I'm Done!

The End

As one of the creators and a participant of the training, I'm pleased to say that I think we accomplished what we set out to do. The articles, videos, sites included were interesting, informative, and engaging. The assignments were worthwhile and all reasonable with the exception of Week 6, which involved much more work than the others and became frustrating. Overall, I'm proud of this training and its relevance to our work as librarians. The emphasis on recommending by appeal factor has changed the way I see many of my colleagues do RA, for the better.

Because of business demands of the branch, assignments did take longer to complete than anticipated. Future trainings of this nature should ideally begin in January or early February when things are less busy. Everyone is hit hard during the summer.

Week Nine: Book Trailers

Assignment 1:

Many booktrailers watched; it was difficult to find ones for newer or upcoming releases. Lots of fan videos though, so they do inspire some great creativity, especially from teens.
The Packing for Mars and Super Sad True Love Story trailers were hilarious.

Assignment 2:

I think the trailer usefulness depends on both the book and the trailer itself. I can't see them building the same kind of excitement that a movie trailer does--we use too much of our imaginations as readers for those to work as well as they could. There are some exceptions though.

I have used a few trailers as RA, asking customers to watch them at the info desk. They both prefectly capture the spirit and humor of their respective titles. My favorites are
this one that Adam Rex created for The True Meaning of Smekday, and

 

 

This one for the upcoming David Wiesner picture book, Mr. Wuffles:

 

 

Week Eight: Nonfiction

Disclaimer: This is the training week I created and developed (with Andrea Shore).


Assignment 1: Articles read.

Assignment 2: Video watched.

Assignment 3: Four Nonfiction Genres:

1) Food: Dewey areas for these food memoirs and other food-related titles can be in biography, the 640s or even 394 (food politics, activism).

Heat by Bill Buford (641.5945B) is a memoir of one man's journey from journalist to chef, passions for the kitchen and food developing along the way.

2) Sports: are located in the 796 call numbers and also in memoir.

The Outsider by Jimmy Connors (BIO Connors) tells the unconventional life story of the unlikely tennis pro.

3) Medical: These can be found in the 613-17 area as well as in memoir.

The Journal of Best Practices by David Finch (616.8588F) tells the story of an man who's failing marriage is saved by changes made thanks to the discovery and diagnosis that he has Asperger's.

4) Travel: Find travel in the 9teens and the 940s.

Don't Let's go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller (BIO Fuller) is the story of her childhood growhing up in South Africa. While not technically travel, it paints a vivid picture of South Africa then and now.

Assignment 4:

Don't read sports biographies? That's okay. Could care less about tennis? That's okay too. You like thrillers where an underdog comes from seemingly out of nowhere, an older working class kind of guy who kicks some major ass and ends up with a talented, attractive woman but then manages to f@&^ that up by gambling and sleeping around? Oh, and not to mention that he ends up with a Playboy model. This is the book for you. He's open, candid and spouts no BS. For guys who like Dennis Lehane, or any thriller starring a womanizer, or page-turners in general.

This one is for any wife who has ever been frustrated by her husband's communication style, or his lack of helpfulness around the house or his seeming insensitivity to her needs. Asperger's magnifies all of those testosterone-y tendencies, as evidenced in this approachable memoir, written with humor and even some suspense by the husband afflicted. Fiction readers who enjoy stories that focus on problems in the relationship will relish this book, which is ultimately a love story with challenges to overcome. (and a happy-ish ending, giving hope to us all)

Week Seven: Not Just for Teens

Assignment 1: Nicely done flowchart, could be very helpful distinguising subplots/subgenres.

Assignment 2:

"YA Comes of Age": As a longtime crtical YA reader, none of the information here comes as a surprise. Some of the most thought-provoking, intersting and accessible literature is being published for teens. Many of us adult readers have known that all along and we're excited that the word is finally getting out, however it happens. I am surprised that the dystopian craze is hanging on for so long. BEA and ALA conventions show that more series are coming.

