A month ago the American Public Libraries Association held its annual conference. I haven’t read any reports on it. (If you know of any good write-ups, please share). But I was very much taken by their promotional material for the conference. On their website they encouraged attendees to consider structuring the conference experience via sample journeys, “…designed to help you get oriented, spark ideas, and consider the range of possibilities. … Think of these journeys as a starting point, not a rigid script.” Such sample journeys included Community Engagement, Small and Rural Librarians, and Youth and Family Champions.
Which started me thinking, do we have reading journeys?
Would it be interesting or appalling for an author to suggest a book (or selection of books) to be read before and after their own book? The books suggested before and after the author’s book could provide different journeys by emphasizing different aspects of the central book.
I’m curious if anyone is doing this, if it’s a gut-check “no” for you when you read of the idea, or if I’ve been living under a rock and there’s an app for it. (There’s always an app ::insert long-suffering, cynical sigh:: )
Comments
10 responses to “Reading Journeys”
I love the idea. I always enjoy learning what books authors I enjoy recommend from their own backlist or that they are reading from other writers. I have read books you have recommended previously, and I also love when Gordon and Ilona Andrews make recommendations – have found great new favorites both ways.
And when the Horde gets in on the act and starts suggesting books my TBR pile grows another shelf 😉 They’re such a fabulous couple, and for other authors, their writing advice is amazing.
I couldn’t agree more with Deborah – and in fact found your books that way 😊
And I’d love it if there was an app for that – sorry 😄
As long as you’re appy I’m happy! (Oof, that’s a truly terrible pun) I am so glad you found my books!! and that you commented here 🙂 Thank you!
Interesting idea. Those of us who are friends of Sharon Lee (Liad) have many common tastes and suggest books to one another.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, beats organic recommendations. And reading friendships are one of life’s joys. Your comment reminded me of them and just made my tired start to Friday a bit brighter 🙂 It’s good to remember the good people in our lives!
The House Andrews blog and Horde commenters have been a good source, for me. I think that is where I came across you, too. Am#$%n does recommend books, but it is hit and miss, and I’ve found Goodreads recommendations of no help at all. Sometimes reviews help, but can be so misleading! One review of TKWNKM compared it to a cross between Outlander and Game of Thrones, which I found bizzare and inaccurate. This has been a very negative post, sorry!
Some reviews are odd! These days, I assume an AI wrote them, but before then I was at a loss for an explanation. Maybe people review a product thinking it’s something else? Calling Maggie a cross between Outlander and Game of Thrones??? People! too confusing to understand without more coffee 😉
Yes! Except for the app, I am resistant to adding more apps than beyond the truly necessary. 😝
Me too! I am death on apps. I go hunting them – and to my horror, I find Samsung sneaks game apps onto my phone on some updates. Rude! But I would love someone to set up a reading journeys site, with or without an app.
At minimum, later in the year, when I (all fingers crossed) have some time, putting together some reading journeys that include my books sounds like fun.