This morning, I went downstairs for coffee and caught a glimpse of the road from the front door. There was yellow stuff all over the road. I was like, “WTF is all this yellow stuff?!” It took about five seconds to realize it was SUNSHINE. Freaking SUNSHINE. I haven’t seen SUNSHINE in so long, that I had NO IDEA what was spread all over the pavement. I shit you not.
I went out for a company supper last night since we’re taking over the world and winning all kinds of awards and kicking ass internationally. I vow never to complain about work again. I can’t think of another place where I could possibly discuss butt plugs and sex toys with my seniors. Pretty sure if they ever even stumbled upon this blog, they’d embrace it rather than fire me. Maybe. The lead tech writer reads, after all. Hi Cubemate!
Anyway, I love the mesh of people, and I don’t know why we don’t get together like that more often. One of the guys and I had a contest building the tallest tower out of mussel shells. Then I walked home and wiped out on the street before my house, in front of a bunch of people including an old man who was very concerned. I’m surprised I didn’t land in a pile of broken glass, being in the ghetto and all. My hands are skinned though. They probably have syphilis now.
So here’s what I’ve been reading.
Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster
Rich woman loses job, becomes poor and has epiphany. I liked her in the end, but after I saw the author photo, was confused about the conceit.
Wow, that book had so much substance that it didn’t even take up two lines. Excellent.
So, Kindle is making its way around the globe. How do you peeps feel about that? How do you feel about potentially never have to turn pages again? Will you miss the sacred, new-book smell? Will you cry about never being able to thumb through pages, pick up a book to read the back-cover, or stack good literature lovingly in your bookshelf?
I have mixed emotions. On one hand, the technology is freaking amazing and I do like saving trees. I think it’s safe to assume that this technology is the wave of the future, and although I may not like it, I don’t want to be 80 years old rocking in my chair and grumbling about “those damned kids today, with their fancy high-tech flying cars and loud electronic music.” Yeah, take me back to the good old days when rappers were bangin’ bitches and smokin’ Js. Classic.
And what happens when books ARE annihilated? Will all the adorable bookstores in the world close down? Will I not be able to drag my eyes along the titles in a used bookstore? Will I not find carefully written inscriptions on the inside of a cover?
THE ECONOMY WILL COLLAPSE. BUT THE TREES WILL BE STANDING.
Shit this is all so terribly devastating that I don’t know what to do with myself. Anyone remember the library from Beauty and the Beast? That’s what I want. More than babies. Just books.
I refuse to get a kindle. What happens when you drop it in the bathtub? I’ve ruined plenty of books while reading with bubbles (and bubbly!) but have never had any sort of electrocution risk. I also love the smell of books and holding them. I look at a computer at least 10 hours a day for work, books are my ESCAPE from technology. Will. Never. Do. It.
On another note, love the review of Bitter. I find Jen hilarious, and I think I like it more than most because it’s all in Chicago and I always know exactly what she’s talking about. Also met her once, very funny in person.
I’m a quasi tree hugger and I do not care if the world burns down around us as long as there are books, lovely books that you can pull off the self, crack their new spines, thumb through and inhale their new sweetness or musty oldness.
I refuse to ever buy a Kindle. It makes my eyes hurt just thinking about it.
Also, wiping out in front of people is probably my LEAST favorite activity.
I will never, ever buy a Kindle. I love books way too much. haha, I also love the Beauty and the Beast library and want one for myself. I’m so obsessed with it, it made it on my life goal list.
i quite enjoy jen lancasters books, but I have to agree, the footnotes are extremely irritating. hate them.
Yep, thinking the Kindle is the wave of the future. My husband reads eBooks and likes them. He can pack 10 books for a trip in the amount of space that a pair of my socks takes up. I haven’t it tried it yet, though. And I probably won’t anytime soon … I have a ton of touch-me books that still need to pulled off my bookshelf for some reading-time loving.
Candice, I’m sorry that I was MIA for the last week.
I’m reading all of your posts that I missed as we speak.
I don’t know about you, but I’m glad it’s Friday. LOL. Have a great weekend!!!
I won’t buy into the kindle thing but I do remember saying the same thing about the cell phone and ummm the personal computer… I just love books – the smell, coffee and wine stains, flipping pages, sticky noting my favorite passages – I just love surrounding myself with stacks and stacks of my faves.
Oooh and I totally want a library room with a ladder on wheels and when I get all excited about my latest read I can fly across the room on the ladder with my skirt all whirling about.
I got an eBook reader (cheaper but just as good version of the Kindle), and I only use it for travel. It is perfect for travel, so you don’t have to pack a bunch of books. Since I only use it on the plane and car rides, the tub dropping doesn’t apply
Seriously, your photo was the first time I have ever seen a kindle. I hate technology.
What better use could trees be put to than the making of books? And print travel magazines.
I just can’t get on the Kindle train. I love books too much. If I flew more, I could see it happening for convenience. But as of now, I’ll stick to being old fashioned. If only they’d start making more paper out of eco-friendly ingredients, it’d be all good.
And sorry about your hands’ STD. Certainly they have pills for that, right?
I can’t get into books like that yet. If I am reading something lengthy I like to have it in my hands, but you are right the technology is amazing. I can see it being good if you are doing a lot of traveling but it would take some getting used to.
You never cease to put a smile on my face with your blunt commentary on just about everything! I agree about the books though – I would give just about anything to have Belle’s library. In fact, I have boxes of books now stashed all over the US at friend’s houses because I refused to get rid of them but didn’t have room in my car when I moved!
