2023 Reading Challenges

Source: PNGtree

Happy New Year! For those of you using the Gregorian calendar, welcome to the start of another year. I am lucky enough to have a four day weekend, and I'm getting some reading done. I've also decided to try reading challenges again. I took a break for a few years and I'm ready to try again. I picked four, all repeats except for the Thrifty Thursday. That's been a meme for several years and is now a challenge too. Click on the each challenge's name to go the sign up post, and get more information.

1) Library Love  I use my library a lot, both personally and professionally. I actually did this challenge in 2022 and ended up reading over 100, including books for my classroom. This year, I'm aiming for Library Card on Fire: Read 60+ books. 

2) Thrifty Thursday Between sales and author newsletters, I get a lot of freebies every month. Which, more books + no money = AWESOME. But...they tend to languish on my Kindle. So I'm aiming to read and review one a month, more if I can manage it.

3) Mount TBR I'm sure it's no surprise that I have a large pile, virtual and physical, of unread books. I'm going for level 2, Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile/s. Books owned, requested, or ordered before today, January 1st, 2023, count. Also, rereads count, yay! But ideally, they'll be books I haven't read yet.

And finally the, Goodreads challenge. I do this one every year. Last year's goal was 250 and I almost doubled that. Note: I count all books I read in the classroom, and count rereads. Cuz toddlers love repetition. If they only want to listen to a book once, they don't like the book. This year's goal is 300. 

Are you doing any reading challenges this year? Tell me about them! And, good luck and have fun reading.

Bea Reviews Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson

Publisher: Berkley
Source: the library via Overdrive
Release Date: May 19th 2020
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Google Books | Kobo |
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

When their foster-turned-adoptive mother suddenly dies, four brothers struggle to keep open the doors of her beloved Harlem knitting shop.

Jesse Strong is known for two things: his devotion to his adoptive mom, Mama Joy, and his reputation for breaking hearts. When Mama Joy unexpectedly passes away, he and his brothers have different plans for what to do with Strong Knits, their neighborhood knitting store. Jesse wants to keep the store open. His brothers want to tie off loose ends and close shop....

Part-time shop employee Kerry Fuller has kept her crush on Jesse a secret. When she overhears his impassioned plea to his brothers to keep the knitting shop open, she volunteers to help. Unlike Jesse, Kerry knows the “knitty-gritty” of the business, and together they make plans to reinvent Strong Knits for a new generation.

But the more time they spend together, the stronger the chemistry builds between them. Kerry, knowing Jesse’s history, doesn’t believe their relationship can last longer than she can knit one, purl two. But Jesse is determined to prove to her that he can be the man for her forever and always. After all, real men knit. (

Libraries Around the World! This Month, Iza and the Faidherbe, Paris France Library!

Today's library post is courtesy of Iza, a former book blogger and a librarian in Paris, France. You can find her on Goodreads.

******

Hi, I’m a librarian in Paris.

There are more than 60 libraries in Paris where you can borrow documents with only one card. They are funded by the local taxes.

Our website is here : https://bibliotheques.paris.fr/ . There is a monthly newsletter to keep our readers informed of everything that is happening – it includes a playlist based upon our newest CDs. This is the library I work in : http://equipement.paris.fr/bibliotheq...

Libraries Around the World! This Month, Angel's Guilty Pleasures & Millbrae, CA

Hello and Good Day!

My name is Angela, owner and blogger at Angel’s Guilty Pleasures. I’ve been blogging for 4 years now, mainly about books, and have had the pleasure of hosting the Library Love Challenge for 2 years.

Libraries Around the World! This Month, Massachusetts in the United States of America

Welcome to a brand new feature on the blog! I love libraries, always have, and use them far in excess of the taxes I pay each year that support my local library. Recently, NetGalley made changes to how they handle international egalleys for bloggers outside of the US. Basically, they no longer have access to ARCs on NetGalley. What does this have to do with libraries? Well, many US bloggers responded by telling the international bloggers to "Just get it from the library". First of all, that's incredibly rude and entitled. Second, it's not that simple. Libraries work differently around the world. Some charge fees for checking out books or to use the facility. Not all have genre books or even books in English for those readers who want to read in English. And it got me thinking. I wondered about libraries in other countries. So I contacted some bloggers and sent out calls on Twitter and Goodreads. The result is this semi-regular series on libraries around the world, the books and services they offer, and how they work. I'm kicking it off with my library system here in my corner of the United States. Each month for the next few months I'll have a blogger from the US or another country visit and talk about their library. After that, well, I'm hoping my bloggers or readers will be willing to share about their library. Those will go up as they're available.

