I find this ridiculous. This morning's bit of news for readers holds the teaser that Amazon is slated to begin marketing a reduced-price ereader that supports ads on its screen-saver.
Will people pay to have ads on a personal device?
...to save a paltry $25?
That's less than 20% savings and it means that the face of the owners' new ereaders would constantly have two ads staring out at them.
Seriously?
I would pay NOT to have to see advertising.
My NOOK ereader, while only displaying black and white, is able to display my photos. It can hold up to 1,600 books. There is no way I am going to reach capacity on it for a good, long while. I've used the extra space to add photos of all of my family members and close friends. Each time I pick my NOOK up to read I have a different happy memory to look at. I love that. My kids love that. My five year old was turning it off and on yesterday as we waited at the ATT store. She found, on her own, that if she turned it on and then off a new photo would cycle to the screen. I loved watching her.
So far Barnes and Noble has told the media that they will not follow in the footsteps of Amazon.
"A year ago, I asked Barnes & Noble's management if they planned to sell ads and they said said they didn't want to do anything that would disrupt the reading process," Wahlstrom said. "If readers are distracted by the ads, it won't do anyone any good."
I realize that purchasers are free to make their own decisions. It is my hope that this falls flat though. Advertising in America is getting out of hand and the American public can embrace more advertising or shut their doors to it. Again, I would be willing to pay NOT to see ads.
My 10 year old son and I both desperately want to purchase our own NOOK COLORs. Truly the price isn't bad for the amount of technology. When you double the cost and the cost of the accessories and then add in some money for some books...well, it begins to look like a pretty good chunk of change. We figure we need about $600 for the two of us to have our wishes fulfilled. We're saving our money. Yes. We are patiently (or not) saving our money. My little guy has even had the idea that if we pool our resources we could buy one once we have half the money saved. While we think we both want a NOOK COLOR, saving our money and waiting is also allowing for the market to change over time. Prices may continue to drop. We might decide to save even more money and buy a tablet that would function as an ereader as well as many other things. Time will tell. I would not, however, be tempted by any kind of price drop if it meant I'd have to stare at ads.
As I continue to read articles about this I am finding that this product is going to come with special coupons aimed only at the owners of this ad-sponsoring Kindle. Some will be for deals on ebooks, others might be for Amazon gift cards. You know what? I still say an unequivocal "No." I see my ereader as a personal product; something that conveys a part of me.
When I visited Barnes and Noble's forums this morning I read this particularly scathing post in reply to whether people think ad-supported ereaders are a good idea:
"Wow, a whole $25 dollars to have an inferior Kindle AND ads....its like Christmas and my birthday all wrapped up together!"
Here are some articles about this latest ad gimmick:
click here> OnlineJournal
click here>ReadWriteWeb
And here is the Amazon page where the product is being sold for pre-order:
click here> AmazonKindleWithAds
11 April 2011
Have you ever borrowed an ebook from your library?
Today's library loans more than just books. The newest and hottest items appear to be ebooks!
Ebooks open up a whole new area of legal questions though.
Previously a library would purchase a certain number of physical books. When a book was borrowed by a patron it was no longer available on the shelf. The way that works with digital material (ebooks) is that the library may only loan out as many copies as they've paid for. Libraries can not make extra copies from an original.
Harper Collins wishes to limit the borrowing of each digital book to 26 times. Personally, I find myself wondering how many readings a good quality physical book can withstand and think that it should be allowed a bit more usage than that and priced accordingly. You can search the internet for "Harper Collins" to find more information on the debate.
The ebook market is exploding right now. That will mean that lawyers round the world will slug this out in the courts. New legislation will have to be made that will suit both publishers/authors and retailers/libraries/readers.
Let the lawyers work on that.
Check out your library's site to see if they have an ebook lending service.
And here is a wonderful comparison of ebooks and physical books by Newsweek:
Books vs E-Books
Ebooks open up a whole new area of legal questions though.
Previously a library would purchase a certain number of physical books. When a book was borrowed by a patron it was no longer available on the shelf. The way that works with digital material (ebooks) is that the library may only loan out as many copies as they've paid for. Libraries can not make extra copies from an original.
