The Science of Summer Reading

What are you doing this summer?  Have you already made plans to spend a few weeks at the cabin or hours out on the lake fishing?  Are you lucky enough to be taking a trip somewhere new or exotic? Perhaps you consider camping in a tent to be the height of luxury and fun or maybe you've decided on a "stay-cation" this year due to the summer sports schedules and activities.  Wherever you go, whatever you do, don't forget about your library.
Summer library reading programs and activities are not just for kids. While the library is a wonderful place for children to access books and entertainment, your library has not forgotten that adults need those things too.  The adult summer library reading program is designed to challenge readers to venture outside of their reading comfort zone.
For example, adult readers will be asked to read at least one science fiction novel this summer, such as Stephen King's 11/22/63 which combines alternate history, time travel, mystery and suspense.  This novel is also over 800 pages long which may make it overwhelming to the average reader.  Several book lists will be available to help guide the reader to a book they may enjoy.
Many readers love series; whether they are about a detective with unique crime solving abilities, a family or group of friends who each have an interesting love story, or a place full of entertaining home town characters who get into scrapes or pull together to help one another.  Dune by Frank Herbert is the beginning of an epic series full of conflict and adventure. This popular space opera has been continued by the author's son, Brian Herbert along with Kevin J. Anderson.  A reader could spend the entire summer traveling and enjoying the "Duniverse".

With the popularity of The Hunger Games and Divergent, titles about dystopian societies have become some of the most sought after science fiction books.  Books about oppressive, totalitarian, inhumane societies are nothing new.  The Iron Heel by Jack London chronicles the rise of a small, tyrannical group who has taken over the United States.  The book chronicles the rise of these societies throughout the world and the resistance to them. George Orwell's 1984 and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 are examples of similar titles. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading one of these classics, this summer's program will provide the motivation you need.
Many modern authors enjoy blending a wide variety of elements into their books.  For example, steampunk combines steam-powered fantastic machinery with a setting in the 19th century. One might argue that a book such as this is really an alternative history or a fantasy. However, the science is based on real science even if the machines never existed. These elements allow the author to create unique settings and characters.  These books like Heart of Iron by Ekaterina Sedia, are often filled with fantastic adventure, romance, and mystery.  If you are a reader of romance and have decided to accept the libraries' summer reading challenge, steampunk will probably be your best bet.
No matter what type of reading you enjoy, there are science fiction titles that you will enjoy.  The trick is to find those books so that you can join us on our journey through the "Literary Elements".  Not to mention, we have prizes. What would a summer reading program be without prizes and incentives?  An assignment.

That's a Keeper!

There are people who write and then there are people who know how to write. Reading can be a wonderful individual experience when one is enjoying the work of an accomplished author.  Whether the purpose of reading is for entertainment or knowledge, it's truly a bonus when both are delivered.  

My mother is a voracious reader.  The kind of reader that will pick up almost any book (except romance novels) and give it a chance.  When she comes to visit, I try to have several books of fiction and non-fiction for her to choose from.  Occasionally, one of my selections will be a home run with her.  When that happens, all bets are off and most activities are cancelled because pulling her out of a good book is like trying to separate a starving person from their food source.

During Mom's latest visit, I insisted that she read Things That Matter by Charles Krauthammer even though I knew she wouldn't have time to finish it.  I explained to her that though the main body of book is a compilation of the author's newspaper articles, there is much more to it than that.  It's not merely the subject matter that draws the reader in; it's the wording, the turn of phrase, and the personal stories that immerse the reader.

That's what happened to Mom.  Her reaction to the suggestion was the half-hearted comment "I think I've seen this guy on TV" but I prevailed.  (She also wasn't too excited about the other choices I presented to her.)  Less than ten minutes later, I heard her laughing.  Walking past her in my kitchen, it was instantly apparent to me that she was now lost to me until I dragged her out of the house for lunch.

On the way to lunch I asked her what she thought about the book.  Her response, "I'm going to have to buy that book when I get home.  That guy can write."  A ringing endorsement from a discerning lifetime reader who owns a Kindle.  Now that we've reached the age when downloading a book is more convenient than owning a book, it's reassuring to know that there remains those people who know what's important. When a book fills the dual need of entertainment and information, it's worth keeping on your actual bookshelf.

