I haven’t really loved the Sedaris book.  I think I just need more practical advice about cooking, or perhaps I’m just not funny enough to get all of her jokes.  Regardless, I asked my Facebook and Twitter acquaintances for some suggestions on a new book to read.  I’m a little bored of everything on my shelves right now, and I feel the urge to dive into a new and exciting book.  Upon asking for help with one short tweet, I was amazed by all the advice I received.  Here is what was suggested by various friends and family:

• I just finished Twelve by Nick McConnell… its a must read! I couldn’t put it down.
• The Road by Cormac McCarthy
• The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
• A Thousand Splendid Suns
• Grab one of Obama’s books… I can’t get away from them, they are EVERYWHERE!!!!
• The Namesake, The Reader, I have many suggestions. Let me know if you want more.
• The Road is fantastic! I read that and then went out and bought more McCarthy books. Have you read Time Traveler’s Wife? Very good. I’m reading that now.
• I always recommend The Time Traveler’s Wife, it’s wonderful.
• I second both The Namesake and The Time Traveler’s Wife … have read them both several times
• I say Geeklove, Gene says Fortress of Solitude.
• What are you in the mood for? Novel? Nonfiction-short stories? Biography? Give me a mood and I’ll give a recommendation. Maybe I’m a nerd, but I think choosing a book to read is serious business. You really need to figure out the one that is “right” for you at this particular time.

What is amazing about all of these suggestions is that most of the people posting recommendations did not know eachother.  Childhood friends, colleagues from work, people I met working on an election campaign, new friends, and more were making really insightful suggestions.  Plus, they could all see what others had written and engage in a dialogue about particular books.  Now I know many people are concerned about the waste of time and procrastination Facebook or Twittering can cause.  In fact, I was recently assaulted by two baby boomers who complained about how their generation was so much more capable of “real” conversation.  They kept telling me that my generation would waste away with all of this meaningless technology (i.e. Facebook and Twitter).  
Perhaps the skeptics are right to be concerned.  It may be more common to see someone post a tweet about their workout plans rather than their reading endeavors.  Nevertheless, I think there is a wealth of information and some fruitful conversations that can be enjoyed via technological mediums.  And, as someone concerned with literacy, I think any forum is a good one if used appropriately.  It was so exciting to hear from people I don’t often see or friends who live miles away.  Without those “wasteful” technologies, I would probably never have the chance or time to discuss book recommendations.
In short, the world and the way we communicate may be changing, but I don’t believe that transformation has to be considered negative.  Besides, now I have a great list to go through next time I visit the library.