Callahan and Company, by Spider Robinson

[lb_lee]

Wow, that book got here fast! And it was thoroughly wrapped: first in brown paper and addressed to us, then in another envelope with completely different to and from names/addresses, then in newspaper (from 2/10, so clearly it wasn't just moldering), and finally in a plastic bag.

When Rogan got it, he was keeping his expectations low. A limited-run book printed before we were born? Surely there'd be wear and tear.

There isn't. It's pristine. The dust jacket doesn't even have wear. The pages have barely any discoloration at all. It'll clearly last us decades of reading.

Also, now we know why this book goes for over $100 secondhand: there were only 1500 of these babies made (and apparently the first 300 of those were signed and special boxed sets that were $50 new). No wonder! We're not protesting paying $50 now for sure.

We spent the last half hour lovingly adding metadata to the page headers and table of contents and transcribing the bibliographic info from our paperback edition, all of which isn't in the hardback. (Look, we all have hobbies.) We will find some way to duplicate the Foreword from the paperback edition (which also isn't in the hardback), and then we will liberate our beloved paperback to warm the heart of some new friend.

This paperback is the last book we have from childhood. It has been our stalwart companion for twenty-five years. We've been through so much together. It's traveled the world with us!

We are so excited to release it upon its next adventure.

Be free, little book! We love you, and now you will love someone new! You are too good not to share!

--Mori/Sneak/Rogan

Comments

[sinistmer]

I'm glad your new copy brings such joy!

[lb_lee]

You know what also brings us joy? That birthday card you sent us. It's still up on our trunk so we can see it as we work. That skeleton with the cupcake makes me grin every time!

[sinistmer]

I'm so glad you like it! :D

[stealthsystem]

I know we've poked you before to squee about your dragon icons. But I just wanted you to know that your squirrel eating cake icon brings us such joy every single time we see it. Especially me. I love squirrels. I didn't know they ate cake till we saw that icon the first time. Heh.
-Cautious

[sinistmer]

Thank you! That picture was taken during my undergraduate day; there was leftover cake from a cakewalk, and the squirrels were feasting!

[the_broken_tower]

Yay!! :D

Transcribing additions into a new copy is a good idea! It lets you keep all the stuff from the old copy! Without having to keep both books!

- Jasper (he/him)

[lb_lee]

Rogan: Look, Jasper, our paperback had the complete bibliography of when each individual short story and book were published, plus the fan-websites that were big in 1996 and I am a failed librarian with NEEEEEEDS. *grabby hands*

Also my paperback had three different forewords AND the short story that was only ever posted on Usenet.

NEEDS.

[stealthsystem]

Oooh. We'd love to read this book. I wonder if any of the libraries for blind people we have access to would have it.

[lb_lee]

Seeing as both paper and hardbacks came out before ebooks really becoming a thing, and were both fairly limited run, I'm uncertain. However, I do feel pretty confident you can find in SOME accessible format the three individual books that make up the omnibus: try searching for Callahan's Crosstime Saloon, Time Travelers Strictly Cash, and Callahan's Secret.

[minoanmiss]

*cheers*

Spider Robinson gave me the closest I have to a motto: "Large women and small slight men go through life wrapped around a softball-sized chunk of pain. It breaks some and makes others magnificent." I'm still so glad I got to thank him for it and hug him.

[lb_lee]

I remember those lines! "The Blacksmith's Tale!"

Aw, you got to meet him! Lucky! That's so cool!

[stealthsystem]

I can't stop reading these dang Callahan stories. I blame you. LOL
Never mind that Callahan reminds me a little of Luke. LOL Including the right hair color and being a huge guy. Just Luke's like sixteen and Callahan's pushing fifty...
-Natalie

[lb_lee]

Seeing how much we earnestly love the book you hold, we are delighted you're enjoying it, Natalie! When you finish, you have to tell us which stories were your favorites!

[stealthsystem]

We’re two and half stories in. Our answer so far is all of them! Though the time traveler one hit us in the feels so hard. Poor Reverend Hauptman!
Natalie

[lb_lee]

I can't wait for you to read Two Heads Are Better Than One or Dog Day Evening!

[stealthsystem]

Two Heads made me squee aloud several times. Also, the last one we read was the one about the practical joker getting his come-uppins from Doc. We got to the end of that one and looked around in front to see Isaac laughing so hard.

[lb_lee]

We still reread the practical joker one often, even though there's no sci-fi in it!