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

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

Kayzee wrote: "Joanna wrote: "Welcome, Kayzee! We're so glad to have you participating this year. That's awesome that you have a re-reading tradition with Geek Love. Some books are worth yearly reads. Do you have..."

See, we're opposites- I'm a DC girl. Though, I do like Marvel and Ms. Marvel has been such a great series. One day, I will get around to reading all of Saga. So many great series- it really is hard to keep up.

Julie wrote: "Hi, I'm Julie (waves). I've done the challenge the last couple of years. Last year I didn't quite achieve my goal because I was pregnant, which had its own challenges. Fast forward to now and my ba..."

Hello, Julie!! *waves back* I'm so happy to have you back for another year. Congratulations on your baby boy!!! That is so wonderful. Hope you and him are doing well.

Lyn wrote: "JoAnna In the borough of Brooklyn,our library,was in an area called Grand Army Plaza,it was the main branch.it was quite a trek back then,all up hill,well the area was called Park Slope for a reaso..."

Your hometown library sounds a bit like my hometown library- all uphill. But all that really matters is the books, right? Climbing hills is worth it for those. Maybe one day you'll get to go back and visit.

Melissa wrote: "Joanna-I wish being a reading teacher meant that I got to just read books to children all day, but it doesn't. However, I do recommend books to my students and the teachers that I know will interest them. My job consists ..."

That's really amazing. I definitely wouldn't have the patience to do it, but I know it's so important for kids to have a good reading foundation. Thanks for sharing what you do!

I think it's good having book tastes that are all over the place- it helps with reader's advisory. I love Rachel Caine. Have you read her Great Library series? It's so good.

Yes! Definitely. If I don't run into you before, I will come find you at staff day on March 17th.

Waldo, of Where's Waldo? fame, is known in his native England as Wally. In 2014, roughly 1 million adult coloring books were sold. This number jumped to what in 2015? Take a guess here.

As I am sure you all know by now (because I can't stop posting about it), our website is now LIVE.

Who's excited? I am excited!

Click Here to create your account and begin logging in those books.

A few notes about the new site- we are no longer requiring reviews of the books you read. It's on the honor system that you read them and that they fit the challenge.

We still require the title and author, though. This is where there is one new step in the process of logging books: checkmark the box under "I read a book!" that says "I want to enter book details." (See picture below). If you do not check this box, you will not be able to log title/author.



Also, ignore the activity points. We couldn't find a way to get rid of them.

Now, go forth and start logging those books!

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Melissa wrote: "My name is Melissa, and I've loved reading since I was a little kid. I will read just about anything, but I'm particularly interested in fantasy and science fiction at this point in my life. I have..."

Hello, Melissa! And welcome to CPL! We're so happy to have you onboard. What is it like being a reading teacher? My mind thinks reading to kids all day, but I'm sure it is more than that. Do you have a particular favorite fantasy/science fiction book?

Angela wrote: "Hi, I'm Angie. I just moved from Michigan to Chesapeake, so this is my first year in the challenge also. I am originally from New Zealand, where I grew up sitting in the yard, the park, the library..."

Welcome, Angie! And welcome to Chesapeake! If you need any information about our fair city, please don't hesitate to ask. That is so cool that you are from New Zealand! I have always wanted to go there, mainly because of Lord of the Rings. It is a beautiful country. Is there any particular place at home that is your favorite, whether LotR related or not?

Kayzee wrote: "I'm Kristen (or Kayzee). I found out about the CPL 52 late this past Summer so this will be my first year actually trying the challenge. I'm certainly a big fan of comics and graphic novels but in ..."

Welcome, Kayzee! We're so glad to have you participating this year. That's awesome that you have a re-reading tradition with Geek Love. Some books are worth yearly reads. Do you have any particular comic/graphic novel series you like?

Justine wrote: "I'm so excited!! And it's going to be so much easier for me to log my books with not requiring a review. That's what's always messed me up the past...has it been 3 or 4 years since this started?"

