I spent a couple of days hunting down a cogent summary of this deplorable trend, but here you go, for a weekend read. From Art Winslow on the blog site "The Huffington Post."
In the new book burning we don't burn books, we burn discussion of them instead. I am referring to the ongoing collapse of book review sections at American newspapers, which has accelerated in recent months, an intellectual brownout in progress that is beginning to look like a rolling blackout instead... read the rest of this post and please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below
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On a brighter note, LEO, our lodestar for local cultural and societal responsibility, just added a monthly books section, sponsored strongly by fellow independent bookseller Carmichael's, the 27-year survivors of the metro bloodbath of suburban sprawl.
The Tribune in fits and starts, keeps promising to launch a books section, but Mr. Tucker seems distracted from any number of promised projects like a regular books section and election-year editorial endorsements.
As disappointed as I am with the C-J's paltry attempts at books coverage, it would be indeed a loss to the metro community if they and their Gannett corporate bosses tossed their Saturday books page over the gunwales. "Books" editor Keith Runyon would be safe, in any case, as his real job is as the editorial page editor.
Can someone please identify the last time Mr. Runyon reviewed a book in the pages of the C-J?
Despite fear of being compared to a certain Republican in Democrat(ic) clothing, I'll risk commenting and responding to myself here...
Yes, I do have restored broadband service at home again, thanks to Becky and Kay at AT&T. So perhaps we can resume a little bit more regular schedule and live up to our blog title.
Some of us still remember Shirley Williams as Book Editor at the C-J before the implosion of Bingham ownership. Ms. Williams, a native of Eastern KY, was a lover of all things literate & evocative of local color.
As in the article, books are now part of Saturday Opinions, but much of the regional flavor may be gone.
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