"The Next Big Thing": Again, this echoes a similar sentiment. I've been doing more and more recommending of teen books to adults. I've always done it for fantasy and dystopian, but now I find I'm selling John Green to our older Pikesville ladies! The Fault in Our Stars has been a big grownup hit here, as well as Hush and of course, The Book Thief. I agree and identify wholeheartedly with the author's closing words: "Although I like adult fiction, the majority of the books I read are YA. They’re just that good!"

I commented on the Printz blog post that Cynthia W. wrote, and on the one written by Marilyn S.

Assignment 3:

John Green Books: Maybe not the best time to visit, as John is out on paternity leave, but then again, maybe it is. There seems to no shortage of his family members (his brother and sister) and fans to fill the void left by his presence. Lots of videos, interaction, feelings of yes!--this is a place for me, the misunderstood and unheard, the nerd, the geek. It's very welcoming, quirky, informative, and fun.

Forever YA is a site that I love. I wish I had created it myself! It covers essential buzz titles as well as other bits of YA pop culture that appeal to both teens and adults--movies and TV shows. I need to remind myself to read it more often; it's fun and it adds to my ever-growing holds list.

Assignment 4:

I actually looked at all of the teen publisher websites listed. There is not a lot of day-to-day change, and I think they are probably not the best places to intuit trends. (My trend knowledge is to the minute from having attended BEA. As a librarian I prefer the publisher book buzz events.) More dystopian, more (but less than before) paranormal romance, more realistic fiction trickling in. I think Penguin does the best job with an engaging site that has lots of author subpages. Little Brown Teen gets a D from me because if you look under the Books link, the new titles featured are from 2012, as are the "coming soons", although the main page is current. There's no excuse for that.

Week Six: BBK: Genres

Assignment 1

I've been following USA Today's Happy Ever After. I like that what it covers is a mix of what we think of (and catalog) as traditional romance as well as "romancy" fiction and teen titles. it's a nice blend of news, reviews, lists and even excerpts. The editorial voice is fresh, inviting and knowledgeable and will help me in the future as I continue to learn more of the subgenre nuances and authors.

Assignment 2

The Prezi is excellent and thorough; I would love to see it as a wall poster in our workroom!

Assignment 3

1) The first subgenre/mashup I decided to investigate is the medical thriller. I can name Robin Cook right away, and Michael Palmer, but I have a hard time reaching beyond them. After a bit of googling, I found a site that covers what they call SciThri. These are the medical thrillers plus any science-based thrillers. Science Thrillers: Where thriller fans put their geek on  is a terrific place for general awareness and reviews. recent buzz was regarding a fan convention, Thrillerfest VIII.

Other SciThri/Medical authors:

Michael Crichton
Kathy Reichs
Douglas Preston

SciThri/Medical appeal factors:

Science facts, medical procedures, forensics--the readers like to learn something from their books and get an insider's look while beingh entertained by an exciting story. These also tend to appeal to nonfiction science readers.

2) Pet mysteries were up next. Rita Mae Brown and Sneaky Pie come to mind, as do Lillian Jackson Brown and her Cat Who Was... series. Cozy Mystery List is a site full of genre links that happen to also include a category for animal mysteries. I didn't see any buzz or trends here, but I think that's the point. Readers of these like predictably safe reads.

Other Pet/Animal Mystery authors:

Ellery Adams
Cynthia Baxter
Martha Grimes


Pet/Animal Mystery appeal factors:

Cozy mysteries at heart--non-violent, no gore or rough language/descriptions with strongly featured animal characters, often recurring in a series.


3) I decided to explore regency romances. I spent a good amount of time looking for fansites, but any regency sites I found either belong to a specific publisher or author, or had only a few posts and/or were not updated in some years. I was able to learn more about the genre and find some authors. Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer are considered to be the first and best examples of these writers.

