Reading: My Forever Love

WEEK SIXTEEN PROMPT

First, how have reading and books changed since you were a child, for you specifically? Second, talk a little about what you see in the future for reading, books, or publishing - say 20 years from now. Will we read more or less, will our reading become more interactive? What will happen to traditional publishing?

Reading hasn't changed much for me except in content and format. I have loved reading since I was very young. My mom is a prolific reader, and my parents read to me every night as a little kid. With my mom being a librarian, she knew all the good books for us to read, and I always had the inside scoop. I never dropped off as a reader like some teens do. It seems like as people get busier with driving, dating, sports, etc. they stop reading. Not me. I absolutely cannot sleep without reading first. I may only get through one paragraph, but darn it, I'm reading. I used to read more romance novels and horror books (especially as a teen), but I got into fantasy in college. When I would read a scary book, I would hide it in a drawer because I was worried the cover art or words would get inside my dreams. Looking back now, I might have been too young to read those books. I read Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings in college and haven't looked back. I still prefer fantasy over most genres. As an adult I've started liking darker books again, but more because of the the survival stories they can be. I like thinking about what it takes to survive in difficult circumstances. The only other real change has been the eBook. I never thought I would read an electronic book, but I now get mad when a book isn't available as an eBook. My Kindle is my constant companion. I still read constantly, just different types and in a different way.

Something I never think about as "reading" is Twitter, but I read so many articles and news stories on there that I wouldn't have before. I think reading has increased more than ever. I'm not sure about fiction reading, but there are different types of reading. Reading is definitely more interactive. I love that I can look up words on my Kindle and even quickly search about a topic I've never heard about. I often find myself looking something up I saw in a story and then end up in a black hole of knowledge. I get sucked in and can't stop reading! I think there is still a need for traditional publishing because, weirdly enough, teens prefer reading print. I've tried to get them moved to eBooks, but they are more hesitant than adults about the switch. One teen told me that she is on her device all the time as it is, so a book feels like an escape. Overall, I think that's the point. As long as people are escaping, whether that's through Twitter articles, print books, or their e-readers, the heart of reading still exists.

Tweet Tweet: Marketing Fiction

WEEK FIFTEEN PROMPT

What do you think are the best ways to market your library's fiction collection? Name and describe three ways you do or would like to market your library or your future library's fiction. These can be tools, programs, services, displays - anything that you see as getting the word out.

1. I think the first way would be with a library twitter account. We could even have a separate one for fiction. I have been working on getting word out for what we are doing in my school library by posting it on Twitter (@gcbookworm). This works for my teen patrons, and with a lot of adults on Twitter now, this tool can really help with promoting new books, programs, and more. I think one of the most important parts of marketing is knowing how to reach your target audience. With so many people on Twitter, it can't hurt to have them follow us to see what they might like to read. It's an easy, passive way to find out about new books. They don't have to go to the website or library; they just look at their phone, and we show up in their timeline. It would be a sneak book rec!
2. Another way would be with a Facebook group/page. I helped some friends find books for the Lab A assignment, and they are loving their books. They actually asked me to create a group/page on Facebook for other recommendations. They want to know what else is out there for them to read. Facebook is nice because, again, it's somewhat passive and very easy to use. The information shows up in their newsfeed without having to do extra searching. Adults are super busy, so the easier I can make finding new books, the better. This would work great for a public library because it's easy to update and patrons can "like" the page or join the group for more information about fiction.
3. The last way to market fiction would be in the library itself. Having displays that appeal to adults and ways for them to find the right book easily would be very helpful. I can't stress enough how busy adults are and how precious their time is to them. Coming into the library is enough of a battle, so if we make it even easier to find the right fiction book, I think they will be grateful.  I would like displays that combine print books on display, QR Codes for book lists, and bookmarks with other suggestions.  My display would need to meet all different types of patrons because adults have a wide range of abilities - some can't work with technology (book display and bookmarks) but some would be great with technology (QR Codes).  This combination is the best for adult fiction.

Tough Decisions: GLBTQ and African American Fiction

WEEK FOURTEEN PROMPT

Consider yourself part of the collection management committee of your local library, or a library at which you would like to work. You must decide whether or not to separate GBLTQ fiction and African American Fiction from the general collection to its own special place. Some patrons have requested this, yet many staff are uncomfortable with the idea - saying it promotes segregation and disrupts serendipitous discovery of an author who might be different from the reader. Do you separate them? Do you separate one and not the other? Why or why not?

This was a difficult prompt for me because I wasn't sure what would be best for the patrons.  I'm used to dealing with teen patrons in a school setting, so thinking about adults in a public setting changes things (at least in my mind).  I was glad for this week's readings because it helped to reinforce what I was thinking.  After a lot of debate, I say do not separate the GBLTQ fiction or African American fiction from the general collection.

The first reason I don't think they should be separate is because I think it would make people feel singled out. They would have to go a different section to find books that they can identify with, and if it is labeled loudly, people might be uncomfortable venturing into that section. Many people aren't as open about what they like to read about (I know I'm not), so I can imagine the controversial GBLTQ topic can be intimidating. Walking into the African American section if you aren't African American might also be a little daunting. This would limit who actually reads these books. The library should be a judgement-free zone, but if we separate sections based on ethnicity or sexual preferences, what are we saying? What is the most important part of the book? The story should already fall into a main genre (horror, realistic, comedy, romance, etc.). Why don't we label all books this way?

