Week 16 Prompt Response

Reading books when I was a child and reading books today has not changed as much as I originally thought. Of course I read books with a more mature premise, and with a more complex vocabulary. However, I feel that the length of books that I read plateaued at about the age of 10. There are several very long children's books, such as Harry Potter (at least books 3 through 7). As far as length is concerned, these books would reach the length of a typical adult novel. As for genre, I also feel that my tastes have remained similar to those of my childhood. I do branch out more today, but I still prefer Science Fiction and Fantasy. The Animorphs series was a childhood favorite, and I recently re-read some of them. I was pleasantly surprised to find myself just as entertained as I was 15 years ago.Finally, while electronic reading has become available, I find that I do not read ebooks very much at all. I tend to reserve reading on an electronic device for shorter things, such as news stories, journal articles, and blogs. For books, almost exclusively read physically.

What will reading be like in the mysterious year of 2036? I believe that we will read just as much as we do today. Reading is an enjoyable activity, as well as a practical one. Reading may change formats, and the way we read may be completely different, but people will always read. In the past, illiteracy and lack of access/time to books has hindered reading. Today, literacy rates (in the U.S.) are very high, and it is rare for someone to lack the access or time to read. I imagine that this will continue in the future, so reading will not decrease. As for how we read, I think that will change drastically. While I see physical books remaining popular for a very long time, I believe that ebooks will continue to grow in popularity (My personal taste does not line up with this trend, making me old-fashioned. However, if others wish to read electronically, that is wonderful). I also think that serialized stories will become more and more popular. If a book is electronic, it can be released in a serialized format without the constraints of physical serialization. Authors may release grand epics piece by piece, and readers will enjoy a new part of the story ever few months, instead of waiting years for the next book in a series.

Interactive reading will likely become more present in the future, especially in children's literature and non-fiction. Children's books already strive for interactivity, through pop up books, flaps to reveal pictures in board books, and so on. I imagine that electronic interactivity will be very popular in children's books. Non-fiction provides many opportunities for interaction, such as links to other resources, embedded videos, and more. As for adult fiction, I think interactivity will be perceived similarly to how 3D movies are viewed today. For some, 3D movies are a great enhancement to the experience, but many others find it distracting and gimmicky. I believe interactivity in adult fiction will be viewed the same way. There may be some minor interactivity, such as an option to share the book on Facebook, or rate it on Goodreads or Amazon, but beyond that, I believe interactivity will be a niche market in adult fiction.

Week 15 Prompt Response

The three ways for my library to promote its fiction collection:

1. Programs tying fiction books to pop culture.
It is important that the library provides relevant programs, and one way they can do that is to keep an eye on what's popular in the community. The next Star Wars is coming out soon? Why not do a Star Wars themed program, and promote the Science Fiction collection? Most public libraries have a sizable collection of Star Wars books, and there are plenty of other science fiction books that have similar themes.

2. Provide Reader's Advisory lists physically and online.
Most (not all, but most) people have a favorite book, even if they do not read often. If the library provides lists of recommendations for people who like a particular popular book, these people can easily find new books to read. The Hunger Games is a relatively new favorite, so providing lists of recommended books based on that interest, or just a list of Dystopian books would be very beneficial.

3. Post often to Facebook and Twitter.
People love to impulsively follow Facebook and Twitter pages. It requires little commitment and little thought. However, as a result, the library can send out posts that will be seen by many people easily. book reviews, recommendations, and programs can be posted. Images are a powerful tool. Put the cover of Harry Potter on a post about fantasy books in the library, and people will instantly pay attention.

Week 14 Prompt Response

If I were responsible for deciding whether or not to separate GBLTQ and African American literature from the rest of the collection or not, I would choose to keep them integrated into the rest of the collection.
My first reason for this is that these two categories are not genres, they are themes. Most library collections will divide their fiction collections by genre, such as Mysteries, Science Fiction, etc. They may also divide the collection by format (Graphic Novels, Large Print) or reading level (Adult, Young Adult, Youth). Further dividing the collection into themes would create confusion for librarians and patrons (Where would a Mystery GLBTQ book be located?), and would create too many different sections. Themes are also a very expansive category type, as I could continue to list themes for hours.
My second reason would be that it is discriminatory. Of course, the intentions of dividing the collection are not bad, but the end result may be bad. While the intention is very different, separating the collection like this may bring up connotations of discrimination in public places (Such as a "White" section and a "Black" section). Again, this is not the intention, but the end result can be harmful, even if the intention was good.
The final reason for keeping them integrated would be to promote a wide experience of themes to patrons within their preferred genres. A person who enjoys Science Fiction may read several, several books within the genre. While they are reading one genre, they will likely encounter a myriad of themes, which will broaden their interests and perspective, all while staying within their beloved Sci-Fi section.

