First came Kindle, then Sony's Reader, now there's Nook. What some deemed a fad seems to have more staying power than originally thought. According to an article in the Financial Times this past week, "as many as 5m e-readers are being produced this year internationally, and analysts say that could double in 2010".
And why not? Prices are more reasonable, more titles are available for download(wouldn't it be nice to not have to wait so long for your favorite bestseller) and it's eco-friendly, saving more trees. You also have the option to increase the font type to larger print with the touch of a button.
I admit, I'm one who loves to curl up with a good book, a cup of tea and a Siamese in my lap. And one of my favorite daytrips is to lazily browse second-hand bookstores - particularly The Book Mill in Montague, MA (trust me, you'll love it!) - but even I am tempted to try this format. I haven't been keen on reading online, the scrolling drives me crazy, but this seems more, well...booklike. And there's still room on my lap for Serena >^..^<
Just curious, has anyone else tried one of these e-readers? What do you think?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Trust Me
Remember the excitement when Wikipedia first came out, and how quickly it fell from grace for its reportedly less-than-reliable entries? What made it special, the ability for anyone to contribute, became a double-edged sword as misinformation and vandalism became more apparent. Or, as one software developer says, "random crap".
Enter WikiTrust, a program designed by researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Based on an algorithm that calculates author reputation based on the lifespan of their previous contributions, questionable sources would start out with a bright orange background, gradually fading to white as more people view and sometimes edit the text. Of course, it will take time for the entire site to be evaluated. Researchers also need to weigh the need to flag unquestionable content vs. keeping the page readable.
For those who prefer to make their own judgement, users will have the option whether or not to click the "trust info" tab at all. I often advise those using Wikipedia to check the citations included. Sometimes that has yielded better results than the original entry!
Enter WikiTrust, a program designed by researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Based on an algorithm that calculates author reputation based on the lifespan of their previous contributions, questionable sources would start out with a bright orange background, gradually fading to white as more people view and sometimes edit the text. Of course, it will take time for the entire site to be evaluated. Researchers also need to weigh the need to flag unquestionable content vs. keeping the page readable.
For those who prefer to make their own judgement, users will have the option whether or not to click the "trust info" tab at all. I often advise those using Wikipedia to check the citations included. Sometimes that has yielded better results than the original entry!
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Book 5 Nickel and Dimed by
Barbara Ehrenreich (2001)
The book that changed minimum wage.
Amazon.com Review
A bank of clouds was assembling on the not-so-distant horizon, but journalist-mountaineer Jon Krakauer, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, saw nothing that "suggested that a murderous storm was bearing down." He was wrong. The storm, which claimed five lives and left countless more--including Krakauer's--in guilt-ridden disarray, would also provide the impetus for Into Thin Air, Krakauer's epic account of the May 1996 disaster. With more than 250 black-and-white photographs taken by various expedition members and an enlightening new postscript by the author, the Illustrated Edition shows readers what this tragic climb looked like and potentially provides closure for Krakauer and his detractors. "I have no doubt that Boukreev's intentions were good on summit day," writes Krakauer in a postscript dated August 1998. "What disturbs me, though, was Boukreev's refusal to acknowledge the possibility that he made even a single poor decision. Never did he indicate that perhaps it wasn't the best choice to climb without gas or go down ahead of his clients." As usual, Krakauer supports his points with dogged research and a good dose of humility. But rather than continue the heated discourse that has raged since Into Thin Air's denouncement of guide Boukreev, Krakauer's tone is conciliatory; he points most of his criticism at G. Weston De Walt, who coauthored The Climb, Boukreev's version of events. And in a touching conclusion, Krakauer recounts his last conversation with the late Boukreev, in which the two weathered climbers agreed to disagree about certain points. Krakauer had great hopes to patch things up with Boukreev, but the Russian later died in a avalanche on another Himalayan peak, Annapurna I. Krakauer further buries the ice axe by donating his share of royalties from sales of The Illustrated Edition to the Everest '96 Memorial Fund, which aids various environmental and humanitarian charities. --Rob McDonald --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
The book that changed minimum wage.
