Week 16 Prompt

As a child, some of my favorites were books by Beverly Cleary and Judy Blume, the Little House on the Prairie Series and Nancy Drew.  I went straight from reading children’s books to adult books.  I guess there must have been some YA literature at the time but not much.  In middle school, I read a bunch of historical fiction I found in my mom’s room when I was in middle school including Sophie’s Choice, all of Stephen King that had been published (mid-80’s) and read some really terrible V.C. Andrews, Sidney Sheldon, Mary Higgins Clark, Danielle Steele, etc.  (recommendations of my 8^th grade English teacher!!!).  I am not insulting these books, they are good escapist reading, but not what I would expect an English teacher to suggest to a middle school student.  When I got to high school, I started going to the bookstore all the time and spending all my money there—I actually worked there for a while after college.  My reading became more broad primarily because I started reading award-winning books that were displayed and became friends with others who knew more about books than I did.  Sadly, I rarely used the library at this point in my life.  It wasn’t until later in life that I developed a love for libraries.  I went to the library when I was little but as I got older, I only went when I had an assignment I had to research.  The librarians were really mean and would always give us dirty looks.  They were really intimidating!  So, I just stopped going there.  Later, I went to a fairly literary college and majored in English and Philosophy so this also greatly improved my reading exposure and experiences. 

As a reader, one of the main differences between my childhood and now is the accessibility of books and ways to keep up to date with what is being published.  People today take for granted the daily recommendations they get based on their Amazon purchases and book lists you can pull up in seconds.  Not to mention, the software available through the library.  It is a lot easier than relying on a personal recommendation from someone who doesn’t care about your tastes.  With Amazon prime, I can get a physical book delivered in 2 days or less (although I rarely do).  The rise of Amazon, made a huge difference in the way I bought books and how often I bought them.  With my kindle came the immediate accessibility of e-books.  If I need a book, I can find one in seconds.  I no longer need to keep a hoard of books at home in case I finish my last one and find myself without a book—I still do this anyway!!  I also listen to audiobooks frequently now that I can easily download to my phone.  It was always a hassle to deal with tapes and cd’s which were sometimes damaged and I would only listen when I was going on car trips.  Another big difference is the decline of the bookstore. 

It’s hard to imagine what changes will happen in reading, books and publishing in twenty years.  Di Leo finds the printed book anachronistic.  He states that “academe must transform itself from a fundamentally print culture to one that is fundamentally digital” (Germano,W., Di Leo, J., & Wachtell, D., 2010).  Personally, I like reading digital books for pleasure; however, I find it much easier to read school materials in printed form.  I do read the articles digitally but I prefer print so I can take notes in the book and highlight.  I have always “defaced” my textbooks and find it much easier to learn when I can write in the margins.  Interestingly, I don’t think this is only because I am older.  I have read studies that college students prefer print as well.  When I take notes and highlight in books, I can flip through the entire book and easily see the item I am looking for.  Further, when discussing or analyzing a book, it is easy to flip through a book and see in context the exact passage I am looking for.  I know there are tools to do these things with digital books, but I just don’t like it.  In the future, I imagine digital academic books having places where you can use a stylus pen to scribble things in the margins as you page through, these notes will then be compiled in a list and be searchable.  I would find this very helpful!

I think people will continue to read for pleasure in the future, although I do think the explosion of tv shows and the binge-watching obsession eats into people’s reading time (and video games).  I hope that this is only a current trend and that it will wane.   The many popular titles in the YA area are building future adult readers who will pass their love of reading onto the next generation—I hope! I do imagine reading being interactive—I think some really neat things could be done with graphic novels or a novel like The House of Leaves.    Le Guin states:  “In its silence, a book is a challenge…It won’t move your mind unless you give it your mind, or your heart unless you put your heart in it” (Le Guin 2008 ).  I hope in the future, we continue to give our minds and our hearts to reading because it is a pathway to understanding, empathy and knowledge. 

Resources

Germano, W., DiLeo, J. & Wachtell, D. (2010, October 1).  Fate of the Book.  The Chronicle Review.

Le Guin, U.K. (2008, February).  Staying Awake: notes on the alleged decline of reading.  Harper’s Magazine, 316 (1893).

Week 15 Prompt

There are so many ways to market books at a library.  The library where I work has several librarians who are extremely talented in this area and I am learning a lot from them.  We have a large number of displays, readers’ advisory brochures, author and other programs, and are starting a new online readers’ advisory personal service.  I feel like this range of services provides a good marketing strategy to promote reading and books.

I think displays are a great way to reach out to patrons who may not know what they want to read next.  We have a variety of displays which range from current topics, literature, and historical fiction and events.  I was surprised to hear that a patron told one of our librarians that she never goes to the stacks but also just picks a book from one of our displays!  I have two favorite displays that I have created.  One was Travel through Space and Time where I selected fiction from historical to futuristic that took place all over the world.  In each book on the display, l put a slip of paper in the novel that said travel to and then the time period and the place.  My other favorite was The Real History behind Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander Series.  I found all kinds of historical fiction from 18^th century witch trials, The Loch Ness Monster, Revolutionary History, French History and Scottish and English History.  As anyone familiar with the novels can attest, there is no shortage of topics.  I also included her novels and read-alikes.  The series is extremely popular at our library and a lot of people stopped to look at the display, but not that many things were actually checked out.  Some of the displays that I have done that are most successful are actually just simple displays.  For example, I made a sign that said Get Lost in a Mystery and just put out mysteries and couldn’t stock it fast enough.  I think it is important to have interesting displays that maybe people consider and find interesting combined with more popular displays that will reach more people. 

We try to have author visits and skype events.  We have gotten some big names for the Skype (Diana Gabaldon was one!) but these are not as well attended as I would expect.  One of our best attended events was when Phillip Gulley came to the library.  We also had an event last October called Booktoberfest where we combined a local author fair with 3 keynote speakers.  We had Dan Wakefield, Susan Crandall, and Mike Mullin speak.  We only had 25-30 people per keynote which was much less than we predicted.  Despite this, patrons tell us that this is what they would like to have more author events at the library and we feel it is important as well.  Unfortunately, we don’t have the budget to get expensive speakers so we are somewhat limited in the authors we can showcase.  In August, I am planning a literary trivia night.  I’m not sure who this will turn out, but I have high hopes.  If we market it in our book clubs and other places, I hope patrons will be interested and attend.

