You are viewing entries from "The Link-O-Lator"
by SB Sarah • Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at 01:13 PM
First, a link to NPR’s article on Digital Overload: Your Brain on Gadgets. According to the article, The New York Times reports that the average computer user checks 40 websites a day and can switch programs 36 times an hour. “It’s an onslaught of information coming in today,” says New York Times technology journalist Matt Richtel. “At one time a screen meant maybe something in your living room. But now it’s something in your pocket so it goes everywhere — it can be behind the wheel, it can be at the dinner table, it can be in the bathroom. We see it everywhere today.”
Richtel’s series, Your Brain on Computers, also questions whether the information overload and the accompanying signals are addictive: When you check your information, when you get a buzz in your pocket, when you get a ring — you get what they call a dopamine squirt. You get a little rush of adrenaline.” he says. “Well, guess what happens in its absence? You feel bored. You’re conditioned by a neurological response: ‘Check me check me check me check me.’”
I know that removing myself entirely from my computer, phone, and anything that beeps or talks to me leaves me in a completely different mood, though I don’t know that I’m conditioned to respond to a beep so much as I am conditioned to compulsively read anything I can get my hands on. Remove me from text entirely and I go through a strange withdrawal period. What about you? Is that true for you?
Hey - and you know what you need? More information! Have some more links!
In other news from the internet, Teleread reports that BN’s digital book sales outpace their print sales, and that “customers with Nook devices have increased their spending by 20 percent.” I am not at all surprised at the increased spending, as clicking does not ever feel like spending money when I purchase books through a digital device, especially with a credit card on file! What does surprise me is that sales have increased so dramatically, despite the BN/Nook abysmal customer service.
I read this article in Hubby’s print magazine but I wanted to share it with you because I think the author makes a very interesting argument: do the high costs of international travel for Americans have a higher cost for American society? Christopher Elliott looks at the costs of international travel visas and passports - which are going up in the US, dammit - and impeding international travel for budget voyagers: It may not be a coincidence that a recent poll by the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press found that about half of all Americans say the United States should “mind its own business” and let other countries hash out problems on their own—the highest number in 40 years. That’s not to say we’re in danger of turning into another North Korea or any Iron Curtain–era Eastern European country, but by staying home and turning inward, we definitely become less informed. And maybe, less interesting.
We’re better than that. A passport should be a birthright, not an expensive indulgence. Visas are relics that have no place in a global economy. It isn’t the cost of international travel that should worry us. It’s the cost of not traveling.
Huh. What do you think of that theory? I’m curious because, generally speaking, romance readers read a LOT of narratives set in foreign countries, set in both past and present, and many of us who interact online are aware that we’re speaking with people around the world, far outside our own borders. I’m not saying that reading Zoe Archer’s Scoundrel is going to make you an expert on sailing the Greek islands, but it did make me curious about Greece, and I did idle research to learn more about where the characters were and where they were going. Moreover, I learn regularly about what’s happening in other countries from both comments here and posts on Twitter and other blogs. I’m aware that the internet is a borderless, global party of micro-communication, and I learn a tremendous amount from my mental travels in text in books and online. This certainly doesn’t make me a global expert on the price of caïques, but does my sporadic international travel (I mean really, have you tried to get through TSA security and customs? Holy pain in the tuchas) mean I am inward and less curious? What’s your take - do you think Elliott has a point in his article?
And finally, one more link from the “ORLY?” department: The New York Times is reporting that reading digital books make readers and passers-by more social:
Social mores surrounding the act of reading alone in public may be changing along with increased popularity. Suddenly, the lone, unapproachable reader at the corner table seems less alone. Given that some e-readers can display books while connecting online, there’s a chance the erstwhile bookworm is already plugged into a conversation somewhere, said Paul Levinson, professor of communication and media studies at Fordham University.
“I think, historically, there has been a stigma attached to the bookworm, and that actually came from the not-untrue notion that, if you were reading, you weren’t socializing with other people,” Dr. Levinson said. “But the e-reader changes that also because e-readers are intrinsically connected to bigger systems.”
Marianne Mancusi once mentioned to me in passing that while it’s not socially acceptable to whip out a Kindle and start reading while standing in a group, it is more acceptable and common for you to peek at your phone, so you could be reading a book or reading email or looking at sports scores. And people start conversations about the books themselves.
