50 Best Mystery Novels of All Time by Gabino Iglesias for Esquire

Recently, author Gabino Iglesias, who you have heard about many times on this blog, had this EXCELLENT list in Esquire, "50 Best Mystery Books of All Time."

This list is useful to you for 4 reasons.

1. The short essay that introduces the list is a must read because Iglesias takes a wide view of "Mystery" without sacrificing the key elements of the genre. In it he talks about how authors craft a mystery but also how reading one makes you feel. 
2. The list itself is not your cookie cutter list of mysteries. In fact, it starts with Dracula. Again, wide view of "Mystery" based on a reader's opinion.
3. It appeared in Esquire. It was not part of the traditional book media, but rather a more general popular media. This means a wider range of your patrons saw the list, and in fact, some people who don't generally come to the library may be drawn to us to seek out one of these titles because of the list.
4. As a person of color, Iglesias did not submit an all white, male, straight list of books. So it is one of the few-- "Best of All Time" lists that you will find that is diversified. It also serves as an example to all of you excuse makers that this kind of diverse list is possible.

Okay, so that's why you need to click through and look at the list. But then what? Well build a display of course, make lists for your social media and online platforms using these titles. Double check that you own all of these books, in multiple formats, and that the print ones don't need replacing. For example, my copies of Dracula needed to be retired and replaced a few times in my 15 years at the public library.

But those are the obvious things. What you really have to do is use this list as a conversation starter because that is exactly what it is. Iglesias put this list together to start the conversation about Mystery, to broaden the definition, bring both more books and more readers into its genre fold. Embrace that mission and use it to your advantage with a genre that is already among our most popular.

So yes, post the list, but also, allow people to add their books to the conversation. Encourage them to use comments on social media to add to the list, but also, add those titles that you get suggested virtually on to your physical displays and online lists. Let your virtual commenters participate and show them you are listing by including their choices in physical displays. 

And with your in building display, ask people to leave a post-it note on a board or a slip in a box suggesting their "Best Mystery Book of All Time." Cross reference that with the online comments and make it all into a "Our Readers Favorite Mystery Books of All Time" display or online list.

Keep the conversation going. And keep it a wide as possible. Do not gatekeeper people and tell them their title does not fit the definition of "Mystery." Who cares? Do they think it is a mystery? Are they coming to the library to find more reads? You are there to help them. Show that you are listening, not gatekeeping.

And this list is a great place to start.