The second reason not to separate is that I feel people might miss out on other authors or titles if they had to go to a separate section. Browsing the shelves is part of what makes a library great. If we take that opportunity away from patrons, I know they will miss out on non-GLBTQ and African American titles they might love. I'm female, but I don't always want to read books with a female main character. What if the library was split up into genders? I wouldn't like that at all.

The last reason connects to the second but it's for the rest of the patrons. What if someone stumbles across a book that sounds interesting, and it just so happens to be a GLBTQ book? Who are we to stop them from broadening their horizons? They would never walk into a separate section, but they choose books that seem interesting. No one wants a stigma along with their reading choices. I think not separating these sections makes more sense because it will connect to the most readers. To help people find GBLTQ or African American books, we can create lists or guides for when they come in the library or look online. These guides can help them find books but it doesn't limit them.  The goal of a library is to meet the needs of its patrons, and I think this solution works best for everyone.

YA for Adults

The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider
Katherine Tegen Books; 2013
Young Adult (Adult Crossover)

Ezra Faulkner's middle school best friend Toby catches a decapitated head on a roller coaster during his twelfth birthday celebration at Disneyland. Labeled a misfit because of this tragedy, Toby and Ezra drift apart as the story fast forwards to Ezra's life as a 17-year-old. Ezra realizes Toby's tragedy didn't have to end their friendship, but he didn't do anything to change it. When Ezra has his personal tragedy at the start of his senior year, it comes when he least expects it; he's ridiculously popular, a celebrated athlete, and gets good grades and hot girls. His girlfriend cheats on him, he gets into a bad car accident which ends his tennis career, and loses his place among popular royalty. What do you do when everything has to start again? A mysterious girl named Cassidy comes into the story and makes Ezra wonder if this is the beginning of everything.

The detailed character descriptions and realistic teenage dialogue push the story along at a fast pace. You feel the pain and loss of Ezra's tragedy and the remorse he feels for his failed friendship with Toby. We all make poor decisions, and this story helps us see the repercussions but also the new paths that open up after a tragedy. I cannot tell you enough how much I loved this story. I laughed, I cried, and I saw my own teenage stupidity. Schneider shows us that life goes on, but not in the way we originally thought.

READ-A-LIKES (click the link for Amazon)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

St. Martin's Griffin; 2013

Looking for Alaska by John Green

Speak; 2006

Winger by Andrew Smith

Simon & Schuster; 2013

YA? Y Not?

WEEK THIRTEEN PROMPT

I can't believe adults don't read YA novels or have to be convinced to read them.  YA books are so well-written and engaging.  YA authors know they have to win over the most difficult of readers: teens.  As a result, their books are entertaining, relevant, and believable.  When I was a teen, this genre didn't exist.  We had a few books that were quality literature for our age, but most of the books I read were written for adults.  I actually prefer to read YA books now because I know they will be quick and accessible.  I sometimes feel like books written for adults can be intimidating.  It's almost like they are trying too hard to be smart.  I don't want a book that makes my head hurt; I want to be entertained.  With the quality of YA literature out there, I can't stop reading it.  I admit that I have had to convince some of my friends or teacher colleagues to read some of the books I'm reading, but they are almost always happy.  The biggest YA crossover author (in my mind) is John Green.  His books are pure relatable genius.  I highlight constantly because he has so many meaningful passages.  He understands what it is to be a teen - and, deep down, we still have that teen in us.  I know when I read his books, I remember who I used to be and it all makes more sense now.  I have no problem suggesting YA books to adults and, in fact, would prefer it :)

As for graphic novels, these have been a newer addition to my high school's library, so I know adults might not realize the value in them.  Our students have grabbed onto them quickly, and I would definitely suggest graphic novels to adults who asked for new books to read.  With so many TV show and movie inspired graphic novels, they can be easy to recommend.  "Game of Thrones," "The Walking Dead," Watchmen, and V for Vendetta to name a few.  In some cases the graphic novel/comic came first, but some of the others it was the reverse.  This article about "Game of Thrones" explains why some may read the graphic novel but not the actual novel. ("A Game of Thrones" by Mark Flowers)

The last genre, street lit, would not be something many people would ask for in my school or public libraries because of our demographic, but I can see the appeal.  Like I mentioned on the YA paragraph, people want relatable reading material.  If someone asked for the topics you mentioned, I would be sure to find street lit to fit their needs.

Ultimately the goal is to get people reading books they like.  The relatable topics of the street lit and YA genres will attract adults, and the sophistication of the artwork and storyline in graphic novels will have them coming back for more.

The Birds! The Birds!

The Bird Eater by Ania Ahlborn
47North; 01 April 2014
Horror

I don't typically read horror books because they sit in my brain too long, but my sister shared this book with me, and I couldn't put it down.

