I've enjoyed working on Be More Bookish. I'm excited that I learned how to blog and had my own blog for this assignment. It was fun to set up and design and learn how to post.
I feel like this training taught me a lot of different avenues to look at for learning about books. Although my head can not possibly keep track of all of the titles that I have read about, I do feel like I have some new sources to go to. I also signed up for a couple more newsletters featuring new books coming out. Having them come right to my inbox helps me to keep on top of what is new.
I've become more familiar with some of the things in Good Reads that I had not explored before. This site offers a lot of ideas for new reading material. Previously I had just used the site as a log for my reading, but now I view it as a place to learn more about other books and see what my friends are reading.
This was fun! Thanks for the ride.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Week 9: Assignment 2
I like book trailers. So far I've watched them for a lot of books I have already read. It is neat to see a visual with something I've read and imagined in my head already to see if I'm close.
I kind of agree with the Chicago Tribune article about reading a book relies on our imaginations. If you see a visual before reading the book, I sometimes think it takes some of the imagination out of it.
For a generation that has been bombarded by visual stimulation, I think younger readers will really like book trailers. I think after watching a book trailer they might be interested in reading a book. A book trailer is very similar to a commerical in that it needs to hook you and at the end wanting more - in this case the more is to go get a copy of the book and read it to find out what happens.
Do they work? I don't know. It seems like such a new marketing device and since reading covers a lot of generations, I think it may appeal to some and not appeal to others. Just as marketing has different designs for different audiences, I think that book trailers have an audience that they appeal to. Time will tell if it sells books.
I'd like to try and pull some up sometime for a reluctant reader. Perhaps the iPad could be useful for this. If I could get a child who is reluctant to read, to watch a book trailer for a book they may like, it might help me "sell" the book.
I kind of agree with the Chicago Tribune article about reading a book relies on our imaginations. If you see a visual before reading the book, I sometimes think it takes some of the imagination out of it.
For a generation that has been bombarded by visual stimulation, I think younger readers will really like book trailers. I think after watching a book trailer they might be interested in reading a book. A book trailer is very similar to a commerical in that it needs to hook you and at the end wanting more - in this case the more is to go get a copy of the book and read it to find out what happens.
Do they work? I don't know. It seems like such a new marketing device and since reading covers a lot of generations, I think it may appeal to some and not appeal to others. Just as marketing has different designs for different audiences, I think that book trailers have an audience that they appeal to. Time will tell if it sells books.
I'd like to try and pull some up sometime for a reluctant reader. Perhaps the iPad could be useful for this. If I could get a child who is reluctant to read, to watch a book trailer for a book they may like, it might help me "sell" the book.
Week 9: Assignment 1
I just finished reading the Chicago Tribune and New York Times articles. I watched all of the book trailers in the NYT article. I like book trailers best when I can tell they are talking about a book. Some of them were so far off track, that I didn't realize they were for a book. I really enjoyed Kelly Corrigan's book trailer for Middle Place.
Recently I came across a book trailer for Carl Hiaasen's Bad Monkey. It was very simple, had some sound effects, some graphics and a cover of the book - very clean, fun and I knew what the book trailer was for. If by the end of the trailer you can't remember why you are watching the trailer or what it is for, you've just waisted my time.
Other book trailers I watched were:
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Room by Emma Donoghue
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda by Tom Angelberger
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Recently I came across a book trailer for Carl Hiaasen's Bad Monkey. It was very simple, had some sound effects, some graphics and a cover of the book - very clean, fun and I knew what the book trailer was for. If by the end of the trailer you can't remember why you are watching the trailer or what it is for, you've just waisted my time.
Other book trailers I watched were:
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Room by Emma Donoghue
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda by Tom Angelberger
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
Friday, June 14, 2013
Week 8: Assignment 4
Chosen By a Horse by Susan Richards 636.1 RChosen By a Horse is a beautifully written story about a women who is hurting after loosing her mother at a very early age, was raised by uncaring relatives, married, suffered a divorce and has issue with alchol. Lay Me Down, a horse rescued by the SPCA has been abused, underfed, has pneumonia and an eye infection. Despite everything Lay Me Down has been through, she managed to teach Susan how to love despite a painful past.
