You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

April holds a very special holiday – Library Snapshot Day! It’s an opportunity for libraries to provide a snapshot of statistical data of what happens in their library on April 1. This is not an April fool’s joke either!

We are going to host YLTO’s version of the holiday... with a twist, or two. For one thing, we are going to celebrate all month long and not just one day.

Here’s the challenge:

You must read a book that has been borrowed from the library. This library may be a public, school, church, or hospital one. If you do not have a library in your area (and ONLY if you do not have a library in your area), you may borrow a book from a friend, family, neighbour, or enemy who has a home library. For this definition, a home library must consist of at least one bookshelf.

The book you read must be about a library, a librarian, or books.

Here comes the twist.... we want snapshots of the library from which you borrow your book, even if it’s a home library. It’s not mandatory, but significant points will be awarded for pictures, and the glue stick award will not apply if you do not post pictures!

General Rules:


1. The book may be in any format - paperback, ebook, audiobook.
2. The book may be in any genre.
3. The book may NOT be combined with the Year Long Chunkster Challenge.
4. The book must be read between April 1 to April 30, 2014 (based on your own time zone).
5. The challenge is for one book. You may read more books if you chose, but only the highest scoring book will apply.
6. The book must be 150 pages or more determined by the issue you read. If reading eBook or audiobook page numbers will be determined by the issue that comes up on a Goodreads search.


Here are some links to help you find books to fit the challenge:

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/5...

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/1...

http://www.publiclibrariesnews.com/us...


Scoring: (Count all qualifiers that apply)

Genre:
5 points – Historical Fiction
4 points – Mystery
3 points – Paranormal
2 points – Steam Punk
1 point – Romance

Author:
5 points – Was born in England
4 points – Is deceased
3 points – Has more than two full names.
2 points – Is female.
1 point – Is a Goodreads author

Title:
5 points – Has the exact word “Library” or “Libraries” in the title.
4 points – Has the exact word “Librarian” or “Librarians” in the title.
3 points – Has the word “Book” or “Books” in the title.
2 points – Has the proper name of a person in it.
1 point – Is three words long (includes a, an, the, etc.)

Cover: (based on the edition you read)
5 points – Has a building on it. Count only one regardless of how many buildings are on it.
4 points – Has a seal on it (eg Newberry prize winner, Oprah’s Book Club, etc)... NOT the animal.
3 points – Author’s name is above the title.
2 points – Title is in other colour than black or white.
1 point – Green is a predominant colour (over 50% of the cover).

Setting:
5 points - Set in France
4 points - Set in Spain
3 points - Set in California
2 points - Set in Washington, DC
1 point - Set in Ireland

Pages:
5 pts - 600 - 1000 pages
4 pts - 500 - 599 pages
3 pts - 400 - 499 pages
2 pts - 300 - 399 pages
1 pts - 200 - 299 pages

Bonus points:

5 points – each snapshot of your library, up to a maximum of 3 pictures
1 point – In honour of “Dictionary Day”, count 1 point for every word you had to look up in the dictionary to a maximum of 10 points.
1 point – In honour of “Talk Like Shakespeare Day”, count 1 point for every mention of Shakespeare to a maximum of 5 points.
1 point – In honour of “F is not a Failing Grade Day”, count 1 point for every F in the title and author’s name.

Have fun!

Love it! Looking forward to taking some sneak pictures of my library too!

Pictures can be outside the library and/or inside the library.

Do you accept screenshot of library website? (Not kidding, i borrow a lot of ebooks)

And for the titles, does the word library, etc have to be in English?

If i take an outside pic of my library now, you will have snow and a roof.:)

Yeah, I'm in the same boat as Esther. Do screenshot count?

For 5 points, I think a bigger effort is needed than copying a photo off of a website. Sorry. I downloaded the audiobook I'm going to read using Overdrive in the comfort of my living room, too.

If you are reading your book in French (or some other language), I will accept it.

Immediately thought of these 2 books on my TBR list that I really want to read...

The Shadow of the Wind and The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession.

I'm excited about this challenge. I found a terrific book on writing that will be perfect. Can't wait to take the pictures!

My library is gorgeous now with all the cherry blossoms...they should still be around next week. Great challenge Janice...as usual.

Dying to see those pics, Marnie!

Janice wrote: "For 5 points, I think a bigger effort is needed than copying a photo off of a website. Sorry. I downloaded the audiobook I'm going to read using Overdrive in the comfort of my living room, too.
..."

Ebooks in English are from our national library in Montreal. Not an option :) my walk in library is French. So French it will be.

Tejas Janet wrote: "Immediately thought of these 2 books on my TBR list that I really want to read...

The Shadow of the Wind and [book:The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detect..."

I'm going to read Shadow of the Wind. I put it on hold at the library thinking it may take a while. But, it came in the next day. I had 7 days to download it before it expired. I waited 6 days and downloaded it. I only have it for 14 days. Let me just say that I'm rather anxious for April 1st to come so I can start listening to the 18 hour audiobook. It may not be available for renewal and disappears off my iPad on Apr 8th. ACK!