Regency Romance authors:

Amanda Quick
Eloisa James
Mary Balogh

Regency Romance appeal factors:

Readers enjoy writing in the style of the time period, which covers early 19th century. Language, fashion descriptions, historical detail and witty humor are important to these readers, as well as of course a developed romance that often ends in a relationship or marriage.

Mashups

 

A paranormal regency romance! Jane Austen's sexy leading man becomes a werewolf.

 

This one is a paranormal cozy satire (!!!) with a great satirical cover that tells you right away what to expect.

 

 

 

 

Week Five: Building Base Knowledge

Assignment 1

I've found that NPR's site is informative and intersting without being cluttered with other distractions. It would not be my first go-to place, I think of it more as an occasional supplement when I remember to go there. I also looked at Daily Beast, which had too much other things not book related that took my attention away. Many of our customers ask for books they've heard on NPR, so I have used it as a resource before to figure out titles.

Assignment 2

Overall, hands-down, EarlyWord really is the best librarian site. I've been using it for about three years now, so it's an ingrained habit. The lists are great, but I love the pre-pub news and usually wind up placing holds on books they say are good or have the potential to be big. Being in the know is crucial at Pikesville. Our customers like a mix of commercial best sellers and both literary fiction and nonfiction. I always skim-read the NY Times Book Review as well as their bestseller list. The BCPL Hot Titles list is crucial for RA here; people swear by it to do advance ordering. I knew about Indie Next but had "forgotten" about it. I'll have to remember to visit the site more regularly. Entertainment Weekly is also a favorite source for me.

Assignment 3

Night Film, by Marisha Pessl is highly anticipated not because of what it is about, but because the author's first book was such a critical success. Pessl published Special Topics in Calamity Physics in 2006 and has not published since. Readers expect well-crafted fiction with a smart, snappy writing style and large doses of obscure intellectual literary references.

Week Four: Goodreads

I have been a regular Goodreads user since 2009, but I have to admit that I haven't organized my reading lists using shelves. As a result of this training, I did go back and make shelves for some of my titles, but it will take a lot of serious housekeeping to get everything in order. Luckily, it is easy to do, just time-consuming.

I added a new title, My Foreign Cities, with a review. Goodreads now automatically asks if you'd like to recommend your entry to a friend. I selected a number of BCPL colleagues who I thought would enjoy this book. Many of my colleagues like well-written, emotional memoirs that deal with affliction of some sort. My review is here:

Would you begin a relationship if you knew it was doomed from the start? Memoirist Scarboro recounts an honest love story that began in high school with a close friendship that deepened and sparked into something much more. The problem? Whip-smart, cocky and handsome Stephen suffers from cystic fibrosis, a genetic affliction that keeps most of its sufferers from living much into adulthood. Scarboro's writing is rich and affecting, she shares her deepest emotions and fears with a fearlessness tha...more Would you begin a relationship if you knew it was doomed from the start? Memoirist Scarboro recounts an honest love story that began in high school with a close friendship that deepened and sparked into something much more. The problem? Whip-smart, cocky and handsome Stephen suffers from cystic fibrosis, a genetic affliction that keeps most of its sufferers from living much into adulthood. Scarboro's writing is rich and affecting, she shares her deepest emotions and fears with a fearlessness that draws the reader into her own story.

I frequentlly use Goodreads to gage what the average reader thinks of a new title that I might be interested in reading. It helps when there are "so many books, so little time." It's especially helpful for those ARCs we get so many of. I like also the list feature, and find it helpful when I'm looking for a specific genre or topic for a customer.

Week Three, Conversations

For Reader #1:

I have two thoughts for you: one older title and one newer. Both would be good book club suggestions, and both are nonfiction memoirs. The older title is Under the Tuscan Sun, by Francis Mayes. She’s a wonderfully descriptive writer who tells a story about travelling to Tuscany and deciding to renovate an abandoned villa. She’s also interesting and funny, someone you wish you were friends with. And the details about the food and cooking make you wish you were in Italy. And like Eat, Pray, Love, it was also made into a movie.

