"Who's buying teen books? Lots and lots of adults" Christian Science Monitor, September 14, 2012
Not surprising to read that adults are buying teen books. They're certainly reading them here in Pikesville! Boy in the Striped Pajamas (Boyne) and Book Thief (Zusak)were just the start; customers were willing to overlook the YA spine label to read a new different holocaust novel. But then came Twilight (Meyer) and Hunger Games (Collins)--moms and then dads reading the books their teens had begun. Copies of Hush (Chayil) disappeared from our displays as soon as we placed them there. More and more adults are finding superior reading in the teen section, e.g. The Fault in Our Stars (Green).
"YA Comes of Age" Publishers Weekly, September 30, 2011
An older article, with a partially dated observation, "The young adult market these days is a bit like a nephew you haven’t seen in years: transformed from a little darling into a hulking almost-grownup who is maybe even a little scary."
I think since 2011 teen fiction has continued to morph, now not all about paranormal vampires. "There was some agreement that readers might not yet have paranormal fatigue, but a lot of editors do.”
Their next best thing --dystopia arrived in force last year.
This summer there doesn't seem to have a single "big thing" or "big title."
I commented on two blogs -- Paula S. and Barb S-M.
Monday, July 22, 2013
Week 7: Not Just for Teens--assignment 1
"What to Read Next" flowchart from Lawrence Public Library
Excellent fun chart. Oh, I wish there was a current edition, not October, 2012.
Found book titles I'd read, even more that I hadn't. Looked them up on Amazon to be more prepared for teen RA.
Excellent fun chart. Oh, I wish there was a current edition, not October, 2012.
Found book titles I'd read, even more that I hadn't. Looked them up on Amazon to be more prepared for teen RA.
Week 6: Subgenres -- pick 3
Fan websites for subgenres
Paranormal Romance Guild
"Where the pursuit of extraordinary love, romance and passion is first and foremost."
http://www.paranormalromanceguild.com/
Found by luck, while google searching "paranormal"
Buzz on this site seems to be authors publishing their books, or readers discovering new books
Hallmarks--
love and romance with a fantastical twist
humans with vampires, ghosts, werewolves. . .
Authors--Linell Jepson, Jordon Hawk, Scott Harper
_
_______________________
Fanfic Subgenres: Real Person Fics
 Posted by Chris Lang on April 14, 2013 at 6:30 PM |
Hello and welcome to Fanfic Subgenres, where I take a look at subgenres of fan fiction, and then find examples of those same subgenres in professionally-produced works.
One of the most despised genres of fan fiction is the Real Person Fic. It's pretty much Exactly What It Says On The Tin. It's a fictional work involving a real person.
Hallmarks of real person fic --
main character is usually some sort of celebrity (people are so gaga about celebrities)
based on a true person, but details embellished as author sees fit
historical or contemporary subjects
attractive to even nonfiction readers, who feel like they are learning more
Loving Frank -- Frank Lloyd Wright
Aviator's Wife-- Charles and Anne Lindbergh
Clara and Mr. Tiffany -- Clara Driscoll and Louis Tiffany
___________________________________
SF subgenres: urban fantasy
Found googling "urban fiction"
http://www.examiner.com/article/sf-subgenres-what-is-urban-fantasy
"As speculative fiction has grown and evolved, the original sub-genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror have fractured into even more sub-genres. In this series of "SF subgenres," I'll not only identify and define these sub-genres, I'll help you find resources for engaging with these sub-genres right here in Long Beach.
Often, urban fantasy stories have strong female protagonists, and many of the authors in the subgenre are women. This is in contrast to high fantasy, which, more often than not, has male protagonists, damsels in distress and male authors.
Examples of urban fantasy
The popular series of Sookie Stackhouse novels inspired the HBO TV series True Blood. Because much of the plots take place in a the supernatural underbelly of the city, True Blood can be classified as urban fantasy. Case in point, the vampire bar Fangtasia is shot here in Long Beach at Alex's Bar, a punk rock bar at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
Kat Richardson's Greywalker series of novels are contemporary urban fantasy. Richardson is originally from California and earned her degree in Magazine Editing from California State University Long Beach, but currently resides in Seattle Washington. I interviewed her for my podcast, which you can find here.
Do you see the world through genre-coloured glasses? For more science fiction, fantasy and horror news and information -- with a travel twist, check out The Genre Traveler, the travel resource for science fiction, fantasy and horror fans, at www.thegenretraveler.com."
_____________________________
Possible genre mash-ups
Paranormal classic novel--Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters --Jane Austen
(seriously, it's ctalogued under Austen?)
18th century novel of manners with fantastical sea creatures
Cozy mystery romance --Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose--Susan Albert
Could combine the mystery with a romance
One of the most despised genres of fan fiction is the Real Person Fic. It's pretty much Exactly What It Says On The Tin. It's a fictional work involving a real person.
Hallmarks of real person fic --
main character is usually some sort of celebrity (people are so gaga about celebrities)
based on a true person, but details embellished as author sees fit
historical or contemporary subjects
attractive to even nonfiction readers, who feel like they are learning more
Loving Frank -- Frank Lloyd Wright
Aviator's Wife-- Charles and Anne Lindbergh
Clara and Mr. Tiffany -- Clara Driscoll and Louis Tiffany
___________________________________
SF subgenres: urban fantasy
Found googling "urban fiction"
http://www.examiner.com/article/sf-subgenres-what-is-urban-fantasy
"As speculative fiction has grown and evolved, the original sub-genres of science fiction, fantasy and horror have fractured into even more sub-genres. In this series of "SF subgenres," I'll not only identify and define these sub-genres, I'll help you find resources for engaging with these sub-genres right here in Long Beach.
