August Challenge: Ammonite by Nicola Griffith
And now, the results of the August Challenge!
This was a really close race that ended in our second tie of the year. In truth, all of the books (save for one) ended up taking the lead at one point, but my tie-breaker is FAR easier this time than it was the last time, as the books are so different and I really want to encourage people to read something a little different. After 50 votes, there was a tie between Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys and Nicola Griffith's Ammonite. Can you guess which one I picked? I'll give you a clue: in the comments, someone gave my pick a chant! How could I resist?
Ammonite (2002)
Written by: Nicola Griffith
ISBN: 0345452380
I think this is going to be a great pick for a number of reasons. For starters, some of you have been complaining about the number of men we've been reading this year. I keep joking we're making up for Year One (which lasted 16 months and we only read two men total), but I guess you don't find that funny? Another reason I think this would be a great pick is that I've read Griffith before, and her Slow River was a wonderfully compelling book. That's no guarantee that Ammonite will be equally awesome, but since Griffith isn't an uber-popular author, I feel she deserves the limelight over Gaiman, who already has more than enough readers (plus, be honest: how many of you have already read Anansi Boys?)
Ammonite it is!
Who can participate?
Anyone who's interested in the book. You don't have to have an LJ to participate in the challenge. Just read the book sometime between NOW and the month of AUGUST and then feel free to engage in discussion at the end of the month. Or, if you have a book blog of your own, post your review there and provide me with a link in mine. :) For your sake, I'll hold off posting my review until the end of AUGUST (or later, depending on scheduling) so no one feels rushed to finish the book. I want people to read at their own speed and to enjoy themselves.
Also, you DO NOT have to participate in the discussion to participate in the CHALLENGE, but you get points for both reading and commenting. While I love the discussion, I look very closely at the number of people who read the book for the challenge, so feel free to read even if you're not comfortable commenting! :)
As always, feel free to talk about the book challenge and encourage others to read what you are. After all, the more the merrier!
When do I participate?
Any time between NOW and August 31st. As long as you read the selection within this particular time frame, you've participated. This way, if you're a slower reader, you've got much more time. :) And if you're a fast reader, and want to participate in the discussion with the book fresh on your mind, then go ahead and wait until August!
How do I participate?
Get your hands on the book. You can buy, borrow, or swap, but please try and get your hands on the book. If you're having trouble finding this book, let me know and I'll try and point you in the right direction. I'm not sure how easy this book will be to get your hands on, but don't give up, okay? You're gonna find it somewhere! But if you DO have trouble finding the book, let me know! But don't delay! Get your copy now!
What if this isn't the book I voted for? What if I don't want to read this?
Regardless of whichever book wins, I'll be reading ALL of the selections from the poll. That's right: so if your favorite book didn't win and you just can't bring yourself to read the challenge book, read the one you want and you'll be able to comment on my review! But note this: I'm obligated to read and finish our book club selection and post that review at the end of the month (in this case, July). That isn't true for the other selections, which means I can read them whenever I please. :) But as always, and as on any review, you're more than welcome to participate in whatever discussion that pops up!
But what if I've already read this book? How do I participate then?
Same as you normally would, but without reading. Comment to the review and discussion when it's posted, and answer the poll questions. If you have a review, make sure you shoot me the link. You can choose to re-read the book for the challenge if you WANT, but I won't think any less of you if you decide not to.Sign up for the 2011 Alphabet Soup Challenge!
Click here!
This was a really close race that ended in our second tie of the year. In truth, all of the books (save for one) ended up taking the lead at one point, but my tie-breaker is FAR easier this time than it was the last time, as the books are so different and I really want to encourage people to read something a little different. After 50 votes, there was a tie between Neil Gaiman's Anansi Boys and Nicola Griffith's Ammonite. Can you guess which one I picked? I'll give you a clue: in the comments, someone gave my pick a chant! How could I resist?
Ammonite (2002)
Written by: Nicola Griffith
ISBN: 0345452380
I think this is going to be a great pick for a number of reasons. For starters, some of you have been complaining about the number of men we've been reading this year. I keep joking we're making up for Year One (which lasted 16 months and we only read two men total), but I guess you don't find that funny? Another reason I think this would be a great pick is that I've read Griffith before, and her Slow River was a wonderfully compelling book. That's no guarantee that Ammonite will be equally awesome, but since Griffith isn't an uber-popular author, I feel she deserves the limelight over Gaiman, who already has more than enough readers (plus, be honest: how many of you have already read Anansi Boys?)
Ammonite it is!
Who can participate?
Anyone who's interested in the book. You don't have to have an LJ to participate in the challenge. Just read the book sometime between NOW and the month of AUGUST and then feel free to engage in discussion at the end of the month. Or, if you have a book blog of your own, post your review there and provide me with a link in mine. :) For your sake, I'll hold off posting my review until the end of AUGUST (or later, depending on scheduling) so no one feels rushed to finish the book. I want people to read at their own speed and to enjoy themselves.
Also, you DO NOT have to participate in the discussion to participate in the CHALLENGE, but you get points for both reading and commenting. While I love the discussion, I look very closely at the number of people who read the book for the challenge, so feel free to read even if you're not comfortable commenting! :)
As always, feel free to talk about the book challenge and encourage others to read what you are. After all, the more the merrier!
When do I participate?
Any time between NOW and August 31st. As long as you read the selection within this particular time frame, you've participated. This way, if you're a slower reader, you've got much more time. :) And if you're a fast reader, and want to participate in the discussion with the book fresh on your mind, then go ahead and wait until August!
How do I participate?
Get your hands on the book. You can buy, borrow, or swap, but please try and get your hands on the book. If you're having trouble finding this book, let me know and I'll try and point you in the right direction. I'm not sure how easy this book will be to get your hands on, but don't give up, okay? You're gonna find it somewhere! But if you DO have trouble finding the book, let me know! But don't delay! Get your copy now!
What if this isn't the book I voted for? What if I don't want to read this?
Regardless of whichever book wins, I'll be reading ALL of the selections from the poll. That's right: so if your favorite book didn't win and you just can't bring yourself to read the challenge book, read the one you want and you'll be able to comment on my review! But note this: I'm obligated to read and finish our book club selection and post that review at the end of the month (in this case, July). That isn't true for the other selections, which means I can read them whenever I please. :) But as always, and as on any review, you're more than welcome to participate in whatever discussion that pops up!
But what if I've already read this book? How do I participate then?
Same as you normally would, but without reading. Comment to the review and discussion when it's posted, and answer the poll questions. If you have a review, make sure you shoot me the link. You can choose to re-read the book for the challenge if you WANT, but I won't think any less of you if you decide not to.Sign up for the 2011 Alphabet Soup Challenge!
Click here!