Readers’ Advisory Blog: http://www.readersadvisorychatter.blogspot.com
Use to link to the web sites identified in this handout
Word version of Reader's Advisory Handout
Email Kate at kmay AT minlib DOT net
WEB RESOURCES:
Blogs
Book to Film Resources
Book Reviews
Commercial
Electronic Discussion Lists
Library Websites with Reader's Advisory Resources
Pre-Publication Sites
Other
GENRES:
Mystery
Historical
Romance
Science Fiction
Classics
Young Adult
Nonfiction
PRINT RESOURCES:
Magazines & Journals
Reference Books
Definition of Reader’s Advisory Services over time:
Readers’ advisory service ...is a patron oriented library service for
adult fiction readers. A successful readers’ advisory service is one in
which knowledgeable, nonjudgmental staff help fiction readers with
their reading needs.
Saricks, Joyce and Nancy Brown, Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library (Chicago: ALA 1997), 1.
"Readers’ advisory service…is a patron-centered library service for adult leisure readers. A successful readers’ advisory service is one in which knowledgeable, nonjudgmental staff help fiction and nonfiction readers with their leisure reading needs." -Saricks, Joyce G., Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library (Chicago: ALA 2005), 1
Reader’s Advisory Service requires:
Reader’s Advisory Terms:
Appeal = The elements of a book’ whether definable or just understood, that makes readers enjoy the book
Similar Authors/read-a-likes = A group of authors whose works share elements that appeal to the same reader.
Genre = Any sizable group of authors or specific titles that have similar characteristics and appeal.
Good books = fiction or nonfiction titles that are enjoyable to read and meets a recognized quality standard.
-Saricks 2005
Which Book - http://www.whichbook.net
“Appeal” type resourceUK site allows you to search by character, setting, plot etc.
Blogs
Reader Olathe - http://www.oplreader.blogspot.com
(KS) Public Library's book blog that has brief summaries of current fiction.
Bookblog - http://bookblog.net/
Active blog with lots of bloggers opinions about current fiction.
BookBlog at ReadersRead - http://readersread.com/#blog
Portal for book lovers with book excerpts, news and book reviews
Book Slut Blog - http://www.bookslut.com/blog/
“Bookslut is a monthly web magazine and daily blog dedicated to those
who love to read. We provide a constant supply of news, reviews,
commentary, insight, and more than occasional opinions.”
Hip Librarians Book Blog -http://hiplibrariansbookblog.blog-city.com
A group of Childrens/YA Librarians “post information about books they like. Or loathe.”
I Love a Good Mystery - http://www.iloveagoodmystery.com/
Blog with book reviews of mysteries and links to author’s blogs
Papercuts: Cutting Edge Library News, Reviews and Events - http://papercuts.tscpl.org
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library (KS) Blog
Readers’s Circle - http://readerscircle.blogspot.com/
Boston Regional Library System Initiative. Monthly discussion group and blog
Readers Read - http://www.readersread.com
“Blogging the latest book news: plus excerpts, bestseller lists and
trends.” “Portal for book lovers with book excerpts, news and book
reviews
Ricklibrarian - http://www.ricklibrarian.blogspot.com/
“A review of books, websites, movies, or anything worth reviewing with
comments about libraries and librarianship.” Written by a librarian.
Books to Film
Based on the Book - http://www.mcpl.lib.mo.us/readers/movies
Mid-Continent Public Library, Independence, Missouri. A list of over
1,100 books, novels, short stories and plays that have been made into
movies. Lists by Movie title, Book title, Book Author and Movie Release
Year.
Books to Film - http://www.readersread.com/bookstofilm/
Detailed list of movies based on books released from Oct, 2003 through Oct 2005. On Readers read web site.
Books in the News: Fresh Press - http://www.freshfiction.com/motors.php
Publishes a daily recap of author appearances and book mentions on
nationally broadcast television and radio programs. Fresh Press
monitors more than 50 nationally broadcast television and radio
programs and delivers a comprehensive listing of the featured books and
authors in a daily newsletter.
Book Reviews:
BookBitch - http://www.bookbitch.com
Web site maintained by librarian. Includes book reviews, a blog, new authors, suggestions and book discussion groups.
Book Browse - http://www.bookbrowse.com
“Your guide to exceptional books”. Includes current fiction and
nonfiction. Book reviews, excepts of the book, author biographies and
interviews.
Book Page - http://www.bookpage.com
“America’s Book Review” Monthly online newsletter that includes
interviews with authors and highlights of new fiction, children’s
books, non-fiction and more.
Fantastic Fiction - http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/
Site with option to search by author, new titles, awards. Includes
science fiction, fantasy and horror, mystery and thriller, romance and
contemporary mainstream. Includes publication details for each book and
a brief summary of the plot.
