Week 16 Prompt

Reading and books have changed in the genres that I read. I read books and e-books. When I was younger I read more juvenile books. As I got older that switched to adult fiction in 5th or 6th grade. I still read juvenile books, but I read more adult fiction. Now I mainly read adult fiction and young adult fiction. I used to read a little more non-fiction, but I don't much at all these days. E-books weren't around when I was growing up. So other than e-books becoming an option, and my taste in books changing a little books and reading haven't changed that much for me over the years. I still read more physical books, than e-books because I prefer to hold the book in my hand. But e-books have made it easier for me to find different titles that I want to read. It is also quicker to get a book, because I can decide I want to read something and download it to my device in minutes.

I see books becoming easier to self publish; but publishers will always be around because some people will always prefer holding a book. Books will be easier to find through e-books, so printing might become more limited, but not anytime soon. I think books will stay much the same with different genres and writing styles appearing, but I don't see books themselves changing. 

I think people will still find time to read. It is a relaxing activity so people will always make time for what they enjoy. Books can become more interactive through the internet and e-devices. I have seen authors make up websites that show the characters, maps of towns in books, and interactive activities that go along with stories. I think that will only expand as time goes on. 

Publishing may become a smaller business, but we will always want choices and options. So I don't see publishing go anywhere in the next 20 or 30 years. Maybe in the far future there might come a time when people stop with actual books, but not any time soon. There are too many people who don't have access to electronic devices for paper books to disappear any time soon. Books should always play a role. Books are important in knowing the size of the book, seeing the print, looking at the cover, flipping through the pages, and just enjoying reading a book.

Week 15 Prompt

Bookmarks are a great way to promote different types of fiction. For the book club I help run we have bookmarks for what we are reading each month. The library also has different bookmarks that promote different types of literature or suggestion books that are certain types. Bookmarks that have mystery authors, Christian fiction, vampire romance, or books on Indiana are some of the times of bookmarks that were made up to use at the library. This is a great way for patrons to find similar books or authors to what they like to read.

Book displays geared toward a certain topic help show patrons what the library has to offer. Currently it is poetry month, so we have a poetry display up at the library to interest patrons in the different poetry books we have to offer. For Valentine's Day in February we had a display of books that include flower arranging, books on chocolates, how to make cards, and romance books. Using book displays is a great way to suggest books to patron so that they can see what the library has to offer. This way they can look in the sections those books are from and find other books to read.

Programs are another way to promote fiction. A couple of different program types would be book discussions or a program specific to a book or author. A program specific to a book or author might be more of a children's or teen's program, but could be geared towards adult as well; such as a Harry Potter themed program. A book discussion promotes different fiction genres and author by reading different kinds of literature depending on the book club. I am part of a book club that reads young adult literature, but other books club could be poetry, non-fiction, science fiction, western, or any type of literature. Different types of book clubs at the library can help promote the different types of the literature the library has available.

Week 14 Prompt

This is a topic that I can see both sides of the discussion and reasons for both. But I think I fall on the side of separating genres just so they are easier to find and get more notice. If categories are all mixed together it can be harder for readers to find what they are looking for or they don't know that the library has it. At the library I work at mysteries, graphic novels, and paperbacks are separated out from the rest of the fiction collection; and each genre has their own section. It is important for patrons to know they can find what they are looking for. This also lets patrons that don't want to try something new be able to avoid something they don't want to read. The library sometimes put genre stickers on the book spine which helps the patrons know if the book is romance or horror, for example. Putting the books in different sections is just another way of highlighting this is what this book is. African American fiction and GBLTQ fiction are two more genres that people might not realize are genres. By separating these two types of fiction into their own sections it let people know these genres exist and we have them available in the library. All types of literature should be available to the public, but the public has to know it is available to be able to access it. I had never thought about these genres before. I know they exist, but how do you know that's what this book is if it isn't shown in some way. Fiction is labeled as is non-fiction to show you if what you are reading to a true story or fiction. So why not have genre sections so you can find the type of book you are looking for?

Week 13 Prompt

YA and graphic novels are great ways to promote reading. Graphic novels get people who don't like to read interested, because they have pictures or are about superheroes. I see graphic novels circulate at the library, but the big interest is in The Walking Dead, Captain America, Avengers, Spider-Man, and any stories of that type in graphic novel form. Right now big movies are about superheroes, so that makes these types of stories popular at the libraries. Many patrons at the library I work at are interesting in reading YA literature. A co-worker and I have a monthly book club that is for adults that read YA literature. YA books have many themes that are popular with adult readers. YA books can be just as or more appealing to readers that adult fiction. Promoting YA books for adults is nice, because when we first started promoting the book club a lot of adults were interested, but thought they were alone in reading YA. It is nice to see how many adults enjoy YA literature. Using movies that are based on graphic novels or YA literature is a great way to promote both types. The movies will get people interest in the book it came from or the book will interest people in the movies. It is a good way for people to try different formats of reading.

