Kindle Weekend Deals

The Kindle Weekend Deal (for at least the next few hours) is The Hidden Language of Baseball: How Signs and Sign-Stealing Have Influenced the Course of Our National Pastime ($1.99), by Paul Dickson. Other vote winners to be on sale this weekend are Erin Brockovich (video), Nirvana (mp3) and Rollercoaster Tycoon 3: Platinum (game). Be sure to vote on next week's deal (I'm hoping for the wine country mystery for the book).

Book Description
Baseball is set apart from other sports by many things, but few are more distinctive than the intricate systems of coded language that govern action on the field and give baseball its unique appeal. During a nine-inning game, more than 1,000 silent instructions are given-from catcher to pitcher, coach to batter, fielder to fielder, umpire to umpire-and without this speechless communication the game would simply not be the same. Baseball historian Paul Dickson examines for the first time the rich legacy of baseball's hidden
language, offering fans everywhere a smorgasbord of history and anecdote.

Whether detailing the origins of the hit-and-run, the true story behind the home run that gave "Home Run" Baker his nickname, Bob Feller's sign-stealing telescope, Casey Stengel's improbable method of signaling his bullpen, the impact of sign stealing on the Giants' miraculous comeback in 1951, or the pitches Andy Pettitte tipped off that altered the momentum of the 2001 World Series, Dickson's research is as thorough as his stories are entertaining. A roster of baseball's greatest names and games, past and present, echoes throughout, making The Hidden Language of Baseball a unique window on the history of our national pastime.

It may be a glitch, but right now all four of the MP3 albums that you can vote on for next weekend's $5 deal are selling for $5 apiece. I'd just grab ones you want now and forget voting in that category.

• Come Away With Me, by Norah Jones
• The Lumineers, by The Lumineers
*** NOTE: If you buy this one from your Android device or Kindle Fire, using the Amazon MP3 App, you get another $2 off, so it's only $3 total!
• Scars & Stories, by The Fray
• Tuskegee, by Lionel Richie

Today's Deals

Fictionwise 55% off coupon, valid to 05/14/12 (or a few days later): 051112

Repeat freebies:

• Conspiracy of Silence (K)
• Spirit Horses (K)

Today is the last day to take advantage of this KSO deal:

• Get $2 off a relaxing MP3 Album

Today's Kindle Deal of the Day is 20 great novels that inspired movies, all on sale for $0.99 apiece. Be sure to check your library, as I noticed I had older editions of at least a couple of these already on Kindle, but it didn't show up on the product detail pages (same publisher, different ASIN, so apparently they replaced the editions, rather than updating those who had purchased earlier).

Deal Description
Explore the connection between classic books and the popular films they inspired. From Richard Matheson's I Am Legend to W.P. Kinsella's Shoeless Joe--filmed as Field of Dreams--this collection presents some of the most memorable books made into movies.

1. Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut
2. Wizard's First Rule, by Terry Goodkind
3. Fuzz (87th Precinct) , by Ed McBain
4. The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham
5. I Am Legend, by Richard Matheson
6. To Dance with the White Dog: A Novel of Life, Loss, Mystery and Hope , by Terry Kay
7. Shoeless Joe, by W. P. Kinsella
8. Who Goes There?, by John W. Campbell
9. Girl in Hyacinth Blue, by Susan Vreeland
10. The Midwich Cuckoos, by John W. Campbell
11. Red Alert, by Peter Bryant
12. The Sand Pebbles, by Richard McKenna
13. Friday the Rabbi Slept Late, by Harry Kemelman
14. Midnight Cowboy, by James Leo Herlihy
15. In the Heat of the Night, by John Ball
16. Make Room! Make Room!, by Harry Harrison
17. Bang the Drum Slowly, by Mark Harris
18. The Asphalt Jungle, by W. R. Burnett
19. An American Tragedy, by Theodore Dreiser
20. The Brave Cowboy, by Edward Abbey

Love, Sex, Death and Words ($1.60 / £0.99 UK), by John Sutherland and Stephen Fender, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $9.39).

