The October extended calendar is available now. It features more Politics & Prose history commemorating the 25th Anniversary. Since we have not listed a full description of the authors and books in the calendar, you may get a summary of each book by clicking here for the full events calendar or by visiting www.politics-prose.com and clicking Events Calendar. Pick up an October calendar in the store or download the pdf file here.
UPDATED WEBSITE
As you will see in the calendar, on October 12, we will formally launch the updated www.politics-prose.com with more choices (including e-books) and easier ordering. As you know, P&P Members always receive 20% off purchases of event books, bestsellers, and other promoted items, even when shopping online. To familiarize you with the new website, we will offer a special sale to ALL CUSTOMERS of 20% off any purchases completed online throughout the 24-hour period from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on October 12. Remember to TRY US FIRST! Our website is always open!!!
(The small print: Orders may be picked up in-store, but must be paid for online. Discounts will not apply to academic titles, textbooks, membership fees, gift certificates, tickets, dinners, and similar non-discountable items at the discretion of P&P. Books listed as Subject to Availability or Between Printings may not be available.)
AND SPEAKING OF ELECTRONIC
Last week, a gentleman stopped Carla in the store and asked what Politics & Prose is going to do about selling electronic books. He said, “I love your store, and I want to see it survive, and I think you will have to sell e-books as part of the mix.” We think so, too, and with this new website, e-books are now an option available to our customers. You can order e-books for Adobe Digital Editions (which supports the Sony Readers); the Palm eReader (serving Blackberry, iPhone, and iPod touch); and the Microsoft Reader. Use the following link to browse and search titles available for immediate download.
The question on everybody’s minds - authors, publishers, booksellers - is how the e-book will develop and how much of the market share it will represent in, say, a decade. Publishers and agents also wonder how the new technology will affect their revenue.)
First, a successful and popular electronic reader must be developed (and one that is not the solely-owned vehicle of a giant bookseller). Although we know that there are readers who devour books on their Kindles and their iPods, reports are still mixed comparing the pleasure and dexterity necessary to use e-readers. (See, for instance Nicholson Baker's recent review, "A New Page: Can the Kindle really improve on the book?" in the New Yorker.)
Naturally, we think that the book – the codex – is the most perfect artifact ever invented - the most beautiful, the most convenient. We love our shelves lined with friends we have met and hope to reacquaint ourselves with on a rainy day in the future. We love being able to pass books along to friends. On the Mexican trip each year, Carla takes a bag of books and reads and shares them with fellow travelers.
But we do understand the environmental argument, as well as the convenience argument for the e-reader. What we don’t know yet is how quickly people will shift, whether readers will continue to read in both ways, or whether there are some books that will work better on e-readers than others.
We find on ourselves on this e-book voyage (whether by train or rocket ship) and we are observing with you both how the platforms develop and how the publishers respond. We would love to receive your advice and thoughts. Write to 25@politics-prose.com and both of us will get your email.
COMING THIS WEEK TO YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE
Among the wonderful events at the store this week, a standout is an opportunity to meet and hear Peter Yarrow. He is presenting the children’s book DAY IS DONE based on the song by Peter, Paul, and Mary. We are told he will sing just a couple of songs. His primary focus will be on signing his book and meeting children (as well as those who once were children and love his music).