Week 6 - Building Base Knowledge

The website that I have been following is Stop, You're Killing Me! This website gives great detail on new mystery titles that are being published, in hardback and paperback. This mystery website gives book reviews and author read-alikes. What I thought was pretty cool was that you can search by your favorite mystery character to see what books they are in. Stop, You're Killing Me! lists the mystery/thriller award winners for the current year as well as the past years winners. This website is one stop shop for any mystery reader!

Subgenres

Paranormal Romance

When I Google "fan websites paranormal romance", I came across Paranormal Romance Fan for Life. There are over 200 followers for this blog. This blog gives book reviews, author interviews and giveaways for this subgenre.

Three authors of this subgenre are Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Nalini Singh. Christine Feehan's books are passionate love stories with danger and dark magic. Sherrilyn Kenyon vampire books are mythology, magic and sexy love stories. Nalini Singh books are intense paranormal romances with a passionate protagonist and steamy sexual encounters.

Cozy Mysteries

I Google "cozy mystery fan websites" and I came across Cozy Mystery List Blog. This website gives cozy mysteries by theme, like by animal, location, hobbies, career, etc. This blog gives newly released book titles and recommendations. This is a very good blog for those who are cozy mystery fans!

Three authors of this subgenre are Susan Wittig Albert, Betty Hechtman, and Monica Ferris. Susan Wittig Albert books are engaging and witty that is leisurely paced with a hometown feeling. Betty Hechtman crocheting books are upbeat, descriptive and fast-paced. Monica Ferris' needlework books are an upbeat and face-paced with very detailed text.

Medical Thrillers

I have been following the website Stop, You're Killing Me! and they give book reviews for medical thrillers and other mystery titles. This website has the nominees and winners for the thriller awards for the past 7 years. This website is great for any mystery reader.

Three authors of this subgenre are Robin Cook, Tess Gerritsen, and Michael Palmer. Robin Cook's books are fast paced and plot driven with drama and suspense. Tess Gerritsen's books are fast paced, violent, richly detailed drama. Michael Palmer's medical thriller books are compelling, suspenseful, and fast-paced.

Mash-ups

One book that is a mashup between Christian fiction and paranormal romance would be Plain Fear: Forsaken by Leanna Ellis. This book is a dark romantic tale about love, sacrifice, and faith.

Another mashup would be Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith because it is a historical fiction and horror/vampire book.

Week 5: Building Base Knowledge (Part II)

The resource that I have been monitoring since week 1 has been Good Reads.  This website is very helpful by giving read-alikes for books that you have read but also for customers that aren't signed up with Good Reads.   Good Reads gives great book lists for genres that you or your customer are interested in.  Plus you can explore other books/genres that you don't particularly like to read.  This website is great!!!

Early Word has a lot links that would help with reader's advisory with customers. As I was searching around, I found that each of the major magazines and newspapers has published all the best books of 2012 and will do it for 2013. I love that Early Word has all the book award winners. I absolutely love that Early Word has the movie & TV based book tie-ins. I like to read the book before the movie as well as the customers that come into the library. I will continue to use all of these links because it gives great merchandising ideas for the libraries and it also is a great source for those avid readers.

The book that is coming out soon is Big Girl Panties by Stephanie Evanovich. This fast-paced book is about a widow, Holly, who gets back into shape with the help of a hot personal trainer, Logan. This book is amusing and upbeat with lots of romance. This book is for anyone who likes contemporary fiction as well as chick lit!