This non-fiction memoir is written like a fiction book full of relationship issues, overcoming abuse and learning to live life to the fullest despite a painful past. It takes place in New York.
My First Ladies by Nancy ClarkeNancy Clarke worked as the head floral designer for the White House during six administrations. Her memoir reveals what it was like to work with each first lady, their personal styles and tastes and what it takes to put together a social event at the White House. Full of fun stories about each first lady, the reader gets a behind the scenes look at how the flowers are arranged for White House functions, how holiday decorations came together and how each first lady had very specific tastes in flowers. Personal stories such as when Mrs. Regan found out she had breast cancer, throwing fake snow with the Bushes, preparing flowers for Jenna Bush's wedding, the bold, fun colors of Mrs. Clinton's social events and escaping to an underground bunker during the 911 White House evacuation.
For anyone who likes political fiction, this makes a fun read. It's all real, but has the light humor of a fiction.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Week 8: Assignments 1-3
Assignment 1
I have read the following articles:
Borderlands: Crossing between Nonfiction in Readers’ Advisory
Reading Nonfiction for Pleasure: What Motivates Readers?
When I'm helping a customer find a good read, and they say they are looking for a good fiction, I will sometimes ask them if they'd be interested in reading a non-fiction. If they are open to it, I will often recommend a non-fiction that reads like a fiction book. These are the ones I am mainly familiar with.
Assignment 2
I have watched the Readers' Advisory with Non-Fiction video. The information in the video seems like a repeat of information I received in a Genre Bootcamp.
Assignemnt 3
970 General history of North America
Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard
My First Ladies by Nancy Clarke
978 General history of North America, western states
A Buffalo in the House by Richard Dean Rosen
636 Animal Husbandry
Chosen by A Horse by Susan Richards
Dogtown by Bob Somerville
A Small Furry Prayer by Steven Kotler
940 General history of Europe
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
I have read the following articles:
When I'm helping a customer find a good read, and they say they are looking for a good fiction, I will sometimes ask them if they'd be interested in reading a non-fiction. If they are open to it, I will often recommend a non-fiction that reads like a fiction book. These are the ones I am mainly familiar with.
Assignment 2
I have watched the Readers' Advisory with Non-Fiction video. The information in the video seems like a repeat of information I received in a Genre Bootcamp.
Assignemnt 3
970 General history of North America
Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard My First Ladies by Nancy Clarke978 General history of North America, western states
A Buffalo in the House by Richard Dean Rosen636 Animal Husbandry
Chosen by A Horse by Susan Richards Dogtown by Bob Somerville A Small Furry Prayer by Steven Kotler940 General history of Europe
The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane AckermanTuesday, June 11, 2013
Week 7: Assignment 4
Harper TeenFantasy, especially alternative worlds and dystopian life is big over at Harper Teen. So is anything girly-girl such as: Pretty Little Liars, The Carrie Diaries or Lauren Conrad books. It looks like Harper Teen is definitely aiming at a female audience.
Random HouseOver at Random House, Angels look big this coming year. This is a series called Fallen that is coming out. This publisher seems to target a male and female audience. Their books tend to be more about adventure, action and science fiction. There also seem to be a couple of historical fiction books for girls - lots of focus on the 1920's.
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Week 7: Assignment 3
I've looked at 2 of the YA blogs so far and they are a bit overwhelming. First I looked at Stacked. The entries on this blog are really looonnnnnggg. I wish I had as much time as this blogger did. A review for one book meant a lot of scrolling. If you can't sum up the book in about 2 small paragraphs, then you are loosing me. Thus, this blog lost me.
The second blog I looked at was Forever Young Adult. This blog covers books and movies and apparently has ads for male enhancement things (didn't think they needed that at that age, but I digress...). This one is more concise, so concise in fact that you need a slang dictionary to understand what the person is saying. I think the writer forgot this was a blog and not a text message. Did you know there is a Hunger Games drinking game? Anyway, I might come back to this blog.
Next I read School Library Journal. I read SLJ now in my in-box, so I'm familiar with the style, layout and how the book discussions are laid out. I feel more at home on this blog, so I will be using this as one for my assignment.
