Week 14 Prompt

Libraries are trying to connect people with information, and as readers’ advisors we are trying to find books that our patrons might like but are not aware of. Separating out genre fiction, like LGBTQ and Urban, does not do much to aid either of these goals and has more negatives associated with it than positives. While having separate sections for the books could make it easier for certain patrons to go right to the section they are interested in, it also prevents people from stumbling upon new things and allows them to make a snap judgement about it. Just because a book is in the romance section doesn’t mean that it is a book with Fabio on the cover. There might be more to the story that a reader would like, but this classification might immediately turn them off before even giving it a chance. There is also an issue with classifying the books themselves. Many writers create works that may fit into multiple different genres. Just because a book has an LGBTQ character doesn’t mean that is the main subject of the work or the only thing that could identify it. “The danger that arises in separating out genre fiction in libraries is that this separation can contribute to the continued notion that there is a hierarchy of writing and that genre fiction belongs lower on the scale than literary fiction” (Trott). Not separating the genres out can also save space in libraries. Many people are seeking out the library for computer usage, study space, and community meeting rooms. Having less space devoted to books and separate sections of literature could allow the library to devote more of the building to tables, chairs, and computers for patron usage.

Resources

Trott, Barry. "A House Divided? Two Views on Genre Separation." Reference & User Services Quarterly 46.2 (n.d.): n. pag. Reference & User Services Quarterly. American Library Association, 05 Jan. 2008. Web. 19 Apr. 2015. <http://blog.rusq.org/2008/01/05/a-house-divided-two-views-on-genre-separation/>.

Urban Fiction Annotation

The Coldest Winter Ever: A Novel

By: Sister Souljah

Genre: Urban Fiction

Publication Date: April 1999

Number of Pages: 337

Geographical Setting: Brooklyn, New York

Time Period: Current Day

Plot Summary: Winter, the spoiled rotten daughter of notorious drug lord Ricky Santiago, gets caught up in her father’s dangerous world when his enemies cause harm to her family. Winter makes money by hustling stolen goods on the street and becoming entangled with a group of untrustworthy people that she crosses. After numerous fights and endless drama, Winter ends up in jail like her old man with the same foes she has been fighting.  

Subject Headings: African American women -- New York (State) -- New York -- Fiction; Inner Cities -- New York (State) -- New York -- Fiction; Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) -- Fiction

Appeal: This gritty and violent tale about the world of street life in Brooklyn will appeal to anyone looking for a sobering work of Urban Fiction.

Read-alikes:

Confessions of a Wild Child by Jackie Collins - A fast-paced and plot driven tale about the daughter of a criminal kingpin whose father tries to protect her from a life of crime.  

Dirty to the Grave by Karen Williams - A high-drama suspenseful novel about trying to get out of the street life when someone you care for is trying to pull you back in.

Thieves’ Paradise by Eric Jerome Dickey - A fast-paced and steamy story about the highs and lows experienced when living life on the streets.

Week 13 Prompt

The idea that adults shouldn’t be reading something is absurd. Adults should read whatever they want, whether it is graphic novels, YA literature, or children’s books. Just because a story has been targeted at a certain audience doesn’t mean that a fully formed adult cannot get anything out of the story. Books like the Hunger Games series and or the Walking Dead graphic novels deserve their place on the shelves of public libraries and patrons should not be ashamed about checking them out. It is perfectly fine for people to have their own opinions about YA and choose not to read it themselves, like Ruth Graham, who wrote about her feelings in an article for Slate, but other adults who like YA should read away. In her article, Graham “...focused on what she said the publishing industry calls realistic fiction, and argued that adult readers who hew to Y.A. miss out on too much...’These books consistently indulge in the kind of endings that teenagers want to see, but which adult readers out to reject as far too simple…” (Wolitzer). While it is true that many teen stories wrap things up in a tight little bow, I fail to see why that is a problem. People read to learn things, but they also read as an escape. This is one of the reasons that I enjoy fantasy and science fiction. There are many depressing things in the world, and sometimes it is nice to read about fantastical elements, first love, and have everything conclude with a happy ending.

Resources

Wolitzer, Meg. "Look Homeward, Reader: A Not-So-Young Audience for Young Adult Books." The New York Times. N.p., 17 Oct. 2014. Web. 10 Apr. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/19/fashion/a-not-so-young-audience-for-young-adult-books.html?_r=0>.

Week 12 Prompt

The Readers’ Advisory Matrix for Yes, Please, by Amy Poehler

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
1. A mix (combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose)
2. What is the subject of the book?
1. Amy Poehler’s journey from childhood in suburban America to world famous stand up comedienne and actress.
3. What type of book is it?
1. Humorous memoir.
4. Articulate appeal.
1. What is the pacing of the book?
1. Quick.
2. Describe the characters of the book.
1. The story focuses on Amy, and the family, classmates, and coworkers who interact with her throughout the course of her life.
3. How does the story feel?
1. Funny, enjoyable, endearing.
4. What is the intent of the author?
1. To share the experiences she went through that made her into the woman she is today.
5. Does the language matter?
1. Yes.
6. Is the setting important and well described?
1. Yes. Poehler lived in different placed during various times in her life and these environments shaped her as much as the characters she interacted with.
7. Are the details and, if so, of what?
1. This book features many details about the events that occurred in Poehler’s life and the emotions she felt during each stage that she went through.
8. Are there sufficient charts and other graphical materials? Are they useful and clear?
1. No charts or other graphic material are present in this work.
9. Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
1. Yes. One of the strengths of this book is it’s vivid descriptions of Poehler’s life, how she dealt with them, and the outcome of these various interactions.
5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1. 1. Tone    2. Writing Style    3. Plot

Annotations - Nonfiction

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

By: Erik Larson

Genre: Non-fiction

Publication Date: March 10, 2015

Number of Pages: 430

Geographical Setting: United States, England, Ireland, Atlantic Ocean

Time Period: World War I

Plot Summary: While the United States was trying to stay out of World War I, the German government was trying to wreak havoc on it’s enemies with the use of Unterseeboots, also known as submarines. These U-boats had the capability to sneak up on unsuspecting ships and fire torpedoes in order to sink them to the bottom of the ocean regardless of whose flag the ship was sailing. The HMS Lusitania planned to sail from New York City to Liverpool like it had done so many times before, never dreaming that their beautiful ocean liner would be a target for German U-boat captains. Despite a pre-departure warning from the German embassy, the passengers, crew, and captain all climbed aboard dreaming of their safe arrival in Ireland a week later. Before the ship reached safe harbor a series of seemingly insignificant events occurred to bring about a terrible tragedy that would begin America’s journey into war.

Subject Headings: Lusitania (Steamship); World War 1914-1918 -- Naval Operations, Germany; Shipping -- Government Policy -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th Century

Appeal: This engaging and richly detailed work of nonfiction will keep readers turning pages late into the night in order to discover the fate of the HMS Lusitania.

Read-alikes:

Lusitania: An Epic Tragedy by Diana Preston - A compelling and descriptive tale of the Lusitania last days afloat.

Lusitania: Triumph, Tragedy, and the End of the Edwardian Age by Greg King - An engaging and richly detailed story of the the Lusitania’s sinking and the years following.

A Night to Remember by Walter Lord - A fast paced and dramatic story about the sinking of the RMS Titanic.