Ideas, Ideas

The first idea I have for marketing my library's fiction section is a display. Depending on which television, gaming, or movie franchise is growing in popularity at the time. I will have a display of Read-A-Likes. For example, the signs would read something along the lines of "If you enjoy [insert name her] give this book a try". With this, patrons who like one thing are able to find similar themes or aspects in a different medium. It is an example of passive Reader's Advisory that we discussed over the duration of this course. 

The second idea is a week long program that would revolve around Young Adult Fiction. Each day there would be a different activity for all patrons to participate in. For example, there would be activity based on certain popular Young Adult books. Like making an archery event to highlight the Hunger Games series or an event based on Mythology for the Lightning Thief series. And, if the program were to receive enough popularity and funding, even have authors come in for a Questions and Answers event. My hope with this is to promote Young Adult Fiction to more than just teens. 

The final idea is in the same vein as the first. Only instead of a display, it would be posters and other forms of signage. It can be a more permanent form have passive Reader's Advisory that would require less work for the staff. My library has received such signage in the past from publishers and it has been successful. Displays, while fun to create and think of, take much time and work to implement. With signage, it will allow patrons to get ideas for future readings but also free up staff to work on other tasks. 

African American Fiction: An Annotation

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat

Written by Edward Kelsey Moore

Narrated by Pamella D'Pella and Adenrele Ojo

Duration: 12:25:16

ISBN: 9780385362900

Publication: March 12, 2013

Plot Summary

     In this book, readers meet Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean aka "The Supremes" in Plainview, Indiana. Friends since high school, these three different women have led different lives but have always stayed next to one another.  Each woman is tested with hardships that had the power to break them and their friendship apart. Readers are able to grow with "The Supremes" over the course of their friendship which spans over forty years. This is a very touching story that brings humor to the subjects of loss, growth, and mortality. 

Readers should like this book if they enjoy books with: 

*Own voices Storylines

*Culturally Diverse Characters 

*Engaging Writing Styles 

What Makes an African American Fiction Book?

Because African American Fiction is an Own Voice subgenre, in order for a book to be consider as such the author has to be of African decent writing about African Americans. That is really the only main factor that is considered with it comes to this genre. 

Common themes in African American Fiction include African American culture, racism, and spiriual development. 

Read-A-Likes

*Who asked you? by Terry McMillan

*In West Mills by De'Shawn Charles Winslow

*Miss Dreamsville and the Collier County Women's Literary Society by Amy Hill Hearth

In a Collection of My Own

Legitimate Genres

My first thought when people come after a genre because it isn't a "legitimate" read is, "And your findings are based on your opinion, simmer down". It takes to much unnecessary effort to be so negative over something that doesn't affect you. I have gotten into debates with friends and colleagues about the merits of certain genres (Romance and Young Adult).
     
I will admit that I once thought of these genres as "trash reading" but over time, I have come to realize that this was because that is what I was taught to think. From elementary to even into college, it is implied that the only books worth reading are the classics or sophisticated literary fiction. Since working for a library, I have developed the mentality that the only qualification for a book worth your time is one that you want to read. 

I think the first step to breaking the stigma towards any genre is to stop that train of thinking early on. Or even have debates with patrons on the subject but no allowing it to get any more heated than a friendly discussion. I use the argument that many people use reading an escape from their own reality and we all have different ideas of where we'd like to escape to. 

All books are for everyone, regardless of age.

Another way to expose more people to genres like Young Adult and Graphic Novels is when creating Reader's Advisory Displays is to include these novels as well. For example, if the display is for memoirs, include Graphic Novel memoirs in the mix. Sometimes the way to introduce someone to a whole new genre is to present them with something very similar to what they already like to read. 

There are bigger fish to fry, read what you want and let others do the same. 

An Young Adult Annotation

House of Salt and Sorrows written by Erin A. Craig

Narrated by Emily Lawrence

ISBN: 9780593102930

Duration: 12:50:43

Released:  August 6, 2019

Plot Summary:

     This novel is an eerie retelling of Brothers Grimm's Twelve Dancing Princesses. The reader follows the perspective of Annaleigh as she tries to uncover the sources of her older sisters deaths. The townspeople are convinced that there is a curse on her and her twelves sisters that will not rest until the whole lot of them are returned to the salt of the sea. 

