Colour me confused

[aspectabund.livejournal.com]

 Sooo it just occurred to me to preorder Conspiracy of Kings, so I went over to Amazon, and was perplexed to see the hardcover available by the usual release date, 23 March, as well as this mystical version that is slightly more expensive than the hardcover, and says it is available the TENTH of March, and that it is "library binding." This begs two questions:

1. What the crap is library binding and how is it different from hardcover?

2. Why is the date earlier?

3. Why do I have eight unmatched socks in my sock drawer? WHERE DID THEIR MATES GO?

Any answers would be totally cool beans.

Comments

[khek.livejournal.com]

Library bindings have slightly tougher spines, and are supposedly more durable and meant for library circulation (i.e. dozens of people reading it, instead of just one reader multiple times). They're a little more expensive, because there's more effort put into the spine.

I don't know why the date is earlier. Libraries often do get books a few days or even a week or two before bookstores, so they can be processed and ready on time for the release date. Maybe that's why?

(Oh, and that link is to the Canadian amazon...is that why? Or are you comparing the Canadian trade and library editions?)

[aspectabund.livejournal.com]

Haha, nope, I'm Canadian is why I'm linking to the Canadian version. Normal Amazon is in American $$$, and it usually costs more to buy from the American site, even if I'm buying the same book.

Want... book... earlier... if possible... :I

[khek.livejournal.com]

...and if I'd clicked on *both* links, I would have figured that out! :D

So did you figure out that the sock monster took the mates?

[(Anonymous)]

Maybe she had a moment of clarity and realized socks don't *need* mates.

~mwt
(who does not match her socks)

[(Anonymous)]

lol i was forced into figuring that one out after my mum stopped doing my laundry :/

*shurgs*

[agh-4.livejournal.com]

Nnh....! I DON'T MATCH MY SOCKS EITHER! I HAVEN'T SINCE FIFTH GRADE! OH, I AM SO HAPPY NOW!!!!!
Ok, everyone. Sorry for that fanly outburst. Megan Whalen Turner, you just added another entry to the why-you're-awesome-and-amazing list.
~ A very happy Agh.
PS. Or maybe someone stole them, of course. (Besides the usual suspect, this could be one of my cats, who steals socks and other small items of clothing from neighbors' clotheslines and brings them home as trophies. He's special.)

[aspectabund.livejournal.com]

Aw yeah. Stickin' it to the man with rebelliously unmatched socks. It feels so wrong... yet SO RIGHT. C:

[thelasteddis.livejournal.com]

Now see, if my socks don't match my mom yells at me.

*wonders if this written proof that a published author doesn't match her socks will count for something*

[hazelwillow.livejournal.com]

Borrowers. Blame it on the Borrowers. The socks, I mean.

[aspectabund.livejournal.com]

Ew. I don't want little people living in my house. :C

[elle-winters.livejournal.com]

i AGREE

*shoos borrowers off*

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

And they stole my candy!

Evil borrowers hiding in their little mouse holes...

[thelasteddis.livejournal.com]

Oh come on. They're cute.

*would love to have little people in her house*

[newsboyhat.livejournal.com]

the most likely reason is that they changed the date for the regular hardcover release, and forgot to change the library binding one (different isbns). or, it's just a glitch. that's what I think anyway ;)

[agh-4.livejournal.com]

While normal hardcover is pretty ordinary, library binding is made up of very special charms, spells, and things like that which make sure the book won't be opened or read by someone without a library card or with ill intentions. It figuratively binds the book to the library. Thus, anyone who ends up (accidentally or not) stealing it is plagued with guilt and bad hair days. And even more missing socks.

Well, I say go for it, and Pshaw! to the extra silver. Time is money, isn't it? (Although you should BUY the time in this case. Not steal it, although ...)
So how's that? Lukewarm beans?

[aspectabund.livejournal.com]

I don't like my beans piping hot ANYWAY, hahah. Does library binding have magic that say, prevents water damage when you dunk it in the tub? Cos I have done that so many time it saddens me. :C

[elle-winters.livejournal.com]

*pats* I'm sure it does hun, I'm sure it does...*coughnopecough*

[aspectabund.livejournal.com]

:'C

[agh-4.livejournal.com]

Do you READ in the tub, like Marat?
Hmm, hard to say. Sometimes the binding takes awhile to start working. Also, the technology is kind of new, so it depends on the book. Have no fear. (But if you're worried about offending the gods, all you need to do is ... well, don't ask me, ask the librarians. I know they're here...)

[aspectabund.livejournal.com]

Haha, yes, but I hope not too much like Marat, lest I be assassinated in my tub as well. :I

Also, Marat-related: http://beatonna.livejournal.com/85060.html

[spellcoats.livejournal.com]

Who doesn't read in the tub?

[kitsune-rains.livejournal.com]

I think they must. I have had first-hand experience of the fool proofiness hardiness of library books.

[willow-41z.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry, did you need those back?

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

So Willow is the sock monster... Or are you really a borrower with a tiny computer?

[elle-winters.livejournal.com]

XD