American Royals

American Royals

by Katharine McGee
Random House Books for Young Readers, 2019. 448 pages. Sci-Fi

Book #1 in the eponymous series

After the Revolutionary War, General George Washington was offered the throne. And everyone knows he said yes. This alternate history explores the America's reigning House of Washington and the drama that surrounds Princess Beatrice as she prepares to become the first queen regnant of the United States. Living in her sister's shadow, Princess Samantha generally is unbothered, but that changes when she shows interest in a boy who is strictly off-limits to her. And let's not forget Samantha's twin Prince Jefferson, who is adored as the quintessential royal heartthrob and being pursued by two very different love interests. 

This work seems like a standard YA contemporary romance, where the enjoyment comes from untangling the drama. The premise of an American royal family is quite a fun sandbox to play in, but I wish McGee had colored a little more outside the lines. Beyond the fact that this takes place in the United States, there isn't much to tie this work and its characters to the nation. 

Flamer

Flamer

by Mike Curato
Henry Holt and Co., 2020. 368 pages. Graphic Novel

It's the summer between middle school and high school, and Aiden Navarro is away at camp. Everyone's going through changes, but for Aiden, the stakes feel higher. As he navigates friendships, deals with bullies, and spends time with Elias (a boy he can't stop thinking about), he finds himself on a path of self-discovery and acceptance.

As a queer reader, it was a unique experience reading this poignant, emotional graphic novel; I rarely read works to which I can relate so fully. There were parts that were uncomfortable and almost painful to read because of how personal and powerful the narrative is. I can easily see how this work lives up to the claim on its cover that "this book will save lives." 

Content warning: this work addresses difficult topics such as suicidal ideation, homophobia (including use of the f-slur), racism, fat-shaming, and teen sexuality.

Babel

Babel: Around the World in Twenty Languages

by Gaston Dorren
Atlantic Monthly, 2018. 316 pages. Nonfiction

To speak fluently with half of the world's 7.4 billion people in their mother tongues, you would need to know no fewer than twenty languages. Dorren sets out to explore these top twenty world languages, which range from the familiar (French, Spanish) to the surprising (Malay, Javanese, Bengali). Witty, fascinating and utterly compelling, Babel will change the way you look at and listen to the world and how it speaks.

Perhaps it's the linguist in me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's so fascinating to have a look at twenty of the world's most popular languages and their phonetics, grammar, and scripts. I know it's unrealistic to think that I could learn all of these languages fluently, but it's fun to imagine.

Digital Minimalism

Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World

by Cal Newport
Portfolio, 2019. 304 pages. Nonfiction

Minimalism is the art of knowing how much is just enough. Digital minimalism applies this idea to our personal technology. It's the key to living a focused life in an increasingly noisy world. This timely and enlightening book introduces a thoughtful method to decide what tools to use, for what purposes, and under what conditions.

Technology is intrinsically neither good nor bad. The key is using it to support your goals and values, rather than letting it use you. While I'm not going to get rid of my phone completely (and that isn't what Newport advocates for anyway), the principles in this work have helped me to feel less overwhelmed by technology and more in control.

The Song of Achilles

The Song of Achilles
by Madeline Miller
Bloomsbury, 2011. 378 pages. Fantasy

Brought together by chance, Achilles -- a strong and irresistible warrior -- and Patroclus -- an awkward, exiled prince -- forge an inseparable bond, risking the wrath of the gods. When word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped, all the heroes of Greece are called upon to lay siege to Troy in her name. Seduced by the promise of glory, Achilles joins their cause, and torn between love and fear, Patroclus follows. Little do they know that the cruel Fates will test them both as never before and demand a terrible sacrifice.

A fresh take on a Greek classic, this work showcases the character development of Achilles, the helplessness of Patroclus, and their innocent, strong love, all while preserving the characterization of the capricious, vengeful gods found in Homer's works. The descriptions were vivid and vibrant, if at times at the expense of the plot progression. It's worth noting that the women in this work are reduced to tropes, as seen in the misogynistic original myths; Miller's Circe is recommended as a companion read to highlight the true power of women.

Bloom

Bloom
by Kevin Panetta, ill. by Savanna Ganucheau
First Second, 2019. 368 pages. Graphic Novel

Now that high school is over, Ari is dying to move to the big city with his band — if he can just persuade his dad to let him quit his job at their struggling family bakery. But while interviewing candidates for his replacement, Ari meets Hector, an easygoing guy who loves baking as much as Ari wants to escape it. As they become closer over batches of bread, love is ready to bloom... that is, if Ari doesn’t ruin everything.

This heartwarming queer love story between two teenage boys is paired with a satisfying monochromatic color palette and a gorgeous art style. Both of the main characters (and several of the side characters) are very well developed. Bonus points for authentic looks at multiple cultures, including Ari's Greek family and Hector's Samoan heritage. That said, the plot is nothing extraordinary: slow-burn small-town summer romance, sprinkled with family drama throughout. Still a delightful, light-hearted read.

Reading Suggestion: Getting Personal

Helping people find great reads that match their interests is one of my favorite aspects of my job. As an assignment for school, I came up with recommendations for six close family members. (Pro-tip: never let them choose their own aliases.) Below are some of the questions I asked; not all of them were applicable in each circumstance, but I used them to help guide our conversation.

• What are some books or authors you enjoyed reading recently? 

• What kind of books are you in the mood for? 

• What kind of books do you like to read? What did you enjoy about them? 

• What kind of movies or TV shows do you like to watch? 

• Would you prefer something like these, or are you in the mood for something new? 

• What about these books/movies really appeals to you? Is it the way the plot moves, or how the characters are written, or the place and time it’s set in? 

• Does it bother you when a story meanders and takes its time to unfold? 

• Is there anything that really bothers you in a book? 

• Are you okay with a series? How about a larger book? 

• I’m getting a sense that you’d looking for... Am I on the right track, or am I missing the mark? 

• Is there anything I might have missed that you would like me to take into consideration as I find books to suggest for you? 

1. Jack R. (31M)

Jack R. has recently enjoyed reading book series like Percy Jackson, Odd Thomas, Jack Reacher, and Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children. He likes these books because of the descriptive and compelling writing style and the fast pacing. Jack is a fan of mystery and sci-fi genres, especially works that include paranormal elements. He enjoys reading series of books. Jack dislikes books with excessive profanity (in particular, the f-word) and works that are too simplistic or low-level, such as middle grade fiction.

My recommended reads for Jack R. are:

• 1632 by Eric Flint: “A West Virginia town is transported from the year 2000 to 1631 Germany at the height of the Thirty Years' War. Thrust into conflict, the town residents must also contend with moral issues such as who should be considered a citizen.” This gripping, fast-paced alternative history features an exciting, action-packed plot and well-researched period detail. First book in a series. 

• The Daughter of Sherlock Holmes by Leonard S. Goldberg: “A highly skilled nurse with unique mental talents is recruited into the investigative team of the elderly Dr. John Watson and his handsome son before being swept up in a Holmesian mystery with ties to the Second Afghan War, a hidden treasure and a murder at the highest levels of British society.” An intricately plotted, fast-paced historical mystery with an engaging writing style and a plot-driven storyline. First book in a series. 

