For this project I have imagined my audience to be a group of teen and adult patrons who have come to the library for a program on the history of zombie movies.
...I also assume something involving zombies would attract more teenagers than a program typically would, so I wanted to be conscientious the patrons could be newcomers to the zombie subgenre in literature. I also realize some audience members may devour horror literature but may have not known about the sheer variety of genres zombies are featured in.
...I thought it would be important to remind the patrons of books which are popular thanks to adaptations while also showing some classics of the subgenre, and popular books from a few years ago that may get buried in the collection. Another critical assumption I made was the audience would be well-versed in popular zombie films, but not the literature that might be similar to those films. Since I would be booktalking to two different patron pools, I wanted to include YA books with adult appeal and vice versa.
...I wanted the booktalk to explore the many different genres that zombies can be incorporated in. I think the topic is often represented in a better variety than people initially think it is.So that's the set-up. I have to say, when Tracy delivered this talk she did an excellent job. I also agree that she did make sure to offer zombie books from a variety of genres that would appeal to adults and teens alike. And, I applaud her for tackling zombies, knowing full well that her Instructor (me) is a huge zombie fanatic.
Here is her list in simple text format. Again, like Elissa's list yesterday, Tracy did make a snazzy handout for the class, but for here, I am going for efficiency.
Zombie Encounters at the Library...
Austen, Jane and Seth Grahame-Smith. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Quirk Classics, 2009.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.” Pride and Prejudice and Zombies takes the hilarious romance of Austen mixed with modern humor and zombie outbreaks to delight new and old fans alike.
Roux, Madeline. Allison Hewitt is Trapped. St. Martin’s Griffin, 2010.
This story features a bookstore clerk who barricades herself at work when a regular customer’s head is devoured by one of the undead. This experimental piece also has the heroine creating a blog documenting her attempts to survive along with a fair dose of sarcasm, literary allusions, and a zombie squirrel.
Maberry, Jonathan. Patient Zero. St. Martin’s Griffin, 2009.
Detective John Ledger is charged with a secret mission by the U.S. government to contain a terrorist created bioweapon that could turn the entire country into mindless, bloodthirsty corpses. The plot-driven, fact-paced action balances descriptions of special ops missions and terrorist conspiracies with familiar scenes of creepy horror as the agents combat hoards of zombies created as a result of the virus. If you like survival horror games check this one out.
Martinez, A. Lee. Gil’s All Fright Diner. Tor, 2005.
This is the humorous tale of a werewolf (Duke) and vampire (Earl) getting paid off to help a Southern diner deal once and for all with the pesky zombies cutting into business courtesy of a nearby graveyard. This comedy-horror features raunchy humor mixed with action and is sure to appeal to readers looking for something light.
Black, Holly and Justine Larbalestier. Zombies vs. Unicorns. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010.
This anthology is here to answer the ultimate question you never asked yourself: who would win in an all-out war between zombies and unicorns? A group of well-known, diverse authors tackle the question in different ways, leaving all the rotting limbs and magical horns on the battlefield.
Marion, Issac. Warm Bodies. Atria Books, 2011.
This is an original retelling of Romeo and Juliet starring a zombie who falls in love with a girl after eating her boyfriend’s brains and absorbing his thoughts of her. This bittersweet, legit zombie love story is perfect for the paranormal romance crowd.
Davis, Wade. The Serpent and the Rainbow. Touchstone, 1985.
No zombie lover’s credentials are set till they get a fair dose of old-school reality. The Serpent and the Rainbow is the true story of a Harvard scientist’s encounter with zombies in Haiti. Wade Davis’s book reads like an adventure story as he explains the combination of scientific poisons and mystical magic that create mindless slaves who rise up to obey their master’s command.
Moody, David. Hater. St. Martin’s Press, 2006.
This story follows an average man trying to make ends meet for his family when the city is suddenly overrun by a rage virus that makes normal people violently lash out at anyone not infected. A compelling, unexpected twist on a popular storyline makes this a refreshing entry to the zombie subgenre. It is set to be adapted to film, and would appeal to any fans of 28 Days Later.
Adams, John Joseph, ed. The Living Dead. Night Shade Books, 2008.
I would dare say this is the go-to book for people who do not think they like zombie stories or books. Or who need more a variety of writing styles and genres. This is a short story collection from a number of familiar authors and even characters who have encounters with the undead. The writing is engaging and rich, and offers a range that should appease new and old readers alike.
Kirkman, Robert. The Walking Dead. Image Comics, 2003-present.
The Walking Dead is an extremely fast-paced, unpredictable comic series following Rick Grimes as he attempts to protect his family following the zombie apocalypse. The series thrives on interpersonal dynamics as struggles where other humans are the deadliest threat in a world overrun by the undead.
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