One of our librarians who is particularly skilled at readers’ advisory is starting up a program, modeled after Cuyahoga County’s program and others, to provide ra assistance through an online form.  Patrons will fill out a form online with requests and we will provide selections for them.  The details of this are still being worked out but I think it will be a great service for our patrons.

As librarians, we are in the business of marketing books and providing information.  It is my favorite part of the job.  One of the easiest ways to market books is just to talk to patrons.  On quite a few occasions I will be working in the stacks and ask a patron if they need assistance, and they just want to talk about books.  They want to know what I have read and are searching for something new to read and this turns into a readers’ advisory interview of sorts.  It is important that we engage patrons and market books in any way we can.  

Week 14 Prompt

Whether to pull out genres from the collection or file fiction exclusively by author is a difficult question in and of itself; however, pulling out genres such as GLBTQ and African American fiction when not generally filing by genre, raises even more questions and issues.  I understand the appeal for readers of browsing books by genre; however, many books will be difficult to locate as they could be classified in multiple genres.  In addition, I believe that pulling out genres that represent minority viewpoints and shelving them in a specific area does seem a bit like segregation of ideas.  This would make the genres easier to find for those that are looking for them, but readers who may be interested in the books may not specifically look at those genres.  In my opinion, all fiction should be shelved by author with reader’s advisory aids such as brochures, lists and displays used to help identify books in a particular interest.  In the library where I work, many fiction titles also have genre stickers on the spine which readers can use to identify specific subjects.  This could be used to identify African American and GLBTQ literature; however, I am even hesitant to suggest this with minority viewpoints as I feel like this might marginalize the author and the literature.

  For example, I consider Walter Mosley, first and foremost, a mystery writer.  His Easy Rawlins novels are well known and beloved by mystery fans.  However, he is an African American writer and his novels primarily consist of African American characters.  So, if we pull him out of the regular fiction shelves and file him in a specific location designated for African American literature, many readers trying to locate his novels may not be able to locate them immediately.  In addition, the whole concept of having an African American literature section seems to give the impression that African American literature is somehow different from regular literature and will only be of interest to a specific audience.  If the library is set up by genre in general, this further complicates the issue.  Does he belong with mystery or African American literature?  This questions is indicative of why I feel like shelving by minority viewpoint such as African American literature or GLBTQ is marginalizing.  As a reader, I would like my genre sections to include multiple world views available in that genre, neither including and excluding viewpoints.

Jeffrey Eugenides novel, Middlesex, is another example.  This Pulitzer Prize winning novel might be considered a GLBTQ novel as one of the main themes is gender identity.  However, the author is not a GLBTQ author generally and pulling this novel out of the main collection and filing it under GLBTQ marginalizes the novel and only speaks to one aspect of the book.  On the other side of the issue is the concept that novels that are primarily GLBTQ novels, when filed separately, will only be found by those purposely seeking them out as GLBTQ.  As all lovers of literature know, reading allows us to explore another worldview and shelving books from minority viewpoints separately, reduces the likelihood of this happening.

For a number of reasons, I believe patrons are best served when fiction is shelved by author and reader’s advisory resources are used to identify books with specific themes and categories for reader interest.  This allows for readers to browse the shelves and find interesting items by happenstance but also allows readers and librarians to find what they are looking for.  From a practical standpoint, it also reduces the stress on catalogers, pages and librarians in cataloging, shelving and locating items.  While this may seem like a secondary issue, if they are not able to correctly complete these tasks this can provide a negative patron experience.    

The Coldest Winter Ever

Author:  Sister Souljah

Title:  The Coldest Winter Ever

Genre:  Urban Fiction

Publication Date:  1999

346 Pages

Setting:  New York City

Synopsis:

Winter Santiaga is the daughter of one of a successful, very rich drug lord in Brooklyn.  She spends her childhood in Brooklyn in the projects.  Her father lavishes expensive jewelry and clothes on Winter and her mother and her mother teaches Winter how to be a “bad bitch” whose full time job is being beautiful and controls men with her looks.  Winter’s mother had her when she was 14 and treats Winter more like a friend than a mother, unlike Winter’s 3 much younger sisters.  On Winter’s 16^th birthday, Winter’s father Santiaga gives Winter a diamond tennis bracelet and announces he has bought them a mansion on Long Island.  The family moves out to Long Island where Winter and her mother are very isolated and they are going stir crazy. 

Not long after moving to Long Island, things fall apart.  First, Winter’s mother is shot in the face.  Then, their home is raided and Santiaga is arrested.  All of their property is seized and Winter’s three sisters are taken by the state.  Winter’s mother is arrested and released and develops a crack habit.  Winter is homeless but spends the little money she has on expensive clothes and even hires a limo to take her to a concert.  Things continue on a downward spiral, Winter moves in with her aunt and then is picked up as a ward of the state herself.  She winds up staying with Sister Souljah (yes, the author has made herself a character in the novel) and then leaves her to follow after a rapper.  Throughout the novel, Winter uses her relationships with men for gain, as she has been taught to do by her mother.   Winter winds up in jail and the novel ends on a sad note.  The novel is full of violence, drugs and explicit sex.  However, the characters are well developed and it is an interesting if depressing portrayal of this life.

Characteristics of Genre:

Importance of Money:  Money and material objects are emphasized throughout the novel.  Even when she is homeless, Winter spends lavishly and is trying to get into the drug trade to further her expensive lifestyle.

Women Sexually Abused:  Winter is sexually active at a very young age and as a teenager has relationships with grown men in exchange for favors and gifts. 

Overcoming poverty, Crime and Outrageous Acts of Violence:  Santiaga’s status as a wealthy drug lord involves all these themes.

Read-alikes:

Flyy Girl by Omar Tyree

Any Way the Wind Blows by E. Lynn Harris

God Don’t Like Ugly by Mary Monroe

  

Week 13 Prompt

As librarians, it is not our job to judge what people should or should not be reading or what is appropriate.   If there is demand for young adult, new adult, or graphic literature for adults, then we need to meet that need in our library.  As a 43-year old woman, I enjoy reading young adult novels, and have read the occasional graphic novel.  I enjoy the novels, but would read them anyway because I want to know what young people are reading and don’t want to become disconnected from the trends and ideas of people younger than I am.  Further, I don’t really enjoy graphic novels but will read the occasional one for the same reason.  I want to understand why people like them and what the genre is about.  It is fun to discuss books with my 14-year old nephew and exchange reading experiences and book suggestions!