Dogtripping with Hank and the Brew Crew

Who can resist this little guy?  Whether you're a Milwaukee Brewers' fan or a dog lover at heart, Hank has managed to prance his way into your heart. Hank has become so popular, he has his own fan "meet and greet" events as well as a Hank bobble head in the works.  His popularity has outstripped the famous racing sausages and even Bernie Brewer.  A Brewers fan's idea of nirvana might be meeting Bob Uecker while holding the adorable Hank and chowing down on something delicious courtesy of Miller Park....or (for a true fan of the game) beating the Cardinals....cue the booing.
It may be upsetting to real baseball fans that there are many people who currently take interest in the Brewers because of an adorable adopted stray dog.  However, as stated in David Rosenfelt's book Dogtripping, dogs can bring us together.  A mutual love and interest in dogs or a dog breed can bring about an understanding between two people who previously had nothing in common.  Whether you happen to be an insane dog person (like David and his wife, avid rescue people who have had as many as 42 dogs at one time) or someone who is quite fond of the family pooch, there is a perception of common ground between both parties.
Would a normal person travel across country with 25 dogs in three RVs? Probably not, but the Rosenfelts did it.  Would a normal person drive to Miller Park because it's Hank's bobble head day or their kids are begging to meet the cute dog on TV?  Maybe, if it was convenient.  Does the average dog lover go to a dog shelter with the intent of looking at one dog and bring home three or four?  Unlikely, but it happened to the Rosenfelts many times. After meeting Hank or hearing his spring training story, or seeing him race the sausages would the average person consider getting a rescue dog as a pet? Perhaps. The Brewers marketing team would most likely say that whether you're coming for the dog or the game, they're happy to use the buzz to get people into the seats and watching the game.  If you have a good time and leave the stadium a fan, mission accomplished.
It's a reality check to read about the hundreds of dogs who get turned in to shelters due to age or health problems.  In his book, Rosenfelt describes several of the memorable dogs that have charmed him and his wife.  His vignettes about the dogs and their circumstances which led to them becoming a part of the "Rosenfelt pack" are the heart and soul of his book.  The frame of the book, the desire to move to Maine with a huge pack of dogs that can only be transported by RV, that is a study in dedication to a cause (or a description of a vacation from hades).
One of the best things about Dogtripping is that it does NOT have the same sad ending as Marley and Me.  (Book spoiler alert-everyone miraculously makes it to Maine in one piece, even the humans.) For fans of Hank and the Brewers there is hope that the publicity buzz of one little dog combined with a winning record and a rejuvenated roster will continue to build into a successful playoff run at the end of the season.  If not, there's always next year; and who knows what next year will bring?  Maybe an adorable stray cat will show up at spring training, bringing in a whole new fan base-the cat people.

 

This is how we do it....but what do we do?

What do librarians do all day?  This is the image that may come to mind to the average reader:

At left is the image most female librarians would like the public to conjure up when they mention librarians. The truth is most likely an interesting combination of these three images. These days you won't find librarians climbing ladders to reach books because it's dangerous and the Internet and ebooks have greatly reduced the number of books being kept on library shelves. Likewise you won't find librarians running around in high heels, shorts, and low-cut blouses because, well, it would probably be very uncomfortable while also being highly unprofessional.  There is one similarity in all of the images. The librarian is reading a book. Many people believe that librarians have the privilege of being paid to read books all day.  Unfortunately, it's just not true.

We invite authors to visit our library.  For example, Paula DeBoard, the author of The Mourning Hours will be visiting our library on Monday, April 14th at 6pm to talk about her book. The book is set in rural Manitowoc County which makes the reading experience interesting for locals as they attempt to match fictional locations with real ones.  The story itself is a mix of heartbreaking tragedy and family resilience that resonates with the reader long after you've finished the book.  The tone of the book is similar to Wingshooters or Whistling in the Dark.   Librarians also help readers by recommending books and authors similar to ones they've enjoyed. We choose books for library-sponsored book discussions and after we've used them, make them into book discussion kits with questions that local book groups can check out for themselves.

We buy books, movies, and music that our patrons want.  We are not in the business of telling people that they haven't lived unless they've read classics like Pride and Prejudice or Of Mice and Men.  We are in the business of making classic titles available to readers all while in the process of reading book reviews and purchasing the latest hot titles. We don't judge.  If you want something similar to 50 Shades of Grey, we'll point you in the direction of Sylvia Day or Maya Banks.  

