Assignment 1: I read the articles on book trailers.
Assignment 2:
Looks like book trailers have a long way to go for their popularity to be widespread. Today, most are not worth the effort, acording to the articles and the few I watched. The two book trailers that I felt were successful were Wonder by R.J. Palaccio and Room by Emma Donoghue. This may be because the inner voice of the protagonist is very well developed in both trailers and the mood of the books was captured. Not all trailers capture a reader enough to make them want to read the book. Most readers like author interviews and traditional book reviews for their next book suggestion.
I would not use book trailers as a readers' advisory tool because most readers' advisory encounters last far less than it would take to look for a book trailer. Book trailers are so few and far apart that by the time one researches it, the customer would have left the library. Book trailers really need to be revolutionized before they would become a useful readers' advisory tool, unless a customer is not a reader but a listener. They could listen to the book trailer instead of reading the reveiw, but the reviews are so much better and capture the essence of a book.
Assignment 3:
This assignment was tedious and hard to find time to complete. Staff at my branch were allotted 2 hours per week. Some assignments could be completed within the 2 hour time, but many others could not. With less staff and more desk time, training like this needs to have time designated on the schedules, and even with scheduling, it was more time consuming than it was marketed.
It was very difficult trying to toggle back and forth between the blog and the instructions to each assignment. Also, the blog is not easy nor intuitive to move around while working on it, like other blogs I have used. Some of the assignments were worthwhile and others weren't. It did force me to spend more time with sites I knew about, but had not pursued enough.
Overall, I am glad I completed it and hope some of the things I did learn will be useful in the future. Some of the things I learned were: how many tools there are out there available to librarians and customers for their readers' advisory, how inter-related many of the genres can be both in fiction and nonfiction, how a few articles on adults reading teen books can help a branch change how they help customers with readers' advisory and merchandising, etc. Our branch had been doing monthly readers' advisory exercises, and these branch exercises were helpful in detailing appeal characteristics at a more thorough level.
The best source out of all of the ones we used is definitely Novelist Plus for Readers' Advisory and just plain old reading a lot in many different genres and age levels will increase readers' advisory skills, too.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Week 8: Nonfiction
Assignment 1: read both articles
Assignment 2: Viewed an informative e-video on the appeal of narrative nonfiction and the use of it in readers' advisory with fiction readers.
Assignment 3:
Food: Dewey 641
Best Food Writing 2012 ed. by Holly Huges
Stew or a Story: An Assortment of Short Works by M.F.K. Fisher or Love in a Dish by M.F.K. Fisher
No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach by Anthony Bourdain
The Man who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten
Memoirs: Dewey Biography (920) and 945
The Glass Wall by Jeannette Walls
Take Me With You by Carlos Frias
Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy by Michael Tucker
Heart in the Right Place by Carolyn Jourdan
Travel: Dewey 944 & 945
The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
The Lady in the Palazo: An Unbrian Love Story by Marlena De Blasi
Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull
Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy by Michael Tucker (previously mentioned but overlaps genres)
Disaster/Survival: Dewey Biography (920), 974, 796, etc.
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by John Krakauer
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
The Perfect Storm: a True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics by Jeremy Shaap
Assignment 4:
1.) Memoir: Take Me with You by Carlos Frias is a book written by a Florida-based journalist who is an American-born to Cuban exiles. Mr. Frias has a desire, like most Cuban exiles, to return to his homeland and see the life, culture, and experience the most beautiful island in the world. When the opportunity happens, he takes it and spends twelve days learning about the people, about himself and his family history.Written from the heart, this journey takes us on an adventure more emotional and psychological than physical. It opens the wounds of those who would like to see their homeland, but are forbidden to do so. I would recommend this title to those customers who may want to know something about the country, Cuba, to those who are expatriots from there, to customers who want to read about another country, and anyone who may be searching for lost or forgotten family.
2.) Travel: Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull
Sarah Turnbull, an Australian journalist, is sent on assignment to Paris, France. When she arrives, she feels excited to get to know another culture and city. Unbeknownst to her, acclimation and acceptance to the French lifestyle is harder than she thought. Despite her trials and tribulations of trying to fit in, she finds herself almost failing the French until she decides to accept the ways of the lifestyle rather than trying to change it. Humorously written with sarcasm, Turnbull makes the world of living in another culture, however difficult it is to fit in, the experience of a lifetime. Customers who are Francophiles, customers who travel a lot or like to read about travel, customers who are trying to assimilate into a new culture, students learning the French language or going to travel to France, customers who travel extensively for work, and anyone who likes a good read on how to fit in will all enjoy this book.
Assignment 2: Viewed an informative e-video on the appeal of narrative nonfiction and the use of it in readers' advisory with fiction readers.
