Book Discussion: Illegal Distribution of E-books

After buying an Amazon Kindle I started reading about Illegal Distribution of E-books, and decided to make a post about it on here.
Illegal Distribution is affected in all forms of media, this includes films, music, tv shows etc... and is NOT the same as borrowing a book from a friend. It is a form of stealing and is against the law, but this does not change anything.
Why is sending a friend an E-book, not the same as a friend borrowing a print copy?
This is because when a friend is borrowing a print copy, there is any one copy, and that one copy has been paid for. But when you are sending a friend a copy of an E-book, one copy becomes two, and only one of them is paid for.
___________
There are pro's and con's of illegal distribution of E-books, but I would just like to start off by saying I PAY FOR ALL MY E-BOOKS, though I will admit to sending a few to my sister, which some people class as illegal distribution.

Pro's of illegal distribution:
Now I am sure many of you think this issue has no pro's, well it does, there may not be allot but they are pretty important ones.

• Free promotion for the author and the book

Many people who read books, especially those with friends, will then recommend books and may even write reviews on site's such as Goodreads.

• Many people if they like the book, will then by the print copy.

This does infact happen, even though some of you may be in doubt, I know a number of people who do this, I am one of them.

• Helps people with less money read books, when they don't have access to the book at their local library.

For example not many people, especially teenager's have money of their own to pay for books. I myself do not get money off of my parents, instead I earn money via a paper round, this is not an option for some people, though without that money I would then only have the option of the books in my local library, and living in the small town, which has near to no government funding, there is not a wide selection of books (infact I've read all the YA books they have to offer). So can all of us avid reader's really deny someone else the choice of enjoying the books we love.

Con's of illegal distribution:
I can honestly only think of one.

• The author and publishing company, etc...are loosing out on money, which does not help the current economy.

But this is a reason which will then cause serious effects. Many author's depend of the money their books make to live, and fend for their families, as well as the publishing companies. They need this money to survive, pay rent and food.
________
I in the past two years have spent about £1,000, which for someone who earns £15 a week and still has to put towards other things is a lot, and I do occasionally think I don't get my money's worth.
Once I start college I will have next to no money, and will be finding it very hard to buy books, all will be depending on the cheap books or begging my mum to buy me one occasionally.
I can guarantee that at least 1 author out there who moans about someone sharing a copy of their e-book, has once before watched a movie illegally online, or downloaded music illegally.
Once an author agrees to having an e-book edition, they have to expect people to illegally download it, it's inevitable and will only continue to increase. So feel free to moan about it, but don't try and prevent it. It won't work.

Feel free to share your opinions.

Update 22nd August:I would just like to add that I do not, nor will I ever condone this illegal and criminal act, though I know a number of people who will illegally download. I am just posting this discussion from different perspective of the author's and others, and then the reader's who illegally download.

In response to Kelly's comment, which you can see below, I will almost 100% completely agree with what she has to say.

The Three Most Influential Author's of Our Time

All three of these author's I guess would be considered as predictable, but have left a massive impression on today's literature.

3. Suzanne Collins (Author of The Hunger Games Trilogy)

Suzanne Collins is many YA reader's current favourite author's, the Hunger Games Trilogy managing to reach the majority of favourite book list's.
Her amazing story lines, strong characters, and unique world have made her books an addictive read for many.

It is known to be Suzanne Collin's: Hunger Games series, which made Dystopian one of the most successful book trends.







2. Stephenie Meyer (Twilight Saga)

Stephenie Meyer, is probably one of the most criticized author's to ever grace the steps of the book industry, yet is a favourite for many.
Despite the many people who would disagree with my decision of adding her to this list, but without Twilight being as popular as it became reading for Teenager's wouldn't be as big as it is today.
Her series also started a two year long trend in Vampire and other Supernatural books.





1. JK Rowling (Harry Potter Series)

The most successful author in history, with both her book series, and the film adaptions breaking  numerous records, she is the obvious choice for the most influential author in the YA industry.
Her magical world, full of complex story lines, relateable character's and well everything else which makes a good book, changed not just Children's books, but Adults too. She bought people of all ages together reading and taking an interest. And just when reading was loosing it's WOW factor, she introduced her wizarding world and amazing pieces of literature.

She is the author who got a number of generations and will for years to come.





So Do you agree with my choices?
Do you think different?
Feel free to post your opinion in the comment box below.

Book Discussion: Controversial Issues in Books

Controversial issues are and always will be quite a sticky subject, especially in the Young adult book market.
All Young Adult books include many different issues and obstacles the character's face, this doesn't just include book's such as those written by Sarah Dessen and Jennifer Echols, but also Suzanne Collin's Hunger Games series, or Maggie Steifvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls. Just some books use mythical creatures, instead of people.