The story of the Holbrook House starts with the mysterious death of young Aaron's aunt. She is waiting for him to return home from school and hears a noise in the hall and then upstairs.  When she goes to investigate, she finds a young boy with a bloody smile.  This boy plays a major role in her death and, in turn, the rest of the story. We find out that Aaron's mother and uncle died in the house  too. Aaron returns 20 years after his aunt's death to clean up the house in order to sell it.  Aaron's life has been one nightmarish event after another and even though he reunites with his childhood friends, the feeling of dread never leaves him or the reader.  His addiction to pills and alcohol make him wonder if the young boy following him around town and watching him through the windows of Holbrook House is real.  Aaron's depression spirals out of control, and he becomes affected by the strangely multiplying birds and the prankster little boy.  Sucked into the story because of Aaron's weight loss and lack of sleep, his friends try to help him deal with his internal and external problems, but it might just be too late.

The imagery and details of this story linger for hours after closing the book.  Ahlborn describes a twisted young boy whose actions show no remorse and his treatment of birds is even scarier.  The most terrifying part of the story is Aaron's struggle to stay sane.  You are rooting so much for his success that his nightmares become yours.  Aaron has redeeming qualities but his life's events have shattered him so deeply that he is easily persuaded by the demonic little boy.  Learning about his past allows us to realize the repercussions of the reunion between Aaron and his first love.  The end of the story is not the end, but rather the beginning of maybe another story.

READ-A-LIKES (click the link for Amazon)

The Shuddering by Ania Ahlborn

47North; 2013

The Waiting by Joe Hart

Black Spine Books; 2013

The Weight of Blood by Laura McHugh

Spiegel & Grau; 2014

The Matrix: Readers' Advisory

WEEK TWELVE PROMPT

Readers' Advisory Matrix for She Got Up Off the Couch and Other Heroic Acts from Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel.

• Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
• Highly narrative (reads like fiction)
• What is the subject of the book?
• This book is about Haven Kimmel's mother and her life in rural Indiana.  We first met Delonda in Kimmel's first book A Girl Named Zippy, and in this book, we see her mom get off the couch and change her life.
• What type of book is it?
• A memoir written in chapter vignettes
• Articulate Appeal
• What is the pacing of the book?
• The story is a narrative so it unfolds very quickly.  Each chapter reads separately but all together creates the picture of the family.
• Describe the characters of the book.
• Haven uses the family member descriptions to drive the story.  The main characters are Zippy (Haven), Delonda Jarvis (her mom), Bob Jarvis (her dad), Melinda (her sister), and Dan (her brother).  There are other characters that flavor the story, but the main part is about her family...especially her mom in this story.
• How does the story feel?
• Funny, touching, and reflective
• What is the intent of the story?
• Sharing her family's experience and telling her mother's story
• Does the language matter?
• Yes.  The language is unique to Haven's writing style.
• Is the setting important and well described?
• Very.  Her descriptions of growing up in small-town Indiana make her story different than others.
• Are there details and, if so, of what?
• The details are about the characters and setting.
• Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
• Doesn't apply, but there are great pictures for each chapter that showcase the subject of that particular chapter.
• Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
• We learn about what her mother goes through and her difficulties changing her life.
• Why would a reader enjoy this book?
• Humor
• Family Stories
• Tone

A Book By Any Other Name: Ebooks and Audiobooks

WEEK ELEVEN PROMPT

When I first started reading ebooks, I was very hesitant.  I never thought I would prefer my e-reader to an actual book that I could hold in my hand and smell the pages.  After reading a few ebooks, I really can't stand when I have to read a print book.  I get irritated by the weight of the book and how hard it is to keep open while laying in bed.  As an avid fiction reader, I don't think any of the appeals are missing from my ebook experience.  I still fall easily into the story and get attached to the characters.  I think the drawback would be with the nonfiction genre.  Pictures, graphs, etc. aren't as friendly on the Kindle e-reader.  Reading on an iPad/tablet might be different because it is more like a computer, but my Kindle doesn't do graphics very well.  It looks beautiful as a page in a book though.  I love the editable features of ebooks.  Being able to manipulate the text and highlight passages without (gasp!) ruining the book make it so much better for me.  I would have never written in a book not for school, but now I highlight passages and look up words like a scholar :)  I think this adds to reading a genre because you can understand a book even better.  You may be too lazy to look up a word you don't know, but if you can tap a word and find out the definition, anyone would do that.

As for audiobooks, I absolutely want to like them, but I don't.  I am too much of a visual person to follow along with the story.  I tried listening on a long commute, but I found myself 40 minutes into the drive and realized I had tuned out the entire story.  I get too distracted to listen to audiobooks.  I know there are people who love them, so I will talk about their appeal.  They are great because you can hear the inflection which can be important in the more fast-paced genres.  It wouldn't be good for nonfiction because, much like ebooks, the pictures would be nonexistent.  Narrator is everything for audiobooks, and I know my grandma loves when the author reads his/her own book.  We always look to buy her those gems for her birthday and Christmas.  Overall, I think ebooks and audiobooks still appeal to readers and have their own appeal.  I prefer reading on my e-reader because it is lightweight and backlit, and my grandma likes audiobooks because she doesn't see well.  Reading is reading in my book :)

The Hobbit: There and Back Again...and Again and Again

The Hobbit: There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; 1997
(Classic) Fantasy

A familiar story to some, Tolkien's novel starts with Bilbo Baggins, a comfortable hobbit. Hobbits do not travel and definitely do not go on adventures: they do live simple lives.  When the wizard Gandalf unexpectedly visits Bilbo, everything changes in a blink.  Bilbo resists the idea of traveling, but when a large group of dwarves takes over his home, he can't help but be intrigued.  Following at last, Bilbo joins the company and takes off on a journey to defeat the dragon Smaug and take back the dwarves' home.  He meets many dangerous creatures along the way and even finds a magical ring.

