As Steve explained, the books are stickies placed in front of forum titles that are always on the same topic (or issue) and are ongoing discussions. If that isn't a thumbs-up smilie then I won't be using smilies on this site either. They just don't want to work for me. Oh, woe is me! Oh, yeah! They work!
Well, it was just today that I figured out how to use the recent posts button on top. I kept thinking "there has got to be more unread posts than this!" and of course there was. Mary, I am very challenged when it comes to technology. I can do lots of other things, and some of them quite well, so I don't feel particularly dumb, just tech challenged. I have a feeling you are this way, too. You do many things very well, but as Steve said, we get really comfortable with the old way, and don't want to change when we have to.
I was in a bad mood at first, too. This is one of my only contacts with fully functioning adults. I don't want it tampered with. But I'm adjusting, and learning new ways to do things. Hang in there, girl!