Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction by Joyce G. Saricks

Reader's Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction
Joyce G. Saricks
American Library Association
Chicago
2001

Chapter 1:  How to Use this Book.

Got the wrong version - should have the 2009 for the St. Kates class.  I figure I'll read the 2001 as well and have a continuum.

Definition of genre: "Any sizable group of fiction authors and/or specific titles that have similar characteristics and appeal; those are books written to a particular, specific pattern." (Saricks, p.5)

Definitions of the individual genres based on readers' perceptions and expectations.

Genres covered:
Adventure
Fantasy
Gentle Reads
Historical Fiction
Horror
Literary Fiction
Mysteries
Psychological Suspense
Romance
Romantic Suspense
Science Fiction
Suspense
Thrillers
Westerns
Women's Lives and Relationships

She says the book is supposed to be provocative and not prescriptive.

"Frankly, all this genre classification is really antithetical to readers' advisory work, where we focus on what a reader wants to read and cross genres with abandon as we make suggestions. So why devote years of reading and writing to create a book that defines genres and establishes themes and authors? Because understanding fiction is the backbone of our work, and understanding the genres and conventions and the authors that exemplify them is what allow us to move readers from one to another, to be the knowledgeable resources readers expect and deserve." (Saricks, p.12)

"All of us need to give ourselves permission to enjoy reading - of all kinds - and to share that joy with other readers and give them permission to do the same." (Saricks, p.14).  This brings to mind the "Readers' Bill of Rights" by Daniel Pennac and Nancy Pearl's "Rule of 50."