The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (ALA Readers' Advisory) [Paperback]

Joyce G. Saricks (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0838909892 | ISBN-13: 978-0838909898 | Publication Date: April 1, 2009 | Edition: Revised

This revised edition provides a way of understanding the vast universe of genre fiction in an easy-to-use format. Expert readers' advisor Joyce Saricks offers groundbreaking reconsideration of the connections among genres, providing: key authors and themes within 15 genres; an explanation as to how the different genres overlap; and, the elements of fiction most likely to entice readers. Provocative and spirited, "The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction, 2nd Edition" offers hands-on strategies for librarians who want to become experts at figuring out what their readers are seeking and how to match books with those interests.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Librarians attempting to answer that gut-sinking request for a book "just like this one" can't afford to miss this excellent self-study reader's advisory guide. The author of Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library (Professional Media, LJ 10/15/97), Saricks helps librarians painlessly discover the specific appeal of 15 different popular fiction genres, what the benchmark titles are for each, and how to talk to people about the books they love. Genres overlooked by other reader's advisory tools are listed here in good detail, such as literary fiction, women's lives and relationships, and three types of suspense separate from mysteries, horror, and thrillers. In each chapter, Saricks breaks a genre down into subgenres (for example, under mystery, English cozy amateur detective tales vs. police procedurals) and identifies authors and titles that typify each. Annotated suggestions for print and nonprint resources are appended for further investigation, as well as another appendix challenging readers to explore five books in each genre every year (with a list of good titles to try). Well indexed by author, title, and subject, and full of practical suggestions on how to prepare for working with readers, this is an invaluable resource. Highly recommended for all public libraries. Jennifer Baker, Seattle P.L.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

"That infectious pleasure in discovering interesting books and sharing them with readers is one of the deepest satisfactions of readers' advisory work. My goal with this book is that it might provide enough background in a genre to give a glimpse of what it is about those authors and their books that fans love." --Joyce G. Saricks, from Chapter One

This book is brilliant, accessible, and quite useful ... for librarians and readers alike. --American Reference Books Annual

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 402 pages
• Publisher: Amer Library Assn Editions; Revised edition (April 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0838909892
• ISBN-13: 978-0838909898
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #571,068 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great RA resource!, March 11, 2010

By 

M. Steffens - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (ALA Readers' Advisory) (Paperback)

This was a class textbook. I probably wouldn't have purchased it otherwise, as most libraries I've been to have pretty extensive readers' advisory holdings.

Saricks is an outstanding describer of what a genre is about, "sure bets", authors to introduce someone to a genre, authors to introduce someone to other genres, etc.

She's the reigning queen of NoveList, and with good reason. If you're able to direct your attention long enough to memorize the important items in her book -- and almost everything is important -- you'll be well on your way to providing excellent readers' advisory.

My one quibble is that, with accelerating pace in publishing novels (and little attention being paid to marketing novels unless the writer is a proven winner), the material needs supplementation on a regular basis. I think it would be great for establishing a baseline and moving forward, though.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This librarian loves it!, April 21, 2011

By 

Megan Lederer (Missouri City, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (ALA Readers' Advisory) (Paperback)

I am an Adult Reference librarian in Texas, and I discovered the first edition of this book while I was working on my Masters in Library Science. It was my favorite "textbook". I discovered so many new authors for myself, and I've since used this updated version to help my patrons find books they want to read. To me, it's indispensable as a readers' advisory tool.
My favorite parts of this book are all the lists of authors to try based on your current reading preferences. So valuable!