This will be an abbreviated round-up this week because-- frankly, m'dear-- Denis and I spent the week down in Bisbee, and for once I got all my posts written and scheduled ahead of time. A week in the mountains where it's at least twenty degrees cooler. A week with nothing to do but sit out in the shade and read and watch all the critters come up for a visit. Positively decadent, ain't it? *grin*
Bookish News & Other Interesting Stuff
- An Australian skull may mean Captain Cook wasn't the first white man on the continent.
- Farmers discover a rare meteorite in a Minnesota cornfield.
- These two articles are no-brainers for ravenous readers: Reading and writing could slow late-life cognitive decline, and being a lifelong bookworm may keep you sharp in old age. (Duh....)
- What your reading rules reveal about your personality.
- The New Yorker talks about internet book fetishists versus anti-fetishists.
- Here's a good question: Why do unconventional heroines always have to die?
- Once again Amazon makes the news: Now that Amazon is a monopoly in the book world, their prices are going up. (It was inevitable, folks.) And how do you feel about Amazon buying Goodreads?
Book Candy
I ♥ Lists
- 20 famous authors on what inspired their work.
- 7 filthy jokes you didn't notice in Shakespeare.
That's it for this week. Don't forget to stop by next weekend when I'll have a freshly selected batch of links for your surfing pleasure!
Cathy - Have a great trip to Bisbee, and thanks as ever for the links. Must check out that one on reading rules and personality!
ReplyDeleteWe did have a wonderful trip to Bisbee. Thanks, Margot!
DeleteSounds like a great trip. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteNice post too.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
Thanks, Elizabeth! :-)
DeleteJust a few comments about that "Amazon the monopolist" linked article. I was underwhelmed by the data presented to support the case, e.g. Amazon sells about 25% of new books....I didn't see any mention of Amazon's support of the DOJ's position in their case against Apple and book publishers re conspiring to fix prices, a case that Apple et al lost and is now appealing claiming they did nothing wrong. Maybe the article author is an i-P (phone, pad, pod) lover. Finally, I am really getting tired on these whining commentaries against Amazon. I love bookstores, newspapers, magezines etc. as much as the next guy but they are dinosaurs, and when the next Borders or print Newsweek bites the dust I'll shed a tear, jump to my Kindle, order a discounted book, and start reading it in seconds, comforted by the knowledge that competitive advantage doesn't last forever. Ask AT&T. Regards, Ken
ReplyDeleteI know plenty of people who'll whine and cry if all the bookstores go belly up. They won't have any place to use as a showroom to "test drive" the books they go home to buy online. I don't happen to think bookstores are dinosaurs, but they do have to be willing to change. I also buy things from Amazon, but I don't view it as a company that's the greatest thing since sliced bread.
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