I have loved to read just about anything for as long as I can remember. One semester in elementary school I read a Beverly Cleary book almost every afternoon when I got home. I particularly liked stories with animals as the main character. At work I often suggest to patrons titles I read as a child, including A Bear Called Paddington by Michael Bond, The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, and Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. I still read some of them when I have the time. They hold up well, are a nice escape, and bring back happy memories.
My favorite genres are Mysteries, Non-Fiction - Biography, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, and more recently, Young Adult fiction. My favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I have read it several times and am always sad to finish it. Every sentence is perfectly worded and the characters are meticulously drawn.
Period mysteries appeal to me for their sense of time and place. I also like to be surprised by the ending. My favorites in this subgenre combine my interest in history with likeable protagonists and a well-paced plot. I am excited when I find a new series because there is a level of comfort to following familiar characters written in a familiar style. That may be why I also like re-reading classic literature.
If I was not getting an MLIS or working in a library, I might not have tried certain authors and formats. My likes have expanded, and I am more open to exploring new genres. Referring to patrons, Saricks comments, “Nor do they necessarily look exclusively to fiction or nonfiction; they seek a story that meets their interests and mood at that moment” (Saricks 9). That is true for me; I have learned that although different genres appeal to me at different times, I gravitate to titles that have a strong narrative. Some of my current favorites are below:
The Maggie Hope mysteries (set during WWII) by Susan Elia MacNeal
The Royal Spyness mysteries (set in 1930’s England) by Rhys Bowen
Fangirl (college students navigating life) by Rainbow Rowell (Young Adult)
Scythe (dystopian novel) by Neal Shusterman (Young Adult)
March (non-fiction graphic novel series) by John Lewis (Young Adult)
The Boys in the Boat (rowing biography set around the 1936 Olympics) by Daniel James Brown
References
Saricks, J. (2005). History and introduction. In Readers' advisory service in the
public library. Chicago: ALA. Pp. 1-13
I remember reading a lot of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle when I was in grade school. It was so much fun! The magic of it still holds up, too. Second, third, and fourth graders still love it. A smattering of younger and older, but that's the sweet spot. I absolutely love Rainbow Rowell's novels. I haven't tried her graphic novels out yet, though. She has a new (finally!) novel coming out this year that I'm pretty excited for, though I do wish it were a new story and not a sequel in the Simon world. I've read Shusterman before and I own Scythe but I've not gotten to it yet. Boys in the Boat I read for a book group and we all really enjoyed it and it led to a great discussion as well. One of my book reading goals this year is to read a classic I haven't read and Pride and Prejudice is on the short list! 😁
ReplyDeleteMy younger daughter loves Mrs. Piggle Wiggle! She read them when she was younger, and would read them when she was stressed in high school. My older daughter rereads the Harry Potter series; she's read them so often that she started the series again in Spanish.
DeleteBoth daughters and I are looking forward to Rowell's new book. I agree with you - I wish it were a new story. I hope like Pride and Prejudice!
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteIf you like historical fiction and period pieces, one of my most recent favorites that I read last year was The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. I absolutely loved it, both the story and the way it was written. Based on some of the books you discussed, I think that you might like it too. It takes place after World War II, but connects back to World War I, and is about the female spy network in France. Two unlikely people become partners in a mission for the truth. I really loved it. It might make my all-time favorites list.
I have Scythe on my bookshelf at home. My husband made fun of me because it’s considered a young adult novel, but it sounded really interesting. I am eager to read it and seeing that you loved it, makes me more inclined to start it. I love young adult fiction. Those are the stories you read as you grow up that either help you through life or help shape you into who you want to be. It builds self-confidence and self-assurance which is sometimes what you need as a teenager.
Thanks for the recommendation! I will definitely check out The Alice Network. It's interesting about YA fiction. I've been seeing more reviews that recommend certain YA books to adults and vice versa. I think that because we have all been through that stage YA fiction has appeal and a relevancy for both teens and adults. I remember feeling better about my awkward (and cringe worthy!) moments after reading about characters with similar incidents.
ReplyDeleteExcellent reading profile! Full points! Scythe is wonderful and believe it or not the sequel is almost better! It's such a unique concept, very different from anything I've read before!
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