Assignment 3:
Food: Dewey 641
Best Food Writing 2012 ed. by Holly Huges
Stew or a Story: An Assortment of Short Works by M.F.K. Fisher or Love in a Dish by M.F.K. Fisher
No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach by Anthony Bourdain
The Man who Ate Everything by Jeffrey Steingarten
Memoirs: Dewey Biography (920) and 945
The Glass Wall by Jeannette Walls
Take Me With You by Carlos Frias
Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy by Michael Tucker
Heart in the Right Place by Carolyn Jourdan
Travel: Dewey 944 & 945
The City of Falling Angels by John Berendt
The Lady in the Palazo: An Unbrian Love Story by Marlena De Blasi
Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull
Living in a Foreign Language: A Memoir of Food, Wine, and Love in Italy by Michael Tucker (previously mentioned but overlaps genres)
Disaster/Survival: Dewey Biography (920), 974, 796, etc.
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mount Everest Disaster by John Krakauer
Into the Wild by John Krakauer
The Perfect Storm: a True Story of Men Against the Sea by Sebastian Junger
Triumph: The Untold Story of Jesse Owens and Hitler's Olympics by Jeremy Shaap
Assignment 4:
1.) Memoir: Take Me with You by Carlos Frias is a book written by a Florida-based journalist who is an American-born to Cuban exiles. Mr. Frias has a desire, like most Cuban exiles, to return to his homeland and see the life, culture, and experience the most beautiful island in the world. When the opportunity happens, he takes it and spends twelve days learning about the people, about himself and his family history.Written from the heart, this journey takes us on an adventure more emotional and psychological than physical. It opens the wounds of those who would like to see their homeland, but are forbidden to do so. I would recommend this title to those customers who may want to know something about the country, Cuba, to those who are expatriots from there, to customers who want to read about another country, and anyone who may be searching for lost or forgotten family.
2.) Travel: Almost French: Love and a New Life in Paris by Sarah Turnbull
Sarah Turnbull, an Australian journalist, is sent on assignment to Paris, France. When she arrives, she feels excited to get to know another culture and city. Unbeknownst to her, acclimation and acceptance to the French lifestyle is harder than she thought. Despite her trials and tribulations of trying to fit in, she finds herself almost failing the French until she decides to accept the ways of the lifestyle rather than trying to change it. Humorously written with sarcasm, Turnbull makes the world of living in another culture, however difficult it is to fit in, the experience of a lifetime. Customers who are Francophiles, customers who travel a lot or like to read about travel, customers who are trying to assimilate into a new culture, students learning the French language or going to travel to France, customers who travel extensively for work, and anyone who likes a good read on how to fit in will all enjoy this book.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Week 7: Not Just for Teens
Assignment 1: Well, this is a good list for the present time, but I won't be able to remember the titles on this list a few weeks from now. It is better to use one of the websites (Worlds Without End or SF Site) I have been viewing for suggestions top titles in this particular area.
Assignment 2:
I read the articles Who is Buying Teen Books? Christian Science Monitor Sep 14, 2012 and The Next Big Thing YALSA; The Hub, Oct 2012 both highlight the abundance of adults who are reading teen literature. There are many reasons for this phenomenon among them are: many popular adult writers are crossing over to the teen book market, publishing houses using their marketing skills to attract adults, TV shows and movies which draw adults to the teen book market, the coming of age theme which makes adults nostalgic and teen books have appeal factors that afford literary escape from the real world, and the good quality of books coming out in the teen market that draws adults to this market. We have traditionally thought of suggesting adult books to teens, whereas, today we should be suggesting teen books to adults.
Assignment 3:
1.) Teenreads: I liked this blog very much for several reasons. It selects teen readers as book reviewers and blog writers for a six-month time period. It also has reviewers from all walks of life. This gives a broad spectrum of reviewers with different tastes.I didn't care for such as the 'Vote in our Poll' but I can guess this would be attrcative to the teenreaders who would be reading this blog. This blog is also a good source for adults who are interested in reading teen books and librarians who want to purchase the next new releases. The Books on Screen section is nice for those customers who can't wait to see their favorite book produced into a movie. The site is slow to react when the viewer wants to see another page on the site. This sluggish reaction is annoying and could be improved.
2.) Someday My Printz Will Come: A School Library Journal(SLJ) blog that does not reflect the views or opinions of SLJ. It is primarily compiled by Karyn Silvermand and Sarah Couri. Depending on when you read this blog, the posts are old and that is because it is a blog that speculates which books will be considered for YALSA'S Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. If you view the blog after the winner has been announced, you will find little to want to read on it. I found posts that were totally useless with postings from readers of the blog that name- dropped titles of books they claim will be good, but they have not read the books nor have they seen a copy of the book. Give me a break--if they don't have true knowledge of the book then just shut up! This is a blog for the curious at heart of who the Printz Award may go to and for those who want to guess at the award winner. Also, viewers of this blog may want to find some titles for which they were not aware existed. A truly SEASONAL blog.
