Print media dropping book reviews is, to my way of thinking, wrong headed.They do not make money, true, but neither does the sports or wedding sections. I suspect that this decision is based on the fact that readership is dropping. The generation M(edia) culture has adopted the screen mentality, i.e. cell phones, text messages, IM, Youtube, my space, etc., it's not a good thing but it's the way it is. I suppose newspapers have recognized that fact and are bailing on literature. We'll see.

Sara -- I think (despite my admitted foray into inarticulateness, a place I'm going to try to avoid in the future!) I won. Yeah, of course I'd say that. Last week, Wasserman et al issued a "sky is falling" letter to the press about the Los Angeles Times Book Review. It was received pretty much as you'd expect -- some coverage, a lot of shrugging. This week, however, we're finally getting thoughtful discussion, on my site (booksquare.com) and across the web, about the future of book reviews, the role of newspapers in book coverage, and, yes, the fact while some bloggers bloviate, a whole lot of good writing about books is happening online (including active participation by Steve Wasserman). The Golden Age of newspaper book coverage -- if it every really existed -- is over, but the Renaissance of book discussion is happening online, in face-to-face discussions, and in print. If you love books, then this has to be nothing but good.

Hi, Kassia -- I agree, and have written on PW and elsewhere, that the Web interest in books has been explosive and for the most part, good, and good for books. I'm so aware of it that the debate makes me tired. The whole notion that there can only be one kind of criticism is wrong headed. There's deep, where does this fit in the cultural landscape? kind of criticism, and then there's I want to read this on the train reviews. Anything that convinces people to read and steers them in the direction of a bookstore, virtual or otherwise, is fine with me. ps I thought you were good on PBS. I thought they were putting you in a defensive position, and you handled it well.

I think the world has room for all kinds of reviews. Reviews are just opinions---some are good and some are not. However, I always appreciate ever review I receive. Gale Laure, Author of "Evolution of a Sad Woman"