Kat with a K

Announcing the Kat with a K Summer Reading Program 2006

Remember summer reading programs at the library when you were little? When they would actually reward you for reading instead of playing outside or doing whatever else it was that normal kids do? Maybe you have kids participating in one right now, in fact. But really, why should kids have all the fun? Some public libraries do have adult SRPs as well, but they're not so exciting. But fear not! The first annual Kat with a K Summer Reading Program (for Grown-Ups) is here!

The Basics: Sign up. Read books. Review them on your blog. Meet your goal. Maybe win some prizes.

Goals: Set a goal for how many books you want to read this summer: June 1 through August 31. The minimum is three, or an average of one for each month. Pick a goal for yourself that is challenging but doable. If you'd like, pick a bonus goal as well: this is a particular task with which you want to challenge yourself. It could be to finally read Moby Dick, or to read something in a genre out of your normal comfort zone, or something in another language, or whatever. Bonus goals are totally optional, but will make you eligible for more prize drawings.

Prizes: Readers who meet their goals will get a printable certificate and a prize image to proudly post on thier blogs. In addition, for each book you read, you will be entered in the main prize raffle. There will be a bunch of prizes; not sure how many yet. And yes, there will be prizes for Knitters and Muggles alike. There will be some extra prizes too: one for the person who reads the most books; one of the person who reads the most pages; a drawing among the people who met their bonus goals. And maybe more surprise prizes along the way. (If anyone has something they'd like to donate as a prize, let me know.)

Reviews: So what are these reviews you have to post? Don't worry; it's not too scary. For each book you read, post at least the title, author, number of pages, and a short commentary. Feel free to post other information (genre, publisher, etc.) if you'd like. The reviews can be as long or short as you want; just make sure you tell us enough to show that you actually read the book. ;-)

Ready to Sign Up? Just e-mail me with the following information:

1. Name
2. Blog URL
3. Goal (number of books)
4. Any bonus goals
5. Whether you knit (so we don't send yarn to Muggles)

Then I'll link you in the sidebar so we can all watch your progress. I'll also make a progress tracking page, where I'll track how people are doing. (A little healthy competition never hurt, right?) We'd prefer you post the books as you go, or at least once a month, so we can all get ideas from what others are reading, but if you have to post them all at the end, that's okay. I'll periodically post links to particularly interesting reviews.

FAQs

1. But I don't have a blog!
Don't worry, that won't disqualify you. Just let me know that when you sign up and we'll work something out.

2. June already started. Can I count books I've already read?
Yes, feel free to count books you finished on June 1 or later.

3. What if I started a book before June, but finish it in June (or July or August)?
That's fine. (Have you looked at my sidebar?) Count them. You'll probably start some over the summer that you won't finish until after August 31, so it will all work out.

4. What about rereads?
Also fine. I have things I like to reread every year, and I know others do too.

5. How about kids' books?
In the interest of fairness, I've decided to count anything from "chapter books" on up in the main drawing. If you have a question about a particular title, let me know. BUT! Do post about the picture books you're reading, and at the end of the summer we'll crown a Picture Book Queen (or King).

6. Knitting or other craft books? Or cookbooks?
If you sit down and read it cover to cover, yes. If you skim, just look at pictures, or just use some patterns or recipes, no.

7. Are you playing?
I'm going to set a goal and play along, but I won't award myself any prizes.

Ready? SIGN UP NOW!

And, as always, let me know if you have any questions or suggestions.