WebJunction

I'm a sucker for anything that has to do with books. I read the professional library journals such as Library Journal, Book List and the reviews from Kirkus. And yet I often find myself browsing through catalogs or newsletters that have annotations and reviews, websites or even unabashed advertising for a publisher's promotions of upcoming titles.

Some of my favorites are:

Minnesota Womens Press - Bookwomen Magazine
Published bi-monthly this little newsletter is just chock full of book reviews and articles pertaining women and reading. I read my issue cover to cover as soon as it arrives and always find something new to read, recommend and contemplate. I just wish this were a montly publication.
http://www.womenspress.com/main.asp?SectionID=10&TM=47072.25

Chinaberry has an onliine catalog as well as great website that promotes reading for the whole family. Thoughful annotations by the founder Ann Ruethling were what drew me to this catalog initially. This catalog goes out to 3.5 million people three times a year. 3 million people know a good thing when they see it.
http://www.chinaberry.com

www.booksense.com - hundreds of independant booksellers join to promote their stores and host to the Booksense Picks, a superior list of reviews by the owner's and staffs. I can count on the booksense group to provide lots of good reading suggestions.

Please share some of your favorite resources for finding good books. I'll post again after I hear from some of you.

The library journal sites are awesome! Thanks for sharing Fishrocker.

Well, even though I seem to be talking to myself, I'll add another of my favorite resources for good books

ForeWord: Reviews of Good Books Independently Pubilshed.

www.forewordmagazine.com
ForeWord Magazine, Inc.
129 1/2 E. Front St.
Traverse City, MI 49684
ISSN 1099-2642
$40 year in US

This bimontly serial is chock full of reviews and article fromsmall presses and independents. I always find something new and exciting here. The July/August 2005 issue had a great article entitle in the ForeSight column entitled Mysteries: Murders, They Wrote: But It's Not Just the Hunt Anymore - New Mysteries go beyond the expected satisfaction of puzzling whodunits and thrilling cop chases, and offer the literary satisfactin of complex characters and significant settings. by Edward Morris.

And the Afterword column discusses why readers and witers are drawn to mysteries, an article by Kate Flora. She starts her article with this "Sooner or later, it happens to all of us mystery writers--someone will come up after a talk and say, "Your mysteries are really goo, but when are your going to write a real book?""

Here's another Reader's Catalog that I love to find in my mail or email:

Bas Bleu [Fr.,blue stocking; bas, stocking, bleu, blue]
A literary woman; a bluestocking

A member of one of our book discussion groups brought this one to share one evening when I asked for catalogs or website favorites of books. I was immediately hooked to this 10 1/2" x 6" colorful publication featuring wonderful books and gift items for readers. They accept reader reviews and I always fine something new in its pages. I have purchased not only books but some great note cards to either frame or send to my book loving friends.

website at http://www.basbleu.com/stores/1/index.cfm

Book Marks for everyone who hasn't read everything issn 1546-0657
http://bookmarksmagazine.com/


Book Marks is published bi-monthly and compiles a cross-section of reviews from many sources, capping with a critical summary for each title. The sources are not the same for each title and could be from newspapers, magazines, The New York Times or others. Monthly features include an interview with a book group, Have You Read? Readers Recommend Their Favorite Books, What One Book Expert Recommendations on a Selected Topic (recently Magic for instance) an in depth author profile, now in paperback and a lit at large, upcoming books and film worth your attention.

So what are some of your favorite book review sourcres?

Have you ever tried www.bookbrowse.com? There is a free e-newsletter option and a subscription option.

For the past year I have been reading and enjoying the reviews in "It's Books to Watch Out For!" More Books For Women. You can find sample issues of this newsletter at www.bookstowatchoutfor.com After closing Feminist Bookstore News, Carol Seajay felt there was a need to get the word out about the many great books being published. She was missing many and believed others were too due to lack of time to find them. "I wanted something easy and convenient - and comprehensive to keep me up to date. So I dreamed up the Books To Watch Out For Newsletters", states Seajay.

There are actually 3 newsletters available, More Books for Women Books for the inner feminist in us all, The Lesbian Edition Books for/by lesbians and other independent women, collected & compiled by Carol Seajay, and The Gay Men’s Edition Especially for gay men,compiled by Richard Labonte.

More Books is my favorite. There is a charge for the online or snail mail editions.

Hi Leslie,
Thanks for posting these sites. They do a nice job of covering these genres. I know I don't have anything bookmarked like this but will now. And the Garrison Keillor site is great just for the reasons you mention. Glad you are joining us for some discussion and appreciate your input.

Do you have any pictures of your displays. If so, please post to that topic. I'm always interested in the creativity of others.
Carol

Hope someone besides myself answers. I did co-chair a RA Roundtable in CT for 1 year. We did provide some neat programs, speakers, etc. but then everyone got busy, changed jobs, etc. and the group fell apart. The programs provided were well attended and feedback was positive. We had a representative from Gale come to give tips to use What do I Read Next effectively, did a class on reading a book in 5 min., had 3 libraries talk about and demo their RA webpages and got 2 speakers, Joyce Sarricks and Diana Tixier Herald. I think aiming for 3 to 4 programs or events a year is realistic. I'd like to start this group up again. Perhaps you'll inspire me. Will be on vacation for a few weeks so will not post. Encourage others in your region to join us and please do post those display pictures.

Are you willing to share the address for your website with us? Sounds like you have lots of good resources and ideas that would be helpful to the participants of this forum.
Thanks, Carol

No, I don't have any pictures, but will try to take some with our digital in the future.

I saw the previous post about displays and am going to read through it. Coming up with new ideas is challenging for me, so I was happy to see some examples on this thread of discussion..

On another note, for those interested in looking at a very intuitive readers advisory site look at whichbook.net. I haven't linked this to our RA web site because it reviews mostly British authors/titles. A fellow Librarian shared it with me..we both were impressed by it, not to mention a little envious!

I have no idea what happened but hey, better to post twice than not at all. Not to worry.

Thanks for contributing to the discussions.
Carol