JK Rowling In A Master's Degree Slump?

After the New Yorker gave JK Rowling's new book "The Casual Vacancy" a "lukewarm review," I was forced to think of another term for "the sophomore slump."  While, yes, the previous term applies as this is her second outing in the land of fiction, when the first outing is an award-winning* seven book series, one can hardly call the author a "sophomore."  So, after being lauded with praise for nearly fifteen years, I grant Ms. Rowling a Master's degree in writing, getting her out of the undergraduate program entirely simply for the fact that she could buy and sell me ten times over and I do not wish to wake up with a chocolate frog on my pillow as a warning.

To comment on the article in question... What the hell did you think was going to happen?  She had years to get the Harry Potter books down, before when writing it and throughout the years as they were scrutinized by the world.  Anything thrown out, especially for adults, is going to be less than perfect.  The audience is less defined and expecting the whimsy of the original series.  I hesitate to say this, but her editor may have Stephen King disease, wherein the editor dares not edit the original manuscript of a literary god as he or she would for your average typewriter monkey.

*Did the Harry Potter series ever win any awards?  I say yes, in my heart.  It won my heart.

JK Rowling's 'The Casual Vacancy' gets a lukewarm first review - New York Daily News (blog)

Voting in the Public Library, and Not for American Idol

The San Antonio Public Library has started a drive to register voters in the library.  I know we make a lot of jokes here, but voting really is important, you guys.  Every voice counts, especially in this election season.  Because that's when voting happens.  During the election.

Don't look at me like that.  I bet someone out there looked at their computer screen sideways for a second and wondered what the hell I was talking about.  "Ain't no voting yet, just the judges.  Shit, I know when Simon Belmont and [whatever popstar] pick who's gonna start with the singing and such.  Then the Ryan Secrets is gonna tell me, 'hey, y'all call in.'  And you bet your ass I will."

To the person who thought all that and made it this far:  May God and the Spaghetti Monster have mercy on your soul.

Libraries willing, able to register voters - San Antonio Express:

Libraries willing, able to register voters San Antonio Express Voting is one of our most precious rights and most important responsibilities. The electoral process gives every citizen a voice in the conduct of our government. Sadly, according to the Bexar County Elections Department, in the 2008 general election ...

Google Play Books App Thingamajig Updates

The Google Play Books Android App has updated to include now standard features of other ebook reading apps.  Matching the Kindle App and... other ebook apps, Google Play Books now allows highlighting and commenting of content, features that have been available only on the desktop version in Google's Chrome browser.
Finally, no longer staring with futility at electronic text, wishing you could tell that book what you really felt.  No more sleepless nights unable to remember that one sentence of Twilight that really pissed you off.  Google has once again liberated the masses, offered the ability electronically that any asshole with a pen could do with a normal book.  Halelujah, we are saved.
Also, the Apple version of the app has not been updated with these features, so they can suck it.  If you are reading this on an iPhone/iPad, I of course do not mean you. 
Google updates Android books app to match rivals - CNET (blog)

MacMillan Finds eBook Lending Bandwagon, Jumps On

MacMillian, one of the two major publishing companies that does not offer ebook lending, has stated they are in development of an ebook lending program.  The company says they hope their new program will satisfy all involved with the books they offer, also adding that they value libraries.

Translation:  They are losing a butt load of money because of ebook self publishing and hope this new program will invigorate stagnant sales in the library demographic that they alienated.  Libraries are the only groups buying books in both bulk and consistency and by not offering lending the publishing giant is missing out on all that cash they could be getting.

Remember when drive-in movie theatres dominated the American landscape as the way to watch a film?  Neither do I.  I grew up in an age where I could sit in the air conditioning and watch a movie at any point in the day or night.  So as it is with the new generation, growing up getting their books on any and every device and if the stagnant publishing companies do not hurry up and get a move on they will be just another wistful memory.

MacMillan to Pilot E-Book Library Lending Program - Digital Book World

College Students Complain About Art Book With No Pictures

A Toronto college art class is requiring students to buy an art textbook that has no pictures.  The book has brought up the concern of college freshman not being able to afford the books their classes require, a viable concern when both textbooks and tuition are on the rise.

There's two things in this story that give pause for reflection.  One is the viability of a college education for a liberal arts student.  Unless you plan on teaching, college might not give you more education and experience in the Internet age for that painting and writing career you dream of.   The best it can give you is a work ethic, the constant focus and drive to complete project after project under deadlines.  Of course, if you do not have the desire to be as prolific with your art or the desire to seek out a mentor among the hundreds of online communities, this may be a key that you are not destined to make a living at that art and should not waste your (or, let's face it) your parent's money on a liberal arts degree.

The second is how the hell do you teach an art class with no representation of the art you are talking about?   Even theory and history of art need a representation of the various mediums and styles to get the point across.  This would be like a literature class learning The Great Gatsby by listening to instrumental jazz.  I can only imagine the class is about writing about art which is often more pretentious than the art itself.

Art book without pictures raises perennial issue of pricey textbooks - Waterloo Record

Smooth and Sooth Those Page With New Scanner

The IRIScan Portable Scanner Book 2 has been released that both scans and smooths the pages of books.  While conventional scanners caused worry and grief as pages bent inward away at the spine, this new scanner uses both witchcraft and wizardry to correct the unsightly image of the bent page.

The Banned Library newsroom did not reach out with anyone even partially connected with the release of the scanner and only half skimmed the article linked below, but we can tell you it might work great.  We did, however, talk to a copy of the Encyclopedia Brittanica Volume 13, 1911 edition and it had this to say:

"Personally, as a book, I welcome anyone touching me, but if I have to be digitally rendered because of my delicate, easily destroyed design, I want this scanner to do it.  I can't wait to feel the light brush against my pages, up and down, left and right, gently caressing me until... Oh, yeah, scan me, baby.  Flip me over and scan me again."

The newsroom was stunned at the scanner's capabilities and the liberated nature of a book published in such a repressed time period.

Handheld scanner smoothes pages of books - Baxter Bulletin

Waldo Turns 25, Thinks He Should Have Gone To College

The popular "Where's Waldo" franchise turned 25 recently begging the question, "What's next for Waldo?"  We caught up to the man of the hour who had this to say:

"I don't know... More hiding?" he said, "You know, everybody's always asking where I am, but I'm right here.  I never try to hide.  I'm just really good at blending in, you know?  No one ever sees the real me.  My dad always wanted more from me... Expected me to join the Army... Then this whole thing happened and... I don't know.  I'm tired of blending in.  I want to stick out.  I might go back to college.  Restaurant management or something.  I want everybody to say, 'Hey, there's Waldo!' you know?"

We wish Waldo all the best and another 25 years.

25 years of asking, Where's Waldo? - Aiken Standard:

Seattle Post Intelligencer

25 years of asking, Where's Waldo? Aiken Standard Where's Waldo? He won't be difficult to find once the 25th anniversary kicks off for the bespectacled, and beloved, children's book character. England will get the global party started Thursday night, when it lights up its popular tourist attraction ... Where's Waldo today? He's celebrating a milestoneDetroit Free Press Classic Media Celebrates 25th Anniversary of WHERE'S WALDO?Broadway World all 24 news articles »