Wow... let me think... yes, I believe it has been 3 years. Liz started it in 2014, if I remember correctly. Wow. Time flies. And yes, it is definitely much easier without the review. I've stopped adding books in years past just because I couldn't think of a review (or was too lazy). Lol. Hopefully this will encourage more people to participate since they just have to log in the title/author. :)

A big "Thank You" to Chesapeake Public Library's IT department who have shaped our new 52 Book Pickup Challenge site!

Which is now LIVE!!!!!

Click Here to create your account and begin logging in those books.

A few notes about the new site- we are no longer requiring reviews of the books you read. It's on the honor system that you read them and that they fit the challenge.

We still require the title and author, though. This is where there is one new step in the process of logging books: checkmark the box under "I read a book!" that says "I want to enter book details." (See picture below). If you do not check this box, you will not be able to log title/author.



Also, ignore the activity points. We couldn't find a way to get rid of them.

Are you excited? I know I am. Go out and begin logging those books!

If you have any questions, please let me know!

The classics call so it's time for another round of 100 Books to Read in a Lifetime. This month's selection includes:

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell

The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Life of Pi by Yann Martel

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Rebecca by Dame Daphne Du Maurier

Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

I have actually read a few on this list. It's been a while since I read Life of Pi but I remember enjoying it. Five People You Meet in Heaven was thought provoking and a great exploration of how one life can affect so many others. My all time favorite Charles Dickens' novel is A Tale of Two Cities. I have read that multiple times and it definitely deserves to be on this list.

I think I might try Rebecca as I've heard of it but never read it.

Let us know which you've read, what you thought of them, and if you think they deserve to be on this list!

This month, we finish our trip through New England and move along to that most cosmopolitan of places- New York. Well, New York City, but I think we should try to visit the whole state. Wouldn’t you agree?

Connecticut

Connecticut has a history that is prehistoric! Dinosaur tracks were discovered there in 1966, one of the largest tracks in North America, and are believed to have been made by Dilophosaurus, a predatory dinosaur made famous in Jurassic Park. The state fossil is Eubrontes which is only known by its footprints! Connecticut was once covered in glaciers with the last one melting only 15,000 years ago. In more modern times, the first helicopter (1939) and color tv (1948) were built there. And it too lays claim to the oldest public library in the country- built in Salisbury in 1777. Visit Connecticut with these reads:

The Stepford Wives
The Ice Storm by Ricky Moody
Books Set in Connecticut
Great Book Set In Connecticut
Novels Set In Connecticut

Vermont

Welcome to Vermont- home of maple syrup! Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the United States. They produce over 500,000 gallons a year. In addition, famous ice cream company Ben and Jerry’s got their start in Burlington in 1978. The state pie is apple pie! There’s even an act designating that when apple pie is served in the state, a good faith effort will be made to serve it with: a glass of milk, a slice of cheddar cheese, and/or with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream (don’t believe me? Read the act here). Vermont was the first state, after the original 13 colonies, to be admitted into the union. The year was 1791. Enjoy a taste of Vermont with these books:

Pollyanna
Midwives
Books Set In Vermont
Novels Set In Vermont
Vermont

New York

New York is more than New York City. At over 54,000 square miles, New York encompasses forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands. Broken into seven eco-regions, New York boasts everything from plains to plateaus to mountains to grasslands to coastal ponds to salt marshes. Think pigeons and squirrels are all you’ll see when you stop by? Think again. New York is home to red fox, bats, black bears, beavers, river otters, lynx, bobcat, bald eagles, osprey, and various other kinds of wildlife. Visit this state that’s more than city with these books:

Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
Motherless Brooklyn
Book Set In New York State
New York
Novels Set In New York
Books about New York

Happy Traveling!

Edit: The 2017 52 Book Pickup site is now LIVE!!!! Click Here to create an account and begin logging books.

One new step for logging books- Checkmark the box under "I read a book!" entitled "I want to enter book details.". If you do not do this, you will not be able to input author and title.

