Final - Lab B

Hello all!

For the final assignment, I worked with a librarian at Hamilton East Public Library to develop a reading guide for Romantic Suspense paperbacks. The end result was a bookmark with a list that takes readers to a website with annotations, suggestions for authors and some fun websites to explore.

http://romanticsuspensesuggestions.weebly.com

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3XWdbVIqgZnelVLSm9uZ2xla1U/view?usp=sharing - link to the bookmark I designed for use in the library.

I wanted to add this caveat from my reflection paper as it was a slight hiccup in the process, so it's clear that this is not a permanent representation of the Hamilton East Public Library:

After this bookmark and website were created, they were shared with the Hamilton East Public Library marketing and community relations department for approval. At this point the website remains unapproved by that department, because they would like to find a way to incorporate this information into the main website for the Hamilton East Public Library system – especially since the library launched a new brand on April 15^th and is eager to maintain a consistent brand and image. However, this project has sparked discussion about including more sub-sections of the website that are devoted to readers’ advisory guides and information. For the purpose of this project, I was permitted to create this website, understanding that as it is incorporated into the general Hamilton East Public Library website, the content will remain consistent but the web address and branding will be replaced with library-approved standards.

Hope you all enjoy - would love any feedback if you want to share!

Had a great semester working with all of you. Hope to see you in future classes, and congrats to those who are graduating this semester!

Jess

Week 16 Prompt - Books, Past and Present

My earliest memories include books. I was fortunate to grow up in a family where reading was encourage, celebrated, and practiced by both of my parents, as well as the rest of my family. I graduated from Bernstein Bears to chapter books, including my favorites - the Black Beauty series, Little House on the Prairie, and the Great Illustrated Classics. I was really unstoppable - my parents enrolled me in sports so I'd have to put down books and interact with kids my age. While I was resentful then, I will always be appreciative of the importance that my family and schools placed on reading as a way of exploring the world.

Growing up, the library was a large part of this experience. I primarily used our local county library which made a valiant effort to supply the town and outlying areas with new and interesting books. I have very distinct memories of the layout of the library, the display cases that I yearned to display my treasures in, and the seriously intimidating librarians. The day I was finally allowed to go to the adult section on the second floor was a memorable one. 

I am discouraged to hear perspectives like that which were presented in "Staying Awake" (Le Guin, 2008) which paint a bleak picture of books - both their quality and their value in today's world. There is an argument that books are written with an increasingly declining level of talent and imagination - sure, some are. Some bestsellers are predictable and follow a formula that people find comforting. But - I would seriously argue - that many do not fall prey to familiarity and redundant plots and characters. Many books being written today - and in the future - are quality works of literature that deserve an opportunity to be read, re-read, and cherished.

There are some ways in which the world of books and publishing will change in years to come. I believe there has to be an expectation that as our culture evolves, and technology emerges, that the ways in which we read and experience books will evolve, too. However, I would argue that those changes do not necessarily have to change the impact books have on readers. I find it hard (almost impossible) to imagine a day when we do not print books on paper for people to hold in their hands and place on their bookshelves - but that may happen. But what I do not believe will happen is that there is a day when people no longer have use for books - either those that entertain or those that make readers think. Very little of the other forms of entertainment that we have in our lives today can enrich and teach the reader the way a book can. And I find it very hard to believe that there will be a day when people don't demand that they have access to books - because books are the most accessible ways for people to experience the world in ways that they may never otherwise know. Books are resilient and adaptable - they've been around for centuries and are used to document our culture, our lives and our history. They reflect the lives and thoughts of those who write them and change the lives and thoughts of those who read them. 

I  hadn't thought about this prior to this blog post but I guess this is one of the reasons I feel so passionately about becoming a librarian, and I'm sure others do too - because I believe so strongly in the preservation of, and access to, knowledge. So much of that lives within books - and for that reason, I will always advocate for the creation, publishing, distribution and freedom of access to whatever book any individual would want.

Also - I loved this quote from the readings, but got on a bit of a rambling rant and couldn't find a way to incorporate it - so I'll just stick it at the bottom as a final thought :)

"In it's silence, a book is a challenge....it won't move your mind unless you give it your mind, or your heart unless you put your heart into it. It won't do the work for you. To read a story well is to follow it, to act it, to feel it, to become it..." (Le Guin, 2008).

Week 15 Prompt - Promoting the Fiction Collection

Libraries aren’t unique beasts when you think about marketing and promotion – in order to get community members to utilize what the library has to offer, you have to reach and interest the people who are in the library (library users) as well as interest and reach those who are not (non-users). Like any other good marketing team, the library must find ways to continually provide users with fresh ideas and innovative opportunities using library materials and programs, and must also find a way to hook non-users with something that is valuable to them, so that they transition to becoming users.

When thinking about appealing to users and transitioning non-users, fiction book collections are a safe place to start. Most everyone has had a favorite book at some point in their life – many just need a simple push to discover another one! However, walking into a library and selecting a new reading choice can be intimidating for even the most seasoned reader, so the library staff has a responsibility to help facilitate those choices.

The following ideas may help promote fiction collections in public libraries:

Displays

Displays are a somewhat obvious choice, but they are such a strategic marketing tool that they cannot be overlooked. Displays are so versatile and the options are endless, and libraries can utilize them to highlight a part of the collection.

