The End of Books Coverage at the Washington Post
In April 2023, fresh from my PhD in philosophy, I joined the Washington Post's newly revived books section as a nonfiction critic. The experience was eye-opening. My academic background in aesthetics and German philosophy had isolated me from other disciplines, and even encounters with classicists or Cartesian thinkers felt like transgressions. But the Post's environment was far more interdisciplinary. On my first day, I found myself next to the Food section, where I overheard discussions about cooking techniques, from scrambling eggs to salting pasta water. It was a revelation to realize that these topics were not only relevant but also sparked interest in others.
I believe that some of the Post's previous readers, who may have been drawn to Book World for its literary reviews, shared this newfound curiosity. Perhaps they hadn't expected to be captivated by a book review while reading about politics or sports. They might not have actively sought literary criticism, but they found it engaging and relatable. Their subscription to a general-interest newspaper led them to discover and appreciate the books section.
During my three years at the Post, I received mail from diverse individuals, including doctors, teachers, prisoners, and even Ralph Nader, all responding to my reviews of books on masculinity, philosophy, and literature. Their letters demonstrated a rare and precious quality: a genuine interest in topics they didn't already know. They were willing to be changed and challenged.
However, the Post's approach to books coverage is changing. The paper has eliminated Book World and laid off most of its books staff, focusing instead on opinion pieces and other sections. The Associated Press and The Times Book Review are the only remaining dedicated newspaper books sections. This shift reflects a broader trend in the media landscape.
Newspapers, unlike specialized literary magazines or blogs, have a unique role. They aim to cater to a broad audience, providing an encyclopedic overview of various subjects. This approach challenges readers' existing tastes and encourages them to explore new ideas. It's a maximalist and somewhat uncompromising mission, one that seeks to create a certain kind of public.
Despite the challenges, newspapers can still succeed in cultivating a diverse readership. The San Francisco Chronicle's decision to axe its stand-alone books section faced a backlash, proving that book reviews are popular and valuable. The Post's Book World had a dedicated readership, and its traffic increased even as other sections stagnated. However, the current owner, Jeff Bezos, has prioritized profit over reader engagement, leading to a decline in subscribers.
The issue lies in the shift from readers to consumers. Bezos's logic, as he explained, is to cater to existing tastes and preferences. However, this approach limits the potential for growth and change. True reading involves being open to new ideas and being willing to be altered or challenged. It's a reminder that the role of a newspaper is to be more than just an algorithm, to be a bastion of enlightened generalism in an era of hyperspecialization and personalized marketing.
In the end, the Post's decision to eliminate books coverage is a loss for readers and the public. It's a reminder that the role of a newspaper is to challenge and surprise, to create a certain kind of public, and to provide a platform for diverse voices and ideas.
