Week 16 prompt

Both of our readings this week talk about the culture of reading and the future of the book. So I have two questions for you as readers, pulling on your own experiences and all of the readings we have done over the semester: First, how have reading and books changed since you were a child, for you specifically? Second, talk a little about what you see in the future for reading, books, or publishing - say 20 years from now. Will we read more or less, will our reading become more interactive? What will happen to traditional publishing? This is  a very free-form question, feel free to wildly extrapolate or calmly state facts, as suits your mood!

Books of course have changed from when I was a kid, of course.  We have ebooks now!  And audiobooks have become a thing.  Graphic novels and manga have hit a boom.  (A friend and I always like to joke about manga and how kids these days have it easy...in middle & high school, we really enjoyed manga but bookstores and the library only had about a shelf each because so few series were being translated, and each volume cost $15-20.  Now there are rows and rows of titles that only cost $9!)  I remember checking out mostly paperbacks too, but I feel like current purchasing and publishing trends are getting away from that and pushing hardcovers.  Or maybe it's just that my personal preference on that has changed!  Covers are also becoming more visually appealing and art-y too, I think.  Writing all that down, I realize that books have become more of a commercial package than I remember them being as a kid!

That one time I tweeted about how we weren't doing our jobs
&Neil Gaiman himself enabled us.

The act of reading itself hasn't changed much for me.  I still always have at least one book going, always have a to-read stack to grab the next one from.  That's always been my habit.  I took the History of the Book course last year, and we discussed how reading historically has been social--not everyone was literate, so books were read aloud, or even going back to ye olden times when books simply weren't available so people relied on oral storytellers to entertain them.  When you're a kid, reading is still a social event.  Parents read to you, the librarian reads to you, teachers read to you...  Reading as an adult is still a pretty social thing, for me.  (It was argued in that class, however, that reading is rapidly becoming a more solitary activity for the majority of people.)  Of course, as a librarian, I get plenty of chances to talk books and I jump on Goodreads and the Books subreddit fairly often, follow my favorite authors on Facebook.  But even beyond that...if it's a warm, lazy Sunday, you'll find myself, my boyfriend, and our dog laying out in a quilt in the backyard with our books.  We share the same taste in books, so we're usually telling each other about what we're reading and why the other one should read it.  (That's actually how we met--he was worked at a local bookstore that I frequented!)

That answer bled into the next question...I don't see reading becoming a solitary activity any time soon.  Nor do I see people reading less, especially once publishers wholly embrace ebooks.  They're (usually) cheaper, more convenient for people on the go, and tablets are becoming everyday technology meaning many people have access now.  Don't get me wrong, I still prefer my traditional books!  But with more options opening up, letting people read whenever and however they want, I don't see reading disappearing.  Especially since I've noted already that books are being marketed more and more attractively...publishers aren't going to let reading die out either!

I'm also very excited to see the future of reading, and of books, because I think traditional publishing may lose some footing to these new trends I'm seeing.  The 39 Clues books, while juvenile fiction, is a great example of where publishing may be going.  (Kids read the books, but they can also jump online to find clues and there are also collectible cards.)  Marvel has been experimenting with integrating their publishing with their movie and TV franchises to create a cohesive universe for their characters, so we may begin to see other companies pick that up.  A couple years ago, I purchase a non-fiction book about the behind-the-scenes creation of a popular, critically-acclaimed video game franchise that used QR codes so readers could see video of the programming or of the mo-cap stage.  It was even set up so the QR codes would 'refresh' every so often to show new content.

I'm sure we'll see some duds, but I think we'll see some exciting stuff too coming out of the world of books and of publishing.  I agreed with Wachtell in our readings for this week...we shouldn't confuse with "how" of reading with the "why" of reading.  Maybe ebooks and audiobooks will edge out traditional books someday...but that doesn't mean people aren't still reading.

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Happy summer, guys!  This class has been a lot of fun, but I'm ready to relax and enjoy this sun as much as possible now.  (Just gotta get this final project done!)

One last chance to show off Zero, sorry, had to take it!

Week 15 prompt

What do you think are the best ways to market your library's fiction collection? Name and describe three ways you do or would like to market your library or your future library's fiction. These can be tools, programs, services, displays - anything that you see as getting the word out.

I like passive RA--laying out bookmarks, read-a-like flyers and posting up the bestseller lists.  One week, we forgot to change the NYT bestseller list that's posted in our New Fiction section, and several patrons let us know about it!  A couple homebound patrons also send us their own highlighted copies to let us know what they're interested in.  Teens don't seem to care about the NYT bestseller list all that much, however.  (Probably because it usually stays the same for long periods of time...for months, my boss and I had a guessing game about how many John Green books were listed per week!)  Bookmarks are especially popular as they serve that double purpose--pointing patrons towards new reads but also marking their spot in their current book!  Older patrons like the read-a-like flyers, or even just print-outs that list series in order because if the series isn't listed within the book, they are unlikely to try the computer themselves to find that information.

Displays are also a hit, and sometimes a lot of fun to put together!  There's more opportunity to create elaborate and imaginative displays for Children's and Young Adult, but we like to get creative with the Adult fiction too.  An attractive sign or a few props really draw the eye, and our patrons often to stop and browse the latest display.  I've done some holiday-centered ones for Young Adult, a Star Wars display for Children's that was crazy popular, and just today I set up a Downton Abbey read-a-like display for this class' final project.  Other displays I've seen around at our libraries include color-coded ones, "Books Gone Hollywood!", a dueling dog display and cat display set across from each other...  Thematic displays are a good way to bring some older titles into the spotlight.

One marketing strategy I'd like to explore more is using social media to promote our materials.  Our library website has a blog function, and I believe there were hopes that designated staff members would post about what they're reading, but it fell through the cracks between other projects.  Our Facebook and Twitter page advertises programs and services, which as I believe Saricks points out in this week's reading, isn't enough to boost circ stats.  I attended CYPD last year in Indy and one of the speakers there had great suggestions about how to use Youtube for book talks and Twitter for personalized suggestions.  There was some talk about starting a Youtube channel for our Teen department, but again I think that fell by the wayside of other projects.  I tried a Twitter account for recommending YA material, but didn't have a good way to promote it.  I'm interested in trying these sites again, and will try pushing for more support on them.

Week 14 prompt

Consider yourself part of the collection management committee of your local library, or a library at which you would like to work. You must decide whether or not to separate GBLTQ fiction and African American Fiction from the general collection to its own special place. Some patrons have requested this, yet many staff are uncomfortable with the idea - saying it promotes segregation and disrupts serendipitous discovery of an author who might be different from the reader. Do you separate them? Do you separate one and not the other? Why or why not? You must provide at least 3 reasons for or against your decision. Feel free to use outside sources - this is a weighty question that is answered differently in a lot of different libraries.


I would ultimately decide against separating these works from the rest of the fiction section.

