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.

    

Week 6

Genre Link:

Street Fiction is dedicated to promoting urban fiction, mostly free of charge.  It includes information for readers such as lists of sub-genres and reviews of popular titles and author interviews as well as information for writers.  The site will post a book cover, back of the book text (or equivalent), and a URL to where the book can be purchased for any material, including self-published work.   This may make it helpful to find obscure titles.  There are also lists of publishers and writing tips.  For a fee, writers can submit a manuscript or published work for an “honest and detailed” review as well as get help with more specific writing questions.  

Subgenres:

Techno Thriller:  Story includes many details about the high technology in play; dire consequences are likely if the technology, that has either run amok or is being controlled by a shady or villainous character or characters, is not stopped.  Daemon by Daniel Suarez; Digital Fortress by Dan Brown; Reamde by Neal Stephenson.

Beach Reads (Realistic Fiction):  The book is a quick and engaging read (you haven’t lost everything if get distracted briefly); often includes family dynamics and or romance.  Summer Heat by Forbes Arnone;  Nantucket Sisters, Nancy Thayer; Elin Hilderbrand.

Steampunk Science Fiction:  Some describe it as Victorian Science Fiction (referencing the time period, not the culture); incorporates technology (steam power) and aesthetic from the 19^th century then bumps it up to Science Fiction.  Ink the Bone, Rachel Caine; The Watchmaker of Filigree Street, Natasha Pulley; Steampunk:  Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley.  

Week 5

I have been following Salon Books since Week 1.  Salon’s audience gets information on books that are often nonfiction and about current political and social topics as well as artists and historical figures that were influential in their time.  While I found much of the information interesting, for my branch and the questions I frequently get, the information I gained will not be particularly useful.   

The portions of EarlyWord that I will find most useful are the Titles to Know and Recommend and the Early Word Kids.  However, now that I have had a chance to browse, I realize just how much information can be reached from the site.  It is convenient to have easy access to one of the many lists that are put out by publishers and consumer media outlets.  I am also glad to have a place to go to see what books have recently become movies and, although I may never take advantage of the Author Chats, I think it is great to have access.         

Days of Awe by Lauren Fox will appeal to many as it follows a woman’s journey through life from “having it all,” marriage, motherhood, and great friends, to losing much and learning to live on anyway.  The characters are well developed and likable and the tone is both funny and moving as we come to realize, from a woman's perspective, what is “really” important.  

Week 4

Book Recommendations:

If you liked the Cat In the Hat, you might also like Put Me In the Zoo by Robert Lopshire. The story is fun and the illustrations are colorful and clear. The language includes rhyme and predictability. This all adds up to an engaging read aloud or beginning independent read. It could also be used for color concepts

If you liked Matilda, you might also like Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren.  It is a humorous fantasy about an ordinary boy and girl and their neighbor, Pippi, who lives with her animals – a horse and a monkey - but no adults.  Pippi is independent, logical, strong, and kind.  There are many adventures.  The original book was published in 1945.  There is also an “updated” version which I have not read.

Goodreads Impressions:

I had made a Good Reads account some time ago but never really looked at it.  Having now explored the site, I can see that it may be very useful.  I can use it to track my reading so I can find/remember specific titles.  Also, if I know a “friend” that is very familiar with a certain genre and that’s what I am looking for, I can look on their shelf or at their reviews.   The different lists on the site can also be useful and quizzes and trivia are always fun and informative.  One does need to remember that Good Reads is only one community of readers: the ones that take the time to go online and rate or write about the books they read.  There are a lot of other readers out there that include many of our patrons.

Week 3

Conversation 1:

I looked for a book where personal journey was central.  Because, among other things, the reader seemed to enjoy the language and tone in Eat, Pray, Love, I recommend Committed, also by Elizabeth Gilbert.  It continues the story she so enjoyed but can be read alone.  Because some readers do not like to read sequels separately and she is looking for a book club book, I would also recommend Traveling with Pomegranates.  It includes the reflective, personal journey as well as travel.  My concern is the pace, however, as a book club book there will be much to think about and discuss with the perspective of both a mother and daughter.  

Conversation 2:

Requirements:  not like Twilight and not a love story.  I recommend The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.  Because I am unsure of the readers age and Twilight is the benchmark, I chose an adult book that Novelist Plus lists as "adult books for young adults."  It is about vampires and not a love story.  It is fast paced and suspenseful with a good dose of "creepy" thrown in.  

Conversation 3:

I wanted to find a nonfiction wilderness expedition that was fast paced like The River of Doubt.  It needed to be harrowing but not necessarily include a murder.  I recommend Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko.  While the main character is not a household name, Kenton Grua, was a legendary guide on the Colorado River.  The author, also a guide, is able to tell the thrilling tale of what happened after a damn failure sent more water than ever down the Colorado River and Grua and his crew work to take the fastest ride in the history of running the river. 

Week 2

Lunatics

 by Dave Barry and Alen Zweibel

Lunatics is a funny, fast paced, satirical look at what happens when two “soccer dads” with completely different outlooks on the world collide.  The story is told in their alternating voices: Horkman, a down to earth idealist and Peckerman, convinced the world is populated with only “as#*%”, except of course himself.  What begins as one unfortunate, although not uncommon, incident at a children’s soccer game, blossoms into a madcap race around the world – together – working to stay ahead of disaster.  They wind up in the midst of major events in many of the world’s political hot spots and are the centerpiece of all sorts of unwanted attention.        

All God's Children Need Traveling Shoes

By Maya Angelou

Although All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes is the fifth volume of Angelou’s autobiographical series, it can be thoroughly enjoyed as a standalone.  It begins when she is 33 years old and chronicles her time spent in recently independent Ghana.  The narrative eloquently discusses the complexities of being a black American in Africa in the early 1960s as well as a mother of a college age son, also in Ghana.  She deftly describes her emotions and surroundings which allow the reader to understand and appreciate her perspective and get a feeling for the places she spends time.  

Nineteen Minutes

By Jodi Picoult

The story takes place in small town U.S.A.; the title referring to the nineteen minutes it took for a high school shooting to change lives forever.  It begins with the shooting, then, as the aftermath unfolds, takes an in depth look back at the characters’ lives leading up to the fateful day.  This allows the reader to glimpse life from a variety of perspectives that leaves them thinking.  The language is clear and the story moves at a good pace.