Reader’s Advisory Training

By

Brenda Hostettler

Reader’s Advisory Training

1. Why we do reader’s advisory

2. Reader’s advisory skills

3. The reader’s advisory interview

4. The different genres

5. The paranormal genre

6. The urban fantasy genre

Why do we do Reader’s Advisory?

•To connect readers with authors•To get patrons more involved with the library •To promote the library’s collection• To promote reading and literacy

Skills of Reader’s Advisory

•Become familiar with genres and series •Have knowledge of patrons•Have a commitment to serving patrons in the library•Master the reader’s advisory interview

•Use phrases like “Tell me what kind of books you like to read”•Use open ended questions which require an answer instead of Yes or No answers

The Reader’s Advisory Interview

•Suggest books to patrons, but don’t recommend them•Follow up by asking “Be sure to let us know how you liked the book?”

The Reader’s Advisory Interview

continued…

•Espionage•Historical•Historical Romance•Horror•Inspirational•Mystery•Paranormal Romance

The Different Genres

•Inspirational•Romance•Science Fiction•Suspense•True Crime•Urban Fantasy•Western

The Different Genres

Paranormal Romance

The Paranormal Romance Genre is popular with

teens because of the Twilight

series by Stephanie Meyer

Are you for Team Edward or Team Jacob?

Paranormal Romance

Is a love story involving paranormal characters like vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, and other fantastical creatures.

Paranormal Ratings

In book reviews, adult paranormal romance paperbacks are often given ratings such as “scorcher” for erotic graphic sex, or “hot” for explicit sex.

Paranormal VS Urban Fantasy

It is difficult to define the exact differences between urban fantasy and paranormal fiction.

Paranormal DefinitionIn paranormal, the story is centered on romance as the main theme, and characters must include paranormals. Each book has a new hero and heroine couple, and there must be a happy ending.

Urban Fantasy Definition

In urban fantasy, the story has a main theme of horror, and no happy ending. The main character is usually a chic who wears leather and kicks butt. There can be a sub-plot love story, but it is ongoing with problems, or the character has many love affairs.

What types of characters are in

paranormal romance books?

•Clairvoyants•Demons•Fairies•Ghosts •Gods & Goddesses

•Immortals

•Shapeshifters•Valkyrie•Vampires•Werewolves•Witches• Others…

Some Paranormal Authors •Sherrilyn Kenyon

•Katie MacAlister• Susan Sizemore•Maggie Shayne•Kerrelyn Sparks

•Amanda Ashley•Rhyannon Byrd•Kresley Cole•Lori Devoti•Lori Handeland

Some Urban Fantasy Authors •Jill Myles

•Gena Showalter•Nalini Singh•Eileen Wilks

•Allison Brennan •Rachel Caine•Laurell K Hamilton•Charlaine Harris