2023 September Reading Challenge

[Elizabeth]

In September, the library is celebrating Games! Search out calendar for #GamesMonth to see all of our game related activities.

So, we're also doing games here as our challenge!

You can be super literal and pick a book that teaches you how to play a game, like How to Win At Chess, or read a book that's also a game, like Jungle Puzzles, or read about someone doing a lot of puzzles like The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life.

You can also read a fictional story where a game takes place. I'm not going to lie, I very first thought of the short story The Most Dangerous Game, which we have in various short story collections at the library, and then I immediately thought of Deathwatch., which is basically The Most Dangerous Game, but in the desert. If you're feeling like dystopian fiction try The Hunger Games or The Maze Runner, or Battle Royale. If you're in the mood for video games, you can try Ready Player One.

For kids fiction, there's always The Westing Game or Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library, or Jumanji.

Games just have to be part of the plot in some way.

Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor!

[Debbie]

I didn't realize Jumanji was a book! That's my book. The library has a bunch of copies.

[Teresa]

A Utah author, CJ Connor, just published Board To Death, a board game shop mystery.

[Elizabeth]

Debbie wrote: "I didn't realize Jumanji was a book! That's my book. The library has a bunch of copies."

The artwork is amazing! I hope you like it.

[Elizabeth]

Teresa wrote: "A Utah author, CJ Connor, just published Board To Death, a board game shop mystery."

That sounds perfect!

[Carolyn]

This is a fun challenge. I am going to read The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer.

[Brittany]

I am also going to read The Wishing Game. Can't wait!

[Carolyn]

Don't have a book in mind yet but this topic is fun.

[Deborah]

I have a friend who wrote a novel that is perfect for this prompt. I am going to read Glitch Kingdom by Sheena Boekweg.

[Stephanie]

Do sports like baseball count? Or only board games and puzzles?

[Deborah]

I would definitely count sports!

[Linda]

I was also going to read Jumanji. I was also going to read its companion book Zathura

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Teresa wrote: "A Utah author, CJ Connor, just published Board To Death, a board game shop mystery."

Ooh, right up my alley.

Mr Lemoncello and Westing Game are both really good. Parker Inheritance is also a fun one.

[Audrey]

One Word Kill is about Dungeons and Dragons (plus time travel). That might count.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

One Word Kill looks hilarious but isn't available in audio dang it all.

[Audrey]

Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "One Word Kill looks hilarious but isn't available in audio dang it all."

Aw. It is rather hilarious.

[Britt, Book Habitue]

I grabbed a physical copy at the library today. Maybe I'll get to it. I think my husband might enjoy it too.

[Brittany]

One Word Kill looks great! I just added it to my TBR. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Audrey]

Brittany wrote: "One Word Kill looks great! I just added it to my TBR. Thanks for the recommendation."

One of my new favorites. :)

[Debbie]

I finished Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg. I actually had read this as part of my goal to read all Caldecott and Newbery Medal winners. This one I read in 2011, so it makes sense I might not remember reading it.

[Elizabeth]

Stephanie wrote: "Do sports like baseball count? Or only board games and puzzles?"

I think sports count as a game. So, go for it!

[Elizabeth]

Debbie wrote: "I finished Jumanji by Chris Van Allsburg. I actually had read this as part of my goal to read all Caldecott and Newbery Medal winners. This one I read in 2011, so it mak..."

Yeah, there are definitely too many books to keep track of, especially if you're a voracious reader, like I know you are. What did you think?

[Debbie]

Elizabeth wrote: "What did you think? "

I enjoyed it. I do like the movie better, though, because Robin Williams. Need I say more? As I read it, scenes from the movie played in my mind, not creating a negative reaction but adding to the pleasure of the book. Especially the old slow rhinoceros which was actually a computer glitch they decided to leave in!

[Greg]

I read Warcross by Marie Lu. For fun, I also read the sequel, Wildcard .

7/7 for 2023 (11/11 books)

[Elizabeth]

Nice!

