ALA: 2008 January 22
CHICAGO - Why do we need to talk about books? According to Book Group Buzz blogger Nick DiMartino, "Unfortunately we're far from divine readers. We have short attention spans. We have limited knowledge. We're easily distracted. We miss details. And sometimes we miss the whole point. Occasionally half a dozen smart, committed readers banding together into a book group can correct that."
Addressing the growing interest expressed by librarians, book group participants, publishers, authors and general readers in what's going on in (and around) book groups for adults and youth, Booklist Online has launched a one-stop resource, Book Group Buzz at http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com. This blog is the newest online gathering place for anyone involved with, or interested in, book groups.
Several regular expert contributors, recruited from around the country by Booklist Online's managing editor-and contributing blogger-Mary Ellen Quinn, offer informative, wise, witty and salutary posts, as well as links to a wide range of free book group-related guides, tips and other resources. The contributors are Amanda Blau, Children's Services Program Coordinator, and Heather Booth, Literature and Audio Services Librarian (for YA and adult fiction), for the Downers Grove Public Library; Kaite Mediatore Stover, Booklist "She Reads" columnist and Head of Readers' Services for Kansas City Public Library; Misha Stone, Readers' Advisory Librarian at Seattle Public Library; and Nick DiMartino, author, playwright, avid book group leader, blogger and bookseller at University of Washington Bookstore in Seattle.
"We were looking for a group of bloggers who could address book group needs from a variety of perspectives and experience," said Quinn, also Booklist's Reference Books Bulletin editor and a regular contributor to American Libraries magazine. "We look forward to seeing this become the go-to resource for book groups, especially as the blog's readers add their own insights.
"In addition to general information about best author sites, how to select fiction and nonfiction books for discussion and reading guides, topics already touched on include parent-child book groups; graphic novels; the book about the book about the book; some books that bombed; the Martha Stewart School of Entertaining Arts; and best uses of masking tape when discussing a controversial book.
As Booklist Online senior editor Keir Graff posted in his own popular book reviewer's blog, Likely Stories, "What people kept telling us was that what they really wanted were resources to help them with their in-person book groups. And, by golly, that's what we intend to give them."
Booklist is the book review magazine of the American Library Association, considered an essential collection development and readers advisory tool by thousands of librarians for more than 100 years. Booklist Online, launched in 2006, includes more than 120,000 reviews as well as a free Web site offering the latest news and views on books and media.
http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/january2008/bookblog08.htm
