July 27, 2011
A new study shows that members of reading groups are using more e-books. The Amazon Kindle is leading the way, with the Barnes and Noble Nook coming in second. (One could draw the opposite conclusion, too, and state that most readers still prefer traditional books.) Shira S.
July 26, 2011
This year, the 13 books of the “Man Booker Dozen” are: Julian Barnes The Sense of an Ending (JonathanCape – Random House) Sebastian Barry On Canaan’s Side (Faber) Carol Birch Jamrach’s Menagerie (Canongate Books)
July 26, 2011
John Keilman, Chicago Tribune reporter, defends the printed book against the Kindle in this article from today’s edition. Using Gary Shteyngart’s sad sack of a protagonist, Lenny Abramov, from his novel Super Sad True Love Story as an example of someone hopelessly out of date because he still reads “bound, printed, nonstreaming media artifacts,” Keilman […]
July 24, 2011
In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run at Manassas, Virginia, Civil War re-enactors are fighting it out in heavy wool uniforms, despite the brutal heat we’ve been experiencing. (It seems that they have canceled a few offerings.) See this interesting article about how the thousands of actors are coping. Here’s […]
July 23, 2011
So asks this Time magazine article, which looks at the growing trend of “bookless” libraries. ~ Olivia M.
July 19, 2011
In the minds and hearts of many 21st century authors, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is very much alive and has a lot more story to tell. What would Jane think? I posed that question, hypothetically, of course, since Miss Austen is long deceased, when I became of aware of all the novels and at least one […]
July 18, 2011
Borders revealed today that it was unable to arrange for a buyer to keep its doors open. Four hundred stores will be closed and 11,000 people will be left jobless. This was not the goal of the executives at the nation’s second largest bookstore chain. According to Publisher’s Weekly, sales will start this Friday! Shira […]
July 12, 2011
The small Spanish company 24symbols has started a new free digital sharing website. The user must be willing to see a few ads, according to the chief executive, Aitor Grandes. Another option is to pay a small fee to avoid the ads. Currently 1,000 titles are available and he hopes to reach 30,000 by year’ […]
July 11, 2011
Not too long ago Israel celebrated Hebrew Book Week, an event that draws thousands to outdoor booths in several cities for serious browsing and buying. One aspect of this literary holiday that really struck my fancy was when the members of the Knesset (Parliament) took turns reading from their favorite children’s stories while discussing their […]
July 3, 2011
By early August Borders should have the details worked out regarding its store closings and payments to creditors. The goal has been to complete talks and deals as early as possible and recoup losses for suppliers. The number of stores to close is still unknown. Shira S.