Harper Collins wishes to limit the borrowing of each digital book to 26 times. Personally, I find myself wondering how many readings a good quality physical book can withstand and think that it should be allowed a bit more usage than that and priced accordingly. You can search the internet for "Harper Collins" to find more information on the debate.
The ebook market is exploding right now. That will mean that lawyers round the world will slug this out in the courts. New legislation will have to be made that will suit both publishers/authors and retailers/libraries/readers.
Let the lawyers work on that.
Check out your library's site to see if they have an ebook lending service.
And here is a wonderful comparison of ebooks and physical books by Newsweek:
Books vs E-Books
When did you last visit a library?
10-16April 2011 is National Library Week!
April is Schoool Library Month
This site click here> @YourLibrary is hosting a "twaiku"contest.
What's that?
It's a Twitter Haiku contest. Tweet your submission now!
From their site: "Twaiku use the same basic structure of 3 lines with 5-7-5 syllables respectively. Unlike a true haiku, a twaiku can only be 140 characters, or 130 with our #nlwtwaiku tag."
Here is the one I wrote:
book lust I do have
need a new book to fix that
free fix...library
Have you visited your local library lately?
As a mom of kids who are growing up our use of the library is becoming easier. As the kids age they assume greater responsibility for the things they borrow from the library although I do keep track of the dates that items are due for return.
Reasons to Use the Library
Savings~ Most public libraries are funded by taxes which we pay whether we use our libraries or not. Why not borrow an item instead of spending money on it?
Internet Searching of Catalog~ These days you can search for items in your library's catalog by means of the internet so that you don't have to visit just to find out if your item is available.
Holds~ Many library websites allow items to be placed on hold via the internet. When the item has been set aside and is ready for you to pick up you will receive notification, usually by e-mail.
Inter-Library Loans~ If your library doesn't own the item you are looking for, it may have a policy for borrowing that item from another library they have a relationship with (at no, or little, cost to you).
More than just books~ These days libraries loan more than just books: CDs, DVDs, ereaders (so that patrons can "try before buying"), ebooks. Most also have banks of computers for patrons to surf the internet.
Increased Lending Periods~ Many libraries are lengthening the lending periods of their items. Having longer lending periods means users may not need to renew a loan. It also means that libraries should have more room for inventory since more things should be out on loan for longer periods. It might mean fewer fines for users too.
April is Schoool Library Month
This site click here> @YourLibrary is hosting a "twaiku"contest.
What's that?
It's a Twitter Haiku contest. Tweet your submission now!
From their site: "Twaiku use the same basic structure of 3 lines with 5-7-5 syllables respectively. Unlike a true haiku, a twaiku can only be 140 characters, or 130 with our #nlwtwaiku tag."
Here is the one I wrote:
book lust I do have
need a new book to fix that
free fix...library
Have you visited your local library lately?
As a mom of kids who are growing up our use of the library is becoming easier. As the kids age they assume greater responsibility for the things they borrow from the library although I do keep track of the dates that items are due for return.
Reasons to Use the Library
Savings~ Most public libraries are funded by taxes which we pay whether we use our libraries or not. Why not borrow an item instead of spending money on it?
Internet Searching of Catalog~ These days you can search for items in your library's catalog by means of the internet so that you don't have to visit just to find out if your item is available.
Holds~ Many library websites allow items to be placed on hold via the internet. When the item has been set aside and is ready for you to pick up you will receive notification, usually by e-mail.
Inter-Library Loans~ If your library doesn't own the item you are looking for, it may have a policy for borrowing that item from another library they have a relationship with (at no, or little, cost to you).
More than just books~ These days libraries loan more than just books: CDs, DVDs, ereaders (so that patrons can "try before buying"), ebooks. Most also have banks of computers for patrons to surf the internet.
Increased Lending Periods~ Many libraries are lengthening the lending periods of their items. Having longer lending periods means users may not need to renew a loan. It also means that libraries should have more room for inventory since more things should be out on loan for longer periods. It might mean fewer fines for users too.
10 April 2011
A really functional site for book lovers: www.librarything.com
Have you ever thought about keeping track of the books you own, or the books you are wishing for?
Have you ever wanted to keep track of the books you read so that you can refer back to the list or use it to make better recommendations?
Here is a really functional site for book lovers:
click here> LibraryThing
It is a very easy, straightforward site to use but if you look around and have any questions I have helped people learn how to use the site in the past.