At the library where I work, we have new adult books, young adult books and graphic fiction.  The new adult books are filed alongside adult fiction and are not identified by genre.  Young adult books are primarily filed in the teen zone, although extremely popular ones have a copy in adult (this is very rare).  There is a section of graphic novels in the teen zone and another in adult.  I think some adults are embarrassed about enjoying these genres and hesitate to ask for assistance, especially in regard to young adult novels. 

Readers’ advisory brochures for each of these categories would be helpful in providing assistance to patrons who are reluctant to ask for assistance.  In addition, upon finding brochures on these topics, they will be more inclined to ask for assistance. Further, many libraries have book clubs for adults who enjoy reading young adult novels.  This is a great way for adults to share their love of YA novels and discuss with other adults.   

Another issue with the young adult novels is that they are filed in the teenzone and I think many adults are hesitant to browse the shelves in that area which is designated for teens.  I don’t know how this can be reconciled because it is not a popular enough medium to shelve titles in both adult and teen (with some exceptions).  However, I believe that the readers’ advisory brochures will make adults more comfortable with this. 

I think it is the job of librarians to provide materials and programs that meet the needs and interests of their patrons.  Personally, I feel that there is great value in adults of all ages reading children’s, teen and new adult books.  It encourages an understanding of those that are different from oneself in much the same way reading a book from someone of a different nationality or culture does.    

Wondrous Strange (Young Adult)

Author:  Lesley Livingston

Title:  Wondrous Strange

Genre:  Young Adult

Setting:  Modern Day New York City

Publication Date:  2009

Publisher:  Harperteen:  An Imprint of Harper Collins Publishers

# of Pages:  327

Synopsis:

Kelly Winslow has just had her big break.  The 17-year old actress was the understudy for the role of Titania, the fairy queen, in a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream when the actress playing Titania injured her ankle.  However, after meeting Sonny Flannery while practicing her part in Central Park, things take a turn for the weird.  Sonny is a Janus guard who protects the Gates of Samhain, which connect the fairy world to the human world and are located in Central Park.  It is his job to ensure that no one crosses over between worlds.  He is a human child who was raised by the King Auberon, the king of the Fairies.  After seeking out Kelly at her theater, he recognizes that she is not altogether human but is one of the fairies.   However, Kelly believes he is stalking her and warns him away.

In the meantime, Kelly has almost drowned in Central Park trying to save a horse from drowning.  Incredibly, the horse has followed her home and now resides in her bathtub.  This is not a normal horse but a waterhorse who has crossed the Samhain gate.  Kelly finds herself in danger again in Central Park and is once more rescued by Sonny.  The novel opens on October 31^st and the Samhain gates are open for a period of time surrounding Halloween and the Janus guards must fight off creatures trying to break through the opening during this time.  The spell which has closed the gate lifts during this period.

Kelly and Sonny are both share a similar history and they slowly find out the relationship to each other and the Fairy royalty.  Sonny is a human who was raised by King Auberon.  He was stolen from his mother and raised in Fairy and finally made a member of the Janus guard.  Kelly is the daughter of King Auberon who was stolen from the Fairy King and raised by Sonny’s mother, who she believed was her aunt.  The novel reaches a climax when the Wild Hunt, an event in the past when fairies began to hunt humans for sport, begins to take place in New York City after the Samhain Gate has been flung open.  Can Sonny and Kelly save the City and themselves?

Young Adult Elements:

Fast Pace:  This novel has a fast moving plot and suspenseful details.

Likeable Young Characters:  Both Kelly and Sonny are charming and their shared bond is interesting.

Issues:  Although a paranormal novel, the issues the characters face are ones that all teenagers face:  finding one’s place in the world in both an occupation and around the people that surround one.

Read Alikes:

Clare, Cassandra.  City of Bones.

Angelini, Josephine.  Starcrossed.

Johnson, Christine.  Claire de Lune.

Week 12 Prompt

The Readers’ Advisory Matrix for The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

11.     Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

__  Highly Narrative (Reads like fiction).

X_  A mix (Combines highly narrative moments with periods of fact-based prose).

__  Highly fact based (has few or no narrative moments).

22.    What is the subject of the book? The book tells the story of the Wright Brothers and their invention    of the first working airplane.

33.      What type of book is it?  Biography

44.      Articulate appeal:

·         What is the pacing of the book?  Leisurely although filled with interesting and fascinating details.

·         Describe the characters of the book.  Wilbur and Orville Wright are the main characters.  The book also includes many other characters involved in their lives. 

·         What is the focus of the story?  A detailed account of the trials that Orville and Wilbur faced before and after they successfully flew their plane.

·         Does the language matter?  Yes, it is very well written and has a comforting tone that makes you want to curl up and read.

·         Is the setting important and well described?  The setting changes and is important to the story in the same way all the details of a historical novel are important.

·         Are there details, and if so, of what?  Yes, very detailed account of people, what they did and said and the events that surrounded their lives.

·         Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials?  They are sections of photos that are interesting and add to the reader’s understanding.  Are they useful and clear?

·         Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?  Yes, the book details the process that the brothers went through when creating a working plane.

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

1.    Historical significance.

2.  Tone.

3.  Detail.             

Week 11 Prompt

Appeal Factors for E-books and Audiobooks

As a reader of both books and e-books and a listener to audiobooks, I think each of the mediums has different appeal factors.  Dunneback and Trott note:  “The format you use to access the story expands the appeal factors of the context” (Dunneback, K., Trott, B.).  However, I find the medium of audiobooks to be very different from that of reading a book. It is a very enjoyable experience, however; it is not reading, it is listening to someone else’s interpretation of a written book.  The experience of reading in paper format or electronic are unique experiences; however, I find the differences much less than that of reading a book versus listening to an audiobook.

