I might have to hustle up and use that Borders gift card pretty soon... I think it might be the end for Borders. If you haven't been following this news, the book retailer is close to filing bankruptcy. Even if you don't follow business news, if you have a Borders Rewards card, you can almost tell impending doom is near by the desperation in their emails. It used to be that they rotated coupon savings between amounts of ranging from 20% to the more rare 40% off. Ever since the holiday shopping season started up, I don't think I've seen a coupon for less than 40% off list price.
While there are a few local bookshops in my area, Borders is by far the most convenient to go to, and I will definitely miss it if it closes.
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Friday, February 11, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Book Review: Paper Towns
I figured I would still be reading this over the upcoming weekend, but I could barely put the book down. I practically devoured it.
Can I say what a gem this novel is. It's almost a shame it's listed as Young Adult, because there are people I know who would never think to read a YA novel, and I hate the idea of a larger audience missing out on such a great book. Paper Towns has an overarching story involving a girl named Margo that high school senior Quentin has been enamored with since childhood. They shared the experience of happening upon a dead man's body on a playground when they were younger. Fast forward to high school, where the two spend one adventurous night driving around Orlando in Quentin's parent's minivan, implementing Margo's devious plans to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend. Margo keeps dropping vague statements about disappearing and wanting to check out from suburban life, so when she runs away, Quentin isn't sure if it's another stunt or something more serious.
The other side of the story is filled by Quentin among his friends, who for once in a novel, are fully developed, funny, endearing characters. The guy nicknamed Radar is ashamed to bring new friends to his home because his parents have the one of the largest known collections of black Santas. Their other friend has a car on its last legs that is described as being fueled by human hope. I think I liked the relationship progression of Quentin and his friends and classmates even more than the storyline about Margo.
Not only is the dialogue snappy and hilarious, but themes of life and its expectations are very well put together. This is the way a coming-of-age story should be written. Funny, real, not trying too hard, but trying hard enough as not to be easily forgotten. This is the type of book that makes me want to read everything else the author has written.
Can I say what a gem this novel is. It's almost a shame it's listed as Young Adult, because there are people I know who would never think to read a YA novel, and I hate the idea of a larger audience missing out on such a great book. Paper Towns has an overarching story involving a girl named Margo that high school senior Quentin has been enamored with since childhood. They shared the experience of happening upon a dead man's body on a playground when they were younger. Fast forward to high school, where the two spend one adventurous night driving around Orlando in Quentin's parent's minivan, implementing Margo's devious plans to get revenge on her ex-boyfriend. Margo keeps dropping vague statements about disappearing and wanting to check out from suburban life, so when she runs away, Quentin isn't sure if it's another stunt or something more serious.
The other side of the story is filled by Quentin among his friends, who for once in a novel, are fully developed, funny, endearing characters. The guy nicknamed Radar is ashamed to bring new friends to his home because his parents have the one of the largest known collections of black Santas. Their other friend has a car on its last legs that is described as being fueled by human hope. I think I liked the relationship progression of Quentin and his friends and classmates even more than the storyline about Margo.
Not only is the dialogue snappy and hilarious, but themes of life and its expectations are very well put together. This is the way a coming-of-age story should be written. Funny, real, not trying too hard, but trying hard enough as not to be easily forgotten. This is the type of book that makes me want to read everything else the author has written.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Digital Age of Books
It seems a major sea change is occurring in the Publishing industry. I know this because I've been reading Publisher's Weekly emails for about 3 weeks now. I hear it only takes 3 weeks to become an expert in a topic.
Or something.
Anyway, so this blurb about Harper Collins releasing only a few audio books on CD and choosing a digital download format for the rest of their spring titles, has me thinking.
How on earth do I download an audio book?!
I understand the concept, it's just that, well, I haven't actually done it yet. I completely get the convenience factor. The multi-disc audio book seems like a for-sure goner. I recently posted about a fantastic audio book I got from the library (Paper Towns by John Green). Sadly, I never got through disc 2 because it stopped working. I have no idea what the problem was, but the rest of the discs refused to work in my car's CD player. Pretty cruel considering the first disc worked fine and the reader of the story was so engaging. I returned the discs and checked out the print version so I could finish the story.
