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Reading Challenges
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2019 Summer Reading Challenge
Oh my goodness! My mind is reeling with the possibilities! Guess what is one of my favorite genres! But which to choose? P.S. Elilzabeth, I hope you had a grand vacation filled with tons of fun and eternal memories!
My reading plan: (Added note: I'm stealing Greg's method for tracking. It's a great idea.)................................ Contact by Carl Sagan
Complete - 6/15 - The Martian by Andy Weir
Complete - 6/20 - Artemis by Andy Weir
Complete - 7/04 - The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells
Complete - 7/09 - Mission Improbable by J.J. Green
The first I was planning to read this year anyway. The two by Andy Weir just needed an excuse to trigger a re-read.
I am excited too. I like science fiction and nonfiction about outer space. Here are some of my ideas: The Calculating Stars, Children of God (sequel to The Sparrow which would also apply), The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, Red Rising, The Dispossessed, The Book of Strange New Things, Artemis, Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial?: . . . and Other Questions from the Astronomers' In-box at the Vatican Observatory, Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery, A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely Tuned Cosmos, Hidden Figures, and maybe this would apply (haven't read it yet) The Tommyknockers.
It should be interesting to see what people read for this challenge. I haven't decided specifically what I want to read, but I have several space related nonfiction books on my TBR list to choose from.
I love a good science/scifi challenge. I'm thinking I'll do 5 of each. edit: I find my reading branching in different directions, so I'm adding a 3rd category of space books.For Space Scifi:
Complete - 6/15 - Laddertop, Volume 1 by Orson Scott Card and Emily Janice Card
Complete - 6/15 - Ringworld by Larry Niven
Complete - 6/16 - Dark Run by Mike Brooks
Complete - 6/18 - Lovelock by Orson Scott Card and Kathryn H. Kidd
Complete - 6/21 - Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Complete - 6/22 - Tiamat's Wrath by James S.A. Corey
Complete - 6/22 - Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
Complete - 7/01 - Childhood's End by Arthur C. Clarke
Complete - 7/05 - The Supernaturalist by Eoin Colfer
Complete - 7/14 - Saturn Run by John Sanford and Ctein
Complete - 7/15 - Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card
Complete - 7/15 - Corsair by James L. Cambias
Complete - 7/24 - The Hive by Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston
Complete - 7/29 - Into the Black by Evan Currie
Complete - 7/30 - Mars One by Jonathan Maberry
Complete - 8/10 - The Heart of Matter by Evan Currie
Complete - 8/15 - Ruins by Orson Scott Card
Complete - 8/26 - Homeworld by Evan Currie
For Space Science:
Complete - 6/23 - The Future of Humanity by Michio Kaku
Complete - 6/26 - Black Hole Blues and Other Songs from Outer Space by Janna Levin
Complete - 6/29 - The 4% Universe by Richard Panek
Complete - 6/30 - Time Reborn by Lee Smolin
Complete - 7/04 - Origins by Neil deGrasse Tyson
Complete - 7/08 - Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku
For Space Exploration:
Complete - 6/11 - Chasing Space by Leland Melvin
Complete - 6/19 - Packing for Mars by Mary Roach
Complete - 7/04 - Riding Rockets by Mike Mullane
Complete - 7/05 - An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth by Chris Hadfield
Complete - 7/05 - Chasing New Horizons by Alan Stern and David Grinspoon
Hey there! I think I’ve lurked in this forum long enough. I’ll take on this challenge, too. My five summer picks are:Gamer Army by Trent Reedy
Trace the Stars (local SF anthology)
A Star Wheeled Sky by Brad R. Torgersen
The Martian by Andy Weir
Earthseed by Octavia E. Butler
My 9-year-old has decided she really wants to read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... which I've not read. So possibly we will do that together as a read aloud this summer. Not sure what else. I don't read much sci fi anymore. Maybe I'll finally read all the random sci fi my husband's been bugging me to read, lol.
Douglas wrote: "Hey there! I think I’ve lurked in this forum long enough. I’ll take on this challenge, too. My five summer picks are:Gamer Army by Trent Reedy
Trace the Stars (local SF anthology)
A Star Wheeled ..."
Nothing wrong with lurkers here!
Debbie wrote: "Nothing wrong with lurkers here!"But feel free to contribute!
I listened to Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach and enjoyed it. I'm not into the sequel though.
Mod
Hello Douglas,
Welcome to the reading challenge. Have fun reading your books and dont forget to pop in and let us know when youve completed the challenge so you can be entered into the prize drawing.
Mod
Not sure what else. I ..."
Ooh, i love that book.
Mod
Ooh, i hate it when that happens. You like the first one, then the sequel just doesnt work for you. Its very sad when that happens.
This just isn't my genre so I am having a hard time finding something that interests me to read.
Mod
What kind of books do you enjoy reading? Maybe I can find something that you might enjoy?
