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"Expand Your Universe" is the theme for the Adult Summer Reading program this year, so we'll be reading the best books in the 'verse for our Summer Reading Challenge.

How it works: read one book for each of the letters in the word " 'verse". Match the first letter in the title or in the author's last name with each letter listed below. (If a book's title starts with the word "a," "an" or "the" skip to the next word for the first letter in the title. Example: The Scarlet Pimpernel would count for the "s" in 'verse by skipping the word "the.")

'V
E
R
S
E

Because this is our Summer Reading Challenge this challenge will run from June 1 to August 31, in place of our usual monthly challenges. Happy reading!

Awesome!

I've already picked the ones I will read. They were on my "to read next" list. I'm reading one right now that will fit the bill but I won't finish it until June. Great idea!

what are some suggestions? Especially V?

Carolyn wrote: "what are some suggestions? Especially V?"

V. , one of my all-time favorites by Thomas Pynchon.

Captain wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "what are some suggestions? Especially V?"

V. , one of my all-time favorites by Thomas Pynchon."

and just found E. by Matt Beaumont.

R My Name Is Rachel

S is for Silence

E is for Evidence, last two by Sue Grafton with whom you could do the whole challenge. Hmmm.

how do we report on the summer reading challenge?

For V there is Villette by Charlotte Bronte or author Vanderbese, Jennifer.

I'm excited about this challenge! Do the books have to be read in order?

All reading is good. "Vatican Times," anyone? But I'll probably stick with Charlotte Bronte's "Villette" unless National Lampoon's "Christmas Vacation" is available.

Havilah wrote: "I'm excited about this challenge! Do the books have to be read in order?"

Read them in any order you like. Just make sure that when you are done your combination of five books spells out the word "'verse" using the author's last name or the first letter of the title as described in the beginning post.

Carolyn wrote: "how do we report on the summer reading challenge?"

Just let me know whenever you finish and list which five books you read.

Everyone has until the end of August for this challenge, so let us know what you are reading in the meantime and what you think of it.

What a fun challenge!


X
P - Passions of War by Hilary Green - completed
A - Anne's House of Dreams ny L.M. Montgomery -completed
N
D - Daughters of War by Hilary green - completed

Y
O
U
R

U
N
I
V - Insurgent by Veronica Roth - Completed
E - Enclave - completed
R - Black Dawn by Rachel Cain - Completed
S - Secrets of the heart - Al and Joanna Lacy - Completed
E - EIGHT COUSINS BY Louisa May Alcott - Completed

I am so excited!!
V-Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray
E-Execution Dock by Anne Perry
R-A Rose From the Dead by Kate Collins
S-Sister by Rosamund Lupton
E-Evil in Carnations by Kate Collins

These are the books I plan on doing will update when I finish one or if I change my mind on one!!!!

The goal I have for reading is:
V - Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
E - Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
R - The Road by Cormac McCarthy
S - A Summons to Memphis by Peter Taylor
E - Edge of Sadness by Edwin O'Connor or Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik

Of these, Eye of the World is currently in progress. The next one I will start will be The Road, which is sitting at Taylorsville Branch waiting for me to pick it up.

I think also it will interesting for folks to post progress as we go along! So share as you finish a 'VERSE book.

I am in. Some of my planned reading:

V-- Vonnegut, Kurt, Slaughterhouse Five

E-- Englander, Nathan, What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, or The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict by Trent Lee Stewart.

R-- Roth, Veronica, Insurgent

S-- Sacred Bleu, or Sold

E-- Eugenides, Jeffrey, The Marriage Plot

But I might change my mind, so we'll see. Fun & challenging!

Ok, I think I have my five picked out. This really is fun way to get through my to read list.

V - Villette
E - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
R - Roll of Thunder Hear, My Cry
S - Silas Marner
E - Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott or Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie

I'll keep you updated.

Jana wrote: "Ok, I think I have my five picked out. This really is fun way to get through my to read list.

A wonderful list, Jana, I've read Silas Marner and really enjoyed it! I hope you do too!

I have completed my first book and started my second. And I've made my first change to my proposed list:

V - Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
E - Eye of the World by Robert Jordan -- Completed
R - The Road by Cormac McCarthy -- Print in Progress
S - Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien -- Audio in Progress
E - Edge of Sadness by Edwin O'Connor

Debbie wrote: "Jana wrote: "Ok, I think I have my five picked out. This really is fun way to get through my to read list.

A wonderful list, Jana, I've read Silas Marner and really enjoyed it! I hope you do ..."

Thanks, Debbie. I remember reading in school many years ago and really liking it, but I don't think I finished it. I can't wait to read it again!

