Recommending books

Revision as of 22:00, 30 September 2006

Fiction

• Urban Fiction/Street Lit/Hip Hop Fiction Resources for Librarians
• Author Read-A-Likes at Downers Grove Public Library 48 popular author lists

• Tools for reader's advisory service, formal or informal

A notebook of annotated bibliographies containting all publishing information, number of pages, genre, a brief quote, synopsis with teaser, and any other pertinent information. These bibliographies can be assembled as you and fellow staff members read good books and take a few minutes to fill out a brief form. Patrons can also be encouraged to complete bibilographies as they read; many "regulars" likely know our collections better than us!

A list of 5 great books from each genre (adopted from Joyce Saricks' Italic textThe Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre FictionItalic text

Several colorful themed bookmarks with title and author of books fitting that theme. These can be displayed according to seasons, current events, new releases, and so on. For example: Fearless, Funny Females; Murderous Mysteries; Hard Boiled Detectives; Comedic Christmas Disasters ect.

Access to online materials such as Novelist, Titlewave, and even Amazon.com

Enthusiasm and a firm belief in the joy of reading, be it paperback romance or Tolstoy. Reader's Advisory is a wonderful opportunity to get to know patrons and educate them on the variety of services librarians can provide. Happy Reading!

Nonfiction

• Three non-fiction Readers' Advisory resources ("Sure bet narrative nonfiction writers", " Narrative nonfiction genre appeal factors" and " Regional Mysteries Bibliography") at the ALA-RUSA Reader's Advisory Committee page.

Poetry

• Lists of Schools of Poetry - Wikipedia entry that names like poets and links to other entries about groups of poets
• Poetry Read-a-likes
• Poetry Anthologies with Many Contemporary Poets

Young Adult/Teen Booklists

• Books about drugs and gangs

• Gaming fiction

• Wiki for http://booktalk.pbwiki.com -- password: booktalk. It's easy. Help get this wiki skyrocketing with good read suggestions.

Lists of Books

• Current New York Times Best Sellers
• Ebony Magazine Bookshelf
• Reading Rants for Teens
• Fiction-L Listserv archives and book lists

Recommendations by Nancy Pearl (the queen of readers' advisory):

• Pearl's Picks Twice a month Nancy recommends books.
• Book Lust Thousands of books organised by theme and mood
• More Book Lust
• Now Read This A Guide to Mainstream Fiction, 1978-1998 (Genreflecting Advisory)

Books by readers' advisory expert Joyce Saricks:

• Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library 2005 edition - an interview with the author
• The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction 2001 - a review of the guide

Guide to Genre Fiction

• Genreflecting: A Guide to Popular Reading Interests - a review

New just for YA:

• The Teen Reader's Advisor

Librarians' Personal Lists of Best Books

• ricklibrarian's Best Books Ever

Overlooked Books that People Might Like

• The Practicing Librarians' Book Reviews

Blogs/Websites to Watch

• Bookslut
• Guys Read - a web-based literacy program designed to help boys find books they'd like to read.
• Discussions: All Aboard » Library Services » Reader's Advisory - a Readers Advisory discussion list on WebJunction
• It's All About the Book
• Denver Public Library: We Recommend - Staff Recommendations
• Denver Public Library: Customer Reviews
• Maggie Reads - Make Mississippi Read
• Nonfiction Readers Anonymous
• RickLibrarian

Specific Blog Posts/Articles to Check Out

• A Question About Poetry Readers' Advisory
• Improving the Model for Interactive Readers' Advisory Service by Neil Hollands - Thoughts about a report in Reference & User Services Quarterly
• Pushing Books Successfully
• Establishing and Promoting Readers' Advisory in Small and Medium-sized Libraries
• Author Read-A-Likes at Downers Grove Public Library