I'm currently headed to Mexico on business. Unsure of Internet access. Taking lots of reading with me.
Sorry for the short hiatus. Expect to return to the States the 10th of December.
11.25.2005
11.16.2005
Book Texting
Dot Mobile, a cell phone company out of London, is texting students the Cliff's Notes of literature, complete with text message slang. Article via:
Slashdot: Literature Teeters on the Edge of a 'Gr8 Fall'.
Both Yahoo! and Slashdot seem to think this is an awful idea, but I see it as another step in the right direction. I don't like the text slang, but with mobile devices becoming the next thing in communication, it makes sense for phone companies to begin competition outside of ringtones and wireless. Why not books? Books as PDF are taking off--I know quite a few people who read them on the Palms. I hope Dot Mobile sees the greater value of these summaries and eventually pairs them with the full books.
Slashdot: Literature Teeters on the Edge of a 'Gr8 Fall'.
Both Yahoo! and Slashdot seem to think this is an awful idea, but I see it as another step in the right direction. I don't like the text slang, but with mobile devices becoming the next thing in communication, it makes sense for phone companies to begin competition outside of ringtones and wireless. Why not books? Books as PDF are taking off--I know quite a few people who read them on the Palms. I hope Dot Mobile sees the greater value of these summaries and eventually pairs them with the full books.
11.15.2005
$8000=Entire Penguin Collection
Over the summer, Penguin released its Classic Library Complete Collection available through Amazon. For slightly less than $8K, you can own almost every book in Penguin's catalogue. It's a good thing the shipping is free because it weighs 700 lbs. Wow.
The New York Times: 1,082 Penguin Books story has the tale of one family who bought.
Can you imagine if all publishers released their collection this way? Granted, Penguin's collection lends itself the most easily to this, but wouldn't it be cool for bibliophiles to own the collections of their favorite publishers in one bulk purchase.
In case you're curious of what to get me for the holidays, it's on my wishlist.
Thanks to Shane for the update.
The New York Times: 1,082 Penguin Books story has the tale of one family who bought.
Can you imagine if all publishers released their collection this way? Granted, Penguin's collection lends itself the most easily to this, but wouldn't it be cool for bibliophiles to own the collections of their favorite publishers in one bulk purchase.
In case you're curious of what to get me for the holidays, it's on my wishlist.
Thanks to Shane for the update.
11.11.2005
Review of Reviews
Priya Jain writes forSalon.com Books "Years of magical thinking" a nice review that, in addition to reviewing the memoir, reviews the author's history and the other reviewers.
More Eleventh Hour Votes For Limits On The Patriot Act
New bill up in the Senate (S.1389) gives greater reader privacy than the House version. The Senate legislation restricts bookstore and library searches under Section 215 of the Patriot Act to the records of suspected terrorists or those in contact with them. If you agree, contact your senator with your support.
Two Links:
Rising Support Cited for Limits On Patriot Act
Campaign For Reader Privacy
Two Links:
Rising Support Cited for Limits On Patriot Act
Campaign For Reader Privacy
11.06.2005
Delicious Library
Woah, what a cool program. For $40, it allows you to catalogue your entire book, music, and DVD library. I'm currently trying the demo version to see how it handles my personal book library (at the last move over 800). I'll report back on how well it does.
11.04.2005
The Theory on Bad Reviews
We're at the point that I need to address something that I've been trying to avoid: the subject of bad reviews. Authors and publishing companies send us their books. I feel it's both a great honor and a great responsibility. These are works that people have labored over. The majority are small publishing houses that don't have a lot marketing dollars, including money to send review copies. That means that these same small houses don't receive a lot of reviews for their books. That means they don't generate a buzz, which means the books are harder to sell.
Now, sometimes, these small houses are one-man-bands. The self-published author. This is generally a person who has invested his or her own money into making the book a reality. Sometimes, albeit rarely, self-publishing works. There's a great book out there that, for whatever reason, mainstream publishing companies aren't picking up. These people have even fewer shots of getting reviews for their books, and even less of a chance of distribution and sold copies. These are the books I want to champion.
