Fiction_L Archives I won't read . . . Dates: 12/7/00,12:55 PM  through  12/31/00,12:09 PM  (12 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to December 2000 thread menu   |    Fiction_L Archives Menu

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FROM: "Roberta S. Johnson" <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
REC'D: 12/7/00, 12:55 PM

I'm sorry, but a recent comment got under my skin a bit. I used to say some years
ago, "Oh, I would never read Christian fiction or soppy romances."

But now I firmly believe that not only can't I be a good readers advisor if I disdain any
type of fiction, but that the above comment is also insulting (albeit unkowingly) to
those on Fiction_L who do enjoy those genres. Not to mention library patrons.

I have discovered many wonderful authors that I never would have read: Penelope
Stokes, Mary Jo Putney, Ellen Vaughan Santilli, Nora Roberts to name a few, and all
in genres that I once turned my nose up at.

There's a lot of crap out there, in every genre. But please, let's not dismiss any kind of
fiction entirely, it's our living after all!

OK, my moment at the pulpit ends here.

RSJ


Roberta S. Johnson
Readers' Services Librarian
Des Plaines Public Library
[removed]@nslsilus.org
www.fictional.org
Opinions my own.

FROM: "Jeanne Linn" <[removed]@libby.org>
REC'D: 12/7/00, 1:03 PM

I know I was thinking "never say never!" I usually don't read certain
genres, but I try to make myself, for that purpose, to be a better reader's
advisory librarian. Jeanne


-----Original Message-----
From: Roberta S. Johnson <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Date: Thursday, December 07, 2000 11:58 AM
Subject: Re:I won't read . . .


I'm sorry, but a recent comment got under my skin a bit. I used to say some
years
ago, "Oh, I would never read Christian fiction or soppy romances."

But now I firmly believe that not only can't I be a good readers advisor if
I disdain any
type of fiction, but that the above comment is also insulting (albeit
unkowingly) to
those on Fiction_L who do enjoy those genres. Not to mention library
patrons.

I have discovered many wonderful authors that I never would have read:
Penelope
Stokes, Mary Jo Putney, Ellen Vaughan Santilli, Nora Roberts to name a few,
and all
in genres that I once turned my nose up at.

There's a lot of crap out there, in every genre. But please, let's not
dismiss any kind of
fiction entirely, it's our living after all!

OK, my moment at the pulpit ends here.

RSJ


Roberta S. Johnson
Readers' Services Librarian
Des Plaines Public Library
[removed]@nslsilus.org
www.fictional.org
Opinions my own.

FROM: "Lisa Colcord" <[removed]@ci.glendale.az.us>
REC'D: 12/7/00, 3:17 PM

Bravo! Roberta!

Ya know, I was thinking the exact same thing. The comment really bothered me, too, but I didn't say anything about it. As Betty Rosenberg once said, "Never apologize for your reading tastes."

Lisa

Lisa Colcord
Librarian
Glendale Public library
Glendale, AZ

....my views are my own....

-The secret to life is enjoying the passage of time- James Taylor

>>> [removed]@nslsilus.org 12/07/00 12:04PM >>>
I'm sorry, but a recent comment got under my skin a bit. I used to say some years
ago, "Oh, I would never read Christian fiction or soppy romances."

But now I firmly believe that not only can't I be a good readers advisor if I disdain any
type of fiction, but that the above comment is also insulting (albeit unkowingly) to
those on Fiction_L who do enjoy those genres. Not to mention library patrons.

I have discovered many wonderful authors that I never would have read: Penelope
Stokes, Mary Jo Putney, Ellen Vaughan Santilli, Nora Roberts to name a few, and all
in genres that I once turned my nose up at.

There's a lot of crap out there, in every genre. But please, let's not dismiss any kind of
fiction entirely, it's our living after all!

OK, my moment at the pulpit ends here.

RSJ


Roberta S. Johnson
Readers' Services Librarian
Des Plaines Public Library
[removed]@nslsilus.org
www.fictional.org
Opinions my own.

