As 2009 comes to a close, I've been thinking about the biggest trends of the year. Considering the explosion of Twitter and sites like this one, one thing is true – our connection with the digital world is at an all time high. Still, the talk this year about "all things digital," from social networks, to real-time news to digital reading really gets you thinking about what the future holds for publishing.

It's hard to deny that all of us on this site love a couple of things: books and sharing, especially online! I like to think that the recent surge in digital reading and eReaders will let us experience that great pleasure known as reading even more!

Last week, Steve Haber, president of Sony's Digital Reading Division shared his own thoughts about the future of publishing alongside other thought leaders like Jane Friedman of Open Road Integrated Media, Katty Kay of BBC World News America and Brandon Badger of Google Books at mediabistro's eBook Summit. You can find some of Steve's thoughts on that very topic in this recent post he contributed to the Huffington Post:

Valerie Motis
Sony Reader Team

Dashing through the crowds
In a costumed group for you
Singing carols loud
From Sony Readers red and blue
Come see us at the mall, making shoppers smile
Oh what fun it is to laugh and sing and win a Reader too!

'Tis the season readers for some happy holiday cheer! Sony Reader has gotten festive for the holiday season and has an 8 city caroling event planned. We know many of you will be getting your holiday shopping done in the crowded malls this weekend, and who better to ease the stress and put a smile on your face, than a group of carolers – decked out in Victorian costumes, singing their carols from Sony Readers instead of song books! We have set up groups in the following cities; Boston, New York City, Paramus NJ, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Diego. And we've got a giveaway contest to go with it! Full contest rules and caroling locations can be found below, but if you see the carolers in your city, we want you to take a Twitpic of them and post it to your twitter page / handle, replying to @SonyElectronics with your location and the #sonyreader hashtag. We will select the best photo at the end of the weekend and the lucky photographer will win a Sony Reader Touch Edition just in time for the holidays! In addition, your photo will be featured here on the Open Book Blog!

12.18.09 – Philadelphia – King of Prussia Mall, from 3-5:00pm
12.19.09 – Boston – Prudential Center, from 2-4:00pm
12.19.09 – New York City – Rockefeller Center, from 7:00-9:00am
12.19.09 – Paramus NJ – Garden State Plaza, from 12-2:00pm
12.19.09 – Atlanta – Lennox Square Mall, from 12-2:00pm
12.19.09 – Los Angeles – The Grove, from 1-3:00pm
12.19.09 – Chicago – North Michigan Avenue, from 1-3:00pm
12.19.09 – San Diego – Fashion Valley Center, from 1-3:00pm

2009 "Sony Reader Caroling" TWITTER CONTEST RULES AND REGULATIONS

THIS CONTEST IS OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER AT TIME OF ENTRY.

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR CLAIM PRIZE. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

1. ELIGIBILITY: The 2009 "Sony Reader Caroling" Twitter Contest (the "Contest") is open to legal residents of the United States, 18 years of age or older at time of entry. Officers, directors, employees and agents of Sony Electronics and its respective affiliated companies, agencies, and immediate families are void from participation. The Contest is governed by U.S. law, is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations, and is void where prohibited.

2. HOW TO ENTER: To enter the Contest use your mobile phone or internet connection, go to www.twitter.com or www.twitpic.com and submit a reply tweet to @Sony Electronics with a twitpic of one of the caroling groups, location and #sonyreader hashtag. The Contest begins at 12:00 pm EST (noon) on December 18, 2009 and ends at 12:00 am (midnight) EST on December 20, 2009. To enter, you must have a valid Twitter and Twitpic account. Signing up for Twitter and Twitpic is free of charge. In addition to these Official Rules, you agree to be bound by Twitter Terms of Use and the terms of Twitters' privacy policy, both of which are incorporated as part of these Official Rules. If you make or receive "tweets" on your mobile phone, standard text messaging rates will apply.

You may not post or transmit a twicpic or caption that contains threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, scandalous, inflammatory, pornographic, or profane material or any caption that could constitute or encourage conduct that would be considered a criminal offense, that would otherwise violate any law or infringes (or may infringe) any copyright, trademark, or logo, or is otherwise objectionable or inconsistent with Sony's brand image. Responses may not speak negatively about Sony or its products, or include any reference to any other company, including any competitor of Sony, or include any third party trademarks. Any response that includes any such material, as determined by Sony in its sole discretion, will be disqualified.

3. SELECTION OF WINNERS: One (1) winner will be selected from the eligible pool of entrants based on overall depiction of the carolers and the Reader and will win the prize described below. Any questions regarding the determination of the winner will be decided in the sole discretion of Sponsor, whose decisions are final and binding in all matters relating to this Contest.

4. PRIZE: There is a total of 1 prize winner. The eligible prize winner will receive one (1) Sony Reader Touch Edition, with an approximate retail value of $299.

Prizes are non-transferable and cannot be substituted by the winner. Sony Electronics may substitute a prize of equal or greater value in its sole discretion. Federal, state and local taxes associated with the acceptance of the prize are the sole responsibility of the winner. Unclaimed or rejected prizes will not be awarded.

