Assignment 2
I am of the camp that book trailers are a wonderful marketing tool, if they are done correctly. I have been seeing plenty of book trailers that are not worth the 2 minutes of time it takes to watch them. There are others that capture my attention immediately and I want to read the book. I do not particularly care for those that flash words on the screen, much like a glorified Powerpoint. Those that do catch my attention may not have words at all, it may be more subtle and subdued, with the title or book jacket at the very end.
Although I have not thought about using book trailers as part of Readers' Advisory, it is a good idea. I can see it might be helpful for children and teens-to get hooked on a series or a particular author's books.
Assignment 3 Thoughts about the blog
This has been a good experience and I am certainly glad it started when my MLIS training was finished for the semester or it may not have been the best experience. I can honestly say I was a bit stressed with the timeline and that took away a bit of the "fun". I'm glad it was decided in the end to extend the deadline and I would have liked if I would have known sooner so that I would not have stressed myself out to the max on a weekly basis. I did learn a great deal about other resources out there and places to check for Readers' Advisory material. I did enjoy reading other posts and found I did learn new ways of doing things as I blogged with other librarians. Since I don't have my MLIS at present, I will count this as part of my own personal professional development.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Week 8 Assignment 1 and 2-Done AF
Week 8 Assignment 3
The four areas I will focus on for this assignment are: Memoirs, History, Science/Math and Travel. I enjoy reading narrative nonfiction as well as fiction so this is one of the easier assignments for me to complete.
Memoirs are located in several Dewey sections, they are grouped with the genre the author writes about-Biography Solo: A memoir of Hope by Hope Solo by Hope Solo
Geography and History-900's Don't Sleep, There are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle 918.11E by Daniel Everett
Science and Math-400-600's Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach 611R
Travel-900's A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle 944.9
Week 8/Assignment 4/Part I Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Book Talk
Would you enjoy reading about what happens to your body after death? (I feel like Lemony Snickett at this point-well then just put this book down and read no further.....) If so, then this is the book for you. Mary Roach delivers an informative and witty nonfiction read with Stiff. Having worked the first half of my career in the medical field as a nurse, this is a true account of what happens to the flesh and blood when the body dies and decays. She has ultimate respect of the human body and conveys this respect in her writing. I could not put this book down once I started it and there were pages upon pages where I was literally brought to tears. I laughed so hard, I cried. I know this sounds rather morbid, but I tell you, she is a master of her craft.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when cadavers are put to the guillotine test or transported to space on the shuttle. How about the human cadaver "sniff testing"-yes, there is a research lab that tests the decay rate of human tissue in specific environments. Those who read about serial killers or like the CSI stuff are in for a real treat with Roach's book. Sometimes gruesome and creepy, Roach knows how to appeal to our curiosities about death in this most candid novel.
Did I mention "plasticizing" a human body....well, read on...
Week 8/Assignment 4/Part II Solo: A memoir of Hope Solo
Book Talk
This book was recommended to me by my 14 yo daughter. She is very interested in soccer and Hope Solo is a controversial figure in the world of Women's National Soccer. Her memoir hints at a very determined young woman who will allow nothing to stand in her way as she ascends to the top of her game. Sometimes you don't know whether to feel pangs of sorrow for her or to curse her for a complete lack of sportsmanship and comraderie amongst her fellow players. She most definitely had a difficult upbringing and it is apparent her "edginess" was, at least in part, due to issues with her mother and father.
I would most definitely recommend this to anyone interested in women's soccer because it gives a birds-eye view of the game, the good, the bad and the ugly. I can see female soccer enthusiasts or other female athletes enjoying this read. I think it touches on hopes and disappointments inherent with any professional sports league. It seems to target the teen-twenty-something age group.
Week 8 Assignment 3
The four areas I will focus on for this assignment are: Memoirs, History, Science/Math and Travel. I enjoy reading narrative nonfiction as well as fiction so this is one of the easier assignments for me to complete.
