Assignment #1 - Read the following two articles for an introduction to nonfiction readers’ advisory.
It seems easier to me to convince a fiction reader to read a non-fiction book than the other way around. Personally I prefer fiction. I'm more engaged when reading fiction because I feel like anything can happen. But I know nonfiction readers who can't stand to read imaginary stories because they either feel like they're not learning anything or that the author is trying to trick them. I guess one strategy to convert a nonfiction addict is to emphasize historical detail. It's totally possible to learn a about say 1890's New York in Caleb Carr's Alienist books.
I like the idea of making book displays that blur the line between fiction and nonfiction. I hadn't thought about what subgenres nonfiction might contain. I'll give that some thought.
Assignment #3 - Choose any four of the 16 nonfiction genres presented in the video. In what Dewey area(s) did you find narrative nonfiction in these genres? List each of the four genres and their Dewey areas on your blog. Choose one book from each of these four genres that you could recommend to someone who normally reads only fiction. List these titles and their authors.
History - Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell (973 V)
Memoirs - Rock On: an Office Power Ballad by Dan Kennedy (It's only an online resource at the moment but I imagine it's call number would be "BIO KEN?")
Crime - Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (364.1523 L)
Adventure - The Lost City of Z by David Grann (918.11 G)
Assignment #4 - Using appeal factors, write a 1-2 paragraph book talk for two of the four titles you would recommend, noting who you would recommend them to and why. Post these on your blog.
Rock On: an Office Power Ballad by Dan Kennedy. This is the story of one man's hilarious and moving journey into the dark heart of the record industry. The books tone is a mix between Spinal Tap and The Office. full of quirky cringe-y humor that will appeal to comedy and music fans alike. I would recommend this book heavily to fans of Nick Hornby's High Fidelity.
Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. This is the first book on people's lips when they speak about the appeal of narrative nonfiction. Larson chronicles the story of serial murderer H.H. Holmes. A man who lured victims to his "murder castle" during the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. For fans of Serial, The Alienist and True Detective.
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