Price Wars and Really Good Books

It has been a long time since I have taken the time to write for this blog. The bookstore, the library, the kids, etc. I know... excuses, excuses.

The last few days I have been following the "Price Wars" between Walmart, Amazon and Target with respect to bestselling books. For some reason these behemoths are falling over each other to sell books at a loss. Now Sears has gotten into the act. If you show a receipt showing that you have purchased one of these bestsellers for 75% off, you can get a discount at Sears. Really? Is this really a good business model? Is it designed to drive us little guys out of business so that they can sell books at full price again? Is it just a way to get people to say "I will buy this new book at a discount and, oh by the way, I need to buy a new microwave and some power tools as well?"

I am not enough of a sophisticated business person to have a clue about how this works or why they are doing this. Newsday ran an article about how local booksellers feel about this and there does not seem to be a consensus. What I do know, is that I do not equate books with microwave ovens. Books are not a product to me. I value books and feel that they are worth the money charged for them. Authors struggle to write words that will sing to us, to make us cry, to make us feel young or old, to take us away from our everyday lives. Publishers work hard to bind those words in attractive packages that stand proudly on shelves and to get the word out about these treasures. Booksellers work hard to match those books with their customers. All of this has a value that deserves to be honored.

So enough about prices. Let's talk about some really good books.

I am currently enamored with a series of books by Suzanne Collins. These books have been marketed as young adult novels, but they are great reads for any age.

The first is The Hunger Games, in which we are introduced to Katniss and the people of her district. The time is in the future, when the United States is divided into twelve districts; poverty and hunger affects all but those who live in the Capitol. Once a year, a girl and a boy from each district is chosen to compete in the Hunger Games, in which the children are pitted against each other. They must fight until only one remains alive. This book is fast-paced and the characters are well drawn and appealing. You will be holding your breath until the end.

The next book in this series is Catching Fire. I cannot tell you too much about this book without giving away what happens in the first book. I can tell you that Katniss' actions in the first book result in unrest among the twelve districts and there are repercussions for all of the people of the country, as well as for Katniss and her friends and family. This book ends in such a way that you will want to email the author and tell her to write faster so you can find out what happens next. The New York Times critic, Gabrielle Zevin, says that Collins has written a sequel that improves on the first book.

I have read so many good books so far this year. If you go back to my April 17th post, you will see how I am progressing on completing my 100+ Reading Challenge. I think I just might make it!

I wish you a good Autumn, with time to read some really good books.