Memoirs are located in several Dewey sections, they are grouped with the genre the author writes about-Biography Solo: A memoir of Hope by Hope Solo by Hope Solo
Geography and History-900's Don't Sleep, There are Snakes: Life and Language in the Amazonian Jungle 918.11E by Daniel Everett
Science and Math-400-600's Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach 611R
Travel-900's A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle 944.9
Week 8/Assignment 4/Part I Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach
Book Talk
Would you enjoy reading about what happens to your body after death? (I feel like Lemony Snickett at this point-well then just put this book down and read no further.....) If so, then this is the book for you. Mary Roach delivers an informative and witty nonfiction read with Stiff. Having worked the first half of my career in the medical field as a nurse, this is a true account of what happens to the flesh and blood when the body dies and decays. She has ultimate respect of the human body and conveys this respect in her writing. I could not put this book down once I started it and there were pages upon pages where I was literally brought to tears. I laughed so hard, I cried. I know this sounds rather morbid, but I tell you, she is a master of her craft.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when cadavers are put to the guillotine test or transported to space on the shuttle. How about the human cadaver "sniff testing"-yes, there is a research lab that tests the decay rate of human tissue in specific environments. Those who read about serial killers or like the CSI stuff are in for a real treat with Roach's book. Sometimes gruesome and creepy, Roach knows how to appeal to our curiosities about death in this most candid novel.
Did I mention "plasticizing" a human body....well, read on...
Week 8/Assignment 4/Part II Solo: A memoir of Hope Solo
Book Talk
This book was recommended to me by my 14 yo daughter. She is very interested in soccer and Hope Solo is a controversial figure in the world of Women's National Soccer. Her memoir hints at a very determined young woman who will allow nothing to stand in her way as she ascends to the top of her game. Sometimes you don't know whether to feel pangs of sorrow for her or to curse her for a complete lack of sportsmanship and comraderie amongst her fellow players. She most definitely had a difficult upbringing and it is apparent her "edginess" was, at least in part, due to issues with her mother and father.
I would most definitely recommend this to anyone interested in women's soccer because it gives a birds-eye view of the game, the good, the bad and the ugly. I can see female soccer enthusiasts or other female athletes enjoying this read. I think it touches on hopes and disappointments inherent with any professional sports league. It seems to target the teen-twenty-something age group.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Week 7: Assignment 1-Done
Week 7: Assignment 2
YA Comes of Age: Reading this article, I certainly agree that teens are looking for that crossover appeal. I think the paranormal and forbidden romance lovers are looking to see a twist of plot for these titles. They mention The number of stars that has elements of humor and fear mixed into the storyline-it is fresh, new and exciting for teens to delve into something a bit unusual. My teen daughter loved Beautiful Creatures-a bit dark, forbidden romance, mystery, apocalyptic themes, historical context-she loved every bit of the mixture. New authors will need to add something "spicy" into the mix to keep teens interested and ready for the next sequel. I felt the movie Beautiful Creatures followed the book and captured the audience from the minute go with the two protagonists.
Who is buying teen books? The research captured and assimilated into this article shows readers of teen books surpass that typical 12-17 year age group. This is very good news for new teen authors looking to write teen fiction. I see authors like Patterson/Picoult making inroads with teen audiences and attempting to capture them with the hope of keeping them as adult readers. These authors realize the vast potential lying in their wake and they are "seizing the moment" so to speak.
Week 7: Assignment 3
Stacked: If time were on my side and I had hours to devote to the task at hand, I'd spend a good amount of that time on "Stacked". It is written by librarians and is really a great resource for librarians, teen readers, writers, editors and essentially, bibliophiles. The librarians writing on this blog seem quite passionate about their work and do their best to give honest feedback about the books they have been reading-the good, the bad and the ugly. I appreciate this feedback because life is short, and so many books to read. I don't usually like to waste my time on stories I know will not deliver a "wow factor".
Forever Young Adult: This is my first opportunity to check out this site and it is fabulous. There are 10-15 writers, mostly females (one male) who have a wide range of experiences with books. I enjoyed reading their short bios on "Cast of Characters". There is so much on this site to cover-I did read the interview with Veronica Roth about her Divergent series. They talked with her about her impressions of the movie and if it fit with her vision. I think teens would really like this site for some of the movie "sneak peaks" and the dialogue with other lovers of YA. Their claim to fame is "...more A than Y", and I do think it may appeal to more of the 18+ crowd.