My interest in publishing has always been wide. The publishing companies are working hard to keep their doors open. The authors often don't make enough on a book to quit their day jobs. Not a lot of people are getting rich. Yet, it's an industry that is flooded with books. It's overwhelming to readers. I originally created this blog for people interested in both reading and the business of books. I've posted the occasional negative review about a book from a large house. My reasoning: there is so much press about the books from big houses that another commentary is just that: another voice in the mix.
But, to this point, I haven't posted a bad review of a book from a small press. I have read some books that were lacking, and written a few negative reviews. But, after doing some Internet searches on the books in question and finding no information, I decided not to post the reviews. The reason? Why should the only mention of a book be negative? Perhaps nobody is buying it in the first place, why bother to post reviews of something not being read? I don't want to hurt a small house that is struggling just to meet its overhead. Yet, at the same time, the publisher has sent their book to me, a reviewer, to critique. Perhaps authors are wondering what happened to their books? (For the record, the process is like this: books come in, are logged and then put in line to be read, critiqued, then at the end of each calendar year, given to the reviewers or donated to the local library.) Why is this blog, one that strives to devote itself to the small press, lacking in book reviews about the small press?
The answer is two fold: 1) some of the books sent to me from small presses have received negative reviews that I chose not to post; 2)I give reviewers the freedom to choose the book they want to discuss.
But, I have a responsibility to readers. If someone sends a book, they do it in good faith. If the book was good, I'd post it in a heartbeat. If the book deserves a negative review, it also should be posted. The first negative review is being posted today. Give me your feedback. Based on that, I'll decide whether or not to post others.
By the way, if you're a publisher who wants your book reviewed, or a reviewer looking for a home for your reviews, address queries to me: Brandi Larsen-- bookaday at gmail.com.
Now, sometimes, these small houses are one-man-bands. The self-published author. This is generally a person who has invested his or her own money into making the book a reality. Sometimes, albeit rarely, self-publishing works. There's a great book out there that, for whatever reason, mainstream publishing companies aren't picking up. These people have even fewer shots of getting reviews for their books, and even less of a chance of distribution and sold copies. These are the books I want to champion.
My interest in publishing has always been wide. The publishing companies are working hard to keep their doors open. The authors often don't make enough on a book to quit their day jobs. Not a lot of people are getting rich. Yet, it's an industry that is flooded with books. It's overwhelming to readers. I originally created this blog for people interested in both reading and the business of books. I've posted the occasional negative review about a book from a large house. My reasoning: there is so much press about the books from big houses that another commentary is just that: another voice in the mix.
But, to this point, I haven't posted a bad review of a book from a small press. I have read some books that were lacking, and written a few negative reviews. But, after doing some Internet searches on the books in question and finding no information, I decided not to post the reviews. The reason? Why should the only mention of a book be negative? Perhaps nobody is buying it in the first place, why bother to post reviews of something not being read? I don't want to hurt a small house that is struggling just to meet its overhead. Yet, at the same time, the publisher has sent their book to me, a reviewer, to critique. Perhaps authors are wondering what happened to their books? (For the record, the process is like this: books come in, are logged and then put in line to be read, critiqued, then at the end of each calendar year, given to the reviewers or donated to the local library.) Why is this blog, one that strives to devote itself to the small press, lacking in book reviews about the small press?
The answer is two fold: 1) some of the books sent to me from small presses have received negative reviews that I chose not to post; 2)I give reviewers the freedom to choose the book they want to discuss.
But, I have a responsibility to readers. If someone sends a book, they do it in good faith. If the book was good, I'd post it in a heartbeat. If the book deserves a negative review, it also should be posted. The first negative review is being posted today. Give me your feedback. Based on that, I'll decide whether or not to post others.
By the way, if you're a publisher who wants your book reviewed, or a reviewer looking for a home for your reviews, address queries to me: Brandi Larsen-- bookaday at gmail.com.
11.03.2005
Google Print
People Reading on The Train
Red Eye.
The New Yorker.
Devil in a White City.
Harry Potter.
