The Amazing Disappearing Book Review Section
from the who-reads-newspapers-any-more? dept
Salon takes a look at the fact that many newspapers around the country are cutting back (or cutting out) their book review sections. They blame the increasing control of newspapers by corporations focused on the dreaded “bottom line”. At first, I thought this was kind of sad, and I can see why it upsets people. Then I realized I don’t think I’ve ever read a book review section of a newspaper. Instead I use the “mob rule” method of Amazon’s reader reviews – which tend to give me a more accurate picture of whether or not I’d like a book. Other than that, the best source of good books is from friends and family, whose tastes I trust. It’s funny that the article doesn’t seem to blame the internet at all. I would think that would be a prime target.
Comments on “The Amazing Disappearing Book Review Section”
Other view
On the other hand, the book review section is the thing I always read. I also subscribe to two specialist book review magazines. The Amazon reviews are almost all useless – people just do as they are tols and say a book is wonderful if they are told it is! Just like movies.