INTERNET GUIDE TO BOOK DISCUSSIONS AND BOOK REVIEWS Version 1.0 -- December 1993 _____________________________________________________________ Created by: Shannon Allen and Gretchen Krug sla@umich.edu rmwc@umich.edu School of Information and Library Studies The University of Michigan This guide aims to identify and facilitate access to book discussion resources on the Internet. We discovered that people evaluate books in a variety of ways on the Net, by submitting formal reviews similar to those found in print sources, and by talking informally with others on Listservs or newsgroups. There are also numerous single reviews Rfloating out there in cyberspace.S We encountered them primarily when doing Veronica searches. We did not list any of these individual reviews in our guide. Instead, we included electronic resources which could be used in a systematic way to discuss or evaluate books. While we expect this guide to be used in various ways, it may be especially helpful to librarians in public and academic settings who are seeking more information about the wide range of titles being published. Readers of all kinds may also be interested to learn that there are others who share a common interest in a particular subject area. We have deliberately chosen not to have standardized representations for the resources simply because they are so diverse. We have included as much information as we could find for each item. For some of our resources, we have also included a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), which describes the location and/or path to a resource using a standardized format, as shown below. The components of this string identify the information you need for access regardless of how you choose to get to the resource. resource type://host.domain[:port]/path/filename The URL can be used for quick access in Mosaic, a new client of WorldWideWeb. Files, gophers, WAIS, http (hypertext- linked) files can all have URLs. At this time, Usenet newsgroups cannot be accessed with URLs. Resources were identified between September and December 1993. We make no claims that this is a comprehensive list of review sources. Undoubtedly, we missed some good things. The descriptions we have provided are also based on our own impressions of and opinions about what we have found. Given the dynamic nature of the Internet environment, it is quite probable that some of these resources may change or be replaced by more current information. Our guide is a snapshot of the Internet book review and discussion resources taken at the time of its composition. We welcome any comments or suggestions for improvements. Please email us at sla@umich.edu or rmwc@umich.edu. Shannon and Gretchen * * * * * * * * * * Table of Contents Formal Reviews of Nonfiction AIDS Book Review Journal............................1.1 Bryn Mawr Classical Review..........................1.2 Bryn Mawr Medieval Review...........................1.3 Erofile (French and Italian Studies)................1.4 Law and Politics Book Review........................1.5 LINGUIST: New Book Discussion Forum................1.6 SIAM Review: Book Reviews..........................1.7 (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics) Discussion Forums for Nonfiction alt.books.technical.................................2.1 biz.books.technical.................................2.2 Discussion Forums and Reviews of General Fiction alt.books.reviews...................................3.1 LITERARY............................................3.2 rec.arts.books......................................3.3 Genre-Specific Fiction Science Fiction/Fantasy Arthurian Booklist..........................4.1 Robin Hood Booklist.........................4.2 Star Trek Novels: Year in Review...........4.3 SF-LOVERS...................................4.4 rec.arts.sf.reviews.........................4.5 Mystery DOROTHYL....................................5.1 alt.fan.holmes..............................5.2 Mystery (a mailing list)....................5.3 Romance RRA-L (Romance Readers Anonymous)...........6.1 Z-Talk (Romance Bulletin Board).............6.2 Author-Specific Discussion and Fan Groups alt.books.anne-rice.................................7.1 alt.books.deryni (Katherine KurtzUs fiction)........7.2 alt.books.isaac-asimov..............................7.3 alt.books.toffler...................................7.4 alt.fan.douglas-adams...............................7.5 