Week 12 Prompt

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) By: Mindy Kaling

(Image retrieved from: https://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Hanging-Without-Other-Concerns/dp/0307886271)

Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
This book is highly narrative.

What is the subject of the book?
Kaling uses personal experience and humor in order to tell stories about her life and give advice to others.

What type of book is it?

Nonfiction, Humor and Entertainment, essays about life

What is the pacing of the book?

This book reads very quickly, but the pace is slower.

Describe the characters of the book.

The character in the book is Mindy Kaling, who is an actress and comedienne. She is intelligent, funny and relatable. There are many of her friends and coworkers mentioned throughout the book as well. 

How does the story feel?

Uplifting, comical, entertaining.

What is the intent of the author?
To entertain readers with personal stories and to give funny advice.

Does the language matter?

Not much, she references pop culture often though for readers who are unfamiliar with that.

Is the setting important and well described?

The setting is not very important, all readers need to know is that it takes place in the 21^st century and mainly in New York and L.A.

Are there details and, if so, of what?

There are not many details, just enough to tell short stories to the reader.She doesn't give very much personal information about herself, and when she does, it's minimal. 

Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? Are they useful and clear?
There are pictures of Kaling throughout the book, they are useful in that they are entertaining, relate to her life and allow the reader to see Kaling at different stages of her life and career.

Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience?

The book mainly focuses on the experiences of Kaling’s life. There are moments of learning and understanding throughout the book, but they are not main factors.

Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)?
1. Funny              2. Entertaining             3. Relatable

Nonfiction Annotation

(Image retieved from: https://www.amazon.com/Quiet-Power-Introverts-World-Talking/dp/0307352153)

Author: Susan Cain
Title: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Genre: Non-Fiction, Health, mind and body, Psychological 
Publication Date: 2012
Number of Pages: 333
Geographical Setting: United States
Time Period: 20th, 21st 
Series: Not a series, but the author wrote a children's book called, Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts, for younger readers. 

Plot Summary: This book states that the western world has created an extrovert ideal and that many people think introverts are not as likely to be successful as extroverts. It describes the importance of introverts through Cain’s thorough research on the topic. Cain states that at least 1/3 of the population are introverts, so it's important to know their characteristics and be aware of the different types of personality traits. She covers topics on both extroverts and introverts, how the two can get along and interact with each other, the importance of both types and how other cultures view these personality types. Cain details the advantages and disadvantages of both introverts and extroverts and dispels the myth that one is better than the other. Cain suggests changes in work environments, schools and parenting in order to encourage introverts and allow them to use their unique personality traits to benefit themselves and others in their careers, schooling and personal life. 

Subject Headings: Introverts
Introversion
Extraversion
Interpersonal Relations 

Appeal: If you consider yourself an introvert, I highly recommend reading this book. I’ve read this book many times, when I first read this book I came to the realization that I was highly introverted. I take solace in being alone and having my quiet time. Being social often drains me and I dislike small talk, big groups and too much noise. Reading this book is an eye opening experience because I realized that there are many other people in the world who are like me and can relate to how I feel about certain situations. Reading this book made many of my actions and feelings make sense and allowed me to feel normal in a sense.

3 Terms That Best Describe This Book: Informative, Enlightening, Relatable

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors

Introvert Power: Why Your Inner Life is Your Hidden Strength by: Laurie Helgoe Ph.D- These books are very similar, Helgoe emphasizes the strengths of introverts and explains that introverts gain energy and power from reflection and being alone. 
The Introvert Advantage: How Quiet People Can Thrive in an Extrovert World by: Marti Olsen Laney, Psy.D- This book states that it can boost introverts confidence and create strategies for thriving in an extroverted world. It is also a great book for introverts to read in order to understand themselves better and be able to cope in the extroverted world we live in. 
Introvert Doodles: An Illustrated Look at Introvert Life in an Extrovert World by: Maureen Marzi Wilson- This is a fun read to relate to if you are an introvert. It is a graphic novel that depicts what it is like to be an introvert living in an extrovert world. 

