So my oldest has gone off to kindergarten this week. Today is his first full day, and it allowed me to make a quiet run to the bookstore, and I was amazed at just how many books have been published in the last month. I used to visit a bookstore at least twice a week, but recently I have become addicted to this little item called the Sony Reader. I never thought I could learn to love reading electronically, but in many ways I think electronic readers are the best things to ever happen to the publishing world. 
As I hear about most new books while on-line, I can download the book immediately. No more writing the title down and hoping I remember to take the list with me. If I don't feel like reading a particular book, I've always got another one at my fingertips. Plus, I don't have to worry about damaging a book as I carry it around with me. Not to mention, electronic readers help the environment. For me the only downer to the Reader is that there just aren't quite as many children's books available for download, which is why I have been so bad about writing reviews lately. Of the 10 books I read in the last month only 2 of them were children's books. I, of course, read Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer. Like many readers I was sort of disappointed. With Edward and Bella married, all of the passionate tension went out of the writing. It was kind of like the first time Ross and Rachel got together on Friends. You think you want them together and living happily-ever-after, but the chemistry is so much better with them apart. I kind of feel bad for Meyer having to take so much criticism for the novel. There was no way she was going to make all of her readers happy. Would readers have preferred a Gone With the Wind type ending? I doubt it.
The second book is one I read aloud to my boys in anticipation of the movie coming out this holiday season, and it has not been disappointing in any way. Kate DiCamillo's Newbery award-winning novel, The Tale of Despereaux,is utterly brilliant and perfect. My 3-year-old doesn't always understand what's happening plot-wise, but he loves listening to the words. As DiCamillo writes, "stories are light," and I'm sure my sons' dreams have been lighter for having heard Despereaux's tale.
