Notes from Belgrade: is print dead?

Camille Scherrer talks on her augmented reality animations. Beautiful and inspiring 

Rather than talking blindly at the internet I thought today we could try something different. I am going to ask you two questions and it would be nice if we could all have a conversation.

When I set up this blog it was intended to be an outlet for me to talk about books but as it stands it's mostly me shouting things at you and I'm not a huge fan of that. Makes me feel like I'm a bit mad.

So, my first question is, where are you?

I am currently in Belgrade, Serbia at a new media festival called Resonate.

Now I know what your thinking, new media and books, nice oxymoron, moron. Well yes, its true that I am not exactly a new media buff rather more of a campaigner for old medias, but my other half is and as we well know learning is great, so I'm here learning things with him and I've got to say so far its great.

There's something very refreshing about being a complete novice surrounded by experts, i know I'm getting a view if things they can't have, like an innocent baby casting fresh eyes on the world.

There were two talks yesterday that have sparked my interest and that are extremely relevant to the traditional medias us book lovers adore. (Incidentally we need a better collective name than book lovers, suggestions welcome.) So i thought I'd share some thoughts with you, perhaps you'll feel compelled to as well.

Firstly I watched Camille Scherrer (http://chipchip.ch/) An illustrator who lives a fairytale existence drawing in her mountainside cabin in the hills of Sweden. How beautiful that sounds.

She has always harboured an interest in augmented reality and that turned to adding animations to books so as you view the story the pages almost literally come to life, the stuff off dreams.
Which got me thinking in a world where traditionalists battle against kindle supporters what is it we get from the old medias that makes it so much more appealing than the new, or vice versa depending on your opinion.

For me the physical shopping for a book is part of the enjoyment, choosing my stories from all the books in front of me, the smell of a secret old shop, chatting with the shop staff about favorites old and new. It all gives me a child like joy like no other. There is also something to be said of the thought that stories carry their own stories, books passed between hands, down through generations or groups of friends, everyone sharing the same story but each experiencing it in their own way. The fact its a tangible product gives it a life of its own.

So where then, is the place for new medias in books. The kindle hath arrived and taken over most households, is that simply for its accessibility? It takes away so many other aspects of reading in favor of speed and cost, so in my mind digital books only existed to  destroy the industry, or at least the aspects of it I love.

But with Camille's illustrations working with the words and the story have we found a whole new realm of imagination? Stories have the potential to come alive in a new and beautiful way. Camille's projects and animations, which have a very 'where the wild things are' feel to them completely enchanted me, just like a good book and almost everything she does is a beautifully crafted combination of old medias and new, and it seems to me that the future should look to be this kind of a compromise rather than a battle for one or the other, and the question we should be asking is how can new and old work together for the benefit of the consumer.

In the afternoon I watched three speakers discuss their kickstarter funded magazine on the topic 'print is dead.. Or is it?' This is a subject that regularly comes up in conversation in my world. Do physical publications, be that books or magazines and so on, still have a place in a world where web press is so popular, easy and cheap. Holo, the magazine in discussion, will be published bi annually and is a publication for the new media subculture. Interesting then that they decided to go for physical print, but in doing so they outlined exactly why print publications will never cease to exist, which I think was really their point.

People will always want a tangible record of their work or passion. With media online everything is so easily erased or replaced at a click, print gives our work and our lives a chance to exist in the world and leave its mark.

The more relevant question then may be does print only exist as a novelty for small niches, and will it ever be a necessity again. I was almost sure that online medias would eventually replace every aspect of physical print until the Holo gang (gang...? Am I really going to call them that. Yes, I think so) made and excellent point of having found a copy of Arthur C Clarke's 2001 A Space Odyssey in a charity shop that was 50 years old. Yet still, there it is, in full working condition, in an immediate and universally accessible format. That is the beauty of physical print, anyone anywhere that can read can enjoy the stories and tales recorded in books, newspapers, magazines without any special skills or interface, physical books can be shared and loved and cried over and engrossed anywhere, potentially forever.

Part of the reason I love shopping for books in second hand shops is wondering the stories that those stories have seen, a joy you only get with print. They are, in theory, imperishable where as content online is almost entirely disposable.

So my second question then friends, is what do you think? Is print dead, does is exist only for small niches? What is it that keeps you buying books?

Share with me because I think its genuinely interesting to know from every side.

As always opinions are subjective, so try not to hate, and please please go check out Camille (http://chipchip.ch/) and the Holo 'gang', who can be found here (http://holo-magazine.com/) if not for any reason other than they gave me some well wanted inspiration to finally write a post about print publications.

Also check out resonate (www.resonate.io) because if your interested in new media or just learning in anyway its been a great experience so far.

If all that wasn't enough to convince you that Resonate is great, there is also live music in the evenings, that looks like this. 

