As always with Humble Bundle, click Adjust Donation and move the sliders to your liking. Warning: This bundle is NOT DRM-free like some of Humble's other book offerings. It redeems to a Kobo...
As always with Humble Bundle, click Adjust Donation and move the sliders to your liking.
Warning: This bundle is NOT DRM-free like some of Humble's other book offerings. It redeems to a Kobo account. There are, however, methods of de-DRMing Kobo files.
Anyone got takes on any of these? I recall cryptonomicon as something I read but can't tell you anything about it(or maybe i'm mixing it with something else). Only other thing of his I read was...
Anyone got takes on any of these?
I recall cryptonomicon as something I read but can't tell you anything about it(or maybe i'm mixing it with something else). Only other thing of his I read was Snow Crash which was really interesting, with some usual issues in the genre.
I've watched silo and while enjoying it get the vibe I probably don't care that much about the book.
I have read all of these so I can give some takes with no spoilers. Seveneves: As many have mentioned, the first 2/3 of the book is more or less modern times hard sci-fi and very good. Last third...
I have read all of these so I can give some takes with no spoilers.
Seveneves: As many have mentioned, the first 2/3 of the book is more or less modern times hard sci-fi and very good. Last third is like a wacky fever dream that will be, let's just say polarizing. I didn't hate it, but I think if the book had ended at the 2/3 mark it would be better regarded.
Anathem: This book seems to be many people's favorite. I bounced off of it the first two times I tried to read it because for seemingly hundreds of pages, almost nothing happens. I feels like the most boring book in the world. It really all does pay off in the end and I can see why people like it so much, but man, that beginning is rough and at least worth warning you about.
Cryptonomicon: Good book, has different story thread not synced in time/setting, but comes together well in end IMO.
Reamde: I hate to use the cliche marketing terms, but it is spot on a "techno thriller". Decent book, not so much my cup of tea.
Fall (of Dodge in Hell): This is a sequel to Reamde and holy shit is it wacky. I suspect this was Stephenson trying not to make the same mistake he made with Seveneves. Only one story per book, leave the crazy after story to a sequel. The book itself will be very polarizing, but it has some amazing and kinda prophetic world building and I still think about constantly.
Yeah, this is my feeling on Anathem. I don't even remember how the book ends, and primarily my lingering impression is "wow, that was a lot of pages for not a whole lot happening, and the things...
Yeah, this is my feeling on Anathem. I don't even remember how the book ends, and primarily my lingering impression is "wow, that was a lot of pages for not a whole lot happening, and the things they cared about seem kind of silly in retrospect."
SevenEves and Anathem are the only other ones I've read. Weirdly the blurb they have about SevenEves is about the last ~1/3rd of the book. The earlier sections are much more disaster movie-y,...
SevenEves and Anathem are the only other ones I've read.
Weirdly the blurb they have about SevenEves is about the last ~1/3rd of the book. The earlier sections are much more disaster movie-y, though handled better than most disaster movies IMO. There's some criticism that there's a hard cut to several thousand years later and now it's basically an Asimov style "look at this cool future society" but overall I thought it was a good read.
Anathem I remember enjoying but don't remember much of.
Anathem is among my favorite books of all time, and Snow Crash is up there too. Seveneves was good but a very hard read (oppressive). Reamde and DODO were just okay. This made me realize I've...
Anathem is among my favorite books of all time, and Snow Crash is up there too. Seveneves was good but a very hard read (oppressive). Reamde and DODO were just okay.
This made me realize I've missed a few Stephenson novels.
I read the Silo trilogy and enjoyed them, but I probably wouldn't reread them.
I've tried Anathem multiple times but can't do it. I'm too stupid and/or too easily distracted to process it and end up at the end of each chapter with like 30% understanding of what I just read.
I've tried Anathem multiple times but can't do it. I'm too stupid and/or too easily distracted to process it and end up at the end of each chapter with like 30% understanding of what I just read.
