The E-volution of the Book? Um, Well...

Okay, this was really meant to be a simple comment to my colleague's post ("Can you convince me to join the 21st century?") but after blathering on it became evident to me that my thoughts needed a post of their own. Here goes: The purist in me loves print books. The geek in me loves gadgets. Angel on one shoulder, devil on the other? Perhaps. Depends on who you ask.  I've had this debate before--mainly with myself, beginning years ago with my attempt to reconcile the satisfaction of handwriting my short stories versus the convenience of using a word processor. I think it's safe to say I eventually sided with technology in that regard, but the argument continued. Music CDs or MP3s? Again, for me, technology won the day. Up until a few years ago, I still bought music CDs, but the convenience (there's that word again!) of buying music online--DRM-free music, I might add--and having a good portion of my music library readily available in my pocket via my MP3 player turned the tide against collecting CDs. Of course, there are always those who'll argue that it's simply not the same, who favor the sound quality of CDs over MP3s, and more still who favor that of LPs over CDs, but I suppose it all comes down to preference. As for books, I have so many that when I moved last year I vowed out of sheer frustration (and an aching back) to never again buy another physical copy of a book as long as I lived, so help me God. But I've since reneged on that vow because I've been in love with the printed page for as long as I've been able to hold a book in my hands and read it on my own. No doubt, I too love the feel and smell of a book, and yet I'm itching to get my hands on an e-reader. The allure of having a library at my fingertips in a nice, easy-to-carry unit is a strong one, and I suspect I'll act on it soon than later. Does that mean I'll never buy another print book again? Not likely. I think it may depend on the book in question. First edtion hardcovers from beloved authors may still find their way on my shelves, while paperbacks may be relegated to downloads. Art books may be much better in print than digitized. (Then again, who can argue with pinch-to-zoom for getting a close-up view of the photographs or illustrations included with the text?) Heck, I may not even like e-books at all! I don't know, but I intend to find out, and when I do, I'll let you know what I really think of it all.  

(Much thanks to ACS for sparking this e-conversation!)

Can you convince me to join the 21st century?

For years, I've seen articles and heard commentary bemoaning the death of reading.  A study done in 2007 reported that one in four adults had not read a single book in the past year.  The New York Times has written several articles on the decline of reading, including a piece in 2007 on Twilight of the Books (no, it has nothing to do with the Stephenie Meyer series that has flown off the shelf for the past five years -- presumably, I think I can reasonably infer, to be read). 

The reality is that you can find statistics on just about any aspect of reading that you like (including, I just found out, the impact on toilet reading (AKA "TR") on...well, other things).  It seems that there's always going to be some debate about whether people are reading enough.  However, what there is no question about is that the way people are reading is changing.  In July of this year, Amazon reported that e-books outsold hardcover titles almost 2 to 1.  Dorchester Publishing, which is the self-described, "oldest independent mass market publisher in American" made the business decision to end its mass printing in favor of printing on demand and e-publishing in response to the surge in e-book sales and decline in regular book sales.  Clearly, e-books are gaining popularity.  (Incidentally, I've talked to many people lately who want to know if the library's digital collection can be read on Amazon's Kindle.  As Amazon's propriety reader, only Amazon titles can be read on the Kindle.  However, titles for e-book readers such as the Sony Reader, Barnes and Noble's Nook, Borders' Kobo, or the iPad can all be used with the library's e-book titles.)  

I will be the first to admit that I'm a bit old-fashioned.  I still like the texture and smell of holding the book in my hand.  So, here's what I'm asking of all you who not only still read, but also read e-books: What are the advantages of e-books?  I'm not asking this facetiously; I truly want to know.  Perhaps my love of the smell of the books is a bit old-fashioned, but it's still part of the reading experience to me.  So, bring me into the 21st century -- what cool features of the e-books can replace the smell of books?

The Water Giver

If you are a parent you need to read this book.  Many of the details in Joan Ryan's Book, The Water Giver: A story of a mother, son and their second chance will apply to any parent and child. 

Joan's son is learning disabled. He is prone to outbursts, temper tantrums and has difficulty in school.  Joan struggles to cope with the school system and her son's behavior daily. When her 16 year old son has a skateboarding accident, that causes a brain injury, the hardships she faces fade into the background.

This is more than a story of a mother and son getting through a terrible tragedy. It is a story of Joan's transformation and of her finally understanding what her relationship with her son is all about it.  This is a tale of tenacity, courage and Ryan's endless optimism despite multiple setbacks.  You'll laugh, you'll cry and you'll think about how your life would be different if something terrible happened to your child.  How would you cope?  The one thing you will not do is put this book down.  Joan's story is a heart-warming one that will keep you turning the pages.

Joan learned that sometimes, the best you can do for someone you love is to be the water giver and soothe their thirst.

