Fiction_L Archives Science Fiction Dates: 3/9/01,8:38 AM  through  3/15/01,11:07 AM  (28 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 March 2001 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: Mary K Chelton <[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 8:38 AM

Dear Fellow Listers:

Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!

Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.

Mary K.
--
**************************************************************************************
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: [removed]@middlesbrough.gov.uk
REC'D: 3/9/01, 8:38 AM

Look at the web pages for Branching Out www.branching-out.net/forager
click on the future tense option

What Future Tense can do for you:

- reach 18-35 year-olds who think libraries know nothing about recent
sharp-edge science fiction and fantasy

- tempt readers who think SF and fantasy are only for anoraks to try
out some brilliant reads

- get a slow area of stock moving fast

- give your readers a visual treat


Samantha Gavaghan
Senior Stock Development Librarian
Middlesbrough Libraries and Information
Victoria Square
Middlesborough
TS1 2AY

FROM: Diana Tixier Herald <[removed]@wic.net>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 8:49 AM

Bonnie Kunzel and I have done a number of programs where we have booktalked
hundreds of SF books, often to librarians who don't read it. Listening to
booktalks at least gives one an idea of what is occurring in the world of SF
books. Frequently after these programs people come up and say that they are
now willing to try to read SF.

As far as SF for readers who think they don't like it, The Sparrow by Mary
Doria Russell has been a good one. I know one book group who read it and
came to the conclusion that it wasn't SF due to the fact they liked it! It
is also the first SF book I was able to convince my mother to read. The
short story "Even the Queen" by Connie Willis is another one that sometimes
makes converts. I think it would be a great one to read in a RA class to
introduce SF and start a discussion on how it is the literature of ideas.
--
Happy reading,
Diana Tixier Herald
[removed]@wic.net see the Genrefluent page at http://www.genrefluent.com
Rosenberg's First Law of Reading "Never apologize for your reading tastes."

FROM: "Mary Rindfleisch" <[removed]@biblio.org>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 10:23 AM

The one thing I do, which seems to have some success, is to make sure to
include SF and fantasy titles in bibliographies and displays on topics which
are not necessarily thought of as relating to the genre. Sometimes it is a
tough sell (I do spend a lot of time saying, "This is classified as science
fiction, but it is really about..."), but I have managed to hook some
people. For example, I can find a way to work Octavia Butler or Connie
Willis into dozens of thematic groupings (like this month's YA display of
"Women of Courage and Daring"). People will often take an individual book
based on this, then look for more by that author, which brings them to the
SF section, where they may see something else that interests them. I will
admit it is hard to overcome the stereotypes of the "space opera" subgenre
which is all many people are even vaguely familiar with. Personally, I have
been reading a lot more SF and fantasy (esp. the urban or contemporary
stuff) lately, because I am bored silly with the conventions of the
mysteries I have traditionally devoured for leisure reading. There must be
other readers like myself, who might be attracted by something which is
presented to them as having a good puzzle or a likable protagonist or a
really vivid setting or lots of suspense, rather than strictly described as
SF. The best writing transcends genre cliches, if we could only get people
beyond their preconceptions.

Mary Rindfleisch
Adult Services/Readers' Advisory Librarian
Ridgefield Library
472 Main St.
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Phone: 203-438-2282
e-mail: [removed]@biblio.org

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of Mary K Chelton
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 9:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction


Dear Fellow Listers:

Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!

Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.

Mary K.
--
****************************************************************************
**********
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: Lisa Price <[removed]@MtLaurel.Lib.NJ.US>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 10:55 AM

I don't read much SF any more, but I loved it as a teen and still enjoy
it occasionally. I particulary like anything having to do with time
travel. One suggestion I might have (although it would only work long
term) is to offer SF to young teenage girls. If they learn to like it
before it becomes "something they're not supposed to enjoy," perhaps
they will continue to enjoy it. My father introduced me via Heinlein,
and I still have some familiarity with the genre. Does this make me an
exception, a female librarian who knows something about SF?

Lisa Price
Mount Laurel (NJ) Library\
Opinions are my own.

Mary K Chelton wrote:
>
> Dear Fellow Listers:
>
> Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
> discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
> loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
> thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
> [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
> camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
> factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
> wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> Mary K.
> --
> **************************************************************************************
> 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
> **************************************************************************************
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: "Sharon Custer" <[removed]@alpha.clarion-net.com>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 11:27 AM

Lisa,

You're not an exception. I too am a female librarian who love SF/Fantasy.