Author's are constantly criticized because apparently they didn't deal with writing about issues such as self-harm or grief in the 'right' way, but is there honestly a right way?

No. Each person differs depending on their past and present experiences and what kind of person they were raised to be. For example two people going through the same thing, like the divorce of their parents will tackle this sticky situation in completely different ways, one may turn to drugs, the other an eating disorder.
I think it is wrong that a reader can criticize a book, for apparently being wrong without any proof or evidence to back-up their accusation. We don't know everyone in the world, we don't know how they deal with things, therefore we don't know if there is a possibility that at least one person in the world will act like that.
Also many writer's base character's on themselves or people surrounding them, such as Laurie Halse Anderson, who wrote Wintergirls, based on information she has received from her reader's and even had a specialist in treating patients with eating disorders to check over her manuscript to make sure all psychological deterioration was accurate. But I have read countless reviews on blogs and Goodreads, along with a number of other websites, where people have criticized Laurie's books for not being accurate or realistic, in the way main character Lia dealt with things.

I think it is about time for reader's to realise that firstly author's write for themselves and not other, and also the majority of writer's WILL obsessively RESEARCH about the issues their story is based on.

Thank you for reading, feel free to voice your opinion in the comment section below.
Also please suggest any book discussion ideas for me to write about.

Book discussion: YA Saves.... Well it did save me

Recently book blogs and Twitter have been full of responses, comments and articles all directed at the article in the Wall Street Journal, written by Meghan Cox Gurdon: Darkness Too Visible.
The article is opened with the short summed up story of how a mother of three walked into her local Barnes and Nobel and was completely shocked by what she was welcomed by in the Teen section. Her response to this way (quoted from the article) 'nothing, not a thing, that I could imagine giving my daughter. It was all vampires and suicide and self-mutilation, this dark, dark stuff.'
And it was this that made me think.

For a number of decades now, many mother's have put allot of there energy in the attempts to ban certain books from being available in schools, libraries and shops, mainly the books directed at children and teenagers. But why do they do this? Due to what they believe to be explicit content.
Since the introduction of YA as a book age group, the main focus has now gone from children books and onto teen books. Now for those who do not know, YA books are aimed at teenagers aged 12-18 and as I believe, perfectly fine ages for the content of the books.

I can guarantee to all parents, well most parents that what is talked about within these books are all things that your children would of heard about, done or seen.
To me YA books are well books which unlike any other age group, are more aimed at their audience. It's all about finding your way through problems, falling in love and coming of age. Why try and shield a child from a book when they are only days away from experience these things anyway.
They may be seen as too mature for the reader's, but no one has ever said these things are not true: How many of you, as a child or teenager witnessed filming's of the 9/11 attack, the biggest terrorist attack in history, but how many people would protest a book about terrorism being available to their children.
How many of you have seen a sexual advertisements (such as those for perfumes etc...) before the 9pm ban as a child or teenager, but how many people would protest a book with a very very slightly sexual cover on a book.
How many of these parents who moan and complain about the content in a teenage book have before allowed their child to play on harmful computer games or shows on TV.
And lastly how many parents have used profanities in front of there children, but are judgemental when they appear in books.

I am unable in any of my local bookstores to reach the YA section and even Children's section without having to walk past adult fiction, even in some stores I have to walk past the Dark Romance books, which tend to have naked people on the front and that kind of thing. But these books are all available to buy, for example I have been able to go into a book store and buy Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveller's Wife, with no problem at all (14 at the time), this book has sexual scenes within it, along with many of Adult Fiction books. If these books are available to teens why complain about YA books, when they are the more controlled version.

I guess this all factors on how you grew up.
I grew up in a childhood that makes what appears in YA books un-effective to me, nothing surprises me . I was surrounded by things which other parents would be completely shocked by: drugs, abuse, alcholism etc... all these things which have a possibility of appearing within a YA book.
The main reason I read YA books is the form of fantasy and escapism. They are a constant friend, whose job it is to make you feel happy and provide you with support. As someone who doesn't have many friends and barely any I can share my problems with, I use these books to help me through these difficult times, and yes they have more than definitely helped. Why should YA books be penalised for helping teenager's way more effectively then some people can.

Come on people when was the last time you read a vampire book and then went out to bite someone.
When was the last time  you read a book about a murderer, then went to murder someone.
When was the last time you read a book about homosexuality and then were magically turned gay.
Yes... I thought so... NEVER!!!
YA books don't make us someone we are not, but instead help us become who we are suppose to me, they encourage to show our real side to people, and yes if you become gay, lesbian or bisexual after reading a homosexual book, then that book didn't turn you to become that sexuality, instead it just helped you discover who you really are suppose to be.

