Thursday, December 4, 2008
Books Okay, Sure, They Deserve It
Posted by Paul Constant on Thu, Dec 4, 2008 at 5:23 PM
In response to my recent posts about the decline of big publishing, Slog tipper Clinton argues:
"Well, if this is all they can come up with...."
If you don't want to follow the link, the "this" links to a book published by HarperCollins on November 25th of this year called How to Talk to Girls, by Alec Greven. This is how HarperCollins describes the book:
Are you smart enough to take over a girl's heart?Leave it to a nine-year-old to get down to the basics about how to win victory with a girl. how to talk to girls is for boys of all ages—from eight to eighty—and the girls they like. So read this book and then you're ready. Good luck!
Tips:Comb your hair and don't wear sweats
Control your hyperness (cut down on the sugar if you have to)
Don't act desperate
It's a relationship advice book written by a child. On second thought, let the big publishers die. Let them all die.
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2
Actually, if the rest of the advice is that good, it might be worth a read by approximately half the male population.
seriously.
seriously.
6
I love to read, but quite frankly a lot of paper book technology is simply bad for the price.
A new book can run from 7 to 18 dollars. However, the quality of paper used is terrible, but even worse is the binding. I sometimes bring books to read while I'm on the cross climber at East Hill 24-hr fitness. It's nearly impossible to get a book to lay open to a page -- even the larger size paperbacks that cost more. (One exception is the wonderful "Von Braun: Dreamer of Space, Engineer of War" published by Vintage which has a soft paper and strong but flexible spine).
Unless your sitting and have both hands on the book, it's hard to read.
I've shifted much my reading to the Web. I use a 22w monitor and set the Firefox type to 72 and then sit on my couch and read.
I also like using Adobe Digital Editions -- which you can download for free from KCLS and then download free ebooks to your computer.
A new book can run from 7 to 18 dollars. However, the quality of paper used is terrible, but even worse is the binding. I sometimes bring books to read while I'm on the cross climber at East Hill 24-hr fitness. It's nearly impossible to get a book to lay open to a page -- even the larger size paperbacks that cost more. (One exception is the wonderful "Von Braun: Dreamer of Space, Engineer of War" published by Vintage which has a soft paper and strong but flexible spine).
Unless your sitting and have both hands on the book, it's hard to read.
I've shifted much my reading to the Web. I use a 22w monitor and set the Firefox type to 72 and then sit on my couch and read.
I also like using Adobe Digital Editions -- which you can download for free from KCLS and then download free ebooks to your computer.
7
Is this teaching Heterosexuality? I thought it came naturally and only Gay kids had to learn how to be the way they are or be recruited or some such.
9
Well, my 7 year old is apparently smart enough to take over several girl's hearts so maybe he should write a book. I keep pulling out cute little notes from girls tucked into his backpack. When asked about them, he just rolls his eyes and says he has "no idea" why they are giving him notes.
10
Modern book publishing is all about getting people to judge (and buy) books by (based on) their covers. The idea of a relationship book by a nine year old is weird enough to get attention and media exposure and generate sales. The actual quality of the product? Who cares! Books are just like toothpaste and paper towels, right? Attractive package and good marketing campaigns will lead to purchases. Who has time to read anyway?
11
Writers and independent publishers could start looking at how the "street lit phenomenon", mentioned in the Black writers post, came about. Not necessarily amping up the sex(but that would be okay, depending on the writer), but selling $5 paperbacks everywhere: neighborhood stores, street fairs and farmers markets, shows, bus stops and rail stations etc.
12
OMG! I received this book at work. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. It's completely absurd. We all enjoyed reading through it...and I learned a lot. Although, given that I have 15 years on the author, and I'm a homo, the book is of no value to me.
14
I really don't get it. Why is crap like this considered cute in America? Like most US sitcoms seem to revolve around 'precocious' kids spouting smart-arsed one liners. Ooh, that five year old said something risqué! It's like a form of child abuse. Makes me want to puke. But hell, what do I know, probably appeals to the exact same percentage of Australians.
15
It's cute because many adult males wouldn't even know how to present themselves in a good light for a better chance at hooking up. "Comb your hair"? How about brush your teeth?
16
Tell me again why anyone would want to talk to girls...
(Even 9 year olds know they have cooties!)
(Even 9 year olds know they have cooties!)
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