In recent days I have been made aware of three developments in the eBooks industry. One is a philosophical development, two are commercial. Two, in my opinion, are good news. One most definitely is not. They show that people from all aspects of the book industry are looking at eBooks; some objectively, not as something … 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
A few months ago while reading through some random magazine (so I once again cannot find this article and what I am talking about comes from memory) I came across an article about a company that specializes in an aspect of the book trade that I never really considered: the development of custom libraries for … Read more
Well, at least publishers intend to print a hardcover later on. My question, is there really a need to have either? What info could possibly be imparted about this silly contest–I say silly, because although Waldo is a computer, all computers are programmed by humans. Tell me about one computer physically programming another, and that’s … Read more
Books as we have known them since Gutenberg printed the first bible; paper, glue, boards, cover artwork, all the physical attributes will soon disappear the way the dodo did. The latest news of the Borders bookstore chain losing their fight to stay alive, hammers one more nail in the coffin filled to the brim with hardcovers, … Read more
On the same page located on shelfawareness.com, a wonderful quote by an author sums up my feelings, and probably many other booklovers, to a tee. Right below this piece is the news about the big and wonderful independent bookstore in Portland OR, USA, Powells, who has had to lay off 30 workers over the past … Read more
The quote is from the head librarian at the Library of Congress, so you’d think he’d be a bit smarter than his statement. The statement was found on: http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=1385#m11415 A response to the preposterous statement is sharp, witty, and on the money: http://julieandrews.livejournal.com/100569.html
Ever wonder what the The Postman Always Rings Twice means? It has nothing to do with character or plot within the classic crime novel. James Cain worked out a system with his mailman. If he rang once, this means the envelope was thick, probably full of a contract and advance from a publisher. If the … Read more