FROM: "Gena Zelenka" <[removed]@park-ridge.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 12/7/00, 3:22 PM

Currently we're doing a genre study that lasts for a year here at Park
Ridge. This year we are doing Romances...something I'd *never* read myself.
We read at least two books a month by different authors. I am really very
glad for the experience because it has turned me on to authors I *never*
thought I'd enjoy like Nora Roberts. And of course it makes me a better
Reader's Advisory librarian. I can relate better to patrons by saying "yes,
I've read that author," and I can better understand the nuances of romance
writing. Next year will be high-tech thrillers...again something I'd
*never* read on my own. Now whether or not those books will all be read
completely is a different thread....Gena


-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Jeanne Linn
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 1:01 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Re:I won't read . . .


I know I was thinking "never say never!" I usually don't read certain
genres, but I try to make myself, for that purpose, to be a better reader's
advisory librarian. Jeanne


-----Original Message-----
From: Roberta S. Johnson <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Date: Thursday, December 07, 2000 11:58 AM
Subject: Re:I won't read . . .


I'm sorry, but a recent comment got under my skin a bit. I used to say some
years
ago, "Oh, I would never read Christian fiction or soppy romances."

But now I firmly believe that not only can't I be a good readers advisor if
I disdain any
type of fiction, but that the above comment is also insulting (albeit
unkowingly) to
those on Fiction_L who do enjoy those genres. Not to mention library
patrons.

I have discovered many wonderful authors that I never would have read:
Penelope
Stokes, Mary Jo Putney, Ellen Vaughan Santilli, Nora Roberts to name a few,
and all
in genres that I once turned my nose up at.

There's a lot of crap out there, in every genre. But please, let's not
dismiss any kind of
fiction entirely, it's our living after all!

OK, my moment at the pulpit ends here.

RSJ


Roberta S. Johnson
Readers' Services Librarian
Des Plaines Public Library
[removed]@nslsilus.org
www.fictional.org
Opinions my own.

FROM: Mary K Chelton <[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net>
REC'D: 12/8/00, 9:24 AM

It's not accidental that Nora Roberts is the first romance writer to
be put into the Romance Writers Hall of Fame.

Mary K. (one of her biggest fans)


>Currently we're doing a genre study that lasts for a year here at Park
>Ridge. This year we are doing Romances...something I'd *never* read myself.
>We read at least two books a month by different authors. I am really very
>glad for the experience because it has turned me on to authors I *never*
>thought I'd enjoy like Nora Roberts. And of course it makes me a better
>Reader's Advisory librarian. I can relate better to patrons by saying "yes,
>I've read that author," and I can better understand the nuances of romance
>writing. Next year will be high-tech thrillers...again something I'd
>*never* read on my own. Now whether or not those books will all be read
>completely is a different thread....Gena
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
>[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Jeanne Linn
>Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 1:01 PM
>To: Fiction_L
>Subject: Re: Re:I won't read . . .
>
>
>I know I was thinking "never say never!" I usually don't read certain
>genres, but I try to make myself, for that purpose, to be a better reader's
>advisory librarian. Jeanne
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Roberta S. Johnson <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Date: Thursday, December 07, 2000 11:58 AM
>Subject: Re:I won't read . . .
>
>
>I'm sorry, but a recent comment got under my skin a bit. I used to say some
>years
>ago, "Oh, I would never read Christian fiction or soppy romances."
>
>But now I firmly believe that not only can't I be a good readers advisor if
>I disdain any
>type of fiction, but that the above comment is also insulting (albeit
>unkowingly) to
>those on Fiction_L who do enjoy those genres. Not to mention library
>patrons.
>
>I have discovered many wonderful authors that I never would have read:
>Penelope
>Stokes, Mary Jo Putney, Ellen Vaughan Santilli, Nora Roberts to name a few,
>and all
>in genres that I once turned my nose up at.
>
>There's a lot of crap out there, in every genre. But please, let's not
>dismiss any kind of
>fiction entirely, it's our living after all!
>
>OK, my moment at the pulpit ends here.
>
>RSJ
>
>
>Roberta S. Johnson
>Readers' Services Librarian
>Des Plaines Public Library
[removed]@nslsilus.org
>www.fictional.org
>Opinions my own.
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
>
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

