Secret Shopper Summary

The Interview

I went to a small library shortly after they opened on Monday morning. I approached the Information Desk and asked if I could have help finding a good book. The librarian was excited and asked me what I had read recently that I enjoyed or authors I like to read. I told him Agatha Christie is one of my favorites and I like that I want to keep turning the page to find out what happens. I also let him know I had recently started the Queen’s Gambit and like it for the same reason. He said it sounded like I enjoy thrillers and suspense as well as mysteries. He is very correct. I enjoy trying to guess what happens before the book ends. Then he asked if I would be open to Young Adult or Children’s books. I told him I like reading any books as long as the story is good. He then asked if there are any authors I particularly like in those areas. I told him I keep up with Rick Riordan’s books and his fantasy writing appeals to me. 

Recommendations

After this he said he had a few authors in mind and searched his catalog to see if they were in. He described the authors' books in great detail and gave me reasons why he thought they would match what I normally read. The first author’s books were all checked out but he said Tana French had some that were in. He showed me where they were and said that the first book was out but her series do not have to be read in order. He left me to go find another author he thought I would like and said that if the books did not sound good that it would not hurt his feelings and he would look for a better fit. I read the descriptions of the stories and both of French’s books sounded like ones I would have a hard time putting down. He had given me Broken Harbor and Faithful Place. Then he came back with a Kate Atkinson book and said he thinks I would like her books because she writes many of the genres I described during our conversation and that her books could be for different moods I am in. He said he was going to go look through the catalog more while I looked over the books. After reading the third book’s description I decided it was the best match for me and checked it out. Before I did he asked if I wanted any Young Adult or Children’s recommendations, but I declined because I wanted to go home and start Atkinson’s book.

End Results

Overall I had a great RA conversation. He made me feel welcome and like I was not being rushed to get out. I got help from him for about 45 minutes. He also clarified aspects of the books I enjoyed and why I tend to favor them over other genres. I know from the past few weeks of readings that knowing why a person likes a book and listening carefully to what the patron is describing about the book is very important. Different people can like the same book for completely opposite reasons. I also appreciate that he asked if I was open to more than the adult collection even though I only started out talking about adult books and authors. I am an avid reader of any age ranged book and was pleased he thought to ask about children’s books. I would say it would have been nice to be asked about books I do not like to read and why. I also do not know why he only looked in their catalog. I have a hunch it was because he knew all the authors/genres and understood why I liked the books. I just know that since I am not a regular it might have been smart to look at a RA website. I had a great experience and intend on going back and asking him for more recommendations.