Young Adult Annotation

The Novice by Taran Matharu

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Series: Summoner Trilogy
Pages:384

Summary:

The Novice starts the story of Fletcher, an orphan, who accidentally summons a demon and must flee the only home he has ever known. Fletcher and the fire demon are discovered by a mage, who sends him to the academy for battle mages. At the academy Fletcher makes allies, enemies, and those in between in his first year of learning. As a commoner Fletcher stands out at the school of noble born students, but he isn't alone as for the first time a dwarf and a elf have been admitted as well. Othello, the dwarf becomes best friends with Fletcher, while Sylva, the elf, who is at the academy to make alliances takes time to realize that friends make the best allies. As Fletcher learns to uses his abilities he must deal with the prejudice against dwarves and elves from townspeople, the possibility of a dwarf rebellion, and the war with the orcs. Because with the end of his first year is the battles to see who will earn a spot on the council. And if one of their enemies wins the spot their lives might not be the only ones in danger.

Characteristics of Young Adult Fantasy

Frame/Setting- The setting of The Novice is a world with demons, mages, dwarves, elves, and orcs. The setting shows the fantasy elements of the story.

Story Line- The fantasy story line has good beating evil. This story has elements of that, but since it is the first in a trilogy it doesn't completely have good overcoming evil. Fletcher wins the tournament at the end of the story, beating out the plotters and villains, but is then arrested for events that happened in his hometown. Which leaves the story line with a cliffhanger for the next book in the trilogy.

Characterization- The young adult aspect is shown in the main characters. Fletcher, Othello, and Sylva are all teenagers. The story focuses mostly on their group and how they help or intervene in the plans of the adults. The reader gets to see these three characters and the people around them grow up as the book and series progresses.

Pacing- Fantasy pacing starts slow and then gains speed. The Novice follows that example with the start of the story introducing the characters and then the action picking up until the tournament at the end of the story.


Read-a-likes from NoveList:

The Iron Trial by Holly Black
Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan


Author read-a-likes from NoveList:

John Flanagan
Alison Goodman
Anne Osterlund
J.K. Rowling
D.J. MacHale


Series read-a-likes from NoveList:

Magisterium by Holly Black
Inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini
Faerie Wars chronicles by Herbie Brennan
Prophecy novels by Ellen Oh
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Saricks, J. (2009). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Week 12 Prompt

Author: Mark Weinberg
Title: Movie Nights with the Reagans
Publication Date: February 27, 2018
Number of Pages: 261
Geographic Setting: Camp David, Washington, D.C., California
Time Period: 1981- 2016
Subject Headings:
Reagan, Ronald
Reagan, Nancy, 1921-2016
Presidents>United States
Presidents' spouses>United States

Type: Memoir
Series Notes: No series
Book Summary:
Movie Nights with the Reagans is a non-fiction memoir about films the Reagans watched with staff while at Camp David. The movies talked about include 9 to 5, Oh, God! Book II, Raiders of the Lost Ark, On Golden Pond, Chariots of Fire, E.T., Return of the Jedi, War Games, Curse of the Pink Panther, Bedtime for Bonzo, Ghostbusters, Back to the Future, Rocky IV, Reds, Red Dawn, Top Gun, Knute Rockne All American, The Untouchables, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, and Hellcats of the Navy. The author has stories about what was going on in the world and the Reagans' lives at the time they watched the movies, why they picked the movies, and how the movies affected them. The book about who the Reagans were as people beyond the fame and presidency.

Reading Elements: Characterization, Tone, Detail, Learning/Experiencing, Pace, Setting

1-3 Annotation:
This memoir is about the Reagans in their down time. The author talks about movies they shared with staffers, and how those movies played into the everyday of their lives. It is a way of sharing something the Reagans shared with their staffers with readers.

Similar Works:
The Reagan Diaries by Ronald Reagan
What It Takes by Richard Ben Kramer
The Reagan I Knew by William F. Buckley

Name of Annotator: Lindsay Cory

1. Where is this book on the narrative continuum?
A mix.

2. What is the subject of the book?
The subject of the book is different movies the Reagans watched at Camp David with staff, the effects the movies had, and what was going on in the world at that time.