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors

The Introvert by: Michael Paul Michaud- This book is considered a mystery, thriller, suspense novel. The title alone makes it a great read alike. It is about an introverted vacuum salesman that lives a quiet life alone with his dog. The story evolves and suddenly the main character is the center of a murder investigation. It is described as a “sometimes brutal, oftentimes hilarious, and absurdist account of the life of one very anti-social and unexpected anti-hero.”

The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz- The main character of this book, Oscar, is described as a social introvert. He is scared of the social scenes he partakes in, but he does crave interpersonal relationships, he wants a girlfriend. He is usually found reading or writing science fiction or fantasy, but he does want deep relationships, but socializing doesn't come naturally to him. 

Where'd You Go Bernadette? By: Maria Semple- Bernadette is an introvert and agoraphobic, who runs away from her life when her family decides to take a trip to Antarctica. She doesn't want to deal with all the other people who will be going on the trip with them, so instead of socializing she decides to run away instead.

Historical Fiction Annotation

(Image retrieved from: https://www.amazon.com/Water-Elephants-Novel-Sara-Gruen/dp/1565125606)

Author: Gruen, Sara
Title: Water for Elephants
Genre: Historical Fiction, Love Story
Publication Date: 2006
Number of Pages: 335
Geographical Setting: There are multiple settings for this book, during the flash-forward it takes place in a nursing home, in the flashbacks, it starts out at Cornell University and then the majority of the book takes place in the circus.
Time Period: 1930s, 1990s

Plot Summary: Water for Elephants is told as a story through the main character, Jacob Jankowski, who is now in his nineties and living in a nursing home. His story takes place in 1932, in the circus world, as he transitions to life in the circus after he discovers his parents have both died in an accident and he is forced to drop out of veterinary school. The circus owner gives Jacob a job as the circus' veterinarian after learning about his educational background. Quickly after arriving at the circus Jacob falls in love with Marlena, who is married to, August, the head animal trainer, who is abusive to both Marlena and the animals he trains, including Rosie, the elephant. Jacob also dearly cares for Rosie and learns that she only responds to commands in Polish, which Jacob speaks, so he starts training her. The bond that develops between Jacob, Marlena and Rosie throughout the novel allows the reader to want to keep reading until the very end. 

Subject Headings: Circus-fiction
Depressions-fiction
Circus Performers-fiction

Appeal: Jacob Jankowski's kindness and love for Marlena and the animals at the circus, especially Rosie, will allow readers to be captivated by the story and engage with the characters. Strong and kind characters are a big appeal to readers, because the reader becomes attached to the characters and this leads to them wanting to know what happens to them next. The love story between Marlena and Jacob will also captivate readers, readers will want Jacob to save Marlena from her abusive husband. 

3 terms that best describe this book: Engaging, Romantic, Atmospheric

3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors
Queen of the Air: A True Story of Love and Tragedy and the Circus by: Dean N. Jensen- This book states it's “a true life Water for Elephants.” It's a story about the famous trapeze artist, Leitzel and her love affair with Alfredo Codona, a fellow trapeze artist. 

Modoc: The True Story of the Greatest Elephant That Ever Lived by: Ralph Helfer-This book tells the trials and tribulations of the life of Bram and Modoc, a man and a circus elephant who made his rise to stardom in 1940s New York City. Readers who enjoyed the relationship between Jacob and Rosie will enjoy this novel as well. 

American Sideshow: An Encyclopedia of History's Most Wonderous and Curiously Strange Performers by Marc Hartzman-This book gives readers a behind the scenes look at the life of circus performers, and it gives the history of the circus through the years. 

3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors
The Orphan's Tale by: Pam Jenoff- Both works are historical fiction that take place in a circus setting. Both main characters take refuge with the circus, which comes with ups and downs. 

The Night Circus by: Erin Morgenstern- Both books revolve around life in a circus, although The Night Circus has magic and fantasy throughout the story. 

At the Water's Edge by: Sara Gruen- Reader's who enjoyed Water for Elephants will hopefully also enjoy Gruen's other novel, for similar writing style and the historical fiction aspect. The novel does not take place in a circus setting for readers who liked that aspect of her first book.