Based on a small sampling of my Best Favorites, Goodreads has had a field day populating my Recommendations shelf with former Man Booker Prize winners. I would like to clone myself so that I can read all of these tempting tidbits.
Most of the "Favorites" recommendations feature contemporary British literary writers (I listed Ian McEwan, David Mitchell, Hilary Mantel) who have won the Booker or other prestigious awards. Based on my listing of The Thousand Autumns of Jacob deZoet, there are a number of historical fiction recommendations that feature seafaring adventures. Other suggestions favor historical fiction, some mysteries, and feminist fantasy, in response to my postings of Wolf Hall and Bring Up the Bodies, Dark of the Moon and In the Woods, The Mists of Avalon and The Bloody Chamber. All of the recs seem to favor intriguing characters, exotic settings, and superb writing.
I am an eclectic reader, so I received a broad variety of recs. The only batch that really doesn't entice me at all contains recs in response to posting Wonder. These upper elementary novels look like they feature ordinary or special kids who overcome extraordinary obstacles of some sort. I don't read much Juvenile fiction so I am not enticed by the Goodreads ideas. Besides, Wonder was in a league of its own.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Into the Labyrinth of Goodreads
I'm a librarian. I'm already inundated with Goodreads lists on my email, PubWeekly on my desk, Book Pages calling to me from the New Fiction area, and carts and carts of returns, all brimming with enticing titles that seem to be screaming, "Read Me! Read Me!" So I need more electronically generated recommendations, or earnest suggestions from other BMB bloggers, like I need another cute kitten bookmark. NO thank you very much.
There, now that I've gotten that off my chest, I DO value learning more about how to do the RA conversation. I appreciate the opportunity to write about books using the appeal factors; I find that I already do a more conscious and conscientious RA as a result, e.g. I have fearlessly mentioned the significance of the setting and/or characters of a couple of books in my recent advisories. (I do wish I could find more customers who value WRITING as I do. So many are simply looking for an entertaining story...)
I do not need to dip into Listopia's "Best Book Boyfriend" list, or some of their other popular lists, for my personal reading. (See rant above.) But I would certainly use this as an RA tool; specifically, as a hook to encourage customers to subscribe to Goodreads. I'd show them, say, one of the Chick Lit lists or Vampire Romance lists, because Goodreads does such a good job of including cover photos and enthusiastic reviews. Looking at all of those 4 and 5 star ratings on a Kinsella readalike would be a great incentive to pick up a recommended book.
Overall, I find Goodreads a quick, entertaining source of sketches of current, pop fiction/literary fare. Love the bright, upbeat, visually appealing format. Much better than a dry list of authors and titles. Sometimes the reviewers are quite eloquent. Even more, I enjoy the discussion threads posted after I have listed a book. Best of all, you immediately get the sense that you, too, could be part of a community of like minded people -- the wonderful world of book addicts!
The site itself is not as easy to navigate as I would like. For example, I had to ask a coworker to help me find the "Read" option on the dropdown menu in order to add a title to my list. But overall, it's a fun site, and I think that, like a lot of things in life, you can get out of it what you put in.
In general, switching back and forth between Goodreads, my blog, the blogs of others, my Gmail account, and the BMB site is um, just a tad tedious.
There, now that I've gotten that off my chest, I DO value learning more about how to do the RA conversation. I appreciate the opportunity to write about books using the appeal factors; I find that I already do a more conscious and conscientious RA as a result, e.g. I have fearlessly mentioned the significance of the setting and/or characters of a couple of books in my recent advisories. (I do wish I could find more customers who value WRITING as I do. So many are simply looking for an entertaining story...)
I do not need to dip into Listopia's "Best Book Boyfriend" list, or some of their other popular lists, for my personal reading. (See rant above.) But I would certainly use this as an RA tool; specifically, as a hook to encourage customers to subscribe to Goodreads. I'd show them, say, one of the Chick Lit lists or Vampire Romance lists, because Goodreads does such a good job of including cover photos and enthusiastic reviews. Looking at all of those 4 and 5 star ratings on a Kinsella readalike would be a great incentive to pick up a recommended book.