Often, urban fantasy stories have strong female protagonists, and many of the authors in the subgenre are women. This is in contrast to high fantasy, which, more often than not, has male protagonists, damsels in distress and male authors.
Examples of urban fantasy
- The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
- American Gods: A Novel by Neil Gaiman
- Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton
- Procession of the Dead by Darren Shan (Read my review here.)
- The Midnight Mayor by Kate Griffin (Read my review here.)
- Greywalker by Kat Richardson (Read my review here.)
- Eternal Vigilance by Gabrielle Faust (Listen to my interview with the author here.)
The popular series of Sookie Stackhouse novels inspired the HBO TV series True Blood. Because much of the plots take place in a the supernatural underbelly of the city, True Blood can be classified as urban fantasy. Case in point, the vampire bar Fangtasia is shot here in Long Beach at Alex's Bar, a punk rock bar at 2913 E. Anaheim St.
Kat Richardson's Greywalker series of novels are contemporary urban fantasy. Richardson is originally from California and earned her degree in Magazine Editing from California State University Long Beach, but currently resides in Seattle Washington. I interviewed her for my podcast, which you can find here.
Do you see the world through genre-coloured glasses? For more science fiction, fantasy and horror news and information -- with a travel twist, check out The Genre Traveler, the travel resource for science fiction, fantasy and horror fans, at www.thegenretraveler.com."
_____________________________
Possible genre mash-ups
Paranormal classic novel--Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters --Jane Austen
(seriously, it's ctalogued under Austen?)
18th century novel of manners with fantastical sea creatures
Cozy mystery romance --Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose--Susan Albert
Could combine the mystery with a romance
Friday, July 19, 2013
Week 6: Prezi
Prezi--wow! A lot of work describing a lot of subgenres! Very useful! (Awkward to zoom in and out, but very clever.)
Finally I think I have a much better understanding of thriller categories--complete with author names.
Techno--Clancy
Legal--Grisham or Defending Jacob
Espionage--classic--LeCarre, Furst
--modern political terrorism--Flynn
Medical--Palmer, Crichton
Cipher--D'Amato
Exotic- Cussler
I learned a lot about the divisions of urban fiction and romance. And even science fiction.
Lots of mystery subgenres, but they left out my favorite--the classic old fashioned mysteries--Allingham, Tey, and Sayers! And where would they put Maisie Dobbs and Laurie King and No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency?!
What about LGBT subgenres--romance, fantasy, teen, etc.?
Finally I think I have a much better understanding of thriller categories--complete with author names.
Techno--Clancy
Legal--Grisham or Defending Jacob
Espionage--classic--LeCarre, Furst
--modern political terrorism--Flynn
Medical--Palmer, Crichton
Cipher--D'Amato
Exotic- Cussler
I learned a lot about the divisions of urban fiction and romance. And even science fiction.
Lots of mystery subgenres, but they left out my favorite--the classic old fashioned mysteries--Allingham, Tey, and Sayers! And where would they put Maisie Dobbs and Laurie King and No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency?!
What about LGBT subgenres--romance, fantasy, teen, etc.?
Week 6: Building Base Knowledge -- Assignment 1
I have been looking at the Stop You're Killing Me genre link.
- I enjoy old-fashioned mysteries (and even found quite a few authors to explore under the Agatha Christie read-alike section).
- I really like the link's historical index that helps me field customer requests for specific time periods.
- I enjoy the awards section and the best new mystery selections (even in children's books!) complete with plot summaries.
- I was hoping the site would help me learn more about thrillers, but I haven't been real successful.
- So far my colleague Barb Annen is still my best resource for what's new in good mysteries.
Week 5: Assignment 3 Coming Soon and Why
I chose USA Today--hot picks for summer.
I think Pikesville customers might enjoy Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld, and Revolutionary Summer by Joseph Ellis. They're already reserving them.
Sisterland is a family saga involving twins--our customers love generational stories. The paranormal aspect of the twins communication may discourage some, but I understand that it's downplayed. They'll enjoy the character descriptions and relationships
Nonfiction is very popular with readers here, including our real history buffs. Destiny of the Republic (Millard), Team of Rivals (Goodwin), Killing Lincoln (O'Reilly), John Adams (McCullough)--still being reserved and enjoyed. Revolutionary Summer seems to be a readable account of 1776; July 4 was just a few weeks ago.
I think Pikesville customers might enjoy Sisterland by Curtis Sittenfeld, and Revolutionary Summer by Joseph Ellis. They're already reserving them.
Sisterland is a family saga involving twins--our customers love generational stories. The paranormal aspect of the twins communication may discourage some, but I understand that it's downplayed. They'll enjoy the character descriptions and relationships
Nonfiction is very popular with readers here, including our real history buffs. Destiny of the Republic (Millard), Team of Rivals (Goodwin), Killing Lincoln (O'Reilly), John Adams (McCullough)--still being reserved and enjoyed. Revolutionary Summer seems to be a readable account of 1776; July 4 was just a few weeks ago.
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Week 5 Assignment 2 --What's Popular
Pikesville is "popular" fiction to the max! We post The New York Times Best Seller List on the information desk. Customers come to us with new book requests from every possible list or recommended by friends. It's wonderful to have a heads-up with Early Word.
Early Word is a hoot! I enjoy Nancy Pearl's column. I love the news about authors, and especially the upcoming movie tie-ins. It was a treat to catch up on BEA hot titles without having to leave Baltimore. :)
Early Word is a hoot! I enjoy Nancy Pearl's column. I love the news about authors, and especially the upcoming movie tie-ins. It was a treat to catch up on BEA hot titles without having to leave Baltimore. :)
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