The last blog I looked at was Squeetus - the marketing medium for Shannon Hale. I just watched a video for the new series Ever After High that is coming out in the fall. A co-worker walked by while I was watching the video and asked if I was watching My Little Pony. I think this series - which covers the kids of famous fairy tale characters, is a cute idea, but not for teens. A 8-10 age audience may be more appropriate. My crystal ball sees Mattel making a line of dolls and fashion clothes for them. Then a pre pre-teen line of make-up and jewelry.
I think for this assignment I'll stick with SLJ and Forever Young Adult.
The second blog I looked at was Forever Young Adult. This blog covers books and movies and apparently has ads for male enhancement things (didn't think they needed that at that age, but I digress...). This one is more concise, so concise in fact that you need a slang dictionary to understand what the person is saying. I think the writer forgot this was a blog and not a text message. Did you know there is a Hunger Games drinking game? Anyway, I might come back to this blog.
Next I read School Library Journal. I read SLJ now in my in-box, so I'm familiar with the style, layout and how the book discussions are laid out. I feel more at home on this blog, so I will be using this as one for my assignment.
The last blog I looked at was Squeetus - the marketing medium for Shannon Hale. I just watched a video for the new series Ever After High that is coming out in the fall. A co-worker walked by while I was watching the video and asked if I was watching My Little Pony. I think this series - which covers the kids of famous fairy tale characters, is a cute idea, but not for teens. A 8-10 age audience may be more appropriate. My crystal ball sees Mattel making a line of dolls and fashion clothes for them. Then a pre pre-teen line of make-up and jewelry.
I think for this assignment I'll stick with SLJ and Forever Young Adult.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Week 7: Assignment 2
I just finished reading the Dec. 14, 2012 article from Publisher's Weekly called New Adult: Needless Marketing-Speak Or Valued Subgenre?
I've been hearing a lot about this new genre of books called New Adult. It seems like it is meant to capture that college age group. What I can't figure out is for years there have been people in the age range of 18-20 somethings. Not many of us have skipped over that age range. So why now, is there a push for books for this age? Are what has been thought of as "adult books" too old for this crowd? Or is the 18-20 somethings not ready for books that deal with real adult situations? Or perhaps this is another way for book publishers to create a new genre, thus generating new capital, which given the hit they have probably taken with e-books, maybe they need this new genre. I'm still pondering this new genre.
Onward...
I just finished reading YA Comes of Age from Publisher's Weekly, Oct. 3, 2011. It is interesting to read an article that is a year and a half old and see how far YA books have come. Yes, there is a ton of distopian literature out there. Their predictions are true. It also seems like angels are still big as is the end of the world (even thought we got past Dec. 2012). The predictions in the article say that YA novels are big with adults and that certainly is the case. I liked how it also stated that we are loosing some of the teens to Stephen King and Danielle Steele. Danielle Steele - really? I have never had a teen ask me for a Danielle Steele book.
I commented on Mary K'as blog:
Hi Mary Kay
I questioned the adding of "New Adult" on my own blog. Have people not been in the age range of 18-20's for the last millenium? Did people just skip over these couple of years? Why is it all of a sudden there is a need for this new genre? Are people in this age range having trouble becoming adults so they have to read "new adult" books before they can jump into "real adult" themed books? I don't have any answers, but I don't think we need another genre catering to the teen population.
I've been hearing a lot about this new genre of books called New Adult. It seems like it is meant to capture that college age group. What I can't figure out is for years there have been people in the age range of 18-20 somethings. Not many of us have skipped over that age range. So why now, is there a push for books for this age? Are what has been thought of as "adult books" too old for this crowd? Or is the 18-20 somethings not ready for books that deal with real adult situations? Or perhaps this is another way for book publishers to create a new genre, thus generating new capital, which given the hit they have probably taken with e-books, maybe they need this new genre. I'm still pondering this new genre.
Onward...
I just finished reading YA Comes of Age from Publisher's Weekly, Oct. 3, 2011. It is interesting to read an article that is a year and a half old and see how far YA books have come. Yes, there is a ton of distopian literature out there. Their predictions are true. It also seems like angels are still big as is the end of the world (even thought we got past Dec. 2012). The predictions in the article say that YA novels are big with adults and that certainly is the case. I liked how it also stated that we are loosing some of the teens to Stephen King and Danielle Steele. Danielle Steele - really? I have never had a teen ask me for a Danielle Steele book.
