Catherine Coles
Coles Notes
Join our adult summer reading challenge!
Each summer for at least the past decade, the County of L&A Libraries have run a successful program called the TD Summer Reading Club. This is Canada’s biggest, bilingual summer reading program for kids of all ages, all interests, and all abilities. It’s designed to inspire kids to explore the fun of reading their way, the key to building a lifelong love of reading. In our system, this means kids can register at any local branch, pick up their starter kit and earn stickers for reading books. There are also a ton of events running each week, but the challenge itself is for each participant to read eight books throughout the summer.
Those who are successful are invited to our wrap up parties, collect a prize, and get entered into a contest for one of three grand prizes.
Now, what’s this about adults? This year we have expanded our challenge to include youth (ages 12+) and adults. Each of these groups has their own challenge to accomplish and their own giant prize basket to win.
Here’s what’s on the adult challenge and some inspiration for completing each item:
•Read this year’s One Book, One L&A
The Gown by bestselling author Jennifer Robson is this year’s One Book, One L&A selection. We have tons of copies, both in print and digitally, so grab one and get reading.
• Read a Staff Pick
There are now hundreds of library Staff Picks to choose from. I regularly feature Staff Picks in this column, you can also find a ton of options highlighted on our website or by visiting a branch and looking for our distinctive Staff Picks sticker.
•Check out an item from the Beyond Books Collection
From museum passes to telescopes to energy meters and sewing machines, we have plenty of “non-traditional” library materials for you to borrow. Borrowing any of them would count here.
•Read a book published in the year you were born
I have no idea what year you were born, but I’m assuming you do. Search our catalogue by publication date and we’ll no doubt have a pile of options for you to choose from.
•Read a “beach read”
A beach read need not be chick-lit. It can be anything that you would take and devour on vacation. Bonus points if the book has a beachy setting!
•Read a book that is on display
All of our branches regularly showcase interesting themed displays. From new arrivals to “what your neighbours are reading” it won’t be difficult to find something that piques your interest.
•Check out a magazine
A lot of users are not aware we have magazines, but we do! Personally, I’m an O (Oprah) magazine fan, but you’ll also find People, Sports Illustrated, Popular Mechanics and plenty more options.
•Read a book about a place you would like to visit
One of the best things about reading is the potential for “armchair traveling.” I’ve had Egypt on my bucket list for a while and so recently read A Pure Heart by Rajia Hassid. Maybe you can’t travel or don’t want to travel (literally or via armchair), so why not read a book set locally?
•Bonus: In honour of the 50th anniversary of Woodstock read a book about music or a musician
Daisy Jones & The 6 by Taylor Jenkins Reid, easily one of the biggest books of the summer, would fit this challenge item perfectly, as would any musician memoir. Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Keith Richards all have them.
Keep in mind that we’ll be very flexible when it comes to accepting challenge submissions. As long as people are reading, we’re happy! We’ll be posting more inspiration of Facebook so please follow along at @LandALibrary. You can download the challenge sheet from our website at www.CountyLibrary.ca or drop by a branch throughout the summer. Participants have until Aug. 26.