Of course, it is always attractive to provide a display/reading list or guide for a certain topic – whether it is timely and relevant, or popular. For example, the library in which I work has recently had fiction displays devoted to “Go to a New Place in a Book” – fiction books that feature unique landscapes or travel, as well as “Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now?” – fiction books that feature romantic tangles! Staff may also look to resources like Pinterest or Chase’s Calendar of Events to find inspiration for themed displays.

Patrons also appreciate displays focused on a certain genre. Like many of the discussions last week 

pointed out, highlighting a certain genre can draw readers to it, and make it more visible for those who appreciate it. Often, the library in which I work will find some sort of cultural event (like the recent Game of Thrones premier) and will create a display of other fantasy works that may have similar appeal elements. We did the same with a display titled “Liked Gone Girl”? for suspense novels.

Additionally, it is always a good idea to highlight an author in the fiction collection – especially if they have a new anticipated book coming out or something notable is in the news. Recently, we featured Terry Pratchett’s works, and have honed in on popular authors like Nora Roberts and Debbie Macomber. It is important that the library focus on not just the authors who are popular and mainstream, but those who represent less-read genres and titles so that readers can have exposure the full collection.

Staff and Patron Picks

The Hamilton East Public Library announced a new brand last week and with that came a new website design. One part of it that staff and patrons are very excited about is the addition of staff and patron picks. On a rotating basis, staff members are reviewing fiction books of their choosing and those reviews will be available on the website for patrons to read. They are, of course, synced with social media on other accounts so there are more opportunities to discover them.

Likewise, we have a new part of the website that allows for patrons to submit very short reviews of books they have or have not liked. It’s an opportunity for patrons to be engaged in the library community and share their perspective.

Of course, there are some great display opportunities that come from both of these types of review sources! Additionally, staff is advocating for a library Goodreads page as well – we will see if that occurs! Having a Goodreads account for the library would allow the reviews and recommendations to be enhanced by a larger online reading community.

Mini-Libraries

One great way that our library is thinking about better marketing the fiction collection (and the library as a whole) is by setting up mini-libraries around town. Our library has an outreach relationship with local apartment complexes and on a monthly basis, we bring brochures and flyers that the apartments include in their “welcome packets” for new residents. In addition to that, some apartment complexes have allowed us to set up a “mini library” in their clubhouses where books that are popular but have been withdrawn (usually, because we have purchased multiple copies of which some must be weeded when the initial demand is gone) are displayed for residents to read. Accompanying these books is the below sign which encourages residents to come to the library and check out everything else we have to offer!

While we cannot place these all over the community, and we have had to deal with some logistical issues as well as issues of perception (why are these books not in the library?) we have had success with people being encouraged to come see the rest of the collection.

Evaluating Space and Collections

While it’s not as obvious as some of the other suggestions on the list, it is important that libraries weed their collections and maintain them so that the most updated and attractive collection is available to patrons. Weeding allows for tired copies to be retired, which refreshes the collection; it also allows for materials to placed on the shelves in more accessible places (i.e. not on the bottom shelf). Additionally, if collections are weeded and maintained, it also provides space to place books “face out” on the shelves. When highlighting a particularly popular book or author, placing it face out allows the browsing patron to stumble upon it more easily and be more attractive than a spine that may be lost.

Interspersed reading guides

Libraries often have great reading guides such as brochures and bookmarks that will highlight a certain genre, author or subject. However libraries need to take it one step further and make those accessible on the shelf where readers will see them! It’s easier to do this in non-fiction but has the potential to be very successful in fiction. Libraries can place lists of authors’ books on the shelf, so patrons can see a full series line-up or popular titles; likewise, suggestions of read-alikes can be placed on the shelf by popular titles that may be checked out.

Additionally, if a library wants to encourage non-fiction readers to explore fiction, they may consider placing suggestions for fiction books by non-fiction titles on the shelf. For example, if someone is interested in reading In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick, they may be interested in Moby Dick, Life of Pi, or The Swiss Family Robinson. Simple signage or guides on the shelf may help readers find things in the fiction collection they wouldn’t have otherwise found!

There really are an unlimited number of ways that a fiction collection can be promoted. Most importantly, a library needs to understand what the community responds to so that they can continue to feature items in a way that the community will seek them. Once they figure that out – the sky is the limit!

To Interfile or Not - That is the Question

“Consider yourself part of the collection management committee of your local library, or a library at which you would like to work. You must decide whether or not to separate GBLTQ fiction and African American Fiction from the general collection to its own special place. Some patrons have requested this, yet many staff are uncomfortable with the idea - saying it promotes segregation and disrupts serendipitous discovery of an author who might be different from the reader. Do you separate them? Do you separate one and not the other? Why or why not? You must provide at least 3 reasons for or against your decision.”

It is challenging to think about a library’s collection without discussing the library’s decision to interfile or not. On a regular basis, I get questions at the reference desk about interfiling and whether a patron should look in “regular fiction” or somewhere else to find a book. When I first got this question, I’ll admit that I was stumped. This is my first library job so I guess I hadn’t thought much about whether or not to separate genres. “But…it’s all fiction…” I remember saying to my boss, “so why would we move it even more?” I didn’t realize then, but she was probably rolling her eyes, thinking “Oh, this debate again!”

Now, I can understand why there are two sides to the debate about how to organize fiction collections. On one hand, a single fiction collection with guides for readers (bookmarks, brochures, stickers, etc.) provides users with the opportunity to discover all sorts of genres and authors. On the other hand, specific genres provide users with the opportunity to hone in on the type of fiction they most enjoy reading. There is no right or wrong way, but each library must develop a system that works for them.

