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To read a total of 104 books with the following categories:

a. First name of author starting with the letter�� (A-Z)
b. Last name of author starting with the letter �� (A-Z)
c. First word in title starting with the letter�� (A-Z) (ignoring the, a, & an)
d. Name (of a person / character) in title starting with the letter�� (A-Z)

For the hard letters (Q, X, Z) an exception is being made for the word / name to contain the letter (rather than starting with).

Clarification on 'd' - the intent is for the name in title to refer to a person's name. For example, The Winter Rose may not count as it references to a flower whilst Rose by Any Other Name counts as the Rose here is actually a character in the book. It still counts if Rose is not really a character in the book but only if you can justify that it is a name of a person rather than a flower. Only First Names and ignore series name (subtitle okay)

Please ONLY post your completed reads

Completed as of 27-NOV

First Name COMPLETED

A - Alice Clayton (Wallbanger read by Karen Booklover
B - Bess Streeter Aldrich (Miss Bishop read by LynnB)
C - Craig Russell (Dead Men and Broken Hearts read by Karen of the Bookworm)
D - Daniel Woodrell (Winter's Bone read by Susan)
E - Ekaterina Sedia (The Alchemy of Stone read by Candiss)
F - Frank Nappi (The Legend of Mickey Tussler read by Bea)
G - Gabriel Garcí a Marquez (Love in the Time of Cholera read by Bea)
H - Hugh Howey (Wool Omnibus read by Darci)
I - Irene Gut Opdyke (In My Hands: Memories of a Holocaust Rescuer read by Amy)
J - Jenny Milchman (Cover of Snow read by Lyn M)
K - Kristin Hannah (Winter Garden read by Jean)
L - Laura Esquivel (Like Water for Chocolate read by Ebony)
M - Margi Preus (Heart of a Samurai read by LynnB)
N - Nicholas Sparks (The Last Song read by Jean)
O - Orson Scott Card (Empire read by Susan
P - Patrick Ness (A Monster Calls read by D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~)
Q - Quentin Bates (Frozen Assets read by Karen Bookworm)
R - Richard Adams (Watership Down read by Jane
S - Steven Erikson (Gardens of the Moon read by Vi)
T - Thaisa Frank (Heidegger's Glasses: A Novel read by ⊱❁Jo Ann❁⊰)
U - Ursula K. Le Guin (Powers read by Coralie)
V - Victoria Dahl (Real Men Will read by Dee)
W - Wallace Stegner (Crossing to Safety read by Jean)
X - Alex Sanchez (The God Box read by Sophia)
Y - Yasmin Ladha (Blue Sunflower Startle read by Coralie)
Z - Zlata Filipović (Zlata's Diary read by LynnB)

Last Name COMPLETED

A - Andersen, Susan (Present Danger read by Karen Booklover)
B - Benway, Robin (Audrey, Wait! read by Vi)
C - Christie, Agatha (Death Comes As The End read by Bea)
D - Dee, Jonathan (A Thousand Pardons read by Lyn M)
E - Eddings, David (Pawn of Prophecy read by Sam)
F - Fforde, Jasper (The Last Dragonslayer read by Darci)
G - Gaiman, Neil (Anansi Boys read by Sam)
H - Harris, Charlaine (Dead Reckoning read by Sam)
I - Iorillo, Joseph (The Legend of Darklore Manor and Other Tales of Terror read by Sam)
J - James, Lorelei (Gone Country read by Dee)
K - Kinsella, Sophie (Confessions of a Shopaholic read by Jane)
L - Larsen, Nella (Passing read by Jane)
M - MacLean, Sarah (Eleven scandals to start to win a duke's heart read by Karen Booklover)
N - Naylor, Grant (Red Dwarf Omnibus (Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers & Better Than Life) read by Sam
O - Orsini, Doreen (No One But Madison read by D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~)
P - Park, Samuel (This Burns My Heart read by Jean)
Q - Quindlen, Anna (Black and Blue read by Amy)
R - Redmerski, J.A. (The Edge of Never read by Vi)
S - Swanson, James L. (Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer read by Amy)
T - Tsukiyama, Gail (The Samurai's Garden read by Susan)
U - Urban, Linda (Hound Dog True read by D.G.)
V - Vinge, Vernor (A Deepness in the Sky read by Coralie)
W - Webber, Tammara (Easy read by Dee)
X - Nix, Garth (Sabriel read by Coralie)
Y - Young, Samantha (Scorched Skies read by D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~)
Z - Zafon, Carlos Ruiz (The Prisoner of Heaven read by Karen Bookworm)

