The question of “to blog or not to blog” seems to weigh heavily on the minds of authors at many Book Expo sessions that have web savvy panelists. This was most evident at the panel titled "Authors and Their Online Communities: the Perils, the Opportunities and What’s Next". During the discussion with pre-eminent author-bloggers such as Markos Moulitsas, founder of Daily Kos, Cory Doctorow and John Scalzi, an author in the audience asked “What does it take to blog? It’s so exhausting!”

The BookExpo America panel on the “Evolution of In-Store Events: From In-store to Online” made me think about people who learn to snowboard in their 40s. There are those who are in decent shape, can let go of their fears and start maneuvering almost like the younger kids on the hill. And then there are those who just don’t want to strap on the board. Both of these types seemed to be in the audience listening to the presentations by a panel of the hippest booksellers who are—last use of this metaphor—screaming down the mountain when it comes to promoting books.

It's a rare but wonderful thing when a review convinces you to read a book you might otherwise never encounter, much less read. It's not that Austerity Britain is a book I would avoid. In fact, even a brief description -- a close look at post-war Britain, including the use of several diaries by everyday people -- makes it sound eminently worthy. But it's also 700 pages, and if you're like me, the to-read pile is already teetering ominously several feet above your head.

But in this month's Atlantic, Benjamin Schwarz writes a lengthy recommendation, and doesn't skimp on the praise. This is how he begins:

William Grimes has a funny piece in the New York Times today about the lengthy 1,001 Books to Read Before You Die. I'm all for lists, but this book does seem to be oddly put together. Seven Don DeLillo novels?!

And this line made me laugh: "Not only is it not necessary to read Interview With the Vampire by Anne Rice before you die, it is also probably not necessary to read it even if, like Lestat, you are never going to die."