Blue Asylum - Historical Fiction Annotation

Title: Blue Asylum by Kathy Hepinstall
Published: 2012
Number of Pages: 288 pages

Plot Summary: It is the middle of 1864 when Iris Dunleavy is wrongfully convicted of madness and sent to an esteemed asylum on a Florida island. Iris tries to convince the stubborn Dr. Henry Cowell of her innocence, but he refuses to believe her “loving” husband is the real criminal. The only ones who understand she is sane are the doctor’s son, Wendell, and the handsome, but deeply troubled Confederate soldier, Ambrose Weller. Since she knows she does not belong at the asylum, Iris is determined to escape, but she must enlist some assistance. The story becomes more complex as the reader is able to see the asylum not just through Iris’ eyes, but from Ambrose, Wendell, and Dr. Cowell’s perspectives. Blue Asylum looks into the inner workings of an asylum during the Civil War and how that significant event in history had great effects on so many people’s lives.  

Historical Fiction Elements:
Setting: Saricks writes that the authors of Historical Fiction will add details of “landscape, milieu, and locale to the story and thereby increase the feeling of verisimilitude” (p. 172). Hepinstall adds many landscape details such as those about the asylum’s beach, the surrounding jungle, the various rooms of the asylum, and the doctor’s house. In addition, she includes various details in flashbacks about Iris’ role as a plantation owner’s wife and Ambrose’s life as a Confederate soldier.
Tone: Since this novel takes place in the middle of the Civil War and is focused on an asylum, the tone is dark and grim. Saricks mentions that tones vary across different Historical Fiction works (p. 172). This one is definitely on the melancholy side, even though there is a slightly hopeful tone in the last few pages. 
Style: Blue Asylum seems to fit what Saricks says makes up Literary Historical Fiction. It has “lyrical language, crystalline prose, and deft construction” (Saricks, p. 174). As Hepinstall details each scene, she writes in a soft, flowing manner. Even when she discusses distressing events, there are long, complex sentences that make the suspense end with a melancholy tone.
Pacing: Although Blue Asylum is not a long book like Saricks says most Historical Fiction works are, it is still slow-paced. The first half of the book is more focused on showing how the asylum functions along with brief mentions of Iris and Ambrose’s pasts. Yet, the circumstances that caused them to come to the asylum do not start to be fully revealed until almost halfway through the book.

3 Read-Alikes:
Woman 99 by Greer Macallister
The Yankee Widow by Linda Lael Miller
My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

Personal Thoughts: 
While I enjoy reading about the time period of the Civil War, this book was a little too dark for me at times, especially with what is going on in the world right now. When I am feeling a bit down I prefer more uplifting and positive books. Although, the ending was a little better and slightly lighter than I was expecting, which helped some. I would still make sure that readers know this is definitely a melancholy book.
I also might need to note that this book had many mentions of sex and masturbation, even if it was replaced by different names: lovemaking and private-fondling. While I can handle a small bit of that, it started to get too much for me at times and might be a problem for other readers.
Overall, I did think the story was interesting. I just do not think this was the best time for me to read it.

Book Club Experience

For my book club experience I went to a nearby public library. The book club’s name is the South Haven Bookends. The club is led by Sarah, the branch manager. There were a total of ten people, eight attendees, me observing, and Sarah leading.

The meeting began at 7 PM, yet it took a moment for Sarah to reign everyone in from the conversations they were having. The first piece of business she took care of was informing them of their next book. Once that was settled, she handed out the discussion questions for their current book, Beloved by Toni Morrison.

Even before the meeting started, most of the ladies confessed to not finishing or not even starting the book. It seemed like only two to three people actually finished the book, one of whom was the woman who had read it before and requested it as one of the group’s reads. The biggest complaint from people was that it was too all over the place and very confusing. Even for those who finished the book, they did not understand what it meant. 

Once everyone had voiced their frustrations, Sarah began going through the discussion questions. They were mostly open ended questions. If anything was a yes or no question, it was followed by another question. Since I kept the paper, here are a couple of the questions:

• “Is Beloved a ghost? Is she a dead person come back to life? Or is she a random girl who’s been possessed by the spirit of Beloved?”
• “What would this story be like if Sethe and her kids weren’t African American? Could the story even exist?”

Sarah usually did not answer the questions, especially not first. There were a couple of ladies who consistently started off answering. One of them was the woman who had chosen the book and another was the woman on my left. Although these two would usually start, the others almost always joined in. There were only a couple of ladies who did not say much. And I did not say anything because I was observing, even though I kind of wanted to say something a couple of times. 

Overall, the atmosphere of this book club was very friendly. Everyone seemed to be having a great time hating on the book together. There were several times they got sidetracked on other topics and Sarah had to bring them back to the questions. I had been warned of this possibility by the woman to my right. She had begun talking to me before the meeting and told me a bit about the way the club usually goes. She also told me how this book club compared to the one she went to when she lived in Illinois. That one had been in a home, yet still organized by the library. She was surprised when she moved to Indiana and found that this one was actually at the library.