Esther wrote: "Ebooks in English are from our national library in Montreal. Not an option :) my walk in library is French. So French it will be."

C'est bonne, mon amie!

I wish I could speak more French than a few phrases.

Janice wrote: "Tejas Janet wrote: "Immediately thought of these 2 books on my TBR list that I really want to read...

The Shadow of the Wind and [book:The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story ..."

I went ahead and checked out an e-copy right after I posted above. Placed a hold for the other book, too, which is short so I think I'll read both : )

Actually, Esther, I've been thinking. The ebooks may be from your national library in Montreal, but your membership is at your local library, right? See my membership is at the local library, but ebooks/audiobooks are downloaded through the "Regional Automation Consortium" which is probably Edmonton. Your local library is the driving force behind your ability to download from Montreal, so you are essentially borrowing from your local library.

I consider myself to be borrowing from my local library who is connected to TRAC. I intend on taking pictures of my local library.

I hope that made sense.

That made sense but it is not the case here, it's 2 separate entities.

As you allow French, i had a book in my 'library TBR' that has livres (books ) in it, so It works very well for me. And I will pick it up at my favorite branch of my town library that i like so much. Hopefully i will get great pics there.

I suppose both of us choosing holiday related themes just goes to show that great minds think alike :~D

Esther wrote: "That made sense but it is not the case here, it's 2 separate entities.

As you allow French, i had a book in my 'library TBR' that has livres (books ) in it, so It works very well for me. And I wi..."

LOL! I tried to make it work. I'm glad you have a solution that will work.

jaxnsmom wrote: "I suppose both of us choosing holiday related themes just goes to show that great minds think alike :~D"

So true. But the toppler is wide open with a whole year of holidays that there will be lots of diversity for people. And if time is a crunch, members can read their challenge book during the toppler.

My local library building is quite boring so I might have to take a trip in to the city centre to treat myself to the wider range of books they have on offer and take pictures of that one as the building is beautiful too. The first book which came to mind for me was Fahrenheit 451 but I already own that and it needs to be a new book. So off to gopher now!

Cool challenge, but a though one! (which is what challenges are all about, I suppose!)

I do have a library very close by, but here in the Netherlands libraries are not free and I'm not a member. If I want to borrow a book from there, I first have to pay 23 euros for membership. I don't know if that would allow me to use a friend's library, but if it does, I actually don't know that many friends or family members who own lots of books! I think one or maybe two friends have bookshelves that would qualify, but then finding a book related to books or libraries is a matter of luck ;-)

Perhaps I'll just sit this one out and read an extra chunkster :)

I have a few options then but I cannot decide which to go for out of these:

Any thoughts?

I have a couple of them on my TBR but didn't read any yet. I can imagine it's a hard decision!

Sarah wrote: "I have a few options then but I cannot decide which to go for out of these:
..."

The Thirteenth Tale was a five star book for me. My Review

I've read The Shadow of the Wind twice. The first time I "just didn't get it". The second time because I wanted to continue the series, and so refresh my memory. I must have been in a better mood. It is highly praised. My Review

I'd say The Eyre Affair is best enjoyed if you have read (and remembered) Jane Eyre. My Review

I thought Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore was kinda complicated. I gave it three stars. BUT check out the glow-in-the-dark cover!

Real Murders is still on my TBR shelf.

Thanks Almeta. That's really helpful. I wanted something fun or easy to tackle for this challenge preferably so maybe I need to eliminate Mr Penumbra. I haven't read Jane Eyre so maybe I need to leave that one too although I've heard some great things about this author and it intrigues me. I may well have to take it to the fruit machine. I'm thinking maybe going for Real Murders as it's short and then I can focus on working my way through the chunksters.

Sarah wrote: "Thanks Almeta. That's really helpful. I wanted something fun or easy to tackle for this challenge preferably so maybe I need to eliminate Mr Penumbra. I haven't read Jane Eyre so maybe I need to le..."

Jasper Fforde is a favorite of mine, but I like his silly Nursery Crime series best. Starting with The Big Over Easy.

Thanks for the recommendation Almeta! Added to my wishlist.

Almeta wrote: "Jasper Fforde is a favorite of mine, but I like his silly Nursery Crime series best. Starting with The Big Over Easy. ."

I agree. It did change the way I saw Umpty Dumpty. ;)

I'm in! :)

Sarah wrote: "I have a few options then but I cannot decide which to go for out of these:"

The Eyre Affair The Eyre Affair The Eyre Affair The Eyre Affair The Eyre Affair

I read it years ago and loved it. Read Jane Eyre last year and hated it. Got all I needed to understand everything in The Eyre Affair, and in fact I found that I liked the Jane Eyre bits the least. I loved the world, the alternate history, the bookishness pervading every element of life....

