Author: berryvillelibrary

"Our library, our future"

2016 Library Challenge: A Book Set During Christmas

christmas

In my life, some have accused me of being a grinch.

But I think that’s less a reflection of my own thoughts on the holidays and more a reflection of other people’s enthusiasm for them.

I can’t even think about the holidays until December rolls around, so anytime I see Christmas decorations and advertising or hear Christmas songs in October and November, I have to restrain myself from reacting with more than a grimace or an eyeroll.

Oh I suppose I should just be happy people are enjoying themselves, but I can’t help but think, “Wait your turn, Christmas! Let pumpkins and turkeys get some attention first!”

But since we’re into December now, I think it’s safe to venture into holiday reading territory now, and I thought it would be fun to share Christmas reading traditions.

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2016 Library Challenge: Reminder

reminder

One month to go!

As the year is winding down, this is just a friendly PSA that if you’ve been participating in our reading challenge this year and have or will have successfully completed 40 of the 48 challenges by the end of the year, you’ll need to present your scorecard in person at the Berryville Public Library by December 31st.

Here’s a link to a recap of the rules and a downloadable copy of the scorecard.

Personally, I still lack 4 categories. I have the books I need to read for them checked out. They stare at me reproachfully every night before I go to sleep, but I’ve managed to ignore them while I read other things. . . .

So, how’s your reading challenge coming along? If you’re not participating in the 2016 Library Challenge, how many books have you read this year? How many books are you planning on reading in December? Tell us in the comments!

2016 Library Challenge: A Pulitzer Prize Winner

Let’s be real. For many, the Pulitzer Prize is not a reading turn-on.

And I understand why. If contemporary literary fiction isn’t your thing, ploughing through some of the past winners may seem like real work.

But I like literary fiction and think many prize-winning books make for a good read, even if you aren’t living in an ivory tower. If nothing else, they always give you plenty to think about!

Don’t forget that Pulitzers are also awarded for nonfiction, history, and biography.

Ready to take the plunge? Here’s a few prize winners that may just draw you in…

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2016 Library Challenge: A Book with a Bad Review

bad-review-smiley-face

DO NOT READ THIS BOOK!

Worst thing I have ever read.

This book stinks!

Ever read any of these on an Amazon review? Ever intentionally sought out books with bad reviews?  Now’s your chance since one of the challenges in the 2016 Library Challenge is to do just that – read a book with a bad review.

I must confess, this challenge probably amused me the most of any of the ones on this list when I first read it at the beginning of this year.

Because, really, how hard is it to find a book with bad reviews?

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2016 Library Challenge: A Book of Short Stories

Don’t feel like you have the emotional energy to devote to an entire novel?

Still looking for something different but the nonfiction post from last week isn’t really your thing?

Try a short story collection!

Personally, I love a good short story. This may be a form of heresy to many readers, but if I had to pick between a good short story and a good novel, I’d pick the short story just about every time.

To that end, here are a few short story collections released in the last year or so!

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Television Review: Endeavour (2014)/Fortitude (2014)

Ready to binge watch some TV shows now that the weather is (finally) turning cooler?  Here are two great series you might have missed (I had before I received some excellent suggestions)!

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2016 Library Challenge: A Nonfiction Book

Not in the mood for a novel but still want something to read?

Looking for a book that qualifies as “nonfiction” for the library challenge?

Love nonfiction but unsure of what’s been recently released?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then this post is for you!

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2016 Library Challenge: A Book with Magic

Magic — yay or nay?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from working in a library, it’s that people tend to have very strong feelings one way or another on whether they like books with magic or just fantasy in general. Even with our tween book club, for which the average age is ten, most of our members already have pretty firm opinions on the subject, with some really enjoying escaping into another world entirely and others strongly preferring that their fiction is rooted in realism.

If you’re in the first group, you probably won’t have any problem finding a book for this challenge. But if you’re in the latter and are still stumped for something to read or if you just are looking for something to read in general and don’t mind a walk on the fantastical side, here are some suggestions for you!

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Erica Swyler’s The Book of Speculation

the-book-of-speculation

Simon Watson receives an odd gift from a stranger in the mail one day–an old book that records the travels and business of an 18th century circus. The accompanying note suggests that he might like it because it has a distant family connection. Beyond that, Simon is a man who likes old books–he is a reference librarian in his hometown on Long Island. However, rather than the book merely being a piece of the past, Simon finds some troubling revelations about his family as he researches the topic further.

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2016 Library Challenge:A Book Based Entirely on Its Cover

blank-book-cover

They say never judge a book by its cover, but let’s be honest: we all judge books by their cover, don’t we?

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