Jul 12, 2009

The Sunday Salon: Changing Habits and a Rant


Good Morning Saloners! I thought I'd post about my reading this week, but then something else came to my mind that has been gnawing at me lately. Not really a big thing, more like a wondering. But I'll get to that in a minute . . .

I've had a great reading week, which always makes me feel good! I finished THE HOUSE AT RIVERTON by Kate Morton the other day. It was kind of a big book (470 pages), so it took me a bit longer. I'll be posting my review very soon. For now, I'll just say that after reading it, I'm looking forward to her latest book, THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN.

Usually, I only read one book at a time, but after taking a trip to the library this week and coming home with 5 books, I've decided to try the multiple book reading thing again. So far, it's working OK for me. Maybe it's because of the variety of books. All I know is, I'm making good progress on 3 of them.

My main focus has been on THE ONLY TRUE GENIUS IN THE FAMILY by Jennie Nash. I'm a little more than half way through it. It's such a quick read and I'm enjoying the story very much. Another one I'm reading is THE #1 LADIES' DETECTIVE AGENCY (Book One) by Alexander McCall Smith. I've been in the mood for a series and I've heard so much about this one that I had to see for myself. I don't get HBO so I've never seen the show based on this series, so I didn't really have any specific expectations. What I've discovered is a wonderfully sweet character in Precious Ramotswe. This isn't your typical mystery. It's so much more than that, and the simplicity of the writing just adds to it. I'm pleasantly surprised by Mr. McCall Smith. And I love that it takes place in Africa! I'm also reading NO ONE YOU KNOW by Michelle Richmond. I've been wanting to read this book for so long! I'm not very far into it, but I can tell I'm going to like it a lot.

Now, on to the thing that I've been wondering about: Now that I've been unemployed for a few months and I've seen some of the daytime talk shows, I'm wondering: Why don't they have any authors as guests on these shows? Especially on the morning shows like TODAY or Good Morning America etc.? Especially now that's it's summer and that seems to be the only time the media promotes books. Instead all we see is a long line of actors/actresses promoting movies. And let's face it, most movies start out as books! It just bugs me! Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against movies - I like movies - but I can tell you that a good book stays with me longer than any movie does. It's been said that people, in general, aren't reading . . . well maybe if books were promoted like movies are promoted, that could change. As it is now, the only place the general public learns about books is from the library and book stores. It just seems to me that with so many great authors out there, they deserve some attention too. A little more than a three minute segment on a morning show between skin care tips and how to grill the perfect burger! Come on people!!

Something that I have seen that surprised me was a commercial for a James Patterson book. I think there should be more of these. Again, I have nothing against James Patterson, but contrary to what a lot of people probably think, he is NOT the only human being writing books! Personally, I'm not a big fan, but at least his publicists are on the right path! I understand advertising like that takes money and many authors, especially new ones, can't afford that, but I would like to see more book promotions in different media sources. Spreading the word of books can only lead to more people reading! And that's a good thing!

OK, I got that off my chest and I feel better. Like I said, I'm not against movies, I'm just tired of the media pushing their idea of what entertainment is on us. They over-saturate us with celebrity-related topics. I would much rather tune in to an interview with the author of a book that interests me. Maybe get some insight as to how they came up with the story - that sort of thing. Am I the only one that feels like this? I certainly hope not. What are your views? Do you think people just wouldn't care? I hope not.

Well, that's where my head is today. For now, I'm going to go get another cup of coffee and read for awhile then catch up on my blog reading. I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing day doing whatever it is that makes you happy.

16 comments:

  1. I hadn't thought of it before but you're right, it would be nice to see more interviews/advertisements for books - and not just the ones that have become super popular like Harry Potter!

    I think part of the problem is that with movies it's easier to do an interview because more people will respond to it because of who is in it - with a movie you've got several actors/directors/etc involved that a lot of people might now about. So they can do an interview with any of them and a lot of people will tune in. With a book you've only got the author and the audience would be limited to the people who know about them. Yes you and I would enjoy hearing about authors we like and books we like but would enough people in the general audience enjoy it enough to be worth it?

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  2. JenR: You bring up a good point. But I believe that if books are not talked about, people won't know about them. You have to start somewhere. I realize that people like you and I love our books and would be interested, but I have to believe there are people out there who would enjoy reading if they knew what was available to them. Thanks for your thoughts!

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  3. You make a very good point. I would love to see more books promoted in the way movies are ... it would be interesting to see how (if?) reading would increase as a result.

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  4. I've seen Andy Andrews from The noticer Fame on a morning news show; Katherine Howe for The physick book and Jack Ford for The Osiris Alliance.. in May and June, & I only remember those because those are ones that I read; I guess it's out there happening but it just doesn't get as much promotion or buzz as a widely known celebrity.

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  5. I hardly ever see any book promotion. The book blogging helps me choosing good books.

    Here is my TSS post

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  6. Your welcome :) I am definitely glad to pass it on to another sweet blogger :) You deserve it!

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  7. I don't watch any daytime TV so I didn't even know they don't feature authors. When we were in NY, I saw ads for books, but I don't see them around here. Our newspaper doesn't even feature books.

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  8. I really want to read #1 Ladies... I heard it was great!

    Sheri

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  9. I don't watch daytime tv either but I thought Oprah was a big book proponent. Has she stopped that?

    As for the Forgotten Garden, I read that several months ago and could not put that book down. It is absolutely wonderful. Hope you enjoy it as much as my niece and I did.

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  10. I get Harlan Coben updates and I know he is on the Today show every year when his new book comes out. I wish they would include more authors, but I have to wonder if some authors are not interested. Movie stars love to be seen and heard, but most people (I'd have to assume there are a fair number of authors in this group too) do not like public speaking. I think you'd have to have a pretty big presonality for your publisher to invest in it.

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  11. You hit the nail on the head unfortunately: money. Movies have huge marketing budgets - for traditional commercials as well as for getting their stars on the talk show circuit. Most books - even most publishing houses - simply don't have that kind of money except to spend on a few 'big name' authors such as Patterson. You do get more authors on radio (a much cheaper medium with more air time to fill) and I listen to both NPR (from the US) and the BBC (from the UK) book-related shows via podcast all the way down here in Australia.

    And I also think JenR is right too - movies have stars who are well equiped for the talk show circuit - many authors are not so good at that side of things and even if they are they just don't have the same pulling-power (unless they're Patterson or J K Rowling or Dan Brown).

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  12. I'm totally on board with everything you said...I'm tired of celebrities!! I think they should have a channel that's just about books with authors and interviews, all kinds of book related stuff on it!! I would watch it..but it would have to be fun not boring though!!

    You seem to be reading several books all at one time!! They all sound good and I loved how you described Precious and #1 Detective book!!

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  13. For readers, authors ARE celebs but to the average Joe, no one would know or recognize an author if he/she bit him in the behind. Although I think reading is making a bit of a comeback since it's a cheap form of entertainment and the economy has taken such a dive, I still don't think reading is anywhere near as hot as the movie industry.

    Unfortunately, the networks need grow their viewership so they go with what has worked. It's sort of sucks.

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  14. I agree, they should have more authors on. I always enjoy hearing about new books, much more than hearing about new movies or CDs.

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  15. That's an excellent point, and one that I've never thought of before. They should have more authors on TV interview shows! Good luck with your multiple book reading and I'll be looking forward to your review of The House at Riverton.

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I look forward to hearing from you again soon!