Genreflecting - http://www.genreflecting.com/
Libraries Unlimited web site that is a companion to the popular readers’ advisory print resource
Overbooked - http://www.overbooked.org
“A web site for ravenous readers” managed by a librarian. Includes
booklists, starred book reviews, readers’ advisory services etc.
Review of Books - http://www.reviewofbooks.com
One stop for reviews of recently released books. Site is a collection
of book reviews from major online media sites that are available
without having to register at a site or pay to read them.
Commercial
Allreaders - http://www.allreaders.com
Book reviews, book search by subplot, author detailed book search.
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com
Listmania and “customers who bought this book also bought…”
Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com
Select "Browse Books" to see a comprehensive subject guide
Random House - http://www.randomhouse.com/category/
Publisher web site
Electronic Discussion Lists
The FictionL Listserv - http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
Managed by the Morton Grove Public Library. Subscribe to the listserv
to follow current issues in reader’s advisory services and ask
questions. Search the archives to find answers to RA questions at http://www.webrary.org/rs/FLarchive.html
DorothyL Listserv - http://www.dorothyL.com
Focused on Mystery writing. Broader participant/audience including
authors, publishers and librarians. More focused on the business of
mystery writing, but does have some reader’s advisory threads. This
list has a searchable archive at http://listserv.kent.edu/archives/dorothyl.html
GNLIB L - http://www.angelfire.com/comics/gnlib
Graphic Novels in Libraries Listserv for librarians interested in Graphic Novels. Archives at http://lists.topica.com/lists/gnlib-l/read
Science Fiction and Fantasy Listserv - http://sun8.loc.gov/listarch/sf-lit.html
Moderated by Library of Congress. Searchable archives at http://sun8.loc.gov/listarch/sf-lit.html
Library Web Sites With Reader's Advisory Resources
Logan Library, UT - http://www.logan.lib.ut.us/booklist/readersadvisory.html
Comprehensive set of booklists
Morton Grove Public Library, IL - http://www.webrary.org/rs/FLbklistmenu.html
Booklists i.e. genre, Character, Setting, Subject, Author, Audience
Multnomah County Library OR - http://www.multcolib.org/books
Book lists, staff picks, bestsellers etc.
Sachem Public Library, NY - http://sachem.suffolk.lib.ny/advisor/advisor.htm
Great resource for titles that are “beyond bestsellers”. Booklists are focused on the unusual and alternative reading.
Waterboro Public Library, ME - http://www.waterborolibrary.org/bklista.htm
Booklists drawn from a variety of other libraries and web sites.
Westminster Public Library CO - http://westminster.lib.co.us/readers/rendezvous.htm
Readers’ Rendezvous.
Pre-Publication Sites
Buzz Girl - http://bookpagebuzz.blogspot.com/
“A Publishing Insider gets the Skinny on Tomorrows Bestsellers”. Pre-publication information on popular authors and subjects.
Library Journal Prepub Alert - http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6298448.html
(Jan. 15th prebub’s) In collection development section of the E-Journal.
Publishers Weekly Springing Forward: Fiction/Mystery & Suspense - http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6300616.html
Jan 25th Pre-pub list for mystery and suspense.
Other
Bookletters - http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
Available on library home page. Lots of booklists. Subscribe to specific email newsletters.
Librarian's Index to the Internet - http://www.lii.org
Web sites related to topics in literature evaluated and selected by librarians
Novelist.
Library Database. Some features: Find similar books, Author read alike, describe a Plot.
Readers Advisory Link Farm - http://ella.slis.indianna.edu/~pneskew?ra/index.html
Extensive list of links to RA resources compiled by a Library Science professor.
Wikipedia - http://www.wikipedia.org
Online encyclopedia with author, series, and title information
Writer’s Almanac - http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org
5 minute daily radio featuring poetry and literary and historic notes. Host: Garrison Keillor.
Cluelass and the Mysterious homepage - http://www.clueLass.com
Online bookstore specializing in murder and thrillers. Has a news and events page and a FAQ feature.
The Mystery Reader - http://www.themysteryreader.com
Mystery Book reviews with one to five star ratings and violence
ratings. Covers police/detective, thrillers, cozy’s, romantic suspense,
historical and suspense. Parts of the site are not current, but the
book reviews are up to date.
Stop, You’re Killing Me! - http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/index.html
This site is a resource for the lovers of mystery, intrigue and
suspense books. Stop! Lists hundreds of authors, with complete,
chronological lists of their books in this sub-genre.
Graphic Novels
Just Manga - http://www.justmanga.com/
Good source for forthcoming graphic novel publications.
