I have a customer who is interested in learning about Caribbean literature. Where should I start?

The African American Department carries some resources on Caribbean Literature. We have anthologies and critical interpretation titles that focus on women writers, politics, migration, etcetera, as well as interpretation of individual writers’ work. We also have a collection of fiction by Caribbean writers well known to the Americas such as Jamaica Kincaid, Paule Marshall, Edwidge Danticat, Claude McKay and Derek Walcott, just to name a few.

While the African American Collection focuses on a wide range of peoples of the African Diaspora, our selection of Caribbean Literature is smaller than what you may find in the Humanities and Fiction Departments. For instance, the Humanities Department has an Encylopedia on Caribbean Literature by D.H. Figueredo that may be a good place for you to start exploring your interest on the subject.

Are there reading/interest levels for graphic novels when recommending them to patrons?

There are quite a few good resources in both print and online that can aid you in you in finding age/interest levels in your graphic novel readers’ advisory work. They use various rating systems, so you will want to check their explanatory remarks.

Here are some books that you might find on your shelves:

500 Essential Graphic Novels: The Ultimate Guide by Gene Kannenberg (2008)
Divided into by genre and designates age levels as All ages, 12+, 15+ and 18+.

Graphic Novels: A Genre Guide to Comic Books, Manga, and More by Michael Pawuk (2007)
More inclusive than Kannenberg, listing all titles within series. Age levels are All ages, 10 and above, 13-15, 16-17, 18 and older.

The Librarian's Guide to Graphic Novels For Children and Tweens by David S. Serchay (2008)
Targeted specifically towards younger readers, this book uses the following age categories: younger elementary, older elementary and junior high, tweens and early teens, all ages (but appealing more to younger readers).

The Readers' Advisory Guide to Graphic Novels by Francisca Goldsmith (2010)
While this book is the most current and has much useful information on readers’ advisory, its only special designations are “appropriate for younger readers (under sixteen in some communities, as young as under twelve in others)” and “crossover titles for readers unfamiliar with the format.”

Two good books devoted exclusively to manga are:

Manga: The Complete Guide by Jason Thompson (2007)
Includes age levels with film rating equivalents: All ages (G-PG), 13+ (PG-PG13), 16+ (PG13-R), 18+ (‘hard’ R- NC17).

Understanding Manga and Anime by Robin E. Brenner (2007)
Contains both the publishers’ age ratings and the recommendations of the author (grades 6-8, grades 7-9, grades 9-12, adult).

Web Resources

YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Lists for 12-18 year-olds beginning 2007; with a top ten list for each year.

No Flying No Tights
Includes three separate sections of reviews: the Main site for teens, Sidekicks for ages through 12, and the Lair for older teens and adults.

Graphic Novels: Resources for Teachers & Librarians
Lists of recommended titles (by genre) for all ages, younger teens (11-14), older teens (17 and older,) plus a list of titles recommended for girls and a list of “teen favorites not recommended for younger readers.” The site also includes lists by genre and publisher.

Checking publisher web pages can also give you information on age levels. One very good example is the Dark Horse Comics page for libraries. The backlist is even sorted by age level (8+, 10+, 12+, 14+, 16+, 18+, all ages).

You can keep up-to date by reading reviews in professional journals:

• VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
• School Library Journal
• Library Journal
• Booklist
• Publisher’s Weekly

And, of course, knowing your collection and your readers is the best way of knowing what titles to recommend.

Do you have any readers’ advisory recommendations for reluctant elementary male readers – other than guysread.org?

Apparently, reports of the death of reading among boys have not been exaggerated. According to Guys Read, self-described as “a web-based literacy program for boys, ”research shows that boys are having trouble reading and that boys are getting worse at reading.” The problem is one of image. Reading, an erstwhile hairy-chested, two-fisted pastime, is viewed by today’s (male) youth as an irrelevant activity for girls. Boys would be voracious readers if books didn’t seem so contemptibly lacking in vigor.

Apart from Guys Read, where should a librarian performing readers’ advisory work for boys turn to find gravel-in-the-gut, grit-in-the-eye free voluntary reading material? As it happens, there are a number of print and electronic resources to aid in readers’ advisory work. These resources include:
Print

• Best Books for Children by Catherine Barr and John Gillespie. Libraries Unlimited, 2007.
  
