I have to think more about the last reading and try out some of the concepts with real customers to see what I think. Hopefully there will be more articles on the Big Think and redefining RA - maybe it's enhancing RA that we should be focusing on and that's what is part of the article.
I've just copied and pasted my discussion forum remarks for now:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The article in LJ about redefining RA talks about the new terms/ways of defining what we read that Saricks has come up with and Pearl is now talking "doorways". Is there a difference in these systems or is it all terminology?
I'd need to see a longer article or hear a talk about these new concepts and terms before deciding their value. This particular article is jargon-heavy without a lot of examples. What most resonates with me right now is: Saricks sees at least four different ways to group titles: adrenaline, intellect, emotion, and landscape " I can see pacing as adrenaline - but maye you're right that these are new terms for the same concepts. I do find intellect and emotion the factors that appeal to me most. In my reading notes I'd commented on how interesting that horror and romance were both described as evoking strong emotions - although very different emotions. I've found for myself that I like learning or intellectual content and lean toward books where I can learn something - like Nevada Barr's books in various federal parks, where you can learn about a culture like F. Kellerman's Decker mysteries where you learn about the Jewish faith; that I read nonficton to learn something. Lanscape as setting is a strong appeal for me too.
I still think it's important to think of the customer and what phrasing you use to elicit any of these appeal factors - it all seems so jargony and difficult for people to answer. People don't seem to understand why it's hard for us to pick a book for them if they say they want a book just like X - they go in a store and ask for bananas or a black leather jacket so why is it hard to just ask for a book . . . I think this is partly why a lot of people read what is new, what is on a list, what is a bestseller . . . . Whose the best RA writer who has dealt with the RA Interview and the phrasing to use/practice and does the phrasing vary by genre or by gender??????? This is what i need to know to make RA work - as asked in the second quesiton below.
What are you final thoughts for making RA work? An understanding and reading in the genres is very helpful! We've had some of the genre books for years and I haven't used them enough. Using the websites and finding new ones is necessary. I've come to really depned on LibraryThing. Practice also makes faster - so I can quickly use these tools because they've become familiar - you don't want to be figuring out how LibraryThing works with a customer standing next to you.
I wonder what kind of collaboration there could be done between librarians - fiction-L is good and needed but too amorphous. Have I missed some online Read-Alike cooperative tools -- lists of Read-Alikes with annotations - OR Can't Miss/Best Bets lists for us to share.
We should treasure the Joyce Saricks, Nancy Pearls and Neal Wyatts. We've been lucky in Wisconsin to have Joyce Saricks and Nancy Pearl speak at our conferences or workshops. But what I really want to know is how they find to read everything they do!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Nonficton - Biographies, Memoirs Thoughts
It was very interesting to see how many biographies are published in a year.
There's a real mix in quality or should I say style so as not to be judgmental- the award winners to sensationalism. So you may get a NF reader like a fiction reader -- does the biography reader like something well-written -- the writing is great or does the biog. reader want a quick, light read maybe even gossipy -- almost fast-paced you could say. Same could be true of memoirs. One big difference with biographies from fiction and memoirs/autobiographies: you may have multiple titles about the same figure with different slants or views of the person; there may be "revisionist" views of presidents and others. In addition as compared to fiction , the photographs --number of photos and what they are -- informal family shots, etc. may be a factor in the selection the reader chooses when there is more than one bio on a figure. Setting is important too - some people only like to read about Americans, for example. Another difference with bios and autobios as compared to fiction is that I suspect that many biographies/autobios are not read cover to cover as a novel is even if the reader likes the bio/autobio-- some books may be prohibitively long and for other readers they may only want to skim certain aspects of the figures life. It also helps with Books on CD if the person reads his/her biography. Our copy of Pres. Bill Clinton's book on CD in which he did the reading (abridged) was much more popular than the version read by person other than Clinton.
Memoirs are spread across Dewey in our library. So, the appeal factors --wanting a memoir by a firefighter will be in one area - and as said the web catalog helps with memoirs. Memoirs are "in" now - it will be interesting to see how long that lasts.
And look how long the Glass Castle has been on bestsellers lists and reserve lists at libraries.
There's a real mix in quality or should I say style so as not to be judgmental- the award winners to sensationalism. So you may get a NF reader like a fiction reader -- does the biography reader like something well-written -- the writing is great or does the biog. reader want a quick, light read maybe even gossipy -- almost fast-paced you could say. Same could be true of memoirs. One big difference with biographies from fiction and memoirs/autobiographies: you may have multiple titles about the same figure with different slants or views of the person; there may be "revisionist" views of presidents and others. In addition as compared to fiction , the photographs --number of photos and what they are -- informal family shots, etc. may be a factor in the selection the reader chooses when there is more than one bio on a figure. Setting is important too - some people only like to read about Americans, for example. Another difference with bios and autobios as compared to fiction is that I suspect that many biographies/autobios are not read cover to cover as a novel is even if the reader likes the bio/autobio-- some books may be prohibitively long and for other readers they may only want to skim certain aspects of the figures life. It also helps with Books on CD if the person reads his/her biography. Our copy of Pres. Bill Clinton's book on CD in which he did the reading (abridged) was much more popular than the version read by person other than Clinton.
Memoirs are spread across Dewey in our library. So, the appeal factors --wanting a memoir by a firefighter will be in one area - and as said the web catalog helps with memoirs. Memoirs are "in" now - it will be interesting to see how long that lasts.
And look how long the Glass Castle has been on bestsellers lists and reserve lists at libraries.
Horror - Reading assignment Thoughts
Horror
It's interesting that Horror and Romance both share the same pre-eminent appeal - an emotional appeal --although quite different emotions. Text outlines emotional reactions as Terror, Horror, Gross-out--state of physical revulsion! Seeks to inspire fear, to frighten the reader! Don't give me a horror novel at midnight!
Author says not necessary but many people identify Horror with monsters, supernatural, vampires, hauntings, demonic possession - so is this characterization or frame?
Text says Stories typically begin with an eruption of chaotic forces into a previously ordered existence and conclude with restoration, however tentative - of that order. Seems like something similar to SF but not exactly to me.
The fact that the author sees the demographic for most readers as males from 12-30 doesn't surprise me but his discussion of why was fascinating and new to me: Horror seen as deviant and teens sometimes feel seen as deviant any way and that issues of adolescence resonate with storylines in Horror. He mentioned Carrie for example.
The number of sub-genres was interesting and I'll have to consult the text for these when I'm doing Horror RA. We have other Horror RA titles: Hooked on Horror and Read On . . . Horror Fiction. I found Hookend on Horror helpful in placing my Stephen King novel (Girl . . . Tom Gordon) in the psychological horror sub-genre.
Now I have to decide if I want to read horror at other than Halloween times. I think I'd like more of Stephen King and/or psychological horror -- I can see how psychological horror appeals to a mystery reader like me.
It's interesting that Horror and Romance both share the same pre-eminent appeal - an emotional appeal --although quite different emotions. Text outlines emotional reactions as Terror, Horror, Gross-out--state of physical revulsion! Seeks to inspire fear, to frighten the reader! Don't give me a horror novel at midnight!
Author says not necessary but many people identify Horror with monsters, supernatural, vampires, hauntings, demonic possession - so is this characterization or frame?
Text says Stories typically begin with an eruption of chaotic forces into a previously ordered existence and conclude with restoration, however tentative - of that order. Seems like something similar to SF but not exactly to me.
The fact that the author sees the demographic for most readers as males from 12-30 doesn't surprise me but his discussion of why was fascinating and new to me: Horror seen as deviant and teens sometimes feel seen as deviant any way and that issues of adolescence resonate with storylines in Horror. He mentioned Carrie for example.
The number of sub-genres was interesting and I'll have to consult the text for these when I'm doing Horror RA. We have other Horror RA titles: Hooked on Horror and Read On . . . Horror Fiction. I found Hookend on Horror helpful in placing my Stephen King novel (Girl . . . Tom Gordon) in the psychological horror sub-genre.
Now I have to decide if I want to read horror at other than Halloween times. I think I'd like more of Stephen King and/or psychological horror -- I can see how psychological horror appeals to a mystery reader like me.
RA Conversation 101 - My thoughts
I don't have much to what I wrote on the discussion forum. I will take heed of Chelton's words and think more about what she pointed out when I'm working the desk and doing RA (spot check - how am I doing?) and in training and standards for my dept. staff. I will also take a look at a book that she wrote in 2007 on RA and adult services. I emailed the WorldCat record to order for our library so I do appreciate her comments and scholarship - just don't see much of myself in her article - did she jump too quickly and create a stereotype of the lousy RA librarian or is this a warning call for us all and how the readers see us - I can say I don't describe as much the steps I'm taking or why with an RA interview as with a Reference interview or while I'm doing a Web search for someone - so that thought is useful for me to think about and revise my method to include more explanation.
Discussion forum comments from me:
Well, if this were the first reading for the class, I would have been so discouraged by Chelton's indictment or angry that these are not true.
Yes, some cases may occur and some times we are all discouraged that we don't give the best service. Here's what I'd say about my own experience and own library. Hope I don't sound too defensive but:
In our library fiction is currently located on a "popular collections" floor and the help desk is staffed primarily by library assistants. Some are 20-hr. staff and have little or no hours off-desk and are required by administration to shelve carts of books when it is quiet. So, even though these are good, caring people they are not sufficiently trained for RA work and don't read reviews or select books. I can say these things because this is part of my dept. I advocated for change and we will have a mix of librarians and LAs at our new service desk for Adult Services (RA) and Reference and move the fiction collections near us. So, perhaps the students didn't all talk to librarians or to staff who were trained in RA.
When I've worked the popular collections floor, the RA interview usually starts while I'm walking the floor to talk with readers or arranging a display. I do have a conversation with them and then head back to the computer. Usually what I'm using is NoveList or our own list of staff picks, etc. and not the OPAC. I may not explain that well enough so that people understand why I went to the computer. I have tried for years to have a separate PC for just our RA tools but our tech support person has had difficulty in preventing users from breaking through and sitting there using the PC as an Internet station. She's going to try again in 2009. Other libraries may not have these tools because of expense. My online budget has been cut substantially but I'm willing to hang onto NoveList and Next Reads.
I do agree that we need to work on interview techniques -- it can be awkward to ask and often people can't articulate very well why they liked a certain book or describe it in terms of appeal factors we try to describe. I also think for myself I could talk about why I like mysteries but if someone were helping me select, I'd be clearer about what types of mysteries I dislike or wouldn't want to try. There's also the issue of people wanting only a best-seller and they're all out and/or on reserve lists. How can you encourage the reader to try something else?
We find displays are a really good RA prop. We have quite a few - some a mix of fiction and nonfiction; some by genre; some topical, etc. It often works to take someone over there and kind of quickly "book talk" some of the titles.
The other thing I've done and encouraged staff to do is to treat the request like a reference question - meaning if I couldn't come up with a satisfactory title at that moment, I ask if the person wants to leave his/her name and phone or email and we'd send a list - with the list we might include brief reviews etc. and would let the person know what is in.
This is the kind of sharing we should do with our colleagues - what techniques work, what techniques really don't work.
We also do ask people if they've found what they needed, if they found the book - we check in returns if they haven't found it on the shelf -- we juggle multiple people -- but don't miss too many I think. If it's really busy we ask people to stop back and tell us they didn't find. Another easy way - our desk are near floor or main exit and you can see the person walk by and check their hands - sometimes I just say "great, you found the book, hope you'll enjoy it."
I've also spotted them at the Circulation desk checking out and will ask --did you find the book ok? (If I hadn't connected with them at my desk or on their way out)
So, I think we do better than the article suggested but, yes, there's a way to go and some days the RA match of customer and book is hard to do or you're unsuccessful.
Discussion forum comments from me:
Well, if this were the first reading for the class, I would have been so discouraged by Chelton's indictment or angry that these are not true.
Yes, some cases may occur and some times we are all discouraged that we don't give the best service. Here's what I'd say about my own experience and own library. Hope I don't sound too defensive but:
In our library fiction is currently located on a "popular collections" floor and the help desk is staffed primarily by library assistants. Some are 20-hr. staff and have little or no hours off-desk and are required by administration to shelve carts of books when it is quiet. So, even though these are good, caring people they are not sufficiently trained for RA work and don't read reviews or select books. I can say these things because this is part of my dept. I advocated for change and we will have a mix of librarians and LAs at our new service desk for Adult Services (RA) and Reference and move the fiction collections near us. So, perhaps the students didn't all talk to librarians or to staff who were trained in RA.
When I've worked the popular collections floor, the RA interview usually starts while I'm walking the floor to talk with readers or arranging a display. I do have a conversation with them and then head back to the computer. Usually what I'm using is NoveList or our own list of staff picks, etc. and not the OPAC. I may not explain that well enough so that people understand why I went to the computer. I have tried for years to have a separate PC for just our RA tools but our tech support person has had difficulty in preventing users from breaking through and sitting there using the PC as an Internet station. She's going to try again in 2009. Other libraries may not have these tools because of expense. My online budget has been cut substantially but I'm willing to hang onto NoveList and Next Reads.
I do agree that we need to work on interview techniques -- it can be awkward to ask and often people can't articulate very well why they liked a certain book or describe it in terms of appeal factors we try to describe. I also think for myself I could talk about why I like mysteries but if someone were helping me select, I'd be clearer about what types of mysteries I dislike or wouldn't want to try. There's also the issue of people wanting only a best-seller and they're all out and/or on reserve lists. How can you encourage the reader to try something else?
We find displays are a really good RA prop. We have quite a few - some a mix of fiction and nonfiction; some by genre; some topical, etc. It often works to take someone over there and kind of quickly "book talk" some of the titles.
The other thing I've done and encouraged staff to do is to treat the request like a reference question - meaning if I couldn't come up with a satisfactory title at that moment, I ask if the person wants to leave his/her name and phone or email and we'd send a list - with the list we might include brief reviews etc. and would let the person know what is in.
This is the kind of sharing we should do with our colleagues - what techniques work, what techniques really don't work.
We also do ask people if they've found what they needed, if they found the book - we check in returns if they haven't found it on the shelf -- we juggle multiple people -- but don't miss too many I think. If it's really busy we ask people to stop back and tell us they didn't find. Another easy way - our desk are near floor or main exit and you can see the person walk by and check their hands - sometimes I just say "great, you found the book, hope you'll enjoy it."
I've also spotted them at the Circulation desk checking out and will ask --did you find the book ok? (If I hadn't connected with them at my desk or on their way out)
So, I think we do better than the article suggested but, yes, there's a way to go and some days the RA match of customer and book is hard to do or you're unsuccessful.
Literary Fiction = Reading Assignment Thoughts
copied and pasted my comments from the discussion forum: Here's my description of the book:
Read the Plot Against America
Philip Roth, of course, qualifies under the definition of Award-winner. Among his awards are the Pulitizer, Natinal Book Award, National Book Critics Circle and PEN-faulkner awards. He's also been a finalist for these awards with other titles.
The Plot Against America asks us to consider a provocative change in US history. What if Charles Lindbergh, isolationist, anti-Jewish, perhaps "supporter" of Nazi Germany, defeated FDR for the American Presidency in 1940.?
Readers look through the eyes of young boy, Philip, part of an extended Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey. Roth mixes in Philip's viewpoint, other family member's reactions and life-changing events, what happens in the Jewish community - Roth describes an already-existing Jewish/Gentile segregation in the community -- where people worked, where they shopped, etc. that disintegrates into violence in the Lindbergh administration. And, Roth describes how the nation changed - pogroms in the U.S.
You really get to know the Roth family( yes, he uses Roth and Philip), especially Philip, who bumps up against the challenges of any growing boy while seeing the effect of fear and terror on his family and neighborhood.
I very much enjoyed the nature of the story and the writing. I would say this probably isn't as a challenging a book of literary fiction to get into as other titles I might have chosen. Stylistically, there were no challenges in reading this - no experiments with prose style, etc. So I enjoyed myslef but didn't challenge myself -- although the book might not have been complex, it was multi-layered in terms of "community" -- individual, young Philip; his family; his community; the United States. So, do I need to feel guilty . . . .or level of difficulty doesn't Have to be part of the literary fiction definition.
I chose Roth first as my author and then easily chose The Plot Against America as his title because of its storyline and an interest in history and location, having been born near Newark, New Jersey. I would recommend ths title to a reader. And maybe people hesitant about reading fiction would be intrigued by the story and not need to hear the label "literary fiction" while others interested in "literary" or serious ficiton would jump at the book (2004) because it's by Roth.
Unless people come in looking for a particular title/author or the latest book, I need to improve my reading of review sources, read more literary fiction, and find online at other sites or create within our library - a list of "can't miss" literary fiction. "Can't miss" is a phrase I heard Joyce Saricks use as list used at her library if staff were stumped or just couldn't think of a title at the time . . . I think such a list would be very helpful for literary fiction!
Here's what I discussed in the discussion forum and my remaining comments about the reading are below this forum entry:
Literary Fiction
How do you define literary fiction? I see a tie-in with the word literature. I studied literature in high school and college and was assigned to read the "classics" of literature. Won't some of the titles we describe as literary fiction become the classics from the 20th and 21st centuries? I can accept a definition of Award-winning books or Saricks' description of often character-centered, provocative, complex or multi-layered literature and the reader's enjoyment of prose or writing style. For example, I can remember reading Middlemarch in college and, even with its length, going back and re-reading sentences or paragraphs just for the beauty of the language. But, of course, I accept that there is good and bad books labeled as literary fiction (even award winners) that turn people off and cause such books to be labeled pretentious. I, too, would be turned off by affected prose such as "furious dabs of tulips stuttering" which McCrum cites. What do you think some of the code phrases/words are for a customer who really is looking for lit fic? People will ask for award winners and many are more specific - come in with a list and refer to Booker or Pulitizer, etc. just as other people come in with the latest picks in People Magazine. People have used words like "serious" fiction, academic fiction, something to keep me interested, something I can dig into. Others ask what's on the best-seller list, what's a book everyone is talking about, ask about or have a list from NPR, an author they've seen on TV, does X author have a new book out, what would be a good book to read, what would be a good choice for our book club, what good fiction is out there, etc. <> Or, people say, I spent the summer reading light fiction and I'd like something heavier/more challenging for the winter. . . . Or, I enjoyed this books so much, what is similar . . . .
