Latest news with #AmazingBookChallenge
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
One for the Books: Playing the game's half the fun in books that make you put the pieces together
Level up your summer reading list with this Amazing Book Challenge category: Are You Game? Whether you're a fan of board games, puzzles, crosswords or video games, this game-themed book list has something for every kind of player. Dive into stories where games aren't just pastimes, they're the heart of the adventure, the key to mystery or the path to unexpected friendships. Choose your title, roll the dice and get ready to play! To see the full list of recommendations and other Amazing Book Challenge categories, go to If you're always looking for that last missing piece, try 'The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers' by Samuel Burr. Abandoned at birth on the steps of the Fellowship of Puzzlemakers, Clayton was raised by a group of eccentric enigmatologists and now finds himself among the last survivors of a fading institution. When the esteemed crossword compiler and main maternal presence in Clayton's life passes away, she bestows her final puzzle on him: a promise to reveal the mystery of his parentage and prepare him for life beyond the walls of the commune. If you're a gamer girl, try 'Game On' by Seressia Glass. Samara Reynolds, a gamer and DEIA consultant, sparks an online movement after critiquing the game Legendsfall and its company, Artemis Games. Unexpectedly, she receives a job offer from Aron Galanis, Artemis's CEO, who's striving to make the company more inclusive. Tasked with improving the game's character options, their partnership evolves from rivals to friends and then something more. But when their relationship goes public, will they survive the fallout or face game over? If you're a reality tv show junkie, try 'Everyone Is Watching' by Heather Gudenkauf. Five contestants have been chosen to compete for $10 million on the game show One Lucky Winner. The catch? None of them knows what (or who) to expect, and it will be live streamed all over the world. When long-kept secrets begin to rise to the surface, the contestants realize this is no longer just a reality show — someone is out for blood. And the game can't end until the world knows who the contestants really are. If you've always got dibs on Professor Plum, try 'Board to Death' by CJ Connor. Ben Rosencrantz runs his family's board game shop but struggles to get his life to pass go, much less collect $200. When a local game collector, Clive, offers him a rare edition of The Landlord's Game at a suspiciously low price, Ben declines. Then Clive is found dead at Ben's door, along with a backpack of cash. Now the prime suspect, Ben must clear his name and find the real killer—or face jail for murder. And no amount of double dice rolls will set him free… If your ideal Saturday night is being trapped in a themed room with friends, try 'Escape Room' by Maren Stoffels. Told from multiple viewpoints, Alissa, Sky, Mint and Miles enter an Escape Room with one hour to find clues, crack codes and solve puzzles. But what will happen when the Game Master has no intention of letting them out… If you have a killer card game, try 'Cards on the Table' by Agatha Christie. Mr. Shaitana is famous as a flamboyant party host. Nevertheless, he is a man of whom everybody is a little afraid. So, when he boasts to Hercule Poirot that he considers murder an art form, the detective has some reservations about accepting a party invitation to view Shaitana's 'private collection.' Indeed, what begins as an absorbing evening of bridge is to turn into a more dangerous game altogether.… If you like a little word play, try 'Queen of the Tiles' by Hanna Alkaf. When Najwa Bakri walks into her first Scrabble competition since her best friend Trina's death, it's to heal and move on with her life. With Trina, the Scrabble Queen herself, gone, the Scrabble throne is empty and her friends are eager to be the next reigning champion. All's fair in love and Scrabble, but all bets are off when Trina's formerly inactive Instagram starts posting again. Its cryptic messages suggest that maybe Trina's death wasn't as straightforward as everyone thought. And maybe someone at the competition had something to do with it. If you have an extreme collection of dice, try 'Dungeons and Drama' by Kristy Boyce. Musical lover Riley has big aspirations to become a director on Broadway. But when Riley takes her mom's car without permission, she's grounded and stuck with the worst punishment: spending her after-school hours working at her dad's game shop. Riley can't waste her time working, so she convinces Nathan — a nerdy teen employee — to cover her shifts and, in exchange, she'll flirt with him to make his gamer-girl crush jealous. Soon, Riley starts to think that flirting with Nathan doesn't require as much acting as she would've thought.
