Tagged: book news

Jan 14

Welcome to the decade of technology…

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_and_web/article6988740.ece

          So here we are in 2010.  Technology seems to be the ‘it’ topic right now.  From tons of sources lately I have heard things like, don’t buy external hard drives, back up online, no more cds and dvds, everything needs to be digital, and of course, move over paper books, e-books are here. 

 

          This article I found was interesting because it made some really interesting points about these changes.  It brings up a very good point that there is a huge advantage of paper books vs e-books.  Much bigger than cds and dvds.  I still am all about buying mine but I get why people don’t.  I still feel better about buying physical cds because it feels more like supporting tons of people.  For one example, I sorta dated a kid that was a photographer and did album layouts.  I love seeing his work and actually having it verses seeing it on a screen.  Sorry, I’m getting off topic.  I get distracted when talking about music because I’m so passionate about everything that involves it.

 

          Anyways, this article reminded me of a point that was made in the book Dewey by Vicki Myron.  “Books have survived television, readio, talking pictures, circulars (early magazines), dailies (early newspapers), Punch and Judy shows, and Shakespeare’s plays.  They have survived World War II, the Hundred Years’ War, the Black Death, and the fall of the Roman Empire.  They even survived the Dark Ages, when almost no one could read and each book had to be copied by hand.  They aren’t going to be killed off by the Internet.”

 

          I fell in love with this paragraph when I read it.  Myron is making such a true point.  Books are not going anywhere.  Maybe e-books might have their place but they are not going to replace the real thing. 

 

          Plus come one, is there anything better than curling up with a good book.  A cold digital device is never going to have that feeling.  It is the romance of reading a book on the beach or by the fire,  the adventure of having a book to thumb through when you are on vacation, the prestige of sitting in a coffee shop reading an intellectual books, it is having bookshelfs full of books that you take pride in knowing that you have read; those are a few things that make a book special.  Technology is great (I make a living off it) but some things are perfect as they are.

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Oct 11

Derby madness and Captain Lights

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Sep 28

Banned Book Week History and Facts

          As some of you may know, it is Banned Book Week.  The event started in 1982 and is held during the last week of September.  The aim of BBW is to gain public awareness of the practice of banning books. 

          Most books that appear on list in regards to being banned are actually being challanged.  This means that you can still find the book everywhere still.   For example, many Cicily Von Ziegesar including Gossip Girl are in challanged status.  Obviously you can still go to the bookstore and buy these books.    When a book is actually banned, it is completely taken out of bookstores and libaries. 

          Another thing I found interesting was that many commonly challanged books are young adult/youth novels.  The reason they are on this list is that the subject matter and/or language is being questioned for the group of readers they are intended. 

          Decisions to have books banned can later be lifted.  Ulysses by James Joyce is one example of this.  The book was banned for sexual content.  If you have read it, you know the scene they are talking about.  The book was taken off the list after a court win that concluded that the book needed to be looked at as a whole and that they majority of people are able to read the book without getting offended.  This case was huge because it changed the standard on book content.

          Book banning is not something that just happens in the US.  It is all over the world.  It is interesting to read some of the reasons that books are banned.  For example, one that stuck out to me, was that Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll was banned in Hunan, China because the animals were as smart as humans. 

          It is also possible that a book can become restricted.  This means that perhaps it is deemed inapproprate to have in a certain location but it is available else where.   This is super common.  Think about how you don’t find say Fight Club at an elementary school.

          Hope this helps clear up some questions on book banning.  This week I’ll definately write more on my personal thoughts on book banning and books I own (and some I really love like Looking For Alaska by John Green) that are being challanged. 

