Week 9, Assignment 3
In general, I believe that Be More Bookish was a worthwhile staff training. It did "broaden my horizons" by forcing me to become more familiar with a variety of genres, websites, blogs, etc. I especially enjoyed the website GoodReads and the opportunity to find books that I might enjoy reading in the future. Plus, I learned more about types of books that I personally don't read, like Steampunk. I'm now reading a Steampunk novel. There were other categories I simply had not heard about before, like the "New Adult" category for 18-21 year-olds. I believe that this training has improved my readers' advisory skills.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Week 9, Assignment 2
I watched several book trailers on You Tube, including: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children; The Fall, An Autobiography of an Alter Ego; Super Sad True Love Story; Hounded; and Following Atticus. I think the book trailers that are professionally done, with actors, are quite effective and are successful in marketing the books, especially for nonfiction. Trailers with book authors as "talking heads" seem less successful, probably because they are less polished and appear less like movie trailers.
It's questionable whether trailers are useful for readers' advisory unless the librarian suggested specific book trailers that customers might watch to help them decide if they find the books appealing.
I watched several book trailers on You Tube, including: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children; The Fall, An Autobiography of an Alter Ego; Super Sad True Love Story; Hounded; and Following Atticus. I think the book trailers that are professionally done, with actors, are quite effective and are successful in marketing the books, especially for nonfiction. Trailers with book authors as "talking heads" seem less successful, probably because they are less polished and appear less like movie trailers.
It's questionable whether trailers are useful for readers' advisory unless the librarian suggested specific book trailers that customers might watch to help them decide if they find the books appealing.
Monday, June 17, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Week 8, Assignments 3 & 4
The four nonfiction genres I am choosing are: History, Travel, Food and Disaster/Survival. History is in the Dewey area of 973 to 999. Travel is in 910 to 920; food in 641; and disaster in 910.9164.
For the history genre, I would suggest that fiction readers try the book The Poker Bride: The First Chinese in the Wild West by Christopher Corbett. This might be of interest to readers who enjoy the fiction of authors Amy Tan and Lisa See, who write of strong Chinese-American women immigrants, family relationships and Chinese history. Set in the era of the California Gold Rush in 1849, when thousands of Chinese arrived in San Francisco to seek their fortunes, the book focuses on the "legend of one extraordinary woman as a lens into this experience."According to Amazon.com, the book tells of Polly, a young Chinese concubine, who was "brought by her owner to a remote mining camp in the highlands of Idaho, where he lost her in a poker game. Polly and her new owner then settled at an isolated ranch on the banks of the Salmon River. As the Gold Rush receded, it took with it the Chinese miners, but left behind Polly, who would make headlines when — as an old woman — she emerged from the Idaho hills nearly half a century later to tell her astounding story."
In the food genre area, fiction readers might like the book Empires of Food: Feast, Famine and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations by Evan D. G. Fraser and Andrew Rimas. This is "a history of how food undergirds civilizations rise and fall."
A good title in the travel genre is the famous story of a transocean scientific expedition, Kon-Tiki, by Thor Heyerdahl. In 1947, Heyerdahl and a small crew set sail from the Pacific coast of South America, attempting to demonstrate the possibility that the Polynesians may have originated in South America." He decided to prove his theory by building a boat using the materials that would have been available to those pre-Columbian sailors. The result was a raft built from balsa wood, bamboo, and hemp. After sailing for three months and 4,300 nautical miles on the open sea they sighted land, the Polynesian island of Puka Puka.
I believe this book would appeal to readers who like fictional sea adventures, such as those written by Patrick O'Brian about the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, or the Horatio Hornblower books, written by C. S. Forester.
The disaster/survival book I would recommend is Ten Degrees of Reckoning: A True Story of Survival by Hester Rumberg. This is the harrowing story of a tragedy at sea which claimed the lives of three of the four members of the Sleavin family and its aftermath. This book would appeal to readers of thrillers and suspense.
The four nonfiction genres I am choosing are: History, Travel, Food and Disaster/Survival. History is in the Dewey area of 973 to 999. Travel is in 910 to 920; food in 641; and disaster in 910.9164.
