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!