Additional sensitivity regarding the organization of a fiction collection comes into play when libraries are faced with the challenge of how to file books that fall under LGBT or African-American fiction genres. While I’m not sure I would classify these as genres, they do have elements that are more or less appealing to certain readers for a variety of reasons.  When considering these books, some libraries choose to incorporate them into the general fiction collection, while some choose to pull them out and make specific sections.

After considering both sides of how to address this, I believe that I am in favor of interfiling the entire collection, including LGBT and African American fiction. For the following reasons, I believe that an inclusive fiction collection is the best approach.

Promotes browsing and discovery

Many library patrons enjoy the causal, informal nature of browsing shelves to find good books to read. While browsing a collection, readers will often stumble upon a book that meets and satisfies their appeal factors, though it may be a totally new author or genre for them. Putting all of the fiction books in one section allows for readers to come across titles they wouldn't other wise read. On the flip side, there is a good chance that, "putting these titles in a genre collection will mean that readers who automatically reject those genres will rarely come across these books" (Trott & Novak, 2008). Libraries should try to design collections in a way that promotes the highest level of potential discovery as possible.

Enforces the idea that this is just another type of fiction

The challenge with genre, or sub-genres, of fiction is that there can be an implied value assessment assigned to them - as if they aren't as "legitimate" or "respected" as others. LGBT and African American fiction can easily fall into this category. As Trott and Novak (2008) note, 

 "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. Too often, genre fiction collections that are separated out are not clearly identified as such, and represent the arcana of the library’s holdings, where only the true devotees venture. While these true devotees may be delighted to have a section devoted to them, such breaking down of the collection into specializations makes it less accessible to those readers who 'don’t read horror' or 'never pick up a Western.’”

Interfiling all genres within the fiction collection will promote the idea that there is no value placed on any type of book, and that the library supports Ranganthan’s laws “Every reader his (or her) book; Every book its reader”.  Rather, interfiling will allow readers to become accustomed to LGBT and African American fiction as additional types of fiction they may try and enjoy.

Respect for privacy and anonymity 

Libraries are committed to patron privacy and rights to read, and do everything they can to protect those rights and promote readers’ confidence in the library. When considering this, especially in the case of LGBT books, libraries should consider that patrons may wish to browse through books featuring this subject or characters without violating their rights to privacy, while diminishing any real or perceived judgement from other patrons or readers. Interfiling books together further protects that privacy and will most likely provide a sense of comfort/relief to patrons who are nervous about exploring a new genre.

Is there a solution?

As a compromise to this question, I would suggest using spine stickers to delineate LGBT and African-American authors/books on the shelves, and leave them immersed with the general fiction collection. The Fishers library currently uses stickers to bring reader’s attention to romance, mystery, suspense, westerns, etc. – there would be no difficulty incorporating additional stickers to guide readers in their choices.

There is discussion about what constitutes LGBT fiction (is it based on characters? Storyline?) and sometimes African American fiction. To relieve the library of making decisions about how to assign genres, the library will continue to use guidelines from professional sources and the publisher to determine how to label these books. Patrons always have the right to request that they be re-assigned or removed from a genre with a materials reconsideration request.

In order to guide users in finding authors and books in these two genres, the library will prepare brochures, reading guides, author lists, bookmarks, etc. These are available from the reference desk as well as in a separate display so that readers may self-guide their exploration.

The Fishers library has transitioned in the past from separate genre collections to an interfiled collection based upon community assessment and strategic goals. If this sort of collection is no longer useful to the community, the library will absolutely consider a new organization model which may include creating specific genre collections.

*****

I also found this blog post to be interesting and useful in this discussion. I did not incorporate any of the author’s thoughts into my post, but thought this would be interesting to read!

http://nkjemisin.com/2010/05/dont-put-my-book-in-the-african-american-section/

Reference

Trott, B. & Novak, V. (2008). A House Divided? Two Views on Genre Separation. Retrieved from: http://blog.rusq.org/2008/01/05/a-house-divided-two-views-on-genre-separation/

Urban Fiction Annotation - Who Ya Wit'

Title: Who Ya Wit’
Author: Brenda Hampton
Genre: Street Lit/Urban Fiction
Publication Information: September 30, 2014/Urban Renaissance Publishing
Pages: 288
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Time Period: Present

Synopsis

As a middle-aged, attractive, independent black woman, Desa Rae is content with her quiet and predictable life. She is on good terms with her ex-husband Reggie, a proud mother to Latrel who is going to college, works hard at a steady job, and has her best friend Monica to keep her life interesting.

Interesting, that is, until she meets Roc. In back to back chance encounters, she meets a smooth-talking, street hustler who can’t keep his eyes off her. Oh, and he’s almost half her age. Desa Rae spends time trying to distract and discourage Roc, but he keeps showing up – at her home, out at the club, all around town – and finally wins her over. Desa Rae and Roc have a chemistry that they can’t deny, and once Desa Rae lets down her guard, Roc wins over.

The trouble is, Desa Rae isn’t ready to love or trust a man who calls himself “a mover and shaker”, especially once she realizes that involves selling drugs, violence, association with his Uncle Ronnie (a high-profile gang leader in St. Louis) and other women. Many other women – some of whom are out to cause trouble.

