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Reading Challenges
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2024 Summer Reading Challenge
All sorts of ways you could go with this year's summer theme. I will see what I can come up with.
I'll suggest that my Classics book club read Treasure Island as our next selection. It's too bad we recently finished Around the World in 80 Days. That would've been perfect for the theme! I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it.It will be a fun challenge to see what I can come up with for the remaining four books.
I have so many ideas for this prompt! The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise middle grade
Road Trip Rescue middle grade
The Case of the Missing Auntie middle grade indigenous
Travelers Along the Way: A Robin Hood Remix Muslim perspective of the 3rd Crusade
The Lady Astronaut of Mars sci-fi novella
Track Her Down crime thriller novella
The Ocean's Veill undersea spy novella
Silent But Deadly A Vigilante Justice Thriller by C W Atlas animal abuse thriller novella
Prepared post-apocalyptic
Watchmen graphic novel
Grania: She-King of the Irish Seas historical fiction
In the Waves: My Quest to Solve the Mystery of a Civil War Submarine non-fic
Amelia Earhart Is on the Moon? children's bk bio
Alice Ramsey's Grand Adventure picture bk bio
Nurse, Soldier, Spy: The Story of Sarah Edmonds, a Civil War Hero picture bk bio
America's Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle picture bk bio
Mod
That would be perfect! And Around the World in 80 days was so good too. Luckily, there are a lot of different options.
Mod
I know! There's a lot of different ways you could take it.
Mod
The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise middle grade
Road Trip Rescue middle grade
[book:The Case of the Missing Auntie|511..."
These all sound great!
Ooh so much to choose from!!Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands will be my first read. Then maybe a Pendergast...hmmm.
My five books are:6/6 - *** - Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty
7/6 - *** - Killing Floor by Lee Child
6/26 - *** - Into the Jungle by Erica Ferencik
7/1 - *** - While Idaho Slept by J. Reuben Appelman
7/3 - *** - The Lost City of Z by David Grann
6/10 challenges, 10/14 books complete for 2024
I only have two identified so far, both in progress:The Knickknack Case: A Tony Flaner Mystery by Johnny Worthen
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
For some of the others, I may "cheat" by "double dipping", that is, use books I'm reading for another group, counting it here and there! I have never done that before but, golly, one group has a couple of exciting reads for the summer too!
I'm hoping someone can tell me if I'm understanding the challenges right, because I've read everything I could find and am still confused.1. Goodreads challenge - Read 5 adventure themed books before the end of August.
2. The County Library summer challenge (for adults) - Complete every activity for all 6 badges (which includes reading 3 books: one adventure, one travel, and one new genre) before the end of July PLUS log all my reading on the Beanstack page. If I want to participate in the bonus round, I have to stop at a physical branch to pick up an activity card.
Do I have that right?
Lucky me, the book I did not complete in time for the May challenge qualifies for the summer challenge. So that becomes book 1 of 5.1-Typhoon Fury by Clive Cussler. Completed 6/3.
2-A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connolly. This story documents the rescue of passengers from the Titanic by the Carpathia. Completed 6/17
3-Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris & Mrs Harris Goes to New York by Paul Gallico. A story about the adventure of a lifetime, leaving your home country for the very first time. And, what a great idea to make that destination Paris. Completed 6/19
4-The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter. This is one part spy caper story, one part romance novel, one part good/evil twin story. Three times the adventure. Completed 8/6
5-Blurring the lines of what an adventure novel is, I read two books in July which are stories of lives in war-torn countries and two women who survive that, one fictional and one factual. I read Twilight Territory by Andrew X Pham, fiction, about life in Vietnam during the WWII era; and I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai. Neither of those would probably be described as adventure genre, but the times and events documented make me think I can count these both as adventure novels.
Mission complete.
My first book is in progress Blue Bay Mystery (Boxcar Children #6). I asked my niece and my nephews for books with adventure, and one nephew suggested "The Boxcar Children" series. The one he is currently reading with his mom wasn't available, so I chose a different one. This isn't a series I remember reading much as a child even though it was around.
Mod
Yes, the Goodreads Reading Challenge is Separate from the Summer Reading Challenge. The Goodreads Reading challenge goes through August, because you have to read 5 books on the theme.
