Reputations
"Your reputation proceeds you" might be a cliche, but in my world it is a phrase that I live by. For the past several years I have developed quite the reputation for knowing what types of books teenagers want to read. A reading specialist by day, and a verocious reader and writer by night, I know what will sell and I know what will sink.
Everybody loves a good story. Sadly, there are more teens who have relinquished their library cards and have instead opted to sit passively in front of whatever new electronic device is currently trending. In my day society blamed TV (and MTV) on the dissenigration of yesterday's youth. Today teens have traded reading in favor of using the hot new toy that begins with an "i." Please understand I am not bashing Apple in any way. I am the proud owner of not only an iPhone4 but also an iPad with Retina Display. But for someone who works with teenagers all day everyday, I have found that instant gratification through electronics is what is desirable these days. Books have gone to the wayside.
At the same time when I do find teens who enjoy reading I always ask them to name the best or favorite book of all time and why. Sadly I have learned that most answers are typically whatever novel is currently trending, or the next YA novel turned blockbuster. Even today's USA Today lists the nation's top 5 best sellers as The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (movie to come out this summer), The Collector by Nora Roberts, Divergent by Veronica Roth along with the sequel Insurgent (the former is also currently playing in cinemas nationwide and the latter is in production for a release date of March 2015, and finally Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo which opened in theatres this past Easter weekend.
Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that books have become somewhat "cool" again. And although the above listed books are of quality and the authors are highly regarded. I sometimes wonder why some books become a sensation and others that are just as good, if not better, aren't given the credit they deserve. It makes me wonder what books are teens going to read into their adulthood? Lifelong readers will always be on the lookout for books that will speak to them, and I believe that books have a way of coming into our lives when we need them the most.
Teens are at a crossroad in life when they make the decision to either become a lifelong reader, or ultimately end their literary journey. I do believe I am an expert in assisting wayfarers on that path to find joy in books once again. You are not going to find me recommending The Fault in Our Stars or Divergent. A few years ago you would not find me recommending The Hunger Games or Twilight. People will read these books out of popularity, they don't need to be promoted anymore. But you will find me recommending books that are not as prominently known but just as good. I hope to not only share those recommendations with the people I meet, but also to those I am only meeting here in my virtual library.
This site will contain my musings on books along with my own personal essays regarding literature, literary movements, pop culture, trends, and how all of this affects America's youth.
I have gotten quite the reputation for turning reluctant readers into lifelong readers. If you are standing at your own literary fork in the road, or know someone who is, I welcome you. It's not too late to change your own reading reputation.
