As the National Book Critics Circle continues its campaign to save book reviewing, better news comes from England, where the Bookseller reports the Financial Times is set to expand its books section from eight to thirteen pages.
According to books editor Rosie Blau, the expanded section will introduced new elements, including “How to Judge a Book by its Cover”, where a designer explains a book cover each week; “Small Talk”, a weekly Q&A with an author; “Book Doctor”, in which Blau replies to readers’ problems with references from literature; “Once Upon a Time”, where an author reminisces about a favourite children’s book; “What They’re Reading In . . .”, a weekly list of bestselling books from different categories; and a weekly poem. The section will also include more author profiles and reviews, including début fiction, audiobooks, children’s books, paperbacks and coffee-table books. The “Books Essay” feature will continue as before.
Would that other publications follow suit, but it must be noted that the FT likely has more leeway by being a financially-minded publication – one where advertisers still like to appear…