Amazon.com Review
A bank of clouds was assembling on the not-so-distant horizon, but journalist-mountaineer Jon Krakauer, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, saw nothing that "suggested that a murderous storm was bearing down." He was wrong. The storm, which claimed five lives and left countless more--including Krakauer's--in guilt-ridden disarray, would also provide the impetus for Into Thin Air, Krakauer's epic account of the May 1996 disaster. With more than 250 black-and-white photographs taken by various expedition members and an enlightening new postscript by the author, the Illustrated Edition shows readers what this tragic climb looked like and potentially provides closure for Krakauer and his detractors. "I have no doubt that Boukreev's intentions were good on summit day," writes Krakauer in a postscript dated August 1998. "What disturbs me, though, was Boukreev's refusal to acknowledge the possibility that he made even a single poor decision. Never did he indicate that perhaps it wasn't the best choice to climb without gas or go down ahead of his clients." As usual, Krakauer supports his points with dogged research and a good dose of humility. But rather than continue the heated discourse that has raged since Into Thin Air's denouncement of guide Boukreev, Krakauer's tone is conciliatory; he points most of his criticism at G. Weston De Walt, who coauthored The Climb, Boukreev's version of events. And in a touching conclusion, Krakauer recounts his last conversation with the late Boukreev, in which the two weathered climbers agreed to disagree about certain points. Krakauer had great hopes to patch things up with Boukreev, but the Russian later died in a avalanche on another Himalayan peak, Annapurna I. Krakauer further buries the ice axe by donating his share of royalties from sales of The Illustrated Edition to the Everest '96 Memorial Fund, which aids various environmental and humanitarian charities. --Rob McDonald --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Book 4 Thinking in pictures by
Temple Grandin (1995). The book that explains autism from the inside out.
Review
“I hardly know what to say about this remarkable book. . . It provides a way to understand the many kinds of sentience, human and animal, that adorn the earth.” –Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs
"There are innumerable astounding facets to this remarkable book. . . . Displaying uncanny powers of observation . . . [Temple Grandin] charts the differences between her life and the lives of those who think in words." –The Philadelphia Inquirer
“A uniquely fascinating view not just of autism but of animal–and human–thinking and feeling, [providing] insights that can only be called wisdom.”
–Deborah Tannen, author of You Just Don’t Understand
From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
Review
“I hardly know what to say about this remarkable book. . . It provides a way to understand the many kinds of sentience, human and animal, that adorn the earth.” –Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs
"There are innumerable astounding facets to this remarkable book. . . . Displaying uncanny powers of observation . . . [Temple Grandin] charts the differences between her life and the lives of those who think in words." –The Philadelphia Inquirer
“A uniquely fascinating view not just of autism but of animal–and human–thinking and feeling, [providing] insights that can only be called wisdom.”
–Deborah Tannen, author of You Just Don’t Understand
Review
“I hardly know what to say about this remarkable book. . . It provides a way to understand the many kinds of sentience, human and animal, that adorn the earth.” –Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs
"There are innumerable astounding facets to this remarkable book. . . . Displaying uncanny powers of observation . . . [Temple Grandin] charts the differences between her life and the lives of those who think in words." –The Philadelphia Inquirer
“A uniquely fascinating view not just of autism but of animal–and human–thinking and feeling, [providing] insights that can only be called wisdom.”
–Deborah Tannen, author of You Just Don’t Understand
From the Trade Paperback edition. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.
Review
“I hardly know what to say about this remarkable book. . . It provides a way to understand the many kinds of sentience, human and animal, that adorn the earth.” –Elizabeth Marshall Thomas, author of The Hidden Life of Dogs
"There are innumerable astounding facets to this remarkable book. . . . Displaying uncanny powers of observation . . . [Temple Grandin] charts the differences between her life and the lives of those who think in words." –The Philadelphia Inquirer
“A uniquely fascinating view not just of autism but of animal–and human–thinking and feeling, [providing] insights that can only be called wisdom.”
–Deborah Tannen, author of You Just Don’t Understand
Friday, September 18, 2009
Book 3 - Listening to Prozac
by Peter D Kramer. The book that got America popping pills.
From Library Journal
Kramer, a practicing psychiatrist, finds that the antidepressant Prozac is a powerful drug that lifts the veil of depression from most patients without significant side effects. While he unquestionably supports the use of medication to alleviate illness, he questions using drugs to make a person feel "better than well." It is the remarkable ability of Prozac to create personality changes that he finds disturbing. Is it ethical to prescribe a drug that increases a person's self-confidence, resilience, and energy level without any ill effect, when there is no underlying manifestation of illness? What is the essence of personhood and what are the philosophical implications of using drugs to alter personality? Both Kramer's unequivocal endorsement of Prozac for the treatment of depression and the questions he raises about the use of drugs for mood alteration are controversial. A glossary would have been a useful addition for lay readers. Recommended.
