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12 Books in 12 Months

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Society of Authors Conference

Today the Society of Authors are holding a conference in Edinburgh. I am not at it, but have been following the live tweets from Colin Fraser of Anon Poetry with interest this morning. And that got me to thinking, perhaps other people would be interested in following the conference today. And then I thought thanks to Phyllis of The Edinburgh Reporter, I have the technology to help people out with that. So I’ve set up a real-time feed for you.

Unfortunately Word Press won’t let me embed it on the page, but if you click the link below it will open in a new window.

Click Here

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The Great Kindle Challenge: Day 11

My own conclusions will be forthcoming in a post tomorrow, but in the meantime why not watch this video for Alan Partridge’s views on the kindle. He’s on Twitter now, too. ( @ThisIsPartridge )

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The Great Kindle Challenge: Day 10

A couple of days ago I was linked to an article in The Economist suggesting that soon people will stop using shelves for books and adorn them exclusively with knick knacks, much like that old lady you used to know who kept a faux-mahogany sitting room for special occasions (like drinking chintz out of the posh tea set).  The blame for this lies squarely at the feet of ePublishing and the kindle and will lead to seven plagues and the death of literacy.  Or something.

The article touches on the matter of eBook piracy, which is a very touchy subject and is often tagged onto the End of Publishing debate without much explanation.  I’ve read articles by a few authors saying it is A Very Bad Thing, and still more articles by different authors saying that actually it can raise your profile and boost sales.  A summary googling of the topic came up with piracy articles dating back over several years, which I shall now bullet point for your indifference: Continue reading “The Great Kindle Challenge: Day 10” →

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The Great Kindle Challenge: Day 9

This is why you'll never be my favourite Disney princess.

On several occasions in recent memory, I’ve watched with mild irritation while people risk life and limb by walking up the road with their nose in a book. 

Ordinarily I’m pro reading in public places.  It’s pretty hot, particularly if you’re reading something awesome.  Well done those people – I’m sure you know who you are.  You’ve got moxie.  

However, if you’re walking down Leith Street between 8.30 and 9am (Sheila O’Flanagan reader) or up Broughton Road just after 5pm (Terry Pratchett and Terry Goodkind man) that is a time for LOOKING WHERE YOU ARE GOING.  It is BUSY; there are lots of commuters and school children and occasional cyclists or dogs or buggies to negotiate. The fact you can read does not mean they ought to change their path to get around your meandering gait – stop being so bloody rude.

Continue reading “The Great Kindle Challenge: Day 9” →

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The Great Kindle Challenge: Day 8

Good afternoon, internet.  Today I have a question to ask.  And here it is: who remembers their walkman?  That’s a personal cassette player, not the popular beat combo.

*Waits for people under 20 to find something else to do*

Remember how long the batteries lasted on that thing?  Pure ages, that’s how long.  They were practically furry by the time you had to replace them, unlike these new fangled MP3 players and smartphones which you have to charge every flippin’ day.  What’s all that about, eh?  Ridiculous. 

But nevermind, for I am here to tell you that the battery life of the kindle is more akin to that of the walkman than the iPhone.  I know you’ve been on tenterhooks waiting to have this confirmed, and you’re welcome. 

However, as with so much in life, this longevity has both good points and bad points.

Continue reading “The Great Kindle Challenge: Day 8” →

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The Great Kindle Challenge: Day 7

© John Gilchrist (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johngilchrist/)

For everyone in Scotland, this is one of those days where you want to be curled up in bed with a good book.  In Edinburgh a 60 second walk along Princes Street had me looking like a drowned rat earlier; the zoo and the castle  both closed early because of the weather; and according to twitter someone on Blackford Hill measured the wind travelling at 76 miles an hour.  Truly autumn is here – if by ‘autumn’ you mean minor apocalypse.

Continue reading “The Great Kindle Challenge: Day 7” →

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