Assignment 4:
I chose to become familiar with Harper Teen and Teens at Random sites.
Harper Teen: The buzz on this website is that Fox television is creating a TV pilot show based on the book Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I also was a little shocked that the teen series Pretty Little Liars is part of the top teen books read. I would not have considered this series to have been so popular. They may interest teens but I most certainly do not like it as an adult.
Teens at Random:
I was shocked to see so many old titles on this website. Tried to find the buzz on here and it sent me to blogs of all kinds. I could not find what the buzz was about certain books without going on the blogs of which I had no intention on doing. The site is okay for the publisher, but I don't think I would use it since most times the librarian helping the customer doesn't even know who the publisher is. Publishers are rarely requested as a reference source.
Both of these teen publisher website obviously are pushing their books. I would rather go to a site that is more impartial as to what is popular and upcoming than a publisher's website.
Assignment 2:
I read the articles Who is Buying Teen Books? Christian Science Monitor Sep 14, 2012 and The Next Big Thing YALSA; The Hub, Oct 2012 both highlight the abundance of adults who are reading teen literature. There are many reasons for this phenomenon among them are: many popular adult writers are crossing over to the teen book market, publishing houses using their marketing skills to attract adults, TV shows and movies which draw adults to the teen book market, the coming of age theme which makes adults nostalgic and teen books have appeal factors that afford literary escape from the real world, and the good quality of books coming out in the teen market that draws adults to this market. We have traditionally thought of suggesting adult books to teens, whereas, today we should be suggesting teen books to adults.
Assignment 3:
1.) Teenreads: I liked this blog very much for several reasons. It selects teen readers as book reviewers and blog writers for a six-month time period. It also has reviewers from all walks of life. This gives a broad spectrum of reviewers with different tastes.I didn't care for such as the 'Vote in our Poll' but I can guess this would be attrcative to the teenreaders who would be reading this blog. This blog is also a good source for adults who are interested in reading teen books and librarians who want to purchase the next new releases. The Books on Screen section is nice for those customers who can't wait to see their favorite book produced into a movie. The site is slow to react when the viewer wants to see another page on the site. This sluggish reaction is annoying and could be improved.
2.) Someday My Printz Will Come: A School Library Journal(SLJ) blog that does not reflect the views or opinions of SLJ. It is primarily compiled by Karyn Silvermand and Sarah Couri. Depending on when you read this blog, the posts are old and that is because it is a blog that speculates which books will be considered for YALSA'S Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. If you view the blog after the winner has been announced, you will find little to want to read on it. I found posts that were totally useless with postings from readers of the blog that name- dropped titles of books they claim will be good, but they have not read the books nor have they seen a copy of the book. Give me a break--if they don't have true knowledge of the book then just shut up! This is a blog for the curious at heart of who the Printz Award may go to and for those who want to guess at the award winner. Also, viewers of this blog may want to find some titles for which they were not aware existed. A truly SEASONAL blog.
Assignment 4:
I chose to become familiar with Harper Teen and Teens at Random sites.
Harper Teen: The buzz on this website is that Fox television is creating a TV pilot show based on the book Delirium by Lauren Oliver. I also was a little shocked that the teen series Pretty Little Liars is part of the top teen books read. I would not have considered this series to have been so popular. They may interest teens but I most certainly do not like it as an adult.
Teens at Random:
I was shocked to see so many old titles on this website. Tried to find the buzz on here and it sent me to blogs of all kinds. I could not find what the buzz was about certain books without going on the blogs of which I had no intention on doing. The site is okay for the publisher, but I don't think I would use it since most times the librarian helping the customer doesn't even know who the publisher is. Publishers are rarely requested as a reference source.
Both of these teen publisher website obviously are pushing their books. I would rather go to a site that is more impartial as to what is popular and upcoming than a publisher's website.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Week 6: Building Base Knowledge: Genres: Science Fiction
Assignment #1: This is the same question previously asked asked about one's chosen sites. Here, again, are my impressions of the SF site:
SF Site:This site is one I would not have ventured to read on my own and this is why I chose it. I have never freely chosen to read fantasy or science fiction unless required to read it. After reviewing some of the book reviews on this site, I have made a small, very small list of titles I would like to read. The ones I have on the list are ones that don't go all out on creating other universes with strange names. This small list may lead me to read more in the genre if I can really find a niche that I enjoy.
SF Site has a Content page that has a lot of author interviews and book reviews. This site also prides itself on the quality and quantity of link sites to related subjects in the fantasy and sf world. Some of the links are to SF conventions, TV shows and movies, etc.
The SF News is great for listing the SF awards, the upcoming dates for award title selections, and, eventually for the actual winners. Some of the awards mentioned are Asimov's & Analog Poll Winners, Aurealis Awards, Nebula awards, etc.
