Some of you may have heard of Book Challenges. Most of you have heard of Book Clubs. Well, my dear readers, we are going to do both here at the Coconut Library. These are starting with short notice, but next time I will tell you before the day before we start. I promise.
The Book Club selection for July will be Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. I, as many of you, read Judy Blume growing up, and am quite positive life would not have been the same without her. I have neglected her in my adult years, but no more. I am ready to read. I'm sure several of you have read this book already (it is not newly published) however, perhaps you can re-read...or, if it is still fresh enough in your mind, join the discussion.
The layout of The Book Club...
* You can comment on this post about your opinion of the selection, but please-- NO SPOILERS.
* You will have the entire month of July to read the book.
* I will announce the next (in this case, August) book club selection a week before August starts.
* My review of Summer Sisters will be posted on the last day of July... with spoilers. This will be the post that you may also post your reviews and comments with spoilers; it will be our "discussion," if you will, of the book.
* Each month's book club selection will take care of a task in The Book Challenge.
(see below).
The Summer Book Challenge (I realize we have already missed the month of June, so this Book Challenge will be shorter than later book challenges):
The Rules:
1.) TSBC will start July 1 and run through August 31. You may not count a book that you have already started before July 1st unless you are still at the beginning of the book. If you are less than 50 pages into the book, you may count it towards the challenge.
2.) Re-reads are allowed. If you have read a book that fits into the category, you may re-read it, but you must re-read the entire book, it does not count unless you do.
3.) Rewards:
* Anyone who attempts to do the challenge is a winner (wink, wink) and I'm glad that the challenge inspires you to read. Set a personal goal-- it doesn't have to be finishing the challenge-- and name a reward for yourself if you reach it. The point is to read, my Coconut Library Readers, no matter how much, just read.
* The top 2 point earners by the last week of August (precisely, Monday, August 24th) will get to help me build The Fall Book Challenge. Mark it in your calendar because it is up to you to post (through the comment section), on August 24th, how many points you have earned. I will contact the top 2 earners after reading the scores. (I am trusting everyone to tell the truth about what you have read.)
* Audio books are acceptable (unabridged versions of the books only).
* Books must be over 100 pages.
* You may not use the same book for more than one task.
* Have fun! If you are not having fun, please don't do it... this is not meant to stress anyone out. Join us by reading The Book Club selection if you feel the challenge is too much! Otherwise don't forget to post the list of books you are reading as you finish them (or even before). You can give others ideas, which is totally ok--remember, they still have to read the book to win-- it's fine to give inspiration for reading; we are all about that here at the CL.
The Tasks:
5 Points...
1.) A good beach read. Read a book that has a "beachy" word in the title. Anything that has to do with
the beach will do.
2.) By any other name... choose a book that has someone's name in the title.
10 Points...
1.) Body parts. Read a book that has a body part in the title.
2.) A,b,c easy as 1,2,3 (sorry, had to pay hommage). Make sure the title has a number in it for this book.
15 points...
1.) All in the family... the title of this book should have a type of family member in it. (hint: The Book Club for July fills this task).
2.) Read this one in the daytime! Paranormal... read something with characters that are otherworldly (hint, The Book Club selection for August will fulfill this task).
20 points...
1.) Read a book that's title starts with the first letter of your first name, and is over 250 pages.
2.) Read a Pulitzer Prize Winning book.
Happy Reading! Please comment with any questions and I will do my best to answer them!
xo,
The Coconut Librarian
Ok. I'm very excited. I've already ready Summer Sisters, but I will read again! I've never done a challenge before. This should be interesting. I've been wanting to do more personal reading so this will be a perfect opportunity. Thanks CL! :)
Posted by: Jennie | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 01:34 PM
Hi All!
So, I've chosen my books (though I reserve the right to change them at any time... which, knowing me, I probably will) and had so much fun doing it! This will be the first book challenge I have ever done, unless you call English homework a book challenge. :)
5 pts...
1.) The Beach House by Jane Green
2.) Holly's Inbox: Scandal in the City by Holly Denham
10 pts...
1.) I Heart Bloomberg by Melody Carlson
2.) The 19th Wife by David Ebershoff OR Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin
15 pts...
1.) Summer Sisters by Judy Blume
2.) Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson OR The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe OR The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
20 pts...
1.) Watermelon by Marion Keyes
2.) March by Geraldine Brooks OR Beloved by Toni Morrison OR The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon
Feel free to use any of my ideas if you want to (or get stumped). Of course, picking out the books really is half the fun!
Don't forget to post your lists here!
xo,
The Coconut Librarian
Posted by: Coconut Library | Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 03:27 PM
I'm putting together my list for the book club challenge now and have a question...the book Ender's Shadow is in my "to read" queue and I'm wondering if that would qualify as a body part for the word "shadow"? perhaps a meta-interpretation, but thought i'd ask ;)
otherwise, i'll just use it for someone's name, but that seems a bit easier so i wanted to use it to check off one of the harder ones!
Posted by: jaydek | Friday, July 10, 2009 at 01:20 AM
Yeah, I had a hard time with task 10.1 also... it's tricky.
It's fine to stretch, if you need to. I'm not sure about shadow as a body part, though I'm smiling as I write this. Very creative, jaydek.
Here are some other options for body part books...
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow
Good Luck!
:)
Posted by: Coconut Library | Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 05:33 PM
ha - ok :)
I've been meaning to read Zadie Smith...that's a good suggestion, thanks! I might combine two of your entries and steal ideas for the book challenge from the newsweek list of 50 books. so many on there look interesting
Posted by: jaydek | Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at 12:01 PM