50 Books That Define the Past Five Years in Literature and Why You the RA Librarian Should Care

Flavorwire ran this interesting list yesterday.

I am reposting it here for 3 reasons:

1. I like the idea of putting recent good books in their contextual place.  Many on this list have become lost in the shuffle over the last five years, but most were critically acclaimed when they came out, thus purchased by most libraries.  Many are probably “lost" in the stacks waiting for someone to discover them again. This annotated list, will jog your memory so you can book talk one of these titles to a patron who may love it.
2. Again, you probably own most of these in your collections, and the five year mark is when we start thinking about weeding unread books.  Now might be the time to take a look at these 50 titles in particular, pull up your circ stats for each, and see if they are the right fit for your patron base.
3. Finally, and most importantly, in this, the season of “BEST” books lists, I can promise that you will have a growing holds list for those titles appearing on the various lists of 2013’s best, but I would be willing to bet that you have a least of few of these “important” and “defining” titles from the Flavorwire list on your shelves at any given time throughout this year end “best” bonanza.  So, when a patron comes in asking for books on the year end “best” lists, after you offer to add them to the holds list, offer this alternative “best” list of books that at least one critic thinks can define a half-decade period.  Half a decade trumps best of the year any day.

Seriously though, most people are only looking for the books from the year end “best” lists because they don’t want to waste their time with a “bad” book.  If they can only read a few books a year, they want some kind of “seal of approval” from someone before they are willing to take the plunge [yes, even when the book is free from the library with no obligation to return it read]. So when they can’t find a book on the 2013 best list, try books from 2012’s or 2011’s lists.  Or even better, this Flavorwire list.

If your goal is to have your patrons leave satisfied [as it should be], offering one of these 50 titles will allow you to hit that goal.  Now, whether or not your patrons will like any book from any best list is another story, and probably best saved for another post because just because a book makes a best of the year list that does not mean that it is right for every reader.

I will have more on that next week.

National Book Awards Winners and Ceremony Video

Just a little while ago, the National Book Award Winners were announced. I love how they always try to include everyone in the celebration of America’s books and authors by making the webcast of the entire evening available immediately.  See below for links or click here for everything.

Webcast of 2013 National Book Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner 
-To view coverage from the 2013 National Book Award on Twitter use #nbawards.
 Interviews with the 2013 NBA Finalists available here

NaNoWriMo and the Public Library: A Guest Post by Joy from Downers Grove Public Library

November is National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo.  Basically, NaNoWriMo is:

"a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants begin working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 p.m. on November 30. Valuing enthusiasm, determination, and a deadline, NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought fleetingly about writing a novel. Here’s a little more about how it all works."

The NaNoWriMo organizers also have pep talks prepared by big name authors including James Paterson and Rainbow Rowell (whose novel Fangirl was a NaNoWriMo project) to help inspire the participants.

I have always thought that NaNoWriMo and public libraries seem like a nice pair [aspiring authors, and the librarians who could find them readers], but I have never really had time to organize something at the BPL. 

While at the ARRT Unconference last month, I met Joy.  Here is her bio in her own words:

Joy Matteson is an Adult and Teen Services Librarian at the Downers Grove [IL] Public Library. I'm obsessed with all things baking, stitching, and book related. I'm also a wedding violinist on the weekends with my identical twin sister who plays the cello, and I love meeting writers! Follow me @jmattes22 on Twitter.

Joy mentioned that Downers Grove was participating in NaNoWriMo for the first time this year.  I asked her to write me a guest post later in the month to let all of us know how tit all went.  I was particularly interested in how she planned and scheduled these events.

Well, its now later in November and here is Joy with her guest post. If you have ever thought of hosting NaNoWriMo at your library, I think Joy’s post will inspire you to try it next year.  I am definitely considering it now.
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When I was approached by my supervisor at the library about looking into the Downers Grove Library hosting some NaNoWriMo events, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. Aren’t those some super ambitious writers who hole up and write novels together? And why would they want to talk with librarians? We don’t write or publish books! Then I remembered that writers and libraries have a long history together, especially in the Chicagoland area. So as a good little librarian, I decided to start with research.

