Friday, April 25, 2014

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodnight to the B&N Book Clubs



This sign has been a non-stop part of my life for many, many years and it's with a tear stained keyboard I give you my goodbye letter to a community that made me the bookish person I am today.

As of May 1st 2014 the B&N Book Club Community will no longer exist.
Saying Goodbye and Fair Well to a Huge part of my reading life is hard and even knowing it was coming doesn't make it any easier. But lets go back to where it all started way back when the internet was just a baby back to Barnes & Noble University when the, then Giant force in the reading experience started a unique and groundbreaking internet only site where readers could come and take free on-line classes. This site progressed to the one so many readers, authors, publishers, bloggers, etc., know and loved for the many years that followed, the book club forum communities.

I had the honor of being a small part of this; first as a reader looking for ideas and other like-minded people to commune with. Then as a moderator for the Fiction General Discussion book club forum. This foray into the unknown for me was the best thing to ever happen to this reader, reviewer, blogger, it led me to e-meet and meet in person so many others in the community from readers and authors and publishers alike. It solidified my passion for reading by giving me an exclusive place to share that passion with others who were just as passionate as I was.

Unfortunately all good things must come to an end and the B&N on-line community is no exception. Its been one year this month that B&N let go all of their moderators in the companys effort to promote their new on-line device, the B&N book blog. Its not the same, theres no sense of community any longer but I hope they'll flourish in their attempt to keep an on-line presence going. There were some moderators who meagerly attempted to stay in touch and some like Becke Davis, the moderator of the Mystery forum who will go down with the ship.

Im going to miss the camaraderie of the many members through the years, some who have moved on and some who continue to comment and post whats going on in their reading lives and their lives in general.

I know that Barnes & Noble is having really difficult financial issues and I sincerely hope that this sight will not be leaving the landscape like the community is leaving the ethereal one.




So goodbye B&N forums its been great!

This is the note from B&N to their community members:
"Important Message from Barnes and Noble

Since 1997, you’ve been coming to BarnesandNoble.com to discuss everything from Stephen King to writing to Harry Potter. You’ve made our site more than a place to discover your next book: you’ve made it a community. But like all things internet, BN.com is growing and changing. On May 1, we’re saying goodbye to our community message boards—but that doesn’t mean we won’t still be a place for adventurous readers to connect and discover.
Now, you can explore the most exciting new titles (and remember the classics) at the Barnes & Noble Book Blog. Check out conversations with authors like Jeff VanderMeer and Gary Shteyngart at the B&N Review, and browse write-ups of the best in literary fiction. Come to our Facebook page to weigh in on what it means to be a book nerd. Browse digital deals on the NOOK blog, tweet about books with us,or self-publish your latest novella with NOOK Press. And for those of you looking for support for your NOOK, the NOOK Support Forums will still be here.
We will continue to provide you with books that make you turn pages well past midnight, discover new worlds, and reunite with old friends. And we hope that you’ll continue to tell us how you’re doing, what you’re reading, and what books mean to you."



14 comments:

  1. Debbie, even though I posted a personal not on you FB page, I want to let you know how very much your work and leadership has influenced those around you.
    Your friendship, both on and off the board have and will continue to be a highlight of Mt literary life. I will deeply miss our coffee klatches and off topic chatches, but most of all those fabulous month long book read with the authors.
    Thanks to you and the Fiction General Discussion board, I now have wonderful friends of like literary interests and loves all over the world.
    Thank you also for the foresight of opening this blog and continuing to work at trying to do the occasional read. I know they are difficult in this venue, but I HAVE enjoyed every one that I HAVE BEEN able to participate in. Keep up the good work. You are a great force and presence in the fiction genre on the web.
    Thanks to B&NYour BFFKaren

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    1. Thank you Karen ;) it's a bittersweet goodbye indeed, an end of an era if you will.
      There will be more reads just looking for the right book to bring :)
      xoxo

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  2. Wow. I feel for you. It must be hard to be part of something for so long and see it gone. It must be bittersweet. Your post was really touching! :) Your blog is wonderful!

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    1. Aw Isabelle, thanks. It is bittersweet but I knew it was coming, but i'm who I am because of my experience there.
      Thanks for the compliment :)

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  3. I'm going to miss it, but it hasn't been the same for years. When Jon left it seemed the company never really cared after that. I'm glad that I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people like you and Becke.

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    1. Thanks Ryan, Me Too and in meeting we now have a way to stay in touch!

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  4. Aw I'm sorry to hear that happened. It would be hard to lose an outlet like that after so many years. :(

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  5. I loved my time spent in the book clubs and was really sad when they closed. It was much more intimate then GR

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    1. It was Kim, in fact I think we met there :)
      it was unique

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  6. Good morning, Deb. I was sorry to see the book clubs go, now I'm more saddened to see the entire community gone. As sad as it all makes me, I'm glad we've had a chance to get to know each other and I intend to keep in touch, as always. The end of the B&N Community isn't the end of our reading lives, although it is the end of an era, perhaps, with opportunities to enjoy the remote company of like minded folks. Let's hope new opportunities will open.
    Elaine

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    1. I'm so grateful I've met you, literally, and everyone else e-wise. It's been a great ride and yes lets keep it going
      Thanks so much Elaine and it was super meeting your daughter last time you were in town too!

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  7. I'm saddened by the decision to close the B&N Community, it will be greatly missed. I am grateful for all the wonderful reads I was able to participate in and for the fantastic people I was able to meet. Thanks Deb for all the hard work you put in. You have introduced me to many great books and authors over the years. While we have to say good-bye to the forums, I'm so glad to be following your blog and to be able to stay in touch with you.

    -April

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    1. Thanks April. I'm so grateful for yours and everyone's support. It is a sad time

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