A site for sore eyes
While the Internet may be the future -- and some could argue it's also the present -- I say books aren't going anywhere!
For proof, look no further than sites such as PostSecret or Learning to Love You More. Both have spawned a publishing deal and found success beyond the computer, with PostSecret at our very own AVAM until Aug. 31.
And in a nice touch of serendipity, my fellow blogger Susan Reimer has pointed out another Web-favorite-turned-tome in today's paper, Top Tips for Girls, which bills itself as an "ever-expanding bible of genuine advice."
That isn't to say that all such translations work well.
Stuff White People Like, the book, hits stores today, and I wasn't entirely impressed.
(Full disclosure: I am a white person, and yes, I do love farmers markets. There's so much food! And pretty flowers! And puppies!)
While the Web site brags of the book's 50 percent more material, (including a White Person Taxonomy, to help clueless Caucasians name their bundles of joy) I found that I missed the often ridiculous comments that inevitably follow each bit of biting, and sometimes completely off-base, social commentary.
But perhaps I'm just expecting too much originality for what is essentially a remake.
If you're looking for a fun gift -- or you're a rabid one who must have everything associated with Christian Lander's site -- I say pick up a copy. It's funny, it's light and it's much less intimidating for an Internet newcomer than a C++ manual.
But if I had my choice of Webby books, I'd love a compilation of xkcd comics, with artist commentary. Or maybe I just want the guy to be my friend. He seems to know a lot about the coming raptor invasion.
So is there a Web site you'd like to see made into a book?
(Photo by woodsy at stock.xchng.com)
While she always preferred The Hardy Boys to Nancy Drew, 
Comments
http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/
Very funny site that reminds me of college and my plethora of annoying roommates. I think it would make a great coffee table book. If I was a publisher, I'd go after them.
Another funny site that could be made into a collection of books is http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/. New York isn't the only city, so they could do a few books off of their material.
Posted by: Jenn | July 1, 2008 11:26 AM
Well Indexed.com, Postsecret.com and qwantz.com (Dinosaur Comic) are three good ones that are now books.
As far as ones that have been missed....maybe...I got nothing.
Posted by: Pat | July 1, 2008 4:10 PM