One way I have introduced people to SF/Fantasy is to introduce them to the
multi-genre books written by popular SF/Fantasy authors. I have introduced
mystery readers to Mercedes Lackey books by handing them Sacred Ground, an
SF/Mystery. Those who like Time Travel books get handed 1632 by Eric Flint
(one of my all-time favorites, by the way). Men who like war novels get
handed On Basilisk Station (1st book in the Honor Harrinton series) by David
Weber. Weber's Honor Harrington series is an excellent Military SF series.

One nice thing about the Honor Harrington series is that an electronic
version of the 1st one is available for free from the publisher. The
publisher has started a "Free Library" where electonic versions of some of
the older books are available for either downloading or reading on-line.
They have 5 formats available for download. (html, rtc, Rocket eBook,
Mobipocket for the Palm OS, and Microsoft Reader format) The publisher is
Baen Books http://www.baen.com , just scoll down to the Free Library link
and you can see the list if you are interested.

Sharon Custer
Eccles-Lesher Memorial Library
673 Main Street
PO Box 359
Rimersburg, PA 16248
(814) 473-3800
FAX: (814) 473-8200
[removed]@alpha.clarion-net.com


----- Original Message -----
From: "Lisa Price" <[removed]@MtLaurel.Lib.NJ.US>
To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 11:52 AM
Subject: Re: Science Fiction


> I don't read much SF any more, but I loved it as a teen and still enjoy
> it occasionally. I particulary like anything having to do with time
> travel. One suggestion I might have (although it would only work long
> term) is to offer SF to young teenage girls. If they learn to like it
> before it becomes "something they're not supposed to enjoy," perhaps
> they will continue to enjoy it. My father introduced me via Heinlein,
> and I still have some familiarity with the genre. Does this make me an
> exception, a female librarian who knows something about SF?
>
> Lisa Price
> Mount Laurel (NJ) Library\
> Opinions are my own.
>
> Mary K Chelton wrote:
> >
> > Dear Fellow Listers:
> >
> > Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
> > discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
> > loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
> > thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
> > [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
> > camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
> > factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
> > wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> > SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> > like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> > competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> > they avoid us!
> >
> > Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
> >
> > Mary K.
> > --
> >
****************************************************************************
**********
> > 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
> >
****************************************************************************
**********
> >
> > ......................................................................
> > 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
>

FROM: "Sarah Stein" <[removed]@denver.lib.co.us>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 11:38 AM

I started reading SF at about age 10 or 11 "borrowing" my uncle's magazines.

I still read SF.

But I must admit I do NOT like most of what is currently being published. So perhaps I am not a good person to respond to this. (Besides, I'm a cataloger, hanging out here 'cause I love books not because I do readers' advisory.)

But as far as getting librarians (presumably grown up) who hate SF to read it anyhow-- SF covers a lot of ground. There's the border-line fantasy of course. (Do they hate fantasy too?) But someone interested in people might do better with something with a strong sociological base rather than space opera or something with a lot of "hard" science... Maybe the recent (sort of) reissue of Zenna Henderson's People stories?

I hate & refuse to read Horror-- but I did read and enjoy some of the lighter sort, e.g. Mercedes Lackey's Diana Tregarde, by focussing on the people and relationships.

Just my thoughts,

Sarah

Sarah Stein
Senior Special Collections Librarian
Denver Public Library
Denver, Colorado, USA
[removed]@denver.lib.co.us

FROM: "Cynthia Orr" <[removed]@cpl.org>
REC'D: 3/9/01, 11:48 AM

First, to agree with what some others have said 1) there are a few librarian sf readers
out here, but that doesn't really help you with your problem, and 2) a good way to begin
is to start with books that may not seem like SF. In addition to The Sparrow, Connie
Willis and Octavia Butler, I would add my old favorite that I always push--He, She and It
by Marge Piercy. Maybe suggest that people listen to these books on audio just to get a
flavor for what the genre can be might make it seem less onerous?

I think what it comes back to is the thing that you and Catherine Ross have said--readers
have to have some successful reading experiences or it just seems too much to keep
slogging through more books they're not enjoying. So I'd like to suggest that when
recommending books for a reader trying a new genre they think they may not like, it would
make sense to recommend "best of" titles in that genre? Exceptionally good reads?

