BOTNS Books Podcast #71: One Book, One Subject

Mar 30

BOTNS Books Podcast #71: One Book, One Subject

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:39 — 14.1MB)

You may notice some differences in the show notes this week. I hope it’s not too annoying — we’re experimenting. I don’t want to get too technical, but we are changing the way we upload the podcast. If you notice anything wacky, or have any trouble downloading or listening, please let us know!

Secondly, you may see small letter “G”s in front of book links. Try hovering over one of them. Hovering over the “G” pops up a widget from GetGlue.com that gives a lot of information about the book — you can see the cover, read an excerpt if available, even click to buy from a wide choice of online bookstores and purchase the ebook if available. There’s also a link in the widget to discuss the book, and that will take you the the book’s page on GetGlue where you can post a review or see what others have to say. I think it’s pretty cool, and wanted to try it out, so voila.

In the interest of full disclosure, if you do buy a book from the widget at either Indiebound, Amazon or Barnes and Noble, Books on the Nightstand gets a small affiliate fee. We have had a few requests from readers to offer affiliate links because they want to support what we are doing here. We appreciate the sentiment, but it’s really not necessary. We love what we do, and we are not out to “monetize”. (We would, however, like to see what you all are buying!) Any funds that we receive (and truthfully, we don’t expect much) will go to paying for the website and podcast hosting fees (a few hundred dollars a year). Anything over that will be put back into Books on the Nightstand through postage, giveaways, or some other creative thing.

And now on to the show notes…

One book, one twitter:

We discuss the idea that Jeff Howe, author of Crowdsourcing, put forth on Wired.com: What if everyone on Twitter read one book? Much of the discussion has been happening on Twitter, using the hashtag #1b1t. As this episode goes live, the round of initial nominations will be complete, and a shortlist posted for all to vote. Voting will close on April 12th. Follow the #1b1t happenings at Crowdsourcing.com.

Last episode, we announced our poll for Books on the Nightstand listeners and readers to nominate their favorite “airplane books.” That poll will remain open through the end of April, so don’t forget to weigh in. Kristen called in her nomination via voicemail, recommending John Grisham’s Ford County, which she listened to on audio and found very funny and inspiring. Kristen also recommends Michael Crichton, who she calls “Encyclopedia Brown for adults.”

One book, one subject:

The Book on the Bookshelf Vanilla

Micro-history, mono-history, or whatever name you call books like Mark Kurlansky’s Salt and Cod, books that look at the history of an object over time have always been favorites of ours. One such book on my nightstand is Tears of Mermaids . This investigation into the secrets and history of pearls is by Stephen G. Bloom, who wrote the text for one of my favorite gift books, The Oxford Project (with photos by Peter Feldstein).

Color by Victoria Finlay, is a favorite book of mine, in this or any other category. Part history of color, part travelogue, you will never look at color in the same way after reading this book.

Michael recommends The Book on the Bookshelf by Henry Petroski, which tells the history of the book — perfect for Books on the Nightstand readers, I’d say.

On Michael’s nightstand is Tim Ekot’s Vanilla: Travels in search of the Ice Cream Orchid, a look at vanilla and the orchid it grows on.

Seattle Public Library’s Shelf Talk blog has a post titled “Viewing history with a tightly focused lens” that looks at these mono-histories, and gives other suggestions. There are many more titles in the comments, and it’s worth the time.

Two books we can’t wait for you to read:

If I loved you I would tell you this

Michael has been reading a collection of short stories by Robin Black called If I Loved You, I Would Tell You This. Black writes wonderful stories about the human condition and the fragility of love, and she’s a writer to watch.

And I now know more about insects, Chinese cricket fighting and bug fetishes than I ever wanted to learn, but I have not been able to tear myself away from Insectopedia, by Hugh Raffles. This book of short pieces covers insects from A to Z, but in a very surprising manner.

Helen Barnett

Oh.. guys..that little C is way cool to help me know what the book is all about Right Now.. That is just great..Thanks for thinking of your audience in such a helpful manner. 10 Stars! Also, as always enjoy the podcast and wrote a few tittles down ..you know I could become POOR..thanks.. nah.. It helps so much with what is (hopefully) my next Great read! You guys are the best!
http://BooksontheNightstand Helen Barnett

Oh.. guys..that little C is way cool to help me know what the book is all about Right Now.. That is just great..Thanks for thinking of your audience in such a helpful manner. 10 Stars! Also, as always enjoy the podcast and wrote a few tittles down ..you know I could become POOR..thanks.. nah.. It helps so much with what is (hopefully) my next Great read! You guys are the best!
http://amcatoir.wordpress.com amcatoir

I’ve been following this One Book, One Twitter thing for a few days now and am very interested to see how it turns out. I haven’t participated in any of the One Book, One City programs because they’ve never chosen a book that interest me. I’m afraid that a sense of community isn’t going to get me to read something that doesn’t really appeal. Fingers cross that I like the book they choose. Either way, I can’t wait to see what the reaction is to this project. Will the book turn up a bestseller? Will mainstream/traditional media pick up on it? etc.
http://amcatoir.wordpress.com amcatoir

I’ve been following this One Book, One Twitter thing for a few days now and am very interested to see how it turns out. I haven’t participated in any of the One Book, One City programs because they’ve never chosen a book that interest me. I’m afraid that a sense of community isn’t going to get me to read something that doesn’t really appeal. Fingers cross that I like the book they choose. Either way, I can’t wait to see what the reaction is to this project. Will the book turn up a bestseller? Will mainstream/traditional media pick up on it? etc.
http://entomologyofabookworm.blogspot.com Kerry

One Book, One Twitter sounds great.

