Sat 05 May 2007Another chapter of the e-bookPresent Tense: Every afternoon,
The Irish Times'sliterary desk piles high with new books,
with some 30 or 40 arriving every day - maybe double that in the
run-up to Christmas, says
Shane Hegarty.They get released, stacked and sorted. But only a few get
reviewed. Occasionally, we have a charity book sale in the office.
There was one this week. And, for half an hour, staff swamped
tables heavy with hardbacks, paperbacks, softbacks and pamphlets.
It's always some sight to observe. We gather like sharks around
chum. Like politicians around a baby. Whatever's not picked up
there, is unlikely to be picked up anywhere.