The Next Wave in Books, The Vook

In an effort to stumble over the next best thing publisher Simon and Schuster has partnered with a multi media company and will start promoting the vook. As reported in the New York Times and seen in their promo the book has been revolutionized beyond the trappings of just reading.

Interspersed within the text of books offered on iPhones, kindles, and youtube, will be short videos pertaining to the book. Not only that, readers will be able to blog about the text and even direct how the author will continue writing the storyline:

“Everybody is trying to think about how books and information will best be put together in the 21st century,” said Judith Curr, publisher of Atria Books, the Simon & Schuster imprint that is releasing the electronic editions in partnership with Vook, a multimedia company. She added, “You can’t just be linear anymore with your text. In some cases, social-networking technologies enable conversations among readers that will influence how books are written. The children’s division of HarperCollins recently released the first in a young-adult mystery series called “The Amanda Project,” and has invited readers to discuss clues and characters on a Web site. As the series continues, some of the reader comments may be incorporated into minor characters or subplots."

That is all fine and good. I encourage interaction between the author and readers and the world of reading and the relationship to the text is quickly transforming. But there are some cases where this doesn't work for me.

“It really makes a story more real if you know what the characters look like,” commented Fred L. Gronvall in a review on Amazon.com. The videos, he wrote, “add to the experience in a big way.”

I'm sorry, but my Brobdingnagians are not yours and I don't need a video insert to flesh out my Marlowe. He's just fine tucked away in an intimacy Raymond Chandler and I have developed over the years.

The romance writer Jude Deveraux wants a more sensory experience from the reading experience:

"Ms. Deveraux said she envisioned new versions of books enhanced by music or even perfume. “I’d like to use all the senses,” she said."

God forbid Ms. Deveraux and Simon and Schuster tackle the epic retelling of Andersonville prison camp where 13,000 Union soldiers died in fetid conditions. Or, maybe that's the perfect use of this new technology. We shall see.

Waysgoose 2009!

Waysgoose 2009 was another rousing time for families, artists, printers, and steamrollers. The fifth annual printer's party held each spring at the bookstore brought in artists and printers to show their wares and show people how its done in hands-on exhibits. Kids and well, everyone, love to roll their own prints. For a second straight year a steamroller was used to create 3 by 4 foot prints outside the store and the weather held off long enough to allow for some magnificent printmaking. Some of the large prints will be auctioned off later this fall and the proceeds donated to Tacoma Public Schools libraries. We thank everyone who showed up and participated in this Waygoose, and we hope to see you at the auction, and at next year's Waygoose!

We also thank Kevin Freitas who showed up and took some pictures, we were far too busy to get the camera steady. Here are more photos from his webpage:

Alice Paul and Ordinary Equality

"There is nothing complicated about ordinary equality."—Alice Paul

The newest broadside of the "Dead Feminist" series from Chandler O'Leary of Anagram Press and Jessica Springs of Springtide Press has arrived.

Here's info from the Anagram Press webpage -

"Printed from hand-lettered original typography and hand-drawn illustrations and patterns (in fact, everything was done by hand, the hard way!). This piece is a collaboration between Chandler O'Leary of Anagram Press and Jessica Spring of Springtide Press, who think everyone deserves an equal slice of wedding cake.

The wedding cake illustration is inspired by the architecture of San Francisco, epicenter of the battle over Proposition 8 in California. "Prop Cake" made its debut at the 2009 Codex International Book Fair in Berkeley, just in time for Valentine's Day.

The poster was printed on an antique Vandercook Universal One press. Each piece is printed on archival, 100% rag, recycled paper, and signed by both artists. Edition size: 108. Paper size: 10 x 18 inches.

Colophon reads: Alice Stokes Paul (1885-1977) continued the work of the suffragists, and helped form the National Woman's Party to demand equal rights. The NWP engaged in militant demonstrations and the first picketing of the White House; these "Silent Sentinels" were mobbed and imprisoned, then force-fed while attempting a hunger strike. Public and media support for their cause grew and by 1920, women secured the vote. Alice Paul continued to work on their behalf, writing the original Equal Rights Amendment in 1923."

This is a great limited hand press series by two of our favorite artists. Well worth coming in and taking a look.