Subtext

2011′s most social books

claire — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 02:45:58 +0000

Since Subtext is all about sharing and discussing books, we thought it would be appropriate for us to put a ‘social’ spin on the classic end-of-year books list. The 2011′s Most Social shelf represents the twenty books that people couldn’t stop talking about this year. Although quantifying ‘buzz’ is always an imprecise science, we found that PeopleBrowsr‘s social analytics tools allowed us to measure the number of mentions for a particular title on Twitter, Facebook and blogs in an impressively reproducible manner. The final rankings provide an interesting look at what sorts of books got us talking last year. Join the discussion in Subtext by visiting the 2011′s Most Social shelf (located in the Featured Shelves section of EXPLORE) where you can check out free previews of all the books that made the list.

20. The Wise Man’s Fears – Patrick Rothfuss

The second novel of the Kingkiller Chronicles trilogy was delayed for three years and had built up a significant amount of hype by the time it was finally released last March.

19. Smokin Seventeen – Janet Evanovich

The prolific author of the Stephanie Plum series actually published two novels in 2011 but Smokin Seventeen turned out to be the favorite with mystery fans.

18. Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman

The Nobel-winning economist’s theory of behavior and the two different modes of human thought was one of the hottest intellectual topics of the year.

17. Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother – Amy Chua

Amy Chua’s manifesto on Chinese versus Western parenting practices was a lightning rod for debate in 2011.

16. Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern

The first novel from fantasy author Erin Morgenstern was the only fiction debut that managed to crack our top twenty list.

15. Snuff – Terry Pratchett

Terry Pratchett has less of a following in the US than he does overseas but in the UK his fan base is rabid and the newest Discworld novel was one of the fastest selling books in history.

14. Son of Neptune – Rick Riordan

The second book in Riordan’s fantasy series based on Greek mythology was a huge hit with the young adult crowd.

13. The Help – Kathryn Stockett

The motion picture adaptation of this 2009 novel put Kathryn Stockett’s book back into the spotlight.

12. 11/22/1963 – Stephen King

Stephen King’s novel about a time traveler trying to stop the Kennedy assassination has more in common with historical fiction than the type of paranormal horror story King is normally associated with and this break from formula helped the author score one of his biggest hits in decades.

11. Dance with Dragons – George R.R. Martin

Thanks to the mainstream success of HBO’s TV adaptation of GOT, Martin’s sprawling fantasy series continued to win over new fans in 2011.

10. Heaven is for Real – Lynn Vincent

This Christian title became a sleeper hit in 2011 mainly thanks to word-of-mouth publicity.

9. The Litigator – John Grisham

With 25 fiction titles under his belt, the release of a new Grisham legal thriller still gets people talking.

8. Dead Reckoning – Charlaine Harris

The 11th book in the blockbuster Sookie Stackhouse series (inspiration for the HBO show True Blood) proved that vampire fiction is still a fan favorite in 2011.

7. Inheritance – Chris Paolini

Despite claims that his work is derivative of other speculative fiction classics, the final installment of the Inheritance Cycle was a major hit with young adult readers.

6. Ascend – Amanda Hocking

Amanda Hocking helped make self-publishing a major conversation topic of 2011.

5. Bossypants – Tina Fey

The SNL star and 30 Rock producer effortlessly made the transition to author with the publication of her autobiographic comedy.

4. 1Q84 – Haruki Murakami

Murakami’s opus was the most talked about literary fiction title of the year.

3. Mockingjay – Suzanne Collins

The last installment of the hugely popular Hunger Games series enjoyed a boost in mentions thanks to anticipation for the upcoming Hunger Games motion picture.

2. A Stolen Life – Jaycee Dugard

Jaycee Dugard’s memoir about growing up in captivity was one of the most captivating stories of the year and coincided with the high-profile trial and sentencing of her captors in June.

1. Steve Jobs – Walter Isaacson

Three of the five most talked about books of the year were biographical or autobiographical nonfiction, with Isaacson’s book on Steve Jobs taking the top position as people reflected on the life and legacy of the iconic CEO.

