Week 15 Prompt

Marketing my library's fiction collection

My library does several things to market our fiction collection. First, we offer "Recommended Reads" on the web page, with links also on Facebook and other social media platforms. Different librarians prepare a Recommended Reads flyer and they are updated each month. They are relevant to what is happening in the month - so they might be diverse reads or women authors or Earth Day related or something like that. They include our electronic materials, too.

Second, we always have several displays, and these are organized by the team leader of the adult section and each librarian has a display to develop each month. These are placed in the main lobby with signage and librarians make sure there are plenty of books in them all month long.

Third, we have our Summer and our Winter Reading Challenge programs. While these do reward people for reading any books, we create bookmarks with books from our collection as ideas for what they can read during the challenge dates. We make displays around these bookmarks and manage those like the other displays. This past winter we had our fiction section closed off for part of the Winter Reading Challenge dates because of some construction. That was a challenge! We created more displays with more books available to try to mitigate the loss for those few weeks, and that helped. 

I can't wait to see what everyone else does!

Week 14 Prompt - Unity? Separation?

 

Should we separate the collection by genre?

This is a difficult question, in my opinion, but an important one to consider. My current library separates fiction by genre, and as a mystery reader I have appreciated being able to go straight to the mystery section and browse for titles there. But I recognize there are several problems with this separation. First, many books don't fit well into a particular genre - so where do we put them? Second, it doesn't help readers expand their horizons very well. Third, it can send messages about value that we don't really want to send. 

For these reasons I say that we should NOT separate novels based on genre classifications. Let me elaborate.

1. Genre is really an artificial designation. 

A book can contain elements of mystery, romance, and science fiction, or any other typical genre. For example, I just read Throwback, by Maureen Goo. NoveList lists it as a science fiction novel, presumably because there is time travel. But if you loved science fiction I think you would be sorry to read this book, because there's really no science, and the time travel is just a plot device to get the right people together so the story can proceed. So not only do books span genres, collections staff have to decide which of many items is most important in where to place the item. Perhaps it's time to take an innovative step in our libraries and ditch genre altogether. It should still be listed in the catalog as a searchable term, but then you can have all the appropriate genres there as searchable terms so the books can be found be anyone interested in them. 

2. Separation doesn't help readers expand their horizons. 

If I only browse the Mystery section then I don't start to explore any new genres. As someone who has been reading mysteries for over 40 years, I have to admit that sometimes I just walk any and say "nah, nah, read that, read that, nah" and walk out without a book. If the books were mixed together I might say "hey, that looks interesting" and launch into a new genre or author. Barry Trott (Trott & Novak, 2006) points out that many authors write in a number of different genres. Having all of those books shelved together helps a reader choose a new genre with a tried and trusted author. This could then lead the reader to move outside of that "old" genre to explore new kinds of books and grow as a reader. These are good things that we want for our patrons.

3. Separation can send messages about value.

Placement of the different genres can make a huge difference. In my library the Romance and Large Print fiction are most prominently place, probably because most of our patrons like those books. Fantasy and Science Fiction are off to one side, adult Graphic Novels are back out of the way, and Urban Fiction is in the farthest back corner. What do those placements say? They make it clear that certain types of fiction are not popular, and maybe they even suggest that we are uncomfortable with some of those books. If we mix them all together then there is no chance that that message is sent - even if it is not meant.

An idea

This topic has made me think about how we can help patrons read more widely, and how we can honor all the kinds of books that the library owns. I think that when we do displays about topics we need to be sure we are including all different genres in the display. So, what if we're doing a display about Romance titles in February - could we include some other genres as well? Even some non-fiction? Some displays would be harder than others, but I think working to include that variety would open patrons' eyes to the wide variety of options available to them.

References

Trott, B., & Novak, V. (2006). A House Divided? Reference & User Services Quarterly, 46(2), 33–38. https://doi-org.proxy.ulib.uits.iu.edu/10.5860/rusq.46n2.33

YA novel annotation

Author:  Maurene Goo

Title: Throwback

 

Genre: YA (Relationship Fiction)

            Note: NoveList puts this as a Science Fiction novel. I disagree. The time travel is only a plot device to get Samantha and her mother together as peers and remove the mother-daughter drama. This allows Samantha to explore who her mother is, why she is the way she is, and it also leads to self-discovery on Samantha’s part. That fits the Relationship Fiction genre better.