Week 13 Prompt Response

As someone who mostly reads comics, manga, and young adult novels, the topic of young adult novels remaining accessible to adults is important to me. While there are many adults who read young adult novels, many adults view these novels as being for teens only. It is interesting that many people have this opinion, and it is important to understand why they think this way. What are the differences between young adult and adult novels? In my experience, the difference is actually very slight.

Genres: Both adult and young adult books can be written in any genre category.

Length: Both adult and young adult books can range from novellas to epics.

Reading level: This is debatable. While there are young adult books written for a lower reading level, there are also many others that have the same complexity of vocabulary as adult novels.

This leaves "content" to be the last category for which I will compare adult and young adult books. There are differences in content, and I feel that the biggest differences are:

Adult novels can be "R-rated" while young adult novels tend to remain "PG-13"

Young adult novels tend to feature younger protagonists.

These are the two ways in which these two groups of books differ the most. Now, are these differences enough justification to tell an adult that they should not read young adult books? In my opinion, no. Adults should not limit themselves to R-rated movies, and they should not limit themselves to books that contain adult subject matter either. It is fine to enjoy these books or movies, but it is unreasonable to avoid a story that does not have sex, drugs, and gore. This leaves the difference in the ages of protagonists. The argument against young adult novels would be "Readers should read books that have a relatable protagonist in the eyes of the reader". While some readers may enjoy stories which have a protagonist that is similar to themselves, other readers may actually enjoy seeing a story through a different perspective. It is a wonderful challenge to place yourself in the position of someone that has a very different background than your own.

If adults want to read young adult novels, they should be free to do so without judgment. Young adult books contain fantastic stories that exercise the imagination, perhaps even more so than adult novels. As librarians, we should keep in mind that young adult novels are a valid option for adults looking to find a new story to read. There are wonderful young adult options available in any genre.

Young Adult Annotation: The Devil Is a Part-Timer!

Author: Satoshi Wagahara

Title: The Devil Is a Part-Timer! (Volume 1)

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Comedy

Publication Date:April 21, 2015 (English) February 10, 2011 (Japanese)

Number of Pages:240

Geographic Setting: Tokyo, Japan

Time period: Present Day

Series: The Devil Is a Part-Timer! Series

Plot Summary: The Devil Is a Part-Timer! begins in the fantasy land of Ente Isla, where angels and the church are at war with the Devil and his legions of demons. In a climactic battle, the Devil and his top general are banished to another realm: Earth. Trapped in Tokyo without his powers, the Devil seeks to find a way home. However, this is not as easy, and bills need paid. Under the guise of Sadao Maou, the Devil finds work at "MgRonald's", where he strives to climb the corporate ladder to regain the power he once had. Through various hilarious and strange adventures including magic, knights, and hamburgers, the Devil balances his new life on Earth with his desire to return to his kingdom.

Appeal: The Devil Is a Part-Timer! is ludicrous, unique, and incredibly strange, which can be a very enjoyable experience for many. The story hinges on the absurd, while including some aspects of fantasy and adventure. Fans of anime and manga may appreciate the cultural references and setting of the story as well.

Three terms that describe this book: Ridiculous, Hilarious, and Fun

Similar authors and works:

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya by Nagaru Tanigawa
Another comedic young adult novel series, the Haruhi Suzumiya series of books features a setting in modern Japan, featuring characters with special powers living secret lives as normal people. This series also has zany comedy, but with less focus on action, and more focus on mystery.

Kizumonogatari: Wound Tale by Nisioisin
While still technically a young adult book, Kizumonogatari is a more mature story, with a more serious story about mystical characters in Japan. Vampires, ghosts, and spirits collide in a serious series that focuses on action, mystery, puzzles, and word play.

Sword Art Online by Reki Kawahara
This is a predominantly action-oriented series that takes place in a fantasy realm. If you like the fantasy elements of The Devil Is a Part-Timer!, this is worth reading. The characters are trapped in a fantasy multiplayer online game, where the villain has prevented them from logging out.

Week 12 Prompt Response: Reader's Advisory Matrix

The Twelve Caesars by Matthew Dennison

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
Highly narrative (reads like fiction)

2. What is the subject of the book?
It is about the first twelve emperors of Rome, starting with Julius and ending with Domitian. It details their lives before and during each of their reigns, and guides the reader through the royal family tree.

3.What type of book is it?
A historical collective biography

4. Articulate Appeal
     What is the pacing of the book? Leisurely paced, not fast, but not slow.

     Describe the characters of the book? The emperors range from flawed heroes to pitiable villains. None of them are completely bad or good, but some are certainly better than others.

