Game of the Day - Supercow (99 cents)

Amazon's Video Game of the Day is a 99 cent download of Supercow. I've played thru the demo and it's pretty fun (especially jumping on snails ... never trust a set of beautiful eyes!).

Game Description

• Supercow To The Rescue.
• Tons Of Levels And Challenges To Complete.
• Engaging Storyline.
• Easy To Learn And Fun For All.

The evil Professor Duriarti has escaped from prison! He has seized the farm and captured all of the animals! He cloned them and made the clones work for him to successfully fulfill his diabolical plan of earth destruction. Through her network of informants, Supercow heard about the situation, and dashed off to save the farm animals. Because after all, who knows how to save the farm better than Supercow? A funny arcade game for entire family, it's Supercow to the rescue!

A word about my sponsors (you!)

As the holiday season approaches, a commercial reminder/note for readers of this blog. As you may (or may not) know, Amazon does not pay affiliate fees for referrals on Kindle books (of course, any percentage of zero would still be zero, for free books). They do, however, pay referral fees on other purchases, such as the Kindle itself and Gift Certificates (even if used to later buy Kindle books). Using the links on this blog helps support it, as does using the Amazon search box on the side menu when making non-Kindle book purchases at Amazon. I also make a tiny amount from referrals to some other ebookstores (at last count, I was up to $9 at Smashwords, so might even get a check from them in the next four or five years). I think Harlequin said I'd make a few pennies there, as well (again, most of these affiliate sites only pay after meeting a minimum level, so perhaps I'll get a few dollars from them, some day). Many of the other bargains I post are not affiliate linked - PDF files, free books at Sony, Christian audio, etc., deals at Fictionwise and so on. I post the bargains as I find them (or as you send in tips; thanks to those of you that do), regardless of where they are located.

I've had a few people ask if I've read every bargain book I post. No, I don't - there is now way I physically could do so (I haven't even read thru all the free books Amazon has given us), even if I could afford to do so. I do purchase and read some (which reminds me, I need to update my Book Budget postings, which show the Amazon purchases, although not purchases from other stores), with more being bought than I manage to read. I do post some reviews (although not for every book I read). Some of those books were provided by the publisher or author and some of them are books I've purchased myself. I have quite a stack of both and limited reading time, so make no promises on reviews for those who send them (and never guarantee a favorable review ... although if a book is one I can't get thru, I'll just let them know and pass on a review, as the problem may be that my tastes simply don't run to the genre or a book rubs me the wrong way, rather than it's a poorly written attempt). If you are an author or publisher and wish to send me a book for review, you can contact me on my gmail account (use the name of this blog, with no spaces). I prefer mobi formatted ebooks, but do review paper copies and other ebooks that I can reformat to read on the Kindle or Kindle DX (so, some PDF's will work fine). Just check with me first, as there are some genres that I simply don't read.

Feel free to use (or not) the links in my posts or on the blog menus when making Amazon purchases; these do help support my efforts (at no additional cost to you) and are greatly appreciated. A few of you have also sent direct PayPal donations (the link is on the menu to the left). These are also very much appreciated (and were immediately spent on more books, usually at Smashwords). Thank you to all that read the blog, whether it's on the web site, the RSS or Kindle feed or following on twitter. I hope you have a great holiday season and promise that I'll keep posting the bargains I find, to help you stretch the holiday budget. I suspect the free reads and big discounts will continue so long as there is hot competition amongst ereader devices (just as there was in the BluRay/HD war a few years back).

Books on the Knob is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com or endless.com.

Kindle Now the Only Choice for Christmas

Last week, Sony announced that orders on their latest Sony Reader may or may not arrive before Christmas. They will ship "somtime between December 18th and the first week of January" and nothing in physical stores until after the new year (although some older models are available). Now, Barnes and Noble has announced that all nook orders from today forward will be delivered in the new year (maybe a few non-pre-orders will hit stores, but nothing was officially announced). At least B&N has announced that they will "soon" allow buying of books with gift cards (they've been telling people to pre-order a nook and give gift cards for new owners to use, but they won't allow any books to be purchased with a gift card; you also can't use a gift card to buy the nook). At least Amazon had this covered with their Kindle Gift Certificates from the beginning (although I do wish you could buy a book for someone else, even if it just sent them a link and let them exchange it before downloading, as some ebookstores allow). As many of you know, I use gift certificates to manage my Kindle book budget and to eliminate all those tiny charges on my credit card from bargain books, which some banks do not allow due to fraud controls and which can make balancing my credit card statement something of a chore.

So, it isn't even Black Friday and if you want one of the big three ebook readers to place under the tree, Amazon is now the only choice. The last two years, they too have sold out sometime in November/December. For now, you can get the Kindle (International) ($259) or the Kindle DX ($489) with no delay and next day shipping (I'd recommend at least two-day shipping in order to avoid having it arrive in the US Mail, where tracking is of little use and my carrier will just leave the box on top of my mailbox; people in apartments have reported having them just set down outside their door to wait all day ....). The Original Kindle is only available used, right now (refurbished units are out of stock again, but that can change daily; they are $149 when available), with one available under $200 and other prices starting at $220 (similar prices are the norm on EBay). You can also still get a refurbished Kindle2 ($219), which uses Sprint as the carrier, giving wider coverage than the AT&T International version is some parts of the US (these come and go; earlier this week, they were out of stock) or a refurbished Kindle DX ($399) -- for a laugh, check out the listing for a used DX on the same page, for $999.00!!!

