It's a Bust!

Sorry Guys! I really let the Southern Reading Challenge die this year. I ran one contest and sent out one thing of pecans; although, I drew for two more peeps. My heart just wasn't into it.

I personally killed it by choosing an easier way to write my weekly articles for the summer. By using a travel theme, I was assured a built in opening paragraph. Y'all have no idea! It takes me literally hours to get that first paragraph, but then the rest usually falls into place. Well, by choosing the travel theme, it meant I had to do places other than my backyard - other than Southern! Stupid!

Here is Mister Linky for that last review and wrap-up. No need to do a separate post. I don't deserve it! Blogger and author Keetha DePriest Reed, autographed her latest book, More Culinary Kudzu: Recollections & Recipes from Growing Up Southern for a prize! Keetha blogs at Write Kudzu and is a newlywed! Here is a little interview I found for her. Find reviews here.

It's a Bust!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2009/08/its-bust.html

Friday Winners!

We have some winners!

That's raight! My lazy butt forgot to draw last Friday! I would say there has been a slow start on my part to the challenge. So sorry!

I'd like to talk with you about sum maintenance. In the sidebar you can see the SRCIII button and "Sign Up" and "First Review" underneath which are highlighted. Click the highlight and go directly to that post. Don't feel like you cannot participate because you missed a post. I made it easy and will continue with the contests in the same manner until the end of the challenge. This way our first contest "Haiku Review" can be entered multiple times during the summer for a chance at a hardback Mudbound signed by the lovely Hillary Jordan. Please visit fellow southern bloggers and Good Luck!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:
17 JMNLman @ Strategist Personal Library

29 Amelia @ Books Love Us
Timestamp: 2009-06-05 14:45:24 UTC

Friday Winners!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2009/06/friday-winners.html

Book Report Due June 15!

First review time and Jill and Scrap Girl are ready!

To help with the conversation try to do a specific url on Mister Linky.

What?!?

Chill, it is real easy to do. Click the title of the post and a unique web address will appear in the www area. Copy and paste the address into Mister Linky and Timbo is your uncle! On June 15, I will choose a random number for pecans! Good Luck! Oh, and please visit the other reviewers. ;)

Book Report Due June 15!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2009/05/book-report-due-june-15.html

First Week of Southern Living

Southern Reading

and the Livin' is Easy!

Hope you got a chance to start on one of your chosen books this week. Stella at Growing with Stella discovered Harry Crews' Blood and Grits this week and is enjoying her cross country 70s tour. Blood and Grits is a collection of nonfiction essays written for magazines like Playboy and Esquire. She now knows why Harry Crews is called the Father of the Rough South. A genre that is also known as Grit Lit or Dirty South. :D

I read Classic Crews: A Harry Crews Reader and loved it, but will say his writing is an acquired taste. He likes to shock and awe in a quite unnerving way. Others in this genre include the late Larry Brown, Tim McLaurin and Daniel Woodrell. My mouth was fly appealingly open after finishing Woodrell's The Death of Sweet Mister. A book I read but choose not to write about for the newspapers.

In the south, Sundays are spent at church and then eating lunch with the family. Growing up our routine was early church followed by Sunday school then a quick trip home where we changed clothes and headed to Sweetheart and Papa's house for dinner. If we decided not to have dinner we would show around 3:00 p.m. for a visit.

I challenge y'all to go on a visit this Sunday. Visit at least five other Southern Readers and get to know them. Tell 'um Maggie sent ya!

This Week's Winner!
8
Vasilly at 1330v!

First Week of Southern Living

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2009/05/first-week-of-southern-living.html

The Bird!

Welcome to All

Southern Reading
Challenge Participants!

I hope you crack open a favorite or soon to be favorite Southern book this afternoon and enjoy reading in the sun! I read some snippets out of Jenny Bond and Chris Sheedy's Who the Hell is Pansy O'Hara? on the back porch this morning, and got tickled while reading the To Kill a Mockingbird chapter. Harper Lee fondly refers to the book as The Bird.

