Fluent in Fantasy: The Next Generation (Genreflecting Advisory Series) - Hardcover

Kunzel, Bonnie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1591581982 ISBN 13: 9781591581987

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 2007

Synopsis

It's no secret that the fantasy genre has undergone a tremendous renaissance since the publication of the Harry Potter books and the recent successes of the film versions of The Lord of the Rings. Fantasy is one of the hottest genres going today, appealing to readers both young and old. This new guide focuses on titles that have come out of the recent publishing explosion in the fantasy arena. The authors organize and describe approximately 2,000 titles, most new to or newly described in this edition. A revised organization reflects the growth and trends in the genre, and all titles (except individual titles within series) are annotated.

About this title

About the Author

Diana Tixier Herald, winner of the Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award, is program and outreach manager at Delta County Libraries, Delta, CO, and an author, readers' advisory consultant, workshop presenter, and speaker.

Bonnie Kunzel is Youth Services Coordinator, New Jersey State Library, and is former president of ALA's Young Adult Services Association (YALSA).

Reviews

This update to Heralds Fluent in Fantasy: A Guide to Reading Interests (Libraries Unlimited, 1999) features many titles published in the interim. The organization is quite similar, with many identically titled chapters and others that are expanded from sections in the previous volume. The bulk of this volume is comprised of lists of books by author in categories such as General Epic Fantasy and Alternate Worlds. Brief introductions to each list help distinguish one category from the next. As with any list of recommended titles, users will find lacuna–Lois Bujolds Chalion series is here but not her newer Sharing Knife series (both HarperCollins)–but the authors include many great selections. Cross-references are made from one list to another, so Rowling appears in Alternative and Parallel Worlds with a reference back to the full listing in the chapter on witches and wizards. While Rowling and a few other YA authors appear, this volume is intended to highlight fantasy for or that appeals to adults. Back matter includes helpful indexes by author, title, and subject as well as lists of award winners and humorous fantasy. This resource should prove helpful for anyone looking for fantasy beyond the YA shelves.–Eric Norton, McMillan Memorial Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
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*Starred Review* Since the publication of Fluent in Fantasy: A Guide to Reading Interests (1999), the genre has undergone “an extraordinary renaissance,” so The Next Generation is an appropriate subtitle for this entry in the Genreflecting Advisory Series. According to authors Herald (who was also responsible for the earlier book) and Kunzel, the renaissance has been fueled in part by the Harry Potter phenomenon and the films based on the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In the new guide, more than 2,000 titles are arranged by author in 14 thematic chapters, including “Epic Fantasy,” “Arthurian Legend,” and “Time Travel Romance.” Publication dates range from the nineteenth century through 2007, with emphasis on titles that have been published or reissued in the last 10 years. All title entries are annotated (unless they have already been listed and annotated in other chapters), and all series are annotated as well. The extent of annotation is a big change from the previous edition, where many citations provided only author and title. Also new are icons indicating books on which films or television miniseries are based and books available in audio versions (although there are no audio icons accompanying any of the Harry Potter books). Gone are Herald’s chapter-by-chapter personal recommendations found in the 1999 guide. Appendixes list award winners and “humorous fantasy.” The volume concludes with author, title, and subject indexes. The guide will be welcomed by anyone who used the previous edition and by librarians who need help satisfying readers’ growing interest in the fantasy genre. An essential collection development and readers’-advisory tool. --Mary Ellen Quinn

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1591581982
• ISBN 13: 9781591581987
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 328