The first reason is the simplest, non-controversial reason--we do not have the available shelf space to do so.  The branch library I work at serves a small, rural community.  The Main library, while much larger, still could not be called "large."  Shelving has been arranged in a way that maxes out our available space while remaining aesthetically pleasing.  All fiction titles are interfiled with each other, and no genre gets its own unit.  There is simply no space to arrange specialized shelving, or at least not in a way that would make sense and seem appealing.

I also agree that separating out the GBLTQ and African American fiction borders on segregation.  One of our articles this week, "Urban Grit," hits on this--why would we shelve a Toni Morrison next to a Relentless Aaron?  Purely on the basis that both authors are black?  That seems ridiculous to me, and I'm sure many others.  Pulling authors' works and grouping them together based solely on their minority status may send the signal that their work is not considered equal.  To group them separately would be ignoring all other appeal factors within the novel and saying "it's just about homosexuality" or "it's just about the Black experience."  If the novels were to remain interfiled with the rest of the fiction, they may be found and judged (hopefully) on the appeal factors of the story.

The third reason is similar to the second reason.  Not only could the authors of these works receive the wrong message of how their writing is valued, it can send the wrong message to the readers as well.  We serve a rather uniform community that is beginning to grow in its diversity, yet there are still pockets of extreme conservatism.  One of my fears is that separation of GBLTQ and street lit would send the message of "only gays or African Americans would be interested in this," and the other fear is that it would also say "only gays or African Americans should read this."  In the first case, I think that would be a shame, if a reader ignored a title because they think it wasn't for them or wouldn't appeal to them as it's not their life.  That's one of the main points of reading!  Vicariously experiencing another's life and gaining a new perspective or even empathy.  In the second case, it could be bad for the reader's actual well-being.  A lot of my work is focused on our little teen area, and I do make a concentrated effort to have an inclusive collection in our branch.  It wasn't all that long ago I was in high school either and I can remember how kids who either were gay or were suspected of being gay were downright bullied.  I can't imagine a questioning teen browsing a section of GBLTQ literature; it'd be putting a spotlight on their back!  However, were titles by gay authors, or with gay characters, interfiled with the rest of the fiction...a patron could search with discretion.

I would absolutely support creating displays that highlight GBLTQ and African American authors, because every patron needs to know that the library supports having a diversity of voices in its collection.  However, I do not think separating out those titles permanently from the rest of the collection sends the right messages to our patrons.

Week 13 prompt

Though this week's group of "genres" all seem very different, they all have in common the fact that many people don't feel that they are legitimate literary choices and libraries shouldn't be spending money on them or promoting them to adults. The common belief is that adults still don't or shouldn't read that stuff. How can we as librarians, work to ensure that we are able to serve adults who enjoy YA literature or graphic novels? Or should we? I can't wait to read your thoughts on this. Thanks!

In the Reference class, it's discussed over and over how we as librarians need to be impartial to what our patrons request.  And while that attitude may seem more appropriate to the reference desk, it should also carry over to Reader's Advisory.  If there is demand for a genre or a particular title, it would be worth the library's money to obtain it.  We do not need to look too deeply into pop culture to see the demands for the stories told in YA and graphic novels, at least.

I wrote my midterm on integrating graphic novels into RA, so I don't know that I need to repeat myself.  Personally, I think graphic novels are a fantastic storytelling format.  Between the art and the words, I find them wonderfully creative.  Others may find them too busy, or may prefer to not see any objectionable themes illustrated.  That's fine!  Just as it's fine if an adult prefers to read a YA book.  YA often deals with problems specific to teenagers, but they may also cover the same territory adult books do, just in a more simplistic way.  We all read for different reasons.  I don't think it's our place as librarians to tell a patron that their preferences aren't "good enough" or to push challenging material on a patron that just wants something escapist.

If we focus on appeal factors, I don't think we'll have a hard time at least recommending YA, NA, or graphic novel stories to our patrons.  Of course, after we make the recommendation, it's ultimately up to the patron to decide if they'll try it!  I just think we might have more success if we lead with the appeal factors first, get the patron intrigued before introducing the format/recommended age range.  If we act as if it doesn't matter that the book is intended towards teens or 20-something adults, or that it's illustrated, it may ease any hesitation a patron might have.

(Although I was a little thrown by NA books.  I had never heard the term before!  It feels like a marketing ploy to me, but maybe that's because I'm unfamiliar with it.  "Adult" fiction encompasses so many decades of life and experiences, why shouldn't younger adults have their niche?  I've also read many good articles about being aware that while adults may read YA books and love them, it is important for marketers and publishers to remember that they are intended for teens.  But as we are RA librarians who are concerned with connecting readers to stories, we need only to be concerned about marketing in how it might influence our patrons' preconceptions.)

Week 12 prompt

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth: What Going to Space Taught Me About Ingenuity, Determination, and Being Prepared for Anything
by Chris Hadfield

Where is this book on narrative spectrum?

• A mix (combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose)

What is the subject of the book?

• Commander Hadfield explains his life as an astronaut--all the training on Earth, three trips to space--and how it impacts his philosophy towards life on Earth.

What type of book is it?

• Memoir, with bits of investigative science

Articulate appeal:

1. What is the pacing of the book?

• Leisurely.  A mix of personal perspective and interesting facts make the book engaging, but not the quickest read.

       2. Describe the characters of the book

• Chris Hadfield is the "main" character.  He participated in two space shuttle flights, and acted as commander of the International Space Station during his third trip to space.  He became famous after uploading a series of videos to Youtube in which he demonstrated simple tasks (such as playing his guitar) in zero gravity.  He writes of his family and the other astronauts he flew with, all shone in a positive manner.

        3. How does the story feel?

• Educational, inspiring

        4. What is the intent of the author?

• To share not just the scientific side of space and astronomy, but also the attitude and work ethic that goes into being as astronaut--how they must be trained and prepared for anything to happen in space, where they are alone with themselves and finite supplies

        5. What is the focus of the story?

• Hadfield's career as a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot and as an astronaut, and how this work has influenced the way he views life.

        6. Does the language matter?

• Yes, technical terms are often, but always explained.

        7. Is the setting important and well-described?

• Settings range between labs and training facilities, and outer space.  The settings are important, especially the International Space Station, and all are well-described.

        8. Are there details and if so, of what?

• There are plenty of details throughout the book as the author explains his highly-technical career so that the average reader will understand.  Details may be over technology, engineering and science.

        9. Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials?  Are they useful and clear?

• There are no charts or graphs.  There are some pages of pictures of Hadfield's life or photos he took from the space station.

       10. Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding or experience?

• All three, as it is the intent of the book to explore Hadfield's career which is full of unique experiences, and to learn and understand more intimately about what it means to be an astronaut.

