The County Library discussion

Hello all,

At the library we have a fantastic resource to help you find books to read called NoveList. One of my favorite things you can do is search by appeal factors. You can look for books that are whimsical and upbeat, or angst-filled and witty, or other combinations you think up. I like to search a book that I love then check out the appeal factors listed there to find other books with those appeal factors.

You can access NoveList through our website, under the We Recommend tab. If you're searching from home, you'll need to put in your library card number.

This year, NoveList is also doing a Reading Challenge. So, I thought for our first challenge, we could also do NoveList's first challenge. Read a 2023 Debut Title. Using Novelist, you can search for "Debut Title", and then use the limiters to the left to update the dates to 2023-2024.

Here's a link to the NoveLists 2024 Reading Challenge, if you want to participate:
https://www.libraryaware.com/2339/Pos...

I couldn't find anywhere to go from that link. It seems like a pdf of a poster. I'm going to the Library's site and find it.

Does the list include children's books and picture books? Answer: YES IT DOES! Because there is a special NoveList for Kids.
Very Happy Reader Here!

I will be reading Minivan Mix-Up by Juliana Gaddis

The link didn't work for me, either. I have the website bookmarked so I used that. I
t was a fun search. I put in Debut Title, then off to the left side, I narrowed it down to fiction, adult and middle-grade, and mystery. I changed the list size to suit my preferences.

I will be reading The Wishing Gameby Meg Shaffer. That is if I can get it from the library before the end of January. The Davenports by Krystal Marquis is my other option if I don't get the wishing game in time.

I read Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling.

Sorry about the link. It could be that it opens for me at the library, because it can tell where I am with my IP address. So, the NoveList reading challenge was on the front page of NoveList. If you visit the database, it should still be right on top.

Thanks everyone for letting me know, I appreciate it.

It was hard for me to figure out how to find the books but I finally did. I am going to read A Most Agreeable Murder

I'm going to read Godkiller. I'm excited!

Linda wrote: "It was hard for me to figure out how to find the books but I finally did. I am going to read A Most Agreeable Murder"

This is on my list of possibilities for this challenge. Even if I don't read it for this, it's on my TBR, and I got it for a family member for Christmas.

I like that tool. I am going to read Banyan Moon by Thao Thai. I have been excited to read this for a while now, so this is a great opportunity to do that. I am very excited

I read Until Proven Guilty by J. A. Jance, the first of the J. P. Beaumont series. The first 15% and last 20% were good. I really like her Joanna Brady series, so I don't know if it's this character or it's her early writing that I dislike.

Like Carolyn, I too read Banyan Moon by Thao Thai, as it was on my TBR list and fit the challenge. Completed Jan 6.

I finished A Most Agreeable Murder. It was an unusual book but enjoyable.

I read Very Good Hats by Emma Straub, listed under debuts because it was her first picture book.

Carolyn wrote: "I read Very Good Hats by Emma Straub, listed under debuts because it was her first picture book."

I LOVE hats! I'm going to read this instead of the other one I had chosen. THANK YOU!!!!!!

Someone once asked why people put more than one exclamation point when one suffices. I argue that the number of exclamation marks reflects the level of delight.

Debbie wrote:...the number of exclamation marks reflects the level of delight."

I agree. I ALSO agree with capital letters being used to suggest emphasis. :D

I finished reading Banyan Moon by Thao Thai. It was really good. I would recommend it. I hope she writes additional books. I would read her work again.

Debbie wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "I read Very Good Hats by Emma Straub, listed under debuts because it was her first picture book."

I LOVE hats! I'm going to read this instead of the other one I had..."

You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it. And I agree about exclamation points.

Thank you, Carolyn for sharing the book you read! I too have read Very Good Hats by Emma Straub ( Review ) and enjoyed it immensely.

I found a website that lists debut authors for children's through young adult literature. He has links to Amazon for several. Here's the link to one of his 2023 pages.
https://www.literacious.com/2023/01/0...

I found several books on the list that are available electronically via Libby or Kindle.

I just finished It Happened on Saturday. It was powerful and emotional.