Lee in an early interview, before she became recluse, talks about our unique southern way of life. "There is a very definite social pattern in these towns that fascinates me. I think it is a rich social pattern. I would simply like to put down all I know about this because I believe that there is something universal in this little world, something decent to be said for it, and something to lament in its passing. In other words all I want to be is the Jane Austen of south Alabama."

I am so excited for those of you reading To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time. Please be sure to share!

So far there are 57 of you! YAY! On the sidebar is a blog roll of southern challengers. Please click a blog and go a visitin'! Tell 'um Maggie sent you! Oh, Kim in Ohio! Your link does not work! Please sign-up again on Mister Linky!
'
I'll be giving away magnolia pecans and autographed copies of southern books again this year! Be sure to sign up or play along with the contest for a chance to win!

This Week's Winner!
31

Jessica Leigh at Paperback Passion!

Random numbers generated May 16 2009 at 15:4:21 by http://www.psychicscience.org/. Free educational resources for parapsychology, psychical research & mind magic.

The Bird!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2009/05/bird.html

Southern Reading Challenge Three!

It's that time of year!

The time when you pour a glass of lemonade or sweet tea and take your official summer spot on the porch. Lean back in that chase lounge surrounded by geraniums and ferns, and begin the summer long journey into Southern culture.

Yes, it's hot!

Yes, it does get uncomfortable, but it is well worth the effort as you discover our unique "Southern" point of view.

You may choose to read any style of Southern book such as Appalachian tales, Civil War sagas, Gothic myths, Grit lit, and heart-wrenching biographies. Click here for ideas. Just as long as you read three (fiction or nonfiction) between May 15th and August 15th.

I plan weekly drawings and contests like last year, but I might steer away from the $50 pecans. Money's tight!

To get started, sign on Mister Linky with a url specific address back to your 3 books post and join me on the porch!

Thank yew!

Southern Reading Challenge Three!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2009/05/southern-reading-challenge-three.html

Mule Time!

Hubby blurted out, "Five!" on his way to the volunteer fire fighters meeting tonight!

Congratulations, Wisteria of A Bookworm's Dinner! You are the winner of a slightly read, first edition Dirty Work by Larry Brown.

When hubby gets back we will draw for Southern books! Stay Tuned!

Mule Time!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/09/mule-time.html

Four More Days!

Awraight people!

Time to get busy and give away some pecans and a southern book!

April at Cafe of Dreams won the autograph copy of Finn by Jon Clinch in the Name Your Blues contest with this entry Moody An Lovin Mama! Congrats Gurl!

The last time my hubby drew names for the pecans was July 11, so I'm way behind. Shame! I need to draw four names, and I thought I would go ahead and draw for this coming Friday's too.

1. #46 Jmnlman at Strategist's Personal Library
2. #12 Becky at Becky's Book Review
3. #35 TX Mommy at Too Many to Count
4. #37 Patti at Books Make Life Better
5. #24 Mary at Bookfan

Congratulations Y'all!

Four More Days!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/08/four-more-days.html

Wrap It Up!

Hello Southern Travelers!

I'm currently in the Northern Woods; far, far away from the maddening heat and humidity of Mississippi. So, contact with my wonderful bloggy friends (you, you, and you) is limited.

I thought I would go ahead and place the wrap-up post and Mister Linky for those of you who ran through the challenge like hot butter.

Please, write a lovely post on how the books moved you, possibly made you sweat, or bored you to tears. Then leave the post specific URL on Mister Linky. And, as always,visit around!

Reminder! The Name Your Blues contest ends tonight at 12:00 am sharp!

Note: The first Holiday Inn opened in the Berclair area of Memphis in 1952 by Kemmons Wilson.

Wrap It Up!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/07/wrap-it-up.html

Stop and Smell the Second Reviews!

Don't panic if you haven't finished your first book!

This is for those who have sped ahead;

possibly, reading their third southern book.

Don't miss the Southern Haiku Contest!

Your chance to win an autographed copy of Mudbound

by Hillary Jordan ends June 7!

