I heard a great interview on NPR’s Fresh Air, “Can The iPad Or The Kindle Save Book Publishers?” on April 27, 2010 that I wanted to present on the blog list. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126196977
Columnist, Ken Auletta, posed this question. There is a debate over the pricing of e-books. This is not new to most of the individuals in our class as the topic was presented in the readings but the interview was very good and provided good information to listeners.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Coldest Winter Ever
The Coldest Winter Ever
By Sister Souljah
Publisher: Pocket Star (January 31, 2006)
(Originally published in 1999)
ISBN-10: 1416521690
Pages: 544
Genre: Street Lit
This is the story of Winter Santiaga. Born into the harshness of New York winter snowstorm in 1978, her name and the circumstances of her birth are a foundation for the cold life that she will lead. Her father is a drug dealer and her mother birthed her when she was fourteen. We do not know the mother’s name, she is called Mrs. Santiaga. Winter has three younger sisters: Porsche, Mercedes and Lexus (twins). They lived in the Brooklyn projects. Needless to say, Winter is not a good older sister or role model.
Winter does not waste her time with school (“my policy was to go to school just enough so authorities wouldn’t kick me out”) or building lasting friendships; people are to be manipulated and used. Winter is absorbed in the fast life and longs for bling and bucks. A lot of the characters, but not all, in this book are into the superficial things in life.
Her father goes to jail and the life of luxury reduced to basically nothing but she will do anything to get it back. In the end, her mom becomes a drug addict, the sisters are taken by the state and Winter ends up in jail. Along the way, there are important major characters and numerous subplots.
Although, this story is not for everyone, this book definitely has a following of readers with a desire for more of these characters lives. Many are awaiting a planned movie. This graphic and rough story appeals to some readers because it represents some aspect of their lives; this is someone’s real story. Souljah comments in the “Ask the Author” section that “my novel is not based on a true story. However, it is based on real events that happen every day. That’s why it feels so real” (435).There is so much truth in this book that it is scary.
The characters are intense and the reader is drawn into their lives. Winter is complex, flawed, weak and vulnerable.
The author is intriguing; Sister Souljah is a community activist. She has a degree in American History and African Studies from Rutgers. Her books include No Disrespect 1996 (memoir) and Midnight: A Gangster Love Story 2009.
She includes herself in the story; during the class discussion, I was asked about her life. Sister Souljah lived in the projects for six years in her very early childhood. She comments in “Ask the Author” section, “In the slim corridors of my Bronx, New York, project building, my brown eyes captured a lot” (431). She moved from this neighborhood at age ten. Souljah “buried [herself] in books. I separated myself from people who I deemed were not in their right minds” (435).
She is now part of the political lexicon:
In United States politics, a Sister Souljah moment is a politician's public repudiation of an allegedly extremist person or group, statement, or position perceived to have some association with the politician or their party. Such an act of repudiation is designed to signal to centrist voters that the politician is not beholden to traditional, and sometimes unpopular, interest groups associated with the party.
(http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2008/01/obamas-sister-s.html)
This book could serve as a guide of how not to live your life; “those streets don’t love you” (Ricky Santiaga, 35). Sister Souljah writes on her website, "this is a cautionary tale which chronicles the decline of an empire and the maneuvers of Winter Santiaga as she hustles to remain on top" (http://www.sistersouljah.com/aboutwintertcwe.html).
Coldest Winter Ever fits the genre as based on David Wright’s Collection Development “Urban Fiction”: Streetwise Urban Fiction and Rollie Welch, The Word on Street Lit No.1 as it has crime, drugs, explicit sex, harsh lessons learned, Hip Hop music and culture, and violence. I would recommend this book to those who like urban fiction/street lit.
Sister Souljah gives the reader an instant classic.
By Sister Souljah
Publisher: Pocket Star (January 31, 2006)
(Originally published in 1999)
ISBN-10: 1416521690
Pages: 544
Genre: Street Lit
This is the story of Winter Santiaga. Born into the harshness of New York winter snowstorm in 1978, her name and the circumstances of her birth are a foundation for the cold life that she will lead. Her father is a drug dealer and her mother birthed her when she was fourteen. We do not know the mother’s name, she is called Mrs. Santiaga. Winter has three younger sisters: Porsche, Mercedes and Lexus (twins). They lived in the Brooklyn projects. Needless to say, Winter is not a good older sister or role model.
Winter does not waste her time with school (“my policy was to go to school just enough so authorities wouldn’t kick me out”) or building lasting friendships; people are to be manipulated and used. Winter is absorbed in the fast life and longs for bling and bucks. A lot of the characters, but not all, in this book are into the superficial things in life.
Her father goes to jail and the life of luxury reduced to basically nothing but she will do anything to get it back. In the end, her mom becomes a drug addict, the sisters are taken by the state and Winter ends up in jail. Along the way, there are important major characters and numerous subplots.
Although, this story is not for everyone, this book definitely has a following of readers with a desire for more of these characters lives. Many are awaiting a planned movie. This graphic and rough story appeals to some readers because it represents some aspect of their lives; this is someone’s real story. Souljah comments in the “Ask the Author” section that “my novel is not based on a true story. However, it is based on real events that happen every day. That’s why it feels so real” (435).There is so much truth in this book that it is scary.
The characters are intense and the reader is drawn into their lives. Winter is complex, flawed, weak and vulnerable.
The author is intriguing; Sister Souljah is a community activist. She has a degree in American History and African Studies from Rutgers. Her books include No Disrespect 1996 (memoir) and Midnight: A Gangster Love Story 2009.
She includes herself in the story; during the class discussion, I was asked about her life. Sister Souljah lived in the projects for six years in her very early childhood. She comments in “Ask the Author” section, “In the slim corridors of my Bronx, New York, project building, my brown eyes captured a lot” (431). She moved from this neighborhood at age ten. Souljah “buried [herself] in books. I separated myself from people who I deemed were not in their right minds” (435).
She is now part of the political lexicon:
In United States politics, a Sister Souljah moment is a politician's public repudiation of an allegedly extremist person or group, statement, or position perceived to have some association with the politician or their party. Such an act of repudiation is designed to signal to centrist voters that the politician is not beholden to traditional, and sometimes unpopular, interest groups associated with the party.
(http://www.riehlworldview.com/carnivorous_conservative/2008/01/obamas-sister-s.html)
This book could serve as a guide of how not to live your life; “those streets don’t love you” (Ricky Santiaga, 35). Sister Souljah writes on her website, "this is a cautionary tale which chronicles the decline of an empire and the maneuvers of Winter Santiaga as she hustles to remain on top" (http://www.sistersouljah.com/aboutwintertcwe.html).
Coldest Winter Ever fits the genre as based on David Wright’s Collection Development “Urban Fiction”: Streetwise Urban Fiction and Rollie Welch, The Word on Street Lit No.1 as it has crime, drugs, explicit sex, harsh lessons learned, Hip Hop music and culture, and violence. I would recommend this book to those who like urban fiction/street lit.
Sister Souljah gives the reader an instant classic.
Friday, May 7, 2010
ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY
ROLL OF THUNDER, HEAR MY CRY
By Mildred D. Taylor
288 pages
Puffin (April 12, 2004)
ISBN-10: 0142401129
Genre: Literary Fiction (also, Historical Fiction)
Newbery Medal Winner
This is a book that I am glad that I read as an adult. I would have missed so much as a young reader. For those who read it in their youth; well, hopefully, they find it again as adults.
This is the story of the Logan family in Mississippi. They are landowners and this is extremely important. The older generation will fight for the land. This is the story of four black children; Stacey, Christopher John, Little Man and Cassie, growing up in the South in the 1930s.
This is the story of claiming an identity that others would deny you. Cassie is described as “high-strung” (28). Some felt that the Logan children had an unrealistic view of their circumstances. This is demonstrated by Daisy, the schoolteacher, who informed Mary Logan of Little Man’s dissatisfaction with the used books provided by the state: “Well, I think you you’re just spoiling those children, Mary. They’ve got to learn how things are sometime” (30). The state had given the students old books from the white schools and the Logan children, Cassie came to the aid of her brother after figuring out his troubles, did not want to accept them. Their mother decided to add brown paper to the inside covers that offended her children. “She understood” (31).
