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Readers become reviewers in Tale for Three Counties project
Contest prize is lunch with author
February 7, 2009
By Ben Beagle
bbeagle@batavianews.com
Frances McNulty of Batavia has read each of the "A Tale for Three
Counties" books. She's a regular at the community reading project's
book discussions at Richmond Memorial Library. And she's likely to write
a review for Tale's annual contest -- even when she knows she wouldn't
be available to attend the winners' lunch with the author if she were
chosen.
"It's a lot of fun. It adds to my enjoyment of the book," McNulty said. "I've never found it to be difficult."
The annual contest, sponsored by The Daily News, started six years ago with author number two, Howard Frank Mosher.
It was one more element to the reading project organized by libraries in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties. Tale encourages readers to pick up the same book, discuss it and then meet the author in a series of visits each spring.
This year's Tale title is Separate From the World, a mystery by Paul L. Gaus that is set in Ohio's Amish country. Gaus explores the differences between Amish and non-Amish, or "English," culture as his main character, Professor Michael Branden investigates the apparent suicide of one of his students, and the death of an Amish dwarf.
Entries for this year's Tale book review contest are being accepted until Feb. 17. (Entries must be submitted on the official entry form, which can be found on page B-4 in today's paper. It will also appear several more times.)
Up to six winners will be chosen by the "Tale" organizing committee, and then gather for lunch with Gaus on March 13 at an area restaurant.
McNulty, the Batavia reader, has had lunch with three of the previous six Tale authors.
"They were all different personalities, all very interesting," McNulty said. "It's just such a nice personal experience to hear the author one on one. It's a much more intimate and personal experience."
With a 150-word limit, the contest isn't looking for a review of the entire book, but encourages readers to think about a particular aspect of the Tale title and then share their thoughts.
The contest "adds the dimension of individual readers sharing one on one time with the author that goes way beyond simply hearing the author speak at a particular library," said Mary Zangerle, director of Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina, one of the locations that will host an author visit. "The personal access to the author is certainly appealing" to readers.
Last year saw a record-tying 16 reviews submitted for consideration.
"I think that the review contest has become popular because people understand that they'll get a nice meal with a chance for an in-depth conversation with the author," said Leslie DeLooze, the Richmond Memorial librarian who spearheaded the Tale project, which debuted in 2003.
Of course, there are other ways to join Tale's community of readers.
Book discussions are scheduled through March 11 at local libraries and bookstores. The next is set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Byron-Bergen Public Library, 13 South Lake Ave., Bergen.
Additional programs are also being scheduled, including a documentary film screening on Feb. 25 at Richmond Memorial Library.
Gaus will stop March 12 to 14. His schedule: 1 p.m. March 12 at Genesee Community College, 1 College Rd., Batavia; 7 p.m. March 12 at Richmond Memorial Library, 19 Ross St., Batavia; 7 p.m. March 13 at Lee-Whedon Memorial Library, 620 West Ave., Medina; and 2 p.m. March 14 at Perry Elementary/Middle School, 50 Olin Ave., Perry, a program hosted by Perry Public Library.
A full schedule is available at the Tale Web site, www.taleforthreecounties.org.
Past book review contest entries, including the winning submissions, are posted on the Tale Web site at http://www.taleforthreecounties.org/book_review_contest.htm
How to write a review
Don't be intimidated. This isn't a homework assignment. It's supposed to be fun. Record impressions as you read and note effective passages. When writing, describe and evaluate the story. Remember, a description is not a summary of events. The judges want to know how you reacted to characters or events in Separate From the World.
Consider, generally:
• What did you like or not like about the novel?
• Perhaps you reacted strongly to a particular part of the story. Tell us what it was, and why you reacted that way.
• What goals do you think the author had in writing this novel? How well does he achieve them?
Or, specific to Separate From the World:
• What purpose does Aiden Newhouse serve in the story?
• Which character displays the greatest amount of foregiveness?
• Can people truly be "separate from the world"?
Courtesy of Batavia Newspapers Corporation