Also, thanks for sharing the Book on the Bookshelf – what a great concept for a book (and a great cover, at that).

Sadly, I never liked Kurlansky’s books – I read Big Oyster and Cod, and while I liked the idea of looking at the scope of history through the lens of one item, they just didn’t pan out for me. Oh well.
http://entomologyofabookworm.blogspot.com Kerry

One Book, One Twitter sounds great.

Also, thanks for sharing the Book on the Bookshelf – what a great concept for a book (and a great cover, at that).

Sadly, I never liked Kurlansky’s books – I read Big Oyster and Cod, and while I liked the idea of looking at the scope of history through the lens of one item, they just didn’t pan out for me. Oh well.
http://www.robinblack.net Robin Black

Thanks so much for the very generous words about my collection “If I Loved You, I Would Tell You This.” I really appreciate the support and the shout-out and most of all am glad you liked it so much!

Robin
http://www.robinblack.net Robin Black

Thanks so much for the very generous words about my collection “If I Loved You, I Would Tell You This.” I really appreciate the support and the shout-out and most of all am glad you liked it so much!

Robin
Shelly

Thank you for your show “One Book, One Subject” and the link to the Seattle Public Library blog. I love these books and I squee! over them like a teenage girl. I’m suppressing my desire to create a laundry list of books that I’ve read or wish to read and will only mention two. One of my favorites is “The Frozen Water Trade” by Gavin Weightman. You’ll never look at an innocent ice cube again. The one I’m currently reading was a gift, “Working at Play: A History of Vacations in the United States” by Cindy Aron. It’s a little dry, but still very informative.
Shelly

Thank you for your show “One Book, One Subject” and the link to the Seattle Public Library blog. I love these books and I squee! over them like a teenage girl. I’m suppressing my desire to create a laundry list of books that I’ve read or wish to read and will only mention two. One of my favorites is “The Frozen Water Trade” by Gavin Weightman. You’ll never look at an innocent ice cube again. The one I’m currently reading was a gift, “Working at Play: A History of Vacations in the United States” by Cindy Aron. It’s a little dry, but still very informative.
http://www.bostonbibliophile.com Marie

I’m looking forward to reading Robin Black’s book soon- it sounds really great.
http://www.bostonbibliophile.com Marie

I’m looking forward to reading Robin Black’s book soon- it sounds really great.
http://fignewtonsandscotch.blogspot.com Leah

Hi,
I am compiling a bibliograpy of these histories and it is at this time 15 pages long. I hadn’t heard of the Bloom book on pearls so I will add that to my bibliography. Love your site and your podcasts.

Leah
http://fignewtonsandscotch.blogspot.com Leah

Hi,
I am compiling a bibliograpy of these histories and it is at this time 15 pages long. I hadn’t heard of the Bloom book on pearls so I will add that to my bibliography. Love your site and your podcasts.

Leah
Nat

I just downloaded several episodes of your podcast onto my mobile in UK and they are great! I wish I had the time to read all the amazing books you recommend so passionately. Good work!
Nat

I just downloaded several episodes of your podcast onto my mobile in UK and they are great! I wish I had the time to read all the amazing books you recommend so passionately. Good work!
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Thanks, everyone. Sorry I haven’t had a chance to reply to everyone individually — it’s been a crazy week. Thanks for your recommendations, your nice words, and for listening.
http://www.booksonthenightstand.com Ann Kingman

Thanks, everyone. Sorry I haven’t had a chance to reply to everyone individually — it’s been a crazy week. Thanks for your recommendations, your nice words, and for listening.
http://literaturecrazy.blogspot.com Literature Crazy

I’m listening to this podcast a little late, I know, but I found it interesting (in regard to the discussion about #1b1t) and the feeling that is should be a book that is readily available throughout the world in light of the fact that the leading book (at the time of the podcast) was Farenheit 451. I haven’t specifically researched this, but I wonder if this book (about book banning) is actually available in all countries. Could listeners/Twitter-ers in some countries which still practice book censoring more widely get their hands on this “controversial” book?
http://literaturecrazy.blogspot.com Literature Crazy

I’m listening to this podcast a little late, I know, but I found it interesting (in regard to the discussion about #1b1t) and the feeling that is should be a book that is readily available throughout the world in light of the fact that the leading book (at the time of the podcast) was Farenheit 451. I haven’t specifically researched this, but I wonder if this book (about book banning) is actually available in all countries. Could listeners/Twitter-ers in some countries which still practice book censoring more widely get their hands on this “controversial” book?
http://hello-kitty-sewing-machine54.ning.com/profile/AdamBerg Jeffrey Huisenga

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http://hello-kitty-sewing-machine54.ning.com/profile/AdamBerg Jeffrey Huisenga

Howdy. To start with I need to say that I actually like your webpage, just discovered it the past week but I have been reading it ever since then.

I seem to be to consent with most of your respective ideas and opinions and this submit is no different. totally

Thank you for any wonderful weblog and I hope you keep up the excellent perform. If you do I will continue to browse it.

Have a very good evening.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Twit-Twit-Twittercom/106810712691461?ref=ts Hank Janice

Really good article. Good to know for anyone who’s interested in Twitter, old or new.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Twit-Twit-Twittercom/106810712691461?ref=ts Hank Janice

Really good article. Good to know for anyone who’s interested in Twitter, old or new.