The County Library discussion
Reading Challenges
>
2020 March Reading Challenge
How creative! Hmmmmm. Must give this some thought.
I will be reading Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini: Captured and Sold as a Slave in Rome - AD 107 by Richard Platt. The library has several copies so if others are interested in this 62 p. book, it may be a good choice for you.
I remembered few of us can (or want) to undertake a "diutissime liber" (Latin for "very long book" [and no, I don't know Latin, I looked it up]) so I thought I'd give a heads up for others like me who like 'em short and sweet.
Debbie wrote: "I will be reading Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini: Captured and Sold as a Slave in Rome - AD 107 by Richard Platt. The library has several copies so if ..."I was thinking of reading this same book.
I started listening to Pompeii then remembered I need to wait until next month, lol. I might also/instead read Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn.
Mod
Do you not have to start the book in March then?
Audrey wrote: "Do you not have to start the book in March then?"Nope. If you are already reading something in February and it happens to match the March challenge, as long as you finish it in March, it counts. Which is quite nice.
DoesJulius ceasar Count? Otherwise I was thinking of reading Makers of Rome. Also, this is the first time I am participating. Do we report if we actually succeed in the challenge?
If you are speaking of the Shakespeare play, it would count. I was thinking of doing that myself. I'm not a moderator so my view is not 100% but how much more Roman can you get than Julius Caesar? And, yes, you report when you finish.Welcome to the group!
I'm reading Pompeii by Robert Harris. Hopefully it will be better than last month's book.
Greg wrote: "I'm reading Pompeii by Robert Harris. Hopefully it will be better than last month's book."I think I will, too.
Anyone else struggling with Pompeii? I'm over halfway through, the volcano still hasn't blown, and there is SO MUCH (imo) unnecessary vulgarity. I'm hoping it gets interesting, soon.
Mod
You just have to read SOME of it in March and Finish it in March, and then it counts. As long as some of the book is read in March, you can use it.
Mod
Yes, Julius Ceasar would count, so would your other book. And you do need to say you've finished the challenge on here, you can't just announce what you're reading, you need to let me know you've finished it.
Some people say, "I'm going to read..." and then post when they've finished and some people just post once and say, "I read ... for my book."
Either way works, you just have to be clear.
Mod
I hope you enjoy this book too. So far, you haven't really liked either of the two books you read for the challenges. I want your luck to turn around!
Mod
Thanks Debbie!
Mod
I haven't read that one. I don't know what I'll read this month. I might pick out one of the mysteries I recommended up above. I read Medicus previously, but none of the others in the series, so I might try book two.
Teresa wrote: "Anyone else struggling with Pompeii? I'm over halfway through, the volcano still hasn't blown, and there is SO MUCH (imo) unnecessary vulgarity. I'm hoping it gets interesting, soon."I'm not that far into it, but I find the characters rather flat.
I have finished Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini: Captured and Sold as a Slave in Rome - AD 107 by Richard Platt and quite enjoyed it. It took longer to read than I expected because it is not your traditional picture book, being comparatively dense with text. It took me about 6 days, it not being the only book I'm reading. But it was an easy read. Although the book is fiction, it is based on what life actually like in Rome in AD 107. For those of you hating Pompeii, you might want to consider this book. The illustrations were delightful, especially those of a lion that are sprinkled through the Glossary/Index.
Mod
I read Roman Diary: The Journal of Iliona of Mytilini: Captured and Sold as a Slave in Rome - AD 107. It was a quick read and very enjoyable.
Mod
Audrey wrote: "I finished Pompeii; not that good. That Roman Diary book sounds much better."There's still plenty of time to read it.
Greg wrote: "I'm reading Pompeii by Robert Harris. Hopefully it will be better than last month's book."Finished. Better than last month, but not wonderful. 3 stars.
3/3 on this year's challenges.
I dnf'd Pompeii, at 60%, which is way more than I usually give a bad read. I read Mistress of Rome and it was awesome.
I'm glad, Teresa, that you found something you could enjoy and sorry you wasted your time on the first.
Mod
I think in general it's a fascinating topic. I was hoping to read New Pompeii, but there wasn't an audio version, and I've kind of banned print books from the library until I get through the ones I own, or at least get the stack down to a manageable size.
If I hadn't been looking for a shorter book, I may well have chosen Pompeii. What happened there has always fascinated me.
I picked Pompeii because I wanted an adult fictional account of it with a minimum 3.87 star rating. Most of the what I saw in the lists had low ratings. Edit: I'm fascinated by it but don't want to pay to see the exhibition.
I read "Poseiden's Gold" by Lindsay Davis the 5th in the Marcus Didius Falco mystery series
Has the Library System considered the possibility of opening on a limited basis, say 10-3, allowing returns and, possibly access to holds? At minimum, allowing returns would be great. My concern is not so much due dates as it is the reality that holding onto finished items increases the chance of them disappearing into the forgetfulness of where I put them to get them out of the way this time. I'd hate getting a fine because of that imposed delay and my occasional mental fogginess.
