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There’s no one specific book for me to focus in on today, or even a collection really, but I think this is pretty cool: Amazon is doing a big sale on what it considers to be Kindle books for students. That includes textbooks (Understanding European Union Law, 3rd ed., for example; $2.39) and reference books (Merriam-Webster’s College Dictionary, $3.99) and even some other related releases, like a study guide for the steps towards getting one’s PhD.

Now, I’m a nerd and I like books and learning and all that nonsense, so I intend to go through and see if there’s anything up my alley (I notice that a couple of Seth Godin’s books appear in the “Business” section so it might finally be time for me to grab one of those, for example).

The prices seem to range a lot; I’m seeing things as low as the usual $0.99 up to about $9.99, with most in the range of $2 to $5. Definitely a good deal for students, though I’m not sure how many will be lucky enough to find a textbook they need in there. (The idea is probably more to make them go “Oh hey, that’s an idea” and search for the book(s) they need, notice the relatively low price even if it’s not on sale, and buy.)

Anyway, if I buy anything, I’ll update this post later.

Title: The Other Guy’s Bride
Price: $0.99
Author: Connie Brockway (The Golden Season, Skinny Dipping)
Publisher: Montlake Romance / Amazon
Genre: Fiction – Romance

Publisher’s Summary:

Determined to prove her worth as a budding archeologist, Ginesse Braxton vows to solve one of the world’s greatest mysteries–to find the location of the lost city of Zerzura. Unfortunately, no man dares take the risk of escorting the resolute young scholar across the open desert. But on her way to Egypt, Ginesse engages in a daring deception–she will switch places with Mildred Whimpelhall, who is traveling to meet her fiancé.

Cynical adventurer Jim Owen will do anything to escape the dark secrets of his troubled past. Betrayed by the woman he loved, scorned by proper society, he agrees to carry out a danger-fraught task: escort Mildred Whimpelhall across a lawless desert to her intended. But Jim is about to learn that “Mildred” isn’t exactly what she seems . . . and the dangers they face together are eclipsed only by an even greater peril: falling in love, against all reason, with another guy’s bride . . .

Conclusion: Not Buying

The Mummy, with supernatural elements replaced by a stupid identity-swap plotline? Iiiiiii don’t think so.

Title: 1,000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die
Price: $0.99
Author: Tom Moon (Music critic, Miami Herald)
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company
Genre: Nonfiction – Music

Publisher’s Summary:

The musical adventure of a lifetime. The most exciting book on music in years. A book of treasure, a book of discovery, a book to open your ears to new worlds of pleasure. Doing for music what Patricia Schultz—author of the phenomenal 1,000 Places to See Before You Die—does for travel, Tom Moon recommends 1,000 recordings guaranteed to give listeners the joy, the mystery, the revelation, the sheer fun of great music.

Conclusion: Not Buying

Seriously, why would I buy this when I can get a similar list from The Guardian, for free, with links to Spotify where available? (Though admittedly, the full playlist would have been even more convenient, but still).

The only selling point would have to be the song’s author, and I’m not especially familiar with Tom Moon. That may just be because I don’t follow music journalism really, but let’s face it— people who DO will probably already know the vast majority of the songs in the book. Just a guess.

You want my $0.99? Give me a book of Bob Dylan’s top 1000 songs. Or David Bowie’s. Mick Jagger’s. Lady Gaga’s. At least I’d be curious. Or better yet: the title is “1000 Recordings” so why not give something other than songs? 1000 recordings of people talking, be they comedy, political speeches, or whatever. Something I’m less likely to find EVERY SINGLE PERSON’S OPINION ON EVER on the Internet.