Additional comments:
This seems to be a category of fiction that people will disagree about. Does it mean anything to the public if we label things literary fiction or is the label pretentious as the McCrum article suggested? And what about the label we use in our library for fiction: we use general fiction to designate what is not a genre - what does this mean to the public? And we call romance a genre in our paperback collection but not in our hardcover or books on CD collections - does tis confuse the public? And does any library shelve literary fiction separately?
I do see lists on library websites so these are helpful for RA when someone asks for a book that could be considered literary fiction.
So, I'm not sure if I'll use literary fiction as a label myself. I do know I don't read books that are generally considered literary fiction so there's a "fear factor" here in not knowing much about these books or authors. Plot Against America, which I read, was a safe choice since I really like history and think I said before was born near Newark - so I chose something within my comfort level and that was easy to read - had a plot and fairly fast-paced.
LibraryThing often has literary fiction suggestions by members for both fiction and nonfiction titles I've searched. Often, I see the phrases "best book I ever read" or "one of the best books I've ever read" or "I've read this three times"
One of the things I did during this course was pull award winners (Pulitzer, Booker, National Book Award, National Book Critics Circle Awards, Pen-Faulkner Awards ) for a display. There were some checkouts and I saw people reading the book jackets but not as high circ as other displays. One of the things I should try to do is check the circ on particular titles and authors and get a sense of which "literary fiction" authors are popular in our area. University people must be finding literary fiction at the university library so maybe that's a prime audience.
Read the Plot Against America
Philip Roth, of course, qualifies under the definition of Award-winner. Among his awards are the Pulitizer, Natinal Book Award, National Book Critics Circle and PEN-faulkner awards. He's also been a finalist for these awards with other titles.
The Plot Against America asks us to consider a provocative change in US history. What if Charles Lindbergh, isolationist, anti-Jewish, perhaps "supporter" of Nazi Germany, defeated FDR for the American Presidency in 1940.?
Readers look through the eyes of young boy, Philip, part of an extended Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey. Roth mixes in Philip's viewpoint, other family member's reactions and life-changing events, what happens in the Jewish community - Roth describes an already-existing Jewish/Gentile segregation in the community -- where people worked, where they shopped, etc. that disintegrates into violence in the Lindbergh administration. And, Roth describes how the nation changed - pogroms in the U.S.
You really get to know the Roth family( yes, he uses Roth and Philip), especially Philip, who bumps up against the challenges of any growing boy while seeing the effect of fear and terror on his family and neighborhood.
I very much enjoyed the nature of the story and the writing. I would say this probably isn't as a challenging a book of literary fiction to get into as other titles I might have chosen. Stylistically, there were no challenges in reading this - no experiments with prose style, etc. So I enjoyed myslef but didn't challenge myself -- although the book might not have been complex, it was multi-layered in terms of "community" -- individual, young Philip; his family; his community; the United States. So, do I need to feel guilty . . . .or level of difficulty doesn't Have to be part of the literary fiction definition.
I chose Roth first as my author and then easily chose The Plot Against America as his title because of its storyline and an interest in history and location, having been born near Newark, New Jersey. I would recommend ths title to a reader. And maybe people hesitant about reading fiction would be intrigued by the story and not need to hear the label "literary fiction" while others interested in "literary" or serious ficiton would jump at the book (2004) because it's by Roth.
Unless people come in looking for a particular title/author or the latest book, I need to improve my reading of review sources, read more literary fiction, and find online at other sites or create within our library - a list of "can't miss" literary fiction. "Can't miss" is a phrase I heard Joyce Saricks use as list used at her library if staff were stumped or just couldn't think of a title at the time . . . I think such a list would be very helpful for literary fiction!
Here's what I discussed in the discussion forum and my remaining comments about the reading are below this forum entry:
Literary Fiction
How do you define literary fiction? I see a tie-in with the word literature. I studied literature in high school and college and was assigned to read the "classics" of literature. Won't some of the titles we describe as literary fiction become the classics from the 20th and 21st centuries? I can accept a definition of Award-winning books or Saricks' description of often character-centered, provocative, complex or multi-layered literature and the reader's enjoyment of prose or writing style. For example, I can remember reading Middlemarch in college and, even with its length, going back and re-reading sentences or paragraphs just for the beauty of the language. But, of course, I accept that there is good and bad books labeled as literary fiction (even award winners) that turn people off and cause such books to be labeled pretentious. I, too, would be turned off by affected prose such as "furious dabs of tulips stuttering" which McCrum cites. What do you think some of the code phrases/words are for a customer who really is looking for lit fic? People will ask for award winners and many are more specific - come in with a list and refer to Booker or Pulitizer, etc. just as other people come in with the latest picks in People Magazine. People have used words like "serious" fiction, academic fiction, something to keep me interested, something I can dig into. Others ask what's on the best-seller list, what's a book everyone is talking about, ask about or have a list from NPR, an author they've seen on TV, does X author have a new book out, what would be a good book to read, what would be a good choice for our book club, what good fiction is out there, etc. <
Additional comments:
This seems to be a category of fiction that people will disagree about. Does it mean anything to the public if we label things literary fiction or is the label pretentious as the McCrum article suggested? And what about the label we use in our library for fiction: we use general fiction to designate what is not a genre - what does this mean to the public? And we call romance a genre in our paperback collection but not in our hardcover or books on CD collections - does tis confuse the public? And does any library shelve literary fiction separately?
I do see lists on library websites so these are helpful for RA when someone asks for a book that could be considered literary fiction.
So, I'm not sure if I'll use literary fiction as a label myself. I do know I don't read books that are generally considered literary fiction so there's a "fear factor" here in not knowing much about these books or authors. Plot Against America, which I read, was a safe choice since I really like history and think I said before was born near Newark - so I chose something within my comfort level and that was easy to read - had a plot and fairly fast-paced.
LibraryThing often has literary fiction suggestions by members for both fiction and nonfiction titles I've searched. Often, I see the phrases "best book I ever read" or "one of the best books I've ever read" or "I've read this three times"
One of the things I did during this course was pull award winners (Pulitzer, Booker, National Book Award, National Book Critics Circle Awards, Pen-Faulkner Awards ) for a display. There were some checkouts and I saw people reading the book jackets but not as high circ as other displays. One of the things I should try to do is check the circ on particular titles and authors and get a sense of which "literary fiction" authors are popular in our area. University people must be finding literary fiction at the university library so maybe that's a prime audience.
Graphic Novel/Manga Reading Thoughts
This is the unit - the reeadings, your intro, our discussion questions were most helpful. I have to admit to not paying any attention to graphic novels before this -& I haven't looked at manga yet!
We have a good GN/manga collection at the library but one librarian orders and organizes the collection and does most of the RA. We have arranged our GN/managa in the Teen area -- the big series are arranged by series, the other titles arranged by categories -- any adult titles would be interfiled. No use of the Dewey system.
One of the things we've seen with the series -- some series bomb -- the first few titles are checked out and then the rest just sit on the shelves. So, the librarian who orders is being cautious about adding whole series until she sees demand for volumes past the first few . . . .
I have ordered a few adult GN, such as a business title. I'm wondering how the adult will find it and will he/she stop looking if he gets to the GN section and thinks this is "just" a comic book and must not be nonfiction, must not be for me.
In the 3 titles I've read and others I want to try, I am choosing fiction based on fact or nonfiction titles. So appeal factors for me are the storyline, educational/historical value primarily but I do look to see if they've won an award or have a good review - most people won't do that I'm guessing. The other appeals are the Cover and the Artwork - AYA as an example - such beautiful, colorful artwork that you just have to start looking at this GN.
I found it interesting to see that classics are being adapted. And will mainstream authors become interested in writing GN? Haven't checked but I could see Jan Brett's work (especially the artwork) translating well into GN.
I also read in USA Today, 9/2/08 that a graphic-novel based film got a thumbs-up from 3/4 of reviewers and a box office of $134 Million - (I didn't write down the title)
And I was impressed to see that Art Spiegelman, author of Maus, won an early Pulitzer Prize.
So, I could see a way to make GN more appealing to adults but then would we need our own genre collection for adult GN - why would that be a bad idea - even if it's relatively small -- or would there be too many cross-over titles appealing to both adults and teens. Or could we create a sticker to indicate adult appeal - but who will make those judgements?
What creative ways are libraries using?
In the reading I learned that these are more than "just" comics, and can be lengthy and complex in terms of artwork and layouts. And it took me awhile to get used to reding both the text and visuals together and appreciate how they work together to tell the story.
In addition to the websites you suggested, I see that we own or have on order some graphic novel guides such as the 500 Essential Grapic Novels: The Ultimate Guide. And I did find a Boston librarian's blog in which she reviews Graphic Novels on Mondays.
Last thing - I suppose - will this be one genre without audio equivalent or are there some? I see it more likely that people will download GN/mangas.
Copied and Pasted my comments from the discussion forum: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I read Deogratias, A Tale of Rwanda by JP Stassen
This GN is based on the Rwandan tragedy (genocide) if tge 1990s. Since it's unclear how many people know the details of this tragedy, the books starts with a historical introduction, which is very helpful. The story is powerful, moving and unforgettable. Many of us may hesitate to read an entire book about genocide so the GN format provides readers with a way to more quickly learn about this historical event.
This GN has a gripping storyline, a "strong" main character and other developed characters. The artwork, in color, is very well done.
As a newbie, I foud myself reading the text only but then slowed myself down to read the text and view the art simultaneouly. Doing so, enhanced my reading experience. The text and art did indeed work well together to make the story more understandable to the reader (as suggested in our assigned reading). An excellent GN for me to start with - the story and main character will remain with me for a long time. An instance where fiction helps us learn about important events. However, I would recommend this for adults or older teens - it's a disturbing story -- I found it hard to get out of my head for many days after reading it - not for tweens or younger teens. Janice Dibble
Graphic Novels Janice Dibble
Like romance graphic novels and mangas bring to mind a stereotype of the reader and what the books contain. Did your opinion change at all with what you read?
Yes, my opinion changed. I had basically no knowledge of Graphic Novels – hadn’t read about the genre, hadn’t read a graphic novel, hadn’t read any reviews, articles, or attended any workshops. Our library has a graphic novel collection but I hadn’t had any RA exchanges with any of our readers. My impression was that they were like comics, that there was a lot of violence and mostly male teens and some male adults reading Graphic Novels. Regarding nonfiction, I had seen an article on a GN depicting Sept. 11th and a review in Business Week for a business/job hunting title. I certainly hadn't realized a nonfiction title would be called a graphic novel. I hadn't seen any romantic GNs either! The reading assignment helped me understand what a graphic novel is and importance of text and visuals and that the artwork can beautiful and intricate. The GN I read, and 2 other titles I’ve skimmed, increased my understanding, appreciation for the literary form and the artwork and variety of subject matter found in GN. There are more subjects than superheroes—which was my initial (uninformed) opinion. Graphic novels involve more then just text - what are some ways you can make yourself a more confident advisor for the readers of this genre? Think in terms of pictures and text. How much text? What is the art like?
Text and artwork: Although I can think of things to look at as listed below I still think I need to pick up and look thru many more graphic novels before I can feel a more confident advisor based on text and artwork.
To help me figure out a GN, I would look at the text to see the length of the GN itself --number of pages in the GN to maybe judge its complexity; I would look at the text bubbles to see length of the bubbles and whether the bubbles were written as phrases or sentences, to see if the bubles were written to move along the plot or as dialog, to see if the bubble text is descriptive (setting, place)
For the art work: I would look at the cover art, I would look at whether it's in color or black/white in the book, to see how detailed or elaborate it is - line drawings, block prints, or more detailed work -- color, detailed artwork, I would look to see if there were "frames" in which there was only artwork and no text and yet the story progressed; I would look to see if the drawings were more cartoon-like or more "traditional", I would look to see if people and places (setting interior and exterior) added depth to the story. Would readers pick a GN based on an illustrator they'd liked in a previous GN?
One of the hardest things about graphic novels is that the genre is so broad. You have everything from lighthearted, romantic manga to books about the holocaust and the sexual abuse of a child. What are some of the keys you can use in helping a customer?
Keys would be: has the reader read any other titles and what were they are what did he/she like about them? With specific titles I'd look to see if those are part of a series; if a specific title I'd look it up on our webcat, after creating more links and lists, I'd use our web site to help me identify titles, I'd look at some library sites with GN blogs for newer titles or look for web sites with read-alikes if there are some good lists, I might suggest some award winners or titles that were turned into movies (or movies based on a GN)-- for example, the movie Wanted with $134 M box office this year as of Sept. 2nd might be something to suggest. There are some guidebooks out there and I'd consider adding to our collection.
The key I used as a reader was the cover and book cover (insiJanicde or back cover) description of the GN.
Again, I see lots of time needed by me to practice getting used to GN subgenres and recognizing those before confidently recommending other than reviewed or award-winning GNs I know about (but these might not be what the reader wants) And, although I cited series in my above answer, I know at our library some series are very popular throughout but we've had some where first three to four titles are popular and later titles in the series are little-used.
We have a good GN/manga collection at the library but one librarian orders and organizes the collection and does most of the RA. We have arranged our GN/managa in the Teen area -- the big series are arranged by series, the other titles arranged by categories -- any adult titles would be interfiled. No use of the Dewey system.
One of the things we've seen with the series -- some series bomb -- the first few titles are checked out and then the rest just sit on the shelves. So, the librarian who orders is being cautious about adding whole series until she sees demand for volumes past the first few . . . .
I have ordered a few adult GN, such as a business title. I'm wondering how the adult will find it and will he/she stop looking if he gets to the GN section and thinks this is "just" a comic book and must not be nonfiction, must not be for me.
In the 3 titles I've read and others I want to try, I am choosing fiction based on fact or nonfiction titles. So appeal factors for me are the storyline, educational/historical value primarily but I do look to see if they've won an award or have a good review - most people won't do that I'm guessing. The other appeals are the Cover and the Artwork - AYA as an example - such beautiful, colorful artwork that you just have to start looking at this GN.
I found it interesting to see that classics are being adapted. And will mainstream authors become interested in writing GN? Haven't checked but I could see Jan Brett's work (especially the artwork) translating well into GN.
I also read in USA Today, 9/2/08 that a graphic-novel based film got a thumbs-up from 3/4 of reviewers and a box office of $134 Million - (I didn't write down the title)
And I was impressed to see that Art Spiegelman, author of Maus, won an early Pulitzer Prize.
So, I could see a way to make GN more appealing to adults but then would we need our own genre collection for adult GN - why would that be a bad idea - even if it's relatively small -- or would there be too many cross-over titles appealing to both adults and teens. Or could we create a sticker to indicate adult appeal - but who will make those judgements?
What creative ways are libraries using?
In the reading I learned that these are more than "just" comics, and can be lengthy and complex in terms of artwork and layouts. And it took me awhile to get used to reding both the text and visuals together and appreciate how they work together to tell the story.
In addition to the websites you suggested, I see that we own or have on order some graphic novel guides such as the 500 Essential Grapic Novels: The Ultimate Guide. And I did find a Boston librarian's blog in which she reviews Graphic Novels on Mondays.
Last thing - I suppose - will this be one genre without audio equivalent or are there some? I see it more likely that people will download GN/mangas.
Copied and Pasted my comments from the discussion forum: --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I read Deogratias, A Tale of Rwanda by JP Stassen
This GN is based on the Rwandan tragedy (genocide) if tge 1990s. Since it's unclear how many people know the details of this tragedy, the books starts with a historical introduction, which is very helpful. The story is powerful, moving and unforgettable. Many of us may hesitate to read an entire book about genocide so the GN format provides readers with a way to more quickly learn about this historical event.
This GN has a gripping storyline, a "strong" main character and other developed characters. The artwork, in color, is very well done.
As a newbie, I foud myself reading the text only but then slowed myself down to read the text and view the art simultaneouly. Doing so, enhanced my reading experience. The text and art did indeed work well together to make the story more understandable to the reader (as suggested in our assigned reading). An excellent GN for me to start with - the story and main character will remain with me for a long time. An instance where fiction helps us learn about important events. However, I would recommend this for adults or older teens - it's a disturbing story -- I found it hard to get out of my head for many days after reading it - not for tweens or younger teens. Janice Dibble
Graphic Novels Janice Dibble
Like romance graphic novels and mangas bring to mind a stereotype of the reader and what the books contain. Did your opinion change at all with what you read?
Yes, my opinion changed. I had basically no knowledge of Graphic Novels – hadn’t read about the genre, hadn’t read a graphic novel, hadn’t read any reviews, articles, or attended any workshops. Our library has a graphic novel collection but I hadn’t had any RA exchanges with any of our readers. My impression was that they were like comics, that there was a lot of violence and mostly male teens and some male adults reading Graphic Novels. Regarding nonfiction, I had seen an article on a GN depicting Sept. 11th and a review in Business Week for a business/job hunting title. I certainly hadn't realized a nonfiction title would be called a graphic novel. I hadn't seen any romantic GNs either! The reading assignment helped me understand what a graphic novel is and importance of text and visuals and that the artwork can beautiful and intricate. The GN I read, and 2 other titles I’ve skimmed, increased my understanding, appreciation for the literary form and the artwork and variety of subject matter found in GN. There are more subjects than superheroes—which was my initial (uninformed) opinion. Graphic novels involve more then just text - what are some ways you can make yourself a more confident advisor for the readers of this genre? Think in terms of pictures and text. How much text? What is the art like?
Text and artwork: Although I can think of things to look at as listed below I still think I need to pick up and look thru many more graphic novels before I can feel a more confident advisor based on text and artwork.
To help me figure out a GN, I would look at the text to see the length of the GN itself --number of pages in the GN to maybe judge its complexity; I would look at the text bubbles to see length of the bubbles and whether the bubbles were written as phrases or sentences, to see if the bubles were written to move along the plot or as dialog, to see if the bubble text is descriptive (setting, place)
For the art work: I would look at the cover art, I would look at whether it's in color or black/white in the book, to see how detailed or elaborate it is - line drawings, block prints, or more detailed work -- color, detailed artwork, I would look to see if there were "frames" in which there was only artwork and no text and yet the story progressed; I would look to see if the drawings were more cartoon-like or more "traditional", I would look to see if people and places (setting interior and exterior) added depth to the story. Would readers pick a GN based on an illustrator they'd liked in a previous GN?
One of the hardest things about graphic novels is that the genre is so broad. You have everything from lighthearted, romantic manga to books about the holocaust and the sexual abuse of a child. What are some of the keys you can use in helping a customer?