Linda wrote: "This just isn't my genre so I am having a hard time finding something that interests me to read."Linda, how about something like The Martian? I'm thinking I'll start there. I'm also sort of considering a Sally Ride biography. Those aren't classically sci-fi or science, but they both seem to fit the challenge.
For my first book I went with a picture book that I found while browsing a bookstore: The Moon's First Friends: How the Moon Met the Astronauts from Apollo 11. Told from the moon's perspective. The moon is watching the earth through history and just wants someone to come visit. It's one of the many books published this year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11.
Elizabeth wrote: "Linda wrote: "This just isn't my genre so I am having a hard time finding something that interests me to read."What kind of books do you enjoy reading? Maybe I can find something that you might e..."
I usually gravitate to the Children and YA books. I like quick reads because I read slow. For this Genre I was thinking of a YA book. I haven't liked any of the older Scifi books I've read. Non-fiction is usually above my understanding.
Mod
What kind of books do you enjoy reading? Maybe I can find somethin..."
You might enjoy Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Engdahl. It's an older YF novel, but it's the perfect blend of scifi and fantasy. It's definitely a quick read. The main character is basically part of an advanced space faring society and they accidentally interact with a planet that's in the middle ages - so she has to take on a persona of someone from their myths to try to set everything right.
You might also enjoy Space Case by Stuart Gibbs. It's a Juvenile Fiction murder mystery set in a habitat on the moon. So, you're locked in with a murderer and CAN'T LEAVE. Very fun.
If those don't sound appealing, let me know and I'll keep looking.
Elizabeth wrote: "Linda wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Linda wrote: "This just isn't my genre so I am having a hard time finding something that interests me to read."What kind of books do you enjoy reading? Maybe I can..."
Those sound interesting. Thank you.
Linda, When I was a kid, one of my favorite sci-fi authors was Robert Heinlein and the books he wrote for kids. One was so good I've remembered it for 50 years and re-read it again a couple of years ago, finding it just as interesting: Red Planet
The other I'd suggest was also one of his books for kids which I read for the first time a couple of years ago finding it great fun! The Rolling Stones. It had a lot of parts I found very funny. Neither book is really that long, the first well under 300 pages and the second under 200 pages so may be just up your alley.
If you like those, you might like Andy Weir's Artemis. It's a mystery set on a moon colony and is also a fun read. It's a little over 300 pages.
Good luck whatever you decide to do!
Tanya wrote: "Linda wrote: "This just isn't my genre so I am having a hard time finding something that interests me to read."Linda, how about something like The Martian? I'm thinking I'll start there. I'm also..."
I'm reading the Martian now. While it's a good story, it has a whole lot of technical information at the first that may be a real put off. The Martian is absolutely Sci-Fi.
"I'm stealing Greg's method for tracking. It's a great idea."Thank you! I agree! Consider it open-source.
Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "My 9-year-old has decided she really wants to read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy... which I've not read. So possibly we will do that together as a read aloud this summer. Not sure what else. I ..."
Can't go wrong with Hitchhiker's!
Carolyn wrote: "For my first book I went with a picture book that I found while browsing a bookstore: The Moon's First Friends: How the Moon Met the Astronauts from Apollo 11. Told from the moon's ..."My son loves that book. Daddy also bought him Sun! One in a Billion and Moon! Earth's Best Friend. He's hoping for Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years next.
Mod
I finished Honor Among Thieves, about a homeless emancipated teen inexplicably chosen to go on a space voyage. I enjoy most of Rachel Caine's books so I thought I'd like this one too. No. I recommend never reading this book. The text was repetitive. Instead of' show don't tell ', it was tell, tell again, then tell a third time for good measure. The audiobook narrator, Adenrele Ojo, read most of the story in a breathy, EVERYTHING! IS! IMPORTANT! voice, which diluted the impact of the actual important bits. She also had odd, untimely pauses, not at commas and periods, but in the middle of words or partway through a short sentence. I actually got angry over it. Do yourself a favor and skip this book.
There was a display of space books at the library, and I grabbed a couple from there.I absolutely LOVED The Martian.
Audrey wrote: "There was a display of space books at the library, and I grabbed a couple from there.I absolutely LOVED The Martian."
If you loved The Martian, you should read the other Andy Weir, Artemis. You'll likely love it, as well.
Greg wrote: “Audrey wrote: “There was a display of space books at the library, and I grabbed a couple from there.I absolutely LOVED The Martian.”
If you loved The Martian, you should read the other Andy Weir…”
I have read Artemis. I liked it a lot but not as much.
I read Goodnight Astronauts to my kids this week. it was probably the first space-themed book my three yo has experienced, and he immediately looked at me with reproachful eyes and said "I need to go to space too, mom."
Mod
That is the best story.
Audrey wrote: "There was a display of space books at the library, and I grabbed a couple from there.I absolutely LOVED The Martian."