• City of Broken Magic by Mirah Bolender: “Defending humans from a centuries-old magical weapon that consumes enemies and allies alike, a member of an elite team of magic diffusers becomes her city's only surviving protector in the wake of a massive attack.” This fast-paced fantasy fiction combines a suspenseful tone and an action-packed storyline in a compelling writing style. First book in a series. 

• Pulse by Michael T. Harvey: “Investigating the murder of a Harvard football star, a pair of veteran detectives are stunned when the victim's teen-runaway brother arrives at the scene, claiming to have metaphysical knowledge of the crime before it occurred.” A supernatural mystery that pairs a suspenseful tone with a compelling writing style.

• The Fury by John Farris: “The psychic powers that bind a young heiress and the son of a government assassin threaten the existence of humanity.” This suspenseful horror novel pairs a plot-driven storyline with a fast pace and a compelling writing style. First book in a series. 

Jack R. was most interested in Pulse and The Fury. He felt that these works met his reading interests quite well; he is waiting until the end of his semester to begin reading a new novel. Jack has no problem taking several months to slowly work through a good book a little at a time. Despite its suspenseful tone and elements of mystery fiction, Circle of Broken Magic was too far afield into the realm of fantasy fiction to align with Jack’s interests. He was excited to know how much gradation there is in the blending of genres: you can find books at virtually every point on the sliding scale between SFF and mystery. 

2. Jeremy S. (32M)

Jeremy S. has read books by Brandon Sanderson and J.K. Rowling, and he finds many elements of these works that he enjoys. He likes reading fantasy books, especially those that include werewolves and/or witches. Magic is a big appeal for Jeremy, and he likes reading about intricate magic systems and lush, well-described fantasy worlds. While he prefers a slower pace in his literature, Jeremy isn’t a big fan of drawn out, overly detailed battle scenes (think: Tolkien's Lord of the Rings), although gory details don’t bother him. He enjoys series of long books that he can invest in and get lost in. He also likes works that are LGBTQ diverse. 

My recommended reads for Jeremy S. are:

• A Discovery of Witches by Deborah E. Harkness: “Discovering a magical manuscript in Oxford's library, scholar Diana Bishop, a descendant of witches who has rejected her heritage, inadvertently unleashes a fantastical underworld of daemons, witches and vampires whose activities center around an enchanted treasure.” This intricately plotted fantasy series features a suspenseful tone and an engaging writing style. First book in a series. 

• The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefwater: “Blue Sargent's gift seems to be that she makes other people's talents stronger, and when she meets Gansey, one of the Raven Boys from the Aglionby Academy, she discovers that together their talents are a dangerous mix.” This leisurely paced urban fantasy features LGBTQ diverse characters and an intricately plotted storyline. First book in a series. 

• The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern: “Discovering a mysterious book of prisoner tales, a Vermont graduate student recognizes a story from his own life before following clues to a magical underground library that is being targeted for destruction.” This fantasy fiction with LGBTQ diverse characters features a compelling and lyrical writing style with a mystical and atmospheric tone. 

• The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare: “High Warlock Magnus Bane learns that a demon-worshipping cult, the Crimson Hand, is wreaking havoc across Europe, threatening more than just his romantic getaway with new boyfriend, Alec Lightwood.” The descriptive writing style of this LGBTQ-diverse fantasy pairs with an action-packed storyline. First book of a series. 

• The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon: “A queen who would survive assassination attempts to continue her ruling line is protected with forbidden magic by a court outsider, while a secret society works to prevent a dragon war.” This descriptive and lush epic fantasy features LGBTQ diverse characters and clocks in just above 800 pages. 

Jeremy S. felt that A Discovery of Witches was a good recommendation that aligned with his reading preferences. He’s also interested in The Red Scrolls of Magic, which might be influenced by the fact that he’s read other works by Cassandra Clare before. The Priory of the Orange Tree also seemed very interesting and similar to other works he has read. My two other suggestions might have missed the mark; it was difficult for Jeremy to articulate why certain books were more compelling, but I suppose that’s the nature of human preference in general. He was able to identify in our follow-up that the worldbuilding and the rules behind the system of magic are more important to his reading preferences than he had previously realized. 

3. Pearl F. (29F)

Pearl F. enjoys YA fiction like Hunger Games, The Maze Runner, and They Both Die at the End; however, she would prefer New Adult works with slightly older protagonists. She wants to avoid a big commitment with reading and prefers to read casually. Plot is a big appeal for Pearl: the characters aren’t as important to her as the storyline is. She also enjoys the feeling of the pieces falling into place towards the end of a fast-paced novel. 

My recommended reads for Pearl F. are:

• After by Anna Todd: “Tessa didn't plan on meeting H. during her freshman year of college. But now that she has, her life will never be the same.” This New Adult fiction features a plot-driven storyline and a fast pace. 

• Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman: “Erin is a documentary filmmaker on the brink of a professional breakthrough, Mark a handsome investment banker with big plans. Passionately in love, they embark on a dream honeymoon to the tropical island of Bora Bora, where they enjoy the sun, the sand, and each other. Then, while scuba diving in the crystal blue sea, they find something in the water.” A plot-driven storyline with a fast pace and a compelling writing style. 

• A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab: “Prepare to be dazzled by a world of parallel Londons -- where magic thrives, starves, or lies forgotten, and where power can destroy just as quickly as it can create.” This gateway fantasy combines a fast pace with a plot-driven storyline and a descriptive writing style.  

• Peeps by Scott Westerfeld: “Cal Thompson is a carrier of a parasite that causes vampirism and must hunt down all of the girlfriends he has unknowingly infected.” This fast-paced and story-driven horror narrative features well-crafted dialogue and a suspenseful tone. 

Pearl F. was excited about Something in the Water and began reading it with a friend. She also expressed interest in A Darker Shade of Magic, but she had some trepidation about her inclination to compare it with Rowling’s Harry Potter series. She had not previously heard of the New Adult genre, and she is glad to know that there is a term to designate the group of books that she is most interested in. Pearl felt that my description of After was too vague to pique her interest, and that perhaps additional information about this book would interest her further. She rated her satisfaction with these recommendations an 8 out of 10; while she often enjoys a suspenseful tone, the horror aspects of Peeps may fall without her interest zone. 

4. Nerlinda B. (65F)

Nerlinda B. is a non-native English speaker. Her preferred language of literature is Spanish, but she is okay to read works in English as well. She prefers nonfiction works that describe historical events from various points of view. The subject of the work is important to Nerlinda, and she enjoys learning about interpersonal conflict and how individuals have influenced the world around them. She has particular interest in true crime and legal drama. She has read extensively about Argentina’s Dirty War, and she is now ready to read books about other historical events, whether in the United States, Latin America, or elsewhere. 

My recommended reads for Nerlinda B. are:

• Lincoln’s Last Trial by Dan Abrams: “This gripping true story recreates Abraham Lincoln’s last murder trial—a case during which he defended the son of a close friend and loyal supporter who was accused of killing Lincoln’s mentor, and was forced to form an unholy alliance with a longtime enemy to win.” Currently available only in English. 