My friends were just talking about Kindle/Nook like an hour ago. Do people really like it? Is it gonna spoil my eyes?
I think I’d still like the smell of a new book.
I can’t even read something on the my laptop screen that is longer than 2 pages. It makes my eyes hurt and I always loose where I am. It gets really frustrating, so I print everything out. Yeah, I guess I kill trees more than the average person, but if it helps, I double print, or use the back for scrap paper.
So I will definitely not be getting a Kindle. Holding a book in my hot little hands is the highlight of most of my days – and I’m not about to tuck that away. Technology is good, but not when it takes my books away.
I have been considering the Kindle, but I’m thinking its just not gonna happen. One, because I really like books. 2. If I’m not reading an actual book- then I like to listen to them in my car. And 3. I can think of a million things I would rather spend my money on.
And weird, I literally just finished Bitter is the New Black a few days ago.
It was my second Jen Lancaster book, and i have to agree with a few of these people about her footnotes.. they are annoying. If you like the humor though check out Laurie Natoro. I love her… and there aren’t any footnotes.
If somebody wants to buy or give me their kindle that hurts their face too much, well that is one thing….!
I feel you on the yellow stuff…in a momentary cloud break it splashed all over my face so i have to grab my bone rattle and do a quick rain dance, lest the yellow monster should grow bold.
i have to agree about Bitter. The thing i was most interested in was her writing style, considering thats the type of book i want to read.
i dug it overall. the fact that i read it was a sheer miracle in itself
The Kindle, Nook, and other e-readers are certainly the wave of the future. I travel by kayak and space is at a premium. The ability to carry one of these devices with multiple books is a space saver. Also, simply having access to wifi in order to get your next ‘book-fix’ is really powerful. I agree, there is definitely something nice about holding a book, and not having the eye strain of staring at yet another computer screen, but they do have there place. I will be taking one of the new generation of readers on my next 3300 mile expedition and will report along the way how it is working.
Love your blog!
I want the Beauty and the Beast library too. Badly.
I haven’t gone the Kindle route yet. I also still buy vinyl, so I’m just romantic about stuff.
That’s crazy about the sunshine too. hahaha. I can’t imagine. I’ll keep it to myself that I’m still wearing short sleeves.
in defence of the kindle.. it doesnt have a screen the same as a regular computer screen , its suposed to look just like reading a book and not hurt your eyes.
yes i watched a promotional video… and was somewhat sold.
I occasionally read ebooks on my netbook, and carry the odd book with me travelling.
I’m sure the technology will migrate to smart phones soon enough (if not already) and the kindle will go out of fashion (until apple release their version of course).
But I sure as hell wouldn’t feel comfortable throwing a kindle at unwanted invaders where I’m sleeping or swatting mosquitoes with it. Books are handy for that!
@Linlah: Ahh, so glad to hear from a tree-hugger. I agree, spine-cracking is the best.
@J: Apparently it reads like a book, but I’m sceptical. damn technology
@meg: agh, glad you agree on the footnote thing. thought maybe i was just being too picky.
@JoAnna: never really thought about the convenience of those e-books on the road, but i don’t think i’m hopping on the kindle train just yet either
@TCC: trust me, i understand about falling behind! hah. thanks for stopping by
@Amiee: YES, yes yes YES!
@Abbie: to be honest, i hardly know what an e-reader is. damn i’m living under a rock
@Sabina: totally agree, trees lead a noble after-life as books for sure
@Charis: i hope so, although they seem to have healed nicely!
@Shannon: hahaha, thanks! i’m the same way, tons of books everywhere. i probably shouldn’t move anymore, it’s turning out ot be a nuisance.
@Eric: definitely takes some getting used to, and definitely good for traveling
@nashe: apparently tis like reading a book, not like a computer screen. i think i need to see it to believe it
@Karina: i’m the same way, reading huge articles online is super daunting, and drives me a little insane
@Carissa: never heard of her, but i’ll check her out fo sho! and i wont’ be downloading it to no e-book or kindle of mine, pshhhh
@Joshy: oh dear god, please, please, please send me a bone rattle so i can dance on the street with one. best thing ever
@Brit: yeah, when she toned down the total bitchiness i was a lot more impressed. plus it was good for a light read.
@Nancy: SHHHH! i’m wearing two layers in my HOUSE right now. we still buy vinyl in this household, it’s kickass
@Lottie: hahaha yeah ,there’s a video on the amazon site i linked to it and it does look super cool, i admit. i think in the future when the price goes down, i’ll buy it for all new books that come ou tand then just to picking up used books elsewhere. i dont wanna pay more than like…$5 for an old book
@Rob: hah, so true! so many uses for books. typically i like to stack them around my room to look smart
A little late on the comment but just came across your blog through *uncorked. I agree about the kindle, I love the idea of having a bookshelf stacked high with books Ive saved over the years.
oh damn i didn’t even think about the bathtub thing. i do like 80% of my reading in the tub. oh hell no!
yeah, i ended up liking her character a lot by the end of the book, and was totally impressed by her turnaround. but damn those footnotes were annoying as shit
Yeah, not a fan of footnotes. They’re in all her books. I think I’m done with chick lit – I can’t really stomach it much anymore.
Thanks kindly for stopping by! Always to pleasure to find an unfamiliar face. Keep me updated on how the reader works throughout your travels, should be interesting. I’m sure i can work out a compromise between both the book and new technologies