We have summer reading programs for children and adults.  Yes, even though it doesn't feel like summer outside, the librarians are all hard at work planning fun activities and inviting presenters to the summer programs. Once summer is planned, we start working on fall activities and presenters, usually around May.

Lego reproduction of librarian in chicken costume for story time.

Now, take all of these various duties and activities (which are only a few of the many things we do) and throw children into the mix.  A children's librarian gets to play with toys and design creative crafts to go with story time. Sometimes they'll even dress up in a costume for story time.  They'll read several picture books in one sitting in order to find the perfect ones for story time or a school visit.  

Librarians reading all day among the bookshelves or running around telling everyone to be quiet is an urban myth.  Libraries are fun places full of activities and events for the entire family.  We show movies for a variety of audiences and help people with their electronic devices.  We locate information.  We download books. We hardly ever get to read when we're at work....but we try to sneak in a chapter or two when we can.

Visit your local library and help us celebrate National Library Week April 13th-19th in 2014.

  

Almost There

What to think about when spring still isn't spring:

Where to turn for a good laugh:

Who can inspire:

How to win back your castle and surrounding territories:

Can't "think spring"?  Think books and escape from the final edge of winter's blast.  Immerse yourself in garden plans, memoirs, or something else entertaining.  March is a great time to read Don Haskins' Glory Road or maybe pull out your DVD of Hoosiers.  Take the time to listen to your favorite musical soundtrack like Annie or try the latest Zumba fitness fad.  Take up a new hobby or simply start filling your bird feeder and battling it out with the squirrels.  Use your imagination and live like there isn't snow out there.

Helplessly virtuous? I don't think so.

My Grandma used to tell us a silly joke using a napkin.  She would pinch the napkin together and hold it under her nose like a mustache saying, "You must pay the rent!" with a forceful voice.  The napkin would then be moved to her hair like a bow and a little lady voice would say, "But I can't pay the rent!" This would be repeated two or three times until the napkin would be placed at her throat like a bow tie and a heroic voice would declare, "I'll pay the rent!".  At which point the napkin would go back to the hair and the lovely lady would sigh, "My hero!".  In many ways, this little joke could be considered a microcosm of the expectations of romance readers.
Do you recall the days when it was unseemly behavior to take a walk with a gentleman without a chaperon?  Do you remember your mother warning you not to let anyone take liberties with your person?  Did she admonish you to wear a hat and gloves at all times?  Perhaps you were the cause of a scandal in your social circle because your dress was too short to cover your ankles and the sight of them might drive a man mad with desire.  Did your mother advise you as to the proper place of a woman and teach you the accepted womanly virtues?  How many summer days did you spend inside learning to paint, embroider, and play the piano or sing?
The reality is that very few of us, if any, spent our days studying what are considered gentle, feminine tasks.  Romance authors today seem to have realized that in order for modern audiences to identify with their heroines, they need to create women who are different or rebellious for their time period.  After all, who can sympathize with a simpering nitwit who sits helplessly in a corner weeping while she waits for a man to notice her? Today's readers are dissatisfied with characters who refuse to be assertive on their own behalf.  When it comes to romance, an author must follow a fine line that allows the hero to be a hero and the woman to be a lady.  They can't be too good...and they can't be too bad.

Even the title page is difficult to read.

Samuel Richardson was one of the first authors to write about the trials of love. Pamela (or Virtue Rewarded), first published in 1740, is an epistolary novel which means that events are revealed mainly through the use of letters. Pamela is a lovely, innocent young housemaid. Her employer passes away which leaves her unprotected and alone.  Her employer's son, begins a campaign to seduce Pamela (who is only 15) and make her his mistress.  No one will intercede on her behalf due to her lowly origins and her employer's social standing.  When things finally come to a climax and Mr. B realizes that his behavior is hurting her, he decides to let her go.  However, a few notes and letters later, Pamela realizes that she is in love with Mr. B (which he has also conveniently realized).  A few letters later, Pamela has learned her role as wife and Mr. B's family has come to accept her.
It seems like this book hits all the right notes when it comes to romance. However, Pamela spends much of her time writing letters, unable to make a decision as to her own welfare.  The reader eventually grows extremely impatient with the heroine.  Why would anyone continue to stay in a house where someone is trying to force their unwanted attentions on you?  (In modern times, the man would probably be sent to jail for his behavior.)
Richardson's second novel, Clarissa, ends tragically.  Though it is filled with intrigue, dueling, kidnapping, danger and romance, it is another hefty epistolary novel.  Unlike Pamela, Clarissa is a bit more bold and daring as a heroine as she is brave enough to escape her tormentor.  Unlike Pamela, although she has escaped, her virtue is rewarded by dying of an illness caused by the mental distress of being pursued relentlessly.  (Yes, she was so stressed out that a guy she didn't like wouldn't leave her alone, she sickened and died.)  To our modern minds, that is probably the point at which the story becomes a farce.
Jane Austen is the author who has set the standard of modern romance.  The majority of romances today tend to follow a plot line that is similar to Pride and Prejudice.  If an author neglects to create a conflict between the attracted parties; if all goes well from the first time their eyes meet across a crowded room, the book is not believable. If the reader cannot become invested into the positive outcome of the relationship, they'll put down the book.  Romance readers may pick up a book to escape into something that they know isn't real but they still expect the story to be authentic.  They know that most of the men walking down the street are not dukes, spies, billionaires or Navy SEALs, but they still want to pretend that those men might be out there. And what is wrong with enjoying a relaxing romantic interlude with one of these guys for just a few short hours?