• Midnight in Mexico: A Reporter’s Journey through a Country’s Descent into the Darkness by Alfredo Corchado: “A Mexican-American journalist traces his 2007, twenty-four-hour effort to end a threat against his own life by a paramilitary group that sought to prevent his investigations into Mexico's drug trafficking and government corruption.” Available in Spanish as Medianoche en México. 

• Dead Girls by Selva Almada: “In this brutal, gripping novel, Selva Almada narrates the case of three small-town teenage girls murdered in the 1980's in the interior of Argentina. Almada takes these and other tales of abused women to weave together a dry, straightforward portrait of gender violence that surpasses national borders and speaks to readers' consciousness all over the world.” Available in Spanish as Chicas muertas. 

• Querida Dra. Polo by Ana María Polo: “Acclaimed television jurist Dr. Polo presents letters – many of which were vetoed for airing on television due to their explicit content – that she received from troubled people who reached out to her in the hope that her common sense and unerring ability to find justice and forgiveness can help them find their way.” Title in Spanish. 

• Los dueños de América Latina: Cómo amasaron sus fortunas los personajes más ricos e influyentes de la región by Gerardo Reyes: “The entrepreneurs featured in this book are the wealthiest and most influential people in Latin America. They were chosen taking into account Forbes magazine's list of the richest in the world and the degree of political influence in each country.” Title in Spanish. 

Nerlinda B. was generally pleased with the reading recommendations. She said that most of these works met her reading preferences perfectly, and she was appreciative that most of them have available translations in her native language. She was somewhat disinclined to read Querida Dra. Polo; this is because she frequently watches Dr. Polo’s television program, and she worries that the book would not match Dr. Polo’s energy on the screen. Furthermore, Nerlinda is more interested in how Dr. Polo decides legal cases, and the book seems to focus more on Dr. Polo as a person. She was very excited to begin reading Dead Girls.  

5. Bingo S. (53M)

Bingo S. has not read any books recently, but he remembers reading An Inconvenient Book by Glenn Beck and enjoying the humor and light tone. A priority for him is learning something new from the nonfiction books he reads. In particular, Bingo is interested in cooking, travel, and European history, in addition to how to enjoy retirement financially (not how to prepare for retirement); the subject is more important to him than the writing style or the pacing. 

My recommended reads for Bingo S. are:

• The Spice Necklace: A Food-lover’s Caribbean Adventure by Ann Vanderhoof: “Vanderhoof and her husband navigate the Caribbean on a sailboat, discovering local culture in each tiny port, and collecting sumptuous original recipes along the way.” This nonfiction work combines food writing with travel writing and presents the reader with a new world of experiences. 

• Dirt: Adventures in Lyon as a Chef in Training, Father, and Sleuth Looking for the Secret of French Cooking by Bill Buford: “Buford turns his inimitable attention from Italian cuisine to the food of France. He begins what becomes a five-year odyssey by shadowing the esteemed French chef Michel Richard, in Washington, D.C. But when Buford realizes that a stage in France is necessary, he goes to Lyon, the gastronomic capital of France, to prove that he is worthy of the gastronomic secrets he's learning.” This memoir combines elements of both travel writing and food writing while imparting a strong sense of place. 

• The Body: A Guide for Occupants by Bill Bryson: “The award-winning author presents an engaging head-to-toe tour of the human body that shares anecdotal insights into its functions, ability to heal and vulnerability to disease.” The humorous tone of this book pairs with a conversation writing style to make for an enjoyable reading experience. 

• The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century by Ian Mortimer: “Profiles everyday life in fourteenth-century England, covering everything from period beliefs and styles to hygiene and medical practices, and also discusses the influence of warfare.” Combines a funny tone with well-researched historical facts in an accessible and engaging writing style. 

• The 4% Rule and Safe Withdrawal Rates in Retirement by Todd R. Tresidder: “Applying a simple rule to a complex financial situation is just asking for trouble. Author and financial coach Todd R. Tresidder dives deep into the subject to provide you with a definitive, one-stop solution.”  

• Keys to a Successful Retirement: Staying Happy, Active, and Productive in Your Retired Years by Fritz Gilbert: “Covering topics like finances, embracing your passions, and dealing with feelings of aimlessness, grief, and depression that may crop up, this in-depth guide to retired living answers all the burning questions you want to ask—as well as those you’re afraid to. Take a complete look at your newfound freedom and explore what it really means to have a successful retirement.”

Bingo S. began reading The Body, and (so far) he has found it quite enjoyable. He appreciates the combination of informative with entertaining. He also expressed interest in reading The Spice Necklace, The Time Traveler’s Guide, and Keys to a Successful Retirement. In Bingo’s opinion, these books seem like a good fit for his interests in the upcoming season of his life. He was less interested in Dirt and The 4% Rule, and it was somewhat difficult for him to pinpoint why this was the case. Bingo remarked that Dirt seems to be more focused on the drama of the author’s life (rather than travel and culinary experiences) and that The 4% Rule seemed too narrowly focused, as well as rudimentary for a reader who has a PhD in Economics.

6. Jane S. (31F)

Jane S. loves novels with a good plot twist. She recently read The Silent Patient and loved how the author kept her guessing until the very end. She also enjoys nonlinear storylines and the sensation of having pieces of the storyline missing until the end, including when that calls for an unreliable narrator. Dystopian universes are also entertaining, but they are not a requirement for her reading interests. While explicit language doesn’t bother her, Jane is not comfortable with sex scenes and usually skips over them. She doesn’t mind romantic overtones as long as it’s not the primary focus of the book. It’s hard for her to commit to a cast of characters for a series or a long book, but she’s found exceptions to that rule in the past.

My recommended reads for Jane S. are:

• The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Anna Todd: “Doomed to repeat the same day over and over, Aiden Bishop must solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle in order to escape the curse in a world filled with enemies where nothing and no one are quite what they seem. Stuart Turton presents a breathlessly addictive mystery with an astonishing twist that will leave readers guessing until the very last page.” 

• The Second Sister by Claire Kendal: “An obsessive quest to solve the mystery of her older sister’s disappearance puts a young woman in mortal jeopardy in this taut, sophisticated novel of psychological suspense. An intoxicating cocktail of loyalty and secrets, lies and betrayal.”  

• The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn: “An agoraphobic recluse languishes in her New York City home, drinking wine and spying on her neighbors, before witnessing a terrible crime through her window that exposes her secrets and raises questions about her perceptions of reality.” This compelling psychological suspense features an unreliable narrator, flawed characters, and several plot twists to keep the reader guessing. 

• The Push by Ashley Audrain: “A devoted mother with a painful past gradually realizes that something is very wrong with her daughter, a fear that is complicated by her husband's dismissive views and the birth of a healthy son.” This suspenseful and heart-wrenching work of psychological suspense has an unreliable narrator and a nonlinear storyline. 