But I admit, I bristle at the description of the bookworm being antisocial. Most of the avid readers I know, both print and digital book aficionados reading romance and other genres, adore discussing books, recommending them, and talking about what they are reading, even if interrupted. I’ve asked strangers on the subway if they’re enjoying the book they’re reading, and when I mention that I’m interested in that book or that author, I usually get a few recommendations as well. (Granted, I don’t do this on the subway in the morning when no one is likely to be caffeinated). I also disagree that readers are disconnected unless reading digitally - I think that depends more on the age and internet-proficiency of the reader. I’m also amused by these statements that reading alone carried a negative stigma. Since when? Really? And I was supposed to care if so? Screw that, I’m reading a really good book!
So, do you talk to reading people? Are bookworms antisocial? Did you jump up and run to the computer when you got a notification that something to read had arrived somewhere for your perusal? Are we technological dogs du Pavlov? Or do articles like these strike you as they do me: that looking at reading through the format being employed, whether it’s digital or paper, isn’t really looking at reading so much as it is looking at the decisions of the individual reader - a totally different subject. I don’t think reading has changed that much except that, with so many more flat surfaces on which to intake words, we’re doing more of it.
« Was it good for you?
•
|
Categories: General Bitching •
Random Musings •
The Link-O-Lator
Tags: blogs,
books,
borders,
magazine,
national geographic,
nook,
people,
recommendations,
romance,
the new york times,
twitter
by SB Sarah • Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 09:16 AM
I wouldn’t pass it along if it weren’t worth looking at - so have some linkage!
First, Susanna Fraser has the single greatest author website known to man. Or woman. Or both and everything in between.
Second, my Sizzling Summer Book Club pick, Kristan Higgins’ All I Ever Wanted is on the USA Today list at #102. Check out the listing though - it’s got that sexy (E) next to it—which means it made the list as an ebook. HOLY SMOKE. That is hot sexy awesome right there!
Seriously, I cannot wait to talk about this book on Friday. You have no idea.
And finally, Publisher’s Weekly has picked up the story of YA authors withdrawing from the Humble, TX, Teen Lit Fest out of support of author Ellen Hopkins. There’s still time to enter the contest wherein I’m giving away a few copies of her book in support. Censorship Blows.
But you know what doesn’t blow? My right, and the right of every woman in the US to vote. Happy 90th birthday to the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote in the USA in 1920: The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Too all the women and men who faced ridicule, jail time and general asshattery while protesting and fighting for my right to vote in each and every election, thank you.
•
|
Categories: General Bitching •
The Link-O-Lator
Tags: 19th amendment,
asshattery,
authors,
awesome,
awesomesauce,
birthday,
ebook,
ellen hopkins,
kristan higgings,
publishers,
sex,
sizzling summer book club
by SB Sarah • Monday, August 16, 2010 at 07:44 AM
First, I’m working on updating a lot of the structural elements to the site, which is a big ol’ behemoth on the back end (hur hur back end) so if things look wonky, let me know and I’ll try to undo what I did, if I can remember what I did. Seriously, there is not enough diet Pepsi for work like this. I’m updating the About Us and the FAQ and other stuff, so if you’re looking for info, send up a flare and I’ll look into whatever it is you’re flaring, too. ETA: I’ve added an “edit comment” feature for logged in users, and modified the code so that when you leave a comment, your page will refresh to show the comment you just wrote, and not the top of the entry.
But, if you’re looking for things to read elsewhere on the Internet, here’s some stuff that you can click on, read, and enjoy. I hope.
First: Jesse Petersen has a quiz up: How Long Would Your Relationship Survive in the Zombie Apocalypse? Her book, Married with Zombies, comes out 1 September - but people have been talking about it since February and earlier since Orbit did a set of Zombie online Valentines for folks to share via Facebook. I’ve long thought that Orbit’s way-in-advance-holy-cow promotional efforts for this book were brilliant, and I can’t wait to read it.
Speaking of Orbit, which I like to do because they tend to publish really good books to read, those savvy tricksters, they’ve got a chart up on their site tracking the cover art for fantasy novels. Citing a 50% decline in castle imagery as well as declines in sword and “glowy magic” images, they celebrate the slow reduction of fantasy cover cliches. When mullets fly, says I. Glowy magic is important, dammit.
ETA: Orbit also has the Urban Fantasy cover art heroine development chart, too - win!
And finally, if you didn’t see the link on Twitter, it’s Monday and you should be drinking. So how about Bookavore’s Ebook Article Drinking Game? You’ll be pickled by the end of one article on how those digital books are killing pandas or something.
