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We’re not talking about puppy love, crushes or the like. This is important stuff as Book Club Classics asks, “What is the first book you simply remember loving?”
You never forget your first love. It undoubtedly was How the Grinch Stole Christmas!. My first memories of books involves a favorite aunt who lived in Minneapolis reading this to me whenever she visited our house. It made this a year-round book, even though I’m sure she wondered about reading a Christmas book in the summer. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I simply loved Max and, evidently showing my cynical side early, actually liked the Grinch more than the Whos.
My love for that book led to a collection of Dr. Seuss books that came through some children’s book club she or my parents enrolled me in. As for so many of my generation — and later ones — Dr. Seuss helped turn me into a reader. Although Grinch became strictly holiday fare as I grew older, there’s no doubt it helped create my love of books and to learn to read.
The books I read as a child transformed me, gave meaning and perspective to my experiences. and helped to mould whatever imaginative, intellectual or creative strengths I can lay claim to now. No doll or game had that impact on me, no pair of jeans ever changed my life.
Michele Landsberg’s Guide to Children’s Books
First, Oprah raves about the Kindle, which will undoubtedly send sales through the roof. (Never mind the fact a new version is supposed to come out in the first quarter of 2009.)
Now, the Christian Science Monitor announces that by April 2009 it will replace its daily print edition with “an online publication that is updated continuously each day.” A weekly dead tree edition will still be available but anyone wanting a daily will either have to check the site or subscribe to a daily PDF by e-mail.
I’m guessing one factor in its decision is the fact the CSM was delivered to subscribers by U.S. mail, meaning your daily newspaper is probably several days old when you get it. Still, at least the paper versions of the paper or books don’t short circuit if you spill coffee on them.
UPDATE: Because my brain was fried at the end of the day, I forgot another significant announcement. Google Book Search settled a lawsuit brought by a broad group of authors and publishers. Google says the settlement will mean “in-copyright, out-of-print books will now be available for readers in the U.S. to search, preview and buy online.”
Don’t wake me for the end of the world unless it has very good special effects.
Roger Zelazny, Prince of Chaos
How has the economy impacted your book buying? Do you think it’ll change the reading and book-buying habits of the country? Will it increase your library visits? Will it make you wait for the paperback edition instead of buying the hardcover?
Although the current state of U.S. reading habits are embarrassing, I think it will likely have some impact. Readers are readers and if funds are tight, they will not give up books but more likely rely on libraries than bookstores. The concern then becomes whether governments reduce library funding due to budgetary constraints. I think it’s also likely sales of used books will increase for the same reason.
I don’t foresee a great deal of impact on my personal habits, though. I’m already a very heavy library user because my local library is excellent, going beyond what’s on the mass market bestseller lists. I also view the library as the literary equivalent of video recordings. As interesting as a book may sound, there are times when you finish one that you say, “I’m glad I didn’t spend $24.95 for that.”
Several other things likely reduce the impact of the economy on my book buying habits. One is the opportunity to receive and read review copies. In addition, I already tend to put more books I’ve read in the box headed for the used book store than on my bookshelves because of lack of shelf space.
I also am such a book geek/addict that rather than have credit cards that give frequent flier miles or the like, I have Amazon and Barnes & Noble cards that earn gift cards. I would wager the majority of the books I purchased at the local B&N this year were with gift cards earned from purchases elsewhere. After all, doesn’t it make sense to use the cost of food, clothing and gasoline to help fund another of life’s essentials?
But if we have a dollar to spend on some wild excess, we shall spend it on a book, not on asparagus out of season. .
Katharine Fullerton Gerould, Modes and Morals
I guess I’m not sure if I take this as a compliment, a criticism or a cop out.
BookBrowse has a “What’s Your Reading Personality?” quiz. After answering the seven questions, here’s what I got:
Your responses showed you fitting equally into all four reading personalities:
Involved Reader: You don’t just love to read books, you love to read about books. For you, half the fun of reading is the thrill of the chase – discovering new books and authors, and discussing your finds with others.
Exacting Reader: You love books but you rarely have as much time to read as you’d like – so you’re very particular about the books you choose.
Serial Reader: Once you discover a favorite writer you tend to stick with him/her through thick and thin.
Eclectic Reader: You read for entertainment but also to expand your mind. You’re open to new ideas and new writers, and are not wedded to a particular genre or limited range of authors.
Hmmm, given the fact the book I just completed was a novel about Afghanistan and I’m currently reading a supposedly “irreverent” world history book and a book on conspiracy theory in film and television, maybe the test is it more accurate than its designers thought.
The answers you get from literature depend on the questions you pose.
Margaret Atwood
Bulletin Board
I’ve posted a review of Broadcast Sessions 1958-1959 by the Miles Davis All-Stars over at Blogcritics.
Bookish Linkage
Amazon gives a book review thief his comeuppance — sort of.
Flashlight Worthy combines lists and books to come up with “handpicked book recommendations on hundreds of topics.” (Via.)
Meanwhile, here’s some recommendations for drinking and reading. (Via.)
What kind of books are selling during the recent economic crisis? (Also via.)
Borders cuts back on stocking SF books.
Nonbookish Linkage
Hmm, I know SDSU-USD games occasionally see frozen coyotes and rabbits thrown on the playing surface but some Swedes took it to a different level this week. (Via.)
Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin proposes astronauts sent to Mars have a one way trip. (Via.)
More Big Picture space porn.
A law school professor explains why he bans laptops in the classroom.
It’s probably been all over the internet but here’s a quick political diversion on white privilege.
Jesus didn’t look like the boy next door
Unless you live in Palestine
Everclear, “Jesus Was A Democrat“
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Disclaimer 
Additionally, some links on this blog go to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. There is no additional cost to you. Contact me You can e-mail me at prairieprogressive at gmaildotcom.
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