In their article, Dunneback and Trott note some of the different appeal factors that reading in electronic format and specific devices change such as the size, weight, flipping or turning pages vs. pressing a button, covers and accessories.  One thing they note is that you can’t just flip back and find a certain passage or part in the book just by flipping through as easily as you can in a physical book.  When I had more free time in my life, I decided to read David Foster Wallace’s Infinite Jest.  However, it is a huge novel and I’d check it out from the library and then someone would put a hold on it and I finally realized I would never be able to read it unless I purchased the book.  Not thinking about the difference in appeals, I purchased the e-book.  I briefly attempted to read it on my e-reader but it is very frustrating because it is filled with references and appendices and footnotes and while I can deal with that in a physical book, I found it very difficult with the e-book.  However, personally I don’t find that my reading experience is greatly changed by using my e-reader.  I do think I read faster and perhaps reflect less on the process as I am reading because I am not physically engaged in the same way.

I love audiobooks; however, I find the experience completely different from reading a book.  I feel about it almost the same way I do about seeing a movie before reading the book.  If I love a book and I know the audiobooks are also good, I will usually read the book first. I love the Outlander books and had heard the narrator of the audiobooks (Davina Porter) was great, but I hesitated to listen to them for a long time because I didn’t want to change my perception of the characters when I read later books.  However, they are some books I like in both formats, some I have loved when I read but didn’t like the audiobook and some books I have listened to on audiobook because I love the reader but really have no interest in reading the novels.  Mediatore states:  “A fifth appeal factor for the recorded format must also be considered—audible presentation”.  (Mediatore, K.,  2003). 

When discussing pace and narration, Mediatore goes on to say:  “Consequently, a poor match between the pace of the story and the pace the narrator uses can cause a reader to stop listening to an audio book” (Mediatore, K. 2003).  I like Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum books, especially on audiobook.  However, I only like the narrator starting at about book 6 or so.  There were a couple narrators previously that I couldn’t listen to but someone told me the later books were much better, and I found I loved these on audiobook.  The pace of the narrator as well as skill can change the whole experience. 

I guess I love books in all formats and I find them all enjoyable—just a little bit different.

Sources

Dunneback,K., & Trott,B. (2011).  E-books and Readers’ Advisory.  Reference Appeal Factors for E-books and Audiobooks

& User Services Quarterly, 50 (4), 325-9.

Mediatore, K. (2003).  Reading with Your Ears:  Readers’ Advisory and Audio Books.  Reference & User Services Quarterly, 42(4), 318-23.

The Fortune Hunter

Author:  Daisy Goodwin

Title:  The Fortune Hunter

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Setting:  1875-76 England

Publication Date:  2014

Publisher:  New York:  St. Martin’s Press

# of Pages:  473

Synopsis:

Charlotte Baird, an orphan and sole heiress to the massive Lennox fortune, lives in London with her Aunt Adelaide and her half-brother and guardian, Fred.  Unfortunately for Fred, he is not an heir as he and Charlotte have the same father but it was her mother who passed the Lennox fortune onto Charlotte.  Charlotte spends her time painting caricatures of people (in private) and pursuing her hobby of photography.  Neither of these occupations are judged appropriate by her brother or his overbearing fiancée, Augusta Crewe.  Everyone has designs on Charlotte’s future, including her brother’s close friend, Captain Hartopp called Chicken by his friends.  Chicken Hartopp has a fortune of his own but has set his sights on acquiring Charlotte, along with her fortune.

Aunt Adelaide, Charlotte, Hartopp, Fred and Augusta all leave London to attend a house party at Augusta’s parents’ home in Leicestershire.  Charlotte furthers her acquaintance with Captain Bay Middleton, whom she has briefly met at a ball in London.  They have an understanding that they will eventually be married and become unofficially engaged.  Although Middleton is a friend of Fred’s (and Hartopp’s), everyone is scandalized by this burgeoning relationship as Middleton is known to have had affairs with married woman and has limited financial resources.    At the same time, Empress Elizabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, takes residence at a home nearby to engage in the hunting season.  Middleton, an expert horseman who hopes to ride his horse in the Grand National, is asked to be the pilot (guide) for the empress.  Middleton eventually agrees to guide the Empress, an aging beauty who suffers from depression, and said to be the most beautiful woman in Europe. 

Charlotte unexpectedly leaves to help prepare a photography exhibit with her godmother in London. The letter she left for Middleton is intercepted and he does not know why she has left or for where.  During this time, a relationship develops between the Empress and Middleton and they have an affair.  However, the Empress is very needy and demanding and Middleton eventually wants out after a scandal ensues.  Charlotte is upset and humiliated and plans to run off to photograph America with a male, homosexual friend of her godmother.  It is hard to describe the plot of the novel without going into a detailed description of what happened.  However, I won’t give away the ending.  You will have to read for yourself to find out if Middleton and Charlotte end up together in the end.

This novel is loosely based on historical facts as Goodwin describes in the afterword to the novel.  All the characters in the novel are real as are the essential facts.  Sisi was hunting in England during this time period and Middleton was her pilot and Bay did marry Charlotte Baird. 

Historical Fiction Genre Elements:

World Building:  As described above, Goodwin used factual events and real historical persons to create fictional story based on this.

The novel is leisurely paced and long.

Historically factual at the time of writing.

Read-Alikes:

Girl in a Blue Dress by Gaynor Arnold

America 1900 by Judy Crichton

The House and Velvet and Glass by Katherine Howe

Books on Tap

I attended the Books on Tap book club.  This is a Fishers Library book club that reads contemporary fiction and meets once monthly, on Wednesdays (usually the 3^rd Wednesday, but was the 4^th this month) at 7:00, at local bars and restaurants.  The library purchases appetizers and patrons are responsible for the cost of any drinks or other food.  I attended the book club on Wednesday February 24^th at the Stacked Pickle at Allisonville and 116^th St. in Fishers.  We read Me Before You Jo Jo Moyes.

                The library had reserved a back room in the bar and there was a long table set up with chairs around it and a table in the front for appetizers.  There were 12 people attending and two Adult Services Librarians from the Fishers library.  Eight people were probably 55 or older, 2 people around 40-50, and 2 people were 30 or younger.  3 of the 12 were men.    First, everyone got their appetizers and then we started the book discussion.  First, one of the librarians asked what everyone thought of the book.  Most people enjoyed it, a few didn’t and a couple people stated they hadn’t read it.  In a later discussion with the librarians, this appears to a common scenario for the book club.  There are a couple of people who attend for social reasons and just come and eat snacks and talk, without ever reading the book.  It is very frustrating because sometimes these same people dominate the discussion and they can’t discuss the book, because they didn’t read it.  The librarians have discussed ways to deal with this problem and after discussing it with the deputy director, said in upcoming book clubs the will stop them and tell them that we are discussing the book first and will discuss other items at the end of the book discussion. 

