Not so Hot off the Press ~ Bookish Links for the Bored and Busy

 

Are you in need of getting away from the boredom of everyday life?    Then take a break, since we have some interesting stuff for your surfing pleasure. I have scoured the web and picked out a few favorites so you don't have to - just don’t tell your boss you found them at Layers of Thought!

 

E-reader News:

• Have an e-reader? This article asks the question - Do e-readers slow a reader down? 
• The very interesting - Why can’t you buy an e-book in English outside the US?
• More e-book sellers - Borders has launched an e-book store.
• Yet some are ignoring the e-book sales trend -The Huffington Post has a short write up with links regarding the Wylie Agency and why it does not want to get in on the e-book band wagon.

Artsy and Interesting Bookish Links:

• Having seen this floating around blogs - book lovers have to love it with this set of incredible pictures. Bookshelf Porn!
• I love Etsy and its wonderful handmade art! Galley Cat has a small post around library card art on the site. This is fun!
• Have you ever thought about packing your huge book collection, when moving to another home? Whether a nightmare or a joy this blogger goes into detail around her process - where she asks and answers some intriguing questions.
• Love fantasy, myth, and it academic inclinations? Then take a look at the Mythopoeic Award Finalists which have been announced – June 4th. The list is from one of my favorite daily emailed zines – SF Scope. For loads of nerdy reading.
• Book Browse – one of my favorite places to find reviews, books, and more has a blog post with some interesting statistics around libraries in the US. It really supports their importance. We love our library!

For the Writers:

• Your never too old to start writing, is an article from The Guardian UK about Walt Whitman. 
• An article where Salon asks the question - when everyone is publishing a book how will we know what is good and what to read from the “slushpile”.
• Think you’ve had enough of vampires? I can’t imagine why - Stephanie Meyers is tired of Vampires too. This links to a short article from The Independent. As well - an article which contrarily states “vampires rule” this summer and it include a hot list for its dark fiction.

Giveaways and Challenges:

• Preetham Grandhi is giving away 20 copies of the newest version of  his A Circle of Souls on his website. This links to Layers of Thought’s 4 star review of the book. This contest end July 18th, so hurry!
• J.C. Marino is giving away several copies of his book – Dante’s Journey on Goodreads. This contest ends August 4th. It is available for US/UK/Canada residents. For more info see Layers of Thought’s preview of Dante’s Journey.
• Reading Extravaganza is hosting an important challenge based around understanding mental illness. It is an open ended challenge where you commit to reading 4 books about 4 different mental afflictions. It is called - Understand My Sorrow, and it has a lovely yet sad button. Thanks Lilly!

Free Reads – Gotta love Them!

• A link for a free Sci Fi Download of Rudy Rucker’s - Post Singular. A big thanks to John from Grasping for the Wind for sharing this one.
• Via the blog SF Chat there is a site which has a number of speculative fiction audio books for free down load. Not sure how well it works with an iPod. Will let you know.
• Nebula Award nominated Vera Nazarian is offering her novel Dreams of the Compass Rose. It is a free download  and will be available in a number of e-book formats from Smashwords until September 15, 2010.

Beyond the Bookish:

• For an interesting and funny article from the BBC about a “cat burglar”.. an actual cat who steals underwear. Hilarious!
• The internet and the brain has a bunch of hoopla around it recently – for a slightly positive take look at - What is the internet doing to our brains? For the not so great, look at - The Web Shatters Focus and Rewires the Brain from Wired. What to do?

If I missed your link, please feel free to add it in the comments. I do my best, but still have to eat, shower, and feed the cats. (And give my husband some attention now and then!).

Happy surfing!