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.

Fantasy - The Bear and the Nightingale

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Summary:

• Deep in the wilderness of early Russia, Vasilisa Petrovna is the youngest daughter, cared for by her father, four older siblings, and kind old nurse. Vasya's mother died in childbirth, but the rumors surrounding her heritage point to her being the daughter of a witch. Vasya finds that, like her grandmother, she too possesses an ability for things unseen. She is the only one that can see and speak to the spirits of the house, stable, and forest, though everyone else considers them to be just stories. Dunya, Vasya's nurse, spins tales not only of household spirits, but also of the great frost king, who preys on young girls. Vasya's world is shattered when her father decides to remarry, finding a wife in the royal courts of Moscow who is a devout Catholic. Vasya's new stepmother, Anna, can also see the spirits, but considers them evil demons to be feared. She forbids the worship of the spirits, sending the village into chaos as evil begins to descend upon it. Only Vasya can use her abilities to save her people.  

Fantasy Characteristics:

• We are deeply immersed into a descriptive world where magic is real.
• The story features good versus evil as Vasya is set up to battle several evil forces. 
• Characters attain magical gifts- for Vasya, this is first in the form of a pendant, but other abilities are hinted at later on. 
• The book has a slow start- Vasya is not even born at the beginning, and we bear witness to several pieces of her childhood to set the scene. 
• The sequel to this book continues the story. 
• Vasya embarks on a quest. 

Read-a-Likes:

• Uprooted by Naomi Novik
• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
• Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Reader's Opinion:

• I love stories based on folklore and fairy tales, so the culture of this book was exceptionally beautiful to me. I am unfamiliar with Russian myths and enjoyed finding out more. Vasya is a likable character who balances her intelligence with wit and boldness. The book did lose me a little near the end when the pacing abruptly changed and a romance that didn't make sense was hinted at. I may consider reading the rest of the trilogy, but it's not a priority. 

Week Nine - Book Club Experience

Books on Tap

 I attended Books on Tap at The General Cafe. My library holds this event once a month and chooses an off-site location to promote a local business, have food and drink available without needing to provide it ourselves, and simply for the atmosphere. Having a discussion in a place other than the library also makes it more open to the community and is more inviting, especially if someone stumbles upon it while they're just stopping by for a drink. Overall, I had a good experience and might consider attending again! There were ten adults in attendance, which actually seemed like almost too large of a group. We may have benefited from splitting into two smaller groups. 

A huge benefit of this loose structure was that there was a possibility for any book to be brought in for discussion. If someone is excited about a book, they'll sell its best points. Goldstein states that book clubs are, "organized loosely by their shared need for information about the books they are reading and for suggestions on what to read next." I saw quite a few participants writing down titles to read. 

• Who is asking the questions, is there a leader or do people take turns?
• Rather than asking questions initially, participants are invited in turn to share what they're reading. Everyone brings a book, or two, or seven- no one book is read by all. After a participant describes a book they're reading, anyone else is invited to ask questions, though the leader of the program tended to step in during any lulls in conversation. 

• If there is a leader, does the leader answer the questions as well or let the attendees respond first?
• The leader was more of a person to move things forward at the right time.

• What type of questions are asked? Any involving just yes or no answers?
• Questions asked were about opinions and what the reader thought about certain things, or what they agreed or disagreed with. For instance, when someone mentioned reading "A Wrinkle in Time," they commented how they didn't actually enjoy it as much as they expected to. Another participant asked why that was. After the explanation was given, other attendees shared their comments as well. This book club was more of a discussion than an exchange of questions. 

• Do all attendees actively participate?
• Every attendee shared at least one book, and for the most part, people wanted to be part of the discussion. There were a couple of people on the quieter end of things who spent more time discussing their own book than commenting on others, but no one was completely passive. 

• Do any attendees swoop in and steal all the spotlight?
• One person had read quite a few books in the past month, so the leader did gracefully cut him off to move on to someone else. 

