Week 2: Appeal Factors

Delicious Foods by James Hannaham

In this quick and dramatic novel, James Hannaham, known for his unpredictable story lines, crafts an intriguing tale that explores human afflictions and how they impact our daily interactions. Within the first few pages, we are introduced to Eddie, who has recently lost his hands in an incident that is unknown to readers. The novel follows Eddie on a tumultuous journey to rescue his mother Darlene, who's drug addiction has led her to a life of forced labor at a work camp. Darlene's drug addiction serves as the main catalyst for the novel, affecting her relationships with her family members and herself. So much so, that most of the chapters exploring Darlene's life are narrated by Scotty, a personified version of crack/cocaine. The courage and vulnerability displayed by Hannaham's characters makes them easily identifiable to readers.  

 An Untamed State by Roxane Gay

In this slow-burning drama, Roxane Gay, crafts a powerful tale that explores the history of government corruption in Haiti. Strong-willed, Mireille is living what appears to be the perfect life. The youngest daughter of a wealthy Haitian businessman, she has never wanted for anything. Things quickly spiral out of control when Mireille is kidnapped for ransom, while vacationing in Haiti with her family. Gay uses vivid imagery to describe the dank and desolate conditions of Haiti; the physical setting is used to enhance the overall dark tone of the novel.  Readers will find themselves rooting for Mireille as she attempts to stay resilient in the face of tragic circumstance. An Untamed State examines how redemption can found in the most unexpected of places.

Orange Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice

With its dramatic characters and emotionally moving story line, Orange Mint and Honey takes readers on a journey to explore the depths of the mother, daughter relationship. Depressed and overwhelmed from college, character Shay is encouraged to take a break and seek solace at home. Reluctant to face the strained relationships of her past, Shay attempts to reconnect with her estranged mother. Brice's characters are at times dysfunctional, but still manage to be sympathetic and exhibit great strength when met with daily challenges. This 21st century, "coming of age" story, will touch readers as they see parts of themselves and their own relationships in the characters.  

Week 1: What I Already Know

If  I'm being honest, the title of this assignment made me a tad nervous. Let's just say that I'm no expert in the world of readers' advisory. However, after being able to recognize many of the book covers from the online quiz, it appeared that I had more skills than I originally thought! But as with all skill sets, there is always room for growth. For me to grow in my new role, I must be open to new learning experiences as well as new challenges. Which brings me to why I chose "Stop You're Killing Me" and "Goodreads" as my resource picks. In the assignment summary, it is suggested that we use this training as an opportunity to get familiar with a genre that we typically wouldn't read. Of course, I took this advice and dived right into the world of "mystery". Here at the Rosedale branch, customers are constantly asking "have you read any good mysteries lately?" And sadly, I always inform them that I'm not too familiar with the genre. I'm hoping that by choosing a resource that focuses on this area, I'll be able to develop more knowledge and better connect with my community. And who knows, maybe I'll find a hidden love for Patricia Cornwell?

The story behind why I chose "Goodreads" is a little less courageous. I preferred the layout of their site over the other options. Plus, I guess it helped that I already have a "Goodreads" account :)