Goodbye!!

Just a little note to say that it was a great semester and that I learned a lot.  I absolutely love Novelist and use it on a regular basis to find myself and others new titles to read.  If this is your last semester I would like to say good luck and God bless all that you do.  If this is not your last semester, than perhaps I will "see" you again soon.  Have a great summer!!!!

Week 16 Prompt

Reading has always been a huge part of my life.  My mom read to me every night when I was young.  She would read Golden Books to me so much that by age 4 I had most of them memorized.  My mom told me that I used to shock people by "reading" the book at that age.  I was a pretty solid reader by first grade and always in the advanced reading groups.  I remember reading Black Beauty in the second grade and felt for the first time the magic of disappearing into a story.  From there I was hooked and I was never without a book.  I even had a special chair in our front room that I would sneak off too to read and when I was grounded I could care less because it was just a good excuse to lay in bed and read.  As an adult, my reading preferences have changed but I still have that special chair that I read in.  I sometimes become so involved in my book that I have no idea what is going on around me.  My husband knows that if my nose is in a book than he is almost invisible to me.  My love of reading was the main force behind me wanting to become a librarian.  So many kids these days don't enjoy reading and I want to pass on the magic of books to a future generation.

When it comes to the future of reading, I am confident that the library is not going anywhere.  Books are a means of escaping the daily grind and people are always going to need that escape.  The form the book comes in may change but literature will always be around.  I still prefer the physical book in my hands but know that I am going to eventually have to try an ereader.  I have a few authors that release short stories between novels only in the electronic format. 

On a crazy note, I would love to have a machine like Redbox distribute the libraries DVDs and Video Games.  Most days I feel like a blockbuster employee and not a library employee.  We have to keep many DVD discs behind the desk because of theft so most of my day is retrieving and replacing discs.  If there was a way to have all of these in a machine where people scan their library cards and pick the movies or games that they want, it would really give me time to work on more important things.  Of course, we all know that this would never happen but a girl can dream right??

The Readers Advisor is In!!

PERSON A

What kind of books do you enjoy reading?
 
Person A is a man in his late thirties who used to enjoy reading but has lost interest over the years.  He feels that he just does not have enough time to read a book and doesn't want to waste his time starting a book just to find out that he does not like it.  Years ago he enjoyed reading book with a paranormal feel to them but not anything with vampires, werewolves, witches, etc.  When he says paranormal he means futuristic, aliens, or telekinesis.  He does not like books with ghosts or demons but does like stories where there is a good versus evil fight.

Do you have a favorite book or author?

Person A does not have a favorite book or author but used to enjoy reading Stephen King or Dean Koontz but was not impressed with their newer stuff.  He really liked the book The Stand by Stephen King. 

Would you be interested in a book that is similar to the stand?

Although Person A enjoyed The Stand, he is not sure that he wants to read a book like it.  I checked Novelist anyway to see what was recommended.  Novelist recommends:

The 5th Wave by Richard Yancey
The Passage by Justin Cronin
Temple of the Winds by Terry Goodkind
I am Legend by Richard Matheson

Person A's response to these suggestions was sounds boring, maybe, no, and saw the movie.  I was beginning to think that I would never be able to find him a book that he would actually enjoy.

What other interests do you have?

This was the key question.  Person A admitted that he is a huge Star Wars fan and used to read some of the books.  He was not interested in any Star Wars books that were about the movies or the characters from the movies.  He enjoyed reading Star Wars books that were years before Darth Vader.  I then went back into Novelist and typed in Star Wars.  I had to filter through quite a few books before I found ones that were not related to the movies.  While doing this, he remembered the he loved the Force Unleashed series from Star Wars.  I was able to narrow my recommendations down to:

Darth Plagueis by James Luceno
Lost Tribe of the Sith by John Jackson Miller
Old Republic Series (Fatal Alliance, Deceived, Revan, and Annihilation)   

Person A checked out Darth Plagueis and The Lost Tribe of the Sith.  He has started reading Darth Plagueis and says that he is enjoying it so far.  He has not read the other title yet.

Wow, what a start to this assignment.  I was not sure if I would find this guy any books that he would actually read.  This was a tough one and I felt like I was pulling his teeth to get answers out of him.

PERSON B

What kinds of books do you enjoy reading?

