Week 11 Writing Prompt

For this weeks writing prompt we were asked about the ebook and audiobook experience. What do you prefer: physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks? Here's what I think . . .

Courtesy of MorgueFile.com

I really enjoy having a book in my hand as part of the experience.  It becomes an intimate experience while touching the pages and breathing in the smell.  If you read a scene and it makes you question a previous scene, a reader can flip back to approximately the location where it was read.  Another benefit is the ability to loan and borrow from friends a book they read or you read that they other “Just has to read.” It’s also nice to know if I am going to be able to finish the chapter in the time I have available before I start the chapter.  However, necessity is the mother of invention or alteration.  

This last winter when it was too cold to go out or because the library was closed, ebooks became a very good friend for myself and my children.  Also, if I want to read a book or cannot find time to get to the site of its location and I don’t want to wait for it to transfer, it’s much quicker to get an ebook.  When I was laid up with back pain, it was great to be able to check it out without having to ask for someone to pick it up for me.  It’s a great conversation starter also.  With curious kids wondering why I am looking at my tablet and no movie is playing they wonder what I am reading--that is, when they know the semester is done.

For an ebook, it seems absolutely necessary to adjust the font and background lighting before I feel comfortable reading it.  Books, there is no glare at night or in the day. I pretty much can open it and go.  

Audio books are a new phenomenon for me as well.  Last summer, I was spending a lot of time on the road taking kids to various places for their activities. My son picked up an audio book for his listening pleasure and I decided to see what he was listening to: Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy By Tui T. Sutherland, read by Shannon McMannus.  Kaite Mediatore, in “Reading with Your Ears,” stated, “narration changes and intensifies every element of a book’s appeal . . .  How well a narrator adopts different accents or pitches in voice to distinguish between characters is a necessary element to the audio book” (319).  I was hoping she would actually continue to read the Wings of Fire series.  Imagine my disappointment.  I missed my turn a couple of times listening to her read the first book.

Ebooks and audiobooks are a great addition to the physical copies of books.  But, I don’t want the physical books to disappear.  All of these formats are beneficial in some form. Balance is the key.

Week 11 Annotation

Author: Robert Knott
Title: Robert B. Parker's Ironhorse

Genre:  Western

Publication Date: January 2013

Pages:  371

Geographical Setting: Choctaw Territory north of the Texas Border (Old West)

Time Period: Late 1800s after the civil war

Series: First in Cole and Hitch series

Plot Summary:

Virgil Cole (territory marshal) and Everett Hitch (deputy territory marshal) had just completed a prisoner transfer of Mexican Prisoners to the Mexico Texas border.  They were on their way back to headquarters in Appaloosa when the train they were on comes under attack by some serious outlaws that have a history with Cole and Hitch.  The two work together via daring stunts and deduction to understand what is the real reason for the train robbery.  They pick off some of the villains one by one, only to be stymied by an unknown culprit who seems bent on getting the money intended for a real estate transaction by Texas Governor on behalf of Texas.  In the process the train is split into three pieces and things seem to get out of control.  The governor’s daughters are kidnapped, the governor is missing, and the remaining villains are dispersed and cranky. How will Cole and Hitch respond and bring it all together?  Will the girls be killed or worse by the notorious Bloody Bob Brandice? 

What makes it a Western?

* Time frame takes place post Civil War and before 1900s.  This particular Western takes place close to the end of the Civil War as both characters were participants of the Civil War.

* There is a lawlessness surrounded by the idea that more law is needed.  The Wild West idea permeates the storyline.

* Heroes use strategy and reasoning before shooting.  However, killing the bad guy is inevitable.

Appeal:

Pacing—Breakneck with a lot of dialogue.

Frame/Tone—gritty, suspenseful

Character—Distant

Similar Authors and why . . .

The High Rocks
by Loren Estleman
~Western Genre
~Deputy Page Murdock
interrupted and diverted from
original assignment

The Big Gundown
by Bill Brooks
~Western Genre
~Jake Horn has to find a
way out of a
desperate situation

Red Wind Crossing
by John D. Nesbitt
~Western Genre
~Jimmy Clevis is out to
rescue a hostage and in the
process is caught in
a dangerous predicament

*The above recommendations were made using Novelist.