                One of the main issues in the book is assisted suicide and we were discussing if it was selfish of one of the characters to choose suicide over his relationships with his family (I’m not giving anything away here, maybe he did, maybe he didn’t).  People had differing opinions on this issue.  Then, one of the nonreaders started relating it to nursing homes and how elderly people are treated when they get older.  One of the main characters in the book is a 30-year old paraplegic so it was somewhat related but they kept talking about this issue for over ten minutes.  The librarians tried to bring the conversation back around to the book, but it just continued.  One of the ladies sitting near me said that if they don’t stop talking about nursing homes, she was going to leave.  The frustrating thing is that if she had read the book, she could compare how what happened in the book compares to the nursing home situation but since she hadn’t read the her contributions to the conversation only concerned her opinion on nursing homes.  The librarians also stated that some people come for a month or two but never come back but the nonreaders come consistently.  The librarians feel like they might be driving people who actually would like to discuss the book away.  I would say 70% of the time we were actually talking about the book, it just seemed like there were large sections of time when they conversation really strayed from the book. 

                We also talked about characters.  Here people had really strong opinions.  One person said that one of the main characters, Will, who was the paraplegic character, was the most evil person in any of the books they had read in this book club so far.  Which was the exact opposite of what I thought.  This provoked a lot of discussion and we also talked about what Will’s life would have been like if he hadn’t have been involved in an accident.  We discussed how Will’s tragic accident and his relationship with Lou had changed the person he was and enhanced his empathy.

                All in all, I really enjoyed the book club.  It didn’t really bother me personally that some people hadn’t read the book or that they discussed other things for part of the time.  As long as we can circle back around to the book and spend most of the time discussing that, I am happy.  However, it was frustrating to others and I do think that it is insensitive to the feeling of others to come to a book club without reading the book and expect to contribute to the conversation.  At other library book clubs I have attended in the past, a regular or first time attendee might mention they hadn’t been able to read the book, but would listen and not monopolize the conversation.  

Readers' Advisory for the Adult Reluctant Reader (Special Topics Paper)

Far more often than might be expected, a patron approaches the adult reference desk in need of readers’ advisory assistance.  When asked what the last book they read was, they explain they really don’t read much and haven’t read in years, or decades, or that they have never actually read a whole book.  This raises a number of questions:  Are they not reading because they have not enjoyed it in the past, or because it is difficult for them?  What is their reading level?  What can I recommend that will entice them to read when they have not been interested before?  How do I identify a book that will make a difference in their attitude to reading?  The answers to these essential questions dictate how the readers’ advisory interview should unfold. 

                While the scenario described above occurs fairly frequently, there is virtually no literature on the adult reluctant reader—an adult who chooses not to read, not necessarily because they have any issues with literacy.  In 2012, only 54.5% of all American adults read at least one book during the year with the percentage going down in proportion to age.  (Milliot 2013).  One of the essential purposes of a library in any community is to promote literacy.  In order to provide this service, we must address the needs for those that are not familiar with the nature of the materials we offer.  Resources exist for the young adult school age reluctant reader and new readers struggling with literacy, but nothing on could be found for the adult reluctant reader.  It seems that the existing resources for both scenarios could be helpful in coming up with a method for readers’ advisory for the adult reluctant reader (which does include the new reader).

The Hurricane Sisters

Author:  Dorothea Benton Frank

Title:  The Hurricane Sisters

Genre:  Women’s Lives and Relationships

Setting:  Charleston, South Carolina

Publication Date:  2014

Number of Pages:  318

Synopsis:

The Hurricane Sisters is the story of the Waters family:   mother--Liz, a fundraiser and administrator for a domestic violence shelter; father--Clayton, a successful self-made banker who spends his weekdays in New York City;  Liz’s mother Maisie, a dynamic 80-year-old who is having a relationship with her 65-year old driver;  Ashley—their daughter who is a young painter working at an art gallery;  Ivy—their son who owns a successful retail clothing store in San Francisco; and friends, lovers and others.  The novel takes place in Charleston, South Carolina and Frank’s descriptions of the setting are very charming and picturesque. 

The story opens on the evening of Maisie’s eightieth birthday and many of the family squabbles come to light at her birthday dinner.  All of the family is there in addition to Ivy’s partner, a successful businessman from Hong Kong.  During the dinner, there is obvious tension between family members.  Maisie repeatedly mentions Liz’s sister, Juliet, who died years previously.  Liz feels her mother wishes that Juliet was still alive instead of Liz.  Liz and Clayton freely discuss the fact that Ashley can’t afford to live on her own on her salary without their help and Liz is scandalized by Ashley’s attire.  When Ivy’s partner leaves the table, Liz interrogates Ivy about the relationship. And finally, Maisie announces, Skipper, her driver is moving in with her.

The conflicts and issues that come to light during Maisie’s birthday dinner continue throughout the novel.  The story progresses one chapter at a time, each told through a different family member’s viewpoint.  One of the main recurring themes throughout the novel is domestic violence and it is encountered in different ways by different characters. Ashley gets involved with a handsome state senator who becomes abusive and when her roommate Mary Beth comes to talk to Liz about it at the domestic abuse agency where Liz works, Mary Beth also reveals that her father was abusive.  There are many side-plots but in the end, everything is resolved perfectly.   The Hurricane Sisters is a hilarious exploration of one South Carolina family and the issues that divide them and eventually bring them back together. 

Genre Elements:

·         Mostly Female Protagonists and Female Author.

·         Story line involves domestic violence, an issue that affects many women.

·         Contemporary setting.

Read-alikes:

The Girls of August by Anne Rivers Siddons

The Summer Girls by Mary Alice Monroe

The Three Mrs. Parkers by Joan A. Medlicott

Week 7 Prompt

I happened to be working at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, a large independent bookstore in Lexington, Kentucky during the early years of the Oprah Book club (1996-1998).  Of course, Oprah books sold more than the others and I think I read most of them myself.  After reading a few and liking them, it was a good way for me to feel confident I would like the book.  I think most people felt this way.  It was almost like a recommendation from a friend.  The books were marketed by booksellers and publishers as Oprah books, long after the selection had been made.  The booksellers, the publishers, the authors, as well as Oprah herself, benefited from her celebrity book club:  “each Oprah pick generated about $80 million in new sales for retail bookstores, a large part of which we can safely assume, went towards the purchase of the very books she recommended” (Butler, R, Cowan, B., Nilsson, C., 2005).