Chicago Tribune
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
One for the Books: If May showers have you looking for spring flowers, check out these Naperville Public Library reads
Spring has sprung, and so have our books! Celebrate the season with one of our Amazing Book Challenge categories: Books in Bloom. Pick up an iris-istible book featuring a flower on the cover. These floral finds span every genre, from murder mysteries and blossoming romances to poetic reflections and more. Whatever you choose, these reads are sure to leaf you rooted in inspiration and blooming with new ideas! And check out the full list of recommendations and see the other categories at 'Tom Lake' by Ann Patchett Recalling the past at her daughters' request, Lara tells the story of a famous actor with whom she shared both a stage and a romance, which causes her daughters to examine their own lives and reconsider the world and everything they thought. 'The Haunting of Alejandra' by V. Castro Alejandra no longer knows who she is. To her family, she plays familiar roles — wife, mother, daughter — but none of them see the darkness consuming her. In her despair, she is haunted by the ghost of a weeping woman in white. Therapy leads Alejandra to explore her past and the life of the birth mother she never knew. As she uncovers the tragic legacy of the women in her family, she realizes the ghost is La Llorona, a vengeful spirit from Mexican legend who has haunted generations. But Alejandra has inherited more than pain. She carries the strength of her ancestors, and she must use it to break the cycle and banish La Llorona once and for all. 'By Any Other Name' by Jodi Picoult As a student, Melina Green was crushed by a harsh review that shattered her confidence. Ten years later, she finishes her most powerful play yet — about her ancestor Emilia Bassano, England's first published female poet and rumored Shakespeare muse. Fearing rejection, Melina's friend submits the play under a male name. In 1581, Emilia, raised in privilege but with no freedom, secretly writes while serving as a courtesan. In this dual-timeline tale, both women defy the odds to make their voices heard, even if someone else takes the credit. 'Blood Like Mine' by Stuart Neville On a snowy Colorado night, desperate single mother Rebecca Carter swerves to avoid an elk and gets stranded with her daughter, Moonflower, who's hiding a dark secret. When a stranger offers help, Rebecca refuses, but the brief encounter shatters the fragile life she's tried to protect. Now, hunted by a ruthless predator, Rebecca must fight to save her daughter from a fate worse than death. Meanwhile, across the country, FBI agent Marc Donner finally gets a break in a chilling serial killer case he's pursued for years. 'The Museum of Failures' by Thirty Umrigar When Remy Wadia left India for the U.S., he carried with him a deep resentment toward his distant mother. Years later, he returns to Bombay to adopt a child — and to see his ailing mother one last time. As he helps her recover, a mysterious photograph unearths long-buried family secrets, forcing Remy to confront his past and reevaluate everything he thought he knew about his parents. 'The Museum of Failures' is a moving story of regret, reconciliation and the healing power of empathy and forgiveness. 'Gardening Can Be Murder' by Marta McDowell Gardens — with their deadly plants, sharp tools and hidden corners — make the perfect setting for murder. Yet their role in the mystery genre has often been overlooked. In 'Gardening Can Be Murder,' author and gardening expert Marta McDowell uncovers the deep roots gardens have in crime fiction. Blending cozy and hard-boiled, classic and contemporary, McDowell explores plant-loving detectives, poisonous plots and sinister settings, showing how gardening continues to inspire mystery writers and their most chilling tales. 'I Was Told There'd Be Cake' by Sloane Crosley From despoiling an exhibit at the Natural History Museum to provoking the ire of her first boss to siccing the cops on her mysterious neighbor, Crosley can do no right despite the best of intentions — or perhaps because of them. Together, these essays create a startlingly funny and revealing portrait of a complex and utterly recognizable character who aims for the stars but hits the ceiling. 'I Was Told There'd Be Cake' introduces a strikingly original voice, chronicling the struggles and unexpected beauty of modern urban life.
Chicago Tribune
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
One for the Books: In honor of April Fools' Day, why not pick up a ‘punny' book from a Naperville library?