The site is free for the recording of up to 200 book titles. As soon as I found the site I knew I would use it so I bought a lifetime membership for $20 (unlimited entries). I believe the price is still in that range. I bought a membership for one of my brothers and opened a free account for my mother-in-law as I believed it would take a while for her to reach the 200 mark. Each of our kids has their own account also. You can share an account if you use a tag to denote the owner or reader of each book.
You can connect with other friends who use the site. If you'd like my username, just let me know.
The site can be used for so many things. "Tags" may be used to mark books in multiple ways. You can tag them any way you wish. Here are some examples of tags that I use:
Own (for books our family owns)
Library (to denote books we borrowed from the library)
ebook (to denote an electronic book as opposed to a physical book)
lent to... (to show that I have lent the book to someone)
received from... (to show to whom I should return the book after reading it)
Fiction
Non Fiction
Historical Fiction
Culture-American, Culture-Britsh, etc. (to denote cultures that are exemplified in the book)
Mystery
or by topic (animals, science, weather, etc.)
wish list (to track titles of books you want to buy or that people could give to you as a gift)
If you try it out let me know.
It is probably my favorite book-related site.
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
The Count of Monte Cristo is one of Alexander Dumas's most famous books. It was written in the mid1840s as a serialized newspaper installment.
Unbeknown to me, the version of this book that I downloaded from www.gutenberg.org is an abridged version. Out of a total of 117 chapters, the version I read included chapters 28-47; only 20 chapters. Now that I am aware that I was only reading a portion of the story I can truly say that I do wish I had been reading the full unabridged novel.
The story was still very meaty. I was able, as a matter of fact, to discern on my own that one of the main characters appeared in many different incarnations throughout the story, holding title to 6 embodiments aside from his original appearance in the story. The whole story would only be more clear had I been reading the novel in its entirety.
Since it was written as a serial the plot is thick! The reader finds much to enjoy: revenge, adventure, treasure, romance, intrigue, piracy... There is little reason for me to go on. If you like a story line that continually builds and doesn't falter in doldrums you will likely appreciate this story. The setting moves along as well, back and forth from France to Italy and other locales.
For a serious reader, I would recommend the complete, unabridged novel. I would also recommend reading a literary guide along with it so that nothing vital is missed.
Unbeknown to me, the version of this book that I downloaded from www.gutenberg.org is an abridged version. Out of a total of 117 chapters, the version I read included chapters 28-47; only 20 chapters. Now that I am aware that I was only reading a portion of the story I can truly say that I do wish I had been reading the full unabridged novel.
The story was still very meaty. I was able, as a matter of fact, to discern on my own that one of the main characters appeared in many different incarnations throughout the story, holding title to 6 embodiments aside from his original appearance in the story. The whole story would only be more clear had I been reading the novel in its entirety.
Since it was written as a serial the plot is thick! The reader finds much to enjoy: revenge, adventure, treasure, romance, intrigue, piracy... There is little reason for me to go on. If you like a story line that continually builds and doesn't falter in doldrums you will likely appreciate this story. The setting moves along as well, back and forth from France to Italy and other locales.
For a serious reader, I would recommend the complete, unabridged novel. I would also recommend reading a literary guide along with it so that nothing vital is missed.
Do you own an ereader?
I find myself wondering how many readers of this blog own ereaders...
Do you own one?
How many people in your family own one?
What brand/s?
Do you like it?
Do you own one?
How many people in your family own one?
What brand/s?
Do you like it?
09 April 2011
I'm so excited! Another of my favorite books is being made into a film!
One Day by David Nicholls
In a London suburb one day my brother, Duffy, and I
were out shopping with my kids.
We stopped in at our local bookstore, something we
frequently did when he visited.
We were both standing near a small display of books,
perusing the variety. We both reached for a copy of
the same book.
We both quickly read the blurb:
'best weird love story since The Time Traveler's Wife'...
Duffy and I looked at each other and both instantly knew we had to read the book.
We quickly purchased two copies as he was due to travel back to the states sooner than either of us could manage to finish reading it.
click here for my original review of > One Day by David Nicholls
In a London suburb one day my brother, Duffy, and I
were out shopping with my kids.
