Reviewer Spotlight

Branch: Morrison Regional

Charles, a reference librarian at Morrison Regional, has contributed an array of thought-provoking reviews of both fiction and non-fiction for adults. His former supervisor, Natalie M. was a founding member of the Reader’s Club Team.

He shares his thoughts on reading and writing book reviews:

Before she retired, Natalie M. was very involved with Reader’s Club. As a member of the committee, she was responsible for entering all of the mystery book reviews, and before she did that, we often looked them over together checking for typos, length, and grammar. She encouraged me to write some reviews myself, and that got me started.

This may sound odd, but I found that I enjoy writing reviews for the same reason that I enjoyed preparing for final exams: pausing to think through the material brings it into focus. I already know that I liked the book, or I would not consider reviewing it. Then, when I begin to view the volume as a whole and try to summarize it, the book makes even more sense as the plot or purpose becomes clearer. Through the review I gain a greater appreciation of the book and a better understanding of why it appeals to me.

Although I decide, with all good intention, to review quite a few books, I do not actually accomplish that. When I finish a book that I know I want to recommend to friends and patrons, I tell myself to review it for Reader’s Club. After delaying several weeks without writing a single sentence, I remind myself how important it is to let people know about this great book. At that point, I usually manage to delay a little longer before deciding that it isn’t fresh enough in my memory to do the book justice.

My reviews reflect my reading. Sometimes in conversation or across the reference desk, people ask about reading tastes. It always sounds like a simple question, but, in fact, I like such a variety of reading that I never can give a straightforward answer. I do not know a genre, a category, or any other handy descriptor that succinctly defines my taste. If I had to choose one book from a random assortment, I would be just as likely to pick a classic as a bestseller, or a children’s book as a biography.

I like to read, period. I prefer books to magazines, newspapers, cereal boxes, labels, and billboards, but depending on where I am and what I am doing, I will read whatever is in front of me.

Similarly, I do not really have one favorite author. I always look forward to reading and rereading Pat Conroy, and I am already on hold for his new cookbook. I think that he is a great storyteller and a fine wordsmith. His involving plots are filled with believable characters and honest emotions. I thoroughly enjoy John D. MacDonald’s Travis McGee books several of which I have read at least three times. After meeting Kaye Gibbons, I sat down and read most of her books, and I try to recommend and display them regularly.

Although I have only read a bit of his overall work, I also consider Wendell Berry a favorite. I keep promising myself the time to read more of his essays as well as the Port William series. Oh, and let’s not forget James Clavell, Lee Smith, Andrew Vachss, Larry McMurtry, Anna Quindlen, Carl Hiaasen, Carol O’Connell, Robert Parker, P. D. James, Michael Connelly . . . It gets to be an association game which, in the end, comes back to the all too familiar “So many books, so little time.”

Which reminds me, I have three books going, and I hear them calling.

Thanks, Charles!