Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell BBC Drama

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell was one of those books that I bought on hearing good reviews, only to have it buried under review copies about 4 years ago. With the BBC to shortly be launching their TV series I think it might be time to dust it off and get reading.

I have an ebook version, but am wondering if we might get a snazzy hardback version (done in a similar format to the embossed Gentlemen of the Road by Chabon).  Enjoy this launch trailer anyhow.

 

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Update on Sean Williams’ Twinmaker series

While Dr Williams is of at World Fantasy Con in Brighton, swanning around with half the Australian speculative fiction community he has released some goodies for fans.  First up I give you the product advertisement for DMat.

But you might want to check out the book website at Twinmaker.

Not sure what I am talking about?  My review of book one is here and the audio interview for Galactic Chat can be found here.

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Kate Elliot interview by Author Magazine

Kate Elliot who I reviewed here, was interviewed by Author Magazine.  Enjoy!

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Prometheus Trailer

A much better trailer, still with the vaguely annoying music but a bit more of the narrative.

Enjoy

 

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Grand Opening of Notions Unlimited

In this day and age, it’s exciting to see a specialist book shop like Notions Unlimited opening up.  Good luck to Chuck and the Gang.

 

Many of those interviewed spoke about what they liked in a bookstore – specialised service, knowledgeable staff and welcoming environment.  I have to agree, one of the great downsides of living remotely is that I miss my favourite bookstores and the relationships and friendships you make with like minded people.

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The Hobbit Production Diary 6

This has been out since the start of march. In case you have missed it here’s the latest production diary from the crew working on the Hobbit films.  Makes me think that I will have to visit New Zealand before I die.

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New Who

The trailer for the new season.  Kindly brought to my attention by Mr Mannering.

 

 

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A small man can cast a large shadow

Everyone will probably die but I’ll still watch it.  Here’s a sneak peak at Game of Thrones Season 2.

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Merry Xmas from Me and Peter Jackson

Hope you all have a merry and safe holiday.  Here’s something for fantasy fans and those that are hanging out for Hobbit info.

The next instalment of the Hobbit production diaries.

Just put some gears on it

 

Very well done video comment on Steampunk and the misuse of the term to commercial ends.

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Library Loot December 7-13

Library Loot is a weekly event co-hosted by Claire fromThe Captive Reader and Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader that encourages bloggers to share the books they’ve checked out from the library. If you’d like to participate, just write up your post-feel free to steal the button-and link it using the Mr. Linky any time during the week. And of course check out what other participants are getting from their libraries!

The link can be found at The Captive Reader

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Too many books to read so this week I went with some more DVD’s.

Jam & Jerusalem

The first, which I can heartily recommend was the Third and sadly, final series of the BBC Comedy drama – Jam & Jerusalem or Clatterford as its known in the US. 

Living in a small rural town(or just outside of it) I find that it’s spot on in regards to small town politics and peculiarity.  Well worth getting the whole series.  It stars Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders.

Call Me Claus

Rhymes with bores me to tears.  This Christmas comedy drama was so woeful that we turned it off after 20 minutes.  Not even the comic skill of Whoopi Goldberg nor the gravitas of Nigel Hawthorne could get this one over the line.  Going to the library has the added benefit of not having to pay for dud films.

So what did you loot this week?

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Stephen King on E-books - Books just a delivery system

The interviewer says that:

"The Internet in many was killed the music industry, so why won't it do it to books"  

I thought this was interesting for two reasons. The first - has the music industry been killed off or did things jut change?  Did it we lose shop fronts to internet stores?  Artists are still producing music and media companies are still finding new talent and promoting them.

I think e-books are and will continue to impact the market and I think one of the casualties will be the small independently owned bookstore unless they can figure out a way to get in on the action or perhaps change the service they provide.

Second I like King's answer - that the internet or more specifically the use of it to facilitate the purchasing of digital books may well kill the book industry as we know it and there may not be much anyone can do about it.

If you read a bit of Joe Konrath's musings on the situation, a shake-up of the publishing industry might just be long overdue.

Up Close an Personal with the Sony PRS 650

Ever since Sony have announced they are releasing readers in Australia I have been looking for a decent hands on review/ demonstration.  You can only glean so much from the marketing fluff.  Below is a vid from a German trade show (in English) which gives you a good idea of what to expect.



I love the handwritten  note feature but am somewhat nervous about the portability of the file back to a pc/laptop running digital editions.

Slow down your reading

Below is a snippet of a talk given by Francine Prose, posibly my favourite writer on the subject of writing.  I suspect that we might share some political leanings as well.

When asked what one piece of advice he could give to readers it was to slow down.

Enjoy.

Reading Like A Writer

In 2008 I left a job that I had been working at for 7 years.  As a leaving present I received a book voucher to the tune of $200.  It may sound funny but when you are given $200 to burn on books it not as easy as it sounds.

Amongst the swag of non-fiction titles I purchased was Francine Prose's Reading Like A Writer. As life would have it, I didn't sit down to read the book until nearly a year later.


A Joy Discovered

This book has led me, along with having the joy of being employed part time, to discover some of those books that I may have skipped in the past because they fell well outside my area of interest and my comfort zone.  It’s a book worth picking up if you’re a reader or a writer.  It’s both a pleasure to read and quite instructive at the same time.
Below is a video featuring Francine discussing the book.  Apologies for the audio quality.