Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Science Fiction Annotation: Oryx and Crake

Oryx and Crake Annotation

On an Earth wrought unrecognizable by human activities ranging from genetic engineering to biological warfare, humanity has been brought to the edge of extinction. Indeed, as far as he knows, Jimmy is the sole human left alive--though he shares the wasteland of a beach he calls his home with a society of genetically-modified near-humans called “The Children of Crake.” As Jimmy forages for food and scrap material in order to prolong his survival day by day, the mystery of his current situation--and the Children of Crake--is revealed through Jimmy’s reminisces into the past. For it was not so very long ago that Jimmy inhabited a different reality, and one eerily similar to our own. As he remembers a near-past characterized by the increasing power of corporations to define the structure of society, not only is the explanation for Jimmy’s lone survival revealed--so, too, is a tragic love story and a bitter warning of what the future might hold should humanity fail to take responsibility for their actions.
Appeal Terms
-Science-fiction: Rich with new technologies and scientific developments, clones and lingo, and a society whose morals and ways are at once alien and familiar.
-Apocalyptic: Oryx and Crake is set in a world rendered barely recognizable as our own by ecological destruction and the social irresponsibility of humans.
-World-building: Wanting to be swept away into a different reality--even if that reality is bleak, strange, and even disturbing? The devastated landscape that Atwood constructs, and the past and present societies which inhabit it, are both foreboding and intriguing.
-Fast-paced: Despite most of the novel following Jimmy’s solo reflections on the past, this book has reveals and cliff-hangers galore.

> Extra! Extra! < Oryx and Crake is part one of the Madaddam Trilogy, which not only digs into the history of Jimmy and his world, but also invites readers into the points of view of numerous other characters introduced in Oryx and Crake.

Read-Alikes

Mara and Dann by Doris Lessing: In a distant future plagued by drought, a seven-year-old girl, accompanied by her brother, encounters a variety of strange peoples in her insatiable thirst for self-knowledge. (NoveList)

The Possibility of an Island by Michel Houellebecq: A future world in which humankind as we know it has vanished is seen through the eyes of Daniel, a writer who has made a fortune with his comedies capturing the follies and foibles of humankind, and his subsequent clones.. (NoveList)

Gold Fame Citrus by Claire Vaye Watkins: In the wake of a devastating Southern California drought, two idealistic holdouts fall in love and scavenge for their needs before taking charge of a mysterious child and embarking on a perilous journey in search of water. (NoveList)

Week 7 Prompt Response



In much the same way as reviewers’ featuring of a small set of chosen works is not exactly “fair,” the instant fame provided by a recommendation such as Oprah’s may not be fair either--but is in my opinion less problematic. Book reviewers at least purportedly act as neutral agents communicating the relative worth or worthlessness of books to a general public audience, but their success at this is arguable precisely because the general public which they seek to serve constitutes such a vast and diverse group of people. Oprah’s book club, on the other hand, holds as its audience a very specific--if not small--group of people: watchers of Oprah. I think this knowledge of audience positively influences Oprah’s selections and makes the unavoidable bias of her choices more excusable, as Oprah watchers have, in a sense “elected” Oprah to select books which they are likely to enjoy by watching her show.


That being said, I know I would feel differently about Oprah’s disproportionate influence if she were, for example, a conservative talk show host using her clout to promote bigoted or hateful texts. It is because of my own biases that I find Oprah’s recommendations, which so often uplift the works of authors belonging to marginalized communities, admissible and even commendable. Of course, those conservative celebrities are surely out there with their book clubs as well, as are a great number of other celebrities with their own book clubs, an expanding phenomenon assisted by social media. What is perhaps most remarkable about Oprah’s Book Club, then, is simply its vastness, as even those who may have never watched Oprah or read anything she’s recommended, will likely still be familiar with her book club and recognize its insignia when they come across it in the book store. Whereas I couldn’t think, off the top of my head, of even one other celebrity book club, though an internet search instantly informed me of Emma Watson’s, Emma Roberts’, Lena Dunham’s, and Reese Witherspoon’s. In the process of this search, I also came across a short article by an advertising agency’s analyst looking into “Celebrity Book Clubs: What’s the Deal and What Can We Learn?”. I found that their conclusions clearly communicated some of my own positive feelings about celebrity book clubs: these “clubs” encourage reading, “rally people” around books, and--perhaps best of all--encourage communication about and critique of the chosen books. In our sped-up, dizzyingly media-saturated culture, someone who, with no more than an instagram post, can get people talking about a book with other people has my gratitude.

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Week 6 Prompt Response: Gentle Reads Program


In our overstimulated day and age, there is a lot to be said for the slower and more contemplative experience of reading a book--especially a book that is upbeat, comforting, and character-driven instead of flashy, violent, or fast-paced. While the genre of gentle reads is somewhat pigeonholed by stereotypically being for older readers, I think there’s many younger and middle aged readers who would also appreciate the reprieve these books offer from the speed and complexity of modern life.