One thing to remember on Amazon orders - if the Kindle is to be a gift, be sure to mark it as such. That way, if the receiver has to return it, any refund will go to their account, not yours (necessary if they need to order a replacement or decide they would rather have something else). On the other hand, if you don't mark it as a gift, you can start buying books for it right away (and there should be a lot of free books between now and Christmas, which would mean the gift would arrive with dozens of books pre-loaded; there are over 40 non-public domain books free right now) ... I'd recommend this route for a spouse, child or parent, especially if it is the first Kindle on an account. You can even set up a new account just for the Kindle, if you want to keep it separate from your regular purchases. Some families do this and use a pre-paid credit card plus gift certificates to manage the shared account, so purchases don't go to only one person's credit card. You also have until January 31, 2010, to return any gift items ordered now, rather than the standard 30 days of regular Kindle purchases (and no restocking fees, unlike the 10% on the nook if it is returned).

Free Audiobook - Desiring God

ChristianAudio's free download this month is Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist by John Piper, narrated by Grover Gardner Paperback $10.19). After adding the audiobook to your cart, enter the coupon code NOV2009 during checkout.

Scripture reveals that the great business of life is to glorify God by enjoying Him forever. In this paradigm-shattering classic, newly revised and expanded, John Piper reveals that the debate between duty and delight doesn't truly exist: Delight is our duty. Join him as he unveils stunning, life impacting truths you saw in the Bible but never dared to believe.

John Piper, pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis since 1980, is the author of The Dangerous Duty of Delight, Desiring God, Future Grace, A Godward Life, and The Pleasures of God. He received his doctorate in theology from the University of Munich and taught biblical studies for six years at Bethel College, St. Paul, before becoming a pastor. He and his wife, Noel, have four sons and one daughter.

Get your free audio download HERE (be sure to use the coupon code shown, so you won't get charged). After you finishing checking out, you will be asked which format you prefer - select MP3 if you want to be able to play the book on your Kindle.

You may also be interested in the other John Piper audiobooks on christianaudio. Take advantage of their special price of only $4.98 each, only until November 21st!

Don't Waste Your Life
In this book John Piper describes his own journey in discovering this great, single passion. And He pleads that at all costs we pursue our joy in the crucified Christ, who is the glory of God.

When I Don't Desire God
What do you do when you discover that you're not satisfied in God the way he wants you to be? Joy is more than an afterthought of the Christian life; it is the sustaining fruit of a relationship with God. With a radical passion for Christ's glory, John Piper helps you find the joy God wants you to have.

The Pleasures of God
The weight of glory is a happy burden. Thus God is the happiest Being in the Universe. To know Him in His pleasures is to see Him as He is- and to have a fresh encounter with His transforming presence.

A Hunger For God
Do you have a hunger for God? There is an appetite for God. And it can be awakened. Piper invites us to turn from the dulling effects of food and the dangers of idolatry, and to say with a simple fast: "This much, O God, I want you."

Free Thanksgiving Books (PDF)

Sirius/XM Radio's annual "Thanksgiving Hotline" will air November 23, 24 and 25 on The Martha Stewart Living channel. Each of the chefs has contributed recipes to the The Martha Stewart Living Radio Thanksgiving Hotline Cookbook, a 56 page PDF download available HERE.

30 top chefs and entertaining experts offer tips, tricks and more to listeners for 30 hours over three days on Stewart's exclusive satellite radio channel. Stellar lineup of experts, including Martha Stewart, Emeril Lagasse, Mario Batali, Lidia Bastianich, and Jean-Georges Vongerichten help America cook the biggest meal of the year.

This extraordinary "Thanksgiving Hotline" offers Martha Stewart Living Radio and SIRIUS XM listeners a rare chance to hear these culinary legends divulge their favorite Thanksgiving recipes for the main course, hors d'oeuvres, variations on the traditional turkey meal, desserts, wine pairings, specialty cocktails (including non-alcoholic suggestions) designed for the holidays and much more. They will also share their personal Thanksgiving memories and family traditions.

Smithfield spokeswoman Paula Dean has a 36 page Holiday Hosting Guide available as a free PDF download.

I know all too well how stressful the holiday season can be! What, with all that cooking and hosting and gift buying, there’s barely time to take a breath! Smithfield and I want to help make your holidays a little bit easier. A few months ago we put out a call for your holiday cooking and entertaining questions, and we’ve gathered the best of those in a wonderful little guide that you can download here for free. We’ve also added some new recipes, gorgeous table setting ideas, and some wonderful articles to help make your holiday both creative AND economical!

So take a breath, relax and enjoy a few minutes of light reading – I promise you’ll be glad you did!

No registration required for either book and neither one will take long to glance thru and find a few ideas for the upcoming holiday (and you even have time to try out a recipe this weekend before committing for the big day).