Here's subject we haven't discussed yet... Book Clubs.
I don't know how many of you have had the opportunity to run a book club at ALD or have participated in one for personal enjoyment, but there are lots of websites that give book club information.
Here's a few:
BookBrowse.com gives advice, author info, and reading guides to hundreds of titles.
Readinggroupguides.com is "an online community for reading groups" with recommendations, guides, message board and blog, and librarian interviews that give tips and tricks for library book clubs.
Book-clubs-resource.com gives lots of how-to information about starting and running a book club and gives resources for group guides.
Don't forget to check the publisher's website if you are looking for author information and a book guide for a specific titles. For instance, Random House features hundreds of reading guides at their "Book Club Center" page on the Random House website.
Do you know any good resources for book clubs? Any tips from you book club pros? Or perhaps you have a good story to share about a book club? Let's hear those horror/success stories!
speaking of horrors...
enjoy!
- Andrew
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Books you can't put down!
The RAVALA blog is back! And the blog is pleased that you all wanted it to keep on blogging! It's as giddy as Sally Fields at the 1985 Oscars who said "I haven't had an orthodox career, and I've wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn't feel it, but this time I feel it, and I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!"
So with all this good feelings in the air, let's chat a bit about good books.
"Books Alive" is is an Australian Government initiative developed through the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body...or so says their website. Anyway, Books Alive produced a spiffy online guide titled "50 Books You Can't Put Down" that's in a flashy Flash format where you can turn the pages of the online guide or you can open the PDF version at the bottom of their web page. You can find the "50 Books You Can't Put Down" guide at: http://www.booksalive.com.au/index.php/guide
The guide says "The books here are the best of the best, guaranteed great reads hand-picked by book lovers. There’s something for everyone – and every occasion. But whatever you choose, you can be sure that once you start reading, you won’t stop." Sure, it's going to include Australian authors (They are the Australia Council for the Arts - they have to promote their own), but there are lots of good books in there.
Books you can't put down... back in the day, I used to feel that way with Stephen King novels - I didn't care how late it was, I was going to finish it! Not so easy when you are reading The Stand at 1100+ pages, but that was back when I could stay up late... okay, maybe it took me a few days to read it.
So the question this week is - Is there a book that you couldn't put down? One you stayed up way too late reading, but were happy you did? I'm sure you RAVALA readers have lots of them!
So with all this good feelings in the air, let's chat a bit about good books.
"Books Alive" is is an Australian Government initiative developed through the Australia Council for the Arts, the Australian Government's arts funding and advisory body...or so says their website. Anyway, Books Alive produced a spiffy online guide titled "50 Books You Can't Put Down" that's in a flashy Flash format where you can turn the pages of the online guide or you can open the PDF version at the bottom of their web page. You can find the "50 Books You Can't Put Down" guide at: http://www.booksalive.com.au/index.php/guide
The guide says "The books here are the best of the best, guaranteed great reads hand-picked by book lovers. There’s something for everyone – and every occasion. But whatever you choose, you can be sure that once you start reading, you won’t stop." Sure, it's going to include Australian authors (They are the Australia Council for the Arts - they have to promote their own), but there are lots of good books in there.
Books you can't put down... back in the day, I used to feel that way with Stephen King novels - I didn't care how late it was, I was going to finish it! Not so easy when you are reading The Stand at 1100+ pages, but that was back when I could stay up late... okay, maybe it took me a few days to read it.
So the question this week is - Is there a book that you couldn't put down? One you stayed up way too late reading, but were happy you did? I'm sure you RAVALA readers have lots of them!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Article from The New York Review of Books
"Google & the Future of Books" by Robert Darnton.
An article from The New York Review of Books (2/12/09):
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/22281?email
Thanks to Alice K for the tip!
An article from The New York Review of Books (2/12/09):
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/22281?email
Thanks to Alice K for the tip!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Looking for Animal Tales
Okay! Let's move into the animal kingdom! One of the hottest themes in books and movies these days seems to be animal stories - "Marley and Me", "Dewey", "The Art of Racing in the Rain", "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" - and on and on. So, dear RAVALA members, the question of this week is what is/was your very favorite animal book or movie and why. Please contribute and share with all of us!
I'm a horse lover, and growing up I was enthralled with Marguerite Henry's story for children, "King of the Wind", the gripping adventure of Sham, the Arabian, who was born to run and who became the ancestor of some of the greatest Thoroughbreds. Then of course, there was "My Friend Flicka" ( a great coming of age story that showcases Wyoming) and its sequels. These are just a few among my favorites. How about anyone else out there in RAVALA land?