SF Site offers a search engine to search the site by using a local version of Google. It is easy to find what you think you found previously. The site also gives archival information on past entries. I would highly recommend this site to SF savvy readers in case they are unaware of it. I surely was, but I am not a SF reader. Maybe one day I will be!
Assignment #2: This Prezi link was really great, however, viewing was a horrific experience. There has to be a better way to view this chart and the current way is not the answer. It could have easily had a word document with the information on it so that one could have the information without going blind, losing one's patience, and/getting dizzy trying to zoom in and out with the chart.
Assignment #3: The science fiction subgenres I have chosen to reasearch are: Steampunk, Dystopia, and Cyberpunk.The website I found to be very helpful for this assignment is "World Without End: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Books". It is so good I have been showing it to anyone in our branch who is interested. Great source for books and classics on the subject especially for subgenres!!!! It also allows one to track (trakr) their own reading history if you join it. It is just like Goodreads in tracking your reading history, but much better than Goodreads as a website. I found the website by googling: "science fiction sub-genres". I did not find anything that talked about current buzz other than lots of books that were being reviewed.
Steampunk: "Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that refers to works set in an era where steam power is still widely used — usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England — but with technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. Steampunk contains alternate history-style elements of past technologies like dirigibles or mechanical computers combined with futuristic technologies like multi-function goggles, giant robots and ray guns."
1.) A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah! (1972) by Harry Harrison. (1972) A steampunk atlernate; a forgotten classic in the subgenre. Written in a very easy-to-read style.
2.) Railsea (2012) by China Mieville has won 2013 Cambell nomination and 2013 Loucus YA nomination.
3.) MorlockNight (1979) by K. W. Jeter. Jeter is one of the founding fathers of the steampunk genre. This classic was recently re-released in 2012. It is different from other steampunk in that it does not involve gadgetry, bronzing, and airships.
Dystopia: "Dystopian fiction is the opposite of Utopian: creation of a nightmare world, sometimes also described as "the victory of forces of reason over forces of kindness".
1.) Slow River (1995) by Nicola Griffith. 1996 Nebula winner.
2.) Never Let Me Go (2005) by Kazuo Ishiguro. 2006 Clarke Nominee and in SF: 101 Best Novels for 1985-2010. Booker Prize-winning author.
3.) The Diamond Age (1995) by Neal Stephenson. 1996 Hugo winner and many more award nominations to mention.
Cyberpunk: "Cyberpunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, noted for its focus on "high tech and low life" and taking its name from the combination of cybernetics and punk. It featured advanced technology such as computers or information technology coupled with some degree of breakdown in the social order. "Classic cyberpunk characters were marginalized, alienated loners who lived on the edge of society in generally dystopic futures where daily life was impacted by rapid technological change, an ubiquitous datasphere of computerized information, and invasive modification of the human body."
1.) Synners (1991, 2012)by Pat Cadigan. It is listed as an Award Winning Book by Women Authors and it is on a list of the 101 Best SF novels for 1985-2010 1991 Nebula nominated and 1992 Clarke winner.
2.) Pattern Recognition (2003) by William Gibson. This book will appeal to a wide audience.
3.) China Mountain Zhang (1992) by6 Maureen F. McHugh. 1992 Nebula and 1993 Hugo awards nominated. Made the "SF: the 100 best novels 1985-2012" list.
Mashup Subgenres:
1.) Glass Bead (1969) by Hermann Hesse has multiple subgenres: Utopia, Human Development and Alternate History(Fantasy). Rationale (worlds without end) found on website defining it as so.
2.) Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding has multiple subgenres: Human Development, Dystopia, and Utopia. Rationale (worlds without end) found on website defining as so.
SF Site:This site is one I would not have ventured to read on my own and this is why I chose it. I have never freely chosen to read fantasy or science fiction unless required to read it. After reviewing some of the book reviews on this site, I have made a small, very small list of titles I would like to read. The ones I have on the list are ones that don't go all out on creating other universes with strange names. This small list may lead me to read more in the genre if I can really find a niche that I enjoy.
SF Site has a Content page that has a lot of author interviews and book reviews. This site also prides itself on the quality and quantity of link sites to related subjects in the fantasy and sf world. Some of the links are to SF conventions, TV shows and movies, etc.
The SF News is great for listing the SF awards, the upcoming dates for award title selections, and, eventually for the actual winners. Some of the awards mentioned are Asimov's & Analog Poll Winners, Aurealis Awards, Nebula awards, etc.
SF Site offers a search engine to search the site by using a local version of Google. It is easy to find what you think you found previously. The site also gives archival information on past entries. I would highly recommend this site to SF savvy readers in case they are unaware of it. I surely was, but I am not a SF reader. Maybe one day I will be!
Assignment #2: This Prezi link was really great, however, viewing was a horrific experience. There has to be a better way to view this chart and the current way is not the answer. It could have easily had a word document with the information on it so that one could have the information without going blind, losing one's patience, and/getting dizzy trying to zoom in and out with the chart.