I commented on Mary K'as blog:
Hi Mary Kay
I questioned the adding of "New Adult" on my own blog. Have people not been in the age range of 18-20's for the last millenium? Did people just skip over these couple of years? Why is it all of a sudden there is a need for this new genre? Are people in this age range having trouble becoming adults so they have to read "new adult" books before they can jump into "real adult" themed books? I don't have any answers, but I don't think we need another genre catering to the teen population.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Week 7: Assignment 1
Well, I must say that the flow chart on the Lawrence Public Library's website is a little overwhelming. My brain is on overload. Yes, it is a great tool, but I must admit that I don't get asked much for read-a-likes for these types of books. I just finished reading Divergent, by the way.
Week 6: Assignment 3
I must say, this assignment has taken a lot longer than I've been give scheduled time for. So for the final one, I thought I would go with a more popular sub-genre - Chick Lit. Right off the bat, I found a blog called Chick Lit is Not Dead. I must say this is a fun, light blog - unlike the last couple that I have looked at.
Chick-Lit is all about women's relationships. Sometimes the stories are heartwarming and somethings they are heart wrenching. One book that was blogged about on Chick Lit is Not Dead is Primetime Princess. It takes place in the world of broadcasting. It is witty, centers around women and their relationships and has some humor.
This sub-genre reminds me a little of the Beach Read genre (which had some books featured today on Early Word). But I have a certain idea of a Beach Read. The book featured on Early Word was Shining Girls. In reading the sysnopsis it is a lot heavier than the lighter Chic-Lit genre. It is full of suspense and it written from mutiple perspectives. Good Reads also talks about A Hundred Summers. That to me is the iconic Beach Read, with it's strong sense of place and the historical perspective.
Chick-Lit is all about women's relationships. Sometimes the stories are heartwarming and somethings they are heart wrenching. One book that was blogged about on Chick Lit is Not Dead is Primetime Princess. It takes place in the world of broadcasting. It is witty, centers around women and their relationships and has some humor.
This sub-genre reminds me a little of the Beach Read genre (which had some books featured today on Early Word). But I have a certain idea of a Beach Read. The book featured on Early Word was Shining Girls. In reading the sysnopsis it is a lot heavier than the lighter Chic-Lit genre. It is full of suspense and it written from mutiple perspectives. Good Reads also talks about A Hundred Summers. That to me is the iconic Beach Read, with it's strong sense of place and the historical perspective.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Week 6: Assignment 3
I thought I would pick an easier sub-genre in the hopes that there might be a blog or two dedicated to this area of literature. So I chose Medical thrillers.
Immediately I found one, but it was an ad for a medical thriller.. sneaky, sneaky!
I'm happy to say I found ScienceThrillers.com and it does cover Medical thrillers. Woo Hoo!
This blog contained reviews for several books coming out. Some of the titles include:The Proteus Cure by F. Paul Wilson, Red Contract by Peter Wilben and In the Matter of Nikola Tesla: A Romance of the Mind by Anthony Flacco.
A close sub-genre to Medical thriller seems to be Science Thrillers. Medical Thrillers contain medical and science writing, are issue related and usually take place in some sort of medical facility. It seems also like some sort of medical professional is a main character in a Medical Thriller. These thrillers - both Medical and Science seem to have fast pacing and are plot driven. An author that seems to have crossed over is Michael Crichton. His books seem to be both Science and Medical thrillers.
Immediately I found one, but it was an ad for a medical thriller.. sneaky, sneaky!
I'm happy to say I found ScienceThrillers.com and it does cover Medical thrillers. Woo Hoo!
This blog contained reviews for several books coming out. Some of the titles include:The Proteus Cure by F. Paul Wilson, Red Contract by Peter Wilben and In the Matter of Nikola Tesla: A Romance of the Mind by Anthony Flacco.
