Week Sixteen

1. Reading really hasn't changed overmuch for me since I was a child. I would say that both adulthood and our modern world, in terms of technology, now have many more distractions. When I was a child, I would read for hours at a time- I remember finishing the last Harry Potter book the day I brought it home with full comprehension. I can no longer read that way- instead, guilt of things I should be doing or the urge to check my phone pulls me out of the book. I have been trying to retrain my brain to read like I used to, but it's been a struggle!
I don't feel that my formats have changed. I'll check out an e-book on a very rare occasion, which is something I wouldn't have been able to do as a child, but I don't really like them. I never do this for novels, but instead will do things where I don't intend on reading something cover-to-cover, like a cook book or one with DIY project suggestions. I have never liked audiobooks and don't think I ever will, digital or otherwise.

2. Based on what I see everyday, I think it will take a very long time for publishing to change. The majority of readers that I assist every day prefer physical books over digital, although I definitely know several kids that like e-audiobooks.
What I like about people that I am close to is that I know a lot of different types of readers. My very good friend absolutely adores the library's e-book collection and will avidly read novels on her phone. Other people I know stick mainly to graphic novels, which have surged in popularity lately- I think this is important, since many of them are quicker reads than a traditional novel, so it's a faster and different way to absorb a story and appreciate art. I think graphic novels will continue to grow in popularity.
Although there are a lot of interactive options for reading, especially with digital picture books that have things that children can interact with, I don't forsee this replacing traditional books. I personally do not know a single parent that would choose this as a reading option to share with their child- they might offer it as an option when they could not read together, such as an activity to do in a car or when a child gets some time with a tablet, but the vast majority of people I know would prefer to read a physical book aloud. I do see the advantages of this type of story for children to use by themselves, especially since they can still learn literacy this way, but reading and sharing a story together is something that will never go out of style. 
I think that people will continue to read more and more. We live in an age where people, especially younger people, are becoming more and more aware of how reading well and finding quality information can make a big difference. People have been reading since the invention of language, and humans have always told stories to each other- I don't think that will ever change.

Week Fifteen

1. I think a fun way to market fiction is relevant displays. For instance, one of the most popular movies currently is "A Quiet Place." A fiction display with books drawing on the elements from the movie would likely be popular with patrons who want a light horror read or a book that includes representation for the deaf community or ASL users.
2. Fiction book clubs that don't focus on just one book can be a great way to get people talking about fiction, especially if they take place in fun locations. My library's most popular book club, "Books on Tap," appeals especially to millennials since it takes place in a local downtown cafe that serves food, coffee, and alcohol. Book clubs can be marketed to any age with the right components, and once the librarian in charge of the program gets to know regulars, they can bring along suggestions for a next book to read.
3. A great tool would be the ability to attach a patron's account to their Goodreads account, or offer another way of tracking reading (if the patron opts in, of course). Using this, patrons could receive e-mails every now and then with automated reading recommendations, perhaps drawing on the algorithms already used by Goodreads or Novelist.

Week Fourteen - Separated Genres

1. I think that Urban fiction, which is different from fiction that has African-American characters or is written by African-American authors, is good as a separate section. My own library has it separated out and it is a popular genre. Many of our patrons know exactly where to go to find the books they need, and if they don't know, it's much easier for us as librarians to assist them with finding the entire section. I've had a patron ask for the "graphic" books, and at first, I took her to the graphic novels. When that wasn't right, I asked a few more questions, and found that she was looking specifically for Urban fiction. It's a different enough genre that it merits having its own place. Had she been looking for a book with black characters, we could have gone into any section. It is the content that identifies Urban fiction moreso than the race of the author or characters. When patrons specifically want to read about detectives, they go to mysteries. When patrons want to read about violent crime or rough street situations, they will go to urban fiction.

