Paging Dr. Holmes

The Reader’s Advisory Matrix

Book: The Devil in the White City: Murder Magic and Madness as the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson

1.) Where is the book on the narrative continuum?

A mix (combines highly narrative moment with periods of fact-based prose)

2.) What is the subject of the book?

History - History of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago, IL and the famous serial killer Herman W. Mudgett, a.k.a. H. H. Holmes.

3.) What type of book is it?

Biography of H. H. Holmes and narrative nonfiction of the 1893 World’s Fair.

4.) Articulate Appeal

What is the pacing of the book?

Leisurely paced

Describe the characters of the book.

The book is split between two main characters, H. H. Holmes and Daniel Burnham. Holmes is a loveable con man that moved to Chicago to fulfill his desire to secretly be a murderer. Daniel Burnham was one of the leading architects that help create and build the 1893 World’s Fair.

How does the story feel?

Informative, detailed, dark, and troublesome.

That is the intent of the author?

To tie together one of the largest celebrations the United States has ever seen with one of the most notorious serial killers in U.S. history.

Does the language matter?

No

Is the setting important and well described?

Yes.

Are there details and, if so, of what?

Details include the planning of the worlds fair as the architects envisioned it, and how the fair was actually completed. This detail also goes into how Holmes was able to use the fair to his advantage when looking for victims.

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?

There are black and white pictures included in the book. They are more interesting than useful; but they are clear photos.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?

Learning and understanding, yes. Learning through describing the methods and tasks included in creating a fair as large as this. Understanding through the historical context described through the life of Holmes and Burnham.

5. What would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?

1.) Setting

2.) Detail

3.) Character type

Goodbye Yellow Book Road

Ebooks and audiobooks are a part of our landscape. What does the change in medium mean for appeal factors? If you can't hold a book and feel the physical weight of it in your hands, how does that affect your knowledge of the genre? How about readers being able to change the font, line spacing, and color of text - how does that affect pacing and tone? How about audiobooks? Track length, narrator choice, is there music?  For this week, I want you to think about how ebooks and audiobooks affect appeal factors - also think about appeals that are unique to both mediums. Please feel free to use your own experience and that of your (anonymous of course) patrons. I look forward to reading these!

The appeal factors for ebooks and audiobooks change slightly. They still have the same bones, but they are tweaked a bit. The four main factors are pace, characterization, storyline, and frame. These 4 factors apply to ebooks, but audiobooks have the 5^th factor of audible presentation (Mediatore, 319). I feel that audiobooks are more affected than ebooks are. Ebooks are ALMOST like the physical copy of the book. I feel like the four are unaffected, however format is an added appeal. How and where the ebook can be accessed has a part to play. If I can’t download it on my kindle or iPad, its not worth my time. Audiobooks on the other hand are greatly affected. Pace for a book would be determined by the narrator, as characterization and frame. Some audio platforms give you the option to change the pace of the book, like audible for example. If the narrator is slow, you can turn up the speed, vice versa if they are reading too fast. Secondly, if the narrator does not change their voice when reading a character’s part, how is the listener to know that a character is speaking? Without seeing the quotation marks, it can be difficult for the listener to determine what is happening. Same applies to the frame of the story. How a narrator describes something can change how the listener visualizes it. This all falls into the 5^th factor of audible presentation, but it worth noting that it the previous four are altered as well. Ideally, it shouldn’t affect the first four, but it does. The narrator of a book can make or break it.

I don’t think that ebooks or audiobooks effect the genre at all. The format of the book doesn’t have anything to do with the genre of the story. I can see how one would be displeased by the difference in format, book vs. tablet, but I don’t see how that affects the genre. It shouldn’t at least. I suppose of someone is reading an epic fantasy, they expect a large book with a ton of pages which is something you won’t get with an ebook. It would just be more pages if anything, but again, that doesn’t have anything to do with the genre.  Same goes for the ability to change the font, size, and color. Font could change the pace if it is a script type font. Some people might have a harder time reading with all the wisps and curves, but if one can change the font then why not just make it something easier to read? The pace will be set by the person reading, not the characteristics of it. Reading yellow font on white paper would slow someone down tremendously, but honestly, who is going to set themselves up for that type of failure? As for tone though, tone can be greatly affected by this type of change. It’s like reading something in all caps. PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY THINK YOU ARE SHOUTING. Same could go for large font size. Some could see it as large and intimidating, giving it an overtone that might not apply to the story. Same for color. What emotions people associate with a color would greatly affect the tone. Imagine you read the sentence “Momma, just killed a man…”. If that sentence were red, you might be intimidated and scared, but if it were in blue, you might be more at ease and wonder why he killed him.

