MCPL'S Librarians Read Challenge

January 06, 2011

On January 1, 2011, Mid-Continent Public Library began its 13th annual Librarians Read Challenge. From January to March 1st, on a strictly volunteer basis, the librarians are asked to read juvenile and young adult books as a way to broaden our horizons. For some who work for MCPL, this will not be a problem. We have already recognized the talent, imagination, and diversity of topics in these two sections, specifically young adult.  For those staff members who have not yet picked up a book by Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Suzanne Collins, Scott Westerfield, and many more Y authors, they are in for a book lover's fantastic journey.

At my particular branch, I'm challenging my wonderful co-workers to step out of their rut, and read outside of their comfort zone, myself included. I love all books, but I fall into ruts as well. I tend to read more social oriented books, or realistic novels. I have challenged myself to try and enjoy sci-fi/fantasy young adult books that appear to be the blossoming genre right now.

I hear these rave reviews all the time for books like Shiver, Finnikin of the Rock, Ender's Game, and Incarceron, but I have yet to gather the inner will to actually read them.  Now is my chance to join the thousands of millions of sci-fi/fantasy fans. I just started reading the Harry Potter series (yes that is how far behind times I am). I hope that by March 1st, I will be a convert of the genre. And when I see these books come through the library, I won't cringe with fear at yet another book I have been told is good. Now, I invite some of you to read outside of your book box and try a new genre. What's the worst that can happen?

Crystal M-S