WESTERN Book Discussion - Question # 7

One final question about the characters ...

• Are any of the characters in THE OUTCASTS "good people," in your estimation? What qualifies as goodness in the universe of this novel? Which character (if any) do you consider the story's moral center, and why?

Submit your points via the Comments: link.

WESTERN Book Discussion - Question # 6

Who might enjoy this book ...

• To which of your customers, family, friends, or co-workers might you suggest The Outcasts? Why do you think they would enjoy it? 

• Many readers learn about new titles using social media ... how would you promote the book on Twitter or Hootsuite, using less than 140 characters?

Let's talk about the readers' advisory aspect using the COMMENTS: link.

WESTERN Book Discussion - Question # 5

What about the genre itself ...

• How does this book compare with other Westerns that you have read (or seen)? What themes does this novel share with them, and which does it reject or reimagine?

Use the COMMENTS: link to provide your answer.
 

WESTERN Book Discussion - Question # 4

Let's continue with the title ...

• Why do you think this novel is called THE OUTCASTS? Which characters does this phrase describe, and why? What would it take for THE OUTCASTS to be "included," and what would they lose in the process?

Please enter your response using the COMMENTS: link.

WESTERN Book Discussion - Question # 3

What about Nate, the male protagonist ...

• Nate's first encounter with Dr. Tom and Deerling is marked by distrust and disapproval of their questionable methods, but his relationship with both men evolves as they work together. What does Nate learn from these more seasoned rangers, and from being on the job? How would you describe the portrayal of male friendship in this novel?

Use the COMMENTS: link to discuss this point.

WESTERN Book Discussion - Question # 2

Now let's expand the discussion by exploring the character of Lucinda ...

• Lucinda's moral spectrum has many shades of grey. Dr. Tom sums her up with a question: "What makes you think a woman with any decency left would cleave to an evil man like McGill?" Is his assessment of Lucinda fair? Did you find yourself sympathizing with Lucinda or judging her? To what extent should we forgive her capacity for cold self-interest and even brutality?

 Use the COMMENTS: link to continue the discussion.

WESTERN Book Discussion - Question # 1

The Western benchmark selection is THE OUTCASTS by Kathleen Kent, "a taut, thrilling adventure story about buried treasure, a manhunt, and a woman determined to make a new life for herself in the old west."

Let's begin with a bit about the main characters ...

• Most of THE OUTCASTS revolves around the separate journeys that Lucinda and Nate take before their paths cross. Discuss the motivations that initially drive the two protagonists towards their goals?

Post a COMMENT to begin or continue the discussion.

NONFICTION Book Discussion - Question # 7

Let's talk about similar reads ...

• What read-alike titles might you suggest for someone wishing a book like In the Kingdom of Ice?

• Would you only suggest other Nonfiction titles or could you expand into fiction? If so, what title(s) could you suggest?

Enter your responses using the COMMENTS: link below.

NONFICTION Book Discussion - Question # 6

Now lets discuss how to 'sell' the book to potential readers ...

• Using no more than 4 sentences, how would you give a book talk for In the Kingdom of Ice? Try applying the PRES technique listed under the RA Resources tab.

• What about using social media ... how would you describe the book on Twitter or Hootsuite, using less than 140 characters?

Use the COMMENTS: link below to provide your answers.

NONFICTION Book Discussion - Question # 5

Let's discuss the book from a readers' advisory point of view ...

• To which of your customers, family, friends, or co-workers might you suggest In the Kingdom of Ice? Why do you think they would enjoy it?

Please enter your response by using the COMMENTS: link.

NONFICTION Book Discussion - Question # 4

How about comparing the story to events of similar import ...

• According to the newspapers in 1879, if successful, the Jeannette Expedition would "be one of the most brilliant geographical adventures ever won by man." Another paper stated "man is on the verge of a discovery before which the discovery of America by Columbus would pale." (Page 128)  Are there any recent or current endeavors which have been proclaimed in similar terms? If Yes, name one. If No, why not?

• Taking into account the fate of De Long's expedition, would you consider it a success? Was is 'doomed' from the start?

Use the COMMENTS: link below to discuss this issue.

NONFICTION Book Discussion - Question # 3

Now let's discuss Hampton Sides' presentation ...

• What did you think of the author's writing style? Was the use of source documents helpful or a hindrance in following and understanding the narrative? Please explain your point of view.

Use the COMMENTS: link below to discuss this point.

NONFICTION Book Discussion - Question # 2

Let's continue with the history of the time period ...

• What did you learn from In the Kingdom of Ice? How familiar were you with any of the events, personalities, theories, or science which lead to De Long's arctic exploration expedition in 1879? 

Use the COMMENTS: link below to continue the discussion.

NONFICTION Book Discussion - Question # 1

The Nonfiction benchmark title is In the Kingdom of Ice: the Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette by Hampton Sides, "a white-knuckle tale of polar exploration and survival in the Gilded Age."

Let's start with a bit about the time period ...

• How did news reporting in the 1800's differ from the the way the news is reported today?  If a newspaper were written in such a manner today, do you think people would subscribe to such a paper?  Explain why or why not?

Enter your response by using the COMMENTS: link below.

SCIENCE FICTION Book Discussion - Question # 6

Now let's talk about appeal ...

Will this appeal to female readers? Devi is female, but acts typically male. Will this turn off male readers? How will you entice various readers to try this series?

Please enter your response by using the COMMENTS: link at the bottom of the post.

SCIENCE FICTION Book Discussion - Question # 5

And what about the story ...

Is there too much action and not enough explanation/world building? Does it really require so much shooting and blasting to make it a good story?

Please use the COMMENTS: link below to enter your response.

SCIENCE FICTION Book Discussion - Question # 4

What about the other characters in the story ...

The Glorious Fool's crew is mixed with several alien characters. Are they relatable? Do they add to the story or are they just there for color?

Please enter your response by using the COMMENTS: link below.

SCIENCE FICTION Book Discussion - Question # 3

What about characterization ...

Is Devi a believable main character? Do her actions match her motivations to become tops in her field?

If participating in the online discussion of Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach, please enter your response by using the COMMENTS: link below.

SCIENCE FICTION Book Discussion - Question # 2

Let's look at another aspect of the novel ...

Can a romance be successfully mixed into space opera without alienating science fiction readers? How would you suggest this title to romance readers?

Please enter your response by using the COMMENTS: link below.

SCIENCE FICTION Book Discussion - Question # 1

The online book discussion for our Science Fiction benchmark, Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach, starts today! 

I will be posting a question-a-day through Tuesday, August 26th so any and all staff can participate in this section of the Genre Study Program. 

There will also be an in-person book discussion on Wednesday, August 27th in GA Room 112 starting at 9:00 AM for any staff who can and wish to attend.

Now, the first question ...

With a female main character who is in a typically male role (mercenary), does it change the way readers view her aggressive/masculine actions and speech?

So everyone can follow the discussion, please enter your response by using the COMMENTS: link at the bottom of the post.

A complete list of the discussion questions for this title will be posted Tuesday evening, August 26 under the Book Discussions tab

[My thanks to Jessica Moyer, Assistant Professor, School of Information Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for generously supplying the discussion questions!]

Scroll down for additional information about Fortune's Pawn, the SCCCLD staff Readers Advisory Training (RATraining) program, and our current Genre Study.