With a little searching on the Internet, buying books online and sending them from reputable websites is a viable alternative to the shopping frenzy at Christmas.
Bestsellers, Popular Fiction, and Editors' Pick for Best Books of 2010
Jonathan Franzen's Freedom is one of Amazon's Top 100 Editors' Pick and also among the top choices in the Customer Favorites. Jonathan Franzen was the subject of a TIME cover story in October and between the controversy and publicity surrounding the errors of the UK edition of his novel and the brief absconding of his iconic eye-glasses, Freedom is a global bestseller. For readers of literary fiction, Franzen's book is a must-read, which doesn't mean that all readers will agree with the above-average praise it has received.
Another Editors' Pick is David Grossman's Newest Novel To the End of the Land
Amazon's Best of the Month in September 2010 was Grossman's novel, which is described as a "mediation on war, friendship and family" and takes place in Israel with the characters engaged, one way or another, with the Israel Army. David Grossman's own son was killed in the Israel-Lebanon war in 2006, which makes this novel a poignant read in light of today's many global conflicts.
Online Sales Increase to 41.5 Billion with Free Shipping Contributing to Grow Cyber-Shopping
According to Los Angles Times blogger, David Lazarus, e-holidays will be strong this year, with internet buying comprising "more than 4% of all retail activity in the United States." That's double the figure it was in 2004, according to DailyFinance.com.
Amazon Announces E-Book Gifts
For the Christmas and holiday season of 2010, Amazon has added a new dimension to its cyber-space shipping service – sending e-books as gifts. Vice President Russ Grandinetti of Amazon has said, "We're making this functionality available in time for the holidays to offer an easy, stress-free holiday shopping option for anyone – not just Kindle owners."
Free Delivery on Books Bought from the Guardian Bookshop
The UK's Guardian and Observer have a book club and bookshop and are offering free delivery on all the books sourced online. Their "Gifts for Fiction Fanatics" include Room by Emma Donoghue and The Finkler Question by Howard Jacobson.
Other Internet Sites for Buying Books Online
In addition to Amazon, there are many other sites that offer online book buying. Here is a list:
- barnesandnoble.com
- powells.com
- bookshop.blackwell.co.uk
- goodenoughbooks.com
- booksamillion.com
- borders.com
Book Lovers House-bound for the Holiday Season? Shop Online for Best Sellers and Good Fiction
Cyber-shopping on well-known internet sites offer sales on good literary fiction as well as popular fiction. Remember that one person's Nora Roberts is another reader's Andrei Makine–the great Russian novelist.
The Life of an Unknown Man by Andrei Makine was published by Sceptre and is available on Amazon in Kindle Edition.
Christine Breen-Williams - Writer, Homeopath, Gardener Christine has a MA in Literature from University College, Dublin and is a published writer.
