Philip K. Dick: A 'plastic' paradox - latimes.com
Philip K. Dick is an interesting writer. I've read quite a few of his novels, but can't say I'm a huge fan. But, he did lead an interesting life and wrote some of the most creative novels of all time. I guess his creativity is what I value most from his work.
1.31.2010
The Iliad and what it can still tell us about war | Books | The Guardian
The Iliad and what it can still tell us about war Books The Guardian
This is an amazing write-up of the Iliad. Even if you don't feel like reading the whole book it is well worth the time to read. It touches on the feel of the story and takes me back to the first time I read it.
This is an amazing write-up of the Iliad. Even if you don't feel like reading the whole book it is well worth the time to read. It touches on the feel of the story and takes me back to the first time I read it.
11.10.2009
Why do people gush over Proust? I'd rather visit a demented relative | Germaine Greer | Culture | The Guardian
Why do people gush over Proust? I'd rather visit a demented relative Germaine Greer Culture The Guardian
I love this articel by Germaine Greer. I too have failed to grasp the greatness of Proust. I've tried to read the first book many times, and even tried to listen to it on the Naxos audiobook. Nothing works. I tend to forget the point of what I'm reading by the time I get to the end, something that is compounded listening to it in audiobook form. I think many of the people who claim to love Proust are fibbing or have never read it at all.
I love this articel by Germaine Greer. I too have failed to grasp the greatness of Proust. I've tried to read the first book many times, and even tried to listen to it on the Naxos audiobook. Nothing works. I tend to forget the point of what I'm reading by the time I get to the end, something that is compounded listening to it in audiobook form. I think many of the people who claim to love Proust are fibbing or have never read it at all.
8.15.2009
Lee Siegel on the End of Episode Books and Novels - WSJ.com
This is a great article about narrative versus episodic stories. It really makes a writer ponder the direction of the work they are working on.
I can't recommend it enough.
This is a great article about narrative versus episodic stories. It really makes a writer ponder the direction of the work they are working on.
I can't recommend it enough.
8.14.2009
Is Author Richard Russo a Misogynist? Newsweek Books Newsweek.com
Newsweek has officially become a liberal opinion mag, nothing wrong with that, but this article is hilarious. Richard Russo is a misogynist? Really? He may have some holes in his abilities (all authors do) but to attribute it to sexism is crazy. The author of this article finally 'fesses up to this at the end. So, I guess this article's main purpose was to fire up the liberal base.
Newsweek has officially become a liberal opinion mag, nothing wrong with that, but this article is hilarious. Richard Russo is a misogynist? Really? He may have some holes in his abilities (all authors do) but to attribute it to sexism is crazy. The author of this article finally 'fesses up to this at the end. So, I guess this article's main purpose was to fire up the liberal base.
Sony Plans to Adopt Common Format for E-Books - NYTimes.com
Great news in the e-publishing world. Sony will adopt a major standard for ebooks. When will Amazon join in? Not soon in my opinion. But, this is the first in a necessary move in the industry. It may take a few years but we'll have our own .mp3 format eventually.
Great news in the e-publishing world. Sony will adopt a major standard for ebooks. When will Amazon join in? Not soon in my opinion. But, this is the first in a necessary move in the industry. It may take a few years but we'll have our own .mp3 format eventually.
7.30.2009
WHEN NOVELISTS SOBER UP | More Intelligent Life
WHEN NOVELISTS SOBER UP More Intelligent Life
Booze and writers go together like a horse and carriage. This article is great in its discussion of writers and battles with booze.
I think this quote tells the whole story:
Basically writers think they are special and being an addict is not special, it means you are like everyone else. Dude, life sucks.
Booze and writers go together like a horse and carriage. This article is great in its discussion of writers and battles with booze.
I think this quote tells the whole story:
Certainly, if what you’re used to is rolling champagne bottles down Fifth
Avenue beneath the light of a wanton moon or getting into the kind of barfights
that make a man feel alive, truly alive, the basic facts of recovered life—the
endless meetings, the rote ingestion of the sort of clichés the writer has spent
his entire life avoiding—are below prosaic.
Basically writers think they are special and being an addict is not special, it means you are like everyone else. Dude, life sucks.
