaining that "some readers want algorithmic recommendations, and others want editorial recommendations, or reviews." He went on to say "We really want to be a part of the publishing community. We want to use the Oyster Review to bring Oyster to a new audience."

It remains to be seen on what type of traction this book new initiative will get in the greater book community. Many readers are wary of reading this type of content from a company that peddles eBooks. This is the chief reason why many people don’t pay attention to the Amazon book blogs and prefer 3rd parties that are unbiased.

Oyster Launches Online Literary Magazine is a post from: Good e-Reader

Washington Post App Exclusive to the Kindle Fire

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When Jeff Bezos purchased the Washington Post last year for $250 million, many people were wondering what role it would play on the Amazon ecosystem. There is a new Post app exclusively available on the Kindle Fire line of tablets. Users will get access to two editions per day which the editorial team for The Washington Post will release at 5 am ET and 5 pm ET.

The new app, with pre-loaded stories, pictures and even advertisements, was designed in close collaboration with Mr. Bezos, said Shailesh Prakash, The Post's chief technology officer. "We talked to him constantly," Mr. Prakash said, describing feedback Mr. Bezos gave to developers. "He's our most active beta tester."

The Washington Post app has been developed to replicate the experience of reading the paper as if it was in print, the "pinch view" feature in this app attempts to replicate that experience.

The app will be free for Kindle Fire owners for six months, and will then cost a dollar for the next six months. A version of the app will be available for Android and iOS operating systems next year, at $3.99 a month.

Washington Post App Exclusive to the Kindle Fire is a post from: Good e-Reader

Simon & Schuster Makes Buy it Now Button Optional for Libraries

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Simon & Schuster first got involved in distributing their vast collection of eBooks to libraries earlier this year. In order for libraries to carry their titles the publisher was basically forcing 3M, Baker & Taylor and Overdrive to implement a buy it now button as part of the arrangement. Many libraries and consortium’s did not want to sell eBooks on their websites and resisted carrying any titles by S&S. Today, the publisher relaxed their restrictions.

"From the beginning, the ALA has advocated for the broadest and most affordable library access to e-titles, as well as licensing terms that give libraries flexibility to best meet their community needs," said ALA President Courtney Young. "We appreciate that Simon & Schuster is modifying its library ebook program to provide libraries a choice in whether or not to participate in Buy It Now. Providing options like these allow libraries to enable digital access while also respecting local norms or policies.”

"This change also speaks to the importance of sustaining conversations among librarians, publishers, distributors and authors to continue advancing our shared goals of connecting writers and readers," Young added. "We are still in the early days of this digital publishing revolution, and we hope we can co-create solutions that expand access, increase readership and improve exposure for diverse and emerging voices," said DCWG Co-Chairs Carolyn Anthony and Erika Linke. "Many challenges remain including high prices, privacy concerns, and other terms under which ebooks are offered to libraries. We are continuing our discussions with publishers."

I think S&S  have relaxed their policies because libraries simply don’t want to be getting themselves involved with retail. Libraries exist because of public funds and forcing them to become a bookstore in order to carry specific titles is tantamount to extortion.

Simon & Schuster Makes Buy it Now Button Optional for Libraries is a post from: Good e-Reader

Simon & Schuster eBooks available without Buy It Now

The Simon & Schuster catalog is now available to purchase without the previously-required Buy It Now feature. In addition, Simon & Schuster titles are now available for Canadian public and government libraries. Public and government libraries in the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand may now add eBooks from Simon & Schuster without also having to offer a Buy It Now option. You can find Simon & Schuster titles in OverDrive Marketplace, and titles purchased will be made available to your users within 24 hours. Simon & Schuster eBooks are available with a one-year term limit from the date they become available in your library's digital collection.

If you have any questions, please contact your Collection Development Specialist.

Northern Ireland’s first Raspberry Jams

Liz: Andrew Mulholland is a first-year undergraduate student at Queen’s College Belfast, and the overall winner of 2014’s Talk Talk Digital Hero award. We’ve known him for a few years (he did work experience with us this summer – he created the Grandpa Scarer learning resource for us with Matt Timmons-Brown).