Since the book club was quite enjoyable, even though I had not read the book and was only observing, I would really like to return someday and actually participate. One of the ladies was talking to me after the club and let me know they do a variety of books. I feel this would be a great opportunity for me to read new books and step out of my comfort zone. It helps that this group of ladies were so friendly and welcoming. So, even though I get nervous in group settings, I feel I could get comfortable with this one. And then we would all be discussing books! What fun!

Readers' Advisory History - Special Topics Paper Summary

For my special topics paper I looked at the history of readers’ advisory (RA). 

In “Rediscovering the History of Readers Advisory Service,” Bill Crowley discusses the RA’s development through the twentieth century. He believes that RA has always been around, but it began to get its name in 1876, the year the American Library Association (ALA) was formed and the Library Journal began its publication. Both Crowley and Joyce Saricks agree that some of the biggest developments in RA occurred between 1920 and 1940. The biggest difference in RA from then to now is that nonfiction was the focus whereas fiction is now. Adult education was very much the reason for RA during the early to mid-1900s. Yet, this seems to be why patrons’ reading lists were very didactic and librarians seemed to quickly pass moral judgments on readers. 

By the time World War II came along there was a lot less time for leisure reading. Thus, RA began to die away until its revival near the end of the century. Crowley points to 1984 as the revival year because of organizations such as the Adult Reading Round Table (ARRT) forming and librarians writing more about RA services. One of those librarians was Joyce Saricks. Saricks is most known for her concept of appeal. 

A more recent article by Keren Dali challenges Saricks definition of appeal. Dali argues for reading appeal over book appeal. She believes that it is more important to discover each reader’s personal interests rather than digging into what parts of a book they like. Challenges like this show that RA is still evolving and will continue to develop. Looking at this history shows how far RA has come while also inspiring future RA librarians.

Trouble with Book Advances - Week Seven Prompt

The one piece from all the readings that surprised me the most was actually just a small part of one article. That piece was when Richard Z. Santos stated that Jeaninne Cummins received a seven-figure advance for American Dirt. I am not as intrigued about the controversy surrounding this book, even though it is important to think about and discuss the topic of authors writing about matters they may not fully understand versus those who do. I am more shocked that a seven-figure, that means a million or more, was given for a book that was not even written yet. To be really honest I do not know much of anything about publishing a book, so I did not even know a book advance was a thing. From going to not even knowing an advance existed to learning someone got one that was so much, I am perplexed. 

I began thinking more about it after reading Alexia Underwood’s article on Vox. The whole discussion about sexual harassment in the publishing industry made think about Cummins’ advance again. I thought about the men in the publishing industry, including authors, who are accused of sexual assault but have been given large sums of money as salary or advances for books. Such money gives these men power. This aligns with Underwood’s (2018) statement that “Several of the women didn’t report the behavior because it was often their word against those of the harassers, who tended to be popular, powerful men.” The money makes powerful men and then those powerful men deter accusations against them. They act invincible and everyone believes them meaning people either cover for them or are too afraid to reveal the truth.

It is all a tricky situation that needs serious change. In terms of book advances I have begun to wonder if there could be a way to not give them to authors without checking to make sure they will use it appropriately. I know it would be extremely difficult, but I think advances such as the one Cummins received could get to a person’s head. At least in Cummins’ case she is a woman. A man receiving the same treatment could perpetuate the harassment issues in the publishing industry that Underwood discusses. 

References:

Santos, R.Z. (2020). The Real Problem With ‘American Dirt’. Retrieved from https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-culture/american-dirt-book-controversy/

Underwood, A. (2018) The #metoo Movement Hit the Literary World Hard This Week. It's Not the First Time. Retrieved from https://www.vox.com/2018/5/10/17323642/metoo-junot-diaz-allegations-nobel-literature-prize

If I Run - Mystery Annotation

Title: If I Run by Terri Blackstock 

Published: 2016

Audiobook: Narrated by Nan Gurley 

Length: 6 hours and 42 minutes; 6 discs

Plot Summary:

In the first book of the If I Run series, Casey Cox is suspect number one in her best friend’s murder. Although she is innocent, her mistrust of the police leads her to go on the run. She methodically plans out how to stay one step ahead of the detectives, specifically Criminal Investigator Dylan Roberts. Yet, Dylan has his own issues as he has recently been discharged from the army because of his PTSD and Brent, the murder victim, was also his friend. The search for truth and evidence in Brent’s murder is explored through the alternating chapters between Casey and Dylan. Nan Gurley narrates this complex and dangerous mystery that leaves the reader questioning whether justice will be served or not.

Mystery Elements:

Tone: Saricks says that tone varies for each mystery (p. 56). If I Run is more of a calm read. There is some heightened suspense near the end. Most of the story is more methodical about detailing Casey’s past and where she is going.

Frame: According to Saricks, frame refers to details and side subjects (p. 55). If I Run includes many details about the towns Casey stops and stays in. There are also side subjects such as mental health and kidnapping. 