I adored Artemis more than I loved The Martian. I do wish they would do a movie of it if it could be as good as they did of The Martian!
I have finished The Martian and Artemis. Three to go.
I found a book of photography on the Northern Lights. Does that count, or is it not space-y enough?
Audrey wrote: "I found a book of photography on the Northern Lights. Does that count, or is it not space-y enough?"I vote yes since the Northern Lights are affected by solar flares. Can't get more spacey than that!
Audrey wrote: "I found a book of photography on the Northern Lights. Does that count, or is it not space-y enough?"I vote yes, but I hope there is more than just photos.
If you want to read an excellent book about the Northern Lights and the scientist who investigated and discovered their origins (what causes them), I highly recommend
The Northern Lights: The true story of the man who unlocked the secrets of aurora borealis by Lucy Jago.
Mod
Sure.
Mod
Elizabeth wrote: "I really need to read The Martian. And see the movie."Do read the book first. Then you can appreciate what a good job they did in choosing which parts to show in the movie. And you'll understand why Matt Damon was an excellent choice to play Mark Watney.
Mod
My third book was Trading in Danger, another space opera with a strong female lead character. I really liked it.
I, too, have finished my 3rd book, The First Men in the Moon by H.G. Wells which I have wanted to read for decades, but never found itself at the top of the list until this challenge!
I have read my 5 books. They are mostly children's books. I hope that is OK1. Cinder
2. Doctor Who: The American Adventures
3. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race (This is the children's book)
4. Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years
5. George's Secret Key to the Universe
If anyone is still looking for good books for this challenge, I've read the following recently and would highly recommend any of them:Odyssey One series by Evan Currie
1. Into the Black
2. The Heart of Matter
3. Homeworld
4. Out of the Black
5. Warrior King
6. Odysseus Awakening
7. Odysseus Ascendant
Chaos of the Covenant series by M.R. Forbes
1. Hell's Rejects
2. Fire and Brimstone
3. The Devils Do
4. Kill the Queen!
5. Damned If You Don’t
6. Good Intentions
7. Queen of Demons
The Academy series by Jack McDevitt
1. The Engines of God
2. Deepsix
3. Chindi
4. Omega
5. Odyssey
6. Cauldron
7. Starhawk
8. The Long Sunset
A Darkling Sea by James L. Cambias
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey
1. Leviathan Wakes
2. Caliban’s War
3. Abaddon’s Gate
4. Cibola Burn
5. Nemesis Games
6. Babylon’s Ashes
7. Persepolis Rising
8. Tiamat’s Wrath
Remembrance of Earth’s Past series by Cixin Liu
1. The Three-Body Problem
2. The Dark Forest
3. Death’s End
Almost all of these are available from the library (not the Forbes).
Linda wrote: "I have read my 5 books. They are mostly children's books. I hope that is OK1. Cinder
2. Doctor Who: The American Adventures
3. Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race "
If you want to read the adult (not abridged), and the wonderful full story, try Hidden Figures. I liked in that book how John Glenn refused to go up for his historic orbital flight until "the girls" had verified the math. He didn't trust the machine computers did math as much as he trusted the black female human computers!
I'm out of town so I went to the local library and picked out a children's book that looked well read, Constellations by Diane M Sipiera.
Debbie wrote: " Linda wrote: "I have read my 5 books. They are mostly children's books. I hope that is OK1. Cinder
2. Doctor Who: The American Adventures
3. [book:Hidden Figures:..."
Debbie it is on my TBR list. But I am a slow reader and I knew I probably wouldn't finish it by the end of July. I did just watch the movie which was also fantastic. John Glenn was mentioned in the Children's version of the book.
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Books mentioned in this topic
Trading in Danger (other topics)Fortune's Pawn (other topics)
A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe (other topics)
Honor Among Thieves (other topics)
The Unseen Queen (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Agatha Christie (other topics)Andy Weir (other topics)
J.J. Green (other topics)
Carl Sagan (other topics)
H.G. Wells (other topics)
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It is Summer Reading time. I hope you all take a few minutes to get your reading records for the Summer Reading Challenge. The Summer Reading Challenge runs from June 1-July 31. You can pick up the reading records at any County Library or online at the website below. Once you finish you can earn prizes. You'll get a free book, a ticket to the Natural History Museum, an entry into a prize drawing and other exciting prizes.
This year, the Summer Reading theme is "A Universe of Stories" so your challenge is to read five books that have to do with Space before August 31. You can read a Science Fiction novel, like The Collapsing Empire by John Scalzi, a poetry book like, Countdown: 2979 Days to the Moon by Suzanne Slade, a non-fiction book like Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void by Mary Roach, a picture book like Astronaut PiggyWiggy by Christyan Fox and don't forget all of the science fiction tv show spin-off books like Star Trek's Star Trek - Prometheus by Bernd Perplies or Star Wars' Phasma by Delilah S. Dawson.
Good luck!
https://summer.slcolibrary.org/index....