By Jake Sexton
Our library system will soon start its Summer Reading Challenge, which encourages La Mesans to read more books, and provides special programs and events based on that year’s chosen theme. This yearly tradition benefits younger readers by keeping their minds engaged during summer months, and also serves to entertain and inspire all age groups. This year’s theme “For the Win” focuses on games and sports, so we’ll talk about books on those topics.
A number of popular video games for children have made their way into the book world. The popular building/adventure game “Minecraft” has spawned many books, ranging from titles like “Minecraft Blockopedia” and “Minecraft Hacks,” which give advice and tips on playing the game, to “An Unofficial Gamer’s Adventure” series, with thrilling tales of characters in the Minecraft universe.
Younger readers will enjoy the novels and picture books of “Plants vs. Zombies,” based on a goofy mobile phone app where cartoonish armies of undead battle a carnivorous garden. And although its dominance has dimmed, “Angry Birds” also has its share of children’s books, including the bizarre mash-up of “Angry Birds Star Wars,” where the game’s birds and pigs are combined with popular “Star Wars” characters.
“Unbroken” is the biography of Louie Zamperini, an Olympic athlete who’s career went off course after he joined the army to fight in World War II. But that is just the start of a story of his wartime exploits, capture and captivity in a vicious Japanese POW camp, and the rough path to survival once returning home.
“Rowdy” Ronda Rousey took the world by storm with her surprising victories in the male-dominated world of MMA fighting. Her new autobiography, “My Fight/Your Fight,” is a story as gripping as any championship battle. She faced all manner of health problems, family tragedy, and mental illness before she began the ruthless training for the Olympics and beyond.
The library will begin its Summer Reading Challenge on June 1, where you can win prizes and raise money for charity by reading books. You can also attend our dozens of library programs to keep you entertained and inspired during the hot summer months. Information at sdcl.org/src.
—Jake Sexton is librarian at the La Mesa branch of the San Diego County Library. Call the library at 619-469-2151; visit in person at 8074 Allison Ave.; or go online at sdcl.org.