The book reviewing community is such a generous and kind community. I am proud to have been part of it for over 12 years.
How does Jen Ryland Reviews Give Back to the Book Community?
- I am always happy to serve as a mentor to new and aspiring book bloggers
- I donate many of the books I receive for review to teachers and libraries at underfunded schools, children’s hospitals, and little free libraries. I am also a volunteer at my community book drive.
- I am committed to supporting writers of color, who are very underrepresented in the Mystery and Thriller genre. To this end:
- I maintain a list of Black Owned Bookstores
- A list of Mysteries and Thrillers by AAPI Authors
- And a list of Mysteries and Thrillers by Latinx and Hispanic Authors.
- I also participating in the 23 for 23 Challenge: we pledge to read at least 23 books by authors from underrepresented groups in the publishing industry. I’m not sure if it went on past 2023, but I’m doing it on my own! I succeeded in 2024!
- To support small independent bookstores during the pandemic, I held FIVE Save Small Businesses Giveaways that gave away gift cards to small businesses and donations to a charity of the winner’s choice, including Bernie’s Book Bank.
- In honor of my dear bookish friend and colleague Grace Rebele, a treasured member of our book blogging community who died from metastatic breast cancer in 2019 at the age of 36, I donate to Metavivor, a charity special to Grace.
If you have other suggestions of ways I can support our community, please email me at jen@jenryland.com