As a final note, before you say so, I am well aware of the contradiction in posting this on the internet. Its my blog, I can be contrary as I wish.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

My attention was drawn to this book after many a mention from friends, within the bloggersphere realm or otherwise. Each recommendation heralded it as a revelation, nothing short of genius. Reviews around the globe reiterated the sentiment, Topping many best sellers lists, but I approached with caution.

There is always something of a risk with over hype. We must all have had that deflating feeling, when something comes so highly recommended, you consistently hear "its so wonderful, you simply MUST read it." Which tricks your brain into believing it'll be literally life changing. You must buy this Chloe, life as you know it will never be the same! Only to find, in reality it is well written, but not for you.

This was my worry. So I browsed my local (The Riverside bookshop in London Bridge, I highly recommend it) and I saw it, of course, in the best sellers block, I picked it up to scan the blurb. Admittedly the subject matter sparked my intrigue but I wasn't convinced, it seemed to me like a book written just so it could be a movie. It wasn't until I stumbled upon on a quote from the book on another book lovers blog that I was convinced.

Now, I wouldn't go so far as to say life changing, but I found TFIOS to be engaging, tragic and charming all wrapped up in one emotion filled ball. I enjoyed it so much so I devoured it in two and a half days.

The story follows teenage terminal cancer suffer Hazel Grace and her romance with Augustus. Two teenagers falling in love in the backdrop of a cancer support group, not your usual puppy love tale.
What Green manages to do so well here, is to capture the enchanting charm of teenage innocent love perfectly. Hazel and Augustus impress each other with their wit and for want of a MUCH better word, banter, in conversations that will have you beaming from ear to ear.
The beauty of this tale lies in the feeling of reading them falling for each other, if the characters had been older it wouldn't have been half as charming, its their youth that makes it so lovely.

I'm torn in calling this novel tragic, although I suppose in definition, it is. In actuality, I think, its more of a celebration of the littlest things that make life good, in any circumstance. I can honestly say I spent most of the book smiling like the Cheshire cat and on the verge of tears at the same time and I famously have a heart of stone, so that really is an impressive feat.

So, as you can tell, I loved this book. Why then did it take me so long to write this review? I wanted it to be a sincere representation, but to put it lightly (because this is not a place to over share) this was a subject close to home for me, so on finishing the last page, rather than jumping online to muse to you all about how delightful a read it was, I gave it to my not so literary loving other half. I wanted a less biast  opinion, and I'm not sure I could do that. I was also vaguely suspicious that its a 'girls book.' So I figured what better way to judge than asking a real human boy. Enlighten us Luke..

Luke: IT WAS GOOD, YEAH.

Well, I needn't say any more, that should tell you all you need to know.

In review, TFIOS is not Dickens, its not complex and difficult, it won't leave you with a furrowed brow desperately trying to understand what the last 800 pages were actually about. What it is, is a story. A great story in its simplest form, about humans and their lives. Its beautiful, honest, heart wrenching and funny, such is life.

The end.


For fans of: Mark Watson, David Nichols.
Opinions are cool friends, so share your if you like!

Chloe reviews: first capital connect trains

Today we take an unusual step away from our regular blogging topic of books. Because at some point everything needs a review, whether it be positive or scathing. So we all can know if it's well regarded, recommended and if its succeeding at its chosen function. So with that in mind i shall now guide you through the user experience, in the hope that you can be better informed in your train travelling choices. Of course, mostly the point is to relieve me of my anger and force it upon you. Don't look at me like that,what else is the internet for? 

The topic of this review shall be, First Capital Connect(FCC) 'train services'. For those fortunate enough not to live in London/the UK let me first congratulate you for probably being richer and happier than I, and secondly explain that FCC are a commuter train service that allegedly run trains in and out of London.
I am lucky enough to take their Luton service two stops to work, and let me assure you it is a barrage on the emotions, in a most unpleasant way.

Unfortunately for FCC they fall short of the mark of 'train service' and what you are actually left with is some kind of mysterious transportation that appears whenever it pleases with any number of uncertain destinations.

If that polite description sounds like your kind of journey then FCC is for you, but before you get lured into their trap, let me assure you its not the kind of dizzying adventure that that sentence may conjure in your mind. 

An average journey upon the FCC mysteriously unpredictable transportation service.
Its 9am, Monday morning, you have begrudgingly dragged yourself out of bed and after 20 minutes of grimacing at the mirror, you look vaguely presentable. You stack your heavy bags on to your aching back and set off. Oh yes, let us not forget this is England, so its bloody freezing and most probably raining too, just to add to the current disgruntlement of Monday.

You climb the station steps, thinking about how all you want is to be sat inside anywhere with a hot drink and dry socks. Your heart sinks and you glance and the orange screen. 