•
|
Categories: General Bitching •
The Link-O-Lator
Tags: art,
awesomsauce,
bookavore,
books,
facebook,
fantasy,
jenna petersen,
make the burning stop,
mullets,
orbit,
zombies
by SB Sarah • Thursday, August 05, 2010 at 05:02 AM
Looking for a job? Tor.com has suggestions: Best and Worst Job Prospects in the Urban Fantasy Economy.
My personal favorite: 4. Leather clothing manufacture and repair. But who repairs the belt? [Thanks for the link, Jane Drew!]
The first issue of the Journal of Popular Romance Studies is online, including articles from Laura Vivanco and Kyra Kramer that cite the Bosoms as a secondary source (WOOTY!), and a fantabulous interview with Beverly Jenkins who rocks so hard, it’s impossible to measure.
There’s a new collaborative author blog among romance writers: the Heroine Addicts is the group venture of Julie Cohen (whose books I tend to seek out), Liz Fenwick, Biddy, Anna Louisa Lucia, Christina Courtenay, and Susanna Kearsley, who was a 2009 RITA nominee.
What’s different? These romance authors are all British, American ex-pats living in England, and one Canadian. It’s brand spunky new (as in, not many entries - more please?) but I’m curious and adding it to the blog reading lineup on my reader.
Apropos to our discussion of BN customer support and other digital book vendors, I have a note in Ye Olde Inbox of Doome that Amazon UK’s Kindle Store is ready to rock and rollout the books.
And finally: Crossed Genres decodes a mystery in I Like a Little Science with my Fiction You guys. They have figured out WHY Vampires sparkle. Thanks to Scrin for the link, which cracked me up.
by SB Sarah • Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 03:12 PM
P.N. Elrod, Vicki Pettersson, Jim Butcher, Ilona Andrews, and Carrie Vaughn, it is so your lucky day: Janette found the belt on your cover.
You are ALL officially part of the UF Belt Club! Who’s next?!
eHarlequin.com
has a new site - head on over and tell me what you think. And while you’re there, they’re having a Makeover Sale - Save 25% on all new releases, including print AND ebook, glory glory! You just have to use coupon code MAKEOVER at checkout. Valid until 1 August 2010 (just like the RWA hangover). (Ok, MY RWA hangover).
And as if 25% off your Harlequin shopping wasn’t awesome enough, Tina sent me a link that totally rocked my world: Super Heroes vs. the Westboro Baptist Church.
When Fred Phelps decided to protest ComicCon… well, read what happened. OMG. So much awesome, so little I can do to contain my squee.
And speaking of awesome, everyone at RWA, join the raffle from Grand Central to support author Jennifer Haymore and her battle against breast cancer. The winner will be announced at the Grand Central spotlight on
The complete press release reads as follows:
Forever Books will hold a raffle at the Romance Writers of America National Convention later this week to raise money for BreastCancer.Org in support of author Jennifer Haymore.
Haymore, author of the forthcoming A Season of Seduction, was diagnosed with Breast Cancer earlier this year. After undergoing a successful surgery, Haymore is responding well to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She has been able to continue writing through her treatments but she’s had to make other adjustments, including missing this year’s Romance Writers of America National Convention.
Haymore’s publisher, Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, is passionate about supporting their author through the disease. Because Haymore is unable to attend the RWA convention, Forever has decided to hold a raffle to raise money for Breast Cancer awareness. 100% of the proceeds will go to http://www.breastcancer.org , a non-profit organization selected by Haymore, which is dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease.
“Between my family, friends and fans, I have an incredible support system,” said Haymore. “However, I know not everyone affected by the disease is as lucky as I am to be surrounded by such love and support, which is why I chose to support BreastCancer.org. The organization has been an invaluable resource, connecting me to others who can relate to my experience.”
The raffle at RWA will consist of four prizes: an editor critique, an agent critique, a character name in one of Haymore’s upcoming books, and a collection of books signed by bestselling romance authors. Tickets will cost $3 for one ticket, or $5 for two, and will be sold throughout the conference. The prize drawing will be held on Saturday, July 30 during the Grand Central Publishing Book Signing (Disney Swan hotel, Southern hemisphere, Salon 1). The drawing will be held at approximately 4:15.
That’s so awesome. I’ll try to find out more as to where the tickets are being sold, and how conference attendees can get one. Kick cancer’s ass, Jennifer.