3. What type of book is it?
A memoir.

4. Articulate Appeal

What is the pacing of the book?
It has a relaxed pace. It moves along smoothly.

Describe the characters of the book.
The characters of the book are former President Ronald Reagan, former First Lady Nancy Reagan, staff that worked for them, and the author Mark Weinberg.

How does the story feel?
The story has a warm-hearted entertaining feel to it with small moments of sadness.

What is the intent of the author?
To share moments of movie nights at Camp David with the Reagans with readers. I think the author wants people to see the Reagans through his eyes.

What is the focus of the story?
Movie nights with the Reagans, how those movies affected them, and what was going on in their lives at the time.

Does the language matter?
Yes

Is the setting important and well described?
Yes, the setting is important as an example of what kind of people the Reagans were. The setting is well described with details about where and how things were and how the people affected the setting.

Are there details, and if so, of what?
Yes, there are details about the movies and the people.

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
Yes, there are pictures of the Reagans and the author that relate to the stories.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?
Yes, it has all three. Learning about the Reagans, understanding about the people they were in private and there staff, and experience through the stories of events and comments people made.

Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1. Characterization
2. Tone
3. Detail

Non-fiction Annotation

Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies: The Real West by David Fisher

Genre: Non-fiction
Series- Legends & Lies book 1
Pages- 285

Summary:

Bill O'Reilly's Legends & Lies: The Real West is a book of real stories about famous historical figures from the Old West. The book was written as a companion to the Fox News Series done by Bill O'Reilly. The book covers the time period of 1734 with the birth of Daniel Boone to 1908 with the death of Butch Cassidy. The list of people talked about includes Daniel Boone, David Crockett, Kit Carson, Black Bart, Wild Bill Hickok, Bass Reeves, George Armstrong Custer, Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, Jesse James, Doc Holliday, Billy the Kid, and Butch Cassidy. Each person is covered in a chapter of the book. It explores their life and death, as well as moments that are famous in history. The telling of their stories gives us the various different versions of what might have actually happened or the facts as they are known. With Custer the chapter talks about his famous last battle, but it also talks about his military career and other battles we don't hear about. Custer's last stand is famous in history, and largely what Custer is remembered for, but he did a lot more than lose his final battle. The chapter over Butch Cassidy talks about the famous final shootout when the law tried to arrest Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; but it also talks about how they started out. The theories about how the actually died and if they really did die are discussed as well. The book discusses the major historical moments these figures are known for, but they also look at who the people were and alternate versions of the stories. While telling true stories about famous individuals the book also entertains and keeps the reader's attention.


Characteristics of Non-fiction

Pacing- This is how the story moves. This book moves quickly through facts and details by making things interesting and entertaining.

Characterization- This is the people the book talks about. The characterization tells you about each of these historical figures making you care about what happens to them even though this is history.

Detail- This is the facts and small pieces of information that add together to make the story. The details are what help make this an entertaining book to read. It looks at different people from all angles instead of just one aspect that is well known.

Learning/Experiencing- Sharing knowledge in a relatable way means you learn about history through hearing the pieces shared in an enjoyable way.

Setting- This is where the book is taking place. This book is set in the American West, during the time of expansion and exploration.


Read-a-likes from NoveList

Dreamers and Deceivers by Glenn Beck
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Sides
The Black West by William Loren Katz
Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
Men to Match My Mountains by Irving Stone
The West by Geoffrey C. Ward
Bad Land by Jonathan Raban
The Notorious Reno Gang by Rachel Dickinson
Mudeater by John D. Pihach


Similar authors from NoveList

Edward Dolnick
Jim Donovan
Howard Blum
Mitch Weiss
Timothy Egan
Orlando Figes
David Laskin
Mary Hamilton
Kim MacQuarrie

Wyatt, N. (2007). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Nonfiction. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Week 11 Prompt

The appeal factors are influenced by the medium change from text/visual to audio/listening. Instead of how the characters are described it is also important how the narrator distinguishes the differences between characters. If the narrator doesn't distinguish between characters the listener will be confused by what is going on with the story and the characters. With e-books I feel that the appeal factors are the same as they are for books; except that you can change the format and that can change the pace of the story sometimes.

Not holding the book in your hand means you can't just flip through the pages, but audiobooks and e-books usually give a summary so you can get a feel for the genre. The author of the book is usually a big help in knowing the genre of the book. Authors vary in the genres they write, but usually by the summary and the title a reader can get a feel of what genre a specific book is part of. E-books usually have categories that show what the book is about which can give the reader a feel for the genre of the book.