A close sub-genre to Medical thriller seems to be Science Thrillers. Medical Thrillers contain medical and science writing, are issue related and usually take place in some sort of medical facility. It seems also like some sort of medical professional is a main character in a Medical Thriller. These thrillers - both Medical and Science seem to have fast pacing and are plot driven. An author that seems to have crossed over is Michael Crichton. His books seem to be both Science and Medical thrillers.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Not an assignment, but a good idea
While reading one of my favorite craft blogs, I came across a website called CraftLit. It encourages crafters to listen to an audio book while doing their favorite hand-craft. I love their slogan Stick a book in your ear? Sure, because you might want to use your hands for other things!
They even have audio books on their site that you can listen to. What a cool idea!
They even have audio books on their site that you can listen to. What a cool idea!
Week 6: Assignment 3
One of the subgenres I chose was Urban Christian Fiction. I get asked for books in this genre occassionally. Good news, I found several blogs covering this genre. Unfortunately, they have not been updated in quite a while - over a year. Several Urban Christian Fiction authors have blogs, but they are mainly to discuss their own books and not the entire genre.
I did find a link that is active http://christianfictionblogalliance.blogspot.com/ It does not appear to cover Urban Christian though.
For this assignment I'm going to go with http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/. It is a blog by Christian Romance writer Cecelia Dowdy. This is the closest I could find. She looks like she is referring to Christian books other than her own. Dowdy talks a lot about new Christian Romances, but she does list the nominess for the Christy Awards which include a lot of Christian Fiction. I did not see any Urban Christian Fiction in the nominee list.
Three authors that write Urban Christian are: (thank you NoveList)
E.L. Joy
Victoria Christopher Murry
Nikita Lynette Nichols
Urban Christian has a lot of high drama and is character driven, but has a Christian element in it. They usually feature a relationship between two African Americans.
Domestic Fiction seems to be the "mash-up" for this genre. Domestic Fiction tends to be character driven and contains high drama.
I did find a link that is active http://christianfictionblogalliance.blogspot.com/ It does not appear to cover Urban Christian though.
For this assignment I'm going to go with http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/. It is a blog by Christian Romance writer Cecelia Dowdy. This is the closest I could find. She looks like she is referring to Christian books other than her own. Dowdy talks a lot about new Christian Romances, but she does list the nominess for the Christy Awards which include a lot of Christian Fiction. I did not see any Urban Christian Fiction in the nominee list.
Three authors that write Urban Christian are: (thank you NoveList)
E.L. Joy
Victoria Christopher Murry
Nikita Lynette Nichols
Urban Christian has a lot of high drama and is character driven, but has a Christian element in it. They usually feature a relationship between two African Americans.
Domestic Fiction seems to be the "mash-up" for this genre. Domestic Fiction tends to be character driven and contains high drama.
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Week 6: Assignment 2
So I just explored the Prezi, which is like launching into space and exploring the stars around the planets. I had no idea that there were so many different subgenres of Urban Fiction!
Week 6: Assignment 1
I have subscribed to the Stop You're Killing Me newsletter. I like it, however it covers some books that are not available in this country and that is frustrating. The newsletter is nice because it shows me what is new or coming out.
On the site, I had been looking mainly at the home page which lets you search by awards. Recently I found a link to search by author and I found a link for reviews. These seem more useful to me than the list of awards.
My second blog that I have been following is Early Word. I've been good about reading it consistently. I enjoy reading what is coming out in the movies or being made into a movie. The ads on the right are kind of cool too since they catch your attention and are usually worth clicking to find out more about the book.
On the site, I had been looking mainly at the home page which lets you search by awards. Recently I found a link to search by author and I found a link for reviews. These seem more useful to me than the list of awards.
My second blog that I have been following is Early Word. I've been good about reading it consistently. I enjoy reading what is coming out in the movies or being made into a movie. The ads on the right are kind of cool too since they catch your attention and are usually worth clicking to find out more about the book.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Week 5: Assignment 3
I came across Dave Barry's Insane City in the Early Word Preview section (even thought it came out back in January). In reading the synopsis which indicated that it was fast paced, contained dark, off beat humor and was intricately plotted, I immediately thought if might be similar to the author Carl Hiaasen. Hiassen writes a lot of environmental themed books that also contain off beat humor and are fast paced. Hiassen's tend to be more in the mystery genre.Novelist indicated a Read-a-like for both Barry and Hiaasen is Donna Andrews. Her animal themed books are also humorous, mysterious, offbeat and fast paced.
