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Science Fiction Book Club [message #53563] Wed, 01 May 2013 18:31 Go to next message
lynnef is currently offline  lynnef
Messages: 3
Registered: May 2013
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Message-ID: <2211@teklabs.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 18-Jul-83 13:26:51 EDT
Article-I.D.: teklabs.2211
Posted: Mon Jul 18 13:26:51 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 19-Jul-83 20:32:00 EDT
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 12

Does anyone out there have any recommendations about the SF Book Club?
Please *mail* all responses to me.  I am primarily interested in
fantasy-type science fiction.

Lynne Fitzsimmons

USENET:  {aat, cbosg, decvax, harpo, ihnss, orstcs
	  pur-ee, ssc-vax, ucbvax, unc, zehntel,
	  ogcvax, reed} !teklabs!lynnef

CSNet: lynnef@tek
ARPAnet: lynnef.tek@rand-relay
Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB [message #114456 is a reply to message #53563] Tue, 17 September 2013 15:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tlh is currently offline  tlh
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Message-ID: <1232@akgua.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 5-Feb-85 10:56:44 EST
Article-I.D.: akgua.1232
Posted: Tue Feb  5 10:56:44 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 6-Feb-85 06:08:20 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA>
Organization: AT&T Technologies/Bell Labs, Atlanta
Lines: 15

...
I've been a member of the Si-Fi book club for over ten years.
They don't get  the new titles right away, but their selection
of all titles is quite good. They usually have the better
books eventually. I can wait! Additionally, their prices have
always been reasonable.

If you want new titles immediately, you will get no bargins.
If you can wait, this is not a bad deal! My collection is
probably up to 300 books now, and I'm still backlogged on
reading.
-- 
...
                From the Pond of the Phrog
                akgua!AT**3
Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB [message #115551 is a reply to message #53563] Wed, 18 September 2013 18:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: lazeldes@wlcrjs.UUCP (Leah A Zeldes)
Message-ID: <549@wlcrjs.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 7-Feb-85 19:45:00 EST
Article-I.D.: wlcrjs.549
Posted: Thu Feb  7 19:45:00 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 9-Feb-85 06:25:36 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA>
Reply-To: lazeldes@wlcrjs.UUCP (Leah A Zeldes)
Organization: chi-net, Public Access UN*X, Chicago IL
Lines: 15
Summary: 

When the SF Book Club's editions cost $1.49 and paperbacks were $1.98,
it was a good deal.  Now that they've raised their prices so much,
it isn't worth what you pay for those cheap editions.  Better to save
your money for the hardcover, or buy a paperback reading copy.







-- 

					Leah A Zeldes
					...ihnp4!wlcrjs!lazeldes
Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB [message #115653 is a reply to message #53563] Wed, 18 September 2013 18:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: jim@randvax.UUCP (Jim Gillogly)
Message-ID: <2298@randvax.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 10-Feb-85 16:21:28 EST
Article-I.D.: randvax.2298
Posted: Sun Feb 10 16:21:28 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 07:40:25 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA>
Reply-To: jim@rand-unix.UUCP (Jim Gillogly)
Organization: Gillogly Software
Lines: 19

----
I disagree with the suggestion that one should join, get the freebies and
get out.  My copy of "Limits" arrived before Crown Books got it, and
"Moreta" was only shortly after.  Both were well before the paperbacks,
which is really what you should be comparing with.  For $6-8 or so, you
get a nice durable copy.  For some books this is important - I've gone
through 3 or 4 copies of "The Moon is a Harsh Mistress", and 3 of the
Tolkien series in paperback.  If you do much re-reading, hardback is
a boon.  Of course, I've ordered some sight-unseen that have gotten
to the next library book sale, but because of the (typically non-spoiler)
blurb in the circular SFBC sends, I have a better chance of getting a
re-readable book than wandering in and plucking SF paperbacks from an
author I don't know.

So I say it's worth it ... pick the opinion you want!
-- 
	Jim Gillogly
	{decvax, vortex}!randvax!jim
	jim@rand-unix.arpa
Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB [message #117429 is a reply to message #53563] Mon, 23 September 2013 18:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
wfi is currently offline  wfi
Messages: 44
Registered: September 2013
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Member
Message-ID: <27@unc.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 9-Feb-85 14:09:15 EST
Article-I.D.: unc.27
Posted: Sat Feb  9 14:09:15 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 18-Feb-85 06:14:59 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA>
Organization: CS Dept., U. of N. Carolina at Chapel Hill
Lines: 23

> I've been in the book club twice now.
> Overall my reaction to their selection is an old fashioned "raspberry"!
> They have a few oldies but goodies, alot of current (last two or three years),
> and VERY few new ones. Also, the new ones are never available till after they
> make it to the bookstores. 
> In other words, go for the freebies when you sign-up, but get out ASAP.
> 
> What we need is good old fashioned competition in the sci-fi bookclub market!!

I have to agree. I belonged to the book club briefly back in the early
'60s, and joined again about 2-3 years ago. I've purchased very few
books since rejoining, and recently got a form letter asking why I
hadn't purchased any books recently, and did I still want to be on
their mailing list?  

