Remember to Register for the Summer Reading Challenge!

It’s been almost three weeks since Robbins Library kicked off the summer with the Libraries Rock! reading challenge. We’ve had countless registrations from adults, teens, and kids and we want to remind everyone that there’s still time to join the fun! You can catch up on your reading, entertain yourself by completing the activities in our double-sided bingo sheet, and win awesome prizes (including a $200 gift card from TicketMaster)! Still don’t know if you want to participate? Stop by the reference desk during the library’s operating hours and ask about the summer reading challenge – we’re sure we can convince you! After you complete the registration form, we’ll hand over a bingo sheet and your first raffle ticket (click here for more details). You can also register online (teens register here).

Continue reading for a list of recommendations to get you started!

May the odds be ever in your favor.

5 Musicals

1. Rent
2. Cats
3. Singin’ in the Rain
4. Into the Woods
5. The Sound of Music

5 Musician Biographies

1. Born to Run
2. Gold Dust Woman: the biography of Stevie Nicks
3. Paul Simon: the life
4. Girl in a Band – Kim Gordon
5. Pops: a life of Louis Armstrong

5 Music CDs from Around the World

1. Buena Vista Social Club (Cuba)
2. Rodrigo y Gabriela (Mexico)
3. The Voice of the Sparrow: the very best of Edith Piaf (France)
4. Black Ivory Soul – Angélique Kidjo (Benin, Africa)
5. Amore – Andrea Bocelli (Italy)

(Browse our world music CD collection for more options!)

5 Documentaries

1. Gasland: Can you light your water on fire?
2. Born into Brothels
3. Man on Wire
4. The Cove
5. March of the Penguins

10 Popular YA Books

1. The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas
2. Perks of Being a Wallflower – Stephen Chbosky
3. The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
4. Looking for Alaska – John Green
5. The Outsiders – S.E. Hinton
6. Scythe – Neal Shusterman
7. Matched – Ally Condie
8. Caraval – Stephanie Garber
9. Graceling – Kristin Cashore
10. Cruel Prince – Holly Black

YALSA 2018 Best Fiction for Young Adults
(Ask a librarian for more recommendations!)

10 Popular Book Series

1. A Song of Ice and Fire – George R.R. Martin
2. Millenium Novels – Stieg Larsson
3. Discworld – Terry Pratchett
4. The Wolves of Mercy Falls – Maggie Stiefvater
5. The Southern Vampire Mysteries – Charlaine Harris
6. Hyperion Cantos – Dan Simmons
   
7. Harry Potter (Literary Series) – J.K. Rowling
8. His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman
9. A Series of Unfortunate Events – Lemony Snicket
10. The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy – Douglas Adams

10 Popular Graphic Novels

1. Maus I : a survivor’s tale : my father bleeds history – Art Spiegelman
2. Through the woods : stories – Emily Carroll
3. Persepolis – Marjane Satrapi
4. My favorite thing is monsters. Book one – Emil Ferris
5. March – John Lewis and Andrew Aydin ; art by Nate Powell
6. American Born Chinese – Gene Luen Yang
7. Ghost World – Daniel Clowes
8. Transmetropolitan – Warren Ellis
9. Monstress – Marjorie Liu
10. Locke and Key – Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

10 Prestigious Literary/Book Awards

1. Nobel Prize in Literature
2. Man Booker Prize
3. Pulitzer Prize
4. Hugo Award
5. National Book Award
6. Lambda Literary Award
7. Michael L. Printz Award 
8. Alex Awards 
9. Edgar Awards 
10. Rita Awards

Other

• Check out a list of items from The Library of Things!
• Use a library database here!
• Check out TED Talks here!
• Listen to NPR here!