Week 7: Assigntment 4
Review of Harper Teen and Little and Brown Books for Teens
Harper Teen I was interested in looking at the coming attractions for teen literature from Harper Teen and there are some great ends, new beginnings and plenty of action. The Fame Game comes to a conclusion in Infamous by Lauren Conrad for all of those who love female drama, drama and more drama. Teri Brown has intertwined plenty of romance, magic and secret societies in her upcoming novel Born of Illusion. It seems readers are looking for novels remniscent of Beautiful Creatures, a touch of history, paranormal, sorcery and a love that prevails. Demitra Lunetta's In the After is sure to keep the reader up at all hours of the night-action packed dystopian tale and plenty of twists and turns in plot. There are plenty of teens with the adrenaline junkie rush and Lunetta's book will deliver. Lastly, Pittacus Lore continues the Lorien Legacy Series with I Am #4 as the Gardes and Mogadorians battle to the finish-it is all there for teens who love an intricate plot and world building.
Little and Brown Books for Teens
This is a Hatchett Publishing site and they do a magnificent job with page layout and book appeal. The pictures are large and tastefully displayed, plenty of video feeds throughout and getting to know the authors. I love the layout of this website and all of the book trailers. I think it is definitely a great marketing tool by Hatchett that appeals to the teen and 18/over crowd.
I especially enjoyed Welcome to Finishing School, a part of The Academy for Young Ladies series by Gail Carriger. Her first book in the series Etiquette and Espionage combines elements of mystery, adventure and humor and would appeal to those teens who have a fancy for Steampunk and historical fiction. In Novelist, a similiar read-a-like to Carriger's series is Kady Cross' Steampunk Chronicles Series- The Girl in the Clockwork Collar. I think teen mystery readers might be looking for a bit of historical fantasy and steampunk fiction.
The sequel to I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga, Game, will certainly deliver for all of those serial killer fans who want more blood, guts and gore. Lyga's book Fan Boy and Goth Girl has had great reviews by School Library Journal because of it's appeal for those kids who live life "against the grain" and are trying to find out who they are during those tumultuous years.
Week 7: Assignment 2
YA Comes of Age: Reading this article, I certainly agree that teens are looking for that crossover appeal. I think the paranormal and forbidden romance lovers are looking to see a twist of plot for these titles. They mention The number of stars that has elements of humor and fear mixed into the storyline-it is fresh, new and exciting for teens to delve into something a bit unusual. My teen daughter loved Beautiful Creatures-a bit dark, forbidden romance, mystery, apocalyptic themes, historical context-she loved every bit of the mixture. New authors will need to add something "spicy" into the mix to keep teens interested and ready for the next sequel. I felt the movie Beautiful Creatures followed the book and captured the audience from the minute go with the two protagonists.
Who is buying teen books? The research captured and assimilated into this article shows readers of teen books surpass that typical 12-17 year age group. This is very good news for new teen authors looking to write teen fiction. I see authors like Patterson/Picoult making inroads with teen audiences and attempting to capture them with the hope of keeping them as adult readers. These authors realize the vast potential lying in their wake and they are "seizing the moment" so to speak.
Week 7: Assignment 3
Stacked: If time were on my side and I had hours to devote to the task at hand, I'd spend a good amount of that time on "Stacked". It is written by librarians and is really a great resource for librarians, teen readers, writers, editors and essentially, bibliophiles. The librarians writing on this blog seem quite passionate about their work and do their best to give honest feedback about the books they have been reading-the good, the bad and the ugly. I appreciate this feedback because life is short, and so many books to read. I don't usually like to waste my time on stories I know will not deliver a "wow factor".
Forever Young Adult: This is my first opportunity to check out this site and it is fabulous. There are 10-15 writers, mostly females (one male) who have a wide range of experiences with books. I enjoyed reading their short bios on "Cast of Characters". There is so much on this site to cover-I did read the interview with Veronica Roth about her Divergent series. They talked with her about her impressions of the movie and if it fit with her vision. I think teens would really like this site for some of the movie "sneak peaks" and the dialogue with other lovers of YA. Their claim to fame is "...more A than Y", and I do think it may appeal to more of the 18+ crowd.
Week 7: Assigntment 4
Review of Harper Teen and Little and Brown Books for Teens
Harper Teen I was interested in looking at the coming attractions for teen literature from Harper Teen and there are some great ends, new beginnings and plenty of action. The Fame Game comes to a conclusion in Infamous by Lauren Conrad for all of those who love female drama, drama and more drama. Teri Brown has intertwined plenty of romance, magic and secret societies in her upcoming novel Born of Illusion. It seems readers are looking for novels remniscent of Beautiful Creatures, a touch of history, paranormal, sorcery and a love that prevails. Demitra Lunetta's In the After is sure to keep the reader up at all hours of the night-action packed dystopian tale and plenty of twists and turns in plot. There are plenty of teens with the adrenaline junkie rush and Lunetta's book will deliver. Lastly, Pittacus Lore continues the Lorien Legacy Series with I Am #4 as the Gardes and Mogadorians battle to the finish-it is all there for teens who love an intricate plot and world building.
