What did you read this summer?

I'm still having a hard time not putting on a Summer Reading Program t-shirt before coming to work. While I'm still adjusting to life after the SRP, I've been looking over the book reviews that were entered at the Waverly Branch by teams Curie and Einstein. The branch had 41 adults sign up for the SRP, and they entered 214 reviews. Each form asked the reviewer to assign a rating of 1 to 4 stars for each item. The breakdown was: 106 four-star (Loved it!) ratings, 80 three-star (Liked it) ratings, 25 two-star (Just OK) ratings, 2 one-star (BOO!) ratings, and one entry with no stars chosen.

The four-star reviews covered a wide range of materials, ranging from both adult and children's classics to the library's Facebook page, blog, and Freegal music download service. Multiple books by Gillian Flynn and John Green (and the movie of The Fault in Our Stars) made the list, as did one by local author (and branch patron) Nancy Paul. I thought it might be interesting to post a few random examples of the top reviewed items.

Frantic/by Mike Dellosso-Quite the page turner! This is the first of this author I've read. I plan to now read others. I will never look at a dropped note the same!!

Smoke/by Ellen Hopkins-Sequel to Hopkins' book Burned. It follows 2 girls struggle with dealing with abusive relationships. this story is written in poetry but also a narrative.

The Fault in Our Stars/by John Green (one of six reviews)-So well written. Joyful and tragic. Story of 2 teens dying of cancer. Revolves around the story told in a favorite book of the character, Hazel Grace. (Another review)-Finished in one day because there is no way not to fall in love with the characters. Green is able to weave comedy & tragedy as if they are complementary instead of opposites.

Nubby/by Nancy Paul- Good storyline but at times I got a little lost in the transitions. Suspense with a good ending. Christian fiction with Indy author.

Gone Girl/by Gillian Flynn- Love her style. A twist with every chapter. Excited for the movie to come out. Only disappointed in the last few pages - can't all end the way you want.

Dad is Fat/by Jim Gaffigan (audio)- When I read this book the first time, I remember thinking this could only be better if it was an audiobook. This year I found it as an audiobook and I was not disappointed.

Just One Thing/by Holly Jacobs- Loved this book! About just one thing that leads to many great things. Love these feel good books.

Facebook page- I just found out through the FB page that our team "Einstein" is down by 19 reviews. I just handed in two more. Hope it helps!

These are just a few of the reviews, but I hope they give a little of the flavor of the larger community of shared ideas and opinions that they represent. I've even had one patron ask if we could have a square on next years record sheet for books that received four-stars in previous years.

Keep reading,

Chuck