E-Books or Traditional Paper?

Okay, I've heard all of the reasoning in favor of electronic books. They are lighter in weight, have an ability to enlarge the print and adjust the brightness, and can hold 3,500 books in the space of one. BUT (you knew that was coming) is there a benefit to holding a traditional book as you read, or to having it on your bookshelf?

I've heard people say they'd rather browse Amazon and order an eBook without leaving their home than browse in a bookstore or library. Others have argued that they’d rather feel the book in their hands, but aren’t they feeling the Kindle? Is there a difference for you? Is it comparable to the difference between sitting and talking in the living room with your friends versus seeing them on Skype. Webcam is great but not as satisfying as being in the same room.

Perhaps holding the real object in our hands IS meaningful, and that’s why finger foods are so popular. And, similarly, people may prefer to hold and read a traditional book. Is this true for you? Will there be room in our culture for both? Or do you think eBooks are the wave and traditional books the receding tide?

(image borrowed from:http://mhpbooks.com/mobylives/?p=14258)

The Movie or the Book?

I just started reading I Am Number Four which was published mid-2010.  I heard the book has already been made into a movie which is going to be released mid-February, 2011. Fast work! This got me to thinking about which would be better--to read the book first or see the movie first.

I tend to read a book first and then, if I like it, go to see the movie. Sometimes I am so disappointed because the actors are not what I pictured or the story has been changed (and I usually hate that!). That happened when I read the Bourne trilogy and then saw the first movie…whew…talk about changing some of the characters! And the two movies that followed contained the same titles as the Bourne books but very little else.

Very rarely do I want to read a book after I’ve seen the movie. Someone told me he totally disagrees because he likes to read the book after he sees the movie. He said there are more details in the book….and sometimes more characterization…to savor at his own pace.

I found a list of popular young adult books (on suite101.com) that have been made into movies—of course the Harry Potter series and Twilight…the Princess Diaries, the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants to name a few. Keeping these in mind, which would you prefer first “the movie or the book?”

Have you met your favorite author yet?

There are a few authors whose new books I automatically buy…and I call them my favorite authors. I also go on their websites and read everything they have to say…about how they began writing, where they get their ideas, how they became published authors and so on. Some of them are even on youtube. You’d think that would satisfy me, but no. There is nothing like meeting a favorite author in person.

Unfortunately, many of my favorite authors live in Washington, Texas, or the New England states. Oh, they do some traveling to appear at bookstores or libraries to promote their latest books and meet their fans, but not to my neck of the woods…or so I thought. I just found out my local library has had visiting authors for a while now. And I never knew!

April, 2010, Meg Cabot came to speak at the library and 200 people attended.
I noticed Alyssa is reading one of Meg Cabot’s young adult books--When Lightening Strikes. So I wondered if she has ever met Meg. Well, I missed that one, but last Thursday, I was thrilled to find out an author I have read and enjoyed was coming THAT NIGHT to the library! Here’s what happened…
I arrived an hour early (that’s what all the blogs say to do if you want a parking spot and a seat up front). There was a group of 3 already sitting in the front row. What a treat. We had all that time to discuss the author’s books and which ones were our favorites. The young lady next to me and I quickly bonded when we realized out of all the author’s books, we both especially loved the same one. By the time the evening began with some words from the mayor of the city (it’s a small city, one library) and the head librarian’s introduction of the author, there were more than 100 people filling the room.

In walked the creator of many well-written humorous, romantic novels. Wow, I thought, she looks just like her pictures and youtube video only better. She asked if there were any published authors in attendance, and one lady raised her hand to say she had just signed her first contract. I fleetingly thought about going over and shaking her hand with the hope that some of her luck would rub off.

The evening was really fun. The author gave out prizes to those who had come the greatest distances just to meet her and more prizes to military spouses. Others earned prizes as she read quotes from her books by being the first to announce the correct title. The prizes were related to themes from her newest book of which there were 25 copies available for sale. I have read most of her books but wasn’t able to connect a single title to any of the quotes! Well, that’s okay, because if she had been my all-time FAVORITE author, I am sure I would have known every single one of the quotes (right Rane?).

Then, the author asked for questions. Just think, you can ask that one question that you’ve been burning to find out the answer to, that none of the multitude of questions asked and answered on her website has ever addressed. Now is the opportunity. Will you take it? I think yes! And when I asked my question, she answered it with the same witty humor that I’ve loved in her writing. Last came the book signing. I haven’t received her latest book from Amazon yet, but I brought a couple of her older works which she graciously signed. She was as enthusiastically engaged in conversation and picture-taking from the first signed book to the last, an hour and a half later.

I’m hooked. There are two more authors lined up for the coming month. One is a young adult author and one a children’s author, and I’ll be there!