As Timothy mentioned on his LiveJournal (and I do recommend clicking on that link not only to see endearing dog photos, but to see a shocking case of doll abuse in his banner, while he’s still using that banner), a reading group asked if we’d come up with some study questions for When You Don’t See Me.
That was hard–not so much developing questions, but trying to remember what the questions should be about. That novel came out in the fall of 2007, which means he, Jim, and I were brainstorming it in 2005, writing it in 2006–and frankly, a few other things have happened to us since then.
But we did come up with what we hope are good questions to provoke discussion, and he mailed them off. As for any news in my world, it’s lying right there in the above photo. Need a better look?
After quite a long time of going back and forth between whether or not I should have an electronic reader, and then which one I should get, and listening to sound arguments among other writers, librarians, booksellers, and readers, I went with the Nook from Barnes & Noble. I’m currently reading a new–to me–Canadian author who’s been highly recommended. Three great titles were already on my Nook when I bought it. I’ve purchased a classic that I’ve always wanted to read, and downloaded two free titles. I’ll never stop buying physical books, but this will ease a little strain on my bookshelves and after the initial investment, my book budget.
By the way, When You Don’t See Me is available from bn.com in eBook format, and so is A Coventry Wedding. Just in case those are two titles you haven’t purchased.
I’ve never seen a Nook before. It’s cute! But I still like my iPad. 🙂
I don’t think I’ve seen an iPad at work in person, although a young man was holding one and talking to the Nook guy at B&N when I was testing the Nook out one more time before making my decision to buy. He really likes his iPad, too.
How cool about the reading group!
I still can’t bring myself to consider an e-reader.
Thanks!
It has taken me a long time.
I had to smile at your e-reader. I ordered an e-reader last night, but I’m trying the Sony. 🙂
Let me know how it works out for you. I’m loving the Nook so far.
I’ll never stop buying physical books, but this will ease a little strain on my bookshelves and after the initial investment, my book budget.
Come to the dark side, Becky! Leave all those physical books for The Matrix, I mean, eBooks!
The closest I’ve come to eBooks was to download the software for the Kindle to my MacBook and download a free copy of a Fitzgerald novel. I searched for various favorites on Amazon to see if they were in Kindle format yet. I was horrified to see how expensive some of the history and nonfiction books were that I thought about replacing in electronic format.
I’m leaning towards the Nook, But I still use the netbook for now. I read “When You Don’t See Me” that way.
Whatever concerns I had about it vanished when I started using it. It was easier for this old dog to adapt than I thought.
I love my Kobo (from Borders, for you Yanks), but I’m still considering getting a Kindle, just because the process for breaking the digital lock on Kindle books is too complicated/foreign for me to understand. That way I don’t have to be concerned with what format the eBook is in before I buy it. Having a second one also means I can buy another DecalGirl skin for the Kindle. 🙂
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I always enjoy seeing the skins you choose for your electronics.
Checked Tim’s banner … for shame that a manny would corrupt the kiddies in his charge. Bet he’s been teaching the dogs how to do that, too.
And that’s an Olsen twin they happen to be gnawing on. C’est tragic!
First:
When You Don’t See Me is my favorite of all your books. Nick was a character that I wanted to see explored. Loved it!
Second:
Yay for purchasing an eReader! That was tough decision for myself as well but I’m more than satisfied with the one I chose, a Kindle. Much like yourself, I will and continue to buy real books but the digital format affords so much flexibility and convenience.
I love the cover you chose for your Nook. Very classy!
Enjoy!
Thank you! For everything you’ve said.
After revisiting that novel yesterday with Tim, I started missing Nick. I wonder how he’s doing.
Nick part deux?!
One can hope. 🙂
OOOHHH!! I’ve been eyeing the Nook myself, and for much of the same reasons. I’ll probably take the plunge before Christmas, or shortly thereafter. Love your Nook case!
Thanks. You know how one complaint is that if people are reading electronically no one can see their book covers and know what they’re reading (which is, of course, that wonderful thing called “advertising” for writers)? This Nook cover has a question mark on the back that matches the front ampersand. Jonathan Adler designed it to encourage people to ask what the person’s reading. Of course, people could say “Leo Tolstoy” instead of “Jackie Collins,” but still…it CAN be an opportunity.
I have had an eReader for more than 2 years now. (Sony). I adore it. I love being able to buy books and keep a ton of them WITH me when I travel. I used to bring 4-5 books with me when I traveled and needed a small suitcase just for them. The eReader has freed me up so much! Now I have dozens of books to pick from depending on my mood – along with the ability to upload .pdf’s written by friends and even Word documents. I have found the Google library of free books and have been re-reading classics.
My book shelves contain my favorite books in physical form and, like you, I will never stop buying “the real thing” but now I’m not forced into a “Hoarders”-like existence!
Exactly! Thanks for sharing your thoughts–and I’ve heard that people are very happy with their Sonys.
One of my co-workers has a Sony, and I also played with ‘Nathan’s Kobo (that sounds filthy) when we were in New Orleans. I covet the iPad, but I can see the advantage of an e-reader as well. However, the stack of physical books on the nightstand is still very tall, and I just added “A Coventry Christmas,” “A Coventry Wedding,” “The Deal,” and “Three Fortunes in One Cookie” to the pile, so it’s not like I’ll run out of paper books any time soon.
Also, whenever I think of getting an e-reader, I think of a scene from “Star Trek” where Captain Picard was reading the Homeric hymns (in Greek, of course) — from a real book.
Actual books would have to be a luxury in space, though. Though I suppose you could always enjoy a full library on the Holodeck.
By the way, how I admire the books in your TBR stack! 😉
Doll abuse
LOL
PS- I’m sonicphonebooth on flickr as well as ablueskyboy, depending on which camera I use… see
http://ablueskyboy.livejournal.com/179029.html?nc=4
Re: Doll abuse
Saw those photos on Flickr and wondered about the Snoopys. Now that I read your LJ, it all makes sense.
Re: Doll abuse
Until one confused autumn Thursday, while walking through a dead park, I notice a small piece of paper, attached to a lonely hibernating tree, that explains everything.