Why would a reader enjoy this book?  (rank appeal)

1. learning/experiencing
2. detail
3. author's perspective

Non-Fiction annotation

Travels with Casey
by Benoit Denizet-Lewis

Publication date: July 22, 2014

Number of pages: 352

Series information: n/a

Geographical setting: United States of America

Time period: contemporary

Subject headings: dogs--United States; dogs--effect of human beings on--United States

Summary: Author Denizet-Lewis confesses to a psychologist that he believes his Labrador Retriever named Casey doesn't love him.  In an attempt to bond with his dog, Denizet-Lewis rents an RV and plots out a cross-country examination of America's dog culture.  They spend the day at a dog park in NYC, with a couple of homeless teens and their dogs in California, and the afternoon with a woman who taken to court over dog poop.  They visit Cesar Millan, a dog clinic that rehabilitated the dogs confiscated from Michael Vick, and the headquarters of PETA.  It is an enlightening journey, not just into how Americans feel about their dogs, but for Denizet-Lewis personally.

Librarian's Opinion: Throughout the book, Denizet-Lewis' humor and positivity shines as he navigates the country and his relationships with Casey and other humans.  I enjoyed reading his perspective.  As a dog person myself, I appreciated this comprehensive view into America's dog culture.  Not every story is cute, some are depressing, and some are surprisingly revealing about humans.  Portions of the book focus on relationships, both platonic and romantic, that the author makes along the way but the vast majority is focused on all aspects of dog culture.  While a good book in many regards, a strong interest in the subject matter is necessary.

Elements of the book

Narrative

This book is written more towards the narrative end of the non-fiction spectrum.  Readers new to non-fiction may enjoy that this is written more as a story of one man's roadtrip rather than a series of facts about dogs and their effects on their human owners.  In order to make seem more like a story, the author breaks up his dog-related visits with anecdotes about friends he meets along the way, the man he begins dating halfway through his roadtrip and their efforts to meet up at different locations in the country, and talk of his own family, human and canine.

Pacing

While readers are bound to find some topics more interesting than others, the books flows at a good pace.  Denizet-Lewis does not bog his readers down with long sentences, and he typically goes from one roadtrip stop to the next.  Occasionally, however, the pacing may seem off when he relates a story out-of-order.  He may have stopped somewhere or met someone that did not have enough of an impact to be related in full, but he may bring up this event in an anecdotal paragraph during a more noteworthy event that occurs weeks later.

Author's voice

Denizet-Lewis writes in a conversational, personable fashion.  As stated earlier, his humor and positivity shines through in his stories.  Even when he comes across dogs (and sometimes people) in horrible circumstances, he tries to find an optimistic angle if at all possible.  The author's voice helps blend this travelogue with animal nonfiction, and keeps readers turning the pages.

Subject matter

While the author has a personable writing style and this narrative non-fiction flows at a good pace, if the reader is not at all or only slightly interested in dogs, this may book may not be for them.  The author plans out the roadtrip stops to explore all aspects of dog culture.  He speaks to owners, breeders, and professional walkers.  He speaks with shelter workers, dog psychologists, and one of the world's leading dog toy designers.  He has two pet photography sessions, attends a dog yoga class on the beach, and stays overnight in an inn shaped like a massive beagle.  The book will delve into topics readers expect and may introduce them to new aspects of American dog culture, and amaze them with how much people love their dogs.

Similar Reads

• Off the Leash: A Year at the Dog Park by Matthew Gilbert--Another non-fiction memoir that revolves around dogs.  Similar to the beginning of Travels with Casey when the author stays a day at an NYC dog park, Gilbert spends a year visiting a Boston dog park.  A reluctant first time owner of an enthusiastic Lab puppy, Gilbert is exposed to dog culture and the pack of wacky dog owners who visit the park along him.
• My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts by Laura T. Coffey & Lori Fusaro--This book may be a good recommendation for those readers interested in dogs yet unsure about non-fiction.  The stories of these rescue dogs, some who were rescued from extreme situations (such as Ground Zero) and some who were adopted in to extraordinary families, are told in an anecdotal fashion accompanied with full page photographs.  The book can be read entirely or flipped through at leisure.
• A Dog's Purpose by Bruce W. Cameron--Delving back into fiction, Cameron is well-known for his dog-centric novels.  This humorous book is the first in a series.  The story follows a dog who keeps reincarnating into a new life, meeting and loving new owners.  Viewing life through a puppy's eyes, Cameron explores the great mystery of "why are we here?" and the worth of companionship.

Sorry, we talked about dogs again.  Here's my boy Zero!

Week 11 prompt

Ebooks and audiobooks are a part of our landscape. What does the change in medium mean for appeal factors? If you can't hold a book and feel the physical weight of it in your hands, how does that affect your knowledge of the genre? How about readers being able to change the font, line spacing, and color of text - how does that affect pacing and tone? How about audiobooks? Track length, narrator choice, is there music?  For this week, I want you to think about how ebooks and audiobooks affect appeal factors - also think about appeals that are unique to both mediums. Please feel free to use your own experience and that of your (anonymous of course) patrons. I look forward to reading these!

The story-focused appeal factors that Saricks uses remains the same, but these new formats introduce new, unique appeal factors.

Audiobooks are perhaps more straight forward in terms of their appeal factors, but I also admit that I don't have a lot of experience with them.  I use my phone to listen to music and podcasts, and my commute to work is two minutes if I hit a traffic light.  (Yay for only living a couple blocks away!)  I suppose a Playaway would solve the tech issue, but I would still find the "time required" too daunting.  I'm not one for sitting still, and I'm worried I will miss details if I split my attention to do another task while listening.  Yet I know for many others, listening to audiobooks is relaxing.  My mother listens to one for about an hour every night while she puts together a jigsaw puzzle.  I also know they're popular with people who commute to the city for work, and they're also lifesavers to the avid readers whose eyes are going bad.  (One of our patrons was declared legally blind a couple years ago, and every week her daughter comes in to pick up anywhere from four to eight audiobooks for her!)

Although I did listen to the BBC radio adaption of Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, and I was surprised how fun it was.  They had sound effects, music, and celebrity to voice the different characters.  I had it in my head that audiobooks were bland.  Writing this, I'm starting to think I'm just making a bunch of unfair assumptions about audiobooks....  :)

The audiobook's hours daunt me because then I feel like I'm locked into it until the chapter or the disc ends.  A book that's thick with hundreds of pages doesn't daunt me, because I know I can read a few at a time.  Yet I know it's usually the opposite for my patrons.  There's one who's reading through George R.R. Martin's series who would normally never pick up a book that's 1100 pages, but he'll laugh about how Storm of Swords is 39 discs!  I imagine it'd be the same for ebooks...the physical size isn't there to scare patrons away from trying something new.

