Week 15 Prompt Response

I would like to market my library’s fiction collection by using a combination of displays and programs. The first idea would be to have a bestseller and new and noteworthy section. The idea here is to make it easier for patrons to find popular books and to have award-winning books all in one section. There are always patrons looking for bestsellers and want to be able to find them quickly. This display would be place at an end cap and have bestseller stickers on them. New and noteworthy books that aren’t quite yet bestseller would be placed in the appropriate shelve under new and noteworthy. Bestsellers are a good way to introduce new readers to the fiction genre. Those who don’t regularly read, tend to want to read bestsellers those books are usually stand alones.  The next idea would be a program dedicated to the discussion of fiction books. Where patrons talk about any fiction book they’ve read this week. It’s a way of doing reader’s advisory but sort of in a word or mouth kind of way. Patrons can recommend others in the discussion group their favorites and help them discover new books. Having random discussion about books is a great way that gets others wanting to read what some one else has read. The format of the program would begin with the discussion group’s moderator leading the discussion with their recommended book and so forth leading into a full inclusive discussion. This program would go great with a summer reading adult program. While those who are participating with the reading can share the books they are reading for summer reading. The last idea is a display that focuses on bundles. The idea is to have genre bundles that focus on a different genre each month. For example, June is romance and wedding month. Have books bundled together that have to do with love stories, weddings, marriage etc. This is good for patrons that read seasonally, where they tend to want to read certain books at different times of the year.

Week 14 Prompt

I think African American fiction and GLBTQ literature should stay with other fiction books. In bookstores it may be separated but as libraries, I think these books should remain with all fiction. The first reason is that it creates the means for someone looking for African American fiction and GLBTQ to browse and see what else is out there. There is so much power in the idea of the search. Patrons may feel that they have to consistently have to go out of their way to find books because there are so few available at the library and are hidden in the mass of other fiction. This is true, but it’s also a good thing to read something that’s not so easily available. The second reason is that it makes it so patrons have to use the online catalog.  This can cause patrons to become more curious and find what other AA or GLBTQ books that they may not know existed. This leads to other discovery because if they were separated they would just swiftly browse and see if the library has the title they want and either find something else or leave. It benefits both the patron and library if patrons stay a little longer and experience what the library has to offer. The third reason is that it helps the library keep unison with its collection. Although, in some libraries the mystery and sci-fi are separated, this is great because they are two huge genres with ongoing series. AA and GLBTQ are two emerging genres where most libraries don’t carrier every AA and GLBTQ that is released. Libraries may only carry those with good reviews and with buzz. If separated, it would only be a small section with what I hope would expand in the future. It also depends on the demographics and the community and the size of the library. Smaller libraries most likely won’t separate but larger libraries may have the room to do so but it depends on the collection and what books qualify as AA fiction and GLBTQ and that also plays into the collection decision as well.  

Week 13 Prompt

I think as librarians we should be on the same page with adults and often times encourage them to read YA and graphic novels. The majority of graphic novels created are targeted towards adults. I think the stigma is that only certain types of adults read graphic novels and adult graphic novels are weird. There can be many different reasons why an adult enjoys reading graphic novels and it shouldn’t matter. To me, I think it’s the same as any sci-fi book out there but with graphic drawings. Its just putting a visual to any sci-fi novel but it’s just significantly shorter and released in volumes.

Graphic novels are not just for kids because they are colorful, features illustrations and contains a drastically shorter word count compared to novels. We’ve all enjoyed The Simpsons and Family Guy. These two shows are animated and are similar in format to most children’s programming but the content isn’t for kids and was created to be enjoyed by adults. I think in the case for graphic novels, it’s the content that matters not the format as to whether or not who should read them.

 As for YA, I think adults read YA more when it’s a book that has a lot of buzz surrounding it, such as an adaption into a featured film. But those who read YA leisurely should always feel welcomed to read it. A lot of adults who still may read YA literature because they’ve enjoyed it as teen themselves and may want to keep that aspect alive in their adulthood.

I think lesser-known formats get attention when there’s buzz surrounding it or being adapted into a film.  It makes people who wouldn’t to read it otherwise, read it. This is good in a way that it cuts down on the many misconceptions and it becomes more socially acceptable. The more graphic novels that are adapted into featured films, the more people are going to read them and see for themselves that they actually aren’t that weird as they’ve thought and its perfectly okay for adults to read them.  The same for YA literature, which seems to becoming a trend now with the popular film releases of The Fault in our Stars, Divergent and The Hunger Games.

Young Adult Annotation: Matched

Title: Matched

Author: Ally Condie

Publication: Speak; September 20, 2011

Edition: Paperback 416 pages

Synopsis: Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black. The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow. (Amazon)

Setting/Time Period: Modern day but Utopian/Dystopian society

Genre: Young Adult, sci-fi/fantasy, fiction fantasy; romance

Subject Headings: Dystopias, mate section-fiction, teen literature

Elements of a Young Adult novel: Story is about teens and their lives. Contains more mature dialogue and language than those found in children’s literature but not too mature as found in adult literature.

Appeal: Dystopian meets love triangle. Evenly paced story. On the fluffy side of the dystopian description, nothing too out there. Mainly focused on the love and romance nothing really much about that would reflect dystopia that is horrible. Good romance read for teens.

