Boof wrote: "Plus, I like having tonnes of bookcases at home so that people can give me admiring glances when they come to my house (OK, so I don't think anyone actually does that but secretly it does make me feel really superior, LOL)."

Oh thank god, so I'm not the only one! But I must say, goodreads.com has actually changed my feelings about my bookshelves, since my virtual ones are what many more people see. It's funny to hear my husband's opinion about my shelves, because it's so far from what I think about them, and what I think others will/should think about them! lol

I love that these kindle discussions are cropping up in various discussions here in our group!

I agree -- well said: "feeling in my left hand how much I'd read, and in my right how much I had yet to enjoy"!

Paula wrote: "One note on the use of Kindle for research - I ran into a challenge with that very issue this summer. I was working on a paper for a grad professor, and had hoped to use my Kindle to download the b..."

I think academia will come up with a way to cite electronic media before too long.

That's weird. Thanks for the info. I'll google it tomorrow.

Sandybanks wrote: "Gabriele wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "Gabriele wrote: "Paula wrote: "When I first discovered it I thought it was just about the coolest thing ever. It's an electronic library; works on whisper net te..."

No we can't download books from Amazon. That's why they're not bothering to sell Kindles to Canadians. In fact, their website won't allow us to buy one. We can certainly buy "real" books from Amazon.ca, and mine are for sale on Amazon.com, but that's another story you won't want to get me started on.

This article mentioned only Hungary, Bolivia, Japan, and the Congo for the Kindle expansion.

Gabriele wrote: "Sandybanks wrote: "Gabriele wrote: "Paula wrote: "When I first discovered it I thought it was just about the coolest thing ever. It's an electronic library; works on whisper net technology (similar..."

Really? But you can also download the books from the Amazon site, right?

Do they say which countries are covered already?

Sandybanks wrote: "Gabriele wrote: "Paula wrote: "When I first discovered it I thought it was just about the coolest thing ever. It's an electronic library; works on whisper net technology (similar to a cell phone) s..."

Sandybanks, a recent article in a Toronto newspaper said that Canada will not be one of the 100 countries included in the Kindle expansion in October. The reason seems to be that Amazon can't make a deal with our cell phone companies that would transmit the signal.

Gabriele wrote: "Paula wrote: "When I first discovered it I thought it was just about the coolest thing ever. It's an electronic library; works on whisper net technology (similar to a cell phone) so with no monthly..."

I read that Amazon is going to have Kindle go international sometime this October. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my country will be one of the 100 countries that will be covered. I'm sure Canada will be included.

If I live in the US/Canada/Europe where I can easily get books, I'd probably not bother with Kindle, but since I live in Indonesia, where the selection of English books is sometimes limited, I'd love to have it. At least it will save me a lot of time and expenses of ordering from Amazon.

Susanna wrote: "That sounds like a "feature" that needs fixing, Paula - the lack of citation ability."

Completely agree! I love academia and long to return to it, but the liberal arts areas are not known (at least here) for being current regarding technology, so I was not very surprised. Good incentive for Kindle, though - if you want to advertise that students can carry your device instead of multiple textbooks, get the citation format approved!

That sounds like a "feature" that needs fixing, Paula - the lack of citation ability.

My copy of Drood arrived a couple of days ago - can't wait to read it. Amazons delivery is getting quicker plus now no minimum to get free postage!

Well thats a bit "O Shucks" as they say!!!

One note on the use of Kindle for research - I ran into a challenge with that very issue this summer. I was working on a paper for a grad professor, and had hoped to use my Kindle to download the books I had to read (26 books, a bit heavy to carry around).

Unfortunately, I couldn't locate a definitive and acceptable way to cite my sources in an academic setting, so I set the Kindle aside for that project.

On Kindle ect...I think that they are great for other people but I love the history behind how I recieved all my books and when I last read them etc...I wouldn`t get this with a kindle...but I am for anything that gets more people to read!!!

Gabrielle wrote: "Boof wrote: "I wonder if someone should start health insurance for bookaholics, Gabrielle, 'cos this disease we have is a flippin expensive one! ;o)"

I don't mind having it at all, but my husband ..."

I`m Lucky my Husband seems to love my book addiction...he keeps coming up with new places to put bookcases for me...


And just discovered he has an extra Amazon account so he can order books to "surprise"me with!

Paula wrote: "When I first discovered it I thought it was just about the coolest thing ever. It's an electronic library; works on whisper net technology (similar to a cell phone) so with no monthly charge or wir..."