There seems to be no question that Oprah’s pick vastly influenced the bestseller list:  “A striking indicator of Oprah’s ability to influence consumer book-buying in the short term is the enormous difference between sales of her books immediately prior to their pick dates and sales in the few weeks following those dates” (Butler, R., Cowan, B., Nilsson, C., 2005).  I guess the question is:  Is this okay for one person to dictate what so many people will read?  Personally, I have no problem with it.  Celebrity culture influences behavior in all sorts of ways.  This seems to be a good one.  I think people who may not have been avid readers picked up books because Oprah recommended them and found themselves enjoying reading.  Second, Oprah picked books with diverse themes and topics that probably opened up new worlds to these readers.  It is a fact that in our culture, people worship celebrity.  What great use of her celebrity to share her favorite books with her fans.

Just the other day, I had a young patron come in and request one of my favorite books—Man’s Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl.  Apparently, Chris Martin (?) of Coldplay had recommended it to his fans.  I have to say if a rockstar is going to influence his fans by sending them to the library in search of a classic book about the holocaust and his book about not only his survival but using his experience to create a philosophy that would inspire and influence many people, I am all for celebrity culture.  

Week 6 Prompt

For a horror display (possibly around Halloween), I would focus a display around the works of Stephen King.  This would be an integrated advisory display and have King’s books, audiobooks, movies and graphic novels.  In addition, there would be read-alikes in the form of books, graphic novels and audiobooks.  Further, there would be movies (in addition to those based on his works) that would appeal to his fans.  Something we have been doing at the library where I work is encouraging patron participation in our displays.  I might put up a board next to the display and have people post something horror-fying or come up with a contest and have people contribute a story in 13 words or less.  I would also put together a brochure with the exhibit for fans of horror. 

First Comes Marriage

Author:  Mary Balogh

Title:  First Comes Marriage

Genre:  Romance

Publication Date:  2009

Number of Pages:  388

Setting:  Regency England

Series:  Huxtable Family Series

Synopsis:

The Huxtables are living frugally in a small cottage in the village of Throckbridge, England after the death of their father, the vicar.  At the time of his death, the eldest sister, Margaret, promised her father she will see her two younger sisters (Vanessa and Katherine) and the youngest brother, Stephen safely to adulthood.  Vanessa is a widow living a short distance away with her in-laws but remains very close to her family.  Out of the blue, a handsome viscount arrives in their town on mysterious business. 

The next day, Viscount Lyngate, arrives at their home to inform them that Stephen is the new Earl of Merton and should come immediately with him to start his education for his new role.  Stephen will not leave without his sisters and soon the whole Huxtable family is on their way to Warren Hall, their new home.  Along with his new title and fortune comes much responsibility for the family.  Viscount Lyngate, as Stephen’s guardian and someone in need of a wife, decides it would be expedient to marry Margaret so she could sponsor her sisters come out into society.  However, Margaret is still heartbroken over a man she fell in love with and then left for war, when she must stay home to take care of her siblings. She does not want to marry but feels like she has no other option.

Vanessa comes to her sister’s rescue and proposes to Viscount Lyngate before he gets a chance to propose to her sister.  She is not as beautiful as her other sisters and she and the Viscount have argued several times before the proposal so it comes as quite a shock.  However, surprisingly, the Viscount agrees.  Both Vanessa and the Viscount (Elliot) have apprehensions about the marriage and regret their impulsive decision.  However, as time goes on, they find they are falling in love.

Romance Genre Elements:

Love Story is Major Plot:  The love story between Vanessa and Elliot dominates the plot.

Happy Ending:  The characters are happy and in love at the end after struggling to get there.

POV from both Elliot and Vanessa

Reader experiences of emotions of characters

Read-alikes:

Once a Princess, Johanna Lindsey

Lady Fortescue Steps Out, Marion Chesney

The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever, Julia Quinn

 

Week 5 Prompt

Week 5 Prompt Response

If you want to be successful in selling something, you need to market it to the right people or no one will know how great it is.  Somehow, books and literature seem like they should be somehow excluded from this.  They aren’t however; and successful publishers and authors know this.  It is sad that some books get all the attention while others, even if they are great books, languish.  That is just the way society is.  There is always the next big movie, book, clothing item, vacation spot, etc. that everyone talks about.  In some ways, it is like one big book club, where everybody is discussing the same book for a while before moving on to the next big thing. 

The Billionaire’s First Christmas is not a romantic suspense novel.  The descriptions do not indicate any of the romantic suspense genre elements such as a threatened heroine and graphic details.  It seems to be a straightforward, holiday romance.  I would purchase this e-book upon request if it was available through Overdrive—although it is free on Amazon.

The positive reviews for Angela’s Ashes indicate that it will be an in demand book and several copies should have been purchased for the collection at the time of publication.  Our library purchases many copies of bestsellers and also keeps a few “Express” copies that no one can hold or renew.  I have mixed feelings about this.  I understand that we want to get books in the hands of people when they are wanted, but after the high demand for that book has ended, we are left with many copies that are then taken out of the collection.  Further, it is not always possible to predict what will and won’t take off so sometimes we have multiple copies of books that were never in high demand. 

I have mixed feelings about sources that won’t print negative reviews.  I think no review is probably pretty negative.  However, once an author is established, I think readers should be able to get reviews of their new works whether positive or negative.  If a source will only publish positive reviews, they are not giving readers what they need to make informed decisions about what to read next. 

I don’t heavily rely on reviews for my reading decisions.  I subscribe to a number of reading related Facebook groups where I get reviews and recommendations.  I look at Amazon and I read Library Journal.  Other than that, I rely on reading my favorite authors new books, personal recommendations, and anything that just looks interesting.

Kirkus Style Review, Me Before You

 

Me Before You

By Jojo Moyes

Publication Date:  December 31, 2012

ISBN:  978-067-002-6609

Page Count:  384 pages

Publisher:  Pamela Dorman Books

 

Recently unemployed waitress takes caregiver job for wealthy, handsome, and miserable quadriplegic.