-Nathan

“Welcome to the new Subtext”

claire — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 03:06:01 +0000

We’re releasing a major update of Subtext in a few hours, and I didn’t want the moment to pass without sharing my thoughts on why it’s important.

The update represents a major step forward for us: The user experience is simpler with a straighter path to books and friends and delivers what we like to call easy fun—that intangible feeling you get when an app responds quickly to your touch and offers lots of opportunities for discovery.

But I’m way prouder of what the update represents. It points to what you should expect from Subtext moving forward: a lot of exploration and experimentation until we know we’ve cracked it.

So with that, please spend time in our newest release and send your feedback to me at rachel@subtext.com.

See you in the pages of a book!

-Rachel, Founder

Connecting to Subtext with Google or Facebook

Nathan — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 00:28:24 +0000

Your privacy is extremely important to us. When you connect to Subtext with your Google or Facebook account, you can be sure that none of your personal data will ever be stored, modified or shared. Read on for a detailed guide to what information Subtext requests and how we use it to optimize your user experience.

Connecting with Google

When you login with your Google account, Subtext asks for permission to perform the following actions:

“Manage your books”
This allows the app to sync your Subtext bookshelf with your Google Books library. It also gives you access to millions of free book previews courtesy of Google Books. Subtext cannot (and would not) make any purchases from your account or modify the contents of your Google Books library.

“View your email address”
This provides the app with your Gmail address so we can send you email notifications related to your Subtext account. Notifications can be turned off at anytime in Account Settings (accessible by tapping the gear icon on your Subtext shelf). Your email address is confidential and will never be shared with other users or external parties.

“View basic information about your account”
This allows Subtext to view the public information associated with your Google account including your name, birthdate, gender, timezone, language and profile image. We use this information to build your Subtext profile and customize your user experience. Subtext cannot (and would not) access any private information related to your Google account or email.

“Perform these operations when I’m not using the application”
Allows Subtext to keep your profile and account information current at all times.

“Manage your contacts”
This allows Subtext to temporarily view your Gmail contacts. We use this to help you find friends who are already using the app and to send email invitations to contacts who you would like to read with. Subtext does not store, edit or share your contacts and will never send an email invitation to your contacts without your permission.

Connecting with Facebook

When you login with your Facebook account, Subtext asks for permission to perform the following actions:

“Access my basic information”
This allows Subtext to view the public information associated with your Facebook account including your name, gender, location, friends list and profile image. We use this to build your Subtext profile and customize your user experience.

“Send me email”
This provides us with the email address linked to your Facebook account so we can send you notifications related to your Subtext account. Notifications can be turned off at anytime in Account Settings (accessible by tapping the gear icon on your Subtext shelf). Your email address is confidential and will never be shared with other users or external parties.

“Post to Facebook as me”
This gives Subtext permission to post from your Facebook account, so you can compose and send reading invitations to your friends directly from the app. Subtext will always ask your permission before posting to Facebook.

“Access my data any time”
Allows Subtext to keep your profile and account information current at all times.

Read Subtext’s full Privacy Policy.

Connecting to Subtext with Google or Facebook

claire — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:03:48 +0000

Your privacy is extremely important to us. When you connect to Subtext with your Google or Facebook account, you can be sure that none of your personal data will ever be stored, modified or shared. Read on for a detailed guide to what information Subtext requests and how we use it to optimize your user experience.

Connecting with Google

When you login with your Google account, Subtext asks for permission to perform the following actions:

“Perform these operations when I’m not using the application”
Allows Subtext to keep your profile and account information current at all times.

Connecting with Facebook

When you login with your Facebook account, Subtext asks for permission to perform the following actions:

“Access my data any time”
Allows Subtext to keep your profile and account information current at all times.

Read Subtext’s full Privacy Policy.

How do I get books to read in Subtext?

claire — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:39:23 +0000

Getting new books to read in Subtext is easy. You can buy books from a number of online retailers, or even load any epub books that you already own. Below you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about getting books in Subtext.

