It's hard for me to put books squarely in camps of idea generating or not because one's ideas as a reader are so much one's own. We inevitably do a lot of the work in formulating a response, for good or for bad. We might be misinterpreting a writer but can still get started on an interesting train of thought. I think I would divide writers less by their actual discernible novel ideas and more by whether they write in a fertile way that demonstrates understanding at every turn. It is clearer to me that some writing is alive and some is dull, and that does make a difference in what I can do with it. I can also identify that certain ideas just aren't original. Sometimes they are presented as if they are, and that is when the lack of originality is most glaring and telling. I almost feel embarrassed for the author. This is easier for me to see in non-fiction, however. Some writers certainly also make me lose respect for them by being stupid or trite. Which again is probably about setting up something as very interesting when it is not.
If that gator was transported by subway, I certainly hope it was in the dead of night! It's hard to think of a scenario where there were witnesses (unless they were accomplices), so this must be fully on the person's conscience. Unique in details if not in kind, I guess, as far as torments go.
Arguably marketing books via accurate descriptors rather than sales is what the entire readers advisory part of librarianship is about--starting back with every book its reader; every reader their book.
I am so happy when you take the time to respond - it makes me feel happy that my writing has generated so much thought!
It's hard for me to put books squarely in camps of idea generating or not because one's ideas as a reader are so much one's own. We inevitably do a lot of the work in formulating a response, for good or for bad. We might be misinterpreting a writer but can still get started on an interesting train of thought. I think I would divide writers less by their actual discernible novel ideas and more by whether they write in a fertile way that demonstrates understanding at every turn. It is clearer to me that some writing is alive and some is dull, and that does make a difference in what I can do with it. I can also identify that certain ideas just aren't original. Sometimes they are presented as if they are, and that is when the lack of originality is most glaring and telling. I almost feel embarrassed for the author. This is easier for me to see in non-fiction, however. Some writers certainly also make me lose respect for them by being stupid or trite. Which again is probably about setting up something as very interesting when it is not.
If that gator was transported by subway, I certainly hope it was in the dead of night! It's hard to think of a scenario where there were witnesses (unless they were accomplices), so this must be fully on the person's conscience. Unique in details if not in kind, I guess, as far as torments go.
Arguably marketing books via accurate descriptors rather than sales is what the entire readers advisory part of librarianship is about--starting back with every book its reader; every reader their book.