For the history genre, I would suggest that fiction readers try the book The Poker Bride: The First Chinese in the Wild West by Christopher Corbett. This might be of interest to readers who enjoy the fiction of authors Amy Tan and Lisa See, who write of strong Chinese-American women immigrants, family relationships and Chinese history. Set in the era of the California Gold Rush in 1849, when thousands of Chinese arrived in San Francisco to seek their fortunes, the book focuses on the "legend of one extraordinary woman as a lens into this experience."According to Amazon.com, the book tells of Polly, a young Chinese concubine, who was "brought by her owner to a remote mining camp in the highlands of Idaho, where he lost her in a poker game. Polly and her new owner then settled at an isolated ranch on the banks of the Salmon River. As the Gold Rush receded, it took with it the Chinese miners, but left behind Polly, who would make headlines when — as an old woman — she emerged from the Idaho hills nearly half a century later to tell her astounding story."
In the food genre area, fiction readers might like the book Empires of Food: Feast, Famine and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations by Evan D. G. Fraser and Andrew Rimas. This is "a history of how food undergirds civilizations rise and fall."
A good title in the travel genre is the famous story of a transocean scientific expedition, Kon-Tiki, by Thor Heyerdahl. In 1947, Heyerdahl and a small crew set sail from the Pacific coast of South America, attempting to demonstrate the possibility that the Polynesians may have originated in South America." He decided to prove his theory by building a boat using the materials that would have been available to those pre-Columbian sailors. The result was a raft built from balsa wood, bamboo, and hemp. After sailing for three months and 4,300 nautical miles on the open sea they sighted land, the Polynesian island of Puka Puka.
I believe this book would appeal to readers who like fictional sea adventures, such as those written by Patrick O'Brian about the British Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars, or the Horatio Hornblower books, written by C. S. Forester.
The disaster/survival book I would recommend is Ten Degrees of Reckoning: A True Story of Survival by Hester Rumberg. This is the harrowing story of a tragedy at sea which claimed the lives of three of the four members of the Sleavin family and its aftermath. This book would appeal to readers of thrillers and suspense.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Week 8, Assignment 1
I read the two articles Borderlands: Crossing between Fiction and Nonfiction in Readers' Advisory
by Jennifer Brannen and Reading Nonfiction for Pleasure: What Motivates Readers? by Catherine Sheldrick Ross and found them both very interesting. I am not much of a nonfiction reader myself, so it was good to get a perspective on readers' advisory for non-fiction readers.
I read the two articles Borderlands: Crossing between Fiction and Nonfiction in Readers' Advisory
by Jennifer Brannen and Reading Nonfiction for Pleasure: What Motivates Readers? by Catherine Sheldrick Ross and found them both very interesting. I am not much of a nonfiction reader myself, so it was good to get a perspective on readers' advisory for non-fiction readers.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Week 7: Assignment 4
I looked at all the teen imprints and am commenting on two: Little, Brown Books for Teens and
On the Little, Brown website, I was intrigued by the Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy series.
At Mademoiselle's school for "young ladies of quality," teen girls study etiquette and espionage.
These books illustrate a continuing trend, which started with the Hunger Games, of teen girls as action adventure heroines. Also, steampunk and settings in the 1800s continue to be hot.
I also looked at Teens/Penguin Young Readers, where I noticed a continuing trend of books about disaster themes, as well as dystopian worlds and young-adult horror. Examples of this type of books include: No Safety In Numbers by Dayna Lorentz, The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy and Legend by Marie Lu.
I looked at all the teen imprints and am commenting on two: Little, Brown Books for Teens and
On the Little, Brown website, I was intrigued by the Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy series.
At Mademoiselle's school for "young ladies of quality," teen girls study etiquette and espionage.
These books illustrate a continuing trend, which started with the Hunger Games, of teen girls as action adventure heroines. Also, steampunk and settings in the 1800s continue to be hot.