As I was researching online, I was blown away by how many writers were listed in the NaNoWriMo Naperville chapter. Who knew how many dedicated writers are sitting all around us in the Chicagoland area in coffee shops and our libraries? I contacted Tim Yao at NaNoWriMo Naperville, and he immediately got back to me about Downers Grove Library partnering with NaNoWriMo writers. I was pleased to find that they even had a library kit they sent to me specifically for those who host NaNoWriMo write-ins. He recommended me to one of their Municipal Liaisons, Cassidy Turpin, who happily agreed to co-host the write-ins with me. I was amazed at how efficient everyone at the NaNoWriMo Naperville chapter were. Everyone seemed really excited to add the Downers Grove Library to their burgeoning library partnerships, it was almost too easy to set up all the programs!

Our PR coordinator at the library, Melissa Doornbos and I came up with a plan: why not look to see if we can do big library programs as well as write-ins for all the writers in the Downers Grove area? Many other libraries host write-ins, but why not add a few events for helping those same writers break down their writing barriers and explore their self-publishing options? We found a local writer, Kelly James Engers, who agreed to host our program entitled: How to Break Down Your Writing Barriers, which was very well received earlier in November. Our next program will be December 3rd, for all those who would like more information on Your Self-Publishing Options, the next step for those who completed NaNoWriMo.

All in all, I've been so impressed by everyone who volunteers and devotes time to NaNoWriMo. You writers all deserve medals just for how many word counts you all have finished this month! I can't wait to have you all back next year.

Casey Award for Best Baseball Book of the Year

I had to post this more as a reference for myself because I had no idea this award existed.

The 2013 finalists for the Best Baseball Book of the Year were just announced.  Click here for the list.

I am posting this mostly to help me to help an extremely particular patron who will only read "baseball" books.  Now I have not only this resource to identify winners of this award, but also, the longer nominee lists from this year and year's past. Now I have a whole new collection of possible reading suggestions for him.

[Click here to read my more in depth post from 2011 about how to use award lists as an RA tool.]

But, I am also posting it because if I have a patron [and staff] who will benefit from this list, someone else out there must have a use for it too.

I hope it helps you to help a reader find their next good read.

Monday Discussion: Winter is Coming...

Yes, we are now more than halfway through November and there is beginning to be a distinct chill in the air.  After yesterday's big storms here in Illinois, there are also very few leaves left on the branches.  I have even heard the all Christmas music station has started up again [although, I will not begin celebrating that holiday until after Thanksgiving].

Add to this the fact that later today my book group will be discussing A Reliable Wife, by Robert Goolrick, a book with such an amazingly described winter setting that I can not stop thinking about the coming change of season.

So then I thought, well if I have winter on the brain, I might as well make the rest of you think about it too.

I personally enjoy embracing winter for all of its glory...well, at least in the beginning.  Come, March 15 I might be anxious for spring.  But as a result, I love to read books with realistic and well drawn winter settings while I am living through that season.  A Reliable Wife, is one example.  Last year I read The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey which is also one of the best winter settings I have ever experienced.

In both of these books, the cold and the snow and the isolation caused by the frozen setting added to my enjoyment of the book.  This setting enhanced the plot, deepened my understanding of the characters, and was just so realistic that I felt the chill in my bones. I loved and appreciated every minute of it.

But I also realize that there are many people out there who read the opposite of the season.  Patrons come in looking for warmly set books to help get through our long winters, and books with a cold setting during the heat of summer.

So, for today's Monday Discussion, let me know where you stand on this issue. Share a good hot weather book to read if you want to think warm thoughts when its cold outside, or your favorite snowy/freeze book to help embrace the season [at least at its start].

For past Monday Discussions, click here.

Flashback Friday: Top Ten Customer Service List

Today's Flashback Friday came to me as a result of the interesting week I had.  Let me explain.

As I mentioned on Monday and Tuesday, I spent the beginning of the week in King of Prussia, PA giving 2 talks.  The second talk was my breakout session featuring my 10 Rules of Basic RA Service. 

