Books Versus Tablets??? What will Happen Next?

With technology changing reader's lives daily.. 

what is the life expectancy of an actual

 physical book these days?

I mean will a book soon be absolute? 

Will everything be on some sort of tablet or 

computerized communication device? 

Are you a Book reader or a Device reader? 

Do you share the love o holding an actual colored

covered book with hundreds or thousands of pages?


Did you know that....
In January 2011, Amazon.com reported that it sold three times as many Kindle books as hardcover books. In the same month, the company also began selling more Kindle books than paperbacks [source: BBC News].

Or do you prefer... 

Taking a 1000 books with you on 

your next vacation all wrapped up in 1 device? 

Easy to store, easy to carry, lots of choices, easy to buy

and no more large clumsy bookcases taking up space in 

our homes and offices.  

But I love looking at books and book cases.

Cons...
On a bright sunny day e readers have trouble in the sunny daytime 
a regular book has no problems. Costs are also a problem for e readers.  A tablet or Kindle or Nook can cost $199 upwards to $800. Books average range is around $9.99.  Sharing books with friends can also cause problems with e readers.  The e readers like Nook have the abilities to share, but still have some glitches and limitations. 

Advantages....
With the instant access online to anything you may ever want to read, 
more space, but what happens to library's?  
Will the librarian's job go away? 
 Will those treasured quite moments spent in the back of a library with heads buried in books be a thing of the past?  
And what about the lessons in school?  
Learning how to locate books and sitting in a circle on the floor in front of your teacher listening and looking at those pretty photos inside 
the books during our reading lesson.   

Here's what I have done in my home.... 

I have condensed my books to 3 book cases and 

store them in my home office.  

I read on a tablet for the most part, but sometimes 

I just grab a book off one of my shelves. 

I cannot part with my books I own!

And I do own more than I can possibly read in my 

lifetime, however, I still love to look at them.

So it boils down to this...

Each reader has his/her own preference which may be enough 

to keep books around for awhile, at least temporarily.  I fear though, that our children's children will no longer have a need or appreciation where

physical books are concerned and by then will become a thing of the 

past. The same way that the 8-track, cassette, 

and the transistor radio has, too. [hmmm dating myself now]

Sometimes we just can't seem to part with our hard 
copies of our favorite novels.  I sure do love those dust jackets
and think of all the artists that design those covers. 

Will they all be out of work? 

Will books head straight into the past like the cassettes and CDs have?  Books may not be everyone's favorite today, but many readers will still hold onto those hard covered wonders for their own collections. 
This author feels books will be collected like art and kept to 
show off to other book lover friends. 

According to the Daily Riff
They listed 21 things that will become obsolete in 2020 and number 8 is paperbacks!

8. Paperbacks: 

Books were nice. In ten years' time, all reading will be via digital means. And yes, I know, you like the 'feel' of paper. Well, in ten years' time you'll hardly tell the difference as 'paper' itself becomes digitized.

A New Way to Read Books & Stories on Your IPhone

[source]

Do you use your IPhone to read your books??? Dis you know you can? Its a FREE app of course...

                                                     screen shot [source] 

Check Apple's site to read more about it. Its called iBooks. You can download books from the iBook store, all of the newest selling books. 

Or download the new KINDLE app for FREE and read anywhere. Have access to thousands of books anywhere you go. WOW!!

You can buy any book from Amazon.com 

Reading Nooks

What a great Reading Nook!!!!





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My Favorite!!!!


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Review The Devil's Elixer Book

I cannot believe that I have not blogged in soooo long, but my life has been filled. So filled that I have not even read the books I wanted to 
read. :( 


But I did manage to finish a book, that I needed to critique.

 I got"The Devil's Elixir"  in the mail from a gal at the "The Book Report Network" to review & critique... this was a real THRILLER and anyone that knows me knows that I love THRILLERS!!!

The author Raymond Khoury, part of the "Authors on the Web" is a New York Times Bestseller author of his previous best seller, "The Templar Salvation" I will have to read that one after this one. 

The book "The Devil's Elixir"[affiliate link] was released in hardcover and
ebook editions last December. The book features the FBI agent Sean Reilly and archaeologist Tess Chaykin, who were first introduced in the New York Times bestseller "THE LAST TEMPLAR."[affiliate link]  

My review:

I found, Khoury's book [which is actually #3 in the "Templar" series] to be one that made my skin chill because of its so "real to life" excitement and plot turns that I wasn't able to put it down. The only warning I have for other

"thriller-a-holic's" is that you should not read it at night, alone, or before bedtime. I fear that you will be "spooked" and/or have nightmares!! :)

It's truly a great thriller, Raymond gives you a little background info in the beginning from the 1700s Mexico and sets the scene switching back and forth between present day and 5 years ago when he was involved in a drug bust. 

Then he switches to the present where he receives a call from a former girlfriend who is in danger and is fearing for her life. She is being chased and doesn't know why? But she does know that she cannot go home because they broke into her house, so she has fled with her little boy. She contacts Reilly for his help. Reilly of course, comes to rescue her and her son in Southern California. The plot thickens with lots of violence, drug dealers, and thrills. 