9:02 service - Delayed. Expected at 9:32. 9:20 service - cancelled. All other trains - WHO KNOWS! ITS A FUN MYSTERY.
No FCC, it really is not. 

Now friends, imagine that happening almost every day, with little no explanation of the delays and sometimes no idea as to when any train will turn up. Suddenly this isn't seeming much like a transportation service at all. More of a stand still and get cold service. 

The sensible conclusion to draw from this is that, FCC is a bad train service, but wait... believe it or not, there is worse. 

"FINE" you exclaim, turning on your heals heading for the nearest coffee shop. You settle down for a hot drink to warm your bones, and as your anger and frustration is just about quelled something catches your attention out the window. 

Its 9:14 the train has arrived, without warning. It leaves. You are not on it. 

Now the only conclusion left to draw is that FCC is not just a bad train service its also a bad, bad train service. Not only are they delayed or cancelled but just turn up whenever they damn well please irregardless of the excepted time of arrival. Meaning no passenger ever has any idea when a train might arrive. This seems to me to be a complete failing of the central point of a train service. 

But then hey, i'm just one person, what do i know.. 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/feb/18/first-capital-connect-worst-train-operator 

... Oh, i see.

In review, it appears i am not alone and we can only assume that FCC is not in fact a train service at all, as it might have you believe. It is something, but a reliable and remotely useful, it is not. 

The End. 

End notes:
For fans of - Being late, to everything, ever.

Shadow Of The Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafron

Shadow Of The Wind (Henceforth referred to as SOTW, as it really seems quite the mouthful) is the first in a trilogy centering around the same family bookshop Sempere and Sons

I have read all three, within past 4 months-ish, but as I've just started this blog i thought i'd spend some time catching up on books i have already read. Starting with this one.

I happened across this book under rather interesting circumstances given what the story turned out to be. I was browsing a local charity shop, having left my current book at home, with want of something to amuse me for an impending commute. I was about to give up, having attracted the attention of the assistant asking me if i had read the Twilight series because apparently i look like a 12 year old. When SOTW caught my eye, and a quick read of the blurb confirmed it could be an interesting one. 

When i bought this book it was actually a couple of years old. As soon as i finished it, i bought the second in the trilogy, The Angel's Game and then, as if by magic the second i finished that the much awaited third book was released. What odd timing. Odder still when i read SOTW and noted an integral part of the story is about a book young Daniel Sempere picks from a secret library because he feels drawn to it. And this trilogy turned out to be one of the best I've read, IT WAS FATE! MAGIC BOOK FATE...

Well, thats quite enough musing on that. I may have gotten carried away because i'm so desperate to have my own mysterious adventure, and with SOTW i pretty much felt like i'd had had one. This book is an essential on the shelf of anyone who revels in the power of literature. Its a celebration of books, how a writer leaves a little piece of themselves in the pages and the stories that can bring people together, for good or bad.

The book that Daniel picks to protect is written by a man whose life has been almost removed from record like he never existed, this sparks Daniels intrigue and as he learns more he finds someone is burning the books, and wants to pay Daniel great money to make sure the author is completely forgotten about.

Admittedly SOTW is a little slow to start, and usually this would be a downside but actually its important here. Zafron is building Daniels character, letting you know what makes him tick which is vital given the novel follows his character and his choices so closely. He also describes Barcelona so richly, and accurately, unsurprisingly seeing as he was born and raised in the city. In the long run, this adds greatly to the story and helps you to get caught up in it.

As the story builds and the hunt for this mysterious author lands him and others in perilous trouble, the story picks up speed and Zafron excellently weaves the main plot with added tales of romance, rivalry and friendship. It regularly takes unexpected routes and keeps you constantly on edge. By far zafron's greatest achievement here however, is how he manages to get you utterly involved with the characters without revealing to much about them, it is the perfect balance to keep a reader engaged throughout.

In review, its easy to understand why SOTW was so popular when it was first released and impossible to understand how any of us might have missed it first time around. A most captivating read.

The end

End Notes:

For fans of: I can't think of anything off the top of my head, so any suggestions, do comment.

Do keep in mind, reviews are subjective. Different opinions are cool friends, so feel free to share.

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Waiting For Sunrise By William Boyd

 I am about to confess one of the greatest literati sins, so brace yourselves friends.

I bought this book after having seen the BBC's adaptation of William Boyd's Restless.
Yes, that's right, I saw something on the telly and only then bought the book.

Feel free to stop reading now if this is too big a crime for you to forgive.

I'm sorry, but sometimes that's just the way it happens! Something catches your eye in non literary form and you like it so you explore the author. Obviously I didn't pick up Restless as I knew all the spoilers. I was tempted by Any Human Heart, Boyds best known but it was also made into a TV adaptation that I missed, but had seen trailers for - I like to be able to imagine characters from my own mind so prefer not to have seen one else's projections on screen.
Incidentally one of the only books I've ever read after having 'seen the movie' was The Hunger Games but the books are not exactly Shakespeare and I very much enjoy Jennifer Lawrence so it didn't ruin them at all. ANYWAY, I digress.

