The Gentlemen's Gamble

You know I like when authors convince me (they don't have to try that hard) to read their books (if it's the type of book I would read). See my post from September 14, 2024.

I found out about a new series that came out this year written by multiple authors called The Gentlemen's Gamble series. The idea is that this group of friends make a wager when they're younger that whoever is the last to marry has to pay each of the others in the group 100 pounds. They kind of forget about it and then years later one friend writes to all the others that he has gotten married and reminds them all about the wager so it's a scramble for them all to get married.

A couple fun things about this series are: 1) the authors kept the release order of the books secret so we didn't know who was going to lose the wager. 2) each of the books have the same prologue but written from the hero of that book's point of view.

I haven't finished the series yet (I'm still two books away- I've listened to four on audiobook) but I do know the order of the books at this point. The series introduced me to a new author (and the last two books are from authors I have not previously read so I'm still waiting) and I got to read books from three authors who I have read books from before. One of them is Anneka R. Walker, who is one of my favorites, as you know.

In April, the authors held a Gentlemen's Gamble virtual event where they talked about the books and answered questions. It was pretty fun. Before the event they emailed BINGO cards so we could have fun catching little things that were mentioned throughout the event. 

They also did some giveaways and I won a tshirt. It says, "Team Gentlemen. Honor Intact. Hearts Compromised." 

I am enjoying this book series and I'm glad I found out about it.

 

 

Shout Out to the Librarians

I want to give a shout out to all the librarians (and other library staff and volunteers) out there, both past and present. There are a lot of different types from church librarians, school librarians, public library librarians, and many more. I have friends and family members who either currently work at libraries or have in the past.

I wanted to take a little time right now to say Thank You specifically to the librarians (and other library staff and volunteers) at the Provo Library and Orem Library. I've mentioned before some of the adjustments that have been made at the libraries because of the pandemic. I appreciate the work those at the library have put into things so my family can continue to have good experiences through the public libraries.

 

We've done online events, 

I've had good communication through email when something wasn't working on a library website, librarians at the Orem Library have asked about us since I never got to bring my baby in to see them, so many things. I did text this picture to Jeremy when he was talking to one of the librarians one day so she could finally see my baby. 

Thank You, librarians!

 

In February, librarians at the Provo Library shared book recommendations twice a week on Facebook Live events. You know my kids are huge readers so they're always on the lookout for new books to try.

 

Also in February, Jr. Jr. and I participated in a virtual book club together through the Provo Library (I mentioned on my February 13 post about it). We got to read a book together, Jr. Jr. created a bridge out of craft sticks, got a treat, and we were able to chat with librarians about the book. Jr. Jr. had plenty to contribute at the meeting and we enjoyed it.

He and I are doing another one this month.

 

The Orem Library in February put together Literary Loot Boxes. The three oldest filled out an online questionnaire about what kinds of books/authors/genres they like and the librarians put together basically goodie bags (in box form) based on their answers. There were stickers, buttons, pens, treats, and the librarians included books the kids might be interested in that they could check out. On one of his trips to the library, Jeremy was told that while the librarians were putting together the loot boxes, they commented how one of the kids had read so many good authors, then they realized it was a Telford. It's nice to be recognized. Even the junior high and high school libraries recognize Jr. and Nichole as big readers since they go in there so often.

Since Lucky was too young for the Literary Loot Box activity, I had him fill out an online mad lib activity that the Orem Library also provided. Funny stuff. Jeremy put together a box for him with pens and treats and things and checked out a book that he would enjoy.

When the kids opened their loot boxes, this was the number one comment we heard from them. "They know me." The librarians (and Dad) had done a good job putting together these boxes and the kids wasted no time diving into the books (including some they actually hadn't read before) that were included.

 

Jeremy is involved with a writing group through the Provo Library. It's hosted by one of the librarians and meets monthly.

 

Jet and I have been participating in virtual Storytime through the Orem Library. Not only are there songs and books during the weekly broadcast but they've put together a Storytime page with other activities on the library website. We've had fun with tissue snowflakes falling on our heads and we did some drumming with chopsticks on a food storage can (and later on everything else the toddler could find).

 

I've already posted about the Summer Reading Program and the Winter Reading Program with the Provo Library. Now we're participating in the Spring Library Challenge. We don't have to log reading minutes but we do mark activities that we do (including some reading). 

 

The librarians (and other library staff and volunteers) put so much work into making things go smoothly, we often don't even think about how there is a real person behind that library blog, that Instagram or Facebook post, that library website that doesn't just come into being. So to all the current and past librarians (and other library staff and volunteers), I say a BIG THANK YOU!

Chocolate Covered Dragons

December 16 is National Chocolate-Covered Anything Day. Jr. made chocolate covered pretzels for the family while Nichole had a Young Women Zoom meeting where she taught the others how to draw a dragon. Way to go, Nichole. Way to go, Jr. Way to #LightTheWorld by sharing your skills with others.

Jr. also made Christmas muffins (banana muffins with either green or red food coloring in the batter) to go with dinner. He even made a couple mini muffins for Jet. Jr. won't have his food class after Christmas Break so he's going to miss it and wants to make lots of food at home. 

It's the same feeling for Nichole who won't have her sewing class anymore. She wants access to the sewing machine so she can keep sewing things at home. 

NaNoWriMo

All November Nichole and Jeremy have been working on writing novels. 
Nichole is in a writing club at school. Since they are not meeting in person right now, the teacher is encouraging them to write and report on different challenges. November's challenge was to work on a novel for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). The students were encouraged to set their own goal of number of words to write each day since the usual amount of words may be overwhelming for students in school with homework, etc. Nichole still set a goal that had her writing more than other students. Good job, Nichole. 

Jeremy worked on the second book in a series he is writing. Both he and Nichole participated in some virtual meetings with other writers throughout the month.

My goal for NaNoWriMo was to read a draft of the first book in the series Jeremy's writing and take notes on what was confusing and what was good, etc. etc. etc. I reached my goal and I loved that book. I'm excited to see the changes he makes when I read it again. 

The other kids got some time to write throughout the month as well, just not as much as Nichole and Jeremy. It's fun to be in a family of readers and writers. You already know the creativity is there.