The Seasonal Reading Challenge discussion

A LIBRARIANS JOB IS NEVER DONE - In Honor Of February Being Library Lovers Month…
A. Visit Your Local Library And Ask One Of The Librarians To Recommend Their Favorite Book And Then Read That Book.
OR
B. Read A Book Where The Main Character Is A Librarian Or A Library Plays An Important Role In The Plot. Ex. Charlaine Harris' Aurora Teagarden Series or Murder at the Library of Congress

If you need suggestions for books to read for this task post a request here.

If anyone likes historical mysteries with some humor to them Alexandria by Lindsey Davis is a good one. It is set in the library at Alexandria during the rule of the Roman emperors.
While it is the latest in a series, it can be read without reading the others. (Although I've throughly enjoyed the whole series.)

Does Dewey The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World work?

Jessy wrote: "Does Dewey The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World work?"

I would think so. I'm not the proper authority on this task, but the book does fit the criteria.

Jessy wrote: "Does Dewey The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World work?"Yes - also a really good book by the way.

I'll probably read this book, as my husband has it and says it's a quick and fun read: Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians by Brandon Sanderson

- This one looks pretty good, too.

Richard Peck is always worth reading.

If you are into graphic novels Rex Libris #1
is fun. There are several volumes.

and by Nancy Pearl

I recently purchased both of these books and look forward to reading them and getting more suggestions to add to my TBR. The books are written by Nancy Pearl, a librarian, and contain wonderful recommendations for various moods and topics. Would you approve either of these books for the librarian task?

Lisa wrote: " and by [author:Nancy P..."Yes

Thanks!

Souls in the Great Machine by Sean McMullen features librarians fighting duels to settle disputes :0) . The main characters are not, however, librarians.

Book Crush For Kids and Teens-Recommended Reading for Every Mood, Moment and Interest

Here's another of that same series, with books geared towards teens (or teachers! ^_^).

I'd like to recommend The Giant's House A Romance by Elizabeth McCracken It's the story of a librarian who falls in love with a giant. It is very unique and quirky, while still containing beautiful prose. I really enjoyed this book. It was an unexpected gem.

Since Cynthia is a librarian, she could probably post a list of recommendations for those who don't frequent the library.

Tanja wrote: "Since Cynthia is a librarian, she could probably post a list of recommendations for those who don't frequent the library."

Yes, but perhaps some of Cynthia's motiviation behind this task is to get folks to actually go out and talk to their local librarians. :-)

I recommend The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco, which is about a series of murders that take place at a medieval library.

Donna Jo wrote: "If you are into graphic novels Rex Libris #1 is fun."

Bookhunter by Jason Shiga looks like a really fun graphic novel as well.

Would the books of the Thursday Next series work for this task? One of the major settings is the Library. I'm hoping to read the fourth book in the series (Something Rotten).

Would Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men work for this. The main character was a librarian that was fired in the first book and now in the 2nd book she is working in a book store?

Valorie wrote: "Would Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men work for this. The main character was a librarian that was fired in the first book and now in the 2nd book she is working in a book store? "
sure

Rachel wrote: "Would the books of the Thursday Next series work for this task? One of the major settings is the Library. I'm hoping to read the fourth book in the series (Something Rotten)."

sure

Has anybody actually tried to ask a librarian? I've asked two and one said "omg, so many!" and listed about 10. The other looked at me suspiciously, asked me what I like to read, and then gave me book ideas based on that (most of which I've already read).

At any rate, the first mentioned the Dark Materials series, so I'll be reading one of those. =)

Our library has little cards attached to the shelves saying "The staff recommends ...."
Would reading one of these recommendations count as asking a librarian?

Coralie wrote: "Our library has little cards attached to the shelves saying "The staff recommends ...."
Would reading one of these recommendations count as asking a librarian?"
Yes

Sally wrote: "Has anybody actually tried to ask a librarian? I've asked two and one said "omg, so many!" and listed about 10. The other looked at me suspiciously, asked me what I like to read, and then gave me b..."

I had a wonderful experience with chatting with one of my librarians. She told me that her favorite clasic was Madame Bovary but that her favorite current book was a new adult book that included illustrations with the text - outside normal boundaries.

The Selected Works of T. S. Spivet

Then she looked it up and we found it. She was so excited that it was in and available. So far I have found the book to be sensational and the experience terrific.

I will probably use this book to satisfy another task. I have a Christmas book about a librarian picked out for this one. However, I did want to see how the discussion with a librarian would work - it was outstanding.

Here are a few books I have read with main characters who are librarians:
Summer
True Believer
At First Sight

Here are some that also may possibly fit (subject to Cynthia's approval):
The Archivist A Novel
People of the Book
The Historian

Sally wrote: "Has anybody actually tried to ask a librarian? I've asked two and one said "omg, so many!" and listed about 10. The other looked at me suspiciously, asked me what I like to read, and then gave me b..."

I chatted with one extensively and she had a lot of recommendations based on the type of books I like. She recommended Undead and Unwed which I haven't picked up yet when I said I liked books with humor.

Tammy wrote: "I chatted with one extensively and she had a lot of recommendations based on the type of books I like. She recommended Undead and Unwed which I haven't picked up yet when I said I liked books with humor."

Heehee... Those books are great. I see that you read Stephanie Plum... You'll like the Undead series. They're NOT deep at all, but they're hilarious.

Cynthia,
Does People of the Book work for this task?

Sherrie Y wrote: "Cynthia,
Does People of the Book work for this task?"

Unless a librarian recommends it to you no because there are no librarians or libraries in it.

Would Matilda work for this challenge because the library seems to be in a good chunck of the book.

Amanda wrote: "Would Matilda work for this challenge because the library seems to be in a good chunk of the book. "

yes

Amanda wrote: "Would Matilda work for this challenge because the library seems to be in a good chunk of the book. "

yes

Cool Thanks

Sally wrote: "Has anybody actually tried to ask a librarian? I've asked two and one said "omg, so many!" and listed about 10. The other looked at me suspiciously, asked me what I like to read, and then gave me b..."

I did just this afternoon! He told me the same "omg, so many!", but finally decided for
Under the Volcano A Novel by Malcolm Lowry. He wouldn't state the reason he liked it so much, so I'm quite curious now. I'm definitely going to read it.
This task is simply great. :)

I just remembered a book that would work great for the librarian task. (It would also fit the Canadian task because the author is from Ontario, and the book is set there). The Girls by Lori Lansens is a great book. It's the story of siamese twins, joined at the head. The story is told, in first person, from their point of view. They live in a small Canadian town and work in the public library. If you like quirky books, I recommend this one.

Thank you, Janice! I will be reading "The Girls". My friend recommended this book to me and I just haven't gotten around to it yet. Now I have a good reason to!