The Top 5 Things to Know in 5 Top Genres Rebecca Vnuk, ShelfRenewal.com With special thanks to: Neil Hollands on Fantasy/Science Fiction Barry Trott on Crime/Mystery

Why do you need to know? Sometimes, we just need quick answers for patrons who want “a good book”. Having a brain full of books in different genres makes the RA experience a lot less indimidating! See Public Libraries Article, “Jack of All Trades Reader’s Advisory”, Jan/Feb 2010 issue.

Today’s Categories Are… Of course, there are any number of genres we could have decided on as “top 5” genres. For this presentation, it’s: Science Fiction Fantasy Women’s Fic Mystery/Crime Suspense

Today we’ll find out, the top 5: Must-Know Authors Must-Know Books Up-and-comers Top trends In each of our genres!

Fantasy and Science Fiction: Courtesy of Neil Hollands

5 Classic/Must- Know Fantasy Authors Lois McMaster Bujold Neil Gaiman Terry Pratchett Robert Jordan George R. R. Martin

Five Must- Know Fantasy Series Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, starting with Storm Front Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse series, starting with Dead until Dark George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire, starting with Game of Thrones J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series, starting with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, starting with The Fellowship of the Ring

Five Up-and-Coming Fantasy Authors

Five Classic/Must-Know Sci-Fi Authors Philip K. Dick Isaac Asimov Arthur C. Clarke Robert Heinlein Ray Bradbury

Five Must-Know Sci-Fi Books I, Robot by Isaac Asimov Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Foundation by Isaac Asimov War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells Dune by Frank Herbert

Five Up and Coming Sci-Fi Authors

Trends in Fantasy /Science Fiction Urban fantasy/paranormal fantasy “Feminism” in Science Fic Darker, epic stories Young adult novels leaning more towards SF & Fantasy (dystopia) Cross-genre work - Classic Mashups; Genre blending

Women’s Fiction

5 Must-Know Women's Fiction Authors Danielle Steel Barbara Taylor Bradford Maeve Binchy Jodi Picoult Jennifer Weiner

5 Must Know Books in Women’s Fic 5 books that will get you up to speed on what Women’s Fiction is all about: Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews Happiness Sold Separately by Lolly Winston Always and Forever by Cathy Kelley

Up-and-comers in Women’s Fiction

5 Trends in Women’s Fiction Crafty Women Humor Chick Lit grows up - Bridget gets married, has a baby, is widowed… Issue-Driven Women’s Fiction Ensemble Fiction

Crime/MYSTERY: Courtesy of Barry Trott

5 Classic Crime/mystery writers: Dorothy Sayers Robert B. Parker P. D. James Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Agatha Christie

5 Must-Know Crime/Mystery Books Gaudy Night -- Dorothy Sayers The Mysterious Affair at Styles – Agatha Christie The Big Sleep – Raymond Chandler Indemnity Only – Sarah Paretsky A Morbid Taste for Bones – Ellis Peters

Up-and-coming crime/mystery writers:

5 Trends in Crime/Mystery Paranormal Crime Fiction Historical Mysteries Contemporary Cozies Hobby Mysteries International settings

ARRT Genre Fiction List Suspense Suspense Vs Thriller (as opposed to Mystery, or Crime? Even the authoratative sources can’t seem to settle on a definition) Subgenres abound ARRT Genre Fiction List

Five Must-Know Suspense Authors Karin Slaughter Ruth Rendell Patricia Cornwell Mary Higgins Clark Joseph Finder

Five Suspense Titles to Read Tell No One - Harlan Coben A Simple Plan – Scott Smith Land of the Living – Nicci French The Silence of the Lambs - Thomas Harris Total Control - David Baldacci

Five Suspense Up & Comers

Five Trends in Suspense Literary Suspense Forensics Graphic Violence Blockbuster debuts Do I dare say once more… Paranormal

These slides will be available at www.shelfrenewal.com rebeccavnuk@gmail.com