Early Word does not really say why they think this book will be a hit, they just say that is one book to look forward to in 2013.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Week 5 Assignment 2
We keep a copy of the NY Times Best Seller List at our Information Desk and I subscribe to the BCPL newletter that delivers the list to my inbox each week.
I checked out the People Magazine online list of book reviews. When I can get my hands on a copy I often read the reviews in the printed copy of the magazine.
The Publisher's Weekly On Sale Calendar I looked at, but was disappointed that there were no book cover graphics. Being a visual person, I need those to associate what I read about the book and what the cover looks like. So then started clicking on links that led to places like movie tie-in's and the Best Books for Summer 2013 (which includes the cover art). I gotta tell you after looking at these, my brain gets to a point where everything looks the same.
I've been using Early Word off and on for a while now, so nothing new to report there.
I checked out the People Magazine online list of book reviews. When I can get my hands on a copy I often read the reviews in the printed copy of the magazine.
The Publisher's Weekly On Sale Calendar I looked at, but was disappointed that there were no book cover graphics. Being a visual person, I need those to associate what I read about the book and what the cover looks like. So then started clicking on links that led to places like movie tie-in's and the Best Books for Summer 2013 (which includes the cover art). I gotta tell you after looking at these, my brain gets to a point where everything looks the same.
I've been using Early Word off and on for a while now, so nothing new to report there.
Week 5: Assignment 1
I signed up for the "Stop You are Killing Me" newsletter. I have gotten a few so far. Some of the titles are from overseas, so I don't find it useful. I enjoy reading the newsletter, but I start to find it overwhelming keeping all these titles in my head.
I've been reading Early Word. I find myself drawn more towards reading about the books being made into movies. Not sure why when I don't watch that many movies. Maybe so I can have the books on my radar because they are bound to become hot titles once word gets out that a movie is coming. I also liked the section where I can look at movie tie-ins that are being released. These are usually very popular.
I've been reading Early Word. I find myself drawn more towards reading about the books being made into movies. Not sure why when I don't watch that many movies. Maybe so I can have the books on my radar because they are bound to become hot titles once word gets out that a movie is coming. I also liked the section where I can look at movie tie-ins that are being released. These are usually very popular.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Week 4: Assignement 1
I've been using Good Reads for years. I have 448 titles listed and have created shelves according to the genre I'm reading. Currently there are 27 titles on my "to-read" list. This list I use to keep track of what I want to read or need to read for upcoming trainings.
In exploring Good Reads, I discovered a link for a monthly newsletter. In the May issue, there is a link for a new feature for recommending books:
In exploring Good Reads, I discovered a link for a monthly newsletter. In the May issue, there is a link for a new feature for recommending books:
Find a Book You Love—Who Should Read It Next?
We've added a new feature to make recommending books easier! Click "Recommend it" on the book page and select from your friends list. Start a reading bonanza!
I think this might be a useful tool for recommending to the folks I've friended on Good Reads.
There were also some good links and book recommendations in the monthly newsletter.
I just discovered that if I choose, I could join a book club via Goodreads... for Australia. Could be fun, but challenging to find the books here in the U.S.
Currently I have friended 11 people on Good Reads. I have put requests through the last couple of days.
For my co-worker Jeannie, I recommended Au Revoir Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
"Hi Jeannie
I thought you might enjoy this book since I know you are a fan of YA books. This books takes place in NY and is incredibly fast paced. While hosting what they believe is a quiet foreign exchange student, a family quickly finds out on the night of the prom that she is anything but. I'm only part way through the book, but there has been a car chase, a murder, an escape from the police and an outfit change. So far this book has been a fun read.
Amie"
For My co-worker Mary Kay, I recommended Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose by Tina Nochols Coury
"Hi Mary Kay
I thought you might like this book. It takes place during the construction of Mt. Rushmore. It is a quick read, but packed with information about the sculptor who designed the monument, how he obtained the land and money and how the monument was eventually completed.
Let me know what you think.
Amie"
While playing around on Good Reads I discovered several ways to recommend a book:
-click on my friends list, pick the person, then recommend a book (this allows you to write a message)
-click on the book title in your list, click on recommend this book and a list of your friends appears and you can select who you want the recommendation to go to (this does not allow for writing a recommendation).
