Category: books

death of the publishing industry

On By Rick McIn books, economics, product complaintsLeave a comment

The economic news couldn’t be worse for the book industry. Now insiders are asking how literature will survive.

The end of days is here for the publishing industry — or it sure seems like it. On Dec. 3, now known as “Black Wednesday,” several major American publishers were dramatically downsized, leaving many celebrated editors and their colleagues jobless. …

Salon – Read it and weep

It’s bad.

But I’m not all that sympathetic.

Traditional book publishers are as almost as bad as music publishers, relying on a “star” system rather than allowing fair access for new talent.

If Houghton Mifflin, Simon & Schuster, Random House and Macmillan all go bankrupt, something different — and better — will rise from the ashes. They’ve been terribly slow to innovate.

Where are the audio books? Ebooks? New technologies to encourage younguns to read?

onion_imagearticle2532
Onion – larger version

dead at 66 – Michael Crichton

On By Rick McIn books, movies, product endorsementsLeave a comment

Rest in peace.

Crichton died unexpectedly Tuesday “after a courageous and private battle against cancer,” the release said. …

Crichton, a medical doctor, was attracted to cautionary science tales.

“Jurassic Park” — perhaps his best-known work — concerned capturing the DNA of dinosaurs and bringing them to life on a modern island, where they soon run amok; “The Andromeda Strain,” his first major fiction success, involves an alien microorganism that’s studied in a special military compound after causing death in a nearby community.

Crichton also invited controversy with some of his scientific views. He was an avowed skeptic of global climate change, giving lectures warning against “consensus science.”

…

Though most of Crichton’s books were major best-sellers involving science, he could ruffle feathers when he took on social issues. “Rising Sun” (1992) came out during a time when Americans feared Japanese ascendance, particularly when it came to technology. “Disclosure” (1994) was about a sexual harassment case. ..

Crichton was married five times and had one child.

CNN

I read most of his books and admired his craft. He was a doom and gloom pessimist, though, always finding the global catastrophe in every new technology.

It’s hard to choose a favourite book or movie.

Perhaps Westworld had more effect on me than any other.

Westworld

Westworld

He did not live to see extinct animals brought back to life by cloning … as in Jurassic Park.

my 2 most spiritual photos

On By Rick McIn books, philosophy, photos, product complaints1 Comment

Shiromi Arserio used 2 of my photos in an article called the 10 Most Influential Spiritual Books Of The Past 50 Years.

Misti Volcano, Peru
Misti Volcano, Peru

10 Most Influential Spiritual Books Of The Past 50 Years – Brave New Traveler

For the record, I feel the Celestine Prophesy and The Secret (#2 and #1) are over-rated drivel.

Snow Crash – book review

On By Rick McIn books, product complaintsLeave a comment

Leo Laporte is constantly touting the 1992 novel by Neal Stephenson as one of his favourite books.

I finally downloaded it from Audible.

The book Snow Crash is heavily influenced by previous cyberpunk novels, notably those of William Gibson.

The story takes place in Los Angeles, in the area formerly known as the United States, during the early 21st century. In this hypothetical future reality the United States Federal Government has ceded most of its power to private organizations and entrepreneurs …

Snow Crash – Wikipedia

This book was cutting edge and provocative in 1992. But in 2008 I found it long and amateurish. The plot unlikely.

There are a some very cool sections, but too few.

Not recommended. Read Gibson instead.

Swords And Deviltry by Fritz Leiber

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The Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser stories, written over a span of 50 years starting 1939, are Fritz Leiber‘s greatest contribution to Fantasy fiction. I read only this book, explaining their origins.

Swords And Deviltry (Lankhmar)

Lankhmar Book 1: Swords And Deviltry (Lankhmar)

Superbly written, none-the-less, I can’t recommend Leiber. It’s not for me.

intense book – Ender’s Game

On By Rick McIn books, product endorsementsLeave a comment

Dave recommended this book as a classic.

Ender's Game

Ender’s Game

Luckily for me it was released in audio format for the 20th Anniversary edition.

Ender Wiggin is a very bright young boy with a powerful skill. One of a group of children bred to be military geniuses and save Earth from an inevitable attack by aliens, known here as “buggers,” Ender becomes unbeatable in war games and seems poised to lead Earth to triumph over the buggers. Meanwhile, his brother and sister plot to wrest power from Ender. Twists, surprises and interesting characters elevate this novel into status as a bona fide page turner. It captured the Nebula and Hugo Awards.

It is superb. Very original. Something like Lord of the Flies meets Starship Troopers.

The ending of Ender’s Game came as a complete shock.

Highly recommended.

His Dark Materials Trilogy – recommended

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I loved the book titled in North America The Golden Compass. And enjoyed the movie too.

