What I'm Reading: 1Q84

Back in August I finished listening to 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami. I had listened to it as part of the update I made to the Murakami readalike article on NoveList (more on that in a minute). 

Now I need to say up front, I am a Murakami fan.  What you get with Murakami are stories in which the plot is not even close to the reason you read the book.  He writes wildly imagined yet familiar stories, and they can be very long (as is the case here), and convoluted to the point that as a reader, you may not be quite sure what is going on (or even why), but if you like his writing, these are stories that grab a hold of you, draw you in, and refuse to let you go even after you have finished.

Murakami also tends to use the same general plot-- a character, more Western-oriented that the average Japanese citizen, who has lost a loved one for inexplicable reasons, often involving a supernatural event, embarks on a journey to explain this mystery.  The overall themes are usually darker: alienation, loneliness, obsession, and a longing for acceptance and love, but he uses many references to pop culture, especially music and sports, and humor to temper the darkness.  The overall effect is that Murakami writes metaphysical, post-modern fiction that is actually fun to read.

Since the plots can be a little bit wacky, non-linear, and confusing in Murakami, the focus is on the characters-- intensely on the characters.  We know where the characters sleep, what they eat, what they are wearing, down to the last detail.  The protagonists, and there are always at least 2, are introspective and quirky, narrating their stories, thoughts, and feelings in first person, so the reader is literally inside their heads.

The narration will switch between the different characters, who are often on parallel quests (although they may not know it). This makes the pacing engrossing, if not fast.  The story goes back and forth between different storylines, focusing on different characters, who are all leading toward each other.  The reader knows more than the characters, and this keeps you turning the pages to see how it will all end up.

On a side note, a Murakami novel usually features a talking cat; in fact, in 1Q84, there is a town of talking cats that feature prominently in the story. I have met a few readers who seemed like the perfect match for a Murakami book until they told me they refuse to read a book with talking animals.
 
All of these comments about Murakami in general are from the research I did for the NoveList article, but they also all hold 100% true for 1Q84.  In fact, I have purposely saved the plot info for now, after the appeal discussion, for just this reason.  I will share a brief discussion of the plot here, but what you need to understand is that it does not play a role in whether or not you will enjoy this novel. Everything I said above will though.  If you do not like what I have had to say so far, Murakami is not the author for you.

Click here for the Murakami graphic from the NY Times which turns his style into an amusing AND totally accurate BINGO card.

Now the plot of 1Q84 specifically.  The novel is an ode to Orwell's 1984. The year is 1984 in the novel, and our female protagonist, Aomame is an assassin who, after travelling down a staircase, enters a parallel version of 1984 (or 1Q84 as she calls it).  The male narrator is Tengo, who is a math teacher and aspiring novelist living in the normal 1984.  The two are nearing their 30s and both still hold an unrequited love for one and other stemming from a single hand holding when they were 10 years old.  The plot revolves around the quest of Tengo and Aomame to come to terms with their life's purpose and find one and other.


Sounds clear right?  But wait, it is Murakami, so there is more.  Along the way one of the main plot devices that unites both Aomame's and Tengo's stories involves a cult that worships "little people."  In true Murakami fashion, this subplot is extremely important, but is never explained.  The novel ends in  heartwarming fashion, but if you want the whole "little people thing" rationalized, it doesn't happen, so don't wait for it.  I know this about Murakami going in, so I did not expect an explanation, and as a result, was not bothered by it in the least.

In terms of genre, this is a true blend of fantasy and realism, mystery and epic

This is one of the best books I have ever read.  From start to finish, every second I listened was amazing.  Since it is such a huge novel, I would suggest listening to it OR getting the paperback edition, which is split into 3 volumes (1 paperback for each "book" Murakami has divided the story into). Otherwise, you may hurt yourself toting it around.  In Japan, it was released in 2 parts, months apart.

A note on the audio:  I listened to 1Q84, and thought it was well done.  There are Japanese readers, alternating a man and a woman so that Tengo's chapters are in a male voice and Aomame's are in a female voice.  As a result, the intimacy Murakami infuses into writing his characters shines through in the narration.  I felt like Tengo and Aomame became my friends over the course of the story.

Three Words That Describe This Book: character centered, metaphysical, parallel worlds

Readalikes: I have many readalike authors suggested in my NoveList article.  Here is a little bit of a preview of what you can find there. If you have access to NoveList, you can see a lot more.

