Avatar (Three-Disc Extended Collector's Edition + BD-Live) [Blu-ray] (2009)

Special Features


This extended collector's set includes more than eight hours of bonus features.



Disc 1: Three Movie Versions

Original Theatrical Edition (includes family audio track with objectionable language removed)

Special Edition Re-Release (includes family audio track with objectionable language removed)

Collector’s Extended Cut with 16 additional minutes, including alternate opening on earth

Disc 2: Filmmaker's Journey

Over 45 minutes of never-before-seen deleted scenes

Capturing Avatar documentary

A Message from Pandora

Screen tests, on-set footage, and visual-effects reels

Disc 3: Pandora's Box

Interactive scene deconstruction: Explore 17 scenes at three levels of production


Product Description


Experience the spectacular world of James Cameron's Avatar as never before with this all-new three-disc extended collector’s edition. The journey begins with three movie versions: the original theatrical release, the special edition re-release, and the exclusive extended cut not shown in theaters. And that's just what's on the first Blu-ray disc. The set's bonus feature run more than eight hours and include over 45 minutes of deleted scenes; actor's screen tests; on-location footage; feature-length documentaries on the film's groundbreaking production; an interactive scene-deconstruction feature that lets you explore different levels of production for 17 scenes; a comprehensive guide to the world of Pandora; and more. The greatest adventure of all time just got bigger and better.
 
This review is from: Avatar (Three-Disc Extended Collector's Edition) (DVD)


There appear to be two kinds of people in today's filmgoing public: those, like me, who regard AVATAR as a pinnacle of SF cinema, and those who find fault with it, and I confess to being utterly puzzled about their carping. Clunky dialogue? Well, I thought it perfectly workable and, at times, brilliant, and I've been writing my own SF and opinion re the same for several decades now. The overly familiar plot? It seemed utterly fresh and beautifully structured to me. Yes, it has historical analogues, but that is true of many, many excellent films.
I have been a devotee of SF all my life, and I'm in my seventies. Notice I do not call AVATAR "the pinnacle," but one of them. To my mind the list must begin with "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (NOT THE REMAKE), and include CE3K, the 1st Star Wars trilogy, and some, though not all, of the Star Treks. But James Cameron has created a myth of enormous power wedded to stunning technology that so engaged me intellectually and emotionally that I had to remind myself on each rescreening to wear my contact lenses, because my glasses always got streaked by tears.
I sympathize with those who do not wish to purchase a 2D extended set because they expect a 3D version eventually will be issued. They are probably correct, but let me offer two observations. First, I saw AVATAR many times, and once, inadvertently, I took a friend to the 2D "flat" version (I didn't know it existed as such). Actually, it worked quite well; little was lost, though I would not have believed what I am saying if I had not seen it for myself. Second, 3D DVDs, in my experience, don't work all that well on TV sets. For example, "Coraline," which I loved in the theatre, was a visual mess in its 3D version; better to watch it flat.
AVATAR Special Edition is a must for me; if it ever does come out in 3D, I may buy it, but I fully expect it to disappoint on home video.
Marvin Kaye

Online columnist for "Space and Time Magazine."
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Comment

those people talking on the text to speech recognition sound like the people off NPR radio haha

Compared to other text-to-speech services, it really is. It has more natural voice inflections.


Also, I greatly prefer the male voice to the female one; for some reason the female one sounds a lot more modulated and, frankly, annoying.
 
The idea is to replace books.


She hardly showed any of the useful features. Its basically a book thats connected to the web, so you can download books cheaper than buying them, then read them on this. It also supports mp3.
 
You can search and shop the Kindle Store wirelessly right from your Kindle DX, allowing you to click, buy, and start reading your purchases within a minute. The Kindle Store offers the same great Amazon.com customer experience you're used to, including customer reviews, personalized recommendations, and low prices. We auto-deliver your selections wirelessly, so the next time you hear about a great book, just search, buy, and read.


If you are out of wireless coverage, such as traveling overseas, you can download books to your PC or Mac and transfer via USB to your Kindle DX.

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Kindle 2 Review from Consumer Reports

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Custommer Comments

I don't get why everyone wants a back light, you want the kindle to be like a book as much as possible, so get a book light, or just use a light like you would with a normal book

Actually the coolest feature is the Internet fuction, where I can even access facebook! And for those who want a backlight: that's what gives you eyestrain in the first place, cuz it's like reading off of a computer screen which is EXACTLY what Amazon was trying avoid.

I have my K2 and I love it! I have read so many free books, both new and public domain that I think the cost of the K2 is totally worth it. You can also get books from other sites too, you are not just confined to Amazon. Feedbooks, Manybooks, Smashwords and Beanbooks are all places you can get books. Either direct download from wispernet or onto your computer and add them to your device with the USB cord.

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Kindle, Nook, Sony Daily Edition Side by Side

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Кindle DX- has bigger screen, Sony 900 has more features in a smaller package-zoom, handwriting notes. So if size is an issue- get Sony, if you need bigger screen-DX.


Better still- try to find them in the store or friends hands, so you can touch and look and make your decision then. Good Luck.

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The Passage: A Novel (Kindle Edition)

Amazon.com Review

Amazon Best Books of the Month, June 2010: You don't have to be a fan of vampire fiction to be enthralled by The Passage, Justin Cronin's blazing new novel. Cronin is a remarkable storyteller (just ask adoring fans of his award-winning Mary and O'Neil), whose gorgeous writing brings depth and vitality to this ambitious epic about a virus that nearly destroys the world, and a six-year-old girl who holds the key to bringing it back. The Passage takes readers on a journey from the early days of the virus to the aftermath of the destruction, where packs of hungry infected scour the razed, charred cities looking for food, and the survivors eke out a bleak, brutal existence shadowed by fear. Cronin doesn't shy away from identifying his "virals" as vampires. But, these are not sexy, angsty vampires (you won’t be seeing "Team Babcock" t-shirts any time soon), and they are not old-school, evil Nosferatus, either. These are a creation all Cronin's own--hairless, insectile, glow-in-the-dark mutations who are inextricably linked to their makers and the one girl who could destroy them all. A huge departure from Cronin's first two novels, The Passage is a grand mashup of literary and supernatural, a stunning beginning to a trilogy that is sure to dazzle readers of both genres. --Daphne Durham

