91´«Ã½

George Kendall will join Booklist on June 10th, 2019 as its new Editor and Publisher. George has more than 20 years’ experience with a variety of publishers, including an extensive background in content strategy, digital innovation, web development, and team leadership. He has most recently been Director of Publications and Digital Content with the American Society of Anesthesiologists, where he oversaw improved reader engagement and significantly increased revenue and profit margins through enhancements to multiple print products, new online-only publications and other digital products, collaboration across the association, and operational cost control.

George also brings licensing expertise—now a critical part of the Booklist revenue stream—from his role as licensing manager at the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Other positions he’s held have included responsibility for business development, marketing, advertising sales, production, subscription fulfillment, and communications.

Before embarking on his publishing career, George earned an MA with Distinction in Literary Studies from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, where he studied with J.M. Coetzee, winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Literature. He wrote a thesis on Mythology as Medicine in Native American Literature, focusing on the healing power of storytelling, and in his spare time played French horn in the Cape Town Symphony Orchestra. He earlier graduated Magna cum laude with a BA with Honors in English Literature from the University of Maryland at Baltimore County.

Bill Ott, Booklist’s previous Editor and Publisher, retired April 26th after 39 years with the publication.

Special thanks to the selection committee: Mark Cummings (Editor/Publisher, CHOICE, 91´«Ã½); Erin Downey Howerton (Booklist Advisory Board Chair and Youth Services Manager, Wichita Public Library); Dan Hoppe (AED Human Resources, 91´«Ã½); Brian Kenney (Director, White Plains Public Library, former member 91´«Ã½ Publishing Committee); Mary Mackay (AED Publishing, 91´«Ã½); Denise Moritz (Director, Financial Reporting and Compliance, 91´«Ã½); Sanhita SinhaRoy (Editor/Publisher, American Libraries, 91´«Ã½); and Aimee Strittmatter (Executive Director, Association for Library Service to Children, 91´«Ã½).

Booklist is the book review magazine of the 91´«Ã½, considered an essential collection development and readers' advisory tool by thousands of librarians for more than 100 years. includes a growing archive of 200,000+ reviews available to subscribers as well as a wealth of free content offering the latest news and views on books and media.

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