Overall, I find Goodreads a quick, entertaining source of sketches of current, pop fiction/literary fare. Love the bright, upbeat, visually appealing format. Much better than a dry list of authors and titles. Sometimes the reviewers are quite eloquent. Even more, I enjoy the discussion threads posted after I have listed a book. Best of all, you immediately get the sense that you, too, could be part of a community of like minded people -- the wonderful world of book addicts!
The site itself is not as easy to navigate as I would like. For example, I had to ask a coworker to help me find the "Read" option on the dropdown menu in order to add a title to my list. But overall, it's a fun site, and I think that, like a lot of things in life, you can get out of it what you put in.
In general, switching back and forth between Goodreads, my blog, the blogs of others, my Gmail account, and the BMB site is um, just a tad tedious.
Recommendation for Stephanie S
"I see from your book list that you enjoy nonfiction. I noted that you listed A Child Called It and I would like to suggest that you try Dog Boy because it is about a young boy who is abandoned and then makes a mind-boggling choice in order to survive. The book's unusual setting, post-perestroika Moscow, is evoked in vivid detail, but through the senses of a nonhuman. The characters are brought to life through their actions, attitudes and body language. While most of them do not communicate verbally, their communication is clear, nuanced and believably depicted. I found this exploration of life as another species fascinating (though, understandably, at times repellent). I note that you have such acclaimed writers as Bill Bryson and Doris Kearns Goodwin on your list; Eva Hornung is an award winning novelist in Australia and she has delved deep into the heart, mind and soul of both dog and human to create this unbelievable story of love and survival. "
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Week Three Reader Advisories
Conversation #1 - I'd recommend another surprising love story, The Dirty Life by Kristen Kimball. This is a memoir by a young, hip New York journalist who interviewed a farmer in the Adirondacks and fell in love -- with the farmer and farming. She buys into her husband's compelling but quixotic vision, to feed their community absolutely everything they need from their farm. The book covers her first year there, where Kimball learns how to butcher pigs, make cheese, and plow with draft horses. Here is another interesting and brave young woman, who is painstakingly honest in describing her inept attempts at changing her lifestye as well as her frustrations in loving a man so charismatic and driven. Sure to provoke lots of book club discussion about choices, commitment, and living a worthwhile life.
Conversation #2 - I'd run to the stacks and pull off Guilty Pleasures, the first book in Laurell Hamilton's series, "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter." There are no sparkly vampires on the scene here! This is a well written, fast paced, urban fantasy series with a kick ass female detective, set in an alternate universe where the undead coexist with humans and Anita's job is to make sure the undead behave themselves. The vampires are scary but seductive, the zombies are appropriately menacing, and there's the promise of some edgy romance in future books of the series. I am not a big vampire or urban fantasy fan, but visiting Anita's world was a fun diversion.
Conversation #3 - One of my favorite recommendations is Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. A sensational biography, a miraculous story of survival, a triumphant account of faith over hatred; this book has it all. Louis Zamperini transcended his delinquent youth to become an Olympic athlete. With the outbreak of World War II he became a Navy pilot, his plane crashed, and he and some of his crew members survived for months on the open sea before finally washing up on a Japanese-occupied island. Zamperini survived years of brutality in a Japanese POW camp, but his life's greatest achievement happened years after he safely returned to America. Louis' ordeals are presented in riveting detail -- the months spent on a tiny liferaft with his crewmates are almost unbelievable -- but what remains seared in my memory is his indomitable spirit and will to live.
Conversation #1 - I'd recommend another surprising love story, The Dirty Life by Kristen Kimball. This is a memoir by a young, hip New York journalist who interviewed a farmer in the Adirondacks and fell in love -- with the farmer and farming. She buys into her husband's compelling but quixotic vision, to feed their community absolutely everything they need from their farm. The book covers her first year there, where Kimball learns how to butcher pigs, make cheese, and plow with draft horses. Here is another interesting and brave young woman, who is painstakingly honest in describing her inept attempts at changing her lifestye as well as her frustrations in loving a man so charismatic and driven. Sure to provoke lots of book club discussion about choices, commitment, and living a worthwhile life.
Conversation #2 - I'd run to the stacks and pull off Guilty Pleasures, the first book in Laurell Hamilton's series, "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter." There are no sparkly vampires on the scene here! This is a well written, fast paced, urban fantasy series with a kick ass female detective, set in an alternate universe where the undead coexist with humans and Anita's job is to make sure the undead behave themselves. The vampires are scary but seductive, the zombies are appropriately menacing, and there's the promise of some edgy romance in future books of the series. I am not a big vampire or urban fantasy fan, but visiting Anita's world was a fun diversion.