     How does the story feel? The story is a dramatic tale of war, strife, and politics, and how those involved handle the situations.

    What is the intent of the author? The intent of the author is to tell the history of the emperors from a more personal and entertaining perspective.

     What is the focus of the story? The story focuses on the emperors themselves, rather than the Empire as a whole.

     Does the language matter? Yes.

     Is the setting important and well-described? Yes, the setting is very important, as it connects each the emperors in a common situation. It is well-described, and brought to life in the mind of the reader through imagery.

     Are there details, and if so, of what? Yes, there are plenty of details pertaining the the choices and situations that the emperors are involved in.

     Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear? There are graphics provided as needed, as well as a very useful family tree in the front of the book. This family tree is valuable when the reader is trying to understand the complex royal family.

     Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? Yes, the book show the consequences of the actions of the emperors, and whether or not they learned from those experiences. The author also shows when emperors learned (or didn't learn) from the mistakes of past emperors.


5. Why would the reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
     1. Dramatic
     2. Informative
     3. Personal

Non-Fiction Annotation - The Twelve Caesars: The Dramatic Lives of the Emperors of Rome

Author: Matthew Dennison

Title: The Twelve Caesars: The Dramatic Lives of the Emperors of Rome

Genre: Collective Biography

Publication Date: August 19, 2014

Number of Pages: 400

Geographic Setting: Roman Empire

Time Period: 100 BCE to 96 CE

Summary: Matthew Dennison takes the reader on a trip through the early history of the Roman Empire, with a focus on the lives of the Caesars themselves. Going in chronological order, Dennison tells the reader how each emperor came to power, what they did before and during their reign, and all of the drama surrounding their lives. There is a distinct focus on family issues, as affairs and family in-fighting are abundant in the royal family tree. The book provides a personal analysis of the Caesars, portraying them as actual people, and not legends.

Appeal: The Twelve Caesars is well-written, with a historical summary of events that plays out like a novel. The author doesn't just give the historical facts, he goes into the personal lives of the emperors to show why they did what they did, and how they are more human than we make them seem today.

Three terms that describe this book: Entertaining, Personal, Dramatic

Similar authors and works:

Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Robert Harris
This is a fictional novel that takes place in the time of the Roman Empire. It details the life of Marcus Cicero, and his interactions with other historical figures, including the emperors. For experts on Roman history who want something completely new, this provides a new experience set in the same familiar setting. First book of the Cicero series.

Constantine: Unconquered Emperor, Christian Victor by Paul Stephenson
This book details the history of Emperor Constantine, who ruled about 200 years after the events told in The Twelve Caesars.  This provides more Roman history, with a focus on the ruler, without retelling the same history found in The Twelve Caesars.

The American President: From Teddy Roosevelt to Bill Clinton by William E. Leuchtenburg
This book offers a similar layout that is provided in The Twelve Caesars, but with a more familiar context for American readers. It is a collective biography, detailing the lives of the American presidents chronologically, in a similar way to how Dennison told the lives of the Roman emperors.

For more information on the history covered in The Twelve Caesars:

Caesar: Life of a Colossus by Adrian Keith Goldsworthy

Chronicle of the Roman Emperors: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rulers of Imperial Rome by Christopher Scarre

Julius Caesar by Phillip Freeman

Week 11 Prompt Response

Ebooks and audiobooks are very popular materials at the library where I work. We have a large selection of audio books on CD, as well as being available for download to some devices. We offer downloadable ebooks, as well as Kindles that are pre-loaded with several books. All of these materials are checked out frequently. While traditional books are still being checked out often, these alternative formats are an important factor when considering what appeals to patrons.

Ebooks have the unique ability to allow readers to customize their book. Text size can be changed, sometimes the display can be changed from portrait to landscape, the font can be changed, etc. While this is great for many readers, it does take away some control over the reading experience from the author and/or publisher. Occasionally, authors will use text fonts and layout to evoke certain thoughts or emotions from the reader (E.E. Cummings famously did this with much of his poetry, but there are many others who are more...subtle in this practice).  With ebooks, the potential for authors to do this is much more constrained.

Audiobooks have a similar issue. Again, the author and/or publisher loses their control over the physical copy of the book, so things such as text fonts or layouts cannot be used to guide the reader's experience. Also, the narration greatly effects the story itself. If the narrator gives a lackluster performance during an emotional scene, some of the effect will be lost. Sound effects are also frequently used in audio books, which can effect the reader's experience.