Person B was a middle aged woman who freely admits that she is a very picky reader.  She loves to read but she is very picky about what she will read but enjoys historical non-fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, and biographies but her favorite genre would be historical non-fiction.

What genre are you in the mood for right now?

Person B replied that she would really like a good historical non-fiction book.

What was the last historical non-fiction book that you read and enjoyed?

Person B has just finished reading The Hidden Whitehouse: Harry Truman and the Reconstruction of America's Most Famous Residence by Robert Klara.

What did you like about the book?

Person B thought that the book was well-written, very detailed and yet very readable.  She stated that although historically accurate, it was not full of technical facts.  She really enjoyed the personal stories told in the book.  I searched Novelist for read-a-likes but she did not think that any of the suggestions sounded interesting.  I then searched for the author and found that he had written another book, FDR's Funeral Train: a betrayed widow, a Soviet spy, and a presidency in the balance.  Person B decided to give this book a try since she enjoyed the author in the last book. 

What is another historical non-fiction book that you really enjoyed?

Person B stated the she loved the book River of Doubt by Candice Millard and that is was one of her favorites.  I went back into Novelist and pulled up some read-a-likes for this title.  A few of the suggested titles she found interesting were:

The Lost City of Z by David Grann
The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko

Person B checked out both The Lost City of Z and FDR's Funeral Train.  She has not started the FDR book yet and has recently returned The Lost City of Z.  She thought that the book was okay but has read other titles that she enjoyed better.

I am not a huge non-fiction reader so this was a tough one for me.  I had never heard of a few of the books and had to read the summaries more than once to get a feel for them.

PERSON C

What kind of books do you enjoy reading?

Person C is a young lady in her early twenties.  She reads all types of books from all genres and all age levels.  She really enjoys murder mysteries, paranormal fiction, dystopian fiction, romance, and some non-fiction.

What was the last book that you read that you really enjoyed?

 Person C had quite a few answers to this question.  She has recently read The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Maze Runner, A Child Called It, and Twilight.  She would like any books that were along the same lines as those mentioned above.  I started with The Perks of Being a Wallflower.  Novelist read-a-like suggestions that she thought sounded good were:

The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Powell

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Pellaira

My branch did not have any of these titles in so she placed a hold on them.

I then went back into Novelist for read-a-likes for The Maze Runner.  Suggested titles that she found interesting and checked out were:

Variant by Robinson Wells
Ashes, Ashes by Jo Treggiari

I then went back into Novelist for A Child Called it read-a-likes.  The suggested titles she thought sounded interesting were:

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard
Sleepers by Lorenzo Carcaterra

She checked out the Jaycee Dugard title.

Lastly, I searched Novelist for Twilight read-a-likes.  Suggested titles that she thought sounded good and checked out were:

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Spellbound by Cara Lynn Shultz
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

I have not heard back from her to see if she liked any of these titles but I am sure that she did.  This advisory was the easiest for me as Person C and I have very similar reading interests. 


PERSON D

What types of books do you like?

Person D is a male in his middle to late thirties.  His reading interests are mostly fantasy as well as some science fiction and non-fiction.

What kind of fantasy do you enjoy?

Person D likes fantasy books with sorcery that include plots that are political and/or military.

What is your favorite fantasy author/book/series?

Person D's favorite series of all times is the Malazan Empire by Steven Erikson.

What did you like about this series?

It was very detailed and character driven.  It was a deep novel but a very fast paced book.  It was world building and darkly humorous.  I went to Novelist and searched for the Malazan series by Erikson and found the first book in the series.  I clicked on the first book to get a list of read-a-likes.  The following are the suggested read-a-likes that Person D checked out to read:

Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
Chronicles of the Black Company by Glen Cook
Legends of the Red Sun by Mark Charan Newton

All three of these books were the first book in a series.  He checked them all out to see whtich series he wanted to start reading first.  As of now, I still have not heard if he liked any of the suggestions or not.

This was another tough advisory for me.  I love fantasy fiction but not the type that this gentleman liked.  I didn't even know books existed that were both magical and military.  Great learning experience and definitely out of my comfort zone.

PERSON E

What types of books do you enjoy?

Person E reads all types of genres and all age levels.  She loves paranormal fiction, in particular, paranormal romance.  She also enjoys a good mystery and on occasion some science fiction.  Lately she has really enjoyed reading books from the young adult section of the library.