• In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware: “Reluctantly accepting an old friend's invitation to spend a weekend on the English countryside, reclusive writer Leonora awakens in a hospital badly injured, unable to recall what happened and confronting a growing certainty that someone involved has died.” This intricately plotted, creepy thriller centers on a bachelorette party gone horribly wrong. Incorporates flashbacks that reveal characters’ secrets. 

Jane S. was probably the most content of the people I provided reading suggestions to. She has looked into each of the titles I recommended, and they have all made it onto her “To Be Read” list. She recognized that they each are different from each other, but she thinks they all were good recommendations according to her reading interests. Jane hasn’t had time to begin reading yet, and it might be a while until she has any free time.

If you'd like your own reading suggestion, let me know! I'd be happy to chat about what you like to read and try to find something that fits your preferences.

The Culture and Future of Reading

Twenty Years Ago

April 28, 2001 – I just turned 7. One of my main griefs with life is that every first-grader gets a sticker on their chart when they lose a tooth, but none of mine have fallen out yet. (I would lose a few that summer, but most of them would wait until second grade.) I love reading almost as I love dolphins, which is a lot. I like to read during recess, but I usually have to do it outside until the bell rings. That's why I take a book with me to lunch. Some grown-ups say reading makes you smart, but I just do it for fun.

For some reason, my parents always dragged me along to Parent-Teacher Conferences, where my teachers would give glowing reviews of my academic performance. Several teachers recognized early on how "gifted" I was, particularly in mathematics and language arts. When my teacher asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I replied that I would like to be an author and a chef, stirring my soup as I write my next book. Despite the fact that I would ultimately pursue neither of these options, the love of reading was clearly instilled in me from a young age.

Looking at the personal reading habits of my childhood, I was a voracious, insatiable reader. I read anything and everything I could get my hands on. I read high above my grade level, skipping most early chapter books like Junie B. Jones altogether in favor of middle-grade/YA chapter books like Hatchet by Brian Paulsen and Harry Potter while still in elementary school.

I read everything from mysteries to action to sci-fi to fantasy to sports to westerns. (I remember reading Louis L'Amour in fourth or fifth grade. Not sure if it was appropriate content, but what's done is done.) I would read for hours after finishing my homework, sprawled out on the couch while my parents fixed dinner. I would also frequently read late into the night after my parents definitely thought I had gone to bed. Man, did I fool them. What a bad boy I was.

But life gets more complicated for everyone as they enter middle school, high school, higher education, and the workforce. There seems to be less time for reading, or rather, more things competing for our scarce leisure time. This led me to be more selective with what I read, and in certain seasons of my life, there was little to no reading whatsoever. 

As a child, I never tired from reading. As an adult, I find myself needing to vary what I read. While I have my favorites, I need to read diversely to avoid burnout. I can't read 20 thrillers in a row (not with this anxiety of mine.) Nor can I read 20 Westerns in a row. (I would literally burst into tears and/or flames.) This never seemed to be a problem as a child (see: me, age 9, reading the first 25 Animorphs books back-to-back-to-back-to...)

Twenty Years from Now

April 28, 2041 – A week after my 47th birthday, I revel in the luxury of a quiet Sunday. After church, my partner and I go off to visit my brother and his family for low-key festivities with close family. As much as we enjoy being with our loved ones, we don't stay too late: I've got to get to my job at the library in the morning, and I'm hoping to make some headway into the latest fantasy novel I checked out last week before turning in for the night. Opening the hardcover and smelling the fresh paper, I'm ready to begin this masterpiece of elemental magics that I've heard so much about....

Some are concerned for the longevity of the printed book, calling it a relic of a bygone era soon to be replaced with digital advances. However, I don't think that's something we need to worry about. Printed books have been around for quite some time, and they've been widespread since the Printing Revolution of the early 15th Century.

Of all the amazing things books are – an escape, a mirror, kindling for new thoughts, positively magical – one thing they aren't is fleeting. Books are here to stay, and there will always be those who prefer physical books to digital formats.

Some may argue that physical books will become a niche rarity, as we have seen with the formats of the vinyl record, the 8-track tape, the cassette tape, and the CD in the field of music. However, it is worth noting that each of these formats requires specialized equipment to be enjoyed, and this equipment can be worn down or broken, with increasing difficulty involved with finding replacements or repair services. This contrasts sharply with the printed book, which only requires "light, a human eye, and a human mind" (Le Guin, 2008, p. 37). And there's just something about holding a physical book that can't be replaced by a digital format, at least not in the next 20 years.

No one knows what the future holds, and who say if society will be reading more or less in 20 years. As literature forms an important piece of my livelihood, I will doubtless continue reading until my eyes or my mind no longer allow me to do so. While not everyone reads now and not everyone will read in the future, it's safe to say that books will always find a refuge and be welcome in my home.

Reference

Le Guin, U.K. (2008). Staying awake: Notes on the alleged decline of reading. Harper's Magazine, 316(1893), 33-37.

Marketing Fiction

The word "marketing" can carry with it several professional business connotations, as shown in this word cloud. While marketing certainly is crucial in a public library's operation, it can be counterproductive to throw these terms at patrons, as this can be antithetical to the warm, welcoming atmosphere that is sought in a public library.

Tom Fishburne, the founder and CEO of Marketoonist, once said, "The best marketing doesn't feel like marketing" (Swincoe, 2017). In light of this idea, below are three ways in which a public library could market their adult fiction collection without cramming the marketing aspect down the patrons' throats.

Book Displays

An example of a permanent library display.

Selecting a small group of books with a descriptive sign can be a very effective marketing tool for public libraries. Of course, librarians should frequently monitor these displays and replace items that have been removed by patrons for checkout. These displays should "capitalize on the elements of books that appeal to readers" (Saricks, 2005, p. 142), such as pacing, mood, or subject matter. Saricks (2005) also promotes the idea of a permanent display for "Good Books You May Have Missed"; this display provides patrons with "a small group of suggested titles from which to choose" (p. 140) from a variety of genres and vetted by a variety of readers' advisory staff. Having the display populated by various staff members will ensure that personal reading preference or bias does not heavily sway the titles that are chosen for display.

Annotated Book Lists

A locally-produced book list that lists titles (that the library owns!) and a brief comment or annotation can be printed as a trifold brochure. Book lists should be curated to address areas of patron interest, such as Romantic Suspense or Sports Fiction. The process of creating a bookmark can also promote professional development, as it "exposes a novice bibliographer to the process of choosing a theme and selecting books related to patrons' interests and to the rigors of proofreading" (Saricks, 2005, p. 145).

Saricks (2005) remarks on the effectiveness of staff-made book lists: "We all know that many patrons like to browse for their leisure reading on their own, and they are pleased to find a selection of book lists on a wide range to topics; they can choose one or more and simply take them into the stacks with them as a guide to reading suggestions" (p. 143). In addition to being displayed in checkout or service areas, these can also be featured on appropriate book displays.

Book Discussion Groups

Excluding times of pandemic, the public library should be a gathering place for the community to come together. Book discussion groups are a great way to promote this aspect of a library's purpose and simultaneously advertise the adult fiction collection. Saricks (2005) remarks on the ever increasing availability of resources for book discussion groups: "[S]ometimes discussion questions are even offered by publishers in the book themselves" (p. 157).