• What is the atmosphere of the discussion, where is it taking place at?
• The General is a cafe on the opposite side of the river from the major downtown section of South Bend, so it has a cozy, modern vibe. We are allowed to have the book discussion in the main room rather than an adjacent room that is usually used for events. Food and drinks are readily available, so it has a relaxed air about it- you can discuss a book while you kick back with a glass of wine or beer if you like. There is also coffee and a variety of coffee-based drinks, or an entire meal, which some people opted for. The atmosphere was welcoming and gave off a vibe of being flexible to whoever came for that month's discussion.

• Are snacks or drinks provided?
• The library does not provide any, but participants are welcome to purchase their own. 

• What types of books does this book club normally discuss?
• There was a huge variety! The majority were adult fiction of various genres, but there was one person who brought some children's fiction along as well. A few readers, more than I expected, brought graphic novels along. There is no theme or required reading, everyone can bring whatever they happen to be reading that month.  

Goldstein, Bill. “Reads Well with Others.” PublishersWeekly.com, 23 May 2005, www.publishersweekly.com/pw/print/20050523/21559-reads-well-with-others.html.

Week Eight

For my special topics paper, I chose to compare how a librarian might perform a youth reader's advisory interview versus an adult reader's advisory interview. As a Youth Services Assistant, I am usually helping children or parents rather than adults, so some of the information in my paper was from my personal experience. To my surprise, not a ton of articles were out there about specifically youth RA, but the ones I found were very thorough and helpful.

Much of youth RA is similar to that of adults. Librarians still have plenty of tools, like bestseller lists and Novelist, and some questions will be the same. You can still ask children about books they've read and liked, what they liked best about those books, and what they're hoping to read next. You must stay just as engaged- if anything, even more so, since some children will be nervous to approach a librarian. Being welcoming and helpful is still just as important.

However, there are some additional challenges in youth RA. Sometimes, children are interested in one thing, but have to read something else for an assignment, and it can be difficult to find a good balance between the two demands. Parents will also come in alone and ask for books for their child- they may or may not have an accurate idea of what their child wants to read. Children also may take some time to learn appeal terms and how genres work, so they may not be able to accurately tell you what they are looking for.

Overall, there aren't a lot of differences, but there are a few additional roadblocks that librarians who don't normally work with youth should be prepared for.

Week Seven

Raise your hand if you've been personally victimized by James Patterson.

I started my library career as a shelver, and was often frustrated by the shelf space that bestselling authors took up. But, during my time in my library's cataloging department, author mills were the absolute worst to me. I was the main fiction cataloger, so the handling and distribution of these items was often my responsibility. Being in a large system, this meant that we could have an order of somewhere between 80 to 140 copies of a book, and they all had to go somewhere.

Sometimes, we would get a book in a week or two ahead of time- great! Lots of time to process it and get all the copies linked into the system. Uh-oh- those 80 copies are going to take up LOTS of shelf space until it's time for them to go out... bummer. On the flipside, we would occasionally get a book, due out on a Tuesday, at 4:00 pm on Monday, prompting the entire department to drop whatever they might be doing and rush to help link all the copies, trap holds, and get the books in the right boxes, and still punch out on time. Author mills inevitably would put a huge strain on library staff in one way or another.

When I began working in other areas of the library and emerged from the cataloging bubble, I began to notice where these books ended up. Initially, the demand for the books was huge. We couldn't keep them on the shelf. Either there was another hold to fill, or it would be on display for no more than an hour before being checked out. Gradually, after a month or so, we could keep a few copies on display. A few were never returned, or returned damaged and in need of withdrawal. But eventually, you'd find twenty copies on the shelf, waiting to be weeded later on. The majority of author mill books are, in my observation, decently sized novels. When purchased new, all were hard cover. They still were taking up a LOT of space that could be used for other materials.

These books are the most popular, initially - they typically make headlines, topping the NYT Best Sellers for weeks at a time. Yet, when looked at for a longer term, they are an annoyance for staff on many levels. In this scenario, I think e-copies would be a huge benefit to save shelf space to have a bigger variety in a fiction collection, if patrons are willing to read in a new way.

