Week 7
Assignment #1
Cool flowchart on "What to Read Next"...
http://www.lawrence.lib.ks.us/2012/10/still-hungry-for-more-books-like-the-hunger-games/
Assignment #2
Don't get me wrong, I love YA. A great majority of what I read is in the YA genre. I don't know if it is the "old news" nature of these articles or what, but they just didn't do anything for me.
http://blogs.bcpl.net/bookish/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/61428302.pdf
Quite old in the references to new books it makes, but still relevant information at its core. Its listing of "crossover authors" is still a good, solid list for those who may be new to the genre and looking for suggestions. I particularly like the quote from Libba Bray where she says she does not worry about who the audience will be for whom she is writing. I really don't like the misconception that YA books are only for teens, or that adults will not get anything at all out of them.
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publishing-and-marketing/article/55164-new-adult-needless-marketing-speak-or-valued-subgenre.html
I don't really know how I feel about this one... At the bottom a bookseller talks about a display with John Green and the 50 Shades books together - what?! I find it interesting that while this article is now 3 years old, the term of "new adult" that it talks about still really isn't a thing. I'm honestly not surprised it didn't catch on.
Why can't we all just read what we like and call it that and be done with it?!
Assignment #3
http://fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com/
I have looked at John Green's tumblr periodically from when I went into a big John Green phase and read all his books a while back. At the time, I had no idea he was somewhat of a YouTube phenomenon and went through some of his videos. I enjoy his relatability and how accessible he seems to his audience. Lately, I've seen him popping up on the internet in defending the lead actress of his latest book to movie, Paper Towns, which I can admire.
http://foreveryoungadult.com/
I just love the title of this page! I'll start looking through this one...
I do find it hilarious that one of the first articles I found when I started looking through was about "Hot Videogame Boyfriends". This website will have to get some more exploration...haha!
Assignment #4
Trends in the YA world:
http://www.randomhouse.com/teens/
I enjoy the layout and name of this one! The New Releases at the top were all new to me...which is also good! I signed up for some of the newsletters as well.
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/teens/
I also chose this because it has a very attractive way of organizing the page.
The dystopia YA theme is still going strong as authors try all different ways of putting a new spin on the genre. I've also noticed a resurgence of classic fairy tales with a twist. I think the Cress series series has really helped push this along. Some older books, such as The Maze Runner series are seeing a resurgence in popularity as the movies are released.
Thursday, August 27, 2015
Saturday, August 22, 2015
Week 6!
I think I accidentally answered this in my last post... so see below for my discoveries on Locus Mag! :)
Assignment #3, Three Sub-Genres I am Unfamiliar With
Occult Horror
- Deborah Harkness, The All Souls Trilogy
Huh. I guess I should have guessed this... I have read this entire trilogy, but I honestly never really figured this would fit into this sub-genre (at least according to Amazon). It does have a "ending of the world as we know it" theme and involves witchcraft. I would have pegged this for a more romance-y type genre.
- Stephen King
- Anne Rice
Hip Hop Urban Fiction
- K'wan
- Tupac Shakur
- Sapphire
These books would appeal to the urban fiction reader, especially if they enjoy reading about music or famous song artists.
Pet Investigators Mystery
- Rita Mae Brown
- Lilian Jackson Braun
- Fran Stewart
I almost see these "pet mysteries" in the same category as a cozy mystery. They are a little lighter and similar to those mysteries that might include recipes inside (you know what I mean!).
Some books that could cross over into multiple sub-genres include The Selection by Kiera Cass and the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. The Selection, while Young Adult, has a "Hunger Games style" competition in an alternate reality United States. While not as violent as Hunger Games, and rather than outright killing each other, the contestants are thrown (for the most part willingly) into a competition to win the hand of the Prince Maxon. While it does take dystopian characteristics, it also has a "chick lit" and romance streak that is very popular right now among teenage girls.
Outlander has many different genres to offer. It is historical fiction from multiple time periods as it involves time travel, romance, and adventure in one long, epic story. I think when books are so involved like this, and they do it well, do they appeal to a much greater audience. The success of Diana Gabaldon is a testament to this.
I think I accidentally answered this in my last post... so see below for my discoveries on Locus Mag! :)
Assignment #3, Three Sub-Genres I am Unfamiliar With
Occult Horror
- Deborah Harkness, The All Souls Trilogy
Huh. I guess I should have guessed this... I have read this entire trilogy, but I honestly never really figured this would fit into this sub-genre (at least according to Amazon). It does have a "ending of the world as we know it" theme and involves witchcraft. I would have pegged this for a more romance-y type genre.
- Stephen King
- Anne Rice
Hip Hop Urban Fiction
- K'wan
- Tupac Shakur
- Sapphire
These books would appeal to the urban fiction reader, especially if they enjoy reading about music or famous song artists.
Pet Investigators Mystery
- Rita Mae Brown
- Lilian Jackson Braun
- Fran Stewart
I almost see these "pet mysteries" in the same category as a cozy mystery. They are a little lighter and similar to those mysteries that might include recipes inside (you know what I mean!).
Some books that could cross over into multiple sub-genres include The Selection by Kiera Cass and the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. The Selection, while Young Adult, has a "Hunger Games style" competition in an alternate reality United States. While not as violent as Hunger Games, and rather than outright killing each other, the contestants are thrown (for the most part willingly) into a competition to win the hand of the Prince Maxon. While it does take dystopian characteristics, it also has a "chick lit" and romance streak that is very popular right now among teenage girls.