More contest to come such as the Sense of Place and Dead Mule List.

So please, pace yourself for the long hot summer!

Author Jon Clinch promises 2 autographed copies of Finn, too!

I'll need to get out the Mark Twain bust for him.

Stop and Smell the Second Reviews!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/06/stop-and-smell-second-reviews.html

Snail Bait Estate!

And the first autographed Mudbound goes to J. Kaye at J. Kaye's Book Blog for (Don't spill your morning coffee J. Kaye!)

Snail Bait Estate!

I wish to thank everyone for participating. It has been a blast reading these entries. All Y'All deserve a book!

For another chance, compose a Southern Haiku based on one of the books reading for the challenge. In this contest you may enter everytime you write a Haiku! Good Luck!

Snail Bait Estate!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/05/snail-bait-estate.html

Southern Haiku Contest!

Ready for the 2nd of 5 contests to win an autographed copy of Mudbound by Hillary Jordan? Note: One entry per Haiku.

Create a 17 syllable Haiku that reflects one of the southern books you are reading this summer. For simplicity, use the 5-7-5 format, as in 5 syllables for the first line, 7 syllables for the second, and 5 for the ending. Place your Southern Haiku in a post then leave a post specific URL on Mister Linky. You may choose not to tell the book title and let bloggers guess.

Hubby and I came up with two for To Kill a Mockingbird.

I’m pretty shure you can guess which one is his.

Atticus was wise
Scout and Jem looked up to him
Radley won’t say Boo.

Snarling dog in road
Afternoon A shot rang out
A biter lies dead.

The drawing will be June 7!

Good Luck!

Southern Haiku Contest!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/05/southern-haiku-contest.html

Faulkner's Memorial Day

I decided to go out to the cemetery to give my respects.

Brought my favorite author Larry Brown along.

Plenty served but I am looking for a Confederate soldier.

Boy, it's hot in this Mississippi Sun!

Let me ask my pal Stark Young.
Known Stark since Ole Miss, I roomed with him while in NYC.
He introduced me to all his literary friends; alas, no one signed me.

Finally, we found him!

Edward Ganes White

Born June 16, 1840

Killed at the Battle of Shiloh

April 6, 1862

Thanks for your service Veteran White!

While visiting today go see Ken at Giant Robots Make Me Nervous! He wrote an excellent multi-media review of Michael Shaara's Pulitzer Prize winning book titled The Killer Angels.

Happy Memorial Day!

Faulkner's Memorial Day

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/05/faulkners-memorial-day.html

First Review Linky

The critics have spoken!

Time to communicate with other Southern Readers!

Please leave your name only and a post specific URL address for the FIRST southern book read. This way people can read the review without searching the reviewer's blog.

If you are looking like I just spoke a foreign language, read on. To get the post specific address for your blog click the title or if no title click the time stamp at the bottom of the post. The internet screen will display the single post and in the address line will be the post specific URL. Timbo's your uncle!

First Review Linky

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/05/first-review-linky.html

Name Your Homeplace Contest

*****

Fair Fields. That's what Henry wanted to call the farm. He announced this to me and the children one day after church, clearing his throat first with the self-consciousness of a small-town politician about to unveil a new statue for the town square.

"I think it has a nice ring to it, without being too fancy," he said. "What do you girls think?"

"Fair fields?" I said.
"Mudbound is more like it."

"Mudbound! Mudbound!" the girls cried!

*****

~p 95 Mudbound

Enter the first of five contests to win an autographed copy of Mudbound by Hillary Jordan!

To play, look around your surroundings and create a name that best represents the ole homeplace. Hubby and I bat this pretentious tradition around quite a lot; lately, we have declared a stalemate over Weed Haven or Mole Rest.

When you decide, write a post about the new name and leave a link on Mister Linky. The drawing will be May 30! Here's your chance to put on airs and have fun!

Name Your Homeplace Contest

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/05/name-your-homeplace-contest.html

Y'all Ready for This?

Five Autographed Mudbounds Are Here!

Thank You, Hillary Jordan!

