Azardi 7 free Epub reader is released | TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics

Azardi 7 free Epub reader is released | TeleRead: News and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics:

AZARDI has been designed for education, training and instructional content which requires large scale interactivity. The AZARDI Interactive Engine introduces advanced Question and Answer tools, Story line and Events modules to reduce production costs and time to market.

A pretty good desktop reader. It is much better at rendering than Calibre, FBreader and CoolReader, but it has very little in the way of features and polish. EPUBReader Addon for Firefox is still my preferred reading app on the desktop.

Finished How To Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe

How To Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu is not your typical time travel science fiction novel. It uses time travel/multiverse and science fiction tropes as a way of discussing family, mental health, and understanding oneself.

The format of the book, the writing style, and the pictures included give credence to the self-referential nature of the book. Its poorly written because the protagonist wrote the book and he is not particularly talented.

I’m Returning my Nook Tablet – Here’s Why - The Digital Reader

I’m Returning my Nook Tablet – Here’s Why - The Digital Reader:

The Walls Are Too High
The Garden Is Too Small

Comic Crits

Comic Crits:

I draw comics about the books I read.

Finished The Kingdom of Gods (Inheritance Trilogy, book 3) by N K Jemisin

The Kingdom of Gods (Inheritance Trilogy, book 3) by N K Jemisin: As long-suppressed rage and terrible new magics consume the world, the Maelstrom -- which even gods fear -- is summoned forth. Shahar and Sieh: mortal and god, lovers and enemies. Can they stand together against the chaos that threatens?

A good ending to the trilogy. I thought that it would be awkward to "go bigger" than the first two books had already gone, but Jemisin managed the task very well. The main character, Sieh, was handled masterfully. It could have been awkward having an immortal godling as the first-person protagonist but it came off quite natural.

Anne McCaffrey, 1926-2011 | Tor.com

Anne McCaffrey, 1926-2011 | Tor.com:

McCaffrey is the first woman to win a Hugo Award, as well as the first woman to win a Nebula Award, and the first author to hit the New York Times Bestseller List with an SFF title (The White Dragon).

Finished Inheritance by Christopher Paolini

Finished Inheritance by Christopher Paolini. It is the fourth and final volume of the Inheritance series. It makes the entire series worth reading. The first book was great and the second and third were Ok, but dragged a bit. Short, action-packed chapters move the story effectively. All conflicts set up in the first three books are addressed satisfactorily without making it a happily-ever-after simple resolution.

Finished The Night Eternal: Book 3 of the Strain Trilogy

Finished The Night Eternal, the last book of the Strain trilogy. The vampires that Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan come up with are unique, even among the biblically based vampire/monster stories. The thriller action/adventure aspect of the book is excellent and the conclusion is satisfying. If you like your vampire stories less glitter and teen angst based and more gritty and thoughtful then this is a great series to read.

Finished Aloha from Hell by Richard Kadrey

Finished Aloha from Hell by Richard Kadrey. The third book of the Sandman Slim series and a great conclusion for a trilogy. Really hope to see more Sandman Slim books down the road.

LA noir in heaven and in hell.

Finished REAMDE by Neal Stephenson

A great thriller set just a little bit in the future.

HijiNKS ENSUE – A Geek Webcomic - The Black Shakes

HijiNKS ENSUE – A Geek Webcomic - The Black Shakes
You're in a dark place when Johnny Mnemonic is the movie of the night.

xkcd: Alternative Literature

xkcd: Alternative Literature

A homeopathic approach to reading.

In Russia, Book Casts Movie Version For You � Nerdist

In Russia, Book Casts Movie Version For You � Nerdist:

“Sometimes Russian book covers are not just bad, sometimes they inexplicably have popular actors and characters on them. This is their story.”

Hands On: India’s $35 Aakash Android tablet lands in America (exclusive) | VentureBeat

Hands On: India’s $35 Aakash Android tablet lands in America (exclusive) | VentureBeat:

The Indian government thinks the $35 Aakash Android tablet has the power to change the world. After testing one out, we’d tend to agree.

$99 Nook Touch Incoming, Plus Firmware Update to Add Multi-touch and other Features | The eBook Reader Blog - eReader and Tablet Reviews and News

$99 Nook Touch Incoming, Plus Firmware Update to Add Multi-touch and other Features | The eBook Reader Blog - eReader and Tablet Reviews and News:

That’s $40 less than the Nook Touch sells for now, and unlike the $99 Kindle Touch, the Nook Touch doesn’t have advertisements

Best deal for a mainstream reader.

Banned Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Book Lists | WWEnd

Banned Science Fiction & Fantasy Books | Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Book Lists | WWEnd:

This list is a work in progress, so if you know of any SF/F books that have been banned anywhere in the world, please drop us a line at info@worldswithoutend.com.