News & Opinions

Our writers have been around books for a long time and are never shy to share their opinions…

Famous Librarian Nancy Pearl's Funny and True Rules About Reading

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Nancy Pearl, the librarian with an action figure to her name, has revised her ’50 page’ rule. First, if for some reason you’ve never heard of the book maven, here is a link to her home page. http://www.nancypearl.com/?page_id=2 What is a ’50 page rule’ and how was it revised? http://www.shelf-awareness.com/issue.html?issue=1388#m11451 If you are like me, … Read more

Sad News-Brian Jacques, Author of Redwall Series Passes Away

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I used to see his titles on the shelves all the time, and whenever I saw an illustration of what looked to me like a ferret–I would get excited. Of course, the animal was either a weasel or stoat, and unfortunately evil, but nonetheless I was happy the ferret relatives were getting press. It is … Read more

One Writer's Thoughts on e-books, and Bad News from Powell's Bookstore

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On the same page located on shelfawareness.com, a wonderful quote by an author sums up my feelings, and probably many other booklovers, to a tee. Right below this piece is the news about the big and wonderful independent bookstore in Portland OR, USA, Powells, who has had to lay off 30 workers over the past … Read more

Thanking My Lucky Stars I Was a Baby Boomer Student

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When I read something like the following article I found on Banned Books Week , I realize how darn lucky I was growing up in a world that hadn’t yet discovered political correctness, school book censorship by parents, and banned books because of outside interference. I just don’t understand parents who believe they need to shield their children … Read more

Extremely Important Info for Canadian Booksellers

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On Qull and  Quire an open letter by the CEO of Macmillan publishers regarding the bankruptcy of their Canadian distributer was posted. Booksellers should take note–it may affect their deliveries of anything shipped from this publishing house. Here’s then link: http://www.quillandquire.com/blog/index.php/2011/02/04/open-letter-from-macmillan-ceo-john-sargent-to-canadian-booksellers/