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!
Yay!! (insert happydancing)
ReplyDeleteI'm only doing a very select few challenges this year and this is one that I've been waiting for.
Need to look at what's on my list for this year :-) I know my annual summer Dorothea Benton Frank book will be one, but not sure about the rest yet. I just picked up Jacob's Ladder by Donald McCaig Friday at Powells for "Buy Indie Day". Guess that one should be on the list, huh?
I think you overdid last year with the pecans. I really do this for the joy of making lists and reading books.
Thanks Maggie - this is one of my favorite recurring challenges.
yeah, what SuziQoregon said.
ReplyDeleteY'all, it's the best challenge, and I feel like I really get the southern thing now.
Oh and for those looking for books for this challenge, I highly recommend the following books I've read in recent years:
ReplyDeleteMudbound by Hillary Jordan
The Well and the Mine by Gin Phillips
One Foot in Eden by Ron Rash
I'll join up, definitely. Made my link, but still looking on Mt Git'r'Read, or better yet, the Wanton Book List to see what fits....
ReplyDeleteMaggie, can you delete #4 Mary (Bookfan) link. For some reason it doesn't work. It works in #6. Not sure what went wrong.
ReplyDeleteI love the challenge button (is that what it's called?). So beautiful!
Maggie, I'm in! I live in NC and there are so many great books by local authors and other one's in the South. Thanks for hosting the Challenge!
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be in--got to pick three--I just finished my third review of a book by an Alabama author (Rick Bragg). Should I make up some of my gaps and read fiction of te south (Confederacy of Duces, books by Harry Crews and Larry Brown, stories by D'J Panckae and Christ Offult? or should I also include a non-fiction book or two? I'll let you know.
ReplyDeleteI was kind of waiting for this! I have the books and ready for the challenge!
ReplyDeleteMy Read list for SRC 3!
Yay, the challenge is back! I cannot wait! Thanks, Maggie, for hosting this great challenge!
ReplyDeleteFor those who have a historical fiction interest along with the Southern slant, I hope they'll consider my Civil War novel, Shades of Gray. It has won two Best Regional Fiction awards, and was just named a finalist for ForeWord Magazine's 2008 Book of the Year. It was also named FAVORITE BOOK of 2008 on two book review sites and has climbed to #2 on Amazon's Best Seller list in the romance/historical category, right behind Gone with the Wind. Stop by my website to read reviews and see if it's interesting to you. www.jessicajamesbooks.com
ReplyDeleteThis is a great Challenge!
Thank you for hosting this fantastic challenge again! I'm definitely in.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! I'm in! I'm in! Can you tell I'm excited?
ReplyDeleteBut I've only picked one of my three books. Bugger.
Hi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteI stumbled onto to this challenge while over at Raidergirl's place. I would love to join in. Have my post up and linked back to you. Have a great day!!
Sherrie
The Bible Salesman by Clyde Edgarton, Mudbound, Hillary Jordan and something by Carl Hiaasen. This Yank loves Southern Lit.
ReplyDeleteYay! My favorite genre! I am excited for this one...I will get a list together. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an great challenge! I love Southern fiction! This will officially be my first challenge! I'm putting together my list now!
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this challenge! My list is here:
ReplyDeletehttp://missysbooknook.blogspot.com
I will definitely do this challenge when I get myself organized. I won Going Down South from J KAye recently and just acquired This One and Magic Life through Bookmooch. I'm sure I'll find another when I search my stacks. May I ask what Grit lit is please? (The button is beautiful by the way). Thank you in advance.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to start I have my tentative picks. It may change when I use my 20% off coupon at Barnes and Noble.
ReplyDeletePerfect timing--I just finished reading a bio of Flannery O'Connor and was thinking I'd like to revisit her work. Let me think about which three books to read, and then I'm in.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great challenge last year. I am sure I'll be joining again.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! I'll post my choices soon.
ReplyDeleteI picked up my first Eudora Welty book the other day, now must find two more to read!
ReplyDeleteThe Robber Bridegroom by Eudora Welty
ReplyDeleteThe Legal Limit by Martin Clark
The Help by Kathryn Stockett.
