I'll tell you - leave the computer behind for a few days, and hundreds of posts pile up in the reader. But I found digging out to be a good excuse to also spend some time weeding out inactive feeds. Anyway, here are a few highlights from the Kidlitosphere of late:
Terry Doherty just published this month's roundup of new resources for literacy and reading at The Reading Tub. This monthly series is an offshoot of the weekly Children's Literacy Roundups that Terry and I do together, one that Terry has largely taken responsibility for. This month, she focuses on several resources related to literacy and reading, including a new service for recording books for your kids.
MotherReader has provided a FAQ for the upcoming 2010 Comment Challenge (co-hosted with Lee Wind, and which I previously described here). You can sign up tomorrow (Friday) with either MotherReader or Lee Wind.
This weekend is also Bloggiesta, hosted by Natasha from Maw Books. As MotherReader put it, "It’s a chance to spend some time improving your blog, catching up on your reviews, and taming your Google Reader." I don't know that I'll be formally participating in this one, since I've been catching up on my blog quite a bit this week already (and because I really MUST do some reading this weekend). But I'll be there in spirit.
The deadline is approaching to submit titles for the ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Awards. You can find more information at the ForeWord website. "ForeWord Magazine’s Book of the Year Awards were established to bring increased attention to librarians and booksellers of the literary and graphic achievements of independent publishers and their authors."
It's also time to submit titles for Betsy Bird's Top 100 Children's Fiction Chapter Books poll at A Fuse #8 Production. This is a follow-on to the previous Top 100 Picture Books list that Betsy compiled. Readers have until January 31st, 2010 to submit their top 10 middle grade fiction titles of all time (NOT just 2009 titles). No early readers, no young adult books. This poll is focused squarely on middle grade fiction. You can find more details here. There's also a young adult poll brewing at Diane Chen's School Library Journal blog, Practically Paradise. Diane says "These are the titles that appeal to teens including young adult novels, nonfiction, and picture books for teens (ages 13-19)".
John Green has an interesting article in School Library Journal about the future of reading. It's quite long, but well worth the time to read. For instance, in regards to the future of book distribution, he says: "Just this: if, in the future, most books are sold either online or in big box stores like Costco and Wal-Mart, you (librarians) will become even more important to American literature. How you choose to build your collection, whom you buy from, and how you discover the works you want to share with your patrons will shape what Americans—whether or not they ever visit libraries—will read and how they will read it." And "There’s no question ... that librarians are to thank for the astonishing growth of YA fiction over the last decade." Oh, just read the whole thing. I found this link at The Miss Rumphius Effect.
As previously mentioned, the Cybils shortlists are now available, and the Cybils judges (myself included) are reading away. For those in need of more reading suggestions, however, Cybils Deputy Editor Sarah Stevenson has a compilation of recommended reading lists from Cybils panelists. She notes that they are "not predictions, DEFINITELY not hints, and probably not prophecies, but certainly a great source of reading material if your TBR pile is getting low." Now, this is not a problem I ever expect to have again in my life. But still, they're nice lists. Elaine Magliaro also has a roundup of some more "official" best-of lists at Wild Rose Reader. And Sherry Early has a roundup of reader-submitted year-end booklists at Semicolon, 138 and counting. And last, but definitely not least, Betsy Bird has a scaled back version of her must-read Golden Fuse Awards (including such helpful categories as Best Swag of the Year).
Speaking of the Cybils, in response to the previously mentioned discussions about lack of diversity in the Cybils shortlists (more a symptom of a larger issue than any criticism of the panelists themselves), Colleen Mondor calls upon readers to demand diversity in publishing. She says: "We have to make this a big deal. No more holding a diversity challenge and thinking that is enough. No more having an event where we look at books by POC or with diverse protagonists. No more making diversity something we look at on special days or for special reasons." See also Doret's take at TheHappyNappyBookseller. What do you all think?
On a lighter note, Laini Taylor today described a Reader's Retreat in New Hampshire, organized by Elizabeth MacCrellish, that sounds (and looks - she has photos) wonderful. Here's the gist: "Reading reading reading, a juicy stack of wonderful books, and taking breaks for yummy meals prepared for you, in the company of other lovely kindred spirits who have also been living inside books all day?" This event, a Squam Arts Workshops (SAW) session scheduled for September 1-5, sounds amazing to me. Perhaps someday...
Quick hits:
- The Readergirlz spotlight title of the month is The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart. Little Willow has all the details.
- Last week's Poetry Friday roundup was at A Year of Reading. Tomorrow's is scheduled for The Miss Rumphius Effect. This week's Nonfiction Monday roundup was at Picture Book of the Day. Next week's will be at All About Children's Books.
- If you're looking for weighty topics to post about, check out Liz B's "terribly important to post about list" at Tea Cozy. I look forward to reading her eventual posts on all of these topics.
