1 down, 99 to go

I finished Blind Lake (by Robert Charles Wilson) today, and have started on book #2 on my Read 100 challenge, Peter David’s Darkness of the Light.

Blind Lake was a very good read. It was the first Robert Charles Wilson book I’ve read (I actually only picked it up because I was looking for his book Spin, which was apparently out when I went to the library), but it certainly won’t be the last.

What, exactly, does a gold library card do?

The Kanawha County Public Library is challenging its patrons to read 100 books this year:

In 2009 the Kanawha County Public Library system celebrates its 100th anniversary. To mark this event we’ll be offering special programs and displays throughout the year, plus we’re challenging our patrons to read 100 books.

Though the linked article doesn’t mention exactly what the prize might be, the book log says that participants who meet the challenge get a “special gold library card.” I have to admit, that appeals to me in a way similar to how achievements on Xbox Live or Kongregate will cause me to play games just to get a few points that are (ultimately) meaningless. I’d probably read 100 books this year anyway; why not join in the challenge?

Since only books checked out from the Kanawha County Public Library system count, I’ve only finished one book that might count (S.M. Stirling’s Dies the Fire), but since I actually checked that one out last year (and didn’t start reading it until Saturday), I’m not counting it.

Book #1, therefore, will be Robert Charles Wilson’s Blind Lake, which I started during lunch.