An Introduction to Nonfiction Readers' Advisory for Whittier Public Library

 PART 1: The Thinky Part

Knowing Nonfiction

Wrap your mind around this: It's all about subject; subject has nothing to do with it.

Nonfiction is not contained by the stacks (Dewey Decimal). Think types; styles; genres and subgenres.

Knowing Nonfiction Readers

From Catherine Sheldrick Ross*: NF readers often read NF and F; exclusive NF readers like the "real'"; readers pick NF when they expect interruptions; they read to be entertained AND "to take something away"; they are avid readers in general

From Neal Wyatt**: "Reading nonfiction, even highly narrative nonfiction, is a different experience than reading fiction." She calls this the Learning/Experiencing appeal.

A personal definition: Not so much escapist readers as involvist readers

Part 2: The Action Part

Title awareness

Blogs: Bookslut, Citizen Reader, Daily Beast, Early Word, Huffington Post, Readers' Advisor Online Blog, RickLibrarian, Sophisticated Dorkiness 

Media: Amazon and Powell's, Magazines, NPR, Stephen Colbert and/or The Daily Show, New York Times Book Review, the review journals (LJ, PW, Booklist, Kirkus)

Bestseller lists and publisher sites

Indirect RA

MADreads; Bookalikes

Nonfiction RA Tips

1. Consider both subject and "mood" cues.
2. Wikipedia everything.
3. Watch for "deal breakers"--this stuff is real.
4. Try to keep up with current events and pop culture.
5. Don't be afraid to mix F and NF, especially on displays and booklists. (Always indicate which titles are NF.)
6. Find an RA buddy.
7. Write down everything you can, re-use it, and don't be afraid to find and use your own "gems."

RESOURCES

*Burgin, Robert, ed.  Nonfiction Readers' Advisory. Libraries Unlimited, 2005.

Cords, Sarah Statz. The Inside Scoop: A Guide to Nonfiction Investigative Writing and Exposes. Libraries Unlimited, 2009.

Cords, Sarah Statz.  The Real Story: A Guide to Nonfiction Reading Interests. Libraries Unlimited: 2006.  

Drew, Bernard A.  1000 Most Popular Nonfiction Authors. Libraries Unlimited: 2008.

Reisner, Rosalind. Read On...Life Stories: Reading Lists for Every Taste. Libraries Unlimited: 2009.

Roche, Rick. Real Lives Revealed: A Guide to Reading Interests in Biography. Libraries Unlimited: 2009.

Saricks, Joyce.  Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library.  ALA: 2005.

**Wyatt, Neal.  The Readers' Advisory Guide to Nonfiction. ALA: 2007.

Zellers, Jessica. Women's Nonfiction: A Guide to Reading Interests. Libraries Unlimited: 2009.

QUESTIONS? Please email me any time at realstory@tds.net.