Fantasy Annotation

 

The Hobbit or There and Back Again

Author:  J.R.R. Tolkien

Published Date:  January 1937

Number of Pages: 304

Setting: Various locations in the imaginary world of Middle –Earth

Genre:  Fantasy

Time Period:  The Third Age of Middle-Earth 2941-2942

Summary:  Bilbo Baggins is a peaceful and contented hobbit that lives in Bag Ends but all that changes when he invites his family friend, Gandalf over for tea but ends up with him and thirteen dwarves.  Thorin the leader of the dwarves wants to reclaim his treasure from Smaug the dragon and he wants Bilbo (who’s evidently an expert burglar) to help him do it.  Of course, Bilbo isn’t an expert burglar but he was so flattered that Gandolf thought so highly of him that he agrees to join them all.   They encounter elfs, goblins, and giant spiders to name a few on their journey to Lonely Mountain to retrieve the treasure from Smaug.  It’s also during this time that Bilbo finds a ring that makes him invisible.  Will Bilbo retrieve the treasure from Smaug?  Will everyone survive the journey?  Please read this classic fantasy novel to find out.

Characteristics of Fantasy

Detailed settings depict another world, often Earth, but out of time…

The settings in Middle Earth such as Bag End, Rivendell and Mirkwood are vividly detailed.

Story lines feature good versus evil as protagonist’s battle and ultimately conquer the malevolent forces- although victory does not come easily or cheaply.

Bilbo, Gandalf and the dwarves are the good ones who battle the Goblins and the Wargs and Smaug.  They do win but there are causalities as well.

Titles are frequently part of a series with a continuing story told over several books.

This is a stand-alone book but there is The Lord of the Rings series that has some characters (Bilbo, Gandalf) and elements (ring) in them.

In general, books start slowly as the author sets the scene, presents the challenge, and introduces the cast- frequently involving a group of diverse characters who are brought together to fight a new or resurging evil in an unfamiliar world.  Pacing increases later as more adventure elements appear.

This book started out slowly with the third person narrator describing the area, Bilbo and his mother.  When he starts having his adventures with Gandalf and the dwarves, the pacing does increase.

Language creates verbal pictures of characters and landscape…

The author uses very descriptive words to describe the landscape and characters. 

Read-A-Likes

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordon

The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams

Thorn Ogres of Hagwood by Robin Jarvis

Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings

 

Historical Fiction Annotation

Author: Diana   Gabaldon

Title:  “Dragonfly in Amber”

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Publication Date:  August 7, 2001

Number of pages:  768

Geographical Setting:  Scotland and France

Time Period:  1960s and 1740s

Series:  Outlander Series Book 2

Plot Summary:  This is the second book in the Outlander series and it begins in the year 1968 with Claire Randall Fraser and her twenty-year old daughter, Brianna going to Scotland to visit old friend Roger at his late uncle’s home.  Brianna’s father is Jamie Fraser of the Highlands of Scotland.    He is from the year 1745.  Claire desires to look into an old battle fought in Scotland where the Fraser family had passed away but she isn’t telling anyone she is trying to find out if Jamie survived that battle.   It was over twenty years that Claire transported to the 1740’s Highland of Scotland by leaning against one of the standing stones.  She is attacked by Johnathon Randall who is an ancestor of Frank but then rescued by Jamie Fraser.  They marry and consequently fall in love.  Claire tells Jamie the truth about her past.  They go together to the standing stones and he tells her to go back to her own time even though he loves her.  She decides to stay with him in his time though.  The story continues as Claire used her knowledge of the past and tells Jamie that there will be a battle called the Battle of 45 and the Scots will be defeated on Culloden field.  They are determined to stop the battle by going to France and becoming part of Prince Charles inner circle.  They meet dukes and Lords there.  Claire loses her child.  They grow apart (mentally and physically) after her miscarriage but eventually reconcile.  Jamie takes a pregnant Claire back to the stones and this time for the safety of their child, she goes back.  Does Claire find out what happened to Jamie?  Did he live or die at the Jacobite Rebellion?  Does her daughter Brianna believe her time traveling story?

Historical Fiction Characteristics

There is a wealth of accurate historical detail relating to setting (geography, customs, beliefs, culture, society, habits) as well as to characters and events.

The characters use authentic Gaelic language.  The customs, outfits, geography, society and habits are historical accurate.  There are real historical events and figures in this book as well.

Story lines may focus on a particular historical event or time period, or they may follow the life of a character (real or fictional).  Novels may reaise difficult social or moral issues through the plot.

This second book in the series focuses mainly in the 18^th century.  The locations are in France and Scotland.  The Jacobite Rebellion and the Battle of Culloden are the historical events focused on.

Characters may be real or fictional, but they are portrayed in such a way that they fit the times.  Their lives and actions are shaped by the historical times and details, not vice versa.