Keys would be: has the reader read any other titles and what were they are what did he/she like about them? With specific titles I'd look to see if those are part of a series; if a specific title I'd look it up on our webcat, after creating more links and lists, I'd use our web site to help me identify titles, I'd look at some library sites with GN blogs for newer titles or look for web sites with read-alikes if there are some good lists, I might suggest some award winners or titles that were turned into movies (or movies based on a GN)-- for example, the movie Wanted with $134 M box office this year as of Sept. 2nd might be something to suggest. There are some guidebooks out there and I'd consider adding to our collection.
The key I used as a reader was the cover and book cover (insiJanicde or back cover) description of the GN.
Again, I see lots of time needed by me to practice getting used to GN subgenres and recognizing those before confidently recommending other than reviewed or award-winning GNs I know about (but these might not be what the reader wants) And, although I cited series in my above answer, I know at our library some series are very popular throughout but we've had some where first three to four titles are popular and later titles in the series are little-used.
Romance - Thoughts on the Reading
We know there are people that apologize or are sheepish to say they read romances. I think the simple statement in the Reading that Emotional qualities are what makes the romance genre unique. So, can we use that concept that it's valuable for people to meet their emotional needs and romance does that, would that help our customers or is that also patronizing (in the way I'm using this concept). Will have to try this out. Understanding also that women may read romance because the romances feature women as the lead character, often the strong character with the power to change their lives, are true to their principles, and in contemporary romances have a strong career orientation are also positives that should give value to romance reading for those who need to assign a value. These are also viewpoints we as librarians can talk about as positives for women to appreciate.
Before reading the chapter I'd assumed that my romance reading inntroduction was Gone with the Wind. I'd really not considered the classics like Bronte and Austen. And the formula for in the Reading (meet, attraction . . . happy ending) existed in these early classics too.
It still seems like the labels regarding sexuality are awkward for customers and librarians to discuss. You hear steamy or hot or trashy said dismissively while on the other end "no sex" -- "innocent" and other publisher labels don't help much either. Who has some better suggestions or ways to broach talking about sex - we don't want the reader getting the wrong book . . . ? Did readers ever come in and say I want a bodice ripper or were they left to find new books based on their covers?
It was very helpful to be introduced to the sub-genres like paranormals, fantasy, time travel, westerns, family sagas (I hadn't thought of those as romances - I have read Barbara Taylor Bradford), and historical.
Before reading the chapter I'd assumed that my romance reading inntroduction was Gone with the Wind. I'd really not considered the classics like Bronte and Austen. And the formula for in the Reading (meet, attraction . . . happy ending) existed in these early classics too.
It still seems like the labels regarding sexuality are awkward for customers and librarians to discuss. You hear steamy or hot or trashy said dismissively while on the other end "no sex" -- "innocent" and other publisher labels don't help much either. Who has some better suggestions or ways to broach talking about sex - we don't want the reader getting the wrong book . . . ? Did readers ever come in and say I want a bodice ripper or were they left to find new books based on their covers?
It was very helpful to be introduced to the sub-genres like paranormals, fantasy, time travel, westerns, family sagas (I hadn't thought of those as romances - I have read Barbara Taylor Bradford), and historical.
Week 3 - Mysteries - Thoughts on the Reading
Curious that the chapter is called Crime rather than Mystery.
I thought the factoid that estimates are that crime fiction constitutes 1/3 of all fiction published worldwide. We know it's very circ in our library. We're rearranging our fiction and genre fiction collections in our library. For the genres, I'm putting mysteries right up front so they're the first genre people will see -- right now westerns and sci fi are the first tow genres you see.
Reading this chapter was fun and like old home week since my fiction reading is 90% mystery. (I'm hoping this class will encourage me to change this %) I started with Nancy Drew and never looked back!
The cozy - I'd say that Christie and Sayers, to a lesser extent, are still popular in our library. I think Sayers is known due to TV series of her works several years ago. I think we would do well to identify and popularize cozies now or whatever term we would use - cozy is almost too old-fashioned a term. I do have readers who want to stay away from too much violence/blood, creepiness, societal issues--drugs, pron, abuse as plotlines, vicous serial murderers . . . I think of series like the one featuring Maxie and Stretch as a modern "cozy"
Character, setting and other appeals factors resonated with me as a reader and a RA librarian. I do think the growth in hobby mysteries has helped explode the readership. It's one of the good talking points with readers too . . . as they ask for a cooking mystery, you can talk about the author and the recipes and get into a nice conversation. What I find too that if you are talking about books rather than recommending a book (more of a chat than a RA interview with a customer), the customer will often recommend a book or a series to you so I think that is a positive experience for the customer . . . that she or he and the librarian are
readers sharing their love of reading.
So, for me the mystery chapter was enjoyable to read rather than a lesson . . . I didn't take any notes.
Somewhere though in this class, in this chapter or in the discussion, I read about how frequently readers will refer to the characters rather than the author and maybe not remember the plot too well over time, that resonates with me . . . and above I refer to Maxie and Stretch, the characters rather than the titles or author by name!!!!
Discussion forum questions:
If you were book-talking mysteries to a group of people who weren't mystery readers, how would you explain the appeal?
If you weren't a mystery reader before this, did reading your book change your impressions of the genre? Was it what you expected?
If you are a mystery reader, could you see the mechanics (not that this is mechanical writing!) of the conventions of the genre within the book you read?
Did the author stretch or exceed the conventions? How so?
I thought the factoid that estimates are that crime fiction constitutes 1/3 of all fiction published worldwide. We know it's very circ in our library. We're rearranging our fiction and genre fiction collections in our library. For the genres, I'm putting mysteries right up front so they're the first genre people will see -- right now westerns and sci fi are the first tow genres you see.
Reading this chapter was fun and like old home week since my fiction reading is 90% mystery. (I'm hoping this class will encourage me to change this %) I started with Nancy Drew and never looked back!
The cozy - I'd say that Christie and Sayers, to a lesser extent, are still popular in our library. I think Sayers is known due to TV series of her works several years ago. I think we would do well to identify and popularize cozies now or whatever term we would use - cozy is almost too old-fashioned a term. I do have readers who want to stay away from too much violence/blood, creepiness, societal issues--drugs, pron, abuse as plotlines, vicous serial murderers . . . I think of series like the one featuring Maxie and Stretch as a modern "cozy"
Character, setting and other appeals factors resonated with me as a reader and a RA librarian. I do think the growth in hobby mysteries has helped explode the readership. It's one of the good talking points with readers too . . . as they ask for a cooking mystery, you can talk about the author and the recipes and get into a nice conversation. What I find too that if you are talking about books rather than recommending a book (more of a chat than a RA interview with a customer), the customer will often recommend a book or a series to you so I think that is a positive experience for the customer . . . that she or he and the librarian are
readers sharing their love of reading.
So, for me the mystery chapter was enjoyable to read rather than a lesson . . . I didn't take any notes.
Somewhere though in this class, in this chapter or in the discussion, I read about how frequently readers will refer to the characters rather than the author and maybe not remember the plot too well over time, that resonates with me . . . and above I refer to Maxie and Stretch, the characters rather than the titles or author by name!!!!
Discussion forum questions:
If you were book-talking mysteries to a group of people who weren't mystery readers, how would you explain the appeal?
If you weren't a mystery reader before this, did reading your book change your impressions of the genre? Was it what you expected?
If you are a mystery reader, could you see the mechanics (not that this is mechanical writing!) of the conventions of the genre within the book you read?
Did the author stretch or exceed the conventions? How so?
Lesson 2 Reading Communities & Online RA Thoughts on the Reading
Fiction-L
I knew this existed and once in awhile we've used it to answer a tough RA question - usually one we treat as a reference question. I signed onto the listserv during this week's lesson for the digest version. I have looked at the entries briefly but just don't see the time to keep up with it. I also feel someone intimidated by the amount of author/RA knowledge these people have . . . but need to remind myself that the answers come from multiple librarians. One week I was thinking about a particular series and ah-ha moment came when reading the listserv . . . there was someone asking about the series: the female minister/cop mystery series: And the author is Spencer-Fleming, Julia and the characters are: Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne
LibraryThing
Here's what I wrote in the forum:
Are you using social networking book sites like LibraryThing and GoodReads as professional resources? If yes, in what ways are they helpful for RA purposes?
I'd looked at LibraryThing before, had thought I would use it, but forgot about it and didn't. It's good that you're including Web 2.0 things in this course. If we don't make an effort to use these - will we be as helpful to our customers as possible and/or marginalize ourselves. I did try to use LibraryThing for a recent book ref. question - customer wanted a book post-9/11 and teens in New York City - not necessarily about 9/11 but how life changed in the years since--fiction or nonfiction. I didn't really find much on LibraryThing compared to more traditional sources.
To add now later in the course - so I sound fairly disappointed in LibraryThing. However, I can add at the end of the course that I have found LibraryThing quite helpful. In doing the Reader Recommendations assignments for each lesson, I've turned to LibraryThing quite frequently. Tag searches have worked quite well for me and led me to titles or authors similar to the book I'd read for the assignment. The recommendations from LibraryThing and from members have been helpful and helped expand my knowledge of similar books to recommend - like a learning tree - you find a title and branch out to other titles and then onto other titles - and you don't get lost, you can always get back to the original book you were looking up. I also think that once the public gets accustomed to tags on many web sites, our library catalog searching, especially by subject, must seem very difficult and clunky and not likely to lead to quick, easy matches.
I do like the idea of creating tag clouds for Read-Alikes and hope to find the time to do this in 2009.
for my own information I copied my answers to the discussion forum:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having read about Web 2.0 what are some of the ways we can put the technology to use?
We are currently using blogs for our Readers Recommendations and Staff Picks as well as Hot Topics, which has nothing to do with RA--perhaps we should try "hot authors". It is a struggle for us to get readers to add to our website. Most of our reviews by readers are turned in on paper as part of the summer or winter adult reading programs. So, we're still frustrated about the lack of activity. Maybe finding a core group of people who will write reviews will provide our web site with a body (quantity) of reviews and a momentum to build a successful Web 2.0 reader reviews section. I'm thinking about: we have a local writers group - might they volunteer some reviews; maybe the schools would work with us and assign students for an assignment or extra credit to write reviews on our web site; maybe some of our steady customers could be approached . . . for example, one man requests interesting nonfiction . . . .
I like the idea of a tag cloud for Read-Alikes. The visual nature of a cloud seems more appealing to me as a user than scrolling through a list of authors. We have started a nonfiction "neighborhood" called Green Living. There's a massive bibliography of titles and hundreds of subject headings. I could see using Del.icio.us with the neighborhoods. Perhaps starting with our next neighborhood that will be smaller in terms of number of titles and subjects to give us a chance to play with Del.icio.us without being overwhelmed with content for our first try.
Are you using social networking book sites like LibraryThing and GoodReads as professional resources? If yes, in what ways are they helpful for RA purposes?
I'd looked at LibraryThing before, had thought I would use it, but forgot about it and didn't. It's good that you're including Web 2.0 things in this course. If we don't make an effort to use these - will we be as helpful to our customers as possible and/or marginalize ourselves. I did try to use LibraryThing for a recent book ref. question - customer wanted a book post-9/11 and teens in New York City - not necessarily about 9/11 but how life changed in the years since--fiction or nonfiction. I didn't really find much on LibraryThing compared to more traditional sources. I did sign up for FictionL because of this course and may send in the question there. To me, FictionL is a fabulous resource - if only the public knew librarians, as a group, know so much about reading and authors. They'd be amazed.
One of the strengths of these social networking resources is meeting the readers where they live. Though these are not your customers, can you think of ways they can help you help your readers?
Obviously, we can let people know about these but they are somewhat intimidating -- the volume -- number of reviews and reviewers; the brevity of some of the reviews - which may mean they don't really help enough to pick titles; the oddity of lists you'll get -- Harry Potter and classic literature. What I see in our library are people that ask for lists--what is popular -- so they don't miss out on a best-seller; ask for read-alikes; ask for "good" titles that haven't made the best-seller list. Could a library or a group of libraries try a more focused LibraryThing -- Wisconsin authors; books with Wisconsin settings, etc. Maybe Wisconsin isn't those most glamorous or popular thing to try but I'm still struggling with a winning idea to use the technology and bring people to our web site.
I knew this existed and once in awhile we've used it to answer a tough RA question - usually one we treat as a reference question. I signed onto the listserv during this week's lesson for the digest version. I have looked at the entries briefly but just don't see the time to keep up with it. I also feel someone intimidated by the amount of author/RA knowledge these people have . . . but need to remind myself that the answers come from multiple librarians. One week I was thinking about a particular series and ah-ha moment came when reading the listserv . . . there was someone asking about the series: the female minister/cop mystery series: And the author is Spencer-Fleming, Julia and the characters are: Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne
LibraryThing
Here's what I wrote in the forum:
Are you using social networking book sites like LibraryThing and GoodReads as professional resources? If yes, in what ways are they helpful for RA purposes?
I'd looked at LibraryThing before, had thought I would use it, but forgot about it and didn't. It's good that you're including Web 2.0 things in this course. If we don't make an effort to use these - will we be as helpful to our customers as possible and/or marginalize ourselves. I did try to use LibraryThing for a recent book ref. question - customer wanted a book post-9/11 and teens in New York City - not necessarily about 9/11 but how life changed in the years since--fiction or nonfiction. I didn't really find much on LibraryThing compared to more traditional sources.
To add now later in the course - so I sound fairly disappointed in LibraryThing. However, I can add at the end of the course that I have found LibraryThing quite helpful. In doing the Reader Recommendations assignments for each lesson, I've turned to LibraryThing quite frequently. Tag searches have worked quite well for me and led me to titles or authors similar to the book I'd read for the assignment. The recommendations from LibraryThing and from members have been helpful and helped expand my knowledge of similar books to recommend - like a learning tree - you find a title and branch out to other titles and then onto other titles - and you don't get lost, you can always get back to the original book you were looking up. I also think that once the public gets accustomed to tags on many web sites, our library catalog searching, especially by subject, must seem very difficult and clunky and not likely to lead to quick, easy matches.
I do like the idea of creating tag clouds for Read-Alikes and hope to find the time to do this in 2009.
for my own information I copied my answers to the discussion forum:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having read about Web 2.0 what are some of the ways we can put the technology to use?
We are currently using blogs for our Readers Recommendations and Staff Picks as well as Hot Topics, which has nothing to do with RA--perhaps we should try "hot authors". It is a struggle for us to get readers to add to our website. Most of our reviews by readers are turned in on paper as part of the summer or winter adult reading programs. So, we're still frustrated about the lack of activity. Maybe finding a core group of people who will write reviews will provide our web site with a body (quantity) of reviews and a momentum to build a successful Web 2.0 reader reviews section. I'm thinking about: we have a local writers group - might they volunteer some reviews; maybe the schools would work with us and assign students for an assignment or extra credit to write reviews on our web site; maybe some of our steady customers could be approached . . . for example, one man requests interesting nonfiction . . . .
I like the idea of a tag cloud for Read-Alikes. The visual nature of a cloud seems more appealing to me as a user than scrolling through a list of authors. We have started a nonfiction "neighborhood" called Green Living. There's a massive bibliography of titles and hundreds of subject headings. I could see using Del.icio.us with the neighborhoods. Perhaps starting with our next neighborhood that will be smaller in terms of number of titles and subjects to give us a chance to play with Del.icio.us without being overwhelmed with content for our first try.
Are you using social networking book sites like LibraryThing and GoodReads as professional resources? If yes, in what ways are they helpful for RA purposes?
I'd looked at LibraryThing before, had thought I would use it, but forgot about it and didn't. It's good that you're including Web 2.0 things in this course. If we don't make an effort to use these - will we be as helpful to our customers as possible and/or marginalize ourselves. I did try to use LibraryThing for a recent book ref. question - customer wanted a book post-9/11 and teens in New York City - not necessarily about 9/11 but how life changed in the years since--fiction or nonfiction. I didn't really find much on LibraryThing compared to more traditional sources. I did sign up for FictionL because of this course and may send in the question there. To me, FictionL is a fabulous resource - if only the public knew librarians, as a group, know so much about reading and authors. They'd be amazed.
One of the strengths of these social networking resources is meeting the readers where they live. Though these are not your customers, can you think of ways they can help you help your readers?
Obviously, we can let people know about these but they are somewhat intimidating -- the volume -- number of reviews and reviewers; the brevity of some of the reviews - which may mean they don't really help enough to pick titles; the oddity of lists you'll get -- Harry Potter and classic literature. What I see in our library are people that ask for lists--what is popular -- so they don't miss out on a best-seller; ask for read-alikes; ask for "good" titles that haven't made the best-seller list. Could a library or a group of libraries try a more focused LibraryThing -- Wisconsin authors; books with Wisconsin settings, etc. Maybe Wisconsin isn't those most glamorous or popular thing to try but I'm still struggling with a winning idea to use the technology and bring people to our web site.
Chapter 1 - Genreflecting Thoughts on the reading
In the discussion forum I wrote:
RA is a service we provide to our customers. Part of the service is responding to a customer's need - does the customer want help in identifying the latest title by an author, the first book or latest book in a series by an author, a suggestion for a book to read, a suggestion for somebody "new" to read, or information about the format the book might be in -- hardcover, paperback, large print, e-book, audiocassette, book on cd, PlayAway, or audio online (OverDrive).
Part of the service is more proactive: putting out displays, creating reading suggestions via print or on our website--best new books, favorite books of 2008, staff picks, etc. Offering online services such as Next Reads or Chapter-A-Day products.
The key component, beyond our collectons, is the one-on-one service. RA described as a conversation by Saricks and others where we talk about books and share with our customers. We wander the aisles and engage them in conversations about what they're reading and offer suggestions. My favorite recent RA experience was with a woman. I recommended Sue Henry to her and she recommended another author to me and took ME to the shelf where those books were!
The introductory materials talk a lot about genres and how to talk with people -- questions to ask to help us suggest possible books or authors and not to worry that there is only one right book. I found On the Social Nature of Reading by Wayne Wiegand fascinating in the section in which he talks about "understanding how libraries function as places in the lives of their users. . . ."
More on Wiegard:
As librarians we should think primarily from the perspective of the "library in the life of the user" rather than the user in the life of the library.
Advisory means enabling choice for the reader - facilitating their needs and we need to be careful not to be seen as "prescribing better" or "elevating taste". This leads me to think of the times I've heard staff say or said myself when asked about a romance or horror fiction . . . hmmm, well, I don't read romance but . . . .