Desa Rae and Roc chase each other in circles, oscillating between fighting, moments of peace and mind-blowing sex – which always ends with one of the two being disappointed. Their on-again, off-again relationship has to change when Desa Rae finds out that at the age of 40, she is pregnant with Roc’s child. Roc is pleased, but his Uncle Ronnie isn’t – as he believes that Desa Rae is trying to get Roc out of the gang/drug trade. Roc’s also battling Vanessa – his long-time girlfriend and the mother of his other child, who refuses to be replaced by Desa Rae. Between Ronnie and Vanessa, Desa Rae is in danger of losing Roc, or something even more – until Roc takes a stand that forever alters things between his crew, himself, and Desa Rae.

As Roc continues to test her patience and commitment to him, Desa Rae has to find a way to love him that doesn’t involve getting hurt by him and his lying, philandering ways. She tries to find balance as he moves in and out of her life, unsettling her and not allowing her love for him to die. And at the end of it, that’s what Desa Rae needs know – can she love Roc without losing herself?

Elements of Street Lit/Urban Fiction

Language

In keeping with urban fiction, the language of Who Ya Wit’ was peppered with vernacular of the urban culture. Desa Rae’s character hardly swore which put her in opposition to Roc and Ronnie who were quite prolific! These characters heavily used the “N” word in their speech, used some slang words that may have been unfamiliar to a new reader, and utilized the use of some pretty strong curse words and sexual language.

Sex

Urban fiction is known for its steaminess – and this book did not disappoint! Characters were having sex, thinking about sex, talking about sex, reminiscing about sex – constantly. The cycles of Roc and Desa Rae’s relationship seemed to start and end with a sexual encounter, which continue to keep that tension as a critical part of the development of their relationship and the story as a whole.

Pacing

This book, like others in this genre, moved quickly. The language and POV (usually singular) keeps the reader engaged, and the author chose to move time at a pretty fast pace. Over the course of this novel, the best way to keep track of the time was to track a) holidays (it spanned 3 Thanksgivings) and b) the age of her children. Events occurred quickly but readers don’t feel like they are missing important details in the process.

Presence of Street Life and Hip Hop culture

This book is somewhat unique as it does explore “street life” – drugs, violence, gangs, jail and prison, etc. – but it also promotes Desa Rae as a character that remains highly removed from the day-to-day street life. This juxtaposition further highlights the differences between Desa Rae and Roc, but the inclusion of these elements demonstrate Roc’s life as a mover and shaker.

One moment of street life is depicted when a character named “Sippi” is shot and killed. Desa Rae runs to comfort Roc who nonchalantly notes that “he had it coming” and “nobody is surprised – he had some enemies.” For many readers this type of attitude would be appalling, but urban fiction explores this element of life as a pragmatic fact and almost expected.

Likewise, there are a number of elements that reflect current hip-hop culture. The author places a high emphasis on describing clothes and accessories for the characters – lots of jewelry, name brand clothes, etc. The author also takes a great deal of care to describe possessions like nice cars, expensive stereo equipment, and homes which “invite the reader to take pleasure in lush descriptions of expensive, high-status material goods” (Honig, 2011).

Book Read-Alikes

Every Thug Needs a Lady – Wahida Clark

Similarly to Who Ya Wit’, Every Thug Needs a Lady explores relationships between men who are heavily involved in street culture and the women who they love who are trying to get them out. These books both feature African-American characters, highlight love triangles and messy love affairs, and present relationships where one partner is trying to get the other to leave a street life behind.

Torn – Tina Ervin

Mo loves a man who just can’t seem to love her back – at least not the way she wants. She knows he’s unpredictable and wrapped up in a game, but she wants the chance to see if that love can flourish – but Mo knows that he can only love her the way he knows how. Will this work for her? Like Who Ya Wit, True explores the difficult and unstable relationships between men working in the gang-life and the women who love them.

True to the Game – Teri Woods

In this book, author Woods explores relationships between men and women who are all caught up in street violence and drug trade – and need to hang on to one another to make it. While the characters are madly in love, one has to take the fall for another’s mistakes – leaving them to figure out if their relationship, and their street game, will make it.

Author Read-Alikes

Carl Weber - http://www.carlweber.net/

Shannon Holmes - http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Shannon-Holmes/21456262

Erick Gray - http://www.amazon.com/Erick-S.-Gray/e/B001JS8QGM

Reader Commentary

Well, this was certainly a new venture for me. The only exposure I’ve ever really had to Urban Fiction has been through the Zane series, and I didn’t think it was appropriate to review that (if you don’t know Zane, well…just trust me). So I was intrigued to try this book! I saw that Carl Weber was a popular author in this genre, so when I saw that he was promoting Brenda Hampton, I thought this would be a good choice.

Surprisingly, I liked this book. It was fun to read, fast to read, and kept me on my toes. I did tire of the circular drama that surrounded the main characters, but the addition of Desa Rae’s ongoing love for her ex-husband Reggie was fun, and I liked some of the female characters that adorned Roc (it seemed as if that’s all they did). Desa Rae was funny - she was smart and articulate and kept her patience far more than I would have!

All in all, I don’t think this is a genre I would actively seek out, but it was enjoyable. The pace made it as such – had it been slower moving I think it would have been more difficult to handle some of the ongoing drama and repetitive conversations.

Week 13 Prompt - Bringing YA and GN Out of the Shadows

One of my favorite exchanges that I have had recently at the reference desk involved a father and son who came in to find the son a book to read on vacation. The son was a self-declared “non-reader” and dad was pushing hard to get him to read some of the authors/books that he himself enjoyed. I could sense resistance coming from the son so I made some suggestions about YA books he might enjoy, and also showed him our graphic novels in both adult and teen. His dad articulated that he was unsure about the value of his son reading graphic novels, and would prefer “real books” so I pulled out The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho and asked if they’d ever seen this. To my surprise (delight?) the son grabbed at it, saying that one of his friends had mentioned something about it, and dad seemed a little taken aback. I continued to talk to both for a while about how there’s books, TV and movies are evolving from graphic novels (once I mentioned that the Walking Dead was a graphic novel, dad got more interested) and the boy left with at least one book that he was excited to read.