From my experience changing the color of text doesn't make any difference, but changing font and line spacing can slow down the pace of the story. I have read e-books that have big spacing between lines that means you read a sentence or two and then have to go to the next page, and that really slows the pace of the story down. For audio books narrator choice is a big thing. The speed with which they read, if they use different voices for different characters, or if they have an accent all affect the pace with which the story moves. Music in the background can be distracting or can increase the affect of the book. It depends on the music and if it goes well with the tone of the story. I have read audio books that the reader's voice makes me want to hear the story as much or more than because of the story, but I haven't listened to any audio books where music have stood out in any way for me.

I would say that narrators are a big appeal for audiobooks. The person reading the book can make the book better or worse just by the sound of there voice. For e-books being able to change formats is an appeal. But it all depends on the reader on what will stand out in format of a book as a negative or a positive.

Western Annotation

Butler's Wager by Robert J. Randisi

Series: The Gamblers
Genre: Western
Pages: 295

Summary:

Butler's Wager is about Ty Butler, a man from the East that escaped to the West at his father's orders. His father and all of his family were murdered by an unknown person, who now has a bounty out on Butler. This enemy is someone who had problems with his father. And until he can find who is after him Butler must keep one step ahead of the bounty hunters. Butler is a professional gambler, who is very skilled at his job. He is quick with a gun, but he isn't a gunfighter. His travels take him to Dodge City, where he walks into a hot bed of simmering trouble.
Shortly before he arrived in town the mayoral race voted out the current mayor and the new mayor fired the city marshal, his deputy, and the sheriff. The former city marshal is Jim Masterson, brother of the famous Bat Masterson, and the new powers of the town want him gone, but he won't be chased off. As Ty Butler arrives in town two gunfighters try for Jim and Butler helps save his life. This one action ties Butler to Masterson and brings more trouble than he ever expected to find in Dodge City. Butler's luck runs hot at the gaming tables, where he also befriends a couple of other gamblers. But his luck outside the tables is tested by a bounty hunter, a newspaper woman, and the several attempts on his live. As the trouble in Dodge City comes closer to a boil Butler plays an ace nobody sees coming by anonymously sending for Bat Masterson. So all Butler can do is wait to see if which will arrive first the final showdown between Jim Masterson and his business partner or Bat Masterson.

Characteristics of Western

Frame/Setting- "Westerns take readers back to a time and place in which life is set against a dangerous but beautiful backdrop (Saricks, 2009)." This western is set in 1881 Dodge City. The town is in a way as must a part of the novel as the characters are.

Characterization- Westerns can have characters that are real historical figures; also secondary characters are important in Westerns (Saricks, 2009). Butler's Wager has both of these aspects. The big name historical figures are Jim Masterson and Bat Masterson. An important secondary character in this novel is Jim Masterson's former deputy Neal Brown, who goes out of his way to protect and look after his friend Jim.

Story Line- Westerns can be about good fighting evil, justice being restored, survival, or revenge to name some of the western story line themes (Saricks, 2009). The book contains a couple of these story lines. Survival applies to Butler, who is trying to keep ahead of the bounty hunters on his trail. Good fighting evil can apply to the fight between Jim Masterson and the people who are trying to run him out of town.

Tone/Mood- "Westerns are imbued with a nostalgic tone, full of memories of and longing for another time (Saricks, 2009)." Westerns contain the element of the wild west, exploration, and a different way of life. This book talks about a way of life that no longer exists today, but that many people still are fascinated by.



Book Read-a-likes from NoveList

Gunman's Rhapsody by Robert B. Parker
May There be a Road by Louis L'Amour
Six Bits a Day by Elmer Kelton
The Long High Noon by Loren Estleman
Galloway's Gamble by Howard Weinstein
The Lawman by Lyle Brandt

Series Read-a-likes from NoveList

Caleb York novels by Mickey Spillane
Trail West series by William W. Johnstone
Byrnes family ranch westerns by Dusty Richards
John Henry Cole novels by Bill Brooks
Bounty novels by Paul Colt
Tucker Ashley by C.M. Wendelboe

Saricks, J. (2009). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: American Library Association

Book Club Experience

I found a book club through my home county's library website. There were several to choose from, but this one was the only one that fit my schedule and had an interesting sounding book for the month. It is a book club that meets at a restaurant. I invited a friend to go with me to the book club. I didn't know what to expect from this book club, because the only other one I have attended is the one I help run. I didn't tell anyone that I was there for an assignment. I did read the book for the night, which was Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I found the book to be an interesting read.