The most similar author to Murakami is Neil Gaiman.  Both use complex storylines, a serious tone, and themes of loneliness and alienation with a dash of playfulness.  The most epic of Gaiman's works is American Gods and would be a good fit here.

A brand new readalike author who I added to the article just this fall is Jennifer Egan:

For readers looking for a female author who writes like Murakami, try Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Jennifer Egan. Like Murakami, Egan writes character-centered, complexly layered narratives that shift points of view. She crafts tales of alienation and lost love that carry a haunting and thoughtful tone. Murakami fans should try A Visit from the Goon Squad, in which music plays a central role. In a story that spans from the 1970s until 2020, Egan recounts the lives of a punk rocker turned music executive and his secretary, using interconnected stories that shift points of view and are written in different styles. One chapter is even in the form of a Power Point presentation. Readers of Murakami will appreciate the novel’s experimental nature, while being drawn to the larger metaphysical questions it raises.

If you are looking for another Japanese author who is readily available in translation, try  Kobo Abe.

When I reviewed 11.22.63 by Stephen King last month, I noted in the readalikes section that since I listened to it right after listening to 1Q84 I felt like they had a similar feel, but I wasn't sure if it was just a proximity issue.  With some more distance on the question I can say they are similar to a point.  They share the same pacing that is engrossing if not traditionally fast.  They are also very focused on a character on a speculative quest that the protagonists must keep secret from the rest of the people around them.  And, both have a parallel world aspect with a heart-warming ending.  However, if you are a stickler for a linear plot in which every detail makes sense and pans out in the end, Murakami is not for you.  The feel and basic plots are similar, but the style is vastly different.

Finally, here is a link to all of the times I have mentioned Murakami on this blog.  In many cases he appears in the readalikes for a book I have read.

What I’m Reading: Creatures of Will & Temper and A Small Charred Face

The September 1st issue of Booklist is out a few days early and I have two reviews for you. As usual, I have included my draft review and bonus info with the full citation to the final review.

Creatures of Will and Temper.

Tanzer, Molly (author).
Nov. 2017. 368p. Houghton/Mariner, paperback, $16.99  (9781328710260). 
First published September 1, 2017 (Booklist).

In this urban fantasy retelling of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, we enter a decadently described Victorian London filled with all of the rules and manners we know, but with the addition of two fascinating frames-- fencing and demons! The Gray sisters, Dorina and Evadne, come from the country to spend a few weeks in the London home of their artist uncle, Basil. Dorina, the younger and more traditionally beautiful is excited to enter society and is quickly taken under the wing of the mysterious and enchanting Lady Henry. But Lady Henry and Uncle Basil have a secret, one that lives inside of Henry and possibly others. Evadne, a strong, stoic, fencer is sent to be her impetuous sibling’s chaperone, but soon finds herself immersed in a competitive fencing school, one with an underground agenda that puts the sisters in opposite corners of an epic battle. With a satisfying mix of strong characters, lush descriptions, dual point of view, steady pacing, and plenty of exciting action sequences, Tanzer wraps the reader up in a world where nothing is as it seems and notions of what is good or evil, moral or amoral, are up for grabs. A great choice for fans of supernatural fantasy set in the 19th Century like Lauren Owens’ The Quick or Susanna Clarke’s Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell.

Further Appeal: Did I mention the fencing and demons above? Oh I did. Well double down on that. They were fun, interesting and just great.

The Victorian frame is also excellent. I love Victoria era novels and this book accurately replicated BOTH the time period and the style of the writing at the time. And, the literary inspiration also adds a level of appeal here. In general, I would say that the frames are the lead appeal factors here. If you are intrigued by these interesting frames, read this book. The writing is beautiful and the story is well paced, but the frames make it stand out, and as a result, easy to hand sell. Again, did I mention demons and fencing?

I could not really get to this in my limited word count but I also loved how this book played with the stereotypes of femininity. The “strong” more manly woman is straight and the girly woman is lesbian. And both are presented just as they way the characters are. I loved that. The novel also delves into the problems people face in society when they do not fit “the norms”of their era- men, women, young, old- in a thought provoking way.

Three Words That Describe This Book: interesting frame, strong characters, lush descriptions

Readalikes: Counting the Wilde source material, there are three options listed above [The Quick is an especially good readalike and my review for that title has more options too], but you should also look at my reviews of Drood by Dan Simmons and The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Both could work, but for different reasons. Click on each title to see why.

