Q&A with the Palos Park Summer Reading Winners

The Palos Park Public Library recently announced the winners of their summer reading program. Palos Patch talked with the top three finishers to learn a little more about their reading habits.

1st Place: Laura Wells – 35 books

 Have you always been a big reader?

Ever since I was a child I read a lot. We always had summer reading clubs for kids. I was very happy when Palos Park started an adult summer reading program because I had done that as a child and very much enjoyed it.

How long have you been participating in the Palos Park reading program?

Since the beginning three or for years ago.

What is your favorite book?

It is hard to say because there are so many. I like a lot of mysteries.

How do you decide which books you want to read?

Mostly I pick mysteries and then if I find one author I like, I then try to read all his or her books. I make a list of all the titles and try to read them.

Why do you think the library is an important resource for the community?

 I think it is a very important resource for the community. Not only because of the books, but there are films available. The programs that we have are also great. Lately, we have been having music or speakers and I find that very nice.

You and your husband both participate in the reading program. Does it ever get competitive between the two of you?

We read just for fun, there is nothing competitive about it.

2nd Place: Vivian Kulekowskis

 How many books did you end up reading?

 I believe I read 18 or 19 books. I seem to be in my car a lot so I do a lot of audio books.  I think audio books are just wonderful.

Do you rely on the library to get your audio books?

Oh, absolutely. Whatever I need I just give them a list and if they don't have it at our library they can get it from another suburban library.

Do you have a favorite book that you read this summer?

I just got turned on to Lee Child. He writes a series on a character called Jack Reacher. There is a new one coming in October that I am looking forward to.

Have you always been an avid reader?

Whenever I have a chance I sit down and enjoy a book.  When I am driving around in the car, or working in the kitchen I will have a tape or disc on.

Do you have a favorite book of all-time?

It changes every season. Right now I like Lee Child, I like his character.  I understand they sold it to a film company and I am looking forward to that.

What importance do you think the library has to the community of Palos Park?

I have some grandchildren who live in the area and I think the exposure to the library from three years old on is very important. I think it is important to read to your children even when their babies. The prism of your words helps them throughout their lives. Once they begin to read, it is a whole new world for them. I think that is how it happened with myself. I lived in Chicago and went to the Chicago public library, that's what we did. There were no video games, and even now I don't think it's healthy for children to sit in front of the television. Libraries are our friends.

3rd Place: Charles Wells

Charles and Laura are married and have been living in Palos Park since Laura "imported" him from England 21 years ago. Charles says that although Laura read more books, he probably ended up reading more pages -- a claim Laura is skeptical of. 

What was your favorite book that you read this summer?

This summer I read John J. Nance and any of his fiction books on aviation. I've really enjoyed those.

Have you always been a big reader as well?

Yes I have.  We don't have cable television, and in actual fact we probably read more than we watch television. I've always got a book.

Do you get most of your books from the library?

We usually go and get them from the library. Recently I just read some World War II books that are not in the system, but for a slight fee they manage to get them for me from various universities. It's marvelous really. I found these titles when we were in the UK and I was in a bookshop in Heathrow airport. I copied titles down and came and asked for them. I managed to read all of the ones they found in the system. The library is definitely a very worthwhile and important thing for the community.

Do you have a favorite book?

That is extremely difficult to say.  Before the program started I read a lot of ancient maritime books. I latch onto an author, pull their list off the web and latch on to the entire lot of their books.