I like to compare ebooks to alternative book formats, and audiobooks to adaptations of books. Ebooks are still stories told through text. Just like a Large Type copy of a book may change the font, spacing, and number of pages of a book, an ebook does something similar by having customizable settings. Audiobooks are not stories told through text. They are stories told through speech, which drastically changes the experience. This is similar to reading a comic book adaptation of a novel, or watching a movie adaptation. It may be the same story, and the adaptation may even be extremely faithful to the novel, but things change in the transition to a new medium. It's a very different experience.

When providing Reader's Advisory to patrons, it is important to consider the patron's preferences for formats and media. It is worth suggesting an alternative to what they are used to experiencing, but they may feel comfortable with the format that they know best.

Fantasy Annotation: The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Author: Neil Gaiman

Title: The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Genre: Fantasy

Publication Date: June 3, 2014

Number of Pages: 181

Geographic Setting: Sussex, England

Time Period: Present Day

Series: N/A

Plot Summary: The narrator of The Ocean at the End of the Lane remains anonymous throughout the story, even though he is the main character. As an adult, he returns to his small childhood town in the countryside, and begins to reminisce about his childhood. This is where the actual story begins. Our narrator lives a fairly normal childhood until a man who was staying with his family commits suicide. Paranormal things begin to happen, and a new housekeeper, Ursula Monkton comes to live with his family. The narrator quickly discovers that she has ill intentions toward him and his family, but he is unable to prove this to his parents as Ursula fools all of the narrator's family to gain their trust. The narrator seeks help from a neighbor girl, Lettie Hempstock. With her help, the narrator seeks to uncover the truth of all the strange events that have been happening, and save his family from Ursula.


Appeal: The Ocean at the End of the Lane provides a fantasy story set in the real world, something that Neil Gaiman has mastered over his many stories. For those who want a fantasy story while being grounded in a familiar place, this novel is a must-read. In Gaiman's usual style, it is very dark and creepy, giving the reader chills while experiencing the author's expert fantasy narrative.

Three terms that describe this book: Creepy, Awe-inspiring, Supernatural

Similar Authors and Works:

Perfect by Rachel Joyce
This is not a fantasy story, but it does feature a child growing up in a harsh environment, and working through the pain. It also takes place in England, in a similar environment. This provides the setting and character motivations featured in The Ocean at the End of the Lane, while maintaining a more realistic story.

Fire and Hemlock by Diane Wynne Jones
While this book is targeted more toward Young Adult readers, it has many similar elements in the story. both stories are fantasy tales that take place in England, and feature children as the protagonists. The children in both stories have to save their families from an evil woman, and experience mystical events along the way. It is not quite as dark as Gaiman's works.

The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
This book is another fantasy story with dark themes. Perhaps a bit darker than The Ocean at the End of the Lane, this book is definitely a horror tale as well as a fantasy one. It is also set in England, and features a child protagonist, though it is set in the Word War II era.

Book Club Observation

            Book clubs are a great way to externally engage readers in a book. When a person reads a book alone, they have a very personal experience with the narrative. The reader takes in thoughts, concepts, emotions, and events from the book, and from there the reader may think about the story more, and form further thoughts and opinions. While this is good, it can be taken further when two or more people read the same book. Each person will read the same material, but they may feel different feelings, think different thoughts, and form differing opinions. People can then share these thoughts, feelings, and opinions, and form a greater experience as a result.

            I observed a book club meeting for the book In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick. This book club was held at the Tippecanoe County Public Library, and was led by one of the librarians there. I chose to simply observe, and not participate, as I have not actually read the book. I did know the premise of the book before observing, but not much else beyond that. About fifteen people were in attendance, excluding myself. This book club selects a variety of books, however they are usually “safe” picks that most people would be interested in, they avoid picking books that appeal to a niche audience. Light snacks and beverages were provided as well.

            The book club started with a brief introduction, and then the leader started by asking if anyone was surprised by the events of what they read. The format of the meeting would be that the leader would ask a question to set the discussion on a certain track, and members would talk the discussion where they wanted. It seemed to be fairly relaxed, as the discussion did not have to stay on the same topic the whole time. The librarian would gauge when the discussion had pursued a topic to its full extent, or however far the group wanted to take the topic. The librarian would then ask a new question to start further discussion. The librarian herself did not put in too much of their own thoughts, but she did once or twice throughout the meeting. I believe that the librarian refrained from providing their input, unless no one else touched on a matter that they felt was important.

            The questions asked included “Were you surprised by the events of this section?”, “What did you think of their decision to avoid seeking shelter on one of the islands?” and “What are you expecting to happen next?” The last question was also accompanied with a polite request for those who may have read ahead to avoid answering the question. While some questions may have been yes or no questions, such as “Were you surprised by the events of this section?”, they encouraged people to answer further, such as “Yes, I was surprised that only one person thought to grab navigational equipment with them when they escaped the sinking ship”. Every attendee spoke at least once, though some did speak much more than others. Even so, no one stole the spotlight for too long, and the librarian tried to give people who hadn’t spoken much a good chance to talk. Overall I felt that it was a very well-executed book club, and the attendees seemed to enjoy it. 