That Was Yesterday. I'll keep notes this morning.
New reviews will be posted on Friday.
Update, 9am.
This morning's train readings:
Red Eye.
Chicago Sun-Times.
A T-Mobile Sidekick.
Jewels of the Sun.
The Mercy Ruler (a library book!)
Jarhead.
Cornwell.
The Time Traveler's Wife.
The New Yorker.
Devil in a White City.
Harry Potter.
That Was Yesterday. I'll keep notes this morning.
New reviews will be posted on Friday.
Update, 9am.
This morning's train readings:
Red Eye.
Chicago Sun-Times.
A T-Mobile Sidekick.
Jewels of the Sun.
The Mercy Ruler (a library book!)
Jarhead.
Cornwell.
The Time Traveler's Wife.
10.22.2005
The Quill Awards Are Going On Right Now
Best Debut Author: Elizabeth Kostova, The Historian
Best Humor: Jon Stewart, America (The Book)
Best Business: Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics
Best Children's Chapter Books, Middle Grade: J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Best Cooking: Rachel Ray, Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Get Real Meals
Best Children's Illustrated Book: Shel Silverstein, Runny Babbit
Best Religion/Spirituality: Deepak Chopra, Peace Is The Way
The full list is at their website: www.quillsliteracy.org. (Shame for posting prior to the full televised cermony.)
Yes, I'm back. I'm sorry for the long delay.
Best Humor: Jon Stewart, America (The Book)
Best Business: Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner, Freakonomics
Best Children's Chapter Books, Middle Grade: J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Best Cooking: Rachel Ray, Rachel Ray's 30 Minute Get Real Meals
Best Children's Illustrated Book: Shel Silverstein, Runny Babbit
Best Religion/Spirituality: Deepak Chopra, Peace Is The Way
The full list is at their website: www.quillsliteracy.org. (Shame for posting prior to the full televised cermony.)
Yes, I'm back. I'm sorry for the long delay.
9.06.2005
Nice article.
I'm a big fan of Jeanette Winterson's work. She just redid her website (well, I imagine her people just redid the website). In any case, she wrote a nice journal entry in this month's newsletter about books and their ability to rejuveniate.
If you haven't read any of her books, start with Written on The Body.
If you haven't read any of her books, start with Written on The Body.
8.22.2005
The Book Vending Machine is Here!
Okay, not here. Paris. But still, the concept has been actualized. Even more gratifying than Amazon and ebay put together: The Book Vending Machine. You have to read the full article.
I think this is the coolest thing ever.
I think this is the coolest thing ever.
8.15.2005
8.11.2005
Boo to Blog Spam
Please do not spam this place with great dating sites. There's a whole Internet full of porn. Leave it out there, kids. Grr.
8.10.2005
Ebooks
E-books are making their way to campus.
E-books only account for a tiny share of the market ($3.2 million in an entire quarter, $10.6 million less than the newest Harry Potter book sold in the first 24 hours). But, they're trying to grow.
They're offering 30% off normal textbook prices, which is a lot to cash-strapped college students, who on average spend $800 a year on books. This could be great news, but it's really more of the same. There's a catch: The books are only available for download to a single computer and expire after five months.
Personally, I think that's a big catch. With students having multiple devices (palm, several computers, phones with e-book readers), they should be able to read how they like. The expiration date is ridiculous.
This kind of business model begs for some angry inventive student to begin file sharing or hack into the system as a whole, leaving the e-book industry to whine like the MPAA. I propose a better idea: borrow the I-tunes model. The whole point of the Internet is flexibility. Let students download their textbooks by chapter at a less expensive price point. Allow a certain number of copies to their own devices. Put it in a format that's clean, but a pain to copy. Place it in a nice looking easy-to-use interface. Hyperlink to other things that could be of help, like Wikipedia. Ditch the idea of expiration dates.
This builds a loyal audience who will come back to you. It grows the e-book market. And, it's fair.
E-books only account for a tiny share of the market ($3.2 million in an entire quarter, $10.6 million less than the newest Harry Potter book sold in the first 24 hours). But, they're trying to grow.
