Yesterday I realized that I didn't have any of Gregory Maguire's books on hand for this week's BarnesandNoble.com Center Stage Book Club — the area I've just begun moderating. I knew, of course, that I wanted to get A Lion Among Men, his new release — but I thought it would be useful to have copies of Wicked and Son of a Witch nearby as I jump in and out of the discussion.
I had a fairly busy Monday, including a couple of regular calls, some research, and some writing. I decided that I would stop at the Georgetown Barnes & Noble on the way back home from an author interview I was conducting in town. When I pointed my Mini Cooper onto M Street yesterday evening, however, it was raining, the traffic was lousy, and I wanted nothing more than to go straight home and settle in to my cozy armchair to read.
But I needed those books!
Regular readers of my other blog may realize where this is going. As I waited patiently at a red light, a light bulb went off in my brain: I could simply download these books onto my Kindle! In fact, I could have downloaded all of them in the time it took that light to change, but I didn't — I waited until I got home (hi, Mom!).
Not only did the download save me time and trouble, it saved me money.
What would you have done? It's OK if you want to flame me for using my e-reader. I'm more interested in learning all of the pros and cons here than I am in protecting my delicate Maven's skin.
I think it was an excellent use of resources (time and money, not to mention natural resources). But I must say that although Mr. Maguire is best known for his Oz-related books, my personal favorite is Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister — I think that one is far and away his best. (Though I haven’t yet read A Lion Among Men.) So if you haven’t yet read/acquired “Stepsister,” I’d highly recommend it!
When my Kindle arrived, I did a happy dance and went into hiding. I’m reading more than ever.
Isn’t the point of books is that people will read?
Adapt people. If you’re an Independent, adapt, do something exciting, make me want to come into your store, don’t just scream at Amazon or the Retail Giants.
Most people work in the book biz because they love to read.
With my Kindle, I’m reading while holding a cup of coffee with both hands. I haul around the tomb of The Snowball Effect in my purse and barely know it’s there (it’s in my Kindle).
I’m buying books while I’m in the BATHROOM (ew, I know, but so cool).
So, there you go…no flames from me.
If you’re a true lover of books, you don’t care how people read, where they read, or even what they read. You simply celebrate the fact that somewhere, people are getting lost in stories.
Madison, THANK YOU. Adapt, people! I couldn’t have said it better myself.
Joanne, once I finish “Wicked,” I’m going to buy/download “Stepsister.” Thanks for the rec!