Read A Likes:

Desire by Kallin Gow

The Selection By Kiera Cass

Delirium By Lauren Oliver

Graphic Novel Annotation: Fables

Title: Fables: Legends in Exile, Vol.1

Author: Bill Willingham       

Publication: Vertigo; May 22, 2012

Edition: Paperback 144 pages Vol. 1

Synopsis: When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the "mundys," their name for normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters created their own secret society that they call Fabletown. From their exclusive luxury apartment buildings on Manhattan's Upper West Side, these creatures of legend must fight for their survival in the new world.  (Amazon)

Setting/Time Period:  In fictitious town called “New York City” similar to that of modern day New York City

Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy

Subject Headings: Fairy Tales; comic books, strips

Elements of a graphic novel: Art, storyboard format, quote bubbles with narrations, captions read from left to right. Story continues in volumes. On the short side meant to continue in later volumes.

Appeal: Fantasy/fairy tale that includes aspects of some of the classic fairy tales.  In-depth storytelling that flowed well with the illustrations, which helps one to not get lost from reading the captions and looking at the illustrations. A unique fun take on some the most classic fairy tales creatively intertwined.

Good graphic novel that held my attention. In the past I’ve tried to read graphic novels but I’ve always never get past the first page. This one, got me passed the first page and I’ve finished in two days. I actually wanted to finish reading it. The artwork is really good and helped explain the story further than what the captions read. Interesting concept, I enjoyed it. 

Read A Likes:

Saga Vol. 1 by Brian Vaughan (author) and Fiona Staples (illustrator)

The Wicked + The Divine Vol. 1 by Kieron Gillen (author) Jamie McKelvie (illustrator)

Low: The Delirium of Hope Vol. 1 by Rick Remender (author) Greg Tocchini (illustrator)

Week 12 Prompt

The Readers’ Advisory Matrix for The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner

1.     Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

§  Highly narrative (reads like fiction)

§  A mix (combines highly narrative moments with period of fact-based prose)

§  Highly fact based (has few or no narrative moments)

2.     What is the subject of the book? This book is about exploring the happiest places on earth and questioning does happiness exist in these places or is it entirely subjective.

3.     What type of book is it? Psychology; travel, geography with a mix of narrative humor.

4.     Articulate appeal

What is the pacing of the book? Reads quickly, informative and gets your mind thinking.

Describe the characters of the book. The author is also the narrator, considers himself the grumpiest man alive yet he is quite quirky and witty.

How does the story feel? Interesting, humorous, clever and quirky.

What is the focus of the story? Eric Weiner’s travels to this countries (Switzerland, Netherlands, Bhutan, Qatar, Iceland, Moldova, Thailand and Great Britain) to find what makes up and determines their happiness.

Does the language matter? Yes

Is the setting important and well described? The settings are very important and make up majority of the book and its very well described almost to feel as though you have visited these places before.

Are there details and, if so, of what? Yes, there are details of how it country runs, their customs, laws and policies that make its citizens lives.

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? No, just the author’s thoughts and opinions and interactions.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? Of course, reading this books helps one to understand these countries, the lives of its citizens, their experiences living in these places.

5.     Why would the reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?

1. Learning/experiencing          2. Tone            3. Narrative

The Goldfinch

Title: The Goldfinch

Author: Donna Tartt

Publication: Little Brown; October 22, 2013

Edition: Hardcover: 775 pages

Synopsis: Theo Decker, a 13-year-old New Yorker, miraculously survives an accident that kills his mother. Abandoned by his father, Theo is taken in by the family of a wealthy friend. Bewildered by his strange new home on Park Avenue, disturbed by schoolmates who don't know how to talk to him, and tormented above all by his longing for his mother, he clings to the one thing that reminds him of her: a small, mysteriously captivating painting that ultimately draws Theo into the underworld of art.

As an adult, Theo moves silkily between the drawing rooms of the rich and the dusty labyrinth of an antiques store where he works. He is alienated and in love--and at the center of a narrowing, ever more dangerous circle.

The Goldfinch is a mesmerizing, stay-up-all-night and tell-all-your-friends triumph, an old-fashioned story of loss and obsession, survival and self-invention, and the ruthless machinations of fate. (Amazon)

Setting/Time Period: Present day (2012) and fourteen years earlier (1998) New York and Amsterdam (Netherlands)

Genre: Literary Fiction

Subject Headings: Pulitzer Prize Winner for Fiction; New York Times Bestseller; Artists; suspense fiction; New York fiction; coming of age

 Elements of an award winner: New York Times Bestseller for over seven months and awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2014

Appeal: Character Driven, atmospheric, melancholy, richly detailed, compelling story leading to the end.  The story includes great foreshadowing where you are kept on your toes though out the whole book. It’s on the long side close to 800 pages but it keeps you interested and wanting to finish the book. The Goldfinch is an instant classic literature of recent years giving you that feeling of reading your favorite classics from the past. Great character development and intriguing plot includes the makings for a great book.  Draws you in from the beginning, right to the end.

Read A Likes:

The Unchangeable Spots Leopards by Kristopher Jansma

Faces in the Crowd by Valeria Luiselli

Orphan Train by Christina Baker