Does the reader take this as a put down , , , that we are too good to read romances . . . the taste level isn't high enough
What phrasing can we use, something like yes, there are lots of good romances to choose from and then go into the RA interview . . . I'll have to work on this
Catherine Sheldrick Ross talks about matching a reader to a book to match the readers mood right then . . . I do see that phrasing a lot - especially in the summer - I want something light or not too long . . . it's a busy time and I want to read but don't have a lot of time. In the winter, I see people who want to stock up in case the weather is bad. We do try to do displays tha reflect this seasonal type of reading difference.
RA is a service we provide to our customers. Part of the service is responding to a customer's need - does the customer want help in identifying the latest title by an author, the first book or latest book in a series by an author, a suggestion for a book to read, a suggestion for somebody "new" to read, or information about the format the book might be in -- hardcover, paperback, large print, e-book, audiocassette, book on cd, PlayAway, or audio online (OverDrive).
Part of the service is more proactive: putting out displays, creating reading suggestions via print or on our website--best new books, favorite books of 2008, staff picks, etc. Offering online services such as Next Reads or Chapter-A-Day products.
The key component, beyond our collectons, is the one-on-one service. RA described as a conversation by Saricks and others where we talk about books and share with our customers. We wander the aisles and engage them in conversations about what they're reading and offer suggestions. My favorite recent RA experience was with a woman. I recommended Sue Henry to her and she recommended another author to me and took ME to the shelf where those books were!
The introductory materials talk a lot about genres and how to talk with people -- questions to ask to help us suggest possible books or authors and not to worry that there is only one right book. I found On the Social Nature of Reading by Wayne Wiegand fascinating in the section in which he talks about "understanding how libraries function as places in the lives of their users. . . ."
More on Wiegard:
As librarians we should think primarily from the perspective of the "library in the life of the user" rather than the user in the life of the library.
Advisory means enabling choice for the reader - facilitating their needs and we need to be careful not to be seen as "prescribing better" or "elevating taste". This leads me to think of the times I've heard staff say or said myself when asked about a romance or horror fiction . . . hmmm, well, I don't read romance but . . . .
Does the reader take this as a put down , , , that we are too good to read romances . . . the taste level isn't high enough
What phrasing can we use, something like yes, there are lots of good romances to choose from and then go into the RA interview . . . I'll have to work on this
Catherine Sheldrick Ross talks about matching a reader to a book to match the readers mood right then . . . I do see that phrasing a lot - especially in the summer - I want something light or not too long . . . it's a busy time and I want to read but don't have a lot of time. In the winter, I see people who want to stock up in case the weather is bad. We do try to do displays tha reflect this seasonal type of reading difference.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Mystery - Reader Recommendations
I read Lie Down with the Devil by Linda Barnes.
Reader Recommendations - Fiction
IF the reader liked the book or series by Barnes, he/she probably likes female PIs or detectives and probably likes series:
I'd recommend Sue Grafton --similar character who also have recurring secondary characters throughout her series as Barnes does. Grafton and Barnes major similarity would be the main character - a strong female character who fights for justice and is physically brave in the face of danger. In terms of setting, Grafton actually is more descriptive about her California setting than Barnes is about Boston.
IF the reader did like female lead characters and liked a big city setting, I would recommend Lisa Scottoline. Scottoline's legal firm setting is a little different than a PI, but Scottoline's lawyers spend more time solving the crime and getting in danger than they do in the courtroom. Scottoline's big city setting is Philadelphia.
Sara Paretsky's series also features a female PI with the big city setting of Chicago.
Nevada Barr also offers another strong female character who faces physical danger. Barr also is highly descriptive - her park ranger moves from park to park and the reader learns a lot about those settings. I guess I read a lot for setting so I'm focusing on that as one factor in my choices.
If the reader likes the ongoing love triangle (maybe triangle is too strong a word), in the Barnes' novels, he/she would probably enjoy the ongoing triangle/tension in Janet Evanovich's books featuring Stephanie Plum, Morelli and Ranger. Of course there's more humor with Evanovich.
Nonficton Recommendations
With a Boston setting and an infamous series of murders, perhaps the reader might like: A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger. It's about the Boston Strangler.
A more (relatively) recent sensational Boston murder is also described in a NF book:
Sharkey, Joe (1991). Deadly Greed: The Riveting True Story of the Stuart Murder Case That Rocked Boston and Shocked the Nation. Simon & Schuster
Here's a book on the Mafia in Boston (since Barnes' main character loves a Mafia character)
Black mass : the Irish mob, the FBI, and a devil's deal
by Dick Lehralian
Excerpt from member recommendation on MyLibrary.com
The scene is Boston, starting in the 1970s. The FBI has made it a top priority to clamp down on organized crime (in this case, the Mafia, populated by the Italians of North Boston). John Connolly, a very young FBI agent, is called to the Boston office to work in the Organized Crime unit. The idea was that if he could find someone to rat out the Italians, the FBI's job would be made much easier. Connolly begins to cultivate James (Whitey) Bulger, a former acquaintance from Connolly's old neighborhood in South Boston. Bulger was a career criminal, beginning his future occupation as a young boy, and he and one of his associates, Steve Flemmi, had ties to the Italian mob in Boston. Whitey was also part of a gang in Southie. He became an informant for the FBI, and in return, he was given protection by the FBI. His information was very helpful and did help to put away some of the Mafia guys, but in the meantime, he also gave info on anyone in South Boston that he considered might be standing in his own way as he rose up through the ranks of the criminal underworld. bcquinnsmom | Mar 25, 2008
Reader Recommendations - Fiction
IF the reader liked the book or series by Barnes, he/she probably likes female PIs or detectives and probably likes series:
I'd recommend Sue Grafton --similar character who also have recurring secondary characters throughout her series as Barnes does. Grafton and Barnes major similarity would be the main character - a strong female character who fights for justice and is physically brave in the face of danger. In terms of setting, Grafton actually is more descriptive about her California setting than Barnes is about Boston.
IF the reader did like female lead characters and liked a big city setting, I would recommend Lisa Scottoline. Scottoline's legal firm setting is a little different than a PI, but Scottoline's lawyers spend more time solving the crime and getting in danger than they do in the courtroom. Scottoline's big city setting is Philadelphia.
Sara Paretsky's series also features a female PI with the big city setting of Chicago.
Nevada Barr also offers another strong female character who faces physical danger. Barr also is highly descriptive - her park ranger moves from park to park and the reader learns a lot about those settings. I guess I read a lot for setting so I'm focusing on that as one factor in my choices.
If the reader likes the ongoing love triangle (maybe triangle is too strong a word), in the Barnes' novels, he/she would probably enjoy the ongoing triangle/tension in Janet Evanovich's books featuring Stephanie Plum, Morelli and Ranger. Of course there's more humor with Evanovich.
Nonficton Recommendations
With a Boston setting and an infamous series of murders, perhaps the reader might like: A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger. It's about the Boston Strangler.
A more (relatively) recent sensational Boston murder is also described in a NF book:
Sharkey, Joe (1991). Deadly Greed: The Riveting True Story of the Stuart Murder Case That Rocked Boston and Shocked the Nation. Simon & Schuster
Here's a book on the Mafia in Boston (since Barnes' main character loves a Mafia character)
Black mass : the Irish mob, the FBI, and a devil's deal
by Dick Lehralian
Excerpt from member recommendation on MyLibrary.com
The scene is Boston, starting in the 1970s. The FBI has made it a top priority to clamp down on organized crime (in this case, the Mafia, populated by the Italians of North Boston). John Connolly, a very young FBI agent, is called to the Boston office to work in the Organized Crime unit. The idea was that if he could find someone to rat out the Italians, the FBI's job would be made much easier. Connolly begins to cultivate James (Whitey) Bulger, a former acquaintance from Connolly's old neighborhood in South Boston. Bulger was a career criminal, beginning his future occupation as a young boy, and he and one of his associates, Steve Flemmi, had ties to the Italian mob in Boston. Whitey was also part of a gang in Southie. He became an informant for the FBI, and in return, he was given protection by the FBI. His information was very helpful and did help to put away some of the Mafia guys, but in the meantime, he also gave info on anyone in South Boston that he considered might be standing in his own way as he rose up through the ranks of the criminal underworld. bcquinnsmom | Mar 25, 2008
Literary Fiction - Reader Recommendations
The book I read is The Plot Against America by Philip Roth.
Fiction
Farthng by Jo Walton
Complex novel - alternative histories (fiction)
Allies did not win WWII and Charles Lindbergh is President of the U.S.
I'd recommend this title if the reader had enjoyed or selected The Plot Against America because of the historical storyline and an alternative history. The two books cover the same time period and have the same U.S. President although Farthing is set in England.
Other Fiction by Philip Roth
I'd recommend that the reader try other Roth novels if he enjoyed the writing style
and is interested in literary fiction.
I would recommend the Handmaid's Tale by M. Atwood. This was a member recommendation on LibraryThing for other reads for readers of The Plot Against America and qualifies as literary fiction if that is what my reader was interested in. I'd describe the book or show the reader a review or LibraryThing entry.
Nonfiction
I think part of the interest in Roth's book is who became president so I would recommend a biography of Charles Lindbergh. One choice would be Lindbergh by A. Scott Berg.
If someone wanted to read a "serious" nonfiction account (nonfiction comparable to literary fiction) of what life was like and how it changed under Hitler and the Nazis, this would be one choice especially how life changed for Jewish people but also for the whole society, I would recommend:
I Will Bear Witness: A Diary of the Nazi Years, 1933-1941 (Modern Library…
by Victor Klemperer. Klemperer was in Germany during this time as the title suggests. By reading this book, the reader will see the reasons why/ the
context to the fears the Roth family in New Jersey in Plot have regarding
what will happen to them in an America that is pro-Hitler. Other NF books exist on this topic, of course, if this is not the right choice for my reader.
Fiction
Farthng by Jo Walton
Complex novel - alternative histories (fiction)
Allies did not win WWII and Charles Lindbergh is President of the U.S.
I'd recommend this title if the reader had enjoyed or selected The Plot Against America because of the historical storyline and an alternative history. The two books cover the same time period and have the same U.S. President although Farthing is set in England.
Other Fiction by Philip Roth
I'd recommend that the reader try other Roth novels if he enjoyed the writing style
and is interested in literary fiction.
I would recommend the Handmaid's Tale by M. Atwood. This was a member recommendation on LibraryThing for other reads for readers of The Plot Against America and qualifies as literary fiction if that is what my reader was interested in. I'd describe the book or show the reader a review or LibraryThing entry.
Nonfiction
I think part of the interest in Roth's book is who became president so I would recommend a biography of Charles Lindbergh. One choice would be Lindbergh by A. Scott Berg.
If someone wanted to read a "serious" nonfiction account (nonfiction comparable to literary fiction) of what life was like and how it changed under Hitler and the Nazis, this would be one choice especially how life changed for Jewish people but also for the whole society, I would recommend:
I Will Bear Witness: A Diary of the Nazi Years, 1933-1941 (Modern Library…
by Victor Klemperer. Klemperer was in Germany during this time as the title suggests. By reading this book, the reader will see the reasons why/ the
context to the fears the Roth family in New Jersey in Plot have regarding
what will happen to them in an America that is pro-Hitler. Other NF books exist on this topic, of course, if this is not the right choice for my reader.
Nonfiction Reader Recommendations
The nonfiction book I read is Touching History: the Untold Story of the Drama that Unfolded in the Skies by Lynn Spencer. (about 9/11)
Since Spencer was interested in the facts and studied the government report,
I would recommend the official report for someone who wanted more details and access to the official government report:
The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on…
by National Commission on Terrorist Attacks. However is it a very lengthy report. One alternative would be the graphic novel version: The 9/11 report: a graphic adaptation by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon, which got good reviews.
There are of course many books on 9/11, factual accounts, biographies, memoirs, reporter's accounts, survivor accounts, surviving family member accounts, political accounts from many perspectives. etc.
If the reader was interested in reading an account of what happened at the World Trade Center Towers, I would recommend:
In 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers, New York Times writers Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn
from Amazon:
In 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers, New York Times writers Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn vividly recreate the 102-minute span between the moment Flight 11 hit the first Twin Tower on the morning of September 11, 2001, and the moment the second tower collapsed, all from the perspective of those inside the buildings--the 12,000 who escaped, and the 2,749 who did not. It's becoming easier, years later, to forget the profound, visceral responses the Trade Center attacks evoked in the days and weeks following September 11. Using hundreds of interviews, countless transcripts of radio and phone communications, and exhaustive research, Dwyer and Flynn bring that flood of responses back--from heartbreak to bewilderment to fury. The randomness of death and survival is heartbreaking. One man, in the second tower, survived because he bolted from his desk the moment he heard the first plane hit; another, who stayed at his desk on the 97th floor, called his wife in his final moments to tell her to cancel a surprise trip he had planned. In many cases, the deaths of those who survived the initial attacks but were killed by the collapse of the towers were tragically avoidable. Building code exemptions, communication breakdowns between firefighters and police, and policies put in place by building management to keep everyone inside the towers in emergencies led, the authors argue, to the deaths of hundreds who might otherwise have survived. September 11 is by now both familiar and nearly mythological. Dwyer and Flynn's accomplishment is recounting that day's events in a style that is stirring, thorough, and refreshingly understated. --Erica C. Barnett
(retrieved from Amazon Mon, 25 Aug 2008
Terror in the Skies by Annie Jacobsen
This book should appeal to the some of the same readers as Spencer's book, although the incident Jacobsen's focuses on appears to be called into question. It may be that readers who are conspiracy theorists would be more likely readers but conspiracy theorists/buffs also read Spencer's books. (Of course I wouldn't label the reader as a conpiracy theorist/buff.)
From Amazon.com:
Product Description
Annie Jacobsen’s harrowing first-hand account of her flight with a group of suspected terrorists forces us to ask: Could 9/11 happen again? On June 29, 2004, Jacobsen, traveling with her family on Northwest Airlines flight 327, witnessed what she believed was a terrorist "dry run." The blogosphere quickly made world news of Jacobsen’s article on her terrifying experience, launching her on a year-long investigation. In Terror in the Skies, Jacobsen tells, for the first time, the full story of the events on Northwest 327 and the investigation that followed. What happened on her flight, she discovered, was not an isolated incident, and if our air security does not improve, 9/11 is likely to happen again.
Jacobsen interviewed dozens of flight attendants, pilots, air marshals, FBI agents, government officials, and ordinary passengers—eventually gaining access to confidential government reports and correspondence. She reveals a Department of Homeland Security, especially its Federal Air Marshal Service, mired in bureaucracy and political correctness. Teams of terrorists consistently "probe" security on airline flights, and front-line law enforcement officers and airline personnel are effectively prevented from doing anything about it.
Jacobsen’s persistence earned her the wrath of the Air Marshal Service’s management, which embarked on an unsuccessful campaign to discredit her. Their willingness to ignore even congressional inquiries and federal legislation, in an attempt to preserve ill-conceived policies and cover their mistakes, is one of Jacobsen’s most disturbing discoveries.
From her search for flight 327’s "Syrian Wayne Newton" to her testimony to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Jacobsen’s scrutiny of our air security makes the case for an overhaul of our security services. Many of the federal agents involved in the events of flight 327 have stood firm: nothing happened. But as Jacobsen shows, we can no longer afford to take nothing happened for an answer.
Fiction Recommendations:
If the reader was interested in post-9/11 and how family members dealt with loss:
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer has received some rave reviews:
From www.librarything.com
Oskar Schell is a nine-year old inventor of creative solutions and explanations. Among the best described sets the tone for the book, "In bed that night I invented a special drain that would be underneath every pillow in New York, and would connect to the reservoir. Whenever people cried themselves to sleep, the tears would all go to the same place, and in the morning the weatherman could report if the water level of the Reservoir of Tears had gone up or down, and you could know if New York was in heavy boots. And when something really terrible happened--like a nuclear bomb, or at least a biological weapons attack--an extremely loud siren would go off, telling everyone to get to Central Park to put sandbags around the reservoir." In coming to terms with the loss of his father in 9/11, Oskar also takes on the challenge of searching for the lock that will open with a key he has found in his father's belongings. The quest takes him all over New York, with the innovative narrative complete with images, symbols and changes in the rhythm and cadence that add to the impact of the story. a rich, fabulous read even though it rates an entire box of tissues, and may cause heavy boots for a time.
meppinger | Nov 12, 2008 |
Aviation Fiction: Other readers might not want to dwell on 9/11 but perhaps enjoyed Spencer's book mainly because of the insider knowledge on pilots, commercial aviation and air controllers.
One title I'd recommend is The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve. The novel involves a commercial plane crash with loss of life of passengers and crew and investigation of pilot - did he cause the accident and was he a terrorist or why did he cause the crash. Shocking aviation crime should interest the reader as long as reader also interested (perhaps more women than men) in main character's dilemma: the pilot's wife has to face her husband's betrayal - did she know him? and her shock at learning he had another family. So love and betrayal are important part of the novel and I'd talk about this aspect to the reader . . . without revealing the plot and secrets revealed during the novel!
Some mixed reviews for Airframe by Michael Crichton but if reader likes aviation and has read Crichton, this should be a good choice.
LibraryThing review:
After a mysterious airplane accident involving several injuries and even death occurs, Casey Singleton, divorced mother and rising star in the Norton Aircraft company, must head up the investigation of why this happened. In a field that is as complicated as the airframe industry, it can be a nightmare trying to deal with a press that just wants the "video at 11," and Casey is also given the unwelcome task of liaison with the media.
The story is typical Crichton: some technical details, but a relentlessly-paced story with lots of dialog and little character development. The mystery of what happened on Flight 545 and the troubles Casey has with the union over a possible China deal keep you on the edge of your seat. Personally, I would have liked getting to know the characters a little more, which is the main reason I didn't love it. Still, a solid thriller with a pacing that keeps you turning pages late at night. ( )
bell7 | Oct 14, 2008 |
- Perhaps an older, highly regarded author and aviation story:
No Highway
by Nevil Shute
Since Spencer was interested in the facts and studied the government report,
I would recommend the official report for someone who wanted more details and access to the official government report:
The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on…
by National Commission on Terrorist Attacks. However is it a very lengthy report. One alternative would be the graphic novel version: The 9/11 report: a graphic adaptation by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon, which got good reviews.
There are of course many books on 9/11, factual accounts, biographies, memoirs, reporter's accounts, survivor accounts, surviving family member accounts, political accounts from many perspectives. etc.