  
• Historical Fiction for Young Readers by John Gillespie. Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
  
  
• The Big Book of Children's Reading Lists: 100 Great, Ready-to-Use Book Lists for Educators, Librarians, Parents, and Children by Nancy Keane. Libraries Unlimited, 2006.
  
  
• A to Zoo by Carolyn and John Lima. Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
  
  
• Best Books for Boys: A Resource for Educators by Matthew Zbaracki. Libraries Unlimited, 2008.

Websites

• Read, Kiddo, Read
  
  
• Book Hive
  
  
• Planet Esme

Databases

• Books & Authors

Is there a source which recommends books for adults who are very poor readers (primary level readers with adult interests)?

These kinds of books, known as hi/lo (high interest/low reading level) are useful for people with learning disabilities, new readers of English, and reluctant readers, among others. There are numerous websites that provide lists of books that fall into this category. For example:

Resource Room
A list of more than a dozen sites, most of them belonging to publishers. Two are especially handy: Michelle Stimson (see information about her firm Wegottaread.com which offers free short stories to download) who writes urban contemporary Christian fiction; and
L_MNet the international school media specialists’ listserv which offers lists of hi/low books through its archives.

YALSA
The Young Adult Services Association of ALA compiles an annual list of recommended fiction and nonfiction for reluctant teen readers. Many of the titles will appeal to adults as well.

The Center for Adult Literacy
Based at Georgia State University, the Center offers a broad spectrum of information, including an extensive list of annotated hi/lo books divided into more than fifteen subject areas.

Madison (WI) Public Library
This annotated list, created by staff of this excellent public library, covers choices for both middle and high school reluctant readers. There are quite a few of the latter that would engage adults.

High Noon Books
This publisher specializes in hi/lo materials and has a useful website listing the books by readability levels and by subjects.

Reader and Language Arts Center, Inc.
Like High Noon Books, this is a publisher specializing in providing materials for teachers, tutors, and students of all ages to help the latter reach their potential as readers.

A customer is interested in graphic novels – where should I start?

Over the last decade or so, the interest in graphic novels has exploded, and there’s been an equal increase in the number of published titles. Graphic novels aren’t just for super heroes anymore; they have grown to cover as may genres as found in any literature. So, when you’re helping a customer look for graphic novels, or even someone just looking for a good read, remember the wide range of options. You can find science fiction, horror, westerns, war stories, as well as autobiographical and literary graphic novels that are as emotionally complex and satisfying as works in more traditional mediums. There are also many long running series of manga, the Japanese term for comics, that are very popular.

When doing reader’s advisory it’s also important to take into account the customer’s reading level. As more and more styles and subjects are covered, there's been an equal increase in works with mature themes and art. Getting to know the titles will help you give good recommendations.

There are a lot of great graphic novels beyond the familiar names published by Marvel (Spider-man, X Men, Fantastic Four), and DC (Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman). ALA also has a yearly list of the best graphic novels for teens. Check out the list below to learn about some of the best works out there:

• 500 Essential Graphic Novels : The Ultimate Guide by Gene Kannenberg
  
• The 101 Best Graphic Novels by Stephen Weiner
• The Librarian's Guide to Graphic Novels for Children and Tweens by David S. Serchay
• Graphic Novels: A Genre Guide to Comic Books, Manga, and More by Michael Pawuk
• Manga : The Complete Guide by Jason Thompson

What are some tips for creating fiction booklists?

Annotated book lists are an important tool for readers’ advisory work. They are an excellent way to promote and market your library’s collection and to provide reading suggestions to library customers. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Choose a topic for your list that reflects reader interests. Identify the intended audience.
• Choose a topic that is broad enough so that you have an adequate number of titles for the list.
• May sure that you have enough copies of any title that you are considering for inclusion on the list.
• Annotations should focus on the story line and on the book’s appeal to the reader.
• They should be written in the active rather than the passive voice.
• Annotations should be brief, concise, and descriptive. They should pique the reader’s interest in the title.
• Eighteen to twenty-four titles is a useful number of titles to include.
• Include no more than one book by an author.
• If you own a title in print as well as in other formats like CD, Playaway, or downloadable e-book or audio Mention the variety of formats that you have available in the annotation.
• For each annotation include the author, title, publication date, number of pages, and the call number or location in your collection. Arrange the annotations in alphabetical order by author.
• Choose a catchy title for your list that will arouse the reader’s interest in the books that you’ve chosen.
• Proofread your list carefully. Enlist the aid of a co-worker who hasn’t seen the list previously.
• Use your completed list as a basis for a book display. Include the list with the display.
• Make sure to include your list on your library’s Web site to increase the audience for the list.