Little and Brown Books for Teens
This is a Hatchett Publishing site and they do a magnificent job with page layout and book appeal. The pictures are large and tastefully displayed, plenty of video feeds throughout and getting to know the authors. I love the layout of this website and all of the book trailers. I think it is definitely a great marketing tool by Hatchett that appeals to the teen and 18/over crowd.
I especially enjoyed Welcome to Finishing School, a part of The Academy for Young Ladies series by Gail Carriger. Her first book in the series Etiquette and Espionage combines elements of mystery, adventure and humor and would appeal to those teens who have a fancy for Steampunk and historical fiction. In Novelist, a similiar read-a-like to Carriger's series is Kady Cross' Steampunk Chronicles Series- The Girl in the Clockwork Collar. I think teen mystery readers might be looking for a bit of historical fantasy and steampunk fiction.
The sequel to I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga, Game, will certainly deliver for all of those serial killer fans who want more blood, guts and gore. Lyga's book Fan Boy and Goth Girl has had great reviews by School Library Journal because of it's appeal for those kids who live life "against the grain" and are trying to find out who they are during those tumultuous years.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Assignment 6: #3
Part I:
Choose 3 subgenres that are new to you
Historical Romance
Pioneer Family Westerns
Urban Christian Fiction
Part II:
Historical Romance Authors and Titles
Joanna Wayne Trumped up Charges
Johannes Lindsey One Heart to Win
Terri Brisbin At The Highlander's Mercy (April 2013), MacLerie Series
Keyword Search on Google: Historical+Romance
For the historical romance authors, I checked out romanceaddict91.wordpress.com blog to see what people are looking for from their beloved authors. The other website I checked was www.historicalromancewriters.com. I always recommend trying the author websites to get a feel for the types of books the author enjoys writing. It appears people are looking for romances with strong links to place and time, such as France in the early 18th century. The book by Brisbin takes place in Scotland and the themes of family ties and relationships are very important. It looks like readers want a conclusion for many of the series that have not yet been completed by the author. The long lost love theme and nobility seemed to be very popular with the 2012-2013 books. The hallmark and appeal for historical romance are plot driven and can be either fast paced or leisurely paced. All of these novels have a strong sense of place and there is always a love affair, several that leave you hanging until the next in the series.
Part II: Pioneer Family Westerns Authors and Titles
Al and JoAnna Lacy A Line in the Sand
Elmer Kelton Many a River
Celia Hayes Adelsverein Series
Keyword Search in Google: pioneer+western+novels
I checked the following site for for westerns, www.historicalnovels.info/Old-West-Novels.html, and found several titles that would fit the bill for subgenres of Westerns noted above. I also found lindahubalek.com to be helpful with understanding writers of pioneer western fiction. It seems many Pioneer Western titles embody the "western" appeal for readers-places west of the Mississippi, accurate historical context with attention to details, rough/tough male and female characters, heros, good vs. evil, romance, christian values and fighting for a cause.
Part II: Urban Christian Fiction
Rhonda Bowen One Way or Another
Tyora Moody When Memories Fade (#2/Victory Gospel Series)
Vanessa Miller Forsaken
Keyword Search in Google: urban+christian+fiction
At www.blackchristianfiction.com there was a link to Cecilia Dowdy's christian fiction blog that I felt was very well done and informative, although not specific to urban christian fiction. Urban Christian Fiction is characterized by raw and gritty characters full of honesty and drama. There is often a protagonist who struggles with some wrong he or she has committed and seeks redemption.
Part I:
Choose 3 subgenres that are new to you
Historical Romance
Pioneer Family Westerns
Urban Christian Fiction
Part II:
Historical Romance Authors and Titles
Joanna Wayne Trumped up Charges
Johannes Lindsey One Heart to Win
Terri Brisbin At The Highlander's Mercy (April 2013), MacLerie Series
Keyword Search on Google: Historical+Romance
For the historical romance authors, I checked out romanceaddict91.wordpress.com blog to see what people are looking for from their beloved authors. The other website I checked was www.historicalromancewriters.com. I always recommend trying the author websites to get a feel for the types of books the author enjoys writing. It appears people are looking for romances with strong links to place and time, such as France in the early 18th century. The book by Brisbin takes place in Scotland and the themes of family ties and relationships are very important. It looks like readers want a conclusion for many of the series that have not yet been completed by the author. The long lost love theme and nobility seemed to be very popular with the 2012-2013 books. The hallmark and appeal for historical romance are plot driven and can be either fast paced or leisurely paced. All of these novels have a strong sense of place and there is always a love affair, several that leave you hanging until the next in the series.