- Carol R. Glatt, VA Medical Ctr. Lib., Philadelphia
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Library Journal
Kramer, a practicing psychiatrist, finds that the antidepressant Prozac is a powerful drug that lifts the veil of depression from most patients without significant side effects. While he unquestionably supports the use of medication to alleviate illness, he questions using drugs to make a person feel "better than well." It is the remarkable ability of Prozac to create personality changes that he finds disturbing. Is it ethical to prescribe a drug that increases a person's self-confidence, resilience, and energy level without any ill effect, when there is no underlying manifestation of illness? What is the essence of personhood and what are the philosophical implications of using drugs to alter personality? Both Kramer's unequivocal endorsement of Prozac for the treatment of depression and the questions he raises about the use of drugs for mood alteration are controversial. A glossary would have been a useful addition for lay readers. Recommended.
- Carol R. Glatt, VA Medical Ctr. Lib., Philadelphia
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Book 2 Maus by Art Spiegelman
The Comic book that redrew history.
Amazon.com Review
Some historical events simply beggar any attempt at description--the Holocaust is one of these. Therefore, as it recedes and the people able to bear witness die, it becomes more and more essential that novel, vigorous methods are used to describe the indescribable. Examined in these terms, Art Spiegelman's Maus is a tremendous achievement, from a historical perspective as well as an artistic one.
Amazon.com Review
Some historical events simply beggar any attempt at description--the Holocaust is one of these. Therefore, as it recedes and the people able to bear witness die, it becomes more and more essential that novel, vigorous methods are used to describe the indescribable. Examined in these terms, Art Spiegelman's Maus is a tremendous achievement, from a historical perspective as well as an artistic one.
Spiegelman, a stalwart of the underground comics scene of the 1960s and '70s, interviewed his father, Vladek, a Holocaust survivor living outside New York City, about his experiences. The artist then deftly translated that story into a graphic novel. By portraying a true story of the Holocaust in comic form--the Jews are mice, the Germans cats, the Poles pigs, the French frogs, and the Americans dogs--Spiegelman compels the reader to imagine the action, to fill in the blanks that are so often shied away from. Reading Maus, you are forced to examine the Holocaust anew.
This is neither easy nor pleasant. However, Vladek Spiegelman and his wife Anna are resourceful heroes, and enough acts of kindness and decency appear in the tale to spur the reader onward (we also know that the protagonists survive, else reading would be too painful). This first volume introduces Vladek as a happy young man on the make in pre-war Poland. With outside events growing ever more ominous, we watch his marriage to Anna, his enlistment in the Polish army after the outbreak of hostilities, his and Anna's life in the ghetto, and then their flight into hiding as the Final Solution is put into effect. The ending is stark and terrible, but the worst is yet to come--in the second volume of this Pulitzer Prize-winning set. --Michael GerberTuesday, September 15, 2009
25 of the most powerful books in the last 25 years.......
I will try and post a book each week of the most powerful books in the last 25 years.
This list was compiled by Mental Floss (a periodical) but for all of you I will post a book of the week.
"And the Band Played on" by Randy Shilts (1987).
The book that forced us to acknowledge AIDS.
Randy Shilts is responsible for getting the world to pay attention to AIDS. An openly gay reporter Shilts wrote "And the Band Played on" to trace the history of AIDS and the failure of both the medical community and society at large to respond to this crisis.
I think I will take time to read these as they have made an impact on who we are today. Most of these books I have never read and feel like I have missed something by not reading them. I can't guarantee that I will finish them but I think I will be smarter for reading them..
This list was compiled by Mental Floss (a periodical) but for all of you I will post a book of the week.
"And the Band Played on" by Randy Shilts (1987).
The book that forced us to acknowledge AIDS.
Randy Shilts is responsible for getting the world to pay attention to AIDS. An openly gay reporter Shilts wrote "And the Band Played on" to trace the history of AIDS and the failure of both the medical community and society at large to respond to this crisis.
I think I will take time to read these as they have made an impact on who we are today. Most of these books I have never read and feel like I have missed something by not reading them. I can't guarantee that I will finish them but I think I will be smarter for reading them..
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