You can find an extensive list of booklists, both fiction and non-fiction, on the Pratt Library website under Pratt Recommends Booklists.

I’ve never read a science fiction book. What do you recommend to get to know the genre?

Science Fiction is such a popular genre that staff members of the Fiction and Young Adult Department have created a How-To Guide, Out-Of-This-World Reading: Science Fiction and Fantasy, on that subject!

In the guide we discuss the different subgenres of both science fiction and fantasy and give links to the websites of authors writing in them. We also include links to web resources for authors and series, readalikes, online fiction, book reviews, and directories of where stories and novels can be found. The “Best Books” section is especially helpful for people beginning to read in the genres. In that section there are lists of award winners, the classics in the genres, and reading suggestions for everyone from the novice to the science fiction expert.

Happy reading!

Sailor Database Review: Books and Authors

Gale’s Books and Authors electronic database replaced Ebsco’s Novelist for Maryland public libraries July 1st. This database is modeled on Gale’s long-standing readers’ advisory print product What Do I Read Next. Books and Authors has several unique features that should be of interest and benefit to customers as well as to library staff. Its “Read-a-Like” wizard enables the user to supply a title that the user has enjoyed, and based on subject, author, or genre criteria that the user specifies, the database will suggest books to read. Its “Who, What, Where, When” feature enables the user to browse books by character, subject, location, and time period. The “My Reading Room” feature lets the user save and modify reading lists, reviews that the user has written, and booklists that the user has created.

Users can search by author, title, keyword, series, or genre, and they can filter by age group (adult, young adult, or children). Non-fiction as well as fiction titles are included. Extensive lists or award winners are included, as well as expert picks, librarian picks, and community picks. There is also an advanced search feature as well as an extensive help feature.

I have customers asking for advice finding audiobooks. How do I do reader’s advisory for audiobooks?

It’s important to remember that many customers often listen differently than they read depending on where they listen and whether they listen alone or with family.

Many customers listen in their cars, while working, exercising or at home.  Reader’s Advisory skills and knowledge transfer from print material to audiobooks; however, there a few exceptions to consider.

Narration
The narrator interprets the printed word rather than merely reading the words.  Many customers chose audiobooks based solely on the narrator regardless of the genre.  Does the narrator capture your interest? Is the audiobook worth listening to? Another consideration is type of narration: single voice, multi-voiced (a narrator may voice more than one character), and full cast (every character has a different narrator).

Format
Audiobooks are available in many formats: audio cassette, cd, mp3 cd and ebooks or digital downloads.  Does the customer have a format preference? Also, be sure to inquire about abridged and unabridged editions.  In some cases, the abridged version is released on audio prior to the unabridged version.  The abridged version offers the opportunity to sample the author’s work as well as a particular narrator.

Characterization
How does the narrator portray the different characters? This can be a challenge for the listener who does not have visual cues to denote character changes.

Music
What role does music play in the audiobook?  Music is often used to transition between chapters, to create a mood, or as an introduction and closing to an audiobook production.

If you are new to audiobook reader’s advisory, Audiofile magazine is a good resource for reviews, author interviews, articles, audio clips and narrator biographies. The magazine also includes listening recommendations for the whole family.  Recorded Books, LLC also features new releases, award winners, brief summaries, featured narrators and genre recommendations.  If you need recommendations for children or young adults, see the Odyssey Award; it’s awarded annually for best audiobook production for children and young adults. 

The best way to become familiar with audiobooks is to select different genres, listen to a few tracks, read the wrapper (comparable to the book jacket) and decide the overall audibility.  Is it a good listen or a better read?

For additional resources and Web sites, check How to Find the Audiobook That You Want.

I have more customers asking for help finding non-fiction books to read for pleasure. How do I do non-fiction reader’s advisory?