There was another incident involving Cassie. Her grandmother, Big Ma made her apologize to Lillian Jean, a thirteen-year-old who accused her of “bumping into decent white folks” (114). Cassie is a nine and did apologize but that was not enough. Pretty soon there was a scene involving Lillian Jean’s father, Cassie’s grandmother and other spectators. Big Ma made Cassie apologize… “Big Ma gazed down at me, fear in her eyes, then back at the growing crowd…Big Ma gazed down at me again, her voice cracking as she spoke. ‘Go on, child….apologize’” (115). This infuriates Cassie. Her brother tries to explain to her that Big Ma had to do it but Cassie is not hearing this argument. He further explains that “there’s things you don’t understand” (118).
It is difficult to explain these types of things to children. There are still things that are and will be no matter how we try to shape it. Cassie did obtain some gratification (no, I am not condoning conflict) over “Miz Lillian Jean.” Cassie made her apologize for all the names that she had called her and for other things: “And she apologized. For herself and her father. For her bothers and her mother. For Strawberry and Mississippi…” (181).
In this story, I reflected on the black experience and what it means to be black in America. In this reflection, I found beauty in the story of courageous people and I found generational concern…they would not lose the land and the children would have something to call their own. In this story, I found a commitment within myself to keep moving forward; too many have stood so that this generation could have what they never dreamt.
In this story, I found the importance of family no matter race. I found strength in a family that stood together. Family is so important and it is nice to read about a loving family.
I selected this as literary fiction because it is a complex story about race relations and life in the South during reconstruction. The author’s note explains that she “learned history not then written in history books but passed from generation to generation on the steps of moonlit porches and beside dying fires in one-room houses, a history of great-grandparents and of slavery and of the days following slavery: of those who lived still not free, yet who would not let their spirits be enslaved.” Thank goodness, Taylor has shared these stories.
It is provocative and has an ambiguous ending (Will the family retain the land that they have fought so hard to keep?). The characters are crucial; you feel for the family and hope for their survival. You want the children to have a good life. It is serious and dark. Yet, within this darkness is light and hope.
I would recommend this book to people individuals who enjoy significant stories and those that appreciate literary and historical fiction.
By Mildred D. Taylor
288 pages
Puffin (April 12, 2004)
ISBN-10: 0142401129
Genre: Literary Fiction (also, Historical Fiction)
Newbery Medal Winner
This is a book that I am glad that I read as an adult. I would have missed so much as a young reader. For those who read it in their youth; well, hopefully, they find it again as adults.
This is the story of the Logan family in Mississippi. They are landowners and this is extremely important. The older generation will fight for the land. This is the story of four black children; Stacey, Christopher John, Little Man and Cassie, growing up in the South in the 1930s.
This is the story of claiming an identity that others would deny you. Cassie is described as “high-strung” (28). Some felt that the Logan children had an unrealistic view of their circumstances. This is demonstrated by Daisy, the schoolteacher, who informed Mary Logan of Little Man’s dissatisfaction with the used books provided by the state: “Well, I think you you’re just spoiling those children, Mary. They’ve got to learn how things are sometime” (30). The state had given the students old books from the white schools and the Logan children, Cassie came to the aid of her brother after figuring out his troubles, did not want to accept them. Their mother decided to add brown paper to the inside covers that offended her children. “She understood” (31).
There was another incident involving Cassie. Her grandmother, Big Ma made her apologize to Lillian Jean, a thirteen-year-old who accused her of “bumping into decent white folks” (114). Cassie is a nine and did apologize but that was not enough. Pretty soon there was a scene involving Lillian Jean’s father, Cassie’s grandmother and other spectators. Big Ma made Cassie apologize… “Big Ma gazed down at me, fear in her eyes, then back at the growing crowd…Big Ma gazed down at me again, her voice cracking as she spoke. ‘Go on, child….apologize’” (115). This infuriates Cassie. Her brother tries to explain to her that Big Ma had to do it but Cassie is not hearing this argument. He further explains that “there’s things you don’t understand” (118).
It is difficult to explain these types of things to children. There are still things that are and will be no matter how we try to shape it. Cassie did obtain some gratification (no, I am not condoning conflict) over “Miz Lillian Jean.” Cassie made her apologize for all the names that she had called her and for other things: “And she apologized. For herself and her father. For her bothers and her mother. For Strawberry and Mississippi…” (181).
In this story, I reflected on the black experience and what it means to be black in America. In this reflection, I found beauty in the story of courageous people and I found generational concern…they would not lose the land and the children would have something to call their own. In this story, I found a commitment within myself to keep moving forward; too many have stood so that this generation could have what they never dreamt.
In this story, I found the importance of family no matter race. I found strength in a family that stood together. Family is so important and it is nice to read about a loving family.
I selected this as literary fiction because it is a complex story about race relations and life in the South during reconstruction. The author’s note explains that she “learned history not then written in history books but passed from generation to generation on the steps of moonlit porches and beside dying fires in one-room houses, a history of great-grandparents and of slavery and of the days following slavery: of those who lived still not free, yet who would not let their spirits be enslaved.” Thank goodness, Taylor has shared these stories.
It is provocative and has an ambiguous ending (Will the family retain the land that they have fought so hard to keep?). The characters are crucial; you feel for the family and hope for their survival. You want the children to have a good life. It is serious and dark. Yet, within this darkness is light and hope.
I would recommend this book to people individuals who enjoy significant stories and those that appreciate literary and historical fiction.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Until the Real Thing Comes Along: A Novel
Until the Real Thing Comes Along: A Novel
New York: Ballantine Books, 2000.
Paperback: 272 pages
ISBN-10: 034543739X
Genre: Women’s Lives and Relationships
I did not expect to like this book so much. I was excited to read an Elizabeth Berg book because she has been mentioned more than once in class. This was available at the library and it seemed interesting.
This is the story of Patty Hansen; age thirty-six, single, childless, whimsical, carefree and somewhat stressed. She is happy, unhappy and lonely. She is loving, kind and has a free spirit. More than anything she wants someone in her life, more accurately a man she will never truly have, marriage and a child; “I just want to be done. I want to be married. I want a baby” (27). She follows this man to a new town. He helps her get a child.
Patty is the narrator and provides the backdrop for the other characters.
Her love interest: Ethan Allen Grimes
Patty will never have all of him; “Why can’t you love me? You love me, why can’t you love me? (27). He has been honest (well, not in the beginning when they were a couple but that is not the heart of the story) with her and she knows what she is getting into when she decides to have a baby with him.
She cannot help her love for him, “I truly wish I didn’t love only you, but that’s the reality. I have loved only you since you saved me from Kathleen Mayfield on the playground in sixth grade” (29). Didn’t she think that sharing something so intimate would be more hurtful?
Her desire for a child was like breathing and she could not be denied. Ethan also wanted a child and thus Marilyn was conceived.
Elaine
She is the beautiful friend, “They [men] stop chewing for my friend Elaine. They stop breathing for my friend Elaine. Sometimes it’s hard to be her friend. A lot it’s hard to be her friend. I’m Betty to her Veronica, only I don’t even get to have blonde hair” (29).
Elaine and Ethan have problems. Ethan is watching so many of his friends die of AIDS and Elaine is in love with Mark, Ethan set Mark up with Patty. Mark is into Patty but she does not return the affection. Elaine ends up with Mark.
Robert and Marilyn
They are her parents who have true love. Patty tells her mother, “You and Dad. Sometimes it’s sort of depressing to be around you” (47). Her parents fell in love on sight. Patty wants this kind of love and happiness. Her mother on her father, “And it was instant, I swear to you. It just was. One look, and I was in love” (45). Her father on her mother, “There was not a doubt in my mind. I had to have her” (46). Even in her mother’s illness, Alzheimer’s, the love shared between her parents is undeniable.
Artie and Muriel
A special couple that Patty befriends while showing them houses as part of her job as a real estate agent. Artie ends up with cancer, “I got cancer. Terminal” (87). However, this doesn’t stop him from finding happiness in his life and Patty hopes that her mom can hold on like Artie.
Sophia and Amber
These are two minor characters, Sophia (her neighbor) and Amber (her nail technician) but they offer wisdom and guidance that Patty truly needed. When Patty is preparing to leave for Minneapolis Amber cautions her about Ethan’s intentions, “I think this is a smoke screen for something else going on with Ethan. He’s running away into you, you know what I mean? Into you and the baby. He’s running away from something” (186). She is correct.