Week 9: Book Club meeting report

A Book Club of Social Perspecitve

            

A couple of weeks ago . . . I caught a break.  As a mom-wife-employee-student—I need all the breaks I can get.  As it so happens, I was able to catch a break and be a student at the same time.  That is the best type of homework! For class, we were asked to attend and observe a book club.  I have friends who have had a book club for awhile and have wanted me to join them for some time.  However, because of all of the demands on my time it was not a possibility.  This was the chance we have been waiting for.

The group held a meeting about a year ago where they brought books they were interested in having a discussion about and did a round robin book talk about their books.  The group then voted on what to read and discuss.  They have decided that a whole year of planning is too much so in two months they will meet and plan for the next six months instead.

This week the book was Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.  Unfortunately, I was unable to find time to even peak at the book—though I did check it out of my local library.  I arrived a little early so I could catch as much as possible.

        

The event takes place at a member’s house from about 8:30 p.m. until approximately 11:00 p.m.  This is done so members have a chance to get their households settled and possibly in bed before they leave.  The group is a combination of mothers of brand new babies, mothers of children of varied age groups, grandmothers, working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.  The scheduled time is loosely scheduled.  They try to wait as long as they can for attendees to show up.

The host for that week also provides refreshments for the group.  Tonight’s refreshments featured a favorite . . . chocolate in varied forms (cookies and brownies) and to wash the goodness down, a fruit punch.  Yum! After almost everyone showed up, the questions commenced. 

One member chose the book and therefore led the discussion off with a question. The leader seemed to lead off and then the discussion took on a life of its own.

Because this book is a classic some of the questions asked were of a comparative nature between past responses to and within the book compared to what would the reception have been like today—if it had just come out.  Also, would characters in the book have responded the same way they did in the time frame it was written if it was written in today’s time frame?  Some of the questions led off into other subject matter (although relative) such as how to help someone who is in obvious deep depression and does not know how to help themselves.  There would be someone who would bring it back to the book with another question—not always the “leader.”

This group of members is passionate about participation.  Everyone had something to say.  Someone saw that I wanted to make an observation, someone interrupted on my behalf so that I could comment.  Everyone got a chance to participate. 

Honestly, it was hard to leave.  The camaraderie that was felt was infections and uplifting.  They were still talking when I left, but it was 11:00pm on a weekday and I was turning into a pumpkin.  I plan to attend again as soon as time allows for it.  The next book up for discussion is Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.

Passive or "Stealth" Readers' Advisor

Courtesy of morgueFile.com

Personalities are as varied as the shapes of leaves.  There are some patrons that are prepared and make a dash to the bookshelf to grab that next read, whether they have placed a hold or know exactly where the target is. There are some patrons who will make a direct line to the circulation or reference desk in search of something they cannot find . . . including the illusive next read.  There are also those that would prefer to be left to their own devices and don’t enjoy making the initial contact with anyone.   

Whatever the personality, the library needs to be ready to meet the needs of all patrons in varying situations and personalities.  Using passive readers’ advisory or “stealth readers’ advisory,” as Cindy Hulsey identifies it, empowers patrons in making personal selections “without the pressure of a librarian standing by” or with the some times illusive but desired discussion—depending on the personality of the patron (Towey 135). 

            

The patrons who come into the library in hopes of attaining that book which will keep them entertained and perhaps even put them into a zone all their own will benefit from passive readers’ advisory. 

This zone can be associated with the “flow” that Cathleen Towey writes about in her article, “Flow: the Benefits of Pleasure Reading and Tapping Readers’ Interests.”  She defined “flow” as “an optimal psychological state that individuals reach when they are so engrossed in an activity that nothing else matters” (132). “Some library patrons prefer to be left alone in their selection process, enjoying the solitary and serendipitous pursuit of browsing” (Towey, 135).  These patrons, if asked if they need help finding anything, they reply that are ‘just looking.’  

There are also some patrons who would love to chat with their favorite librarian about their next reading adventure, but the desk is swamped with other patrons or said librarian is helping someone with a computer, copier, or fax machine problem.  As Kaite Mediatore Stover, states, “As workloads in libraries increase, it’s important to note that passive library services are not only permissible but in some cases necessary” (123).  These patrons will often resort to shopping because, bless their hearts, they ‘don’t want to be a bother.’  

