The Physical and The Ethereal

Does something that you cannot heft in your hands have less value, physically and emotionally, than something that does? This is something I've been juggling with for a while, especially when it comes to books. Books are my addiction. Having a book in my hand elicits a response that fills me with joy. But, is it the actual papery thing tied up with sting or is it the contents of it that are important? As I sit and write these words, I am surrounded by books. Having a quick count on the walls either side of me, there are about 380 books on the shelves. Hardback, paperback, signed first editions, special editions, some more loved than others, all wonderful and utter dust magnets. Looking at them, they pull memories from my life.

BlogMatthew Bone28 September 2015Book, Books, eBooks, Selfie, Love, Adiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Bernard Cornwell, Nick Harkaway, Chris Beckett, Chris Wooding, Conn Iggulden, Novels, Long Form, Long read, digital, digital distribution, death, Library, Libraries, Book Stores, Amazon, Interactive, Interactivity, Spotify, Film, Kindle, Franzen, Hay FestivalComment

The Selfie - A Rant And A Plea

When I Googled Selfie tonight, I get not one but TWO new stories about people shooting themselves while taking a "gun selfie" (is that really a thing?) and Kim Kardashian celebrating 45 million people who have nothing better to do, by posting on Instagram a selfie of her boobs. Then there are links to various "sexy selfie" sites (that's totally a thing, apperently) and, among other things, a rather convincing 2013 article from on the very good The Atlantic site which posits Selfies Are Art. In the article, it talks about the main Feminist arguments over the selfie as empowering and/or oppressive. It is an interesting think piece that shows the debate over the genre itself. Me? I hate the damn things. Here is why.