Ever since I giggled over my first Cosmo poll with my girlfriends, (back when banana clips were still a Thing and it was totally normal to wear inflexible plastic jelly shoes,) I have been a sucker for statistics. Even the blatantly non-scientific kind sparkle like Twilightian vampires. So imagine my fangirl squee of bliss to discover not one, not two, but three legitimate and news-worthy recent surveys dealing with book reading, book buying, and the publishing industry!
The Shelf-Awareness writeup on WI7: Book Buyer Behavior was very informative. One statement in particular gave me pause:
“Half of all readers do not want to use any kind of e-reader and there is no sign of a “killer” device–like the iPod in music–that would break through this resistance.”
I imagine this is because an electronic display inherently changes the experience of reading. Whether my headphones are plugged into an mp3 player, a cd player, or (ahem) a Sony Walkman tape deck, the biggest difference in listening to a song is the quality of the recording. But when I fire up my Nook, the computer-glow of the screen and the weight of the casing is a far cry from dog-eared pages or the scent of a brand new book, not to mention no longer having the ability to stare at the cover with the flick of a wrist. (Also–why don’t ebooks seem to include the back cover copy?? How am I supposed to know which one I want to read next if I can’t read the backs of 30 or 40 likely candidates? Is it just me?)
Barnes and Noble is offering the Nook Color for just $69 with a subscription to the New York Times. If I didn’t already have the Nook Color, I might have taken them up on that deal!
And just so you’re not deprived, check out the crazy deal Amazon is offering on the upcoming Born to Bite anthology–41% off the cover price. It’s a steal!!
Flavorwire has 10 of the Greatest Kisses in Literature. Naturally, Scarlett and Rhett make the front page — although, now I can’t see stills of Gone With the Wind without remembering Vivien Leigh sayaing Clark Gable had terrible breath. Kinda ruins the magic a little bit.
“Peikin has been making earrings, tie clips and other custom-made pieces since 1992 when his wife, a former editor for the New York Post, received an ancient Underhill typewriter from an editor who was cleaning out his office.”
Reading–and reading more!–has never been a problem for me (I’m afraid technology has only deepened my addiction) but I definitely appreciate the sentiment pictured here on the cover of the MacAdam/Cage spring catalog.
My real goal for 2012 is not just to read more, but to write more!
How about you? What are your goals for the new year?
Breaking news: Next year at this time, I’ll have a novella out in the three author vampire romance anthology BORN TO BITE, along with Hannah Howell and Diana Cosby! My novella is called NEVER BEEN BITTEN. Excerpt coming soon!
And just to get us in the historical mood, here’s an interactive Victorian experience, courtesy of the McCord Museum:
Just bought it!! RT @darcyburke Happy Sunday--my debut is now available at Amazon! http://t.co/LjuxjMhu - erica said 11 days ago
My CP has a contest! RT @darcyburke I'm on Goodreads! And I'm doing a giveaway! http://t.co/1qOtlB67 - erica said 14 days ago
Met the awesome guys at @spicymonkeysoup -- if you're near Chicago check them out! They just opened this week at the French Market. Yum!!! - erica said 21 days ago
@LaurenAbramo It's enabling me to procrastinate Real Work. ;-) - erica said 147 days ago
Mountain Dew was whisky?! When did we trade alc. 4 caffeine? RT @Discovery Moonshine = sugar whiskey, boomshine, mountain dew, bathtub gin - erica said 147 days ago
You are amazing!!! RT @karenrosebooks Just upped my elliptical workout to TWO Buffy episodes. That's 84 minutes... - erica said 148 days ago
Flew up north, and now trying to plan a Xmas dinner for my family. Can I fit 4 things in the oven at once? - erica said 148 days ago
Win a copy of Too Sinful To Deny!! RT @VanessaKellyAut Regency Friday Fun With Guest Author Erica Ridley http://t.co/pKpkA3C - erica said 307 days ago
Congratulations @KarenRoseBooks !!!!! http://t.co/IU9JRaK - erica said 320 days ago
@Vickilane Nice!! I love Phantom. Lacey and I went to see Chicago and it was fabulous, too. - erica said 322 days ago
@what_ever_for Congrats on the request!!!! - erica said 322 days ago
@darcyburke Wish you were here!!! - erica said 322 days ago
@KrisMcmorris Yesterday was so fun! Hope you have a blast tonight at BoM!!! - erica said 322 days ago
@beverleykendall @lexigeorge12 @Limecello Great to see you last night at the @KensingtonBooks party! =) - erica said 322 days ago
@courtneymilan Way to put the AWESOME in Team Awesome! Congrats!!! - erica said 322 days ago
@Leannarenee So fun hanging out last night--must do again soon!! - erica said 322 days ago
@JoyfullyReviewd LOL! Is it wrong that I wanted them to come home with us? ;-) - erica said 322 days ago
@kirabrady It was a blast! Can't wait to see your other modcloth finds, too. ;-) - erica said 322 days ago
I'm signing on Sat. 6/4 along w @TheKarenHawkins, @CLWilsonBooks, @KarenRoseBooks: 3-5pm B - erica said 351 days ago