The last 3 rules are really all about patron service.  I love talking about customer service.

Then, I spent most of Thursday in a very productive meeting for the Illinois Library Association  2014 Conference Planning Committee which made me think of my favorite list of customer service tips which appeared in the ILA Reporter back in 2008. I still have the hard copy version cut out and posted where I can always see it.

I did a bit of combing through the blog archives and found this post from 2010 when I reproduced the 10 tips and blogged about it a bit.  I really feel like is just as pertinent today as it was 3.5 years ago.  

Enjoy.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010

RA and Customer Service

Readers' Advisory is dependent upon building good relationships with your patrons; therefore, you cannot succeed without GREAT customer service.

Good RA librarians go out of their way to be helpful, and respectful.  The biggest hurdle is that librarians are not known for their customer service. 10 years in, I still have patrons walking up to our desk and telling us how surprised they are that we can talk at the desk and are even encouraging conversation rather than shushing them.

So point number one: its 2010, don't shush people in the library. Send the people who want quiet to a quiet area; everywhere else is public space.

My goal in spreading the RA gospel to my co-workers, students, and other library professionals who I travel around to train, is to create an army of little Beckys...librarians who are friendly, go out of their way to help each and every patron, and never shush people who want to talk to us.

Think it can't happen at your library? Wrong. Anyone can influence an entire library. Take the BPL for example.  When Tammy Clausen and I came in to start RA in 2000, customer service was not the library's strongest point. Tammy and I set out to lead by example. We went above and beyond for each and every patron. Yes, we stepped on a few toes of our co-workers, but in the end, we were able to change the entire customer service culture at the BPL. Customer service is now a top priority; new hires have helped to influence this, and the biggest triumph of all, Tammy is now our Director!

"How do I begin at my library?" you may ask. Tonight I will begin answering this question with my class of library students, and although I cannot recreate the 1 hour lecture they will get here, I can leave you at our starting point.  On page 7 of the February 2008 Illinois Library Association Reporter, they had the following Top Ten List to get any library started on improving their customer service:

10. Believe wholeheartedly that each customer service encounter makes or breaks that

person’s perception of the library (this applies to customers and staff) 

9.  Pay attention to your own customer service

experiences outside and inside the library — consciously observe these interactions

8. Learn from the worst of those experiences — adjust accordingly

7. Emulate the best of those experiences

6. Keep your mind open

5. Keep your heart open

4. Smile warmly

3. Expect the best of each person

2. Expect and commit to your personal best

1. Start fresh each day, knowing that the daily work that you do has the power to make a positive difference in the life of anotherperson — and isn’t that why you enjoy working in a library?

The only library mantra this list is missing is one I have made up. Remember, the books  on your shelves are not "yours," they are the patrons' books.  Too many librarians get proprietary about loaning rules. Guess what? Not our books. The patrons are paying for the books with their taxes. If they have a card, give them the book. Even if they don't have their card on them, but have one on file and can prove who they are, good enough for me. Even if they do this all of the time, again, fine with me. Get over it. We librarians are shepards not gatekeepers. Put the books in the people's hands. End of story.

Post this list at your desk. We had it there for about a year. Make these your top customer service goals. Set a standard that your department will provide the best customer service in the library (that's what we did). Then, as your library as a whole improves, set the goal that you will provide the best customer service of any library in your area.

Good customer service makes for happier patrons and as a result, happier employees. Besides, how hard is it to treat everyone the way we would most want to be treated.

Library Reads: December 2013

The December list is now out.  Click here for past lists.

No Good Duke Goes
Unpunished: The Third
Rule of Scoundrels

by Sarah MacLean

Published: 11/26/2013 by Avon
ISBN: 9780062068545

“In the third book of MacLean’s Rule of Scoundrels series, Mara Lowe mysteriously disappears on the eve of her wedding day. Widely believed to be responsible for her murder, Temple leaves society in disgrace and becomes a partner in the Fallen Angel club. He doesn’t remember what happened that night 12 years ago, until Mara returns asking for his help. Seeking his vengeance and eager to return to his Dukedom, will Temple sacrifice Mara to make it happen?”

