Now Read This: A Guide to Mainstream Fiction, 1978-1998 »

NANCY PEARL is Director, Washington Center for the Book, and Collection Development Specialist at Seattle Public Library, Washington.

Recommending books to readers of contemporary mainstream, or literary, fiction is perhaps the most challenging of all endeavors for readers' advisors. Pearl and her co-authors attempt to ease the process with this helpful guide to the most elusive genre. Covering 1,000 novels, many of them award winners, the book organizes titles according to their major appeal characteristics (e.g., language, setting, story, and character) as delineated by Saricks and Brown in their standard text, Readers' Advisory Service in the Public Library, 2d ed., (ALA, 1997). For each book there is a plot summary, indications on the book's suitability for book discussion groups, and recommendations of similar titles. Awards are cited as well, and all titles mentioned are indexed by title, author, and subject. Describing some of the best literature published in the United States and abroad in recent years, this book is an essential guide for readers' advisors, and a helpful collection development tool.

Booknews

Provides public, school, and academic librarians as well as serious general readers with an annotated list of 1,000 acclaimed and award-winning novels, organized into four sections according to their primary characteristics (character, setting, language, and story), as delineated by Saricks and Brown in their standard text (ALA, 1997). Each title includes plot summary, indication of the book's discussion group suitability, a list of subject headings, and recommendations of similar titles. Titles selected for Oprah's Book Club are also tagged. All titles are indexed by author, title, and subject. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)