Finally, Creatures of Will & Temper is part of John Joseph Adams’ new imprint with HMH. I would highly suggest any of these titles and/or any book he has edited.

A Small Charred Face.

Sakuraba, Kazuki (author).
Translated by Jocelyne Allen.
Sept. 2017. 288p. VIZ/Haikasoru, hardcover, $15.99  (9781421595412). Grades 9-12. First published September 1, 2017 (Booklist).

STAR REVIEW

In this lyrical, character centered fable, readers meet three teens in three separate yet irrevocably linked stories that together relate a panoramic, heartbreakingly beautiful tale about the lives of “The Bamboo,” Chinese vampires living in exile in Japan. The Bamboo live about 100 years, can be born a vampire or turned into one, feed only on the already dead, and are ruled by a king and a strict set of laws, the most important of which is to never associate with humans. When it is their time to expire, they bloom in a flurry of white flowers and then disappear forever. Kyo, a young boy whose family is murdered by the Yakuza and is rescued from the same fate by a kind hearted Bamboo, tells the first story, recounting his years being raised by two vampires who want nothing more than to protect his “flame.” Next is Marika, a Bamboo who was turned as a teen, befriends the human Kyo during his high school years, and becomes inextricably linked to Kyo and his family. Finally, we go back in time, to when the Bamboo still lived in China and hear the story of the two teenage, royal vampires who saved their brethren and helped them escape to safety in Japan. While the vampire frame is central to the plot, the novel is quiet, with little violence, Rather than being horrific, this is a thought provoking, coming of age tale about familial love and life with all of its blessings and hardships, related in an authentic voice to which teens will be drawn. A compelling tale perfect for readers who are craving more of the popular spate of fairytale inspired stories.

Further Appeal: This book was beautiful and enveloped me in its world, characters, and fable like storytelling from the first moment. It is an experience to read this book, a wonderful, captivating experience.

Also the way the story is told, through the three connected stories where 1 character from each story appears in the next one, in a way that makes you look again at the character you were introduced to previously was amazing. I especially liked how the story behind how and why the Bamboo are the way they are was saved until the end. Telling the story “out of order”made it better.

I also loved how the idea of a monster, in this case a vampire, was used in a different way. They are still scary but the focus is on the magic, wonder, and otherness, not the fear. But the darkness is still there, lying in wait, just behind the surface.

Finally, while this is a YA novel because it is teens who control the action and storytelling, this is definitely a YA novel that can be enjoyed by adults who like beautiful storytelling and character centered stories. I am not a huge fan of YA in general, but this book I loved.

I didn’t know what to expect when I was handed this book. The plot summary alone does not explain why this book is so phenomenal. Everything else I have said in the review and this extra appeal statement explains why someone would like this book, not the plot.

This is a title you will have to seek out to add to your collections, but I think it is well worth the effort.

Three Words That Describe This Book: lyrical, character center, fairytale/fable inspired

Readalikes: This book reminded me of Murakami and not just because they are both Japanese authors, rather because both use surrealism, character centered and unconventional storylines, and a mystical feel in their works.

Here is the author statement I wrote on Murakami for NoveList to explain:

Haruki Murakami's appeal lies in his characters and storylines, both of which seamlessly meld the mundane and the surreal. His protagonists are introspective and quirky, and they always end up mixed up in some crazy conspiracy. The Murakami plot grows from these situations as the characters and the reader go through a physical and mental journey to reach the novel's completion. Murakami sprinkles odd situations and eccentric characters into the mix to help lighten what can be a heavy load. Start with: Kafka on the Shore.

But that is too easy just to give you another Japanese author. Any story with a fable or fairytale frame where the characters are central would also work, especially those where “monsters” are used in an original way like, The Golem and the Jinni, The Night Circus, or Uprooted.

I also think A Tale for the Time Being is a good readalike. Click here for why.

What I'm Reading: This is How You Lose Her and A Visit From the Goon Squad

In January, I finished two books which are very different in subject, but very similar in appeal, so I decided to review them together. Both books are also composed of connected short stories and each is by a Pulitzer Prize winning author. So let's begin.

I started 2013 by listening to one of the unanimous best books of 2012, the connected short stories in This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz.

Diaz's stories once again bring back the narrator from The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, the irascible but brilliant Junior.

