Appeals of the Genre:
1. The characters ARE the story;
2. Predictable storyline;
2. Writing style and focus differ widely (something for everyone);
4. Subject is very important here too.
Authors:
A. Scott Berg, Carl Bernstein, Robert Caro, Ron Chernow, Joseph Ellis, Eleanor Herman, Walter Isaacson, Kitty Kelley, Mark Kriegel, David McCullough, Cokie Roberts, Claire Tomalin, Alison Weir
Tips:
1. Consider the different TYPES of biographies: short, long, popular, academic, definitive, focused, collective, hagiographic, critical, celebrity/tell-all.
2. Know your collection and system.
3. Track current events.
4. Mix biographies with other displays; mine the children's and YA sections as well.
Resources:
Award lists: ALA Notables; Pulitzer Prizes; New York Times Notables
O'Connor, Maureen. Life Stories: A Guide to Reading Interests in Memoirs, Autobiographies, and Diaries. Libraries Unlimited: 2011.
Roche, Rick. Real Lives Revealed. Libraries Unlimited: 2010.