Kim Storbeck, Timberland Regional Library, Tumwater, WA

The Yellow Eyes of Crocodiles: A Novel

by Katherine Pancol

Published: 12/31/2013 by Penguin Books
ISBN: 9780143121558

“When Joséphine Cortès finally kicks her do-nothing, two-timing husband out of the house, she struggles to make a living for herself and her two daughters. Despite the criticism and contempt of her own family members, the mousy and insecure Joséphine gradually emerges as an entirely new creature. The secondary characters add lots of personality and drama to the tale, and the overall effect is entertaining and light–with some touching moments and bright flashes of insight as well.”

Nancy Russell, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Columbus, OH

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Vatican Waltz: A Novel

by Roland Merullo

Published: 12/3/2013 by Crown
ISBN: 9780307452955

“Cynthia Piantedosi has always lived an interior life filled with a devotion to prayer. As she becomes older and her world changes, the spiritual messages that she receives become more and more urgent with a message that appears to be counter to the Church’s doctrine. Should she trust her faith, or should she meekly follow the teachings of the Church? Merullo’s writing gives depth and breadth to this winning heroine and her spiritual quest. You can’t help but love her and cheer her on her way.”

Jennifer Dayton, Darien Library, Darien, CT

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How to Run with a Naked Werewolf: A Novel

by Molly Harper

Published: 12/31/2013 by Pocket Books
ISBN: 9781476705996

“Molly Harper’s third book in the Naked Werewolf series is a relatable romance with a supernatural twist. Doctor Anna Moder spent several years hiding among werewolves in Alaska, but in order to protect herself and those she cares about from an ex, she runs away, and right into the arms of Caleb, who happens to be a werewolf. This supernatural romance is not only light-hearted and fun, but also has characters who face real-life problems.”

Emily Savageau, Thief River Falls Public Library, Thief River Falls, MN

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The Supreme Macaroni Company: A Novel

by Adriana Trigiani

Published: 11/26/2013 by HarperCollins
ISBN: 9780062136589

“Adriana Trigiani’s new novel covers all the major milestones in life from birth to death, with a wedding and much Italian family drama in the middle. As Valentine struggles to figure out how to grow her successful shoemaking business while adjusting to life as Gianluca’s wife and partner, she learns to rely on her extended family for support. This is a beautifully written novel that will make you laugh and cry.”

Jean Anderson, South Central Library System, Madison, WI

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The Secret Rooms: A True Story of a Haunted Castle, a Plotting Duchess, and a Family Secret

by Catherine Bailey

Published: 12/31/2013 by Penguin Books
ISBN: 9780143124733

“Catherine Bailey’s The Secret Rooms is a very interesting and intriguing read. The author attempted to write a book about World War I, but ended up researching a historical mystery and presenting great historical facts about the war. This is an easy book to suggest to readers who like historical fiction and nonfiction alike.”

Joni Walter, Nappanee Public Library, Nappanee, IN

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Dangerous Women

edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois

Published: 12/3/2013 by Tor Books
ISBN: 9780765332066

“With a range of amazing voices — from Martin to Butcher, Abercrombie to Gabaldon — comes a range of amazing, dangerous women. Queens and bounty hunters, magicians and bandits, these 21 stories will take you all over the world, and other worlds, and proves the adage wrong: women are definitely not the weaker sex!”

Kristi Chadwick, Emily Williston Memorial Library, Easthampton, MA

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My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of Mind

by Scott Stossel

Published: 12/31/2013 by Knopf
ISBN: 9780307269874

“Scott Stossel, editor of The Atlantic, has written an all-encompassing treatise on the condition of anxiety, one of the most pervasive yet most misunderstood human conditions. Stossel not only recounts the history of the condition itself, its causes, and its treatment, but bravely relates his own lifelong battle with anxiety. Sits well alongside other works on mental health like Daniel B. Smith’s Monkey Mind and Andrew Solomon’s The Noonday Demon, and highly recommended for anyone who struggles with anxiety or who has loved ones who suffer.”