Regardless of whether or not a library offers staff-led book discussions, it should always "offer assistance to [book discussion group] leaders in finding information on organizing and running a group and locating materials, including suggesting titles that make good discussions, biographical information about the author, reviews and other printed material about the book, and published questions if available" (Saricks, 2005, p. 157). 

******

These are just a few ways in which public libraries can help advertise their adult fiction collections. If patrons don't know what resources are available to them, they're much less likely to use the resources. They all rely on the expertise and skill of readers' advisory staff. However, as Saricks (2005) mentions, "it is important to remember that we are marketing and promoting a service as well as materials" (p. 157).  These ways to market the adult fiction collection also help the community view the library as a resource in meeting the leisure and informational needs of its patrons.

References

Saricks, J. (2005) Promoting and marketing readers’ advisory collections and services. Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library. ALA. 136-160.

Swincoe, A. (Host). (2017, October 23). PunkCX [Audio podcast]. RARE Business. https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/blogpodcasts/TomFishburneMarketoonist250917.mp3

LGBTQ and Street Lit

Me with my partner at the Christus in Salt Lake City.

I'm a gay, religious person of color, but you might not know it looking at my face. My queerness and my faith-based beliefs are not physically manifest in my outward appearance (no matter how good you think your "gay-dar" is). Due to my mixed racial heritage, my ethnicity is also not immediately discernible in certain situations. In short, I can pass as a member of the majority in many circumstances. As a cis male, I often am a member of the majority in certain aspects.

With my tremendous amount of privilege, it is my responsibility to inform myself and advocate for minorities, which includes confronting racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, biphobia, and religious discrimination. As a librarian, the venue where I use my privilege is quite often the public library. A public library exists to serve the public, and the public is diverse. All members of a community deserve to be represented and valued in the library. 

LGBTQ literature should not be separated from the general collection, and neither should it be identified with spine labels. What message does a library send when it separates out certain groups of books into their own "special places"? In my experience, there are three main results that stem from such a policy: 1) the pigeonholing of these works and the restriction of their limits, 2) the ostracism of these items and their readers, and 3) a lack of anonymity for patrons who choose to consult these items.

1. Pigeonholing

Pigeonholing is "a process that attempts to classify disparate entities into a limited number of categories" (Pigeonholing in Wikipedia, 2021). When we label a book as "LGBT literature," we assign it to a category. The National Coalition Against Censorship (n.d.) highlights the downfalls of this categorization, stating, "Calling a book 'gay-themed' or even 'LGBTQ-themed' doesn’t tell you much about it. In fact, it creates an artificial category....  [Books] under the label 'LGBTQ-themed' are really just books about everyday life. While they may have gay characters or address homophobia, those themes are often not central to the plot." When we pigeonhole a work, we reduce it to only one of its many aspects, to the detriment of its literary richness.

Discussing her decision as to the location of LGBT literature in her school library, library media specialist Vanessa Perez (2019) asked for input from her patrons: "While students wanted the books to be visible, they didn’t want the books segregated in a separate section or stickered with a rainbow. LGBTQ is not a genre. There are not queer romances, there are romances with queer main characters. There are not lesbian mysteries, there are mystery books with lesbian detectives. Trans students are not the only students who can or should read books with trans heroes." Just as a person is more than their sexuality, we do works of literature a disservice when we limit them to the sexuality of their characters or creators.  

2. Ostracism

Have you ever felt different? I certainly have. I’m going out a limb here to say that I think most of us, if not all of us, have felt different at some point in our lives. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. They say that variety is the spice of life, and I firmly believe that can be true. But sometimes being different is hard.

Imagine your difference from the norm resulted in insults and mean, unkind language. The society you live in teaches that your differences from everyone else are bad: shameful, unnatural, even disgusting. People will ask you to hide who you are so they don’t feel uncomfortable. Even if your family accepts you with your differences, there will almost certainly be relatives who don’t. You hear horrifying stories of people like you who have been physically attacked or even killed because of who they are.

How would you react? You might try to hide your differences, or wish them away. Your life could quite easily be filled with shame and fear. There are countless LGBT people who could tell our life stories. Many of us have learned pride and hope in the face of strife, and we have found a community that loves and accepts us. While our stories are certainly not all the same, most LGBT people share (at least in some degree) a legacy of shame in who we are, as a product of the society we live in.

Many of us have learned pride and hope. 

Speaking of her school library, Perez (2019) points out that "[d]eclaring a book with LGBTQ characters inappropriate for school is the same as declaring LGBTQ students and families inappropriate for school. It sends the message, 'You don’t belong here. We’ll remove this book and we’ll try to remove you, too.'" She goes on to discuss how educators and librarians can make a difference; "[T]hey can defend and protect students through acceptance: 'You belong here with us. We see you and your life matters.'"

Only marginally better than banning it outright, separating LGBT literature from other fiction works creates a sense of otherness and alienation. It also implies that LGBT people should be separated from other people and denies us our humanity. Regarding the separation of LGBT children's materials to a "special location" away from the general collection, former librarian Kelly Jensen (2016) argues that this "sends the message that queer people aren't people. They're an issue."  Jensen continues that this policy "tell[s] queer children and families, as well as those from families that aren’t, that they’re an issue that needs to be dealt with separately. That they’re not part of their own community." 

By the same token, integrating the fiction collection can help all members of our community feel welcome and accepted. Hearing those stories enrich us all -- whether we are LGBT or not -- on our journey to finding who we are and embracing the rich diversity of our world.

3. Lack of Anonymity

How would you feel if everyone knew what books you were reading? What if everyone could see that you checked out a book on how to file for divorce, or how to leave an abusive relationship, or how to improve your sex life?

Certainly there are topics that should be allowed the dignity of privacy, and sexuality is certainly one of them. The right to privacy is a fundamental building block of public libraries, and isolating or labelling LGBT materials can cause a breach of privacy. Amanda Wilk, a branch manager at Kitchener Public Library, notes that "identifying books with LGBTQ+ labels may prevent library users from accessing them for fear of being outed" (Open Shelf, 2018). 

The toolkit "Open to All" by the American Library Association Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table (n.d.) states, "In any community, there are GLBT persons who are not ready to be recognized as such.... People who are 'in the closet' or questioning often need information resources the most, so it is essential to provide safe and anonymous access, without judgment" (p. 2). It continues, "Interfiling GLBT materials can be a positive move for libraries; when these materials are placed alongside other books and materials, GLBT users feel welcomed" (p. 6).

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These same principles apply to several other groups of books, such as works by or about individuals with disabilities, of particular races or ethnicities, belonging to religious or political groups, etc. That is to say, given the inappropriateness of creating a separate LGBT section, it would be equally inappropriate to separate out a "Disabled People" section, a "Asians" section, a "Muslims" section, or a "Republicans" section.