Publication Date: April 11, 2023

Number of Pages: 368

Geographical Setting: LA, California, USA

Time Period: 2025 and 1995

Series (If applicable): N/A

Plot Summary:

While this story appears at first glance to be about time travel, it is actually about a mother-daughter relationship, focusing on the challenges that arise when mothers put their personal desires onto their daughters. Samantha Kang is a senior in high school and is struggling against her mother’s efforts to push her to do things that her mother thinks are important. Samantha’s relationship with her grandmother is strong, and both grandmother and granddaughter struggle against the mother in this story. Samantha travels back in time 30 years to her mother’s senior year in high school. In that experience she comes to learn more about her mother and develops a respect and understanding of why her mother has the drive she has. She also becomes more aware of her grandmother’s flaws. By the end of the story all three women have matured in their relationships with each other and have come to love and understand each other. There is a minor plot point of a romance that begins to develop. This relationship helps Samantha to come to see that she has value as her own person.

I loved how Samantha grew as a person throughout her experience. I particularly loved watching her find her own self, as defined by what she likes and enjoys, rather than as a response to those around her. I did not love how 1995 was portrayed. Some things were hard to see but important to notice, like the amount of racism (both overt and covert). But Goo works to incorporate 1990’s language and clothing styles and based on my memories she doesn’t quite hit the mark there. It’s a big challenge but it made some of the 1990’s scenes difficult to digest. Having said that, the storyline was compelling enough that it was easy to let those weak points go.

Subject Headings:

Fiction – Young Adult

Fiction – mother/daughter relationships

Fiction – racism

 

Appeal:

Tone: Relationship fiction novels “offer uncomplicated but not unsophisticated stories” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 196).

Samantha believes her journey back in time is meant for her to resolve the relationship between her mother and her grandmother. But during that process she also learns about herself, and comes to understand why her mother is as driven as she is. 

Story Line: “These are novels of high drama, inner conflict, and domestic disrepair played out on a small, intimate scale, reflecting the trials and concerns of everyday life” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 196).

As Samantha comes to know her mother as a high school senior and peer, and as she learns more about what life was like for her in that time, she appreciates what her mother is doing and much of her anger against her dissipates. Samantha also comes to learn that she has a gift of story-telling, and that she needs to identify her own dreams and follow them, rather than pushing against what her mother is encouraging her to do.

Characterization: “Although characters are of central importance, the genre is not noted for its extensive and dimensional characterizations” (Wyatt & Saricks, 2019, p. 198).

Samantha does represent a “typical” teenager, or at least a “typical” Korean American teenager. While the connection to Korean American culture is strong, it also can apply to any other immigrant group that is working to assimilate into American culture. 

3 terms that best describe this book:  

Character-driven, relationship-focused, witty

Similar Authors and Works:

Your Life Has Been Delayed, by Michelle Mason

 

A teenager boards a plane in 1990’s New York and gets off in 2020 St. Louis. This book has more romance than Throwback and less personal growth, though the main character is forced to face issues of death and loss. 

Common appeal: 90’s culture, romance, young adult (teen)

Heiress Apparently, by Diana Ma.

 

A Chinese American actress travels to China for a part in M. Butterfly. While there she learns about her family and herself.

Common appeal: Asian-American culture, romance, family discoveries

The Sun is Also a Star, by Nicola Yoon

 

A video game developer falls for her intern. Her work life is full of challenges related to gender discrimination.

Common appeal: immigrant experiences, Korean culture, romance

 

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

Almost American girl: an illustrated memoir, by Robin Ha

 

This graphic novel memoir confronts issues of immigration and mother-daughter relationships.

Common appeal: own voices, 1990’s, immigration

Rising class: how three first-generation college students conquered their first year, by Jennifer Miller

 

The story of three first-generation college freshmen as they deal with the challenges of entering college while dealing with responsibilities of their families at home.

Common appeal: social issues, personal growth, transition to college

We too sing America: South Asian, Arab, Muslim, and Sikh immigrants shape our multiracial future, by Deepa Iyer

 

This book considers racial tension in America up to around 2016 (published in 2015).

Common appeal: ethnic and racial discrimination, immigration, Asian Americans.

