Wow! What an amazing experience! This training has been a wonderful resource in providing information on readers' advisory services. I have actually been doing this for years, even before I became a librarian, scouring the catalog for titles that would be of interest to friends and family members. For some reason, as a new librarian, I found this process to be a litle intimidating, especially having to suggest titles to customers in genres that I may not have been familiar with. Thankfully, Be More Bookish has helped me to relax, realize that I know more than I think I do, and enter into the whole process with more of an open mind, knowing that there is no one perfect book, but a rnage of possibilities. It is good to keep in mind the ultimate goal of connecting our customers to material that they find useful and enjoyable. There is such a range of resources available to research and provide information in genres with which I am less familiar.
I have especially enjoyed using GoodReads. A coworker turned me on to this shortly before Be More Bookish started. This has been an excellent way to keep track of what I have read and what I want to read. I have recommended this to several customers who want to do the same. The suggested titles and suggested authors read-a-likes is also very useful.
And EarlyWord is my new favorite thing! I have signed up to receive their newsletter and now check the new releases section regularly so I know what customers will be asking for. And as a lover of thrillers, I have discovered several new titles and have enjoyed sharing them with customers and staff.
The hardest part for me was the kind of hazy, undefined nature of posting my thoughts on a blog. I am more comfortable with the academic type of learning that requires answering specific questions or writing an essay with an objective in mind. At times it has been difficult to crystallize my thoughts and present them in a coherent way. While challenging, I have also learned a great deal from the process.
Many thanks to all of your for being a part of this! And many thanks to Patrick Fromm for presiding over it all! Best wishes to all of you as you continue your readers' advisory journeys.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Week 9: Assignment 2
Book trailers were a foreign concept to me before this assignment. The only thing close to this that I have seen was an appearance by James Patterson on the local morning news touting his new BookShots series. After reading these articles and looking at some book trailers on YouTube, I still find this an unusual way to advertise for reading material. A movie trailer typically features scenes from the movie, highlights the actors that are box-office draws, and hopefully gives the viewer a clue of what the movie is about. Since part of the joy of reading involves using one's imagination to envision the characters and setting, it seems to me that a visual trailer would provide too much information, taking away part of that process from the reader. A professionally produced trailer that highlights a well-known author would be more enjoyable, especially if he/she talks about the motivation behind the story, or how it ties in to their personal experiences.
For younger, less experienced readers, or for those who are more graphically oriented, book trailers may be a way to sift through many options, and pinpoint something that may be of interest. It may be worth mentioning to a customer who is not sure of what he/she likes to read and wants to find new material.
Saturday, July 2, 2016
Week 8
Biography: The Wright Brothers, by David McCullough
As a frequent traveler to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I have visited the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC and have seen replicas of their plane there and at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. This book tells the rest of the story, starting with their extensive research and experimentation in Dayton, Ohio and continuing on after their successful flights in Kitty Hawk to commercialize their success in Europe. This title would be appealing to frequent visitors to the Outer Banks, who may be interested in learning more of the history of the area. It would also be of interest to those who love science, especially the history of scientific discovery. The book delves into the personal stories of the Wright family, and explores the close relationship between Wilbur and Orville, and how it contributed to their discoveries and achievements.
History: Dead Wake, by Erik Larson (940s)
Set at the outset of the Great War, and before the United States had entered, Dead Wake provides a wonderful and detailed account of the sinking of the steamship Lusitania, en route from New York to Liverpool. The book takes a detailed look at the the captain, staff, and passengers of the ship, providing rich back stories on their lives and how they came to be aboard the Lusitania. Meanwhile, a German U-Boat captain at large in the North Atlantic was determined to wreak havoc on British shipping, and was willing to target civilians from neutral ships in order to do so. President Woodrow Wilson, first heartbroken by the death of his wife Ellen, then distracted by the courtship of his second wife, Edith. Even though one knows the ultimate fate of the Lusitania, the compelling story moves from ship, to U-Boat, to Washington DC to weave together the threads of history. This would be a wonderful choice for anyone who loves history, and enjoys character-driven fiction.
