The Science of Summer Reading

What are you doing this summer?  Have you already made plans to spend a few weeks at the cabin or hours out on the lake fishing?  Are you lucky enough to be taking a trip somewhere new or exotic? Perhaps you consider camping in a tent to be the height of luxury and fun or maybe you've decided on a "stay-cation" this year due to the summer sports schedules and activities.  Wherever you go, whatever you do, don't forget about your library.
Summer library reading programs and activities are not just for kids. While the library is a wonderful place for children to access books and entertainment, your library has not forgotten that adults need those things too.  The adult summer library reading program is designed to challenge readers to venture outside of their reading comfort zone.
For example, adult readers will be asked to read at least one science fiction novel this summer, such as Stephen King's 11/22/63 which combines alternate history, time travel, mystery and suspense.  This novel is also over 800 pages long which may make it overwhelming to the average reader.  Several book lists will be available to help guide the reader to a book they may enjoy.
Many readers love series; whether they are about a detective with unique crime solving abilities, a family or group of friends who each have an interesting love story, or a place full of entertaining home town characters who get into scrapes or pull together to help one another.  Dune by Frank Herbert is the beginning of an epic series full of conflict and adventure. This popular space opera has been continued by the author's son, Brian Herbert along with Kevin J. Anderson.  A reader could spend the entire summer traveling and enjoying the "Duniverse".

With the popularity of The Hunger Games and Divergent, titles about dystopian societies have become some of the most sought after science fiction books.  Books about oppressive, totalitarian, inhumane societies are nothing new.  The Iron Heel by Jack London chronicles the rise of a small, tyrannical group who has taken over the United States.  The book chronicles the rise of these societies throughout the world and the resistance to them. George Orwell's 1984 and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 are examples of similar titles. If you haven't had the pleasure of reading one of these classics, this summer's program will provide the motivation you need.
Many modern authors enjoy blending a wide variety of elements into their books.  For example, steampunk combines steam-powered fantastic machinery with a setting in the 19th century. One might argue that a book such as this is really an alternative history or a fantasy. However, the science is based on real science even if the machines never existed. These elements allow the author to create unique settings and characters.  These books like Heart of Iron by Ekaterina Sedia, are often filled with fantastic adventure, romance, and mystery.  If you are a reader of romance and have decided to accept the libraries' summer reading challenge, steampunk will probably be your best bet.
No matter what type of reading you enjoy, there are science fiction titles that you will enjoy.  The trick is to find those books so that you can join us on our journey through the "Literary Elements".  Not to mention, we have prizes. What would a summer reading program be without prizes and incentives?  An assignment.

That's a Keeper!

There are people who write and then there are people who know how to write. Reading can be a wonderful individual experience when one is enjoying the work of an accomplished author.  Whether the purpose of reading is for entertainment or knowledge, it's truly a bonus when both are delivered.  

My mother is a voracious reader.  The kind of reader that will pick up almost any book (except romance novels) and give it a chance.  When she comes to visit, I try to have several books of fiction and non-fiction for her to choose from.  Occasionally, one of my selections will be a home run with her.  When that happens, all bets are off and most activities are cancelled because pulling her out of a good book is like trying to separate a starving person from their food source.

During Mom's latest visit, I insisted that she read Things That Matter by Charles Krauthammer even though I knew she wouldn't have time to finish it.  I explained to her that though the main body of book is a compilation of the author's newspaper articles, there is much more to it than that.  It's not merely the subject matter that draws the reader in; it's the wording, the turn of phrase, and the personal stories that immerse the reader.

That's what happened to Mom.  Her reaction to the suggestion was the half-hearted comment "I think I've seen this guy on TV" but I prevailed.  (She also wasn't too excited about the other choices I presented to her.)  Less than ten minutes later, I heard her laughing.  Walking past her in my kitchen, it was instantly apparent to me that she was now lost to me until I dragged her out of the house for lunch.

On the way to lunch I asked her what she thought about the book.  Her response, "I'm going to have to buy that book when I get home.  That guy can write."  A ringing endorsement from a discerning lifetime reader who owns a Kindle.  Now that we've reached the age when downloading a book is more convenient than owning a book, it's reassuring to know that there remains those people who know what's important. When a book fills the dual need of entertainment and information, it's worth keeping on your actual bookshelf.