The fictional characters of Jamie, Claire and others fit the various time periods but there were real characters in there such as King Louis XV and Charles Stuart referred to as The Young Pretender or Bonnie Prince Charles.

Historical novels are usually big books, with stories that unfold at a leisurely pace. 

The first book was shorter than this one.  This is 768 pages long!

Read Alikes

Velva Jean Learns to Drive by Jennifer Niven

The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett

A Warrior’s Heart by Margaret Moore

Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey

 

 

 

Book Club Experience

Book Club Experience

During one of my visits at my local public library in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, I asked the librarian at the help desk if she could give me information on joining a book club.  She showed me a current monthly calendar which had the words, “Book Groups” on it.  I was looking for one that would take place that same day or later in the week.  She was discouraging me and said I should sign up for one at least a month in advance and obtain a copy of the book and prepare for the book club meeting by taking notes and really analyzing the author’s message and themes.  Also she told me that I should notice the structure of the book and get to know the characters.  If applicable, I should make comparisons to other books and authors.  I felt a little overwhelmed listening to all of this information but I kept quiet.  I didn’t know that a Book Club could be so intense and studious!  After she had finished talking, I did tell her that I was just planning on observing a discussion for a graduate class I was attending.  She appeared to be relieved to hear that news.  Well, I signed up for a Book Club discussion on “How to Be Both” by Ali Smith.  I was not familiar with the author or the book.  I would like to digress for a moment to say that in my library district there are fifteen Book Club discussions going on each month at the ten branches throughout the library district.  You can sign up in person or online and be kept up to date on your book club through email.  Anyway, I picked my book club at the branch I was familiar with and this particular one met every third Thursday at 2:30-4:00pm from January 2017 to October 2017. 

Who is asking the questions is there a leader to do people take turns?

There were ten women ranging in ages from approximately early fifties to a seventeen year old.  We had to go around the room and introduce ourselves. There were members that had been in previous book clubs together in our group. I didn’t mention I was doing this experience for an assignment though.  There was definitely a leader and her name was Daisy.  She wasn’t affiliated with the library but she was a high school librarian.  

If there is a leader, does the leader answer the questions as well or let the attendees respond first?

The leader of the group, Daisy was really enthusiastic and simmering with restraint but she did hold back and allow others in the book club to answer the questions that she asked us.  I did notice during discussion that everyone had stickies’ in their copy except me and even some had a notebook.

What type of questions asked?  Were any involving just yes or no answers?

As I previously mentioned in here, I had never heard of the author or the book but I was open to learning about her in my group.  First, there were no yes or no questions.  One of the questions- What are some of the types of dualities or binaries explored in the novel, implicitly and explicitly?  Another question focused on how the book had been printed in two ways, half with the section “Camera” preceding “Eyes” and half the other way around.  She asked how their experience of the novel as a whole was different depending on which section they read first.  Also if they think one order was stronger than the other, and if so why? I really thought the questions were thought provoking, serious and analytical at times.  While listening to the discussion, I was really regretting that I had not read it prior to the meeting.   

Do all attendees actively participate?

Yes, all of them participated except me.  Daisy would go from one person to the next for each question and not one person passed on answering a question.

Do any attendees swoop in and steal all the spotlight?

No, everyone was really respectful and polite to each other.

What is the atmosphere of the discussion, where is it taking place at?

The atmosphere was open and friendly but at times intense because of the questions that the leader, Daisy asked the group.  It took place in a conference room at the branch. 

Are snacks or drinks provided?

The leader and some book club members brought snacks such as vegetables, cookies, homemade muffins plus water to the discussion. 

What types of books does this book club normally discuss?

After the book club ended, Daisy told me that they read adult fiction and the next book would be “Hood” by Emma Donoghue.  I was invited to sign up and join them to discuss that book next month. 

 

Week 7 Prompt

The “Evidence of Harm” book as well as Jenny McCarthy’s crusade to connect autism to vaccines indirectly affected me because I am a parent of young children living in an area that doesn’t believe in vaccinating their children.  It is due to a lot of reasons as to why they refuse vaccines with one being the fear of causing their children to ‘become’ autistic.   Well, when this book came out, I was involved in activities with other parents in the community.  Personally, I believe in vaccines but I respect parents’ choice in not doing it.  I was inundated with parents either arguing about the subject and/or trying to pull me into their drama.  I had empathy for the parents that were scared that their child would get autism as well as for the parents who felt relief that they finally found the cause (and they weren’t personally to blame).  I just didn’t want to do mental battle on the subject with them.  When it was discredited, it didn’t change the minds of those that were convinced the author (and McCarthy) is right and parents did stop vaccinating their children or only doing some of the vaccines (at least in my personal circle).

