Using appeal factors, write a book talk for two of the four titles you would recommend, noting who you would recommend them to and why.
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (Memoir) Appeal factors: memoir, inspirational, survival, moving, engaging
Unbroken is the incredible story of Louis Zamperini - a juvenile delinquent, Olympic athlete, WWII POW camp survivor, and lastly man who overcomes PTSD to live a life helping and loving others. Laura Hillenbrand writes this engaging memoir of the personable, likable Louie Zamperini. It chronicles, in detail, Louie's survival of unimaginable cruelty, starvation, and depravation during WWII. This book appeals to anyone who enjoys history or a good story!
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania (940.4514L History) Appeal factors: historical, engaging, suspenseful, multiple perspectives, rich in detail
Eric Larson's Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania nonfiction book explains what happened and why the ship was torpedoed off the Irish coastline in May 1915. Readers are provided multiple perspectives of key people and government official involved in the event. The rich detail creates a suspenseful and riveting tale of the human experience and the significance of Lusitania's sinking. This book will appeal not to just those interested in history, but anyone that appreciates a page-turner!
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Week 8: Assignment 3
Choose any four of the 16 nonfiction genres presented in the video. In what Dewey area(s) did you find narrative nonfiction in these genres? List each of the four genres and their Dewey areas on your blog. Choose one book from each of these four genres that you could recommend to someone who normally reads only fiction. List these titles and their authors.
1. Memoirs - Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (Memoirs)
2. Contemporary Social Issues - A Call to Action: Woman, Religion, Violence, and Power by Jimmy Carter (305.42C)
3. Essays - Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit (305.42S)
4. Food - Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good by Kathleen Flynn (641.5977F)
5. History - Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania (940.4514L)
6. Science - The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story by Lily Koppel (629.45K)
1. Memoirs - Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand (Memoirs)
2. Contemporary Social Issues - A Call to Action: Woman, Religion, Violence, and Power by Jimmy Carter (305.42C)
3. Essays - Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit (305.42S)
4. Food - Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good by Kathleen Flynn (641.5977F)
5. History - Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania (940.4514L)
6. Science - The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story by Lily Koppel (629.45K)
Week 8: Assignments 1 & 2
Read the two articles provided.
Watch the E-Learning video from the Maryland State Resource Library.
Watch the E-Learning video from the Maryland State Resource Library.
Week 7: Assignment 4
Blog trends in current or forthcoming teen fiction on listed websites.
Harlequin - Zombies and paranormal galore!
Harper Collins - Fairy tale stories retold! (i.e. Snow White and Cinderella)
Little, Brown Books - Post apocalyptic and dystopia!
Teens/Penguin Young Readers - Author Marie Lu's newest book in the Young Elites series will released on 10/13/2015.
I recently read a short YA article written by blogger Lisa Parkin. In the article, Parkin noted four trends emerging in YA books in 2015:
1. Crimes and Cons - characters on the wrong side of the law.
2. Retellings - fairy tales and classic literary stories.
3. Quirky & moving - i.e. Mosquitoland by David Arnold, The Trouble with Destiny by Lauren Morrill.)
4. Dealing with Loss - next generation of 'sick lit' but with characters left behind & dealing with loss.
Harlequin - Zombies and paranormal galore!
Harper Collins - Fairy tale stories retold! (i.e. Snow White and Cinderella)
Little, Brown Books - Post apocalyptic and dystopia!
Teens/Penguin Young Readers - Author Marie Lu's newest book in the Young Elites series will released on 10/13/2015.
I recently read a short YA article written by blogger Lisa Parkin. In the article, Parkin noted four trends emerging in YA books in 2015:
1. Crimes and Cons - characters on the wrong side of the law.
2. Retellings - fairy tales and classic literary stories.
3. Quirky & moving - i.e. Mosquitoland by David Arnold, The Trouble with Destiny by Lauren Morrill.)
4. Dealing with Loss - next generation of 'sick lit' but with characters left behind & dealing with loss.
Saturday, September 5, 2015
Week 7: Assignment 3
Follow any two of the listed blogs/websites for a week and blog about them.
