July Drawing Winner

Twenty, thirty years from now, we will look back and remember, foremost, that on this day Hernan J. of Detroit won the July Breadline Books drawing. Somewhere in the neurotic network of folds and grooves in our brains there will always be the memory of simple Hernan taking home not only a paperback East of Eden, but also this grammatically incorrect yet tastefully two-dimensional computer game trophy. Congrats, Hernan, you're legend!

Hernan had no comments on the trophy, but said this about the Steinbeck novel:

"A friend recommended I read some Steinbeck after finding out I was never assigned his books in school.... I've been trying to expand my literary horizons by reading through books that I should have read during school. Usually, all the books that were assigned felt like a chore to read."

Sadly, this does signify that the July breadline is now closed. However, watch for an August reopening very soon!

July Winner #2

Karen.

That's the name of the person who won the second book for July. According to Wikipedia, Karen means "a man-made pile of stones."

Just kidding! That's a cairn. But I do enjoy hiking.

Karen wants to read Mr. Monster, by Dan Wells. I had never heard of the guy, but Karen thinks he is pretty cool.

"I was introduced to this author through a writing podcast he hosts with a few other authors," Karen says. "When he described his first book as 'a teenage Dexter in an episode of the X-files,' I knew I'd like it. I loved the first one, and would like to find out what happens next!"

July Winner #1

Medha H. was first in line this month, and even bragged about it in the subject field of her email. I like that kind of enthusiasm! She also chose a very interesting book, My Family and Other Animals, by Gerald Durrell.

According to Wikipedia, Durrell hiked up and down the 1940s and '50s collecting wild animals for zoos. I can't think of a more manly career.

Medha says, "If you haven't read this book already, you simply MUST. It's hilarious and heart-warming. I've loved it since I was young and I remember wanting it to never end while I was reading it."

Now I really want to read this book. Thanks for the great pick, Medha!

May Breadline Winner #2, data centers, utility closets...

If you haven't already heard, a lad going by the name of Nathan won the second book of the May Breadline, and if you also haven't heard, it is now July. Explanation: Recently technology giant Apple opened a 500,000 square foot data center in Maiden, North Carolina, second only in computing power to Breadline Books' very own server base, located in nearby Chapel Hill in a utility closet in a freshman dormitory at UNC. Regular campus closings left Breadline Books electricity-less and with nowhere to run except straight into the wrong side of the bolt-locked cold wooden door. Dark and stuffy.

All summer.

But gratefully a new group of kids have re-inhabited the halls for yet another year. Well, I think so. No one has unlocked the door. At least there's power now.

Moving on to our second May Breadline Books winner, Nathan... or should I say Peter Parker? Pete, you're not fooling anyone with that Spider-Man Noir: Eyes Without a Face book. You might as well have worn the mask. Come on, hiding your face with a book written about yourself about how you always must hide your face? Who does that?

Anyway, if you're still reading this after all of that, you might be interested in knowing that the Breadline is open again. If you don't know how to get in the breadline, click here.