Book Description
Love, sex, death, boredom, ecstasy, existential angst, political upheaval – the history of literature offers a rich and varied exploration of the human condition across the centuries.In this absorbing companion to literature’s rich past, arranged by days of the year, acclaimed critics and friends John Sutherland and Stephen Fender turn up the most inspiring, enlightening, surprising and curious artefacts literature has to offer.Why did 16 June 1904 matter so much to James Joyce? Which great literary love affair was brought to a tragic end on 11 February 1963? And why did Roy Campbell punch Stephen Spender on the nose on 14 April 1949? Love, Sex, Death and Words provides an unrivalled, sumptuous voyage through the highs and lows of literature’s bejewelled past.

Every Day Is Mother's Day ($6.39 Kindle, $0.99 B&N), by Darrin Zeer and Katy Dockrill, is the Nook Daily Find.

Book Description
Every Day Is Mother's Day is the ultimate tribute to the most important woman in everyone's life. This charmingillustrated volume offers mom dozens of ways to unwind from the stresses of her day and helpful tips for a more harmonious household. Relaxation expert Darrin Zeer customizes his signature massage, meditation, and pampering techniques for busy women to be enjoyed at home, in the office, or even while driving the kids to soccer practice. Throughout, delightful quotes from kids of all ages express in so many ways what each of us wants to say on Mother's Day and every day: "Thanks, Mom, I love you!"

The Mommy Book ($6.99 Kindle, $2.99 B&N), by Todd Parr, is the Nook Daily Find for Families.

Book Description
With his trademark, child-like art, Todd Parr celebrates mothers, whether they drive a minivan or a motorcycle or work in a big building or at home. Full color.

Soulless ($0.99 Kindle, Kobo), the first title in The Parasol Protectorate series by By Gail Carriger, is Today's Deal at Kobo, price matched on Kindle. Definitely recommended, this one received a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

Book Description
Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she was rudely attacked by a vampire, breaking all standards of social etiquette.

Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire -- and then the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate.

With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Finally, who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart?

SOULLESS is a comedy of manners set in Victorian London: full of werewolves, vampires, dirigibles, and tea-drinking.

Free Audiobook - Wives and Daughters

Celebrate Mother's Day with a free audiobook download of the Elizabeth Gaskell's classic Wives and Daughters (free Kindle; $32.95 Audible), narrated by Josephine Bailey, over at Tantor Media. You'll also get a PDF copy of the ebook (or can click on the book cover to get a free Kindle edition) for reading along.

Book Description
Wives and Daughters, Elizabeth Gaskell's last novel, is regarded by many as her masterpiece. Molly Gibson is the daughter of the doctor in the small provincial town of Hollingford. Her widowed father marries a second time to give Molly the woman's presence he feels she lacks, but until the arrival of Cynthia, her dazzling stepsister, Molly finds her situation hard to accept. Intertwined with the story of the Gibsons is that of Squire Hamley and his two sons. As Molly grows up and falls in love, she learns to judge people for what they are, not what they seem. Through Molly's observations the hierarchies, social values, and social changes of early-nineteenth-century English life are made vivid in a novel that is timeless in its representation of human relationships.

Get the free audiobook and ebook from Tantor Media.

Free Audiobook - Resolving Everyday Conflict

Christianaudio's free audiobook this month is Resolving Everyday Conflict ($7.69 Kindle; $9.95 Audible), by Kevin Johnson and Ken Sande, narrated by Maurice England.

Book Description
Blessed are the peacemakers

Everyone encounters conflict--whether it be with a co-worker, family member, friend, or complete stranger. And yet we all desire harmony in our relationships. Resolving Everyday Conflict is a practical, biblical, and concise guide to peacemaking in everyday life that can turn your troubled relationships into peaceful ones.

With the proven advice found in this book, authors Ken Sande and Kevin Johnson show you how to achieve not only a cease-fire but also unity and harmony. Their biblical guidance will take you beyond resolving conflicts to true, life-changing reconciliation with family, co-workers, and fellow believers.

Ken Sande is president of Peacemaker Ministries and author of the bestselling The Peacemaker. He regularly assists in family, business, and church disputes. For nearly three decades he has devoted his life to showing the power of the gospel to transform relationships. Ken enjoys teaching biblical peacemaking around the world. He and his wife, Corlette, live in Montana and have a married daughter and teenaged son.