Cindy

Mary K Chelton wrote:

> Dear Fellow Listers:
>
> Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
> discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
> loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
> thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
> [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
> camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
> factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
> wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> Mary K.
> --
> **************************************************************************************
> 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
> **************************************************************************************
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

--
**********************************************************************
Cynthia Orr Email: [removed]@cpl.org
Collection Manager Phone: 216-623-2906
Cleveland Public Library Fax: 216-623-2977
17133 Lake Shore Boulevard
Cleveland, OH 44110 http://www.cpl.org
**********************************************************************

FROM: Kaite Mediatore <[removed]@yahoo.com>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 2:36 PM

Mary K.,
I just had a long discussion with the SF expert on staff.
We talked about how much RA we do with/for SF readers; the
age range and reading level for SF readers; when readers
who love SF discover the genre; general history of the SF
genre and its perceptions among the general public; how the
public has been exposed to SF; and, finally, how we would
promote/suggest SF to a person who doesn't normally read
it.

Yeah, we covered quite a bit of ground. And after about an
hour of discussion and numerous suggestions for reading
material, we reached some of the following conclusions.

I have never done very much RA for readers of SF in my ten
years as a librarian. I can't say for sure whether this is
because I never paid much attention to SF or because there
just weren't the SF readers at Emporia Public. But once I
became more familiar with the SF genre, I did begin to
notice that I naver handled as many SF RA queries as I did
in other genres or general fiction. When I did enter into
conversation with SF readers, I found out that for the most
part, SF readers don't need/want much help selecting books.
They keep up with their genre very well, better than most
librarians. They are also more inclined to try new and
different authors in other genres and aren't afraid to
browse the shelves to look for it.

My coworker pointed out that quite a few SF readers start
when they are very young, and get hooked during their
teenage years. They're usually very bright kids with high
reading levels. She mentioned that those kinds of kids are
the ones who like libraries and make an effort to
understand how a library operates and thus, usually don't
need as much help from a librarian finding what they want.

We talked about the literary/popular culture history of SF
and how difficult it was for women to break into the genre
during the 50s and 60s and how SF movies before Star Wars
were bad B pictures. We talked about how the perceptions of
women in SF written in the 50s and 60s and the B movies
would turn off potential female readers. We talked about
how male centered the early novels were with an emphasis on
action instead of people and relationships which might not
appeal to many women readers. We talked about gender
perceptions in the 50s, 60s and 70s and how those might
have shaped older readers today.

Finally, we decided that in order to promote SF, librarians
should do two things. Understand the different appeal
factors of a SciFi novel, and think of them in terms of
general fiction. Second, when talking with a reader, find
out what appeals to him/her about a book and then hook the
reader up with a SF novel which has the same elements.

I am one of those readers who does not gravitate towards
SF, but I'm willing to try it, especially the titles which
straddle different genres. But in order to intelligently
promote SF, I will have to examine a number of books and
try to think of their appeal factors in relation to non-SF
books. I think this is the best way to promote SF to
readers who wouldn't ordinarily consider the genre.

Incidentally, for a genre I don't particularly care for, I
am absolutely fascinated with the culture surrounding SF.
It's literary history is rich and intriguing. I am
entertained by the stories I hear about authors, readers,
Con attendees and presenters. I am utterly enthralled with
the way the readers and fans embrace their literature. I
don't know of any other genre that can generate the degree
of loyalty and devotion that SF does. Romance comes close,
but SF is king.

Hoping this all helps,
Kaite

- Mary K Chelton <[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net> wrote:
> Dear Fellow Listers:
>
> Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults
> class, we
> discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions,
> everyone
> loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged
> if I
> thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so
> typical of
> [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one
> male in the
> camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about
> various appeal
> factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was
> left
> wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone
> who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it
> or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone
> minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF
> readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> Mary K.
> --
>
**************************************************************************************
> 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
>
**************************************************************************************
>
>
>
......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L:
http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html


=====
Kaite Mediatore, Reader's Services Librarian
KCKPL Main Branch
625 Minnesota Ave.
Kansas City, KS 66101
913.279.2212 fx 913.279.2032
[removed]@kckpl.lib.ks.us

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Get email at your own domain with Yahoo! Mail.
http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/

FROM: "Marsha Valance" <[removed]@mpl.org>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 2:58 PM

Mary K.,
you need to find common ground to start them off.

For regency romance fans, offer them Lois McMaster Bujold's "Civil Campaign" or Pat Wrede's "Sorcery and Cecilia".

