Still Peter Rabbit, and his friends

There is an interesting sounding exhibit these days, through Jan. 27 at the Morgan Library & Museum, 225 Madison Avenue, at 36th Street; themorgan.org. of Beatrix Potter's letters to young friends.  The premise is based on illustrated letters of that era, and includes some by others to demonstrate that there was a tradition of sketches along with the message. As well there is consideration given to some of the spinoffs of the Potter empire, including a board game. NYT story here

This brings to mind the fact that the tale of Little Black Sambo was written as letters to the children back in England from their mother while she lived in India. And I believe that the Peter Pan stories were in some part begun as tales to entertain  young friends. Small efforts that spun off to take on a life of their own once out of their creators' collective hands.

Peter Rabbit Rides Again!

NPR this morning aired an interview with Emma Thompson on her new book The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit   , authrorized by whomever is controlling the Beatrix Potter interests these days.  Peter takes a trip to the Scottish countryside.  NPR story online   

Serialization

It seems the newest trend in E-books is serialization.  

NYT Article

Now where have we seen this before???

Hummm.... let's see

Dickens and Trollope published in serial form in magazines, to boost circulation. 
Some things just never really change, but to some people they seem shiny and brand new.

Larry McMurty has stock reduction auction

Larry McMurty has decided that his store, Booked Up, doesn't need the level of inventory that he has been running with. Primarily as a reduction in the legacy he is leaving his family, the plan is to reduce the business to one store in Archer City, TX. In the recent New York Times article  HERE  the usual tropes of online selling and the demise of the physical book are visited. 

The bright spot is that some of the buyers at the auction are aspiring new used book store proprietors.

She's not Jane Austen

Since we're long time Jane Austen fans, my sister gave me Death Comes to Pemberly as a Christmas gift. P.D. James is certainly not Jane Austen, in any way that I can see. This turned into one of those books that I just kept reading to see how she was going to resolve things, not because I thought it was a great read. And I can't say that her resolution was particularly satisfying.