- Jules has a simply mind-boggling 2009 retrospective post at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.
- At Everyday Reading, Janssen shares her techniques for fitting reading time into her regular life. There are some additional suggestions from readers in the comments, too. I agree with Janssen and commenters that audiobooks are a great way to eke out some extra reading time. I listen while I'm cooking, folding laundry, and when I'm driving anywhere.
- And if that's not enough linkage for you, Betsy Bird has a huge new edition of Fusenews at A Fuse #8 Production. Really, it's well worth a look.
The reader's retreat is so tempting. I would *love* that.
Jenny
Posted by: Jenny Moss | January 07, 2010 at 05:07 PM
I would love that too, Jenny. Someday...
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 07, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Somehow I missed Jules "simply mind-boggling 2009 retrospective post at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast" on December 30...thanks for giving it a shout out, not one to miss!
Posted by: Ant GiGi | January 07, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Whoops, forgot to change name from Ant GiGi which is what I am known to my great niece and great nephew as to my Rasco from RIF name in last posting!
Posted by: Rasco from RIF | January 07, 2010 at 06:28 PM
No worries, Carol. You can comment under whatever name you like. Glad you liked Jules' post. Pretty impressive, for sure.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 07, 2010 at 06:48 PM
I'm stopping by to say hello and thank you for compiling these links, as one quickly gets overwhelmed. I just read Colleen Mondor's post and thought, yes, this should be a truth that's self-evident. I especially want more variety in SFF to the point where "diversity" becomes a non-issue, simply because there's so much of it.
Posted by: Saints and Spinners | January 08, 2010 at 08:17 AM
Thanks for taking time to comment, Farida! I'd like diversity to become a non-issue, too. And I agree that SFF has a long way to go.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 08, 2010 at 10:16 AM
I feel like Bloggiesta is everyday for me--there's always something new that needs to be added or updated. I'm with you though, Jen--time for some reading! :)
Posted by: Lori Calabrese | January 08, 2010 at 06:59 PM
Fantastic roundup of links as always! I, too, looked covetously and enviously at Laini's reading retreat.
Thanks for the link to the John Green article. It was really interesting to see a writer addressing librarians, in particular, about the future of books and the nature of publishing.
Also, thanks for the Cybils blog plug. :)
Posted by: aquafortis | January 08, 2010 at 07:21 PM
I don't need google reader. I can just come here.
Jen - Will you be reviewing the Cybil finalist now? Or must we wait until after the winner is announced to read your review?
Posted by: Doret | January 08, 2010 at 08:44 PM
Oh so much good stuff. Thanks, Jen, for helping me with time management. :)
The Reader's Retreat sounds heavenly. I was sick for a few days during the holidays, and I felt a little guilty for *enjoying* the stuck-in-bed time---I read and read and read while my hubby took care of the children. Ahh...
Posted by: Melissa Wiley | January 08, 2010 at 09:07 PM
I enjoyed the John Greene artilce in SLJ.
Posted by: jone | January 09, 2010 at 06:38 AM
I always love your posts, Jen. So much information compiled in one easy to access space. Thank you!
I especially enjoyed reading about a Reading retreat...now there's a novel (no pun intended) idea.
Posted by: Robin Gaphni | January 09, 2010 at 08:33 AM
I know what you mean, Lori. Sometimes the irony of the fact that my book blog keeps me from having time to read is quite striking.
Sarah, I'm not surprised that you were envious of Laini's writing retreat. Maybe someday we'll find one out on this coast (I'm envisioning Mendocino).
Doret, Cybils judges are asked not to post reviews during the judging period. As to whether I'll review all of the books afterward, well, we'll have to see how the schedule goes. Sorry!
Melissa, sorry you were sick, but glad you were able to turn it into a reading retreat. I very nearly stayed in bed with my book this morning actually (it's a cool, foggy day, and it just felt like the thing to do).
Jone, I liked the Green article, too. And I'm not even a librarian.
Robin, thanks so much for the feedback. Perhaps you'll be able to go on a reader's retreat one day, too.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 09, 2010 at 10:45 AM
What would I do without these round-ups of yours? I don't know how you do it, but I want you to know it is greatly appreciated!
Best of luck with the Cybils judging! I loved being on the panel this year.
Posted by: Karen | January 09, 2010 at 02:32 PM
Thanks, Karen! These roundups are a commitment, and it helps a lot when people like you tell me that you find them worthwhile.
Glad you enjoyed being on a Cybils panel this year. I have such admiration for the people on the first round panels - I just haven't been able to make that kind of time commitment so far.
Posted by: Jen Robinson | January 09, 2010 at 04:30 PM
Thank you, as always, for prepping and sharing the roundups! :)
Frankie's so awesome... You should come join the discussions at the readergirlz blog... :)
Posted by: Little Willow | January 14, 2010 at 08:04 AM