We stopped in at our local bookstore, something we
frequently did when he visited.
We were both standing near a small display of books,
perusing the variety. We both reached for a copy of
the same book.
We both quickly read the blurb:
'A totally brilliant book about the heartbreaking gap between the way we were and the way we are...the best weird love story since THE TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE. Every reader will fall in love with it. And every writer
will wish they had written it.'
will wish they had written it.'
Tony Parsons
'best weird love story since The Time Traveler's Wife'...
Duffy and I looked at each other and both instantly knew we had to read the book.
We quickly purchased two copies as he was due to travel back to the states sooner than either of us could manage to finish reading it.
click here for my original review of > One Day by David Nicholls
08 April 2011
Did you know you can borrow ebooks from many libraries?
Welcome to the future of reading.
If you have not tried using something besides a traditional book for your pleasure reading maybe it is time.
These days books can be read using so many personal devices. Any device that can display text on a screen may be used as a reading device; this can include: phones with data plans, computers, ereaders, iTouch, tablets.
Did you know the switch is not as expensive as it sounds?
Just yesterday, beneath this post, I alerted my followers to two great deals on NOOK ereaders.
Did you know you can "TRY BEFORE YOU BUY"?
Our library, click here> Plainfield Library, lends two types of ereaders to its users: NOOK and Sony.
If you aren't sure whether an ereader might be a great investment, this is a great way to find out!
Try more than one; find the one that best suits you aesthetically and functionally.
Our library uses this site, click here> MyMediaMall, to allow users to borrow ebooks and audiobooks!
Many libraries offer a similar service. I really didn't expect to borrow books for my ereader. I have always liked to own the books that I read. Once I tried it though I realized it works for me; with the economy being in the state it's in it really makes sense to borrow a book. No muss, no fuss...and, better yet, no fees!
Our system allows users to choose the length of borrowing time; generally 7, 14, or 21 day periods.
Here's the greatest benefit: when your lending period expires the book magically evaporates from your device. If you want to renew the ebook it may be possible to do so, using the website of the lending service. (Some lenders may disallow renewals if there are many people waiting for a title.)
Most services will allow users to place a "hold" on titles that are not currently available due to popularity. Ours will contact the requester by email when the item is available and gives three days to respond to the request before passing it on to the next person on the hold list.
Benefits of ereaders over traditional books:
ability to carry all your ebook titles with you anywhere
convenience (everything is in one package)
adjustable font size and type
cost savings (most ebooks are cheaper than new releases in hardcover)
free books (many sites offer free books, even popular ones, as an incentive to customers, many allow lending of ebooks, and now libraries have joined the fun)
If you have not tried using something besides a traditional book for your pleasure reading maybe it is time.
These days books can be read using so many personal devices. Any device that can display text on a screen may be used as a reading device; this can include: phones with data plans, computers, ereaders, iTouch, tablets.
Did you know the switch is not as expensive as it sounds?
Just yesterday, beneath this post, I alerted my followers to two great deals on NOOK ereaders.
Did you know you can "TRY BEFORE YOU BUY"?
Our library, click here> Plainfield Library, lends two types of ereaders to its users: NOOK and Sony.
If you aren't sure whether an ereader might be a great investment, this is a great way to find out!
Try more than one; find the one that best suits you aesthetically and functionally.
Our library uses this site, click here> MyMediaMall, to allow users to borrow ebooks and audiobooks!
Many libraries offer a similar service. I really didn't expect to borrow books for my ereader. I have always liked to own the books that I read. Once I tried it though I realized it works for me; with the economy being in the state it's in it really makes sense to borrow a book. No muss, no fuss...and, better yet, no fees!
Our system allows users to choose the length of borrowing time; generally 7, 14, or 21 day periods.
Here's the greatest benefit: when your lending period expires the book magically evaporates from your device. If you want to renew the ebook it may be possible to do so, using the website of the lending service. (Some lenders may disallow renewals if there are many people waiting for a title.)
Most services will allow users to place a "hold" on titles that are not currently available due to popularity. Ours will contact the requester by email when the item is available and gives three days to respond to the request before passing it on to the next person on the hold list.