Week 6 Prompt

Innovative ways to promote Horror:

A catchy display

I would use sensory lights.  I would showcase a horror genre author on their birthday and then focus on his/her for at least a week.  Neil Gaiman’s   birth is November 10^th and I would include his books such as Coraline, Hansel & Gretel, The Graveyard Book, The DC Universe, and Odd and the Frost Giants.  I would print out the covers of the book s and put them on the floor going towards the display. I would use music as well. 

Passive Programming

I would create bookmarks and laminate them.  I would put those by the display and other areas in the library.  I would put information about the author on the website.  If my library has twitter or facebook, he would be on that as well.  I would organize a book reading of one of this books say, “The Graveyard Book”.  I would have signs up throughout the library with the tag line, “All about Neil Gaiman” and then write out a quote or fact about his body of works or his life.

Incorporate integrated Advisory

I would add the movie, Coraline with the book.  Also I would include graphic novels of the DC Comics.  The different versions of Hansel and Gretel would be integrated also.   The Thor movies and the History Channel, Vikings could be combined with Mr. Gaiman’s book, Odd and the Frost Giants.

Pitching an idea to your boss and write at least a paragraph in your prompt response

I want to spotlight horror authors on their birthday.  It would be for at least a week.  I would use lights and music in my display.  These elements will benefit the hearing and limited sight patrons as well.  I am also looking into offering a book reading of one of the author’s books.  In addition, I will be creating bookmarks and displaying facts and quotes about him around the library and through social media.  Oh, yes, I will be using the library’s website to promote the different authors. 

 

Secret Shopper Summary

I went to a library in another county to do my assignment.  The readers' advisory interview started off really well because she was asking me questions about what book I just read and why I liked it but then when I said that I wanted something different as opposed to what I had previously been reading, she stopped asking questions and even eye contact.  She disappeared without a word and I was left there just standing around waiting for her to (hopefully) return.  When she did return, she handed me two books and pointed to the section I requested and said if I needed anything from her to ask.  She never did come back to see how I was doing either.  Also the two books she had handed to me weren't even close to what I had wanted for my 'good book' request.

The library was really busy and I think she didn't know about the romance genre.  I am open to going back there to try another readers' advisory interview with another librarian. 

Kirkus Style Review

Revival   by Stephen King

Publication Date:  November 11^th, 2014

ISBN:  978-1-4767-7038-3

Publisher:  Scribner

The relationship spans over fifty years between Charles, the former minister and Jamie, the musician and former addict.  The themes of religion, obsession and revival by electricity to find loved ones in the afterlife are presented in this terrifying yet electrifying novel.  

The story starts in Harlow, Maine when Jaime is only three years old. He meets the Reverend Charles Jacob and a relationship forms between them.  I have always been interested in electricity so I could understand their mutual fascination with it.  Of course, something bad had to happen in a book of this nature.  I thought the accident involving his son and wife was particularly gruesome and I wasn’t sure if that was really necessary but maybe it had to be a freak accident and that horrible to have the Reverend denounce God and his faith.  Of course, he was fired after his infamous sermon.  Then it was years,  that  they didn’t  see each other and the story is focused on Jamie’s life growing up, falling in love, going to school, his family and finding his musical  talents and being in bands and then becoming addicted to narcotics.  The pace during all of these character development writing was a little slow to me at times because I really wanted to find out what Charles was up to and get to the really scary parts of the story which I knew were coming, I just didn’t’ know specifically when the moment would be in the story. I would have to add that I do feel some of it was necessary because that is one of the author’s strengths in his writing because you want to make the reader really care for the characters.  After they met up again at Joyland (which if you are a fan of Stephen’s King’s work will recognize the amusement park from his previously novel with the same title), I liked how he healed Jamie with electricity.  I was ‘hooked’ by that time and just wanted him to be better because he wasn’t’ a bad person.  Charles Jacob was a changed man because of his grief, angry and obsession.   When Jamie started experiencing strange behaviors after being cured and then he went seeking out others that had been cured by Charles as well, it reminded me of Frankenstein’s monster.  They were all of his monsters.   When Charles asked for Jamie’s help with an experiment in exchange to help his first love Astrid, he said yes even though he knew the chances of her actually being cured without any serious repercussions were very slim.  She is supposedly cured of cancer and then the experiment goes on.  This is where it got frighteningly and terrifying scary because Charles wanted to find his wife and son in the after world by using his electricity, Jamie and a terminally ill woman named Mary Fay.  They discover the afterworld doesn’t exist. There is only The Null who enslaves us and the leader named Mother who was trying to come out through Mary Fay but is prevented in doing so by Jamie.  The descriptions of the creatures and the setting in this world reminded me of old black and white science fiction movies depicting human like insects but when written in his descriptive prose, it is upsettingly scary.  Of course, it could also be because there might not be a Heaven or Hell and something like this could actually be waiting for us after we die.  Charles died of shock.  Jamie, lived waiting to join Mother.  Overall, this story was well written with character development so real that it drew you into this story and made you forget it was a horror novel until it was too late to turn back and it SCA