Now go forth and log those books! :)

Currently, France holds the record for most Nobel Prizes in Literature. They have 16, with the latest having been given to Patrick Modiano in 2014.

Did you know that Waldo, of Where's Waldo fame, is actually from England? He goes by a different name there. Take a guess at his original name here.

Our website is almost here! Chesapeake Library's IT department is currently putting the finishing touches on it. The live date is tentatively set for February 1st. I will post the link to Goodreads, as well as instructions for logging your books, once it goes live.

If the date gets pushed back (you know how technology can be), I will also let you all know.

Thank you again, everyone, for your patience with the website!

What is everyone reading this week? How are the challenges coming along? I still need to pick up 1984 for the 100 Reads challenge. Currently, I'm reading Ahsoka (finally finished the Clone Wars series and excited to see what happened to Ahsoka before Rebels) and can't yet decide what to read after that. I have a pile of books so finding a book won't be too hard!

Nichelle wrote: "Hi, my name is Nichelle. This will be my first year participating in this challenge. I work for a library system but I am also an avid reader."

Welcome, Nichelle! We are so happy to have you joining us this year. What library system do you work for? I'd love to hear what led you to working for a library.

Lyn wrote: "My name is Linda, I choose to go by Lyn, which is the last three letters of the area where I grew up, Brooklyn (NY) I've been a card holder since age 10, I read all types of books, well except Sci Fi ..."

Hello, Lyn! It's wonderful to see you back again. I've never been to Brooklyn- that's so neat that you take your name from there. What was your library like in your hometown?

Ann wrote: "My name is Ann, and I work for this library system. According to my mom, I got my first library card when I was 4. What I don't remember are very many trips to the library, so I became a big fan of..."

Hi, Ann! Thrilled you are joining us again for the challenge. We need to talk Tolkien sometime. :)

Nathan wrote: "My name is Nathan. I'm a big fan of graphic novels, science fiction, and some drama, as well as some heavier nonfiction, usually depending on whatever projects I have going on. I'm an engineer, but..."

Hello, Nathan! So happy to have you back this year with us. Working in a research library sounds exciting! What was it like?

Jennifer wrote: "Hello! My name is Jennifer and I am a moderator for this group. I run one of the mini challenges."

Hi, Jennifer! So happy you are still doing this with me! :)

Holly wrote: "I'm open to suggestions! I love the idea of lists of books to check off. Not sure how I log the books for the challenge but I hope if I keep searching I will find that page again.
So far I have don..."

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to come up with resources for you. I have a couple lists generated from the library catalog plus a few links to other sites that have recommendations.

National Parks- Library Catalog (Fiction/Non Fiction)
National Parks- Library Catalog (Fiction Only)
Library Catalog- Yellowstone
Library Catalog-Yosemite
Library Catalog- Death Valley

Best National Park Books
Ten Books You Should Have in Your National Parks Library
100 Must Read Books about the National Parks

I hope these help you! We also have a great premium website called NoveList that can give you book recommendations.

The popular action movie "Die Hard" was based on Roderick Thorp's book Nothing Lasts Forever. The movie has proven more popular than the book.

Do you know which country has received the most Nobel Prizes in Literature? Take a guess here.

I realized that we have a lot of new faces on our Goodreads group! Welcome, everyone! I thought it would be a good idea for all of us to introduce ourselves. Nothing fancy- your name, favorite book/genre, and anything else you'd like to add.

I'll go first.

Hi! I'm Joanna. I'm one of the moderators for the 52 Book Pickup. I've been reading books as far back as I can remember and the library has always been my one stop shop for all things literary. I'll read any book if it's good (which is subjective) but my personal favorites are anything by Tolkien, Pride and Prejudice, and Crown Duel.

I'm so happy to be tackling this challenge with you all and I look forward to the next 11 months of talking books.

Becky wrote: "Just saw the months challenge, and I think im late lol anyway a couple of the books I read can apply here.