Ebooks are also cheap.  One of our readings touched on this and the sampling feature, and how these factors influence their reading habits into becoming more diverse.  I've done the same..."eh, it's $1.99, I wouldn't be out much to try it."  I'll use my e-reader for books I only have a slight interest in reading, or to bypass the long hold list for a physical copy at my library.  As for patrons, most questions about our Overdrive app begin "So I'm going on vacation..."  I've also noticed a growing number of busy mothers using ebooks because it cuts out adding a trip to the library from their schedule, or just reduces the number of physical lending material they need to keep track off.

I do like many of the unique appeal factors of ebooks, such as being able to look up a word's definition by holding it, or being able to search for a particular word within the text.  (Helpful in fantasy novels when I don't remember what a made-up word means or who this character with a weird name is.)  The ability to change font size is also a benefit to patrons with weaker eyes.  But I'm sure these capabilities may be daunting to others, who don't consider themselves tech-literate.

Each reader can argue pros and cons of a format.  But these unique appeal factors give readers so many more options than just the traditional book.  Between books, audiobooks, and ebooks, readers can pick the storytelling that works best for them.  As we RA librarians get to know our patrons, we may be able to help them find a way to read (or listen!) that will enhance their enjoyment and set them up to become even more avid readers.

Fantasy annotation

The Way of Kings

by Brandon Sanderson

Publication date: August 31, 2010

Number of pages: 1007

Series information: The Stormlight Archive, #1

Geographical setting: the fantasy world of Roshar, landscapes most often similar to that of deserts

Time period: n/a

Subject headings: manuscripts; slavery; kings & rulers; imaginary wars & battles; imaginary places; magic

Plot summary: Roshar is a world reduced to stone and sand after centuries of near-constant storms.  Only the most diligent scholars remember the history of the Knights Radiant, who used to protect its people, yet all fight for their legacy--mystical sets of weapons and armor, that turn the bearer into near-invincible warriors.  A war rages in the Shattered Plains between the nation of Alethkar and the peoples of Parshendi, who claimed responsibility for the assassination of Alethkar's king.  The Way of Kings follows several characters as they fight for their way in this savage world.  Lord Dalinar, brother of the late king, is plagued by visions of the past and the Knights Radiant; he becomes obsessed with an ancient philosophical tome that he believes may better civilization.  His son, Adolin, now doubts his father's ability to lead the war against the Parshendi but must stand strong with him against other lords who would see him disposed.  Meanwhile, a slave in their fighting force named Kaladin daily witnesses the true horrors of war until he realizes hidden powers within and he becomes a valuable asset to Dalinar's war effort.  And making her way across the ocean towards these men is Shallan, a young scholar who is on the path to discovering the truth between the Knights Radiant.

Librarian's Opinion: The Way of Kings is a masterpiece.  It will be a great recommendation for experienced Fantasy readers who love their genre.  However, it may not be a good spring board into the genre for new readers.  Sanderson's world is simply staggering in its amount of detail.  In order to describe all these fine details, the story is slow paced.  It picks up as the book goes on, building to a climatic battle scene worthy of the big screen, but it can be a lot to ask of a reader unfamiliar with Fantasy to wait until they are 600-700 pages in before forming any opinions.  The size is daunting and the pace does stretch to fill it out, but all those words pay back in the form of a fully realized and unique world and well-rounded, balanced characters, all of which Fantasy enthusiasts will appreciate but new readers to the genre may find taxing.

Elements of the Book

Fantasy world

To repeat, Sanderson creates a world that is staggering in its level of detail.  Roshar is a completely fantastical world, grabbing at the reader's imagination.  However, it may fail to latch on to the reader's brain.  Roshar is populated with strange crustacean creatures, spirits called spren that are manifestations of everything (from substantial things like rocks to the abstract, like creativity), and vicious weather patterns that scour the earth.  Because it is so foreign from real life, it can be difficult to picture in one's mind and thus appreciation for what Sanderson builds can be late in developing.  The book helps this issue by including art at chapter breaks supposedly done by the character of Shallan, so readers can see exactly how horses have been replaced by giant crab-like creatures.

Specialized language

Like many fantasy authors, Sanderson creates words and phrases to fit his world.  A character may wear armor and bear a sword, but this is not the same as donning Shardplate and wielding a Shardblade.  Words like "spren", "brightlord", and "artifabrian" (which is someone who creates fabrials, of course) are thrown around and may not be explained right away, if at all.  Sanderson, again like many fantasy authors, prefers to tell his story and let his readers puzzle out his world from context clues.  Perhaps the most unique thing about his language is that it is shaped by the world around it.  Storm creeps into familiar phrases, as storms are the daily curse of everyone's lives.  "Stormfather" replaces any god they might swear to and it's not unusual to hear someone say "that storming man!" when angry.

Morality tale

Fantasy tales are usually ones of good versus evil.  Way of Kings is no different, but sides are not clear.  Of course it makes for good story-telling to have betrayals, but the evil is not clearly defined.  The heroes are confused on how they might stop the coming calamity.  The evil is not confined to one person, but the sense of impending disaster is there.  The book's title is taken from a philosophical manuscript within the story which teaches lords how they should rule their subjects.  (It is not a popular text because it argues for a more compassionate rule.)  Main character Dalinar struggles to bring these teachings into practice, and in his struggle to be a more righteous man readers again see how the book is a morality tale.

Beyond mortal characters

Following the recent trend in fantasy novels, the story is told from the point of view of multiple characters, each in diverse situations.  These characters often have special gifts, which may be intrinsic or the result of magical items.  For example, warriors bearing Shards are exceptionally strong in battle and near impossible to defeat.  Shallan is gifted (or cursed) with visions of the true nature of spren.  Kaladin is also gifted with abilities that allow him not only to survive horrific conditions, but to inspire his fellow slaves.  Szeth the assassin holds strange magical powers that have not been seen for centuries.  Each character by the end of the book will find themselves and their newly-uncovered abilities tested.  (It also becomes obvious by the end that this theme of discovering hidden powers will build the main plot of the series.)

Similar Reads

• The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss--Like Sanderson, Rothfuss is another author reviving the epic fantasy genre, yet this book may be more accessible to new Fantasy readers.  Although of similar size, it is told from the point of view of only one character and its setting is much more similar to Earth.  The main character attends university, albeit a magical one, yet still panics over tuition cost and how to talk to girls--much more relatable.
• Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin--This book also introduces a fantasy world rich in detail, and tells a story through the eyes of multiple characters in a variety of situations.  Similar to Way of Kings, evil is not wholly contained to one person, but everyone can feel an impending sense of disaster as an unnamed threat gathers.  War and politics are major themes in both.
• Eye of the World by Robert Jordan-- This is the first in the fifteen-volume Wheel of Time series, which is considered a staple of the epic fantasy genre.  It also features a highly detailed world and multiple characters.  Eye of the World was published in 1990 and unfortunately Robert Jordan passed before finishing the series, but Brandon Sanderson picked up book 12 in 2010 to complete the saga.

