Joanna’s Comments (group member since Dec 27, 2013)

Joanna’s comments from the CPL's Book a Week Challenge group.

Our theme is diversifying your read. What book did you pick? Why did you pick it? Is there something you are hoping to get out of the book?

Online Book Club returns for August! Our theme is Diversify Your Read - read a book with characters or written by an author of a race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. other than your own. It's all about stepping into someone else's shoes.

What is everyone reading this week? I finished some manga and A Court of Frost and Starlight over the weekend. It's such a great feeling, being able to finish the books on my floor. Until I get distracted by shiny new objects. Lol. I've been waiting for the library to get Red, White, and Royal Blue (a contemporary LGBT read set in a more optimistic world) and it's finally here!! I checked my copy out today and I am resisting the urge to binge read it.

After that, I'm reading The Princess and the Fangirl. We'll see if I can finish both this week.

Tell us what you are reading!

Ann wrote: "Just remember: you don't have to run faster than the zombies, just faster than the person with you. :)"

Hahahahahahaha. I don't think my friends would be very appreciative if I sacrificed them to the zombies.

Online book club is back!

In August, we are diversifying our read! Read a book with a character (or by an author) of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. other than your own.

August's Take It or Leave It challenges are below. Do one, do all, do none! It's totally up to you.

1. Book Lovers Day (August 9th) - Read a book about books

2. Family Time - Read a book where family dynamics play a big role

3. Librarian Recommendations - Read a book recommended by a librarian

4. First Language - Read a book translated into English

5. Historical People - Read a fictional account of a historical person

6. Dog Days of Summer - Read a book with a dog on the cover

7. Diversify Your Read - Read a book with a character (or author) of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. other than your own

What is everyone reading this week? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?

I finished The Name of the Wind last night and now wondering why it took me so long to read it. I absolutely loved the world building, the characters, and how lyrical Rothfuss writes. I've heard the second book isn't quite as good but I'm still excited to read it (probably not for a month or so; trying to finish all these library books I have out). I would definitely recommend this book, especially if you like high fantasy, thoughtful world building, a slow build-up, or lyrical prose.

Now starting on A Court of Frost and Starlight as that is the last book to finish what is out for the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. It's pretty short so hoping to get it done before the week is out.

Me, last week: "I feel like I am forgetting something. What is it?"

Me, last night: "Oh, shoot! I completely forgot to post a Book Quest thread!"

My brain has been so focused on FantaSci these last few weeks that I have completely forgotten most other things. I really need a time-turner from Harry Potter that way I can be in two places at once, accomplishing all the tasks. Alas, it doesn't exist (and would probably be dangerous if it did).

Time-turners are just one of the many unique objects that populate books. If you could have any book object, what would it be? I'm leaning a bit toward that prose portal from the Thursday Next series; I'd love to be able to jump into books.

Tell us what one you would want!

Jodie wrote: "I can tell you the books I wouldn't want to "move" into: The Stand or World War Z or Swan Song; I fear I am not a survivor!"

I would definitely be dead in those books. I'm pretty sure I'd be the first person eaten in any zombie story. Lol

Sorry again about the late Take It or Leave It! I knew a new month had started but for some reason I didn't actually comprehend what that meant. I suppose that's what comes from being busy and stressed. Lol.

Also, I'm sure you've all noticed that there is no July Online Book Club. We're taking a small hiatus this month because I'm in the process of preparing for FantaSci. The book club will return in August.

This week I will be moving into my new apartment. Outside of the normal household objects, I am moving at least 30 boxes of books (don't ask). All this moving has made me wonder - if you could move into a book, which book would you move into?

There are so many good options! Of course, I'd want Lord of the Rings but who wouldn't want to move to Narnia? Or some other fantastical world (I would really like there to be friendly dragons). But there is also space! I adored Aurora Rising and despite the crazy shenanigans, it would be fun to live on a space station. Also, solving crazy mysteries with Sherlock Holmes. Or taking a voyage under the sea with Captain Nemo.