I also looked at Teens/Penguin Young Readers, where I noticed a continuing trend of books about disaster themes, as well as dystopian worlds and young-adult horror. Examples of this type of books include: No Safety In Numbers by Dayna Lorentz, The 5th Wave by Rick Yancy and Legend by Marie Lu.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Week 7, Assignment 3
Monday, June 3, 2013
I've decided to follow the blog Stacked (Librarians Reviews Mayhem) at http://www.stackedbooks.org/). Contributors are Kimberly Francisco, a public librarian "with a weakness for genre fiction" and Kelly Jenson, a "compulsive consumer of all things books and blogs." The About section of the blog Stacked states that the blog "is interested in reviewing books for readers while simultaneously enticing non-readers to think about reading in fun and interesting ways." I believe the intended audience is librarians, booksellers, and others who are interested in young adult books.
The other blog I'm going to follow is Teenreads at http://www.teenreads.com/, part of the Book Report Network, which also includes the following sites: Bookreporter, 20Something Reads, Kidsreads, Reading Group Guides, Graphic Novel Reporter, Faithful Reader, and Authors On The Web. I believe this blog is intended for a general audience of readers.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Stacked has a review of the new YA book Absent by Katie Williams.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Stacked has a Twitterview with Katie Williams, talking about her new book Absent. (reviewed June 4).
Teenreads has an interview with author Jacqueline Green, who answers questions about Truth Or Dare and gives an exclusive reveal for the next book in the series. Also, the website announced that
Monday, June 3, 2013
I've decided to follow the blog Stacked (Librarians Reviews Mayhem) at http://www.stackedbooks.org/). Contributors are Kimberly Francisco, a public librarian "with a weakness for genre fiction" and Kelly Jenson, a "compulsive consumer of all things books and blogs." The About section of the blog Stacked states that the blog "is interested in reviewing books for readers while simultaneously enticing non-readers to think about reading in fun and interesting ways." I believe the intended audience is librarians, booksellers, and others who are interested in young adult books.
The other blog I'm going to follow is Teenreads at http://www.teenreads.com/, part of the Book Report Network, which also includes the following sites: Bookreporter, 20Something Reads, Kidsreads, Reading Group Guides, Graphic Novel Reporter, Faithful Reader, and Authors On The Web. I believe this blog is intended for a general audience of readers.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Stacked has a review of the new YA book Absent by Katie Williams.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Stacked has a Twitterview with Katie Williams, talking about her new book Absent. (reviewed June 4).
Teenreads has an interview with author Jacqueline Green, who answers questions about Truth Or Dare and gives an exclusive reveal for the next book in the series. Also, the website announced that
Eoin Colfer is back with a new series to follow Artemis Fowl. A teen orphan boy from Victorian London is helped by a modern day 19-year-old FBI agent to evade a conjurist bent on murder.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Week 7, Assignment 2
The two articles I read were New Adult: Needless Marketing-Speak Or Valued Subgenre? Publisher’s Weekly, Dec 14, 2012 and YA Comes of Age Publisher’s Weekly, Oct 3, 2011.
Both of these were interesting and offered new perspectives for me.
In the first, a new category of book, called "New Adult," for readers 18 to 23 was proposed for the "post-YA reader." Some bookstore buyers have characterized these books as those that are too old for teens and too young for adults. An editor pointed out the the New Adult tag signals content that has explicit sex and therefore too mature for teen readers.
The second article, which is now close to two years old, discusses the dominence of the YA category as compared to middle-grade fiction and picture books. These teen titles are becoming darker and darker, with titles including words such as "deadly" and "death." And as the content has become more mature, adults are crossing over and picking books from the teen aisles. Some believe that the market has become saturated with paranormal themes, while dystopian titles continue to do well.
The two articles I read were New Adult: Needless Marketing-Speak Or Valued Subgenre? Publisher’s Weekly, Dec 14, 2012 and YA Comes of Age Publisher’s Weekly, Oct 3, 2011.
Both of these were interesting and offered new perspectives for me.
In the first, a new category of book, called "New Adult," for readers 18 to 23 was proposed for the "post-YA reader." Some bookstore buyers have characterized these books as those that are too old for teens and too young for adults. An editor pointed out the the New Adult tag signals content that has explicit sex and therefore too mature for teen readers.
The second article, which is now close to two years old, discusses the dominence of the YA category as compared to middle-grade fiction and picture books. These teen titles are becoming darker and darker, with titles including words such as "deadly" and "death." And as the content has become more mature, adults are crossing over and picking books from the teen aisles. Some believe that the market has become saturated with paranormal themes, while dystopian titles continue to do well.