For mystery fans, try Bujold again with "Memory", Isaac Asimov 's "Caves of Steel" or Randall Garrett's "Lord Darcy Investigates".

For "hero's journey"/coming-of-age, suggest any of L.E. Modesitt's Recluse novels.

For historical novel readers, suggest Judith Tarr or Harry Turtledove.

For military buffs, give them Eric Flint or David Drake.

Booklist and VOYA usually try to review the best new stuff, so reading their reviews should help keep them abreast of new stuff.

HTH,


Marsha Valance
Regional Librarian
Wisconsin Regional Library f/t Blind & Physically Handicapped
813 West Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
1.800.242.8822 [in-state]
<[removed]@mpl.org>

>>> [removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net 03/09/01 08:16AM >>>
Dear Fellow Listers:

Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!

Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.

Mary K.
--
**************************************************************************************
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: willmar staff <[removed]@willmar.lib.mn.us>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 3:08 PM

I'm in the "not so keen" camp BUT my book club read The sparrow by Mary
Dora Russell and I was enthralled.

FROM: Anne Marquis <[removed]@publib.edmonton.ab.ca>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 3:30 PM

I read SF patchily (can I make up that word). I found that when I needed to
assign SF to other library staff for a workshop,

Anne Marquis
Fiction Librarian
Information Services
Edmonton Public Library
7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2V4
Canada

[removed]@publib.edmonton.ab.ca


-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 7:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction


Dear Fellow Listers:

Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!

Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.

Mary K.
--
****************************************************************************
**********
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: Anne Marquis <[removed]@publib.edmonton.ab.ca>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 3:30 PM

OOPS!
Apologies for an incomplete response, here is the rest of it...

I read SF patchily (can I make up that word?). I found that when I needed
to assign SF to other library staff for a workshop, it helped if I could
find titles that could be seen as crossing into other genres--mystery,
romance, alternate history--or where the characters were more fully
developed or there was a good dollop of humour or an in-depth exploration of
issues. I felt that matching staff to elements that appealed to them would
give them an entry point to the author's world and to the genre. I
personally used this technique and am still working on expanding my horizons
in this area. I have recently decided that short stories are the way to
go--less time and energy commitment, if I dislike the author/story.


Anne Marquis
Fiction Librarian
Information Services
Edmonton Public Library
7 Sir Winston Churchill Square
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 2V4
Canada

[removed]@publib.edmonton.ab.ca


-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 7:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction


Dear Fellow Listers:

Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!

Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.

Mary K.
--
****************************************************************************
**********
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: C Gertz <[removed]@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 3:52 PM

Lisa,

I agree with Sharon (and many of the other respondents to this question)
that people will become interested in Science Fiction by reading
cross-over titles.

Patrons in our library do not seem to like science fiction and these
titles do not move very quickly--unless they are attracted to the title
for some other reason, usually that it has strong elements of another
genre.

To add to Sharon's suggestions, there are many romance readers who would
probably enjoy some sci fi titles if they knew what was out there. Readers
who have read J.D. Robb may be interested in Catherine Asaro (Phoenix
Code, Veiled Web), Connie Willis and Cynthia D. Felice (Promised Land and
Water Witch) and Bujold's Cordelia's Honor. I might also count Dean
Koontz's Dark Rivers of the Heart in this list as well.

This approach may work with your patrons and it has worked for some of my
friends and acquaintances who hate sci fi.

Christine Gertz
Strathcona County Library
[removed]@ualberta.ca

FROM: Robin Harwood <[removed]@dupagels.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 3/10/01, 4:14 PM

I don't know if you can convince someone to change her mind about
SF/Fantasy, but you might be able to appeal to her naturally helpful,
service-oriented nature as a librarian. You could suggest that, as Readers
Advisers, librarians should try to read a variety of genres. Then, hope
that the books themselves will win her over ( now, saying that, I will go
find a military thriller to read, just to keep from being a hypocrite).

Sometimes people are intimidated by SF and fantasy titles because they are
soooo long. Trying out the genre by reading short story collections might
help. Connie Willis has a great collection titled Miracle and other
Christmas stories that will appeal to a wide audience. Additionally,
stories written for teen audiences, such as Shusterman's Scorpion Shards,
or fantasies based on traditional fairy tales might be a non-threatening
starting point.

I used to think that I didn't like science fiction or fantasy, but I can't
resist a good book, no matter what the genre. I started reading these when
I needed to create bibliographies for patrons, and now I seem to be hooked.

Robin Harwood
Carol Stream Public Library

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 8:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction

Dear Fellow Listers:

Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!

Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.

Mary K.
--
************************************************************************
**************
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: J Heuer <[removed]@itol.com>
REC'D: 3/11/01, 10:37 AM

I am a female librarian who reads and enjoys science fiction and fantasy. So
of course any of the questions of this genre are immediately pushed my way,
even if they are questions that can be answered but using ref tools. For
instance a patron was in on a weekend looking for the Borderlands series. I
think a half hearted effort was made to find it but then they took her name
and number and the question was waiting for me Monday morning.
We have few males on staff but about a year ago a young man joined the
nonfiction reference desk. Of course he is a avid SF fan so I at least have
someone to assist when I can free him from the NF desk.
I agree with the suggestions of the "Sparrow" for reluctant SF readers . We
did a column in our bi-monthly RA newsletter a year ago on SF for the nonsf
reader. We featured the Sparrow, Doomsday Book by Connie Willis and
Archangel by Sharon Shinn. We also threw in J.D. Robb (that's a long
stretch) Jack Finney. Time travel seems the easiest path into SF. I don't
think there is anyway you can get someone who loathes SF to come to like it.
I sit here trying to think how you could get me to be a western reader. Sure
I'll read one for my job, check out reviews, assist a customer with new
titles, etc. but learn to love it...no way! I've got a pile of SF/Fantasy
next to my bed waiting for me.
My mother read a lot of SF so I guess I was just introduced to it at a young
age. As I have done with my son who is an avid reader at 14.


--
Jeanne Heuer
Brown County Library
Green Bay, WI
[removed]@itol.com

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, Art is knowing which ones
to keep." -anonymous


1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> Mary K.

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/11/01, 1:55 PM

>From: Robin Harwood <[removed]@dupagels.lib.il.us>
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: RE: Science Fiction
>Date: Sat, 10 Mar 2001 10:18:36 -0600
>
>
>Sometimes people are intimidated by SF and fantasy titles because they are
>soooo long. Trying out the genre by reading short story collections might
>help.

Martin Greenberg, in collaboration with various co-eds, has turned out
multitudes of themed ones. Your reluctant readers may well be able to find
something listed under his name that would appeal to them.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/12/01, 5:55 AM

I agree that short stories might be a way to get reluctant readers into SF.
There are scads (zillions, etc) of wonderful anthologies. Greenberg's, as
suggested, Best SF of the Year...., Nebula/Hugo Award Winners. One of my
favorite's is Anne McCaffrey's The Ship Who Sang.

Or somebody could just raid Dennis's book shelves <g>

Binnie Syril Braunstein
romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: "christine jeffords" <[removed]@hotmail.com>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 8:38 AM

>From: [removed]@aol.com
>Reply-To: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>To: Fiction_L <[removed]@maillist.webrary.org>
>Subject: Re: Science Fiction
>Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 06:46:13 EST
>
>I agree that short stories might be a way to get reluctant readers into SF.
>There are scads (zillions, etc) of wonderful anthologies. Greenberg's, as
>suggested, Best SF of the Year...., Nebula/Hugo Award Winners. One of my
>favorite's is Anne McCaffrey's The Ship Who Sang.
>
>

Speaking of McCaffrey, she might be a good author to use to introduce
reluctant readers to the genre. She's very relationship-oriented, and
people who think sf is just about "rocket ships and ray guns" might be
pleasantly surprised to discover her. One of my own personal faves is C. J.
Cherryh, particularly the Morgaine and Chanur novels. The former, which
borders on fantasy, is another very character-driven example, with the
tormented psyche of Morgaine's oathman, Vanye, and his worshipful devotion
to his Lady, who in turn is driven by her duty to close the Gates, yet
always ends up supporting him when he's in trouble. The latter is more into
hardware, but I can never get over how splendidly the author manages to get
into the skins of an alien race. She actually has you looking at a male
human with a "whathell is that?" attitude. No other author I have read is
so skilled at thinking like a nonhuman.
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com

FROM: Jean Meadors <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 1:14 PM

I don't think so, I love sf and fantasy both. I won't say that's all I read, but it tends
to be what I read for fun. It helps that our local library has a very avid sf readership in
both the adult and young adult section. I don't know if the fact that I'm a children's
librarian or not influences my taste in reading.
Jean


Lisa Price wrote:

> I don't read much SF any more, but I loved it as a teen and still enjoy
> it occasionally. I particulary like anything having to do with time
> travel. One suggestion I might have (although it would only work long
> term) is to offer SF to young teenage girls. If they learn to like it
> before it becomes "something they're not supposed to enjoy," perhaps
> they will continue to enjoy it. My father introduced me via Heinlein,
> and I still have some familiarity with the genre. Does this make me an
> exception, a female librarian who knows something about SF?
>
> Lisa Price
> Mount Laurel (NJ) Library\
> Opinions are my own.
>
> Mary K Chelton wrote:
> >
> > Dear Fellow Listers:
> >
> > Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
> > discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
> > loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
> > thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
> > [primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
> > camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
> > factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
> > wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> > SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> > like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> > competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> > they avoid us!
> >
> > Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
> >
> > Mary K.
> > --
> > **************************************************************************************
> > 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
> > **************************************************************************************
> >
> > ......................................................................
> > 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

FROM: Kathleen Stipek <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 1:36 PM

This query sets my teeth on edge. Why should anyone try to make someone who
dislikes science fiction like it? Good grief, even in English class, all
they ever tried to force you to do was to become familiar with the material.
You never had to like it. You like what gives you pleasure or ideas or
both, and if sci-fi doesn't do it for you, then so be it. We are not in the
business of forcing anybody to like anything. Second, with RA tools, you
can be much more than minimally competent if you know how to use them, you
read a few reviews to keep in touch with what's new, and keep track of
best-sellers and what your local patrons are asking about.

I also want to know who the "they" are who avoid us? I get RA questions
every day from all sorts of patrons in all sorts of genres I either don't
read or haven't in a long time. I have no problem doing RA with these folks
using the available tools and a little shameless brain-picking of any
available colleagues. I invariably learn something from these encounters
and have once or twice even found a book I later read with pleasure.

Now that there are for-pay Internet-based RA services, they have become the
New Big Thing, and those folks who have been doing RA for a long time using
print-based tools and their own memories and experiences keep hearing about
how inadequate their services are and always have been. Sorry, folks, the
carbon-based RA tools (paper and brain) are, when properly used, every bit
as effective as the silicon-based ones. It is the user of the tool and not
the tool that counts.

........................................................................
Kathleen Stipek, Adult Services/Interlibrary Loans, Alachua County
Library District (FMG), 401 E. University AV, Gainesville FL 32601
[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us)
352-334-3938 (v) 352-334-3948 (f)

"Non, merci."--Cyrano de Bergerac

-----Original Message-----
From: Mary K Chelton [[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net]
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2001 9:17 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Science Fiction


Dear Fellow Listers:

Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults class, we
discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions, everyone
loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. I would be discouraged if I
thought this was my fault, but that reaction has been so typical of
[primarily] female librarians [although we also had one male in the
camp] that I am no longer surprised. We talked about various appeal
factors, fan terms and obvious barriers, etc., but I was left
wondering two things: 1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
they avoid us!

Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.

Mary K.
--
****************************************************************************
**********
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: Lynne Welch <[removed]@oplin.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 1:36 PM