Assignment #3: The science fiction subgenres I have chosen to reasearch are: Steampunk, Dystopia, and Cyberpunk.The website I found to be very helpful for this assignment is "World Without End: Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Books". It is so good I have been showing it to anyone in our branch who is interested. Great source for books and classics on the subject especially for subgenres!!!! It also allows one to track (trakr) their own reading history if you join it. It is just like Goodreads in tracking your reading history, but much better than Goodreads as a website. I found the website by googling: "science fiction sub-genres". I did not find anything that talked about current buzz other than lots of books that were being reviewed.
Steampunk: "Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that refers to works set in an era where steam power is still widely used — usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England — but with technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne. Steampunk contains alternate history-style elements of past technologies like dirigibles or mechanical computers combined with futuristic technologies like multi-function goggles, giant robots and ray guns."
1.) A Transatlantic Tunnel, Hurrah! (1972) by Harry Harrison. (1972) A steampunk atlernate; a forgotten classic in the subgenre. Written in a very easy-to-read style.
2.) Railsea (2012) by China Mieville has won 2013 Cambell nomination and 2013 Loucus YA nomination.
3.) MorlockNight (1979) by K. W. Jeter. Jeter is one of the founding fathers of the steampunk genre. This classic was recently re-released in 2012. It is different from other steampunk in that it does not involve gadgetry, bronzing, and airships.
Dystopia: "Dystopian fiction is the opposite of Utopian: creation of a nightmare world, sometimes also described as "the victory of forces of reason over forces of kindness".
1.) Slow River (1995) by Nicola Griffith. 1996 Nebula winner.
2.) Never Let Me Go (2005) by Kazuo Ishiguro. 2006 Clarke Nominee and in SF: 101 Best Novels for 1985-2010. Booker Prize-winning author.
3.) The Diamond Age (1995) by Neal Stephenson. 1996 Hugo winner and many more award nominations to mention.
Cyberpunk: "Cyberpunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, noted for its focus on "high tech and low life" and taking its name from the combination of cybernetics and punk. It featured advanced technology such as computers or information technology coupled with some degree of breakdown in the social order. "Classic cyberpunk characters were marginalized, alienated loners who lived on the edge of society in generally dystopic futures where daily life was impacted by rapid technological change, an ubiquitous datasphere of computerized information, and invasive modification of the human body."
1.) Synners (1991, 2012)by Pat Cadigan. It is listed as an Award Winning Book by Women Authors and it is on a list of the 101 Best SF novels for 1985-2010 1991 Nebula nominated and 1992 Clarke winner.
2.) Pattern Recognition (2003) by William Gibson. This book will appeal to a wide audience.
3.) China Mountain Zhang (1992) by6 Maureen F. McHugh. 1992 Nebula and 1993 Hugo awards nominated. Made the "SF: the 100 best novels 1985-2012" list.
Mashup Subgenres:
1.) Glass Bead (1969) by Hermann Hesse has multiple subgenres: Utopia, Human Development and Alternate History(Fantasy). Rationale (worlds without end) found on website defining it as so.
2.) Lord of the Flies (1954) by William Golding has multiple subgenres: Human Development, Dystopia, and Utopia. Rationale (worlds without end) found on website defining as so.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Week 4: Goodreads
This is the post I gave Rose Frase on the book she rated: Rebecca.
Hey, Rose,
This was one of my favorite books in High School. I liked it so much that I took a course in college on Gothic literature. Since there is a love story in it and, I know you read romance at times, I would have thought you would have given it a higher rating. If you liked Rebecca, you will like Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Both books use a foreboding atmosphere that permeates throughout this romantic suspense. The Gothic nature of both novels include family secrets, love interests, and psychological drama. Mercedes
My observations with Goodreads:
I had joined many years ago and had not really taken the time to review it closely. It could be, too, that the site has developed throughout the years to become more usefull. What I do find hard it having to always sign-in to the site to review/note my books. If I am with a customer, I find going to Novelist so much quicker. I would use Goodreads more as a place to write down what I have read, but whether a customer would wait for me to open my list to get suggestions for which I can't remember is another matter. Customers don't like to wait around for you. It is an online journal of what one has read, but I also have heard from others that they still like a spreadsheet better for their list of read items.
I have also observed that the subject lists they produce in Listopia could be good for merchandising ideas, not just reading suggestions for me. Going through some of the lists, I also noticed I could easily mark them as read from such lists as the BEST Books of the 21 Century or Best Books Ever lists without having to type in the title and search for them.
The best part of the Explore button, for me, was being able to search the main genre i.e. Science Fiction, and when your receive your results, it gives you related genres/subgenres. Click on the related genres/subgenres and one gets a decent explanation on it. This helps me learn more about genres I couldn't care to read, but for which I still am required to understand/know.
