Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Here we'll discuss our picks for "book recommended by a librarian." If you're not a library user (scandalous!), here's a great resource that Lindi found: a list of books recommended by the librarians from the New York Public Library. If it's good enough for Winnie the Pooh, it's good enough for me.

ETA: We've opened a folder for members to solicit recommendations from our resident librarians. We have at least 24 members who are librarians.

Check out the folder.

Also, if you're shy/want more options to choose from I think anything from the "staff picks" or "what we're reading" etc sections that most libraries have will work for this as well.

I LOVE that NYPL link that Lindi gave us!! :-) Sooooo many choices there! No one ever has to say "I don't know what to read next" with fantastic resources like that!

Sara also gave us a Modern Mrs Darcy link http://modernmrsdarcy.com/50-episode/ - I'm cranky and old-fashioned and I don't "do" podcasts, but it had a list I could read and that made me happy, and I found two books on it that my kids have been pestering me to read (and we own the books, easy-peasy!) So I'm tentatively planning to read either Smile or Drama for this category.

Nadine wrote: ".So I'm tentatively planning to read either Smile or Drama for this category.

I'm glad the list came in handy! My daughter LOVED Smile as well as the followups Sisters and Ghosts.

If you also use the hashtag #askalibrarian on twitter, people usually make recommendations.

Sara wrote: "Nadine wrote: ".So I'm tentatively planning to read either Smile or Drama for this category.

I'm glad the list came in handy! My daughter LOVED Smile as well as the followups Sisters and Ghosts."

I read Sisters for this year's challenge ("road trip book"), my daughters' suggestion, and I really did love it! So I'm looking forward to reading another book from Telgemeier! (Youngest daughter gave her new book, Ghosts, a "meh" rating, however. So far she's the only family member to have read it.)

I'm going to leave this category "open" for now. There's always a table that shows what the librarians are reading at my library, like Lindi said. So I'll wait until one catches my eye.

I'm going to read The Bookshop on the Corner for this. It was suggested by Leigh on the Modern Mrs. Darcy podcast Sara shared.

I already had it on my TBR and it sounds pretty cute.

Lindi wrote: "I'm going to read The Bookshop on the Corner for this. It was suggested by Leigh on the Modern Mrs. Darcy podcast Sara shared.

I already had it on my TBR and it sounds pretty cute."

Loved that book! I just finished it within the last week or two.

In 2016, a librarian recommended My Ántonia by Willa Cather. I loved it so much I read two more books by her.

Another librarian recommended a series set in the south with a ghost that has been hanging around one family for a very long time. Them Bones by Carolyn Haines (murder mystery) The ghost is hilarious.

Two other recommendations by librarians this year were: The Invention of Wings and The Poisonwood Bible. I loved both of those.

Sooooo I wasn't going to do this because I was afraid it would make me seem really arrogant, but...I'm a part-time librarian, and if anyone is having trouble coming up with picks for this category, I'd be happy to help! You can tell me what you like, and I could try to match you with some interesting reads. But NO pressure! I will not be upset or offended if no one is interested, or if we give it a try and you don't like something I pick!

Oh how arrogant! ;-) haha no really that's awesome!!

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Sooooo I wasn't going to do this because I was afraid it would make me seem really arrogant, but...I'm a part-time librarian, and if anyone is having trouble coming up with picks for this category,..."

What are some good books you've read lately? I'd love to check them out. Also, your job is awesome.

Lindi wrote: "What are some good books you've read lately? I'd love to check them out. Also, your job is awesome. "

My job IS awesome! I'm very lucky :D

My number-one recommendation at all times ever is The Girls at the Kingfisher Club, a beautifully written and perfectly characterized retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses set in Jazz Age New York. This is the one I put in library patrons' hands whenever I get the chance, and it's the one I get the most positive feedback about! I have to plug it at every opportunity :)

Other books I've read and enjoyed fairly recently:

The Sellout - Absolutely razor-sharp satire (not usually my things) about a black man who tries to bring back segregation in his low-income neighborhood. Just won the Man Booker Prize!
Never Let Me Go - Gorgeous, low-key dystopia about relationships and growing up and what makes us the people we are.
Girl Waits with Gun - Historical fiction with some crime and mystery elements mixed in, this one is based on the true story of Constance Kopp, who chased down a local gangster who tried to stiff her family on money he owed them and helped bring them to justice! (Now with a sequel, Lady Cop Makes Trouble.)
The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics' Top Score—from Nadia to Now - This one seems dull but is SUPER fascinating: why competitive gymnastics decided to get rid of the "perfect 10" score in favor of open-ended scoring. Bonus: You can find clips of most of the routines mentioned in the book online!
Another Brooklyn - Lyrical, poetic writing about girlhood, growing up and growing apart from people we love. Great on audiobook (and short)!
Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman - Smart, funny, feminist writing from Lindy West, who talks about her life growing up as a Big, Loud Woman. Less repetitive than a lot of recent essay collections, I think.
Cold Comfort Farm - The campaign of a citified woman to reform her country cousins has the tone of Jane Austen mixed with Oscar Wilde.
The Song of Achilles - A super-sweeping love story from the perspective of Achilles' best friend and lover, Patroclus. Great if you like romance and/or fantasy.