Dan Chaon Reviews The Passage

Dan Chaon is the acclaimed author of the national bestseller Await Your Reply and You Remind Me of Me, which was named one of the best books of the year by The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, The Christian Science Monitor, and Entertainment Weekly, among other publications. Chaon lives in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and teaches at Oberlin College. Read his review of The Passage:

There is a particular kind of reading experience--the feeling you get when you can’t wait to find out what happens next, you can’t turn the pages fast enough, and yet at the same time you are so engaged in the world of the story and the characters, you don’t want it to end. It’s a rare and complex feeling--that plot urgency pulling you forward, that yearning for more holding you back. We say that we are swept up, that we are taken away. Perhaps this effect is one of the true magic tricks that literature can offer to us, and yet it doesn’t happen very often. Mostly, I think, we remember this experience from a few of the beloved books of our childhood.

About three-quarters of the way through The Passage, I found myself in the grip of that peculiar and intense readerly emotion. One part of my brain couldn’t wait to get to the next big revelation, and I found myself wanting to leapfrog from paragraph to paragraph, hurtling toward each looming climax. Meanwhile, another part of my brain was watching the dwindling final pages with dread, knowing that things would be over soon, and wishing to linger with each sentence and character a little while longer.

Finishing The Passage for the first time, I didn’t bother to put it on a shelf, because I knew I would be flipping back through its pages again the next day. Rereading. Considering.

Certain kinds of books draw us into the lives of their characters, into their inner thoughts, to the extent that we seem to know them, as well as we know real people. Readers of Justin Cronin’s earlier books, Mary and O’Neil and The Summer Guest, will recognize him as an extraordinarily insightful chronicler of the ways in which people maneuver through the past, and through loss, grief and love. Though The Passage is a different sort of book, Cronin hasn’t lost his skill for creating deeply moving character portraits. Throughout, in moments both large and small, readers will find the kind of complicated and heartfelt relationships that Cronin has made his specialty. Though the cast of characters is large, they are never mere pawns. The individual lives are brought to us with a vivid tenderness, and at the center of the story is not only vampires and gun battles but also quite simply a quiet meditation on the love of a man for his adopted daughter. As a fan of Cronin’s earlier work, I found it exciting to see him developing these thoughtful character studies in an entirely different context.

There are also certain kinds of books expand outwards beyond the borders of their covers. They make us wish for encyclopedias and maps, genealogies and indexes, appendixes that detail the adventures of the minor characters we loved but only briefly glimpsed. The Passage is that kind of book, too. There is a dense web of mythology and mystery that roots itself into your brain--even as you are turning the pages as quickly as you can. Complex secrets and untold stories peer out from the edges of the plot in a way that fires the imagination, so that the world of the novel seems to extend outwards, a whole universe--parts of which we glimpse in great detail--and yet we long to know even more. I hope it won’t be saying too much to say that there are actually two universes in this novel, one overlapping the other: there is the world before the virus, and the world after, and one of the pleasures of the book is the way that those two worlds play off one another, each one twisting off into a garden of forking and intertwined paths. I think, for example, of the scientist Jonas Lear, and his journey to a fabled site in the jungles of Bolivia where clouds of bats descend upon his team of researchers; or the little girl, Amy, whose trip to the zoo sets the animals into a frenzy--"They know what I am," she says; or one of the men in Dr. Lear’s experiment, Subject Zero, monitored in his cell as he hangs "like some kind of giant insect in the shadows." These characters and images weave their way through the story in different forms, recurring like icons, and there are threads to be connected, and threads we cannot quite connect--yet. And I hope that there will be some questions that will not be solved at all, that will just exist, as the universe of The Passage takes on a strange, uncanny life of its own.

It takes two different kinds of books to work a reader up into that hypnotic, swept away feeling. The author needs to create both a deep intimacy with the characters, and an expansive, strange-but-familiar universe that we can be immersed in. The Passage is one of those rare books that has both these elements. I envy those readers who are about to experience it for the first time.

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Clear LCD Screen Protector for Amazon Kindle 2 E-Book Reader

Technical Details


Expect better quality than any other screen protector.

Shield against dust, scratches, and waterproof.

Ultra Thin and 100% transparent. Invisible protection for your device

Self Adhering surface and leaves no sticky residue when removed

Ultra Thin and 100% transparent. Invisible protection for your device.
 
The item title says '3 Pack'. I received only 1 pack and the shipping cost me more than the product.


The product package says on the 'Features':

1) Washable and Reusable - Not Ture. Once you wash it, it is useless.

2) Dust Repelling - not ture!

3) Finger print free - not true!

4) Bubble Free - Not true also.

It is cheaper and easier to buy a regular LCD screen protector and cut it to size.

This product is a rip off!
 
Clear LCD Screen Protector for Amazon Kindle 2 E-Book Reader

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M-Edge e-Luminator2 Booklight for Amazon Kindle

Technical Details

Lightweight and compact booklight works seamlessly with most of M-Edges covers for 2nd Generation Kindle

Light stows in many M-Edge covers and easily pivots up to allow for optimal light positioning.

Powered with 1 AAA battery that provides more than 20 hours of use without dimming (battery not included)

Optical lens spreads light evenly over Kindle screen, and Super Bright LED light bulb never needs replacing

High and low light intensity settings allow for tailored screen illumination

The M-Edge e-Luminator2 booklight is the ultimate accessory for the Amazon Kindle. Based on the input of loyal M-Edge customers, this custom designed booklight has been developed to work seamlessly with most of M-Edge's jackets for the Amazon Kindle (2nd Generation). The powerful light features a super-bright LED light bulb which provides ample illumination for the Reader's screen while a mirrored reflector and optical quality lens disperses the light uniformly.The light is powered by a standard AAA battery (not included) with endurance enough for more than 20 hours of operation without dimming.The light is operated by a three position switch with two light intensity settings.A flexible and resilient steel neck allows the user to position the light in the desired direction.Perhaps the most impressive feature of this light is that it is designed to be stored via a slim support arm sized to match a pocket sewn into the back of many of M-Edge Jackets for the Amazon Kindle. The light pocket is conveniently located behind the Kindle and does not interfere with the use of the eReader. When in the storage position, the light is located conveniently in the jacket so you can easily bring your light while on the go.

