Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776187 times)

jane · « **Reply #2520 on:** November 11, 2011, 04:12:43 PM »

This is the place to talk about the works of fiction you are reading, whether they are new or old, and share your own opinions and reviews with interested readers.

Every week the new bestseller lists come out brimming with enticing looking books and rave reviews. How to choose?

Discussion Leader: Judy Laird

jane · « **Reply #2521 on:** November 11, 2011, 04:14:52 PM »

Tomereader....Do they use tags on the spines to distinguish the various genres...or do you have to use the catalog to find those?

Frybabe · « **Reply #2522 on:** November 11, 2011, 05:21:25 PM »

On the copyright page of a book I used to see, quite often, a category listing for the book. Sometimes more than one category was listed. I don't see that listed very often in the new books. I miss it, because I always found it helpful when placing my own books on shelves. I tend to place by subject area. It sounds like people are either getting lazy about categorizing or there is categories are becoming blurred with so many "crossover" genres that many books are difficult to place in one or another. The latter, I think, would affect mostly fiction genres.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #2523 on:** November 11, 2011, 06:46:53 PM »

Only a few of the books have tags on the spines. The sci-fi's mostly do, and some of the westerns. A few of the mysteries are tagged with a Sherlock Holmes sticker. General fiction usually just has a "F" on a tag. In these days of no budget, no staff, I guess it's just easier to put everything alphabetically by author so the volunteers won't have a hard time re-shelving.

JeanneP · « **Reply #2524 on:** November 11, 2011, 07:03:12 PM »

A good library would have a better system. Would make it easier for them to file the books and also for people to find what they are looking for. Must be a very small library with few volunteers.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #2525 on:** November 11, 2011, 08:49:12 PM »

Yes, it's hardcopies that confuse me in our library, Lisa Scottoline is in fiction, altho there is a huge section for mysteries. They have a separate room for paperbacks where there are sections for westerns, romance, mystery and fiction.

Speaking of making things easier for the customers....... Another woman and i were both looking for books that were on the bottom shelves of the stacks. I suggested to the librarian that they put in verticle rolling shelves like they have for files in doctors offices

. The books i'm looking for are inevitably on the top or bottom -the worst! - shelves. How nice it would be to press a button and have the shelf come to eye level, don't you think that could be done!?!

actually, since they getting ready to build a brand new library, maybe i'll talk it up some more.

maryz · « **Reply #2526 on:** November 11, 2011, 10:20:31 PM »

The rolling shelving sounds great - unfortunately, libraries are always the last to get money and the first to get cut. There's rarely enough money for anything more than the basics with the lowest bid.

nlhome · « **Reply #2527 on:** November 11, 2011, 10:31:34 PM »

Yes, money for anything in a library is hard to come by right now.

Our library puts all adult fiction together - they used to be separated but it is a hard call to make - for example, is it mystery, suspense, a novel, or all three, or if set in the old West, a western, or maybe romantic suspense? As a stack browser, I appreciate having them all together (the better for serendipity?). The regular paperbacks are separated into Westerns, mysteries, romance, Sci-Fi. And then there is the large print section. And never enough room - so yes, those rotating shelves would be nice - The bottom shelf is hard to reach, the top shelf doesn't work with my bifocals....

Steph · « **Reply #2528 on:** November 12, 2011, 06:09:34 AM »

I once found a library where the chief librarian not only filed everything under general fiction, but insisted on filing it under their real names, not their pen names, talk about confusing to the general public..

Babi · « **Reply #2529 on:** November 12, 2011, 08:28:52 AM »

JEAN, I had to smile at your description of Roberts 'formulaic' story.
My ex once remarked of a Western writer that he had three great books, ...
and that he had written each of them a hundred times!
And I share your puzzlement as to how books are categorized in the
libraries. I think the formula changed from time to time, leaving us wholly
bewildered. I remember the old card catalogs would identify the various
genres under which that book could be listed. A book could be Historical
Fiction, Western and Mystery.

