l a times book reviews

l a times book reviews

The Evolution of Book Reviews in the Los Angeles Times

1. Introduction to Book Reviews in Journalism

The evolution of the types of book reviews that have appeared on Los Angeles Times pages has not greatly diverged from book reviewing in American journalism, but the variations that have occurred over this near-century of book notes does help to suggest some persistent – and some changing – patterns in the inked dimensions of the Los Angeles City and its surrounding communities. Although the framework, scope, and form of book-review columns have fluctuated markedly down through the years, their shared functions probably have been constant. These columns popularize reading; celebrate the diversity and perpetuity of American letters; inform people of what is and what is not being written about their sphere; introduce the public to those who write books about themselves; provide a platform for their writers’ various slants on their subjects; help the public evaluate legitimate book-length contributions to the issues of their day; and perhaps significantly, often catch the public fancy – in favor of or against – new insights, prejudices, authors, or trends.

Books have been an integral part of Los Angeles journalism for its most enduring readers. As writing, of course, they have served to record what passes in a bewildering world. They encapsulate one of Los Angeles’ more lasting and prominent communities, from the boom that accompanied the Southern Pacific Railroad, almost from the day it can coax Americans around the horn and into a new promised land, on up to the more recent space-progress era. Hollywood, the movies, the film colony, and the radio form still much of Los Angeles’ external identity, and books and stories published about them over the years underscore most eras. Not many local elements of the “New Southland” have failed to appear and reappear in print, binding countless thousands of readers with ties of common interest, common pride, or common incredulity.

2. Historical Overview of Book Reviews in the Los Angeles Times

The research was able to show that book coverage had deep roots at the publication, and both managing and executive editors confirmed the importance publishers placed on inclusion in the newspaper. This importance is evidenced by a review of staff employment records and the hiring of a book editor within the first year of its being published. Newspaper historians, however, are hesitant to go back more than 10 to 50 years with these observations, and no collection or booklet specifically documents the book reviewing staff and institution through the years because such ventures are considered to be non-official and unessential in the business and production of a daily newspaper.

The following highlights the principal events and changes in book review sections in the Los Angeles Times since it began publication in 1881. Despite the paucity of historical data and archival records, the newspaper does retain most of its issues, albeit in non-indexed and inaccessible form. Consequently, it is more difficult to describe and analyze notable contributors, specific trends, or societal influences. The paper has additionally published short interviews and compiled 40-year anniversary columns of some of the book reviewing staff that provided some historical insights not available elsewhere. The research was able to show that book coverage had deep roots at the publication, and both managing and executive editors confirmed the importance publishers placed on inclusion in the newspaper.

3. Impact of Digital Media on Book Reviews

In the rapidly-changing pool of resources, smart local newspapers are creating digital and print products, monitoring user reactions, and using feedback for continuous improvement. They are not afraid to quietly retreat from a particular initiative that does not work, or stick with a different approach because “it’s what we’ve always done.” There continues to be a bloodletting among review staff due to buyout opportunities and attrition. The practice of having harried junior staffers edit book review sections is a clear indication that many editors are unaware of the significance of a newspaper’s long-term credibility as a trust agent for readers thankful that the paper acts as a kind of guardian curator over the world’s reading.

Print book reviews have not fared well in the increasingly tight economics of the newspaper industry. Historically, they were a significant revenue component for large urban dailies, but they are now a financial loser. When newspapers across the country began to sense the economic challenges posed by the web in the 1990s, online initiatives sprang up. Most newspaper organizations decided on the separate web entity as the vehicle for growth, so review staff created online lists, databases, live chats, blogs, video interviews, and podcasts. An Integrated Model implies active, ongoing participation of the review editor in the web project. Success is much more likely when the print editor and the web editor work closely to create a unified staff approach to all review pieces, emphasizing a “publish once, repurpose many” philosophy and finding ways to include the readers in the process.

4. The Role of Book Reviews in Shaping Literary Culture

As free marketing, some entities actively court a favorable position in these reviews through providing an advanced copy of the manuscript along with marketing strategies, rather than focusing their efforts on creating a high-quality product. The power of this marketing is seen in the enormous levels of dissatisfaction associated with critics and readers when a book is reviewed favorably, then negated by the flood of negativity seen upon the book’s release.

According to Joan DeJean, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and University of Pennsylvania professor, today’s existence and growth of book reviews and bestseller lists is like weather vanes, marking the public’s fascination with the domestic. Inside every art exhibit, theater, and film, there is a small and fascinating house. However, when people write about these venues, they are influenced by their preference to observe the art through the reflective glass of a living room.

The Book Review is a critique, one view of any given work. The critique holds the reader’s attention when the author has made the information compelling, and the reviewer has been especially eager to share their negative or positive impression.

Currently, book reviews are the most practical mechanism for communicating the existence of a piece of work to a mass audience. This is because artists are not allowed the luxury of a wide variety of distribution channels for their products, and publicists generally do not generate interest that extends beyond a defined niche. Although a wide range of bloggers have gained large audiences and influence in the creation of bestseller lists, the traditional media companies holistically utilize the strength of TV to develop a product’s exposure. Hence, the perception of achieving mainstream success is to have a title reviewed by the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, or a similar entity with a mass distribution channel.

5. Future Trends and Innovations in Book Reviews

For the future of books, and therefore book reviews, I look to the writing that surrounds and enhances our human instincts and needs in the world of ideas, the human impulse to solve the riddles of our existence, or at least to explore and understand them for their unique strangeness. Fiction and nonfiction books provide the literary poetry and essays that deepen the rich, useful symphony of life. I see no reason for pessimism about the future of that, and at least I know that the book review editor at the Los Angeles Times wants to be a part of that future.

It is difficult to predict future trends in the world of book reviewing. There is a chance for book reviews written on the fly, using new technology such as online blogging and podcasts. I would love to see readers’ enthusiasm for book reviews used in new and innovative ways. Evolving book review delivery systems might become segmented in new ways as newer generations divide and subdivide their interests. I would expect further erosion at most newspapers, as professional book reviewers are packed off to journalism programs or done away with altogether. As the world of ideas becomes more packaged by publishers into broader categories and broader outlets, book reviews might also decrease in number, evolving into longer, analytical pieces piggybacking on interviews or poignant, event-driven memoirs. But who am I to say? All I have is a video iPod.