1. Baby its cold - It probably seems morbid, but I am working on "Dead witch walking"......."

As Jennifer said, 3 is a great start number! And even if you don't finish the challenge, having fun and trying are the most important parts. Welcome aboard! :)

Amanda wrote: "I'm going to try and complete a few mini-challenges. I didn't really participate in the group in previous years, but I'm looking to change that and hopefully make some bookish friends...

Welcome, Amanda! We are so glad you're joining us. We definitely have a lot of fun with our challenges and it's wonderful being surrounded by so many bookish people! I hope you get a lot out of participating.

I didn't know they were making Big Little Lies into a show. How exciting!

Becky wrote: "I remember having to read Catcher in high school LOL I really want to read the classics, so I will dedicate reading at least one of these 100 a month!"

I'm right there with you. I can't make all 100 in a year, but I'm definitely going to try and get to at least one new classic a month.

Holly wrote: "I'm open to suggestions! I love the idea of lists of books to check off. Not sure how I log the books for the challenge but I hope if I keep searching I will find that page again.
So far I have don..."

I will see what I can find for you! Just give me a few days.

Be sure to check out our digital services- Overdrive, Hoopla, and One-Click Digital- for ebooks and more! Best part is you can check items out on the go.

As for logging books, the site is actually not up yet. I am in the middle of working on it with our IT department. As soon as it is ready, I will post the link.

Melissa wrote: "This is my first year doing the CPL's 52 Book Pick Up, and I'm excited to get started. I made a list of my books for the January Mini Challenge.

Welcome, Melissa! We are so glad to have you along for this challenge! I'm always for being ambitious in my reading goals. It's always good to take a little time out each day to do something you love. Good luck! You can do this!

Holly wrote: "I guess I'm in! Not sure how to navigate the site yet! Not sure if this is a reply to Melissa or a post....Time will tell!"

Welcome, Holly!!! It's so good to have you join us for this fun challenge! If you have any questions, please let us know. We're here to help.

You will have to tell us all about your trip. It sounds like a grand adventure. I don't know too much about books about the National Parks, but I can do some research for you if you want. I did find this awesome list of bookstore/library-themed cozy mysteries- Book Themed Mysteries. There are surprisingly quite a few series set in bookstores or libraries.

Congratulations to Dawn Goeb who won the 2016 52 Book Pickup grand prize!!

There was really no fooling you all- Robert Frost is the winter-named author who wrote Winter's Eden and Dust of Snow. Do you know which action movie was based on Roderick Thorp's book, Nothing Lasts Forever? Head on over to the poll to take a guess!

What is everyone reading this week? I just finished Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide and The Great Detective: The Amazing Rise and Immortal Life of Sherlock Holmes. I'm now working on a Disney twisted tale, As Old As Time, which reimagines the classic Beauty and the Beast with a twist- what if Belle's mom was the enchantress who cursed the Beast?

Let us know what books you are working on this week!

Ann wrote: "Of these I've only read 3: 1984, The Catcher in the Rye, and A Christmas Carol. I think I'll try The Alchemist. At the moment I'm reading a series by Lauren Dane, and a history of the Romanov dynas..."

I've only read A Christmas Carol which I did like, as it's that iconic Christmas story. But I actually really liked Dickens' other Christmas story, The Cricket on the Hearth, better.

Oh, Ink and Bone. I loved that book. Loved it. However, it made me cry. But it is really good. I have the sequel on my shelf to read.

Ashley wrote: "It's funny; I own two shirts from the awesome Out of Print clothing line , and they are both books from your list - 1984 and The Great Gatsby. 1984 is forever my terrifyingly prophetic favorite. I ..."

So Out of Print clothing line is AMAZING. I could spend way too much money there (more if they did Tolkien). Thank you for introducing us. Lol

I think I might go for 1984. I've actually never read it.

Jennifer wrote: "I'm thinking of trying Vanity Fair - we will see though... I haven't read anything else on this list so far."