--
**************************************************************************************
Home: 35 Mercury Ave., East Patchogue, NY 11772-4609. Phone: (631)
286-4255 or 776-2166
Work: Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, Queens
College, 254 Rosenthal Library, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY
11367. Phone: (718) 997-3790 general office; 3667 direct voice; 3797
fax, e-mail [removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net
**************************************************************************************

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 12/8/00, 11:08 AM

>From: "Roberta S. Johnson" <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re:I won't read . . .
>Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2000 12:54:26 -0600
>
>I'm sorry, but a recent comment got under my skin a bit. I used to say
>some years
>ago, "Oh, I would never read Christian fiction or soppy romances."
>
>But now I firmly believe that not only can't I be a good readers advisor if
>I disdain any
>type of fiction...


Still, it would be difficult to recommend a fiction which one couldn't
enjoy. *I* never would.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: Viccy Kemp <[removed]@ci.carrollton.tx.us>
REC'D: 12/8/00, 11:23 AM

I'll throw in my two cents on recommending fiction you wouldn't read. I ran
a bookstore for years (ten to be precise). We received boxes and boxes of
every one of Danielle Steel and John Grisham's books published and sold
every one of them. Once upon a time, I thought I have to read one of these
in order to understand the appeal. I tried, I really tried....
However, I found the thing to say was "I can tell you that lots of people
read these and enjoy them. I personally prefer (insert writer of choice)
because I think she/he tells a better story/writes better/has a better grasp
of grammar/can follow a coherent storyline/doesn't write the same story
seven times over, etc." My customers would get really offended if I blurted
out "Oh gross, what a miserable writer."
Just my opinion, I could be wrong (Dennis Miller)

Viccy Kemp
The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!

> -----Original Message-----
> From: christine jeffords [[removed]@hotmail.com]
> Sent: Friday, December 08, 2000 11:05 AM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: Re:I won't read . . .
>
>
>
>
> >From: "Roberta S. Johnson" <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
> >Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
> >To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
> >Subject: Re:I won't read . . .
> >Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2000 12:54:26 -0600
> >
> >I'm sorry, but a recent comment got under my skin a bit. I used to say
> >some years
> >ago, "Oh, I would never read Christian fiction or soppy romances."
> >
> >But now I firmly believe that not only can't I be a good readers advisor
> if
> >I disdain any
> >type of fiction...
>
>
> Still, it would be difficult to recommend a fiction which one couldn't
> enjoy. *I* never would.
> __________________________________________________________________________
> ___________
> Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download :
> http://explorer.msn.com
>
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: "Gena Zelenka" <[removed]@park-ridge.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 12/8/00, 11:41 AM

That's why we're professionals. We shouldn't let personal feelings get in
the way and we should be knowledgeable about all genres, whether we enjoy
them or not. Gena

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of christine jeffords
Sent: Friday, December 08, 2000 11:05 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re:I won't read . . .

>From: "Roberta S. Johnson" <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re:I won't read . . .
>Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2000 12:54:26 -0600
>
>I'm sorry, but a recent comment got under my skin a bit. I used to say
>some years
>ago, "Oh, I would never read Christian fiction or soppy romances."
>
>But now I firmly believe that not only can't I be a good readers advisor if
>I disdain any
>type of fiction...