I spent a long time in grad school (9 years! When they used to say, "be cool, stay in school, that is not what they meant). So for me there are ways that the novel plays on the themes of academia...
I spent a long time in grad school (9 years! When they used to say, "be cool, stay in school, that is not what they meant). So for me there are ways that the novel plays on the themes of academia that I really enjoy.
There is part of the story where Orolo and several students are having a dialog e about worrying and Orolo frames it in terms of pink, nerve gas farting dragons – that is probably my favorite part of the book.
I will admit the end is very weird and doesn't really do justice to the rest of the story, but I love it anyway, warts and all.
Nothing is more important than that you see and love the beauty that is right in front of you. Or else you will have no defense against the ugliness that will hem you in and come at you in so many ways.
I'm reading the Silo trilogy now, and while I have the show on my to-watch list, I think they will end up being quite different. The book series has a third-person omniscient perspective with a...
I'm reading the Silo trilogy now, and while I have the show on my to-watch list, I think they will end up being quite different. The book series has a third-person omniscient perspective with a rotating cast of characters, and so you get some really interesting insights into what they know and how they feel, and some of that information just isn't going to translate well to a visual medium. I haven't always felt like the writing has been superb, but the books are all page-turners and I have gotten sucked into each one. I thought Shift was particularly cool, still reading through Dust. I've also read Anathem, and while the writing is good and elaborate, I can't say I felt super connected to the characters or the plot, whereas I definitely do in the Silo series.
Oh i'm sure the show is different but without going into a thesis it seems to have an overall vibe/theme that while I find interesting, I'm also somewhat tired of.
Oh i'm sure the show is different but without going into a thesis it seems to have an overall vibe/theme that while I find interesting, I'm also somewhat tired of.
My husband has watched the whole show and it covers the events of only the first book thus far. Things take a bit of a different turn in the second book, and while I'm not sure how the show will...
My husband has watched the whole show and it covers the events of only the first book thus far. Things take a bit of a different turn in the second book, and while I'm not sure how the show will adapt it, I enjoyed the second book quite a bit more than the first (even though I got sucked into both). YMMV, depending on what you're specifically tired of, but I do think they're worth reading.
I've only read Anathem and Seveneves, would recommend Anathem but I didn't find Seveneves particularly memorable (to the point where the plot escapes me now I try and think of it). Note though...
I've only read Anathem and Seveneves, would recommend Anathem but I didn't find Seveneves particularly memorable (to the point where the plot escapes me now I try and think of it). Note though that for Anathem part of what makes this book interesting is figuring out the different world/vocabulary without much explicit explanation, this works for me but isn't everyone's cup of tea.
I haven’t read the book but the welcome to nightvale podcast is excellent if you are into highly surreal storytelling, and I have heard that the book has very much the same vibe. Check out the...
I haven’t read the book but the welcome to nightvale podcast is excellent if you are into highly surreal storytelling, and I have heard that the book has very much the same vibe. Check out the podcast for free and see if it’s your kinda thing.
I have read wool and watched silo. I saw the TV first and that’s what motivated me to read the book. I thought it was worthwhile and enhanced my appreciation of the show.
I tried hopping all over the world with Mullvad and it didn't work in Canada, USA, Mexico, Thailand, or anywhere else I tried. Maybe it has some kind of anti VPN measure. Oh, it's tagged as...
I tried hopping all over the world with Mullvad and it didn't work in Canada, USA, Mexico, Thailand, or anywhere else I tried. Maybe it has some kind of anti VPN measure. Oh, it's tagged as region-locked, but who knows where
It works in the US. Books are always going to be pretty region/market locked due to rights. We've definitely had Humble Bundles listed before and I think they're still useful @kfwyre
It works in the US.