What book would you want to move into?

Note: Apologies for this going up so late. My brain somehow forgot that July was a new month and that this needed to get posted.

July's Take It or Leave It challenges are below. Do one, do all, do none! It's totally up to you.

1. Happy Birthday, America! - Read a book about American history

2. All Creatures Great and Small - Read a book that has an animal on the cover

3. One Day is Now - Read a book you have been meaning to but haven't got to yet

4. Blast off! - Read a science fiction book

5. Favorite Color - Read a book that has your favorite color on the cover

6. "It is a truth universally acknowledged..." - Read a Pride and Prejudice "sequel" or rip off

Melissa wrote: "I’m reading Small Fry by Lisa Brennan-Jobs for a book club and then working on the Amulet series so my daughter and I can chat about them. I’m also listening to The Time Machine by H.G. Wells becau..."

Yes!! Doctor Who!! Welcome to the marvelous world of the time traveling Doctor.

Congratulations to Susan Newman who is our Halfway Celebration winner!

Thank you again to everyone who participated. It means so much to me that we are all doing this together. I love this program dearly and you all make it possible.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2019 Halfway Celebration! Here's to the next 26 weeks and completing our 52 book goal.

I will be drawing a winner tomorrow afternoon for the prize pack; I will post the winner here on Goodreads. You have until the end of today to complete any of the challenges you might have missed.

What is everyone reading this week? I'm still working on A Court of Wings and Ruin and then I'm starting another readalong for The Name of the Wind. I've been wanting to read it for quite some time and am now finally getting around to it. We'll see if I manage anything else; I'm in the process of moving so my brain is all focused on packing. Miraculously, I have managed to pack all of my books. There is now a wall of boxes full of books in my spare room. I'm currently not looking forward to moving them. Lol

What is your most anticipated book for the rest of the year?

It's a tie for me between Queen of Nothing and Wayward Son. It can't be September and November fast enough for me!

Tell us your favorite book quote or quote about books.

Describe the main character from the last book you finished in 3 words

Mine: Spunky, kind-hearted, mischievous (Carols and Chaos by Cindy Anstey)

Turn to page 114 in your favorite book and write the first complete sentence!

"For so grievous had been the hurts of Middle-Earth in the war upon Utumno that the Valar feared lest even worse should now befall; whereas the Hildor should be mortal, and weaker than the Quendi to withstand fear and tumult."
- The Silmarillion

Here's the challenge... I'm going to put the title of a book below. The first person needs to comment with the name of a book that starts with the last letter of my book and the next person with a book that begins with the last letter of the first commentor's book and so on and so forth.

Ready?

Dread Nation

Tell us what your favorite book of 2019 has been so far!

I'm at a tie - A Curse So Dark and Lonely and The Gilded Wolves. I love a good Beauty and the Beast retelling and Curse was such a unique one. I am also a big fan of squad books and Gilded Wolves did not disappoint; I will not admit to crying at the end of it.

We are officially halfway through the year! And that means it is time to celebrate. All this week, join us for fun mini challenges and trivia plus a chance to win a Book Lover's prize pack.

What's included in the prize pack*? A tote bag, a personal library kit, a mug, book notecards, a reading journal, and two books (Book Love by Debbie Tung and I'd Rather Be Reading by Anne Bogel).

Please note The prize pack will have to be picked up at the Central Library.

How can you be entered to win? There will be seven mini challenges. Each one is worth 1 entry. Complete them by July 1st for them to count. The first challenge is live.

In addition, every other day there will be a new trivia question for a total of 3 questions. Each correct answer is worth 1 entry. The first question is live and will be up until end of day tomorrow.

Prize will be drawn on Tuesday, July 2nd.

Time to celebrate being halfway through the year! Good luck and have fun!!

What is everyone reading this week? Not part of the challenge, but tell us your current reads! I'm working on A Court of Wings and Ruin and then hoping to start The Princess and the Fangirl. I'm really in a YA kick.



*Library staff - if you compete, your prize pack is a modified version of this.