In some ways, I think that the young adult, graphic novels and other genres that receive a “bad rap” should take note of what romance is doing. Traditional romance was something that we could all look at, even if the bare-chested men on the front were a little too under-dressed for the situation. But – in recent years – steamier romance has taken hold of the market and has become something that’s boldly and openly requested, checked out and read in public. People are not as shy about discussing romance and its elements anymore – they’ve embraced it, made it a part of their regular reading habits, and that demand has resulted in libraries stocking more books of that genre, thereby encouraging more people to explore it. Other genres may not share those same elements, but have the opportunity to "come out from the shadows”, embrace their unique aspects, and offer people an alternative of what they can read. We know that there is no inherently higher value to reading one book or genre or another (or else romance would have gone down the drain lately – in my opinion!) so we should publicly declare that by suggesting and showcasing YA books and graphic novels so that perception diminishes.

Moreover, librarians should start considering some of these genres/niche reads as gateways to the library and the world of reading. While they may not be classified as great literature, they are

•  Bringing people into the library to browse the collection and be exposed to the library
• Engaging people in conversations about books, subjects, emotions, situations, etc. that may be important to them
•  Opening up readers minds to alternate materials that they may find satisfying. 

Our roles as RA librarians has never been to judge what is being read, but to find books that meet the reading needs of our patrons. If those exist as a graphic novel or on shelves in the teen department, fine. And even more importantly, our roles demand that we understand the characteristics of the readers who gravitate towards these genres so we can suggest additional items – both within these genres and outside of them – to keep them engaged with reading. While YA and graphic novels may never be my cup of tea, or something I gravitate towards, I fully believe that they will become a staple of library materials and should be valued as such.

Week 12 Prompt - Nonfiction

This week, our class explored using readers' advisory skills and techniques for our readers who prefer to read non-fiction. For this example, I chose the book Murder of a Medici Princess by Caroline P. Murphy. The following questions help flush out the aspects of RA that a librarian should be able to identify in order to suggestion non-fiction books. 

Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
This book is a mix on the narrative continuum. There are some moments in the book that are very lyrical and prose-like, while there are other times when Murphy focuses on fact-based prose.

What is the subject of the book? 

The title of this book, Murder of a Medici Princess would imply that this is a story surrounding Isabella d’Medici’s murder. While the murder is a component of the story, the book provides rich details and information about her life as a member of the political, savvy, and ruthless Medici family.

What type of book is it? 

This book is a historical retrospective of a family that is the subject of a number of historical fiction novels and lore.

What is the pacing of the book? 

The pacing of this book is moderate, which seems appropriate. The parts that are slower engage the reader with a lot of detailed, factual information; the faster moving parts tell stories of the Medici family and read similar  to fiction.

  

Describe the characters of the book.

The characters in this book are described with historical accuracy. Their personalities unfold quickly and it is evident the type of characteristics each holds – cunning/sly, outgoing, lively, withdrawn, good, evil. This is a book with a large cast of characters – some who are only briefly mentioned; however, though there are a number of secondary characters, they are important to the politics and family dynamics of this group.

While readers can recognize elements of the characters, they are not as relatable as characters in other books may be. Part of this may be because of the setting of this story, which is unique to the time period.

           

How does the story feel?

The story is both an illumination of a woman who was ahead of her time (educated, philanthropic) and also perceived to be/portrayed as a “spoiled party girl.” The reader learns more about Isabella and her family than her murder. The story is informative and engaging as well as dark and unsettling.

What is the intent of the author? 

In this book, the intent of the author is to educate the reader not only about the murder of Isabella d’Medici (which, from all intents and purposes and popular belief should be pinned on her husband), but also to share information about the relationship between Isabella and her father and brothers, and the general prestige and power of the Medici family.

           

What is the focus of the story? 

The focus of the story is on Isabella d’Medici, her life as an atypical woman during the Renaissance, her family relationships, and the power and rule of the Medici family as a whole.

Does the language matter? 

Yes! The language is straightforward and bold, and also incorporates terminology from the time.

Is setting important and well-described? 

In most cases, yes. There is detail about setting and it is important to understand the community in which the family lived. In some parts, when the author is describing more about the economic or political landscape, setting isn't emphasized as much.

Are there details and if so, what? 

Yes, the details are fairly strong and consistent throughout the whole story. It seems as if many more details about male characters are shared – that may be because more details of men’s lives were preserved – but we still get a great picture of Isabella and her life.

           

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? 

The book includes a very helpful family chart at the beginning, which is critical to understanding the family’s heritage and relationships. There are additional maps, drawings, and charts, some which were produced during that time, as well.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding or experience? Most notably, the book stresses learning and experience. The reader gets an idea of the life of the Medici family and the role Isabella had in the family, as well as the events that led to her eventual murder.