Title COMPLETED

A - Anna and the French Kiss (read by Karen Booklover)
B - Bitterblue (read by Coralie)
C - Can Love Happen Twice (read by Karen Booklover)
D - The Darkest Hour (read by Karen Booklover)
E - Every Move She Makes (read by Amy)
F - High Five (read by Bea)
G - Grave Secret (read by Bea)
H - Hannah's Dream (read by Amy)
I - I am America (read by D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~)
J - The Jezebel(read by D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~)
K - Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins read by Vi
L - Locomotion read by Amy
M - Murder at the Bad Girl's Bar and Grill: A Novel read by Bea
N - Notes from a Small Island read by LynnB
O - Oranges and Sunshine (read by LynnB)
P - Private Games (read by Amy)
Q - The Quiet Game read by Amy
R - The Redeemer read by Amy
S - Smokeless Fire read by D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~
T - Trans-Sister Radio read by Susan
U - The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer read by Minttu
V - Viva Jacquelina! Being an Account of the Further Adventures of Jacky Faber Over the Hills and Far Away read by Amy
W - The Wedding Dress read by ⊱❁Jo Ann❁⊰
X - Six Feet Under read by Bea
Y - Your House Is on Fire Your Children All Gone read by Sherri
Z - Zoo City read by Coralie

Name in Title COMPLETED

A - Aaron Bradley: Closet Detective (read by Dee)
B - Brody (read by Dee)
C - The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (read by Dee)
D - Double Dexter read by Amy
E - Ella Enchanted read by Vi
F - The Hand of Fatima (read by Karen Bookworm)
G - Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Dessert, Shaper of Nation (read by LynnB)
H - Harold and the Purple Crayon read by Amy
I - Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage read by D.G.
J - A Jane Austen Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love Friendship and the Things That Really Matter read by LynnB
K - Kinsey and Me read by Susan
L - Roar and Liv read by D.G.
M - Maisie Dobbs (read by Vi)
N - The Execution of Noa P. Singleton read by Amy
O - A Prayer for Owen Meany (read by Sherri)
P - Penelope and Prince Charming read by Dee
Q - Quinn's Woman read by D.G.
R - Amy and Roger's Epic Detour read by Vi
S - The Life of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Containing His Letters from Fort Jefferson Dry Tortugas Island read by Dee
T - Tom's First Spy Adventure read by Susan
U - Ursula, Under read by LynnB
V - Citizen Vince read by Amy
W - Whitney, My Love read by Bea
X - Teasing Lexi read by D.G.
Y - Ysabel read by Susan
Z - Zahrah the Windseeker read by Susan

Author's first name - H

Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey - competed 1/1/13

Darci wrote: "Author's first name - H

Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey - competed 1/1/13"

Ooh, I have this on my shelf too! I love just how striking the colours of the covers are. I really need to make time to read these soon!

On the other hand, I am very sad to have to advise you, Darci, that you are our first casualty for this skirmish. Please do NOT report any other reads until you have completed your recovery task.

Please let me know when you have completed your recovery task in this thread.

Your recovery task is Famous Fortress #1 - Masada - Israel

I have finished Anna and the french kiss for book title A , had reserved it in the planning thread !

Tien wrote: "Darci wrote: "Author's first name - H

Wool Omnibus by Hugh Howey - competed 1/1/13"

Ooh, I have this on my shelf too! I love just how striking the colours of the covers are. I really need to mak..."

Oh I didn't know this task had blocks! The rules only talk about blocks for the Freedom and Shelf towers. :)

How many are in here then?

Do the Pages Tower have blocks as well?

I finished a book by Bess Streeter Aldrich that I requested for "B" in author's first name. Completed 1 Jan 2013

Author's First Name C

Dead Men And Broken Hearts by Craig Russell completed 02/01/13

Author's First Name "M"
Margi Preus who wrote Heart of a Samurai completed 2 Jan 2013

LynnB wrote: "Author's First Name "M"
Margi Preus who wrote Heart of a Samurai completed 2 Jan 2013"

Aww, LynnB, you've been hit by a stray chunk of block! You are relieved from active duty until you have recovered from your injury :(

Please do NOT report any other reads until you have completed your recovery task.

Please let me know when you have completed your recovery task in this thread.

Your recovery task is Famous Fortress #2 - Alamut - Iran

Wow! They're falling left and right in this tower!

Tien wrote: "Aww, LynnB, you've been hit by a stray chunk of block! You are relieved from active duty until..."

Ack! I just noticed this as I was going to report another read! Hmmm, guess that will have to wait :)

Completed the darkest hour for book title D .

It was only a flesh wound! I read The Red Tent (completed 1/3/13) and am now recovered and ready to rejoin the fight.

Darci wrote: "It was only a flesh wound! I read The Red Tent (completed 1/3/13) and am now recovered and ready to rejoin the fight."

Well Done, Darci! I see that you've enjoyed it enough to give it 4 stars! Was it a book that was on your TBR to begin with? *just interested in what made you choose this book*

Tien wrote: "Darci wrote: "It was only a flesh wound! I read The Red Tent (completed 1/3/13) and am now recovered and ready to rejoin the fight."

Well Done, Darci! I see that you've enjoyed it enough to give ..."

I heard a lot of good things about it when it first came out and had a vague thought of getting around to reading it one day, but I'd forgotten all about it. So when I saw it listed as an example of a book that would satisfy the challenge the name recognition made me choose it. I'm glad I did.