Andrew’s been setting up events to introduce other young people to computing for some years now. He‘s recently been running the very first Raspberry Jams in Northern Ireland, and is doing a lot of computing outreach with local schools. I asked him how the kids who’d attended the Jams had found the experience, and he sent me the blog post below. Well done Andrew – it’s brilliant to see how much fun an introduction to computing can be. You’re doing an amazing job.

Northern Ireland November Raspberry Jam

September, NI Raspberry Jam 5.

On Saturday 8th November 20+ soon-to-be Raspberry Pi enthusiasts arrived at Farset Labs for the 6th Northern Ireland Raspberry Jam.

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This months main activities? Sonic Pi 2 and Minecraft Pi!

At the Jam we also have all the previous months’ activities printed out, so that if the kids want to try something else out, they are more than welcome to.

There are activities ranging from Sonic Pi, to Minecraft Pi, to physical computing projects like creating a reaction timer game in Scratch GPIO, along with quite a few others.

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Lots of cool stuff to play with!

I asked a few of the kids at the jam to write down what they though.

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Haley (11) having way too much fun hacking someone else's Minecraft Pi game!

Haley:

“It was my first Raspberry Jam and I was quite nervous when I walked in but one of the mentors came over and introduced himself to me and explained what we would be getting up to. He found me a chair and showed me how to connect all the wires together and by the end of the Jam I was laughing my head off! I really enjoyed learning how to make music using Sonic Pi. I made the tune Frère Jacques. My favourite part was learning how to code while playing Minecraft. Andrew told me I should learn how to code because I had never done it before. I used a programming language called Python to hack others Minecraft games and to teleport them to a random place. I heard another kid start exclaiming after teleporting her several times, initially she had no idea it was me! Andrew and Libby were very supportive the whole day and I learnt a massive amount thanks to them. It was great fun!”

Apparently Haley enjoyed her first Raspberry Jam.

Apparently Haley enjoyed her first Raspberry Jam.

 Katie:

“I heard about the Raspberry Jam because one of the mentors volunteers at my school and the Jam was announced in Assembly as part of EU Coding Week. My friend Rachel and I decided to give it a go. I didn’t know anything about a Raspberry Pi and had no idea what to expect before I went but Andrew and the mentors have taught me loads and are very encouraging. I have just done my second Raspberry Jam and I loved it! I created a piece of music using Sonic Pi, played/hacked Minecraft and played with an LEDBorg in Scratch GPIO! Also we got doughnuts and got to make use of Farset Lab's huge blackboard! It is the biggest blackboard I've ever seen. I don’t have a favorite part because everything I did was great fun and everybody was helpful. I definitely suggest anyone my age giving it a go!”

Rachel and Katie creating music with Sonic-Pi 2

Rachel and Katie creating music with Sonic-Pi 2

Rachel

“I had a great time at my second Raspberry Jam at the weekend. The thing I enjoyed the most was learning with Scratch with the GPIO pins. This is something my school doesn't teach so I don't get the chance to do anything like this normally. It was great fun programming the LEDs to change different colours using a program I wrote.

The Raspberry Jam is such an amazing workshop and I am very grateful to Andrew and Libby for running it! I can't wait till the December Jam!!”

We didn't just have young people at the NI Raspberry Jam this month! The Jam is open to people of all ages, coding knowledge and backgrounds.

Never to old to play Minecraft! John (70) getting taught how to play Minecraft Pi by Isaac (10)

Never to old to play Minecraft! John (70) getting taught how to play Minecraft Pi by Isaac (10)

A parent:

"These events are really great. It lets the kids experiment with technology that they wouldn't otherwise have got the opportunity to use in school. Most schools in Northern Ireland don't seem to offer any coding opportunities for the kids so stuff like this is essential. And Andrew and Libby are great, giving up their Saturdays to come and teach these kids and my son!”

Next month is the Christmas special Jam! We have some secret new activities planned and of course, lots of food!

Some awesome cupcakes baked by @baker_geek for last months Jam.

Some awesome cupcakes baked by @baker_geek for last months Jam.

Want to come along to the next NI Raspberry Jam?