2. That being said, African American literature in general shouldn't be separated. Books should still be looked at primarily via their content. A book can be dramatic or mysterious or romantic or a western, with black characters, and it should be included in the genre it belongs to. The only time I could forsee this being a slight trouble is when a patron wants a book specifically with black characters and there is nothing in the record to indicate that, so we may need to turn to a list (or create one ourselves, ahead of time). But is that really much different than any other reference question? We always access many resources to assist patrons with finding the books they want.

3. I don't feel that we should separate LGBTQ fiction. The sexuality of a character is something they cannot change, just like the race of a character cannot be changed. While some points of the story will be impacted if the character experiences things different based on their race or sexuality, the book should still be cataloged by its content overall. If there is a romance written between two characters that aren't a man and a woman, it's still a romance and will belong there. As with the above category, librarians should prepare lists or ensure that books have something in their record to assist with finding these books when patrons may ask.

Overall, I think it's helpful to stumble upon books where the character may be different than the reader. It also doesn't target people who identify as a minority race or as a sexuality other than straight as different or other.

Young Adult - The Miseducation of Cameron Post

The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M. Danforth

Summary:

• Cameron Post is surprised that when she hears of the death of her parents, her first emotion is relief. They will never know that just a few hours before, she was kissing another girl. After relief, Cameron feels only guilt- did she cause this to happen? Growing up as a closeted lesbian in rural Montana in the late 80's, Cameron grows into a somewhat rebellious teen that expresses herself and her trauma through VHS films, decorating an old dollhouse with stolen objects, and breaking into abandoned buildings. Her guardians include born-again-Christian Aunt Ruth and her sympathetic Grandma Post. With the addition of Aunt Ruth to the family, they all begin attending a new church, where Cameron's guilt intensifies as she listens to the occasional sermon about the sins of homosexuality. When Coley Taylor moves to town and Cameron develops a crush, she sparks a chain of events that eventually lands her in God's Promise, a camp to "cure" homosexual teens.

Young Adult Characteristics:

• Main characters are teenagers
• Coming-of-age story
• Issues teen readers can relate to

Read-a-Likes:

• Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
• If I Was Your Girl by Meredith Russo
• Georgia Peaches and Other Forbidden Fruit by Jaye Robin Brown

Reader's Opinion:

• As someone who is usually a fantasy reader, I really have to have the right kind of realistic book to get into it. This book accomplished that. I was invested in Cameron's story, but also had a huge appreciation for the description of the setting- rural Montana in the late 80's/early 90's reminded me of my rural childhood and really hit home, especially with all the little details that Danforth included. Danforth also does a wonderful job of showing how guilt can affect a teen in a multitude of ways. Even though Cameron grows so much throughout the book and finds a new confidence, I was left wanting by the ending, which almost begs for a sequel to wrap up loose ends. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to someone of any age or sexuality. 

Week Twelve - Nonfiction Annotation

Title: The Little Book of Hygge: the Danish Way to Live Well


Author: Meik Wiking


Publication Date: September 1st, 2016


Number of Pages: 240


Geographic Setting: Denmark


Time Period: Modern Day


Subject Headings: Psychology, Self help, Happiness


Type: General nonfiction


Book Summary: This book is a guide on how many Scandinavian countries approach happiness in their daily life. Many of their practices sound a little unrealistic to on-the-go Americans, but others are achievable in day to day life. The author explains the culture behind the practices of his people and why they are so effective at living a happy lifestyle. Hygge is a word that doesn't translate directly, but is associated with certain elements, such as hot drinks, favorite foods, good books, soft lighting, and extreme comfort.

Reading Elements: Quick pace, easy-to-read, interesting illustrations, friendly and encouraging tone


1-3 Annotation: Choose this book for a quick read on the Danish way of living happily and comfortably. The chapters are broken up neatly and it is an easy book to read for five minutes at a time.


