In my discussion about the banning of Water for Elephants for high school age kids by a school district in NH, the question of age appropriateness came up, and I started wondering what that really means, and to what age does what book belong? Can one really take an age appropriate brush and color all kids … Read more
Few movie series have captured the imagination of the human mind as well as the Harry Potter movies. Based upon the books written by J.K. Rowling these movies have grossed millions of dollars and appeal to viewers of all age groups in every demographic. In fact, many fans entranced by the books have flocked to … Read more
When we last left our hero bookseller, she was learning the book biz from her pal, Lou Stein, while trying to avoid the owner’s troll parents, gun totting miscreants, and the tedious cash register. One of the ways of doing this was to learn how to return books. Paperbacks to be exact. How green was … Read more
Yes. Yes. And yes. Did I mention I think someone can have too many books? Why the question now? Why the question period? I’m always hearing from friends how many books they own, how many shelves they have, how many TBR (to be read) piles are sitting around. They have slight whine to them, a “well, … Read more
Why collect books? Why indeed. I asked myself the same question in the bathtub, snapping the binding of the latest Sue Grafton. I love to read but why bother to keep the book (just more clutter) let alone get a signature, put mylar on the dust jacket and place it it on a book shelf? The … Read more
To inscribe, or not to inscribe, that is the question. Whether tis’ n0bler to splatter your name indecipherably across the page, or to write a heartfelt little ditty. . . In days long ago, mystery authors did not sign as many books as they do today. The publishers didn’t demand they be their own publicists … Read more
Just when you believe self publishing has reached its limit, along comes a bizarro format, streetlamps. Yes, only in New York City, and in particular the gentrified West Village, would someone post individual pages of his or her ‘book’. Adhered to lamp posts are a one page printed sheet, its contents the ongoing story that … Read more
Sisters in Crime, a group dedicated to women writers of crime fiction, took a survey of those who purchase books. One librarian and author found some interesting and to her, surprising answers. In particular, younger, college age people prefer ‘real’ books to e-books. Not something most would think is true. Brick and Mortar bookstores are … Read more
