Are we killing books?

Remember a time without cell phones in every hand? A time when only joggers wore music headphones? Remember when you left work, that's where email stayed? Or, better yet, you didn't have email at work or home?

Remember?

It was called 1987.

In all seriousness, I recently had a discussion on Twitter that has left me disturbed. A fellow Tweeter gave a raving review about her new Kindle and how she probably wouldn't buy another "real" book again. EVER.

Of course, as a book seller, this left me quite disturbed. But as a book lover, it bugged me even more.

I haven't seen a Kindle. I haven't held one in my hands, so I can't really discuss the product itself. I can, however, discuss the theory of electronic books. I mean, as the way of the world now, doesn't it just seem so, I don't know...impersonal? Won't you miss the feel of an actual book in your hands? And the smell? What about the smell of books? (You book lovers know exactly what I'm talking about.) What about turning real tangible pages and the ability to place your bookmark in just the right spot? I don't foresee a cold electronic object fulfilling that need for books for me.

Look, I love technology as much as the next guy. I've been known to yell at my husband for not turning on his IM so that we can message when he is in his upstairs office and I'm working in my downstairs office. However, I just don't see myself ever choosing the ability to read a book off my telephone over holding a real book. At this point, it's just not that appealing. Reading a book is more than just the words for me. There's some connection that you get with a book, an author, when you hold the book. I've never, ever felt that way when holding an electronic device.

But that's just me.

Wonder what ever happened to all those 8-track tapes anyway?!?

April Book Review: Gordon Ramsay The Biography By Neil Simpson

April 2009 Book Review Gordon Ramsay The Biography by Neil Simpson

Reviewed By Jacqueline Wilson, The Book Blues

We Give It: 4 stars (for the interesting factor, NOT the writing.) Interesting look into one of television's most famous chefs. Covers background information that many people may not know (his professional football career, losing several important people in his life in tragic ways, his family and his involvement in charities). The writing leaves a little to be desired, but worth the read just to understand what made Gordon Ramsay who he is today. British author, British spelling. You've been forewarned.

In the fairness of full disclosure, I have to admit: I have a bit of a crush on Gordon Ramsay. I know it doesn't make sense, but crushes rarely do. He's not that great looking. He's rude to women. He shouts and swears like a sailor. It's just one of those Ethan-Hawke-singing-Violent-Femmes-in-Reality-Bites crushes. I can't explain it. It just is. Which is why I was a little conflicted about reading Gordon Ramsay The Biography by Neil Simpson. Exactly what I thought would happen did happen.

But we'll get back to that later.

Read the full review...

Social Network with The Book Blues

Have you become a fan of The Book Blues on Facebook yet? (If not, shame on you.) Head on over to see all the cool happenings and meet up with other book lovers! (All the cool kids are doing it...)

While you're at it, you might as well join us on Twitter.

Now you're in the know.

We Want You!

Are you an indie author with a book you want to get out? Or, do you love books and doing book reviews? Then we are looking for you!

We are looking to spotlight independent authors ("indies") and help them get the word out on our website and in our monthly newsletter!

We are also looking for guest book reviewers for our newsletter and blog.

Check out our indie author page.

Check out our Write 2 Win info for book reviewers.

For both indie authors and book reviewers, we are happy to link back to your own site to help get the word out about indie authors and/or writers! Help out indie authors and writers by forwarding this post or retweeting on your Twitter account.

Online Store Up and Running!

As many of you know, in November 2008, we closed The Book Blues bookstore charming waterfront community store to transition to an online-only format. Finally, The Book Blues Bookstore online store is up and running!

While we've been working hard to get our website finished, our main concern was completing the online store so that you could search and order online. This means that you'll notice some of our pages still say, "Coming Soon!". We're working hard to get these up and running, so check back often!

In the final design of our site, we decided to team with Amazon - a technology with which many of you are already familiar. By using Amazon technology at checkout, your order is safe and secure - our main concern when creating an online store.

How does it work? Simply use your existing Amazon account during checkout to order products from our online bookstore. If you don't have an Amazon account, it's easy to set up. Add the products you want to purchase to your cart and create your account during the checkout process. The information that you create for your account is safe and secure!

By ordering through our online site, you are still supporting The Book Blues bookstore - no matter who runs our "behind the scenes" technology! If you have any questions about our new site or our partnering with Amazon, please email us at info@TheBookBlues.com.