Week 7, Assignment 1
I found the "What to Read Next" flowchart from the Lawrence Public Library to be very well-done and interesting. I liked the way the flowchart led the reader to make choices that resulted in different categories of book suggestions. I found two books that I might enjoy reading: under "For Jane Austen Fans" in the Latest Releases category, the book For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund; and under "apocalypse in the form of environmental disaster instead of war," the book Nation by Terry Pratchett. I am a Jane Austen fan, and Terry Pratchett is an author I enjoy reading.
I found the "What to Read Next" flowchart from the Lawrence Public Library to be very well-done and interesting. I liked the way the flowchart led the reader to make choices that resulted in different categories of book suggestions. I found two books that I might enjoy reading: under "For Jane Austen Fans" in the Latest Releases category, the book For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund; and under "apocalypse in the form of environmental disaster instead of war," the book Nation by Terry Pratchett. I am a Jane Austen fan, and Terry Pratchett is an author I enjoy reading.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Week 6, Assignment 3
The three subgenres I've chosen "Historical Romance" (Western), "Techno Thriller", and "Disaster Adventure."
A fan website I found for historical romance is Heros and Heartbreakers. Specifically for westerns, I found http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2011/02/the-appeal-of-the-western-romance and http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2012/02/dirty-cowboys-the-allure-of-the-gritty-western-romance This site features a blog by Wendy Crutcher, alias Wendy the Super Librarian.
I found the website by searching with Google. Fans liked new voices like Kaki Warner, as well as well-known authors in this genre, such as Maggie Osborne. An example of a book in this genre is
Wyoming Bride by Joan Johnston.
http://www.thepulp.net/pulpsuperfan/category/techno-thriller/ is a fan website for Techno Thrillers, which I found again with a Google search. These fans were excited about the authors Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, and Clive Cussler, as well as James Rollins, Jack Du Brul, Andy McDermott, David Golemon. An example of a book in this genre is The Relic by Preston and Child.
http://adventure-bookclub.com is a website for adventure book lovers and has a section for disaster adventure books. Another is http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/Books-for-Those-with-an-Adventurous-Spirit/449
I found both of these with a Google search.
Books that were featured on these sites include: Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon by Thomas M. Myers and Michael P. Ghiglieri and To the Edge: A Man, A Death Valley and the Mystery of Endurance by Kirk Johnson, and Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole by Jerri Nielsen and Maryanne Vollers.
A title not shown on the Prezi Fiction Flowchart that could cross over into two subgenres is The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman. With its magical elements, it could by classified as Magic Realism. The strong female characters and romantic storyline mean that it could be considered as Modern Romance. Another title is A Load of Old Bones by Suzette A. Hill, which could be considered both a Pet Investigators Mystery and Historical Fiction. A dog and cat feature prominently in the story, and it has a historical setting, 1950s England.
The three subgenres I've chosen "Historical Romance" (Western), "Techno Thriller", and "Disaster Adventure."
A fan website I found for historical romance is Heros and Heartbreakers. Specifically for westerns, I found http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2011/02/the-appeal-of-the-western-romance and http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2012/02/dirty-cowboys-the-allure-of-the-gritty-western-romance This site features a blog by Wendy Crutcher, alias Wendy the Super Librarian.
I found the website by searching with Google. Fans liked new voices like Kaki Warner, as well as well-known authors in this genre, such as Maggie Osborne. An example of a book in this genre is
Wyoming Bride by Joan Johnston.
http://www.thepulp.net/pulpsuperfan/category/techno-thriller/ is a fan website for Techno Thrillers, which I found again with a Google search. These fans were excited about the authors Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, and Clive Cussler, as well as James Rollins, Jack Du Brul, Andy McDermott, David Golemon. An example of a book in this genre is The Relic by Preston and Child.
http://adventure-bookclub.com is a website for adventure book lovers and has a section for disaster adventure books. Another is http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/Books-for-Those-with-an-Adventurous-Spirit/449
I found both of these with a Google search.
Books that were featured on these sites include: Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon by Thomas M. Myers and Michael P. Ghiglieri and To the Edge: A Man, A Death Valley and the Mystery of Endurance by Kirk Johnson, and Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole by Jerri Nielsen and Maryanne Vollers.