Part II: Pioneer Family Westerns Authors and Titles
Al and JoAnna Lacy A Line in the Sand
Elmer Kelton Many a River
Celia Hayes Adelsverein Series
Keyword Search in Google: pioneer+western+novels
I checked the following site for for westerns, www.historicalnovels.info/Old-West-Novels.html, and found several titles that would fit the bill for subgenres of Westerns noted above. I also found lindahubalek.com to be helpful with understanding writers of pioneer western fiction. It seems many Pioneer Western titles embody the "western" appeal for readers-places west of the Mississippi, accurate historical context with attention to details, rough/tough male and female characters, heros, good vs. evil, romance, christian values and fighting for a cause.
Part II: Urban Christian Fiction
Rhonda Bowen One Way or Another
Tyora Moody When Memories Fade (#2/Victory Gospel Series)
Vanessa Miller Forsaken
Keyword Search in Google: urban+christian+fiction
At www.blackchristianfiction.com there was a link to Cecilia Dowdy's christian fiction blog that I felt was very well done and informative, although not specific to urban christian fiction. Urban Christian Fiction is characterized by raw and gritty characters full of honesty and drama. There is often a protagonist who struggles with some wrong he or she has committed and seeks redemption.
Week 6: Assignment #1
I wrote about Stop You're Killing me in my previous post but I will add that I enjoyed learning the various awards that are handed out for mystery writers. I feel if I'm not exactly certain of a subgenre of mystery writing, I can at least use the indexes on the left column of the site to help me out. There are location, job, historical, diversity and genre indexes listed and by choosing one of these, I can narrow the focus for my customer. This goes back to the educational piece on how readers will enter the "gateway". These tools are very effective in helping the librarian to find a book that meets the needs of our mystery readers.
I wrote about Stop You're Killing me in my previous post but I will add that I enjoyed learning the various awards that are handed out for mystery writers. I feel if I'm not exactly certain of a subgenre of mystery writing, I can at least use the indexes on the left column of the site to help me out. There are location, job, historical, diversity and genre indexes listed and by choosing one of these, I can narrow the focus for my customer. This goes back to the educational piece on how readers will enter the "gateway". These tools are very effective in helping the librarian to find a book that meets the needs of our mystery readers.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Week 5: Assignment 3 Appeal terms
I looked at Isabel Allende's Maya's Notebook for Part III of this assignment. I wanted to check other read-a-likes in Novelist to see who would be interested in this book. A few titles recommended in Novelist with similiar appeal characterists were, Purple Hibiscus by C. Adichie, Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, Angel's Revenge and Dutch by Teri Woods and The Man of My Dreams by Chris Sittenfeld.
These are all coming-of-age stories which translates to a character-driven storyline in terms of "appeal". There is a strong sense of place and these books would definitely appeal to those who enjoy stories of far off places or travel. It is fast-paced, heartwrenching, violent, thought-provoking and disturbing. Although there is humor interjected throughout the novel, it is typically a dark humor. These stories would appeal to someone with interests in politics, the world condition and history.
This particular book is described in Goodreads as "lyrical writing". This type of writing is poetic and when it is done well, the reader is lost in the rhythm and beautiful descriptions of people, places and events.
I have not yet read any of Allende's books and a few reviews said this novel was not typical of her other novels. It may be worth a try.
These are all coming-of-age stories which translates to a character-driven storyline in terms of "appeal". There is a strong sense of place and these books would definitely appeal to those who enjoy stories of far off places or travel. It is fast-paced, heartwrenching, violent, thought-provoking and disturbing. Although there is humor interjected throughout the novel, it is typically a dark humor. These stories would appeal to someone with interests in politics, the world condition and history.
This particular book is described in Goodreads as "lyrical writing". This type of writing is poetic and when it is done well, the reader is lost in the rhythm and beautiful descriptions of people, places and events.
I have not yet read any of Allende's books and a few reviews said this novel was not typical of her other novels. It may be worth a try.
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