Noteworthy News – July 11, 2009

July 11, 2009

It has been awhile since I posted one of these…but since I have bookmarked a ton of stuff, I thought it was time I get to this post!

Bookish News:

Book Club Hustlers like Josh Henkin (author of Matrimony) are using the power of the Internet and the draw of book clubs to successfully market their books. Phoning or emailing book clubs and using Skype as a way to be present at their meetings, has met with mostly positive responses. Other authors who work the book clubs are: Chris Bohjalian, Adriana Trigiani, Laura Dave, Khaled Hosseini, Robert Alexander, Dara Horn, and Julia Glass. To read more about this new marketing wave, visit The Daily Beast.

RIF is one of my favorite reading related organizations. They have been very successful at promoting literacy for children, and so when I got an email last month asking if I would spread the word about their latest fundraising effort, I decided to do just that. In cooperation with Macy’s, RIF is running their Book A Brighter Future program which runs from July 1 – August 31, 2009.

From July 1 through August 31, Macy’s customers can give $3 and receive a coupon for $10 off a $50 in-store purchase at any Macy’s nationwide. Macy’s will give 100% of every $3 to RIF. For every $3 gift, $1 will support local RIF programs near the Macy’s store; $1 will support RIF’s Multicultural Literacy Campaign; and $1 will help RIF’s ongoing efforts to provide reading resources to millions of underserved children across the country. Macy’s has already helped RIF provide over 3 million books to 1.2 million kids and has donated 750 hardcover multicultural book collections to schools, Head Start centers, and libraries in every state and U.S. territory.

Want to see the impact RIF is having on YOUR community? Visit this interactive map.

Want to avoid the worst library books? Check out Awful Library Books blog – a blog devoted to sharing the worst books found on your library shelves.

Other News:

Individuals with Autism are apparently up to 40% faster than others in solving problems. This one didn’t really surprise me. I’ve worked closely with children with Autism – their communication deficits often hide their true gifts. Studies like this one (a joint study by Université de Montréal and Harvard University and published in the journal Human Brain Mapping) are especially important for educators.

Sometimes 8 year olds have better insight than adults. When Charlotte Jones wrote a letter to the Guardian complaining about their content, the editors invited her to spend a day at the office. She apparently had “a brilliant time” there…and maybe the paper will be a bit more interesting from now on.

That’s it from the newsroom – have you found any noteworthy news lately?