When we arrived most of the attendees were already there. Two more people came in after we did. There were around twelve of us there. We were seated at line of tables pushed together in a room. Everybody ordered there drinks and food, if they were getting anything. The library staff member there introduced himself and another member of the club, when we sat down next to them. But I didn't get names for anybody else. The four of us talked about the book for a little while, but then the discussion shifted to other books. When the food arrived we all ate and talked about different books we had read. After almost everyone was done eating the whole table started a discussion, but it was about what good books had been read lately, what everyone was thinking about reading, and what had been recommended to them. The library staff member brought out copies of the book for next month, which is The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Anybody who wanted a copy could check it out. Then he asked what they wanted to read next. They started giving suggestions for what else they could read this year. He wrote down all the suggestions and was going to look into book availability and book length to see what they would read next. We left after this as things seemed to be winding down. We were the first to leave but we stayed for an hour and a half.

The book club has been going on for around a year. It was started by friends and then the library staff member stepped in to get the books and run things. They seem to be a close group that meet to hang out, catch up, and talk with each other. While I thought it was a fun and interesting evening, we didn't talk much about the book that we had read for the night. I don't know if people didn't like it, didn't have time to read, or didn't want to discuss it, but I had expected to talk more about the book. The discussion what went on was interesting, though. The library staff member seemed to be in charge of getting books and helping pick books, but I don't think the group really has a leader from what I could tell. There weren't many questions asked about the book. We discussed what we thought of it and a couple of points were mentioned that we talked about. When we were discussing the book it was the four of us and we all talked back and forth. With the size of the group and the set up it's a little hard for everybody to hear what everybody else is saying unless only one person is talking at a time; and there were several little groups talking with each other. The group seems to read a little bit of everything as long as there is interest from the group. In the past they have read American Gods, Fight Club, Six of Crows, and The Woman in Cabin 10 to name a few I found on their Facebook page. They seem like a great group who had a really good discussion about a little bit of everything. And I think that is what this book club is more about; gathering together with other people to talk about popular movies, good books, and anything they want to discuss in an informal setting. I had a good time, but I don't know if I'll go back as I'm kind of picky about what books I do read in my free time. Good Omens wasn't a book I would have picked on my own, but it was fun to read. I might go back if they have another book that I think sounds good.

Special Topics Paper Summary

I did my paper over the Young Hoosier Book Award (YHBA). It is an award given by the Indiana Library Federation (ILF) and the Association of Indiana School Library Educators (AISLE). The award has been around since 1974-1975. The first winner of the award in 1975 was Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White. There was one award given a year until 1986, when they split the award into two categories 4th-6th grade and 6th-8th grade. Then in 1992 they added K-3rd as another category. The levels are now Picture Books, Intermediate, and Middle Grades.
The 20 books in each categories are selected by a committee for each level. Each committee takes all the nominations and narrows it down to 20 which are then present to the students at the start of the school year to read. If students read 12 of the picture books or 5 intermediate or middle grade books they are able to vote for their favorite. The schools then send the results to of the vote the committee and they announce the winners at the end of the school year.
The committees also provide resource for each of the books. The picture books have activity sheets and information about the books. The intermediate books have discussion questions and information about the books. The middle grades books have book trailers, discussion questions, and information about the books. They also have a book trailer contest for the students to participate in.



Work Cited

Young Hoosier Book Award. Indiana Library Federation. http://www.ilfonline.org/?page=YHBA

Week 7 Prompt

As I read this week's reading I realized I never knew how many fake memoirs there were. I feel it is sad that people create fake stories to get attention and money. Bringing attention to what is going on the world is one thing, but making a false story is another. If you want to tell a story publish a fiction novel, and do some research to help back up the facts in it. I have occasionally read memoirs; the ones I have read I have touching and sometimes hard to read. It is only fair to the people who write their really true story for people to read that there aren't fake memoirs.

I never really watched Oprah so I have only heard of her book club; but I think it is fair that authors got the bump that they received. A lot of popular books receive their praise from word of mouth publicity. A TV book club is on a slightly bigger scale, but it is someone sharing a book that they enjoyed with others. So I think it is fun that so many of Oprah's picks made the bestseller list. It got people reading and enjoying a story.

The celebrity book clubs are a fun way to get people reading. I thinks it's great that celebrities want to share their love of books with their fans. Book clubs are also a great way for people to meet. Though I prefer a real world book club rather than an online one. I prefer to see the people I am talking with. But for other people who are more comfortable online it is great that they have the option of an online book club. They can meet people from all over the world or share thought about reading with like minded people.




Butler, R., Cowan, B., & Nilsson, S. (2005). From Obscurity to Bestseller: Examining the Impact of Oprah's Book Club Selections. Publishing Research Quarterly, 20(4), 23-34. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.

