"There's been a lot of buzz lately about books. I'm not talking e-books, but Real books with nice covers and pages that we can flip, dog-ear, and bookmark. Margins I regularly scribble notes in if I'm caught up in a topic. Books that live on dusty shelves in used bookstores and in the homes of hungry readers.

And I wonder...How do you feel about it? Would you rather get your reading fix online with one of the popular electronic readers, or are you content to curl up in a comfy chair with a cup of tea within's arm reach? How do you feel about listening to your books instead of reading them?
Some of us love the feel and smell of real books. We appreciate the turn of a good phrase, and the long hours writers pour into their books.

I know from experience that the last week before a book deadline demands gargantuan amounts of coffee and chocolate. Writing a book is like tossing a pile of leaves into the air and trying to organize them into neat mini-piles. On a windy day. With small children running around the yard. And a dog yapping nextdoor.

Some of us write about our passion for reading and writing. Here are four wonderful sites for book-lovers. A place to celebrate writers and readers, and meet people who still curl up with hardcovers instead of electronic page-flipper gadgets.

Book Chase

Book Lover's Blog

Shelfari

Write by Faith

If you haven't heard about Amazon Kindle, you've either been on a Himalayan hiatus or you're not into gadgets.

Kindle isn't a fly-by-night gadget. It's everything I thought I'd never want, but then I caved and bought one. Now I'm thoroughly hooked on the benefits of this amazing e-book reader. I even wrote a lens about Kindle, Amazon Kindle Tweaks & Tips.

E-Ink is the big draw, as far as I'm concerned. Kindle's screen looks like a spacious LCD (about 5x7) but can I just say, NO GLARE! I can sit anywhere in bright light and still read it without eyestrain. That's because it isn't backlit. When the sun goes down, you'll need to turn on a light or use a booklight just as you would with a regular book.

Along with a fabulous e-book reader that downloads bestsellers in less than a minute (at only $9.99 for most), Kindle comes with a basic browser that lets you check email or browse your favorite websites. And I might add, its wireless technology (WhisperNet--same as Sprint) costs nothing. Nada. No monthly payments. Nope. Huh-uh. No way.

I'm currently reading The Shack on my Kindle. And you know what? I also read hand-held books with real pages, too. Kindle feels right in certain places, and at certain times. I take it along in my purse (And all this from a writer & book lover...Kinda makes you go Hmmm, doesn't it?

Photos...details...user videos...& more!

If ever you found yourself stuck somewhere you didn't want to be, do you think you could survive? What would you do first? How would you make a shelter? find food? seek help?

Here are some interesting links with tips on how to survive an island experience. Kinda makes you want to stick close to home, doesn't it?

1. How to Survive on a Deserted Island

2. Would you be able to survive a desert island experience?

3. Survivor Foods to Take to a Deserted Island (from WebMD)

4. Make a shelter, find food, & more...

You have to see this before you head to the island. Caution: Not for the faint-hearted!

Zazzle is a fabulous gathering of artistic designers who offer amazing products that reflect their interests. I have created product lines with my nature photography. The products below were created by others. I love their bookish theme, don't you?

P.S. Visit the lens I created about Zazzle.

Better Reader by KatrinaArt
Make personalized tote bags On zazzle.com
View other Arts Design Fashion Bags

FREE ground shipping on select products at ChildrensTablesAndChairs.com!

Studies have shown that a child who witnesses reading in the home at an early age will naturally fall into the same pattern. If you have a baby at home, schedule a reading time every day. Make it a top priority, and a time of togetherness. There's no right or wrong time to introduce books.

Although your infant won't understand the words, the rise and fall of your voice is soothing. Books will soon become familiar, and best of all--your child will associate reading time with love and comfort. While it's doubtful you'll ever be stranded on a deserted island with your children, you could plan a creative island "trip" in your own living room. Children love imaginative outings even if they don't leave home. Spread a blanket on the floor, or drape it across a card table.

Ask what they'd take to an island. Gather as many of the items as possible, and let them pack for the big adventure.

Prepare surprise treats--simple stranded-on-an-island fare to set the tone. You might be able to find some over at Cooking for Kids.

After your arrival at the island, encourage them to set up housekeeping. Then sit with them and read one of their selected books together. Pause every so often to discuss what you're reading. As hypothetical questions and listen between the "lines" of their answer.

Here are some adventurous story suggestions from a few children's librarians:

Medford Children' Library
Roxanne Chadwick's books

Classic Favorites, grades 4-6
Fiction Favorites, grades 2-4

I love board games like Scrabble and Taboo, but every now and then, it's fun to explore games that are available online games, too.

Whether you're stuck on an island or stuck in a mind haze, here are some online word games to shake up the gray matter.

Popword
Wordsearch
Cryptoquote
Storytime