          There are tons of websites dedicated to knowledge on this subject.  Here is a few that I looked at. 

http://www.ila.org/pdf/2009banned.pdf  (this tells details on certain banned books.  Very interesting)

http://bannedbooksweek.org/info.html

http://www.cfnews13.com/News/Sidebar/2009/9/28/books_up_for_debate_in_lake_county.html?refresh=1

http://www.amnestyusa.org/events/banned-books-week/page.do?id=1101492

http://book-censorship.suite101.com/article.cfm/why_books_are_banned

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Sep 25

Labron James gives credit where it is due

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090921/ap_en_re/us_book_review_shooting_stars

          This is a really good review.  I just came across it and instantly was like, I WANT to read that book.  Sport memiors are not even my thing at all.  Actually, the only one I have read was Drive by Larry Byrd.  It was for class.  However, this writer makes Labron James’ new books sound extremely interesting.  I just might look for it next time I go to Powells.

          First off, lately I have been thinking a lot about ghost writers.  I don’t really like the idea.  Yes, I do understand that you can make a lot of money from it and such but I would think that if you put in the effort you would like to get recognition.  A lot of celebrity books are written by ghost writers.  I like that this one has a cowriter.  It adds to the idea that James was trying to give credit where it is due.  I don’t know anything about him but I like him because of that fact.

          I love the idea that the book focuses on a whole group of kids.  No one person can carry an entire team.  I don’t care if there is one superstar; you also have to have people supporting him.  It is good to see this idea ephasized in a story. 

          Have you read this book?  Do you think you will?

 

**************

          Sidenote: Editting my book is going good! I’m so excited.  Still no ideas on the title.    Hopefully that will come to me soon.

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Sep 16

Pick and print

http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10355318-265.html?part=rss&subj=news&tag=2547-1_3-0-20

          The world of books is definately chaning.  Technology is taking over and chaning everything.  This is just more evidence of that fact.  Google is hoping to announce tomorrow that all their public domain book will be available to print on demand. 

          The idea that it is a answer to people reluctate to switch to digital still doesn’t seem right.  I think some people might like this option but it wouldn’t be for everyone.  It reminds me of being able to buy an album only through iTunes but burning it on a blank cd.  In reality it is exactly the same as having it on a cd you bought at the store.  I still think the majority of people want to buy the actual album though to have the artwork and everything like that.   This will be the same situation I would think.  I know I personally love having my books out on display and I love the way they look. Having a bunch of ones with plain covers that look exactly the same is not appealing to me.

          There are some good points to this though.  First off, this would be great at colleges.  It would help keep textbook prices down which would be the biggest advantage.  I also think it would save the bookstores a lot of money.  I don’t know how exactly they decide how many books to order but it always seems like they are sold out or have tons of copies.   With kids moving in and out of classes it is probably difficult to get an exact number.  This would help them be better at having exactly how much they need. 

          It would also make it so professors could get hard to order books for kids.  Did anyone else ever have to go get copies of something on hold at the library because the teacher didn’t have it ordered for the whole class for whatever reason?  I know my teacher did that for certain stories they wanted out of anthologies so each student wouldn’t have to buy another expensive book.  If these machines could do the same thing that would be extremely helpful.

          Another advantage would be that hard to find books would be available.  Say you are researching something for school or work or whatever.  Sometimes the books you want are not available anywhere near you.  If you could just have it printed for you, that would be so helpful. 

          On the negative side, this could have a bad impact on the world of book designers.  I thought about going into that business because it is so interesting.  There is a lot involved with making a book.  If more books then not end up being printed this way then companies might end up using less people to do this.

          Honesetly though, I can’t see this being something that blows up.  I think it isn’t going to be something that has a huge effect on the book world.  What do you think?

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Sep 15

From runway to recession…

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090915/stage_nm/us_fashion_strategy_1

          That was actually the very first story that popped up tonight when I was looking and I instantly found it interesting.  Obviously many of us are feeling the recession.  I’m very fortunate to work at a job that is not.  I recently quit my second job though so am definately learning to stretch my money.  Fashion is something that a lot of people worry about. 

