Faculty Publications

Good for What? Non-appeal, Discussibility, and Book Groups (Part 1)

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Reference & User Services Quarterly

Volume

46

Issue

4

First Page

33

Last Page

36

Abstract

Since the publication of Readers’ Advisory Service in the Public Library (Joyce Saricks. ALA Editions: 1989, 1997, 2005) readers’ advisors have used the concept of appeal as a way to connect readers with books. Looking at the elements of a piece of writing—character, language, mood, setting, and story, and what the reader prefers in each area—helps the readers’ advisor to make connections between works that the reader may not have considered, and thus expands the possible choices for that reader. What has been less explored, though, is the concept of working with those elements of a book that the reader did not enjoy. In her two-part column, Joan Bessman Taylor explores the role of these non-appealing elements in the practice of readers’ advisory. In part one, Taylor looks at how readers’ advisors can best work with discussing books that do not appeal to them personally but that a reader enjoys. She suggests that understanding non-appeal can expand the possibilities for making thoughtful suggestions. In part two (RUSQ 47-1), Taylor applies the concept of non-appeal to working with reading groups in selecting titles that will generate lively and thoughtful discussion.

Department

Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Original Publication Date

1-1-2007

DOI of published version

10.5860/rusq.46n4.33

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