Completed Private Games for book title "P" on 1/3/13

Name in Title:
The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate - 1/4

First name of author (T) Thaisa Frank
Book: Heidegger's Glasses: A Novel Finished 1/5/2013

author first name (V) - Victoria Dahl - Real Men Will - Finished - 1/5

Character name in title (B)

Brody - finished - 1/5

Haven't heard back about my request for author last name "Q" but completed Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen on 1/4/13.

Tien wrote: "LynnB wrote: "Author's First Name "M"
Margi Preus who wrote Heart of a Samurai completed 2 Jan 2013"
Aww, LynnB, you've been hit by a stray chunk of block! You are relieved from active duty until..."

Whoa! That chunk of block took me out for a bit. I'm recovered now however and ready to fight again. I spent my recovery time reading The Good Daughter: A Memoir of My Mother's Hidden Life which was a very good read.

First word in title:
"O" - Oranges & Sunshine - finished 1/5

Amy wrote: "Haven't heard back about my request for author last name "Q" but completed Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen on 1/4/13."

Did you forget to add this to your shelf? I tried searching for it but couldn't find it on your shelf? Just curious to see your rating...

7-Jan - up to date.

Last name w

Webber, Tammara

Easy - 1/6

Amy wrote: "Haven't heard back about my request for author last name "Q" but completed Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen on 1/4/13."

Sorry, Amy, I was not online yesterday. I got you now, and updated it for your completion.

Author's first name "E" -

The Alchemy of Stone - Ekaterina Sedia (finished 1/7/13) **** (4.5 really)

Just requested first letter of title "H" and assuming it is okay, please add Hannah's Dream which I finished on 1/2/13.

Name in Title

Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations, finished 7 Jan 2013. Amazing biography.

LynnB wrote: "Name in Title

Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations, finished 7 Jan 2013. Amazing biography."

Is that a crossover to Nellie Bly, LynnB?

Tien wrote: "LynnB wrote: "Name in Title
Gertrude Bell: Queen of the Desert, Shaper of Nations, finished 7 Jan 2013. Amazing biography."
Is that a crossover to Nellie Bly, LynnB?"

If you mean did I read it for Nellie Bly, no. But let me tell you, she has Nellie Bly's story beat by a mile. It's amazing her name is not well known.

LynnB wrote: "If you mean did I read it for Nellie Bly, no. But let me tell you, she has Nellie Bly's story beat by a mile. It's amazing her name is not well known. "

Yep, that's what I meant. Um, never heard of her but she sounds like she's done amazingly lot of stuff!

I checked the planning thread and no one has it reserved, to i'd like to report for;

Author first name 'L' Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (1.5 stars, the plot was ok, but the writing style was pretty horrific, magical realism is not my thing!)

Ebony wrote: "I checked the planning thread and no one has it reserved, to i'd like to report for;

Author first name 'L' Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (1.5 stars, the plot was ok, but the writing s..."

Didn't enjoy this one either Plus the ending was just SOooo... Frustrating! Grrr!

My first for this tower! (Didn't see this reserved)

Book Title "I": I am America by Stephen Colbert - 1/9/13 ★★�� (it wasn't as funny as I thought it would be.)

Ebony wrote: "I checked the planning thread and no one has it reserved, to i'd like to report for;

Author first name 'L' Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel (1.5 stars, the plot was ok, but the writing s..."

I have to agree with you and Tien on this one. I love magical realism, myself, but this book just did not do it for me. :)

Tien - Did you miss Amy's post #33. I don't see it on the reporting lists above. OR am I just missing it, cuz we all know that is possible, lol.

Last name X Sabriel by Garth Nix

Title beginning B Bitterblue
both completed 10/01/13

Lyn M wrote: "Tien - Did you miss Amy's post #33. I don't see it on the reporting lists above. OR am I just missing it, cuz we all know that is possible, lol."

I did and I didn't! I meant I saw it on my phone but it's too difficult to edit so figured I'd do it when I get on the computer but then forgot ;p Sorry! Fixing now.

Coralie wrote: "Last name X Sabriel by Garth Nix"

Shouldn't Garth Nix' last name count as N, not X? Or am I missing something? (And last name N isn't available, but character name S is,if it meets the criterion.)

Susan - There's an exception for the letter X as last names starting with that are very rare (see rule in first post.) So as long as the last name as the letter X, then it counts.

D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Susan - There's an exception for the letter X as last names starting with that are very rare (see rule in first post.) So as long as the last name as the letter X, then it counts."

Oh, yeah. Thanks for the reminder. I need to check the rules to remind myself of the other exceptions.

(Though just for future reference in case someone needs it for a different challenge, Sky Burial: An Epic Love Story of Tibet by Xinran is a very good read ... I read it a year or two ago.)

Last Name:

B: Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway. Read 10 Jan. ★★��
R:The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski. Read 10 Jan. ★★ Argh! This book made me mad!

Vi wrote: "Last Name:

B: Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway. Read 10 Jan. ★★��
R:The Edge of Never by J.A. Redmerski. Read 10 Jan. ★★ Argh! This book made me mad!"

Good shots, Vi!

Mad good or Mad bad?