Diana Tixier Herald, "Genreflecting: A Guide to Popular Reading Interests (6th Edition)"
Libraries Unlimited | 6th Edition | 2006 | ISBN: 1591582865 | 584 pages | siPDF | 11.8 MB
Libraries Unlimited | 6th Edition | 2006 | ISBN: 1591582865 | 584 pages | siPDF | 11.8 MB
For the past 150 years America's public libraries have supplied billions of books to billions of people, and most of those books have been (and continue to be) popular fiction. This new edition of Genreflecting explains not only what library patrons are reading, but why. In the process, it casts reading in a new light that demonstrates how it functions as an essential information service that creates communities in culturally democratic ways.
Focusing on what today's readers read, this classic guide introduces you to current genre fiction and popular reading tastes. By defining genres, describing their features and characteristics, and grouping titles by genre, subgenre, and theme, the book helps those who work with readers to understand distinct patterns in reading habits and book selection; and it allows users to identify "read-alikes" and other titles their patrons will enjoy.
Genreflecting has become a standard reference and readers' advisory tool for library practitioners and an insightful text for students of library and information science. Building upon previous editions, this new volume features informative essays on the essence, history, and latest trends of various genres, contributed by top scholars and genre experts and edited by Dr. Wayne Wiegand.
New chapters on Christian fiction and emerging genres (women's fiction and "chick lit") have been added. In addition, more than 5,000 titles, approximately one-third new to this edition, are classified, focusing on titles published since the last edition along with perennial classics and benchmark titles. The popular feature "D's Picks" identifies new and noteworthy titles in each genre.
Other features new to this edition include lists of selected "classic" authors and titles in each of the genres, sections on "genreblends" in those areas where they occur (e.g., horror/humor, mystery/romance), and three new essays. "The Social Nature of Reading" by Dr. Wiegand, "The Readers' Advisory Interview" by Dr. Catherine Ross, and "A Brief History of Readers' Advisory" by Melanie A. Kimball offer further insight into the nature and importance of this field.
A standard professional tool for readers' advisors and an invaluable collection development guide and text, this is a must-purchase for all libraries.
From the Back Cover
With hundreds of thousands of books being published each year, it is difficult to keep abreast of current genre fiction and popular reading tastes. This classic guide helps.
By defining genres, describing their features and characteristics, and grouping titles by genre, subgenre. and theme, the book helps those who work with readers understand distinct patterns in reading habits and book selection; and allows users to identify "read-alikes" and other titles their patrons will enjoy.
In addition, more than 5,000 titles—approximately one-third new to this edition—are classified, focusing on titles published since the last edition along with perennial classics and henchmark titles. The popular feature "D's Picks" identifies new and noteworthy titles in the genre, while features new to this edition include:
- Lists of selected "classic" authors and titles in each of the genres
- Chapters on Christian fiction and emerging genres (women's fiction and "chick lit")
- Sections on "genreblends" in those areas where they occur (e.g., horror/humor, mystery/romance)
- Three new essays by genre experts and the foremost proponents of readers' advisory that shed further insight into the nature and importance of this field
Genreflecting, in its fourth edition, is still a good book for all libraries that serve fiction readers. Most librarians depend on this title to cover such popular genres as crime, adventure, romance, science fiction, fantasy, and horror, defining each along with its many subgenres and listing good books in each category.
Much material remains unchanged from the third edition (1991), but new features include the subgenre "Legal Thriller" ; the division of "Thriller" into "Crime" and "Adventure"; and more diversity in detectives of various cultures and persuasions, reflecting this situation in the novels themselves. Another new feature is "D's Picks," in which the author, a life-long reader of genre fiction, shares her favorite titles in each genre. A sampling of the chapter on Westerns revealed 33 authors or titles dropped in this edition (older titles not likely to be available in libraries) and 13 added. New sections are "Precontact Indians" and "Inspirational Westerns," while "Cowboy Songs" and "Horse Operas" (books about cowboy films) were dropped.
Although Genreflecting was originally designed for library school students familiarizing themselves with genre fiction, the work is perfect for librarians and patrons searching for "good reads." Besides information on authors and titles, there is background material on each genre (anthologies, bibliographies and encyclopedias, history and criticism, organizations, publishers, etc.). Highly recommended where information on genre fiction is sought.
Contents
AcknowledgmentsTags: ReadingLists, Literature
Part I: Introduction to Popular Reading Interests
Chapter 1: Introduction: "On the Social Nature of Reading" – Wayne A. Wiegand
Chapter 2: A Brief History of Readers' Advisory – Melanie A. Kimball
Chapter 3: The Readers' Advisory Interview – Catherine Sheldrick Ross
Chapter 4: Serving Today's Reader – Diana Tixier Herald
Part II: The Genres
Chapter 5: Historical Fiction
Chapter 6: Westerns
Chapter 7: Crime
Chapter 8: Adventure
Chapter 9: Romance
Chapter 10: Science Fiction
Chapter 11: Fantasy
Chapter 12: Horror
Chapter 13: Christian Fiction
Chapter 14: Emerging Genres – Diana Tixier Herald
Author / Title Index
Subject Index
About the Contributors
About the Author and Editor
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