Time's Up!

All right all you literary detectives: Time is up!

Please email me (Caitlin) with your guesses in our book match-up game TODAY. I will announce the winner tomorrow! Remember: we have $20 in FREE book money on the line folks. Don't miss your chance!

Best of luck to you all!

Six figures! Wha-hoo!

I just wanted to take a minute and point out that our page tally has finally broken through to the six figure mark! (I am super excited by this.) I also want to give a great big shout out to Laura for jumping from 688 pages to a whopping 16,991! That's impressive. I wanted to highlight yet again that even if you've gotten behind on keeping track of your pages you can go back and add them at any time. So go figure out your pages ladies, one million is still quite a ways away. But we can do it!

Who Done It?

Hint: It isn't the butler! (However, I am very tempted to have everyone phrase their guesses as if we were playing Clue..."It was So-and-So in the library with the title.")

Before we begin, I would like to send a big thank you to all the lovely ladies who agreed to play along with me this month. I hope you enjoy as many books as you can! (FYI, all the book descriptions have been transcribed word for word, as written by each submitter.)

And now, without any further suspense, may I present "A Novel Riddle" by Caitlin States:

The Suspects: Chrissy, Sarah, Caitlin, Tiffany, Mary, Elena

The Books:

Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs

A fabulous murder mystery that spans the centuries and whips you back and forth between the feeling that you know what is going on, and the ever-so-fun twist that confuses you fancily.

The BFG by Roald Dahl

Whenever I think of this book, it brings back the enjoyment I had reading it as a kid. This may have been the first book that prompted me to actually pay attention to the author and find other books written by the same. The story really took me in. Dreams fascinate and scare me, so the portrayal of why we dream was really interesting to me. I loved the idea of the "runt" doing good even when it's unpleasant, because that's just who he is. And I just love the imagination and creativity of Mr. Dahl. Who else would think of riding in an ear turned horizontal?

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows

Set in both London and Guernsey Island, this novel follows author Juliet as she becomes friends with the inhabitants of the island shortly after the end of WWII. Told in epistolary style, Juliet learns of the occupied island and its deprivations, as well as the resounding spirit of the people who live there. As she writes, she becomes more and more intrigued with the stories of the people who survived the hard times, and she decides to create a book based on their experiences. In order to gather more information, Juliet moves temporarily to the island and soon finds herself immersed in the culture and relationships.

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

I find it hilarious. I like hilarious.

My Grandfather's Blessings by Rachel Naomi Remen

A book of short stories written by a woman who has walked many different paths in life and found richness and blessings in each one. I consider this book to be an old friend, gently urging me to look at each life experience with fresh eyes and find something to love in it.

The Elenium by David Eddings

For those who can't find it in one collection, the books are: The Diamond Throne, The Ruby Knight, and The Sapphire Rose. This is one of my all time favorite fantasy writers. He has an amazing ability to craft a world that makes sense and sucks you in. I have read everything he's written, but this series is my favorite. I love the characters and the story lines, while complex, are not so convoluted that they are hard to follow. I think that this kind of book makes for perfect summertime reading, great for camping, hanging out at the park, or reading out loud on road trips. I hope you'll give it a try, and enjoy it as much as I do!

All right, ladies, let the reading commence! Best of luck to you all in your guesses!

"Come, Watson! The game is afoot!"

Well I don't know about the rest of you, but with the coming of summer I've gotten a bit lax about keeping up with each month's book (and more specifically about posting). So how about we all take a moment to refresh our literary enthusiasm with a game?

I've been reading quite a few mystery novels and watching a lot of police drama lately, so I thought I'd take inspiration from that ever-popular genre to create a guessing game to test our inner detectives.

Here's how it works:


1) If you would like to play, email me (Caitlin--address is listed in the sidebar) the title of one of your all time favorite books by Saturday, July 9th. (And yes, you do have to pick just one!) Please also include a little bit about the book. It can be either the reason you like it so much or a synopsis of the story. DISCLAIMER: Please leave out any tell-tale personal details in your description, or the game won't work!


2) Starting Sunday the 10th, I will post two lists: one with all the titles and one with the names of the players--in no particular order. The object of the game is to guess which lady goes belongs to which book recommendation. (And if two people recommend the same book...well, then I guess that just evens every one's chances a bit!) Now, for obvious reasons, I won't be able to participate in the guessing; however, I hope no one will object to me putting in a submission of my own.


3) READ! I do realize that you all have busy schedules, children, husbands, jobs, and projects housework that needs doing... But in the carefree spirit of summer I hope you will treat this month like a recommend 'wild card.' Consider each submission as 'the book of the month!' If more than one title catches your eye, then by all means read as many of the books as you can! If more than one doesn't seem to be your cup of tea, than take this month as an opportunity to curl up with an old favorite. In any case, consider that reading the book will give you a better chance of making a correct guess!


4) Award Time! Now, in my humble opinion, games are more fun with prizes. So by the end of the month, meaning the 30th, each participant needs to email with their best guess of which book belongs to which lady. The person with the most correct guesses will be given a $20 gift card to Barnes & Noble. (C'mon, what's better than free book money?!) I will announce the winner on Sunday the 31st.


So, to any and all who have an inner Sherlock Holmes, Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Nancy Drew or Hardy Boy, I invite you to spice up your summer reading and play a little game with me!