Welcome to Books and Biblios!

Thanks for joining us! This blog is aimed at discussing all aspects of books--specifically, the book as object and the social, political, historical, philosophical, and cultural implications of books in our world. On Books and Biblios aims at having a broad audience whose members are interested in reading books, collecting books, perusing books, searching for books, and simply living and existing with books. This blog will also address the pressing issues of the day, namely the role that technology has played (and continues to play) in the global reading market. We will look at emergent reading technologies--both popular and not--and examine the narratives surrounding these technologies. For instance, what has been the success or failures of the Kindle or E-reader? And how have the media narratives constructed around these technologies forged a public understanding of reading? Has reading changed or have we been told that reading is changing because of these technologies.

On Books...is a clear statement on our potential discussions about books.

...and Biblios (BIB-lee-ohs) refers to anyone or thing that has an association with "books" or "the book." Biblios include "bibliophiles," "bibliodouls," "bibliographers," "biblioclasts," and "bibliophagists," though this last group would likely only consider those who partake in the annual "edible book" festivals (e.g. http://www.library.uiuc.edu/ediblebooks/), which occur throughout the country. But we will speak about this more later.

So welcome again. And look for our forthcoming posts:

TOPICS WILL INCLUDE:

International and Foreign Language Book Projects Online
French Literature and the Book
The Limits of the Book: Proust and M. de Scudery
           (http://www.artamene.org/texte_drh2004.php)
Education and the Book
           The Book in Primary and Secondary Education
           Higher Education and the Book
The 21st Century Library and the Legacy of Books
The World's Longest Book: Henry Darger and the Realpolitik of Art 

            and Literature