I need to read it again.

I didn't like The Big Over Easy as much Almeta. Was still fun though.

So you are saying you enjoyed it without reading the book, Rusalka? I'm considering Lost in a Good Book but haven't read, nor plan to read, Great Expectations. ;)

By the way, I absolutely loved The Shadow of the Wind.

Oh I read that one too without reading Great Expectations, was still pretty good, but I liked the first better. The third one is not so great, but the fourth, Something Rotten is fantastic.

Thanks Rusalka. OK so I won't discount that then based on the fact I haven't read Jane Eyre (I have no desire to read it). I see your reading The Shadow of the Wind Rusalka - how are you finding it?

Yes, sorry i got a bit carried away above. Editing it to add some sense.

Thanks, Rusalka. I think I will go ahead and read Lost in a Good Book for this one! :)

Sarah wrote: "Thanks Rusalka. OK so I won't discount that then based on the fact I haven't read Jane Eyre (I have no desire to read it). I see your reading The Shadow of the Wind Rusalka - how are yo..."

I think you would like the humour, the other parts of the story and the world building enough to make it a worthwhile read.

I like it but I think I need a good stretch of reading to get into it. I have finally sorted out the time period, which I found a little confusing. I was convinced it was set at one time, and it's not. I feel like I could get sucked into the story, but I need the time set aside to allow myself to be.

Tasha wrote: "Thanks, Rusalka. I think I will go ahead and read Lost in a Good Book for this one! :)"

Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks Rusalka. That's really helpful!

Tasha wrote: "I'm in! :)"

Woot! :)

Sarah, I have to say I loved Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore! It made me laugh and I think you might really enjoy it. Here's my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Although I loved almost every book you posted there. Loved 13th tale, loved Shadow of the Wind, and I am dying to try a Jasper Fforde! Although I love the classics too. But I love his humor.

I've picked up his Shades of Grey a few times and really enjoyed it, but the timing just wasn't right for me. He is so funny though. I'm hoping I'll enjoy the Thursday Next series.....I've not been able to get into The Eyre Affair the time or two I've tried it. But I'm definitely willing to try again, because his humor suits me perfectly.

Rusalka wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I have a few options then but I cannot decide which to go for out of these:"

The Eyre Affair The Eyre Affair The Eyre Affair [book:The Eyre Aff..."

Haha thanks Rusalka and Almeta for the Fforde info. I am dying to try his stuff. Sometimes you just want a good laugh and I think he's just the ticket.

Great challenge! I may struggle with it though because my local library has sadly gone downhill in recent years. They don't have much of a selection anymore and you often wait ages for a book if you are on the list. I hardly use it now. A big, shiny, new library is being built in the area but it doesn't open until the autumn.

I would like to read The Eyre Affair if I can get hold of a copy from my library but if I can't, I will just sit this challenge out and have a 'just because/chunkster' month instead.

Sarah wrote: "I have a few options then but I cannot decide which to go for out of these:
[bookcover:The Thi..."

I'm going to be reading Shadow of the Wind.... we could do a buddy read.

Peggy wrote: "Cool challenge, but a though one! (which is what challenges are all about, I suppose!)

I do have a library very close by, but here in the Netherlands libraries are not free and I'm not a member. I..."

Do you have a friend or family with a membership that could borrow a book on your behalf?

Almeta wrote: "Jasper Fforde is a favorite of mine, but I like his silly Nursery Crime series best. Starting with The Big Over Easy. "

But does it fit with library/librarian/book requirement?

Janice wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I'm going to be reading Shadow of the Wind.... we could do a buddy read."

I'm probably going to be reading it too, as this book is leading in a poll for the group I moderate for.

It could be a busy buddy read month. If people are interested, I will set up a buddy read for it.

Lynn wrote: "Janice wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I'm going to be reading Shadow of the Wind.... we could do a buddy read."

I'm probably going to be reading it too, as this book is leading in a poll for the group I mo..."

Oh go on then! I can't resist a buddy read! I probably won't start it until 4th April at the earliest as I am still doing the American Gods Buddy read plus I have friends to stay from Austria next week so I'm doing the whole Bristol tour guide type thing. Decision made! Phew!

Janice wrote: "Almeta wrote: "Jasper Fforde is a favorite of mine, but I like his silly Nursery Crime series best. Starting with The Big Over Easy. "

But does it fit with library/librarian/book requirement?"

I thought about that too, but the only person I could think of is my mom, and she cancelled her subscription 6 months ago when she bought an ereader. I don't have many friends who read a lot (crazy people! they don't know what they are missing out on!), and the ones who do read are not Dutch and don't have much use for the Dutch libraries.

Can I borrow from my boyfriend? We live in the same house and our books are in the same bookcase (although on separate shelves ;-)), but he buys and reads his books and I buy and read mine, and we never read each others. I don't know if he has any that fit the criteria, and I completely understand if you don't allow this.