Kevin Johnson is the bestselling author or coauthor of more than fifty books and Bible products. He pastors Emmaus Road Church in metro Minneapolis, where he lives with his wife, Lyn, and three growing children.

Get the free audio download from Christianaudio and scroll down the page for several $4.98 discounted titles. The checkout process is very streamlined (a coupon code is no longer required), as is the download process (no longer do you have to download each part of the book separately). You can also send a gift download of the free audiobook to someone else!

After finishing your order, download a zip file with the entire audiobook: select MP3 if you want to be able to play the book on your Kindle (M4B for the iOS, iTunes or QuickTime). Unzip the contents to the \audiobooks directory on your Kindle (not \music) in order to have audiobook controls and see it on your Kindle home page.

Today's Deals

Today's Kindle Deal of the Day is has not yet been announced.

The Settlers of Catan ($1.60 / £0.99 UK), by Rebecca Gable and Lee Chadeayne (translator, is the Kindle Deal of the day for those in the UK (the US edition is $4.99).

Book Description
The year is 850. In the seas of northern Europe, the small coastal village of Elasund falls prey to marauding neighbors. Their food stores pillaged, women and children stolen, livestock destroyed, the villagers are left to barely survive the harsh winter — and contemplate a drastic solution to their recurring hardships: leaving the only village they have ever known. Foster brothers Candamir and Osmund lead their people on an epic quest to a mythic island home, but without knowledge of exactly where the island is, they must trust the gods to deliver them safely. Lost at sea and set adrift, an extraordinarily violent storm washes them ashore the island famed in pagan lore: Catan. They quickly set about building a new society but old grudges, animosities, and social orders lead to fraternal strife. As the ideals of Candamir's Christian slave spread throughout the village and conflict with pagan law, the two belief systems clash. When both Osmund and Candamir fall in love with Siglind, the mysterious queen of the Cold Islands, things come to a head.

Based on the wildly popular board game of the same name designed by Klaus Teuber, Rebecca Gable’s The Settlers of Catan is a must-read adventure rich in detail and rippling with intensity.

Stumbling on Wins (Bonus Content Edition) ($4.74 Kindle, $1.99 B&N), by David J. Berri, is the Nook Daily Find, price matched on Kindle.

Book Description
The next quantum leap beyond Moneyball, this book offers powerful new insights into all human decision-making, because if sports teams are getting it wrong this badly, how do you know you're not? Sometimes the decisions that teams make are simply inexplicable. Consider: sports teams have an immense amount of detailed, quantifiable information to draw upon, more than in virtually any other industry. They have powerful incentives for making good decisions. Everyone sees the results of their choices, and the consequences for failure are severe. And yet... they keep making the same mistakes over and over again... systematic mistakes you'd think they'd learn how to avoid. Now, two leading sports economists reveal those mistakes in basketball, baseball, football, and hockey, and explain why sports decision-makers never seem to learn their lessons. You'll learn which statistics are connected to wins, and which aren't, and which statistics can and can't predict the future. Along the way, David Berri and Martin Schmidt show why a quarterback's place in the draft tells you nothing about how he'll perform in the NFL... why basketball decision-makers don't focus on the factors that really correlate with NBA success... why famous coaches don't deliver better results... and much more.

Evil Genius (Evil Genius Trilogy Series #1) ($5.99 Kindle, $1.99 B&N), by Catherine Jinks, is the Nook Daily Find for Families, price matched on Kindle.

Book Description
Cadel Piggott has a genius IQ and a fascination with systems of all kinds. At seven, he was illegally hacking into computers. Now he’s fourteen and studying for his World Domination degree, taking classes like embezzlement, forgery, and infiltration at the institute founded by criminal mastermind Dr. Phineas Darkkon. Although Cadel may be advanced beyond his years, at heart he’s a lonely kid. When he falls for the mysterious and brilliant Kay-Lee, he begins to question the moral implications of his studies. But is it too late to stop Dr. Darkkon from carrying out his evil plot?