alt.fan.eddings.....................................7.6 alt.fan.pern (Anne McCaffreyUs fiction).............7.7 alt.fan.piers-anthony...............................7.8 alt.fan.pratchett...................................7.9 alt.fan.tolkien.....................................7.10 alt.fan.wodehouse...................................7.11 AUSTEN-L............................................7.12 PYNCHON-L...........................................7.13 Index of Resources by Internet Formats and Tools More Internet Help.....A Brief List of Internet Books About This Guide.....A Final Word Acknowledgments * * * * * * * * * * FORMAL REVIEWS OF NONFICTION 1.1 AIDS Book Review Journal URL: gopher://gopher.psi.com:2347/7- t1%20%20?AIDS+BOOK+REVIEW+JOURNAL INTERNET: Listserv@UICVM Sub AIDSBKRV firstname lastname CONTACT(S): H. Robert Malinowsky, Editor (AIDSBKRV@UICVM) University of Illinois at Chicago Library COMMENTS: Back issues or individual reviews are available through the listserver and on the gopher. DESCRIPTION: This electronic journal provides 10 to 15 reviews per issue of new and older but noteworthy titles on AIDS, safer sex, and sexually transmitted diseases. It began in March 1993 and is published every few months. Reviews range in length but average about 150 words. This resource is geared toward all types of librarians and readers. * * * * * * * * * * 1.2 Bryn Mawr Classical Review URL: gopher://gopher.lib.Virginia.EDU:70/11/alpha/bmcr INTERNET: Listserv@cc.brynmawr.edu SUBSCRIBE BMCR-L firstname lastname CONTACT(S): Richard Hamilton, Editor (add email address) Bryn Mawr James J. OUDonnell, Editor (jod@ccat.sas.upenn.edu) University of Pennsylvania ARCHIVES: Anonymous ftp to orion.lib.Virginia.EDU COMMENTS: This is also available as a print journal. There is some overlap in coverage with Bryn Mawr Medieval Review, however you can subscribe to both without duplication. DESCRIPTION: Begun in 1990, this electronic journal contains reviews of current scholarly titles published throughout the world in classical studies - Greek and Roman history and culture. Reviewers come from a variety of academic institutions. Their assessments are quite lengthy and personal in tone, making for interesting reading compared with typical scholarly reviews. BMCR is known for its timeliness; works are reviewed within six months. An index to all the reviews is available Past reviews can be found by searching the index using keywords. * * * * * * * * * * 1.3 Bryn Mawr Medieval Review URL: gopher://orion.lib.Virginia.EDU:70/11/alpha/bmmr INTERNET: Listserv@cc.brynmawr.edu SUBSCRIBE BMMR-L firstname lastname CONTACT(S): Eugene Vance, Editor (vance@u.washington.edu) University of Washington James J. OUDonnell, Editor (jod@ccat.sas.upenn.edu) University of Pennsylvania Paul Remley, Managing Editor (bmmr@u.washington.edu) University of Washington COMMENTS: There is some overlap in coverage with Bryn Mawr Classical Review. You can subscribe to both, however, without duplication. DESCRIPTION: This electronic journal began in early 1993. It provides lengthy, timely reviews for new works in medieval studies. Reviewers come from a variety of academic institutions in the United States. Past reviews are indexed and can be searched by keywords. * * * * * * * * * * 1.4 Erofile (French and Italian studies) INTERNET: erofile@ucsbuxa.ucsb.edu Subscribe Erofile firstname lastname BITNET: erofile@ucsbuxa.bitnet Subscribe Erofile firstname lastname CONTACT(S):Send message to Internet or Bitnet address above DESCRIPTION: This listserv reviews new books on French and Italian studies. This area includes literary criticism, film studies, cultural studies, pedagogy, and software. Subscribers also comment on previously published reviews, creating an ongoing dialogue between scholars. * * * * * * * * * * 1.5 Law and Politics Book Review URL: gopher://casbah.acns.nwu.edu:70/11/Northwestern/journal INTERNET: Listserv@MIZZOU1.missouri.edu SUBSCRIBE PSRT-L firstname lastname CONTACT(S): Herbert Jacob, Editor (mzltov@nwu.edu) Northwestern University COMMENTS: This is available as a print journal too. DESCRIPTION: This electronic journal reviews new scholarly titles discussing politics and the law. Reviews are timely and lengthy (750 to 2500 words). Reviewers are professors from American colleges and universities. It is published on a monthly basis. * * * * * * * * * * 1.6 Linguist: New Book Discussion Forum INTERNET: Listserv@tamvml.tamu.edu BITNET: Listserv@tamvml subscribe linguist firstname lastname CONTACT(S): Barbara Johnson, Book Discussion Editor bcj@tamuts.tamu.edu Anthony Rodrigues Aristar, Moderator aristar@tamuts.tamu.edu Helen Dry, Moderator hdry@emunix.emich.edu ARCHIVE: Back issues are available via anonymous FTP at the University of Michigan - ftp archive.umich.edu. An index of all issues is available from the listserv. COMMENTS: Initial summary reviews of books are previewed by the book discussion editor for balance and objectivity. DESCRIPTION: This feature of Linguist began in July 1993 in an effort to stimulate interactive discussions of new scholarly works in the field of linguistics. A list of new books available for reviewing is posted periodically. List subscribers may volunteer to lead a discussion, post a substantial review of the work on the Internet and respond to questions and comments. The tone is casual. Authors are encouraged to participate as well. * * * * * * * * * * 1.7 SIAM Review: Book Reviews URL: gopher://gopher.siam.org:70/11/bookrevs/allrevs CONTACT(S): siam@siam.org DESCRIPTION: This is a collection of industrial engineering and applied math book reviews published in the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics' SIAM Review, available in print. The lengthy (1000-2000 words) reviews are contributed by college and university professors in engineering and math departments as well as practicing engineers. The titles reviewed are published by various publishers, and the reviewers are objective and thorough. * * * * * * * * * * DISCUSSION FORUMS FOR NONFICTION 2.1 alt.books.technical USENET NEWSGROUP MODERATED: no DESCRIPTION: This discussion group focuses on nonfiction technical texts. The contents vary from book reviews of new works to means of finding particular titles. The group also posts related items such as books for sale and logistical conference information. * * * * * * * * * * 2.2 biz.books.technical USENET NEWSGROUP MODERATED: yes DESCRIPTION: This commercially-oriented discussion group focuses on technical books in the area of networked environments and the computing issues associated with these rapidly changing environments. * * * * * * * * * * DISCUSSION FORUMS AND REVIEWS OF GENERAL FICTION 3.1 Literary INTERNET: LISTSERV@UCF1VM.CC.UCF.EDU BITNET: LISTSERV@UCF1VM.BITNET SUBSCRIBE LITERARY firstname lastname CONTACT(S): UCF Postmaster-- POSTMAST@UCF1VM.CC.UCF.EDU ARCHIVE: Literary is archived. To obtain the available archive files, send the following message to the listserv: INDEX LITERARY. DESCRIPTION: This high volume listserv covers literature of all sorts. The diversity of topics include commentary on new books, discussion of favorite authors, literary styles, criticism, and topics concocted by the community of RregularsS on the listserv. * * * * * * * * * * 3.2 alt.books.reviews USENET NEWSGROUP CONTACT(S): Steve Brock, creator sbrock@csn.org ARCHIVE: The reviews are archived at csn.org, login:anonymous, password: your complete e-mail address. At the ftp prompt, type cd pub/alt.books.reviews. MODERATED: no DESCRIPTION: The primary goal of this unmoderated newsgroup is to post book reviews of new texts that may interest a wide audience of readers, including librarians and teachers. The group defines a review as an evaluative commentary on a work by someone who is familiar with the work, for the purpose of helping a reader decide whether or not to read the work. The basic tenets for reviews are that they be fair and substantiated in their commentary. * * * * * * * * * * 3.3 rec.arts.books USENET NEWSGROUP CONTACT(S): Evelyn C. Leeper ecl@mtgpfs1.att.com or Evelyn.Leeper@att.com MODERATED: yes DESCRIPTION: This recreational arena for discussing books has fairly high traffic. The discussions cover a wide variety of topics, from book reviews, which are often cross- posted from other sources, to favorite book stores. The newsgroup is a Rcatch-allS sounding board for people who have particular questions or simply want to share comments with other readers. * * * * * * * * * * GENRE-SPECIFIC FICTION: SCIENCE FICTION/FANTASY 4.1 Arthurian Booklist URL: gopher://gopher.physics.utoronto.ca:70/00/FAQ/rec/books_ arthurian ANONYMOUS FTP: rtfm.mit.edu under /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/arthurian Send email to: mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with send usenet/news.answers/books/arthurian in the body of the message with subject line empty. CONTACT(S): Cindy