Week Six

In order to promote new horror reads at the library, we could have an interactive display and a program. Three popular horror movies based on books would be selected, with three corresponding jars. Patrons would be able to vote on which movie would be shown at the library in an after-hours lock-in by placing a ticket in the jar. The event would be limited to adults 21 and older, with a cash bar available to get extra revenue for the library. Raffle prizes would be made available. This event would appeal to many young adults seeking a new experience with the library.
The initial display would include a variety of horror novels. Patrons who have fun with voting at the display are more likely to take a look at the nearby books and consider checking them out. Once the movie had been chosen, the library could also purchase additional copies of the novel the movie is based on to encourage comparison between the two types of media. 

Romance - Outlander

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Summary:

• Claire Randall is enjoying a second honeymoon with her husband, Frank, after both of them served for Britain in World War II. Frank is a historian, eager to research more about his family tree, and Claire is a nurse with a newfound interest in botany. On an expedition to see ancient standing stones sacred to the local populace, they observe a Beltane ritual performed by residents who still keep with old druid ways. When Claire returns to the site later, seeking a curious plant, she is transported back in time through the stones to Scotland in 1743, when the nation is on the cusp of a second Jacobite uprising. She meets the MacKenzie clan, a squad of British Dragoons that include her husband's ancestor, and Jamie Fraser, a handsome clansman with a price on his head for murder. Claire quickly becomes involved in the local political scene due to the assumption that she is an English spy, and she finds herself falling for Jamie, despite her conflicting desire to get back to her own time period- and back to Frank.

 Romance Characteristics:

• The characters have a "type" - Claire is a smart and independent woman with her own skillset, while Jamie is a rugged, handsome, Highland warrior. 
• The time or place draws the reader in. In this case, the setting is 1700's Scotland, at a time when the usual way of life is being threatened. 
• Language sets the stage, with a steamy tone throughout the scenes with Claire and Jamie. 
• Readers are heavily invested in the emotions- we go from struggling with Claire about betraying Frank to rooting for her to fall in love with Jamie. 
• The story is character-driven. Although the world is happening around them, the decisions the characters make propel the story forward.

Read-a-likes:

• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
• Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
• The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley
• Dancing on Coals by Ellen O'Connell

Reader's Opinion:

• I adored this novel. For me, it had a perfect balance of a dramatic love story with an intriguing adventure. I also love strong world-building, and Gabaldon's characters and setting felt very real to me with how she wrote them. Although I'm a bit of a skeptic when it comes to people falling in love very quickly before really getting to know one another, I found myself very invested in the relationship between Claire and Jamie that developed. They felt genuine. I liked Claire's character overall, with her having some traditional romance novel traits of being headstrong and independent. But, the book did not lack for other strong women in leading roles, with Jenny, Jamie's sister, being one of my personal favorites. Overall, I think this book has a wide appeal because of how many genres it includes, and I could see myself recommending it in a number of situations.

Week Five

• Different reviews - how does this affect collection development?
• I hate to say it, but the informal grammar in the reviews made me consider them less reliable. Poor grammar and a neglect to check for errors make me feel like the author didn't review their work carefully- and maybe this means that they didn't read the book carefully, as well. This may not be the case, but I'm a little put off by it. I think this can deter collection development librarians from some books with only these informal reviews, because they are not able to get a more reliable opinion. 
• How likely would you be to buy this book for your library?
• Based solely on the review, I'd probably pass. But, I would tend to look at collection stats from similar books and see what my patrons are reading. If this book would circulate well based on that data, I'd ignore the reviews. 
• Angela's Ashes?
• I would buy this book based on the reviews. They are thorough and honest and they highlight what readers will get from it. While it's not something I think I would enjoy reading, I know patrons who would, and it could also serve as a source for anyone looking at poverty in that part of the world or otherwise.  
• Amount of coverage?
• I don't think its necessarily fair that some types of books get more coverage than others, but I also think we need to be realistic about readers and what appeals to them. Many best sellers have a wide appeal, so it follows that more people will read them and possibly review them. I think that readers of certain books and genres should step up to provide more quality reviews if they wish to see more of them.
• Negative reviews? 
• I think that negative reviews should be posted freely. I like that Kirkus allows for anonymous reviews, which is tactful for this profession. I feel like they are far more honest. As long as a review is well-written and helpful, it shouldn't matter if it's positive or negative- if the reviewer can provide support for their decision, or a piece of constructive criticism, I would still consider it a valuable review. 
• Reviews for personal reading/favorite sources: 
• I like reviews for reading, because I like knowing exactly why someone liked or disliked a book. My favorites are BookPage and LibraryJournal. 

