One drawback to quitting Earth Island this past winter: no paycheck. Having the time to take care of Zeke was an immeasurable gift, and the time since then to write has been almost as good. But though I’ve picked up a little work here and there, the bank account is dwindling a bit. As a way to help mitigate the serious hit my income took in January, I’ve set up a bookstore here. I’ll be adding new stuff over the next few weeks and experimenting with re-organizing it. It’ll change here and there.
But take a look at its current form, browse around, see if there’s something there you like. I’ve added a “CRN Bookstore” button on the right side of the page here.
I find the “Similar Items” function brings up some interesting things I hadn’t heard of. A book on mammal evolution for only 80 simoleons! Ah, well. Maybe after I hear from the Macarthur people. Until then, it goes on my wish list.
Also: I expect to be picking up the pace on reviewing books here as well, and when I review something it’ll go in the store. I’m working on Aldo Leopold’s Odyssey
Chris, in the world as it should be, you’d have a Patron, somebody who’d pay your bills and give you money for the rest of your life, if you’d only write this blog and maybe a book every year or so.
Agreed. But at least I can buy a book.
Are you taking suggestions for books to offer via your Amazon-pipe? I can think of several niche-works that being showcased on your site might generate more sales for than if they simply languish where they are—for example, Susan McKenna-Lawlor’s Whatever Shines Should Be Observed about five remarkable 19th-century Irish women who advanced scientific technology (including photography and microscopy) in innovative and fruitful ways.
Just ask, and we’ll suggest. More than you’d want, maybe.
(And, yes, I’m aware that “Whatever Shines Should Be Observed” could be the motto of the ADHD booster club.)
How does this bookstore thingy work? (I mean for you as a seller.) Can you automatically just become a bookstore, like a mini Amazon franchise, just by picking out some titles and making a page? What’s your cut/split w/Amazon? (If you don’t mind my asking.)
Anyway, some titles to consider carrying that seem to fit your theme (and that you should read, if you haven’t):
Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations
King Of Fish: The Thousand-Year Run Of Salmon
- both by Dave Montgomery, my old Stanford colleague and certified earth science genius. The Dirt book (titled to annoy soil,scientists everywhere) is his latest. I haven’t read it yet, but I’m sure it’s excellent.
House of Rain: Tracking a Vanished Civilization Across the American Southwest
The Secret Knowledge of Water : Discovering the Essence of the American Desert
- both by Craig Childs, a chronicler of desert experiences whose writing I think you and your readers would enjoy. Once again, House of Rain is his latest and I haven’t read it yet, but I like his writing in general, and his approach to the desert, based on a lot of time alone out there.
Fred: Yes, anyone can sign up. I get about four percent.