E-books and iPod

What I really what for Christmas (or my birthday) is an e-book reader. Not just any e-book reader by the Amazon's Kindled. They are expansive but it is something that I have convinced myself that I really need. I can picture sitting on the bus, with a library of books at my finger tips. No more heavy hard backs from the library. And another plus is that a lot of the older books are offered for free on the internet.

Since I can't afford a Kindle, yet. I have to find another way to get books. That is where my favorite gadget of all times comes in, the iPod. I found a site online that has instructions on how to make pdf files readable on the iPod.

I have only tried this once and noticed so flaws (that maybe easy fixed). First, there is no pictures. So, if you are looking at a text with pictures you will not be able to see them. Secondly, there is no clear separation of paragraph. It sort of messes up normal writing structure. There is also no clear indication when you are have reached a new chapter. Also, because the screen on iPods are so small the text is small too.

But, I thought I would share this information anyways.

Free Book Site
Instruction on Converting PDF for iPod usage

Friday Finds: Conception by Kalisha Buckhanon

I am trying to control my TBR pile and not let it get over 200 books. Right now I am on 175, not counting the book below. Hopefully, with Friday Finds, I can limit adding books to my TBR pile to once a week, instead of every time I read a book review.

If you read one of my last post, in which I talked about the frustration that I feel when I can't find newer books by African-American authors that fit my taste (or standards) then you will be happy to note that I have found a book that looks promising.

Conception by Kalisha Buckhanon (link will take you to google books preview). Now I only read the first page and the description but it sounds really interesting. And the writing seems good based on the first page.

Joplin's Ghost by Tananarive Due

Title: Joplin's Ghost
Author: Tananarive Due
Pages: 477
Rating: 20% Rule
Spoilers: Yes, but not a lot

Synopsis (Part of Inside Cover):

When Phoenix Smalls was ten, she nearly died at her parent's jazz club when she was crushed by a turn-of-the-century piano. Now twenty-four, Phoenix is launching a career as and r&B singer. She's living the life young artist envy and seems destined for fame and fortune. But a chance visit to a historical site in St. Louis ignites a series of bizarre, erotic encounters with a spirit who may be the King of Ragtime, Scott Joplin

Review:

I formulated the 20% rule while trying to decided if I wanted to try and continue on reading this book. I think that Tananarive Due is a talent writer, but there is something about the way this story is written that just bugs me. It seems (a least to me) that Due has a problem with transitioning from one writing style to another. When the story opens up Scott Joplin is in a mental institution, at this point in the story the writing is sort of engaging and is very fluid. But after the background of the story is over things fall apart. Due has a problem with integrating urban culture and terms with her own writing style. It seems forced and unnecessary. I think that she could have over come this issue if she had separated the characters (mainly Phoenix) thoughts from the third person narrators. Sometimes the two seemed to overlap. I don't if I am making any sense. It is kind of hard to explain.

The other problem that I had was that in the 91 pages that I read I couldn't formulate a relationship with any of the characters. The only story that seemed interesting was Joplin's but by page 91 it was apparent the cause of his death, and therefore the downfall of his career. In 91 pages Due was not able to make me care what relationship Phoenix and Joplin would have and what mayhem the haunting could cause.

Overall, I found what portions I did read of the story rather dull.

If you want to read other reviews (more positive ones) I have a link to the amazon.com reviews here: Joplin's Ghost