With the Adventure Begins Summer Reading Challenge, which it looks like you signed up for on BeanStack, you have to complete 30 activities from these categories: Read, Create, Learn, Play, & Connect. You don't have to do the activity mentioned under the "Tip" section. You set your own goals. You can fill in one box from each category every day, so you can finish summer reading in 6 days. That program lasts during June and July. Once you finish go to your local library branch, and let them know you finished on beanstack. We'll log in to our end, and mark it completed, and give you your prizes for that challenge.
If you want to keep going with that program, you have to pick up the Bonus Reading Record from the branch.
Does that make sense?
Let me know if you have more questions.
Mod
Nice!
Mod
I don't think that's a requirement at all. But it might be listed in the "Activities" section under the "Tips" area. Tips are not required. Just doing activities that fit under the broader theme of "Read, Create, Learn, Play, and Connect."
I think I have my list, although I may change my mind at any time! So here we go:
1. The Knickknack Case: A Tony Flaner Mystery by Johnny Worthen
2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
3. Summerday by Christopher St. John
4. One (or more) of the mountain climbing disaster books:
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer
or
Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival by Joe Simpson
or
After the Wind: 1996 Everest Tragedy—One Survivor's Story by Lou Kasischke
5. Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman's Search for Justice in Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdoch
A nice mix of fiction and nonfiction. And no picture books planned ... yet.
I did a proofread of The Knickknack Case. Johnny teaches English at the U.
Book 1 of 5: The Curse of Pietro Houdini by Derek B. Miller. 2. Around the World in 80 Days
3-5: tbd
Running List -1: Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands
Got my second book read: The 39-Story Treehouse: Mean Machines & Mad Professors!. This is the kind of book my brain could handle yesterday. (I checked out the next one in the series also, but I have to decide whether to read it now or save for later.)
Audrey wrote: "I did a proofread of The Knickknack Case. Johnny teaches English at the U."I know him from a local convention we both atteneded every year.
Audrey wrote: "Ah, so you know he's a little weird."Ha ha ha ha! My hubby used to refer to those of us at that little convention as "you and your weirdo friends". Last year my granddaughter told her mom she thought Grandma (me) was a little weird. My daughter told her "Grandma will be delighted that you think that!"
Running List Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands
The Traitor's Blade
The God of Lost Words
Running List Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands
The Traitor's Blade
The God of Lost Words
Debbie wrote: "Audrey wrote: "Ah, so you know he's a little weird."Ha ha ha ha! My hubby used to refer to those of us at that little convention as "you and your weirdo friends". Last year my granddaughter told ..."
I usually volunteer at Quills every year along with some of the other conventions. It's nice to see my slightly weird friends all together at them.
Carolyn wrote: "Got my second book read: The 39-Story Treehouse: Mean Machines & Mad Professors!. This is the kind of book my brain could handle yesterday. (I checked out the next one in the series..."That sounds like a fun read. I will have to consider this one. Starting at #1 of course.
Mod
I'm still trying to decide what books to read.
I'm following Britt's pattern of a running list, though it won't fill as quickly as Britt's is! I usually do reviews and I include a link to my review, if you want to read it.Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman's Search for Justice in Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdoch ( Review ) 6/5
Em wrote: "Lucky me, the book I did not complete in time for the May challenge qualifies for the summer challenge. So that becomes book 1 of 5.1-Typhoon Fury by Clive Cussler. Completed 6/3.
..."
Go Em!!
I finished my first book, ironically not on my list, lol. Star Trek Picard Firewall, it's about Seven's life between ST: Voyager and ST: Picard.
Judy wrote: "Em wrote: "Lucky me, the book I did not complete in time for the May challenge qualifies for the summer challenge. So that becomes book 1 of 5.1-Typhoon Fury by Clive Cussler. Comp..."
Join us!
The beginning of my running list of books read.1. A Lady's Guide to Marvels and Misadventure by Angela Bell
2.The River by Gary Paulsen
3. The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend byDan Santat
4. Ghost of Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen
5. The 13-Story Treehouse: Monkey Mayhem! by Andy Griffiths
6. The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung
Debbie's Running ListNon-Fiction
1. Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman's Search for Justice in Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdoch ( Review ) 6/5
2.Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival by Joe Simpson ( Review ) 6/11
Fiction
1. Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich ( Review ) 6/11
Teresa wrote: "I finished my first book, ironically not on my list, lol. Star Trek Picard Firewall, it's about Seven's life between ST: Voyager and ST: Picard."Do you need to have read the other books in the series before you read this one?
