There's a lot of talk in library circles about the concept of the "third place," and how libraries can become that third space for their patrons and communities. It's a useful idea and makes a lot of sense.

My local library was such a place for me growing up, but unfortunately it's since fallen victim to Screaming Children Syndrome like most other public spaces. Hard to settle back and lose yourself in a good book when every paragraph is punctuated by a high-pitched shriek or a toddler stomping in circles around your chair. I don't remember it being nearly that noisy when I was a kid, and I don't know if it was because without computers and a big DVD selection everyone who stopped by was actually there to read or if the staff have just given up reminding people to be quiet as a lost cause.

The founder of the Gutenberg Project has died.

Thank you, Mr/Ms GProject. That was an awesome idea, and if there is a heaven, I hope yours has ALL THE BOOKS.

Thank you, Michael Hart. A geek with a mission can change the world.

(I hope the "used home remedies" line in his obit doesn't mean he could have been with us longer if he had gone to the doctor.)

Anyone read today's Kindle Deal of the Day? Worth buying?

[link]

I'd say "no" because if you buy it, read it, and like it you'll have to buy both of the sequels at $9.99 each, plus, potentially, the separate "Beautiful Creatures story".

I know that's often the PURPOSE of the Deal of the Day, but still. That series doesn't look like the books are worth $9.99 to me, so why risk addicting yourself?

Signed,
Paid $9.99 for the second and third books of the Twilight series because Twilight itself was only $4.99 when I bought it on Kindle and I just COULDN'T STOP despite the horror.

Dana, I have that in hardback, and I haven't been able to get into yet, although I would really like to. If you want to wait a bit, you can borrow it. Or you could borrow it now, if you send it back.

Oh, that's very kind, Amy, but probably not worth the effort. I am just always tempted by cheap things. I'll see if my library has it.

Ellen Kushner is asking for suggestions for casting the audiobook of Swordspoint.

There's kind of an exquisite thing happening in Edinburgh: [link]