One of the advantages of Calibre is that you can get an extension that strips the DRM from Amazon books, so you can load them on a different type of ereader (like a Nook) if you want.

Which against the ToS of both parties, I feel obligated to point out.

yes, if you go to amazon, you can get your kindle email addy and just email the file to your kindle.

So can I email it to my Kindle from my laptop?

You can either e-mail it to your Kindle using your Kindle e-mail address, or you can just transfer it directly to your Kindle with a micro USB-to-USB cable. E-mailing is actually better because it puts it into your account so that it will automatically be downloaded if you lose your Kindle and get a new one.

Which against the ToS of both parties, I feel obligated to point out.

This is true. OTOH if I buy a book I expect it to stay bought, which Amazon doesn't appear to agree with.

Okay, I think I got it. And I downloaded Calibre, except now I have some weird new toolbar that I can't rid of, as well as a "Tablet PC Input Panel" that won't go away.

Never mind. I have to stop panicking when stuff shows up that I didn't expect.

Yes. I certainly agree with the sentiment, just wanted to point out the practicality.

Dracula fans should check out Google's doodle.

I saw! It made me very happy.

Older Salon article from 2000, but still an interesting list of Five Great Trashy Reads.

I've been going through old category romance novels and donating them to Goodwill. Sadly, rereading them is reminding me why I'm willing to give them away. The prologue of the book is four pages, and there are four characters speaking. The following dialogue tags are used:

breathed, declared softly, suggested, commented, declared, grimaced, countered, explained, noted, added, scoffed, conceded easily, quipped, asserted, observed, admitted, retorted, corrected, responded dryly, questioned, replied airily, drawled, gasped, informed, suggested, volunteered, asked, concurred, reproved, prompted.

In addition to a few uses of "said."