I completed my library’s summer reading challenge. Like last year, there were sixteen items to do. For two of those I just counted reading for thirty minutes. Here’s the rest:
Read-read a book from childhood: The Trumpet of the Swan by E.B. White
Watch a program on the library’s YouTube Channel: I viewed a clip on making a hidden book box. Mentioned here.
Read a book that was made into a movie, then watch the movie: No Way But Gentlenesse by Richard Hines. More on this one below.
Read a local author’s book: Accidental Health by Dee McGuire
Check out a book that’s on display at the library: Doctor Dogs by Maria Goodavage
Read a biography or autobiography: On the Move by Oliver Sacks
Check out a cookbook and make a recipe: Gluten-Free Family Favorites by Kelli and Peter Bronski
Check out a nonfiction book about a hobby that interests you: Still Life by Melissa Milgrom
Read a book set in a place you’d like to visit: Eucalyptus by Murray Bail (Australia)
Watch a movie on Kanopy: I watched a film about feral cats in Cornwall, NY. I mistakenly thought this was going to be set in Cornwall in England, not a small American town. It was still good!
Read a book outside: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui Sutherland
Read a graphic novel: Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
Read a book that takes place somewhere you’ve never been: Eat, Pray, Love (I haven’t been to any of those countries!)
Read a book recommended by a librarian: Sigh, Gone by Phuc Tran
I kind of fudged it on the book-to-movie requirement. The film was called Kes. Based on a novel (which I still want to read!) called Kestrel for a Knave. But I read the younger brother’s memoir, not realizing until after that it was different. It was explained to me in the book! The older brother wrote the novel inspired by his younger brother’s experience with the hawk, and then a film company asked to use the story. I was glad to know the differences (via the actual memoir) before I saw it. (I’m still intending on watching the film version of Eat, Pray, Love when I can, too.)
As in years past, participating in this reading challenge prompted me to borrow far more items from the library than I normally do. I had three options for book-to-movie. I only had to read one for each category but I borrowed six local authors’ books, five graphic novels (and took a few off my kid’s library stack), and two books on hobbies. Plus a bunch others that just caught my eye while I was looking for those options. A lot of them are still sitting by my bed, waiting to be read!
I was a bit disappointed in the prizes, though. I guess I have to be quicker at finishing the challenge, to have a better selection off the book cart. I wasn’t interested in the tickets offered for a local sporting event, and all the books remaining on the “adult” cart seemed to be mysteries or teen romances. I picked out a romance novel about a girl who has to break a family curse, based on the ballad “Scarborough Fair”. I’ll give it a try, but I have a hunch this is one I might end up giving to my teenager.
