Booklist offers special content for National Reading Group Month, Great Group Reads

Booklist, the American Library Association’s premier review source for public libraries and schools, has been selected once again to collaborate with the Women’s National Book Association’s October National Reading Group Month (NRGM), including the special Great Group Reads initiative that highlights select, recommended titles.

National Reading Group Month celebrates shared reading by promoting reading groups. “Month in and month out, thousands of groups nationwide gather to discuss the latest and to revisit older titles,” observed NRGM Chair, Jill Tardiff. “Great Group Reads” are a key element of National Reading Group Month, with 21 titles selected in 2016 for their appeal to reading groups by a panel of writers, reviewers, librarians, booksellers, publicists, and committed readers. The chosen titles cover timely and provocative topics and include underrepresented gems from independent presses and lesser-known mid-list releases from larger houses.

“Great Group Reads is always a natural partnership for us, since its goals reflect so perfectly what Booklist does for librarians and readers all year long—recommend books and offer resources that help librarians and readers select the titles most likely to lead to thought-provoking and entertaining discussions,” said Bill Ott, Booklist’s Editor and Publisher. “Like an issue of Booklist, the Great Group reads list helps libraries by focusing attention on titles sure to engage readers, without expecting library staff to read every title themselves.”

Content in the Book Groups section of The Booklist Reader offers a one-stop resource with original content by expert contributors as well as links to a wide range of free book group–related guides and tips. It includes informative, wise, witty, and salutary posts by expert contributors from around the country, plus links to a wide range of free book group–related guides, tips and other resources. “This online destination for reading groups is ideal for National Reading Group Month,” said Tardiff. “We are delighted to partner with ALA’s Booklist and to make the blog a visible part of the program.”

Booklist is again making its reviews of Great Group Reads titles available free to non-subscribers at Booklist Online, and in October, its Great Reads page will be devoted to these titles. Booklist Online and the Booklist Reader are vibrant resources for book groups throughout the year, with wide-ranging free content including blogs, e-newsletters, and featured reviews of the day.

Visit National Reading Group Month to learn more about the program. Special events featuring reading-group favorite authors are planned nationwide in the Association’s 12 chapter cities, with partners from libraries and all areas of the book industry supporting the initiative.

Booklist is the general-interest book review magazine of the American Library Association, considered an essential collection development and readers’ advisory tool by librarians for more than 100 years. Booklist Online includes a growing archive of 170,000+ reviews available to subscribers and, with The Booklist Reader, offers a wealth of free content including the latest news and views on books and media. Booklist subscriptions offer essential integrated print and online access for the most efficient and effective workflow, including four issues of Book Links.

National Reading Group Month is an initiative of the Women’s National Book Association, founded in 1917 and thought to be the oldest continuously running women’s literary organization in the USA. It provides a vehicle through which members can act on their professional and personal commitment to champion the book and to stimulate the increased tolerance, social awareness, and civic involvement associated with reading.