2022 Summer Reading Challenge

[Deborah]

Where the Red Fern Grows was one of my favorite books growing up! I may have to put in a re-read this year.

[JoAnn]

Books read so far:

Kondo and Kezumi Visit Giant Island

We Are Water Protectors (2x so far)

The Mists of Avalon

I checked out three other children's books that are ocean themed and had unlimited electronic copies.

[Debbie]

I really enjoyed We Are Water Protectors when I read it last year. Obviously, you really enjoy it, too!

[Elizabeth]

Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Thanks, Elizabeth! I got a couple of them. Libby is being weird so I'll probably wait to get more"

Let me know what you and your family think!

[JoAnn]

Debbie wrote: "I really enjoyed We Are Water Protectors when I read it last year. Obviously, you really enjoy it, too!"

My son wanted it reread to him. It is beautiful.

[JoAnn]

Finished two more books. Both made me cry.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Olive's Ocean

[Britt, Book Habitue]

My list-
1- The Jolly Regina (hilarious- you should really read this if you haven't)

[Debbie]

JoAnn wrote: "Finished two more books. Both made me cry.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Olive's Ocean"


I'm curious. set in the Ozark Mountains, how does Where the Red Fern Grows count toward the challenge of on or in the ocean. It's a long time since I read it but I don't remember any ocean at all. Am I mis-remembering?

[JoAnn]

Debbie wrote: "JoAnn wrote: "Finished two more books. Both made me cry.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Olive's Ocean"


I'm curious. set in the Ozark Mountains, how does Where the Red Fern ..."

The end causes an ocean of tears,

[Britt, Book Habitue]

My list-
1) The Jolly Regina
2) Island of the Blue Dolphins

[Debbie]

JoAnn wrote: "Debbie wrote: "JoAnn wrote: "Finished two more books. Both made me cry.

Where the Red Fern Grows

Olive's Ocean"


I'm curious. set in the Ozark Mountains, how does Wher..."

Not that it's up to me, but I'd reject the legitimacy of that. One could read anything and say it caused an "ocean of ...", be it tears or laughter or fear or anger or or wonder or any other response. But that does not make the ocean a topic of the book itself. Not by any stretch of imagination. But not up to me.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Updated list-
1) The Jolly Regina
2) Island of the Blue Dolphins
3) Dragon's Breath
4) My Father's Dragon
5) Shark Beneath the Reef

[Britt, Book Habitue]

1) The Jolly Regina
2) Island of the Blue Dolphins
3) Dragon's Breath
4) My Father's Dragon
5) Shark Beneath the Reef
6) The Story of Dr Dolittle
7) Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror (if you haven't read this one you should look at it)

[Deborah]

3 Books down 2 more to go:

√ 1. Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul: Amazing Sea Stories and Wyland Artwork to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit - Completed 6/13/2022

√ 2. The Great Quest - Completed 6/23/2022

√ 3. The Prince and the Sea Witch - Completed 6/19/2022

√ 4. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Completed 6/24/2022

5. Moby-Dick or, the Whale - Reading

[JoAnn]

We read Inky the Octopus yesterday. I had no idea it was based on a true story! It also had several pages of octopus facts which my son had already learned from PBS's "Kratt Brothers."

I finally started Island of the Blue Dolphins upon the recommendation of Alex at the West Jordan Library. I had no idea it was based on historical events.

[Deborah]

I finishedThe Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea and loved it! I am making progress on Moby-Dick or, the Whale...so far I like it.

[Debbie]

I have read another book, a fantasy novel, with one significant part taking place in a port city on the Sea of Storms. Some of the important characters are sailors.

I read:
✅ The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery ( Review )
✅ The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen A cute story
✅ The Pout-Pout Fish Cleans Up the Ocean by Deborah Diesen Didn't care for it
✅ Ocean: Waves for All by Stacy McAnulty Very clever with fun illustrations
✅ Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt ( Review )
✅ A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan 7th book in the Wheel of Time series

[Teresa]

I finished my third book, Rolling in the Deep. I usually avoid horror; Goosebumps is about the level I can handle. This was about mermaids with teeth and I really enjoyed it.

[JoAnn]

I believe Where the Red Fern Grows fits the overall theme for this year. The Coleman family has the door opened to "Oceans of Possibilities" through the activities of Billy and his dogs. His parents' greatest hope was to provide their children with a formal education, an impossibility unless they moved to town. Despite their best efforts, they were not able to save enough to make that happen without Billy and his dogs.