So, no matter how I got there I settled on this. A story of an actor with unexpected sexual difficulties escaping his life in Vienna and then half way through it turns into a WW2 spy drama.

This book has to be reviewed in two parts because that it what it is, its like two separate books pushed into one.

The first half, is notably not as interesting but very well written, we explore Lysander Rief's character, his troubles as his sits through therapy and a doomed from the start relationship with an unpredictable femme fetal but actually not a huge amount happens. The character of Hettie Bull, the doomed lover, is excellently played out. Its clear from the start you are not supposed to like her but you are intrigued by her.
She is not remotely likeable but Boyd captures Lysander's feelings well and even though as reader you dislike her you understand why he wants her.

The second half of this book is where all the action happens. Finding refuge back in England after a dramatic exit from Vienna Lysander becomes a soldier and the war breaks out. The book becomes a classic 'spy thriller' and is very engaging as he hunts out a mole in the war office. You find yourself second guessing all the characters you've met so far finally turning this book into the page turner it should have been from the beginning.

To add to Boyd's praises, it ends fantastically. Very dramatic and satisfying, just what is needed after a fast paced tension building hunt for an informant.
It is just such a shame the beginning half of this book is so slow. Its not that's its boring, its an interesting character development but it would have been a much better book if that part were cut in half and the second half were longer. I felt as thought I spent most of the book waiting for the big thing to happen, I knew it was coming but the story was just taking ages to get there.

In review, Waiting For Sunrise is good. Its very well written as you would expect and by the end its captivating but it falls short of great purely for frustratingly slow beginning.


The End.


End Notes:


 For fans of: William Boyd, Alan Furst.

 Do keep in mind, reviews are subjective. Different opinions are cool friends, so feel free to share. 

The Night Circus By Erin Morgenstern

I have an unwritten rule when it comes to my addiction to fiction. I'll try anything, anything at all that anyone recommends, but if the story hasn't sucked me in by 100 pages i give up.If you're not connected with a book by then, you never will be. Put that book down, it is not for you.

Sometimes they get you on the 99th page, usually its about 40 pages in. You settled into the characters and you think, yep i'm going to enjoy this, I've stepped into this world and i am invested in it, take me away. 

The Night Circus however, had me at the first sentence .."The circus arrives without warning. it is simply there, when yesterday it was not." The adventurer in me knew this was going to be quite a ride and after 20 pages i was completely hooked.Everything about this book is right up my street. I love a strong female character, a bit of magic and  mystery, a doomed love story and this book delivers on all fronts beautiful wrapped up in a world so vivid i found it hard to believe it wasn't real - which is exactly what a good book should do. 

The Night Circus is an absolute assault on the emotions and senses from start to finish. Every sight, sound and taste happens in your mind too. Morgenstern is an expert in painting the clearest of pictures and as your progress through the book you find yourself walking with the characters. I was left with an absolute longing to attend Le Cirque des Rêves  and explore. 
As a girl who grew up down the road from Glastonbury festival this kind of circus frivolity is not only close to my heart, but also very real to me and this novel captures the essence of that perfectly. An adult entering a circus should feel like a child bowled over with awe and excitement and with in the pages of the Night Circus you find that exact feeling, particularly as we follow young bailey around on his first ever trip and in the occasional pages written in a second person narrative. 

Aside from the childlike joy you can find in the imagination of this book there is also a darker story, each character essentially being used as puppets by two aged rivals who bound the two central characters together for life in a sinister game. This plot line gives the book the dramatic edge that it needs. From the start of their meeting you are aware some impending sadness and bad omens leak into the story as warnings that something terrible will happen. Rather than this making the book seem predictable it actually makes it thrilling and suspense filled as central story flits around the different characters dragging your attention away and then back again, it makes it all the more page turning. 

In my, oh so humble, opinion a great book should wash over you like a tidal wave, take a real impact on you and leave you standing on the beach stunned at what just happened. I have read a great many books like that in my life, and read them again and again because of it. But The Night Circus is more than that. Its like the deadly undercurrent that sucks you back into the swell over and over you can not escape the world Morgenstern has created whilst you are reading it and I personally loved every second of it. So, in review, in case you hadn't guessed - its utterly wonderful. 

The End. 



End notes: 

* For fans of: Audrey Niffenegger, Joanne Harris, Neil Gaimen

** Do keep in mind, if you only like sci-fi or crime novels you probably won't enjoy this. The excellence of this book is subjective, obviously.

***Different opinions are cool friends, so feel free to share.