Ok change of plans

V-Viets, Elaine, I am just not sure which book yet.
E-Evil in Carnations by Kate Collins
R-Red Delicious Death by Shelia Connolly
S-Sister by Rosamund Lupton
E-Endangered by Pamela Beason

I just finished Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. It was a wonderful book, which is very heart-wrenching and impactful. I am so glad I read it. I am also working on Villette, which is a slower read.

Ok So I am reading Sister by Rosamamund Lupton right now. Besides being the S book of verse it is also an upcoming readers choice book for July-Oct. of 2012. So I can mark it off that list as well!!!

I sat down and made my list for this challenge this morning and "ordered" them in from the library (gotta love free books!). Unfortunately, (or maybe it's not) the shortening of 'Universe' to 'verse' ate at me all day - call me OCD if you like - and so this afternoon I added 3 more to the list. I expect to be done with this challenge around the end of next week or the beginning of the following, depending on how quickly those holds can be delivered. First I have to finish the paper version of the summer reading program. But here's my list:

U - The Undaunted: the Miracle of the Hole-in-the-Rock Pioneers by Gerald N. Lund
N - Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales by Nelson Mandela
I - The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury
V - Valkyrie by Boeselager and Hubertus
E - Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse and the Race to Electrify the World by Jill Jonnes
R - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
S - Shadows in Flight by Orson Scott Card
E - The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition by Caroline Alexander

Actually, none of these books were on my to-read list (which is still fairly long), but it was fun to skim through the library catalog and find new titles simply to fit the challenge parameters.

Well, this challenge motivated me pick up "A Fire Upon the Deep" by Verner Vinge. My husband's been telling me what an awesome science fiction novel it is for a while.

I was immediately drawn into it and have just finished part one.

I've decided to read "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides for my first E, but haven't finalized the rest of my list. I'll probably have some nonfiction in there, as I tend to read a lot of social science-type books. I'm considering "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin, "The World in 2050" by Laurence Smith, and "The End of Money" by David Wolman.

Greg wrote: "I sat down and made my list for this challenge this morning and "ordered" them in from the library (gotta love free books!). Unfortunately, (or maybe it's not) the shortening of 'Universe' to 'ver..."

Fun idea and some great books too!

I've only read a short story or two by Ray Bradbury, but after hearing about his passing away earlier this week I'm thinking I ought to read one of his books this summer. I was checking and it looks like there are a couple other titles that would work with our 'verse challenge.

Ann wrote: "I've only read a short story or two by Ray Bradbury"

I like Ray Bradbury. He's not the most exciting of all authors, but he'll make you think. I recommend Fahrenheit 451.

If you like dystopic fiction (or as I always called it - negative postapoctalyptic fiction) I highly recommend The Road by Cormac McCarthy. And its a Pulitzer prize winner to boot. You can look at the listing for the book to see my review.

Current challenge status:
V - Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan -- Print in Progress
E - Eye of the World by Robert Jordan -- Completed
R - The Road by Cormac McCarthy -- Completed
S - Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien -- Audio in Progress
E - Edge of Sadness by Edwin O'Connor

Greg wrote: "... the shortening of 'Universe' to 'verse..."

Those of us who are die-hard fans of the wonderful, but too short lived series, Firefly, have gotten used the abbreviation. Much as those of us today who say "Good-bye" often don't realize it is a shortened form of "God be with ye".

You do what is comfortable for you. Others of us (fandom aside) may decide to join you.

Ashley wrote: "Ok So I am reading Sister by Rosamamund Lupton right now. Besides being the S book of verse it is also an upcoming readers choice book for July-Oct. of 2012. So I can mark it off that list as well!!!"

Ashley, where do I (we) find the list of readers choice books for Jul-Oct 2012? tia

Rebecca wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Ok So I am reading Sister by Rosamamund Lupton right now. Besides being the S book of verse it is also an upcoming readers choice book for July-Oct. of 2012. So I can mark it off tha..."

I have a couple of really good friends who work for the library that give me the list early. You won't be able to see it until the 1st of July!!!

Ashley wrote: "You won't be able to see it until the 1st of July!!"

Ashley, you are cruel! Truly cruel! Thee refer to it and then say we cannae see it! AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!
(and I hope you read this with the humor with which I write it!)

Debbie wrote: Those of us who are die-hard fans of the wonderful, but too short lived series, Firefly, have gotten used the abbreviation. Much as tho..."

So I'm not the only one that made that connection. :)

Debbie wrote: "Ashley wrote: "You won't be able to see it until the 1st of July!!"

Ashley, you are cruel! Truly cruel! Thee refer to it and then say we cannae see it! AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!
(and I hope you r..."

I did read it with humor ;)

Ashley wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Ok So I am reading Sister by Rosamamund Lupton right now. Besides being the S book of verse it is also an upcoming readers choice book for July-Oct. of 2012. So I can..."