A most interesting analysis, Paula. My husband keeps saying we need to get a Kindle, but they are not available in Canada, and not likely to be in the near future. I can see it could be really useful, for instance, being able to download lots of research texts and have them always on hand and searchable by keywords, etc. But for my own pleasure reading I really want that book in my hands - as you so eloquently put it "feeling in my left hand how much I'd read, and in my right how much I had yet to enjoy". I think that says it all!

Ha ha, mine too!

Anyway, we don't need insurance, we just need group therapy, which is kinda like what this group is...............................or is this just feeding our habbit? ;o)

Boof wrote: "I wonder if someone should start health insurance for bookaholics, Gabrielle, 'cos this disease we have is a flippin expensive one! ;o)"

I don't mind having it at all, but my husband doesn't like it. LOL

Paula wrote: "Boof wrote: "I wonder if someone should start health insurance for bookaholics, Gabrielle, 'cos this disease we have is a flippin expensive one! ;o)"

What if I don't want to be cured? :)

"

I sure as hell don't want to be cured! ;-)

Boof wrote: "I wonder if someone should start health insurance for bookaholics, Gabrielle, 'cos this disease we have is a flippin expensive one! ;o)"

What if I don't want to be cured? :)

I wonder if someone should start health insurance for bookaholics, Gabrielle, 'cos this disease we have is a flippin expensive one! ;o)

Boof wrote: "I'm so impatient; when I want a book I want it NOW! I have been known to order a book on Amazon's same or next day delivery and pay a fortune just because I have to have it! Most of the time I will..."

Oh, I've done that, too. Because Amazon Prime only covers second day shipping, I've paid a small fortune to upgrade to "Next Day" and I'm not even ready to read the book yet. I just want the luxury of HAVING it.

It is a disease. LOL

Wow - just a tad verbose and loquacious. Must work on brevity.

When I first discovered it I thought it was just about the coolest thing ever. It's an electronic library; works on whisper net technology (similar to a cell phone) so with no monthly charge or wire, you can download books in less than a minute. There are currently over 350,000 books available, and the older it is, the cheaper it is (in my experience). Even brand-new bestsellers are only US$9.99.

My favorite part is that you can put the cursor over a word, and it pulls up the definition at the bottom. It has text-to-speech (altho in a clearly computer-generated voice). It's skinny, it's light, it's extremely easy on the eyes.

I ordered one for myself for my birthday earlier this year, and then bought a bigger purse so I can take it with me everywhere.

Then about a month passed, and I realized how much I miss books; flipping the pages, feeling in my left hand how much I'd read, and in my right how much I had yet to enjoy. I missed the different fonts of books, the thrill of the hunt in bookstores, and the ability to proudly display I book I really loved on my shelves.

I now use my Kindle for books that I'm extremely impatient to get, so I'll order it on Kindle while I'm waiting for the 'real thing.' Or, for heavier books like Les Mis, it's handy to have a lightweight version. I also use it for books I don't necessarily want to own in a physical copy, such as Bridget Jones' Diary . It's also extremely handy when you're enjoying a book in a series, and finish it right when all the bookstores have closed for the day and you're just dying to get the next book!

Then again, when I go away for a few days, it's so much more convenient to take my Kindle with potentially 1,500 books on it (I have 110 and counting so far) than to agonize over which books will accompany me on my trip.

Oh, I think we have something like that over here now (can't remember what it's called). I must admit to being curious but then I love the feel of reading a book and I love browsing in the shops and online for them too. Plus, I like having tonnes of bookcases at home so that people can give me admiring glances when they come to my house (OK, so I don't think anyone actually does that but secretly it does make me feel really superior, LOL).

Click here please:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015T9...

What is this Kindle thing I keep hearing about? Is it some American thing?

Boof wrote: "I'm so impatient; when I want a book I want it NOW! I have been known to order a book on Amazon's same or next day delivery and pay a fortune just because I have to have it! Most of the time I will..."

Boof, you need a Kindle!

I'm so impatient; when I want a book I want it NOW! I have been known to order a book on Amazon's same or next day delivery and pay a fortune just because I have to have it! Most of the time I will still be in the middle of another book but I just want to stare all lovingly at it. It's a disease, I tell ya!

Paula wrote: "Am I the only one who gets really impatient for books to be delivered? It's silly, really. I'm not willing to pay an extra $20 for speedy delivery, yet I'm anxiously awaiting Drood and two other ..."

I get very impatient for books to arrive, so I have Amazon Prime. They don't deliver on Saturdays, though. But I've had books arrive the next day, though Prime is really two day arrival time.