How do I buy books to read in Subtext?

I am reading a free preview and want to purchase the book. What’s the easiest way to do this?

How do I get a book I already own into Subtext?

Where can I get more free book previews to read in Subtext?

Can I read Kindle books and iBooks in Subtext?

I don’t see my Google Books in Subtext. What should I do?

Subtext asked me for an Adobe ID. What is an Adobe ID and why do I need one?

If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to email us at support@subtext.com.

Subtext Unlocks Potential of eBooks, Transforms Reading Experience

claire — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:05:38 +0000

Collaborates with Bestselling Authors from Several Major U.S. Publishers to Provide the First Reading Experience Enhanced by Community Discussion, Author Commentary and Web Content

Raises $3M from Google Ventures, Mayfield Fund, New Enterprise Associates and Omidyar Network

Palo Alto and Los Angeles, CA—October 25, 2011—Subtext, a digital reading company with plans to unlock the full potential of ebooks, today released its first product, a state-of-the-art reading app for the iPad. Subtext was designed from the ground up to power the first community of consumers, authors and experts in the pages of ebooks. The service’s social networking and enrichment features lay over standard ebooks to transform reading into a social activity and, for the first time ever, connect books to the Web.

Right from the pages of their ebooks, Subtext members can:
• Engage in conversations with friends, community members, authors and experts, even if they are not on the same page at the same time
• Access author, expert and community-generated insights and information and contribute their own
• Easily add and explore links to relevant articles, images and multimedia on the Web
• Personalize the experience so they can engage with the people and information that matter to them

Members can also see all the discussions and activity related to the books they are reading in “Discuss,” a Facebook-style reading feed that serves as the community center of Subtext.

“Our goal is simple: to transform the way people read,” said Andrew Goldman, chief executive officer of Subtext. “Whether you want to talk about books or tap into all kinds of great insights and information as you read, we help you get more out of—and more into—your books.”

“Here, at last, is a platform that allows authors to add video, audio, photos, links and notes to enhance their books—and it is as easy as changing their Facebook status. Best of all, Subtext frees authors up to approach their subject in a different way, to speak in a more intimate voice and to lift the curtain on their process,” explained Amy Stewart, the New York Times-bestselling author of Wicked Bugs. “I’m midway through my next book, and I’m already thinking about how I can enhance it in Subtext.”

Subtext’s First Shelf Showcases 18 Enriched Books
For its launch, Subtext collaborated with notable authors from several U.S. publishers—including Byliner, Hachette Book Group, HarperCollins, Penguin Group (USA), Random House, Inc., Simon & Schuster and Algonquin, a division of Workman—to offer consumers a collection of eighteen books spanning genres such as literary and popular fiction, mystery, suspense, business and science. All books are enriched with additive content, including author and expert commentary, and available with free previews. The company also announced that it has integrated with the open Google Books API, allowing Subtext users access to their Google eBooks library as well as the ability to add additional books from the Google eBookstore.

This initial effort aligns with Subtext’s plan to serve as a platform that connects authors and publishers directly with consumers and supports the first marketplace for value-added book content.

Examples of Additive Content in Subtext:
• George R.R. Martin’s editor and researcher offer insider commentary in A Game of Thrones
• David Eagleman, a popular neuroscientist and author of Incognito, spends a week “in the book”discussing the complexities and contradictions of the human mind
• Frances Mayes refreshes her classic Under the Tuscan Sun with updates on popular characters and new off-the-beaten-path locations
• Spencer Quinn reveals the secrets behind a good mystery in The Dog Who Knew Too Much
• Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is brought to life with scenes from the new movie and interviews with author Lisa See and director Wayne Wang
• Amy Stewart uses quirky notes and multimedia to educate and entertain in Wicked Bugs
• Lev Grossman gives a behind-the-scenes tour of the magical world of Fillory in The Magician King
• Book critic David L. Ulin offers a modern interpretation of the classic Miss Lonelyhearts

