Once again gearing up for a book-review program and trying to find a few things to fit. These programs are a fair bit of work but get great attendance and everyone loves them. I'm happy to share my templates with staff from other systems!
The descriptors I'm trying to match:
1. savory; language, mouth-feel; complex; sweet. The book you stop and read sentences aloud just to hear them.
2. bright; a little nutty; clear-- shine; full body
3. composed; balanced; big, layered; welcoming
4. dark, darker; full body; bittersweet
5. smooth; brilliant; stands out; gently spiced; crisp
6. Not yet defined.
All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders. Heavy on the narration, which seems to be a common element among books that, after the program, circulate and continue to circulate well, but this requires a big leap on the part of the reader, to just jump straight into magical realism without an introduction to the world.
Relativity by Antonia Hayes. Strong first page, but the second chapter has quite a bit of dialogue from the child character, which doesn't seem very realistic. Even suspending disbelief because the synopsis makes clear he's an incredible child, it doesn't sound right, doesn't strike true. Skipping ahead, much of the narration seems jerky.
The Good Liar by Nicholas Searle. Grabbing, engrossing; after skimming 10 pages, I'm in. I'll read more over the weekend.
Dear Fang, with Love by Rufi Thorpe. Definitely enthralling for some, but not likely to appeal to 45 out of 50 people. It has a little bite, a little purposefully-chosen crassness to swing away from what otherwise is engrossing language. Why be jarring on purpose?
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