Book it to a Naperville Public Library and get ready for some pun with a punny title! In honor of April Fools' Day, we're highlighting this Amazing Book Challenge category that encourages you to choose a title featuring a clever play on words or a witty twist on a popular phrase. From a town that's constantly banning letters of the alphabet to a talking cat with nine lives, you can be sure of one thing with each title in this collection — it's pun intended. To see the full list of recommendations and to check out the other categories, visit 'Ella Minnow Pea' by Mark Dunn Ella Minnow Pea lives on the island of Nollop, named after Nevin Nollop, author of the famous pangram, 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.' When the island's council bans letters from the alphabet as they fall from a statue of Nollop, Ella must act to save her community from growing totalitarianism. As letters vanish, they also disappear from the novel. 'Heart and Seoul' by Jen Frederick Hara Wilson, a Korean adoptee, has always felt different from her white parents. At 25, she thought she had accepted it, but after her father's sudden death, a comment at his funeral sparks an identity crisis. She travels to Seoul in search of her roots, where she encounters a mysterious stranger, new family ties and a forbidden love that could either bring her home or tear everything apart. 'Home Is Where the Bodies Are' by Jeneva Rose After their mother's death, three estranged siblings — Beth, Nicole and Michael — reunite to settle her estate. While sorting through belongings, they find home videos that reveal a chilling memory from 1999: their father, covered in blood, and a dead body. As they uncover their parents' dark secret, the siblings must decide whether to confront the truth or leave the past buried. ''Til Heist Do Us Part' by Sara Desai A year after pulling off a high-wire diamond heist, Simi Chopra and her crew are back to struggling with bills. When a Mafia boss demands the return of the jewels plus interest, they must reunite to track them down. But the necklace is in the hands of a vengeful nemesis, forcing Simi to work her con to get it back. As she navigates a billionaire's mansion, a rival thief and a determined detective, Simi risks ending up in serious trouble. 'Fool Moon' by Jim Butcher Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, has been struggling to find work — magical or mundane — until a brutal murder brings him back into action. A mutilated corpse, strange animal markings and the murder occurring on the night of a full moon point to one thing: a werewolf stalking the city. With his supernatural expertise, Harry must navigate Chicago's dark underbelly to stop the killer before more victims are claimed, all while dealing with the dangerous creatures and forces that lurk in the shadows. 'Cat Out of Hell' by Lynne Truss Alec Charlesworth, a grieving librarian who's lost his job and wife, discovers a file of interviews between a man named 'Wiggy' and a cat named Roger. To his shock, Roger speaks — and Alec learns that much of what we fear about cats is true: they think they're smarter than humans and they have nine lives. Roger, ancient and wise, reveals a dark history that may connect to the death of Alec's wife and other local tragedies. But can Alec trust the cat, or is Roger part of the dark forces at play? 'The Pun Also Rises' by John Pollack A former world pun champion's funny, erudite and provocative exploration of puns, the people who make them and this derided wordplay's remarkable impact on history. 'Uganda Be Kidding Me' by Chelsea Handler Chelsea Handler takes readers on a wild, hilarious ride through her travel misadventures. Whether she's fumbling through a safari in Africa, getting into trouble in the Bahamas or escaping a German hospital on crutches, Chelsea's sharp wit and outrageous humor make every journey unforgettable. With stories of family chaos, missteps and her devoted dog Chunk, Chelsea hilariously tackles the world's most absurd travel situations. 'The Ride of A Lifetime' by Robert Iger Robert Iger reflects on his journey as CEO of Disney, where he led the company through a transformative period by prioritizing quality, embracing technology and expanding globally. Under his leadership, Disney became the world's largest media company, acquiring Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox. Iger shares the leadership principles that guided his success and highlights the importance of curiosity, thoughtfulness and a decency-first approach in shaping his decisions and Disney's growth.
