News and a Giveaway.

Well, school has pretty much taken up most of my blogging time, if you hadn't already noticed. But thankfully I've got things sorted out and will have a few reviews up in the next few days.

I hope everyone is having a lovely time with school. Of course, if you're not in school, I still hope you're having a lovely time!


Also, in case anyone is interested, check this out.
"Are E-Books Worth the Money?"
I found this article particularly amusing because I'm partial to actual, paper books, rather than e-books. I previously discussed this topic here. I don't believe I support this newer article entirely, though. I think that true readers can make the purchase of an e-reader worth their while. However, it was interesting to be informed of the hidden costs typical buyers overlook.

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Last, but not least, a giveaway! A great giveaway, at that. Amber from Down the Rabbit Hole is hosting a 100+ followers giveaway. First and foremost, I wish her many congrats for getting so many followers; it's quite an achievement. And the good news is the giveaway is open both internationally and to the U.S. So stop by and check it out.

Two people in the U.S. could win the following:

Signed City of Glass (HB) by Cassandra Clare
Gamer Girl by Mari Mancusi
Once Dead, Twice Shy by Kim Harrison

One international person will win a novel of their choice from The Book Depository, worth a maximum of $15.

So be sure to enter, enter, enter!

Embracing e-books?

I don’t normally type up random posts for this blog, as I prefer to keep it primarily about my book reviews. However, I came across an interesting article that I thought I’d share – don’t worry, it’s book-related.


“Barnes and Noble didn’t evolve enough.”

If you didn’t already know, Barnes and Noble has been steadily losing money and shares – so much so, that it put itself up for sale.

According to the article, Amazon and other online booksellers stole a vast amount of business from Barnes and Noble because of their accessibility, good reputations, and overall cheaper prices. While this makes perfect sense to me, I have one problem:

"My hunch is that B&N never really embraced the Internet or e-books, tied as it was to the old-fashioned world of physical books and stores. As B&N focused on managing decline, a much more nimble Amazon could concentrate exclusively on the new world it was forming. B&N needed to destroy its business model to prevail. Now it is probably too late. There is a lesson for all businesses here."

Call me old-fashioned, but I much prefer a tangible book, with pages I can delicately turn, than an e-reader like the Nook or Kindle. I’m not at all against e-readers, because I do understand their functionality, practicality and appeal, but I am against the promotion of there only being e-readers. I’ve never quite understood why it has to be one or the other: e-readers/e-books or, well, books. Personally, I feel the two can co-exist. I don’t think one needs to outshine the other; each has their pros and cons.

As for Barnes and Noble, its decline wasn’t nearly as rapid as Borders’, so it must have been doing something right. I think when it comes down to it, people are siding with what’s most inexpensive, the best deal. Sure, you’ll drop a good two to three hundred dollars for an e-reader, but after that initial cost, books will be a steal. Regular books, however, will continue providing comfort for the old-fashioned, but at much higher prices.


So what do you think? Should Barnes and Noble be catering to the e-reading future? Can e-books and books co-exist?