Amazon lets fans connect with authors as blog forum takes on a life of its own

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

Here's a heads-up for book lovers: The diverse online merchandiser amazon.com recently debuted a new program called "Amazon Connect," essentially a blog forum for authors and their fans.

More than 1,000 authors have posted messages on subjects ranging from the personal to the academic. Readers can access the sites and comment on authors' messages, creating potential dialogues among authors and fellow fans.

As an example, consider novelist Robert Crais of Los Angeles, whose latest book is "The Two Minute Rule" (Simon & Schuster, $24.95, 325 pages). Part of his message is this: "I love to cook. I find cooking every bit as creative and rewarding as writing, and it is a great way to relax after a long day spent at the keyboard. I'm also a gym rat. ... I hit the gym at 5 a.m."

OAS_AD('Button20'); As of Tuesday, 30 readers had sent comments to Crais' blog.

"Readers are getting an opportunity to engage directly with the authors who they love to read," said amazon.com spokeswoman Laura Porco on the phone this week. "Not everybody gets the chance to go to a book signing or meet an author in person, so this is a way for them to have personal contact and the exchange of ideas."

To find "Amazon Connect," call up the home page at www.amazon.com and look toward the bottom of the left-hand column, under the heading "Amazon.com Services."

Trial attorney-turned-novelist Ayelet Waldman of Berkeley and her newest book, "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits" (Doubleday, $23.95, 352 pages), are The Bee Book Club's choices for February. She will give a presentation, and host question-and-answer and book-signing sessions at 6 tonight at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, 828 I St. It's free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.; (916) 321-1128.

Here's another eclectic list of interesting titles:

* "And She Was" by Cindy Dyson (William Morrow, $24.95, 304 pages): This debut novel is getting big industry buzz. Brandy is a drifter who follows her boyfriend to the Aleutian Islands, where she lands a bartending job. Circumstances lead her to explore the history of the Aleut Indians, which in turn leads her to self-discovery.

* "Last Dance: Behind the Scenes at the Final Four" by John Feinstein (Little, Brown, $25.95, 384 pages): Clearly, one of America's most prolific sportswriters is gearing up for March Madness, otherwise known as the NCAA college basketball tournament. This is an insider's look at the second-most-watched sporting event in the world, behind the Super Bowl.

* "A Medal of Honor: An Insider Unveils the Agony and the Ecstasy of the Olympic Dream" by John Morton (Discover History, $19.95, 336 pages): This 1998 book has been revised and reissued in paperback in time for Friday's start of the Winter Olympics. Morton played different roles in seven Winter Olympics, according to the book.

* "The Good Life" by Jay McInerney (Knopf, $25, 368 pages): The veteran author ("Bright Lights, Big City," "The Last of the Savages") follows the lives of two wealthy New York couples and how the terrorist attacks of 9/11 changed their lives. As usual for him, it's very East Coast, with great moments of humor, tragedy and social insight.

* "32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons From Teaching" by Phillip Done (Touchstone, $19.95, 304 pages): The winner of the Schwab Foundation Distinguished Teacher Award recounts his amusing and moving experiences during a 20-year teaching career.

Upcoming author appearances include Sacramentan Sue Owens Wright for "Sirius About Murder" (Five Star, $25.95, 271 pages): Elsie MacBean and her loyal basset hound, Cruiser, investigate a murder in South Lake Tahoe. Event: Noon on Saturday at Barnes & Noble, 1725 Arden Way, (916) 565-0644.

Self-published books by local authors include:

* "Chromosome 8" by Peter Holt of Folsom (ibooks, $22.95, 266 pages): Molecular biologist-turned-lawyer Holt offers a compelling thriller about altered DNA, mysterious shipwrecks and lost Polynesian gods. Available at Barnes & Noble.

* "Cancer Companion" by Robert Simmons (Bedside Books, $16, 104 pages): In response to the loss of his father-in-law and his wife to cancer, Simmons put together this slim volume of practical advice and insight for those who may be dealing with similar tragedy. Available at www.mycancercompanion.com.

About the writer: The Bee's Allen Pierleoni can be reached at (916) 321-1128 or apierleoni@sacbee.com. Contact him with news of coming literary events that are open to the public. Unique content, exceptional value. SUBSCRIBE NOW!