It catches you right from the first page, fast-paced, entertaining, and action packed with his complex and interesting characters like FBI agent Sean Reilly. He manages to get entangled with the Mexican cartel taking place in Southern California and Mexico. There is the lust of a "mind blowing" drug,"The Devil's Elixir"  that comes from a plant found deep in the rain forest that Reilly races to keep out of the hands of the drug world. If it gets out it could rock the worlds very foundation in a kilter!!

I love to read thrillers that end with a twist that I didn't see coming, and Raymond's book didn't disappoint me.  But, you'll have to read it for yourself to see what I am talking about.  Sorry, I don't want to spoil the ending for you. 

Go ahead and order it today and read an excellent summer vacation thriller when you are laying on the beach; riding on a commuter train to work; camping in your RV; or just sitting in the comfy of your big easy chair at home. 

You'll be pleasantly surprised with this wonderful thrills and chills book by Raymond Khoury, "The Devil's Elixir" I highly recommend it!!

Enjoy!!

Back From a Long Break

I have been away from blogging here for some time. But I am back, had the flu and just "life" got in the way of my visits here.

So what am I reading? Well....I am on book #3 of Debbie Macomber's "Cedar Cove" series. I just love them and in this one we are talking about 311 Pelican Court where Rosie lives. Will her and hubby be divorced forever, or will they get back together? And what is happening with the dead guy in the B&B? Who was he?

I cannot wait to read more to find out what's going on in Cedar Cove...I think the next thing should be some good recipes and knitting patterns, will have to get the companion crafting book next. :)

So Many Books and Not Enough Time

Today and all week I have been going down to the grassy area over looking the beach and sitting in my lawn chair an reading. I am reading Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen I am really enjoying this enchanting book about 2 sisters and a small town with lots of history and a special garden.

The weather has been perfect. In the 80s and the beach is thriving with families since school is out. I love it there as I can not olny read with the sound of the ocena in the background but I also get to people watch, another "fav" thing of mine to do. :)

The chattering of the kids playing and frolicking in the water and the water pounding on the pilings of the pier are a great back drop of noise level while reading.

It is peaceful and yet populated with scattered faces of sheer happiness of the summer month's fun to be had.

I do so love this time of year.

I have so many good books that are intriging me at the moment and looking over them I see there is not enough time to actually read them all. So I decided to list some of here in the sidebar and then read them in that order. I have such a time trying to decide which one to read and then I find another in the store or get one as a gift and "poof" my whole decision is interrupted and I am confused once again as to which to choose.. :(

Lets see if this little organized list helps me go through some of my books that are piling up everywhere. Now to try and stay out of the book stores!!!! hmmmmmm

New Books On the Shelf

I got some new books to brag about...1st my wonderful swapping friend over at BABEs DaBookLady Swap sent me this great read, "Anna Katrina" by Leo Tolstoy. It is about a russian girl in the 19th century I cannot wait to dive into it. Opera's Book Club special...

Then i got from Amazon 2 ordered books I have been wanting "A is for Apron" and "The Apron Book" both excellent reads about the history of aprons and how to make them and love them. And as an apron lover I am I am diving into each of them with a fine tooth comb. They have so much info that I can not digest it all....

The other find I have is called "Black Cat, Black Dog" by John Creed....this book is another one of those spy reads, but beware this is brutal and complex and a real thriller, my favorites!!!!

Booking Through Thursday on Friday

I was late.. :(

Do your reading habits change in the Spring? somewhat I guess, I usually like lighter fun books and ones with happier endings.

Do you read gardening books? oh yes indeed and I have a greenhouse [small one]Even if you don’t have a garden? More light fiction than during the Winter? yes yes Less? Travel books? yes Light paperbacks you can stick in a knapsack? I always have them in the car and in my bags and in the trunk so I can go to the beach with them
Or do you pretty much read the same kinds of things in the Spring as you do the rest of the year? no but I do still read a good thriller to keep me tingling with excitment...hmmm I think I may be a bit strange???

What Should I Read Next????

I have an enormous selection to choose from, but I still want to go to B&N and get more????? Am I sick???? Almost as bad as my yarn collection addiction. But I am finishing up Debbie Macomber's 2nd Cedar Cove series books. I love them and also love Jan Karon. My friend got me her new one. I also wanted to work on the Maggie Sefton series as I have only read the 1st one, "Knit One, Kill Two" and I have 2 more of hers. I also wanted to continue with James Patterson's book that I got for Chritmas from a friend, "The Darkest Evening of the Year"....and Joann Flukes, "Banana Split Murder Mystery" oh whats a reader to do....?????

I did watch "I am Legend" with Will Smith...it was terrific... or I might read one of my Christmas books????? Oh decisions decisions... hmmmmm....

April's Contest "Read it and Comment"

Here's April's "Read It and Comment" contest. This one is a simple one. All you need to do is read the posted story, comment here about it, and then post on your blog linking to this contest. That's all!!! The winner will be picked by the Random Selector. Each comment will be considered a number and then entered into the generator and the number selected will be the winner. But remember only those that follow the rules will be entered.