I have shared a lot of the book but there is so much depth that there is plenty more to be revealed in reading this novel.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy stories about women that do not always have a truly happy ending for the main character. It definitely reflects the genre. Until the Real Thing Comes Along fits is first written by a woman, has a female protagonist, the story focuses on Patty’s relationships with “family, friends, and lovers” (Saricks, 371). The book is set in a contemporary time period, is quite intimate and unfolds at a leisure pace.
This is a good book for individuals who enjoy stories with real issues. It is beautifully written with several tender lines. Yes, this book is thoroughly overdramatic but sometimes our lives are just complicated.
New York: Ballantine Books, 2000.
Paperback: 272 pages
ISBN-10: 034543739X
Genre: Women’s Lives and Relationships
I did not expect to like this book so much. I was excited to read an Elizabeth Berg book because she has been mentioned more than once in class. This was available at the library and it seemed interesting.
This is the story of Patty Hansen; age thirty-six, single, childless, whimsical, carefree and somewhat stressed. She is happy, unhappy and lonely. She is loving, kind and has a free spirit. More than anything she wants someone in her life, more accurately a man she will never truly have, marriage and a child; “I just want to be done. I want to be married. I want a baby” (27). She follows this man to a new town. He helps her get a child.
Patty is the narrator and provides the backdrop for the other characters.
Her love interest: Ethan Allen Grimes
Patty will never have all of him; “Why can’t you love me? You love me, why can’t you love me? (27). He has been honest (well, not in the beginning when they were a couple but that is not the heart of the story) with her and she knows what she is getting into when she decides to have a baby with him.
She cannot help her love for him, “I truly wish I didn’t love only you, but that’s the reality. I have loved only you since you saved me from Kathleen Mayfield on the playground in sixth grade” (29). Didn’t she think that sharing something so intimate would be more hurtful?
Her desire for a child was like breathing and she could not be denied. Ethan also wanted a child and thus Marilyn was conceived.
Elaine
She is the beautiful friend, “They [men] stop chewing for my friend Elaine. They stop breathing for my friend Elaine. Sometimes it’s hard to be her friend. A lot it’s hard to be her friend. I’m Betty to her Veronica, only I don’t even get to have blonde hair” (29).
Elaine and Ethan have problems. Ethan is watching so many of his friends die of AIDS and Elaine is in love with Mark, Ethan set Mark up with Patty. Mark is into Patty but she does not return the affection. Elaine ends up with Mark.
Robert and Marilyn
They are her parents who have true love. Patty tells her mother, “You and Dad. Sometimes it’s sort of depressing to be around you” (47). Her parents fell in love on sight. Patty wants this kind of love and happiness. Her mother on her father, “And it was instant, I swear to you. It just was. One look, and I was in love” (45). Her father on her mother, “There was not a doubt in my mind. I had to have her” (46). Even in her mother’s illness, Alzheimer’s, the love shared between her parents is undeniable.
Artie and Muriel
A special couple that Patty befriends while showing them houses as part of her job as a real estate agent. Artie ends up with cancer, “I got cancer. Terminal” (87). However, this doesn’t stop him from finding happiness in his life and Patty hopes that her mom can hold on like Artie.
Sophia and Amber
These are two minor characters, Sophia (her neighbor) and Amber (her nail technician) but they offer wisdom and guidance that Patty truly needed. When Patty is preparing to leave for Minneapolis Amber cautions her about Ethan’s intentions, “I think this is a smoke screen for something else going on with Ethan. He’s running away into you, you know what I mean? Into you and the baby. He’s running away from something” (186). She is correct.
I have shared a lot of the book but there is so much depth that there is plenty more to be revealed in reading this novel.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy stories about women that do not always have a truly happy ending for the main character. It definitely reflects the genre. Until the Real Thing Comes Along fits is first written by a woman, has a female protagonist, the story focuses on Patty’s relationships with “family, friends, and lovers” (Saricks, 371). The book is set in a contemporary time period, is quite intimate and unfolds at a leisure pace.
This is a good book for individuals who enjoy stories with real issues. It is beautifully written with several tender lines. Yes, this book is thoroughly overdramatic but sometimes our lives are just complicated.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Creating Music
This afternoon I attended a public program for adults at the IMCPL. It was a celebration of music using items that you could find in a thrift store (its purpose). Teams were given $25.00 to purchase items. The musicians were very talented making good use of a belt, cans, water glasses, basketballs and toy keyboards. One musician used a doll to create music. The library presented the event with Big Car Collective and supported by Great Indy Neighborhoods Initiative.
I did not stay for the entire event but I had counted 118 guests in an hour. This is a great turnout. The event was listed as adult on the library website but there were a fair amount of children attending with adults. It was a good program (its strength) as it encouraged creativity. Additionally, the program appealed to the young old; all attendees could find something to enjoy, silly songs or craftsmanship in making new instruments.
There were no extreme weaknesses. The program started a little later than the advertised start time but that is understandable when you have nine groups of individuals included in the performance line-up.
http://www.imcpl.org/events/featuredevents.html
Adults are invited to a unique series of programs that offer an unusual twist on a lecture, experimental audio and video, a music competition and a live multimedia performance.
Made for Each Other: A Series of Interactive, Community-Inspiring Events will be presented through May in the Clowes Auditorium at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair Street. It’s sponsored by Big Car Gallery and Know No Stranger.
Thrift Store Music
Wednesday, April 28 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m.
This two-day event invites local bands to explore, create and share self-made musical instruments. On April 28, musicians will meet at Central Library, be given a budget, and sent to thrift stores to find objects that can be used as musical instruments. For the next four days the musicians will create songs with their self-made instruments. On May 2, the musicians will return to Central Library to perform music created from their thrift store finds.
I did not stay for the entire event but I had counted 118 guests in an hour. This is a great turnout. The event was listed as adult on the library website but there were a fair amount of children attending with adults. It was a good program (its strength) as it encouraged creativity. Additionally, the program appealed to the young old; all attendees could find something to enjoy, silly songs or craftsmanship in making new instruments.
There were no extreme weaknesses. The program started a little later than the advertised start time but that is understandable when you have nine groups of individuals included in the performance line-up.
http://www.imcpl.org/events/featuredevents.html
Adults are invited to a unique series of programs that offer an unusual twist on a lecture, experimental audio and video, a music competition and a live multimedia performance.
Made for Each Other: A Series of Interactive, Community-Inspiring Events will be presented through May in the Clowes Auditorium at Central Library, 40 E. St. Clair Street. It’s sponsored by Big Car Gallery and Know No Stranger.
Thrift Store Music
Wednesday, April 28 at 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 2 at 2 p.m.
This two-day event invites local bands to explore, create and share self-made musical instruments. On April 28, musicians will meet at Central Library, be given a budget, and sent to thrift stores to find objects that can be used as musical instruments. For the next four days the musicians will create songs with their self-made instruments. On May 2, the musicians will return to Central Library to perform music created from their thrift store finds.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Final Reader Results
Reader #3
1. What is the last book that you read?
Blue Collar Blues by Rosalyn McMillian
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three.
a. Jacqueline Thomas
b. Rosalyn McMillian
c. Benilde Little
d. Bebe Moore-Campbell
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?*
a. Love stories with comedy and happy ending
b. Self- help, devotional and inspirational
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Romance
Adventure
Suspense
Women’s Lives and Relationships
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below?
a. Yes, mystery and chick lit
6. Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below?
a. Horror, street lit
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
1. Faith
A Change is Gonna Come
By Jacqueline Thomas
2. Inspirational
Have a Little Faith
An anthology with a story by Jacqueline Thomas
3. Mystery
Plain Brown Wrapper: An Alex Powell Novel
By Karen G. Bates
4. Romance
The Nicest Guy in America
By Angela Benson
5. Romance (this is a read alike compared to Benilde Little using Rich African Americans)
Just for You
By Doreen Rainey
6. Romance; Women’s Lives and Relationships
The Ideal Wife
By Jacqueline Thomas
Reader comments
“I would read all of these, I love Jacqueline Thomas.”