Momma, just killed a man…

Momma, just killed a man…

Audiobooks have similar issues. Personally, I don’t like audiobooks that have extra noises. I don’t find them necessary. Its like they are trying to bait me on how to feel about the book rather than making my own distinction. Track length can be daunting to some because a book can be 300 pages long, but the audiobook could be 25 hours long. Its just like when they make a book to a movie. It takes a lot more time to act out the scene then if you are reading it in your head. Same applies to audiobooks. Is it going to take longer to read a sentence or speak it in a manner that another person can understand? Lastly, narrator choice is a HUGE factor in audiobooks. As I stated previously, it can make or break the audiobook. On a trip over spring break I started the second kingkiller chronicle book in the car. Since my husband has already read them, he wanted to listen too. We barely got through a chapter before he told me to turn it off because he couldn’t stand how the narrator pronounced the words. So, I had to turn it off. I’ve only recently started listening to audiobooks. I sometimes listen to them in the car, but mostly its when I’m shopping. I can be in my own little world rather than the grumpy people at the grocery store. I find it EXTREMELY entertaining because people look at you funny. Especially if you laugh because they have no idea what you are laughing at (I have air pods so people don’t always see the headphones). I get some weird stares, more so if I’m listening to music and air guitaring in front of the ketchup, but that’s a story for a different time. Anyway, the few things about audiobooks that bother me are the following:  

1. ·         Rarely is there a distinction between internal and external thoughts. In books, this is typically portrayed via italics. I have yet to meet someone whom can italicize their voice.
2. ·         Voice edits and the flow is interrupted. There are times where there is a section of narration that doesn’t fit with the rest of the chapter. Its like they had to go back and redo the take and there is a distinct interruption of flow because the tone of voice is different.
3. ·         Changing narrators in a series. That drive me BATTY! Its like changing actors in a movie. Why? Don’t do that.
4. ·         Sometimes audiobooks will change that story narrative. I read a book where I was listening to it at home but wasn’t doing anything else. So, I downloaded the ebook just so I could follow along with the written narration and they were different! 95% of the time it was correct. If there was a discrepancy, it was not a major difference. It either left off a word or swapped two sentences around, but on one occasion, they skipped a whole sentence. That bothers me. It feels like they aren’t accurately representing the book. However, I do not know if it was the audiobook that was wrong or the ebook. I didn’t have the hard copy to compare. However, now I’m curious….what if they are both wrong?

Killers & Kings

Compelling, Eloquent, and Lyrical

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Genre: Fantasy

Book information: Paperback, 722 pages, published by DAW Books, Inc., Copyright 2007.

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            ISBN 13: 9780756404741

Trilogy Information: Book #1 of the Kingkiller Chronicles.

Book #2 is titled The Wise Man’s Fear.

Book #3 is reportedly titled Doors of Stone. A release date has not been confirmed.

Setting: The Four Corners of Civilization. Mostly taking place in Tarbean (Tar-be-in), Imre (em-ray), Trebon (Tray-ben) and at the University.

Summary: Kvothe is a name in many stories, both positive and negative, for being one of the most legendary wizards of all time. Kvothe, known as Kote to some, has been hiding as an inn keeper in a small town that doesn’t get many travelers. Many do not know the true tale of Kvothe, only the rumors that have been spread from his adventurous life. One day, when familiar trouble reaches the small town he resides in, Kote saves a traveler, later known as Chronicler, whom recognizes his true identity. Chronicler, a well-known autobiographer, begs Kvothe to tell him his story, so he can reveal the truth behind the legends bound to his name. Kvothe agrees on two conditions. One, Chronicler must write the story as he tells it, with no alterations, and two, it will take three days to tell the whole story. The Name of the Wind is day one of that story.

Elements of Fantasy

Pace: Intensifying. The book starts out slow, as many fantasy novels do because they are setting up the world the book will take place in. The Name of the Wind is no different, but after the scene is set, action takes over. By the end of the novel you will be so engrossed into the story that it will be hard to put down. It will be even harder to refrain from picking up the second one and keep going.

Frame: The book is very detailed, but in an effortless sort of way. From the setting to the characters, everything just flows with a sort of grace only experienced fantasy authors can achieve. Magic is also a heavy part of the story, typical of the genre, but it’s not overwhelming or too complex that is becomes distracting to the story.

Storyline: One of the things that I find unique about this book is that it is a story of a story. Kvothe is telling his story to a writer (Chronicler) so he can expand on the rumors that have been spread about him over the years. So, as you are reading it, you are reading it as Kvothe in the first person as if he is living his experiences first hand, but he is really reflecting on his past as he tells it to Chronicler. Therefore, there are small parts where the book jumps from past to present, but for most of the story it is told from Kvothe’s childhood point of view.  

Characterization: Kvothe is the courageous, complex hero of the story, even though he is known by many other names and some of them not so glorious. Also, in The Name of the Wind, there is a large cast of characters that help Kvothe overcome the childhood struggles he faced.

Tone: The tone of this book varies by situation, which is common in most fantasy novels. It ranges from bleak and depressing to joyous and hopeful, even though there is this unknown mysterious overtone that blankets the whole story.

