Now Read This: A Guide to Mainstream Fiction, 1978-98

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.