Authors Against e-Readers? Would You Buy Your Favorite Books Again?

So, here I am in Hawaii, spending the summer at my mother's place. As movie number six in the Harry Potter series gets closer and closer, my desire to read book six again has increased exponentially. However, I'm here in Hawaii, don't have a copy, and you can't download it to your Kindle because Rowling hasn't/won't release them to electronic format. Sigh. That is truly her prerogative, and she has every right to do with her craft as she chooses, but from my perspective...why, oh why won't you just let me download it so I have it wherever I go?!?

I already own the American version in hardback, because seriously, who could wait for them to come out in paperback? I was definitely part of that, reserve or wait-in-line-at-midnight crowd, so I definitely have them all already. Then, as a belated 30th birthday present, I purchased the UK, adult version all in hardback. What a pleasure and joy to track them as they went from Glasgow, to London, to New York, and across the country to my doorstep (until DHL misdelivered them, which is another story altogether). I felt as though my special books had taken the Hogwarts Express, and were every bit as special as the magic the books held. (For more information on the British version, you can visit Amazon.co.uk.)


So here's my quandary. I already own two sets of the novel. I just can't carry those huge books when I travel, and I refuse to let my UK versions out of the house, so I'm stuck when I go on vacation! It doesn't seem that I'm one of those people who is losing the book-holding experience with these novels, especially since I own two copies of them, and would gladly purchase them all a third time for my Kindle. Am I wrong in thinking that real fans of the books would be willing to own more than one version/copy?

At the recent BEA conference back in May, many of you might have heard about the comment author, Sherman Alexie made about e-Readers being "elitist," and how he wanted to "hit" a woman on a plane that he saw using one. (Wait...remind me again how expensive hardback books are! So, are they elitist too?) This really gutted me! I love Sherman Alexie, and even studied his work for my MA. I get that Alexie, along with many other authors, which include Rowling, are against e-Readers for the manipulation of the market and possibility of piracy that they pose. Sometimes, however, I do feel like by holding out, I'd be a lot more tempted by the masked person in the back alley saying, "Psst...I have a free copy of that book you wanted to download!" No, I don't pirate materials, and I won't, but I sure would love the option of legally purchasing them for my Kindle. (Here is a great follow-up article to that response, where he clarifies those remarks over at Edward Champion's Reluctant Habits.)

My argument/question here is not whether e-Readers are good or bad (I obviously have one and love it), but rather about people's book buying habits. If you owned one, or if you already do, would you be willing to legally purchase your favorite books again, and why?!?

Well, since the library here doesn't have book six in, I'm off to see if I can buy a cheap copy at the local bookstore! I know. I should have planned ahead. Sigh.

Wait...they DO have third party sellers for the UK version! See: The Complete Harry Potter Collection Box Set: The Philosopher's Stone; The Chamber Of Secrets; The Prisoner of Azkaban; The Goblet of Fire; The Order of The Phoenix; The Half Blood Prince; The Deathly Hallows (The Complete Harry Potter Collection, 1-7)

Everything Austen Challenge: Winner of the Hawaiian Bookmark

To launch my participation in the Everything Austen Challenge being run by Stephanie's Written Word, I hosted a quick giveaway. Here in Hawaii, I discovered these great wood bookmarks that I've fallen in love with! Well, since I have a few that I've purchased, I thought it would be fun to give one away.

Four people guess the picture correctly. It is from the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, when Darcy hands Lizzy into the carriage after her stay while caring for her sister Jane. I love this picture, and it's my screen saver. :) I swear, almost every time I used my laptop to run PowerPoint presentations at school, my students would say, "What's that?!?" Then I'd have to admit to my obsession with all things Austen!

Anyway, I digress! Heidenkind (Tasha), Jemima, Melissa, and Stephanie each guessed it correctly. I drew numbers through random.org, and the winner is:

Heidenkind

Congrats! I'll be emailing you for your mailing address!

