I noticed a couple of days ago that the Friends of Independent Bookstores blog was down. All I get is a big blank error page whenever I visit. I was hoping it was just technical trouble. But it seems Larry Portzline has pulled the plug on his project to travel/support/raise awareness of the value of independent bookstores. For more than five years…
Continue reading Indie bookstore blog is no more
There’s a new book “lending” service in town… PaperSpine.com
It’s just like Netflix, except for books. That’s right. The monthly plans start at $9.95, you click which books you want to read, they mail them to you, you read and return, then they mail you the next one on your list.
It’s sounds a lot like a library, except this one you pay for. I guess there are some places in the country that have limited access to books, but I find it hard to believe that this new business will actually make any money. It just seems like a really bad idea. Some of this discussion has already crept up on PaperSpine’s blog.
Libraries, local bookstores, Amazon, chain bookstores, etc. they have a pretty good track record for getting books, cheaply into people’s hands. I just don’t see the “it worked for Netflix and movies, so it’ll work here” argument holding any water.
{via GalleyCat}
While folks all over the blogosphere are debating the merits of Amazon’s Kindle, Japan has evidentially moved on. This just seems unbelievable to me, but…
“This week the 2007 bestseller list, published by Japan’s biggest book distributor, Tohan, revealed that five of the year’s most successful novels, including the top three, were first written for downloading on mobile phones before being republished in book form.”
That just doesn’t seem possible. I mean sure I can see some books getting their start on mobile media, but bestsellers? Has anyone ever tried to read a novel on a cellphone screen? I can’t imagine it.
This news tidbit came from the London Times Online and it’s a great little article looking into this trend. I can’t imagine this spreading beyond Japan, but I guess when you grow up text messaging your friends (like the new generation seems to be able to do in their sleep, or while walking down the mall, or sidewalk, or driving Birmingham’s highways) then reading Dickens on the phone is no big deal.
Maybe I’m just getting old.
I keep hearing that the falling US housing market is causing all kinds of problems for businesses. But it sounds like publishers are doing just fine (with book sales climbing almost 10% this year) thanks to audiobooks (and Harry Potter, I’m sure).
{via GalleyCat}
