A Reader's Place

Listed below are descriptions of talks and Readers’ Advisory workshops, currently offered. I develop new programs and tailor existing programs to meet your specific needs and interests. See calendar below for upcoming  programs.                             

Contact me with requests for more information, pricing, or any other question you may have, at roz@thereisners.net.                             

Talks 

Hungry Hearts: Jewish American History in Fiction and Memoir
From the arrival of the first Jewish immigrants in New Amsterdam in 1654 through the ensuing 350 years, millions of Jewish immigrants have found safe harbor here and left their mark on American history and culture. Their stories, in fiction and memoir, reveal the joys and heartbreak of the journey.                         

Beyond Faye Kellerman and The Red Tent: Great Jewish Mysteries, Thrillers and Historical Fiction
If you enjoy solving murders, shivering with suspense, or being transported to another time, you’ll enjoy hearing about these new and classic novels with Jewish characters, settings, and themes. Learn about some new and exciting authors and share your favorite titles with the group.                         

Memoir and Fiction: Two Sides of the Same Coin?
Angela’s Ashes, The Liar’s Club, Running With Scissors–everyone’s writing memoirs, and we’re all reading them. Why do they appeal to us? Are they truly nonfiction? Does it matter? We’ll talk about some wonderful memoirs and how they are like the fiction we enjoy.                            

Memoirs: Yours, Mine, and Everybody’s
Why do people write memoirs? And why are we so keen on reading them? Telling life stories is as old as the cave paintings of the Stone Age and as new as YouTube. At this program, you’ll discover what a memoir is, what makes a successful memoir, hear about notable (and infamous) memoirs present and past, and learn some tips about writing a memoir.                           

Readers’ Advisory Workshops for librarians

 Talk it Up! Techniques for Talking to Readers About Books
Do you find it daunting to talk to your customers about the books they’re reading and make suggestions? Is “Can you recommend a good book?” a scary question? This interactive workshop will provide suggestions for active and passive Readers’ Advisory service. We’ll talk about genres, appeal characteristics, online and print resources, and the importance of Readers’ Advisory service in the 21st century.                         

Beyond Fiction Readers’ Advisory: Connecting Readers with Memoirs
Why is memoir almost as popular as fiction for readers today? How can we use that popularity to connect fiction readers with the memoirs on our shelves? Learn how to use basic readers advisory techniques to suggest life stories to your patrons. And in the process, learn about some terrific autobiographies for you own reading list.       

Literary Fiction-What’s the Appeal?
There are lots of tools to help readers and readers’ advisors find genre fiction, but recommending novels to readers of literary fiction is a different story. Find out how to use the appeal characteristics approach to help your readers find literary fiction they (and you!) will enjoy.                            

CALENDAR OF ROSALIND’S UPCOMING PROGRAMS

 Tuesday, July 6, 1:45-3:15
Association of Jewish Libraries Conference, Seattle
The Other Side of the Coin: Jewish Memoirs for Fiction Readers
http://www.jewishlibraries.org/
                      

Thursday, May 6, 2010, 1:00-4:00
Wescott Branch, Dakota Co. Library System (MELSA workshop)
Beyond Fiction Readers’ Advisory: Connecting Readers with Memoirs