Two Twists on Best of the Decade

There are many "Best of the Decade" lists coming out alongside the usual "Best of the Year" barrage. Today I would like to highlight my two favorite "Best of the Decade" archives that I think have a "twist," one that will help you do your job better [and not just overwhelm you with more lists].

First up is Paste Magazine's End of the Decade Archive. As all of you know, our work while primarily concerned with reading, requires we be aware of more than just books.  We need to be up on all pop culture, at least know a little bit about what is popular. That is why I love Paste's coverage here. It spans all popular culture. Books [in general and by genre], video games, tv shows, movies and so much more. Even best Memes! This is the best place to go to get a full picture of the arts and culture of the 2010s. Just a cursory glance will allow you to get up to speed on the decade that was. Not to mention provide you with dozens of suggestions for patrons in a variety of formats.

The second one is more book focused. It's Lit Hub's comprehensive coverage of The Best of the Decade which they have archived here. Each list is 10 books long with a useful annotation as to "why" it was chosen AND there is an honorable mention list for each list. There are enough books in each category for their own display, but there are two specific lists they have done which I am extra excited about precisely because they take the entire concept and give it a satisfying twist:

• 26 Books From the Last Decade that More People Should Read
• What Books Will We Still Be Reading in 10 Years?

These two lists are pure genius. You can suggest these books to patrons easily. Just the titles alone are your soundbite to start a conversation with a reader. BUT, both are also a great option for interactive displays.

You can put up a display with these titles, using the books included to fill it and then ask patrons to share their titles that either more people should read or will still be reading in 10 years.  Do the questions separately though as two different displays.

Do this in the library and provide a board for people to post their additions or on your website or as a social media post and ask for comments. Then you can take the answers and make another display of, for example, "Books from the Last Decade That Our Patrons Think More People Should Read."

I'll even go first and you can include me as one of your patrons. For a book from the last decade that more people should read, I nominate Delicious Foods by James Hannaham. And for a book that will still be read in 10 years, I am going to pick a horror title for this, one that will still be read by horror fans for years to come...A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay. It is THE horror novel of the Decade in my opinion. And I think it will become the entry point for readers new to the genre for years to come.

Now is your turn. Have fun with these lists. Suggest the titles, make displays, and use them anytime of year to make suggestions. We are talking about titles that have already stood the test of time, so suggesting them in 5 months, a year, or even like the title says, 10 years from now, they clearly make for a great suggestion.