Outlander has many different genres to offer. It is historical fiction from multiple time periods as it involves time travel, romance, and adventure in one long, epic story. I think when books are so involved like this, and they do it well, do they appeal to a much greater audience. The success of Diana Gabaldon is a testament to this.
Monday, August 10, 2015
I know I'm a tiny bit late on this one...OF COURSE I remembered when I was at home that I totally forgot to finish and post this before I had left for my long weekend off. My only excuse is that I just got totally caught up in the end of SRC and was running around all week getting that wrapped up.
Anyway, here it is:
Week 5
Assignment 1: I've been receiving the EarlyWord weekly newsletter for some time now and look forward to reading it each Friday. I've requested lots of items based on what I have read from it, and it almost always has information that interests me. I love that it includes book to movie adaptation information as well and things like trailers as soon as they come out! It is always very current and I've learned a lot of things simply from taking a look through their weekly newsletter. When I have some extra time, sometimes I will go through the website a little more in-depth, but usually the newsletter really hits the highlights that I'm interested in.
The second source I've been taking a look at here and there is http://www.locusmag.com/ . To be quite honest, I haven't found this one has interesting or user friendly as EarlyWord. I think one of the reasons is because at first glance, the entire website is quite wordy and it can be a little difficult deciding where to start reading. A lot of the information that I have seen on this website are things I already learned from the EarlyWord newsletter. For example, Locus Mag did a little bit on The Martian and Armada. Both titles have already been mentioned multiple times on EarlyWord in a more easily accessible format.
Assignment 2: Working here at Cockeysville, we have very diverse readers who like to read a LOT. We are asked frequently for recommendations for all ages. I do find it helpful in that one of my jobs is the Information Desk Coordinator. One of the responsibilities under that job includes getting both the newest New York Times Bestseller List posted out in the branch as well as the Hot Titles list for each upcoming month. Doing this is a great reminder to myself to take a look at it whenever I put the new lists out. We very often have customers who ask where the lists are, or if they already know, they will carry it over to you to have you order multiple books for them.
EarlyWord's website can be fairly helpful in assisting customers. I especially like that they have going down the right hand side lists of award winners. A lot of times you will have kids come in who are doing school assignments requiring them to read a book that has won a certain award and they have no idea where to start. Other links that I have discovered and know I will continue to use are the links to Amazon's Top Sellers.
Assignment 3: Looking at Amazon's Coming Soon/Best of the Month lists, a title that caught my eye is Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell. Being under the Young Adult section and having an appealing cover are the factors that caught my eye. The summary also appealed to me, as a different type of re-telling of Cinderella with a Steampunk flair. I think this could appeal to a lot of teen girls, as fairy tales are always popular and it reminds me of another series that has been popular for some time now: Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I would give this to a younger teen who wants what sounds to be a stronger female lead with a touch of magic and fantasy.
Anyway, here it is:
Week 5
Assignment 1: I've been receiving the EarlyWord weekly newsletter for some time now and look forward to reading it each Friday. I've requested lots of items based on what I have read from it, and it almost always has information that interests me. I love that it includes book to movie adaptation information as well and things like trailers as soon as they come out! It is always very current and I've learned a lot of things simply from taking a look through their weekly newsletter. When I have some extra time, sometimes I will go through the website a little more in-depth, but usually the newsletter really hits the highlights that I'm interested in.
The second source I've been taking a look at here and there is http://www.locusmag.com/ . To be quite honest, I haven't found this one has interesting or user friendly as EarlyWord. I think one of the reasons is because at first glance, the entire website is quite wordy and it can be a little difficult deciding where to start reading. A lot of the information that I have seen on this website are things I already learned from the EarlyWord newsletter. For example, Locus Mag did a little bit on The Martian and Armada. Both titles have already been mentioned multiple times on EarlyWord in a more easily accessible format.
Assignment 2: Working here at Cockeysville, we have very diverse readers who like to read a LOT. We are asked frequently for recommendations for all ages. I do find it helpful in that one of my jobs is the Information Desk Coordinator. One of the responsibilities under that job includes getting both the newest New York Times Bestseller List posted out in the branch as well as the Hot Titles list for each upcoming month. Doing this is a great reminder to myself to take a look at it whenever I put the new lists out. We very often have customers who ask where the lists are, or if they already know, they will carry it over to you to have you order multiple books for them.
EarlyWord's website can be fairly helpful in assisting customers. I especially like that they have going down the right hand side lists of award winners. A lot of times you will have kids come in who are doing school assignments requiring them to read a book that has won a certain award and they have no idea where to start. Other links that I have discovered and know I will continue to use are the links to Amazon's Top Sellers.
Assignment 3: Looking at Amazon's Coming Soon/Best of the Month lists, a title that caught my eye is Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell. Being under the Young Adult section and having an appealing cover are the factors that caught my eye. The summary also appealed to me, as a different type of re-telling of Cinderella with a Steampunk flair. I think this could appeal to a lot of teen girls, as fairy tales are always popular and it reminds me of another series that has been popular for some time now: Cinder by Marissa Meyer. I would give this to a younger teen who wants what sounds to be a stronger female lead with a touch of magic and fantasy.
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