If the reader was interested in reading an account of what happened at the World Trade Center Towers, I would recommend:
In 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers, New York Times writers Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn
from Amazon:
In 102 Minutes: The Untold Story of the Fight to Survive Inside the Twin Towers, New York Times writers Jim Dwyer and Kevin Flynn vividly recreate the 102-minute span between the moment Flight 11 hit the first Twin Tower on the morning of September 11, 2001, and the moment the second tower collapsed, all from the perspective of those inside the buildings--the 12,000 who escaped, and the 2,749 who did not. It's becoming easier, years later, to forget the profound, visceral responses the Trade Center attacks evoked in the days and weeks following September 11. Using hundreds of interviews, countless transcripts of radio and phone communications, and exhaustive research, Dwyer and Flynn bring that flood of responses back--from heartbreak to bewilderment to fury. The randomness of death and survival is heartbreaking. One man, in the second tower, survived because he bolted from his desk the moment he heard the first plane hit; another, who stayed at his desk on the 97th floor, called his wife in his final moments to tell her to cancel a surprise trip he had planned. In many cases, the deaths of those who survived the initial attacks but were killed by the collapse of the towers were tragically avoidable. Building code exemptions, communication breakdowns between firefighters and police, and policies put in place by building management to keep everyone inside the towers in emergencies led, the authors argue, to the deaths of hundreds who might otherwise have survived. September 11 is by now both familiar and nearly mythological. Dwyer and Flynn's accomplishment is recounting that day's events in a style that is stirring, thorough, and refreshingly understated. --Erica C. Barnett
(retrieved from Amazon Mon, 25 Aug 2008
Terror in the Skies by Annie Jacobsen
This book should appeal to the some of the same readers as Spencer's book, although the incident Jacobsen's focuses on appears to be called into question. It may be that readers who are conspiracy theorists would be more likely readers but conspiracy theorists/buffs also read Spencer's books. (Of course I wouldn't label the reader as a conpiracy theorist/buff.)
From Amazon.com:
Product Description
Annie Jacobsen’s harrowing first-hand account of her flight with a group of suspected terrorists forces us to ask: Could 9/11 happen again? On June 29, 2004, Jacobsen, traveling with her family on Northwest Airlines flight 327, witnessed what she believed was a terrorist "dry run." The blogosphere quickly made world news of Jacobsen’s article on her terrifying experience, launching her on a year-long investigation. In Terror in the Skies, Jacobsen tells, for the first time, the full story of the events on Northwest 327 and the investigation that followed. What happened on her flight, she discovered, was not an isolated incident, and if our air security does not improve, 9/11 is likely to happen again.
Jacobsen interviewed dozens of flight attendants, pilots, air marshals, FBI agents, government officials, and ordinary passengers—eventually gaining access to confidential government reports and correspondence. She reveals a Department of Homeland Security, especially its Federal Air Marshal Service, mired in bureaucracy and political correctness. Teams of terrorists consistently "probe" security on airline flights, and front-line law enforcement officers and airline personnel are effectively prevented from doing anything about it.
Jacobsen’s persistence earned her the wrath of the Air Marshal Service’s management, which embarked on an unsuccessful campaign to discredit her. Their willingness to ignore even congressional inquiries and federal legislation, in an attempt to preserve ill-conceived policies and cover their mistakes, is one of Jacobsen’s most disturbing discoveries.
From her search for flight 327’s "Syrian Wayne Newton" to her testimony to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, Jacobsen’s scrutiny of our air security makes the case for an overhaul of our security services. Many of the federal agents involved in the events of flight 327 have stood firm: nothing happened. But as Jacobsen shows, we can no longer afford to take nothing happened for an answer.
Fiction Recommendations:
If the reader was interested in post-9/11 and how family members dealt with loss:
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer has received some rave reviews:
From www.librarything.com
Oskar Schell is a nine-year old inventor of creative solutions and explanations. Among the best described sets the tone for the book, "In bed that night I invented a special drain that would be underneath every pillow in New York, and would connect to the reservoir. Whenever people cried themselves to sleep, the tears would all go to the same place, and in the morning the weatherman could report if the water level of the Reservoir of Tears had gone up or down, and you could know if New York was in heavy boots. And when something really terrible happened--like a nuclear bomb, or at least a biological weapons attack--an extremely loud siren would go off, telling everyone to get to Central Park to put sandbags around the reservoir." In coming to terms with the loss of his father in 9/11, Oskar also takes on the challenge of searching for the lock that will open with a key he has found in his father's belongings. The quest takes him all over New York, with the innovative narrative complete with images, symbols and changes in the rhythm and cadence that add to the impact of the story. a rich, fabulous read even though it rates an entire box of tissues, and may cause heavy boots for a time.
meppinger | Nov 12, 2008 |
Aviation Fiction: Other readers might not want to dwell on 9/11 but perhaps enjoyed Spencer's book mainly because of the insider knowledge on pilots, commercial aviation and air controllers.
One title I'd recommend is The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve. The novel involves a commercial plane crash with loss of life of passengers and crew and investigation of pilot - did he cause the accident and was he a terrorist or why did he cause the crash. Shocking aviation crime should interest the reader as long as reader also interested (perhaps more women than men) in main character's dilemma: the pilot's wife has to face her husband's betrayal - did she know him? and her shock at learning he had another family. So love and betrayal are important part of the novel and I'd talk about this aspect to the reader . . . without revealing the plot and secrets revealed during the novel!
Some mixed reviews for Airframe by Michael Crichton but if reader likes aviation and has read Crichton, this should be a good choice.
LibraryThing review:
After a mysterious airplane accident involving several injuries and even death occurs, Casey Singleton, divorced mother and rising star in the Norton Aircraft company, must head up the investigation of why this happened. In a field that is as complicated as the airframe industry, it can be a nightmare trying to deal with a press that just wants the "video at 11," and Casey is also given the unwelcome task of liaison with the media.
The story is typical Crichton: some technical details, but a relentlessly-paced story with lots of dialog and little character development. The mystery of what happened on Flight 545 and the troubles Casey has with the union over a possible China deal keep you on the edge of your seat. Personally, I would have liked getting to know the characters a little more, which is the main reason I didn't love it. Still, a solid thriller with a pacing that keeps you turning pages late at night. ( )
bell7 | Oct 14, 2008 |
- Perhaps an older, highly regarded author and aviation story:
No Highway
by Nevil Shute
Horror Fiction - Reader Recommendations
Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon by Stephen King
Horror title - I read the Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Janice Dibble Nov 28, 2008 4:32 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The main character, a nine year-old girl, who is out hiking with her mother and brother, wantders of the trail during the hike for just a moment and ends up getting lost. At first she thinks she'll hook up with them further along - that the 2 trails will join together but soon realizes she hears no humans and sees no path-joining. She faces challenge after challenge - as I read I kept thinking oh, no, she's only a little girl, and then, I couldn't deal with the fear and figure out what to do next as well as she is! She's very plucky and uses her brain -- a stream runs into a bigger stream or a river and will lead me to civilization. She gets stung and wet and hungry and thirsty and hurt and keeps going. And, worst of all - what else is in the forest and is following her and what will it do when it catches her. So, there's lots of Fear in this fast-paced novel. She thinks about her broken family - loves her mom and dad but they're not together. She had a llittle food and water and found things to eat but best of all she has a walkman/radio so she can listen to baseball games and her favorite player Tom Gordon. As things get worse Tricia talks and walks with Tom Gordon but she knows she's hallucinating. And does she survive . . . .? And what supernatural or natural being was following her and will it harm her ?
This was a great book - very frightening, very easy to identify with this lost little girl, you'd think a walk in the woods with your family woud be great - and why did it have to Rain?
This is a great psychological horror novel. Would make a great TV movie.
Fiction Recommendations:
First I would recommend other Stephen King novels because he is such a good writer and storyteller. If you like Stephen King, you are likely to read other titles by him even if they aren't in the same subgenre. A lot of our readers who read all of Stephen King also read all of Dean Koontz and Peter Straub so I would ask the reader if he/she has tried Dean Koontz or Peter Straub.
There are lists of Psychological Horror that I could check. Hooked on Horror has a Chapter on Psychological Horror. However, when I looked at the "similar titles" list under The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, there weren't many book titles and two of suggested titles had reviews/synopsis that didn't seem to match that much and had mixed or bad reviews as books to read. The closest in storyline that was suggested is Thunderland by Brandon Massey, which has a 12 year-old boy as the protagonist and some mixed reviews - with some good reviews. So, I would show the reader the synopsis and book review(s) for the reader to consider.
I did find some library lists for psychological horr as well, here's one although there are no annotations to guide the reader: http://auburn-hills.lib.mi.us/Adult/Booklist/PsychHorror.htm
If the person was interested in the character focus of a young child, I would ask if he/she had read To Kill a Mockingbird. With Scout, a young child, who faces terror and the unknown especially regarding Boo Radley and the house, the reader might find this a good match. I would describe the storyline since that is quite different from Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.
Nonfiction recommendations:
I would recommend Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, a story about a recent college graduate--so young but not as young as King's character - who goes into the wilds of Alaska and faces a tragic end. So, not only is there a relatively youthful figure, but the setting of the wilderness and storyline of surviving or not surviving in the wild. Into the Wild is well-written so the appeal of wrting skill may be a bonus.
I would also recommend A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson if the reader found the setting of walking a trail intriguing and wanted to learn more. More particularly, it is also about the Appalachian Trail. And similarly, it's a story about the "adventure" of going into nature and succeeding on the walk. Also, well-written. Differences are that this is an adult and has lots of humor.
I could also head into the world of baseball for nonfiction.
Horror title - I read the Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
Janice Dibble Nov 28, 2008 4:32 PM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The main character, a nine year-old girl, who is out hiking with her mother and brother, wantders of the trail during the hike for just a moment and ends up getting lost. At first she thinks she'll hook up with them further along - that the 2 trails will join together but soon realizes she hears no humans and sees no path-joining. She faces challenge after challenge - as I read I kept thinking oh, no, she's only a little girl, and then, I couldn't deal with the fear and figure out what to do next as well as she is! She's very plucky and uses her brain -- a stream runs into a bigger stream or a river and will lead me to civilization. She gets stung and wet and hungry and thirsty and hurt and keeps going. And, worst of all - what else is in the forest and is following her and what will it do when it catches her. So, there's lots of Fear in this fast-paced novel. She thinks about her broken family - loves her mom and dad but they're not together. She had a llittle food and water and found things to eat but best of all she has a walkman/radio so she can listen to baseball games and her favorite player Tom Gordon. As things get worse Tricia talks and walks with Tom Gordon but she knows she's hallucinating. And does she survive . . . .? And what supernatural or natural being was following her and will it harm her ?
This was a great book - very frightening, very easy to identify with this lost little girl, you'd think a walk in the woods with your family woud be great - and why did it have to Rain?
This is a great psychological horror novel. Would make a great TV movie.
Fiction Recommendations:
First I would recommend other Stephen King novels because he is such a good writer and storyteller. If you like Stephen King, you are likely to read other titles by him even if they aren't in the same subgenre. A lot of our readers who read all of Stephen King also read all of Dean Koontz and Peter Straub so I would ask the reader if he/she has tried Dean Koontz or Peter Straub.
There are lists of Psychological Horror that I could check. Hooked on Horror has a Chapter on Psychological Horror. However, when I looked at the "similar titles" list under The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, there weren't many book titles and two of suggested titles had reviews/synopsis that didn't seem to match that much and had mixed or bad reviews as books to read. The closest in storyline that was suggested is Thunderland by Brandon Massey, which has a 12 year-old boy as the protagonist and some mixed reviews - with some good reviews. So, I would show the reader the synopsis and book review(s) for the reader to consider.
I did find some library lists for psychological horr as well, here's one although there are no annotations to guide the reader: http://auburn-hills.lib.mi.us/Adult/Booklist/PsychHorror.htm
If the person was interested in the character focus of a young child, I would ask if he/she had read To Kill a Mockingbird. With Scout, a young child, who faces terror and the unknown especially regarding Boo Radley and the house, the reader might find this a good match. I would describe the storyline since that is quite different from Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon.
Nonfiction recommendations:
I would recommend Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, a story about a recent college graduate--so young but not as young as King's character - who goes into the wilds of Alaska and faces a tragic end. So, not only is there a relatively youthful figure, but the setting of the wilderness and storyline of surviving or not surviving in the wild. Into the Wild is well-written so the appeal of wrting skill may be a bonus.
I would also recommend A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson if the reader found the setting of walking a trail intriguing and wanted to learn more. More particularly, it is also about the Appalachian Trail. And similarly, it's a story about the "adventure" of going into nature and succeeding on the walk. Also, well-written. Differences are that this is an adult and has lots of humor.
I could also head into the world of baseball for nonfiction.
Christian Fiction Lesson - Thoghts on the Reading
The "definition" of Christian Fiction as affirming reads with a Christian view; inspirational was simple but clear. I hadn't thought about what would be classics in this genre and was surprised but understod the inclusion of Hawthorne and Uncle Tom's Cabin. Grace Livingston Hill is one author I knew - I learned about these soon after working in a public library.
The sub-genres helped clarify CF for me too:
contemporary - cope with life but with Christian themes and a messge of redemption through Christ - so people of deep religious thought would read contemporary - in my ignorance without reading the text I might have thought contemporary was less religious. I still haven't researched for myself what an Evangelical Christian is but perhaps contemporary fits their interest - find time to research this - if you're not an Evangelical you mostly think of the political aspect or certain preachers.
Christian romance - I'd like to doublecheck if the Harlequin imprint for C.R. still exists. We don't have a separate Christian fiction section - I wonder if these are shelved with our Romance genre in paperbacks? Need to check!
Historical C.F. - This is what I read. I see the definition is post WWII era - have to review why that is.
Gentle Reads definition - no explicit sex, violence or bad language makes sense. Are readers familiar with "gentle reads" designation. Do book jackets help?
How much cross-over is there for people who read Gentle Reads Christian fiction - will they read "innocent" romance or is the religious aspect (setting?) of the book the pre-eminent qualifier for what is read?
The sub-genres helped clarify CF for me too:
contemporary - cope with life but with Christian themes and a messge of redemption through Christ - so people of deep religious thought would read contemporary - in my ignorance without reading the text I might have thought contemporary was less religious. I still haven't researched for myself what an Evangelical Christian is but perhaps contemporary fits their interest - find time to research this - if you're not an Evangelical you mostly think of the political aspect or certain preachers.
Christian romance - I'd like to doublecheck if the Harlequin imprint for C.R. still exists. We don't have a separate Christian fiction section - I wonder if these are shelved with our Romance genre in paperbacks? Need to check!
Historical C.F. - This is what I read. I see the definition is post WWII era - have to review why that is.
Gentle Reads definition - no explicit sex, violence or bad language makes sense. Are readers familiar with "gentle reads" designation. Do book jackets help?
How much cross-over is there for people who read Gentle Reads Christian fiction - will they read "innocent" romance or is the religious aspect (setting?) of the book the pre-eminent qualifier for what is read?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Christian Fiction Reader Recommendations
What 4 books would I recommend to my reader: I read the Covenant by Beverly Lewis, the first in the series.
(fiction) 1: If the reader enjoyed the Lewis book and in particular this series, I would certainly recommend the next book in that series or all the 5 books in the series.
(ficiton) 2: If she liked the writing but wanted to try something else -- not about the Amish, I could recommend other Lewis books/series.
(fiction choices 3 & 4) If she liked the Amish, I would recommend the following 2 authors based on LJ: Kim Vogel Sawyer and Wanda Brunstetter. There are a number of books to try, including series to try. Where the Heart Leads may resonate with the reader of the Covenant because of plot, in which two of the sisters take different paths in terms of choices related to their religion and Amish culture -- whether to stay or go out among "the English."
From Christian Fiction
By Tamara Butler -- Library Journal, 9/1/2008:
"Sawyer, Kim Vogel. Where the Heart Leads. Bethany. Sept. 2008. c.352p. ISBN 978-0-7642-0263-6. pap. $13.99. CF
Featuring characters from Waiting for Summer's Return and set in the early 20th century, Sawyer's new novel follows Thomas Ollenburger as he graduates from college and has to decide whether to return to his Mennonite roots in Kansas or build his future in Boston. Making his choices more difficult are the two girls he cares about in each place. Thomas will need to rely on his God to help him make the biggest decision of his young life. Along with Beverly Lewis and Wanda E. Brunstetter, Sawyer is one of the top authors writing about Amish and Mennonite cultures, and she clearly portrays the positive and negative elements of living in strict observance of their beliefs. Recommended for public libraries."
nonfiction recommendation (1):
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy.
Kraybill, Donald B. (author) and Steven M. Nolt (author) and others.
Sept. 2007. 288p. Wiley,
If the reader is interested in current events related to the Amish, I would recommend this book although make clear what it is about - the tragic deaths of real Amish schoolchildren. And let the reader read thru the following review: Booklist
Review of 9/1/2007 by June Sawyers:
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy.
Kraybill, Donald B. (author) and Steven M. Nolt (author) and others.
Sept. 2007. 288p. Wiley, hardcover, $24.95 (0-7879-9761-7). 364.152.
REVIEW. First published September 1, 2007 (Booklist).
Review of 9/1/2007 by June Sawyers:
The crime—shooting innocent schoolchildren in a one-room schoolhouse—was shockingly vicious. More shocking, virtually incredible, was where it happened, in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, commonly associated with bucolic tranquility, not gun violence. This remarkable book explains, exceedingly well, Amish reaction to the horrific Nickel Mines shootings. The outside world was gravely taken aback by the Amish response of forgiveness. Some in the media criticized the Amish as naive and hypocritical (didn’t they shun members of their own community?), but most simply couldn’t understand the Amish concept of forgiveness as unmerited gift. How could they forgive humanly embodied evil? The authors, all authorities on Amish culture, emphasize that the Amish response reflected the sect’s heritage and deeply embedded faith. They distinguish forgiveness from pardon and reconciliation. Forgiveness relinquishes the right to vengeance, while pardon forfeits punishment altogether, and reconciliation restores the relationship of victim and offender or creates a new one. They discuss the shooting mercifully straightforwardly before exploring the broader perspectives of forgiveness and concluding with reflections on the meaning of forgiveness. At times difficult to read, this anguished and devastating account of a national tragedy and a hopeful, life-affirming lesson in how to live is itself a marvel of grace.
