A Newspaper Tries A New Books Strategy

Editors at the Raleigh News & Observer have revamped their books section, and so far, the paper’s editors report, the response from readers has been positive. There are “plans to broaden the books pages to appeal to a larger range of readers by reviewing more kinds of books. To that end, [editor Marcy Smith] has lined up a dozen writers to do regular columns on ‘niche’ genres: among others, children’s and young adult books, food, poetry, race, women’s issues, science fiction and mysteries. Previously, Smith said, the books pages were more of a ‘books-based approach. This is more of a reader-based approach. It will be the big important books, but a wider range, all of the books people are reading’.”