This review is from: M-Edge e-Luminator2 Booklight for Amazon Kindle (Fits 6" Display, 2nd gen)


I'd been using a Mighty-Bright with my old and new Kindle. I liked it a lot, but have an m-edge cover for the new one and was lookiing forward to the convenience of having this one live alongside the Kindle in the case. When it showed up the other day, I slipped it into the slot and immediately loved the ergonomics of having it disappear in the case.
But then I went into a dark room and turned it on. It's not nearly as bright as the mighty bright. Some people seem to thing that's a feature, calling it a nice SOFT light. I just find it to be a very DIM light. It doesn't light up the whole screen anywhere close to evenly or brightly enough for my tastes.
The other problem is with the switch - it doesn't have a very positive feel and it's very easy to accidently leave on when you think you're turning it off (by pushing it past the center "off" position to the other "on" position) or to turn on when folding the flexible arm back into the case. Twice already, in just a few days, I've accidently turned it on as I was putting it away, didn't notice I'd done so, and came back later to find a dead battery.
The concept and design are great, but the implementation leaves a bit to be desired. Quite a bit, IMHO. I wanted to like this light because of the obvious convenience, but will probably continue using the mighty-bright until and unless they improve the brightness and the switch.
Edit - after using the light for a few days, I'll lighten up a bit (NPI). I prefer the lighting produced by the mighty bright and its firmer switch, but this one is adequate. I've read with it and I'd prefer it brighter, but this is good enough. The switch is poorly designed, but works adequately as long as you're careful with it. (Which having left it on a couple of times, I am now). I'll still probably use the mighty bright when I need a portable light at home (not often, but occasionally) but this is good enough to be my primary travel light, given its great convenience. If they can figure out a way to make it brighter (maybe two batteries and a second LED, like the mighty bright? - should still be able to fit it inside the case pretty easily and the extra weight of another battery wouldn't be noticable) and redesign the switch, I'd recommend it highly. As it is, its probably good enough but could be a lot better.

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M-Edge Platform Leather Kindle Jacket (Fits 6" Display, Latest Generation Kindle), Smooth Black

Technical Details

Designed for Latest Generation Kindle with luxurious, rich smooth black 100% genuine leather

Front flips over and closure tab tucks in to serve as bookstand for upright, hands-free reading

Solid front & back construction with plush grey interior for maximum device protection. Jacket allows access to all ports and buttons.

Compatible with the M-Edge e-Luminator2 booklight (sold separately)

The M-Edge Platform Jacket is offered in 12 genuine leather colors. This Jacket also comes in 5 synthetic leather colors

Product Description


The Platform Jacket for the Amazon Kindle (2nd Generation) is the ultimate for sophisticated on-the-go eReader users. Whether in the office, at a business meeting, or at home, the Platform Jacket provides refined and stylish protection of your Kindle 2 in a superior case. The Platform Jacket introduces a new stand-up design, which allows you to read your Kindle upright, hands-free, while still offering full surface protection in a lushly padded case. The soft grey interior ensures your Kindle will always be cushioned in comfort.
This smart case with classic lines includes a loop for your pen and interior pockets for storage of notes, business cards, and other essentials. Even while closed, you will find access to all ports, so you never need to remove your reader for charging. The M-edge Platform Jacket is a sleek case that will protect your eReader from scratches and dings. It is the perfect solution for the user with a fashionable, active lifestyle. Specifications Compatibility - Amazon Kindle (Fits 6 Display, Latest Generation Kindle) Weight - 8.5 oz Dimensions - 9 in. x 6.25 in. x 1 in.

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The Host: A Novel [Paperback]

In this tantalizing SF thriller, planet-hopping parasites are inserting their silvery centipede selves into human brains, curing cancer, eliminating war and turning Earth into paradise. But some people want Earth back, warts and all, especially Melanie Stryder, who refuses to surrender, even after being captured in Chicago and becoming a host for a soul called Wanderer. Melanie uses her surviving brain cells to persuade Wanderer to help search for her loved ones in the Arizona desert. When the pair find Melanie's brother and her boyfriend in a hidden rebel cell led by her uncle, Wanderer is at first hated. Once the rebels accept Wanderer, whom they dub Wanda, Wanda's whole perspective on humanity changes. While the straightforward narrative is short on detail about the invasion and its stunning aftermath, it shines with romantic intrigue, especially when a love triangle (or quadrangle?!) develops for Wanda/Melanie. 10-city author tour. (May)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

XXXX The Host XX
Just like Twilight is a vampire story for people who don't like vampire stories, The Host is a sci-fi novel for people who don't like sci-fi. Ultimately, this is a very human story about love, friendship, loyalty and family. It's moving and unique.
Truthfully, I wasn't expecting to like it much. I read the excerpt available on Stephenie's website a few months ago and wasn't overly impressed, but because it's SM and I'm a big fan of the Twilight series I decided to give it a shot. I'm so glad I did! I found the storyline compelling and fascinating from the outset - unlike other readers, I did not find the beginning slow at all (or any part). I thought the entire novel flowed very smoothly. I enjoy quieter moments in stories because those are often when you really get to know the characters and it makes the action sequences more meaningful. Once again, SM has created characters we can relate to and care about.
I've read some of the negative reviews and all I can say is that everyone has different taste. I didn't find this story lacking in any way - it's very different from Twilight but in my opinion just as good. In fact, thematically, I think it's better. We have a much stronger herione this time and get to explore a friendship between two women (Melanie/Wanderer). And while Wanderer is peaceful and self-sacrificing, no one could argue that she isn't a very strong herione who chooses to do things because they are right and ethical. For those who thought Bella was such a rotten roll model, Wanderer should make them happy. Even though this is considered an adult book, it's perfectly suitable for teens.

