Happy fall, all! The leaves are changing, the weather is (gradually) getting cooler, and it’s feeling more and more like the perfect season to hang out with a great book.
Are you ready for the reader’s advisory that might accompany this shift in the seasons?
Luckily for us, John Grayshaw from the Middletown Public Library is here to help us with the genre many say is the “#1 most feared” (source) when helping other readers: science fiction.
Why do so many people find Science Fiction intimidating? In large part, I believe, it’s because the genre is as vast as the plethora of worlds it encompasses. Just hearing a fan say they like “science fiction” isn’t a huge lead when you’re doing a reader’s advisory interview. A quick glance at one shelf of sci-fi in the Hummelstown library reveals many different subgenres: steampunk, scifi romance, gothic, dystopian, zombies, parallel worlds, and alternate history. That barely scratches the surface; there are tons of popular subgenres out there. For those who don’t know much about science fiction or those who are only casual readers like me, this can be intimidating.
Here’s where John Grayshaw comes in. Since 2010, he has been running a Science Fiction Book Club group on Facebook. This group now has over 5,000 members from all over the world who actively discuss the genre. Interested members vote on a group read every month and engage in weekly discussions. It’s a wonderful place to learn more about the genre and get a feel for popular titles–both modern and classic. Also consider referring your library users to it if they are passionate about the genre. All members must have a Facebook account and answer a few simple questions before they can join the group.
Additionally, many science fiction authors and experts have participated in Question and Answer sessions with the group. A compilation of all of these sessions can now be found on the Middletown Public Library website. This is an excellent source for learning about different authors to prepare for reader’s advisory. If your library has its own book club and you’re discussing a title, check here to see if you can find additional insights from the author. Share with your friends and with your patrons! You do not need a Facebook account to access them.
Thank you for all your hard work and for sharing your knowledge, John!
Now I’m off to read The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet. What are you reading?
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