A - Z Challenges so far

[Em]

Neither Catherine, any author and any location is fine for this challenge. We'd all have a challenge if we had to find a British author for X!!

[Catherine]

lol thanks!

[Catherine]

ok...here goes...


A.
B. Bill Bryson..At Home: A Short History of Private Life(14 Jan), Geraldine Brooks..Calebs's Crossing(4 Feb)
C. Meg Cabot..Queen of Babble(3 Feb)
D. Jennifer Donnelly..The Tea Rose(13 Jan)
E. Janet Evanovich..Love, in a Nutshell(17 Mar)
F. Ellen Feldman..Next to Love(9 Feb)
G. Diana Gabaldon..An Echo in the Bone(Outlander 7)(29 March)
H. Colleen Houck..Tiger's Curse(9 Jan)
I. Claude Izner..Murder on the Eiffel Tower(book 1)(22 March)
J. Pam Jenoff..The Things We Cherished(21 Nov)
K.
L. Mercedes Lackey..The Fire Rose(book 1)(7 Nov)
M. Gil McNeil..Needles & Pearls(book 2)(20 Jan)
N. Garth Nix..Sabriel(book 1)
O. Sheila O'Flanagan..How Will I Know(read)
P. James Patterson..The Fire(Witch & Wizard 3)(27 Jan)
Q.
R. Rick Riordan..The Red Pyramid(book 1)(17 Sept)
S. Elif Shafak..The Forty Rules of Love(read) Siddarth Dhanvant Shanghvi..The Lost Flamingoes of Bombay(18 March)
T. Patrick Taylor..A Dublin Student Doctor(book 6)(15 March)
U.
V. Philip Van Munching(Bernie Katz)..Actually It Is Your Parents' Fault (5 Feb)
W. Jeannette Walls..Half-Broke Horses(17 March)
X.
Y. Linda Yellin..Last Blind Date(3 April)
Z.

[Sam]

Just done my Z. Read a book called Touch by Alexi Zentnet. It was okay but I struggled at times as there were supernatural creatures that the story telling didn't make me feel were real. It didn't make me feel like looking for more books that he has written.

[Kate]

Got the challenge off to a poor start as the first 4 books I read this year were all by the same author. Hey ho.

A: Case Histories - Kate Atkinson
B: Mystery Man - Bateman
C: Pirate Latitudes - Michael Crichton
D: My Fabulous Divorce - Claire Dowling
E: High Society - Ben Elton
F: The Hanging Shed - Gordon Ferris
G: The Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B - Sandra Gulland
H: The Binding Chair - Kathryn Harrison
I: Lords of the Bow - Conn Iggulden
J: Caligula, the Tyranny of Rome - Douglas Jackson
K: Mini Shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella
L: Through a Glass Darkly - Donna Leon
M: The Timetravellers Guide to Medieval England - Ian Mortimer
N: The Snowman (+3 others) - Jo Nesbo
O: At My Mother's Knee - Paul O'Grady
P: A Court Affair - Emily Purdy
Q: Mistress Of Rome - Kate Quinn
R: Wednesday's Child - Peter Robinson
S: That Bear Ate My Pants! - Tony Slater
T: Fatal Majesty - Reay Tannahill
U: On Black Sisters' Street - Chika Unigwe
V: Easter Island - Jennifer Vanderbes
W: Boogie up the River - Mark Wallington
X: The Lost & Forgotten Languages of Shanghai - Ruiyan Xu
Y: Brethren - Robyn Young
Z: The Doctor of Thessaly - Anne Zouroudi

[Helen]

Yes I read a lot of series' and also every author's name starts with C or P!

[Nicola]

I'm doing this on another group but thought I'd add here as well :) started out doing it at random but now I am going in order! I've done a couple more - have added ratings as well

A Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen ****
B Clouded Vision by Linwood Barclay ***
C Falling Angels by Tracy Chevalier ***
D Sacred Hearts by Sarah Dunant *****
E The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans ***
F Me & Emma by Elizabeth Flock ****
G The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory *****
H The Abortionist's Daughter by Elisabeth Hyde **
I Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
J The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell ****
K
L Sister by Rosamund Lupton ****
M The Butterfly Cabinet by Bernie McGill ***
N
O
P Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult *****
Q
R
S Dry Season by Dan Smith *****
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z

[Danielle]

Only just started, so not much to show

E - Ebadi Shirin Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revolution and Hope

I just started Pavel&I by Dan Vyleta

[Danielle]

E - Ebadi Shirin: Iran Awakening: A Memoir of Revoltion and Hope
M - McCourt Frank: Angela's Ashes
V - Vyleta Dan: Pavel & I

It will take me quite a few years I guess...

