Week 16 Prompt

How has reading and books changed since you were a child, for you specifically? 

When I was a child we didn't have audio books, eBooks, or Kindles.  Just old-fashioned books.  There was no such thing as PCs or laptops.  The options are so wide open now with the advancement of technology that it is even more important for libraries to have specialists in readers advisory.   Many patrons want someone that works for their library who is savvy in what genres of books are available and in what specific formats.  When I was younger and even in my first years of college, not much emphasis was put on pleasure reading.  You picked up the latest novel that was at your local drug store or book store, and libraries were mostly used to gain access to periodical materials for research projects.  

Talk a little about what you see in the future for reading, books, or publishing - say 20 years from now. 

I don't see publishing to be much different in the future than it is today even with all the different formats for reading.  With all the new formats though, I think there will still be demand for physical books.  There's a population of readers who still want the feel of a book, and I don't see that going away. Publishing will be become more complex in the area of how to handle rights for e-materials that are loaned out by libraries, but I think this will work its way out as licensing for such materials becomes more mature.

Will we read more or less, will our reading become more interactive? 

I don't see reading declining. In fact, I think people read more for pleasure now than they did twenty years ago.  Since reference materials are so easily accessible online, this aspect of the library has decreased.  In it's place, libraries are promoting more leisurely reading.  Therefore, there is an increased market in this area by patrons.  In addition, there is a whole market for books that are more like film.  I believe this will only increase in technology where books will include visual effects as well as audio.


What will happen to traditional publishing? 

I think publishing will become more complicated with the advent of eBooks, audio books, and other evolving technologies.  This will be mostly in how licensing will be handled with libraries and loaning these types of materials.

Week 15 Prompt

I have not worked in a library setting yet, but I have a few ideas to promote fiction within the library. 

1)       Displays can always be created to draw attention to the latest reads.  I would not just do one display, but I think several genres need displays throughout the library.  They need to be catchy with words and pictures/photos as well as color.  Pinterest has great ideas for library display ideas. 

2)      Several book clubs could be held throughout the month based on genre as well.  This would take some resourcing, so possibly one or two a week where each one is a book from a different genre.  If there seems to be ones that are not getting enough attendance, maybe those could be scaled back. 

3)      Thirdly, the library’s website could have a list of tops reads by genre.  This could be based on the Library Journal Reviews or some other reputable book review site.  In addition, it could be displayed on the library’s website home page, so patrons who are pulling up the library’s site to check on available books, library hours, etc.  will see this first.  

Week 14 Prompt

I would not separate either GBLTQ or African-American fiction from other types of fictional reads.  I think they need to be segregated by their particular genre (suspense, historical fiction, etc.), but not separated out because the characters are gay or African-American.  First of all, I feel that this is discriminatory and is setting our culture back decades by doing this.   Yes we still have a mess of race and gay issues of discrimination in this country.  Why?  I don’t know, and I think other countries are wondering why we do as well.   I find it extremely disheartening, but the last place that this needs to occur is in the local library.  The library should be a safe haven for all walks of life.  Secondly, I would feel that gays and African-Americans would also feel discriminated against.  I’m neither African-American nor gay, but if I put myself in their shoes, I wouldn’t want to be in a library that practiced this sort of filing system.  Thirdly, if a library is going to do this for these two classifications of individuals, then it would only be appropriate for them to be doing it for all races, ethnicities, and cultures in order to have some sort of fairness.  Boy wouldn’t that be a cataloging mess?  There could be shelves of African-American fictional literature, but maybe only a small segment of books that featured Muslim characters or Asian characters.  Then should the Asian character based books be segregated even more by Chinese and East Indian or maybe even more segregation than that?   It seems like a nightmare.  Keep the library integrated please.   

Week 13 prompt

I think librarians need to look at YA books and graphic novels from a different perspective in order to put aside any negative connotations concerning these types of reads.  YA novels are many times more creative and dig deeper into the emotions of the characters than adult reads.  Teens need to relate to their protagonists; therefore, the lead characters of these books need to have full character development.  Also the stories need to capture the attention of their readers, so many times the stories are richer and more creative than many adult novels especially in the genre of fantasy.   As far as graphic novels are concerned, many adults appreciate this type of read because they appreciate art or film, and graphic novels read much like film.  In addition many adults may not like to read or they still struggle from a childhood learning disability; therefore graphic novels provide a way for them to read without the frustration of a text book.  More than likely, a library is going to carry a decent collection of YA novels for their young readers, but attention and funds also need to be provided for graphic novels, and libraries should have a fairly substantial collection and promotion for graphic novels.  Library staff cannot turn a blind eye on a segment of their readers; therefore, librarians need to educated on the needs of their adult readers who prefer young adult reads and graphic novels.  

Young Adult Annotation

The Lucy Variations

By

Sara Zarr

Synopsis

Not even fourteen years old yet, Lucy is being honed by her family and piano teachers as a promising concert pianist. The right people knew her name, her performances were booked well in advance, and her future was destined for success.  Now that she’s sixteen, it has all come to an end. A family death and betrayal led her to walk away while on stage. The weight of carrying on the rigid family expectations in the world of concert pianists is now on the shoulders of Lucy’s very talented ten-year-old brother Gus.  Then Gus gets a young new piano teacher, Will, who not only knows how to keep Gus focused on his lessons, but is also interested in helping Lucy rekindle her love of piano on her own terms. When you're used to performing for sold-out audiences and world-famous critics, how can a charismatic piano teacher ever coax Lucy to play just for herself?   