I tried reading Vanity Fair once, a long time ago. Couldn't do it. Maybe now that I'm older it wouldn't be as bad. Lol

I see the lists all the time- 100 books to read in a lifetime. 100 books that are supposedly good for my literary soul. 100 books so good, I shouldn't die without having read them (and I assume if I do die before I read them, my ghost will come back to haunt the library until they are read).

In all seriousness, though, there really are some books that are just that good. The last challenge for this year is to read, or at least start making a crack at reading, those 100 books.

Now, every list of 100 is different. I found one that I like, that I think has a good mix of fiction books for all types. Each month, I'm going to post a couple for us to try. Read one. Read none. Read them all. If you've already read them, comment and tell us what you thought of them. Do they deserve to be on this list?

January's 8 are:

1984 by George Orwell

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Germinal by Emile Zola

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Tess of the D’urbervilles by Thomas Hardy

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

Happy reading!

America. From sea to shining sea, its forests and prairies and swamps and lakes and rivers and towns and cities span 3.8 million square miles. For many of us, a road trip across this land is not exactly feasible. We’ve come up with a solution to that- Literary Road Trip!

Each month, we will be visiting a couple different states and reading books that are set in them. Don’t worry- you don’t have to read a book from every state! We’re just trying to get a bit of literary flavor for the amazing place that is the United States of America.

This month, we are going to start in New England- Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

Maine

Did you know that Maine harvests the majority of the lobster for the US? It’s also third in the US for miles of coastline. The first naval battle of the Revolutionary War was fought off Maine in 1775. Take a trip to Maine with these reads:

Carrie
Olive Kitteridge
Books Set in Maine
Fiction Set in Maine

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is one of a few states to claim the first public library in the country- it was established in 1833 in Peterborough. Some of the top industries of the state include electrical, light metal, and computer products. New Hampshire was also home to Robert Frost for a number of years. Visit New Hampshire in these books:

Horns
A Prayer for Owen Meany
Novels Set in New Hampshire
Books Set in New Hampshire

Massachusetts

Welcome to Massachusetts! Here you can find the nation’s first subway system, built in Boston in 1897. It’s also home to the first public school system, the first American lighthouse, and the nation’s first public park. After the Library of Congress, Harvard University’s Library and the Boston Public Library hold the most volumes of books in the country! It’s a great state of firsts, which you can visit in these reads:

Running with Scissors
Interpreter of Maladies
Massachusetts
Novels Set in Massachusetts

Rhode Island

Rhode Island may be the smallest state, but as one of the original thirteen colonies, it’s seen its share of history! New England’s oldest village is Pawtuxet Village in Warwick which was settled in 1642. The oldest schoolhouse the US was built in 1716 in Portsmouth. In 1774, the circus came to town- the first in the US. The first jail sentence for speeding in an automobile was imposed in 1904. The country’s oldest carousel is located in Watch Hill. Come visit the smallest state with these books:

My Sister's Keeper
She's Come Undone
Rhode Island
Fiction Set in Rhode Island by Town Name

The average person reads 12 books a year! In honor of the snow, this week's book trivia wants to see if you know the famous winter-named author who wrote Winter Eden and Dust of Snow. Take a guess here.

A big thank you to Jennifer for getting our first monthly challenge up! If you haven't taken a look, I encourage you to go check it out. It's a lot of fun. The last two challenges should be posted either today or tomorrow; I accidentally left all the material at work and was unable to retrieve it during the snow. Oops.

Did everyone enjoy the snow? I hope you all stayed safe during our winter weather event and that you got a lot of reading done!

When it comes to snow and winter, what are your favorite books to read? Do you have a favorite book that makes you all warm inside? Or do you have a favorite book that embodies the best of winter- snow, cold, ice? Probably my favorite book that invokes the sense of winter is East by Edith Pattou. This is a retelling of the fairytale "East of the Sun and West of the Moon." She captures the North very well.

Let us know about your favorites!

Stay safe and enjoy the heat wave that should hit starting tomorrow.