Louisa Clark loved her job as a waitress at a café in a small village in England, where the castle is the only attraction.  After the owner decides to sell the café, Louisa is desperate for a job because her parents rely on her income to help support the family.  After a series of horrible jobs, the employment agency offers her a last option—a caregiver job for a quadriplegic.  It pays well and she needs the money. 

Will Traynor was a successful, active lawyer who led a picture perfect life until an out of control taxi nearly killed him and left him a quadriplegic.  He is miserably unhappy and has attempted suicide.  His mother hires Louisa because she is outgoing and wants her to be a companion for Will for 6 months and make sure that he is never alone for an extended period.  Neither Will nor Louisa are particularly happy with the situation.

Slowly, a deep connection begins to develop between Will and Louisa.  This is evident when Louisa invites him to her birthday dinner with her family and obnoxious fitness fanatic boyfriend.  Will, who doesn’t like to go anywhere, decides to go.  He is charming and funny and gives Louisa a very special birthday present that he had specifically made for her. 

Louisa has overheard a conversation, and found out that Will plans go to Dignitas in Switzerland for assisted suicide at the end of the 6 month period that Louisa has been hired to care for him.  She makes it her life’s goal to prove to Will that he can still enjoy life.  However, time is growing short and Louisa is getting desperate.  Will Louisa be able to change Will’s mind?

This book is an emotional rollercoaster.  Hilariously funny, heart wrenchingly sad, this compelling novel will keep you reading all night to find out what happens. 

Outlander display

Just put together this Outlander History display!

Secret Shopper

Secret Shopper

                When I first walked into the adult section of the small branch library I visited, I noticed one librarian at the reference desk.  I did not see any readers’ advisory signs or booklists.  The only display was of new books.  I browsed a little bit and then walked up to the reference desk.  The librarian was working on something and seemed a little irritated.  He hesitated a moment and then said, “How can I help you?”  I told him that I was looking for a good book to read.   He then asked me, “What do you like to read?”

                At this point I was anticipating a conversation about books, what I liked to read, and hopefully finding a new title to read:  “For many avid readers, talking about books is an enjoyable experience in itself and an extension of the pleasurable reading experience.  Therefore, the soul of a readers’ advisory interview is the talk about books” (Ross, C., Nilsen, K., Dewdney, P., 2002).  I told him I had recently read Me before You by JoJo Moyes and I really enjoyed it.  He pulled up Novelist and then selected the read-alikes.  He did not ask me any questions or converse with me at all.  Next, he told me that I could do this myself over on the computers by the desk but did not offer to offer any assistance with Novelist.  He then said, “Do you want me to print this list or do you want to go over and look this up over there?”  I felt like I was being dismissed.  I just said that would be great if he could print it out for me.  I was given a list of 9 read-alikes for Me Before You.  He resumed working and did not offer to see if any on the list sounded interesting to me or see if they had them in stock. 

                I was really disappointed in my experience at this library branch.  The librarian made me feel like I was inconveniencing him by asking for assistance and that I should have been able to do this myself.  I am lucky to work in an Adult Services department that is well-staffed and when working at the public Reference desk, I am able to give my full attention to customers when they approach.  If I have something time sensitive or detailed, I am usually able to work on that in the back office.  I understand that not all librarians are in this situation.  However, the primary purpose of libraries is to serve the public and that should always be the top priority.  Personally, I would not request assistance from him in the future and if I was a new library patron, I might not return to that branch.  Further, I think it is good to make the public aware of the databases and tools that are available to them and familiarize the public with how to use them.  However, I was not offered any assistance or guidance in how to use the database.  The librarian did not really talk or listen to me.  He provided very minimal assistance and was very dismissive of my request.  Sadly, I do think he had at least some readers’ advisory training but did not have time to offer quality service.  He pulled Novelist up right away, but just did not take the time to converse with me or offer much assistance even though there were no other patrons in need of assistance.  I had the same experience Chelton describes in her research:  “Most of the public librarians encountered by the MLS students had no idea how to conduct a readers’ advisory interview, a remarkably simple process.  Ask the reader what he or she liked about the book that inspired the query, and then follow up by asking if the reader is in the mood for something similar or perhaps something different.” (Chelton 2003).

                In addition, I expected at least some type of question about the appeal of Me Before You.  There were no questions about what appealed to me about that particular book or what I liked about it.  The librarian just went straight to the read-alikes and then did not even talk about them with me, he simply printed them out and ended the transaction.  As Saricks notes:  “We have found that most readers are usually not looking for a book on a certain subject.  They want a book with a particular “feel”.  As we work with readers in libraries, drawing on both fiction and nonfiction collections, it very quickly becomes clear that we need to understand both subject headings and appeal characteristics if we really want to serve readers.” (Saricks 2005).

                While I understand the stress of having deadlines while at the same time working the reference desk, I think that serving the patrons of the library needs to be the utmost priority.  I felt like I received minimal assistance while there were no other patrons currently needing assistance.  I did not have a readers’ advisory interview at all and the librarian simply looked up a few read-alikes and printed them off for me.  I understand the difficulties of providing good readers’ advisory assistance and often feel insecure about my own ability to give good readers’ advisory service (hence, I am taking this course) but I feel like, regardless of the situation, patron service should always be given top priority.

References

Chelton, M.K. (2003).  Readers Advisory 101.  Library Journal.  Retrieved from:  http://libraryjournal.com/2003/11/ljarchives/readers-advisory-101/

Ross, C.S., Nilsen, K., & Dewdney, P. (2002).  The Readers’ Advisory Interview.  In the Reference Interview (pp. 163-175).  New York:  Neal-Schuman.

Saricks, J. (2005).  Articulating a Book’s Appeal.  In Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library.  Chicago:  ALA.  pp.40-73. 