In regards to groups, I don't believe I would ever join them. I like reading on my own time schedule whatever I am in the mood to read and not what others want to read. Also, as generalists in our system, reading from all areas may make one read more from a specific age level more than another depending on what is going on at the moment.
Hey, Rose,This was one of my favorite books in High School. I liked it so much that I took a course in college on Gothic literature. Since there is a love story in it and, I know you read romance at times, I would have thought you would have given it a higher rating. If you liked Rebecca, you will like Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Both books use a foreboding atmosphere that permeates throughout this romantic suspense. The Gothic nature of both novels include family secrets, love interests, and psychological drama. Mercedes
My observations with Goodreads:
I had joined many years ago and had not really taken the time to review it closely. It could be, too, that the site has developed throughout the years to become more usefull. What I do find hard it having to always sign-in to the site to review/note my books. If I am with a customer, I find going to Novelist so much quicker. I would use Goodreads more as a place to write down what I have read, but whether a customer would wait for me to open my list to get suggestions for which I can't remember is another matter. Customers don't like to wait around for you. It is an online journal of what one has read, but I also have heard from others that they still like a spreadsheet better for their list of read items.
I have also observed that the subject lists they produce in Listopia could be good for merchandising ideas, not just reading suggestions for me. Going through some of the lists, I also noticed I could easily mark them as read from such lists as the BEST Books of the 21 Century or Best Books Ever lists without having to type in the title and search for them.
The best part of the Explore button, for me, was being able to search the main genre i.e. Science Fiction, and when your receive your results, it gives you related genres/subgenres. Click on the related genres/subgenres and one gets a decent explanation on it. This helps me learn more about genres I couldn't care to read, but for which I still am required to understand/know.
In regards to groups, I don't believe I would ever join them. I like reading on my own time schedule whatever I am in the mood to read and not what others want to read. Also, as generalists in our system, reading from all areas may make one read more from a specific age level more than another depending on what is going on at the moment.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Week 5 Assignment: building Base Knowledge II
Assignment 1:
I chose to review, on a regular basis, SF Site and Daily Beast/The Book Beast.
SF Site:
This site is one I would not have ventured to read on my own and this is why I chose it. I have never freely chosen to read fantasy or science fiction unless required to read it. After reviewing some of the book reviews on this site, I have made a small, very small list of titles I would like to read. The ones I have on the list are ones that don't go all out on creating other universes with strange names. This small list may lead me to read more in the genre if I can really find a niche that I enjoy.
SF Site has a Content page that has a lot of author interviews and book reviews. This site also prides itself on the quality and quantity of link sites to related subjects in the fantasy and sf world. Some of the links are to SF conventions, TV shows and movies, etc.
The SF News is great for listing the SF awards, the upcoming dates for award title selections, and, eventually for the actual winners. Some of the awards mentioned are Asimov's & Analog Poll Winners, Aurealis Awards, Nebula awards, etc.
SF Site offers a search engine to search the site by using a local version of Google. It is easy to find what you think you found previously. The site also gives archival information on past entries. I would highly recommend this site to SF savvy readers in case they are unaware of it. I surely was, but I am not a SF reader. Maybe one day I will be!
Daily Beast--The Book Beast:
The Daily Beast is published by the publisher of the formerly paper edition of Newsweek. It is short stories concerning news, entertainment, politics, etc. The part that I am concerned in getting acquainted with is the section on books entitled The Book Beast.I subscribed to receive this through e-mail. It has become an obnoxious presence in my inbox. They send out multiple ones each day. The subscription I receive attaches to the main page of the Daily Beast and I have to then search for the Book Beast. I only wanted to receive information on the book section. It is more annoying on my I-phone.
Despite its annoyances, the Book Beast is an incredible site filled with author interviews and book reviews. Each week they focus on reviewing 5 new fiction and 5 new nonfiction titles. I really enjoy the videos of people reading books. The reader can make or break whether one wants to listen to a book versus reading it visually.
Assignment #2:
I have been very familiar with the New York Times Best Seller List and People magazine for quite a few years as most librarians have. However, the resources available online today make these two sources a place where choice is not abundant. It is not what is popular that I want to read but what fancies me at the moment I want to read. The clear choice for me as to which resource to use for book reviews has been Early Word for the past two years. Not only do they reveiw adult books, but children's books too. The links to other resources is the best there is to offer. I was aware of NPR for the Indie Next Best Seller list, but did not look at this resource as much as I would like to do so in the future.
Early Word runs articles about any book out there in the marketplace. I just read an article on a new online source for books called Bookish.com. Fancy they did not add it, as of yet, to their links.
I love the children's and teen area of Early Word. It tells you so much of what is here and what will come that one needs to know about.
For me, Early Word is a one stop shopping (hopping) place to be. There is so much to investigate and so much to use on this site. I highly recommend it above all other sites for general book knowledge.
