New Blog/Database Idea: For Librarians and Authors

Over on Twitter, I saw this tweet from an author I follow

Lindsey Leavitt 

@lindseyleavitt

So my traditionally published MG novel came out 7 weeks ago. I have yet to receive a trade review. My 2010 MG debut had 8 reviews. With 0 reviews, it dramatically lowers my shot at awards or making state lists. Some school districts require a positive review for visits now.

This is her new book which I'm excited to read:

And after that, my brain started firing. If the journals can't review all the books, then maybe we could do something to help. I have reviewed for journals and in NO WAY am I trying to take away from them.

Could we have a super blog/database of books reviewed by librarians for librarians???

What Librarians Get:

A place where professionals review books. There will be positive reviews of books, so they can achieve the 2+ rule (if required.)

What Authors Get:

A place where professionals review books.

How it *might* work:

We have a core group who manage the site. 

We have board books thru YA books reviewed.  

We have a team of reviewers who follow the same format for each review.

We have critical reviews, but not negative reviews. (This worked but that didn't)

You could cross post on your own blog or social media platforms.

The reviews would be archived and tagged. 

There could be topical booklists by ages.

As this would be a community blog/database, I don't have all the answers, so please tell me your thoughts! 

Authors - would this help?

Librarians would this help?

Librarian Giveaway: The Summer My Life Began

Do you work in a high school or public library?* If yes, this contest is for YOU

It's about a girl whose life changes the summer she graduates from high school before heading to college. Check out my review for more details.

One lucky librarian will win an ARC (perfect for a Summer Reading prize) 

of The Summer My Life Began.

To Enter:

Leave a comment with your email address by Friday May 18th at midnight EST

* must be in the US

Tween (Middle Grade) Reads survey

 

If you're a librarian - please consider taking this short survey:

The Eastern CT YA Librarian Round Table met last week to discuss tween reads.

We put together a booklist: http://ecya.wordpress.com/book-lists/#Middle%20Grade%20%28Tween%20Reads%29
But in talking about these books, we had a series of questions about placement, duplicates, and others.
I put together a quick survey. - six questions.  If you have the time, please take it. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JJF89LR


THANKS!

Creating Nonreaders

Here's a hilarious post from Meg Cabot about reading and forced reading in schools. I'm of the same opinion.

Plus I once had a librarian ask me if I was going to read anything other than Babysitter Club books for the year. I was annoyed and I think I took out two as an act of rebellion. But at that age (6th grade), there wasn't much for me that I liked. There were these books that had a heroine and always two guys on the cover. She had to choose between the two men - they were mostly historical fiction. I think I read all those too.

Someone came into the library three weeks ago and for help gathering books. She described one book as a Catcher in the Rye book meets... and I had to tell her I never read that book. I tried it, but it never took.

I've long gotten over reading books I don't enjoy. There's just too many great books out there on my list to read that I can't even bother wasting my time.

I hated reading for high school. I stopped reading a bit in high school because it was so dull. I never "understood" what the author was obviously saying. This happened through college where I had my into to English course. I hated that professor because he said that shyness wouldn't count towards your participation grade - but it totally did (I'm wicked shy). I never understood what he was talking about. I NEVER got the short stories we talked about. I almost changed majors because clearly I was in the wrong place. I don't remember what changed my mind, but there were other English that I did enjoy.

I see teens coming into the library looking for summer reading books with their parents and half of them want the shortest book on the list - they don't even care what it's about. The other half want something interesting. There's also the other section and many people choose not to have that option of reading anything you choose - but to stick to something on the list. I never understood that because if you're forced to read - it might as well be something you're interested in.

Book Lists

Today and Yesterday I spent putting together a list of teen books into categories. The lists are primarily books that are currently in my library -but might not reflect new books.

Happy National Library Week pt. 2

10 former Librarians you might never have guessed:
(I only knew 2)

Happy National Library Week

To all my fellow librarians, this post is for you. Here's a short celebration of librarians in movies from EW. There are two I'd like to add - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade:












along with Rupert Giles from Buffy:Here are some best librarian picks from them

I stumbled across this:

At a recent library conference, librarians proved once again they ROCK!


Style from the Stacks:
Project Runway at ILA Book jacket met evening jacket. MARC records met Marc Jacobs. The library world met the fashion world on Thursday, 25 September at the ILA Annual Conference. Conceived by 2008 ILA Annual Conference Program Committee member Maria Pontillas of the Glenview Public Library, the event was based on the popular Bravo Television series, Project Runway. Library staff members were encouraged to submit design proposals inspired by libraries and literature

Here are my two favorites:

Schaumburg Township District Library
Carrie Van Eaton, "Book Jacket"

Cicero Public Library
Victoria Correa, "Party Librarian"


You can visit the rest here.