Week 7: Assignment 2
The analysis of why young adult fiction has crossed over to an adult audience in the article, "Who is Buying Teen Books" was very enlightening. I agree that the uncomplicated writing, fast pace and compact plot of the teen novel are appealing aspects for all readers. Novels like Fallen Angels by Walter Dean Myers and The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson come to mind as strong teen books with adult themes and appeal. Librarians should give themselves permission to recommend teen titles to adults more often without feeling that it is insulting or demeaning to the customer's sense of maturity to do so. It's okay. Go for it! (I posted this comment of Kathryn S's blog - Bmore Bookish)
I was suprised to learn from the article, "YA Comes of Age," that there is a growing hard cover market because of the attractiveness and collectiblity of hard cover titles. Because I own a kindle, but still prefer to curl up with a real book from time to time, it's nice to know that in spite of the popularity of electronic books, a binded text with pages to be flipped through is still a prized possession. (Christina Miller and I both read this article so I posted this comment on her blog - Dances with Chickens)
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Week 7: Assignment 1:
I loved the flowchart "What to Read Next" from the Lawrence Public Library. I printed out a PDF version and found the layout to be inviting and easy on the eyes. I answered the questions in the bubbles and investigated the connected suggested titles. I followed the chart to the end and decided that I like my dystopia with a dose of science fiction, and prefer disease over natural disaster and vampires to zombies.
I loved the flowchart "What to Read Next" from the Lawrence Public Library. I printed out a PDF version and found the layout to be inviting and easy on the eyes. I answered the questions in the bubbles and investigated the connected suggested titles. I followed the chart to the end and decided that I like my dystopia with a dose of science fiction, and prefer disease over natural disaster and vampires to zombies.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Week 6: Assignment 3:
I found fan websites for each of my selected subgenres by googling the subject. I used www.wilmara.com for the subgenre disaster. We are confronted by the media every day with how the human race is depleting and destroying the world's natural resources and making decisions that could place us at the brink of world war. These books are exciting to read but also cathartic because they provide a stark picture of how apocalyptic disaster would look and feel were it to really occur.
I used a site entitled Paranormal Reading for Young Adults for the Paranormal subgenre. I can summarize the current buzz among fans over this subgenre with two words: Understanding and Control. Fans of this genre are struggling to understand and control the world beyond the physical realm.
Lastly, I used www.alibris.com and selected the Urban Warfare books category. Readers find borough warfare books exciting because of the violence, harsh language and devastating consequences faced by the protagonists.
Frame 232 by Wil Mara typifies the disaster subgenre with the standard appeal factors of fast pace, scientific detail, and believability - the scenario created is a realistic possibility.
Vicki Pettersson, the author of The Signs of the Zodiac is considered one of the finest writers of paranormal. This is a subgenre with historical roots in the stories, cults and religions of the past, fantastic or otherwordly elements, and plot details that make sense of popular phenomenon like flying saucers and aliens.
A good borough warfare novel is Street Life by Jihad. Hallmarks of this genre are gritty street life, gang warfare, turf disputes and a protagonist's page-turning struggle for survival.
Mashups of subgenres:
Dynasty by Dutch which has been described as as "urban soap opera," combines the genres of romance and the borough warfare novel. It features a battle between two factions of a crime family - the Bells from the South and the Simmons from the North along with the steamy, womanizing escapades of a cocaine drug lord.
Scars by Patience Prence is an action-packed thriller with political overtones that is both Christian fiction and a disaster novel rolled into one. The main character finds herself in the middle of a cataclysmic national disaster as the world comes to an end and must decide whether or not to follow God.
I found fan websites for each of my selected subgenres by googling the subject. I used www.wilmara.com for the subgenre disaster. We are confronted by the media every day with how the human race is depleting and destroying the world's natural resources and making decisions that could place us at the brink of world war. These books are exciting to read but also cathartic because they provide a stark picture of how apocalyptic disaster would look and feel were it to really occur.
I used a site entitled Paranormal Reading for Young Adults for the Paranormal subgenre. I can summarize the current buzz among fans over this subgenre with two words: Understanding and Control. Fans of this genre are struggling to understand and control the world beyond the physical realm.
