Sacramento Public Library discussion

Hello Everybody!

We all have our reading zones, some of us love to read Children’s books, other prefer books targeting a more mature audience, and we always have the in-between of Young Adult books. Well this month the challenge is to challenge yourself to read outside your normal comfort zone!

A lot of good books can be overlooked if we don’t look out to broaden our horizons (and hey, that’s what these challenges are all about right)? Maybe it’s time to read to find out how well The Hunger Games movie matches up to the book? How about a trip down memory lane and reading one of the many Dr. Seuss books? You already read children’s and YA books regularly you say? Then how about Harper Lee’s newest book Go Set a Watchman.

Looking for even more recommendations? We've got a few on the bookshelf below or you can ask the group.

Me, I will be listening to City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. I am hoping that I will find something new and exciting in the comments so please post below with what you'll be reading this month and any suggestions you might have for others to read. As always, one commenter will win an Advance Copy of a book.

Happy Reading!

I think I will try a children's book. I found Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed which looks intriguing and charming. It is listed as targeting readers in grades 1 -3, definitely not my age and not my normal reading material!

I am currently reading Rainbow Rowell's Carry On. But I do tend to read a bit of YA so it isn't really outside my age. Guess I will have to try a kids' book.

I am reading YA fantasy fiction by Cassandra Clare right now.

Yes Please by Amy Poehler in audiobook. I'm so excited :)

I read a variety of books for all ages Children's, YA, and Adult. I even read the occasional picture book but not as often as I should. Maybe try a non-fiction book instead? I am looking forward to reading Mr. Lemoncello's Library Olympics that is ready for pick up at Carmichael branch.

I decided to read Judy Blume's entire collection around Banned Book Week this past fall. I am almost up to her adult novels now.

It has been really fun rereading books from my youth, as well as reading some of her books I had never even heard of.

Ok we're about half way through the month, how is everybody's reading going? So far I've found City of Bones to not be what I expected, in a good way! While it does have some of the tropes I come to expect from a YA novel it also has some plot twists that I find very entertaining.

David wrote: "Ok we're about half way through the month, how is everybody's reading going? So far I've found City of Bones to not be what I expected, in a good way! While it does have some of the tropes I come t..."

David, I read City of Bones a few years ago and I found it to be a little underwhelming. Not my favorite YA book (or series) but a decent enough read to keep me (somewhat) focused.

I had to return my Amy Poehler audiobook due to the LONGEST HOLDS LIST, but I ended up listening to the entire I Hunt Killers series, by Barry Lyga. Serial killers, suspense, intricate games, and an eerie tone. Definitely not a series I would have read normally. #DontReadBeforeBed

I read China Mieville's newest novella, This Census-Taker, which, while not strictly a YA novel, is a book I think could be enjoyed by both teens and adults.

I enjoy reading YA books, especially if I'm balancing out a nonfiction book that I'm reading. The pace is usually quick, and character development can happen more quickly, as well. One of my recent favorites is Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor.

I'm adult-ish (I guess having 4 kids makes me one?) but all I read are middle grade novels, since that's what I write. I'll read a YA novel and count it as "outside my age." I'm going to read This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp. A few years ago, she and I were in a pitch contest, and this was the book that she entered with. It's awesome to see it in hardcover now!

Sarah wrote: "I'm adult-ish (I guess having 4 kids makes me one?) but all I read are middle grade novels, since that's what I write. I'll read a YA novel and count it as "outside my age." I'm going to read [book..."

Sarah, let me know what you think about this one! I picked it up as an ARC last year, and I couldn't put it down. It left me feeling very unsettled.

@sarah let me know your thoughts on This is where it ends too. I had thought about reading that one.

I'm reading out my comfort zone--Dave Ramsey's Total money makeover. I usually read adult or YA books. So reading a book about money isn't usually my cup of tea.

I just finished reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which, I guess, qualifies as a YA novel and "outside my age." However, as a child of the 80s, this book turned out to be right up my alley. Pure 80's pop culture bliss! : )

Michael wrote: "I just finished reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which, I guess, qualifies as a YA novel and "outside my age." However, as a child of the 80s, this book turned out to be right up my alley...."

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Ready Player One is one of my all time favorite books. It's fast paced, 80s pop culture relevant, and just all around amazing!!!! Great choice :)

and.........now I must go read Ready Player One!

At the moment I'm reading Coriolanus by William Shakespeare and it's quite entertaining and gorgeously written. I'm 16, so I'm not sure if this falls within my age range, but I recommend any one of Shakespeare's plays to anyone who might like them.

Katie wrote: "Michael wrote: "I just finished reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which, I guess, qualifies as a YA novel and "outside my age." However, as a child of the 80s, this book turned out to be ri..."

Thanks, Katie! It turned out to be one of my all-time favorite books as well. I really didn't want it to ever end! : )

Susan wrote: "and.........now I must go read Ready Player One!"

You will not be disappointed, Susan!

Michael wrote: "I just finished reading Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which, I guess, qualifies as a YA novel and "outside my age." However, as a child of the 80s, this book turned out to be right up my alley...."

As someone who used to hang out at video arcades in the '80s and played a lot of the games named in the book, "Ready, Player One" was a truly fun nostalgia trip.

I've recently finished "Winter," the last entry in the "Lunar Chronicles" teen sci-fi series by Marissa Meyer. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. The strong characters, moral complexities, along with liberal dashes of adventure and romance, give the series an adult as well as teen appeal.

John wrote: "I've recently finished "Winter," the last entry in the "Lunar Chronicles" teen sci-fi series by Marissa Meyer. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire series. The strong characters, moral complexities, alo..."

I'm a little over halfway done with "Winter" and I cannot put it down!!!! How do you think it compared with the other books in the series? Did you have a favorite?

Well that wraps up this months reading challenge! I hope you all enjoyed reading a little outside your range for this challenge. Our winner for this month is Sarah!

Sarah, let us know what you like to read (either here or through a message) and what library branch is your closest one. That way, we can send the goodies directly to you!

Just saw this!

I love reading middle grade novels, but I'm not opposed to reading an awesome book in other age groups :) The Franklin Library is my normal stomping ground.

Thank you!