Reader #5
1. What is the last book that you read? Currently reading Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three.
None at this time
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?* Comfort and learning; educational reading; biographies; sometimes, likes to read nonfiction
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
List provided NA; enjoys biography, educational materials, and poetry
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below?
Chick lit once in while
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
Autobiographical
1. A Hand to Guide Me
By Denzel Washington
2. The Pursuit of Happyness
By Chris Gardner
Literary/Historical Fiction
3. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
By Mildred D. Taylor
Shw has enjoyed excerpts from the book.
Educational and autiobiographical
4. Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny
By Hill Harper
Women’s Lives, Chick Lit
5. The Yummy Mummy
By Polly Williams
NO
Life Stories
6. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson
By Mitch Albom
She had already read this book.
1. What is the last book that you read?
Blue Collar Blues by Rosalyn McMillian
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three.
a. Jacqueline Thomas
b. Rosalyn McMillian
c. Benilde Little
d. Bebe Moore-Campbell
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?*
a. Love stories with comedy and happy ending
b. Self- help, devotional and inspirational
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Romance
Adventure
Suspense
Women’s Lives and Relationships
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below?
a. Yes, mystery and chick lit
6. Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below?
a. Horror, street lit
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
1. Faith
A Change is Gonna Come
By Jacqueline Thomas
2. Inspirational
Have a Little Faith
An anthology with a story by Jacqueline Thomas
3. Mystery
Plain Brown Wrapper: An Alex Powell Novel
By Karen G. Bates
4. Romance
The Nicest Guy in America
By Angela Benson
5. Romance (this is a read alike compared to Benilde Little using Rich African Americans)
Just for You
By Doreen Rainey
6. Romance; Women’s Lives and Relationships
The Ideal Wife
By Jacqueline Thomas
Reader comments
“I would read all of these, I love Jacqueline Thomas.”
Reader #5
1. What is the last book that you read? Currently reading Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three.
None at this time
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?* Comfort and learning; educational reading; biographies; sometimes, likes to read nonfiction
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
List provided NA; enjoys biography, educational materials, and poetry
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below?
Chick lit once in while
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
Autobiographical
1. A Hand to Guide Me
By Denzel Washington
2. The Pursuit of Happyness
By Chris Gardner
Literary/Historical Fiction
3. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
By Mildred D. Taylor
Shw has enjoyed excerpts from the book.
Educational and autiobiographical
4. Letters to a Young Brother: MANifest Your Destiny
By Hill Harper
Women’s Lives, Chick Lit
5. The Yummy Mummy
By Polly Williams
NO
Life Stories
6. Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life's Greatest Lesson
By Mitch Albom
She had already read this book.
Reader #2 and Reader #4
Reader #2
1. What is the last book that you read? Sleeping With the Enemy
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three.
Zane, Francis Ray, Carl Weber
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?*
Page turner with lots of action
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Chick Lit
Street Lit
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below? Women’s lives and relationships
6. Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below?
Thrillers and adventure
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
1. Urban Fiction
Moth to a Flame
By Ashley Antoinette
YES
2. Page Turner
Resurrecting Midnight
By Eric Jerome Dickey
NO
3. - 4. Women’s Lives and Relationships
Some Things I Never Thought I Do
Baby Brother’s Blues
By Pearl Cleage
NO
5. Chick lit and Zane
Freak in the Sheets: Chick lit with a Twist
By Madamek
YES
6. Read alike author to Francis Ray
Harvest Moon
By Rochelle Ayers
YES
Reader #4
1. What is the last book that you read? Act like a Lady, Think Like a Man
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three. Mary B. Morrison, Cheryl Robinson, Katherine Langhorne, Chonda Cheeks, Denene Millner.
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?* Good plots about girlfriends, romance, drama.
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Romance
Women’s Lives and Relationships
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below? Yes, mystery, fantasy
6. Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below? Horrors, suspense, thriller
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
1. – 2. Favorite Author Titles Denene Millner
The Sistah’s Rules
In Love and War
3. Good plots about girlfriends, romance, drama
The Ex Chronicles
By Carol Taylor
4. Chick Lit
Divas
By Donna Hill
5. Women’s Lives and Relationships
What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day
By Pearl Cleage
6. Fantasy
Legend of Tarik
By Walter Dean Myers
Reader #4 Comment
"I would read all of them but the first one, the Sistah’s Rules. I don't want to read anyone's advice on how to get or keep a man."
1. What is the last book that you read? Sleeping With the Enemy
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three.
Zane, Francis Ray, Carl Weber
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?*
Page turner with lots of action
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Chick Lit
Street Lit
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below? Women’s lives and relationships
6. Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below?
Thrillers and adventure
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
1. Urban Fiction
Moth to a Flame
By Ashley Antoinette
YES
2. Page Turner
Resurrecting Midnight
By Eric Jerome Dickey
NO
3. - 4. Women’s Lives and Relationships
Some Things I Never Thought I Do
Baby Brother’s Blues
By Pearl Cleage
NO
5. Chick lit and Zane
Freak in the Sheets: Chick lit with a Twist
By Madamek
YES
6. Read alike author to Francis Ray
Harvest Moon
By Rochelle Ayers
YES
Reader #4
1. What is the last book that you read? Act like a Lady, Think Like a Man
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three. Mary B. Morrison, Cheryl Robinson, Katherine Langhorne, Chonda Cheeks, Denene Millner.
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?* Good plots about girlfriends, romance, drama.
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Romance
Women’s Lives and Relationships
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below? Yes, mystery, fantasy
6. Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below? Horrors, suspense, thriller
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
1. – 2. Favorite Author Titles Denene Millner
The Sistah’s Rules
In Love and War
3. Good plots about girlfriends, romance, drama
The Ex Chronicles
By Carol Taylor
4. Chick Lit
Divas
By Donna Hill
5. Women’s Lives and Relationships
What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day
By Pearl Cleage
6. Fantasy
Legend of Tarik
By Walter Dean Myers
Reader #4 Comment
"I would read all of them but the first one, the Sistah’s Rules. I don't want to read anyone's advice on how to get or keep a man."
Reader #1
1. What is the last book that you read? Be Careful What you Pray For
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three. VC Andrews, Kiki Swinson and Zane
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you are looking for”?* I need to be able to gain more knowledge in regards to US history.
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Romance / Suspense / Women’s Lives and Relationships
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below? Yes, Historical Fiction
6. Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below? Horror
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
Finding Forever
Keisha Ervin
Urban Fiction
YES
Midnight
Sister Souljah
Urban Fiction
NO
Night Song
Beverly Jenkins
Historical Fiction with Romance
YES
Diary of a Street Diva
Ashley JaQuavis
Urban Fiction
YES
I Wish I Had a Red Dress: A Novel
Pearl Cleage
Women’s Lives and Relationships
Shades of Jade: A Novel
Gloria Mallette
Suspense
Sweet Justice
Suspense
Shirley Harrison
Comments from reader....
"I haven't read any of these books...I guess
I'm holding back on reading Midnight based on feedback from others."
2. Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three. VC Andrews, Kiki Swinson and Zane
3. “Tell me what kind of reading experience you are looking for”?* I need to be able to gain more knowledge in regards to US history.
4. What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Romance / Suspense / Women’s Lives and Relationships
5. Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below? Yes, Historical Fiction
6. Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below? Horror
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Suggestions
Finding Forever
Keisha Ervin
Urban Fiction
YES
Midnight
Sister Souljah
Urban Fiction
NO
Night Song
Beverly Jenkins
Historical Fiction with Romance
YES
Diary of a Street Diva
Ashley JaQuavis
Urban Fiction
YES
I Wish I Had a Red Dress: A Novel
Pearl Cleage
Women’s Lives and Relationships
Shades of Jade: A Novel
Gloria Mallette
Suspense
Sweet Justice
Suspense
Shirley Harrison
Comments from reader....
"I haven't read any of these books...I guess
I'm holding back on reading Midnight based on feedback from others."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
E-Reads: Electronic Reader's Advisory
My sisters and three friends became my lab participants. I e-mailed them a list of questions and the advising began.
Reader Profiles
All of the participants are females and mothers. Reader #5 is non-fiction reader. Reader's #1 -#4 read often. Reader #5 is in mommy mode and is currently able to read.
Questions and Answers
What is the last book that you read?
