Jon Thurber named Book Review editor

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Following is a memo from Editor Russ Stanton to the newsroom:

Jon Thurber is our new Book Review editor.

In his new post, Jon will work to continue the strong coverage directed by David Ulin, who ran the section for five years and was recently named book critic. Jon will lead a team of editors and writers who will produce a broader range of reviews, features and trend stories for the daily and Sunday Calendar sections and A1. He also will oversee the lively landing page online as well as the prize-winning Jacket Copy blog.

During the last year, Jon served as managing editor, print, where he directed the daily A1 process, oversaw the successful launch of the LATExtra section and, in recent months, has been working with me on a number of strategic initiatives tied to the future of the newsroom. Asst. Managing Editor Joe Eckdahl, who has been pinch-hitting for Jon during this stretch, will oversee the A1 operation.

Before being named managing editor last July, Jon spent 11 years as obituary editor, building our coverage into some of the best in the country. He also led by example, penning more than 400 obits during his time as editor.

Jon joined The Times as a copy boy and has worked on the copy desk and as an editor in Foreign and Calendar. As Book Review Editor, Jon will report to Alice Short, Asst. Managing Editor, Features.