While Junior was there to tell us Oscar's life story in The Brief Wondrous..., here in a collection of connected stories, Junior is set free to tell us the story of his own life.  We see his own story of coming from the Dominican Republic to Patterson, New Jersey.  He tells us about the complicated relationship with his older brother, who we know from Oscar Wao will die of cancer, and his mother.  And of course, it all centers around a Dominican man's greatest joy, his love of women.

The stories recount Junior's failed relationships, his love of women, and his desire to do good by them, except for the fact that he is always cheating. As a result the overall tone is moving and bittersweet. We see stories of love and loss, and although the structure of the book is nontraditional, the story still moves in a way that is easy to follow.

I should note that the stories do not go in chronological order per se, but their connection is strong enough that the entire book flows as one unit.  We get glimpses into Junior's life at various times.  Your enjoyment of this book will be dictated by whether or not Diaz sucks you in to loving Junior.

As much as I enjoyed how the stories united to tell Junior's story, I am also enjoying the connection Diaz is creating across all his works by using his alter-ego, Junior, across his oeuvre.  As a reader, I greatly enjoy this.  Also, Junior is my kind of character-- deeply flawed, but complex.  He makes bad choices, but he is not an evil person.  I also love how he talks directly to the reader; this draws me in every time. I have been captivated by Junior and can understand why women fall for him.

Another huge appeal here is the lyrical language.  Diaz works hard to create stories in which the language flows without making you feel stupid.  This is a gift that I treasure each time I read one of his books.

Also, without giving anything away, the last story had great closure.  Quite often, a book of short stories leaves you hanging, but although the book is episodic and we only get peeks into Junior's life at a few points, Diaz is able to wrap it all up perfectly at the end.  We see the point of the entire book in the final pages of the last story. That was extremely satisfying.

Finally, a note on the audio.  Diaz narrates this book.  Sometimes author narration don't work, but here I loved it, except for the one story in the book that has a female narrator [otherwise they are all Junior].  It was jarring to hear Diaz start the story only to realize a few minutes in that his "Junior" voice was a woman.  In fact, with Brief Wondrous... I both read and listened to it.  Now having 2 Diaz listening experiences I think that I prefer his work in audio.  When he is reading them, his amazing, lyrical construction flows more naturally.  My gringo pronunciation is better than average but does not have the "DR" swagger the text needs. I also enjoy how Junior mixes slang and fancy vocabulary, English and Spanish.  This is realistic.  Junior, a product of the Patterson projects who has grown to be a university professor, would talk this way.  It is little details like this which make Diaz's work so enjoyable, and in audio this brilliance shines even more brightly.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Character Driven, Lyrical, Connected Stories

Readalikes: In the past I have posted here about readalikes for Diaz. But in considering a new suggestion for this post, I had one name that kept popping in my head-- Philip Roth.

Okay, now you think I am crazy, but hear me out here.  Both authors write intricate stories set in urban Northern New Jersey (Roth's Newark to Diaz' Patterson).  While they are separated by over a generation, both men contemplate their place as ethnic minorities in their work using the first person narration of an alter ego, often one who is also a writer.  Finally, both authors have frank discussions of sexuality and sexual situations in their work. See, not as different as you first thought.

You can also see the end of this post for more read alike options.

But first, another critically acclaimed episodic novel, A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan.

In this case, I would call this novel more of a novel in stories than a book of connected stories.  Let me explain.  Egan's novel spans from the 1970s until about 2020 and is centered around two characters, Bernie, a record executive, and his long time assistant, Sasha. The novel as a whole tells each of their life stories, but the narrators constantly change; in fact Bernie and Sasha only get 1 chapter each.

The stories move in a conscious way, although I have to admit it took me a few stories to get in the groove.  I thought it was all haphazard at first, but it is not.  Each chapter flows into the next as one character who either appeared in the previous story or was somehow featured, takes over the next one.  The connection get stronger as the book moves on.  It was awesome and fulfilling as a reader.  I felt the crescendo building even though the stories jumped around in space and time.  The result is a novel that is consciously constructed, but not difficult to follow.  It was intricate without being obtuse.

And, in case you didn't get it, the last story takes the guy who appears in the first story (narrated by Sasha) and lets him have his turn years later, only he interacting with Bernie this time. The circle closes, and despite the complex style of the work, you feel like it all resolved. Maybe a circle is the wrong shape, since the story flows, but in a twisted way.  Maybe it is more of a double helix.

