A few good books : using contemporary readers' advisory strategies to connect readers with books

Meet the changing needs of the contemporary reader with this current and comprehensive new readers' advisory resource. A Few Good Books will help you build a solid foundation in the theory and practice of readers' advisory and learn how exciting new Libary 2.0 technologies, including tags, clouds, e-books, virtual R, and other digitial formats will enhance your programs. A uniquely helpful section on RA for readers with disabilities, patrons who are non-native speakers of English, and adult new readers will enable your RA for underserved populations. There are strategies and tools for working directly with readers adn keeping current about books and authors, along with detailed coverage across a varity of book genres, including popular fiction; literary fiction; adventure, suspense, thrillers, and mysteries; science fiction, fantasy, and horror; and topical fiction. The author also includes real-life examples of successful RA transactions, sample scripts, and extensive appendices with important print and electronic resources. A Few Good Books will empower you with everything you'll need to serve your readers with their own definition of a "good read."

• List of Illustrations p. ix
• Foreword p. xi
• Preface p. xiii
• Acknowledgments p. xix
• Part 1 On Readers and Reading
• Chapter 1 From Cuneiform to Kindle p. 3
• Introduction p. 3
• Evidence of Reading p. 4
• Reading in the New Millennium p. 11
• Conclusion p. 12
• Works Consulted p. 13
• Further Reading p. 13
• Chapter 2 History and Context of Readers' Advisory in the Library p. 15
• Defining Readers' Advisory p. 15
• Historical Overview and Development of Readers' Advisory p. 16
• Readers' Advisory in a Multimedia World p. 22
• Conclusion p. 23
• Works Consulted p. 24
• Further Reading p. 24
• Chapter 3 The Role of the Reader and the Act of Reading p. 27
• The Reader p. 27
• The Process of Reading p. 29
• The Purposes of Reading p. 32
• Conclusion p. 34
• Works Consulted p. 34
• Further Reading p. 35
• Part II Reaching the Contemporary Reader
• Chapter 4 Tags, Clouds, and Participatory Readers' Advisory Services p. 39
• Very Brief Overview of Web 2.0 and Library 2.0 p. 39
• Library 2.0 Toolbox p. 41
• The Social Side of Library 2.0 p. 47
• Getting Started with Library 2.0 p. 56
• Conclusion p. 58
• Works Consulted p. 58
• Further Reading p. 59
• Chapter 5 Reading Electronically through Sight and Sound p. 61
• Evolution of Reading Technologies beyond the Book p. 62
• Hearing, Seeing, Reading: Alternative Forms of the Book p. 65
• Electronic Books (E-books) p. 67
• Electronic Books in the Library Setting p. 73
• What Is a Book? p. 74
• Works Consulted p. 75
• Further Reading p. 77
• Part III The Art and Science of Readers' Advisory
• Chapter 6 Beyond the General Reference Interview p. 81
• The Readers' Advisory Conversation p. 81
• Strategies and Resources for Successful Readers' Advisory Activities p. 87
• Conclusion p. 98
• Works Consulted p. 98
• Further Reading p. 98
• Chapter 7 Knowing a Few Good Books p. 101
• Reconnaissance and the Book Buzz p. 101
• Books in Alternative Formats p. 108
• Book Covers, Book Blurbs, and Readers' Reviews p. 110
• Promoting and Marketing RA Services p. 112
• A Few Other Strategies to Reach Readers p. 114
• Conclusion p. 115
• Works Consulted p. 115
• Further Reading p. 116
• Chapter 8 Reading in the Genres p. 117
• Defining Fiction p. 117
• Reading Choices p. 120
• The Genres According to Readers' Advisory p. 121
• General Strategies for Discovering Genre Fiction p. 125
• Conclusion p. 126
• Works Consulted p. 126
• Further Reading p. 127
• Chapter 9 Adventure, Suspense, Thrillers, and Mysteries p. 129
• An Introduction to Adventure p. 129
• An Introduction to Suspense and Thrillers p. 133
• Mysteries and Crime Fiction p. 137
• Conclusion p. 144
• Works Consulted p. 144
• Further Reading p. 145
• Chapter 10 Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror p. 147
• An Introduction to Science Fiction or Speculative Fiction p. 147
• An Introduction to Fantasy p. 155
• An Introduction to Horror p. 162
• Conclusion p. 169
• Works Consulted p. 169
• Further Reading p. 170
• Chapter 11 Romance, Historical Fiction, and Westerns p. 171
• An Introduction to Romance Fiction p. 171
• An Introduction to Historical Fiction p. 180
• An Introduction to Westerns p. 187
• Conclusion p. 196
• Works Consulted p. 196
• Further Reading p. 197
• Chapter 12 Merging, Emerging, and Re-emerging Genres p. 199
• Women's Fiction and Chick Lit p. 200
• Serving a Multicultural Community p. 206
• Finding Multicultural Fiction p. 211
• Conclusion p. 216
• Works Consulted p. 216
• Further Reading p. 217
• Chapter 13 Readers' Advisory Services for Special Populations p. 219
• Setting the Stage p. 219
• The Role of the Readers' Advisor p. 220
• Serving Adult New Readers and ESL Learners p. 222
• Reading Mentors p. 226
• Readers' Advisory Services for Patrons with Disabilities p. 227
• Conclusion p. 234
• Works Consulted p. 235
• Further Reading p. 236
• Part IV Notate Bene
• Chapter 14 List Culture p. 239
• Overview of List Culture p. 239
• Inside the Bestsellers Lists p. 241
• Genre Lists and Professional Associations p. 243
• 100 Books to Read Before You Die, or Canonical Literature p. 244
• Automation, Algorithms, and Recommendations p. 246
• Booklists and Social Networking Utilities p. 249
• Publishing House Resources p. 250
• Conclusion p. 251
• Works Consulted p. 251
• Further Reading p. 252
• Chapter 15 Book Awards and Award-Winning Books p. 253
• The Major Literary Awards p. 255
• Industry and Library Association Awards p. 263
• The Genre Awards p. 267
• Conclusion p. 274
• Works Consulted p. 274
• Further Reading p. 275
• Chapter 16 Reading Groups Old and New p. 277
• Traditional Book Discussion Groups p. 278
• Broadcast Media and Talk Show Book Clubs p. 283
• Online Book Discussion Groups p. 287
• Conclusion p. 289
• Works Consulted p. 290
• Further Reading p. 290
• Chapter 17 Reading Events-A Celebration of Reading, Books, and Authors p. 291
• Center for the Book p. 291
• Book Festivals and Fairs p. 294
• Community-wide Reading Programs p. 296
• Other Resources and Venues for Reading Events p. 302
• Online Resources for Connecting Readers, Books, and Authors p. 303
• Conclusion p. 304
• Works Consulted p. 305
• Further Reading p. 305
• Chapter 18 Reflections on the Future of Reading and Readers' Advisory p. 307
• Challenge 1 Book as Form or Book as Content? p. 307
• Challenge 2 Genre Blending, Bending, and Sliding p. 309
• Challenge 3 Reading in a Diverse Community p. 310
• Challenge 4 Readers' Advisory Services in a 2.0 World p. 310
• Challenge 5 Reaching the Reader p. 311
• Conclusion p. 312
• Works Consulted p. 313
• Appendix 1 Reference Resources for the Genres p. 315
• Appendix 2 Bestsellers Books and Reading Lists p. 329
• Appendix 3 Statewide Adult Book Awards p. 333
• Appendix 4 Resources for Book Discussion Groups p. 337
• Author, Series, and Title Index p. 341
• Subject Index p. 363
• About the Author and Contributors p. 387