Northern Ireland Raspberry Jam is on the 2nd Saturday of every month with NI Raspberry Jam 7 (Christmas special) being on the 12th December at Farset Labs, Belfast.

Tickets are free! (Although we ask for a £3 donation towards the venue if able to).

The event is especially aimed at complete beginners to the Raspberry Pi or people just starting out, but we do have some more complex projects and challenges for you if you are an expert.

Special thanks to Libby (16) for helping me with this months Jam, and to Farset Labs for basically letting us take over the building for a Saturday afternoon!

You know when you are onto something good when you overhear one of the kids on their way out saying: "Daddy, daddy, can I borrow your phone to book next month's tickets before they all go?”

Interested in finding a Raspberry Jam near you? Check out our Jams page!

Weekly eHighlights: Adult Audiobooks Edition

We have nearly two hundred new audiobook titles worth considering for your end of the year budget.

Click here for the Marketplace cart of the title below and more.

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No Introduction Needed: Top Authors

David Baldacci – The Escape – Blackstone – read by Ron McLarty and Orlagh Cassidy

Maeve Binchy – Maeve's Times: In Her Own Words – Books on Tape – read by Kate Binchy

Suzanne Brockmann – Undercover Princess – Dreamscape Media – read by Erin Yuen

Suzanne Brockmann – Gone Too Far and Into the Night (Troubleshooters series) – Blackstone – read by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank

George W. Bush – 41: A Portrait of My Father – Books on Tape – read by the author

Lee Child – Not a Drill (a Jack Reacher short story) – Books on Tape – read by Dick Hill

Deepak Chopra – The Future of God – Books on Tape – read by the author

Mary Higgins Clark & Alifair Burke – The Cinderella Murder – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by Jan Maxwell

Andy Cohen – The Andy Cohen Diaries – Macmillan Audio – read by the author

Michael Connelly – The Burning Room – read by Titus Welliver

Bernard Cornwell – The Winter King (Warlord Chronicles #1) – HarperAudio – read by Jonathan Keeble

Bernard Cornwell – Enemy of God (Warlord Chronicles #2) – HarperAudio – read by Jonathan Keeble

Bernard Cornwell – Excalibur (Warlord Chronicles #3) – HarperAudio – read by Jonathan Keeble

Bernard Cornwell – Gallows Thief – HarperAudio – read by Jonathan Keeble

Patricia Cornwell – Flesh and Blood – HarperAudio – read by Lorelei King

Clive & Dirk Cussler – Havana Storm – read by Scott Brick

Janet Evanovich & Lee Goldberg – The Job – Books on Tape – read by Scott Brick

Richard Paul Evans – The Mistletoe Promise – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by January LaVoy

Michael Faber – The Book of Strange New Things – Books on Tape – read by Josh Cohen

Tess Gerritsen – Under the Knife – Dreamscape Media – read by Erin Yuen

William Gibson – The Peripheral – Books on Tape – ready by Lorelei King

Christopher Golden – Sons of Anarchy: Bratva – Macmillan Audio – read by Peter Berkrot

Mark Greaney – Tom Clancy Full Force and Effect – Books on Tape – read by Scott Brick

John Grisham – Gray Mountain – Books on Tape – read by Catherine Taber

Laurell K. Hamilton – Jason – Books on Tape – read by Kimberly Alexis

Stephen King – Revival – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by David Morse

Ann Lamott – Small Victories – Books on Tape – read by the author

Jeff Lindsay – Dexter by Design – Books on Tape – read by Nick Landrum

James Luceno – Tarkin (Star Wars)- Books on Tape – read by Euan Morton

Phillip Margolin – Woman with a Gun – HarperAudio – read by Hillary Huber

George R. R. Martin, et al. – The World of Ice and Fire – Books on Tape – read by Roy Dotrice and Nicholas Guy Smith

John McCain & Mark Salter – Thirteen Soldiers: A Personal History of Americans at War – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by John McCain

Haruki Murakami – The Strange Library – Books on Tape – read by Kirby Heyborne

James Patterson – Hope to Die – Blackstone – read by Michael Boatman and Scott Sowers