Guilty pleasures to end the summer

"Always read something that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it" -- P.J. O'Rourke 

As someone whose car radio rarely veers off the same station, I'm not quite sure how I missed this until now: NPR has been doing a special series on authors' guilty pleasure books and authors.  From Joshua Braff's recent  admission that he loves John Irving to Laura Daves's penchant for Peyton Place, it's fun to peek into the virtual bookshelves and see what they're not embarrassed to admit they're reading, even if they're not always necessarily boastful of their choices.  It's the virtual equivalent of peeking on someone's bookshelves the first time you're invited to their home...not that I would ever do that (compulsively). 

Photo credit

Recently, when talking with my mom, I asked her what she'd been reading, since we often swap titles.  She was rather embarrassed when she told me that she's been reading a lot of Johanna Lindsey.  She tried to go on and explain that she just wasn't in the mood for anything heavy and it was a good escape.  I told her to relax, I wasn't judging.  Reading should be something you enjoy, so take it where you are.  If you need some Johanna Lindsay, by all means, read her books.  Since I just outed my mom on what she felt was her guilty pleasure, I feel obliged to report that I'm thinking about checking out Nora Roberts Bride Quartet.  That's right -- I typed that out loud (okay, I actually looked furtively around the room to make sure nobody saw me type it, but c'mon...it's a guilty pleasure, not a "proud pleasure").  I am in the mood for some stupid escapism, and it just sounds fun.  Sometimes, you just can't listen to P.J. O'Rourke.

So, I just outed my mom's guilty pleasure, my possible guilty pleasure (I'll let you know if I do check it out), and a few famous authors' to boot, why don't you join the sharing circle and let the rest of us in on your dirty little secret: what book or author do you secretly like?  After all, if Brad Meltzer can admit that he loves (yes, loves) the Twilight books, can't you share your guilty pleasure?

Last Dog On the Hill

I loved this book! It's a story about a very special dog but also about love, friendship, loyalty and redemption. It is a very touching tribute to Steve's dog, Lou. 

Lou's life is extradordinary, not just because of the unbelievable work that this heroic canine accomplished throughout his long and  well-loved life, but because of the amazing bond that he and Steve forged.
Steve's sense of humor comes through loud and clear in an easy, engaging read after which you wish you could have met Lou the wonder-dog yourself.

Do not get me wrong this is not your typical 'Hero Dog' story. On the contrary, throughout the book I cringed, laughed, whooped and cried. Lou starts off as an angelic flea-bag foundling. He’s super dog and mischevious mutt all rolled into one. His master's limitless patience and determination transforms him into a well-trained, thinking, master-redeemer of death-row dogs.

This book has it all, emotion, suspense, a good cast of characters, wit and precision writing. And each of these elements is vividly present in Last Dog on the Hill. Steve Duno had a special relationship with his dog and we are fortunate that Steve took the time to honor his beloved dog.

It is a must read for anyone because it transcends the "dog person" story and touches on the bonds between people as well as the bonds between humans and their pets and is filled with remarkable insight.

One of the big questions I found myself asking was whether Steve Duno rescued Lou or whether it was Lou that rescued Steve Duno.

I hope you are as enchanted by this story as I was.  It's a story that will make you smile, laugh out-loud, make you think and yes, shed a few tears. Who could ask for more in a book?

In the Queue

The Last Talk with Lola Faye by Thomas H. Cook

While in St. Louis to give a reading, historian Lucas Page notices Lola Faye Gilroy in the audience.  Lola was the "other woman" in his father's life and Page believes she is also responsible for his murder. 

Black Mamba Boy by Nadifa Mohamed

After Jama's mother dies, he takes the money she left him and goes on a search for the father he has never seen.  His search takes him to the Sudan where his father supposedly works as a driver for the British.

Promise Me: How a Sister's Love Launched the Global Movement to End Breast Cancer by Nancy G. Brinker

The moving and behind-the-scenes story of the Susan G. Komen Foundation, a marketing giant that raises billions of dollars for breast cancer research.

Save Your Servant

I remember the first time I watched The Exorcist. Frankly, I'll never forget it. It was the summer of '85, and my family and I all gathered around the TV to enjoy some wholesome entertainment, courtesy of cable television. A 12-year-old girl (Regan) possessed by a demon? Sure, why not! I was riveted by the movie, but I probably didn't sleep for an entire month afterwards, fearful that I was next in line to vomit green slime and have my head twisted around backwards. Despite being a voracious reader, I didn't realize at the time that the movie was based on a book of the same title by William Peter Blatty. Last month I finally read The Exorcist for the first time, and I must admit that it delivers a depth of darkness far beyond what its Hollywood sibling was able to conjure with special effects. In the movie, you want the exorcist, Father Merrin, and his assistant, Father Karras, to win because Good kicking Evil in the tail makes for a splendid, chest-thumping ending to any film. But in the book, you want the priests to win because that thing lying strapped to a bed and cursing all of humanity is still a little girl, and you care enough about her to want her torment to cease. You want "It" to be Regan again, to laugh and giggle and pout and pester her mother like any normal 12-year-old girl. Now, no spoiler alerts are necessary here: we all know how this one turns out in the end, and Regan, if I may be allowed to mock a certain CEO for a moment, gets her life back. Bottom line, and at the expense of using a cliche: the book is most definitely better than the movie (but the movie ain't bad). Just read it during daylight!