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.
Sunday, March 25, 2018
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
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
Saturday, March 10, 2018
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.
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.
Sunday, March 4, 2018
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
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
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