Typical recent offerings include every Stephen King book ever written,
Star Trek and Star Wars novelizations, a fictional account of a Third
World War by a retired military officer, and (as the above writer
points out) VERY few hot new titles. The quality of the books
themselves is mediocre: cheap paper, inexpensive binding, many typos
in the text. I've decided to buy titles I'm interested in at my local
bookstore in quality hardcover editions, and hang the SF Book Club
membership. I can't really recommend this book club to anyone.
Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB [message #117516 is a reply to message #53563] Mon, 23 September 2013 18:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
nairb is currently offline  nairb
Messages: 7
Registered: September 2013
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Junior Member
Message-ID: <196@ihlpg.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 19-Feb-85 18:45:51 EST
Article-I.D.: ihlpg.196
Posted: Tue Feb 19 18:45:51 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 21-Feb-85 06:04:38 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA> <27@unc.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 52

> I have to agree. I belonged to the book club briefly back in the early
> '60s, and joined again about 2-3 years ago. I've purchased very few
> books since rejoining, and recently got a form letter asking why I
> hadn't purchased any books recently, and did I still want to be on
> their mailing list?  
> 
> Typical recent offerings include every Stephen King book ever written,
> Star Trek and Star Wars novelizations, a fictional account of a Third
> World War by a retired military officer, and (as the above writer
> points out) VERY few hot new titles. The quality of the books
> themselves is mediocre: cheap paper, inexpensive binding, many typos
> in the text. I've decided to buy titles I'm interested in at my local
> bookstore in quality hardcover editions, and hang the SF Book Club
> membership. I can't really recommend this book club to anyone.

*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE, KLINGON SCUM ***

Although I am not totally satisfied with this book club, I still have to
completely disagree with about everything you've stated.

I also joined about 2-3 years ago, but I've purchased a lot of books and
have been completely satisfied with them.  As far as Stephen King, Star
Trek, Star Wars, and WWIII are concerned, you forgot Dune and the 
Hitchhiker series.  All of these books are heavily demanded right now, so
isn't it just common business sense to offer what the public wants?

I just can't believe what you stated about the quality of the books.  I
haven't purchased a single book yet that I have thought was cheaply
produced.  In fact, I've bought several from major bookstores that were
much more cheaply made.  Not many typos either.

As far as hot new titles is concerned, they do offer MANY, but not as many
as you could find in a bookstore.  

What dissatisfies me is their billing policies.  They made a couple of 
mistakes on my account, and they occasionally sent me books that I didn't
order (they did take them right back, though, minus postage).

I guess that overall, I would recommend the club.  My membership has
expired, and I plan to rejoin.



-- 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

> It's a poor atom-blaster that won't point both ways :  Salvor Hardin.


					President, T.A.S
					(Tribble Adoption Society)
Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB [message #117534 is a reply to message #53563] Mon, 23 September 2013 18:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Anonymous
Karma:
Originally posted by: keen@inuxd.UUCP (D Keen)
Message-ID: <711@inuxd.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 20-Feb-85 11:21:18 EST
Article-I.D.: inuxd.711
Posted: Wed Feb 20 11:21:18 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 22-Feb-85 20:26:44 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA> <27@unc.UUCP> <196@ihlpg.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Consumer Products Div., Indianapolis
Lines: 32



Count this as another positive vote for the SFBC.  I have
belonged for more than 20 years or 150-175 books depending on
ones viewpoint.  Granted that I was much happier paying $1.49
per book than the current rate, it is still a bargain  if one is
fairly heavily addicted to reading and owning science fiction
and/or fantasy.  It provides a needed niche for those books that
one wants to keep for long periods without serious deterioration,
but that do not qualify  for full hardback purchase price.  This
assumes that one has some limit to your budget and that you are
in the 75+ per year book purchase range.

Concerning quality of choice, I agree that the probability of
acquiring an excellent original published work from the club is
much smaller than it was 10 years ago, but I think this is
inevitable given the current higher acceptance from the regular 
publishing houses of the SF&F genre.  I also do not find
significantly lower physical or typesetting quality in the book
club editions than normal editions; maybe I have been lucky.

Finally, upon request, the club will allow you to change to an
order only relationship; that is, you will only be sent books
which you have  requested, rather than all books  which you did
not reject.  This can save a lot of hassle.

Good reading
Don Keen
AT&T-CP (Any relationship between AT&T and science fiction is
	 purely coincidental as is any relationship between my
	 views and theirs.)
Re: Science Fiction Book Club [message #117557 is a reply to message #53563] Mon, 23 September 2013 18:21 Go to previous messageGo to next message
knight is currently offline  knight
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Message-ID: <280@nmtvax.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 18-Feb-85 22:18:30 EST
Article-I.D.: nmtvax.280
Posted: Mon Feb 18 22:18:30 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 24-Feb-85 01:54:03 EST
References: <>
Reply-To: knight@nmtvax.UUCP (Bob Knight)
Organization: New Mexico Tech, Socorro
Lines: 21
Summary: 


I, too, like the SF Book Club a lot.  I've been with them for over 15 years
now, and have no complaints except, possibly, for the paucity of selections
available in their monthly blurbs.  However, I've found that you can go to
the teasers they send for new members and order books from there on your
monthly chits and win with no complaints from them.

