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

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

Kayzee wrote: "I've read Dracula and Heart of Darkness. I enjoyed Dracula but barely remember Heart of Darkness, except that I was bored by it. I've yet to read a Bronte sister novel so maybe I'll make an attempt..."

Everyone seems to have read Heart of Darkness. Maybe I should change my book. Wuthering Heights is definitely very good, though I can't say it's the best of the sisters' novels. Let me know what you think of it!

Jodie wrote: "I read Heart of Darkness, Dracula (so good! I read this and Frankenstein for a class in collefe called Literature of Terror (or was it Horror?)), Grapes of Wrath (I am a huge Steinbeck fan, but hav..."

Oh, that sounds like a fun college class! I took boring old American Literature. We did read a Poe short story, though. So some terror/horror.

Ann wrote: "I've read Heart of Darkness more than once, and Dracula. I haven't read Wuthering Heights, my teachers all seem to have preferred Jane Eyre."

Yeah. Charlotte Bronte is definitely the better known of the three sister authors so she ends up being the most read in schools. But I enjoyed Wuthering Heights.

Rhoda wrote: "Hi, over the past couple days I haven't been able to get to the 52 Book Pickup site from Infopeake. Is this just me? Do you know what's going on? I'm signed up already, I just can't get the site to..."

Hello! Yes, there was a problem with the links on the library website. It has been fixed so you should be able to access the site through that now. You can also click: http://52books.infopeake.org/

Let me know if you need anything else!

Ashley wrote: "I love John Steinbeck because his novels were part of the strong bond I had with my grandfather, but I admit that The Grapes of Wrath is not the easiest to get through. I would always pick Of Mice ..."

I saw the play Of Mice and Men and enjoyed it, at least as much as it is possible to enjoy that particular story. Maybe I will give the book a try. That's cool that Steinbeck novels were part of your bond with your grandfather. I always think love of books, and specific authors, make some of the best bonds.

I'll let you know what I think of The Lovely Bones if I ever get around to reading it (I've been horrible at this challenge so far, despite best efforts).

Curious George was almost confiscated by Nazis as the authors fled France on bikes. When he saw what it was, though, the official returned the manuscript.

Aladdin is not original to The Arabian Nights. It's thought to have been added in this century by translator Antonine Galland. Take a guess as to which century here.

Did everyone survive the crazy weather on Friday? Rain and storms are the perfect time for reading, in my opinion, but threats of tornadoes are definitely not conducive to reading. I hope everyone is okay!

What are you all reading this week? I'm still working on The Zookeeper's Wife which, with some encouragement (thanks, Jodie!), I am determined to finish. Hopefully this month. Also working on Hunted which is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I checked out Photo Ark from the library and am looking forward to flipping through the gorgeous pictures of animals.

What are your week 14 reads?

Ann wrote: "I'm still reading Alexander Hamilton, which I give a 5 stars easily. I have to say, I'm not liking Thomas Jefferson, he had a serious hate on for old Alexander- rather paranoid about him despite al..."

All this talk of Alexander Hamilton is really making me want to read that book. I think I'm going to add it to my list.

Ann wrote: "When Breath Becomes Air is on the mountain of books to be read."

I as well have a mountain. It's good to know I'm not alone.

Welcome to April! This month's showers will hopefully bring May flowers and if we do have to spend time cooped up, here are some classics to get us through the rain.

1. Dracula by Bram Stoker

2. A Town like Alice by Nevil Shute

3. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

4. A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

5. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

6. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

7. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

8. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

I've read two on this list - Wuthering Heights and Dracula- both of which I enjoyed immensely. I actually need to go back and reread Dracula. I saw a play version the other month and it put me in the mood. I tried, once upon a time, to read The Grapes of Wrath but barely made it past the fifth chapter. I really disliked it. I've been meaning to read The Lovely Bones so I might try for that one this month.

What about you? Have you read any? What did you think? Comment and let us know.

This month we continue our trip down the Eastern Seaboard. We hit the rest of the Mid-Atlantic region before starting into the South Atlantic region. Take a trip down the beach with these states.

Maryland

Welcome officially to the South! The Mason-Dixie line was drawn between Pennsylvania and Maryland in the 1760s. This line is traditionally thought of as the dividing line between the American North and the American South. Maryland is known for its seafood, especially crabs. Almost as many crab cakes as hamburgers and hotdogs combined are sold during lunch hour on the Chesapeake Bay. The largest body of water in Maryland is the Chesapeake Bay. The Bay is actually a drowned river bed- its primary water source, the Susquehanna River, overflowed its banks due to melting glaciers. This took place 10,000 years ago. Visit Maryland with these reads.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Maryland
5 Books Set in Maryland
Novels Set in Maryland

Virginia

Our literary road trip becomes physical with this state- our library system is in the southeastern corner of Virginia! Some fun facts you may not know about our home state… the academic calendar is largely determined by amusement parks! A bill prohibits public schools from starting before Labor Day ensuring attendance at the state’s various amusement parks. They tried to issue a reform in 2014 but it didn’t pass the state Senate. Virginia also lays claims to the first Thanksgiving. It took place in 1619 (two years before Plymouth’s) in Berkeley. Learn more fun facts in this Huffington Post article. Visit this state you may not actually know with these books.