However, the issue becomes somewhat more complicated when it comes to street lit. Librarian Rollie Welch (2011) asserts that "distinctions between street lit and mainstream fiction are evident. Street lit is a subgenre of fiction, similar to romance and western novels" (p. 266). He also argues against the grouping of street lit in a section of "African American fiction" or "black fiction," calling up the hypothetical of separating out works by Danielle Steel and Louis L'Amour into a section based on the author's race.

A library may separate or label its fiction collection according to genre if its intent is to "facilitate access by making it easier for users to locate resources" (American Library Association, 2015). However, the American Library Association (2015) warns against "[p]rejudicial labels [that] are designed to restrict access, based on a value judgment that the content, language, or themes of the resource, or the background or views of the creator(s) of the resource, render it inappropriate or offensive for all or certain groups of users" (2015). A label or a separate shelving location may be appropriate based on genre, including street lit, but the utmost care should be taken to prevent this labeling from relying on a value judgment about the content of the work or the background of the creator.

References

American Library Association. (2015, July 13). "Labeling systems: An interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights". Retrieved April 13, 2021, from http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/interpretation/labeling-systems Document ID: 211cf21a-4164-b9e4-658b-35ef709f3e22

American Library Association Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table. (n.d.). "Open to all: Serving the GLBT community in your library." Retrieved April 13, 2021, from http://www.ala.org/rt/sites/ala.org.rt/files/content/professionaltools/160309-glbtrt-open-to-all-toolkit-online.pdf

Jensen, K. (2018, October 13). "Queer phobia and the public library." Book Riot. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://bookriot.com/public-libraries-you-owe-your-queer-patrons-better/

National Coalition Against Censorship. (n.d.). "LGBTQ right to read resource guide." Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://ncac.org/resource/krrp-lgbtq-content-right-to-read-resource

Open Shelf. (2018, April 3). "Respecting anonymity through collection development." Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://open-shelf.ca/180403-respecting-anonymity-through-collection-development/

Perez, V. (2019, February 28). "Libraries can be LGBTQ-affirming spaces on school campuses." National Council of Teachers of English. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://ncte.org/blog/2019/02/libraries-can-be-lgbtq-affirming-spaces-on-school-campuses/

Pigeonholing. (2021, February 18). In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 13, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pigeonholing&oldid=1007536700

Welch, R. (2011). Everything street literature. Libraries Unlimited.

*Portions of this blogpost first appeared on Provo City Library blog.*

Young Adult and Graphic Novels

I have a big secret to share: my favorite flavor of ice cream is vanilla.

I can definitely be happy with a big bowl of strawberry or mint chocolate chip or butter pecan ice cream. And I've had pleasant times with blackberry, butterscotch, and even banana ice creams. But if we're talking favorites, it's hard to beat vanilla. And that's pure, unadulterated vanilla, without chocolate syrup or chopped nuts or anything. Just that creamy and delicious, classic taste really hits the spot for me any time of year.

You wouldn't believe how contentious this preference has been.

Upon learning my secret, several people have told me, to my face, that vanilla ice cream is:

• Plain
• Default
• Boring
• Bland
• Nasty
• Needs more flavors to be worth consuming

Now you see why I keep it a secret. But guess what all that vanilla hate has done to change my preferences? Absolutely nothing. At the end of the day, I still like what I like.

Like our misunderstood friend vanilla ice cream, young adult (YA) literature and graphic novels often come under fire; for some, these groups of books don't qualify as "quality literature for adults," whatever that means. Below I present some tips for how librarians can ensure that we are able to serve adults who enjoy YA literature or graphic novels with the help of some parallels to frozen dairy treats: the library is the ice cream parlor, YA lit and graphic novels are the delicious vanilla ice cream, and you, dear librarian reader, are the terribly overqualified employee behind the counter in a brightly colored (albeit uncomfortable) uniform. Let's dig in.

Tip #1: Have YA literature and graphic novels in your collection.

This might seem obvious, but how can I possibly order a double scoop of vanilla ice cream when there simply isn't any vanilla ice cream in the building? Just as the parlor's choice to buy vanilla ice cream communicates to the haters know that it's still a dessert worth buying (like I said, Dad), the decision to incorporate these materials into a library's collection legitimizes these works as "real" books and worth checking out. There is power in how a library decides to allocate its budget, and in how it decides to utilize the funds in that budget. Libraries send the message that they value YA literature and graphic novels by adding them to the collection. 

Tip #2: Be familiar with these items.

Suppose you were one of these sad, anti-vanilla individuals as an ice cream server. How would you feel when an individual with great taste orders vanilla? Do you think your feelings might change if you tried a sample of the French Vanilla or Vanilla Bean ice creams that the parlor sells? You still might not like it, but you may be able to relate to vanilla aficionados a little bit more.

This is not to suggest that any librarian need read every book in their collection; such a lofty goal is unrealistic and unfeasible. (However, if I worked in an ice cream parlor, you better believe that I would try every single flavor. But I digress.) As we read broadly as librarians—dipping our toes into various genres, age groups, and formats—we are better able to understand the appeal of certain groups of books and make recommendations to our patrons. If you personally look down on a group of books, whether it be YA literature, graphic novels, or a specific genre like Romance or Hard Sci-Fi, try reading a work or two from the group. To take it a step further, discuss the works with a colleague who loves the literature in question and ask them what aspects draw them in. You may or may not discover a new favorite, but you'll surely discover empathy, the ability to put yourself in someone else's shoes.

Tip #3: Include these materials in reader's advisory.

The bright-eyed child who is nearly overwhelmed with options may have a difficult time deciding which flavor to get after their Little League victory. Suppose this particularly indecisive youngster is entirely beset by the number of options behind the window. What do you think would happen if the clerk suggested Bubblegum Blast? What if they suggest Orange Mango Tango? What if they suggest Prune and Black Walnut? (Okay, that last one may be more popular among those with a more mature palate, but my point still stands.)

Library patrons are often at least somewhat impressionable to the recommendations that librarians make. What's more, the works we recommend are given an air of legitimacy by sheer virtue of the fact that we recommended them. "Surely," the patron thinks, "this professional would not offer me anything less than the literary crème de la crème." 

Please note that this concept also applies to passive readers' advisory interactions, such as displays and book lists. When we include YA literature and graphic novels in our readers' advisory interactions, we legitimize them as we encourage our patrons to expand their horizons and read the whole collection.

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These three tips can help librarians ensure that we can serve all of our patrons who enjoy YA literature or graphic novels, regardless of their age or any other status. And to everyone who doesn't like YA literature, graphic novels, or vanilla ice cream, I say: that's fine. Just don't rain on the parade of those who have tastes different from yours. Everyone should be free to read the books they like, and to eat the ice cream they like, and heck, even to do both at the same time.

Readers' Advisory Matrix

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
☐ Highly narrative (reads like fiction)
☑ A mix (combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose)
☐ Highly fact based (has few or no narrative moments)

2. What is the subject of the book? Social justice—the book discusses US criminal justice system and a lawyer's pursuit of compassion in American justice.

3. What type of book is it? A memoir in narrative form.

4. Articulate appeal

What is the pacing of the book? A measured pace. It reads quickly without rushing or crowding the storylines.