Chicago Tribune
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
One for the Books: If the old adage holds true, two authors sometimes can be better than one
Two heads are better than one! Check out this Naperville Public Library Amazing Book Challenge category: It Takes Two. In this category, each title features a book by two authors who came together to create the ultimate writing dream team. Each member of these dynamic duos brings their own unique experiences and voice to the story, captivating readers page after page. To see the full list of recommendations and to see the other categories, visit 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows In post-World War II London, writer Juliet Ashton searches for her next book idea and unexpectedly finds it in a letter from a man on the island of Guernsey. As they exchange letters, Juliet becomes captivated by the quirky members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, a group that formed during the German occupation as a cover for breaking curfew. The society's charming, eccentric members, from pig farmers to literature lovers, become a central part of Juliet's life. 'This is How You Lose the Time War' by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone Among the ashes of a dying world, an agent finds a letter. It reads: Burn before reading. Thus begins an unlikely correspondence between two rival agents hellbent on securing the best possible future for their warring factions. Now, what began as a taunt, becomes something that could change the past and the future, except the discovery of their bond would mean the death of each of them. There's still a war going on, after all. And someone has to win. 'The Personal Librarian' by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray In her 20s, Belle da Costa Greene is hired by J.P. Morgan to curate rare books and art for his new library, becoming a prominent figure in New York society. Known for her taste and negotiation skills, Belle builds a world-class collection. However, she hides a secret: she was born Belle Marion Greener, daughter of Richard Greener, the first Black Harvard graduate. Passing as white despite her African American heritage, she must protect her identity in a racist world to safeguard her family and legacy. 'The Paradise Problem' by Christina Lauren Anna Green thought she married Liam 'West' Weston for access to housing at UCLA, believing they'd signed divorce papers after graduation. Three years later, Anna is struggling as an artist while West is a Stanford professor and heir to a fortune. To inherit his $100 million, he must stay married for five years, and with pressure mounting, he turns to Anna, his ex-wife. As they navigate his wealthy family's expectations, Liam questions if his fake marriage is worth losing the love that unexpectedly blossomed from a lie. 'Leviathan Wakes' by James S. A. Corey Humanity has colonized the solar system, but the stars remain out of reach. Jim Holden, XO of an ice miner, stumbles upon a derelict ship, the Scopuli, and unknowingly acquires a dangerous secret. As war looms, Detective Miller searches for a missing girl and his investigation leads him to Holden. Together, they must navigate tensions between Earth, Outer Planet rebels and powerful corporations, with the fate of the universe hanging in the balance. 'Has Anyone Seen Charlotte Salter?' by Nicci French On Alec Salter's 50th birthday, his wife Charlotte vanishes, and though the village is at the party, no one notices until hours later. While Alec dismisses it, their children grow anxious, and soon Etty and her friend Morgan find the body of their neighbor, Duncan Ackerley. The police believe he killed Charlotte before taking his own life. Thirty years later, Morgan returns to Glensted with his brother to make a podcast about the tragedy. As secrets resurface and a fire leads to a murder, Detective Inspector Maud O'Connor is sent to investigate, uncovering a terrifying new truth about Charlotte's and Duncan's deaths. 'She Said' by Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey For years, reporters tried to uncover the truth about Harvey Weinstein's treatment of women. In 2017, Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey's investigation for the New York Times exposed disturbing allegations, secret payouts and nondisclosure agreements. As sources came forward, a dramatic showdown between Weinstein and the Times unfolded. 'She Said' tells the powerful story of the journalists' work and the courageous women who spoke out for justice, future generations and themselves. 'I Will Always Write Back' by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda Caitlin's class assignment to write a letter to a student in Zimbabwe leads to an unexpected, six-year correspondence with Martin, a top student there. As they exchange letters about their lives, they form a deep friendship that changes them both. In this dual memoir, Caitlin and Martin share how their long-distance connection shaped their lives and made them better people. 'Dry' by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman The drought — or the Tap-Out, as everyone calls it — has been going on for a while now. Everyone's lives have become an endless list of don'ts: don't water the lawn, don't fill up your pool, don't take long showers. Until the taps run dry. Suddenly, Alyssa's quiet suburban street spirals into a warzone of desperation; neighbors and families turn against each other on the hunt for water. And when her parents don't return and her life — and the life of her brother — is threatened, Alyssa has to make impossible choices if she's going to survive.
