Since I didn't start this blog until May, I thought a quick history of the reading roulette challenges were in order. If you don't know what I'm talking about go check out my first post about the Great Reading Challenge. In short, reading roulette is a random category chosen by a librarian monthly. If you read a book in that category during the month it was drawn it counts as two books read. The categories that have been drawn so far are:
- January: Read a book that is shorter than 200 Pages
- February: Read a Survival Story
- March: Read a book written by an artist more famous for another medium
- April: Read a book by an author who has published more than 20 books
- May: Read a book with a weather related word in the title
I have been able to complete this challenge every month so far and with a wide variety of books.
January's category was pre-chosen by the librarians because the Great Reading Challenge paperwork wasn't ready until part way into the month. Since, this was my kick-off book I decided to go with something really off the wall for myself. My first reading challenge book was "Adulthood is a Myth" by Sarah Andersen. If that name sounds familiar to you, it's because you've seen her comic characters all over social media. Here is an example of one of Andersen's work:
Pretty familiar, right? "Adulthood is a Myth" is a compilation of a bunch of Andersen's work. It was a nice light-hearted way to start the year. I enjoyed the accuracy and love seeing some aspects of my life in her works. If you want to see more of Sarah Andersen's work check out her website here. That is also where I borrowed this comic from!
February's category was read a survival story. I went a slightly different route with this category. I read "Know My Name: A Memoir" by Chanel Miller. I count it as a survival story. Chanel is the woman that was raped on Stanford's campus by Brock Turner. This book was her coming out story. It is the first time her real name was released. It IS a survival story. Through Miller's eyes you see the uphill battle a victim of sexual violence is subjected to. Not only did she have to fight for her story to be believed, she had to fight systems that wanted it brushed under the rug, and strangers attacking her for coming out. It takes bravery to step forward. Chanel showed her strength in this memoir. Due to the topic is very heavy in nature. I wouldn't suggest reading it unless you are in a good mental place. If you volunteer with a domestic/sexual abuse center I would also recommend this book because it shows the importance of that legal advocate, even if it is a small role. If you can't bring yourself to read the full book, I highly suggest at least looking up her victim impact statement online. You'll get a taste of the hurt and struggle, as well as a sample of her writing.
In March I read "Lean on Me" by Pat Simmons in order to fulfill the category 'read a book by an artist more famous for another medium.' If you don't know who Pat Simmons is, he is a founding member of the Doobie Brothers. In my opinion that fact right there is the only reason this book was published. The writing is lackluster and there isn't much depth to the story. Think of your most stereotypical rich guy meets stubborn helpless girl and they eventually fall in love story; that's your story. The most intriguing part is the main character, Tabitha's Great Aunt Tweet. Tweet has Alzheimer's. This book touches on the struggle of caring for a relative with Alzheimer's or dementia. Beyond that there is zero depth to this story and the poor writing doesn't do it any favors either. It's even the first book in a series! Sorry Pat, I doubt I'll be back for the sequels.
Read a book by an author that has published more than 20 books. This made April easy for me! I was already listening the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire, so I just listened to the next book "Chimes at Midnight." I started this series thanks to my library's Geek Out book club. We read "Rosemary and Rue" in 2019 and I just couldn't stop afterwards! "Chimes at Midnight" is the seventh novel in this series. In this book our main character October 'Toby' Daye is chasing down bad guys who are spreading a drug called goblin fruit, which can kill faerie changelings (like herself). This series has become one of my favorites. I listen to the audio book and it is read by Mary Robinette Kowal. She is another author on my never-ending 'To Be Read" List (TBR). I don't think they could have found a better narrator for this series. Kowal brought Toby to life! I don't think I would've had the same experience had I read the books. Toby is a sassy, smartass, but you feel it even more with Kowal reading. I can't wait for my library to re-open after COVID-19, so I can keep listening! I had to stop after this book since the rest aren't available digitally on audio through my library. This might be the series most driving me insane!