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The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (Twilight Saga)

"Meyer has, like one of her vampires, turned into something rare and more than merely human.... People do not want to just read Meyer's books; they want to climb inside them and live there." -Time
"Piles on the suspense and romance." -USA Today
"A literary phenomenon." -The New York Times
"[Stephenie Meyer is] the world's most popular vampire novelist since Anne Rice." -Entertainment Weekly

Product Description

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

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ILMK! (I Love My Kindle!): Being an Appreciation of Amazon's E-Book Reader, with Tips, Explanations, and Humor

Product Description


Do you love your Kindle? Did you just get one as a gift?
This fun article will give you some humor (Kindle limericks, anyone?), background, and links from Bufo Calvin. Not so much a "how to" as a "why is that?", it's not about the nuts and bolts mechanics, but about having fun and learning a bit more about Amazon's magic reading machine.
This version has been expanded and updated.
Iincludes "The Happy Little Bookworm", "The Kindle Encounter", and "Quoth My Kindle: Read Some More".

Customer Reviews


Great Resource

This blog gives you great info about using your Kindle, as well as humorous stories. I enjoy this blog as you never know what to expect. Great fun!
Great!

This was great! Thanks for all of the information and for the fun delivery! This was the very first thing (after the user guide) that I read on my brand new K2!
60% of humor and 40% of tips and explanations

The book is a collection of 74 "articles" that are easy to read and full of humor. Perfect reading indeed: "I love this book! It's a real button-pusher." (Quotation from this book, location 727.)

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Disney Family Fun (1-year) [Magazine Subscription]

What does family fun mean to you? Crafts? Recipes? Party ideas? Travel tips? FamilyFun magazine dishes up these and more boredom-defying activities in over 180 splashy, colorful pages. Geared toward parents with young children, this energetic magazine promises to enrich the lives of families. Offering a "we've been there, we know" sort of comfort to parents, folksy first-person articles let parents know they're not alone. A sense of community is expanded further in the "My Great Idea" section--culled from readers' letters--that suggests kid-tested ideas for everything from summer games to rainy-day projects. Homeschoolers will find plenty to ponder as well--a winter issue, for example, describes how a snowflake takes shape, then suggests a paper snowflake-making project. Reviews of digital games, books, videos, and DVDs, written by industry experts, help parents feel up to the minute. FamilyFun is positively inspirational to parents who want to shake up the routine and keep the magic in a family

Disney Family Fun  magazine is worth every cent. Tons of games and craft ideas that are super cheap and lots of fun. There isn't an article or idea that I skip. I have had a hard time with finding magazines that fit in my lifestyle lately.

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Good Housekeeping (2-year) [Magazine Subscription]

 Product Description


Good Housekeeping magazine?together with the Good Housekeeping Institute and the Good Housekeeping Seal?is an American icon of consumer protection and quality assurance. Every issue delivers a unique mix of independent investigation and trusted reporting, along with inspirational and personal stories. The magazine's rich tradition embodies a commitment to the modern home and to a woman's quality of life.
 
Of all the magazines, this one has the best layout.
Whether you are looking for the latest news on your favorite star or are looking for a new recipe...this magazine has it all.
You know how many magazines say: "Oh, we are going to tell you about...." And five minutes later, you are still looking for "that" article. Well, in this magazine they have a great Contents page with a special: "On the Cover" section. So, if you want to read about Nicole Kidman she is on page 110! OK, that was in the November 2001 issue and it is quite a sad article. What ever happened to the fairy tale? I just don't know...
Now, if you love reading about other people who are making the news, the People section always has something fun to read about. Fashion and beauty gives ideas on the latest nail color or makeup tips. The articles on relationships are interesting.
This magazine also has sections for: Health & Well Being, Consumer Sense, The Better Way, Food & Home, Fiction, Departments and Columns. The TECH section is always of interest. There is a definite focus on women, as in: "The Best Cell Phones for Women." Plus, this is where you can find Heloise giving out the newest Household Tips.
My favorite page is the looks, trends, and news page where they always give you ideas for holidays or feature beauty products like Pumpkin Pie body wash in November. The recipes are often multicultural and you can find anything from Lebkuchen to Pavlova with Passion Fruit Sorbet.
In my top 10 of favorite magazines!

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Dreams From My Father (Kindle Edition)

From Publishers Weekly

Elected the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama was offered a book contract, but the intellectual journey he planned to recount became instead this poignant, probing memoir of an unusual life. Born in 1961 to a white American woman and a black Kenyan student, Obama was reared in Hawaii by his mother and her parents, his father having left for further study and a return home to Africa. So Obama's not-unhappy youth is nevertheless a lonely voyage to racial identity, tensions in school, struggling with black literature?with one month-long visit when he was 10 from his commanding father. After college, Obama became a community organizer in Chicago. He slowly found place and purpose among folks of similar hue but different memory, winning enough small victories to commit himself to the work?he's now a civil rights lawyer there. Before going to law school, he finally visited Kenya; with his father dead, he still confronted obligation and loss, and found wellsprings of love and attachment. Obama leaves some lingering questions?his mother is virtually absent?but still has written a resonant book. Photos not seen by PW. Author tour.

Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Obama argues with himself on almost every page of this lively autobiographical conversation. He gets you to agree with him, and then he brings in a counternarrative that seems just as convincing. Son of a white American mother and of a black Kenyan father whom he never knew, Obama grew up mainly in Hawaii. After college, he worked for three years as a community organizer on Chicago's South Side. Then, finally, he went to Kenya, to find the world of his dead father, his "authentic" self. Will the truth set you free, Obama asks? Or will it disappoint? Both, it seems. His search for himself as a black American is rooted in the particulars of his daily life; it also reads like a wry commentary about all of us. He dismisses stereotypes of the "tragic mulatto" and then shows how much we are all caught between messy contradictions and disparate communities. He discovers that Kenya has 400 different tribes, each of them with stereotypes of the others. Obama is candid about racism and poverty and corruption, in Chicago and in Kenya. Yet he does find community and authenticity, not in any romantic cliche{‚}, but with "honest, decent men and women who have attainable ambitions and the determination to see them through." Hazel Rochman