  

Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank its appeal)

1. The subject (Isabella) or the general Medici family           

2. Specifics of the time period/historical element

3. Characterization – characters are strong, well-depicted and intriguing

The Changing Appeal of Books

Appeal is, in some ways, an intangible aspect of reading, suggesting and loving books. Of course there are aspects of appeal that are tactile – the smell of a book, the weight of it, the picture on the cover, etc. – but there are parts of the appeal that are also intangible. Some of those we can quantify – pacing, characterization, frame, story, etc. – and some we cannot. Sometimes people identify a book or author that they like/appreciate but cannot tell us why. While it is frustrating to try to find a similar book or author without concrete evidence as to why it was a favorite, it is something that we are all probably guilty of, as professionals as well as pleasure readers.

When I talk about e-books and audiobooks with patrons, I find that they can be polarizing. The group that prefers audiobooks either finds it more comfortable to read them (due to poor eyesight, inability to hold books, difficulty with reading/literacy, or other reasons) or use them to supplement long times when they are distracted by other activities such as driving and working. In my experience, I have found that those who prefer audiobooks are loyal to them and will do whatever they can to get them. For this sector of patrons, the appeal for these books can vary from traditional books. These patrons look for good narrators, who keep them engaged, and are entertaining. They seek music that mirrors the story and enhance the tone. Of course they appreciate the story and characters, but I have some patrons who are more committed to following a certain narrator than type of book! Many still seek genre or subject specific books, but I do believe the appeal factor for audiobooks varies a bit from traditional print books.

E-book fans have different appeal factors to contend with. In some ways, e-books mirror appeal factors of print books. Most, if not all, have a cover picture that sets the tone for the book; swiping across a page gives the idea of turning a page; patrons are able to read at their own speed. However, with readers – especially those like iPads and Kindle Fires – there are some differences with e-books. Patrons have the ability to change the size of the print which can be like reading large print – it encourages more “page turning” which can seem to increase pace. Patrons may change the page color to ease their eyes which presents a stark difference between print and e-books. The electronic table of contents allows for ease in navigating to new chapters with the touch of a finger. I believe that, subconsciously, patrons see this way of reading as speeding up the process of getting through a book. It may not actually decrease the amount of time devoted to reading a book, but with a single page presented on a tablet at once, it seems like readers are engaging more movement to get through a book which may be perceived as a faster pace.

In my experience, people who do read e-books are quick to say that they don’t want to “totally abandon regular books.” I don’t know if they feel a personal attachment to reading print books, or don’t want to be perceived as transitioning away from print books, but I do find it interesting. Even though these same patrons highlight some of the same reasons for enjoying e-books that were explored in the powerpoint, such as ease in getting books; privacy; etc., they seem to want to assure me (and themselves!) that they are still interested in print books.

In some ways, I think that people are still adjusting to the idea of books in alternate formats in libraries (especially e-books) and don’t quite understand that just because they are accessing them in different formats, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t using the library as they should. I think our role in RA is to encourage the exploration of formats that may be easier, more accessible or more fun for people to try, and reinforce the idea that for the most part, the reasons that patrons like certain books will not change. Sure, the format or the look may differ, but the content is in the same – and for most patrons, that’s what counts most of all.

Historical Fiction Annotation - Shadow on the Crown

Picture retrieved from
www.amazon.com

Title: Shadow on the Crown

Author: Patricia Bracewell

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publication Date: February 7, 2013

Publisher: Viking Adult

Pages: 432 (hardcover)

Geographical Setting: England and Normandy

Time Period: Medieval

Plot Summary

In 1002, Emma of Normandy is negotiated as a bride for the aging King Aethelred of England. Aethelred, a father many times over and a widower, is not eager at all to wed again, but does so to appease his advisors and forge political alliances with Emma’s brother, Richard, Duke of Normandy. At 15, Emma (rather than her sickly older sister) is sent to a strange land and expected to find her way in this new home.

Emma finds herself in an unwelcoming court, with a rival named Elgiva who had set her sights upon becoming the new queen of the land. Emma surrounds herself with Norman ladies-in-waiting and guards, but continues to be tormented not only by Elgiva and her conniving family, but also the sons of Aethelred who worry about her bearing another child – especially a son- to the King. According to the marriage contract, Aethelred not only marries Emma but makes her queen of England, something the other sons’ mother never attained. Emma’s title as queen may allow any children she has to usurp the grown children that Aethelred has fathered. After Emma miscarries her first pregnancy, the court begins to doubt her ability to serve as queen.

In the midst of this change, the reader is introduced to the ghosts that haunt King Aethelred – namely, that of his elder brother who was murdered in his sleep shortly after taking the crown. Aethelred and his mother share a secret about this murder – one that Aethelred cannot shake – and he finds his conscience increasingly interrupted by the guilt he feels about his brother’s death. His health and spirit decline and he finds himself suffering with these thoughts and memories.

As time goes on, Emma is welcomed by the people of the land who see her as a gentle, kind and loving woman who shows care for all, while she continues to be tormented by the king’s court. Aethelred’s youngest children see Emma as an affectionate, loving step-mother and cling to her.  In time, Aelthelred’s eldest son Athelstan also begins to see this side of her, and Emma finds herself falling in love with Athelstan. After a brief affair, Emma is unable to bear her feelings for him and asks him to leave her so that she may not be tempted. Emma returns to her husband, and though she feels no love for him, dutifully resumes her attempts to bear him a son.

An unsettling and tragic turn of events culminate when Aethelred, in an attempt to appease his brother’s ghost, Aethelred names Emma’s future children as heirs to the throne, thereby alienating Athelstan and his other brothers from her favor. Emma finds herself on more secure footing, and after bearing a son, understands that her role as wife and queen are cemented – for the time being.