Pacing: Although pacing is not as important for mysteries, dialogue determines the pace (Saricks, p. 57). If I Run does have a fair amount of dialogue which does help speed the story up sometimes. Yet, there are also a lot of details that slow it down. Saricks also says that pacing is not as important because readers go to mysteries for investigative details and the characters’ investment in justice (p. 57). Seeking justice is very important for Dylan. While Casey wishes the truth could come out, she does not know how to make it happen, so she just runs. Yet, the second half of the book begins to show Casey has more of a desire for justice than what was portrayed in the beginning.

Characterization: The investigator and their sense of justice are main components of mysteries (Saricks, p. 53). This is the role Dylan fills. Yet, Saricks also says that secondary characters are important in mysteries (p. 54). This is true for Miss Lucy Daley, an older woman Casey befriends while she is on the run. Readers quickly learn Miss Lucy plays an integral role in Casey’s character development and the story’s plot.

3 Read-Alikes:

Vanished by Irene Hannon

Last Words by Michael Koryta

Close Your Eyes by Iris Johansen

Personal Thoughts:

While I feel this was a nice mystery for someone who does not read mysteries, I also had some personal issues with some of the things the characters did. I did not think everything was always logical and well-thought out. Something to note about this book is that it is by a Christian author and there are many points when God is brought up. I somewhat wondered if that was more important to the author than making sure everything made sense.

Also, since this was an audiobook, I was paying attention to the narrator. While Nan Gurley has a nice calming voice, she did not vary her voice much from character to character. When I listen to audiobooks I prefer the narrator to be able to make unique voices for each character.

Promoting Horror - Week Six Prompt Response

To: Sam Morgan

From: Rachel Siska

Subject: Promoting Horror 

The following is my initial plan to promote horror by engaging with our patrons in celebration of Halloween. 

We would begin by planning out activities that would take place throughout the month of October. There could be at least one activity or event per week. These could include craft projects, movie nights, storytimes, book discussions, bingo, etc. It would end with a party for all ages the week of Halloween. We would begin prepping patrons for these activities through social media in the late summer, but we would continue with physical displays in the fall. 

On October 1st we would put up displays in each section of the library; adult fiction and nonfiction, young adult, children, and video. We would creatively display the horror titles in each area and include flyers and brochures that patrons could take with them. These flyers and brochures would include lists of the material displayed as well as the upcoming events and activities planned. 

By combining activities with displays of material, we can engage our patrons and open up a discussion about library material. Halloween allows us the opportunity to specifically promote the genre of horror. Hopefully we can take this format and apply it to other genres and holidays in the future. 

Thank you for your time.

The Winter People - Horror Annotation

Title: The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

Published: 2014

Number of Pages: 317 pages

Plot Summary: This story alternates between 1908 and the present day in West Hall, Vermont. In 1908, Sara Harrison Shea is struggling with the death of her young daughter, Gertie. Her husband, Martin, is worried about her mental state. Yet, his worry comes to a peak when she begins saying Gertie is back from the dead. But the dead don’t come back to life, right? Meanwhile in the present day Ruthie is troubled with the abrupt disappearance of her mother and Katherine is trying to cope with the loss of her husband. When both women find Sara Harrison Shea’s diary that recounts the days between Gertie’s death and her own, the pieces begin to fall into place to show how everything is connected. 

Horror Elements:

Tone: Saricks states that horror has a feeling of foreboding and fear (p. 238). That is definitely present in The Winter People as each section builds up then cuts off. It leaves the reader fearing a certain outcome, but it will not be revealed until the character’s next section.

Setting: The setting for The Winter People is also in tune with typical horror novels as it is set in the winter, specifically January, and in a very spooky woods.

Pacing: The pacing in The Winter People is erratic with its alternating time periods and abrupt ends of chapters and sections.

Characterization: Most characters in horror are haunted, shattered individuals who are vulnerable and lacking control (Saricks, p. 243). These are true for each character in The Winter People, but especially Sara. Sara has gone through several traumatic experiences her whole life starting with her mother who died giving birth to her, then having several miscarriages, and finally losing her daughter. This makes Sara the perfect character to have at the center of a horror novel. She is desperate and unpredictable which adds to the feeling of foreboding.

3 Read-Alikes:

The Women in Black: A Ghost Story by Susan Hill

The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian

The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher

Personal Thoughts: This was more creepy than I thought it would be. I thought since it would not have jump scares like TV shows and movies that it would be okay, but there kept being that sense of fear and foreboding. I got to a point where I had to make sure I read it when other people were around even though I usually do not like to be interrupted when reading. Even though it was creepy, it was a very interesting complex story with well-developed characters. These were stated on Novelist and I was glad to find it to be true. I also found it interesting that Saricks stated that horror normally has a lot of sex, violence, and profanity, but The Winter People was actually quite tame in those areas. There were only a handful of instances where “making love” was mentioned and there were only a few pages where profane language was used. The violence was a little more prevalent, but still not as bad as it could have been. Overall, I think this is a great read for those who are reading horror for the first time and are nervous about it.