Readers’ Advisory
Services
Metro West Regional
Library System
Funded by Metro West Regional Office
and
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
Katherine L May
Reference Librarian
Newton Free Library
Newton, MA
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:
1. A commitment to meeting the leisure-reading
interests of readers.
2. A responsive attitude toward readers, no matter what
they enjoy reading.
3. A knowledgeable staff
3. A commitment of time and library resources to develop
this service
Saricks 2005
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
Web resources:
“Appeal” type resource
Which Book http://www.whichbook.net
UK site allows you to search by character, setting, plot etc.
Blogs
A. Reader Olathe (KS) Public Library
http://www.oplreader.blogspot.com A 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 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 – Boston Regional Library System Initiative.
Monthly discussion group and blog
http://readerscircle.blogspot.com/
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.
Book 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/medias.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 Review sites:
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.
Connected with
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
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 sites
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 Book Browser
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/subjects/subjects.asp?z=y
Browse books with their comprehensive subject guide
Random House
http://www.randomhouse.com/category/
Electronic discussion Lists
The FictionL Listserv managed by the Morton Grove Public Library.
Subscribe to the listserv to follow current issues in reader’s advisory
services and ask questions http://www.webrary.org/rs/flmenu.html
Search the archives to find answers to RA questions.
http://www.webrary.org/rs/FLarchive.html
DorothyL Listserv focused on Mystery writing. Subscribe through
http://www.dorothyL.com 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.
http://listserv.kent.edu/archives/dorothyl.html
GNLIB L Graphic Novels in Libraries Listserv for librarians
interested in Graphic Novels. Subscribe through
http://www.angelfire.com/comics/gnlib/ .
Archives: 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 http://sun8.loc.gov/listarch/sflit.html
BY GENRE
Mystery
Bibliomysteries http://www.bibliomysteries.com/
are mysteries whose characters, plots and/or settings are intimately
bound up with books, writers, and or libraries. Browse
alphabetically or explore new bibliomysteries, juvenile books,
detectives in series, authors in murder mysteries, quotations ("We
are librarians, and therefore the elect of God. To read is human, to
catalogue divine."), and murder weapons (and in case you were
wondering, someone HAS been fictionally murdered by compact
shelving.
Cluelass and the Mysterious home Page
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.
Romance Genre:
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.
Historic 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.
Library Web Sites with Readers’ Advisory resources:
Logan Library (Utah)
http://www.logan.lib.ut.us/booklist/readersadvisory.html
Comprehensive set of booklists
Morton Grove Public Library (Illinois)
http://www.webrary.org/rs/FLbklistmenu.html
Booklists i.e. genre, Character, Setting, Subject, Author, Audience
Multnomah County Library (Portland, 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 (Colorado)
http://westminster.lib.co.us/readers/rendezvous.htm Readers’
Rendezvous.
Nonfiction RA Resources
ALA RUSA Readers Advisory Committee
http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaourassoc/rusasections/c
odes/codessection/codescomm/codesreadadv/readersadvis
ory.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.ht
ml
This list was compiled in 1999 through a voting process. Books
were selected from Modern Library publications.
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 EJournal.
Publishers Weekly Springing Forward: Fiction/Mystery &
Suspense
http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6300616.html
Jan 25th Pre-pub list for mystery and suspense.
Other Resources
Bookletters http://www.newtonfreelibrary.net
Available on library home page. Lots of booklists. Subscribe to
specific email newsletters.
Classics
Classic Novels (Cincinnati Public Library, Ohio)
http://ww.cincinnatilibrary.org/booklists/?id=classics
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.
Librarians 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://www.jackflannel.org/ra.html
Extensive list of links to RA resources compiled by a Library Science
professor.
Wikipedia
http://www.wikipedia.org
Writer’s Almanac http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org
5 minute daily radio featuring poetry and literary and historic notes.
Host: Garrison Keillor.
Young Adult Readers’ Advisory resources:
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.
No Flying No Tights
http://www.noflyingnotights.com/index2.html
“A web site reviewing graphic novels for teens”. This is a very
colorful site with lots of graphic novel book reviews.
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.
Print Resources
Magazines and Journals
Bookmarks: For Everyone who Hasn’t Read Everything. Bimonthly magazine covering new fiction and non fiction. Some
features include author interviews and “reader’s recommend” lists.
Book Page: America’s Book Review Monthly newsletter with
current fiction and non fiction book reviews and author interviews.
Drood Review of Mystery Published Bi monthly. Includes book
reviews and seasonal prepublication alerts for mysteries.
Fore Word: Reviews of Good Books Independently Published
Bi-monthly publication.
London Review of Books Published 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 Published quarterly. Includes book reviews
and literary commentary.
Washington Post Book World weekly book reviews and literary
calendar.
World Literature Today Published 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
Readers’ Advisory Blog
http://www.readersadvisorychatter.blogspot.com
Use to link to the web sites identified in this handout
Revised 8/23/2006