                

The Bone Collector

 

The Bone Collector

by Jeffery Deaver

Synopsis:

Lincoln Rhyme, formerly head of Central Investigation and Resource Division for the NYPD and author, is currently a homebound and withdrawn quadriplegic after a work-related accident has left him paralyzed; and, he is trying to plan his suicide.  A former coworker enlists his help in stopping a serial killer who is abducting New Yorkers, putting them in life-threatening situations and leaving clues of where to find the next victim.  Working out of his bedroom, Rhyme relies on police officer Amelia Sachs to be his eyes and ears at the crime scenes.  He has insisted she work the scenes even though she is inexperienced and doesn’t want to be involved.  During this time, the United Nations is having a convention and this only heightens the fears of both the police and the public.  The bone collector is a serial killer who has a frightening fascination with bones, is deranged and has an obsession with a book of historical New York crimes which he appears to be reliving.  Will Rhyme and Sachs be able to stop him in time?  This is a first in the Lincoln Rhyme suspense series.  This book has also been made into a movie starring Denzel Washington.

 

 

Suspense Genre Elements:

Fast Paced—The novel skips from several points of view:  Lincoln Rhyme (protagonist), Amelia Sachs (secondary protagonist) and the serial killer

Narrow time frame—The Bone Collector begins on Friday at 10:30 pm and ends on Monday at 10:00 pm.  Each chapter starts with the day and times that the chapter begins and ends.

Begins with a hook—The novel starts with the first abduction from the point of view of the victim.

Unknown Danger Resolved Through Confrontation—Towards the end of the novel, Rhyme determines the killer is one of his trusted circle who happens to be in the room alone with him.

Specific Subject—The novel centers around the NYPD Police.

Level of Violence—The book has a moderate amount of violence.  It is very disturbing and that bothered me a lot more than the violence.

 

 

Read-a-likes (Series)

·         Thomas Harris, Hannibal Lecter Series

·         James Patterson, NYPD Red and Alex Cross Series

·         John Sandford, Prey Series

·         Thomas Perry, Jane Whitefield Series

 

 

Prompt #1 Novelist

1.    I am looking for a book by Laurell K. Hamilton. I just read the third book in the Anita Blake series and I can’t figure out which one comes next! 

The fourth book is The Lunatic Café.  In order to find this, I searched for series and entered Anita Blake which brought up the regular series and graphic novel series in Novelist Plus.  Ordinarily, I would go to the Fantastic Fiction website (http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk ) in order to find this information.  It is really quick and easy. 

2. What have I read recently? Well, I just finished this great book by Barbara Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer. I really liked the way it was written, you know, the way she used language. I wouldn't mind something a bit faster paced though. 

After searching in Novelist Plus, I am recommending The Fever Tree by Jennifer McVeigh.  Like Prodigal Summer, this novel has a writing style of descriptive, lush and lyrical and a romantic tone.  Prodigal Summer’s tone is additionally described as thought-provoking.  Although neither novel had the pace listed in Novelist, this one sounds more exciting and has a dramatic tone. 

Listing for The Fever Tree in Novelist (retrieved from: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=neh&tg=UI&an=10173670&site=novp-live ): 
Description:  Forced to abandon her life of privilege in 1880 London and relocate to the Southern Cape of Africa, Francis Irvine becomes entangled with two very different men including one driven by ambition and another by his ideals.
Book Appeal Terms:  Definition of Appeal Terms
Genre:  Historical fiction
Tone:  Dramatic; Romantic; Strong sense of place
Writing Style:  Descriptive; Lush; Lyrical

3. I like reading books set in different countries. I just read one set in China, could you help me find one set in Japan? No, not modern – historical. I like it when the author describes it so much it feels like I was there! 

I recommend The Teahouse Fire by Ellis Avery.  In order to find this I searched for Japan Historical Fiction Descriptive using the Keyword Field. 

Listing for The Teahouse Fire in Novelist (retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=neh&tg=UI&an=149383&site=novp-live ): 
Description:The fates of two women--one American, one Japanese--become entwined in this sweeping novel of 19th century Japan on the cusp of radical change and westernization. The Japanese tea ceremony, steeped in ritual, is at the heart of this story of an American girl, adopted by Kyoto's most important tea master and raised as attendant and surrogate younger sister to his privileged daughter Yukako. Pasts shrouded in secrets and mysterious traditions rocked by modernization make The teahouse fire a compelling and provocative story, lush in details and epic in scope.
Book Appeal Terms:Definition of Appeal Terms 
Genre:Coming-of-age stories; Historical fiction
Storyline:Sweeping
Pace:Leisurely paced
Tone:Bittersweet; Moving; Nostalgic; Reflective; Strong sense of place
Writing Style:Descriptive; Engaging; Lyrical; Richly detailed

4. I read this great mystery by Elizabeth George called Well-Schooled in Murder and I loved it. Then my dentist said that if I liked mysteries I would probably like John Sandford, but boy was he creepy I couldn't finish it! Do you have any suggestions? 

I recommend A share in death by Deborah Crombie which is the first Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James mystery.  Like Well-Schooled Murder, this is a British mystery and police procedural.  In addition, it has similar pace, writing style and tone.

5. My husband has really gotten into zombies lately. He’s already read The Walking Dead and World War Z, is there anything else you can recommend?

After searching Novelist for Adult Fiction Zombies and browsing the results, I recommend Zone One by Colson Whitehead. 

Listing for Zone One in Novelist (retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=neh&tg=UI&an=10008126&site=novp-live ):

Description:In a post-apocalyptic world decimated by zombies, the U.S. government has retreated to Buffalo, New York, and survivor efforts to rebuild are focused on lower Manhattan. With several others, Mark Spitz works as a "sweeper" -- eliminating zombie stragglers as he struggles with PASD (Post-Apocalyptic Stress Disorder) and recalls humanity before the apocalypse. -- Description by Dawn Towery.
Book Appeal Terms:Definition of Appeal Terms
Genre:Adult books for young adults; African American fiction; Horror stories; Satirical fiction
Pace:Leisurely paced
Tone:Bleak; Darkly humorous; Gruesome
Writing Style:WittyPersistent

I find books myself a lot of different ways.  If I am reading a series, I usually go to Fantastic Fiction to find the order or the next one in the series.  I really like to get personal recommendations from people.  That is one of the great benefits of Goodreads!  In addition, I browse Amazon, read reviews, look at book awards lists, browse the shelves, get recommendations in my Facebook feed, and talk to my coworkers. 

When helping patrons, what I use depends on the situation.  Sometimes, they want a quick suggestion and don’t want to wait for a typical RA interview.  I have several books in different genres, I recommend depending on what I can glean from the patron.  I often use Novelist, Goodreads and Google to find additional recommendation.