Week Four - Secret Shopper

For my secret shopper, I went to a different library in my county. I was seeking a recommendation for a romance for week six of the course. The librarian was very helpful, asking first if I wanted something modern or historical- I replied historical. At this point, she recommended Mary Balogh, who typically writes regency novels. I asked for backup choices in case it didn't catch my attention, so the librarian asked if I had any favorite historical time periods. Since I've been binge watching Vikings, I suggested something with that time period.

When a search for Viking based novels didn't bring up much, the librarian asked how I felt about romances set in Scotland. I decided to roll with it and see what there might be. The initial books didn't seem like what I was in the mood to read, but eventually, the librarian suggested Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I have started to read it and love it so far!

What I liked about this encounter was that the librarian got a sense that I wasn't crazy about her first recommendations, without me really saying so. I felt that she wanted me to really be excited about something to read, so she kept at it and was friendly and upbeat the entire time. It also helped that her final recommendation was a book she had actually read, so she was able to convey her own appreciation for it. Overall, I was impressed and would consider going back in the future if I ever find myself unsure of what to read next.

Week Three

1. I am looking for a book by Laurell K. Hamilton. I just read the third book in the Anita Blake series and I can’t figure out which one comes next!

• The next book in the series, according to Fantastic Fiction, is The Lunatic Cafe.

2. What have I read recently? Well, I just finished this great book by Barbara Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer. I really liked the way it was written, you know, the way she used language. I wouldn't mind something a bit faster paced though.

• I think you would enjoy The Forgetting Tree by Tatjana Sol. It seems that the author has a similar writing style to what you enjoyed, and it looks like the characters may drive the story forward a bit faster in this one.

3. I like reading books set in different countries. I just read one set in China, could you help me find one set in Japan? No, not modern – historical. I like it when the author describes it so much it feels like I was there!

• A recommendation I have personally read is Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, which is set in Japan and starts in the 1920's. Another recommendation I have is Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, which is praised for its ability to immerse the reader into the historical world.

4. I read this great mystery by Elizabeth George called Well-Schooled in Murder and I loved it. Then my dentist said that if I liked mysteries I would probably like John Sandford, but boy was he creepy I couldn't finish it! Do you have any suggestions?

• You might enjoy Still Life by Louise Penny. It has wonderful characters and looks like its based on finding clues and solving the mystery rather than being creepy and unnerving. 

5. My husband has really gotten into zombies lately. He’s already read The Walking Dead and World War Z, is there anything else you can recommend?

• I would recommend The Rising by Brian Keene. 

6. I love books that get turned into movies, especially literary ones. Can you recommend some? Nothing too old, maybe just those from the last 5 years or so.

•  I would try Wrinkles by Paco Roca or The Martian by Andy Weir.

7. I love thrillers but I hate foul language and sex scenes. I want something clean and fast paced.

•  I think you would enjoy Murder in the Queen's Wardrobe by Kathy Lynn Emerson. It is described as a cozier mystery, but is paced quickly and focuses on the investigation and who-done-it aspect of the story.

I personally find books mainly through reading review sites like Bookpage and regularly reading paper editions of Library Journal and School Library Journal. I like historical novels, and my interest in different time periods will often prompt me just to search by keyword for whatever I'm interested in at the time.
I look at recommendations of others on Goodreads, as well as look at the books the site itself has recommended for me. Often, I find things I want to read simply by putting away new books at work! Although most of my work is in the Youth Services department, I work about once a week or so on a different floor where YA and adult books are kept, so I get to see a variety of material to add to my list.