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The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes [Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection #3] (Kindle Edition)

Grade 7 Up-Four short stories of mystery and intrigue by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle are performed radio theater style by the St. Charles Players: "The Adventure of the Speckled Band," "The Adventure of the Dancing Men," "A Scandal in Bohemia," and "The Adventure of the Devil's Foot." The narration is acceptable, although some characters sound flat and their British accent is too obviously forced. However, this detracts little from the overall entertainment value of the stories. The overall aural quality could be improved; a slight hissing can be heard throughout the narration. Though at times Holmes comes across as haughty, listeners become caught up in learning how he ingeniously solves the cases using clues that Watson, the other investigators, and most listeners miss. Fine for individual or group listening, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes could be used for entertainment or for a unit on the mystery genre in English classes. The lack of strong female characters in these stories may warrant including alternate classic mysteries with strong women, such as Simon Brett's Mrs. Pargeter, Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, Heron Carvic's Miss Seeton, or Dorothy Gilman's Mrs. Pollifax. A nice feature of this package is that each short story is completed with one cassette. Unless you have a great demand for classic mysteries, this audiobook is an additional purchase.

Sarah Smith, Harrison Community Library, MI

Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

These deluxe Oxford editions offer the exploits of Holmes and Watson the red carpet treatment they truly deserve. Along with the full text, each volume contains a scholarly introduction, illustrations, and other assorted extras. All public and academic libraries should have the full canon of Holmes's cases.

Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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The Help (Kindle Edition)

Starred Review. Four peerless actors render an array of sharply defined black and white characters in the nascent years of the civil rights movement. They each handle a variety of Southern accents with aplomb and draw out the daily humiliation and pain the maids are subject to, as well as their abiding affection for their white charges. The actors handle the narration and dialogue so well that no character is ever stereotyped, the humor is always delightful, and the listener is led through the multilayered stories of maids and mistresses. The novel is a superb intertwining of personal and political history in Jackson, Miss., in the early 1960s, but this reading gives it a deeper and fuller power. A Putnam hardcover (Reviews, Dec. 1). (Feb.)

Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From The Washington Post

From The Washington Post's Book World/washingtonpost.com Reviewed by Sybil Steinberg
Southern whites' guilt for not expressing gratitude to the black maids who raised them threatens to become a familiar refrain. But don't tell Kathryn Stockett because her first novel is a nuanced variation on the theme that strikes every note with authenticity. In a page-turner that brings new resonance to the moral issues involved, she spins a story of social awakening as seen from both sides of the American racial divide.
Newly graduated from Ole Miss with a degree in English but neither an engagement ring nor a steady boyfriend, Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan returns to her parents' cotton farm in Jackson. Although it's 1962, during the early years of the civil rights movement, she is largely unaware of the tensions gathering around her town.

Skeeter is in some ways an outsider. Her friends, bridge partners and fellow members of the Junior League are married. Most subscribe to the racist attitudes of the era, mistreating and despising the black maids whom they count on to raise their children. Skeeter is not racist, but she is naive and unwittingly patronizing. When her best friend makes a political issue of not allowing the "help" to use the toilets in their employers' houses, she decides to write a book in which the community's maids -- their names disguised -- talk about their experiences.

Fear of discovery and retribution at first keep the maids from complying, but a stalwart woman named Aibileen, who has raised and nurtured 17 white children, and her friend Minny, who keeps losing jobs because she talks back when insulted and abused, sign on with Skeeter's risky project, and eventually 10 others follow.

Aibileen and Minny share the narration with Skeeter, and one of Stockett's accomplishments is reproducing African American vernacular and racy humor without resorting to stilted dialogue. She unsparingly delineates the conditions of black servitude a century after the Civil War.

The murders of Medgar Evers and Martin Luther King Jr. are seen through African American eyes, but go largely unobserved by the white community. Meanwhile, a room "full of cake-eating, Tab-drinking, cigarette-smoking women" pretentiously plan a fundraiser for the "Poor Starving Children of Africa." In general, Stockett doesn't sledgehammer her ironies, though she skirts caricature with a "white trash" woman who has married into an old Jackson family. Yet even this character is portrayed with the compassion and humor that keep the novel levitating above its serious theme.

Copyright 2009, The Washington Post. All Rights Reserved.

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Fantastic Mr Fox (Kindle Edition)

Kindle Price: $7.50 & includes international wireless delivery via Amazon Whispernet

Amazon.com Review

In the tradition of The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, this is a "garden tale" of farmer versus vermin, or vice versa. The farmers in this case are a vaguely criminal team of three stooges: "Boggis and Bunce and Bean / One fat, one short, one lean. / These horrible crooks / So different in looks / Were nonetheless equally mean." Whatever their prowess as poultry farmers, within these pages their sole objective is the extermination of our hero--the noble, the clever, the Fantastic Mr. Fox. Our loyalties are defined from the start; after all, how could you cheer for a man named Bunce who eats his doughnuts stuffed with mashed goose livers? As one might expect, the farmers in this story come out smelling like ... well, what farmers occasionally do smell like.

This early Roald Dahl adventure is great for reading aloud to three- to seven-year-olds, who will be delighted to hear that Mr. Fox keeps his family one step ahead of the obsessed farmers. When they try to dig him out, he digs faster; when they lay siege to his den, he tunnels to where the farmers least expect him--their own larders! In the end, Mr. Fox not only survives, but also helps the whole community of burrowing creatures live happily ever after. With his usual flourish, Dahl evokes a magical animal world that, as children, we always knew existed, had we only known where or how to look for it. (Great read aloud for any age; written at a 9- to 12-year-old reading level)

Review

* The audio titles read by Roald Dahl himself have been solid backlist titles for over a decade now. Of historical archive interest, as well as being modern classics in their own right, these should provide a real audio backlist boost. * Roald Dahl and Collins brand strengthened via vibrant new look for the twenty-first century. * Narrated by Roald Dahl, who tells his own stories in his own inimitable way. * Five titles available. * Unabridged.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews


He's a chicken-stealing thief and a cellar-raiding rogue. He's also a loving husband and a caring father. He's even kind to rabbits. Oh, and he's a fox. What more could you want in a leading man?