Flowers in the Attic by V. C. Andrews
The Known World by Edward P. Jones
Virginia
Novels Set in Virginia
Mysteries Set in Virginia

West Virginia

“Mountaineers are always free.” The state motto of West Virginia reflects the 35th state's origin story. West Virginia became a state in June 1863, by proclamation of President Lincoln (the only state to have its sovereignty granted in such a way). Once part of Virginia, it had been trying to separate since 1769, only succeeding during the Civil War when West Virginia sided squarely with the North and opposing Virginia’s succession. Once coal, the state’s leading industry is now tourism. From skiing to white water rafting to trails to local festivals, West Virginia sells itself as the wild, wonderful state. Explore more with these books.

Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam
Freedom by Jonathan Franzen
West Virginia
Novels Set in West Virginia
Books Set in West Virginia

North Carolina

Look to the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a bat. It’s a plane! The first successful flight of a mechanically propelled airplane took place in Kitty Hawk in 1903. It forever cemented the Wright Brothers’ names in history. North Carolina is also home to one of the more infamous historical mysteries – the Lost Colony of Roanoke. Three years after settling in Roanoke in 1587, the entire colony vanished. To this day, no one knows what happened to them. Each summer, “The Lost Colony” play is performed, offering its own theories as to what happened to the colonists. North Carolina is also believed to have been the first state to declare independence from England- the Mecklenberg Declaration was signed in 1775. The first Pepsi was served in New Bern and Babe Ruth hit his first professional homerun in Fayetteville. Take stroll through North Carolina with these books.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks
A Land More Kind than Home by Wiley Cash
North Carolina
Novels Set in North Carolina
North Carolina Novels
7 North Carolina Inspired Books to Read on Vacation

South Carolina

South Carolina has a long history- the first European contact with Native Americans on US soil was by the Spanish in 1521. The first English settlement was built in 1670. South Carolina eventually became the 8th state to join the fledgling United States. Jump forward nearly 80 years, you find the first shots of the Civil War were fired on Fort Sumter. After siding with the South, they rejoined the Union in 1868. The state’s amphibian is the spotted salamander while the state animal is the white-tailed deer. South Carolina is also proud to have a state migratory marine mammal- the critically endangered northern right whale. Come visit South Carolina and enjoy the state’s hospitality beverage of tea with these books.

The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
South Carolina
Novels Set in South Carolina
Great Fiction Set in South Carolina
South Carolina Lowcountry

Happy Traveling!

Jodie wrote: "Just a little note to encourage you to keep reading The Zookeeper's Wife! I listened to it on CD, so maybe that is why it wasn't a problem "reading" it and why I loved it so much. It is a wonderful..."

Thanks for the encouragement, Jodie! I will definitely try to finish it. I read some more last night and it's slowly growing on me. I'm also looking forward to the movie.

While we are most familiar with French writer Charles Perrault's version of Cinderella, one of the oldest versions (around the 850s AD), comes from China. Another older version comes from Egypt.

This famous children's book was almost confiscated by Nazis as its authors fled Paris on bikes. When the official saw it was just a manuscript, he gave it back. Do you know which book? Take a guess here.

I love Goodreads. One of the more helpful/fun parts is the rating of books. I admit, I use their ratings to help determine if I'll actually want to read a book and, more importantly for non-fiction, determine if it's a factual book.

Thinking about the book you're reading right now... how would you rate it? Is it a 5 star book? Or a 1?

To The Lost Girl of Astor Street, I'd definitely give a 4 star rating. The book is literally Veronica Mars set in the 1920s. The characters are engaging and while there is a romantic subplot, it doesn't crowd out the mystery.

The Zookeeper's Wife is currently at a 2 star for me. I'm only 50 pages into it, but I'm having problems with the writing style. It's too... lyrical? I don't know if that's the right word for it. The author is a poet so that might be what I'm sensing that I dislike. But I'm going to keep reading and maybe the star will go up!

Tell us your rating for your current book!

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte originally published their works under the pseudonyms Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell.

While we are most familiar with Charles Perrault's version of Cinderella, one of the oldest versions comes from this country. Take a guess here.

Happy 1st day of spring! Though it certainly doesn't feel like it. Did anyone see the snow yesterday? I was so surprised to open the blinds and see snow falling. I guess winter wasn't quite done with us.