No Terms, Conditions, or Annoying Emails; our book recommendations are free!

Some people love to give advice.  Over the years, our society has taken advice from a wide variety of newscasters, forecasters, and talk show hosts.  On a more personal level, most of us have received counseling on some issue (whether we wanted it or not) from friends and family and even the occasional stranger.  Unfortunately, this dispensing of wisdom doesn't always work out in the way it was intended. Good advice gone bad (or just plain bad advice) has ruined many a friendship, family reunion, and meal.
One of the few places where it is safe to ask for recommendations on something you might enjoy is the library.  Book recommendations or readers' advisory is a service that has been steadily growing over the years.  This is done with an open mind and the understanding that patrons are not going to like every book they're given.
I was recently asked for a historical fiction recommendation and cited Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.  (This title came to mind first because it's on my personal to-read list.)  It's an award-winning book which contains the preferred setting and time frame of the requester.  After a few weeks the reader determined that this particular title was not for them.  That's going to happen.  It's the danger of giving advice.  The goal is to not take the rejection personally, and to have a better suggestion (like Bernard Cornwell's Saxon Tales or Alison Weir) in mind for that person when they come back.
Why are readers willing to take advice?  Librarians could be considered the "Consumers Reporters" of books.  Although we haven't read every book on our shelves, patrons often think we have.  What we have done is familiarized ourselves with a wide variety of authors and genres so that we can help readers.  So often people fall in love with one or two popular authors and devour their books in a reading frenzy. Eventually they come back up for air and when they do, they have no idea what to read next.
Recently a patron shared with me that they were checking out a few James Patterson books for the second or third time because they didn't know what else to read but they knew they liked that author.  Alarmed at the reading stagnation, I immediately asked him what he liked about the author in the hope that I could direct him to something new.   After learning that he liked recurring characters in a series, I listed J.A. Jance, Sue Grafton, and William Kent Krueger, all authors he had never read.  He grew more intrigued when I mentioned that two of the authors have series with rural or rustic settings.  Although he could not be persuaded to return his "re-reads",he left reassured that the library could help him find new authors to enjoy on his next visit.
This pattern of reading only a few authors can lead to reader fatigue.  This is especially true with readers who continue to follow only a few select authors.  With the number of authors who are blending genres in their work, advisers should be able to open new worlds to weary readers.  We must tantalize the reader's palate with a few juicy tidbits that entice but don't give away the main plot points in order to tempt them with something new.
The next time you find yourself in a reading slump, consider getting advice from your local reading coaches at the library.  We have thematic book displays to peruse, Staff Picks displays to ponder, book discussion kits to share with your friends, and a wealth of personal knowledge we'd love to share.  We may be able to help you find something you'll enjoy just as much as Kathryn Stockett's The Help or Emma Donoghue's Room.
Or we may recommend you try something new like these young adult novels:

For those who enjoy historical fiction full of action and adventure, give Elizabeth Wein's Young Pilots series a chance. The books have danger, intrigue and just a touch of romance.  Code Name Verity is about a young female spy (or is it her friend, the pilot?) who has been captured by the Nazis after crash landing in France. Rose Under Fire is the journey of a female transport pilot who gets lost and is forced down in enemy territory.  The uncaring Nazi war machine sends her to a concentration camp.  Will they make it out alive?