Since each story has a different narrator, each also has a different style.  In fact, this is one of the best things about the novel.  Each chapter draws us into the narrator's world view by relating the action of the chapter in their own style.  The words flow differently, the people are described differently, the dialogue changes all depending on who is narrating.  In the biggest stylistic shift, Sasha's daughter tells us her story in power point form. An author less devoted to creating this novel-in-stories would not have the attention to detail here that Egan does.  It really enhanced the experience of reading the work as a whole, as well as increasing my enjoyment of each individual piece.

It should also be noted that there is a psychological darkness in Egan's work that is different from the moving, bittersweet darkness in Diaz. In This Is How You Lose Her, Junior is a good guy who makes bad choices, but in A Visit From the Goon Squad, there is more than just bad choices going on.  There are seriously messed up people sprinkled throughout, including our "protagonists."  But amidst the melancholy, despair, and lying, there are moments of tenderness, joy, and hilarity.  This is an entrancing and compelling novel that looks deep into human nature and comes back with a troublingly, but realistic, verdict.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Novel in Stories, Character Driven, Psychological

Readalikes:  In my updated Haruki Murakami readalike for NoveList published in late 2012, I said this:

For readers looking for a female author who writes like Murakami, try Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Jennifer Egan. Like Murakami, Egan writes character-centered,  complexly layered narratives that shift points of view.  She crafts tales of alienation and lost love that carry a haunting and thoughtful tone.  Murakami fans should try A Visit from the Goon Squad, in which music plays a central role.  In a story that spans from the 1970s until 2020, Egan recounts the lives of a punk rocker turned music executive and his secretary, using interconnected stories that shift points of view and are written in different styles.  One chapter is even in the form of a Power Point presentation.  Readers of Murakami will appreciate the novel’s experimental nature, while being drawn to the larger metaphysical questions it raises.

When I was reading this novel, I was reminded of The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach. Although this is a more traditional novel, there are multiple points of view that jump around frequently, creating that episodic feel.  And it is a character driven, psychological story. Click here for more from me on The Art of Fielding.

It also reminded me of Building Stories...a lot!  And that was my favorite book I read in 2012!

Readalikes For Both Books:  Although I have pointed out the differences in these two novels created out of smaller stories, these books do both appeal to fans of literary, character driven fiction that is original, and interesting without being too long. In fact, I have heard readers of both of these books tell me that they don't normally like short stories, but these books they liked.

Personally, I always enjoy books of short stories, especially by authors I admire, so this made me think about why these two novels elicit this response from people who don't consider themselves short fiction fans.

Here's what I came up with.

These episodically told yet still intricate stories are very satisfying to literary fiction readers who love the detailed character development and layered stories of larger novels, but don't want to immerse themselves into a huge tome at the moment. The readalike options are also on the darker side of mood, just like the This is How You Lose Her and A Visit From the Goon Squad. One final note, while not all of the books below are all explicitly novels in story, these are collections (and authors) that I feel will appeal to fans of books I am reviewing here.

The following list of suggestions are linked by these appeal factors:

• Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Stout
• Anything by George Saunders
• Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell
• Between the Assassinations by Aravind Adiga
• Anything by Alice Munro
• Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri

Monday Discussion: What Are Your Summer Reading Plans?

Reminder: The Monday Discussion runs for the entire week. Comments are accepted until the next discussion begins.

Since this is the last Monday Discussion before Memorial Day, and the unofficial start of summer, I thought there was no better time than today to start talking about  summer reading plans.

Now I don't mean your Library's Summer Reading Program. No, we are all up to our eyeballs in getting that all rolled out.  I am thinking more calming thoughts.  What are your personal plans for reading this summer? After the blitz of SRP signups dies down in a few weeks.

Is there a particular book's release you are anticipating? Are you planning a vacation or some serious beach time and already thinking about what you will be reading then? Or, do you have a stressful summer coming up and need to find some calming books?

You know you are making reading plans. We cannot help but do it because we love reading and the first days of summer always elicit images of sitting outside with a tall drink reading.

I'll go first.  I always like to have a nice long, engrossing audiobook to listen to in the summer. It is great company as I am doing yardwork. Nothing makes weeding more pleasurable than listening to someone tell me a good story while I work. I have been saving Haruki Murakami's Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage to listen to over the summer. I love Murakami, but in particular I love his work on audio (click here for proof), and have simply been waiting for yard work season so I can devour this one in fewer sittings. Interestingly, in yesterday's New York Times Book Review, Daniel Handler had this essay/review on appreciating Murakami in audio.  It was as if he was reading my mind. Now I am even more excited.