Elements of this Young Adult novel

Pacing –This novel is unhurried with moments allowing the reader to get drawn into the characters’ lives.

Characterization – Teens can relate to Lucy who outside of her struggles with her family’s expectations is also struggling with trying to fit into school life with her few close friends. 

Story line –It tells of the everyday actions and thoughts that take place from the viewpoint of the protagonist, Lucy, concerning the interactions with those around her and focused on the tragedy of abandoning her career as a concert pianist. 

Frame/Tone – The frame work for this story is current San Francisco where the protagonist reveals her perspective of her relationships with her family, teachers, and friends in a leisurely unfolding manner. 

Style – this novel’s main focus is on the straightforward feelings and emotions of Lucy and her relationship with those around her. 

Read-A-Likes

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Last Forever by Deb Caletti

County by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Week 12 Prompt

Readers’ Advisory Matrix

The Glass Castle

By

Jeannette Walls

1.     Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

Highly narrative (reads like fiction)

2.    What is the subject of the book?

It’s about a dysfunctional family which remained resilient through the years.  The siblings took care of one another and found it in their hearts to forgive their parents when they were older. 

3.    What type of book is it?

It’s a memoir of the author, Jeannette Wall’s,  childhood.

4.    Articulate appeal

Ø  What is the pacing of the book?

It’s fast paced at points where the father is getting the family in trouble and has to pack up and move quickly, but at other times it has a contemplating air about it.

Ø  Describe the characters of the book.

It’s a narration by the author, Jeannette Walls, about growing up with her alcoholic father, her artistic mother, and her three siblings. 

Ø  How does the story feel?

Poignant, resilient, and eventually triumphant.

Ø  What is the intent of the author?

To share her story of resilience and redemption.

Ø  What is the focus of the story?

Jeannette Wall’s dysfunctional childhood, and how she as well as her siblings broke free from poverty to become successful adults who could forgive their parents. 

Ø  Does the language matter?

Yes.

Ø  Is the setting important and well-described?

Yes.  Each place that the family had to live is well described in order to emphasize the family’s destitution. 

Ø  Are there details and, if so, of what?

Yes.  There are many details of what the family owned or the lack there of.  So detailed information of what the family had available for food and clothing, and how they handled gift giving on holidays such as Christmas.

 

Ø  Are there sufficient charts and oter graphic materials?  Are they useful and clear?

None.

Ø  Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?

Yes.  Jeanette and her siblings understand that the only way they will get out of the impoverished environment they are in with their parents is to work, save money, and one by one pull each other out of the family home to start lives of their own and working their way up the ladder at successful jobs. 

Non-fiction Annotation

Eben Alexander

Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife

Publication Date:  October 23, 2012

Number of Pages:  196

Subject Headings:    Inspirational Works

                                   Neurosurgeons – United States –

                                      Biography

                                    Near-death experiences – United

                                       States

Type:  Memoir

Summary

In 2008 fifty-four year old neurosurgeon Eben Alexander contacted bacterial meningitis which put him in a coma induced state for a week.  This self-narrated memoir describes his week-long journey in the afterlife which entailed meeting his guardian angel, receiving instantaneous but intricate details to his questions concerning the human purpose, as well as a feeling of unconditional love and acceptance.  The majority of this story describes the grim prospects of Alexander making any recovery and going into explicit details of his medical condition; however with the support of his family, and their positive attitude and prayer, he miraculously regains his health.  Unlike other NDE books, this one does not consist of meeting deceased loved ones, pets, or in some cases Jesus.  Nonetheless due to the deplorable condition of Alexander’s health, his agnostic past, and the genuineness of the afterlife he experienced, he was convinced of the existence of heaven and a personal God. 

Appeal Elements

Pacing – The author leisurely unfolds this story alternating between his family and educational background to the present time with contracting meningitis, experiencing the afterlife while in his coma, and the support of his family.

Characterization – The author is the character in this book as he goes into detail about his former and latter spiritual beliefs due to his NDE. 

Story line – This is a narrative story where the author describes his upbringing, educational aspirations, and spiritual beliefs alternating back and forth to the present time where he contracts meningitis and describes his life-altering experience while in a coma that ultimately shifts his spiritual beliefs. 

Detail – This book provides an in-depth description of Alexander’s medical condition while in a coma to emphasis the seriousness of his condition and how close to death he was.  Not as much detail about his afterlife experience. 

Learning/Experiencing – The gist of the story is to prove to the reader that Alexander was so close to death, and unlike a dream, his experience was so real, that he had a spiritual alteration. The learning experience that the reader is to gain from this story is proof that an afterlife exists and relay this message of unconditional love that he received to the reader. 

Language – No artistic quality to the writing.  It is straightforward and to the point. 

Setting – Alexander describes vividly his experience meeting his guardian angel and the setting of the afterlife, but is vague on the knowledge he gained to his questions while in his NDE. 

Tone – Comforting and illuminating.

Book List Annotation

This is the story of neurosurgeon Eben Alexander who has a near-death experience while in a week long induced coma due to contracting bacterial meningitis.  He describes his afterlife experience of meeting his guardian angel and learning about unconditional love which sways him to believe in heaven and God. 

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