All you have to do to join the challenge is make yourself a list of what you want to read. You may change the list at any time, add to it, take away yucky choices, or add books one at a time as you read them. Post your questions on the blog, so the answers will help other bloggers. When you finish a good book, tell us about it. If you provide a link to your actual post about a book, I'll add the link so others may see what you thought about the book. Suggest titles of books you run across, especially ones that you think are good. Share your thoughts with us by clicking on COMMENTS below any of the posts you happen to be reading, and I'll be notified that I have a comment.
I'll probably never know how many people around the world are doing this challenge, but that's okay. I think we should help each other, but many are afraid to post their names online. It's okay to use an alias or screen name. It's okay to be anonymous. But it's also okay to say, "This is what I think about the book." Then tell us. Was it wonderful? awful? so-so? a keeper? What did you like about it? I have a set of book review questions on my other blog ... Bonnie's Books ... which I should probably post on ALL my bookish blogs. You'll find it in the links below my icon: Book review outline.
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37 comments:
May I join this challenge? And is it ok to just add the book as I read it? While I have some in mind, I don't know exactly which books I'll be reading. Hope this is ok. Thanks, Bonnie for a fun site.
http://jottingsfromjan.blogspot.com
Jan in Edmonds ;-)
Jan, you may do this any way that works for you. When you find a good book about a particular state, let us know by posting a comment here, as you have just done. Thanks.
I would like to join this challenge! It may take me a bit to figure out my list as well. My blog link is http://lisalit.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Hello, I would also like to join this challenge. Is listening to books ok? I listen to books to and from work every day.
Sharon asked, "Is listening to books ok?"
Sure! A book is a book, no matter how you "read" it. Do whatever works for you, and please share what you read, whether it's a good or bad book. We want to know what's good out there. Thanks.
This looks like a great challenge. I'd love to participate.
I'm participating in this as well! For now, since I have most of my states unread, I'm kind of just listing them as I go. I think as I get further in the challenge, I'll start actually seeking out particular states to fill this in. Fun challenge!
http://readermandy.livejournal.com/2668.html
I would like to participate in this also - have my blog set up for this:
http://karabookprojects.blogspot.com/2007/12/book-around-states.html
Welcome, Kara. I'll come visit your site.
What a great idea. I've been looking for a way to get back to my American Studies roots, and this suits well. Also, I'm going to challenge our school librarian to see about doing this for kids books as well - might be an intesting challenge for the kids. Please sign me up and I'll let you know about the school group.
http://scarletsletters.blogspot.com
This sounds like an awesome challenge! I have a couple questions:
1. Is there a time limit?
2. Can you use books that you have read before or recently read?
Teddy, it's a challenge for YOU, so you decide which books apply. I don't have a problem with anything you choose. What I would like, though, is that you (and every participant) let us know here which books work for you.
Was it a good book?
Would you recommend it?
What did you like about it?
What did you dislike?
Tell us whatever you thought.
When you tell us about a book that relates to a specific state, it will be added to our list on the sidebar for other people to consider reading when they "book around the states."
Great, I would like to join this challenge.
I set up a post for it on my blog, to track my progress.
Here is the link:
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/02/book-around-states-challenge.html
Here are two books I came up with to cover two states and my reviews of them:
IA = IOWA: The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir by Bill Bryson
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2007/11/life-and-times-of-thunderbolt-kid.html
NY = NEW YORK: The Crazyladies of Pearl Street by Trevanian
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2007/12/crazyladies-on-pearl-street.html
I also read and reviewed Middlesex, which someone in this group already listed as an option for MI.
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2007/12/middlesex-by-jeffrey-eugenides.html
Here are more reviews:
GA: Rhett Butler's People by Donald McCaig
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2007/12/rhett-butlers-people.html
MA: Little Children by Tom Perrotta
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/02/little-children-by-tom-perrotta.html
MD: Digging to America by Anne Tyler
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/02/digging-to-america-by-anne-tyler.html
KE: Oh My Stars By Lorna Landvik
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/02/oh-my-stars-by-lorna-landvik.html
OH: Sula by Toni Morrison
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/02/sula-by-toni-morrison.html
VA: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Kingsolver and Steven L. Hopp
http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/02/animal-vegetable-miracle-year-of-food.html
I don't see a recommendation for North Dakota yet....Not sure this is really a recommendation, but certainly it counts from location standpoint: The Endless Sky, by Kathryn Davis. Link to my review is below.
http://scarletsletters.blogspot.com/2008/02/sunday-salon-february-10th.html
I don't see a recommendation for North Dakota yet....Not sure this is really a recommendation, but certainly it counts from location standpoint: The Endless Sky, by Kathryn Davis. Link to my review is below.