A title not shown on the Prezi Fiction Flowchart that could cross over into two subgenres is The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman. With its magical elements, it could by classified as Magic Realism. The strong female characters and romantic storyline mean that it could be considered as Modern Romance. Another title is A Load of Old Bones by Suzette A. Hill, which could be considered both a Pet Investigators Mystery and Historical Fiction. A dog and cat feature prominently in the story, and it has a historical setting, 1950s England.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Week 6, Assignment 1
I'm following the genre link "Stop You're Killing Me!", which is a mystery site.
One of the interesting pages on this site is the What's New section, which includes new authors and new book characters and series, which are added monthly. One can also look them up alphabetically. So, if a reader remembers a character's name and not the author or not the title, the rest of the information can be located by using this index.
Another page I enjoyed on this website is Historical Period of Series Character, divided into
Ancient Before 476, Post 476-1500 (Medieval) Edward III (1327-1377) Henry VI (1421-1461) Edward IV (1461-1483) Henry III (1216-1272) Edward I (1272-1307), 1500s Henry VIII (1509-1547)Elizabeth I (1558-1603), 1600s & 1700s Colonial Period Baroque Era, 1800s Regency (1811-1820) Victorian (1837-1901), 1900s Edwardian (1901-1910), and the decades of the 1900s through the 1980s. This is very useful for individuals who enjoy reading mysteries from particular historical periods.
The Genre Index page has 17 different categories, including Cozy (Traditional) Mysteries, Gothic Suspense, Holidays, Humorous Mysteries, Paranormal, and Pets, as well as several others. I find this very helpful, as I enjoy cozy mysteries and humorous mysteries and can find new authors and titles with these links.
I'm following the genre link "Stop You're Killing Me!", which is a mystery site.
One of the interesting pages on this site is the What's New section, which includes new authors and new book characters and series, which are added monthly. One can also look them up alphabetically. So, if a reader remembers a character's name and not the author or not the title, the rest of the information can be located by using this index.
Another page I enjoyed on this website is Historical Period of Series Character, divided into
Ancient Before 476, Post 476-1500 (Medieval) Edward III (1327-1377) Henry VI (1421-1461) Edward IV (1461-1483) Henry III (1216-1272) Edward I (1272-1307), 1500s Henry VIII (1509-1547)Elizabeth I (1558-1603), 1600s & 1700s Colonial Period Baroque Era, 1800s Regency (1811-1820) Victorian (1837-1901), 1900s Edwardian (1901-1910), and the decades of the 1900s through the 1980s. This is very useful for individuals who enjoy reading mysteries from particular historical periods.
The Genre Index page has 17 different categories, including Cozy (Traditional) Mysteries, Gothic Suspense, Holidays, Humorous Mysteries, Paranormal, and Pets, as well as several others. I find this very helpful, as I enjoy cozy mysteries and humorous mysteries and can find new authors and titles with these links.
| Genre Index | ||||
| Genre Index | ||||
Week 5, Assignment 3
Under the righthand "Coming Soon - Season Previews," I chose to look at Flavorpills 30 Most Anticipated Books of 2013. From this list, I picked Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, a book I was in fact already reading.
The extremely original plot of Life After Life, in which a woman repeatedly is born and dies, is what originally piqued my interest. In addition, the story is historical fiction, set in the same general period as the very popular Downton Abbey television series and also features the English upper class and their servants. Because I am a fan of that show, I found that aspect of the book appealing. I also loved the dark humor that was a prominent feature of the book.
The story begins in 1910 when Ursula Todd is born in a small English village. But the umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck and immediately, she dies, only to be reborn again and again. She dies repeatedly in different ways, correcting her "mistakes" along the way as she gradually becomes aware of her situation. The picture of English life in the first half of the 19th century was beautifully rendered; the war scenes of London during the second World War were poignant and illuminating. I highly recommend this book.
Under the righthand "Coming Soon - Season Previews," I chose to look at Flavorpills 30 Most Anticipated Books of 2013. From this list, I picked Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, a book I was in fact already reading.