Style: Lyrical has a double meaning for this book. One being that the book is written so elegantly, that it could be perceived as an ode or sonnet. Two being that Kvothe’s father was a bard, therefore Kvothe has some musical talents that layer into the story and his character.

Appeal: The Name of the Wind is not quite like any other fantasy novel I have read before. There are all the elements typical of the fantasy genre, like world building, other languages, magic, and adventure, but there is also something more. The biggest appeal is the effortless writing. Some fantasy authors get too focused on the details that you miss the main points of a story, and some can tend to get bored with it. Details are necessary, but there is a fine line between too much and not enough. Rothfuss hits that sweet spot that gives you enough to get the desired idea of the story, but not too much that you get lost in the details about a rock that will trip someone 30 chapters later.  

4 Read-a-likes

1.) Fool’s Assassin by Robin Hobb (Trilogy)

2.) The Hobbit or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien (Also adapted into a film titled “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”)

3.) Uprooted by Naomi Novik
4.) The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons

So many books, So little time.

The book club I attended was very small. It actually took me a while to find one, but of course I ended up at my local library. The book club normally consisted of 5 people. Two of the branch’s librarians and three patrons. However, when I went, one of the librarians had to be elsewhere in the library at the time, and one of the loyal club goers was away on business. So, there was just three, four including myself. I honestly don’t look at that as a bad thing though. I’m sure some would because it is such a small group, but I find that to be incredibly personal. You are all able to discuss your views on the book in length and not really have to worry about making sure everyone else gets a turn.

When I looked up the book club and where it would be, they typically set up in the meeting room. However, this time, a larger group needed access to the room, so we met in a small conference room in the back. Since the room was changed, there was no coffee readily provided. The leader of the book club did offer, whose name I will leave out because she happened to also be the branch manager, but I didn’t want to trouble her for it. However, when one of the regulars came in, she was disappointed to no see any coffee there. The leader did go get a cup for her and there were also lemon cookies provided. Nothing fancy, for I think they were used to having the small group, so they just had the one snack just in case someone wanted something while they chatted. However, by the end of the book club, the leader did suggest a rotation of people bringing snacks for the club, so they didn’t have the same thing every week. I thought that was a nice gesture.

The leader was very accommodating for having a new person for book club. She gave me a reading list for the year with all of the meeting dates on it. After reviewing the list, she mentioned how they structured the list for the year. Every month was a different genre and they flipped back and forth from fiction to non-fiction. There was also a free for all month that I assume they pick at the meeting prior to give everyone a month to get the book read. So, I asked if she picked the list for the year or is it a communal effort? She said that at the end of the year, everyone brings a list of suggestions and they do their best to accommodate everyone suggestions into the list, but ultimately, it’s a vote. I thought this is nice because not only does it give people a chance to read the books that they want but it’s not just one person picking the books. If it were just one person, there might be some bias when picking the books for the year. It also nice to see a book club that isn’t just reading that month’s bestsellers, or what is popular at the time. That might attract more people to the club, but it doesn’t do much as far as variety goes.

Speaking of attracting people to book club, I think one of the largest flaws for the book club I attended is the timing. They have book club once a month, which I think is perfect, but they have it at 2pm on Tuesdays. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m at work at that time. It makes it very difficult to attend a book club that is in the middle of a work week, in the middle of the afternoon. That might be why the book club is so small to begin with because most people can’t attend unless they have a very flexible schedule or are retired. I had to leave work early to attend this book club. Although, everyone was very welcoming and advocating for me to come back, the timing is just not possible for me to become a more permanent member. I expressed that to them, and they conveyed their disappointment, but nothing more than that.

As for the actual discussion of the book, there were no formal questions asked or ones specific to the content of the book. They were more generalized, leaving the group to discuss the book however they wanted. There weren’t any “yes” or “no” questions, other than the leader asking if they liked the book or characters. Which is funny because one of the ladies commented that “this is the first one in a while that we have all liked.” I asked them how long they have been doing book club to get an idea of how many books they might have read that they didn’t like. Both patrons commented on being a part of book club for about a year. I wanted to ask which book was their least favorite just out of my own curiosity, but I didn’t get the chance.

The leader directed the conversation when there were lulls, but there weren’t many. One lady, Phyllis, was far more chatty than the other two. She seemed to have an opinion on everything and constantly compared the book to her all-time favorite. I think she said the book was titled Hawaii, or something about Hawaii. She mentioned it a lot, as if nothing could compare to it. Regardless, they were all very welcoming. They still tried to include me into the conversation in some way, even though I didn’t read the book they were discussing (The Moon Stone by Wilkie Collins). It kind of worked out though because they started comparing the book to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. There I can comment because I have read those stories, so the conversation may have diverted slightly because of that. Overall, I found the experience to be a pleasant one, even though I doubt I will be returning.