What is everyone working on this week? I have a few books going on. Trying to finish the latest Star Wars novel, Aftermath: Empire's End. Also picked up Jane Austen and Philosophy because I cannot resist a good pop culture philosophy book. My friend sent me a copy of The Zookeeper's Wife so I'm giving that a try in anticipation of the new movie.

Let us know what you are working on this week!

"Book" is derived from the Old English word "Boc" which also means a "document or charter."

Charlotte, Emily, and Anne Bronte originally published their works under pseudonyms. Do you know what they were? Take a guess here.

This week we see the live action release of one of the most popular fairy tales- Beauty and the Beast. The version we are familiar with today was popularized by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740 as La Belle et la Bête. It stems from the Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche. Countless variants have been written and recorded, including Disney's latest take on it.

I love fairy tales. I love fairy tale retellings. Beauty and the Beast is probably my favorite, mainly because the Disney animated classic had a huge impact on me as a child. I recently went through a kick where I read a bunch of book adaptations of the story. It never gets old to me.

What are your favorite fairy tales? Do you prefer the, sometimes darker, originals or are you more for the remakes? Do you have a favorite written version? Mine would be Robin McKinley's Beauty.

Tell us your favorite fairy tale or remake!

Also, remember, reading a collection of Grimm's Fairy Tales is part of March's Take it or Leave it challenge!

While never named in the book, Mary Shelley once referred to her monster in Frankenstein by the name of Adam. This was a reference to the Biblical first man.

The word "book" is derived from this Old English word that also means "document or charter." Take a guess here.

March is here which means we are two months into our challenge. How is everyone doing? Are you meeting your goals?

This week, we're going to talk about tips and tricks for completing the challenge. Not everything will work for everyone, but below are what helps me.

Please add your tips and tricks to this thread!

1. Remember, this is for fun! The purpose of the challenge is to stretch in your reading but also to have fun while doing so. Don't stress out if you fall behind. Don't stress out if you realize you won't make the goals. The important part is that you read some good books, had fun, and tried.

2. Take time every day to read. We get so caught up in our busy lives that sometimes we forget to take some time to read. Whether your lunch break, in the morning when you get up, in the evening before bed, or some time in between- set aside time for your books.

3. Remember audiobooks count, too! Long commute to work? Going on a road trip? Running a bunch of errands? Listen to an audiobook. The library offers multiple avenues for e-audiobooks (ask me about them) or grab a good old fashioned book on cd.

4. If the book doesn't grab you, stop reading it. I suffer from this- once I start a book, I feel obligated to finish it. But I shouldn't have to. If the book you are reading isn't holding your interest, set it aside and read something else.

5. Break the book down. I do this a lot and sometimes it works; sometimes it causes stress. I look at the book I want to read and take the number of pages and divide by 7 days. That way I know how much I need to read per day to finish by the end of the week. It gives me a tangible goal.

6. Always carry a book with you. You never know when you will have free time so always carry a book with you. It's worked wonders for me, especially when I get caught in unexpected traffic (which happens all the time here in Hampton Roads).

I also found this article about 13 Tricks to Help You Read More which actually has most of what I've listed above.

Tell us your tips and tricks!

Melissa wrote: "The link isn't working for me. Any tips?"

Melissa, I am so sorry. I didn't realize Liz's tips were part of the blog. They recently took down all the blogs and I am unsure if they are going to repost them.

But have no fear! This week's discussion thread will be about tips and tricks for completing the challenge.

Spring is in the air! Will it last or will winter come back for one more round? Who knows? No matter the weather, we can enjoy these classics.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

Emma by Jane Austen

Holy Bible

Middlemarch by George Elliot

I've actually read a surprising number of these. I adore Emma (the latest BBC remake of it was amazing, if you're looking for a good version to watch). I've read through the Bible a few times. Charlotte's Web and Anne of Green Gables are staples of every childhood, though I actually prefer Montgomery's Emily of New Moon series. And then of course Sherlock... who doesn't love the world's only consulting detective?

With more days in March, I'm hoping I'll actually be able to get to my choice for this month which will be Catch-22.

What do you think? Have you read them all? None? Do they deserve to be on this list?

Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic States! This month we head to Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Delaware

One of the original 13 states, Delaware’s first permanent colony, New Sweden, was established in 1638. Delaware was the first colony to ratify the US Constitution in 1778. The American Flag was flown for the first time at the Battle of Cooch’s Bridge, near Newark, on September 3, 1777. Tradition holds that this was Betsy Ross’ famous flag. Delaware may be large in history, but it’s tiny in size- it’s the second smallest state. Visit Delaware with these books.

