Another Great Challenge. This one from A to Z Challenge.
January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2011.
How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...
Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books
How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)
If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.
Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.
I've decided to do this challenge with author last names. Here are my tentative choices (with any cross listings):
A -- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galazy by Douglas Adams (Science Fiction; TwentyEleven: Back in the Day; Pages to Screen)
B -- The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (Science Fiction)
C -- Souless by Gail Carriger (Steampunk)
D -- Blue Bloods by Melissa de la Cruz (YA)
E -- The Girl with the Mermaid Hair by Ephron
F -- Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (Fantasy; YA)
G -- Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia (Fantasy)
H -- The First Princess of Wales by Kathleen Harper (Historical Fiction)
I -- Which Witch by Eva Ibboston
J -- We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson (TwentyEleven: Slim Pickings)
K -- Fallen by Lauren Kate (YA)
L -- Teach Like a Champion by Doug Lemov (Amazon's Best of 2010: Customer Favorites)
M -- Steamed by Kate MacAlister (Steampunk)
N -- One Day by David Nicholls (Amazon's Best of 2010: Editor Picks)
O -- The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O'Farrell (Amazon's Best of 2010: Editor Picks)
P -- Clockwork Heart by Dru Pagliassotti (Steampunk)
Q -- Personal Reserach by Cari Quinn (Contemporary Romance)
R -- The Death and Life of the Great American School System by Diane Ravitch (Amazon's Best of 2010: Customer Favorites)
S -- Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris (Amazon's Best of 2010: Customer Favorites)
T -- Shaken by Dee Tenorio (Contemporary Romance)
U -- Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger
V -- Steampunk by Ann VanderMeer (Steampunk)
W -- The White Mare by Jules Watson (Historical Fiction)
X -- Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (TwentyEleven: Back in the Day)
Y -- Love Me If You Must by Nicole Young
Z -- Keeping Katherine by Susan Zimmerman
With every book read, I will definitely post reviews.