Sign Up ~ 2017 Library Love Challenge

I LOVE the Library, it's my second home, and I love the Library Challenges that have been hosted in the past by the Book Dragon’s Lair (I Love Libraries), which I took over in 2016, but did a miserable job of hosting. Then in 2015 and past years there was Snagged @ The Library Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Nympho & Geeky Bloggers Book Blog.

This year I'm co-hosting with Angel's Guilty Pleasures and we've renamed the challenge:

Library Love Challenge

Bea Reviews Cometh the Hour by Jeffrey Archer

Series: The Clifton Chronicles #6
Publisher: St.Martin's Press
Source: the library
Release Date: February 16th, 2016
Challenges: Finishing the Series Reading Challenge | I Love Libraries
Buying Links: Amazon* | Book Depository* | OmniLit*  | iTunes* | Barnes & Noble
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.

Blurb from goodreads:

Cometh the Hour opens with the reading of a suicide note, which has devastating consequences for Harry and Emma Clifton, Giles Barrington and Lady Virginia.

Giles must decide if he should withdraw from politics and try to rescue Karin, the woman he loves, from behind the Iron Curtain. But is Karin truly in love with him, or is she a spy?

Lady Virginia is facing bankruptcy, and can see no way out of her financial problems, until she is introduced to the hapless Cyrus T. Grant III from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who's in England to see his horse run at Royal Ascot.

Sebastian Clifton is now the Chief Executive of Farthings Bank and a workaholic, whose personal life is thrown into disarray when he falls for Nadira, a beautiful Indian girl. But her parents have already chosen the man she is going to marry. Meanwhile, Sebastian's rivals Adrian Sloane and Desmond Mellor are still plotting to bring him and his chairman Hakim Bishara down, so they can take over Farthings.

Harry Clifton remains determined to get Anatoly Babakov released from a gulag in Siberia, following the international success of his acclaimed book, Uncle Joe. Harry's wife Emma convinces her new friend Margaret Thatcher to raise the subject with the Russian President when she visits Moscow. But then something unexpected happens that none of them could have anticipated.

Cometh the Hour is the penultimate book in the Clifton Chronicles and, like the five previous novels - all of which went to number one on the Sunday Times bestseller list - showcases Jeffrey Archer's extraordinary storytelling with his trademark twists.

2016 I Love Libraries Reading Challenge Sign Up

I Love Libraries was formerly hosted by Book Dragon's Lair. She's cutting back her challenge hosting for 2016 and passed the baton to me. This challenge is one of several library challenges I've done since started my blog so I'm delighted to be hosting.

Review of When It Snows by Richard Collingridge

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Format Read: Hardcover

Source: Public library

Release Date: August 27, 2013

Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository*

* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission for purchases made through these links. 

Blurb from goodreads:

When it snows, magic happens. Follow a boy and his teddy bear on a wondrous snowy adventure which will lead readers of all ages to a surprising place.

Bea's Thoughts:

A surprising place indeed. I thought I knew where the story was going but it did in act surprise me and pleasantly so. A little boy and his teddy bear go adventuring and along the way, there are polar bears, elves (looking very Germanic or maybe Nordic), a queen, reindeer, and fairies. The text is simple and gives a sense of the boy's joy and wonder. 

The pictures are darkish, wonderfully detailed, and convey a sense of majesty in certain scenes. My one complaint about the illustrations is that the snow looks sand; it feels as if we're in a desert except for the animals and the vegetation. I love the cover illustration, in fact that's what caught my interest initially. The look of wonder on the boy's face, the teddy bear, the colors, and the details, just lovely.

