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

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

Ann wrote: "If I new what was coming out, I would probably have a long list. But at the moment, the only one I can think of is Darynda Jones' new book The Curse of Tenth Grade. The series rocks, and meeting he..."

Same- if I knew what was coming out, my list would probably be a mile long. Lol. I keep seeing the Jones' books come through the library and they look like so much fun. I'm going to have to check them out.

So many good books! The Red Rising trilogy is very high on my list of books to read. I've heard such great things about it.

Julie wrote: "Part of me wants to know what happens, but the other part of me wonders if the next book will be more of the same.

Is it wrong that I cheat? I will go find the synopsis, read what happens, and then determine if I really want to actually read the entire thing. I hate to confess, but this is what I've done with Game of Thrones because I just couldn't get into A Feast of Crows.

Julie wrote: "I signed up! I got the "challenge accepted" badge... and I got the "catch some Z's" badge. I'm not ashamed! :)"

I think that might be my favorite badge. If only I could convince someone at work that napping is a work activity because it's part of the Summer Challenge. Lol.

Jennifer wrote: "I was on the leaderboard - but someone has more activity points than me now. :("

Oh, no. :( That is sad. Well, there is a three day weekend coming up where you can go out and collect more badges! :)

We've talked about our favorite and least favorite books so far this year, but now we want to know what book you are most looking forward to reading this year?

For me, it's the second book of Rachel Caine's The Great Library series, Paper and Fire. I read the first book, Ink and Bone, and couldn't put it down. I stayed up to an ungodly hour to finish it. It's been a long time since a book emotionally impacted me that much. I know the sequel probably won't contain that much power, but I know it will be good and I can't wait to stay up again to read it.

Did you have a favorite book as a child? Was there one you couldn't get enough of? Was there one that influenced you?

What was that book?

Your challenge today is to see if the library has your favorite childhood book! Take a look at the Library's Catalog and see if we have it! If we do (or if you own a copy), check it out and read it.

My favorite childhood book was Dinotopia. Before you ask, yes, I was that obsessed dinosaur kid. My poor hometown library- I constantly had their copy checked out (it took a while before my parents caught on that they might want to buy me a copy). To me, that book was full of magic and possibility. I still believe I'll find that magic island out there, full of peaceful dinosaurs and their human companions. A girl can dream, right?

(And yes, the library does have a copy!)

So how many hardcovers sold are written by James Patterson?

One out of every 17!!

Which is hardly surprising as he seems to have a new book out every month.

Click on the link to vote in Day 4's Book Trivia.

Today's thread would like to know what your least favorite book has been so far this year?

Again, this was a hard one for me as I've pretty much enjoyed everything I've read so far. But I would have to say some of the graphic novels I've read have been less than stellar, mainly because they don't have complete story arcs. There would be one part of the story and then suddenly, the next arc would begin. This is because comic storylines span multiple books so if you're reading Superman, you won't get the rest of the story without reading Supergirl, Superboy, etc. It's annoying, though, when you have random bits in your graphic novel with neither a beginning nor a conclusion.

For today's mini mini challenge, we want you to go sign up for Chesapeake's Summer Challenge! Click on the link Here to sign up!

The challenge is a lot of fun and incorporates more than just reading. You earn points for books, but you can also do activities to earn additional points. When you sign up, make you sure you find the "My Friend is Awesome" badge (currently sitting on page 9, but that can change) and claim it as I'm your friend and I'm telling you how awesome the Chesapeake Summer Challenge is!

If you've already signed up, your mini mini challenge is to earn a badge (other than the "My Friend is Awesome" one). Pick a badge, complete the activity, and earn your points.

Let us know that you signed up or what badge you did.

If you have questions about the Challenge, let me know!

Have fun!

So I apologize for my lack of precise language with this one. It was supposed to be the longest continuously running play. That would be Christie's "The Mousetrap" which has been running continuously since 1952.

You could say Shakespeare has some of the longest running stage plays, as his have been going since the late 1500s, but none of them have been continuous.

We'll call this one a draw. :)

Click on the link to vote for Day 3's Book Trivia.

Welcome to Day 2 of our Halfway Celebration.

In this thread, I'm wondering... what has been your favorite book you've read this year?

Honestly, I had a hard time picking. I've read quite a few really good books this year. I managed to narrow it down to three: Star Wars: Bloodline, The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings, and Uprooted. All were exceptionally well written, thoroughly engrossing, and they left distinct impressions in my mind. I would happily reread them over again.

So what has been your favorite?

For today's mini mini challenge, you are going to describe your all-time favorite book in five words!

Ready?

Mine is- "Epic fantasy of mythic proportions."

What book has sold the most copies? The Bible!

Congrats to everyone- you all got it right!

Click on the link to vote for Day 2's Book Trivia!

Click here to take a crack at day one's trivia question!

Come back tomorrow for the answer. :D

Are you ready for your first mini mini challenge of the week?

Go to page 77 in the book you are currently reading, find the first complete sentence, and post it in this thread!

"I hope none of you are here for answers." - Neil Gaiman's The View from the Cheap Seats.

Welcome to our 52 Book Pickup Halfway Celebration!!! We are excited that you are still with us after the first 26 weeks. :)

Do you want to win a bag of books? Submit your name in this thread no later than Sunday, July 3rd, to be entered to win.

The winner will be notified here, on Goodreads, early afternoon of July the 5th.

Please note that if selected, you will be required to pick up your prize at one of the Chesapeake Public Library's branches.

Come back every day this week for new threads, new mini mini challenges, and new book trivia!

We look forward to celebrating with you.

It's time for a celebration!! Next week marks 26 weeks of 2016. That means we are halfway through the 52 Book Pickup! Woo hoo!! So next week, we're going to have a party. There will be daily book trivia, special threads, and fun daily mini-challenges (don't worry- we won't ask you to read an entire book a day). Come join us as we celebrate the halfway point of our challenge. Invite your friends! The more the merrier.

We look forward to celebrating with you all next week! :D

In the meantime... what is everyone reading this week?

Nathan wrote: "This challenge has inspired me to start planning/researching an upcoming trip a couple months earlier. :-)

Fodor's Hawaii 2009 (Full-Color Gold Guides)
by Fodor's Travel Publications Inc."

Excellent! Have fun planning and researching your trip. I've always wanted to go to Hawaii. You'll have to let us know how it was when you get back. :)

Ah, victory. After months of reading, I have finally finished The Fellowship: The Literary Lives of the Inklings and Coined. It was a great feeling, flipping that final page and closing the book for the last time. Has there ever been a book that took you a while to finish, but left you feeling accomplished after you were done?

What is everyone reading this week? I'm currently reading Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are? which is excellent so far and then I have American Zoo and The Beautiful Pretender.

I also found this fun article on Fantastical Destinations which ties in very nicely with our June Poll. Make sure you go vote!

Finally, tune in next week for a special announcement! :D

Happy Reading!

May's poll wanted to know who you thought was the greatest literary hero/heroine. As you can see, it came down to two people: Harry Potter and Frodo Baggins. Harry squeezed Frodo out of the top spot by one vote.

What qualities in these two make them the greatest literary heroes? What qualities make a great literary hero?

Let us know your thoughts!

Don't forget to go vote in June's poll- your literary destination vacation!