The contest ends April 30th at 12:00pm.

The winner will be announced sometime during the 1st week in May.

So, hurry up ......Here are the rules;

• read the story below
• comment here on it
• and post a link on your blog to this contest
• And be sure and add your blog or name link to the comment here

That's it.....Simple......fun....and easy ......

The Story:

"Pawnshop owner Daniel Greer is losing everything. In the seedy and rapidly changing Houston neighborhood where he built a solid business, a new Vietnamese competitor is stealing his customers. Desperate and too trusting, Greer and his wife Carol are thrust into the thick of a bloody Asian gang war-- a clach that's seeping into the city's corridors of power and wealth. But not until Carol is kidnapped does Greer guess the scope of the dark, vicious game he has entered, and the frightening prize he must pay for victory. Trapped between warring factions, terrified by the senseless violence exploding around him, Greer reluctently prepares himself for battle. He'll risk anything to save his wife--and exact a very personal revenge."

The prize will be a new book called "Predator's Waltz" by Jay Brandon.

Now comment and post on your blog....good luck!!

March Contest "Books in the Tub"

New Contest for the month of March,

"Books in the Tub"

starting now. Win this fantastic Mystery book! "Malice Domestic" by Nancy Pickard. It is an anthology of original traditional mystery stories. Nancy Pickard is an acclaimed "Agatha Christie" type award-winning writer of wonderful mystery stories. This is a brand new paperback book.

Its fun and easy! All you have to do is leave a comment here and post a link on your blog to this contest.

This month is another guessing contest.......

Guess how many books are in the tub????

That is an easy one...look at the photo and take your guess, the last 2 contests we have had guesses that were exact. Now I will give you a couple hints.....

1. The tub is 12" square
2. There are probably less books in there than you would think
3. They are all paperback books, but they are different sizes

So hurry now and post those comments and DO NOT FORGET to leave your blog addy so I can find you and also post a link to this contest on your blog.

Contest ends 12:01am April 1st!!!

The winner will be chosen by the closest guess to not go over the # of books that are actually in the tub. If there is a tie then names will be drawn out of a hat.

So what are you waiting for take a guess, what do you have to lose? You could be the next winner of "Books in the Tub" contest!!!

A very Funny and Inspirational Read; At Knit's End

I got a new book in a recent swap about another hobby of mine, knitting/crocheting. the book is called, "At Knit's End" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.

What a wonderful inspirational little jouranal of meditations for women who knit and want to add some laughter and joy to their experience. I find that she has a way of capturing some thoughts and "You Know Your a Knitter if..." quotes that make you stop and think, "OMG is that me?" Here is an example, "You know you knit too much when....you think a stitch or row counter with your feet is a really brillant idea.."

A real joy to read and laugh and sit back and ponder....whether your a knitter or a crocheter it will capture your attention and send you off with a smile and lets face it smiles give us not only joy in our life but they also give us "longer" lives!!! Enjoy....

Some of my Household Books

While visiting a new online friends blog, Sweet Nothings, I loved her post on her bookends, so I decided that I will post some pics of mine, since I like her, collected many over the past years. Now her bookcase is much more pretty to look at, but I'm a "book-o-holic" and so I have way too many bunched on my shelves, I also got into snapping some of bookmark collection....IT was fun...then I went around the house and snapped other interesting spots, but you'll have to visit my Recipe blog, and my main PBDesigns blog to see them, so after browsing around here hop over there.. :)

Ok this bookend comes in a pair, but I use mine individually since I own so many books, it is my old world bookends I purchased at a garage sale while visiting my nephew in Seattle. I loved the old world detail and the look.

My old horse head was given to me as a gift by a friend when I lived in an equestrian town in the 90s. It has delicate detail and is really very heavy.






My glass cowboy I got at a shabby chic store and I couldn't resist him. He just reminds be of an old rodeo cowboy with a 10-gallon hat. As you can tell I tend to lean towards a Western theme, I owned horses for many years. this set is actually ceramic and it is a brown horse that reminded me of my horse "Mr. Ricky Keen" as he had the star on his brow too. :) I purchased on Ebay.



More glass ends, a large headed horse and I just love this one you can actually see through them and as they are hallow not like my solid cowboy guy...I got these from a store in Norco, the equestrian town I lived in that sold tack and odds and ends..

The Indian Head is very old, it was my dads and he used to have it sitting on his bar in his bar room. It says Iroquois on it standing for the old Iroquois beer that was made back east many years ago. I remember because I used to think it was scary when I was a child. When my dad passed I inheited it and use it as a bookend. I only have one of this one but he is a conversation piece. He is made of rubber and at least 50 years old.

A ceramic bookend of a horse's head. Done in a variety of colors. Another garage sale find. Lastly my black horses, in gold and black in ceramic and have a built in pencil holder on each one. A word of caution the bookends are dusty! My short comings on the cleaning end... :(