1. Be Careful What you Pray For
2. Sleeping with the Enemy
3. Blue Collar Blues by Rosalyn McMillian
4. Act like a Lady, Think Like a Man
5. Sidney Poitier Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter
Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three.
1. VC Andrews, Kiki Swinson and Zane
2. Zane, Frances Ray, Carl Weber
3. a. Jacqueline Thomas
b. Rosalyn McMillian
c. Benita Little
d. Bebe Moore-Campbell
4. Mary B. Morrison, Cheryl Robinson, Katherine Langhorne, Chonda Cheeks, Denene Millner
5. None at this time
“Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?*
1. I need to be able to gain more knowledge in regards to US history.
2. “Exciting page turner with lots of action”
3. a. Love stories with comedy and happy ending
b. Self- help, devotional and inspirational
4. Good plots about girlfriends, romance, drama
5. Biography and educational
What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Romance III
Gentle Reads (generally no sex or violence)
Chick Lit I
Adventure I
Street Lit I
Horror
Mystery Suspense II
Science Fiction
Thrillers
Historical Fiction
Fantasy
Women’s Lives and Relationships III
Young Adult Fiction (ex. Twilight)
Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below?
1. Yes, Historical Fiction
2. Women’s Lives and Relationships
3. Yes, mystery and chick lit
4. Mystery, fantasy
5. Chick Lit, Street Lit
Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below?
1. Horror
2. Thrillers and Adventure
3. a. Horror, street lit
4. Horrors, suspense, thriller
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Their answers helped me to select book choices. I e-mailed the titles, images, synopsis, and in some cases reviews to the reader's.
I reviewed the following resources to create the list of suggestions:
aalbc The #1 Site for African American Literature
http://aalbc.com/
Amazon.com
Bella Online African American Lit Site
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/6222.asp
Goodreads.com (did not find anything)
Novelist
Readalike.org
Reader's Advisory Online
Reader's responded, by e-mail, if they would read the book, had read the book, or would not read the book. The responses for Reader #5 were obtained by phone. I recommended seven books to Reader 1. She indicated that she would read three of the books. Six books were selected for each remaining reader's. Reader #2 would read three books. Reader #3 would read all six selected books. Reader #4 would read five books. Reader #5 would read four books and had read one of the suggested books.
Lessons Learned
I will not have the luxury of hours to find a good read when working with library patrons so I must move quickly.
The person helping the patron may find great books as well.
Reader Profiles
All of the participants are females and mothers. Reader #5 is non-fiction reader. Reader's #1 -#4 read often. Reader #5 is in mommy mode and is currently able to read.
Questions and Answers
What is the last book that you read?
1. Be Careful What you Pray For
2. Sleeping with the Enemy
3. Blue Collar Blues by Rosalyn McMillian
4. Act like a Lady, Think Like a Man
5. Sidney Poitier Life Beyond Measure: Letters to My Great-Granddaughter
Who are some of your favorite authors? Please list three.
1. VC Andrews, Kiki Swinson and Zane
2. Zane, Frances Ray, Carl Weber
3. a. Jacqueline Thomas
b. Rosalyn McMillian
c. Benita Little
d. Bebe Moore-Campbell
4. Mary B. Morrison, Cheryl Robinson, Katherine Langhorne, Chonda Cheeks, Denene Millner
5. None at this time
“Tell me what kind of reading experience you’re looking for”?*
1. I need to be able to gain more knowledge in regards to US history.
2. “Exciting page turner with lots of action”
3. a. Love stories with comedy and happy ending
b. Self- help, devotional and inspirational
4. Good plots about girlfriends, romance, drama
5. Biography and educational
What are your favorite genres? Please highlight your top two answers.
Romance III
Gentle Reads (generally no sex or violence)
Chick Lit I
Adventure I
Street Lit I
Horror
Mystery Suspense II
Science Fiction
Thrillers
Historical Fiction
Fantasy
Women’s Lives and Relationships III
Young Adult Fiction (ex. Twilight)
Are you willing to try a new genre? If so, please indicate genre below?
1. Yes, Historical Fiction
2. Women’s Lives and Relationships
3. Yes, mystery and chick lit
4. Mystery, fantasy
5. Chick Lit, Street Lit
Are there certain genres/types of books that you do not like to read? Please list below?
1. Horror
2. Thrillers and Adventure
3. a. Horror, street lit
4. Horrors, suspense, thriller
* Question obtained from Ross and Chelton, Reader’s Advisory: Matching Mood and Material, 2001.
Their answers helped me to select book choices. I e-mailed the titles, images, synopsis, and in some cases reviews to the reader's.
I reviewed the following resources to create the list of suggestions:
aalbc The #1 Site for African American Literature
http://aalbc.com/
Amazon.com
Bella Online African American Lit Site
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/6222.asp
Goodreads.com (did not find anything)
Novelist
Readalike.org
Reader's Advisory Online
Reader's responded, by e-mail, if they would read the book, had read the book, or would not read the book. The responses for Reader #5 were obtained by phone. I recommended seven books to Reader 1. She indicated that she would read three of the books. Six books were selected for each remaining reader's. Reader #2 would read three books. Reader #3 would read all six selected books. Reader #4 would read five books. Reader #5 would read four books and had read one of the suggested books.
Lessons Learned
I will not have the luxury of hours to find a good read when working with library patrons so I must move quickly.
The person helping the patron may find great books as well.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Up at the College
By Michele Andrea Bowen
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (April 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0446577758
Genre: Romance
I selected this book because I did not want to read a book labeled as a romance. I wanted a story filled with the longing and anticipation of love; where the people grew to love one another. In this regard, this book met my expectations.
It begins with the divorce of the heroine Yvonne Fountain Copeland who has put up with her husband’s awful taste in music and even more awful behavior. Darrell, the husband, cheats on Yvonne and then informs her, “I want you and the girls [his daughters] out of the house seven weeks from today” (5).
There are great descriptions and humorous sentences like the following from the Prologue that made continue reading.
After much contemplation, relentless journaling to soothe my endless vexation with you, tai chi, acupuncture and colon cleansing to rid myself of the impurities brought on by my anxiety over this situation, I have decided that I must find my way back to my original self through a wrenching detachment process some refer to as divorce.
Yes, I would be shocked and devastated if my husband expressed these thoughts but I think that at some point these same words would make me laugh intensely. (Note, I have never been married or experienced this kind of betrayal.)
So funny lines keep me in this book and the love story makes it more enjoyable. Of course Yvonne, “an authentic church girl,” is going to find a new mate. She finds him in the form of Coach Curtis Parker. They both work at Evangeline T. Marshall University in her hometown of Durham, North Carolina. There is the problem of Curtis having not yet devoted his life to Christian living but this obstacle can and will be removed. These two individuals became a couple after time and consideration. The couple falls in love while dealing with life; she is in need of a permanent position at the college and he has problems with the basketball team.
Up at the College has the characteristics listed by Saricks. There is an immediate emotional tone, you dislike her husband; the man is handsome and the female is “strong, bright, independent, and often beautiful” (Saricks, 204); I did not read this quickly but I could stop and start with ease; and the language is “instantly recognizable” once the couple is together. They are holding hands and Yvonne thinks “I can feel the touch of the palm of your hand in the center of my heart” (216).
Although, the book is too long and at times extremely predictable, I do enjoy her characters and discussion of the impact of gentrification on the African American community. Her characters and this theme appear in some of her other titles.
This is a good book for those who enjoy love stories; fiction that includes stories of faith and triumph; and real life situations.
By Michele Andrea Bowen
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (April 1, 2009)
ISBN-10: 0446577758
Genre: Romance
I selected this book because I did not want to read a book labeled as a romance. I wanted a story filled with the longing and anticipation of love; where the people grew to love one another. In this regard, this book met my expectations.
It begins with the divorce of the heroine Yvonne Fountain Copeland who has put up with her husband’s awful taste in music and even more awful behavior. Darrell, the husband, cheats on Yvonne and then informs her, “I want you and the girls [his daughters] out of the house seven weeks from today” (5).
There are great descriptions and humorous sentences like the following from the Prologue that made continue reading.
After much contemplation, relentless journaling to soothe my endless vexation with you, tai chi, acupuncture and colon cleansing to rid myself of the impurities brought on by my anxiety over this situation, I have decided that I must find my way back to my original self through a wrenching detachment process some refer to as divorce.
