Episode 28: Short stories on bestsellers, book notes and third-graders

Chapter 1 – Library Surprise: Beyond Bestsellers

Rilee Louangphakdy says that "bookworm" might not be a great description for him and that his favorite library resource is graphic novels. Even though he's a fan of the form, Rilee admits he doesn't always know how or where to find the next graphic novel that will capture his attention and imagination.

Then, Rilee says, he found Beyond Bestsellers.

It's a "digital bring-your-own-book club" led by Jackie Parker, Lead Librarian for Readers' Services. Each month, Parker and her team of librarians take a deeper look at a genre, book title or author. The goal is to uncover "read-alikes," titles and authors that are similar and may also appeal to readers.

In addition, Rilee says, Beyond Bestsellers encourages library customers to use the features in the Sno-Isle Libraries catalog to connect and share their favorites with other readers.

Links

• Beyond Bestsellers
• Bibliofiles blog
• "We Suggest" reading suggestions
• Rilee's TEDxSnoIsleLibraries talk
• Rilee and friends podcast episode

Chapter length: 2:51

Chapter 2 – Book Notes with Kristi Sheeler

A member of the Sno-Isle Libraries Readers' Services team, Kristi Sheeler is most often found traveling around Snohomish and Island counties on the Bookmobile. At those stops, Sheeler brings suggestions for her customers and she has two for listeners in this chapter.

"When She Woke" by Hillary Jordan is a dystopian novel that fits some of the political discussions of today. Kristi says that readers who liked "A Handsmaid Tale" might like this book. "When She Woke" is available as a book, eBook, audiobook CD, audiobook download and in large print.

Kristi's favorite book from 2017 is her next suggestion. "Everyone Knows You Go Home" by Natalia Sylvester is a story about a woman who marries into an immigrant family and meets the ghost of her father-in-law on her wedding day. Kristi says "Everyone Knows You Go Home" is about how the immigrant experience can affect individuals as well as entire communities.

Links

• "When She Woke"
• "Everyone Knows You Go Home"
• Sno-Isle Libraries Bookmobile services

Chapter length: 4:19

Chapter 3 – Spotlight: Third-Grade Reading Challenge

The "Sno-Isle Libraries Mega-Fun, Biblio-Trivia, Rockem-Sockem Third-Grade Reading Challenge" is a literary trivia program for students enrolled in public schools throughout Snohomish and Island counties.

In this chapter, Sno-Isle Libraries reporter Abe Martinez speaks with Joy Feldman, Lead Librarian for Early Literacy, and Jane Lopez-Santillana, Children's Librarian at the Oak Harbor Library. They explore the origins of the reading challenge and the important academic and development reasons it is aimed at third-graders.

The program encourages children to have fun and enjoy reading while honing their literacy and teamwork skills. After reading six books, children participate in in-school, semi-final and final Reading Challenge events. These competitive events are styled like a knowledge quiz bowl, testing the teams' knowledge of the books.

In 2018-19, 1,334 third-graders participated on 193 teams from 51 schools across Snohomish and Island counties.

Links

• Third-grade reading challenge website
• 2019 Reading Challenge video
• Understanding the reading challenge video
• 2019 Reading Challenge photo gallery

Chapter length: 6:31