Reference Question of the Week – 9/7/14
September 13th, 2014
This whole interaction made me laugh, but I have to call Spoiler Alert for anyone who hasn't read Be careful what you wish for by Jeffrey Archer - because this question does reveal the ending (I think).
A patron called in on a cell phone (with driving noises in the background) asking if there's a book after Archer's Be careful what you wish for. While I'm checking our catalog (which has Novelist Select built into the pages to list books in series order) the patron says [and this is the spoiler],
Everybody just blew up and the book ended so there's got to be a sequel.
When I get to the record I tell him it was just released in 2014 and is the fourth book in the series, but the fifth book isn't out yet. The patron's reaction could have caused an accident:
What? You mean they're going to make me wait? I just finished the last CD and I want to find out what happens next!
I couldn't help but laugh. It's honestly a joy to hear someone so into a story.
At least I could tell him book five, Mightier than the Sword, is due out in February 2015. I haven't read any of these, but if this patron is so excited about them I think maybe I should. Any audiobook that caused someone to call the library immediately after the last disc ends has got to be good.
September 13th, 2014 at 11:31 pm
I had nearly this exact conversation with a gentleman last week! Except, he just mentioned that the author ended on a cliff hanger. 🙂
September 15th, 2014 at 10:20 am
@Monica: wow – this must be a pretty good series to cause people to have the same reaction. I think I prefer your patron who didn’t give the ending away, but my guy really was worked up so it was kind of funny.
September 15th, 2014 at 10:41 am
“Everybody just blew up and then the book ended” is interesting evidence for a sequel. I guess I’ll start looking forward to Dr. Strangelove II in cinemas near me.
Then again, I suppose Beneath the Planet of the Apes was about ten movies ago at this point, so maybe your patron has a point.
September 17th, 2014 at 10:04 am
Now the patron knows how Game of Thrones, Homeland, Downton Abbey, etc. fans feel.
Glad he didn’t blame you!
If people had more appreciation for all the work that goes into the creative process, and if we were less spoiled by instant gratification, maybe we wouldn’t be so impatient.
Thanks for the post!