What are some examples of books and/or authors that you really enjoyed?

Person E loved the following series: The Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Divergent, and The Mortal Instruments.  I started with the Hunger Games and went to Novelist to find read-a-likes.  The following titles are ones that she thought sounded interesting:

Birthmarked by Caragh M O'Brien
Matched by Allyson Condie
Graceling by Kristin Cashmore

Person E checked out the first two titles.  I have hear back from her and she absolutely loved the Matched series but has not read Birthmarked yet.

I then went into Novelist to search for read-a-likes for Harry Potter.  Unfortunately, none of the suggested titles sounded very interesting to Person E.

I moved on to the Divergent series in Novelist and had a little more luck.  Below are the suggested titles that sounded interesting to Person E.

Uglies by Scott Westerfield
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Person E checked out Uglies and has since returned to check out the rest of that series.  SCORE!!

Lastly, I searched for Mortal Instruments read-a-likes from Novelist.  The following books were of interest to Person E but she has not checked them out yet as she wanted to finish reading others first but she kept the list for a future date.

Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
White Hot Kiss by Jennifer Armentrout
Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Again, Person E was easy for me as we read many of the same titles.  Ironically, I found a couple of titles that I would like to read by helping her find books!!




 

Week 15 Prompt

There are many great and free ways to advertise and market a fiction collection. 

1.  Showcase the new releases.  At my branch, we have new fiction and non-fiction shelved right by the front door so that it is impossible to miss.  We typically keep new books out for a range of 4 to 6 months depending on space.  This is a one stop shop for patrons to browse new titles and authors.  All new books are marked as such using red dot labels on the spine making it easy for circulation staff to spot them and shelve them on the correct shelves.

2.  Book displays are a fantastic way to market fiction titles.  Every month we change our display to showcase different titles and authors.  One month we had a "from the bottom shelf" fiction display of books that are rarely checked out because they are shelved on the bottom row and are hard to read unless you bend down.  In February of last year we had a display titled "Blind Date with a Book".  Employees choose titles that they enjoyed, placed them in manilla envelopes, and typed a blurb on the front giving an abstract of the book but not a title or author.  This was extremely popular because so many people like to take risks.  Right now we have a display up showcasing books that have been made into movies.  We have the book and the movie shelved together on the display.  It really doesn't matter what the display is, people are drawn to them no matter what.

3.  Book clubs are also a great way to get fiction to circulate.  At my branch, we have a popular fiction book club for adults and book club for less none titles.  Both have a decent turnout and the books do circulate.

We always have read-a-like bookmarks available on a cart for patrons and these have proved helpful in patrons finding new authors and titles to read.

Week 14

First off, I would like to point out that not everyone has control or even a say about what is ordered for their library/branch.  At the Allen County Public Library (where I am employed part time) the acquisitions department is in charge of all ordering.  My branch will sometimes receive 15 copies of a popular fiction title and sometimes only 3.  I am not sure how the ordering is done but I do know that we can request certain things.  With that being said, it would not be prudent for a branch at ACPL to separate African American and GLBTQ genres from the general collection as we have no control over how much we will receive.  I think it would seem rude and demeaning to have one or two shelves with these separate genres on them.  Keeping all genres together in the general collection is the only fair way to do it.  Also, space is a huge concern for most of the ACPL branches and again it just would not be prudent to separate different genres.

If you do start separating genres, where do you stop?  What about religious fiction or the Amish romance novels?  I do believe everything should be shevled together but I also believe that we should showcase these genres and authors.  It never fails that books on displays get checked out.  You can move books that have not circulated for over a year onto a book display and I guarantee they will be checked out.   

So I conclude, showcase NOT separate!!

YA Annotation

 

Divergent

by:  Veronica Roth

Published by Harper Collins

487 Pages

9780062024022

Genre:  YA, Science Fiction, Dystopian Fiction 

Storyline:  Intricately Plotted, World-Building

Tone:  Bleak, Suspenseful

Style:  Compelling

Summary:  In a future Chicago, sixteen-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

Science Fiction Characteristics:  

• Futuristic Setting/Storyline 
• The setting is not based in reality
• World-Building 
• Series Based (Divergent is book 1 in the series; book 2 is Insurgent and book 3 is Allegiant

Read-A-Likes (from Novelist)

1. Graceling by Kristin Cashore
2. Matched by Allyson Condie
3. Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien
4. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
5. Uglies by Scott Westerfeld 

Prompt 12

 

Titanic: Voices from the Disaster

By: Deborah Hopkinson

1.  Where is the book on the narrative continuum?  A mix - combines highly narrative with some periods of fact based prose.

