Friday, July 1, 2011

Follow that Blurb Reading Challenge Start

The importance of blurbs on book covers is often debated. A blurb on the cover of a book is usually written by an author who writes in the same genre, but occasionally you find a quote from a high-profile, but seemingly random author. After noticing a few of these peculiar choices, Reading with Tequila started wondering - if she followed the blurbers, where would they lead here?

The plan is simple. I'm going to chose a book to read. Once I finish that book, I'll chose a blurb from the front or back cover and read a book written by the quoted author. I'll read 10 books in this fashion, just to see where I end up. Will all the books have a common theme? Will they be in the same genre? Will all of the authors be the same gender or ethnicity? Will they all have the same publisher? Are they all equally well known? Or will the books appear to be nothing more than a completely random list?

I will begin with the very next book I read that has a blurb on the cover. For the challenge, I will only read books that have blurbs, so given the choice between a few authors blurbing the same book, I will make sure to choice to move onto an author that have cover blurbs next.

The challenge will run for the next year, July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. This is a meme hosted by Reading With Tequila.

Starting off book:
1. The Devil Colony by James Rollins.
Blurb: "Nobody-and I mean nobody-does this stuff better than Rollins" -Lee Child
2. ______ by Lee Child

And my journeys:

My YA Reading Journey:
1. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa review here

Blurb: "The Iron King is a must read!" -Gena Showalter

2. Intertwined, Unraveled or Twisted by Gena Showalter review here and here
Blurb: "I couldn't put it down!" - P. C. Cast

3. Awakened by P. C. and Kristin Cast review here

Blurb: NA

4. Unearthly by Cynthia Hand review here

Blurb: "A gripping tale of destiny, family, and first love, Unearthly stole my breath...and my heart" -Kimberly Derting

5. The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting review here

Blurb: "You'll be drawn in by the love story—and kept up all night by the suspense." -Claudia Gray

6. Fateful by Claudia Gray review here

Blurb: "Claudia Gray has done it again! Haunting, romantic, and tension-filled! I loved every page! Prepare yourself to stay up all night!" -Sophie Jordan

7. Firelight by Sophie Jordan review here

Blurb: Firelight soars to dizzying heights, combining forbidden love, scorching romance, and thrilling danger." -Kiersten White

8. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White review here

Blurb: "The perfect blend of light and dark. I can't wait for more!" -Carrie Ryan

9. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan review here

Blurb: The best dystopian novel we've read, period. Only Carrie Ryan could twist horror into an anthem of hope and love so gut-wrenching no reader will be immune." -Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

10. Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl review here

Blurb: "A lush Southern gothic whose memorable, eccentric characters draw you into their captivating world." -Holly Black 


11. White Cat by Holly Black review here 


Blurb: "Prepare to be entangled by a new kind of Black magic. White Cat is her most riveting book yet." -Scott Westerfeld

12. Goliath by Scott Westerfeld  review here

Blurb: NA

13. The Iron Thorn by Caitkin Kittredge review here

Blurb: "A lush Boschian world full of surprises and surising delights." -Holly Black

14. Red Glove by Holly Black review here

Blurb: "A stunning tour de force of magic, crime, romance, and double- and triple-crosses with an end that you will never see coming," -Libba Bray

15. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray review here

Blurb: NA

16: Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink review here

Blurb: "This is a brooding, haunting tale of an ancient struggle between living and dead, with two sisters at its heart. It’s Gothic, Edwardian, and absolutely un-put-down-able!" -Tamora Pierce

17. Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce review here

Blurb: NA

18. Bumped by Megan McCafferty review here 


Blurb: Megan McCafferty has conceived a hilarious, touching, truly original novel, told in her trademark, spot-on voice. Readers of every age will delight in this new arrival." -Rachel Cohn 


Blurb: Bumbed has it all-a fascinating yet frighteningly believable world, seamless world-building, great humor, and sophisticated wordplay. The characters are sexy and complicated in the best ways. The book will start many a discussion and. alas, raise more than a few eyebrows. I suspect mothers will like it just as much as the daughters. Bumped is the 'breediest' novel of the year." -Gabrielle Zevin 


19. Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Leviathan review here 


Blurb: NA 


20. Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin review here 


Blurb: "Elsewhere is a funny, fast-paced, and fascinating novel. The concept is completely out there and yet the emotions are so weirdly realistic. I loved reading the story of Liz's life (death?). -Carolyn Mackler

 
21. The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Macker review here


Blurb: NA


22. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins review here

Blurb: "Very sly. Very funny. Very romantic. You should date this book." -Maureen Johnson

23. The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson review here

Blurb: "An unputdownable thrill ride that will leave you gasping, laughing, and dreaming of London."-Ally Carter

24. Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy by Ally Carter review here


Blurb: NA

25. The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg review here

Blurb: "The funniest, sweetest, most heartfelt, sigh-worthy, and oh-so romantic story I've ever read. You'll love it!" -Cynthia Leitich Smith

26. Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith review here

Blurb: "Full of unexpected, delicious delights that kept me guessing and turning the pages, Tantalize creates a froth of excitement, danger, suspense, and wit. This original book tantalizes the senses indeed, as it explores the border between attraction and disgust, and makes us question our perceptions. Who are you-predator or prey?" -Annette Curtis Klause 

27. Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause

My Mystery Reading Journey: 
1. The Devil Colony by James Rollins. Review here

Blurb: "Nobody-and I mean nobody-does this stuff better than Rollins"-Lee Child

2. Killing Floor by Lee Child. Review here

Blurb: "This is a kick-ass first novel by the very talented Lee Child. Hero Jack Reacher has presence and dimension-a man you definitely want on your side. Child has a sure touch and a strong voice. Definitely a talent to watch" -Lynn S. Hightower 

3. Flashpoint by Lynn Hightower. Review here

Blurb: "A truly original plot...Lena Padget is a very welcome addition to the ranks of fictional private eyes. She is witty, tough, and always a woman" -Stuart Kaminsky 

Blurb: "Never a dull moment...a plot that moves" -Tony Hillerman

4. A Whisper to the Living by Stuart M. Kaminsky. Review here

Blurb: NA

5. The Blessing Way by Tony Hillerman. Review here 

Blurb: NA

6. White Heat by Brenda Novak. Review here

Blurb: “Brenda Novak writes with a “skilful blend of poignantly real character’s and a gut gripping suspense.” –Karen Rose

7. You Belong to Me by Karen Rose. Review here.

Blurb: “Rose is a master of romantic suspense.” –Allison Brennan 
8. Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan. Review here

Blurb: NA

9. Killing Me Softly by Maggie Shayne. Review here

Blurb: "Maggie Shayne is better than chocolate. She satisfies every wicked craving." -Suzanne Forster

10. The Lonely Girls Club by Suzanne Forster. Review here.

Blurb: No one combines steamy suspense and breathless thrills like Suzanne Forster" -Susan Elizabeth Phillips

11. Call Me Irresistible by Susan Elizabeth Philips. Review here

Blurb: NA

12. A Marked Man by Stella Cameron

"If you're looking for chilling suspense and red-hot romance, look no farther than Stella Cameron!" -Tess Gerritsen

13. The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen

Blurb: NA

14. Boneman's Daughter by Ted Dekker




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