Week 6 Assignment 2 and 3

The Prezi was Wonderful!  Thanks Alex for that well crafted presentation.  Very easy to follow!

The first subgenre I selected was Western-Native American. I have read westerns in the distant past, but nothing within this area. All 3 titles I selected are by Louise Erdich: "The Round House" , "Love Medicine" and "Tracks". Reading reviews of her works on Goodreads suggest that the appeal factors are setting, pacing and character. The setting is usually a Reservation, characters are generally Native American and the language lyrical. Reviewers used the terms "simple prose" to describe the language and "meandering" to describe the pacing. I would say that her works would be best for someone who liked Westerns with a Literary edge.... As far as a website, I think goodreads.com reads was the best I could find! Reviewers LOVE her works for the setting and the cultural development. The big buzz is, of course, her latest novel "The Round House", nominated for an award, and simultaneously described as a legal thriller...

The second subgenre I selected was Comic Sci Fi. Being a fan of classic Sci Fi, I wasn't certain how I would feel about this subsection. However it turns out I have read (and loved) some books in this genre. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy series as well as "To Say Nothing of the Dog" by Connie Willis are favorites. I also remember my husband reading Harry Harrison's "A Stainless Steel Rat".    I didn't think of them as comic at the time I read them, but reading the description from bestsciencefictionbooks.com I see the appeal. Characterization is important as is setting. The Hitchhikers series is quite descriptive, and the Willis book includes Time Travel, so of course setting is quite important. I would not describe this subgenre as fast paced, but language is indeed important. Sly humor, sarcasm, satire are all important to this subgenre. Comic Sci Fi receives much of its accolades for its ability to make the transfer to the big screen.

The third subgenre I selected was quirky offbeat fiction. I have read virtually nothing in this subgenre, and once again goodreads.com is the best website/fansite. I think the appeal factors would most definitely be language, setting and pacing. Christopher Moore has been in my house (my son loves him) as has Michael Chabon, (a husband choice). Jasper Fforde makes this list as well, an author I always meant to read, but haven't.

As far as a Mashup, I found Western/Time Travel Romance! I found this genre listed on www.westernauthors.com . A popular author in this genre is Madeline Baker. A couple of her books include the Native American theme as well: "A Whisper In the Wind" and "Under a Prairie Moon". Based on the reviews, the appeal factors of this genre are similar to Historic Fiction and Historic Romance. Each include a well described setting, strong characterization, moderate pacing and language geared to the setting.

Week 6 Assignment 1

I've been using the Romantic Times website regularly since beginning the Be More Bookish training.  Rather than being about Romances only, the website looks at all kinds of Genres and subgenres.  It also has a FAQ section that does a worth job of explaining the difference between certain genres, ie. Romantic Suspense vs Suspense.   It was interesting to note, particularly with the popularity of the Fifty Shades Trilogy, the difference between Erotic Romance and Erotica.  Erotic Romance most often comes with a happy ending, while Erotica does not.  Also interesting to note that I had to change my computer settings in order to search Erotica!!

Week 5

I've been checking out Goodreads a bit more often now that we are blogging.  I've noticed that Goodreads offers pretty good recommendations based on my book reviews, but I think Amazon does an even better job!!!  Go figure.....but I guess with profit as the motivator, Amazon's recommendation algorithm might be somewhat stronger.

At OW we get a mix of customers looking for Bestsellers and more specific genres.  African American Christian fiction is popular, as is Urban fiction and Jewish fiction. I'm pretty familiar with Jewish Fiction, Christian Fiction and Urban fiction.  African American Christian fiction is a new one.  I've found the best recommendations for this genre via Amazon, Goodreads and of course, Google!

I looked at the best of 2013 on Early Word.  Life After Life by Kate Atkinson seems worthy of recommendation...it does have a number of Holds on it in the system!   I would suggest this book for fans of Magic Realism.  From reviews it seems to be a book for readers who prefer a slower pace, attention to setting and detail.  Since the Character is "reborn" several times, it would seem that characterization is a strong part of the appeal factor as well.

  I think I'm going to read this book because it appeals to ME!

Week 4

I've had my Goodreads Account since the era of "23 Things".  It gathered dust until I started LATI in the fall of 2011.  I've continued to use it occasionally since then, which is a good thing or I would have forgotten my password!   I like Goodreads for book recommendations and following some of my favorite authors.  I like to see what they're reading....usually nothing similar to what they write!

This week I've been "friended" on Goodreads and I've "friended" someone else.  I haven't done that before....   I also  made a book recommendation to Cassie Domek based on her reading choices and ratings.  Hope she likes it!    

my recommendation.....

Week Three-  "What They are Looking for"

Conversation 1:
 This customer seems to prefer stories about women in transition, or women facing and overcoming obstacles in their lives.  Recommendations for her would include:

                      

"We Are All Welcome Here" by Elizabeth Berg.  Tells the story of a single mother confined to an Iron Lung, her bravery and her strong will, particularly with regard to her daughter.

"Flight Behavior"  by Barbara Kingsolver  The environment, motherhood, marriage, friendship and family all examined in beautiful Kingsolver style.

Conversation 2:

For this reader I would recommend the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris.  Vampires, other creatures, and a whole lot more!   No teen angst!

I would also suggest  some of the grittier series by Kim Harrison and Laurell K. Hamilton.  If the reader wants something a bit lighter, then the books of MaryJanice Davidson might work as well.

Conversation 3:
This is a reader who clearly likes historical non-fiction that reads like fiction.  For this customer I would recommend "Destiny of the Republic" by Candice Millard, any of the Erik Larson books, as well as the works of David McCullough.  I would also suggust the HBO series on John Adams...again history well researched and presented in a very entertaining manner.   No dry histories for this customer!

                       

 

 

        

Week 2 complete!  I commented on Kathleen M.'s blog.  I recommended authors rather than specific books since those authors each had a unique style.

             



Looking at my selections written by two of my favorite authors, I would say that my appeal factors weigh heavily toward characterization.  I need to like the characters in the books I read, and I need to care about what happens to them.   

The story line for me needs to include relationships, often some paranormal, and definitely a happy or at least uplifting ending.  

Thrillers are not my style since I clearly prefer leisurely pacing with time is spent on description, setting, and character development

Conversation, full descriptions and flowing language are important.  The main characters are always intelligent and conversations well written.  Dialect is given emphasis as is historical vernacular.

The setting is usually somewhere "safe".  Seacoast, rural, small town, or even comfortable city life.

 Attention to Detail is essential.  I like a setting so well described, that I can visualize where the story takes place.  The language is lyrical...

The Tone of my favorites is usually tending towards a happy or uplifting ending.  Terror, danger, violence are not my choice readings.  But the tone is anticipatory rather than tense.   My preference is atmospheric, somewhat Gothic, but not too scary.  I always want to keep reading to see what happens because I care about the characters.

Learning/Experiencing:  I want to visit the setting.  Its described so beautifully...I also want to live in the character's house!   I don't want the story to end.  I want to meet and know the characters.The historical aspect is so fully researched that I want to want to learn more.