Describe the characters of the book. The life stories of the various inmates comprise the bulk of the work. The main characters are Walter McMillan, a man sentenced to death for a murder he did not commit, and Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer who defends the wrongly condemned.

How does the story feel? Even in its gruesome description of the conditions imposed on imprisoned individuals, the book keeps its inspiring and uplifting tone. However, it purposely is not warm or comfortable for the reader, disturbing enough to evoke emotion and cause action.

What is the intent of the author? To draw attention to the flaws of the criminal justice system (particularly for people of color) and call for an end to mass incarceration and capital punishment in America.

What is the focus of the story? The wild injustices endured by innocent people in the United States, often related to their class or race.

Does the language matter? No.

Is the setting important and well described? It is critical to the gravity of the work that the stories are set in modern-day America, particularly in the southern United States. Since the book focuses on the lawyer's efforts in courtrooms and prisons, the setting is only described to the degree that it allows the reader to empathize with the characters.

Are there details and, if so, of what? The details included in the work focus on the injustices suffered by innocent characters and the absurdity in the criminal justice system.

Are there sufficient charts or other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? None.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? All three: learning about injustices that the public is largely unaware of, understanding how race still plays an issue in America's criminal justice system today, and experiencing the failings of the system to provide justice and mercy, along with the subsequent frustration and impetus to effect change.

5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?

1. Learning
2. Setting
3. Tone

eBooks and Audiobooks

In one of Shakespeare's most famous plays, Juliet cogitates on the question, "What's in a name?" before producing, "That which we call a rose / By any other name would smell as sweet" (Shakespeare, n.d., 2.2.46-47). Some 400 years later, most are in agreement with the young star-crossed lover, accepting that a rose's scent is independent of its name. However, things become more complicated when we turn our attention to literature format: does that which we call a book in any other format still read as sweet?

Even the simplest view into electronic and audiovisual resources in a library setting dredges up myriad concerns: licensing, copyright, whether devices are available to patrons or if they provide their own, the decision whether to have multiple versions of the same title in varying formats, and the ever-advancing march of technology. (Just think of cassette tapes and VHS.) However, I will focus on how format affects the experience of the reader, not the back-of-the-house library structure.

Most avid readers know the smell of an old book: a slightly musty, grassy smell that might have notes of vanilla in it. Scientists have isolated several compounds responsible for this smell (like byproducts of the degradation of woody molecule lignin), as reported by Mental Floss (Soniak, 2012). You can even buy a candle that smells like books -- go ahead, I'll wait here while you search Etsy for "book smell candle". Memory is linked to the sense of smell; Strlič explains, "Our sense of smell is very close to the memory center in the human brain, and therefore we very often associate memories with certain smells very powerfully and very strongly," continuing "smell plays such an important role in how we experience heritage" (as cited in Laliberte, 2020). In addition to smell, the binding of the book can contribute to the reading experience; for instance, the popularity of the mass market paperback format has led to ridicule and derision of the Romance genre over decades.

Besides the physical senses, other aspects of the reading experience are affected by the format of a book. An eBook, for example, doesn't give you that sense of thrill when you only have 50 pages left and the mystery is far from solved, so you stay up reading late into the night. (For those wondering, that was my experience with And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie in 5th or 6th grade.) As illustrated in this example, the pacing of a work is partially driven by the physical medium, as well as how much text is present on a page. Both of these factors transfer poorly to electronic media, and the pace is left to narrative drive alone. The physical layout of a page can also give hints to the work's tone: consider seeing a large block of text versus several short lines of dialogue. Without these visual cues, the reader may "tire of the story more quickly" (Dunneback & Trott, 2011, p. 4). Also, an electronic format makes it more difficult to skim back and re-read a passage, particularly if you aren't sure exactly where it was, which may result frustrating for readers of richly detailed works.

Selecting an audiobook also means sacrificing certain aspects of the work. Illustrations, maps, charts, and other images simply cannot be conveyed in an audio recording, and the very idea of an audio graphic novel is absurd. Some works also have structural issues that make an audio version difficult: consider how you would format an audiobook of the Choose Your Own Adventure series. (An ingenious solution, Neil Patrick Harris simply reads all the options in his similarly formatted book Neil Patrick Harris: Choose Your Own Autobiography, but he even mentions in the recording how the experience is diminished by the lack of photographs of his younger self.)

Despite these drawbacks, there are certain benefits that come from these expanded formats. Consider a patron with arthritis or another physical impairment who cannot hold a book for the amount of time required to read it. For them, electronic and audio formats become an issue of accessibility. Similarly, visually impaired patrons can often adjust the size of print in an eBook (or sidestep the issue by choosing an audio format). Further, certain formats can simply be more convenient for the reader, whether that's eBooks on a trip out of town or audiobooks during a morning commute. Truth be told, most of my reading comes while I'm driving back and forth from work. (Obviously, I choose an audio format to drive safely.)

Audiobooks in particular add a new dimension to a work, with voice quality, tone, and artistic delivery all impacting and (hopefully) enriching the literary experience. The mood of the book can be enhanced by the performer(s), whether that mood is comedic, engrossing, intense, or somber. The use of special effects, background music, or even a live audience can transform a work into a full show. Take a look at pages 30-34 of this brochure by NoveList about story elements for more examples of elements that may draw a reader to a particular audio recording.

Differing formats of books allow for different experiences, and these experiences appeal to different audiences. For some, print books present accessibility issues. For others, the trade-offs are worth the benefits. At the end of the day, reading is reading, whatever format you choose. A book in any other format has its own pluses and minuses, and readers should we aware of this fact. 

But the jury's still out on if it reads any sweeter; I guess that's a matter of taste.

References

Dunneback, K., & Trott, B. (2011). E-books and readers' advisory. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 50(4), 325-9. 

Laliberte, M. (2020, January 26). Science has figured out why you love the smell of old books. Reader's Digest. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.rd.com/article/old-book-smell/

Shakespeare, W. (n.d.). Romeo and Juliet. J. Hylton (Ed.). MIT. http://shakespeare.mit.edu/romeo_juliet/romeo_juliet.2.2.html (Original work published 1597)

Soniak, M. (2012, July 19). What causes "old book smell"? Mental Floss. Retrieved March 24, 2021, from https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31235/what-causes-old-book-smell

The Man Called Noon

The Man Called Noon
by Louis L'Amour
Bantam, 1969. 240 pages. Western

Settings: El Paso, Colorado, and New Mexico; presumably mid- to late-1800s.

Plot Summary: Waking up with no memory and an urgent sense of peril, a man knows someone wants him dead -- but not why. As he seeks answers, he seems to find only more questions and more people trying to hide the truth. When he finds a link that connects him to a trove of gold buried on Fan Davidge's ranch, he knows he must protect her from the no-good gunfighters trying to loot it. But the people who know all about him are trying to make sure this man with no past also has no future.

Subject Headings: Amnesia, gunfighters, treasure troves, female ranchers.