Yes, I would be shocked and devastated if my husband expressed these thoughts but I think that at some point these same words would make me laugh intensely. (Note, I have never been married or experienced this kind of betrayal.)
So funny lines keep me in this book and the love story makes it more enjoyable. Of course Yvonne, “an authentic church girl,” is going to find a new mate. She finds him in the form of Coach Curtis Parker. They both work at Evangeline T. Marshall University in her hometown of Durham, North Carolina. There is the problem of Curtis having not yet devoted his life to Christian living but this obstacle can and will be removed. These two individuals became a couple after time and consideration. The couple falls in love while dealing with life; she is in need of a permanent position at the college and he has problems with the basketball team.
Up at the College has the characteristics listed by Saricks. There is an immediate emotional tone, you dislike her husband; the man is handsome and the female is “strong, bright, independent, and often beautiful” (Saricks, 204); I did not read this quickly but I could stop and start with ease; and the language is “instantly recognizable” once the couple is together. They are holding hands and Yvonne thinks “I can feel the touch of the palm of your hand in the center of my heart” (216).
Although, the book is too long and at times extremely predictable, I do enjoy her characters and discussion of the impact of gentrification on the African American community. Her characters and this theme appear in some of her other titles.
This is a good book for those who enjoy love stories; fiction that includes stories of faith and triumph; and real life situations.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Super Service
I originally sought help for a Historical Fiction book on Friday, February 5th. Arriving at the library right after opening allowed me to do work for another class and view the art featured in the annual Meet the Artist exhibit. I went up to the fiction section and asked the person at the desk for help with finding a book. She was the only person at the desk. Instead of beginning with a computer search, she selected a book from the ready reference shelf in back of the desk, Historical Fiction: A Guide to the Genre by Johnson (I did not write the first name but a web search indicates that the author is Sarah L. Johnson). I browsed the book while she did a computer search. She then went to a public computer station and showed me NoveList and remarked that I could access the resource from home. By this time, I had found a selection in the genre book, Until that Good Day. She in turn went and found the book on the shelf which was great, because the shelving at this particular library can be somewhat confusing.
I am not sure that she was a librarian ( I have seen and talked to her before and am pretty sure that she is a librarian) but she was extremely helpful. Although I did not read this book, I appreciated her willingness to help.
After scanning some of the secret shopper posts and the e-mail concerning the project, I decided to visit another library to see if I would have a different experience. I am happy to say that again, excellent service was rendered.
This time I arrived prior to opening (Friday, April 2nd) and had to wait for the gate to be lifted. I was not alone as there were several other anxious patrons. I returned some books and then went to the reference desk. I asked the person (again, not sure that the person was a librarian as she did not have a visible badge) at the desk for help in finding a Literary Fiction book. She asked about the content of this type of book. I described literary fiction as usually darker with a slower pace (Saricks, 127). She then asked about the characters. I explained that Toni Morrison writes in the literary style. At this point, she did a computer search. She asked if I liked James Baldwin or Their Eyes Were Watching God. She also asked if I was okay with a children’s book to which I responded that I preferred not to have a juvenile book. She further explained that the book was not a children’s book.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor was her suggestion. The lady assisting me seemed very enthused about this book and author commenting that the author had written excellent books. I was pleased with this selection as I have not read the book and plan on reading for this and another class. She went to retrieve the book from the shelf. I asked her how she found the book to match my inquiry. She responded that she had used Amazon.com and the section that suggests additional books and authors if you like such and such. In this case, she used Toni Morrison as I mentioned early in the Reader’s Advisory interview. She suggested that I use websites that have .lib or .org as they are more authoritative.
Finally, I asked about Elizabeth Berg. A classmate recently presented one of her books as a similar read and I am interested in reading her work. She was familiar with the Berg. She suggested that I use the computer catalog to search for Bergs work (I told her that I would just go to the fiction section and search) since all the books might have the same call number. This was not necessarily part of the secret shopper experience but I felt comfortable in asking and confident in her ability to assist.
I am not sure that she was a librarian ( I have seen and talked to her before and am pretty sure that she is a librarian) but she was extremely helpful. Although I did not read this book, I appreciated her willingness to help.
After scanning some of the secret shopper posts and the e-mail concerning the project, I decided to visit another library to see if I would have a different experience. I am happy to say that again, excellent service was rendered.
This time I arrived prior to opening (Friday, April 2nd) and had to wait for the gate to be lifted. I was not alone as there were several other anxious patrons. I returned some books and then went to the reference desk. I asked the person (again, not sure that the person was a librarian as she did not have a visible badge) at the desk for help in finding a Literary Fiction book. She asked about the content of this type of book. I described literary fiction as usually darker with a slower pace (Saricks, 127). She then asked about the characters. I explained that Toni Morrison writes in the literary style. At this point, she did a computer search. She asked if I liked James Baldwin or Their Eyes Were Watching God. She also asked if I was okay with a children’s book to which I responded that I preferred not to have a juvenile book. She further explained that the book was not a children’s book.
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred Taylor was her suggestion. The lady assisting me seemed very enthused about this book and author commenting that the author had written excellent books. I was pleased with this selection as I have not read the book and plan on reading for this and another class. She went to retrieve the book from the shelf. I asked her how she found the book to match my inquiry. She responded that she had used Amazon.com and the section that suggests additional books and authors if you like such and such. In this case, she used Toni Morrison as I mentioned early in the Reader’s Advisory interview. She suggested that I use websites that have .lib or .org as they are more authoritative.
Finally, I asked about Elizabeth Berg. A classmate recently presented one of her books as a similar read and I am interested in reading her work. She was familiar with the Berg. She suggested that I use the computer catalog to search for Bergs work (I told her that I would just go to the fiction section and search) since all the books might have the same call number. This was not necessarily part of the secret shopper experience but I felt comfortable in asking and confident in her ability to assist.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Annotation-A Gathering of Old Men
A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines
Paperback: 213 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books USA (1992)
Copyright: 1983
ISBN: 0-679-73890-8
Genre: Historical Fiction, Classic
The old Black men on the Marshall plantation have gathered to fight the injustices of the past. One of the sharecroppers has killed a white man, Beau Boutan. Beau beat his worker. Candy Marshall is in the area where the Blacks live as these are her people, “I will protect my people.” She sends young Snookum (most of the characters have a nickname) to round up the men of the community for there will be consequences based on the past. Snookum runs to fulfill his assignment. Each man must determine what it is that they will do; fight or flight. One of the old men commented while riding to the designated meeting point, “I’m scared, but I’m here” (40). Sometimes being there is enough.
The old men that gathered at Mathu’s place, the determined location, faced down Mapes, the sheriff, and some even took slaps to the face; “Blood dripped from Uncle Billy’s mouth, but he would not wipe it away (68).” Still they stood; “Clatoo did not look down” (86). They had to stand for each one had a story of how the Cajuns had mistreated them from beating or mistreating their family members to taking ownership of land that their ancestors had worked for years. The old men were renters. They had to stand for the souls in the graveyard. Johnny Paul expressed what the others felt when sharing why he killed Beau to the sheriff:
You can’t see the church with the people, and you can’t hear the singing and the praying. You had to be here then to be able to don’t see it and don’t hear it now. But I was here then, and I don’t see it now, and that’s why I did it. I did it for them back there under them trees. I did it ‘cause that tractor is getting closer and closer to the graveyard, and I was scared if I didn’t do it, one day that tractor was go’n come in there and plow up them graves, getting rid of all the proof that we ever was (92).
There were a number of characters, although, this did not hinder the reading of the story. The main characters represent figures from the past:
The Old Men
Mathu, Charlie, Johnny Paul, Clatoo, Chimley, Mat, Yank, Dirty Red, Billy and the others
They are the slaves who said no and revolted, they are the freedom seekers who traveled on the Underground Railroad, they are the ones who paved the way. They are men.
Beau Boutan, the overseer
While smiling he told his worker, “I was go’n have a little fun with you first. Was go’n hunt you like a rabbit, and shoot you when I got tired. But now look like I aint’ go’n waste my time” (191).
