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Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests in Genre Fiction (4th ed)

Average customer rating:

Sixth edition, but more like a first draft
Definitely needs some work.
Thank goodness this great book has been updated again!

Genreflecting: A Guide to Reading Interests in Genre Fiction (4th ed)
Diana Tixier Herald , and Betty Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Libraries Unlimited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 156308354X

Book Description

Find the best read-alikes for patrons and build a fiction collection that appeals to the broad spectrum of readers that you serve with this thorough guide. Covering nearly 6,000 titles in such popular genres as crime, adventure, romance, western, science fiction, fantasy, and horror, Herald's indispensable reference defines each, describes its characteristics and subgenres, and groups authors and books according to type or subject. You'll find everything you need to know about traditional genre literature, and you'll learn about some of the latest subgenres to emerge - e.g., virtual reality, bioengineering, and biothrillers. A entirely new chapter covers historical fiction, and there are also lists of resources for further research, including numerous genre-related online sources. Invaluable as a reader's guide, and as a resource for bookstore personnel, Herald's work will also be useful to publishers and writers of genre fiction.

Customer Reviews:

Sixth edition, but more like a first draft.......2007-01-23

I am so glad that this volume exists because I care much about advising readers, and the intent of this tool is right on. I appreciate the suggestions in each genre, and subgenre.

However, the presentation of the titles is so inconsistent that it puzzles me that this could be a sixth edition--it seems more like a draft. Several of the titles are elaborately annotated, while others are simply listed without supporting information. I wish that the titles were treated more consistently.

I do appreciate that this advisory series from Libraries Unlimited exists. However since this is their flagship volume that has gone through multiple editions, I expect a higher standard.

Definitely needs some work. .......2006-09-21

"Genreflecting" has quickly become the go-to guide in the rapidly growing field of Readers Advisory, but the revered tome remains curiously flawed in spite of numerous revisions. Once again, extremely specialized and esoteric subgenres are represented ("1950's new wave sci-fi" and "TSR's Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Franchise Books") while much more prominent subgenres are completely ignored (Steampunk, Urban Fantasy, etc.). As when dealing with genres in any capacity, the bare minimum subjects and then their iterations should be covered before further specialization, but "Genreflecting" continues to misunderstand and ignore this necessity. There are a few other confusing choices ("Mystery" is nonexistent, instead automatically grouped under crime), and several outright baffling decisions (Don Delillo's "White Noise" under "Adventure" next to Michael Crichton and Tom Clancy books!?) that leave the aspiring Reader Advisor mistrustful at best. The book could also greatly use capsule reviews, summaries, or justifications for inclusion next to each title ("Swashbuckling romp with romantic undertones") instead of the naked lists of titles that it continues to offer. "Genreflecting" remains, at best, a starting point for the Advisor who will undoubtedly end up turning to internet sources for more detailed and in-depth information; but then why wouldn't they just start out there and be done with it? "Genreflecting" definitely needs a major overhaul in the next revision to continue to justify its existence and price.

Thank goodness this great book has been updated again!.......2000-10-21

This book is a very valuable resource for public librarians acting as a reader's adviser ("I like this author, who/what else would I like?"), but I can't imagine anyone having the time to be poring over the pages as a collection development tool.

Genreflecting is also a great reference for writing or literature studies students who are studying genre - along with lists of authors that they can pursue, there are very lucid discussions of the genres, and it's a good starting point for assignments in this area. (I used it for this purpose at Uni, and liked it so much that I tried to buy a copy - unfortunately it was between editions at the time.)

Genreflecting: a guide to reading interests in genre fiction.(Review) (book review): An article from: The Australian Library Journal

Average customer rating:

Genreflecting: a guide to reading interests in genre fiction.(Review) (book review): An article from: The Australian Library Journal
John Foster
Manufacturer: Australian Library and Information Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Australian Library Journal, published by Australian Library and Information Association on November 1, 2000. The length of the article is 453 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Genreflecting: a guide to reading interests in genre fiction.(Review) (book review)
Author: John Foster
Publication: The Australian Library Journal (Refereed)
Date: November 1, 2000
Publisher: Australian Library and Information Association
Volume: 49 Issue: 4 Page: 374

Article Type: Book Review

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Genreflecting : A Guide to Reading Interests in Genre Fiction.

Average customer rating:

Genreflecting : A Guide to Reading Interests in Genre Fiction.
Betty . Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Libraries Unlimited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000NGV9ZQ

Average customer rating:

Genreflecting: A Guide To Reading Interests In Genre Fiction
Betty Rosenberg
Manufacturer: Libraries Unlimited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000K22JKC

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