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.