Book People Archive

Elimination of book review sections in newspapers



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From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2007.
http://scout.wisc.edu/
June 1, 2007

Critics, authors and editors concerned over recent moves to eliminate
book review sections in nation's newspapers
Newspapers juggle book review sections in a time of change
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07128/784152-44.stm

The folly of downsizing book reviews
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-op-
connelly29apr29,1,3962449.story?coll=la-news-comment

Battle of the book reviews
http://www.calendarlive.com/books/cl-ca-bloggers13may13,0,4948424.story

CRITICAL MASS: The blog of the national book critics circle board of
directors
http://bookcriticscircle.blogspot.com/

Salman Rushdie and Stephen Colbert discuss literary criticism
http://www.comedycentral.com/motherload/player.jhtml?ml_video=86627&ml_collection=&ml_gateway=&ml_gateway_id=&ml_comedian=&ml_runtime=&ml_context=show&ml_origin_url=%2Fmotherload%2Findex.jhtml%3Fml_video%3D86627&ml_playlist=&lnk=&is_large=true

Help Protect Atlanta's Book Review
http://www.petitiononline.com/atl2007/petition.html

Over the past few years, newspapers around the country have been eliminating
or downsizing their book review sections.  Newspapers from the Los Angeles
Times to the Chicago Tribune to the most recent Atlanta Journal Constitution
have slowly removed their book editor position.  Some, such as the San
Francisco Chronicle folded their book review section into another part of
the newspaper but after strong community protests it was restored.  Although
San Francisco Chronicle readers have their beloved Book Review Section back,
it has been cut in half to make room for advertising.  Newspapers who have
made cuts cite reasons such as the lack of readership due to the growing
popularity of online reviews, but book critics and authors both worry about
the trend. The Washington Post and the New York Times have increased their
coverage of book reviews in order to provide more content for those loosing
their book review sections, but overall the trend is to remove or
drastically downsize the book review section of newspapers.  Over the past
month, the National Book Critics Circle has launched a campaign to save book
reviews.  They began a blog, Critical Mass, which posts comments from
writers, book editors, critics, newspaper editors and owners. It might seem
odd that authors would be concerned about the demise of their fiercest
critics, but book critics play an important role in the world of books.
Critics are known for finding hidden treasures by unknown authors, books
that may go unnoticed by the book reading public.  While well-known authors
need book critics less than their unknown colleagues, most note the
importance of critics early in their career.  John Updike, in his rules for
book reviewing observed the important relationship between reviewer and
public: "The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the
presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations
should curve toward that end."  [CMH]

The first link will take users to a piece in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
about the recent changes by newspaper's book review sections.  The second
link will take users to an Opinion piece in the Los Angeles times by author
Michael Connelly criticizing the downsizing of book reviews.  The third link
leads to another piece in the LA Times, discussing the pros and cons of
print versus online book reviews.  The fourth link leads to the National
Book Critics Circle's new blog, Critical Mass, which includes interesting
posts by critics, authors, editors and more.  The fifth link will whisk
users to a short video of Salman Rushdie's recent visit to the Colbert
Report to discuss the recent moves by newspapers to downsize book reviews
and explain why critics aren't necessarily the enemies of authors. The last
link leads to an online petition that contains more than 5,000 signatures
(including Rushdie and Norman Mailer).  The petition asks that the Atlanta
Journal Constitution restore its book section. Anyone may sign and show
their support, and they may also peruse the names of those who have already
signed to search for the many influential authors who are concerned with
this recent trend. [CMH]