Adventure: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (Biography)
Disaster/Survival: In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick (History)
Sports: I Feel Like Going On by Ray Lewis (Biography)
As a frequent traveler to the Outer Banks of North Carolina, I have visited the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty Hawk, NC and have seen replicas of their plane there and at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. This book tells the rest of the story, starting with their extensive research and experimentation in Dayton, Ohio and continuing on after their successful flights in Kitty Hawk to commercialize their success in Europe. This title would be appealing to frequent visitors to the Outer Banks, who may be interested in learning more of the history of the area. It would also be of interest to those who love science, especially the history of scientific discovery. The book delves into the personal stories of the Wright family, and explores the close relationship between Wilbur and Orville, and how it contributed to their discoveries and achievements.
History: Dead Wake, by Erik Larson (940s)
Set at the outset of the Great War, and before the United States had entered, Dead Wake provides a wonderful and detailed account of the sinking of the steamship Lusitania, en route from New York to Liverpool. The book takes a detailed look at the the captain, staff, and passengers of the ship, providing rich back stories on their lives and how they came to be aboard the Lusitania. Meanwhile, a German U-Boat captain at large in the North Atlantic was determined to wreak havoc on British shipping, and was willing to target civilians from neutral ships in order to do so. President Woodrow Wilson, first heartbroken by the death of his wife Ellen, then distracted by the courtship of his second wife, Edith. Even though one knows the ultimate fate of the Lusitania, the compelling story moves from ship, to U-Boat, to Washington DC to weave together the threads of history. This would be a wonderful choice for anyone who loves history, and enjoys character-driven fiction.
Adventure: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer (Biography)
Disaster/Survival: In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick (History)
Sports: I Feel Like Going On by Ray Lewis (Biography)
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Week 7: Assignment 4
I reviewed the Harper Teen and Teens@Random websites. Dystopian novels seems to still be quite popular, as well as tried and true authors like James Dashner and John Green.
Week 7: Assignment 3
TeenReads
TeenReads is a product of The Book Report Network, which provides book reviews, author profiles, and information on new releases via several websites in an effort to provide up-to-date information on finding enjoyable reading material. The TeenReads site is graphically appealing and presents information by category in a way that makes it very accessible. One of my favorite sections, "Books to Add to Your Guy-brary" presents a bookshelf full of books that would be appealing to young male readers. There are also sections on "New in Paperback," "Cool and New," and reviews on new releases.
Forever Young Adult
Forever Young Adult bills itself as " A site for YA readers who are a little less Y and a bit more A." The website offers reviews, book lists, and events such as the Summer Showdown, which encourages reading and participation in reading events. From the short amount of time I spent reviewing it, it seems to offer quite a bit of good information on titles of interest to lovers of this genre.
TeenReads is a product of The Book Report Network, which provides book reviews, author profiles, and information on new releases via several websites in an effort to provide up-to-date information on finding enjoyable reading material. The TeenReads site is graphically appealing and presents information by category in a way that makes it very accessible. One of my favorite sections, "Books to Add to Your Guy-brary" presents a bookshelf full of books that would be appealing to young male readers. There are also sections on "New in Paperback," "Cool and New," and reviews on new releases.
Forever Young Adult
Forever Young Adult bills itself as " A site for YA readers who are a little less Y and a bit more A." The website offers reviews, book lists, and events such as the Summer Showdown, which encourages reading and participation in reading events. From the short amount of time I spent reviewing it, it seems to offer quite a bit of good information on titles of interest to lovers of this genre.
Thursday, June 23, 2016
Week 7: Assignment 2
New Adult: Needless Marketing-Speak Or Valued Subgenre?
This article explores the need to categorize literature geared for the 18 to 24-year-old crowd. Frankly, I have always found the term "young adult" confusing, as it seems to be targeted at teens, including 14 to 18-year-olds. BCPL's use of the call number "Teen" seems to be more appropriate.That being said, since we work in a public library, many of these distinctions may seem arbitrary and unnecessary. But to many of our customers, especially those who may not be avid readers, this may be a useful way of identifying material that would be of interest. Most of us can relate to the characters in our favorite books, especially if they are in the same stage of life as we are, or are facing some of the same struggles that we do. I would welcome any distinction that provides additional information, whether younger "teen" or "new adult."