Tolkien takes us on a journey through his made-up land of Middle-earth.  Filled with magic, dwarves, trolls, dragons, and wizards, The Hobbit lets us relive the fantasy of our childhood when we wished magic was real.  The sweeping landscape starts with the small Hobbit village and continues through forests, caves, and more.  The descriptions paint the picture of a fantastical place.  If you like adventure and magic wrapped into one story, then this book will be good for you.  I read it when I was much younger, but I often revisit it because the adventure never ends in my mind.  The Hobbit: There and Back Again...and Again and Again.  You won't want it to stop.  Good news is that it doesn't end there because Tolkien continued this story in The Lord of the Rings.  I don't know about you, but I love getting to keep characters for more than one book :)

READ-A-LIKES (click the link for Amazon)

Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Bantam; 1997

The Once and Future King by T.H. White

Ace; 1987

The Golden Compass: His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

Laurel Leaf; 2003

Time-Traveling Scottish Romance

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Dell; 1992
Historical (Romance) Fiction

Oh, this book.  First off, let me share that this series (yes, it's a series!) is currently being made into a STARZ Original series, and I can't flipping wait.  I decided I would review this novel as a way to encourage more people to read it before the series starts on TV.

On to the review.  Gabaldon's novel starts in 1945 with Claire Randall, a former British combat nurse, enjoying her second honeymoon with her husband in Scotland.  She is walking one night when she leans upon an old rock.  Unbeknownst to her, this rock is something more.  Part of an ancient stone circle, Claire leans and falls into the past.  She is transported back in time to 1743 - a time when Scotland is war-torn and being British is very bad.  Discovered by an untamed Scotsman, James Fraser, Claire quickly falls into deeper trouble.  She now has a husband in the future and a lover in the past.

I don't always fall in love with the characters I read, but Diana Gabaldon creates characters you can actually feel.  Although a long book by anyone's standards at 850 pages (not, however, too long for historical fiction), Outlander's pages fly by.  Gabaldon takes her time when laying out the details of the story, so you get to know the characters and become deeply invested in their story.  The description of the Scottish setting and 1743 time period make you feel that you are in the story with them.  Jamie is definitely a product of tumultuous Scotland and his world affects Claire when she falls back in time.  I laughed, cried, and my heart definitely fluttered.  If you aren't blushing when Jamie whispers to Claire in his Scottish accent, then you're not reading it correctly.  I can't wait to see if the passion that burns on the page can be translated to the screen.  This is a MUST READ and hopefully a must see.  Have the second book ready to go because you won't want to wait!

READ-A-LIKES (click the link for Amazon)

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon (Book 2)

Delta; 2001 (reprint)

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

Penguin Books; 2011
Magic and history in one book!

11/22/63 by Stephen King

Gallery Books; 2012

Historical time-traveling

Special Topics: Genrification

Rearranging the Library: Dewey or Don't We?

Let me start the Dewey discussion by talking about my love for bookstores.  I truly miss them.  We don't have any nearby because of all the closures, so I can't stop to browse anymore.  I mean, I love an eBook and the library, but I LOVE book stores.  I love the way they smell, the hustle of shoppers, and the feel of a brand new book.  I know my blood pressure lowers when I walk in and browse the shelves.  I love bookstores for all those reasons, but I love them the most for how they are organized.  I like that when I walk in I see the bestsellers right up front.  I like that there are tables full of books pulled by themes.  I like that I can go to the fiction and find a science fiction book quickly because it has its own section.  What do I not like about libraries?  I have to know exactly what I want before I go there.  With bookstores, I can have an idea and browse until I find something wonderful.

When I started as a school librarian this year, I never thought about changing the setup of my libraries.  I was worried about appearance, ease of access, and a good collection.  I wanted to make the library student-friendly and a place teens want to go.  I bought new furniture, moved the circulation desk, painted, put in new carpet, changed the technology, and added flat screen TVs.  I was making it a place for teens to hang out and relax, but books still weren't being checked out.  I would make suggestions and help students find books, but they weren't browsing the shelves like I wanted them to.  I was at a loss for what I should do next.  Cue the Indiana Library Federation Conference.

I attended the 2013 ILF Conference and was inspired by the presentation made by teacher-librarians Sherry Gick, Kathy Burnette, and Megan Scott.  This "League of Librarians" discussed how to genre-fy the library in a step-by-step process.  They had data to prove the usefulness of the time-consuming change.  Sherry Gick shared that her circulation doubled in the first year, and 84% of  Megan's students liked the change on her end-of-the-year survey (Burnette).  I felt like this might be the solution to my problem.  I wanted to increase my circulation and meet the needs of the students.  Why not change my library to be more like a bookstore?