Fix Boutan, the Night Riders of the past
Candy Marshall, the Savior
“I will protect my people.” On the surface this seems gallant but underneath it all, her character is the personification of a redeemer. These were her people as in property. She just did not recognize this fallacy in herself. She loved Mathu but she loved the memories of her ancestors and the land even more. Candy wanted Mathu around so that he could tell her future unborn child “about Grandpa. Tell him about the field. Tell him how the river looked before the cabins and wharves. No one else to tell about these things but you” (177).
Luke Will, the vigilante who cannot leave the past
Gilbert Boutan, the voice of reason when faced with his family heritage…. “Those days are gone forever, I hope” (143).
This book will appeal to readers because it is a story that they have heard many times before but told here from a personal perspective of those most impacted. The men get to tell their story as opposed to a historian or journalist. Yes, this is fiction but good fiction is based in fact. The theme of injustice and response to injustice is a human story. There are strong, developed characters. There is humor; the female characters are strong willed and provide comic relief. Snookum also offers humor in innocence. There is a suitable, good ending. Most importantly, there is a lesson; a lesson of determination and strength. This is a moving story that will challenge readers to think beyond the past.
Paperback: 213 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books USA (1992)
Copyright: 1983
ISBN: 0-679-73890-8
Genre: Historical Fiction, Classic
The old Black men on the Marshall plantation have gathered to fight the injustices of the past. One of the sharecroppers has killed a white man, Beau Boutan. Beau beat his worker. Candy Marshall is in the area where the Blacks live as these are her people, “I will protect my people.” She sends young Snookum (most of the characters have a nickname) to round up the men of the community for there will be consequences based on the past. Snookum runs to fulfill his assignment. Each man must determine what it is that they will do; fight or flight. One of the old men commented while riding to the designated meeting point, “I’m scared, but I’m here” (40). Sometimes being there is enough.
The old men that gathered at Mathu’s place, the determined location, faced down Mapes, the sheriff, and some even took slaps to the face; “Blood dripped from Uncle Billy’s mouth, but he would not wipe it away (68).” Still they stood; “Clatoo did not look down” (86). They had to stand for each one had a story of how the Cajuns had mistreated them from beating or mistreating their family members to taking ownership of land that their ancestors had worked for years. The old men were renters. They had to stand for the souls in the graveyard. Johnny Paul expressed what the others felt when sharing why he killed Beau to the sheriff:
You can’t see the church with the people, and you can’t hear the singing and the praying. You had to be here then to be able to don’t see it and don’t hear it now. But I was here then, and I don’t see it now, and that’s why I did it. I did it for them back there under them trees. I did it ‘cause that tractor is getting closer and closer to the graveyard, and I was scared if I didn’t do it, one day that tractor was go’n come in there and plow up them graves, getting rid of all the proof that we ever was (92).
There were a number of characters, although, this did not hinder the reading of the story. The main characters represent figures from the past:
The Old Men
Mathu, Charlie, Johnny Paul, Clatoo, Chimley, Mat, Yank, Dirty Red, Billy and the others
They are the slaves who said no and revolted, they are the freedom seekers who traveled on the Underground Railroad, they are the ones who paved the way. They are men.
Beau Boutan, the overseer
While smiling he told his worker, “I was go’n have a little fun with you first. Was go’n hunt you like a rabbit, and shoot you when I got tired. But now look like I aint’ go’n waste my time” (191).
Fix Boutan, the Night Riders of the past
Candy Marshall, the Savior
“I will protect my people.” On the surface this seems gallant but underneath it all, her character is the personification of a redeemer. These were her people as in property. She just did not recognize this fallacy in herself. She loved Mathu but she loved the memories of her ancestors and the land even more. Candy wanted Mathu around so that he could tell her future unborn child “about Grandpa. Tell him about the field. Tell him how the river looked before the cabins and wharves. No one else to tell about these things but you” (177).
Luke Will, the vigilante who cannot leave the past
Gilbert Boutan, the voice of reason when faced with his family heritage…. “Those days are gone forever, I hope” (143).
This book will appeal to readers because it is a story that they have heard many times before but told here from a personal perspective of those most impacted. The men get to tell their story as opposed to a historian or journalist. Yes, this is fiction but good fiction is based in fact. The theme of injustice and response to injustice is a human story. There are strong, developed characters. There is humor; the female characters are strong willed and provide comic relief. Snookum also offers humor in innocence. There is a suitable, good ending. Most importantly, there is a lesson; a lesson of determination and strength. This is a moving story that will challenge readers to think beyond the past.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Kirkus Style Review... A Gathering of Old Men
A Gathering of Old Men by Ernest J. Gaines
Paperback: 213 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books USA (1992)
ISBN: 0-679-73890-8
Genre: Historical Fiction
The voices of the slaves are whispering in the wind. We hear them on a sugarcane plantation in Louisiana in the 1970s but it could easily be a plantation anywhere in the South pre Civil War. Like Nat Turner who led a slave revolt in Virginia in 1831 and those who sought freedom on the Underground Railroad to flee slavery there is a “day of reckoning.” In A Gathering of Old Men, Ernest Gaines presents a story of black versus white; past versus present; fight or flight. This is a dark story of murder on the plantation and the fear of the repercussions of a black man killing a landowner. It is a beautiful story of men coming together to STAND! The old black men stand together and all claim that they are guilty of the slaying. They are standing for freedom, standing against all the shame and sorrow of the past, and leaving an example of strength. A change has come! Powerful and exhilarating, this book can make you angry, make you cry and cause you to laugh. Brilliant!
Paperback: 213 pages
Publisher: Vintage Books USA (1992)
ISBN: 0-679-73890-8
Genre: Historical Fiction
The voices of the slaves are whispering in the wind. We hear them on a sugarcane plantation in Louisiana in the 1970s but it could easily be a plantation anywhere in the South pre Civil War. Like Nat Turner who led a slave revolt in Virginia in 1831 and those who sought freedom on the Underground Railroad to flee slavery there is a “day of reckoning.” In A Gathering of Old Men, Ernest Gaines presents a story of black versus white; past versus present; fight or flight. This is a dark story of murder on the plantation and the fear of the repercussions of a black man killing a landowner. It is a beautiful story of men coming together to STAND! The old black men stand together and all claim that they are guilty of the slaying. They are standing for freedom, standing against all the shame and sorrow of the past, and leaving an example of strength. A change has come! Powerful and exhilarating, this book can make you angry, make you cry and cause you to laugh. Brilliant!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Humor and Bibliotherapy
Humor is more than a tool for survival—at its best, it becomes an act of redemption. Humor allows us to redeem moments that might otherwise have been lost to pain or despair. Being able to laugh is sometimes more about working through an issue that it is about avoiding or treating it lightly.
Gina Barreca as quoted in “Reader’s Advisory and Bibliotherapy: Helping and Healing?” by Brian W. Sturm
I need to laugh, it is a daily essential. Laughter is good for my soul. I use laughter to help me through boredom, sorrow and of course joy.
When selecting books, I do read a lot of serious stories but they generally have an element of humor. It is a nice surprise when the author adds a great one liner or witty comment to lighten the mood during a particular solemn section of a book. This is true of life. There have been many occasions when I have felt grim and then someone will say something to change my entire mood; unfortunately, something negative can happen or be uttered yielding the opposite effect.
The day after my mother passed away, I went to the bookstore. I needed to escape; I needed some bibliotherapy. I recently grabbed the book that I read during that time period, a bookmark from my mom’s funeral is inside the front cover. Reading helped me through a rough time in my life.
Reading and laughter are coping methods.
Gina Barreca as quoted in “Reader’s Advisory and Bibliotherapy: Helping and Healing?” by Brian W. Sturm
I need to laugh, it is a daily essential. Laughter is good for my soul. I use laughter to help me through boredom, sorrow and of course joy.
When selecting books, I do read a lot of serious stories but they generally have an element of humor. It is a nice surprise when the author adds a great one liner or witty comment to lighten the mood during a particular solemn section of a book. This is true of life. There have been many occasions when I have felt grim and then someone will say something to change my entire mood; unfortunately, something negative can happen or be uttered yielding the opposite effect.
The day after my mother passed away, I went to the bookstore. I needed to escape; I needed some bibliotherapy. I recently grabbed the book that I read during that time period, a bookmark from my mom’s funeral is inside the front cover. Reading helped me through a rough time in my life.