A Not-So-Young Audience for Young Adult Books
I have always tried to read whatever my children were reading for school. It gives me a chance to connect with them on an intellectual level and learn more about what they like to read. As they have gotten older, that has included more from the Young Adult genre. I probably would not have read the Hunger Games trilogy or the Divergent series if not for their interest. And I have discovered that I enjoy reading Young Adult fiction! Not exclusively, but certainly there is a place for it in my reading adventures. Whatever gets you to think, feel, or learn is acceptable reading material.
This article explores the need to categorize literature geared for the 18 to 24-year-old crowd. Frankly, I have always found the term "young adult" confusing, as it seems to be targeted at teens, including 14 to 18-year-olds. BCPL's use of the call number "Teen" seems to be more appropriate.That being said, since we work in a public library, many of these distinctions may seem arbitrary and unnecessary. But to many of our customers, especially those who may not be avid readers, this may be a useful way of identifying material that would be of interest. Most of us can relate to the characters in our favorite books, especially if they are in the same stage of life as we are, or are facing some of the same struggles that we do. I would welcome any distinction that provides additional information, whether younger "teen" or "new adult."
A Not-So-Young Audience for Young Adult Books
I have always tried to read whatever my children were reading for school. It gives me a chance to connect with them on an intellectual level and learn more about what they like to read. As they have gotten older, that has included more from the Young Adult genre. I probably would not have read the Hunger Games trilogy or the Divergent series if not for their interest. And I have discovered that I enjoy reading Young Adult fiction! Not exclusively, but certainly there is a place for it in my reading adventures. Whatever gets you to think, feel, or learn is acceptable reading material.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Week 6: Assignment 1
Way back in Week One, I chose Tor as my genre resource as I am unfamiliar with the science fiction/ fantasy genre and figured it would be a good learning experience. Part of this whole training process is to get us to expand our horizons, right?
I must admit that spending time looking at this website has been a little like waking up in an alternate universe. Strange, unfamiliar, confusing. Many of the titles, authors, and series that are discussed on the website were completely foreign.
I am probably most familiar with popular science fiction, having enjoyed all of the Star Trek and Star Wars series. The children's Tripods series by John Christopher is outstanding. One of my favorite authors, John Sandford, recently crossed genres and wrote a science fiction book with author and photographer Ctein. It was wonderful - blending political intrigue with interesting characters. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it so much.
As far as Fantasy - who doesn't love Harry Potter? On the other hand, I have tried in vain for years to motivate myself to read my 50th anniversary copy of The Hobbit. The creepy trolls and other creatures just can't hold my attention. Other than that I really haven't read much in the way of fantasy.
I have subscribed to the Tor newsletter in hopes that I can spend more time in the future becoming more familiar with some of these genres authors, and be apprised of upcoming titles of interest.
I must admit that spending time looking at this website has been a little like waking up in an alternate universe. Strange, unfamiliar, confusing. Many of the titles, authors, and series that are discussed on the website were completely foreign.
I am probably most familiar with popular science fiction, having enjoyed all of the Star Trek and Star Wars series. The children's Tripods series by John Christopher is outstanding. One of my favorite authors, John Sandford, recently crossed genres and wrote a science fiction book with author and photographer Ctein. It was wonderful - blending political intrigue with interesting characters. I wasn't expecting to enjoy it so much.
As far as Fantasy - who doesn't love Harry Potter? On the other hand, I have tried in vain for years to motivate myself to read my 50th anniversary copy of The Hobbit. The creepy trolls and other creatures just can't hold my attention. Other than that I really haven't read much in the way of fantasy.
I have subscribed to the Tor newsletter in hopes that I can spend more time in the future becoming more familiar with some of these genres authors, and be apprised of upcoming titles of interest.