Special Topics Paper: Graphic Novels

In my Special Topics Paper I explained what graphic novels are, and how they may be used in reader's advisory. I first explained that graphic novels are not a genre, they are a medium. Graphic novels can contain stories of many different genres, ranging from romance to science fiction to mysteries. Thinking of graphic novels as a genre can lead to some poor recommendations, so it is important to remember this.
    I then covered different kinds of graphic novels, including comics books, manga, comic strips, and original graphic novels. In summary:

Comic books: Serialized stories originally published in a magazine format. Later, several issues will be bound together in a book format, which is what libraries typically use.

Manga: Similar to comic books, but East Asian in origin. They are also serialized first in a magazine format, and then republished later in a book format. However, then are read in "reverse", as East Asian languages read from right to left. This, and differences in art and cultural themes, set manga apart from comic books.

Original Graphic Novels: Stories that are published in a book format, without having been serialized beforehand.

Comic Strips: Very short stories serialized in newspapers, and then republished in book format. Some do not consider comic strips to be graphic novels, due to the large difference in length (Comic strips are usually a few panels long, which does not fill even one page of a comic book or manga).


    After discussing what graphic novels are, I discussed how they can be used for integrated reader's advisory. Graphic novels are a mix of visual and print media, so they can be used to recommend books and movies, and vice versa. People who enjoy superhero movies will likely enjoy superhero comics, and people who enjoy romance graphic novels may enjoy romance novels. I also discussed using programs in the library to promote graphic novels, such as superhero movie nights, anime and manga clubs, and Free Comic Book Day.

Week Seven Prompt Response

     The article "A Million Little Lies" details the lies and inconsistencies found in James Frey's A Million Little Pieces. This book was published as a non-fiction memoir, but further investigation has shown that many of the events in the book were either greatly embellished or completely fictitious. Oprah Winfrey endorsed this book through her book club, without knowing of the fictitious nature of the book. As a result, the book became a best-seller, and James Frey became a celebrity.

     This is an interesting situation, as it is important to study it in order to prevent a repeat of this event. First, it is obvious that lying, and writing fiction as non-fiction is immoral. James Frey should have written a fiction novel, or told the whole truth. Some would argue that it is acceptable to embellish a non-fiction story slightly for the purposes of entertainment, but in my opinion, if the story is not interesting enough as-is, then it does not need to be published. 

      Non-fiction is important literature, not for its entertainment value, but for its ability to reveal truth to readers. If we cannot trust non-fiction literature, then laypeople have no trusted sources of information. Experts have academic journals, with tested accuracy that they can trust, but this is targeted toward experts alone. Common nonfiction literature takes these expert sources, and repackages them into an easy-to-understand format. Without common nonfiction, experts maintain their intelligence, while laypeople cannot improve their understanding of anything beyond personal experience. 

    Does James Frey's lie alone hurt anyone? Possibly some of the people mentioned in his tale, but not the general public. But when we allow the line between fiction and nonfiction to blur, we are dooming ourselves to an information vacuum. If no nonfiction literature can be trusted, then why should we bother reading nonfiction at all? 

Science Fiction Annotation: Star Wars The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance

Author: Sean Williams

Title: Star Wars The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance

Genre: Science Fiction

Publication Date: May 24, 2011

Number of Pages: 512

Geographic Setting: Space, Fictional Planets

Time Period: The Old Republic Era (Star Wars Universe)

Series: N/A

Plot Summary:
     Taking place in the Star Wars Universe, this book has many familiar concepts and conflicts: the Jedi are fighting the evil Sith, and the characters travel to several different planets in the galaxy throughout the story. However, this story takes place thousands of years before the Star Wars film series, meaning there are no familiar faces, and the galaxy is ruled by a different government. This offers a refreshing look into this fictional universe, and the author has free reign over what happens in the story (unlike a book that takes place closer to the film series). This tale involves a secret item of tremendous value, that has the attention of the Jedi, the Sith, pirates, and various other factions. Each faction is willing to go to great lengths to secure this item, but the knowledge of the item's true power is such a closely kept secret, that none of our characters know what it truly is. The story follows several characters, offering differing views on the events of the plot. A Jedi-in-training named Shigar Konshi, a former-soldier named Larin Moxla, the space pirate Captain Jet Nebula, Sith-in-training Eldon Ax, and many more. As the characters hunt down the prize and fight each other on multiple planets, they eventually come to know the truth about this "treasure". These enemies are forced to work together to save the galaxy from annihilation, though they must always be on guard against betrayal.

