I have always been preoccupied with books and tend to panic if there is nothing to read within reaching distance. I will read just about anything, though my favorite genres tend to be literary fiction, horror, science fiction and fantasy. In the last two years I have taken to listening to audiobooks during my commute. Weirdly, audiobooks have helped me "read" outside my comfort zone, and I have begun listening to mystery series that I never would have picked up in print. I tend to enjoy books with a lot of description and insight into quirky characters. I also seem to be a fan of multiple voices, though I tend to prefer third person if I have to pick. I enjoy nonfiction, especially history, and graphic novels as well.
I am in two book clubs, one that I facilitate through my library and one with a group of friends. I enjoy the challenge of putting lists together to balance new, notable books with older titles that I or other attendees want to read and discuss. I also coordinate my library's delivery service which is largely reader's advisory. Many of my delivery users enjoy inspirational, cozy, and mystery fiction, and I like learning about those genres and authors.
Favorite Books Read in 2016
The Brief, Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
The Witches by Stacy Schiff
Paper Girls Volume 1 by Brian K. Vaughan
Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
White Trash by Nancy Isenberg
Sex Criminals Volume 1-3 by Matt Fraction
Ms. Marvel Volume 1 by G. Willow Wilson
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
Favorite Books Started in 2016 that I Intend to Finish in 2017
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Scott Snyder's Batman run
Hi Darcy
ReplyDeleteI saw on your list of books the trilogy Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction. I have read the first and second volume so far. I really enjoyed the plot of the first book and found it to be refreshingly new. I thought the second book got off track and really did not go anywhere to advance the story. I am looking forward to reading the third book.
I have an interesting story about the first book in the Sex Criminals series and the controversy it caused for me, my fellow library workers, and my job in general. To make a long story short I read the first volume at the main branch library in my county. I enjoyed the unique story and it even involved saving a library from a mean bank foreclosure. Graphic novels is one of the areas I order for at my library. I thought this book would a good addition to the library’s ADULT readers. I understand that this book has some scenes of nudity, sex and mature content, but it is aimed for mature Adult readers; not children. Also with the book already in the county library system I did not expect much controversy. Well, I was very wrong. One of my fellow library worker (I do not believe that she has any kind of a library degree) saw the cover of the book and read the title and demanded that it be removed. I had only been working at this library for a few months and already caused a controversy.
In the end after a couple of month’s debate behind the scenes of the library the book was formally removed. However, I was happily surprised that more than half of the library staff (including senior staff) supported leaving the book on the shelf.
Thanks.
Rob
Rob, I am really sorry to hear that. I am responsible for ordering adult graphic novels at my library, and something eerily similar happened to us three years ago.
DeleteI ordered Blue is the Warmest Color for the adult section, despite it earning a starred review in School Library Journal. I thought it belonged in the adult section since it reads as an adult reflecting on her past. A staff member with no formal library training filed a request for reconsideration on the basis that the book was pornographic. Several other staff members who rallied around this person ultimately resigned.
The original complainant then went after other adult graphic novels including Fun Home and Blankets, calling them obscene and claiming they lack literary merit. It got ugly and lasted months. I was actually "shamed" in a letter to the editor.
The book stayed in the collection, our collection development policy improved, and our staff is much better trained than it was three years ago. Many library advocates came out of the woodwork, though, because it turns out that people don't really like others policing what they read. Those events influenced my decision to get my MLS.
Graphic novels, particularly adult graphic novels, are mightily misunderstood. We talk so much about how great the graphic format is for reluctant readers (and it is!) and we assume cartoons are for children, so people, including librarians, just can't wrap their brains around it.
What I see most often is collection managers claiming their library users won't read graphic novels, likely because they are afraid of controversy. I also see people dumping what are clearly adult titles, like The Walking Dead, in the teen section.
Great stories!! I personally LOVE Sex Criminals and had my library order it for the adult graphic novel section. I put it on a display and a parent complained that a kid could grab it, she was happy with us keeping the book though and not having it facing out. A strong library reconsideration policy is crucial in keeping books on the shelf. In the past 2 decades we've had about 3 dozen formal complaints (inwhich they have to read our policy and then fill out a lengthy form) and we've never had a book removed. Sometimes it can be as simple as moving it to another section or purchasing an updated copy. Thanks for charing!
DeleteDarcy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience. It is nice to know that I am not the only one who went through graphic novel issues and was looked down upon.
Graphic Novels seems to be an area that gets a lot of scrutiny especially from people who do not read the medium. Is it for children? Yes. Is it for teens? Yes. Is it for adults? Yes. So, like ALL the other literary and entertainment mediums (music, movies, television, etc.) certain materials are aimed for certain ages and personal tastes. This is why there are reader advisors. However, I feel that since graphic novels can have a cartoony look than ill-informed people believe that it should only be for young children. Sad.
On a happy note the YA librarian and I have worked together the past 6 months or so and have joined our efforts together and doubled the libraries manga and graphic novel count for all ages, including adults.
Oh Scott Snyder's Batman run is FANTASTIC!!! So sad when they did the whole DC Rebirth thing and he's not writing the main series anymore. However, All-Star Batman is pretty great too, so I can't complain too much. I'm glad to hear you liked American Gods! Neil Gaiman is my favorite author. How was The Witches? I've been wanting to read that one.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I really need to finish American Gods. I just read Trigger Warning for my book club, and the story at the end lit a fire under me. Is there anyone else you would recommend who is similar Gaiman? I have only read Sandman (love) and Ocean at the End of the Lane to completion. I really like him, and it's not just his Tori Amos connection.
DeleteI was initially irritated by the announcement of New 52 because I usually have little patience with retcons, and I was mad about DC chucking Barbara Gordon's arc up to then. Boy, was I wrong! I am excited about Rebirth, but I am sad that Snyder's run is at an end. Alas, it is the nature of things.
The Witches was great! It's so readable and interesting.
I personally don't enjoy graphic novels, so it's hard for me to make good purchase decisions. Fortunately, I have a great group of teen comic/manga fans who give me advice and suggestions. If you have any great picks for the teen area, help a girl out and let me know...
ReplyDeleteI have also had a book challenged, though not a graphic novel. This was a book called Wiccapedia which I purchased because a couple of homeschoolers wanted to include Wiccans in a unit study they were doing on world religions and traditions. There wasn't anything particularly awful in it, just straight up information on what it is and how it came to be, but a parent saw it in the teen area and complained that we were trying to promote witchcraft and the occult. We didn't pull the book, but we did move it to the adult section.
I agree with your choice of using audio-book as an alternative format option. I enjoy audio-books because I can listen to a story when I do not have time to sit down with a book. Just like you, I have a tendency to listen to a book I would not normally choose in a written text format. The audio-books I listen to are mainly non-fiction, science fiction and adventure. I tried listening to a horror book while driving through Indianapolis once and it did not work out too well. The added adrenaline from the story along with driving through traffic had me on edge for the rest of the day. I am not sure about listening to a mystery novel while driving, my mind would be preoccupied by trying to solve the mystery with its many plots.
ReplyDeleteNice to meet you Darcy. Your book list was very exciting to me since I do not know many of the books you have listed. I used to be part of book clubs in the past, and I miss the discussions of how they made me think. I look forward to sharing ideas and books with you throughout the semester.
ReplyDeleteGreat reading profile Darcy! I too love audiobooks (have you listened to James Marsters reading The Dresden Files?!?) and am a book club junkie.
ReplyDelete