James Patterson – Private India – Blackstone – read by Ashwin Sanghi

Jodi Picoult – Leaving Time – Books on Tape – read by Rebecca Lowman, Abigail Revasch, Kathe Mazur, and Mark Deakins

Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child – Blue Labyrinth – Blackstone – read by Rene Auberjonois

Anne Rice – Prince Lestat – Books on Tape – read by Simon Vance

Lisa Scottoline – Betrayed – Macmillan Audio – read by Maria Bello

Brook Shields – There Was a Little Girl: The Real Story of My Mother and Me – Books on Tape – read by the author

Martin Short – I Must Say: My Life As a Humble Comedy Legend – HarperAudio – read by the author

David Foster Wallace – The David Foster Wallace Reader – Blackstone – read by various, including the author

Jennifer Weiner – Disconnected (short story) – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by Jess Weixler

 

Fiction

Gabriel Chevallier – Fear – Blackstone Audio – read by Clive Chafer
This World War I novel was published by a soldier in France in 1930 and was a sensation. Now in the Centennial year of the War, it is available for the first time in the United States. Booklist & PW starred reviews.

Barbara Cleverly – Enter Pale Death – Blackstone – read by Matthew Brenher
In 1933, Scotland Yard detective Joe Sandilands investigates the death of Lady Lavinia Truelove, who was crushed to death by a horse in what evolves into a expertly crafted locked room mystery. PW starred review.

Nathan Filer – The Shock of the Fall – Dreamscape Media – read by Bruce Mann
Ten years ago Matthew and his older brother snuck out in the middle of the night while on vacation with their parents. Only Matthew came back. Now he thinks if he goes off his meds he can bring his brother back. Booklist: "The story Filer tells is deeply affecting and insightful in its account of mental illness. And Matthew is a character the reader won't soon forget." Winner of the Costa Award and the Betty Trask Prize.

Charles Finch – The Laws of Murder – Macmillan Audio – read by James Langton
It's 1876, and Charles Lenox gives up his seat in Parliament to form his own private detective agency. A Charles Lenox Mystery. LJ PrePub Alert, Romantic Times 4 stars.

Assaf Gavron – The Hilltop – Dreamscape Media – read by Tavia Gilbert
Funny and entertaining, this is the story of Othniel Assis, who sees a perfect plot of land on which to grow vegetables. Before he knows it, he is joined by others, and the small West Bank plot of land becomes a settlement which the government says doesn't exist, the military says must be protected, and when a reporter arrives, becomes an international diplomatic scandal. Booklist & Kirkus starred reviews. Winner of Israel's prestigious Bernstein Prize.

Lynne Hinton – Sister Eve, Private Eye – Blackstone – read by Hillary Huber
A Harley driving nun takes a leave from the convent in order to care for her father, a private investigator who is recovering from surgery in New Mexico when they are drawn into the investigation of a murder. PW starred review. Romantic Times 4 stars.

Lindsay Hunter – Ugly Girls – Blackstone – read by Kathleen Early
The poignant and hilarious first novel by an author whose short stories were called "mesmerizing," "exquisite," "visceral," and "incredibly urgent." Two high school girls with terrible home lives put on a tough act and constantly dare each other to try dangerous things like joyriding. But when they agree to meet their Facebook friend Jamie in person, they realize that the creepy reality is more than they bargained for.

Denis Johnson – The Laughing Monsters – Macmillan Audio – read by Scott Shepherd
Already named as one of Amazon's best books of the year, this literary thriller by the National Book Award winner takes us to Sierra Leone.

K'Wan – Revelations – Blackstone – read by Cary Hite
After vowing to give up street life forever, Animal is confronted by Red Sonja, his former lover, who reveals that he fathered a daughter, and that someone is trying to kill them both. Third in the Animal series. 50,000 print run.

Mark Leibovich – Citizens of the Green Room: Profiles in Courage and Self-Delusion – Books on Tape – read by Joe Barrett
Leibovich is the author of This Town, the bestseller that showed the muckraking tell-all about Washington, D. C. He's not back with a new book with interviews and observations of notable political and media personalities including Glenn Beck, Hilary Clinton, John McCain, and many others. Kirkus called it "humorous, incisive, and very droll."