I wondered if it was that or if you were an employee yourself. We have had occasion where we have seen it like the night before due to strange circumstances, but that is cool...I have a mile long to read list and try to tell myself to not do the reader's choice but every time it comes around, I can't resist!! There are always such good books to read and rate!!!! :)

I started with "S" and read Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore. It is a true story about an unlikely friendship. I would highly recommend it for anyone still looking for an "S".

V-Viets, Elaine, Shop Till You Drop, have
E-Evil in Carnations by Kate Collins, have
R-Red Delicious Death by Shelia Connolly, have
S-Sister by Rosamund Lupton, in progress
E-Endangered by Pamela Beason, have

i am starting with the Voynich Cipher, then i don't know, i will look through my kindle and see what I have to read next. I am sure it will be good!

Greg wrote: "Ann wrote: "I've only read a short story or two by Ray Bradbury"

I like Ray Bradbury. He's not the most exciting of all authors, but he'll make you think. I recommend Fahrenheit 451."

It seems like I always hear Farenheit 451 as a recommendation for Bradbury, and while it's a great novel, for sheer beauty of language I heartily recommend Dandelion Wine. I also love Something Wicked This Way Comes, where Bradbury showed his talent as a master of suspense.

Another book finished. Current status:

Current challenge status:
V - Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan -- Print in Progress
E - Eye of the World by Robert Jordan -- Completed
R - The Road by Cormac McCarthy -- Completed
S - Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien -- Completed
E - Edge of Sadness by Edwin O'Connor

Stephanie wrote: "I also love Something Wicked This Way Comes, where Bradbury showed his talent as a master of suspense. "

And Something Wicked... fits in really well with this challenge! So if you are looking for something good ...

For the SLCO summer reading challenge I have chosen:

V - The View from Saturday (Konigsburg, E. L.)
E - Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (Foer, Jonathan Safran )
R - Raise a smarter child by kindergarten (Perlmutter, David, M.D.)
S - The Season (Maclean, Sarah)
E - The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything (Robinson, Ken)

The non-fiction books will be a challenge for me but I think the information they will provide will be worth it.

My summer list:
U-Udolpho, The Mystery of by Ann Radcliffe (as referred to as in Northanger Abbey) 50%
N-Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen(finished) and Blackhawk Journey by Lee Nelson
I- In the Midst of Life by Ambrose Bierce.
V-Vonnegut, Kurt Thank God for you Dr Kevorkian(finished)
E-Ever by Gail Carson Levine(finished)
R-Runner by Robert Newton. Complete.
S-Self and Self Management by Arnold Bennett. Complete
E-Emma by Jane Austen

Debbie wrote: "Another book finished. Current status:

Current challenge status:
V - Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan -- Print in Progress
E - Eye of the World by Robert Jordan -- Completed
R - Th..."

Wow you are cooking, good work!!! You might as well add the uni in there!!!

Ashley wrote: "Wow you are cooking, good work!!! You might as well add the uni in there!!! "

I can really chug through AudioBooks. I listen when I'm driving, when I'm working in my yard, when I'm cooking, when I'm doing housework. The challenge is Books in Print. When I start Edge of Sadness, it will take a LONG time because its almost 700 pages. But its a Pulitzer winner so will kill 2 birdies with one read. Still, I'm thinking of doing the Uni, too, with children's books, which I dearly love!

Current Status:

U - The Undaunted - 55% complete
N - Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales - Complete
I -
V - Valkyrie - Complete
E - The Endurance - Complete
R -
S -
E -

My current:

(if time on the UNI

U-Unwholly by Neal Shusterman
N-Trapped by Michael Northrop
I- The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey)

V-- Vonnegut, Kurt, Slaughterhouse Five, NOT STARTED YET

E-- Englander, Nathan, What We Talk About When We Talk About Anne Frank, IN PROGRESS

R-- Roth, Veronica, Insurgent, DONE

S-- Sacred Bleu, or Sold, NOT STARTED YET

E-- Eugenides, Jeffrey, The Marriage Plot, NOT STARTED YET

Debbie wrote: "I can really chug through AudioBooks. I listen when I'm driving, when I'm working in my yard, when I'm..."

I'm a big fan of audiobooks too. Housework is much less dull with a good book going in the background.

Here is what I am thinking, although I may change my mind.

V -- The Vacation by Polly Horvath, completed, 2 stars

E-- The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

R-- The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey by Candace Millard

S-- Sweet Dates in Basra: A Novel by Jessica Jiji-- in progress

E-- Eight Keys by Suzanne Le Fleur

Current Status:



U - The Undaunted: the miracle of the hole-in-the-rock pioneers - Complete
N - Nelson Mandela's Favorite African Folktales - Complete
I -
V - Valkyrie - Complete
E - The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Exploration - Complete
R - Ready Player One - Complete
S -
E - Empires of Light: Edison, Tesla, Westinghouse, and the race to electrify the world - 4%