The extremely original plot of Life After Life, in which a woman repeatedly is born and dies, is what originally piqued my interest. In addition, the story is historical fiction, set in the same general period as the very popular Downton Abbey television series and also features the English upper class and their servants. Because I am a fan of that show, I found that aspect of the book appealing. I also loved the dark humor that was a prominent feature of the book.
The story begins in 1910 when Ursula Todd is born in a small English village. But the umbilical cord is wrapped around her neck and immediately, she dies, only to be reborn again and again. She dies repeatedly in different ways, correcting her "mistakes" along the way as she gradually becomes aware of her situation. The picture of English life in the first half of the 19th century was beautifully rendered; the war scenes of London during the second World War were poignant and illuminating. I highly recommend this book.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Week 5, Assignment 2
I am new to the website Early Word - The "Books and TV" category was very interesting. The connections between TV shows and books were fascinating. I can see that it would be useful for customers who want to delve deeper into the background behind a certain topic or individual featured on a radio program or tv show. An example is the HBO film Behind the Candelabra, the story of entertainer Liberace and the 1988 book Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace. Terry Gross interviewed the director Steven Soderbergh on NPR’s Fresh Air, and he explained that he'd been inspired by the book. I especially liked the "New Title Radar" section and the "Nancy Pearl Book Lust" resource, also. I will probably use all three of these in the future.
I am new to the website Early Word - The "Books and TV" category was very interesting. The connections between TV shows and books were fascinating. I can see that it would be useful for customers who want to delve deeper into the background behind a certain topic or individual featured on a radio program or tv show. An example is the HBO film Behind the Candelabra, the story of entertainer Liberace and the 1988 book Behind the Candelabra: My Life with Liberace. Terry Gross interviewed the director Steven Soderbergh on NPR’s Fresh Air, and he explained that he'd been inspired by the book. I especially liked the "New Title Radar" section and the "Nancy Pearl Book Lust" resource, also. I will probably use all three of these in the future.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Week 5, Assignment 1:
Readers at my branch enjoy Urban Fiction, as well Romance, Thrillers and Adventure stories. I believe they're more likely to watch a movie first, then read the book.
I've been following NPR Books. Because I'm not a big fan of non-fiction, this source is helpful because it prominently features books that are connected with news events and therefore forces me to become aware of new non-fiction which is likely to be popular. Also, upcoming fiction that has some connection to recent news is included.
An example is Waiting to be Heard by Amanda Knox, a memoir of Knox's trial in Italy for the murder of her roommate. A nice feature is the link that allows one to hear the author being interviewed on NPR. Another example is an article about a newly-found Pearl Buck which is to be published this fall.
Readers at my branch enjoy Urban Fiction, as well Romance, Thrillers and Adventure stories. I believe they're more likely to watch a movie first, then read the book.
I've been following NPR Books. Because I'm not a big fan of non-fiction, this source is helpful because it prominently features books that are connected with news events and therefore forces me to become aware of new non-fiction which is likely to be popular. Also, upcoming fiction that has some connection to recent news is included.
An example is Waiting to be Heard by Amanda Knox, a memoir of Knox's trial in Italy for the murder of her roommate. A nice feature is the link that allows one to hear the author being interviewed on NPR. Another example is an article about a newly-found Pearl Buck which is to be published this fall.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Week 4: Assignment 1:
I joined Goodreads and had fun rating books in the areas of: Art; Contemporary; Fantasy; Fiction; Historical Fiction; Humor; Mystery; and Suspense. I looked at the Recommendations that were generating from these ratings and discovered quite a few additional books I want to read. I also started a "To-Read" shelf. In addition, I added several "Friends," and browsed through their ratings, recommendations, etc. I made book recommendations to "Friends" based on their ratings and favorites.
I explored Listopia and Explore in Goodreads. I found the Recommendations based on my ratings the most helpful tool in selecting possible books to read. Also helpful are the Recommendations which were generated from my "To Read" shelf.
I recommended a title to Lori Hench. (See below)
I joined Goodreads and had fun rating books in the areas of: Art; Contemporary; Fantasy; Fiction; Historical Fiction; Humor; Mystery; and Suspense. I looked at the Recommendations that were generating from these ratings and discovered quite a few additional books I want to read. I also started a "To-Read" shelf. In addition, I added several "Friends," and browsed through their ratings, recommendations, etc. I made book recommendations to "Friends" based on their ratings and favorites.