Chicago Tribune
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
One for the Books: Sometimes short and sweet is what you want when you're reading
Start the year off with a fresh, new reading challenge! The Amazing Book Challenge returns for 2025 with 12 new themes designed to take readers on an unexpected literary adventure. This year's challenge invites adult and teen readers to step outside their comfort zones and explore new topics, authors and series they may not have chosen otherwise. For each category completed, participants will earn a button or magnet. If they complete all 12 categories, they will receive a special Naperville Public Library tote bag and be entered into an end-of-year drawing. To start things off, we're highlighting the category 'Short & Sweet' — read an anthology or a collection of short stories and call it a day! Here are a few we suggest. To see a full list of recommendations and the other Challenge categories, visit 'Endless Summer: Stories from Days That Last Forever' by Elin Hilderbrand Elin Hilderbrand revisits her most treasured and iconic characters in this magical collection of stories. Collected in a single volume for the first time, 'Endless Summer' ranges from fan favorites to original, never-before-seen works. 'MatchUp' edited by Lee Child 'MatchUp' takes the bestseller pairings of its prequel 'FaceOff' and adds a delicious new twist: gender. Eleven of the world's best female thriller writers from Diana Gabaldon to Charlene Harris and 11 of the world's best male thriller writers, including John Sandford, C.J. Box and Nelson DeMille, come together for an unforgettable anthology. 'A Place in the World' by Frances Mayes Though Frances Mayes is known for her travels, she has always sought a sense of home wherever she goes. In this poetic testament to the power of place in our lives, Mayes reflects on the idea of home, from the earliest imprint of four walls to the startling discoveries of feeling the strange ease of homes abroad, friends' homes and even momentary homes that spark desires for other lives. From her travels across Italy to the American South, France and Mexico, Mayes examines the connective tissue among them through the homes she's inhabited. 'One More Thing' by B.J. Novak A boy wins a $100,000 prize in a box of Frosted Flakes — only to discover that claiming the winnings might unravel his family. We meet Sophia, the first artificially intelligent being capable of love, who falls for a man who might not be ready for it himself; a vengeance-minded hare, obsessed with scoring a rematch against the tortoise who ruined his life; and post-college friends who try to figure out how to host an intervention in the era of Facebook. Along the way, we learn why wearing a red T-shirt every day is the key to finding love, how February got its name and why the stock market is sometimes just … down. 'Florida' by Lauren Groff The stories in this collection span characters, towns, decades, even centuries, but Florida — its landscape, climate, history and state of mind — becomes its gravitational center: an energy, a mood, as much as a place of residence. Groff transports the reader, then jolts us alert with a crackle of wit, a wave of sadness, a flash of cruelty, as she writes about loneliness, rage, family and the passage of time. 'Mouthful of Birds' by Samanta Schweblin Unearthly and unexpected, the stories in 'Mouthful of Birds' burrow their way into your psyche and don't let go. Samanta Schweblin haunts and mesmerizes in this extraordinary, masterful collection. Schweblin's stories have the feel of a sleepless night, where every shadow and bump in the dark takes on huge implications, leaving your pulse racing, and the line between the real and the strange blur. 'The Way Madness Lies' by Dahlia Adler 'West Side Story.' '10 Things I Hate About You.' 'Kiss Me, Kate.' Contemporary audiences have always craved reimaginings of Shakespeare's most beloved works. Now, some of today's best teen writers take on the Bard in these 15 whip-smart and original retellings. 'Our Stories, Our Voices: 21 YA Authors Get Real About Injustice, Empowerment and Growing Up Female in America' This collection of 21 essays from major young adult authors — including award-winning and bestselling writers like Amy Reed, Ellen Hopkins, Amber Smith and more — touches on a powerful range of topics related to growing up female in today's America, and the intersection with race, religion and ethnicity. Sure to inspire hope and solidarity within anyone who reads it, 'Our Stories, Our Voices' belongs on every young woman's shelf. 'Black Love Matters' edited by Jessica P. Pryde Romantic love has been one of the most essential elements of storytelling for centuries, but for Black people in the United States, it hasn't been easy to find Black romance joyfully showcased in entertainment media. In this collection, revered authors and sparkling newcomers, librarians and academicians, and avid readers and reviewers consider the mirrors and windows into Black love as it is depicted in the novels, television shows and films that have shaped their own stories.