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Week 5: Assignment 3
Before the Fall, by Noah Hawley is described as "the thriller of the year." As a lover of the thriller genre, how could this bold statement not pique my interest? The story centers on eleven passengers that depart on a private jet from Martha's Vineyard to New York. When the plane mysteriously goes down, the only survivors are down on his luck painter Scott Burroughs and the four year old son of a wealthy and powerful media mogul. This sounds like a fast paced story that delves into the backgrounds of the characters, exploring their relationships to each other. This would appeal to lovers of fast paced mysteries that are character driven, with dark undertones.
Week Five: Assignment Two
According to Matt Keifer, Collection Development Coordinator at the Cockeysville Branch, we have quite a few customers who are interested in history books. EarlyWord's categories links on the left of the home page offers a section on non-fiction - history that offers new and soon to be released selections.
As in most branches, popular fiction is always in demand in our branch. Recently, the Baltimore Sun stopped publishing the New York Times Best Sellers list and started using The Ivy Bookshop, a local independent book store, as its source for best selling books. As a result, several customers have come to the library in search of a copy of the New York Times list. EarlyWord provides a link to several bestseller lists all in one place, which will continue to be useful for those looking for popular fiction.
Overall, I think EarlyWord will continue to be a useful source of information about upcoming releases. I have subscribed to the newsletter and look forward to being kept up to date on what is going on in the publishing world.
As in most branches, popular fiction is always in demand in our branch. Recently, the Baltimore Sun stopped publishing the New York Times Best Sellers list and started using The Ivy Bookshop, a local independent book store, as its source for best selling books. As a result, several customers have come to the library in search of a copy of the New York Times list. EarlyWord provides a link to several bestseller lists all in one place, which will continue to be useful for those looking for popular fiction.
Overall, I think EarlyWord will continue to be a useful source of information about upcoming releases. I have subscribed to the newsletter and look forward to being kept up to date on what is going on in the publishing world.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Week 5: Assignment One
Since I wanted to use this training opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and learn more about resources and genres with which I am less familiar, I decided to try EarlyWord and Tor as a resources.
EarlyWord has been a new and delightful experience! One of the first things that struck me about the website was how many tie-ins it offers to books that have been recently promoted on NPR. Customers often come to the information desk looking for a title that they heard about on a radio or television program. This is a wonderful opportunity to get ahead of the curve a bit and anticipate what they might be looking for.
Another section that caught my eye was the Movie and TV based on books section that details upcoming releases. This is another way to anticipate what customers are looking for, be aware of why there is a lengthy waiting list for an older book, and maybe even be prepared to suggest a similar title that they may enjoy so they don't go away empty handed.
I often browse the library catalog's "Hot Titles" list to see what is being released, and also to troll for new material for myself. EarlyWord's Categories on the left side of the page provide a wonderful selection of material for many different genres. Just out of curiosity, I took a peek at the thriller category under Fiction, and immediately found a title of interest that I had not heard of before.
The site also offered a link to an article in Harper's Bazaar called "The 12 Summer Books That Everyone Will Be Talking About. It was good to see what is on the horizon for recommended summer reads, and to at least be somewhat familiar with what customers want.
EarlyWord has been a new and delightful experience! One of the first things that struck me about the website was how many tie-ins it offers to books that have been recently promoted on NPR. Customers often come to the information desk looking for a title that they heard about on a radio or television program. This is a wonderful opportunity to get ahead of the curve a bit and anticipate what they might be looking for.
Another section that caught my eye was the Movie and TV based on books section that details upcoming releases. This is another way to anticipate what customers are looking for, be aware of why there is a lengthy waiting list for an older book, and maybe even be prepared to suggest a similar title that they may enjoy so they don't go away empty handed.
I often browse the library catalog's "Hot Titles" list to see what is being released, and also to troll for new material for myself. EarlyWord's Categories on the left side of the page provide a wonderful selection of material for many different genres. Just out of curiosity, I took a peek at the thriller category under Fiction, and immediately found a title of interest that I had not heard of before.
The site also offered a link to an article in Harper's Bazaar called "The 12 Summer Books That Everyone Will Be Talking About. It was good to see what is on the horizon for recommended summer reads, and to at least be somewhat familiar with what customers want.