 

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

We Are Not Free, by Traci Chee

 

This novel tells about second-generation Japanese American teens growing up during World War II, when Japanese Americans were being incarcerated.

Common appeal: Asian Americans, racial and ethnic discrimination, own voices

Starfish, by Akemi Dawn Bowman

 

This realistic fiction novel explores a young woman’s journey to escape from her mother and their toxic relationship. She learns about herself and life as the novel unfolds.

Common appeal: complex character, own voice, mother-daughter relationships

 

Hungry Ghost, by Victoria Ying

 

This graphic novel is about a teen hiding her eating disorder. Mother-daughter relationships are confronted as the main character learns to love herself.

Common appeal: mother-daughter relationships, personal growth, dysfunctions

 

References

 

Wyatt, N.  & Saricks, J. G. (2019). The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (3rd ed.). ALA Editions.

Week 13 Prompt

Reflections on Young Adult, New Adult, Graphic novels

I want to start with a little personal background. My father was a reading educator (he taught teachers how to teach reading). So reading was a serious topic when I was a kid (and yes, I was an avid reader, like most of you!). I remember my dad saying many times that to get kids to read you have to stop caring so much about WHAT they read. If it's interesting to them, let them read it. So I am in favor of supporting graphic novels and whatever people need to find their interest in reading. I would hope that in time they would move to more complex literature and grow in their thinking as well as their ability to read. But all of these three types of literature can be more complex if the writer chooses to make them so.

Thus, I believe that a library should definitly offer YA, NA, and graphic novels in its collection. I think it does get complicated to figure out where to house NA works, but as long as they are in the catalog the patron should be able to find them. We had a patron in the teen area yesterday looking for a Sarah J. Maas book that we have shelved in the adult section. We looked it up and told her where it was and all was well.

Having said that, this topic has caused me to reflect - what did I read when I was a young adult and a "new adult?" Well, frankly, in college I read the textbooks and assigned materials during the school year - there was no time for fiction unless I was taking a literature class! But in the summers? I had "graduated" to Agatha Christie from my childhood reading of Walter Farley's Black Stallion books, moving through some fun historical fiction like John Jakes' Kent Family Chronicles in high school. Maybe those were my YA books? I did love Christie's Tommy and Tuppence, and even though they were of a different period, I could relate to their effort to find their independent way after the war. I guess I'm wondering if there were NA books back when I was a new adult, but they just weren't marketed that way? I did read a few romances but I wasn't that interested in them. They seemed to have a very repeated plot that didn't grab me (I know, mysteries have pretty similar plots - someone dies, someone figures out who the killer was, and there may be romance along the way). The new adults I know often read fantasy. They love relationships and don't mind a little romance and even some sex, but I think it's the appeal factors that matter.

I personally would like to see less of an emphasis on sexual interactions in NA and YA books, but especially in YA books. But that's not something a library should control. We did have a patron who wanted to get a book for her daughter that one of the librarians knew was a pretty "steamy" book, and the librarian did mention that to the mother, in case she was unaware. I have had conversations with parents about the fact that the YA literature is fairly broad in terms of what is covered and the challenges the parents have in reading in front of their children if they want to make sure a book is appropriate for them. I remember the point when I had to give up on that and trust that my children would make good choices because they were becoming adults. It's a challenge all parents have to face.

I have read a few graphic novels and I struggle with that genre personally. I've spoken to some younger patrons - really asking them to help me learn how to read the genre. Of course, most younger patrons don't want to be caught dead explaining these to an old librarian lady, so it's an uphill battle (lol). But I find that I don't follow what the author is trying to explain through the pictures. I need the words to understand. Yes, I need the novelization of the graphic novel! Anyway, I still think these are important books to include in the collection for a number of reasons. Most importantly, they are one way people can express themselves and find their own stories (as readers and as writers), and this is true for all ages. But for younger readers these books can help bridge the gap into bigger books, and I think that is also important. 

As a librarian, I think we need to have all of these book types in our libraries. But as a human (OK, yeah, I've been a teacher) I also want to help readers move into more complex reading and thinking. I think that could be done by creating displays that are directed at new adults that include popular NA titles but also more general fiction titles that share appeal factors. I think whenever we can help readers expand their reading horizon that's a good thing for them.