Roald Dahl's "Fantastic Mr. Fox" tells the story of how Mr. Fox and his family fend off an assault by farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean. Losing his tail to the farmers' bullets, Mr. Fox tries to wait out the farmers' vigil but Boggis, Bunce and Bean have other plans. They try to dig up the Fox family's den with steam shovels, forcing Fox and family ever farther underground. Derided by the townspeople for flattening a whole mountain just to catch a fox, the farmers decide to see who can last longer, them or Mr. Fox.


Mr. Fox, on the other hand, comes up with a brilliant way out, better left to be related by Dahl himself. Like any well-written children's story, "Fantastic Mr. Fox" is several notches above the average simplistic picture book but not so long that it can't be read in its entirety as a bedtime story. Since it's not dumbed down for young readers, it remains a favorite of adult readers as well.

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Amazon Kindle DX Leather Cover

Amazon.com

Designed by Amazon, this is the official leather book cover for Kindle DX. This unique book cover is not only stylish, but offers optimal protection and comfort. A patent-pending hinge secures your Kindle DX to the cover. Simply attach Kindle DX into the cover and rest assured it will stay firmly in place even when you're on the go. The genuine black leather is sturdy, offering the best protection for your Kindle DX; and the soft charcoal interior protects the screen from scratches.
This cover is contoured to fit Kindle DX's smooth, rounded edges. Reading with the cover on, you can easily access Kindle DX's navigation features and power switch, while still enjoying a perfect fit in your hands. Fold back the cover and read the Kindle DX comfortably. The black leather is textured with a traditional pebbled grain, giving your Kindle DX a sophisticated look.

This is the same cover design that is currently used for the Kindle 2. Since I also own the Kindle 2, I did not hesitate to order this cover again for the Kindle DX. (For the record, I own both which and the cover arrived this morning along with my new Kindle DX)
The thing that made me go for this cover over the M-Edge series is that it has discreet clips that fasten directly into the kindle and are very secure. It is similar to the mechanism that Sony uses for the PRS-505 and I find it very unobtrusive without having to deface the Kindle with velcro etc.



HOWEVER it should be cautioned that this hinge mechanism has the potential to crack your the front faceplate kindle if you do not open the cover from the front (don't try to open it from the back as the hinge only allows the cover to open fully one way). However, the people that had this problem with the Kindle 2 were reported the problem to Amazon and they replaced the Kindle. I personally have not had this problem, though but it is something to be aware of.
The thing I really like about this cover is the feel of the inside which is what you wind up holding the most while you are reading. It is a very soft luxurious feeling grey flannel. The front cover folds back on itself (like a paperback) so you wind up just holding something that is just as wide as the kindle itself (i.e. not "double-width" like an open binder). The flannel lining sounds like a little thing. However, reading is often about the "curling up with a good book in a cozy chair" experience and the flannel reminds you of your most comfy flannel PJs and the lining adds to that perception.
The leather of the cover, itself is not of great quality but it looks decent. There are also firm foam inserts inside the front and back cover to keep the screen protected.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with the cover.

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Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Clip-On Light (Kindle Version) Black [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]

Product Description

Mighty Bright and Amazon.com have teamed up to offer this item in Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging, a recyclable, easy-to-open alternative to traditional packaging. This Frustration-Free Package is designed to be opened without the use of a box cutter or knife and will protect your product just as well as traditional packaging during shipping. The Mighty Bright Light ships in an easy-to-open recyclable box and eliminates 160 square inches of plastic and a 4 color printed paper insert. The Mighty Bright XtraFlex2 Light is a battery operated clamp-on accessory that is custom designed to illuminate your Kindle Wireless Reading device. Two Super LED lights in one head gives you the lighting power of 6 normal LEDs. You have the option of using one or two of the Super LED lights with just a simple tap of the proprietary sensor switch. The flexible neck allows you to position your lighting anywhere you want it. With the XtraFlex2, you can take your Kindle anywhere--in bed, on the bus or train, and have proper illumination at your fingertips.

I've seen LED booklights before, but avoided them because they weren't that bright or took odd, expensive batteries. The Mighty Bright is mighty good. It takes simple AAA batteries (2) and has a sturdy clip. The battery pack sits on the back of the clip so it doesn't "bulge" inside the cover of the book. The "neck" of the light is slim and flexible. It stays in place no matter what position you put it in.
In spite of what some have said, the light is very bright and usable even on the low setting. This light is also good for jobs around the house where you need a light in a dark place while you use your hands for tools. It costs a bit more than other booklights I've seen, but like the Kindle, it's worth it.
Edit: I have posted a couple of pictures of the light attached to the Kindle in the Kindle main page photo gallery.

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Belkin Neoprene Kindle Case

Product Description

The Belkin Neoprene Sleeve Case for Amazon Kindle 2 protects your Kindle from bumps and scratches, keeping your ebook reader looking new and working great. With a slim, good-looking design, this soft and durable neoprene case keeps your Kindle protected during your travels while minimizing additional bulk and weight for easy portability.

Keep your Kindle 2 looking new with the Neoprene Sleeve Case. View larger.
Small Size, Big Protection

Belkin's Neoprene Sleeve Case features a slim, form-fitting design that maintains the Kindle's convenient portability so you can take your collection of ebooks wherever you go.

The Neoprene Sleeve Case is made of neoprene, the same material used in wetsuits, and has thick padding all around protecting it from shock and scratches, so you'll feel confident carrying your Kindle 2 around. The case protects the reader's large screen, so you won't have to worry about scratching it up and ruining your reading experience. And you'll notice when you're zipping the case up that the zippers themselves are padded to prevent scratching the Kindle. Belkin has covered every detail for you with this protective sleeve.

Simple, Effective Design Offers Quick Access

The Neoprene Sleeve Case is designed so you can retrieve and put away your Kindle 2 quickly and easily. The case has two zippers configured in a unique asymmetrical design that provides easy access from both the top and the side. If you're on the train or bus, you'll be able to get your Kindle out for a quick read and put it away when your stop is approaching.