To promote gentle reads to a wider audience, I would create a program at my library on “Slowing Down & Releasing Stress” or something similar. This program could present various stress-relief techniques (such as meditation, coloring pages, taking a once-a-week break from technology, etc), invite a local scholar or psychologist to discuss effects of stress versus relaxation on the brain, and then conclude by offering attendees stress-relieving resources available at the library--a display of gentle reads, complete with bookmarks providing further suggestions; a display of feel-good or inspirational movies; and a flier listing all relevant library programs, like musical events, crafting groups, meditation hours, and more! To better reach its intended audience, I would hold this program in the evening so that busy workers could more likely attend, and be sure to acquaint attendees of e-book and audiobook versions of all the media discussed, so that people with commutes or minimal free time could more easily access the recommended resources.


Gentle Reads Annotation

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
by Fannie Flagg
Gentle reads

Discontented 80s housewife Evelyn Couch expected her weekly trips to the nursing home with her husband to visit his aging mother to be simply more dull hours spent ruminating on all that’s less than satisfactory about her life...but then she meets Mrs. Threadgoode. Mrs. Threadgoode is a spunky old woman full of fascinating stories of the past, when she lived in the tiny town of Whistle Stop, Alabama. While Mrs. Threadgoode’s stories tell of gentler days bygone, they also tell of the hardships of the Great Depression and the cruelties of a racist South--as well as the heart-warming triumphs of overcoming these grim realities of the past. But her stories focus on two people in particular, and they are Idgie and Ruth, the indomitable pair that created the Whistle Stop Cafe and, with it, a community. As she listens to these stories, Evelyn can’t help but first be drawn in and then downright inspired, as she comes to see that you only live once, and your life is what you make it.

Appeal Terms
-Upbeat: This gentle tale has a way of always finding the light as the inspiring--but realistic--characters ultimately do the right thing or get their just deserts.
-Heart-warming: Though poverty, racism, sexism, and abuse all make their way into the pages of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, the true story here is of overcoming these trials.
-Nostalgic: Details of life in the small-town South of the 30s and 40s are intricately and skillfully placed to bring readers vividly into this past era.
-Character-driven: While the escapades of Idgie, Evelyn, as well as all the other residents of Whistle Stop never fail to provide intriguing plot, the heart of this story is in the characters themselves--their failings and their successes alike.


> Extra! Extra! < This gentle read focused on women’s lives and relationships was made into a film, Fried Green Tomatoes, in 1991. The film stars Mary-Louise Parker and Kathy Bates, among others, and was nominated for two Academy Awards.

Read-Alikes

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd: After her "stand-in mother," a bold black woman named Rosaleen, insults the three biggest racists in town, Lily Owens joins Rosaleen on a journey to Tiburon, South Carolina, where they are taken in by three black, bee-keeping sisters. (NoveList)


The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat  by Edward Kelsey Moore: Forging a friendship at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Odette, Clarice and Barbara Jean meet regularly at the first diner owned by black proprietors in their Indiana city and are watched throughout the years by a big-hearted man who observes their struggles with school, marriage, parenthood and beyond. (NoveList)


The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen: Quiet, awkward Josey Cirrini's peaceful life--caring for her elderly mother, enjoying romance novels, and indulging in her secret passion for sweets--is turned upside down when Della Lee Baker, a sassy, confident, and bold waitress fleeing an abusive boyfriend, decides to hide out in Josey's home. (NoveList)

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Week 5 Prompt Response



The question of reliability when it comes to reviews is a knotty one. The reviews for Billionaire’s First Christmas, for example, while “unreliable” in terms of whether or not they objectively address the novel’s artistic quality (they do not, for instance, talk about whether or not the novel is a good representative of its genre, how effectively the author uses figurative language, etc), they are certainly reliable in representing how an average reader is likely to respond to Rayner’s book. As a collection developer or reader’s advisor, this kind of information is probably just as useful as the more polished reviews published in recognized review journals--but only as a method for determining whether or not the book in question is likely to circulate and be enjoyed. As mentioned above, these reviews do not address the fact that this book is clearly not romantic suspense, and should therefore not be purchased for a library as a representative of this genre.

It seems advisable, then, that more informal, reader reviews and more polished, published reviews be used in tandem. As much as the reviews for Angela’s Ashes, for example, suggest that the novel is indeed a promising read and will be a worthwhile addition to any library collection, it is difficult to determine from these reviews alone whether a book such as this (one of those “reviewed to death”) will indeed be enjoyed by the average library patron, or whether it is simply a media darling chosen and pushed by the publishing company. A chicken-and-egg scenario, while these “chosen” books are not necessarily any better than the many books surely under-reviewed by the media, they are the books that will probably be in higher demand at the library, simply because they are the titles people know. This lopsided characteristic of the reviewing media fundamentally affects the library collection by influencing which books it collects.

On that note, negative reviews seem just as useful as positive reviews, and I would personally shy away from review sources which are purely positive. While I wouldn’t necessarily decide not to buy an item due to a negative review--especially if patrons are likely to request the item either way--I think negative reviews can still be quite useful. From a reader’s advisory standpoint, a negative review could, for instance, alert you to a jarring change in a long-running series, which you might want to mention to loyal readers, or serve as the deciding factor in whether or not you’d recommend a book described as poorly-plotted to a particularly literary reader.

