says Cathy Macleod.
Tralala, it has got me going lyrical . . .
Surging, flooding, books galore, sweeping over Reading's shore. Where to dip and find a winner? How to tell a saint from sinner? Easy done, I promise you - here is all you have to do: Browse the millions on the Net, download samples (free to get). There's never been such low-cost deals. Buy an ebook that appeals.
My apologies to Shakespeare's ghost, who nevertheless must concede that the reading public has never had it so good. In addition to crazy high-street discounts, the current digital offerings number millions of titles. These are sold, or should be, at a fraction of the hardprint price.
Side by side with bestsellers can be spotted unfamiliar authors, peculiar covers and an ocean of self-published flotsam. Sure, there's lotsa crap, but also gems to pick up for a pen'orth. As long as free samples are given, the Net today is a no-risk buyers' heaven.
Free titles abound too, usually Classics you've been ignoring for years at your local library.
Nor do readers have to wait any longer for someone to invent the ideal handheld device. Use what you've got already! I am achieving happy reading on my laptop. To overcome my chronic screen phobia, I simply downloaded the free Mobipocket Reader software that is available to everybody at mobipocket.com.
For ebookers who prefer short texts, Amazon has set its short-story standard at 0.49 cents, but I have found better tales elsewhere, and glad to pay $1.
Happy reading!
Occupation: Self-employed writer and literary critic.
Born 1969 in Scotland, Cathy Macleod is a lifelong journalist, widely travelled. She writes a weekly blog on news, views and interviews concerning the book world, at http://www.booktaste.com.
Happily married and twice a mum, she resides with her husband in Kalamunda, in the forested hills overlooking Perth, Western Australia.
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