At first I was worried about time and manpower, but I figured out a plan and decided to start the process.  I knew that splitting the library up into genres would be better for my students.  It would help especially with my teen readers' advisory.  Most students come into the library with an idea of what they want. "Where can I find a book like Divergent?" or "I want a scary book."  With the current setup, I have to show them a variety of books from around the library.  I sometimes encourage them to use the online catalog, but that takes a little more time for them to search.  If the books were split into the genres already, they would be able to find more books based on what they are looking for.  Time wasn't mentioned in the ILF presentation, but many of my students come in during passing period and have a very limited amount of time to find books.  I can't do a personalized readers' advisory for each student during that short time, so I usually talk to one or two students and get them quickly checked out.  The other students hopefully find something to suit their needs.  With a genre-fied library, my students will be able to find a book much more quickly.  All around, I think my new setup will help the students and me.

I'm working on labeling the books right now and the next step will be to split them up into sections.  It's funny because my students have started asking about the labels and what they mean.  I'm even able to tell them, "Look for the pink labels if you want romance books."  They are already loving it, and I'm not close to finished!  I plan on including nonfiction in the new genre setup, but I will leave some of the nonfiction in its current location.  The spine labels will also stay the same: fiction will have F and the author's last name, and nonfiction will be labeled with the Dewey numbers.  Ultimately, I want what is best for my patrons.  If the new setup doesn't work, I will change it back, but I don't think the current setup is helping me circulate more books.  All I want to do is capture that feeling I used to have when walking into a bookstore.  If changing my library will help my students feel the same passion I do for books, I'm one step closer to my goal.

Works Cited

Burnette, Kathy, Sherry Gick and Megan Scott. "Genre-fying the Library One Shelf at a Time." Google Presentation. Indiana Library Federation Conference, Indianapolis, IN. 23 Oct. 2013.

James Patterson: Book Machine

WEEK SEVEN PROMPT

After reading the article "The James Patterson Business" by Jeff Zaleski, I have to say I'm surprised by how much criticism Patterson has taken over the years.  This article was published in 2002, so I know Patterson has continued to take hits over the past 12 years of his writing.  The criticism some readers have is that he is in the "business" of writing and therefore his writing suffers.  He uses co-authors and sees his writing as a brand that he needs to sell.  I don't understand how this is an issue.  As someone who has read and loves Patterson's books, I think the more the merrier!

Patterson's background in advertising gives him a unique take on publishing books.  He sees that people want familiarity.  It works in ads, so why wouldn't it work in books?  In the article, he classifies people as two different bookstore shoppers: the regulars and the in-and-out people.  He wants to be sure to appeal to both of those types.  If you keep a consistent cover and title art for each book, people immediately recognize and are comfortable with that author.  Changing it up makes it more difficult for people to find a book.  I totally agree with this philosophy.  If people think this mindset makes Patterson's writing suffer, then they don't have to buy his books.  The average reader wants an author and storyline they recognize without too much effort.  The more prolific reader might be more critical, but that's the beauty of choice.  As a librarian, I know that people want comfort.

What critics might forget is that this "advertising" style of writing isn't new.  We see this in children's writing all the time.  Once a child is introduced to a series of books, Clifford for example, they want nothing but that book!  I have a hard time suggesting other books to that child.  Thank goodness there are hundreds of Clifford books to choose from.  The same idea works for adults.  Once they like an author, a character, storyline, etc., they want more!  Patterson recognizes this want and provides for his readers.  If the books weren't any good, he wouldn't be able to see them.

Patterson has a newer series for middle school students, and I can't keep them on the shelf.  My nephew, who is in 6th grade, says nothing but awesome things about I Funny.  The books are hysterical, and Patterson seems to understand what middle school kids want to read.  These books are the next step past The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, and kids love them.  Students keep asking me when the next one is coming out.  I'm just glad Patterson is a book machine because I can always tell my students "soon."

Book Talk: First Grave on the Right

First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
St. Martin's Press, 2011
Paranormal Comedy Romance
___________________________________

BOOK TALK

What would you do if you saw dead people? What if you not only saw them, but they came running toward you like you're a donut and they're police officers?

Charley Davidson has this happen on a daily basis.  She is a part-time private investigator but a full-time grim reaper.  Charley sees dead people who want her to help solve their deaths.  Sucked into solving crime after crime would be easy if she got any sleep.  Her dreams are haunted by a hot entity who begs for more than the typical sleepover.  This entity has followed Charley her entire life, but does he want more?  Who is this mysterious and hot man?  What does he mean to Charley's grim reaper life?

A hysterical paranormal romance, Darynda Jones will have you snorting with laughter in the first paragraph and blushing in the next.  Charley's adventures will keep you guessing, and the unexpected romance will make you come back for more.

___________________________________

BAKER RESPONSE

I halfway agree with Baker's statement that you should "choose only books you have loved and actually read" for your book talks.  I don't think you need to have loved a book to book talk it.  I have done book talks and actually taught entire units on books I absolutely hated.  If you are good at writing book talks, you can make anything sound good.  I can admit that while I didn't like a book, that someone probably will.  Now, if a book has no redeemable qualities (poor writing, bad characters, offensive topics, etc.), I would never book talk it.  I will agree, however, that book talks are better if you loved the book.  The passion for the book can be seen and heard in your presentation.  Passion is the best seller.