While I do not purchase for a library or use reviews very much to influence my own reading choices, I do use reviews to help me find good literary candidates for my work with children. School Library Journal’s reviews have been instrumental in helping me stay up to date on what’s happening in the world of children’s lit and helping me determine whether or not a given book is worth looking into for a certain age group. Another review source I’ve frequently consulted is Common Sense Media. Their reviews of both books and media for youth have been invaluable, and their web site hosts a very user-friendly interface, with easy-to-browse lists of books and media organized by different categories, such as age group, genre, topic, and “multicultural” reads.

Adventure Annotation: Treasure by Clive Cussler

Treasure
Clive Cussler
A Dirk Pitt Adventure


Adventurer Dirk Pitt thinks he’s merely on a mission to find a sunken Russian submarine… when he finds himself embroiled in both an international terrorist conspiracy and a mystery as old as time. Torn between the modern drama of a brutal ruler rising to power in Mexico and an Islamic terrorist plot with its sights set on controlling Egypt, and the discovery of scattered antiquities originating from the storied Library of Alexandria, the roguish and charming Dirk doesn’t settle for saving just one day: he saves them all—and even finds time for a little romance while he’s at it! Transitioning smoothly from scenes lifted from ancient Aztec rituals—and depicting blood-chilling torture— to super-technical descriptions of archaeological reconnaissance missions, the rapid pace of Cussler’s vivid prose keeps readers eager to find out what happens next.
Appeal Terms
-Adventure: Cussler seamlessly incorporates both contemporary and traditional elements of adventure, from high-tech aeronautics to an ancient treasure map
-Fast-paced: New discoveries and revelations are made frequently, as are international scene changes, which keep readers on their toes.
-Vivid: Cussler’s clear and vibrant descriptions make even the dustiest of archaeological finds interesting and easy to picture.
-Action-packed: Never a dull moment here!


> Extra! Extra! < While not part of a chronological series, Treasure is a Dirk Pitt novel, joining the ranks of many other books by Cussler featuring Dirk as the main character. If you like what you find here, there’s much more adventure to experience!


Read-Alikes


The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw: When the ancient ruins of Atlantis are discovered along the Spanish coast, linguist and archaeologist Thomas Lourds joins a violent competition to be the first of its explorers, an effort marked by a series of puzzles that must be solved in order to gainentry into the lost civilization. (NoveList)


Angels & Demons by Dan Brown: The murder of a world-famous physicist raises fears that the Illuminati are operating again after centuries of silence, and religion professor Robert Langdon is called in to assist with the case. (NoveList)


The Alexander Cipher by Will Adams: Sneaking along at an archaeological dig that turns out to be the long-lost tomb of Alexander the Great, enthusiast Daniel Knox finds himself pitted against rival archaeologists, Egyptian officials, and Macedonian nationalists in a cutthroat race to find the body of the ancient conqueror. (NoveList)

Monday, February 6, 2017

Four-Legged Girl by Diane Seuss, a Kirkus-Style Review

Four-Legged Girl by Diane Seuss

Poetry
 Electrifying language and evocative images anchor poems narrating the episodes—both mundane and bizarre--of a woman’s life.

Electrifying language and evocative images anchor poems narrating the episodes—both mundane and bizarre--of a woman’s life. Written from the vantage point of an older person reliving her earlier experiences, this collection of poetry is nevertheless no sedate reflection. Threading along in a loosely chronological manner, the speaker recounts with a startling vividness the loss of her father to cancer, her fresh-eyed move to New York City from the sticks of Michigan, her admittance to the fringes of the New York art world of the 60s, and her tumultuous relationship with a heroin addict. These poems are rhythmic, sensual, steamy and smoky: they gulp you down into a rabbit hole equal parts greenhouse and whorehouse, complete with fragrant metaphors and raw imagery. While there is plenty of tenderness found throughout the book, as the speaker moves from eulogizing her father to addressing her own son, the sentimental is overshadowed by the erotic, the creative, the brutal, and the starstruck, as these poems pay homage to a bygone era in American art culture and probe the realities of the body. Indeed, the speaker’s exploration of the body—especially the body claimed and experienced as female, especially this body experienced as it ages—is a sustaining theme, and one that is interrogated from a fiercely feminist perspective which revels in pleasure even as It refuses to conceal that which is ugly, painful, and/or stigmatized. Each poem in this collection is a sizzling galaxy unto itself; simultaneously, each poem is strengthened by its inclusion in the dynamic tapestry of narrative and theme that Seuss so boldly creates. 

Sunday, February 5, 2017

Secret Shopper Experience


My Secret Shopper experience was middle of the road. While I did come away from the interaction with a good book, I also feel that there are aspects of the interview that could have been better. The librarian I consulted relied heavily on the computer, making only minimal eye contact with me and asking few questions to suss out what exactly I was looking for in my next book. That being said, they used a variety of tools (NoveList and, when that didn't supply satisfactory results, Goodreads), and explained these tools to me briefly as they used them. Once they'd found a suggestion, they accompanied me to the shelf to find the book, a touch I found particularly hospitable, and I left the library with a book I'm genuinely quite excited to read!