Author and Southern Reading Challenge Participant!

And One First Edition Dirty Work by Larry Brown (unsigned)!

I'm also talking with Finn author Jon Clinch...

So if you want to be eliable you need to sign-up.
Tomorrow we draw for Pecans!

Y'all Ready for This?

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/05/yall-ready-for-this.html

___Southern Reading Challenge Y'all!

UPDATE: Hillary Jordan, author of Mudbound, is donating 5 autographed books for give away during the Southern Reading Challenge. I think a Name your Home, Land, or Plantation Contest will be great fun. More to come...

To understand the world, you have to understand a place like Mississippi.

~William Faulkner

We moved to Mississippi in 1995 and I still don't quite get it. But, through reading southern literature in my rocking chair on the front porch, I'm getting closer to this sense of (strange new) place.

Come join me on the porch this summer and I promise you will meet some of the strangest characters you have ever read while scratching behind my big dog's ears.

It's time for our hot, sweaty summer of reading Southern Books! Are You Ready?!?

The rules are easy: 3 Southern Setting Books by Southern Authors in 3 Months beginning May 15 through August 15!

How can you pass this amazing challenge up? Incentive you say? A tin full of yummy tasting pecans will be sent to a lucky participant every Friday. I'll also be linking y'all's experiences as they come in, just like last year. Sense of Place Contest? Oh, Yeah! Dead Mule Society List? You Bet! Click here for southern book suggestions.

So, sign on Mister Linky with an address back to your 3 books and join me for sweet tea on the porch!

___Southern Reading Challenge Y'all!

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/05/southern-reading-challenge-yall.html

Published...

I'm a little upset. I read the article and it sounds convoluted. How can anyone benefit from this crap?!?

Please, I'm not looking for sympathy, I'm just being painfully honest.

I'm thankful the editor gave me this chance and I hope she doesn't get any flack for it.

The article is titled Reading + Blogging = One Perfect Summer Program. Sounds promising, right!?! Not!!!

It is based on the Southern Reading Program I hosted this past summer which includes a few of you bloggers. This is where I made a major mistake. I didn't use any quotes from participants. The blogs used include A Novel Challenge, Booking Through Thursday, Bookworms Carnival, and Reading Matters.

I wish I could feel better about this. :(

Published...

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2008/04/published.html

Ah, the Party's Over...

It's been a full week now and I believe most everyone who finished the challenge is displayed on Mister Linky.

Before I announce the grand prize winner, I would like to thank each and everyone who gave up valuable reading time to participate in the challenge; especially, in light of the brutal heat we experienced in August. I hope it simulated that Southern feel within the books read. I know my thighs stuck to the vinyl seats more than once these past three months. :D

HUGE THANKS to Deana of Friday Night Fish Fry for her donation of hubby's autographed, Southern books for the Sense of Place Contest and the final drawing. My hubby keeps picking up Mobil Home and I, with sadistic enjoyment, keep slapping his eager, ready-to-read hands. :D

Friday Night Pecan Winners for the past two weeks weren't announced, thus Mo of Inside Mo's Mind and Heidijane of Adventures in Bookland have some 'cans coming there way...

The Southern Challenge Winner, lucky seven himself, Sage of Musings will be receiving an autographed copy of Martin Clark's The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living and a magnolia tin of tasty pecans! Congratulations Sage!

AND, Congratulations to all who participated in the challenge.

YOU are ALL Winners in my Southern BOOK!

Ah, the Party's Over...

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2007/09/ah-partys-over.html

I'm So Excited...

...I cain't Sleep! Time to wrap-up the Southern Reading Challenge! I have one final Mister Linky and then we will draw for the autographed copy of Martin Clark's The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living plus another pecan treat! So, if you've hung in there wid me this summer, and finished 3 Southern settings by Southern author books, sign on the dotted Mr. Linky line. Be sure to either include your summary post of the challenge OR a link to the third book read. Ain't those legs adorable on the cover?!?

I'm So Excited...

http://maggiereads.blogspot.com/2007/08/im-so-excited.html