There's no denying it.  The zombie apocalypse is upon us--at least judging by this recent crop of zombie books.  Our final challenge is to read a book about zombies.  It can be funny or scary, but it's finally time to face them.

How long would you survive the zombie apocalypse?

Ajvide Lindqvist, John. Handling the Undead (F)

Beamer, Amelia. The Loving Dead (F)

Brallier, Max. Can You Survive the Zombie Apocalypse?
(NEW F)

There's nothing like a good thriller for beach reading.   This week is pure adrenaline rush and your challenge is to read a fast-paced thriller from our list or of your choice. Looking over your shoulder occasionally or staying up all night to finish it is entirely permissable.   As Michael Jackson put it:

You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it!

Baldacci, David. Winner (MYS)

Child, Lee. 61 Hours (MYS)

Child, Lincoln. Terminal Freeze (F)

There has been a publishing trend toward combining classic characters with zombies or other supernatural characters.  If you enjoy the original character and don't mind some monster interaction, you may have fun with this week's theme.  This week's challenge is to read one of these, or other books that combine classic literature with a little creepy fun.

Classic Literature--Now with 100% More Monster!

Brown, Eric and H.G. Wells. War of the Worlds, Plus Blood, Guts, and Zombies (SF)

Still on our zombie theme, of course, we imagine that many of us, when faced with a zombie, might just turn and run.  Of course all you brave zombie hunters will have alternative plans.  Your challenge is to consider your zombie plan while reading one of these or other books with the word "Run" in the title (just in case). 

And don't look back!!!

Bloom, Elizabeth. See Isabelle Run (MYS)

Clark, Mary Jane. Nowhere to Run (F)

Frost, Scott. Run the Risk (F)

Sometimes it's hard to determine just who the zombies are. This week's challenge is to read a book about a disfunctional character or family.  As always, we're giving you some suggestions to get you started.

Keep your enemies close!

Bartok, Mira. The Memory Palace. (B B288)

Berg, Elizabeth. The Art of Mending. (F)

Cadwalladr, Carole. The Family Tree. (F)

Hopkins, Ellen. Burned. (F)

Karr, Mary. The Liars’ Club. (B K 183)

I'll be the first to admit that we sometimes get a little silly with our themes.  Still, we hope you have as much fun with them as we do.  This week's challenge is to read a book by an author named Shaun--however you choose to spell it.  As always, we've given you some choices to pick from.

Shaun, Shawn, or Sean?

Chercover, Sean. Big City, Bad Blood (MYS)

Connery, Sean. Being a Scot (941.1 C752)

Doolittle, Sean. Safer (F)

Greer, Andrew Sean. The Story of a Marriage (F)

Who knows where the zombies will come from.  Are they from Earth or somewhere else?  This week's challenge is to read a science fiction book.  We're giving you a few recommendations to get you started.

Keep your eye on the sky...they're coming!

Calder, Richard.  The Twist (SF)

Flynn, Michael. Eifelheim (SF)

Mandery, Evan. First contact, or, It's later than you think (F)

Meyer, Stephenie. The Host (SF)

Niven, Larry. Footfall (SF)

Sagan, Carl. Contact (SF)

It has to start somewhere.  For week one, we challenge you to read the first book in a series.  We're giving you some suggestions just for fun, and as always, you're welcome to choose any book of 100 pages or more from our collection to read or listen to to fulfill your summer reading goal.

It begins...

Chiaverini, Jennifer. Quilter’s Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts) (F)

Fforde, Jasper.  Eyre Affair (Thursday Next series) (MYS)

Harris, Charlaine. Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse series) (MYS)