"The Billionaire's First Christmas" by Holly Ryner
Both the Amazon review and the blog review of "The Billionaire's First Christmas," by Holly Ryner provide a casual, patron-friendly view of the novel. Saricks reminds us that acquiring a thorough understanding of fiction materials is essential for effective readers' advisory services, "...understanding fiction is the backbone of our work....to be the knowledgeable resources that readers expect and deserve," (10). Professional and nonprofessional book reviews assist librarians in understanding the fictional material from multiple perspectives. The Amazon and blog review of the novel both use common language to express the general elements of the novel. While the blog review contains more detailed information and would likely be of greater assistance to the library collection development staff, both reviewers write their opinions of "The Billionaire's First Christmas" using simple and concise language. As a public consumer, I find both reviews to be helpful tools in gathering general information as to whether this book should be included in my personal collection. As a library professional, the reviews may be comparable to patron responses to the book and relay a glimpse of the potential public opinion of the book if it were to be added to the collection. I would also seek professional reviews before making a selection decision on this title for the library. Overall, I feel both reviews are reliable, but, incomplete for purposes of collection development.
"Angela's Ashes" by Frank McCourt
Professional reviews provide greater detail of the literary elements in the novel, but, also offer helpful background information on the author. The
New York Times review by Michiko Kakutani, provides the reader with helpful information on Frank McCourt's professional background and book preparations,
"Frank McCourt, who taught writing for many years in the New York public school system, waited more than four decades to tell the story of his childhood, and it's been well worth the wait," (nytimes.). Kakutani also lists book titles that share the excellence exemplified by McCourt in her review, helpful information for the readers' advisory librarian. A negative of Kakutani's review is the length of the synopsis. While highlighting the focus points of the storyline benefits the reader, a very thorough description of the story's events may be excessive.
The
Kirkus and
Library Journal Review are succinct, but lack background information on the author, similar titles and even the tone and appeal factors of the book. These reviews provide a substantial synopsis and only a couple of lines expressing their opinions on the book. The
School Library Journal Review excels at offering a brief synopsis, information on the author's writing style, and prediction on the readers' response to the memoire. These reviews provide sufficient information on "Angela's Ashes" for collection selection. I would add this book to the collection, but, would consult more than one review before making such determination.
Book Reviews and the Library Collection
Book reviews quickly describe, summarize and criticize a literary work, "
They [book reviews] offer a brief description of the text's key points and often provide a short appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of the work," (Purdue Owl). The book analysis provides helpful information on content, style and merit in addition to a brief summary of the storyline. Reviews that do not print negative remarks, are an incomplete analysis and do not offer a true appraisal of the "strengths and weaknesses of the work," rendering themselves only minimally helpful in book selection. Because online book selection is increasingly common and book reviews are readily available online, reviews are an easily accessible tool for all readers. Reading a grandmother's Amazon review of a book she purchased for her grandchild is a valuable opinion. The consumer reviews provide a wide array of insight and opinions and are helpful, overall, in gathering a better understanding of the book before purchasing.
Works Cited
Kakutani, Michiko. "Generous Memories of a Poor, Painful Childhood." The New York Times, 1996, www.nytimes.com/1996/09/17/books/generous-memories-of-a-poor-painful-childhood.html. Accessed 5 February 2018.
Saricks, Joyce G.
The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction. 2nd ed., American Library Association, 2009.
"Writing a Book." Purdue Owl Writing Lab, 2018,
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/704/1/. Accessed 5 February 2018.