Careful what you wish for, JANE. For a while, at least, my library was
categorizing books written under an author's various pen names under his/her
real name. Sometimes made it hard to find your favorites.
Yes, staff is being lost. Two employees have 'retired' where I volunteer,
and others seem to be working fewer days. Just the other day, tho', the
city started delivering the large black garbage bags again. I could only hope
that meant the budget situation was improving.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #2530 on:** November 12, 2011, 11:03:53 AM »

No, Jeanne, ours is NOT a small library. We have 27 branches and a massive main library downtown.

And volunteers are practically all we have on a regular basis. They got rid of all the "pages", who were employees, and cut staff to 4 or 5 in each branch. Even some floors of the main library are closed down.

When the City cuts the Budget, libraries, parks and recreation and sanitation services are the first to go. And they have done two major cuts since last year.

pedln · « **Reply #2531 on:** November 12, 2011, 02:23:57 PM »

I'm a retired high school librarian and we housed (intermingled

) all the fiction together. One of the first things the kids learned when they came for orientation was that all the MCs and MACs were together, otherwise all fiction was alphbetically by author. For specific genres they used the catalog. Just like the kid who wanted to read all the sports fiction that the library had. We did some cataloging, but most of our books came alreay catalogued, and we left them alone unless they put something like sports or music in biography and we wanted them in the sports and music areas where they were more easily found.

As for the public library, we're lucky here that we have a library tax, which the city can't cut. The hours have not been cut, the programming is good. I don't know about employment, but the familiar faces are still there.

They do have separate genre shelving for mystery, sci-fi and westerns, but as has been mentioned, sometimes it's a tough call. If I know what I'm after I usually just check the catalog from home, or browse in the new book display. And "holds" are always in a special section ready to be retrieved.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #2532 on:** November 12, 2011, 02:56:19 PM »

If it weren't for the Friends of the Library, at each branch, we would be in really bad shape. The Friends get the speakers, arrange adult programs, buy materials, etc.

Actually, earlier I forgot to mention: When you check out now, unless you use the automatic checkout machines (which are super!) you no longer get a paper receipt showing which book, when due... I'm not sure if all the branches have the automatics yet, but they are nice and prevent standing in long lines (since there's not much staff). Oh, woe is us...BUT thank God we still have LIBRARIES, and we put up with whatever the budgetary gurus foist upon us. We always have remarkable turnout when they have town hall meetings regarding cuts to libraries, etc., but they'll add just a little something, yet go right on with their slicing and dicing!

Judy Laird · « **Reply #2533 on:** November 12, 2011, 10:54:24 PM »

Just finished a book I really liked.
The Notorius Mrs Winston by Mary Macky,
Its very well researched and what fun I had reading it.
My book store is looking for her other books for me.
This one was not on my Kindle but a real book hehe

Steph · « **Reply #2534 on:** November 13, 2011, 06:24:25 AM »

JUdy, what type of book.. I have never heard of the author and want to know if it is something I would like.. Well researched.. on what??

Babi · « **Reply #2535 on:** November 13, 2011, 08:38:06 AM »

"I've gotten in the habit of doing that, PEDLN,..checking the library
catalog from home. It has saved me many a fruitless trip. I've learned to
take note, also, of the number of volumes on hand. I was surprised at how
often I found a book listed, but the details showed '0' books available.
Presumably these are 'lost' books that remain in the catalog in hopes they
will turn up. And some of them do.

My library uses the little date stickers, TOME. I much prefer them to the
paper receipts, tho' we get those, too. I can't lose the date stickers. $:-\$

maryz · « **Reply #2536 on:** November 13, 2011, 11:47:55 AM »

Babi, I just went to our library's online catalog to look for a book. It, too, showed "0" books available. As I looked around the "box" for that book, I saw that it was a paperback - hence not able to be reserved. Oh, well....