Susan C.
I'm a horse lover, and growing up I was enthralled with Marguerite Henry's story for children, "King of the Wind", the gripping adventure of Sham, the Arabian, who was born to run and who became the ancestor of some of the greatest Thoroughbreds. Then of course, there was "My Friend Flicka" ( a great coming of age story that showcases Wyoming) and its sequels. These are just a few among my favorites. How about anyone else out there in RAVALA land?
Susan C.
Friday, January 30, 2009
"Women in Fantasy Literature" conference - Vail 10/09
Vail, CO
October 1–4, 2009
A conference on women in fantasy literature presented by Narrate Conferences, Inc.
Sirens, a conference focused on literary contributions by women to the fantasy genre and on fantasy works with prominent female characters, will take place October 1–4, 2009, in Vail, CO. The conference seeks papers, panels, interactive workshops, roundtable discussions, and other presentations suitable for an audience of academics, professionals, educators, librarians, authors, and fantasy readers.
The theme for 2009 is "warriors," and programming prompted by the theme is encouraged; presenters are not limited to this theme, however, and proposals that address specific aspects of a work or series, works related by other themes, and studies of the fantasy genre across all disciplines are encouraged as well. A non-exhaustive list of sample topics includes literary analyses of novels; studies of genre history; use of fantasy works in schools and libraries for education; examination of related business and legal issues; media and fan studies; craft-based workshops in writing, art, and publishing; and overviews of how fantasy works fit into larger contexts.
Presentation submission to the vetting board is by online system only. No other format or contact will be considered. The online submission system is located at <http://www.sirensconference.org/submissions/> and will open for proposals on November 21, 2008.
The deadline for proposals is April 12, 2009, and notices regarding proposals will be sent no later than May 1, 2009.
(Thanks to Maureen K. for this info)
October 1–4, 2009
A conference on women in fantasy literature presented by Narrate Conferences, Inc.
Sirens, a conference focused on literary contributions by women to the fantasy genre and on fantasy works with prominent female characters, will take place October 1–4, 2009, in Vail, CO. The conference seeks papers, panels, interactive workshops, roundtable discussions, and other presentations suitable for an audience of academics, professionals, educators, librarians, authors, and fantasy readers.
The theme for 2009 is "warriors," and programming prompted by the theme is encouraged; presenters are not limited to this theme, however, and proposals that address specific aspects of a work or series, works related by other themes, and studies of the fantasy genre across all disciplines are encouraged as well. A non-exhaustive list of sample topics includes literary analyses of novels; studies of genre history; use of fantasy works in schools and libraries for education; examination of related business and legal issues; media and fan studies; craft-based workshops in writing, art, and publishing; and overviews of how fantasy works fit into larger contexts.
Presentation submission to the vetting board is by online system only. No other format or contact will be considered. The online submission system is located at <http://www.sirensconference.org/submissions/> and will open for proposals on November 21, 2008.
The deadline for proposals is April 12, 2009, and notices regarding proposals will be sent no later than May 1, 2009.
(Thanks to Maureen K. for this info)
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
lists, lists, and more lists!
Top 10?... don't make me laugh
Top 100?... child's play!
Top 1000!... now you're talkin'
The good folks at the guardian.co.uk, the online version of the the U.K. newspaper founded in 1821 recently released a list of what they considered "1000 novels everyone must read!" So when you're stuck with that patron that's read everything you can suggest, give 'em this site and perhaps they'll find a book or two.
1000 novels everyone must read!
If that's not enough, they've previously released lists of "1000 films to see before you die" & "1000 albums to hear before you die" (see, they're thinking RAVALA too!)
1000 films to see before you die!
1000 albums to hear before you die!
For a lighter side of a top 100, check out this video "100 Movies, 100 Quotes, 100 Numbers." How many movies in the countdown can you name?
enjoy!
Andrew
Top 100?... child's play!
Top 1000!... now you're talkin'
The good folks at the guardian.co.uk, the online version of the the U.K. newspaper founded in 1821 recently released a list of what they considered "1000 novels everyone must read!" So when you're stuck with that patron that's read everything you can suggest, give 'em this site and perhaps they'll find a book or two.
1000 novels everyone must read!
If that's not enough, they've previously released lists of "1000 films to see before you die" & "1000 albums to hear before you die" (see, they're thinking RAVALA too!)
1000 films to see before you die!
1000 albums to hear before you die!
For a lighter side of a top 100, check out this video "100 Movies, 100 Quotes, 100 Numbers." How many movies in the countdown can you name?
enjoy!