This summer I will also be participating in an ARRT Literary Book Discussion on The Book of Unknown Americans by Cristina Henriquez featuring a visit from Ms. Henriquez. [I will have another post on this with details on how you can join us soon.] This is a book that has been on my to-read list for a long while, so I am excited to have such a great reason to read it.

Otherwise, I hope to read a lot of books. With the staff shortages here at the BPL since November and a busy 6 weeks wrapping everything up as I transition from working at the Library to full time training and consulting, I have had very little free time to read just for me. I am missing it greatly. So, this summer, since I am going to only be working 1-2 days a week, my hope is simply to read, read, and read.

Now it is your turn. For today's Monday Discussion, share your summer reading plans.

For past Monday Discussions, click here.

New Issue of NoveList RA News Featuring an Article by Me

The May 2015 issue of the NoveList RA News e-newsletter is about "Pleasure Reading." Click here to access the entire issue.  But below I have reposted, with the direct link, my article on the importance of considering frame as we work with leisure readers.

I think frame is an often overlooked appeal factor that is WAY more important that people realize.  I use actual patron and colleague examples (all anonymously attributed) to illustrate this point.

So read on. Oh, and yes, I chose that cheesy title on purpose. [Now you all have an ear worm too.]

*******************************************************************

It's All About That Frame

by Becky Spratford

*This article originally appeared in the May 2015 issue of RA News.*

---

Librarians are well versed at asking about genre and appeal preferences. We remember to bring up issues like preferred pacing, desired tone, and favored writing style but we often forget one vital question as we talk to leisure readers: Are there any special topics, places, or things that you enjoy when you encounter them in a book? In RA terms this is how we ask about frame. 

Frame is all the details that enrich the backdrop and make the world of the novel come alive. Some of this is setting, but there is much more to frame than the simple geographic location of a story. The easiest example can be seen in genres or subgenres which include details of a specific profession, such as legal thrillers. Readers who enjoy legal thrillers want all the legal frame that comes with them. They crave talk of briefs, witnesses, cross examinations, law office politics, and criminal justice system minutiae.

That is an extreme example where the actual subgenre is defined by its frame but there are plenty of other books where interesting frames pop up and add to the appeal of the overall story. Nora Roberts is an expert at this. As Joyce Saricks writes in her NoveList Author Read-alike article on Roberts:

One of the features fans appreciate in Roberts' books is her interesting background frames. Antiques, art, magic, fairy tales and legends, treasure hunting, larceny, horse breeding and racing, all find space in her pages, and readers feel as if they've learned something about an intriguing or unlikely profession or activity. In fact, these background frames are a draw for many readers, who like a little extra in their books.

I have found that there are some specific frames that I enjoy in my leisure reading. For example, as a transplanted but proud Jersey girl, I will read just about any book if it is set in New Jersey. I also love books with circuses, ones set on college campuses, titles with a Civil War background but which do not focus on the battles, and books with baseball in them. I will read any type of book in which these subjects appear -- fiction or nonfiction. Nine times out of ten, I will end up loving the book, even if it is not a genre or writing style I would normally enjoy. I can go against my appeal preferences if these frames are present because their presence in the story in and of themselves gives me great enjoyment.

Now think about yourself. When I first mentioned asking readers if there is a special frame they enjoy I am sure your first reaction was, "No." But as I travel around the country doing RA training, one of the first things I make library staff do is sit down and think about their own reader profile. As they think about their leisure reading preferences, most are surprised to find they have at least a couple frames which they particularly enjoy. Asking them to think about their own reading habits can make them more sensitive to addressing future patrons' habits.

Until you really force yourself to think about it, however, these likes and dislikes tend to stay hidden in your subconscious. Bringing them to the forefront of your own mind can only make you better at drawing these appeal factors out of others as you assist them at the service desk. So now, I ask you again, "Are there any special frames you enjoy in your books?"

Here are some (anonymous) examples of the frame preferences of friends and colleagues that I have gathered over the years: anything that mentions Faberge eggs, any genre as long as it is set in Tudor times, dragons, vampires, anything British, the Amish, books with "pink" covers," and discussions of pottery or the making of it.

Frames can also be limiters. Yes there are things that if they appear in a book will make someone hate the title even if they liked everything else about it, and I mean things beyond typical sex and violence issues. Again, here are some real life (anonymous) examples of friends' and colleagues' frame restrictions: anything with a circus, even the mention of cancer, dragons, vampires, anything British, apocalyptical situations, books with pastel covers, and anything featuring "crafts."

