Customer Reviews

Genreflecting: A Guide to Popular Reading Interests (Genreflecting Advisory Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a very valuable resource for public librarians acting as a reader's adviser ("I like this author, who/what else would I like?"), but I can't imagine anyone having the time to be poring over the pages as a collection development tool.

Genreflecting is also a great reference for writing or literature studies students who are studying genre - along with lists of authors that they can pursue, there are very lucid discussions of the genres, and it's a good starting point for assignments in this area. (I used it for this purpose at Uni, and liked it so much that I tried to buy a copy - unfortunately it was between editions at the time.)

"Genreflecting" has quickly become the go-to guide in the rapidly growing field of Readers Advisory, but the revered tome remains curiously flawed in spite of numerous revisions. Once again, extremely specialized and esoteric subgenres are represented ("1950's new wave sci-fi" and "TSR's Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Franchise Books") while much more prominent subgenres are completely ignored (Steampunk, Urban Fantasy, etc.). As when dealing with genres in any capacity, the bare minimum subjects and then their iterations should be covered before further specialization, but "Genreflecting" continues to misunderstand and ignore this necessity. There are a few other confusing choices ("Mystery" is nonexistent, instead automatically grouped under crime), and several outright baffling decisions (Don Delillo's "White Noise" under "Adventure" next to Michael Crichton and Tom Clancy books!?) that leave the aspiring Reader Advisor mistrustful at best. The book could also greatly use capsule reviews, summaries, or justifications for inclusion next to each title ("Swashbuckling romp with romantic undertones") instead of the naked lists of titles that it continues to offer. "Genreflecting" remains, at best, a starting point for the Advisor who will undoubtedly end up turning to internet sources for more detailed and in-depth information; but then why wouldn't they just start out there and be done with it? "Genreflecting" definitely needs a major overhaul in the next revision to continue to justify its existence and price.

I received this book in the mail yesterday and read it, off and on, all day. I can't believe all the reference material that is found here. As a true bibliophile, I have many books about books in my collection, but this one has moved right to the top as my favorite. It lists many of the best modern works in print and will help me, in the future, to have more discerning tastes in the books I read. I am completely satisfied and highly recommend it to others.

I am so glad that this volume exists because I care much about advising readers, and the intent of this tool is right on. I appreciate the suggestions in each genre, and subgenre.

However, the presentation of the titles is so inconsistent that it puzzles me that this could be a sixth edition--it seems more like a draft. Several of the titles are elaborately annotated, while others are simply listed without supporting information. I wish that the titles were treated more consistently.

I do appreciate that this advisory series from Libraries Unlimited exists. However since this is their flagship volume that has gone through multiple editions, I expect a higher standard.