Reading and laughter are coping methods.
Sweet Southern Soul: An Annotation of Her Own Place
Her Own Place: A Novel by Dori Sanders
Algonquin Books, 1993
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
ISBN: 1-56512-027-2
243 pages
Genre, Gentle Read
You are a young teenage girl in love. You marry the handsome boy. He heads to off to war. What do you do next? If you are Mae Lee Barnes you get to work. Told in four parts, Her Own Place is the story of Mae Lee Barnes as she reflects on her life as a daughter, mother, farmer/business woman, and friend. The reader witnesses her triumphs and travails.
The story takes place in Tally County, South Carolina. The author, Dori Sanders, is from South Carolina. Sander’s uses South Carolina as the backdrop for the story. Mae Lee is a senior in high school. She is smitten with Jeff Barnes, who “held her hand for a long time” during a summer picnic. The feeling was mutual as Jeff would like permission to marry her. Mae Lee was able to persuade her mother that this was the right thing to do; her mother’s comment “It’s good to get married.” Now she had to get her father’s approval. This would take some work. Jeff visited her home one Sunday afternoon so that Jeff could see her father. The young couple was married at the courthouse and spent their wedding night in his mother’s company bedroom. The next day Mae Lee watched him board a Greyhound bus heading to war. Mae Lee returns home. Aww….
This is where the story takes a change. Mae Lee goes off to work, saves the money she earns and buys some land (her mother had purchased the farm she and her parents lived on). She is preparing a place for her and her new husband. “Jeff Barnes returned from the war [World War II] without a scratch” and “nine months and four days after” the couple welcomed their first child. Jeff tried to be a farmer but it just did not work out so he went to the city. You never really know what he is doing in the city. He would come home and she would get pregnant. In all they had five children: Dallace, Taylor (the only boy), Annie Ruth, Nellie Grace, and Amberlee. After the last child, she did not become pregnant during his visits.
He offered to take her with him on several occasions. One day she agreed that yes, she should go with him and set out to prepare for her departure. This journey was not meant to be; her husband left her while she was getting herself and their youngest baby prepared to leave.
Mae Lee gave herself six months to get over her husband. Six months to grieve inwardly and be sad. After that it was finished.
And yes, she was finished. (Yeah for setting a time limited and sticking to it.) She figured out a way to take care of her five children, send them to college and manage a successful farm. She is the epitome of a strong woman. Mae Lee represents women at various stages in their lives.
This seems like a not so nice story and not a gentle read but it is a story of accomplishment. The novel is relaxing; your emotions are not put to extremes while reading. There are witty phrases and humor…“you must be looking at your body in your high school mirror” expressed when discussing the need to eat less.
The story is paced like a good road trip; slow (but not to slow) trip with interesting sights. We read about Mae Lee asking her parents to get married, her working at the munitions plant to save for a piece of land for she and her husband, the death of her parents, and the birth and marriages of her children. The story is substantive with interesting characters.
Mae Lee shared strong relationships with her parents, children, cousin Warren (who became a second father), her friend Ellabelle, her hospital volunteer friends and Fletcher Owens (boarder).
This is an excellent choice for readers who prefer portrayals of strong women in developed stories without sex and violence.
Algonquin Books, 1993
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
ISBN: 1-56512-027-2
243 pages
Genre, Gentle Read
You are a young teenage girl in love. You marry the handsome boy. He heads to off to war. What do you do next? If you are Mae Lee Barnes you get to work. Told in four parts, Her Own Place is the story of Mae Lee Barnes as she reflects on her life as a daughter, mother, farmer/business woman, and friend. The reader witnesses her triumphs and travails.
The story takes place in Tally County, South Carolina. The author, Dori Sanders, is from South Carolina. Sander’s uses South Carolina as the backdrop for the story. Mae Lee is a senior in high school. She is smitten with Jeff Barnes, who “held her hand for a long time” during a summer picnic. The feeling was mutual as Jeff would like permission to marry her. Mae Lee was able to persuade her mother that this was the right thing to do; her mother’s comment “It’s good to get married.” Now she had to get her father’s approval. This would take some work. Jeff visited her home one Sunday afternoon so that Jeff could see her father. The young couple was married at the courthouse and spent their wedding night in his mother’s company bedroom. The next day Mae Lee watched him board a Greyhound bus heading to war. Mae Lee returns home. Aww….
This is where the story takes a change. Mae Lee goes off to work, saves the money she earns and buys some land (her mother had purchased the farm she and her parents lived on). She is preparing a place for her and her new husband. “Jeff Barnes returned from the war [World War II] without a scratch” and “nine months and four days after” the couple welcomed their first child. Jeff tried to be a farmer but it just did not work out so he went to the city. You never really know what he is doing in the city. He would come home and she would get pregnant. In all they had five children: Dallace, Taylor (the only boy), Annie Ruth, Nellie Grace, and Amberlee. After the last child, she did not become pregnant during his visits.
He offered to take her with him on several occasions. One day she agreed that yes, she should go with him and set out to prepare for her departure. This journey was not meant to be; her husband left her while she was getting herself and their youngest baby prepared to leave.
Mae Lee gave herself six months to get over her husband. Six months to grieve inwardly and be sad. After that it was finished.
And yes, she was finished. (Yeah for setting a time limited and sticking to it.) She figured out a way to take care of her five children, send them to college and manage a successful farm. She is the epitome of a strong woman. Mae Lee represents women at various stages in their lives.
This seems like a not so nice story and not a gentle read but it is a story of accomplishment. The novel is relaxing; your emotions are not put to extremes while reading. There are witty phrases and humor…“you must be looking at your body in your high school mirror” expressed when discussing the need to eat less.
The story is paced like a good road trip; slow (but not to slow) trip with interesting sights. We read about Mae Lee asking her parents to get married, her working at the munitions plant to save for a piece of land for she and her husband, the death of her parents, and the birth and marriages of her children. The story is substantive with interesting characters.
Mae Lee shared strong relationships with her parents, children, cousin Warren (who became a second father), her friend Ellabelle, her hospital volunteer friends and Fletcher Owens (boarder).
This is an excellent choice for readers who prefer portrayals of strong women in developed stories without sex and violence.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Can Women Have it All? A response to class discussion
I say if you want to have children, if you want to get married, don't put that off because that sounds to me like a pretty important decision. Would you put it on par with your career? If you do, why wouldn't you go after it with equal fervor?
These are the words of Mika Brzezinski, co-host of "Morning Joe" on MSNBC. I do not watch the show but heard her speak about her new book, All Things at Once, on NPR’s “Tell me More.” In this interview she discusses the trials and triumphs of being a working mother. She was fired, had a scary incident with her very young daughter, worked nights, started all over and is in a good place through it all. The transcript can be read or audio heard here http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122486158.
As a working woman, working mother, or stay at home mom, you have to find what works best for you and your family. You may not have it all but you will have all that matters.
These are the words of Mika Brzezinski, co-host of "Morning Joe" on MSNBC. I do not watch the show but heard her speak about her new book, All Things at Once, on NPR’s “Tell me More.” In this interview she discusses the trials and triumphs of being a working mother. She was fired, had a scary incident with her very young daughter, worked nights, started all over and is in a good place through it all. The transcript can be read or audio heard here http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122486158.
As a working woman, working mother, or stay at home mom, you have to find what works best for you and your family. You may not have it all but you will have all that matters.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Hello,
This is my last semester in the SLIS program. I am taking four courses and still continuing to work thirty hours a week…this should be fun. The Adult Reader’s Advisory Class will allow me to read for enjoyment.
I enjoy reading African American literature. This is what you will usually find in my bag. I also really enjoy books about women, culture, and poetry (especially Langston Hughes and Mari Evans).
I love to spend time with my family. Traveling and visiting museums is also a great pastime.
Best,
Future Librarian
This is my last semester in the SLIS program. I am taking four courses and still continuing to work thirty hours a week…this should be fun. The Adult Reader’s Advisory Class will allow me to read for enjoyment.
I enjoy reading African American literature. This is what you will usually find in my bag. I also really enjoy books about women, culture, and poetry (especially Langston Hughes and Mari Evans).
I love to spend time with my family. Traveling and visiting museums is also a great pastime.
Best,
Future Librarian
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