Bookworms, rejoice! Summer reading is no longer just for kids.
We spent the last month working with the Pima County Public Library and several local book stores to put together a Tucson-inspired summer reading challenge — for grown-ups.
We're so excited to finally tell you about it.
Here's how it works:
There are 12 Tucson-inspired categories each with three titles recommended by local librarians, Bookmans, Antigone Books, Mostly Books or This Is Tucson staff. Every book has some sort of local connection — maybe the author calls Tucson home or the book is set in Arizona. You'll have to use your imagination with a few of the connections, but go there with us. We have our reasons.
We're launching the challenge this week to correspond with the Pima County Public Library's summer reading program for kiddos. That kicks off on Saturday, May 19. You can find us in person the next day at Analog Hour, a celebration of all things without screens at Exo Roast Co. and Tap and Bottle on Sixth Avenue. We'll be with the library's Bookbike outside handing out cute bookmarks and a giant checklist with all 36 titles. See them all here.
We're challenging you to read one book from each category or ALL OF THEM, you overachiever. Or just stash the list for later if you know you've got a crazy summer ahead of you.
You can share your progress with us on social media (find us on Instagram and Facebook) using #thisistucsonbookchallenge. We also have a Facebook group for people who ❤️ books and Tucson. Search This Is Tucson Book Club on Facebook or just click here. You can also visit our Goodreads group.
Here are the categories:
● Tucson famous (biographies and memoirs)
● Too hot to handle (romance)
● Take me away (sense of place)
● Cactus classics (local must-reads)
● Smells like rain (nature)
● The food desert (food)
● Once upon a time in the West (history)
● Honk if you ❤️ La Llorona (mystery)
● Hot topics (current events)
● Jave laugh (fun reads)
● Saguaro you today? (self help)
● the desert sun sets / beauty fills the sky tonight / so many pictures (poetry)
In August, we'll get back together — THIS IS HOW YOU GET YOUR PRIZE. Yes. There are prizes. We'll be giving away 50 super cute "Read Local" cactus book bags to readers who participated in the challenge. Come meet fellow book nerds and chat about all of the cool books we just read. We'll have more information about that event later.
You can keep track of your reading with this lovely checklist. You will be able to get a print copy at most library branches soon. Or come see us this Sunday and get a color printout and a free This Is Tucson bookmark while you're at it. More on that below.
We can't wait to read local with you this summer.
If you go
What: This Is Tucson Summer Reading Challenge kick off — come get free bookmarks and a checklist with all of our titles.
When: Sunday, May 20, 1-3 p.m.
Where: We'll be hanging out at the Bookbike outside of Tap and Bottle and Exo Roast Co. at Sixth Avenue and Seventh Street.
More info: Search #ThisIsTucson Book Club on Facebook. Also, check out our group on Goodreads.
