The Readers' Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (ALA Readers' Advisory)
Librarians attempting to answer that gut-sinking request for a  book "just like this one" can't afford to miss this excellent  self-study reader's advisory guide. The author of Readers'  Advisory Service in the Public Library (Professional Media, LJ  10/15/97), Saricks helps librarians painlessly discover the  specific appeal of 15 different popular fiction genres, what the  benchmark titles are for each, and how to talk to people about  the books they love. Genres overlooked by other reader's  advisory tools are listed here in good detail, such as literary  fiction, women's lives and relationships, and three types of  suspense separate from mysteries, horror, and thrillers. In each  chapter, Saricks breaks a genre down into subgenres (for  example, under mystery, English cozy amateur detective tales vs.  police procedurals) and identifies authors and titles that  typify each. Annotated suggestions for print and nonprint  resources are appended for further investigation, as well as  another appendix challenging readers to explore five books in  each genre every year (with a list of good titles to try). Well  indexed by author, title, and subject, and full of practical  suggestions on how to prepare for working with readers, this is  an invaluable resource. Highly recommended for all public  libraries. Jennifer Baker, Seattle P.L.Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an alternatePaperbackedition.