Book Club Experience

For this observation, I attended the book club.  This club meets at 1:30 on a Monday, so I wasn't too sure what to expect.  Who would have the afternoon free...young adults who were students like myself, stay-at-home moms whose kids were in school, seniors?  Turns out it was all retirees!  (One actually was the retired librarian whose job I replaced, and I was told that another absent member was a retired reading specialist from the local high school.)

Since we mentioned him, here's my dog
 with his collection of decapitated heads
 I found under the sofa.

There were only two participants and the leader, perhaps due to the fact that it was bitterly cold outside.  (This meeting was back on February 8.)  The first ten or so minutes were spent socializing, of which I mostly to blame, because someone asked about my dog.  And I have a lot of stories about my dog.   Oops!

The members all seemed to be friends outside of the book club as well ("So-and-so isn't coming today, she told me last night at cards that she wasn't going to make it...") so the atmosphere was very relaxed.  It wasn't surprising that the conversation strayed away from the books on occasion.  In this sort of situation, the book club could have seemed clique-y, but they were very welcoming.  Maybe that's because there were so few of us, but I was asked to come back.  Neither member dominated the conversation, and everyone was careful not to talk over anyone.  One lady told me she actually worried about the club when the retired reading specialist joined, because she thought the woman would take it too seriously.

Bookmark with their schedule detailed

For this month, participants were to read a book of their choosing by Kenneth C. Davis.  If you're not familiar, he writes non-fiction on American history.  There were no repeats, and one woman (the one who was worried about the book club being taken too seriously) actually read a couple of the children's books he wrote because she "wasn't really a reader, I'm here for the socialization."  The leader had each person speak in turn about the book they read, herself included.  One lady had print-offs of the extra research she had done, so she could make her own decision on a president's career first, then see if it matched Davis'.  They all had questions for each other, and seem particularly fascinated by Jefferson's personal life.  I noticed that during this middle portion of the meeting that even though they were focused on discussing what they'd read, it was all about the content.  No one, not even the leader, talked about his writing style, or quality of his research, or anything specific to the author.

Eventually the discussion turned to recommendations of other unrelated books and movies/shows.  For example, I was asked if I had read All the Light We Cannot See and what my opinion of it was.  Then there was discussion on 12 Years a Slave, Love Actually, and another movie I can't remember that a lady had just recently watched.  Then it turned to the surprise birthday party they had all attended last weekend.  ...And then somehow got into their past love lives and current relationships of relatives.   After about twenty to twenty-five minutes of this, the leader decided to wrap up the meeting with some discussion about next month.  Everyone was to read a book by Margaret Atwood, and the leader had brought up a cart of all the available Atwood material, and let us know what was available at other branches or to be placed on hold.  One member was concerned that she wouldn't find anything to enjoy, as Atwood slants toward dystopia.

Here are pictures of the handout given to each member.  It features a review from NPR on Atwood's latest and the second sheet is a full bibliography of her works.

This book club really just felt like a social thing, a group of friends getting together for lunch (but minus the food).  There wasn't much emphasis placed on the reading(s) at all.  To be fair, there were only four of us (and I hadn't read anything) and the nature of the material also meant that discussion could easily stray from being specifically focused on Kenneth Davis to just over American history in general.   The book-focused discussion really only lasted perhaps 30 minutes of the hour and a half the club met.  How would the discussion go if everyone were to read the same book?  (If you enlarge the above image of the bookmark, you'll see that only one month actually requires members to read the same book.)  In that situation, the librarian might have tried to bring more structure to the group with prepared discussion questions.  But then again, I was specifically told that a member preferred the socialization.  Perhaps more structure, while making it a more effective book club, would have made it less enjoyable for the membership.  While I don't feel any urge to attend another meeting, I do wonder about going back and speaking with that librarian, if she feels this to be a challenge--balancing members' casual, comfortable expectations with structured discussion and reading selections that push boundaries.

RA Special Topics paper (condensed)

I explored the integration of graphic novels into Reader's Advisory.  It seems to me that graphic novels and comics are often ignored by librarians when a patron asks for a good book to read.  I argue that readers are more prepared to branch out into graphic novels now than they maybe have been in the past, and that there may be unexpected benefits to reading comics.  While there are a few unique considerations to keep in mind, we can use the same appeal factors as we do with traditional novels to match up our readers with new stories.

Librarians may be wary of recommending graphic novels.  This may be because of the negative stereotypes that have persisted ever since the 1940's.  You probably know the ones...the comics are for kids, that comics are perverted (a reaction to when graphic novels reach out to audiences who are not children).  Librarians have either avoided graphic novels themselves because of these stereotypes, or they assume their patrons hold them.  Yet if you look at popular culture, there has never been a better time to recommend graphic novels to new readers because they're probably already watching them!  Look at the popularity of superhero movies and of The Walking Dead.  Check out Comic-Con's soaring attendance numbers.  Readers may be more suggestible to graphic novels than we think.

Thriller

(Borrowing from some old projects I have done in the past, if you're interested, you can read more about persistent stereotypes here  and more about the effect graphic novels have had on popular culture here.)

Horror

Saricks appears to look at graphic novels as a genre in our textbook.  I argue that we should not, and instead we should view graphic novels as a format for storytelling, the way we do audiobooks, ebooks, and movies.  Within the format of graphic novels, we find all the genres we find among traditional novels.  This will require the librarian to be passably familiar with various materials, but that is the challenge presented by all genres.  As Saricks advises with the more niche genre of Science Fiction, fans are often enthusiastic about what they enjoy reading and are willing to share titles.  Many review sources and organizations such as YALSA publish "best of" and "top" lists of graphic novels, and there are always the Eisner Awards to consult.

While librarians can carry over the appeal factors for traditional novels to illustrated ones, there is a unique factor to now consider as well--art style.  Art is as subjective as any of these other factors, and can easily make or break a patron's decision to try a title.  For example, some will avoid any and all manga because they don't like the cartoon style.  Others may avoid hyper-realistic art if they find the sheer amount of detail too distracting.  Coloring may be an issue.  The Walking Dead is completely black and white...will a patron enjoy that?  On the flip side, would they enjoy the colorful 'splotch' pattern that overlays the pages of Scott Synder's Wytches, meant to convey the horrific hallucinogenic dream state that characters are in?  It would be best to be prepared with either the graphic novels at hand or a device handy with examples of the artwork to show the patron ahead of time.  Because while an art style may the be reason someone sets a series back on the shelf, it may also be the reason someone picks it up in the first place.

Mystery/Superhero

Graphic novels often blend genre.  When the author is not restricted to words, when their imagination can be illustrated as well, why not follow through with whatever their mind creates?  Humor is often blended into other genres, and we have begun seeing more venturous titles out of Image that blend several incongruous genres (see the caption for Saga) together.  Graphic novels could function as a way to ease readers from one genre to another, a way for them to experiment without realizing it.  We've talked about how Romance is a hard one to convince readers to try, yet when its appeal factors are dressed by those from Science Fiction?  Men read Saga for its space battles, yet they're reading about love and family, themes often found in Women's Live books.  An RA librarian could use this genre blending to help readers push their boundaries.