Oh no it's here again. I really shouldn't be joining any more challenges as I'm so behind on some but I skipped last year and just can't let that happen again :)
ReplyDeleteI'll work on a list and report soon!
I swore an oath over my mint juleps and jasmine bushes that I would NOT enter any more reading challenges, but I cannot pass this up! I have no idea what I will read yet, but I will find something! I've got alot of traveling to do this summer, so I know this is achievable.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited about this challenge. I love Southern lit. I think you read my mind when you mentioned reading on the porch too: It's been raining for a week and I've been dieing to do it!. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love Southern Fiction. I have picked Reynolds Price "The Promise of Rest", Collected Works of Eudora Welty, and Flannery O'Connor.
ReplyDeleteSummer is the perfect time for some great reading that has been just sittin' in my bookcase. Looking forward to lazy hazy daz.
Hi Maggie! I'm in! I've been waiting for this too, so thanks!
ReplyDeletePleaaaassse do the pecans again this year!!!
ReplyDeleteMaggie,
ReplyDeleteCan you delete my name on the list - #30? I linked it back to the wrong post on my blog. So now I'm on the list, correctly, at #31.
Thanks.
I've been challenged by Sandy at You've Gotta Read This! It sounds like fun, so I'm joining in. Haven't decided on the books yet.
ReplyDeleteJust posted my books. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteCount me in! I just found your blog, and am looking forward to the challenge! I will get my list up and linked back to you.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
I chose my three books. Thanks for the challenge!
ReplyDeletehttp://bearswampreflections.blogspot.com/2009/05/southern-reading-challenge-three.html
I was so excited when I logged on and read this post this afternoon!! Now, I'm excited to sit down and start thinking about my choices. Thanks, Maggie!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you're hosting this challenge again. It's one of my favorites. Look forward to reading everyone's reviews of their selections! =)
ReplyDeleteJill
I came here via Sage. I lived in NY almost all my life and recently moved to The Grand Strand in SC. Southern writing has always been my favorite
ReplyDeleteI might reread The Secret Life of Bees as my niece read it when she was here. She's 14 and kept telling her mom to read to learn to chill. I will deny saying that....
I love mysteries and Margaret Maron writes an incredible series that take place in NC but the next won't be released until 8/17
I look forward to reading new books. I'm continually fascinated by life in the South
I forgot this challenge was coming up again. I am excited to particpate again. :)
ReplyDeleteMy first time in this challenge but I am ready. I have posted my list at evysbooks.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Here's my "official entry" into the challenge - so glad I came across this one!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't let this one slip by me. I've got my list posted and I'm all ready to start reading! Thanks so much for hosting.
ReplyDeleteMy award-winning American Civil War novel "Two Brothers: One North, One South" should qualify as good "Southern Reading" for those folks who are joining this challenge. According to Michael Aubrecht, noted historian, author, and Pinstripe Press blogger, "Two Brothers" is . . . "a highly dramatic and original storyline . . . meticulously researched for maximum believability. The characters in Two Brothers read very real, because they are . . . a wonderful read that will appeal to history buffs on both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line." In addition to the Prentiss brothers, Hetty, Jenny, and Constance Cary are featured characters in the novel. They were the reigning belles of wartime Richmond. Further details about the book can be found on my website. My sincere thanks to anyone who considers "Two Brothers" for their accomplishment of this challenge.
ReplyDeleteDavid H. Jones
Author of "Two Brothers: One North, One South"
www.davidhjones.net
I have always liked the Southern settings, thanks for this challenge, glad I found it!
ReplyDeleteYay! I love this challenge! :D
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what this challenge wants...is it southern authors or books set inthe south???
ReplyDeleteYes Grilsgood! Books set in the south by southern authors. :D
ReplyDeleteMight I suggest Ellen Glasgow as an author appropriate for the Southern reading challenge? She lived in Richmond, Virginia, and most of her fiction is set in Virginia. She won the Pulitzer Price in 1943 (or thereabouts) for her novel In This Our Life, which was made into a wonderful movie of the same title starring Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting again, Maggie.