They're offering 30% off normal textbook prices, which is a lot to cash-strapped college students, who on average spend $800 a year on books. This could be great news, but it's really more of the same. There's a catch: The books are only available for download to a single computer and expire after five months.
Personally, I think that's a big catch. With students having multiple devices (palm, several computers, phones with e-book readers), they should be able to read how they like. The expiration date is ridiculous.
This kind of business model begs for some angry inventive student to begin file sharing or hack into the system as a whole, leaving the e-book industry to whine like the MPAA. I propose a better idea: borrow the I-tunes model. The whole point of the Internet is flexibility. Let students download their textbooks by chapter at a less expensive price point. Allow a certain number of copies to their own devices. Put it in a format that's clean, but a pain to copy. Place it in a nice looking easy-to-use interface. Hyperlink to other things that could be of help, like Wikipedia. Ditch the idea of expiration dates.
This builds a loyal audience who will come back to you. It grows the e-book market. And, it's fair.
8.08.2005
The Review Apology
The Washington Post printed an apology to John Irving in Sunday's editor's note. His latest novel had been reviewed by Marianne Wiggins, who panned it, calling its writing style "lazy". She had a social relationship with Irving, which she did not disclose to the paper.
BookADay, who does not have connections to John Irving, plans to review Until I Find You.
This situation begs the question: how close it too close? Irving was a friend of Wiggins' ex-husband. Could it be that she didn't like the book, no matter to her relationship with him? Probably. Was she wrong in not telling The Washington Post. Definitely. Writers bump into reviewers all the time. Some reviewers, present company included, also write. I believe you always need to be honest about who you know and if it's really questionable, don't review it. That said, I also believe that you can read your best friend's book and if it's a bomb, you need to call it a bomb. Your thoughts?
BookADay, who does not have connections to John Irving, plans to review Until I Find You.
This situation begs the question: how close it too close? Irving was a friend of Wiggins' ex-husband. Could it be that she didn't like the book, no matter to her relationship with him? Probably. Was she wrong in not telling The Washington Post. Definitely. Writers bump into reviewers all the time. Some reviewers, present company included, also write. I believe you always need to be honest about who you know and if it's really questionable, don't review it. That said, I also believe that you can read your best friend's book and if it's a bomb, you need to call it a bomb. Your thoughts?
8.05.2005
New Book Review Up and Two Tidbits
It's in the BookADay Book Reviews section.
Two tidbits:
An ironic view on what America really needs to read right now. A juror on the Michael Jackson trial is writing a book called Guilty as Sin and Free as a Bird.
I've been reading indie book seller Robert Gray's blog, Fresh Eyes. The posting on 7.22 describes a dream job: Professor of Books.
Two tidbits:
An ironic view on what America really needs to read right now. A juror on the Michael Jackson trial is writing a book called Guilty as Sin and Free as a Bird.
I've been reading indie book seller Robert Gray's blog, Fresh Eyes. The posting on 7.22 describes a dream job: Professor of Books.
7.22.2005
The New Patriot Act
Slightly better for reader privacy than the old one. The Judiciary Committee approved unanimously the new Patriot Act, set to expire in 2009.
What it means for readers:
Prior written approval of the Director or Deputy Director of the FBI for any application for a FISA Court order to compel production of:
-library circulation records,
-library patron lists,
-book sales records,
-and book customer lists containing personally identifiable information.
The Justice Department must publicly reveal each year the number of orders issued to bookstores and libraries.
Basically, this means they can still do what they want, but now they have to do some paperwork and now they're traceable. It seems more fair.
The full article from The Campaign For Reader Privacy.
What it means for readers:
Prior written approval of the Director or Deputy Director of the FBI for any application for a FISA Court order to compel production of:
-library circulation records,
-library patron lists,
-book sales records,
-and book customer lists containing personally identifiable information.
The Justice Department must publicly reveal each year the number of orders issued to bookstores and libraries.
Basically, this means they can still do what they want, but now they have to do some paperwork and now they're traceable. It seems more fair.
The full article from The Campaign For Reader Privacy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
