December Challenge: The Girl Who Navigated Fairyland by Catherynne M. Valente
And now, the results of the December Challenge!
This was a really close one. Every book in the poll took the lead at some point during the voting process, and then it got narrowed down to two, and I was certain I'd have to break a tie. BUT!!! One title pulled through, so without any further adieu, I give you the December selection. It took 40 votes, to come up with . . .
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (2011)
Written by: Catherynne M. Valente
ISBN: 978-0-312-64961-6
I'm looking forward to this book for SO many reasons, but some of those reasons will just have to wait for the book club discussion. But this definitely looks like something different from what I'm used to reading from Valente, and it even won the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy back in 2009, which might be a head-scratcher for some of you, but this book was originally published online by Valente herself, and this hardcover edition that came out this year is the first print edition. The full novel is no longer available online; however, a good portion of it can be found here if you watch to get a really good sample. :)
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 DECEMBER 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 DECEMBER (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 December 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 December!
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. This is a new release, so right now, your options are hardcover or e-book, but as I mentioned above, you can at least read the first eight chapters or so online. But seriously, 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?
For a while, I was planning on reading ALL the selections. I still hope to do that, but I'm so behind on previous months' polls that I'm not sure when I'll get around to the non-winning selections. Regardless, I will get around to reading them, one day. How soon that will be, though, I have no idea. :)
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 one. Every book in the poll took the lead at some point during the voting process, and then it got narrowed down to two, and I was certain I'd have to break a tie. BUT!!! One title pulled through, so without any further adieu, I give you the December selection. It took 40 votes, to come up with . . .
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (2011)
Written by: Catherynne M. Valente
ISBN: 978-0-312-64961-6
I'm looking forward to this book for SO many reasons, but some of those reasons will just have to wait for the book club discussion. But this definitely looks like something different from what I'm used to reading from Valente, and it even won the Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy back in 2009, which might be a head-scratcher for some of you, but this book was originally published online by Valente herself, and this hardcover edition that came out this year is the first print edition. The full novel is no longer available online; however, a good portion of it can be found here if you watch to get a really good sample. :)
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 DECEMBER 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 DECEMBER (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 December 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 December!
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. This is a new release, so right now, your options are hardcover or e-book, but as I mentioned above, you can at least read the first eight chapters or so online. But seriously, 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?
For a while, I was planning on reading ALL the selections. I still hope to do that, but I'm so behind on previous months' polls that I'm not sure when I'll get around to the non-winning selections. Regardless, I will get around to reading them, one day. How soon that will be, though, I have no idea. :)
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!