Kirkus Dead: RIP Intellectual Habitat?

Kirkus Review, one the most prestigious book reviewers in the US, has been given the pink slip today. Kirkus, along with Editor and Publisher, has been axed by their owner Nielson, the New York Times reported this AM: http://bit.ly/6SDxfo. Nielson has apparently decided to sell off or otherwise rid itself of its Jurassic print media.

One reader, identified as bluewombat, said, “this is horrifying -- further evidence of the disappearance of a free and independent press in the United States…More and more, important intellectual habitat is disappearing. This is positively creepy.”

Kirkus negative reviews could be devastating, but a positive one could make a career. Now it’s all going to be about how good a review you can buy.