Books are always going to be pretty region/market locked due to rights. We've definitely had Humble Bundles listed before and I think they're still useful @kfwyre
Sure, but many have distribution rights sold and it makes any sort of sale or deal more complicated. I just think posting the Humble Bundle is a good thing
Sure, but many have distribution rights sold and it makes any sort of sale or deal more complicated. I just think posting the Humble Bundle is a good thing
At least for me, I commented because I find it unusual that this was region-locked - a lot of the bundles have been DRM-free and haven't been region-locked, or at least have been more widely...
At least for me, I commented because I find it unusual that this was region-locked - a lot of the bundles have been DRM-free and haven't been region-locked, or at least have been more widely accessible. This seems like a much more limited offer, which is a shame, and it sounds like a choice by this publisher to sell the books like this. (Other publishers seem more open to selling ebooks without DRM and region restrictions.)
That said, I agree that it makes sense to post these still, as long as they're typically widely accessible and it's just a few exceptions that are problematic. OTOH, if they consistently switch to region-locked offers, maybe this isn't the best place to post them - it would be like me posting news in German or offers only accessible in Germany or something. Maybe a regional forum would be a better place for them in the case.
I think noting they're locked, much like posting German news (this is English language only and all but comparable), in the tags works. The difficulty is that for example idk that kfwyre and I...
I think noting they're locked, much like posting German news (this is English language only and all but comparable), in the tags works. The difficulty is that for example idk that kfwyre and I share any other forums so would I notice them? Perhaps a book deals thread where limitations can be noted?
I don't begrudge anyone for flagging they're region locked. But I also don't mind seeing things not available in my area.
I appreciate the feedback. I always try to avoid furthering the “default American” trope here — you know, where people from the US post things online as if they’re applicable to everyone...
I appreciate the feedback.
I always try to avoid furthering the “default American” trope here — you know, where people from the US post things online as if they’re applicable to everyone everywhere. It’s always felt a little self-centered to me, and I, selfishly, want to be the kind of American online that the rest of the world likes, rather than one they find inconsiderate.
Also, I only rarely post Humble’s book deals because I try to be highly selective about the ones that I think are “worth” it. Tildes is one of the few places people can go online and escape advertising, so I want to honor that as much as possible. This bundle felt like it was one of the ones that crossed that threshold because it was so relevant to our audience here, but that was before I knew it was available to so few of us. That changes my personal calculus.
Thirdly, I was excited to post it for everyone, but then sad to then find out that many people in our community can’t access it. That makes me feel like I disappointed more people than I helped.
I think if I’d known up front about the lock and had been able to include that information in the tags and/or my introductory comment, then I wouldn’t feel as bad. Humble isn’t upfront about that information on the bundle (at least, nothing I could find), so I think when I post one of these again I’ll give a clear region warning, even if I’m not sure what specific regions it’s valid in.
Hopefully they’ll just keep doing their regular DRM-free bundles though, as it seems like those are unrestricted.
As the person who originally complained about the region locking, my complaint was certainly directed towards the publishers, and not in any way at you! I made use of the last bundle you posted,...
As the person who originally complained about the region locking, my complaint was certainly directed towards the publishers, and not in any way at you! I made use of the last bundle you posted, and I appreciate you posting when new things appear. I am still interested in this one as well, and if I get to a computer and remember in time, I'll have a go at bypassing the restrictions, although it doesn't sound like others have been so successful there.
I think to me, it's a question of how often this happens. If it's the sort of thing where every so often, they restrict sales to just the US or something, then fair enough. I'm sure sometimes I'll vent about it, but I think it's still cool to know what offers are out there. OTOH, if this is the new HB policy, then it's probably not worth it because plenty of people just won't be able to access the books at all. That said, I don't think that's particularly likely, I think it's just that this publisher is probably more restrictive than the publishers they've worked with for other bundles. So from my perspective, please keep on posting, because I think our opinions about what makes an interesting book bundle are similar enough that I look forward to the next time you post one of these!
