It seems like virtually everyone is reading Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy. I saw it tucked under the arms of people at work. Book bloggers were reviewing it. It appeared in ads for Amazon’s Kindle. I began to wonder if I should read the books. Some reviews tend to tell me that perhaps they wouldn’t be my thing, but others rave about the books. Who to trust? Who to believe?
Then this link went out over Twitter, and I forgot who tweeted it, but it’s some pretty harsh criticism of Larsson and his work. What do you think? Have you read them? Does Janet Potter have a point? Or do you disagree with her completely?
In other news, my beloved Kindle is broken. It looks like this:
I did some research and discovered it can happen with even moderate pressure, and I fully admit it probably received some moderate pressure. I called Amazon, and they are shipping a replacement to me, which will arrive by Tuesday. They didn’t ask how it got like this, nor did they charge me for the replacement. Even though my Kindle is still under warranty, most companies would try to charge the customer for damage like this. I am to send my broken Kindle back, probably so it can be fixed and sold as a refurbished model. In fact, the one I’m getting in the mail is probably refurbished. The customer service couldn’t have been better. I had to fight back tears when I discovered it was broken last night, but Amazon made it all better again. I know they have taken some PR hits lately, but I’ve been a customer for twelve years, and I’ve never had anything but great service. If we had an indie bookstore around here anymore (Coffee Buy the Book closed a long time ago), I might buy from indies more often. I always get something from the Little Shop of Stories when I am in the vicinity of Decatur. As it is, I don’t really have an indie to support, and Amazon has been great to me.
photo credit: Terry Chay
Agree about Amazon, and I actually felt bad buying the Nook because I like to support companies who innovate without turning evil, but being able to read library books on the Nook was a total deal-breaker. I somehow doubt B&N would have been so classy with a problem like yours!
My husband really enjoyed the Millenium trilogy, but I'm not going to read it. As your tagline says, Too many books….
But it can't hurt for you to download a sample and see what you think.
On the other hand, during the school year I'm kind of leery about starting huge books I might get obsessed with. I'm a stay up till 4am to finish kind of reader, even when I know better. So it's a tough decision all the way around, and I'm no help. 🙂
Hey Jillian! You are right—I keep forgetting I can download samples on my Kindle. I am not sure how B&N would handle a similar issue, but my guess is that you're right. Anyway, being able to check out library books on your e-reader is a pretty cool feature. I know what you mean about staying up, too. I suffered mightily from sleep deprivation when I was reading The Hunger Games triology.
Just finished Catching Fire this weekend. Now on to book three.
Don't have a Kindle yet. They break that easily? Still not sure if I want to take the plunge, but thinking maybe I would if Santa brings me one.
Bill, I hope you like it. I thought it was great. I have a Kindle 2. It could be the new one is a little sturdier. Plus, they're a lot cheaper.
Re: to Steig or not to Steig. Janet Potter has a point–he reported the stories. I kept asking myself why I could not put the books down this summer, since he broke so many of my personal rules for judging a good book. All the food, the clothes, the Macbook geekness, the Ikea–what was it for??? Regardless, they were great murder mysteries (have yet to read Hornet's Nest). Part of the appeal may have been the novelty of a journalist's take on fiction. My other experiment this summer, Pillars of the Earth, did not work so well–Follett was not so successful switching from adventure, in my opinion. If you try the Girl, it will take 100 pages to get hooked…
http://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/2429135
P.S. The Swedish movie is great!
Well, I can think of plenty of books I've read that break the "rules," so I may have to check out the sample and see if I am grabbed. Thanks! Oh, and The Pillars of the Earth is on my to-read list.
That's awesome that Amazon is sending you a replacement Kindle, no questions asked.
My vote is for you to read The Millennium trilogy. Personally, I loved them and I think they have a very wide appeal.
I may have to check out the sample when I get my replacement Kindle.
I'm glad they're replacing it! One of the reasons I haven't taken the e-reader plunge is that I'm scared it would break and I'd be out all that money and nothing to show for it; so it's good to know (and you're not the first person I've seen say this) that Amazon is so prompt and easy about replacing it.
That article convinced me not to read Stieg Larsson, but I was already pretty convinced that I didn't want to, because of all the violence. :p
The replacement Kindle arrived today. Amazon was great! I am honestly still wondering if I'd like those books, but a student brought them up out of the blue and recommended them to me.