Fake Memoirs. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fake_memoirs

Liao, A. (2017). Celebrity Book Clubs Create Virtual Reading Community. Retrieved from https://www.bookstr.com/celebrity-book-clubs-create-virtual-reading-community

Science Fiction Annotation

No Time Like the Past  Star Trek The Original Series by Greg Cox

Series: Star Trek

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 386

Summary: No Time Like the Past is set in the world of Star Trek: The Original Series, but has a crossover with Star Trek: Voyager. Captain Kirk and the Enterprise are on a diplomatic mission to the planet Yusub to help handle the Orion pirate problem. But the diplomatic meeting is ambushed by Orion pirates and Yusub rebels leading to many deaths. As Kirk and Commissioner Santiago run into trouble a woman appears and saves them, shortly before Spock and security personnel from the Enterprise beam down. The woman introduces herself as "Annika Seven" and she is from the future.

In the future, Voyager has come across a Starfleet distress signal broadcasting from a lifeless planet in the Delta Quadrant and a team is going to investigate. The team made up of Captain Janeway, Tuvok, Neelix, and Seven of Nine, discover a rock face carved to look like Captain James T. Kirk's face. As they explore more they accidentally set off a trap that causes a blast that knocks them all out. Seven's Borg tech helps heal her injuries and she awakens quickly to try to summon help. But the trap also has set a force field around the area they are in, so that she can not summon help. As Seven tries to deactivate the force field she comes across a piece of time travel equipment, and is set back in time and across space.

Seven explains her story to Kirk, Spock, Dr. McCoy, and Commissioner Santiago, but won't go into details, because it might disrupt the timeline. Kirk respects her decision, but Commissioner Santiago doesn't. That discussion is put on hold to cover the bigger problem of finding a way home. Seven has discovered a piece of the time device on Yusub when she arrived. She believes if she finds the other pieces she can use them to get home, but she needs help to do it. With the diplomatic mission on hold, because of the attack the Enterprise is free to take her. 

As the story unfolds the reader finds out there is an Orion spy aboard the Enterprise and the Orion pirates are now after the time traveler. The Enterprise must return to three different planets they have visited in the past; where Seven by herself and then with Kirk travel into the planet past to find the pieces of the device that they need. Along the way they battle with the Orions, travel into the Neutral Zone they share with the Klingon, and have crew members held as hostages; but they still make it to the third and last stop on their journey. Where the question becomes will Captain James T. Kirk make it back to his present to have a future, will Seven survive without the technology she requires to regenerate, and what will become of the Voyager team members if Seven doesn't return to the future to get them the required medical attention?

Characteristics of Science Fiction:

Story Line: The story line is speculative fiction that appeals to the reader's intellect (Saricks, 2009). No Time Like the Past is set in the Star Trek universe, which widely popular. It tells a story that was not seen on the TV show. It gives reader more of the story of a world they enjoy.

Frame/Setting: The frame or setting is evocative and visual (Saricks, 2009). No Time Like the Past is set on different worlds with different customs and people.

Characterization: Science fiction focuses on ideas and setting (Saricks, 2009). No Time Like the Past is about time travel and if Seven should change the past. Also it focuses on what happened to the three worlds that the Enterprise visited, and how they became what they are now. The story is about actions having consequences.

Pacing: Action in Science Fiction may be interior or exterior, with more action and adventure elements included (Saricks, 2009). No Time Like the Past has interior and exterior action. The interior action is the conflict inside Seven of wishing she could change the past, but not wanting to do damage to the future. The exterior action is the fight scenes between Starfleet and the Orion pirates.

Read-a-likes from Novelist:

Armada by Ernest Cline

Stargate Atlantis by Jo Graham

Halo by Karen Traviss

The Host by Stephanie Meyer

1636 by Eric Flint

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

Timeline by Michael Crichton

Contact by Carl Sagan

Author Read-a-likes from Novelist:

Peter David

S.D. Perry

Tim Lebbon

Yvonne Navarro

James Luceno

Aaron Allston

Matthew Woodring Stover

Karen Traviss

Troy Denning

Saricks, J. (2009). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (2nd ed.). Chicago,IL: American Library Association.

Week 6 Prompt

I would promote romances by pairing a romance book and a romantic movie. I would make a display with there pairings. I would make up a list of romance movies and match them up with similar books. Then the list could be displayed with the pairings. It would promote new romances to people who already read romances. People who don't read romances, but watch the movies would get an idea of what romance books they might enjoy.