Fwiw I did look and couldn't find anything about their books being region locked because the game keys being locked took up all the search results. So the answer may be out there but I couldn't...
Fwiw I did look and couldn't find anything about their books being region locked because the game keys being locked took up all the search results. So the answer may be out there but I couldn't find it with just a quick search
USA here, and I was able to see it just fine. I didn't purchase the pack, but I saw the listings and was able to click "Checkout" - assuming it didn't let you get that far, I'd say it's anti-VPN.
USA here, and I was able to see it just fine. I didn't purchase the pack, but I saw the listings and was able to click "Checkout" - assuming it didn't let you get that far, I'd say it's anti-VPN.
Can anyone outside the US confirm for me if you’ve been able to buy Humble’s DRM-free book bundles in the past? I suspect the region lock on this bundle is due to their use of Kobo to redeem the...
Can anyone outside the US confirm for me if you’ve been able to buy Humble’s DRM-free book bundles in the past?
I suspect the region lock on this bundle is due to their use of Kobo to redeem the books, but I’d like to verify that if possible.
I've bought plenty of DRM-free book bundles from Ireland. I haven't encountered any that were region locked before, but I've only checked a small minority.
I've bought plenty of DRM-free book bundles from Ireland. I haven't encountered any that were region locked before, but I've only checked a small minority.
I'm in the UK and have bought DRM-free books and Kobo books via Humble Bundle before, but can't see this bundle. I'm not aware of any other bundles that were region-locked (though that's not...
I'm in the UK and have bought DRM-free books and Kobo books via Humble Bundle before, but can't see this bundle. I'm not aware of any other bundles that were region-locked (though that's not evidence whether there have been or not!)
As always with Humble Bundle, click
Adjust Donationand move the sliders to your liking.Warning: This bundle is NOT DRM-free like some of Humble's other book offerings. It redeems to a Kobo account. There are, however, methods of de-DRMing Kobo files.
Anyone got takes on any of these?
I recall cryptonomicon as something I read but can't tell you anything about it(or maybe i'm mixing it with something else). Only other thing of his I read was Snow Crash which was really interesting, with some usual issues in the genre.
I've watched silo and while enjoying it get the vibe I probably don't care that much about the book.
Don't think anything else rings any bells.
I have read all of these so I can give some takes with no spoilers.
Seveneves: As many have mentioned, the first 2/3 of the book is more or less modern times hard sci-fi and very good. Last third is like a wacky fever dream that will be, let's just say polarizing. I didn't hate it, but I think if the book had ended at the 2/3 mark it would be better regarded.
Anathem: This book seems to be many people's favorite. I bounced off of it the first two times I tried to read it because for seemingly hundreds of pages, almost nothing happens. I feels like the most boring book in the world. It really all does pay off in the end and I can see why people like it so much, but man, that beginning is rough and at least worth warning you about.
Cryptonomicon: Good book, has different story thread not synced in time/setting, but comes together well in end IMO.
Reamde: I hate to use the cliche marketing terms, but it is spot on a "techno thriller". Decent book, not so much my cup of tea.
Fall (of Dodge in Hell): This is a sequel to Reamde and holy shit is it wacky. I suspect this was Stephenson trying not to make the same mistake he made with Seveneves. Only one story per book, leave the crazy after story to a sequel. The book itself will be very polarizing, but it has some amazing and kinda prophetic world building and I still think about constantly.
Yeah, this is my feeling on Anathem. I don't even remember how the book ends, and primarily my lingering impression is "wow, that was a lot of pages for not a whole lot happening, and the things they cared about seem kind of silly in retrospect."
SevenEves and Anathem are the only other ones I've read.
Weirdly the blurb they have about SevenEves is about the last ~1/3rd of the book. The earlier sections are much more disaster movie-y, though handled better than most disaster movies IMO. There's some criticism that there's a hard cut to several thousand years later and now it's basically an Asimov style "look at this cool future society" but overall I thought it was a good read.
