Amazon monopolizes the small publishing industry

Amazon has decided to remove the "buy" button from all self published and select small or independently published books. Amazon has decided that if the company doesn't print their books through their own Booksurge, then they will stop selling their books. Not only is this a monopolistic attempt to rule the publishing industry, it is also unfair. Authors deserve to have their dreams encouraged. A book will stand on its own merits regardless of how it was published. The book, The Celestine Prophecy, started out as a "self published" title before being picked up by a mainstream publisher. It has since gone on to top the New York Time's Best Seller List and has been made into a movie. This is, by far, not the only book to have become successful after a small start.
There is a petition against Amazon's strong arm tactics here.
Amazon, like Walmart, has become too big for their own good. What started out as a wonderful avenue for readers and writers to unite has turned into a "big brother" type of company who can tell readers what to buy. Amazon is still allowing secondary sellers to peddle the books they removed. However, the prices on some of the books are inflated and unfair. Also, when buying from a secondary seller, you must pay shipping costs on each seller. That would really add up if you have more than one seller in your basket.
Book burnings and banned books have long since been condemned in modern society. Amazon must be brought to task for their refusal to sell competitor's books. Otherwise, the millions of authors who are ostracized should ban together and create their own Amazon-like company where ALL books are sold in the effort of fair play.

Coraline in 3D

Neil Gaiman's book, Coraline, is on its way to becoming a 3D animated film. Reminiscent of The Nightmare Before Christmas or Corpse Bride, Coraline is a dark fantasy with a whimsical side to it.
The official link is here.
Coraline, who discovers a door to an alternate universe, journeys into a bizarre domain of talking cats and chocolate eating dogs. In this parallel world resides her "alternate" parents who enthusiastically greet her. Eventually, Coraline begins to miss her "real" parents. She ensues a dangerous, precarious journey back to find the "real" world in which she left.
Gaiman, a master story teller, weaves a full tapestry of fantastic happenings and wonderful mysteries. If the movie is half as good as the book, it should be a sight to see. Here is a trailor.

When I Crossed No-Bob

This book is the sequel to, How I Found The Strong, by Margaret McMullan. Fresh from the Civil War, families in Mississippi strive to adjust to the reunited country with all of its new problems. The book is written from the perspective of Addy, an abandoned twelve-year-old girl who was taken in by the reluctant Frank Russell and his new bride. Frank's, coming-of-age story was portrayed in the prequel, How I found the Strong. Now, Frank is married and facing a life of added responsibilities due to the addition of Addy. Addy's past and family reputation precedes her as she is from the aggressive O'Donnell clan.
Addy's attempt to please is overshadowed by her former life as an O'Donnell. Unfortunately, the past which she is determined to defeat comes back to haunt her. Addy, like the man who took her in, must face some tough decisions.
McMullan takes the idealistic adolescent girl and infuses a coarse, tomboyish charm. Addy is full of the idiosyncrasies and flaws which come from living a hard life. Addy's loyalties are put to the test. She rises above her circumstances and demonstrates that ancestry doesn't have to define you. No, Addy proves that character is not guided by blood.
Written in the language of the times, this story develops a genre all its own. Historical references along with life changing events weave an intense vignette of post war life in nineteenth century Mississippi.
No-Bob, like the patch of woods it is named after, takes the reader off the beaten track deep into the grueling life facing the war-torn, post-war south.