Hi Mary,
What, exactly, about SF didn't they like? Did the discussion get
that specific? SF has so many different sub-genres that it seems to me to be
a case of genre prejudice untainted by any exposure to the subject. [Well of
course *I* would never read such a thing, they sneered. Might as well read a
trashy romance/mystery/western! -- sound familiar?]
Personally, I've found that some people thrive on the complex
world-builder sort of SF (think Robert Jordan or Dune), while others prefer
a scientific tale or a purely relationship-driven story. Sometimes their
preferences overlap and they enjoy several sub-genres with widely differing
characteristics. The trick, as Kaite Mediatore so ably expressed, is to find
out what the person likes in other fiction genres - or even in nonfiction -
and then match the characteristics.
A great deal of SF is merely current theory extrapolated to its [in
the opinion of the writer] logical physical manifestation. Catherine Asaro
is an excellent example. She herself is a practicing physicist, her husband
is an astrophysicist, and she grew up in a scientific atmosphere. Her
Skolian Dynasty Saga is a far-ranging world-building series. Her VEILED WEB
and PHOENIX CODE, on the other hand, are set in the near future and deal
with the ethical implications of artificial intelligence. They are more
romantic suspense in nature, dealing with relationships rather than
far-reaching galactic empires. Both types are SF, but they appeal to widely
divergent personal tastes. I personally don't care for the Skolians, but I
really enjoyed VW & PC. We have a couple of patrons I've suggested read her
stuff and they have enjoyed it quite a bit, and even asked for more. I count
those among my RA success stories.
Then there are the people who like straight scientific SF. We have a
number of little-old-lady patrons who read SF. I've noticed that what they
will read in SF corresponds to their other reading tastes. One woman will
plunge right into historical tomes & biographies. She wrote on her Reading
Profile: "science fiction as long as it's not too weird." So I pulled a few
items for her, only to find out from my Director that what she really wanted
was Asimov, Heinlein, and their ilk. Classic "hard" SF, definitely *not* the
light paranormals I had picked out! On the other hand, another patron who
likes gentle reads thought very highly of Jayne Castle's Flower series. She
skated right over the made-up words and enjoyed the relationships.
Another characteristic is age. Patrons in their 40s/50s grew up with
SF (think: Star Trek, Lost in Space, H.G. Wells, and all those wonderful "B"
movies) and are more apt to be talked into trying the genre. I personally
grew up in the 1960s and thought no more [or less!] of reading Andre Norton
[Witch World, as well as many many others] or Anne McCaffrey [Pern series]
than I did of C.S. Lewis or the Red/Blue/Green Book of Fairy Tales. They
were all just good stories.
I do RA for teens as well, and a lot of the time I'll go from
personal experience (when I was their age, lo these many years <g>) because
Pern and Narnia are again in fashion, as are spin-offs. We had Star Trek
stories - they have Star Wars Jedi Apprentice and Sabrina the Teenage Witch.
As far as getting someone to like it, I suppose that depends on why
they loathe SF. Sometimes I point out that today's popular fiction is
tomorrow's classic (for the intellectually snobbish). After all, Jane Austen
wrote romance, and Jules Verne and Mary Wollstonecraft wrote SF. Sometimes
it's because they had a bad experience. As with all genres, some SF is
perfectly dreadful, but a lot of it is exceptionally well-conceptualized and
written. Sometimes it's just because they tried it and didn't get a good
match with their reading tastes.
Because I work in a very small public library and we see a lot of
repeat business, we can get more involved in our patron's lives and their
likes/dislikes. They know that if I say, "I've read this, try it and tell me
if you like it" they can come back and be honest. "Didn't work for me" is
perfectly acceptable and won't hurt my feelings, so we can build on that.
Does this help? Please feel free to write me directly if I wasn't clear.
Lynne


>- Mary K Chelton <[removed]@pop.mail.rcn.net> wrote:
>> Last night in my Readers' Advisory Services for Adults
>> class, we discussed SF and fantasy, and with very few exceptions,
>> everyone loathed SF, couldn't read it, etc. <snipped>

Lynne Welch, Reference Librarian
Herrick Memorial Library - Wellington, OH 44090
tel. 440-647-2120 fax 440-647-2103
e-mail [removed]@oplin.lib.oh.us
<http://www.wellington.lib.oh.us>

FROM: "Mark Furukawa" <[removed]@lakeco.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 3/12/01, 4:45 PM

I don't think "make someone" like science fiction is the point.

In this, and other forums, there has been discussion about calling our
patrons something more PC, "customers" is one of the options. Take this
to the logical extension and we might consider "selling" our wares
instead of depending on the books jumping into patrons hands. We are
supposed to know our "products" better than our "customers" and should
be able to suggest another "model" (genre) that they might not know. The
patron always has the option to reject our suggestions whether we offer
another genre that overlaps their interests or just hand them another
title by the same author when they ask for "another book just like...".
A successful salesperson sells you more than you knew you wanted but not
more than you wanted -- if he sells you more, or less, than you wanted,
you don't come back. (Maybe we should be paid on commission, tied to the
number of items checked out of our libraries?)

Mark Furukawa, Branch Head
Hobart Township Branches of
Lake County (IN) Public Library
100 Main Street
Hobart, IN 46342 USA
219.942.2243 fax: 219.947.1823
[removed]@lakeco.lib.in.us
http://www.lakeco.lib.in.us/htwppage.htm

===========================
May I deal with honor,
May I act with courage,
May I achieve humility.
from "Straight"
by Dick Francis
===========================

>Subject: RE: Science Fiction
>From: "Kathleen Stipek" <[removed]@exchange.acld.lib.fl.us>
>Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 14:19:38 -0500

>This query sets my teeth on edge. Why should anyone try to make
someone who
>dislikes science fiction like it?