Appeal: Fatal Alliance gives the reader everything a Star Wars fan would want from that universe, while bringing in a fresh cast of characters, environments, and situations. Avid fans will likely enjoy the new take on the franchise. The story is a good entry point for people who are new to Star Wars novels, as it requires no prerequisite reading, though an understanding of the films and the fictional universe would be helpful.

3 Terms that best describe this book: Character-driven, Adventurous, and Grandiose

Similar Authors and Works:

Star Wars The Old Republic: Deceived by Paul S. Kemp
This is the second novel in The Old Republic series, though it is worth mentioning that this series is more of an anthology, and this novel does not continue the story of Fatal Alliance. It does take place in the same time period, offering more adventures into the world of Fatal Alliance.

With the Lightnings by David Drake
Another science fiction tale involving plenty of deceit, warring factions, and space traveling. The two main characters are also from different sides of the conflict, and like Fatal Alliance, they must tem up for the greater good. This is unrelated to Star Wars, but it is the first book of Drake's RCN series.

Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold
This novel is another space-faring adventure with plenty of character interaction and a fast-paced plot. The main character is the captain of her own starship who discovers new conflicts from unexpected sources. This is the first novel of Bujold's Vorkosigan Saga.

Week Six Prompt Response

A way that the library could promote the horror genre would be to have a "movie night" for teens. The library has done this before, with a positive response. While most horror movies are R-rated, there are some that are not, and could be shown to a younger audience. This could be used to promote horror young adult books, such as Darren Shan's Cirque Du Freak. This would incorporate integrated reader's advisory, as we would be using movies to promote a certain genre of books. We could have books available for check out at the movie night, so that teens who are interested in that genre could then read more right away.

Horror Annotation: The Damnation Game by Clive Barker

 
Author: Clive Barker
Title: The Damnation Game
Genre: Horror
Publication Date: 1985
Number of Pages: 448
Geographical Setting: London, England
Time Period: Modern, no specific date given
Series (If applicable): N/A
Plot Summary:
     Marty Strauss is a former criminal that has been in prison for several years. After resolving that he will have to spend most of his life imprisoned, he eventually catches a luck break: a possibility of early parole. However, this does not come without cost. After being released, he must become the bodyguard for the mysterious and powerful Joseph Whitehead. Marty agrees to this arrangement, and moves into Mr. Whitehead's mansion, where he will be available for protection purposes at all times. He quickly realizes that Mr. Whitehead is very cautious and protective, surrounding his mansion with an abundance of guard dogs, electrical fences, and security cameras. While Marty imagines that there is a reason behind his employer's paranoia, he we never suspect that an ancient evil is coming to collect on a debt Mr. Whitehead owes to him.

Appeal: The Damnation Game is guaranteed to make your skin crawl, with Barker's descriptive and somewhat invasive writing. The book is very graphic, leaving no gruesome or terrifying details unmentioned. The story also has several paranormal elements, while taking place in a regular environment. Readers can enjoy supernatural events without having to dive into a completely new world of fantasy.

3 terms that best describe this book: Gruesome, Chilling, Mysterious

Similar Authors and Works:

 Savage by Raymond Laymon
This is another gruesome horror tale with a setting in London, with a plot-driven storyline. The story is about a teenage boy encountering Jack the Ripper in London, and then being plagued by the menace as he travels to the United States.

World War Z by Max Brooks
Another gruesome story, which also makes use of the "undead" as a plot device. Humanity must survive a zombie apocalypse in this popular novel.

Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
While this work is not gruesome like The Damnation Game, it provides a plot-driven, supernatural horror story. It features a man with supernatural powers who strives to help a young girl who is being haunted.

Week 5 Prompt Response

After looking over the Amazon and Blog reviews for the Ebook-only title, "The Billionaire's First Christmas", I can safely say that I have no desire to read this book. The reviewers didn't say it was bad, they seemed to like it just fine. However, both reviews were very poorly done. The Amazon review is about what I would expect (sadly) from Amazon reviews. Run-on sentences, grammatical mistakes, etc. However, I was disappointed by the blog review. Usually, when I read "lol" in a review, I immediately stop reading and discard the opinion. However, as this is an assignment, I continued reading, but I was not impressed. This book does not seem to be romantic suspense, as I couldn't find any real source of suspense from the reviews. If all I knew about this book came from these reviews, I would definitely not purchase this for my library's collection.

The reviews about "Angela's Ashes" were refreshing to read. They were well-organized, and presented the review in a professional, objective manner. Some of the reviews could stand to be a bit longer in my opinion, but short reviews have their uses as well. I would seriously consider adding this book to my library's collection.