This would be a good book children three years old and up and is a nice addition to Christmas stories. 

Related articles

• Review of Big Snow by Jonathan Bean (beasbooknook.blogspot.com)
• Review of Sage's Song by Karen Kilpatrick, Illustrated by Tara L Campbell & Matthew Wilson (beasbooknook.blogspot.com)

I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014

I practically live at my library, though I'm there less often than I used to be. Still, the library over the years has been a major supplier for my book habit. This year, to date, I've read 30 books from the library and I have 6 in the living room waiting to be read. So, I'm signing up for this challenge, hosted by Book Dragon's Lair.

From the sign-up post:

Our love of reading can be expensive! Not only are we purchasing books but some of us also need space to keep them.

There are a number of levels, for those who don't have a library card yet to those that live there. Enjoy!

 Requirements:

• choose a level - you may move up as needed, just not down.
• check books out of the library
• books may overlap with other challenges
• any format allowed (print, ebook, audio)
• reviews are not necessary but a list of books read is. (post with review linky is coming)
• a blog is not necessary, just comment that you want to join in.

Levels:

• board book - 3
• picture book - 6
• early reader - 9
• chapter book - 12
• middle grades - 18
• Young adult - 24
• adult - 36
• just insert IV - 50 

I'm going to start with a reasonable goal, the middle grade, and will probably move up during the year. Just as I've done this year, I'll post a monthly update of all of my reading challenges.

Now go forth and read books from your library!

Related articles

• I Love Library Books Challenge 2014 (returningreader.wordpress.com)
• What I'm reading Friday: The library to the rescue (goodnightnoiseseverywhere.com)
• Picture Book Month (youthscope.wordpress.com)
• Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card (nortnee.wordpress.com)

Review of Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner

Publisher: Clarion Books
Format Read: Hardcover
Source: My local library
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Buying Links: Amazon* | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository*
* affiliate link; the blog receives a small commission for purchases made through this link.

Blurb from goodreads:

In a near wordless masterpiece that could only have been devised by David Wiesner, a cat named Mr. Wuffles doesn't care about toy mice or toy goldfish. He’s much more interested in playing with a little spaceship full of actual aliens—but the ship wasn't designed for this kind of rough treatment. Between motion sickness and damaged equipment, the aliens are in deep trouble. When the space visitors dodge the cat and take shelter behind the radiator to repair the damage, they make a host of insect friends. The result? A humorous exploration of cooperation between aliens and insects, and of the universal nature of communication involving symbols, “cave” paintings, and gestures of friendship.

Help Rebuild Moore, Oklahoma's School Libraries

I get a ton of promo emails every week and most never make it onto the blog. But this one is for school libraries, which hits two of my buttons (kids and libraries) and will benefit Oklahoma which has been badly hit by Mother Nature this spring. I'm not familiar with Capstone Young but I've seen ads for their books in PW so I'm hoping their legit.

From their press release:

Help Rebuild Oklahoma's School Libraries

Buy a Book, Give a Book

In light of the horrible tornadoes that devastated the city of Moore, Oklahoma, Capstone Young Readers is lending its support to help the town recover and rebuild. For every book purchased on www.CapstoneYoungReaders.com, Capstone Young Readers will donate a book of equal value to help rebuild the school libraries in Moore, Oklahoma.

Simply enter the code MooreRelief in the promotion field when you checkout at www.CapstoneYoungReaders.com.

When the schools in Moore are ready to receive new books, Capstone Young Readers will send a shipment of books to fill the school libraries.

Micro-libraries, a new trend

It seems as if all of a sudden, every time I log into facebook or twitter, there's a new item about micro libraries. What is a micro library? According to this post, a micro library is a community curated outside library of free books. They can be located in mailboxes, cars, former phone booths, any available space easily accessible on or from the street. There are now different groups devoted to establishing these micro libraries throughout the US and I've even heard of a few outside of the US.

One such group is the Little Free Library; they have installed hundreds of micro-lending stations, largely on private properties around the United States and Canada. They also provide instruction in starting your own.