Tittle Moore (tittle@netcom.com) DESCRIPTION: This file is a reading list of novels, poems, research/non-fiction, and selected stories related either centrally or peripherally to the legend of King Arthur and Camelot. It is organized by type of material and provides very brief characterizations on each work. * * * * * * * * * * 4.2 Robin Hood Booklist URL: gopher://gopher.physics.utoronto.ca:70/00/FAQ/rec/books_ robin-hood ANONYMOUS FTP: rtfm.mit.edu under /pub/usenet/news.answers/books/robin-hood Send email to: mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu with send usenet/news.answers/books/robin-hood in the body of the message with subject line empty. CONTACT(S): Cindy Tittle Moore (tittle@netcom.com) DESCRIPTION: A reading list relating to the Robin Hood Legend. This file provides very brief descriptions of fiction (divided chronologically into three categories), poetry, and non-fiction/research. * * * * * * * * * * 4.3 Star Trek Novels: The Year in Review URL: gopher://empire.nysernet.org:2347/7?star+trek+review CONTACT(s): Ron C. Carman rccarm00@nx19.mik.uky.edu COMMENTS: These lists rate Star Trek novels published by Pocket Books in 1988, 1989, and 1992. DESCRIPTION: Each of these annual lists contains informal comments on 10-15 novels, rating them on characterization, premise, plot development, narrative, and overall appeal with a scale from 1 (Avoid at ALL costs) to 5 (Run out and buy this NOW.) Summaries provide a basic idea of the story line and the authorUs personal views concerning the worthiness of the work. * * * * * * * * * * 4.4 SF-LOVERS INTERNET: SF-LOVERS@RUTGERS.EDU SUBSCRIBE SF-LOVERS First and Last Name to SF-LOVERS-REQUEST@RUTGERS.EDU. Contact(s): Saul Jaffe Moderator of SF-LOVERS Digest sf-lovers-request@rutgers.edu ARCHIVE: SF-LOVERS is archived on the UNIX machine GANDALF.RUTGERS.EDU (128.6.7.26). The archives are available via anonymous FTP, BITFTP, and the SF- LOVERS FTP Mail Server. For help with these methods, send email to sf-lovers-ftp@gandalf.rutgers.edu. DESCRIPTION: SF-LOVERS is a high volume digest that covers many topics, all related to science fiction and fantasy. The range of science fiction media that are discussed includes print, television, and film. Much to its credit, the digest indicates how many remarks are included on a given topic, giving the reader a sense of the length and also the popularity of a particular title or series. The reviews typically discuss authorial intent, characterization and plot. * * * * * * * * * * 4.5 rec.arts.sf.reviews USENET NEWSGROUP CONTACT(S): Dan Tl Danehy-Oakes, moderator djdaneh@pbhyc.pacbell.com ARCHIVE: The contents are archived from June 1991. The files are available via ftp from net.bio.net (134.172.3.69) in the directory misc/sf-reviews. The file name is archive YY.Q, indicating the year and quarter of the review. The current quarterUs contents are in the file simply named archive. MODERATED: yes DESCRIPTION: This moderated forum provides reviews of materials relating to science fiction, fantasy, horror, and occasionally, comics. These materials may include books, short stories, movies, albums, magazines, or artwork. Television series episodes are not reviewed. Some examples of topics may be critical works about creators of science fiction or the fictional works themselves. By the groupUs definition, a review is an evaluative commentary on a work by someone who has experienced the work in order to help those who have not experienced the work to make an informed choice as to whether or not to do so. All contributions to the group must add new commentary on an item. This is not the place for conversational rebuttals. * * * * * * * * * * GENRE-SPECIFIC FICTION: MYSTERY 5.1 DOROTHYL INTERNET: LISTSERV@KENTVM.KENT.EDU BITNET: LISTSERV@KENTVM SUBSCRIBE DOROTHYL firstname lastname CONTACT(S): Kara L. Robinson, Coordinator krobinso@kentvm.kent.edu or krobinso@kentvm Diane Kovacs, Technical editor and founder dkovacs@kentvm.kent.edu or dkovacs@kentvm ARCHIVE: DOROTHYL is archived. To find out what is on the fileserver send the following message to the listserv: INDEX DOROTHYL f=mail. MODERATED: yes DESCRIPTION: This discussion forum for mystery readers was initiated in July 1991 by a group of librarians. In the spirit of being mysterious, many participants on the listserv adopt the name of a favorite mystery character. The topics on the listserv may include such things as announcements of forthcoming