5. REDEEMING PRIZES: The winner will be notified by the @SonyElectronics Twitter handle within 72 hours of the Contest closing. Once notified, the potential winner must respond to the email address provided by the administrator of @Sony Electronics in a Direct Message via Twitter within 24-hours of notification with complete legal name and mailing address. The potential winner is subject to verification at the sole discretion of Sony Electronics. As part of the verification process, Sony Electronics may require winner to sign and return an affidavit of eligibility and liability and publicity release within specified time period, or the prize may be forfeited. Unless otherwise agreed by Sony Electronics, winner will receive their prize via U.S. Mail, FedEx or United Postal Service within two weeks of winning. Neither Sony Electronics nor its agencies are responsible for lost, late, stolen, misdirected, delayed or damaged prizes.

6. GENERAL: All federal, state and local laws apply. By participating, entrants agree (i) to be bound by these Official Rules, including all eligibility requirements, and (ii) to be bound by the decisions of Sony Electronics, which are final and binding in all matters relating to the Contest. Sony Electronics is not responsible for: (i) lost, late, misdirected, damaged, garbled or illegible entries; (ii) error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions of any kind, or inaccurate transmission of or failure to receive entry information by Sony Electronics on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any web site or any combination thereof; or (iii) any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating in the Contest. Sony Electronics reserves the right to permanently disqualify from this Contest any person it believes has violated these Official Rules. By accepting or participating in a prize, the winner irrevocably consents to the use of such winner's name, likeness, image, voice, performance (in connection with interviews and other recordings), biographical information, and statements relating to the Contest or Sony Electronic Affiliates, without further compensation, in all world-wide marketing, promotion, and publicity carried out in perpetuity by any of Sony Electronics Affiliates in connection with this Contest. Sony Electronics reserves the right to terminate, cancel, suspend and/or modify the Contest if any fraud, virus or other problem corrupts the administration, security, or proper play of the Contest, as determined by Sony Electronics in its sole discretion. If the Contest is terminated before the end date/time, Sponsor will determine the winner from all eligible entries received as of the termination date/time. If any such malfunction, error, disruption or similar damage occurs and impairs the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper play of the Contest, Sony Electronics may, in its sole discretion, suspend or terminate the Contest by posting a notice at www.twitter.com/sonyelectronics.

7. DISCLAIMERS: Under no circumstances, including negligence, shall any of Sony Electronics or its Affiliates be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages, including without limitation, property damage, personal injury and/or death, resulting from participation in the Contest or acceptance, use or misuse of any prize. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the preceding release is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or void for any reason, the entrant agrees that, by entering the Contest, (a) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Contest, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (b) any claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Contest, but in no event attorney's fees; and (c) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of-pocket expenses. Entrants hereby acknowledge that Sony Electronics and its Affiliates have neither made nor are in any manner responsible or liable for any warranty, representation or guarantee, express or implied (including, but not limited to warranties of any kind concerning the appearance, safety or performance of any prize), in fact or in law, relative to any prize. Each winner shall bear all risk of loss or damage to his/her prize after it has been delivered to such winner via U.S. Mail, FedEx, United Parcel Service, or any other shipping agent.

8. Winner's Name: For names of winner(s), please send a self-addressed stamped envelope, (postage not required for Vermont residents) to:

Sony Electronics Inc.
16530 Via Esprillo, Building 1
San Diego, CA 92127

Sponsor of Contest: SONY ELECTRONICS

16530 Via Esprillo, Building 1 San Diego, CA 92127

Can it really be December? Already, we're knee deep in all of the holiday hype and we're now starting to see all of those end of year (even end of decade) retrospectives – the year's best, worst, most memorable, insane, insufferable…You name it! Well, I'm looking back a bit on this site to see what has moved us most in the world of literature. It's been so wonderful to learn about what books really move the people I know and admire, because then I can read the books too and I feel like I know/understand them a little better. Believe me, my "to read" list has grown exponentially since this site began!

Earlier this fall, we had a panel discussion with Ella Morton (Rocketboom), Rabbi Shmuley, Melissa Chapman (Kids in the City), Choire Sicha (The Awl), and Trip Adler (Scribd) where we asked about a literary moment that really resonated with them. I definitely learned more about them all and even bonded a bit. Come on, what little girl was not affected by Judy Blume? Take a look the video.


Right now, we're working with some popular bloggers, providing them with a widget to feature the literary moments they love so we can all have a little more insight into their minds. What's more, we also provided them with a Sony Reader to give away to the readers of their blog. So check them out and find out how you can get in on the giveaway action.

5 Minutes for Books
Busy Mom
Rants & Ramblings On Life as a Literary Agent
Owl Haven
What's That Smell?
MomDot

Valerie Motis
Sony Reader Team

I'm here in San Francisco, which is coincidently just north of "Daly City", to give some journalists and bloggers walkthroughs of the Reader Pocket and Touch Editions. And, to officially announce today the pre-order availability of the Sony Reader Daily Edition! In fact, Steve Haber will be on Bloomberg TV today to discuss the full line of Readers, along with the pre-sale availability of the Daily Edition.