As I understand, these micro-libraries are not trying to replace traditional public libraries, but supplement. They are completely volunteer and donation based, community run and often innovative. While they lack the resources and support of a traditional library, the collections are eclectic, the hours are often 24/7, often no card is needed, and sometimes they're available in areas where traditional libraries are not.

I love libraries, and I love that in the US, libraries are free; you borrow a book, get to read it, return it and there's no fee. There may be fees for other services, depending on your library, but the access to a large collection of books, for free....it's an awesome concept. But even the traditional public library has it's drawbacks and it seems like the micro-libraries have the potential to supplement and fill needs that the public library can't. I'm delighted to see them spring up and I hope they continue to grow and flourish. 

For more info and some pics of micro-libraries, try here, here, here, and here.

Do You Love Your Librarian? Nominate Them!

It's that time again, time to show your favorite American librarian some love and appreciation. Nominations for the 2012 Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Awards are open through September 12. Ten librarians each will receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque, and a $500 travel stipend to attend an awards reception in New York. In addition, a plaque will be given to each award winner’s library.

Libraries, especially these days, are an amazing resources: free books, magazines, CDs, DVDs, sometimes free computer use and free wifi, Audiotapes, access to databases, librarians who help you research books, topics, etc., and it's free, there's no user charge. Some even offer classes. I've gotten many, many, MANY books from there over the years (and still do), discovered authors, enjoyed music and movies that weren't in my budget, used their copy machine for a very small charge, and of course, for several years, the library was my source for internet access. Now that I have internet at home, I actually miss my daily trips to the library. For someone on a budget, the library is a tremendous resource. And they do all this with constantly shrinking budgets of their own.

So go show your library some love. Recognize the accomplishments of your exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarian. Click on the appropriate link below.

Nominate your public librarian

Nominate your school librarian

Nominate your college, community college or university librarian

Review of Split Second by Catherine Coulter

Publisher: Putnam Adult

Release Date: July 19, 2011

Series: #15 in FBI Thrillers

Buying Links:  Amazon     The Book Depository

Book Blurb (from goodreads):

A serial killer is on the loose, and it's up to FBI agents Dillon Savich and Lacey Sherlock to bring him down. They soon discover that the killer has blood ties to the infamous and now long-dead monster Ted Bundy. Savich and Sherlock are joined by agents Lucy Carlyle and Cooper McKnight, and the chase is on. 

At the same time, Agent Carlyle learns from her dying father that her grandfather didn't simply walk away from his family twenty-two years ago: he was, in fact, murdered by his wife, Lucy's grandmother. Determined to find the truth, Lucy moves into her grandmother's Chevy Chase mansion. What she finds, however, is a nightmare. Not only does she discover the truth of what happened all those years ago, but she faces a new mystery as well, a strange ring that holds powers beyond her ken. 

As the hunt for the serial killer escalates, Savich realizes he's become the killer's focus, and perhaps the next victim. It's up to Lucy to stop this madness before it's too late.
 
My Thoughts:

Ms. Coulter has a knack for drawing the reader in from the first page. You get invested in each character and don't want the story to end, or at least, that's my reaction. The beauty of a series is that the story continues, in some fashion, from book to book. Because I like this series so much, I was somewhat hesitant to read this one. I was a little disappointed with Coulter's last book, "Whiplash", and also with several of the books prior to it. They seemed a little stale, as if she was working on an assembly line. This one follows her formula but there's a life and vigor that have been missing from the last few books. It's her usual set up: the main mystery, which this time has Savich and Sherlock taking the lead, and three sub-plots; one involves the ubiquitous romance, this time involving agents Cooper McKnight and Lucy Carlyle; an investigation by Lucy into her grandfather's disappearance; and an unrelated attempted robbery that Savich foils then helps the local police investigate.

I was glad to see Savich and Sherlock back in action as the main leads both in the story and in the case. I think one reason I haven't liked some of the other FBI books as well (although "The Target" is my favorite one) is that while Savich and his team get called in, the focus is on whichever non-FBI character has the love story in that book. I like a change in location and perspective but I really, really like Savich and Sherlock. For me, they ARE the FBI books. 