Lastly, I used www.alibris.com and selected the Urban Warfare books category. Readers find borough warfare books exciting because of the violence, harsh language and devastating consequences faced by the protagonists.
Frame 232 by Wil Mara typifies the disaster subgenre with the standard appeal factors of fast pace, scientific detail, and believability - the scenario created is a realistic possibility.
Vicki Pettersson, the author of The Signs of the Zodiac is considered one of the finest writers of paranormal. This is a subgenre with historical roots in the stories, cults and religions of the past, fantastic or otherwordly elements, and plot details that make sense of popular phenomenon like flying saucers and aliens.
A good borough warfare novel is Street Life by Jihad. Hallmarks of this genre are gritty street life, gang warfare, turf disputes and a protagonist's page-turning struggle for survival.
Mashups of subgenres:
Dynasty by Dutch which has been described as as "urban soap opera," combines the genres of romance and the borough warfare novel. It features a battle between two factions of a crime family - the Bells from the South and the Simmons from the North along with the steamy, womanizing escapades of a cocaine drug lord.
Scars by Patience Prence is an action-packed thriller with political overtones that is both Christian fiction and a disaster novel rolled into one. The main character finds herself in the middle of a cataclysmic national disaster as the world comes to an end and must decide whether or not to follow God.
Week 6: Assignment 1:
I selected the urban fiction genre and discovered a lot by visiting the street fiction and urban reviews links. I think that the Urban Reviews link is a good resource for readers and up and coming writers of urban fiction to share their opinions and have their works reviewed and advertised for free. I liked the variety of subjects covered under the Urban Teen Fiction category of the Street Fiction link. I liked that these teen books are infused with aspects of pop culture like American idol, hot cars and high fashion to keep them interesting and relevant to young readers, while also tackling serious issues such as interracial love, teen pregnancy, breast cancer and drive by shootings. Some of the books, however, were suprisingly fluffy like Jason & Kyra by Dana Davidson and Perfect Joy by Stephanie Perry Moore,. These books did not really have the grittiness that I would expect from an urban fiction novel, but were relatable high school experiences of the average teen.
I selected the urban fiction genre and discovered a lot by visiting the street fiction and urban reviews links. I think that the Urban Reviews link is a good resource for readers and up and coming writers of urban fiction to share their opinions and have their works reviewed and advertised for free. I liked the variety of subjects covered under the Urban Teen Fiction category of the Street Fiction link. I liked that these teen books are infused with aspects of pop culture like American idol, hot cars and high fashion to keep them interesting and relevant to young readers, while also tackling serious issues such as interracial love, teen pregnancy, breast cancer and drive by shootings. Some of the books, however, were suprisingly fluffy like Jason & Kyra by Dana Davidson and Perfect Joy by Stephanie Perry Moore,. These books did not really have the grittiness that I would expect from an urban fiction novel, but were relatable high school experiences of the average teen.
Week 5: Assignment 3:
First Sight by Danielle Steel will be a hit because it satisfies the typical romance fan’s need for a spine- tingling love story, while also capitalizing on the nation’s obsession with the fashion industry as evidenced by the popularity of movies like the The Devil Wears Prada, Coco Before Chanel and Sex and the City. Through this genre, we enter a world of glamour and excitement that most envy, but will never experience and learn of the hidden costs of success. Like the strong female protagonists, of the fashion movies, Timmie O’Neil is a heroin who sacrifices love and intimacy in order to attain a high level of influence in the cold, cut-throat world of fashion. Her struggle to confront the demons of her past and to strike a balance between her personal ambitions and the yearnings of her heart will resonate with both teens and adults.
First Sight by Danielle Steel will be a hit because it satisfies the typical romance fan’s need for a spine- tingling love story, while also capitalizing on the nation’s obsession with the fashion industry as evidenced by the popularity of movies like the The Devil Wears Prada, Coco Before Chanel and Sex and the City. Through this genre, we enter a world of glamour and excitement that most envy, but will never experience and learn of the hidden costs of success. Like the strong female protagonists, of the fashion movies, Timmie O’Neil is a heroin who sacrifices love and intimacy in order to attain a high level of influence in the cold, cut-throat world of fashion. Her struggle to confront the demons of her past and to strike a balance between her personal ambitions and the yearnings of her heart will resonate with both teens and adults.
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