Review: Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

Thank you to those who stopped by to give me some great advice on conquering my book slump. I did end up setting aside the books that I think were tripping me up, and slowing me down a bit. Thankfully, I have been able to read a couple more since then, and now feel almost back to my old reading self again! In fact, I had been reading Club Dead by Charlaine Harris for a little while, which once the action got going, grabbed me and kept me reading.

Synopsis: ***Some spoilers*** Picking up from where book two left us, with tension between our two main characters, we find Bill has been "kidnapped." As with previous adventures, Sookie is called on to help get inside all the action, to help solve crimes and mysteries. New to this adventure is a Were named Alcide, who is getting over his relationship with his girlfriend. Alcide and Sookie bond as they work towards finding Bill, and so we add yet another character that is smitten with Sookie and her charms. Where has Bill been taken, and what sort of future does Sookie have now that she's become so fully involved in the vampire world?

Review: As I expressed in my book two review for Living Dead in Dallas, I can't say that I was terribly smitten with book two, and now I know why. In book two, you could see that Harris was going to be manipulating her characters into new relationships and adventures, and at the time, I didn't care for it. Book two seemed too rushed to me, pushing and pulling characters in directions I couldn't see for them (mostly on an emotional level). And, to top it off, I couldn't completely understand some of Sookie's passivity, even though she was being a brave cookie. Book three is then the answer to most of my frustrations.

In book three, Sookie works through her feelings for Bill, and how she then relates to the rest of the men she associates with. I'll still admit to rolling my eyes at the "everyone's attracted to me" bits, but I understood where they were supposed to be taking us in evolving Sookie's character from the supposed "freak" she used to feel that she was. What I could readily hang on to in this book was that Sookie expressed her anger and frustration. I know that if I was continually put in danger, I would be ticked off too! Sookie didn't just fold and let others wimper and moon over her, but took matters into her own hands, saved herself, and let everyone know that she was tired of all the drama.

Overall, you can still see where Harris is taking the story in regards to characters; however, in storyline and action, it's anyone's guess. I liked book three much more than book three, and am glad to see characters making more sense to me.

This book also fulfilled book #3 for my e-book Reader Challenge.

For more information see: Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)

Rejuvenate & Renew Challenge Update: 7/6 to 7/12 and a Giveaway!

No new, real progress for me this week. I have been happily trying to find my way back into reading after HOURS a day working on the online classes I teach. Thankfully, I have finished a few books this week, and am feeling a bit more chipper about life again. :) Hopefully, I can finish my second book in the challenge, soon!

On another note, I would like to announce a giveaway associated with the challenge. Some of you might recall that I'm an avid fan of Bravo's hit show, "The Real Housewives of _______" (fill in blank w/ location). Yes, I've watched them all, and yes, I can tell you about any and all of these ladies (and a few husbands/boyfriends). I'm in good company being hooked on this show, as Anderson Cooper has admitted to his own love of the show, so I feel much better! Having said that, one of my favorite "housewives," Bethenny Frankel (of "The Real Housewives of New York City"), is a chef and writer who put out a new book about dieting, Naturally Thin. As part of the challenge, I have one signed copy of her book to give away at the conclusion of the challenge on September 1st.

To enter the giveaway:

1. Join the challenge! There is a small handful of us working on this, but I'd like to limit the giveaway to those who participated with me. So, if you would like to join in, check out the Rejuvenate & Renew Challenge for more information.
2. Read at least one book for the challenge, and then review it with a link here to share it with the rest of us! We're reading three, but if you can even get through one, that would be great!

That's it! I've got her signed copy with me here in Hawaii, and unless something horrible happens in the transport back to the mainland (please no!), then I will do the drawing on September 1st!