Anyway, the main story here is a bit different for Coulter. I was surprised at first, then I liked it. She draws on real life and postulates that Ted Bundy, a real life serial killer, had a daughter, one no one knew about, including him, and now she's following in daddy's footsteps. I can't recall Coulter drawing on a real life person or incident before. Like I said, it surprised me at first and I wondered how believable she could make it. She did pretty well. Again, she follows pattern - the killer, Bundy's daughter Kirsten, has a male helper/romantic partner and they, or more accurately, she becomes obsessed with Savich. But Kirsten's crimes are partially inspired by and modeled after daddy dearest. The result was a blend of classic Coulter and mild true crime.

Kirsten becomes obsessed with both Savich and Sherlock after a failed attempt to capture her and this results in the entire family, including their five year old son Sean, being at risk. It seems inevitable, at least in Coulters world, that that would happen and Coulter pulls it off without being trite or playing to our emotions. I also liked that we got a different perspective on their working dynamics: on several occasions, when on the job, Savich has to remind Sherlock that he's her boss and she needs to follow orders. Sherlock takes it well but it's a good detail for Coulter to have. Later, there's a comment about the two other agents who get involved and Savich replies, (I'm paraphrasing here) that for him to object would be the pot calling the kettle black. I doubt if the real FBI allows married or involved agents in the same unit so it was nice to see Coulter have that little bit of authenticity.


Meanwhile, Lucy is dealing with a nightmare that no one should have to deal with: Her father's death bed confession that her grandfather was murdered by her own grandmother. The story had always been that he went "walkabout" and never came back. She becomes obsessed with finding out the truth and in the process lies to her boss, on multiple occasions, and becomes romantically involved with her partner, Cooper. Lucy is hesitant at first to ask her friends or coworkers for help, needing to do it on her own. Later, she has no choice but to rely on Coop and call in the FBI and the police. Coulter introduces more woo-woo to the story with this sub-plot and I didn't completely buy it. In my opinion, it didn't fit with the series as a whole. Savich's possible ESP? I'm good with that, I can believe in it and she's carefully established it over the series. This was a cross between mysticism and sci fi and it didn't work for me. The  In another series, and with more backstory, I might have been okay with it; it just didn't work in the context of this series. The romance between Coop and Lucy is gradual at first then picks up steam. It's sweet but lacks Sherlock's and Savich's chemistry. 


The last sub-plot, unrelated to anything else happening in the book, involves an acquaintance of Savich's. Mr. Patil, the owner of a convenience store where Savich shops, has been robbed twice in a short period of time and ends up in the hospital after the second attempt. Savich foils the first attempt and gets suspicious when there is a second attempt and Patil is shot. He works with the local police to figure it out and keep Patil alive. Honestly, it added nothing and could easily have been left out.

There's a lot going on and Coulter succeeds in .moving between story lines and perspectives without confusing the reader, or worse, losing their interest.


It's definitely worth picking up and reading. If you are new to the FBI series, you will be able to read it fairly easily.


I borrowed this book from my local library.

Review of A Nose for Justice by Rita Mae Brown

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Release Date: September 28, 2010

More Info: Amazon  The Book Depository

Book Blurb:
Explosive sabotage and the startling unearthing of a hundred-year-old skeleton on a Nevada ranch thrillingly start off this debut novel in a tail-wagging new series from New York Times bestselling author Rita Mae Brown.

With the ruins of her high-powered Wall Street job now far in the rearview mirror of her rented silver Camaro, thirty-two-year-old Mags Rogers arrives at her great-aunt Jeep’s sprawling Wings Ranch to reassemble her life. In the passenger seat, with his suspicious nose to a cracked window, is Mags’s beloved wirehaired dachshund, the urbane Baxter.  

 Mags was named for her great-aunt, Magdalena—though everyone calls the spry octogenarian rancher Jeep. From piloting planes in World War II to discovering one of America’s largest gold deposits, Jeep has enjoyed a lifetime jam-packed with love and adventure, and she’s not done yet. At her side—to Baxter’s low-down distress—is Jeep’s loyal German Shepherd mix, King. The growlings are mutual: King sniffs that Baxter is a “fuzzy sausage.”