          It is true that when society shifts, make an inpact on fashion.  I found the part of this article point out examples of this very interesting.  I hope the book talks a lot more about that.  Normally I’m not too into advice books but this one sounds like it is going to combine observations with tips.

           It seems like it would be interesting to hear exactly how the author suggest to shop but be money savy.  Too bad she didn’t have a way to help curb my book buy obsession, lol.

          Has your style or spending changed because of the recession?

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Sep 14

Examining the Wild Things

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090914/ap_en_ot/us_book_review_making_mischief

          Not surprisingly, an author is coming out with a book about Where the Wild Things are and it’s author Maurice Sendak.  The movie is coming out here soon so of course someone is capitalizing on it.

          Sorry, I know that is a pretty negative outlook but that was my first reaction when I saw this article.  Doesn’t it always seem like there is something coming out that is completely predictable?  Zombieland is coming out so suddenly more zombie books.  Even worse, someone died so let’s write a book on them.  You know there is going to be a Patrick Swayze one announced probably in a couple days.  I feel like this book fits in with that predictable grouping.

          With that said, I guess I can understand why Gregory Maguire is choosing now to release this fan book.  I’m a little confused on whether it is him analyzing Sendak or if it is just him telling reasons why he likes him.  The article makes it sound like the latter.  Personally I would rather read the former if it was in a classroom setting.

          What do you think about Maguire releasing this book?  Are you excited about the movie version of Where the Wild Things Are?

          Sorry I’m harboring quite the migraine at the second so I’m cutting tonight pretty short.

          My heart also goes out tonight to the family and friends of Patrick Swayze. He will be missed.

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Sep 11

Like mother, like daughter

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090908/ap_en_ce/us_traveling_with_pomegranates

          Guess this is one way to follow in your mother’s shoes.  This is actually a really cool idea if you ask me.  Sue Monk Kidd, author of The Secret Life of Bees and The Mermaid Chair, and her daughter Ann Kidd Taylor have wrote a book together.  It is a memior which captures both Kidd moving into middle age and Taylor growing up into young adulthood.

          First off, I think this will be a very interesting juxtaposition.  There is points in everyone’s life that are big adjectments so seeing two genrations of a family going through them will be interesting.  I also really like that they are mentioning how Kidd wrote her books.  As a writer trying to become a published author I find that all very interesting.  One of my very favorite memiors is Two Weeks With My Brother by Nicholas and Micah Sparks.  It was about a trip they took together but also a lot about their lives growing up.  It told a lot about the inspiration behind all of Sparks books.  I was so interesting.  Even my dad, who had never read anything by Sparks, liked it because it was such a good story of two brothers growing up.

          The book is also set to take place in a variety of countries.  I don’t know about anyone else but I would love to travel the world so I find books a way to do that since I don’t have the money to do it in real life.   The book Atlas of a Human Heart by Ariel Gore is usually found under travel memior and I love that look too.  Check out Gore if you haven’t.  She spoke to one of my classes and teaches a writing workshop in Portland.  I’m dying to take it but haven’t had the chance to yet.

          Do you like memiors?  Have you read any of Kidds other work?

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Sep 10

Books, books, and more books from Patterson

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/books/09arts-YESJAMESPATT_BRF.html

          James Patterson fans rejoice.   Yesterday Hatchett Book Group announced that they are signing Patterson on for a shockingly large book deal.  Seventeen books to be exact.

          This has got to be one of the biggest publishing deals of all time.    I tried to look up if that was a record but couldn’t come across anything.  It seems rare that most authors even publish that many books total, let alone get signed for very many books in advance.  I know hearing about anything over a couple seems to be a big deal.

          Even more shocking/amazing is the fact that this book deal is only suppose to cover through 2012.  That means basically a new book every month or two.  Absolutely crazy.  I can’t even imagine being about to write that fast.  It would sure be nice but wow.  Luckily Patterson already has lots of different series to add to.  I would imagine that would make it a little easier than trying to write them all about one character or on the other hand, all about different characters. 