Sci-fi/Romance/Women's Lives

A warning when recommending graphic novels, however--any considerations like sex or violence need to be re-considered.  You may already be familiar with a patron's tolerance level on these matters.  But that tolerance may change when it comes to seeing instead of reading.  A reader may be okay with some gunshots in the climatic ending of their Thriller novel, but that doesn't mean they'll be okay with Rick Grime's blood-stained face every other page in the Walking Dead.  Sex might be alright in a book as long as its between a loving couple, but what about when those sex scenes are illustrated?  It's understandable that some readers may be much less tolerant of sex and violence in this format, but there are plenty of titles without either.  Again, it just requires the librarian to have a passable knowledge of the material.

I just quickly covered the key points of my paper, but I hope I gave you an idea of how we can bring graphic novels into RA.  If we don't lump them into one genre, but rather look at graphic novels as a format alongside traditional books that share the same appeal factor, I believe we can connect readers with more of the stories they desire.  And we know that many readers desire them, just by looking at pop culture trends!  There are new, unique appeal factors to be considered, yes, but the benefit readers may have of being able to explore a new format and perhaps a new genre in a blended title would make that extra effort worth it.

Week Seven prompt

Somehow, I have only ever read one James Patterson book.  The Angel Experiment, the first Maximum Ride novel, back when it first came out in 2005.  This seems mathematically amazing, considering how much I read and the fact that he's published at least 147 books.  (I got this number from Wikipedia, so I added "at least" since I can't tell when it was last updated.  Patterson's official website does not seem to give a grand total either.)

Since I have only read the one, I don't have any strong opinion on Patterson.  I don't avoid his books, I just...never seem to come in contact with one, except passing the latest back and forth half a hundred times with patrons.  Yet I was fascinated by "The James Patterson Business."

I'd heard some snide comments before about how "Patterson hasn't written any of his own books in the last ten years!"  It is hard to judge how involved he is in the process of co-authorship, since everyone seems to be under a legal agreement not to discuss it.  I'll agree it's an incredibly commercial process that seem to leave the concept of "writing as art" behind.  That may be unfair to say about the co-author, but they do have to adjust their personal style to Patterson's, which is (in)famous for being short and to-the-point.  But I have to say, I respect the business sense Patterson brought from his advertising career to his writing career.

Before I got a library job and enrolled here at IUPUI, I was a sales representative and the company was undergoing a re-branding.  So I'm somewhat familiar with the practices Patterson and his agents discuss in the article.  The article is 14 years old, so we have the benefit of reading this but then looking to our shelves and seeing the impact Patterson has had on how authors are marketed.  How many New books have covers where the author's name is in larger font than the title?  I've also noticed more than once how blurbs on the cover are authors talking about other authors, rather than the specific work.  I almost found the interview with his cover designer interesting.  Patterson knew from his time as an advertising exec the power of the visual, and he's clearly applied it to his books.  The stories of his interactions with stores and fans at signings (especially when juxtaposed with those rumors his behavior towards negative critics) put me in mind of customer service as well.

It's easy to drag Patterson through the mud on this.  Call him lazy, put down his books as works that coast by on name instead of merit.  Yet by using co-authors, he is giving beginning or less-known authors a chance to practice their story-telling and to get their name out there.  His constant best-sellers are boosting his publishing house and reflecting well on his agent.  According to his website, he gives a ton of money away to charities and scholarships.  And he gives the reading masses what they want--entertainment.  I can't fault anyone for finding his books enjoyable.  I mean, when I go to the movie theater, it's usually in the summer for all those action blockbusters with shallow but fast plots.  There are plenty of talented authors on our shelves who raise up the art of writing.  We can point a more discerning reader in their direction.

Patterson has been incredibly successful in turning his writing into a lucrative business.  Regardless of how you feel about the "art vs. commercial" controversy of his process, it's hard to argue with that kind of money.  And with those circ stats we see on his books!

Resources

• Zaleski, J. (2002). The James Patterson Business. Publishers Weekly, 249(44), 43.

Mystery Annotation

Career of Evil
by Robert Galbraith

Publication date: October 20, 2015

Number of Pages: 497

Series information: Cormoran Strike novels, #3

Geographical setting: London, surrounding area

Time period: contemporary

Subject headings: Private Investigators, man-woman relationships, England--London

Plot summary: When a severed leg is delivered to Robin Ellacott, her boss Cormoran Strike knows it’s a message directed to him.  During a career in the military police, in which he lost his own leg, Strike put away three men.  Each who had their life destroyed by that arrest, each dangerous, and each now released.  With the police chasing a red herring, Strike takes the investigation into his own hands with Robin joining him in the field, eager to become a detective into her own right.  But as her personal life begins to crumble and by throwing herself into work, is she setting herself in the stalker’s path?

Librarian's opinion: The mystery revolves around violence against women, which may be considered by some a tired trend in the thriller and mystery genres. The stalker’s chapters may be disturbing and the violence may be off-putting, but other readers may love the suspense. The biggest appeal for readers will most likely be found in the characters of Strike and Robin, as the author devotes many pages into giving them a realistic working and personal relationship.

Elements of the Book

Slow build-up

The pacing is deliberate and given the size of the book, that may not be acceptable to some readers.  Pages on pages may be devoted to exposition, either on the plot (clues and suspects) or on the character’s history.  However, there are chase and fight scenes to break up these sections, and no matter what, the characters are always moving towards the conclusion.  Suspense cooks the longer the investigation goes on, and with each new chapter from the stalker’s perspective as he hunts Robin.

Gritty tone

With chapters told from the stalker’s disturbing perspective, along with the subject matter of violence against women, it is a dark story.  The investigators often interact with criminals and are occasionally required to visit some seedy places.  The author’s choice of language, sometimes profane, also adds to this gritty world.

Cerebral

Clues are gathered through conversation and observation.  Characters then discuss these clues and their implications, or else mull them over in their minds.  The mystery is solved with these careful methods and logic, rather than by force and action like in a thriller.  Readers and characters know what has happened and why, they must solve only the who.

Character personalities

A large draw of this book are the main characters.  Cormoran Strike is a veteran who’s devoted himself to solving crimes, largely in response to all that he witnessed in his childhood.  Robin Ellacott comes across as the everyday, normal woman who craves a bit more excitement to her life.  In this volume, however we learn of her past and what trials she has gone through, why she is so interesting in criminal justice.  The interaction between these two, with the simmering romantic subtext, draws the reader in and makes them feel invested in their relationship.