Friday, May 27, 2016
Week Four: Assignment One
I was introduced to Goodreads by a coworker a few months ago. She said that she really liked it to keep a list of which books she had read. I created an account and started using Goodreads to keep track and rate books that I had read. I also started using it to look for recommendations for myself and others.
It was interesting to see what Goodreads recommends. Some of the titles it recommends are ones that I have read and enjoyed, but have not yet rated in Goodreads. Others look like something I would enjoy, and could probably find several to choose from in each category.
John
Considering your interest in the Wright Brothers biography, you may also enjoy two books written by Candace Millard. The first is called Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President. It provides a rich and detailed account of the life of one of our little known presidents, James Garfield. Garfield was born into poverty, but distinguished himself from a young age by his remarkable intelligence and commendable character. He worked to put himself through college and rose through the political ranks to achieve our country's highest office. The book is a fascinating look at not only his life and presidency, but also the mentally ill man, Charles Guiteau, who shot him, and the incompetent and negligent physician who treated him.
Another book by the same author is The River of Doubt, about Theodore Roosevelt's expedition through the Brazilian jungle. It offers insight into Roosevelt's love of adventure and strong desire to explore one of last unconquered territories on earth.
Sharon
Since you enjoyed Gone Girl, you may also like The Good Girl, by Mary Kubica. Like Gone Girl, The Good Girl is a psychological thriller with several surprising plot twists. When Mia Dennett returns home after being kidnapped, she does not remember much about her time in captivity. Her mother and the detective assigned to her case must unravel the mystery of why she was taken, and by whom. The tone of the book is dark, and it is hard to determine the motivations of the characters. Part of the story is set in a remote cabin in the wilderness, providing an eerie backdrop to the events that unfold.
It was interesting to see what Goodreads recommends. Some of the titles it recommends are ones that I have read and enjoyed, but have not yet rated in Goodreads. Others look like something I would enjoy, and could probably find several to choose from in each category.
John
Considering your interest in the Wright Brothers biography, you may also enjoy two books written by Candace Millard. The first is called Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President. It provides a rich and detailed account of the life of one of our little known presidents, James Garfield. Garfield was born into poverty, but distinguished himself from a young age by his remarkable intelligence and commendable character. He worked to put himself through college and rose through the political ranks to achieve our country's highest office. The book is a fascinating look at not only his life and presidency, but also the mentally ill man, Charles Guiteau, who shot him, and the incompetent and negligent physician who treated him.
Another book by the same author is The River of Doubt, about Theodore Roosevelt's expedition through the Brazilian jungle. It offers insight into Roosevelt's love of adventure and strong desire to explore one of last unconquered territories on earth.
Sharon
Since you enjoyed Gone Girl, you may also like The Good Girl, by Mary Kubica. Like Gone Girl, The Good Girl is a psychological thriller with several surprising plot twists. When Mia Dennett returns home after being kidnapped, she does not remember much about her time in captivity. Her mother and the detective assigned to her case must unravel the mystery of why she was taken, and by whom. The tone of the book is dark, and it is hard to determine the motivations of the characters. Part of the story is set in a remote cabin in the wilderness, providing an eerie backdrop to the events that unfold.
Saturday, May 21, 2016
Week 3 Assignment 3
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Since you enjoyed Eat Pray Love so much, you may try reading Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It. It offers several inspiring stories of people whose lives were transformed by the book. The writers share their inner journey toward self discovery. You may also enjoy Split, by Suzanne Finnamore and Wild, by Cheryl Strayed. Both authors went through painful divorces that led them on a search for internal happiness and self fulfillment.
Vampire Stories
I'm not a big fan of the teen angst love stories, either! Something you may consider is the book Blood and Ice by Robert Masello. It is a vampire mystery and a captivating love story that is more appealing to adults. You may also be interested in Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire. It was one of the first books in this genre that made vampires more likable characters, with whom the reader could sympathize and relate. And if you like it, there are several other books in the series.