The first in a trilogy, this book creates a strong foundation for the story of Emma, her sons, and her life as queen of England.

Elements of Historical Fiction Writing

World Building/Historically Accurate

One of the most important elements of historical fiction is the story’s ability to convey historically accurate information in a narrative tale that both intrigues and interests the reader. In this book, Bracewell uses quotations and information from the Anglo Saxon Chronicle, a recorded history of the Middle Ages. Bracewell uses information from these Chronicles to begin each chapter, which gives a small glimpse into both the timeline and the pace of this story.

Given the time period of this story, it is more difficult to determine historical accuracy. Fewer recordings of history lend this time period to having some gaps, as it did through the Middle Ages. However, the Anglo Saxon Chronicle is a respected, accepted historical document which lends validity to this story.

Accurately Portrayed Characters

In historical fiction, characters in the books are at least roughly/loosely based on actual characters from history. Emma and Aethelred, Richard Duke of Normandy and other characters in this book actually lived; characters more like Emma’s maids. Elgiva and other members of court may have been embellishments. Within respect to the actual historic characters and their lives, this book remains as true to account as the author is able to determine.

Leisurely/Long Pacing

As with many works of historical fiction, this book is lengthy at 432 pages, and has a leisurely pace. Even when the characters experience action, the prose used to describe the setting and action is evenly paced, descriptive and lends itself to leisurely reading. Most historical fiction, at least from this time period, tends to be longer with descriptions that acquaint the modern reader with the culture of that time period.

Historically Accurate Language

Some historical fiction will use historically accurate language to further paint the picture of the historical setting. In this case, the author did choose to incorporate both Middle English, as well as Dutch. In this situation, Bracewell included a glossary in the front of the book that this reader extensively used to reference! Additionally, the book also included language that accurately depicted things such as clothing, chambers, etc. to help create the setting for the story.

Book Read-Alikes

The Forever Queen – Helen Hollick

This book is another take on the reign and life of Emma of Normandy, and her marriage to two English kings. This book encompasses in one what the trilogy of Shadow on the Crown did in three books. Both authors capture Emma’s life, marriage to two very different kings, her challenges at court, her family and marriage alliances and how they clashed, and her motherhood of two future kings of England. This book would be a great read for anyone who very much enjoys the story of Emma of Normandy

.

To Defy a King – Elizabeth Chadwick

The story of Emma of Normandy tells an all-too-familiar tale of a young girl who is required to marry a (much often older) man in order to forget family alliances. In To Defy a King, Mahelt is a spirited young woman who is daughter to the kingdom’s greatest knight; however, after her father’s death, is required to marry a man of the King’s choosing and live a life of fear while her brothers are held hostage. Both of these books share the story of women who are used as pawns in political situations, who still manage to retain their spunk, personality, and individuality.

The White Princess – Philippa Gregory

While these two books span different times during the Middle Ages, the storyline of “behind the scenes” women who married powerful English kings is resonant in both. Elizabeth of York is bidden to marry Henry Tudor and forge the two greatest houses in the kingdom under one family. As with Emma, this marriage is about cultivating peace, alliances and protection. Elizabeth of York is torn between her love for Richard III, her relationship with Henry Tudor and her reappearing brother, and finds her alliances stretched and questioned as Emma does with King Aethelred and her brother, Duke of Normandy.

Author Read-Alikes

Philippa Gregory – the most obvious, and clear, read-alike is Philippa Gregory, who is the “reigning queen” of historical fiction – namely the European monarchy. Gregory and Bracewell share stories that write about strong female characters, are rich in detail and description, and create tantalizing stories about families, wars, love, courts, and betrayal in the Middle Ages.

Alison Weir – Like Gregory, Weir writes a number of books about the Tudor court and focus on singular subjects such as King Henry VIII and Thomas Cromwell. Her books span many strong female characters in British history, and her works are richly detailed and peppered with historical facts and little known elements.

Sharon Kay Penman – Like Bracewell, Penman writes a number of books that are based in the Middle Ages, and focuses on biographical historical fiction. Her books are quite detailed and leisurely paced, and capture a great deal about life at that time.

Reader Thoughts

For a long time now, I have been an avid fan of historical fiction. I have explored books in all time periods, but find that I am most drawn to books about Middle Age nobility (Philippa Gregory is an author I greatly enjoy) and more recently, World War II historical fiction. Given the choice, I think I could read about King Henry VIII and his wives incessantly, but I have been branching off more lately to read more about earlier medieval times. Lately, I’ve also been reading about nobility in Italy, Spain and Scotland in this time period. I greatly appreciate the characteristics of historical fiction that describe the setting, the culture, etc. – I like to imagine the setting in which these writers weave these stories.  I believe that this is a huge part of why I enjoy middle ages so much – there’s so much to talk about!

This book was recommended to me by a colleague as I wanted to read something different than my usual Philippa Gregory/Alison Weir for this assignment – and she did not lead me astray. Something about this writing made the story seem colder, more detached – as I imagine things were for Emma as she started this new life. Emma was a fun, spunky, lively character who was refreshing in a somber, dark, damp court. This was my first foray into the world of Norman rule, and I would like to continue exploring it!

I will admit that until I read some online reviews, I did not know this was a trilogy which is a relief as the only part of the book that I do not like is the ending. Not knowing it was a trilogy made the ending seem rushed and trite – but now that I know there are additional books to read, I can see how this on built a strong and solid foundation for the rest of the story. I would highly recommend this!