Some libraries already have digitally downloadable books, and I'm thinking that might be a good place to start. Except.. how do I do that? It's silly, really, since I regularly use technology and have a smart phone and all, but for some reason this process seems daunting.
Then there's e books. When I got my new phone, I downloaded the Kindle app. Have I used it? No. Could I? Yes. Will I?
Maybe?
I just need one brave step in this direction. And, coincidentally, I may have found it since a friend said they have free credits I can use at audible, which I had to look up because I'm so out of the loop. But now I know.
Technically proficient readers, what is your favorite way to read a book? Have you embraced ebooks yet?
Or something.
Anyway, so this blurb about Harper Collins releasing only a few audio books on CD and choosing a digital download format for the rest of their spring titles, has me thinking.
How on earth do I download an audio book?!
I understand the concept, it's just that, well, I haven't actually done it yet. I completely get the convenience factor. The multi-disc audio book seems like a for-sure goner. I recently posted about a fantastic audio book I got from the library (Paper Towns by John Green). Sadly, I never got through disc 2 because it stopped working. I have no idea what the problem was, but the rest of the discs refused to work in my car's CD player. Pretty cruel considering the first disc worked fine and the reader of the story was so engaging. I returned the discs and checked out the print version so I could finish the story.
Some libraries already have digitally downloadable books, and I'm thinking that might be a good place to start. Except.. how do I do that? It's silly, really, since I regularly use technology and have a smart phone and all, but for some reason this process seems daunting.
Then there's e books. When I got my new phone, I downloaded the Kindle app. Have I used it? No. Could I? Yes. Will I?
Maybe?
I just need one brave step in this direction. And, coincidentally, I may have found it since a friend said they have free credits I can use at audible, which I had to look up because I'm so out of the loop. But now I know.
Technically proficient readers, what is your favorite way to read a book? Have you embraced ebooks yet?
Monday, February 7, 2011
Everyone wants to write a book. No, really. Everyone.
I've heard it said that everyone has an idea for a book. I thought I understood this, I really truly did. It's difficult to comprehend just how many people want to write the next great American novel until you can see the reality for yourself. A few weeks ago I attended an in-store event at Anderson's Bookshop where the authors of the following book, which is a worthwhile read, hosted an a forum that included a chance for random audience members to pitch their story ideas.
Now honestly, had I known the format of the event would entail listening to other people pitch story ideas for 2 hours, I might not have gone. However, the authors and the other "experts" on the panel (a literary agent, a couple publishers) gave excellent feedback and advice after each story pitch. Plus, it helped me work on defining my story as a pitch, which I never thought of before.
What was incredible to me is how stuffed this little bookshop was; people from their early 20s up to retirement age, with ideas varying from a family quilt cookbook to a space adventure to young adult historical fiction (which apparently does not sell right now, according to one of the publishers). In a way, it was inspiring to see how many people are trying to get their work published. On the other hand, it sheds light on just how competitive the market is.
It always kind of saddened me to go into Half Price Books; all those tables and shelves lined with bargain priced books that hardly anyone has heard of. If the goal is to just get published, it's probably easier now than ever to do that. I think for me, I want to take my time with this, and write because I enjoy it. I want to get better at it.
I've at least taken the first step, going from wanting to write a book to actually writing one. It's the first step in a long process, but for me, an important step to note.
Now honestly, had I known the format of the event would entail listening to other people pitch story ideas for 2 hours, I might not have gone. However, the authors and the other "experts" on the panel (a literary agent, a couple publishers) gave excellent feedback and advice after each story pitch. Plus, it helped me work on defining my story as a pitch, which I never thought of before.
What was incredible to me is how stuffed this little bookshop was; people from their early 20s up to retirement age, with ideas varying from a family quilt cookbook to a space adventure to young adult historical fiction (which apparently does not sell right now, according to one of the publishers). In a way, it was inspiring to see how many people are trying to get their work published. On the other hand, it sheds light on just how competitive the market is.
It always kind of saddened me to go into Half Price Books; all those tables and shelves lined with bargain priced books that hardly anyone has heard of. If the goal is to just get published, it's probably easier now than ever to do that. I think for me, I want to take my time with this, and write because I enjoy it. I want to get better at it.
I've at least taken the first step, going from wanting to write a book to actually writing one. It's the first step in a long process, but for me, an important step to note.
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