Faux Leather Adds Luxury and Usability

Belkin added some faux leather trim to both sides of the Neoprene Sleeve Case, which provides both a luxurious look, as well as a surface for some extra grip, so you won't have to worry about the case slipping out of your hands.

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Freakonomics (Kindle Edition)

Amazon.com Review

Economics is not widely considered to be one of the sexier sciences. The annual Nobel Prize winner in that field never receives as much publicity as his or her compatriots in peace, literature, or physics. But if such slights are based on the notion that economics is dull, or that economists are concerned only with finance itself, Steven D. Levitt will change some minds. In Freakonomics (written with Stephen J. Dubner), Levitt argues that many apparent mysteries of everyday life don't need to be so mysterious: they could be illuminated and made even more fascinating by asking the right questions and drawing connections. For example, Levitt traces the drop in violent crime rates to a drop in violent criminals and, digging further, to the Roe v. Wade decision that preempted the existence of some people who would be born to poverty and hardship. Elsewhere, by analyzing data gathered from inner-city Chicago drug-dealing gangs, Levitt outlines a corporate structure much like McDonald's, where the top bosses make great money while scores of underlings make something below minimum wage. And in a section that may alarm or relieve worried parents, Levitt argues that parenting methods don't really matter much and that a backyard swimming pool is much more dangerous than a gun. These enlightening chapters are separated by effusive passages from Dubner's 2003 profile of Levitt in The New York Times Magazine, which led to the book being written. In a book filled with bold logic, such back-patting veers Freakonomics, however briefly, away from what Levitt actually has to say. Although maybe there's a good economic reason for that too, and we're just not getting it yet. --John Moe

 

Steven Levitt, an economist at U Chicago, is less interested in numbers and more interested in why people turn out the way they do. He examines the influence of incentive, heredity, the neighborhood you grew up in, etc.

Some of his conclusions are less than earth-shattering. For example, African-American names (DeShawn, Latanya) don't influence African-American test performance. As a second example, Levitt compiled data regarding online dating websites and concluded that bald men and overweight women fared badly. Not rocket science.
However, Levitt livens up the book with some controversial discussions. He believes that the dramatic drop in crime in the 1990s can be traced to Roe v. Wade. He thinks that the children who would have committed crimes (due to being brought up by impoverished, teenage, single mothers) are simply not being born as often.
He also writes about the man who more or less singlehandedly contributed to the KKK's demise by infiltrating their group and leaking their secret passwords and rituals to the people behind the Superman comic book (Superman needed a new enemy).
 
Amazon kindle, kindle edition,kindle store

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Kindle DX Wireless Reading Device ;Amazon kindle

The Kindle Store: 400,000 Books, Newspapers, Magazines, and Blogs

At Amazon, we've always been obsessed with having every book ever printed, and we know that even the best reading device would be useless without a massive selection of books you want to read. Today, the Kindle Store has more than 400,000 books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs available, plus top newspapers, magazines, and blogs. This is just the beginning. Our vision is every book ever printed, in any language, all available in less than 60 seconds. We won't stop until we get there.

Whether you prefer biographies, classics, investment guides, thrillers, or sci-fi, thousands of your favorite books are available, including 101 of 112 books currently found on the New York Times® Best Seller list. New York Times Best Sellers and most new releases are $9.99, and you'll find many books for less.

Advanced Design


Sleek & Trim
Kindle DX is as thin as most magazines. Just over a third of an inch in profile, you'll find Kindle DX fits perfectly in your hands.
Beautiful Large Display
Kindle DX's large display is ideal for a broad range of reading material, including graphic-rich books, PDFs, newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Kindle DX's display is two and a half times the size of the Kindle display. Whether you're reading the latest bestseller or a financial report, text and images are amazingly sharp on the 9.7" screen.

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Kindle DX

Hot on the heels of the super-successful Kindle 2 launch, Amazon announced the Kindle DX ($489 direct), a larger, higher capacity, and more expensive version. I was able to get some hands-on time with the device and found it to be just as advertised: a larger version of the Kindle. That said, that extra screen size and the new partnerships with textbook vendors could help the Kindle DX open markets previously untapped by e-book readers.


The biggest difference between the Kindle DX and the Kindle 2 is the size of the screen, which is 2.5-times larger than the original. Moving from a 6-inch display to a 9.7-inch display makes the reading experience a lot more like reading a standard 8.5-by-11-inch piece of paper. Whereas reading the Kindle 2 is akin to reading a book, the Kindle DX feels more like reading a magazine. Indeed, Jeff Bezos said at today’s announcement that presenting structured, designed content is one of the key reasons for developing the Kindle DX.

The device measures 10.4 by 7.2 by 0.38 inches, and indeed, it feels incredibly thin when you hold it in your hand. It weighs 18.9 ounces and has about the same heft as a spiral bound paper notebook. Two small slits on the left side of the device will be used to attach a protective case, but none were on display today. The back of the Kindle DX features the same brushed metal back as the Kindle 2. Not much to see there.

One upgrade that won’t be immediately obvious is the increased memory. The Kindle DX comes with 4GB of memory and room to store about 3,500 books, compared to the 1,500-book capacity of the Kindle 2. I doubt many Kindle users ever max out their libraries, but since Amazon is increasingly pushing the Kindle as a tool for reading your own documents, the extra capacity could come in handy. There is still no removable memory slot adding memory.

The Kindle DX’s interface hasn’t changed much from Kindle 2. The Home button is still the best way to restart your navigation process and the five-way directional toggle lets you navigate the menus. I still think this process could be smoothed out some, but it isn’t too difficult to move around. Although the Page Forward and Page Back commands are still along the right side of the device, they’ve been removed from the left-hand side.

One key improvement is the addition of an accelerometer. Like the Apple iPhone, the Kindle DX can detect its orientation and rotates the screen accordingly. This lets you view documents, photos, and charts in landscape mode. In fact, the device can even be operated upside down, so that left handers can use the Page Forward/Page Back keys with their left hand if they want. (Typing on the QWERTY keyboard upside down is much, much more difficult.)