Book Discussion: Book to Film

Recently there has been alot going on in the world of book to film, where most recently seen books such as Pittacus Lore's I Am Number Four and Alex Flynn's Beastly be turned into quite successful films. Also we've also witnessed planning for Suzanne Collins Hunger Games and Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments series books to be made into films
So I thought I would voice some of my opinions for books to films:

Harry Potter by J.K Rowling

The Harry Potter series is one of the best book to films ever. In fact the movies are so good I actually prefer them over the books, and that's rare I will say that.
I've grown up with the Harry Potter films, the first film: Philosopher's Stone/ Sorcerer's Stone was released in 2001, when I was only 6 and now it is slowly coming to an end when I'm 15, so its hard not to love a series that has had so much effect on my life.
One of the things I love most is that it's an English book and English film, with English actors. I believe that got every aspect of the film right.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight series, obviously is a must-have on this list. I am a great fan of the Twilight books, but not so much the film series. I really enjoyed the first Twilight film and I believe it's all down to Catherine Hardwick for being such a dedicated director. There is just something about the first film that makes it seem to mysterious and lovable where the others lack.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S Lewis

The Chronicles of Narnia is a book and a story that most of us grew up with and it is quite sentimental in a way, despite I only had ever been told the first story: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. I had never really been interested in the first two films (I am yet to see the third) until this Christmas when they seemed to be constantly repeating and I finally found my love towards the film, especially the second film: Prince Caspian, I actually miss randomly having the films on the TV all the time.

The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

As a young girl, I was a massive fan of Roald Dahl's writing, he was one of those author's who had an imagination of a child and could entertainment any generation with his creative writing.
I like both the original and the Tim Burton Charlie and the Chocolate Factory films, but I have this weird phobia of the Oompa Loompa's, they literally scare me to death.

 My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

But all in all the film is a great version of the book and is a defiantly family favorite.My Sister's Keeper is probably my favourite book to film adaptation. I thought the book was fantastic and emotional, and the film kept to the same theme, as soon the film started I found myself in tears, from beginning to the end.

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

I enjoyed I Am Number Four so much, the storyline was unique and fun, writing poor at some places. The film in the nicest way possible was absolute rubbish, I read the book before seeing the film luckily, my friend who hadn't read the book walked out extremely confused. It was almost like someone had summed up the film in 20words and they made a film about what was said. It missed out some of the most significant parts. It was the worst book to film, film I've seen.

Book Discussion: Must Read Books... Do They Exist??

Must Read Books... Do They Exist??

The other day, when browsing videos on YouTube, I came across one video that kinda annoyed me. It was a BookShelf tour, of a YA Video Book Reviwer. Obviously they were showing all the books they own and they came across the Mortal Instruments and Infernal Devices (two different series) by Cassandra Clare and it was the comment they made which angered me :' These are both must read series and if you don't read them, then well your just not a YA book lover' (<-- Not exact quote). This comment made me wonder, can you possibly be defined as not a classified book lover if you haven't read this series, because if so then I'm the furthest thing away from a book lover. I have nothing against Cassandra Clare nor her writing but I have multiple times attempted reading the first book in her Mortal Instruments Series: City Of Bones, to the point where I can't even look at the book anymore. It just doesn't intrest me in the slightest.

Isn't in the end reading a book and being a book lover about reading what you wanna read about, instead of what other people say you have to read. Isn't reading about choices and freedom, a form of escapism, something I never felt when reading City of Bones.

I class myself as a book lower, despite if I haven't read Mortal Instruments, nor a classic etc...

But onto the main point of this book Discussion is there really must read books out there.

Well I guess obviously there is books which people will class as must read due to how amazingly fantastic they are... but is there really books out there that you must read to be able to be defined as something in life...

What do you think?

And what books would you class as must read?

Book Discussion: Paperback Vs Hardback

The ever lasting battle in the book world: Paperback Vs Hardback, finally hits my blog.

I believe everyone has a preferred choice, and ocassionally them choices will change.
At the beginning of my reading obsession, I almost refused to even look at a hardback book, they were uncomfy for me to read and looked much more intimidating them Paperback books. But now I am actually torn and if I had to pick I would more than likely pick Hardbacks.

So here are my pro's and con's of both.

PAPERBACKS
Pro's

• Comfier to read.
• Cheaper
• Fits in your hand better.
• Ocassionally have better covers.

Con's

• Later release date for most books
• Spine bends depending on the paperback type, for example American paperback don't tend to get a damaged spine.
• Easier to damage, for example: accidently creasing the front cover.
• More likely to have small (to the extreme) writing size.

HARDBACKS
Pro's

• Look better on bookshelf.
• Spine doesn't bend
• Less likely to get damaged.
• Released first.

Con's

• Expensive (Like so OTT!!)
• Uncomfy

Also what I have never understood fully about Hardbacks is the Dustcover, it's there to protect the book but I would much rather the dustcover look nice compared to the actually hard cover, escpecially because most 'proper' cover's of a hardback book don't have the book cover design on it.