This second book, Plain Secrets, might be more appealing to readers interested in the Amish but not want to read the book mentioned above about the killing of children. I think Plain Secrets would be a book I would enjoy:
Plain Secrets: An Outsider among the Amish.
Mackall, Joe (author).
June 2007. 256p. Beacon, hardcover, $24.95 (9780807010648). 289.7.
Again with a review by June Sawyers, 6/1/2007, Booklist:
As this wonderful and enlightening book makes clear, the Amish are hardly a monolithic group. Actually, there are many different orders of Amish. The decidedly non-Amish Mackall has lived among the Swartzentruber Amish of Ashland County, Ohio, for more than 16 years. The Swartzentruber are considered the most conservative Amish, eschewing gas, electricity, and indoor plumbing. Even their ubiquitous buggies are driven without lights. Over the years, Mackall developed a friendship with the Shetler family, and Plain Secrets is an affectionate portrait of a family as well as a way of life. Some stereotype and romanticize the Amish, saying they represent an ideal, preindustrial American community. Others sensationalize them as backward religious fanatics. Mackall knows the Shetlers as persons, not cardboard figures, and he has readers get to know them as persons, too. His is hardly black-and-white portraiture. The Amish he writes about are as complex and flawed as any non-Amish. Although he admires their connection to the land and devotion to family, he is conflicted about the future of Amish girls, who live under a resolutely patriarchal household regime, in particular. This is a loving portrait, warts and all, of an often-misunderstood people.
— June Sawyers
P.S. I found these 2 titles by doing an Advanced search in Booklist Online, searching Amish, nonfiction, adult and starred review.
Also for nonfiction: I would pull these books for the person to look at if he/she was interested in the Amish in Wisconsin: I found them by searching Amish and Wisconsin in our webcat. I also see they are by one publisher, which I should investigate.
Amish assimilation : a changing culture / Richard Dawley.
New Berlin, Wis. : Amish Insight, c2007.
Amish journey in contentment : an anecdotal journal / Richard Lee Dawley.
New Berlin, Wis. : Amish Insight, c2005.
Amish in Wisconsin : an anecdotal journal / Richard Lee Dawley.
New Berlin, Wis. : Amish Insight, c2003.
(fiction) 1: If the reader enjoyed the Lewis book and in particular this series, I would certainly recommend the next book in that series or all the 5 books in the series.
(ficiton) 2: If she liked the writing but wanted to try something else -- not about the Amish, I could recommend other Lewis books/series.
(fiction choices 3 & 4) If she liked the Amish, I would recommend the following 2 authors based on LJ: Kim Vogel Sawyer and Wanda Brunstetter. There are a number of books to try, including series to try. Where the Heart Leads may resonate with the reader of the Covenant because of plot, in which two of the sisters take different paths in terms of choices related to their religion and Amish culture -- whether to stay or go out among "the English."
From Christian Fiction
By Tamara Butler -- Library Journal, 9/1/2008:
"Sawyer, Kim Vogel. Where the Heart Leads. Bethany. Sept. 2008. c.352p. ISBN 978-0-7642-0263-6. pap. $13.99. CF
Featuring characters from Waiting for Summer's Return and set in the early 20th century, Sawyer's new novel follows Thomas Ollenburger as he graduates from college and has to decide whether to return to his Mennonite roots in Kansas or build his future in Boston. Making his choices more difficult are the two girls he cares about in each place. Thomas will need to rely on his God to help him make the biggest decision of his young life. Along with Beverly Lewis and Wanda E. Brunstetter, Sawyer is one of the top authors writing about Amish and Mennonite cultures, and she clearly portrays the positive and negative elements of living in strict observance of their beliefs. Recommended for public libraries."
nonfiction recommendation (1):
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy.
Kraybill, Donald B. (author) and Steven M. Nolt (author) and others.
Sept. 2007. 288p. Wiley,
If the reader is interested in current events related to the Amish, I would recommend this book although make clear what it is about - the tragic deaths of real Amish schoolchildren. And let the reader read thru the following review: Booklist
Review of 9/1/2007 by June Sawyers:
Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy.
Kraybill, Donald B. (author) and Steven M. Nolt (author) and others.
Sept. 2007. 288p. Wiley, hardcover, $24.95 (0-7879-9761-7). 364.152.
REVIEW. First published September 1, 2007 (Booklist).
Review of 9/1/2007 by June Sawyers:
The crime—shooting innocent schoolchildren in a one-room schoolhouse—was shockingly vicious. More shocking, virtually incredible, was where it happened, in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish country, commonly associated with bucolic tranquility, not gun violence. This remarkable book explains, exceedingly well, Amish reaction to the horrific Nickel Mines shootings. The outside world was gravely taken aback by the Amish response of forgiveness. Some in the media criticized the Amish as naive and hypocritical (didn’t they shun members of their own community?), but most simply couldn’t understand the Amish concept of forgiveness as unmerited gift. How could they forgive humanly embodied evil? The authors, all authorities on Amish culture, emphasize that the Amish response reflected the sect’s heritage and deeply embedded faith. They distinguish forgiveness from pardon and reconciliation. Forgiveness relinquishes the right to vengeance, while pardon forfeits punishment altogether, and reconciliation restores the relationship of victim and offender or creates a new one. They discuss the shooting mercifully straightforwardly before exploring the broader perspectives of forgiveness and concluding with reflections on the meaning of forgiveness. At times difficult to read, this anguished and devastating account of a national tragedy and a hopeful, life-affirming lesson in how to live is itself a marvel of grace.
This second book, Plain Secrets, might be more appealing to readers interested in the Amish but not want to read the book mentioned above about the killing of children. I think Plain Secrets would be a book I would enjoy:
Plain Secrets: An Outsider among the Amish.
Mackall, Joe (author).
June 2007. 256p. Beacon, hardcover, $24.95 (9780807010648). 289.7.
Again with a review by June Sawyers, 6/1/2007, Booklist:
As this wonderful and enlightening book makes clear, the Amish are hardly a monolithic group. Actually, there are many different orders of Amish. The decidedly non-Amish Mackall has lived among the Swartzentruber Amish of Ashland County, Ohio, for more than 16 years. The Swartzentruber are considered the most conservative Amish, eschewing gas, electricity, and indoor plumbing. Even their ubiquitous buggies are driven without lights. Over the years, Mackall developed a friendship with the Shetler family, and Plain Secrets is an affectionate portrait of a family as well as a way of life. Some stereotype and romanticize the Amish, saying they represent an ideal, preindustrial American community. Others sensationalize them as backward religious fanatics. Mackall knows the Shetlers as persons, not cardboard figures, and he has readers get to know them as persons, too. His is hardly black-and-white portraiture. The Amish he writes about are as complex and flawed as any non-Amish. Although he admires their connection to the land and devotion to family, he is conflicted about the future of Amish girls, who live under a resolutely patriarchal household regime, in particular. This is a loving portrait, warts and all, of an often-misunderstood people.
— June Sawyers
P.S. I found these 2 titles by doing an Advanced search in Booklist Online, searching Amish, nonfiction, adult and starred review.
Also for nonfiction: I would pull these books for the person to look at if he/she was interested in the Amish in Wisconsin: I found them by searching Amish and Wisconsin in our webcat. I also see they are by one publisher, which I should investigate.
Amish assimilation : a changing culture / Richard Dawley.
New Berlin, Wis. : Amish Insight, c2007.
Amish journey in contentment : an anecdotal journal / Richard Lee Dawley.
New Berlin, Wis. : Amish Insight, c2005.
Amish in Wisconsin : an anecdotal journal / Richard Lee Dawley.
New Berlin, Wis. : Amish Insight, c2003.
Romance Fiction - Reader Recommendations
I read Snowbound about a teacher and veteran who meet because of a blizzard. The teacher and her students, partcipating in a tournament, get caught driving in a blizzard. One of the students remembers a B&B/hotel in the area and they are lucky to find it. The veteran, scarred physically and emotionally, is not happy to have these unexpected guests. Naturally, he and the teacher, fall in love. They each have issues and end up splitting up, come together again, help each other deal with their issues and will live happily ever after following their marriage - which the students will attend!
Fiction Recommendations:
What other titles might I suggest:
If the person liked the story because it was a love story that involved a teacher and would share whether she liked the romance level - love at first sight with some sexuality - mostly "off-camera" but not entirely, then I would recommend another romance in the same Harlequin series, which is the Harlequin superromance series:
One of the titles in that series is called Son's Teacher so this would be a possibility:
Title : His son's teacher Author : Stockham, Kay.
Publisher : Toronto ; New York : Harlequin, c2008.
Subject Heading(s) : Single fathers--Fiction.
Teachers--Fiction.
Dyslexia--Fiction.
Tennessee--Fiction.
Love stories.
Series Title : Harlequin superromance ; 1502
I haven't had a chance to read it - it's been checked out since I read Snowbound!
If reader of Snowbound said she was interested in the female teacher story but found Snowbound a little tame both in the romance and depth of characterization, if the reader has also read chick lit or would be willing to try chick lit, I would recommend that she try the following: Everything Nice
She could read the Syndetics Publishers Weekly review available in our web catalog to see if this would be a good fit:
Title: Everything nice Author : Shanman, Ellen.
Publisher : New York : Bantam Books, c2008.
Subject Heading(s) : Single women--Fiction.
Risk-taking (Psychology)--Fiction.
Women teachers--Fiction.
Love stories.
NONFICTION RECOMMENDATIONS:
For nonfiction, again if reader a teacher or interested in teaching:
I could recommend a title written by a teacher, but would check to see if the reader was interested in something that focuses on day-to-day experiences with a focus on our troubled school systems, This might not be what the reader is looking for:
Title: Inside Mrs. B's Classroom : courage, hope, and learning on Chicago's South Side
Author : Baldacci, Leslie.
Publisher : New York : McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Subject Heading(s) : Baldacci, Leslie--Career in education.
Urban schools--Illinois--Chicago.
Public schools--Illinois--Chicago.
Women teachers--Illinois--Chicago.
Problem children--Education--Illinois--Chicago.
One of more interest, with a well-respected author, if reader interested in teaching would be by Jonathan Kozol: From the Booklist review of 9/1/2007 by Vanessa Bush:
A beautiful book that offers an intimate look at the challenges and joys of teaching and one that will inspire and inform teachers and all those interested in public education. Bush, Vanessa.
Title : Letters to a young teacher
Author : Kozol, Jonathan.
Publisher : New York : Crown Publishers, c2007.
Edition : 1st ed.
Subject Heading(s) : Teaching
Teachers--Anecdotes.
Teaching--Anecdotes.
We have biographies of teachers, many are biographies with an historical bent and I would explore those with the reader if she was not interested in the 2 I mention above. I haven't yet found a nonfiction teacher/love story book but I'd need to do more searching - especially the biographies or perhaps a classic I can't think of. More work to do on this!
I could also explore the Veterans or Blizzards aspect of the title Snowbound. There are fiction and NF books on blizzards but that really wasn't the focus of the novel - really a plot device to bring the characters together rather than the setting. There are books on health impacts on Iraqi veterans - more than any of would like to see - but a reality that readers may want to read.
The other romance I read was a historical romance and I enjoyed that more:
Title: Chances
Author : Nowak, Pamela.
Publisher : Waterville, Me. : Five Star, c2008.
Edition : 1st ed.
Subject Heading(s) : Women telegraphers--Fiction.
Undertakers and undertaking--Fiction.
Suffragists--Fiction.
Women--Colorado--History--Fiction.
Denver (Colo.)--Fiction.
Love stories.
Fiction Recommendations:
What other titles might I suggest:
If the person liked the story because it was a love story that involved a teacher and would share whether she liked the romance level - love at first sight with some sexuality - mostly "off-camera" but not entirely, then I would recommend another romance in the same Harlequin series, which is the Harlequin superromance series:
One of the titles in that series is called Son's Teacher so this would be a possibility:
Title : His son's teacher Author : Stockham, Kay.
Publisher : Toronto ; New York : Harlequin, c2008.
Subject Heading(s) : Single fathers--Fiction.
Teachers--Fiction.
Dyslexia--Fiction.
Tennessee--Fiction.
Love stories.
Series Title : Harlequin superromance ; 1502
I haven't had a chance to read it - it's been checked out since I read Snowbound!
If reader of Snowbound said she was interested in the female teacher story but found Snowbound a little tame both in the romance and depth of characterization, if the reader has also read chick lit or would be willing to try chick lit, I would recommend that she try the following: Everything Nice
She could read the Syndetics Publishers Weekly review available in our web catalog to see if this would be a good fit:
Title: Everything nice Author : Shanman, Ellen.
Publisher : New York : Bantam Books, c2008.
Subject Heading(s) : Single women--Fiction.
Risk-taking (Psychology)--Fiction.
Women teachers--Fiction.
Love stories.
NONFICTION RECOMMENDATIONS:
For nonfiction, again if reader a teacher or interested in teaching:
I could recommend a title written by a teacher, but would check to see if the reader was interested in something that focuses on day-to-day experiences with a focus on our troubled school systems, This might not be what the reader is looking for:
Title: Inside Mrs. B's Classroom : courage, hope, and learning on Chicago's South Side
Author : Baldacci, Leslie.
Publisher : New York : McGraw-Hill, 2004.
Subject Heading(s) : Baldacci, Leslie--Career in education.
Urban schools--Illinois--Chicago.
Public schools--Illinois--Chicago.
Women teachers--Illinois--Chicago.
Problem children--Education--Illinois--Chicago.
One of more interest, with a well-respected author, if reader interested in teaching would be by Jonathan Kozol: From the Booklist review of 9/1/2007 by Vanessa Bush:
A beautiful book that offers an intimate look at the challenges and joys of teaching and one that will inspire and inform teachers and all those interested in public education. Bush, Vanessa.
Title : Letters to a young teacher
Author : Kozol, Jonathan.
Publisher : New York : Crown Publishers, c2007.
Edition : 1st ed.
Subject Heading(s) : Teaching
Teachers--Anecdotes.
Teaching--Anecdotes.
We have biographies of teachers, many are biographies with an historical bent and I would explore those with the reader if she was not interested in the 2 I mention above. I haven't yet found a nonfiction teacher/love story book but I'd need to do more searching - especially the biographies or perhaps a classic I can't think of. More work to do on this!
I could also explore the Veterans or Blizzards aspect of the title Snowbound. There are fiction and NF books on blizzards but that really wasn't the focus of the novel - really a plot device to bring the characters together rather than the setting. There are books on health impacts on Iraqi veterans - more than any of would like to see - but a reality that readers may want to read.
The other romance I read was a historical romance and I enjoyed that more:
Title: Chances
Author : Nowak, Pamela.
Publisher : Waterville, Me. : Five Star, c2008.
Edition : 1st ed.
Subject Heading(s) : Women telegraphers--Fiction.
Undertakers and undertaking--Fiction.
Suffragists--Fiction.
Women--Colorado--History--Fiction.
Denver (Colo.)--Fiction.
Love stories.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
RA course - nonfiction lesson
The book I read for the course is: I highly recommend it!
I read Touching History: the Untold Story of the Drama that Unfolded in the Skies over America on 9/11. I was hesitant at first to read a book about 9/11 - revisiting that tragedy. But Spencer's focus is not on the tragedy, the human loss, the terrorists -- rather, she writes about what it was like that day in the skies for the pilots flying planes that day, the air traffic controllers, and the military fighters who eventually went up in the skies to possibly shoot down civilian/commercial planes. As a pilot herself she has the technical knowlege about flying and piloting planes. She gained access to pilots who were in the skies that day, to air traffic controllers and others on the ground, and to government officials (after they realized she was not a "crackpot"). Besides gaining access, Spencer's other challenge was that she was not a writer. But, boy, what a writer she is! The story is engrossing and covers a lot of information that understandably wasn't focused on by the media in the days or months after the tragedy. This is a great book to recommed to people interested in 9/11, interested in American history, interested in flying stories, amateur pilots or those who like excitement, page-turning reads - talk about a fast pace -- so mystery readers would also enjoy this book. (Published in 2008)
I can't say enough about this book - try it and recommend it to others. It is fast-paced yet offers lots of explanatin - in a non-technical way. I'd never thought about what it was like for the pilots in the air that day - what confusion there was - these are pilots in flights all over the country - not just a mention of the doomed flights. Because of uncertainty and security reasons, the pilots weren't told exactly what was happening. They were told to land at other airports - some had to struggle to make it to other airports due to low fuel. The air controllers acted very professionally. They had to struggle with the hijacked flights -- it was quite some time since hijacks over U.S. territory and these hijacks were different - they weren't making demands or raising political issues AND they knew, although with some mistakes, about flying planes and cutting off communications!
I read Touching History: the Untold Story of the Drama that Unfolded in the Skies over America on 9/11. I was hesitant at first to read a book about 9/11 - revisiting that tragedy. But Spencer's focus is not on the tragedy, the human loss, the terrorists -- rather, she writes about what it was like that day in the skies for the pilots flying planes that day, the air traffic controllers, and the military fighters who eventually went up in the skies to possibly shoot down civilian/commercial planes. As a pilot herself she has the technical knowlege about flying and piloting planes. She gained access to pilots who were in the skies that day, to air traffic controllers and others on the ground, and to government officials (after they realized she was not a "crackpot"). Besides gaining access, Spencer's other challenge was that she was not a writer. But, boy, what a writer she is! The story is engrossing and covers a lot of information that understandably wasn't focused on by the media in the days or months after the tragedy. This is a great book to recommed to people interested in 9/11, interested in American history, interested in flying stories, amateur pilots or those who like excitement, page-turning reads - talk about a fast pace -- so mystery readers would also enjoy this book. (Published in 2008)
I can't say enough about this book - try it and recommend it to others. It is fast-paced yet offers lots of explanatin - in a non-technical way. I'd never thought about what it was like for the pilots in the air that day - what confusion there was - these are pilots in flights all over the country - not just a mention of the doomed flights. Because of uncertainty and security reasons, the pilots weren't told exactly what was happening. They were told to land at other airports - some had to struggle to make it to other airports due to low fuel. The air controllers acted very professionally. They had to struggle with the hijacked flights -- it was quite some time since hijacks over U.S. territory and these hijacks were different - they weren't making demands or raising political issues AND they knew, although with some mistakes, about flying planes and cutting off communications!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Graphic Novels Reader Recommendations
Read Deogratias A Tale of Rwanda a graphic novel
Reader Recommendations - for this unit I'm separating graphic novel and "regular" book recommendations. I admit to being a little confused by applying "graphic novel" to fiction and nonfiction but that is the label I'm finding in various places!