          I personally haven’t read anything by Patterson yet even though I’m pretty sure my dad and grandmother are fans.  Have you read any of his stuff?  Which book would you suggest to me?  Do you think he is going to be able to bust out that many books in that short of time?

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Sep 10

Spark’s new book written with Miley in mind

It is true. 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090903/ap_on_en_ot/us_books_q_a_nicholas_sparks

          Yesterday marked the release of Nicholas Spark’s newest novel, The Last Song.   Being a long time Sparks fan, I was excited and picked up the book and started reading hour later.  I started out with the Acknowledgements.  Much to my surprise they included this…

          “The Cyrus family deserves my thanks not only for welcoming me into their home, but for all they’ve done with the film.  And a special thanks goes to Miley, who chose Ronnie’s name. As soon as I heard it, I knew it was perfect!”

          My first reaction was ‘what the hell?’  Immediantly I got online and found out the whole story.  Turns out the Sparks and Cyrus are represented by the same people.   Most sources I found said Cyrus decided she wanted to do a movie similar to A Walk to Remember so her people actually got ahold of Sparks and asked him to write a movie for Cyrus.  He first wrote the screenplay then went back and wrote the novel.

          Where to start with my thoughts on this.   First off, I’m not particular excited about seeing Cyrus doing the movie.  Every interview I have seen her in she comes across as unprofessional and completely rude to be frank.  Sure she has a big audience but I think her appeal is only the young generations.  I don’t feel like anyone above maybe sixteen is going to care very much about seeing a movie with her.

          I also feel a little unsettled that she requested the movie be made with her in mind.  Sometimes writers have someone in mind but for the person to request it.  Does that seem off to anyone else? Like something a spoiled brat would demand?

          However, I am trying to trust Spark’s decision.  He has always made great book in my mind.  This is his first screenplay as far as I could find (thank you IMDB) but I would like to think that will help the movie be better. 

          I know some people might say, well look at Mandy Moore.  She was just a pop singer before A Walk to Remember and she did an absolutely amazing job in that role.  I would like to point out she had also done The Princess Diaries before that.  I did think she did a great job at being the mean girl in it. Cyrus has obviously done acting with Hannah Montana but has anyone actually watched that?  Let me admit first off, I kind of enjoy Wizards of Waverly Place and Sonny with a Chance.  I  think they are both cute shows. Sometimes Hannah Montana comes on afterwards.  I get about one minute in and can’t watch anymore. Cyrus is overacting so much in it that it drives me insane.  I hope she doesn’t so the same to this role.

          Speaking of Wizards, why could Selena Gomez be in this movie?  I feel like she would have done a great job.  She is actually a fairly decent actress from what I have seen.  I noticed What The Buck on YouTube said the same thing about her.  I think she could do great in a role outside of the Disney realm.  Plus she can sing.  The same goes for Demi Lovato.  I can’t comment much on her acting since Sonny isn’t the deepest of roles but that girl can definately sing.  I would say she is the best out of all the singer-actress-disney girls right now.  I full on love both her albums.

          Actually, if I had to choose someone to fill this role, based on the 50 or so pages I have read so far, I would pick Alexa Vega.  Did anyone else see her in Repo? She can sing for sure. Also she fits the moody teen rebel image much better than I think Cyrus ever could.  I would also think that Ellen Page could pull it off well.

          I’m sure no matter what I will see the movie though.  I’ve loved the other ones based on his books.  I absolutely can’t wait for Dear John.  I cried so much reading it.   You could not have picked more perfect main characters. Amanda Seyfried is going to make a perfect Savanna.  She is such an upcoming star that this will be great for her career.  Same goes for Channing Tatum.  Him covered in tattoos as the tough guy is going to be so hot.  He is exactly how I pictured John.

          What do you think about Sparks writing a book and movie for Cyrus?  Will you read the book?  Will you see the movie?

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