Over on the New York Times Books section the pillory of publishing houses continues as ritzy lunches and lavish corporate outings are scrutinized. This is no outsiders barrage though. Unlike the one we’ve seen in automobiles and finance groups, this is primarily the internal struggle of an industry trying to grapple with its own unsustainable excesses.
As the article points out:
Just two weeks before announcing staff cuts and a substantial corporate restructuring in December, the publishing giant Macmillan gathered its sales and marketing staff at the historic Hotel del Coronado in San Diego — Read more…
A wise man once told me “people dramatically overestimate what they can accomplish in a day, and dramatically underestimate what they can accomplish in 5 years.”
When this crazy ride started, in 2003, no one knew what they would be able to accomplish. They often had to scan hundreds of books in given days (there’s the overestimation bit), but no one could have imagined that 5 years down the road Better World Books would have raised $5.2 million for global literacy.
It’s taken hard work, it’s taken commitment, and it’s taken time, the payoff couldn’t be any sweeter. What started as an effort between friends to raise money for a local community center transformed into something bigger than anyone could imagine. Proceeds from every book you buy go towards making that number even bigger and more effective, in turn getting money and books to those who need it.
But this is no time to rest on our laurels. No, this is the moment in which we make our commitment again (think of it like restating your marriage vows). $5 million is great, $5 million exceeded dreams, but until illiteracy is conquered no amount is enough to give up the quest. I know, now you’re thinking “Jack, that’s a pretty tall order. How will you take on such a challenge? Do you really think Better World Books, even with its partners can combat illiteracy when it’s so pervasive?”
Do I really think that we can do it?
Give us 5 years, I think you’ll be surprised what you find…
“I want to read more in 2009.”
“I want to lose 10 pounds.”
“I’m going to get up earlier.”
“I’m going to work so much harder this year.”
“This is the year I write my novel.”
Ah, New Years resolutions… we’ve all been down that crooked path to “self-betterment” and the optimism of another fresh start. So, simple question: do you make resolutions and do you keep them?
On the plus side, we saw history being made left and right: Barack Obama elected as the first black president of the United States. There’s nothing I can write about this that hasn’t been said already, but wow, what a spectacular event that was. It’s nice to see that your fellow citizens have the ability to surprise.
Before that Michael Phelps (yes he has a book) was on TV 24/7 as he dominated swimming in a way I haven’t seen since Flipper. And on the plus side his voice was MUCH less annoying. But seriously, the Olympics came and captured us like no other event really can, with everything from table tennis, to archery, to US gold in basketball, to the ever spectacular running (Usain Bolt anyone? Have you Read more…
This year my mother gave me a keychain for Christmas. The keychain is designed to beep when it detects a whistle. My mom knows that I spend a lot of time searching for my keys. The main reason for this reoccurring dilemma is the fact that I own a pair of pants with extremely shallow pockets. Whoever designed these pants must have ever sat down. They are great pants… as long as you never sit down while you have you keys in your pocket.
Recently, I have discovered I spend a lot of time whistling. So I feel like I am in whistle rehab. Every time I whistle I am punished with annoying beeping sounds coming from my pocket.
[Perhaps this concept could be used to help people quit smoking. Think: a smoke detecting keychain. Every time someone smokes they will be forced to listen to the annoying beeps coming from their smoke detecting keychain.]
I have not lost my keys since I have owned the key finding key chain but I have become more aware of my keys presence then ever before. The keychain works. I am down to two whistles Read more…
Happy Boxing Day (British nations, such as our Canadian neighbors) and St Stephen’s Day (to my beloved Ireland, my former roommates’ Czech Republic, Italy, Austria and Hong Kong) and happy Proclamation Day in Australia and happy first day of Kwanzaa!
As your celebrations continue, and for many of us our four-day weekend rolls on, we hope you have a great time with your family and friends and stay warm (or cool as the case my be, for all you lucky southern hemisphere/equator dwelling folks).
One question for all you folks out there: did you give or receive a book for Christmas/Hanukkah/whatever you’re celebrating?
I especially love animals that do not live with me. I have 6 roommates: 3 human roommates, 2 feline roommates, and a 100 pound pit bull roommate. Each roommate comes with their own unique set of rules.
-Don’t leave towels on the bathroom floor or the cats will pee on them.
-Don’t talk during VH1 reality television programming or the female humans will be upset.
-Don’t talk during the football games or the male roommate will be upset.
-Don’t show fear or the pit bull may attack you.
What a bummer. I have lost my basic freedom to fear. Yesterday, I was watching The Shiningand I had to turn it off out of fear that I would be attacked by my canine roommate. He can sense fear and apparently he doesn’t like it. Currently, Duke (the pit bull) is home for the holidays. In celebration, I watched a bunch of scary movies and felt comfortably terrified. Living with an animal that has the ability to kill me makes life more exciting. Nothing brings more joy to my heart then seeing Duke’s tail wag. With each wag I become more certain that I will live to see another day.
I think the rush of survival is addictive. I am considering buying a motorcycle. I imagine it would be a rush. A drive to work would turn into a death defying feat. Every time I climbed off the bike I would celebrate life “I did it, I survived!”
Have you checked out the Betterworld.com $5 Challenge? Going on over at our facebook fan page (search for Better World Books) and our twitter account (@BWBooks) you can win a $5 Gift Certificate everyday to betterworld.com! Just in case your family forgot to get you the books you wanted, get some money towards what you really were looking for!
Hello and welcome to the Better World Books Blog. Here you'll find author interviews, book reviews and general ramblings from employees of the "Online bookstore with a soul." But we didn't make this blog as a soapbox... talk back!
