The Times They Are A-Changing

The book world is changing. Electronic books, which were only a small segment of the market a few years ago, are now overtaking print. At Amazon.com, sales of ebooks outpace print, whether hard or softcover. Lee Child's latest book, The Affair, is a bestseller in print; but again, more ebooks are being sold of this title. If you own an ereader, whether an iPad or a Kindle, getting reading material can be expensive. However, we have our own technology available, through the SAILS system: Overdrive.

Using Overdrive is easy, but it does involve a few steps. To get started, go to www.sailsinc.org; either log in with your card number and PIN, or as a guest. On the next page, click on "downloads." This will bring you to the Overdrive page, which displays available books, and their status in the system. You'll need to log in, with your card and PIN.

Before you can check any books out, you need to download the appropriate software. The Overdrive media console is available for both Macs and PC's, the iPad, and also for smart phones. Just download the software for your device, and you're in business. For Kindle, the process is a little different. I'll get to that in a minute.

Once you have your software, it's time to have fun. Searching for books on Overdrive is pretty straightforward. Browse through the displays of recent books, or recently returned ones; or click on a category, such as mystery, to see what's available. Unfortunately there's usually only one copy of each book, and with the rise in demand now that Overdrive books can be downloaded to the Kindle, many titles will already be out. However, you can place a book on hold, just as with print, or put it on your wish list. You're allowed 6 holds at a time.

When you've found a book, put it in your cart, and then proceed to checkout. For everything except the Kindle, checking out a book makes it ready for downloading to your device. Once that's done, you're ready to read. Just as with your holds, you're allowed only 6 checkouts. You can keep most titles for 14 days, though some are limited to 7. When the loan period is up, the titles disappear from your device. It's that easy. No worrying about getting books back to the library on time, or paying overdue fines. The down side is that you can't keep your book past the due date, so getting it read in a timely manner is important.

The process for the Kindle is a little different. When requesting a book, click on the "Kindle book" button. The check out process is the same, but for downloading, you're redirected to Amazon. Log in there with your account, and then download your book.

Once you've finished reading (or listening - audiobooks are also available through Overdrive), simply delete and return the book, and you're ready to get more.

Overdrive also provides other titles which are always available, and which don't count toward your checkout count, as well as music. It's a great service for those of us who are becoming increasingly reliant on electronic devices. Best of all, whatever you read counts toward your 50 book count. So get into Overdrive, and enjoy!

In the past years several best-selling authors for adults have turned their hands to writing for a younger audience. Since these authors write primarily thrillers with male protagonists, their young adult books are aimed, refreshingly, towards boys. However, they're good reading for adults as well. Best of all, they count toward the 50 Book Challenge.

John Grisham brings his considerable knowledge of courtroom procedure, and the law, to bear in Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer. Theodore, an aspiring judge, has his own small office in his parents' law firm, and helps out friends with their problems. When a schoolmate comes to him with information that could influence a murder trial, Theodore faces a dilemma. Should he keep his informant's identity a secret, as promised, or reveal information that could change the course of the trial? Grisham's style is a little stiff, but this is still a fun read. The second book in the series is Theodore Boone: The Abduction.

Apparently not content to write about a million books a year for adults, James Patterson is another author who has produced books for younger readers. Best known are his Maximum Ride books. In The Angel Experiment, the first in the series, he introduces us to a group of kids who were bred in a laboratory, mostly human, but also part bird. As might be expected, the series has a decidedly paranormal tone.

Patterson's latest book for young readers, Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life, is more down to earth. Illustrated by Laura Park, the book tells the story of Rafe, who, egged on by a friend, is determined to break every rule in his school. But Rafe has bigger problems to face than just the detentions his pranks earn him. By story's end he will have to deal with bullying, among other problems. A poignant, as well as funny, book.

Before his death, Robert B. Parker began what was to be a series featuring his iconic detective, Spenser, as a young man. Growing up in the west with his father and uncles as role models, Spenser developed early his code of honor and self-reliance. In Chasing the Bear, he learns not only how to fight, but to fight for what is right. When a friend is abducted by her abusive, alcoholic father, Spenser tracks and rescues her, ultimately escaping in a tense, downriver journey. The climax is shocking, and yet in keeping with the Spenser we all grew to know and love. Written in Parker's terse style, this book illuminates Spenser's character, while providing a good story. Parker also wrote 2 other books for young readers, The Boxer and the Spy, and The Edenville Owls. Well worth a look.

Other authors who have written for young adults include Jack Higgins (Sure Fire), Carl Hiaasen (Hoot) and former NFL player Tim Green (Football Genius).

While these are all worthwhile books, there are many more titles by authors who don't also write adult books. Look for more suggestions in the future.