2.  What is the subject of the book?  Story of the Titanic from beginning to end told by the surviving passengers.  

  

3.  What type of book is it?  Reads like a biography of the survivors and witnesses

4.  Articulate appeal

• What is the pacing of the book?  This book is a quick and easy read.
• Describe the characters of the book?  This book contains many accounts from survivors and witnesses.  There is nine year old Frankie Goldsmith, Violet Jessop who is a young stewardess, well to do Colonel Archibold Gracie, William Murdoch a brave seaman, Charlotte Collyer a young mother on her way to start a new life, and many, many others.
• How does the story feel?  The story reads mostly like fiction with historical facts mixed-in.  Although the sinking is sad, this book is interesting from beginning to end. 
• What is the intent of the author?  To re-tell the story of the Titanic from a narrative perspective using recollections from survivors and witnesses of the sinking.
• What is the focus of the story?  The sinking of the Titanic
• Does the language matter?  Yes, language is used to help readers experience the emotions of the passengers and witnesses.
• Is the setting important and well described?  Yes - I felt like I was there with the passengers and crew members on the ship.
• Are there details and, if so, of what?  Lots of details: from the details about the ship to the details of the rescue.
• Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials?  Are they useful and clear?  Yes - there were many pictures throughout this book and even a diagram of the Titanic.
• Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?  Definitely experience.  As you are reading, you are experiencing the same events that these survivors and witnesses went through.

5.  Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?

1. Detail - the author uses so much detail that the reader is fully engaged in the story and it almost feels like you are there in 1912 with the passengers and crew.
2. Characterization - we get to know these survivors and witnesses through the authors use of characterization.
3. Writing Style - This is a fast and easy read

 

Fantasy Annotation

 

Dead Witch Walking

by

Kim Harrison

353 pages (2008)

9780061567193

Summary:   The underground population of witches, vampires, werewolves--creatures of dreams and nightmares--has lived beside humans for centuries, hiding their powers. But after a genetically engineered virus wipes out a large part of humanity, many of the "Inderlanders" reveal themselves, changing everything. Rachel Morgan, witch and bounty hunter with the Inderland Runner Services, is one of the best at apprehending supernatural lawbreakers throughout Cincinnati, but when it comes to following the rules, she falls desperately short. Determined to buck the system, she quits and takes off on the run with an I.S. contract on her head and is reluctantly forced to team up with Ivy, Inderland's best runner . . . and a living vampire. But this witch is way out of her league, and to clear her name, Rachel must evade shape-changing assassins, outwit a powerful businessman/crime lord, and survive a vicious underground fight-to-the-death . . . not to mention her own roommate.

Genre:  Fantasy Fiction, Urban Fantasy Fiction

Pace:  Fast-paced

Style:  Richly detailed

Series:  The Hollows (Book 1)

Fantasy Characteristics:

• World-building - can range from a slight tweak on our world to a completely different universe.  This book takes place in the US but not a US as we know it.  All kinds of paranormal creatures have come out of hiding as humans die out from a virus found in tomatos.
• Fantasy means magic - this is what clearly alienates it from other genres.  Rachel Morgan is a witch and practices magic on a daily basis.
• Storyline - good verses evil with good usually winning.  Rachel and her friends are trying to save the world from bad vampires and demons.
• Series will often be one long story rather than each book being episodic.  The Hollows series is on its 16th book and it does read as one very long continuing story. 

Read-A-Likes (from Novelist)

• A Discovery of Witches   by Deborah Harkness
• Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
• Storm Born by Richelle Mead
• Burning Water by Mercedes Lackey
• Bitten by Kelly Armstrong
• Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur

Week 11 Prompt

When it comes to ereaders , I can honestly say that I do not want one.  I like to physically hold a book in my hands when I am reading it.  Call me crazy, but I even love the smell of books!!  I have enough technology in my life and too much "screen time" as it is!!  I am also not ashamed of what I read.  Yes, I jumped on the Fifty Shades of Grey bandwagon and even checked that out from the library that I work.  No shame here!!