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Books Set in Delaware
Novels Set in Delaware
Delaware

New Jersey

Play ball! The first organized baseball game was played in New Jersey in 1846. It took place in Hoboken. But baseball isn’t the only sport first in this state. The first professional basketball game was played in Trenton. The year was 1896. Speaking of games, the streets of Atlantic City inspired the names of properties on the US version of Monopoly. Come play in New Jersey with these books.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
The Brief and Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
New Jersey
Novels Set in New Jersey
New Jersey- One Book at a Time
Mappit- New Jersey

Pennsylvania

Is there going to be six more weeks of winter? Or is spring here? Journey to Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to meet Punxsutawney Phil- the groundhog who predicts the weather. This weather predicting rodent has been forecasting the return of spring since the 1800s. On February 2, 2017, he saw his shadow, so brace yourself for more cold weather. Pennsylvania also has ties to history- the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776. Philadelphia is also home to the Liberty Bell. Visit this state of history and weather predicting rodents with these books.

Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh
Pennsylvania
10 Famous Books You Might Not Have Known Were Set in PA
Novels Set in Pennsylvania

Thomas Jefferson's personal library was used to restock the Library of Congress when the British burned it in 1814. The Library purchased 6,487 books from Jefferson.

While never named in the book, Mary Shelley mentioned a name for Frankenstein's monster while at a book talk. What was the name she gave him? Take a guess here.

What is everyone reading this week? I managed to make a small dent in my pile which immediately disappeared when the new book list for the library came out on Saturday. Does anyone else follow the list? I look over it and always end up putting at least one or two books on hold. Still working on Once Upon a Dream as well as The Secret Lives of Bats and Lost in a Book.

Let us know what you are reading this week!

Ann wrote: "I started this week reading Murder at Fontainebleau by Amanda Carmack (book 5 in her series), I am now reading The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig (book 1 in her series). I ad..."

Happy Birthday, Ann!

How did you like Norse Mythology? I finished it yesterday and found it delightful. I really liked how Gaiman wrote the myths- it was simplistic but at the same time not so. Does that make sense? Hope you enjoyed the book!

6.6 million questions are asked to reference librarians every week. These can range from the location of a book in the stacks to in-depth research regarding laws. If you see a reference librarian, be sure to thank them! They are a living, breathing Google.

In honor of President's Day, do you know which US president's personal library was used to restock the Library of Congress after it was burned by the British in 1814? Take a guess here

Sorry for the late post, everyone! Monday holidays always throw me off my groove. Hope everyone enjoyed the nice weather of President's Day.

What is everyone reading this week? I just finished If Our Bodies Could Talk which was full of fun facts and interesting anecdotes, but wasn't quite what I was picturing based on the title. Currently working on Once Upon a Dream, a Disney twisted tale, and SPQR, which is a history of ancient Rome. I also picked up Gaiman's new one, Norse Mythology. Most likely, I will forget all my other books and read that one (I love mythology and I love Gaiman).

Let us know what you are reading this week!

In 2015, roughly 12 million adult coloring books were sold which was a huge increase from the 1 million sold the previous year. Any of you coloring fans? I admit, I love the adult coloring books but I tend to collect them for the art inside and rarely color in them.

In honor of Love Your Library Month…. Reference librarians in the US answer about how many questions a week? (Hint- if you were to place all the questioners in a line, the line would span from Miami, FL to Juneau, Alaska!). Take a guess here.

February is Love Your Library month! All month, the Chesapeake Public Library Foundation has a forum open where you can share why you love your library. It is also a contest where one lucky winner will win an iPad. Other fun prizes are also being given out. Head to Love My Library to submit your story.

More informally here, why do you all love your library? Do any of you have a special story about a library, whether Chesapeake or another library?

I have a story. When I was younger, maybe seven or eight, I was sitting in the lobby area of my hometown library while my mom talked to the people at the desk. I was reading through my stack of nonfiction books about whales. The librarian approached me, holding a dolphin charm bracelet. She told me it was mine. Confused, I replied that it wasn't as I had never owned a bracelet like that. She laughed and told me no, she was giving it to me because she'd seen me before with my whale books and it was obvious I was passionate about them and that she knew I should have it. I was pretty dumbstruck and incredibly grateful.

I still have that bracelet. And while I wasn't able to pursue that particular passion, it's led me here to the library and I hope that librarian would be proud of what I've done. That encounter is my motivation at work. It reminds me of who I want to be.

Share your stories here and on Love My Library.

Looking forward to hearing them!

Ingrid wrote: "Super excited! Last year I started off strong & faded after school started back. This year I want to keep reading all year!"

Woo hoo! You got this! We'll keep each other going strong this year.

Becky wrote: "How will this re-reading stuff affect the contest? Can u reread books from last year or before and still be OK?"

Yes! You can most definitely reread books from last year. It's really up to you. I know people who use the 52 to do all new books and I know people who reread stuff. The only real rule is that they have to be at least a young adult reading level.