I explored Listopia and Explore in Goodreads. I found the Recommendations based on my ratings the most helpful tool in selecting possible books to read. Also helpful are the Recommendations which were generated from my "To Read" shelf.
I recommended a title to Lori Hench. (See below)
The Matchmaker of Périgord
by Julia Stuart
by Julia Stuart
you said: "This is another good book by Julia Stuart you might like, because you liked Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. It features quirky characters and a charming French village. The local barber is losing business because his clients are becoming older and balder, so he decides to become the town matchmaker. Much hilarity results. "
Friday, May 10, 2013
Week 3, Assignment 3, Conversation 3
This reader likes non-fiction, especially stories about nature, travel, adventure and history. I am recommending two books. The first is The Worst Journey in the World: Antarctic, 1910-1913 by Apsley Cherry-Garrard. The author was the only survivor of Scott's Antarctic expedition and a member of the rescue party who later found the remains of the ill-fated adventurers. The book is rich with details of scientific discovery and incidents of courage in the face of a harsh and unrelenting climate.
The second book is another arctic story: Fatal North: Murder and survival on the First North Pole Expedition by Bruce Henderson. The story begins as the Civil War ends, and America begins its first attempt to reach the North Pole. The expedition ends with the suspicious death of Captain Charles Hall and the abandonment of the ship by the quarreling scientists and crew. After the ship eventually sinks, the 33 survivors must struggle to survive on the polar ice until they are dramatically rescued by whaling ships. The mystery of the captain's death is not solved for another one hundred years, when forensic scientists reached a surprising conclusion.
This reader likes non-fiction, especially stories about nature, travel, adventure and history. I am recommending two books. The first is The Worst Journey in the World: Antarctic, 1910-1913 by Apsley Cherry-Garrard. The author was the only survivor of Scott's Antarctic expedition and a member of the rescue party who later found the remains of the ill-fated adventurers. The book is rich with details of scientific discovery and incidents of courage in the face of a harsh and unrelenting climate.
The second book is another arctic story: Fatal North: Murder and survival on the First North Pole Expedition by Bruce Henderson. The story begins as the Civil War ends, and America begins its first attempt to reach the North Pole. The expedition ends with the suspicious death of Captain Charles Hall and the abandonment of the ship by the quarreling scientists and crew. After the ship eventually sinks, the 33 survivors must struggle to survive on the polar ice until they are dramatically rescued by whaling ships. The mystery of the captain's death is not solved for another one hundred years, when forensic scientists reached a surprising conclusion.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Week 3, Assignment 3, Conversation 2
For this customer, who wants a vampire book that is not similar to the Twilight series, I am recommending Death Warmed Over: Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. by Kevin J. Anderson. This customer does not want romance. He wants a fast-paced story without a lot of emotion. The Death Warmed Over book is a guy-friendly (although the customer may be male or female) story about a zombie who works with a human lawyer as his partner in his detective agency. Although the main character is not a vampire, many vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts are involved in the plot. Moreover, in this story the author is able to create a rare blend of action and urban fantasy/horror and comedy.
For this customer, who wants a vampire book that is not similar to the Twilight series, I am recommending Death Warmed Over: Dan Shamble, Zombie P.I. by Kevin J. Anderson. This customer does not want romance. He wants a fast-paced story without a lot of emotion. The Death Warmed Over book is a guy-friendly (although the customer may be male or female) story about a zombie who works with a human lawyer as his partner in his detective agency. Although the main character is not a vampire, many vampires, werewolves, witches, ghosts are involved in the plot. Moreover, in this story the author is able to create a rare blend of action and urban fantasy/horror and comedy.
Week 3, Assignment 3
Conversation 1
For this customer, who liked the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, I am recommending the book And I Shall Have Some Peace There: Trading in the Fast Lane For My Own Dirt Road by Margaret Roach. The customer liked the self-discovery aspect of Eat, Pray, Love, which is also a factor found in many of the "Oprah picks." She also liked learning about a woman who was "interesting" and 'brave."
The author Margaret Roach is a former Martha Stewart Living staff member who gives up her hectic life and moves to her vacation home in upstate New York with the hope of living a "more authentic life" by connecting with her garden and nature. Her book is a self-discovery journey without the travel.