[Lee]

Going to have a bash at this, here's my list:

Adams, Douglas - A Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy
Bryson, Bill - A Short History of Nearly Everything
Crichton, Michael - The Andromeda Strain
Dick, Phillip K. - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Ellis, Brett Easton - American Psycho
Flemming, Ian - Casino Royale
Grisham, John - The Pelican Brief
Harris, Robert - Enigma
Irving, John - The World According to Garp
Joyce, James - Ulysses
King, Stephen - The Gunslinger
Lee, Harper - To Kill A Mockingbird
Martin, George R.R - A Game of Thrones
Niffeneger, Audrey - The Time Travellers Wife
Osbourne, Ozzy - I Am Ozzy
Patchett, Terry - The Colour of Magic
Quick, Amanda - Second Sight
Riordan, Rick - The Lightning Theif
Sebold, Alice - The Lovely Bones
Tan, Amy - The Joy Luck Club
Updike, John - Rabbit, Run
Vonnegut, Kurt - Cats Cradle
Weeks, Brent - The way of Shadows
Xinran - Sky Burial
Yates, Richard - Revolutionary Road
Zweibel, Alan - Lunatics

There is a reason for reading most of them, but the basic criteria was an author that I haven't read and cover as many genres as possible.

[Danielle]

E - Ebadi Shirin: Iran Awakening: a memoir of revolution and hope
M - McCourt Frank: Angela's Ashes
S - Simenon Georges: Maigret and the Old Lady
V - Vyleta Dan: Pavel & I

Currently listening to Maigret and the Old Lady by Georges Simenon- appearantly the second most translated Belgian author.

[Ian, Former Moderator]

Lee wrote: "Going to have a bash at this, here's my list:

Adams, Douglas - A Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy
Bryson, Bill - A Short History of Nearly Everything
Crichton, Michael - The Andromeda Strain
Dick, ..."

Suggest you set up your own thread Lee as it's easier to keep track of that way.

[Sue]

Danielle wrote:

Currently listening to M..."

So who is the most translated?

[Monica]

I love this challenge!!!! Going to start it too as soon as I finish the book i'm reading!!

[Danielle]

Sue wrote: "Danielle wrote:

Currently listening to M..."

So who is the most translated?"

Hergé the creator of Tintin is actually the most translated Belgian author.

[Danielle]

E - Ebadi Shirin: Iran Awakening: a memoir of revolution and hope
M - McCourt Frank: Angela's Ashes
S - Simenon Georges: Maigret and the Old Lady
T - Taseer Aatish: A Stranger to History - A Son's Journey through Islamic Lands
V - Vyleta Dan: Pavel & I

Half way through Taseer Aatish's book 'Stranger to History: A Son's Journey Through Islamic Lands. Interesting read.

[Theweebarrell]

Going to try and read as much as i can for A-Z =

R - Scream for me By Karen Rose
H - Two Faced - Mandasue Heller

[Danielle]

E - Ebadi Shirin: Iran Awakening: a memoir of revolution and hope
M - McCourt Frank: Angela's Ashes
S - Simenon Georges: Maigret and the Old Lady
T - Taseer Aatish: A Stranger to History - A Son's Journey through Islamic Lands
V - Vyleta Dan: Pavel & I
W - Walsh Mikey :Gypsy Boy

Currently reading or better said listening to Gypsy boy by Mikey Walsh.

I have read an author for the letter 'R' as well; he is German though and his book isn't translated in English so I don't know if it is ok to add him in the list.

[Ian, Former Moderator]

OK to include Danielle.

[Danielle]

Ian wrote: "OK to include Danielle."

Thanks Ian.