Having said that, I do see the appeal or ebooks.  Ereaders allow you to physically have with you hundreds of books at all times.  Obviously that is not possible with physical books.  I can not carry more than 15 or so hardcover books at a time and they do take up a lot of space.  So yes, an ereader can be handy, especially if you are traveling.  Ebooks are also cheaper than the physical counter parts so that can be a huge draw.  I do understand that some people will want to be secretive about what they are reading.  I know a young lady who is in the process of divorcing her abusive husband.  In a situation like hers, you would not want to have a physical book about divorce or custody laying around. 

I was surprised to read in out Power Point this week that Ebook sales have increased by 117%.  It is shocking because at my branch our circulation is on the rise.  However, we do receive questions on a daily basis about how to use library services on ereaders.  I borrowed a Kindle Fire from my branch to take home and play with so that I would understand what patrons were asking.  Unfortunately, I became so frustrated that I wanted to throw the darn thing across the room.  I will definitely need to become more comfortable with it so that I can assist the patrons with theirs!!

Ebooks can be more convenient but patrons do not seem to understand that there still may be a waiting list for a popular book.  They assume that if the book is an Ebook, that it is readily available.  Other than that, I have not heard any complaints about Ebooks at my branch.

I personally have never listened to ab audiobook but know from working in circulation that they are extremely popular.  The problem with audiobooks is that there are so many CDs to keep track of and there is the possibility that the CDs will become scratched.  We have had quite a few complaints about scratched discs in the middle of the book.  That would be frustrating!! 

My 3 Book Talks

First off, I would like to apologize for the "shaky" video recordings.  My 12 year old son was recording these for me using my cell phone.

This week I thought that doing three book talks would be easy.  Boy was I wrong.  I chose three books that I have read within the last year that I found enjoyable.  However, I found that it was hard to decide what to say for these books and felt that my "talks" sounded to scripted.  I had a hard time finding enough to say that would intrigue a patron to want to read it without giving away too much of the plot.  I was actually looking forward to this assignment but found that it was way harder and a lot more stressful than I thought it would be.  I wonder if it would be easier to do booktalks for children's books? 

The thee books that I chose were:

 

Wicked Appetite:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvkgheOFlsE&feature=youtu.be

Blood Brothers:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlzDv3z3ITA

Wicked:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6g9D8bekWE

Women's Lives and Relationships Annotation

  

Gone With the Wind

by:  Margaret Mitchell

Published by MacMillan in 1936

 1037 pages

Summary:  Scarlett O'Hara is a spoiled and manipulative daughter of a wealthy plantation owner in Southern Georgia.  She has her eye set on neighboring Ashley Wilkes but Ashley marries another.  After being twice widowed, she marries the charismatic and incredibly rich Rhett Butler, while secretly still pining for Ashley. This historical classic is set against the dramatic backdrop of the civil war and follows Scarlet through many trials and tribulations and readers watch her grow from a manipulative young girl into a strong woman who learns too late what she really desires in life.  

Genre:  Women Literature, Historical Fiction, Love Stories, Modern Classics, Epic Fiction

Storyline:  Character-driven, Sweeping

Tone:  Atmospheric, bittersweet, dramatic

Style:  Engaging

Women's Lives and  Relationships Aspects:

• The protagonist is a woman and so is the author.
• Story lines reflect the issues affecting women's lives and portray women facing difficult situations.  Scarlett faces heart-break, the civil war, and poverty and braves through all three.  
• Endings are usually hopeful, if not happy.  Scarlett faces every situation optimistically, even the ending when Rhett walks out on her just as she realizes that she loves him.
• Pacing is generally unhurried.  Fans talk of these as compelling reads, which pull readers in and involve them with the protagonist's story.