Just this morning, sadly, I finished the next 2 books in the Trilogy and found them equally strong.

His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass)

His Dark Materials Trilogy (The Golden Compass; The Subtle Knife; The Amber Spyglass)

Highly recommended. Especially as audio books. The narrators on the versions from Audible.com are superb.

When will author Philip Pullman, an outspoken atheist, by the way, publish the next installment? I can hardly wait for the war between God and the fallen angels.

Pullman has written two companion pieces to the trilogy entitled, Lyra’s Oxford, and the newly released Once Upon a Time in the North. A third companion piece Pullman refers to as the “green book” will expand upon his character Will. He has plans for one more, the as-yet-unwritten The Book of Dust, which is tentatively set for release in 2009. This book is not a continuation of the trilogy but will include characters and events from His Dark Materials. …

Wikipedia

the 10 oddest travel guidebooks

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Thanks Peter Long for the tip on guides for my future travel:

The 10 oddest travel guides ever published.
By Paul Collins …

1. The Truth About Hunting in Today’s Africa, and How To Go on Safari for $690.00, by George Leonard Herter (1963)

2. A Guide Through the District of the Lakes in the North of England, by William Wordsworth (5th edition, 1835)

3. Das Generalgouvernement, by Karl Baedeker (1943)

4. Fodor’s Indian America, by Jamake Highwater (1975)

5. Bollocks to Alton Towers by Robin Halstead, et al. (2006)

6. Travel Guide of Negro Hotels and Guest Houses, by Afro-American Newspapers (1942)

7. Lonely Planet Guide to Micronations, by John Ryan et al. (2006)

8. The Night Climbers of Cambridge, by “Whipplesnaith” (1937)

9. A Tramp Trip: How To See Europe on Fifty Cents a Day, by Lee Meriwether (1886)

10. Overland to India and Australia, by the BIT Travel & Help Service (1970)

“Baboons Are Simply Too Small for Leopard Bait” – Slate.com

Uncommonly British Days Out

Bollocks to Alton Towers: Uncommonly British Days Out

Barbecue Secrets DELUXE

On By Rick McIn barbecue, books, foodLeave a comment

From Rockin’ Ronnie by email:


Greetings, barbecue fans!

ron1531.jpgAfter a year-long sabbatical, my barbecue batteries are recharged and I’m back in the game. I’m writing to let you know that I’m working on my next book, a special expanded edition of Barbecue Secrets called Barbecue Secrets DELUXE!

The full-color book will include the best recipes, tips and stories from Barbecue Secrets as well as my second book, Planking Secrets. It will also have a bunch of new recipes, new photos and some new stories from my last four years along the barbecue trail.

I’m in the middle of putting together the manuscript of the book, and I’m having a blast!

I have two invitations for you to join in the fun:

1. I invite you to follow along and preview some of the new recipes before the book comes out. I’ll be showcasing them on my Barbecue Secrets blog at http://barbecuesecrets.libsyn.com/. There are already a couple of great summer salsa recipes up there now. Whenever I post a new recipe I’ll point to it with a post on my Twitter account. You can follow me at http://twitter.com/rockinronnie.

2. You’re also invited to share a favorite grilling, plank-cooking or barbecue recipe. If I include it in the new book I’ll make sure you get credited and I’ll give you a free copy when it’s published!

Also, Denzel Sandberg and I have launched the “Ronnie & Denzel’s” line of all-natural barbecue sauces. Check it out on my website:

That’s all for now. If you’re going to be up at Whistler for the Canadian National Barbecue Championships on the first weekend of August, I’ll see you there. The Butt Shredders are putting on our aprons in an attempt to reclaim that big trophy. Otherwise, have a great summer and happy cooking!

Yours forever in smoke,
Rockin’ Ronnie

—————————————–
Ron “Rockin’ Ronnie” Shewchuk
Barbecue Evangelist

RonShewchuk.com

The Stone Diaries – finally

On By Rick McIn booksLeave a comment

Carol Shields‘ 1995 novel is essential CanLit since it won the 1995 Pulitzer Prize.

Her “profound insights into human nature” make it essential. Or so they tell me.

… the fictional autobiography about the life of Daisy Goodwill Flett, a seemingly ordinary woman whose life is marked by death and loss from the beginning, when her mother dies during childbirth. Through marriage and motherhood, Daisy struggles to find contentment, never truly understanding her life’s true purpose. …

Wikipedia

I’ve started and failed to finish this classic several times over the years. Yet recently I got through an audio version. Yay me.

MP3 files got jumbled, though. The timeline jumped forward and backward somewhat randomly. I kind of liked that.

The Stone Diaries (Penguin Essential Edition)

The Stone Diaries (Penguin Essential Edition)

Leave a comment if you have an opinion on this book.