[Deborah]

I finished We Are Water Protectors this morning. It wasn't on my original planned list, but I think it fits the prompt. That makes 5/5 for the summer

√ 1. Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul: Amazing Sea Stories and Wyland Artwork to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit - Completed 6/13/2022

√ 2. The Great Quest - Completed 6/23/2022

√ 3. The Prince and the Sea Witch - Completed 6/19/2022

√ 4. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Completed 6/24/2022

√ 5. We Are Water Protectors by Completed 6/27/22

6. Moby-Dick or, the Whale - Reading

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Updating my list

1) The Jolly Regina
2) Island of the Blue Dolphins
3) Dragon's Breath
4) My Father's Dragon
5) Shark Beneath the Reef
6) The Story of Dr Dolittle
7) Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror
8) The Brilliant Abyss

[Linda]

So far I have read
1.
2.
3. (This one may get read more than once. It is a favorite of my grandson)
4.
5.
6. (It takes place in Cancun and they go scuba diving and have a breakfast cruise on the ocean)
7.

[Debbie]

JoAnn wrote: "I believe Where the Red Fern Grows fits the overall theme for this year. The Coleman family has the door opened to "Oceans of Possibilities" through the activities of Billy and his dogs. His parent..."

Now that makes sense as it is contained in the story itself and not dependent on the reaction of a person to the book. Thanks, JoAnn for helping me get to see! It's out of the box and I like out of the box. Discomfort removed. |_| (cheering)

[Whitney]

So far this summer I have read
nonfiction
The Brilliant Abyss
History Smashers: The Titanic (i'm not sure if this totally fits but it did sink into the ocean and in the end talked a little bit about the condition the ship was in once they finally found it?)
Fiction
Skin of the Sea
Out of the Blue
Dark Tide
My favorite so far was Skin of the Sea and The Brilliant Abyss
I am hoping to get some more nonfiction oceanic reads next month!

[Elizabeth]

Everyone so far is doing amazing.

Keep it up! I love how many of you have challenged yourselves to read even more than the 5 books required for this three month challenge.

And yes, out of the box choices are always welcome. Remember, if you think it counts for a challenge, it counts!

What are everyone's favorites that they've read so far? What are you excited about reading next?

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Updating my list

1) The Jolly Regina
2) Island of the Blue Dolphins
3) Dragon's Breath
4) My Father's Dragon
5) Shark Beneath the Reef
6) The Story of Dr Dolittle
7) Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror
8) The Brilliant Abyss
9) Pleading the Fish (This one's maybe pushing the theme a little, but the island and beach setting...plus the prominent character who happens to be a seagull...it feels like it belongs on the list.)

[Linda]

Elizabeth wrote: "Everyone so far is doing amazing.

Keep it up! I love how many of you have challenged yourselves to read even more than the 5 books required for this three month challenge.

And yes, out of the bo..."

I am one of the many holds for Remarkably Bright Creatures I am looking forward to reading it.

[Deborah]

Elizabeth wrote: "Everyone so far is doing amazing.

Keep it up! I love how many of you have challenged yourselves to read even more than the 5 books required for this three month challenge.

And yes, out of the bo..."

So far my favorite of the summer is The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea. Although I am enjoying Moby-Dick or, the Whale so far.

[Debbie]

Elizabeth wrote: "Everyone so far is doing amazing.

Keep it up! I love how many of you have challenged yourselves to read even more than the 5 books required for this three month challenge.

And yes, out of the bo..."

My favorite, far and away, was The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Can't pick a favorite, though I did recommend Eight Princesses to...well everyone lol.
I now have Remarkably Bright Creatures on hold but it's like a 14 week wait on audio.

[Carolyn]

I haven't been reading much with oceans, so I am going outside the box. I read The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris. Where does the ocean come in? There are a couple of ocean/beach scenes on Earth, but most of the chapters on/in an ocean take place on the moon! Worth a try.

[Debbie]

Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Can't pick a favorite, though I did recommend Eight Princesses to...well everyone lol.
I now have Remarkably Bright Creatures on hold but it's like a 14 week wait on audio."

I was impatient and bought it on Audible.

[Linda]

Debbie wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "Everyone so far is doing amazing.

Keep it up! I love how many of you have challenged yourselves to read even more than the 5 books required for this three month challenge.

And ..."

I would also like to read that book. I don't know if I will get to it. I am a slow reader.

