This month's YA study has us discussing one of those elusive subgenres: contemporary realistic literature with male main characters. Sports books, action adventure, problem novels, and survival fiction are all included in this boy-centered breakout. Join us Wednesday, May 19th at 2:30 pm to discuss the rise of Gossip Girl and its imitators.
Remember, we're continuing to post to the comments section of the blog in place of using the cards. So go ahead and comment on this post (with your Google ID), including:
Your Name:
Book Title:
Brief Summary:
Comments on Appeal:
Who Would I Recommend It To:
Go ahead and keep it short (within what could be shared in our two-minute time frame), just as you have been on the paper notecards.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Readers' Advisory Bonus: How to Read a Book in Ten Minutes
How to Read A Book in Ten Minutes
from Georgine Olson, Joyce Saricks & Stacy Alesi in various incarnations
To speed read a book:
· Look at the cover — what is the art like? Does it give you any clues to the genre? Is the author's name bigger than the title?
· Hold the book & look at its basic features – Is it heavy? Look at the typeface, the space between lines, the general layout - How easy to read is it? Is there much white space? Is it densely printed?
· Read the back jacket copy — what does it say, who is endorsing the book, what other titles are mentioned, is the book a series title?
· Read both flaps — are you getting a sense of the story and the characters? Does it give you an idea of the storyline; does it tell “everything” (or maybe it doesn’t tell you anything)? Is it inviting, teasing, ominous?
· What over all tone do you perceive based on what you have read?
· Read the opening few pages — are you pulled into the story right way or is there a slow buildup? Do you want to keep reading? If it’s a series title, how smoothly does it deliver background info?
· Flip through the book, noticing its format. Does it have lots of chapters? Is there a great deal of dialog?
· Skim and read bits and pieces here and there throughout the book - Does it seem to flow? What’s your general impression of the book?
· Read the end (sorry, but this is important!). If it has an epilogue, read a couple of sections before the epilogue. Is there a conclusion or is it open-ended? Does the ending read like a checklist, wrapping up all loose ends?
· Read the reviews (Amazon, etc.)
· Read the reader responses (Amazon, GoodReads, etc.)
Now, what do you know about this book?
Style: tone; humorous; serious; length of sentences, sections, or chapters; more dialogue or descriptions?
Pacing: leisurely or action-oriented
Format: straight-line narrative, flashback, single or multiple points of view (how smooth are transitions)
Characters: many or few; are they a recognizable “type”; does it seem character or action-oriented
Setting: time; place; integral or wallpaper
Storyline: character or plot driven
Genre: does it follow genre conventions? sub-genre?
Is it part of a series?
What is the basic plot?
Do you know of other books by the author? Have you read any of them?
Has the book won any awards?
Can you think of any similar authors or read-alikes?
Do you know any specific readers who might enjoy it?
from Georgine Olson, Joyce Saricks & Stacy Alesi in various incarnations
To speed read a book:
· Look at the cover — what is the art like? Does it give you any clues to the genre? Is the author's name bigger than the title?
· Hold the book & look at its basic features – Is it heavy? Look at the typeface, the space between lines, the general layout - How easy to read is it? Is there much white space? Is it densely printed?
· Read the back jacket copy — what does it say, who is endorsing the book, what other titles are mentioned, is the book a series title?
· Read both flaps — are you getting a sense of the story and the characters? Does it give you an idea of the storyline; does it tell “everything” (or maybe it doesn’t tell you anything)? Is it inviting, teasing, ominous?
· What over all tone do you perceive based on what you have read?
· Read the opening few pages — are you pulled into the story right way or is there a slow buildup? Do you want to keep reading? If it’s a series title, how smoothly does it deliver background info?
· Flip through the book, noticing its format. Does it have lots of chapters? Is there a great deal of dialog?
· Skim and read bits and pieces here and there throughout the book - Does it seem to flow? What’s your general impression of the book?
· Read the end (sorry, but this is important!). If it has an epilogue, read a couple of sections before the epilogue. Is there a conclusion or is it open-ended? Does the ending read like a checklist, wrapping up all loose ends?
· Read the reviews (Amazon, etc.)
· Read the reader responses (Amazon, GoodReads, etc.)
Now, what do you know about this book?
Style: tone; humorous; serious; length of sentences, sections, or chapters; more dialogue or descriptions?
Pacing: leisurely or action-oriented
Format: straight-line narrative, flashback, single or multiple points of view (how smooth are transitions)
Characters: many or few; are they a recognizable “type”; does it seem character or action-oriented
Setting: time; place; integral or wallpaper
Storyline: character or plot driven
Genre: does it follow genre conventions? sub-genre?
Is it part of a series?
What is the basic plot?
Do you know of other books by the author? Have you read any of them?
Has the book won any awards?
Can you think of any similar authors or read-alikes?
Do you know any specific readers who might enjoy it?
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Fiction Genre Study: Science Fiction
Science Fiction Presentation
Science fiction links:
io9
Blog for science fiction enthusiasts. Focuses on science fiction, futurism and advancements in the fields of science and technology.
Tor
Website and blog of major SF publisher
SFSite
Reviews, topical lists, author lists
Locus Mag
Website of the SF magazine. Reviews, news, articles, links to other SF content
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Welcome!
Now that we've all gotten used to filling out the cards for our genre study every month, we're changing things up and going electronic. Thanks to everyone who offered suggestions for how best to store and access the wealth of knowledge we're gaining through our staff genre study every month.
Here's how it works:
Each month, the person leading the readers' advisory meeting will post on the genre being studied. Each participant will then be expected to post a comment to that blog post, briefly describing the book they read, how it fits into the genre, and its appeal for readers. This is in lieu of filling out the notecards. We may also end up using this blog to discuss other RA-related news and issues as we go along.
Please post your comments in this format:
Book Title:
Ready? Go!
Here's how it works:
Each month, the person leading the readers' advisory meeting will post on the genre being studied. Each participant will then be expected to post a comment to that blog post, briefly describing the book they read, how it fits into the genre, and its appeal for readers. This is in lieu of filling out the notecards. We may also end up using this blog to discuss other RA-related news and issues as we go along.
Please post your comments in this format:
Book Title:
Brief Summary:
Comments on Appeal:
Who Would I Recommend It To:
Ready? Go!
Young Adult Genre Study: Friends and Other Enemies
This month's YA study has us discussing one of OPPL's most popular subgenres: rich girl scandal lit. Join us Wednesday, January 20th at 2:30 pm to discuss the rise of Gossip Girl and its imitators.
Remember, this month we're going to start posting to the comments section of the blog in place of using the cards. So go ahead and comment on this post (with your Google ID), including:
Your Name:
Book Title:
Brief Summary:
Comments on Appeal:
Who Would I Recommend It To:
Go ahead and keep it short (within what could be shared in our two-minute time frame), just as you have been on the paper notecards.
Youth Media Awards presentation can be found here
Friends and Other Enemies Presentation Outline can be found here
Remember, this month we're going to start posting to the comments section of the blog in place of using the cards. So go ahead and comment on this post (with your Google ID), including:
Your Name:
Book Title:
Brief Summary:
Comments on Appeal:
Who Would I Recommend It To:
Go ahead and keep it short (within what could be shared in our two-minute time frame), just as you have been on the paper notecards.
Youth Media Awards presentation can be found here
Friends and Other Enemies Presentation Outline can be found here
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