Library customers in search of leisure reading for enrichment, entertainment, pleasure, and recreation are drawn to non-fiction as well fiction, so it’s useful to move back and forth between the two in order to provide good readers’ advisory service.

Some fiction readers may be open to a non-fiction title with appeal factors similar to a novel they’ve enjoyed.

Although non-fiction can be read for its informational value, those non-fiction titles that tell a good story, develop characters, set a scene, create suspense, and are written in an engaging style appeal most to customers in search of an engaging  read.  Non-fiction that reads like fiction, which can also be called narrative or readable non-fiction, incorporates fiction-like elements in such a way that increases the readability and the appeal of the title.

Some well-known examples of such non-fiction shaped and written like imaginative works include John Berendt’s Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil, David McCullough’s John Adams, Azar Nafisi’s Reading Lolita in Tehran, Sebastian Junger’s The Perfect Storm, and Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air.

Appeal characteristics are those elements of a book which make it attractive, compelling, or accessible to the reader.  Such appeal characteristics as plot/story line, characters, writing style, setting, dialog, theme, pacing or tone are important to both narrative non-fiction as well as fiction. 

In doing booklists and displays mix fiction, non-fiction, and audio-visual titles for broad appeal.

When suggesting readalikes mix non-fiction as well as fiction.  For example, will someone who enjoys Patricia Cornwell’s mysteries also enjoy Ann Rule’s true crime titles? 

Classification of non-fiction serves as a readers’ advisory tool since it provides links between titles. 

Overbooked and Library Booklists both provide annotated booklists of readable non-fiction.

You’re at a busy public service desk and a customer approaches you and says “I’ve read everything by author X, can you think of another author who writes like him?” How do you respond?

It’s important to interview the customer in order to determine what it is that he or she likes about that author.  Listen carefully to determine elements of appeal.  Once you’ve determined that, your challenge is to then match the customer’s reading interest with another author who has similar elements of appeal.

Try to think about books in such a way that looks for similarities and links between titles or between authors.  Group books by genres, be aware of distinctions within genres, think across genres, and utilize non-fiction, fiction and other formats.

If a library customer approaches you asking for a suggestion for a read-alike and you haven’t read anything by that author don't panic.  Be candid about your lack of knowledge, and invite the customer to provide more information.  Ask your co-workers for assistance. 

One extremely easy way of answering the customer’s question is do a simple Google search.  Type the phrase “read-alikes for author x” (try doing it both with and without quotes around the phrase) and you may be pleasantly surprised.  You may find booklists done by other librarians around the country that suggest other authors similar to the author that your customer enjoys.  These librarian-compiled booklists frequently have titles like “If You Like (Author X) ... Then Try.”

The Fiction and Young Adult Department at the State Library Resource Center has done a how-to guide called Click Now to Find Your Next Good Read.  This guide includes a section called “Read Every Book By Your Favorite Author?” which includes a number of good Web sites that you and your customers can use in your quest for read-alike authors. 

Novelist is a subscription database available to every public library in Maryland through Sailor.  It too contains a user-friendly author read-alikes section that appears on its top level page.

How do I help library customers find a good novel to read?

Readers’ advisory is a term used to describe introducing readers to books they’ll enjoy. You’re making reading suggestions based on information received from readers about their reading tastes and moods, and matching the reader with the right books at the right time. All of those skills that make for a good reference librarian, skills like verifying, clarifying, paraphrasing, and asking open ended questions, are also vital to what’s known as the readers’ advisory interview.

A sure-fire opening question in a readers’ advisory interview is to say to the customer “Tell me about a book that you’ve read recently that you’ve enjoyed.” This encourages the customers to describe his or her reading interests so that you can provide the customer with novels that match those interests. Listen to what the customer tells you about what appeals to him or her about a particular book. Also probe for dislikes. Offer the customer several books as possibilities so that the customer can pick and choose among the titles that you’ve suggested.

To provide successful readers’ advisory service you should have a broad knowledge of the many genres of popular fiction. Use reviews, book jackets, customer and co-workers’ comments, Web sites, databases, and reference titles to help you gain familiarity with the universe of recreational fiction. Sample a variety of fictional genres and sub-genres in your own personal reading to increase your knowledge of the fiction collection that you’re working with. Keep a journal of what you read.