Cristella Bond, Anderson Public Library, Anderson, IN

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The Trip to Echo Spring: On Writers and Drinking

by Olivia Laing

Published: 12/31/2013 by Picador
ISBN: 9781250039569

“What a unique way of looking at some of the most written-about 20th century authors. Olivia Laing, with prose that draws the reader in, traces the connections between alcohol and the relationships of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, John Berryman, John Cheever and Raymond Carver. As she travels the United States following their trails, she beautifully weaves together their stories, hopes, dreams, fears and failures, while at the same time exploring the history of alcohol and alcoholism in our society. An engrossing book.”

Jennifer Winberry, Hunterdon County Library, Flemington, NJ

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Innocence: A Novel

by Dean Koontz

Published: 12/10/2013 by Bantam
ISBN: 9780553808032

“Dean Koontz’s new novel Innocence goes beyond anything he has written before. He brings us two unique and complex characters who are against all humanity in a battle against all battles. What seems to be more sci-fi than horror ends with a beautiful spiritual ending that puts Koontz in a whole new light!”

Michele Coleman, Iredell County Public Library, Statesville, NC

Third Annual Contemporary YA Week

My favorite YA blog, Stacked, is running their 3rd Annual Contemporary YA week.  Here are the details from Kelly:

Welcome to the third annual contemporary YA fiction week here at STACKED. I am so, so excited to get this week kicked off because there is so much great stuff to share. 

Like in years past, I have a nice array of guest posts from contemporary YA authors. We're going to travel across the globe to talk about Australian contemporary YA, we'll talk about mental illness and contemporary YA, humor in contemporary YA, and much, much more. In fact, I have 7 guest posts lined up, along with a host of book lists. 

After seeing what people were interested in reading about earlier this year, I noticed some of the topics that were mentioned were topics that have been covered here before -- either during a prior contemporary week or elsewhere. I thought that in addition to new posts, I'd rerun some older content, as well, in order to give a huge range of voices and insights into contemporary YA. 

So in short, contemporary YA week will be a little longer than one week this year. It'll be closer to a week and a half long, with two posts a day. I promise a lot of worthwhile reading, thought-provoking guest posts, and, I hope, useful book lists of titles within a given topic and titles to get on your radar for the coming year. 

And perhaps -- just perhaps -- I'll tell you a little bit more about my book about contemporary YA sometime at the end of this series. 

Contemporary YA fiction week will start tomorrow with a guest post about mental illness as it's depicted in YA, with a sharp take on the idea of "the problem novel."

You can pull up all of the posts from the "week" using this link.

I for one am going to spend some time going through all of the information, checking my collection, and passing on lists to the staff so we can serve our teens better.

Thanks to Stacked for doing the leg work so we can educate ourselves on the newest information, and ultimately, suggest the best books to our teens based on their reading needs.

Me Live at SEPLA

Today I will be presenting the Keynote address for the Southeast PA Library Association Conference and Annual Meeting.

You can click here to access my slides for the Keynote: Bridging the Physical-Virtual Divide

And, you can click here for my updated 10 Rules of RA Service which I will be using on my RA for All breakout session.

Then back to Chicago tonight.

Monday Discussion: Traveling Edition

Since I am spending the day making my way to the Philadelphia Metro Area in preparation for my Keynote Address to the Southeast Pennsylvania Library Association I thought I could put a traveling spin on the Monday Discussion.

So today, I will ask you where and when are your favorite places to arm chair travel through a book?

I’ll go first.

I have mentioned this many times before, but it really is my favorite time to read about: 1850-1899.  Anything. Fiction, nonfiction, historical fantasy, horror, mysteries.  I am not picky when it is set in this time period.  I don’t even care where it is set if it is during this time. I love how this is the time when modernity was in its infancy. When scientific discoveries came fast and furious, and man was beginning to finally understand the natural world.

I like armchair travel to this time, more than to a specific place, but if I had to also pick a place, I would say I enjoy reading about the far east, in any time period.  Again, I will read fiction, nonfiction, mysteries, etc... all comers.

Okay, now it is your turn.

Tell me about your favorite armchair travel reads.

For past Monday Discussions, click here.