Reading 264 Children’s Books
Thoughts on Being a Cybils Fiction Picture Book Judge
I’ve got 58 books in the hatchback of my Yaris. I hope to pick up six more this week.
I’m on a quest to read 264 books before Christmas. My plan, my hope, is to read and review every book and to share the best of these with a real live audience of children.
So far, I’ve read 179 books. Which sounds good until you consider that I’ve still got 85 more books to obtain and read.
So far, I’ve reviewed 119 books. Which sounds good until you consider that I’ve still got 60 more reviews to write just to cover the books I’ve read so far. Whew.
I knew what I was getting into when I signed on for this job.
This is my fifth year as a Cybils judge. However, in the past, I've judged the nonfiction Cybils picture book category. Eighty nominees to read and review seemed challenging at the time. But set that stack of 80 nonfiction books next to my stack of 264 books in the fiction category and you'll see that this year is a bit more daunting.
What are you reading today? Any personal challenges you're desperately trying to finish before year's end?
Oh, I love picture books, but the idea of reading and reviewing that many...is very daunting! But somehow, I know you'll do it....
ReplyDeleteAnd have fun along the way.
Here's MY SUNDAY SALON POST and
MY WEBSITE
I am not going to have time to review all of them on my blog...but I'm hoping to review more than 50% of them! I've been really enjoying the project, but yes, it is so overwhelming if you start looking at the numbers!!
ReplyDeleteReading that many picture books is one thing. But writing thoughtful, cogent reviews for each one raises that workload exponentially! Good luck.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Deb! I'm sure you're enjoying all of the books, at least I hope you are. :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. I love reading all of these amazing picture books.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that I love about picture books is the amazing drawings that the illustrators do; its almost like they are works of art themselves and worth the price to purchase them. I look forward to seeing your reviews. Hope you have a good day.
ReplyDeleteReading tons of children's books. What fun! Though I can't imagine what it's like to read so many! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThe reading part, sounds awesome, the sharing with children sounds fantastic too, the writing of reviews - now there is the challenge. Thanks for taking this on so you can share these with everyone that doesn't get to read them all themselves. I wish you the best as you strive to meet the challenge and hopefully enjoy yourself along the way.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I can't wait to read all of your reviews! I can't believe that you're reviewing them all. I just finished Brian Selnick's Wonderstruck so now I'm starting In This Light by Melanie Rae Thon. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the reading here is more like a marathon than a sprint, but each year I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how you make time for all that Debbie. I know you love it. But still, it's a big (t)ask.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun project for the end of the year. I love browsing beautiful children's books Have fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Deb, where are you reviewing the picture books? I didn't see them on this site. Rebecca
ReplyDeleteRebecca, I haven't posted any of the reviews yet. I will be on vacation all next week, so I hope to post reviews here, at FB, on Twitter, and at Goodreads and LibraryThing next week!
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