Steph · « **Reply #2537 on:** November 14, 2011, 06:05:32 AM »

Our library is big on best sellers, but lots of back books by the author.. no.. drives me nuts.

Babi · « **Reply #2538 on:** November 14, 2011, 08:10:54 AM »

My pet peeve with library selections is when they buy a couple of books from a series, but
seemingly at random. If like a series I want to read them all, in sequence, without having to
miss #1 and #3!

ursamajor · « **Reply #2539 on:** November 14, 2011, 09:29:40 AM »

Try ordering the missing books from Amazon used. They cost nearly nothing in addition to the standard postage of $3.95. It irks me that they won't give a quantity discount when you order three or four, though.

MaryPage · « **Reply #2540 on:** November 14, 2011, 09:33:18 AM »

I like to read all books of a series in order, too, Babi.

This coming Saturday night the LIFE channel is going to show a movie of a Jodie Picoult book called Salem Falls.

Steph · « **Reply #2541 on:** November 15, 2011, 06:09:17 AM »

My paperback swap club is great for older books, so I use that. I have a lot of credits built up. I love science fictionand that in a swap book club is like found money. They get snapped up immediately.

salan · « **Reply #2542 on:** November 18, 2011, 06:06:27 PM »

My ftf book club met yesterday. Our book discussion was on Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks. There were only 8 of us present at the meeting. Only 4 of us had completed the book. 3 liked it. I did not. It was well written, but I found it boring and really hard to pick up once I put it down. I ended up listening to the last third on cd while I travelled to my family reunion. 4 of the members were still in the process of reading the book; so I suspect that they were also having trouble getting interested in the story. Have any of you read it; and what did you think?
Sally

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #2543 on:** November 19, 2011, 05:48:17 AM »

Sally, I haven't read it so i just had a look at it on Amazon (UK). It gets some good customer reviews, but one of the less positive ones says that the book was boring and the audio book absolutely terrible because of Jennifer Ehle's appalling narration. Did you find that?

Rosemary

Steph · « **Reply #2544 on:** November 19, 2011, 06:30:00 AM »

Do not have Calebs crossing and do not even know what it is about..
So I cant answer.. But I am reading Middlesex and although the reviews were somewhat strange in places, I am enjoying it a lot..Did we do a book group on it??

Babi · « **Reply #2545 on:** November 19, 2011, 08:57:25 AM »

I read Caleb's Crossing and found it engrossing, though sad in many ways. It seems
to be one of those books that depend on individual tastes, I guess. Like liver. (I like
liver, too. Except beef liver...too strong.)

salan · « **Reply #2546 on:** November 19, 2011, 10:42:37 AM »

Rosemary, I found the book easier to listen to than to read--maybe because I was trapped in my car!!

Babi, I like liver, too; but Caleb's Crossing left me cold. It didn't really tell me anything I didn't know, and wasn't really about Caleb.

Just checked out Night Circus. It has been given good reviews. Have any of you read it?
Sally

marjifay · « **Reply #2547 on:** November 19, 2011, 10:57:21 AM »

I read a couple of Brooks' books that were DNF for me, and decided I wouldn't read any more of hers. Not very interesting, IMO.

Marj

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #2548 on:** November 19, 2011, 01:26:40 PM »

Yes, Night Circus is magical - hard to find a message except small truths along the way but the writer can paint pictures with words that take you into fairy land.

Octavia · « **Reply #2549 on:** November 19, 2011, 11:56:45 PM »

I've been re-reading The Children's Hour, I love that book. I have The Library of Shadows from the Library, but the beginning isn't grabbing me, perhaps it'll get better as I move into the main story. Has anyone read it?

Steph · « **Reply #2550 on:** November 20, 2011, 06:15:26 AM »

Ihave heard that Night Circus is good and have it on my look at list.. Middlesex is staggering at various points. Too much information is hard sometimes. I have to stop reading it to just figure out where he is going and why..