Romance Annotation

You Say It First by Susan Mallery    

Series: Happily, Inc.
Genre: Romance
Pages: 304

Summary: Nick Mitchell is a successful artist. Pallas Saunders runs a themed wedding business. Nick isn't planning on being around long; while Pallas has roots in the town. Nick takes on the job of restoring set panels for Pallas's business, and they keep getting more and more involved in each other lives. As they work together to pull off a videogame themed wedding, they have ups and downs that include a videogame party, runaway zebras, and armed robbery; but in the end they realize that all that matters is how they feel for each other.    

Characteristics of Romance

Tone- The romance genre appeals to readers' emotions (Saricks, 2009). You Say It First draws people in so that the reader cares about all the characters and can't wait to find out what will happen with the rest of the characters in the story.

Characterization- The romance genre is character driven (Saricks, 2009). You Say It First has the main characters that are the focus of the story, but it also has secondary characters that you come to care about by the end of the book. Those characters stories are important to the reader by the end of the first book.

Story Line- The romance genre is focused on the romantic relationship and the happy ending (Saricks, 2009). You Say It First sends with the characters discussing where they will be married.

Pacing- The romance genre has a fast past and more dialogue than description (Saricks, 2009). You Say It First is a fast paced story that focuses on the characters interactions.

Read-a-likes from Novelist:

Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr
Riding the Wave by Lorelie Brown
Nobody but You by Julie Kenner
Queen of the Universe by Barbara Plum
Chesapeake Blue by Nora Roberts
Eclipse Bay by Jayne Ann Krentz

Similar Authors for Novelist:

Jennifer Crusie
Suzanne Brock
Iris Johansen
Lisa Jackson
Lori Foster
Beverly Barton

Saricks, J. (2009). The Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (2nd ed.). Chicago,IL: American Library Association.

Week 5 Prompt

E-book only books are hard to find in the library collection, unless it's a popular author, and even then it's not guaranteed. E-books need a review guide of their own, so libraries and readers know what's coming out. A lot of times if an author publishes a short story in e-book form it has to be requested by the library patrons that are looking for it or found though Amazon or another online source.

The e-book romance reviews both seem reliable. One is from an Amazon customer and the other is from a blog review. The blog review is less glowing than the Amazon review, but the blog still gives 3 out of 5 stars. So, as long as I could find the rest of the series for purchase this seems like a good holiday romance read to add to the library's collection.

The reviews show that "Angela's Ashes" is a powerful and gripping story through writing and content. It is something that the library should have in its collection to give patrons the option to read if they are interested. It isn't something that I would read; but it sounds like a book that reaches readers.

Popular authors and titles are going to get lots of reviews, but it would be nice if all genres and formats each had a review guide to share what is available for readers. Libraries can only get books that they are aware of. E-book only books are proof of that. Unless a book has reviews or some kind of publicity libraries can't know it is out there.

I think that not printing negative content is nice, but how are people to get a clear picture without both sides weighing in. I think positive and negative reviews can be constructive feedback for both the author and the reader.

I use the Book Page for personal review. I usually just read authors similar to my favorites, unless I come across something that sounds really interesting. I don't usually look at many reviews, but reviews can be helpful in finding new authors or books that are interesting that you might miss otherwise. Such as a new author's first release or a genre that you don't normally read.

Kirkus Style Review

Susan Mallery's spin-off series Happily, Inc. has the same small town uniqueness that made the Fool's Gold series such a hit. With characters from Fool's Gold moving on to Happily, Inc. the new series flows smoothly over from the old.

Nick Mitchell is a talented artist, moving from Fool's Gold to Happily, Inc. to get away from his famous father's expectations and presence. Pallas Saunders recently inherited "Weddings in a Box", a themed wedding location, from her old boss; but her mother expects her to join the family bank business. She needs someone to restore some of the panel settings used in her wedding business. He is waiting to hear back about a commission that would take two years. A mutual friend suggests Nick take the job of restoring the panels. Sparks fly from their first meeting, which includes spray tanning, but they each have reasons for not getting involved. Both are trying to find where they are suppose to be and who they want to be, but an emotional wedding brings everyone together to make a beautiful memory for a dying father of the bride. Bumps in the road threaten to throw the wedding and their relationship into jeopardy, but between videogame parties, a demanding mother, runaway zebras, and a wedding robbery, they realize what they could have together. Now they just have to pull off a wedding and take the steps that will mean a happily ever after for both of them. This wonderful first step into a delightful new town is filled with wonderful friendships, unusual animals, and family galore. The residents of Happily, Inc. are introduced throughout the story setting up backstories and possibilities to come as the series takes off.