...well THAT was fun!!!

Nice list!

"Girl Waits ..." has been on my TBR because I really enjoyed Stewart's book about earthworms. Funny but true! :-). I didn't know it was based on a real woman - perhaps I'll use it for "interesting woman" category.

I've got "Kingfisher Club" on my TBR too, but I'm not sure where to fit it since I already have "Smile" slated for my librarian rec. I suppose I could .... just read it! (Or, if I decide to do Around the Year also, I could fit it in there)

That's an awesome list! Definitely just added a few to my TBR.

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Lindi wrote: "What are some good books you've read lately? I'd love to check them out. Also, your job is awesome. "

My job IS awesome! I'm very lucky :D

My number-one recommendation at all times ..."


I read The Song of Achilles..and I normally hate anything mythical... but this was a wonderful read...I highly recommend it (but I'm not a librarian).

I used my Orange County, California library web page and found a page that is called Rita's recommendations. She has you fill out a questionnaire regarding your tastes. After submitting it, the site says that 5 recommendations will be e-mailed to me within a week.

Nadine - Girl Waits With Gun would be a GREAT pick for "interesting woman" - Constance is a FANTASTIC character.

Lindi - Yay! I'm so glad!

Ed - Love seeing more appreciation for The Song of Achilles! I'm also not a huge fantasy reader, but this one really worked for me.

I'm a librarian so I'd definitely be open to helping people out. I'm really into YA, sci-fi, fantasy, and classics.

Some of the books I read this year that I loved include Sleeping Giants, The Good Earth, The Girl with All the Gifts, Cinder, and The Last One

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Lindi wrote: "What are some good books you've read lately? I'd love to check them out. Also, your job is awesome. "

My job IS awesome! I'm very lucky :D

My number-one recommendation at all times ..."

Thank you soooo much!! This helps out a lot! I am going to look into the books you suggested now and I am envious of your job!!

Rebecca wrote: "I'm a librarian so I'd definitely be open to helping people out. I'm really into YA, sci-fi, fantasy, and classics.

Some of the books I read this year that I loved include Sleeping Giants for this prompt as it is already on my want to read list!!

Rebecca wrote: "I'm a librarian so I'd definitely be open to helping people out. I'm really into YA, sci-fi, fantasy, and classics.

Some of the books I read this year that I loved include [book:Sleeping Giants|25..."

Well I need to take that to heart, because I really really liked Cinder, The Girl with all the Gifts, and The Last One! I've had the other two on my TBR, but neither one of them really jumps out at me and says "read me NOW!" so I never get to them.

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Lindi wrote: "What are some good books you've read lately? I'd love to check them out. Also, your job is awesome. "

My job IS awesome! I'm very lucky :D

My number-one recommendation at all times ..."

The Girls at the Kingfisher club was on my TBR list and I didn't even realize it! I'm totally doing that for this. Thanks!

Marisa - yay! I hope you find something that interests you!

Brenna - Woohoo! I hope you love it!

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Lindi wrote: "What are some good books you've read lately? I'd love to check them out. Also, your job is awesome. "

My job IS awesome! I'm very lucky :D

My number-one recommendation at all times ..."

Well, I just added some more books to my TBR. The Girls at the Kingfisher Club sounds right up my alley! I also added The End of the Perfect 10: The Making and Breaking of Gymnastics' Top Score—from Nadia to Now

Thanks for adding so many great recommendations (and I totally want your job!) :)

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Lindi wrote: "What are some good books you've read lately? I'd love to check them out. Also, your job is awesome. "

My job IS awesome! I'm very lucky :D

My number-one recommendation at all times ..."

I will check out The Girls at the Kingfisher Club! It sounds really interesting, and I am a fan of the original material. Thank You!

I read The Girls at the Kingfisher Club this year for my fairy tale book. I've had my eye on Girl Waits with Gun for a while.

My library has a page of their Best Books of 2016.

http://bestof.multcolib.org/2016/

This is the list of books sent by my library. (Rita's choice)

Before I go to Sleep by S.J. Watson – This fast paced thriller follows an amnesiac as she struggles to recover her memory after a mysterious accident. Reading over the notes she keeps in a journal, the narrator is unsure if she can trust anyone – her husband, her doctor or even herself!

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware – Your interest in mysteries make this title a great match for you. Lo Blacklock, a travel magazine writer, is thrilled with her new assignment spending a week on a luxury cruise. The voyage begins pleasantly enough, but things go horribly awry when Lo witnesses a woman being thrown overboard! As all passengers are accounted for the next day and no one believes her, Lo is left to try to untangle the web of what really happened on her own.

