Summer Reading Program

We’re at the library at least once and usually twice a week all summer long. The Deschutes Public Library has a great kids’ program and, surprisingly, an adult summer reading program as well. Adults who read for three hours get a free book. I got the latest from C. J. Box, a mystery author whose books I’ve reviewed before.

In addition there’s a Bingo card to fill out. Each box is either a different type of book to read or an activity associated with the library or reading. For each Bingo you make you’re entered in a drawing to win a Nook eReader. I have no plans to buy an eReader. but I wouldn’t mind one for free - especially one that is compatible with eBooks available at the library.

The Bingo squares take me out of my reading comfort zone. One square requires reading a graphic novel. I’ve read a few of these, like Maus: a survivor’s tale and Good Eggs, which are more like illustrated memoirs. This time I randomly went on the web and picked one that is supposed to be one of the best graphic novels of all time, Watchmen. This is what I would think of as a comic book. The superheroes are much darker than those I watched growing up, i.e. the Superfriends. So far it has helped me get a Rorschach reference that I would have otherwise completely missed on Facebook. The most interesting character in the book is Dr. Manhattan, who was exposed to nuclear radiation, disintegrated, somehow regenerated and is now America’s weapon. I don’t know enough about the comic book world to know whether all these characters were created anew for this book or were old favorites, but the authors do make it seem to be a complete world.

I might have trouble getting through all the library Bingo squares. One is a suggestion from a librarian. Even as the librarian I asked was giving me a reading suggestion he mentioned how he didn’t like the book. Do I have to read it or should I get a different suggestion or does just getting the suggestion count? I’d love to hear from others whether it is common practice to have adult reading programs at libraries.