[Em]

I am going to try and work The Puzzler: One Man's Quest to Solve the Most Baffling Puzzles Ever, from Crosswords to Jigsaws to the Meaning of Life by A J Jacobs in this month. If I can fit it in. Will report back!

I enjoyed this book.

I completed this book in September, but was traveling and I remain unplugged when on a trip. Just wanted to record that I have still completed every challenge this year.

[Darin]

I’m going to listen to the audio of The Tournament by Matthew Reilly. Been on my TBR list forever. He normally writes action thrillers, so will see how he does with historical fiction.

[Linda]

I finished both Jumanji and Zathura. They were both good, but I liked Jumanji better.

[Brittany]

I finished The Wishing Game a couple days ago and loved it! One of my favorite books this year.

[Elizabeth]

Brittany wrote: "I finished The Wishing Game a couple days ago and loved it! One of my favorite books this year."

Awesome!

[Audrey]

I read The Boys in the Boat: The True Story of an American Team's Epic Journey to Win Gold at the 1936 Olympics, a sports book.

[Elizabeth]

I can't believe it's already September 18. Only two more weeks to get your books in! Has anyone participated in any Games month programs at your local library?

[Darin]

Oh, yes, I finished listening to The Tournament by Matthew Reilly. It was about a chess tournament in medieval times. That might sound a little boring, but there was a mystery aspect in that a few people were murdered, and that was resolved. I liked it, but I like his action thriller books better.

[Alyson]

I finally read Glitch, the graphic novel about entering a video game that my son's been bugging me to read!

[Elizabeth]

Alyson wrote: "I finally read Glitch, the graphic novel about entering a video game that my son's been bugging me to read!"

What did you think? I bet he was excited you finally read it.

[Elizabeth]

Darin wrote: "Oh, yes, I finished listening to The Tournament by Matthew Reilly. It was about a chess tournament in medieval times. That might sound a little boring, but there was a mystery aspect in that a few ..."

Ooh, fun, I haven't read any Matthew Reilly. Do you have a favorite to rec? I mean, I'm not gonna lie, this one also sounds fun.

[Alyson]

Elizabeth wrote: "Alyson wrote: "I finally read Glitch, the graphic novel about entering a video game that my son's been bugging me to read!"

What did you think? I bet he was excited you finally read it."

He WAS excited. I didn't love the art, but it was entertaining!

[Carolyn]

I finished The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. This was one of my favorite books of this year. I loved all of the characters and the riddles were fun to try and figure out.

[Linda]

Carolyn wrote: "I finished The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer. This was one of my favorite books of this year. I loved all of the characters and the riddles were fun to try and figur..."

It sounds good. I added it to my to read list.

[Teresa]

I read Riverboat Roulette. It's adult Nancy Drew solving mysteries in a casino. I haven't read any Nancy Drew books before this. I'll check some out now.

[Sarah]

I read The Brothers Hawthorne which is the 4th book in the Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Hidden puzzles, disappearing ink, riddles, coded letters with hidden cyphers, scavenger hunts, and card games.

[Elizabeth]

Sarah wrote: "I read The Brothers Hawthorne which is the 4th book in the Inheritance Games series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Hidden puzzles, disappearing ink, riddles, coded letters..."

Nice!

[Elizabeth]

Teresa wrote: "I read Riverboat Roulette. It's adult Nancy Drew solving mysteries in a casino. I haven't read any Nancy Drew books before this. I'll check some out now."

My favorite Nancy Drew books is The Sign of the Twisted Candles

[Teresa]

Elizabeth, I added that to my TBR. Thanks.

[Greg]

Any word on an October challenge?

[Britt, Book Habitue]

Marlow Murder Club featured a character who creates crossword puzzles, but that's as close as I got this month.

[Deborah]

Last day of the month, but I did it! I just finished Glitch Kingdom by Sheena Boekweg.

[Teresa]

Elizabeth, are you ok?

[Elizabeth]

Hello, yes, I'm fine. I just can't believe it's October! I'll get the challenge up in a couple of minutes. :D

[Elizabeth]

Greg is our prize drawing winner for this reading challenge for reading Warcross by Marie Lu.

Congratulations!