I also discovered that if you click your friend's name, you can see what he/she has been reading and you can click on the "I want to read" button to add to your own to read page.
I just discovered that if I choose, I could join a book club via Goodreads... for Australia. Could be fun, but challenging to find the books here in the U.S.
Currently I have friended 11 people on Good Reads. I have put requests through the last couple of days.
For my co-worker Jeannie, I recommended Au Revoir Crazy European Chick by Joe Schreiber
"Hi Jeannie
I thought you might enjoy this book since I know you are a fan of YA books. This books takes place in NY and is incredibly fast paced. While hosting what they believe is a quiet foreign exchange student, a family quickly finds out on the night of the prom that she is anything but. I'm only part way through the book, but there has been a car chase, a murder, an escape from the police and an outfit change. So far this book has been a fun read.
Amie"
For My co-worker Mary Kay, I recommended Hanging Off Jefferson's Nose by Tina Nochols Coury
"Hi Mary Kay
I thought you might like this book. It takes place during the construction of Mt. Rushmore. It is a quick read, but packed with information about the sculptor who designed the monument, how he obtained the land and money and how the monument was eventually completed.
Let me know what you think.
Amie"
While playing around on Good Reads I discovered several ways to recommend a book:
-click on my friends list, pick the person, then recommend a book (this allows you to write a message)
-click on the book title in your list, click on recommend this book and a list of your friends appears and you can select who you want the recommendation to go to (this does not allow for writing a recommendation).
I also discovered that if you click your friend's name, you can see what he/she has been reading and you can click on the "I want to read" button to add to your own to read page.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Week 3 Assignment 3
Conversation 1
You might like The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. It is a great story about a teen who has been in foster care her entire life and is now too old to be in the system. She tries to make it on her own, but finds it difficult until a florist decides to give her a change at floral arranging. She finds she has a true gift and uses various flowers and their meanings to communicate the feelings of customers giving the arrangements. The majority of the story focuses on the thoughts and feelings of the main character.
Another book you might enjoy and that would be great for your book club is Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. This book will stir up some great conversations within your club. It takes place in England and follows two main characters - Will, a wealthy man who has it all- high paying job, a beautiful girlfriend and he loves to live on the edge of the seat. Louisa is the other main character and she's a small town girl who takes on the job of being Will's companion after he's hit by a motorcycle and becomes wheel chair bound. They each manage to change each other's lives for the better and show the other one that there is it alot to live for... but will it be enough. This story will stay with you for quite a while after you read it.
Conversation 2
Have you heard of Vampire Beach by Alexa Hayes? You might enjoy this vampire book. It takes place in California and is the story of a businesswoman and a family man. Come to find out the family man is actually a vampire. It is more on an adult relationship level and less of the teen emotions.
You might also like the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. This is a popular mystery series. Sookie can read minds of those around her. When she finally meets a man whose mind she can't read, she finds out that he's a vampire. It takes place in Louisiana.
Conversation 3
I recently read Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard. It is about President James Garfield. He was an incredibly intelligent man who lived during a time of great discovery. The book covers how he became President, who shot him and why and then the technology that was used to try and save his life. It is pretty fast paced and does not read like a political book at all. You might enjoy this if you like reading about the Presidents of the U.S.
You may also like Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. This is a historical adventure story that takes place during the westward expansion of the US. President Jefferson sends out Lewis and Clark to explore the west all the way to the Pacific Ocean and back. This books covers their adventures and hardships as they explore.
You might like The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. It is a great story about a teen who has been in foster care her entire life and is now too old to be in the system. She tries to make it on her own, but finds it difficult until a florist decides to give her a change at floral arranging. She finds she has a true gift and uses various flowers and their meanings to communicate the feelings of customers giving the arrangements. The majority of the story focuses on the thoughts and feelings of the main character.
Another book you might enjoy and that would be great for your book club is Me Before You by JoJo Moyes. This book will stir up some great conversations within your club. It takes place in England and follows two main characters - Will, a wealthy man who has it all- high paying job, a beautiful girlfriend and he loves to live on the edge of the seat. Louisa is the other main character and she's a small town girl who takes on the job of being Will's companion after he's hit by a motorcycle and becomes wheel chair bound. They each manage to change each other's lives for the better and show the other one that there is it alot to live for... but will it be enough. This story will stay with you for quite a while after you read it.