books, book reviews, commentary, mystery events, and electronic mystery events of their own invention. * * * * * * * * * * 5.2 alt.fan.holmes USENET NEWSGROUP CONTACT(S): Chuck Lavazzi clavazzi@nyx.cs.du.edu MODERATED: no DESCRIPTION: This group is devoted to discussing the numerous Sherlock Holmes novels written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and others. Readers can share their views on Holmes and Watson, and recount famous quotes and plot twists. * * * * * * * * * * 5.3 Mystery (a mailing list) INTERNET: mystery@introl.com Subscribe to mystery at mystery-request@introl.com CONTACT(S): Thomas Krueger, Moderator tjk@introl.introl.com COMMENTS: Old address was csd4.csd.uwm.edu MODERATED: yes DESCRIPTION: The moderator describes this list as a Rmail reflector.S Basically, everybody gets everybody elseUs postings. The topics include mystery and detective books movies, television, etc. The moderator emphasizes that this list is low volume. Lurking is discouraged--they want participation! * * * * * * * * * * GENRE-SPECIFIC FICTION: ROMANCE 6.1 RRA-L INTERNET: Listserv@KENTVM.KENT.EDU BITNET: Listserv@KENTVM CONTACT(S): Leslie M. Haas, Moderator lhaas@kentvm.kent.edu or lhaas@kentvm Jeanne M. Langendorfer, Moderator jlangend@kentvm.kent.edu or jlangend@kentvm Kara L. Robinson, Moderator krobinso@kentvm.kent.edu or krobinso@kentvm ARCHIVE: The last 6 months is available from the LISTSERV. MODERATED: yes DESCRIPTION: RRA-L stands for Romance Readers Anonymous. Participants on this list mainly discuss current and forthcoming romance fiction (including books, plays, and films.) Other subjects discussed include great bookstores and how romances are viewed by society. Some authors participate on this list as well. The climate is friendly and openly supportive of fellow romance readers.The volume on this listserv averages 15 to 20 postings per day. * * * * * * * * * * 6.2 Z-Talk BULLETIN BOARD SERVICE PROVIDER: Zebra Books MODEM CONNECTION: (212) 545-1120 COST: $60/year for 24-hour access 7 days a week CONTACT(S): Send questions to Sandra Hubbard, Z-Talk c/o Zebra Books 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 DESCRIPTION: Recently mentioned in Romantic Times Magazine, this fee-based service offers romance fans and writers an electronic forum in which share new works and favorite reads. Reviews of new romances from Romantic Times will be available too. Stay tuned - this service may be on the Internet soon! * * * * * * * * * * AUTHOR-SPECIFIC DISCUSSION AND FAN GROUPS Author-specific newsgroups and listservs are both numerous and diverse. The discussion format of these groups has decidedly contributed to their popularity. Readers are able to share insights with each other, allowing for conversation across geographic boundaries. Coverage may include discussions of the authorUs theories, book signings, announcements of forthcoming books, anecdotal details about the author, questions about critical works on that particular author, and of course, characterization, plot, and themes of the original works. The volume on these groups varies according to the scope of that authorUs following. What follows is a list of some of the author-specific newsgroups that are available.Alt stands for alternative, and these newsgroups are unmoderated. 7.1 alt.books.anne-rice 7.2 alt.books.deryni (Katherine KurtzUs fiction) 7.3 alt.books.isaac-asimov 7.4 alt.books.toffler 7.5 alt.fan.douglas-adams 7.6 alt.fan.eddings 7.7 alt.fan.pern (Anne McCaffreyUs fiction) 7.8 alt.fan.piers-anthony 7.9 alt.fan.pratchett 7.10 alt.fan.tolkien 7.11 alt.fan.wodehouse 7.12 AUSTEN-L INTERNET: LISTSERV@VM1.MCGILL.CA BITNET: LISTSERV@MCGILL1.BITNET SUBSCRIBE AUSTEN-L firstname lastname CONTACT(S): Dr. Jacqueline Reid-Walsh, moderator Department of English, McGill University ARCHIVE: AUSTEN-L is archived. To receive a list of the available archive files, send the following message to the listserv: INDEX AUSTEN-L. MODERATED: yes DESCRIPTION: This moderated listserv discusses the works of Jane Austen and her contemporaries. Readers RreviewS the works of Austen in the sense of providing commentary and criticism in light of their modern interpretation. The exchange of ideas tends to have a more scholarly tone, given the nature of the subject. * * * * * * * * * * 7.13 PYNCHON-L INTERNET: PYNCHON-L@SFU.CA TO SUBSCRIBE: send a message to the coordinator, giving your name and email address CONTACT(S): Jody Gilbert, coordinator