The Kindle DX also adds native PDF and RTF file support. Although previous Kindles have been able to display PDFs, this support was experimental and often achieved mixed results. The Kindle DX will ship with native PDF support that uses Adobe Reader Mobile technology. The demos I saw included nautical charts, maps, and legal documents, and the results were very impressive. Of course, I will have to load my own PDFs to really evaluate this feature.

Otherwise, the Kindle DX supports the same assortment of file formats, including Kindle, (AZW) TXT, Audible, HTML, Doc, JPEG, GIF, and PNG. Files can be sideloaded via the microUSB cable or sent through Amazon’s Whispernet service for $.15/MB.

As with the Kindle 2, the Kinlde DX comes with a built-in 1xRTT EVDO modem for wirelessly loading books and other digital content using the companies Whispernet service. Whispernet works seamlessly in the background, but it should be noted the company recently moved to per MB pricing for files that you upload to the service. If users do start uploading lots of their own files to the device, as Amazon seems to want them to, this could end up adding to the price of the device.

Other than the increased size, the biggest improvement in the Kindle ecosystem is the deal with textbook publishers. The textbook market will be key for the DX to succeed. Amazon has already signed up three of the top five textbook publishers (Cengage Learning, Pearson, and Wiley) as well as 27 University Press Publishers. The Kindle DX will be used in trials with at least five universities this fall.

There are lots of unanswered questions about the Kindle DX that I will answer when the device comes into PCMag Labs for testing. That said, given how closely the device builds on the Kindle 2 platform, it seems like a useful addition to the Kindle portfolio. This will be especially true if Amazon can succeed in evolving the device from a pure e-book reader into a device for reading all sorts of digital documents, including textbooks, magazines, blogs, word documents, PDFs, Excel spreadsheets, e-mails, or any other document people currently print out.

My romance with ebook readers got off to a bumpy start when I got my first eInk device -- the Cybook Bookeen. Firmware issues and awkward buttons made it rather disappointing.

Then I found true love with the Sony PRS-505. I loved the metal case. I loved the "Collections" (essentially folders features). I loved the looks and loved the display.

However, the Kindle 2 woo'ed me with the size of its content collection. However, for reading I still ultimately preferred my Sony.

Now, with the larger Kindle DX, I've set my Sony aside and there is a new love in my life. Let me count the ways:
1. SCREEN SIZE: Reading on the Kindle DX vs 6" readers is like the difference between sleeping in a King sized bed vs a Twin Bed or riding in the backseat of a 2-door 1981 Honda Accord vs bucket seats in a Honda Odyssey. You feel like you have room to breath. The larger screen allows you to maximize the use of the real estate -- taking advantage of larger fonts and more white space. This makes text much easier to read -- even if you are just reading regular books.
2. KEYBOARD: I also love that they have compacted the keyboard so that it doesn't dominate the overall appearance of the device. The smaller keyboard in no way compromises the ability to type. However, it improves the look by making the proportions more appealing and it means the device isn't horrifically larger than the 6" device.
3. PDF + BIG SCREEN = LOTS MORE USES: I can transfer my knitting patterns (complete with knitting graphs and diagrams) and cello music to my e-reader.
Using the Kindle for knitting -- I can highlight my place in the knitting pattern making it easier to work more complicated stitch patterns.

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Kindle DX

Shop the Kindle Store Right on Your Kindle DX

You can search and shop the Kindle Store wirelessly right from your Kindle DX, allowing you to click, buy, and start reading your purchases within a minute. The Kindle Store offers the same great Amazon.com customer experience you're used to, including customer reviews, personalized recommendations, and low prices. We auto-deliver your selections wirelessly, so the next time you hear about a great book, just search, buy, and read.

If you are out of wireless coverage, such as traveling overseas, you can download books to your PC or Mac and transfer via USB to your Kindle DX.

More than 400,000 Books, Newspapers, Magazines, and Blogs

Our vision is every book ever printed, in every language, all available in less than 60 seconds. The Kindle Store currently has more than 400,000 books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs and we are adding more every day. Whether you prefer biographies, classics, investment guides, thrillers, or sci-fi, thousands of your favorite books are available. The Kindle Store offers more than 101 of 112 books currently found on the New York Times® Best Seller list. New York Times Best Sellers and most new releases are $9.99, and you'll find many books for less.

Free Book Samples

No need to judge a book by its cover. Kindle DX lets you download and read first chapters for free. Sample a new author or book--if you like what you read, simply buy and download the whole book with 1-Click, right from your Kindle DX, and continue reading.

Kindle DX has more than 5500 blogs for every interest. Unlike reading blogs on your PC, Kindle blogs are downloaded onto Kindle DX so you can read them even when you're not wirelessly connected. And unlike RSS readers which often only provide headlines, blogs on Kindle DX give you full-text content and images, and are updated wirelessly throughout the day. Get blogs wirelessly delivered to your Kindle DX for as little as $.99 per month. Some of our most popular blogs include

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Kindle Wireless Reading Device

The Kindle Store: More Than 400,000 Books

At Amazon, we've always been obsessed with having every book ever printed, and we know that even the best book reader is useless without the books you want to read. We are fortunate that we have tens of millions of book customers at Amazon, and as a result, we know the books customers want to read and we prioritize getting those titles. Today, the Kindle Store has more than 400,000 books available, including 101 of 112 New York Times® Best Sellers, plus top newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Our vision for Kindle is to have every book ever printed, in any language, all available in under 60 seconds.

Whether you prefer biographies, classics, investment guides, thrillers, or sci-fi, thousands of your favorite books are available. New York Times Best Sellers and most new releases are $9.99, and you'll find many books for less. Content availability and pricing vary for customers living outside of the U.S.

I plan to use my new Kindle Wireless Reading Device to keep textbooks on hand for the college courses I teach. The availability of these textbooks was the reason I chose to try the Kindle, and I know I won't miss having to carry those books around all semester. However, when I ordered the Kindle I had no idea how valuable the opportunity to sample other books would be. It's wonderful to be able to read the first chapter of a book before deciding whether to order it, either on Kindle or in print. I've always appreciated being able to page through a printed book before buying it; now I can truly sample books electronically.

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