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
I recently read this book and loved it! If you are a fan of true life adventure stories, you may also enjoy In the Kingdom of Ice, by Hampton Sides. It is the true story of the ill-fated voyage of the USS Jeannette. The ship becomes ice-bound and the crew must abandon it to search for a way home through the arctic tundra. It is an absorbing tale of survival against countless odds. Similar titles you may enjoy would be Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, and In the Heart of the Sea, by Nathaniel Philbrick.
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
Since you enjoyed Eat Pray Love so much, you may try reading Eat Pray Love Made Me Do It. It offers several inspiring stories of people whose lives were transformed by the book. The writers share their inner journey toward self discovery. You may also enjoy Split, by Suzanne Finnamore and Wild, by Cheryl Strayed. Both authors went through painful divorces that led them on a search for internal happiness and self fulfillment.
Vampire Stories
I'm not a big fan of the teen angst love stories, either! Something you may consider is the book Blood and Ice by Robert Masello. It is a vampire mystery and a captivating love story that is more appealing to adults. You may also be interested in Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire. It was one of the first books in this genre that made vampires more likable characters, with whom the reader could sympathize and relate. And if you like it, there are several other books in the series.
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard
I recently read this book and loved it! If you are a fan of true life adventure stories, you may also enjoy In the Kingdom of Ice, by Hampton Sides. It is the true story of the ill-fated voyage of the USS Jeannette. The ship becomes ice-bound and the crew must abandon it to search for a way home through the arctic tundra. It is an absorbing tale of survival against countless odds. Similar titles you may enjoy would be Unbroken, by Laura Hillenbrand, and In the Heart of the Sea, by Nathaniel Philbrick.
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Appeal Factors Week 2 Assignment 2
Much to the alarm of many friends and family members, who do not understand this obsession, I am an avid fan of the violent, serial killer, murder mystery. The scarier the better. I think one reason is that no matter what problems, struggles, or trials I am going through, these things pale in comparison to what the hero or heroin of the story is facing. I have never been pursued, or my family threatened by a criminal mastermind bent on my destruction. Think John Sandford, Patricia Cornwell, and Jeff Lindsay's Dexter series. I must confess, my fellow librarians, I am even a fan of the ubiquitous Alex Cross. Please don't hold this against me.
I also have a great love of history. "Truth is stranger than fiction," as they say. I have read so many incredible stories throughout history that, if cast as fiction, would be seen as preposterously improbable. I enjoy reading a variety of biographies, adventure stories, and history books.
These two genres are almost polar opposites in terms of appeal factors, but it depends heavily on what I am in the mood to read. Sometimes, I just need an escape from the cares of everyday life and need to read something engaging, but that doesn't require too much thought. Other times I really need to sink my teeth into something to expand my knowledge and understanding of the world. So I can see how taking a customer's current mood into account can be an important factor in readers advisory.
John Sandford's Prey Series features Minneapolis-Saint Paul detective Lucas Davenport as a tough, ex-hockey player and video game designer. The books in this series are definitely fast reads, and the reader is quickly drawn in to the plot. There is a lot of action and dialog, and as the story unfolds, excitement builds as each new clue brings us tantalizingly closer to the stunning conclusion.
Lucas Davenport is a classic good guy - tall, handsome, and athletic, he is a ladies' man who nevertheless meets his wife, Weather, while working a case. He is compassionate and kind, actually adopting his daughter, Letty, who was left an orphan by one of the criminals that Lucas investigates. He is a smart cop who knows how to think like the criminals that he pursues. While the reader knows that Lucas is definitely a good guy, he has his own failings and weaknesses, and he is willing to compromise his principles when it comes to justice.
The story line of all of the books in this series is predictable in that the reader knows what to expect from the story. A murder has been committed, sometimes the reader finds out right away who the bad guy is, sometimes it takes until the end of the book to figure it out. But either way, the chase is on as Lucas follows the clues.
The language of the Prey series is simple and straightforward, with quite a bit of action and dialog. The author also manages to inject quite a bit of humor into the story.
The series takes place in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, and this is a key feature of the series. The reader is introduced to the residents, politics, and climate of this part of the country. Winter Prey, one of my favorites, takes place in rural northern Wisconsin, where residents must keep a fire burning in the garage all night long so that their car battery will not freeze.
