History

1. The history of the book has become a hot topic in academia. Search the Web for this topic, or go directly to the Society for the History of Authorship, Reading & Publishing at www.sharpweb.org/. Go to "Exhibits," find one specialized area of book history and write a brief report outlining its major eras or events and their significance.

Industry

2. Which online bookstore has the best software for the potential book buyer? Go to www.amazon.com, look up three books and critique the software that is used to access them. Then try another site such as www.barnesandnoble.com or www.varsitybooks.com and compare their software in terms of such characteristics as ease of selection and information provided about the book. Also, compare the ease of finding and accessing books online with finding books in traditional bookstores.

Controversies

3. Search the Web for sites concerning book censorship or go directly to Banned Books Online at http://digital.library.upenn.edu/books/banned-books.html*
   or the Banned Books and Censorship page at www.booksatoz.com/censorship/banned.htm.* Find one book that has been censored and present a brief argument condemning or supporting that censorship.

*Some Web site addresses may change. When they do, please search for the Web site by name or topic on your favorite search engine.