Honie Briggs

This week is all about books. If publishers and purveyors of the written word are the high rollers, then self-publishing insiders are holding their own at the penny slots. Whether trading on NASDAQ or trading on word of mouth, the book biz is a gamble. When the dust settles after the brick & mortar moguls finish their demolition and reconstruction, the structure that emerges will make the Bellagio look like a Dave & Busters.

The word on the street is that books in print may go the way of the dinosaur and readers everywhere will be retro fitted with a digital implant capable of holding every word ever written by man or machine. Who knows who will be first in line to get that hip and trendy device. It makes no difference. Books are treasures and someone somewhere will keep them safe. Hopefully.

The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is just what the title says. The beautifully crafted, nostalgic animation by award-winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg perfectly illustrates the relationship between book lovers and their books. When you escape into this sensational allegory, your day will become brighter than the Vegas strip.