Week 5

Assignment 1

Early Word
EarlyWord has turned out to be an entertaining resource where I can quickly gain information about new books (I enjoy the brevity of the blog posts). However, I feel that its book reviews are lacking a little both in the length of the actual reviews (brevity here is a negative) and in the fact that I found EarlyWord to concentrate just as much (if not even more so) on media news concerning books than actual book reviews. I was surprised to see that EarlyWord not only focused on movies that are based off of books, but also tv shows (for instance, I learned that a tv show is airing in June that is based off of Stephen King's novel Under the Dome). I find that, as librarians, we often dedicate a lot of time to learning about new book releases and not enough time to finding out more about new movies and tv shows. Since BCPL provides movies and tv shows (and since they are some of the most highly circulated items), viewers' advisory is just as important. I often have customers come up to me asking to place Downton Abbey on hold. I recently learned through EarlyWord that the new season of Downton Abbey is premiering in January and that one of the main actresses is not returning. This blog post also mentioned two books related to Downton Abbey (one on Lady Almina and the other on Lady Catherine). I have suggested that customers read these books and have also given them suggestions to watch Upstairs, Downstairs, Mr. Selfridge, Parade's End, and Call the Midwife (along with reading Jennifer Worth's memoirs). It's great that, through what I learn from EarlyWord, I can engage customers in a rich readers'/viewers' advisory experience beyond just placing Downton Abbey on hold for them. Therefore, I do like the emphasis that EarlyWord puts on media, though I feel as if I would have to utilize different resources (such as Goodreads or NPR) for quality, lengthy book reviews.

Assignment 2

I would say, hands down, that popular fiction (those on the booklists such as The New York Times Best Seller List) are the most checked out books at Reisterstown. I believe that customers tend to want to read a book after the movie comes out, rather than before (I have a feeling that most customers are unaware that a movie has been based off of a book until they see it listed in the opening credits, unless it is a very popular book). For instance, I have had no requests for Ender's Game yet, despite the fact that it is coming out in December of this year. However, I have a feeling that I will start to get requests for this title after the movie has come to theaters.

Since I chose EarlyWord as one of my readers' advisory resources, I have become familiar with the site over the past five weeks, so nothing was a new discovery for me this week. I'd say that the best resources that this site offers are the Movie & TV Based on Books sections. I will continue to frequent these pages. Another part of this site that I will start to use continually is the People Magazine Book Reviews Index, seeing as most Reisterstown Branch customers desire popular fiction (and I've had a few come to me with clippings out of People magazine of the books they want to be placed on hold). It's great that EarlyWord compiles these reviews in one section, since People does not have an online index of their reviews.

Assignment 3

I chose Flavorpill's (also listed on Huffington Post and The Los Angeles Times) My Brother's Book by Maurice Sendak. This was the last book Sendak wrote before he passed away last May, which will ensure its popularity as many will see it as his "farewell." Comprised of a meditative poem on Sendak's brother (and, as some believe, written in memory of Sendak's partner as well), this book is about two brothers who are separated when a falling star hits Earth. It deals with such themes as sibling (brotherly) love, loss, separation, and reunion. It is beautifully illustrated with watercolors, which will appeal to children, while its treatment of such deep themes will speak to an older, adult audience. Both the poetry and the illustrations are reminiscent of William Blake's work, especially Songs of Innocence and Experience (which, similarly, can be enjoyed by both children and adults). Adults who revel in meditative poetry, who devoured Sendak's writing and illustration style in their youth, and who like authors such as Shakespeare and William Blake, from whom Sendak drew his inspiration, will particularly find this book resonating.