This spring we've made it our mission (even more than usual) to celebrate new releases in the wake of cancelled launch parties, book festivals, and reading series. With 49th Shelf Launchpad, we're holding virtual launch parties here on our platform complete with witty banter and great insight to give you a taste of the books on offer. You can request these books from your local library, get them as e-books or audio books, order them from your local indie bookseller if they're delivering, buy them direct from the publisher or from online retailers.

Today we're launching The Internet of Things, by Vicki McLeod, a guide to understanding the way soon-to-be common technologies affect your daily life and how to use these technologies for increased safety, security, convenience, and quality of life.

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The Elevator Pitch. Tell us about your book in a sentence.
 
This book is a guide to understanding the way soon-to-be common Internet of Things (IoT) technologies affect daily life and how to use these technologies for increased safety, security, convenience, and quality of life.

Describe your ideal reader.
 
Mainstream user/consumer of technology, baby boomers or those who are late adapters to the digital environment looking for simple, easy to understand information in order to use IoT technology wisely and well.
 
What authors/books is your work in conversation with:
 
Christina Crook, Angela Crocker, Tara Hunt, Amber MacArthur, Mike Vardy
 
What is something interesting you learned about your book/yourself/your subject during the process of creating and publishing your book?
 
Writing about technology is tricky, because it advances so rapidly. I had no idea that the book would be released during a global pandemic, nor that the subject would be so timely as people the world over are more reliant than ever on digital access to stay connected, be informed, work remotely and be entertained. I knew it was a current and useful topic, but in no way could I have anticipated the digital leap that is happening now.

Why is digital literacy important?

So much of how we interact and engage is occurring online. It is important that we democratize the access to, and knowledge of, digital tools so that anyone, regardless of age, economic status, or tech savvy can benefit from technology. The global coronavirus pandemic illustrates the vital need for online connectivity and the skill to use it. I believe we can be fully human in a technical world. Technology will continue to advance and become more and more integrated with all aspects of daily life. It is up to each of us to influence and guide its use. 
 
The thank you's. Go ahead and acknowledge someone whose support has been integral to this project.

I must thank my editor at Self Counsel Press, Eileen Velthuis, who made the book better. She has a fine eye and a keen appreciation for the complexity of the subject matter. My husband Ian, as well, for his loving partnership and endless patience with proofreading.

What are you reading right now or next?
 
Annabel, by Kathleen Winter. Haunting, beautiful, sweeping.
 

About You and the Internet of Things:

As a result of advances in sophisticated artificial intelligence and machine learning, automation and augmented reality, the Internet landscape is undergoing massive change. It’s no longer just about accessing information via electronic devices like laptops, smartphones, and tablets. From toasters to transit systems, we are now in the age of the Internet of Things where interconnected devices and objects are fully networked and communicate data back and forth. Devices and objects learn from these data exchanges and adapt and respond to our personal needs and preferences.

From “smart” houses to “smart” cars, from cashless banking to wearable sensors that gather personal health data, new technological innovations and the Internet of Things is integrated with nearly all aspects of daily living, impacting health, home, transportation, shopping, travel and entertainment. Soon, everything with be “smart”.

What does this mean for you? This book is a guide to understanding the way soon-to-be common technologies affect your daily life and how to use these technologies for increased safety, security, convenience, and quality of life. If you are a mainstream user of technology, part of the sandwich generation, or a baby boomer trying to navigate the IoT age, this book is your roadmap.