Suspense - The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Summary:

• Rachel rides the train every day into London. Every day, at one stop, she observes a couple in the backyard and through the windows of their home, noting how very in love they are and craving the same sort of intimacy. She nicknames them Jason and Jess, creating stories for herself about their lives and what kind of people they are. Rachel is divorced, an alcoholic, and very unhappy with her life. But, when she one day sees "Jess" kissing another man from the window of the train, she finds herself in the middle of a terrible situation that also places her face-to-face with her ex-husband, his new family, and the home she was forced to leave behind. Jess is missing, and it may be up to Rachel to help find her- if Rachel can only remember what took place the night it happened. 

 Suspense Characteristics:

• Narrow time frame- the majority the story takes place over a matter of only a couple of months. 
• Flashbacks are shown to give context to current dramatic situations. 
• The reader knows more than the protagonist due to alternating perspectives, creating tension in the protagonist's actions. 
• A sense of uneasiness is present throughout most of the book.
• The reader empathizes with the protagonist. 
• Poor weather sets the tone- rain, storms, or oppressive heat for bad days, and pleasant weather for good memories. 
• There is a strong build-up towards one final confrontation between the protagonist and the fully-revealed antagonist. 
• The story pulls the reader along with short chapters, headed by dates and times of day.

Read-a-likes: 

• The Widow by Fiona Barton
• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
• The Pocket Wife by Susan Crawford
• Her Every Fear by Peter Barton
• I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

Reader's Opinion: 

• Having both read the book and seen the movie for this story, I actually prefer the movie. The book was an interesting read and I can definitely see the appeal for readers- chapters often end on a cliffhanger, then there is a perspective or time shift, and the reader desperately wants to know what happens next. For me personally, I think this effect is well-achieved through film, and I think I prefer to watch my adrenaline-based stories instead of reading them. Overall, it was still a good book and I did actually recommend it to a patron who wanted something exciting and thought-provoking to get herself back into reading. 

Reading Profile

I am a reader that prefers to use reading as a form of travel and escapism, so I usually prefer fantasy books or those set in either historical settings or far in the future. I also enjoy some areas of non-fiction, including history, anthropology, biography, or natural sciences. Occasionally, I will pick up a horror novel, but tend not to like them if they have too much gore. I love novels that have interesting fantasy worlds, altered or accurate historical timelines, or dystopian themes. Character development is one of the most interesting parts of reading for me, so I also love many coming-of-age stories.

Some genres I dislike are most thrillers, romance, westerns, and mysteries. I have a bit of a grudge against best-selling authors that (in my opinion) follow formulas for most of their books and don't come up with much new material. Looking at you, James Patterson (and yes, I did try a book of his and read it to completion! Still not quite for me). While I know that there are thrillers outside of this formula category, the majority that I encountered during my time as a cataloger seemed to fall into it. I enjoy books that have romance or romantic subplots, but I don't like things that I would consider cheesy or overdone. I think I could enjoy a non-traditional western novel, but haven't found one yet that has caught my eye. I can't really say why I don't care for mysteries, but they've never been my cup of tea. 

Outside of genres, I tend to prefer books that focus on strong settings and strong characters. Even if a book is within a genre I enjoy, I don't like it if it is too action focused or if the author tells too much information rather than letting the reader infer things.

As a Youth Services librarian, I try to read a balance of juvenile, YA, and adult books. Some interesting books I've read lately include The Sea of Trolls by Nancy Farmer (juvenile), Heartless by Marissa Meyer (YA), and Gather the Daughters by Jennie Melamed.

Some of my favorites include:

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (of course)
2. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
3. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
4. Across the Universe by Beth Revis
5. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
6. Stardust by Neil Gaiman
7. The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
8. Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly
9. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
10. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card