Book Club Experience

This past Tuesday, I attended a book club meeting at the Fishers Branch of the Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL). This month, the club read The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan. This book club is called “Just the Facts” – as it is a non-fiction book club - and is facilitated by librarian/HEPL employee Hayley Trefun.  Full disclosure: this book club occurs at the library in which I work but I do not:

•          Facilitate or contribute to book choices
•          Attend professionally or personally
•          Even like to read nonfiction.

I facilitated a book club at our library called Books on Tap – it reads contemporary fiction and meets outside the library in the community. I believe that Just the Facts is pretty much the polar opposite of the book club I facilitate, so I wanted to see the differences in facilitation and discussion topics. Additionally, I must admit that I wanted to see how conversation flowed and the interactions between members, and how it compared to my group.

Just the Facts has been meeting on a regular basis (the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at the library) for the past three years. With the exception of maternity leave, Hayley has been the only facilitator. In speaking with Hayley, I found that she was drawn to create and lead this club “because I have a passion for nonfiction and believe that others in our community do as well – and we need to meet more than just the needs for fiction readers” (personal communication, H. Trefun, March 6, 2015). Hayley is responsible for book selection, and makes her list in the last quarter of the calendar year, so that she may publish it by December and have books purchased and in-hand by her January meeting.

This meeting began with a gathering of 12 people in the library’s meeting rooms – though the advertised start time is 7:00 pm, Hayley allowed general chit-chat for a few moments while people drifted in, and this seemed to be the norm. After coming together, the group acknowledged that there were new members or returning members who had been absent for a while, so the group took turns doing introductions and wore name tags so that they could address one another. I introduced myself but refrained from sharing that I was observing their interactions so that their behavior would remain natural.

The book club opened with people sharing general thoughts about the book and its topic. This book discusses the impact that “the myths of pseudoscience” have on decision making in today’s fast-paced and technology-driven society, and explores whether society will be able to make intelligent and rational decisions in the future with false scientific myths clouding our judgment (Sagan, 1997).  It was anticipated that this book would spark a lot of debate and dissention of opinion, as the book discusses false science that ranges from witchcraft to alien abductions to some/most religions – and that anticipation was certainly met. Each person in the book club had a very strong opinion about the book – some agreeing, some vehemently disagreeing. However, when the discussion concluded, the general consensus was that our society knows far less about science now than it did when this book was written – and that knowledge may continue to decline.

In my opinion, Hayley did an excellent job as facilitator and moderator – it was clear that the group looked to Hayley to begin conversation, and transition it when it died or became contentious! In that role, Hayley would take on that responsibility, but did so in a way that encouraged input from all members who wanted to speak before moving on. Some members were distinctly quieter than others, but each had something to contribute, and Hayley seemed to know most of them well enough to encourage that from them. As facilitator, Hayley did share her opinions, but did so in a time that allowed others to share theirs first, and in a way that did not make anyone feel like they must share her perspective. She came prepared with a list of questions and used them occasionally – either when conversation turned in the direction of a question, or when there was a lull. The group seemed to appreciate the opportunity to have a focused question to answer, but also seemed to thrive when their conversation flowed more organically.

As with most group dynamics, there were a few characters present. One gentleman (who is known to the librarians as a headstrong fellow!) made comments that were not only irrelevant to the discussion but also inflammatory – i.e. bringing up the existence of God in a way that seemed to be inciting debate just for the sake of debate. Throughout the evening, it seemed as if members of the book club knew how to push back, and the facilitator did not have to step in, though she later shared that she was prepared to if he got too aggressive (personal communication, H. Trefun, March 11, 2015). Another gentleman, who is new to book clubs, would blurt out his opinion at times when that portion of the discussion had been concluded, or share transitions that didn’t make sense to most. Luckily, he is an affable man and was willing to explain his transitions so that others could follow!

The book club had a lively, engaged conversation that seemed to leave all of the members satisfied. Conversation wrapped up around 8:15, which was the typical length for this club. At the end, Hayley handed out the next month’s book and reminded people of place and time, and members left seemingly pleased and excited for next month’s book.

I was very pleased with this club and the opportunity to observe its discussion. I was a little surprised at the level/amount of conversation, and was told that it is not usually that lively (personal communication, H. Trefun, March 11, 2015). The members were generally respectful of each individuals’ opinions and time to talk, and even the more abrasive moments/members were handled in assertive, but not aggressive, ways. It was noted that many members of this group have been together for a while in this group and others, so they are accustomed to interacting with one another.

The only feedback/changes I would make would be the following:

·         Length of time devoted to each point of conversation: Hayley allowed ample time for each attendee to discuss their perspectives – but sometimes certain points dragged. I did observe fidgeting and time checking which indicated to me that some people were losing interest. It may have been helpful to shorten some individual speaking time and move to others more quickly so that more people could speak in a given time.

·         Incorporate additional library information: The library has a large number of fun and engaging spring programs coming up, and staff has been asked to mention it to all of our programs and groups. It would have been great if Hayley could have brought along some adult programming brochures or flyers so that attendees could review the offerings and ask questions.

Overall, I think that this book club had a great discussion and fun dynamic – and Hayley was an excellent facilitator! I would be interested to attend another meeting to compare the conversation, and see a more typical conversation. Regardless, this shows that there is a need and an interest in reading and discussing nonfiction works in our community, and I’m glad that our library’s offerings include this book club.

References

Sagan, C. (1997). The Demon Haunted World – Science as a Candle in the Dark. New York, NY: Ballantine Books.