Benefits of ereaders over traditional books:
ability to carry all your ebook titles with you anywhere
convenience (everything is in one package)
adjustable font size and type
cost savings (most ebooks are cheaper than new releases in hardcover)
free books (many sites offer free books, even popular ones, as an incentive to customers, many allow lending of ebooks, and now libraries have joined the fun)
07 April 2011
Have you been waiting to buy a basic ereader? Here's a great deal online...
Wow! If you can wait no longer to purchase an ereader that uses eink technology you should consider this deal:
NOOK original on sale
It is on sale for $79, normally priced at $149.
NOOK with 3G+wi-fi
It is on sale for $139, normally priced at $199.
My only caution is that prices will surely continue to drop on tablets. The NOOK COLOR is $249.
I did some digging around online yesterday and found that B&N had posted NOOK COLORs for $200 or $199 instead of $249, using ebay as the source of the sale. It was a short-lived opportunity though; one that I missed unfortunately. I am going to be checking as regularly as possible for similar deals.
The deals I linked are being sold by B&N via ebay.
NOTE: These are not new units; they have been refurbished by B&N or its partners.
"Manufacturer refurbished: An item that has been professionally restored to working order by a manufacturer or manufacturer-approved vendor. This means the product has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired to meet manufacturer specifications and is in excellent condition. This item may or may not be in the original packaging. See the seller’s listing for full details." I would note that the site says the ereaders are in "excellent condition" and would expect to retrieve one in such condition.
(Thanks to reader, Jennifer G, who found the information about refurbishments for me!)
NOOK original on sale
It is on sale for $79, normally priced at $149.
NOOK with 3G+wi-fi
It is on sale for $139, normally priced at $199.
My only caution is that prices will surely continue to drop on tablets. The NOOK COLOR is $249.
I did some digging around online yesterday and found that B&N had posted NOOK COLORs for $200 or $199 instead of $249, using ebay as the source of the sale. It was a short-lived opportunity though; one that I missed unfortunately. I am going to be checking as regularly as possible for similar deals.
The deals I linked are being sold by B&N via ebay.
NOTE: These are not new units; they have been refurbished by B&N or its partners.
"Manufacturer refurbished: An item that has been professionally restored to working order by a manufacturer or manufacturer-approved vendor. This means the product has been inspected, cleaned, and repaired to meet manufacturer specifications and is in excellent condition. This item may or may not be in the original packaging. See the seller’s listing for full details." I would note that the site says the ereaders are in "excellent condition" and would expect to retrieve one in such condition.
(Thanks to reader, Jennifer G, who found the information about refurbishments for me!)
06 April 2011
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
The Postmistress is a wonder.
It is a book about: war, women, reporters, volunteers, meaningful connections,
accidents, fortune, misfortune, love, heartbreak...and so much more.
I made copious notes as I read this book; however, as I sat down to work with
them my access to the book via the lending library that I use, expired and
*<poof>*
my notes were gone.
I'll do my best though ~
I love the connections this book makes. First, I must say that this work is historic fiction. It is based on truth: WWII facts are present but do not bog down the story, women reporters were occasionally used in WWII on radio broadcasts, and at least one U-Boat surfaced off the coast of the United States (I can't recall if it was more than one, thanks to losing my notes and access to the book file), portable recording devices as used in the book were used sparingly toward the end of the war.
When something of critical importance is happening in the world and it also happens to be tragic what can be done about it? Anything? Something? Can one person do anything appreciable to affect the outcome of something as substantial as a WORLD WAR?
As I understood the author, yes, we can affect change, but even so, some things are going to remain unpreventable.
In this book one of the characters, a doctor, volunteered and then traveled to England to serve. He helped one person at a time, for hours at a time. While in a very sad and unchangeable situation in the states he found that even though he was surrounded by horror in England, he also became a very happy and fulfilled person. That did not mean, however, that he did not desperately long for his newly-wedded wife...with so great a yearning that it affected his very being. He tells a fellow character that "it all adds up".
A different character voluntarily watched the coast for the surfacing of U-Boats and predicted the Germans would arrive, sooner or later. He knew he would be right even though he did not want to be.
One character is harassed by the town's children for being a Kraut. In reality he is an Austrian Jew whose wife is in a French internment camp. He longs to be reconnected with her.