ReplyDeleteI'm in, and I've posted a list of possible reads here:
http://pagesturned.blogspot.com/2009/05/third-annual-southern-reading-challenge.html
Looks like fun! I definitely have plenty to choose from. Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThis is so exciting. I thought I had signed up for this one already. I hope this isn't my second time to sign up. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited for this one- I love Southern Lit!
ReplyDeleteOMG!! Where have I been? And where has Harry Crews been my whole life? I'm back in the 70s in Blood and Grits: Johnson City, Tennessee, the Appalachian Trail, Valdeeeeeez, Alaska...and I'm lovin' every minute of it!! I'm headed out to the back yard to sit near the chicken coop and keep my girls company--with a cuppa coffee in one hand and Blood and Grits in the other. Can't get any better than this :~)
ReplyDeleteI signed up! Yeah! Now I have to post something on my own blog in the hopes that some can help me find some books to read (I do know a thing or two about Southern Lit, but now I get totally self conscious and feel I know absolutely nothing!)
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me join :-)
Just found your blog and want to join the challenge!
ReplyDeleteI'll be doing Southern Chick Lit.
Mary Kay Andrews, Michael Lee West.
Somebody else.
Ellsworth,
ReplyDeleteI'm not the head of any challenges. I suppose I shouldn't have the label on my blog. This might confuse challengers. I'm sorry for any confusion.
My post is now up and linked. And I have just read my first book for the challenge,This One and Magic Life**** by Anne Carroll George.
ReplyDeleteI missed this last year! I'm so happy I finally got my act together enough to sign up this year.
ReplyDeleteI was excited to read about this challenge from Pam at Sidewalk Shoes this morning. The post with my three selections is now up.
ReplyDeleteI'm already on the way, having just read The Help by Kathyryn Stockett. On your list, I signed up under my name. Can I change to the name of my blog (discriminating reader)? I look forward to sharing reading lists. I get lots of my great Southern reads--and great books in general--from Lemuria's First Editions Club.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great challenge - my three titles are Driftwood Summer, Saints in Limbo and The Sugar Queen.
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm DONE with my three novels! Thanks for making this fun challenge, I had a great time!
ReplyDeleteMy "ending"-post is here.
I'm totally late but definitely in. Just finished Tom Sawyer. :) I hope to put up my list on Sunday--hopefully. Thanks for hosting again!
ReplyDeleteI thought I signed up for this but don't see my name under Mr. Linky. He is not working today so here is my post: http://themysterybookshelf.blogspot.com/2009/05/southern-reading-challenge-2009.html. I am late getting started with the challenge but my next 3 books will be by southern authors.
ReplyDeleteOy, I only have three weeks left to do this challenge, but I saw the word 'southern' and I have to do anything related to my homeland! It's too good to miss!
ReplyDeleteWow, I just finished my last book and I definitely have three more to read. This was a great challenge thank you for hosting!
ReplyDeleteI finished the Southern Reading Challenge a little bit early. I'm glad. Didn't realize the ending date is here. My reviews, all three or four, are on my blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://southernreadingchallenge.blogspot.com
email addy
teakettle58@yahoo.com
I wanted to say thank you Maggie for giving your time and making this a special challenge.
ReplyDeleteI just posted my third review (with a mention of a fourth book) by Mary Kay Andrews. I still need to do a final wrap-up. This was so much fun! Thanks, Maggie!
ReplyDeleteCandice
Under the Honeysuckle Vine
I finished, not sure whether it was whee the author lived, the books local so i did both and then did both book and author..lol
ReplyDelete1. BPrice, Eugenia Beauty from Ashes GA book
2. McNaught, Judith Tender Trimuph of Celar Lake, TX author
3. Brown Sandra Two Alone TX author
4. Kent Kathleen Heretic's Daughhter tX author
5. urney, Eugeinia The Story of Fort Sumter book
6. Kent, Zachary The Surrender at Apomattox Court House book
7. Patterson, James Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas author
8. Spindler, Erica Cause for Alarm author
9. Karon, Jan Out to Canann author and book
10. Brown, Sandra The Witness author and book
11. Robards, Karen Bait author and book
Are you going to be hosting this Challenge again in 2010? I'm eager to be a part! Thanks.
ReplyDelete