Similar Works: "Carpe Diem" - Roman Krznaric, "Live Lagom: Balanced Living, the Swedish Way" - Anna Brones

Week Eleven- E-books and Audiobooks

As a youth services librarian, the majority of questions that I get from patrons that aren't about physical books are about audiobooks. Many reluctant readers will be persuaded to get an audiobook along with a physical copy to read along with, especially if their dislike of reading comes from the fact that they are struggling with it. However, it is very rare for me to see a child who likes e-books.

My library's system, Bibliocommons, will pull up all relevant titles with a search- if I do get a patron who wants a e-book, I can still look by the same appeal factors. Lately, I've noticed that we have many older titles or titles in a series as a e-book, but no longer have a physical copy. When a patron asks for one of these books, that is a way for me to push e-books and explain how to download them.

I think that a unique appeal of audiobooks is that they make stories beyond a person's reading level accessible. They are also wonderful for families to listen to a story together. A patron might enjoy certain narrators more than others. The narrator can also make or break an audiobook for a patron- even if its a story and an author that they love, a poor narrator can be off putting. On the flipside, an exciting narrator can make a story better if it was otherwise uninteresting to a patron.

A unique appeal of e-books is that they are more portable and accessible (within the limits of internet access). A patron going on a trip can take several books with them on one device. Parents love them because they don't have to worry about their child returning books on time. Many books, especially some romances, are exclusively released as e-books. Some readers may enjoy this if they feel judged for their reading habits when checking out physical books- with e-books, they can get anything they like on their devices. The appeal is also great for very busy patrons. A friend of mine completing her MSW loves e-books since she often doesn't want to take the time to go to the library to browse, but still loves to read for pleasure when she can.

Overall, I think a lot of the appeal factors are the same, but librarians should ask patrons how they prefer to absorb a story. Some patrons will be more flexible if the medium they want is not available, but others will not. As someone who likes neither audiobooks nor e-books for the most part, I don't find myself getting a ton of questions about them, but will still suggest them as options if a physical copy is unavailable.

Historical Fiction - Caroline

Caroline: Little House, Revisited by Sarah Miller

Summary:

• In Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series, Caroline Ingalls, "Ma," was always a pillar of strength to her family. Although her courage and love for her family remains steadfast in this retelling of Little House on the Prairie from her own perspective, we get to see what is going on in her mind as the Ingalls family leaves the Big Woods of Wisconsin to settle in Kansas. Caroline is anxious about the trip, her nervousness about leaving her family amplified by her realization that she is pregnant and will have to deliver her child surrounded by only her husband, children, and possible strangers. Because Laura Ingalls Wilder edited her own history for her books for children, this book provides a slightly more accurate and interesting view into pioneer life at the time, though fans of the original series will delight in comparing it to the original telling. Events that took place in Wilder's book, such as the fording of the river when Jack the bulldog was almost lost and the threat from Native Americans whose land the Ingalls family had invaded, feel more authentic from the perspective of an adult narrator who fully understands the dangers of the frontier.

Historical Fiction Characteristics: 

• Wealth of accurate detail.
• Narrow focus on one family and journey.
• The characters fit their time period and are shaped by it. 
• Large focus on setting and world. 
• Slower, leisurely pace.

Read-a-Likes:

• True Sisters by Sandra Dallas
• Maria Ines by Anne Schroeder
• Into the Savage Country by Shannon Burke

Reader's Opinion: 

• I was a fan of the Little House books as a child, so reading this was a wonderful experience for me as an adult. Shifting my perspective on things was also an interesting time since Wilder did shift around the timeline of her family- despite the fact that baby Carrie is in the first Little House book, records show that she was born in Kansas, so I appreciated having a more accurate historical depiction. Because this book is written from a woman's perspective in a time when a woman's voice tended to be less prominent than that of her husband, I enjoyed getting into the mind and daily life of Caroline and really liked the amount of detail the book provided. I would definitely recommend this to a patron interested in the genre, or one who was a fan of Wilder's books as a child.