Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

Books on the Nightstand published our final episode in July 2016. This is a place for listeners to find old episodes. 

I'm sorry that we don't have show notes for all of the episodes, and that the episodes do not have consistent filenames. Still, we hope you find that the content is valuable enough to overlook those annoyances.

Thank you to all who have listened to BOTNS over the years and for those who are just discovering the podcast. 

  1. All Episodes
  2. BOTNS Podcast #137: Covering Book Covers

BOTNS Podcast #137: Covering Book Covers

Jul 13, 2011

Consuming books across multiple media; the power of a good (or bad) book jacket; and two books we can't wait for you to read!

Reading Back and Forth

John, from Kuwait (!) emailed us with the book he's most looking forward to reading this Summer (yeah, John, we don't blame you for not calling!), which is Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead. We forgot to read his email last time, so we wanted to be sure to include it here.

Lately I've been reading George RR Martin's A Game of Thrones (thanks for making me commit to it Jeff!), and it's amazing. Via HBO On Demand, I just got access to all 10 episodes of the series, so I've been watching the show as well - never watching beyond where I've read. I've found it an interesting way to experience the book. Ann and I have both read a book and listened to the audio at the same time (picking up where one leaves off). And you? Any cross-media reading/experiencing a story?

"robopocalypse" "daniel h wilson" "maps and legends" "michael chabon" "the secret history" "donna tartt" "gone-away world" "nick harkaway"

Yeah, We Judge

Barbara sent us an email about book jackets, specifically about two covers she felt did not accurately reflect the story inside. Ann and I talk a bit about our experiences from the publishing side; how hard it can be to pick the perfect jacket that is indicative of the story, is eye-catching to someone who hasn't read it, and that will stand out in the crowded bookstore setting. A few recent and not so recent jackets we've loved include those for Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson, Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon, The Secret History by Donna Tartt and The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway. For more information about book jackets and some of the production techniques used to make them irresistible, check out this video we made last year.

"supergods" "grant morrison" "the last werewolf" "glen duncan"

Two Books We Can't Wait for You to Read

Supergods by Grant Morrison is a deep and often philosophical look at the creation and mythology of superheroes, stretching from Superman to today. In addition, Morrison talks much about his own fandom and career in comics. (The only cover images I could find online were of the book without its jacket, so that's what is shown above.) Ann finally gets to rave in full about The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan, a book she briefly mentioned on our show about literary horror. Jake Marlowe, the titular lycanthrope is tired and ready for death, but some very powerful people want him to stay alive. Be sure to check out this page for more info on the book, its soundtrack and a video trailer!