What do you like to read?

Reader development - it sounds rather ominous I know.  But it's what I'm focused on at work at the moment.  I'm almost finished an online course (Frontline - Reader Development), which tries to focus on what readers want from their library opposed to what we give them and in turn - how we present it to them.  I've been doing lots of little displays, (which I should've taken photo's of), some of which have gone really well and a couple that have kinda tanked.

So what is it that you want from your library? Are you getting it from them?  Is it easy for you to find or do you have to go looking?  Do you know all the ins and outs of your library?

I know that as a reader, I can find my library lacking in some areas, a lot of the time we buy what we think our readers want, not what they actually want.  It can be hard to pick the right things, especially if you don't get feedback from patrons.  There are a select few patrons that know they can request items, but a lot of them aren't aware that it's a service we provide.  So that obsure love of Swedish poetry is not likely to be catered for - unless you ask for it.  But if you only read the latest 'best seller' we will no doubt have you covered.

As a staff member - I recommend books that I read to a few patrons, because I know they read the same thing.  The problem that I have is that for the most part, I buy my books, I don't get them through the library.  So I'm in a position where I will say: "XXXX author is awesome, you should definately try them!"  Then they're like: "Cool. Where are their books?" and I'm all: O.o - we don't got none. Sorry.

I, (along with another staff member who reads the same thing), have been trying to make extra effort to request the books that we read as well as buy our own copies.  And we're lucky that the genre we read the most, (romance - of all flavours), is popular and the books that we've requested so far, are getting lots of use.  I'm all for going that little bit extra, espcially when I know there are poeple who appreciate/will use it.

I guess the big thing I've learnt is if you want something from your library, you gotta ask - it's the only way to get it.  Otherwise, for the most part we'll keep buying crap that no one really reads - but hey, at least it looks pretty.  The other thing is that libraries need to think outside the box, we might not be charging you, but if we start thinking like retailers we're more likely to attract buyers (or in a libraries case - hirers!).

Something to ponder as we come to the end of another Hump Day, hope it's been fun for you.  I'm off to enjoy some poetry slam, until next time here's wishing you lovely things.

C.

Take the Cake by Sandra Wright

This review was originally published on the Australia Romance Readers Association blog.

Sometimes you just have to take life one cupcake at a time.  A story of delicious cupcakes and sweet, sweet romance. 

Kate Shannon is happy with the way things are. She has no love life to speak of, but what she does have is a successful cupcake shop in Greenwich Village. Michael Forrester has gone from enjoying the thrill of success to wallowing in the depths of despair. After writing a number of critically acclaimed novels, he has writer’s block.
What happens next is what you get when you combine friendship, cupcakes and good coffee with a substance called ‘the eternal breath’, all mixed up in a city like New York. Forget what you know about love, and Take the Cake.

What initially drew me to this book was all the cupcake action and the promise of a fun contemporary romance. Not only did Ms Wright deliver, but I got a great story, with lots of laughs and characters I enjoyed reading about. I loved the daily ritual of Wren’s quote fitting the girls’ moods and Kate’s matching cupcake. The banter between them and Emily, one of the other girls who works in the café, was well written and believable. I could see myself working there—Ms Wright captures the day to day well. Take the Cake reminded me of that perfect romantic comedy that we all love to watch. It was lots of fun to read. I also enjoyed the blossoming secondary romance between Wren and Michael’s friend David.

The build up between Kate and Michael was how I like to eat my cupcakes—in small bites, starting from the bottom and saving that tooth achingly sweet icing for last. Both were likeable characters and you wanted them to find their HEA. Overall, Take the Cake was lots of fun and well written, and I look forward to more by Sandra Wright. And for those cupcake aficionados out there, check out Sandra’s website—there are recipes for the cupcakes mentioned in the book.

C.

Weekly Hotboy - Inspirational Edition

I haven't done a Weekly Hotboy post for a while and I was chatting on Twitter today about hot boys providing inspiration.  So this post is for Rhian, may it inspire many, many words!!  I have the lovely Google Images to thank for all the salty goodness - enjoy - I know I am :)

 

Tom Hardy

Jensen Ackles 

 

 Charlie Hunnam

 

 Karl Urban

James Franco

C.

Sloppy Jones. Wonder cat, part time puppy & fearless defender of the 'hood.

Here's my girl, in her fave position, next to me in bed. I read, she sleeps.  It's a hard life, being a cat.

I think it's official - Sloppy has gone for good.  I'd been hoping she would just turn up one day, be there meowing her displeasure at being kept waiting by her inept human.  But it's been around two months now and I've not seen her at all.  She hadn't been well, a constant cold and mouth ulcer had been annoying her for weeks, plus she'd been loosing weight.  I'm terribly sad, she was such a lovely cat.  She used to drive me barking with all her meowing.  I think she was the loudest, most expressive cat I'd ever met, not to mention her belief that she was a rather large dog.  Wil and Sam can now relax - no more getting beaten up by a cat!  But for all my annoyance, I would never trade her in.  I miss her lots and wish she was here.  I loves you moo shoo, to the moon and back.

Sloppy kicking back on my lap.

Cheers to the best meow in the world, Sloppy xoxo

C.

Dewey by Vicki Myron

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I knew from the start that this would end sadly.  But I enjoyed reading about Dewey's escapades.  Who doesn't love a cat that can primp on demand!  And it was the stories about his fun with Vicki and the library patrons that I loved the most.  I used to play chasey with my cat Sloppy and this brought back lots of memories.  This wasn't fantastically written, but it was a fun read, (well up until about Ch. 26), then I was balling my eyes out, trying to see the floor while I was vacuuming. It doesn't help that I'm still feeling sorry for myself because Sloppy has gone missing.  Would I read it again - no, but I'm glad I read it.  The picture book is hella cute, with lovely illustrations.


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Buzz Off by Hannah Reed

Buzz Off by Hannah  Reed
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I picked this up at work, first because I liked the cover, then the blurb got me.  This sounded like a fun read and it was to a certain extent.  I loved the beekeeping side of things and enjoyed the tourist side of Wisconsin.  What I didn't really like the bullet points, I understand this is how story thinks, but it got old fast.  I liked even less how her sister talks in abbreviated speech, BRB, OMG, TTYL - ugh!  Annoying.  I did love the relationship between Story and her beau, they were high school sweethearts and are slowly getting it back together.  I've started the next one, something I'd like to see as the series progresses is more of the mystery side of things.  Overall, an easy weekend read.


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Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

 Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small American town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. She’s secretive, on edge. Over time she forms a relationship with the general store owner and his two kids.

I haven’t read one of Sparks’ books for ages, but I really enjoyed this. While it was still romance, it seemed like a bit of departure from his usual. I liked the alternating chapters between Katie and Kevin, giving perspectives from both characters, even if Kevin is a six pack short of a slab. I can’t imagine going through/surviving spousal abuse, but I think Sparks’ writing treated the subject well, it didn’t seem contrived and I thought the relationship between Katie and Alex was sweet. It may be that I haven’t read one of his for a while, but it doesn’t seem as formulaic as some of his work. As any author on a best selling list, he seems to churn them out and I know I stopped reading him because I didn’t think some of the stories were as strong as his earlier novels.

Apparently this has been optioned as a movie and I do love me a Nicholas Sparks movie adaption, I'm still waiting for The Lucky One, with a hella buff Zac Efron to come out.  Popcorn dinner here I come!

C.