    Read-A-Likes (from Novelist)
   
    Bella Cora by Phillip Margulies
    The Youngest Miss Ward by Juan Aiken
    Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig

Mystery Annotation

 

THIS PEN FOR HIRE

BY

LAURA LEVINE 

 Published by Kensington in 2003

240 Pages

978-0758201591

Series:  Book 1 of the Jaine Austen Mystery Series

Summary:  Freelancer Jaine Austen (her mother loved the classics but couldn't spell) makes a living writing love letters, personal ads and industrial brochures, but she never expected her work to involve her in murder. When geeky Howard Murdoch hires her to pen a letter proclaiming his love for gorgeous fitness instructor Stacy Lawrence, no one is more surprised than Jaine when Stacy agrees to go out with Howard on Valentine's Day. But Harold arrives for their date only to find that someone has bludgeoned Stacy to death with a ThighMaster. Feeling some responsibility for the hapless Howard, now the police's only suspect, Jaine starts digging. Stacy might have been beautiful, but most people disliked her. Elaine Zimmer wanted the corner apartment Stacy had just moved into, and the building superintendent seemed besotted with her. Then there's the volatile, married producer, not to mention the girlfriend Stacy stole him from. Handsome neighbor Cameron Bannick, a straight antiques dealer, piques Jaine's interest (she hasn't had a good date in a long time), and becomes a dashing Watson to Jaine's Sherlock. Though her life is in danger, Jaine never loses her sense of humor as the story zips along to an action-filled and surprising climax.  (Publisher's Weekly)

 Genre:  Mystery, Gentle Reads, Humorous Stories

 Story-Line:  Character-driven

 Tone:  Amusing

 Writing Style:  Engaging, witty

Mystery Aspects:  

• The solving of a crime, the death of Stacy Lawrence, drives the plot, and the detective (Jaine Austen), along with the reader, sorts through the available clues to discover the solution. 
• The story focuses on the investigator (Jaine Austen).  We watch as Jaine blunders her way to solving each mystery sometimes with the help of her eccentric neighbor, Lance.  Secondary characters like Lance play an important role in the appeal of the mystery and may also be seen as series characters.
• The frame in which the mystery is set - whether a physical location or fascinating background details - plays a crucial role on its appeal.  In every Jaine Austen mystery, the murder takes place in an unusual way (a thighmaster) or in an unusual place.  
• The mood in mysteries varies from dark and gritty to lighthearted an witty.  The Jaine Austen Mysteries are definitely lighthearted and witty.  From Jaine's crazy cat Prozak, to her neighbor Lance, these books are laugh out loud funny.

Read-A-Likes (From Novelist):

Bonnie of Evidence by Maddy Hunter
The Burglar on the Prowl by Lawrence Block
Southern Fried by Cathy Pickens
Cruising in your Eighties is Murder by Mike Befeler
False Profits by Patricia Smiley




 

Prompt 7 - Patterson Monopoly

When I started at the Allen County Public Library 4 years ago, I only paid attention to the authors that I was reading (which was mostly paranormal romance).  I started at the library as a book shelver and I learned early on that James Patterson held a huge monopoly over our fiction collection.  We own at least 2 copies of every James Patterson book.  When a new book is released we own an initial 6 to 8 copies that are weeded down to 2 or 3 as the years pass.  James Patterson takes up about four or five shelves in our fiction collection.  He is also shelved in our mystery section, large print, and young adult.  It seems like he is releasing a book every five minutes (ok....slightly exaggerating)!  When a new book is released, and often before it even hits the shelf, there is a hold list a mile long with patrons waiting to get it. 

It wasn't until I worked at the library for about a year before I learned that James Patterson uses co-authors.  My manager at the time was talking to me while I was shelving Patterson books and she asked me if I knew that he doesn't even write them anymore, that he pays others to write them for him.  I was shocked and disturbed by the news at the time. 

However, I will say that my opinion has changed since reading the Patterson article by Jeff Zaleski.  Patterson seems to have a very down to earth attitude about the whole thing and freely admits that he has others helping him with the books.  He also stated that he is always in contact with these co-authors and oversees most of what they do.  Having co-authors allows Patterson to focus more time on his family while still keeping his name in the public eye.  "His primary aim, he tells us, was to get back to what I do, and that's less to be the #1 novelist than to have a life"  Patterson is having fun and enjoys what he does for a living.  He still writes daily but is not under the amount of pressure as other authors to keep cranking out popular fiction.  I give him credit for figuring out the formula for writing and having a life.  Perhaps he should give his co-authors a little more credit, perhaps even a picture on the novel, but more power to him as his followers are going to stay strong for years to come!!

Booktalk and Baker Response - Prompt 6

BOOKTALK

Have you ever felt alone?  Have you ever felt that you don't belong?

That is how Iona Sheehan has felt all of her life!

