1. The Summer 2010 Reading Adventure begins on June 29, 2010 and ends on the unofficial last day of summer: Labor Day, September 6, 2010.
2. Any book recently started can be considered, provided it has not yet been finished as of June 29, 2010.
3. Any adult book can be considered, provided it has an ISBN.
4. Any young adult book can be considered, provided it is over 300 pages.
5. Chick-lit counts, but must be balanced by a title of a higher order of literature. (We define chick-lit as a contemporary novel with glitter, a martini glass, high heeled shoe or engagement ring on the cover).
6. Each contestant enters his/her reading log through this blog and is responsible for updating the count total and submitting a post. Each contestant will respond to the other's post.
7. Each contestant must require the other to read two books of his/her own choosing, to be completed no later than September 6 or risk disqualification. However, these two books must have been previously read (at some point) by the person making the recommendation.
8. Keeping with the circa 1982 requirements of the Duxbury Free Library's summer reading program, each contestant must write a one page reaction paper to his/her favorite book OR do an artistic rendering of a favorite scene. These must be posted online for all to see (and judge).
9. Each contestant must confess to a personal transgression made in a childhood summer reading program.
10. The Summer 2010 Reading Adventure will be celebrated in the fall with, of course, an ice cream party.
June 30, 2010
Preliminary Discussion of the Summer Reading Adventure (SRA)
One of the first arguments we got in over the reading list was when does the "program" begin. At the time of its inception, I was 200 pages into "Lonesome Dove," which I had temporarily put aside so I could read my sister's copy of "The Help" (70 pages in) while I was home for five days. A side note, toggling between "Lonesome Dove" and "The Help" is a terrible idea. I went from thoughts of getting the cattle to Montana on time to pondering racial injustice and the cleaning capabilities of Crisco. Basically, the only similarity between the two books is that women had minimal rights in both 1870's Texas and 1960's Louisiana. Although I have already started my fanfiction short story about the prostitute Lori Wood moving to Jackson and making quick work of all the Junior Leagues' husbands.
Anyway, could I count these books once I finished them, or could only books started after the SRA's inception be included? Kerry graciously conceded that yes, those books would count. We also agreed that plays counted, but not a short story in a magazine. This led us into a discussion about anthologies and the formulation of "The ISBN Rule." Neither of us mentioned poetry anthologies because nobody reads poetry. Kerry will probably lie and talk about how much she loves Billy Collins but really, nobody reads poetry.
Anyway, could I count these books once I finished them, or could only books started after the SRA's inception be included? Kerry graciously conceded that yes, those books would count. We also agreed that plays counted, but not a short story in a magazine. This led us into a discussion about anthologies and the formulation of "The ISBN Rule." Neither of us mentioned poetry anthologies because nobody reads poetry. Kerry will probably lie and talk about how much she loves Billy Collins but really, nobody reads poetry.
June 29, 2010
The Contestants
In this wing chair, we have Kerry. She spent her first 30 years reading "good books" and gaining degrees in English Literature. She then had children, and began choosing her books by publisher (Red Dress Ink anyone?). I'm sorry to say that she rarely remembers the titles of the books she reads (in fact, she might be rereading a book she read last summer, but isn't exactly sure), but she does derive deep pleasure in meaningless popular fiction.
In the other wing chair sits Brendan. An actor who makes a living crafting words together. A person who embraces book lists and has spent the better part of a decade in the pursuit of reading the 100 Best Novels. His personality saves him from his hobbies.
In the other wing chair sits Brendan. An actor who makes a living crafting words together. A person who embraces book lists and has spent the better part of a decade in the pursuit of reading the 100 Best Novels. His personality saves him from his hobbies.
The Lament
Today, we signed my children up for the summer reading program. Same town library, but in a new building. 30 years later, the program has evolved a bit. No longer a competition (Who can read the most books in one summer? Whose reading log is filled with challenging children's literature?), the focus is that reading is fun...you can read for pleasure...reading can take you places. Great events and activities are scheduled throughout the summer to bring/lure kids and their families to the library. It's truly fantastic.
But, for two 30-something adults with a shared history of summer-reading-as-a-competition, there's a little something amiss. We know the changes to the program are for the best, but the competitive spirit prevails. And thus, our summer reading challenge was born. Two siblings. One summer. And how many books?
But, for two 30-something adults with a shared history of summer-reading-as-a-competition, there's a little something amiss. We know the changes to the program are for the best, but the competitive spirit prevails. And thus, our summer reading challenge was born. Two siblings. One summer. And how many books?
The Idea
Most people mark the start of summer vacation with the last day of school. In our family's household in the late 1970s and early 1980s, summer truly arrived when the town library's summer reading program began. There were reading logs to update. Books to check out. Series to read. Game on.
But adults don't have summer reading programs. Until now.
But adults don't have summer reading programs. Until now.
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