[Swift]

Hey, Im not sure if this is the right place to put this but anyway, i was wondering if you could recommend any good book clubs in the Uk.

Ive found

www.fsf.co.uk

What do you think of the selections there ?


Thanks in advance. :)

[James Barclay]

This month, excellent! (Sorry, private-ish joke I couldn't resist).

On a serious note, FSF book club generally has a decent range and if you get hold of the magazine, you'll find more than is listed on the website. Most leading genre writers are listed from time to time and you'll also come across new authors and, given the value you can find from FSF, you might be encouraged to give them a try.

Book clubs are great for regular buyers and readers but make sure you understand your commitment before signing up.

[horribleman]

I reckon that once you've been a member for a couple of months the choice got stale. I joined for the free books and bought from 3 issues then decided to cancel, they allowed this as I said I had bought 6 books in 3 months which was better than the commitment of 4 in 4 issues.

But if you don't have loads of books already will definately be worth it.

[Rob B]

Science Fiction Book Club Topic in SCIENCE FICTION Section (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=539)

I've been a member of the US SFBC for a couple of years and think they are very good. I'm pretty excited that the will soon be reprinting Fritz Lieber's first three Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser books in one volume.:D :D

[SusF]

OHOH they will? I LOVE the Mouser series! Sweet!

Susan

[Sammie]

Swift - I've been a member of that very same bookclub for nearly a year now. I've found it very worthwhile - but then i am a very regular book buyer (a good point, NOM). The p&p is the same however many books you buy, so it's a good one if you tend to have a book-buying spree every month or so! :)

NOM is right, it is excellent this month *grin*, but amazon is much faster to deliver! *laughes at Cad and the other sillies who use their bookclubs in cases like this*

[Hobbit]

Swift - there's a lot of the moderators here who are members of both the US and the UK clubs (but not together, you understand!) NOM has outlined the case well, though Horribleman also has a point. They can be good value. You will often get Hardback books which are the size of a PB as club editions, but they come out at the same time as the 'regular' HB. You will often pay about £10 per club edition though there are deals (such as the editors choice) where by you will be buying this HB at the same price as the PB which will come out six months or a year later.

The US club seem to do a lot of editions that are produced for them as omnibuses. This is starting to happen in the UK club - the latest Megan Lindholm/ Robin Hobbs have been doubled up and sold as a HB for example, but we do seem to lag behind a little there.

Gripes - their packaging can be abysmal - I've lost count of the number of books I've sent back with covers, dustjackets and spines damaged in the post. Then again, others have arrived in pristine condition.

I've also had strange orders arrive and disappear - I had a problem about a year ago where they suddenly decided to send me double of everything in a book order I made, and then had to send a set back. I've also been in a position where they've charged me double but only sent one set.

On balance though, the advantages outweigh the disadv. I've been a member for about 10 years and they have enabled me to try stuff I wouldn't normally...but as NOM says, do watch that commitment - you do sign yourself up for a time and you must buy something from every magazine.

Hope this helps!

(Sammie - you wouldn't let it lie, would you? *grits teeth* :D )

Actually Amazon's packing is usually excellent (you pay more!) and their service is very good - but you don't get the offers like you would do with the club (unless you get in early).

Right - where's my commission? :)

[Swift]

Thanks everyone for replying.

Sammie could you possibly recommend some books that i can get if i join up. Im seriously considering it as i dont own many books really apart from LOTR and Song of Ice and Fire.

I need 5, so any recommendations out of what is available would be great. Thanks

[athenix]

Before I open my mouth, don't yell at me for having joined so many book clubs! (this is the same volume that I'd normally buy at a store or online, so it works itself out just fine). I'm a member of Quality Paperback Book Club, Book of the Month Club, Mystery Guild, Stage and Screen, and Science Fiction Book Club. Book clubs are a great way to get fantastic deals on books, some of the special editions are completely worth it.

It does require quite a bit of self-discipline - it's extremely important to remember that you don't send payment at the time of your order - but you WILL be billed for it!

Some tips for a good experience:

1. Don't buy anything that you wouldn't buy in a store or online otherwise. The amount of great books that you're only marginally interested in at a great price is alluring.

2. Make sure that you send the reply card back by the specified date (or submit your declinations/acceptances online). They *will* send you what you don't want.

3. One trick that I use is only ordering books that I want from the listings on the reply card. I will flip through the catalog and see if there are any exclusives that I'd like, but that's about it.

If you're careful about it, this can be a great way to attain books. Just be warned that the book club edition hardbacks are often smaller than the originals, and the paperbacks are sometimes larger than the originals (comparable to hardback size).

[Sammie]

Posted by Swift
Sammie could you possibly recommend some books that i can get if i join up. Im seriously considering it as i dont own many books really apart from LOTR and Song of Ice and Fire.

Hey Swift,

The first thing i'm gonna do i refer you to to FitzFlagg's brill new Recomendation thread (http://www.sffworld.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3179)

Having taken a quick look at the joining offer (http://www.fsf.co.uk/look/mag.asp) i personally would recommend The Chronicles of the Raven by james Barclay (yes you CAN read Elfsorrow first, but i don't know that you'll get the most enjoyment that way), Cavern of Black Ice by JVJones and maybe Robin Hobbs Farseer Trilogy as standing out. My advice, if you like the look of a book, is to have a look if it has been mentioned in the recommendation threads - maybe bring it up in one of them - and to find it on amazon.com, as they may have an extract you can read there.

Have fun :)

Sammie.