The online book world just got a little more fun thanks to the launch of Booklandia.tv. This site is a bit of a social experiment and a bit of classroom project as the videos are produced by 20 University of Oregon journalism students.
Booklandia.tv launched in April 2015 and has 23 videos posted so far and all of them focus on books, authors and readers. The site seems to be going for a more social-share vibe rather than straight up journalism. I think there may only be one or two videos over two minutes in length. So it’s definitely designed to snack on and share.
I can already tell that one of my favorite segments will #JudgeItByTheCover bit where they stop a passerby and ask them what they think the book is about based solely on the front cover. It’s pretty fun.
There is also the What’s on Your Nightstand, where they chat with folks out on the street, Q&A’s with authors and even a kids segment called Kid’s Corner. The “About” tab says they have a partnership with Powell’s, but I can’t figure out exactly.
Heads up book people! Apple is promoting a new Featured Collection this week – Book Lovers. Their curated list of has 29 book podcasts listed. A handful are radio or tv-related book podcasts, but the others all seem very interesting as well.
I have no idea how to link to an iTunes Featured Collection. If you know how please clue me in! I can link to a specific podcast, but not to the collections.
Just log in to iTunes, on the computer or iOS and scroll down until you see this:
It will take you the list. I have no idea how long this book podcast list for Book Lovers has been up there or how much longer it’ll be up. I’ve listened to nine of these before and am excited to see what these others are all about. Let me know if you know of the 29 to be better than the rest and I’ll start there.
Penguin Random House has joined forces with a few other companies to found the National Readathon Day event. Mark your calendar for January 25, 2015, if you’d like to participate. The hashtag is #timetoread.
The event is a fundraiser with aims to raise money to combat illiteracy as well as shine a spotlight on the fact that younger folks are turning away from books. You can click through and get more details on how to participate and even info on how to set up your own reading party for the National Readathon Day.
But even if you don’t get to participate, if you are reading these words, I would like to encourage you to volunteer at an adult literacy program in your area. Somehow I’m always surprised when reading the stats on literacy in America. The National Readathon page states that:
40% of American adults are at or below basic reading levels
14% of American adults are completely illiterate
Here in Birmingham, AL you can check out the Literacy Council over on 2nd Avenue North. They do a really good job and offer training classes for tutors and volunteers. The schedules are good too. There is a small cost involved for materials so make sure you read up on everything.
What is it about sitting back and watching all the books go ’round? I also have to say that the whole “shelve your books by color” contingent is bolstered – it really works when the rainbow of book spines are moving along to the beat.
Creative people are cool. Creative book people are +1 beyond that though.
It’s been fun skimming through the videos. They also have a direct YouTube page and are @BooklandiaTV on Twitter as well.