gilbert@sfu.ca MODERATED: yes DESCRIPTION: A discussion list specifically on the topic of Thomas Pynchon and his contemporary novels and short stories. * * * * * * * * * * Index of Resources by Internet Format Bulletin Boards Z-Talk..............................................6.2 Electronic Journals AIDS Book Review Journal............................1.1 Bryn Mawr Classical Review..........................1.2 Bryn Mawr Medieval Review...........................1.3 Erofile (French and Italian studies)...............1.4 Law and Politics Book Review........................1.5 LINGUIST: New Book Discussion Forum.................1.6 SIAM Review: Book Reviews...........................1.7 (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics) FTP-Accessible Resources Arthurian Booklist..................................4.2 Bryn Mawr Classical Review..........................1.2 rec.arts.sf.reviews.................................4.6 Robinhood Booklist..................................4.3 Gopher Accessible Resources AIDS Book Review Journal............................1.1 Star Trek Novels: Year in Review....................4.4 Bryn Mawr Classical Review..........................1.2 Bryn Mawr Medieval Review...........................1.3 Law and Politics Review.............................1.5 Listservs AUSTEN-L............................................7.12 DOROTHYL............................................5.1 LITERARY............................................3.2 Mystery (a mailing list)............................5.3 PYNCHON-L...........................................7.13 RRA-L (Romance Readers Anonymous)...................6.1 SF-LOVERS...........................................4.1 Usenet Newsgroups alt.books.anne-rice.................................7.1 alt.books.deryni (Katherine KurtzUs fiction)........7.2 alt.books.isaac.asimov..............................7.3 alt.books.reviews...................................3.1 alt.books.technical.................................2.1 alt.books.toffler...................................7.4 alt.fan.douglas-adams...............................7.5 alt.fan.eddings.....................................7.6 alt.fan.holmes......................................5.2 alt.fan.pern (Anne McCaffreyUs fiction).............7.7 alt.fan.piers-anthony...............................7.8 alt.fan.pratchett...................................7.9 alt.fan.tolkien.....................................7.10 alt.fan.wodehouse...................................7.11 biz.books.technical.................................2.2 rec.arts.books......................................3.3 rec.arts.sf.reviews.................................4.6 * * * * * * * * * * More Internet Help.....A Brief List of Internet Books In the course of describing these Internet resources, we have often referred to tools and means of acquiring files. A complete explanation of these Internet tools is beyond the scope of this guide. We have chosen to include, however, a list of books that have been published about the Internet and related topics. These books do not come with a personal recommendation, although we expect that they provide much more in depth explanation and examples than we could ever hope to provide. Admittedly, the number of new Internet books appearing on the market is growing at a phenomenal rate, but these texts may act as a current starting place for Internet education and exploration. We used Ed KrolUs book, The Whole Internet, to get started with our exploration. Happy hunting! The Whole Internet: UserUs Guide & Catalog by Ed Krol ISBN: 1-56592-025-2 The HitchHikerUs Guide to the Internet by Que Development Group Staff ISBN: 1-56529-353-3 Inside Internet by New Riders Editors ISBN: 1-56205-192-X The Internet Guide for New Users ISBN: 0-07-016510-6 hc by Daniel P. Dern ISBN: 0-07-016511-4 pb Internet Mailing Lists, 1993 Ed. by International SRI Staff ISBN: 0-13-327941-3 Internet: Getting Started by International SRI Staff ISBN: 0-13-327933-2 Navigating the Internet by Richard Smith ISBN: 0-672-30362-0 Exploring the Internet: A Technical Travelogue by Carl Malamud ISBN: 0-13-296898-3 The Internet Companion: A BeginnerUs Guide to Global Networking by Tracy LaQuey ISBN: 0-201-62224-6 The Internet Message: Closing the Book with Electronic Mail by Rose T. Marshall ISBN: 0-13-092941-7 Zen & the Art of the Internet by Brendan P. Kehoe ISBN: 0-13-010778-6 * * * * * * * * * * About This Guide.....A Final