GRAPHIC NOVEL RECOMMENDATIONS:
If the reader wanted a graphic novel also about Africa,Irecommend the award-winning Aya, by Marguerite Abouet and Clement Oubrerie. The book is about Africa and involves a teenage girl and her friends and family. There isn't the horror as found in the GN about Rwanda. Indeed the author of Aya, when interviewed said she intentionally wanted to show an Africa without famine or war.
The book is lighter in storyline, is humorous and described as a fun read, and has light, vibrant, colorful illustrations. As to location and time, this takes place in the Ivory Coast in the 1970s. There's a second book about Aya if the reader enjoys this. I enjoyed Aya very much and did read it as a contrast to the harrowing tale of Rwanda.
If the reader was interested in other graphic novels that dealt with historic events and would be educational but didn't need to deal with Africa or the 1990's: I would recommend:
The Pulitizer Prize winning classic graphic novel, Maus, about the Holocaust.
Another GN I would recommend is Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis, which is about an Iranian girl from 10-14 yrs (so you'd have the youth interest if a teen wanted another GN or an adult was interested in stories with teens/tweens) who is there during the Iranian revolution in the 1970s and whose family escapes Iran during the Iraq/Iran War.
"Regular" book recommendations:
I'd recommend Over a Thousand Hills by Hanna Jansen. For someone interested in more on the Rwanda genocide and focus on a child (8 during genocide so younger than teen) and suitable for Grade 9-up per SLJ. Jansen's book is a ficionalized biography of an 8 year girl who was the only member of her family to survive.
Although not a graphic novel, this would be of interest to readers, particularly teens, since a child is the focus. It also has the same setting Rwanda and the storyline - the genocide in Rwanda.
Review from Teen Ink website: Over a Thousand Hills I Walk with You by Hanna Jansen
This inspirational book is based on the true story of Jeanne, who is caught in a war of ethnicities in Rwanda. The trials Jeanne endured are shocking; she was only eight when the atrocities occurred. Jeanne experiences the deaths of her mother and brother, which are forever engrained in her memory.
The root of the Rwandan genocide is ethnic violence between the Tutsis and Hutus. The Tutsis were hunted down and betrayed by their neighbors and friends, the Hutus. And so Jeanne learns whom she can and cannot trust.
Through many trials of doubt Jeanne becomes wise for her age. The story is told by Jeanne’s adoptive mother, who graciously becomes her guardian. This book showcases the will of a girl to survive and overcome the past to create a positive future.
This piece has also been published in Teen Ink's monthly magazine.
NONFICTION Books for adults
A 2008 book by foreign correspondent Stephen Kinzer, A Thousand Hills:Rwanda's Rebirth anf the Man Who Dreamed It, would update the reader on what's currently happening in Rwanda if that's what the reader asked me for. Kinzer describes progress and the country's President, Paul Kagame. A PW reviewer expresses some caution -- that Kinzer may be too optimistic about the country's rebirth and Kagame.
Recommendation: Nonfiction Book
And not to be too confusing with another Thousand Hills title!!!!!!
An older book but well worth reading:
Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rwanda by Carr, Rosamund Halsey (Author), with Halsey, Ann Howard
Carr describes her life as a young bride who ends up in Africa and stays even after her divorce. Her love of Africa and the people is warmly portrayed. She knew Tutsis and Hutus and both ethnic groups worked on her African "farm." It was shocking to her and is to the reader to see the rapid descent into violence and how Tutsis and Hutus who worked together amd were neighbors quickly turned into enemies and engaged in shocking violence. Obviously, this is a book I read and could describe it to the reader -- if the reader wants to read about Africa, know more about the history of Rwanda, read an eyewitness account of the violence, this would be an excellent book. It's also an account by an adult and by an outsider--non-African who grew to love Africa if these would be appeals for the reader.
Reader Recommendations - for this unit I'm separating graphic novel and "regular" book recommendations. I admit to being a little confused by applying "graphic novel" to fiction and nonfiction but that is the label I'm finding in various places!
GRAPHIC NOVEL RECOMMENDATIONS:
If the reader wanted a graphic novel also about Africa,Irecommend the award-winning Aya, by Marguerite Abouet and Clement Oubrerie. The book is about Africa and involves a teenage girl and her friends and family. There isn't the horror as found in the GN about Rwanda. Indeed the author of Aya, when interviewed said she intentionally wanted to show an Africa without famine or war.
The book is lighter in storyline, is humorous and described as a fun read, and has light, vibrant, colorful illustrations. As to location and time, this takes place in the Ivory Coast in the 1970s. There's a second book about Aya if the reader enjoys this. I enjoyed Aya very much and did read it as a contrast to the harrowing tale of Rwanda.
If the reader was interested in other graphic novels that dealt with historic events and would be educational but didn't need to deal with Africa or the 1990's: I would recommend:
The Pulitizer Prize winning classic graphic novel, Maus, about the Holocaust.
Another GN I would recommend is Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis, which is about an Iranian girl from 10-14 yrs (so you'd have the youth interest if a teen wanted another GN or an adult was interested in stories with teens/tweens) who is there during the Iranian revolution in the 1970s and whose family escapes Iran during the Iraq/Iran War.
"Regular" book recommendations:
I'd recommend Over a Thousand Hills by Hanna Jansen. For someone interested in more on the Rwanda genocide and focus on a child (8 during genocide so younger than teen) and suitable for Grade 9-up per SLJ. Jansen's book is a ficionalized biography of an 8 year girl who was the only member of her family to survive.
Although not a graphic novel, this would be of interest to readers, particularly teens, since a child is the focus. It also has the same setting Rwanda and the storyline - the genocide in Rwanda.
Review from Teen Ink website: Over a Thousand Hills I Walk with You by Hanna Jansen
This inspirational book is based on the true story of Jeanne, who is caught in a war of ethnicities in Rwanda. The trials Jeanne endured are shocking; she was only eight when the atrocities occurred. Jeanne experiences the deaths of her mother and brother, which are forever engrained in her memory.
The root of the Rwandan genocide is ethnic violence between the Tutsis and Hutus. The Tutsis were hunted down and betrayed by their neighbors and friends, the Hutus. And so Jeanne learns whom she can and cannot trust.
Through many trials of doubt Jeanne becomes wise for her age. The story is told by Jeanne’s adoptive mother, who graciously becomes her guardian. This book showcases the will of a girl to survive and overcome the past to create a positive future.
This piece has also been published in Teen Ink's monthly magazine.
NONFICTION Books for adults
A 2008 book by foreign correspondent Stephen Kinzer, A Thousand Hills:Rwanda's Rebirth anf the Man Who Dreamed It, would update the reader on what's currently happening in Rwanda if that's what the reader asked me for. Kinzer describes progress and the country's President, Paul Kagame. A PW reviewer expresses some caution -- that Kinzer may be too optimistic about the country's rebirth and Kagame.
Recommendation: Nonfiction Book
And not to be too confusing with another Thousand Hills title!!!!!!
An older book but well worth reading:
Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rwanda by Carr, Rosamund Halsey (Author), with Halsey, Ann Howard
Carr describes her life as a young bride who ends up in Africa and stays even after her divorce. Her love of Africa and the people is warmly portrayed. She knew Tutsis and Hutus and both ethnic groups worked on her African "farm." It was shocking to her and is to the reader to see the rapid descent into violence and how Tutsis and Hutus who worked together amd were neighbors quickly turned into enemies and engaged in shocking violence. Obviously, this is a book I read and could describe it to the reader -- if the reader wants to read about Africa, know more about the history of Rwanda, read an eyewitness account of the violence, this would be an excellent book. It's also an account by an adult and by an outsider--non-African who grew to love Africa if these would be appeals for the reader.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Horror Genre
Assignment: What are the ways to find and keep up with new horror literature?
http://www.pbclibrary.org/read-horror.htm
Although reviewed by library staff at the time of inclusion in this list, the Palm Beach County Library System is not responsible for their contents.
http://www.darkecho.com/darkecho/index.html
Suggested in our assignment for this week
http://www.horror.org/news-2007stokerwinners.htm
Horror Writers Association
This link includes the Bram Stoker Award winners in various categories
http://www.monsterlibrarian.com/main_page.htm
MonsterLibrarian.com was created with the following goals
1) To support Public, Academic, and School Librarians in developing their library horror fiction collection and assist in readers advisory
http://www.pbclibrary.org/read-horror.htm
Although reviewed by library staff at the time of inclusion in this list, the Palm Beach County Library System is not responsible for their contents.
http://www.darkecho.com/darkecho/index.html
Suggested in our assignment for this week
http://www.horror.org/news-2007stokerwinners.htm
Horror Writers Association
This link includes the Bram Stoker Award winners in various categories
http://www.monsterlibrarian.com/main_page.htm
MonsterLibrarian.com was created with the following goals
1) To support Public, Academic, and School Librarians in developing their library horror fiction collection and assist in readers advisory
Science Fiction - Reader Recommendations
Read 1 SF or Fantasy: MY 4 FEADER RECOMMENDATIONS follow comments about Maximum Ride, the book I read for Science Fiction - so keep reading!
I read The Final Warning by James Patterson; the 4th book in the Maximum Ride series. Patterson wrote the Maximum Ride series for YA audience. I didn't read the first 3 in the series but the same characters are in all the books. Maximum Ride is a 14-year old girl - part of the Flock, a group of kids of varying ages - and Max is the leader. What's uniques and SF about these kids: they've been genetically modified (such a genteel term, isn't it) an are human/bird "people" - they have wings and can fly and have great eyesight. Their sidekick is a talking dog, who sprouts wings in this title in the series. I can see the appeal for both boys and girls of teen or younger years: first there's the tight group/comradeship aspect of being part of the Flock, and the kids seem smarter then the adults, although there are times when "good" adults help them out; they have lots of adventures and face danger (most of the violence is off camera); it's cool to think about -- what if humans had wings and could fly any time. Girls probably like the idea of Max, the oldest girl being the leader but there is an equally strong boy, Fang, for the boys to like. There's also a budding romance between the 2 of them. On the other, teen readers will relate to the times when the Flock feel like freaks when they're with all-human groups--the Flock is different and people stare and treat them differently. And not all the evil in the story is caused by humans - there are machines as bad guys. Those who like humor will enjoy the bits with the kids outsmarting the adults and the witty remarks Total, the dog, makes -- and Total also falls in love with a real dog. So, lots of aspects for teens/tweens to enjoy, including the SF aspects. As with other Patterson books, the book is fast-paced, with adventure/action and plot surprises.
How did I choose the book? At PLA this year, copies of a Maximum Ride title were handed out, not sure which one in the series. When I came back to the Library, I saw the interest in the series by Teens, Tweens, and Adults! There aren't many bestsellers that develop loyalty to a series across the generations. I also read it because I've read other James Patterson books - Alex Cross, etc. mysteries/suspense novels - and wanted to see how this would compare. I picked Final Warning because it was about global warming. (I'd say the global warming plotline was the lamest part of the book.) How does it fit in the genre: I would call it Science Fiction rather than Fantasy; I think you could call it Science Fiction sub-genre Adventure as well as the sub-genre Earth's Children, Bioengineering -- where it is listed in Genreflecting.
The Final Warning is the 4th in the Maximum Ride series. Book 5 is due to come out in March 2009.
I'm not sure if it's out yet but one of the titles has been optioned for a movie. I can see this series being popular as a movie. The set design - especially in The Final Warning - could be amazing -- flying kids, talking dogs, machines--some who look like humans, Antarctica, penguins, etc.
There is an interesting article in Booklist, 5/15/06, by Stephanie Zvirin, the Story Behind the Story . . . in which she writes about Patterson's motivation for writing the Maximum Ride series. He wanted to encourage kids to READ. The article also mentions that Patterson donates funds to bookstores, communities, libraries and schools to encourage reading.
FOUR BOOKS TO RECOMMEND
FICTION -- I'm listing more than 2 possibilities
For either adults or teens, I'd recommend the rest of the Final Warning series. Even if they started near the end of the series, as I did, I think the earlier books would be of interest -- reader could fill in the gaps on the earlier adventures of the teens and the way they were "raised".
This is what I found using NoveList
2 fiction under teenage adventure using currency of publication date and popularity as limiters:
So if I was suggesting titles to teens:
Alex Rider graphic novel series by Anthony Horowitz
or
Thieves till we die by Stephen Cole
I also added the limiter adult in NoveList if I was making a suggestion for an adult who'd read Final Warning:
Secret Country by Pamela Dean
Summary: Each vacation a group of cousins--Patrick, Ruth, Ellen, Ted, and Laura--play a game they invented called "Secret," in which they are transported to a world of wizards, magic, dragons, and court intrigue. Summary from NoveList So, this book is more magic-oriented than the Patterson series and their may be some adults not interested in magic and so this title might not be their choice.
And from the Library Journal, 11/15/2008 SF/Fantasy column by Jackie Cassada -- and I skipped over SciFi-Fantasy in every issue until this onine class --
I could suggest:
GreensWorld: A Tale of Extreme Global Warming by Donald Bingle should appeal especially to adults who were interested in the global warming storyline similiarity to Final Warning although the writing style--review describes author demonstrating his talent for dark comedy--would be different.
A second recommendatin from Cassada that might appeal to Final Warning readers might be Sunborn byJeffrey Carver. I'd recommend this to someone who really likes to read adventure stories, with some scientific bent -- this story inpart deals with artificial intelligence -- but again the story would be more complex and not be a fast-paced Patterson book that could be finished in a very few sittings.
Nonfiction Books to Recommend
If someone enjoyed Final Warning because of its setting - Antarctica
I would recommend a new title, Antarctica Secrets of the Southern continent by David McGonigal for the reader who wants information and photos and maps of Antarctica. It's not a true nonfiction read -- most people will read part of the books or page through what interests them - it may end up in reference departments of some libraries. Written by McGonigal, a travel writer.
Antarctica : the global warning by Copeland, Sebastian. Would be another title on the scientific front. Or perhaps a biography on Shackleton if the person likes biographies - this would be an adventure story in the "setting" of Antarctica.
I'd look for a book on genetic engineering, here's one with good reviews, but I'd need to find a newer title too:
Retooling of Human Life.
Lyons, Jeff (author) and Peter Gorner (author).
Mar. 1995. 800p. Norton, hardcover, $27.50 (0-393-03596-4). 660.65.
REVIEW. First published March 15, 1995 (Booklist).
Lyons and Gorner present the science, scientists, and ethics of a technology destined to have as great an impact on humanity’s fate as nuclear weapons: genetic manipulation. Behind all the sci-fi horror of genetic eugenics, this pair of Chicago Tribune reporters unveil the tangible possibility of curing thousands of inherited diseases, in addition to viral ones such as AIDS. The geniuses of biochemistry have developed the techniques of gene therapy--conceptually, the transplant of properly coded genes for defective ones--and have already applied them to such inheritable afflictions as cancer and coronary disease. However, the ethical questions cascade as the microbiological trail reaches the current frontiers where lie the human genes--all 100,000 of which are now being mapped by the Human Genome Project--that control aging, psychology, and intellect. Will cloning embryos, now a definite possibility, enable scientists not merely to create twins, but to leapfrog evolution by inventing a supersentient branch of the Homo genus superior to our sapiens species? Given the enthusiastic propensity of the scientists to push on for the renown of a Nobel Prize, who of them will heed calls for restraint? New dawn or new Pandora’s box, gene surgery is established fact, and the lay public following recent developments can scarcely be better informed than by Lyons and Gorner’s skillfully written, pathbreaking portrayal. (Reviewed Mar. 15, 1995)— Gilbert Taylor From Booklist Online
I read The Final Warning by James Patterson; the 4th book in the Maximum Ride series. Patterson wrote the Maximum Ride series for YA audience. I didn't read the first 3 in the series but the same characters are in all the books. Maximum Ride is a 14-year old girl - part of the Flock, a group of kids of varying ages - and Max is the leader. What's uniques and SF about these kids: they've been genetically modified (such a genteel term, isn't it) an are human/bird "people" - they have wings and can fly and have great eyesight. Their sidekick is a talking dog, who sprouts wings in this title in the series. I can see the appeal for both boys and girls of teen or younger years: first there's the tight group/comradeship aspect of being part of the Flock, and the kids seem smarter then the adults, although there are times when "good" adults help them out; they have lots of adventures and face danger (most of the violence is off camera); it's cool to think about -- what if humans had wings and could fly any time. Girls probably like the idea of Max, the oldest girl being the leader but there is an equally strong boy, Fang, for the boys to like. There's also a budding romance between the 2 of them. On the other, teen readers will relate to the times when the Flock feel like freaks when they're with all-human groups--the Flock is different and people stare and treat them differently. And not all the evil in the story is caused by humans - there are machines as bad guys. Those who like humor will enjoy the bits with the kids outsmarting the adults and the witty remarks Total, the dog, makes -- and Total also falls in love with a real dog. So, lots of aspects for teens/tweens to enjoy, including the SF aspects. As with other Patterson books, the book is fast-paced, with adventure/action and plot surprises.
How did I choose the book? At PLA this year, copies of a Maximum Ride title were handed out, not sure which one in the series. When I came back to the Library, I saw the interest in the series by Teens, Tweens, and Adults! There aren't many bestsellers that develop loyalty to a series across the generations. I also read it because I've read other James Patterson books - Alex Cross, etc. mysteries/suspense novels - and wanted to see how this would compare. I picked Final Warning because it was about global warming. (I'd say the global warming plotline was the lamest part of the book.) How does it fit in the genre: I would call it Science Fiction rather than Fantasy; I think you could call it Science Fiction sub-genre Adventure as well as the sub-genre Earth's Children, Bioengineering -- where it is listed in Genreflecting.
The Final Warning is the 4th in the Maximum Ride series. Book 5 is due to come out in March 2009.
I'm not sure if it's out yet but one of the titles has been optioned for a movie. I can see this series being popular as a movie. The set design - especially in The Final Warning - could be amazing -- flying kids, talking dogs, machines--some who look like humans, Antarctica, penguins, etc.
There is an interesting article in Booklist, 5/15/06, by Stephanie Zvirin, the Story Behind the Story . . . in which she writes about Patterson's motivation for writing the Maximum Ride series. He wanted to encourage kids to READ. The article also mentions that Patterson donates funds to bookstores, communities, libraries and schools to encourage reading.