Side note: I got to meet Seanan McGuire at my library. She is one of the coolest people EVER! On a quick count she has over 45 fiction books published!
Lastly, is May. I haven't found a book with a weather word in the title that truly interests me yet. I can't wait to see what I manage to find and I will be back to update everyone on that once I have read it! I've found a few potential options, but none of them are screaming out to be read yet. Who knows, maybe something amazing will come across my library's page and inspire me!
January's category was pre-chosen by the librarians because the Great Reading Challenge paperwork wasn't ready until part way into the month. Since, this was my kick-off book I decided to go with something really off the wall for myself. My first reading challenge book was "Adulthood is a Myth" by Sarah Andersen. If that name sounds familiar to you, it's because you've seen her comic characters all over social media. Here is an example of one of Andersen's work:
February's category was read a survival story. I went a slightly different route with this category. I read "Know My Name: A Memoir" by Chanel Miller. I count it as a survival story. Chanel is the woman that was raped on Stanford's campus by Brock Turner. This book was her coming out story. It is the first time her real name was released. It IS a survival story. Through Miller's eyes you see the uphill battle a victim of sexual violence is subjected to. Not only did she have to fight for her story to be believed, she had to fight systems that wanted it brushed under the rug, and strangers attacking her for coming out. It takes bravery to step forward. Chanel showed her strength in this memoir. Due to the topic is very heavy in nature. I wouldn't suggest reading it unless you are in a good mental place. If you volunteer with a domestic/sexual abuse center I would also recommend this book because it shows the importance of that legal advocate, even if it is a small role. If you can't bring yourself to read the full book, I highly suggest at least looking up her victim impact statement online. You'll get a taste of the hurt and struggle, as well as a sample of her writing.
In March I read "Lean on Me" by Pat Simmons in order to fulfill the category 'read a book by an artist more famous for another medium.' If you don't know who Pat Simmons is, he is a founding member of the Doobie Brothers. In my opinion that fact right there is the only reason this book was published. The writing is lackluster and there isn't much depth to the story. Think of your most stereotypical rich guy meets stubborn helpless girl and they eventually fall in love story; that's your story. The most intriguing part is the main character, Tabitha's Great Aunt Tweet. Tweet has Alzheimer's. This book touches on the struggle of caring for a relative with Alzheimer's or dementia. Beyond that there is zero depth to this story and the poor writing doesn't do it any favors either. It's even the first book in a series! Sorry Pat, I doubt I'll be back for the sequels.
Read a book by an author that has published more than 20 books. This made April easy for me! I was already listening the October Daye series by Seanan McGuire, so I just listened to the next book "Chimes at Midnight." I started this series thanks to my library's Geek Out book club. We read "Rosemary and Rue" in 2019 and I just couldn't stop afterwards! "Chimes at Midnight" is the seventh novel in this series. In this book our main character October 'Toby' Daye is chasing down bad guys who are spreading a drug called goblin fruit, which can kill faerie changelings (like herself). This series has become one of my favorites. I listen to the audio book and it is read by Mary Robinette Kowal. She is another author on my never-ending 'To Be Read" List (TBR). I don't think they could have found a better narrator for this series. Kowal brought Toby to life! I don't think I would've had the same experience had I read the books. Toby is a sassy, smartass, but you feel it even more with Kowal reading. I can't wait for my library to re-open after COVID-19, so I can keep listening! I had to stop after this book since the rest aren't available digitally on audio through my library. This might be the series most driving me insane!
Side note: I got to meet Seanan McGuire at my library. She is one of the coolest people EVER! On a quick count she has over 45 fiction books published!
Lastly, is May. I haven't found a book with a weather word in the title that truly interests me yet. I can't wait to see what I manage to find and I will be back to update everyone on that once I have read it! I've found a few potential options, but none of them are screaming out to be read yet. Who knows, maybe something amazing will come across my library's page and inspire me!
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