Still, it would be difficult to recommend a fiction which one couldn't
enjoy. *I* never would.
____________________________________________________________________________
_________
Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 12/8/00, 1:15 PM

>From: Viccy Kemp <[removed]@ci.carrollton.tx.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: I won't read . . .
>Date: Fri, 8 Dec 2000 11:19:36 -0600
>
>I'll throw in my two cents on recommending fiction you wouldn't read. I ran
>a bookstore for years (ten to be precise). We received boxes and boxes of
>every one of Danielle Steel and John Grisham's books published and sold
>every one of them. Once upon a time, I thought I have to read one of these
>in order to understand the appeal. I tried, I really tried....
>However, I found the thing to say was "I can tell you that lots of people
>read these and enjoy them. I personally prefer (insert writer of choice)
>because I think she/he tells a better story/writes better/has a better
>grasp
>of grammar/can follow a coherent storyline/doesn't write the same story
>seven times over, etc." My customers would get really offended if I blurted
>out "Oh gross, what a miserable writer."

I think that would be pretty close to my response too. Only I might say
something like, "I prefer X because s/he writes in a milieu I relate to
better," or "isn't *aiming* for the best-seller list but is just trying to
tell a good story."

_____________________________________________________________________________________
Get more from the Web. FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: "Roberta S. Johnson" <[removed]@nslsilus.org>
REC'D: 12/12/00, 4:42 PM

> Still, it would be difficult to recommend a fiction which one couldn't
> enjoy. *I* never would.

Well, it's a tough question if we look at it that way. Joyce Saricks makes the
distinction between recommending and suggesting in RA, and that's why. If I always
recommended books, I certainly couldn't give people Catherine Coulter or Patricia
Cornwell (not lately, anyway) or James Patterson. But I can suggest them if I think
they're a good match to the patron's reading habits.

Someone emailed me privately with a related question. "how do we gain reading
experience in a genre that we have tried to read but have a hard time with because of
violence or sex or unpleasant combinations of both?"

What are your thoughts? My first suggestion would be don't listen to audiobooks! I
had such a hard time with rape scenes -- in an otherwise excellent Richard North
Patterson -- that I had to keep fast-forwarding past those scenes.

My second suggestion would be to read just the first 30 pages. That will give you a
sense of the style, pacing, etc. without reading the entire book. I guess that holds
true for any novel you wouldn't enjoy. The drawback is that if you keep going you
might find the book really rewarding. It took more than 30 pages for me to like my first
Nora Roberts!

RSJ


Roberta S. Johnson
Readers' Services Librarian
Des Plaines Public Library
[removed]@nslsilus.org
www.fictional.org
Opinions my own.

FROM: "Laura McCaffery" <[removed]@acpl.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 12/13/00, 9:03 AM

Maybe that is why it is why it is called Readers' Advisory and Not
Readers Recommendation? To be cognizant of what is available I
read some of everything. Whether I like it or not. At least
once. Then, I hope make it my goal to read reviews and make
sure they are in depth. I do not like Danielle Steel and her
ilk, but I have read some and keep up on reviews and
announcements. The so called Christian fiction and/or nonfiction
is something I find personally objectionable. But, I try to read
as many different authors and types as possible and know what is hot
and what is not for the sector of patrons who want and read it. I
would do no less for the fans of Patterson, Ellis, Maupin, Miller,
Burroughs, and de Sade. As a person who has been a librarian, book
reviewer, author, critic and book judge ( not necessarily in that
order or all at once) for over 40 years maybe I have learned to look
at materials from a universal point of view. It is NOT MY
library; they are NOT MY books and I did not sign on to be
an arbiter of taste or ideas. Matching the material with the people
is where it is at for me. If I want to read Bobbsy Twins or Anita
Blake, that is my personal taste. I shall not inflict it on others.
And vice versa. I think we have to learn to live with the fact that
we are, I assume in most cases, PUBLIC librarians and that as such we
need to to provide all the public with materials that they want I am
not really fond of Hemingway (IMO overrated) or Dickens (IMO badly in
need of an editor) but that has never stopped me from suggesting
them when appropriate. Ad infinitum. And stepping off the soap
box.... if you do not want to read the genre, try reading a
publication that that caters to a specific genre, e.g. Locus for
science fiction, Romantic Times for romance...or try a list serve.
If you do not like the genre, a magazine is less threatening and
impersonal. But is loaded with information. Both about the author
and the books. .. So whether you are celebrating Ramadan, Hanukkah,
Kwanza, Saturnalia, Christmas, or whatever....have a good one..> lmc