Passive readers’ advisory is also important with more libraries using digital media to satisfy patron’s desires.  Some patrons prefer to do everything via the Internet (especially in during the sometimes extreme cold of winter).  Lissa Staley wrote, “Passive readers’ advisory is an essential part of any library’s readers advisory services because it reaches a group of readers who cannot or will not take advantage of real-time face-to-face services” (73).  Aside from being shy, some people are homebound, some are ill and some just want to stay in where it is warm or cool (depending on the weather).  

Hulsey defines passive readers’ advisory, stating, it

is a catch-all phrase that includes anything other than the . . . one-on-one chat about books—from book displays to read-alike lists; but there is really nothing passive about it.  It requires an active approach to infuse readers’ advisory into almost everything you do. 

“Stealth” readers’ advisory may also be a great way to break down barriers for those shy patrons.  There is the hope that after they have read a few of the suggested books via the passive advisory, they feel more trusting and possibly may step over the boundary of shyness they have felt in the past and talk with the librarian.

So, what are some ways to lead some patrons to their next read when the direct communication is not possible?  The possibilities are endless, but this submission is not.  Below are just a few ideas that are tried-and-true.

Possibilities

Bookmarks (Saricks)	·      Web bookmarks or links to online aids help those that are more self-sufficient.  Some examples are: o   Fantasticfiction.co.uk o   NoveList (a subscribed database) o   Literature-map.com o   Fiction L ·      Tangible bookmarks can list web resources according to genre.  These bookmarks can be placed in the stacks close to the genre they represent as patrons peruse the stacks.
A Copy of Booklist (Saricks)	·      This magazine can either be ordered for in-house or web use.
Organization techniques of the stacks	·      “Grouping all the new fiction in one place is an effective form of passive readers advisory”.   Or genre or subject specific bookshelves (Towey, 134-5)

Homemade RA tools

·      Patron suggestions on “multicolored index cards,” staff recommendations, ‘Book of the Day,’ ‘read alike lists (especially handy for those high circulating books that patrons are waiting for or have read), newsletter of staff favorites (Stover). ·      Poster of a favored author’s favorite reads (Hulsey). ·      Shelf Talkers: These are annotations of select books placed in the stacks where the book would be shelved.  Also can be signed by a staff member as an example of “staff picks” (Wetta). ·      Reading lists in a binder: “it can be a great resource both for staff who may be less familiar with certain genres and for patrons who don’t want to ask someone in person for a suggestion” (Wetta).  These can contain “traditional lists,” “book covers,” “flow charts,” etc.

Observation

·      John Schoppert, a writer for Booklist Online, suggests the ways that libraries can look to bookstores for “the dynamics of prominent front-list displays.”  Next time you get a chance, walk around a bookstore and observe how some of the items there catch your eye.  Then think: “How can I do that at the library?”

Works cited

Hulsey, Cindy.  “Readers Advisor News: Stealth Readers’ Advisory.” Libraries Unlimited. Nov 2010.  Web. (2 March 2015).

Schoppert, John. “Retail Approach or Library Approach? Shaping Readers’ Advisory| Booklist Online.” Bodleian Itch: Libraries, Cononection, Content.  Web.  (2 March 2015)

Staley, Lissa.  “Passive Readers’ Advisory: Bookmarks, Booklists, and Displays.”  The Readers’ Advisory Handbook. Ed. Jessica E. Moyer & Kaite Mediatore Stover.  Chicago: American Library Association, 2010.  Print.

Stover, Kaite Mediatore.  “Readers Advisory: Working without a Net: Readers’ Advisory in the Small Public Library.” Reference & User Services Quarterly. 2005: 45, 2.  EbscoHost. Web. (2 Feb 2015).

Towey, Cathleen A. “Flow: The Benefits o Pleasure Reading and Tapping Readers’ Interests.” Acquisitions Librarian. 2001: 131-140. EbscoHost Web. (15 Feb 2015)

Wetta, Molly.  “Passive Readers’ Advisory for Teens in the Library.” Wrapped Up in Books.  16 Dec 2013.  Web. (15 Feb 2015).