INTERESTING STUFF COMING IN 2008

Jay Thurston is working on a new book rating the top 100 trout streams in Wisconsin. It is going to be a great addition to the both Jay's and the world's existing trout knowledge in publication. On a side note, Jay is going to be attempting a world record this coming summer. He and his paddling partner, Dr. Mike Kinziger, are going to break their own record for canoeing the length of the Wisconsin river (436 miles in 8 days). Jay and Dr. Mike set the record in 1983 when Jay was 50-years-young. Now he's going to break the record at the merry age of 75 by paddling the entire river in less than 7 days. Way to go Jay! You're my hero.

John F. Saunders has written a dandy thriller set in Atlanta. His Frank Kane is unlike any anti-hero you've ever gotten to know. Frank is the ex-enforcer for the Spartan motorcycle gang who agrees to save a friend's granddaughter from being sold into a life of sexual slavery. Suffice it to say this is not a police procedural. Kane's problem solving methods are not for the faint of heart. This is the story of a man with a big heart, broad shoulders, and a mean streak a mile wide that makes sense of justice, vigilante style.

BATTERIES

Reading Stephen King's year-end best book list he mentioned one aspect of the eBook topic that hasn't been considered in our discussion here...BATTERIES. One nice thing about a "real" book, it doesn't run out of charge. Though, at this time of year in Wisconsin, there are precious few hours of daylight for reading. And of course shoveling snow takes precedence over reading...right?

Chris' comment about the paucity of reading at the high school level is saddening, but at least there is a trend toward graphic novels.

Merry Christmas and happy holidays, especially to you Larry, and to everyone and all, a good night.

eBook Reading

I recently read a fun thriller called American Vigilante in Dublin by Sean McGinty entirely on-screen so I have to agree with Chris (See eBook Poll below) that the future of reading will be primarily electronic in nature. (So, hold on to those books people, they will be valuable antiques someday.)

However, I also agree with Larry that Kindle and Sony have NOT found the "fat app" as they say. The eBook is evolving and will continue to evolve until someone comes up with all the right elements that make eReading popular. I don't think the key element will be book related initially, it will involve some other step in the technological developments of our broader culture that will spring readers from the prison of the printed page. (Not that I agree with the analogy.)

One other note: I was recently told by a middle school reading aide that, except for the Harry Potter syndrome, the joy of reading seems to be completely lost on the majority of her middle schoolers. It is more of a chore for them than a joy. Maybe there's a revolution in eReading in the future that will bring back the joy.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and enjoy the holiday season.

KMB Makes Two out of Three

Great news for Kat's Magic Bubble. It has been getting good reviews from consumers and media both. Author Jeff Lower's appearance on two of the three local TV stations and one Twin Cities station is a grand testiment to his book's importance. Congrats Jeff.

eBook Poll

Okay peoples...what is your opinion about the the future of the book?

Click add a comment and volunteer your opinion about the future of Kindle and the Sony Electronic Reader.

I think it will be 20 years before electronic books change the nature of reading and printing and publishing and books, but the change is inevitable. It will happen.

What do you think?