    Annaleigh doesn't believe any of it until she discovers that her youngest sister is visited by the ghosts of the sisters that have perished. Soon after, Annaleigh begins to see the apparitions for herself. All the while, her remaining sisters go off to secrets places via a magical passageway not heeding Annaleigh's warnings. Is it truly a curse or something much more sinister and will Annaleigh be able to save her family before she is claimed as well? Take your motion sickness pills because this trip with have some many unknown twists and turns you might go mad yourself. 

What Makes an YA Book?

Character Focus: In order for a Young Adult to be classified as such, publishers need to consider who the main characters are. The main characters of Young Adult books range from thirteen to eighteen. 

Plot: Because of the age of the main characters in these novels, the plot is often driven by typical teenage issues. Examples of these would be first love, puberty, and changes in family dynamic. Even even Fantasy Young Adult novels these issues are present. 

Pacing/Tone: Young Adult books tend to be a fast paced read. Even longer ones are only so long because of the descriptions of action scenes. In addition, the dramatic tones of Young Adult books play into the pacing. 

Reader Will Enjoy This Book if They Like

*Descriptive Writing Styles

*Gothic fiction

*Retelling

Read-A-Likes

*Strange grace by Tessa Gratton

*The waking forest by Alyssa Wees

*Beastkeeper by Cat Hellisen

Beware, You are About to Enter the Matrix

Author: Mark Parker
Title: Humble Pi: A Comedy of Maths Errors
Publication Date: January 21, 2020
Duration: 09:33:19
Setting: Various
Time Period: Various
Subject Headings: Mathematics, Popular Works, Humor
Book Summary: Mathematician, Mark Parker, takes readers on a tour around the world and through time illustrate how seemingly small miscalculations can result disastrous unintended consequences with real examples.   

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
---A Mix of narrative and fact based

2. What is the subject of the book?
---A story of how mathematics, if not done correctly, can lead to humiliating blunders and even fatalities.

3. What type of book is it?
---A humorous science book.

4. A.Pacing?
---Fast paced but still offers the reader a whole world of knowledge. 
 B. Characters?
----Although the people in this book made mistakes due to lack of forethought or a coding error, Mark Parker doesn't speak evil of them. He uses their mistakes to highlight the importance of mathematics in everyday life.
C. How does the story feel?
---Upbeat, humorous,
D. Author's intent?
---To provide insight to the common person about how these mistakes had been made by intelligent persons.
E. Does the language matter?
---YES
F. Is the setting important and well described?
---Since the accounts take place locations and different times, the setting is very important to this story. Parker does a good job painting the picture of the setting without overwhelming the reading with needless details.
G. Are there details and of what?
---Parker goes most into detail about different computer programs and codes along with mathematical computations.
H. Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
---The book stresses most on the importance of learning from and understanding how mistakes take place.
I. Any graphs?
---Not in the audiobook
5. Why would a reader enjoy this book?
---learning, humor, passion of the author about the subject matter

The Beauty of Audiobooks and Ebooks.

For audiobooks, there is an additional appeal factor to consider and that is the narration. The pacing, dictation, and even just the voice of the narrator can make or break the audiobook. Personally, I have stopped an audiobook in the first few chapters if the narration is not done well. Much like voice over work for television, book narration is a craft that takes practice to be successful. 

Typically there is music set at the beginning and at the end of an audiobook, but this is not always the case. For example, I haven't come across any Non-Fiction audiobooks that provide music. 

Another major plus for audiobooks is that the listener is able to control the speed of the narration. If the patron wants to just truck through the rest of the book or needs to slow it down, they have the ability to do so. 

For Ebooks, I think patrons like having the power to control the size and style of the front. It gives them more control in order for them to read comfortably. The only down side, that I can tell, is that patrons don't right away how long the novel is. I don't think that Ebooks affect the pacing or tone of the novel. It only digitizes the books but doesn't add anything to it like audiobooks do. 

A major plus for Ebooks is the convenience it provides to patrons. They are able to take their books anywhere they go without all of the extra weight. I have had many patrons in the past come to me for last minute help downloading books to their phone before they go on a big trip. 

Audiobooks and Ebooks are great resources for patrons. It expands the audience that authors can reach by providing their books in different mediums.