Violence

While sex is talked about, and not always in a healthy way, it is violence that stands out in this book.  The main characters receive severed limbs in the mail and learn about crime scenes.  But the reader becomes acquainted with the crime scenes must more intimately through chapters set in the point-of-view of the villain.  There are fist fights between characters that may also set the reader on the edge of their chair.  Abuse and neglect are also discussed, along with the motivations and consequences of all these forms of violence.

Similar Reads

• Left for Dead by J.A. Jance--If you enjoyed the female perspective of Robin, you may enjoy this book.  Ali Reynolds helps Jose Reyes, a sheriff she owes a professional debt to, in investigating a Mexican drug cartel that is spreading across the border.  Although the setting is in Arizona, it deals heavily with Mexican social issues, which may give the reader a taste of a unique locale.
• Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson--Also set in Europe, the beginning volume of the Millennium series also heavily features man-woman relationships.  Investigative journalist Mikael Blomkvist is joined by Lisbeth Salander in a classic "closed island" mystery, where they work to solve a decades-old murder case.  These are also series characters, as are Robin and Strike.
• The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith--The first Comoran Strike novel.  If the reader begins with and enjoys Career of Evil, the natural suggestion would be to point them in this direction.  The elements persist throughout the series, and they can see how this unlikely duo first came about.

Week Six prompt

The patrons at our library love romance and gentle reads!  But the horror readers are a limited demographic.  How to promote these books, maybe get some people to read outside their comfort zone?

Non-horror readers seem more likely to branch out to something spooky around Halloween.  Because of course, what better time of year to get into this genre?  To the left is a picture of a display I created (and totally ripped off Pinterest) for our Teen area last year.  While all the books on display contained Horror elements, many crossed genres with mystery, humor, and romance.  I added a couple graphic novels as well to cover that market.

It went over fairly well.  It was eye-catching to teens and adults, and even the littlest patrons liked the bats I had hanging from the ceiling (you can only see two, but there were seven or eight over the whole section).  I feel a display was the best idea, so patrons could look over the options and find a book that fit their mood, without feeling like I or any other librarian was pressuring them to read outside their comfort zone.  Horror's a tough one to recommend, since it can very easily be too much for an individual, so an alluring display is a good bet.

It might be fun this year to create such a display, but for adults.  Even non-horror readers might get into the spirit of Halloween if they saw titles by well-known authors like Stephen King and Dean Koontz available.  (I've noticed that the Odd Thomas books are popular among some of our patrons who normally never touch anything near horror.)  I'd also like to make it an integrated display.  Our horror movies go out like crazy, so why not try to lure the movie-watchers into becoming horror readers as well?  I could either set adaptions next to each other, or create a "if you like this <movie>, you'll love this <book>!" or vice versa.  We have audio books for King and Koontz as well that I could add.  (Our library's policy is currently no graphic novels above a teen rating, but as they prove popular still with younger adults anyway, I could probably still find some to add.)

Romance Annotation

The Last Song
by Nicholas Sparks

Publication Date: September 1, 2009

Number of Pages: 390

Geographical Setting: Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Time Period: Contemporary

Subject Headings: Teenage girls; divorced parents; North       Carolina; love stories




Plot Summary: Seventeen year-old Ronnie Miller is shocked when her mother insists she and her younger brother Jonah must spend the summer with their father in North Carolina.  Used to the New York club scene, it is culture shock to arrive to the sleepy tourist town and the quiet life her dad leads as a retired pianist, working in his spare time on a stained glass window for a reconstructed church.  Yet when her summer vacation takes a rocky start, Ronnie finds herself getting to know her dad after three years of separation.  And when she meets Will Blakelee while protecting a nest of sea turtle eggs behind her house, her summer definitely doesn't go as expected.  The months in North Carolina seem like the best of her life as she falls in love and rebuilds the relationships with her family, but sometimes the best and worst go hand-in-hand.

Librarian's Opinion: This is a light read for those who want to kick back and relax with a good book.  Sparks hits all the emotional high notes, creating a wholesome story featuring characters who seek to improve themselves throughout.  I particularly enjoyed how the relationships explored in this book were not only limited to romantic ones.

Elements of the Book

Simple, yet mature characters

As in many romances, Sparks' characters fit neatly in their roles--it is easy to tell who is the good and who is the bad.  A few characters are more ambiguous, yet each either face their own challenges or exist to present challenges to others that then causes that character to grow and mature.

Romantic, not steamy

Although some may worry since the main characters are teenagers, there is no sexual content in the books.  In fact, the topic is barely brushed upon at all.  Instead, it is the emotional and thoughtful side of Ronnie and Will's relationship that is explored.

Christian undertones

The story is built on Christian fundamentals, as to be expected early on when Ronnie finds out her father is constructing a stained glass window for a new church.  Later in the book, when the Miller family is at its lowest, there are many discussions revolving around God and the Bible.  Yet the religious aspects are not overwhelming should the reader not be so inclined.

Emotional

The author goes all out to take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride.  The reader may feel angry at Blaze's betrayal of Ronnie, fearful of what Marcus may do next, happy for Ronnie and Will as they fall in love, and sad for the children when Steve reveals his illness.  Sparks does a good job of mixing plot points together to keep the reader feeling one emotion to the next, but ultimately ends his story on a hopeful note.


Similar Reads

• One Summer, by David Baldacci--Known for his political thrillers, this book stands out among Baldacci's works.  In this novel, a father works to rebuild his family after tragedy strikes over the course of a summer.  Like The Last Song, this novel deals with family relationships and grief.
• The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd--An emotional coming-of-age story about a teenage girl who escapes to her mother's hometown to learn about her past.  While the mysteries of her past unfold, she learns about beekeeping from a trio of sisters that befriend her.  Similar to Sparks in characterization and in use of emotion.
• A Walk to Remember, by Nicholas Sparks--From the same author.  Main character Landon Carter reminisces about his high school romance with the minister's daughter.  A romance between young adults with Christian overtones, and an emotional twist at the end, sure to appeal to those who enjoyed The Last Song and want to read another Sparks.

Horror Annotation

The Frenzy Way
by Gregory Lamberson

Publication Date: April 9, 2010

Number of Pages: 356

Series Information: The Frenzy Cycle, vol. 1

Geographical Setting: New York City

Time Period: Contemporary

Subject Headings: murder, police, werewolves



Plot Summary: New York City suddenly sees a rash of brutal murders and captain Tony Mace is called in to investigate.  No stranger to hunting down deranged serial killers, even these crime scenes leave him feeling sick.  Besides the extreme violence, each scene has one thing in common—the perpetrator writes “werewolf” in a variety of languages.  As the murders gain media attention, other groups beside the NYPD begin to hunt for the serial killer.  Those who have spent centuries hiding their existence from humans, afraid of being outed by this rogue wolf, and those who are the reason for that fear, who have spent centuries eradicating the monsters.  Before this case is through, Captain Mace will be forced to make alliances and face nightmares that he could never before thought possible.