Conversation 1
For this customer, who liked the book Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, I am recommending the book And I Shall Have Some Peace There: Trading in the Fast Lane For My Own Dirt Road by Margaret Roach. The customer liked the self-discovery aspect of Eat, Pray, Love, which is also a factor found in many of the "Oprah picks." She also liked learning about a woman who was "interesting" and 'brave."
The author Margaret Roach is a former Martha Stewart Living staff member who gives up her hectic life and moves to her vacation home in upstate New York with the hope of living a "more authentic life" by connecting with her garden and nature. Her book is a self-discovery journey without the travel.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Week 2 Book Annotations
1. Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey, published 1950.
This is a book I read many years ago and am now rereading. Josephine Tey is a well-known British mystery author who wrote during the "golden age" of British mystery writing, from 1920 to 1950.
The story is rather unusual because it is both a "cozy" mystery, without overt violence, and yet extremely suspenseful.
There is a great deal of well-written dialogue, which moves the story forward at a rapid pace.
The setting is an English country estate, Latchetts, in the time period of post-WWII war Great Britain.
The plot centers on a long-missing heir, the elder of twin brothers, who was thought to have drowned himself at the age of thirteen. Then a stranger, Brat Farrar, appears, looking remarkably like the missing heir and claiming to be him. He's been coached in this deception, but not all is as it appears; the many plot twists and turns make for a riveting plot.
The book portrays life on an English country estate in the 1940s. Further details of the family's horse breeding and racing business add richness to the story.
Most interesting was the character development, as Brat becomes emotionally involved with the family and suffers guilt pangs as he proceeds with the deception of the Ashby family.
2. The Widower's Tale by Julia Glass, published 2010.
This is a book I recommended to my book group. Reviews stated that the book is "beautifully paced," as the story unfolds quickly enough to hold one's interest, and at the same time, leisurely enough to allow for a great deal of character development. The narrator is New Englander Percy Darling, a 70-year-old retired university librarian who views his life and routine as pretty well set and established as he plans to live out his retirement in the historic home he's owned for decades. However, surprising developments in several areas of his life, including a new romantic interest, conflicts with his children and community members, and long-hidden guilt over his wife's untimely death 30 years earlier, all serve to create an intriguing plot. Several thought-provoking issues are raised - immigration, eco-terrorism, social class - and the book becomes increasingly complex and suspenseful.
1. Brat Farrar by Josephine Tey, published 1950.
This is a book I read many years ago and am now rereading. Josephine Tey is a well-known British mystery author who wrote during the "golden age" of British mystery writing, from 1920 to 1950.
The story is rather unusual because it is both a "cozy" mystery, without overt violence, and yet extremely suspenseful.
There is a great deal of well-written dialogue, which moves the story forward at a rapid pace.
The setting is an English country estate, Latchetts, in the time period of post-WWII war Great Britain.
The plot centers on a long-missing heir, the elder of twin brothers, who was thought to have drowned himself at the age of thirteen. Then a stranger, Brat Farrar, appears, looking remarkably like the missing heir and claiming to be him. He's been coached in this deception, but not all is as it appears; the many plot twists and turns make for a riveting plot.
The book portrays life on an English country estate in the 1940s. Further details of the family's horse breeding and racing business add richness to the story.
Most interesting was the character development, as Brat becomes emotionally involved with the family and suffers guilt pangs as he proceeds with the deception of the Ashby family.
2. The Widower's Tale by Julia Glass, published 2010.
This is a book I recommended to my book group. Reviews stated that the book is "beautifully paced," as the story unfolds quickly enough to hold one's interest, and at the same time, leisurely enough to allow for a great deal of character development. The narrator is New Englander Percy Darling, a 70-year-old retired university librarian who views his life and routine as pretty well set and established as he plans to live out his retirement in the historic home he's owned for decades. However, surprising developments in several areas of his life, including a new romantic interest, conflicts with his children and community members, and long-hidden guilt over his wife's untimely death 30 years earlier, all serve to create an intriguing plot. Several thought-provoking issues are raised - immigration, eco-terrorism, social class - and the book becomes increasingly complex and suspenseful.
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