FROM: Judy Rockwell <[removed]@burlington.lib.wi.us>
REC'D: 3/13/01, 3:00 PM

I am also a female librarian who enjoys sf and fantasy. Sheri Tepper, Anne McCaffrey
and Mary Doria Russell got me hooked on the genre.
Judy Rockwell
Reference Librarian
Burlington Wisconsin
[removed]@burlington.lib.wi.us


-----Original Message-----
From: J Heuer [[removed]@itol.com]
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2001 10:40 AM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: Re: Science Fiction

I am a female librarian who reads and enjoys science fiction and fantasy. So
of course any of the questions of this genre are immediately pushed my way,
even if they are questions that can be answered but using ref tools. For
instance a patron was in on a weekend looking for the Borderlands series. I
think a half hearted effort was made to find it but then they took her name
and number and the question was waiting for me Monday morning.
We have few males on staff but about a year ago a young man joined the
nonfiction reference desk. Of course he is a avid SF fan so I at least have
someone to assist when I can free him from the NF desk.
I agree with the suggestions of the "Sparrow" for reluctant SF readers . We
did a column in our bi-monthly RA newsletter a year ago on SF for the nonsf
reader. We featured the Sparrow, Doomsday Book by Connie Willis and
Archangel by Sharon Shinn. We also threw in J.D. Robb (that's a long
stretch) Jack Finney. Time travel seems the easiest path into SF. I don't
think there is anyway you can get someone who loathes SF to come to like it.
I sit here trying to think how you could get me to be a western reader. Sure
I'll read one for my job, check out reviews, assist a customer with new
titles, etc. but learn to love it...no way! I've got a pile of SF/Fantasy
next to my bed waiting for me.
My mother read a lot of SF so I guess I was just introduced to it at a young
age. As I have done with my son who is an avid reader at 14.


--
Jeanne Heuer
Brown County Library
Green Bay, WI
[removed]@itol.com

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes, Art is knowing which ones
to keep." -anonymous


1) Is there any way to get someone who loathes
> SF to like it, and if so, tell me how you either did it or came to
> like it; and 2) even with RA tools, how do you get anyone minimally
> competent in being able to suggest anything to SF readers. No wonder
> they avoid us!
>
> Advice, anecdotes, etc. appreciated.
>
> Mary K.


.....................................................................
Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/13/01, 3:32 PM

And since no one's mentioned her lately, let's include Robin McKinley as a
wonderful (IMHO) fantasy author: Beauty, Door in the Hedge, etc. She's also
a dab hand at assembling & editing anthologies.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
romance novelist/former librarian

FROM: Sherri Lazenby <[removed]@dallaslibrary.org>
REC'D: 3/14/01, 2:53 PM

Out of the six librarians on my staff 4 of us love science fiction and 3 of
us our women. I also have at least one other woman on my staff who loves
science fiction. I am always amazed to hear that most librarians don't like
science fiction as I know a lot who do and it was a librarian who introduced
me to science fiction in high school to begin with.


Sherri L. Lazenby
[removed]@dallaslibrary.org <[removed]@dallaslibrary.org>
Branch Manager
Audelia Road Branch Library
Dallas Public Library System
10045 Audelia Road
Dallas, TX 75238
(214) 670-1350
(214) 670-0790 FAX

"TV is great, won't complain about it, but it's great to turn off the TV and
have a book as a companion when you're alone on the road."
Phil Jackson, Coach LA Lakers

FROM: Jean Meadors <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 3/15/01, 10:14 AM

Didn't you just love Spindle's End? For some reason it was put in our adult
collection here, even though it is a ya book, but wonder of wonders it circs in
the adult collection.
Jean


[removed]@aol.com wrote:

> And since no one's mentioned her lately, let's include Robin McKinley as a
> wonderful (IMHO) fantasy author: Beauty, Door in the Hedge, etc. She's also
> a dab hand at assembling & editing anthologies.
>
> Binnie Syril Braunstein
> romance novelist/former librarian
>
> ......................................................................
> Need to subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives?
> Everything Fiction_L: http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html

FROM: [removed]@aol.com
REC'D: 3/15/01, 11:07 AM

In a message dated 3/15/2001 11:09:49 AM Eastern Standard Time,
[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us writes:

<<

Didn't you just love Spindle's End? For some reason it was put in our adult
collection here, even though it is a ya book, but wonder of wonders it circs
in
the adult collection.
Jean >>

Actually, it's in my TBR pile - the treat at the end of the rainbow.

Binnie Syril Braunstein
romance novelist/former librarian

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