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates , by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger, covers the time period from 1785 to 1805 when our new nation faced threats to our merchant shipping from the Barbary Pirates of North Africa. Furthermore, American citizens were being captured, enslaved, and held for ransom, for much more than the new nation could afford to pay in tribute.
This title is an excellent choice for someone who enjoys history, particularly American history, but is not necessarily a die-hard history buff. The book moves quickly through the time period, covering key events very succinctly. There are many characters, and many heroes, in the story, and the writers give brief backgrounds on each one without delving into great detail. The reader comes to understand the motivations of the officers and sailors who made such sacrifices for their country.
The story line of the title focuses on the struggles of a new nation, admonished by our first president to avoid foreign wars, to establish itself as an independent nation able to carry out international commerce. It focuses on the bravery and sacrifice of America's forgotten heroes. The book is very simply written, and focuses on moving the story along rather a great deal of description. Most of the book is set in northern Africa: Tangier, Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli. But the book is not descriptive in nature, and only deals with geography and culture to point that it is necessary to the story. The overall tome of the book is uplifting, as it details the adversity that our new nation had to overcome. A strong appeal factor of this book is the opportunity to learn about this relatively unknown period of American history.
The Winter Girl by Matt Marinovich
A good read-a-like for Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn, The Winter Girl introduces us to Elise and Scott, who are temporarily staying near Southampton, NY so that Elise can care for her dying father. The unemployed Scott is drawn to the mysteriously vacant house next door, and decides to break in. The story that unfolds draws us into Scott and Elise's troubled marriage, and Elise's abusive relationship with her tyrannical father. This would be a great pick for someone who enjoys psychological thrillers without the CSI type element.
While the dialog and story line is very engaging, it does not feel like a fast-paced book because the reader is trying to unravel the mysteries behind the interwoven relationships of Scott, Elise, her father, and other characters who enter the story.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book is the characterization. The story is told by Scott, who is not always able to discern the motives of the other characters. As the book progresses, things are not always as they appear and Elise may not be as completely innocent as she appears.
The Winter Girl is well-written, and takes an insightful look into marriage and family relationships. The location of Southampton, NY is an important part of the story, as it is primarily a Summer community that is mostly vacant during the wintertime, when Scott and Elise are staying. Vacant houses are not so unusual at this time of year, yet Scott's curiosity is piqued by the one next door. Other than this aspect, there is not a lot of description of the area. The details of the story focus more on Scott and Elise's troubled marriage, and Elise's highly dysfunctional relationship with her father. The tone of the book is dark and suspenseful, and also very witty in a dark sort of way.
I also have a great love of history. "Truth is stranger than fiction," as they say. I have read so many incredible stories throughout history that, if cast as fiction, would be seen as preposterously improbable. I enjoy reading a variety of biographies, adventure stories, and history books.
These two genres are almost polar opposites in terms of appeal factors, but it depends heavily on what I am in the mood to read. Sometimes, I just need an escape from the cares of everyday life and need to read something engaging, but that doesn't require too much thought. Other times I really need to sink my teeth into something to expand my knowledge and understanding of the world. So I can see how taking a customer's current mood into account can be an important factor in readers advisory.
John Sandford's Prey Series features Minneapolis-Saint Paul detective Lucas Davenport as a tough, ex-hockey player and video game designer. The books in this series are definitely fast reads, and the reader is quickly drawn in to the plot. There is a lot of action and dialog, and as the story unfolds, excitement builds as each new clue brings us tantalizingly closer to the stunning conclusion.
Lucas Davenport is a classic good guy - tall, handsome, and athletic, he is a ladies' man who nevertheless meets his wife, Weather, while working a case. He is compassionate and kind, actually adopting his daughter, Letty, who was left an orphan by one of the criminals that Lucas investigates. He is a smart cop who knows how to think like the criminals that he pursues. While the reader knows that Lucas is definitely a good guy, he has his own failings and weaknesses, and he is willing to compromise his principles when it comes to justice.