My first selection was author John Green's blog. Not too exciting. It is not updated regularly. There are mostly just podcasts blogs. In 2007 John and his brother Hank, who monitor and contribute to the website stopped 'writing' blogs and now just videoblog. They both use other avenues rather than this website to communicate with the public. This website is a good source of information about John Green's books. I also selected the blog STACKED and believe it's a successful blog. Librarians write the reviews and it's intended audience is middle grades through adult readers of young adult literature. Guest bloggers, other librarians and authors also contribute. I appreciate that the reviews are not ambiguous! Bloggers use clear language to communicate what was successful in a novel or disliked about a book. This blog does not review: paranormal or paranormal romances, morality tales, religious / inspirational fiction, or self published titles unless the writer has a proven track record in traditional publication.
My first selection was author John Green's blog. Not too exciting. It is not updated regularly. There are mostly just podcasts blogs. In 2007 John and his brother Hank, who monitor and contribute to the website stopped 'writing' blogs and now just videoblog. They both use other avenues rather than this website to communicate with the public. This website is a good source of information about John Green's books. I also selected the blog STACKED and believe it's a successful blog. Librarians write the reviews and it's intended audience is middle grades through adult readers of young adult literature. Guest bloggers, other librarians and authors also contribute. I appreciate that the reviews are not ambiguous! Bloggers use clear language to communicate what was successful in a novel or disliked about a book. This blog does not review: paranormal or paranormal romances, morality tales, religious / inspirational fiction, or self published titles unless the writer has a proven track record in traditional publication.
Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Week 7: Assignment 2
Read any 2 of the articles provided and blog my thoughts.
I am unsurprised to learn many adults are reading teen books! I enjoy them myself. What's the appeal? As stated in the Christian Science Monitor article, often teen books are shorter, fast-paced, and well written. The article further mentions writing styles are "less complex" than adult books which allows for less brain taxing / more relaxing reading experiences. What I appreciate about authors of teen books is how they unflinchingly address life issues in that fast paced fashion, without seeming shallow. Emotionally I'm punched in the gut, but its with an authentic realism I can relate to. Not just big life themes, but also human oddities and off-beat 'weirdness' which are actually more commonplace to peoples' everyday life are depicted. A colleague mentioned during a recent discussion that he feels teen books are more in touch with pop culture. He reads more teen fiction than I do and I think I believe him! The Publisher's Weekly article about the subgenre 'New Adult' got me thinking about authors and books I am familiar with who may fit into this category. Rainbow Rowell and Alice Hoffman are two authors that come to mind. It is interesting to think, as stated in the PW article, how this subgenre fills a hole in young adult romance. I feel the question of where in a collection to shelve them is not really a question . . . adult fiction!
I am unsurprised to learn many adults are reading teen books! I enjoy them myself. What's the appeal? As stated in the Christian Science Monitor article, often teen books are shorter, fast-paced, and well written. The article further mentions writing styles are "less complex" than adult books which allows for less brain taxing / more relaxing reading experiences. What I appreciate about authors of teen books is how they unflinchingly address life issues in that fast paced fashion, without seeming shallow. Emotionally I'm punched in the gut, but its with an authentic realism I can relate to. Not just big life themes, but also human oddities and off-beat 'weirdness' which are actually more commonplace to peoples' everyday life are depicted. A colleague mentioned during a recent discussion that he feels teen books are more in touch with pop culture. He reads more teen fiction than I do and I think I believe him! The Publisher's Weekly article about the subgenre 'New Adult' got me thinking about authors and books I am familiar with who may fit into this category. Rainbow Rowell and Alice Hoffman are two authors that come to mind. It is interesting to think, as stated in the PW article, how this subgenre fills a hole in young adult romance. I feel the question of where in a collection to shelve them is not really a question . . . adult fiction!
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