Lumping two events together so as not to be a complete commercial for either. The HarperCollins Book Buzz consisted of a panel of HarperCollins marketing people talking about upcoming HC titles (including The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson, galleys of which they distributed at the event). They also mentioned several readers’ advisory-type blogs (all quotes below are taken from the respective sites’ About pages):

NetGalley is a “connection point for book publishers, reviewers, media, librarians, booksellers, bloggers and educators…Professional readers–reviewers, media, journalists, bloggers, librarians, booksellers and educators–can join and use NetGalley at no cost.”

EarlyWord is “a Blog and Web site on a mission — to give libraries the earliest information possible on the books their customers will be looking for, so they can stay ahead of demand. By giving readers what they want, when they want it, we believe libraries can increase their circulation and their support.”

The Book Report Network (BookReporter) provides “thoughtful book reviews, compelling features, in-depth author profiles and interviews, excerpts of the hottest new releases, literary games and contests, and more every week.”

And now for something completely different…(except in that it is a book, or more accurately several volumes)…

“In Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking, Nathan Myhrvold, Chris Young, and Maxime Bilet—scientists, inven­tors, and accom­plished cooks in their own right—have cre­ated a six-volume 2,400-page set that reveals science-inspired tech­niques for prepar­ing food that ranges from the oth­er­worldly to the sub­lime. ”

Maxime Bilet himself was at the What’s Cooking at ALA? stage, demystifying Modernist Cuisine. I have actually had the opportunity to browse through it, and was completely overwhelmed, but Bilet helpfully pointed out that recipes for superior macaroni & cheese and caramelized carrot soup can be found in Vol. 3, and that recipes for beurre blanc, pistachio gelato, and chocolate mousse can be found in Vol. 4.

And for those who are wary of “modernist,” scientific cooking, Bilet says, “Cooking relies on science…Healthful cooking is flavorful cooking.” Another helpful tip: you can oxidize wine in a blender.

Now you know.

I may have left this one off the list originally because it wasn’t one I had planned to go to. However, it was a really interesting panel: authors Lauren Myracle, Jonathan Stroud, Dan Gutman, and author/editor David Levithan. Of these, I had only heard of David Levithan previously (he wrote The Lover’s Dictionary, which I thought was unique and poetic and just generally wonderful. Read it!) He has also, it turns out, written a whole bunch of young adult (YA) novels, and has edited over 300 YA series books, including many of the Babysitters’ Club books. (“I was the 19-year-old male reading The Babysitters’ Club on the subway…with a highlighter.”)

One explanation for the popularity of series books among teens, Levithan said, was “the love of story, the love of wanting to know what happens next, wanting the story to continue.” When kids – and adults, I would contest – find a book they like, they want more of it. However, speaking as an author rather than as an editor, Levithan said that sometimes, “There’s a reason I ended the book there – the story’s over.”

Other bits of wisdom from the panel:

Lauren Myracle: “Middle school is painful. Writing is painful. But writing about middle school…surprisingly cathartic!”

“Every book must be a game-changer.” I forget who said this – Stroud or Gutman, I think – but they were emphasizing the need for something to happen in each book in the series that caused the character to grow. The story may have its arc, but each book must have an arc of its own as well as be part of the larger story.

Jonathan Stroud talked about the importance of building a brand, which is easier with series books than with stand-alone novels.

Lauren Myracle: “Series are born in different ways.” Sometimes a story might be conceived as a series from the beginning; other times reader response might prompt a second book, and then a third.

Though there may not be the proliferation of series fiction for adults as there is for the YA group, adults are likely – speaking solely from experience here and not from any particular data – to develop loyalty to certain authors. The characters may not be the same from book to book, but one can have confidence in the quality of writing, character, and story.