e-books

So Borders Bookstores recently entered bankruptcy and announced closings and layoffs. Wow. I never thought I'd see the day. 10+ years ago the big chains were ubiquitous, there was just no avoiding them and why would you want to? They had food and beverages, entire worlds of books to get lost in, and a laid-back atmosphere where there was no real hurry. Contrast that with today, when everything has been sped up by a factor of ten and there aren't enough hours in a day. Yes, they heartlessly steamrolled the cozy independent bookstores, which is definitely a shame, but I'd be dishonest if I didn't confess that I always found them to be bright spots in the soulless mall landscape.

Frankly I'm surprised by how popular e-book readers are. Then again, I didn't seriously think newspapers would be threatened by the expansion of digital technology. I'm probably too young (<40) to say this but there's something very satisfying about holding a book or a newspaper in your hands, leafing through it at your leisure, flipping back to check an earlier part you're not sure you read correctly. Not that I'm a luddite - try to take away my blu-ray, my DVR, or my Mac and you'll draw back a severed stump - but it seems like there are some relics of a bygone era that should endure. Apparently they will not.

All of which is to say, after much research and hard work, Risen From Embers is now available in e-book form for the iPad and the Amazon Kindle. Having finally given them a shot, they are definitely very cool devices, and there is no doubt they're worth the hype. Look for the e-book in the iBook Store or at amazon.com, or email tim(at)timmurphycreative.com.