Another character travels to England to report on the war. Her intent was to tell the story of the Jews so that others could know the truth; more truth than was being allowed by the news services at the time. She didn't know how exactly she would accomplish the task but it just sort of came together, on its own, in a brilliant manner. She faces incomprehensible horror while accomplishing her task. She succeeds in finding a way to capture the stories of a finite group of people who are fleeing Germany with the hope of clinging to their lives and loved ones. At the same time she ends up being partially responsible for the death of a person and feels as though she lets down a small boy who was looking to her for support and guidance in place of his mother who was not allowed to accompany him. So, does it all add up?
From that point, though, what would happen? After each story was told what happened next? What was the rest of the story? Is telling part of the story enough? What happens if the hearers of the story do not DO anything about what they hear? Does everything still add up?
I mentioned connections; many are made. Some are satisfying, some are heartbreaking. What war story, I ask you, won't hold some sadness though?
This story, amazingly, managed to hold many moments of:
happiness, tenderness, love...
Life holds all of that; the good and the bad. This story does too.
~ ~ ~
If you enjoyed the Book Thief by Marcus Zusak you will probably enjoy this book too. If you did not enjoy the Book Thief it is still likely that you will enjoy this selection as it is not told in the same manner that The Book Thief was told (with Death being the Narrator). The stories are similar though, in that they do not only focus on war even though it is a major theme in both books.
It is a book about: war, women, reporters, volunteers, meaningful connections,
accidents, fortune, misfortune, love, heartbreak...and so much more.
I made copious notes as I read this book; however, as I sat down to work with
them my access to the book via the lending library that I use, expired and
*<poof>*
my notes were gone.
I'll do my best though ~
I love the connections this book makes. First, I must say that this work is historic fiction. It is based on truth: WWII facts are present but do not bog down the story, women reporters were occasionally used in WWII on radio broadcasts, and at least one U-Boat surfaced off the coast of the United States (I can't recall if it was more than one, thanks to losing my notes and access to the book file), portable recording devices as used in the book were used sparingly toward the end of the war.
When something of critical importance is happening in the world and it also happens to be tragic what can be done about it? Anything? Something? Can one person do anything appreciable to affect the outcome of something as substantial as a WORLD WAR?
As I understood the author, yes, we can affect change, but even so, some things are going to remain unpreventable.
In this book one of the characters, a doctor, volunteered and then traveled to England to serve. He helped one person at a time, for hours at a time. While in a very sad and unchangeable situation in the states he found that even though he was surrounded by horror in England, he also became a very happy and fulfilled person. That did not mean, however, that he did not desperately long for his newly-wedded wife...with so great a yearning that it affected his very being. He tells a fellow character that "it all adds up".
A different character voluntarily watched the coast for the surfacing of U-Boats and predicted the Germans would arrive, sooner or later. He knew he would be right even though he did not want to be.
One character is harassed by the town's children for being a Kraut. In reality he is an Austrian Jew whose wife is in a French internment camp. He longs to be reconnected with her.
Another character travels to England to report on the war. Her intent was to tell the story of the Jews so that others could know the truth; more truth than was being allowed by the news services at the time. She didn't know how exactly she would accomplish the task but it just sort of came together, on its own, in a brilliant manner. She faces incomprehensible horror while accomplishing her task. She succeeds in finding a way to capture the stories of a finite group of people who are fleeing Germany with the hope of clinging to their lives and loved ones. At the same time she ends up being partially responsible for the death of a person and feels as though she lets down a small boy who was looking to her for support and guidance in place of his mother who was not allowed to accompany him. So, does it all add up?
From that point, though, what would happen? After each story was told what happened next? What was the rest of the story? Is telling part of the story enough? What happens if the hearers of the story do not DO anything about what they hear? Does everything still add up?
I mentioned connections; many are made. Some are satisfying, some are heartbreaking. What war story, I ask you, won't hold some sadness though?
This story, amazingly, managed to hold many moments of:
happiness, tenderness, love...
Life holds all of that; the good and the bad. This story does too.
~ ~ ~
If you enjoyed the Book Thief by Marcus Zusak you will probably enjoy this book too. If you did not enjoy the Book Thief it is still likely that you will enjoy this selection as it is not told in the same manner that The Book Thief was told (with Death being the Narrator). The stories are similar though, in that they do not only focus on war even though it is a major theme in both books.
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