[Deborah]

My Updated Summer Challenge reading:

√ 1. Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul: Amazing Sea Stories and Wyland Artwork to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit - Completed 6/13/2022

√ 2. The Great Quest - Completed 6/23/2022

√ 3. The Prince and the Sea Witch - Completed 6/19/2022

√ 4. The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea - Completed 6/24/2022

√ 5. We Are Water Protectors - Completed 6/27/22

6. Moby-Dick or, the Whale - Reading

√ 7. Becoming Lady Lockwood - Completed 7/3/2022

√ 8. The Slave Dancer - Completed 7/4/2022

[Debbie]

Thanks to the challenge of the Daybreak Online book club, I've read another book that meets this challenge, too!

✅ The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery ( Review )
✅ The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen A cute story
✅ The Pout-Pout Fish Cleans Up the Ocean by Deborah Diesen Didn't care for it
✅ Ocean: Waves for All by Stacy McAnulty Very clever with fun illustrations
✅ Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt ( Review )
✅ A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan 7th book in the Wheel of Time series ( Review )
✅ Wrath of Poseidon by Clive Cussler ( Review )

[Brittany]

Just got back from a road trip. I finished a couple more books on the drive.

Summer Reading challenge:

✓ 1. Life of Pi - finished
✓ 2. Island of the Blue Dolphins - finished
3. Castaways of the Flying Dutchman - not yet started
✓ 4. Piranesi - finished
5. The Count of Monte Cristo - in progress - about half-way

[Teresa]

I finished my third book, The Cruise Ship Lost My Daughter. It's a cozy mystery with a quirky elderly couple that takes place mostly on a British Isles cruise ship.

[Audrey]

I haven't made much progress yet (I have multiple challenges going on), but I did remember a book I can recommend that I edited:

In the Wake of Captain Lord: A Tony Flaner Mystery

It's by a local author. It's a mystery-comedy set on a cruise ship.

[Debbie]

Audrey wrote: "I haven't made much progress yet (I have multiple challenges going on), but I did remember a book I can recommend that I edited:

In the Wake of Captain Lord: A Tony Flaner Mystery
..."

I didn't know Worthen did mysteries! I used to see him every year at the local Sci-Fi annual convention that ran for 25 years before the Comicon-esque crowd came in and took everything over. (Can you say "sour grapes"?)

[Audrey]

Cool! I usually see him at FanX and League of Utah Writer events. The first in the series was published by Jolly Fish, which I think went out of business, so I think the rest are being self-published. They can be read in any order.

[Irie]

I love a great Summer Reading Challenge, thank you!

So far I’ve read Heart Bones and Malibu Rising. I’m both books the ocean holds a place of importance in the main characters’ lives. Pretty cool!

[Elizabeth]

Irie wrote: "I love a great Summer Reading Challenge, thank you!

So far I’ve read Heart Bones and Malibu Rising. I’m both books the ocean holds a place of importance in the main characters’ lives. Pretty cool!"

Make sure you read 5 books by the end of August, and let me know that you've finished. Then you'll be entered into the prize drawing!

[JoAnn]

Reading The Ocean at the End of the Lane. Neil Gaiman. I'm totally freaking out!

[Elizabeth]

Gaiman for me is REALLY hit or miss. I either love it or hate it. Examples: Loved The Graveyard Book but hated Coraline. Oddly enough, I loved Anansi Boys but hated American Gods. With The Ocean at the End of the Lane, I recall, not really caring for it, but it didn't really leave a strong impression.

[Audrey]

I didn't really like the Doctor Who episodes Gaiman wrote. I have read Coraline and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, which were both all right. I may try another one or two.

[Debbie]

I loved The Graveyard Book and hated The Ocean at the End of the Lane. For some reason, I've never been drawn to Gaiman's books. I only read Graveyard because it won a Newbery award. I only read Ocean because it was a challenge book in the Daybreak Online Book Club.

[Carolyn]

Still not a lot of ocean stuff in my summer reading, so I will take what I can get. I read Diary of a Provincial Lady. They (the family) go to the beach a couple of times and the narrator goes on holiday to the South of France.

[Audrey]

I think I read Ocean because I needed a book with Ocean in the title or something. I liked the ending, though the main character was Too Stupid To Live. It would fit for the summer reading challenge.

I will probably read Strong Like the Sea for the challenge; still looking for other books. (Lots of challenges going on.)

[Britt, Book Habitue]

I enjoyed Ocean at the End of the Lane and Graveyard Book but my favorite Gaiman will probably always be Fortunately, the Milk.

[Brittany]

I love Fortunately, the Milk too! I think it's just brilliant, and very funny.