Week 8

Assignment 3:

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis

Found in the Biography section at BCPL and 796.332 Sports, American football at a different library system

A Walk in the Woods, Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, by Bill Bryson

917.4 North America, travel

In Cold Blood, by Truman Capote

364.152 Crime, homicide

Napoleon’s Buttons, How Seventeen Molecules Changed History, by Penny LeCouteur

540.9 Science, chemistry

Assignment 4:

The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis will appeal to readers inspired by individuals who overcome poverty.  It is a bonus if you love football.  If you hate football, this probably isn’t the book for you.

The book details the life of Michael Oher, a tremendous athlete who is ultimately drafted into the NFL.  Oher’s life is unusual not only for the extremely difficult circumstances that he is able to overcome through hard work, the help of his adoptive family, and the luck of the circumstances that brought them together but also because he had never even thought about, much less played, football until high school. 

Through Oher’s journey, the book covers many of the nuances associated with NCAA football and much of the politics that go along with Division I colleges and their athletes.   Finally, it looks at how football has evolved to make the left tackle (what Oher is) one of the highest paid players in professional football. 

If this sounds like a lot, it is, but the writing style intertwines all these subjects to make it an engaging and informative read.

 A Walk in the Woods, Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, by Bill Bryson, is an entertaining, lighthearted romp through the woods and will therefore appeal to readers who enjoy humor.  

It is not a guide book about specifics of what you will need to take with you – aside from your fitness – but rather  a tale of the author’s trip, including the personalities of his long ago friend who accompanies him and the variety of people they meet along the way.  Bryson deftly includes his own reasons for embarking on the journey and his struggles and triumphs as he goes.  He weaves relevant history of the Appalachian Trail as well as reasons for conservation into his narrative.  Bryson is a treat to read as he sees the world with humor, even when times are difficult.    

Week 7

Assignment 2:
New Adult: Needless Marketing-Speak or Valued Subgenre?

It doesn't matter to me when the term “new adult” began being used, but for library services, I believe it, or another term with similar meaning, is useful.  It doesn’t have much pizzazz but neither do most of our categories, they have just been around longer and maybe we are accustomed to them.  

Because teens develop so much between thirteen and nineteen, I believe the term is helpful.  It allows readers to find (or steer away from) books whose characters are in early adulthood and therefore may be dealing with more mature content.  

 

YA Comes of Age doesn’t seem to shed any new light, perhaps because it was written four years ago.  I think it is wonderful that adults read so much young adult literature not only because there is some great material but also because it is nice to have something to share with a younger generation.  As our culture shifts, it sometimes seems that we share less with people who are not our age.  Reading the same book can create a connection. 

As far as what sells, I suppose someone will keep writing whatever people have an appetite to buy or borrow. 




Assignment 3:
Forever Young Adult caters to adults who like YA and romance.  As the website says, “you can let your inner Lady Nerd loose and swoon over fictional characters without shame (while sipping on a cocktail).”  It is meant to be informative as well as entertaining and amusing.  It shares Book Reports, book club lists (that link to active groups), movie information and more. 

The Book Reports as they are called are quite detailed, beginning with the cover and continuing on rating “talky talk,” “swoonworthy scale,” and more.  Each category has a rating and a blurb.  Anyone can submit a review to Forever Young Adult but they won’t guarantee it will be posted.  The authors of the Reports vary, including reviewers from Kirkus. 

For someone who enjoys this type of fiction and wants to be a part of a community, this site will be a great find!

  

John Green Books is a wonderful resource and easy to navigate.  It includes all the ordinary author information plus a lot more.  For each of his books, there are answers to many questions that he has been asked about his ideas and characters.  Also included is “Vlogbrothers” which is a video blog often done with his brother.  These are eclectic pieces covering a variety of topics that inspire curiosity and mindfulness as well as just plain fun.  They often deal with the everyday world and the interactions we have.  I have known he is a great author, I can now see why people “follow” John Greene.

Assignment 4:


After looking at the Penguin and Macmillan imprints, the trend in teen fiction continues to include dystopian, science fiction, and realistic fiction.  What I find surprising, is the lack of teen and young adult that that have no romantic ties.