On my way to work, I often listen to the Guardian books podcasts. It helps, to try anyway, to keep up with all the new books coming out.
I remember when ebooks first came on the scene, how we all thought words on paper, those lovely cherished items would disappear, but in fact after a brief lull it seems like the opposite has happened... Books, books, books! So many books.
The first half of the podcast I listened to today was about The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins (Viking).
Sara talked about the days and days of hard work, to achieve each metaphor, how each was very hard won. And the more lively it is on the page, the more it's probably depleted the author in getting there.
It's something I've always believed and experienced. My life's essence flowing down through my fingers into the letters, jolting them into life which then passes into the reader who in reading, unlocks the stored essence. Transmission, transfusion and sometimes transformation.