For the second half of Baker's statement, I do think you need to have read the book.  If you haven't read it, how can you know what you're saying about a book is true?  It would almost be like false advertising.  I have suggested books for people that I haven't actually read, but I would never book talk one.  It would be too difficult of a sell and there wouldn't be any conviction behind what you are saying.

The Remaining Adventures

The Remaining by DJ Molles
ebook; 20 June 2012
Adventure

Here is my review for the much-maligned zombie book I used as the basis for my Secret Shopper assignment.  I only hope I can do this amazing and wonderful book justice.  I have loved the zombie culture since I started watching "The Walking Dead" and reading Jonathan Maberry's Rot & Ruin series.  Although they have zombies in the story, I actually love the adventure aspect.  Zombie-lit is fast-paced and creates situations for the characters to grow.  If you haven't tried it, don't knock it.  The biggest haters are the ones who don't know anything about it.  On to the book...

Molles' book is only available as an ebook, so you will need to read it on your favorite device.  Although technically a zombie book, this book is more about survival than anything else.  The main character, Lee Harden, is part of an exclusive special ops military group that is in charge of rebuilding the U.S. in case of a major terrorist attack.  Lee and other soldiers just like him are placed in a bunker during the threat and released if the threat ends.  If he doesn't have contact from his supervisor for 48 hours, he can read his mission.  After reading his mission, he must stay in the bunker for one month.  Although the "bunker" is actually a very comfortable underground house with all the comforts of home, it doesn't have windows and Lee quickly becomes stir crazy.  He keeps thinking about the mission - a sickness that has taken over the world - and wonders what might be going on above him.

A quick read, The Remaining shows us what could happen in the worst case scenario.  Lee is an insanely well-trained hero who still manages to make mistakes.  The reader connects to him because he is so human.  Molles' doesn't mess up the story with silly romance or excessive emotions.  The story is packed with details about the plague-ravaged world and Lee's reactions to his experiences.  His survival skills and training help him to become a natural leader, and his unquestioning loyalty to his country and mission is tested at every turn.  If you love this book as much as I did, don't worry because there are four books in the series and the fifth book will hopefully be out soon!

READ-A-LIKES (click the link for Amazon)

The Purge of Babylon: A Novel of Survival by Sam Sisavath

ebook, Road to Babylon Media; 5 July 2014

Patriots: Surviving the Coming Collapse by James Wesley Rawles

Ulyssess Press; 1 May 2009

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers; 2011

Ground Zero...Zero Story

KIRKUS REVIEW

Ground Zero: A Zombie Apocalypse, Nicholas Ryan

A generic take on the zombie genre, Nicholas Ryan delivers a little adventure with a large side of sexism in his novel Ground Zero: A Zombie Apocalypse.

The novel starts with a terrorist plot to kill Americans.  Ryan puts the reader in the moment and inside the mind of a middle-eastern terrorist.  The next part is a POV shift and Ryan "blinks" you in and out of the lives of people who die because of the infection.  These snapshots are vivid and contain everything it takes to be a zombie novel: graphic descriptions and gory deaths.  The reader meets survivors and that is where women's roles are revealed.  The women either die or are forced to offer sex to the men as a way to survive.  Ryan's female characters seem to have no survival skills beyond their sexual appeal.  Sexual encounters are repeated throughout the story, but the main character stays noble until the end.  Cutter tries to save people but has zero survival skills.  The ending of the story proves that the "hero" isn't immune to a women's sexual prowess after all.

Nicholas Ryan's misogynistic writing is only overshadowed by the lack of a finished plot.  What started out as a promising adventure story, ended with no additional references to the terrorist plot and female characters who feel they need to subjugate themselves to survive.

Book Reviews: To Buy Or Not To Buy?

WEEK FIVE PROMPT

I think book reviews have changed a lot over the last few years.  In the past, most people did not read or even have access to book reviews.  Unless you were a librarian, you weren't looking to see what the experts had to say about a book.  You grabbed a book from the shelf at your favorite book store, read the back or judged the cover, maybe asked the store clerk, and bought it.  You didn't need to know anything else.  Reviews were written by the untouchable elite, and the average person didn't have much in common with them.

That is no longer the case.  With the ability to blog and review online, as well as the demise of the book store, the average person can easily learn more about a book using the internet.  In a lot of cases, we no longer have the ability to touch a book before we buy it.  I order most of my books through Amazon, either as an ebook or to be delivered.  As a result, I am dependent on other people's reviews.  I can't flip through the book or read the back.  I can't ask the book store worker.  What do I do?  I scroll down to the reviews or go to my favorite book blog.  I really like Goodreads.  It gives me a chance to see book reviews and other shelf lists.  I even use it to help find books to order for my library.

