Friday, October 29, 2010

This and That on Books and Reading

For a nice Friday change I thought I'd share some booky and writerly things I've been reading around the web.

Well Christmas is around the corner they tell me and what would be better than giving Cousin Abbey a copy of Jane Eyre where she plays the role of Jane?! Yes- I said it! You can now get your own personalised copy of this classic novel with you as the star- how great is that? (Not, very I'm afraid.).

But here is something seriously cool- an automated library. You order your book online and pitch up at this book ATM and out pops what you ordered. I wish someone would put one in Mahalapye. Can I get that for Christmas Santa?

I had a bad experience with online writing groups but this one claims it is something special. Now people are wondering - will online writing groups replace in person ones and writing programmes at universities? What do you think?

Lastly a letter written to Woolworth's by South Africa's very funny Ben Trovato about the magazine selection at the grocery chain. Enjoy!

5 comments:

Patricia Stoltey said...

I can't imagine online groups replacing real groups, but the online opportunities can be very helpful to those who can't find writers who live nearby. I have a real-time group and I also belong to an online group. The real-time group spends more time on discussion of ideas, brainstorming, and offering suggestions. I like it better.

karen said...

Hi Lauri - catching up again! Personalised classics.. wow. As for that automated library - I'd have to add that to my Christmas list, too!

Thanks for the info on Sue Guiney's book, and looking forward to seeing her being guest blogger...

Lauri said...

You do have to be careful with online groups, one nearly stopped me in my tracks when I first started writing. But I don't really have many writers around me so I need some sort of online community- I find it with my blog and on facebook.

Karen- thanks for stopping by. I feel the same way. I never get time to visit blogs anymore. I must catch up this weekend, though it's my son't birhtday too.

groovyoldlady said...

The article about the personalized clssics was terrific. By the time she was done I wanted to place a cool rag on her brow and offer her a glass of brandy.

Gutsy Living said...

I think there might be some truth to that, especially as here in the US, universities are developing online courses to replace "real" courses. It seems that might be the way things are going in the future. I prefer contact with people, although I did take one online memoir class through Gothams workshops in NY, and that worked well for me.