Babi · « **Reply #2551 on:** November 20, 2011, 09:47:49 AM »

SALLY, you must know much more about the early settlers and Indians of Mass. and
the beginnings of Harvard than I did. I learned so much. I was fascinated that the
people of that time referred to the Indians as 'salvages', not savages!

I think I need to put myself on the waiting list for "Night Circus", BARB. I keep finding
it 'checked out'.

MaryPage · « **Reply #2552 on:** November 20, 2011, 12:17:22 PM »

I have not read Night Circus, but have a son-in-law who did and he passed it on to me asking me to pass it on to the one of my daughters who did her Junior Year in France and now teaches High School French. He said something to the affect that she would love the book for the portions that take place in France?

I did pass it on. Said daughter has not had time to even begin it, so nothing to report. He lived it; that I do know.

Steph · « **Reply #2553 on:** November 21, 2011, 05:57:32 AM »

On the last 100 pages of Middlesex.. Hmm and it won the Pulitzer.. not sure why.. It staggers all over the place..Hinting.. blaring...frustrating at times. I like it, but do not think of it as an outstanding for the year novel.

serenesheila · « **Reply #2554 on:** November 21, 2011, 07:36:09 PM »

STEPH, I just began reading "Middlesex". I have heard so many people saying they read it, that I decided to try it for myself. Are you glad, or sorry, to have read it?

LARRY, what is the little blue ribbon, in the upper right hand corner of our Kindle Fire do? I have read the Kindle guide book at least half a dozen times, but still cannot do most of the things it is capable of doing!

Sheila

Steph · « **Reply #2555 on:** November 22, 2011, 06:22:59 AM »

Sheila, Middlesex is an interesting book.. Very odd in some ways, but worth reading. He is very very wordy, so you wade through some descriptions that seem far out.. No idea how much is true history and how much is fiction,, but I am glad I read it.

ursamajor · « **Reply #2556 on:** November 29, 2011, 12:35:54 PM »

I suggest to everybody that they google their legal name in quotes, ie "Jane M. Doe" and see what turns up. When I googled mine I found that all my personal information had been hacked and was available online on a Russian website. I have been scrambling around changing credit card numbers and freezing credit to prevent this from being used to steal my identity. As far as I can tell it has not been used, but the citation is still there and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it. We contacted the Dept. of Justice Cybercrime Unit and got what amounts to the cockroach letter. There were many, many other people on the database with their personal information exposed. It appears that various hackers have stolen the information from multiple sites and posted it as a matter of bragging. This is very distressing but at least since I know it is exposed I can take steps to prevent damage to my credit.

jane · « **Reply #2557 on:** November 29, 2011, 05:08:23 PM »

Ursa...one of the reasons we "locked" our credit at the big 3 credit checking sources several years ago. It cost us $10.00 each at each of the big 3, but nobody can take out credit cards in our name this way. If we want new cards or want our credit checked (we don't), we have special forms and such we have to send them and pay to unlock it. It's been peace of mind, though.

We go on the assumption nothing about us is private. I check our credit card statement both online and the paper one we get to make sure no unauthorized charges are there. We bank with a locally owned bank that has no branches. I walk in and am greeted by name everytime. I can see the President and he's the head of the fmaily owned business(and know him by name) in his office that has glass walls and is right inside the front door.

jane

BarbStAubrey · « **Reply #2558 on:** November 29, 2011, 05:20:19 PM »

Ouch - I Know we are warned but it must be devastating to learn the warnings are true and they happen to you. Just checked and where I was surprised about some of what is online - our posts here on Senior Learn for instance bottom line there was nothing damaging. Thanks for the Tip and so sorry this happened to you.

Steph · « **Reply #2559 on:** November 30, 2011, 06:17:10 AM »

It is remarkable what is on line and how old some of it is.. I found things there that were maybe four email addresses ago. Mostly genealogy for me..Incorrect address in several places.. I guess things go there and stick..

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Author Topic: Fiction ~ Old ~ New ~ Best Sellers #2 (Read 776187 times)