Conversation #3 - One of my favorite recommendations is Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. A sensational biography, a miraculous story of survival, a triumphant account of faith over hatred; this book has it all. Louis Zamperini transcended his delinquent youth to become an Olympic athlete. With the outbreak of World War II he became a Navy pilot, his plane crashed, and he and some of his crew members survived for months on the open sea before finally washing up on a Japanese-occupied island. Zamperini survived years of brutality in a Japanese POW camp, but his life's greatest achievement happened years after he safely returned to America. Louis' ordeals are presented in riveting detail -- the months spent on a tiny liferaft with his crewmates are almost unbelievable -- but what remains seared in my memory is his indomitable spirit and will to live.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
I will be following NPR's book review site because I find it to be well orgainized and easy to navigate. I appreciate the books that they recommend. (I love The Daily Beast and Salon, but for me they are like portals to The Rabbit Hole of Urbane Culture.)
I will be following Stop You're Killing Me for a genre blog (see reasons above) and because I have already gleaned a useful RA factoid: Eoin Colfer's first name is pronounced "Owen." Who knew? Love those Gaels!
And I will probably read Plugged, his adult noir detective offering, because I find that I am enamored of the mystery/thriller genres these days. Can we ever have enough mysteries or thrillers for our customers? This one sounds like a fun summer read.
I will be following Stop You're Killing Me for a genre blog (see reasons above) and because I have already gleaned a useful RA factoid: Eoin Colfer's first name is pronounced "Owen." Who knew? Love those Gaels!
And I will probably read Plugged, his adult noir detective offering, because I find that I am enamored of the mystery/thriller genres these days. Can we ever have enough mysteries or thrillers for our customers? This one sounds like a fun summer read.
In Persuasion Nation & Me Before You
George Saunders is a short story writer like Manny Machado is a third baseman. Um, if you like really, really weird, creepy, dystopian tales about six-month-olds who can make witty comments with the aid of assistive technology (I CAN SPEAK), or a suburban community who goes vigilante against rogue pets (The Red Bow), then George is your man. I can only read him in limited doses because of the creep factor, but I LOVE HIS WORK!!! Saunders writes in a deceptively simple, conversational style -- how The People of Walmart would write, if they could. The setting of the stories gives them their gut-wrenching impact: America in a near future where capitalism is THE dominant force in peoples' lives. Funny, smartly written, wildly imaginative, I found In Persuasion Nation a mesmerizing, frightening look at an America that is alien and chillingly familiar at the same time.
Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes, blends a burning ethical dilemma and a highly unlikely love story, kind of a British mash up of Jodi Picoult and Nora Roberts.
Will Traynor is a bitter 35 year old quadraplegic, formerly a corporate raider and worldwide adventurer, now confined to his parents' estate and determined to end his life on his own terms. Louisa Clark is a 26 year old unemployed waitress, cowed by her younger and smarter sister, marking time in a dead end relatoinship, and emotionally crippled from a long buried secret. When Louisa is hired to be Will's daily companion, it's only a matter of time before Will begins to thaw and Louisa begins to assert herself. Well written, fast paced, appealing characters, touches of dry British wit, and loads of heartrending detail on the lives of quadraplegics. Kudos to the author for not giving in to a sappily ever after ending. Gave it the dignity this story deserved.
Me Before You, by JoJo Moyes, blends a burning ethical dilemma and a highly unlikely love story, kind of a British mash up of Jodi Picoult and Nora Roberts.
Will Traynor is a bitter 35 year old quadraplegic, formerly a corporate raider and worldwide adventurer, now confined to his parents' estate and determined to end his life on his own terms. Louisa Clark is a 26 year old unemployed waitress, cowed by her younger and smarter sister, marking time in a dead end relatoinship, and emotionally crippled from a long buried secret. When Louisa is hired to be Will's daily companion, it's only a matter of time before Will begins to thaw and Louisa begins to assert herself. Well written, fast paced, appealing characters, touches of dry British wit, and loads of heartrending detail on the lives of quadraplegics. Kudos to the author for not giving in to a sappily ever after ending. Gave it the dignity this story deserved.
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