Yes, I realize some of the same frame favorites of one reader can become frame kryptonite for another. You can also see how strong people feel about something that may only be in one scene of a book, or in some cases, it may only be on the cover. This just goes to show how important frame can be.
Here is an example where understanding frame mattered for me. I was helping a reader for whom Haruki Murakami would be the perfect author. She enjoyed surrealist and mystical fiction with interesting characters and experimental styles, like she found in two of her favorite authors Paul Auster and David Mitchell. However, when the RA conversation came to talking about frame, she mentioned that she could not read a book with talking animals, no matter how perfect the rest of the novel would be for her. Well, that is one of Murakami's trademarks, he almost always has a talking cat in his novels. Even though Murakami seemed perfect for her in theory, in practice, she would have ended up not enjoying his novels solely because of talking cats who might only appear in one or two scenes in a 500 page book.

So as you are out there in the RA trenches matching readers with books, remember to stop and ask about any special interests.  You can easily put those frames into NoveList as a keyword search and you will find a plethora of options, many of which you might not have considered without asking about frame in the first place. And don't forget to offer your own reading quirks as examples to break the ice because sometimes it really can be all about that frame.

PRO TIP
Use NoveList cataloging to provide recommendatiosn after identifying reader frames. Using Becky's example frame "New Jersey, " try typing "SU New Jersey" in the search box. 

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Becky Spratford is a Readers' Advisor in Illinois specializing in serving patrons ages 13 and up.  She trains library staff all over the world on how to match books with readers through the local public library.  She runs the critically acclaimed RA training blog RA for All, and is on the Steering Committee of the Adult Reading Round Table.  Becky is also known for her work with horror readers and is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association.  You can share your favorite quirky frame with Becky on Twitter at @RAforAll. 

LibraryReads: November 2024

  

 It's LibraryReads day and that means four things here on RA for All

1. I post the list and tag it “Library Reads” so that you can easily pull up every single list with one click.
2. I can remind you that even though the newest list is always fun to see, it is the older lists where you can find AWESOME, sure bet suggestions for patrons that will be on your shelf to actually hand to them right now. The best thing about LibraryReads is the compound interest it is earning. We now have hundreds and hundreds of titles worth suggesting right at our fingertips through this archive OR the sortable master list allowing you to mix and match however you want.
3. You have no excuse not to hand sell any LibraryReads titles because there is a book talk right there in the list in the form of the annotation one of your colleagues wrote for you. All you have to say to your patron is, “such and such library worker in blank state thought this was a great read,” and then you read what he or she said.
4. Every upcoming book now has at least 1 readalike that is available to hand out RIGHT NOW. Book talk the upcoming book, place a hold for it, and then hand out that readalike title for while they wait. If they need more titles before their hold comes in, use the readalike title to identify more readalike titles. And then keep repeating. Seriously, it is that easy to have happy, satisfied readers.

So get out there and suggest a good read to someone today. I don’t care what list or resource you use to find the suggestion, just start suggesting books.

Please remember to click here for everything you need to know about how to participate. Click here to see a database of eligible diverse titles sorted by month.

And finally, here is LibraryReads' extremely helpful Resources page.

Now let's get to the November 2024 list.... 

Lost and Lassoed: A Rebel Blue Ranch Novel

Lyla Sage

Dial Press

This romance has everything: a small town, cowboys, and an enemies-to- lovers plot, all packed in one little book. Sage's books are quick reads with likable characters and relatable story arcs. This will be sure to tick all the boxes for romance novel fans.

—Kellie Gillespie, Olathe Public Library, KS

NoveList read-alike: Chelsea Springs Romances by Elsie Silver

Now for the rest of the November 2024 list!

The Songbird  & The Heart of Stone

Carissa Broadbent

(Tor)

Mische, once the chosen girl by the Sun God, is now disgraced and awaits her fate in prison. Asar, the bastard son of the Shadowborn King, needs her magic for his mission. Together they navigate the five realms of the underworld to find relics that have been scattered, and face their past, fears, and their worst secrets during their travels.

