Month: April 2011

Free books vs carrying charges

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | ebooks

I am a Librarian.  And I have not bought a book in over 10 months.  I almost feel like I’m confessing something here.

When I travel, my entire carry-on used to hold books.  And I usually bought more while I was on the trip.  But, I bought an eBook Reader (a Nook) over a year ago.  I started taking it instead of the little suitcase.  My husband was so happy!  (He usually ended up pulling my little suitcase of books at some point on each trip)

This Xmas, I got an iPad.  Even better.  Now I don’t carry my Netbook or any books.  (I lie.  I carry one paperback for those moments on the airplane when they say “Turn off all electronic devices.”  So annoying.)

At the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Conference in January, there were free books available on the conference floor.  I could have picked up several.  Lots.  I always have before.  I didn’t pick up any.  I would have had to carry them.  It just wasn’t worth it.

It’s always about the story

Posted on by Marlene Harris | Author : | About

It’s not that just that I love to read, although that’s true.  I love to get lost in a story.  And then, I’m the person who will tell everyone I know, “you’ve got to read this…” until I read the next one.  The thing is, I don’t care what kind of story I get lost in.

I read genre fiction.  Someone, to whom I am forever grateful, gave me The Lord of the Rings when I was in 4th grade.  I read fantasy, and I read a lot of it.  I love Star Trek.  I watched the end of the Original Series with my dad, when it was on the first time, and I got really hooked when it ran in syndication.  I read space opera.  I get at least a supporting membership in Worldcon so I can vote on the Hugos.

Somewhere sideways from the fantasy, I got into vampires.  And it’s a short step from there into urban fantasy.  Not to mention paranormal romance.  And from urban fantasy, the crossover step into mysteries is actually not that far.  Especially since I was really, really into historical fiction at one point, and historical mysteries are fantastic.  Sometimes so fantastic they end up right back in fantasy.   And a good happy ever after (HEA) romance, can be just the ticket when I’m down, especially if it’s historic, or fantastic, or has just a touch of space opera.

I read everything but the cereal box in the morning.  Actually, I’ll read that if I’m desperate.  It can be better than the newspaper.