Elements of Westerns: (From Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 151)

• Ranges from traditional Old West stories to western-set Historical Fiction. Written by L'Amour and originally published in 1969, this work falls squarely in the domain of traditional Western stories about the Old West. 
• Exterior descriptions of terrain: western U.S., usually between the Civil War and 1900 (often unspecified further than this). Although there is mention of a few specific towns like El Paso, Mesilla, Socorro, Alamosa, and Denver, the specifics of the setting aren't particularly relevant to the plot. The writing evokes an Old West backdrop, and it often describes the landscape "west of the Mississippi". The year is not specifically mentioned, but it seems to be the mid- to late-1800s based on discussions of settlements and the technological advances.
  
• Traditionally, a loner hero who rights wrongs and then moves on. Our lone hero defends himself with his gunslinging and marksmanship. While he befriends Fan, Rimes, and Lebo, he largely works alone to defeat the villains. At the end of the novel, it is not clear if he truly "moves on," but he seems to remain with Fan on her ranch, which is a deviation from the typical elements of a Western.
• Either complex or straightforward plots. While the plot of this work seems straightforward, the protagonist does learn more about his past, including his own name (Rubal Noon / Jonas Mandrin) and how he is connected to the hoard of gold. He also learns how Judge Niland is responsible for the death of his wife and child, which complicates the plot somewhat.
• Often includes elegiac tone for days gone by. There is a sense of yearning for the days of yore when a man was as good as his word, and people treated each other fairly. This is reflected in the tone of the work, which is somewhat moody and mournful.
• Pacing may be quick (traditional) or more measured. True to the form of traditional Westerns, this work is very quick-paced, with action in almost every chapter and plenty of excitement to keep the pages turning.
• Spare, colorful, jargon-filled dialogue, with some lyrical landscape descriptions. Most of the characters do not engage in extended dialogue, and the use of cowboy slang (like "dun", "hand" and "sorrel") together with non-standard grammar and conventions helps to create the atmosphere of the Wild West. The work contains minor expletives like "damn" and "hell", which further add to the ambiance of the era.

Rule of Three: (From Saricks, 2009) 

1. Fast pace. As mentioned above, this work has a very fast pace with lots of action and gunfights. This contributes to the compelling nature of the work that makes it difficult to put down.
2. Gritty, moody tone. The dark and foreboding feeling of the work is paralleled in the way that L'Amour doesn't pull his punches; our hero doesn't suffer less consequences from negative actions just because he's written sympathetically. The tone compels the reader to investigate further and unravel the tightly-wound plot as it is revealed.
3. Action-packed, plot-driven storyline. Related to the fast pace, this work is chock-full of action and excitement. There are multiple gunfights, train scenes (complete with bandits) and chase scenes, each of which advances the storyline towards the resolution of the hero's plight.

Similar Works (Read-alikes): 

• Slaughter of Eagles by William W. Johnstone
  Both of these action-packed Westerns feature gunfighters in search of treasure troves in the Wild West. While Johnstone's work was written some 40 years after The Man Called Noon, it still contains many of the same elements and is a good suggestion for someone looking to venture from classic Westerns to more recently published works.
• Dorn of the Mountains by Zane Grey
  As a golden age Western writer, Grey's stories mirror L'Amour's in their action and adventure with beautiful descriptions of the terrain and concise, clear writing. In particular, this work features an old-fashioned cowboy saving a damsel from a gang of ne'er-do-wells.
• The Taming of Jessi Rose by Beverly Jenkins
  Set in the West during the 1800s, Jessi Rose also centers on a female Frontier homesteader and a gunslinging mercenary. However, Jenkins explores the relationship between the characters at more depth than L'Amour did, carrying elements of Westerns into the Romance genre. This work may be spicier than traditional Western fare, and a potential reader should we aware of this fact.
• Bill O'Reilly's Legends and Lies: The Real West by David Fisher
  This nonfiction work sheds a light on the real-life events that occurred on America's frontier, separating the facts from the fiction about this iconic period in American history. The amazing artwork helps bring the Wild West to life in this fast-paced, action-packed narrative.
• Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West by Hampton Sides
  While classic Westerns are sometimes problematic in their depiction of women, indigenous peoples, Latinx characters, and other minority groups, Sides here examines the westward expansion of the United States and the forcible subjugation of Native American tribes. This may compel readers interested in the authenticity of traditional Westerns.
• I Forgot to Remember: A Memoir of Amnesia by Su Meck
  Readers interested in delving deeper into the real-life implications of head trauma and subsequent amnesia may enjoy this chronicle of a twenty-two-year-old woman's freak accident that completely wiped her memory, never to fully heal. 
  

Saricks, J. (2009). At leisure: The rule of three. Booklist, 106(3), 25.

Wyatt, N., & Saricks, J. G. (2019). Westerns. In The readers' advisory guide to genre fiction (pp. 149-166).

The First Rule of Book Club

Our first book club meeting, March 2019. Photo by Darcie Morris

Just over two years ago, a few of my neighbors mentioned that they'd be interested in starting a book club and asked me to join. As I was just starting my new career as a librarian, I was excited at the prospect and agreed to join in. After a lot of group texts to decide our first read, we set a date to meet up and discuss Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. We've met every month since, with a few exceptions due to holidays or the ongoing pandemic of a certain infectious respiratory virus. 

I've heard tales of book clubs that, despite their best intentions, degrade into (or sometimes even begin as) a designated hour for small talk, socializing, and snacks. In this context, you can imagine my surprise and glee when our first meeting -- and in fact, all subsequent meetings to date -- actually focused on intelligent and thought-provoking discussion of the assigned book. We try to cover a broad range of books, including titles like Pride and Prejudice, The Martian, They Called Us Enemy, A Gentleman in Moscow, and The Light between Oceans. And yes, snacks usually make an appearance. 

Our most recent meeting was a few weeks ago on Friday, February 26, where we discussed The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. As we met in the home of one of our group members, it was stimulating to contemplate the open-ended questions prepared by the discussion leader, diving into the implications and ethics of the characters' actions and dissecting our perceptions of the author's intent. Group members were given ample time to consider and respond meaningfully to the questions posed, and everyone had an opportunity to share their insights. No one stole the show, and no one felt strong-armed into speaking against their will. I learned a lot from my fellow book-clubbers, and I engaged with the text in new ways I hadn't considered before.

Truth be told, this book club is what high school English class should have been: rather than stress-inducing timed essays and cramming SparkNotes the night before a quiz, we have created a place where all are welcome to share their ideas and learn from one another. (Maybe it only works now that we're all out of our teens.)

As the conversation continued, I was able to identify key aspects of the work, like its nonlinear storyline, atmospheric tone, and lush writing style. Interestingly, while these elements were integral to the pleasant experience of some of our group's members, others felt that they had to struggle to enjoy the work despite them.

This experience has helped me realize that our tastes as readers vary: what some relish, others despise. Further exposure to a wide gamut of literature will help me develop my skills as a readers' advisor. There is no one "best book" to recommend because each reader has a different definition of what a "good book" entails. A good readers' advisor will identify more elements than just genre to gauge a reader's interests.

Also, that night we realized that only one of us has ever been to a circus in real-life. My bucket list grew by one. Big top, here I come.