The newer title is Still Points North, by Leigh Newman. Her parents decided to divorce when she was young, and she writes about splitting her time between her father’s house in Alaska and her mother’s in Baltimore. She’s funny and interesting, too; I loved reading the details about hunting, fishing and entertaining in the wilderness. It was also enjoyable to read about the Baltimore part of her childhood. The book also explores her difficulty with relationships, and trying to work on love with her boyfriend despite these problems.

For Reader #2:

I’m going to admit that I’m not a reader of vampire novels myself, but I do have some recommendations. Have you ever seen True Blood? That show is based on series of supernatural mystery stories by Charlaine Harris called the Sookie Stackhouse series. There’s still a bit of angst, but the characters are older and the Southern setting adds character. If you’re interested in a more “steamy” vampire series, I’d recommend checking out Laurell Hamilton’s Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. They also come with dose of mystery to go with the erotic romance. The pacing of both of these novels is much quicker and less brooding than Twilight.

For Reader #3:

Not to be one-note, but have you read Candice Millard’s latest book? She wrote The River of Doubt, and Destiny of the Republic is every bit as good. This one tells the story of the assassination attempt on President Garfield. You might think you wouldn’t be interested in Garfield, but believe me; you will have new respect for the man once you’ve finished the book. It’s a shame his doctors essentially killed him, not the bullet. They didn’t believe Dr. Lister, and the infection really set in. Did you know Alexander Graham Bell played a role in his care? This is yet another fast-paced history book that reads like a suspense novel. You’ll love it, too.

Week Two: Recommendations

I suggested two titles to Elizabeth N., based on her annotations.

Week Two: Appeal Factors



Meg Wolitzer’s literary novel The Interestings begins in 1974, and flashes ahead to modern day, following a group of friends who met at a performing arts camp. This is a novel that runs on ideas rather than plot; it’s a ponderous character study told in the third person that provides a deeper look at what makes us human by exploring themes of love and friendship, and being viewed ad special or talented versus being average and ordinary. Wolitzer looks at the haves and have-nots, and the privileges and responsibilities money brings. Readers who enjoy writers who look to offer insights into social order and behavior will like Wolitzer. This is a book for fans of Jeffrey Eugenides or Jonathan Franzen.

Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes, is a well-written, approachable novel of unconventional love and letting go. Told in first person narration, mostly from the point of view of a 20-something young woman named Lou, Me Before You is a dialogue-driven story with well-developed characters you feel as if you know in real life.  Readers who believe in the transformative power of love and like to watch unlikely relationships unfold will enjoy this story of an emotionally damaged but optimistic girl who takes a job as a caretaker to an attractive, successful businessman/adventurer who has been left a paraplegic by a devastating accident.  Keep the box of tissues handy. Hand this book to those who enjoyed The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick or The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.



Week 1 Assignments and Observations

The add-the-title Sporcle games were a lot of fun; there were a couple of photos that made me squint and think "What IS that?"  And why did I think The Lost Symbol cover was The DaVinci Code? I've handled that book hundreds of times! And that Bridge to Terabithia did me in. It also reminded me that I'm terrible at racing the clock. It might be related to my subpar typing skills.

Don't hold me at gunpoint to quiz me about the subgenres in science fiction/fantasy. Those readers always seem to know exactly what they want, so I can't tell you much about space operas. Luckily we have a terrific new parttime librarian (Ericka) here at Pikesville who can bail me out.

It's hard to decide which overall book sites to follow. I already look at EarlyWord daily; I usually end up placing multiple holds for myself over the week. In the past I've looked at NPR only occasionally, but now I"ll commit to it for this training. Our customers frequently ask for titles they've heard on NPR. I also like the looks of Book Beast, so I'll probably start reading it regularly as well.

As far as genres go, I'm going with USA Today Happy Ever After. The site is nicely laid out, fun and informative. I don't read romance or chicklit, and I think this will be very helpful as we enter the season for beach reads. I need to be better versed on lighter choices.

My First Post

This was remarkably easy to set up!