We heard you cheer when we first announced our highly-anticipated wireless Reader in August and hope you take the time to pre-order now on Sony Style for shipping next month.

The Daily Edition will give you the same full-screen touchscreen experience you love with the Touch Edition along with wireless access to Sony's eBookstore from across the country, allowing book lovers like you the ability to browse, purchase and download books as well as select newspapers and magazines on the go. Stay tuned for more information on the newspaper and magazine content providers we're working with, as we have some exciting news to share there within the next month!

Valerie Motis
Sony Reader Team

I remember exactly how the love affair began. I was looking for a way to escape some of the "forced fun" of summer camp by desperately plowing through my father's read book pile. Our house was always full of books and none were off-limits. It seemed this little yellow-covered paperback had my dad particularly gripped as he read it so I decided to check it out. I was about 9 or 10 and the book was The Shining by Stephen King.

I put it into my backpack and the first chance I had to sneak away from the pack of rowdy campers, I slipped into the shed where all the inflatable rafts and pool toys were kept. There, I was engrossed. Sitting upon a leaky plastic row boat in the close heat of that shed with the smell of rubber and chlorine in my nostrils, I imagined all kinds of slithering horrors sneaking up on me. And when I couldn't take it any more I ran out into the bright sunlight, caught a fresh breeze and shivered. It was delicious! I couldn't wait to do it again and again.

King has called himself the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and fries but as the latest issue of Esquire Magazine points out, he is "an author who transcends his genre by channeling our cultural fears better than nearly any American author." And who doesn't need a burger every now and again? So, what are the books that have sent you shivering into the warm embraces of daylight? Check out The eBook Store from Sony which has a few thrilling suggestions for this Halloween Season.

Valerie Motis
Sony Reader Team

I'm here in Boston. What a change from sunny San Diego! Don't get me wrong. I would never complain about too much sunshine but it sure is nice to shake things up a bit and pull out a coat once in awhile. (Secretly, I'm hoping for snow.) I've come for the Boston Book Festival and am excited to see how it all kicks off tonight at the "Boston Out Loud" event and for the festival itself all day tomorrow. Speaking of which, Steve Haber, president of Sony's digital reading division will be speaking on a panel hosted by New York Times tech guru David Pogue. Check out Steve's piece on Huffington Post that encapsulates his view on open platforms and access to content (especially free content) for everyone. I'm all about free, of course. And free books, what could be better?

If you're here in Boston be sure to stop by and check it all out. The festival runs from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Copley Square tomorrow, October 24. And, to top it all off, Festival organizers are offering you the chance to win one of four Sony Reader Pocket Editions. You can enter in any of the following ways:

1-Send a tweet on Twitter mentioning a Festival topic and using #bbf09 in your message between now and 6:00am EST on October 24. The Book Festival handle is @bostonbookfest and the main url is bostonbookfest.org. The more you tweet #bbf09, the more likely you are to win!

2-Tweet during the Festival (from 8:00am until 9:00pm EST on October 24) using #bbf09 in your messages.

3-Become a Boston Book Festival Facebook fan - one lucky fan will win. Please post about the Festival on your status update.

4-Fill out and submit an evaluation card after any session, including your contact information, and you'll be automatically entered to win.

Winners will be notified via Facebook, Twitter or phone after October 25 and must provide a mailing address within one week of notification. Staff, family members of staff, event producers, paid contractors, partners, and advisors of the Boston Book Festival and Sony are not eligible to win.

Valerie Motis
Sony Reader Team

The WOW Sony Reader Giveaway is over. I want to thank everyone who shared their moments on words move me and I hope you continue to do so. It's been extremely moving to see what an important role literature has played in so many lives.

I'd also like to thank the Women on the Web (WOW) for running such a great giveaway.

Keep reading and check back soon for more updates and promotions.

Valerie Motis
Sony Reader Team

Yesterday's winner in the WOW Sony Reader Giveaway is cwalters* with this literary moment:

"I lost my grandparents before learning to appreciate who they were, before becoming interested enough to ask questions of their lives, their story. The Greatest Generation gives a voice to someone else's grandparent, and reading it brings me closer to mine."

"The editors of wOw congratulate "cwalters" for her moving perspective on Tom Brokaw's The Greatest Generation -- and for recognizing the power of books to connect us with the past.

Congratulations! We hope you enjoy your Sony Reader Pocket Edition™.


*The contest winner is subject to eligibility, verification and confirmation under the contest rules.

Yesterday's winner in the WOW Sony Reader Giveaway is jeannexyz* with this literary moment:

"When I met Francie, it was as if she were my alternate self. I lived in Brooklyn, looked to books for escape, and was the daughter of an Irish alcoholic father. What a thrill to find myself, my experience in this book. I was not alone and that was good."

The editors of wOw congratulate "jeannexyz" for her moving perspective on Betty Smith's A Tree Grows In Brooklyn – and for showing us how books can make our experiences universal.

Congratulations! We hope you enjoy your Sony Reader Pocket Edition™.


*The contest winner is subject to eligibility, verification and confirmation under the contest rules.