Week 4: Building Base Knowledge (GoodReads)
I discovered that the recommendations for me got stronger every time I added more titles. I enjoy the member reviews but honestly probably would not take the time to polish my own thoughts to submit a written review. Since I have kept for years a written journal of books I have read I will probably rate books on GoodReads but keep the detailed journal for more personal insights. GoodReads will be a quick source to refresh my memory on a title. Most of the features were easy to use. Adding Friends was pretty simple once I got started and I also discovered some non-library friends on GoodReads so that was fun. Creating shelves can really help you organize info if you rate lots of titles. Really can have a number of columns in your title database if you are willing to input more data.
In the Explore section I found two titles I want to read in the Movers/Shakers feature and enjoyed the Author Interview Section. I am always tempted by Trivia/Quizzes so that was fun--"Famous First Lines" sucked me right in.
Listopia provides an endless supply of possible titles to read. Always interesting to see lists like "Best Books of the 20th Century".
Recommendation to GoodReads friend was send to Julie B because she enjoys clever, humorous children's books and one of her favorites is Olivia . This made me think of Betty Bunny.
Betty Bunny Loves Chocolate Cake by Michael Kaplan.
Betty Bunny is definitely a kindred spirit to Olivia. She is imaginative and energetic. Her mother calls her a "handful". Despite her reluctance to try something new, Betty finds that she actually adores Chocolate Cake. That's when the fun starts. The lively illustrations help to capture Betty's exuberance and her sassy siblings bring a realistic touch to her loving family. Great read-aloud book to share with one child or a whole class. Humor for all ages plus a silly surprise ending. Pretty sure it will make you smile!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Week: 3
Article on RA Conversation: Most interesting suggestion in article--when possible showcase lots of facets of entire collection--maybe non-fiction, audio books or DVD's.
Nancy Pearl: Her book reviews are short-about a minute or slightly longer. Minimal plot summary-just enough to give you a very basic sense of plot. She uses multiple appeal factors: pace, tone, character development, language and a personal reason why she likes the book. Because Nancy is an amazing advisor she can give those personal insights--not always possible for most librarians especially in a genre that is not your favorite but it can really sell a book if you can do this.
Recommendations:
Conversation 1:
No Reservations by Alice Steinbach. Pulitzer Prize winning writer, divorced, empty nester, on a 6 month leave from the Baltimore Sun travels to Europe to find her sense of self. Upbeat but sometimes bittersweet. More memoir than travelogue. Unexpected romance. Cozy and relaxing--didn't want it to end. Has lots of discussion possibilities for a Book Club. Has a sequel: Educating Alice: Adventures of a Curious Woman.
Conversation 2:
I would suggest the fast paced series by Laurell Hamilton featuring U.S. Marshall/vampire hunter Anita Blake. Multiple lovers--no teenage angst.
Conversation 3:
Mapmaker's Wife: by Robert Whitaker. Mapmaking, science, late 1700's politics and finally the true and remarkable adventure of a wife who after 20 years of separation starts a trek through the Amazon to find her scientist husband.
Article on RA Conversation: Most interesting suggestion in article--when possible showcase lots of facets of entire collection--maybe non-fiction, audio books or DVD's.
Nancy Pearl: Her book reviews are short-about a minute or slightly longer. Minimal plot summary-just enough to give you a very basic sense of plot. She uses multiple appeal factors: pace, tone, character development, language and a personal reason why she likes the book. Because Nancy is an amazing advisor she can give those personal insights--not always possible for most librarians especially in a genre that is not your favorite but it can really sell a book if you can do this.
Recommendations:
Conversation 1:
No Reservations by Alice Steinbach. Pulitzer Prize winning writer, divorced, empty nester, on a 6 month leave from the Baltimore Sun travels to Europe to find her sense of self. Upbeat but sometimes bittersweet. More memoir than travelogue. Unexpected romance. Cozy and relaxing--didn't want it to end. Has lots of discussion possibilities for a Book Club. Has a sequel: Educating Alice: Adventures of a Curious Woman.
Conversation 2:
I would suggest the fast paced series by Laurell Hamilton featuring U.S. Marshall/vampire hunter Anita Blake. Multiple lovers--no teenage angst.
Conversation 3:
Mapmaker's Wife: by Robert Whitaker. Mapmaking, science, late 1700's politics and finally the true and remarkable adventure of a wife who after 20 years of separation starts a trek through the Amazon to find her scientist husband.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
WEEK 2 : APPEAL FACTORS
Books I have enjoyed:
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.