No Flying, No Tights - http://www.noflyingnotights.com/index2.html
“A web site reviewing graphic novels for teens, children & adults.
This is a very colorful site with lots of graphic novel book reviews.
Romance
Romance Reader - http://www.romancereader.com
“the latest news and views of romance novels”. Includes book reviews, author interviews etc. Parts of the site are not updated.
Historical Fiction
HistFiction.net - http://www.histfiction.net
Lots of web resources and book reviews of historical fiction. This site
is not as current as many other fiction web sites, but the information
provided does seem credible. Includes an author database, a book search
and links to web sites that present various pieces of information on
historical fiction topics and titles.
Prehistoric Fiction - http://www.trussel.com/f_prehis.htm
Great discussion about fiction set in prehistoric times. Includes a
discussion of the genre. The site has an author index, a chronological
index and a title index. This site is not current. The last book
mentioned has a publication date of 2002. It is a good source of
information about the genre and many of the works of fiction that might
be of interest to our patrons.
Science Fiction
Scifan - http://www.scifan.com
“Books and Links for the science fiction fan”. Site organizes books by
themes, series, authors and classics. The site has some currency
issues, but is a good source for standard info on Science fiction and
fantasy.
Science Fiction Resource Guide - http://www.sflovers.org/SFRG/
This page contains an extensive collection of links to SF resources on
the Net. Subject areas include other archives and resource guides,
authors, art and artists, bibliographies, movies, television,
bookstores, book reviews, role-playing games, zines, etc. Some of the
topics include Anne Rice, Bram Stoker, Jules Verne, H G Wells, Star
Wars, Star Trek, nanotechnology, vampire fiction, and more.
Classics
Classic Novels - http://ww.cincinnatilibrary.org/booklists/?id=classics
Cincinnati Public Library, Ohio posts a comprehensive list of classic novels.
Timeless Classics - http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/timeless.html
Booklist organized by age group developed by the National Endowment for
the Humanities. The list for grade 9-12 is suitable for adults as well.
Young Adult
Guys Read - http://www.guysread.com
The mission of this site is to motivate boys to read by connecting them
with materials they will want to read, in ways they like to read. The
web site is technically over done and difficult to navigate.
Reading Rants - http://www.tln.lib.mi.us/~amutch/jen/index.html
Booklists for teens maintained and updated by a YA librarian. Lists are added or updated every two months.
Young Adult Books Central - http://www.yabookscentral.com
Site maintained by a YA author and book reviewer. Up to date book reviews, some written by teens.
Nonfiction
ALA RUSA Readers Advisory Committee - http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaourassoc/rusasections/codes/codessection/codescomm/codesreadadv/readersadvisory.htm
Two documents on this site focus on nonfiction readers advisory
services. “Narrative Nonfiction Appeal factors” and “Sure Bet Narrative
Nonfiction Suggestions”. Also available is “Regional Mysteries
Bibliography”. This is an annotated list of mystery authors by state.
Best Nonfiction of 2004 from Christian Science Monitor - http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/1123/p17s02-bogn.html
Lukas Prize for Excellent Nonfiction - http://www.jrn.columbia.edu/events/lukas/winners
Columbia School of Journalism Prize winners list from 1999 to present.
The Modern Library 100 Best Nonfiction - http://www.randomhouse.com/modernlibrary/100bestnonfiction.html
This list was compiled in 1999 through a voting process. Books were selected from Modern Library publications.
Book Page: America’s Book Review
Monthly newsletter with current fiction and non fiction book reviews and author interviews.
Drood Review of Mystery
Bi-monthly. Includes book reviews and seasonal prepublication alerts for mysteries.
Fore Word: Reviews of Good Books Independently
Bi-monthly publication.
London Review of Books
Bi-weekly book reviews from UK includes scholarly commentary.
Library Journal
Monthly. Pre-publication alerts, book reviews, blurbs etc.
New York Times Book Review
Weekly on Sunday in the New York Times.
New York Review of Books
“Bi-weekly magazine on literature, culture, and current affairs....
which takes as its point of departure that the discussion of important
books is itself an indispensable literary activity.”
Mystery Scene
Bi-monthly magazine focused on mystery genre. Includes book reviews and author profiles.
Pages: the Magazine for People who Love Books
Bi-monthly. Articles by authors. Book reviews etc.
Three Penny Review
Quarterly. Includes book reviews and literary commentary.
Washington Post Book World
Weekly book reviews and literary calendar.
World Literature Today
Quarterly. Focus is on world literature and poetry.
Reference Books
Herald, Diana Tixler. Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests in Genre Fiction, 5th Edition. Englewood, CO: Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 2000.
Saricks, Joyce G. The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. Chicago IL: American Library Association, 2001.