More reasons to worry about ebooks than I thought | Books | guardian.co.uk
More reasons to worry about ebooks than I thought Books guardian.co.uk
This article brings up my major problem with e-books.
I believe that they cannot become successfully established until the reader who owns the book reader also owns the content. Too many of the companies that sell electronic media try to claim ownership rights over the content. That will never be accepted by the public. If I buy a copy of a work, then I, as the reader own THAT copy just like physical books. Until that breakthrough occurs e-books will be a niche product. And there is no reason why they should be niche products at this point.
This article brings up my major problem with e-books.
I believe that they cannot become successfully established until the reader who owns the book reader also owns the content. Too many of the companies that sell electronic media try to claim ownership rights over the content. That will never be accepted by the public. If I buy a copy of a work, then I, as the reader own THAT copy just like physical books. Until that breakthrough occurs e-books will be a niche product. And there is no reason why they should be niche products at this point.
7.28.2009
Why does crime still have such unpardonably low literary status? | Books | guardian.co.uk
Why does crime still have such unpardonably low literary status? Books guardian.co.uk
I love John Banville's fiction, he is one of the best serious fiction writers out there. But, he stumbles into a mess when he says things like this:
"Writing under his own name, Banville manages around 100 sweated-over, teased, honed and polished words a day; but as Benjamin Black, he can manage a couple of thousand."
Now I'm a major fan of literature, but I'm alos a fan of genre fiction. This is an ugly statement that betrays what I believe is a serious problem in fiction. Genre fiction IS as good as literature, but only if you write it seriously.
He said essentially the same thing when he was interviewed by The Paris Review in the following article:
http://www.parisreview.com/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5907
It's well worth finding the whole interview to see his views. At worst I think he is suffering from a bit of ego. He knew better than to say it out loud.
I love John Banville's fiction, he is one of the best serious fiction writers out there. But, he stumbles into a mess when he says things like this:
"Writing under his own name, Banville manages around 100 sweated-over, teased, honed and polished words a day; but as Benjamin Black, he can manage a couple of thousand."
Now I'm a major fan of literature, but I'm alos a fan of genre fiction. This is an ugly statement that betrays what I believe is a serious problem in fiction. Genre fiction IS as good as literature, but only if you write it seriously.
He said essentially the same thing when he was interviewed by The Paris Review in the following article:
http://www.parisreview.com/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5907
It's well worth finding the whole interview to see his views. At worst I think he is suffering from a bit of ego. He knew better than to say it out loud.
7.04.2009
‘Moveable Feast’ Is Recast by Hemingway Grandson - NYTimes.com
I love the original a "Moveable Feast", but this new one sounds really good. An updated and, hopefully, more accurate version would be great. Who knows what Papa would have really wanted, we just want to get as close as we can and enjoy.
I love the original a "Moveable Feast", but this new one sounds really good. An updated and, hopefully, more accurate version would be great. Who knows what Papa would have really wanted, we just want to get as close as we can and enjoy.
Rethinking the Kindle - Megan McArdle
The article is about some issues with Kindle DRM. I hate DRM and think its a rip off. This is an example of how they get you. I've bought the damn thing. GIVE IT TO ME! For God's sake. The digital future will not become reality until they fix these issues. Permanently.
The article is about some issues with Kindle DRM. I hate DRM and think its a rip off. This is an example of how they get you. I've bought the damn thing. GIVE IT TO ME! For God's sake. The digital future will not become reality until they fix these issues. Permanently.
Malcolm Gladwell reviews Free by Chris Anderson: Books: The New Yorker
Given the changes that the Internet has brought the market of intellectual property Malcolm Gladwell's article on the subject is really prescient. His premise is ultimately that quality is important, no matter what you charge. Quality rises to the top. The most important thing that many people who think of giving away intellectual property free don't understand is that people want quality first. You can't over-look the human desire for something good, over their desire for something free. But, as a warning, never overlook the quality of free.
Given the changes that the Internet has brought the market of intellectual property Malcolm Gladwell's article on the subject is really prescient. His premise is ultimately that quality is important, no matter what you charge. Quality rises to the top. The most important thing that many people who think of giving away intellectual property free don't understand is that people want quality first. You can't over-look the human desire for something good, over their desire for something free. But, as a warning, never overlook the quality of free.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