Librarian’s Opinion: Gregory Lamberson has directed B-rate horror movies, which explains why I was so strongly reminded of watching one when reading his book.  The Frenzy Way is fast and vicious, and I found myself compulsively turning the pages.  Perfect for a horror fan who wants a quick read, or suspense/thriller fans with strong stomachs who are looking to branch out.

Elements of the Book

Dark Tone, Heightened Suspense

Throughout the story, the tone is dark and foreboding.  Suspense is constantly building through the use of alternating Point-of-Views chapters from heroes and villains.  The urban setting (ex. scenes set in subway tunnels and abandoned buildings) adds an additional ‘gritty’ feel to the story as well.  The tone is occasionally relieved by one-liners and banter between characters.

Presence of the Supernatural

From the beginning it is clear that this will be a tale of monsters.  Story relies on reader already having a basic knowledge of the werewolf monster, but does build on that myth by exploring beliefs of historical cultures.  Also featured is the common horror device of a secret society within the Catholic Church that exists to wipe monsters from the face of the Earth.

Breakneck Pace

Something is always happening.  The main characters are either off to the next murder scene, off to the next clue, or meeting with the next informant.  When all the groups become aware of each other, the pace really picks up for a climatic ending.

Violence and Gore

This book is not for the faint of heart.  The crime scenes are bloodbaths with scattered, partially-eaten human remains.  The murders themselves may take pages, as detail is given to each dismemberment, disembowelment, and decapitation.

Graphic Sex

Sexual encounters are also a major part of the book, as the killer normally targets human women.  This predatory aspect adds to the dark, gritty tone.  Certain protagonists also have romantic entanglements.  While not as descriptive as the violent scenes, the sex scenes make up enough of the book to be a consideration in a reader’s decision to read this book.

Use of Language


Lamberson is not prone to flowery description, and prefers to use a writing style that is direct and to the point.  Characters will often use profane language as they are often in intense situations or having to face bizarre things.

Similar Reads

•  Personal Demons, by Gregory Lamberson – Same author, also a story featuring an NYPD detective, but in the new series The Jake Helman Files.  The pacing, action, and suspense are similar, but he takes on a much broader range of terrifying scenarios and monsters than in his werewolf-focused Frenzy Cycle series.
• The Strain, by Guillermo del Toro & Chuck Hogan – Del Toro is a director well-known for his dark fantasy films, such as Pan’s Labyrinth.  His book will also put the reader in mind of a movie as he re-creates the vampire myth in his debut novel.
•  Odd Thomas, by Dean Koontz – For the reader who enjoys getting to know and then re-visiting characters.  Lamberson is fond of establishing characters in which to center his horror stories around, and in this instance, so is Koontz.  A suggestion for those new to the genre, as it is not as graphic and is slightly more light-hearted with the easy-going main character of Odd.

Red Rising -- a "Kirkus-style" review

Red Rising

Of the "Red Rising" trilogy, book 1
By Pierce Brown

Available on Amazon

Review

A former slave joins the revolt to bring the solar system's ruling class to its knees in this debut novel from Pierce Brown.

Sixteen year-old Darrow knows no other life than the subterranean mining work he carries out on Mars, work that he and his fellow Reds are told is vital by the ruling Gold class to terraform the planet to save Earth's citizens.  Yet after his wife becomes a martyr, Darrow is taken above ground and shown the truth--that Mars is inhabited and his people have been taken for fools and made into slaves.  Darrow undergoes intensive surgery to pass for a Gold citizen and enrolls in the Institute, where young Golds learn how to conquer.  Immediately faced with trials and moral dilemmas, Darrow must rely on his anger if he wants to survive the Institute's contest and rise in Gold society so that he might tear it down from the inside. Brown creates an engaging character in Darrow, as he wrestles to balance his rage and his humanity.   He keeps the story moving, the pace building up to a climax that any action movie viewer would love.   The world he builds, although set among the planets, retains a feel of the historic, as its characters adhere to Roman philosophy and often speak Latin.  This historic obsession can sometimes feel at odds with the science fiction setting, jarring the reader.  Like the Roman conquerors of old, there is a high level of violence that pervades the Society and that may be jarring to some readers as well.

An engaging science fiction tale that takes its readers on a roller coaster of events.

Week Five prompt

Do you think it's fair that one type of book is reviewed to death and other types of books get little to no coverage? How does this affect a library's collection?  And how do you feel about review sources that won't print negative content? Do you think that's appropriate? If you buy for your library, how often do you use reviews to make your decisions? If not, how do you feel about reviews for personal reading, and what are some of your favorite review sources?

I mean, this started out a self-published ebook.
Need I say more?

It isn't fair that an digital-born book doesn't receive the same coverage as a physical book.  I feel there's a stigma against ebook-only formats, because that often meant self-published.  I don't know if that's the case anymore...in the last year, I've started to receive requests for ebook-only books from big(ger) name authors.  Investigating read-a-likes for this class, I've seen some small publishers that seem to publish only ebooks for new authors.  Ebooks are still a relatively new thing, with a specialized industry only just starting to grow around them (as opposed to being seen as a companion to physical books), so I'm sure we'll eventually see this stigma and inequality in review coverage fade over time.  But for right now, this lack of coverage probably keeps many librarians in the dark about what to purchase for their digital libraries.  Authors may have written something great, but unless a patron specifically requests their work, they miss out on the publicity a library can give them.  And we miss out on adding that something great.


I'm a big believer in "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say it at all."  But when it comes to products we might spend our money on...!  My first thought when I read "review sources that won't print negative content" was well, who paid them not too?  Although when I put some more thought into it, I became more ambivalent about it, especially if it is a publication specifically meant for librarians.  Why waste resources publishing a negative review?  Instead of urging librarians NOT to buy something, publish glowing reviews of things they SHOULD buy.  It is probably just as effective.

I do not buy for my library, but I took a collection development class last semester, so I've become familiar with how our purchasers think.  For a book to 'pass muster,' there need to be at least two positive reviews from authoritative resources (SLJ, Booklist, Kirkus, etc.) or simply a heavy demand.  Negative reviews aren't an 'official' part of the process, but in an interview, a department head admitted that if they came across negative reviews, or even one really vehement one, that could tank a book's chances.

And I'm all for reviews for personal reading.  My 'to-read' stack would be huge otherwise!  (...I say that as it's not already insurmountable...)  My go-to is Goodreads.  The users there are typically big readers themselves, or at least experienced with whatever particular genre, so I'll skim reviews to get a good general impression.  Occasionally I write reviews myself!  If I feel the need for a secondary review source, I'll check Amazon.  Amazon reviews fluctuate in quality and may focus on Amazon's delivery service instead of the book itself, but since it's such a popular site, it's pretty much guaranteed there'll be reviews.  If an obscure title doesn't have a review on Amazon, it probably won't anywhere else.