Aiken County Public Library’s Comments (group member since May 17, 2019)

Aiken County Public Library’s comments from the Aiken County Public Library group.

What are you currently reading? Do you like it so far?

Regina wrote: "I have set a goal for the year every year since 2015. It was 50 for a while, then 75. The past couple years, it’s been 100. This past year, I failed to meet the goal, only hitting 75. I’d forgotten..."

Love your positive attitude! Congratulations on the move. You got this!

Cal wrote: "Aiken County Public Library wrote: "Do you set a reading goal for yourself? Why or why not? If you do, what is your reading goal?"

Yes! Goal is 30 books this year."

Love it! Anything you are excited for?

Bea wrote: "My reading goal is 200 books. In 2024, I exceeded that a bit, but I have decided to keep it the same so that I have time for other things.

I also belong to several groups that do reading challenge..."

Aiken County Public Library wrote: "Do you set a reading goal for yourself? Why or why not? If you do, what is your reading goal?"

That is astounding! We're rooting for you!

Faith wrote: "Absolutely! My 2025 goal is 40 books"

You got this! Any books in particular that you are excited about?

Do you set a reading goal for yourself? Why or why not? If you do, what is your reading goal?

Hi Bea, unfortunately, we don't have that option with our system.

I apologize for taking so long to reply - I've just realized that I haven't been receiving Goodreads notifications.

I hope you'll enjoy them!

You're welcome!

Hi Bea, sure. I looked at some of your favorites and listed some options below that might interest you. I made sure that all the titles are available in our library system.

If you're interested in historical fiction right now, you might try one of Emma Donoghue's historical fiction novels set in Europe. Her three most recent titles are The Pull of the Stars, Haven, And Learned by Heart. Another choice is Joan by Katherine J. Chen, which is a fictional retelling of Joan of Arc's life from childhood to her death. It won an American Library in Paris Book Award.

If you're interested in something with more mystery or creepy elements, you might try My Heart is a Chainsaw (which won a Bram Stoker Award and is described as "Shirley Jackson meets Friday the 13th") or The Only Good Indians (a NYT bestseller) by Stephen Graham Jones. Another choice is Olga Tokarczuk's Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead, which won the Nobel Prize in literature. It's described as a "thriller cum fairy tale." Tana French might be another good option. The Searcher is the 1st novel in her Cal Hooper series, and, if you enjoy it, the 2nd book will release in March.

I hope at least one of those will be of interest to you! Let us know if you enjoy any of them.

Calyan wrote: "It looks phenomenal!"

Thank you! I'm glad you like it.

Thank you!

Gina, I hope you will stop by to see it.

Bea wrote: "It is beautiful, but I will need time to get used to the arrangement. Is it functional for the librarians?"

Thank you. We are still getting settled in, but we enjoy the open space. The placement of the new desks makes it easier for us to see when patrons might need help. We look forward to getting all the finishing touches complete!

Kairia wrote: "Is there an updated time frame for when the library will be completely finished?"

I do not have a firm date at this point, but we are still expecting the project to be completed by the end of December.

Bea wrote: "Just wanted to say that I am loving the new look of the library...even if I have to get to the 2nd floor to get holds while the 1st floor is being renovated."

Thank you! We are very excited about it.

Bea wrote: "This group has been quiet for awhile, and I got to wondering how the librarians are doing during this pandemic. How is it working during this crisis? Are you reading? If so, what?"

Thank you for asking!

We have been very busy getting ready for our upcoming renovation. The second floor will be closed for the first part of it, with all services relocated to the first floor, so library staff have been working on moving materials downstairs. It has been quite a big job! But we are excited about the renovation and the ways it will update the library.

We've still been reading (our book club has gone virtual, if anyone is interested). This is Amanda from the reference department responding - I'm finally finishing up the Dublin Murder Squad books by Tana French. Very well written. I've taken advantage of our large print collection for this one as the regular print is quite small. I'm about halfway through Broken Harbor, and then it's just The Trespasser to go.

Fortunately, we have been healthy and hopefully will continue to be. We are taking precautions by wearing masks and social distancing.

What about everyone else? Doing well, reading anything good?

As we all practice social distancing, what books are y'all reading to stay occupied? Any suggestions for the rest of us?

The library is closed during this time, but, if you lack for books, check out our digital library services hoopla and CloudLibrary - available to download on smartphone, tablet, and desktop.

Stay healthy.

It's very popular! All but 3 of the library system's 15 copies are checked out right now.

Sounds like a good mix of fiction and non-fiction among you all. That Susan Howatch series sounds intriguing.

Has anyone started on their first book of 2020 yet? What did you choose?