Be wary what you use as bookmarks

…or it might just end up on display in a secondhand bookstore. I found this article continuing the books versus ebooks discussion. But I was most interested in the Oxfam shop they found that displays items found in donations in the hopes that someone will claim their belongings.  People use such odd and personal objects as bookmarks, there must be some interesting pictures and letters on display. I’m not convinced that ebook readers such as Kindle are the future because I’ve always valued the very tangible, realness of owning my books and being able to rearrange my bookshelf to suit my current reading preferences. I’ve struggled with electronic format conversions in the past and I’d hate to have a library set up that would one day be inaccessible due to its format or software.  Books may fall apart but they certainly last longer than a software upgrade.

I feel better about my bookshelf now

Having a propensity for ordering my bookshelves according to some sort of hippy type “feeling”, I found this article regarding how other people arrange their bookshelves fascinating.  Maybe it’s because I’m a professional bookshelf arranger and I can be quite picky about how I professionally arrange books but I was surprised (and a little nerdily impressed) people had such well developed systems for book distribution in their own homes.  Myself, I tend to mix genres, fiction with non-fiction.  In fact I arrange the books based entirely on which books I think go well together (which I’m sure makes sense only inside my own head).  Sometimes this is based on type of book, the Penguins do tend to sit together, and the fantasy series have their own corner but my system is almost entirely made up randomly as I put the books back on the shelf after I’ve moved them.  I used wonder if I was putting undue time and effort into rearranging my books till I read the article – it’s always nice to find out that you’re not the only one.

Warrior Librarians!

If you’ve recently visited your local Library and thought “What this place needs is a bit more interpretive dancing accompanied by formation book trolley handling and some horns, nice fake ones to wear on your head, and maybe some rather chesty breastplates.” Well my friends, this is the video for you.  In fact, if your library needs are that specific, this is three minutes fifty-five seconds of awesome.  You’re welcome…

Friday night brief

I’ve been swimming in job applications for the past few days and my brain has turned to mush.  So, I have found a short little video that is lovely to listen to and doesn’t take much brain power.  Click here to listen to Neil Gaiman narrate a promo for the Newberry winning The Graveyard Book.

EDIT: My brain was such mush that I somehow managed to forget to schedule the post, so here it is now. This is not the most stupid thing I’ve done in the last 24 hours

Best idea I’ve read about today

I found it in a quick search through new blog entries about books but it’s fabulous idea.  The blogger who wrote this post was inspired by a Sydney Morning Herald article about A Year With No New Books.  It was important enough to get caps.  As someone with a number of unread books on my bookshelf (although I can think of a family member with more), it’s an idea that is both recession and discovery friendly.  I bought the books for a reason but haven’t read them yet largely due to a proper lack of motivation to sit down with them.  They remain interesting enough not to get rid of and this could be the push to finally read them all.  It could be tough going though, the lure of new books is hard to resist.

Book Fail…

and we wonder that kids don’t know better than to cite, or plagiarise, wikipedia.  A lot of books today are clearly rubbish (and there is a place for some of that) but copying parts of wikipedia and then claiming “Oh I wasn’t sure how to cite it – so I just didn’t bother” is somewhat disingenuous if you want people to take your writing seriously.

Ray Bradbury loves libraries…

and so should you!  It’s nice to hear someone speak so positively about such public places but I’m a bit concerned by the state of funding for libraries in the US.  And just think, next time you see an old man reading in the corner of the libary, it could be a famous author (or maybe not).

Literary action

I found this page on Yahoo answers when catching up with my feed reader yesterday.  Not sure if it’s legit but it would be fantastic if it was.  Banned books rule!

Books that changed your life…

I found this article in the Guardian, where authors (fiction, non-fiction etc) were asked – which book changed your life?  Changed a life.  That’s a pretty big call and I don’t know that I have one myself.  It’s certainly made me wonder.  I’ve come across a few books over the years where the lightbulb has gone on and I’ve thought, this is the book for me.  Or others that I’ve loved so much I’ve read them far too many times.  Maybe I’m just thinking too hard about it.  Anyone out there have one?

Yay for new books!

So while (dreaded nineties phrase) surfing the net last night I came across this article in the Scotsman.  It appears China Mieville has a new book, The City & The City, and I’m very happy.  Apparently this one revolves around a mystery to do with two neighbouring cities but like most Mieville stories it probably won’t be straightforward. 

I’ve been a fan of his writing since I first read Perdido Street Station while in London many years ago.  I’ve read all the others available over here in Australia (I think some short stories in other compilations are harder to come by) and I’ve liked most of them.  I especially loved Un Lun Dun because I’m into the alternate world thing and because it’s set in London.  King Rat is also set in London and it’s another favourite.  I don’t know much about drum and bass but the story was fascinating.  So, yay for new books.  It’s always good when a favourite author has a new book for you to read.