Pharmacologist Marina Singh is sent on a mission to the deep Amazon jungle to unravel the mystery of one colleague's death and locate the brilliant, reclusive, rogue scientist Annick Swenson who may have discovered a miracle drug. Master storyteller Ann Patchett uses her fluid, atmospheric prose to create a page turning adventure. Reader is immersed not only in the exotic primitive Amazon environment but also the complicated conflicted world of science vs. business. Strong complex characters. Beautifully developed plot with a surprise ending. Great for Book Clubs.
Note: Also loved Patchett's earlier work Bel Canto.
Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
Tale of 3 sisters: Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia. All were named after Shakespeare characters by their Shakespeare quoting college professor father. They suddenly find themselves living in the old family home in the middle of a small Ohio college town caring for their cancer stricken mother. The sisters are wonderfully different personalities who are really searching for new better chapters of life. They have to learn to love themselves first and then each other which is not easy. Shakespeare quotes provide fun dialogue even if you aren't a Shakespeare fan. Humor and realism are blended to create a warm enjoyable story of family especially sisterhood. Excellent debut novel.
Books I have enjoyed:
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett.
Pharmacologist Marina Singh is sent on a mission to the deep Amazon jungle to unravel the mystery of one colleague's death and locate the brilliant, reclusive, rogue scientist Annick Swenson who may have discovered a miracle drug. Master storyteller Ann Patchett uses her fluid, atmospheric prose to create a page turning adventure. Reader is immersed not only in the exotic primitive Amazon environment but also the complicated conflicted world of science vs. business. Strong complex characters. Beautifully developed plot with a surprise ending. Great for Book Clubs.
Note: Also loved Patchett's earlier work Bel Canto.
Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown
Tale of 3 sisters: Rosalind, Bianca and Cordelia. All were named after Shakespeare characters by their Shakespeare quoting college professor father. They suddenly find themselves living in the old family home in the middle of a small Ohio college town caring for their cancer stricken mother. The sisters are wonderfully different personalities who are really searching for new better chapters of life. They have to learn to love themselves first and then each other which is not easy. Shakespeare quotes provide fun dialogue even if you aren't a Shakespeare fan. Humor and realism are blended to create a warm enjoyable story of family especially sisterhood. Excellent debut novel.
Monday, April 22, 2013
WEEK 1 DONE AND FUN
Really had fun with the Sporcle quizzes--did much better on Children's covers than Adult. Swear I have never see that Great Gatsby cover. Got hooked into other quizzes on the site and some were really hard like the 100 best Children's books.
Thought the 6 year old's take on covers was just a little too precocious but had a delightful experience this morning when a Kindergarten tour group was waiting in line in front of new Adult Fiction. Without any prompting they proceeded to read the titles on display and then explain to the teacher what the books must be about. Luckily there were "perfect" titles on display and their explanations were so much fun. The teacher said she uses book titles and covers all the time as language learning tools.
Learned some new sub genres looking at the Book covers.
Really had fun with the Sporcle quizzes--did much better on Children's covers than Adult. Swear I have never see that Great Gatsby cover. Got hooked into other quizzes on the site and some were really hard like the 100 best Children's books.
Thought the 6 year old's take on covers was just a little too precocious but had a delightful experience this morning when a Kindergarten tour group was waiting in line in front of new Adult Fiction. Without any prompting they proceeded to read the titles on display and then explain to the teacher what the books must be about. Luckily there were "perfect" titles on display and their explanations were so much fun. The teacher said she uses book titles and covers all the time as language learning tools.
Learned some new sub genres looking at the Book covers.
RECOMMENDED LINKS
Going to follow more closely GOODREADS--joined after the last workshop but need to use more consistently. Since I usually have no patience with mysteries I am going to try out STOP YOU'RE KILLING ME. I am the person who about 2/3's through a mystery needs to read the last chapter to see how it is going to turn out so I may be hopeless. Lots of mystery readers at White Marsh so I need to build my knowledge base.
Going to follow more closely GOODREADS--joined after the last workshop but need to use more consistently. Since I usually have no patience with mysteries I am going to try out STOP YOU'RE KILLING ME. I am the person who about 2/3's through a mystery needs to read the last chapter to see how it is going to turn out so I may be hopeless. Lots of mystery readers at White Marsh so I need to build my knowledge base.
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