Cixin Liu – The Three-Body Problem – Macmillan Audio – read by Ken Liu
English speakers get their first chance to read a work by the beloved Chinese science fiction author. Set against the backdrop of the Cultural Revolution, this first in a trilogy is epic in scope and vision, as a secret military project sends signals into space to contact alien beings. Nebula Award winning Chinese author. Kirkus & PW starred reviews.

Sarah MacLean – Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover – HarperAudio – read by Justine Eyre
In 1830s England, Lady Georgiana Pearson would just as soon not marry, but, unfortunately, after giving birth out of wedlock, her reputatin is ruined. She makes a deal with a publisher of newspapers to help revive her image, to make sure her daughter is accepted into society. Rules of Scoundrels series. Booklist, Kirkus, and PW starred reviews. RITA Award winning author.

C. B. McKenzie – Bad Country – Blackstone – read by Mark Bramhall
A debut mystery set in Arizona and starring a rodeo cowboy turned private detective. Winner of the Tony Hillerman Prize. Kirkus starred review.

Lydia Millet – Mermaids in Paradise – Dreamscape Media – read by Cassandra Campbell
A hilarious novel about the discovery of real mermaids at a resort beach. When corporations move in to exploit them, the vacationers (including a Navy SEAL who loves explosives) rally to protect the mermaids from being confined in a theme park. By a Pulitzer Prize finalist.

Bradford Morrow – The Forgers – Mysterious Press-Highbridge Audio – read by R. C. Bray
A look into the rarified world of literary forgers, as told by a "reformed" member of their ranks who is investigating the murder of his girlfriend's brother, a rare book dealer. But is the narrator completely reliable? PW starred review.

Imogen Robertson – The Paris Winter – Macmillan Audio – read by Rebecca Night
Three young women friends become embroiled in a criminal plot in 1909 Paris. Expected to be a top pick for book clubs. Full of personality and rich historical details. Kirkus and LJ starred reviews.

Patrick Taylor – An Irish Doctor in Peace and at War – Macmillan Audio – read by John Keating
Ninth book in the popular series about Dr. Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly of the Irish village of Ballybucklebo. *LJ *says "Think James Herriot without the animals." LJ starred review.

Ashley Weaver – Murder at the Brightwell – Dreamscape Media – read by Billie Fulford-Brown
This debut novel by a Louisiana librarian is for fans of plucky sleuths. Set in 1930s England in a posh seaside hotel, young, beautiful, and wealthy Amory Ames tries to save her ex-fiancee who is accused of murder. Kirkus: "A spunky heroine, a tense romance, and red herrings galore make Weaver's debut a pleasant read."

 

Nonfiction

Peter Ackroyd – Rebellion: The History of England from James I to the Glorious Revolution – Blackstone – read by Ralph Cosham
Beautifully written, this is the third in a projected six-volume history of England, and covers the Stuart dynasty of the 17th century. Ackroyd not only tells the history of what happens, but also the story as it might have been viewed at the time. Kirkus & Booklist starred reviews.

Karen Armstrong – Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence – Books on Tape – read by the author
By the renowned and bestselling author of A History of God, this unique book looks at violence and religion–not just in discrete chunks like jihad or the Crusades, but by comparing the major religions: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, and Daoism. Booklist, Kirkus, LJ, and PW starred reviews!

Russell Brand – Revolution – Books on Tape – read by the author
The British comedian hilariously lacerates the 1%, the media, politicians, and others, while offering, with the help of experts, his vision of a fairer, sexier society that's fun and inclusive.

Paul Brannigan – Into the Black: The Inside Story of Metallica, 1991-2014 – Blackstone – read by Ray Porter
Volume 2 of a two volume portrait of the band. 60,000 print run.

James Carroll – Christ, Actually: The Son of God for the Secular Age – Books on Tape – read by the author
Carroll, a former Catholic priest, believes that to understand Jesus today, we must first understand him as a Jew. New York Times bestselling author.

Luke Dormehl – The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems…And Create More – Gildan Audio – read by Daniel Weyman
A technology writer takes a look at the many ways that algorithms already affect our lives without our being aware of it, and asks himself whether everything is fair game for "algorithmization." His answer, for now, is no. Positive reviews.