Meanwhile, someone pipe-bombs Red Rock Valley’s pumping station, endangering the water supply near and far. Deputy Pete Meadows links the sabotage to a string of local murders, but he doesn’t yet know if it’s a corporate plot or twisted eco-terrorism. He’s also called out to Wings Ranch when human bones are dug up in Jeep’s barn; the dead man’s ring identifies him as an elite Russian military officer from the late 1800s, apparently knifed to death. In her search to find out whodunit, Mags uncovers fascinating history about Jeep’s ranch, including an intriguing connection to Buffalo Bill.

Mags and Pete have mysteries to solve, among them why they are so drawn to each other. Baxter and King team up when it comes time to protect their humans. And all the while, Jeep Reed, the sassiest wit in the West, has a bold plan for Red Rock Valley in which they all will play a part.

My Thoughts:

Over the years, I've read most of Brown's Mrs Murphy mystery series. I'm a cat lover and I enjoy mysteries so the series seemed a natural plus it's set in Virginia. I went to college in Virginia and I have family there so it's familiar and I have a connection to it. I enjoy the series, though it's very formulaic, but it's strictly a library one. I don't like them well enough to spend my own money on them.

So, with all of that in mind, when I saw this book at the library, I picked it up. I assumed it was also a Mrs Murphy book until I read the synopsis on the book flap. It's set in Nevada, and features dogs. I took it home and read it. I kept track of my reading on goodreads and posted this at one point:

"So far enjoyable but it's her Cat series with dogs, set in Nevada instead of Virginia. There's nothing new or different yet."

Sadly, by the time I was done, I didn't feel any differently. There are some differences: Nevada is a very different state from Virginia and it's environment, history and politics are a huge part of the story, almost another character; we don't see any cats :( ; and there's much more politics than I can recall being in her Mrs Murphy books. Brown can never resist the temptation to moralize and preach in her books, and this one was no exception. Honestly, it was that combined with her formulaic stories that caused me slow down on reading her books and wait to to check them out instead instead of requesting them as soon as they were announced.

The mystery in here is good; actually there are two mysteries - a present day one and an historical one. Both are interesting, especially Mags' research in to Cossacks in America and Buffalo Bill. I confess, I didn't figure out who the guilty party was in the present day mystery. I considered him and then rejected him. I was wrong. The two mysteries intersect briefly, but critically, at the end. The end, by the way, felt very abrupt to me. It could have used some detail and some more build up.

The characters are likable though they remind me strongly of the ones in the Mrs Murphy series.The formula is here too - quirky small town characters, emphasis on rural life, rural life is best, a mix of conservative and liberal values, the strong elderly female and the relatives and friends who rely on her, the anthropomorphising of animals, etc. The animal mix is different though. The dogs in the story play a smaller role (though they do find several crucial clues and are vital to the apprehension of the killer) in the overall story. The horses, cows, sheep, coyotes, etc are just your basic background, filler animals, unlike her other books.

So, overall, not bad but nothing special. If you like the Mrs Murphy books, then you will probably like this. Although her website doesn't confirm it, the book flap says it's the beginning of a new series.

I borrowed this book from my public library.

Do You Love Your Librarian?

Do you live in the US? Does your library have the best librarian EVER?

Here's your chance to let them, and everyone else, know. The Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times and the American Library Association are sponsoring  the "I Love My Librarian Award!" They are looking for librarians who are improving the lives of the people in your school, campus or community. This year there will be up to 10 winners.

 For more information, see this article.

Squee! Kindles + Libraries = Awesomesauce

First, I love the expression "awesomesauce". I picked it up from the SmartBitches  and I love being able to use it. :D

Second, SQUEEE!!!!!  Amazon announced today that sometime later this year (which I really really hope doesn't mean end of the year) libraries that lend out ebooks via Overdrive will be able to do so on Kindles here in the US. At this point, it's just US only. I love my Kindle to bits but one of it's disadvantages has been my inability to check out library books on it. I have ADE on my laptop so I can check out library ebooks that way but reading on my Kindle is so much easier and convenient for me. According to the press release, Kindle lending will

be available for all generations of Kindle devices and free Kindle reading apps....."We're doing a little something extra here," Marine continued. "Normally, making margin notes in library books is a big no-no. But we're extending our Whispersync technology so that you can highlight and add margin notes to Kindle books you check out from your local library. Your notes will not show up when the next patron checks out the book. But if you check out the book again, or subsequently buy it, your notes will be there just as you left them, perfectly Whispersynced."