Assignment #3:
I chose to suggest the title: A Constellation of Vital Phenomenon: A Novel by Anthony Marra. It is a historical fiction war story that is character-driven. The story develops heartbreaking relationships during the 2004 Chenya war with Russia. The vivid imagery and lyrical prose will overcome the bleak and violent tone. Readers who enjoyed The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway or The March by E. L. Doctorow will enjoy these war stories and their literary style combined with the character-driven storyline.
I chose to review, on a regular basis, SF Site and Daily Beast/The Book Beast.
SF Site:
This site is one I would not have ventured to read on my own and this is why I chose it. I have never freely chosen to read fantasy or science fiction unless required to read it. After reviewing some of the book reviews on this site, I have made a small, very small list of titles I would like to read. The ones I have on the list are ones that don't go all out on creating other universes with strange names. This small list may lead me to read more in the genre if I can really find a niche that I enjoy.
SF Site has a Content page that has a lot of author interviews and book reviews. This site also prides itself on the quality and quantity of link sites to related subjects in the fantasy and sf world. Some of the links are to SF conventions, TV shows and movies, etc.
The SF News is great for listing the SF awards, the upcoming dates for award title selections, and, eventually for the actual winners. Some of the awards mentioned are Asimov's & Analog Poll Winners, Aurealis Awards, Nebula awards, etc.
SF Site offers a search engine to search the site by using a local version of Google. It is easy to find what you think you found previously. The site also gives archival information on past entries. I would highly recommend this site to SF savvy readers in case they are unaware of it. I surely was, but I am not a SF reader. Maybe one day I will be!
Daily Beast--The Book Beast:
The Daily Beast is published by the publisher of the formerly paper edition of Newsweek. It is short stories concerning news, entertainment, politics, etc. The part that I am concerned in getting acquainted with is the section on books entitled The Book Beast.I subscribed to receive this through e-mail. It has become an obnoxious presence in my inbox. They send out multiple ones each day. The subscription I receive attaches to the main page of the Daily Beast and I have to then search for the Book Beast. I only wanted to receive information on the book section. It is more annoying on my I-phone.
Despite its annoyances, the Book Beast is an incredible site filled with author interviews and book reviews. Each week they focus on reviewing 5 new fiction and 5 new nonfiction titles. I really enjoy the videos of people reading books. The reader can make or break whether one wants to listen to a book versus reading it visually.
Assignment #2:
I have been very familiar with the New York Times Best Seller List and People magazine for quite a few years as most librarians have. However, the resources available online today make these two sources a place where choice is not abundant. It is not what is popular that I want to read but what fancies me at the moment I want to read. The clear choice for me as to which resource to use for book reviews has been Early Word for the past two years. Not only do they reveiw adult books, but children's books too. The links to other resources is the best there is to offer. I was aware of NPR for the Indie Next Best Seller list, but did not look at this resource as much as I would like to do so in the future.
Early Word runs articles about any book out there in the marketplace. I just read an article on a new online source for books called Bookish.com. Fancy they did not add it, as of yet, to their links.
I love the children's and teen area of Early Word. It tells you so much of what is here and what will come that one needs to know about.
For me, Early Word is a one stop shopping (hopping) place to be. There is so much to investigate and so much to use on this site. I highly recommend it above all other sites for general book knowledge.
Assignment #3:
I chose to suggest the title: A Constellation of Vital Phenomenon: A Novel by Anthony Marra. It is a historical fiction war story that is character-driven. The story develops heartbreaking relationships during the 2004 Chenya war with Russia. The vivid imagery and lyrical prose will overcome the bleak and violent tone. Readers who enjoyed The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway or The March by E. L. Doctorow will enjoy these war stories and their literary style combined with the character-driven storyline.
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Week 3:
Conversation #1:
What I Heard:
The customer says she liked brave women, details about countries, humorous stories, and meditative or introspective stories like Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. In addition, the customer liked all of Oprah's book recommendations and now she needs a recommendation for her book group.
What I recommend:
I recommend the customer try Wild by Cheryl Strayed. She is a strong, courageous woman who ventures out into the wilderness as a means to face her demons. Just like Eat, Love, Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert, Wild is a book about a personal journey filled with reflection and a strong sense of place. It is descriptive and it is written in a conversational style. The wilderness provides Strayed with an avenue to rethink her past, present and future life all the while venturing into unknown territory. This book is also recommended by Oprah as a book club favorite.
Conversation #2:
What I Heard: Customer wants to read vampire story without a teen lover story and angst.
What I recommned: It is not obvious if this customer is an adult or a teen since so many readers of the Twilight series were both teens and adults. I would suggest titles that would appeal to both age groups. The classic vampire story Dracula by Bram Stoker would be a great start. There is no one out there that would second guess what the word Dracula suggests, and thus, we experience the first vampire. It does expose Victorian sexual issues, amongst others, but the focus is the traditional gothic horror of a vampire not a love story.