'R' by the way is Raabe Marc: Schnitt. 'Schnitt' means cut, incision.

[Ian, Former Moderator]

Is that why Wiener Schnitzel is so called? Possibly little Viennese cut.

[Danielle]

Ian wrote: "Is that why Wiener Schnitzel is so called? Possibly little Viennese cut."

I suppose so - since you have to slice the meat.

It also refers to a film being cut. And it is about a film in the end and who has it and what is on it. But the title also refers to the killer who gets a thrill out of slicing up people with a knife. So the title refers to several meanings of the word 'cut'.

[Mandy]

Just started so I can only include the ones from this time onwards so:
A: Atwood, Margaret: Alias Grace

[Liza]

Hi All, I just found your group and this challenge looks like fun, ok that I join in?

[Em]

Absolutely! Hope you enjoy it...

[Liza]

Ok so of I go with my first couple of reads

A
B
C
D Crime and PunishmentFyodor Dostoyevsky****
E
F The Diary of a Young Girl Anne Frank *****
G
H Brave New World Aldous Huxley ****
I
J Happiness Habits: Instant Happiness In 15 Minutes Or Less! Daphne Joffe *****
K
L
M Anne of Green Gables LM Montgomery *****
N
O
P
Q
R
S Dracula Bram Stoker ***
T
U
V
W
X
Y
ZDracula

[Ian, Former Moderator]

Might be better to set up your own dedicated discussion thread Liza....will be easier for you to keep track. Enjoy the challenge.

[Helga]

Only one to start with, but hey, one has to start somewhere, no?

J: Joseph Manu: The illicit Happiness of other People

[Helen]

I just can't find a U that I fancy...

[Jill]

B Iain Banks - Dead Air
C Jim Crace - Harvest
L Megan Lindholm - Harpy's Flight
M China Mieville - King Rat
V Vernor Vinge - The Collected Stories of Vernor Vinge

[[deleted user]]

Hi,I have got one letter 'X'. Can anyone suggest anything for me please.

[Stephen]

Karen wrote: "Hi,I have got one letter 'X'. Can anyone suggest anything for me please."

xinran the Chinese author maybe sky burial

[[deleted user]]

Stephen wrote: "Karen wrote: "Hi,I have got one letter 'X'. Can anyone suggest anything for me please."

xinran the Chinese author maybe sky burial"

Thank you. I have just had a look at that. I will be reading that as I like this type of book. Thanks once again :)

[Sue]

Karen wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Karen wrote: "Hi,I have got one letter 'X'. Can anyone suggest anything for me please."

xinran the Chinese author maybe sky burial"

Thank you. I have just had a look at that. I wi..."

I loved Sky Burial. Hope you enjoy it too.

[[deleted user]]

Sue wrote: "Karen wrote: "Stephen wrote: "Karen wrote: "Hi,I have got one letter 'X'. Can anyone suggest anything for me please."

xinran the Chinese author maybe sky burial"

Thank you. I have just had a look..."

Thanks Sue, I have not started it yet.

[Louise]

Just come across this one, sounds like a great idea.
I think I'll start with the book I'm reading now:

A-Z Author Challenge
Start Date 1st May 2014
End Date 30th April 2015 hopefully!

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

[Ian, Former Moderator]

Louise wrote: "Just come across this one, sounds like a great idea.
I think I'll start with the book I'm reading now:

A-Z Author Challenge
Start Date 1st May 2014
End Date 30th April 2015 hopefully!

A

B

C

D
..."

Will be easier for you if you set up your own dedicated thread Louise. Enjoy the challenge anyway.

[Kristi]

I am really enjoying this! I was very surprised that when I looked at my bookshelf, I actually had books for most of the letters, except I, Q, X, Y and Z!
So far:

A - The First Phone Call from Heaven - Mitch Albom
B - Everyday Sexism - Laura Bates
C - Bad Men - John Connolly
D - One Small Act of Kindness - Lucy Dillon
E - Hotel Babylon - Imogen Edwards-Jones

Let's hope I can finish this before the end of the year! (I only started 2 weeks ago!)

[Liz, Your Friendly Moderator]

Kristi - have you read 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zaphon? Great for Z. It's an atmospheric, fun read - I loved it!