Kirstin Downey – Isabella: The Warrior Queen – Books on Tape – read by Kimberly Farr
Draws on new scholarship to portray the life of Isabella of Castile, who sponsored Columbus's voyage to America, pushed Muslims back into North Africa after 24 generations, and established the Spanish Inquisition. Pultizer Prize winning author. LJ PrePub Alert, Kirkus starred review.

Bartow J. Elmore – Citizen Coke: The Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism – Blackstone – read by William Hughes
Coke's secret to success has been more than its formula and advertising. Instead, the company produces only syrup and offloads the rest of its production costs, including recycling, to its bottlers and franchisees. In a world of abundance this worked well. In a world of scarcity, society is bearing the costs: 79 billion gallons of water to dilute the syrup annually, 8 trillion gallons more to produce the bottles and agricultural products, and its significant contribution to the worldwide obesity epidemic. Booklist & Kirkus starred reviews.

Martin Greenfield – Measure of a Man: From Auschwitz Survivor to the Presidents' Tailor – Blackstone – read by Stefan Rudnicki
The founder of America's premiere custom suit company who dresses presidents, and celebrities, tells the story of his life from the 15-year-old terrified boy who learned to sew in Auschwitz to sweeping floors at a New York clothing factory, to becoming the owner of Martin Greenfield Clothiers. Ranked No. 12 at Blackstone.

Mireille Guiliano – Meet Paris Oyster: A Love Affair with the Perfect Food – Blackstone Audiobook – From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of French Women Don't Get Fat comes a memorable look at the French appetite for oysters, the characters who harvest and serve them, and the compelling reasons why we should all enjoy them.

Anjelica Huston – Watch Me – Simon & Schuster Audio – read by the author
The second and final volume of the celebrated actress's memoir covers her on again, off again love affair with Jack Nicholson, her happy marriage to sculptor Robert Graham, and her devastation at his death. LJ PrePub Alert, LJ starred review.

Simcha Jacobovichi & Barrie Wilson – The Lost Gospel: Decoding the Sacred Text That Reveals Jesus' Marriage to Mary Magdalen – Blackstone – read by Bob Souer
In the British Library is an ancient manuscript, at least 1,450 years old and possibly older. The authors have translated the text into English and claim that it shows that Jesus married Mary Magdalene and they had two children. By the star of the television show The Naked Archaeologist.

Boris Johnson – The Churchill Factor: How One Man Made History – Books on Tape – read by Simon Shepherd
On the fiftieth anniversary of Churchill's death, the mayor of London, who began his career as a journalist, gives us this biography of the extraordinary man. LJ PrePub Alert.

Timothy Keller – Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God – Books on Tape – read by Sean Pratt
Christians are told to pray, but few are really taught how. Keller explains, and offers some prayers of his own for different occasions. New York Times bestselling author.

Gary Krist – Empire of Sin: A Story of Sex, Jazz, Murder, and the Battle for Modern New Orleans – Dreamscape Media – read by Robertson Dean
After the Civil War, New Orleans elites wanted to downplay the worldly reputation of their city, and compromised by pushing much of the vice into the 18-block area called Storyville, which also became the center for the best music. Richly detailed and full of colorful anecdotes. LJ and PW starred reviews.

Shawn Levy – De Niro: A Life – Books on Tape – read by Mark Deakins
Levy had access to De Niro's personal research and production materials, and has used it, along with interviews with friends and colleagues to write what Kirkus called the definitive biography. Kirkus starred review.

Carine McCandless – The Wild Truth – HarperAudio – read by the author
Carine's beloved brother Chris gave away his possessions, hitchhiked to Alaska, walked into the wilderness by himself and starved to death. His story was immortalized by Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild. But here is the true story about the dysfunctional family behind what really happened. 125,000 print run.

Kelly McEvers – NPR Driveway Moments Love Stories – HighBridge – read by various
You know what this is…when the book is so good you don't want to go into the house!

Bill Nye – Undeniable: Evolution and the Science of Creation – Macmillan Audio – read by the author
Bill Nye the Science Guy on not just evolution, but also genetically modified food, the search for alien life, and more.