Anathem I remember enjoying but don't remember much of.
Anathem is among my favorite books of all time, and Snow Crash is up there too. Seveneves was good but a very hard read (oppressive). Reamde and DODO were just okay.
This made me realize I've missed a few Stephenson novels.
I read the Silo trilogy and enjoyed them, but I probably wouldn't reread them.
I've tried Anathem multiple times but can't do it. I'm too stupid and/or too easily distracted to process it and end up at the end of each chapter with like 30% understanding of what I just read.
I spent a long time in grad school (9 years! When they used to say, "be cool, stay in school, that is not what they meant). So for me there are ways that the novel plays on the themes of academia that I really enjoy.
There is part of the story where Orolo and several students are having a dialog e about worrying and Orolo frames it in terms of pink, nerve gas farting dragons – that is probably my favorite part of the book.
I will admit the end is very weird and doesn't really do justice to the rest of the story, but I love it anyway, warts and all.
I'm reading the Silo trilogy now, and while I have the show on my to-watch list, I think they will end up being quite different. The book series has a third-person omniscient perspective with a rotating cast of characters, and so you get some really interesting insights into what they know and how they feel, and some of that information just isn't going to translate well to a visual medium. I haven't always felt like the writing has been superb, but the books are all page-turners and I have gotten sucked into each one. I thought Shift was particularly cool, still reading through Dust. I've also read Anathem, and while the writing is good and elaborate, I can't say I felt super connected to the characters or the plot, whereas I definitely do in the Silo series.
Oh i'm sure the show is different but without going into a thesis it seems to have an overall vibe/theme that while I find interesting, I'm also somewhat tired of.
My husband has watched the whole show and it covers the events of only the first book thus far. Things take a bit of a different turn in the second book, and while I'm not sure how the show will adapt it, I enjoyed the second book quite a bit more than the first (even though I got sucked into both). YMMV, depending on what you're specifically tired of, but I do think they're worth reading.
The first season of Silo was pretty close to the book, but I have no idea how they could make season 2 like the book without alienating the fans.
I've only read Anathem and Seveneves, would recommend Anathem but I didn't find Seveneves particularly memorable (to the point where the plot escapes me now I try and think of it). Note though that for Anathem part of what makes this book interesting is figuring out the different world/vocabulary without much explicit explanation, this works for me but isn't everyone's cup of tea.
I haven’t read the book but the welcome to nightvale podcast is excellent if you are into highly surreal storytelling, and I have heard that the book has very much the same vibe. Check out the podcast for free and see if it’s your kinda thing.
I have read wool and watched silo. I saw the TV first and that’s what motivated me to read the book. I thought it was worthwhile and enhanced my appreciation of the show.
"Sorry, this promotion is unavailable in your area"... :( No books for the Germans apparently. Is it available in the US?
Not available in UK either.
Nor in Sweden. Maybe it's a us-only thing?
I tried hopping all over the world with Mullvad and it didn't work in Canada, USA, Mexico, Thailand, or anywhere else I tried. Maybe it has some kind of anti VPN measure. Oh, it's tagged as region-locked, but who knows where
Sorry everyone. If I’d known it was unavailable for much of the world I wouldn’t have posted it in the first place.
Where /does/ it work? I'm interested and if I can vpn there, I'll check out the page :)
It works in the US.
Books are always going to be pretty region/market locked due to rights. We've definitely had Humble Bundles listed before and I think they're still useful @kfwyre
I always try and buy direct from author for ebooks where I can. Sometimes it works.
Sure, but many have distribution rights sold and it makes any sort of sale or deal more complicated. I just think posting the Humble Bundle is a good thing
At least for me, I commented because I find it unusual that this was region-locked - a lot of the bundles have been DRM-free and haven't been region-locked, or at least have been more widely accessible. This seems like a much more limited offer, which is a shame, and it sounds like a choice by this publisher to sell the books like this. (Other publishers seem more open to selling ebooks without DRM and region restrictions.)
