One of the most interesting parts of a librarian’s job is also one of the most challenging: helping a patron to find something satisfying to read. In the library world it is known as Readers’ Advisory. Capital Letters no less. Every local, state and national conference I’ve ever attended had at least one session on Readers’ Advisory. Often, those sessions are even more specific: RA for Romance Readers, RA for Mystery Fans, etc. All those years when I was a library patron but not a library employee, I never once thought to ask a librarian to help me find a book to read.
For one thing, I’ve read a lot of books. I figured if I asked for assistance, she would be sure to recommend stuff that I had already read. Goodness knows, I’ve often settled down in my easy chair to read, only to discover that the new book I’ve chosen is one that I have already read. Besides, if I didn’t know what I was looking for; how could I explain it to someone else?
Often times, the best way to find something to read is to decide how you want to feel. Do you want something that will entertain you for a while? Do you want something that makes you feel glad to be you? Do you want something to take you back to your early adulthood, or even to your childhood? When you have answered that question, then ask yourself : do I want to learn something, too? Do I want a challenge? Do I want to be confronted with an ethical question with which to take sides?
Let’s say that you are in the mood for a book that will entertain you in the evenings while someone else in your household is hogging the television to watch sports. Ok, you probably don’t want anything too involved, too hard to follow. If something draws your attention to the next batter up to the plate, you don’t want to lose your place in the story.
Let’s say you have decided on something fictional. It’s always nice to read a good story. Nothing fancy. If mysteries are your drug of choice, you might like one of James Patterson’s newer books that he has co-written with a whole host of various and sundry assistants. In these, good and evil is usually clear. No complicated plot to follow. You can usually spot the bad guy right away. If you have the time to devote to a mystery that requires more attention, try a John Sanford or Jeffery Deaver or even one of James Patterson’s Cross novels.
If you like to read a story with a serious plot taken rather lightly, you can’t beat Fanny Flagg. Her characters always have some sort of a serious life crisis going on, but on the whole, her books are clever, humorous and fulfilling.
If family type dramas are your cup of tea, don’t overlook Jodi Picoult. Each of her books confronts some moral dilemma smack on. The reader can’t help but see both sides of the issue. Along the same vein are Chris Bohjalian’s books and some of those by Laura Lippman and Lisa Scottoline.
Often librarians have read a lot of books. Even those do haven’t, talk to lots of people who read lots of books. We often can be of help: Just ask!
Even when you don’t know what you want, there’s a book for that at your library.