Newsletter 4683 Issue 4683200961814591

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June 18, 2009

June has been a big month for us in the Book Review. For the first time in decades, we changed our review format, incorporating more collection development and reader’s advisory language so that librarians can better gauge a book’s suitability for their patrons. This means no more "recommended for X libraries"—we’ll replace that phrase, criticized by many librarians as too vague, with recommendations for specific types of readers—and a Verdict subhead offsetting a nugget of evaluation. So far, the response has been mixed; some librarians are worried that we have lost our library focus or go on too long in the Verdict.

I encourage you to take a moment to consider what you think of the change via Vanessa Morris’s Word on Street Lit column and Jeanne Bogino’s zombie lit picks (she doesn’t use Verdicts because the reviews are very brief, but she nails the concept). For the record, we believe that in the long run more nuanced reviews are the best way to serve librarians—our audience. An added benefit is that our reviews are accessible to patrons.

Finally, we're over the moon to announce the relaunch of monthly Criticas book reviews, made possible with the help of Baker & Taylor. Don't forget: register today for BookSmack!—Heather McCormack, Editor (follow me on Twitter at @hmccormack and @LJBookReview)

 

• "Devour Books, Not People": A Librarian Picks the Best Zombie Lit
  Somewhere in Arizona, Stephenie Meyer is losing sleep because the dead have risen again. It’s no surprise—sociopolitical unrest has been a motif of zombie lit and cinema since George Romero’s seminal Night of the Living Dead. Library patrons count among the scores thirsting for zombie stories. Satiate them with horror expert Bogino's bibliography of core titles, plus her picks of the best zombie flicks. more » » » 

 

• Top Ten Holds from Jacksonville Public Library (FL)
  Behind every best seller you're likely to find a library hold. See what patrons are lining up to read at Jacksonville Public Library (FL), where the hive mind is now on the third book of the Twilight series. Charlaine Harris makes her first appearance on a "Top Ten Holds" list with her ninth Sookie Stackhouse book—no doubt helped along by the popularity of HBO's True Blood'adaptation. more » » » 

 

• Staycation Recreations: Escape with Sagas, Day Trips, and Genealogy
  Think of the list below as suggestions to help you in defining your own staycation, one that doesn't depend on deep pockets but simply deepening experiences. You'll cross thresholds—maybe without leaving the house. Or maybe you'll just go as far as your local library. You take a vacation, but you make a staycation, and therein lies the fun! more » » » 

 

• 35 Going on 13: Summer Reading
  For collection development librarians, managers, and administrators, summertime is either the start of budget-planning season or the close of the fiscal year—hardly leisure time. However, in the spirit of my second great love—summer movies—I will attempt to entice you to enjoy the many pleasures this summer has in store by offering this preview-like analogy: “If you liked…you’ll love this book.” more » » » 

 

• Leftover Heroes: Romance Author Sabrina Jeffries on Red Herrings
  Author Sabrina Jeffries is completing her "School for Heiresses" series with the unraveling of a mystery that has captivated readers for five previous books. Aside from the identity of "Cousin Michael," fans of the series are no doubt wondering how Jeffries kept the series going without divulging that interesting bit of information. She writes exclusively for BookSmack! on how it all came to be. more » » » 

 

• Prepub Exploded: November 2009, Pt. 1
  "When, what do my wondering eyes should appear": lots of holiday fiction being published in November. This edition of Prepub Exploded covers November fiction (look for November nonfiction in the next edition), and while tinselly tales abound, there are fiction titles galore for everyone—including posthumous works from Vladimir Nabokov and Kurt Vonnegut. more » » » 
• Starred Reviews: June 2009
  First things first: we have to apologize for not delivering on a promise to publish prepublication editions of Starred Reviews starting in June. Print deadlines allowing in the future, we will do so. In this edition: 58 standouts, many audio achievers, like works from James Baldwin and David Ritz. Heavy-hitting social science titles on Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matthew Shepard made their mark, too. . more » » » 

 

• The Word on Street Lit No. 15
  I have been away from the column for a few months to finish up coursework at the University of Pennsylvania. Now that the work is all done, I am very happy to be able to read and recommend street lit titles to you once again. For this month, we bring you the latest from Wahida Clark and a debut from Monique hall, along with a few recently released titles that are perfect beach reads for young adults. more » » » 

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