I think I'm going to leave my library book next to my front door or in my car and add a weekly/biweekly reminder in my calendar to see if returns are open.
Mod
Debbie, while libraries are closed there won't be fines. So you don't need to worry about that.
Mod
That's a good idea. :)
Maybe holds could be picked up by appointment? I'm out of cozies, my 5-year-old is almost out of phonics books, and my 12-year-old is out of dystopians.
The only reason the 15-yr-old isn't screaming is I enabled wifi on her kindle. (But when she hit the cliffhanger on the cozy series we're both reading there was absolutely screaming.)
The 7- and 10-yr- olds are a little easier to accommodate with the vast supplies of books we own supplemented with library books they haven't read yet and e-audios that can be accessed anytime.
Can we still return items in the drop boxes? I just don't want to lose stuff.
Mod
Thank you for your patience during these unprecedented circumstances.
Actually, there is no real reason to close the book drops. One person could come in to each library once a day, clear them out and check everything in. It would take some working out the logistics to have places to put things being sent to other branches if you run out of the blue boxes. No reason, though, to have the process of shipping stuff from branch to branch. But one person coming in does not put anyone in any danger. That person would, of course, be wise to wear gloves and wear at least some face mask for full safety. You'd really only need to do the daily thing for at most a week, being nothing else is going out and there are a goodly number of folks who may well wait. We'd sure appreciate it if you would pass that idea on to higher-ups. I understand the reluctance to do holds pickup, even on an appointment basis, because it would involve direct contact with people whose sanitary habits you don't know. If I worked in the library, I would not want to do "handing out holds" duty. In fact, I'd refuse. But I wouldn't mind checking in returns.
Audrey wrote: "Can we still return items in the drop boxes? I just don't want to lose stuff."Yes. My reason, too. There's not a lot of comfort not having fines when you'll end up having to pay for something one of the kids moved to heaven knows where in the house.
Maybe have returns open and only checked by staff infrequently, to allow time for any germs to die off.
Mod
http://www.ala.org/news/press-release...
https://www.slcolibrary.org/le/lesp/c...
We will let you know about any changes as soon as we can.
Allowing us to return borrowed materials through book drops is not "open to the public" and does not violate that directive. A single staff member going in to process those materials is not being "open to the public". Of course, ILL materials, which must be taken into the library cannot be returned. That is a no brainer. But, as a librarian, I'm arguing that the decision was made based on what was easiest for the library, not best for the patron. Yes, you were considering the patron in closing library lobbies. You were thoughtful of your staff to not have everyone still at work. BUT, returning materials to a bin does not violate the 6 foot social distance rule. AND allowing return of materials may help some folks safely fight cabin fever that exists. Plus, I'd be stunned if some small number of your staff wouldn't welcome that break of cabin fever, too.
Just asking you to pass it up the line. Not asking you to change it and no reason for you to defend it. We understand why the decision was made. We are just asking for consideration for a minor adjustment.
I have changed my mind. That's allowed, right? No opening of return boxes. I just read about the Family Physician's Group calling for an "everyone stay home, no one out" order (which I hope they don't do), but while it is important to do some grocery shopping, library holds aren't
that
critical. Because, ya know, librarians are people and have people foibles. If someone is coming into work, they are also going to stop by the store to pick up some things. It's a trip to the store they may not have made otherwise. Maybe need some gas. And while, getting gas a person may well pop into the store there and get a snack or a drink. And then they get bumped into by some bozo who thinks the 6 foot distance rule is infringing its freedom and said bozo is infected because it buys into Trump's hoax theory. And THEN we (those wanting the return boxes opened) are responsible for have endangered one of those we treasure. Because they wouldn't have been out in the first place but for our desire.
So I withdraw my request to have the return boxes open.
Mod
Of course you're allowed to change your mind. Again, we will let you know when the library changes anything. Stay safe!
The County Library
Books mentioned in this topic
Little Red Riding Hood Stories Around the World: 3 Beloved Tales (other topics)Little Red Riding Hood Stories Around the World: 3 Beloved Tales (other topics)
New Pompeii (other topics)
Pompeii (other topics)
Mistress of Rome (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lauren Tarshis (other topics)Richard Platt (other topics)
Richard Platt (other topics)
Richard Platt (other topics)
Since March is named after the Roman God Mars, your challenge this month is a settings challenge. You must read a book that's connected somehow to Rome. This can mean contemporary Rome like in Kill the Father or ancient Rome, like A Voice in the Wind, you can even go to the far flung reaches of the Roman Empire and read Medicus which takes place in "...an inclement outpost of the Roman Empire, namely Britannia." You could read something set in Rome during the renaissance like Poison You can also read a non-fiction book about Rome, like Rome: An Urban History from Antiquity to the Present, or Rome: A History in Seven Sackings, or even Tasting Rome: Fresh Flavors and Forgotten Recipes from an Ancient City.
Good luck!
audentes Fortuna iuvat.
Fortune favors the brave.