With Kindle Library Lending, customers can take advantage of all of the unique features of Kindle and Kindle books...

I am so excited I can hardly stop squeeing. I love libraries, I love my Kindle, I am a happy happy book addict. :P

I have to say that I am delighted to see Amazon striving to add to the Kindle's benefits and make it ever more user friendly. First, they made some Kindle titles available for lending (even if they were slow to do it) and now library lending. Since the Nook and Kobo already have these features, it only makes sense that Kindle would jump in. Adding these features adds to the Kindle's appeal and usability. Now, they just need to allow buying books from other sites in a Kindle compatible format and the Kindle would be just about perfect.

Now, I'm sure there will be glitches and not every publisher participates in library ebook lending (McMillan, Simon & Schuster) but it's a start. So Kindle users, take advantage of this and ask your librarians if your library will be participating.

For more information, see this article on LibraryJournal.com.

  

12 Ways Libraries are Good for the Country

     As I mentioned in my post for the 2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge, I love my local library. I pretty much live there. I may even prefer it to a bookstore. After all, libraries haev FREE books :P , plus free periodicals, refernces, databases, and people, librarians, who are at your mercy (well, they are, come on) for advice, questions, etc.

     I am a firm believer in libraries, free libraries, where the user pays nothing to use the services barring small fees for services such as using a copy machine or a printer. Libraries are open to all, available to all, all you need is a card. I support my library and believe all readers should, to the extent that they are able.

     Ok, enough proselytizing. I read a fantastic article on how libraries are good for the country and wanted to share it. Although it's specific to the US, it's pretty applicable to any country. The article is the same as this post's title, and is from "American Libraries, the Magazine of the American Library Association". After you read the article, spread the word and go support your local library.

2011 Support Your Local Library Challenge

I live, I mean LIVE at my local library. If I'm not at work, and the library is open, I'm there. The librarians all know me by name, When I walk in, they immediatley check the hold shelf for me. :D It's only 20 minutes from home, has a wonderful supply of books, periodicals, databases, etc., has free internet access, friendly helpful librarians, etc. It's an awesome place and I would easily read 50%  fewer (maybe even more!)  books than I do if I couldn't use the library. I'm lucky and live in a state where the libraries are regionalized. Town and college libraries participate, and each network has hundreds of participating libraries. So, if the book I want isn't available locally, I can request it from another library in the network and there's no fee for the service. Plus, no matter what town I live in, my library card and privileges are good statewide, subject to each library's rules and regulations.

So, when I saw The Book Vixen's post about the challenge I knew I wanted to participate. It's actually being hosted by The Book Junkie. Invite your friends, tell your local library, share it on Twitter, facebook, and other social sites. Most of all, have fun. :)


Rules:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.  Click HERE to sign up.
2. There are four levels to this challenge...Pick your passion: 
        ►The Mini – Check out and read 30 library books. 
        ►Fun Size – Check out and read 40 library books. 
        ►Jumbo Size – Check out and read 50 library books. 
        ►Mega Size – Check out and read 51+ library books.
3. Audio, Re-reads, eBooks, YA, Young Reader – basically any book counts just as long as it is checked out from the library. Books MUST be checked out like with a library card, books purchased at a library DO NOT count. 
4. No need to list your books in advance. You may select books as you go. Even if you list them now, you can change the list if needed.
5. Crossovers from other reading challenges count. YAY!
6. Challenge begins January 1st, 2011 and goes thru December 31st, 2011.

I am being ambitious and aiming for the Jumbo size, a minimum of 50 library books read in 2011. I know I've done it in years past, but I wasn't reviewing then. I enjoy reading for review but it does cut into my time to read for myself. I think I can do it. :)

1. The Grimrose Path by Rob Thurman
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