Basically, Ed Hamilton points out that teens are reading more fiction now that video and television are so insanely accessible. I would also add that since books are now being made into movies that are actually decent (read, movies that duplicate the book in a visual form), books are more popular amongst younger audiences that want a deeper understanding of the world shown to them in an hour and a half. A book gives a much more thorough experience and points up things that can’t be shown in the time slot a movie has.

Mr. Hamilton also notes that while there are games and such on the Internet, ultimately interaction on the web requires literacy (though perhaps no spelling chops).

Another thing I’d like to point out is that the Internet provides a space where more people can connect with their favorite authors. For example, I follow Neil Gaiman’s blog and I’m friends with Pseudonymous Bosch and Jess Haines on Facebook. Sure, this is a superficial connection, but it allows the reader to explore more once the book is finished.

Another great example of this is a book I just finished (and will soon be reviewing) Personal Effects: Dark Art by J.C. Hutchins and Jordan Weisman. These brilliant authors made a book that is not only an awesome read, but is interactive both through websites made specifically for the book and even phone numbers you can call. To me, that’s truly merging the world of the web savvy with the engrossed reader.

Anyway, I think all in all a great point is being made here. While TV dies a slow death, books continue to live on and are even becoming more and more popular.  Victory is ours!

* February 7th:  It was really fun to hear Neil Gaiman talk.  He read bits from his books The Graveyard Book, Fragile Things (he read his poem “Instructions”) and Odd and the Frost Giants.  If you want to find out about what happened at Neil Gaiman’s lecture at UCLA, check out these two articles: 1 and 2.

I, for one, think the creator of Discworld deserves it. I just hope Sir Pratchett has many more happy, memorable years ahead of him to enjoy his knighthood. Congratulations!

I’m not here to tout the man and his accomplishments – I’m obviously an avid fan of his writing.  I simply see in Bradbury’s work something that is taking hold in many “modern” circles (can I say that?  Ray Bradbury’s still alive…)  What I see is that many writers are mixing and matching genres.  You can see it in the Sci Fi/Horror Novel Infected by Scott Sigler.  Stephen King writes Horror stories that are also Fantastic – as seen in The Shining or The Talisman.  Stephen King should probably be on my classic horror novelist list, since he pretty much redefined horror as we know it, but he’s not as old as Ray Bradbury and isn’t dead like the other authors on my list, so let me suffice it to say that I deeply admire Mr. King’s prolific writing career and will be reviewing his latest novel later in the month.

Back to Ray Bradbury.  Here is an author who helped redefine the genre when Horror was not a genre at all, and I thank him for that. 

What are your thoughts?  Any comments on Ray Bradbury, his work?  What’s your favorite Ray Bradbury book and why?  I expect your reports tomorrow morning, bright and early. LOL.

As always, please remember that this blog is a labor of love – but is something I’d eventually like to make me some money, so if you want to buy a book at Amazon.com , please use the links provided on my blog, or use the Amazon.com link provided right here.

Anyway, good luck winning The Graveyard Book. 

Just for fun: check out this interview with Neil Gaiman, where he talks about the Clarion workshop he taught along with his new book.

“Bill swore the affair had ended, but Louise knew he was lying, after discovering Tupperware containers under the seat of his car, which were not the off-brand containers that she bought to save money, but authentic, burpable, lidded Tupperware; and she knew he would see that woman again, because unlike the flimsy, fake containers that should always be recycled responsibly, real Tupperware must be returned to its rightful owner.”

Wow. That’s pretty darn terrible.  I suppose I’d be pretty proud to have thought of that opening line too.