Susan Mallery and Happily, Inc. had me hooked in from the beginning. I can't wait to jump into the next book in the series Second Chance Girl.

Secret Shopper Assignment

I went to a public library I hadn’t been to in a few years, and I didn’t know the librarian. I went to the circulation desk and asked for a new author to read. I gave the librarian a few of my favorite authors Nora Roberts, Nalini Singh, J.R. Ward, and Sherrilyn Kenyon. She did three different searches on what I think were Fantastic Fiction, Google, and the online catalog. She gave several authors I had read already. Then found four that I haven’t read. They are Kelley Armstrong, Patricia Briggs, Laurell K. Hamilton, and Karen Marie Moning.

She pointed me in the direction of the fiction section and I found the first in the series by Karen Marie Moning. I couldn’t find any of Kelley Armstrong or Patricia Briggs books in on the shelves, and Laurell K. Hamilton’s series didn’t have the first book available. Overall, it went well and I left with a book that I am looking forward to reading. I don’t know if I’ll go back, because the library I currently use is more convenient for me.

Week 3

These are my responses for week #3 prompt. I found all my suggestions using Novelist.

1.       I am looking for a book by Laurell K. Hamilton. I just read the third book in the Anita Blake series and I can’t figure out which one comes next!

Book #4 in the Anita Blake series is The Lunatic Café. I searched Laurell K. Hamilton and then checked for the reading order of the series.

2. What have I read recently? Well, I just finished this great book by Barbara Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer. I really liked the way it was written, you know, the way she used language. I wouldn't mind something a bit faster paced though.

I suggest Anthill by Edward Wilson or anything by William Faulkner. I found these suggestions by searching read-a-likes for Prodigal Summer and then I searched similar authors to Barbara Kingsolver. I narrowed my search to similar writing styles with a fast pace and came up with my suggestions.

3. I like reading books set in different countries. I just read one set in China, could you help me find one set in Japan? No, not modern – historical. I like it when the author describes it so much it feels like I was there!

I suggest Dreaming Spies by Laurie King and Laura Rowland’s Sano Ichio series. I searched for historical books set in Japan and then narrowed the list by descriptive writing styles.

4. I read this great mystery by Elizabeth George called Well-Schooled in Murder and I loved it. Then my dentist said that if I liked mysteries I would probably like John Sandford, but boy was he creepy I couldn't finish it! Do you have any suggestions?

I suggest books by Louise Penny, Peter Robinson, Dorothy Sayers, P.D. James, or Erin Hart. I found these by searching read-a-likes to Well-Schooled in Murder and similar authors to Elizabeth George. These are the authors that were on both lists.

5. My husband has really gotten into zombies lately. He’s already read The Walking Dead and World War Z, is there anything else you can recommend?

I suggest Cell by Stephen King, Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry, Day by Day Armageddon by J.L. Bourne, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith, and The Zombie Autopsies by Steven Schlozman. I found these suggestions by searching for read-a-likes to The Walking Dead and World War Z. Then I narrowed it to just books with zombies. These were a few that stood out.

 6. I love books that get turned into movies, especially literary ones. Can you recommend some? Nothing too old, maybe just those from the last 5 years or so.

I suggest Every Man Dies Alone by Hans Fallada, A Dog’s Promise by W. Bruce Cameron, The Circle by Dave Eggers, and The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls. I found these by looking at the Book to Movies Archive in Novelist. I look for things that were recent and literary works.

7. I love thrillers but I hate foul language and sex scenes. I want something clean and fast paced.

I suggest The Rooster Bar or The Whistler by John Grisham, House of Spies by Daniel Silva, or One Perfect Lie by Lisa Scottoline. I found these suggestions by looking at the Thrillers genre. I then narrowed it down to fast-paced stories. Then I looked through my results for books that sounded like they were clean.

When I am looking for suggestions for myself or patrons at the library I use Fantastic Fiction, Goodreads, Amazon, or Google. These are websites I have found to be the most useful in the last few years, but it is nice to have some new sites to try. Novelist is really easy to use and has good suggestions for read-a-likes and similar authors.

Reader Profile

I enjoy reading romance, sometimes mysteries, fantasy, science fiction, and young adult books. I like books set in the regency or old west. I am fan of Nora Roberts, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Tamora Pierce, J.R. Ward, Susan Mallery, Carol Higgins Clark, Christine Feehan, and Nalini Singh. I don't read horror, because I don't like books that are scary. A little bit of scare is okay in a book, but I don't like the whole book to terrify me from beginning to end. I currently help run a book club that for adults that like reading young adult books. I occasionally read non-fiction books, but not very often.