Word The Internet Guide to Book Discussions and Book Reviews is part of the ongoing Internet Resources Discovery Project at the School of Information and Library Studies. This project enables students to explore in depth the Internet resources in a subject area of their choosing. They, in turn, consolidate their work into descriptive documents which are accessible to the Internet community. How to get additional copies of this guide: Our guide is housed in the Clearinghouse for Subject- Oriented Internet Resource Guides. Here are several ways of accessing it. anonymous FTP: host: una.hh.lib.umich.edu path: /inetdirsstacks file name: adultread:allenkrug gopher: via U Minnesota list of gophers menu: North America/USA/Michigan WWW/Mosaic: gopher://una.hh.lib.umich.edu/11/inetdirs Gopher .link file: Name=Clearinghouse for Subject-Oriented Internet Resource Guides (UMich) Type=1 Port=70 Path=1/inetdirs host=una.hh.lib.umich.edu Within Gopher, a WAIS index is available for searching the full texts of these guides. We encourage you to download this guide onto your local system and customize it according to your own needs. The guide can be made more dynamic by accessing it through a word-processing program which lets you search for occurrences of relevant keywords within the body of the document. We would appreciate it if you would give credit to us if you pass this guide along to others. Tools and Methods Used for Compiling this Guide: We began this project by subscribing to newsgroups and listservs, monitoring them for a while, and then posting requests for information. The suggestions we received guided us in our next steps, and provided us with lots of useful resources. We also made use of the following Internet tools. Some proved to be more useful than others. At times they did not work or were inaccessible. Patience and perseverance were key to this project. Veronica: Searching gopher directory titles and gopherspace with Veronica identified relevant resources. Keywords included: "book review" and "book discussion," as well as various types of fiction words (fiction, mystery, literary, etc.) combined with the terms "review" or "discussion." Archie: We attempted to search archie to locate FTP sites with book reviews. We discovered that archieUs primitive searching capabilities yielded long lists of documents that were often irrelevant. Gopher, WAIS, and WorldWideWeb: These searching and navigational aids helped us in our exploration. Each tool has unique qualities, such as hierarchical structures, rankings of hits, and hypertextual context that lend a different perspective on retrieval of Internet resources. Although these navigational modes did not yield any substantive book review/discussion sites, they were nonetheless helpful in our exploration. Mosaic: We found that using Mosaic, an innovative WWW client, gave us access to all of the above Internet tools from one starting point. Its hypertext links created a user- friendly interface and also enabled us to reach many resources without knowing addresses and access paths. Using ArchiePlex (a hypertext-linked Archie tool) helped us search FTP sites with slightly better luck. Mosaic is an exciting and powerful way to delve into the Internet. Future plans for this guide: We will both be finishing our MILS degrees this December with uncertain plans for the immediate future. We do not anticipate being able to maintain this guide. If anyone would be interested in continuing our work, please let us know! You would be providing a valuable service to the growing Internet community. Our email addresses (through December 1993) are: sla@.umich.edu and rmwc@umich.edu. * * * * * * * * * * Acknowledgments: We would like to jointly thank Lou Rosenfeld and Joe Janes doctoral student and Assistant Professor, respectively, at the University of MichiganUs School of Information and Library Studies for their searching tips and words of encouragement throughout the project. Margaret Taylor, faculty member of the School of Information and Library Studies and advisor to this endeavor, helped us judge the relevance of the resources we found. Her knowledge of collection development and reader's advisory services guided us in deciding how to structure the guide and describe its resources. We also received many good leads on where to look and what to include from people on the Internet. Thanks for the positive feedback! It made the whole experience much more manageable.