Join us each month as we interview a Readers' Advisor at WPL so you can get to know the team a little better. This month we are featuring Teen Services Department Head, Lisa! Continue reading to learn tips for branching into new genres, the book she can't stop raving about, and more.
How long have you worked in libraries?
12 years
What is your favorite book from childhood?
I was obsessed with the 1980s Nancy Drew Files book series. Just as Long as We’re Together by Judy Blume and Matilda by Roald Dahl are also standouts.
If you could have a conversation with a character from any book, who would you choose?
Bertha Mason (Mr. Rochester’s first wife).
What is the last book that you read?
So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole – A YA Fantasy novel that begins after the chosen one and secret queen have won the war of independence against the dragon flying invaders of their island. Now Faron, the chosen one, can still summon the gods and uses them to win races against bullies at school, her sister Elara, who joined the war to protect Faron, is trying to make a name for herself. When a new threat emerges on a nation and people who are still rebuilding and healing Elara and Faron find themselves grappling with their place in the world and who and what they are fighting for.
Tell us about a book you can’t stop raving about.
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone. A fantastical science fiction novel about two beings that can travel through and manipulate the events of time and history. These beings, who go by the names Blue and Red work for agencies with warring goals and leave each other notes as they weave their way through moments in time. The messages, which begin as antagonistic, grow increasingly familiar as they bounce through universes as they increasingly fear repercussion from their superiors. A weird and atmospheric read that I couldn’t put down.
What book surprised you?
The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He
How can patrons discover books that might be of interest to them?
The library staff creates lots of fun lists that you can find in the library or on our Reader Resources page. Lists include books by genre, readalikes for popular books or other media (e.g The Barbie Movie) or more niche topics like gaming and cooking. And if you’re looking for something more specific – or aren’t sure what you’re in the mood for – you can always ask library staff for suggestions! We love helping people discover something new!
What resources do you personally utilize when looking for the next book you want to read?
Recommendations from other readers and library staff. If I’m looking for something more specific I’m a big fan of using NoveList, a database that is accessible through the library, that provides lists of readalikes for specific books and authors.
Do you have any tips for someone who is looking to branch into a genre they normally don’t read?
Finding a connection point in a genre you’re familiar with to the one you want to try could be a good place to start. If you want to give fantasy a try and you enjoy a heist storyline look for a fantasy with a heist (The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi) or if romance is your jam, try a fantasy with a romance focused plotline (Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross).
Do you have any tricks for someone who might want to incorporate reading into their daily routine, but is struggling to do so?
Give yourself an amount of time that you plan to read a day and don’t make it too long, I generally plan to read about 20 minutes a day. It’s enough time that I make a little a progress even if I don’t feel like it in the moment, but short enough that it doesn’t feel daunting to start. If the book pulls you in, you can always keep going past the 20-minute mark.