To be honest, I get the Kirkus Review, but I can't bring myself to read it.  It's boring and doesn't keep my attention.  I much prefer the reviews of School Library Journal or Library Media Connection.  With my short attention span, I like that their reviews are shorter and have pictures.  Above everything, I use my ordering service to review books.  There's something about the ease of reading a good review and being able to add it directly to my shopping cart.  Reading reviews online eliminates a step in my ordering process.  I'm always looking to save time!  Books not being in professional review publications doesn't affect my buying at all.

The two reviews of Wallace's book are very different.  The first shorter entry isn't really a review.  It merely summarizes the story.  The second review is much better and actually gives the reader an idea of what to expect from the author.  We learn about the author's style of writing and how this affects the story.  A review like this gives us many of the "buzz" words we can search for.  We don't always make purchases based on plot.  A lot of times we are looking for literary style or story pacing.  Dr. Rosmarin's review is definitely more clear on these aspects.  They do not follow the guidelines of Erin's presentation, but I'm glad.  Her review guidelines had no personality!  I don't want long excerpts.  If I want to read excerpts, I will read the book.  I don't mind a quotation here or there, but please don't bog down a review with too much information.  I'm a "short and sweet" kind of person.

Another honest answer: I couldn't get through those reviews over Angela's Ashes.  At first I thought I opened the wrong document.  I couldn't believe how long they were!  Each one felt like its own book!  I couldn't believe the tone of the last review.  It seemed like it was against the book, but he recommends it at the end.  So confusing.  I probably would buy the book, but not because of those reviews. I read it and liked it.

As for the content of reviews, I don't think it's fair to limit reviews to only the good.  It's okay for people to express their opinions about a book.  I know it might seem unfair because people's opinions are a lot louder now that they can post on the internet, but that should only inspire writer's to write better.  There are always going to be negative people, but if the reviews for something are overwhelming negative, it gives me (the buyer) a better idea of what to expect.  If I only see good reviews, I might get the wrong idea and be disappointed with my purchase.  I think most books get reviewed in today's world.  It may not be by a professional publication, but someone, somewhere will write about it.  Because of the availability of reviews, I never struggle with what to buy.

Speaking of length...this is getting crazy.  I think I've answered everything and am stepping off my soap box :)

Secret Shopper Showdown

Yet another blog confession: I have never gone into the public library and asked for help finding a book.  I know this might seem like odd behavior, but I prefer to keep my reading habits somewhat private, and I do a lot of my own research before choosing books, so I don't think anyone else would help me more than I already do.  I have to say that this experience did not make me feel differently.  I may be a harsh critic, but I think my secret shopping was pretty awful.  I didn't find a good book, and, worse, I felt judged about my reading preferences.  Well, here goes.  All names have been left out to protect the (not-so) innocent. I color-coded the interview so it would be easier to follow.

I started out my interview by walking straight up to the information desk.  It was centrally located and very well-marked.  There were not any reading lists available, but there was some information about their current reading programs.  There were three library workers standing around the desk and talking.  One (TL) walked away when I approached the trio.  The librarian (L) behind the computer asked if she could help me and the other librarian (OL) stood next to me during the interview. 

L: Can I help you with something?

Me: Yes, I need help finding a book.

L: Do you have a certain book in mind?

Me: No, I kind of need help with that too.

L: (deep sigh, laugh, and grimace to other librarian) Fiction or nonfiction?

Me: Fiction. I actually like zombie books. (I laugh to lighten the mood.)

L: Oh no. Hmmm. Zombies. (Starts typing on the computer.)

Me: I recently read a book called The Remaining, but I think it's only an ebook.

L: (Looks at screen and gets a slip of paper) Well, here's what I have on vampires.

Me: (I interrupt) No, not vampires.  I like zombie books.  Really anything apocalyptic works for me.

L: Oh yeah, shoot.  Not vampires.

Me: What website are you using?

L: Fantastic Fiction, but it's being weird for me, so it might not work.

Me: (Trying to get more questions going) I've read a lot of YA zombie books, but I'm looking for more adult books.

OL: Do you like "The Walking Dead?"

Me: I love it!

OL: Have you read The Governor books?

Me: No, but are they graphic novels?  I don't like graphic novels.

OL: No, they are actual books and are really great for fans of "The Walking Dead."

L: I should have written down the books I set aside for you (talking to the OL).  (To me) She loves zombie books.  Well, here's what I found (hands me the slip of paper).

Me: Where do I find these books?

L: In "F".  It starts over there (points to a large section of the library to my left). If you don't find any books that you like, come back and let me know because it means we should buy more books like that.

Me: Okay, thanks.

TL: (To L) Did she ask you about zombie books?

L: Haha. Yeah.

TL: (Grimace) Better you than me.

I walked away with my tiny slip of paper.  My confidence wasn't great, and I felt awful about my reading choice.  Who knew reading books about zombies was so terrible?  If she had bothered to ask, I would have told her that I like survivor stories. I especially liked that The Remaining had a military aspect to the story.  I like a lot of action and well-developed characters, but I wasn't asked anything past my saying zombies.  I would have loved the name and author of "The Walking Dead" books, but I didn't get that information.

