A-Z Bookworm Challenge

lala1974

:wave:

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to put something out there for you guys to consider, not sure if this is really the right area but I'm so comfortable with the Cutting Back on Alcohol thread that I immediately thought of this area.

Anyway, I'm a huge bookworm. There is nothing I enjoy more than settling down with a good book (and previously a glass of wine but scrap that now). I love being able to drift off into an imaginary land where I can picture the characters and the whole environment that they are living in.

I think that reading has to be one of the only free hobbies out there (and it doesn't involve getting wet/windswept/frozen to the bone).

I'm mortified by the potential library closures. My heart practically stops when I walk into a library and find myself surrounded by shelves upon shelves of books that I can select from randomly and actually leave the building with them tucked under my arm without alarms going off because I've not paid for them! How fortunate are we to have such a wonderful resource at hand.

So, I am creating a challenge for myself. I will read books by authors from A-Z IN THAT ORDER! I'm going to allow myself 4 letter skips (QXYZ)?! Would anyone like to join me? If you don't want to do the A-Z thing then feel free to jump in and tell me what you're reading at the moment and what you're thinking of reading next. I'd also love to hear about any bargains you had on books! How about websites...I would look on Amazon for a used book if I was desperate for a particular book.

I get that some of you are unable to access libraries and may have to buy books but they are available online second hand or in charity shops/boot sales. If the challenge takes off there is also a possibility that you can involved in PM's to each other arranging book swaps, thus saving money and keeping costs to a minimum in the spirt of MSE.

I've made a bit of a start and have just finished reading my 'A' Author. I've picked up two 'B' authors today. The reason for choosing two books is so that I have the opportunity of abandoning one of the books for the other. I used to think it was up there with the biggest sins to abandon a book without finishing it, however, I've since learned that live is too short and it's a waste of my fabulous imagination trying to picture a book that I'm not enjoying when I could be using it on a book I will enjoy!

My usual genre is Supernatural/Horror so I'm trying to move out of my comfort zone and am going for Authors I've never read before.

So:

A is for Ahern, Cecila - The Book of Tomorrow

I've really enjoyed this book, I wondered if it would be more suited to the Teen Fiction area of the library but found has the makings of a good story. I'd definitely read other books by this Author.


I'm really not sure if this is any use to anyone other than me and if it will take off. I know its quite a commitment. If it doesn't take off I might start a blog to keep me on track instead. Any format ideas for the thread also welcome. Just jump in!

Also, if anyone wants to just discuss their library and general recommendations, that would be great to. No need to do the A-Z thing. Save Our Libraries. Not only are they wonderful for book lovers but they also offer opportunites and support for Mums/Dads/Toddlers, Free Internet Access, Meeting rooms.....endless.



Thoughts appreciated

Lala x

Swinstie73

What a great idea Lala, I used to read loads of books years ago and find I don't have the time anymore, well not so much the time but I end up watching too much tv. I remember years ago, coming out the library with 30 books and had read them all in the month I had them - and no, they weren't picture books :rotfl::rotfl:

I've read some Cecila Ahern already, does that count as a start?

I'm up for some recommendations as well, as I usually read either chick lits, or like you supernatural/horror - Dean Koontz and Stephen King are fab - ooh there is my two K's! *subscribes*

lala1974

Yay Swinstie73,

I can defintely recommend Book of Tomorrow to you then.
I've picked up Love to Death by Patti Battiston and The Ring of Death by Gyles Brandreth as my back up....oh, only just noticed the Death theme! :eek: It anyone has some thoughts about the two books I've chosen then please shout up too! :T

You can use the Koontz/Kings for your K's if you like...I'm a bit of a geek/freak and won't count any I've read previously. Whatever suits really. Just jump in and have a blast!

Lala x

ionahenor2

I'd love to join you. I have shelves of books that I haven't got round to reading yet usually because I find something better in my local library.

So I will try to read something I already have if thats okay and use the library for missing letters as well as authors books I've been waiting for.

I'll let you know what I'm starting with later. Like you Lala I've started to give up on some books rather than plodding on to the end.

lala1974

:T Welcome ionahenor

Good to meet you.
Really looking forward to hearing what Author/Book you're starting with.
Have fun!

x

ionahenor2

Well not much choice.......Jeffery Archer False Impressions and 2 chick lits Catherine Alliot or Judy Astley. I may have to call in the library after all.

lala1974

Hi Everyone!

Completed my B book and had to start on my back up B book because I've not managed to get to my lovely library for my C book! Should hire more out next time methinks!

So, I really enjoyed Patti Battison, she managed to roll 2 mysteries into one book seemlessly!

Loving my back up book at the moment. A real old fashioned "who done it" in a race against time! :T Waiting for the lead piping in the dining room with Professor Plum to make an appearance at any moment!

[STRIKE]A is for Ahern, Celia - Book of Tomorrow[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]B is for Battison, Patti - Love to Death[/STRIKE]
B is for Brandreth, Giles - Oliver Wilde and the Ring of Death

lala1974

Hey all!

Just found an excuse to go to my local library in lunch time and have hired out my "C" and "D" books:
[STRIKE]
"A" Ahern, Celia - Book of Tomorrow
"B"Battison, Patti - Love to Death
[/STRIKE]"B" Brandreth, Giles - Oliver Wilde and the Ring of Death (back up book I couldn't put down!)
"C" Corbett, Judy - Envy
"D" Davis, Will - Dream Machine
:j
Lala x

clodagh_trubble

Would love to join you in this, have a pile of TBR books, and will supplement with library books.

My 'A' book is ' Behind the Scenes at the Museum' by Kate Atkinson, and my 'B' book will be 'The Thirty Nine Steps' John Buchan, they fit with the other challenges I had set myself to read at least 26 books this year, at least 5 to be from the BBC Big Read List, so three hits with two books - perfect:T

lala1974

Welcome Clodagh

I'm looking forward to seeing how you get along!
I have read "Not the End of the World" by Kate Atkinson and can highly recommend it - its a series of short stories, so I'm looking forward to hearing how you find "Behind the scenes at the Museum"!

Lala x

Swinstie73

Hiya,

Well, got my first two books at the weekend, both from a charity shop, one brand new. Needed something to read whilst sitting in a coffee shop on my ownsome waiting on OH.

Austin, Jane - Emma (have never read any JA books I'm ashamed to say)
Brown, Dan - Deception Point

Going to try and read books by authors I've not already read - although I have read Da Vinci Code.