Library satisfaction

[readsintrees.livejournal.com]

Yesterday while cruising around the library where I work, I noticed a girl in the teen section, holding a Robin McKinley book but looking kind of bored. I asked if I could help her find anything, and she shook her head. I asked if she wanted any book suggestions, and she said kind of morosely, "Nah, I feel like I've already read everything here...."

I nodded sympathetically, but then I went one stack over, grabbed "The King of Attolia" (since our copies of "The Thief" and "The Queen of Attolia" are the unappealing hardcover Jesus & Hand duo) and brought it over.

I asked, "Ok, but have you read this series?" She said no, so I said, "This is my FAVORITE series eveeerrrrr..." and her eyes perked up.

"Really?"

"Yup, and the last book just came out so I know you haven't read that yet."

She seemed interested, so I brought her over to where the rest of the books were. After telling her to ignore the kind-of-ugly covers of the first couple books, I gave her a quick synopsis: "So it's about a sneaky thief who gets taken out of the king's prison in order to go steal an ancient treasure from an enemy country. The world is kind of like ancient Greece, but different. The first book is really about immersing yourself in this world, so it may seem kind of slow at first, but trust me it's worth it. And then book 2 is where the action really picks up..."

Then I walked away. You can't pressure someone to take your recommendations (especially teens), and most of the time you never really know if they took it or just waited for you to leave before putting the book back.....

Well, here's the shelf this morning: 

She took the WHOLE series, not just the first book!

*delighted librarian chuckle*

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

What a cool story :) :)

[canonisrelative.livejournal.com]

How delightful ^^ I believe Moira is smiling down upon you right now.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

That's the best part of being a librarian, isn't it? And you should be proud of your Gen-like moves there--subtly manipulating your quarry by enticing them with just enough information then walking away, making it seem like their decision. Nice job!

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Great job corrupting children! XD Your library's QT shelf keeps good company. Tolkein and Del Toro? :)

My local library just got closed again, so reading this reminded me that I will one day be able to hang out in the stacks again. *sigh*

[rouan1.livejournal.com]

I love this story. What would be great if she lets you know how she liked them!