The majority of adult fiction, mysteries and science fiction
is ordered for the library based on reviews. I regularly
read Booklist, Library Journal, and Publisher’s Weekly. In addition, I subscribe to several on-line
review sources and also check the reviews in People and the Sunday edition of
the Star Ledger. Whatever I am reading,
I look for reviews. The reference staff
checks a variety of bestseller lists.
Yes, we do our homework before a book is shelved and available to our patrons.
Reviews can be very straightforward and even forceful, the reviewer may command,
"All public libraries should buy this book!"
Reviewers are sometimes very polite and
use phrases such as,
"Nice but not essential," or imply the book might not be
the author’s very best effort.
Reviewers
can be absolutely brutal,
"No public
library should buy this book!"
Frequently, the reviews are puzzling and offer no real guidance or
indication of who the intended audience might be.
The following snippets caught my eye this morning:
" … sensitive
readers may not get past the foul language…"
"…if her
novel has any weakness, it’s a lack of plot and character development…"
'"…recommended
for fans and those who’ve enjoyed a good cookie table…"
"…fun if
gruesome horror read…"
"…gets off
to a strong, compelling start but loses its way midpoint…"
"…her
novel’s startling ending may leave some readers scratching their heads…"
"…readers
will find that all their tears are worth it…."
Would you read any of those books?
Oh well, back to reading reviews and trying to find the right books for your library.
Related websites:
S. Bakos
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