Where Are "Our" Books?

Conversations similar to the following are quite frequent at my job:

Patron: Do you know of any good books?
Me: Sure. Depends on what you like.
Patron: I’m looking for something good.
Me: [I rattle off a few of my favorites which usually juvenile, YA or some fantasy.]
Patron: I don’t really like that kind of book.
Me: My adult reading, sadly, has been lacking. I can recommend some good teen or kid books; I’ve been trying to keep up with what my kids (as in library) are reading. I can recommend [insert last adult book I read which usually involves some type of murder]
Patron: Oh. I’m looking for Terry McMillan’s (or some other author’s) new book. You know, the sequel to Waiting to Exhale (or some other series).
Me: That’s not out until September (or it checked out).
Patron: Well, I’m looking for a good book, you know, a drama. One of ‘our’ books.

At this point, depending on how much coffee and the time of day I handle this request with either a list of books I have read and loved, do a quick search of “our authors” type of books or a combo of both. As one of two, I am frequently called upon to recommend books to entice the most reluctant readers as well as books for those”just starting to read again” but are only looking for Black authors. I mostly don’t mind; I love books and I love to share what I’m reading. I do mind, however, when my my recommendations are shot down because someone doesn’t want to try something different and refuses to give my recommendations a try (yes, I do have feeling s too ya know!). In my role as library chick, I feel like I should offer a variety of books, especially if they are books that I really love regardless of author or genre. But I’m torn. Do I offend a reader by suggesting what they are NOT asking for? Do I gain a new reader when I offer a new genre? Am I underestimating my reader, insulting them by not trusting them enough when I don’t offer the books that I am reading? Am I disconnected from my patrons?

The book group that I am a part of answered a host of these questions. Professor Morris and the members of the group have shared reads that they love, offered ideas to engage readers and given me the confidence to pull that neglected book from the shelf to be loved by a new reader. In addition to the professional bonding that I have gotten, I have also been encouraged to trust my readers.

Sometimes, and because it’s me*, I get flustered. I haven’t been keeping up with the latest books and it shows! The only reason I knew about Waiting to Exhale’s sequel was a tweet that I happened to read from a friend. Patrons often request books from other libraries that leave me scrambling to order. I have trouble keeping up and feel like I will never catch up! It can be positively overwhelming! But once I talk myself out of the equation, I learn from my patrons, they teach me to trust them and eventually they are reading the latest Karin Slaughter, Walter Mosely and Ian Rankin along with Markus Zusak or Rick Riordan along side Terry, Eric and E Lynn. The more I work, stop being so self conscious and listen (key) I realize that whether it be “our” books or any book, I am making connections and more readers.

Checking out books,
-r

*I’ve got issues and here is the Poor Rachée part of the post.