Iona grew up with indifferent parents craving devotion and acceptance.  The only person she felt cared for her was her beloved grandmother, Nan.  From Nan, Iona learns of Ireland and family that she has there.  Iona decides to quit her job, sell all of her possessions, and move to Ireland to meet her cousins Brenna and Connor O'Dwyer.  Once there, she not only finds love and acceptance, but hidden magic as well.

This novel Dark Witch by Nora Roberts is the first book in her newest trilogy, the Cousins O'Dwyer.

Iona moves to the County Mayo in Ireland to track down her cousins Brenna and Connor with nothing but her Nan's directions, an unfailing optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses.  Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, and family being family, they invite her into their home and into their lives.

Soon after Iona learns a secret, Brenna and Connor are witches and Iona is one too!  

The two O'Dwyer cousins delve right in and start helping Iona reach her untapped magical power.  However, Iona soon learns that all power comes with a price. 

 Brenna, Connor, and Iona are the three descendents of the great witch Sorcha.  Sorcha battled a powerful dark wizard in 1263 who wanted to possess her and combine their powers.  Sorcha passes on her great power to her three children and sacrifices her self to save them from the dark wizard, Cabhan.  Centuries later, Cabhan is back and wants the power that he was denied.

Meanwhile, Iona lands a job at the local horse stables where she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath.  Boyle is the combination of cowboy, pirate, and tribal horseman and Iona finds herself weak around him.  Will Iona find time for love and a life with Boyle while fighting for her life?  

Read this all new novel from Nora Roberts to find out!!

BAKER COMMENTS

In the article by Baker, she states that you should only choose books that you have actually read and enjoyed.  I do agree with this statement to an extent.  It would be much easier to do a booktalk on a book that you have read because you will be prepared to answer questions about the book confidently.  It would also be easier to do a booktalk on a book that you have enjoyed because the audience will be able to tell if you have negative feelings about a book and that might detour them from reading it themselves.  However, we all know that librarians are stretched for time.  You may not always have time to read a book beforehand or you may be thrown into it at the last moment.  I personally do not think that I would do very well if I have not at least read the first few chapters.  I do not like feeling unprepared and only reading an abstract or review of a book would not prepare me enough to present a booktalk.  

Romance Annotation

At The King's Command

By: Susan Wiggs

Paperback: 375 pages

Publisher:  MIRA Books 2009 (Updated from original publication CIRCLE IN THE WATER published by Harper Collins 1994)

ISBN: 9780778327387

Book 1 of the Tudor Rose Trilogy

Brief Summary:  Frustrated by his own failures at matrimony, King Henry VIII punishes an insolent nobleman by commanding him to marry the vagabond woman caught stealing his horse.  Stephen de Lacey is a cold and bitter widower, long accustomed to the sovereign's capricious and malicious whims.  He regards his new bride as utterly inconvenient...though undeniably fetching.  But Juliana Romanov is no ordinary thief - she is a Russian princess forced into hiding by the traitorous cabal who slaughtered her family.  One day she hopes to return to Muscovy to seek vengeance.  What begins as a mockery of marriage ultimately blossoms into deepest love.

Genre:  Romance, Historical Romance

Romance Characteristics:  

•  Evocative, emotional tone that draws readers in as they participate in this love story and read towards a emotionally satisfying happy ending.  By the end of this book, Juliana gets both the happy ending and her revenge!
• Stephen de Lacey's character is the typical male romance lead.  He is tall and intimidating with blond hair and a handsome face.  He comes across as strong and distant but learns to open his heart again to Juliana.  Juliana's character is the typical female lead in a romance novel.  She is beautiful but also bright and independent.  She could live happily ever after without Stephen but follows her heart instead.
• Stephan and Juliana have all kinds of misunderstandings throughout this book.  At times they were humorous and other times brought tears to my eyes.  However, these misunderstandings are resolved and they both get their happy ending.
• Although this book is a fast and easy read, it can be put down and started again without losing any of the story line.

Storyline:   Character driven, Intricately plotted

Pace:  Leisurely

Tone:  Funny, Moving

Writing Style:  Lush, Witty

Series Information:  This is the first book in the series.  Book 2 is titled The Maiden's Hand and book 3 is titled At The Queen's Summons.

Read-A-Likes: 

• Velvet Promise by Jude Deveraux
• Almost Innocent by Jane Feather
• The Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
• Two Dukes of Wyndham by Julia Quinn
• Darling Jasmine by Bertrice Small