a few thoughts on The readers' advisory guide to genre fiction: Third edition by Neal Wyatt and Joyce G Saricks

The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction: Third Edition by Neal Wyatt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an excellent guide to readers' advisory work and is a pacy and engaging read. I would suggest reading it in chunks as it is helpful to think about how this information can be applied in your library. Each genre has a section which provides a definition, the characteristics and appeal including frame, setting, story line, tone, characterisation, language, style and pacing. Subgenres are explored. Key authors are suggested with an interesting mix of new and older authors. Information about fans of each genre is included (as to how much assistance they are likely to be interested in), as are 'sure bets'. One of the most interesting sections in each chapter is the reading among genres (so other genres you can suggest to particular readers), and 'reading the whole collection' which brings in non-fiction including poetry, graphic novels (although they are included in other places as well), audio books, film, television and video games. I really like the approach of making the whole collection work for readers' advisory work as there are some implications for how other enquiries are dealt with as well. Each chapter ends with a section called 'hack this book' where you can write in local information.

I read this as an ebook, however, for maximum use in a public library it may be necessary to buy a print edition (even with the rather tough exchange rates at present). This books could be very helpful for staff training, including detailed genre discussions.

While I do not agree with all the descriptions of each genre, they are very helpful.

View all my reviews

an example on Instagram from Phoenix Public Library

This repost on Instagram from Phoenix Public Library

LOVE. OF. BOOKS. ❤️ #Repost @hereweeread ・・・ "There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all." –Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis #quoteoftheday #quotesofinstagram #quotestoliveby #blackgirlmagic

A post shared by Phoenix Public Library (@phoenixpubliclibrary) on Aug 23, 2017 at 9:40am PDT

is a lovely promotion of reading widely.  There is a mosaic of titles to explore, and it is a great photograph for readers' advisory.

Have at look at your library Instagram feed - does it reflect the diversity of your community?  If not what steps are you taking to make sure that it does?

readers' advisory - it is about the client and not you

I know this is a tough idea for some people to understand. I still hear people 'recommending' and not suggesting titles.  There is a really big difference.

Becky Spratford has a great series on her blog which is a Call to action which makes vital points about readers' advisory skills in public libraries. I would suggest reading all of Becky's blog at RA for all, and RA for all horror are there are great ideas which you can use straight away at your library.

Start by reading this post Call to Action: Allow People To Dislike The Books You Suggest and go on from there.  It is about the client and connecting them to something they may enjoy (and not your latest read, not matter how much you think they may like it).  You want to encourage them, and not scare them.

a few thoughts on Reading the reader: A survey of Australian reading habits

Recently the report Reading the reader: A survey of Australian reading habits was released.  The whole report is here, or you can read an overview here with some graphs.  It is a good idea to look at the methodology because it shows that there were some library connections in the research.  I think the research shows some recognition of the work that libraries do with readers' advisory work in many forms. 

This graph (and you are going to have to click the link as it won't let me embed it), actually proves the value of appeal characteristics for readers advisory work (think of the Nancy Pearl element of setting, story, language and character), because 90% of people said that 'topic, subject, setting or style' were important elements.  45% of people said price was key too, which makes me think there should have been more research with people who use libraries as that removes the price element. 

Go and have a look at the report and think about the implications for readers' advisory work in your library and how you suggest reading to your clients.

#lightrailbookreview from @PhxLibrary

Phoenix Public Library has a lovely series on Instagram of book reviews from people using the light rail system.  They are all people reading library books, and it is an excellent way to show how people are using the library.  It has local studies potential too. Have a look a the #lightrailbookreview tag on Instagram.

#lightrailbookreview 🌟 Quinn is reading "The Fireman" by Joe Hill. 🔥 "Joe Hill is the son of Stephen King. He's written 3 other books and they are all amazing. I've discovered this new author and I hope he has longevity like his father." 📚 #phoenix #phoenixpubliclibrary #phoenixlightrail #readingandriding #bookstagram #bookreview #igreads #nowreading #joehill #thefireman #stephenking #downtownphoenix #dtphx

A photo posted by Phoenix Public Library (@phoenixpubliclibrary) on Dec 7, 2016 at 2:49pm PST