Complete Lists of Books on First Subtext Shelf:
The Baby Chase, a Byliner Original, Holly Finn
The Chairs Are Where the People Go, Misha Glouberman & Sheila Heti
The Dog Who Knew Too Much, Spencer Quinn
A Game of Thrones, George R.R. Martin
Girl in Translation, Jean Kwok
Incognito, David Eagleman
In the Plex, Steven Levy
It All Changed in an Instant: More Six-Word Memoirs…, Larry Smith & Rachel Fershleiser
The Lotus Eaters, Tatjana Soli
Machine Man, Max Barry
Miss Lonelyhearts, Nathaniel West
The Magician King, Lev Grossman
A Reliable Wife, Robert Goolrick
The Sherlockian, Graham Moore
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, Lisa See
The True Memoirs of Little K, Adrienne Sharp
Under the Tuscan Sun, Frances Mayes
Wicked Bugs, Amy Stewart

Subtext will continue to curate and deliver new bookshelves with additive content at regular intervals throughout the year. In addition, consumers can purchase any book available in the Google eBookstore, and it will be automatically added to their Subtext bookshelf.

Subtext was designed to allow consumers to access and read books from multiple sources. The Subtext bookshelf can sync with users’ bookshelves on other platforms, and its system supports annotations across different ebook editions.

Subtext received $3 million in seed investment from Google Ventures, Mayfield Fund, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Omidyar Network. The company’s first product is a free iPad app currently available on the App Store.

About Subtext
Subtext is a digital reading company with a vision to power the largest community of readers, authors and experts in the pages of ebooks. The service offers social networking and enrichment features that lay over standard ebooks to enhance the reading experience. Subtext was founded in 2010 by Andrew Goldman, CEO; Adam Iarossi, CTO; Todd Robertson, vice president of engineering; and Rachel Thomas, vice president of marketing and strategic partnerships. Subtext received $3 million in seed investment from Google Ventures, Mayfield Fund, New Enterprise Associates (NEA) and Omidyar Network. The company’s first product is a free iPad app currently available on the App Store. For more information, visit www.subtext.com or contact info@subtext.com.

“Can we make reading more fun and rewarding?”

claire — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:05:24 +0000

We started Subtext asking ourselves this question and have tested our ideas against it for months. After reading with Subtext, I feel comfortable changing the question slightly. I’m now ask myself, “How fun and rewarding can we make reading?”

Simply put, reading together is better. Let me share my own experiences with you.

I am not a big literary fiction guy. So when I started Freedom, I’ll admit I didn’t get it. It seemed like an ordinary story about unlikable people. Then midway through the book a friend left a note linked to the line “Use thy freedom well.” She explained this was the book’s central theme and asked, “How have you used your freedom?” Suddenly the book opened up to me and challenged me to think about my choices. Months later, I am still thinking about Freedom thanks to Julie’s well-placed note.

Next up came something in my wheelhouse, The Big Short. Michael Lewis is one of my favorite writers, but I didn’t get his explanation of a credit default swap. It seemed like a product of Las Vegas, not Wall Street. Thanks to my friend Jay, I got an answer that made sense to me. Months later my investment in the book paid dividends when an old college friend joined the conversation. We all had so much fun going back and forth in The Big Short that we jumped into Moneyball together.

Bringing it home, my son Max and I just read Tom Sawyer in Subtext. Twain’s genius is capturing language and place, but his language and place are far from where we live today. All of Max’s friends hated the book, but together we broke through Twain’s style and dove into his coming-of-age story. When Tom dances around trying to impress Becky, we had our first father-son exchange about girls right in the pages of the book.

The next book I’m going to read is a biography about a man who has had a big impact on my life. He helped me learn to program; he inspired me to model my last company after Pixar; and his platform is the foundation for building Subtext. I plan to read his biography with Max and talk with my son about passion, inspiration and other life lessons. I invite all of you to join Max and me in the pages of Steve Jobs’ biography.

We can read together, exchange ideas and stories, and learn from each other.

-Andrew Goldman, Founder and CEO

Title of Article 1 / Publication

admin — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:53:31 +0000

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