It looks like there's at least one Reader's Choice that would count, so maybe I'll go that route.

Britt, Book Habitue wrote: "It looks like there's at least one Reader's Choice that would count, so maybe I'll go that route."

Nice. Two birds with one stone.

I'm going to read The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell. A suspense thriller with a cooking slant.

I know this is off topic and I apologize. Elizabeth, do you know or can you find out what date the Caldecott and Newbery Medal winners will be announced? I found on the ALA January convention that it would be in later January, but that's as close as I could get. Thanks.

It's Monday--here's the link!
https://www.ala.org/news/mediapressce...

I read Match Point!, by Maddie Gallegos, before passing it off to my kiddos.

I’m reading “Chameleon” by Remi Adeleke. Pretty good so far. Hoping to finish by 1/31.

Debbie wrote: "I know this is off topic and I apologize. Elizabeth, do you know or can you find out what date the Caldecott and Newbery Medal winners will be announced? I found on the ALA January convention that ..."

Alyson is correct, it's on Monday! I think they don't have a specific date - other than early in the year, because I think they generally announce it at the ALA winter conference, and those dates move around a bit. But, it's generally near the end of January or the beginning of February.

Alyson wrote: "I read Match Point!, by Maddie Gallegos, before passing it off to my kiddos."

I love that it was good enough to share.

Carolyn wrote: "I finished reading Banyan Moon by Thao Thai. It was really good. I would recommend it. I hope she writes additional books. I would read her work again."

I agree. It was a good book and I also look forward to more from this author.

Only a couple more days to share what you've read for this challenge!

I read How Can I Help You by Laura Sims. She had poetry and essays published but this is her first novel. Weird. But it's set in a library, so not completely weird. lol

I read The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer. I picked it up on a whim from the Readers Choice nominees display and enjoyed it very much.

I had been planning to read The Golden Spoon, but it's still on hold

Can it be any 2023 debut title, even if we don't find it through the List?

Audrey wrote: "Can it be any 2023 debut title, even if we don't find it through the List?"

Being time is short, I won't wait on Elizabeth. The list is an aid but is not definitive. So even your title is missing from the list, it is still legitimate for this challenge.

Audrey's question brings one to mind for me, kind of a theme and variation. JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter. Then she wrote The Casual Vacancy which was touted as her debut adult novel and initially as penned by Robert Galbraith, pseud. IF it had been published in 2023, would it have been considered valid for this challenge?

With time growing short, and having been not well for a while, I switched, did another search on Novelist, and just finished reading "A Book for Bear," by Ellen Ramsey. The story was fun, and I loved the illustrations!

Audrey wrote: "Can it be any 2023 debut title, even if we don't find it through the List?"

Oh yes! Any book that was an author debut will work. :D

Debbie wrote: "Audrey's question brings one to mind for me, kind of a theme and variation. JK Rowling wrote Harry Potter. Then she wrote The Casual Vacancy which was touted as her debut adult novel and initially ..."

Sure. I think if someone switches genres, and had a pen name, it would count.

Especially if the marketing department is saying it's a debut.

Darin wrote: "With time growing short, and having been not well for a while, I switched, did another search on Novelist, and just finished reading "A Book for Bear," by Ellen Ramsey. The story was fun, and I lov..."

That's great Darin!

I finished The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer last night. It was a pretty good book, kind of like an adult version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

I finished reading Godkiller by Hannah Kaner. It had a unique magic system and unique characters that I found delightful. I hope to see more from this author!

Looking through the books I've read this month, I don't think any qualify. I was hoping to have stumbled on one.

Last day! Post your finished title by midnight to be entered into the prize drawing!

I apologize for the delay in announcing the winner for January!

Alyson is our prize drawing winner for the January 2024 reading challenge for reading Match Point! by Maddie Gallegos.

Congratulations!

Thank you--that's exciting!

Elizabeth wrote: "I apologize for the delay in announcing the winner for January!

Alyson is our prize drawing winner for the January 2024 reading challenge for reading Match Point! by [author:Maddi..."

Hooray Alyson!