Secret Shopper Experience

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions, I decided to complete this assignment over the phone. I know how phone reference can sometimes be a bit difficult to navigate, but enjoyed the experience that I had. 

I called to get a recommendation for a novel within the genre of magical realism. After answering some questions about my previous experience with this genre or if I had a particular author or title in mind, the librarian was able to narrow down a bit more information about my preferences. I shared my enjoyment reading books like The Ghost Bride  and Mexican Gothic, and they were able to point out some of the similarities between these works, and connect these to another book. 

I was recommended to read Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel. It shares the complex familiar relations like the novels I enjoyed reading previously, and continues a conversation of Mexican tradition and heritage that I loved so much in Mexican Gothic. We also spoke about the author Isabel Allende, who I am familiar with, but have not read as of yet. 

Overall, it was a positive experience. Although I normally do not seek recommendations from others, this is something I hope to do more often in the future!

Comments

  1. Nicole ScurlockFebruary 15, 2021 at 11:35 AM

    Hi Alex,

    I also don't often seek out reading recommendations from others, so I enjoyed getting to share my preferences with a librarian and seeing which authors/titles they recommend. Sounds like you had a pretty good experience! I read Like Water for Chocolate several years back, and it was unlike anything I had ever read. Magical realism was new to me then, and I enjoyed the introduction to the genre.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Erin CataldiFebruary 16, 2021 at 6:56 AM

    I have noted the above responses towards participation,

    ReplyDelete

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