For more information about Frankel's book see: Naturally Thin: Unleash Your SkinnyGirl and Free Yourself from a Lifetime of Dieting

***One last reminder. Don't forget to stop by and make a guess as to the origin of the Jane Austen film clip I've included in my Everything Austen Challenge introductory post. I'll be drawing one winner on 7/10 to win the cutest wooden Hawaiian bookmark. I buy them at the gift shop in Waimea Valley, which is this awesome natural and archeaological site. They are awesome, and I thought I'd share one for fun. Aloha!

Review: Macbeth by William Shakespeare

I finally settled down enough to finish off Shakespeare's famous play Macbeth. Now I know that most people believe that English teachers just adore Shakespeare. Well...I don't. I have plays that I like, and that I like to teach, but I'm not a die-hard fan. It's not that I don't think that Shakespeare is brilliant, with an amazing range and ability to utilize language and human nature. I know how amazing he is, but for whatever reason, it just wasn't my big interest in college or as an adult. Yes, be shocked. My English department teases me from time to time when/if it comes up. (I try to keep quiet about it!)

This particular play not only fulfills my requirement for "What People Expect a Teacher to Read" (of my own making), but also for the Shakespearean Summer Challenge, being hosted by Liv's Book Reviews. I have now completed one of my three, to be completed by August 31st.

Synopsis: Semi-good guy gets power hungry. Kills or schemes the murder of multiple characters. Gets just reward for said murder and killing.

Okay, so not a good synopsis, but I will say that the overriding theme of this play is power & greed. Set in Scotland, Macbeth and Banquo return from battle having pushed back the enemies. They are told by three witches a prophecy of their futures, which includes titles and even crowning as king. Rather than wait to see how this prophecy might be fulfilled, Macbeth returns to his wife and they set out to make it come true, even if that means the killing of those who stand between them and said title.

Review: Since it's been about 17 years since I last read this play, I only remembered the broad ideas and plot, so revisiting the language and story again were well worth my time. As Shakespeare was known to do brilliantly, he showed how even the most common man can fall victim to vices of pride, greed, lust, hate, envy, etc. The thirst for power, and the ensuing paranoia that endeavour creates, really sent the message across loud and clear. Overall, I found this to be a great cautionary tale for myself, reminding me that even the most centered person can be enticed by worldly pursuits to the point that they would cause harm or injury to another to get ahead.

Now for the big question. Why in the world are these lines from Act IV:I so well-known and famous?

Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

Are they famous just because three witches recite them and they are lyrical and use assonance and alliteration to cast their spell? I get that they are increasing the trouble to come to Macbeth, but what else am I missing here? What has given these lines their power and popularity?

Book Drive: Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart

Somehow, in getting behind on my Google Reader, I missed seeing the information about a book drive going on over at My Friend Amy. After a lot of discussion about whether book blogging and reviewers actually drive sales toward the book market, this book drive was put together to show support for a great book, Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart. I have not personally read this novel yet, but it is getting great reviews. As I have a horrible book addiction, I thought why not! Not only can you get in on a book discussion and get what is said to be a great book, but there are prizes involved for those who purchased the book and signed up for the book drive. For more information, please visit My Friend Amy.

Mahalo!

Sunday Salon #6 -- Feeling Book Pressure

It's another beautiful Sunday, and I hate to say it, but I'm feeling pressure. Why? I'm reading too many different things and not really zoning in as I should. I'm currently reading about seven different books, and my lack of reading ability doesn't reflect on the books in any way.

Some great book blogging friends on Twitter (@BiblioEva, @Vasilly, & @heidenkind right there at the end) recommended that I switch over to children's stories or even mangas for awhile. Maybe, in that way I can focus on one story for an amount of time? I think that sounds like a great idea, and as I'm in Hawaii, it might be interesting to see what they have in local children's fiction?

So, what do you do when you get stuck? Do you ever find that you've started a million different books, but just can't settle down to one? Do you just force yourself to read one until you get into it? Please tell me you're not all instant "fallers" (you fall in to the point where people have to shout to get your attention)! What do you do when you don't fall? I have ideas, but I'm curious to see what you do?