The field for the 2013 Tournament of Books has been named. Huzzah! Plenty of time to read a few more books before the tournament starts. Who will win this year’s rooter?
As David Byrne told us in How Music Works, sheet music for popular songs was the way that money used to be made in the music business. Back in those days families had pianos in the parlor and recordings were not yet available and widespread. In the 21st century, recordings are so plentiful and available that musicians are fored to rethink their business models. Some have gone the “pay what you want” per download route (Radiohead), while others have offered special packages, collector’s editions, etc to entice fans to actually purchase their music. Singer Beck Hanson (Beck) is thinking old school. His new “album” is a collection of sheet music for twenty songs called Song Reader.
Since the book is published by McSweeney’s (naturally), it is a beautiful, beautiful thing in its own right. The book opens to reveal two pockets that contain 10 songs apiece. Each song is printed individually on folded pages with its own artwork. It’s amazingly well done.
There are no recorded versions of these songs available (yet). Therefore, it is incumbent upon “song readers” to come up with their own versions of each song. Beck is collecting interpretations on the Song Reader web site. I love this idea. I love this book. My own rudimentary guitar skills will be put to the challenge, but I am looking forward to it. This is an excellent gift idea for the musician on your holiday shopping list.
This is what happens when you drop your wife’s Kindle. This doesn’t happen when you drop a book.
This week Meghan and I get Hobbit Fever. We talk about the book, the movie(s), and even a game on our iPad. We’ve covered all the Hobbit bases.
Book Time with Meg
Episode 24
The Hobbit
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“Tis the season for every publication under the sun to release it’s year-end “Best of 2012″ lists. These lists are usually compiled by the critics of the publication in question. The 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards is an interesting alternative. A “people’s choice” award, books are nominated and voted upon by Goodreads’ members, and the results represent the input of over a million voters. Whoa. Check out the winners.
I never would have guessed the fiction winner in a million years (based entirely on my wife’s reaction to the book).
Books | Tim | 
December 21, 2012 8:09 am | 
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