Week 11 Prompt Response

Reader's Advisory Matrix from Neal Wyatt's The Reader's Advisory Guide to Nonfiction

1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum? 

    A mix (combines highly narrative moments with periods of facts-based prose)

2. What is the subject of the book? Personal finance

3. What type of book is it? Self-help and instruction

4. Articulate Appeal

    a. What is the pacing of the book? It is face paced and easy to read and follow

    b. Describe the characters of the book. The narrative follows a path that introduces a number of characters to the reader. There are examples of different women and their specific situation mentioned throughout, so you get to know just a little bit about their finances without it being focused on just one person. 

    c. How does the story feel? The story feels relatable, comforting, informative, and reassuring. 

    d. What is the intent of the author? The author intends to share financial knowledge with others in a way that is relatable and easily understood. 

    e. What is the focus of the story? The focus is on personal finance and teaching others how to be financially responsible in all aspects of their lives.

    f. Does the language matter? Yes! It doesn't feel like you are reading a textbook, it feels real and like you are talking to a friend who is trying to help. 

    g. Is the setting important and well described? The different financial topics are very nicely discussed. There might be a topic introduced, but real life examples bring the topics to life and provide insight into relatable experiences and lessons to follow. 

    h. Are there details, and if so, what? There is some detail with financial profiles of women. They might include income, how much is going into savings, how much is spent on rent or mortgage, etc. 

    i. Are there sufficient charts and other graphic material? Are they useful and clear? The way the financial profiles are set up are easy to read without being too plain as if you are reading an Excel sheet. 

    j. Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? Yes! You hear from the author, but also from the other women/characters that she introduces. There is a lot of experience that is shared and lessons to be learned about specific financial choices. 

5. Why would a reader enjoy this book (rank appeal)? 

    1. Learning/experiencing             2. Characterization                3. Tone

*I checked this out from the library and the first time I read it I finished it in one night! I used to read for a bit when I couldn't sleep at night, but I could not put this book down. It felt so exciting to read about things so relevant in my life and hear about other women's experiences with money.