Andrew
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
What Book/Movie/Audio Did You Really NOT Like in 2008
Hello To All - And happy Inauguration Day!!
Since it's Tuesday, we have a shorter week to post comments, so here's one question that hopefully will peak your interest and get those brain juices flowing: Let us know what book/movie/audio that you read/watched/listened to this past year that totally turned you off. You really didn't like it! You hated it! And why!
For example, I turned totally against the tide (including Oprah) on "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". True, it was well written (especially for a first time author), but for pete's sake, Hamlet in Wisconsin? Hamlet is Shakespeare's alone and now we have so many trying to outdo him! I didn't like this book because of the over-used Hamlet factor (which was huge) and because I thought it was a slow read and I really didn't like any of the characters except perhaps for Almondine (who is Ophelia in dog drag). Give me a break!
Enough of my ranting. How about you out there in RAVALA land? What did you indulge in during this past year that truly grated on you for one or another reason?
Please chime in - and forgive my over the top emoting regarding Edgar but I had a hard time holding back.
Susan C.
Since it's Tuesday, we have a shorter week to post comments, so here's one question that hopefully will peak your interest and get those brain juices flowing: Let us know what book/movie/audio that you read/watched/listened to this past year that totally turned you off. You really didn't like it! You hated it! And why!
For example, I turned totally against the tide (including Oprah) on "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle". True, it was well written (especially for a first time author), but for pete's sake, Hamlet in Wisconsin? Hamlet is Shakespeare's alone and now we have so many trying to outdo him! I didn't like this book because of the over-used Hamlet factor (which was huge) and because I thought it was a slow read and I really didn't like any of the characters except perhaps for Almondine (who is Ophelia in dog drag). Give me a break!
Enough of my ranting. How about you out there in RAVALA land? What did you indulge in during this past year that truly grated on you for one or another reason?
Please chime in - and forgive my over the top emoting regarding Edgar but I had a hard time holding back.
Susan C.
Monday, January 12, 2009
more resources!
Here are a couple more websites that might be of some help with our advisory efforts:
Reading Trails is a website where users can create a trail (list) of books with a common theme (Melancholic meanders, Fallen Women of the 19th Century, Curiosities of Human Behavior). Find a theme to see what the user recommends. The site gets more interesting when you discover intersections where two (or more) threads pick the same book, which allows you to turn down the new trail if you like.
For example, the trail "Fallen Women of the 19th Century" has 5 books on the trail. There are five intersections at the book "Anna Karenina" which include the trails "Adultery Trail" and "Russian Works that Rock." Click on one of those trails and you can head in a completely different direction, subject-wise.
It's a young site, launched last November, but it seems like there are lots of Reader's advisory opportunities there.
No Flying No Tights is a website/blog dedicated to graphic novel reviews. The main site (designed for teens) has a variety of subject headings (superheroes, humor, non-fiction, action, etc) to help get you to the kind of graphic novel you are looking for. A variety of reviewers (some library-related, others not) give brief but helpful reviews.
There are two other companion sites, The Lair ("here to help distinguish between those graphic novels and comics that walk the line between teen appeal and more adult content") and Sidekicks (for kids up to age 12) that can be accessed through the home page.
Since many of us (or at least me) know little about many of the graphic novels out there (and there are lots of them out there) this is a good site to get some reviews to help guide the patron in the right direction.
Andrew
Reading Trails is a website where users can create a trail (list) of books with a common theme (Melancholic meanders, Fallen Women of the 19th Century, Curiosities of Human Behavior). Find a theme to see what the user recommends. The site gets more interesting when you discover intersections where two (or more) threads pick the same book, which allows you to turn down the new trail if you like.
For example, the trail "Fallen Women of the 19th Century" has 5 books on the trail. There are five intersections at the book "Anna Karenina" which include the trails "Adultery Trail" and "Russian Works that Rock." Click on one of those trails and you can head in a completely different direction, subject-wise.
It's a young site, launched last November, but it seems like there are lots of Reader's advisory opportunities there.
No Flying No Tights is a website/blog dedicated to graphic novel reviews. The main site (designed for teens) has a variety of subject headings (superheroes, humor, non-fiction, action, etc) to help get you to the kind of graphic novel you are looking for. A variety of reviewers (some library-related, others not) give brief but helpful reviews.
There are two other companion sites, The Lair ("here to help distinguish between those graphic novels and comics that walk the line between teen appeal and more adult content") and Sidekicks (for kids up to age 12) that can be accessed through the home page.
Since many of us (or at least me) know little about many of the graphic novels out there (and there are lots of them out there) this is a good site to get some reviews to help guide the patron in the right direction.
Andrew
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