> > Still, it would be difficult to recommend a fiction which one couldn't
> > enjoy. *I* never would.
>
> Well, it's a tough question if we look at it that way. Joyce Saricks makes the
> distinction between recommending and suggesting in RA, and that's why. If I always
> recommended books, I certainly couldn't give people Catherine Coulter or Patricia
> Cornwell (not lately, anyway) or James Patterson. But I can suggest them if I think
> they're a good match to the patron's reading habits.
>
> Someone emailed me privately with a related question. "how do we gain reading
> experience in a genre that we have tried to read but have a hard time with because of
> violence or sex or unpleasant combinations of both?"
>
> What are your thoughts? My first suggestion would be don't listen to audiobooks! I
> had such a hard time with rape scenes -- in an otherwise excellent Richard North
> Patterson -- that I had to keep fast-forwarding past those scenes.
>
> My second suggestion would be to read just the first 30 pages. That will give you a
> sense of the style, pacing, etc. without reading the entire book. I guess that holds
> true for any novel you wouldn't enjoy. The drawback is that if you keep going you
> might find the book really rewarding. It took more than 30 pages for me to like my first
> Nora Roberts!
>
> RSJ
>
>
> Roberta S. Johnson
> Readers' Services Librarian
> Des Plaines Public Library
> [removed]@nslsilus.org
> www.fictional.org
> Opinions my own.
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
>


++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Laura Hibbets McCaffery
Readers Services
Allen County Public Library
Fort Wayne, Indiana
"All opinions are mine alone. Others are
free to agree..or disagree."
"...all things are to to be examined and called into question. There
are no limits set to thought." Edith Hamilton, THE GREEK WAY.

FROM: Mary K Chelton <[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net>
REC'D: 12/31/00, 12:09 PM

I'm catching up on older posts and this one intrigued me. I still
think that one way to understand a genre's conventions, audiences,
etc. is to read a genre magazine regularly, like Romantic Times or
Locus or Deadly Pleasures or Armchair Detective.

Mary K.

PS: Thanks to everyone who replied to my post about how you chose
audiobooks vs. regular print.

> > Still, it would be difficult to recommend a fiction which one couldn't
>> enjoy. *I* never would.
>
>Well, it's a tough question if we look at it that way. Joyce
>Saricks makes the
>distinction between recommending and suggesting in RA, and that's
>why. If I always
>recommended books, I certainly couldn't give people Catherine
>Coulter or Patricia
>Cornwell (not lately, anyway) or James Patterson. But I can suggest
>them if I think
>they're a good match to the patron's reading habits.
>
>Someone emailed me privately with a related question. "how do we gain reading
>experience in a genre that we have tried to read but have a hard
>time with because of
>violence or sex or unpleasant combinations of both?"
>
>What are your thoughts? My first suggestion would be don't listen
>to audiobooks! I
>had such a hard time with rape scenes -- in an otherwise excellent
>Richard North
>Patterson -- that I had to keep fast-forwarding past those scenes.
>
>My second suggestion would be to read just the first 30 pages. That
>will give you a
>sense of the style, pacing, etc. without reading the entire book. I
>guess that holds
>true for any novel you wouldn't enjoy. The drawback is that if you
>keep going you
>might find the book really rewarding. It took more than 30 pages
>for me to like my first
>Nora Roberts!
>
>RSJ
>
>
>Roberta S. Johnson
>Readers' Services Librarian
>Des Plaines Public Library
[removed]@nslsilus.org
>www.fictional.org
>Opinions my own.
>
>......................................................................
>Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
>Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

--
**************************************************************************************
Home: 35 Mercury Ave., East Patchogue, NY 11772-4609. Phone: (631)
286-4255 or 776-2166
Work: Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, Queens
College, 254 Rosenthal Library, 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Flushing, NY
11367. Phone: (718) 997-3790 general office; 3667 direct voice; 3797
fax, e-mail [removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net
**************************************************************************************

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