Nine of the best-selling books of all time are nonfiction, and countless readers turn to nonfiction when reading for pleasure today. Yet little has been done to classify nonfiction titles according to reading tastes. This is especially true in the library, where subject arrangements geared to information-seeking and scholarly research ignore the important characteristics and appeal features that readers seek out when reading for pleasure. It's no surprise, then, that in recent years, nonfiction readers' advisory has become one of the hottest topics with readers' advisors. This groundbreaking guide offers readers and professionals who work with them a much-needed road map to the vast and previously uncharted (in terms of RA) terrain of recreational nonfiction. After defining the genre (often also referred to as creative nonfiction, verite, or true stories), and discussing its unique characteristics and appeals, the author classifies and describes more than 500 titles popular with nonfiction readers--everything from true adventure, true crime, and travel narratives to investigative nonfiction, environmental writing, and life stories. Focus is on the best titles published within the last decade, with key classics and benchmark titles also cited. Chapters are subdivided into subgenres and popular themes. For each title you'll find a short list of nonfiction read-alikes. Fiction read-alikes are listed for each genre, as well. Appendixes list top political and spiritual writers. Tips and guidelines for nonfiction RA, and information about awards and NF publishers are included. This is an essential resource for all professionals who work with adult readers. It can be used as a reference andreaders' advisory guide, collection development tool, or even as a source for book lists and displays. Readers who enjoy nonfiction will also enjoy perusing this book, and browsing through the lively annotations.

The third in the "Now Read This" series, Pearl & Cords's guide briefly describes and organizes approximately 500 of the most popular and current contemporary, mainstream fiction titles according to their primary appeal features-character, setting, language, and story. It also notes award-winning titles and those appropriate for book clubs; and it offers users suggestions for related reads. Focus is on titles published since 2000, and all annotations are new to this volume. This is "the" standard readers' advisory guide to mainstream fiction, and an essential tool for readers' advisors.

Investigative writing--from exposes to character profiles, and immersion journalism to political and business reporting--is an American tradition that has come into its own, with authors such as Barbara Ehrenreich, Tracy Kidder, William Langwiesche, and Samantha Power regularly rousing critical acclaim, and claiming more spots on best-seller lists. Often controversial, and written by some of our best writers, these are generally titles with high visibility in the media and high appeal to readers. Take a closer look at more than 500 current and classic examples of investigative writing with this guide that describes and organizes hundreds of titles according to popular subgenres and themes. The author provides for each a descriptive annotation, a list of subjects, fiction and nonfiction read-alikes, and indications of awards and suitability for book groups. In addition, the book includes explanatory notes, and information regarding the history and development of journalistic writing, up to and including gonzo and the "new new journalism." An essential guide for readers' advisors, this is also an important resource for academic libraries that serve journalism programs.