That said, I agree that it makes sense to post these still, as long as they're typically widely accessible and it's just a few exceptions that are problematic. OTOH, if they consistently switch to region-locked offers, maybe this isn't the best place to post them - it would be like me posting news in German or offers only accessible in Germany or something. Maybe a regional forum would be a better place for them in the case.
I think noting they're locked, much like posting German news (this is English language only and all but comparable), in the tags works. The difficulty is that for example idk that kfwyre and I share any other forums so would I notice them? Perhaps a book deals thread where limitations can be noted?
I don't begrudge anyone for flagging they're region locked. But I also don't mind seeing things not available in my area.
I appreciate the feedback.
I always try to avoid furthering the “default American” trope here — you know, where people from the US post things online as if they’re applicable to everyone everywhere. It’s always felt a little self-centered to me, and I, selfishly, want to be the kind of American online that the rest of the world likes, rather than one they find inconsiderate.
Also, I only rarely post Humble’s book deals because I try to be highly selective about the ones that I think are “worth” it. Tildes is one of the few places people can go online and escape advertising, so I want to honor that as much as possible. This bundle felt like it was one of the ones that crossed that threshold because it was so relevant to our audience here, but that was before I knew it was available to so few of us. That changes my personal calculus.
Thirdly, I was excited to post it for everyone, but then sad to then find out that many people in our community can’t access it. That makes me feel like I disappointed more people than I helped.
I think if I’d known up front about the lock and had been able to include that information in the tags and/or my introductory comment, then I wouldn’t feel as bad. Humble isn’t upfront about that information on the bundle (at least, nothing I could find), so I think when I post one of these again I’ll give a clear region warning, even if I’m not sure what specific regions it’s valid in.
Hopefully they’ll just keep doing their regular DRM-free bundles though, as it seems like those are unrestricted.
As the person who originally complained about the region locking, my complaint was certainly directed towards the publishers, and not in any way at you! I made use of the last bundle you posted, and I appreciate you posting when new things appear. I am still interested in this one as well, and if I get to a computer and remember in time, I'll have a go at bypassing the restrictions, although it doesn't sound like others have been so successful there.
I think to me, it's a question of how often this happens. If it's the sort of thing where every so often, they restrict sales to just the US or something, then fair enough. I'm sure sometimes I'll vent about it, but I think it's still cool to know what offers are out there. OTOH, if this is the new HB policy, then it's probably not worth it because plenty of people just won't be able to access the books at all. That said, I don't think that's particularly likely, I think it's just that this publisher is probably more restrictive than the publishers they've worked with for other bundles. So from my perspective, please keep on posting, because I think our opinions about what makes an interesting book bundle are similar enough that I look forward to the next time you post one of these!
Fwiw I did look and couldn't find anything about their books being region locked because the game keys being locked took up all the search results. So the answer may be out there but I couldn't find it with just a quick search
USA here, and I was able to see it just fine. I didn't purchase the pack, but I saw the listings and was able to click "Checkout" - assuming it didn't let you get that far, I'd say it's anti-VPN.
Thanks, I’ll try a private window to get rid of cookies and a few different exit nodes.
Can anyone outside the US confirm for me if you’ve been able to buy Humble’s DRM-free book bundles in the past?
I suspect the region lock on this bundle is due to their use of Kobo to redeem the books, but I’d like to verify that if possible.
I've (Germany) bought the DRM-free bundles before, I also assumed that this is a Kobo thing.
I've bought plenty of DRM-free book bundles from Ireland. I haven't encountered any that were region locked before, but I've only checked a small minority.
I'm in the UK and have bought DRM-free books and Kobo books via Humble Bundle before, but can't see this bundle. I'm not aware of any other bundles that were region-locked (though that's not evidence whether there have been or not!)