—Melissa Turner, Maricopa Library & Cultural Center, AZ

NoveList read-alike: Nytefall by Chloe Penaranda

Eleanor of Avignon: A Novel

Elizabeth DeLozier

(Dutton)

Based on actual events, this is a fascinating look at early medicine and the ways women worked to heal, even as they were persecuted as witches. Apprentice midwife Elea hides her talents, but as the Black Plague reaches France, she’s called on to heal the Pope and an exiled Italian queen. Fans of historical fiction will have a hard time putting this down.

—Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, TX

NoveList read-alike: Nicked by M.T. Anderson

The Co-Op: A Novel

Tarah DeWitt

(St. Martin's Griffin)

LaRynn has inherited her grandmother's beachside home, but there’s a catch: her ex Deacon inherited half of it. With funds running low, they marry in order to access her trust fund, leading them to fall in love again. This atmospheric tale is set against a stunning backdrop and will appeal to fans of slow-burn, emotionally charged romances.

—Migdalia Jimenez, Chicago Public Library, IL

NoveList read-alike: Luck and Last Resorts by Sarah Grunder Ruiz

The Lake of Lost Girls

Katherine Greene

(Crooked Lane)

When Lindsey was six, her sister went outside to grab her birthday cake and disappeared. Three other girls from the college she attended also went missing. Now, twenty five years later when a body is found, Lindsey must face the past. Readers who enjoy cold- case mysteries will devour this dual-timeline novel.

—Carly Hathaway, Salem Public Library, VA

NoveList read-alike: I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

Before We Forget Kindness 

Toshikazu Kawaguchi

(Hanover Square Press)

Each story here follows an individual who wishes to go back in time at the magical

cafe. As the individuals experience the past, they reflect on their life, which in turn serves to heal old wounds. Each tale tugs at the heartstrings and makes you want to wrap them up in a hug. This is another soft, gentle addition to the Before the Coffee Gets Cold universe.

—Arianna Van Dam, Brown County Library, WI

NoveList read-alike: The Kamogawa Food Detectives series by Hisashi Kashiwai

The Serviceberry: Abundance Reciprocity in the Natual World

Robin Wall Kimmerer

(Scribner)

A lovely and powerful essay on reciprocity and the potential of a gift economy in the face of our unsustainable current models—illustrated by the analogous natural systems that create the serviceberry

and its ecosystem. This illustrated gem brings a timely message, truly thought- provoking and inspiring.

—Jessica Trotter, Capital Area District Libraries, MI

NoveList read-alike: The Mushroom at the End of the World by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing

The Teller of Small Fortunes: A Novel

Julie Leong

(Ace)

Tao lives a quiet and lonely life, traveling to villages telling fortunes, with her mule as sole

companion. That all changes when an ex-mercenary asks for her help finding a child. Their

not-so-merry band is complemented by a baker and a magical cat, creating an unusual family for Tao, but one she may have desperately needed. A lovely cozy fantasy debut.

—Jennifer Winberry, LibraryReads Ambassador, NJ
NoveList read-alike: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

The City and Its Uncertain Walls: A Novel

Haruki Murakami

(Knopf)

In this reworking of a Murakami short story, the narrator grieves the loss of his teenage love. Through mysterious circumstances, he finds himself in a fantastical town, while his shadow self toils in an unfulfilled existence in Tokyo. An absolute treat for Murakami fans.

—Magan Szwarek, LibraryReads Ambassador, IL

NoveList read-alike: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

The Author's Guide to Murder: A Novel

Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White

(William Morrow)

What starts off as bawdy Scottish entertainment for three authors evolves into a sincere, deeply emotional story of women’s strength and survival, each woman experiences a complete story arc, and more than one double entendre. Equal parts fun and sincere.

—Tina Panik, Avon Free Public Library, CT

NoveList read-alike: Amy Among the Serial Killers by Jincy Willett

Board Bonus picks:

Welcome to Pawnee: Stories of Friendship, Waffles, and Parks and Recreation

Jim O'Heir

William Morrow

Notable Nonfiction:

Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist

Richard Munson

W. W. Norton & Company

See our social media for annotations of the bonus picks

Click here to see the entire Hall of Fame

The LibraryReads Hall of Fame designation honors authors who have had multiple titles appear on the monthly LibraryReads list since 2013. When their third title places on the list via library staff votes, the author moves into the Hall of Fame. Click here to see the Hall of Fame authors organized in alpha order.

Is She Real Is She Really Going Out with Him?: A Novel

Sophie Cousens

(G.P. Putnam's Sons)

The Mirror: The Lost Bride Trilogy: Book 2

Nora Roberts

(St. Martin's Press)