[Kristi]

Liz wrote: "Kristi - have you read 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zaphon? Great for Z. It's an atmospheric, fun read - I loved it!"

Thanks Liz, I was thinking of that...now that I have a recommendation I'll definitely give it a go! :)

[Kristi]

Hi everyone! I am loving the A-Z reading challenge so far, am on M...so about halfway :) Rather than putting my list on here, I have written a more detailed list on my blog:
http://kristisbookshelf.blogspot.co.u...
If anyone else has a blog, please DM the link to your list, and I'd love to have a look :)
Thanks!

[Sue]

OK I have been thinking of doing the 1 word title challenge in 2016! Have got a few ideas but all gratefully received especially for those difficult letters!

[Andrew]

This was my attempt to make my reading more diverse by adding a women only element to an ordinary A-Z and it seems an age since I started but there are some good reads there but also a few duff ones particularly my Q attempts- it's also fun as you start off ticking off initials but the hit a point where it gets harder but that does allow you to stretch your reading a bit- Anyway here is the list:
WOMEN ONLY A-Z
A;The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood
B; A commonplace killing by Sian busby
C; Raven Black by Ann Cleeves
D;Claire of the sea light by Edwidge Danticat
E; The Round House by Louise Erdich
F;The Unknown Bridesmaid by Margaret Forster.
G; Old Filth by Jane Gardam
H; Wake by Anna Hope
I; The snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
J; Unspoken by Mari jungstedt
K; Father of the rain by Lily King
L;The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
M; Beneath the bleeding by Val McDermid
N;Snow white must die by Nele Neuhaus
O;When the doves disappeared by Sofi Oksanen
P;WONDER by R J Pallacio
Q;Thorn in my side by Sheila Quigley
R;A Casual vacancy by J K Rowling.
S;Last Rituals by Yrsa Siguroardottir
T; ANGEL by Elizabeth Taylor
U;WEIRDO by Cathi Unsworth
V;SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR by Fred Vargas
W;Return of the soldier by Rebecca West
X; A concise Chinese English dictionary for lovers- Xiaolu Guo
Y; My dear I wanted to tell you by Louisa Young
Z; Clara's daughter by Mieke Ziervogel

GENERAL A-Z
A The Corpse washer by Sinan Antoon
B;The Absolutist by John Boyne
C; The Poet by Michael connolly
D; The Pure gold baby by Margaret Drabble
E; The Green road by Anne Enright
F;Brotherhood of the grape by John Fante
G; The cellist of Sarajevo by steven galloway
H; The treatment by Mo Hayder
I; The dead Lake by Hamid Ismailov
J; The Dig by Cynan Jones
K;EXPOSURE by Sayed Kashua
L; If this a man by Primo Levi
M;Bring up the bodies by Hilary Mantel
N;An English ghost story by Kim Newman
O; Dept of speculaton by Jenny Offill
P;1983 David Peace
Q;We always treat women too well by Raymond Queneau
R;Gods own country by Ross Raisin
S; The Murder farm by Andrea Maria Schenkel
T;The story of Lucy Gault by William Trevor
U; Crazy Love you by Lisa Unger
V; Cat's cradle by Kurt Vonnegut
W; Filth by Irvine Welsh
X; A Loyal character dancer by Qui Xiaolong
Y; Season to taste by NATALIE YOUNG
Z; The Ploughmen by Kim Zupan

[Sue]

You have got some really good books there. Hope you enjoy them. Will be interesting to see if you enjoy them as much as I did.

[Ian, Former Moderator]

Well done. What's next?

[Andrew]

Ian wrote: "Well done. What's next?" im toying with a crime by author surname a-z, maybe even new to me!

[Sue]

Andrew, have you read all those already this year?

[Andrew]

Sue wrote: "Andrew, have you read all those already this year?"

I started the challenge two years ago sue.

[Tania]

Just saw this challenge and as I obviously am not challenged enough I'm going to add this to it the two A-Z I am doing. LOL

This is a little different from the A to Z country challenge we have been doing. This time any place name will work, not just countries. You can use cities, counties, states, provinces, continents, islands, etc