In addition, one can not forget the vampire images exposed in Anne Rice's writing. Start with Interview with the Vampire and Lestat which are more good vs. evil, occult fiction and horror stories all written in the gothic vein.
Conversation #3:
What I Heard: I liked the book The River of Doubt because it was a fast-paced, nonfiction adventure story about Teddy Roosevelt. I did not hear the customer state he liked it because it deals with the presidents, so this leaves me the opportunity to suggest any historical adventure nonfiction.
What I recommend:
The first book that comes to mind is Devil in the White City. What a great a parallel story: one is the edification of the Chicago exhibition(vs. a trip down the Amazon) intertwined with the rise of many murders during this exhibition(vs.murder in the Amazon). Like The River of Doubt, it is fast-paced, nonfiction, and the main storyline is parallel to a murder mystery. If the interest lies on the history of presidents, then I would suggest books by David McCullough such as Mornings on Horseback focusing on the life of a younger Teddy Roosevelt.
Conversation #1:
What I Heard:
The customer says she liked brave women, details about countries, humorous stories, and meditative or introspective stories like Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. In addition, the customer liked all of Oprah's book recommendations and now she needs a recommendation for her book group.
What I recommend:
I recommend the customer try Wild by Cheryl Strayed. She is a strong, courageous woman who ventures out into the wilderness as a means to face her demons. Just like Eat, Love, Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert, Wild is a book about a personal journey filled with reflection and a strong sense of place. It is descriptive and it is written in a conversational style. The wilderness provides Strayed with an avenue to rethink her past, present and future life all the while venturing into unknown territory. This book is also recommended by Oprah as a book club favorite.
Conversation #2:
What I Heard: Customer wants to read vampire story without a teen lover story and angst.
What I recommned: It is not obvious if this customer is an adult or a teen since so many readers of the Twilight series were both teens and adults. I would suggest titles that would appeal to both age groups. The classic vampire story Dracula by Bram Stoker would be a great start. There is no one out there that would second guess what the word Dracula suggests, and thus, we experience the first vampire. It does expose Victorian sexual issues, amongst others, but the focus is the traditional gothic horror of a vampire not a love story.
In addition, one can not forget the vampire images exposed in Anne Rice's writing. Start with Interview with the Vampire and Lestat which are more good vs. evil, occult fiction and horror stories all written in the gothic vein.
Conversation #3:
What I Heard: I liked the book The River of Doubt because it was a fast-paced, nonfiction adventure story about Teddy Roosevelt. I did not hear the customer state he liked it because it deals with the presidents, so this leaves me the opportunity to suggest any historical adventure nonfiction.
What I recommend:
The first book that comes to mind is Devil in the White City. What a great a parallel story: one is the edification of the Chicago exhibition(vs. a trip down the Amazon) intertwined with the rise of many murders during this exhibition(vs.murder in the Amazon). Like The River of Doubt, it is fast-paced, nonfiction, and the main storyline is parallel to a murder mystery. If the interest lies on the history of presidents, then I would suggest books by David McCullough such as Mornings on Horseback focusing on the life of a younger Teddy Roosevelt.
Saturday, May 4, 2013
Suggested Annotations
I went to Jo B's blog and suggested Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard as a read-alike for for The Middlesteins and suggested Niccolo Rising by Dorothy Dunnett for the book The Habits of the House by Fay Weldon.
Monday, April 29, 2013
Week 2
Time To Kill by John Grisham
Afast-paced legal thriller set in Mississippi within a highly-charged and emotional court drama that is polarized by the events of a rape of a 10 year old black girl, and then, with the vigilante murder of her rapists. Action-packed, attention-getting and issue-oriented themes are developed in this character-driven novel.
Defending Jacob by William Landay
The murder of a school boy has thrown a whole Massachusetts community into a frenzy trying to find out the murderer. Once someone is apprehended, the father of the murderer and lead District Attorney refuses to accept that his son is responsible for the murder. This disturbing psychological thriller leaves a family unraveled and the reader asking: doesn't he get it? Suspenseful to the very end.
Afast-paced legal thriller set in Mississippi within a highly-charged and emotional court drama that is polarized by the events of a rape of a 10 year old black girl, and then, with the vigilante murder of her rapists. Action-packed, attention-getting and issue-oriented themes are developed in this character-driven novel.
Defending Jacob by William Landay
The murder of a school boy has thrown a whole Massachusetts community into a frenzy trying to find out the murderer. Once someone is apprehended, the father of the murderer and lead District Attorney refuses to accept that his son is responsible for the murder. This disturbing psychological thriller leaves a family unraveled and the reader asking: doesn't he get it? Suspenseful to the very end.
Monday, April 15, 2013
My first blog attempt
Well, I thought this would be a breeze but I got tangled up trying to access the blog. I think I now know how to do so. We shall see next time.
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