Looking at the suggestions, they were all over the place.  She had Jim Butcher and Patricia Briggs - both fantasy authors, but not zombies.  I can, however, kind of see the connection between those two and my genre.  The third author was Margaret Atwood.  I absolutely cannot see how she fits into the zombie genre.  The last author was James Rawles. He was actually a good (but accidental) choice because he writes survival books from a military point of view.  I wasn't give any titles, so I wasn't sure what book to look for.  This might have helped me with which Atwood book to look at, but I'm not sure about that.

After looking through the book choices (about five minutes), I walked back toward the desk to tell her I didn't find anything.  The desk was empty.  I stood there for a minute and then decided to leave when no one came back.  Overall, I left unhappy.  I'm not sure I will ask for help again in the future.  It did give me a great view of what I shouldn't do to other people in my own library thought.  So I did learn something :)

Such a Novel Idea!

WEEK THREE PROMPT

I'm going to admit the unthinkable: I had never heard of or used NoveList until this assignment.  Yikes.  I can't believe I admitted it.  Do I need to give back my librarian card?  After using NoveList, I wonder where it has been my whole life.  It makes suggestions so much easier!  On to the assignment...

1. The fourth book in the Anita Blake series (of which I read up through Bullet), is The Lunatic Cafe.  It was published in January 1996.  Keep on reading!  The series only gets better ;)
2. If you like the feel of Prodigal Summer but are looking for something a little more fast-paced, you should read Anthill by E.O. Wilson.  Wilson's book is more suspenseful, but it maintains the lyrical writing style of Kingsolver's book.  I think it's a perfect fit!
3. If you like historical books, you might want to try The Painting by Nina Schuyler.  This book is set in 1869 Japan and is very atmospheric.  The main character uses painting to escape her arranged marriage.  The twist?  The painting is of her lover and, after being secretly sent away, ends up with a European young man.  Ultimately, the painting connects and changes the lives of many different people.
4. I would suggest Haunted Ground by Erin Hart. This book is also part of a series and has similarities to the Thomas Linley Mysteries series.  It is set in Ireland (close to England) and is also crime novel.  It might be a little more complex stylistically, but I don't think it will be too difficult (or creepy) for you.
5. I don't even need NoveList for this question!  As a fellow zombie enthusiast, I would suggest he read The Remaining by D.J. Molles.  I loved World War Z because it was straight-forward and really descriptive.  The Remaining is a military-inspired adventure that I think he will really like.

As for how I find books to read, I mostly use Amazon recommendations and Goodreads shelves.  I also really like BookBub's emails.  I subscribe to it based on the type of genres I have chosen, and they email me the current Amazon deals for those genres.  I like a cheap book as much as a good one ;)  Once I find a book I might want, I use Goodreads and Amazon to look at reviews.  I also ask my sister, an English teacher, and my mom, a former English teacher/librarian, for suggestions.  They're always reading something new, but we sometimes have much different tastes.  Overall, I just love to read, so I'm up for anything!

A Different Twist on the Post-Apocalyptic Trend

The Seventh Day by Scott Shepherd
47North; 4 June 2013
Science Fiction

I'm a sucker for a post-apocalyptic book, but I've become a little jaded with the same old formula.  Shepherd's book The Seventh Day takes a trendy but slightly worn-out topic and makes it new again.  Set seven years after The Strangers destroyed Earth and left few resources and even fewer people, this book keeps the reader guessing as to what will happen next.  Shepherd originally wrote this story as a Kindle Serial - books released in episodes - but this version of the book includes all the episodes together.  I'm glad I only just found this book because I wouldn't have been able to wait between episodes!

The characters' adventures through the ravaged world gradually reveal a deep relationship, and the reader sees what happened on The Seventh Day through a series of flashbacks.  Described as a purple light, The Strangers quickly take all technology, valuable resources, and most of the population into their spaceships, leaving only The Remaining behind.  Joad travels on a desperately hopeful journey to find his wife.  Fixer, Doc, and a young girl named Laura only want to be free of four criminal brothers, but the reader soon discovers that The Strangers left The Remaining a little something extra.  Shepherd's book takes the reader on a science fiction adventure and leaves us with a heartfelt message.  Maybe there is a reason they were left behind, and maybe their journey doesn't end here.

READ-A-LIKES

In the After by Demitria Lunetta

HarperTeen; 25 June 2013

Amazing book where the apocalypse is zombie-alien!  Because of the creatures' crazy sensitive hearing, Amy quickly finds a way to survive without making noise - until she comes across a two-year-old. Can Baby and Amy survive in a world where the only sound is the scratching and howling of creatures outside their house?  Read to find out!  I could not put it down!  The main character is young, but the plot is clever.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Putnam's Sons; 2013

If you haven't read this book, you need to read it immediately.  By far one of the best books I read this fall, Yancey's science fiction thriller will keep you at the edge of the page.  The aliens are killing the population one wave at a time, and the book shows us what it takes to survive after the 4th Wave.  This book is a roller coaster of twists and turns.  Although the character is YA, the book works for adults too.

The Stand by Stephen King

Doubleday; 1978

Although not an alien invasion, King's apocalypse is caused by a devastating plague.  A classic tale of good vs. evil, the survivors band together and Stephen King gives us another of his classically chilling tales.  Similar to The Seventh Day because of the setting, this book is definitely more for the horror fan.