Running List Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands
The Traitor's Blade
The God of Lost Words
To Davy Jones Below
Murder at the Breakers
(I've also read Pride and Prejudice....twice....but that feels less adaverture-y.)
Running List Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands
The Traitor's Blade
The God of Lost Words
To Davy Jones Below
Murder at the Breakers
(I've also read Pride and Prejudice....twice....but that feels less adaverture-y.)
Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "Running List ...(I've also read Pride and Prejudice....twice....but that f..."
I removed Jane Eyre from my list for the same reason. They are adventures for those of us who love them but it seems a stretch to call them adventures for this challenge!
Linda, nope. Each Star Trek Picard book is about a particular character, so they don't have to be read in order.
Running ListEmily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands
The Traitor's Blade
The God of Lost Words
To Davy Jones Below
Murder at the Breakers
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Stephen Fry audio now available on audible!)
Mountains Beyond Mountains
I wish the rest of Stephen Fry was available in the U.S. I don't like Jim Dale's version at all.
The Stephen Fry versions are all available on Audible for 55% off. This sale will last for a little over one more day, as of June 15. The rest of today and all of tomorrow. Maybe a little beyond that. The sale price for 4 books are 19.80 each. The other 3 are 13.20 each. I have verified each is unabridged.
Really?? I'll look into that right away.
Got them! I had a ton of credits unused. I would not have known without your comment, so thank you so much.
I investigated, Audrey, because of your comment. It didn't make sense that only one of the Stephen Fry versions would be available so my librarian genes kicked in and I checked it out. From my view, us finding out is due to your comment. So I thank you! Plus Britt specifying the Frye version.
In the U.S. you could only get Jim Dale, and in the UK you could only get Stephen Fry. The last few years, they released the first Fry version for a short time but never the whole series. It just seemed so dumb.
Deborah's Running List:1. Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites by Chris Heimerdinger - Complete 6/5/24
2. An Ambitious Hope: A Red Riding Hood Retelling By Lucy Winton - Complete 6/13/24
3. The Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer - Complete 6/13/24
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It's Summer Reading time! The official Summer Reading Challenge runs June and July. You can learn more here:
thecountylibrary.org/Summer.
When you sign up, you get access to a $5 fine waiver, and if you finish the challenge, you get a free book and a ticket to the Natural History Museum of Utah, among other prizes.
The Goodreads Summer Reading Challenge is June, July AND August. So, you will have three months to read 5 books that fit the Summer Reading Theme: Adventure Begins at the Library.
This means you get to read so many fun adventure books!
There's a reason that so many adventure books get made into movies. They're fun, action packed, often take place in far off places, and generally have a very satisfying ending. Here are a few adventure books that have been turned into movies. You'll notice that some are nonfiction, some are science fiction or fantasy, or horror. Adventure generally blends a lot of genres together:
Annihilation
Sahara
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
The Fellowship of the Ring
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon
Here are a couple librarian favorites:
Ice Station
Meg
Relic
Dragon Teeth
Drowning: The Rescue of Flight 1421
Project Hail Mary
The Scarlet Pimpernel
With a Mind to Kill
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
The Bright and Breaking Sea
Kingdom of Bones
Small Game
The Call of the Wild
Here are some nonfiction favorites:
The Emerald Mile: The Epic Story of the Fastest Ride in History Through the Heart of the Grand Canyon
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster
Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
Born to Be Hanged: The Epic Story of the Gentlemen Pirates Who Raided the South Seas, Rescued a Princess, and Stole a Fortune
Empire of Ice and Stone: The Disastrous and Heroic Voyage of the KarlukThe Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America's Stolen Land
Running with Sherman
The Sun Is a Compass: A 4,000-Mile Journey into the Alaskan Wilds
We Came, We Saw, We Left: A Family Gap Year
Abandon Ship!: The True World War II Story About the Sinking of the Laconia
Here are some teen novels:
Deathwatch
Hatchet (Really all of the books in this series).
Stormbreaker
If We Survive
Beauty Queens
Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two
Salt to the Sea
Rook
Illuminae
Steelheart
Six of Crows
My Lady Jane
And here are a few Juvenile Fiction titles as well:
Treasure Island and Kidnapped these are total classics.
Adventuremice: Otter Chaos!
Just Keep Walking
Dare Sisters
Back to the Bright Before
The Adventure Is Now
The Islands of Elsewhere
102 Days of Lying About Lauren
Swift and Hawk: Cyberspies