Indie 100

I came across a link via another bookblog about Marc Fitten's Indie 100. This is a blog that chronicles the author's visits to 100 independent bookstores across the country. I've had the chance to visit one or two on his list (in Seattle) and really enjoy his take. So far, they are concentrated in the Southeastern US, New England, and the Pacific NW. Check it out here!

Back Up Your Kindle

It seems silly to say, but in the world of digital property, you always want to have an independent backup. Otherwise, you are liable to become a victim of a crashed computer, a virus, or Amazon.com acting in a silent and ethically questionable way.

As you can read in the referenced article, Amazon recently deleted content that had been purchased by its customers via the Kindle whispernet. Yes, the whispernet goes both ways. It's a good article that explains why Amazon reversed its customers' purchases, what it claims it will do in future such circumstances, and why it's so ironic that the recalled book was 1984.

Ahh, the digital age. It's a tricky one. Back up your digital documents, people.

Knee Deep in Books

I've been "funemployed" for the past 8 months or so due to my husband's military transfer. I've been volunteering my time with a children's literacy non-profit, but in addition to that I recently was hired for a perfectly fantastic part time job.

I'll be working at Prince Books, an independent bookstore in downtown Norfolk. I can't wait to learn about the inner workings of the store, have first dibs on great new books, and learn about stories and genres that I might otherwise have missed. I'll be certain to blog about what I learn here to share with you!

Check out your own local independent bookstore!

Get Your Cheaper Kindle Here

For the first time, Amazon has reduced the price on it's Kindle (the classic size, not the DX) to $299.00. You can buy it here.

Uncertain about the Kindle? Read my thoughts about the device, both before and after purchasing.

Unfortunately, I've also heard buzzing that Amazon is pursuing patents that will allow them to insert ads into ebooks. Slashdot has some commentary, as does Fast Company.

Personally, this could be a deal breaker for me. It's certainly possible that I could learn to ignore embedded ads, but with the smaller-than-ideal screen size to begin with on the Kindle, I imagine that embedded ads would be distracting to the point of unreadability. I read books to immerse myself in the adventure, the journey, the lesson; not to be abruptly reminded that there's a special promotion at Red Lobster.

The Fast Company article articulates a few instances where this could be a good thing - lower-cost books for people who choose to tolerate the ads, or the ability to risk more publication of new writers with the helpful boost of advertising revenue. I understand both of these perspectives, but like FC, fear the blowback of higher prices or standardization and unavoidable advertisements.

I'll certainly stay tuned to this topic and hope that Amazon finds a way to utilize the patents that is not disruptive of the reading experience.

What about you? Would you read ebooks with embedded, contextual advertisements?

Coming Out From Under My Rock

May and June were busy. A family graduation, two vacations, and a wedding quickly conspired to make the time slip away.

On the upside, with all of the travel, I had lots of reading time, and will be back in the swing of posting shortly!

In the meantime, I read with interest Omnivoracious' list of the Best Books of 2009...So Far, which was posted yesterday. I've looked at a few of these, and realized that I haven't actually read any of them! So, I selected a few to add to my TBR:

Overall Top 10:

• The Lost City of Z by David Grann
• The City & The City by China Mieville
• Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad

Nonfiction:

• The Unforgiving Minute by Craig Mullaney

Young Readers:

• The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (and series)

Have you read any of these Best of the Year (so far?)

What Am I Reading Now?

Just a brief announcement to share that I'll be on writing hiatus through the end of the month.

I'll be reading Charles Darwin's The Voyage of the Beagle and The Origin of Species as my husband and I enjoy an adventure in the Galapagos Islands!

I'll be sure to post reviews upon my return...please check back in early June!

Hampton Roads Book Sale!

In my free time, I volunteer at Reach, a non-profit that provides read-aloud programs and book donations to homeless and at-risk children in the Hampton Roads area. Reach is hosting a book sale this Saturday. If you happen to live in the area, stop by and fill a bag for $10!

You can learn more about Reach and its programs to support child literacy at www.reachreads.org