FOUR BOOKS TO RECOMMEND
FICTION -- I'm listing more than 2 possibilities
For either adults or teens, I'd recommend the rest of the Final Warning series. Even if they started near the end of the series, as I did, I think the earlier books would be of interest -- reader could fill in the gaps on the earlier adventures of the teens and the way they were "raised".
This is what I found using NoveList
2 fiction under teenage adventure using currency of publication date and popularity as limiters:
So if I was suggesting titles to teens:
Alex Rider graphic novel series by Anthony Horowitz
or
Thieves till we die by Stephen Cole
I also added the limiter adult in NoveList if I was making a suggestion for an adult who'd read Final Warning:
Secret Country by Pamela Dean
Summary: Each vacation a group of cousins--Patrick, Ruth, Ellen, Ted, and Laura--play a game they invented called "Secret," in which they are transported to a world of wizards, magic, dragons, and court intrigue. Summary from NoveList So, this book is more magic-oriented than the Patterson series and their may be some adults not interested in magic and so this title might not be their choice.
And from the Library Journal, 11/15/2008 SF/Fantasy column by Jackie Cassada -- and I skipped over SciFi-Fantasy in every issue until this onine class --
I could suggest:
GreensWorld: A Tale of Extreme Global Warming by Donald Bingle should appeal especially to adults who were interested in the global warming storyline similiarity to Final Warning although the writing style--review describes author demonstrating his talent for dark comedy--would be different.
A second recommendatin from Cassada that might appeal to Final Warning readers might be Sunborn byJeffrey Carver. I'd recommend this to someone who really likes to read adventure stories, with some scientific bent -- this story inpart deals with artificial intelligence -- but again the story would be more complex and not be a fast-paced Patterson book that could be finished in a very few sittings.
Nonfiction Books to Recommend
If someone enjoyed Final Warning because of its setting - Antarctica
I would recommend a new title, Antarctica Secrets of the Southern continent by David McGonigal for the reader who wants information and photos and maps of Antarctica. It's not a true nonfiction read -- most people will read part of the books or page through what interests them - it may end up in reference departments of some libraries. Written by McGonigal, a travel writer.
Antarctica : the global warning by Copeland, Sebastian. Would be another title on the scientific front. Or perhaps a biography on Shackleton if the person likes biographies - this would be an adventure story in the "setting" of Antarctica.
I'd look for a book on genetic engineering, here's one with good reviews, but I'd need to find a newer title too:
Retooling of Human Life.
Lyons, Jeff (author) and Peter Gorner (author).
Mar. 1995. 800p. Norton, hardcover, $27.50 (0-393-03596-4). 660.65.
REVIEW. First published March 15, 1995 (Booklist).
Lyons and Gorner present the science, scientists, and ethics of a technology destined to have as great an impact on humanity’s fate as nuclear weapons: genetic manipulation. Behind all the sci-fi horror of genetic eugenics, this pair of Chicago Tribune reporters unveil the tangible possibility of curing thousands of inherited diseases, in addition to viral ones such as AIDS. The geniuses of biochemistry have developed the techniques of gene therapy--conceptually, the transplant of properly coded genes for defective ones--and have already applied them to such inheritable afflictions as cancer and coronary disease. However, the ethical questions cascade as the microbiological trail reaches the current frontiers where lie the human genes--all 100,000 of which are now being mapped by the Human Genome Project--that control aging, psychology, and intellect. Will cloning embryos, now a definite possibility, enable scientists not merely to create twins, but to leapfrog evolution by inventing a supersentient branch of the Homo genus superior to our sapiens species? Given the enthusiastic propensity of the scientists to push on for the renown of a Nobel Prize, who of them will heed calls for restraint? New dawn or new Pandora’s box, gene surgery is established fact, and the lay public following recent developments can scarcely be better informed than by Lyons and Gorner’s skillfully written, pathbreaking portrayal. (Reviewed Mar. 15, 1995)— Gilbert Taylor From Booklist Online
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Science Fiction - Reading assignment thoughts
The Science Fiction and Fantasy chapters were the hardest for me to understand - I had to read them twice carefully. I also thought they were the most poorly written chapters in the Text.
SF
I noted Joyce Saricks list of SF appeal factors, which hve a "twist" due to SF. She notes storyu line, frame and frame shows some uniqueness one example was time travel. Pacing was interesting -- author can use slower pacing to create the texture and ambience of another time. In SF the imaginary setting (another world, etc) is a major character in the story - so setting may be a stronger appeal factor than often weak characterizations in SF
Diversity in SF can lead to idea-oriented or adventure-oriented stories so this would be a great difference to focus on when talking with customers. How important is a fast-paced story, are you challenged by the science in the story and is scientific credibility important to you . . . As scientific discoveries and breakthroughs occur, new scientific sub-genres are born: ex. nanotech stories. So you may have readers with an interest in one type of science but not another. I think you'd have to be wary of people that might have one view or another of ethical issues related to science - the book I read describes human genetic engineering for example.
The Text made me aware of the diversity of sub-genres and this list will be useful to consult in the future for RA or displays.
Fantasy
That fantasy is a way not only to enjoy stories of an alternative world but to the reader may be a way of learning how to look inward was a slant I hadn't thought of.
Readers who like a powerful story line, use of imaginative imagery and details about this other world will enjoy fantasy. Magic and enchantment are often components in fantasy. Readers look for an "internally consistent world" Text suggested raders are examining humanity's place in an often threatening (real)world. I wonder how conscioulsy Fantasy readers are aware of such an examination.
Sounds like fantasy readers are attracted by setting - especially detailed setting, plots that include magic are attractive and storyline is important. I'm not sure how critical character is to the fantasy reader. Again, there are many sub-genres. And will the Harry Potter phenomena mean a fantasy boom for decades - have younger readers developed a lifelong love of fantasy?
Kept these questions to think about for our own library: We only break out SF.
Science Fiction and Fantasy - our online RA lesson this week is SF and Fantasy.
In your libraries, do you shelve SF and Fantasy as one GENRE collection?
do you shelve Each as their own Genre-- each is its own GENRE collection -- so there is a SF collection and a separate Fantasy collection?
or do you have a SF GENRE with Fantasy shelved in Fiction or any other configurations out there?
How does your arrangement work for the customer and for staff? What's positive about your arrangement or how would you change it?
Have other libraries that have Genre collections chosen not to have a combined SF/Fantasy genre collection nor a separate SF and/or Fantasy genre designation? SF and Fantasy in Fiction only.
Are some libraries considering a change based on the current growth in fantasy literature and readership?
Share your thoughts as a librarian or reader--what is the most customer-friendly shelving arrangement?
SF
I noted Joyce Saricks list of SF appeal factors, which hve a "twist" due to SF. She notes storyu line, frame and frame shows some uniqueness
Diversity in SF can lead to idea-oriented or adventure-oriented stories so this would be a great difference to focus on when talking with customers. How important is a fast-paced story, are you challenged by the science in the story and is scientific credibility important to you . . . As scientific discoveries and breakthroughs occur, new scientific sub-genres are born: ex. nanotech stories. So you may have readers with an interest in one type of science but not another. I think you'd have to be wary of people that might have one view or another of ethical issues related to science - the book I read describes human genetic engineering for example.
The Text made me aware of the diversity of sub-genres and this list will be useful to consult in the future for RA or displays.
Fantasy
That fantasy is a way not only to enjoy stories of an alternative world but to the reader may be a way of learning how to look inward was a slant I hadn't thought of.
Readers who like a powerful story line, use of imaginative imagery and details about this other world will enjoy fantasy. Magic and enchantment are often components in fantasy. Readers look for an "internally consistent world" Text suggested raders are examining humanity's place in an often threatening (real)world. I wonder how conscioulsy Fantasy readers are aware of such an examination.
Sounds like fantasy readers are attracted by setting - especially detailed setting, plots that include magic are attractive and storyline is important. I'm not sure how critical character is to the fantasy reader. Again, there are many sub-genres. And will the Harry Potter phenomena mean a fantasy boom for decades - have younger readers developed a lifelong love of fantasy?
Kept these questions to think about for our own library: We only break out SF.
Science Fiction and Fantasy - our online RA lesson this week is SF and Fantasy.
In your libraries, do you shelve SF and Fantasy as one GENRE collection?
do you shelve Each as their own Genre-- each is its own GENRE collection -- so there is a SF collection and a separate Fantasy collection?
or do you have a SF GENRE with Fantasy shelved in Fiction or any other configurations out there?
How does your arrangement work for the customer and for staff? What's positive about your arrangement or how would you change it?
Have other libraries that have Genre collections chosen not to have a combined SF/Fantasy genre collection nor a separate SF and/or Fantasy genre designation? SF and Fantasy in Fiction only.
Are some libraries considering a change based on the current growth in fantasy literature and readership?
Share your thoughts as a librarian or reader--what is the most customer-friendly shelving arrangement?
Literary Fiction - In Search of a Definition
Our class had a discussion about what literary fiction is and the "code words" we might hear from readers --the words they use to ask for or describe literary fiction. I believe our class is made up of working librarians - maybe all in public libraries but I'm not sure.
Here was my definition for literary fiction, which was one of our questions after reading The End of Literary Fiction by Robert McCrum and a brief synopsis from Joyce Sarick's book. My reply I see a tie-in with the word literature. I studied literature in high school and college and was assigned to read the "classics" of literature. Won't some of the titles we describe as literary fiction become the classics from the 20th and 21st centuries? I can accept a definition of Award-winning books or Saricks' description of often character-centered, provocative, complex or multi-layered literature and the reader's enjoyment of prose or writing style. For example, I can remember reading Middlemarch in college and, even with its length, going back and re-reading sentences or paragraphs just for the beauty of the language. But, of course, I accept that there are good and bad books labeled as literary fiction (even award winners) that turn people off and cause such books to be labeled pretentious. I, too, would be turned off by affected prose such as "furious dabs of tulips stuttering" which McCrum cites. ((My apologies to the author - this may be a very fine book - don't have a citation to the book)
This edited comment from one of the classmates, summed up many classmates' reaction:
I must admit, being a contemporary fiction/romance reader, it took me a little while to get into it. But once I started I just had to keep reading to find out what happened next. It was a moving story and I am glad I read it. Would I read another? Maybe some time in the future.
"I always considered literary fiction to encompass both the classics and the award winners. Works ranging from Theodore Dreiser, Joseph Conrad, and Virginia Wolfe to Toni Morrison and Ian McEwan among others. These are the "serious" reads that don't fall into a particular genre. Many would consider these books intellectual; you have to actually think while reading. The plots and characters are well crafted and complex. These are the books one brags about reading and suggests for book clubs."
Another classmate commented: "At this point I don't have a solid definition for what literary fiction is. As I see in other posts here, we tend to feel that it tends to fall outside of the genre categories we've discussed so far. There is often some focus on the writing or on some literary features.
And from another: "I would define literary fiction as what would fall outside the defined genres of mystery, romance, etc., and would be more writer-ly and serious, though not necessarily on a serious subject. The focus of the book would be on characters, style, and depth, rather than page-turning action."
Another's observation: "Other than the cover, I think one of the more physical characteristics is the number of words on a page - - in some of the latest James Patterson books I've looked at, the margins and font are verge large and the text seems to be double spaced - - in literary fiction it seems more often the complexity of the story is represented by more words per page. . . though this idea probably can't be backed up by data. "
Several people mentioned that literary fiction seems to be fiction outside defined genres but there is still a huge number of fiction books that aren't genres or literary fiction so what do we call those books - fiction (by default)??????
So, anyone reading this, if you have a better sense of literary fiction or a definition or checklist of qualifiers, please share. Are there colleges with courses in literary fiction that offer a definition or list of authors?
Or a blogger who would suggest their favorite work(s) of literary fiction?
It seems as if none of us in the class are literary fiction readers on a regular basis although we read quite a lot in genres. Why is that? Lack of interest, lack of time, stay within our comfort zone of mysteries or romances, etc.? Hard to find these titles? And what about our public? Can our fast-paced, less-text based, shorter attention span or faster absorption rate (commercials several seconds shorter than they were in the past) mean we're unwilling or unable to devote the time to literary fiction or length or complexity is too different from other media? Or am I way off base - I've looked at no statistics/research about the readership of literary fiction, publishing data . . . . So, am I predicting the death of literary fiction RA too soon or out-of-ignorance? And, I'm not being snobbish since I don't read a lot of literary fiction titles.
I think it would help if our library offered book discussions to get us more used to picking meaty, complex works to discussion. And, BTW, we have a fantastic READ section within Wisconsin Library Assoc. and there are many fine members who write reviews and articles, offer book discussions and book talks. So, I and others should take advantage of our opportunities to see the best in action at WLA conferences.
Our second question was: What do you think some of the code phrases/words are for a customer who really is looking for lit fic? People will ask for award winners and many are more specific - come in with a list and refer to Booker or Pulitizer, etc. just as other people come in with the latest picks in People Magazine. People have used words like "serious" fiction, academic fiction, something to keep me interested, something I can dig into. Others ask what's on the best-seller list, what's a book everyone is talking about, ask about or have a list from NPR, an author they've seen on TV, does X author have a new book out, what would be a good book to read, what would be a good choice for our book club, what good fiction is out there, etc. <> Or, people say, I spent the summer reading light fiction and I'd like something heavier/more challenging for the winter. . . . Or, I enjoyed this books so much, what is similar
some of my classmates wrote:
The key words I would use for literary fiction would be serious, award winning, deep, thoughtful and complex. Another added critically-acclaimed
Another: "Patrons might ask for something more "serious" or, in my library, "not a paperback" (based on the way things are shelved, indicates not a massmarket paperback and by extension the authors that are issued in massmarket paperbacks) - - the biggest hint I've found is by asking what authors they like and what they like about books - - if they give more abstract qualities or can't give any qualities at all, I find it frequently an indicator of the more literary fiction."
Here was my definition for literary fiction, which was one of our questions after reading The End of Literary Fiction by Robert McCrum and a brief synopsis from Joyce Sarick's book. My reply I see a tie-in with the word literature. I studied literature in high school and college and was assigned to read the "classics" of literature. Won't some of the titles we describe as literary fiction become the classics from the 20th and 21st centuries? I can accept a definition of Award-winning books or Saricks' description of often character-centered, provocative, complex or multi-layered literature and the reader's enjoyment of prose or writing style. For example, I can remember reading Middlemarch in college and, even with its length, going back and re-reading sentences or paragraphs just for the beauty of the language. But, of course, I accept that there are good and bad books labeled as literary fiction (even award winners) that turn people off and cause such books to be labeled pretentious. I, too, would be turned off by affected prose such as "furious dabs of tulips stuttering" which McCrum cites. ((My apologies to the author - this may be a very fine book - don't have a citation to the book)
This edited comment from one of the classmates, summed up many classmates' reaction:
I must admit, being a contemporary fiction/romance reader, it took me a little while to get into it. But once I started I just had to keep reading to find out what happened next. It was a moving story and I am glad I read it. Would I read another? Maybe some time in the future.
"I always considered literary fiction to encompass both the classics and the award winners. Works ranging from Theodore Dreiser, Joseph Conrad, and Virginia Wolfe to Toni Morrison and Ian McEwan among others. These are the "serious" reads that don't fall into a particular genre. Many would consider these books intellectual; you have to actually think while reading. The plots and characters are well crafted and complex. These are the books one brags about reading and suggests for book clubs."
Another classmate commented: "At this point I don't have a solid definition for what literary fiction is. As I see in other posts here, we tend to feel that it tends to fall outside of the genre categories we've discussed so far. There is often some focus on the writing or on some literary features.
And from another: "I would define literary fiction as what would fall outside the defined genres of mystery, romance, etc., and would be more writer-ly and serious, though not necessarily on a serious subject. The focus of the book would be on characters, style, and depth, rather than page-turning action."
Another's observation: "Other than the cover, I think one of the more physical characteristics is the number of words on a page - - in some of the latest James Patterson books I've looked at, the margins and font are verge large and the text seems to be double spaced - - in literary fiction it seems more often the complexity of the story is represented by more words per page. . . though this idea probably can't be backed up by data. "
Several people mentioned that literary fiction seems to be fiction outside defined genres but there is still a huge number of fiction books that aren't genres or literary fiction so what do we call those books - fiction (by default)??????
So, anyone reading this, if you have a better sense of literary fiction or a definition or checklist of qualifiers, please share. Are there colleges with courses in literary fiction that offer a definition or list of authors?
Or a blogger who would suggest their favorite work(s) of literary fiction?
It seems as if none of us in the class are literary fiction readers on a regular basis although we read quite a lot in genres. Why is that? Lack of interest, lack of time, stay within our comfort zone of mysteries or romances, etc.? Hard to find these titles? And what about our public? Can our fast-paced, less-text based, shorter attention span or faster absorption rate (commercials several seconds shorter than they were in the past) mean we're unwilling or unable to devote the time to literary fiction or length or complexity is too different from other media? Or am I way off base - I've looked at no statistics/research about the readership of literary fiction, publishing data . . . . So, am I predicting the death of literary fiction RA too soon or out-of-ignorance? And, I'm not being snobbish since I don't read a lot of literary fiction titles.
I think it would help if our library offered book discussions to get us more used to picking meaty, complex works to discussion. And, BTW, we have a fantastic READ section within Wisconsin Library Assoc. and there are many fine members who write reviews and articles, offer book discussions and book talks. So, I and others should take advantage of our opportunities to see the best in action at WLA conferences.
Our second question was: What do you think some of the code phrases/words are for a customer who really is looking for lit fic? People will ask for award winners and many are more specific - come in with a list and refer to Booker or Pulitizer, etc. just as other people come in with the latest picks in People Magazine. People have used words like "serious" fiction, academic fiction, something to keep me interested, something I can dig into. Others ask what's on the best-seller list, what's a book everyone is talking about, ask about or have a list from NPR, an author they've seen on TV, does X author have a new book out, what would be a good book to read, what would be a good choice for our book club, what good fiction is out there, etc. <
some of my classmates wrote:
The key words I would use for literary fiction would be serious, award winning, deep, thoughtful and complex. Another added critically-acclaimed
Another: "Patrons might ask for something more "serious" or, in my library, "not a paperback" (based on the way things are shelved, indicates not a massmarket paperback and by extension the authors that are issued in massmarket paperbacks) - - the biggest hint I've found is by asking what authors they like and what they like about books - - if they give more abstract qualities or can't give any qualities at all, I find it frequently an indicator of the more literary fiction."
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