The Monkey’s Raincoat by Robert Crais – If you haven’t read any of the Elvis Cole mysteries by Robert Crais, Rita thinks you might want to give them a try. This title is where it all begins when private investigator Elvis Cole is hired to find a missing husband. What starts out as a routine case quickly becomes complicated when the husband turns up dead, the widow and son are kidnapped and a powerful drug dealer gets involved.

The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison -- A psychological thriller with plenty of twists and turns, this novel reveals a major plot point in the beginning before proceeding with the how and why. The unusual story structure results in an intriguing read.

Dark Rivers of the Heart by Dean Koontz – This is an oldie but a goodie and not your typical Dean Koontz novel. A man, a woman and a dog are on the run from a rogue government agency. It’s a suspenseful page turner from the very beginning

poshpenny wrote: "I read The Girls at the Kingfisher Club this year for my fairy tale book. I've had my eye on Girl Waits with Gun for a while.

My library has a page of their Best Books of 2016.

http://bestof.mul..."


I'm going to read this list even though I already have a book slotted for the prompt. It got my attention because I know where Multnomah County is, unless there is more than one which is possible :-)

That's there one in Oregon, so if you know of another, there are more than one! Those librarians are fun. Last summer they had a Books for Tats promotion, when they would recommend a book based solely on your tattoos. You might find something for another prompt!: I still haven't had much time to really check it out yet.

poshpenny wrote: "That's there one in Oregon, so if you know of another, there are more than one! Those librarians are fun. Last summer they had a Books for Tats promotion, when they would recommend a book based sol..."

I am from Multnomah County originally. Born in Portland and grew up in Gresham. Living in SoCal now.

Therese wrote: "I am from Multnomah County originally. Born in Portland and grew up in Gresham. Living in SoCal now."

HA! I am from SoCal, living in Gresham with a Portland address.

I'm so glad to see people finding things that interest them here! Yay!

Here is a list for the Top 100 Favorite Novels of Librarians

http://www.listchallenges.com/the-100...

I am working on reading-my-shelves this year, so I will be reading A Tale of Two Cities

Both my parents are librarians, so plenty of choices on this one!

I'll probably go with my mom's favorite book - Dekhi Nai Phire. She has been asking me to read that for a couple of years now!

The book's in Bengali though, and no English translation exists that I know of. Not a useful suggestion for most folks on this group I'm afraid.

Hi. I'm a law librarian, so not any choices in my library that fit the categories. However, I recently read "Wangs Vs. The World." It's pretty hilarious in some parts. You could also use this book to fit the category, "A book involving travel." Happy reading!

Great list on twitter from librarians

I'm a children's librarian, but my sweet spots are fantasy, YA, and romance. I'm always up for giving suggestions! Many local library systems also offer readers' advisory by email-- I am one of the Your Next Five librarians for Seattle Public Library.

I'm new to Goodreads and had NO IDEA these threads were here! I'm so excited! Thanks for posting your recommendations. I think I'm going to take thegirlintheafternoon's suggestion and pencil in The Girls at the Kingfisher Club for this category.

Rebecca wrote: "I'm a librarian so I'd definitely be open to helping people out. I'm really into YA, sci-fi, fantasy, and classics.

Some of the books I read this year that I loved include [book:Sleeping Giants|25..."

Ah, Thanks Rebecca! Sci-fi/fantasy is my cup of tea as well, so I was super stoked to see Girl With All the Gifts on your list of recent recs!

With the glowing recommendation above, Mom and I will be reading The Girls at the Kingfisher Club!

Rachel wrote: "I went into my local library today and asked my favourite librarian for 4 recommendations to choose from. The list she gave is below - if you wanted to work out a way to get any of these books on t..." Awesome! I have Poldark on my bookshelf and have been trying to fit it into the Challenge. Thanks for passing along the recommendation!

I'm tentatively reading Front Lines for this category, but it also fits into a few others so depending on how my books go next year I may switch it!

Joanna wrote: "With the glowing recommendation above, Mom and I will be reading The Girls at the Kingfisher Club!"

Yay! Oh, I hope you love it!

Sarah wrote: "I'm new to Goodreads and had NO IDEA these threads were here! I'm so excited! Thanks for posting your recommendations. I think I'm going to take thegirlintheafternoon's suggestion and pencil in The..."

Woohoo! I hope you love it!

I haven't asked my librarian yet.

I chose a book recommended by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association). I think that counts! ;) Out of the Easy

I consider all of you librarians.

Thegirlintheafternoon wrote: "Sooooo I wasn't going to do this because I was afraid it would make me seem really arrogant, but...I'm a part-time librarian, and if anyone is having trouble coming up with picks for this category,..." I would love a suggestion for nonfiction. Something maybe in the memoir sub category? I loved Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It literally killed me for other books. I couldn't pick up another one for a month after. Haha!