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A Little Kindle For My Fire
I have never owned an e-reader. I have not read any book electronically. My interest in doing so is somewhat minimal due to my own preference for books I can hold and keep, as well as the fact that my eyes don't handle reading electronic screens very well. However, Amazon's new Kindle device (or service, as Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon calls it) has snagged some of my attention.  First, I want to be clear that I have not seen one in person. I watched the introductory video on its features and I have read reviews on sites ranging from Amazon itself, professional bloggers and gadget review sites. My first instinct is... meh. I am not a first-generation user. I don't buy the latest technology upon its first release, at least not usually. I like to make sure the technology will stick around (no Betamax experiences for me, thank you!) and I am far too broke to pay a large initial asking price. Even with my large budget for books, I can't justify a $400 initial outlay for an electronic device that hasn't worked out its kinks. It does have some interesting features, I must admit. The downloading of newspapers and magazines into the reader is handy and could be good for a commuter. Functionality looks a bit clunky but mostly user friendly. The price for books, subscriptions and conversion fees seems reasonable. And the non-backlit technology could be wonderful for someone like me who gets headaches from staring at the screen too long. However, I am against them collecting blogs that are free and charging for access to them (you can access the blogs through the experimental Web browser, but you are still paying for the access time). The files are not going to be accessible several years down the road, while a hardcopy book is. Granted, the technology will be different, but if so, why do I need this now? Also, sharing the downloaded files or giving them as gifts is not possible, and that just totally goes against my view on books in general. Overall, e-readers are not my cup of tea. Reviews on the device are mixed. Maybe this is a reflection more of our instant-gratification society than of the Kindle itself, but so far, I am not impressed. I will stick to buying so many books that every time I change apartments, my friends groan at the thought of lugging my collection across town. For now, I would rather stick to the tried and true. Nicole
A Different Kind of Election Day
Hey, everyone, have you voted yet in the American Title IV contest? Well, I have and I have to say, it's a tough contest already. CURSES! – Totally loved the description of the heroine, with the cleverly handled humor and realism. But the hero was a little cardboard for me. Kind of a confused Mr. Darcy. VOICE OF THE BARD – The characters sound cute, and I would likely want to read the book. My only concern was that the hero description was more about the heroine, and vice versa. THIEF – Definitely intriguing in the seemingly contradictory character descriptions. I would be curious to see how it gets pulled off. OUT OF SIGHT – The heroine sounds neat, but not sure that there is enough there for the hero to make me care. BACKWOODS INVADER – Not enough there for me to remember much about either character. Doesn't mean it won't be good, but so far I am not intrigued. THE MAGIC KNOT – Love the concept, love the characters. Could totally see reading this from start to finish. PRINCE OF DARKNESS – Read it twice and still couldn't retain details. I am sure the story is wonderful, but I can't really remember it. OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF MIND – The characters sound real, fun and different. I like them both. So, which one am I voting for? Not telling. But I am sending in my vote now. Don't forget to send in your vote by November 25th and have a hand in selecting the next American Title winner. Also, if you attend the RT Convention in Pittsburgh next year, you most likely will get to see first hand who the winner is, and you will have the pleasure of knowing you contributed to their win! Nicole
Where There's a Book, There's a Way
I went on a brief trip this weekend and books were an important part of it. It all began with the airport. As I was walking through the newly constructed terminal, I noticed a Borders bookstore. I stopped in for a coffee and afterwards wandered through the selection. I wasn't intending to get anything - I already had two books in my bag and I knew I didn't really need anything new. Of course, this did not hold. As I glanced over the new releases, I noticed a nice fat hardcover by Kristen Britain: THE HIGH KING'S TOMB, third book in the Green Rider series. Despite knowing I would never be able to read it this weekend, not to mention I have several bookstores near my home where I could pick up the book within a few days, I still bought the book right there. This is the series that got me started in reading Fantasy and I am very excited to read it.  I also started DIE FOR ME by Karen Rose. So far, I am really enjoying it. Very into the story as well as the characters. I was warned it was graphic, but it's handled very well. Honestly, recent episodes of Bones and House MD are worse. In my perusing things online once I got home, I finally found a release date for an anthology I have been hearing about for several months. HOTTER THAN HELL, with stories from Kim Harrison, Susan Sizemore and other wonderful authors is scheduled for June, 2008. It's now officially on my Amazon.com wish list.  Don't forget, I am still looking for books to add to my Christmas list. As always, feel free to leave me suggestions and recommendations in the comments. Nicole 
American Title: Vote on Best Hero & Heroine
Find out who got eliminated in round one (First Line) and make sure to cast your vote for the Best Hero and Heroine. Thank you! Natalie Web Manager
New Friends and New Finds
On a recent trip to my neighborhood Barnes & Noble, I met a former RWA Bookseller of the Year, Kay Meriam. This woman knows her books, and what a relief that was. I know from experience that just because someone works in a bookstore that they don't necessarily appreciate books, or even know how to read (yes, I once knew a bookseller who couldn't read!). Ms. Meriam and I had a lovely conversation about books and mutual acquaintances. At her recommendation, I picked up two books by C.L. Wilson - LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS. Ms. Merriam imparted her enthusiasm for LORD so well I couldn't leave without getting both books in the series. By the time I left the store, I had the two books by C.L. Wilson and seven other books. I can see why she was a Bookseller of the Year! I also recently acquired the newest Karen Rose book, DIE FOR ME. I can't wait to read it. I have been looking forward to reading her books for some time and I think hers is the next one on my list. I currently have 11 books sitting on my table, all vying for my attention, not counting my bookcase dedicated to my TBR pile. But I can never have too many books. So, with a Christmas Wish List to compile, I am asking you, dear RT readers, to send me your recommendations. What books should I ask Santa to give me? You can leave a comment here on the blog. I promise to read whatever you recommend and let you know how I liked it. Nicole
Sci-Fi/Fantasy: A Reading Primer
Want to step into this fantastical genre? Here are some book suggestions to get you started. Natalie, RT Web Manager
In Need of a Jump Start
I am stalled. I have three, no, wait, four books sitting next to me. Three of them I have started, but just haven't gotten through, and one I am about to start. But so far, nothing much is holding my interest. It's not the fault of the books, it's me. I am stalled. One of the books I have started is SHELTER by Susan Palwick, a sci-fi book I picked up while at DragonCon. It has an interesting premise regarding smart houses and family secrets. But so far, I am stuck in the first few chapters. Another one is THE GUN SELLER by Hugh Laurie. Yep, Hugh Laurie from House M.D. I would likely have bought the book anyway, but I am also a huge fan of his. His humor definitely shows through this book and I can hear his voice in my head as I read. But I am still stuck a couple chapters in.  The third book I am a little further into. It is THIS PRESENT DARKNESS by Frank E. Peretti. This was recommended to me by a friend who knew I was looking to find some inspirational fiction and knows I also like paranormal. This sort of falls into both. It's about a town that is being plagued by demons with warrior angels trying to save it.  The book I am about to start is DOWN AND DIRTY by Sandra Hill, which comes out November 6. This is another in her series of Navy SEAL/Viking stories, and having seen the book video for it, it looks pretty good. I am hoping this will hold me better than the other books have. I hate being in this kind of mood. Usually, I can just flow from book to book. I buy books in all genres and styles for just this kind of occasion. If something doesn't appeal to me right then, I probably have something else that will. But for now, I am just stalled. Nicole
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