Paula wrote: "Am I the only one who gets really impatient for books to be delivered? It's silly, really. I'm not willing to pay an extra $20 for speedy delivery, yet I'm anxiously awaiting Drood and two other ..."

Much Sympathy!!!

Paula wrote: "Am I the only one who gets really impatient for books to be delivered? It's silly, really. I'm not willing to pay an extra $20 for speedy delivery, yet I'm anxiously awaiting Drood and two other ..."

I hear you, Paula; I'm exactly the same way. Somehow I manage to order a collection of books and arrange for delivery precisely one day after I would like to have them. Funny how that works! ;-)

Am I the only one who gets really impatient for books to be delivered? It's silly, really. I'm not willing to pay an extra $20 for speedy delivery, yet I'm anxiously awaiting Drood and two other books.... I'm going out of town for the weekend, and I'd love to have Drood to read on the long drive! Scheduled arrival of said book - Saturday. Scheduled departure of said trip - Friday. Ugh!

Christopher wrote: "I am glad Drood was chosen! Just a bit of a tip - It sure doesn't hurt to have some Dickens and Wilkie Collins under your belt before you read Drood. In a perfect world, I'd recommend reading Dic..."

Yay, I'm on the right track. Finished WiW, but picked up The Mystery of Edwin Drood instead of Our Mutual Friend . I seem to be going through the darker Dickens first, despite my attempt to read them in order of publication.

Rebecca, what I was getting at is not so much understanding the writing styles of Dickens or Collins; but more understanding the plot themes of their later novels. This gives a reader of Drood some insight into their respective personalities, conditions in London and England at that time. All in all though, Dan Simmons does a very good job of bringing the reader into the plot of his book. Even doing a Google search and review of Dickens's and Collins's bios will help provide a good overview. Without giving anything away, let me say that I came away from Drood with a much clearer understanding of these two amazing authors. I hope this has made some sense, Rebecca; and I know that you'll enjoy the novel too! Cheers! Chris

Christopher is that so we come familiar with both their writing style, theme etc? Anything to do with understanding their relationship, differences in writing????

I am glad Drood was chosen! Just a bit of a tip - It sure doesn't hurt to have some Dickens and Wilkie Collins under your belt before you read Drood. In a perfect world, I'd recommend reading Dickens's Our Mutual Friend and Collins's The Woman In White first. Dan Simmons has done a superb job of researching Drood too. I think everyone will enjoy it immensely. Cheers! Chris

Thanks for letting everyone know, DJ!

Hi Guys just to let you know that DROOD can be purchased from Amazon for £4.79 P & P Free.
Just ordered mine and thought that I`d let everyone know!
Seems a good Deal....

I've read it, although when I started I didn't realize it was unfinished. The copy I had was uncut (meaning you had to cut the pages open as you read) and I got to the end and thought there was a printing error. Bummer.

Eh, what can I say--it doesn't have a happy ending ;) I think it is a lot darker than some of his other novels.

Yay thank you Heidi.

I read it, and I have to say, I did not like it. It's been the only Dickens' book I did not like. But perhaps that's because it was unfinished. No, it was the writing. It was "different" from other Dickens' books I've read.

Ironically, none of the three bookstores I visited yesterday had a copy of Drood on their shelves, so I had to order a copy online. I did, however, pick up a copy of Dickens' The Mystery of Edwin Drood so I'm anxious to get to that book soon as a bit of a jumpstart. Has anyone read the Dickens book yet?

Paula wrote: "And the winner is....

Drood

I think this will work quite well with the current The Woman in White group read.

We are also now taking volunteers to lead the group discuss..."
Rightie o,
Off to get it ordered!
Thanks for nominating it Heidi!!

I'm glad DROOD won. I have it to read and this will be the perfect opportunity.

Yay! Am excited.

Paula wrote: "Lauren wrote: "Who nominated it? "

The nominator does not wish to lead the discussion this go-round so I've opened it to everyone. "

I didn't answer your question, did I? :)

Heidi nominated it - thanks, Heidi, this looks like a good book!

Lauren wrote: "Who nominated it? "

The nominator does not wish to lead the discussion this go-round so I've opened it to everyone.

Who nominated it?

And the winner is....

Drood

I think this will work quite well with the current The Woman in White group read.

We are also now taking volunteers to lead the group discussion. If you are interested, please send me a quick message. If nobody wants to volunteer, the moderators will lead the discussion :)

This looks like a great book - happy reading!

Just a friendly reminder - the polls for the Nov/Dec Neo-Victorian group read will close on Oct. 10 (morning, Central US time zone).