Conversation 2
Have you heard of Vampire Beach by Alexa Hayes? You might enjoy this vampire book. It takes place in California and is the story of a businesswoman and a family man. Come to find out the family man is actually a vampire. It is more on an adult relationship level and less of the teen emotions.
You might also like the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. This is a popular mystery series. Sookie can read minds of those around her. When she finally meets a man whose mind she can't read, she finds out that he's a vampire. It takes place in Louisiana.
Conversation 3
I recently read Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard. It is about President James Garfield. He was an incredibly intelligent man who lived during a time of great discovery. The book covers how he became President, who shot him and why and then the technology that was used to try and save his life. It is pretty fast paced and does not read like a political book at all. You might enjoy this if you like reading about the Presidents of the U.S.
You may also like Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose. This is a historical adventure story that takes place during the westward expansion of the US. President Jefferson sends out Lewis and Clark to explore the west all the way to the Pacific Ocean and back. This books covers their adventures and hardships as they explore.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Week 2: Appeal Factors Assignment 2
Centered around the voyage of the Titanic and in America following the sinking tragedy, The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott follows the famous dress designer Lady Lucille Duff Gordan and former maid Tess. Lady Lucille is to fashion what Martha Stewart is to home goods. Lady Lucille is famous, incredibly rich and a real pain to work for. Her staff are terrified of her and she feels quite a sense of entitlement. She hires Tess just before the Titanic sets sail to be her assistant while on the ship. Tess, in her desire to show the world her dressmaking skills decides to take the job to leave her old like behind.The book only briefly focuses on the actual Titanic journey. The real drama takes places as the ship goes down and Lady Lucille refuses to let the staff allow any more than 25 passengers on the lifeboat designed to hold 50-60. And going back to pick up survivors in the ocean is not even a thought.
Once in America, the U.S. Senate investigates the sinking and discovers what happened on Lady Lucille's lifeboat and the changing hands of money between her husband and the staff aboard the ship. Could there have been more survivors had the Gordans let their status and egos go? Tess begins to question her loyalty to this wealthy snobby family and the reader begins to really contemplate what happened that fateful night in 1912. Could more passengers been saved? If you were in that lifeboat, would you have questioned the actions of one of the richest most influential people of that era?
Week 2 : Appeal Factors Assignment 2
Taking place in England, the very likable Louisa takes the job of companion to Will a quadriplegic in JoJo Moyes' Me Before You. Will had everything going for him - a beautiful girlfriend, a high power job and he loved to be at the center of adventure. After a terrible accident Will is now wheel-chair bound and extremely depressed. When Louisa takes charges, she refuses to let Will feel sorry for himself and is determined to show him that he can have a life outside of his bedroom. Will on the other hand has convinced Louisa to try things she'd never dreamed of trying and is teaching her that there is a life outside of her small village.Beautifully written with characters the reader will quickly attach to and root for. Much like a yo-yo, the relationship between Will and Louisa becomes close, only to suddenly separate again. By the end the story will haunt readers and leave them thinking about loving someone and letting them live or not live the life they feel they are called to.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Cover Art Week 1
This week we looked at cover art. I must say that I really do look at the cover to determine if I want to read a book. Sometimes I look at the cover just to see if I want to read the back or inside flap to see what the book is about. Cover art really draws a reader in or can be a complete turn off. It makes a first impression in those first few seconds of looking at a book. If the first impression is bad, the reader will move on.
The blogs I'm choosing to follow during this project are Early Word (which I used to look at more frequently, but had slacked off on) and Stop You are Killing Me. I chose Early Word because it has a variety of reviews and I chose Stop You are Killing Me because I feel like I get asked for mystery recommendations more than I do graphic novels or romance.
The blogs I'm choosing to follow during this project are Early Word (which I used to look at more frequently, but had slacked off on) and Stop You are Killing Me. I chose Early Word because it has a variety of reviews and I chose Stop You are Killing Me because I feel like I get asked for mystery recommendations more than I do graphic novels or romance.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Day 1
Let's jump right in. Today is day 1 on this new blog, so let's share some good finds in the literature world.
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