Is it fair that some types of books are reviewed to death while others are ignored? Yes, I do think that it is fair, as book reviews are a market, and like any market, products of high demand are valued. While it is fair, it is unfortunate. If librarians are not careful, collections will feature only the kinds of books that are heavily reviewed, while others are under-represented. Librarians must work to find quality materials, even for genres that are not reviewed often.

I do not feel that it is appropriate to only print positive reviews. While I understand the intention behind this, it does promote a "bandwagon" approach to reading. If some reviewers did not like a titan such as "The Hunger Games" or "Gone Girl", their opinions will not be heard, and popular books will be viewed as perfect. This is not the case, and negative reviews are necessary for providing opinions other than the popular opinion.

As for my personal reading choices, I like reviews that are organized, clear, spoiler-free, and give a quantifiable rating. I vehemently oppose spoilers, and I love being able to summarize an opinion into a number, such as "3 out of 5 stars". I tend to use Goodreads for finding reviews, but I am discovering new sources for reviews thanks to this class.

Kirkus Style Review: Kizumonogatari

Kizumonogatari: Wound Tale by Nisioisin

Kizumonogatari is the first book of Nisioisin’s popular Monogatari  series, a Japanese novel series about a teenage boy who helps his classmates with paranormal problems that plague them. Though this is the debut of the book series in English, the series is very popular in Japan, spawning dozens of books, an anime series, and a plethora of merchandise.

                The story begins with the protagonist, Koyomi Araragi, walking home from school. His classmate, Tsubasa Hanekawa, attempts to befriend our social outcast protagonist by striking up a conversation as they walk home. Eventually, the conversation shifts to a recent rumor of a vampire that has been attacking students in the area at night. Later that evening, Araragi encounters this vampire, but not through an attack. The vampire is laying in the street, missing all four of her limbs. She begs Araragi for help, and taking pity on her, he allows her to drain his blood to stay alive. While the vampire is saved, she is now without her vampire powers. Instead, Araragi is now a vampire, and he agrees to help the vampire find her attackers, and reclaim her lost limbs to fully restore her. In exchange, he will be returned to his normal human form, and continue his ordinary life. The rest of the tale is Araragi’s journey to help the vampire, and along the way he learns the value of having friends, as well as helping others in need. The story was indeed enjoyable, but the true beauty (as well as the most frustrating part) of this book lies within the author’s writing style. Nisioisin is well known for his dialogue-heavy writing, filled with dry humor and wordplay (Even his penname is a palindrome). This makes even lengthy exposition scenes highly enjoyable, as the characters are both humorous and clever. However, because wordplay is involved, it is obvious that some of the humor is lost in translation. More than a few times, an awkward, nonsensical pun would take the place of what was probably a very clever joke in Japanese. While this is unfortunate, there were still several moments where careful translation did manage to preserve the humor of the story. The translator, Ko Ransom, did a remarkable job, but there are some jokes that are simply impossible to translate.

Overall, Kizumonogatari is a humorous and clever story, in spite of some incongruencies between the jokes in the English and original Japanese versions.

Week Four Secret Shopper

I had a great experience for my secret shopper assignment. The employee was very welcoming, and listened to what I had to say. They primarily relied on Novelist for their search, and they could have used more resources. However, I was still happy with the results. After I started the conversation by asking for a science fiction novel to read, they asked me the following questions:

Have you read much science fiction before, or are you new to the genre?

I have read a few of the more popular titles, such as Dune, The Martian, and Star Wars novels.


Would you like something similar to one of those titles?

I would like a book similar to Dune


What did you like about Dune?

I liked how the author went into full, immersive detail about the technology, politics, and geography of the world. I also liked the futuristic space setting.


Would you like a book by the same author?

No, I think I'll try someone else.


Would you like to start a new series, or read a self-contained novel?

A new series would be great.


They then found three books that all seem very interesting. I will likely read these in the near future. It was a very pleasant and successful experience. 

Week 3 Prompt: Novelist

I used Novelist to find books for the following scenarios:

1. I am looking for a book by Laurell K. Hamilton. I just read the third book in the Anita Blake series and I can’t figure out which one comes next!

The Lunatic Cafe, by Laurell K. Hamilton

I chose this book because it is the fourth book in the Anita Blake series. I searched by series for "Anita Blake" and found it quickly.


 2. What have I read recently? Well, I just finished this great book by Barbara Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer. I really liked the way it was written, you know, the way she used language. I wouldn't mind something a bit faster paced though.


Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver
The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall


I found these books by searching for books that shared the same writing style as Prodigal Summer (Lush, Descriptive, and Lyrical). Animal Dreams is another book by Kingsolver, which the patron may appreciate, while The Book of Summers is an option if they want to try someone new, while maintaining the same style.




3. I like reading books set in different countries. I just read one set in China, could you help me find one set in Japan? No, not modern – historical. I like it when the author describes it so much it feels like I was there!

The Ghost In the Tokaido Inn by Dorothy Hoobler
The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama
Rurouni Kenshin volume 1 by Nobuhiro Watsuki

I found these options by searching for Japanese hisorical fiction set in Japan. The Ghost In the Tokaido Inn is an awarding winning Young Adult book, and the first in a series. If the reader would prefer an adult book, The Samurai's Garden is rated highly. And if the reader is feeling adventurous, Rurouni Kenshin is a classic manga series that is well loved by many, including myself.


4. I read this great mystery by Elizabeth George called Well-Schooled in Murder and I loved it. Then my dentist said that if I liked mysteries I would probably like John Sandford, but boy was he creepy I couldn't finish it! Do you have any suggestions?

A Banquet of Consequences by Elizabeth George
The Cut by George Pelecanos

A Banquet of Consequences is another Inspector Lynley novel by Elizabeth George, so the reader may enjoy it. It is also fairly recent, so they may not have read it yet. I found The Cut by searching for the same tone as Well-Schooled in Murder (Strong sense of place, Suspenseful, and Violent). By matching the tone, I tried to find a similar book that wasn't too creepy.







 5. My husband has really gotten into zombies lately. He’s already read The Walking Dead and World War Z, is there anything else you can recommend?

 Cell by Stephen King
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
The Living Dead by various

If the reader would prefer a serious zombie story along the lines of Walking Dead or World War Z, I would recommend Cell. However, if they would like a humorous twist on the genre, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies may be appealing. With a movie adaptation on the way, the reader may have been considering this book already. The Living Dead is a collection of short zombie-themed stories by popular authors like George R.R. Martin, Neil Gaiman, Laurell K. Hamilton, Stephen King, and Clive Barker. This impressive list of authors should provide something for the reader to enjoy.



Now as for ways that I personally find books, I use three ways. My library's OPAC, Amazon, and Wikipedia. My library's OPAC is useful, because I can immediately check out or place a hold on the item. I use Amazon religiously for several kinds of shopping, so it is no surprise that I find books there as well. Wikipedia is fast and convenient. I know that it is not as comprehensive or well-structured as other tools, but I have the app on my phone, and I can quickly search for an author to get their list of works. It isn't the best way, but it is by far the fastest.

Reading Profile

This post will be divided into two sections, because while I do read often, my medium of choice is the comic book or graphic novel. Because the nature of this medium differs from traditional novels, I think it would be best to talk about my reading preferences from both graphic novels and regular novels. While many would not consider reading graphic novels to be "real reading", I would argue that it is a valid form of reading, but not as compact as a novel. While I could easily read a graphic novel in about an hour (depending on length), reading a full-length novel would certainly take more time for me to process. As far as graphic novels are concerned, I tend to stick with the superhero genre, particularly books published by DC Comics. I also dabble in other genres, including manga occasionally. As for regular novels, I read science fiction more than most other genres. I also jump on the bandwagon and pick up popular young adult novels, so I can see what all the buzz is about (for better or for worse).

Graphic Novels/Comic Books

Favorites:
Batwoman by J.H. Williams III
The Sandman by Neil Gaiman
Green Lantern by Geoff Johns
Superman Unchained by Scott Snyder
Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello

I should point out that each of these are a series of comic books that were published monthly in a magazine format. They are then collected and bound together into graphic novels. For example, Brian Azzarello wrote 38 issues of Wonder Woman, which are collected in six volumes. Geoff Johns wrote Green Lantern comics for nearly ten years, and his incredibly large story is collected in about 40 volumes. All of these series focus on superheroes, except for The Sandman, which is a horror/fantasy story (as expected of Neil Gaiman), collected in ten volumes.


Novels

Favorites:
Dune by Frank Herbert
The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Haruhi Suzumiya series by Nagaru Tanigawa
Star Wars novels by various authors

Yes, Harry Potter is over-rated. But it still holds a special place in my childhood memories, and it always will. I have a love-hate relationship with the Hunger Games series, as I found the first book to be mediocre, and the last to be....less than mediocre. However, I found Catching Fire to be very entertaining. Haruhi Suzumiya is a series of young adult novels from Japan. It has been adapted into an anime, and is well-loved by many nerds around the world. As for Star Wars, I couldn't pinpoint a single favorite, as I really just enjoy the world of Star Wars, and the novels flesh out that world so much more than the movies ever did.