The story line of all of the books in this series is predictable in that the reader knows what to expect from the story. A murder has been committed, sometimes the reader finds out right away who the bad guy is, sometimes it takes until the end of the book to figure it out. But either way, the chase is on as Lucas follows the clues.
The language of the Prey series is simple and straightforward, with quite a bit of action and dialog. The author also manages to inject quite a bit of humor into the story.
The series takes place in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, and this is a key feature of the series. The reader is introduced to the residents, politics, and climate of this part of the country. Winter Prey, one of my favorites, takes place in rural northern Wisconsin, where residents must keep a fire burning in the garage all night long so that their car battery will not freeze.
Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates , by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger, covers the time period from 1785 to 1805 when our new nation faced threats to our merchant shipping from the Barbary Pirates of North Africa. Furthermore, American citizens were being captured, enslaved, and held for ransom, for much more than the new nation could afford to pay in tribute.
This title is an excellent choice for someone who enjoys history, particularly American history, but is not necessarily a die-hard history buff. The book moves quickly through the time period, covering key events very succinctly. There are many characters, and many heroes, in the story, and the writers give brief backgrounds on each one without delving into great detail. The reader comes to understand the motivations of the officers and sailors who made such sacrifices for their country.
The story line of the title focuses on the struggles of a new nation, admonished by our first president to avoid foreign wars, to establish itself as an independent nation able to carry out international commerce. It focuses on the bravery and sacrifice of America's forgotten heroes. The book is very simply written, and focuses on moving the story along rather a great deal of description. Most of the book is set in northern Africa: Tangier, Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli. But the book is not descriptive in nature, and only deals with geography and culture to point that it is necessary to the story. The overall tome of the book is uplifting, as it details the adversity that our new nation had to overcome. A strong appeal factor of this book is the opportunity to learn about this relatively unknown period of American history.
The Winter Girl by Matt Marinovich
A good read-a-like for Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn, The Winter Girl introduces us to Elise and Scott, who are temporarily staying near Southampton, NY so that Elise can care for her dying father. The unemployed Scott is drawn to the mysteriously vacant house next door, and decides to break in. The story that unfolds draws us into Scott and Elise's troubled marriage, and Elise's abusive relationship with her tyrannical father. This would be a great pick for someone who enjoys psychological thrillers without the CSI type element.
While the dialog and story line is very engaging, it does not feel like a fast-paced book because the reader is trying to unravel the mysteries behind the interwoven relationships of Scott, Elise, her father, and other characters who enter the story.
One of the most interesting aspects of the book is the characterization. The story is told by Scott, who is not always able to discern the motives of the other characters. As the book progresses, things are not always as they appear and Elise may not be as completely innocent as she appears.
The Winter Girl is well-written, and takes an insightful look into marriage and family relationships. The location of Southampton, NY is an important part of the story, as it is primarily a Summer community that is mostly vacant during the wintertime, when Scott and Elise are staying. Vacant houses are not so unusual at this time of year, yet Scott's curiosity is piqued by the one next door. Other than this aspect, there is not a lot of description of the area. The details of the story focus more on Scott and Elise's troubled marriage, and Elise's highly dysfunctional relationship with her father. The tone of the book is dark and suspenseful, and also very witty in a dark sort of way.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
Resources
I am choosing EarlyWord as my book resource since it bills itself as being specifically geared toward readers advisory librarians.
For the genre resource, I will follow tor.com. The layout of the website is very attractive, and it breaks out releases by science fiction and fantasy. I have never been a big fan of science fiction, but I am hoping to expand my horizons a little bit and learn more about it.
For the genre resource, I will follow tor.com. The layout of the website is very attractive, and it breaks out releases by science fiction and fantasy. I have never been a big fan of science fiction, but I am hoping to expand my horizons a little bit and learn more about it.
Sporcle
I just took the sporcle quiz on choosing a book title based from a portion of the cover, and scored 11 out of 24. Not too good! :(
I did a little better on the children's books, scoring 12/20.
A few of the covers looked very familiar - but I just couldn't think of the title! But it was fun to try.
I did a little better on the children's books, scoring 12/20.
A few of the covers looked very familiar - but I just couldn't think of the title! But it was fun to try.
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