Mark Owen – No Hero: The Evolution of a Navy SEAL – Penguin Audio – read by Paul Michael
The follow up to the multimillion bestselling No Easy Day which told the story of the killing of Osama bin Laden. Owen, which is a pseudonym shares more insider information on Navy SEALS. LJ PrePub Alert.

Andrew Roberts – Napoleon: A Life – Books on Tape – read by John Lee
Roberts uses the recent publication of 33,000 Napoleon letters, and personal visits to 53 battlegrounds to inform his massive one volume history of Napoleon. LJ PrePub Alert, LJ starred review.

Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker – Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love – HarperAudio
Two reporters at the beleaguered, nearly bankrupt Philadelphia Daily News are approached by a terrified police informant who is in fear of his life. They eventually uncover a corrupt narcotics department whose members stole, faked evidence, and assaulted victims. All the while, the two try desperately to balance motherhoos with their work lives as they infuriate the FBI and the police department. Ruderman and Laker won a Pulitzer Prize for their newspaper coverage of this true story. Booklist starred review.

Carlos Santana – The Universal Tone: Bringing My Story to Light – Blackstone – read by Jonathan Davis

Howard Schultz – For Love of Country: What Our Veterans Can Teach Us About Citizenship, Heroism, and Sacrifice – Books on Tape – read by Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Written by the CEO of Starbucks, who, until he visited West Point, said he was embarrassed at his disconnect with the military. This book is full of inspiring stories of veterans and aims to highlight their abilities in hopes of encouraging more companies to hire them on their return.

Mark Schultz – Foxcatcher: The True Story of My Brother's Murder, John du Pont's Madness, and the Quest for Olympic Gold – Penguin Audio – read by Stephen Mendel

J. J. Virgin – J. J. Virgin's Sugar Impact Diet – Blackstone – read by Tara Ochs
A two week plan to cut sugar from your diet to retrain taste buds. TV tie-in. 200,000 print run.

Nick & Kanae Vujicic – Love Without Limits: A Remarkable Story of True Love Conquering All – Books on Tape – read by David Franklin, Tara Sands, and Nick Vujicic
Nick Vujicic, an evangelical speaker, was born without arms and legs. He and his wife tell the story of their marriage and how they make it work. 100,000 print run.

Andreas Wagner – Arrival of the Fittest: Solving Evolution's Greatest Puzzle – Gildan Media – read by Sean Pratt
An award winning biologist with a great knack for explaining technical concepts for the layperson argues that evolutional mutations are more than just random luck. Wagner argues that there is a set of laws that allows nature to discover new molecules and mechanisms in much less time than random variations would take. Kirkus starred review.

Kim Zetter – Countdown to Zero Day: Stuxnet and the Launch of the World's First Digital Weapon – Books on Tape – read by Joe Ochman
Wired journalist Zetter is a cybersecurity expert, and here tells the thrilling true story of the U.S. virus that destroyed Iran's nuclear efforts–not just the software, but the hardware as well. PW starred review, LJ PrePub Alert.

 

Holiday Books

Collen Coble – All Is Calm: A Lonestar Christmas Novella – Oasis Audio – read by Pam Turlow
Bluebird Ranch pairs abused children with abused horses, and Brendan, a Special Ops/Intel man who has always considered it a little piece of heaven, thinks it's the perfect place to recover from his wounds. Then he meets Lauren, who had been at the ranch when she was younger, and he knows a woman on the run when he sees one.

Jeaniene Frost – Home for the Holidays – HarperAudio – read by Tavia Gilbert
They were just looking forward to a normal holiday–at least as normal as it gets for vampires. Night Huntress World series.

Sarah Jio – The Look of Love – Blackstone – read by Julia Whelan and Cassandra Campbell
By the author of Goodnight June. Jane Williams was born during a Christmas blizzard and has the rare gift of literally being able to see love. But she must identify the six types of love before the full moon following her thirtieth birthday or be immune from love forever. When she falls for a man who doesn't believe in love, she fears that her fate is sealed.

Joanne Huist Smith – The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle – Books on Tape – read by the author
How a random act of kindness transformed the lives of a family submerged in the bleakest time of their lives.

 

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