Yeshiva's newest publication, the Yeshiva University Book Review, is gearing up for the release of its inaugural issue this semester. "We're very excited to begin this project," remarked the review's co-editor, Steven I. Weiss. Added co-editor Keren Sussman, "this publication should contribute to a distinguished academic community here at YU."

The Book Review will consist largely of book reviews, but the staff anticipates adding features and reviews of other media to the mix. Notes Sussman, "I'm really looking forward to publishing some of my scholarship of early Islamic movements, and I know that Steve anticipates putting together some cultural studies work; plus, Shmuli Singer's been writing a lot on aesthetic theory of late."

Weiss has lofty expectations for his niche publication. "We expect to be funded entirely by advertising, making us one of a select group of truly independent publications. As such, we hope to reach a point where we can compensate authors, even if it's only a token amount. Many current students - both undergraduate and graduate - have expressed significant interest in writing for us."

The chief incentive for participating writers is the free books that they receive. "We've ordered more than fifty books for review in our first two issues, and each one could belong to some aspiring academic."

Expecting the review to be a quarterly, the staff hopes to publish its first issue by the end of the current semester. "If we can get the publishers to deliver copies soon enough, we'll have quite the fine inaugural issue."