http://scarletsletters.blogspot.com/2008/02/sunday-salon-february-10th.html
Hello! I am a little late in coming here to post my reviews. these are the books I've head wo far for this challenge:
Illinois:
The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson
http://abookwormsreviews.blogspot.com/2008/01/devil-in-white-city.html
Florida:
Atomic Lobster by Tim Dorsey
http://abookwormsreviews.blogspot.com/2008/03/atomic-lobster.html
Missouri:
Bitsy's Bait and BBQ by Pamela Morsi
http://abookwormsreviews.blogspot.com/2008/02/bitsys-bait-and-bbq-by-pamela-morsi.html
Texas:
Gun Shy by Ben Rehder
http://abookwormsreviews.blogspot.com/2008/03/gun-shy.html
I left links for the reviews under the title of each book. I kon't know how to do the link thing in comments. Sorry.
Welcome, Sharon, and thanks for leaving the links just as you did. When the links "work," I have to go away from this page to the person's blog to get the URL needed for the posts about each book. This way, I have each URL right here, with each book you brought to share. In other words, this way is just a little bit faster for me, though it works either way. I'll get these up as soon as I can. Thanks.
I started a book group ay Yahoo with the same idea, but it is not going well. I may as well join your challenge. Judy
Joining in! Was wanting to do a "Read Across America" thing with my students next year....I should try it too LOL! Thanks for the challenge.
Lisa :)
http://borntobeadsblog.blogspot.com
I'm going to jump in on this one, too. I figure I will just add books in as I come across them. Thanks for a great challenge idea!
Hi Bonnie,
This sounds like fun--thank you for hosting it. I just blogged about joining your challenge at http://caravanaderecuerdos.blogspot.com/2008/08/book-around-states-challenge.html , and I will keep you posted (no pun intended!) about any future recommendations and/or reviews.
Actually, one suggestion I have for Texas that I think is really great is John Phillip Santos' National Book Award finalist, "Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation." A review of this on my blog can be found at: http://caravanaderecuerdos.blogspot.com/2008/04/places-left-unfinished-at-time-of.html
Thanks again!
I love this idea. Thanks for hosting this challenge.
I going to list my books as I read them.
Thanks again!
I'd love to join this challenge- I'd been thinking about doind something like this anyway. I'm glad someone's organized and running it. I'll be posting about it on my blog, but thus far, here's what I've got:
WI: Drowning Ruth by Christina Schwarz (my review is here: http://inlauriesmind.blogspot.com/2008/06/hey-this-is-fun.html )
CA: Self-Portrait with Ghosts by Kelly Dwyer (see my review here:
http://inlauriesmind.blogspot.com/2008/08/self-portrait-with-ghosts-by-kelly.html)
NY: The Honey Thief by Elizabeth Graver (see my review here: http://inlauriesmind.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html )
Definitely looking forward to this one!
Well I will start my list I'd like to do this.
This is awesome fun! I can't believe I just found out about it. Anyhow, I'd like to join, too -- I'm going to list my books as I complete them on my blog. I'll report back with any good finds, too. Thanks for hosting!
megan @ write meg!
OK I'm getting a bit confused. We have to read a book with stuff about the state. Like a nonfiction book of facts? Or fiction with a little about the state thrown in or what exactly. I misunderstood and thought just a novel set in the state was what we did so I did 7 but now I'm thinking that isn't correct?
Jenny, it can be fiction that takes place in a state. For instance, I put Snow Falling on Cedars as Washington. It took place in washingtion and made to real places in Washington.
I hope that helps.
Jenny, Teddy Rose is right -- and I had in mind reading novels when I set up this challenge. You choose which books work for you. My idea was that the location should have SOME bearing on the book -- partly because I enjoy learning about places as well as people when I read.
I would like to join, no idea what I am reading yet, but I dont' have a blog so will hve to post here. Lindy/CT
Welcome, Lindy. Let me know what you read.
I moved across town at the end of December, so I'm not keeping up with my blogs as well as I should, but I'll catch up eventually!
Please count me in. My blog post can be found here.
Thanks for hosting the challenge!
Hi! I'm up for the challenge! You can see my post here: http://steph3891.blogspot.com
Oh my gosh, look how late I am but I do want to join this challenge. It will make me read my big thick book "City of Trembling Leaves" by Walter VanTilburg Clark!
Barbara
I would like to join as well!
For the Four Corners states (AZ, NM, UT, CO), there are the many mysteries by Tony Hillerman. They take place primarily in AZ and NM, with occasional forays into the other two states. These mysteries, portray the various peoples of the Four Corners area with accuracy and respect. And they are great mysteries as well!
http://jacsuza1.blogspot.com/
Hi, I'm joining this challenge as well.
My main post re the challenge is at
http://www.duskyliterati.com/?page_id=720
My first review is:
NY: http://www.duskyliterati.com/?p=1223
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