Another point:  they are the type of club that requires you to send an
announcement back saying "nay" on the monthly selections to not get them.
A friend of mine said "I'm too lazy/absentminded to keep up with this" and
asked them to change him to a mode where he could order at his leisure (he
still received the monthly notices.)  They immediately, with no hassle what-
soever, changed him to that mode - and the announcements he received were the
same as mine.

All in all, I second the recommendation for them.  A breath of fresh air in
the (in my opinion, lest I get flamed) sordid world of clubs of various ilks.

Bob

"Yngvi is a louse!"
Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB [message #117568 is a reply to message #53563] Mon, 23 September 2013 18:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
davis is currently offline  davis
Messages: 11
Registered: May 2013
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Message-ID: <1653@hplabs.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 25-Feb-85 06:10:16 EST
Article-I.D.: hplabs.1653
Posted: Mon Feb 25 06:10:16 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 26-Feb-85 00:21:14 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA> <27@unc.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA
Lines: 28

> I've been in the book club twice now.
> Overall my reaction to their selection is an old fashioned "raspberry"!
> They have a few oldies but goodies, alot of current (last two or three years),
> and VERY few new ones. Also, the new ones are never available till after they
> make it to the bookstores. 
> In other words, go for the freebies when you sign-up, but get out ASAP.
> 
> What we need is good old fashioned competition in the sci-fi bookclub market!!

    I find that it is okay though not great to be in the Book Club.
In fact I am often in it twice.  I keep one membership for continuity,
and join a second one everytime I have built up a list of books that
I think are worth having.  The ones that I simply "have to have" I get
with the "continuity membership".  The SF Book Club in the long term
certainly stinks relative to the costs for a new member.  But it sure
seems worth belonging to.  (Right now I'm only in once, I haven't
built up enough that I want to re-rejoin.  (If they ever objected; I
think that that would be the end of my 8 year associations with them.)

    The books are comperable to some bookstore quality.  (In fact,
they are often identical.)  However, the prices have been going up,
though they are still ~< 1/2 of bookstore prices on the identical book.
-- 
----------------------------------
	Jim Davis (James W Davis)
Email:	{any_of_the_biggies} !hplabs!davis
Arpa:	davis%hp-labs@csnet-relay
----------------------------------
Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB [message #117569 is a reply to message #53563] Mon, 23 September 2013 18:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
davis is currently offline  davis
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Message-ID: <1654@hplabs.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 25-Feb-85 07:01:32 EST
Article-I.D.: hplabs.1654
Posted: Mon Feb 25 07:01:32 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 26-Feb-85 00:21:29 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA> <27@unc.UUCP> <196@ihlpg.UUCP> <711@inuxd.UUCP>
Organization: Hewlett Packard Labs, Palo Alto CA
Lines: 18

> Finally, upon request, the club will allow you to change to an
> order only relationship; that is, you will only be sent books
> which you have  requested, rather than all books  which you did
> not reject.  This can save a lot of hassle.
> Don Keen

    Are you sure; have you done this?  When I tried that they
said no way.  If you actually did get converted into a
positive acknowledgement basis, please send a copy of the
correspondence you used to that end.  I would like to do
the same.  Perhaps they have changed their position in the
last two years.
-- 
----------------------------------
	Jim Davis (James W Davis)
Email:	{any_of_the_biggies} !hplabs!davis
Arpa:	davis%hp-labs@csnet-relay
----------------------------------
Re: SCIENCE FICTION BOOK CLUB [message #118640 is a reply to message #53563] Tue, 24 September 2013 14:33 Go to previous message
ijk is currently offline  ijk
Messages: 20
Registered: May 2013
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Message-ID: <1101@hou5e.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 28-Feb-85 13:49:44 EST
Article-I.D.: hou5e.1101
Posted: Thu Feb 28 13:49:44 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 2-Mar-85 05:13:35 EST
References: <512@topaz.ARPA>, <27@unc.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Holmdel, NJ
Lines: 20

I disagree.  I just rejoined for the nth time, where n is approximately
10.  I'm an avid reader, and go thru several books a month.  I've
been waiting for the latest Pohl Heechee book to come out, and when
the Book club did, I rejoined.  You get 5 books for a buck plus shipping;
(total is $6.00); plus you have to buy 4 more in a year. (Say average
cost is $7.00).  In other words, you pay about $34.00 for 9 books,
which is about the price of a paperback edition.  Furthermore, I have
yet to see the Pohl book in paperback.

Note: I don't intend to stay in longer than necessary; after 4 books
I just dropout.  If you buy more than one book at a time, you sometimes
save on shipping.  Also, you can occasionally get specials not otherwise
available, (such as the Dragon Rider's trilog) which work out as a better
deal.  Or on occasion, the book club may offer 6 books for a dollar.
Also, once in the past, they sent me a special offer to rejoin; it
seemed slightly better than the average deal.

Ihor Kinal (I haven't read EVERYTHING in Scinece Fiction, but I'm trying).
hou5e!ijk
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