2018: A Year In Review

Posted on in Posts in 2018 by Brodart


As you enjoy the holiday season, helping patrons and settling down with a good book yourself, let’s take a look back at some of the tips, trends, and opinions we shared with you this year! We’ll close with a glimpse of four major conferences we attended, too.

Here is your 2018 Brodart Connect Year in Review.


“Warm Up Your Collection with Hot STEAM Titles”

We brought STEAM titles into the spotlight with a look at several different benefits that STEAM programming offers. To make collection development easier on librarians, we offered two STEAM-centric title lists: a STEAM list for ages 3-14, and a STEAM list filled with biographies.



“What Do Teens Want?”

Gwen Vanderhage took a closer look at the trends and reading habits driving today’s teens. She also highlighted diversity—reflecting the desire to see oneself in the material one is reading—and the search for identity that is guiding teens and influencing the publishing world every day. Check out this list of titles full of diverse experiences and characters for teens.



“What is Brodart Reading?”

In June, we gave you an inside look at the titles currently occupying Brodart employees’ bookshelves. From YA to Adult, these selections ran the gamut of fiction and nonfiction. Here's a list to refresh your memory – or add a few to your own shelves!



“Should Middle Grade Titles Have a Place of Their Own?”

Suzanne W. Hawley made the case for giving middle grade titles its own section on the shelf. She also treated readers to a closer look at the age ranges, mindsets, and content found in middle grade titles across the spectrum. Take a look at our Middle Grade Fiction Bibz List for some hot titles today.



“When Books Spawn TV Series (And Vice Versa)”

In September, we went beyond Game of Thrones to look at several TV series adapted from books—and vice versa. Of the roughly 500 series available on TV and streaming in 2017, we looked at newer adaptations, such as Elena Ferrante’s My Brilliant Friend and the Black-ish parenting guide. We also made sure to sprinkle in a few longstanding favorites.

For more great stories from 2018 and years past, visit our Brodart Connect Archives.